Abstract:
A toy chest is provided herewith that includes: a body; a seating surface movably coupled to the body so as to expose a storage area within the body; a fabric cover removably located over the body, the fabric cover includes a head and the body includes at least one other feature, the chest therewith resembling a character; a plurality of wheels attached to the body; and a pull chord attached to a front end of the body.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/289,436, filed Dec. 23, 2009, which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present application is related to storage containers and more particular toy chests for children. 
         [0003]    As many parents know, getting children to keep their toys and their other belongings organized can be a challenge. A number of storage systems have been developed to maximize storage space, but these systems do not provide an incentive or otherwise entice children to replace their toys and art supplies into the storage containers thereof when children are done playing with the toys. As a result, parents are often left with the task of putting toys away after their children are done playing with the toys. Accordingly, there is a need for a storage system for children that is not so limited. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In at least one embodiment, a chest provided herewith that includes: a body; a seating surface movably coupled to the body so as to expose a storage area within the body; a fabric cover removably located over the body, the fabric cover comprising a head and the body comprising at least one other feature, the chest therewith resembling a character; a plurality of wheels attached to the body; and a pull chord attached to a front end of the body. 
         [0005]    In at least one embodiment, the seating surface is a lid that removable from the body of the chest. 
         [0006]    In at least one embodiment, the seating surface is hinged to the body of the chest. 
         [0007]    In at least one embodiment, the fabric comprises a three dimensional head of a character and the at least one other feature comprises a plurality of legs. 
         [0008]    In at least one embodiment, the character is an animal, the head is a three dimensional rendition of the animal, and the legs are those of the animal. 
         [0009]    In at least one embodiment, the wheels are at least partially covered by the legs of the animal. 
         [0010]    In at least one embodiment, the chest includes a processor and computer readable medium with media content stored thereon, when triggered the processor plays at least one item of media content stored thereon. 
         [0011]    In at least one embodiment, the media content comprises an audio file and the processor plays the audio file. 
         [0012]    In at least one embodiment, the chest includes a display operably coupled to the processor, and the media content comprises a video file and the processor plays the video file on the display. 
         [0013]    In at least one embodiment, the computer readable medium is a digital video disc and the processor plays the digital video disc. 
         [0014]    In at least one embodiment, the body includes a frame, and the fabric cover is removably located over the frame. 
         [0015]    In at least one embodiment, each of the plurality of wheels are attached to opposite corners of the frame. 
         [0016]    In at least one embodiment, a first pair of the plurality of wheels are unidirectional and a second pair of the plurality of wheels are casters. 
         [0017]    In at least one embodiment, a chest is provided that includes: a body, the body comprising a frame; a seating surface movably coupled to the body so as to expose a storage area within the body; a fabric cover removably located over the frame, the fabric cover comprising a three dimensional fabric head of an animal and the body comprising at least one other feature of the animal, including legs of the animal, the chest therewith resembling a character; a plurality of wheels attached to the frame, the legs of the animal at least partially covering the wheels; and a pull chord attached to a front end of the body. 
         [0018]    In at least one embodiment, the chest includes a processor and computer readable medium with media content stored thereon, when triggered the processor plays at least one item of media content stored thereon. 
         [0019]    In at least one embodiment, the media content comprises an audio file and the processor plays the audio file. 
         [0020]    In at least one embodiment, the chest includes a display operably coupled to the processor, and the media content comprises a video file and the processor plays the video file on the display. 
         [0021]    In at least one embodiment, the computer readable medium is a digital video disc and wherein the processor plays the digital video disc. 
         [0022]    Additional aspects of the present invention will be apparent in view of the description which follows. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is an image of a toy chest/foot stool-ottoman according to at least one embodiment of the storage systems disclosed herein. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an image of a toy chest/foot stool-ottoman according to at least one embodiment of the storage systems disclosed herein. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional image of a toy chest/foot stool-ottoman according to at least one embodiment of the storage systems disclosed herein. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a system diagram for a toy chest/foot stool-ottoman according to at least one embodiment of the storage systems disclosed herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]    The present application generally provides a toy chest/foot stool-ottoman combination, hereinafter “the chest”, which includes a body with a storage area and a seat area. The chest also includes a string or rope or other means for children or users in general to pull and thereby move the chest from one location to another location. The chest further includes a plurality of wheels that allow the chest to be moved with relative ease. As part of the allure for children to use the chest, the chest is made to resemble a character. That is, the chest includes preferably a three dimensional character or portions thereof that extend out of the body of the chest so as to appeal to children more as a toy than a storage solution. Doing so will make cleaning up part of the play experience thus enticing children to clean up their toys and other belongings when they are done with them. 
         [0028]    Although the present application may discuss the chest in relation to storing toys therein, it is understood that any items may be stored in the chest, such as board games and video game cartridges, books, art supplies, DVDs, media players, game consoles, etc. Moreover, the term character generally implies a characterization of any person or thing, such as a cartoon characters, an animal, a car or truck, etc., or any other item that may appeal to children as a toy. 
         [0029]    Among other benefits, the chest provides a place for children to sit while playing that is closer to their scale, to store toys, art supplies, etc., and to move their belongings around the home simply by dragging the chest along in their very own “Pull Along Toy.” The chest may be colorful and thus would help children in their creative play and imagination development. The chest may include a name-tag directly embroidered or otherwise on the outside of the chest, which would reinforce a sense of responsibility in a child taking care of his/her own things. The chest may be offered in varying sizes and in various levels of realism to appeal to different ages. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the chest  100  includes a body  102  with an integral seating surface  104 . The seating surface  104  is preferably movable relative to the body  102  for access to the storage area within the body  102 . It is understood that access may be provided in this respect in various ways. For example, the seating surface  104  may be a lid that is completely removable from the body  102 . In this instance, the body  102  preferably has a recess and the seating surface  104  has a corresponding shape to fit into the recess, or the reverse, such that when the seating surface  104  is placed on the body  102 , lateral movement is arrested thereby preventing the seating surface  104  or lid from sliding off of the body  102 . Similarly, the seating surface  104  may be hingedly attached to the body  102 . In this instance, access into the storage area is gained by lifting and thereby rotating the seating surface  104  relative to the axis of the hinge. The hinge may be placed anywhere over the opening of the body  102 , such as in the front, back, or either side. 
         [0031]    As noted above, the chest  100  includes or is otherwise made to resemble a character. That is, the chest includes preferably a three dimensional character or portions thereof that extend out of the body  102  of the chest  100 . For example, the body  102  may have a generally oblong shape with a character head  104  and legs  108  extending out of the body  102  of the chest  100 . The character may be an elephant as shown or any other animal, such as a horse, camel, giraffe, pony, dog, etc., or any other character, such as vehicles, licensed characters, etc. By placing a pull string or rope  110 , which may or may not be retractable, at the front of the chest  100 , children can pretend that they are walking the animal around the house as part of the play experience. The head  106  is made of a stuffed fabric, plush or otherwise, constructed similar to the head of stuffed animals. The body  102  may also have a fabric cover  112  located over the body. The fabric cover  112  simply adds to the appeal of the chest  100  as a toy. In this respect, the fabric cover  112  may be the same fabric as the head or a complimentary fabric. That is, the fabric cover  112  may be a colorful textile that one may expect to be placed over a pack animal. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the body  102  of the chest  100  includes a frame  304  that provides support for the user and forms the overall shape of the chest  100 . The frame  304  may be made from any material suitable for this purpose, such as plastic, aluminum or other metal, wood, etc. The frame  304  also forms the internal storage area or cavity within the chest  100 . In at least one embodiment, attached to the frame  304  are a plurality of wheels,  306 ,  308  that allow the chest to be moved about with relative ease. For example, two pair of wheels may be located at opposite corners on the bottom of the frame, e.g., approximately at the location of each of the legs  108  of the character. One pair of wheels  306  may be unidirectional whereas another pair of wheels  308  may be casters. The wheels  306 ,  308  are preferably at least partially hidden by the legs  108  of the character, further aiding in the appeal of the chest  100  as a toy. The legs  108  may be integral with the frame  304  or separate attachments thereto. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the wheels  306 ,  308  are attached to the frame with a suspension, such as with a spring. In this instance, when a user sits on the chest  100  the weight of the user compresses the suspension sufficiently for the legs  108  to come into contact with the ground. When this occurs, lateral movement in the chest  100  is significantly impaired. 
         [0033]    Various additional components may be added to the chest to further enhance the play experience. For example, the chest  100  may include a chip that when triggered plays audio recorded onto the chip, such as animal sounds, phrases, music, tell stories, etc., or a combination thereof. The trigger may be any interaction with the chest  100 . For example, the trigger may be squeezing the character&#39;s ear, pulling the chord or rope, sitting on the chest  100 , opening the seating surface  104 /lid. 
         [0034]    The chest may also be equipped to provide a better media experience. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the chest may include a processor  402  and a computer readable memory  404 . The computer readable memory  404  may be RAM, optical media, such as a CD or DVD, magnetic storage, such as a hard drive, etc., or a combination thereof. Media files, including audio and video files, may be stored on the computer readable memory  404  for access and playback by the processor. The memory  404  may also include software stored thereon that when executed allows the user to play interactive learning games. For example, the game may ask the user to repeat letters or answer age appropriate questions. In this respect, the chest may include an input device  406  that interfaces with the processor  402  for the user to interact with the chest  100 , such as answer questions, start games, select games, etc. The chest  100  may include a display  412  and a speaker  408  to play the audio and media files or other content on the chest  100 . The display  412  may be mounted on the chest  100  in various ways. For example, the display  412  may be hingedly and adjustable mounted to the underside of the seating surface  104 . In this instance, the seating surface  104  or lid may be tilted on the first hinge axis to expose the display  412  and the display  412  may further be lilted outward on a second hinge axis opposite the first hinge axis in order for the display  412  to be placed in a plumb orientation for viewing. The media components may collectively be a DVD and/or CD player, and may include input jacks for connecting external components thereto, such as a game counsel. The chest may include an internal power source  410 , such as a battery, or be connectable to an external power source. 
         [0035]    In addition to those noted above, the chest may further include the following features: a lighted seat, scratch free wheels, and retractable string or chord. The outer fabric and the head of the chest may be removable from the chest for cleaning. The storage area may be compartmentalized for crayons, paper, books, DVDs, etc. The name tag may be embroidered into the fabric to personalize the chest for a particular child. The chest is preferably made using green technology, e.g., from recycled materials. The chest may be realistic in look, light weight, and may have a modular frame for disassembly. For example, the modularity may be achieved by making the fabric cover removable from the frame with the head of the character, the walls of the frame detachable from each other and the base of the frame with the wheels thereon. 
         [0036]    While the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity and understanding, it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, from a reading of the disclosure, that various changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention.