Abstract:
A portable storage container assembly having a bottom container, a top container and a cover, wherein the bottom and top containers may be selectively and individually accessed through the use of a sliding latch member that engages one or more of a series of male members or flanges associated with the bottom container, top container and cover. A locking member may be attached to the latch and a male member to secure the containers in the closed position. Additional storage may be provided through a storage tray accessible from the outside of the bottom container or through a covered recessed area in the cover. The top container may include a pair of stand members for permitting a bow or other elongated devices to be stored.

Description:
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/614,507 filed Sep. 30, 2004. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates in general to portable storage container assemblies, and more particularly, to portable storage container assemblies that have multiple compartments that may be selectively opened. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Hunters, especially bow hunters, often need to transport a lot of equipment and supplies to a particular hunting location. Known carrying cases or containers include duffel bags that permit a bow and arrows to be stored in zippered compartments, or hard carrying cases that only permit bows and arrows to be stored in a hand-held case. While these carrying items may work to a certain degree, the duffel bags are not considered optimal in that they do not provide easy access to the contents or a very secure container to protect the contents from being damaged. Moreover, the hard cases do not permit the hunter to transport any additional items or equipment in the same container. Furthermore, neither the duffel bags nor the hard cases typically provide for any means to store all gear necessary for a bow hunter or the bow in a ready position to permit the hunter to have quick access to the bow. The known carrying cases or containers also generally do not include any means to dissipate odors from or add scent to the equipment when it is stored. 
   Therefore, there is a need to produce a portable storage assembly that provides secure storage for a hunter&#39;s bow, arrows and other equipment, while being economical and easy to manufacture and use. There is also a need to produce a portable storage container assembly that provides a stand to permit the hunter to have ready access to a bow. Yet another need is to provide a portable storage assembly that includes means to add scent to the equipment after use. A further need is to produce a portable storage container assembly that is easy and quick to use. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is an improvement over the prior storage container assemblies in that the way that the portable storage container assembly allows for multiple compartments or containers to be selectively accessed and, in the embodiment for hunters, in the way that the assembly allows for the facilitated storage and placement of a bow and other equipment are unique and improvements over the prior art. In particular, one embodiment of the storage container assembly includes a bottom container having a pair of wheels and a handle; a cover; and a top container that may be selectively accessed through the use of a pair of sliding latch members that engage one or more of a series of male members or flanges that are associated with the bottom container, top container and cover for the top container. In a first position, the latch members engage male flange members that are attached to the bottom container and the top container to permit the cover to be rotated to provide access to the contents of the top container. In a second position, the latch members engage male flange members on the top container and cover to permit access to the contents of the bottom container. Moving the latch members to a third position so that the latch members engage male flange members of the bottom container, top container and cover prevents access to both the bottom and top containers. When in the third position, the latch members may include plates having holes that align with a corresponding plate on the bottom container to permit the post of a lock to be inserted through the plates to secure the containers in the closed position. 
   For use by hunters, the top container may include a pair of stand members for permitting a bow or other elongated devices to be stored. In one embodiment, the cover may include a pair of elongated openings to permit the stand members to extend through the cover, while permitting the cover to be rotated between an open and closed position. The stand members may also be removable for storage, wherein the cover may not have any openings. 
   The storage container assembly may also include one or more storage trays located on the exterior of the bottom container to permit storage of smaller items and, if necessary, dissipate strong scents or odors from those items. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved portable storage container assembly that allows for separate containers to be selectively accessed. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable storage container assembly that provides for separate storage areas to vent scented objects. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable storage container assembly that provides secure storage for equipment for a bow hunter. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved portable storage container assembly that adds scent to equipment when stored. 
   A still further object of the present invention is to provide a portable storage container assembly that is easy and economical to manufacture. 
   Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a portable storage container assembly of the present invention showing the latch members in third or locked position. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the portable storage container assembly shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating the latch members in a second position and the top container being pivoted to provide access to the contents of the bottom container. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the portable storage container assembly shown in  FIG. 1  showing the latch members in a first position and the cover of the top container being pivoted to provide access to the contents of the top container. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the portable storage container assembly shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating a pair of trays on the bottom container in an opened position. 
