Abstract:
A work storage unit having a base and a door pivotally attached to the base. The door may be in a vertical, closed position, with respect to the base providing secure storage of items. When in the closed position, the door of the work storage unit fits within the outer edge of the base. The door may also be moved to a horizontal, open position, with respect to the base. When in the open position, various compartments are revealed which provide access to the items. The work storage unit can be mounted on a wall, the base lying generally parallel to the wall, thereby not taking up valuable floor space.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/168,321, filed on Sep. 30, 2002, now pending. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to a work storage unit, and more particularly to a wall-mountable work storage unit for providing a retractable work surface and providing for storing and organizing parts, tools, supplies and the like.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    In many areas such as garages, basements, laundry rooms, or the like, space is limited. There exists a need for a work storage unit that is foldable to a relatively thin depth and which is wall-mountable for use and/or storage, whereby floor space is made available for other tools, equipment and/or vehicles; a work storage unit that provides for easy access to tools and deployment of a work surface by pivoting the work surface from a closed storage position to an open working position; a work storage unit that has a work platform that is easily adjustable between a closed, vertical position and an open, working position, whereby the work surface may be positioned horizontally with respect to the base; and that, when not in use, the work surface may be pivoted to a closed position, positioned vertically with respect to the base.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    The present invention meets the above-described need by providing a base unit with a retractable work surface and a plurality of storage compartments and shelves. The work surface is pivotally attached to the housing such that it pivots between a vertical closed position and a horizontal open position. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0005]    The invention is illustrated in the drawings in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures of which:  
         [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a work storage unit shown in a closed position in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of a work storage unit in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of a work storage unit shown in a closed position in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 a  is a front elevational view of a bracket for mounting the work storage unit to a wall in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 b  is a right side elevational view of the mounting bracket of FIG. 4 a;    
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 a  is a perspective view of a work storage unit shown in an open position in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 b  is an exploded perspective view of the work storage unit of FIG. 5 a;    
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 a  is a cross-sectional view of the work storage unit shown in a closed position taken along line A-A of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 b  is the cross-sectional view of the work storage unit of FIG. 6 a  shown in an open position;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 c  is a cross-sectional view of the work storage unit shown in a closed position taken along line B-B of FIG. 1;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the base of the work storage unit of FIG. 4 b;    
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 8 a  is a top plan view of the door of the work storage unit in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 8 b  is a cross-sectional view of the door of the work storage unit taken along line A-A of FIG. 8 a;    
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the door of the work storage unit of FIG. 8 a;    
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the work storage unit of the present invention;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the base of the work storage unit of FIG. 10;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an accessory shelf; and,  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a center divider. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]    In FIG. 1, the work storage unit  1  includes a base  2  and a door  3 . The base  2  of the work storage unit  1  is configured to be vertically mounted on a wall (not shown). The base further includes a rim  6  which defines the periphery of the base. The base  2  has a depth D, shown in FIG. 3. The rim  6  of the base surrounds and defines an opening  52  in the base, shown in FIG. 5 a , used for storage of items.  
         [0025]    The door  3  is hingedly mounted to the base  2 , as can be seen in FIG. 5 a . The door  3  is moveable between a closed position wherein the door lies substantially parallel to the base  2 , and an open, working position, wherein the door lies substantially perpendicular to the base. Further, the door  3  is sized as to fit within the rim  6  of the base  2 , when the work storage unit  1  is in the closed position. That is, the outer edge  8  of the door  3  fits within the rim  6  of the base  2 , the door being partially recessed into the base.  
         [0026]    The door  3  includes a recess  10  which acts as a handle for gripping and facilitating moving the door to and from the open and the closed positions. An indentation  12  may also be included in the door  3  into which a name plate or other suitable identification means (not shown) can be located.  
         [0027]    The base  2  and door  3 , and the various components contained within, which will be discussed later, can be constructed of plastic, metal, composite material, or other suitable material as to provide a lightweight and strong work storage unit.  
         [0028]    A locking mechanism  7  may also be included in the door, which can be any conventional locking mechanism.  
         [0029]    Turning to FIG. 2, as noted above, the door  3  fits within the rim  6  of the base  2  and can therefore not be seen from the rear elevational view. Detachably connected to the rear of the base  2  is a mounting bracket  40 , which fits into a mounting slot  22  located on the rear of the base  2 . The function of the mounting bracket  40  and the mounting slot  22  is explained in greater detail below in connection with FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b . Stop mechanisms  24  can also be seen from the rear elevational view of the base  2 . The stop mechanisms are discussed in greater detail later in connection with FIGS. 5 b  and  6   c.    
         [0030]    As can be seen in FIG. 3, the outer edge  8  of the door  3  fits within the rim  6  of the base  2 , and is aligned substantially parallel to the base. The base  2  further includes grooves  14 , which will be explained in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 b  and  7 .  
