CONTAINER, ASSEMBLIES, AND METHODS FOR OPERATING THE SAME

Abstract

A container is disclosed. The container includes a base portion and a support portion removably-connected to the base portion. Each of the base portion and the support portion includes a plurality of panels and members. Some of the plurality of panels and members of the base portion forms at least one cavity. The at least one cavity defines a first cavity portion in fluid communication with a second cavity portion. The support portion is arrangable in one of: a stowed orientation within the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion; and a deployed orientation outside of the second cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion. An assembly is also disclosed. The assembly includes the container and at least one item supported by the support portion of the container.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a container, assemblies, and methods of operating the same.

BACKGROUND

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

While known containers and assemblies have proven to be acceptable for various applications, containers and assemblies are nevertheless susceptible to improvements that may enhance their overall performance and cost. Therefore, a need exists to develop improved containers and assemblies that advance the art.

SUMMARY

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

One aspect of the disclosure provides a container including a base portion and a support portion removably-connected to the base portion. Each of the base portion and the support portion includes a plurality of panels and members. Some of the plurality of panels and members of the base portion forms at least one cavity. The at least one cavity defines a first cavity portion in fluid communication with a second cavity portion. The support portion is arrangable in one of: a stowed orientation within at least the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion; and a deployed orientation outside of the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. The first cavity portion of the at least one cavity is in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere. The plurality of panels and members of the base portion include: a first side panel member; a second side panel; and a shelf panel member connecting the first side panel member to the second side panel. The shelf panel member divides the at least one cavity for defining a lower cavity and an upper cavity. The first cavity portion in fluid communication with the second cavity portion defines the lower cavity. The at least one cavity is defined by a cavity height. Some of the plurality of panels and members of the base portion include at least one front closure panel member defined by a closure height that is less than the cavity height.

In some implementations, the at least one closure panel member is defined by a first front closure panel member and a second front closure panel member. The first front closure panel member is hingedly-secured to an inner side surface of the first side panel member by at least one first hinge bracket. The second front closure panel member is hingedly-secured to an inner side surface of the second side panel member by at least one second hinge bracket. The at least one of the first front closure panel member and the second front closure panel member of the first pair of front closure panel members is permitted to pivot from a fully closed orientation to a fully open orientation at a pivot angle equal to approximately 180°. The cavity height of cavity includes a first cavity height portion of the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity and a second cavity height portion of the second cavity portion of the at least one cavity. The closure height is approximately equal to the second cavity height portion of the second cavity portion of the at least one cavity. The at least one front closure panel member is configured to selectively conceal the second cavity portion of the at least one cavity. The at least one front closure panel member does not extend across the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity.

In other implementations, the support portion is slidably-connected to the base portion. The support portion is slidably-connected to the base portion by one or more slide brackets. The one or more slide brackets include a pair of slide brackets having: a first bracket portion fixedly-mounted to an outer side surface of each of a first side panel and a second side panel of the support portion; and a second bracket portion fixedly-mounted to an inner side surface of each of the first side panel member and the second side panel member. The at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel is defined by an L-shape including a first segment and a second segment extending substantially perpendicularly from the first segment. Both of the first side panel and the second side panel is defined by an L-shape. The support portion further includes a handle extending between and connecting the first side panel to the second side panel. The support portion also may include a ramp portion.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides an assembly including: a container including a base portion and a support portion removably-connected to the base portion; and at least one item supported by the support portion. Each of the base portion and the support portion include a plurality of panels and members. Some of the plurality of panels and members of the base portion forms at least one cavity. The at least one cavity defines a first cavity portion in fluid communication with a second cavity portion. The support portion is arrangable in one of: a stowed orientation within at least the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion; and a deployed orientation outside of the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. The at least one item includes a docking station. The docking station includes a docking portion and a tower portion that is connected to and extends away from the docking portion.

In some implementations, the docking portion is arranged within the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion. The tower portion is arranged within the second cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion. The at least one item further includes: a floor-engaging mobile device. The floor-engaging mobile device is selectively-connected to the docking portion in one of: a docked orientation within the first cavity portion of at least one cavity of the base portion; and an undocked orientation outside of the first cavity portion of at least one cavity of the base portion. Some of the plurality of panels and members of the base portion include at least one front closure panel member. The least one front closure panel member is defined by a first front closure panel member and a second front closure panel member. The at least one front closure panel member is configured to selectively conceal the second cavity portion of the at least one cavity. The at least one front closure panel member does not extend across the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity.

In other implementations, the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity is in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere. The support portion is slidably-connected to the base portion for selectively arranging the docking station in one of: a stowed orientation within the first cavity portion and the second cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion; and a deployed orientation outside of the first cavity portion and the second cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the present disclosure can be obtained, a more particular description of the present disclosure briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the present disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a container including a base portion and a support portion arranged in a deployed orientation relative to the base portion, according to the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is another top perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 including the support portion arranged a stowed orientation relative to the base portion.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 including the support portion arranged a stowed orientation relative to the base portion.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the container of FIG. 1 including the support portion arranged a stowed orientation relative to the base portion.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the container of FIG. 1 including the support portion arranged a stowed orientation relative to the base portion.

FIG. 6 is a front top perspective exploded view of the container of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 7 is a rear bottom perspective exploded view of the container of FIGS. 1-5.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the container of FIGS. 1-5 including the support portion arranged a stowed orientation relative to the base portion whereby the container defines a cavity having: (1) a first cavity portion that contains the support portion, a docking portion of a docking station, and a floor-engaging mobile device selectively joined to the docking portion of the docking station; and (2) a second cavity portion that contains a tower portion of the docking station that extends away from the docking portion of the docking station.

FIG. 8B is another perspective view of the container according to FIG. 8A including the support portion arranged in the stowed orientation and the floor-engaging mobile device arranged in an undocked orientation with respect to the docking station such that the floor-engaging mobile device is arranged away from the container.

FIG. 8C is another perspective view of the container according to FIG. 8B including the support portion arranged in the stowed orientation and the floor-engaging mobile device arranged in the undocked orientation with respect to the docking station and further away from the container.

FIG. 8D is another perspective view of the container according to FIG. 8C including the support portion arranged in the stowed orientation and the floor-engaging mobile device arranged in the undocked orientation with respect to the docking station and returned closer to the container for reuniting with the docking station in the docked orientation.

FIG. 8E is another perspective view of the container according to FIG. 8D including the support portion arranged in the stowed orientation and the floor-engaging mobile device arranged back in the docked orientation with respect to the docking station whereby the floor-engaging mobile device is arranged back within the container.

FIG. 8F is another perspective view of the container according to FIG. 8E including the support portion arranged in the stowed orientation with a closure (that provides selective access to the second cavity portion of the cavity of the container) selectively transitioned to an open orientation from a closed orientation as seen at FIGS. 8A-8E, thereby permitting full access to the cavity that contains: (1) the support portion; (2) the docking station and (3) the floor-engaging mobile device.

FIG. 8G is another perspective view of the container according to FIG. 8F including the support portion transitioned from the stowed orientation of FIGS. 8A-8F to the deployed orientation whereby the support portion, the docking station, and the floor-engaging mobile device are arranged outside of the cavity.

FIG. 8H is another perspective view of the container according to FIG. 8G including a lid of a tower portion of the docking station transitioned from a closed orientation of FIGS. 8A-8G to an open orientation in order to permit access to a debris receptacle recess formed in the tower portion.

FIG. 8I is another perspective view of the container according to FIG. 8H including a filled debris receptacle being removed from the debris receptacle recess of the tower portion of the docking station.

FIG. 8J is another perspective view of the container according to FIG. 8I including an empty debris receptacle being arranged over the debris receptacle recess of the tower portion of the docking station.

FIG. 8K is another perspective view of the container according to FIG. 8J including the empty debris receptacle being inserted into the debris receptacle recess of the tower portion of the docking station.

FIG. 8L is another perspective view of the container according to FIG. 8K including the lid of the tower portion of the docking station transitioned from the open orientation of FIGS. 8H-8K back to the closed orientation of FIG. 8G in order to deny access to the debris receptacle recess that contains the empty debris receptacle.

FIG. 8M is another perspective view of the container according to FIG. 8L including the support portion transitioned from the deployed orientation of FIGS. 8G-8L back to the stowed orientation of FIG. 8F whereby the support portion, the docking station, and the floor-engaging mobile device are back inside of the cavity.

FIG. 8N is another perspective view of the container according to FIG. 8M including the closure selectively transitioned from the open orientation as seen at FIGS. 8F-8M back to the closed orientation of FIG. 8E, thereby denying selective access to the second cavity portion of the cavity of the container.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cam lock nut.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cam screw.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary partially exploded perspective view of a first member/panel including a pair of cam lock nuts and a second member/panel including a pair of cam screws.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary assembled perspective, partial cut-away view of a first member/panel including a cam lock nut connected to a second member/panel including a cam screw.

FIG. 13A is a top perspective view of a container including a closure (that is selectively arranged in a closed orientation) that provides selective access to a second cavity portion of a cavity of the container thereby denying full access to the second cavity portion that contains a tower portion of a docking station.

FIG. 13B is another top perspective view of the container of FIG. 13A including the closure selectively transitioned to an open orientation from the closed orientation thereby permitting full access to the second cavity portion.

FIG. 14A is a top perspective view of a shelf panel member of the container of FIGS. 13A-13B that is selectively arrangable within the cavity of the container for demarcating the cavity into: (1) a first cavity portion (that contains: (A) a docking portion of the docking station; and (B) a floor-engaging mobile device that is selectively engagable with the docking portion of the docking station); and (2) the second cavity portion (that contains the tower portion of the docking station).

FIG. 14B is top view of the shelf panel member of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 15A is a top perspective view of a container including a closure (that is selectively arranged in a closed orientation) that provides selective access to a second cavity portion of a cavity of the container thereby denying full access to the second cavity portion that contains a tower portion of a docking station.

FIG. 15B is another top perspective view of the container of FIG. 15A including the closure selectively transitioned to an open orientation from the closed orientation thereby permitting full access to the second cavity portion.

FIG. 16A is a top perspective view of a container including a closure (that is selectively arranged in a closed orientation) that provides selective access to a second cavity portion of a cavity of the container thereby denying full access to the second cavity portion that contains a tower portion of a docking station.

FIG. 16B is another top perspective view of the container of FIG. 16A including the closure selectively transitioned to an open orientation from the closed orientation thereby permitting full access to the second cavity portion.

FIG. 17A is a top perspective view of a container including a roof sub-panel member (that is selectively arranged in a closed orientation) that provides selective access to a second cavity portion of a cavity of the container thereby denying full access to the second cavity portion that contains a tower portion of a docking station.

FIG. 17B is another top perspective view of the container of FIG. 17A including the roof sub-panel member of the container pivoted up to an open orientation in order to permit access to a debris receptacle recess formed in the tower portion of the docking station.

FIG. 17C is another top perspective view of the container of FIGS. 17A-17B including the roof sub-panel member selectively transitioned to the open orientation from the closed orientation thereby permitting full access to the second cavity portion in order to permit access to a debris receptacle recess formed in the tower portion of the docking station.

FIG. 18A is a top perspective view of a container including a closure (that is selectively arranged in a closed orientation) that provides selective access to a second cavity portion of a cavity of the container thereby denying full access to the second cavity portion that contains a tower portion of a docking station.

FIG. 18B is another top perspective view of the container of FIG. 18A including the closure selectively transitioned to an open orientation from the closed orientation thereby permitting full access to the second cavity portion.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective exploded view of a container including a base portion, a support portion, and a pair of front closure panel members according to the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 20A is a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 19 including the support portion arranged in a stowed orientation relative to the base portion and the pair of front closure panel members arranged in a closed orientation.

FIG. 20B is another top perspective view of the container according to FIG. 20A including the support portion still arranged in the stowed orientation relative to the base portion but with the pair of front closure panel members transitioned from the closed orientation to an open orientation.

FIG. 20C is another top perspective view of the container according to FIG. 20B including the support portion transitioned from the stowed orientation to a deployed orientation relative to the base portion and the pair of front closure panel members remaining arranged in the open orientation.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a container, assemblies, and methods for operating the same. In some instances, a support portion of the container is arranged in a deployed orientation relative a base portion of the container for supporting one item or a plurality of items. Furthermore, the item may be contained within the container when the support portion of the container is arranged in a stowed orientation relative the base portion of the container. An assembly is formed when one or more items are supported by the support portion of the container. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide technical solutions to a number of technical problems in the art.

Implementations of the present disclosure relate generally to a container 10 (see, e.g., FIGS. 1-7). The container 10 includes a base portion 12 and a support portion 14. The base portion 12 defines a cavity (see, e.g., cavity 50 at FIG. 1) having a first cavity portion (see, e.g., a first portion 50a₁ of a lower cavity 50a of the cavity 50 of the base portion 12) and a second cavity portion (see, e.g., a second portion 50a₂ of a lower cavity 50a of the cavity 50 of the base portion 12).

The support portion 14 is arrangable relative the base portion 12 in: (1) a stowed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 2-5, 8A-8F, and 8M-8N) within the first cavity portion 50a₁ of the cavity 50; or a deployed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 8G-8L) outside of the first cavity portion 50a₁ of the cavity 50. The support portion 14 is sized for supporting one or more items 1 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8A-8N), 2 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8A and 8E-8N).

As seen at FIGS. 8A-8N the one or more items 1, 2 may be: (1) contained within the container 10 when the support portion 14 of the container 10 is arranged in the stowed orientation; or (2) at least partially supported by the container 10 when the support portion 14 of the container 10 is arranged in the deployed orientation relative the base portion 12 of the container 10. As seen respectively at, for example, FIGS. 8A-8N, an assembly 100 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8B-8D), 200 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8A and 8E-8N) is formed when the one or more items 1, 2 is/are supported by the support portion 14 of the container 10. In some configurations, the item 1 may be referred to as an immobile item, and, the item 2 may be referred to as a mobile item.

In a first example, as seen at FIGS. 8F-8M, the item 1 of the assembly 100 may include a docking station having a docking portion 1a and a tower portion 1b. The tower portion 1b is connected to and extends upwardly and away from (according to the direction of the arrow Z (see, e.g., FIG. 8F) of an XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) the docking portion 1a.

The docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 is sized for arrangement upon the support portion 14 of the container 10. Furthermore, as will be explained in the following disclosure, the first cavity portion 50a₁ of the cavity 50 is sized for receiving the item 2 and the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 when the support portion 14 of the container 10 is arranged in the stowed orientation relative the base portion 12 of the container 10. The tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is connected to and extends upwardly and away from the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 such that the second cavity portion 50a₂ of the cavity 50 is sized for receiving the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 when, as seen at FIGS. 8F and 8M, the support portion 14 of the container 10 is arranged in the stowed orientation relative the base portion 12 of the container 10.

The docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 may provide a docking interface body (see, e.g., FIGS. 8B-8D) for the item 2, which may be, for example, a floor-engaging mobile device 2. As seen at FIGS. 8A-8E, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is free to engage with or depart from the assembly 100 at its convenience. Furthermore, although not seen in the Figures, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is free to depart from the assembly 100 at any time, irrespective of the stowed orientation or the deployed orientation of the support portion 14 of the container 10 relative the base portion 12 of the container 10. Upon the floor-engaging mobile device 2 engaging the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1, the assembly 200 is said to be formed.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, an exemplary configuration of the base portion 12 of the container 10 is described. The base portion 12 includes a first side panel member 16, a second side panel member 18, a roof panel member 20, a shelf panel member 22 and at least one front closure panel member 24.

