Patent Document

CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority from Provisional Patent Application No. 61/493,014, filed on Jun. 3, 2011 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to storage cabinets or bins and the like, and more particularly to a bin retainer panel for use with a storage cabinet with shelves which is shipped and packed in shipping containers. 
         [0003]    It is generally known to provide a cabinet structure into which one or more shelves are mounted. In certain applications, the shelves are compartmentalized or otherwise configured to hold screws, nuts, bolts, and other articles. The shelves are intended to be normally used in a horizontal position. 
         [0004]    The metal storage bins or cabinets are often used in military facilities or operations. The metal storage cabinets or bins with shelves are often shipped with articles such as bolts, nuts, etc. stored within the bin with the bin on its side and with the shelves in a vertical position. As such, the bolts, nuts, screws or other parts can fall or move around during shipment. The bin or cabinet is also often shipped on its side, i.e. when the shelves are positioned vertically instead of horizontally or upright during normal use. 
         [0005]    The cabinet or bin also has a pair of doors which are closed and locked during shipment. During use, the doors are removed from the bin which is tilted to its upright position with the shelves in the normal horizontal position. 
         [0006]    Thus, there is a need for a retaining panel which is used for retaining articles within compartments formed by shelves of a bin during shipment which overcomes the above-mentioned deficiencies while providing better overall results. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0007]    In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a cabinet structure includes shelves which form storage compartments within the cabinet. A bin retaining panel is inserted onto the storage bin and has tabs or protrusions which are received by slots or openings formed by the shelves. The bin retaining panel is preferably made of a thin sheet of metal and is bendable or flexible. The panel can be made of various suitable thicknesses. Furthermore, other suitable materials are contemplated. 
         [0008]    The bin retaining panel also has a cut-out or opening configured to receive a lock assembly for one of the shipment container doors. 
         [0009]    Edges of the bin retaining panel are bent up at about 90 degrees to engage with an edge of the container door. The edges on the panel also put pressure on the panel to stay in position. 
         [0010]    A bottom end of the panel mates with the bottom of the bin. The door frame is positioned on and places pressure on the bottom of the panel. 
         [0011]    In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a bin retainer panel has a planar wall having a first end having a bent edge extending along a length of the first end; and first and second side ends each having edges bent at an acute angle with respect to the planar wall; wherein the first and second side edges have a plurality of protrusions formed thereon. 
         [0012]    In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a bin retainer panel has a planar wall having a first end having a bent edge and a second, opposite end comprising a bent edge; and first and second side ends wherein the first side end has an edge bent at an acute angle with respect to the planar wall, wherein at least the first side end edge has a plurality of protrusions formed thereon. 
         [0013]    In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of using a bin retainer panel includes the steps of tilting a storage bin on its side; unlocking doors of the bin by unlocking and removing a locking member from the doors; lowering a bin retainer panel onto the bin and flexing and bending the panel to seat onto the bin; engaging protrusions on the panel with gaps formed between shelves of the bin; seating the panel on outer edges of the shelves; closing the doors of the bin; and locking the doors using the locking member which extends through an opening of the panel. 
         [0014]    One advantage of the present disclosure is that it provides a bin retaining panel that is installed onto a shelved bin for retaining articles within the bin. 
         [0015]    Another advantage of the present disclosure is that it is easily installed and removed and is cost-effective. 
         [0016]    Still another advantage of the present disclosure is that panel allows for easy installation of the panel on the bin by flexing or bending the panel. 
         [0017]    A further advantage of the present disclosure is that it facilitates accurate horizontal placement of the panel by easy installation of the tabs on the panel into slots formed by the shelves. 
         [0018]    Another advantage of the disclosure is bent ends which mate with door frames to retain the panel in position on the bin. 
         [0019]    Another aspect of the disclosure is an opening which has a profile of a lock to accommodate a lock of the door. 
