OUTDOOR FURNITURE WITH LOCKABLE COMPARTMENT
The present invention pertains to outdoor furniture that includes a lockable repository hidden in the furniture while maintaining an aesthetic appearance. The lockable repository is preferably secured with a hidden lock so as to camouflage the function of the repository. In some cases, the repository may have an angled internal panel to transfer valuables away from an opening and toward a retrieval/collection space. The lockable repository can be located between chairs, as part of a table or cabinet, and as a stand-alone unit.
The present invention is directed to outdoor patio furniture, and more particularly to a furniture set with a lockable compartment where the lock is preferably hidden from view when the compartment is closed.
Outdoor furniture, such as that traditionally referred to as patio furniture, tends to be made of lightweight materials such as wicker, bamboo, or other natural lightweight wood. Because they tend to be made of lightweight materials, they do not typically include security elements to retain valuables, deliveries, parcels, and the like. However, it would be beneficial to be able to use such outdoor furniture in a dual role as a security repository for various items. However, visible security measures such as overt locks and the like would invite the curiosity of thieves. The present invention is intended to meet the needs of the present state of the outdoor furniture and overcome the shortcomings of existing systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention pertains to outdoor furniture that includes at least one lockable repository hidden in the furniture while maintaining an aesthetic appearance. The lockable repository is preferably secured with a camouflaged or hidden lock so as to preserve the aesthetics and deter passerby interest in the repository. In some cases, the repository may have an angled internal panel to transfer valuables away from an opening and toward a retrieval/collection space accessed by another door. The lockable repository can be located between chairs, as part of a table or cabinet, and as a stand-alone unit.
These, and other features of the present invention, will best be understood with reference to the detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the figures described below.
A first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in
Claims
1. A lockable outdoor furniture set, comprising:
- a wicker chest formed of a woven elongate wood, the chest including a guide on an inner wall;
- a lid hinged to the wicker chest, the lid including a sector-shaped plate seated in the guide on the inner wall of the chest; and
- a lock disposed on the plate and engaging the wall to prevent the hinged lid from opening beyond a thirty degree angle with a horizontal plane when the lock is locked;
- wherein the lock is hidden when the lid is closed, and access to the lock is available when the lid is partially open.
2. The lockable outdoor furniture set of claim 1, further comprising a corner column connected to the wicker chest, the corner column comprising a wicker walls and a solid top.
3. The lockable outdoor furniture set of claim 2, further comprising a second wicker chest connected to the corner column to form an L-shaped unit.
4. The lockable outdoor furniture set of claim 3, wherein each wicker chest includes an aperture establishing a handhold at an upper edge of a front wall.
5. A lockable outdoor furniture set, comprising:
- a wicker column formed of a woven elongate wood, the chest including a guide on an inner wall;
- a lid hinged to the wicker column, the lid including a sector-shaped plate seated in the guide on the inner wall of the chest;
- a lock disposed on the sector-shaped plate and engaging the wicker column to prevent the lid from opening beyond a thirty degree angle with a horizontal plane when the lock is locked;
- an integral storage compartment extending horizontally from the wicker column at a first wall, the integral storage compartment and the wicker column forming a continuous inner volume; and
- an angled internal panel disposed below the lid and configured to divert an object dropped into the wicker column through the lid to the internal storage compartment;
- wherein the lock is hidden when the lid is closed, and access to the lock is available when the lid is partially open.
6. The lockable outdoor furniture set of claim 5, wherein the storage compartment has a lockable door for retrieving said object.
7. The lockable outdoor furniture set of claim 6, wherein the lockable door is a flip-up lockable door with a concealed lock when the flip-up lockable door is closed.
8. A lockable outdoor furniture set, comprising:
- a pair of spaced apart pair of chairs;
- a lockable storage box disposed between the pair of spaced apart chairs, the lockable storage box including a guide on an inner wall and a hinged lid hinged with a sector-shaped plate seated in the guide on the inner wall of the chest; and
- a lock disposed on the plate and engaging the wall to prevent the hinged lid from opening beyond a thirty degree angle with a horizontal plane when the lock is locked;
- wherein the lock is hidden when the lid is closed, and access to the lock is available when the lid is partially open.
9. A lockable outdoor furniture set, comprising:
- a plank supported by two boxes to form a bench, at least one of said boxes forming a lockable storage container including a guide on an inner wall and a hinged lid hinged with a sector-shaped plate seated in the guide on the inner wall of the lockable storage container; and
- a lock disposed on the plate and engaging the inner wall to prevent the hinged lid from opening beyond a thirty degree angle with a horizontal plane when the lock is locked;
- wherein the lock is hidden when the lid is closed, and access to the lock is available when the lid is partially open.
10. A lockable outdoor planter stand, comprising:
- a wicker body having first, second, and third wicker walls;
- a wicker door hinged at a bottom edge to the wicker body, the wicker door with a sector-shaped plate seated in the guide on an inner surface of the wicker body; and
- a lock disposed on the plate and engaging the inner surface to prevent the wicker door from opening beyond a thirty degree angle with a vertical plane when the lock is locked;
- wherein the lock is hidden when the wicker door is closed, and access to the lock is available when the lid is partially open.
11. A lockable outdoor filing cabinet, comprising:
- four wooden legs;
- first and second parallel wooden shelves mounted between the four wooden legs;
- a wooden top counter mounted on the four wooden legs;
- a first wooden file cabinet disposed between the first and second parallel shelves, and a second wooden file cabinet disposed between the first shelf and the wooden top; each wooden file cabinet including a key hole disposed on a side wall and a locking element inside the respective wooden file cabinet and accessible through the key hole to lock and unlock the file cabinets.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 17, 2019
Publication Date: Jun 17, 2021
Inventors: Iko Liu (Taiwan), Shopo Hsin Tsu Liu (Taiwan), Fibro Tsu Kun Liu (Singapore)
Application Number: 16/718,142