Interlocking storage and transport apparatus

Abstract

A storage container system of stackable containers for storage and transport of assembleable toys or puzzles. The device features a container with hinged first and second halves forming an interior cavity when releasably engaged. Each container has a plurality of projections extending from one exterior surface adapted for cooperative frictional engagement into the recesses in the opposite side of a similar sized container stacked upon it. In addition to storage, the containers provide depictions of the stored toy allowing identification by non-reading children, and an organized working surface for toy assembly.

1 . A storage container for an assembleable toy or puzzle, comprising: 
 a first half section having a first planar portion surrounded by a first projecting sidewall from a perimeter edge;    a second half section having a second planar portion surrounded by a second projecting sidewall from a second perimeter edge;    means for rotational engagement a portion of said first projecting sidewall to said second projecting sidewall;    said storage container having a closed position wherein said first projecting sidewall contacts said second projecting sidewall forming a storage cavity defined between said first and second projecting sidewall and said first and second planar portions;    releasable means to hold said storage container in said closed position;    a plurality of projections extending from said first planar portion in a direction opposite said first projecting sidewall;    a plurality of recesses formed into said second planar portion, said recesses sized and positioned for engagement with said plurality of projections; and    said plurality of projections providing a means for engagement of a lower positioned said container placed with its second planar surface contacting an underlying support surface, with said recesses formed in a respective said first planar portion of any above-positioned additional said container stacked thereon, wherein any number said containers may be stacked with its respective projections engaging respective recesses formed in an underlying said container thereby providing means to prevent sliding of all said containers in said stack, off of said stack.    
   
   
       2 . The storage container of  claim 1  additionally comprising: 
 said projections positionable on a support surface to position said container in an operating position with said second planar portion above said first planar portion and providing means for elevation of said first planar portion, above said support surface.    
   
   
       3 . The storage container of  claim 2  additionally comprising: 
 said projections engaged with said support surface additionally providing means for additional elevation of said second planar portion above said support surface.    
   
   
       4 . The storage container of  claim 3  additionally comprising: 
 a working surface formed by said first planar portion when said container is positioned in said operating position;    said working surface providing a working area elevated above said support surface for assembly of said toy or puzzle.    
   
   
       5 . The storage container of  claim 4  additionally comprising: 
 a pocket positioned on an exterior surface of one of said first or second projecting sidewalls;    said pocket having a substantially transparent sidewall and an interior cavity behind said sidewall adapted for insertion of a graphic depiction of said toy or puzzle, thereby providing means to identify a contents of said container to a non-reading user.    
   
   
       6 . The storage container of  claim 4  additionally comprising: 
 a second pocket positioned on an interior surface of said second planar portion in said storage cavity;    said second pocket having a substantially transparent sidewall and a holding cavity between said sidewall and said interior surface; and    said holding cavity adapted for engagement with graphic depictions of said toy or puzzle during or after assembly, thereby providing a viewable guide to a user for assembly of said toy or puzzle.    
   
   
       7 . The storage container of  claim 5  additionally comprising: 
 a second pocket positioned on an interior surface of said second planar portion in said storage cavity;    said second pocket having a substantially transparent sidewall and a holding cavity between said sidewall and said interior surface; and    said holding cavity adapted for engagement with graphic depictions of said toy or puzzle during or after assembly, thereby providing a viewable guide to a user for assembly of said toy or puzzle.    
   
   
       8 . The storage container of  claim 4  additionally comprising: 
 a recess formed into an exterior side of said second planar portion, said recess forming said working surface surrounded by an edge wall;    said edge wall surrounding said working surface providing means to prevent components of said toy or puzzle being assembled, from sliding from said working surface.    
   
   
       9 . The storage container of  claim 5  additionally comprising: 
 a recess formed into an exterior side of said second planar portion, said recess forming said working surface surrounded by an edge wall;    said edge wall surrounding said working surface providing means to prevent components of said toy or puzzle being assembled, from sliding from said working surface.    
   
   
       10 . The storage container of  claim 6  additionally comprising: 
 a recess formed into an exterior side of said second planar portion, said recess forming said working surface surrounded by an edge wall;    said edge wall surrounding said working surface providing means to prevent components of said toy or puzzle being assembled, from sliding from said working surface.    
   
   
       11 . The storage container of  claim 7  additionally comprising: 
 a recess formed into an exterior side of said second planar portion, said recess forming said working surface surrounded by an edge wall;    said edge wall surrounding said working surface providing means to prevent components of said toy or puzzle being assembled, from sliding from said working surface.    
   
   
       12 . The storage container of  claim 8  additionally comprising: 
 a dividing member communicating between parallel sections of said edge wall; and    said dividing member bifurcating said recess into said working surface, and an adjacent storage cavity for temporary positioning of unused of said components of said toy or puzzle.    
   
   
       13 . The storage container of  claim 9  additionally comprising: 
 a dividing member communicating between parallel sections of said edge wall; and    said dividing member bifurcating said recess into said working surface, and an adjacent storage cavity for temporary positioning of unused of said components of said toy or puzzle.    
   
   
       14 . The storage container of  claim 10  additionally comprising: 
 a dividing member communicating between parallel sections of said edge wall; and    said dividing member bifurcating said recess into said working surface, and an adjacent storage cavity for temporary positioning of unused of said components of said toy or puzzle.    
   
   
       15 . The storage container of  claim 11  additionally comprising: 
 a dividing member communicating between parallel sections of said edge wall; and    said dividing member bifurcating said recess into said working surface, and an adjacent storage cavity for temporary positioning of unused of said components of said toy or puzzle.    
   
   
       16 . The storage container of  claim 12  additionally comprising: 
 said dividing member slidably engaged between said sections of said edge wall; and    sliding said dividing member providing means to adjust the size of said working surface and said storage cavity.    
   
   
       17 . The storage container of  claim 13  additionally comprising: 
 said dividing member slidably engaged between said sections of said edge wall; and    sliding said dividing member providing means to adjust the size of said working surface and said storage cavity.    
   
   
       18 . The storage container of  claim 14  additionally comprising: 
 said dividing member slidably engaged between said sections of said edge wall; and    sliding said dividing member providing means to adjust the size of said working surface and said storage cavity.    
   
   
       19 . The storage container of  claim 15  additionally comprising: 
 said dividing member slidably engaged between said sections of said edge wall; and    sliding said dividing member providing means to adjust the size of said working surface and said storage cavity.