[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/544247 filed 1 1 th August 2017 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

I. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates, generally, to a storage system, and in particular to an integration of metal containers and plastic sub-containers in an overall storage system.

II. Background of the Invention

[0003] Metal storage boxes offer large amounts of storage. Plastic storage carriers offer lightweight and portable storage. Traditionally, these two options are mutually exclusive and typically not combinable. Large storage cabinets are heavy, difficult to move, and take up a large amount of space. Smaller toolboxes offer limited space, are portable, and easily stolen. In most mechanic shops or homes, both are present and are stored in different locations, creating large amounts of misused space.

[0004] Problems inherent in many metal storage containers are the rigidity and inability to create a dynamic, interchange modules, drawers or compartments that correspond to different user needs. This restricts the storage cabinet or workstation to contain only the set of drawers or modules already attached without a means to attach additional storage alternatives to the storage workstation. Other problems found in metal storage cabinets or workstations is the inability to remove tools sets without transferring each tool independently to a portable storage container. Problems found in portable toolboxes is the limited space and inability to stack, combine, or house multiple toolboxes in a single space.

[0005] Thus, there remains a need for an overall integrated storage system providing for a number of storage options.

III. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one aspect, an interchangeable storage system may include an attachment assembly selectively mountable to be in a coupled arrangement and further includes, a plurality of spacer members, a base plate, and a plurality of corner brackets, wherein the attachment assembly is adapted to be mounted into a type of storage container.

[0007] In some implementations, the attachment assembly is adapted to be coupled to a plurality of rails of the type of storage container.

[0008] In some implementations, the attachment assembly is adapted to fasten a plurality of portable containers of various sizes to the type of storage container. In another aspect, a storage mounting system includes a drawer attachment assembly, the drawer attachment assembly including a drawer attached to a plurality of rails, and wherein the drawer includes at least one locking member affixed to the drawer and is configured to affix a portable container in a position inside the drawer.

[0009] In some implementations, the drawer attachment assembly a fold-down section on the front face of the drawer attachment assembly.

[0010] In another aspect, an integrated storage system includes a plurality of rails, and a bracket attachment assembly, the bracket attachment assembly coupled to the plurality of rails and being substantially U shaped, and wherein the bracket attachment assembly adapted to releasably mount a portable storage container onto bracket attachment assembly.

[0011] In some implementations, the bracket attachment assembly includes a plurality of tabs adapted to fasten the portable storage container onto the bracket assembly.

[0012] In another aspect, there is described a storage system comprising: a base unit, the base unit having a plurality of container receiving regions, a plurality of containers, each of said containers being configured to be received in an associated one of the container receiving regions in the attachment assembly, each container having a first portion and a second portion, wherein relative movement of the first and second portions between an opened and closed position permits and prevents access to contents of the container, each container having at least one coupling or attachment element of the container to be attached for housing in the base unit , each base unit having a corresponding receiving attachment element configured to receive an associated one of the containers at least partially within the associated one of the container receiving regions.

[0013] In another aspect or embodiment of the storage system, the storage system further comprises: each attachment assembly unit is manually configurable to create a plurality of attachment assembly structures and adapted to attach or remove a plurality of portable toolbox units or containers to the attachment assembly.

[0014] In another aspect or embodiment of the storage system, the storage system further comprises: selectively removing the associated one of the containers completely from the associated one of the container receiving regions. [0015] These implementations of the invention may be desired as they provide users the ability to create dynamic storage solutions dependent on the user's needs and/or provide efficient use of space in the storage workstation. These implementations of the invention may also be desired as it allows a user to attach additional space to a storage workstation without modifying the primary blueprint of the storage workstation. Additionally, these implementations of the invention may be desired as they provide users the ability to house multiple portable containers in one housing and access each portable container independently of another portable container.

[0016] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing implementations or embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms, "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the root terms "can", "include", "can include", "may", and/or "have", when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of at least one other feature, step, operation, element, component, and/or groups thereof.

