Multipurpose storage device and method

• US 9,480,317 B2
• Filed: 03/19/2014
• Issued: 11/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MIEH, Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Holdings LLC
• Inventors: Rothschild, Wayne H., Rothschild, Maxwell Bell
• Primary Examiner(s): Braden, Shawn M
• Application Number:
  US14/219,778
• Publication Number:
  US 20140262862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 958 Days
• Field of Search: 220/6, 220/7, 220/666, 220/4.01, 190/1, 190/2, 190/107, 190/901, 190/903
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 11/20 Lunch or picnic boxes or the like
• 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 13/1076 with a snap action A45C13/12 takes precedence
• 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 2013/026 Inserts
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 2013/1015 of hook and loop type
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/03 Suitcases
• 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: A45F 3/46 Picnic sets picnic boxes A45C11/20
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 4/02 Sacks or packs convertible into other articles or into objects for other use
• 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 two zippers 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. An apparatus convertible between at least a storage container in a first configuration and an activity mat in a second configuration, comprising:

a base connected to walls;

at least one motor attached to the base;

means, connected to the motor, for raising the walls so as to transform the apparatus from the second configuration into the first configuration,

wherein a ratio of a footprint of the apparatus in the second configuration to a footprint of the apparatus in the first configuration exceeds two.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motor is a battery-powered electric motor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motor is a spring motor having a windable ratchet and a release for releasing the ratchet from its wound position.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for raising includes shafts attached to the walls and a slip clutch for preventing overloading of the motor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for raising includes cables connected to the motor and secured to the walls and respective pulleys positioned to engage the cables so as to urge the walls from the second configuration to the first configuration in response to activation of the motor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base and the walls are coplanar when the apparatus is in the second configuration.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of corner baffles connecting the walls together.