CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/948,366, filed Jul. 6, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth fully herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a device for storage. More specifically, the device is for the storage of outdoor goods and other items typically used by visitors to a beach or other outdoor recreation area.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many people enjoy a trip to the beach, whether the beach is next to an ocean, lake or river. However, the mere act of carrying a wide variety of beach equipment, toys, coolers, keys and other items to and from a beach can be quite cumbersome. Additionally, several items desirable to have while at the beach, such as electronic, perishable foods and other items, require special storage consideration particularly due to the salt water, wind and sand encountered at the beach. Moreover, for valuable items, often there is no way to secure such items that allows everyone in a party to enjoy a stroll alone the beach or enter the water.
These annoyances and inconveniences are not just experienced by the infrequent beach visitor, as more and more people own beachfront or lakefront homes or condos. Often these homeowners or renters undergo the same packing and unpacking of items as infrequent beach visitors, while others often keep such items in a garage or outside exposed to the elements. What is need is a device that addresses these shortcomings associated with these beach storage methods and allows a beach visitor the beachfront property owner/renter the added convenience of a safe and secure storage of items used during a visit to the beach or other outdoor recreation area.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outdoor storage device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of an outdoor storage device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a top view, without a lid, of an outdoor storage device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a locking mechanism configuration included on an outdoor storage device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the locking mechanism configuration included on a beach storage device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is an anchor bolt utilized as part of an anchoring system of an outdoor storage device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example method of manufacturing an outdoor storage device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The exemplary embodiments described herein relate to a device for an outdoor storage device for storing items, particularly items for use at a beach, lake, river or any other outdoor recreational activity. The storage device is comprised of a four-sided bin with a slotted (and/or perforated) bottom and hinged lid. The bottom of the bin contains one or more recessed anchor mounting holes for anchoring the bin to the ground such that the connection of the box and anchoring bolts (or anchor stakes or rods) is accessible only from the inside of the bin. A locking mechanism is attached to the box and includes a lock bolted to either the lid or front sidewall of the bin.
In one embodiment of the invention, the plurality of outdoor storage device may be permanently fixed to the property of a beachfront property owner. In such a configuration, the outdoor storage device may be rented as storage means to condo owners, resort or theme park patrons, beach or lake visitors, etc. In an alternative embodiment of the outdoor storage device, the outdoor storage device may be portable such that a person may transport the outdoor storage device to the beach (or other outdoor recreational venue) and anchor it the sand (or other surface) during the duration of the beach visit. In alternative embodiments of the invention, caster wheels may be mounted thru the anchor holes to make the storage device easily portable.
The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an outdoor storage device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the outdoor storage device 100 includes a lid 102 attached to bin 104, where the bin 104 is made up of sidewalls. The sidewalls of the bin 104 and/or the lid 102 may be constructed from a variety of materials including plastics, wood, metal, etc. In an example embodiment of the invention, the top portions of one or more of the sidewalls of the bin 104 may be recessed to allow for a better fit or seal with the lid 102 once the lid 102 is engaged. The lid 102 may be removable and/or the lid 102 may be pivotally attached with hinges. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the lid 102 may be capable of being rolled back to allow access inside the outdoor storage device 100.
The device also includes a lock cover 106 as part of the lid 102 and a lock 108 also attached the lid 102 and capable of being engaged with a front sidewall 110 of the bin 104. The lock cover 106 may be molded as part of the lid 102 or as a separate piece attached to the lid 102. The lock cover 106 may also serve as a handle for opening and closing the lid 102. The lock 108 may be situated under the lock cover 106 such that the lock 108, even when disengaged, cannot be removed without removing the lock cover 106. The configuration and operation of the locking mechanism will be discussed in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
As shown in FIG. 1, the front sidewall 110 may also include a recess portion 112. The recessed portion may include a number or another label identifying the outdoor storage device 100. Also shown in FIG. 1, insignia 114 of various kinds may be placed on the outside of the outdoor storage device 100. The insignia 114 may have a theme connected to the outdoors (such as the seashells, animals, plants, designs or other symbols) or other insignia (or themes) to appeal to users. In alternative embodiments of the invention, various forms of advertisements may be placed on the outside of the outdoor storage device 100. Indeed, even the shape of the sidewalls of the bin 104 and/or the lid 102 of the outdoor storage device 100 may be varied to create a variety of shapes, rather than the box configuration shown in FIG. 1 (e.g., the box may be shaped like a treasure chest, an animal, a building, or other shapes appreciable by one of ordinary skill in the art).
