U.S. patent application number 12/516660 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-17 for secure storage chamber.
This patent application is currently assigned to Barry Whittam. Invention is credited to Ray Hanson, Darren Parsons, Barry Whittam.
Application Number | 20100147838 12/516660 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39027239 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100147838 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Whittam; Barry ; et
al. |
June 17, 2010 |
SECURE STORAGE CHAMBER
Abstract
A portable storage chamber, including a collapsible pen forming
the sidewalls of the chamber; and a lid arrangement of the chamber,
lockable to enclose a top edge of the pen when the pen is erected;
and at least one fitment provided on the chamber and fixable to a
floor of a worksite.
Inventors: |
Whittam; Barry; (Cheshire,
GB) ; Hanson; Ray; (Essex, GB) ; Parsons;
Darren; (Leicestershire, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC
901 NORTH GLEBE ROAD, 11TH FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22203
US
|
Assignee: |
Whittam; Barry
Cheshire
GB
|
Family ID: |
39027239 |
Appl. No.: |
12/516660 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
November 21, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2007/004437 |
371 Date: |
December 7, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/4.29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 5/04 20130101; B65D
2313/00 20130101; B60R 7/087 20130101; B65D 11/1853 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/4.29 |
International
Class: |
B65D 8/14 20060101
B65D008/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 29, 2006 |
GB |
0623787.9 |
Nov 3, 2007 |
GB |
0721630.2 |
Claims
1. A portable storage chamber, comprising: a collapsible pen
forming the sidewalls of the chamber; and a lid arrangement of the
chamber, lockable to enclose a top edge of the pen when the pen is
erected; and at least one fitment provided on the chamber and
fixable to a floor of a worksite.
2. A chamber according to claim 1 wherein the sidewalls of the
chamber are permanently connected to each other so as to form the
pen.
3. A chamber according to claim 1 wherein the sidewalls are
hingedly connected so as to form the pen.
4. A chamber according to claim 1, wherein the lid arrangement
comprises a panel permanently hingedly connected to a sidewall of
the pen.
5. A chamber according to claim 4 wherein the hinged connection
comprises one or more hinge elements, in which each hinge element
is hingedly connected to the lid arrangement and is hingedly
connected to the sidewall.
6. A chamber according to claim 1, wherein the lid arrangement is
formed with a lip suitable for overlapping the top edge of the pen
when the pen is erected.
7. A chamber according to claim 6, wherein the hinged connection
comprises one or more hinge elements, in which each hinge element
is hingedly connected to the lid arrangement and is hingedly
connected to the sidewall, and wherein the lip encloses the or each
hinge element when the lid is closed.
8. A chamber according to claim 1, wherein at least one lockable
connector arrangement is provided between a side wall of the pen
and the lid arrangement.
9. A chamber according to claim 8 wherein the or each lockable
connector comprises a loop fitted to one of the sidewall or the lid
and a flange hingedly fitted to the other of the sidewall or the
lid and formed with a through hole for fitment over the loop.
10. A chamber according to claim 8 wherein the or each lockable
connector comprises at least one loop depending from the lid and
one or more corresponding through holes in one or more rim portions
formed in the upper end of the sidewall, with each rim portion
formed above a recess in the sidewall, wherein when the lid is
closed, each loop passes through the corresponding through hole in
the rim portion and into the or one of the recesses.
11. A chamber according to claim 1, wherein the or each fitment is
located at a bottom edge of the pen.
12. A chamber according to claim 1, wherein the or each fitment is
formed as a flange formed with a through hole.
13. A chamber according to claim 12 wherein the or each through
hole is reinforced with a liner.
14. A chamber according to claim 1, wherein the or each fitment
extends inwardly from the sidewalls of the pen.
15. A chamber according to claim 1, additionally including a
detachable base, which can be releaseably fitted within the pen of
the chamber, at the base of the pen.
16. A chamber according to claim 15 wherein the detachable base can
be releaseably fitted within the lid arrangement, when not in
use.
17. A chamber according to claim 1 having four side walls, hingedly
connected to each other so as to form an enclosure and comprising:
a pair rigid panels forming opposing primary sidewalls; a pair of
foldable panels forming opposing secondary sidewalls; and each
foldable panel comprising at least one fold line extending from a
bottom edge to the top edge of that panel; wherein the pen is
collapsed by folding the fold lines of the opposing secondary
sidewalls towards each other and moving the primary sidewalls
towards each other so as to entrap the folded secondary sidewalls
between the primary sidewalls.
