COLLAPSIBLE STRUCTURE
A collapsible enclosure having two opposed side panels, opposed front and rear panels, a floor panel, and a top panel having an opening. The opposed side panels, opposed front and rear panels, and floor panel are connected to one another to form a substantially rectangular enclosure having an opening in the top panel for access to the structure. The top and floor panels each include a peripheral edging containing a looped frame. The opposed side panels each include a peripheral edging containing opposed side frames, the side frames each having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being attached to respective looped frames. A method of collapsing the structure is also disclosed.
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This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/050,529, filed 10 Oct. 2013, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/904,605, filed 29 May 2013.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to collapsible structures and specifically to a collapsible container for household use.
A typical household often encounters the need for temporary storage of garments prior to washing or cleaning. Regardless of the place where laundry or cleaning is done, either at home or in a commercial setting, soiled garments need to be sorted, stored, and eventually transported to a designated place. Usual storage structures are bulking and require space when not in use. The present invention can be utilized for garment sorting, storage and transportation, while being collapsible for facile and space-saving storage while not in use. At the same time, the present invention can also be used for other purposes, such as storage or transportation of toys or other objects. Accordingly, its use is not to be limited to storage or transportation of soiled garments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a collapsible structure and specifically to a collapsible structure for home use as a hamper or the like, and method of making and using the same.
According to the present invention, the foregoing and other advantages are obtained by providing a collapsible structure comprising a plurality of panels including opposed side panels, opposed front and back panels, and a floor panel, forming an enclosure having a top and a bottom, the top having an opening. In the preferred embodiment, each side panel and the front and back panels comprises a flexible continuous loop frame, a web of material, and an edging material. The edging material envelops the loop frame and is coupled to the periphery of the web. Each of the floor panel and the top includes a periphery having an edging material. The edging material envelops a loop frame in a manner similar to that of the side panels and front and back panels. Each of the floor panel and top is further provided with a rigid border member to support a mesh panel or to frame the opening, as will be discussed, thus forming the structure.
Alternatively, the side panels may each comprise a pair of opposed flexible side frame members, each side frame member having a first frame end and a second frame end, a web of material, and an edging material. The edging material envelops the side frame members and is coupled to the periphery of the web. The top and the bottom each include a periphery having an edging material. The edging material envelops a flexible, continuous loop frame in a manner similar to that of the side panels. The first frame ends of each of the flexible side frame members are attached to a first loop frame while the second side frame ends are attached to a second loop frame.
A preferred method of manufacturing the collapsible structure includes the steps of coupling edging to selected webs such that the edging surrounds the perimeter of the web and forms a channel or pocket through which the frame will later be inserted. After the side panels having edging have been formed, opposed sides of the front panel are each attached to respective first sides of the side panels. Next, respective second sides of each side panel are connected with opposed sides of the back panel. A flexible frame for each side panel is inserted through the channel formed by each edging. The ends of each frame member are connected, preferably using a crimped butt connector, to give the collapsible structure its ability to freely stand in a rigid, expanded, upright state. Next, an edging is coupled to the periphery of each of the top and the floor panel and a flexible frame for each periphery is inserted through the channel formed by each edging. The ends of each frame member are connected in manner similar to that used for the side panels. A rigid border member is attached to the top and the floor panel. The rigid border members are adapted to support closure structures such as flexible mesh webbing.
A method of manufacturing an alternative collapsible structure may include the steps of coupling edging to selected webs such that the edging surrounds the perimeter of the web and forms a channel or pocket through which side frames will later be inserted. After the requisite number of side panels having edging has been formed, opposed sides of a front panel are each attached to respective first sides of the side panels. Next, respective second sides of each side panel are connected with opposed sides of a back panel. Each side panel is provided with a pair of opposed flexible side frames. The flexible side frames are inserted through opposed portions of the channel formed by each edging. Each side frame member includes a first frame end and second frame end. Next, an edging is coupled to the periphery of each of the top and the floor panel and a flexible continuous loop frame for each periphery is inserted through the channel formed by each edging. The ends of each flexible continuous loop frame member are connected preferably using a crimped butt connector, to form a continuous frame and to give the structure its ability to freely stand in a rigid, expanded, upright state. The first frame ends of the flexible side frames are attached to a first continuous loop frame member, and the second frame ends of the flexible side frames are attached to a second continuous loop frame member. The frame ends may be attached to the continuous loop frame members by crimping or other known means. A rigid border member is attached to both the top and the floor panel. The rigid border members are adapted to support closure structures such as flexible mesh webbing.
