U.S. patent application number 11/288463 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-31 for inverting leak-proof floating container support.
Invention is credited to Charles Maxwell Wagenknecht, Samuel James Wagenknecht, Terry Lee Wagenknecht.
Application Number | 20070119853 11/288463 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38086443 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070119853 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wagenknecht; Charles Maxwell ;
et al. |
May 31, 2007 |
Inverting leak-proof floating container support
Abstract
A leak-proof, box-like, open-top, double-wall corrugated plastic
floating container support with a means of retaining at least 4
hingededly-mated triangular shape corner flaps 46 exteriorly
positioned to said container's cavity area 36 which retain and
cooperatingly support said container's structure and shape, while
also supporting said structure in a plurality of supporting roles
comprising gusset-like corner support properties, carrying
handle-like support properties, and aerodynamic rudder-like support
properties. Its multiplicity of uses may be best described as a
floating container support for human users and/or their objects,
and whether upon land or water. Its construction may be made
without a single completely through-cut or aperture made in its
initial rectangular and planar 40 shape of corrugated plastic
sheeting, and with only a nominal amount of weakened hinge line
folds 50,52, and with as few as 2 locations of retension 74
required, and within specific alternative embodiments, without a
need for any foreign material substrate or fastening material other
than its own material, and with no need for any physical change of
transforming alterations, other than a vertically directional
inverting of said floating container support's position.
Inventors: |
Wagenknecht; Charles Maxwell;
(Rockford, IL) ; Wagenknecht; Samuel James;
(Rockford, IL) ; Wagenknecht; Terry Lee;
(Rockford, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TERRY LEE WAGENKNECHT
6693 HEATHER LANE
ROCKFORD
IL
61114
US
|
Family ID: |
38086443 |
Appl. No.: |
11/288463 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/560 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2301/20 20130101;
B63B 7/02 20130101; B65D 81/36 20130101; B65D 5/244 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/560 |
International
Class: |
B65D 88/78 20060101
B65D088/78 |
Claims
1. An inverting leak-proof floating container support structure,
formed from a rectangular and planar double wall corrugated plastic
sheet substrate with elongate flute channels extending from one
elongate end of said substrate to an opposite end, and wherein said
container is formed via and comprising; (i) at least one or more
means of forming a plurality of weakened hinge lines; of which
portions of said plurality of weakened hinge lines are straight
and/or slightly curved, and which are continuous or serratingly
intermittent in their elongate length, and of which other portions
of said plurality of hinge lines are generally parallel to any one
or more of said rectangular sheet substrate's planar perimeter
edge(s), and wherein said portions are distanced from said edge(s)
to determine a wall's dimensional and vertical height, and of which
portions of said lines abut and/or intersect each other, and of
which portions may extend completely or not from one end to an
opposite end of said edge(s); and wherein other portions of said
plurality of weakened hinge lines extend inwardly from each corner
of said sheet substrate, and angularly to said substrate's planar
perimeter edge(s) until abutting and/or intersecting a closest said
generally parallel hinge line; and wherein and with an inward
folding of said walls and/or within areas of said substrate's
perimeter edges which are located between substrate's corners, said
angular lines cooperate with said portions of said parallel lines
to form; (ii) a plurality of exteriorly protruding hingededly-mated
triangular shape, gusset-like, handle-like, aerodynamic flaps; and
which are retained via; (iii) at least one or more means of
retension for retaining a planar surface of a first half of said
hingededly-mated flap abuttingly and/or parallelingly facing to a
planar surface of a second half of said hingededly-mated flap; and
which are retained in as few as; (iv) at least 2 or more locations
of said means of retension; and whereas said exteriorly retained
flaps provide a plurality of container supporting roles and/or a
human user and/or their objects supporting roles, and wherein upon
land or water; and whereby said plurality of roles comprises a
securement of said container's structural integrity, with said
gusset-like, handle-like, aerodynamic properties.
2. A container as in claim 1; whereas one said means to form said
plurality of weakened hinge lines are crimps made on one or both
planar surfaces of said substrate, wherein a weakening of one or
both walls of said double wall substrate results in leak-proof said
hinge lines.
3. A container as in claim 1; whereas one said means to form said
plurality of weakened hinge lines are slits cut through a first
planar wall of said double wall substrate, wherein a second planar
wall of said substrate remains a leak-proof planar surface with
resulting leak-proof said hinge lines.
4. A container as in claim 1; whereas one said means of retension
is a tie-strap fastener for threading through at least one said
flute channel of a first half of said hingededly-mated triangular
shape flap to encompass and abuttingly retain a second half of said
flap to said first half of said flap.
5. A container as in claim 1; whereas one said means of retension
is a serrated pull strip fastener which is a part of said
substrate's own material, and is stripped from said substrate's
elongate edge for threading through at least one said flute channel
of a first half of said hingededly-mated triangular shape flap to
encompass and abuttingly retain a second half of said flap to said
first half of said flap.
6. A container as in claim 1; whereas a plurality of through-cut
apertures are matchingly located within said hingededly-mated
triangular shape flaps, and located near a perimeter edge of said
substrate to further facilitate various fasteners to serve as said
means of retension.
7. A container as in claim 6; whereby a tie-strap fastener(s)
threaded through said aperture(s) serve(s) as said means of
retension.
8. A container as in claim 6; whereby a cord-type fastener(s)
threaded through said aperture(s) serve(s) as said means of
retension.
9. A container as in claim 6; whereby threaded fastener(s) secured
through said aperture(s) serve(s) as said means of retension.
10. A container as in claim 6; whereby a bungee-type stretching
cord(s) threaded through said aperture(s) serve(s) as said means of
retension.
11. A container as in claim 1; whereby clamps serve as said means
of retension.
12. A container as in claim 1; whereby clips serve as said means of
retension.
13. A container as in claim 1; whereby an adhesive(s) serves as
said means of retension.
14. A container as in claim 1; whereas at least one or more
through-cut aperture(s) are located near said substrate's perimeter
edge to additionally serve as a human user's hand-hold(s).
15. A container as in claim 1; whereas said triangular shape flaps'
protruding apex points are chamfered.
16. A container as in claim 1; wherein said container serves to
support a human user and/or their objects as a floating container;
whereby said triangle shape multi-supporting leak-proof flaps
further support as said floating bed's straight guiding aerodynamic
rudders which cooperate to further supportingly guide said
leak-proof structure without a need for any physical change of
transforming alterations, other than a vertically directional
inverting of said container's position.
17. A container as in claim 1; wherein said container serves to
support a human user and/or their objects as a supporting
container; whereby said triangle shape multi-supporting leak-proof
flaps further support as said supporting container's gusset-like
corner supports which cooperate to further support said leak-proof
structure without a need for any physical change of transforming
alterations, other than a vertically directional inverting of said
container's position.
18. A container as in claim 1; wherein said container serves to
support a human user and/or their objects as a transporting
container; whereby said triangle shape multi-supporting leak-proof
flaps further support as said container handles which cooperate to
further support said leak-proof structure without a need for any
physical change of transforming alterations, other than a
vertically directional inverting of said container's position.
19. A container as in claim 1; whereby and when said single wall
cutting slits and/or slots are used near both said elongate ends of
said substrate, and when said slits and/or slots are exterior to
said container's cavity area, said elongate flute channels are
exposed to further serve as straight guiding rudder-like channels
when said flutes are positioned beneath a water's surface when said
flutes' elongate direction parallels a user's direction of
travel.
20. An alternative embodiment of a container as in claim 1; whereby
said flute channel openings are closingly plugged to further aid
said container's buoyancy.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] TABLE-US-00001 127,431 6/1872 Ruger none shown 1,121,426
12/1914 Walter none shown 2,833,459 5/1958 Greene 229/939 3,076,589
2/1963 Meijdam 229/939 3,341,104 9/1967 Loheed 229/37 3,342,322
9/1967 Weisner 229/939 4,119,265 10/1978 Dlugopolski 229/154
4,166,335 9/1979 LaBorde 446/88 4,530,460 7/1985 Hinton 229/939
4,572,425 2/1986 Russell 229/939 5,363,981 11/1994 Giblin 229/933
5,772,032 6/1998 Goldman 206/485 5,792,487 8/1998 Wenning 425/296
5,975,005 11/1999 Yoshioka 114/353 6,024,223 2/2000 Ritter 206/600
6,056,840 5/2000 Mills 156/217 6,102,279 8/2000 Dowd 229/155
6,102,280 8/2000 Dowd 229/155 6,189,780 2/2001 Kanter 229/242
6,257,484 7/2001 Dowd 229/155 6,349,876 2/2002 Dowd 229/155
6,505,769 1/2003 Stone 229/941 6,615,762 9/2003 Scott 114/353
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING
[0003] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND
[0004] 1. Field of Invention
[0005] This invention relates to equipment required in the field of
emergency preparedness within a designated evacuee/disaster center,
and more specifically to cots or cot-like supporting beds, and to
those which are containing beds which contain a human user and/or
their objects, and most specifically to those cots which float on
water. This invention also relates to those which need no physical
changes of transforming alterations to change from a supporting bed
to a containing bed, or to a floating bed, other than vertically
inverting a bed's position, and also to those which can be
assembled without a need for any tools, or separate fasteners.
[0006] This invention also relates to 5-sided top-less boxes which
are slit through one planar wall of a double walled corrugated
plastic sheet and or crimped on one or both said walls, and folded
to a box-like structure with a means of retaining resulting corner
flaps located exteriorly to its cavity and adjacent each of its
vertically upright corner folds for support of its elongate
box-like shape; wherein said container serves as a leak-proof box
and or top-less carrying device for retaining and/or carrying and/
or supporting human users and/or their objects on land or water,
and wherein said top-less refers to a box not possessing a 6th
side, a closure lid or closure flaps.
[0007] This invention also relates to leak-proof containers for a
human's use in emergency situations; and when a container is of
sufficient size to be diversely used as an object carrier, a
liquids container for washing, a human user's sleeping support, a
safe for keeping a sleeping user's possessions while they sleep
atop said support, a sitting bench for one or more users, a
carrying ambulatory stretcher for two human carriers to carry
another human, a carrying ambulatory stretcher for one human
carrier to draggingly carry another container retained human, a
toiletry excretement storage and transporting unit, a flood waters
floatation device or flood waters boat for one or more users, a
boat which supports a plurality of means of propulsion, and a
cadaver storage unit, or all.
[0008] This invention also relates to any previous descriptions
wherein said box-like container may remain in its original said
corrugated plastic substrate's flat and planar state until ready to
fold for its initial use; and wherein said container may be
assembled without any complete through-cuts or through-cut
apertures, or separate fasteners, or adhesives, or any foreign
materials other than said substrate's own plastic material, and all
without a need for any hand tools at all.
[0009] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0010] In the field of emergency preparedness, and within a
designated evacuee or disaster center, there are numerous items
needed to treat and care for humans who are experiencing a
traumatic situation. When available, folding cots will normally
support a human user for a recuperating and/or sleeping bed, a
resting seat, and nothing more. Most cots in use are made of cloth
attached to a foldable aluminum frame, and stand only about 8
inches from a floor's surface, and are fairly lightweight in
strength. In this time of trauma, and when said human is not within
their own home, said cot becomes home at least to a degree wherein
its space becomes their space. A human's most valuable possessions
are usually brought with them if possible. An average cot cannot
conceal or retain any of a human's valuables as they sleep or are
away using toiletry facilities. No cots which are now in use may be
used as a carrying device to get any valuables to an evacuation
center. Most cots cannot support 2 or more sitting humans without
becoming a balancing act for the users. Cots now in use cannot
serve as an ambulatory stretcher-like carrying device for a human
user and/or their objects, as most cots will fold up instantly.
Cots now in use cannot alternatively serve as a leak-proof
container for washing, or carrying liquids. Cots now in use cannot
be used as a shelter from rain or falling debris, as when in a
superdome during a hurricane, and as roofing parts and rain are
falling all around. Cots now in use cannot be used as a leak-proof
cadaver retaining container for any disease prevention, by safely
separating said cadaver from a group of living survivors. Cots now
in use cannot be easily scrubbed down for a quick and sterile
re-use.
[0011] None of any cots searched for were found to be floating
cots, and especially floatable in most any position. Cots now in
use cannot be vertically inverted from a bed position to be used as
a boat which will contain 1 or more human users and/or their
objects. Cots now in use cannot sustain a means of propulsion while
upon water, and at either elongate end. None of cots searched were
found to have gusset-like corner supports located exteriorly of
each corner to further sturdy its standing position, nor to have
flute channel edged handle-like protruding flaps for a more
grippable carrying means. None were found to have 4 rudder-like
straight guiding supports for one-armed water-paddling human users,
or even rudder-like straight guiding flute channel openings for
said water-paddling users, and especially for said water-paddling
users who are carrying valuables such as their infant within
another arm.
[0012] What may seem trivial to one person can be desperate
survival to another.
[0013] With waters rising all around, and with helicopters unable
to get in and out fast enough, cots now in use will not aid a
victim's psyche and sense of security as they grip their canvas and
aluminum tubing frame non-floating cot.
[0014] Changing times and changing weather patterns make today's
emergency shelter canvas and tubing cots more obsolete.
Post-hurricane Katrina records prove today's cots now in use to be
obsolete. Pre-bird flu pandemic warnings of when, and not if, are
demanding a more versatile and cost-effective cot to be available
in much larger numbers; and wherein today's cots are obsolete.
[0015] There was no previous art found which included or described
a top-less box-like emergency inverting leak-proof floating
container bed with hingededly-mated corner flaps which additionally
multi-supported a container as handle-like, gusset-like, and
rudder-like supports. None were found.