18. A chamber according to claim 1, wherein the pen fits at least
partly within the lid arrangement when the pen is collapsed.
19. A chamber according to claim 18, wherein at least part of the
pen fits within the lip of the lid arrangement when the pen is
collapsed.
20. A chamber according to claim 18, wherein a releasable latch
arrangement is provided between the lid arrangement and the
collapsed pen for releasably latching the collapsed pen within the
lid arrangement.
21. A chamber according to claim 17, wherein each foldable panel
comprises a pair of ridged panel members hingedly connected to each
other at the centre of the foldable panel.
22. A chamber according to claim 17, wherein each foldable panel
comprises a release tab, which is engageable to fold the foldable
panel.
23. A chamber according to claim 1, wherein at least the sidewalls
and a panel portion of the lid arrangement are formed from a tough
plastic or plastics material.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to secure storage chambers and
in particular to secure storage chambers suitable for storing work
tools at a work site.
[0002] Construction workers generally require expensive tools, such
as power tools, when working at a work site. These tools are
susceptible to theft and so need to be locked away when
unaccompanied. Such workers generally transport their tools to a
worksite on a daily basis in a work vehicle, for example in a van.
However, it is not safe to store expensive tools in a van as such
vans are targets for thieves. Accordingly, such workers may have to
store tools overnight in a secure location, for example at their
homes, load them into their van at the beginning of the working day
to transport them to work, transfer them to the worksite during the
working day and then transport them home again at the end of the
working day and store them again in a secure location. This is
inconvenient and unnecessarily extends the working day. Often, the
theft of such tools are opportunistic crimes, at times when tools
are unsupervised at a worksite or when work vehicles storing such
tools are inadvertently left unlocked and unattended.
[0003] In addition, power tools can be safety hazards at a worksite
if left unattended and it requires significant effort for a power
tool to be unplugged and safely stored away, each time it is not in
use.
[0004] The problem of securely storing workmen's tools in a van has
been addressed in WO02/092391, which provides a secure carrying
compartment within a van. The carrying compartment includes a metal
frame which is bolted to the interior of a van and a series of
metal panels which are hingedly connected to the frame. The panels
can be assembled into a secure carrying compartment or folded away
so as to not take up space within the van. This enables a
construction worker to store tools in a van overnight, but does not
solve the problem of secure tool storage at a worksite. A secure
carrying compartment of the type provided by WO02/092391 is not
easily portable, as it is bulky and heavy, and so is not suited for
use at a worker's worksite, the location of which may vary on a
regular basis.
[0005] According to the present invention, there is provided a
portable storage chamber, comprising a collapsible pen forming the
sidewalls of the chamber; a lid arrangement of the chamber,
lockable to enclose a top edge of the pen when the pen is erected;
and at least one fitment provided on the chamber and fixable to a
floor of a worksite. The storage chamber is collapsible, which
makes it easily portable to and from worksites. Also, as the
chamber is fixable to the worksite floor, any tools stored within
the erected chamber, when the lid is locked and the chamber is
fixed to the floor, are securely stored against opportunistic
theft. In addition, the unlocked and open chamber provides a
convenient place to locate tools, while a worker is working in the
vicinity of the chamber, so avoiding the safety hazard of dangerous
tools being scattered about a worksite.
[0006] The chamber according to the present invention does not have
a permanent base, but instead the base of the chamber may be formed
by the floor on which the chamber is erected. This makes the
collapsing of the storage chamber according to the present
invention simpler.
[0007] In order to improve the security of the storage chamber and
to facilitate collapse of the chamber without the need to dismantle
components of the chamber, the sidewalls of the chamber may be
permanently connected to each other so as to form the pen. The
sidewalls may be hingedly connected as this enables collapse of the
pen in a convenient way by simply folding of the sidewalls of the
pen together at the hinges.
[0008] The lid arrangement may comprise a panel which is
permanently hingedly connected to a sidewall of the pen. This
enables the storage chamber to be collapsed without having to
dismantle the lid from the pen and without having a separate lid
from the pen. This improves portability as the inconvenience of a
separate lid which may fall off during transport of the chamber is
avoided.
[0009] The lid arrangement may be of the type which is formed with
a lip suitable for overlapping the top edge of the pen when the pen
is erected. This overlap of the lid with the pen makes the locked
storage chamber more secure and also provides a space within the
lip for the pen to collapse into. The hinged connection may
comprise one or more hinge elements, in which each hinge element is
hingedly connected to the lid arrangement and which is hingedly
connected to the sidewall. The use of such double hinge hinge
elements, enables the hinges to fold beneath the lip of the lid
arrangement, so that the hinge elements are covered by the lip of
the lid arrangement, when the lid is closed. This inhibits access
to the hinge elements and so improves the security of the storage
chamber against a person trying to break into it.
