Abstract:
A portable locker appartus is disclosed comprising four rigid side wall structures, a rigid back wall structure and a rigid door structure with a locking mechanism that allows the apparatus to be secured by its user while allowing substantial airflow into and through the locker apparatus.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to the field of locking storage devices. In particular, the invention relates to portable locking storage devices designed to secure an individual&#39;s belongings in a common area. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    The problem of providing a practical, secure storage area in a small space that is open to many people such as a common refrigerator in an office or work area has defied a practical solution. The prior art consists largely of devices that are complicated, heavy, difficult to use, or require significant customization. 
         [0005]    The present invention overcomes these problems, providing a simple, lightweight, portable, locking storage device that can be used in a wide variety of settings. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is a portable locker appartus comprising four rigid side wall structures and a rigid back wall structure, a rigid door structure, a first locking mechanism on said door structure and a second locking mechanism one of said side structures, wherein said first and second locking mechanism fit together in locking engagement, wherein said apparatus is constructed to allow substantial airflow into and through the locker apparatus. In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second locking mechanisms comprise a combination lock. In another embodiment of the invention, the first and second locking mechanisms comprise a lock operated by a key. In one embodiment of the invention, the side wall structures are interchangeable, and in one embodiment the side wall structures, said back wall structure, and said door structure are substantially flat. 
         [0007]    In one embodiment, the side wall structures include projections that fit into complementary recesses in the adjacent side wall structure. In one embodiment, the door structure opens by pivoting through an arc up to 90 degrees about a point near one edge of the door structure and may be fixed in an open position to form a shelf. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a perspective view of an exemplary portable locker device. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a side view of an exemplary snap fit mechanism. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a diagram showing a side view of an exemplary snap fit mechanism. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a diagram showing a side view of an exemplary snap fit mechanism. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing an end view of the sidewalls of an exemplary portable locker device. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a perspective view of the portable locker device in a collapsed position for marketing or storage. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Descriptions of specific embodiments or applications are provided only as examples. Various modifications to the embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of the invention consists of an locker device  100  comprising four side structures  102 , a back structure  104 , and a locking door structure  106 . These structures may be constructed of a rigid polymer, or any other suitable material including without limitation metal, wood, or wide variety of plastics. Preferably, these structures are constructed to allow for substantial airflow into and through the locker device. The locker device may include a rigid or collapsable, removable handle  107  to provide for easy carrying. In an exemplary emboidment of the invention, some or all of these structures are constructed to allow the user to easily see the contents of the locker device. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the internally facing sides of the door real panel and side panels are flat to provide an even surface to place items. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in an exemplary embodiment of the invention the four side structures  102  and the back structure  104  of the portable locker device are all attached to each other by a series of snap fit mechanisms  108 . In one embodiment, a male portion  110  of the snap fit mechanism comprises a rigid projection with sides having a tapered region  112  and a flat or parallel region  114 , and head  116  that extends out  118  from the sides of the projection, but has tapered leading edges  120 . A female portion  122  of the mechanism comprises two somewhat flexible projections  124  that are spaced apart from each other. The female portions each have a head  126  that is similar in shape to the head of the male portion, with complementary angled leading edges  128 . 