         [0020]    Still other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The disclosure may take physical form in certain components and arrangements of components, preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein; 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of a bin retaining panel in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a right side elevational view of the panel of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the panel of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the panel of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of a bin retaining panel in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a right side elevational view of the panel of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of the panel of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the panel of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a two-piece bin retaining panel in accordance with another aspect of the disclosure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a two-piece retaining panel assembly in accordance with still another aspect of the disclosure; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a bin retaining panel of  FIG. 5  being lowered onto a storage bin in accordance with one aspect of the disclosure; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the bin retaining panel of  FIG. 5  in an installed position on a storage bin. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0034]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Bin retaining panel A has a generally flat planar wall  10  which has ends  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  forming a generally rectangular configuration. The bin retaining panel is fabricated from preferably a thin sheet of metal. Upper or first end  12  has a bent edge  20  which is bent at about 90 degrees with respect to the planar wall  10 . Edge  20  has two half sections  21 ,  23  to accommodate and retain the ends of the doors in a closed configuration. Edge  20  also helps put pressure on the panel with the door resting on the panel and retain the panel in position. Edge  18  also helps apply pressure to the panel from the door resting on top of the panel. Sections  21 ,  23  each have rounded edges but straight edges are also contemplated by the disclosure. A notch or gap  19  can be formed between walls  21 ,  23  to accommodate ends or edges of two doors. Edge  20  extends upwardly (i.e., out of the page) as shown in  FIG. 1 . Side ends  14 ,  16  have a bent edge  22 ,  24  which are bent downwardly or into the page as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Edges  22 ,  24  are bent at an acute angle with respect to wall  10  of about 45 degrees or so. Edges  22 ,  24  have a series of tabs or protrusions  26 ,  28  which are sized and configured to engage mating slots  138  formed in shelves of a bin. For example, notches  26 ,  28  can have a rectangular or square shape but other configurations such as angled or rounded shapes are also contemplated by the disclosure. Protrusions  26 ,  28  can have a substantially C-shaped or rounded or curved notch  29  formed therein for accommodating a shelf wall. Other shapes and configurations of notches or cut-outs are also contemplated by the disclosure. Protrusions  26 ,  28  engage slots or openings  138  in the shelf wall and help align and maintain the protrusion of the panel. 
         [0035]    Bottom end  18  has a straight edge portion  30  which is not bent with respect to planar wall  20 . Edge  30  is shown to have rounded or radiused corners  31 ,  33 , but straight corners could be used as well. Positioned on the planar wall is a slot or opening  32  which is sized and configured to receive a correspondingly locking member for a door of the shipping container. Opening  32  can be placed centrally on panel in various positions on the planar wall as discussed. A plurality of holes  34  can also be formed on the panel for hanging the panel when not in use. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5-8 , an alternate embodiment of the bin retaining panel B is shown. Panel  40  also has a generally flat planar wall  42  which is generally rectangular in configuration. 
         [0037]    Planar wall  42  has ends  44 ,  46 ,  48 ,  50  which form the rectangular conformation. Upper and lower ends  44 ,  46  each has a bent edge or wall  52 ,  54  which is bent upwardly (extending out of the page in  FIG. 6 ) about 90 degrees with respect to wall  42  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Walls  52 ,  54  help retain and position doors on the cabinet in a closed configuration. The walls  52 ,  54  also help retain the panel in position and apply pressure to the panel via the door resting on the panel. 
         [0038]    Wall  52  includes two half sections  56 ,  58  to accommodate the ends of the doors. A notch or gap  59  can be formed between wall sections  56 ,  58  to accommodate the ends of the two doors. As shown in  FIG. 8 , wall section  56 ,  58  each has curved or rounded edges. However, straight or angled edges are also contemplated. 
         [0039]    Side ends  48 ,  50  each has a bent edge  60 ,  62  which is bent downwardly or into the page as seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Edges  60 ,  62  are bent at an acute angle with respect to wall  42  at about 45 degrees or so. Other angles are also contemplated by the disclosure. Edges  60 ,  62  have a series of tabs or protrusions  64 ,  66  (such as rectangular or square shape or any suitable shape) which are sized and configured to engage mating slots  138  formed by shelves in the bin. Protrusions  64 ,  66  can have a C-shaped or rounded or curved slot  69  to accommodate a portion of the shelf. Positioned on the planar wall is a slot or opening  72  which is sized and configured to receive a correspondingly locking member for a door of the shipping container. A plurality of holes  73  on planar wall  42  can be used for hanging the panel when not in use. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , another alternate embodiment of the bin retaining panel assembly is shown. This embodiment has two half panels  80 ,  82  each of which has planar walls  84 ,  86  and upper and lower ends  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94  which have bent edges  96 ,  98 ,  100 ,  102  bent at about 90 degrees with respect to planar walls  84 ,  86 . These bent edges help align the doors on the panel and apply pressure to the panel via the doors. A gap is formed between panels  80 ,  82  to accommodate the two doors. Side ends  104 ,  106  each has a bent edge  108 ,  110  bent downwardly at about 45 degrees with respect to planar walls  84 ,  86 . Edges  108 ,  110  have a plurality of tabs or protrusions  112  which engage slots  138  formed by shelves of the storage bin for aligning the panel and retaining it in position. Tabs  112  can have a substantially rectangular or square shape and can have a round or curved slot or notch  115  formed therein. Inner ends  107 ,  109  do not have bent edges. 
         [0041]    Each of the planar walls can also have a cut-out or opening  111 ,  113  to accommodate a lock member of the bin door. Also, the panels  80 ,  82  can be configured to be used in a first orientation or a second orientation rotated 180 degrees with respect to the first orientation. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , another alternate embodiment is shown. This embodiment is essentially the same as described for  FIG. 9 , but additional bent edges  114 ,  116  are formed on ends  118 ,  120  of the panels  80 ,  82 . 
         [0043]    Each of the bent edges accommodate the door frames of the bin and puts additional pressure on the panel to stay in position by contacting the door frame. A gap is formed between the panels  80 ,  82  to accommodate the two doors&#39; edges. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , installation of a bin retaining panel B (shown in  FIGS. 5-8 ) onto a storage bin C is shown. Bin C has a plurality of side walls  122 ,  124 ,  126 ,  128  and two hinged doors  130 ,  132  which have a locking member assembly  134 . A plurality of shelves  136  are positioned within the bin. Bin panel B is lowered onto the end of the bin when the bin is tilted on its side. That is, shelves  136  are positioned vertically in this orientation or at about 90 degrees with respect to the panel B. Shelves  136  form a series of slots or openings  138  which matingly receive and engage bent tabs  64 ,  66  formed on edges  60 ,  62  of the panel. This helps align the panel and retain it in position on the bin. 
         [0045]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , the panel B can be flexed or bent sufficiently to engage the tabs  64 ,  66  with slots  138  of the shelves. The panel then rests horizontally on or is positioned on outer edges  140  of the shelves  136 . The doors  130 ,  132  are then closed wherein the bent edges  54 ,  56 ,  58  of the panel contact the edges of the doors to help retain the panel in position and allow the doors apply pressure to the panel. The doors are then locked and the locking member is received within opening  72 . The bin is then placed in a storage or shipping container and is shipped. The steps described for  FIGS. 11 and 12  also apply to the panels shown in  FIGS. 1-4  and  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
         [0046]    When the bin arrives at the user destination, the doors are unlocked and removed, and the panel is removed by pulling on the cut-out or opening  72  on the panel. Alternatively, rings or cable retaining members  150  can be formed on each of the planar walls to accommodate cable ties, straps, zip ties, etc. to pull the panel out of engagement with the bin. 
         [0047]    The exemplary embodiment has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The specification is intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Technology Category: 4