[0010] At least one lockable connector arrangement may be provided
between a side wall of the pen and the lid arrangement. Many types
of lockable connector arrangement are known in the art for locking
the lid of a chamber over the sidewalls thereof. In particular, the
lockable connector may comprise a loop fitted to one of the
sidewall or the lid arrangement and a flange hingedly fitted to the
other of the lid arrangement or sidewall and formed with a through
hole for fitment over the loop. To lock the storage chamber the
flange may be passed over the loop and a locking device, such as a
padlock may then be passed through the loop and locked.
Alternatively, the or each lockable connector may comprise a loop
depending from the lid arrangement and a corresponding through hole
in a rim portion formed above an open recess in the sidewall,
wherein when the lid is closed, the loop passes through the
corresponding through hole in the rim portion and into the recess.
Then a locking device, such as a pad lock, can be passed through
the loop so that the pad lock, when locked onto the loop resides in
the recess. This reduces access to the padlock and helps to inhibit
breaking of the padlock by force.
[0011] The or each fitment may be located conveniently at a bottom
edge of the pen, which is adjacent to the floor in use of the
chamber. The or each fitment may be formed as a flange formed with
a through hole and hingedly connected at a bottom edge of the pen.
There are many types of fitment which will be apparent to a person
skilled in the art which could be used for fixing the chamber to
the floor. For example, the fitment may be formed integrally with
the sidewalls and extend therefrom. It is preferred that the
fitments, such as the flanges, extend inwardly of the sidewalls and
so are contained within the pen. This makes the fitments
inaccessible when the storage chamber is locked shut and so more
difficult for a thief to steal tools stored within the chamber. The
through holes in the fitments may be reinforced by a liner,
preferably, a metal liner.
[0012] The chamber may additionally include a detachable base,
which can be releasably fitted within the pen of the chamber, when
the chamber is erected, at the base of the pen, adjacent the floor.
For ease of storage, the detachable base may be releaseably
fittable within the lid arrangement, when not in use.
[0013] The chamber may have four side walls, hingedly connected to
each other so as to form an enclosure which may comprise: a pair
rigid panels forming opposing primary sidewalls; and a pair of
foldable panels forming opposing secondary sidewalls in which each
secondary panel comprises at least one fold line extending from a
bottom edge to the top edge of that panel. Then the pen of the
storage chamber may be collapsed by folding the fold lines of the
opposing secondary sidewalls towards each other and moving the
primary sidewalls towards each other so as to entrap the folded
secondary sidewalls between the primary sidewalls. This is an easy
and convenient way to collapse the pen into a small volume, which
may for example be fitted within the lid arrangement of the storage
chamber. Each foldable panel may comprise a pair of rigid panels
hingedly connected to each other at the centre of the foldable
panel. Each foldable panel may comprise a release tab, which is
engageable to facilitate folding of the foldable panel.
[0014] For ease of storage and portability, at least part of the
pen may fit within at the lid arrangement when the pen is
collapsed. In particular, where the lid arrangement is formed with
a lip, at least part of the collapsed pen may be fitted within the
lip of the lid arrangement when the pen is collapsed. A releasable
latch arrangement may then be provided between the lid arrangement
and the collapsed pen for releasably latching the collapsed pen
within the lid arrangement. The storage chamber is thus easily
packaged within the lid arrangement for ease of storage and
portability.
[0015] At least the sidewalls, a panel portion of the lid
arrangement and optionally, the detachable base, may be formed from
a tough plastic or plastics material. The material chosen is tough
but lightweight and may for example be polycarbonate. As many
thefts of tools are opportunistic it is not necessary for the
sidewalls and lid panel to be made from a material, such as metal,
through which it is very difficult to cut. The simple fact that the
tools are stored within the chamber is likely to be deterrent
enough. However, the material chosen should be as tough and
difficult to cut through as is compatible with the material being
lightweight, inexpensive and relatively easy to form, for example
by moulding, into the desired formations. In order to toughen a
material made from a mouldable plastic or plastics material, one or
more layers of reinforcing fibres, such as aramid or carbon fibres,
may be embedded within each panel.
