US20110240636A1

US20110240636A1 - Collapsible storage basket

Info

Publication number: US20110240636A1
Application number: US12/750,708
Authority: US
Inventors: Pei-Chuan Ma
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-03-30
Filing date: 2010-03-30
Publication date: 2011-10-06

Abstract

The collapsible storage basket contains two rigid longitudinal plates, two flexible lateral plates, a flexible first base plate connecting the lateral and longitudinal plates' bottom rims, and a rigid second base plate stitched or adhered to a top side of the first base plate along a middle section of each of the second base plate's lateral edges. The top rims of the longitudinal and lateral plates wrap the edges of a rectangular frame. To use the storage basket, the frame is pulled upward to raise the longitudinal and lateral plates whose bottom rims are pressed against the second base plate, thereby forming a storage room for various objects. When the storage basket is not in use, by the flexibility of the two lateral plates, the longitudinal plates are folded inward and the storage basket turns into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.

Description

(A) TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to collapsible baskets, and more particular to a collapsible storage basket that could be pulled into shape and folded into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.

(B) DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A conventional storage basket usually has a fixed structure made of wood or plastic and contains a number of compartments for storage separated by partition plates. Due to its fixed structure, the conventional storage basket would take up considerable space when not in use and therefore would be difficult to store or transport. Even though it usually could be disassembled, it requires re-assembly when it is put to use again, which is troublesome and laborious.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As such, a novel collapsible storage basket is provided herein. The storage basket would take shape by simple pulling and, when not in use, could be collapsed into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation, making its usage extremely convenient.
The collapsible storage basket contains two rigid longitudinal plates, two flexible lateral plates, a flexible first base plate connecting the lateral and longitudinal plates' bottom rims, and a rigid second base plate stitched or adhered to a top side of the first base plate along a middle section of each of the second base plate's lateral edges. The top rims of the longitudinal and lateral plates wrap the edges of a rectangular frame. To use the storage basket, the frame is pulled upward to raise the longitudinal and lateral plates whose bottom rims are pressed against the second base plate, thereby forming a storage room for various objects. When the storage basket is not in use, by the flexibility of the two lateral plates, the longitudinal plates are folded inward and the storage basket turns into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.
The two rigid longitudinal plates are made by wrapping flexible cloth around rigid objects.
The frame wrapped by the top rims of the longitudinal and lateral plates is made of metal.
The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.
Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagram showing a collapsible storage basket according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective schematic diagram showing the collapsible storage basket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially exposed schematic diagram showing the internal of a longitudinal plate of the storage basket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a profile diagram showing the storage basket of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are perspective diagrams showing the scenario of collapsing the storage basket of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a collapsible storage basket according to an embodiment of the present invention contains two rigid longitudinal plates 1, two flexible lateral plates 2, and a flexible first base plate 3 connecting the bottom rims of the lateral and longitudinal plates 1 and 2. A rigid second base plate 4 is stitched or adhered to a top side of the first base plate 3 along a middle section of each of the second base plate 4's lateral edges. The rest of the circumference of the second base plate 4 is freely detachable from the first base plate 3.
The two rigid longitudinal plates 1, in the present embodiment, are made by wrapping flexible cloth 12 around rigid objects such as cardboards 11 for enhanced appearance. The flexible lateral plates 2 and the first base plate 3 are made of a flexible material such as cloth.
The top rims of the longitudinal and lateral plates 1 and 2 wraps the edges of a rectangular frame 5 which, in the present embodiment, is made of metal. The wrapping is achieved by folding the top rims of the longitudinal and lateral plates 1 and 2 inward to conceal the frame 5 and then stitching or adhesion is applied for fixation.
With the foregoing arrangement, a collapsible storage basket is achieved. To put to use, the frame 5 is pulled upward to raise the longitudinal and lateral plates 1 and 2 whose bottom rims are pressed against the second base plate 4, thereby forming a storage room for various objects. When the storage basket is not in use, by the flexibility of the two lateral plates 2, the longitudinal plates 1 are folded inward into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the frame 5 is pulled upward, the longitudinal and lateral plates 1 and 2 are raised and the second base plate 4 provides support to and presses against the bottom rims of the longitudinal and lateral plates 1 and 2, thereby forming a stable and reliable storage room where various objects could be stored.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the storage basket is not in use, the longitudinal plates 1 could be closed inward as the lateral plates 2 are flexible and could be wrinkled. When the longitudinal plates 1 are closed inward, since the second base plate 4 is only stitched or adhered along a middle section of its lateral edges, the second base plate 4 is raised upward and the storage basket is collapsed into a flat shape.
In the present embodiment, the longitudinal, lateral, base plates could have various colors and could be made of appropriate materials. While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A collapsible storage basket, comprising:

two rigid longitudinal plates;

two flexible lateral plates;

a flexible first base plate connecting the bottom rims of said lateral and longitudinal plates;

a rigid second base plate on top of said first base plate partially fixed to said first base plate along a middle section of each of said second base plate's lateral edges, leaving the rest of the circumference of said second base plate freely detachable from said first base plate; and

a frame wrapped in the top rims of said longitudinal and lateral plates;

wherein, to use said collapsible storage basket, said frame is pulled upward to raise said longitudinal and lateral plates whose bottom rims are pressed against said second base plate, thereby forming a storage room for various objects; and, when said collapsible storage basket is not in use, by the flexibility of said two lateral plates, said longitudinal plates are folded inward and said collapsible storage basket turns into a flat shape for easy storage and transportation.

2. The collapsible storage basket according to claim 1, wherein said second base plate is fixed to said first base plate by stitching or adhesion.

3. The collapsible storage basket according to claim 1, wherein said flexible lateral plates and said first base plate are made of cloth.

4. The collapsible storage basket according to claim 1, wherein each of said two rigid longitudinal plates is made by wrapping flexible cloth around rigid objects.

5. The collapsible storage basket according to claim 1, wherein said frame is made of metal.