Moveable Storage Container for Storing Vehicles

TECHNICAL FIELD

A movable storage container suitable for temporary or permanent storage of small vehicles, featuring an angled hinged lid or top portion covering a base, an interior storage area formed when the top rests on the base, the lid featuring an angled connection wall counterweighted to assist in lifting the lid and supporting the lid in an open position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Storage of motorcycles and other small vehicles is often problematic. Since motorcycles, riding lawn mowers, golf carts, and other small vehicles are seasonally used, storage in a garage is often inconvenient as the stored vehicles get in the way of cars, etc. and are prone to being bumped or damaged. Many owners turn to commercial sheds and other large permanent structures to house their smaller seasonal vehicles, however this option is expensive and only possible on larger properties. Renters and people living in urban areas often do not even have a garage, and are forced to park their motorcycles on the side of the road where they are then subject to the elements, theft, damage, etc. or pay fees to store their motorcycles in commercial storage units, often located in inconvenient locations.

What is needed is a storage container that is sufficiently sized to securely hold a motorcycle or other small vehicle, yet be lightweight and economical, easy to open and close for convenient stowage and removal of the stored vehicle, and adapted to be permanently or temporarily installed on a flat surface.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

A storage container suitable for vehicular storage on a relatively planar support surface, the storage container having a top comprised of sloped roof section connected to an angled connection wall and three vertical side walls, the connection of the sloped roof section and the angled connection wall forming a first angle of about 90 degrees at a proximal end of the angled connection wall, and at a distal end of the angled connection wall, a second angle rising about 45 degrees from a horizontal plane, the second angle formed by the angled connection wall hingeably connected to a base resting in the horizontal plane. The angled connection wall is weighted with a predetermined weight load. One of the three vertical side walls is a handle wall upon which a handle or other lifting means is affixed. In use, the storage container is in a closed or storage position when the top covers the base. The storage container is placed in an open or access position by a user gripping and then raising the handle. The angled connection wall rotates downwards until it rests on the horizontal plane, maintained in this position by the predetermined weight load affixed thereto. The storage container is further repositionable, by locking the top to the base, grasping the handle, lifting the top, and then pushing or pulling the storage container to a desired location. In one embodiment, wheels are included in the base along the hinged side of the base, and in another embodiment, the storage container further includes a plurality of apertures adapted to receive spikes or other means by which to affix the storage container to the ground for a more permanent installation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational, cross-sectional side view of the storage container according to the invention, shown in a closed position, a motorcycle outline shown as it would appear if stored inside an interior storage space formed by a top of the storage box closed over a base.

FIG. 2 is an elevational, cross-sectional side view of the storage container in FIG. 1, shown in an open position with an angled connection wall resting against the ground or other suitable planar supporting means, allowing the motorcycle or other stowed vehicle to be removed from or placed into the interior storage space.

FIG. 3a is a first perspective view of the storage container shown in the closed or stowage position.

FIG. 3b is a second perspective view of the storage container shown in the closed position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the storage container in the open position.

DRAWINGS LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

The following is a list of reference labels used in the drawings to label components of different embodiments of the invention, and the names of the indicated components.

• 100 box or storage container
• 10 motorcycle
• 20 lid or top
• 20a side wall
• 20b handle wall
• 20c peak
• 22 roof section
• 22a back slope
• 22b front slope
• 22c lower edge of front slope
• 22d upper edge of front slope
• 24 weight load
• 25 receiving means for weight load
• 26 lifting means or handle
• 28 angled connection wall
• 28a lowermost edge
• 28b uppermost edge
• 32 first angle
• 34 second angle
• 36 hinge
• 38 entry/exit area to access interior storage space
• 40 frame or base
• 42 locking means
• 44 apertures
• 48 fasteners

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A box or storage container according to the invention 100 is shown in FIGS. 1-4. The storage container 100 in a typical embodiment is used to store motorcycles, but is easily modified with appropriate dimensional changes, for other smaller-scaled vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles, riding lawn mowers, and bicycles, as well as other non-vehicular storage demands. It is portable and easily transportable, but may also be permanently installed, allowing the storage container 100 to be used in a variety of locations. Dimensions of the storage container 100 vary depending on the intended application, but the design parameters remain constant. Minor dimension variations may be required to allow for disassembled stacking of the unit for shipping or storing.

In a typical embodiment of the storage container according to the invention 100, suitable for storage of a motorcycle 10, the storage container 100 features a generally rectangular base 40 hingeably coupled to a lowermost edge 28a of an angled connection wall 28 of a lid or top 20. The top 20 is further comprised of two parallel, spaced apart vertical top walls or side walls 20a and a vertical handle wall 20b perpendicular to the side walls 20a and perpendicular to the base 40, all three walls 20a 20b affixed at their uppermost edges to a roof section 22 of the top 20. The top 20 is shaped to approximate the dimensions (length, width, height) of the motorcycle 10. The handle wall 20b is provided with lifting means 26, typically a long bar or handle 26, affixed to the handle wall 20b exterior side and opposite the angled connection wall 28.