[0016] The invention will now be described by way of example only
and with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings,
wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
portable storage chamber according to the present invention in an
erected position and with the lid open;
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a view from below of the portable storage
chamber of FIG. 1 according to the present invention in an erected
position and with the lid closed;
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the sidewalls of the portable
storage chamber of FIG. 1 as they are being collapsed;
[0020] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the storage chamber of FIG. 1 in
a collapsed position in which the collapsed sidewalls are fitted
within the lid arrangement;
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the storage chamber of
FIG. 1 in an erected position and with the lid closed and
locked;
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a section of sidewall of the storage chamber of
FIG. 1, with a fitment extending from it and fixed to a floor
surface with a fixing;
[0023] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
portable storage chamber according to the present invention in an
erected position and with the lid closed;
[0024] FIG. 8 shows a rear view of the storage chamber of FIG. 7 in
an erected position;
[0025] FIG. 9 shows a view from below of the portable storage
chamber of FIG. 7 in an erected position and with a detachable base
fitted;
[0026] FIG. 10 shows a section of the back wall of the storage
chamber of FIG. 7, with a fitment extending from it and fixed to a
floor surface with a fixing;
[0027] FIG. 11 shows a view of the back of the storage chamber of
FIG. 7 in a collapsed position;
[0028] FIG. 12 shows a front perspective view of the storage
chamber of FIG. 7 in a collapsed position;
[0029] FIG. 13 shows a view of the handle end of the storage
chamber of FIG. 7 in a collapsed position;
[0030] FIG. 14 shows a view of a side end of the storage chamber of
FIG. 7 in a collapsed position;
[0031] FIG. 15 shows a view of the hinge end of the storage chamber
of FIG. 7 in a collapsed position; and
[0032] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the storage chamber of
FIG. 7 in an erected position and with the lid arrangement
open.
[0033] FIGS. 1 to 6 show a first embodiment of a portable storage
chamber (2) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The storage chamber (2) is formed from a collapsible pen (4) made
from four sidewalls (6, 8, 10, 12). The sidewalls (6-12) are
permanently hingedly connected to each other to form an enclosure
so that when the pen (4) is erected, adjacent sidewalls are
perpendicular to each other, so that the sidewalls (6-12) when
viewed from above form a rectangle.
[0034] A lid arrangement (18) is provided which comprises a lid
panel (20) which fits over the top edges of the sidewalls (6-12)
when the pen (4) is erected. The lid panel (20) is permanently
hingedly connected by a hinge arrangement (22) along one edge to
the top edge of sidewall (8) of the pen. The remaining three edges
of the lid panel (20) are formed with a lip (24), which when the
pen is erected and the lid arrangement is shut, overlaps the outer
surface of the sidewalls (6, 10, 12) adjacent the top edges of
these sidewalls.
[0035] As is best shown in FIG. 5, the sidewall (6) is formed with
a loop (26) which extends outwardly from the sidewall (6) and which
forms part of a lockable connector arrangement of the storage
chamber (2). The lid arrangement is formed with a corresponding
flange (28), which is permanently hingedly fitted to the lip (24)
of the lid arrangement (18). The flange is formed with a through
hole and the loop (26) and flange (28) are positioned on the
storage chamber (2) so that the loop (26) will fit through the hole
in the flange (28). Then to lock the storage chamber (2), the lid
arrangement (18) is closed and the flange (28) is passed over the
loop (26). Then a locking device, such as a pad lock can be passed
through the loop and locked, so as to lock the lid arrangement (18)
to the pen (4). The flange (28) may be formed as an extension of
the lip (24) of the lid arrangement.
[0036] A plurality of fitments (30) are provided on the chamber (2)
which are fixable to a floor of a worksite. The fitments are formed
as flanges (30), which are permanently hingedly connected to the
bottom edge of the sidewalls (10, 12) of the pen (4). The flanges
(30) may be extensions of the bottom edge of the sidewalls (10,
12). Each flange (30) is formed with a through hole, through which
a fixing element (34) (See FIG. 6), such as a screw or bolt can
pass in order to fix the chamber (2) to a floor (40) of a worksite.
When the pen (4) is erected, the flanges (30) are directed inwardly
within the pen so that when the pen (4) is erected with the bottom
edges of the sidewalls (10, 12) resting on a floor surface, the
flanges (30) extend substantially along the floor surface (40).
