Storage case with internal frame

Abstract

A storage case includes a U-shaped structural frame that forms three closed sides of the case. Decorative panels are fastened to the frame to form exterior surfaces of the case.

1 . A storage case having four closed sides, a top side, and an open side, the storage container comprising:
 a substantially U-shaped case frame comprising first, second, and third frame segments joined to one another along an edge to form an interior surface of three of the closed sides of the storage case, wherein the first and third segments form vertical frame sides of the case and include vertical frame flanges disposed along both vertical edges of the first and third segments, the vertical frame flanges extending away from the interior surface of the closed sides at substantially a right angle; and   first and second decorative side panels connected to the vertical frame sides, each side panel having a substantially flat main portion configured to span and rest proximate to outside ends of the vertical frame flanges, each side panel including two side flanges disposed along parallel edges of the side panel and including a perpendicular flange portion configured to rest adjacent to outside faces of the vertical frame flanges;   wherein the side panels are connected to the case frame such that the side panels form an exterior surface of two of the closed sides and exterior edges of the open side of the storage case.   
   
   
       2 . The storage case of  claim 1  wherein the case frame comprises a single sheet of material that is bent to form the first, second, and third segments and the vertical frame flanges. 
   
   
       3 . The storage case of  claim 1  wherein the side panels comprise a single sheet of material that is bent to form the main portion and the side flanges. 
   
   
       4 . The storage case of  claim 1  wherein the second frame segment forms a bottom of the storage case. 
   
   
       5 . The storage case of  claim 4  further comprising one or more cross members connected between top end portions of the vertical frame sides. 
   
   
       6 . The storage case of  claim 4  wherein the second frame segment includes caster mounting structure. 
   
   
       7 . The storage case of  claim 4  wherein the side flanges include a parallel flange portion disposed at an end of the perpendicular flange portion, the parallel flange portion extending parallel to and spaced from the main portion, the storage case further comprising a rear decorative panel that includes rear panel flanges configured to connect to the parallel flange portion of each of the side panels. 
   
   
       8 . The storage case of  claim 1  wherein the side panel includes a top flange that extends from a top edge of the main portion toward the interior surfaces of the case and substantially perpendicular to the main portion, the top flange configured to connect to a inwardly disposed top flange on the vertical frame sides. 
   
   
       9 . The storage case of  claim 8  further comprising a top panel that is configured to connect to the inwardly disposed top flange on the vertical frame sides. 
   
   
       10 . The storage case of  claim 1  wherein the side panel includes at least one decorative surface and wherein the side panel is connected to the frame such that the decorative surface forms an exterior surface of the storage case. 
   
   
       11 . The storage case of  claim 8  wherein the side panels are connected to the case frame with rivets. 
   
   
       12 . The storage case of  claim 8  wherein the side panels are welded to the case frame. 
   
   
       13 . A metal storage case having two vertical sides, a vertical back, a top side, a bottom side, and an open front side, the storage container housing one or more drawers that slide on drawer slides within the storage case, the storage case comprising:
 a substantially U-shaped case frame comprising:
 first, second, and third frame segments formed by bending a single sheet of metal to form an interior surface of three of the closed sides of the storage case; 
 wherein the second segment forms an interior surface of the bottom side; and 
 wherein the first and third segments form an interior surface of the vertical sides of the case and include vertical frame flanges disposed along both vertical edges of the first and third segments, the vertical frame flanges extending away from the interior surface of the closed sides at substantially a right angle and wherein the first and third segments include mounting openings configured to accept co-acting fastening features on the drawer slides, the first and third segments further comprising a top frame flange extending toward an interior of the storage case at a top edge of the first and third segments, the top frame flange extending at substantially a right angle to the first and third segments; 
   at least one cross member connected between top end portions of the first and third segments;   first and second decorative side panels connected to the first and third frame segments, each side panel comprising:
 a substantially flat main portion configured to span and rest proximate to outside ends of the vertical frame flanges; 
 two side flanges disposed along parallel edges of the side panel, the side flanges including a perpendicular flange portion configured to rest adjacent to outside faces of the vertical frame flanges and a parallel flange portion disposed at an end of the perpendicular flange portion that extends parallel to and spaced from the main portion; and 
 a top flange that extends from a top edge of the main portion toward the interior surfaces of the case and substantially perpendicular to the main portion configured to rest on top of and be connected to the top frame flange; 
   wherein the side panels are connected to the frame such that the side panel forms an exterior surface of two of the closed sides and an exterior edge of the open side of the storage case;   a decorative rear panel that includes rear panel flanges configured to connect to the parallel flange portion of each of the side panels; and   a top panel that is configured to connect to the top frame flange and to a rear mounting flange on the rear panel.   
   
   
       14 . The metal storage case of  claim 13  wherein the second frame segment includes caster mounting structure. 
   
   
       15 . The metal storage case of  claim 13  wherein the side panel comprises aluminum. 
   
   
       16 . The metal storage case of  claim 13  wherein the side panel includes at least one decorative surface and wherein the side panel is connected to the frame such that the decorative surface forms an exterior surface of the storage case. 
   
   
       17 . The metal storage case of  claim 13  wherein the side panels are connected to the case frame with rivets. 
   
   
       18 . The metal storage case of  claim 13  wherein the side panels are welded to the case frame. 
   
   
       19 . A method of constructing a storage case comprising:
 providing a substantially U-shaped case frame comprising first, second, and third frame segments joined to one another along an edge to form an interior surface two vertical sides and a bottom of the storage case, wherein the first and third segments form the vertical sides of the case and include vertical frame flanges disposed along both vertical edges of the first and third segments, the vertical frame flanges extending away from the interior surface of the closed sides at substantially a right angle;   installing first and second decorative side panels on the first and third frame segments by positioning a substantially flat main side portion on outside ends of the vertical frame flanges such that the main side portion spans the vertical frame flanges; and   fastening a top flange portion of the first and second decorative side panels to a top frame flange that extends inwardly from a top end portion of the first and third frame segments;   wherein the side panels are connected to the case frame such that the side panels form an exterior surface of two of the closed sides and an exterior edge of the open side of the storage case.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the step of providing a case frame is performed by bending a single piece of metal to form the panel portions and vertical frame flanges. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the side panel flange includes a perpendicular flange portion configured to rest adjacent to outside faces of the vertical frame flanges and a parallel flange portion disposed at an end of the perpendicular flange portion that extends parallel to and spaced from the main portion to the case frame, the method comprising the step of installing rear panel flanges of a rear decorative panel to the parallel flange portion of each of the side panels. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 20  comprising the step of installing a top panel to the top frame flange. 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the step of fastening the top flange portion to the top frame flange is performed by riveting. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the step of fastening the top flange portion to the top frame flange is performed by welding.