[0016] In addition, no previous art was found which included or
described any said top-less box to be purposed for use as a
leak-proof container for a human's use in emergencies when said
containers are of sufficient size to be diversely used as an object
carrier, a liquids container for washing, a human user's sleeping
support, a safe for keeping said sleeping user's possessions while
they sleep atop said support, a sitting bench for one or more
users, a carrying ambulatory stretcher for two human carriers to
carry another human, a carrying ambulatory stretcher for one human
carrier to draggingly carry another container retained human, a
toiletry excretement storage and transporting unit, a flood waters
floatation device, a flood waters boat for one or more users, a
boat which supports a means of propulsion at either elongate end,
and a cadaver storage unit, or all.
[0017] All previous box assemblies which were found, had dealt
mostly with aesthetics, a box's top flaps and their closures, and
with any final strengths within a closed and six sided shape. None
were found which specifically dealt with a final and primarily five
sided open container and a retention of its resulting triangular
shape flaps located at each wall's exterior corner to retain said
box's shape; and especially to keep said box leak-proof; and more
especially to utilize said triangular shape flaps in a plurality of
supporting uses. Nor were any found which utilized a corrugated
boxes' single flute channel to more facilitate a means of retension
of said triangular shape flap(s) which in turn retained said box's
integrity of structure, and all without any complete through-cuts
or through-cut apertures. And in conclusion; none were found which
could be assembled from one single planar piece of corrugated
substrate which required no glue, staples, heat sealing, or
separate fasteners for its initial assembly; and wherein serrated
strips of said substrate's own material were one optional means of
its structural retension.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION--OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
[0018] The foremost advantage of this invention of this inverting
leak-proof floating container support may be difficult to judge
between its diversity of use in emergency applications, its flat
compact storage, its 1 minute assembly time, or low manufacturing
cost.
[0019] The foremost object is to take advantage of a simple corner
flap by retaining its triangular shape, wherein said container's
shape and strength remain.
[0020] Retained flaps support in at least a dual role within each
of 3 alternative modes of which an emergency inverting leak-proof
floating container bed may be used; and wherein remains a
multiplicity of uses within each individual said mode; and wherein
said modes are; a supporting bed, a container bed, and a floating
bed.
[0021] One particular example of said flaps providing greater
strength within a container and its corners is when said container
is vertically inverted for use as human user's cot or emergency
bed. When in this inverted position, said container's normal floor
surface is parallel to and approximately 1 foot or more above a
ground's level surface. Each of 4 said corner flaps taper
vertically downward and outward from said container's inverted
floor surface to a ground's level surface. Said corner flaps
provide maximum standing support when in this position, and serve
to further support said container as gusset-like corner
supports.
[0022] When in a disaster situation, most humans tend to grab their
most valuable possessions which can be easily carried. When in an
evacuee center, a person has to sleep in the open with many others,
and usually on some blankets placed upon a hard floor or an
institutional-type lightweight flimsy cot. There's usually no safe
place to keep a person's valuables, and especially while they
sleep. This invention gives a personal and secure place to
safe-keep special items within said inverted container's cavity
space, and especially while one sleeps.
[0023] Any personal space or added privacy within one's space
during a disaster situation will more benefit a human user's
psyche, and will add to a human's sense of security and mental
health, and at least to a small degree.
[0024] Another supporting role of said triangular shape corner
flaps is to further support said container as straight guiding
rudder-like supports. When in an evacuee cente with waters rising
all around, a user may turn their bed over with cavity side up,
insert any possessions, and then get in themselves as they use the
very same bed as an emergency boat; and especially in situations
where not enough rescue helicopters can get in and out of a
confined area near said center, or wherever a human is stranded,
within time.
[0025] Just having the option of using one's temporary emergency
bed as an emergency boat will greatly add to said user's sense of
security and mental health.
[0026] As a user paddles with their hands or another object, said
corner flaps further support this leak-proof floating container bed
as straighter guiding rudder-like supports. Without said
rudder-like supports, a floating bed container will tend to
laterally waver back and forth as a user paddles with one hand at a
time; but with said rudder-like flap supports, a user may paddle
with only one hand while remaining on a much straighter course. In
an emergency situation, said straighter course may be crucial if a
human user has one injured arm, or is holding a pet, or an infant,
etc. Without any said rudder-like support, a user may paddle in
circles.
[0027] Said corrugated material's flutes also supportingly guide as
a type of water-guiding type flute-channel rudder when partial cut
slits form folding hinge lines. When a small trolling motor is
available for use, a user may un-secure two of said flaps from
their protrudingly located positions, and re-fold them abuttingly
to an exterior end wall of said container. After re-securing said
flaps with a chosen means of retension, said flaps may provide a
thicker and more secure stern board for said motor, and is only
needed pending what thickness of corrugated substrate is used in
manufacture. Any thickness with a 6 mil wall or more should not
require any said re-alignment of said flaps, but if a user should
do so, a remaining 2 flaps which are also still located exteriorly
of said cavity will still support said container as said straight
guiding rudder-like supports and are still located at said floating
bed's temporary bow.
[0028] Yet another supporting role of said exteriorly located
triangular shape flaps is to further support said container as
handle-like grips for two human carriers who are carrying another
human or any objects within said container. Exposed flute channel
edges within an edge of said flaps provide a good gripping edge,
and even when wet. Said container is much like an ambulatory
stretcher with side walls for better retaining said carried human
and or their objects.
[0029] One human user may also use two of said flaps as handles,
while draggingly carrying a container behind them.
[0030] When in an evacuee center during a hurricane, and when a
domed stadium's roof is literally falling down, a user may climb
under their container bed for additional shelter protection from
rain and falling debris.
[0031] When in an evacuee center for an over-extended time, a user
may partially fill their inverting leak-proof container support
with any available potable water for drinking, bathing or washing.
Said container also serves to collect any rain water for later
use.
[0032] When additional hand-hold apertures are manufactured near a
substrate's perimeter edges, up to ten users may surround, and get
a hand-hold grip on said apertures and also each of said flaps of a
container for carrying heavy water or people. Said hand hold
apertures are adjacent to a substrate's perimeter edge, and do not
affect a bed's overall ability to float, and especially since its
walls' vertical height is generally a foot or more.
[0033] When in an evacuee center for an over-extended time, a user
may also use said inverting leak-proof floating container support
for storage and retention of a cadaver and any resulting bodily
fluids for disease prevention.
[0034] When in an evacuee center for an over-extended time, an
inverting leak-proof floating container support may also be used as
a toilet facility for periodic removal of any excretements for
disease prevention.
[0035] If one fastening means should break or get lost, a remaining
3 retained corner flaps will retain said structure to sufficiently
support all 3 said modes of a supporting bed, a container bed, and
a floating bed, wherein said modes will still function well, an
when under an average or nominal weight load.
[0036] If two said means should break, and in certain locations of
the 4 locations of said means of retension, this floating bed still
floats under nominal weight loads as water pressure against all
walls pushes inward to aid a retension of said corner flaps. Little
pressure is required to retain each corner flap when a floating bed
is in water, as said walls and said flaps restrict each other from
collapsing inwardly.
