Removable storage box cover

Abstract

A removable storage box cover having a bottom wall having a fore edge, at least two sidewalls having upper edges, fore edges, and defining a rectangular internal cavity, and a lid hingedly coupled to one of the at least two sidewalls, wherein the lid includes an upper wall portion having lateral side edges and a sidewall portion having lateral side edges and a lower edge separating the lateral side edges of the sidewall portion of the lid. The cover also includes a first track spanning the perimeter of the exposed edges of the at least two side walls and bottom wall and a second track spanning the perimeter of the exposed edges of the lid, wherein the lid, sidewalls and bottom wall are operable to be joined together in a watertight relationship with one another to enclose a box and be opened to insert or remove a box.

Claims

1. A removable storage box cover comprising: a bottom wall having a fore edge, at least three sidewalls each completely enclosed and having upper edges, fore edges, and defining, with the bottom wall, a rectangular internal cavity, and a lid with a first end directly hingedly coupled to the upper edge of at least one of the at least three sidewalls, the lid including an upper wall portion that is completely enclosed and having lateral side edges and a sidewall portion that is completely enclosed and having lateral side edges and a second end, opposing the first end of the lid, having a lower edge separating the lateral side edges of the sidewall portion of the lid, at least two of the at least three sidewalls permanently directly coupled to one another along their respective sides in a watertight configuration that spans from the bottom wall to the upper edges of the at least two sidewalls, the bottom wall, the at least three sidewalls, and the upper wall portion and sidewall portion of the lid not having a handle directly coupled thereto; a zipper assembly having: a first track beginning substantially from a joint location where the first end of lid is directly hingedly coupled to the upper edge of the at least one of the at least three sidewalls and spanning continuously along the upper and fore edges of the at least two sidewalls and the fore edge of the bottom wall; a second track beginning substantially from the joint location and spanning continuously along the lateral side edges of the upper wall portion of the lid and the lateral side edges and lower edge of the sidewall portion of the lid; and at least one locking member disposed on at least one of the first and second tracks; a closed position with the bottom wall, at least two of the at least three sidewalls, and lid selectively coupled together, through the at least one locking member, in a watertight relationship along the first and second tracks of the zipper assembly, the closed position also disposing the upper wall portion of the lid at a substantially perpendicular configuration with respect to the sidewall portion of the lid; and an open position with the lid removed from the bottom wall and the at least two sidewalls to expose the rectangular internal cavity for insertion or removal of a storage box.

2. The removable storage box cover according to claim 1, wherein the open position further comprises: a first entrance aperture into the rectangular internal cavity defined by the upper edges of the at least three sidewalls and a second entrance aperture into the rectangular internal cavity defined by the fore edges of the at least two of the least three sidewalls and the fore edge of the bottom wall, the first and second entrance apertures disposed in substantially perpendicular orientations with one another.

3. The removable storage box cover according to claim 2, wherein: the upper wall and sidewall portions of the lid are shaped to correspond with the first and second entrance apertures.

4. The removable storage box cover according to claim 2, wherein: the open position includes the at least three sidewalls independently maintaining an upright orientation with respect to the bottom wall.

5. The removable storage box cover according to claim 2, wherein: the at least three sidewalls are of a substantially rigid polymeric material.

6. The removable storage box cover according to claim 1, wherein: the upper wall and sidewall portions of the lid are predisposed in a substantially perpendicular configuration.

7. The removable storage box cover according to claim 1, wherein: the open position includes the at least three sidewalls independently maintaining an upright orientation with respect to the bottom wall.

8. The removable storage box cover according to claim 1, wherein: the first and second tracks are disposed at the respective terminal edges of the bottom wall, the at least two of the at least three sidewalls, and the upper wall and sidewall portions of the lid.

9. The removable storage box cover according to claim 1, further comprising: a collapsed position having the bottom wall, the at least three sidewalls, and the upper wall and sidewall portions of the lid all disposed in an overlapping, substantially parallel, configuration with one another.

