Movable Wall Storage Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a movable wall storage device comprised of a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a floor and a roof. The bottom edges of the roof are further comprised of a track that receives a roller located on the top edges of the first and second side walls. In this manner, the side walls can be slid along the track to expose the interior surface of the device. The device may also be comprised of a movable sub-floor that slides outwards from the interior space. Both the sub-floor and the sidewalls allow a user to easily place or remove large items into the interior space of the device, without having to step into the interior space or struggle to move the item through a door or other similar structure.

Claims

1. A movable wall storage device comprising: a front wall; a rear wall; a roof, wherein a first bottom edge and a second bottom edge of the roof are comprised of a track; a first side wall, wherein a top edge of the first side wall is comprised of at least one roller that is received by the track of the first bottom edge of the roof; a second side wall, wherein a top edge of the second side wall is comprised of at least one roller that is received by the track of the second bottom edge of the roof; a floor; and an interior space formed by the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the floor and the roof.

2. The movable wall storage device of claim 1, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are slid using the track of the first bottom edge and the track of the second bottom edge of the roof to reveal the interior space.

3. The movable wall storage device of claim 2, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall slide past the front wall or the rear wall.

4. A movable wall storage device comprising: a front wall; a rear wall; a roof, wherein a first bottom edge and a second bottom edge of the roof are comprised of a track; at least one door; a first side wall, wherein a side edge of the first side wall is further comprised of at least one hinge; a second side wall, wherein a side edge of the second side wall is further comprised of at least one hinge; a floor; a sub-floor; and an interior space formed by the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the floor and the roof.

5. The movable wall storage device of claim 4, wherein the at least one hinge of the first side wall and the at least one hinge of the second side wall are attached to the rear wall, the front wall or the roof.

6. The movable wall storage device of claim 5, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall can pivot about the at least one hinge.

7. The movable wall storage device of claim 4, wherein the at least one hinge is attached to the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, the second side wall or the roof.

8. A movable wall storage device comprising: a front wall; a rear wall; a roof, wherein a first bottom edge and a second bottom edge of the roof are comprised of a track; at least one door; a first side wall, wherein a top edge of the first side wall is comprised of at least one roller that is received by the track of the first bottom edge of the roof; a second side wall, wherein a top edge of the second side wall is comprised of at least one roller that is received by the track of the second bottom edge of the roof; a floor, wherein a top surface of the floor is comprised of at least one U-shaped track; at least one rubber seal; at least one lock; a sub-floor, wherein a bottom surface of the sub-floor is comprised of at least one roller; and an interior space formed by the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the floor and the roof.

9. The movable wall storage device of claim 8, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are slid using the track of the first bottom edge and the track of the second bottom edge of the roof to reveal the interior space.

10. The movable wall storage device of claim 9, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall slide past the front wall or the rear wall.

11. The movable wall storage device of claim 8, wherein the track of the first bottom edge of the roof and the track of the second bottom edge of the roof is an upside-down U-shaped track.

12. The movable wall storage device of claim 8, wherein the at least one rubber seal encloses the track of the first bottom edge of the roof and the track of the second bottom edge of the roof, as well as the at least one roller of the first side wall and the at least one roller of the second side wall to prevent precipitation from entering into the interior space.

13. The movable wall storage device of claim 8, wherein the at least one lock allows a user to secure the first sidewall or the second side wall in an immovable position.

14. The movable wall storage device of claim 13, wherein the at least one lock is located within the interior space or on an exterior surface of the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, or the second side wall.

15. The movable wall storage device of claim 8, wherein the at least one roller of the sub-floor engages the at least one track of the floor.

16. The movable wall storage device of claim 15, wherein the sub-floor can be slid outwards from the interior space via the at least one roller and the at least one track.

17. The movable wall storage device of claim 16, wherein a user need not physically enter the interior space to retrieve an item located on the sub-floor.

18. The movable wall storage device of claim 8, wherein the sub-floor is comprised of a pivot point.

19. The movable wall storage device of claim 18, wherein the pivot point allows the sub-floor to spin in a 360-degree range of motion above the floor.

20. The movable wall storage device of claim 8, wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, or the second side wall is comprised of at least one window.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the movable wall storage device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an enhanced perspective view of one potential embodiment of a track and a roller of the movable wall storage device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the movable wall storage device of the present invention, wherein the wall pivots about the hinge in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the movable wall storage device of the present invention, wherein the wall pivots upwards toward the roof in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of the movable wall storage device of the present invention, wherein the subfloor is extended in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

[0020] As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a shed-type structure that allows a user to easily store large items within the structure. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a movable wall storage device, that allows a user to easily move large items into the interior space of the device, by temporally removing the walls of the device. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a movable wall storage device, that allows a user to remove items stored within the interior space by temporally removing the walls of the device and also while not disturbing other nearby items.

[0021] Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the movable wall storage device 100 of the present invention. The device 100 is primarily comprised of a front wall 110, a rear wall 120, a first side wall 130, a second side wall 140, a floor 150 and a roof 160. The walls 110, 120, 130, 140 are preferably manufactured from a wood and/or durable metal, etc., or any other suitable material as is known in the art. The roof 160 may also be manufactured from a wood and/or durable metal material, etc., or any other suitable material as is known in the art and may have a plurality of asphalt or metal shingles 166.

[0022] In differing embodiments, any wall 110, 120, 130, 140 may be further comprised of at least one door 112 and at least one window 114, or any other suitable number of doors and/or walls as is known in the art. In one embodiment, the door 112 can be lifted or rolled upwards to grant access to the interior space 102. However, in one embodiment of the device 100, there may not be any windows 114 in the walls 110, 120, 130, 140. In differing embodiments, the walls 110, 120, 130, 140 and roof 160 may be arranged in any conventional, structural shape, such as but not limited to: generally square, generally rectangular, polygonal, etc., or any other suitable shape as is known in the art. The roof 160 may also be a pitched roof or a flat roof, etc. Further, the walls 110, 120, 130, 140, floor 150, and roof 160 are preferably connected to each other via removable fasteners, such as, but not limited to, screws, bolts, welds, etc., or any other suitable fasteners as are known in the art.

[0023] The roof 160 is further comprised of a first bottom edge 161 and a second bottom edge 162 that contact the top edges 132, 142 of the first side wall 130 and the second side wall 140. The bottom edges 161, 162 are further comprised of a generally upside-down U-shaped track 164, that is preferably manufactured from a durable metal material or any other suitable material as is known in the art. The top edge 132, 142 of each side wall 130, 140 is further comprised of at least one roller/wheel 134, 144 that is captured within the track 164 of each bottom edge 161, 162, as best seen in FIG. 2. In this manner, the walls 130, 140 can be slid along the track 164 via the roller 134, 144, such that the walls 130, 140 can slide past the front wall 110 and/or the rear wall 120 to expose the interior space 102 of the device 100. As a result, one or both walls 130, 140 can be slid, such that a user can easily remove or place a large item 10 within the interior space 102, without having to move the item 10 into the space 102 through the door 112. In addition, a user can slide one or both walls 130, 140 to access items 10 positioned near the walls 130, 140 that may be blocked by other items 10 within the space 102 and which would typically render said items 10 inaccessible in an existing shed known in the art.

[0024] In differing embodiments, the front wall 110 and/or rear wall 120 may also be comprised of at least one roller 134, 144 and the front bottom edge 167 and rear bottom edge 168 of the roof 160 may also be comprised of a track 164. In this manner, the front wall 110 and the rear wall 120 can be slid along the tracks 164 in the same manner as the other walls 130, 140 in an embodiment, wherein the other walls 130, 140 are fixed and immovable. In any embodiment, the device 100 is preferably comprised of at least one wall 110, 120, 130, 140 that has at least one roller 134, 144 and is received by a track 164 of at least one edge 161, 162, 167, 168 of the roof 160.