[0037] If all said means of retension break or get lost, and when
in a more desperate situation, two human users may hold said flaps
with their hands as they each sit within said floating bed,
although not much paddling or rowing would get done.
[0038] But, if one of said human users were fast enough, they could
take advantage of any one of a preferred embodiment's specially
cut, said hingededly-mated triangular shape corner supports.
Because there is an angular to a substrate's perimeter edge and
partially through-cut slit located at each of said substrate's
corners, and which extends inwardly until abutting a closest
intersecting point of other said folding hinge lines, said flute's
direction changes approximately 90 degrees within one half of said
hingededly-mated triangular shape flap.
[0039] Also note that a second wall of said double wall corrugated
substrate serves as a leak-proof hinge, and at or adjacent said
angular hinge forming slit. Said corrugated substrate's flute
channels' elongate direction extends longitudinally and parallels
said substrate's elongate length, and wherefore an assembled
floating container's elongate sidewall's upper edge has no exposed
said flute openings .
[0040] Said fast human user may use a pocket knife to cut an
approximately 30 inch long strip of said side wall's upper edge to
thread into at least one single flute channel(s) of one half of
said hingededly-mated flap, and then encompass the other half of
said flap before tying and knotting said strip.
[0041] In one alternative embodiment, either serrated or continuous
strips are formed within said substrate's elongate edge for a user
to pull off for use as said means of retension to be threaded
through said at least one single flute channel(s). Said strips are
quite tough and flexible, yet several may also be used as said
means of retension for each flap. Said strips are more than
sufficient to enable an inverting leak-proof floating container bed
to function in all of said modes of; a supporting bed, a container
bed, and a floating bed.
[0042] Emergency situations sometimes require extremely inventive
solutions; and wherein this emergency inverting leak-proof floating
container bed meets a multiplicity of requirements, and all without
a need for any other material, or any tools at all, or any other
separate fastening means for its assembly.
[0043] This invention can be manufactured from standard 4 foot by 8
foot size sheets of plastic double wall corrugated material. The
availability of an invention's material which it is made of, can be
crucial in an emergency, and especially in a pandemic situation
where there may be a short time notice of a need for tens of
thousands of temporary cot-like bed units.
[0044] This invention does not have to be prematurely folded for
its quick assembly, and therefore may be stacked in a manner that
an ordinary sheet of 1/2 inch thick plywood would be stacked, and
either in a horizontally flat or vertical position.
[0045] When a partial through-cut slit is made in one wall of a
double wall material, and made to form any folding hinge lines, a
substrate will keep a flatter and more original planar state, and
as when compared to a curling effect which any crimping may cause
when said crimping is used to form said folding hinge lines. A
folding hinge line which is serratingly intermittent in its
elongate length at or near its beginning and ending point will
prevent any floppiness of a pre-folded structure.
[0046] When using thicker substrate embodiments, and prior to
folding, said substrate may be nailed or screwed near any perimeter
edges for boarding up windows prior to a hurricane, and removed as
needed for transporting or floating users or their objects to
safety.
[0047] Final advantages include compact storage, many multiple use
functions, and minimal fabricating time which equals a low
manufacturing cost. Quick assembly in an emergency situation is
accomplished with only 4 locations of retension of said
hingededly-mated flaps preferred, yet one alternative embodiment
describes a quicker assembly with only 2 locations of said
retension.
[0048] Changing between uses of this inverting leak-proof floating
container support requires no physical change of transforming
alterations, other than a vertically directional inverting of said
container's position.
SUMMARY
[0049] A leak-proof box-like structure to support or contain a
human user or their objects comprising;
[0050] (i.) a plurality of folding hinge lines accomplished via
slits, or slots, and/or crimps within at least one planar surface
wall of a double wall corrugated plastic substrate;
[0051] (ii.) resulting in at least four hingededly-mated triangular
shape flaps;
[0052] (iii.) and a means of retension of said triangular shape
flaps;
[0053] (iv.) and in as few as two locations of said means;
[0054] whereby the improvement is multi-functional leak-proof flaps
which cooperate to further support said leak-proof floating
container bed in its present function;
[0055] wherein a multiplicity of alternative uses of this emergency
inverting leak-proof floating container bed require only a physical
inverting of said bed's position;
[0056] wherein within at least one alternative embodiment, said bed
requires no other material, or any tools, or separate and special
fasteners, other than its own material substrate to be assembled
and structurally retained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0057] In the drawings, closely related figures may have the same
number, but different
[0058] alphabetic suffixes.
[0059] FIG. 1,a; An overhead view of a rectangular sheet of plastic
corrugated material and showing the preferred embodiment's folding
hinge lines.
[0060] FIG. 1,b; An overhead view of the preferred embodiment after
folded to its functional shape.
[0061] FIG. 1,c; An angular overhead detailed side view of the
preferred embodiment.
[0062] FIG. 2,a; An overhead view of an alternative embodiment
showing a corrugated substrate before its assembly.
[0063] FIG. 2,b; An overhead angular side view of FIG. 2,a, and
after a substrate is folded to its functional shape.
[0064] FIG. 3,a; An overhead view of an alternative embodiment
showing a corrugated substrate before its assembly.
[0065] FIG. 3,b; An overhead angular side angle view of FIG. 3,a,
and after a substrate is folded to its functional shape.
[0066] FIG. 4; An overhead angular view from one elongate end, and
showing a corrugated substrate and its flute channels.
[0067] FIG. 5; An overhead view of a preferred embodiment's folding
hinge line arrangement, with alternative embodiment apertures.
[0068] FIG. 6,a; An overhead angular view of one elongate end in
two different stages of folding and fastening.
[0069] FIG. 6,b; An overhead angular view of one elongate end as in
FIG. 6,a; and showing a final tightening of a means of
retension.
[0070] FIG. 7; An overhead angular view of one elongate end,
showing various means of retension.
[0071] FIG. 8,a; An overhead zoomed in view of one of substrate's
corners.
[0072] FIG. 8,b; An angular side view of a zoomed in corner, and as
it is partially folded into a triangular shape flap.
[0073] FIG. 8,c; A side view of FIG. 8,b, of a same said corner
flap and shown completely folded.
[0074] FIG. 8,d; An angular side view of a container's elongate end
with the previous drawing of 8,c, and ready for a means of
retension.
[0075] FIG. 9,a; An angular side view showing an alternative
embodiment in water.
[0076] FIG. 9,b; An angular side view showing a preferred
embodiment in water.
[0077] FIG. 10; An angular side view showing a preferred embodiment
with 2 corner flaps unfolded.
[0078] FIG. 11; A side view of a photo converted to line art of a
floating container's wake when in water and under propulsion and
containing a human user.
[0079] FIG. 12,a; A partial and side view of an alternative
embodiment's serrated pull strip as one means of retension before
pulling away said strip.
[0080] FIG. 12,b; A partial and side view of an alternative
embodiment's serrated pull strip as one means of retension after a
pulling away of said strip.
[0081] FIG. 13,a; An angular side view of a sleeping human upon a
supporting container upon land, and with their objects within said
container's cavity space.
[0082] FIG. 13,b; An angular side view of a sleeping human within a
supporting container and with their objects also within said
container's cavity, and while upon water.
[0083] FIG. 14; A side view of a floating container supporting
humans and objects.
[0084] FIG. 15,a; An overhead view of a container which is retained
by a pull strip means of retension, and in only 2 locations, and
with said container's cavity facing the viewer.
[0085] FIG. 15,b; An angular side zoomed in view as in FIG. 15,a,
showing one elongate end with only 1 location of a pull strip means
of retension, and showing said cavity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS--REFERENCE NUMERALS IN
DRAWINGS
[0086] 30--Container's Elongate Sidewall
[0087] 32--Container's End Wall
[0088] 34--Container's Floor
[0089] 36--Container's Cavity Area
[0090] 38--Corrugated Sheet Substrate's Corner
[0091] 40--Corrugated Sheet Substrate's Planar Surface
[0092] 42--Corrugated Sheet Substrate's Perimeter Edge
[0093] 44--Flute Channel(s)
[0094] 46--Hingededly-mated Triangular Shape Corner Flaps
[0095] 48--Apex Point of Corner Flap
[0096] 50--Parallel to Substrate's Perimeter Edge Folding Hinge
Line
[0097] 52--Angular to Substrate's Perimeter Edge Folding Hinge
Line
[0098] 54--Aperture For further assisting Means of Retension
[0099] 56--Handle-forming Aperture
[0100] 58--Tie Strap Means of Retension
[0101] 60--Threaded Fastener Means of Retension
[0102] 62--Clamp Means of Retension
[0103] 64--Clip Means of Retension
[0104] 66--Rope Means of Retension
[0105] 68--Floating Container's Wake, as when under propulsion
[0106] 70--Water's approximate Surface
[0107] 72--Trolling Motor
[0108] 74--Serrated Pull Strip Means of Retension
[0109] 76--Human User
[0110] 78--Human User's Objects
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS--FIG. 1--PREFERRED
EMBODIMENT
[0111] In the drawings, closely related figures may have the same
number, but different alphabetic suffixes.
[0112] An inverting leak-proof floating container support is shown
assembled in FIG. 1,c, and is a preferred embodiment, and is shown
as when in a cot-like bed position.
[0113] The drawing's view is a side angular view showing said
container's elongate side wall(s) 30, and an end wall(s) 32, and a
floor 34, and flute channels 44, and 4 hingededly-mated triangular
shape corner flaps 46, and 4 plastic tie straps as a means of
retension 58.
[0114] An elongate and inverted box-like container's 6th side is
absent or open, and with said container's open-faced cavity area
facing the ground. Said hingedly-mated triangular shape corner
flaps 46 taper vertically downward and laterally outward from each
of 4 corners of said floor 34 to said ground, wherein each apex
point 48 of said flap 46 is near to or equal with said ground's
planar surface and or said container's open-faced cavity area's
perimeter edges; and wherein all said flaps 46 are exterior to said
container's cavity area. Each of said flaps 46 have a folding hinge
line 52 which extends in an angular direction from said apex point
48 to an intersecting point of said floor's 34 folding hinge lines
50 which are parallel to planar perimeter edges of said container's
shape prior to its folding. Said angular folding hinge line 52
joins 2 halves of said triangular shape flap 46, and wherein a
first said half is joined to an end wall 32 via a said parallel to
planar edge folding hinge line 50; and wherein a second said half
is joined to a side wall 30 via a said parallel to planar edge
folding hinge line 50.
[0115] Within areas of and adjacent each individual corner, planar
surfaces of said first half and said second half of said flap 46
abut; and wherein 2 vertically directional said parallel folding
hinge lines 50 of said corner abut or nearly abut.
[0116] Flute channels 44 of said corrugated material extend
directionally parallel with said container's elongate direction,
and wherein said flutes' direction within said first half of said
flap 46 changes direction perpendicularly to said flutes' direction
of said second half of said flap 46, and directionally extending
from said angular folding hinge line 52.
[0117] Said means of retension 58 is threaded through one said
flute 44 of said first half of said flap 46 to encompass and secure
said second half of said flap 46 to facingly abut to said first
half of said flap 46.
[0118] FIG. 1,b is an overhead view of the preferred embodiment,
and showing said flaps 46 extending outward from said container,
and paralleling said container's elongate side walls 30, and with
said floor 34 facing a viewer, and with said container's cavity
area and with said means of retension not shown.
[0119] FIG. 1,a is an overhead view of the preferred embodiment's
original rectangular, and generally planar double wall corrugated
plastic sheet substrate, and before any folding of said substrate,
and showing a preferred arrangement of said folding hinge
lines.
[0120] Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention
has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, and without departing from the scope
and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0121] In the drawings, closely related figures may have the same
number, but different alphabetic suffixes.
[0122] FIG. 1,a; An overhead view of the preferred embodiment's
original rectangular, double wall corrugated plastic sheet
substrate, and before any folding of said substrate, and showing a
preferred arrangement of folding hinge lines 50 and 52, its planar
face 40, its perimeter edge 42, and a corner 38, and with no means
for retension or means for retension apertures shown.
[0123] FIG. 1,b; An overhead view of the preferred embodiment, and
showing 4 hingededly-mated gusset-like triangular shape corner
supporting flaps 46 extending outward from said container, and
paralleling said container's elongate side walls 30, and with its
floor 34 facing a viewer, and in a cot-like bed position, and with
its cavity area not shown.
[0124] FIG. 1,c; An angular overhead detailed side view of the
preferred embodiment, and in a cot-like bedposition, and showing
details of its corrugated flute channels 44, plastic tie-strap
means of retension 58, hingededly-mated gusset-like corner supports
46, perimeter edge paralleling folding hinge lines 50, angular to
perimeter folding hinge lines 52, an end wall 32, an elongate side
wall 30, and its floor 34.
[0125] FIG. 2,a; An overhead view of an alternative embodiment, and
wherein a first 2 and dimensionally longer perimeter edge
paralleling folding hinge lines 50 extend from one elongate end of
a substrate to an opposite elongate end and abut said substrate's
perimeter edge 42, and wherein a second 2 and shorter said lines 50
abuttingly connect said first 2 lines 50 with no over-lapping or
intersecting, and wherein angular to a perimeters edge folding
hinge lines 52 extend from each corner 38 to a closest point where
said first and said second lines 50 abuttingly connect.
[0126] In the drawings, closely related figures may have the same
number, but different alphabetic suffixes.
[0127] FIG. 2,b; An overhead angular side view of FIG. 2,a, and
after a substrate is folded to its functional shape, and showing a
container's open cavity area 36 facing away from the ground and
vertically upwards, and with no fasteners shown.