[0037] The sidewalls are permanently hingedly connected to each
other along substantially the entire length of the connecting edges
of adjacent sidewalls by hinge arrangements (16). Similarly, the
lid panel (20) is permanently hingedly connected to sidewall (8)
along substantially the entire length of the connecting edges of
the sidewall (8) and lid panel (20) by hinge arrangement (22). Many
hinge arrangements are known in the art for hingedly connecting
plastic panels. For example, the hinge arrangements may be formed
from the same material as the sidewalls and lid, but as a line of
reduced panel thickness panel extending along and between the edges
of adjacent panels. Reducing the thickness along a line in a
surface of a panel of plastic, so as to form a line of reduced
panel thickness, can enable that panel to bend along that line,
thus forming a hinge arrangement at that line. Alternatively, the
panels may be formed with hook or tube formations along their
adjoining edges, which formations fit around a metal pin to form a
hinge arrangement. The flange (28) may be formed as an extension to
the edge of the lip (24) and the flanges (30) may be formed as
extensions to the edge of their adjacent sidewall (10, 12). Where
the flanges are required to pivot relative to the edge, a hinged
connection between the flanges (28, 30) and their respective edges
can be formed by a line of reduced panel thickness in the same way
as is described above.
[0038] The chamber (2) has four sidewalls (6-12) forming the
collapsible pen (4), which as described above are hingedly
connected to each other so as to form an enclosure. The pen is
formed of a pair of primary sidewalls (6, 8) each formed from a
rigid panel and which form opposite sides of the pen (4). The other
two secondary sidewalls (10, 12) are formed from a pair of foldable
panels, which again form opposite sides of the pen (4). The primary
sidewalls are longer than the secondary sidewalls. The secondary
panel (10) is formed with a fold line (32), which bisects the panel
(10) extending, substantially vertically (when the pen (4) is
erected and standing on a floor) from the bottom edge of the panel
(adjacent to the floor) to the top edge of the panel (adjacent to
the lid arrangement (18)). Two rigid half panels (10a, 10b) extend
to either side of the fold line (32). Similarly, the secondary
panel (12) is formed with a fold line (32) which bisects the panel
(12) extending, substantially vertically (when the pen (4) is
erected and standing on a floor) from the bottom edge of the panel
(adjacent to the floor) to the top edge of the panel (adjacent to
the lid arrangement (18)). Again, two rigid half panels (12a, 12b)
extend to either side of the fold line (32). The fold lines (32)
may be formed as hinges or as lines of reduced panel thickness in a
similar way as is described above.
[0039] The pen (4) is collapsed as is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The
fold lines (32) of the opposing secondary sidewalls (10, 12) are
folded towards each other which in turn pulls the primary sidewalls
(6, 8) towards each other. In this way the folded secondary
sidewalls (10, 12) become entrapped between the primary sidewalls
(6, 8), as is shown in FIG. 4. The collapsed sidewalls (6-12) are
then folded into the lid arrangement (18) by making a fold at the
hinge arrangement (22) between the sidewall (8) and the lid panel
(20), so that the sidewall (8) lies against the lid panel (20). In
this way the pen (4) is collapsed and fitted within the lid
arrangement (18) by the folded sidewalls (6-12) fitting within the
lip (24) of the lid arrangement.
[0040] A bead (36) is formed along the whole or part of the edge of
the lip (24) remote from the lid panel (20), which bead extends
inwardly of the edge of the lip (24). The lip (24) of the lid
arrangement (18) is deformable and so the bead (36) acts as a latch
for releasably latching the collapsed pen (4) within the lid
arrangement (18). As the pen (4) folds into the lid arrangement
(18), the primary side panel (8) lies on top of the lid panel (20)
and the primary sidewall (6) lies above the panel (8) entrapping
the folded secondary panels (10, 12) therebetween. The edges of the
primary side panel (6) are pushed past the bead (36) so as to
releasably latch the pen (4) within the lid arrangement (18).
[0041] This arrangement whereby the pen collapses and is releasably
latchable within the lid arrangement (18) makes the portable
storage chamber according to the present invention easily portable.
A handle (38) may be provided on an external side of the lip (24)
of the lid arrangement, so as to facilitate portability of the
collapsed chamber (2).
[0042] The releaseable latching of the collapsed pen (4) within the
lid arrangement (18) may be done in may different ways, which will
be apparent to a person skilled in the art.
[0043] The sidewalls (6-12) and the lid panel (20) are preferably
made of a tough but lightweight material, such as a plastic or
plastics material. For example, they may be made of polycarbonate.
