Patent Publication Number: US-6704952-B2

Title: Storage locker for a sleeping cot

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is related to, and can be used in conjunction with or independent of, U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,419 entitled “Clamp-on Portable Storage Endboard for a Sleeping Cot” to present applicant. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to storage devices, specifically to such a device designed for use with and attached to a sleeping cot or portable bed with a frame. Henceforth both will be referred to simply as a “sleeping cot” or “cot.” 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     At home or other permanent facility, storage of articles within easy reach of a sleeping bed is an important aspect of daily life many people take for granted. For obvious reasons, most people prefer to have ready access to articles such as eyeglasses, flashlights, wallets, beverages, medicines, books, magazines, clocks, lights, radios, jewelry, keys, telephones, pagers, small personal defense weapons, and a variety of other articles while in bed. Articles of furniture such as nightstands or storage bed headboards usually provide bedside storage of such articles in the home or other permanent facility. Because they are more closely associated with the concept of the present invention, examples of prior-art storage bed headboards follow: 
     Kemp, III, et al., U.S. Pat, No. D273,260 discloses a combined headboard and hutch unit 
     Lenger, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. D266,806 discloses a bed headboard or similar article 
     Keller, U.S. Pat. No. D262,332 discloses a headboard 
     Alternative methods of bedside storage are also found in the prior art. The following patents are representative: 
     Mack, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,972 discloses an assisted sundries caddy bed based holding system 
     Ritchie, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,152 discloses a storage organizer for hospital bed 
     Dreyer Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 5,020,173 discloses a bedstead storage box 
     Winckler U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,673 discloses an apparatus for holding articles to a bed 
     Hill U.S. Pat. No. D358,284 discloses a bed storage compartment 
     Riehl U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,909 discloses abed storage article 
     Wallace U.S. Pat. No. 4,071,258 discloses a mobile under-bed storage container 
     These devices may fulfill their respective objectives of bedside storage of articles in a bed-based sleeping environment such as that found in most homes, lodging facilities, and medical treatment facilities. They do not however, address a similar need in a cot-based sleeping environment such as that found where people are temporarily quartered under field conditions. In environments like this, bedside storage takes on even greater importance. 
     In an environment where people are quartered under field conditions such as hunting, fishing, camping, military bivouac, or temporary emergency sheltering, personal comfort issues figure prominently in the overall quality of the experience. Important among these issues are sleeping conditions and personal storage space immediately adjacent the sleeping area. Typically, such environments are characterized by cramped sleeping quarters inside a shelter such as a tent, cabin, or crowded emergency shelter facility where sleeping conditions are marginal and personal space is extremely limited. 
     To improve sleeping conditions in such environments many private individuals, emergency management authorities, and the military have taken to employing sleeping cots, representative of which is the general type shown in prior-art FIG. 5 of the drawings annexed herein. Although made of lightweight materials such as aluminum, wood, and composite materials, these cots are sturdy enough to support most adults and break down into compact packages for easy transport and storage making them ideally suited for the aforementioned applications. 
     A beneficial by-product of the use of these cots is the area directly beneath the cot itself, henceforth “underspace,” which provides a relatively large amount of space suitable for storing many miscellaneous articles such as luggage and articles of clothing. However, this underspace does not lend itself to the storage of certain types of articles, such as those that are fragile, valuable, and which, especially in a cot-based sleeping environment under field conditions, must be kept readily accessible. Among others, these articles may include eyeglasses, flashlights, wallets, money clips, beverages, medicines, toiletries, books, magazines, clocks, lights, radios, jewelry, keys, cellular phones, cameras, pagers, and, in some cases, small personal defense weapons. 
     Few examples of devices specifically designed to provide storage of articles on a sleeping cot are known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,148,459 and 6,233,765 both entitled “Organizer” to Verhulst disclose flexible fabric organizers for draping over the side of a cot and provide for storage of articles through the use of pouches, pockets, shelves, sleeves, and beverage containers. Although capable of storing certain articles on cots, these organizers do not lend themselves to storage of fragile or valuable articles because they store articles in either an exposed or unsecured manner in fabric or fabric mesh pockets. Stored articles can thus be easily stolen or damaged by accidental impact with people or objects moving or being moved about cramped sleeping quarters. Also, the devices themselves may interfere with the fluid mounting and dismounting of the cot&#39;s sleeping surface. Most importantly however, their low-slung hanging position along the entire length of the cot renders the cot&#39;s valuable underspace storage area virtually inaccessible from the side of the cot on which the organizers hang. This may necessitate positioning the cot away from the wall of a tent, where cots are normally located, to facilitate access to its underspace from the side opposite that on which the organizer is hung. This would further reduce the already limited overall space found in most camping, bivouac, and sheltering situations. 