[0128] Also shown in FIG. 2,b is an angular folding hinge line 52,
and exposed flute channels as when single wall slit cuts are made
to produce said hinge lines 50,52, and hingededly-mated triangular
shape flaps 46, and an elongate side wall 30, and an end wall
32.
[0129] FIG. 3,a; An overhead view of an alternative embodiment, and
oppositely similar to that described in FIG. 2,a, and wherein said
second and shorter 2 lines 50 extend to and abut said substrate's
perimeter edge, and wherein said first and longer 2 lines 50 extend
until they abut said second lines 50 and without overlapping or
intersecting said second 2 lines 5 Angular lines 52 again extend
from each corner 38 to a closest point where said first and said
second lines 50 abuttingly connect.
[0130] FIG. 3,b; An overhead view of FIG. 3,a and after a substrate
is folded to its functional shape, and showing 4 hingededly-mated
gusset-like triangular shape corner supporting flaps 46 extending
outward from said container, and being perpendicular in direction
to a container's elongate side walls 30 and with its floor 34
facing a viewer, and in a cot-like bed position, and with its
cavity area not shown.
[0131] FIG. 3,c; An overhead angular view of FIG. 3,a, and showing
details of a bed's elongate side wall 30, an end wall 32, a floor
34, flute channels 44, hingededly-mated gusset-like triangular
shape corner supporting flaps 46, an apex point of said flaps 48,
paralleling folding hinge lines 50, angular folding hinge lines 52,
and tie-strap means of retension 58.
[0132] In the drawings, closely related figures may have the same
number, but different alphabetic suffixes.
[0133] FIG. 4; An overhead angular view from one elongate end, and
showing corrugated material's flute channels 44, and the preferred
embodiment's folding hinge lines 50,52.
[0134] FIG. 5; An overhead view of a preferred embodiment's folding
hinge line 50,52 arrangement, but showing an added plurality of
handle apertures 56, and an added plurality of apertures 54 for
means of retension's fasteners.
[0135] FIG. 6,a; An overhead angular view of one elongate end in
two different stages of folding and fastening 2 hingededly-mated
triangular shape flaps 46, and showing details of 2 side walls 30,
1 end wall 32, a floor 34, flute channels 44, 2 plastic tie-straps
means of retension 58 which are threaded through said channel 44
and where 1 said tie strap 58 encompasses 1 a second half of said
flap 46, and with the structure shown in a cot-like bed position
with a container's cavity area not shown.
[0136] FIG. 6,b; An overhead angular view of one elongate end as in
FIG. 5,a; and showing one strap 58 after it is been further
tightened, and wherein both halves of said hingededly-mated flap 46
are retained abuttingly together, and wherein said flap's apex
end-point 48 is pointing toward a viewer, and wherein said flap 46
is also planarly parallel with an elongate side wall 30.
[0137] FIG. 7; An overhead angular view of one elongate end, and
showing a structure as in a container or boat-like position, and
with cavity area 36 shown and almost ready to retain a human and or
their objects, and showing various fastening means of retension
including a rope means 66, a clip means 64, a clamp means 62, a
threaded fastener means 60, and a plastic tie-strap means 58, and
also showing an end wall 32, a side wall 30, a tightly retained
hingededly-mated corner flap 46, and channel flutes 44.
[0138] In the drawings, closely related figures may have the same
number, but different alphabetic suffixes.
[0139] FIG. 8,a; An overhead zoomed in view of the alternative
embodiment of FIG. 2,a and showing one of substrate's corners 38,
and flute channels 44 located at one elongate end of said
substrate, and an angular folding hinge line 52.
[0140] FIG. 8,b; An angular side view of said zoomed in corner, and
as it is partially folded into a hingededly-mated triangular shape
flap, and showing said angular line 52, and said flute channels
44.
[0141] FIG. 8,c; A side view of the zoomed in corner of FIG. 8,b,
and shown completely folded wherein a first half abuts a second
half of said flap 46, and also showing flutes 44, and said angular
hinge line's 52 location.
[0142] FIG. 8,d; A side angle view of FIG. 8,c, and further
including a container's side wall 30, and end wall 32, a
container's cavity area 36, a hingededly-mated corner flap 46, said
flap's apex corner point 48, flute channels 44, and a paralleling
folding hinge line 50 which is now closely abutting said side wall
36.
[0143] FIG. 9,a; A angular side view showing an alternative
embodiment as in FIG. 2,a, and with its cavity area 36 facing
vertically upward, and its floor 34 slightly submerged below a
water's surface 70, and with no intersecting hinge lines, and with
all flaps 46 facing outward and paralleling said containers
elongate length, and flutes 44, an end wall 32, and a trolling
motor 72.
[0144] FIG. 9,b; An angular side view showing additional options
available when using a folding hinge line arrangement of the
preferred embodiment, wherein triangular shape flaps 46 may be
folded to a container's exterior end wall 32 for additional
material support of a trolling motor 72, and also showing another 2
said flaps 46 which remain slightly immersed in water 70 to
function as straight guiding rudder-like supports, and showing
means of retension assisting apertures 54, and not showing any
means of retension fasteners.
[0145] In the drawings, closely related figures may have the same
number, but different alphabetic suffixes.
[0146] FIG. 10; An angular side view showing a container as when
used as a stretcher-like carrying container, and with 2 corner
flaps unfolded for emptying a human and or their objects, and also
showing 2 other retained corner flaps 46 which retain the
structure's shape, 2 end walls 32, a side wall 30, flute channels
44, parallel folding hinge lines 50, angular folding hinge lines
52, and a floor 34, and with means of retension not shown.
[0147] FIG. 11; A side view of a photo converted to line art of a
floating container's wake 68 when in water and under propulsion and
containing a human user 76, and also showing 4 hingededly-mated
triangular shape flaps 46 supporting a container as straight
guiding rudders, and also showing a water's surface 70, and a
trolling motor 72.
[0148] FIG. 12,a; A partial and side view of a container with an
alternative embodiment's serrated pull strip 74 as one means of
retension before a pulling away of said strip 74 from a side wall's
perimeter edge 42, and also showing a side wall 30, a parallel
folding hinge line 50, 2 corner flaps 46, and an end wall 32.
[0149] FIG. 12,b; A partial and side view of a container with an
alternative embodiment's serrated pull strip 74 as one means of
retension after a pulling away of said strip 74 from a side wall's
perimeter edge 42, and showing said strip 74 threaded through a
single flute 44 of a first half of a hingededly-mated triangular
shape flap 46, and showing where said strip 74 encompasses a second
half of said flap 46 and wherein said strip 74 is partially tied
and knotted to itself.
[0150] FIG. 13,a; An angular side view of a sleeping human 76 upon
a supporting container bed's floor, and while upon land, and with
their objects 78 within said container's cavity space 36.
[0151] FIG. 13,b; An angular side view of a sleeping human 76
within a supporting container bed's cavity space 36, and upon said
container's floor 34, and with their objects 78 next to them, and
while upon water 70.
[0152] FIG. 14; A side view of a floating container supporting a
plurality of human users, and with their objects 78 lying upon said
container's floor 34, and with said container upon water 70, and
with said floor 34 facing vertically upwards and away from said
water's surface 70.
[0153] FIG. 15,a; An overhead view of a container which is retained
by a pull strip means of retension 74, and in only 2 locations at
an apex point 48 of a hingededly-mated flap(s) 46, and with said
container's cavity 36 facing the viewer, and also disclosing
locations of an end wall 32, a side wall 30, and a floor 34.
[0154] FIG. 15,b; An angular side zoomed in view as in FIG. 15,a,
showing one elongate end with only 1 location of a pull strip 74
means of retension, hingededly-mated flap 46, and an apex point 48
of said flap,and with said container's cavity 36 facing the viewer,
and also disclosing locations of an end wall 32, a side wall 30,
and a floor 34.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS--OPERATION
[0155] In building a floating container support, a manufacturing
user forms weakened folding hinge lines FIG. 1,a; 50,52 within a
planarly rectangular double wall corrugated sheet substrate. In the
preferred embodiment, a set 2 of said lines FIG. 1,a, 50 parallel
an elongate or longest edge 42 of said substrate, and are spaced
inwardly approximately 1 dimensional foot from said edge. Said 1
foot of space will form said container's elongate side wall 3 Said
lines 50 will extend from a first elongate planar said edge 42 of
said substrate to an opposite said edge 42. A second set of said
lines 50 will parallel planar edges 42 of said substrate's 2
dimensionally shorter sides, and will also extend from one said
edge 42 to an opposite said edge 42, and will also be space
inwardly said 1 foot, wherein said container's end walls 32 will
form.
[0156] FIG. 1,a shows said 4 edge paralleling lines 50 as they
intersect another and extend from said planar edge to edge 42. Four
additional folding hinge lines 52 are directionally angular to any
or all of said edges' 42 directions, and wherein one said line 52
extends from each of said substrate's corners 38 until abutting a
nearest intersecting point of said parallel lines 50.
[0157] A manufacturing user may form said hinge lines 50,52 by
crimping and therefore weakening either one planar surface of said
substrate, or both planar surfaces; wherein a first wall or both of
said double wall substrate is partially crushed and or weakened to
form said folding hinge lines.
[0158] A manufacturing user may alternatively cut a slit and or
slot through one wall of said double wall substrate, wherein a
second wall becomes a hinge, and if cut on only one planar side of
said substrate, said second wall remains leak-proof. Said slit and
or slot cuts may be continuous or intermittent, and/or in
combination with said crimping. In example, a crimp may be
sufficient when said line is parallel to and with a flute channel's
elongate direction, but said slit or slot cut is best when said
line is perpendicular to said flute's elongate direction and
especially when said angular folding hinge lines 52 are formed.
Said single wall slit or slot specifically defines a more secured
location of said lines, and prevents any lateral shifting of said
fold lines when said container is under heavy stress loads.
[0159] After all said folding lines 50,52 are formed, a user easily
assembles a container by standing on said substrate in an area
approximate centered within any said intersecting parallel hinge
lines 50. Said user grips said substrate's planar edges 42 and
pulls vertically upward on 2 side walls 30, and near one elongate
end.
[0160] At least 2 said hinge lines have now been impressed into
said substrate's plastic material. Said user now releases one of
said walls 30, and grips said edge 42 of an end wall 32 and pulls
vertically upward until it abuts said side wall 30. An area
surrounding said angular hinge line 52, and located between other
said parallel hinge lines 50 will fold in half to form a
hingededly-mated triangular shape corner flap; and wherein said
halves' planar surfaces will abut each other snugly after being
retained by a means of retension. Said side wall 30 is now abutting
or held close to said end wall and at a location including an area
between said intersecting point of said parallel hinge lines 50 and
a substrates planar edge 42.
[0161] Each corner 38 of said substrate becomes an apex point 48 of
each resulting said hingededly-mated triangular shape corner flap
46; and wherein each said flap 46 protrudes outwardly from a formed
container's corners, and exteriorly from said formed container's
cavity area.
[0162] In FIGS. 6,a,b; notice how a flute's direction changes 90
degrees at the location of said angular and slit-cut folding hinge
line 52, and how a plastic tie-strap means of retension utilizes
one said flute to thread through a first half of said flap 46 and
encompass a second half of said flap 46 for retension of an entire
said flap 46 and said container's corner. A more detailed view of
said 90 degree change of a flutes direction is shown in FIGS.
8,a,b,c,d; wherein a closer view reveals flute direction not shown
in other views.
[0163] Once a user tightens all said means of retension, said
substrate's planar edges 42 are all equal or close to being equally
planar as said container is placed on a ground's surface with its
cavity area 36 facing vertically downward and its floor 34 facing
vertically upward and away from said ground's surface.
[0164] As in FIG. 1,c, all edges 42 evenly contact said ground's
planar surface as said flaps protrude outward from said container.
Each of said flaps 46 taper vertically downward from each of said
floor's 34 corner areas, and taper outward and downward to said
ground's level surface. FIG. 1,c shows how said flaps 46 function
as gusset-like corner supports to provide said container further
standing support.
[0165] An end-user will discover numerous ways to use said
container support, and primarily as a bed or a bench FIG. 13,a.
After directionally and vertically inverting said container
support, a user may still sleep or lie down or sit in said
container, and while either on land, or while upon water as in FIG.
13,b. If too many other human visitors try to join said end-user,
and said container overturns, said container's cavity area will be
of sufficient buoyancy to support several users and/or their
objects 78 as shown in FIG. 13,c.
[0166] If a manufacturing user prefers even more said buoyancy,
they may use a sealant to plug up any exposed said flute channel 44
openings.
[0167] Commonly available thicknesses of said double wall
corrugated plastic substrate are 4 mil, 6 mil, 8 mil, and 10 mil;
and is the thickness of one wall of said double wall. Any internal
connecting or flute forming ribs are also of a matching
thickness.
[0168] Said 4 mil thickness will support 1 average adult, but is
not recommended. Said 6 mil thickness will easily support 2 adults
upon land or water. Said 8 mil supports 3 adults, and pending their
average weight. Said 10 mil is recommended for supporting up to 5
sitting adults when said container is used as said bench upon land,
or from 2 to 3 sitting adults when used upon water, and when an
initial size of 4 ft..times.8 ft. substrate is used.
[0169] Said means of retension may be accomplished via clamps 62,
clips 64, most any type of threaded fastener set 60, a cord 66, or
an adhesive which is not shown, or said plastic tie strap 58, and
are mostly shown in FIG. 7.
[0170] Some of said alternative fasteners may need small through
cut apertures 54 which are matchingly located through said first
half and said second half of said flap 46, and located near said
edge 42.
