U.S. patent application number 14/060320 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-19 for portable container with deployable table.
The applicant listed for this patent is Anthony Eliud Perera. Invention is credited to Anthony Eliud Perera.
Application Number | 20140166704 14/060320 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50929765 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140166704 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Perera; Anthony Eliud |
June 19, 2014 |
PORTABLE CONTAINER WITH DEPLOYABLE TABLE
Abstract
A storage container with an outer shell and an inner
compartment. A table may be connected to the outer shell of the
storage container and may include a deployed position and a
retracted position. The deployed position may include the table
protruding from the outer shell in a usable fashion. The storage
container may further include extendable legs. The legs may be
extended and adjusted to desired height. The present invention may
further include a backpack in which the storage container may be
transported and used.
Inventors: |
Perera; Anthony Eliud;
(Roscoe, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Perera; Anthony Eliud |
Roscoe |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50929765 |
Appl. No.: |
14/060320 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61736875 |
Dec 13, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
224/153 ;
206/577 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 9/20 20130101; A45F
3/04 20130101; A47B 3/10 20130101; A45F 4/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/153 ;
206/577 |
International
Class: |
A45F 4/02 20060101
A45F004/02 |
Claims
1. An apparatus comprising: a storage container comprising an outer
shell having a top end, a bottom end, a front face, a rear face, a
first side and a second side, wherein the storage container forms
an inner compartment and an opening leading to the inner
compartment; a table having a front end and a rear end, wherein the
table is attached to the storage container, wherein the table
comprises a deployed position and a retracted position, wherein the
deployed position comprises the front end of the table protruding
from and substantially perpendicular to the front face, and the
retracted position comprises the front end adjacent to the storage
container; and a plurality of extendable legs attached to the
storage container.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising removable storage
bins within the inner compartment of the outer shell.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rear end of the table is
pivotally attached to the storage container and the table is
covering the opening in the retracted position.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein plurality of extendable legs
comprise a pair of side legs attached to the first and second side,
and a rear leg attached to the rear face.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the plurality of extendable
legs are telescoping legs.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the rear leg is pivotally
attached to the rear face near the top end of the storage
container.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the storage container further
comprises a rear leg container slot, wherein the rear leg is housed
within the rear leg container slot.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising leg retaining tabs
protruding into the rear leg slot housing.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the storage container further
comprises a pair of side leg container slots, wherein the pair of
side legs are housed within the pair of side leg container
slots.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a backpack
comprising: an outer surface forming an inner housing within and an
opening leading to the inner housing, wherein the storage container
is formed to fit through the opening and into the inner housing; a
pocket flap that is at least partially releasably attachable to the
backpack, wherein the pocket flap covers the opening; a first side
leg slot and a second side leg slot through the outer surface of
the backpack, wherein the first side leg slot and the second side
leg slot align with the pair of side legs; and a rear leg backpack
slot through the outer surface of the backpack aligning with the
rear leg container slot of the storage container.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the top end of the storage
container comprises a cooler.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the backpack further
comprises a cooler pocket flap that is at least partially
releasably attachable to the backpack covering the cooler.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of
pockets attached to the outer surface of the backpack.
14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of
pocket straps having a first end and a second end, wherein the
first end is attached to the backpack and the second end is
attached to the pocket flap.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application No. 61/736,875, filed Dec. 13, 2012, the
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a portable container and,
more particularly, to a portable container that may form into a
table.
[0003] A toolbox (also called toolkit, tool chest or workbox) is a
box to organize, carry, and protect the owner's tools. They could
be used for trade, a hobby or DIY, and their contents vary with the
craft of the owner. Frequently, while performing a job or hobby, it
is desirable to have access to a flat surface or table. However,
typically while performing a job or hobby, a user may be out in the
field where a table or flat surface is not accessible.
[0004] As can be seen, there is a need for a device that may be
used as a container and a table.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus
comprises: a storage container comprising an outer shell having a
top end, a bottom end, a front face, a rear face, a first side and
a second side, wherein the storage container forms an inner
compartment and an opening leading to the inner compartment; a
table having a front end and a rear end, wherein the table is
attached to the storage container, wherein the table comprises a
deployed position and a retracted position, wherein the deployed
position comprises the front end of the table protruding from and
substantially perpendicular to the front face, and the retracted
position comprises the front end adjacent to the storage container;
and a plurality of extendable legs attached to the storage
container.
[0006] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown
in use;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a detail exploded view of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a section view of the present invention, taken
along lin 505 of FIG. 4 illustrating the movement of the table of
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a section view of the present invention, taken
along line 6-6 in FIG. 4; and
[0014] FIG. 8 is a side view of the present invention, illustrating
the telescoping of the legs of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0016] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a
storage container with an outer shell and an inner compartment. A
table may be connected to the outer shell of the storage container
and may include a deployed position and a retracted position. The
deployed position may include the table protruding from the outer
shell in a usable fashion. The storage container may further
include extendable legs. The legs may be extended and adjusted to
desired height. The present invention may further include a
backpack in which the storage container may be transported and
used.
[0017] Referring to the FIGS. 1 through 8, the present invention
may include a storage container 12, such as a tool box, a kit, a
tackle box, and the like. The storage container 12 may include an
outer shell having a top end, a bottom end, a front face, a rear
face, a first side and a second side. The storage container 12
forms an inner compartment and an opening leading to the inner
compartment. The present invention may further include a table 32
having a front end 30 and a rear end 38. The table 32 may be in a
deployed position and a retracted position. The deployed position
may include the front end 30 protruding from and substantially
perpendicular to the front face of the storage container 12. The
retracted position may include the front end 30 adjacent to the
storage container 12. The present invention may further include a
plurality of extendable legs 15.
[0018] In certain embodiments, the table 32 may be pivotally
attached to the storage container 12 by a hinge 33. The table 32
may be pivotally attached to the storage container 12 below the
opening. Therefore, the table 32 may cover the opening in the
retracted position, and reveal the opening in the deployed
position. In certain embodiments, the present invention may include
storage bins 68. The storage bins 68 may be within the inner
compartment of the storage container 12 and may be removable. The
storage bins 68 may add additional compartments within the inner
compartment. The table 32 may be pivoted from the retracted
position to the deployed position to access the storage bins
68.
[0019] As mentioned above, the present invention may include a
plurality of extendable legs 15 that are attached to the storage
container 12. The plurality of extendable legs 15 may include a
pair of side legs 15 attached to the first and second side, and a
rear leg 15 attached to the rear face of the storage container 12.
In certain embodiments, the extendable legs 15 may be telescoping.
Therefore, the pair of side legs 15 may include a side upper leg
section 14, a side middle leg section 16, and a side lower leg
section 18. The rear leg 15 may include a rear upper leg section
20, a rear middle leg section 22, and a rear lower leg section 24.
The sections may be compressed into one another and locked into an
extended form by using leg compression locks 28 or any other
locking device known in the art.
[0020] The storage container 12 of the present invention may
further include side leg container slots 34 and a rear leg
container slot 36. The side upper leg sections 14 may be connected
within the side leg container slots 34 and the rear upper leg
sections 20 may be connected within the rear leg container slot 36.
In certain embodiments, the rear leg section 20 may be pivotally
attached within the rear leg container slot 36. As illustrated in
FIG. 4, the rear upper leg section 20 may include leg pivot dimples
72. Leg pivot tabs 40 may protrude into the rear leg container slot
36 and may include pivot tab posts 70. The pivot tab posts 70 may
fit within the dimples 72 and the rear leg 15 may be pivotally
attached to the storage container 12. In certain embodiments, leg
retaining tabs 42 may protrude into the rear leg container slot 36
and therefore prevent the rear leg 15 from pivoting. A user may
pull the rear leg 15 through the leg retaining tabs 42 to pivot the
rear leg 15. The legs 15 may be extended from the bottom end of the
storage container 12 and may be used to support the storage
container 12 on a surface. The legs 15 may further include feet 26
to further support the storage container 12. The legs 15 may create
a tripod.
