Telescopic container
Devices are disclosed for telescopic containers. In one example embodiment, a device for a telescopic container includes a first portion having a top surface connected to a bottom surface by one or more sides. Further, the device includes a second portion also having a top surface connected to a bottom surface by one or more sides. Further still, the device includes more than one telescopic units, which are located on the top and bottom surfaces of the first and second portions, that expandably connect both the first top surface to the second top surface and the second bottom surface to the second bottom surface. Whether rectangular or wheel shaped, for example, the container may store items in a contracted state, and, in an expanded state, the container transforms into a working surface with an increased surface area as compared to the container in its contracted state.
The invention generally relates to a container, and, in particular, such with a dual capacity to store items in a contracted state of the container and serve as a mobile work area in an expanded state of the container.
BACKGROUNDContainers are commonplace in both residential and commercial environments. In either environment, as is well known, containers are used to store and ship a wide variety of items. The identity of the specific items for containing oftentimes dictates, or at least suggests, a suitable substance for a particular container. For instance, although containers may be constructed from wood, plastic, metal, or countless other substances, fireworks, marine airguns and weapons may be preferably contained in containers constructed of different substances, each of which provide the necessary sturdiness and containment requirements, such as aerobicness and humidity, en route or during stationary storage for the containments.
Problems exist, however, when one wishes to use items removed from their containers. Using the aforementioned containments as examples, a work space must be found or constructed in order to use the fireworks, marine airguns or weapons. If a work space must be found, this may require transporting the containments to distant locations as well as possibly requiring additional containers for this transporting to the work space; this adds costs and time before ultimate use of the containments. If a work space must be constructed, this requires materials, costs, and time before ultimate use of the containments.
Accordingly, in light of the example, above-identified problems, a need, therefore, exists that combine containment and a work space in one device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn one example embodiment, a telescopic container is disclosed that may be made from various substances, such as metal, wood, plastics, or any other material found suitably sturdy for storing and shipping items as well as providing a work area on its surfaces. The telescopic container includes a first portion having a top surface connected to a bottom surface by one or more sides. Further, the telescopic container includes a second portion also having a top surface connected to a bottom surface by one or more sides. Further still, the telescopic container includes more than one telescopic unit, which are located on the top and bottom surfaces of the first and second portions, that expandably connect both the first top surface to the second top surface and the second bottom surface to the second bottom surface. Whether rectangular or wheel-shaped, for example, the container may store items in a contracted state, and, in an expanded state, the container transforms into a working surface with an increased surface area as compared to the container in its contracted state. In additional example embodiments, each of the telescopic units may contain a restraining mechanism so as to prevent complete separation of the first portion from the second portion.
So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
The following is a detailed description of example embodiments of the invention depicted with assistance and reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are examples and are in such detail as to clearly communicate the invention. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. The detailed descriptions below are designed to make such embodiments obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
Generally speaking, devices for telescopic containers are contemplated. By “telescopic” is meant extensible or compressible by or as if by the sliding of overlapping sections. In a fully contracted state, the telescopic container operates as containers ordinarily do, i.e., to house items of any kind of goods for storage and/or shipping. The disclosed telescopic containers, however, also have one or more telescopic units that allow the telescopic containers to expand, and thereby, provide a larger surface area that may be used for the contained goods or other goods, such as a deployment work surface area.
Referring now to
Although the fully contracted telescopic container 100 shows a bisector 110 that divides the telescopic container 100 in two portions, namely a first portion 115 and a second portion 120, of the same size, the disclosed telescopic container 100 could also be divided into two non-equal portions that are not depicted herein, but easily imagined. Looking at
Turning now to
A final attribute shown in
Moving on to
Referring now to
Now, turning to
While the foregoing is directed to example embodiments of the disclosed invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. For example, male portions comprising pipes of selected diameter could be affixed to both the first portion and the second portion of telescopic containers 100 or 175. The two male portions could then be interconnected by a single female portion comprising a pipe or rod of slightly smaller diameter than the two male portions inserted within the two male portions. By drilling holes through the resulting pipe assembly at various intervals, locking pins could be inserted. The separation between the first portion and the second portion of the container can then be secured with the locking pins from fully extended to fully closed, at intervals defined by the holes. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow.
Claims
1. A telescopic container, comprising:
- a first portion having a first top surface connected to a first bottom surface by one or more first sides;
- a second portion having a second top surface connected to a second bottom surface by one or more second sides;
- more than one telescopic units, located on the top and bottom surfaces, expandably connecting both the first top surface to the second top surface and the second bottom surface to the second bottom surface;
- whereby expanding the telescopic container increases its surface area and results in a work surface, and fully contracting the telescopic container results in an enclosed box for housing one or more items therein.
2. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein the telescopic container has a rectangular shape, and, as a result, each of the portions has three sides.
3. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein the telescopic container has a wheel shape, and, as a result, each of the portions has one side.
4. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein the first portion is a same size as the second portion.
5. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein the first portion is larger than the second portion.
6. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein the telescopic container has a range of positions from a fully contracted state to a fully expanded state.
7. The telescopic container of claim 1, further comprising a securing mechanism having a first part located on one of the one or more first sides and a second part located on one of the one or more second sides, whereby the securing mechanism provides the telescopic container with enclosure support in a fully contracted state.
8. The securing mechanism of claim 7, wherein the securing mechanism comprises a latch.
9. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein the telescopic container in a fully contracted state has a capacity to house the one or more items.
10. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein the telescopic container in an expanded state has a capacity to provide a work surface area with increased surface area as compared to the telescopic container in a fully contracted state.
11. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein each of the more than one telescopic units comprises a male portion on the first portion for movable adjustment in a female portion on the second portion.
12. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein each of the more than one telescopic units comprises a portion on the first portion for movable adjustment in a grooved portion on the second portion.
13. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein each of the more than one telescopic units is integrally connected to the top and bottom surfaces.
14. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein each of the more than one telescopic units has portions affixed to the top and bottom surfaces.
15. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein each of the more than one telescopic units further comprises a restraining mechanism to prevent complete separation of the first portion from the second portion
16. The restraining mechanism of claim 15, wherein each of the more than one telescopic units comprises a male portion, having a T-shape and integrally connected to the first portion, for movable adjustment in a female portion on the second portion, wherein an upper bar shape of the T-shape is larger than a width of the female portion, and, thereby, preventing complete separation of the first portion from the second portion.
17. The telescopic container of claim 1, wherein the telescopic container comprises one or more substances.
18. The telescopic container of claim 17, wherein the one or more substances comprises metal.
19. The telescopic container of claim 17, wherein the one or more substances comprises plastic.
20. The telescopic container of claim 17, wherein the one or more substances comprises wood.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 11, 2007
Publication Date: Oct 16, 2008
Inventors: Arne Vatn (Oslo), Jeroen Hoogeveen (Bekkestua)
Application Number: 11/786,137