System and apparatus for enclosing a utility

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/687,818 filed Jun. 6, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of enclosures, and more particularly, to a system and apparatus for enclosing a utility apparatus.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Propane tanks and utility apparatus, including heating, ventilating and cooling units, are typically placed on the property, outside structures, however, close enough to be utilized by the structure without unnecessarily long delivery lines. In general, propane tanks and utility apparatus are unsightly. These utilities create an eye-sore and disrupt the flow of the architecture and landscaping of the property and structure.

Accordingly, there is a need for an enclosure that does not contact or restrict access to the propane tank or utility, but hides such tanks and utilities and presents an attractive facade.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a utility enclosure is disclosed. The utility enclosure includes a base member having predetermined dimensions. The base member surrounds the utility and contains a plurality of apertures. The enclosure also includes at least one body member having predetermined dimensions. The body member surrounds the utility contains a plurality of apertures. Also, at least two supporting members are included. The supporting members are removably attached to the base member and the body members. The supporting members connect the base member to the at least one body member and support the base and body members at a predetermined distance one to another. The plurality of apertures receive a plurality of decorative members.

Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following. Where the enclosure further includes a top member that is horizontal and dimensioned so that the top member connects and conforms to one of the body members. Where the top member is hingably attached to the body member. Where the base member is tubular. Where the base member is weighted. Where the base member and the at least one body member are circular. Where the base member and the at least one body member are shaped wherein they contain right angles.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a system for enclosing a utility apparatus is disclosed. The system includes a utility enclosure. The utility enclosure includes a base member having predetermined dimensions. The base member surrounds the utility and contains a plurality of apertures. The enclosure also includes at least one body member having predetermined dimensions. The body member surrounds the utility contains a plurality of apertures. Also, at least two supporting members are included. The supporting members are removably attached to the base member and the body members. The supporting members connect the base member to the at least one body member and support the base and body members at a predetermined distance one to another. The system also includes a plurality of decorative members. The plurality of apertures receive the plurality of decorative members.

Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following. Where the enclosure further includes a top member that is horizontal and dimensioned so that the top member connects and conforms to one of the body members. Where the top member is hingably attached to the body member. Where the base member is tubular. Where the base member is weighted. Where the base member and the at least one body member are circular. Where the base member and the at least one body member are shaped wherein they contain right angles. Where the decorative members are shaped to resemble flora.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a utility enclosure is disclosed. The utility enclosure includes a substantially rectangular housing dimensioned to enclose a utility apparatus. The housing has at least three sides. The utility enclosure also includes a plurality of shelves on at least one of the sides of the housing. The shelves are dimensioned to receive at least one log.

Some embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following. Where the top of the housing further includes a door, having a predetermined size and shape, hingably attached to the housing. Where the housing further includes at least one opening on at least one side of the housing.

These aspects of the invention are not meant to be exclusive and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art when read in conjunction with the appended claims and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood by reading the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention with hidden lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a system and apparatus for enclosing a utility apparatus. The utility apparatus can be any type of utility, including, but not limited to, a propane tank, heating unit, ventilating unit or cooling unit. Any type of utility that is outside a structure, i.e., beside or behind a building, can be enclosed using the present invention. One embodiment of the present invention includes a base portion and at least one body portion. These are connected by support members, so that they form a skeletal structure about the utility. The base and body portions contain apertures that hold either real or fake flora or fauna pieces. This embodiment additionally includes a top member, which is horizontal. The top member acts as a cover and can be hingably attached to the top most body member, thus allowing access to the top of the utility apparatus.

A second embodiment of the present invention is a housing having at least 3 sides. The sides include shelves sized to accommodate logs. The logs lie along the shelves, creating the look of a cord of wood.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention 10 is shown. As shown, this embodiment accommodates a tubular or cylindrical utility apparatus 12. However, in alternate embodiments, this embodiment of the present invention accommodates rectangular or square structure in that the body members and base members are square or rectangular (having 90 degree angles) rather than circular.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus 10 includes a base member 14, at least one body member 16, support members 18 and a top member 22 connected to the apparatus 10 via hinges 24. In one embodiment, the base member 14 is tubular and in the preferred embodiment, includes a weighting element. However, in alternate embodiments, the base member 14 can be any shape. In one embodiment, the base member 14 is filled with sand to weight the base. In other embodiments, the base member 14 is filled with concrete, or rocks, or other elements or materials that impart a weight to the base member 14.

The apparatus 10 also includes at least one body member 16. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, three body member 16 are used. The body members can be any dimensions so long as they are able to withstand the weather in a given region where use is intended, provide adequate room between the utility and the body members so that the utility is able to function properly and, when used with supports 18, are able to accommodate the decorative elements 26 added. The body member 16 can be made from any material, including, but not limited to, any type of metal, plastic, or wood. In the preferred embodiment, the base member 14, body member 16 and support member 18 are made from plastic.

The support member 18 can be either hollow or solid. The support member 18 attach to the base member 14 and the body member 18. In the preferred embodiment, three support members 18 are used to connect two body members 18 or the base member 14 to a body member 16. However, in alternate embodiments, the support members 18 can each be a single member the length of the entire apparatus 10. In still other embodiments, additional support member 18 are used, depending on the size and shape of the utility apparatus or of the weather conditions for the region in which the apparatus is intended to be used.

A horizontal top member 22 is also included in the preferred embodiment. In one embodiment, the top member 22 is made from the same material as the body member 16. However, in other embodiments, the top member 22 can be made from any material desired. In any case, the top member 22 is dimensioned such that it conforms to the shape of the body member 16. In one embodiment, the top member is placed on the top of the apparatus 10. In the preferred embodiment, the top member 22 is connected by at least one hinge to the top most body member 16. In other embodiments, the top member 22 is removably connected to the top of the apparatus.

Although FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of the present invention used with a vertical propane tank, in alternate embodiments, the apparatus 10 can be used with a horizontal propane tank or any other type of utility apparatus. With respect to the alternate embodiments, the elements are the same, that is, the apparatus includes a base member, at least one body member, support members and, in some embodiments, a top member.

Referring still to FIG. 1, this embodiment is shown with a 5′ tall propane tank 12 enclosed in a 6′ tall apparatus 10. The base member 14 and each of the body members 18 contains multiple apertures 20 at selected intervals. The apertures 20 are adapted to permit items inserted therein to protrude at a selected angle from the vertical which, in this embodiment, is 30°. Decorative members 26, which in some embodiments, are made from plastic, are inserted into the apertures 20. The decorative members 26 can be any one of a number of different types, including without limitation, those made to resemble branches of conifer trees, branches of deciduous trees or flowers (i.e., flora). The decorative member 26 hide the utility 12 within a the utility enclosure 10 that resembles some item of flora, depending on the specific type of decorative members 26 chosen. In some embodiments, the decorative members 26 are branches or pieces of actual flora, however, in other embodiments, the decorative member 26 are plastic.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the apparatus 30 according to the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, a utility 32 tank is enclosed by the apparatus 30. In this embodiment of the invention, the enclosure 30 includes a housing having at least three sides. The housing can be any size or dimension so long as it does not contact, or restrict access to, the utility 32. The housing is constructed from plastic, metal or wood. The housing includes multiple shelves 34 on at least one of its sides. The shelves 34 are dimensioned such that they accommodate pieces of cordwood. Although the shelves 34 are shown containing additional horizontal sections, so that one piece of cordwood fits into one section, in alternate embodiments, the shelves either do not contain horizontal sections, or else the horizontal sections are sized larger or smaller.

In one embodiment of the invention, the top 36 of the housing 30 includes a door 40 hingably attached to the housing 30 by hinges 42. Also, in some embodiments of the embodiment of the present invention, the housing 30 includes an opening 38 in one side.

While the principles of the invention have been described herein, it is to be understood by those skilled in the art that this description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. Other embodiments are contemplated within the scope of the present invention in addition to the exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.