Patent Publication Number: US-7901000-B1

Title: Pedestal chair storage enclosure

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention generally pertains to tackle boxes and similar storage enclosures, and more particularly to a portable modular storage enclosure that is designed to be placed and maintained below the seat of pedestal type chair. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     The use of portable storage enclosures for transporting and maintaining various items has proven to be very effective. Storage enclosures provide protection for the items within, while also allowing quick and easy access to the items. One of the best examples of a portable storage enclosure is commonly known as a tackle box. Although tackle boxes were originally designed to transport and maintain various small items that are used by fishermen, such as lures, fishing line, etc., tackle boxes have also been widely used for other purposes, such as transporting and storing artist supplies, office supplies and other small items. 
     One problem that does persist when using a storage enclosure is where to place the enclosure. This problem is especially prevalent for tackle boxes that are taken on boats for fishing. There is often limited space on the deck of a boat and when there are several fishermen, each with their own tackle box, the problem is exacerbated. 
     Another reason that this problem is significant on boats is that boats commonly have pedestal type chairs. When a standard four-leg chair is present, it is often possible to place a storage enclosure beneath the chair. As a result of a pedestal chair&#39;s design it is difficult to place any item, let alone a storage enclosure, beneath a pedestal chair. 
     The obvious solution to this problem would be to design a storage enclosure that could be placed and maintained beneath a pedestal chair. One of the most important features though, would allow a person to normally and comfortably sit on a pedestal chair without any encumbrance from the storage enclosure located beneath the chair. 
     Although there are a relatively smaller number of pedestal chairs in use compared with conventional four-leg chairs, the benefits achieved by providing a storage enclosure that can be placed beneath a pedestal would still be significant. 
     A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention, however the following U.S. patents are considered related: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Pat. No. 
                 INVENTOR 
                 ISSUED 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 4,887,379 
                 Harrison 
                 19 Dec. 1989 
               
               
                 5,577,458 
                 Kohl 
                 26 Nov. 1996 
               
               
                 5,799,787  
                 Talbot 
                  1 Sep. 1998 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,379 patent discloses a fishing tackle box that is secured to the underside of a bass boat pedestal seat. A mounting structure permits the box to be pivoted relative to the seat between a latched stowage position in which the box is positioned entirely beneath and closely adjacent the underside of the seat, and a use position in which the box is positioned outwardly adjacent the side edge periphery of the seat. The mounting structure includes a pivotal mounting member intersecured between the seat and box, and a latch member pivotable between a latching position. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 5,577,458 patent discloses a pedestal mounted seat storage base assembly for mounting on a pedestal base plate. The assembly comprises a storage base having a top and a bottom, a seat mounted on the storage base and a pedestal base plate adaptor mounted on the bottom of the storage base and configured for mounting on the pedestal base plate. 
     The U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,787 patent discloses a tackle box that includes a rotatable cover, one or more storage trays, a bottom tray and a central shaft for vertically stacking and mounting the storage tray or trays and a rotatable cover to the bottom tray. Access to the tackle box is made by rotating the cover and/or the storage trays. The side walls of the bottom tray and storage tray or trays in combination with the bottom tray floor and rotatable cover form the exterior surface of the tackle box. The number of storage trays that are included in the tackle box may be varied by changing a point of connection between the central shaft and the bottom tray. 
     For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention is related reference may be made to the remaining patents located in the search: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Pat. No. 
                 INVENTOR 
                 ISSUED 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 D400,742 
                 Jackson 
                 10 Nov. 1998 
               
               
                 3,780,468 
                 Maffett 
                 25 Dec. 1973 
               
               
                 4,023,304 
                 Singer 
                 17 May 1977 
               
               
                 4,067,607 
                 Battles 
                 10 Jan. 1978 
               
               
                 4,266,707 
                 Rossman 
                 12 May 1981 
               
               
                 4,474,291 
                 Fortson 
                  2 Oct. 1984 
               
               
                 4,662,303 
                 Duff 
                  5 May 1987 
               
               
                 4,791,752 
                 Van Kampen 
                 20 Dec. 1988 
               
               
                 5,657,573 
                 Fischer, et al 
                 19 Aug. 1997 
               
               
                 5,934,010 
                 Blackburn 
                 10 Aug. 1999 
               
               
                 6,550,613 
                 Amato 
                 22 Apr. 2003 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     In its preferred design, the pedestal chair storage enclosure (PCSE) is comprised of a box section having an upper surface, a lower surface, a right surface, a left surface, a rear surface, a right front door, a left front door, a half-circle slot that extends inward from the rear surface, an internal divider and hinge assemblies. 
     Located within the box section are a plurality of trays. Each tray has a front surface, a rear surface, a right surface, a left surface, a lower surface and a multiplicity of compartments. The trays are modular and dimensioned in multiples of a standard size, thereby allowing various combinations and numbers of multi-sized trays to be placed within the box section. The number of trays and the size of each tray can vary, depending on the particular application for which the PCSE is utilized. The trays are maintained within the box section by means of the hinge assemblies. The trays are accessed via the right front door and the left front door. Once either or both front doors are opened, each tray can be swung outward, thereby exposing the compartments within each tray. 
     In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the invention is to provide a pedestal chair storage enclosure that allows quick and easy access to a variety of items which are placed within an enclosure that is located beneath the seat of a pedestal type chair. 
     In addition to the primary object of the invention, it is also an object of the invention to provide a pedestal chair storage enclosure that:
         allows a wide variety of items to be stored and accessed,   allows two storage enclosures to be placed back-to-back beneath a single pedestal chair,   is especially effective for use as a tackle box for ship-mounted pedestal chairs,   can be made in various heights and widths to accommodate different styles and types of pedestal chairs,   provides a modular type storage system by utilizing easily replaceable trays of various sizes,   is strong and durable enough to provide years of use,   can be made in various colors for easy identification of ownership or items within,   is either made of a water-proof or water-resistant material,   is cost effective from both a manufacturer&#39;s and consumer&#39;s point of view.       

     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pedestal chair storage enclosure placed beneath the seat of a conventional pedestal chair. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a pedestal chair storage enclosure removed from the pedestal chair and having two front doors shown in a closed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a pedestal chair storage enclosure removed from the pedestal chair and having two front doors that are shown in an open position. 
         FIG. 4  is a partial front elevational view of a pedestal chair storage enclosure having a plurality of trays that are dimensioned in multiplies of a standard size and that are attached by a hinge assembly. 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view showing two doors and a plurality of trays located side-by-side and that are separated by an internal divider. 
         FIG. 6  is a top plan view and cross-sectional view showing a half-circle slot having foam padding and a hook and loop fastener securing means for the pedestal chair storage enclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pedestal chair storage enclosure having a rectangular shape. 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of a pedestal chair storage enclosure attached to a seat by a securing means consisting of a hook and an eyelet or a hook and loop fastener. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a pedestal chair storage enclosure having a plurality of horizontal drawers. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a pedestal chair storage enclosure placed beneath the seat of a pedestal type office chair. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment, with multiple design configurations, for a pedestal chair storage enclosure, (hereinafter “PCSE  10 ”). All of the design configurations of the PCSE  10  provide a modular storage enclosure that can be placed and maintained beneath the seat of a conventional pedestal type chair  100  having a support pedestal  102  that is attached to a horizontal surface and a seat  104 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the preferred embodiment of the PCSE  10  is comprised of a box section  12  having an upper surface  14 , a lower surface  16 , a right surface  18 , a left surface  20 , a rear surface  22 , a right front door  24 , a left front door  26 , a half-circle slot  28 , an internal divider  30  and hinge assemblies  34 . 
     Located within the box section  12  are a plurality of trays  50 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , each tray  50  is comprised of a front surface  52 , a rear surface  54 , a right surface  56 , a left surface  58 , a lower surface  60  and a multiplicity of horizontal or vertical compartments  62  that preferably extend downward into each tray  50 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the trays  50  are dimensioned in multiples of a standard size, thereby allowing various combinations and numbers of multi-sized trays  50  to be placed within the box section  12 . The number of trays  50  and the size of each tray can vary, depending on the particular application for which the PCSE  10  is utilized. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 10 , an arc slot corner  64  is located at the rear surface  54  of each tray  50  to allow the trays to interface with the pedestal chair&#39;s  100 , 106  pedestal  102 , 108 . The trays  50  are maintained within the box section  12  by means of the hinge assemblies  34 . 
     The hinge assemblies  34  in the preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , are comprised of a plurality of equi-spaced tubes  36  that extend vertically along the right surface, front edge of the box section  12 , the left surface, front edge of the box section  12 , the right edge of the right front door  24 , the left edge of the left front door  26 , the right surface  56  of each right side tray  50  and the left surface  58  of each left side tray  50 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , this arrangement of doors and trays provides the PCSE  10  with two sets of trays  50  that are located side-by-side. The internal divider  30  separates the two sets of trays  50 , as also shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Once the two front doors  24 , 26  and all the trays  50  are aligned on and in the box section  12 , a hinge pin  38  is inserted sequentially through each equi-spaced tube  36 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , thereby connecting each side&#39;s respective door and trays to the box section  12 . The hinge assemblies  34  facilitate the quick and easy removal and replacement of the various multi-sized trays  50  from within the box section. If desired, a securing means such as a lock screw  40  can be utilized to maintain each hinge pin  38  in position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the trays  50  are accessed via the right front door  24  and the left front door  26 . When either front door is opened, each tray  50  can be swung outward thereby exposing the compartments  62  within each tray  50 . 
     As also shown in  FIG. 1 , the right front door  24 , the left front door  26 , and the front surface  52  of each tray  50  are radiused outward in a shape that corresponds to the radius of the pedestal chair&#39;s seat  104 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , at least one door lock/latch  74  can be utilized to maintain a door in a closed position. 
     The PCSE  10  is preferably made of a plastic material, although other materials such as a treated wood, a treated metal, stainless steel or anodized aluminum can also be utilized. The wood and metal are treated to protect against deterioration and rust which occur as a result of being exposed to moisture. This is especially important when the PCSE  10  is used as a tackle box, which will typically be the primary use since pedestal chairs are prevalent on boats. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the half-circle slot  28  that extends inward from the box section&#39;s rear surface  22  allows the PCSE  10  to be placed almost completely beneath the seat  104  of a pedestal chair  100 . If desired, foam padding  80 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , can be attached to the outer surface of the half-circle slot  28  to provide a cushion where the PCSE  10  interfaces with the pedestal  102 . 
     The preferred embodiment of the PCSE  10 , as previously disclosed, has a shape with a radiused front that corresponds to the radius of a pedestal chair&#39;s seat  104 . In the other design configurations, the PCSE  10  can have a round shape  42 , as shown in  FIG. 1 ; an oval shape  46 , as shown in  FIG. 2 ; or a rectangular shape  44 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     For all the design configurations, the PCSE  10  can also include a handle  70 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , that extends upward form the upper surface  14 . If desired, a pair of handles  70 , with one handle on each side can also be utilized. 
     The PCSE  10  can also comprise securing means  84  for securing the PCSE  10  to a pedestal chair  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , one embodiment of the securing means  84  is comprised of a hook and loop fastener  86 , also known as VELCRO®, that is attached to the PCSE&#39;s  10  rear surface and that is wrapped around the pedestal of the pedestal chair  100 . 
     In another embodiment, the securing means  84  is comprised of a combination eyelet  90  and hook  92 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the eyelet  90  is attached to the PCSE&#39;s  10  upper surface, and the hook  92  is attached to the lower surface of the pedestal chair&#39;s seat  102 . The hook  90  is inserted through the eyelet  90 , thereby securing the PCSE  10  to the pedestal chair  100  and allowing the PCSE  10  to turn along with the pedestal chair  100 . 
     A similar embodiment of the securing means  84  utilizes a hook  92  that extends downward from the lower surface of the pedestal chair&#39;s seat  104 . The hook  92  is then inserted around the handle  70  that extends upward form the PCSE&#39;s  10  upper surface. 
     In another design configuration of the PCSE  10 , the plurality of trays  50  located within the box section  12  are replaced with a plurality of horizontal drawers  78 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , each of the drawers  78  can be pulled outward from the front of the box section  12 . 
     And, in a final design configuration, the PCSE  10  is placed and maintained beneath the seat  110  of a pedestal type office chair  106 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . The basic design and functionally of the final design configuration of the PCSE  10  is the same as the preferred embodiment, with two exceptions. First, the storage enclosure is placed upon and supported by at least one of a plurality of legs  112  that laterally extend outward form the lower end of the pedestal  108  that supports the office chair  106 . Second, the trays  50  are dimensioned to accept and store office supplies, such as multi-sized papers, writing utensils, paper clips, tape, etc. 
     The securing means for securing the storage enclosure to the pedestal type office chair are the same as those in the preferred embodiment. 
     An additional design, which is applicable to all the configurations of the PCSE  10 , is to utilize two storage enclosures beneath a single chair  100 . The two storage enclosures are placed back-to-back, which creates 360 degrees of rotatable storage space. 
     Regardless of which design configuration is utilized, the functionality remains the same and the primary goal of providing a storage enclosure that can be placed and maintained beneath the seat  104  of a pedestal chair  100  is accomplished. 
     While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims.