Outdoor storage container having hinged and removable lids
A multifunction storage container, for example, for outdoor use, is disclosed. The storage container includes at least one lid pivotably mounted to an end wall of the container and one or more removable centrally-positioned lids. The mounted and removable lids may function as covers for the storage container or may function as serving surfaces. In one aspect, the removable lid may be used as a serving tray. The container may be used for food or beverage storage and service and may also be used for storing articles, such as chair cushions or pool accessories. In one aspect, a hinge assembly is provided for pivotably mounting the lids. The container and hinge assembly may be made from wood, for example, cedar or teak, though other materials of construction may be used.
This application claims priority to and contains subject matter which is related to co-assigned U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/193,656, entitled “Storage Box”, filed Nov. 12, 2003 [attorney docket no. 2258.001], the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates, generally, to a storage container, more particularly, to a storage container having hinged lids mounted on both ends and a centrally-located removable lid.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe popularity of outdoor activity has promoted increased design and manufacture of outdoor furniture, for example, for use by the pool, near the slopes, or on the deck. Included among the types of outdoor furniture commonly available include storage containers, for example, supply cabinets, ice chests, and buffet tables, and the like. However, conventional storage containers are typically limited to a single function, for example, storage, and do not provide multiple functions. In addition, conventional storage containers do not facilitate use by the end user. Thus, there is a need in the art to provide multiple function storage containers that are versatile and provide ease of use.
Aspects of the present invention overcome these and other disadvantages of the prior art storage containers, in particular, prior art outdoor storage containers.
SUMMARY OF ASPECTS OF THE INVENTIONOne aspect of the present invention is a storage container including an enclosure having an open top, a bottom, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end; a first lid pivotally mounted to the first end, the first lid adapted to cover at least some of the open top; and at least one second lid detachably mounted between the first end and the second end, the second lid adapted to cover at least some of the open top. In one aspect of the invention, the storage container further includes a third lid pivotally mounted to the second end, the third lid adapted to cover at least some of the open top.
Another aspect of the invention is a hinge assembly for use with a storage container having a lid and an end panel, the lid having a though hole, the hinge assembly including at least one hinge block mountable to the end panel, the at least one hinge block having a through hole; and a circular rod adapted to engage the through hole in the at least one hinge block and engage the through hole in the lid; wherein the lid can freely rotate about the circular rod.
A further aspect of the invention is a liquid collector for a lid of a storage box, the liquid collector comprising: an elongated member having an elongated recess in the elongated member for collecting liquid and means for mounting the member to the lid wherein the elongated recess is positioned to collect liquid discharged from the lid.
Thus, aspects of the present invention provide improved storage containers, for example, improved storage containers for outdoor use. Aspects of the present invention combine the features of storage and serving in a single convenient and user-friendly container. Though aspects of the present invention are suitable for use outdoors, certain aspects of the present invention are also amenable to indoor use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURESThe subject matter that is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description of aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The details and scope of aspects of the present invention can best be understood upon review of the attached figures and their following descriptions.
As shown in
As shown in
In one aspect of the invention, second section 44 may comprise a rectangular or a semi-circular section, for example, a semi-circular projection on first section 42. Second section 44 may be radiused and have a radius 54 of between about 10 to 30 mm, for example, in one aspect of the invention, radius 54 may be about 18 mm. Through hole 46 may have a diameter of between about 5 mm and about 15 mm, for example, in one aspect of the invention, through hole 46 may have a diameter of about 10 mm. A geometric transition 56 may be provided between first section 42 and second section 44. Transition 56 may have a radius of between about 10 mm and about 30 mm, for example, in one aspect of the invention, transition 56 may have a radius of about 22 mm.
As shown in
Sections 42 and 44 may comprise an integral component made of one or more materials, as shown in
In one aspect of the invention, hinge block 30 may be made from laminated wood, for example, as shown in
Plate or board 70 may comprise an integral component made of one or more materials, as shown in
Liquid collector 40 may be mounted to a lid, for example, to lid 16, by mechanical fasteners, adhesives, or welding. In one aspect of the invention, liquid collector 40 may be mounted to a lid by means of one or more dowel pins 76 and one or more screws 78. Board or plate 70 may be provided with pre-drilled holes 77 to insert screws 78. For example, in the aspect of the invention shown in
According to one aspect of the invention, liquid collector 40 may have a length from between about 200 mm and about 1000 mm, for example, in one aspect of the invention, liquid collector 40 may be about 550 mm in length. According to one aspect of the invention, liquid collector 40 may have a width from between about 50 mm and about 500 mm, for example, in one aspect of the invention, liquid collector 40 may be about 70 mm in width. According to one aspect of the invention, liquid collector 40 may have a thickness from between about 5 mm and about 100 mm, for example, in one aspect of the invention, liquid collector 40 may be about 20 mm thick. The length and width of trough 72 will typically be a function of the length and width of plate or board 70. In one aspect of the invention, the length of trough 72 is typically about 90% of the length of board 70 and the width of trough 72 is about 50% of the width of board 70. In one aspect of the invention, where the length of board 70 is about 500 mm, the length of trough 72 may be about 450 mm, and where the width of board 70 is about 70 mm, the width of trough 72 may be about 35 mm.
