US4407411A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Storage box
Assignee: HARTZELL MANUFACTURING Inc A CORP OF MN
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Filing: 1982-06-24
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Granted: 1983-10-04
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Expires: 2002-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A storage box which can be easily modified to store flat, rectangular objects with a plurality of different widths and thicknesses is disclosed. The storage box consists of a rectangular housing member which has a plurality of straight tracks mounted on the inside surfaces of the housing ends. Two rack members may be slid into the housing along the tracks and are held in position by hooks molded into the back of the housing. Each rack member has a planar central portion with a set of ribs mounted on each side of the central portion. Within each set, the ribs are equally spaced ribs, but the spacing between the ribs differs between sets. The rack members are arranged so that when both members are inserted into the housing the spaces between the ribs form a slot into which an object to be stored may be inserted. The structure can be modified to accomodate different sized objects, such as video cartridges, by removing and reversing the rack members to change the slot thickness and by placing the members in different tracks in the housing to adjust the width of the slots.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan Lowry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:30
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B23/00; G11B23/02; G11B23/023; G11B23/0236
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
A storage box for a plurality of flat, generally rectangular objects comprising: a box-like housing, at least two rack members slidably insertable into said housing, each of said rack members comprising a central planar portion and two sets of ribs, one of said rib sets being mounted perpendicularly on each side of said planar portion with equal spacing therebetween, said spacing of said ribs mounted on one side of said planar portion being different from said spacing of said ribs mounted on the other side of said planar portion, and means for mounting said rack members in spaced, parallel relationship within said housing whereby one set of ribs on one of said rack members and one set of ribs on one of said other rack members form slots for storing said objects.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
A storage box for a plurality of flat, generally rectangular objects comprising: a box-like housing, at least two rack members slidably insertable into said housing, each of said rack members comprising a central planar portion and two sets of ribs, one of said rib sets being mounted perpendicularly on each side of said planar portion with equal spacing therebetween, said spacing of said ribs mounted on one side of said planar portion being different from said spacing of said ribs mounted on the other side of said planar portion, and means for mounting said rack members in spaced, parallel relationship within said housing whereby one set of ribs on one of said rack members and one set of ribs on one of said other rack members form slots for storing said objects.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A storage box according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises means for mounting said rack members in said housing with at least two distinct spacings therebetween.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A storage box according to claim 2 wherein each of said said rack members has an extension mounted on both ends therof and said mounting means includes two linear tracks, each of said tracks comprising two linear ribs mounted in parallel relationship on one end of said housing and said extension slides between said linear ribs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
A storage box according to claim 2 wherein each of said rack members has a tab mounted on each end near said extension and said mounting means includes a single linear rib mounted on each end of said housing, said single linear rib sliding between said extension and said tab.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A storage box according to claim 1 further comprising means mounted on each of said rack members for hiding the set of ribs which are not used to form slots from view.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
A storage box according to claim 1 further comprising hook means for releasably engaging said rack members to prevent said rack members from inadvertently falling out of said housing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
166 words
A storage box for a plurality of flat, generally rectangular objects comprising: a box-like housing, at least two rack members slidably insertable into said housing, each of said rack members comprising a central planar portion with an extension mounted on both ends thereof and two sets of ribs, one of said rib sets being mounted perpendicularly on each side of said planar portion with equal spacing therebetween, said spacing of said ribs mounted on one side of said planar portion being different from said spacing of said ribs mounted on the other side of said planar portion, and a plurality of linear tracks mounted in parallel relationship on each end of said housing, said extensions of each of said rack members sliding in on of said tracks to hold said two rack members in spaced parallel relationship whereby one set of ribs on one of said rack members and one set of ribs on one of said other rack members form slots for storing said objects.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
166 words
A storage box for a plurality of flat, generally rectangular objects comprising: a box-like housing, at least two rack members slidably insertable into said housing, each of said rack members comprising a central planar portion with an extension mounted on both ends thereof and two sets of ribs, one of said rib sets being mounted perpendicularly on each side of said planar portion with equal spacing therebetween, said spacing of said ribs mounted on one side of said planar portion being different from said spacing of said ribs mounted on the other side of said planar portion, and a plurality of linear tracks mounted in parallel relationship on each end of said housing, said extensions of each of said rack members sliding in on of said tracks to hold said two rack members in spaced parallel relationship whereby one set of ribs on one of said rack members and one set of ribs on one of said other rack members form slots for storing said objects.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
51 words
A storage box according to claim 7 wherein each of said rack members has a tab mounted on each end near said extension and said mounting means further comprises a single linear rib mounted on each end of said housing, said single linear rib sliding between said extension and said tab.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A storage box according to claim 8 further comprising means mounted on each of said rack members for hiding the set of ribs which are not used to form slots from view.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A storage box according to claim 9 further comprising hook means for releasably engaging said rack members to prevent said rack members from inadvertently falling out of said housing means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-10-03 | 1987-04-04 | 1987-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-03 | 1991-04-04 | 1991-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-03 | 1995-04-04 | 1995-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |