Apparatus and Methods for Transporting, Storing and Airing Equipment

Abstract

An apparatus for transporting, storing and airing equipment is provided having a container and a support structure. The container is defined by a plurality sides of least one of which is movable to provide access to all of or a portion of an interior of the container. Equipment can be releasably attached to the interior via an organized array of attachments disposed along an interior surface of one or more side. The support structure can elevate a side of the container thereby disposing the container at an angle relative to a support floor. In that position, the container can be maintained in an open configuration allowing an air flow to pass over and/or through the equipment for airing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Those and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description below, in which reference is made to the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of a transportation, storage and airing container and support structure according to the invention that has a rigid body;

FIG. 2 is the container of FIG. 1 with the support structure deployed elevating the container at an angle relative to a support floor with the container in an opened configuration for airing of equipment;

FIG. 3 is the container of FIG. 1 showing a single-piece manufacture having sides in a flat configuration;

FIG. 4 is the single-piece manufacture of FIG. 3 having attachments arranged along surfaces of sides of the container;

FIG. 5 is the single piece manufacture of FIG. 3 with attachments of FIG. 4 populated with equipment; and

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a hinge assembly suitable for maintaining a container in an open configuration.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transporting, storing and airing equipment comprising: a. a container having an interior defined by one or more sides, each side having an interior surface and an exterior surface, at least side being substantially rigid, and at least one side being movable to provide an opening to a portion of the container interior;b. one or more attachments that releasably secure equipment, the attachments arranged along an interior surface of at least one side and arranged corresponding to a size and shape and use of the equipment to be releasably secured by the one or more of the attachments; andc. a support structure, the support structure elevates an end of the container such that the container is disposed at an angle relative to a support floor, whereby the openings provide passage for an air flow to pass over and around the equipment secured in the container interior.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the sides are substantially rigid.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising fasteners, each fastener releasably coupling a side to an adjacent side.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the fasteners consist of any of the group of zippers, snaps, hook/look arrangements and Velcro.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support structure further comprises an elongated structure having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end coupled to an exterior surface of a side and the distal end adapted to rest on the support floor, the elongated structure pivots at its proximal end with respect to the side and the distal end rests on the support floor, whereby the container is disposed at an elevated angle relative to the support floor.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the elongated structure is a bi-pod structure.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a fan assembly that provides an air flow into the container interior.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a power source coupled to the fan assembly, the power source consisting of any of the group of batteries, solar cells, A/C household current, and D/C current.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the power source is integrated into the container.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more wheels and a pull-handle, the wheels disposed at one end of the container along an axis, and the pull-handle disposed on an opposing end of the container whereby pulling on the pull-handle causes container roll along on the wheels.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a hinge assembly couples to one or more sides of the container, the hinge assembly disposing one or more sides in an open position.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the hinge assembly has support structures and hinges disposed between the structures, the hinges rotate adjacent structures relative to each other, the hinges have stops such that a structure is rotated at a stationary angle relative to its adjacent structure.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container is a sporting bag.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachments are arranged corresponding to ice-hockey equipment.

15. A method for using an apparatus for transporting, storing and airing equipment comprising: a. obtaining at a first location an apparatus having a container and a support structure, the container having an interior defined by one or more sides, each side having an interior surface and an exterior surface, at least one side being movable to provide an opening into a portion of the container interior, at least one side having one or more attachments along its interior surface, the attachments arranged to correspond to equipment stored in the container interior, the attachments releasably securing the equipment;b. releasably securing one or more pieces of equipment to the attachments;c. transporting the container to a second location;d. moving at least one side to provide an opening to a portion of the container interior;e. removing one or more pieces of the equipment;f. using the one or more pieces of equipment;g. releasably securing the equipment used to the attachments;h. deploying the support structure, the support structure elevating an end of the container relative to a support floor, whereby the container is disposed at an angle relative to the support floor; andi. moving one or more sides providing one or more openings into the container, whereby an air flow can pass over and through the equipment secured in the container.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: a. removing a portion of the equipment at the second location;b. transporting the container to a third location; andc. removing a further portion of the equipment at the third location.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising activating a fan to provide the airflow.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising arranging the fasteners according to a size, shape, weight and use of the equipment.