Portable, universally fitting, security box that attaches to a fixed object to secure valuables

Abstract

A portable, universally fitting, stylish, lockable security box that integrally affixes to an object such as the support or cross bar on a frame of a beach lounge chair, a stroller, bike or similar member where it is desirable to protect your valuables on a stationary or a larger movable object. The security box includes an internal cavity that is formed by the two main components which makes this device simple and attractive. The exterior surface is preferably configured with tapered or rounded edges and a flush closure of the top and bottom components, wherein the risk of a snag or injury to the user is greatly reduced and to not interfere with the function or operation of the component to which it is attached.

Claims

1. A lockable security box comprising; a top component having an inner surface, an arcuate outside surface, a bottom surface and front and back surface portions and a pair of spaced apart partial side openings wherein said partial side openings each include an upper arcuate surface thereon; a bottom component having an inner surface, an outside surface, a top surface and front and back surface portions and a pair of spaced apart partial side openings wherein said partial side openings each include a rectangular shaped portion thereon; a support cavity formed by the inner surface of the top component and the inner surface of the bottom component; the support cavity further including a pair of side openings which are formed by the partial side openings in the top component and the partial side openings in the bottom component and the support cavity has a greater length dimension between the side openings than the height dimension along the inner surfaces of the top component and bottom component and a greater length dimension than the width dimension formed between the front and back surface portions of the top and bottom components along the bottom surface of the top component and the top surface of the bottom component; a hinge member and a locking member; wherein said top component attaches to said bottom component with the hinge member on said back surface portion of said top and bottom components and the locking member includes components on said front surface portion of said top and bottom components and wherein the top component and bottom component are movable relative to each other between first and second positions via the hinge member and wherein when the top component is locked relative to the bottom component in the second position, the bottom surface of the top component abuts flush against the top surface of the bottom component and the support cavity is created therein; wherein the outside surfaces of the top and bottom components form a three-dimensional shaped member which surrounds the support cavity; and wherein the top component further includes a generally elongate lengthwise dimension between the two partial side openings and is generally curvilinear in cross sectional shape along the plane generally extending between the front surface portion and the back surface portion of the top component adjacent to the bottom surface thereof and said arcuate surface of said partial side openings include a pair of corner surfaces at each end thereof spaced apart from the bottom surface of the top component.

2. The security box of claim 1 wherein the bottom component further includes a generally elongate lengthwise dimension between said partial side openings therein and is generally u-shaped incross sectional shape along a plane generally extending perpendicular to the lengthwise dimension.

3. A lockable security box comprising; atop component having an inner surface, an arcuate outside surface, a bottom surface and front and back surface portions and a pair of spaced apart partial side openings wherein said partial side openings each include an arcuate surface thereon and said top component includes a lengthwise dimension between the partial side openings that is greater than the width dimension thereof adjacent to the bottom surface of the top component; a bottom component having an inner surface, an outside surface, a top surface and front and back surface portions and a pair of spaced apart partial side openings wherein said partial side openings of said bottom component are larger than the partial side openings of said top component and said bottom component includes a lengthwise dimension between the partial side openings that is greater than the width dimension thereof adjacent to the top surface of the bottom component; a support cavity formed by the inner surface of the top component and the inner surface of the bottom component; the support cavity further including a pair of side openings formed by the partial side openings in the top and bottom components and which are formed by an arcuate portion on each of the partial side openings in the top component and the larger partial side openings of the bottom component and the support cavity has a greater length dimension between the side openings than the width dimension formed between the front and back surface portions of the bottom surface of the top component and the top surface of the bottom component; a hinge member and a locking member; wherein the back surface portion of said top component attaches to the back surface portion of said bottom component using the hinge member and the locking member is located along the front surface portion of the top and bottom components and wherein the top component and bottom component are movable between a first open position and a second closed position; wherein the combination of the top component and bottom component create said support cavity by placement of said side openings along the lengthwise dimension of the top and bottom components such that said support cavity can accommodate a variety of different objects extending between the side openings and wherein said bottom surface of said top component and said top surface of said bottom component fit flush against each other in the second closed position; the height of the top component is sufficient to hold an elongate object extending between the side openings thereof and through the support cavity with sufficient structural integrity to support the weight of the security box and the weight of objects in said security box; wherein the outside surface of the top and bottom components form a three-dimensional shaped member having multiple curved edges which surround the support cavity; and wherein the arcuate surface of the partial side openings is located in the top component and a pair of corners are located adjacent to the ends of the arcuate surface in the top component and said corners are spaced apart from the top surface of the bottom component in the second closed position of the top and bottom components.

4. A lockable security box comprising; atop component having an inner surface, an arcuate outside surface, a bottom surface and front and back surface portions and a pair of spaced apart partial side openings wherein said partial side openings each include an arcuate surface thereon and said top component includes a lengthwise dimension between the partial side openings that is greater than the width dimension thereof adjacent to the bottom surface of the top component; a bottom component having an inner surface, an outside surface, a top surface and front and back surface portions and a pair of spaced apart partial side openings wherein said partial side openings of said bottom component are larger than the partial side openings of said top component and said bottom component includes a lengthwise dimension between the partial side openings that is greater than the width dimension thereof adjacent to the top surface of the bottom component; a support cavity formed by the inner surface of the top component and the inner surface of the bottom component; the support cavity further including a pair of side openings formed by the partial side openings in the top and bottom components and which are formed by an arcuate portion on each of the partial side openings in the top component and the larger partial side openings of the bottom component and the support cavity has a greater length dimension between the side openings than the width dimension formed between the front and back surface portions of the bottom surface of the top component and the top surface of the bottom component; a hinge member and a locking member; wherein the back surface portion of said top component attaches to the back surface portion of said bottom component using the hinge member and the locking member is located along the front surface portion of the top and bottom components and wherein the top component and bottom component are movable between a first open position and a second closed position; wherein the combination of the top component and bottom component create said support cavity by placement of said side openings along the lengthwise dimension of the top and bottom components such that said support cavity can accommodate a variety of different objects extending between the side openings and wherein said bottom surface of said top component and said top surface of said bottom component fit flush against each other in the second closed position; the height of the top component is sufficient to hold an elongate object extending between the side openings thereof and through the support cavity with sufficient structural integrity to support the weight of the security box and the weight of objects in said security box; wherein the outside surface of the top and bottom components form a three-dimensional shaped member having multiple curved edges which surround the support cavity; and wherein the side openings formed by the top component and bottom component include an arcuate portion having a pair of corners at each end thereof and a generally rectangular shaped portion along the partial side openings on the bottom component and wherein the corners are spaced apart from the bottom component in the second closed position of the top and bottom components.

5. A lockable security box comprising; a top component having an inner surface, an arcuate outside surface, a bottom surface and front and back surface portions and a pair of spaced apart partial side openings wherein said partial side openings each include an arcuate surface thereon with said top component having sufficient structural integrity to support the weight of the lockable security box and objects capable of being stored in said security box, the top component further having a lengthwise dimension between the partial side openings that is greater than the width dimension formed between the front and back surface portions along the bottom surface thereof; a bottom component having an inner surface, an outside surface, a top surface and front and back surface portions and a pair of spaced apart partial side openings wherein said partial side openings are larger than the partial side openings of the top component and said bottom component includes a lengthwise dimension between the partial side openings that is greater than the width dimension between the front and back surface portions along the top surface of the bottom component; a hinge member and a locking member; a support cavity formed by the inner surface of the top component and the inner surface of the bottom component wherein the top component is movable relative to the bottom component between open and closed positions along the hinge member located adjacent to and attached to the back and bottom surface of the top component and the back and top surface of the bottom component and said support cavity includes a pair of side openings formed when said partial side openings of said top component and said partial side openings of said bottom component are positioned adjacent to each other in the closed position; the locking member having components located on the front surface portion of each of the top and bottom components to create the lockable security box that is engageable with an elongate member extending through the side openings and support cavity such that the support cavity is sufficient in size to hold an object therein; the top component and the bottom component each have a generally elongate lengthwise dimension between the two side openings and each are generally curvilinear in cross sectional shape along the plane that is generally perpendicular to the lengthwise dimension and extending between the front surface portion and the back surface of the top component adjacent to the bottom surface portion thereof and the top surface of the bottom component; and the support cavity has a greater length dimension between the side openings than the height dimension of the security box and a greater height dimension than the width dimension formed between the front and back surface portions of the top component adjacent to the bottom surface thereof and the top surface of the bottom component and when the top component and bottom component are in the closed position, the top surface of the bottom component and the bottom surface of the top component abut flush against each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective front view of the two main components of the security box and the side openings.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view from the back of the two main components of the security box and the side openings.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a front view of both main components when assembled.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a side view of both main components when assembled.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a rear view of both main components when assembled.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a top view of both main components when assembled.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of a security box taken generally along the plane generally bisecting the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3.

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the present invention attached to the support bar of a lawn chair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(9) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the security box 10 of the present invention has a top component 12 which connects to the bottom component 30 through an integrally attached hinge 50. The hinge 50 operates by tapping a tapered pin 52 into each side of the hinge extensions 54. The top component 12 is hinged and movable relative to the bottom component 30 to close the top component 12 onto the top of the bottom component 30. As shown in FIG. 1, the hasps 62 of the locking mechanism 60 come together so they may be locked with a padlock to secure the user's valuables inside. Alternately, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the lockable security box 10 may have a self-contained locking mechanism 60, such as an integral briefcase style locking mechanism as described more fully below.

(10) As best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 7, the top component 12 includes opposed side openings 14 and 16. In a preferred form of the present invention, the side openings 14 and 16 are formed by the combination of the upper arcuate portion 18, corner lip 68, straight side portions 20 of the top component 12 and the generally straight sides and generally rectangular shape of the side openings 14 and 16 of the bottom component 30. The combination of the arcuate portion 18, the corner lip 68, and the straight side portions 20 allows the side openings 14 and 16 to engage a variety of cross sectional shapes of elongate support bars 70. When the support bar 70 has a circular cross section, the support bar 70 will typically contact the upper arcuate portion 18 of the side openings 14 and 16. When the support bar 70 has a rectangular, oval or other shaped cross section, the support bar 70 will contact either the corner lip 68 or both the upper arcuate portion 18 and the corner lip 68 of the side openings 14 and 16 to reduce the movement of the lockable security box 10 relative to the support bar 70 when the lockable security box 10 encloses the support bar 70. In this configuration, the security box cannot be removed from the support bar without cutting though the support bar or breaking the hinge or locking mechanisms of the present invention.

(11) As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the top component 12 includes an inner surface 22 and an outer surface 24. In a preferred form of the present invention, the inner surface and the outer surface of the top component 12 are preferably of generally uniform thickness, although, it is anticipated that the thickness may vary to reinforce certain sections of the top component or to accommodate various manufacturing processes. The top component is preferably manufactured of an ABS material, although a variety of other strong and durable materials such as Poly Carbonates, nylon composites, carbon fibers or certain other high strength materials may be used to provide the attributes desired in the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the top component has a generally elongate lengthwise dimension between the side openings 14 and 16 and is generally u-shaped in cross sectional shape between the front surface 26 and the back surface 28 of the top component. The height of the top component is generally chosen to be sufficient to accommodate the majority of cross sectional sizes of intended support bar 70 in the side openings 14 and 16, while providing sufficient structural integrity around the support bar 70 and in combination with the bottom component 30 to provide secure engagement with the support bar. The back surface 28 of the top component 12 preferably includes a plurality of outwardly extending hinge extensions 54 having circular openings there through to securely retain the tapered pins 52 therein when the lockable security box is assembled. The front surface 26 of the top component 12 includes at least a portion of the locking mechanism 60 thereon. As shown in FIG. 1, a hasp member 62 extends forwardly from the front surface 26 of the top component 12 in a manner to allow the side by side positioning of the hasp 62 from the bottom component 30 to allow the insertion of a portion of a lock through each of the hasps to securely close the lockable security box 10. As also described in this application and shown in FIG. 7, the locking mechanism 60 may also consist of a self-contained lock similar to the types of locks used for bicycles, storage units or similar devices. In this form of the locking mechanism 60, a combination lock type feature extends or retracts a hasp member 62 that is engaged in a recessed portion located along the inner surface 22 of the top component 12.

(12) As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, the bottom component 30 includes an inner surface 32 and an outer surface 34. In a preferred form of the present invention, the inner surface and the outer surface of the bottom component 30 are preferably of generally uniform thickness, although, it is anticipated that the thickness may vary to reinforce certain sections of the bottom component or to accommodate various manufacturing processes or even to provide an internal support surface for the valuables of the user. The bottom component 30 is preferably manufactured of an ABS material, although a variety of other strong and durable materials such as Poly Carbonates, nylon composites, carbon fibers or certain other high strength materials may be used to provide the attributes desired in the present invention. As shown, the bottom component 30 has a generally elongate lengthwise dimension between the side openings 14 and 16 and is generally ovoid, elliptical or u-shaped in cross sectional shape between the front surface 38 and the back surface 36 of the bottom component 30. In the preferred form of the present invention, the inner surface 32 of the bottom component preferably forms a recessed area that has sufficient size to retain the valuables from multiple people. The height of the bottom component 30 is generally chosen to provide sufficient interior volume to accommodate the majority valuables typically carried by beach, park or pool goers. As with the top component 12, the bottom component 30 preferably includes a greater lengthwise dimension than the width dimension to provide a bottom component which extends along the lengthwise dimension of an elongate support bar 70. The bottom component 30 includes the bottom portions of the side openings 14 and 16. In the preferred form of the side openings 14 and 16, the shape on the bottom component is preferably rectangular to accommodate a variety of sizes of cross sectional shapes of the typical elongate support bar 70 while providing sufficient structural integrity around the support bar 70 and in combination with the top component 12 to provide secure engagement with the support bar 70. The back surface 36 of the bottom component 30 preferably includes a plurality of outwardly extending hinge extensions 54 having circular openings there through to securely retain the tapered pins 52 therein when the lockable security box 10 is assembled. As further shown in FIG. 2, the bottom surface of the bottom component 30 may include a plurality of drainage holes 64 to allow for drainage if the interior compartment of the lockable security box 10 gets wet. FIG. 2 also shows the back surface 36 of the bottom component as including a plurality of square box shaped openings 66 which are carved out and can be punched through to create a place where fasteners may be affixed if deemed necessary by a consumer.

(13) The front surface 38 of the bottom component 30 includes at least a portion of the locking mechanism 60 thereon. As shown in FIG. 1, a hasp member 62 may extend forwardly from the front surface 38 of the bottom component 30 in a manner to allow the side by side positioning of the hasp 62 from the top component 12 to allow the insertion of a portion of a lock through each of the hasps to securely close the lockable security box 10. As also described in this application and shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the locking mechanism 60 may also consist of a self-contained lock similar to the types of locks used for bicycles, storage units or similar devices. In this form of the locking mechanism 60, a combination lock type feature engages a hasp member 62 that extends upwardly from the inner surface 32 of the bottom component 30 and is engaged in a recessed portion located along the inner surface 22 of the top component 12. Also as shown in the drawings, a handle type member may extend from the front surface 26 of the top component 12 to provide the user with an element to grasp as the security box 10 is opened or closed. An example of a preferred form of the present invention, the bottom of the interior surface area of the bottom section 30 and top section 12 of the lockable security box 10 is approximately 60 square inches security accommodate phones, wallets, sunglasses etc. from the typical user. A preferred form of the lockable security box preferably has a general dimension of approximately inches by 6.5 inches by 5.5 inches with an approximate size of 375 cubic inches.

(14) FIGS. 6 and 8 are illustrative of the top and perspective views of a preferred form of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows the ability of support bar 70 running all the way through the invention through the side openings 14 and 16 to allow for the fixed object, such as the support bar 70, to center the gravitational pull of the bottom component 30 of the lockable security box 10 and its contents to the middle of the invention eliminating lopsidedness. As shown in the drawings, this feature is accomplished through the combination of the arcuate portion 18, corner lip 68 of the top component 12 and the generally straight sides and generally rectangular shape of the side openings 14 and 16 of the bottom component 30. Because the lockable security box 10 encloses around the support bar 70 and the support bar 70 has no free ends, the lockable security box 10 is retained on the desired structure until the present invention is opened by the user. Similarly, because the components of the lockable security box 10 are formed of a material that does not allow the contents of the box to be visible there through and the side openings of the box are shaped to minimize the ability to see into the box through the side openings, thus the contents are not readily viewable without opening the lockable security box.