Patent Publication Number: US-2004045329-A1

Title: Lockable storage unit with tether

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The invention relates generally to storage units and, more specifically, to storage units that facilitate lockingly storing items therein.  
       [0003] 2. Related Information  
       [0004] Generally, storage units for storing items such as documents, jewelry, cash or other valuable items include a base capable of enclosing an interior space provided therein to store items and a lid pivotally connected to the base to enclose the interior space thereof when moved into a closed position. The base may include locking structure to lockingly secure stored items therein when the base and the lid are moved into the closed position thereof. Although storage units of this type may be locked to lockingly secure stored items therein, the storage units do not prevent theft of the storage unit itself, thereby allowing theft of the stored items. Upon such theft, a thief could gain access to the stored items stored in the interior space of the base, which is potentially dangerous and highly undesirable.  
       [0005] For this reason, storage units have been provided with securing members, in the form of cables or chains, for securing the storage units to stationary or immovable objects. Examples of such storage units can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,474,116, 4,573,332 and 5,531,082.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006] One aspect of the present invention is to provide a storage unit that facilitates lockingly storing items therein.  
       [0007] Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a storage unit that facilitates lockingly storing items therein and that can be secured to an immovable object.  
       [0008] A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a tether of a relatively short length, which saves material, to secure the storage unit to an immovable object.  
       [0009] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of storing items for storage.  
       [0010] Still another aspect of the present invention is to provide a storage unit that is easy to assemble.  
       [0011] A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of retrofitting an existing storage unit for securement to an immovable object.  
       [0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a storage unit comprises a base with an upstanding peripheral sidewall and an upwardly open groove formed in the upstanding peripheral sidewall. A lid has a depending peripheral sidewall and is pivotally coupled to the base via a hinge for relative pivotal movement therebetween. The lid and the base are movable into a closed position wherein the lid substantially encloses the base. The depending sidewall has a lower peripheral portion that abuts an upper peripheral portion of the upstanding sidewall when the lid and the base are moved into their closed position. A tether has a looped segment on a trailing end thereof for securing to an immoveable object and a retaining element on a leading end thereof. A locking device may be provided which is capable of lockingly securing the lid and the base to one another to prevent relative pivotal movement therebetween. The groove within the upstanding sidewall extends past the lower peripheral portion of the depending sidewall when the lid and the base are moved into their closed position. The leading end of the tether is capable of being disposed within the groove such that the retaining element is disposed within an interior of the base. The groove may be enclosed with the depending sidewall of the lid and the retaining element may abut the sidewall to prevent withdrawal of the leading end of the tether from the interior of the base.  
       [0013] A method of storing items for storage comprises providing a storage unit that comprises a base with an upstanding peripheral sidewall. Providing a lid having a depending peripheral sidewall and being movably coupled to the base via a hinge for relative pivotal movement therebetween. The lid and the base can be moved into a closed position wherein the lid substantially encloses the base. The depending sidewall has a lower peripheral portion that abuts an upper peripheral portion of the upstanding sidewall when the lid and the base are moved into their closed position. The method further includes forming a groove in the upstanding peripheral sidewall of the base and providing a tether having a looped segment on a trailing end thereof for securing to the immoveable object and a retaining element on a leading end thereof. The groove can be extended past the lower peripheral portion of the depending sidewall or past the upper peripheral portion of the upstanding sidewall when the lid and the base are moved into their closed position. The leading end of the tether is enabled to be disposed within the groove such that the retaining element is disposed within an interior of the base or the lid. The groove is at least partially enclosed with the depending sidewall of the lid or with the upstanding sidewall of the base. The leading end of the tether is abutted with depending sidewall of the lid or the upstanding sidewall of the base to prevent withdrawal of the leading end of the tether from the interior of the base or the lid.  
