Drop-bin containers and holders for same

Abstract

An organizer is provided, having a holder and at least one container unit, the at least one container unit comprising a housing having opposing side walls, and a plurality of bins mounted between the side walls for rotation between closed and open positions, such that in the closed position, outer faces of the bins are generally coplanar, and in the open position, the outer faces each angle outwardly from the housing, thereby providing access into the bins, the bins being connected together for movement in unison, the outer faces occupying substantially all of a front portion of the housing. The holder has at least upper and lower elements, the at least one container unit being securable between the upper and lower elements. Each container unit has at least one tab at the bottom thereof, to insert into a corresponding slot in one of the upper and lower elements, and at least one catch to engage a corresponding means in the other of the upper and lower elements. The organizer can be used in combination with another holder, connected thereto. The multiple holders can be hinged together, connected back to back, or connected side to side. The holder advantageously provides a common vertical center wall, with the container units being securable to either side thereof by any suitable means. The housing has a tab extending upwardly from an upper surface thereof, the tab having an opening for hanging the at least one container unit. The tab is either foldable against the upper surface or removable from the housing, so as not to interfere with the connection of the at least one container unit with the holder. In one embodiment, a number of container units are attachable to the holder, in any of a multitude of locations, and the pivoting of the bins is actuated via pinion wheels arranged on each bin, each pinion wheel being engaged in contact with a slidable rack, so that when the rack is manipulated by a user to slide up or down, the rack causes the pinion wheel to rotate and thus the bin is caused to pivot. The racks are connected via at least one cross-beam, so that the manipulation of one rack causes the other racks to perform the same movement as the one rack.

1 . An organizer having a holder and at least one container unit, said at least one container unit comprising a housing having opposing side walls, and a plurality of bins mounted between said side walls for rotation between closed and open positions, such that in said closed position, outer faces of said bins are generally coplanar, and in said open position, said outer faces each angle outwardly from said housing, thereby providing access into said bins, said bins being connected together for movement in unison, said outer faces occupying substantially all of a front portion of said housing.  
     
     
         2 . An organizer as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said holder comprises at least upper and lower elements, said at least one container unit being securable between said upper and lower elements.  
     
     
         3 . An organizer as recited in  claim 2 , wherein each said container unit has at least one tab at the bottom thereof, to insert into a corresponding slot in one of said upper and lower elements, and at least one catch to engage a corresponding means in the other of said upper and lower elements.  
     
     
         4 . An organizer as recited in  claim 1 , in further combination with another said holder, connected thereto.  
     
     
         5 . An organizer as recited in  claim 4 , comprising two said holders, one being hinged to the other along one side thereof.  
     
     
         6 . An organizer as recited in  claim 4 , comprising two said holders, connected back to back.  
     
     
         7 . An organizer as recited in  claim 4 , comprising at least two said holders, connected side to side.  
     
     
         8 . An organizer as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said holder provides a common vertical center wall, with said container units being securable to either side thereof by any suitable means.  
     
     
         9 . An organizer as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said housing has a tab extending upwardly from an upper surface thereof, said tab having an opening for hanging said at least one container unit.  
     
     
         10 . An organizer as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said tab is foldable against said upper surface so as not to interfere with the connection of said at least one container unit with said holder.  
     
     
         11 . An organizer as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said tab is removable from said housing so as not to interfere with the connection of said at least one container unit with said holder.  
     
     
         12 . An organizer as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a number of container units are attachable to said holder, in any of a multitude of locations, and the pivoting of said bins is actuated via pinion wheels arranged on each said bin, each pinion wheel being engaged in contact with a slidable rack, so that when a bin or rack is manipulated by a user, said manipulation causes rotation of said pinion wheel and movement of said bin and rack.  
     
     
         13 . An organizer as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said racks are connected via at least one cross-beam, so that the manipulation of one said rack or bin causes the other racks and bins to perform the same movement as said one rack or bin.