From the expanded state, the structure can be folded and collapsed for storage or transportation. The preferred steps of collapsing the structure include grasping the rigid border member of the top and rotating it 180° while compressing the side panels and the front and back panels until the panels are spiraled against each other and the rigid border members are adjacent and overlay each other. While the structure is now collapsed, downward pressure is required to prevent the structure from springing back into an expanded state. Next, the fastener members on a rigid border member are pivoted to catch a corresponding latch member on an opposite rigid border member to thereby hold the structure in the collapsed state for storage.
Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
As shown in the Figures, a collapsible structure 10 according to the present invention comprises a front panel 12, a rear panel 14, two opposed side panels 20, a top panel 30, and a floor panel 40. The front panel 12, rear panel 14, two side panels 20, top panel 30 having an opening 32, and floor panel 40 are connected to one another to form a substantially rectangular enclosure 10 having the opening 32 for access.
Referring to
With further reference to
As may be further seen, the front and rear panels 12, 14 may each include a handle member 80, 80A for ease in transport. As seen, the handle members 80, 80A each have both ends connected to the top side 16 of a respective panel 12, 14. The handle members 80, 80A may be formed from a stretch-resistance material and having a web 82 that extends between a portion of each strap side. The handle members 80, 80A for the present invention are not limited to the particular type shown in
With particular reference now to
With reference now to
In a manner similar to that of the top panel 30, a rigid border member 60 is positioned over and is attached to the edging 26 of the floor panel 40. As with the Lop panel 30, the rigid border member 60 used in conjunction with the floor panel 40 may include a mounting element 62 adapted to support the frame 22A in its pocket 25 and further to receive a fastener such as the screw 66 and washer 68 combination shown in
Although stitching is presented as the preferred means for attaching or connecting the elements of the structure 10 and permitting relatively convenient folding of the structure 10, it is to be understood that other methods of attachment can be used in this invention. Such other methods may include heat sealing, gluing and the like. Accordingly, construction of the collapsible structure should not be limited to stitching alone.
From the expanded state, the structure 10 may be folded into a collapsed state for storage and transportation.
When the latch members 70 are uncoupled from the latch members 72, the frame members 22 will bias the structure 10 into its fully expanded state. Again, the fully expanded state of the embodiment is that shown in
With attention now to
With attention now to
As in the previous embodiments, each side panel 20 comprises a frame 22, a web 24, and an edging 26. The frame 22 is contained within the channel or pocket 25 formed by the edging 26 (best seen in
It is to be understood that while the structures 10A, 100, 200, 300 illustrated in the views of 12-16 depict the panels 12, 14, and 20 as formed from an imperforate flexible foldable material, it is within the scope of the present invention to utilize the handle members of these views with any of the previously mentioned materials, including perforate non-interrupted mesh material, or a combination of mesh material and non-mesh foldable without limitation.
With attention now to
Referring now to
As best seen in
With particular reference now to
As seen particularly in the view of
With reference now to
With regard to the floor panel 40, and in a manner similar to that of the top panel 30, a rigid border member 60 is positioned over and is attached to the edging 26 of the floor panel 40. As with the top panel 30, the rigid border member 60 used in conjunction with the floor panel 40 may include a mounting element 62 adapted to support the frame 22A in its pocket 25 and further to receive a fastener such as the screw 66 and washer 68 combination shown in
As in the previously described embodiments, although stitching is presented as the preferred means for attaching or connecting the elements of the structure 400 and permitting relatively convenient folding of the structure 400, it is to be understood that other methods of attachment may be used. Such other methods may include heat sealing, gluing and the like. Accordingly, construction of the collapsible structure 400 should not be limited to stitching alone.
