Cabinet with telescoping trays for fastener bins

A fastener storage and display cabinet includes a housing defining an internal space, with a plurality of tray units positioned within the internal space. Each tray unit is movable between a closed position primarily within the internal space and an extended position in which a majority of the tray unit is cantilevered forward of the housing. At least one tray unit is formed as a telescoping tray assembly comprising an upper tray component and a lower tray component, wherein the upper tray component fits within the lower tray component and is movable with respect to the lower tray component between a first position nested within the lower tray component and a second position cantilevered forwardly from the lower tray component.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to storage and display of fasteners and, more specifically, to a cabinet with telescoping trays that enable two fastener bins to be contained within each tray.

BACKGROUND

Fasteners are often presented for selection in hardware stores in rectangular fastener bins, where each bin typically has a lid that can be pivoted upward to access the bin interior, and the bin interior typically includes multiple compartments, each compartment holding a particular fastener component (e.g., bolts, nuts, washers etc.). In the past such bins have been supported on trays or shelves that can be pulled outward by a customer. Typically fastener cabinets have utilized trays of single-piece design, where the effective limits for tray withdrawal while still providing support for the fastener bin have limited each tray to holding and supporting a single bin. Product storage space is a premium within most retail environments.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a fastener cabinet and associated tray arrangement that enables a higher density of fastener bin storage.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a fastener storage and display cabinet includes a housing defining an internal space, with a plurality of tray units positioned within the internal space. Each tray unit is movable between a closed position primarily within the internal space and an extended position in which a majority of the tray unit is cantilevered forward of the housing. At least one tray unit is formed as a telescoping tray assembly comprising an upper tray component and a lower tray component, wherein the upper tray component fits within the lower tray component and is movable with respect to the lower tray component between a first position nested within the lower tray component and a second position cantilevered forwardly from the lower tray component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now toFIGS. 1-16, a fastener storage and display cabinet10includes a housing12with left, right, top, bottom and rear sidewalls13defining an internal space15, and a front side opening17providing access to the internal space. In one example, the housing is of metal construction, but other materials could be used. In the illustrated example the housing has sidewalls that are generally planar and closed, but it is recognized that other housing configurations, such as frame-type housings are possible The housing12includes a plurality of tray units14A-14E mounted within the internal space. Although five tray units are shown in the illustrated embodiment, variations with more or less tray units are possible. Each tray unit is movable between a closed position (e.g., perFIG. 1where all tray units are in closed positions), where the closed position is primarily within the internal space of the housing, and an extended position (e.g., perFIG. 2where tray unit14A is in the extended position) in which a majority of the tray unit is cantilevered forward of the housing.

The tray units are sized to support fastener bins16, where each tray unit is capable of holding two fastener bins as shown inFIG. 2. When a tray unit is in its extended position, both fastener bins16are sufficiently accessible and clear of the housing12and other tray units to permit the bin lids18to be pivoted upward for access to fasteners within the bin (perFIG. 3, where all tray units are shown holding bins). In an alternative configuration the fastener bins16could be positioned side-by-side on the tray units.

As best seen inFIGS. 4-6, each tray unit14is formed as a telescoping tray assembly with an upper tray component20and a lower tray component22. The upper tray component20fits within the lower tray component22and is movable with respect to the lower tray component (per arrow24inFIG. 5) between a position nested within the lower tray component (FIG. 5) and a position cantilevered forwardly from the lower tray component (FIG. 6). In one implementation, each tray component may be of a molded plastic material, but variations on material and formation process are possible.

When a tray unit is moved into its extended position (e.g., perFIG. 6) as a result of pulling forward on a front handle26the upper tray component20, the lower tray component22slides along a track system within the housing12. In this regard, reference is made toFIG. 7where a cabinet housing12and left and right track inserts30A and30B are shown in an exploded view. The track inserts can be loaded in through the housing opening17, which is defined by a narrow frame34having left and right frame segments36A and36B that help capture and retain the track inserts30A and30B when the track inserts are pressed against the respective left and right sidewalls of the housing. In this regard, a lower base portion38A,38B of each track insert and upwardly extending arms40A,40B of each insert are sized to abut against the bottom and top walls of the housing to further aid in retaining the inserts in place.FIG. 8shows the track inserts30seated within the housing against the left sidewall. Each track insert may, in one example, be formed of molded plastic, but variations on material and formation process are possible.

