Abstract:
This invention relates to an over-sized box-like container adapted to carry diverse, and often collapsed or unassembled household items, including furniture, accessories and art objects suitable to fully furnish one room. More particularly, this invention relates to an over-sized box-like container of the type described where the box itself, upon being disassembled, may be used to create one or more pieces of furniture.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This Application claims the benefit of Provisional Application 60/906,561 filed Mar. 13, 2007 entitled ROOMS IN BOXES. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to an over-sized box-like container adapted to carry diverse, and often collapsed or unassembled household items, including furniture, accessories and art objects suitable to fully furnish one room. More particularly, this invention relates to an over-sized box-like container of the type described where the box itself, upon being disassembled, may be used to create one or more pieces of furniture. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    In once sense, the instant invention is an elaboration of what might be termed as “camp” box, where gear is packed in a container sufficient to set up “camp.” However, the conventional “camp” boxes are not convertible into pieces of furniture. 
         [0006]    Many persons who are just starting out in apartment dwelling or home living have limited assets to furnish an apartment or home. Further, the apartment dweller or new home purchaser will have difficulty in accumulating sufficient furniture to decorate the apartment or home. 
         [0007]    The target audience for the instant invention would be a student; a parent wanting to purchase a great gift for a young couple just starting out; a young couple just starting out minus gift-bearing parents; a professional of any age who moves frequently; someone furnishing a secondary residence; a business company providing temporary quarters for an employee; a clever builder wanting to give his “model” homes a catchy twist; anyone wishing to simplify or downsize or start anew; FEMA or its counterpart. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A box-like container is disclosed for carrying diverse household items and which is capable of being disassembled for use as components of furniture comprising a rectangular bottom, having first and second end edges, first and second side edges, an upper surface and a lower surface. A first upstanding square-shaped end wall, having upper and lower end edges, first and second side edges, an inner surface and an outer surface, is provided with the lower end edge of the first end wall being positioned on the upper surface of the bottom at the first end edge thereof and extending upwardly therefrom. A second upstanding square-shaped end wall, having upper and lower end edges, first and second side edges, an inner surface and an outer surface is also provided. The lower end edge of the second end wall is positioned on the upper surface of the bottom at the second end edge thereof and extends upwardly therefrom. 
         [0009]    A first rectangular side wall having upper and lower end edges, first and second end edges, an inner surface and an outer surface is also a part of the container. The inner surface of the lower end edge of the first side wall is positioned at the first side edge of the bottom. The lower end edge of the first side wall is selectively removably secured to the first side edge of the bottom. The inner surface of the first end edge of the first side wall is positioned adjacent the first side edge of the first end wall. The end edge of the first side wall is selectively removably secured to the first side edge of the first end wall. The inner surface of the second end edge of the first side wall is positioned adjacent the first side edge of the second end wall and the second end edge of the first side wall is selectively removably secured to the first side edge of the second end wall. 
         [0010]    The container also includes a second upstanding rectangular side wall having upper and lower end edges, first and second end edges, an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the lower end edge of the second side wall is positioned at the second side edge of the bottom. The lower end edge of the second side wall is selectively removably secured to the second side edge of the bottom. The first end edge of the second side wall is selectively removably secured to the second side edge of the first end wall. The second end edge of the second side wall is selectively removably secured to the second side edge of the second end wall. 
         [0011]    The container also includes a third upstanding side wall having upper and lower end edges, first and second end edges, an inner surface and an outer surface. The lower end edge of the third side wall is positioned adjacent the upper end edge of the second side wall. The inner surface of the first end edge of the third side wall is positioned adjacent the second side edge of the first end wall. The first end edge of the third side wall is selectively removably secured to the second side edge of the first end wall. The inner surface of the second end edge of the third side wall is positioned adjacent the second side edge of the second end wall and the second end edge of the third side wall and is selectively removably secured to the second side edge of the second end wall. 