The base 40 serves as a low profile stationary platform, allowing the top 20 to rest on it and separating the top 20 from the ground or other support surface. In an alternative embodiment, the top 20 may be designed to fit over the entire base 40 and rest on the ground or other support surface. The base 40 is comprised of a 3-sided frame in a generally U-shaped configuration, having two parallel side walls in spaced apart relation connected to the hinged angled connection wall 28, the angled connection wall 28 perpendicular to and sandwiched between the two parallel side walls 20a. The handle wall 20b is opposite the angled connection wall 28. A hinge 36 is affixed to both the base 40 and the lowermost edge 28a of the angled connection wall 28. The base 40 may optionally include a bottom or floor. In a first embodiment, the lowermost edges of the top walls 20a 20b rest on the base 40 when closed, and in a second embodiment, the lowermost edges of the top walls 20a 20b rest directly on the support surface. The hinged connection of the base 40 to the top 20 allow the closed top 20 to be lifted upwards in a consistent arc away from the base 40, thereby opening the storage container 100. The open side 38 of the base 40 parallel to and opposite the hinged angled connection wall 28, allows the motorcycle 10 unrestricted entry and exit into the interior storage space, as shown in FIG. 2.

In one embodiment, the walls 20a 20b of the base 40 oriented away from the hinge 36 and closest to the opening 38 are areas typically where appropriate locking 42 means can be installed to secure the top 20 to the base 40, for security against theft or tampering, or for transporting the storage container 100 as a single piece. In another embodiment, the base 40 is further comprised of a plurality of holes or apertures 44 arranged about the base 40, the apertures 44 suitable for fixedly mounting the base 40 to a planar support surface, including the ground, using suitable fasteners 48, such as screw-type anchors, or to concrete or asphalt foundations with appropriate anchors. The base 40 may also be removably affixed to the support surface, to allow future repositioning of the storage container 100 as desired. In another embodiment, wheels are affixed to the base 40 opposite the handle wall 20b, to allow the storage container 100 to be lifted by the handle 26 and simply rolled to a desired location.

The top 20 is constructed of lightweight, weather resistant material, allowing the storage container 100 to be placed outdoors year round. Fiberglass, aluminum, or structural plastic are all appropriate materials. The material used must be of sufficient strength to withstand snow and wind loads.

The shape and size of the top 20, in particular the sloping roof design, allow the motorcycle 10 to fit inside with no substantial excess space in any dimension. The sloping design of the roof section 22 includes a front slope 22b and a back slope 22a, the front slope 22b located above the front of the stored motorcycle's windshield, as the motorcycle 10 rests on the base 40. The lower edge of the front slope 22c intersects the angled connection wall 28 at a first angle 32, and in a typical embodiment, the first angle 32 measures approximately 90 degrees. In other embodiments, the first angle measurement may range between approximately 45 degrees and 135 degrees.

When the storage container 100 is in a closed position, the angled connection wall 28 as measured from the horizontal plane in which the top surface of the base exists, in a typical embodiment rises at a second angle 34, measuring approximately 45 degrees from the hinged connection between the angled connection wall 28 and the horizontal base 40, extending a predetermined length. In other embodiments the second angle measurement may range between approximately 20 degrees and up to about 90 degrees. When the top 20 is in an open position, the angled connection wall 28 rests upon the ground and supports the total weight of the top 20 when the top is tilted up and in the open position to allow access to the interior storage area 30. Weighed material 24, such as an appropriate quantity of sand or concrete blocks, is securely positioned on the angled connection wall 28 such that when the top 20 is opened, the weighted material 24 is positioned behind the hinged connection, and acts as a counterweight to the weight of the top 20 situated behind the hinges 36, allowing it to be tilted or lifted more easily. The weight of the materials used will be in accordance with the materials (weight) chosen for the top construction and an owner's preference of effort desired to lift or open the top 20. In one embodiment, the weighted material 24 may be altered as desired by the owner. In another embodiment, the quantity of the weighted material is not adjustable or removable. In still another embodiment, the weighted material 24 is secured to the angled connection wall 28 by placement into a receiving means 25, configured most simply as straps in the case of the weighted material being concrete blocks, or a container with a removable lid that can be filled with a desired quantity or sand or gravel. The front slope 22b and the back slope 22a of the roof 22 form a peak 20c high enough to allow windshield clearance inside the storage container 100, as well as aid in snow shedding. The handle wall 20b, located opposite the angled connection wall 28, is vertical or near vertical and features an additional section at its lowermost edge to cover an area not covered by the base 40 and used for entry and exit the motorcycle 10. The remaining two parallel sides 20a of the top 20 are vertical or nearly vertical and their uppermost edges follow the shape dictated by the roof design.

In operation, the base 40 is mounted or placed on the ground or other solid, generally planar support structure. The user, facing the handle wall 20b, grasps the handle 26 or other appropriate lifting means to tilt the top 20 up and away from the base 40 via the hinged connection. The top 20, when raised, will stop in the open position, with the angled connection wall 28 resting against the support structure, the weight of the top 20 supported by the angled connection wall 28. The weighted material 24 on the angled connection wall 28 prevents the top 20 from unintentionally closing. The user can then move and position the motorcycle 10 into the interior storage area 30, and by pulling downwards on the handle 26, close the top 20 around the motorcycle 10 without any part of the top 20 coming in contact with the stored motorcycle 10. The user then (optionally) locks the top 20 to the base 40, thereby securing the motorcycle 10.

The inventor believes the first and second angles, the weighted material 24 affixed to the angled connection wall 28, and the angled connection wall itself, result in a top 20 that is easily opened, and remains securely in the open position without the need to use specialized hinges, such as lid support torsion hinges (commonly used on toy box lids), or other lid supports currently used to prevent accidental or unintentional closure of a hinged lid.

Numerous other modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that the storage container 100 could also be used as a substitute for a conventional building-like shed, to store a variety of items, including small cars, and could be fitted to include windows, battery operated lights, etc.