PORTABLE TACK ROOM

Abstract

A portable tack room, including a method to make the same, commonly used in a typical horse trailer. The portable tackroom is a storage system made of a first vertical element having a first edge, a second edge, and a surface. The first edge of the first vertical element is removably attached to a second vertical element. The second edge of the first vertical element is attached to at least one rolling element. This storage system permits an organized and portable space to keep articles related to equine activity in a gooseneck trailer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to copending U.S. Provisional Application entitled, “PORTABLE TACK ROOM,” having Ser. No. 60/802,589, filed May 23, 2006, which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention generally relates to storage and organizing system, and particularly to a storage and organizing system applied to equine activities and hobbies.

BACKGROUND

There are many types of trailers, both large and small, available for transporting horses. These trailers may be mobile on their own or could be towed by an automobile. Typically, a pick-up truck tows a horse trailer. A common style of a horse trailer is of the commonly-known “gooseneck” configuration. The “gooseneck” is a narrow, elongated extension of the box-like structure of the main body of the trailer. The “gooseneck” portion serves many purposes, such as accommodating the neck and the head of the horse(s) standing inside the trailer, providing a point of support and attachment of the trailer to the towing vehicle, usually the bed of a pick-up truck, and a storage space for equipment and accessories related to the equine activities and hobbies.

A tack room is a space in the horse trailer where bridles, saddles, accessories, supplies, and other equipment, is kept. In a “gooseneck”-style trailer, the tack room is usually close to the “gooseneck” portion at the front of the trailer. Built-in or walk-in tack rooms are relatively expensive. Without a tack room, a person just heaps various items on the floor of the trailer, the towing vehicle, or the floor of the “gooseneck” portion. Articles stored in this manner can be disorganized, exposed to the elements, and/or unsafe to the occupants, both animal and human, of a moving or stopped trailer.

Therefore, a need exists to address the aforementioned shortcoming and disadvantage.

SUMMARY

The present invention is related to a portable tack room, for example, as used in a typical horse trailer. A storage system is provided, which is made of a first vertical element having a first edge, a top edge, a second edge having a width, and a surface. The first edge of the first vertical element is removably attached to a second vertical element. The second edge of the first vertical element is attached to at least one rolling element, such as a castor. A cover is pivotably attached to the second edge of the first vertical element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage system in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the storage system, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the storage system, of double rack style, in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the storage system, of three-fourths rack style, in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the storage system, installed on a door outside a trailer, in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the storage system, illustrated with an open cover, installed on a door outside a trailer, in accordance with the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the storage system, illustrated with an arc of a track to guide a wheel supporting the storage system, in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A is a front view of the storage system, illustrated with a straight track to guide a set of wheels supporting the storage system, in accordance with an exemplary sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a close-up view of the storage system, in accordance with the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a wheel in a track.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the drawings, like reference numerals indicate like structures in the various embodiments. For example, the reference numeral 145 indicates a lid on the storage bin 140 of the first embodiment of a storage system 100 shown in FIG. 1. In the second embodiment, i.e., the storage system 200, the reference numeral 245 indicates a lid on the storage bin 240.

FIG. 1 depicts the first exemplary embodiment of the storage system 100. The storage system 100 is shown installed inside a gooseneck trailer commonly used for transporting horses, wherein the storage system 100 is located within a gooseneck area 185 of the gooseneck trailer. The gooseneck area 185 is shown having a top portion that is a semicircular arch. A first vertical element 110 of the storage system 100 has a first edge 105, a top edge 102, a second edge 115 having a width W, and a front surface 116 of the vertical element. The first edge 105 of the first vertical element 110 is removably attached to a second vertical element 112 which may be a side wall of the gooseneck trailer or another type of transportable enclosure. Alternately, the second vertical element 112 may be attached to a trailer. The removable attachment of the first vertical element 110 may be achieved by a hinge 180. FIG. 1 shows a pair of hinges 180. The second edge 115 of the first vertical element 110 is attached to at least one rolling element 130. A cover 120 may optionally be pivotably attached to the second edge 115 of the first vertical element 110 through a suitable hinge. The cover 120 could also be attached to an object, in the present case, the storage bin 140 attached to the first vertical element 110. Specifically, the cover 120 may prevent access to the storage system 100 for protection of items stored thereon or therein.

For a person having ordinary skill in the art, the storage bin 140 may be synonymous with a tack box. One or more holding objects 190 are attached to the front surface 116 of the first vertical element 110. The holding objects 190 may be in various shapes and sizes, such as, hooks or capstans. Some of such shapes and sizes have been shown in FIG. 1. A platform 155, usable for placing a hat, for example, may also be attached to the surface of the first vertical element 110. The storage system 100 may include a step 150 attached to the first vertical element 110. In many cases, the step 150 may be in the form of a step stool.

The storage bin 140 may be attached to the front surface 116 of the first vertical element 110. A lid 145 may be attached to the storage bin 140. Further, the cover 120 is pivotably attached to the storage bin 140 through hinge 170. FIG. 1 shows a pair of hinges 170. The cover 120 may be configured to latch in a given position of a partly closed or a partly open state.

As the storage system 100 finds application in equine activity, a fully loaded storage system 100 may become fairly heavy. Some mechanism to help move the storage system 100, to a desirable angle, on the hinge 180, may be preferable. An example of such a mechanism may be a position actuator element having a range of sophistication in design. The position actuator element may be able to latch the first vertical element 110 in a desired position so that a user may position the first vertical element 110 conveniently and stably. The position actuator element is attached to the first vertical element 110 and may be manual or power driven. FIG. 1 shows a simple example where a position actuator element is a push-pull pole 160, which may be tucked in an appropriate recess.

The storage system 100 of FIG. 1 is shown with a single rack. In other words, a single rack is similar to a single-leaf door.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the storage system 100, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The storage system 100 is located within the gooseneck area 185. The first vertical element 110 having a top edge 102, resting on the rolling element 130, is attached via the hinges 180. Several holding objects 190 are also shown. The step 150 and platform 155 are illustrated. The storage bin 140 has the lid 145 and the push-pull pole 160 is shown in the recess on the storage bin 140. The cover 120 is shown attached to the storage bin 140 through hinge 170. In FIG. 2, the cover 120 is shown in an open position resting on the floor of the gooseneck trailer.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, i.e., storage system 200. Again, the storage system 200 is located within a gooseneck area 285. The storage system 200 may have many racks. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment with two racks, or an embodiment of a double-rack style. The first vertical element 210 is shown with two racks. Holding objects 290 are shown on both racks. The first vertical element 210 is removably attached to the second vertical element (not shown here) via hinges 282 and hinges 280. The second vertical element may be a side wall of the gooseneck trailer or another type of a transportable enclosure. Alternately, the second vertical element may be attached to a trailer.

In FIG. 3, each of the two racks has been shown with its own storage bin. For the rack on the left, there is storage bin 240 having a lid 245. The push-pull pole 265 and 260 are also shown in their respective recesses. The rack on the left is resting on rolling elements 235 and the rack on the right is resting on the rolling elements 230. The rack on the right contains a storage bin 252 having a lid 254.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of a storage system 300, which is a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Again, the storage system 300 is located within a gooseneck area 385. The storage system 300 features a first vertical element 310 having a width more than half of the width of a trailer but less than the width of the trailer. Stated differently, width b of the second edge 315 is less than a breadth bg of a gooseneck area 385. In equine arts, such a storage system is termed as a “three-fourths” rack. Similar to the first and the second embodiments, FIG. 4 shows hinges 380, holding objects 390, storage bin 340, lid 345, push-pull pole 360, and roller elements 330.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a storage system 400, installed on a door outside a trailer, in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A cover 420, having a handle 495, is shown in a closed position. The storage system 400 has a first vertical element 410 (FIG. 6) having a first edge 405 (FIG. 6) and a surface. The first edge 405 (FIG. 6) of the first vertical element 410 (FIG. 6) is removably attached to a second vertical element 412 via hinges 480. The second vertical element 412 could be a door of a trailer. The cover 420 may be attached pivotably to the first edge 405 (FIG. 6) of the first vertical element 410 (FIG. 6) via hinges 480. Alternately, the cover 420 may be attached, via a separate set of hinges, to the second vertical element 412.