[0171] One special type of said means of retension within an
alternative embodiment is a serrated pull strip means of retension
74 which is cut from one or more elongate edge(s) 42 of said
container's side wall(s) 3 Said side walls do not have any said
flute channel 44 openings. FIG. 12,a shows a location of a said
strip 74, and FIG. 12,b shows a same said strip 74 removed just
enough from said edge 42 to be threaded through one said flute
channel 44 of said flap 46. Said strip 74 is shown tied, yet just
prior to its final tightening. Note how said strip 74 is still
attached to said edge 42 for its safe-keeping for any later
re-uses.
[0172] FIG. 15,a also shows how a container's flaps may be retained
in as few as 2 locations; and wherein said folding hinge line
arrangement is the same as in the preferred embodiment. Said pull
strip 74 is removed completely from said edge 42, and is shown
threaded through said flute 44, and tied completely tight to
abuttingly or almost abuttingly secure both apex point locations 48
of said flaps 46. Portions of said side wall 30 near a now
vertically directional said parallel hinge line 50 in FIG. 15,b
pinchingly retains said flap 46 and said end wall 32 to retain said
container's structural shape.
[0173] Other alternative embodiments do not physically change said
container's shape too much, other than one shown in FIG. 3,a,b,c,
where 2 of said parallel lines 50 which extend parallel to said
substrate's elongate direction, do not extend completely to said
edge 42. Said flaps 46 in a folded container shown in FIG. 3,b are
now perpendicular to said container's elongate direction. Said
flaps 46 do retain their gusset-like, and handle-like properties,
but with diminished said aerodynamic properties, unless said
substrate's 1 to 2 ratio size were changed; and if changed by a
manfacturing user, said container would need to be only slightly
elongate for full use of all of said flap's 46 said properties.
[0174] FIG. 4 shows an alternative view of the preferred
embodiment's preferred said folding hinge line(s) 50,52 arrangement
before adding accessing means of retension apertures 54, and handle
grip apertures 56 as shown in FIG. 5. With said apertures shown,
from 8 to 10 users may surround an assembled said container for
carrying heavy weight liquids or a human. Said flaps 46 will still
remain accessible and useable as handles.
[0175] FIG. 2,a shows an alternative embodiment wherein 2 shorter
length said parallel folding hinge lines 50 do not extend
completely to said substrate's edge 42. When this arrangement is
used with said 2 locations of fastening in FIG. 15,a, said flaps 46
and said side walls will tend to bow outwardly and just slightly. A
manufacturing user needs to tighten any said pull strips 74 without
causing too much said bowing, as too much will reduce a container's
standing strength.
[0176] FIG. 9,a shows the alternative embodiment of FIG. 2,a when
in water, and with a trolling motor 72 about to be applied to an
end wall 32.
[0177] FIG. 9,b shows the preferred embodiment with an option of
re-enforcing said end wall 32 by folding said flaps flush with said
end wall 32 before mounting said trolling motor 72. This embodiment
is mostly for emergency situations when a means of propulsion is
too large for said container, and is not recommended, but still
remains a last option in a demanding situation.
[0178] FIG. 11 is a photo turned into line art drawing of a side
view of a human user 76 within a preferred embodiment and when upon
a water's surface 70, and with a proper thickness of said 10 mil
substrate used, instead of said previous descriptions of FIG. 9,b.
Also shown are all 4 said flaps 46, a running trolling motor 72,
and a
[0179] container's wake 68 when under propulsion.
[0180] Shown in FIG. 10 is an option for a user to unload said
container by removing a cadaver without touching said cadaver. Said
container is then disposed of, and wherein this view is not
intended to be considered as a physical change of transforming
alterations, but as a one time use.
[0181] When a user is finished using their container, they may
disassemble it and store flat, until needed again; wherein said
sheet substrate may be used as boarding material to go over windows
and such for protecting a home prior to a hurricane, and when said
user nails or fastens near a substrate's said perimeter edges 42,
said container may be removed after the storm for use in
transporting any humans and or their objects to safety, and upon
land or water.
CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE
[0182] After a dozen or more intense searches, a last one was done
on Sun, Nov. 27, 2005, and lasting 9:00am til 12:00pm.
[0183] We entered CCL/229/154, in a general patent search with a
result of;. Searching 1790 to present . . . Results of Search in
1790 to present db for:
[0184] CCL/229/154: 305 patents. Hits 1 through 50 out of 305
[0185]
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&p=1&u=%
2Fnetahtml %2
Fsearch-bool.html&r=0&f=S&1=50&TERM1=229%
2F154&FIELD1=ORCL&d=pall.
[0186] This last intensive search included 305 patents with most
dated so far back, there were only image files to search ended with
U.S. Pat. No. 127,431 by Ruger in June of 1872.
[0187] All previous container patent applications were primarily
concerned with aesthetics and devising a special perimeter edge
cut. Not too many used exterior flaps, and especially with no
complete through-cuts or apertures. Most were concerned with a 6
sided container, or a container with an attached lid, or closure
flaps. None found had considered a plurality of supporting roles
for a container's flap, other than Walter in December of 1914 with
U.S. Pat. No. 1,121,426 and with no class number shown. The flaps
were attached to knob like handles, but the container required knob
apertures and special knob like objects.
[0188] Other categories searched within ttl/, spec/, clm/, and
cls/; were beds, cots, boats, ambulatory, buoy, floating,
floatable, float, leak-proof, corrugated, plastic, flaps,
container, box, support, hinge, watercraft, and many more. Each of
the previous words were switched from one category to the next; and
where previous patent's references were searched and traced back to
basic classifications, and finally to the USPTO's classification
categories, and finally to this last search mentioned.
[0189] Our key classifications turned out to be 229/154 and 229/941
with leak-proof container as key descriptive words of our
invention.
[0190] Accordingly, the reader will see that the scope of this new
inverting leak-proof floating container support goes beyond it's
many advantages over previous containers.
[0191] In addition, we believe that it is for the good of the
country that this patent for application be expedited as quickly as
possible; and have submitted forms which request so. Changing times
of post-Katrina hurricane events and forecasted pre-bird flu
pandemic warnings prompted us to add another classification within
the Nolo's-MPEP Sec. 708.2 form; and just beneath "Counters
Terrorism", we added the classification; "Counters Pandemic
Disaster".
[0192] Times Change, and sometimes quickly.
[0193] We beg your pardon if this action was too inappropriate and
out of line, but we felt it didn't fit any other classification,
yet we are ready to manufacture if needed.
[0194] We also believe that the upcoming pandemic spoken of in the
news is most definitely a matter of when, and not if. This
invention may prevent many persons from further disease or
discomfort when quarrantined public centers should become necessary
for disease containment.
[0195] We have tested all aspects of this invention, other than any
disease prevention functions, and have found that it is quite safe
for users weighing 250 to 350 pounds for sleeping, and
approximately 300 pounds for use as a boat, and approximately 225
pounds for use as a stretcher, and when using an appropriate
thickness of corrugated substrate.
[0196] Although previous descriptions contain many specificities,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments of this invention.
[0197] Thank you for the chance to apply for this application for
potent . . . Charles Wogenknecht, Sam Wagenknecht, Terry
Wagenknecht
* * * * *
References