         [0031]    In FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b , the mounting bracket includes a back portion  41  and an angled portion  45 . The back portion  41  is configured to be vertically mounted to a wall (not shown). The back portion  41  of the mounting bracket  40  has a plurality of through-holes  44  whereby wall mounting screws  42  are utilized to mount the mounting bracket  40  to the wall (not shown). The through-holes  44  lie on  16 ″ centers so as to align with studs in a conventionally constructed wall. Washers  43  may also be utilized as is standard practice.  
         [0032]    The mounting slot  22  of the base  2  of the work storage unit  1 , shown in FIG. 2, engages the angled portion  45  (best shown in FIG. 4 b ) of the mounting bracket  40 . When the mounting bracket  40  is mounted to a wall, the mounting slot  22  can then be aligned with the mounting bracket  40 , thereby supporting the work storage unit  1  vertically against the wall (not shown). After engaging the mounting slot  22  on the angled portion  45  of the mounting bracket  40 , base mounting screws  46 , shown in FIG. 5 b , are inserted through mounting holes  49 , shown in FIG. 5 a , and the base  2  is thereby secured to the mounting bracket at base mounting locations  48 . Further washers  43  may also be utilized in conjunction with the base mounting screws  46 . Securing the base to the mounting bracket ensures that the work storage unit will be stable both in the closed position, and when in use in the open position. Although work storage unit  1  is illustrated with four mounting holes  49 , it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that fewer mounting holes  49  may also be used, as shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0033]    As the base  2  of the work storage unit  1  is secured to the mounting bracket  40  by means of base mounting screws  46 , the work storage unit  1  may at any time be removed from the mounting bracket  40 . However, the mounting bracket  40  is retained on the wall (not shown) to ensure easy re-mounting of the work storage unit to the wall.  
         [0034]    In the open position, shown in FIG. 5 a , the door  3  lies substantially perpendicular with respect to the base  2 . This is accomplished by the stop mechanisms  24 . As shown in FIG. 5 b , the stop mechanisms  24  include guide blocks  26  and channels  30 . The guide blocks  26  protrude generally perpendicular from the rear edge  81  of the door  3 . The channels  30  are formed proximal to the lower surface  62  formed in the base  2 , which can be seen in FIG. 6 c . When the door  3  is moved between the opened and the closed position, the guide blocks  26  ride within the channels  30 , inhibiting lateral movement of the door  3  within the base  2 . In the open position, a top portion  28  of the guide blocks  26  abut against the lower surface  62  formed in the base  3 , shown in FIG. 6 c . This arrangement provides rigidity to the door in the open position.  
         [0035]    In FIG. 5 b , the door  3  attaches to the base  2  by means of pins  80  being inserted into holes  70 . Guide blocks  26  also align with channels  30 .  
         [0036]    The base  2  further includes a plurality of grooves  14  which protrude into the opening  52  of the base  2 . The functionality of the grooves  14  will be discussed in greater detail later with regard to FIG. 7.  
         [0037]    As can be seen in FIG. 6 a , the outer edge  8  of the door  3  is dimensioned to fit within the rim  6  of the base  2 . In the closed position, the door  3  is partially recessed into the opening  52  of the base  2 . This provides secure closure of the work storage unit  1  as well as reduces the overall depth of the work storage unit  1  when in the closed position.  
         [0038]    As can be seen in FIG. 6 b , the door  3  lies generally perpendicular to the base  2 . This allows access to the various items stored within the work storage unit.  
         [0039]    In FIG. 6 c , this cross-sectional view shows the stop mechanism  24 . As previously discussed, the stop mechanism includes a guide block  26  formed integral with the rear edge  81  of the door  3 . During operation, i.e., opening and closing the door  3 , the guide block  26  rides in the channel  30 . When the door  3  is opened, and lies generally perpendicular to the base  2 , the guide block  26  abuts with a lower surface  62  formed in the base. To improve stability and strength in the door  3  in the open position, a step-like protrusion  64  molded integrally with the door  3 , abuts with the rim  6  of the base  2 .  
         [0040]    Turning to FIG. 7, depending upon a user&#39;s storage requirements, various components can be used interchangeably within the work storage unit. For example, removable wall  55   a  is configured to be inserted into and removed from slot  58   a . Although not shown, the base  2  has a further slot formed opposite to, and corresponding to, slot  58   a , thereby forming a pair. Removable wall  55   a  accordingly fits into the pair of slots, and is thereby supported. The removable shelf  56 , which can be inserted through the inlet  53  of removable wall  55   a , is configured to be inserted into slot  58   c . Removable shelf  56  has fingers  57  at one end which may be used to store drill bits, screwdriver bits, or other small items. Removable wall  55   b  is configured to be inserted into and removed from slot  58   b  and its corresponding slot (not shown) which is formed in the base opposite to slot  58   b.    
