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Multipurpose storage device and method

  • US 10,092,074 B2
  • Filed: 09/30/2016
  • Issued: 10/09/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2005
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A convertible device convertible between at least a storage container in a first configuration, an activity mat in a second configuration, and a folded stack in a third configuration, the convertible device comprising:

  • first and second wall sides and first and second wall ends, wherein each of the first and second wall sides and the first and second wall ends is adjacent to and connected with a base portion, wherein the base portion lies along a first plane in the first configuration, the second configuration, and the third configuration;

    a plurality of webbings, wherein a first of the webbings is adjacent to the first wall side and the first wall end such that the first webbing forms a continuous surface with the first wall side and the first wall end in the second configuration, the first wall side and the first wall end sharing a common adjacent edge in the first configuration,wherein a second of the webbings is adjacent to the second wall side and the second wall end such that the second webbing forms a continuous surface with the second wall side and the second wall end in the second configuration, the second wall side and the second wall end sharing a common adjacent edge in the first configuration, andwherein the first webbing and the second webbing are inwardly biased toward an interior of the convertible device in the first configuration such that when the wall sides and the wall ends are urged from the second configuration to the first configuration the first and second webbings fold toward the interior of the convertible device;

    a first attachment strap for releasably holding the first wall side and the first wall end in a substantially rigid and upright position in the first configuration, the first attachment strap fixed to the first wall end at a first fixed mounting point and releasably attached to a first detachable mounting on the first wall side via a first fastener; and

    a second attachment strap for releasably holding the second wall side and the second wall end in a substantially rigid and upright position in the first configuration, the second attachment strap fixed to the second wall end at a second fixed mounting point and releasably attached to a second detachable mounting on the second wall side via a second fastener,wherein responsive to the first and second attachment straps being released from the respective first and second detachable mountings, the configuration of the convertible device is converted between the first configuration and the second configuration, andwherein the wall ends and the wall sides are foldable into the third configuration, a footprint of the convertible device in the third configuration has substantially the same dimensions as the base, and wherein the wall ends and the walls sides are in a stacked relationship relative to the base in the third configuration.

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