Patent Application
20110084576
a. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to individual locker units and serial locker units (systems) that are based on modular construction that provide for units with waterproof components and with infinitely expandable linking capabilities utilizing common wall panels between units. By “outdoor” is meant a locker that can withstand outdoor elements, and thus may be utilized indoors or outdoors. The present invention units also provide for upper and lower ventilation while preventing intrusion and provide for hidden weep holes to inhibit collection of rainwater, thus preventing stagnation, water damage, etc. The main support structure is preferably extruded aluminum with powder coatings.
b. Description of Related Art
The following patents are representative of the field pertaining to the present invention:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,499,817 B2 to Richard B. Jermain describes a locker comprised of a first side wall having an interlocking portion, a second side wall having a first interlocking portion engaging the interlocking portion of the first side wall and a second interlocking portion, and a third side wall having an interlocking portion engaging the second interlocking portion of the second side wall. A coin receptacle, coin receptacle locking mechanism, a shelf and a door for the locker are also disclosed. A method of manufacturing a locker is also provided. The method comprises cutting a first wall from a first material to a desired length, cutting a second wall from the first material to the desired length, cutting a third wall to the desired length, and slidingly engaging the first, second and third walls. A method for limiting access to a locking mechanism is also provided, which comprises positioning the locking mechanism adjacent an inward facing surface and fastening the locking mechanism to the locker.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,759 B2 to Mu-Chuan Hsu describes a detachable cabinet comprised of a bottom plate including four slots each on a corner, two spaced wells on the rear side, and a projection on the corner at the front side. A pair of side plates each includes two bottom pegs, a front longitudinal groove, an abutment member clung onto the front longitudinal groove, a rear longitudinal groove, and two spaced studs on the top. A rear plate includes two spaced studs on the bottom and on the top. A top plate includes six apertures on the bottom side and a slot on a front corner at the bottom side. A front door includes a projection on the top at the side opposite to a handle and a slot on the bottom on the same side as the projection of the door. A number of configurations are possible. Further, the cabinet is easy to assemble and is sturdy.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,660 to Thomas A. Tisbo et al. describes a cabinet which includes a pair of spaced apart opposingly oriented, molded side panels, a molded rear panel disposed between the side panels at first edges thereof and joined thereto, a molded top panel disposed at an uppermost edge of the side and rear panels, a molded base panel in spaced, opposing relation to the top panel, disposed at a bottommost edge of the side and rear panels and a pair of pivotal, molded front door panels disposed in opposing relation to the rear panel and between the side panels and pivotally joined thereto. The cabinet includes corner support posts positioned at least two corners that extend between the base panel and the top panel. The posts that traverse through and join the respective side panels with the door panels define front corners forming pintles defining axes for pivoting the door panels relative to the side panels. The cabinet includes clamping members for securing the posts to the top and base panels, through the cabinet corners. The cabinet includes shelves and bins that are height adjustable that slide along rails formed in the cabinet side panels.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,931,553 to Roni Cohen describes an injected plastic cabinet comprising a top, a bottom, a back wall, and left and right side walls being connected together, forming a box having a front opening, and at least one door element being hingedly connected to at least one of the left and right side walls for covering the front opening, wherein each of the back wall, left and right side walls and each of the door elements is at least 160 centimeters in height and is a product of a single plastic injection.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,646 to James Hwang describes a movable storage cabinet which includes a base plate, two lateral side plates fixed to the based plate by hooks provided at the bottom of the side plates, a rear backing plate which is held in a groove in the base plate, and a top plate fixed to the side and rear backing plate by engagement components extending through holes in the top plate to engage engaging stubs on the side plates and rear backing plate. A pivotable door closes the front of the movable storage cabinet. The engaging components include each includes an engaging stub in the shape of a hollow cylinder, the bottom of which is secured to the top plate, and a shank of which is inserted into the central hole of an engaging stub on one of the side or backing plates. A positioning rod is insertable through the central hole in the outer sleeve of the hollow cylinder to lock the engaging stub within the outer sleeve, thereby locking the top plate to the side or backing plates.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,564,806 to Alan P. Keisling et al. describes a locker which comprises plastic panels and connectors on the edges of the panels for a snap together assembly that can be knocked down for shipment. A swing open front door plastic panel is also provided which preferably has a plastic hinge and plastic latch mechanism.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,415 to Thomas A. Tisbo et al. describes a storage locker constructed of recyclable thermoplastic that utilizes insertion tabs and sockets molded into the sides, top, bottom, front and side panels for permanent interlocking without the need of conventional fasteners. The storage locker is assembled on site by inserting the tabs of the appropriate panel into the socket receptacles of an adjoining panel. Assembly of a basic locker requires snap attachment of the side walls to the top and bottom panel. A front frame, preassembly with a hinged door panel, is snap attached to the structure to complete the assembly wherein the structure is available for mounting directly to a wall. For a stand alone locker assembly, a perforated rear panel is available for attachment to the rear of the locker by use of locker pins. The rear panel provides aeration and allows various hook placement for hanging items. Shelves are available in either fixed or adjustable disposition. Sides, top, and bottom panels include provisions for attaching additional lockers in a stacked or gang configuration.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.
The present invention is a modular integrated outdoor locker, as well as a system that creates a plurality of interconnected locker units with at least one common wall, and preferably with as many common walls as possible. The present invention modular integrated outdoor locker includes: a) a floor base, the floor base including a frame, flooring positioned atop the frame, and a plurality of post attachment mechanisms; b) four posts, each of the four posts being corner posts and being attached to the floor base, one each of the posts being a front left post, a front right post, a rear left post and a rear right post; c) two opposing side wall panels and one back wall, each of the side wall panels having a top, a bottom and sides; each of the side wall panels being connected to the posts to create locker sides and the one back wall being connected to the rear posts to create a locker back, each of the panels being connected to the posts by panel assemblies; d) two panel assemblies connected to the posts, one for each of the two opposing side wall, each of the panel assemblies including an upper track for encompassing and positioning a top of a panel, a lower track for encompassing a bottom of a panel, the lower track having at least one weep opening for water drainage therefrom, and each of the panel assemblies having two opposing upper track connectors and two opposing lower track connectors, for connecting the upper tracks and lower tracks, respectively, to the posts, each of the lower track connectors having at least one weep opening for water drainage therefrom; e) a front top brace connecting a top area of the left front post to a top area of the right front post; f) a door hingedly connected to one of the left front post and the right front post and having a lock mechanism for locking the door; g) a roof member atop the posts and connected to the posts, the roof member being downwardly tapered from back to front, the roof member having a back nape. Alternatively, the roof member may have a hemmed edge.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker, the side wall panels are plastic panels selected from the group including of thermoplastic, cellular polyvinyl chloride, cellular urethane and wood-plastic composite.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker, the one back wall is a fixed wall extending beyond the posts. In some other preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker, the once back wall is a back panel and a third panel assembly connecting the back panel to the rear posts.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker, the posts are extruded aluminum posts. In some of these preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker, the aluminum extruded posts are powder coated aluminum extruded posts.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker, the front top brace is an upper track and two upper track connectors.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker, the track connectors are inverted U-shaped connectors and the lower track connectors are U-shaped connectors. In some of these preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker, the inverted U-shaped connectors and the U-shaped connectors are identical and have at least one weep opening for water drainage therefrom. In some of these preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker, the inverted U-shaped connectors and the U-shaped connectors each have two components, a first component being a screw-attachable, tongue-receiving post bracket, and a second component being a first component-concealing, first component interconnecting tongue bearing three sided track support.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker, the posts have a rectangular footprint and have vertical recesses on four sides adapted to receive and position upper track connectors and lower track connectors.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker, the lock is selected from the group including of a handle set lock, a cam lock, a tee lock, a paddle lock and a thumb turning lock. In some embodiments, the lock mechanisms include coin operation features, such as a coin receptacle locking mechanism. Alternatively, keyed or combination locks may be used.