At the bottom of the bin 104, portions of a plurality of anchor bolts (or anchor stakes or rods) 116 that anchor the outdoor storage device 100 to the ground or other surface are shown. The connection and functionality of these anchor bolts (or anchor stakes or rods) 116 is discussed in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of an outdoor storage device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 102 and the bin 104 are connected by hinges 202 located at the top and rear of the bin 104 and the rear of the lid 102. Also shown in FIG. 2, are portions of the anchor bolts (or anchor stakes or rods) 116 extending out the bottom of the bin. In an alternative embodiment of the invention not shown, wheels may be added to a bottom, rear portion of the bin to allow for the storage device to be portable when not affixed to the ground through the anchor bolts (or anchor stakes or rods) 116.
FIG. 3 is a top view, without the lid, of an outdoor storage device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the bottom plate 302 is perforated (or slotted and includes a plurality of slots 304. These slots allow for an exit point for any sand and./or water that may enter the inside of the outdoor storage device. In alternative embodiments of the invention screens, mesh or other material and/or perforated configuration may to utilized on the bottom plate 302. The perforation also allows maintains the cleanliness of the inside of the outdoor storage device, as well as allows for easy cleaning whether the outdoor storage device is anchored to the ground or not. In other alternative embodiments of the invention, the bottom plate 302 may be a the bottom of the bin and contain no opening. Further, in alternative embodiments of the invention, the bottom plate 302 may be grooved or indented thereby providing full enclosure and another footprint for the bottom of the storage device 100.
Also shown in FIG. 3 are a plurality of recessed anchor mounting holes 306. These recessed anchor mounting holes 306 allow for an anchor, such as a bolt, stake, rod, or long screw, to be threaded through, attached and tightened all from the inside of the outdoor storage device. Such a configuration provides added security to the outdoor storage device and allows the outdoor storage device to sit flush with surface on which the outdoor storage device rests. The anchoring also provides additional support and stability from severe weather conditions that may be common in various outdoor areas. In an alternative embodiment, several outdoor storage devices may share anchoring means and/or be tethered together to add to the stability and resistance to outside forces. Also in alternative embodiments of the invention, caster wheels may be mounted through one or more of the anchor mounting holes 306 to make the storage device portable. For example, the storage device 100 may have four detachable wheels or it may have two wheels attached to the rear of the storage device 100 allowing transport of the storage device 100.
Although not shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3, in alternative embodiments of the invention the internal sides of the sidewalls may include a variety of drawers, compartments, slots, etc. Such drawers or compartments provide addition storage and organization to the outdoor storage device. The drawers or compartments may be provided at a variety of heights within the outdoor storage device to maximize the utilization of the space within the box. The drawers and/or compartments also provide addition protection to the stored items from the elements of the outdoors such as water, wind, sand, bugs, small creatures as well as thieves and others. In an example embodiment, one compartment may be designated for first aid storage (or have a first aid kit connected to a sidewall of the storage device). The sidewalls of the storage device may also have a hand-type air pump connected to it or otherwise integrated with the storage device. The air pump allows a user to inflate any floatable devices, inflatable balls for games or sports, or any other inflatable items.
FIG. 4 is a locking mechanism configuration included on a beach storage device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. The locking mechanism of FIG. 4, shows the components of the locking mechanism configuration that are located beneath the lock cover 106, which is transparently shown in FIG. 4. The locking mechanism configuration includes a top plate 404 and a bottom plate 408. The locking mechanism also includes a plurality of rings that a portion of the lock 108 is pushed or threaded through. The rings through which part of the lock is placed include a plurality of top plate rings 406 attached, or molded as part of, the top plate 404 and at least one bottom plate ring 410 attached to the bottom plate 408. The top plate rings 406 are used to keep the lock 108 in proper configuration under the lock cover 106 while the lock is either engaged or disengaged. The bottom plate ring(s) 410 is utilized when the lock is to be engaged. In the example embodiment of FIG. 4, a portion of the lock is pushed or threaded through the bottom plate ring and the lock is then engaged, thereby locking the lid to the bin.
