Patent Application
20230137128
The present invention relates to the general art of on-site disposal, storage and project logistical support, and more specifically to an apparatus and method for more efficient storage and disposal for on-site projects.
This application is a Continuation in Part of, and claims the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/109,536 entitled “DUAL STORAGE AND DISPOSAL DEVICE AND METHOD OF USE,” filed on Nov. 4, 2020. The subject matter of this application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Construction and building renovation projects come in a variety of sizes, scopes, and available space to carry out work and bring in equipment. Parking for equipment, in some cases, may be plentiful, but often, it is not. Often, such projects are in an urban setting where parking is very limited and space is at a premium. Even in a more rural setting, space may be limited by driveway or road size limitations, or other equipment already parked on a property.
One issue that is more or less constant at any such job site is the removal of debris. This may be, for example, debris already present on site (such as at an older, crumbling building), debris from the removal or portions of a structure to begin new work (such as removal of a wall, kitchen or bathroom fixtures, damaged ceilings or roofs, etc), or debris created by new construction, such as leftover wood from sawing, portions of unused tiles or shingles, etc.).
Such disposal is typically handled by bringing in an onsite dumpster. The dumpster is parked, debris thrown in, and the dumpster is removed. Typically, dumpsters are a standard length of 14 m 16 or more typically, 22 feet that fit onto the back of a truck for delivery. However, because a dumpster is typically brought in on a large truck, a large amount of length and overhead clearance is required to deliver even a single dumpster. This can be problematic in tight areas with limited space, making the delivery of even a single container difficult, let alone multiple containers, difficult.
Further, tools and other equipment must be brought to a job site for use. This is typically done by bringing the tools in multiple vehicles of those working on a specific project. This can be unsatisfactory as these tools are often lost, stolen, or left somewhere and forgotten. This also makes coordination to make sure all necessary tools and equipment are on a site more difficult. Someone having to go retrieve, find or buy some item that is not present is a common occurrence. This is inefficient, raising costs and often slows or stalls progress.
Another alternative is to leave any tools or equipment within a structure that is being worked upon. This can be unsatisfactory if people are still residing or working there. Further, some structures under construction are easily broken into and this is a common occurrence.
Sometimes, a traditional roll off dumpster and traditional storage container or an enclosed trailer might be used to address both problems. However, this can take up much limited space, be excessively expensive for a project of more limited scope, and may not even be possible because of space limitations, Often if room is too limited, debris may be unsafely stored around the job site “here and there” resulting in unwanted hazards.
Besides being costly or perhaps not even possible, this is likely to result in more trips and deliveries, bringing more truck traffic to the job site. This can be problematic, particularly in urban or other settings with limited access for traffic, or areas (such as tourist towns or places with noise or hour restrictions) where one is trying to keep a low profile on construction activity.
A dual storage and disposal device and method of use. The storage and disposal system device is, overall, comprised of a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom plate, a first side wall on one side of the device, and a second side wall on the opposite side of the first side wall.
The device further comprises apparatus for transporting the device on a truck or similarly capable vehicle. In one embodiment, the transport apparatus is comprised of a set of rollers beneath the device at the bottom plate in proximity to the rear wall, and it is further comprised of a hook lift attachment assembly and a hook lift bar located at the device front wall.
The device is comprised of a pair of distinct portions; a storage facility 30, and a dumpster portion.
Turning to the storage facility portion, it is comprised generally of a storage facility front wall portion at the front of the storage facility, a storage facility rear wall portion at the rear of the storage facility, the first side wall of the device which acts as one side wall of the storage facility, and a dividing wall between the storage facility and dumpster portion that is also a second side wall of the storage facility. A roof or top is provided for overhead securement and protection. Typically, if the roof or top 38 is in the form of a top, apparatus for attaching it to the storage facility portion so the top can be open or closed is provided. If it is in the form of a roof, the roof is slanted to allow for drainage of rain or snow, or allow anything that lands on the roof to slide off. A door is provided at the front of the storage facility.
The door of the storage facility is comprised of hinges and a means of opening the door, and the door can be further comprised of a securing mechanism for locking the door into a closed position. This can be a lock, tabs and pins, or other means in the art. In one embodiment, a set of tabs and pins are used.
The dumpster portion is comprised of the dividing wall, which is also the front wall of the dumpster portion, a pair of dumpster side walls, the device rear wall, and bottom portion. The dumpster portion can be further comprised of rear wall opening and securing apparatus to make the real wall openable or secure it when closed.