[0025] In order to secure the walls 110, 120, 130, 140 when motion of the walls 110, 120, 130, 140 is not desired, each wall 110, 120, 130, 140 is comprised of at least one lock 170, that allows one wall 110, 120, 130, 140 to be attached to another wall 110, 120, 130, 140. In this manner, any wall 110, 120, 130, 140 with at least one roller 134, 144 is prevented from moving when not desired. In differing embodiments, the at least one lock 170 may be any suitable lock or latch type as is known in the art. Further, the lock 170 may be located within the interior space 102 and or on the exterior surface 104 of the walls 110, 120, 130, 140 to allow the walls 110, 120, 130, 140 to be locked or unlocked from inside or outside of the device 100. Typically, the lock 170 is positioned on a side edge 136 of the first side wall 130, but can be positioned in any suitable place as is known in the art.

[0026] In order to ensure that no precipitation or outdoor conditions penetrate the device 100 and enter the interior space 102, any track 164 of the device 100 is further comprised of a weatherproof, rubber seal 1640. The seal 1640 encloses the track 164 and/or the rollers 134, 144, such that no gaps are present on the exterior of the device 100. However, the seal 1640 does not inhibit the movement of the rollers 134, 144.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 2, the roof 160 comprises a second bottom edge 162 that contacts the top edge 142 of the second side wall 140. The bottom edge 162 comprises a generally upside-down U-shaped metal track 164. The top edge 142 of the second side wall 140 comprises at least one roller/wheel 144 that is captured within the track 164. In this manner, the second side wall 140 can be slid along the track 164 via the roller 144, such that the second side wall 140 can slide past the front wall 110 to expose the interior space 102 of the device 100. As a result, the second side wall 140 can be slid, such that a user can easily remove or place a large item 10 within the interior space 102, without having to move the item 10 into the space 102 through the door 112.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the walls have no rollers 134, 144 and the roof 160 has no track 164. Instead, at least one side edge 136, 146 of each wall 130, 140 is comprised of at least one hinge 180. The at least one hinge 180 attaches to each wall 130, 140, as well as to the front wall 110 and/or the rear wall 120. In this manner, both walls 130, 140 can pivot about the hinge 180 from the rear wall 120 and/or the front wall 110. The hinge 180 further locks, such that a user can lock the walls 130, 140 in a specific position. Further, each wall 110, 120, 130, 140 is comprised of at least one lock 170, that allows one wall 110, 120, 130, 140 to be attached to another wall 110, 120, 130, 140 and secured in place via the lock 170.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, any or all walls 110, 120, 130, 140 and/or the roof 160 may have at least one hinge 180, which allows the walls 110, 120, 130, 140 to pivot around the rear wall 120 and front wall 110 and/or pivot around the bottom edges 161, 162, 167, 168 of the roof 160, (i.e., wherein the walls 110, 120, 130, 140 pivot upwards towards the roof 160).

[0030] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the movable wall storage device 100 of the present invention. In a further embodiment, the floor 150 may be comprised of an additional sub-floor 152. The sub-floor 152 may be generally square, rectangular, polygonal, circular, etc., or any other suitable surface as is known in the art. The top surface 151 of the floor 150 is further comprised of at least one but preferably two tracks 164, which receive at least one roller 154 located on the bottom surface 153 of the sub-floor 152. In this manner, the sub-floor 152 can be slid outwards from the interior space 102 in the directions of each wall 130, 140. However it should be appreciated that this process can occur only after each wall 130, 140 has been slid out of position past the front wall 110 and/or rear wall 120. Therefore, a user need not even physically enter the interior space 102 to retrieve an item 10 located on the sub-floor 152.

[0031] Alternatively, the center of the sub-floor 152 may have at least one pivot point 155 (shown in FIG. 1) which is fixedly attached to the sub-floor 152 and the top surface 151 of the floor 150. As such, the sub-floor 152 is smaller in size than the floor 150 and typically circular in shape to allow the sub-floor 152 to spin in a 360-degree range of motion above the floor 150. This allows a user to be able to stand where one and/or each wall 130, 140 would be, after each wall 130, 140 has been slid out of position past the front wall 110 and/or rear wall 120, and rotate the sub-floor 152 as needed, until the item 10 they wish to receive is present in front of them.

[0032] Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “movable wall storage device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the movable wall storage device 100 of the present invention.

[0033] Notwithstanding the forgoing, the movable wall storage device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the movable wall storage device 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-5 is for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the movable wall storage device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the movable wall storage device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the movable wall storage device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

[0034] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

[0035] What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.