Convertible sport kit box for drying accessories

Abstract

It is often difficult to dry sport kits in a box or holder. Here, a portable sport kit box has an air circulation structure that assists in drying activewear or warming it before use. A sub-floor distributes airflow in the box. Ducts present in drying holders take air from the sub-floor and direct it through perforations to dry clothing accessories. The drying holders fit in dovetail sockets at two heights in the tub walls. A lip projecting outward from the tub walls has evenly spaced holes for attaching accessory components. The lid has corresponding holes near its edge for attaching accessory components. The lid can be held in a vertical plane above the tub with stands, to hang clothes on. A towel rack attaches to the lid when vertical. A drain plug drains pooled water from the tub.

Description

CONVERTIBLE SPORT KIT BOX FOR DRYING ACCESSORIESFIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a multi-functional sport kit box for carrying, storing and drying activewear. More specifically, this invention relates to a portable box with detachable holders and accessories for storing, drying and carrying activewear.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] Damp garments, sports and athletic equipment, booties and shoes are often carried and dried in bags with natural air circulation. Without adequate drying, garments and sports equipment that retain water grow mold, mildew, and generate unpleasant odors.

[0003] Methods for airing, drying, and removing odors from activewear after use have been developed over many years, and there are now various techniques available for drying activewear. Existing drying bags or containers vary by incorporating different ways of admitting, recirculating and expelling air. Dried and heated air is forced with a fan to enter and circulate between stored wet contents. The resulting damp air, with a high level of water vapor, leaves the bag by passing through filters made of materials such as carbon or activated charcoal.

[0004] This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] The inventor has realized that there is a need for a multi-purpose portable, durable box with a lid and detachable holders, shelves or compartments that can be rearranged and used for a variety of sports or activities. This box not only dries and refreshes the specific activewear, but also provides an option to wash it when needed. Additionally, the box provides an option for hanging wet clothes.

[0006] The present invention is directed to a portable sport kit box with a specific structure, which provides air circulation that is effective for drying used activewear. The box includes a tub having opposed side walls, opposed end walls, a floor, anopening opposed to the floor, and a lid for closing the tub. The lid may be mounted on the tub opening for securely carrying, storing, and drying the activewear. The tub has a lip around its rim with holes or slots formed therein for inserting structural components of a frame that holds the lid in a vertical orientation relative to the floor of the tub. The vertical lid is used for hanging wet clothes, to begin the drying process or to dry clothes before use. The vertical orientation of the lid is used for hanging wet clothes. Additionally, an accessory to the box is a detachable fan module for circulating air in the box. The floor of the tub is equipped with a sub-floor, which is perforated to discharge airflow into the lower, inner environment of the box. Additionally, the tub and tub floor may be configured for washing dirty activewear. The floor or a bottom of a wall has at least one pluggable opening for water drainage.

[0007] In some embodiments, the lid has a built-in clip structure for holding a mat or other accessory. The mat can be used as a platform to stand on while changing clothes, for example. In some embodiments, holders or holding compartments are perforated, replaceable, and interchangeable, with attachment means for fitting into dovetail sockets on the inner and outer surfaces of the walls of the tub.

[0008] Disclosed is a sport kit box comprising: a tub having a lip extending outwards from an upper opening thereof; and a lid that fits over the lip to close the tub; wherein the lip has a plurality of first holes passing vertically therethrough when the tub is oriented with the upper opening horizontal.

[0009] This summary provides a simplified, non-exhaustive introduction to some aspects of the invention, without delineating the scope of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0010] The following drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention, which should not be construed as restricting the scope of the invention in any way.

[0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a sport kit box with the lid supported vertically, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the sport kit box from the other side.

[0013] FIG. 3 shows a toggle fastener, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a towel rack, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a lid support, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a side view of the sport kit box with the lid supported vertically.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the sport kit box with the lid supported vertically.

[0018] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a tray for the tub, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the tray.

[0020] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a stopper for the tub.

[0021] FIG. 11 is an exploded side view of the tub and lid of the sport kit box, with the lid oriented horizontally.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a side view of a molle plate that attaches to the tub, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the molle plate.

[0024] FIG. 14 is a side view of a cavity in the tub lip, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 15 is an isometric view of a storage accessory and its fasteners for an end of the sport kit box, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of the storage accessory with tub-side fasteners and connector plates, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a tub-side fastener for the storage compartment, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 18 is a front view of the tub-side fastener.