10. A removable storage box cover comprising: a housing with a bottom wall having a fore edge, at least three sidewalls each completely enclosed and having upper edges, fore edges, and defining, with the bottom wall, an internal cavity, and a lid with a first end directly and rotatably coupled to the upper edge of at least one of the at least three sidewalls at a hinge joint and including an upper wall portion that is completely enclosed and having lateral side edges and a sidewall portion that is completely enclosed and having lateral side edges and a second end, opposing the first end of the lid, a lower edge separating the lateral side edges of the sidewall portion of the lid, the lid is selectively removably couplable, through a zipper assembly, to at least two of the at least three sidewalls and the bottom wall to form a watertight joint beginning substantially from the hinge joint and continuously spanning along the upper and fore edges of the at least two of the at least three sidewalls and the fore edge of the bottom wall, at least two of the at least three sidewalls permanently directly coupled to one another along their respective sides in a watertight configuration extending upwardly from the bottom wall to the upper edges of the at least two of the least three sidewalls, the bottom wall, the at least three sidewalls, and the upper wall portion and sidewall portion of the lid not having a handle directly coupled thereto.

11. The removable storage box cover according to claim 10, wherein: the at least three sidewalls are of a substantially rigid polymeric material.

12. The removable storage box cover according to claim 10, wherein: the upper wall and sidewall portions of the lid are predisposed in a substantially perpendicular configuration.

13. The removable storage box cover according to claim 10, further comprising: a collapsed position having the bottom wall, the at least three sidewalls, and the upper wall and sidewall portions of the lid all disposed in an overlapping, substantially parallel, configuration with one another.

14. The removable storage box cover according to claim 10, wherein: the sidewall portion of the lid is in a substantially perpendicular configuration with respect to upper portion of the lid when the lid is selectively coupled to the at least two sidewalls and the bottom wall.

15. A removable storage box cover comprising: a bottom wall having a fore edge, at least three sidewalls each completely enclosed and upright to the bottom wall and having upper edges, at least two of the at least three sidewalls having fore edges substantially perpendicular to the fore edge of the bottom wall, and the at least three sidewalls defining, with the bottom wall, an internal cavity, the bottom wall, the at least three sidewalls, and the upper wall portion and the sidewall portion of the lid not having a handle directly coupled thereto; a lid with a first end directly and hingedly coupled to the upper edge of at least one of the at least three sidewalls, the lid including an upper wall portion that is completely enclosed and a sidewall portion that is completely enclosed and with a second end, opposing the first end of lid, both the upper wall portion and the sidewall portion having perimeter edges defining a lid perimeter, at least two of the at least three sidewalls permanently directly coupled to one another along their respective sides in a watertight configuration spanning from the bottom wall to the upper edges of the at least two sidewalls; a zipper assembly having a first track beginning substantially from a joint location where the first end of lid is directly and hingedly coupled to the upper edge of the at least one of the at least three sidewalls and spanning continuously along the upper and fore edges of the at least two of the at least three sidewalls and the fore edge of the bottom wall, a second track beginning substantially from the joint location and spanning continuously along the lid perimeter, and at least one locking member disposed on at least one of the first and second tracks; a closed position with the bottom wall, the at least two of the at least three sidewalls, and lid selectively coupled together, through the at least one locking member, in a watertight relationship along the first and second tracks of the zipper assembly; and an open position with the lid removed to expose the internal cavity for insertion or removal of a storage box.

16. The removable storage box cover according to claim 15, wherein: the bottom wall, the at least three sidewalls, and the upper wall and sidewall portions of the lid form a rectangular shape when in the closed position.

17. The removable storage box cover according to claim 15, wherein the open position further comprises: a first entrance aperture into the internal cavity defined by the upper edges of the at least two of the at least three sidewalls and a second entrance aperture into the internal cavity defined by the fore edges of the at least two of the at least three sidewalls and the fore edge of the bottom wall, the first and second entrance apertures disposed in substantially perpendicular orientations with one another.

18. The removable box storage cover according to claim 17, wherein: the upper wall and sidewall portions of the lid are shaped to correspond with the first and second entrance apertures.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective downward-looking view of a removable box cover in accordance with the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a close-up view of an exemplary zipper assembly utilized by the box cover apparatus of FIG. 1 in accordance with the present invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective downward-looking view of the box cover of FIG. 1 with the lid at least partially in an open position;

(5) FIG. 4 is a perspective downward-looking view of the box cover of FIG. 1 with the lid in an open position;

(6) FIG. 5 is a perspective downward-looking view of the box cover of FIG. 1 with the lid in an open position; and

(7) FIG. 6 is a perspective downward-looking view of the box cover of FIG. 1 in a collapsed, folded, position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms.

(9) The present invention provides a novel and efficient box cover that enables users quick and easy access to the internal cavity of the cover, in addition to providing a safe environment for the documents housed within the box and cover.

(10) Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in a perspective downward-looking view. FIG. 1 shows several advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will be described below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features and components, and varying numbers and functions of the components. The first example of a removable box cover 100, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a bottom wall 102, at least two sidewalls 104a-n, and a lid 106 having an upper wall portion 108 and a sidewall portion 110, wherein n represents any number greater than one. While the cover 100 is shown in a rectangular shape with dimensions of approximately of 24??12??11 (length?width?height), it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the cover 100 could be of a triangular shape or another oblong shape with various dimensions to house a box or container similar to that of a banker's box in accordance with the disclosure herein. FIG. 1 also depicts the cover 100 in a closed position, or when the lid 106 is coupled to the sidewalls 104a-n and bottom wall 102 in a watertight relationship or configuration. The term watertight is defined as having a construction or fit so as to be impermeable to water (at 1 bar) except when under sufficient pressure to produce structural discontinuity or plastic deformation. FIGS. 1 and 3-4 also depict an exemplary box 116 housed by the cover 100.

(11) Advantageously, and with reference to both FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 100 can be seen having a zipper assembly 112 that enables a user to open the lid 106 so as to insert or remove a container or box and then close the lid 106 in a watertight configuration to enclose the box or container in a safe and effective manner. The term watertight is defined as The operation and configuration of the lid 106 with respect to the sidewalls 104a-n and bottom wall 102 also enables the user to access an internal cavity 500 (shown best in FIG. 5) defined by the cover 100, or also referred to as a housing 114. The zipper assembly 112 may consist of one or more locking members 200, e.g., a zipper handle, disposed on a first track 202 or a second track 204, e.g., a plurality of teeth or a tongue-and-grove configuration. The zipper assembly 112, however, may take the form of any configuration of structures or devices which can removably seal the lid 106 with the walls 104a-n, 102.

(12) The closed position of the cover 100 may be described as having the bottom wall 102, the sidewalls 104a-n, and the lid 106 selectively coupled together by the user, through the at least one locking member 200, in a watertight relationship along the first and second tracks 202, 204. The closed position of the cover 100 may also result in disposing the upper wall portion 108 of the lid 106 at a substantially perpendicular (90?+/?10? configuration with respect to the sidewall portion 110 of the lid 106 so as to contour any box 116 housed therein and minimize the space taken up by the cover 100. As such, it is envisioned that the present invention will be sold in various shapes and sizes to enclose and/or contour boxes or containers of various sizes and shapes.

(13) With reference now to FIGS. 2-5, the first track 202 may span continuously along an upper edge 300 and fore edge 302 of each of the sidewalls 104a-n and a fore edge 304 of the bottom wall 102. The second track 204 spans continuously along the lateral side edges 306 of the upper wall portion 108 of the lid 106 and the lateral side edges 308 and lower edge 310 of the sidewall portion 110 of the lid 106. The tracks 202, 204 can be seen spanning substantially from the joint 400, i.e., within approximately 0.25, where the lid 106 is hingedly coupled or rotatably coupled to one or more of the sidewalls 104a-n so as to inhibit the entry of fluids within the cavity 500. FIGS. 3-5 also illustrate an exemplary translation of the lid 106 with respect to the sidewalls 104a-n to effectuate quick and effective entry and removal of any box or contents when the cover 100 is in the open position. The open position includes the lid removed or detached from the bottom wall 102 and the at least two sidewalls 104a-n to expose the internal cavity 500, which may be rectangular or another shape defined by the inner surfaces of the sidewalls 104a-n and bottom wall 102, for insertion or removal of a box, e.g., a banker's box.

(14) With reference specifically to FIG. 4, the edges 300, 302 can be seen disposed at the terminal ends, or exposed ends, of the opposing sidewalls 104a, 104n and intersect at respective corners labeled as A. Similarly edges 302, 304 intersect at respective corners B, edges 306, 308 intersect at respective corners C, and edges 308, 310 intersect at respective corners D. The corners A, B, C, D are preferably chamfered or rounded to accommodate the zipper 200 and tracks 202, 204 as the lid 106 is coupled to the sidewalls 104.

(15) When the lid 106 is in the open position, as shown in FIGS. 5-6, a first entrance aperture 502 into the internal cavity 500 can be seen defined by the upper edges 300 of the at least two sidewalls 104a-n. A second entrance aperture 504 into the internal cavity 500 can also be defined by the fore edges 302 of the at least two sidewalls 104a-n and the fore edge 304 of the bottom wall 102. The first and second entrance apertures 502, 504 are disposed in a substantially perpendicular orientation with one another. Said another way, the flanking upper edges 300 of the sidewalls 104a-n define a first plane 506, while the flanking fore edges 302 of the sidewall 104a-n and the fore edge 304 of the bottom wall 102 define a second plane 508, wherein the planes 506, 508 are substantially perpendicular with one another. As such, the cover 100 advantageously provides users two access and removal points, both above and below, into the internal cavity 500 that is not accomplished with known covers. The upper wall and sidewall portions 108, 110 of the lid 106 can also be seen shaped to correspond with the first and second entrance apertures 502 to ensure alignment of the tracks 202, 204 and a watertight seal that protects the box housed therein.

(16) The cover 100 is illustrated with three sidewalls 104a-n forming a rectangular shape, wherein only two of the three sidewalls 104a-n have the edges 300, 302 describe above to ensure the box or container housed therein is enclosed when the lid 106 is in the closed position. Beneficially, when the cover 100 is in the open position, the at least two sidewalls 104a-n are operable to be independently maintained in an upright orientation with respect to the bottom wall 102. Said another way, they are operable to stay upright without support or bracing from other structures. The sidewalls 104a-n are able to maintain that position principally because the at least two sidewalls 104a-n may be made using a substantially rigid polymeric material that still has some flexibility, such as plasticized PVC (polyvinyl chloride), polypropylene, or high density polyethylene. Other similar materials will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. The sidewalls 104a-n may also be made with other materials, such composites. The sidewalls 104a-n may also utilize metallic supports or other rigid materials encapsulated within the wall for structural stability.

(17) The thickness of the walls 102, 104a-n, 108, 110 may be approximately 0.25 to 1 depending on the design constraints. The material used to form the cover 100 may be transparent in one embodiment to adequately view the contents within the cover 100. In other embodiments, the material may be translucent or opaque.

(18) In one embodiment, the upper wall and sidewall portions 108, 110 of the lid 106 are predisposed in a substantially perpendicular configuration to ensure sufficient enclosure and/or contouring of the box or container housed therein. This predisposition may occur, for example, through a manufacturing process such as stamping. In other embodiments, the lid 106 is unbiased to any particular orientation or configuration and will be able to free-form so as to conform with a variety of shapes or contours.

(19) With reference now to FIG. 6, a collapsed position of the cover 100 can be seen with the bottom wall 102, the at least two sidewalls 104a-n, and the upper wall and sidewall portions 108, 110 of the lid 106 all disposed in an overlapping, substantially parallel, configuration with one another. As such, the configuration of the walls 102, 104a-n, 106 enable the cover 100 to be beneficially collapsed into a relatively planar configuration that is conducive for storing and transporting when not in use. When collapsed, the cover 100 may employ the use of snaps, Velcro or other fasteners to retain the overlapping configuration.

(20) When desired for use, the user simply unfolds the cover 100 such that is configured as depicted in FIGS. 1-5. Specifically, the user places the cover 100 in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, for example, and inserts a box or container. Because the cover 100 exposes the two apertures 502, 504, or openings, the user is able to effectively and efficiently insert the box without structural deformation of cover 100. The user then selectively couples the lid 106 to the sidewalls 104a-n by zipping or fastening the two tracks 202, 204 together in a watertight relationship. Said another way, one or more zipper members 200 are navigated around the perimeter of the lid 106, sidewalls 104a-n, and bottom wall 102 to form a watertight joint that continuously spans along the upper and fore edges 300, 302 of the at least two sidewalls 104a-n and the fore edge 304 of the bottom wall 102. Therefore, because the walls 102, 104a-n, 106 may be completely enclosed, the only possibility of entry of fluid into the cavity 500 may arise through the nominal space between the tracks 202, 204 and the joint 400 where the lid 106 is attached to the sidewalls 104a-n.

(21) A removably box cover has been disclosed that provides a safe and secure environment for the documents housed therein, while simultaneously providing users quick and effective access to the internal cavity defined by the cover.