As many thefts of tools are opportunistic it is not necessary for
the sidewalls (6-12) and lid panel (20) to be made from a material,
such as metal, through which it is very difficult to cut. The
simple fact that the tools are stored within the chamber is likely
to be deterrent enough. However, the material chosen should be as
tough and difficult to cut through as is compatible with the
material being lightweight, inexpensive and relatively easy to
form, for example by moulding, into the desired formations. In
order to toughen a material made from a mouldable plastic or
plastics material, one of more layers of reinforcing fibres, such
as aramid or carbon fibres, may be embedded within each panel.
[0044] A worker can easily transport a storage chamber according to
the present invention to and from a worksite, because the chamber
is lightweight, and folds into an easily carried collapsed
position, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0045] On arrival at the worksite, with the collapsed storage
chamber, a worker unlatches the pen (4) from within the lid
arrangement (18) and pivots the sidewall (8) to a position in which
it is perpendicular to the lid panel (22). The worker can then
unfold the sidewalls (6-12) of the pen by pulling the primary
sidewall (6) away from the opposing primary sidewall (8) so as to
unfold the secondary sidewalls (10, 12). In this way the pen (4) is
erected into a rectangular enclosure. The pen (4) is then upturned
so that the bottom edges of the sidewalls (10, 12) from which the
flanges (30) extend are resting on the floor of the worksite, with
the flanges (30) directed inwardly towards the centre of the
enclosure. The workman then positions the pen (4) is a desired
position at the worksite. The workman then drills four holes into
the floor (40) at the worksite in positions aligned with the
through holes (31) of the flanges and fixes the pen (4) to the
worksite floor. This may be done using headed fixings (34) which
have a fixing end which extends into and engages the hole in the
floor and a head which overlies the flange (30) to secure the
flange to the floor. Many such suitable fixings are well known in
the art, which can be released after use by access to the head of
the fixing.
[0046] With the lid arrangement (18) open as shown in FIG. 1, the
worker then loads tools, for example power tools into the storage
chamber (2). While the worker is working in the vicinity of the
storage chamber (2), the chamber can be used with the lid
arrangement (18) open as a safe place to store tools. This means
that tools which can cause a safety hazard are not scattered about
the worksite.
[0047] When the worker leaves the vicinity of the storage chamber,
the tools are packed within the chamber and the lid arrangement
(18) closed and locked to the pen (4) as shown in FIG. 5. This
should be sufficient deterrent to prevent theft of the tools by
opportunistic thieves. The storage chamber (2) should be secure
enough, in combination with worksite security to store tools in
overnight without significant risk of theft. This saves the worker
from having to transport heavy tools home at the end of each
workday for secure storage offsite and from having the return with
the tools to the worksite the following workday. Because the
storage chamber (2) is securely fixed into the floor of the
worksite, and the fixings (34) are not accessible, it is very
difficult to remove the storage chamber (2) from the worksite or to
prize it off the floor without specialist tools. The lockable
connector (26, 28) is made sufficiently secure to make the breaking
of it difficult without specialist tools. Also, the sidewalls
(6-12) and the lid panel (20) are made of sufficiently tough
plastic to make cutting through the sidewalls or lid panel or
breach of the hinges (16, 32, 22) difficult without specialist
tools.
[0048] Then when the worker has completed work at the worksite,
generally after a period of at least several days, the storage
chamber (2) is removed from the worksite. The fixings (34) are
released or prized out of the holes in the floor. The pen (4) can
then be folded and latched into the lid arrangement (18), as
described above and the collapsed chamber easily removed from the
worksite.
[0049] FIGS. 7 to 16 show a second embodiment of a portable storage
chamber according to an embodiment of the present invention. Like
parts of the second embodiment are identified in FIGS. 7 to 16 by
like numerals from FIGS. 1 to 6 of the first embodiment. The first
and second embodiments are similar and generally are set up,
collapsed and fixed to the floor in the same way. The description
below in relation to the second embodiment, highlights the
differences between the first and second embodiments.
[0050] In the second embodiment, the lid arrangement (18), walls
(6, 8, 10, 12) and double pin hinges (22a to c) may be moulded, for
example injection moulded, from a material, such as polycarbonate.
The metal parts, such as the hinge pins (52, 58) and reinforcing
tubes (29), may for example be made from stainless steel.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows the second embodiment of the storage chamber in
an erected position, with the lid arrangement (18) closed. The rim
of the lid (24) is wider in a portion (24a) which is located at the
back of the chamber, adjacent the rear wall (8) and narrower in a
portion (24b) which is located around the remaining three side
walls (10, 6, 12).