[0029] FIG. 19 is a close-up isometric view of the connector plate, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 20 is an isometric view of the assembled accessory-side fastener, tubside fastener and connector plate, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 21 is an isometric view of the tub with end and side storage accessories, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 22 is an isometric view of the side storage accessory with accessoryside fasteners, tub-side fasteners and connector plates, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 23 is a close-up of detail B in FIG. 21 , showing a retaining protrusion for a false bottom, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 24 is an isometric view of a fan module, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the other side of the fan module.

[0036] FIG. 26 is an isometric view of a false bottom, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 27 is an isometric view of a floor liner, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 28 is an isometric view of the assembled fan module, false bottom, floor liner and eight drying accessories, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 29 is an isometric close-up of the inlet of a drying accessory, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 30 is a top view of the assembled fan module, false bottom, floor liner and eight drying accessories.

[0041] FIG. 31 is a side view of the assembled fan module, false bottom, floor liner, eight drying accessories and drain plug.

[0042] FIG. 32 is an isometric view of tub with the fan module, false bottom, floor liner and eight drying accessories, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 33 is an isometric view of the closed sport kit box, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 34 is a close-up isometric view of a bin lip cavity with one hole, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 35 is a close-up isometric view of a bin lip cavity with two holes, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 36 is an interior isometric view of a tub handle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 37 is a view of the sport kit box with straps attached, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 38 is a partial view of the tub from underneath, according to an embodiment of the present invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTIONExemplary embodiments

[0049] Referring to FIG. 1 , this shows an exemplary portable sport kit box 10 with a tub 12 or tote and a lid 14. The box is in an open position with the lid temporarily held vertically with two lid stands 20, assuming that the tub is resting on a horizontal surface. A towel rack 26 with two rails is temporarily attached to one side of the lid with two supporting frames 24, one at each side of the rails.

[0050] The supporting frames 24 fasten to the lid with toggle connectors 13, which project through elongated holes 18 in the periphery of the top panel of the lid. The toggle connectors 13 are rotated 90° after passing through the holes, to lock the supporting frames 24 in place.

[0051] Toggle connectors 13 are also used to connect the lid stands 20 to the tub 12 and the lid 14. There are at least four elongated holes in each side of the lid. The toggle connectors 13 connect the lid stands 20 to the tub 12 through elongated holes 19 in the lip 21 of the tub. The elongated holes 19 pass vertically through the lip of the tub when the tub is horizontal and the opening at the top of the tub is horizontal. There are at least four elongated holes in each side of the lip and at least two in each end of the lip. The elongated holes 18, 19 are the same size and shape, or have a similar enough size and shape, so that the toggle connectors 13 can be identical and fasten either to the lid or the tub. The holes in the lid 14 are in a top panel thereof, each of the hole located in a peripheral region of the top panel that sits above the lip 21 of the tub when the lid closes the tub.

[0052] The lid 14 has a lip 16 that extends down from the perimeter of the top panel of the lid. The lid lip 16 is dimensioned to fit around the tub lip 21 when the lid closes the tub. The lip 21 of the tub has an outer wall 25 that extends down from the perimeter of the tub lip.

[0053] The lid 14 fits to the tub 12 with a tight or snap-fit connection to securely store and carry activewear. Around the lid lip 16 a series of bump-outs 22 (or projections) and indentations 23 is formed. The indentations 23 serve as locating points for straps that are tightened around the box when closed, while the bump-outs 22 serve to retain the straps within the indentations.

[0054] Inside the tub 12 there is a series of dovetail sockets 32 formed in the upper region of the tub walls. There is also a series of dovetail sockets 30 formed betweenprojections 34 in the middle to lower region of the tub wall. The dovetail sockets serve to hold various accessories, and the bottom portions of the lower dovetail sockets 30 are dimensioned to be the same as the upper dovetail sockets 32, so that an accessory can be supported in either an upper or lower dovetail socket. It is useful, for example, to temporarily place the accessories in the upper level dovetail sockets while loading or unloading the tub.