In some configurations, the at least one front closure panel member 24 may include a first pair of front closure panel members 24 defined by a first front closure panel member 24a and a second front closure panel member 24b. In other configurations, the at least one front closure panel member 24 may include an optional second pair of front closure panel members 24 defined by a third front closure panel member 24c and a fourth front closure panel member 24d.

Referring to FIG. 1, the base portion 12 may also optionally include: a first side panel member trim portion 26; a second side panel member trim portion 28; a roof-mounted elevated shelf panel sub-assembly 30. The roof-mounted elevated shelf panel sub-assembly 30 may include: a first leg member 30a, a second leg member 30b, an elevated shelf panel member 30c, a back wall panel member 30d, and a plurality of leg trim panel members 30e.

As seen at FIG. 3, the base portion 12 may also optionally include at least one rear trim panel 32. The at least one rear trim panel 32 may include a lower rear trim panel 32a and an upper rear trim panel 32b.

The members and panels 16-32 that form the base portion 12 may be connected with one or more fasteners (e.g., dowels, nails, screws, washers), adhesive, or the like; in some examples, the one or more fasteners may include one or more cam lock nuts F₁ (see, e.g., FIG. 9) and one or more cam screws F₂ (see, e.g., FIG. 10) for joining a first panel P₁ (see, e.g., FIGS. 11-12) of the members and panels 16-32 that form the base portion 12 to a second panel P₂ (see, e.g., FIGS. 11-12) of the members and panels 16-32 that form the base portion 12. As such, the base portion 12 may be a ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture component that may be assembled by a user rather than assembled by a furniture manufacturer.

If one or more cam nuts F₁ and one or more cam screws F₂ are utilized for assembling the base portion 12, the base portion 12 may be assembled as follows. For example, as seen at FIG. 11, a cam nut F₁ may be rotatably-disposed within a cam nut-receiving bore P_B1 of a first member/panel P₁ of the members/panels 16-32 of the base portion 12, and a cam screw F₂ may be threadingly-secured within a threaded bore P_B2 (see, e.g., FIG. 12) formed by a second member/panel P₂ of the members/panels 16-32 of the base portion 12. In order to connect the first member/panel P₁ (that includes the one or more cam nuts F₁) to the second member/panel P₂ (that includes the one or more cam screws F₂), the cam screw F₂ is axially-aligned with (see, e.g., FIG. 11) a cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3 (see, e.g., FIG. 11) that is formed by the first member/panel P₁ and then the cam screw F₂ is inserted into (see, e.g., FIG. 12) the cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3. As seen at FIGS. 11-12, the cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3 is substantially perpendicular with respect to the cam nut-receiving bore P_B1. Then, as seen at FIG. 12, once a distal end F_2D of the cam screw F₂ is interfaced with a proximal end F_1P of the cam nut F₁, a user utilizes a tool T (see, e.g., FIG. 12), such as, a screwdriver, in order to engage a distal end F_1D of the cam nut F₁ to rotate R the cam nut F₁. Rotation R of the cam nut F₁ results in the application of a pulling force or a drawing force X (that is orthogonal to a rotational axis A_R-A_R of the cam nut F₁) applied to the cam screw F₂. As a result, because a proximal end F_2P of the cam screw F₂ is threadingly-secured to the second panel P₂, an outer surface P_2S of the second panel P₂ (where the cam screw F₂ extends therefrom) is drawn into close or tight engagement with an outer surface P_1S of the first panel P₁ (that provides access to the cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3).

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, an exemplary connection arrangement of the members/panels 16-32 of the base portion 12 is now described. A first side surface of the shelf panel member 22 is secured to an inner side surface of the first side panel member 16. A second side surface of the shelf panel member 22 (that is opposite the first side surface of the shelf panel member 22) is secured to an inner side surface of the second side panel member 18. An upper side surface of the first side panel member 16 is secured to a lower surface 20_L (see, e.g., FIG. 5) of the roof panel member 20 near a first side surface of the roof panel member 20. An upper side surface of the second side panel member 18 is secured to the lower surface 20_L of the roof panel member 20 near a second side surface of the roof panel member 20 (that is opposite the first side surface of the roof panel member 20).

Referring to FIGS. 8E-8M, the first front closure panel member 24a of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 may be hingedly-secured to the inner side surface of the first side panel member 16 by, for example, a first pair of hinge brackets (not shown); the first pair of hinge brackets permit the first front closure panel member 24a to pivot from a closed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8E) to an open orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8F) to, in some implementations, 90°, and up to, in other implementations, 180°. The second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 may be hingedly-secured to the inner side surface of the second side panel member 18 by, for example, a second pair of hinge brackets (not shown) in a substantially similar manner as that of the first front closure panel member 24a being hingedly-secured to the inner side surface of the first side panel member 16 by the first pair of hinge brackets; the second pair of hinge brackets permit the second front closure panel member 24b to pivot from a closed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8E) to an open orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8F) to, in some implementations, 90°, and up to, in other implementations, 180°.

The third front closure panel member 24c of the second pair of front closure panel members 24 may be hingedly-secured to the inner side surface of the first side panel member 16 by, for example, a third pair of hinge brackets (not shown) in a substantially similar manner as that of the first front closure panel member 24a being hingedly-secured to the inner side surface of the first side panel member 16 by the first pair of hinge brackets. The fourth front closure panel member 24d of the second pair of front closure panel members 24 may be hingedly-secured to the inner side surface of the second side panel member 18 by, for example, a fourth pair of hinge brackets (not shown) in a substantially similar manner as that of the first front closure panel member 24a being hingedly-secured to the inner side surface of the first side panel member 16 by the first pair of hinge brackets.

The optional first side panel member trim portion 26 may be optionally-secured to a front side surface of the first side panel member 16. The optional second side panel member trim portion 28 may be optionally-secured to a front side surface of the second side panel member 18.

The optional roof-mounted elevated shelf panel sub-assembly 30 may be assembled as follows. An upper surface of the first leg member 30a is secured to a lower surface of the elevated shelf panel member 30c near a first side surface of the elevated shelf panel member 30c. An upper surface of the second leg member 30b is secured to the lower surface of the elevated shelf panel member 30c near a second side surface of the elevated shelf panel member 30c (that is opposite the first side surface of the elevated shelf panel member 30c).

The optional roof-mounted elevated shelf panel sub-assembly 30 may be further assembled as follows. A first side of the back wall panel member 30d is secured to an inner side surface of the first leg member 30a near a lower surface of the first leg member 30a. A second side of the back wall panel member 30d (that is opposite the first side of the back wall panel member 30d) is secured to an inner side surface of the second leg member 30b near a lower surface of the second leg member 30b.

Referring to FIG. 1, the plurality of leg trim panel members 30e may include a first leg trim panel member 30e₁, a second leg trim panel member 30e₂, a third leg trim panel member 30e₃, and a fourth leg trim panel member 30e₄. The first leg trim panel member 30e₁ may be secured to a front surface of the first leg member 30a. The second leg trim panel member 30e₂ may be secured to a rear surface of the first leg member 30a. The third leg trim panel member 30e₃ may be secured to a front surface of the second leg member 30b. The fourth leg trim panel member 30e₄ may be secured to a rear surface of the second leg member 30b.

Once assembled, the optional roof-mounted elevated shelf panel sub-assembly 30 may be secured to the roof panel member 20 as follows. A lower surface of the first leg member 30a is secured to an upper surface of the roof panel member 20 near: (1) the first side surface of the roof panel member 20; and (2) a rear side surface of the roof panel member 20. A lower surface of the second leg member 30b is secured to the upper surface of the roof panel member 20 near: (1) the second side surface of the roof panel member 20 (that is opposite the first side surface of the roof panel member 20); and (2) the rear side surface of the roof panel member 20.

The lower rear trim panel 32a of the optional at least one rear trim panel 32 may be secured to the base portion 12 as follows. A first side surface of the lower rear trim panel 32a is secured to the inner side surface of the first side panel member 16 that is near a lower side surface of the first side panel member 16. A second side surface of the lower rear trim panel 32a (that is opposite the first side surface of the lower rear trim panel 32a) is secured to the inner side surface of the second side panel member 18 that is near a lower side surface of the second side panel member 18. As seen at FIG. 3, a lower side surface of the lower rear trim panel 32a may be substantially aligned with or is substantially coplanar with: (1) the lower side surface of the first side panel member 16; and (2) the lower side surface of the second side panel member 18.

Furthermore, as seen at FIGS. 1, 3-5, 7, and 8C, the lower rear trim panel 32a may include one or more passages 32a_P extending through a thickness of the lower rear trim panel 32a. The thickness of the lower rear trim panel 32a extends between a front side surface of the lower rear trim panel 32a and a rear side surface of the lower rear trim panel 32a. The one or more passages 32a_P of the lower rear trim panel 32a may be arranged near the lower side surface of the lower rear trim panel 32a. The one or more passages 32a_P of the lower rear trim panel 32a may be sized for permitting passage of, for example, a power cord (not shown) that may extend from, for example, one or both of the one or more items 1, 2.

The upper rear trim panel 32b of the optional at least one rear trim panel 32 may be secured to the base portion 12 as follows. A first portion of a front side surface of the upper rear trim panel 32b (that extends along a first side surface of the upper rear trim panel 32b) is secured to a portion of a rear side surface of the first side panel member 16 (that extends from the upper side surface of the first side panel member 16). A second portion of the front side surface of the upper rear trim panel 32b (that extends along a second side surface of the upper rear trim panel 32b) is secured to a portion of a rear side surface of the second side panel member 18 (that extends from the upper side surface of the second side panel member 18). As seen at FIG. 3, an upper side surface of the upper rear trim panel 32b may be substantially aligned with or is substantially coplanar with: (1) the upper side surface of the first side panel member 16; and (2) the upper side surface of the second side panel member 18.

Referring also to FIGS. 1 and 3, an exemplary configuration of the support portion 14 of the container 10 is described. The support portion 14 includes a support panel 34, a first side panel 36, a second side panel 38, and a rear panel 40. The members and panels 34-40 that form the support portion 14 may be connected with one or more fasteners (e.g., dowels, nails, screws, washers), adhesive, or the like (not shown); in some examples, the one or more fasteners may include one or more cam lock nuts F₁ (see, e.g., FIG. 9) and one or more cam screws F₂ (see, e.g., FIG. 10) for joining a first panel P₁ (see, e.g., FIGS. 11-12) of the members and panels 34-40 that form the support portion 14 to a second panel P₂ (see, e.g., FIGS. 11-12) of the members and panels 34-40 that form the support portion 14. As such, the support portion 14 may be a ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture component that may be assembled by a user rather than assembled by a furniture manufacturer.

If one or more cam nuts F₁ and one or more cam screws F₂ are utilized for assembling the support portion 14, the support portion 14 may be assembled as follows. For example, as seen at FIG. 11, a cam nut F₁ may be rotatably-disposed within a cam nut-receiving bore P_B1 of a first member/panel P₁ of the members/panels 16-30 of the base portion 12, and a cam screw F₂ may be threadingly-secured within a threaded bore P_B2 (see, e.g., FIG. 12) formed by a second member/panel P₂ of the members/panels 34-40 of the support portion 14. In order to connect the first member/panel P₁ (that includes the one or more cam nuts F₁) to the second member/panel P₂ (that includes the one or more cam screws F₂), the cam screw F₂ is axially-aligned with (see, e.g., FIG. 11) a cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3 (see, e.g., FIG. 11) that is formed by the first member/panel P₁ and then the cam screw F₂ is inserted into (see, e.g., FIG. 12) the cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3. As seen at FIGS. 11-12, the cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3 is substantially perpendicular with respect to the cam nut-receiving bore P_B1. As seen at FIG. 12, once a distal end F_2D of the cam screw F₂ is interfaced with a proximal end Fir of the cam nut F₁, a user utilizes a tool T (see, e.g., FIG. 12), such as, a screwdriver, in order to engage a distal end F_1D of the cam nut F₁ to rotate R the cam nut F₁. Rotation R of the cam nut F₁ results in the application of a pulling force or a drawing force X (that is orthogonal to a rotations axis A_R-A_R of the cam nut F₁) to the cam screw F₂. As a result, an outer surface P_2S of the second panel P₂ that includes the cam screw F₂ extending therefrom is drawn into close or tight engagement with an outer surface P_1S of the first panel P₁ that provides access to the cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3).

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, an exemplary connection arrangement of the members/panels 34-40 of the support portion 14 is now described. Firstly, as seen at FIG. 1, the support panel 34 includes an upper side surface 34_U (see, e.g., FIGS. 1-2) and a lower side surface 34_L (see, e.g., FIG. 3) that is opposite the upper side surface 34_U. Furthermore, the support panel 34 includes a flange portion 35 (see, e.g., FIG. 1) that extends from the upper side surface 34_U of the support panel 34. The flange portion 35 includes: (1) a first side segment 35a that extends along a first edge of the upper side surface 34_U; (2) a second side segment 35b that extends along a second edge of the upper side surface 34_U (that is opposite the first edge of the upper side surface 34_U); and (3) a rear side segment 35c that extends along a third edge of the upper side surface 34_U (that connects the first side segment 35a of the flange portion 35 of the support panel 34 to the second side segment 35b of the flange portion 35 of the support panel 34).

An inner side surface of the first side panel 36 is secured to an outer side surface of the first side segment 35a of the flange portion 35 of the support panel 34. An inner side surface of the second side panel 38 is secured to an outer side surface of the second side segment 35b of the flange portion 35 of the support panel 34. A front side surface of the rear side panel 40 is secured to a rear side surface of the rear side segment 35c of the flange portion 35 of the support panel 34.

As seen at FIGS. 1-2, 4, and 8A-8N, the flange portion 35 of the support panel 34 does not include a front side segment that would otherwise be arranged opposite the rear side segment 35c of the flange portion 35 of the support panel 34. Furthermore as seen at FIGS. 1-2, 4, and 8A-8N, the support portion 14 also does not include a front side panel that would otherwise be arranged opposite the rear side panel 40. As a result of not including a front side segment of the flange portion 35 (that would otherwise be arranged opposite the rear side segment 35c of the flange portion 35) and a front side panel (that would otherwise be arranged opposite the rear side panel 40), as will be explained in the following disclosure, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is free to be arranged over or arranged away from/depart from the support portion 14 at its convenience (as seen at FIGS. 8A-8E).

Furthermore, as seen at FIGS. 1, 3-5, 7, and 8C, the rear side panel 40 may include one or more passages 40_P extending through a thickness of the rear side panel 40. The thickness of the rear side panel 40 extends between a front side surface of the rear side panel 40 and a rear side surface of the rear side panel 40. Once the support portion 14 is connected to the base portion 12, the one or more passages 40_P of the rear side panel 40 are aligned with the one or more passages 32a_P of the lower rear trim panel 32a. Like the one or more passages 32a_P of the lower rear trim panel 32a, the one or more passages 40_P of the rear side panel 40 of the support portion 14 may be sized for permitting passage of, for example, a power cord (not shown) that may extend from, for example, one or both of the one or more items 1, 2.

Referring to FIGS. 8F-8M, the support portion 14 is slidably-connected to the base portion 12. In some configurations, a pair of slide brackets 42 (see, e.g., FIG. 8G) are utilized for slidably-connecting the support portion 14 to the base portion 12. Each bracket of the pair of slide brackets include a first bracket portion 42a and a second bracket portion 42b. The first bracket portion 42a is fixedly-mounted to an outer side surface of the first side panel 36 and the second side panel 38. The second bracket portion 42b is fixedly-mounted to the inner side surface of the first side panel member 16 and the second side panel member 18.

With reference to FIGS. 8F-8G, the pair of slide brackets 42 permit the support portion 14 to slide in a first direction according to the direction of the arrow Y (see, e.g., FIG. 8F) away from the base portion 12 for adjusting the support portion 14 from a stowed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 8A-8F) to a deployed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 8G-8L). Furthermore, as seen at FIG. 8L, the pair of slide brackets 42 permit the support portion 14 to slide in a second direction according to the direction of the arrow Y′ (that is opposite the direction of the arrow Y) toward the base portion 12 for adjusting the support portion 14 from the deployed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 8G-8L) back to the stowed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 8M-8N).

When the support portion 14 is arranged in a fully stowed orientation as seen at, for example, FIGS. 8A-8F and 8M-8N, a front side surface of the first side panel 36 and the second side panel 38 of the support portion 14 may be substantially aligned with or coplanar with the front side surface of the first side panel member 16 and the second side panel member 18 of the base portion 12. Conversely, when the support portion 14 is arranged in a fully deployed orientation as seen at FIGS. 8G-8L, the front side surface of the rear side panel 40 of the support portion 14 may be substantially aligned with, coplanar with, or slightly arranged beyond the front side surface of the first side panel member 16 and the second side panel member 18 of the base portion 12.

With reference to FIGS. 8A-8N, in other configurations, the support portion 14 may include one or more user-engageable knobs 44. The one or more user-engagement knobs 44 may be secured to an inner side surface of, respectively, the first side panel 36 and/or the second side panel 38. Functionally, a user may grasp the one or more user-engageable knobs 44 and apply a pulling force (according to the direction of the arrow Y of FIG. 8F) or a pushing force (according to the direction of the arrow Y′ of FIG. 8L, which is opposite the direction of the arrow Y) in order to arrange the support portion 14 in one of the deployed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 8G-8L) or the stowed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 8A-8F, 8M-8N).

Furthermore with reference to FIGS. 8A-8N, in other configurations, the base portion 12 may include one or more user-engageable knobs 46 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8C, 8E, 8G, 8M). The one or more user-engagement knobs 46 may be secured to an outer side surface of, respectively, the first front closure panel member 24a of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 and/or the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24. Functionally, a user may grasp the one or more user-engageable knobs 46 and apply an arcuate pulling force (according to a direction of arrows A of FIG. 8E) or an arcuate pushing force (according to a direction of arrows A′ of FIG. 8M, which is opposite the direction of the arrows A) in order to arrange the first front closure panel member 24a of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 and/or the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 in one of an open orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 8F-8M) or a closed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 8A-8E, 8N).

Yet even further, with reference to FIG. 8C, in further configurations, the base portion 12 may include one or more additional user-engageable knobs 48. The one or more additional user-engagement knobs 48 may be secured to, for example, an outer side surface of, respectively, the third front closure panel member 24c of the second pair of front closure panel members 24 and/or the fourth front closure panel member 24d of the second pair of front closure panel members 24. Functionally, a user may grasp the one or more additional user-engageable knobs 48 and apply an arcuate pulling force (according to a direction similar to that of the arrows A of FIG. 8E) or an arcuate pushing force (according to a direction similar to that of the arrows A′ of FIG. 8M, which is opposite the direction of the arrows A) in order to arrange the third front closure panel member 24c of the second pair of front closure panel members 24 and/or the fourth front closure panel member 24d of the second pair of front closure panel members 24 in one of an open orientation (not shown) or a closed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8C).

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the first side panel member 16, the second side panel member 18, and the roof panel member 20 define a cavity 50 of the base portion 12. As seen more clearly at FIG. 5, the shelf panel member 22 of the base portion 12 extends across the cavity 50, and, as a result, divides the cavity 50 into a lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 and an upper cavity 50b of the base portion 12.

As seen in FIG. 1, the base portion 12 is arranged upon a floor surface F. Referring to FIG. 5, the lower cavity 50a extends: (1) vertically (according to the direction of the arrow Z (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 4-5) of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) between the floor surface F (or a lower surface of each the first side panel member 16 and the second side panel member 18) and a lower surface 22_L of the shelf panel member 22 to define a lower cavity height H_50a (see, e.g., FIGS. 4-5); and (2) laterally (according to the direction of the arrow X (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 4) of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) between the inner side surface of the first side panel member 16 and the inner side surface of the second side panel member 18 to define a lower cavity width.

As seen at FIGS. 4-5, the upper cavity 50b extends: (1) vertically (according to the direction of the arrow Z (see, e.g., FIGS. 4-5) of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) between an upper surface 22_U (see, e.g., FIG. 5) of the shelf panel member 22 and the lower surface 20L (see, e.g., FIG. 5) of the roof panel member 20 to define an upper cavity height H_50b (see, e.g., FIG. 5); and (2) laterally (according to the direction of the arrow X (see, e.g., FIG. 4) of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) between the inner side surface of the first side panel member 16 and the inner side surface of the second side panel member 18 to define an upper cavity width.

As seen at FIG. 4, the third front closure panel member 24c and the fourth front closure panel member 24d of the second pair of front closure panel members 24 are respectively defined by a height H_24c, H_24d that is substantially equal to the upper cavity height H_50b (see also comparatively, e.g., at FIG. 5) of the upper cavity 50b of the base portion 12. Accordingly, selective access to the upper cavity 50b is permitted when the third front closure panel member 24c of the second pair of front closure panel members 24 and/or the fourth front closure panel member 24d of the second pair of front closure panel members 24 is/are arranged in the open orientation. Conversely, as seen at FIG. 4, selective access to the upper cavity 50b is denied when the third front closure panel member 24c of the second pair of front closure panel members 24 and/or the fourth front closure panel member 24d of the second pair of front closure panel members 24 is/are arranged in the closed orientation.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, a height H_24a, H_24b of the first front closure panel member 24a and the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 is not substantially equal to a lower cavity height H_50a (see also comparatively, e.g., at FIG. 5) of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 (i.e., the height H_24a, H_24b of the first front closure panel member 24a and the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 is less than the lower cavity height H_50a of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12). An upper surface of the first front closure panel member 24a and the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 is arranged substantially near, substantially proximate, or substantially coplanar with the lower surface 22_L (see, e.g., FIG. 5) of the shelf panel member 22. As a result of the height H_24a, H_24b of the first front closure panel member 24a and the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 being less than the lower cavity height H_50a of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12, as seen at FIGS. 4 and 5, a first portion 50a₁ (see also comparatively, e.g., at FIG. 5) of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 is exposed to and is in constant fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere such that the first front closure panel member 24a and the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 do not entirely deny access to the lower cavity 50a when the first front closure panel member 24a and the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 are arranged in a closed orientation. As a result of being in constant fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere, as will be described in the following disclosure, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is free to engage with or depart from the support portion 14 (and, by extension, the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 supported thereon and located within the first portion 50a₁ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12) at its convenience.

Selective access to a second portion 50a₂ (see, e.g., FIG. 5) of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 is permitted when the first front closure panel member 24a of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 and/or the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 is/are arranged in the open orientation (as seen at, e.g., FIGS. 8F-8M). Conversely, selective access to the second portion 50a₂ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 is denied when the first front closure panel member 24a of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 and/or the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 is/are arranged in the closed orientation (as seen at, e.g., FIGS. 8A-8E and 8N).

As seen at FIGS. 4-5, the lower cavity height H_50a of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 is further defined by a first lower cavity height portion H_50a-1 (that defines a height of the first portion 50a₁ of the lower cavity 50a) and a second lower cavity height portion H_50a-2. The first lower cavity height portion H_50a-1 is less than the second lower cavity height portion H_50a-2 (that defines a height of the second portion 50a₂ of the lower cavity 50a). In some implementations, the second lower cavity height portion H_50a-2 is configured to be approximately five times greater than the first lower cavity height portion H_50a-1.

Aspects of an exemplary assembly 100 is shown at FIGS. 8B-8D. The assembly 100 is formed when an item 1 is supported by the support portion 14 of the container 10. The item 1 may be a docking station.

With reference to FIGS. 8B-8D, the exemplary assembly 100 includes: (1) the container 10 described above at FIGS. 1-7; and (2) an exemplary docking station 1. Referring to FIGS. 8F-8M, the docking station 1 includes a docking portion 1a (see, e.g., FIGS. 8A-8N) and a tower portion 1b (see, e.g., FIGS. 8F-8M). As seen at FIGS. 8F-8M, the tower portion 1b is connected to and extends upwardly and away from (according to the direction of the arrow Z (see, e.g., FIG. 8F) of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) the docking portion 1a.

As seen at FIGS. 8F-8M, the support portion 14 of the container 10 is sized for receiving the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1. More specifically, in some configurations, the support panel 34 of the support portion 14 is sized (e.g., by a length and a width) for supporting the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1, which may, in some examples, be substantially defined by docking interface body that may be defined by a diameter that is less than one or both of the length and the width of the support panel 34 of the support portion 14.

In some examples, the support portion 14 of the container 10 is defined by a height H₁₄ (see, e.g., FIGS. 4-5). The height H₁₄ of the support portion 14 extend between the lower side surface 34_L (see, e.g., FIG. 4) of the support panel 34 of the support portion and an upper surface 36_U, 38_U, 40_U (see, e.g., FIGS. 4 and 8G) of each of the first side panel 36, the second side panel 38, and the rear side panel 40 of the support portion 14.

The docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 is defined by a height H_1a (see, e.g., FIG. 8G). Furthermore, the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is defined by a height H_1b (see, e.g., FIG. 8G) that is connected to and extends upwardly and away from (according to the direction of the arrow Z (see, e.g., FIG. 8G) of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) an upper surface of the docking interface body of the docking portion 1a. Collectively, the height H_1a of the docking portion 1a and the height H_1b of the tower portion 1b defines a height H₁ (see, e.g., FIG. 8G) of the docking station 1.

The height H_1a (see, e.g., FIG. 8G) of the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 may be approximately equal to, slightly greater than, or slightly less than the height H₁₄ (see, e.g., FIGS. 4-5) of the support portion 14. The height H₁ (see, e.g., FIG. 8G) of the docking station 1, however, is greater than the height H₁₄ (see, e.g., FIGS. 4-5) of the support portion 14 (i.e., as a result of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 extending at a distance equivalent to the height H_1b (see, e.g., FIG. 8G) away from the upper surface of the docking interface body of the docking portion 1a and beyond the upper surface 36_U, 38_U, 40_U (see, e.g., FIGS. 4 and 8G) of each of the first side panel 36, the second side panel 38, and the rear side panel 40 of the support portion 14 that is defined by the height H₁₄). As a result of the comparative dimensions of the heights H₁₄, H₁, H_1a, H_1b of the support portion 14 and the docking station 1 as described above, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 8G: (1) the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 is sized for receiving the docking station 1 (that includes both of the docking portion 1a and the tower portion 1b); (2) the first portion 50a₁ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 is sized for substantially receiving the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 (but not the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1); and (3) the second portion 50a₂ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 is sized for substantially receiving the tower portion 1a of the docking station 1 (but not the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1).

As will be described in the following disclosure, when the first front closure panel member 24a of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 and/or the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 is/are arranged in the closed orientation (as seen at, e.g., FIGS. 8A-8E), the second portion 50a₂ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 is not accessible (and, as a result, access to the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is prohibited). Unobstructed access to the second portion 50a₂ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 (and, as a result, unobstructed access to the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1) is permitted when the first front closure panel member 24a of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 and/or the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 is/are arranged in the open orientation (as seen at, e.g., FIG. 8F). Thereafter, a user may arrange the support portion 14 in a deployed orientation (as seen at, e.g., FIG. 8G) in order to remove the support portion 14 from the first portion 50a₁ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 (and, as a result: (1) the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 is removed from the first portion 50a₁ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12; and (2) the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is removed from the second portion 50a₂ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12).

Aspects of an exemplary assembly 200 is shown at FIGS. 8A-8N. As described above, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 may be referred to as a “mobile item” as a result of the floor-engaging mobile device 2 being able to independently move away from and be detached from the container 10, which is a component of the assembly 100 along with the docking station 1. The assembly 200 is formed when the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is selectively interfaced with the assembly 100, which includes the docking station 1 and the container 10. The docking station 1, however, is not “mobile” in the sense that the docking station 1 may independently move away from and be detached from the container 10. Accordingly, the docking station 1 of the assembly 100 may be alternatively referred to as an “immobile item” that is supported by the support portion 14 of the container 10. As seen at FIGS. 8A-8N, the container 10 is arranged upon a floor surface F and the docking station 1 is always arranged within the container 10. In other words, the docking station 1 is always connected to and supported by the container 10 whereas the floor-engaging mobile device 2 may be selectively separated from the container 10.

Because the floor-engaging mobile device 2 may be a “mobile item”, and, as stated above, the docking station 1 is an “immobile item”, the docking station 1 is configured to receive the floor-engaging mobile device 2. The floor-engaging mobile device 2 may be referred to as a robotic device (e.g., a robotic vacuum cleaner that vacuums debris (not shown) from the floor surface F). Therefore, the docking station 1 may be referred to as a robotic device docking station.

Once the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is interfaced with the docking station 1, the docking station 1 may provide one or more services for the floor-engaging mobile device 2. In some examples, the docking station 1 may provide power to or charge the floor-engaging mobile device 2. In other examples, the docking station 1 may remove vacuumed debris (not shown) from the floor-engaging mobile device 2. The vacuumed debris may: (1) firstly exit the floor-engaging mobile device 2; (2) secondarily enter the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1; and (3) then ultimately be deposited into a reservoir 1c (see, e.g., FIGS. 8H-8K) that is contained within the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1. Furthermore, once the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is interfaced with the docking station 1 and contained within the first portion 50a₁ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is partially hidden from view from a user, thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance in, for example, a user's domicile. Accordingly, in some examples, the container 10 may be alternatively referred to as a “door-less” robotic device garage whereby the term “door-less” arises from the fact that first portion 50a₁ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 is exposed to and is in constant fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere such that the first front closure panel member 24a and the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 do not entirely deny access to the lower cavity 50a when the first front closure panel member 24a and the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 are arranged in a closed orientation.

Exemplary aspects of the floor-engaging mobile device 2 are now described. The floor-engaging mobile device 2 is defined by a height H₂ (see, e.g., FIG. 8B). The height H₂ of the floor-engaging mobile device 2 may be approximately equal to but slightly less than the height H₁₄ (see, e.g., FIGS. 4-5) of the support portion 14. Furthermore, the height H₂ of the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is less than first lower cavity height portion H_50a-1 (see, e.g., FIGS. 4-5) of the first portion 50a₁ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12.

As a result of the comparative dimensions of the heights H₁₄, H₂, H_50a-1 of the support portion 14, the floor-engaging mobile device 2, and the cavity 50 of the base portion 12 described above: (1) the first portion 50a₁ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 is sized for substantially receiving the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 (but not the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1); and (2) the first portion 50a₁ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 is sized for substantially receiving the floor-engaging mobile device 2. As will be described in the following disclosure, irrespective of a stowed orientation of the support portion 14 of the container 10 relative the base portion 12 of the container 10 (as seen at, e.g., FIGS. 2-5, 8A-8F, and 8M-8N) or the deployed orientation of the support portion 14 of the container 10 relative the base portion 12 of the container 10 (as seen at, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 8G-8L), the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is free to engage with or depart from the support portion 14 (and, by extension, the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 supported thereon) at its convenience.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-8N, a method for operating the assembly 200 is now described. Firstly, as seen at FIG. 8A: (1) the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is interfaced with or docked with the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1; (2) the support portion 14 of the container 10 is arranged in a stowed orientation; and (3) the first front closure panel member 24a of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 and/or the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 is/are arranged in a closed orientation, thereby not permitting access to the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 while the docking station 1 and the floor-engaging mobile device 2 are contained within the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 of the container 10.

Thereafter, as seen at FIGS. 8B-8C, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is arranged in an undocked orientation with respect to the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 (while the support portion 14 of the container 10 is arranged in the stowed orientation) such that the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is arranged outside of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 and away from the container 10. As a result, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is permitted to scour the floor surface F in order to remove debris (not shown) from the floor surface F. Furthermore, as seen at FIG. 8B, while the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is arranged away from the container 10: (1) the support portion 14 of the container 10 is still arranged in a stowed orientation; and (2) the first front closure panel member 24a of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 and/or the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 is/are still arranged in the closed orientation, thereby not permitting access to the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 while the docking station 1 is contained within the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 of the container 10.

Referring to FIG. 8D, after a period of time has passed when, for example, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 has sufficiently scoured the floor surface F for debris, the floor-engaging mobile device 2: (1) returns to a position proximate the container 10; and (2) aligns itself with the docking interface body of the docking portion 1a that is arranged upon the support portion 14 that is arranged within the first portion 50a₁ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12. Thereafter, as seen at FIG. 8E, the floor-engaging mobile device 2: (1) returns to the docked orientation with the docking interface body of the docking portion 1a; and (2) is arranged upon the support portion 14 that is arranged within the first portion 50a₁ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12.

When rearranged in the docked orientation as seen at FIG. 8E, the docking station 1 may provide one or more services for the floor-engaging mobile device 2. In some examples, the docking station 1 may provide power to or charge the floor-engaging mobile device 2. In other examples, the docking station 1 may remove the vacuumed debris (not shown) from the floor-engaging mobile device 2. The vacuumed debris may: (1) firstly exit the floor-engaging mobile device 2; (2) secondarily enter the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1; and (3) then ultimately be deposited into a reservoir 1c (see, e.g., FIGS. 8H-8K) that is contained within the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1. Furthermore, once the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is interfaced with the docking station 1 and contained within the first portion 50a₁ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 as seen at FIG. 8E, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is partially hidden from view from a user (as a result of being arranged within the first portion 50a₁ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 of the container 10), thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance in, for example, a user's domicile.

After several instances of scouring the floor surface F for debris (as seen at FIGS. 8A-8E), the user may receive a notification (e.g., the user may hear a sound, see a blinking light, or the like that is communicated by one or both of the docking station 1 and the floor-engaging mobile device 2) that the reservoir 1c (that is located within the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1) is at capacity with debris that was collected by the floor-engaging mobile device 2. Accordingly, the user is tasked with configuring the container 10 in manner (as seen at FIGS. 8F-8H) to access the debris-filled reservoir 1c (as seen at FIGS. 8H-8I) in order to empty the debris from the debris-filled reservoir 1c, or, alternatively, replace the debris-filled reservoir 1c with an empty reservoir 1c (as seen at FIGS. 8J-8K).

With reference to FIGS. 8E-8F, a first step in an exemplary configuring of the container 10 for accessing the debris-filled reservoir 1c may include: while the support portion 14 of the container 10 is arranged in a stowed orientation, transitioning (according to the direction of the arrows A as seen in FIG. 8E) the first front closure panel member 24a of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 and/or the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 from a closed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8E) to an open orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8F) in order to permit unobstructed access to the second portion 50a₂ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 (and, as a result, unobstructed access to the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1). Then, with reference to FIGS. 8F-8G, the user may transition (according to the direction of the arrow Y as seen in FIG. 8F) the support portion 14 from the stowed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8F) to a deployed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8G) in order to remove the support portion 14 from the first portion 50a₁ of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12; with reference to FIG. 8G, as a result of transitioning Y the support portion 14 from the stowed orientation to the deployed orientation: (1) the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 is removed from the first portion 50a₁ (see, e.g., FIG. 8F) of the lower cavity 50a (see, e.g., FIGS. 8F and 8G) of the base portion 12; and (2) the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is removed from the second portion 50a₂ (see, e.g., FIG. 8F) of the lower cavity 50a (see, e.g., FIGS. 8F and 8G) of the base portion 12.

With reference to FIGS. 8G-8H, the user may then pivot a lid id of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 from a closed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8G) to an open orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8H) in order to access a reservoir cavity 1e (see, e.g., FIG. 8H) of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1. As seen at FIG. 8G, when the lid 1d of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is arranged in the closed orientation, the lid 1d is arranged below a plane (according to the direction of the arrows X and Y of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) extending across the lower surface 22_L of the shelf panel member 22; however, as seen at FIG. 8H, when the lid 1d of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is arranged in the open orientation (and is arranged in a generally vertical direction according to the direction of the arrow Z of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system), the lid 1d is arranged above the plane (according to the direction of the arrows X and Y of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) extending across the lower surface 22_L of the shelf panel member 22. Accordingly, referring back to FIG. 8F, a user is prohibited from pivoting the lid 1d to the open orientation (as seen at FIGS. 8G-8H) while the docking station 1 is arranged within the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 (as a result of the lower surface 22_L of the shelf panel member 22 being arranged directly over the lid 1d of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1). Therefore, once the user arranges the support portion 14 outside of the lower cavity 50a of the base portion 12 (as seen at FIG. 8G), only then is a user permitted to arrange the lid 1d of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 in the open orientation (as a result of the lower surface 22_L of the shelf panel member 22 no longer being arranged directly over the lid 1d of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1, which would otherwise interfere with pivoting action of the lid Id as seen at FIG. 8F).

Then, as seen at FIGS. 8H-8I, the user may remove the debris-filled reservoir 1c (see, e.g., FIG. 8I) from the reservoir cavity 1e of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1. Referring to FIGS. 8J-8K, once the debris-filled reservoir 1c (see, e.g., FIG. 8I) is removed from the reservoir cavity 1e of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1, the user may arrange an empty reservoir 1c (see, e.g., FIG. 8J) over the reservoir cavity 1e of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 and then subsequently arrange the empty reservoir 1c within the reservoir cavity 1e of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 (see, e.g., FIG. 8K). With reference to FIGS. 8K-8L, the user may then pivot the lid id of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 from the open orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8K) back to the closed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8L) in order to deny access to the reservoir cavity 1e of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1.

Then, with reference to FIGS. 8L-8M, the user may transition (according to the direction of the arrow Y′ as seen in FIG. 8L) the support portion 14 from the deployed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8L) back to the stowed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8M) in order to return the support portion 14 to the first portion 50a₁ (see, e.g., FIG. 8M) of the lower cavity 50a (see, e.g., FIGS. 8L and 8M) of the base portion 12; as a result: (1) the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 is returned to the first portion 50a₁ (see, e.g., FIG. 8M) of the lower cavity 50a (see, e.g., FIGS. 8L and 8M) of the base portion 12; and (2) the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is returned to the second portion 50a₂ (see, e.g., FIG. 8M) of the lower cavity 50a (see, e.g., FIGS. 8L and 8M) of the base portion 12.

With reference to FIGS. 8M-8N, the user may then transition (according to the direction of the arrows A′ as seen in FIG. 8M) the first front closure panel member 24a of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 and/or the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 from the open orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8M) back to the closed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 8N) in order to deny unobstructed access to the second portion 50a₂ (see, e.g., FIG. 8M) of the lower cavity 50a (see, e.g., FIGS. 8M and 8N) of the base portion 12 (and, as a result, denying unobstructed access to the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1). Thereafter, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 may repeat the steps of scouring the floor surface F for debris (as seen at FIGS. 8A-8E), and then, at a later time, the user may then receive another notification (e.g., the user may hear a sound, see a blinking light, or the like that is communicated by one or both of the docking station 1 and the floor-engaging mobile device 2) that the reservoir 1c (that is located within the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1) is at capacity with debris that was collected by the floor-engaging mobile device 2. Accordingly, the user may then be tasked once again with configuring the container 10 in manner (as seen at FIGS. 8F-8G) to access the debris-filled reservoir 1c (as seen at FIGS. 8H-8I) in order to empty the debris from the debris-filled reservoir 1c, or, alternatively, replace the debris-filled reservoir 1c with an empty reservoir 1c (as seen at FIGS. 8J-8K).

Implementations of the present disclosure also relate generally to a container 300 (see, e.g., FIGS. 13A-13B). The container 300 includes an exemplary shelf panel member 425 (see, e.g., FIGS. 13B, 14A, and 14B) that is selectively arrangable within a lower cavity 350a of a cavity 350 (see, e.g., FIG. 13B) of the container 300 for demarcating the lower cavity 350a into: (1) a first cavity portion 350a₁ (that contains: a docking portion 1a of a docking station 1; and a floor-engaging mobile device 2 that is selectively engagable with the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1); and (2) the second cavity portion 350a₂ (that contains a tower portion 1b of the docking station 1). The container 300 may be generally referred to as an entertainment center.

The structure and method of operating the container 300 is substantially similar to the structure and method of operating the container 10 described above at FIGS. 1-12; therefore, similar reference numerals and associated description are also applicable to the structure and method of operating the container 300. Although the illustrated implementation of the container 300 does not show a support portion (see, e.g., the support portion 14 of the container 10), other implementations of the container 300 may include a support portion.

As seen at FIG. 13B, the shelf panel member 425 extends laterally across the lower cavity 350a of the cavity 350. A first end 425a of the shelf panel member 425 is removably-connected to the inner side surface of the first side panel member 316. A second end 425b of the shelf panel member 425 (that is opposite the first end 425a of the shelf panel member 425) is removably-connected to the inner side surface of the second side panel member 318.

As seen at FIGS. 14A-14B, the shelf panel member 425 includes a width dimension W₄₂₅ extending between the first end 425a of the shelf panel member 425 and the second end 425b of the shelf panel member 425. The shelf panel member 425 also includes a depth dimension D₄₂₅ extending between a front end 425c of the shelf panel member 425 and a rear end 425d of the shelf panel member 425 (that is opposite the front end 425c of the shelf panel member 425).

The front end 425c of the shelf panel member 425 is generally parallel to the rear end 425d of the shelf panel member 425 with the exception of a central notched portion 427 formed by the rear end 425d of the shelf panel member 425. The central notched portion 427 may be defined by a substantially C-shaped configuration that is configured to permit passage of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 that extends away from the docking portion 1a of a docking station 1 when the shelf panel member 425 is attached to the container 300.

The central notched portion 427 may be defined by a first segment 427a, a second segment 427b, and a third segment 427c that connects the first segment 427a to the second segment 427b. The first segment 427a of the central notched portion 427 extends from a first portion of the rear end 425d of the shelf panel member 425 at an angle θ_427a that may be approximately equal to 120°. The second segment 427b of the central notched portion 427 extends from a second portion of the rear end 425d of the shelf panel member 425 at an angle θ427b that may be approximately equal to 120°. The third segment 427c of the central notched portion 427 is substantially parallel to both of the front end 425c of the shelf panel member 425 and the rear end 425d of the shelf panel member 425. Accordingly, when the shelf panel member 425 is removably-attached to the container 300, the first, second, and third segments 427a, 427b, 427c of the central notched portion 427 of the shelf panel member 425 are sufficiently spaced apart from an inner surface of the at least one rear trim panel 332 (see, e.g., FIG. 13B) of the container 300 to define a gap or spacing that permits the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 to pass through the gap or spacing.

Implementations of the present disclosure also relate generally to a container 500 (see, e.g., FIGS. 15A-15B). The container 500 includes an exemplary shelf panel member 525 (see, e.g., FIG. 15B) that is selectively arrangable within a lower cavity 550a of a cavity 550 (see, e.g., FIG. 15B) of the container 500 for demarcating the lower cavity 550a into: (1) a first cavity portion 550a₁ (that contains: a docking portion 1a of a docking station 1; and a floor-engaging mobile device 2 that is selectively engagable with the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1); and (2) the second cavity portion 550a₂ (that contains a tower portion 1b of the docking station 1). The container 500 may be referred to as an appliance storage pantry.

The structure and method of operating the container 500 is substantially similar to the structure and method of operating the container 10 described above at FIGS. 1-12 as well as the container 300 described above at FIGS. 13A-13B; therefore, similar reference numerals and associated description are also applicable to the structure and method of operating the container 500. Although the illustrated implementation of the container 500 does not show a support portion (see, e.g., the support portion 14 of the container 10), other implementations of the container 500 may include a support portion.

Furthermore, the shelf panel member 525 is substantially similar to the shelf panel member 425 described above at FIGS. 14A-14B. The front end 525c of the shelf panel member 525 is generally parallel to the rear end 525d of the shelf panel member 525; however, the shelf panel member 525 does not include a central notched portion. Because the shelf panel member 525 does not include a central notched portion, the depth dimension (as similarly shown at, e.g., the depth dimension D₄₂₅ extending between the front end 425c and the rear end 425d of the shelf panel member 425 at FIG. 14B) extending between the front end 525c of the shelf panel member 525 and a rear end 525d of the shelf panel member 525 is configured to permit passage of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 that extends away from the docking portion 1a of a docking station 1 when the shelf panel member 525 is removably-attached to the container 500. In other words, when the shelf panel member 525 is removably-attached to the container 500, the rear end 525d of the shelf panel member 525 is generally parallel with and spaced apart from an inner surface of the at least one rear trim panel 532 (see, e.g., FIG. 15B) of the container 500 to define a gap or spacing that permits the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 to pass through the gap or spacing.

Implementations of the present disclosure also relate generally to a container 600 (see, e.g., FIGS. 16A-16B). The container 600 includes an exemplary shelf panel member 625 (see, e.g., FIG. 16B) that is selectively arrangable within a lower cavity 650a of a cavity 650 (see, e.g., FIG. 16B) of the container 600 for demarcating the lower cavity 650a into: (1) a first cavity portion 650a₁ (that contains: a docking portion 1a of a docking station 1; and a floor-engaging mobile device 2 that is selectively engagable with the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1); and (2) the second cavity portion 650a₂ (that contains a tower portion 1b of the docking station 1). The container 600 may be referred to as an appliance storage pantry.

The structure and method of operating the container 600 is substantially similar to the structure and method of operating the container 10 described above at FIGS. 1-12 as well as the containers 300, 500 described above at FIGS. 13A-13B and 15A-15B, respectively; therefore, similar reference numerals and associated description are also applicable to the structure and method of operating the container 600. Although the illustrated implementation of the container 600 does not show a support portion (see, e.g., the support portion 14 of the container 10), other implementations of the container 600 may include a support portion.

Furthermore, the shelf panel member 625 is substantially similar to the shelf panel member 425 described above at FIGS. 14A-14B. The front end 625c of the shelf panel member 625 is generally parallel to the rear end 625d of the shelf panel member 625; however, the shelf panel member 625 does not include a central notched portion. Because the shelf panel member 625 does not include a central notched portion, the depth dimension (as similarly shown at, e.g., the depth dimension D₄₂₅ extending between the front end 425c and the rear end 425d of the shelf panel member 425 at FIG. 14B) extending between the front end 625c of the shelf panel member 625 and a rear end 625d of the shelf panel member 625 is configured to permit passage of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 that extends away from the docking portion 1a of a docking station 1 when the shelf panel member 625 is attached to the container 600. In other words, when the shelf panel member 625 is removably-attached to the container 600, the rear end 625d of the shelf panel member 625 is generally parallel with and spaced apart from an inner surface of the at least one rear trim panel 632 (see, e.g., FIG. 16B) of the container 600 to define a gap or spacing that permits the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 to pass through the gap or spacing.

Implementations of the present disclosure also relate generally to a container 700 (see, e.g., FIGS. 17A-17C). The container 700 includes an exemplary shelf panel member 725 (see, e.g., FIGS. 17A-17C) that is selectively arrangable within a lower cavity 750a of a cavity 750 (see, e.g., FIGS. 17A-17C) of the container 700 for demarcating the lower cavity 750a into: (1) a first cavity portion 750a₁ (that contains: a docking portion 1a of a docking station 1; and a floor-engaging mobile device 2 that is selectively engagable with the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1); and (2) the second cavity portion 750a₂ (that contains a tower portion 1b of the docking station 1). The container 700 may be referred to as a mudroom storage bench or an entryway storage bench.

