Patent Abstract:
An exemplary design for upright storage devices, such as dressers or cabinets or shelving units, to dramatically improve stability, and thus safety, is provided. In general, such storage devices can be constructed with one or both base angles measuring less than 90 degrees, giving them a trapezoidal cross section.

Full Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The subject matter disclosed herein relates to storage devices and methods for improving the stability of such devices. 
         [0002]    Upright storage devices, such as dressers or cabinets or shelving units, typically have a rectangular cross-section, making them inherently unstable and susceptible to tipping at taller heights. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0003]    A storage device with a trapezoidal cross-section is more stable and less susceptible to tipping than a storage device with a rectangular cross-section, making such a device safer for people to interact with. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  shows the rectangular cross-section of a typical storage device with each of the two base angles measuring approximately 90 degrees. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  shows the trapezoidal cross-section of a proposed storage device with one base angle measuring less than 90 degrees and the second base angle measuring approximately 90 degrees. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  shows the trapezoidal cross-section of a proposed storage device with each of the two base angles measuring less than 90 degrees. 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  shows a tipping force comparison between a storage device with a rectangular cross-section and both base angles measuring approximately 90 degrees, a storage device with a trapezoidal cross section and one base angle measuring less than 90 degrees and the second base angle measuring approximately 90 degrees, and a storage device with a trapezoidal cross section and both base angles measuring less than 90 degrees. 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  shows a tipping moment comparison between a storage device with a rectangular cross-section and both base angles measuring approximately 90 degrees, a storage device with a trapezoidal cross section and one base angle measuring less than 90 degrees and the second base angle measuring approximately 90 degrees, and a storage device with a trapezoidal cross section and both base angles measuring less than 90 degrees. 
       
    
    
       [0009]    It is noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical aspects of the subject matter disclosed herein, and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the disclosure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    Certain exemplary embodiments will now be described to provide an overall understanding of the principles of the structure, function, manufacture, and use of the devices disclosed herein. One or more examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will understand that the devices specifically described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings are non-limiting exemplary embodiments and that the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the claims. In the present disclosure, like-named components of the embodiments generally have similar features, and thus within a particular embodiment each feature of each like-named component is not necessarily fully elaborated upon. Additionally, to the extent that linear, circular, or angular dimensions are used in the description of the disclosed devices, such dimensions are not intended to limit the types of shapes that can be used in conjunction with such devices. The features illustrated or described in connection with one exemplary embodiment may be combined with the features of other embodiments. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, a storage device can include a trapezoidal cross-section with one or both of its base angles to be less than 90 degrees, the acuteness of which can vary from slightly to significantly. 
         [0012]    The storage devices described herein can be used to contain anything item of any size, or the devices may contain nothing and exist solely for decorative purposes. 
         [0013]    The storage devices described herein may be constructed of any material. 
         [0014]    The storage devices described herein may contain shelves, drawers, or open space and cabinet doors of sliding, hinged, rolled or other style as an access point to the shelves, drawers, or open space. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows the rectangular cross-section of a typical storage device  100  with each of the two base angles  101  and  102  measuring approXimately 90 degrees. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  shows the trapezoidal cross-section of a proposed storage device  103  with one base angle  104  measuring less than 90 degrees and the second base angle  105  measuring approximately 90 degrees. 
         [0017]      FIG. 3  shows the trapezoidal cross-section of a proposed storage device  106  with each of the two base angles  107  and  108  measuring less than 90 degrees. 
         [0018]      FIG. 4  shows a tipping force comparison between a storage device with a rectangular cross-section  100  and both base angles  101  and  102  measuring approximately 90 degrees, a storage device with a trapezoidal cross section  103  and one base angle  104  measuring less than 90 degrees and the second base angle  105  measuring approximately 90 degrees, and a storage device with a trapezoidal cross section  106  and both base angles  107  and  108  measuring less than 90 degrees. If enough horizontal force is applied to the top of a storage device, the storage device can be tipped or raised from the surface on which it is resting. The horizontal force  109  required to tip a storage device with a rectangular cross section is significantly less than the horizontal force  110  required to tip storage devices with trapezoidal cross sections  103  and  106 , given that the heights  111  and bases  112  of all storage devices are equal. Thus, a storage device with a trapezoidal cross-section is more stable and less susceptible to tipping than a storage device with a rectangular cross-section, making such a device safer for people to interact with. 
         [0019]      FIG. 5  shows a tipping moment comparison between a storage device with a rectangular cross-section  100  and both base angles  101  and  102  measuring approximately 90 degrees, a storage device with a trapezoidal cross section  103  and one base angle  104  measuring less than 90 degrees and the second base angle  105  measuring approximately 90 degrees, and a storage device with a trapezoidal cross section  106  and both base angles  107  and  108  measuring less than 90 degrees. If enough vertical force is applied to the top of a storage device (for example, if the top drawer of a dresser is pulled open), the storage device can be tipped or raised from the surface on which it is resting by the resultant moment. The vertical force  113  required to tip a storage device with a rectangular cross section is significantly less than the vertical force  114  required to tip storage devices with trapezoidal cross sections  103  and  106 , given that the heights  111  and bases  112  of all storage devices are equal. Thus, a storage device with a trapezoidal cross-section is more stable and less susceptible to tipping than a storage device with a rectangular cross-section, making such a device safer for people to interact with.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0