Stabilized storage bin

Abstract

A relatively tall, narrow storage bin including a pivotable stabilizing base rotatable from a stored position substantially congruent with the base to an open stabilizing position normal to the base and including means to secure the base in position.

1 . A stabilized storage bin, comprising:
 a rectangular bin element having a bottom and four sides that is taller than it is wide, said bin element including a pivot point at the center of the bottom and a plurality of downwardly projecting rigid bubbles on the lower surface; and   a stabilizing element of thin material, said stabilizing element approximately the same dimension as the bottom of the bin, pivotably secured at the pivot point and including openings to selectively receive the rigid bubbles to secure the relative positions of the bin and the stabilizing element, said stabilizing element selectively secured in the stored position beneath the bottom and the stabilizing position at right angles to the long dimension of the bottom.   
     
     
         2 . A stabilized storage bin, comprising:
 a substantially rectangular, relatively deep open top storage unit, including a bottom, outwardly flared sides and ends, wherein the ends are of a lesser dimension than the sides, said bottom including a central pivot point and at least one downwardly protruding dimple; and   a stabilizing element pivotably secured to the bottom of the storage unit, said element substantially congruent with the bottom, and including at least one detent to selectively receive the dimple to secure the relative position of the storage unit and the stabilizing element.   
     
     
         3 . A stabilized storage bin as in  claim 2 , wherein the stabilizing element includes means to secure it in a normal position perpendicular to the bin bottom. 
     
     
         4 . A stabilized storage bin as in  claim 2 , wherein the stabilizing element includes at least one upwardly projecting extension preventing relative rotation between the stabilizing element and the bin in one direction.