초록 ▼

A storage tote includes a base and a selectively movable lid. A support assembly is secured to the base and movable between a folded position and a deployed position. In the folded position, the support assembly extends generally parallel to the surface upon which it is supported. In the deployed po

A storage tote includes a base and a selectively movable lid. A support assembly is secured to the base and movable between a folded position and a deployed position. In the folded position, the support assembly extends generally parallel to the surface upon which it is supported. In the deployed position, the support assembly extends generally downwardly to support the base at a height substantially above the support surface. The support assembly may include a pair of opposing legs. The support assembly may additionally include a one or more pairs of wheels for selective movement of the storage tote from one location to another. A leg retention assembly may be provided for securing the legs in the folded position to prevent accidental or otherwise unwanted movement of the legs from the folded position.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A storage tote comprising: a base including a front wall, a back wall opposite the front wall, a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, the first end wall and the second end wall generally transversely oriented with respect to the front wall and the back wall, and a bottom

1. A storage tote comprising: a base including a front wall, a back wall opposite the front wall, a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, the first end wall and the second end wall generally transversely oriented with respect to the front wall and the back wall, and a bottom wall opposite a generally open top configured to enable introduction of items to be stored in the storage tote, wherein the front wall, the back wall, the first end wall, the second end wall and the bottom wall define an interior space for storing the items;a lid movably coupled to the base between a closed position in which the lid is positioned over the open top of the base to prevent access to the interior space and an open position in which the interior space is accessible;a support assembly configured for supporting the base on a support surface having a first end portion coupled to the base, a second end portion opposite the first end, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end and the second end, wherein the support assembly is movable between a folded orientation in which the support assembly is generally parallel with the support surface so as to be at least partially supported on the intermediate portion at a first height and a deployed orientation in which at least one of the first and second end portions supports the base above the support surface at a second height that is greater than the first height;a retention assembly configured to be engaged by a portion of the support assembly when the support assembly is in the folded orientation to secure the support assembly in the folded orientation; and whereinthe retention assembly comprises at least one catch flange extending outwardly in a lateral direction from both the front and back walls of the base and wherein each of the respective catch flanges is configured to engage the support assembly. 2. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein the support assembly comprises at least one pair of legs coupled to the base. 3. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein the support assembly comprises a first pair of legs coupled to the base adjacent the first end wall and a second pair of legs coupled to the base adjacent the second end wall. 4. The storage tote of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs comprises wheels rotatably supported thereto for facilitating movement of the storage tote across the support surface. 5. The storage tote of claim 3, wherein each of the at least one of the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs is coupled to one another by a connector. 6. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein the support assembly comprises at least a first leg and a second leg coupled to one another by a connector. 7. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein the first end includes a pivot coupled between the support assembly and the base configured to enable the support assembly to pivot relative to the base between the folded orientation and the deployed orientation. 8. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein the support assembly comprises: a first pair of legs coupled to the base adjacent to the first end wall,a second pair of legs coupled to the base adjacent to the second end wall, anda pair of wheels coupled to one of the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs at the first end portion thereof and configured to engage the support surface for selective rotative movement relative thereto when the support assembly is in the folded orientation. 9. The storage tote of claim 8, wherein the other of the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs include a flange configured to engage the support surface when the support assembly is in the folded orientation. 10. A method of making a storage tote comprising the steps of: forming a base having a front wall, a back wall opposite the front wall, a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall and generally transverse to the front wall and the back wall, and a bottom wall interconnected with the front wall, back wall, first end wall and second end wall and opposite an open top through which items to be stored in the storage tote may be introduced;forming a lid configured to be selectively received over the open top of the base;coupling the lid to the base about a hinge assembly about which the lid may be selectively rotated between a closed position in which the lid is generally parallel with the open top and an open position in which the lid is generally orthogonally oriented with respect to the open top;securing a support assembly to the base configured to support the base on a support surface and wherein the support assembly is configured for rotation with respect to the base between a folded position in which the bottom wall is at least partially supported a length of the support assembly and wherein the support assembly is arranged substantially parallel with the support surface and a deployed position in which the support assembly is arranged in a generally longitudinally extending orientation for supporting the storage base above the support surface;disposing a retention assembly with at least one catch flange extending outwardly in a lateral direction from both the from and back walls of the base; and whereinthe retention assembly is configured to be engaged by a portion of the support assembly when the support assembly is in the folded orientation to secure the support assembly in the folded position. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the support assembly comprises a first pair of legs coupled to the base adjacent the first end wall and a second pair of legs coupled to the base adjacent to the second end wall. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of coupling the first pair of legs to the base about a pair of corresponding pivot elements for rotation of the first pair of legs and coupling the second pair of legs to the base about a pair of corresponding pivot elements for rotation of the second pair of legs. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of securing the legs of the first pair of legs to one another and securing the legs of the second pair of legs to one another for simultaneous rotation of the legs of the first pair of legs with one another and the legs of the second pair of legs with one another. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of coupling at least one wheel to each of the legs of one of the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs, and wherein the legs of the first pair of legs and the legs of the second pair of legs are secured to one another by a connector extending parallel with respect to the first end wall and the second end wall. 15. A support assembly for a storage tote comprising a base including a front wall, a back wall opposite the front wall, a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall and generally transverse to the front wall and back wall, and a bottom wall opposite an open top and a lid hingedly coupled to the base to selectively cover the open top, the support assembly comprising: at least a first pair of legs adjacent to the first end wall; anda second pair of legs adjacent to the second end wall, wherein each of the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs includes a first end portion coupled to the base, a second end portion opposite the first end, and an intermediate portion therebetween;wherein the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs are independently movable relative to the other between a folded position in which the legs extend generally parallel to a support surface;wherein the bottom wall is at least partially supported on the intermediate portions and a deployed position in which the legs are at least partially supported on the respective second end portions;wherein the first pair of legs and second pair of legs are configured to be selectively latchable in the folded position relative to the base by a retention assembly;a first connector extending between the legs of the first pair of legs and a second connector extending between the second pair of legs;wherein the retention assembly comprises at least one catch on a front wall and at least one catch on the back wall configured to receive a portion of the at least one of the first connector and the second connector. 16. The support assembly of claim 15, wherein the legs of the first pair of legs are coupled to one another so as to rotate simultaneously with one another and the legs of the second pair of legs are coupled to one another so as to rotate simultaneously with one another. 17. The support assembly of claim 16, further comprising a first connector extending between the legs of the first pair of legs and a second connector extending between the second pair of legs. 18. The support assembly of claim 15, further comprising at least one wheel coupled to each of the legs of one of the first pair of legs and the second pair of legs. 19. The storage assembly of claim 15, wherein the retention assembly comprises at least one catch flange extending outwardly in a lateral direction from both the front and back walls of the base and wherein each of the respective catch flanges is configured to engage the support assembly.