Portable Cabinet for First Aid Supplies
A portable cabinet for a first aid kit is configured with a matrix of compartments. Each of the compartments has an open box-like shape defined by four panels with a generally uniform depth. One panel has a projecting retainer at an intermediate position thereof. The first aid items are contained in substantially rectangular packages which each have an aperture. The packages are closely received in corresponding compartments so that the retainer in each compartment engages into the aperture to retain the package with the compartment. In one embodiment, the cabinet employs a back plate to facilitate mounting the cabinet to a wall. The inside of the cover is also configured to receive various first aid items.
This disclosure relates generally to kits for first aid supplies. More particularly, this disclosure relates to kits which include numerous first aid items arranged in an organized manner for display and usage.
In first aid kits to which the present disclosure relates, large numbers of first aid items are organized and stored so that they may be easily accessed for usage. Such comprehensive kits typically contain numerous types of individually packaged first aid items, such as bandages, gauze, antiseptic, washes, mild relief packets, gloves and optionally include, for example, tweezers and scissors.
Because of the numerous items, it is important that the items be displayed so that they can be easily used in an emergency situation. In addition, because there are so many items, it is highly desirable that if any particular item is depleted, an efficient system may be employed to replace the individual item. In many applications, the large number of first aid items requires a cabinet-like housing be employed to allow the kit to be mounted to a wall or other structure for easy access.
SUMMARYBriefly stated, a cabinet for first aid supplies comprises a case defining a matrix of compartments. Each of the compartments has a substantially open box-like shape defined by four panels which have a generally uniform depth. One panel has a protruding retainer at an intermediate position thereof. A cover is hinged to the case and pivotal between an open and a closed position. A latch assembly latches the cover to the case when the cover is in a closed position. A package having an aperture is closely received in a compartment so that the retainer engages into the aperture and retains the package with the compartment.
The retainer is preferably in the form of a ramp projecting from a panel of a compartment. Each compartment preferably has a retainer and there is a package of generally rectangular form for each compartment. The latch assembly further comprises a latch having a catch which is pivotally displaceable. The catch engages an edge of an opening in the cabinet.
The cabinet also has an inwardly displaced peripheral channel. A gasket is disposed in the channel. The cabinet defines an upper exterior recess. A handle connects via living hinge and is receivable in the recess. The handle has a pair of opposed slots and the case has a pair of retainer tabs which engage the slots for retaining the handle in the recess.
A bracket is secured to the back of the case. The bracket has a plurality of openings for receiving a fastener to attach the bracket to a wall. The case has slots and the bracket has offset members which are receivable in the slots and slide relative to the slots to engage the case to the bracket. The slot is preferably in the shape of a rectangle with a medially projecting extension at opposed sides. There are at least two slots in the case and at least two offset members.
The cover mounts an inner partition defining a plurality of pockets and a recessed portion. Retainers for retaining scissors and tweezers are disposed at said recessed portion. The partition is secured to the cover by a plurality of alternating struts and securing detents.
A portable cabinet for first aid supplies comprises a case defining a matrix of compartments. A cover is hinged to the case and pivotal between an opened and a closed position. A one-piece latch component latches the cover to the case when the case is in the closed position.
Each of the compartments has a substantially open box-like shape defined by four panels having a generally uniform depth. A bottom panel has a projecting retainer structure at an intermediate position thereof. The projecting structure is preferably in the form of a ramp projecting from a panel of a compartment. Each compartment preferably has a projecting retainer structure. A package has a shape generally complementary to a corresponding compartment for each of the compartments. Each package has an aperture and the package is closely received in a corresponding compartment so that the projecting retainer structure engages into the aperture and retains the package in the corresponding compartment.
With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, a cabinet for first aid supplies is generally designated by the numeral 10.
The cabinet 10 has a heavy-duty protective exterior and is adapted to be both portable and to be mounted to a wall. The cabinet has a rugged principal case 20, which preferably mounts to a wall, and a mateable cover 30 which exteriorly encloses the case. The case and cover are configured to provide an organization structure to receive and store various first aid items in an efficient manner for ready access and usage.
The cover 30 is secured in a closed position with the case 20 by a latch 40. The latch 40 is activatable exteriorly from the cabinet to release the latch and allow access to the inside of the case and the inside of the cover. The cabinet also includes an upper carrier handle 50 to facilitate portability of the cabinet. A mounting bracket 60 is preferably provided for engagement at the rear and lower portions of the case 20 to facilitate mounting of the cabinet to a wall.
The case 20 and the cover 30 are each comprised of cooperative molded shells 22 and 32, respectively. The shells provide the principal exterior surface and functional support structure. The case shell 22 includes a rear panel 24 and four substantially equi-dimensioned side walls 23, 25, 27 and 29 which form a shell-like enclosure with rounded corners. Each of the sides 27, 29 includes inwardly protruding integral locating struts 26 with a forward notch-like retainer boss 28.
With reference to
The organizer component 100 is further interlocked with the case 20 by means of slots 126 formed in the lower peripheral edge portion of the frame. A series of detent pairs 21 (or an integrated single detent) integrally extend from the inner side of the case and engage in the slots 126 so that the outer frame is essentially captured between the support struts 26 and the engaged detents 21.
The organizer component 100 has a peripheral recess which, together with the upper outer edge of the enclosure, forms an inner circumferential channel 130. A gasket 140 is received in the channel 130 and extends the circumferential extent of the channel inwardly adjacent the outer edge of the case 20 so that the gasket is slightly exposed at its formerly outer portion.
Intersecting partitions form a grid-like matrix of compartments 110 having an open box-like or rectangular tube form. The various compartments are designated 110A-110X. The compartments have a generally uniform depth and are adapted to closely receive corresponding packages 200 of first aid supplies, as will be detailed below. The compartments do not all have the same widths and heights, but may have different widths and heights corresponding to dimensions of the various packages of items. A stop 112 having the form of a substantially rectangular frame with lower central recess is disposed at the rear of each compartment.