       [0014] Other aspects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0015] The above and other features of the present invention are further described in the detailed description which follows, with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent similar elements of the invention throughout the several views and wherein:  
     [0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage unit according to one embodiment of the invention, the storage unit having a base and a lid pivotally connected to one another and moved in a closed position thereof, the storage unit being secured to an immovable object with a tether extending from the base;  
     [0017]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the storage unit of FIG. 1, with the tether extending therefrom for securement to the immovable object;  
     [0018]FIG. 3 is a front perspective view similar to FIG. 2, with the lid and the base in an open position thereof to provide access to an interior of the base;  
     [0019]FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the section marked  4 - 4  in FIG. 3 to better show the groove formed in the base;  
     [0020]FIG. 5 is an enlarged view similar to FIG. 4, but showing the tether received in the groove to extend from the base;  
     [0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a storage unit according to another embodiment of the invention, the storage unit having a base and a lid pivotally connected to one another and moved in a closed position thereof, the storage unit being secured to an immovable object with a tether extending from the base;  
     [0022]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the storage unit of FIG. 6, with the tether extending therefrom for securement to the immovable object;  
     [0023]FIG. 8 is a front perspective view similar to FIG. 7, but showing the lid and the base in a fully open position thereof;  
     [0024]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a storage unit according to yet another embodiment of the invention, the storage unit having a base and a lid pivotally connected to one another and moved in a closed position thereof, the storage unit being secured to an immovable object with a tether extending from the base;  
     [0025]FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the storage unit of FIG. 9, with the tether extending therefrom for securement to the immovable object;  
     [0026]FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view similar to FIG. 10, but showing the lid and the base in an open position thereof to better show a storage tray positioned in the base;  
     [0027]FIG. 12 is a rear perspective view similar to FIG. 11, but showing the lid and the base in a fully open position thereof with the storage tray removed from the base to better show a locking structure for lockingly securing the lid and the base in a closed position thereof;  
     [0028]FIG. 13 is a front perspective view similar FIG. 11, but showing the lid and the base in the open position thereof with the storage tray positioned in the base;  
     [0029]FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of the storage tray shown in FIG. 13;  
     [0030]FIG. 15 is a front view of the storage tray shown in FIG. 14; and  
     [0031]FIG. 16 is a rear view of the storage tray shown in FIG. 14. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
     [0032] Referring now more particularly to the drawings, FIGS.  1 - 5  illustrate a storage unit according to the invention, generally indicated at  10 , for storing an item or items  12  (FIG. 3) to be stored. Such items may include documents, cash, jewelry or other valuable or non-valuable items. The storage unit  10  includes a base  14  and a lid  16  pivotally coupled to one another by a hinge  18  for relative pivotal movement therebetween about a pivot axis  20 , as described in greater detail below.  
     [0033] The base  14  and the lid  16  are movable into a closed position (FIGS. 1 and 2), wherein the lid  16  substantially encloses an interior  22  of the base  14  and an open position (FIG. 3), wherein the lid  16  is positioned to provide access to the interior  22  of the base  14 . The storage unit  10  may include a locking device  24 , such as a key lock or any other key actuated lock, for example, configured to be capable of lockingly securing the base  14  and the lid  16  to one another in the closed position thereof to prevent relative pivotal movement therebetween. The locking device  24  can be provided at any position on the base  14  or the lid  16  and is only shown in a forward portion of the storage unit  10  as one example of its position.  
     [0034] A tether, generally indicated at  26 , is slidably received in an upwardly open groove  28  formed in the base  14  for securing the storage unit  10  to an immoveable object  30 , such as a table or other structure fixedly connected to a surface (not shown), for example. The tether  26  may be, for example, a cable tether, a chain tether, or another tether suitable for securing the storage unit  10  to an immovable object. The tether  26  is of relative short length to save material and has a looped segment  32  formed on a trailing end  34  thereof by a clamping  36 , which may be a metal structure, for example, clamped around a portion of the trailing end  34 .  
     [0035] Although the groove  28  is illustrated in a rearward portion of the upstanding wall  46  of the base  14  in FIG. 1, the groove  28  may be positioned anywhere in the upstanding wall  46  or in the depending sidewall  56  of the lid  16 .  
     [0036] A retaining element  38  (best seen in FIG. 5), in the form of an enlarged portion, is provided on a leading end  40  of the tether  26 , for example, by fixedly attaching the retaining element  38  thereto. The retaining element  38  is slightly oversized with respect to the groove  28  and includes a sidewall abutting surface  42  on one end thereof (the end closest to the trailing end  34  of the tether  26 ), which is configured to engage an interior marginal surface  44  surrounding the upwardly facing groove  28 . That way, when the tether  26  is a cable or other similar tether, the retaining element  38  allows the leading end  40  of the tether  26  to be slidably received in the groove  28  without being pulled out from the groove  28 . For example, the sliding relationship between the tether  26  and the groove  28  can allow the leading edge  40  of the tether  26  to be moved inside of (and stored within) the base  14 , which might occur if the storage unit  10  is moved toward the immovable object  30  while the tether  26  is attached thereto.  
     [0037]FIG. 1 shows the looped segment  32  positioned around the immovable object  30  and after the leading end  40  of the cable was threaded through the looped segment  32  to secure the tether  26  to the immoveable object  30 . With the base  14  and the lid  16  moved into their closed position, the retaining element  38  is secured within the groove  28  to secure the storage unit  10  to the immovable object  30 .  