[0017] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is not necessarily limited only to those features but may include other features not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0018] For definitional purposes and as used herein "connected", "coupled" or "attached" includes operation or physical, whether direct or indirect, affixed or coupled, as for example attachment assembly 200 is coupled to a storage workstation by bolting, riveting, screwing, welding, lances, magnetic connection, metal fittings, snapping in or on, threaded coupling, or slotted engagement of at least a portion of the attachment assembly members to a plurality of rails or walls of the storage workstation.. Thus, unless specified, "connected", "coupled" or "attached" is intended to embrace any operationally functional connection.

[0019] As used herein "substantially," "generally," "slightly" and other words of degree are relative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation from the characteristic so modified. It is not intended to be limited to the absolute value or characteristic which it modifies but rather possessing more of the physical or functional characteristic than its opposite, and preferably, approaching or approximating such a physical or functional characteristic.

[0020] The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

IV. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following descriptions of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary storage workstation including an integrated storage system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2A illustrates a front view of the exemplary integrated storage system including an attachment assembly and a portable container according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective side view of FIG. 2A according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 2C illustrates an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2A according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2D illustrates a partially exploded front view of the attachment assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2E illustrates a perspective side view of a corner bracket of FIG. 2D according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary storage workstation of FIG. 1 including the integrated storage system and a locking member according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of FIG. 2A with the portable container separate from the attachment assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective sectional view of the integrated storage system of one embodiment of the present invention. [0031] FIGs. 4C and 4D illustrate a tab member of the attachment assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective side view of a locking member and FIG. 5B illustrates a side perspective view of the locking member engaged with a locking plate of positioned at the corner of the portable container according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates another perspective view of the locking member engaged with a locking plate positioned at the center of the portable container according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 7 A illustrates a front view of the integrated storage system including a drawer attachment assembly and a portable container in an exemplary storage workstation according to a second embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 7B illustrates a perspective view of a drawer attachment assembly extended from another exemplary storage workstation according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 8A illustrates an elevated top view of the drawer attachment assembly extended from the exemplary storage workstation of FIG. 7A according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIGs. 8B and 8C illustrates a locking member of the attachment assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective front view of the integrated storage system including a bracket attachment assembly and a portable container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [0038] FIGs. 10A and 10B illustrate a bracket attachment assembly in an extended position from the exemplary storage workstation according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention in any manner.

V. Description of the Invention

[0040] A description of apparatuses, systems, and methods consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure is provided below. While several embodiments are described, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited to any one embodiment, but instead encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents. In addition, while numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, some embodiments can be practiced without some or all of these details. Moreover, for the purpose of clarity, certain technical material that is known in the related art has not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosure.

[0041] An example implementation of an integrated storage system 100 is shown in FIGs. 1 - 6. The example system 100 illustrated in FIGs. 1 -6 is an interchangeable storage system, simple for ease of discussion and illustration. However, the principles to be described herein may be applied to other types of storage systems that include an attachment assembly combining a portable container to a storage workstation.

[0042] As shown in FIG 1 and FIGs. 2A and 2B, the example integrated storage system 100 may be a storage workstation that includes an attachment assembly 200 and a portable container 275. In various implementations, the storage workstation can be various storage cabinets, workstations, tool chests, auto carts, workshop trolleys, workbox, or the like.

[0043] FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrate perspective views of the attachment assembly 200 and the portable container 275. In some implementations, the portable container 275 can be various types of portable containers, storage units, or boxes used for transporting tools and accessories, such as toolboxes, toolset cases, or the like. The portable container 275 can be any type of material, such as plastic, steel, aluminum, wood, or any suitable material adapted for portable transport of tools. As shown in in FIG. 2A, the attachment assembly 200 is clasped or housed around the portable container 275 as to allow placement of the portable container 275 in a storage workstation (for example as depicted in FIG. 1 ).

