MOVEABLE MULTIFUNCTIONAL STORAGE COUNTER

Abstract

A multifunctional storage counter includes a plurality of sides and a countertop positioned thereon to enclose a storage space on a floor upon which the storage counter rests, and where at least one of the plurality of sides is an openable side. The storage counter is configured to be moved along the floor to enclose a stationary item resting on the floor through the openable side and into the storage space.

Claims

1. A multifunctional storage counter, comprising: a plurality of sides and a countertop positioned thereon to enclose a storage space on a floor upon which the storage counter rests, and wherein at least one of the plurality of sides is an openable side, and the storage counter is configured to be moved along the floor to enclose a stationary item resting on the floor through the openable side and into the storage space.

2. The multifunctional storage counter of claim 1, wherein the stationary item is parked vehicle selected from the group consisting of a motorcycle, bicycle, all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile.

3. The multifunctional storage counter of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sides and/or the countertop is transparent to allow display of the stationary item in the storage space.

4. The multifunctional storage counter of claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of sides and/or the countertop comprises glass or plexiglass.

5. The multifunctional storage counter of claim 1, further comprising sliders positioned on the plurality of sides to engage the floor, and wherein the storage counter is configured to be moved along the floor using the sliders.

6. The multifunctional storage counter of claim 5, wherein the sliders are removable from the plurality of sides.

7. The multifunctional storage counter of claim 1, further comprising wheels positioned on the plurality of sides to engage the floor, and wherein the storage counter is configured to be moved along the floor using the wheels.

8. The multifunctional storage counter of claim 7, wherein the wheels are removable from the plurality of sides.

9. The multifunctional storage counter of claim 7, wherein the wheels comprise lockable casters.

10. The multifunctional storage counter of claim 7, wherein the wheels are retractable and configured to elevate the storage counter off the floor for moving the storage counter along the floor, and to be retracted for resting the storage counter back on the floor.

11. The multifunctional storage counter of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sides is an openable hinged door.

12. The multifunctional storage counter of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sides is a removable panel.

13. The multifunctional storage counter of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of sides is secured by railings and configured to slide in and out of the railings for insertion and removal of the side.

14. The multifunctional storage counter of claim 1, further comprising a bar rail attached to at least one of the plurality of sides or countertop.

15. The multifunctional storage counter of claim 1, further comprising a step rail attached to at least one of the plurality of sides.

16. A method of using a multifunctional storage counter to store a stationary item comprises: opening one of a plurality of sides of the storage counter to create an open side; moving the storage counter along a floor such that a stationary item resting on the floor travels through the open side until it is enclosed by the storage counter underneath a top of the storage counter; and closing the open side to secure and store the stationary item completely inside the storage counter.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein moving the storage counter further comprises elevating the storage counter off a surface of the floor using retractable or removable wheels attached to the plurality of sides, and then resting the storage counter back on the surface of the floor by retracting or removing the wheels after the stationary item has been secured and stored completely inside the storage counter.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising displaying the stored stationary item through at least one of the plurality of sides and/or the top of the storage counter using a transparent material.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the stationary item is a parked vehicle selected from the group consisting of a motorcycle, bicycle, all-terrain vehicle and snowmobile.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising using the storage counter as a drink bar, desk, or workbench.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a front isometric view of a multifunctional storage counter according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a rear isometric view of a multifunctional storage counter according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a front isometric view of a multifunctional storage counter according to an aspect of the present disclosure, showing an open side and a small vehicle prior to storage.

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a front isometric view of a multifunctional storage counter according to an aspect of the present disclosure, showing a small vehicle stored inside the storage counter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The present disclosure provides a moveable, multifunctional storage counter for storing stationary items, including but not limited to small vehicles such as motorcycles, bicycles (standard or electric), all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snowmobiles and more. As used herein, a stationary item is an item which is at rest and not moving, and may include parked small vehicles, for example. Using the novel storage counter and method described herein, a stationary item can remain in place resting upon a floor surface, while the storage counter may be moved along that same surface to enclose the stationary item through an openable side of the counter. Accordingly, parked vehicles or heavier items that are cumbersome to move may remain in their stationary or parked position on the floor, while the storage counter can be conveniently moved to cover and enclose the item for safe storage within the counter. Further, the storage counter may comprise a transparent countertop and one or more transparent sides to allow for viewing and enjoyment of the stored item while using the counter for other functional purposes, including but not limited to a drink bar, desk, or workbench.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of storage counter 100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure, showing countertop 102, front side 104, back side 106, openable side 108, side 110, and optional bar rail 112, step rail 114, and hinges 116 (for openable side 108, for example). Storage counter 100 rests upon a surface of floor 200, and does not possess a bottom panel, bottom surface or otherwise. Accordingly, the countertop 102 and plurality of sides (104, 106, 108, 110) enclose a storage space within and under the countertop 102 that is above the floor 200 surface, with the plurality of sides resting upon the floor 200. When the plurality of sides rest flush with the floor 200 surface, then dust and dirt are prevented from encroaching into the inner storage space of the counter 100.

[0017] When the storage counter 100 is used as a drink bar, for example, optional bar rail 112 may be attached to the front edge of the countertop 102 as shown, or may otherwise be attached to an upper portion of the front side 104. Further, optional step rail 114 may be attached to a lower portion of front side 104. However, bar rail 112 and step rail 114 may be attached to any side of the storage counter 100 according to the preference of the user.

[0018] Openable side 108 is shown with hinges to facilitate its opening, as will be described further with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, though other methods are also taught or contemplated by the present disclosure. Hinges may be placed on either the left side of openable side 108 as shown in FIG. 1, or the right side as shown in FIG. 2, depending on the preference of the user and which direction the door should swing. Further, openable side 108 is shown as the right side of storage counter 100 in the Figures of the present disclosure, but it may be appreciated that any of the plurality of sides may be configured to be openable and achieve the same functions as described further herein.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a rear isometric view of storage counter 100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure, showing many of the same features as FIG. 1, but further showing details of the back side 106 including optional access doors 118. Optional access doors 118 enable the user to access the storage space inside of storage counter 100 while the storage counter 100 is stationary and storing an item within.

[0020] Further, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show back side 106 as solid or non-transparent, while countertop 102, front side 104, openable side 108, and side 110 are provided as either fully transparent or at least with transparent portions to enable a clear view of the storage space inside. Although it is preferable to have at least a transparent countertop 102 to enable viewing of a stored item inside the storage counter 100, any number of the countertop 102 and plurality of sides may be provided fully or partially with transparent or clear portions to enable viewing of a stored item from different angles or perspectives. Suitable transparent materials may include but are not limited to glass or plexiglass.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a front isometric view of the storage counter 100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure, showing openable side 108 in an open state, and an item such as small vehicle 300 (e.g., a motorcycle), parked next to the storage counter 100 prior to storage. In the example of FIG. 3, openable side 108 is opened via hinges 116 as a hinged door, but other suitable means may include removing or otherwise detaching openable side 108 from storage counter 100. A preferred alternative to a hinged door configuration is to provide metal rails, such as aluminum rails, into which openable side 108 may slide in and out from the top of the storage counter 100. Such metal rails may be also be provided as part of the overall frame construction that holds the plurality of sides together, and upon which countertop 102 is attached or rests. When metal rail framing is used as opposed to wood and screw construction, it is easier to provide storage counter 100 with modular parts and panels for ease of initial construction, as well as to replace any of the components if they are damaged, such as transparent glass or plexiglass panels which may be susceptible to scratching or breaking. Each of the plurality of sides may comprise a panel or sub-frame that is pre-assembled or can be assembled by the end user, and the panels, frames and sides may be secured together using threaded inserts and bolts, latches, or a combination of the two, among other suitable means.