[0055] On the outside of one end of the tub 12 there is an accessory box 36 or compartment, which is attachable to and removable from the tub. The accessory box 36 may be, for example, a lockable box for holding tools and small accessories for sports or outdoor activities, such as goggles, ropes, whistles, flashlights, etc. On the outside of one side of the tub 12 there is a molle plate 38 with an array of perforations 40, which is also attachable to and removable from the tub. The perforated region of the molle plate may be flexible or rigid.

[0056] The tub is made of recyclable, sturdy and rigid plastic, for example. The tub 12 has two opposing side walls approximately perpendicular to two opposed end walls, a floor, and an opening opposed to the floor, defining an approximately cuboid interior with an open box structure and sides slightly sloped off-vertical. Smaller walls between the end walls and the side walls truncate the corners of the cuboid, resulting in the tub having an octagonal cross-section in the horizontal plane. The towel rack, supporting frames and lid stands are made from aluminum, although in other embodiments they are made from plastic. The towel rack and lid stands all fit inside the box when the lid is closed.

[0057] FIG. 2 is a view of the box 10 from the other side, showing the lid 14 from the its upper surface. Both the supporting frames 24 for the towel rails are shown. The outer side walls of the tub are mirror images of each other. On the visible, outer side wall of the tub 12 there is no accessory attached, revealing the formation of projections 46 that are the inverse of the lower dovetail sockets 30. Outer dovetail sockets are formed between adjacent projections 46. It is possible to attach an accessory to the outside of this visible side wall. If so, the accessory is retained in place by fasteners passing through the holes 19 in the lip 21 of the tub and the dovetail socket formed by angled walls 48, or in other embodiments the projections 46.

[0058] The spacing of the elongated holes 18 in the peripheral region of the top panel of the lid 14 is regular, so that the towel rack 26 can be attached to the lid at different heights. In some arrangements, two towel racks can be fastened to the lid,for example, one each side of the lid. Likewise, the regular spacing of the elongated holes in the lid 14 allow for the lid to be held in its vertical orientation at different heights above the tub 12. Here, the lid is shown in its higher position.

[0059] Toggle connectors 13 can pass through the elongated holes in the lid from either the top or the bottom of the lid. Detail D is shown in close-up in FIG. 3, and shows a toggle connector 13 that has been passed through elongated hole 18 and turned 90° to lock the lid stand 20 (FIG. 2) to the lid 14. Around each elongated hole 18 there is a projection 44 in the lid 14. Flexibility and spring action in the projection help to take up potential slack in the toggle connection.

[0060] FIG. 4 shows the towel rack 26 with its two supporting frames 24 and four toggle connectors 13 or fasteners. The towel rack 26 is provided as a complete assembly, as shown. In other embodiments the towel rack 26 is provided in parts, with the rails 27 being disconnected from the supporting frames 24. In this case the rails snap into slots 29 on the upper edge of the supporting rails.

[0061] FIG. 5 shows an isolated lid stand 20, also with four toggle connectors 13. Each lid stand 20 has two toggle connectors 13 or other fasteners each configured to pass through a different one of the holes 19 in the tub lip 21 and temporarily attach the lid stand to the lip 21. Each lid stand 20 also has another two toggle connectors13 or other fasteners arranged in a line perpendicular to a line between the first two toggle connectors 13 or other fasteners. When the two lid stands 20 are attached to the tub 12 and the lid 14, the lid is in a plane that is perpendicular to the lip 21 of the tub.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a side view of the box 10, with the lid 14 held vertically. The spacing of the holes 19 in the lip 21 of the tub 14 is regular, so that the lid stands 20 can be fastened in a variety of different positions along the length of the tub.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 7, a plan view of the sport kit box 10 is shown with the lid14 held vertically above the tub 12. One of the lid stands 20 is visible, as is the towel rack 26 with its supporting frames 24. At least some of the elongated holes 19 in the lip 21 of the tub 12 are equally spaced. In this embodiment, there are six equally spaced elongated holes 19 in each of the longer sides of the tub lip 21. At the ends of the tub lip, elongated holes 19A have the same separation as holes 19B. As such, the same accessory can fit on both ends of the tub. Along each of the longer sides of the tub lip there is a secondary series of elongated holes, located inwardly from the outer holes. For example, inner elongated hole 19D is located inwards from elongated hole19C. Whether the elongated holes are singular or in pairs, they are located respectively in cavities 50, 51 or recesses in the lip 21 of the tub. Also visible are the lower dovetail sockets 30 and the upper dovetail sockets 32. A pluggable drain hole 52 is present in the base of the tub 12. Ribbing 54 is present in the base of the tub for increased strength. Around each end of the tub 12, in the upper region of the tub, there is a group of notches 62, 64, 66, 68 for supporting an accessory tray, shelf or other accessory.

[0064] Now referring to FIG. 8, the accessory tray 70 is shown, with perforations 72 for draining water from any wet contents of the tray. The tray may be used, for example, for draining and drying goggles or drying a video camera or other equipment. While not necessary in all embodiments, the size, shape and pattern of the perforations 72 matches the pattern of perforations 40 in the molle plate 38 (FIG. 1 ). By matching the patterns of perforations, accessories that attach using the holes may be attached to either the molle plate or the tray. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the tray 70, with projections 82, 84, 86, 88 which fit respectively into the notches 62, 64, 66, 68 in the tub 12. The tray also fits in the notches at the other side of the tub. FIG. 10 shows a plug 100 for sealing the drain hole 52 in the tub 12 so that it is water-tight.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 11 , the lid 14 is shown detached from and aligned with the tub 12. The lip 16 of the lid 14 fits over the tub lip 21 and the outer wall 25 of the tub lip. The holes in the lid 14, within the projections 44, align with the outer holes in the tub lip 21 , which are present in the cavities 50, 51. The walls 48 are angled towards each other in the plane of the figure, so that they are closer at the top of the tub than at the bottom. The walls 48 are also angled apart so that the gap between them increases moving inwards in a horizontal plane. In this way, the walls 48 form a dovetail socket for helping to retain accessories on the outside of the tub.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 12, the molle plate 38 with its perforations 40 is shown. The molle plate is an accessory that attaches to the outside of the tub 12. The edges 110, 112 of the molle plate 38 fit between the angled walls 48 that form a dovetail socket. Accessory-side fastener portions 105 are attached to the top edge of the molle plate for fastening the molle plate to the tub. FIG. 13 shows the molle plate 38 connected to the tub-side fastener portions 112, which can be connected to the underside of the tub lip 21. Fastener portions 105 can be plugged into and removed from fastener portions 112 in order to attach and detach the molle plate to and from the tub. Together, fastener portion 112 and fastener portion 105 form a first part and a second partrespectively of a fastener 114. The fastener portion 112 or tub-side fastener is attached to the underside of the tub lip 21 by a connector plate 116. In use the connector plate is placed above one of the elongated holes (19D, FIG. 7) in the lip and is connected using a screw to the top of the fastener portion 112 or tub-side fastener. The same applies to the other molle plate fastener, the second part of which is connected to the tub lip via a different hole.

[0067] FIG. 14 is a close-up of Detail A in FIG. 11 , and shows the cavity 50 in the lip 21 of the tub where the elongated holes are located. The cavity 50 extends to the outer wall 25 of the tub lip. The holes 18 in the lid, the holes 19 in the lip 21 of the tub, the bump-outs 22 (FIG. 1 ) around the lid and the cavities 50, 51 are positioned relative to each other so that, when the tub is outside in the rain, rainwater passes through the aligned holes and / or drips off the edges of the cavities, and does not enter the tub.

[0068] FIG. 15 shows the accessory box 36 for attaching temporarily to either of the outer ends of the tub 12. Here, the accessory-side fastener portions 105 are shown. In FIG. 16, the accessory box 36 is shown with the full set of connection components for attaching the accessory box to the tub. One set of connection components includes the connector plate 116, screw 118 and fastener 114. The fastener 114 includes a first fastener portion 112 and a second fastener portion 105. FIG. 17 shows the tub-side fastener portion 112, at the top of which is a block 120 in which a threaded hole 122 is formed. The tub-side fastener portion 112 is or may be equivalent to a connector for an adjustable backpack strap system. FIG. 18 is a front view of the tub-side fastener portion 112. FIG. 19 is the connector plate 116 with countersunk hole 119 for accepting a screw 118 that connects the connector plate to the tub-side fastener portion 112. Underneath the connector plate 116 is a block 124 defining a complementary cavity 126 into which the block 120 of the tub-side fastener portion 112 fits. FIG. 20 is a close-up of one set of connection components assembled together, including the connector plate 116, screw 118, first fastener portion 112 and second fastener portion 105.

[0069] FIG. 21 shows the tub 12 without its lid, with an accessory box 36 attached at one end of the tub and a larger accessory box 130 attached to one side of the tub. FIG. 22 shows the larger accessory box 130 with full sets 132 of assembled connection components for attaching it to the tub.

[0070] FIG. 23 is a close-up of Detail B in FIG. 21 , showing a small projection or snap 140 on the bottom region of the projection 142 at the corner of the tub 12. Similarsnaps are present projecting inwards at the bottom of the other three corners of the tub. The snaps serve to impermanently retain a sub-floor at the bottom of the tub.

[0071] FIG. 24 shows a fan module 150 for location in the bottom of the tub. The air intake for the fan module is at the top, through pairs of grilles 152, 154 and / or filters. The outlet for the air from the fan module is underneath the pillars 156 of the fan module. FIG. 25 is a view of the other side of the fan module. The fan module has two fans inside, one at each side. A battery is also included inside the fan module for powering the fans, and optionally an air heater is included to heat the air passing through the fan module. In other embodiments, the fan module has just one fan and is smaller, using just one pillar. In some embodiments the fan has a car or power supply plug-in option.

[0072] FIG. 26 shows the sub-floor 160 which has perforations 162 in its upper plate 164 or surface for draining water from the contents of the tub. Small projections or snaps 170 at each of the corner of the sub-floor engage with the snaps 140 in the corners of the tub, all the snaps together forming snap fittings that retain the sub-floor in place at the bottom of the tub. This is useful for when the tub is placed on its side or upside-down. Two larger holes 174, 176 are defined in the upper surface of the subfloor. These holes 174, 176 are for the intake of forced air that is driven in by the fan module 150. If the fan module is smaller and needs only one hole 174, 176, then the other hole is plugged. The holes 174, 176 lead into a space under the upper plate 164 of the sub-floor 160. The space under the upper plate 164 of the sub-floor 160 leads to ports 178 along the sides of the sub-floor. The forced air exits the space under the upper plate through the ports 178 and also through the perforation holes 162 in the upper plate. FIG. 27 shows a flexible silicone floor liner 180 for laying inside and at the bottom of the tub. When the sub-floor 160 is fastened into the bottom of the tub, over the floor liner, it compresses the floor liner which acts as a gasket, creating an air-tight seal along the perimeter of the sub-floor. Drain hole 181 lines up with the drain hole 52 (FIG. 7) in the bottom of the tub. While not necessary in all embodiments, the size, shape and pattern of the perforations 162 matches the pattern of perforations 40 in the molle plate 38 (FIG. 1 ). By matching the patterns of perforations, accessories that attach using the holes may be interchangeably attached to either the molle plate, the sub-floor or the tray 70 (FIG. 8).

[0073] FIG. 28 shows an assembly of components as they would be when installed in the bottom of the tub. The sub-floor 160 is positioned on the floor liner 180. Eightclothing accessory holders or drying holders 182 are positioned four each side of the sub-floor, each one aligned with a port 178 of the sub-floor. The drying holders 182 are hollow, having a duct to allow air to pass into them at the bottom through a hole that aligns with a port 178. At the top of each holder there is a perforated region 184 through which the air escapes from the holder. Booties and gloves, for example, may be placed over the drying holders 182 for drying. The fan module 150 is placed on the sub-floor 160, with its pillars 156 located over the holes 174, 176 in the sub-floor. Dovetail connectors 186 are present at the bottom ends of the drying holders 182, projecting outwards from the lower portion of the holder. These dovetail connectors 186 engage with the lower portions the dovetail sockets 30 (FIG. 1) formed in the middle to lower interior region of the side walls of the tub. The dovetail connectors also engage with the upper dovetail sockets 32 in the interior, upper side walls of the tub. The inward facing, lower portion of a drying holder 182 is shown in FIG. 29. At the bottom of the drying holder 182 there is an opening 188 that aligns with any one of the ports 178 in the sides of the sub-floor 160. A clip 190 or other moulded snap feature on the inner side of the drying holder 182 engages with the upper plate of the sub-floor 160 to retain the holder in position, forming an air channel from the sub-floor to the top of the holder.

