Abstract:
A storage bin for storage and containment of cabling associated with work-related items such as computers, telephones and the like. The storage bin is mountable generally along a terminal edge of a furniture component such as a worksurface, so that cabling can be routed from atop the worksurface downwardly into a hollow interior of the bin. The storage bin additionally includes pairs of overlapping side walls at each end of the bin which are movable relative to one another to enable opening and closing of the bin when mounted on the worksurface.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a bin for storage and containment of wires and cables associated with work-related items such as computers, telephones and the like, and particularly to a bin or container intended for mounting adjacent the edge of a furniture component, such as a table defining a worksurface thereon, which bin efficiently utilizes space generally beneath the worksurface to safely and neatly store wires or cables. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The modern office environment has ever increasing demands with respect to not only the availability of effective work space, particularly in association with a worksurface, but also the efficient or effective utilization of available space around a worksurface. In addition, the widespread use of computers, printers and telecommunication equipment in the workplace and also in the home generally results in an excessive amount of wiring and cabling on and around the associated worksurface. 
     With regard to office-type environments, conventional wall panels which are frequently used to construct workstations typically include interior passages and storage areas for management of electrical and communication cables being routed to each workstation. However, to provide more flexibility in office areas, workstations are also being formed by arrangements of readily movable components such as freestanding tables, divider screens, and freestanding cabinets which open to define a workstation. Unlike wall panel arrangements, these transportable furniture components typically do not include separate storage chambers for electrical, communication and computer cabling. The excessive amount of wiring and/or cabling, and the lack of proper storage compartments provided in transportable furniture components can result in cluttering of the worksurface which is not only unsightly, but is also undesirable with respect to safety considerations. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved accessory which can be used in conjunction with a workstation furniture component such as a table, and which provides for the convenient and safe storage of cabling and wiring associated with electronic components such as computers and telephones in a manner so as not to interfere with the available space on the worksurface. 
     The invention relates to a storage bin for storing cabling associated with a workstation, which bin includes horizontally spaced front and rear walls, a bottom wall extending between the front and rear walls and a pair of side walls, which walls together define a hollow interior which opens upwardly through an open upper end of the bin. The storage bin also includes a mounting arrangement adapted for securing same to a worksurface adjacent a terminal edge portion thereof. The front wall defines therein a cable port in communication with the hollow interior and defining part of the open upper end of the bin. The storage bin is movable into an open configuration for providing access to the hollow interior thereof via the open upper end, and a closed configuration wherein the open upper end is partially closed off. The part of the open upper end defined by the cable port is positioned generally below the terminal edge portion of the worksurface in the closed configuration of the bin such that the cabling supported on the worksurface adjacent the terminal edge portion thereof is routable downwardly into the hollow interior through the cable port. 
     The invention also relates to a storage bin for storing cabling associated with a workstation having opposed front and rear walls, a bottom wall extending between lower edge portions of the front and rear walls, and a pair of side walls interconnecting the front and rear walls. The walls define a generally hollow interior of the bin which opens upwardly through an open upper end. Also included is a mounting arrangement adapted for securing the bin to a worksurface. Each of the side walls is embodied by a pair of overlapping side wall parts connected to generally upright side edges of the respective front and rear walls. Each of the side wall parts connected to the front wall are fixedly but slidably attached to the respective adjacent side wall part connected to the rear wall such that the front wall and its respective side wall parts are swingably removable relative to the rear wall and its respective side wall parts to permit the bin to be moveable into an open configuration for receiving cabling therein through the open upper end, and a closed configuration for storing cabling therein. 