When the latch members 70 are uncoupled from the catch members 72, the frame members 22 will bias the container 400 into its fully expanded state. Again, the fully expanded state of the embodiment is that shown in
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
Claims
1. A collapsible structure comprising:
- a plurality of body panels, including opposed side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel;
- a top end and a floor panel, said top end having an opening therein, said opening including a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material;
- each side panel including a web, opposed side frames, and a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material, the side frames each having a first frame end and a second frame end and being positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging;
- the front panel and the rear panel being connected to the side panels; and
- a rigid border member attached to said peripheral edging of said opening.
2. The collapsible structure of claim 1 wherein said floor panel includes a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material and a looped frame positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging, and wherein said looped frame forms a continuous loop.
3. The collapsible structure of claim 2 wherein each second frame end is coupled to said looped frame.
4. The collapsible structure of claim 1 further including at least one handle member attached to said peripheral edging of said opening.
5. The collapsible structure of claim 2 wherein said floor panel includes a rigid border member attached to said peripheral edging.
6. The collapsible structure of claim 1 wherein said rigid border member includes a mounting element having an abutment to support said peripheral edging.
7. The collapsible structure of claim 5 wherein said rigid border member on said floor panel includes a mounting element having an abutment to support said peripheral edging.
8. The collapsible structure of claim 1 wherein said top end includes a looped frame positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging of the opening, and wherein said looped frame forms a continuous loop.
9. The collapsible structure of claim 8 wherein each first frame end is coupled to said looped frame of said top end.
10. A method of collapsing a collapsible structure comprising the steps of:
- providing a collapsible structure having a plurality of body panels, including opposed side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel, a floor panel, and a top end, said top end having an opening therein, each side panel including a web, opposed side frames, and a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material, the side frames being positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging, and the front panel and the rear panel being connected to the side panels, each of said top end and said floor panel having a rigid frame member attached thereto; and
- grasping a first rigid border member and rotating it 180° while compressing the side panels until the side panels are spiraled against each other and the first rigid border member is adjacent to and overlays a second rigid border member.
11. The method of claim 10 further including the steps of:
- providing a first rigid frame member with fastener members and a second rigid frame member with corresponding latch members;
- applying downward pressure on the collapsed structure; and
- pivoting said fastener members to catch said corresponding latch members.
12. A collapsible structure comprising:
- a plurality of body panels, including opposed side panels, a front panel, and a rear panel;
- a top end and a floor panel, said top end having an opening therein, said opening including a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material and a looped frame positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging, and wherein the looped frame forms a continuous loop;
- the front panel and the rear panel being connected to the side panels; and
- a rigid border member attached to said peripheral edging of said opening.
13. The collapsible structure of claim 12 wherein each side panel includes a web, opposed side frames, and a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material, the frames being positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging.
14. The collapsible structure of claim 13 wherein each of said opposed side frames includes a first frame end and a second frame end.
15. The collapsible structure of claim 13 wherein said floor panel includes a peripheral edging of stretch-resistant material and a looped frame positioned in a pocket formed by the peripheral edging of the floor panel, and wherein the looped frame forms a continuous loop.
16. The collapsible structure of claim 15 wherein each first frame end is coupled to said looped frame of said top end and each second frame end is coupled to said looped frame of said floor panel.
17. The collapsible structure of claim 12 wherein said rigid border member includes a mounting element having an abutment to support said peripheral edging.
18. The collapsible structure of claim 12 further including at least one handle member attached to said rigid border member.
Type: Application
Filed: May 29, 2014
Publication Date: Dec 4, 2014
Applicant: BAJER DESIGN & MARKETING, INC. (WAUKESHA, WI)
Inventor: KELLY C. KELLOGG (OCONOMOWOC, WI)
Application Number: 14/290,721
International Classification: B65D 1/40 (20060101);