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US 7,533,940 B1Granted
Convertible storage box assembly
OwnerJimmy D. Zookinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A convertible multiple panel assembly includes a plurality of panels that carry complementary releasable interlocking components. The components are selectively interengagable in a first pattern such that the panels define a box. The components are selectively disengaged from one another and re-interengaged in an alternative, second pattern to define a table and at least one associated bench.
Claims16
A multiple panel assembly that is convertible between a storage box and a table and associated pair of benches, said assembly comprising:
- a first panel for selectively forming a bottom of the box and a top of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of second panels for selectively forming respective ends of the box and respective ends of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of third panels for selectively forming respective sides of the box and respective table supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fourth panels for selectively forming an interior box divider and respective bench seat supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fifth panels for selectively forming respective lids of the box and respective bench seats;
- and
- four identically shaped sixth panels for selectively forming respective bench ends;
- said panels carrying a plurality of releasable locking components that are selectively interengagable with said panels arranged in a first predetermined pattern to define a storage box and with said panels arranged in an alternative second predetermined pattern to define a table and a pair of associated benches, said releasable locking components including tabs attached to at least some of said panels and complementary tab slots formed in at least some of said other panels, each tab slot for selectively receiving a respective said tab, at least one of tabs including a pin slot for receiving a locking pin therein when said tab is received by a complementary tab slot to lock said tab in said tab slot.
5 more elements
A multiple panel assembly that is convertible between a storage box and a table and associated pair of benches, said assembly comprising:
- a first panel for selectively forming a bottom of the box and a top of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of second panels for selectively forming respective ends of the box and respective ends of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of third panels for selectively forming respective sides of the box and respective table supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fourth panels for selectively forming an interior box divider and respective bench seat supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fifth panels for selectively forming respective lids of the box and respective bench seats;
- and
- four identically shaped sixth panels for selectively forming respective bench ends;
- said panels carrying a plurality of releasable locking components that are selectively interengagable with said panels arranged in a first predetermined pattern to define a storage box and with said panels arranged in an alternative second predetermined pattern to define a table and a pair of associated benches, said releasable locking components including tabs attached to at least some of said panels and complementary tab slots formed in at least some of said other panels, each tab slot for selectively receiving a respective said tab, said releasable locking components including a pin attached unitarily to one of said panels and a complementary pin receptacle formed in another one of said other panels for receiving said pin.
5 more elements
A multiple panel assembly that is convertible between a storage box and a table and associated pair of benches, said assembly comprising:
- a first panel for selectively forming a bottom of the box and a top of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of second panels for selectively forming respective ends of the box and respective ends of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of third panels for selectively forming respective sides of the box and respective table supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fourth panels for selectively forming an interior box divider and respective bench seat supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fifth panels for selectively forming respective lids of the box and respective bench seats;
- and
- four identically shaped sixth panels for selectively forming respective bench ends;
- said panels carrying a plurality of releasable locking components that are selectively interengagable with said panels arranged in a first predetermined pattern to define a storage box and with said panels arranged in an alternative second predetermined pattern to define a table and a pair of associated benches, said releasable locking components including tabs attached to at least some of said panels and complementary tab slots formed in at least some of said other panels, each tab slot for selectively receiving a respective said tab, said releasable locking components including a hook attached unitarily to one of said panels and a complementary notched formed in another one of said other panels for selectively interengaging said hook.
5 more elements
A multiple panel assembly that is convertible between a storage box and a table and associated pair of benches, said assembly comprising:
- a first panel for selectively forming a bottom of the box and a top of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of second panels for selectively forming respective ends of the box and respective ends of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of third panels for selectively forming respective sides of the box and respective table supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fourth panels for selectively forming an interior box divider and respective bench seat supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fifth panels for selectively forming respective lids of the box and respective bench seats;
- and
- four identically shaped sixth panels for selectively forming respective bench ends;
- said panels carrying a plurality of releasable locking components that are selectively interengagable with said panels arranged in a first predetermined pattern to define a storage box and with said panels arranged in an alternative second predetermined pattern to define a table and a pair of associated benches, said releasable locking components including tabs attached to at least some of said panels and complementary tab slots formed in at least some of said other panels, each tab slot for selectively receiving a respective said tab, said first panel having a first pair of said tabs attached to a first end thereof and a second pair of said tabs attached to an opposite second end thereof.
