Abstract:
A container assembly for the storage and transport of goods, the assembly including a first portion having an interior with a substantially flat interior bottom surface. The assembly further includes a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion. The first portion has an outer surface that includes a first stacking pattern and the second portion has an outer surface that includes a second stacking pattern which is different from the first stacking pattern and configured to engage the first stacking pattern enabling the container assembly to be bi-directionally stacked on another of the container assemblies.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/021,195, filed on Jan. 15, 2008, titled “CONTAINER ASSEMBLY,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates, in general, to a container assembly, and deals more particularly with a container assembly having a unique, utilitarian pattern formed on opposing sides of the container assembly, whereby the pattern provides increased stacking and attachment-point advantages. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Containers of various shapes, sizes and configurations have been employed to accommodate all manner of storage and transportation needs. Typically, in the case of containers primarily utilized to transport items, it is often necessary to protect these items from impact and/or environmental damage, as well as to make the container suitable for stacking and storage during transportation. 
         [0004]    Towards this end, it has been known to define structural profiles on the surfaces of containers, in order to provide a pattern, or matrix, by which other like containers may be stacked with one another during transportation. 
         [0005]    Moreover, the stacking patterns of known transportation containers typically utilize similar patterns on opposing sides of the container, oftentimes being mirror images of each other. In addition, known containers also typically employ patterns which are limited to being uni-directional in their stacking ability and frequently employ patterns that contain ‘hard’, or sharp edges. 
         [0006]    With the forgoing problems and concerns in mind, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a container assembly with a novel stacking profile defined on opposing sides of the container. In one preferred embodiment, the profile formed on one side of the container is not the same as the inter-connecting profile defined on the opposing side of the container. Moreover, the defined profiles of the present invention enable a bi-directional stacking capability, as well as having edges of the defined profiles that are more resistant to wear and damage. A novel latch mechanism for the container assembly of the present invention is also proposed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a container assembly. 
         [0008]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a container assembly having stacking patterns formed on opposing sides of the container. 
         [0009]    It is another object of the present invention that the stacking patterns of the container assembly enable the bi-directional stacking of one of the container assemblies with another of the container assemblies. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a container assembly whereby the stacking patterns on opposing sides of the container are different from one another. 
         [0011]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a container assembly having stacking patterns that are more resistant to wear and damage. 
         [0012]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a container assembly having stacking patterns which also provide various attachment points for securing accessories to the container. 
         [0013]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a stacking pattern for a container assembly that includes integrated wheels, wherein the integrated wheels do not interfere with the bi-directional stacking ability of the container. 
         [0014]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a container assembly that includes a novel latch mechanism and location. 
         [0015]    An embodiment of the inventive container assembly for the storage and transport of goods includes a first portion having an interior with a substantially flat interior bottom surface. The assembly further includes a second portion pivotally connected to the first portion. The first portion has an outer surface that includes a first stacking pattern and the second portion has an outer surface that includes a second stacking pattern different from the first stacking portion and configured to engage the first stacking pattern enabling the container assembly to be bi-directionally stacked on another of the container assemblies. 
         [0016]    An embodiment of the inventive locking mechanism for a container assembly includes a hinged leaf portion having a hooked end. The leaf portion is pivotally attached to a leaf bracket which is, in turn, secured to the container assembly. The locking mechanism further includes a base portion also secured to the container assembly. The base portion has a lever with an engagement end for engagement with the hooked end. The lever is pivotally secured to the base portion. The lever may be moved to bring the engagement end into engagement with the hooked end to secure the locking mechanism and, when the locking mechanism is secured, the lever and the leaf portion cover and protect the fasteners that secure the leaf portion and the base portion to the container to prevent unauthorized access to an interior of said container assembly. 
         [0017]    These and other objectives of the present invention, and their preferred embodiments, shall become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings taken as a whole. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of the container assembly of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the container assembly of  FIG. 1   
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the container assembly of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3   
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side view of an alternative to the embodiment of  FIG. 4   
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the container assembly according to the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 3 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a enlarged, perspective view of a latch assembly for use with the container assembly of  FIGS. 1  or  3 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 8A-8E  are front, perspective views of the latch assembly of  FIG. 7  graphically illustrating operation of the latch assembly. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9A-9E  are front, perspective view of the latch assembly of  FIG. 7  graphically illustrating operation of the latch assembly. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]      FIGS. 1-9E  illustrate a container assembly according an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the inventive container assembly  2  includes structural profiles formed on opposing sides of the container. In particular, one side of the container  2  defines a first stacking profile  4  that includes a series of wavy ribs or ridges  6 , extending from one lateral side of the container  8 , to the other  10 . When located side-by-side with one another, the wavy ridges  6  define a series of wave-like profiles  12  that create laterally extending channels or valleys  14  therebetween. 
         [0028]    As shown, the raised wavy ridges  6  undulate in a sinusoidal fashion along their lateral axis, thereby forming a series of apexes and depressions along the length of the ridges  6 . The wavy ridges  6  are oriented on the container  2  such that the apexes of adjacent wavy ridges  6  are opposed to one another, thus creating a repeating series of wide and narrow, i.e., convex and concave, sections in the valleys  14 . 
         [0029]    This wave-like configuration of ridges  6  is an important aspect of the present invention. In particular, the wave like shape of the ridges  6  avoids sharp bends which act as stress concentrators. Thus, the wave shape maximizes structural strength and integrity of the ridges  6 . Preferably, the wave-like shape is formed from a series of tangent arcs. As will be appreciated, the shape of the ridges  6  may also be derived from sinusoidal and quadratic equations. 
         [0030]    Further, it is also preferable that the top surface of the ridges  6  have an area equal to the area of the valleys  14  between the ridges  6 . This configuration maximizes the strength of the structure by equalizing the cross-sectional “up” and “down” areas. 
         [0031]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an opposing side of the container  2  assembly defines a second stacking profile  16  comprising a series of generally rounded protrusions  18  which may be donut shaped as shown or, alternatively puck shaped. As will be appreciated, the protrusions  18  are dimensioned so as to fit within the wide (i.e., rounded) sections of the valleys  14  to facilitate stacking. 
         [0032]    While the protrusions may be puck-shaped, the donut shape with its raised inner area or hole is preferable. This shape increases the flat surface area inside the container, i.e., on the container floor or bottom. The increased flat surface area creates a stable platform for goods placed within the container. The inner flat surface area also provides a convenient point to attach a fastener to, for example, secure cargo to the interior bottom floor of the container. This surface allows for the installation of fasteners without the fasteners touching the ground or interfering with corresponding stacking ridges  6 . 
         [0033]    It will therefore be readily appreciated that the profiles defined on opposing sides of the container assembly of the present invention enable the stacking of one container assembly atop another container assembly. Moreover, given the structural relationship between the protrusions  18  and the wavy valleys  14 , the stacking profiles of the present invention permit the bi-directional stacking of one container assembly atop another. That is, the stacking profiles  4 ,  16  created on opposing sides of the container assembly are capable of stacking one such container assembly atop another, even when the two container assemblies (and, thus, their stacking patterns) are oriented at 90° from one another, i.e., bi-directional stacking. Further, the profiles allow cases to be stacked regardless of their footprint so that smaller cases can be stacked on larger cases and vice versa. 
         [0034]    It is another aspect of the present invention that both of the stacking patterns defined on the container assembly are formed with rounded edges. By doing so, the present invention facilitates an easier integration between the donut-like protrusions  18  of one container assembly with the wide sections of the wavy valleys  14  of another container assembly. Moreover, the rounded edges of the stacking profiles make them less susceptible to damage caused by drop-impact, or the like. 
         [0035]    It is yet another important aspect of the present invention that the side edges  12  of the wavy ridges  14  of the container assembly are formed to exhibit a 5° draft. In this manner, various accessories may be more easily and more securely attached to locations between adjacent wavy ridges (i.e., locations at least partially attached within the wavy valleys  14 ). 
         [0036]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the donut-like protrusions may be cut or segmented. These segmented protrusions  20  are segmented by a cut  22  which prevents water entrapment when the case assembly  2  is inverted, further increases the flat surface area inside the container  2 , and reduces the entrapment of dirt and debris, facilitating easy removal of the same. While the cuts in the donuts can be in various orientations, it is preferable that they be perpendicular to the length of the container  2 . This configuration results in a more rigid container wall  24  than through parallel cuts. Empirical evidence depicting this is presented in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
         [0037]    Referring back to  FIG. 3 , the inventive container  2  may also feature partially cut or segmented perimeter protrusions  26 . These partial cuts create C-shaped perimeteral protrusions, which, along with the fully cut protrusions  22  creates a channel having a centerline  28 . As will be appreciated, the channels allow for the attachment of various objects having a member configured to engage the channels. 
         [0038]    The inventive container  2  may also include casters  27 . These are depicted in  FIG. 2  and, as will be readily appreciated, allow the container  2  to be rolled during transport. Preferably, the casters  27  are located within a puck or donut  18  such that sides  29  of the donut  18  protect the casters  27 . 
         [0039]    Turning now to  FIGS. 6-9E , a novel latch/locking mechanism  40  is also shown. As most clearly shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the locking mechanism  40  is centrally located with respect to the housing of the container assembly  2 , and provides increased effectiveness, security and ease of manipulation. 
         [0040]    More specifically, the locking mechanism  40  includes a fixed base  42 , a guide  43  and a hinged leaf  44 . As shown, the hinged leaf  44  is free to pivot about a pin  46  that is secured within a bracket  48 . The bracket  48  is secured to the container  2  through the use of conventional fasteners (not shown). The hinged leaf  44  includes a free distal end terminating in a hooked portion  50  shaped to receive a portion of the fixed base  42  when the mechanism  40  is secured. 
         [0041]    The configuration of hinged leaf  44  within the bracket  48  is an important aspect of the inventive locking mechanism. In particular, when the hooked portion  50  is engaged by the base  42 , the hinged leaf  44  completely covers the fasteners used to secured the bracket  48  to the container  2 . This prevents removal of the fasteners to bypass the lock and gain access to the interior of the container  2 . Referring now to  FIGS. 8C and 8E , the base  42  is similarly secured to the container  2 . Here, a lever  52  of the base  42  covers the fasteners when the lock is secured to prevent access to the case interior. 
         [0042]    The base  42  includes a lever  52 , which pivots up and down about a base bracket  58  to raise or lower a u-shaped engagement surface  54 . The u-shaped engagement surface  54  is configured to engage and pull down on the hooked portion  50  of the hinged leaf  44  to secure a top or lid of a container  2  to a base portion. The lever  52  terminates with a tab  56  that is used to raise or lower the lever  52 . The path and movement of the engagement surface  54  are defined and limited by the guide  43 . 
         [0043]    Moreover, the base bracket  58  includes padlock eyes  60  which, as will be appreciated, receives a u-shaped shackle of a padlock  70  ( FIGS. 7 ,  8 A,  8 B,  9 A,  9 B). Significantly, the eyes  60  are shaped such that they include a sloped or angled shackle surface  62 , which includes a shackle divot  64  sized to accommodate the lock shackle ( FIG. 9C ). This surface  62  and divot  64  are important in that they cause a padlock to slide down via gravity toward the container and into the divot  64 . This allows the padlock to be complete recessed within a valley or channel of the outer case surface during shipping. This, in turn, minimizes potential damage to the container, the lock mechanism, the lock, and any adjacent cargo. 
         [0044]    In use, and as shown in  FIGS. 8A-8E  and  9 A- 9 E, the locking mechanism  40  is unlocked by first unlocking and removing the padlock. The tab  56  and lever  52  are then pulled upward and outward so that the engagement surface  54  disengages with the hooked portion  50  of the hinged leaf  44  allowing the container  2  to be opened. As shown in  FIG. 9E , then the container  2  is unlocked the lid may be closed without the risk of self-locking. That is, the engagement portion  54  is not in a position to engage the hooked portion  50 . This is an important safety and operational benefit of the inventive locking mechanism. 
         [0045]    While the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various obvious changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof, without departing from the essential scope of the present invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.