Portable storage device

The present disclosure provides a portable storage device. The portable storage device includes a stay unit mounted on a personal vehicle or a general vehicle, a storage unit, which is portable and is selectively mounted on the stay unit, and a coupling unit, which is disposed at the stay unit so as to couple the storage unit to the stay unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0151635 filed on Nov. 13, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

(a) Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a portable storage device. More particularly, it relates to a portable storage device, which is capable of being selectively coupled to a personal vehicle or a general vehicle and of being applied to various uses.

(b) Background Art

Vehicles for various uses have been developed and made commercially available. In recent years, various kinds of personal vehicles for one-person transportation have been developed and made commercially available.

A way of traveling in which a person travels from one point to another using a general vehicle and then the person travels to the destination using a personal vehicle is recently attracting a lot of attention.

In other words, rather than a conventional travel way in which a person travels from a starting point to the destination using only a general vehicle, a travel way in which a person travels from a starting point to a halfway point, which is positioned near the destination or which can be reached using public transportation, and then travels to the destination using a personal vehicle is being established.

However, when a person travels using a personal vehicle, the personal vehicle is incapable of accommodating baggage because the personal vehicle is not provided with a large space such as that in a general vehicle. Furthermore, it is cumbersome to transfer the baggage to a personal vehicle from a general vehicle.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made in an effort to solve the above-described problems associated with the prior art. It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a portable storage device, which is compatible with and applicable to a personal vehicle and a general vehicle.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a portable storage device, which includes a storage unit that has various functions and is usable in various kinds of personal vehicles.

The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects of the present disclosure, which are not mentioned above, will be clearly understood from the following descriptions of preferred embodiments, and will be apparent from the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. The above objects and other objects of the present disclosure are achieved by the means and combinations thereof disclosed in the claims.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a portable storage device including a stay unit mounted on a personal vehicle or a general vehicle, a storage unit, which is portable and is selectively mounted on the stay unit, and a coupling unit, which is disposed at the stay unit so as to couple the storage unit to the stay unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the coupling unit may include an electrode member electrically connected to a battery disposed in the storage unit.

In another preferred embodiment, the storage unit may include an illumination unit capable of emitting light by itself, a speaker for outputting sound to an outside, and a handle for allowing the storage unit to be carried by a user.

In still another preferred embodiment, the storage unit may include a first expansion space, which is expandable in a longitudinal direction of the storage unit, and a second expansion space, which is expandable in a transverse direction of the storage unit.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the coupling unit may include a fitting portion, into which one end of the storage unit is fitted, and a clip portion, in which a remaining end of the storage unit is engaged so as to surround at least a portion of the storage unit.

In still yet another preferred embodiment, the coupling unit may include a slot, formed in the stay unit into which at least a portion of the storage unit is fitted, and a guide portion, which is provided at the storage unit and is fitted into the slot formed in the stay unit.

In a further preferred embodiment, the coupling unit may include a holding pin, provided at the bottom of the stay unit so as to surround at least a portion of a lateral side surface of the storage unit, and a groove formed in the storage unit in which the holding pin is engaged.

In another further preferred embodiment, the coupling unit may include a fastening member, which is provided at the storage unit so as to fasten at least a portion of the storage unit and the stay unit concurrently.

In still another further preferred embodiment, the storage unit may include a recess formed in an upper surface thereof.

In yet another further preferred embodiment, the recess may be provided therein with a cup holder or an air cleaner coupled thereto.

In still yet another further preferred embodiment, the stay unit may include a plurality of stay units, which are provided with respective coupling units so as to accommodate a plurality of storage units.

In a still further preferred embodiment, the storage unit may include a battery disposed therein, a connecting member adapted to allow power to be supplied to the battery, and a storage region formed in a predetermined region thereof.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a portable storage device including a stay unit disposed at a vehicle, and a coupling unit disposed at the stay unit so as to provide the stay unit with a storage region, the coupling unit including lateral walls provided at two lateral sides of a bottom of the stay unit, and a convenience member, which is movably provided in the storage region defined by the bottom and the lateral walls.

In a preferred embodiment, the convenience member may include an armrest, slidably provided in the storage region, and a cup holder, provided at one end of the armrest.

In another preferred embodiment, the convenience member may be constructed so as to be capable of rotating and sliding with respect to the lateral walls.

Other aspects and preferred embodiments of the disclosure are discussed infra.

In the figures, the reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present disclosure throughout the several figures of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be modified into various forms, and the scope of the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the following embodiments. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.

The term “part”, “unit”, or “module” means a unit for performing at least one function or action, and may be realized by hardware or a combination of hardware.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. may be used herein to describe various similar elements, these elements should not be construed to be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description on the basis of the drawings, the same or equivalent components may be denoted by the same reference numbers, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

In the description, the term “personal vehicle” means a personal mobility vehicle, such as a scooter and an electric scooter, on which one or two persons can ride, and which can be folded and stored or carried and moved by a user.

FIG.1is a view illustrating a portable storage device10according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is mounted in a general vehicle.

The portable storage device10according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a storage unit100, and a stay unit200which is placed in an area of a vehicle in which a console is positioned. The stay unit200may be positioned in the space between front seats, and may include a region corresponding to the size of the storage unit100.

The stay unit200may be constructed so as to enable one or more storage units100to be seated thereon, and may be provided with a coupling unit300.

The storage unit100may include a storage chamber, adapted to receive objects therein, an illumination portion140, which emits light from at least a portion thereof, and a speaker portion150, which is connected to a user's smartphone or portable device so as to output the sound from the device to the outside. The speaker portion150and the illumination portion140may be preferably connected to a battery positioned in the storage unit100so as to receive power therefrom. The storage unit100equipped with the battery may drive a compressor provided in the storage unit100in order to serve as a vacuum cleaner, and may include a condenser, through which refrigerant flows, in order to serve as a portable refrigerator.

Furthermore, the storage unit100may include an upper cover adapted to open and close the upper surface thereof, or a front cover adapted to open and close the front surface thereof. The storage unit100may include a handle, which is positioned at a portion of the upper end or the rear and side end of the storage unit100so as to improve portability by a user.

Furthermore, the storage unit100may include a pair of straps, which are coupled to two ends of the storage unit100so as to enable the storage unit100to be used as a backpack.

The storage unit100may include a first expansion space120, which is expandable in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, and a second expansion space130, which is expandable in a transverse direction of the vehicle. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, to provide the expansion spaces, the storage unit100may be constructed such that a lateral wall or a front or rear wall, which is received in the housing of the storage unit100, is extended outwards, whereby the internal space in the storage unit100is expanded.

The storage unit100may include a recess110, which is formed by depressing at least one surface thereof inwards, for use as a cup holder. The recess110is preferably positioned at the upper surface of the storage unit100. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the recess110may be electrically connected to the battery disposed in the storage unit100such that the power of the battery is applied to an air cleaner received in the recess110.

Furthermore, the recess110may be formed in a wider region of the storage unit100so as to serve as a vehicular cage for a pet. Accordingly, the storage unit100, which is removed from a vehicle, may be used as a transport gage for a pet.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the storage unit100may be constructed from a collapsible material. In this case, the outermost shell of the storage unit100may be made of a flexible material, and a link unit for guiding the collapse of the storage unit100may be positioned at the inner surface of the outermost shell. Accordingly, the portability of the collapsed storage unit100may be improved. Furthermore, when the storage unit100is mounted on a vehicle, the storage unit100may be expanded by virtue of the link unit so as to ensure a sufficient space.

The portable storage device may include a coupling unit300(shown inFIG.4), which is provided between the storage unit100and the stay unit200so as to hold the storage unit100on the stay unit200. The coupling unit300may include an electrode member330, which is configured to electrically connect the battery provided in the storage unit100to the vehicle. The electrode member330may be brought into electrical contact with a connecting member190provided at the storage unit100such that power from the vehicle is applied to the battery via the connecting member190of the storage unit100.

The coupling unit300may be provided at the stay unit200or the storage unit100. The electrodes of the stay unit200may be connected to the electrodes of the storage unit100. Furthermore, the controller of the vehicle may be connected to the controller of the storage unit100so as to perform wired communication.

FIGS.2A to2Cillustrate positions of various vehicles at which the storage unit100is mountable.

FIG.2Aillustrates an embodiment of the present disclosure in which the stay unit200is provided in a luggage compartment in a vehicle. In this embodiment, the storage unit100may be coupled to at least one stay unit200provided in the luggage compartment in the vehicle.

Alternatively,FIGS.2B and2Cillustrate other embodiments in which the storage unit100is mounted on different personal vehicles.

FIG.2Billustrates a personal scooter in which the stay unit200is positioned at at least a portion of the scooter and the storage unit100is coupled to the stay unit200for transportation.

FIG.2Cillustrates a personal vehicle such as an electrical scooter in which the stay unit200is provided on a steering shaft and the storage unit100is coupled to the stay unit200for transportation.

In this way, the storage unit100may be selectively mounted at various positions in vehicles equipped with the stay units200.

FIG.3illustrates a coupling structure of the coupling unit300according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.4is an enlarged view illustrating the coupling unit300including the electrode member330.

The coupling unit300, which is provided at the stay unit200, may be constructed so as to be coupled to front and rear ends of the storage unit100. Here, a guide portion, positioned at one end of the storage unit100, is fitted and held in a fitting portion310positioned at one end of the stay unit200, and a clip portion320is slidably provided at a position at which the other end of the storage unit100is coupled to the other end of the stay unit200.

The fitting portion310may be provided with the electrode member330such that electrodes provided in the fitting portion310are positioned so as to correspond to electrodes provided at one end of the storage unit100.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling unit300may be constructed such that at least one holding pin350is provided on the upper surface of the stay unit200and such that the storage unit100, which is mounted on the upper surface of the stay unit200, is provided with a groove180which is engaged with the holding pin350.

Furthermore, the portable storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a fastening member360, which is provided at the storage unit100or the stay unit200so as to fasten at least a portion of the storage unit100to the stay unit200simultaneously, thereby preventing the storage unit100from being spaced apart from the stay unit200.

In the coupling unit300shown inFIG.5A, a guide portion170may be formed at the storage unit100so as to correspond to a sloping slot340in the coupling unit300such that the guide portion170is fitted into the sloping slot340when the storage unit100moves along the sloping surface of the coupling unit300.

In the coupling unit300shown inFIG.5B, at least one holding pin350may be provided on the upper surface of the stay unit200so as to be rotated in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the stay unit200. Accordingly, one end of the holding pin350may be engaged and held in a groove180formed in the storage unit100.

In the coupling unit300shownFIG.5C, a fastening member360provided at the stay unit200fastens the storage unit100to the stay unit200. Specifically, a pair of fasteners of the fastening member460are fixed to two sides of the stay unit200, and the ends of the fasteners are fastened to each other on the upper surface of the stay unit200.

In another embodiment, the fastening member360may be embodied as a rotating pin. In this case, the rotating pin is coupled to at least one end of the storage unit100, and is rotatable so as to fasten the storage unit100to the stay unit200.

FIG.5Dillustrates the storage unit100, which is rotatable so as to be coupled to the coupling unit300provided at the stay unit200.

The storage unit100may include two projections400, which are inserted into two slots230formed in the coupling unit300so as to be rotatably moved along the slots230. When the projections400are positioned at the ends of the slots230, the storage unit100may be coupled and held to the coupling unit300.

Two or more slots230may be formed in the stay unit200, each having an arched shape such that the projections400are moved along the slots230. In order to prevent the projections400from being separated outwards from the slots230, the end of each of the projections400, which are to be inserted into the slots230, may be provided with a barb portion410which has a thickness greater than the width of the slot230. The barb portion410of the projection400may be inserted into the starting end of the slot230. To this end, the starting end of the slot230may be provided with an introduction inlet240, into which the barb portion410of the projection400is inserted.

In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the storage unit100may be initially positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to the stay unit200. At this time, the barb portions410of the projections400may be inserted into the slots230through the introduction inlets240. Subsequently, when the storage unit100is rotated so as to be aligned with the stay unit200, the storage unit100may be maintained in the stay unit200in the stationary state.

FIG.6illustrates a mounting region of a vehicle in which the stay unit200according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is provided.

As illustrated in the drawing, the stay unit200may include lateral walls210, which extend upwards from two sides of the stay unit200, and a convenience member220, which is positioned at the rear end of the stay unit200and is selectively movable vertically along the lateral walls210. The convenience member220may be positioned at the upper end of a storage region, and may be slidable toward the front end from the rear surface of the stay unit200.

The convenience member220may include an armrest, which is positioned at the upper end of the storage region, and at least one cup holder provided at one end thereof. Preferably, the convenience member200may be constructed such that at least a portion thereof is movable to the upper end of the storage region along rails positioned at the rear and upper end of the stay unit200. Furthermore, the convenience member200may be rotated with respect to the lateral walls210, and may be slidable.

Furthermore, the convenience member220may be constructed such that one end thereof close to the storage region is rotated and opened toward the rear end of the stay unit200in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle.

By virtue of the above-described constructions of the embodiments and combinations thereof, the present disclosure offers the following effects.

Since the portable storage device according to the present disclosure includes the storage unit, which is usable in various circumstances, there is an effect of improving convenience in use.

Since the portable storage device according to the present disclosure is provided with various types of coupling units, there is an effect of securely holding the storage unit.