     The desirable constructional and functional features of the present invention, as well as other operational advantages thereof, will be apparent upon reading the following specification and inspecting the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view which illustrates a storage bin according to the invention mounted adjacent an edge of a worksurface and in a closed configuration for storage of wires or cabling therein; 
     FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but showing the storage bin in an open configuration to provide access to the interior thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevational end view of the storage bin in a closed configuration; 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but illustrating the storage bin in an open configuration; 
     FIG. 5 is a sheet or blank from which the storage bin according to the invention may be formed; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken generally along line  6 — 6  in FIG. 3; and 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line  7 — 7  in FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience and reference only, and will not be limiting. For example, the words “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “rightwardly” and “leftwardly”, will refer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The word “front” when used in relation to the worksurface will refer to the side of the worksurface which is typically closest to the worker, and the word “rear” when used in relation to the worksurface will refer to the side which is remote from the worker. The word “front” when used in relation to the storage bin will refer to the outer exposed side of the bin when mounted adjacent an edge of a worksurface, and the word “rear” will refer to the opposite side of the bin. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the arrangement or the specific parts thereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-4, there is illustrated a storage bin  10  according to the invention, which storage bin  10  is particularly adapted for use in association with a worksurface  11  such as a table supported in upwardly spaced relation from a floor by one or more upright legs (not shown). The worksurface  11  defines thereon an enlarged and generally horizontally oriented upper surface  12 , and a lower surface  12 A opposite upper surface  12 . The worksurface  11  terminates in a longitudinally extending rear edge  13  which is remote from the side of the worksurface  11  which is normally closest to the worker. Office equipment, such as a computer, telephone, lighting and the like are typically supported on upper surface  12 . These types of devices typically require connection to electrical or communication wiring or cabling  14 , and in some cases both. 
     To facilitate management of such cabling  14  which typically has a surplus length, one or more storage bins  10  according to the invention are mounted to the worksurface  11  along one of the terminal edges thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the storage bin  10  is mounted so as to extend along the rear edge  13  of worksurface  11 , which is an optimal location for a typical workstation wherein the cabling connected to various types of electronic equipment lies atop the rear part of the upper surface  12  and then drops down over the rear edge  13  for connection to an electrical outlet, extension cord, power strip, etc. However, it may be desirable to mount the storage bin  10  along one of the other edges of the worksurface  11  depending upon the particular location of the equipment supported thereon. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, for convenience in manufacturing, the storage bin  10  in the illustrated embodiment is formed of a thin, unitary and semi-rigid sheet  15  of plastic material, such as polypropylene. The sheet  15  has limited flexibility and is foldable to define the overall shape of the storage bin  10  as shown in FIG.  1 . Referring now to both FIGS. 1 and 5, the storage bin  10  includes an elongate and planar bottom wall  20  of generally rectangular shape. The bottom wall  20  has a pair of generally parallel longitudinal side edges  21  which are defined by fold lines or creases shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5, and a pair of generally parallel free side edges  22 . The storage bin  10  additionally includes front and rear walls  23  and  24  spaced horizontally from one another and having lower edges which are joined to opposite side edges  21  of bottom wall  20 . Front wall  23  includes an upper free edge  25  having a generally centrally located, upwardly opening, shallow arcuate recess  30  bordered on both sides by straight edge portions  31  which are generally parallel to side edges  21 . A pair of generally semi-circular openings  32  extend through front wall  23  and are located close to upper free edge  25  thereof on either side of recess  30  slightly below the respective straight edge portions  31 . The openings  32  are defined in part by straight top edges  33  (FIG. 2) which are generally parallel to edge portions  31 . 
     Front wall  23  has a pair of generally vertically oriented and concavely curved side edges  34  which extend between upper free edge  25  and the lower edge of front wall  23  or fold line  21 . The side edges  34  are defined by fold lines or creases shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5. A pair of generally vertically oriented side wall parts or flaps  35  are joined to opposite side edges  34  of front wall  23  through fold lines  34 . Each side wall part  35  includes an outer convexly curved free side edge  40  which, in combination with the respective side edge  34 , provides the side wall parts  35  with a football-like shape. Side wall parts  35  each have a top edge  41  having a shallow concave shape of approximately the same vertical depth as recess  30  of front wall  23 , and a bottom edge  41 A having an identical, but inverted, configuration as top edge  41 . A fastener  42  is provided on each side wall part  35  adjacent side edge  40  and approximately midway therealong. More specifically, the respective fasteners  42  are located approximately the same distance from the top and bottom edges  41  and  41 A of the respective side wall parts  35 , but are offset horizontally toward the respective free side edge  40 . The fasteners  42 , in the illustrated embodiment, have a pair of enlarged heads  42 A (FIG. 6) connected to one another by a neck or stem portion  42 B of a reduced diameter. Fasteners  42  extend through the respective side wall part  35  such that the heads  42 A thereof are located on opposite sides of side wall part  35 . Fasteners  42  may be constructed of a rigid but lightweight material, such as plastic. 
