Storage box

Details Storage box Storage box

1999-12-22

2001-12-25

Pollard, Steven (Department: 3727)

Receptacles

Compartmented container

Compartment partition is stiff and fixed in position

C220S908000, C220S503000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06332554

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a storage box particularly useful for outdoor storage of heavy and awkward to handle outdoor equipment such as lawnmowers and snowblowers as well as other implements such as gardening tools, snow shovels and other items.
More particularly, the invention is directed to providing such a storage box which enables both the heavy and awkward to handle equipment and the lighter easier to handle items to be inserted and removed with equal facility.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
When not in use, some place such as a garage or shed is required to store lawnmowers, snowblowers, their fuel containers, garden tools and other equipment of all kinds. When space in a garage or shed is not available or convenient, frequently an outdoor storage box is relied upon. Such storage boxes normally have a hinged top cover giving access to the interior thereof. In some cases, the storage box may have a front wall which also opens to assist in the placement into the box of a lawnmower or snowblower so that it does not have to be lifted over the sides and then lowered into the box. However, maneuvering such a heavy piece of equipment into the box still requires a strenuous effort. Moreover, many of such prior art storage boxes deteriorate with weathering, are unsightly and require maintenance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention in its broad aspect resides in providing a storage box or container which will enable a lawnmower, snowblower or the like to be simply run into the box from one end without requiring any manipulation or maneuvering thereof in the box while at the same time providing full access to the interior of the box through the top for the insertion and removal of other implements or items.
In another aspect, the invention provides such a storage box of sturdy, low cost construction which will be weather impervious and free of maintenance. In this regard, the storage box is formed with plastic material and comprises a rectangular bottom or base, a rear wall, a front wall, a fixed end wall closing one end of the box, a second end wall hinged to one of the front and rear walls for opening and closing the other end of the box, and a cover hinged to the rear wall for opening and closing the box at the top, the box being dimensioned to permit a lawnmower or the like to be run into the box with the hinged end open and stored within the box with the hinged end and cover closed.
More particularly according to this aspect of the invention, the rear, front and end walls are hollow being formed of plastic extrusions having spaced exterior and interior walls joined by transverse webs to provide rows of vertically extending compartments. Preferably, the cover is also hollow having spaced exterior and interior walls joined by transverse webs to provide internal compartments.
According to the preferred form of the invention, the hinged cover is provided with means to engage the hinged end wall when the hinged end wall and cover are closed to lock the end wall in the closed position.
Again, according to the preferred form of the invention, the rear wall is higher than the front wall and the hinged end wall is hinged to the front wall.
Still further according to the preferred form of the invention, the bottom or base is provided with a border of spaced upstanding posts adapted to be sleeved up into selected ones of the vertical compartments of the rear, front and the fixed end wall.
Still further according to the preferred form of the invention, the bottom or base is a compression molded body formed of composite material comprising particles of filler material bound together with a thermoplastic binder.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3797643 (1974-03-01), Shupp
patent: 5076458 (1991-12-01), Weiner et al.
patent: 5088616 (1992-02-01), Susko et al.
patent: 5564586 (1996-10-01), Goodwin
patent: 5967361 (1999-10-01), Darnell

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