     Another example of prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 6,173,463 entitled “Cot Accessory” to Callahan. This device comprises two vertical poles that are attached to opposite corners of one end of a sleeping cot by hook and loop straps. The upper ends of the vertical poles rise high above the cot and are connected and stabilized by a horizontal pole. Hooks spaced intermittently on the vertical poles allow for storage by hanging of slinged rifles, backpacks, articles of clothing, and other hangable accoutrements. This device also does not lend itself to storage of certain articles because it is limited by design to storing only those articles that may be hung on a hook in an exposed position where they can be easily stolen or damaged. Moreover, because of its height, use of this device is limited to areas with considerable headroom thereby precluding its use within smaller and sharply sloping shelters such as many camping tents. Use of this device therefore may necessitate positioning the cot away from the wall of a tent, where cots are normally located, to accommodate its additional height. This would further reduce the already limited overall space found in most camping, bivouac, and sheltering situations. 
     The utility of these devices is further limited in that they can function as storage devices only in a static state and must first be emptied of articles before they can be moved. They can not be used to transport articles to and from a cot-based sleeping environment and therefore lack true functional portability. 
     Another example of devices designed to provide storage of articles on a sleeping cot is U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,419 entitled “Clamp-On Portable Storage Endboard for a Sleeping Cot” to present applicant. Although the endboard provides storage of articles on a sleeping cot, it differs from the present invention in certain aspects which may render it undesirable under certain circumstances. First, the endboard is mounted atop the cot vice underneath it as is the present invention and therefore occupies a small portion of the cot&#39;s sleeping surface. As a result, use of the endboard in its preferred embodiment as a storage headboard may cause the feet of a very tall occupant to hang over the opposite end of the cot. To prevent this, the amount of sleeping surface taken up by the endboard must be minimized necessitating a relatively narrow width. This restricts the number and size of articles that may be stored therein. And although the endboard has a low profile, it is still somewhat exposed in its position atop a sleeping cot. It is therefore subject to damage by collision with people or objects moving or being moved about in typically cramped sleeping quarters such as tents, cabins, and crowded emergency shelters. 
     These devices evidence the need for one that will protectively store on a sleeping cot articles that are fragile, valuable, and of potentially immediate need in a cot-based sleeping environment. And do so without reducing the overall space within a shelter and without hampering access to the cot&#39;s sleeping surface or its underspace storage area. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a storage locker for a sleeping cot comprises a rigid container of predetermined height, length, width, and cross-sectional shape, with a top, a bottom, a front, a back, a right end, and a left end. A recessed handle assembly of conventional design is centrally disposed to its top. Vertical and horizontal partitions within the container bound storage drawers and both open-face and closed-face storage compartments. Low retaining walls front the open-face storage compartments and access doors front the closed-face storage compartments. Drawers and access doors are locked closed by conventional cam-locks. Apertures disposed to each end of the container facilitate optional attachment of a variety of prior-art foldable beverage container holders through the use of a variety of prior-art fasteners to include variable length push fasteners. Apertures and housings in the top of the container facilitate its demountable attachment to a variety of sleeping cots through the use of conventional u-bolt assemblies. The u-bolt assemblies clamp the container to the frame of the sleeping cot such that it cannot be removed once the storage compartment access doors are closed and locked thus protecting the articles stored therein from damage or theft. 
     Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the storage locker of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and its contribution to the field better appreciated. There are other features of the locker that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Thus before explaining the preferred embodiment of the locker in detail, it is to be understood that it is not limited in its application to the details of its construction or arrangements of its components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The locker is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. 
     Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the locker. It is important therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions in so far as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of my locker. Further, the purpose of the abstract is to enable U.S. Patent and Trademark Office personnel, engineers, practitioners in the art, and the general public, to quickly determine the essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention or limit its scope in any way. 
     OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
     Accordingly, besides those described above, several additional objects and advantages of my locker are: 
     (a) to provide a storage locker that will store articles that are fragile, valuable, or of potentially immediate need in cot-based sleeping environments such as hunting, fishing, camping, military bivouac, and emergency sheltering; and 
     (b) to provide a storage locker that can be quickly, easily, and securely mounted to a cot through the use of conventional u-bolt assemblies; and 
     (c) to provide a storage locker mounted to a cot such that it cannot be removed when its storage compartment access doors are closed and locked without damage to the locker or the cot; and 
     (d) to provide a storage locker that will allow access to the storage space beneath a cot; and 
     (e) to provide a storage locker that will not impede fluid access to the sleeping surface of a cot; and 
     (f) to provide a storage locker that stores articles while both attached to a cot or in transit thereto or therefrom; and 
     (g) to provide a storage locker that will optionally receive for attachment a variety of prior-art foldable beverage container holders through the use of a variety of prior-art fasteners to include variable depth push fasteners; and 
     (h) to provide a storage locker that in an alternative embodiment serves as a console to house built-in amenities that include but are not limited to electronic appliances such as a light, a radio, and a clock; and 
     (i) to provide a storage locker that can be attached to a variety of sleeping cots without the use of tools; and 
     (j) to provide a storage locker that can be attached to both the side of a cot or the end of a cot. 
     Further objects and advantages of my locker become apparent upon review of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     DRAWING FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a front perspective view from above of a prior-art storage endboard attached to a prior-art sleeping cot. 
     FIG. 2 is a front perspective view from above of the preferred embodiment of a storage locker for a sleeping cot of the present invention with drawers and closed-face storage compartment access doors closed. 
     FIG. 3 is a front perspective view from above of the preferred embodiment of the storage locker with a drawer and storage compartment access doors open showing interior configuration of storage compartments and drawer bay. 
     FIG. 4 is a front perspective view from above of an alternative embodiment of the storage locker for a sleeping cot that incorporates all the features of the preferred embodiment locker plus a clock, a radio, and lights. 
     FIG. 5 is a front perspective view from above depicting a prior-art sleeping cot of a general type used in illustrative mounting applications of the preferred embodiment of the storage locker. 
     FIG. 6 is a front perspective view from above depicting a conventional u-bolt assembly of prior art design used to demountably attach the storage locker to a variety of sleeping cots. 
     FIG. 7 is a front perspective view from above depicting the juxtaposition of the left half of the storage locker, u-bolt assembly, and one corner of a sleeping cot in their pre-attachment relationship in a preferred side-mount application. 
     FIG. 8 is a front perspective view from above of the preferred embodiment of the storage locker in a preferred mounting application attached to the side of a sleeping cot using conventional u-bolt assemblies. 
     FIG. 9 is a front perspective view from above depicting the juxtaposition of the right half of the storage locker, u-bolt assembly, and one corner of a sleeping cot in their pre-attachment relationship in an alternative end-mount application. 
     FIG. 10 is a front perspective view from above of the preferred embodiment of the storage locker in an alternative mounting application attached to the end of a sleeping cot using conventional u-bolt assemblies. 
     FIG. 11 is a front perspective view from above depicting a prior-art foldable beverage container holder of a general type in its deployed (open) position. 
     FIG. 12 is a front perspective view from above depicting beverage container holder in its stowed (closed) position. 
     FIG. 13 is a front perspective view from above of a prior-art variable depth push fastener used in an illustrative mounting application to attach beverage container holder to storage locker (fastener is not drawn to relative scale). 
     FIG. 14 is a front perspective view from above depicting the juxtaposition of beverage container holder, variable depth push fasteners, and storage locker in their pre-attachment relationship. 
     FIG. 15 is a front perspective view from above depicting the prior-art foldable beverage container holder optionally attached to storage locker using push fasteners (container holder may be attached to either end of the locker). 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Reference Letters and Numerals in Drawings 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 C 
                 aluminum or wood frame sleeping cot (Prior Art) 
               