     Rear wall  24  is similar in shape to front wall  23  and has a top free edge  43  generally parallel to the respective longitudinal side edge  21  of bottom wall  20 , and a pair of concavely curved side edges  44  which extend between top edge  43  and the respective side edge  21  of bottom wall  30  and are defined by fold lines or creases shown in dotted lines in FIG. 5. A pair of side wall parts or flaps  45  similar to side wall parts  35  are joined to opposite side edges  44  of rear wall  24  through fold lines. Each side wall part  45  includes an outer convexly curved free side edge  50  which, in combination with the respective side edge  44 , provides the side wall parts  45  with a football-like shape. With reference to FIG. 4, side wall parts  45  each have a top edge  51  which extends generally horizontally rearwardly from the outer free side edge  50  of the side wall part  45  and then curves generally upwardly toward the top free edge  43  of rear wall  24 , and a bottom edge  52  having an identical, but inverted, configuration as top edge  51 . A shallow and downwardly arcuate slot  53  (FIGS. 3 and 4) is provided in each side wall part  45  in a generally central position so as to cooperate with the fastener  42  of the adjacent respective side wall part  35 . The slots  53  are preferably of a size which enables sliding movement of the neck portions  42 B of the respective fasteners  42  therein as discussed below. 
     The storage bin  10  may be assembled as follows with reference to FIG.  5 . The front and rear walls  23  and  24  are bent or folded upwardly about the respective fold lines  21 , and are connected to one another by folding the respective pairs of side wall parts  35  and  45  inwardly towards one another about the respective fold lines  34  and  44  and inserting the innermost head  42 A of fasteners  42  of the side wall parts  35  into the respective slots  53  of adjacent side wall parts  45  so as to fasten the respective pairs of side wall parts  35  and  45  to one another in an overlapping fashion. The neck portions  42 B of the fasteners  42  are slidable within the respective slots  53  so that front wall  23  and the respective side wall parts  35  can be moved between an open configuration (FIGS. 2 and 4) and a closed configuration (FIGS.  1  and  3 ). The front, rear, bottom and side walls together provide the bin  10  with a hollow interior  60  which opens upwardly through an open upper end  60 A. Once assembled, the top recessed edges  41  and  51  of the pairs of overlapping side wall parts  35  and  45  cooperate to define upper cable ports  54 , and the bottom recessed edges  41 A and  52  of the pairs of overlapping side wall ports  35  and  45  cooperate to define lower cable ports  55 . Thus, an upper port  54  and a lower cable port  55  are located on each side of storage bin  10  for communication with the hollow interior  60  thereof. It will be appreciated that once the sheet  15  is folded and the side wall parts  35  and  45  are connected to one another as discussed above, the bin  10  retains the overall shape as shown in FIGS. 1-4 due to the semi-rigid nature of the plastic material from which it is constructed. Further, the fold lines or creases  21 ,  34 , and  44  may be formed by scoring sheet  15  with a knife or blade. 
     To mount the storage bin  10  on the worksurface  11 , an elongate mounting bracket  61  is provided which is constructed of a rigid lightweight material, for example acrylic plastic. Mounting bracket  61  includes an elongate and generally flat top wall  62 . A pair of upwardly opening hooks  63  are fixed to a longitudinal front edge  64  of top wall  62  and project outwardly and angle downwardly therefrom for cooperation with the respective openings  32  of front wall  23 . Mounting bracket  61  also has an elongate flange  65  which projects generally downwardly from a longitudinal rear edge  70  of top wall  62 . This flange  65  is preferably fixed to an inner surface  71  of rear wall  24  along the top edge  43  thereof, for example by adhesive, so that the top wall  62  of mounting bracket  61  substantially closes off the open upper end  60 A of the storage bin  10 . It will be appreciated that other methods of securing flange  65  to rear wall  24  may be employed, such as rivets. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the storage bin  10  is mounted to the worksurface  11  by threaded fasteners  72  which extend through the top wall  62  of mounting bracket  61  and into the lower surface  12 A of worksurface (FIGS.  3  and  4 ). It will be understood that other types of fastening arrangements may be utilized to mount storage bin  10  on worksurface  11 , such as touch and close fastening systems. One example of such a system is a commercial grade fastener including a pair of mating tapes each having adhesive on one side and spikes projecting outwardly from the opposite side, which spikes have an enlarged head on the free end thereof. One of the tapes has a larger number of spikes thereon so that when the tapes are pressed together, the enlarged heads of the respective tapes interlock and securely fix the tapes together until they are peeled apart. Another type of touch and close fastening system which may be utilized is a hook and loop type fastener commonly sold under the name VELCRO® (depending upon the size of the bin  10 ). 
     As best shown in FIGS. 1-4, with the storage bin  10  mounted on the worksurface  11 , same is positionable in a closed position (FIGS. 1 and 3) wherein the hooks  63  project through the respective openings  32  in front wall  23  so as to supportingly engage the top edges  33  thereof. In this closed position, the side wall parts  35  and  45  substantially completely overlap one another and the fasteners  42  are positioned at the rearwardmost terminal ends of the respective slots  53  (FIG.  3 ). To open the storage bin  10 , the user grips the upper free edge  25  of front wall  23  and slightly lifts same so as to disengage the hooks  63  from the respective openings  32 . The front wall  23  is then pulled outwardly which causes side wall parts  35  to slide forwardly relative to the respective side wall parts  45 . This sliding movement of side wall parts  35  is guided by the fasteners  42  which move within the respective slots  53  of side wall parts  45 . In the fully open position, the fasteners  42  are positioned at the forwardmost terminal ends of the slots  53  (FIG.  4 ). Further, in the fully open position of bin  10 , the bottom wall  20  angles slightly downwardly relative to the horizontal, and the lower cable ports  55  remain open and in communication with the interior  60  of the storage bin  10 . Thus, the front wall  23  and the respective side wall parts  35  normally at least partially pivot about the lower edge or fold line  21  of rear wall  24  as the bin  10  is opened. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, with the bin  10  in the open configuration, cabling  14  supported on the upper surface  12  of the worksurface  11  is dropped over the rear edge  13  thereof and into the interior  60  of the bin  10 . If desired or necessary, a conventional plug strip  73  (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3) may be disposed within interior  60  and supported on bottom wall  20 , for example. Other types of receptacles or articles can also be stored within the bin  10 . The bin  10  can then be closed by grasping front wall  23  and pushing same toward rear wall  24  while simultaneously lifting front wall  23  slightly upwardly so as to engage hooks  63  within the respective openings  32 . 
     The front and rear walls  23  and  24  in the assembled condition of the storage bin  10  have a generally convex configuration when viewed from the side, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. This convex configuration of the front wall  23  and the recess  30  formed along the top edge  25  thereof cooperate to define an upper cable receiving port  74  which projects horizontally outwardly from the front edge  64  of the mounting bracket  61  and worksurface edge  13  when the bin  10  is in the closed configuration (FIG.  7 ). In this regard, the cabling  14  extends from the upper surface  12  of the worksurface  11 , over rear edge  13  and downwardly into the cable port  74  as best shown in FIG.  3 . 
     With the above-described arrangement, coiled loops or lengths of excess cabling  14  can be stored and restrained within the hollow interior  60  of the storage bin  10 , and the storage bin  10  according to the invention offers a number of entry and exit locations including cable port  74 , upper cable ports  54 , and lower cable ports  55 . 
     It will be appreciated that the storage bin  10  disclosed herein need not necessarily be constructed from a unitary sheet  15 , and may alternatively be constructed of separate wall parts which are appropriately fastened together with adhesive, rivets or other fasteners. However, the sheet construction of the bin  10  enables shipping thereof in a generally flat condition. 
     It will also be appreciated that the size of the storage bin  10  according to the invention may be varied depending upon the intended location of the bin  10  and the amount of cabling and/or wiring to be stored therein. 
     Further, it will be understood that fasteners  42  may instead be located on side wall parts  45  and slots  53  located on side wall parts  35 . In addition, fasteners  42  need not necessarily be double-headed and may instead include a single enlarged head for engagement within the respective slot and the end of the neck or stem portion of the fastener opposite the single head can then be fixed to the surface of the side wall part. Other methods of slidably attaching side wall parts to one another may also be utilized. 
     Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus, including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of the present invention.