Receptacles – In ground – nontank container
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-03
2001-05-01
Pollard, Steven (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
In ground, nontank container
C220S501000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223926
ABSTRACT:
FILED OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to storage devices and, more particularly, to specifically configured underground stored devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Underground storage devices are known.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,550 issued to Cash discloses a storage device for a rake that includes a chamber buried under it the ground with an upwardly opening exposed. The chamber with an opening upwardly exposes the rake stored therein to rainwater and debris, which may defile the rake and make the rake unpleasant to use. The debris may also clog the lower part of the chamber and prevent the rake handle to be inserted therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,739 issued to Erichson et al. discloses a rake for use in a golf course sand trap. The rake has a head portion on the same plane as the handle which extends at an angle therefrom. When not in use, the rake is horizontally stored in a container buried in the ground adjacent a sand trap. The container is provided with a hinged cover having an artificial turf surface flush with the ground. Downward pressure on the cover unlatches the cover and an internal spring opens the cover and raises the rake handle from the container. A container that stores a rake horizontally occupies a large ground area. The latch and internal spring design is complicated and cost inefficient. Further the internal spring is subject to rust and failure, thereby adversely affecting the durability of the container.
Accordingly it would be advantageous to have a simple and inexpensive underground storage device for storing an implement such as a rake used on a golf course sand trap. It is desirable for the storage device to be reliable, durable, and user friendly. It is also desirable for the storage device to effectively protect the implement from the environment. It would be of further advantage for the storage device to be space efficient, e.g., occupying a small ground area.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A general object of the present invention is to provide a simple and cost efficient storage device for storing an implement. A particular object of the present invention is to provide an underground rake storage device in a golf course. Another object of the present invention is to effectively protect the implement stored in the storage device from the environment. An additional object of the present invention is to provide a storage device that is user friendly. A further object of the present invention is to provide the storage device that occupies a relatively small surface area on the ground.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved through a storage device that includes a chamber for storing the head of the implement and a lid covering the chamber and protecting the implement from the environment. An opening is formed in the base of the chamber for receiving the handle of the implement when the head of the implement is stored in the chamber. The lid is pivotally mounted on the chamber and can be easily opened by a user. The chamber can be buried in the ground with the lid exposed and substantially flush with the ground. In a preferred embodiment, flanges are formed near the top of the chamber. The flanges serve to the chamber from setting too deep in the ground. The flanges can also be configured to prevent water on the ground from flowing into the chamber, thereby providing additional protection to the implement stored in the chamber. In another preferred embodiment, the base of the chamber is slanted to drain any water that might be in the chamber through the opening in the base. A second chamber can be attached to the base of the chamber surrounding the opening. Preferably, the second chamber is made of a bottomless tube. The tube receives the handle of the implement when the head of the implement is stored in the chamber and provides drainage to the chamber. Furthermore, a block can be formed on the base of the chamber. The block serves to lift the head of the implement off the base of the chamber, further protecting the implement from possible water and litter in the chamber. The implement stored in the storage device is kept dry and clean and, therefore, is pleasant to use.
REFERENCES:
patent: 60078 (1866-11-01), Speirs
patent: 419905 (1890-01-01), Zapp
patent: 2757045 (1956-07-01), Nullet
patent: 2791347 (1957-05-01), Boehm
patent: 3515263 (1970-06-01), Carlson
patent: 3800973 (1974-04-01), Weaver
patent: 4162740 (1979-07-01), Jones
patent: 4838416 (1989-06-01), Carman
patent: 4934550 (1990-06-01), Cash
Craven Carl
Craven Judy A.
Pollard Steven
Schmeiser Olsen & Watts
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