Multipurpose storage device and method

• US 7,597,209 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2005
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MIEH, Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Rothschild, Maxwell Bell, Rothschild, Wayne H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stashick; Anthony D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Braden; Shawn M
• Application Number:
  US11/046,423
• Publication Number:
  US 20060169690A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,712 Days
• Field of Search: 220/7, 220/6, 383/2, 383/4
• US Class Current: 220/23.87
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/02 Interior fittings; Means, e.g. inserts, for holding and packing articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/103 Arrangement of zip-fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/1038 of flexible ties
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/00 Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles A45C1/08, A45C3/14, A45C11/321, A45C13/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2007/0004 convertible into an open planar surface, e.g. a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/06 with outside compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 7/0036 collapsible to a minimal configuration, e.g. for storage purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 7/0054 comprising a plurality of hinged panels to be unfolded in one plane for access purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 9/00 Purses, Luggage or bags convertible into objects for other use sacks or packs carried on the body and convertible into other articles A45F4/02; trunk-wardrobes A47B61/06; trunk-beds A47C17/82
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 9/062 for covering the ground, e.g. picnic or beach blankets

Abstract

A convertible device that converts between an activity mat and a storage container to capture and store numerous articles. Upon reclosing the activity mat, the articles are recaptured into the storage container. The device includes walls and a base, webbing connected between each adjacent wall pair, and a joint connected between the base and walls so that they are foldable into a third configuration wherein the footprint of the folded device is roughly the size of the base. In the third configuration, the walls are stacked relative to the base. The convertible device may further include attachment means for releasably holding the walls in a rigid and upright position in the first configuration. The webbing can be inwardly biased such that when the walls are urged from the second to the first configuration, the webbing folds toward the interior of the convertible device.

Claims

1. A convertible device convertible between at least a storage container in a first configuration and an activity mat in a second configuration, comprising:

a plurality of wall portions each connected to a base portion, wherein said base portion lies along a first plane in said first configuration and also lies along said first plane in said second configuration;

a plurality of webbings, wherein a first of said webbings is connected between a first of said wall portions and a second of said wall portions that is adjacent said first wall portion such that said first webbing forms a continuous surface with said first and second wall portions in said second configuration, said first and second wall portions sharing an adjacent edge in said first configuration, and wherein a second of said webbings is connected between said second wall portion and a third wall portion that is adjacent said second wall portion such that said first webbing forms a continuous surface with said second and third wall portions in said second configuration, said second and third wall portions sharing an adjacent edge in said first configuration, wherein said first webbing and said second webbing are inwardly biased toward an interior of said convertible device such that when said first and second wall portions are urged from said second configuration to said first configuration said webbing folds toward said interior of said convertible device;

an elongated joint connected between said base portion and at least some of said plurality of wall portions such that said at least some of said plurality of wall portions are foldable into a third configuration such that the footprint of said convertible device in said third configuration has substantially the same dimensions as said base portion, wherein in said third configuration said plurality of wall portions are in a stacked relationship relative to said base portion; and

a plurality of zippers for releasably holding at least some of the plurality of wall portions in a substantially rigid and upright position in said first configuration, wherein a first of said zippers is attached between said first wall portion and said second wall portion and wherein a second of said zippers is attached between said second wall portion and said third wall portion such that, as said first zipper and said second zipper are urged between an open and a closed position, the configuration of said convertible device is converted between said first configuration and said second configuration, wherein said first zipper includes a first zipper grip and said second zipper includes a second zipper grip, and wherein said first zipper grip is movable a maximum distance that is not longer than a length of said adjacent edge shared by said first and said second wall portions and wherein said second zipper grip is movable a maximum distance that is not longer than a length of said adjacent edge shared by said second and third wall portions.

2. The convertible device of claim 1, wherein said first zipper is attached between said first wall portion and said second wall portion and a flexible material, so as to permit said zipper to move freely between said open and said closed position as it is coupled between said first wall portion and said second wall portion.

3. The convertible device of claim 2, wherein said flexible material is selected from the group consisting of Spandex, elastane, Lycra, and any combination thereof.

4. The convertible device of claim 1, wherein said webbing is selected from the group consisting of vinyl, spandex, elastic, nylon, paperboard, polystyrene, polypropylene, nylon, and any combination thereof.

5. The convertible device of claim 1, wherein said base portion and at least one of said plurality of wall portions include protrusions adapted to mate with interlocking building blocks.

6. The convertible device of claim 1, wherein said base portion is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of cardboard, paperboard, steel, plastic, fabric, foam, and any combination thereof.

7. The convertible device of claim 1, wherein said first configuration has a geometric shape.

8. The convertible device of claim 7, wherein said geometric shape is selected from the group consisting of a circle, an ellipse, a square, a rectangular, a triangle, a hexagon, an octagon, and a trapezoid.

9. The convertible device of claim 1, further comprising stiffening wires coupling said base portion with at least some of said plurality of wall portions, said stiffening wires holding said plurality of wall portions in an upright, rigid position in said first configuration.

10. The convertible device of claim 1, further comprising a lid adapted to cover said storage device in said first configuration, said lid including registration structures such that another convertible device in said first configuration can be stacked on top of said lid in a registered position.

11. The convertible device of claim 1, further comprising a lid adapted to cover said storage device in said first configuration, said lid including at least two slots dimensioned to receive respective handles attached to at least two of said wall portions and extending therethrough.

12. The convertible device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of wall portions includes at least one storage pocket disposed such that when said convertible device is in said first configuration said at least one storage pocket is accessible from the interior of said convertible device.

13. The convertible device of claim 1, further comprising a clasp arranged between said base portion and at least one of said plurality of wall portions such that said clasp fastens said base portion to said at least one of said plurality of wall portions in a substantially upright and rigid position when said convertible device is in said first configuration.

14. The convertible device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of wall portions is exactly four wall portions, requiring four webbings to connect said exactly four wall portions together.

15. The convertible device of claim 1, wherein said elongated joint is composed of a stretchable material selected from the group consisting of elastic, Spandex, Lycra, and any combination thereof.

16. The convertible device of claim 1, further comprising a lid, said convertible device in said third configuration fitting substantially within said lid.

17. A method of assembling a convertible device convertible between at least a storage container in a first configuration and an activity mat in a second configuration, comprising:

connecting a plurality of wall portions to a base portion such that said base portion lies along a first plane in said first configuration and also lies along said first plane in said second configuration;

connecting a first webbing between a first of said wall portions and a second of said wall portions such that said first webbing forms a continuous surface with said first and second wall portions in said second configuration;

connecting a second webbing between said second wall portion and a third wall portion that is adjacent said second wall portion such that said second webbing forms a continuous surface with said second and third wall portions in said second configuration, wherein said first webbing and said second webbing are inwardly biased toward an interior of said convertible device such that when said first and second wall portions are urged from said second configuration to said first configuration said webbing folds toward said interior of said convertible device;

attaching a first zipper between said first wall portion and said second wall portion, said first and second wall portion sharing an adjacent edge in said first configuration; and

attaching a second zipper between said second wall portion and said third wall portion such that, as said first zipper and said second zipper are urged between an open and a closed position, the configuration of said convertible device is converted between said first configuration and said second configuration, wherein said second and third wall portions share an adjacent edge in said first configuration, and wherein said first zipper includes a first zipper grip and said second zipper includes a second zipper grip, said first zipper grip being movable a maximum distance that is not longer than a length of said adjacent edge shared by said first and second wall portions and said second zipper grip being movable a maximum distance that is not longer than a length of said adjacent edge shared by said second and third wall portions.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising forming protrusions adapted to mate with interlocking building blocks on said base portion or on at least one of said wall portions.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising inserting stiffening wires between said base portion and at least some of said plurality of wall portions so as to hold said plurality of wall portions in an upright, rigid position in said first configuration.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising forming a lid adapted to cover said storage device in said first configuration, said lid including registration structures such that another convertible device in said first configuration can be stacked on top of said lid in a registered position.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising connecting a plurality of elongated joints between said base portion and each one of at least some of said plurality of wall portions such that said at least some of said plurality of wall portions are foldable into a third configuration such that the footprint of said convertible device in said third configuration has substantially the same dimensions as said base portion, wherein in said third configuration said plurality of wall portions are in a stacked relationship relative to said base portion.