[0044] FIG. 2C illustrates an exploded front view of the exemplary integrated storage system 100 including the attachment assembly 200 and a portable container 275 as shown in FIGs. 2A and 2B. In this exploded view the attachment assembly 200 is shown with the various parts uncoupled. In this embodiment, the attachment assembly 200 includes a base plate 220, corner brackets 210a, 21 0b, and spacer members (212a, 212b, 214a,214b, 218a,218b). Each of the base plate 220, corner brackets 210a, 201 b and spacer members (212a, 212b, 214a,214b, 218a,218b) can be selectively coupled to one another to form the attachment assembly 200 or a variation of the attachment assembly 200. The attachment assembly 200 may be coupled to a storage workstation in a plurality of coupling mechanisms, such as by bolting, riveting, screwing, welding, lances, magnetic connection, metal fittings, snapping in or on, threaded coupling, slotted engagement, or any coupling mechanism adapted to affix at least part of the attachment assembly 200, such as corner brackets 210a, 210b to the storage workstation. In other embodiments the attachment assembly can be composed of each of the base plate 220, corner brackets 210a, 201 b and spacer members, however, it is not limited in this regard and the attachment assembly 200 can be made up of any number of parts, such as made up of the base plate 220, corner brackets 210a, 210b, and spacer members 212a, 212b.

[0045] FIG. 2D illustrates the base plate 220, corner brackets 210a, 210b, and spacer members (212a, 212b, 214a,214b, 218a,218b) substantially grouped together to form the attachment assembly 200. The base plate 220 is placed in the attachment assembly to be positioned on the bottom of a portable container, the corner brackets 210a, 210b is placed to be positioned to be on the sides and spacer members (212a, 212b, 214a,214b, 218a,218b) placed to encompass the top sides of the portable container, when coupled together to form the attachment assembly 200.

[0046] FIG. 2E illustrates the corner bracket 210b. In FIG. 2E, the corner bracket 210b includes a tab 224 and at least one ridge 226, and at least one channel 228. The tab 224 is illustrated to be a protruding tab from the corner brackets but can be located anywhere in the attachment assembly, and the tab 224 may be any shape, such as a type of locking member, for example, adapted to secure a portable container to the attachment assembly. [0047] The corner bracket 210b is structured to allow a portable container to be coupled to the attachment assembly. The corner bracket 210b includes at least one ridge 226 to allow the portable container to be slideably coupled to the attachment assembly and a tab member configured to engage and secure the portable container 275 to the attachment assembly. In this embodiment, the tab member 224 is positioned on one axis but may be flexible to allow the portable container 275 to be selectively coupled to the attachment assembly 200. For example, the portable container 275 (shown in FIG. 2A) can be slid on to the at least one ridge 226. While sliding the portable container onto the at least one ridge 226, protruding members on the bottom of the portable container 275 (as shown in FIG. 4A) may push the flexible tab 224 downward. After the protruding members of the portable carrier 275 has passed the tab location, the tab member 224 may return to its alignment on the X-axis while abutting against a portion of the portable container 275.

[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary metal workstation including the attachment assembly 200 and the locking member 310 unaccompanied by the portable container 275. In this embodiment the attachment assembly 200 is coupled to the exemplary workstation in place of standard rail drawers. The attachment assembly 200 may be coupled to the exemplary storage workstation in a plurality of coupling mechanisms, such as by bolting, riveting, screwing, welding, lances, magnetic connection, metal fittings, snapping in or on, threaded coupling, slotted engagement, or any coupling mechanism adapted to affix at least part of the attachment assembly 200, such as spacer members 218a,218b to the exemplary workstation. The locking member 310 may be included in a storage workstation as shown or may be affixed, e.g. welded or riveted fastening, to the base plate 220 of attachment assembly 200, such as shown in FIG. 8C. The locking member (e.g. locking member 310, 510, 812) can be any material or shape, such as a metal post or L shaped member, configured to secure a portable container. The locking member (e.g. locking member 310, 510, 812) may be included a storage workstation in a plurality of coupling mechanisms, such as by bolting, riveting, screwing, welding, lances, magnetic connection, metal fittings, snapping in or on, threaded coupling, slotted engagement, or any coupling mechanism to the storage workstation or the attachment assembly 200.

[0049] FIG. 4A depicts another view of the attachment assembly 200 and the portable container 275. In FIG. 4A the portable container is placed above the attachment assembly 200 to illustrate how the portable container 275 may be placed into the attachment assembly 200. In this embodiment, portable container 275 may be mounted or slid on to the attachment assembly 200. Also shown in FIG. 4A is the at least on ridge 226 on the corner brackets and at least one channel 228. The at least one channel 228 may be positioned vertically on a spacer member, such as on spacer member 214b. In various embodiments, the at least one channel 228 may also be positioned vertically on a spacer member. In various embodiments, the at least one ridge 226 and the at least one channel 228 may be placed on different attachment assembly members and is not limited to its current embodiment.