Referring toFIGS. 9 and 10, where perspective and inner side elevation views of track insert30A are shown, the track insert30A includes plurality of tracks50A-50E thereon (e.g., corresponding to the number of tray units that will be held). Here, as best seen inFIG. 11, each track is formed as a slot with a lower rail (e.g.,52A) and an upper rail (e.g.,54A), where the lower rail52A extends inwardly relative to the interior space of the cabinet further than the upper rail54A for tray support as will be described in greater detail below. Each track includes a primary path (e.g.,56A) that is substantially horizontal and the extends substantially the entire front to back dimension of the track insert (where the terms front and back are used relative to the orientation of the housing in which the track insert is placed). The primary path56A enables movement of the loaded tray unit between its closed position and its extended position. Each track also includes a raised removal path (e.g.,58A) that intersects the primary path toward a forward end of the primary path. The raised removal path includes an inwardly projecting slide ramp (e.g.,60A) that facilitates removal of the tray unit from the housing as will be described in further detail below. The track insert30B has its tracks oriented in a mirror image of those of the track insert30A so that the tracks of the two inserts will oppose each other in an aligned manner when the inserts are positioned within the housing.

The lower tray component of each tray unit includes a left side engaged with a track in track insert30A and a right side engaged with a corresponding and opposed track in the track insert30B. In this regard, reference is made toFIGS. 12 and 13showing partial perspective views of the right rear corner region of lower tray component22, with an outwardly projecting slide62B that rides within the track. Slide62B also acts as a stop that contacts the wall at the forward end of the track when the tray assembly is in its extended position to limit forward movement of the lower tray component relative to the housing.

Referring again toFIG. 4andFIGS. 12-13, the lower tray component22includes a tray base70(for supporting the upper tray component), an upwardly extending left sidewall72A, an upwardly extending right sidewall72B and an upwardly extending rear wall74. The outwardly projecting slide62B is located on a tab portion76B of the sidewall72B, where the tab portion76B is capable of flexing inward (per arrow78B) to facilitate installation and removal of the tray unit from the housing. The left sidewall72A includes a similar tab portion76A with an outwardly projecting slide62A (shown in dashed line inFIG. 4). The right side of lower tray component includes an outwardly projecting slide80B located on another flexible tab portion82B of the right sidewall72B, where tab portion82B and slide80B are located rearwardly of the slide62B. Slide62B also rides within the track and provides added stability, and may also act as a stop that contacts the wall at the rearward end of the track when the tray assembly is in its closed position. Left sidewall72A includes a similar tab portion82A and slide80A (shown in dashed line form inFIG. 4).

Referring to the partial cross-section ofFIG. 14, track50A is shown with slide80A riding in the primary track portion56A. As shown, lower rail52A extends below and supports the left sidewall72A (along substantially the entire front to rear extend of the sidewall) for additional support. The rail52A may be supported by a plurality of ribs90and92as seen inFIGS. 9 and 10, where ribs92extending from the rail52A down to the upper rail of the next track.

As noted above, the raised removal path of each track includes a ramp feature (e.g.,60A at the forward end). In order to remove the tray assembly from the housing, a user simply tilts the tray assembly up when the forward slides62A and62B are aligned with the intersection point of the raised path and the primary path and continues to pull so that the slides move up along the path. When the slides62A,62B engage the respective ramp features of their respective tracks, the tab portions76A,76B are urged so as to flex inward, along the slides62A,62B to clear the front portion of the tracks as well as the side frame segments of the housing opening. The rear slides80, and80B are moved along the same path for similar inward flexing, and the tray assembly can be completely removed from the housing. To install a tray assembly, a user manually pushes the tab portions inward during to clear the housing side frame segments and enter the track.

As mentioned above, the upper tray component20sits within the lower tray component22in a nested manner that permits a relative telescoping movement. In this regard, and referring toFIGS. 4, 5, 15 and 16, the upper tray component20includes a tray base110(for supporting the fastener bins), an upwardly extending left sidewall112A, an upwardly extending right sidewall112B and an upwardly extending rear wall114. The left sidewall112A of the upper tray component sits internally of the left sidewall72A of the lower tray component, and the right sidewall112B of the upper tray component sits internally of the right sidewall72B of the lower tray component. Each sidewall72A,72B includes a rail (e.g., rail120A) extending inwardly, where the rail includes a substantially horizontal support portion (e.g.,122A) and downwardly extending stop portion (e.g.,124A). Each sidewall of the upper tray component includes a rearward slide (e.g.,126A,126B) that sits below the substantially horizontal support portion of its respective rail and rearwardly of the downwardly extending stop portion of its respective rail to help retain the upper tray component20within the lower tray component22. In the illustrated embodiment, the rearward slides are formed by an elevated upper edge extent (e.g.,128A) of the sidewalls of the upper tray component. Notably, the front to back dimension of the extents128A and128B is less than one-half of the front to back dimension of the respective rails120A, which enables the upper tray component to slide forward within the lower tray component (e.g., until the front of extent128A hits the stop portion124A of the rail) for the telescoping movement.