[0074] FIG. 30 shows a top view of the assembly of FIG. 28 and FIG. 31 is a side view of the same assembly. Visible in both are the sub-floor 160 with snaps 170, the floor liner 180, eight drying holders 182 and their dovetail connectors 186, and the fan module 150. FIG. 32 is a view of the same assembly positioned in the tub 12, showing the height of the drying holders 182 matching the height of the tub. The fan is used with the tub open. When the tub is closed, the fan module 150 is held down by the tray 70, and the tray is held down when the lid 14 is locked in place.

[0075] FIG. 33 is the sport kit box 10 with the lid 14 closed over the tub 12. In some embodiments, the closed lid 14 contacts the tops of the drying holders and helps to retain them in place. Present in the lid 14 are interior lips 200 that project inwards from the ends and sides of the tub, overhanging a central region of the lid. These interior lips allow for a change mat to be clipped onto the central region of the lid. Alternately, a solar panel accessory is also able to be clipped into the lid. If a solar panel accessory is used, a cable with optional charger is provided to connect it to the fan module for charging the battery or for powering the fan(s).

[0076] FIG. 34 is a close-up of a cavity 50 in which one elongated hole 19 is located in the tub lip. FIG. 35 is a close-up of a cavity 51 in which two elongated holes are located, the inner one having a connector plate 116 positioned over and into it for connection to a fastener. FIG. 36 is a close-up showing the interior of the tub at one of the handles 210. The profile 212 of the wall of the tub that curves inwards to form the handle has a convex form when viewed from above so that water drips down from it without pooling.

[0077] FIG. 37 is a view of the sport kit box, closed, and with carrying straps attached to the ends of the tub. The straps are attached to the tub with the same fastening system as the end accessory box. The two straps are connected to each other with a cross strap to form an H-shape strap.

[0078] FIG. 38 is a view of the sport kit box without its lid, showing the drain plug in position in the drain hole.Variations

[0079] In other embodiments, other shapes of projections are used on the interior walls of the tub for retaining the accessories. While drying holders have been shown with a vertical form, other shapes are used in other embodiments, such as T-shaped, V-shaped or F-shaped.

[0080] In other embodiments the accessory boxes for the outside of the tub are lockable and / or have perforated walls. In some embodiments they are first aid kits, or lamps. In some embodiments they are charging points for personal electronic communication devices, watches or other electronic devices.

[0081] In some embodiments, the number of holes is less than in the above embodiments.

[0082] In some embodiments, the holes 18, 19 are oval, square, rectangular, circular, slots or another shape, and the fasteners are configured to match. The fasteners may be other than toggles in other embodiments, such as screws. In other embodiments, different types of fasteners, such as catches, hooks and screws are used for attaching accessories under the lip of the tub.

[0083] In other embodiments, the towel rack is configured to attach directly to the lip of the tub. In some embodiments other frame shapes, sizes and number of components are possible.

[0084] In some embodiments, the tub floor is sloped downwards toward the drain hole to assist with drainage of pooled water from the bottom of the tub.

[0085] In some embodiments, the snaps on either the sub-floor or the bottom of the tub corners are replaced with a depression in which the corresponding snap mates. In yet other embodiments, the sub-floor is held in the tub with a different arrangement of temporary fittings.

[0086] In other embodiments, one or more of the described features are omitted, while still allowing for drying accessories to be interchangeably and temporarily attached to the tub.

[0087] The sport kit box may be used for purposes other than sports, such as for camping, search and rescue operations and emergencies, for example.

[0088] Throughout the description, specific details have been set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, the invention may be used without these particulars. In other instances, well-known elements have not been shown or described in detail, and repetitions of steps and features have been omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Accordingly, the specifications and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

[0089] It will be clear to one having skill in the art that further variations to the specific details disclosed herein can be made, resulting in other embodiments that are within the scope of the invention disclosed. All parameters, proportions, materials, positions, quantities and configurations described herein are examples only and may be changed depending on the specific embodiment.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sport kit box comprising: a tub having a lip extending outwards from an upper opening thereof; and a lid that fits over the lip to close the tub; wherein the lip has a plurality of first holes passing vertically therethrough when the tub is oriented with the upper opening horizontal.

