The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant:
Furniture and other various types of objects and surfaces sometimes include a console or similar device, which may feature beverage holders or compartments for storing arbitrary items. Some of these devices are part of the furniture (or other arbitrary object) itself, and some of these devices are separate altogether and not necessarily part of another object. However, these devices have either a fixed lid or a lid that is not easily detachable, interchangeable, and customizable.
The problem that I have found is that the owner of the console device has been practically limited to using the lid that is included with the device. As an analogy, imagine that you have only one hat and could not easily remove it from your head. Also, imagine that the hat is a solid, neutral color and you have no options of whether the hat is imprinted with your favorite pattern or sports team. Furthermore, some hats provide better protection from rain and the elements, while other hats provide more warmth from cold weather.
In the same manner, I have found that some console lids are appropriate for certain situations, while other lids may be more appropriate in other scenarios. For example, a console device with a fixed lid can be used in the home with neutral or coordinating colors on a couch, but the owner cannot easily replace the lid with his or her favorite football team logo for use at a tailgate party. In the same example, the owner cannot easily interchange the lid with another to display his or her favorite basketball team logo while at a tournament watch party around friends. You can imagine several other functions, such as a business or company logo. A console device with a detachable, interchangeable lid can be customized for various occasions. In contrast, console devices with a fixed lid are not as customizable.
In accordance with one embodiment, a portable furniture device with at least one storage compartment and detachable/interchangeable lid comprises a box member providing at least one means in which to place one or more objects and a detachable body which may serve as an armrest and provides a means to place objects upon. The device also has at least one elongated member which may serve as a means to carry the device. There is a means to fasten each detachable body aforementioned. The aforementioned detachable body may be fastened to the device itself. The device may also comprise a means to separate and organize items. The device comprises a means to stand vertically, as well as horizontally. There may also be a means which provides a template for which customized covers for the aforementioned detachable body.
In accordance with an additional embodiment a portable furniture device with at least one storage compartment and detachable/interchangeable lid comprises a box member providing at least one means in which to place one or more objects and a detachable body which may serve as an armrest and provides a means to place objects upon. The device also has at least one elongated member which may serve as a means to carry the device. There is a means to fasten each detachable body aforementioned. The aforementioned detachable body may be fastened to at least one pivoting body. There may be at least one cavity in the device, which the aforementioned pivoting body covers. There is a means for the pivoting body to pivot. There is a means to fasten and release the pivoting body from the cavity. There may also be a means to temporarily position the aforementioned pivoting body. The device may also comprise a means to separate and organize items. The device comprises a means to stand vertically, as well as horizontally. There may also be a means which provides a template for which customized covers for the aforementioned detachable body.
One embodiment of the device is illustrated in
The same embodiment is shown in
The same embodiment is shown in
The same embodiment is shown in
The manner of using the device to serve as an armrest, beverage holder and item holder is much like that for similar devices in present use. Namely, one first places the device on a surface next to where he or she will be sitting. Next, one may place beverages or various arbitrary items in the beverage/item holder(s) 20. Also, one may place remote controls or arbitrary items in the remote/item holder 23. The key difference here is regarding the detachable/interchangeable lid 21. To remove the detachable/interchangeable lid 21, one first removes the lid fastener(s) 34. Then, one may remove the detachable/interchangeable lid 21 from the box member 18 in a manner similar to that which is shown in
To provide more organization in the remote/item holder 23, one may insert the separator/divider plate(s) 30 into the separator/organizer slots 26 of the remote/item holder 23, as shown in
For storage or other purposes, one may position the device upright by standing it vertically with the box member feet 29 positioned contiguous to the ground, floor or other surface, as shown in
To carry or transport the item, one may grip the handle 19, lift it and navigate to the location where the device will come to rest. The device is carried or transported in a similar manner as a briefcase or purse.
To secure the device to a surface (such as a couch or tailgate), one may use securing straps 31 as shown in
An additional embodiment is shown in
The same embodiment is shown in
A front view of the same embodiment is shown in
The same embodiment is able to stand upright in a vertical position by using the box member feet 29 as a platform, as shown in
The box member feet 29 are shown in further detail in this embodiment in
The manner of using the device shown in the additional embodiment is based on the same manner of operation for using the device shown in the first embodiment. The key difference here is this embodiment has an opening and closing (pivoting) lid base 22 on which the detachable/interchangeable lid 21 is fastened, whereas in the first embodiment, the detachable/interchangeable lid 21 was fastened to the box member 18. One may open and close the pivoting lid base 22 and detachable/interchangeable lid 21 by pivoting and releasing the lid latch 24 from the lid latch receiver 25 and lifting away from the box member 18. The position of the lid prop(s) 32 can be adjusted (as shown in
To provide more organization in the inner compartment of the box member 18, one may insert the separator/divider plate(s) 30 into the separator/organizer slots 26 and 27 of the inner compartment of the box member 18, as shown in
Accordingly, the reader will see that console case of the various embodiments can be used to enhance one's relaxation experience in a more personalized, customized manner by attaching a lid appropriate for an occasion at hand. Think of arriving at a super bowl party carrying this device by its ergonomic handle with your favorite team logo displayed on the lid!Once back home, one could replace that lid with a lid that matches the couch it rests on, or even store it away upright in a nearby closet.
Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of the several embodiments.
Thus, the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/205,518 filed on Aug. 14, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.