Abstract:
A portable sandbox comprises a modular sandbox assembly and a plurality of wheels. The sandbox assembly comprises a durable, waterproof open-top box structure, a flat lid, a plurality of attachable handles, and the like. A bottom surface of the box structure comprises the plurality of wheels for transportation along a ground surface. In a preferred embodiment, the box further comprises a drainage hole to allow for use as a planter.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Apr. 2, 2010, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to recreational sandboxes, and in particular, to a coverable and transportable recreational sandbox. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Sandboxes are popular recreational fixtures for children. The sand provides a unique textural experience for children while providing additional possibilities for creation and entertainment due to the moldable nature of sand. Sandboxes further encourage children to spend extended periods within the enclosure which can simplify and expedite the responsibilities of a caretaker. 
     Due to the messy nature of sandboxes and, more specifically, the sand itself, sandboxes are generally found in outdoor settings. Moreover, due to the difficulty of transporting, removing, and replacing sand, such fixtures are generally permanent in nature and the sand in them is rarely replaced. As a result, both the structure and the contained sand are subject to a range of weather and environmental conditions. 
     Factors such as rain and sun can degrade the quality of the sandbox structure itself as well as the sand. For instance, after a heavy rain, the sand may contain a high percentage of rain which renders it unsuitable for play. Wind, water, and wildlife may deposit unsavory chemicals, materials or objects in the sand which can make it unsanitary and otherwise unsafe for small children. 
     Another problem associated with sandbox is that of their removal after a prolonged period of installation. Should a person desire to remove a sandbox from permanent installation within their yard, for example after a child has grown up, the portion of the yard on which the sandbox was previously installed is generally devoid of grass or plant growth and difficult to rehabilitate. 
     Various attempts have been made to provide sandboxes with additional provisions for protection or alternate use. Examples of these attempts can be seen by reference to several U.S. patents and U.S. patent applications. U.S. Patent Application No. 2008/0096679, issued in the name of Stengel, describes a sandbox located within a top surface of a desk type furniture structure. The Stengel apparatus includes a basin for receiving sand and a removable cover which allows the top surface of the apparatus to be utilized as a desk. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,539, issued in the name of Gatto et al., describes a covered sandbox with a disengaging hinge including sand and water basins configurable in a number of opened and closed positions. 
     While these apparatuses fulfill their respective, particular objectives, each of these references suffer from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. Many such apparatuses are not readily transportable, which aggravates plant growth in the location of installation and does not allow storage and protection from weather conditions. Also, many such apparatuses are not protected from environmental conditions such as sunlight and precipitation when disposed outdoors for use. In addition, many such apparatuses are difficult to drain and clean thoroughly. Accordingly, there exists a need for a sandbox without the disadvantages as described above. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing references, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a sandbox which is readily transportable, which can be protected from environmental conditions, and which is simple to prepare, drain, and clean. Thus, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     To achieve the above objectives, it is an object of the present invention to comprise a portable sandbox for storing and transporting play sand, soil, or a similar substance utilized for recreational purposes. The apparatus comprises an open-top rectangular basin including a pair of side panels, a bottom panel, an end panel, and a tailgate. 
     Another object of the present invention is to facilitate transportation of the apparatus in a manner which is simple and non-damaging to a ground surface. The apparatus comprises a plurality of wheels disposed along a bottom surface of the bottom panel and a basin handle attached to the end panel. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to allow a user to enclose the apparatus to prohibit undesired weather, sunlight, and other environmental conditions from ruining substances, objects or plants located within the basin. The apparatus comprises a lid which covers the open top of the basin. The lid comprises a pair of lid handles to facilitate placement and removal. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to enable water or other fluid to drain from the basin via a drainage aperture disposed within the bottom panel. The drainage aperture can be selectively sealed using a plug. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to facilitate access to the internal portion of the basin via the tailgate for purposes of cleaning, loading, or the like. The tailgate comprises a hinge along a bottom edge which enables the tailgate to pivot downwardly and expose the internal portion of the basin. The apparatus further comprises a pair of securing means located on opposing lateral perimeter edges of the tailgate which allow a user to secure the tailgate in an upright position. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide an additional means of retaining sand or the like within the basin by comprising an insertable basin which is removably insertable within the basin. The insertable basin comprises a similar open-topped rectangular shape corresponding to the internal portion of the basin. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of utilizing the device that provides a unique means of obtaining an instance of the apparatus, depositing desired substances or objects within the basin, towing the apparatus to a desired location with the basin handle and wheels, positioning the tailgate in a deployed position as desired, securing the tailgate in an upright position as desired using the securing means, draining the basin by removing the plug from the drainage aperture, positioning the lid on the upper surface of the basin as desired, inserting the insertable basin into the basin as desired, and utilizing the apparatus in a desired location in a temporary fashion to facilitate recreational activities. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable sandbox  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an opposing perspective view of the portable sandbox  10  depicting a removed lid  40 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is another perspective view of the portable sandbox  10  depicting an open tailgate  24 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up perspective view of the tailgate  24 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an insertable basin  51 , according to an accessory to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  portable sandbox 
               20  basin 
               21  side panel 
               22  bottom panel 
               23  end panel 
               24  tailgate 
               25  hinge 
               26  securing means 
               27  slot 
               28  end panel aperture 
               29  basin handle 
               30  drainage aperture 
               31  plug 
               32  wheel 
               40  lid 
               41  lid handle 
               51  insertable basin 
               52  insertable basin side panel 
               53  insertable basin bottom panel 
               54  insertable basin end panel 
               55  ledge 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a portable sandbox (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means for storing and transporting sand, dirt, or similar substance. The apparatus  10  is utilized with common play sand, potting soil, or the similar substance which may be utilized by children or adults for enjoyment. The apparatus  10  may be utilized indoors and outdoors as desired and is easily towed to the desired location. The apparatus  10  may also be fully enclosed to prohibit undesired weather patterns from destroying items and plants within and prohibiting sunlight from heating the apparatus  10  to undesired temperatures. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises an open-top rectangular basin  20  which provides a means to retain sand, soil, or the like. The basin  20  includes features such as a pair of side panels  21 , a bottom panel  22 , an end panel  23 , and a tailgate  24 . The basin  20  also includes a plurality of wheels  32  which provide a transporting means to the apparatus  10  (also see  FIG. 2 ). The apparatus  10  also comprises a lid  40  which provides a covering means to an internal portion of the basin  20 . The basin  20  measures approximately two (2) feet by three (3) feet, yet other dimensions may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The basin  20  and lid  40  are preferably fabricated from materials such as, but not limited to: plastic, wood, or the like. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , an opposing perspective view of the apparatus  10  depicting a removed lid  40 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The end panel  23  of the basin  20  comprises a pair of end panel apertures  28  which provide an opening to insert and secure a basin handle  29 . The basin handle  29  is utilized for towing the basin  20  about the wheels  32  (see herein below). The basin handle  29  is depicted as being located on the end panel  23  for illustration purposes only; it is known that other locations may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The basin handle  29  is preferably a nylon rope routed through each end panel aperture  28  to an internal portion of the end panel  23  and secured via common knotting (see  FIG. 3 ), yet other devices and attachment means may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . 
     The wheels  32  enable the apparatus  10  to be towed to a desired location. The wheels  32  also enable the apparatus  10  to eliminate damage to grassy surfaces or the like via its mobility. The wheels  32  are attached to a lower surface of the bottom panel  22  at each corner edge. The wheels  32  are preferably lockable caster-type wheels comprising a treaded tire for traction purposes. The wheels  32  are an appropriate diameter to tow the basin  20  and retain the desired weight within said basin  20 . The wheels  32  are attached to the bottom panel  22  via attachment means such as, but not limited to: mechanical fasteners, integral molding, or the like. 
     The lid  40  is positioned upon an upper perimeter edge of the side panels  21 , end panel  23 , and tailgate  24  and provides a concealing means to the interior of the basin  20 . The lid  40  is depicted as comprising a rectangular-shape for illustration purposes only; it is known that other shapes may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The lid  40  comprises slightly larger dimensions than the basin  20  to enable said lid  40  to lay in a manner which prohibits the undesirable from entering said basin  20  such as rain. The lid  40  comprises a pair of lid handles  41  which are located upon outer side surfaces of said lid  40 , yet other locations may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The lid handles  41  are preferably integrally molded “U”-shaped gripping devices which enable a user to remove said lid  40  as desired. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , another perspective view of the apparatus  10  depicting an open tailgate  24  and  FIG. 4 , a close-up perspective view of the tailgate  24 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, are disclosed. The bottom panel  22  comprises a drainage aperture  30  which provides an outlet to enable water or other fluid to drain from the basin  20 . The drainage aperture  30  preferably comprises a plug  31  which may be inserted into said drainage aperture  30  to obstruct the flow of fluids. The plug  31  may be inserted into the drainage aperture  30  via interference fitting means, threading means, or the like. The plug  31  is preferably fabricated from plastic, rubber, or the like and is an appropriate diameter to seal the drainage aperture  30 . 
     The tailgate  24  provides a means to access the internal portion of the basin  20  for purposes such as, but not limited to: cleaning, loading, or the like. The tailgate  24  opposes the end panel  23  and is hingedly attached to the bottom panel  22 . The tailgate  24  comprises a hinge  25  which enables said tailgate  24  to pivot downwardly. The hinge  25  is attached via mechanical fasteners such as screws to a perimeter edge of the bottom panel  22  and a lower perimeter edge of the tailgate  24 . The tailgate  24  is secured in an upright manner (see  FIG. 1 ) via a pair of opposing securing means  26 . The securing means  26  are located on opposing lateral perimeter edges of an outer surface of the tailgate  24  and are preferably comprised of a spring-loaded normally extended device which engage respective slots  27  (also see  FIG. 3 ); yet other locking means may be utilized without limiting the scope of the apparatus  10 . The securing means  26  are attached to the outer surface via integral molding or mechanical fasteners. The slots  27  are located on opposing inner surfaces of each side panel  21  and provide an indentation for the securing means  26  to engage and secure the tailgate  24  in an upright manner to the side panels  21 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of an insertable basin  51 , usable as an accessory to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  may also comprise an insertable basin  51  which may be inserted within the basin  20  and provide an additional means of retaining sand or the like. The insertable basin  51  includes an open-topped rectangular shape which comprises a pair of insertable basin side panels  52 , an insertable basin bottom panel  53 , and a pair of insertable basin end panels  54 . The insertable basin  51  is placed into the basin  20  and filled with a desired substance. An outer surface of the insertable basin bottom panel  53  is placed upon an inner surface of the bottom panel  22  which enables inners surfaces of the side panels  21 , end panel  23 , and tailgate  24  to make contact with outer surfaces of the insertable basin side panels  52  and insertable basin end panels  54 , respectively. An upper ledge  55  also makes contact with the upper perimeter edge of the basin  20 . 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 1 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: acquiring the apparatus  10 ; positioning the apparatus  10  on a level surface with the wheels  32  in contact with said level surface; depositing a desired substance within the basin  20 ; towing the basin  20  to a desired location via grasping and pulling the basin handle  29 ; positioning the tailgate  24  in a deployed position via disengaging the securing means  26  with the slots  27  and downwardly pivoting said tailgate  24  via the hinge  25 ; removing the plug  31  from the drainage aperture  30  as desired; positioning the tailgate  24  in an upright manner via engaging the securing means  26  with the slots  27  and upwardly pivoting the tailgate  24  via the hinge  25 ; positioning the lid  40  onto an upper surface of the basin  20  as desired; inserting the insertable basin  51  into the basin  20  as desired; and; allowing for longer periods of play and protection of children and associated outdoor areas in a manner which is quick, easy, and effective. 
     Additionally, an insertable basin  51  may be inserted into the within the basin  20  via engaging the outer surface of the insertable basin bottom panel  53  with an inner surface of the bottom panel  22  which enables the inners surfaces of the side panels  21 , end panel  23 , and tailgate  24  to engage the outer surfaces of the insertable basin side panels  52  and insertable basin end panels  54 , respectively; and, the upper ledge  55  also engages the upper perimeter edge of the basin  20 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.