Chair storage unit

• US 6,082,816 A
• Filed: 10/08/1997
• Issued: 07/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IP Co., LLC (Ideahub, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The Jeremy Group
• Inventors: Hoffman, John, Rosensaft, Lester J., Gottlieb, Jeremy D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US08/946,926
• Time in Patent Office: 1,000 Days
• Field of Search: 297/188.2, 297/188.01, 297/188.07, 297/188.06, 297/188.08, 297/188.09, 297/188.1, 297/188.12, 297/DIG. 6, 224/275, 190/100, 190/109, 150/113
• US Class Current: 297/188.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/62 Accessories for chairs
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/626 directly under the seat
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/06 Hook and loop type fastener

Abstract

An under-seat storage device made of an expandable material which in a first embodiment comprises an accordian-shaped configuration. Other embodiments include Spandex rope or other mesh type fabrics having other expandable qualities. The material has a top portion having a plurality of VELCRO® strips clips, magnet(s), screws, bolts, adhesive, wing-nuts, etc. attached thereon, three side portions having accordion folded or other expandable surfaces and a front portion having an articulable flap which opens towards a bottom portion, and a VELCRO® (or other fastening material) strip in the center thereof. A plurality of VELCRO® strips are also located on the bottom of a folding seat such that the storage unit may be readily attached and/or detached from the bottom of the seat by pushing the VELCRO® strips together or pulling them apart. The storage unit may also include a smaller center container attached to the storage envelope. The smaller container may be made of a clear or translucent plastic which can be separately attached to the storage container by means of VELCRO®, rubber cement, clips, magnets, snaps, screws, bolts, wing-nuts, etc. or can slide into the storage device. Finally, the storage container can be completely portable and disposable.

Claims

1. A seat storage unit, comprising:

a storage unit having top, bottom and side portions and expansion means therein and being configured so that expansion is greater towards a back portion of the storage unit than a front portion of the storage unit, said storage unit being made of a flexible material that is at least partially transparent;

a front clasp, for closing a front portion of the storage unit, said front portion overlying said bottom portion when said storage unit is closed;

a chair connector adapted to securely attach the top portion of the storage unit only to an underside of the seat; and

a center storage envelope located on a center portion of the storage unit which is separately releasably attached to the storage unit, wherein said center storage envelope is at least partially transparent.

2. The seat storage unit of claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes openings along the back portion to provide drainage.

3. The seat storage unit of claim 1, wherein, when the seat is in an upright position, the storage unit may be compressed against a back of the seat so that it remains relatively flush with the underside of the seat.

4. The seat storage unit of claim 1, wherein the expansion means comprises side portions configured to fold in an accordion-like fashion.

5. The seat storage unit of claim 1, wherein the expansion means comprises side portions constructed of a flexible mesh-like material which permits liquid to pass through.

6. The seat storage unit of claim 1, wherein the expansion means comprises side portions constructed of a net-type material which permits liquid to pass through.

7. The seat storage unit of claim 1, wherein the flexible material is insulative, so that an interior of the storage unit is maintained at a desired temperature.

8. The seat storage unit of claim 1, wherein the front clasp comprises a strap at least partially coated with a reusable closing material.

9. The seat storage unit of claim 8, wherein the reusable closing material including a hook and loop fastener.

10. The seat storage unit of claim 1, wherein the flexible material is a transparent plastic.

11. The seat storage unit of claim 10, further comprising multiple drainage openings in the storage unit.

12. The seat storage unit of claim 1, wherein the front clasp comprises a first and a second area of reusable closing material, the first area being located on a bottom side of the top portion of the storage unit, and the second area being located along a top side of the bottom portion of the storage unit.

13. The seat storage unit of claim 12, wherein the reusable closing material is a magnet adhesive.

14. The seat storage unit of claim 12, wherein the first area extends substantially along the entire width of the top portion, and the second area extends substantially along the entire width of the bottom portion.

15. The seat storage unit of claim 12, wherein the reusable closing material including a hook and loop fastener.

16. The seat storage unit of claim 12, wherein the reusable closing material is a snap.