               
                   
                 E 
                 Clamp-on Portable Storage Endboard for a Sleeping Cot 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (Prior Art) 
               
               
                   
                 L1 
                 storage locker for a sleeping cot 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (Present Invention-Preferred Embodiment) 
               
               
                   
                 L2 
                 storage locker for a sleeping cot 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (Present Invention-Alternative Embodiment) 
               
               
                   
                 S 
                 sleeping surface of sleeping cot C 
               
               
                   
                 U 
                 underspace storage area of sleeping cot C 
               
               
                   
                  58 
                 u-bolt mounting bracket clamp assy (Prior Art) 
               
               
                   
                  59 
                 container of endboard E 
               
               
                   
                  60 
                 upper annular lip of container 
               
               
                   
                  61 
                 bottom of container 
               
               
                   
                  62 
                 front wall of container 
               
               
                   
                  63 
                 back wall of container 
               
               
                   
                  64 
                 right wall of container 
               
               
                   
                  65 
                 left wall of container 
               
               
                   
                  66 
                 externally accessed storage compartment 
               
               
                   
                  67 
                 container locking lug 
               
               
                   
                  68 
                 container latching lug 
               
               
                   
                  69 
                 mating lid 
               
               
                   
                  70 
                 conventional hinge 
               
               
                   
                  71 
                 front of lid 
               
               
                   
                  72 
                 back of lid 
               
               
                   
                  73 
                 right end of lid 
               
               
                   
                  74 
                 left end of lid 
               
               
                   
                  76 
                 lid latch 
               
               
                   
                  78 
                 lid locking lug 
               
               
                   
                  80 
                 recessed beverage holder 
               
               
                   
                  82 
                 carrying handle lug 
               
               
                   
                  84 
                 carrying handle mounting aperture 
               
               
                   
                  86 
                 cot siderail clearance housing 
               
               
                   
                  88 
                 vertical sidewall 
               
               
                   
                  89 
                 internally accessed storage compartment 
               
               
                   
                  90 
                 container of locker L1 (Present_Invention) 
               
               
                   
                  91 
                 top of container 
               
               
                   
                  92 
                 bottom of container 
               
               
                   
                  93 
                 front of container 
               
               
                   
                  94 
                 back of container 
               
               
                   
                  95 
                 right end of container 
               
               
                   
                  96 
                 container end aperture 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 cot-side mounting aperture 
               
               
                   
                 101 
                 cot-end mounting aperture 
               
               
                   
                 102 
                 cot siderail clearance housing 
               
               
                   
                 104 
                 conventional recessed handle assembly 
               
               
                   
                 106 
                 storage drawer 
               
               
                   
                 107 
                 pull 
               
               
                   
                 108 
                 open face storage compartment 
               
               
                   
                 109 
                 retaining wall 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 closed-face storage compartment access door 
               
               
                   
                 112 
                 knob 
               
               
                   
                 113 
                 conventional hinge 
               
               
                   
                 114 
                 conventional cam lock 
               
               
                   
                 115 
                 inner surface of storage compartment access door 
               
               
                   
                 116 
                 left end of container 
               
               
                   
                 117 
                 vertical partition bounding vertically arrayed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 closed-face storage compartments and vertically 
               
               
                   
                   
                 arrayed open-face storage compartments 
               
               
                   
                 118 
                 vertically arrayed small closed-face storage 
               
               
                   
                   
                 compartments 
               
               
                   
                 119 
                 vertical partition bounding vertically arrayed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 open-face storage compartments and vertically 
               
               
                   
                   
                 arrayed storage drawers 
               
               
                   
                 120 
                 vertical partition bounding vertically arrayed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 storage drawers and closed-face storage 
               
               
                   
                   
                 compartment 
               
               
                   
                 121 
                 large closed-face storage compartment 
               
               
                   
                 122 
                 storage drawer bay 
               
               
                   
                 123 
                 front panel of storage drawer 
               
               
                   
                 124 
                 horizontal partition separating vertically arrayed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 small closed-face storage compartments 
               
               
                   
                 126 
                 horizontal partition separating vertically arrayed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 open face storage compartments 
               
               
                   
                 128 
                 horizontal partition separating vertically-arrayed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 storage drawers 
               
               
                   
                 130 
                 conventional ferrous metal strike plate 
               
               
                   
                 132 
                 conventional magnetic holding bracket 
               
               
                   
                 134 
                 conventional cam 
               
               
                   
                 136 
                 clock 
               
               
                   
                 137 
                 radio 
               
               
                   
                 138 
                 miniature floodlight 
               
               
                   
                 139 
                 compartment light 
               
               
                   
                 140 
                 cot frame 
               
               
                   
                 141 
                 cot leg 
               
               
                   
                 142 
                 cot crossarm 
               
               
                   
                 144 
                 cot siderail 
               
               
                   
                 146 
                 center leg-support and siderail connecting bracket 
               
               
                   
                 148 
                 end leg-support bracket 
               
               
                   
                 150 
                 leg-connecting bracket 
               
               
                   
                 160 
                 conventional u-bolt assembly 
               
               
                   
                 162 
                 wingnut 
               
               
                   
                 164 
                 washer 
               
               
                   
                 170 
                 u-bolt 
               
               
                   
                 172 
                 prior-art foldable beverage container holder 
               
               
                   
                 174 
                 annular member of container holder 
               
               
                   
                 176 
                 back panel of container holder 
               
               
                   
                 178 
                 base plate of container holder 
               
               
                   
                 179 
                 container holder mounting aperture 
               
               
                   
                 180 
                 prior-art variable depth push fastener 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     PRIOR ART 
     FIG.  1 —Storage Endboard E 
     In FIG. 1 a prior-art development in sleeping cot storage devices includes a Clamp-On Portable Storage Endboard for a Sleeping Cot E mounted to a sleeping cot C with a sleeping surface S by a plurality of u-bolt mounting bracket clamp assemblies  58 . Endboard E comprises an open-top rigid container  59  with an upper annular lip  60 , a bottom  61 , a front wall  62 , a back wall  63 , a right wall  64 , and a left wall  65 . Container  59  is generally rectangular in shape with a predetermined height, length, and width. An externally accessed storage compartment  66  is centrally disposed to the lower half of container  59 . A locking lug  67  is centrally disposed to upper annular lip  60  in front wall  62  of container  59 . And a plurality of latching lugs  68  is disposed to predetermined positions in annular lip  60  in front wall  62  of container  59 . A mating lid  69  is pivotally connected to container  59  by a conventional hinge  70  and has a front  71 , a back  72 , a right end  73 , and a left end  74 . A plurality of latches  76  is disposed to predetermined positions at front  71  of lid  69 , and a locking lug  78  is centrally disposed to front  71  of lid  69 . A recessed beverage holder  80  is disposed to a predetermined position on lid  69 . A carrying handle lug  82  is attached to each end of a pliable carrying handle (not shown) disposed through a plurality of carrying handle mounting apertures  84  in lid  69 . A plurality of cot siderail clearance housings  86  is disposed to predetermined positions in bottom  61  of container  59 . A plurality of vertical sidewalls  88  within container  59  bounds a plurality of recessed, internally accessed storage compartments  89 . Endboard E differs from the present invention in certain aspects that may render its use undesirable under certain circumstances. This drawing shows that endboard E is mounted atop cot C and therefore occupies a small portion of sleeping surface S. As a result, use of endboard E in its preferred embodiment as a headboard on cot C may cause the feet of a very tall occupant to extend out past the opposite end of cot C. To preclude this problem, endboard E must be relatively narrow to reduce its impact on sleeping surface S. This restricts the number and size of articles that may be stored therein. And although endboard E is designed to have a low profile, it is still somewhat exposed in its mounted position atop cot C. It is therefore subject to damage by collision with people or objects moving or being moved about in cramped sleeping quarters associated with the use of cot C such as tents, cabins, and crowded emergency shelters. 
     PRESENT INVENTION 
     FIGS.  2 - 3 —Preferred Embodiment Storage Locker for a Sleeping Cot L 1   
     In FIG. 2 a preferred embodiment of a new storage locker for a sleeping cot L 1  of the present invention comprises a rigid container  90  of predetermined height, length, width, and cross-sectional shape. Container  90  has a top  91 , a bottom  92 , a front  93 , a back  94 , and a right end  95 . A plurality of container end apertures  96  disposed to right end  95  of container  90  facilitates optional attachment of a variety of prior-art foldable beverage container holders (not shown). A plurality of cot-side mounting apertures  100 , a plurality of cot-end mounting apertures  101 , and a plurality of cot siderail clearance housings  102  disposed to predetermined positions on top  91  of container  90  facilitate demountable attachment of container  90  to cot C (not shown). A conventional recessed handle assembly  104  is disposed to top  91  of container  90 . A plurality of vertically arrayed storage drawers  106 , each with a pull  107 , is disposed to left center of container  90 . A plurality of vertically arrayed open-face storage compartments  108 , each fronted by a low retaining wall  109 , is disposed to right center of container  90 . A plurality of closed-face storage compartment access doors  110 , each with a knob  112 , fronts a plurality of closed-face storage compartments (not shown) disposed to right and left sides of container  90 . Access doors  110  are pivotally attached to container  90  by a plurality of conventional hinges  113 . Doors  110  and drawers  106  are locked closed by a plurality of conventional cam locks  114 . 
     In FIG. 3 open storage compartment access doors  110  of locker L 1  reveal a plurality of access door inner surfaces  115 , and a left end  116  of container  90 . Container end apertures  96  disposed to left end  116  of container  90  facilitate optional attachment of a variety of prior-art foldable beverage container holders (not shown). A vertical partition  117  bounds a plurality of vertically arrayed small closed-face storage compartments  118  on right side of container  90  and vertically arrayed open-face storage compartments  108  at right center of container  90 . A vertical partition  119  bounds vertically arrayed open-face storage compartments  108  and vertically arrayed storage drawers  106  at left center of container  90 . And a vertical partition  120  bounds vertically arrayed storage drawers  106  and a large closed-face storage compartment  121  on left side of container  90 . Dislocated lower drawer  106  reveals a storage drawer bay  122  (one of three, others not shown). Lower drawer  106  includes a front panel  123  with an inner surface (not shown) (other drawers correspond). A horizontal partition  124  separates vertically arrayed small closed-face storage compartments  118 . A horizontal partition  126  separates vertically arrayed open-face storage compartments  108 . And a plurality of horizontal partitions  128  separates vertically arrayed storage drawers  106 . A plurality of conventional ferrous metal strike plates  130  is disposed to predetermined positions on inner surfaces  115  of access doors  110  and inner surface (not shown) of front panel  123  of dislocated lower storage drawer  106  (other drawers correspond). Strike plates  130  combine with a plurality of conventional magnetic holding brackets  132  disposed to correlating positions within closed-face storage compartments  118  and  121  and within drawer storage bay  122  (other bays correspond) to hold access doors  110  and storage drawers  106  closed respectively. Brackets  132  also serve to trap a plurality of conventional cams  134 , which, upon the turn of a key (not shown), rotate into position behind brackets  132 . Trapping of cams  134  behind brackets  132  effectively locks access doors  110  and storage drawers  106  closed (cam  134  in dislocated storage drawer  106  is rotated into locked position for clarity). 
     FIG.  4 —Alternative Embodiment Locker L 2   
     In FIG. 4 an alternative embodiment of a new storage locker for a sleeping cot L 2  includes all the features depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 plus additional features. These additional features are disposed to predetermined positions on locker L 2  and include a clock  136 , a radio  137 , a miniature floodlight  138 , and a compartment light  139 . 
     FIGS.  5 - 10 —Mounting of Preferred Embodiment Locker L 1  to Prior Art Sleeping Cot C 
     In FIG. 5 sleeping cot C includes sleeping surface S supported by a frame  140  which is supported by a plurality of legs  141 . Frame  140  comprises a plurality of crossarms  142  and a plurality of adjoining siderails  144 . Siderails  144  are joined to each other by a plurality of center leg-support and siderail connecting brackets  146 . Legs  141  are attached to siderails  144  by brackets  146  or a plurality of end leg-support brackets  148 . Opposing legs  141  are joined to each other by a leg-connecting bracket  150 . The area beneath sleeping surface S comprises an underspace storage area U. 
     In FIG. 6 a conventional u-bolt assembly of prior art design  160  comprises a plurality of wingnuts  162 , a plurality of washers  164 , and a u-bolt  170 . 
     In FIG. 7 a preferred mounting application on the side of cot C depicts left half of storage locker L 1 , cot-side mounting apertures  100 , u-bolt assembly  160 , and one corner of sleeping cot C juxtaposed in their pre-attachment relationship (relationship between remaining half of locker L 1 , remaining apertures  100 , additional u-bolt assembly  160 , and opposite corner of sleeping cot C corresponds). 
     In FIG. 8 a preferred mounting application depicts storage locker L 1  attached to a side of sleeping cot C using u-bolt assemblies  160  placed through cot-side mounting apertures  100 . 
     In FIG. 9 an alternative mounting application on the end of cot C depicts the right half of storage locker L 1 , cot-end mounting apertures  101 , u-bolt assembly  160 , and one corner of sleeping cot C juxtaposed in their pre-attachment relationship (relationship between remaining half of locker L 1 , remaining apertures  101 , additional u-bolt assembly  160 , and opposite corner of sleeping cot C corresponds). 
     In FIG. 10 an alternative mounting application depicts storage locker L 1  attached to an end of sleeping cot C using u-bolt assemblies  160  placed through cot-end mounting apertures  101 . 
     FIGS.  11 - 15 —Optional Mounting of Prior-Art Foldable Beverage Container Holder  172  to Storage Locker L 1   
     In FIG. 11 a prior-art foldable beverage container holder  172  is shown in its deployed (open) position and includes an annular member  174  pivotally connected to the upper portion of a back panel  176 , and a base plate  178  pivotally connected to the lower portion of back panel  176 . A plurality of container holder mounting apertures  179  is disposed to predetermined positions on back panel  176  of container holder  172  to facilitate its attachment to a variety of support structures (not shown). 
     In FIG. 12 beverage container holder  172  is shown in its stowed (closed) position. 
     In FIG. 13 a prior-art variable depth push fastener  180  is depicted. 
     In FIG. 14 container holder  172 , fasteners  180 , and locker L 1  are juxtaposed in their pre-attachment relationship. 
     In FIG. 15 beverage container holder  172  is attached to locker L 1  using fasteners  180 . 
     Advantages 
     From the description above a number of advantages of my storage locker become evident: 
     (a) Proximate and protective storage is provided for the myriad fragile and/or valuable articles key to the welfare of personnel subsisting under field conditions in cot-based sleeping environments such as hunting, fishing, camping, military bivouac, and short or long term temporary emergency sheltering. 
     (b) Use of the locker on a cot allows articles to be stored close-at-hand for quick and easy retrieval. This is especially important in a cot-based sleeping environment where power for electric lights is typically unavailable or not readily accessible. For example when used while camping, eyeglasses and flashlight stored in the locker&#39;s open-face storage compartments can be quickly retrieved in the dark. This can facilitate a trip to the latrine or investigation of the seemingly unending string of things that go “bump” in the night while camping. 
     (c) Unlike other attempts at providing storage of articles on a cot, the locker&#39;s interior storage and lockability features provide a measure of security from damage or theft of articles stored therein. For when the locker is secured to the sleeping cot and its storage compartment access doors are locked closed, the u-bolt assemblies cannot be loosened or removed from the locker without structural damage to either the locker or the cot. 
     (d) Also unlike other prior-art attempts at providing storage of articles on a cot, the locker, because it is mounted beneath the sleeping surface of the cot, will not interfere with fluid access to the sleeping surface. Nor will the locker completely block access to a cot&#39;s underspace storage area. For in a preferred mounting application it occupies only one half of one side of the cot, leaving access to the cot&#39;s underspace from the remaining half. And in an alternative mounting application it occupies the space outboard of and perpendicular to the cot&#39;s end legs. This ability to be mounted almost anywhere on the frame of a cot gives the user much flexibility in configuring the sleeping area. 
     (e) Also unlike the previously mentioned “organizer” and “cot accessory” which must be emptied before they can be moved, the locker can be transported with articles secured in its locked compartments and drawers thus offering true functional portability. 
     (f) Also unlike other prior-art attempts at providing storage of articles on a cot, the locker is designed to optionally receive for attachment on each of its sides a variety of foldable beverage container holders of prior-art design. 
     (g) Also unlike prior-art attempts to provide storage of articles on a cot, the locker, in an alternative embodiment, can be used as a console to house built-in convenience and safety amenities such as electronic appliances like a clock, a radio, and flood and task lights. 
     Operation 
     In the preferred mounting application, operation entails attaching container  90  of storage locker L 1  to a side of sleeping cot C using u-bolt assemblies  160  placed through cot-side mounting apertures  100  in top  91  of container  90  as follows. Take a seated position on one side of and facing cot C with your legs fully extended under cot C between its center and end legs  141 . Place container  90  on your lap underneath of and parallel to cot siderail  144  with front  93  of container  90  facing you. Raise container  90  upwards into position against cot siderail  144  with cot-side mounting apertures  100  perpendicularly centered against siderail  144  in the uncovered portions of siderail  144  that lie between its joints with cot crossarm  142  and center leg-support and siderail connecting bracket  146 . Hold container  90  in place with upward pressure from your legs. Working on either side of container  90 , open closed-face storage compartment access door  110 . With threaded end down, hold u-bolt  170  above and perpendicular to siderail  144  and lower u-bolt  170  such that its threaded ends straddle siderail  144  and pass through cot-side mounting apertures  100  in top  91  of container  90 . Reach into affected closed-face storage compartment  118  or  121  and place washer  164  over threaded end of u-bolt  170  protruding downward through top  91  of container  90 . Follow washer  164  with wingnut  162  and tighten loosely at this juncture. Repeat this process with remaining threaded end of u-bolt  170 . With u-bolt assembly  160  loosely in place on one side of container  90 , loosely install remaining assembly  160  on opposite side of container  90  in similar fashion using cot-side mounting apertures  100 . With both assemblies  160  loosely fastened in place, make any final adjustments in the position of container  90  on siderail  144  and tighten all wingnuts  162  to secure container  90  to cot C. Operating instructions for the alternative mounting application (i.e., on the end of cot C) can be easily extrapolated from the above instructions using cot-end mounting apertures  101  instead of cot-side mounting apertures  100  and ensuring that the ends of cot siderails  144  align with cot siderail clearance housings  102  on top  91  of container  90 . Operating instructions for the alternative embodiment storage locker L 2  parallel those of the preferred embodiment locker L 1 . 
     Conclusion, Ramifications, and Scope 
     Accordingly, the reader will see that the storage locker of the present invention can be used to proximately and protectively store articles on a sleeping cot. Such storage is an extremely important quality-of-life factor for people quartered under field conditions in cot-based sleeping environments such as hunting, fishing, camping, military bivouac, or temporary emergency sheltering. For typically under these conditions storage space is extremely limited and secure storage space even moreso. Unlike some other devices available for such duty, the locker of the present invention can safely store items that are fragile, valuable, or of potentially immediate need in such sleeping environments. These items include, but are not limited to, eyeglasses, flashlights, wallets, money clips, beverages, medicines, toiletries, books, magazines, clocks, lights, radios, jewelry, keys, cellular phones, cameras, pagers, and, in some cases, small personal defense weapons. These items are protected from damage because they are stored inside the locker vice outside as with other devices. And they are protected from theft because the locker is mounted on the cot in such a manner that, when its storage compartment access doors are locked, it cannot be removed without obvious damage to either the locker or the cot. 
     Although designed for use in cot-based sleeping environments under field conditions, the locker has domestic applications also. For the conventional u-bolt assemblies allow the locker to be attached to a wide variety of support structures. For example, the locker could be attached to the frame of a standard bed and used in homes, hotels, military barracks, college dormitories, correctional facilities, and the like to store a user&#39;s personal articles. Further, the locker could be attached to the frame of a baby crib and used to store baby care products. The wide variety of potential uses for the locker of the present invention is attributable to its simplistic design, ease of use, and functional utility. The locker has additional advantages in that; 
     (a) it can be quickly, easily, and securely mounted to and demounted from a variety of sleeping cots through the use of simple yet effective conventional u-bolt assemblies; and 
     (b) it can be mounted to both the side of a cot or the end of a cot; and 
     (c) it can be mounted to and demounted from these cots without the use of tools; and 
     (d) it provides both stationary and portable storage of articles in that it can store articles while both mounted on a cot or in transit thereto and therefrom; and 
     (e) it provides storage for articles of different sizes and shapes in its differently sized and shaped storage compartments; and 
     (f) it is designed to optionally receive for attachment a variety of foldable beverage container holders of prior-art design at either or both of its ends thereby affording its user wider options in the positioning of the cot within the confines of the shelter; and 
     (g) in an alternative embodiment it serves as a console to house built-in safety and convenience items such as electronic appliances like a radio and a clock. 
     Although the description above contains much specificity, it should not be construed as limiting the scope of the locker but merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of the locker. For example, 
     (a) the locker can be rendered in a variety of sizes to accommodate cots of various dimensions; and 
     (b) the locker can take other shapes such as square, semi-circular, oval, trapezoidal, triangular, etc.; and 
     (c) the locker can be constructed of a variety of materials such as plastic, metal, or composite material and be of any color or combination thereof such as a monochromatic green or a polychromatic camouflage pattern; and 
     (d) storage compartments can be rendered in many different configurations such as varying their type, shape, orientation, number, size, and relative location; and 
     (e) access door and storage drawer locking mechanisms can take other forms such as conventional key-actuated drawer-type deadbolt locks when locker is privately owned, or lockable hasps which could receive a padlock or combination lock when locker is temporarily issued to an individual and must be returned for future use; and 
     (f) the number of access doors and storage drawers equipped with locking mechanisms can vary from none to all; and 
     (g) mounting methods can comprise devices other than u-bolts, such as straps, cables, chains, or bolts; and 
     (h) the locker can be mounted on various locations on the cot, such as at any of four locations on the sides of the cot paralleling the sleeping surface, or at either end of the cot perpendicular to the sleeping surface; and 
     (i) apertures can be of different shapes and sizes, placed in different locations, or dispensed with; and 
     (j) the type of cot upon which locker may be mounted can be of various sizes with angular or tubular frames; and 
     (k) the type of sleeping apparatus upon which the locker may be mounted can comprise apparatus other than cots, such as folding beds, rollaway beds, or any sleeping apparatus with a frame; and 
     (l) in its alternative embodiment, the locker&#39;s clock, radio, and flood and task lights can be located in different places on or in the locker; and 
     (m) in an alternative embodiment, the locker&#39;s concept can be combined with that of the aforementioned prior-art Clamp-On Portable Storage Endboard for a Sleeping Cot and made into a single unit embodying the utility of both; and 
     (n) a variety of prior-art beverage container holders can be optionally attached to the locker through the use of a variety of prior-art fasteners, such as nuts and bolts or variable depth push fasteners. 
     (o) handle or handles can be mounted on top of the locker or at each end. 
     Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents rather than by the examples given.