In some other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the modular integrated outdoor locker system includes at least two connected lockers sharing at least one common wall panel. The present invention system includes: a) a floor base, the floor base including a frame, flooring positioned atop the frame, and a plurality of post attachment mechanisms; b) at least six posts, four of the at least six posts being corner posts, one of each corner post being a front left post, a front right post, a rear left post and a rear right post, at least one of the at least six posts being a front center post and at least one of the at least six posts being a rear center post, c) two opposing side wall panels and at least one back wall, each of the two opposing side wall panels having a top, a bottom and sides; each of the two opposing side wall panels being connected to the corner posts to create locker sides and the at least one back wall being connected to the rear posts to create a locker system back, each of the two opposing side wall panels being connected to the posts by panel assemblies; d) a plurality of panel assemblies connected to the posts, one for each of the two opposing side wall panels, each of the panel assemblies including an upper track for encompassing and positioning a top of a panel, a lower track for encompassing a bottom of a panel, the lower track having at least one weep opening for water drainage therefrom, and each of the panel assemblies having two opposing upper track connectors and two opposing lower track connectors, for connecting the upper tracks and lower tracks, respectively, to the posts, each of the lower track connectors having at least one weep opening for water drainage therefrom; e) at least two front top braces connecting a top area of the left front post to a top area of a center post and connecting to a top area of the right front post; f) at least two doors hingedly connected to one of the left front post, the right front post and the center post and below a top brace, and having a lock mechanism for locking each of the at least two doors; g) a roof member atop the posts and connected to the posts, the roof member being downwardly tapered from back to front, the roof member having a back nape. Alternatively, the roof member may have a hemmed edge.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker system, the two opposing side wall panels are plastic panels selected from the group including of thermoplastic, cellular polyvinyl chloride, cellular urethane and wood-plastic composite.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker system, the at least one back wall is a fixed wall extending beyond the posts. In some other preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker system, the once back wall is a back panel and a third panel assembly connecting the back panel to the rear posts.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker system, the posts are extruded aluminum posts. In some of these preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker system, the aluminum extruded posts are powder coated aluminum extruded posts.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker system, the at least two front top braces are upper tracks with upper track connectors.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker system, the upper track connectors are inverted U-shaped connectors and the lower track connectors are U-shaped connectors. In some of these preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker, the inverted U-shaped connectors and the U-shaped connectors are identical and have at least one weep opening for water drainage therefrom. In some of these preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker, the inverted U-shaped connectors and the U-shaped connectors each have two components, a first component being a screw-attachable, tongue-receiving post bracket, and a second component being a first component-concealing, first component interconnecting tongue bearing three sided track support.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker system, the posts have a rectangular footprint and have vertical recesses on four sides adapted to receive and position upper track connectors and lower track connectors.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker system, the lock is selected from the group including of a handle set lock, a cam lock, a tee lock, a paddle lock and a thumb turning lock. In some embodiments, the lock mechanisms include coin operation features, such as a coin receptacle locking mechanism. Alternatively, keyed or combination locks may be used.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker system, the floor base has a rectangular footprint, and the posts are arranged in a rectangular configuration with side-by-side doors, creating side-by-side locker units.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker system, the floor base has a rectangular footprint and the posts are arranged in a rectangular configuration, creating back-to-back units.
In some preferred embodiments of the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker system, the floor base has a rectangular footprint with a central member running from side to side, and the posts are arranged in a two row rectangular configuration to create two rows of back-to-back units.
The additional features set forth above are also features integrated with the present invention modular integrated outdoor locker system that create a plurality of interconnected locker units with at least one common wall, and preferably with as many common walls as possible. These lockers may be full lockers, vertical lockers (narrower than full) or half lockers (over/under dual doors).
Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed.
The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detail description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
The present invention modular integrated outdoor locker has numerous features that offer improved functionality over prior art. The present invention is developed for outdoor use, such as outdoor swimming pools, athletic fields, marinas, yacht clubs, beach clubs and other generally physically active environments. As such, it is important to provide adequate ventilation to the outdoor locker to allow items such as wet towels or sweaty attire to properly dry while still providing a secure locker. At least one wall panel, if not all wall panels, in the present invention is located above the floor base at sufficient height to allow air to flow through, but not high enough to pose a security risk or present the opportunity for injury. For example, the gap between the floor base and the bottom of a panel should not be large enough for a child to be able to slip into and become trapped within the outdoor locker. Open air is provided above the side walls as a result of the roof configuration, as described below, allowing air to pass both above and below the side wall panels. The roof member of the present invention outdoor locker is also tapered as described below to prevent water from entering the outdoor locker from above.