     [0038] The relationship between the tether  26  and the groove  28  allows the storage unit  10  to be secured to immovable object  30  with a relatively simple construction. This simple construction eases assembly of the storage unit  10  and allows the tether  26  and the groove  28  to be retrofitted on bases, lids or both bases and lids of existing storage units.  
     [0039] Alternatively, when the tether is a chain tether, for example, one or more links of the chain tether may form the retaining element  38 . Also, when the tether is chain tether, the chain tether can be looped around the immovable object  30  so that both the leading end and the trailing end are positioned in the groove  28 , for example. A locking device (not shown), such as a pad lock, for example, could be provided to lockingly secure the trailing end around the immovable object  30  while the leading end is secured within the groove  28 .  
     [0040] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the base  14  has an upstanding peripheral sidewall  46  and a generally flat bottom surface  48  integrally formed with the upstanding peripheral sidewall  46 . As best seen in FIG. 4, the upstanding peripheral sidewall  46  extends upwardly from the entire perimeter of the bottom surface  48  to form the interior  22  of the base  14 . The bottom surface  48  is capable of being covered with a removable protection pad (not shown) for protecting or supporting the item or items  12  and for protecting the bottom surface  48 . The upstanding peripheral sidewall  46  has an upper peripheral portion  50  defining an upper surface  52  thereof.  
     [0041] The lid  16  has a generally flat upper surface  54  and a depending peripheral sidewall  56  integrally formed with the upper surface  54 . The depending peripheral sidewall  56  extends downwardly from the entire perimeter of the upper surface  54  of the lid  16 . A handle (not shown) could be pivotally connected to the upper surface  54  of the lid  16  to facilitate transport of the storage unit  10  from location to location.  
     [0042] A pair of stop members  58  (FIG. 3) may extend from the depending sidewall  56  of the lid  16  to define a lower peripheral portion  60  of the depending sidewall  56  therebelow. In FIG. 3, the stop members  58  are shown as L-shaped structures having a first end  62  thereof connected to the depending sidewall  56  and having a second end  64  thereof configured to abut the upper surface  52  of the upstanding sidewall  46  when the base  14  and the lid  16  are moved into their closed position. The first end  62  of the stop members  58  may be integrally formed with the depending sidewall  56 , or alternatively, may be fixedly connected thereto by adhesive, bonding material or fasteners, such as bolts, rivets or screws.  
     [0043] FIGS.  1 - 3  show the lower peripheral portion  60  of the depending sidewall  56  overlapping the upper peripheral portion  50  of the upstanding sidewall  46  when the base  14  and the lid  16  are moved into their closed position. As a result, the lower peripheral portion  60  overlaps an uppermost portion of the groove  28  when the base  14  and the lid  16  are moved into their closed position. This overlapping secures the retaining element  38  at the leading end  40  of the tether  26  within the interior  22  of the storage unit  10 .  
     [0044] Alternatively, a lower surface of the depending sidewall  56  could abut an upper surface of the upstanding sidewall  46  when the base  14  and the lid  16  are moved into their closed position. Other configurations are also possible provided that a portion of either the base  14  or the lid  16  at least partially closes the opening formed by the groove  28 . For example, if the groove  28  were formed in the lid  16 , then a portion of the base  14  could at least partially close the opening formed by a lowermost portion of the groove  28  to thereby secure a retaining element  38  of a tether within an interior  22  of the storage unit.  
     [0045] The upstanding sidewall  46  and the bottom surface  48  of the base  14  and the upper surface  52  and the depending sidewall  56  of the lid  16  may be formed from sheet metal, for example, by stamping or machining. In general, the components of the base  14  and the lid  16  can be made from metal or any other suitable material such as plastic, wood, or other rugged material and may be formed by molding or other manufacturing processes.  
     [0046] The integral construction of the base  14  and the lid  16  generally provides a more cost-effective and stronger structure than bases and lids of other types. Any type of lid may be used so long as the lid is capable of enclosing an interior of the base. Because the groove can be positioned on either the base or the lid, any type of lid or base may be used so long as the lid or the base is capable of at least partially closing a portion of the groove when the lid and the base are moved into a closed position thereof.  
     [0047] In addition to defining the upwardly facing groove  28 , the upstanding sidewall  46  defines a recessed portion  66  in a rear section thereof, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3,  4  and  5 . The recessed portion  66  is generally U-shaped with an open end thereof facing upwardly. The recessed portion  66  has substantially vertically extending side portions  68  extending from a central portion  69  thereof and defining a horizontal plane therebetween. The recessed portion  66  is configured to substantially surround a portion of the hinge  18  so that the pivot axis  20  is positioned rearwardly of the horizontal plane extending between the side portions  68 . Thus, the hinge  18  can pivot about the pivot axis  20  without obstruction.  