         [0012]    The container may also include an optional rectangular fourth side wall or gusset which is selectively removably positioned at the outer surfaces of the second and third side wall members with the fourth side wall having an upper end edge, a lower end edge, a first end edge and a second end edge wherein the first end edge of the fourth side wall is selectively removably secured to the first end edges of said second and third side walls and to said second side edge of the first end wall and wherein the second end edge of the fourth side wall is selectively removably secured to the second end edges of the second and third side walls and to the second side edge of the second end wall. 
         [0013]    A rectangular-shaped top is positioned on the upper end edges of the first and second end walls and extends therebetween between upper end edges of the first side wall and the third side wall and is selectively removably secured thereto. 
         [0014]    The box-like container contains diverse household items as well as furniture legs which may be secured to base plates or pipe flanges previously secured to the inside surfaces of some of the structural components of the box. 
         [0015]    After the container has reached its designation and the contents have been removed therefrom by removing the top from the container, the container may then be completely disassembled with the various components thereof being assembled to create a desk, a bench, a coffee table and an end table. Fasteners in the form of screws which secure the various components of the container together, upon disassembly of the container, may be used to secure components of the container together to create the articles of furniture just described. 
         [0016]    A smaller version of the container just described may also be utilized if so desired. 
         [0017]    It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a container which may include diverse household articles for transport from one location to another and which upon being emptied, may be disassembled to create articles of furniture such as a desk, a bench, a coffee table or an end table, which are joined together and legs or the like secured thereto which are contained within the container. 
         [0018]    A further object of the invention is to provide a container of the type described above which makes it extremely convenient for a person who is moving into an apartment, a home, or the like; or one who frequently moves from one location to another. 
         [0019]    These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the container of this invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a partial exploded perspective view of the container of this invention; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 3-5  are perspective views of three 4′×8′ plywood sheets which are cut to form the components of the container of  FIG. 1 : 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a desk top formed from a component of the container with folding legs secured thereto to create a desk: 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a coffee table top formed from components of the container with legs secured thereto to create a coffee table: 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating a bench top formed from components of the container with legs secured thereto to create a bench; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating an end table top formed from components of the container with legs secured thereto to create a coffee table. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]    The container of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral  10  and is preferably constructed of plywood or the like. Container  10  includes a bottom  12 , end walls  14  and  16 , a first side wall  18 , a second side wall  20 , a third side wall  22 , a fourth side wall  24 , and a top  26 . The just described components are preferably formed from plywood sheets  28 ,  30  and  32  as seen in  FIGS. 3-5 . Preferably, sheets  28 ,  30  and  32  are four feet by eight feet. Preferably, sheets  28  and  30  have a three-fourth inch thickness while sheet  32  has a one-half inch thickness. 
         [0028]    Sheet  28  is cut along a line  34  to remove a rectangular waste strip  36  from the sheet  28  which has a width of two and one-quarter inches. Sheet  28  is then cut along lines  38  and  40  to form the third side wall  22 , top  26 , end wall  14  and a waste portion  42 . The third side wall  22  has a dimension of 15¾″ by 66″ while top  26  has a dimension of 30″×66″. End wall  14  has a dimension of 30″×30″. 
         [0029]    Sheet  30  is cut in the same manner as sheet  28  along line  44  to form waste strip  46  having a width of 2¼″. Sheet  30  is cut along lines  48  and  50  to form the second side wall  20  having a dimension of 15¾×66″, bottom  12  having a dimension of 30″×66″, end wall  16  having a dimension of 30″×30″ and waste portion  52 . 
         [0030]    Sheet  32  is then cut along lines  54  and  56  to form fourth side wall  24  having a dimension of 16½×66″, first side wall  18  having a dimension of 31½″×66″ and waste portion  58 . 
         [0031]    If a smaller container than that disclosed herein is to be built, the dimensions described above will be changed. 
         [0032]    The container  10  is assembled as follows: Bottom  12  is normally positioned on a flat surface. The first side wall  18  is then positioned so that its lower edge is positioned adjacent the side edge  60  of bottom  12 . Drywall screws  62  which are 2″ in length are then used to connect the lower end of first side wall  18  to the side edge  60  of bottom  12 . The second side wall  20  is then positioned so that its lower edge is positioned adjacent the side edge  64  of bottom  12 . Screws  62  are then used to connect the lower edge of side wall  20  to the side edge  64  of bottom  12 . End wall  14  is then positioned on bottom  12  between the ends of side walls  18  and  20  with screws  62  being used to secure side walls  18  and  20  to the side edges of end wall  14 . End wall  16  is then positioned on bottom  12  between the other ends of side walls  18  and  20  with screws  62  being used to secure side walls  18  and  20  to the side edges of end wall  16 . 
