Folding collapsible storage box

Abstract: A folding collapsible storage box, which includes a collapsible rectangular cloth box body (4), four horizontal top rod members (1) respectively horizontally embedded in the four peripheral side walls of the box body at the top, two horizontal rod members (2) embedded in two opposite peripheral side walls of the box body at the bottom, and four vertical rod members (3) respectively embedded in the box body and vertically arranged in between each two adjacent peripheral side walls of the box body, the vertical rod members having respective ends respectively spaced from respective ends of the horizontal top rod members and horizontal bottom rod members at a distance for enabling the folding collapsible storage box to be collapsed by twisting one corner of the box body. In an embodiment of the invention the box body has horizontal top and bottom sides, and a hard bottom board mounted inside the box body at the bottom, wherein the rectangular horizontal top side of the box body is formed of a rectangular top panel and a zip fastener, the rectangular top panel having one side formed integral with the box body, and three other sides separably connected to the box body by the zip fastener. In a further embodiment hanging straps are detachably fastened to the box body by turn-locks at the rectangular vertical peripheral sides of the box body for hanging.

Description: The present invention relates to a folding collapsible storage box, particularly to such a folding collapsible storage box which has a simple structure, and can easily be collapsed into a flat condition and more particularly to such a folding collapsible storage box that is strong when stretched up and, that can be conveniently collapsed by twisting one corner. Regular storage boxes, either made of plastics, wood, or metal, are commonly not collapsible. These storage boxes occupy the same storage space in use and when not in use. Further, because these storage boxes are not collapsible, the transportation of these storage boxes is inconvenient. There are also known certain storage boxes that can be collapsed into a flat manner when not in use. However, it is complicated to set up these collapsible storage boxes into the operative condition, or to arrange these collapsible storage boxes into a collapsed condition. DE 299 12 268 U discloses a folding collapsible storage box comprising: a fabric box body, said fabric box body comprising a rectangular horizontal top side, a rectangular horizontal bottom side, and four rectangular vertical peripheral sides connected to one another between said rectangular horizontal top side and said rectangular horizontal bottom side along the border of said rectangular horizontal bottom side and said rectangular horizontal top side; four horizontal rods respectively fastened to said rectangular vertical peripheral sides of said fabric box body and arranged along said rectangular open top side of said fabric box body; four vertical rods respectively fastened to said rectangular vertical peripheral sides of said fabric box body, and arranged between each two adjacent rectangular vertical peripheral sides of said fabric box body; and a hard bottom board mounted inside said box body and supported on said rectangular horizontal bottom side of said box body; wherein said vertical rods and said horizontal rods support said box body and enable said box body to be collapsed into a flat condition by twisting the rectangular horizontal top side of said box body. The folding collapsible storage box of the invention is characterised in that the rectangular horizontal top side of said box body is formed of a rectangular top panel and a zip fastener, said rectangular top panel having one side formed integral with said box body, and three other sides separably connected to said box body by said zip fastener; and in that said box body comprises two pairs of turn-locks symmetrically disposed at two opposite vertical peripheral sides near said rectangular horizontal top side, and two hanging straps respectively and detachably fastened to the turn-locks, said hanging straps each having two elongated mounting slots at two distal ends for coupling to said turn-locks. Preferably said box body comprises two second hanging straps respectively provided at two opposite vertical peripheral sides near said rectangular horizontal bottom side, said second hanging straps each having a first end fixedly fastened to said vertical peripheral sides by stitches and a second end made with an elongated mounting slot detachably fastened to a respective turn-lock at said rectangular vertical peripheral sides of said box body. Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example only with reference to Figures 1 to 5A of the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a folding collapsible storage box, showing a zip fastener unfastened, and a rectangular top panel collapsed; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the folding collapsible storage box of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows the folding collapsible storage box of Figure 1 twisted, the vertical peripheral sides of the box body folded up and lowered. Figure 4 shows the folding collapsible storage box of Figure 1 fully collapsed; Figure 5 shows a folding collapsible storage box of the present invention; Figure 5A is an enlarged view of a part of Figure 5. Referring to Figures from 1 to 4, a folding collapsible storage box comprises a box body 101, four horizontal rods 102, four vertical rods 103 and a hard bottom plate 104. The box body 101 is made of fabric, for example, canvas, having a horizontal top side, a horizontal bottom side, four vertical peripheral sides connected between the horizontal top side and the horizontal bottom side. The top side of the box body 101 is formed of a rectangular top panel 111 and a zip fastener 112. The rectangular top panel 111 has one side formed integral with the box body 101, and the other three sides separably connected to the box body 101 by the zip fastener 112. When the zip fastener 112 is unfastened, the top panel 111 is collapsed, and a opening is shown at the top side of the box body 101. The four horizontal rods 102 are respectively fastened to the box body 101 and wrapped in the fabric of the box body 101, and horizontally arranged along the topmost edge of each of the four vertical peripheral sides of the box body 101. The horizontal rods 102 are slightly shorter than the width of each of the vertical peripheral sides of the box body 101. The four vertical rods 103 are respectively fastened to the box body 101, and wrapped in the fabric of the box body 101 along the connecting area between each two adjacent vertical peripheral sides of the box body 101. The length of the vertical rods 103 is slightly shorter than the height of the vertical peripheral sides of the box body 101. After installation of the horizontal rods 102 and the vertical rods 103, the rods 102 and 103 are prohibited from touching one another. Referring to Figures 1 and 2 again, after installation of the rods 102 and 103 in the box body 101, the box body 101 is stretched out and supported in shape by the vertical rods 103, then the hard bottom board 104 is put inside the box body 101 and stopped below the vertical rods 103. When storage items are put in the box body 101, the zip fastener 112 is fastened up to close the top panel 111. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, when not in use, the top side of the box body 101 is twisted by hand through 90°, causing the four vertical peripheral sides of the box body 101 to be lowered and folded up (see Figure 3), and therefore the storage box is collapsed into a flat condition (see Figure 4). Referring to Figures 5 and 5A, two first hanging straps 113 and two second hanging straps 114 are respectively provided on two opposite vertical peripheral sides of the box body 201 at different elevations. The first hanging straps 113 each have two elongated mounting slots 116 respectively provided at two distal ends, and detachably coupled to a respective turn-lock 115 at the box body 201. The second hanging straps 114 each have one end (the fixed end) fixedly fastened to the box body 201 by stitches, and an opposite end (the free end) provided with an elongated mounting slot 116 and detachably connected to a respective turn-lock 115 at the box body 201. By means of the first hanging straps 113 and the second hanging straps 114, a plurality of folding collapsible storage boxes can be arranged in a string and hung on a rod. It is to be understood that the drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only, and are not intended for use as a definition of the limits and scope of the invention disclosed. For example, handle means may be provided at the peripheral side walls of the box body 4 for holding by hand.