       FIG. 5  is a partial view of the top container of the storage container assembly shown in  FIG. 1  showing one of the latch members in the third or locked position. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the top container of the storage container assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the cover showing an accessible box contained therein in the open position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered merely an exemplification of the principles of the invention and the application is limited only to the claims. 
   Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , there is shown a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The portable storage container assembly, generally designated by the number  10 , is shown as having a bottom container  12 , a top container  14  that is preferably pivotally connected to the bottom container  12 , and a cover  16  that is preferably pivotally connected to the top container. The storage container assembly is preferably made of a durable and weather-proof material such as, but not limited to, a thermoplastic. 
   The bottom container  12  includes a plurality of walls that form a cavity to provide storage. A pair of wheels  20  are operably attached to the rear end  22  of the bottom container  12  in a known way, such as, but not limited to, by an axle  24  that may be slid through one or more sleeves or loops that are attached to the bottom container  12 . A pair of legs  26  are preferably located toward the front end  28  of the bottom of the bottom container  12 . The legs preferably extend a distance that is substantially equal to the distance the wheels extend below the bottom of the bottom container so that the storage container assembly may rest substantially parallel to the ground when the storage container assembly is in a resting position. It is also appreciated that the storage container assembly may also include one or more wheels at the front end  28  of the bottom container  12  in place of the legs  26  and not depart from the scope of the present invention. 
   In order to assist in moving the storage container assembly, a handle  30  is preferably attached to the front end  28  of the bottom container  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the legs of the handle may be slid into a plurality of sleeve members  32  and attached to the bottom container  12  in a known way. While the handle  30  is preferably fixed in place, it is appreciated that the handle  30  may be retractable or removably attachable to the storage container assembly  10  and not depart from the scope of the present invention. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 4 , the bottom container  12  may also include one or more storage trays  34  that include one or more compartments  36  for storing smaller items. In the preferred embodiment, the storage trays  34  are hingedly connected to the bottom container  12  in a known way. In order to facilitate the opening and closing of the storage tray  34 , a lip, handle or the like  38  may extend outward from about the top of the storage tray  34 . Where the storage trays are designed to store items that may have a strong scent, it is appreciated that the storage trays may provide for additional ventilation by including, among other things, slots  39  to permit air to circulate to assist in dissipating the scent. 
   The cavity of the bottom container may also include one or more partition walls  40  that may be used to divide the cavity into separate compartments for storage, as well as provide support for the top container  14  when the top container is in the closed position. The cavity of the bottom container  12  may also include a compartment, holder or chamber  42  for placing scented objects or liquids to distribute a cover scent to add scent to equipment or other objects after their use. In a preferred embodiment, it is appreciate that the compartment  42  may be enclosed with a top that may be removably locked or sealed in place by a screw, clasp or other known means. It is also appreciated that the top container  14  may also include a compartment, holder or chamber for placing scented objects or liquids to assist in distributing cover scent to equipment and objects stored therewithin. It is also appreciated that the bottom container may contain a port  44  and corresponding plug  46  to selectively permit drainage of fluids of the bottom container. 
   The top container  14  is preferably hingedly connected to the bottom container  12  in a known way to permit the top container  14  to be rotated into and out of engagement with the bottom container  12 . In the preferred embodiment, the base of the top container  14  is shaped to fit within the walls of the bottom container  12 . Access to the top container  14  is provided by a cover  16  that is preferably hingedly connected to the top container  14  in a known way. In a preferred embodiment, in order to accommodate equipment for a bow hunter, the top container preferably includes a pair of slots  50  for receiving a pair of stand members  52  for resting a bow or other elongated equipment. The stand members preferably include angled tops  54  that are recessed from the tops of the sides  56  of the stand members  52  to assist in retaining the bow or other equipment on the stand members  52 ; however, it is appreciated the stand members  52  may be of a variety of shapes or include grooves or slots for receiving parts of the equipment and not depart from the scope of the present invention. It is also appreciated that the top container may contain a port  64  and corresponding plug  66  to selectively permit drainage of fluids of the top container. 
   In one embodiment, the cover  16  may include a pair of elongated slotted openings  58  that are aligned with the stand members  52  to permit the cover  16  to be opened and closed. While a cover  16  having a pair of elongated slotted openings  58  is shown, it is appreciated that the cover  16  may by integrally formed without any openings and not depart from the scope of the present invention. In that embodiment, it is appreciated that the stand members  52  may be removably received in the slots  50  and stored in either the top  14  or bottom container  12 . It is also appreciated that cover  16  may include an additional storage area for providing easy access to certain items such as arrows, or for additional storage. Such storage areas may include a recessed area and separate cover, or, as shown in  FIG. 7 , a box or container  60  hingedly attached to the cover  16  so that it may be rotated into an open position to allow items to be stored or removed from the container  60 . When closed, the top or cover  62  of the container preferably is flush with the cover. A handle, recessed notch or other grasping device may be provided to assist in opening the container. 
   To selectively secure and access the bottom  12  and top containers  14 , the storage container assembly  10  preferably includes a pair of sliding latch members  70  that are operably attached to the top container  14  and cooperate with male flange members  72 ,  74  extending from the bottom container  12 , as well as male flange members  94  extending from the top container  14  and male flange members  90  extending from the cover  16 . While a pair of latch members are shown and disclosed, it is appreciated that one latch member or multiple latch members may be used and not depart from the scope of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the male flange members  72 ,  74 ,  90 ,  94  have a substantially T-shaped cross section to permit the bottom of substantially C-shaped latch members  70  to matingly engage the male flange members to permit the latch members  70  to slide and prevent them from being removed.  FIGS. 2 and 4  illustrate the latch members being moved so that the latch members  70  align with and engage male flange members  90 ,  94  to permit the top container  14  and cover  16  to rotate to provide access to the contents of the bottom container  12 . It is appreciated that the bottom container may include openings  76  to accommodate the male flange members  94  of the top container  14  when it is in the closed position. The latch members  70  preferably are snapingly engaged so that they will be prevented from being removed from the male flange members  90 ,  94  when the top container  14  is in the raised or open position. 
   The latching members  70 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , may also be slid to engage the male flange members  74 ,  94  whereby the latching members will disengage male flange members  90  of the cover  16  to permit the cover  16  to rotate to an opened position. With the cover  16  in the closed position, each male flange member  90  preferably rests within an opening  92  so that the male flange member  70  may be engaged by the latching member  90  to prevent the cover  16  from being rotated. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the latch members  70  may also be slid outwardly so that they engage male flange members  72 ,  90 ,  94 . In this position, the top container  14  and cover  16  are both in locked position and prevented from being rotated or opened. The latch members  70  may also include plates  80  having holes  82  that may be aligned with one or more plates  84  having corresponding holes  86 , so that a lock, pin or other device may be inserted through the holes to lock the storage container assembly and prevent access to the contents of the containers. It is appreciated that the storage container assembly preferably includes stops to limit the movement of the latching members to operate between the male flange members. 
   In operation, the storage container assembly allows for equipment, supplies or other contents to be stored in separate containers of the storage container assembly. Using the latch members  70  to engage the respective male flange members  72 ,  74 ,  90 ,  94  associated with the bottom container  12 , top container  14  and/or cover  16  allows only one of the containers  12 ,  14  to be accessed at any given time. In one position, the latch members  70  may be moved or slid to engage the male flange members  74 ,  90 ,  94  and disengage the male flange members  90 , thereby allowing only the cover  16  to be rotated to permit access to the top container  14 . When the cover  16  is opened, a bow or other items may be placed and stored on the stand members  52 . Access to the bottom container  12  may be achieved by sliding or moving the latch members  70  so that they disengage the male flange members  74 . Moving the latch members  70  so that they engage male flange members  72 ,  90 ,  94  will prevent the top container  14  and cover  16  from being rotated to prevent access to the contents of the bottom  12  and top containers  14 . A post of a lock may then be inserted through the holes  82 ,  86  on the plates  80 ,  84  associated with male flange members  72  and the latch members  70 . Additional items may also be placed in storage trays  34  by pulling on the handle or lip  30  to open the trays  34 . 
   It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention, but it is understood that this application is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.