     [0048] As shown in FIGS.  3 - 5 , the hinge  18  permits the lid  16  to pivot with respect to the base  14  between the open position (FIG. 3) thereof and the closed position (FIGS. 1 and 2) thereof. As briefly mentioned above with respect to FIG. 1, the lid  16  pivots about the pivot axis  20 . In the open position thereof, the base  14  and the lid  16  may be pivoted relative to one another up to an angle of about 180° such that the upper surface  54  of the lid  16  and the bottom surface  48  of the base  14  lie along substantially the same horizontal plane. FIGS. 4 and 5 show the hinge  18  in greater detail. The hinge  18  comprises cooperating hinge structures  70 ,  72 , one cooperating hinge structure  70  extending from the upstanding sidewall  46  of the base  14  and the other cooperating hinge structure  72  extending from the depending sidewall  58  of the lid  16 . The cooperating hinge structures  70 ,  72  may be integrally formed with the respective sidewall  46 ,  56  of the base  14  and the lid, respectively, or alternatively, may be fixedly connected thereto by adhesive, bonding material or fasteners, such as bolts, rivets or screws.  
     [0049] The hinge structures  70 ,  72  include a plurality of extension members  74 ,  76 , each providing associated journaling openings  78  therein, such that the journaling openings  78  are aligned in a series. Only journal openings  78  are shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, but since the journal openings  78 ,  80  have substantially identical structure, the description for the journal openings  78  will suffice for the journal openings  80 . The extension members  74 ,  76  alternately extend from the lower peripheral portion  60  of the lid  16  and from the upper peripheral portion  50  of the base  14  such that each extension member  76  extending from the lid  16  is positioned adjacent an extension member  74  extending from the base  14  and vice versa. A shaft member  82 , e.g., in the form of a pin-type axle member, may be supported in the journaling openings  78 ,  80  and may be retained therein by suitable securing means. The journaling openings  78 ,  80  are generally circular and completely surround the shaft member  82 . Thus, the journaling openings  78 ,  80  cooperate with the shaft member  82  to form the pivot axis  22 , which allows the lid  16  to pivot about the pivot axis  22  relative to the base  14  without obstruction.  
     [0050] Alternatively, in an embodiment not shown, each vertically extending side portion of the recessed portion  66  could provide a journaling opening therein. In this regard, the lid  16  could include circular shaft members (not shown) extending outwardly from a plurality of extension members (not shown) formed on opposite sides of the depending sidewall of the lid. The journaling openings would be circular and would completely surround the associated shaft member. The shaft members would be positioned relative to the bottom, rear edge of the lid so as to allow the lid to pivot about a pivot axis without obstruction.  
     [0051] In this alternative embodiment, the cylindrical shaft members (not shown) could be inserted into the journaling openings (not shown) by a spring type deflection. For example, one shaft member would be inserted into its journaling opening and the extension member carrying the other shaft member would be flexed away from the vertically extending side portion such that the associated shaft member could be inserted into its journaling opening to pivotally attach the lid to the base.  
     [0052] Alternatively, the hinge  18  could be a living hinge formed of a bendable material, such as plastic, for example. The living hinge (not shown) might have a lower portion thereof attached to the upper peripheral portion  50  of the upstanding sidewall  46  of the base  14  and an upper portion thereof attached to the lower peripheral portion  60  of the depending sidewall  56  of the lid  16 . If a hinge of this type is implemented, the recessed portion  66  formed in the rear section of the upstanding sidewall  46  may be eliminated because the living hinge, without the recessed portion  66  being formed in the upstanding sidewall  46 , would allow the lid  16  to pivot about the pivot axis  20  without obstruction.  
     [0053] Various types of hinges are described above, as examples only and are not meant to limit the invention to those specific hinges. For example, the lid  16  could provide journaling openings (not shown) on opposite sides thereof and the base  14  could include cylindrical shaft members (not shown) to be inserted into the journaling openings by a spring type deflection or the lid  16  could be removably attached to the base  14 .  
     [0054]FIGS. 1 and 3 show the locking device  24  in greater detail. The locking device  24  includes a lock receiving structure  84  provided on one of the base  14  and the lid  16 . The locking device  24  also includes a lock actuating portion in the form of a key receiving portion  86  and a locking flange  88  provided on the other of the base  14  and the lid  16 , opposite the lock receiving structure  84 .  
     [0055] Although FIGS.  1 - 3  show the locking device  24  at a forward portion of the storage unit  10  as described above, the locking device  24  can be positioned anywhere on the base  14  or the lid  16  of the storage unit  10  and may include alterative locking structure.  