2. The sport kit box of claim 1 , wherein: there are at least four first holes; and a distance between an adjacent two of the first holes is equal to a distance between another adjacent two of the first holes.

3. The sport kit box of claim 1 , wherein: at least two of the first holes are at one end of the lip; at least another two of the first holes are at another end of the lip; at least another four of the first holes are at one side of the lip; and at least another four of the first holes are at another side of the lip.

4. The sport kit box of claim 1 , wherein the lid has multiple second holes in a top panel thereof, each of the second holes located in a peripheral region of the top panel that sits above the lip when the lid closes the tub.

5. The sport kit box of claim 4, wherein: at least four of the second holes are at one side of the top panel; at least another four of the second holes are at another side of the top panel.

6. The sport kit box of claim 4 wherein the first holes align with the second holes when the lid closes the tub.

7. The sport kit box of claim 4, wherein an outer surface of the lid comprises a projection around each second hole.

8. The sport kit box of claim 4, further comprising two lid stands, wherein each lid stand has: two first fasteners each configured to pass through a different one of the first holes and temporarily attach the lid stand to the lip; and two second fasteners arranged in a line perpendicular to another line between the two first fasteners, each second fastener configured to pass through a different one of the second holes and temporarily attach the lid stand to the lid; wherein, when the two lid stands are attached to the tub and the lid, the lid is in a plane that is perpendicular to the lip.

9. The sport kit box of claim 8, wherein there are sufficient second holes to attach the lid at two or more different heights above the tub.

10. The sport kit box of claim 8, further comprising a rack that has four third fasteners each configured to pass through a different unoccupied one of the second holes to temporarily attach the rack to the lid.11 . The sport kit box of claim 10, wherein there are sufficient second holes to attach the rack to the lid in at least two different positions.

12. The sport kit box of claim 10, wherein: the first holes and the second holes are identical slots; and the first, second and third fasteners are identical toggles.

13. The sport kit box of claim 1 , wherein the lip has a cavity around each first hole.

14. The sport kit box of claim 13, wherein: there is a pair of the first holes in each of at least some of the cavities; and one first hole of the pair is located inwardly on the lip from the other first hole of the pair.

15. The sport kit box of claim 1 , further comprising: a first part of each of at least two fasteners, each first part attached to the lip at a different one of the first holes; and an accessory that has a second part of each of the at least two fasteners; wherein the accessory is connectable to the lip by the at least two fasteners.

16. The sport kit box of claim 15, wherein a wall of the tub is profiled to form a dovetail socket in which the accessory is held when connected to the lip.

17. The sport kit box of claim 16, wherein the accessory is a box or a molle plate.

18. The sport kit box of claim 1 , wherein an inner wall of the tub comprises at least two projections, wherein an adjacent two of said at least two projections define a dovetail socket therebetween.

19. The sport kit box of claim 18, wherein the inner wall comprises multiple indentations each having a profile identical to a portion of the dovetail socket, the indentations located higher in the inner wall than the projections.

20. The sport kit box of claim 1 , further comprising: a floor liner positioned on a floor of the tub; a sub-floor positioned on the floor liner, the sub-floor having: perforations in an upper plate thereof that are in fluid communication with multiple ports along two opposing sides of the sub-floor; and one or more inlet holes in the upper plate; snap fittings that impermanently retain the sub-floor in the tub so that the subfloor seals the floor liner to the floor of the tub; a fan module that fits over the one or more inlet holes; and multiple drying accessories that each engage with one of the ports, each having a duct that leads from the port to further perforations; wherein the fan module is configured to force air through the inlet holes, out through the perforations and out through the further perforations.21 . The sport kit box of claim 1 , further comprising: multiple notches formed in an upper region of two or more interior walls of the tub; and a tray having multiple projections that each fit in a different one of the notches.

22. The sport kit box of claim 1 , wherein a top surface of the lid comprises two or more further lips projecting inwards and overhanging a central area of the top surface.

23. The sport kit box of claim 1 further comprising a drain plug, wherein a floor of the tub has a drain hole that the drain plug seals.

24. The sport kit box of claim 1 , wherein a portion of a wall of the tub that curves inwards to form a handle has a convex form when viewed from above.

25. The sport kit box of claim 1 , wherein the lid comprises multiple bump-outs around a periphery thereof.

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