With additional reference to
It will be appreciated that the bottom panel 210 of each package of a first aid item has an aperture 212 (
With reference to
A back mounting bracket 60 (
With additional reference to
Alternatively and/or in addition, the rear panel may include one or more elongated bifurcated openings 79 which are adapted to receive the head of a fastener so that the weight of the downwardly sliding cabinet forces the head to engage the upper underside of the reduced slot to thereby retain the case to the wall.
The cover 30 is hinged to the case 20 by a pair of opposed interlocking hinge members 80 which receive hinge pins 82. Alternative hinge connections are also possible.
With reference to
A plurality of rib-like serrations 43 may be disposed at the underside of the handle release 42 to facilitate grasping and manipulation of the latch 40. The catch 46 is dimensioned to slide into a slot 128 (
With additional reference to
In one preferred embodiment, the panel 150 defines four inner pockets 162, 164, 166, 168 with central cutouts 163, 165, 167, 169 which are adapted to receive various first aid items. In one embodiment (not illustrated), pocket 162 contains a plurality of trauma pads, pocket 164 contains a plurality of triangular bandages, pocket 166 contains a plurality of gauze pads, and pocket 168 contains a package of finger cots. Naturally, other contents are possible.
A recessed panel-like portion 160 is also formed to provide identification, information and/or generally describe the function and contents of the cabinet. In addition, below the indicia panel is another recessed portion 170. With additional reference to
The cover shell 32 has a shallow shell-like shape with rounded corners and an inner peripheral edge which is generally complementary with peripheral side surface of the gasket 140. When the cover 30 is closed, the edge engages the edge of the base and abuts against the gasket along its continuous length. The frontal portions of the gasket may engage against the outer portions of the reinforced edge of the panel. The latch catch 46 engages in the slot 128 so that the cover is generally tightly sealed in a smooth close fit engagement with the case.
It will be appreciated that the cabinet 10 may be configured in a very wide variety of configurations which are dimensioned to receive various first aid packages. The packages are retentively engaged in a given receptacle by the ramp-like retainer or tab 116 which engages in the underside aperture 212 of the package.
Table I as set forth below illustrates a representative inventory of first aid contents that may be employed in packages which are inserted into the various receptacles.
While preferred embodiments of the foregoing invention have been set forth for purposes of description, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A cabinet for first aid supplies comprising:
- a case defining a matrix of compartments each having a substantially open box-like shape defined by four panels having a generally uniform depth with one panel having a retainer at an intermediate position thereof;
- a cover hinged to said case and pivotal between an opened and a closed position;
- a latch which latches said cover to said case when said cover is in the closed position; and
- a package having an aperture and closely received in a said compartment so that said retainer tab engages into said aperture and retains said package therewith.
2. The cabinet of claim 1 wherein said retainer is in the form of a ramp projecting from a panel of a compartment.
3. The cabinet of claim 1 wherein each said compartment has a retainer.
4. The cabinet of claim 1 wherein there is a package of generally rectangular form for each said compartment.
5. The cabinet of claim 1 wherein said latch is a resilient one-piece member which engages a latch edge of an opening defined in said cabinet.
6. The cabinet of claim 1 wherein said latch comprises a catch which is pivotally displaceable.
7. The cabinet of claim 1 wherein said cabinet further comprises an inwardly displaced peripheral channel and a gasket is disposed in said channel.
8. The cabinet of claim 1 wherein said cabinet defines a recess and a handle connects via a living hinge and is receivable in said recess.
9. The cabinet of claim 8 wherein said handle has a pair of opposed slots and said case has a pair of retainer tabs which engage said slots for retaining said handle in said recess.
10. The cabinet of claim 1 further comprising a bracket secured to the back of said case and having a plurality of openings for receiving a fastener to attach said bracket to a wall.
11. The cabinet of claim 10 wherein said case defines at least two slots and said bracket has at least two offset members which are receivable in said slots and slide against said case to engage said case to said bracket.
12. The cabinet of claim 11 wherein each said slot is in the shape of a rectangle with a medially projecting extension extending from opposed sides of said rectangle.
13. The cabinet of claim 10 wherein there are four slots in said case and four offset tabs.
14. The cabinet of claim 1 wherein said cover mounts an inner partition defining a plurality of pockets and a recessed portion having a planar surface.
15. The cabinet of the previous claim 14 further comprising retainers for retaining scissors and tweezers extending from said recessed portion.
16. The cabinet of claim 14 wherein said partition is secured to said cover by a plurality of alternating struts and securing detents.
17. A cabinet for first aid supplies comprising:
- a case defining a matrix of compartments each having a substantially open box-like shape defined by intersecting panels having a generally uniform depth with one panel having a projecting structure at an intermediate position thereof;
- a cover hinged to said case and pivotal between an opened and a closed position; and
- a latch which latches said cover to said case when said cover is in the closed position.
18. The cabinet of claim 17 wherein said projecting structure is in the form of a ramp integrally projecting from a panel of a compartment.
19. The cabinet of claim 19 wherein each said compartment has a projecting structure.
20. The cabinet of claim 19 and further comprising a package having a shape generally complementary to a corresponding compartment for each said compartment, and each package has an aperture and is closely received in said corresponding compartment so that said projecting structure engages into said aperture and retains said package in said corresponding compartment.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 3, 2012
Publication Date: Feb 6, 2014
Inventors: Michael E. Peterson (Fairfield, CT), Man For Ma (New Territories), Daniel P. Sterling (Norwalk, CT)
Application Number: 13/566,346
International Classification: B65D 1/24 (20060101);