[0052] As can be seen in FIG. 7, the hinge arrangement (32), which
hingedly connects the rigid side panels (12a, 12b), so as to form
the sidewall (12) is formed of two hinges (32a, 32b). A similar
hinge arrangement connects the rigid side panels (10a, 10b) of the
opposite sidewall (10). Each hinge (32a, 32b) comprises a pair of
spaced hinge tubes (33a) moulded into the edge of one of the side
panels (12a) and a cooperating hinge tube (33b) moulded into the
edge of the other side panel (12b). When the edges of the side
panels are placed together, the cooperating hinge tube (33b) fits
in the space between the associated pair of spaced hinge tubes
(33a), so that the hinge tubes together form a composite hinge tube
within which a metal hinge pin is located. The lid portion (24b)
covers the top of the hinge (32a) when the lid arrangement is
closed, so as to provide extra security against a person attempting
to break into the storage chamber.
[0053] FIG. 7 also shown the handle (38) of the storage chamber,
which handle is moulded into the lid arrangement (18).
[0054] FIG. 8 shows more detail of the rim portion (24a) at the
rear of the lid arrangement (18). The rim portion (24a) is wide
enough, to cover three hinges (22a to c) (described below in
relation to FIG. 11) when the lid arrangement (18) is closed. The
three hinges (22a to c) hingedly connect the lid arrangement (18)
to the back panel (8) of the chamber. In between the hinges (22a to
c), the rim portion (24a) is formed with cut-outs. The covering of
the hinges (22a to c) with the rim portion (24a) when the lid
arrangement is closed provides extra security against a person
attempting to break into the storage chamber.
[0055] FIG. 9 shows from below the lower rim of the chamber, which
lower rim is placed on the floor of a work site, when the chamber
is erected. It also shows the fitments (30) two of which are
moulded as part the lower rim of the front wall (6) and two of
which are moulded as part of the lower rim of the back wall (8) of
the chamber. The fitments (30) extend from the walls (6, 8) towards
the centre of the chamber and are formed with a receiving hole.
Each receiving hole extends from an upper surface of each fitment
(30) to a lower surface of each fitment. A tubular metal liner (29)
is moulded into each of the through holes, so as to reinforce the
through holes. For example, the tubular metal liners may be made of
stainless steel. The presence of the liners (29) protect the
fitments against wear due to the fitments (30) being repeatedly
connected to and then released from different worksite floors, by
fixing elements (34), as is shown in FIG. 10.
[0056] FIG. 9 also shows a detachable base (80). When not in use
the detachable base can be fitted within the lid arrangement (18)
of the storage chamber. The detachable base (20) can be releasably
snap fitted into the lid arrangement via a plurality of flexible
latches (82), two of which are shown in FIG. 16. There may be a
total of four such flexible latches, with a pair on the opposite
side of the lid arrangement to those shown in FIG. 16. The flexible
latches (82) engage a plurality of cooperating latch slots (84),
which are formed in the detachable base (80). When it is required
to be used, the detachable base (80) is released from the flexible
latches (82) and placed in the bottom of the chamber, as shown in
FIG. 9. Therefore, when the chamber is fixed to the floor of a
worksite, via the fitments (30), with the base placed in the bottom
of the chamber, the base will be adjacent the floor. The detachable
base (80) is moulded from the same material as the remainder of the
chamber wall and is shaped, on its underside, with four recesses
(86), which are shaped to fit over the fitments (30). The fitting
of the base (80) in the chamber, promotes the integrity of the
chamber, by preventing the side walls (10, 12) from being folded
in, even by a small amount, and so helps to support the role of the
fitments (30), which when fixed to the floor, prevent collapse of
the chamber. When the chamber is collapsed, the detachable base
(80) can be lifted from the base of the chamber and stowed in the
lid arrangement (18).
[0057] FIG. 11 shows the double pin hinges (22a to c), which are
used to hingedly connect the lid arrangement (18) to the rear wall
(8) of the storage chamber. Each of the double pin hinges (22a to
c) may be moulded from the same material as the remainder of the
storage chamber and may be moulded in a U-shape. A first hinge tube
is formed along the cross bar (50) within which is received a first
hinge pin (52). Spaced apart portions of a second hinge tube are
formed across the ends of the arms (54a, 54b) of each double pin
hinge (22a to c). Three cooperating hinge tubes (56), one for each
double pin hinge (22a to c) are formed along the edge of the wide
rim portion (24a) (See also, FIG. 15). Each co-operating hinge tube
(56) fits between the spaced hinge tubes formed across then ends of
the arms (54a, 54b) of an associated one of the double pin hinges
(22a to c), so as to form a composite hinge tube through which a
second hinge pin (58) passes. The hinge pin (58) passing through
the composite hinge tube hingedly connects the double pin hinge
(22a to c) to the lid arrangement (18). Three recesses are formed
in the surface of the back wall panel (8), each for receiving one
of the three double pin hinges (22a to c). Each first pin hinge
(52) extends from both ends of the cross-bar (50) of the associated
double pin hinge (22a to c) into a pair of cooperating receiving
holes formed in opposing side walls of the associated recess in the
back wall panel (8), so as to hingedly connect the double pin hinge
to the back wall panel (8) of the chamber. Thus, the lid
arrangement (18) is hingedly connected to the back wall panel (8)
of the chamber via the three double pin hinges (22a to c). The use
of such double pin hinges (22a to c) enables the hinges to be
folded under the wide portion (24a) of the rim of the lid
arrangement (18) when the storage chamber is erected with the lid
arrangement closed (See FIG. 15). This further enhances the
security of the storage chamber, as the double pin hinges (22a to
c) are inaccessible to a person trying to break into the
chamber.
[0058] FIGS. 12 to 15 illustrate the compactness of the storage
chamber according to the second embodiment, in its collapsed
position.
[0059] FIG. 16 shows a detachable storage pocket (60), which can be
releaseably fitted to the upper edge of the front wall panel (6) of
the storage chamber, via a pair of hooks (62) which extend from the
storage pocket (60) and which may snap fit over cooperating
recesses formed in the upper edge of the front wall panel (6). The
pocket (60) may be used, for example, to house a pair of pad locks,
which are used to lock the lid arrangement (18) to the front wall
panel (6) of the storage chamber.
[0060] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 16, a pair of recesses (64),
are formed in the front wall panel (6) of the chamber. The recesses
(64) are each bounded at their upper end by a rim portion (66). An
oval through hole (68) is formed through each of the rim portions
(66) so as to extend from an upper surface to each rim portion into
the upper end of the associated recess (64). As shown in FIG. 7, a
pair of metal plate arrangements (70) from each of which extends a
closed U-shaped metal loop (72) (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 7),
is fixed into the lid arrangement (18), with the loops facing
downwardly. The metal plate (70) in FIG. 16 is shown for
illustrative purposes only and in use should be fixed to the lid
arrangement, as is shown in FIG. 7. The positioning of the metal
plates (70) in the lid arrangement corresponds to the through holes
(68) in the rim portions (66) of the front wall panel (6). Then
when the lid arrangement (18) is closed, with the chamber in the
erected position, the metal loops (72) of the plates (70) pass
through the through the corresponding through holes (68) in the rim
portions (66) so that the metal loops extend into the upper ends of
the recess (64) in the front wall panel (6). A padlock (74) is then
passed through each of the metal loops (72) so as to secure the lid
arrangement to the front wall panel (6) of the chamber.
[0061] FIG. 16 also shows tab extensions (80), which are pushed
inwardly to initiate collapsing of the chamber. Each tab extension
(80) is formed on the end of an arm that extends from the side of
one of the side panels (10a, 12b) and over the hinged connection
between the pairs of side panels (10a,b and 12a,b). The tab
extensions (80) extend upwardly of the arms so as to extend above
the top of the side walls (10, 12). Then to collapse the chamber,
the two tab extensions (80) are pushed inwardly, towards each
other, in order to fold the sidewalls (10, 12) inwardly.
[0062] With the storage chamber erected, the detachable base (80),
if used, is removed and fitted into the lid arrangement. Then the
fixings (34) are removed from the fitments. The tab extensions (80)
are then pushed in order to begin folding of the opposing secondary
sidewalls (10, 12). This in turn pulls the primary sidewalls (6, 8)
towards each other. In this way the folded secondary sidewalls (10,
12) become entrapped between the primary sidewalls (6, 8), as is
shown in FIG. 4. The collapsed sidewalls (6-12) are then folded
into the lid arrangement (18) by making a fold at the double pin
hinges (22a to c) between the sidewall (8) and the lid panel (20),
so that the sidewall (8) lies remote from the lid panel (20) and
the sidewall (6) lies adjacent the panel, with the folded secondary
sidewalls (10, 12) thrapped therebetween. In this way the pen (4)
is collapsed and fitted within the lid arrangement (18).
* * * * *