[0022] Further shown in FIG. 3 are wheels 120 attached to the sides of storage counter 100. As shown in this example, wheels 120 may comprise retractable casters, which include a lever mechanism for pressing down to engage the wheels 120 with the floor 200 thereby lifting or elevating the storage counter 100 off a surface of floor 200. In such state, the wheels 120 will be engaged with floor 200, enabling storage counter 100 to be moved along the floor surface. With openable side 108 in an open state, storage counter 100 may be moved such that the item, i.e. a small parked and stationary vehicle 300 in the example FIG. 3, can pass through the open side 108 to be enclosed by storage counter 100 inside of the storage space underneath countertop 102 and within the plurality of sides. Once the item has been stored, then the casters may be retracted to lower the plurality of sides to rest back upon the surface of floor 200, thereby preventing dust or dirt from entering the storage space. Suitable alternatives to retractable casters include but are not limited to removable wheels or casters, as well as sliders placed on the bottom surface of the plurality of sides, which may also be removable. Mini linear motion actuators may also be used in combination with attached wheels, so that the wheels can be deployed against the ground to lift the storage counter 100 off the surface of floor 200 using the actuators and allow movement of the counter 100 across the floor on the attached wheels, and then be retracted using the actuators to lower the counter 100 back onto the floor 200. The linear motion actuators may utilize hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, or mechanical power. An AC to DC converter may be used to allow for the motion actuators to be powered from a standard US outlet, including any required voltage step-down, such as from 110-120V to 12V. The wheels and actuators may be configured to hide inside the frame of the sides of the storage counter or be hidden from view on the inside corner of each side of the storage counter 100. In an alternative embodiment, wheels 120 may also comprise lockable casters, and if not retracted or removed, may lock the position of storage counter 100 in place on the floor 200.

[0023] As may be appreciated by the construction of storage counter 100, since no bottom panel or component is provided as part of the construction, there is no need to handle or move the parked vehicle 300 along the floor and into the storage counter 100, rather, the vehicle 300 may remain parked and at rest while the storage counter 100 is moved to enclose the vehicle 300. Accordingly, this alleviates the need to use a ramp or other mechanism to roll the vehicle inside of the storage space and container, which can be particularly difficult for heavier vehicles such as large motorcycles, ATVs or snowmobiles.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a front isometric view of storage counter 100 according to an aspect of the present disclosure, showing a stationary item, e.g. a parked vehicle 300, depicted in dotted lines and stored inside the storage counter. Openable side 108 is shown as closed to completely secure vehicle 300 within the storage space of storage counter 100, resting on floor 200. As described previously, transparent portions or panels provided in the plurality of sides and countertop 102 provide enjoyable views of the vehicle 300, such as a motorcycle, while the storage counter 100 may be used for other functional purposes including but not limited to a drink bar, desk, or workbench. The optional access doors 118 described previously with reference to FIG. 2 may also allow a user to conveniently access the storage space inside the storage counter 100 for placement or retrieval of additional items while a heavier main item, such as vehicle 300, remains parked and stored.

[0025] To take an item, such as vehicle 300, out of storage, the user may simply open the openable side 108, and move the storage counter 100 along the floor using any suitable method as previously described until the vehicle has exited the openable side 108 and is no longer enclosed. The storage counter 100 may then continue to be enjoyed for its other functions while the item or vehicle 300 is in use.

[0026] Accordingly, the multifunctional storage counter as described provides not only a secure and convenient way to store stationary items such as small, parked vehicles and protect them against dust, dirt and the elements, but also allows for the viewing and enjoyment of such stored vehicles while enabling a broad variety of other uses and functions. Aside from private owners and enthusiasts; motorcycle, bicycle, ATV and snowmobile dealerships may also find great benefit from the storage counter as described, allowing for a novel way to showcase their vehicles and attract extra attention from potential customers when the storage counter is used as a reception desk or other functional purposes.

[0027] While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and aspects of the present disclosure, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) and aspects disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.