Frameless storage enclosure

Abstract

A frameless storage enclosure having opposed pairs of integrally interconnected walls to provide a pod forming a sealed storage compartment for receiving articles. The front wall has an access opening being connected to a door being moveable from a position closing said access opening to an upper secured position to provide access through the access opening. The weight of the articles in the storage compartment is substantially carried on the support surface on which the enclosure rests during use. The configuration of the storage container is established by suspension cords connected between an upper portion of the storage enclosure and structural elements above the enclosure. An air ventilation compartment receives a removable filter to provide ventilation into the storage compartment.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates in general to storage enclosures and more particularly, to a frameless storage enclosure being suspended from above while being positioned on a support surface. [0003] 2. Summary of the Prior Art [0004] In the past, many designs for storage containers have been developed for storing articles over a period of time. Such containers have been in the form of rigid trunks, hanging wardrobe units, canvas lockers, and portable closets, among many storage structures. It has been popular to construct a storage unit from flexible or collapsible material that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and capable of being folded into a compact shape when not in use as compared to enclosures formed from rigid members. [0005] Known containers employing collapsible sidewalls and other structural members suffer from several shortcomings, including the fact that present designs require rigid structural support ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide an improved frameless storage enclosure constructed from an inexpensive collapsible material. The enclosure herein disclosed is capable of storing articles of considerable weight because it rests on a support surface. The configuration of the collapsible members of the invention is defined by suspending the top of the unit from structural elements, such as rafters, beams, ceilings, and the like. The shape of the storage unit herein described in its erected form can be adjusted for various volumetric capacities and can easily be modified in shape for given conditions from a fully erected form or to other modified forms to be accommodated in irregular spaces, such as beneath sloped roofs, ceilings, walkways, or other space demands. The frameless storage enclosure herein provides an effective sealed environment for the stored items, but is provided with an effective access means for convenient opening and closing of storage interior as needed in use. The invention limits damage from water and also provides ample air circulation to the items being stored by an improved technique preventing the introduction of dust and insects.

Problems solved by technology

Known containers employing collapsible sidewalls and other structural members suffer from several shortcomings, including the fact that present designs require rigid structural support frames.

Examples of containers using collapsible walls and the like in conjunction with rigid internal frames are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,629,342 to N. M. Robert and U.S. Pat. No. 5,718,490 to J. Liao. The use of frames, such as in the foregoing patents, not only increases the cost and weight of the container, but severely limits the adaptability of the enclosure to various configurations of spaces in which the unit is intended to be used for storage.

For example, containers requiring frames may not be advantageously for use in all areas of an attic where a sloping roof and rafters are present.

In addition, the presence of framing members interferes with the convenience and efficiency of the unit to be readily collapsed into a knock-down mode for transport and storage of the container when not in use.

The prior technique of using a rigid frame either requires removal to be collapsed or otherwise limits the degree of compactness when the frame remains in the unit.

Another problem associated with known storage units is that they provide little or no air flow along with a highly desirable prevention of insect infestation and the introduction of dust to the items in storage in the unit.

Images