Claims: A folding collapsible storage box comprising: a fabric box body (101), said fabric box body comprising a rectangular horizontal top side, a rectangular horizontal bottom side, and four rectangular vertical peripheral sides connected to one another between said rectangular horizontal top side and said rectangular horizontal bottom side along the border of said rectangular horizontal bottom side and said rectangular horizontal top side; four horizontal rods (102) respectively fastened to said rectangular vertical peripheral sides of said fabric box body (101) and arranged along said rectangular open top side of said fabric box body; four vertical rods (103) respectively fastened to said rectangular vertical peripheral sides of said fabric box body, and arranged between each two adjacent rectangular vertical peripheral sides of said fabric box body; and a hard bottom board (104) mounted inside said box body and supported on said rectangular horizontal bottom side of said box body; wherein said vertical rods (103) and said horizontal rods (102) support said box body (101) and enable said box body (101) to be collapsed into a flat condition by twisting the rectangular horizontal top side of said box body; characterised in that the rectangular horizontal top side of said box body is formed of a rectangular top panel (111) and a zip fastener (112), said rectangular top panel having one side formed integral with said box body, and three other sides separably connected to said box body by said zip fastener; and in that said box body (201) comprises two pairs of turn-locks (115) symmetrically disposed at two opposite vertical peripheral sides near said rectangular horizontal top side, and two hanging straps (113) respectively and detachably fastened to the turn-locks, said hanging straps each having two elongated mounting slots (116) at two distal ends for coupling to said turn-locks. The folding collapsible storage box of claim 1 wherein said box body (201) comprises two second hanging straps (114) respectively provided at two opposite vertical peripheral sides near said rectangular horizontal bottom side, said second hanging straps each having a first end fixedly fastened to said vertical peripheral sides by stitches and a second end made with an elongated mounting slot detachably fastened to a respective turn-lock at said rectangular vertical peripheral sides of said box body.

Inventors: WANG WEN-TSAN, WANG, WEN-TSAN
Applicants: WANG WEN-TSAN, WANG, WEN-TSAN
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B65D37
IPC codes: B65D61, B65D37