5 more elements
A multiple panel assembly that is convertible between a storage box and a table and associated pair of benches, said assembly comprising:
- a first panel for selectively forming a bottom of the box and a top of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of second panels for selectively forming respective ends of the box and respective ends of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of third panels for selectively forming respective sides of the box and respective table supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fourth panels for selectively forming an interior box divider and respective bench seat supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fifth panels for selectively forming respective lids of the box and respective bench seats;
- and
- four identically shaped sixth panels for selectively forming respective bench ends;
- said panels carrying a plurality of releasable locking components that are selectively interengagable with said panels arranged in a first predetermined pattern to define a storage box and with said panels arranged in an alternative second predetermined pattern to define a table and a pair of associated benches, said releasable locking components including tabs attached to at least some of said panels and complementary tab slots formed in at least some of said other panels, each tab slot for selectively receiving a respective said tab, said second panel including a pair of said tabs attached to one side thereof.
5 more elements
A multiple panel assembly that is convertible between a storage box and a table and associated pair of benches, said assembly comprising:
- a first panel for selectively forming a bottom of the box and a top of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of second panels for selectively forming respective ends of the box and respective ends of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of third panels for selectively forming respective sides of the box and respective table supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fourth panels for selectively forming an interior box divider and respective bench seat supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fifth panels for selectively forming respective lids of the box and respective bench seats;
- and
- four identically shaped sixth panels for selectively forming respective bench ends;
- said panels carrying a plurality of releasable locking components that are selectively interengagable with said panels arranged in a first predetermined pattern to define a storage box and with said panels arranged in an alternative second predetermined pattern to define a table and a pair of associated benches, said releasable locking components including tabs attached to at least some of said panels and complementary tab slots formed in at least some of said other panels, each tab slot for selectively receiving a respective said tab, said second panel including pair of opposing ends and a pair of opposing elongate sides that interconnect said opposing ends, said second panel further including a first plurality of elongate tab slots that extend longitudinally between said ends of said second panel and a second plurality of elongate tab slots that extend longitudinally between said sides of said panel.
5 more elements
A multiple panel assembly that is convertible between a storage box and a table and associated pair of benches, said assembly comprising:
- a first panel for selectively forming a bottom of the box and a top of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of second panels for selectively forming respective ends of the box and respective ends of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of third panels for selectively forming respective sides of the box and respective table supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fourth panels for selectively forming an interior box divider and respective bench seat supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fifth panels for selectively forming respective lids of the box and respective bench seats;
- and
- four identically shaped sixth panels for selectively forming respective bench ends;
- said panels carrying a plurality of releasable locking components that are selectively interengagable with said panels arranged in a first predetermined pattern to define a storage box and with said panels arranged in an alternative second predetermined pattern to define a table and a pair of associated benches, said releasable locking components including tabs attached to at least some of said panels and complementary tab slots formed in at least some of said other panels, each tab slot for selectively receiving a respective said tab, said third panel including a pair of opposing ends and a pair of opposing elongate sides that interconnect said ends, said third panels carrying at least one said tab on each end thereof and at least one tab on one said of the sides thereof.
5 more elements
A multiple panel assembly that is convertible between a storage box and a table and associated pair of benches, said assembly comprising:
- a first panel for selectively forming a bottom of the box and a top of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of second panels for selectively forming respective ends of the box and respective ends of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of third panels for selectively forming respective sides of the box and respective table supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fourth panels for selectively forming an interior box divider and respective bench seat supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fifth panels for selectively forming respective lids of the box and respective bench seats;
- and
- four identically shaped sixth panels for selectively forming respective bench ends;
- said panels carrying a plurality of releasable locking components that are selectively interengagable with said panels arranged in a first predetermined pattern to define a storage box and with said panels arranged in an alternative second predetermined pattern to define a table and a pair of associated benches, said releasable locking components including tabs attached to at least some of said panels and complementary tab slots formed in at least some of said other panels, each tab slot for selectively receiving a respective said tab, said fifth panel including a pair of opposing ends and a pair of opposing elongate sides that interconnect said ends, said fifth panels further including said tab slots formed proximate said respective ends thereof and extending between said opposing sides thereof.
5 more elements
A multiple panel assembly that is convertible between a storage box and a table and associated pair of benches, said assembly comprising:
- a first panel for selectively forming a bottom of the box and a top of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of second panels for selectively forming respective ends of the box and respective ends of the table;
- an identically shaped pair of third panels for selectively forming respective sides of the box and respective table supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fourth panels for selectively forming an interior box divider and respective bench seat supports;
- an identically shaped pair of fifth panels for selectively forming respective lids of the box and respective bench seats;
- and
- four identically shaped sixth panels for selectively forming respective bench ends;
- said panels carrying a plurality of releasable locking components that are selectively interengagable with said panels arranged in a first predetermined pattern to define a storage box and with said panels arranged in an alternative second predetermined pattern to define a table and a pair of associated benches, said releasable locking components including tabs attached to at least some of said panels and complementary tab slots formed in at least some of said other panels, each tab slot for selectively receiving a respective said tab, said sixth panel including a tab carried along one side thereof.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.