US20070284980A1

US20070284980A1 - Outdoor desk and document storage cabinet

Info

Publication number: US20070284980A1
Application number: US11/451,226
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert J. Peters; James R. Hopkins
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-06-12
Filing date: 2006-06-12
Publication date: 2007-12-13

Abstract

An outdoor desk and document storage cabinet for use at a construction site to selectively provide a writing surface or to shield documents from the elements comprising a cabinet cover including at least one document retaining device to be attached to a post, wall or other support structure and a desk top including a writing surface movable between a storage position and a writing position such that when the desk top is in the storage position the desk top and cabinet cover cooperatively form a document storage compartment to isolate documents disposed therein from the elements and when the desk top is in the writing position the writing surface is accessible to provide a stable desk-like writing surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
Outdoor desk and document storage cabinet for use at construction sites.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various cabinets and storage cases have been designed to protect documents and other papers from the elements at construction sites. Numerous prior art examples illustrate such designs.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,786 shows a weather resistant, ventilated case for storing and displaying messages, papers, and diverse articles in an exterior location such as a construction site. The case comprises a base, a cover, a hinge connecting base and cover, and a latch for securing the cover in a closed position. In addition, the latch can be formed as resilient components urging the cover into the closed position. The cover has a transparent portion for displaying objects stored within, such as notices posted on an information display such as tack board, peg board, chalk board, marker board, or the like. The interior includes a pocket disposed upon the rear surface of the cover, a pen and pencil holder, and a prismatic recess formed in the base, for storing rolled papers. A tab projecting from the base maintains the rolled papers upright. The cover forms a recess for grasping the cover. A slot located in a protected, downwardly facing surface enables insertion of papers into the case. The rear of the case has notches disposed to cooperate with a mounting post of square cut lumber. The notches are configured to accept the mounting post in either one of two orientations each perpendicular to the other, and to present a flat rear surface for enabling the case to be flush mounted on a flat environmental surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,492 discloses a receptacle device comprising a tapered container having an opening and a cover pivotally attached to the opening in such a manner that the cover opens free of the opening so that a series of containers can be nested one within another without interference with the attachment of the covers and secondarily allowing easy placement and removal of sacks, bags or liner inserts.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,440 relates to an assembly having an interior enclosure formed by a back frame having a U-shaped curl at each outer edge of its top and bottom sides. A four sided hinged cover engages flush with the bottom of each U-shaped curl to prevent water access to the interior of the assembly. A display is presented on a tack board mounted in the interior of the enclosure along with a pocket panel to enclose miscellaneous papers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,806 shows a refuse container has a two-position lid. The two positions are achieved by means of a J-shaped slot in a lid hinge. The slot receives a horizontal shaft supported in the container body. In the first open position, gravity acts on the lid such that the shaft is at one end of the slot, and the lid hinge abuts a pad on the container body for maintaining the lid at an angle of approximately 105 degrees from a horizontal closed position. To pivot the lid to the second open position, the lid is lifted such that the slot slides over the shaft until the hinge clears the container body pad, at which point the lid is pivotable to approximately 270 degrees with respect to the horizontal closed position.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,778 describes a weatherized posting board assembly having a back frame and front cover of unitary construction, the interior surfaces of the back frame and front cover defining an enclosure within which documents or the like may be posted on a removable posting board. The front cover is hingedly attached to the back frame by a pair of hinge pins having a plurality of compressible ribs. The front cover includes a recess sized to receive a locking mechanism, the recess serving to inhibit tampering with the lock as well as protect the lock from the effects of the elements. The interior sidewalls of the back frame include a plurality of snap projections for releasable locking engagement with the edges of the posting board. A rectangular mounting brace projects from the rear exterior surface of the back frame generally adjacent to the perimeter of the rear surface. The mounting brace is adaptable for connection to either a post or any convenient vertical surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,851 shows a weather resistant case for displaying construction permits and the like. The case has a base member and a door hinged to the base member. A tack board mounted to the rear wall of the base member supports documents being displayed. The door has a transparent window for viewing the documents. Novel features include a cylindrical internal cavity cooperatively formed between the cover and base members for holding rolled up drawings, a slot for insertion of mail or written messages, pull down latches for securing the cover, a lock for the cover, a document holder located on the inside of the cover, an external rear recess configured to steady the display case against and mount the display case on a four inch by four inch post, and a frontal area protected by being recessed, for posting notes or writing messages with ink markers. The cover hinge is a piano hinge embedded in both the cover and the base. This feature renders the cover inseparable from the base, and decreases likelihood of water penetration to the interior of the case. The display case is preferably formed by injection molding from synthetic resin, therefore being light in weight, weather resistant, and easily formed to include the above features.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,573 discloses a light weight, weather resistant document case which may be economically formed as a single piece by either vacuum forming or injection molding and shipped, in mass, in a nested configuration for final, simple assembly by the consumer. Due to the economies of production and shipping, the inventive document case, while relatively durable, may be considered disposable and recyclable. The document case has a top cover and a bottom housing which matingly engages with one another by protruding notches and a corresponding recess. The protruding notches are arranged and configured such that draining recesses are formed when the document case is in a closed state. Specialized graphic and/or textual displays may be molded, printed, or adhered to the case.
Additional examples of the prior art are found in U.S. Pat. No. 851,357; U.S. Pat. No. 1,453,658; U.S. Pat. No. 1,471,481; U.S. Pat. No. 1,487,433; U.S. Pat. No. 1,537,899; U.S. Pat. No. 1,573,264; U.S. Pat. No. 1,827,929; U.S. Pat. No. 2,110,128; U.S. Pat. No. 2,127,170; U.S. Pat. No. 2,315,158; U.S. Pat. No. 3,042,192; U.S. Pat. No. 3,314,739; U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,803; U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,344; U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,691; U.S. Pat. No. 4,304,447; U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,590; U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,543; U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,944; U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,241; U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,721 and U.S. 2003/0234599.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an outdoor desk and storage cabinet comprising a cabinet cover and a desk top movable coupled or attached thereto for use at a construction site to selectively provide a writing surface when open or shield documents from the elements when closed.
The cabinet cover comprises a cover panel having a peripheral flange comprising a pair of side peripheral flange, a top peripheral flange section and a bottom peripheral flange section. A plurality of document retaining devices is disposed on the interior surface of the cover panel. A desk top stop extends outwardly from the lower portion of the cover panel to limit the movement of the desk top when in the open or deployed position.
The desk top comprises a desk top panel having a peripheral flange comprising a pair of side peripheral flange sections, an inner peripheral flange section and an outer peripheral flange section. A desk structure is disposed on the interior surface of the desk top panel.
A desk top limit extends outwardly from the inner peripheral flange section to engage the corresponding desk top stop to limit the pivotal movement of the desk top relative to the cabinet cover when the desk top is pivotally opened to the deployed position.
To use, the cabinet cover maybe secured to the post by a plurality of fasteners such as screws or nut and bolt combinations. When the outdoor desk and storage cabinet is in use as a storage cabinet, the cabinet cover and the desk top may be held closed by a latch or similar structure to protect documents stored therein from the elements. On the other hand, when the outdoor desk and storage cabinet is to be used as a writing surface, the desk top is rotated outwardly away from the cabinet cover and the post until each desk top limit member engages the correspondingly desk top stop member to support the desk top in a substantially horizontal position allowing a person to use the substantially flat writing member or surface as a support to write on.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of the present invention secured to a post support.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of the present invention secured to a post support.

FIG. 3 is an inside front view of the cabinet cover of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an inside top view of the desk top of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an outside front view of the desk top of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an outside rear view of the cabinet cover of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of the present invention secured to a post support.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of al alternate embodiment of a combination outdoor desk and document storage cabinet and support.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the alternate embodiment of a combination outdoor desk and document storage cabinet and support of FIG. 8.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present invention relates to an outdoor desk and storage cabinet generally indicated as 10 for use at a construction site to selectively provide a writing surface when open or shield documents from the elements when closed. The outdoor desk and storage cabinet 10 comprises a cabinet cover generally indicated as 12 and a desk top generally indicated as 14 movably coupled or attached thereto.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cabinet cover 12 comprises a substantially flat cover panel 16 having a peripheral flange formed about the outer peripheral edge 18 of the substantially flat cover panel 16. The peripheral flange comprises a pair of side peripheral flange sections each indicated as 20, a top peripheral flange section 22 and a bottom peripheral flange section 24 disposed at substantially right angles to the substantially flat cover panel 16.
As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a plurality of document retaining devices is disposed on the interior surface 26 of the substantially flat cover panel 16. Specifically, the plurality of document retaining devices comprises at least one clip member 28 pivotally coupled to the interior surface 26 of the substantially flat cover panel 16 to selectively attach notes, permits or other documents to the interior surface 26 of the substantially flat cover panel 16 and at least one compartment 30 extending outwardly from the interior surface 26 of the substantially flat cover panel 16 to store documents in the interior 32 thereof.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, a pair of substantially parallel members each indicated as 34 extend outwardly from the exterior surface 36 of the substantially flat cover panel 16 to cooperatively form a channel or recess 38 to receive a post 40 therebetween for mounting thereon. Of course, the outdoor desk and document storage cabinet 10 may be attached or mounted to a wall or other support structure.
A plurality of substantially horizontal and vertical reinforcing ribs each indicated as 42 extend outwardly from the exterior surface 36 of the substantially flat cover panel 16.
A desk top stop comprising a pair of desk top stop members each indicated as 44 extend outwardly from the lower portion of the exterior surface 36 of the substantially flat cover panel 16 in substantially parallel relationship relative to the lower peripheral edge 18 to limit the movement of the desk top 14 when in the open or deployed position as described hereinafter. A mounting pin or member 46 extends outwardly from the lower portion of each side peripheral flange section 20 of the cabinet cover 12 to pivotally couple the cabinet cover 12 to the desk top 14 as described hereinafter.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the desk top 14 comprises a substantially flat desk top panel 48 having a peripheral flange formed about the outer peripheral edge 50 of the substantially flat desk top panel 48. The peripheral flange comprises a pair of side peripheral flange sections each indicated as 52, an inner peripheral flange section 54 and an outer peripheral flange section 56 disposed at substantially right angles to the substantially flat desk top panel 48.
As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, a desk structure generally indicated as 58 is disposed on the interior surface 60 of the substantially flat desk top panel 48. The desk structure 58 comprises a substantially flat writing member or surface 62 held in spaced relationship relative to the substantially flat desk top panel 48 by a pair of side writing surface supports each indicated as 64 disposed on opposite side portions thereof. A rear wall or partition 66 may extend between the rear portions of the substantially flat writing member or surface 62 and the side writing surface supports 64 to cooperatively form a drawer-like storage compartment 68 with the substantially flat desk top panel 48. A pair mounting aperture 70 is formed through the inner portion of each side peripheral flange section 52 of the desk top 14.
As best shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, a desk top limit comprising a pair of desk top limit members each indicated as 72 extend outwardly from the exterior surface 73 of the inner peripheral flange section 54 to engage a corresponding cover stop member 44 of the desk top stop to limit the pivotal movement of the desk top 14 relative to the cabinet cover 12 when the desk top 14 is pivotally opened to the deployed position such that the substantially flat desk panel 48 is disposed at a substantially right angle to the substantially flat cover panel 16.
As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of indicia of predetermined categories each indicated as 74 and a corresponding plurality of designated areas or spaces each indicated as 76 are disposed on the exterior surface 78 of the substantially flat desk top panel 48 such that particularized information or data for a particular construction site may be placed on the exterior surface of the substantially flat desk top panel 48 in the appropriate designated area or space 76 adjacent the corresponding indicia of predetermined category 74.
As best shown in FIG. 1, an interior desk top limit comprising a flexible element 80 such as a chain is coupled to opposite side portions of the outdoor desk and document storage cabinet 10 to limit the pivotal movement of the desk top 14 relative to the cabinet cover 12 when the desk top 14 is pivotally opened to the deployed position. Specifically, opposite end portions 82 of each flexible element or chain 80 are coupled between the upper end portion of the side peripheral flange section 20 and the outer end portion of the corresponding side peripheral flange section 52 on the same side of the outdoor desk and document storage cabinet 10.
To use, the cabinet cover 12 maybe secured to the post 40 in a substantially vertical disposition by a plurality of fasteners such as screws or nut and bolt combinations each indicated as 84. When the outdoor desk and storage cabinet 10 is in use as a storage cabinet, the cabinet cover 12 and the desk top 14 may be held closed by a latch or similar structure (not shown) to protect documents stored therein from the elements. On the other hand, when the outdoor desk and storage cabinet 10 is to be used as a writing surface, the desk top 14 is rotated outwardly away from the cabinet cover 12 and the post 40 until each desk top limit member 72 engages the correspondingly desk top stop member 44 to support the desk top 14 in a substantially horizontal position allowing a person to use the substantially flat writing member or surface 62 as a support to write on. At the same time, the flexible elements 80 are taut to stabilize the front of the desk top 14 against downward movement when force is applied or placed on the desk top 14.
FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment with similar elements similarity designated. As shown, a plurality of document retaining devices is disposed on the interior surface 26 of the substantially flat cover panel 16. Specifically, the plurality of document retaining devices comprises at least one clip member 28 pivotally coupled to the interior surface 26 of the substantially flat cover panel 16 to selectively attach notes, permits or other documents to the interior surface 26 of the substantially flat cover panel 16 and at least one compartment 31 comprising a flexible, resilient mesh attached to the interior surface 26 of the substantially flat cover panel 16 to store documents in the interior 32 thereof.
FIG. 8 shows a combination outdoor desk and storage cabinet 10 and a support generally indicated as 86 otherwise similar to the outdoor desk and storage cabinet 10 show in FIG. 1. The support 86 comprises a pair of elongated support members each indicated as 88 held in substantially parallel fixed spaced relationship relative to each other by at least one cross-support member 90. The upper portion of the elongated support members 88 are attached to the exterior surface 36 of the substantially flat cover panel 16 to stabilize the outdoor desk and storage cabinet 10.
As best shown in FIG. 9, the support 86 is detachably coupled to the combination outdoor desk and storage cabinet 10 by an attachment structure comprising a pair of collars or hollow sleeves or tubes each indicated as 96 attached to the exterior surface 36 of the substantially flat cover panel 16 on opposite sides of the lateral center line thereof to stabilize the combination outdoor desk and storage cabinet 10 when the upper portion of each elongated support members 88 is inserted into the corresponding collar, hollow sleeve or tube 96. The lower portion 98 of each collar or hollow sleeve or tube 96 extends below the substantially flat cover panel 16 to engage the inner peripheral flange section 54 to limit the movement of the desk top 14 relative to the cabinet cover 12 when the combination outdoor desk and storage cabinet 10 is in the open position.
It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description are efficiently attained and since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
Now that the invention has been described,

Claims

1. An outdoor desk and document storage cabinet for use at a construction site to selectively provide a writing surface or to shield documents from the elements comprising a cabinet cover including an interior surface having at least one document retaining device and a desk top including a writing surface movable between a storage position and a writing position such that when said desk top is in the storage position said desk top and said cabinet cover cooperatively form a document storage compartment to isolate documents disposed therein from the elements and when said desk top is in the writing position said writing surface is accessible to provide a stable desk-like writing surface.

2. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 1 wherein said cabinet cover comprises a cover panel including an interior surface having a peripheral flange formed about the outer periphery thereof and said desk top comprises a desk top panel having a peripheral flange formed about the periphery thereof.

3. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 2 wherein said peripheral flange of said cabinet cover comprises a pair of side peripheral flange sections, a top peripheral flange section and a bottom peripheral flange section; and said peripheral flange of said desk top comprises a pair of side peripheral flange sections, an inner peripheral flange section and an outer peripheral flange section.

4. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 2 further including a desk top stop comprises at least one desk top stop member extending outwardly from said cabinet cover and a desk top limit comprising at least one top limit member extending outwardly from engage said desk top stop member to limit movement of said desk top relative to said cabinet cover when said desk top is in the open or deployed position.

5. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 2 wherein a plurality of documents retaining devices is disposed on said interior surface cover panel.

6. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 5 wherein said plurality of document retaining devices comprises at least one clip member pivotally coupled to the interior surface of said cover panel to selectively attach notes, permits or other documents to the interior surface of said cover panel.

7. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 6 wherein said plurality of document retaining devices further includes at least one compartment extending outwardly from the interior surface of said cover panel to store documents in the interior thereof.

8. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 2 wherein document retaining devices comprises at least one compartment extending outwardly from said interior surface of said cover panel to store documents in the interior thereof.

9. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 2 wherein said desk top panel includes an interior surface having a desk structure including said writing surface disposed thereon.

10. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 9 wherein said desk structure comprises a substantially flat writing member held in spaced relationship relative to said desk top panel by a pair of side writing surface supports disposed on opposite side portions thereto.

11. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 10 wherein a rear wall extends between the rear portion of said flat writing member and said side writing surface supports to cooperatively form a drawer-like storage compartment with said desk top panel.

12. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 4 further includes an interior desk top limit comprising a flexible element coupled to opposite side portions of said outdoor desk and document storage cabinet to limit the pivotal movement of said desk top relative to said cabinet cover when said desk top is pivotally opened to the deployed position.

13. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 12 wherein opposite end portions of each flexible element are coupled between the upper end portion of the side peripheral flange section and the outer end portion of the corresponding side peripheral flange section on the same side of said outdoor desk and document storage cabinet.

14. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 2 further includes an interior desk top limit comprising a flexible element coupled to opposite side portions of said outdoor desk and document storage cabinet to limit the pivotal movement of said desk top relative to said cabinet cover when said desk top is pivotally opened to the deployed position.

15. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 2 further including a mounting pin extending outwardly from opposite sides of said peripheral flange of said cabinet cover and a mounting aperture formed through opposite sides of said peripheral flange of said desk top to pivotally couple said cabinet cover to said desk top.

16. An outdoor desk and document storage cabinet for use at a construction site to selectively provide a writing surface or to shield documents from the elements comprising a cabinet cover including a cover panel having an interior surface having at least one document retaining device and a desk top including a writing surface movable between a storage position and a writing position such that when said desk top is in the storage position said desk top and said cabinet cover cooperatively form a document storage compartment to isolate documents disposed therein from the elements and when said desk top is in the writing position said writing surface is accessible to provide a stable desk-like writing surface, said cabinet cover comprising a cover panel having a peripheral flange formed about the outer periphery thereof and said desk top comprises a desk top panel having a peripheral flange formed about the periphery thereof, said peripheral flange of said cabinet cover comprises a pair of side peripheral flange sections, a top peripheral flange section and a bottom peripheral flange section, and said peripheral flange of said desk top comprises a pair of side peripheral flange sections, an inner peripheral flange section and an outer peripheral flange section, said outdoor desk and document storage cabinet further including, a desk top stop comprising a pair of desk top stop members extending outwardly from the lower portion of the exterior surface of said cover panel in substantially parallel relationship relative to the lower peripheral cabinet cover, and a desk top limit comprising a pair of desk top limit members extending outwardly from the exterior surface of the inner peripheral to engage a corresponding cover stop member of said desk top stop to limit the pivotal movement of said desk top relative to the cabinet cover when said desk top is pivotally opened to the deployed position.

17. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 16 further including a support to hold said cabinet cover and said desk top above the ground or other supporting surface.

18. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 17 wherein said support comprises a pair of elongated support member held in spaced relationship relative to each other by at least one cross-support member.

19. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 18 where the upper portion of each said elongated support member is attached to said cabinet cover.

20. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 1 further including a support to hold said cabinet cover and said desk top above the ground or other supporting surface.

21. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 18 wherein said support comprises a pair of elongated support member held in spaced relationship relative to each other by at least one cross-support member.

22. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 19 where the upper portion of each said elongated support member is attached to said cabinet cover.

23. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 6 wherein said plurality of document retaining devices further includes at least one compartment comprising a flexible resilient mesh attached to said interior surface of said cover panel to store documents in the interior thereof.

24. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 21 wherein said support is detachably coupled to said outdoor desk and storage cabinet.

25. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 24 wherein said support is coupled to said outdoor desk and document storage cabinet by an attachment structure comprising at least one collar attached to said cabinet cover.

26. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 25 wherein said attachment structure comprises a pair of collars on opposite sides of the lateral center line of said cabinet cover to stabilize said outdoor desk and storage cabinet when the upper portion of each said elongated support member is inserted into a corresponding collar.

27. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 24 wherein said support is coupled to said outdoor desk and document storage cabinet by an attachment structure comprising at least one collar attached to said cabinet cover.

28. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 27 wherein said attachment structure comprises a pair of collars on opposite sides of the lateral center line of said cabinet cover to stabilize said outdoor desk and storage cabinet when the upper portion of each said elongated support member is inserted into a corresponding collar.

29. The outdoor desk and document storage cabinet of claim 28 wherein the lower portion of each said hollow sleeve extends below said cabinet cover to engage said desk top to limit the movement of said desk top relative to said cabinet cover when said outdoor desk and storage cabinet is in said open position.