Modular storage system
A modular system including a plurality of modular units, each modular unit being sized to be hand carried and configured to store school and office supplies therein. Each modular unit has a plurality of generally flat outer surfaces. Each modular unit is configured to be coupled to another modular unit along facing, parallel outer surfaces thereof when a facing outer surface of one of the modular units is moved towards the facing outer surface of the other modular unit in a direction generally perpendicular to the facing outer surfaces until the modular units contact each other.
The present invention is directed to a modular storage system, and more particularly to a modular storage system for use with school and office supplies.
BACKGROUNDSchool and office supplies, such as notebooks, binders, pens, pencils, staplers, scissors, binding clips, loose leaf papers, rubber bands, correction tape, correction fluid, drawing guides, letter openers, highlighters, erasers, calculators and the like are often desired to be stored in a storage unit. However, the storage needs for any individual user will vary from user to user and thus a single storage unit of fixed capacity may not meet the needs of different users. In addition, a user may often desire to utilize the storage unit in a portable manner, or desire to modify the configuration of the storage unit. Accordingly, there is a need for a storage unit which can be assembled to meet the needs of individual users, and which provides portable storage units.
SUMMARYIn one embodiment, the present invention is a modular storage system which can be assembled in various configurations, and which provides individual modular units which can be separated from each other and used as a standalone component. More particularly, in one embodiment the invention is a modular system comprising a plurality of modular units, each modular unit being sized to be hand carried and configured to store school and office supplies therein. Each modular unit has a plurality of generally flat outer surfaces. Each modular unit is configured to be coupled to another modular unit along facing, parallel outer surfaces thereof when a facing outer surface of one of the modular units is moved towards the facing outer surface of the other modular unit in a direction generally perpendicular to the facing outer surfaces until the modular units contact each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
As shown in
As best shown in
The storage slot modular unit 12b includes a plurality of generally vertically-extending cavities 16 in which various school and office supplies such as pens, pencils, staplers, scissors, letter openers, highlighters, erasers and the like may be stored.
Each of the drawer modular units 12c, 12d includes an outer drawer casing 18, as well as a drawer 20 that is movably, slidably, or rollably received in the outer drawer casing 18. Each drawer 20 has a pull handle 22 to aid in opening and closing the drawer 20.
Drawer modular unit 12d has a lesser depth than the drawer modular unit 12c. In particular, drawer modular unit 12d has a depth that is less than the drawer modular unit 12c by a distance about equal to the depth of the storage slot modular unit 12b such that when the drawer modular unit 12d and storage slot modular unit 12b are placed adjacent to each other, their combined depth is substantially equal to the depth of the drawer modular unit 12c.
The hanging file folder modular unit 12e includes a main inner cavity 26 in which a plurality of folders, including, but not limited to, hanging file folders 28, may be received for storing and organizing various papers and the like.
The modular system 10 may have various sizes and dimensions. For example, in one embodiment the system 10 may have a height of about 13.5 inches, a width (i.e., along dimension w1 of
As noted above, each of the modular units 12 may be shaped as a generally rectangular prism having a plurality (i.e., six) of generally flat, planar outer surfaces and a storage cavity therein. At least one or perhaps more of the outer surfaces of each modular units 12 may include an attachment structure or fastening means 32 forming or located adjacent to one of the outer surfaces for coupling each modular unit 12 to another modular unit 12. For example, as best shown in
Each foot 34 may be generally rectangular in top view, and may cover at least about 50%, or at least about 80%, or at least about 90% of the surface area of the associated outer surface of the modular unit 12. Each foot 34 may have a height of about 0.15 inches, or less than about 0.5 inches, or less than about 0.25 inches. Each foot 34 may have a height that is less than about 10%, or less than about 5% of the height of the associated modular unit 12.
As best shown in
Each recess 36 may be generally rectangular in top view, and may cover at least about 50%, or at least about 80%, or at least about 90% of the surface area of the associated outer surface of the modular unit 12. Each recess 36 may have a depth of about 0.15 inches, or less than about 0.5 inches, or less than about 0.25 inches. Each recess 36 may have a depth that is less than about 10%, or less than about 5% of the height of the associated modular unit 12.
The feet 34 and recesses 36 of the modular units 12 can cooperate to couple the modular units 12 together to form an assembled modular system 10. For example, the feet 34 of the hanging file folder modular unit 12e and the drawer modular unit 12c can be received in the recess 36 of the storage shelf modular unit 12a such that the hanging file folder modular unit 12e and drawer modular unit 12c are thereby coupled to the storage shelf modular unit 12a. Similarly, the feet 34 of the drawer modular unit 12d and storage slot modular unit 12b can be received in the recess 36 of the drawer modular unit 12c such that the drawer modular unit 12d and storage slot modular unit 12b are thereby coupled to the drawer modular unit 12c. In this manner, each of the modular units 12 can be coupled together to form the modular unit system 10 of
In this manner each modular unit 12 can be coupled together. For example, with reference to
Various other shapes and arrangements of the protrusions 34 and recesses 36 may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention. However, the use of relatively shallow protrusions 34 and recesses 36 that cover relatively wide areas of the associated surface of the modular unit 12 may be desired to provide relatively secure coupling of the modular units 12 without sacrificing space in the storage cavities of the modular units 12. In particular, if the protrusions 34 and recesses 36 were to be relatively deep, then the recesses 36 may protrude into the inner cavity of a modular unit 12 and reduce its storage capacity. In addition, the protrusions 34 and recesses 36 may allow the modular units 12 to be relatively quickly and easily coupled to and uncoupled from each other. The weight of the modular units 12, along with the weight of any components or supplies stored in the modular units 12 may serve to couple the modular units 12 together by gravity forces.
The modular system 10 allows each module 12 to be separated from the modular system 10 for stand-alone use, or for use as a portable storage component. The modular units 12 may also be able to be coupled together in various other configurations beyond those identically shown herein. For example, the attachment structure 32 can be utilized to couple the modules 12 together in the configuration shown in
Each of the modular units 12 may have a height dimension, a length dimension, and a width dimension, and at least one of the dimensions of one of the modular units 12 may be a positive integer multiple (i.e., in one case between one and four, inclusive) of one of the dimensions of at least one of the other modular units. For example, the storage shelf modular unit 12a may have a width w1 (
The magnetic strips 46 may be configured and located to couple the plurality of modular units 12 together to form the modular system 10 shown in, for example,
The storage slot modular unit 12b may then be located on top of the drawer module 12c such that the magnetic strip 46 on the lower surface of the storage slot modular unit 12b magnetically interacts with a magnetic strip 46 on top of the drawer module 12c to magnetically couple the storage slot modular unit 12b and the drawer module 12c. The various other modules 12 can be coupled together in a manner which is readily apparent. Of course, in this embodiment each of the modules, including modules 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d and 12e may include and can be coupled together by the magnetic strips 46.
When the attachment structure 32 is in the form of the magnetic strips 46, the magnetic strips 46 may be located internal to each modular unit 12. In particular, as shown in
The inner support walls 52 of the modular units can be made of a variety of materials, including cardboard, plastic (such as PVC), non-metallic materials or other materials of sufficient strength to give each module the desired shape. In this manner, the outer covering material 50 provides a smooth and pleasing appearance to each modular unit 12 yet does not interfere with the magnetic interaction or forces between the magnetic strips 46 to allow coupling of the modular units 12 together. The use of a nonmetallic outer covering material 50 may also help to reduce the weight of the modules 12 and increase ease of handling and carrying. It should be noted that the thickness of the magnetic strips 46 of
Rather than utilizing magnetic material as the attachment structure 32, each module 12 may include strips or pieces of hook-and-loop fastening material (such as VELCRO® hook and loop fastening material). Thus, the strips 46 shown in
In addition, rather than utilizing VELCRO® or magnetized material as the attachment means, various other means, such as interengaging geometries, clasps, brackets, clips and the like may be used as the attachment structure 32. However, the attachment structures 32 may be configured such that the outer surfaces of each modular unit 12 are coupled by moving the outer surfaces of one modular unit 12 toward and engaging a generally parallel outer surface of another modular unit 12, while such movement is in a direction generally perpendicular to one of the engaging outer surfaces. For example, when utilizing the feet/protrusion, magnetic or hook-and-loop fastening material as the attachment structure 32, the modular units 12 may be joined in this manner (i.e., by moving the module 12 towards each other in a perpendicular manner as opposed to joining surfaces by sliding). Thus, the engaging faces may face each other when one of the outer surfaces are moved toward and engages a parallel outer surface of the other module 12, and the engaging surfaces may at least partially overlap during engagement. The attachment structure 32 ensures that when the modules 12 are coupled, they are coupled by more than mere frictional/gravitational forces (i.e. when one module 12 is simply loosely placed on top of another module).
Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the various embodiments, it will be apparent that modifications and variations thereof are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A modular system comprising a plurality of modular units, each modular unit being sized to be hand carried and configured to store school and office supplies therein, each modular unit having a plurality of generally flat outer surfaces, wherein each modular unit is configured to be coupled to another modular unit along facing, parallel outer surfaces thereof when a facing outer surface of one of said modular units is moved towards the facing outer surface of the other modular unit in a direction generally perpendicular to said facing outer surfaces until the modular units contact each other.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said facing outer surfaces of said modular units to be coupled are facing each other such that a line that extends generally perpendicular to the facing outer surfaces intersects both of the facing outer surfaces when said modular units are spaced apart but moved towards each other during said coupling.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said modular system includes at least two types of modular units, said at least two types of modular units differing in size or shape.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein said at least two types of modular units differ in both size and shape.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein each modular unit has a generally rectangular prism shape.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein each modular unit defines a volume of less than about 1728 cubic inches.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein each modular unit has a weight less than about two pounds.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of modular units includes at least one of a storage slot module unit, a drawer module unit, a storage shelf module unit or a hanging file holder module unit.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein said system has a generally rectangular prism shape when said plurality of modular units are coupled together.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein each modular unit includes a cavity for storing school and office supplied therein.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein said modular system includes at least two types of modular units, said at least two types of modular units differing in size or shape, and wherein each of said at least two types of modular units has a height dimension, a length dimension and a width dimension, and wherein at least one of said dimensions of one of said types of modular units is a positive integer multiple of another dimension of the other type of modular units.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein said positive integer is a positive integer in the range of 1 to 4, inclusive.
13. The system of claim 11 wherein said positive integer number is a positive integer other than 1.
14. The system of claim 1 wherein each of said modular units is coupled to another modular unit along at least one of said outer surfaces.
15. The system of claim 1 wherein each modular unit includes an attachment structure for coupling said modular unit to another modular unit.
16. The system of claim 1 wherein each module is configured to be directly coupled to another module.
17. The system of claim 1 wherein each module includes an outer covering material covering substantially all of the outer surfaces thereof, wherein said outer covering material is non-metallic.
18. The system of claim 1 wherein each modular unit is configured to be coupled to another modular unit along facing, parallel outer surfaces thereof when a facing outer surface of one of said modular units is moved towards the facing outer surface of the other modular unit in a direction generally perpendicular to said facing outer surfaces until said modular units contact each other such that each module is coupled together by more than frictional or gravitational forces.
19. A modular system comprising a plurality of modular units, each modular unit being sized to be hand carried and configured to store school and office supplies therein, each modular unit having a plurality of generally flat outer surfaces and being configured to be coupled to another modular unit when one of said outer surfaces is moved toward a generally parallel outer surface of said another modular unit in a direction generally perpendicular to one of said generally parallel outer surfaces such that each module is coupled together by more than frictional forces, and wherein said generally parallel outer surfaces face each other during said movement of said one of said outer surfaces such that said generally parallel facing surfaces at least partially overlap during said movement of said one of said outer surfaces.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein each modular unit is configured to be coupled to said another modular unit when one of said generally parallel facing surfaces is moved towards and engages a generally parallel facing surface of said another modular unit.
21. The system of claim 19 wherein each modular unit is directly coupled to another adjacent modular unit along parallel, facing and adjacent outer surfaces thereof.
22. An assembled modular system comprising a plurality of modular units, each modular unit being sized to be hand carried and configured to store school and office supplies therein, each modular unit having a plurality of generally flat outer surfaces, wherein each modular unit is coupled to another modular unit along facing, parallel outer surfaces thereof, and is coupled thereto by moving a facing outer surface of one of said modular units towards the facing outer surface of the other modular unit in a direction generally perpendicular to said facing outer surfaces until said modular units contact each other.
23. A modular unit that is sized to be hand carried and configured to store school and office supplies therein, said modular unit having a generally rectangular prism shape with a plurality of generally flat outer surfaces, wherein said modular unit has an outer coupling surface that is configured to be coupled to an outer coupling surface of another modular unit when said coupling surface of said modular unit faces and is generally parallel to said coupling surface of said another modular unit, and when at least one of said coupling surfaces is moved towards the other coupling surface in a direction generally perpendicular to said coupling surfaces until said modular unit and said another modular unit contact each other.
24. A method for assembling a modular system comprising the steps of:
- providing a first and a second modular unit, each modular unit being sized to be hand carried and configured to store school and office supplies therein, each modular unit having a plurality of generally flat outer surfaces;
- arranging said first and second modular units such that an outer surface of said first modular unit faces a generally parallel outer surface of said second modular unit; and
- moving at least one of said modular units in a direction generally perpendicular to said facing surfaces until said facing surfaces engage each other to couple said first and second modular unit together.
Type: Application
Filed: May 2, 2005
Publication Date: Nov 2, 2006
Inventors: Kenneth Richied (Liberty Township, OH), MaryKay Curley (Binghamton, NY)
Application Number: 11/120,046
International Classification: A47B 87/02 (20060101);