         [0017]    To attach the side structures  102  and/or the back structure  104  of the portable locker device together, the edges of adjacent structures are first aligned. The male portion  110  of one or more of the snap fit mechanisms  108  is aligned between the two female portions  122  and pressed in. The tapered leading edges  120  of the male portion engage the complimentary angled leading edges  128  of the female portion, spreading the two female portions apart until the head  116  of the male portion passes beyond the heads  126  of the two female portions. The two female portions then snap back into their original position, locking the male portion of the snap fit mechanism in place. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , in an exemplarly embodiment a male portion  130  of the snap fit mechanism comprises two somewhat flexible projections  132  with tapered heads  134  that extend outward from the outer side of the projection. A complimentary female portion  136  of the mechanism comprises a recess with an entry channel  138  that is sufficiently wide to accommodate the two flexible projections but narrower than the two tapered heads of the male portion. To attach the side structures  102  and/or the back structure  104  of the portable locker device together, the edges of adjacent structures are first aligned. The flexible projections on the male portion are aligned with the entry channel of the female portion and pressed in. The tapered heads of the male portion engage the sides of the entry channel and are pressed inward toward each other. When the completely clears the entry channel, the flexible projections spring outward and lock the male portion into the female portion. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , in another exemplarly embodiment a similar male portion  170  of the snap fit mechanism comprises two somewhat flexible projections  172  with tapered heads  174  that extend outward from the outer side of the projection. This male portion extends from the edge of the side structure  102  and/or back structure  104  of the portable locker device. A complimentary female portion  176  of the mechanism is located at or near the edge of the adjacent side structure and/or back structure, and comprises a recess oriented perpendicular to the edge of the structure, with an entry channel  178  that is sufficiently wide to accommodate the two flexible projections but narrower than the two tapered heads of the male portion. To attach the side structures  102  and/or the back structure  104  of the portable locker device together, the edges of adjacent structures are first aligned. The flexible projections on the male portion are aligned with the entry channel of the female portion and pressed in. The tapered heads of the male portion engage the sides of the entry channel and are pressed inward toward each other. When the completely clears the entry channel, the flexible projections spring outward and lock the male portion into the female portion. 
         [0020]    In an exemplary embodiment, the number of snap fit mechanisms  108  on any particular structure may vary, but the spacing of the snap fit mechanisms remains constant to allow interchangeability. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, each of the rigid side walls  104  includes a projection  140  on one side that can be fastened to the edge of the adjacent side wall by bolts or any other type of fastener. 
         [0022]    The locking door structure  106  is attached to the side structures  102  such that it can swing open. In an exemplary embodiment the door structure swings forward and down 180 degrees so that the opening of the portable locker device is maximized. Referring to  FIG. 1 , in another exemplary embodiment, the door structure swings forward and down 90 degrees, and is then fixed in position to create a shelf. 
         [0023]    In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the door structure  106  is attached to the right and left side structures  102  using small pins or other mechanisms that create a pivot point near the base of the door structure. The upper portion of the door structure is designed so that two small projections  142  from the sides of the door structure project outward. These two small projections engage two complimentary grooves or notches in the side structures to hold the door in a closed position. With the door held in position the user can latch the clasp into the lock with only one hand leaving the other free to hold the contents previously removed from the invention. 
         [0024]    The door structure  106  also has a locking mechanism  144  positioned on either the top, right or left side. A complimentary mechanism  146  is positioned on the outside surface of one of the side structures  102  such that the two locking mechanisms can connect in locking engagement, locking the door structure  106  closed. The locking mechanism may be operated by any means, including a standard combination or keyed lock. 
         [0025]    In an exemplary embodiment, one or all of the four side structures  102  are identical and interchangeable. One or more of the side structures  102  and/or back structure  104  may include a structure to facilitate attachment of the portable locker device to an enclosure such as a refrigerator, or to another portable locker device. Such structure may include a hook, loop, D-ring, or other type of connecting structure. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , in an exemplary embodiment, all of the side structures  102 , the back structure  104 , and the door structure  106  are sufficiently flat that they can be stacked when the portable locker device is unassembled. This allows for convenient, space-saving marketing display and transportation of the device. 
         [0027]    It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be constructed in a wide variety of sizes for use in different applications. For example, the locker device  100  can be sized to fit in a standard refrigerator to secure an individual&#39;s food or drink, to fit inside a cabinet such as a kitchen cabinet to secure poisonous or hazardous materials, to fit in a bathroom or other cabinet to secure medications or other similar materials. The locker device could also be placed on it&#39;s side or back panel to provide the user with the most convenient way to open the device based upon where it is being used at the time and the desired contents.