Work Structure for Use with Modular Storage System

Abstract

One or more devices are provided that are configured to detachably engage within a modular system. The one or more devices are expandable to provide a surface to perform work.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foldable work platform configured to couple to a modular storage unit, the foldable work platform comprising:
 a housing comprising a work surface, the housing extending along a longitudinal axis between a first lateral side and an opposing second lateral side;   a first support structure pivotally coupled to the housing;   a second support structure pivotally coupled to the housing, the first support structure and the second support structure configured to collectively support the housing, wherein the first support structure and the second support structure are configured to actuate between an extended position in which the first support structure and the second support structure extend from the housing, and a retracted position;   a first clip extending from the first lateral side of the housing, the first clip configured to detachably couple the foldable work platform to a first vertical rail extending from a modular storage unit when the first support structure and the second support structure are in the retracted position, wherein the modular storage unit is distinct from the foldable work platform; and   a second clip extending from the second lateral side of the housing, the second clip configured to detachably couple the foldable work platform to a second vertical rail when the first support structure and the second support structure are in the retracted position, the second vertical rail distinct from the first vertical rail, the second vertical rail extending from the modular storage unit, wherein the modular storage unit is distinct from the foldable work platform.   
     
     
         2 . The foldable work platform of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal axis extends vertically when the first clip and the second clip are coupled to the first vertical rail and second vertical rail, respectively. 
     
     
         3 . The foldable work platform of  claim 1 , wherein the work surface comprises a planar surface. 
     
     
         4 . The foldable work platform of  claim 1 , comprising a third clip extending from the first lateral side of the housing, the third clip configured to detachably couple the foldable work platform to the first vertical rail, wherein the third clip is positioned above the first clip when the first clip and the third clip are coupled to the first vertical rail. 
     
     
         5 . The foldable work platform of  claim 4 , comprising a fourth clip extending from the second lateral side of the housing, the fourth clip configured to detachably couple the foldable work platform to the second vertical rail, wherein the fourth clip is positioned above the second clip when the fourth clip and the second clip are coupled to the second vertical rail. 
     
     
         6 . The foldable work platform of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first clip, the second clip, the third clip, and the fourth clip are located on a lower half of the housing when the first clip and the third clip are coupled to the first vertical rail and when the fourth clip and the second clip are coupled to the second vertical rail. 
     
     
         7 . The foldable work platform of  claim 1 , wherein the first support structure is positioned entirely within the housing when the first support structure is in the retracted position. 
     
     
         8 . The foldable work platform of  claim 7 , wherein the second support structure is positioned entirely within the housing when the second support structure is in the retracted position. 
     
     
         9 . The foldable work platform of  claim 1 , comprising a lower wall slidably coupled to the housing, wherein the lower wall slides in response to the first support structure and the second support structure actuating from the extended position to the retracted position. 
     
     
         10 . A foldable work platform configured to couple to a modular storage unit, the foldable work platform comprising:
 a first housing comprising a first work surface;   a second housing comprising a second work surface, the second housing pivotally coupled to the first housing such that the first housing and the second housing are configured to actuate between an open configuration and a closed configuration;   a first support structure pivotally coupled to the first housing;   a second support structure pivotally coupled to the second housing, the first support structure and the second support structure configured to collectively support the first housing and the second housing when the first housing and the second housing are positioned in the open configuration; and   a first plurality of male couplers coupled to a first surface of the first support structure, the first plurality of male couplers configured to couple the foldable work platform to a first surface of a stackable storage unit, each of the first plurality of male couplers comprising a first rib and a second rib extending away from each other, wherein the first plurality of male couplers are arranged in a grid that includes at least two rows and at least two columns perpendicular to the at least two rows, and wherein each of the at least two rows and each of the at least two columns includes at least two male couplers.   
     
     
         11 . The foldable work platform of  claim 10 , the first support structure configured to actuate between an extended position in which the first support structure extends from the first housing and a retracted position in which the first support structure is at least partially retracted within the first housing, the second support structure configured to actuate between an extended position in which the second support structure extends from the second housing and a retracted position in which the second support structure is at least partially retracted within the second housing. 
     
     
         12 . The foldable work platform of  claim 11 , wherein the first support structure is entirely retracted within the first housing when in the retracted position. 
     
     
         13 . The foldable work platform of  claim 10 , wherein for each of the male couplers of the first plurality of male couplers, the first rib and the second rib are each also extending in a first direction. 
     
     
         14 . The foldable work platform of  claim 13 , comprising a second plurality of male couplers coupled to the second support structure, the second plurality of male couplers configured to couple the foldable work platform to the first surface of the stackable storage unit, each of the male couplers of the second plurality of male couplers comprising a first rib and an opposing second rib each extending in a second direction. 
     
     
         15 . The foldable work platform of  claim 14 , wherein the first direction and the second direction are opposite each other when the first support structure and the second support structure are each in a retracted position and the first housing and the second housing are in the open configuration. 
     
     
         16 . The foldable work platform of  claim 15 , wherein the first direction and second direction extend in the same direction parallel to each other when the first support structure and the second support structure are each in the retracted position and the first housing and the second housing are in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         17 . A foldable work platform configured to couple to a modular storage unit, the foldable work platform comprising:
 a first housing comprising a first work surface;   a second housing comprising a second work surface, the second housing pivotally coupled to the first housing such that the first housing and the second housing are configured to actuate between an open configuration and a closed configuration;   a first support structure pivotally coupled to the first housing;   a second support structure pivotally coupled to the second housing, the first support structure and the second support structure configured to collectively support the first housing and the second housing when the first housing and the second housing are positioned in the open configuration;   a first plurality of coupling components coupled to a third work surface of the first support structure, the first plurality of coupling components configured to couple the foldable work platform to a stackable storage unit, wherein the first plurality of coupling components are arranged in a grid that includes at least two rows and at least two columns perpendicular to the at least two rows, and wherein each of the at least two rows and each of the at least two columns includes at least two coupling components of the first plurality of coupling components; and   a second plurality of coupling components coupled to the second support structure, the second plurality of coupling components configured to couple the foldable work platform to the stackable storage unit, wherein the first plurality of coupling components extend from the first housing in a first direction and the second plurality of coupling components extend from the second housing in a second direction opposite the first direction when the first housing and the second housing are in the closed configuration.   
     
     
         18 . The foldable work platform of  claim 17 , wherein the first work surface defines a first planar work surface, and wherein the second work surface defines a second planar work surface. 
     
     
         19 . The foldable work platform of  claim 18 , wherein the first work surface and the second work surface are coplanar when the first housing and the second housing are in the open configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The foldable work platform of  claim 17 , wherein the first support structure is entirely retracted within the first housing when in a retracted position.