The components of storage containers 10 and 110 may be made from any convenient structural material. The components of storage containers 10 and 110 may be metallic or non-metallic. In one aspect of the invention, the components of storage containers 10 and 110 may be metallic and be made from iron, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, or any other structural metal. In one aspect of the invention, the components of storage containers 10 and 110 may be made from plastic, for example, from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyester (PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), among other plastics.
In one aspect of the invention, the components of storage containers 10 and 110 may be made from wood, for example, hardwood, for instance, teak, birch, cherry, ash, oak, chestnut, aspen, maple, or eucalyptus; or softwood, for instance, spruce, fir, pine, cedar, juniper, hemlock, or other suitable woods. In one aspect of the invention, the components of storage containers 10 and 110 may be made from composite materials, for example, laminated wood-containing materials, or plywood. In one aspect, the components may be made from marine-grade plywood.
The components of storage containers 10 and 110 may be fabricated from unitary structures, such as single plates or boards, or they may be fabricated from component parts. For example, as shown in
Though there is no limit to the size of storage containers 10 and 110, in one aspect of the invention, storage containers 10 and 110 may have an overall length of between about 2 feet and about 12 feet, for example, in one aspect of the invention, storage containers 10 and 110 may have a length of about 5 feet. In one aspect of the invention, storage containers 10 and 110 may have a height of between about 1 foot and about 5 feet, for example, in one aspect of the invention, storage containers 10 and 110 may have a height of about 29 inches. In one aspect of the invention, storage containers 10 and 110 may have a width of between about 1 foot and about 5 feet, for example, in one aspect of the invention, storage containers 10 and 110 may have a width of about 24.5 inches.
As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, features, characteristics, and/or advantages of the storage containers described herein, may be applied and/or extended to any embodiment (for example, applied and/or extended to any portion thereof).
Although several aspects of the present invention have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
Claims
1. A storage container comprising:
- an enclosure having an open top, a bottom, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end;
- a first lid pivotally mounted to the first end, the first lid adapted to cover at least some of the open top; and
- at least one second lid detachably mounted between the first end and the second end, the second lid adapted to cover at least some of the open top.
2. The storage container as recited in claim 1, further comprising a third lid pivotally mounted to the second end, the third lid adapted to cover at least some of the open top.
3. The storage container as recited in claim 1, wherein the first end comprises a first end panel and wherein the first lid is pivotally mounted to the first end panel.
4. The storage container as recited in claim 2, wherein the first end comprises a first end panel and the second end comprises a second end panel, and wherein the first lid is pivotally mounted to the first end panel arid the third lid is pivotally mounted to the second end panel.
5. The storage container as recited in claim 1, wherein he first lid is adapted to be pivotally mounted into a horizontal position outside the open top of the enclosure.
6. The storage container as recited in claim 2, wherein at least one of the first lid and third lid are adapted to be pivotally mounted into a horizontal position outside the open top of the enclosure.
7. The storage container as recited in claim 6, wherein at least one of the first lid and second lid are adapted to be pivotally mounted in a vertical position outside the open top of the enclosure.
8. The storage container as recited in claim 2, wherein the first lid the second lid, and the third lid are adapted to substantially enclose the open top of the enclosure.
9. The storage container as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one removable sub-container positioned within the enclosure.
10. The storage container as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least detachably mounted second lid comprises a plurality of detachably mounted second lids.
11. A hinge assembly for use with a storage container having a lid and an end panel, the lid having a though hole, the hinge assembly comprising:
- at least one hinge block mountable to the end panel, the at least one hinge block having a through hole; and
- a circular rod adapted to engage the through hole in the at least one hinge block and engage the through hole in the lid, the circular rod having an axis;
- wherein the hinge assembly is adapted to allow rotation of the lid about the axis of the circular rod.
12. The hinge assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the hinge assembly is adapted to allow at least about 90 degrees of rotation of the lid about the circular rod.
13. The hinge assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the hinge assembly is adapted to allow at least about 180 degrees of rotation of the lid about the circular rod.
14. The hinge assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein the hinge assembly is adapted to allow at least about 270 degrees of rotation of the lid about the circular rod.
15. The hinge assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the hinge assembly further comprises means for supporting the lid in an open position.
16. The hinge assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the means for supporting the lid comprises means for supporting the lid in a substantially horizontal open position.
17. The hinge assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein the means for supporting the lid in a substantially horizontal open position comprises at least one compression member.
18. The hinge assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the at least one compression member comprises at least one of a rod, a stick, and a pole.
19. The hinge assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the at least one hinge block comprises at least two hinge blocks.
20. The hinge assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the storage container lid comprises at least one notch, and wherein the at least one hinge block is adapted to engage the at least one notch.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 6, 2004
Publication Date: Jul 7, 2005
Inventors: Irving Sabo (Milton, VT), Paul Marcus (Hopkinton, MA)
Application Number: 10/752,208