Portable storage assembly

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a portable storage assembly including a plurality of poles, a support attachable to each of the poles and a storage container mountable to the support; wherein in use the poles are positioned to intersect forming an apex in an upper section and a wide base in a lower section, the storage container is positionable within the space defined by the poles in the lower section.

Claims

1. A portable storage assembly including four poles; four supports, each support pivotally connected between two adjacent poles; and a storage container mountable to the support; wherein the four poles are positioned to intersect forming an apex in an upper section and a wide base in a lower section, the storage container is positionable within a space defined by the poles in the lower section, and each support connects to two adjacent poles, wherein each support pivots an adjacent pole such that each pole is able to fold back on itself while remaining connected.

2. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the four poles comprise of a plurality of parts and the pole parts of each of the four poles connect via complementary male and female ends to form a continuous pole.

3. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the pole parts of each of the four poles are associated by a joining cord so that the parts of each pole are proximal to each other.

4. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the four poles are telescopically extendable.

5. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein in use the support is attachable at the same position on each of the poles.

6. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein in use the support is fixed to each of the poles so that the support is horizontal.

7. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage container is a waterproof fabric container mountable to the support.

8. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein in use a top perimeter of the storage container is mounted to the support.

9. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage container is square or rectangular in shape.

10. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein in use each lower corner of the storage container is attached to an adjacent one of the plurality of poles to prevent unintentional movement.

11. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein in use, the poles intersect at their upper end to form an apex.

12. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein in use an upper end of the poles are attached together by a head cup arrangement.

13. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein in use an upper end of the poles are attached together by a head cup arrangement and one or more hangers extend from the head cup arrangement.

14. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is a mount to hold hangers, a camera, a video camera, speaker(s), solar panel, light, beacon, phone or tablet recharging station, an umbrella, a shade cover, and other similar accessories.

15. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is a table top mountable onto the storage container.

16. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein there are cup holders on one or more of the poles.

17. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the four poles each comprise of a plurality of parts; the support is attachable at substantially the same position on each of the poles; the storage container is a waterproof fabric container mountable to the support; and the upper end of the poles are attached together by a head cup arrangement.

18. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein there is a mount to hold hangers, a camera, a video camera, speaker(s), solar panel, light, beacon, phone or tablet recharging station, an umbrella, a shade cover, and other similar accessories.

19. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein there is a table top mountable onto the storage container and one or more cup holders on the poles.

20. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein in use the supports are positioned through peripheral loops surrounding an upper perimeter of the storage container to mount the storage container to the supports.

21. A portable storage assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each support comprises two parts that are pivotally connected approximately midway by fasteners.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the temporary storage assembly of the preferred embodiment of the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the cover bag for holding the temporary storage assembly in a disassembled form;

(4) FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of the temporary storage assembly;

(5) FIGS. 4 to 9 are a series of figures showing the disassembly of the temporary storage assembly;

(6) FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view of the temporary storage assembly with an optional camera mounting;

(7) FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of the temporary storage assembly with a mounted umbrella;

(8) FIG. 12 is a diagrammatic view showing a table top for positioning on the storage container;

(9) FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view of positioning the table top on the storage compartment of the temporary storage assembly; and

(10) FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of the temporary storage assembly with cup holders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(11) With particular references to FIGS. 1 and 3, there is shown the portable storage assembly 10 having a frame 11 comprising of four individual poles 12. The poles 12 are positioned in use to substantially form a pyramid with the upper end coming together to form an apex 13. The apex 13 with each of the upper ends of poles 12 are held together by a fastening cap head arrangement 14. The fastening cap head arrangement 14 includes a base cap 15 and a top cap 16 which when fitted together fixed the position of the poles 12.

(12) Each of the poles 12 compromise several parts that can be disassembled in order to fold and store the assembly. Each part of the pole is associated with its adjacent part by a connecting cord 53. In this way the parts are not lost and can be quickly assembled to form a functional pole 12. Adjoining pole parts are connected together via opposing male and female pole part ends 17.

(13) Each pole 12 is connected to their adjacent poles 12 by two pivotally connected support arms 19. The storage container 20 is mounted to the support arms 19. Each support arm 19 is pivotally connected to the pole 12 by means of a fastener. Each support arm 19 comprises of two parts that are pivotally connected approximately midway between the poles 12 by fasteners 23. The pivotally connected support arms 19 are attached to each pole 12 at substantially the same position from the base of the poles 12. The pivotally connected support arms 19 are positioned through peripheral loops 22 surrounding the upper perimeter of the storage container 20. The storage container 20 is a water-proof fabric container that is substantially square in shape. The storage container 20 has a top zip opening 26 and a side zip opening 27. There is also a center tab 28 for disassembling the portable storage assembly. While the storage container 20 is fixed to each of the poles 12 there is an elastic tie 29 extending from each lower corner 30 of the storage container 20. The elastic tie 29 extends from the corner 30 and attaches to a hook 31 on each of the poles 12. Each of the poles 12 has a foot 32 to provide stability and additional strength.

(14) The storage container 20 enables clothes, hats and valuables to be stored therein. The storage container 20 can also include an internal secret compartment for the securing of valuables.

(15) A mounting cap 35 can be placed over the cap head arrangement 14 that forms the apex 13. The mounting cap 35 has a plurality of channels 36 in a top surface through which hanger arms 37 are located. The hanger arms 37 allows clothes, bags, hats and other items to hang from the extended arms.

(16) With particular reference to FIG. 10, there is shown a camera 40 mounted to the mounting cap 35. The mounting cap 35 has the preferred ability to enable the mounting of a camera (as shown in FIG. 10); video camera; speakers; beacon; solar panel; light; phone, tablet or laptop chargers; and umbrella 42 (as shown in FIG. 11).

(17) With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, there is a paneled tabletop 50, which can be located on top of the storage container 20 so that the portable storage assembly 10 can also serve as a table. A person may use a table for placing food, drinks, plates and cutlery rather than leaving them on the ground. With reference to FIG. 14, there is shown cup holders 52 attached to each of the poles 12. The cup holders 52 can be used in conjunction with the tabletop 50 to provide a dining arrangement.

(18) With reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, there is shown various stages of disassembly to the portable storage assembly 10. Step 1 involves removing possessions from the storage container 20, removing hanger arms 37 and other accessories from the portable storage assembly 10. Unhooking the elastic ties 29 from all four corners of the storage container 20. Step 2 involves pulling up on the tab 28 so that the support arms 19 pivots adjacent pole 12 and midway via fasteners 23. In this way the storage container 20 collapses and folds around the support arms 19. The poles 12 are disassembled so that each part of the pole 12 is able to fold back on itself while remaining connected via cords 53. FIGS. 6 to 9 show the disassembly of the poles 12 (and without the storage compartment 20 for ease of illustration purposes). The folded pole parts and storage compartment 20 are then placed in cover 60 shown in FIG. 2. To reassemble the portable storage assembly 10, the steps are reversed.

Advantages

(19) The preferred embodiment of the portable storage assembly 10 has the advantage that it is relatively quick and easy to assemble and disassemble, provide ample storage for clothes, towels and other possessions, form a table and a temporary dining arrangement and can provide shade to those sitting around the portable storage assembly 10.

(20) The preferred embodiment of the portable storage assembly 10 enables possessions and food to remain off the ground thereby avoiding contamination and invasion by ants and other insects.

VARIATIONS

(21) It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

(22) Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word comprise and variations of that word such as comprises and comprising, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.