The structure and method of operating the container 700 is substantially similar to the structure and method of operating the container 10 described above at FIGS. 1-12 as well as the containers 300, 500, 600 described above at FIGS. 13A-13B, 15A-15B, and 16A-16B respectively; therefore, similar reference numerals and associated description are also applicable to the structure and method of operating the container 700. Although the illustrated implementation of the container 700 does not show a support portion (see, e.g., the support portion 14 of the container 10), other implementations of the container 700 may include a support portion.

Furthermore, the shelf panel member 725 is substantially similar to the shelf panel member 425 described above at FIGS. 14A-14B. The front end 725c of the shelf panel member 725 is generally parallel to the rear end 725d of the shelf panel member 725; however, the shelf panel member 725 does not include a central notched portion. Because the shelf panel member 725 does not include a central notched portion, the depth dimension (as similarly shown at, e.g., the depth dimension D₄₂₅ extending between the front end 425c and the rear end 425d of the shelf panel member 425 at FIG. 14B) extending between the front end 725c of the shelf panel member 725 and a rear end 725d of the shelf panel member 725 is configured to permit passage of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 that extends away from the docking portion 1a of a docking station 1 when the shelf panel member 725 is attached to the container 700. In other words, when the shelf panel member 725 is removably-attached to the container 700, the rear end 725d of the shelf panel member 725 is generally parallel with and spaced apart from an inner surface of the at least one rear trim panel 732 (see, e.g., FIG. 17B) of the container 700 to define a gap or spacing that permits the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 to pass through the gap or spacing.

Yet even further, the container 700 is further structurally and functionally distinguished from the containers 300, 500, 600, 800 described in the present disclosure at FIGS. 13A-13B, 15A-15B, 16A-16B, and 18A-18B, respectively. More specifically, as seen at FIGS. 17A-17B the container 700 does not include at least one front closure panel member (see, e.g., the first front closure panel member 24a of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 of the container 10) that would otherwise permit or deny access to the lower cavity 750a of the cavity 750. Rather, the container 700 includes a roof panel member 720 that is demarcated into, for example, a first side roof sub-panel member 720a extending from the first side panel member 716, a second side roof sub-panel member 720b extending from the second side panel member 718, and an intermediate roof sub-panel member 720c arranged between the first side roof sub-panel member 720a and the second side roof sub-panel member 720b.

As seen at FIG. 17A, all of the roof sub-panel members 720a, 702b, 720c are arranged in closed orientation or a pivoted-down orientation; conversely, as seen at FIG. 17B, the intermediate roof sub-panel member 720c is arranged in an open orientation or a pivoted-up orientation (while the first and second roof sub-panel members 720a, 720b remain arranged in the closed orientation or pivoted-down orientation). Furthermore, as seen at FIG. 17B, when the intermediate roof sub-panel member 720c is arranged in the open orientation or the pivoted-up orientation, access to the debris-filled reservoir 1c formed in the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is permitted; accordingly, an alternative methodology for access the debris-filled reservoir 1c formed in the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is arrived at by manipulating a closed/open orientation of the roof panel member 720 of the container 700 (rather than manipulating a closed/open orientation of at least one front closure panel member).

Implementations of the present disclosure also relate generally to a container 800 (see, e.g., FIGS. 18A-18B). The container 800 includes an exemplary shelf panel member 825 (see, e.g., FIG. 18B) that is selectively arrangable within a lower cavity 850a of a cavity 850 (see, e.g., FIG. 18B) of the container 800 for demarcating the lower cavity 850a into: (1) a first cavity portion 850a₁ (that contains: a docking portion 1a of a docking station 1; and a floor-engaging mobile device 2 that is selectively engagable with the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1); and (2) the second cavity portion 850a₂ (that contains a tower portion 1b of the docking station 1). The container 800 may be referred to as an end table or a side table.

The structure and method of operating the container 800 is substantially similar to the structure and method of operating the container 10 described above at FIGS. 1-12 as well as the containers 300, 500, 600, 700 described above at FIGS. 13A-13B, 15A-15B, 16A-16B, and 17A-17B respectively; therefore, similar reference numerals and associated description are also applicable to the structure and method of operating the container 800. Although the illustrated implementation of the container 800 does not show a support portion (see, e.g., the support portion 14 of the container 10), other implementations of the container 800 may include a support portion.

Furthermore, the shelf panel member 825 is substantially similar to the shelf panel member 425 described above at FIGS. 14A-14B. The front end 825c of the shelf panel member 825 is generally parallel to the rear end 825d of the shelf panel member 825; however, the shelf panel member 825 does not include a central notched portion. Because the shelf panel member 825 does not include a central notched portion, the depth dimension (as similarly shown at, e.g., the depth dimension D₄₂₅ extending between the front end 425c and the rear end 425d of the shelf panel member 425 at FIG. 14B) extending between the front end 825c of the shelf panel member 825 and a rear end 825d of the shelf panel member 825 is configured to permit passage of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 that extends away from the docking portion 1a of a docking station 1 when the shelf panel member 825 is attached to the container 800. In other words, when the shelf panel member 825 is removably-attached to the container 800, the rear end 825d of the shelf panel member 825 is generally parallel with and spaced apart from an inner surface of the at least one rear trim panel 832 (see, e.g., FIG. 18B) of the container 800 to define a gap or spacing that permits the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 to pass through the gap or spacing.

Implementations of the present disclosure relate generally to a container 900 (see, e.g., FIGS. 19 and 20A-20C). The container 900 includes a base portion 912 (see, e.g., FIGS. 20A-20C) and a support portion 914 (see, e.g., FIGS. 20A-20C). The base portion 912 define a cavity (see, e.g., cavity 950 at FIG. 20C) having a first cavity portion (see, e.g., a first portion 950a₁ of a lower cavity 950a of the cavity 950 of the base portion 912 at FIGS. 20A-20C) and a second cavity portion (see, e.g., a second portion 950a₂ of a lower cavity 950a of the cavity 950 of the base portion 912 at FIGS. 20B-20C). One or more components of the base portion 912 and/or the support portion 914 may be formed from any desirable material such as, for example, metal, plastic, or the like.

The support portion 914 is arrangable relative the base portion 912 in: (1) a stowed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 20A and 20B) within the first cavity portion 950a₁ of the cavity 950 and the second cavity portion 950a₂ of the cavity 950; or a deployed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20C) partially, or entirely, outside of the first cavity portion 950a₁ of the cavity 950 and the second cavity portion 950a₂ of the cavity 950. In a substantially similar manner as described at FIGS. 8A-8N, the support portion 914 is sized for supporting one or more items 1 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8A-8N), 2 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8A and 8E-8N).

The following written description makes reference to FIGS. 8A-8N, which includes the container 10 that contributes to the formation of an assembly 100 as well as an assembly 200; however, the written description at FIGS. 8A-8N also is applicable to the container 900 (instead of the container 10) that may also contribute to forming the assembly 100 as well as the assembly 200. Accordingly, when reference is made to the assembly 100 or the assembly 200 in the following description, the container that contributes to forming the assembly 100 or the assembly 200 may alternatively include the container 900 instead of the container 10.

As seen at FIGS. 8A-8N, the one or more items 1, 2 may be: (1) contained within the container 900 when the support portion 914 of the container 900 is arranged in the stowed orientation (as seen at FIG. 20A); or (2) at least partially supported by the container 10 when the support portion 914 of the container 900 is arranged in the deployed orientation relative the base portion 912 of the container 900 (as seen at FIG. 20B-20C). As seen respectively at, for example, FIGS. 8A-8N, an assembly 100 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8B-8D), 200 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8A and 8E-8N), which may each alternatively include the container 900 instead of the container 10, is formed when the one or more items 1, 2 is/are supported by the support portion 914 of the container 900. In some configurations, the item 1 may be referred to as an immobile item, and, the item 2 may be referred to as a mobile item.

In a first example, as seen at FIGS. 8F-8M, the item 1 of the assembly 100, which may alternatively include the container 900 instead of the container 10, may include a docking station having a docking portion 1a and a tower portion 1b. The tower portion 1b is connected to and extends upwardly and away from (according to the direction of the arrow Z (see, e.g., FIG. 8F) of an XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) the docking portion 1a.

The docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 is sized for arrangement upon the support portion 914 of the container 900. Furthermore, as will be explained in the following disclosure, the first cavity portion 950a₁ of the cavity 950 is sized for receiving the item 2 and the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 when the support portion 914 of the container 900 is arranged in the stowed orientation relative the base portion 912 of the container 900 (as seen at FIG. 20A). The tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is connected to and extends upwardly and away from the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 such that the second cavity portion 950a₂ of the cavity 950 is sized for receiving the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 when, as seen at FIGS. 8F and 8M, the support portion 914 of the container 900 is arranged in the stowed orientation relative the base portion 912 of the container 900.

The docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 may provide a docking interface body (see, e.g., FIGS. 8B-8D) for the item 2, which may be, for example, a floor-engaging mobile device 2. As seen at FIGS. 8A-8E, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is free to engage with or depart from the assembly 100, which may alternatively include the container 900 instead of the container 10, at its convenience. Furthermore, although not seen in the Figures, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is free to depart from the assembly 100, which may alternatively include the container 900 instead of the container 10, at any time, irrespective of the stowed orientation or the deployed orientation of the support portion 914 of the container 900 relative the base portion 912 of the container 900. Upon the floor-engaging mobile device 2 engaging the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1, the assembly 200, which may alternatively include the container 900 instead of the container 10, is said to be formed.

Referring now to FIGS. 19 and 20A-20C, an exemplary configuration of the base portion 912 of the container 900 is described. The base portion 912 includes a first side panel member 916, a second side panel member 918, a roof panel member 920, a shelf panel member 922 (see, e.g., FIG. 19) and at least one front closure panel member 924.

In some configurations, the at least one front closure panel member 924 may include a pair of front closure panel members 924 defined by a first front closure panel member 924a and a second front closure panel member 924b. Referring to FIG. 19, the base portion 912 may also optionally include a roof panel member trim portion 926. As seen at FIG. 19, the base portion 912 may also optionally include at least one rear trim panel 932. The at least one rear trim panel 932 may include a lower rear trim panel 932a and an upper rear trim panel 932b. With continued reference to FIG. 19, the base portion 912 may also optionally include a drawer portion 952. The drawer portion 952 may include a support panel 952a, a first side panel member 952b, a second side panel member 952c, a rear panel member 952d, and a front drawer closure panel member 952e.

The members and panels 916-926, 932, and 952 that form the base portion 912 may be connected with one or more fasteners (e.g., dowels, nails, screws, washers), adhesive, or the like; in some examples, the one or more fasteners may include one or more cam lock nuts F₁ (see, e.g., FIG. 9) and one or more cam screws F₂ (see, e.g., FIG. 10) for joining a first panel P₁ (see, e.g., FIGS. 11-12) of the members and panels 916-926, 932, and 952 that form the base portion 912 to a second panel P₂ (see, e.g., FIGS. 11-12) of the members and panels 916-926, 932, and 952 that form the base portion 912. As such, the base portion 912 may be a ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture component that may be assembled by a user rather than assembled by a furniture manufacturer.

If one or more cam nuts F₁ and one or more cam screws F₂ are utilized for assembling the base portion 912, the base portion 912 may be assembled as follows. For example, as seen at FIG. 11, a cam nut F₁ may be rotatably-disposed within a cam nut-receiving bore P_B1 of a first member/panel P₁ of the members/panels 916-926, 932, and 952 of the base portion 912, and a cam screw F₂ may be threadingly-secured within a threaded bore P_B2 (see, e.g., FIG. 12) formed by a second member/panel P₂ of the members/panels 916-926, 932, and 952 of the base portion 912. In order to connect the first member/panel P₁ (that includes the one or more cam nuts F₁) to the second member/panel P₂ (that includes the one or more cam screws F₂), the cam screw F₂ is axially-aligned with (see, e.g., FIG. 11) a cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3 (see, e.g., FIG. 11) that is formed by the first member/panel P₁ and then the cam screw F₂ is inserted into (see, e.g., FIG. 12) the cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3. As seen at FIGS. 11-12, the cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3 is substantially perpendicular with respect to the cam nut-receiving bore P_B1. Then, as seen at FIG. 12, once a distal end F_2D of the cam screw F₂ is interfaced with a proximal end F_1P of the cam nut F₁, a user utilizes a tool T (see, e.g., FIG. 12), such as, a screwdriver, in order to engage a distal end F_1D of the cam nut F₁ to rotate R the cam nut F₁. Rotation R of the cam nut F₁ results in the application of a pulling force or a drawing force X (that is orthogonal to a rotational axis A_R-A_R of the cam nut F₁) applied to the cam screw F₂. As a result, because a proximal end F_2P of the cam screw F₂ is threadingly-secured to the second panel P₂, an outer surface P_2S of the second panel P₂ (where the cam screw F₂ extends therefrom) is drawn into close or tight engagement with an outer surface P_1S of the first panel P₁ (that provides access to the cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3).

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20A-20C, an exemplary connection arrangement of the members/panels 916-926, 932, and 952 of the base portion 912 is now described. A first side surface of the shelf panel member 922 is secured to an inner side surface of the first side panel member 916. A second side surface of the shelf panel member 922 (that is opposite the first side surface of the shelf panel member 922) is secured to an inner side surface of the second side panel member 918. An upper side surface of the first side panel member 916 is secured to a lower surface 920_L of the roof panel member 920 near a first side surface of the roof panel member 920. An upper side surface of the second side panel member 918 is secured to the lower surface 920_L of the roof panel member 920 near a second side surface of the roof panel member 920 (that is opposite the first side surface of the roof panel member 920).

The first front closure panel member 924a of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 may be hingedly-secured to the inner side surface of the first side panel member 916 by, for example, a first pair of hinge brackets (not shown); the first pair of hinge brackets permit the first front closure panel member 924a to pivot from a closed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20A) to an open orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20B-20C) a full 180°. The second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 may be hingedly-secured to the inner side surface of the second side panel member 918 by, for example, a second pair of hinge brackets (not shown) in a substantially similar manner as that of the first front closure panel member 924a being hingedly-secured to the inner side surface of the first side panel member 916 by the first pair of hinge brackets; the second pair of hinge brackets permit the second front closure panel member 924b to pivot from a closed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20A) to an open orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20B-20C) a full 180°. The roof panel member trim portion 926 is secured to a front surface 920_F of the roof panel member 920.

The lower rear trim panel 932a of the optional at least one rear trim panel 932 may be secured to the base portion 912 as follows. A first side surface of the lower rear trim panel 932a is secured to the inner side surface of the first side panel member 916 that is near a lower side surface of the first side panel member 916. A second side surface of the lower rear trim panel 932a (that is opposite the first side surface of the lower rear trim panel 932a) is secured to the inner side surface of the second side panel member 918 that is near a lower side surface of the second side panel member 918. A lower side surface of the lower rear trim panel 932a may be substantially aligned with or is substantially coplanar with: (1) the lower side surface of the first side panel member 916; and (2) the lower side surface of the second side panel member 918.

In some implementations, the lower rear trim panel 932a may include one or more passages (not shown) extending through a thickness of the lower rear trim panel 932a. The thickness of the lower rear trim panel 932a extends between a front side surface of the lower rear trim panel 932a and a rear side surface of the lower rear trim panel 932a. The one or more passages (not shown) of the lower rear trim panel 932a may be arranged near the lower side surface of the lower rear trim panel 932a. The one or more passages (not shown) of the lower rear trim panel 932a may be sized for permitting passage of, for example, a power cord (not shown) that may extend from, for example, one or both of the one or more items 1, 2.