     [0056] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the lock receiving structure  84  has an L-shaped configuration and is positioned on a front section of the upstanding sidewall  46 . A first portion  90  of the lock receiving structure  84  is connected to or integrally extends from the upstanding sidewall  46  to extend partially above the upper surface  52  of the upstanding sidewall  46 . A second portion  92  of the lock receiving structure  84  extends substantially perpendicular from the first portion  90  toward the hinge  18 . In FIGS. 1 and 3, the key receiving portion  86  and the locking flange  88  are provided on the lid  16  and are configured to be capable of cooperating with the second portion  92  of the lock receiving structure  84  to lockingly secure the base  14  and the lid  16  to one another to prevent relative pivotal movement therebetween. Specifically, the locking flange  88  is rotatably mounted to the key receiving portion  86  such that rotation of the key receiving portion  86 , e.g., by turning a key inserted into the key receiving portion  86  to a locked or an unlocked position, rotates the locking flange  88  into its locked or unlocked position, respectively. In its unlocked position, the locking flange  88  is aligned parallel to the hinge  18 . In its locked position, the locking flange  88  is rotated to be perpendicular to the hinge  18 , whereby the locking flange  88  engages the underside of the second portion  92  of the lock receiving structure  84  to prevent upward or pivotal movement of the lid  16 .  
     [0057] FIGS.  6 - 8  show a storage unit, generally indicated at  110 , according to another embodiment of the invention. Because the storage unit  110  is substantially identical in configuration and operation as the storage unit  10 , only the differences between the storage unit  10  and the storage unit  110  will be described below.  
     [0058] The storage unit  110  includes a base  114  and a lid  116  pivotally coupled to one another by the hinge  18 . The base  114  and the lid  116  are movable into a closed position (FIGS. 6 and 7), wherein the lid  116  substantially encloses an interior  122  of the base  114  and an open position (FIG. 8), wherein the lid  116  is positioned to provide access to the interior  122  of the base  114 . The storage unit  110  may include the locking device  24  configured to be capable of lockingly securing the base  114  and the lid  116  to one another in the closed position thereof to prevent relative pivotal movement therebetween.  
     [0059] The base  114  has an upstanding peripheral sidewall  146  and a generally flat bottom surface  148  integrally formed with the upstanding peripheral sidewall  146 . As best seen in FIG. 8, the upstanding peripheral sidewall  146  extends upwardly from the entire perimeter of the bottom surface  148  to form the interior  122  of the base  114 . The bottom surface  148  is capable of being covered with a removable protection pad (not shown) for protecting or supporting the item or items  112  and for protecting the bottom surface  148 . A groove  128  is formed in the upstanding sidewall  146  to be substantially identical to the groove  28  formed in the upstanding sidewall  46 , as shown in FIGS.  4 - 5 . The upstanding peripheral sidewall  146  has an upper peripheral portion  150  defining an upper surface  152  thereof.  
     [0060] The lid  116  has a generally flat upper surface  154  and a depending peripheral sidewall  156  integrally formed with the upper surface  154 . The depending peripheral sidewall  156  extends downwardly from the entire perimeter of the upper surface  154  of the lid  16 .  
     [0061] Each of the upstanding sidewall  146  and the depending sidewall  156  may have a recessed portion  166 , substantially identical in configuration and operation as the recessed portion  66  shown in FIG. 1, formed therein. The recessed portions  166  could provide enough space for the hinge  18  to operate without obstruction.  
     [0062] Although not shown in this embodiment, a handle could be pivotally connected to the upper surface  54  of the lid  16  to facilitate transport of the storage unit  10  from location to location.  
     [0063] The depending peripheral sidewall  156  has a lower peripheral portion  160  defining a lower surface  161  thereof. The lower surface  161  is configured to abut the upper surface  152  of the upper peripheral portion  150  when the base  114  and the lid  116  are moved into the closed position thereof.  
     [0064] A pair of arcuate guide members  165  extend upwardly from the upper peripheral portion  150  of the base  114  on opposite sides thereof. The arcuate guide members  165  may be integrally formed with the depending sidewall  146 , or alternatively, may be fixedly connected thereto by adhesive, bonding material or fasteners, such as bolts, rivets or screws. Exterior portions of the arcuate guide members  165  engage and cooperatively guide interior areas of the lower peripheral portion  160  of the lid member  116  as the base  114  and the lid  116  are moved into the closed position thereof.  
     [0065] Although the groove  128  is illustrated rearwardly of the arcuate guide members  165  in FIG. 8, the groove  128 , like the groove  28  in FIG. 1, may be positioned anywhere in the upstanding wall  146 , the depending sidewall  56  or in the arcuate guide members  165 .  
