SQUARED AWAY STORAGE CONTAINERS

Description

BACKGROUND

Field

Example embodiments disclose storage containers. In example embodiments, the storage containers may be configured to securely store items such as, but not limited to, bullets, duck calls, lanyards, fish hooks, bait, and oil. Such containers are also configured to open and close and be buoyant, whether open or closed, whether fully loaded with the intended storage items, or empty.

Description of the Related Art

Storage containers are relatively old in the art. Some artisans have designed lockable storage containers to store rounds of ammunition. These storage containers have utilized foam inserts with cylindrical holes to receive the ammunition and frictionally retain the ammunition to prevent it from moving around in the container when the container is moved.

SUMMARY

The inventor has found that certain ammunition storage containers are often designed as waterproof, dustproof and impact resistant containers that can float, when closed. These characteristics are highly desirable by outdoorsmen who wish to limit exposure of their ammunition to the environment. However, the inventor has noticed that such containers tend to sink if they enter water in an open state. This is because the weight of the water and the contents of the container outweighs the buoyancy of the container. To eliminate this problem, the inventor designed a storage container having foam inserts into which various items, for example, ammunition, may be stored and frictionally retained. One characteristic of the inventor's storage container, which sets it apart from conventional ammo boxes, is that the inventor's storage container can float, even when fully loaded with the intended ammunition, and even in an open state. The inventive concepts which underlie the inventive storage container are not limited to ammo boxes but can extend to various types of containers that store various types of goods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a squared-away container in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the squared-away container in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the squared-away container in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the squared-away container in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a first perspective view the squared away container in an open state in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a second perspective view the squared away container in an open state in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a top view and a side view of a first insert in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a top view and a side view of a second insert in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a top view and a side view of a third insert in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a view of a shelf using the third insert in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the shelf using the third insert in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 12 is a front view of the shelf using the third insert in accordance with example embodiments;

FIG. 13 is a side view of the shelf using the third insert in accordance with example embodiments; and

FIGS. 14-17 illustrate various views of another squared-away container in accordance with example embodiments; and

FIGS. 15-25 illustrate another example of a squared-away container in accordance with example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example embodiments are not intended to limit the invention since the invention may be embodied in different forms. Rather, example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity.

In this application, when an element is referred to as being "on," "attached to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, the element may be directly on, directly attached to, directly connected to, or directly coupled to the other element or may be on, attached to, connected to, or coupled to any intervening elements that may be present. However, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly attached to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements present. In this application, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

In this application, the terms first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements and components. However, these terms are only used to distinguish one element and/or component from another element and/or component. Thus, a first element or component, as discussed below, could be termed a second element or component.

In this application, terms, such as "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," are used to spatially describe one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. However, in this application, it is understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the structure. For example, if the structure in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the term "below" is meant to encompass both an orientation of above and below. The structure may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Example embodiments are illustrated by way of ideal schematic views. However, example embodiments are not intended to be limited by the ideal schematic views since example embodiments may be modified in accordance with manufacturing technologies and/or tolerances.

The subject matter of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different features or combinations of features similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other technologies. Example embodiments disclose a squared-away container configured to store multiple items such as, but not limited to, ammunition, oil, lures, and calls.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a squared-away container 1000 in accordance with a nonlimiting example of the invention. FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 show a front view, a top view, and a side view of the squared-away container 1000, respectively. In example embodiments, the square-away container 1000 may have a hollow interior for storing various items such as, but not limited to, ammunition, lures, oils, and calls. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the squared away container 1000 may be comprised of a top shell 110 and a bottom shell 120 connected to one another by a hinge 130 (for example, a piano hinge). Thus, in the nonlimiting example embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the top shell 110 may pivot respect to the bottom shell 120 due to the hinge type connection allowing a user to open and close the squared-away container 1000 in a way that is conventional in the art. Latches 140 may be used to secure the squared-away container 1000 in a closed position. The latches 140 may take on various forms such as, but not limited to, over the center latches, bolt latches, gate latches, turn latches, cam latches, spring latches, drawer latches, and sliding latches. Though latches 140 are shown in the figures, it is understood the top and bottom shells 110 and 120 may be secured in other ways, such as hooks, pins, or buttons, thus, the invention is clearly not limited to containers that use latches 140. Additionally, while FIGS. 1-4 show two latches 140 a squared away container 1000 may actually use only a single latch 140 or more than two latches 140. Thus, the number of latches 140 shown in the figures is not meant to limit the invention.

In example embodiments, the top shell 110 may take on various forms. In FIGS. 1-4 the top shell 110 is illustrated as comprising a front wall 112, a back wall 114, a first side wall 116, a second side wall 118, and a top 119. The front and back walls 112 and 114 may resemble rectangular walls in parallel, or substantially in parallel, with one another. Similarly, the first and second side walls 116 and 118 may also resemble rectangular walls in parallel, or substantially in parallel, with one another. The top 119 may resemble a rectangular plate which connects to the front wall 112, the back wall 114, the first side wall 116 and the second side wall 118 creating a substantially integral and/or unitary structure. The top shell 110 may be manufactured by forming each of the front wall 112, the back wall 114, the first side wall 116, the second side wall 118, and the top 119 separately and then joining them together. For example, in one nonlimiting example embodiment the front wall 112, the back wall 114, the first side wall 116, the second side wall 118, and the top 119 may be formed from wood (for example, M/ inch, 5/8 inch or 3/4 inch plywood) and connected to one another using an adhesive to form the unitary structure. In the alternative, various artisans would understand ways of joining each of the front wall 112, the back wall 114, the first side wall 116, the second side wall 118, and the top 119 using proper joints, thus, the need for an adhesive, in one embodiment, is not required. In another embodiment, however, the top shell 110 may be made from metal or a plastic and may be formed through a molding, pressing, or stamping process. Thus, rather than forming each of the front wall 112, the back wall 114, the first side wall 116, the second side wall 118, and the top 119 separately and then joining them together, the top shell 110 may be made in a single step as a unitary structure. It is understood the top shell 110 is provided for purposes of illustration only. For example, the top shell 110, as shown, resembles a hollow box type structure having four flat walls and a top, however, the top shell 110 could have a different configuration and may resemble another type of structure. For example, the top shell 110 may resemble a hollow cone shaped structure, a hollow pyramidal structure, a hollow hemispherical structure, and the like.

In example embodiments, the bottom shell 120 may take on various forms. In FIGS. 1-4 the bottom shell 120 is illustrated as comprising a front wall 122, a back wall 124, a first side wall 126, a second side wall 128, and a bottom 129. The front and back walls 122 and 124 may resemble rectangular walls in parallel with one another. Similarly, the first and second side walls 126 and 128 may also resemble rectangular walls in parallel with one another. The bottom 129 may resemble a rectangular plate which connects to the front wall 122, the back wall 124, the first side wall 126 and the second side wall 128 creating a substantially integral and/or unitary structure. The bottom shell 120, like the top shell 110, may be manufactured by forming each of the front wall 122, the back wall 124, the first side wall 126, the second side wall 128, and the bottom 129 separately and then joining them together. For example, in one nonlimiting example embodiment the front wall 122, the back wall 124, the first side wall 126, the second side wall 128, and the bottom 129 may be formed from wood (for example, M/ inch, 5/8 inch or 3/4 inch plywood) and connected to one another using an adhesive to form the unitary structure. In the alternative, various artisans would understand ways of joining each of the front wall 122, the back wall 124, the first side wall 126 and the second side wall 128 using proper joints, thus, the need for an adhesive, in one embodiment, is not required. In another embodiment, however, the bottom shell 120 may be made from metal or a plastic and may be formed through a molding, pressing, or stamping process. Thus, rather than forming each of the front wall 122, the back wall 124, the first side wall 126, the second side wall 128, and the bottom 129 separately and then joining them together, the bottom shell 120 may be made in a single step as a unitary structure. It is understood the bottom shell 120 is provided for purposes of illustration only. For example, the bottom shell 120, as shown, resembles a hollow box type structure having four flat walls and a bottom, however, the bottom shell 120 could have a different configuration and may resemble another type of structure. For example, the bottom shell 120 may resemble a hollow cone shaped structure, a hollow pyramidal structure, a hollow hemispherical structure, and the like.

In example embodiments, the squared-away container 1000 may include additional features such as, but not limited to, a handle 150 which may be used by a user to move the squared-away container 1000 from one location to another. Additionally, corner protectors 155 may be attached to the corners of the squared-away container 1000 to eliminate sharp corners and protect the corners from impact.

In example embodiments, the overall height H, width W, and depth D of the squared-away container 1000 may be chosen to accommodate, in one embodiment, various items suitable for hunting. For example, in one embodiment the squared away container 1000 may have a height H of about eight inches, a width W of 11.5 inches, and a depth D of about 11.5 inches. The inventor has found these dimensions suitable for various intended purposes, for example, storing ammunition, duck calls, oil, lanyards, etc.. However, it is understood the dimensions may vary from one embodiment to another depending on the intended purpose.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the squared-away container 1000 in an open position. As shown in FIG. 5, the top shell 110 is shown having a first insert 200 retaining a plurality of items 500, for example, shot gun shells, whereas the bottom shell 120 is shown having a second insert 300 for retaining a second plurality of items 600, for example, gun oil, and gun rag/license jars. Also shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is a flip-up plate 160 which may include a third insert 400 for storing a third plurality of items, for example, a call lanyard and duck calls. In the nonlimiting example of FIGS. 5 and 6, one end of the flip- up plate 160 may be hinge connected to the second shell 120 while another part of the flip- up plate 160 may be connected to the first shell 110 via a linkage so that the flip-up plate 160 may "flip-up" when the squared away container 1000 is opened and "flip-down" when the squared away container 1000 is closed. Also shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is a gasket 158 which maybe applied on the walls of the top and bottom shells 110 and 120 to create an air tight/water tight seal when the squared-away container 1000 is in a closed position.

FIG.7 illustrates a first nonlimiting example of the first insert 200. In FIG.7 the insert 200 is shown as a substantially brick type structure having height H (for example, 2.5 inches), a width W (for example, 10 1/16 inches), and a depth D (for example, 10 1/16 inches). The insert 200 may, in one embodiment, be fixed to the top shell 110. For example, the insert 200 may be fixed to the top shell by a conventional means such as, but not limited to, pins, tacks, nails, and adhesives. The insert 200 may, in one nonlimiting example embodiment, be somewhat flexible and frictionally retain the first plurality of items 500. For example, in one nonlimiting example embodiment, the first insert 200 may be made from a closed cell foam type material with cutouts 210 to accommodate the first plurality of items 500. In the nonlimiting example of FIGS. 1-13, the cutouts 210 are designed so that the first plurality of items 500 are frictionally retained by the insert 200. For example, if the first plurality of items 500 were inserted into the cutouts 210 and the first insert 200 is turned over, the first plurality of items 500 would be retained by the first insert 200. In this way, the first plurality of items 500 is "squared-away" in the squared away container 1000. However, it is understood the friction force used to retain the first plurality of items 500 is not so great that a user cannot simply remove the items by applying a mild pullout force.

FIG.8 illustrates a first nonlimiting example of the second insert 300. In FIG. 8 the second insert 300 is shown as a substantially brick type structure having height H (for example, 2.5 inches), a width W (for example, 101/16 inches), and a depth D (for example, 31/2 inches). The second insert 300 may, in one embodiment, be fixed to the bottom shell 120. For example, the second insert 300 may be fixed to the bottom shell 120 by a conventional means such as, but not limited to, pins, tacks, nails, and adhesives. The second insert 300 may, in one nonlimiting example embodiment, be somewhat flexible and frictionally retain the second plurality of items 600. For example, in one nonlimiting example embodiment, the second insert 300 may be made from a closed cell foam type material with cutouts 310, 320, and 330 to frictionally retain the second plurality of items 600 (310 and 320 may, for example, be configured to frictionally retain gun rag/license jars and 330 may be configured to frictionally retain gun oil). In the nonlimiting example of FIGS. 1-13, the cutouts 310, 320, and 330 are designed so that the second plurality of items 600 are frictionally retained by the second insert 300. For example, if the second plurality of items 600 were inserted into the cutouts 310, 320, and 330 and the second insert 300 is turned over, the second plurality of items 600 would be retained by the second insert 300. In this way, the second plurality of items 600 is "squared-away" in the squared away container 1000. However, it is understood the friction force used to retain the second plurality of items 600 is not so great that a user cannot simply remove the items by applying a mild pullout force.

In example embodiments the first and second inserts 200 and 300 may be sized slightly larger than the shells the insert into. For example, the first insert 200 may have dimensions slightly larger than the dimensions of the top shell 110 such that when the first insert 200 is inserted into the top shell 110 the first insert 200 is in a state of compression. Because the first insert 200 may be made of a closed cell foam it is easily deformable and easily insertable into the top shell 110 despite being slightly larger. An advantage of this is that when the first insert 200 is secured to the top shell 110 by an adhesive, the first insert 200 presses into the adhesive helping the adhesive maintain its integrity. Similarly, the second insert 300 may have dimensions slightly larger than the dimensions of the bottom shell 120 such that when the second insert 300 is inserted into the bottom shell 120 the second insert 300 is in a state of compression. Because the second insert 300 may be made of a closed cell foam it is easily deformable and easily insertable into the bottom shell 120 despite being slightly larger. An advantage of this is that when the second insert 300 is secured to the bottom shell 120 by an adhesive, the second insert 300 presses into the adhesive helping the adhesive maintain its integrity.

FIG. 9illustrates a first nonlimiting example of the third insert 400. In FIG. 8 the third insert 400 is shown as a substantially brick type structure having height H (for example, 2 inches), a width W (for example, 10 1/16 inches), and a depth D (for example, 2 inches). The third insert 400 may, in one embodiment, be fixed to the flip-up plate 160. For example, the third insert 400 may be fixed to the flip-up plate 160 by a conventional means such as, but not limited to, pins, tacks, nails, and adhesives. The third insert 400 may, in one nonlimiting example embodiment, be somewhat flexible and frictionally retain the third plurality of items 700. For example, in one nonlimiting example embodiment, the third insert 400 may be made from a closed cell foam type material with cutouts 410 to frictionally retain the third plurality of items 700 (410 may, for example, be configured to frictionally retain certain types of calls, such as duck calls). In the nonlimiting example of FIGS. 1-13, the cutouts 410 are designed so that the third plurality of items 700 are frictionally retained by the third insert 400. For example, if the third plurality of items 700 were inserted into the cutouts 410 and the third insert 400 is turned over, the third plurality of items 700 would be retained by the third insert 400. In this way, the third plurality of items 700 is "squared-away" in the squared away container 1000. However, it is understood the friction force used to retain the third plurality of items 700 is not so great that a user cannot simply remove the items by applying a mild pullout force.

The inventive concepts may include additional features. For example, as explained above, the third insert 400 may frictionally retail the third plurality of items 700. However, in example embodiments, the flip-up plate 160 may include a fourth insert 450 having apertures to frictionally capture the third plurality of items 700. Like the other inserts, the fourth insert 450 may also be made from a closed cell foam. The fourth insert 450 may frictionally retain the third plurality of items 700 rather than the third insert 400. In this latter embodiment, the third insert 400 may simply support and/or stabilize the third plurality of items 700 rather than frictionally retain them. In yet another embodiment, each of the third and fourth inserts 400 and 450 may simultaneously frictionally retain the third plurality of items 700.

Thus far, a squared away container 1000 has been described as a boxlike structure having a hollow interior for storing various items such as, but not limited to, ammunition, lures, oils, and calls. Further, the squared away container 1000 has an additional characteristic in the material chosen and sized are selected so the squared away container 1000 can float on water, even in an open condition, and even when fully loaded with the intended items. Further, not only is the squared away container 1000 able to float on water, the squared away container 1000 is buoyant and will float, even if submerged for a period of time and even when loaded with the intended items. This, coupled with the squared away nature of the squared away container 1000 makes the squared away container 1000 an advancement in the art of storing items, for example, hunting items. For example, in the conventional art some artisans have utilized closed cell foam to square away material in a storage container. Some of these containers are even able to float when closed, however, there is no container which squares away items and floats when in an open state. To contrast Applicant's invention with the prior art, if a hunter were on a lake and the hunter were to accidently drop a conventional ammo box into the water and the ammo box were open, the box would sink. In the present invention, if the squared away container 1000 were configured as an ammo box, the ammo box would float even when open and even if it were submerged for a period of time. Additionally, because the contents thereof are squared away by virtue of their frictional storage in the box, the items in the ammo box would not be lost.

FIGS. 14-16 disclose another squared-away container which, in some respects, is very similar to the previously described squared-away container 1000. For example the squared-away container of FIGS. 14-16 may have a top shell and a bottom shell connected to one another by a hinge (for example, a piano hinge). Thus, in the nonlimiting example embodiment of FIGS. 14-16, the top shell may pivot respect to the bottom shell due to the hinge type connection allowing a user to open and close the squared- away container in a way that is conventional in the art. Like the squared-away container 1000 the squared-away container of FIGS. 14-16 may include latches to secure the squared- away container in a closed position. The latches may take on various forms such as, but not limited to, over the center latches, bolt latches, gate latches, turn latches, cam latches, spring latches, drawer latches, and sliding latches. It is understood the top and bottom shells and may be secured in other ways, such as hooks, pins, or buttons, thus, the invention is clearly not limited to containers that use latches. Like the squared-away container 1000, the squared away container of FIGS. 14-16 may include additional features such as, but not limited to a handle which may be used by a user to move the squared-away container from one location to another and corner protectors to eliminate sharp corners and protect the corners from impact. It is understood the specific dimensions shown in FIGS. 14-16 are for purpose of illustration only and are not meant to limit the invention.

FIG. 15 shows the squared-away container of FIG. 14 in an open state. As shown in FIG. 15, the top shell may enclose a jig holder foam plate (a top and side view shown in FIG. 16) which may retain a plurality of items, such as, but not limited to, jigs. The bottom shell may enclose a bait jar foam plate (a top and side view shown in FIG. 16) configured to retain a plurality of items such as, but not limited to, bait jars. Thus, in this sense, the squared-away container of FIGS. 14-16 may square away jigs and bait jars (amongst other items) and keep them in place in the event the squared-away container is dropped or moved. Furthermore, like the squared-away container 1000, the squared away container of FIGS. 14-16 may be designed so the squared-away container may float in water, even when open, and may float, even if submerged for a period of time, whether fully loaded or not. The buoyancy may be achieved by the proper selection of materials for the shells and the inserts (which may be, but is not required to be, closed cell foam).

FIGS. 18-25 illustrate yet another of a squared-away container 3000 which may be usable as an ammo box. As shown in FIGS. 18-25 the squared-away container 3000 resembles a box having a top box half 3100 and a lower box half 3200 (which constitute additional examples of a top shell 3100 and bottom shell 3200). Between the top box half 3100 and the lower box half 3200 is a seal 3300 which may be made of a resilient material, for example, rubber, which may create a waterproof seal in the event the squared-away container 3000 were in water. In this nonlimiting example embodiment the seal 3300 may reside in a groove 3210 formed in top portion of the lower box half 3200 and may substantially extend around a perimeter of the top portion of the lower box half 3200.

In example embodiments a handle assembly 3400 may be attached to the squared-away container 3000 to facilitate carrying the squared-away container 3000. The handle assembly 3400 may be attached to the top box half 3100 as shown in figures but may, alternatively, be attached to the lower box half 3200. In at least one nonlimiting example embodiment the handle assembly 3400 may be attached using conventional fasteners, for example, screws such as, but not limited to, vibration resistant screws, adhesives, and/or rivets. In the embodiment of FIGS. 18-25 three rivets are shown connecting the handle assembly 3400 to the top box half 3100, but this is for the purpose of illustration only as the handle assembly 3400 may be attached by less than three rivets or more than three rivets or by another means such as screws and/or adhesives.

In example embodiments latches 3500, for example, pull latches, may be used to keep the squared away container 3000 in a closed state as shown in at least FIG. 18. In the nonlimiting embodiment of FIGS. 18-25 a catch plate may be attached to the lower box half 3200 while the latch bolt may be attached to the top box half 3100.

On back sides of the top box half 3100 and lower box half 3200 are protrusions having apertures which may be alignable to allow the top box half 3100 to be hingedly connected to the lower box half 3200 via a hinge rod 3600. For example, the top box half 3100 may include spaced apart protrusion 3110 and the lower box half 3200 may include protrusions 3210 alignable with protrusions 3110 to enable a hinge type of connection when the hinge rod 3600 passes through the protrusions 3110 and 3210.

Though not shown in the figures it is understood the inserts described above are usable with the squared away container 3000. For example, each of the top box half 3100 and the lower box half 3200 may have inserts residing therein to square away items stored therein and provide buoyancy to the squared away container 3000. In example, embodiments, the inserts may, like the earlier embodiments, be formed to press into the top box half 3100 and the lower box half 3200 and may have formed to accommodate various items, for example, shot gun shells. Regardless, like the earlier embodiment the squared away container 3000 may be configured so the squared-away container 3000 may float, whether open or closed, whether fully loaded or not.

In example embodiments, the top box half 3100 and the lower box half 3200 may include retaining elements to help the inserts stay in the top box half 3100 and the lower box half. In one example, the retaining element 3120 of the top box half 3100 resembles a lip. Similarly, the retaining element 3220 of the lower box half 3200 may also resemble a lip. In this nonlimiting example embodiment, the insert in the top box half 3100 would like between the retaining element 3120 and a top portion 3130 of the top box half 3100. Similarly, the insert in the lower box half 3200 may reside between the retaining element 3220 and a floor 3230 of the lower box half 3200. In example embodiments, the retaining elements 3120 and 3220 may extend all around the inside of the top box half 3100 and the lower box half 3200 as shown in the figures. Alternatively, they may intermittently extend around the inside of the top box half 3100 and the lower box half 3200. In this latter embodiment, the retaining elements 3120 and 3220 may resemble stitches along the insides of the top box half 3100 and the lower box half 3200. While not in any one of FIGS. 1-17, it is understood the previously described shells may include similar retaining elements.

This application has disclosed squared-away containers which improve over the prior art. One inventive concept disclosed in at least one example embodiment is the use of inserts which reside in the bottom and top portions of the squared-away containers. This provides the squared-away containers additional buoyancy allowing the squared-away containers to float in water whether open or not. Additionally, the inserts frictionally retain various items therein so that if the squared-away containers were opened and accidently dropped into the water, the items therein would remain in place and would not be lost.

Example embodiments of the invention have been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of example embodiments are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.