21. A convertible device convertible between at least a storage container in a first configuration and an activity mat in a second configuration, comprising:

a plurality of wall portions each connected to a base portion, wherein said base portion lies along a first plane in said first configuration and also lies along said first plane in said second configuration;

a plurality of webbings, wherein a first of said webbings is connected between a first of said wall portions and a second of said wall portions that is adjacent said first wall portion such that said first webbing forms a continuous surface with said first and second wall portions in said second configuration, said first and second wall portions sharing an adjacent edge in said first configuration, and wherein a second of said webbings is connected between said second wall portion and a third wall portion that is adjacent said second wall portion such that said second webbing forms a continuous surface with said second and third wall portions in said second configuration, said second and third wall portions sharing an adjacent edge in said first configuration, wherein said first webbing and said second webbing are inwardly biased toward an interior of said convertible device such that when said first and second wall portions are urged from said second configuration to said first configuration said webbing folds toward said interior of said convertible device;

a plurality of zippers for releasably holding at least some of the plurality of wall portions in a substantially rigid and upright position in said first configuration, wherein a first of said zippers is attached between said first wall portion and said second wall portion and wherein a second of said zippers is attached between said second wall portion and said third wall portion such that, as said first zipper and said second zipper are urged between an open and a closed position, the configuration of said convertible device is converted between said first configuration and said second configuration;

a plurality of protrusions formed on at least one of said plurality of wall portions or said base portion and extending away therefrom toward said interior of said convertible device, said plurality of protrusions being configured to mate with interlocking building blocks.

22. The convertible device of claim 21, further comprising an elongated joint connected between said base portion and at least some of said wall portions such that at least some of said wall portions are foldable into a third configuration such that the footprint of said convertible device has a size that is smaller than the footprint of said convertible device in said second configuration.

23. A convertible device convertible between at least a storage container in a first configuration and an activity mat in a second configuration, comprising:

a plurality of wall portions each connected to a base portion, wherein said base portion lies along a first plane in said first configuration and also lies along said first plane in said second configuration;

a plurality of webbings, wherein a first of said webbings is connected between a first of said wall portions and a second of said wall portions that is adjacent said first wall portion such that said first webbing forms a continuous surface with said first and second wall portions in said second configuration, and wherein a second of said webbings is connected between said second wall portion and a third wall portion that is adjacent said second wall portion such that said second webbing forms a continuous surface with said second and third wall portions in said second configuration, wherein said first webbing and said second webbing are inwardly biased toward an interior of said convertible device such that when said first and second wall portions are urged from said second configuration to said first configuration said webbing folds toward said interior of said convertible device; and

a plurality of zippers for releasably holding at least some of the plurality of wall portions in a substantially rigid and upright position in said first configuration, wherein a first of said zippers is attached between said first wall portion and said second wall portion and wherein a second of said zippers is attached between said second wall portion and said third wall portion such that, as said first zipper and said second zipper are urged between an open and a closed position, the configuration of said convertible device is converted between said first configuration and said second configuration, wherein said first zipper connects said first and second wall portions at a first edge in said first configuration, and wherein said second zipper connects said second and third wall portions at a second edge in said first configuration, wherein a maximum sliding distance of said first zipper is not longer than a length of said first edge, and wherein a maximum sliding distance of said second zipper is not longer than a length of said second edge.

25. The convertible device of claim 23, further comprising a lid configured to cover said convertible device in said first configuration, said convertible device in said third configuration fitting substantially within said lid.

26. The convertible device of claim 23, further comprising a sheet of material covering a first side of said base portion, said plurality of wall portions, and said plurality of webbings to form an activity surface in said second configuration, such that said sheet of material defines an outer rectangular-shaped perimeter of said activity mat in said second configuration, wherein said plurality of zippers are disposed on another side of said base portion, said plurality of wall portions, and said plurality of webbings in said second configuration.