The upper rear trim panel 932b of the optional at least one rear trim panel 932 may be secured to the base portion 912 as follows. A first portion of a front side surface of the upper rear trim panel 932b (that extends along a first side surface of the upper rear trim panel 932b) is secured to a portion of a rear side surface of the first side panel member 916 (that extends from the upper side surface of the first side panel member 916). A second portion of the front side surface of the upper rear trim panel 932b (that extends along a second side surface of the upper rear trim panel 932b) is secured to a portion of a rear side surface of the second side panel member 918 (that extends from the upper side surface of the second side panel member 918). An upper side surface of the upper rear trim panel 932b may be substantially aligned with or is substantially coplanar with: (1) the upper side surface of the first side panel member 916; and (2) the upper side surface of the second side panel member 918.

The optional drawer portion 952 may be assembled as follows. A first side surface of the support panel 952a is secured to the inner side surface of the first side panel member 952b. A second side surface of the support panel 952a (that is opposite the first side surface of the support panel 952a) is secured to the inner side surface of the second side panel member 952c. Regarding the front drawer closure panel member 952e: (1) a first inner side surface portion of the front drawer closure panel member 952e proximate a first end of the front drawer closure panel member 952e is secured to a front surface of the first side panel member 952b; (2) a second inner side surface portion of the front drawer closure panel member 952e proximate a second end of the front drawer closure panel member 952e (that is opposite the first end of the front drawer closure panel member 952e) is secured to a front surface of the second side panel member 952c; and (3) a third inner side surface portion of the front drawer closure panel member 952e extending between the first end of the front drawer closure panel member 952e and the second end of the front drawer closure panel member 952e is secured to a front surface of the support panel 952a.

The assembled optional drawer portion 952 may then be secured to the base portion 912 as follows. An outer side surface of each of the first side panel member 952b and the second side panel member 952c may include a first movement mechanism (not shown), such as, for example, an extension slide, wheels, a frictionless track glide, or the like. The first movement mechanism slidably interfaces with a second movement mechanism (not shown), such as, for example, a corresponding extension slide, wheels, frictionless track glide, or the like. The second movement mechanism is secured to the inner surface to each of the inner side surface of the first side panel member 916 and the second side panel member 918.

Referring also to FIGS. 19 and 20A-20C, an exemplary configuration of the support portion 914 of the container 200 is described. The support portion 914 includes a support panel 934, a first side panel 936, a second side panel 938, and a rear panel 940. The members and panels 934-940 that form the support portion 914 may be connected with one or more fasteners (e.g., dowels, nails, screws, washers), adhesive, or the like (not shown); in some examples, the one or more fasteners may include one or more cam lock nuts F₁ (see, e.g., FIG. 9) and one or more cam screws F₂ (see, e.g., FIG. 10) for joining a first panel P₁ (see, e.g., FIGS. 11-12) of the members and panels 934-940 that form the support portion 914 to a second panel P₂ (see, e.g., FIGS. 11-12) of the members and panels 934-940 that form the support portion 914. As such, the support portion 914 may be a ready-to-assemble (RTA) furniture component that may be assembled by a user rather than assembled by a furniture manufacturer.

If one or more cam nuts F₁ and one or more cam screws F₂ are utilized for assembling the support portion 914, the support portion 914 may be assembled as follows. For example, as seen at FIG. 11, a cam nut F₁ may be rotatably-disposed within a cam nut-receiving bore P_B1 of a first member/panel P₁ of the members/panels 916-930 of the base portion 912, and a cam screw F₂ may be threadingly-secured within a threaded bore P_B2 (see, e.g., FIG. 12) formed by a second member/panel P₂ of the members/panels 934-940 of the support portion 914. In order to connect the first member/panel P₁ (that includes the one or more cam nuts F₁) to the second member/panel P₂ (that includes the one or more cam screws F₂), the cam screw F₂ is axially-aligned with (see, e.g., FIG. 11) a cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3 (see, e.g., FIG. 11) that is formed by the first member/panel P₁ and then the cam screw F₂ is inserted into (see, e.g., FIG. 12) the cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3. As seen at FIGS. 11-12, the cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3 is substantially perpendicular with respect to the cam nut-receiving bore P_B1. As seen at FIG. 12, once a distal end F_2D of the cam screw F₂ is interfaced with a proximal end Fir of the cam nut F₁, a user utilizes a tool T (see, e.g., FIG. 12), such as, a screwdriver, in order to engage a distal end F_1D of the cam nut F₁ to rotate R the cam nut F₁. Rotation R of the cam nut F₁ results in the application of a pulling force or a drawing force X (that is orthogonal to a rotations axis A_R-A_R of the cam nut F₁) to the cam screw F₂. As a result, an outer surface P_2S of the second panel P₂ that includes the cam screw F₂ extending therefrom is drawn into close or tight engagement with an outer surface P_1S of the first panel P₁ that provides access to the cam nut bore access passageway bore P_B3.

Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20A-20C, an exemplary connection arrangement of the members/panels 934-940 of the support portion 914 is now described. Firstly, as seen at FIG. 19, the support panel 934 includes an upper side surface 934_U and a lower side surface 934_L (see, e.g., FIG. 3) that is opposite the upper side surface 934_U.

With continued reference to FIG. 19, the support panel 934 includes a ramp portion 935 that is connected to or extends from a front surface 934_F of the support panel 934. The ramp portion 935 includes: (1) an upper surface 935_U; (2) a lower surface 935_L; and (3) a rear surface 935_R. A first end of each of the upper surface 935_U and the lower surface 935_L meet to form a front edge 935_E that may be alternatively referred to as a front surface of the ramp portion 935. A second end of the upper surface 935_U is connected to an upper end of the rear surface 935_R. A second end of the lower surface 935_L is connected to a lower end of the rear surface 935_R.

As the ramp portion 935 extends from the front edge 935_E to the rear surface 935_R. The upper surface 935_U and the lower surface 935_L diverge from one another at the front edge 935_E to define an angle θ₉₃₅ (see, e.g., FIG. 19).

In some implementations, the angle θ₉₃₅ may range between about 0.01° to about 15.00°. In other implementations, the angle θ₉₃₅ may range between about 0.01° to about 12.00°. In some examples, the angle θ₉₃₅ does not exceed about 12.00°. In other examples, the angle θ₉₃₅ may be about 12.00°. The angle θ₉₃₅ permits the floor-engaging mobile device 2 to be able to travel from: (1) the floor surface F (see, e.g., comparatively at FIGS. 8C-8D); (2) up the ramp portion 935; and (3) ultimately upon the upper side surface 934_U of the support panel 934 of the support portion 914 (see, e.g., comparatively at FIGS. 8D-8E) in order to re-engage the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 (see, e.g., comparatively at FIG. 8E). In other words, an onboard motor (not shown) of the mobile device 2 may not be able to drive wheels (not shown) of the mobile device 2 in order to navigate a steep angle of the ramp portion 935 if, for example, the angle θ₉₃₅ is defined by an angle greater than that as described herein. As a result, if the angle θ₉₃₅ were to be steeper than described herein, the mobile device 2 may be undesirably prohibited from re-engaging the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1.

An inner side surface of the first side panel 936 is secured to a first outer side surface of the support panel 934. An inner side surface of the second side panel 938 is secured to a second outer side surface (that is opposite the first outer side surface of the support panel 934) of the support panel 934. A front side surface of the rear side panel 940 is secured to a rear side surface of the support panel 934.

As seen at FIGS. 19 and 20A-20C, the support portion 914 also does not include a front side panel that would otherwise be arranged opposite the rear side panel 940. As a result of not including a front side panel (that would otherwise be arranged opposite the rear side panel 940), as will be explained in the following disclosure, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is free to be arranged over or arranged away from/depart from the support portion 914 at its convenience (as seen at FIGS. 8A-8E).

Furthermore, as seen at FIGS. 20B and 20C, the rear side panel 940 may include one or more passages 940_P. In some implementations, the one or more passages 940_P may extend through a thickness of the rear side panel 940, or, alternatively, the rear side panel 940 may include a length that is shorter than a width of the support panel 934 whereby one or more passages 940_P are formed between one or both of the first side panel 936 and rear side panel 940 and/or the second side panel 938 and the rear side panel 940. The one or more passages 940_P of the support portion 914 (or, alternatively, formed by a combination of an arrangement of the rear side panel 940 and one or both of the first side panel 936 and the rear side panel 938) may be sized for permitting passage of, for example, a power cord (not shown) that may extend from, for example, one or both of the one or more items 1, 2.

Referring to FIG. 20C, in some implementations, the support portion 914 is slidably-connected to the base portion 912 by a movement mechanism (e.g., an extension slide including brackets, wheels, a frictionless track glide, or the like). In some configurations, a pair of slide brackets 942 are utilized for slidably-connecting the support portion 914 to the base portion 912. Each bracket of the pair of slide brackets include a first bracket portion 942a and a second bracket portion 942b. The first bracket portion 942a is fixedly-mounted to an outer side surface of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938. The second bracket portion 942b is fixedly-mounted to the inner side surface of the first side panel member 916 and the second side panel member 918. Accordingly, the support portion 914 of the container 900 is movably-arranged relative the base portion 912 of the container 900 to/from the stowed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 20A and 20B) and the deployed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20C) in a “pull-out” (according to the direction of the arrow Y as seen in FIG. 20B)/“push-in” (according to the direction of the arrow Y′ as seen in FIG. 20C) manner. However, in other implementations, the support portion 914 of the container 900 may be arranged in a fixed orientation relative the base portion 912 of the container 900 whereby: (1) the inner side surface of the first side panel member 916 is secured to the outer side surface of the first side panel member 952b without the first movement mechanism and the second movement mechanism; and (2) the inner side surface of the second side panel member 918 is secured to the outer side surface of the second side panel member 952c without the first movement mechanism and the second movement mechanism. In some embodiments, the movement mechanism (e.g. slide brackets 942) permits support portion 914 to be moved in the direction Y from the stowed orientation to a deployed orientation in which the entire support portion 914 is not located within (i.e., is outside of) the first cavity portion 950a₁ of the cavity 950 and the second cavity portion 950a₂ of the cavity 950.

When the support portion 914 is arranged in a fully stowed orientation as seen at, for example, FIG. 20A, a front side surface of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 of the support portion 914 may not be aligned with or coplanar with the front side surface of the first side panel member 916 and the second side panel member 918 of the base portion 912 (i.e., the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 of the support portion 914 may be slightly recessed within the lower cavity 950a of the cavity 950 of the base portion 912 in order to accommodate a width of the ramp portion 935 whereby the front edge 935_E of the ramp portion 935 may be substantially aligned with or coplanar with the front side surface of the first side panel member 916 and the second side panel member 918 of the base portion 912). Conversely, when the support portion 914 is arranged in a fully deployed orientation as seen at FIG. 20C, the front side surface of the rear side panel 940 of the support portion 914 may be substantially aligned with, coplanar with, or slightly arranged beyond the front side surface of the first side panel member 916 and the second side panel member 918 of the base portion 912.

With reference to FIG. 19, in other configurations, the support portion 914 may further include one or more user-engageable portions 944. The one or more user-engagement portions 944 may be, for example, a grab bar, handle, or the like that is secured to, as seen at FIGS. 20B-20C, an inner side surface of, respectively, the first side panel 936 and/or the second side panel 938. Functionally, a user may grasp the handle 944 and apply a pulling force (according to the direction of the arrow Y of FIG. 20B) or a pushing force (according to the direction of the arrow Y′ of FIG. 20C, which is opposite the direction of the arrow Y) in order to arrange the support portion 914 in one of the deployed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20C) or the stowed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 20A, 20B).

Unlike the one or more user-engageable knobs 44 of the support portion 14 of the container 10 that are arranged relatively close to the floor surface F, the handle 944 is arranged near an upper surface 936_U-1, 938_U-1 (see, e.g., FIG. 19) of a first segment 936₁, 938₁ of each of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 of the support portion 914. The upper surface 936_U-1, 938_U-1 of the first segment 936₁, 938₁ of each of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 of the support portion 914 are arranged further away from an upper surface 936_U-2, 938_U-2 of a second segment 936₂, 938₂ of each of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 of the support portion 914, which is arranged closer to the floor surface. Accordingly, the handle 944 is arranged: (1) further away from the floor surface F; and (2) closer to being within reach of a user's hand.

In some implementations, the upper surface 936_U-1, 938_U-1 of the first segment 936₁, 938₁ of each of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 of the support portion 914 (and, similarly, the handle 944) may be arranged at a distance away from the floor surface F between about 12″ to about 48″. In other implementations, the upper surface 936_U-1, 938_U-1 of the first segment 936₁, 938₁ of each of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 of the support portion 914 (and, similarly, the handle 944) may be arranged at a distance away from the floor surface F between about 15″ to about 24″. In some examples, the upper surface 936_U-1, 938_U-1 of the first segment 936₁, 938₁ of each of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 of the support portion 914 (and, similarly, the handle 944) may be arranged at a distance away from the floor surface F at least about 20″.

In some implementations, the upper surface 936_U-2, 938_U-2 of the second segment 936₂, 938₂ of each of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 of the support portion 914 may be arranged at a distance away from the upper side surface 934_U of the support panel 934 of the support portion 914 between about 1″ to about 5″. In other implementations, the upper surface 936_U-2, 938_U-2 of the second segment 936₂, 938₂ of each of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 of the support portion 914 may be arranged at a distance away from the upper side surface 934_U of the support panel 934 of the support portion 914 between about 3″ to about 5″. In some examples, the upper surface 936_U-2, 938_U-2 of the second segment 936₂, 938₂ of each of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 of the support portion 914 may be arranged at a distance away from the upper side surface 934_U of the support panel 934 of the support portion 914 no greater than about 5″.

Furthermore with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20A-20C, in other configurations, the base portion 912 may include one or more user-engageable knobs 946. The one or more user-engagement knobs 946 (e.g., door hardware) may be secured to an outer side surface of, respectively, the first front closure panel member 924a of the first pair of front closure panel members 924, the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924. Functionally, a user may grasp the one or more user-engageable knobs 946 of the first front closure panel member 924a and the second front closure panel member 924b and apply an arcuate pulling force (according to a direction of arrows A of FIG. 20A) or an arcuate pushing force (according to a direction of arrows A′ of FIG. 20B, which is opposite the direction of the arrows A) in order to arrange the first front closure panel member 924a of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 and/or the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 in one of an open orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 20B-20C) or a closed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20A).

Yet even further, with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20A-20C, in further configurations, the base portion 912 may include one or more additional user-engageable knobs 948. The one or more additional user-engagement knobs 948 (e.g., door hardware) may be secured to, for example, an outer side surface of, respectively, the front drawer closure panel member 952e of the optional drawer portion 952. Functionally, a user may grasp the one or more additional user-engageable knobs 948 and apply a pulling force (according to the direction of the arrow Y of FIG. 20B) or a pushing force (according to the direction of the arrow Y′ of FIG. 20C, which is opposite the direction of the arrow Y) in order to arrange the optional drawer portion 952 in one of an open orientation (not shown) or a closed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 20A-20C).

With reference to FIG. 20C, the first side panel member 916, the second side panel member 918, and the roof panel member 920 define a cavity 950 of the base portion 912. The shelf panel member 922 of the base portion 912 extends across the cavity 950, and, as a result, divides the cavity 950 into a lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 and an upper cavity 950b (see, e.g., FIG. 20C) of the base portion 912 (i.e., the optional drawer portion 952 occupies the upper cavity 950b of the base portion 912).

In a substantially similar manner as described above in FIG. 1, the base portion 912 is arrangable upon a floor surface F. In a substantially similar manner as described above in FIG. 5, the lower cavity 950a extends: (1) vertically (according to the direction of the arrow Z (see, e.g., FIGS. 20A-20C) of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) between the floor surface F (or a lower surface of each the first side panel member 916 and the second side panel member 918) and a lower surface 922_L of the shelf panel member 922 to define a lower cavity height (see, e.g., lower cavity height H_50a in FIGS. 4-5); and (2) laterally (according to the direction of the arrow X (see, e.g., FIGS. 20A-20C) of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) between the inner side surface of the first side panel member 916 and the inner side surface of the second side panel member 918 to define a lower cavity width.