         [0033]    The third side wall  22  is then placed adjacent the side edges of end walls  14  and  16  so that its lower edge abuts the upper edge of side wall  20 . Screws  62  are then used to secure the end edges of side wall  22  to the side edges of end walls  14  and  16 . Preferably, the fourth side wall  24  will be used to provide an additional component of furniture to be later assembled but is primarily provided for strengthening purposes. Side wall  24  is positioned at the outer surfaces of side walls  20  and  22  so as to overlap the abutting edges thereof. One inch sheet metal screws  66  are then used to secure side wall  24  to the side walls  20  and  22  and to the side edges of end walls  14  and  16 . After the diverse household items and furniture components as described below have been placed in the open container  10 , top  26  is positioned on the upper edges of end walls  14  and  16  between the upper inner edges of side walls  18  and  22 . Drywall screws  62  are then employed to connect the upper edges of side walls  18  and  22  to the side edges of top  26  and to connect the end edges of top  26  to the upper edges of end walls  14  and  16 . Preferably, a pair of rope handles  68  and  70  are provided at each of the end walls  14  and  16  to assist in the carrying of the container. 
         [0034]    Items such as: a small couch, chairs, a wine bag, flanges, leg bases, table legs, yardsticks for trim, pipe legs, art paper, slipcovers, pillows, throws, curtains, sheets, tumblers, bowls, lamps, ornaments, table runners, decorative ribbons, picture frames, tablecloth, candles, folding storage box, paper bags, chair pads, artwork, pictures, paintings, photocopies, etc., may be placed within the container  10 . 
         [0035]    After the container has been transported to its desired location, the container is completely disassembled by removing the screws  62  and  66 . At that time, the rope handles  68  and  70  are removed from the end walls  14  and  16 . 
         [0036]    Prior to the container  10  being assembled, a pair of folding legs  72  are secured to the inner surface of bottom  12 . The legs  72  are folded flat against the inner surface of bottom  12  during shipment. When the container  10  is disassembled, the legs  72  are unfolded so that the bottom  12  and the legs  72  form a desk  74 . 
         [0037]    The top  26  may be secured to side wall  18  by the screws  62  or  66 . The edges of the bottom  12  may be finished with yardsticks cut to fit. Prior to the container  10  being assembled, base plates or flanges  76  are secured to the inner surface of side wall  18  by screws such as screws  62  or  66 . When the container  10  is disassembled, the legs or pipes  78  are secured to the previously secured base plates or flanges  76  to create a coffee table  80 . 
         [0038]    Side walls  20  and  22  may be placed one upon the other and screwed together by screws  62  or  66 . Prior to the container  10  being assembled, pipe flanges or base plates  82  are secured to the inner surface of side wall  22  by screws such as screws  62  or  66 . When the container  10  is disassembled, the pipes or furniture legs  84  are secured to the pipe flanges or base plates  82  to create a bench  86 . 
         [0039]    End walls  14  and  16  may be positioned one upon the other as seen in  FIG. 9  and secured together by screws  62  or  66 . Prior to the container  10  being assembled, base plates or pipe flanges  89  are secured to the inner surface of end wall  16  by screws such as screws  62  or  66 . When the container  10  is disassembled, the pipes or furniture legs  88  are attached to the pipe flanges or base plates  89  to create an end table  90 . 
         [0040]    The desk  74 , coffee table  80 , bench  86  and end table  90  may then be painted, covered or decorated as desired. The various other diverse household items contained within the container  10  may then be used to decorate the room. 
         [0041]    Should the user move, the furniture items may be disassembled and the container reassembled. The various items may then be placed in the container  10  for transport once again. 
         [0042]    Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.