Disclosed herein is dual storage and disposal system and method for implementation and use. Turning to
The device further comprises apparatus for transporting the device on a truck or similarly capable vehicle. In this embodiment, the transport apparatus is comprised of a set of rollers 22 beneath the device 10 at the bottom plate in proximity to the rear wall and/or door 14 of the device 10. Turning to
The device 10 is comprised of a pair of distinct portions; a storage facility 30, and a dumpster portion.
Turning to the storage facility portion 30, it is comprised generally of a storage facility front wall portion 32 at the front of the storage facility 30 and rear wall portion 34 at the rear of the storage facility 30, which, because of the storage facility 30 location in this embodiment, are a portion of the first side wall and second side wall 18, 20. The storage facility portion 30 is further comprised of a dividing wall 48 between the storage facility 30 and dumpster portion 50 that, because of its location, is a second side wall of the storage facility 30. A roof or top 38 is provided for overhead securement and protection. This can be in the form of roof, a top, or other suitable component. In this embodiment, and as shown in
For clarity, it is noted that the overall device 10 is oriented such that the front wall 12, containing the attachment apparatus is front of the device 10 and the rear wall and/or door 14 is at the rear of the device. The dumpster portion 50 is similarly oriented, such that the dividing wall 48 is the “front” of the dumpster portion 50 and the rear wall and/or door 14 is at the rear.
Turning additionally to
Returning to
Turning to
Further, in this embodiment, the roof or top 38 is a roof. Typically, the roof i38s slanted to allow for drainage of rain or snow, or allow anything that lands on the roof 38 to slide off. This provides protection to the structure and to anything stored inside the structure.
Turning to the dumpster portion 50, it is comprised of the dividing wall 48, which is also the front wall of the dumpster portion 50, a pair of dumpster side walls 52, 52a, the device rear wall and/or door 14, and bottom portion 56. Turning to
The portions of the device 10 can also be in differing orientations. Turning to
Turning to
The device can be any suitable size capable of being transported to a site and dropped off for use. Further, the storage shed portion 30 can be decreased or expanded in relation to the dumpster portion, depending upon such factors as uses of the device 10, and amount of tools relative to amount of expected collected debris. In this embodiment, the unit is 14 ft long, or 13-15 ft long, and 8 ft wide, or 7-9 ft wide, with each portion taking an equal amount of the length.
In another example embodiment, the device can be 16 ft long, or 15-17 ft long, and 8 feet wide, or 7-9 ft wide, wherein the front of the storage facility is 6 feet of the length and an open top dumpster is 10 ft of it.
Further, though in these embodiments, the dumpster is open top, a top and means for securing it can be added if necessary.
In this manner, a dual purpose device is provided and can be placed at a job site. The dumpster portion 50 can be used for collecting job waste materials, while the storage side provides secure storage for tools or supplies. This is particularly suited to projects that need tools or equipment, but not necessarily a full size dumpster. These could include, for example, projects such as single-room or other limited remodels, deck or fence builds or rebuilds, or work on a small building or small part of a building.
John is working on a room remodel in a house with limited access and parking. He needs some ability to dispose of debris, and a way to store tools and equipment while working on the job. Previously, he has left his tools at the site, but they sometimes disappear. He has also had he and his workers transport tools and equipment every day. However, this takes extra time that could be devoted to completing the job. Further, sometimes there are coordination problems and all the tools did not necessarily show up when needed. In addition, a tool would occasionally be lost in the confusion of work and be left outside, where it either disappeared or rain or other weather would come along in the night and ruin the tool.
John has the storage and dumpster device 10 dropped off. He only has to bring his tools one time. He stores them in the storage facility portion. As he proceeds with the job, tools are easy to find and return, while debris is simply thrown into the attached dumpster portion. At night, he locks up the storage portion 30, knowing his tools are secure from theft, out of the way, and protected from the elements. In the morning, he simply opens the storage portion 30 and can directly proceed with the work that day. This can save a number of useless or redundant trips to fetch or obtain tools or other equipment. The more limited space taken by the dual-use device 10 is also making access for his vehicle(s) and those of the building's owner(s) easier to maintain. When the job is completed, the device 10 is loaded onto a truck. If his tools and equipment are secure, John may even opt to leave them in the storage portion 30, while the device 10 is transported back to his shop or directly to another job. Through use of this device, John has increased his efficiency, saved money, saved inconvenience, and decreased the space taken for working on the job.
Disclosed herein is a dual storage and disposal device for effectively storing tools or equipment or other material, while also providing a means for collecting debris and material within the same space, thereby increasing operational efficiency, reducing costs, and improving the experience for users and their clients.
It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present invention have been illustrated and described herein, the expression of these individual embodiments is for illustrative purposes and should not be seen as a limitation upon the scope of the invention. It is to be further understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific forms or arrangements of parts described and shown.