In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the lock 108, is a padlock, though other types of locks (e.g., dead bolt locks, combination locks, magnetic locks, etc.) may be utilized in alternative embodiments of the invention. In an example embodiment of the invention, the lock may be composed of a non-corrosive material to increase its weather resistant capabilities.
A stop piece 402 is also included in the lock configuration of FIG. 4. The stop piece 402 prevents the threaded portion of the lock 108 from being push any higher. Therefore, in the example embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the stop piece 402, along with the positioning of the top plate rings 406 and lock cover 106, prevent the removal of the lock. Thus, the lock can only be engaged and disengaged from the bottom plate 408 through the bottom plate ring 410. An example embodiment of the connections of the components of the locking mechanism configuration to the lid and/or the front sidewall of the bin of the outdoor storage device is shown in FIG. 5, described below.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the locking mechanism configuration included on a beach storage device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the attachment means (e.g., screws, self-tapping screws, etc.) of the top and bottom plates 404 and 408, to the lid and bin, respectively are configured such that the attachment are accessible only from the inside of the outdoor storage device. The top plate rings 406 and bottom plate rings may also be attached to their respective plates in the same way. Moreover, the top plate 404 and/or bottom plate 408 may be double-plated, as shown in FIG. 5, for added support and security. In an alternative embodiment, once the plates are attached to the bin and/or lid, the attachments means may be rendered in accessible such that the bin and/or lid would have to be destroyed in order to remove part of the locking mechanism (e.g., the plates, rings, lock, lock cover, etc.). Such a configuration may provide added security to the lock.
FIG. 6 is an anchor bolt 602 utilized as part of an anchoring system of a beach storage device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. In example embodiments of the invention, the anchor bolt 602 may be made of stainless steel or other non-corrosive or corrosive resistant metal. Other materials may also be used. As shown in FIG. 6, the anchor bolt 602 is pushed or threaded through the recessed anchor mounting hole 306 and a nut 604 and a washer 606 are used to attach and tighten the anchor bolt 602 from the inside of the bin of the outdoor storage device. This configuration allows the bin to become flush with the ground surface as well as make it more difficult for wind, water, thieves or vandals unearth, disconnect or break the anchor bolt(s) 602. Alternative attachment/fastener means to the nut 604 and washer 606 configuration shown in FIG. 4 appreciable by one of ordinary skill in the art may also be used to connect and/or tighten the anchor bolt 602 to the outdoor storage device.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example method of manufacturing an outdoor storage device in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention. As show in FIG. 7, the method of manufacturing an outdoor storage device includes step 702 providing a bin. In an example embodiment of the invention, the bin may include two or more sidewalls. Step 704 of the manufacturing process provides a perforated bottom plate attached to a bottom portion of the bin. The perforated bottom plate may include a plurality of recessed anchor mounting holes. Step 706 provides a lid. In an example embodiment of the invention the rear side of the lid is attached to a back portion of the bin by one or more hinges. Step 708 provides a locking mechanism that is attached to a top plate. In an example embodiment of the invention, the top plate is attached to the lid and engagable with a bottom plate that is attached to a front portion of the bin. In alternative embodiments of the invention, he order of these manufacturing steps may be rearranged. Moreover, in alternative embodiments of the invention the individual steps described in FIG. 7 may be broken down into smaller steps.
Many other modifications and additional features will also become evident in view of the preceding description of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It should be appreciated that many features and aspects of the invention are described above by way of example only and are therefore not intended to be interpreted as required or essential elements of the invention, unless so stated. Accordingly, the foregoing relates only to certain embodiments of the invention and numerous changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.
