Portable locker device
A portable locker appartus is disclosed comprising four rigid side wall structures, a rigid back wall structure and a rigid door structure with a locking mechanism that allows the apparatus to be secured by its user while allowing substantial airflow into and through the locker apparatus.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of locking storage devices. In particular, the invention relates to portable locking storage devices designed to secure an individual's belongings in a common area.
2. Description of Related Art
The problem of providing a practical, secure storage area in a small space that is open to many people such as a common refrigerator in an office or work area has defied a practical solution. The prior art consists largely of devices that are complicated, heavy, difficult to use, or require significant customization.
The present invention overcomes these problems, providing a simple, lightweight, portable, locking storage device that can be used in a wide variety of settings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is a portable locker appartus comprising four rigid side wall structures and a rigid back wall structure, a rigid door structure, a first locking mechanism on said door structure and a second locking mechanism one of said side structures, wherein said first and second locking mechanism fit together in locking engagement, wherein said apparatus is constructed to allow substantial airflow into and through the locker apparatus. In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second locking mechanisms comprise a combination lock. In another embodiment of the invention, the first and second locking mechanisms comprise a lock operated by a key. In one embodiment of the invention, the side wall structures are interchangeable, and in one embodiment the side wall structures, said back wall structure, and said door structure are substantially flat.
In one embodiment, the side wall structures include projections that fit into complementary recesses in the adjacent side wall structure. In one embodiment, the door structure opens by pivoting through an arc up to 90 degrees about a point near one edge of the door structure and may be fixed in an open position to form a shelf.
The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Descriptions of specific embodiments or applications are provided only as examples. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.
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To attach the side structures 102 and/or the back structure 104 of the portable locker device together, the edges of adjacent structures are first aligned. The male portion 110 of one or more of the snap fit mechanisms 108 is aligned between the two female portions 122 and pressed in. The tapered leading edges 120 of the male portion engage the complimentary angled leading edges 128 of the female portion, spreading the two female portions apart until the head 116 of the male portion passes beyond the heads 126 of the two female portions. The two female portions then snap back into their original position, locking the male portion of the snap fit mechanism in place.
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In an exemplary embodiment, the number of snap fit mechanisms 108 on any particular structure may vary, but the spacing of the snap fit mechanisms remains constant to allow interchangeability.
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The locking door structure 106 is attached to the side structures 102 such that it can swing open. In an exemplary embodiment the door structure swings forward and down 180 degrees so that the opening of the portable locker device is maximized. Referring to
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the door structure 106 is attached to the right and left side structures 102 using small pins or other mechanisms that create a pivot point near the base of the door structure. The upper portion of the door structure is designed so that two small projections 142 from the sides of the door structure project outward. These two small projections engage two complimentary grooves or notches in the side structures to hold the door in a closed position. With the door held in position the user can latch the clasp into the lock with only one hand leaving the other free to hold the contents previously removed from the invention.
The door structure 106 also has a locking mechanism 144 positioned on either the top, right or left side. A complimentary mechanism 146 is positioned on the outside surface of one of the side structures 102 such that the two locking mechanisms can connect in locking engagement, locking the door structure 106 closed. The locking mechanism may be operated by any means, including a standard combination or keyed lock.
In an exemplary embodiment, one or all of the four side structures 102 are identical and interchangeable. One or more of the side structures 102 and/or back structure 104 may include a structure to facilitate attachment of the portable locker device to an enclosure such as a refrigerator, or to another portable locker device. Such structure may include a hook, loop, D-ring, or other type of connecting structure.
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It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be constructed in a wide variety of sizes for use in different applications. For example, the locker device 100 can be sized to fit in a standard refrigerator to secure an individual's food or drink, to fit inside a cabinet such as a kitchen cabinet to secure poisonous or hazardous materials, to fit in a bathroom or other cabinet to secure medications or other similar materials. The locker device could also be placed on it's side or back panel to provide the user with the most convenient way to open the device based upon where it is being used at the time and the desired contents.
Claims
1. A portable locker appartus comprising:
- four rigid side wall structures and a rigid back wall structure;
- a rigid door structure;
- a first locking mechanism on said door structure and a second locking mechanism one of said side structures, wherein said first and second locking mechanism fit together in locking engagement;
- wherein said apparatus is constructed to allow substantial airflow into and through the locker apparatus.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second locking mechanisms comprise a combination lock.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first and second locking mechanisms comprise a lock operated by a key.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said side wall structures are interchangeable.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said side wall structures, said back wall structure, and said door structure are substantially flat.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said side wall structures include projections that fit into complementary recesses in the adjacent side wall structure.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said door structure opens by pivoting through an arc up to 90 degrees about a point near one edge of the door structure.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said door structure can be fixed in an open position to form a shelf.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said door structure is substantially flat to provide a suitable surface on which items can be placed.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 16, 2009
Publication Date: Oct 14, 2010
Inventor: Kevin Alan Tussy (Las Vegas, NV)
Application Number: 12/381,738
International Classification: B65D 55/14 (20060101); A47B 96/00 (20060101);