     [0066] No stop members are needed in the storage unit  110  when the base  114  and the lid  116  are moved into the closed position thereof because a lower surface  161  of the lower peripheral portion  160  of the lid  116  abuts against the upper surface  152  of the upper peripheral portion  150  of the base  114  to stop relative pivotal movement between the base  114  and the lid  116 . When the base  114  and the lid  116  are moved into the closed position thereof, the lower surface  161  at least partially closes the groove  128  to secure the cable  22  therein, as described above with respect to groove  28  in FIG. 1.  
     [0067] In the closed position, the upper peripheral portion  150  of the base  114  and the lower peripheral portion  160  of the lid  116  coextend flush with one another so as to form a substantially smooth seam  171  between the base  114  and the lid  116 . In contrast to the storage unit  10  described above, the lower peripheral portion  160  of the lid  116  does not overlap the upper peripheral portion  150  of the base  114 .  
     [0068] Similar to the storage unit  10 , the upstanding sidewall  146  and the bottom surface  148  of the base  114  and the upper surface  154  and the depending sidewall  156  of the lid  116  may be formed from sheet metal, for example, by stamping or machining. In general, the components of the base  114  and the lid  116  can be made from metal or any other suitable material such as plastic, wood, or other rugged material and may be formed by molding or other manufacturing processes.  
     [0069] FIGS.  9 - 13  show a storage unit, generally indicated at  210 , according to another embodiment of the invention. Because the storage unit  210  is substantially identical in configuration and operation as the storage unit  10 , only the differences between the storage unit  10  and the storage unit  210  will be described below.  
     [0070] The storage unit  210  includes a base  214  and a lid  216  pivotally coupled to one another by the hinge  18 . The base  214  and the lid  216  are substantially the same in both structure and operation as the base  14  and the lid  16 , except for the lid  216  includes a handle  255  pivotally connected to an upper surface  254  thereof to facilitate transport of the storage unit  210  from location to location. When not in use, the handle  255  is disposed in a recessed portion  257  of the upper surface  254  and pivotally connected to the recessed portion  257  by suitable securing means, for example, shaft members  259  provided on the handle  255  and journaling openings (not shown) provided in the recessed portion  257  to receive the shaft members  259  on the handle  255 .  
     [0071] The storage unit  210  may include a locking device  224 , which is an alterative locking device than locking device  24 . The locking device  224  is configured to be capable of lockingly securing the base  214  and the lid  216  to one another in the closed position thereof to prevent relative pivotal movement therebetween.  
     [0072] The locking device  224  includes a lock receiving structure  284  provided on one of the base  214  and the lid  216 . The locking device  224  further includes a lock actuating portion in the form of a key receiving portion  286 , a locking flange  288  and an actuator  287  including a tab  291  provided on the other of the base  214  and the lid  216 , opposite the lock receiving structure  284 . In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the lock receiving structure  284  is positioned on a front section of the depending sidewall  256  of the lid  216  and the actuator  287  extends through the upstanding sidewall  246  of the base  214 . An opening  290  is provided in the lock receiving structure  284  and adjacent to a tab engaging portion  292 . The lock receiving structure  284  is connected to or integrally extends from the depending sidewall  256  to extend toward the hinge  18 .  
     [0073] In FIGS. 12 and 13, the key receiving portion  286 , the locking flange  288  and the actuator  287  including the tab  291  are provided on the base  214  and are configured to be capable of cooperating with the opening  290  and the tab engaging portion  292  of the lock receiving structure  284  to lockingly secure the base  214  and the lid  216  to one another to prevent relative pivotal movement therebetween.  
     [0074] Specifically, the actuator  287  and the tab  291  cooperate with the lock receiving structure  284  via a spring type deflection to secure the lid  216  and the base  214  in the closed position thereof. For example, as the lid  216  and the base  214  are moved into the closed position thereof, the lid  216  is moved so that the tab  291  abuts the lock receiving structure  284 . To close the storage unit  210 , actuation of the actuator  287  deflects the tab  291  toward the hinge  18 , which allows the tab  291  to extend through the opening  290  and to engage the tab engaging portion  292 . When the tab  291  engages the tab engaging portion  292 , the storage unit  210  is securely closed, but not locked.  
     [0075] To lock the storage unit  210 , the locking flange  288  must be activated. The locking flange  288  is rotatably mounted to the key receiving portion  286  such that rotation of the key receiving portion  286 , e.g., by rotating a key inserted into the key receiving portion  286  to a locked or an unlocked position, rotates the locking flange  288  into its locked or unlocked position, respectively. In its unlocked position, the locking flange  288  is aligned parallel to the hinge  18 . The storage unit  210  can be opened and closed using the actuator  287  when the locking flange  288  is in its unlocked position.  
     [0076] In its locked position, the locking flange  288  is rotated to be perpendicular to the hinge  18 , whereby the locking flange  288  engages one of the edges of the tab engaging portion  292  of the lock receiving structure  284  to prevent upward or pivotal movement of the lid  216 . The storage unit  210  cannot be opened using the actuator  287  when the locking flange  288  is in its locked position.  
     [0077] Similar to the storage units  10 ,  110 , the upstanding sidewall  246  of the base  214  and the upper surface  254  and the depending sidewall  256  of the lid  216  may be formed from sheet metal, for example, by stamping or machining. In general, the components of the base  214  and the lid  216  can be made from metal or any other suitable material such as plastic, wood, or other rugged material and may be formed by molding or other manufacturing processes.  
     [0078] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the storage unit  210  includes a storage tray  300  removably connected with the base  214  thereof. The storage tray  300  includes a plurality of storage bins  301  arranged within the storage tray  300  in horizontal rows and vertical columns. Alternatively, the storage tray  300  could be configured to house a number of storage bins having different sizes. In such alternative configurations, the storage bins would not necessarily be arranged in precise horizontal rows and vertical columns.  
     [0079] The storage tray  300  has an outer peripheral portion  302  removably supported on the upper surface  252  (FIG. 12) of the upstanding sidewall  246 . The outer peripheral portion  302  is configured so as not to extend outwardly from the base  214 , but may do so if constructed not to interfere with the opening and closing of the lid  216  relative to the base  214 .  
     [0080] A pair of upstanding support walls  306  extend from the outer peripheral portion  302  to support the depending sidewall  256  of the lid  216 . The pair of upstanding support walls  306  may or may not contact the depending sidewall  256  depending on the type of storage unit the storage tray  300  is implemented.  
     [0081] When the storage tray  300  is removably supported on the upper surface  252  of the base  214 , as shown in FIG. 11, the storage tray  300  at least partially closes the groove  28 , similar to the concept of the lid  116  at least partially closing the respective groove  128  in FIG. 6.  
     [0082] The storage tray  300 , which may be constructed from plastic, rubber or some other sufficiently resilient or rigid material, has a shape that compliments the shape of the base  214 , such that the storage tray  300  fits securely within the base  214 . However, the shape of the storage tray  300  can be matched to the shape of any base or any lid (e.g., by molding or some other manufacturing process), and is not limited to the shapes of the base  214  and the lid  216 .  
     [0083] FIGS.  14 - 16  show the storage tray  300  in greater detail. As illustrated, the storage tray  300  includes a pair of side portions  304  integrally connected with a central portion  307 . Each side portion  304  has a front surface  303  and the central portion  307  has a front surface  308  formed between the front surfaces  303  of the side portions  304 . Each side portion  304 , in FIG. 14, has a generally arcuate cross-sectional configuration, but may be constructed into other shapes as well. FIG. 15 shows a rear surface  310  extending across a rear of the side portions  304  and the central portion  307 . FIGS. 15 and 16 show a bottom surface  311  extending across a bottom of the side portions  304  and the central portion  307 .  
     [0084] The front surface  308  of the central portion  307  is partially recessed with respect to the front surfaces  303  of the side portions  304  (i.e., the front surface  308  is positioned closer to the rear surface  305  of each side portion  304  than the front surface  303  of each side portion  304 ). FIG. 14 shows the front surface  308  of the central portion  307  spaced rearwardly of the front surfaces  303  by an interior marginal portion  309  of each side portion  304 . The interior marginal portions  309 , in combination with the recessed relationship between the front surfaces  303  and  308 , defines an open area therebetween.  
     [0085] When the storage tray  300  is removably supported in the storage unit  210 , for example, the open area is configured to receive at least one of the lock receiving structure  284 , the lock actuating portion in the form of a key receiving portion  286 , the locking flange  288  and the actuator  287  of the locking device  224 . The open area may receive more than one of these elements as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 where, for example, the locking flange  288  and the actuator  287  are positioned in the open area. Any portion of the locking device  24 ,  124  or  224  can be received or positioned in the open area.  
     [0086] The open area can be formed to be different sizes and shapes, so long as the open area is configured to permit operation of a locking device, e.g., locking device  224 , associated with a respective storage unit, e.g., storage unit  210 .  
     [0087] In an alternative embodiment, the central portion  307  can be eliminated and each side portion  304 , e.g., the front surfaces  303  thereof, can be configured to define at least a portion of the open area.  
     [0088] As shown in FIG. 16, the rear surface  305  of the storage tray  300  may include a recessed portion  310 , which corresponds to a generally planar portion  312  and extends below a generally horizontally extending surface  314  shown in FIG. 14. The recessed portion  310  and the surface  314  may be positioned adjacent to the groove  28  when the storage tray  300  is removably inserted into the base  214 .  
     [0089] Although not shown, a space is provided beneath the storage tray  300  when removably inserted into the base  214 , so that a user can place items  12  below the tray  300 . The recessed portion  310  can allow the retaining element  38  and the leading end  40  of the tether  26  to move freely without affecting contents, e.g., items  12 , stored within a space in the base  214  provided beneath the storage tray  300 .  
     [0090] Alternatively, the recessed portion  310  can be configured to assist collecting excess tether (e.g., if the storage unit  210  is moved toward an immovable object to which the storage unit is attached by the tether). For example, the recessed portion  310  can cooperate with the leading end  40  of the tether  26  to deflect the leading end  40  within the space formed beneath the storage tray  300  so that excess tether can be collected.  
     [0091] The storage tray  300  could be implemented with any storage unit, for example, storage units  10 ,  110 , and is not limited to implementation with only the storage tray  210 . For example, if the storage tray  300  were operatively associated with the storage unit  110 , the storage tray  300  could be removably mounted to the upper surface  152  of the upstanding peripheral sidewall  146 . As a result, the lower surface  161  of the depending peripheral sidewall  156  of the storage unit  110  would abut the outer peripheral portion  302  of the storage tray  300  when the base  114  and the lid  116  move into the closed position thereof. Also, in some applications, the storage tray  300  may be configured to be supported on a bottom surface of the base.  
     Operation  
     [0092] The storage unit of the invention is used as follows. A user can open one of the storage unites  10 ,  110 ,  210  to gain access to the interior of the respective base  14 ,  114 ,  214  to place items  12  therein for storage. One way to secure the storage units  10 ,  110 ,  210  to the immovable object  30  will be described below. First, the user would wrap the looped segment  32  around the immovable object  30  so that the leading end  40  of the tether  26  can be thread through the looped segment  32 . After threading the leading end  40  through the looped segment  32 , the user may pull on the retaining element  38  at the leading end  40  of the tether to secure the tether  26  around the immovable object  30 .  
     [0093] Next, the user should pivot the lid  16 ,  116 ,  216  about the pivot  18  to gain access to the groove  28 ,  128  within the upstanding sidewall  46 ,  146 ,  246 . The groove  28 ,  128  extends past the lower peripheral portion of the depending sidewall  56 ,  156 ,  256  of the respective lid  16 ,  116 ,  216  when the lid and the base are moved into their closed position. The leading end  40  of the tether  26  being capable of being disposed within the groove  28 ,  128  such that the retaining element  38  is disposed within an interior of the base  14 ,  114 ,  214 . The groove is then enclosed with the lid  16 ,  116  or the storage tray  300  so that the sidewall abutting surface  42  of the retaining element  38  will engage the interior marginal surface  44  surrounding the upwardly facing groove  28 ,  128  to prevent withdrawal of the leading end  40  of the cable  26  from the interior of the base  14 ,  114 ,  214 .  
     [0094] Once the cable  26  is received in the groove  28 ,  128 , the base  14 ,  114 ,  214  and the lid  16 ,  116 ,  216  are moved into their closed position and locked to prevent relative pivotal movement therebetween. In this way, items placed in the interior of the base can be lockingly secured therein when the locking device is activated. Once locked, the storage unites  10 ,  110 ,  210  are lockingly secured to the immovable object  30 .  
     [0095] A user having an existing lockable storage unit may form an upwardly facing groove in an upstanding peripheral sidewall of the existing base. Alternatively, the user may form the upwardly facing groove in a depending sidewall of the lid. After forming the groove, a tether could be separately provided, for securing the existing storage unit to an immoveable object.  
     [0096] While the principles of the invention have been made clear in the illustrative embodiments set forth above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the structure, arrangement, proportion, elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention. For example, a groove, substantially identical to the groove  28 , could be formed in an existing storage unit having a base and a lid pivotally attached to one another. In that case, the tether  26  could be used with existing storage units retrofitted to provide the groove substantially identical to the groove  28 . The operation of the tether  26  and its relationship with the groove formed in the existing storage unit would be substantially identical to the embodiment shown in FIGS.  1 - 5 .  
     [0097] Also, the locking devices  24  and  224  and various hinge types described above can be used on any of the embodiments of the storage unites  10 ,  110  and  210 .  
     [0098] Thus, the foregoing preferred specific embodiments have been shown and described for the purpose of illustrating the functional and structural principles of this invention and are subject to change without departure from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.