[0050] FIG. 4B illustrates a partial front view of the portable container 275 coupled to the attachment assembly 200. In this embodiment, the portable container 275 is slideably received onto the at least one ridge 226 into the attachment assembly. FIG. 4C depicts another view of the coupling arrangement of the portable container. In FIG. 4C there is depicted a partial view of the corner bracket 210b of the attachment assembly 200 and the tab 224 is shown. FIG. 4D illustrates a partial, cross-sectional view of the attachment assembly. In this view the, tab member 224 abuts against a portion of the portable container 275 placed onto the attachment assembly 200.

[0051] Now referring to FIG. 5A, a locking member 510 is depicted in an exemplary storage workstation. The locking member 510 may be a bar, extension, catch, slide, latch or fastener configured to releasably secure a portable container to the attachment assembly 200. In this embodiment and as shown in FIG. 5B, the locking member 510 may be hooked on to the portable container 275 by placing the locking member 510 into a locking plate 502 of the portable container 275. The locking plate 502 may be positioned on a corner of the portable container 275 or at the center of the portable container 275 as shown in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the locking member 510 or 610 may be positioned within a plate, aperture, recess or any shape adapted to secure a portable container to the attachment assembly 200.

[0052] FIG. 7A illustrates a second embodiment of the interchangeable storage system. In FIG. 7A there is depicted an exemplary storage workstation, a portable storage unit 775 and a drawer attachment assembly 700. In this embodiment, the drawer attachment assembly 700 includes braces or front plates 706a, 706b adapted to restrict the portable container from sliding out of the exemplary storage workstation without extending the drawer attachment assembly 700 from the storage workstation. FIG. 7B illustrates the drawer attachment assembly 700 coupled to another storage workstation and illustrates the drawer attachment assembly 700 in an extended position from the exemplary storage workstation. In both FIG.7A and FIG. 7B, the drawer attachment assembly 700 is coupled to a plurality of rails within an exemplary storage workstation. The extension of drawer attachment assembly 700 allows a user to place or remove a portable container, such as portable storage unit 775, from the attachment assembly 700.

[0053] The drawer attachment assembly 700 may be coupled to the exemplary storage workstation in a plurality of coupling mechanisms, such as by bolting, riveting, screwing, welding, lances magnetic connection, metal fittings, snapping in or on, threaded coupling, slotted engagement, or any coupling mechanism adapted to affix the drawer attachment assembly 700 to the storage workstation.

[0054] FIG. 8A illustrates an elevated top view of the drawer attachment assembly 700 extended containing the portable storage unit 775 from the exemplary storage workstation of FIG. 7A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8B there is depicted the drawer attachment assembly 700 of FIG. 8A and includes a locking member 812. In FIG. 8B the locking member may be a bar, extension, catch, slide, latch or fastener configured to releasably secure portable storage unit to the attachment assembly 700, such as by locking into the locking plate 822 of the portable storage unit 775. As shown in FIG. 8C, the drawer attachment assembly 700 may include braces or front plates 706a, 706b adapted to restrict a portable storage unit from removal out of the exemplary storage workstation without extending the drawer attachment assembly 700 from the exemplary storage workstation. Further shown in FIG. 8C, the locking member 812 may be affixed to the base plate 840 of the attachment assembly 700 or be included in a storage workstation, such as depicted in FIG. 3.

[0055] Now referring to FIG. 9 there is illustrated a perspective front view of the integrated storage system including a bracket attachment assembly and a portable container according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIGs. 10A and 10B depict partial views of the bracket attachment assembly 1000 and a portable container 1075 in an extended position from the exemplary storage workstation according to a third embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 9.

[0056] Further detailed in FIG. 10B is the bracket attachment assembly 1000 attached directly to a plurality of rails of the exemplary workstation. In this embodiment, the bracket attachment assembly 1000 is substantially coupled to the plurality of rails without a base plate (e.g. base plate 220 or base plate 840) or spacer members (e.g. 214a, 214b, 218a, 218b). The bracket attachment assembly 1000 may be coupled to the exemplary workstation in a plurality of coupling mechanisms, such as by bolting, riveting, screwing, welding, lances magnetic connection, metal fittings, snapping in or on, threaded coupling, slotted engagement, or any coupling mechanism adapted to affix the bracket attachment assembly 1000 to the storage workstation. Also detailed in FIG. 10B, the bracket attachment assembly 1000 may include a plurality of tabs 1024 adapted to fasten the portable storage container 1075 onto the bracket attachment assembly 1000. In this embodiment, the plurality of tabs may be any shape, such as the at least one ridge 226, the tab 224, or the locking member 510 or 812, adapted to secure a portable container to the bracket attachment assembly 1000.

[0057] In various embodiments, the attachment assembly (e.g. attachment assembly 200, 700, 1000) illustrated in FIGs. 1 , 7A and 9, may be accessed by a user grasping a handle or a portion of a mounted portable container within a storage workstation to extend the attachment assembly from the storage workstation. In various other embodiments, the attachment assembly illustrated in FIGs. 1 , 7A and 9 may be accessed by a user gripping a portion of the attachment assembly coupled to a storage workstation to extend the attachment assembly from the storage workstation.

[0058] One embodiment of the present invention provides an integrated storage system that includes sliders holding a metal frame that seats a plastic container (e.g. portable containers 275, 775, 1075). Additionally, the metal frame takes the same sliders and foot print as a common drawer, allowing re-fitting of units, such as shown in FIG. 10B. The metal frame allows access to the plastic storage handle, while holding the profile of the plastic storage to ensure secured storage when the unit is locked.

[0059] In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an integrated storage system that includes adding a basic suspension system, wherein the plastic storage can hang from a rib feature and the suspension system could be pulled out to mimic a drawer, such as shown in FIG. 7A. The suspension would limit motion of the plastic unit from sliding out the front via catching on the plastic ribbing when pulled forward. When closed, the plastic storage would be visible, but still secured.

[0060] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an attachment mounting carriage for the plastic unit would allow mounting under the metal unit or on the sides of the metal unit. The plastic unit would slide into this attachment carriage similar to a paper into a hanging folder. The plastic unit is out of the way, does not take up valuable drawer space, and is still easily accessible for grab and go storage.

[0061 ] In another embodiment of the present invention there is provided an integrated storage system that has an attachment assembly including a drawer with a fold down section of the front face, via a hinge, that allows for a plastic storage unit (e.g. portable container 275, 775, 1075) to sit inside of the metal drawer and have the handle exposed. If the plastic unit is removed, the front face folding section can be re-installed to create a normal drawer. This may allow for easy removal of the plastic unit and flexibility, such as hinged access, for the end user to choose how drawers are utilized.

[0062] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an integrated storage system that includes as a standalone or bolt on side cabinet, creating an attachment housing for the plastic storage units with a rack designed to hold a plurality of plastic storage units based on the plastic handle and ribbing design. By using these plastic features, the plastic storage could be suspended in a secure way without requiring mechanical components. The plastic storage would slide along the housing's racks via low friction contact surfaces. To lock this cabinet, a lock bar may be introduced to block forward motion of the plastic units.

[0063] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an integrated storage system that includes a power strip that can allow a plurality of charging stations and/or usb ports, a private drawer, soft or slow close drawers, and/or a locking feature for securing of one or more containers of various sizes.

[0064] In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an integrated storage system that includes an attachment assembly (e.g. attachment assembly 200, 700, 1000) that has a number of slots, channels, fastening, locking, engagement or coupling elements configured to receive a number of different size containers. The attachment assembly (e.g. attachment assembly 200, 700, 1000) may also include a number of panels configurable to contain a number of different size containers. [0065] The example and alternative embodiments described above may be combined in a variety of ways with each other. It should be noted that the present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, the embodiments set forth herein are provided so that the disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the steps and number of the various steps illustrated in the figures may be adjusted from that shown. The accompanying figures and attachments illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0066] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the example and alternative embodiments described above can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.