The lateral dimension between the outer surfaces of sidewalls112A and112B may substantially match the lateral dimension between the inner surfaces of sidewalls72A and72B (below the rails) so that the outer surfaces of walls112A and112B lie in adjacent contact with or in close proximity to the inner surfaces of sidewalls72A and72B. To engage the two tray components together the upper tray component is simply pressed down into the lower tray component (as suggested by the dashed line arrows inFIG. 4) and the sidewalls72A,72B and/or112A,112B will flex enough to allow the sidewalls to slide past the rails and once the upper edges of the sidewalls112A and112B move below the rails (e.g.,124A), the slides126A and126B move beneath the rails.

In the illustrated embodiment the rails (e.g.,120A) is formed by a laterally inward offset of the wall (e.g., while maintaining the same wall thickness). The upper tray component20may also include one or more upward projecting tabs130A,130B (FIG. 4) that are positioned to maintain a spacing between fastener bins loaded onto the tray. As seen inFIG. 13the base70of the lower tray component (and similarly the base of the upper tray component) may include a grid or lattice beam structure for additional strength.

Referring now toFIGS. 17-25another embodiment of a fastener storage and display cabinet210is shown, utilizing a housing212with multiple tray units214A-214E (where tray unit214C is in its extended position inFIG. 17, and all other tray units are in closed positions). The tray units214are formed by upper and lower tray components220and222, where the upper tray component220sits within the lower tray component222and is slidable relative to the lower tray component (between the relative positions ofFIGS. 19 and 20) substantially the same as described above for tray component14. Here, the lower tray component222includes a single, outwardly projecting and elongated slide on each side (e.g., slides262A and262B) and located on a flexing or flexible tab portion276A or276B of the tray sidewall. Guide slots251A and251B are also formed at the bottom sides of the lower tray component222for interaction with the cabinet tracks.

Exemplary track insert230A is shown inFIGS. 23 and 24, with multiple tracks250A-250E, where each track is formed as a slot with a lower rail (e.g.,252A) and an upper rail (e.g.,254A), where the lower rail252A extends inwardly relative to the interior space of the cabinet further than the upper rail254A for tray support. Each track includes a primary path (e.g.,256A) that is substantially horizontal and the extends substantially the entire front to back dimension of the track insert (where the terms front and back are used relative to the orientation of the housing in which the track insert is placed). The primary path256A enables movement of the loaded tray unit between its closed position and its extended position. Each track also includes a raised removal path (e.g.,258A) that intersects the primary path toward a rear end of the primary path. The raised removal path is substantially parallel to primary path256A and includes an inwardly projecting slide ramp (e.g.,260A) at the forward end that facilitates removal of the tray unit from the housing (similar to ramp60A described below). Notably, an elongated retaining protrusion (e.g.,271A) is located at the front of each track and extends upward from the lower rail252A of the track and is configured to interact with both the guide slot251A and slide262A of the lower tray component. In particular, as seen inFIG. 25, retaining protrusion271B is shown riding within guide slot251B (for a tray unit that is in its closed position) and retaining protrusion271C is shown located at the inner side of slide262C and tab portion276C (for a tray unit that is in its extended position). Thus, the retaining protrusions serve to prevent the flexible tab portions of the lower tray components from prying or twisting out of the tracks when the tray unit is in a fully extended and heavily loaded condition (e.g., under high cantilever loads).

To remove a tray unit from the cabinet210, the tray unit is tilted upward while the lower tray component is in the fully rearward position so that the slides (e.g.,262A) will move up into the removal paths (e.g.,258A) of the tracks when the lower tray component is pulled forward. The slides (e.g.,262A) will interact with the track ramps (e.g.,260A) to cause the tab portions (e.g.,276A) to flex inward allowing the tray unit to be fully removed from the cabinet.

It is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended by way of illustration and example only, is not intended to be taken by way of limitation, and that other changes and modifications are possible.