In a substantially similar manner as seen at FIGS. 4-5, the upper cavity 950b extends: (1) vertically (according to the direction of the arrow Z (see, e.g., FIGS. 20A-20C) of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) between an upper surface 922_U (see, e.g., FIG. 19) of the shelf panel member 922 and the lower surface 920_L (see, e.g., FIG. 19) of the roof panel member 920 to define an upper cavity height (see, e.g., upper cavity height H_50b in FIG. 5); and (2) laterally (according to the direction of the arrow X (see, e.g., FIGS. 20A-20C) of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) between the inner side surface of the first side panel member 916 and the inner side surface of the second side panel member 918 to define an upper cavity width.

The front drawer closure panel member 952e of the optional drawer portion 952 is substantially equal to the upper cavity height (see, e.g., comparatively the upper cavity height H_50b in) of the upper cavity 950b of the base portion 912. Accordingly, selective access to the upper cavity 950b is permitted when the optional drawer portion 952 is arranged in the deployed orientation (not shown) when a pulling force is applied to the optional drawer portion 952 according to the direction of the arrow Y of FIG. 20B. Conversely, selective access to the upper cavity 950b is denied when the optional drawer portion 952 is arranged in the stowed orientation (see, e.g., FIGS. 20A-20C) when a pushing force is applied to the optional drawer portion 952 according to the direction of the arrow Y′ of FIG. 20C.

In a substantially similar manner as seen in FIG. 4, a height (see, e.g., comparatively, height H_24a, H_24b) of the first front closure panel member 924a and the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 is not substantially equal to a lower cavity height (see also comparatively, e.g., lower cavity height H_50a at FIG. 5) of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 (i.e., the height of the first front closure panel member 924a and the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 is less than the lower cavity height of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912). An upper surface of the first front closure panel member 924a and the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 is arranged substantially near, substantially proximate, or substantially coplanar with the lower surface 922_L (see, e.g., comparatively FIG. 5) of the shelf panel member 922. As a result of the height of the first front closure panel member 924a and the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 being less than the lower cavity height of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912, as seen comparatively at FIGS. 4 and 5, a first portion 950a₁ (see also comparatively first portion 50a₁, e.g., at FIG. 5) of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 is exposed to and is in constant fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere such that the first front closure panel member 924a and the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 do not entirely deny access to the lower cavity 950a when the first front closure panel member 924a and the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 are arranged in a closed orientation. As a result of being in constant fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere, as will be described in the following disclosure, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is free to engage with or depart from the support portion 914 (and, by extension, the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 supported thereon and located within the first portion of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912) at its convenience.

Selective access to a second portion 950a₂ (see, e.g., comparatively, second portion 50a₂ at FIG. 5) of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 is permitted when the first front closure panel member 924a of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 and/or the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 is/are arranged in the open orientation (as seen at, e.g., comparatively, FIGS. 8F-8M). Conversely, selective access to the second portion 950a₂ of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 is denied when the first front closure panel member 924a of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 and/or the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 is/are arranged in the closed orientation (as seen at, e.g., comparatively, FIGS. 8A-8E and 8N).

In a substantially similar manner as seen in FIGS. 4-5, the lower cavity height (see, e.g., lower cavity height H_50a at FIGS. 4-5) of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 is further defined by a first lower cavity height portion (see, e.g., first lower cavity height portion H_50a-1) that defines a height of the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a and a second lower cavity height portion (see, e.g., second lower cavity height portion H_50a-2 at FIGS. 4-5). The first lower cavity height portion is less than the second lower cavity height portion that defines a height of the second portion 950a₂ of the lower cavity 950a. In some implementations, the second lower cavity height portion is configured to be approximately five times greater than the first lower cavity height portion.

In some implementations, the first lower cavity height portion that defines the height of the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a may range between about 5″ to about 10″. In other implementations, the height of the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a may range between about 5″ to about 7″. In some examples, the height of the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a may not be less than about 5″. The minimum height of the first lower cavity height portion of the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a permits the floor-engaging mobile device 2 to be free to engage with or depart from the support portion 914 (and, by extension, the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 supported thereon and located within the first portion of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912) at its convenience.

Furthermore, as described above, the lower cavity 950a extends laterally (according to the direction of the arrow X (see, e.g., FIGS. 20A-20C) of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) between the inner side surface of the first side panel member 916 and the inner side surface of the second side panel member 918 to define a lower cavity width of the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a extending across the upper side surface 934_U of the support panel 934 of the support portion 914. In some implementations, the width of the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a extending across the upper side surface 934_U of the support panel 934 of the support portion 914 may range between about 15″ to about 36″. In other implementations, the width of the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a extending across the upper side surface 934_U of the support panel 934 of the support portion 914 may range between about 15″ to about 24″. In some examples, the width of the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a extending across the upper side surface 934_U of the support panel 934 of the support portion 914 may not be less than about 15″. The minimum width of the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a extending across the upper side surface 934_U of the support panel 934 of the support portion 914 permits the floor-engaging mobile device 2 to be free to engage with or depart from the support portion 914 (and, by extension, the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 supported thereon and located within the first portion of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912) at its convenience.

Yet even further, the lower cavity 950a extends longitudinally (according to the direction of the arrow Y (see, e.g., FIGS. 20A-20C) of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) between the front surface 934_F of the support panel 934 and a rear surface 934_R of the support panel 934 to define a lower cavity width of the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a extending across the upper side surface 934_U of the support panel 934 of the support portion 914. In some implementations, the depth of the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a extending across the upper side surface 934_U of the support panel 934 of the support portion 914 may range between about 15″ to about 36″. In other implementations, the depth of the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a extending across the upper side surface 934_U of the support panel 934 of the support portion 914 may range between about 15″ to about 24″. In some examples, the depth of the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a extending across the upper side surface 934_U of the support panel 934 of the support portion 914 may not be less than about 15″. The minimum depth of the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a extending across the upper side surface 934_U of the support panel 934 of the support portion 914 permits the floor-engaging mobile device 2 to be: (1) entirely housed within the support portion 914 while arranged in a stowed orientation of the base portion 912; and (2) free to engage with or depart from the support portion 914 (and, by extension, the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 supported thereon and located within the first portion of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912) at its convenience.

As seen in FIG. 19, each of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 are defined by an “L shape”. The “L shape” of each of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 include the first segment 936₁, 938₁ and the second segment 936₂, 938₂. The first segment 936₁, 938₁ extends in a direction of an arrow Z of an XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system as seen in FIG. 19. The second segment 936₂, 938₂ extends in a direction of an arrow Y′ of an XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system as seen in FIG. 19 (i.e., the second segment 936₂, 938₂ extends substantially perpendicularly from the first segment 936₁, 938₁).

The first segment 936₁, 938₁ of each the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 is defined by a first height that is approximately equal to the lower cavity height (see, e.g., comparatively H_50a at FIGS. 4-5) of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912. The second segment 936₂, 938₂ of each the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 is defined by a second height that is approximately equal to the lower cavity height of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912. The second height defined by the second segment 936₂, 938₂ of each the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 is less than the first height defined by the first segment 936₁, 938₁ of each the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938.

The “L shape” defined by the first segment 936₁, 938₁ and the second segment 936₂, 938₂ of each of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 results in an absence of material, gap, opening, or the like that is seen generally at 954 (that is formed by the first segment 936₁ and the second segment 936₂ of the first side panel 936) and 956 (that is formed by the first segment 938₁ and the second segment 938₂ of the second side panel 938). The gap 954, 956 is not an arbitrary design choice, but, rather, provides a function that will be described in greater detail in the following disclosure.

Aspects of an exemplary assembly 100, which may alternatively include the container 900 instead of the container 10, is shown at FIGS. 8B-8D. The assembly 100, which may alternatively include the container 900 instead of the container 10, is formed when an item 1 is supported by the support portion 914 of the container 900. The item 1 may be a docking station.

In a substantially similar manner as seen in FIGS. 8B-8D, the exemplary assembly 100, which may alternatively include the container 900 instead of the container 10, includes: (1) the container 900 described above at FIGS. 19 and 20A-20C; and (2) an exemplary docking station 1. In a substantially similar manner as seen in FIGS. 8F-8M, the docking station 1 includes a docking portion 1a (see, e.g., comparatively, FIGS. 8A-8N) and a tower portion 1b (see, e.g., comparatively, FIGS. 8F-8M). In a substantially similar manner as seen in FIGS. 8F-8M, the tower portion 1b is connected to and extends upwardly and away from (according to the direction of the arrow Z (see, e.g., FIG. 8F) of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) the docking portion 1a.

In a substantially similar manner as seen in FIGS. 8F-8M, the support portion 914 of the container 900 is sized for receiving the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1. More specifically, in some configurations, the support panel 934 of the support portion 914 is sized (e.g., by a length and a width) for supporting the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1, which may, in some examples, be substantially defined by docking interface body that may be defined by a diameter that is less than one or both of the length and the width of the support panel 934 of the support portion 914.

In some examples, the support portion 914 of the container 900 is defined by a height (see, e.g., comparatively, height H₁₄ at FIGS. 4-5). The height of the support portion 914 extend between the lower side surface 934_L (see, e.g., FIG. 4) of the support panel 934 of the support portion and the upper surface 936_U-1, 938_U-1 (see, e.g., FIG. 19) of the first segment 936₁, 938₁ of each of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 of the support portion 914.

The docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 is defined by a height H_1a (see, e.g., FIG. 8G). Furthermore, the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is defined by a height H_1b (see, e.g., FIG. 8G) that is connected to and extends upwardly and away from (according to the direction of the arrow Z (see, e.g., FIG. 8G) of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) an upper surface of the docking interface body of the docking portion 1a. Collectively, the height H_1a of the docking portion 1a and the height H_1b of the tower portion 1b defines a height H₁ (see, e.g., FIG. 8G) of the docking station 1.

The height H_1a (see, e.g., FIG. 8G) of the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 may be less than the height of the support portion 914. The height H₁ (see, e.g., FIG. 8G) of the docking station 1, however, may be approximately equal to or slightly less than the height of the support portion 914 (i.e., as a result of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 extending at a distance equivalent to the height H_1b (see, e.g., FIG. 8G) away from the upper surface of the docking interface body of the docking portion 1a and up to or slightly short of the upper surface 936_U-1, 938_U-1 of each of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 of the support portion 914. As a result of the comparative dimensions of the height of the support portion 914 and the heights H₁, H_1a, H_1b of the docking station 1 as described above, with comparative reference to FIGS. 5 and 8G: (1) the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 is sized for receiving the docking station 1 (that includes both of the docking portion 1a and the tower portion 1b); (2) the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 is sized for substantially receiving the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 (but not the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1); and (3) the second portion 950a₂ of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 is sized for substantially receiving the tower portion 1a of the docking station 1 (but not the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1).

As will be described in the following disclosure, when the first front closure panel member 924a of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 and/or the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 is/are arranged in the closed orientation (as seen at, e.g., FIG. 20, and, comparatively the first pair of front closure panel members 24 at FIGS. 8A-8E), the second portion 950a₂ of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 is not accessible (and, as a result, access to the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is prohibited). Unobstructed access to the second portion 950a₂ of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 (and, as a result, unobstructed access to the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1) is permitted when the first front closure panel member 924a of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 and/or the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 is/are arranged in the open orientation (as seen at, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8F). Thereafter, a user may arrange the support portion 914 in a deployed orientation (as seen at, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8G) in order to remove the support portion 914 from the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 (and, as a result: (1) the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 is removed from the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912; and (2) the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is removed from the second portion 950a₂ of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912).

Aspects of an exemplary assembly 200, which may alternatively include the container 900 instead of the container 10, is shown comparatively at FIGS. 8A-8N. As described above, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 may be referred to as a “mobile item” as a result of the floor-engaging mobile device 2 being able to independently move away from and be detached from the container 900, which is a component of the assembly 100, which may alternatively include the container 900 instead of the container 10, along with the docking station 1. The assembly 200, which may alternatively include the container 900 instead of the container 10, is formed when the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is selectively interfaced with the assembly 100, which may alternatively include the docking station 1 and the container 900 (instead of the container 10). The docking station 1, however, is not “mobile” in the sense that the docking station 1 may independently move away from and be detached from the container 10. Accordingly, the docking station 1 of the assembly 100, which may alternatively include the container 900 instead of the container 10, may be alternatively referred to as an “immobile item” that is supported by the support portion 914 of the container 900. As seen comparatively at FIGS. 8A-8N, the container 900 is arranged upon a floor surface F and the docking station 1 is always arranged within the container 900. In other words, the docking station 1 is always connected to and supported by the container 900 whereas the floor-engaging mobile device 2 may be selectively separated from the container 10.

Because the floor-engaging mobile device 2 may be a “mobile item”, and, as stated above, the docking station 1 is an “immobile item”, the docking station 1 is configured to receive the floor-engaging mobile device 2. The floor-engaging mobile device 2 may be referred to as a robotic device (e.g., a robotic vacuum cleaner that vacuums debris (not shown) from the floor surface F). Therefore, the docking station 1 may be referred to as a robotic device docking station.

Once the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is interfaced with the docking station 1, the docking station 1 may provide one or more services for the floor-engaging mobile device 2. In some examples, the docking station 1 may provide power to or charge the floor-engaging mobile device 2. In other examples, the docking station 1 may remove vacuumed debris (not shown) from the floor-engaging mobile device 2. The vacuumed debris may: (1) firstly exit the floor-engaging mobile device 2; (2) secondarily enter the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1; and (3) then ultimately be deposited into a reservoir 1c (see, e.g., FIGS. 8H-8K) that is contained within the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1. Furthermore, once the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is interfaced with the docking station 1 and contained within the first portion of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is partially hidden from view from a user, thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance in, for example, a user's domicile. Accordingly, in some examples, the container 900 may be alternatively referred to as a “door-less” robotic device garage whereby the term “door-less” arises from the fact that first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 is exposed to and is in constant fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere such that the first front closure panel member 924a and the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 do not entirely deny access to the lower cavity 950a when the first front closure panel member 924a and the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 are arranged in a closed orientation.

Exemplary aspects of the floor-engaging mobile device 2 are now described. The floor-engaging mobile device 2 is defined by a height H₂ (see, e.g., FIG. 8B). The height H₂ of the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is less than the height of the support portion 914. Furthermore, the height H₂ of the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is less than first lower cavity height portion (see, e.g., comparatively first lower cavity height portion H_50a-1 at FIGS. 4-5) of the first portion of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912.

As a result of the comparative dimensions of the height of the support portion 914 and the heights H₂, of the floor-engaging mobile device 2 and the cavity 950 of the base portion 912 described above: (1) the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 is sized for substantially receiving the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 (but not the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1); and (2) the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 is sized for substantially receiving the floor-engaging mobile device 2. As will be described in the following disclosure, irrespective of a stowed orientation of the support portion 914 of the container 900 relative the base portion 912 of the container 900 (as seen at, comparatively, e.g., FIGS. 2-5, 8A-8F, and 8M-8N) or the deployed orientation of the support portion 914 of the container 900 relative the base portion 912 of the container 900 (as seen at, comparatively, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 8G-8L), the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is free to engage with or depart from the support portion 914 (and, by extension, the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 supported thereon) at its convenience.

In a substantially similar manner as seen in FIGS. 8A-8N, a method for operating the assembly 200, which may alternatively include the container 900 instead of the container 10, is now described. Firstly, as seen at FIG. 8A: (1) the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is interfaced with or docked with the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1; (2) the support portion 914 of the container 900 is arranged in a stowed orientation; and (3) the first front closure panel member 924a of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 and/or the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 is/are arranged in a closed orientation, thereby not permitting access to the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 while the docking station 1 and the floor-engaging mobile device 2 are contained within the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 of the container 900.

Thereafter, in a substantially similar manner as seen in FIGS. 8B-8C, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is arranged in an undocked orientation with respect to the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 (while the support portion 914 of the container 900 is arranged in the stowed orientation) such that the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is arranged outside of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 and away from the container 900. As a result, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is permitted to scour the floor surface F in order to remove debris (not shown) from the floor surface F. Furthermore, in a substantially similar manner as seen in FIG. 8B, while the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is arranged away from the container 900: (1) the support portion 914 of the container 900 is still arranged in a stowed orientation; and (2) the first front closure panel member 924a of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 and/or the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 is/are still arranged in the closed orientation, thereby not permitting access to the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 while the docking station 1 is contained within the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 of the container 900.

In a substantially similar manner as seen in FIG. 8D, after a period of time has passed when, for example, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 has sufficiently scoured the floor surface F for debris, the floor-engaging mobile device 2: (1) returns to a position proximate the container 900; and (2) aligns itself with the docking interface body of the docking portion 1a that is arranged upon the support portion 914 that is arranged within the first portion of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912. Thereafter, in a substantially similar manner as seen in FIG. 8E, the floor-engaging mobile device 2: (1) returns to the docked orientation with the docking interface body of the docking portion 1a; and (2) is arranged upon the support portion 914 that is arranged within the first portion of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912.

When rearranged in the docked orientation in a substantially similar manner as seen in FIG. 8E, the docking station 1 may provide one or more services for the floor-engaging mobile device 2. In some examples, the docking station 1 may provide power to or charge the floor-engaging mobile device 2. In other examples, the docking station 1 may remove the vacuumed debris (not shown) from the floor-engaging mobile device 2. The vacuumed debris may: (1) firstly exit the floor-engaging mobile device 2; (2) secondarily enter the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1; and (3) then ultimately be deposited into a reservoir 1c (see, e.g., FIGS. 8H-8K) that is contained within the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1. Furthermore, once the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is interfaced with the docking station 1 and contained within the first portion of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 as seen comparatively at FIG. 8E, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 is partially hidden from view from a user (as a result of being arranged within the first portion of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 of the container 900), thereby providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance in, for example, a user's domicile.

After several instances of scouring the floor surface F for debris (as seen comparatively at FIGS. 8A-8E), the user may receive a notification (e.g., the user may hear a sound, see a blinking light, or the like that is communicated by one or both of the docking station 1 and the floor-engaging mobile device 2) that the reservoir 1c (that is located within the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1) is at capacity with debris that was collected by the floor-engaging mobile device 2. Accordingly, the user is tasked with configuring the container 900 in manner (as seen at FIGS. 20A-20C and comparatively at FIGS. 8F-8H) to access the debris-filled reservoir 1c (as seen comparatively at FIGS. 8H-8I) in order to empty the debris from the debris-filled reservoir 1c, or, alternatively, replace the debris-filled reservoir 1c with an empty reservoir 1c (as seen comparatively at FIGS. 8J-8K).

In a substantially similar manner as seen in FIGS. 8E-8F, a first step in an exemplary configuring of the container 900 for accessing the debris-filled reservoir 1c may include: while the support portion 914 of the container 900 is arranged in a stowed orientation, transitioning (according to the direction of the arrows A as seen in FIG. 20A and, comparatively, at FIG. 8E) the first front closure panel member 924a of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 and/or the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 from a closed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20A and, comparatively, at FIG. 8E) to an open orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20B and, comparatively, at FIG. 8F) in order to permit unobstructed access to the second portion 950a₂ of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 (and, as a result, unobstructed access to the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1). Then, with reference to FIGS. 20B-20C and, comparatively, FIGS. 8F-8G, the user may transition (according to the direction of the arrow Y as seen in FIG. 20B and, comparatively, FIG. 8F) the support portion 914 from the stowed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20B and, comparatively, FIG. 8F) to a deployed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20C and, comparatively, FIG. 8G) in order to remove the support portion 914 from the first portion 950a₁ of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912; with reference to FIG. 20C and, comparatively, FIG. 8G, as a result of transitioning Y the support portion 914 from the stowed orientation to the deployed orientation: (1) the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 is removed from the first portion 950a₁ (see, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8F) of the lower cavity 950a (see, comparatively, e.g., FIGS. 8F and 8G) of the base portion 912; and (2) the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is removed from the second portion 950a₂ (see, comparatively e.g., FIG. 8F) of the lower cavity 950a (see, comparatively e.g., FIGS. 8F and 8G) of the base portion 912.

In a substantially similar manner as seen in FIGS. 8G-8H, the user may then pivot a lid id of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 from a closed orientation (see, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8G) to an open orientation (see, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8H) in order to access a reservoir cavity 1e (see, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8H) of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1. As seen comparatively at FIG. 8G, when the lid id of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is arranged in the closed orientation, the lid 1d is arranged below a plane (according to the direction of the arrows X and Y of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) extending across the lower surface 922_L of the shelf panel member 922; however, as seen comparatively at FIG. 8H, when the lid Id of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is arranged in the open orientation (and is arranged in a generally vertical direction according to the direction of the arrow Z of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system), the lid id is arranged above the plane (according to the direction of the arrows X and Y of the XYZ Cartesian Coordinate system) extending across the lower surface 922_L of the shelf panel member 922. Accordingly, referring back to, comparatively, FIG. 8F, a user is prohibited from pivoting the lid id to the open orientation (as seen at, comparatively, FIGS. 8G-8H) while the docking station 1 is arranged within the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 (as a result of the lower surface 922_L of the shelf panel member 922 being arranged directly over the lid Id of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1). Therefore, once the user arranges the support portion 914 outside of the lower cavity 950a of the base portion 912 (as seen at, comparatively, FIG. 8G), only then is a user permitted to arrange the lid id of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 in the open orientation (as a result of the lower surface 922_L of the shelf panel member 922 no longer being arranged directly over the lid Id of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1, which would otherwise interfere with pivoting action of the lid 1d as seen at, comparatively, FIG. 8F).

Then, as seen at, comparatively, FIGS. 8H-8I, the user may remove the debris-filled reservoir 1c (see, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8I) from the reservoir cavity 1e of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1. Referring to, comparatively, FIGS. 8J-8K, once the debris-filled reservoir 1c (see, e.g., FIG. 8I) is removed from the reservoir cavity 1e of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1, the user may arrange an empty reservoir 1c (see, e.g., FIG. 8J) over the reservoir cavity 1e of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 and then subsequently arrange the empty reservoir 1c within the reservoir cavity 1e of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 (see, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8K). With reference to, comparatively, FIGS. 8K-8L, the user may then pivot the lid 1d of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 from the open orientation (see, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8K) back to the closed orientation (see, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8L) in order to deny access to the reservoir cavity 1e of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1.

The function of the gap 954, 956 formed by the “L shape” of each of the first side panel 936 and the second side panel 938 is now described. In some instances, the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 may not have an “upper” lid 1d that pivots from a closed orientation to an open orientation and then back to the closed orientation in order to access the reservoir cavity 1e of the tower portion 1b as described above for the purpose of removing/replacing the debris-filled reservoir 1c. If, for example, an “upper” lid id is not provided in the design of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1, in some instances, a “side” lid (not shown) may be provided instead (that is substantially aligned with a region defined by one or both of the gap 954, 956 in order to permit “side access” to the reservoir cavity 1e of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1). If the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 includes a “side” lid for removing/replacing the debris-filled reservoir 1c arranged within the reservoir cavity 1e of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1, access to the “side” lid is permitted by way of an absence of material of the first side panel 936 (defined by the gap 954) and/or an absence of material of the second side panel 938 (defined by the gap 956). Furthermore, access not only to the one or more of the gaps 954, 956 and the “side” lid of the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is further permitted as a result of the first front closure panel member 924a and/or the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 being permitted to pivot (see, e.g., arrow A in FIG. 20A) from a fully closed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20A) to a fully open orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20B) as a result of pivoting one or both of the first front closure panel member 924a and/or the second front closure panel member 924b approximately 180° (rather than, for example, approximately 90° with respect to the first front closure panel member 24a and/or the second front closure panel member 24b of the first pair of front closure panel members 24 as seen at FIGS. 8D-8M, which may otherwise obstruct access to one or both of the gaps 954, 956).

Then, with reference to, comparatively, FIGS. 8L-8M, the user may transition (according to the direction of the arrow Y′ as seen in FIG. 20B and, comparatively, FIG. 8L) the support portion 914 from the deployed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20B and, comparatively, FIG. 8L) back to the stowed orientation (see, e.g., FIG. 20C and, comparatively, FIG. 8M) in order to return the support portion 914 to the first portion 950a₁ (see, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8M) of the lower cavity 950a (see, comparatively, e.g., FIGS. 8L and 8M) of the base portion 912; as a result: (1) the docking portion 1a of the docking station 1 is returned to the first portion 950a₁ (see, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8M) of the lower cavity 950a (see, comparatively, e.g., FIGS. 8L and 8M) of the base portion 912; and (2) the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1 is returned to the second portion 950a₂ (see, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8M) of the lower cavity 950a (see, comparatively, e.g., FIGS. 8L and 8M) of the base portion 912.

In a substantially similar manner as seen in FIGS. 8M-8N, the user may then transition (according to the direction of the arrows A′ as seen comparatively in FIG. 8M) the first front closure panel member 924a of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 and/or the second front closure panel member 924b of the first pair of front closure panel members 924 from the open orientation (see, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8M) back to the closed orientation (see, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8N) in order to deny unobstructed access to the second portion 950a₂ (see, comparatively, e.g., FIG. 8M) of the lower cavity 950a (see, comparatively, e.g., FIGS. 8M and 8N) of the base portion 912 (and, as a result, denying unobstructed access to the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1). Thereafter, the floor-engaging mobile device 2 may repeat the steps of scouring the floor surface F for debris (as seen at FIGS. 8A-8E), and then, at a later time, the user may then receive another notification (e.g., the user may hear a sound, see a blinking light, or the like that is communicated by one or both of the docking station 1 and the floor-engaging mobile device 2) that the reservoir 1c (that is located within the tower portion 1b of the docking station 1) is at capacity with debris that was collected by the floor-engaging mobile device 2. Accordingly, the user may then be tasked once again with configuring the container 900 in manner (as seen at, comparatively, FIGS. 8F-8G) to access the debris-filled reservoir 1c (as seen at, comparatively, FIGS. 8H-8I) in order to empty the debris from the debris-filled reservoir 1c, or, alternatively, replace the debris-filled reservoir 1c with an empty reservoir 1c (as seen at, comparatively, FIGS. 8J-8K).

The articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements in the preceding descriptions. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, it should be understood that references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations that also incorporate the recited features. Numbers, percentages, ratios, or other values stated herein are intended to include that value, and also other values that are “about” or “approximately” the stated value, as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art encompassed by implementations of the present disclosure. A stated value should therefore be interpreted broadly enough to encompass values that are at least close enough to the stated value to perform a desired function or achieve a desired result. The stated values include at least the variation to be expected in a suitable manufacturing or production process, and may include values that are within 5%, within 1%, within 0.1%, or within 0.01% of a stated value.

Further, it should be understood that any directions or reference frames in the preceding description are merely relative directions or movements. For example, any references to “up” and “down” or “above” or “below” are merely descriptive of the relative position or movement of the related elements.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a base portion; anda support portion movably-connected to the base portion, wherein each of the base portion and the support portion includes a plurality of panels and members,wherein some of the plurality of panels and members of the base portion forms at least one cavity,wherein the at least one cavity defines a first cavity portion in fluid communication with a second cavity portion,wherein the support portion is arrangable in one of: a stowed orientation within at least the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion; anda deployed orientation outside of the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity is in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the plurality of panels and members of the base portion include: a first side panel member;a second side panel member; anda shelf panel member (22, 922) connecting the first side panel member to the second side panel member,wherein the shelf panel member divides the at least one cavity for defining a lower cavity and an upper cavity,wherein the first cavity portion in fluid communication with the second cavity portion defines the lower cavity.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one cavity is defined by a cavity height, and wherein some of the plurality of panels and members of the base portion include at least one front closure panel member.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the at least one front closure panel member is defined by a closure height that is less than the cavity height.

6. The container of claim 3, wherein the at least one closure panel member is defined by a first front closure panel member and a second front closure panel member.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the first front closure panel member is hingedly-secured to an inner side surface of the first side panel member by at least one first hinge bracket, wherein the second front closure panel member is hingedly-secured to an inner side surface of the second side panel member by at least one second hinge bracket

8. The container of claim 7, wherein at least one of the first front closure panel member and the second front closure panel member of the first pair of front closure panel members is permitted to pivot from a fully closed orientation to a fully open orientation at a pivot angle equal to approximately 180°.

9. The container of claim 5, wherein the cavity height of cavity includes a first cavity height portion of the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity and a second cavity height portion of the second cavity portion of the at least one cavity, wherein the closure height is approximately equal to the second cavity height portion of the second cavity portion of the at least one cavity, and wherein the at least one front closure panel member is configured to selectively conceal the second cavity portion of the at least one cavity.

10. The container of claim 5, wherein the at least one front closure panel member does not extend across the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the support portion is slidably-connected to the base portion.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the support portion is slidably-connected to the base portion by a pair of slide brackets having: a first bracket portion fixedly-mounted to an outer side surface of each of a first side panel and a second side panel of the support portion; anda second bracket portion fixedly-mounted to an inner side surface of each of the first side panel member and the second side panel member.

13. The container of claim 1, wherein the support portion includes a first side panel and a second side panel, wherein at least one of the first side panel and the second side panel is defined by an L-shape including a first segment and a second segment extending substantially perpendicularly from the first segment.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein both of the first side panel and the second side panel each are defined by the L-shape.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein the support portion further includes a handle (944) extending between and connecting the first side panel to the second side panel.

16. The container of claim 1, wherein a ramp portion is connected to the support portion.

17. An assembly comprising: a container including a base portion and a support portion movably-connected to the base portion, wherein each of the base portion and the support portion include a plurality of panels and members, wherein some of the plurality of panels and members of the base portion (12, 912) forms at least one cavity, wherein the at least one cavity defines a first cavity portion in fluid communication with a second cavity portion, wherein the support portion is arrangable in one of: a stowed orientation within at least the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion; anda deployed orientation outside of the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion; andat least one item supported by the support portion.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the at least one item includes: a docking station, wherein the docking station includes a docking portion and a tower portion that is connected to and extends away from the docking portion.

19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the docking portion is arranged within the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion, wherein the tower portion is arranged within the second cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion.

20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the at least one item further includes: a floor-engaging mobile device, wherein the floor-engaging mobile device is selectively-connected to the docking portion in one of:a docked orientation within the first cavity portion of at least one cavity of the base portion; andan undocked orientation outside of the first cavity portion of at least one cavity of the base portion.

21. The assembly of claim 17, wherein some of the plurality of panels and members of the base portion include at least one front closure panel member.

22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the least one front closure panel member is defined by a first front closure panel member and a second front closure panel member.

23. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the at least one front closure panel member is configured to selectively conceal the second cavity portion of the at least one cavity.

24. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the first cavity portion of the at least one cavity is in fluid communication with surrounding atmosphere.

25. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the support portion is slidably-connected to the base portion for selectively arranging the docking station in one of: a stowed orientation within the first cavity portion and the second cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion; anda deployed orientation outside of the first cavity portion and the second cavity portion of the at least one cavity of the base portion.