         [0041]    When removable wall  55   b  is inserted into slot  58   b , storage boxes  50  are able to be utilized as needed. Removable wall  55   b  includes a pocket  59  on one side for storing pencils, rulers, et al., and on the other opposite side includes furrows  54 . The storage boxes  50  are supported on, and are slideably moveable, in the furrows  54  of removable wall  55   b , and in grooves  14  formed in the base  2  which protrude into the opening  52  of the base  2 . The storage boxes  50  can be any conventional storage box which include lids  51  that are detachably connected to the storage boxes  51 . The various components of the base  2  can also be seen in FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b.    
         [0042]    In FIG. 8 a , the door has pins  80  formed integrally with the door and located proximal to the rear edge  81  of the door. The pins  80  are inserted into holes  70 , shown in FIG. 7, of the base  2  thereby pivotally attaching the door  3  to the base  2 . In attaching the door to the base  2 , the guide blocks  26  are aligned with the channels  30  of the base. The various components of the door  3  can also be seen in FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b.    
         [0043]    In FIG. 8 b , the door  3  has a depth d which allows for troughs  88  and cavities  90  to be formed therein for storage of various items. A depression  84  (FIG. 9) is also formed in the door  3  into which a non-skid mat  85  may be inserted. The troughs  88  and the non-skid mat  85  are used as work surfaces while the door is in the open position. While working, a user may rest tools or parts on the non-skid mat  85 , or into the troughs  88 , so that the tools or parts are not lost and are easily accessible. A name plate  86  may also be included in the door for identification purposes.  
         [0044]    Formed within opposing ends of the door  3  are cavities  90 , as shown in FIGS. 8 a  and  9 . The cavities are used for storing various small items such as nuts, bolts, washers, etc. The cavities are covered by windows  94  which are attached to the door  3  in a conventional manner. The windows are formed of a clear or translucent plastic material so that items stored within may be viewed without the need for opening the windows  94 . The cavities  90  include partition slots  93  formed in their bottom  91  and side surfaces  95 . Removable partitions  92  may be inserted into and removed from the partition slots  93 . The removable partitions  92 , when inserted, are vertically arranged within cavities to form separate storage compartments, as needed. The windows  94  include protrusions  96  for gripping and opening the windows. The protrusions  96  fit within holes  98  formed contiguous to cavities  90 . When the windows  94  are closed, they lie flush with the inner surface  60  of the door. When in the open position, the doors lie at approximately 100 degrees with respect to the inner surface  60  of the door. This enables easy access to the items stored within the cavities. With the windows  94  closed, the items stored within the cavities  90  are securely held and therefore organized. When the door  3  of the work storage unit is closed into the base  2 , the items stored within the cavities  90  remain secured therein.  
         [0045]    Turning to FIGS. 10 and 11, an alternate embodiment of the work storage unit  1  is shown. On the left hand side of FIG. 10, a first partition wall  100  is received in a pair of slots  103  formed in the base unit  106 . The partition wall  100  has a plurality of slots  109  arranged to align with slots  112  formed in the side of base unit  106 . Removable shelf  115  is capable of being supported in the opposed slots. The partition wall  100  also has slots  118  formed on the side opposite slots  109 . On the right hand side of the FIG. 10, a second partition wall  121  has slots  124  arranged to align with slots  112  formed in the right side of base unit  106 . The slots  112  are formed in the right side wall the same as shown on the left side. A plurality of drawers  130  are sized such that a lid portion  133  of the drawers slides into slots  124  on partition wall  121  and slots  112  formed in the right side of the base unit  106 . The drawers  130  can also be received in the aligned slots  109 ,  112  on the left hand side. Door  3  fits into base unit  106  in the manner described above. Accordingly, the drawers  130  and shelves  115  may be arranged in numerous ways based on the user&#39;s preference. Slots  118  and  127  align and face toward the middle of the unit.  
         [0046]    Turning to FIG. 12, an accessory shelf  140  having molded compartments  143  is sized to span the central opening between slots  118  and  127 . The shelf  140  may also include openings  148  for receiving items such as screwdrivers or the like. The opposite sides of the shelf  140  have extended portions  146  sized to engage with the slots  118 ,  127 . The shelf  140  is reversible. When the shelf  140  is flipped over from the position shown in FIG. 12, the divider  200  (FIG. 13) can engage with slot  152  and with a groove in the top wall of the base. With divider  200  installed in the shelf  140 , slots  210  and  215  on opposite sides of the divider  200  are brought into alignment with slots  118  and  127  to provide support for additional drawers  130 .  
         [0047]    In FIG. 13, a center divider  200  has an extended portion  203  capable of engaging with a slot  152  disposed in the accessory shelf  140 . The divider provides for adding additional shelves  115  or drawers  130  to the unit  1 .  
         [0048]    While the invention has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth, but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.