Abstract:
The drop-bin unit has at least several bins arranged to pivot outwardly about a generally horizontal axis, from a closed position where outer faces of the bins are generally aligned vertically with each other, to an open position where the outer surfaces angle outwardly from their closed positions. The bins are stacked one above another within a housing, and are connected together, for example via at least one gang bar, such that pivoting one bin outwardly causes all of the bins to pivot outwardly in unison. The units may be sold separately, for use as stand-alone containers, or may be sold to be placed in a holder which holds one or preferably a number of the units. The holder can be sold with one or more of the units, or may be sold as a completely separate item. The holder can take a variety of forms. The units on their own or in holders provide flexibility for carrying job-specific items, avoiding the need to carry an entire toolbox to a particular job.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This is a divisional of application No. 09/982,856, filed Oct. 22, 2001, which is itself a continuation in part of U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,177, filed Oct. 22, 1999. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to compartmentalized containers for objects, particularly intended for hardware items and tool components, but useful for a wide variety of purposes. Other uses could include, for example, cosmetic kits, fishing tackle, organizers for medication, storage for pens, pencils, crayons, storage for various condiments in the kitchen, organizers for women&#39;s trinkets, hobby kits, recreational items, sewing kits, etc. 
   Although many small containers exist, of course, there is always a need for new and improved containers which are easy and convenient to market and to use, and which can be easily carried around by a person, if desired (either one at a time, or several at a time). 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In the invention, an organizer is provided, having a holder and at least one container unit, the at least one container unit comprising a housing having opposing side walls, and a plurality of bins mounted between the side walls for rotation between closed and open positions, such that in closed position, outer faces of the bins are generally coplanar, and in the open position, the outer faces each angle outwardly from the housing, thereby providing access into the bins, the bins being connected together for movement in unison, the outer faces occupying substantially all of a front portion of the housing. 
   Advantageously, the holder has at least upper and lower elements, the at least one container unit being securable between the upper and lower elements. 
   Preferably, each container unit has at least one tab at the bottom thereof, to insert into a corresponding slot in one of the upper and lower elements, and at least one catch to engage a corresponding means in the other of the upper and lower elements. 
   Advantageously, the organizer is a combination with another holder, connected thereto. Preferably, the organizer has two holders, one being hinged to the other along one side thereof. Alternatively, at least two holders are connected back to back, side to side. 
   Preferably, the holder provides a common vertical center wall, with the container units being securable to either side thereof by any suitable means. 
   Advantageously, the housing has a tab extending upwardly from an upper surface thereof the tab having an opening for hanging the at least one container unit. The tab is either foldable against the upper surface or removable from the housing, so as not to interfere with the connection of the at least one container unit with the holder. 
   Preferably, a number of container units are attachable to the holder, in any of a multitude of locations, and the pivoting of the bins is actuated via pinion wheels or the like arranged on each bin, each pinion wheel or the like being engaged in contact with a slidable rack, so that when the rack is manipulated by a user to slide up or down, or a bin is rotated, the rack causes the pinion wheel to rotate and thus the bin is caused to pivot. Advantageously, the racks are connected via at least one cross-beam, so that the manipulation of one rack causes the other racks to perform the same movement as the one rack. 
   The units in holders provide great flexibility for carrying job-specific items, e.g. seals and washers for plumbing jobs, Marrette™ connectors, assorted terminals, etc. for electrical jobs, and so on. Using a holder which can carry a number of drop-bin units allows the user to remove and replace units as desired, thus avoiding the need to carry an entire toolbox to a particular job. 
   Further features of the invention will be described or will become apparent in the detailed description which follows. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, the preferred embodiment thereof will now be described in detail by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the drop-bin unit, with the bins open; 
       FIG. 2  is a corresponding view with the bins closed; 
       FIG. 3  is a top view of the unit; 
       FIG. 4  is a front view of the unit; 
       FIG. 5  is a top cross-sectional view of the unit; 
       FIG. 6  is a side cross-sectional view of the unit, with the bins closed; 
       FIG. 7  is a side cross-sectional view of the unit, with the bins open; 
       FIG. 8  is a rear view of the unit; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the rear of the unit; 
       FIG. 10  is a side cross-sectional view showing a clip on the rear of the unit; 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the unit with the clip; 
       FIG. 12  is a side cross-sectional view showing magnets on the rear of the unit; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing the unit with the magnets; 
       FIG. 14  is a front view showing a holder with three units mounted therein; 
       FIG. 15  is a top cross-sectional view showing the holder and units of  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 16  is a side cross-sectional view showing the holder and units of  FIG. 14 , with the bins open; 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view showing a similar holder to that of  FIGS. 14-16 , but with a carrying handle; 
       FIG. 18  is a side cross-sectional view showing two holders, mated with each other back-to-back; 
       FIG. 18A  is a close-up cross-sectional view showing the connection between a housing of one of the units, and one of the  FIG. 18  holders; 
       FIG. 19  is a front view showing the holders of  FIG. 18 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a top cross-sectional view of the  FIG. 18  holder; 
       FIG. 20A  is a close-up cross-sectional view showing the connection between the  FIG. 18  holders; 
       FIG. 21  is a side cross-sectional view of a holder similar to that of  FIG. 18 , but fully covering the sides of the units; 
       FIG. 22  is a front view showing the holder of  FIG. 21 ; 
       FIG. 23  is a top cross-sectional view showing the  FIG. 21  holder; 
       FIG. 24  is a top cross-sectional view showing a holder which has two section which are hinged to each other, shown folded shut; 
       FIG. 25  is a top cross-sectional view showing the  FIG. 24  holder, folded open; 
       FIG. 26  is a front cross-sectional view showing a carousel arrangement of several units; 
       FIG. 27  is a top cross-sectional view of the  FIG. 26  holder; 
       FIG. 28  is a perspective view showing a cylindrical version; 
       FIG. 29  is a perspective view showing the  FIG. 28  version with the bins open; 
       FIG. 30  is a top cross-sectional view of the  FIG. 28  version; 
       FIG. 31  is a perspective view showing a holder with three units arranged in a triangular fashion; 
       FIG. 32  is a top cross-sectional view showing the  FIG. 31  holder; 
       FIG. 33  is an exploded perspective view showing the units mountable in a tool box 
       FIG. 34  is a side view showing an alternative means of ganging the bins, with the bins closed; 
       FIG. 35  is a side view showing the same alternative means of ganging the bins, with the bins open; and 
       FIG. 36  is a perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 2 , showing an embodiment where the bins are not of uniform width; 
       FIG. 37A  is a front view of bins mounted in a common frame and having means for concurrent opening of all bins when one bin is opened, showing the bins in a closed position; 
       FIG. 37B  is a side view of the bins shown in  FIG. 37A ; 
       FIG. 37C  is a top view of the bins shown in  FIG. 37A ; 
       FIG. 37D  is a front view of bins mounted in a common frame and having means for concurrent opening of all bins when one bin is opened, showing the bins in an open position; 
       FIG. 37E  is a side view of the bins shown in  FIG. 37D ; and 
       FIG. 37F  is a top view of the bins shown in  FIG. 37D . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The preferred embodiment of the “drop-bin” unit  1 , seen most clearly in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , can be sold and used on its own, or can be sold on its own intended to be used as part of a larger system, or sold together with a larger system. The unit has several bins  2  arranged to pivot outwardly about a generally horizontal axis.  FIG. 1  shows the bins pivoted outwardly to an open position, and  FIG. 2  shows the bins in their closed position where outer faces  3  of the bins are generally aligned vertically with each other. 
   The larger system could be, for example, a holder which is configured to receive one or many such drop-bins forming an organizer. The holder could be, for example, a holder  50  as shown in  FIG. 14 . This and other holders are described in detail below, as specific examples only. Alternatively, the holder could be a tool box  59 , as shown in  FIG. 33 , i.e. one or more units could be fitted into recesses in the outside  60  of a tool box or could be snapped below the lid  61  of the tool box. 
   More will be said about various holder options later, but first the preferred embodiment of the drop bin unit will be described in detail. 
   Within each drop-bin unit  1 , the bins  2  are stacked one above another within a housing  4 , and are connected together, for example via at least one gang bar  5  connecting the bins to each other, such that pivoting one bin outwardly causes all of the ganged bins to pivot outwardly in unison. There could be one gang bar only, or one gang bar along each side of the bins. Alternatively, the bins could be connected in the manner shown in  FIGS. 34 and 35 , described in greater detail below, or in any other suitable fashion. 
   Each gang bar is connected to the bins by protruding pins  6  located along its length which fit into holes in the side walls of each bin. Alternatively, it should be clear that the pins could protrude from the side walls of each bin, to fit into holes in the gang bar. The bins pivot in the housing via pins  7  on either side of the bins. Obviously, these could be pins extending from the bins into holes or depressions in the housing, or vice versa. 
   The bins are kept in their closed position by a flexible plastic tab  8  at the top of the housing, the tab having a lip extending just slightly downwardly to catch the uppermost bin. The tab could be configured as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , or with slots on either side thereof as in  FIG. 3 , for cantilevering to promote flexibility. Any other suitable means of securing the bins to the housing could be used. To open the bins, pulling slightly on one of them is enough to disengage the tab  8 , to allow the bins to rotate. Alternatively, in some embodiments, in could be made necessary that the tab must be manually dislodged in order for the bins to be openable. Closing the bins causes the lip to catch the uppermost bin slightly, so that they remain closed until pulled outwardly again. 
   The entire unit preferably is molded plastic, but the entire assembly and/or one or more of the bins could be of metal or other suitable material, to permit other uses. For example, the unit to be used as a combination ashtray/coin holder. 
   Preferably, each drop-bin unit is fitted with a tab  10 , with a hole for hanging on a peg hook at the point of sale or in the purchaser&#39;s workshop. The tab can be fixed, but preferably has a living hinge where it joins the body of the housing, so that it can be folded fat, as shown in  FIG. 13 , if the unit is to be snapped into a holder. Alternatively, it can be frangible, so that it can be broken off by the purchaser if desired. 
   Preferably, each unit can also have keyhole opening  11  on a rear surface, for hanging the unit on a nail, screw, etc. 
   Optionally, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , each unit can be provided with a molded/detachable clip  14  that can enable clipping on a rail (individually or side-by-side) or carrying on a belt or in a pocket. 
   Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the units can be fitted with one or more adhesive-backed magnets  16  to facilitate mounting on any metal surface, i.e. the side of a metal tool box, refrigerator, etc. 
   Similarly, the units could have a Velcro™ hook or pile strip (not shown) that would allow it to be secured to a counterpart strip on another object, for example the sun visor in an automobile. 
   Larger systems can be assembled by fitting individual drop-bin units together, either back-to-back or side-by-side, using a variety of means, i.e. pins and holes, slots, tongue-and-groove, etc. Alternatively, larger systems can be assembled by snapping one or more units into various holders, as mentioned previously. Various holder options will now be described in greater detail. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 14-16 , for example, a separate holder  50  can be provided that will enable drop-bins to be snapped in. As seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the units preferably have two tabs  51  at the bottom thereof to insert into corresponding slots in the holder  50 . The units also preferably have two springy catches  52  at the top thereof, with a lip portion which projects slightly upwardly, such that when the tabs  51  are inserted, and the unit is then rotated into the holder, the catches  52  cause the lip portions to snap into corresponding slots in the top of the holder. The units can be removed by depressing the catch slightly to disengage the lip portions from the slots. 
     FIGS. 14-16  show a holder with three units mounted therein. Obviously, however, there could be only one unit, if desired, or many. 
   As illustrated in various drawings, the holder can be fabricated with a handle for carrying (e.g.  FIG. 17 ), and/or keyhole openings at the rear for wall mounting ( FIG. 19 ). 
     FIG. 18  is an example showing two holders  50  and  50 ′, mated with each other back-to-back.  FIG. 18A  shows one example of how the housings  4  can be connected to the holder  50 .  FIG. 19  is a front view showing the holders of  FIG. 18 . FIG.  20  is a top cross-sectional view.  FIG. 20A  is a close-up cross-sectional view again showing one example of how the housings  4  can be connected to the holder  50 . 
     FIG. 21  is a side cross-sectional view showing another alternative with two holders  50  and  50 ′, similar to that of  FIG. 18  but fully covering the top, bottom and sides of the units.  FIG. 22  is a front view showing the holder of  FIG. 21 , and  FIG. 23  is a top cross-sectional view. 
