US 12,275,558 B2
Modular storage system with storage box connectivity and external box features and accessories
Andrew Camp, La Mirada, CA (US); Marc Tappeiner, Santa Barbara, CA (US); Jeremy Allan, Santa Barbara, CA (US); Ethan W. Franklin, Santa Barbara, CA (US); Cameron Putnam, Santa Barbara, CA (US); John Grant, Middletown, OH (US); Amin Dahrehsobh, Santa Barbara, CA (US); Kenneth Hefley, La Mirada, CA (US); Keisuke Kato, La Mirada, CA (US); Brent Withey, La Mirada, CA (US); Austin Donoghue, La Mirada, CA (US); and Nathan Santos, La Mirada, CA (US)
Assigned to Makita U.S.A., Inc., La Mirada, CA (US)
Filed by Makita U.S.A., Inc., La Mirada, CA (US)
Filed on Oct. 14, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/966,496.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/356,031, filed on Jun. 27, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/355,498, filed on Jun. 24, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/355,461, filed on Jun. 24, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/280,896, filed on Nov. 18, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/256,490, filed on Oct. 15, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0122425 A1, Apr. 20, 2023
Int. Cl. B65D 21/02 (2006.01); B25H 3/02 (2006.01); B62B 1/12 (2006.01); B65D 25/06 (2006.01); B65D 25/28 (2006.01); B65D 45/16 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 21/0213 (2013.01) [B25H 3/021 (2013.01); B62B 1/12 (2013.01); B65D 21/0201 (2013.01); B65D 21/0217 (2013.01); B65D 21/0222 (2013.01); B65D 21/023 (2013.01); B65D 25/06 (2013.01); B65D 25/2882 (2013.01); B65D 45/16 (2013.01); B62B 2206/04 (2013.01); B65D 2525/284 (2013.01); B65D 2543/00027 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for interconnecting two storage boxes comprising:
a first box; and
a second box;
the first box and the second box each having protuberances extending from each of a top surface and a bottom surface thereof, the protuberances extending from the top surface being arranged relative to each other to delineate channels of space in between rows of protuberances along at least one of a width dimension and a length dimension of the top surface;
wherein the channels of space between rows of protuberances are open on both of the respective ends thereof;
wherein at least one of the protuberances extending from the top surface and the protuberances extending from the bottom surface are formed with an edge such that the protuberances extending from the top surface of the first box are formed with the edge to engage the protuberances extending from the bottom surface of the second box when the second box is arranged to abut the top surface of the first box, and the protuberances extending from the bottom surface of the first box are formed with the edge to engage the protuberances extending from the top surface of the second box when the second box is arranged to abut the bottom surface of the first box; and
wherein initial alignment of the first box relative to the second box for stacking can be at the respective ends of the channels of space whereby the first box and the second box slide relative to each other in front to back engagement and in back to front engagement relative to the respective ends of the channels of space;
wherein the protuberances that extend from the bottom surface of the first box are arranged to engage with one or more of the protuberances extending from the top surface of the second box when the first box is moved in a translational direction along an engagement path that is parallel to the channels of space, and further comprising an integrative locking system to retain the first box from translational movement relative to the second box when stacked;
wherein the protuberances and corresponding channels of space are arranged along the first box and the second box, respectively, in a direction between a first edge and a second edge on each of the first box and the second box, and the integrative locking system comprises a cleat disposed at one of the first edge and the second edge of the first box and a cleat retaining member chosen from a receptacle and a wedge disposed at the corresponding one of the first edge and the second edge of the second box that is aligned to receive the cleat when the first box is translated over the second box in the direction of the channels of space; and
wherein the integrative locking system further comprises a cleat member configured as a flat member with the cleat extending from a portion thereof between a first end and a second end, the flat member being securable at the first end thereof to one of the two interconnected boxes, the flat member being movable to remove the cleat from the receptacle when force is applied to the second end to move the second end toward the box and stationaryto retain the cleat in the receptacle when no force is applied to the second end to move the second end toward the box.