[0021] The present invention may further include a backpack 10 for
easy portability of the storage container 12. The backpack 10 may
include shoulder straps 66 and a top loop 64. The backpack 10 may
include an outer surface that forms an inner housing within and an
opening leading into the inner house. The storage container 12 may
fit through the opening and within the inner housing. The backpack
10 of the present invention may further include a pocket flap 52
that may be partially releasably attached to the backpack 10 and
may cover the opening. The pocket flap 52 may be releasably
attachable to the backpack 10 by a zipper 54.
[0022] In certain embodiments, the pocket flap 52 may be opened to
access the table 32 of the storage container 12. Therefore, a user
may unzip the zipper 54 to reveal the storage container 12, and
then the table 32 may be pivoted to the deployed position. In
certain embodiments, the backpack 10 may include a plurality of
pocket straps 56. The pocket straps 56 may have a first end
attached to the backpack 10 and a second end that is attached to
the pocket flap 52. Therefore, when a user pivots the table 32 to
the deployed position, the pocket flap 52 may provide further
resistance to the table 32, preventing the table 32 from pivoting
past a substantially perpendicular position relative to the front
face of the storage container 12.
[0023] In certain embodiments, the backpack 10 of the present
invention may further include first and second side leg slots 44
and a rear leg backpack slot 46. The first and second side leg
slots 44 may align with the pair of side legs. Therefore, when the
storage container 12 is within the backpack 10, the extendable legs
15 may extend through the side leg slots 44 and may be used. The
rear leg backpack slot 46 may expose the rear leg container slot
36. Therefore, when the storage container 12 is within the backpack
10, a user may pivot and deploy the rear leg 15. Due to the
additional slots within the backpack 10, the legs 15 may be
extended into a tripod formation with the storage container 12
within the backpack 10.
[0024] The backpack 10 and the storage container 12 may include
additional accessory components. For example, the storage container
12 may have a recessed top end forming a cooler 43. The cooler 43
may include insulating material, such as Styrofoam.RTM.. The
backpack 10 may further include a cooler pocket flap 48 that is at
least partially releasably attachable to the backpack 10. For
example, a zipper 50 may be used to detach a portion of the cooler
pocket flap 48 so that a user may gain access to the cooler 43. The
cooler 43 may be used to store bait, food, drinks or any other
products that need to be temperature regulated. The backpack 10 may
further include lower side pockets 58 with zippers 60 and upper
side pockets 62 so that users may store additional accessories
needed.
[0025] The storage container 10 of the present invention may
include a plastic molded box with the following dimensions:
11''H.times.11''W.times.7.25''D. The storage container 10 may
include an opening to allow removable storage bins 68 to fit inside
the opening in a stacked position. The opening may include a
door/table 32 that opens in to an expanded position and sets at
around a 90 degree angle to be used as a table 32. The legs 15 may
adjust so that the table 32 is level on all terrain. The molded box
also has one removable leg 15 on each side (left and right) and one
leg 15 on the back. The leg 15 on back is able to pull away from
the bottom at a zero to 90 degrees and extend and retract. All legs
15 are able to be easily removed if replacement is necessary. The
entire storage container 12 fits inside of a backpack 10. The top
of the storage container 12 may turn into a cooler to prevent food
and/or bait from spoiling. All of the above may come in a single
unit for easy carrying.
[0026] A method of using the present invention may include the
following. A user may extend the legs, adjusting each to the proper
height and unzip the backpack, folding down the table, allowing it
to fall open in order to work just about anywhere a user would
want. The present invention may be used for many activities, such
as fishing tackle, fishing near a shore or in a river, photography
equipment and supplies for indoor/outdoor, pistol shooting
equipment and supplies for indoors/outdoors, electronic equipment
and supplies for indoors/outdoors, and any parts, tools, or
supplies.
[0027] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *