Storage Device and methods of assembling and Utilizing the Same
A one piece storage device that is automatically deployed and collapsible using an actuator which can be a remote device. The device comprises a frame structure comprising a multiplicity of interconnected rods that form a three dimensional structure.
This application is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/251,348 filed Oct. 14, 2005, which claims priority of U.S. Patent Application No. 60/618,705 filed on Oct. 14, 2004 both applications of which are herein incorporated by reference. This is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 12/290,042.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNot Applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIXNot Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods, apparatus and products for storing goods and methods of assembling and utilizing such apparatus and products.
2. Description of the Related Art
Oftentimes it is desirable to use a storage device to protect, store and preserve items of everyday living, in the presence of inclement or dangerous (i.e. rising water, flooding, etc.) weather or likewise provide shelter for humans and protect, store and preserve food, goods and vehicles. There is a wide variety of coverings, bags, tents, refrigerated enclosures, insulated enclosures and systems and methods for sheltering, protecting and storing items with regard to the aforementioned conditions. However, none of the previous applications for those conditions provide a versatile device to address the various storage needs or environmental conditions. Each application offers a specialized storing function unique within itself. Another obstacle is the laborious effort necessary to make or deploy the storage device or shelter and difficulty of transporting and handling due to weight or apparatus complexity needed to assemble or both. Yet another problem is time frames, the protective shield offered by the prior art is not ruggedized and lacks adequate strength or stability leading to loss of integrity allowing undesirable atmospheric conditions to encroach the confining limits of the protective shield. The encroaching atmospheric conditions threaten the storage device's ability to protect, store and preserve items and provide shelter for humans in the presence of the various storage needs or environmental conditions.
In view of the foregoing, it would be an advancement in the art to provide a novel, lightweight, portable and rugged storage bag wherein the structure features a lightweight configured to framework which can be remotely and automatically mechanized and configured into a deployed structure creating a chamber of various lengths and sizes to store food, goods, vehicles or create a human shelter to address the various storage needs, weather or environmental conditions. Another advancement in the art would be to provide a storage device with a capability and adaptability to remotely store and control temperature to preserve items and provide adequate and comfortable human shelter as composite product or while employed for separate uses or purposes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one embodiment there is provided a frame having at least a portion of the frame encompassed by a covering, wherein the frame comprises a multiplicity of rods configured into a three dimensional mechanism structure having a floor, a roof, a front wall, a right side wall, a left side wall, and a back wall. The front wall, the right side wall, the left side wall, and the back wall extend upward and connect to the roof defining a chamber therein. A releasable fastener is affixed to the front wall to allow opening of said chamber for ingress to said chamber and egress from said chamber.
According to another embodiment there is provided a method of assembling a storage device. The method includes interlocking a multiplicity of rods with fasteners configured into a three dimensional mechanism, wherein a chamber is defined by a covering encompassing a mechanism having a releasable fastener affixed to a front wall of the chamber; and connecting an actuator to the mechanism, wherein the actuator is connected to an electronic signal receiver.
According to even another embodiment there is provided a method of operating a storage device, wherein the device comprises a three dimensional mechanism encompassed by a covering to define a chamber therein, wherein said chamber is suitable for an opening in front of said device. Operating the device comprises the steps of opening the chamber, positioning items within the interior of the chamber to allow the diffusion of a flowing fluid element, closing the chamber and monitoring temperature of the chamber with temperature alert lighted solution strips on the exterior of the covering.
For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to
More specifically chamber 20 is defined by a front wall 27, back wall 28, floor 29, left wall 30, right wall 31 and roof 32. Front wall 27 may further include a window 35 mounted into front wall 27. Window 35 may be made of a made of a non-transparent, semi-transparent or transparent material should it be desirable to view the contents in chamber 20. Window 35 may be made of glass, acrylic, plastic or another suitable material. Additionally, front wall 27 may be adapted with automatic signal transmitter 75 for deployment or collapsing of device 5. As shown, fastener 38 may be affixed along the peripheral edges of the front wall 27. By way of example, a zipper is affixed along the perimeter edges of the front wall 27. As shown on
Affixed at each corner of structure 10 are loops 40 for attaching securing member 41 and appendage 42 to loops 40. Appendage 42 when fastened to some anchorage prevents device 5 from drifting when influenced by wind or rising water. Appendage 42 may be an anchor, a hook, a spiral, a stake, or any non-limiting suitable appendage for the desired application. As shown, in
Covering 15 (shown on
In some situations, where it may be desired to secured device 5 in placer any non-limiting suitable securing member may be used, a tie down strap, a lock, latches, wire, rope, chains, tether or any non-limiting suitable securing member to attach to loops 40 or any non-limiting suitable appendage for the desired application.
Referring now to
Covering 15 is arranged in tension around structure 10 to encompass mechanism 46 defining chamber 20 by front wall 27, back wall 28, floor 29, left wall 30, right wall 31 and roof 32. Loops 40 are affixed to each lower corner of structure 10 for securing device 5 in place. Illustrated on
Illustrated on
Referring now to
Referring to
As shown in
Additionally, as shown in
To automatically deploy storage device (5) and other accessories, sensors are mounted on the outer covering, inner covering or multiplicity of rods and are in electronic communication with remote device.
As shown in
As shown in
Claims
1) A storage device for protecting contents comprising:
- a frame having at least a portion of said frame encompassed by a covering, wherein said frame comprises a multiplicity of interconnected rods configured into a three dimensional structure having a floor, a roof; a front wall, a right side wall, a left side wall, and a back wall, wherein said front wall, said right side wall, said left side wall, and said back wall connect to said roof and extend upward and meet said roof defining a chamber therein;
- the structure configured to collapsed into a storage unit assembly for easy transportation and storage;
- the structure configured to deploy from the storage unit assembly into the three dimensional structure; and
- a releasable fastener affixed to said front wall, back wall, left wall and/or right wall to allow opening of said chamber for ingress to said chamber and egress from said chamber;
- and an outer covering encompassing at least a portion of the structure.
2) The device of claim 1 further comprising a window mounted to said front wall back wall, left wall and/or right wall wherein said window is made of a non-transparent, semi-transparent or transparent material of the group consisting of glass, acrylic or plastic.
3) The device of claim 1 further comprising anchoring loops affixed to said frame for securing said device in place.
2) The device of claim 1 wherein said structure is a mechanism that fully deploys and fully collapses into a one-piece unit.
3) The device of claim 1 further comprising an outlet port mounted to said back wall, front wall, left wall and/or right wall thereof for discharging fluids from said chamber.
4) The device of claim 1 wherein said structure is automated for deploy[ing] ment of through an actuator.
5) The device of claim 5 wherein said the actuator is cooperatively associated with an electronic signal receiver for said device to configure said structure between a fully deployed position and a fully collapsed position.
6) The device of claim 1 further comprising a power inlet connection externally mounted to said any wall wherein said power inlet connection is in electrical communication with a power generator.
7) The device of claim 1 wherein said front wall, said right wall, said left wall and said back wall further comprises temperature alert lighted solution strips for monitoring temperature within said chamber.
8) A method for assembling a storage device for protecting contents comprising the steps of:
- providing a three dimensional structure defined by a floor, a roof, a front wall, a right side wall, a left side wall, and a back wall, wherein said front wall, said right side wall, said left side wall, and said back wall connect to said roof and extend upward and meet said roof defining a chamber therein;
- providing a releasable fastener connected to said front wall, back wall, left wall and/or right wall of said chamber to allow opening of said chamber for ingress to said chamber and egress from said chamber;
- providing a multiplicity of interconnected rods interlocked that configures into said three dimensional structure;
- providing a covering, wherein said covering encompasses at least a portion of said structure; and
- providing an actuator to said structure for fully deploying and fully collapsing said structure.
9) The device of claim 1 wherein the storage unit assembly further comprises a base platform that supports the structure thereto when said structure is in a collapse state.
10) The device of claim 1 wherein the storage unit assembly of claim 9 further comprises a plurality of leg members attached underneath the base platform above ground level.
11) The device of claim 9 wherein the leg members are adjustable to support the structure above ground level.
12) The device of claim 9 wherein the base platform further comprises a compartment that contains a floatation device therein for deployment to support the structure upon the water.
13) The device of claim 1 wherein the base platform further comprises:
- an outer surrounding perimeter with a chamber therein for receiving a plurality of rod cases;
- each rod case contains a plurality of telescoping rod which are in communication with the actuator;
- when activated each rod case opens and provides a staging platform for each rod to telescope into a desired shape, extension and position; and each rod interconnected with supporting members allowing the structure to fully deploy.
14) The device of claim 1 wherein the chamber further comprises:
- a configuration to support several accessories from the group consisting of a food preparation mechanism, laundry mechanism, toilet mechanism and bathing mechanism;
15) The device of claim 1 wherein the structure further comprises an inner covering which expands against the structure wherein an internal chamber is form.
16) The device of claim 1 wherein the structure further comprises multiple storage devices interconnected between opened left and right walls wherein the releasable fasteners are cooperatively and securely engaged with each other.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 24, 2011
Publication Date: Jul 5, 2012
Inventor: Lee Bernard (Houston, TX)
Application Number: 13/280,201
International Classification: E04B 1/343 (20060101); E04H 1/00 (20060101);