     FIG. 24  is a top cross-sectional view showing a holder which has two sections  50  and  50 ′ which are hinged to each other by a hinge  55 , shown folded shut. A catch  56  engages a notch  57  to hold the section together, or any other suitable catch or closure means could be used.  FIG. 25  shows the  FIG. 24  holder, folded open. 
     FIG. 26  is a front cross-sectional view showing a carousel arrangement of several units. The bins snap between top and bottom plates  60  and  61  respectively, mounted on a base  62 . A handle  63  is provided, for carrying or rotating the assembly.  FIG. 27  is a top cross-sectional view of the  FIG. 26  holder. 
     FIG. 28  is a perspective view showing a cylindrical version, where wedge-shaped bins are mounted between upper and lower plates  60  and  61  around a central post assembly  64 .  FIG. 29  is a perspective view showing the  FIG. 28  version with the bins open.  FIG. 30  is a top cross-sectional view of the  FIG. 28  version. 
     FIG. 31  is a perspective view showing a holder with three units arranged in a triangular fashion between top and bottom plates  60  and  61 .  FIG. 32  is a top cross-sectional view showing the  FIG. 31  holder 
     FIG. 33  is an exploded perspective view showing the units mountable in a tool box. 
   To summarize some possible variations on the holders, they can be attached to each other in a variety of ways:
         a. back-to-back such that drop-bins are accessible from either side;   b. side-by-side such that drop-bins are accessible from the same side;   c. top-to-bottom such that drop-bins are accessible from the same side;   d. top-to bottom, and/or back-to-back, and/or side-to-side;   e. holders can be molded and connected together via a living hinge. The holder in this case, can be folded and secured back-to-back to provide access to the drop-bins form either side; or   f. the holder can be swung open and be flat, in which case, all the drop bins are accessible from the same side.
 
Also, double-thickness holders can be molded that will accept drop-bins in either direction.
       

   The holders can be fabricated in many shapes and configurations, having drop-bins of corresponding shapes:
         a. a circular holder around which drop-bins are installed. The holder can be rotated to select a particular bin/contents;   b. the holder can be polygonal, inserted into a swivel base, and equipped with a turning knob at the top (to rotate holder);   c. the holder can have a common wall (with or without a handle) onto which drop-bins can be attached from either side using various means (mentioned previously).       

   Yet another variation is that the holder could have a common vertical center wall, with drop-bin units secured to either side thereof by any suitable means. 
     FIGS. 34 and 35  illustrate an alternative means of ganging the bins, i.e. instead of using gang bars. In this embodiment, the bins pivot on pins  75 . Pins  70  from one bin ride in a slot  71  in a flange  72  attached to the side of the adjacent bin. By virtue of the geometry of the slot  71 , rotating one bin  2  causes the wall of the slot to act on the pin of the adjacent bin, to cause that bin to rotate as well. 
   A further variation is that the width of the bins could be varied or split. For example, as shown in  FIG. 36 , one or more of the bins could be split into two separate bins, one ganged from one side and the other ganged from the other side. 
     FIGS. 37A to 37F  show an embodiment of the invention, in which a number of drop-bin units  1  are attachable to a frame  53 , in any of a multitude of locations. The pivoting of the bins  2  is actuated via pinion wheels  56  arranged on each bin. Each rack  54 , so that when the rack is manipulated by a user, via a finger tab  55  instance, to slide up or down (as is shown in the figures), the rack causes the pinion wheel to rotate and thus the bin to pivot. The racks are connected via a cross-beam  57 , so that the manipulation of one causes the other racks to perform the same movement. Thus, by manipulating one rack, all the drop-bin units  1  that are inserted into the frame have their bins pivoted simultaneously and the same amount. The drop-bin units are held in the frame by friction or by retaining means (not shown).  FIGS. 37A to 37C  show a frame being full of inserted drop-bin units and the racks in a position to pivot all bins to a closed position. If one location in the frame is empty, i.e. no drop-bin unit is inserted, the pivoting of bins of the drop-bin units that are inserted into the frame is not interrupted, because the racks run the length of the frame to engage any possible pinion wheel of any inserted drop-bin unit in any possible location on the frame.