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,
Opposing side wall panels 9 and 13 and back wall panel 11 are located above floor base 20 to allow create air gap 23 and allow air to flow under the panels. Door 17 is connected to the front left post 7 by hinge 19, although door 17 may be connected to front right post 1 depending on the application. Hinge 19 should be constructed out of a rust proof material such as stainless steel. The internal locking mechanism 21 is visible with door 17 open and should be constructed out of rust proof materials such as stainless steel. Roof member 90 has a forward and downward taper to allow moisture to nm off the roof member 90 without entering outdoor locker 10. Roof member 90 is developed without any sides extending to panel assemblies 40 or 80 to allow air to flow over the side wall panels 9 and 13. More detail for individual parts of outdoor locker 10 is provided below.
The second component U-shaped connector 91 is adapted to connect to the first component connector 71 by inserting tongue 149 into tongue-receiving protrusion 133. Male locking mechanism 151 forms a force fit between the first component connector 71 and second component U-shaped connector 91 when the two components 71 and 91 align as described below.
In use, the tongue 149 slides over lower cross bar 135 and under central cross bar 133. Male locking member 151 forms a force fit as it passes central cross bar 133. When the first component connector 71 and second component U-shaped connectors 91 are connected, second component U-shaped connector 91 conceals the first component connector 71. The first component connector 71 and second component U-shaped connector 91 can be used as illustrated to secure a lower track or inverted to secure an upper track as described below.
To assemble the above described components, first component connectors 68, 69, 71 and 72 are inserted into the recessed tracks 63 and 64 and secured at the desired height as described above. Second component U-shaped connectors 91 and 93 are then connected to first component connectors 71 and 72 respectively as described above. Lower track 87 can then be nested into second component U-shaped connectors 91 and 93 to form a lower panel assembly 30 connected to posts 1 and 3. Side wall panel 9 can then be inserted into the lower track 87 of lower panel assembly 30. Upper track 81 fits over the free end of panel 9 as shown and nests into second component inverted U-shaped connectors 83 and 85. Second component inverted U-shaped connectors 83 and 85 can then be attached to first component connectors 68 and 69 as described above to form upper panel assembly 40 and secure side wall panel 9 between posts 1 and 3. This same method can be applied to opposing side wall panel 13 and back panel 11.
The present invention also provides for a modular integrated outdoor locker system comprised of multiple outdoor lockers.
In addition to the outdoor locker system footprints described above, additional configurations can be achieved using the same principles to fit individual application needs.
Unlike previous embodiments described in
Opposing side wall panels 509 and 513 and back wall panel 511 are located above floor base 520 to create an air gap 523. Door2517 and 517 are connected to the front left post 507 by stainless steel hinge 519, although door 517 may be connected to front right post 501 depending on the application. Doors 517 and 521 are capable of opening independently of each other can both be locked by locking mechanisms 525 and 527. By allowing doors 517 and 521 to operate independently of each other, it allows access to both sections of locker 510, as divided by shelving 529. The internal locking mechanism 521 is visible with doors 517 and 521 open. Roof member 590 has a forward and downward taper provided by rear post 580 to allow moisture to run off the roof member 590 without entering outdoor locker 510. Roof member 590 has standing seams 515 and side support member 560, unlike previously described roof embodiments. Roof member 590 does not have any sides extending downward to allow air to flow over the side wall panels 509 and 513.
To summarize, the present invention thus provides a modular integrated outdoor locker and a system consisting of at least two outdoor lockers. The modular integrated outdoor locker of the present invention consists of a floor base, posts, panels, a panel assembly for each panel, a back wall, a front top brace, a door hingedly connected to one of the posts, a lock mechanism on the door and a roof member atop the posts. The outdoor locker is adapted to provide air to flow over and under the panels.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims. While developed for outdoor use or outdoor exposure, it should be understood that the present invention can be used in any environment, such as a school, sports club or any other environment where lockers are employed.