FIG. 6 shows more details of the storage system 400 of FIG. 5 with the cover 420 in an open state. The cover 420 may include a mirror 425. A tack box 442 is shown at the top of the first vertical element 410. Holding objects 490 and platform 455 are also shown. A storage bin 440 with a lid 445 is shown attached at the bottom of the first vertical element 410. A second edge 415 of the first vertical element 410 is shown with a dashed line. A push-pull pole 460 is attached in a recess.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a storage system 600, installed on a first track located within a gooseneck area, in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For clarity, FIG. 7 only illustrates the areas relevant to describe the fifth embodiment. For example, the holding objects are not shown in FIG. 7. A first vertical element 610, a first edge 605, a second edge 615, and a hinge 680 are also shown. A rolling element 630 is shown supported by a first track 654. The first track 655 could be in many shapes, such as but not limited to, an arcuate track or a straight track.

FIG. 8A is a front view of a storage system 700, in accordance with a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, that is also located within a gooseneck area. For clarity, FIG. 8 only illustrates the areas relevant to describe the sixth embodiment. As in some earlier embodiments, a second edge 715 is attached to at least one rolling element 730 supported by a first track 757. The storage system 700 has a top edge 702 attached to at least one wheel 732 supported by a second track 756.

FIG. 8B is a close-up view of the storage system 700, in accordance with the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a rolling element 730 in a first track 757. The rolling element 730 is shown attached to a partly-shown first vertical element 710.

A method of making the present system includes: providing a first vertical element having a first edge, a second edge, and a surface; removably attaching the first edge of the first vertical element to a second vertical element; attaching the second edge of the first vertical element to at least one rolling element, such as a castor; pivotably attaching a cover to the second edge of the first vertical element; and attaching the second vertical element to a trailer.

It should be noted that in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the features of the present system may be provided on a gate that is typically provided within a gooseneck trailer to prevent anyone or anything from accessing the gooseneck area. As is known in the art, a gate is typically attached to a portion of the gooseneck area, so as to provide capability of closing the gooseneck area from access. By placing the features of the present system on a backside of the gate, the features provided by the present system may be provided on a device that is already a portion of a gooseneck trailer.

While the present invention has been shown herein and described in what are presently thought to be the most preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to a person having an ordinary skill in the art that many modifications may be made thereof within the scope of the invention. Such scope of the invention is to be given the broadest interpretation of the claims that follow so as to disclose all equivalent structures and methods.

Claims

1. A storage system, comprising:

a first vertical element having a first edge, a top edge, a second edge having a width, and a front surface;

the first edge of the first vertical element is removably attached to a second vertical element; and

the second edge of the first vertical element is attached to at least one rolling element.

2. The storage system of claim 1, further comprising a cover that is pivotably attached to the second edge of the first vertical element.

3. The storage system of claim 2, wherein the cover is configured to latch in a desired position.

4. The storage system of claim 2, wherein the cover is pivotably attached to the second vertical element.

5. The storage system of claim 2, wherein the cover is pivotably attached to an object attached to the first vertical element.

6. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the second vertical element is attached to a trailer.

7. The storage system of claim 1, wherein at least one holding object is attached to the front surface of the first vertical element.

8. The storage system of claim 1, wherein a storage bin is attached to the front surface of the first vertical element.

9. The storage system of claim 8, wherein a lid is attached to the storage bin.

10. The storage system of claim 1, wherein a tack box is attached to the front surface of the first vertical element.

11. The storage system of claim 1, wherein at least one position actuator element is attached to the first vertical element.

12. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the position actuator element is a push-pull pole.

13. The storage system of claim 11, wherein the position actuator element is configured to latch the first vertical element in a desired position.

14. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the first vertical element comprises a single rack.

15. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the first vertical element comprises a plurality of racks.

16. The storage system of claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of racks is removably attached to the second vertical element.

17. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the width of the second edge is less than a breadth of a gooseneck area.

18. The storage system of claim 1, wherein at least one step is attached to the first vertical element.

19. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the at least one rolling element is supported by a first track.

20. The storage system of claim 1, wherein the top edge is attached to at least one wheel supported by a second track.

21. A storage system, comprising:

a first vertical element having a first edge and a front surface,

the first edge of the first vertical element being removably attached to a second vertical element; and

a cover pivotably attached to the first edge of the first vertical element.

22. A method of providing a storage system, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a first vertical element having a first edge, a second edge, and a front surface;

removably attaching the first edge of the first vertical element to a second vertical element;

attaching the second edge of the first vertical element to at least one rolling element; and

pivotably attaching a cover to the second edge of the first vertical element.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the method further includes a step of attaching the second vertical element to a trailer.