Patent Application
20240101224
The present invention relates generally to a storage assembly, more particularly to a water-resistant drawer or door assembly that controls water intrusion for a boat or other vehicle.
Storage and more particularly, organized storage, on boats and other water-going vessels is subject to the unique conditions in which the boat operates. The ever-present wet conditions in and around boats make dry storage and organization of non-water resistant materials or any other cargo problematic. In addition to the watery environments in which they operate, a properly maintained boat also requires the added maintenance of rinsing or spraying down any surfaces, including decks, platforms, walls, and storage compartments, especially when used in salt-water environments.
Storage solutions on boats, including drawers or cabinets, often suffer from water intrusion between cracks or spaces separating the drawer face from the surrounding cabinetry or walls. While these traditional drawers may suffice to keep the contents of the drawer dry from intermittent water or spray, they cannot prevent consistent and/or high pressure water, like that from a hose, over-spray, or other continuous water application from entering the internal storage area of the drawer.
While water-tight storage solutions exist, such devices with intricate seals, gaskets, fastening mechanisms, and significant effort and cost are require to ensure a sealed and secure closure. Such devices can be cumbersome, tedious, and time-consuming to open and close. Such devices also require their own maintenance and service to ensure resilient and effective operations. The cumbersome nature of traditional water-resistant containers prevents quick and efficient access, retrieval, and storage of the non-waterproof objects in the container, as well as cost effective solutions.
Also, often latches, such as slam latches, due to their design, provide an intrusion location for water to enter into the drawer. For example, latches, such as slam latches, may have holes or other openings that are necessary for the operation of the latch. However, these holes or openings are an intrusion point for water to enter the drawer area.
The present invention broadly comprises a water-resistant storage assembly, such as a drawer, featuring a series of self-draining faces adapted to redirect water away from the internal storage area and down a surrounding exterior wall or surface.
According to an embodiment, a water-resistant storage assembly is disclosed. The storage assembly may include a first face defining a channel disposed on an inward surface of the first face. The channel may have a profile and first and second edges. A sub-face may define a top-edge substantially matching the profile of the channel. The sub-face may be coupled to the inward surface of the first face, such that the top-edge is disposed between the first edge and second edge of the first face. A barrier plate may define a recess. The barrier plate may be coupled to sub-face such that the top-edge is disposed below the recess. A latch may be coupled to the first face. The latch may be disposed above the channel, the top-edge of the sub-face and the recess of the barrier plate. A floor and first and second side walls may each be coupled to the subface and define an internal storage area. The channel, the top-edge of the sub-face, and the recess of the barrier plate may define at least one flow path to the exterior of the first face for fluid, such as water. At least one flow path redirecting a fluid flow away from the internal area, thus minimizing any flow that enters the internal area.
According to another embodiment, a water-resistant drawer assembly is described. The drawer assembly may include a floor and first and second side walls. Each side wall may be coupled to the floor. A first drawer slide may be coupled to the first side wall and a second drawer slide may be coupled to the second side wall. A sub-face may be coupled to the floor and first and second side walls. The sub-face may define a top-edge. A first face may define a channel disposed on an inward surface of the first face and a latch void. The channel may have a profile and first and second edges. The profile may substantially match the top-edge of the sub-face. The first face may be coupled to the outward surface of the sub-face such that the top-edge is disposed between the first and second edges of the first face. A barrier plate may define a recess. The barrier plate may be coupled to the sub-face such that the top-edge is disposed below the recess. A latch may be disposed in the void of the first face. and above the channel, the top-edge of the sub-face and the recess of the barrier plate. The channel, the top-edge of the sub-face, and the recess of the barrier plate may define at least one flow path to the exterior of the first face. At least one flow path may redirect a fluid flow from entering the internal area.
According to another embodiment, a marine-grade storage compartment is provided. The compartment may include a floor, two side walls, a back, and a sub-face. The two side walls, the back and the sub-face may be coupled to the floor cooperatively forming an internal storage area. The sub-face may have a top-edge defining a U-shaped void. A barrier plate may define a milled recess. The barrier plate may be coupled to the sub-face such that the milled recess is disposed at a height above the top-edge of the sub-face in the U-shaped void and a bottom surface of the barrier plate engages the floor. An exterior face may define a channel and a drain disposed on an inward facing surface. The channel may have a width and a profile. The profile may be substantially similar to the top-edge of the sub-face. The exterior face may be coupled to an outward surface of the sub-face such that the top-edge is disposed at a height within the width of the channel. The channel, the top-edge of the sub-face, and the milled recess of the barrier plate may define at least one flow path to the drain of the exterior face. At least one flow path may redirect a fluid flow away from the internal storage area.
For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.
While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, embodiments of the invention, including a preferred embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the present invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to any one or more embodiments illustrated herein. As used herein, the term “present invention” is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but is instead used to discuss exemplary embodiments of the invention for explanatory purposes only.
The present invention relates broadly to a water-resistant storage assembly for a boat or other vehicle. According to an embodiment, the storage assembly may include a drawer assembly slidably coupled to a cabinet, wall, or other compartment. The storage assembly may include a series of faces featuring or defining drain channels adapted to redirect inbound water or other fluids away from the interior storage area and towards an external wall or other external surface, thus minimizing water penetration into the storage area.
Referring to
The first side wall 122 may include or define a horizontal groove 123 adapted to receive a side edge of the floor 120. The second side wall 124 may also include or define a horizontal groove 125 adapted to receive an opposite edge of the floor 120. The first and second side walls 122, 124 may further feature or define vertical grooves 127 (shown on the second side wall 124) adapted to receive the side edges of the back wall 126. The back wall 126 may be coupled to the floor by one or more fasteners, such as screws 129. The back wall 126 may also be coupled to the first and second side walls 122, 124 via on or fasteners, such as screws 129.
According to an embodiment, an inward facing wall 103 of the exterior face 102 may include a or define a channel 104. As explained below, the channel 104 may have a profile sized and shaped to accommodate and direct the flow of water entering the drawer assembly 100 from either over the top of the exterior face 102 or through the latch 106, and thus redirect such water away from the interior storage area. According to an embodiment, the channel 104 may include a substantially Y-shaped profile with sloped upper wings 136, a substantially U-shaped center 137 and a drain 105. The center 137 may be sized and shaped to substantially match the lower profile of the latch void 108. According to an embodiment, the wings 136 of the channel 104 may include or define an interior beveled top-edge 138. According to an embodiment, the interior beveled top-edge may include an approximately 45-degree beveled angle. The exterior face 102 may include or define holes 135 adapted to receives screws securing the exterior face 102 to the sub-face 110.
According to an embodiment, the sub-face 110 may include or define a horizontal groove 116 that is adapted to receive a front edge of the floor 120. The sub-face 110 may be coupled to the first and second side walls 122, 124 by one or more fasteners, such as screws 129, adhesive, or friction-fit. The sub-face 110 may also include or define holes 134 that are adapted to respectively receive screws or other fasteners (not shown) to couple the sub-face 110 to the exterior face 102 through the corresponding holes 135 in the exterior face 102. The sub-face 110 may further define or include holes 119 adapted to respectively receive screws or other fasteners (not shown) to couple sub-face 110 to the barrier plate 118 through corresponding holes 121 in the barrier plate 118.
According to an embodiment, the sub-face 110 may be formed to include a top-edge 112 including an approximately ¼-inch wide route formed along the side facing the exterior face 102 and a ⅛-inch route 114 formed on the inside facing edge of the sub-face 110. The top-edge 112 of the sub-face may generally slope downwardly from the outer edges towards the center of the subplate to a void 133 defined about the center of the sub-face 110. The top-edge 112, including the routed edges, as further explained below, may be adapted to direct water away from the interior storage area of the drawer assembly 100. The void 133 may also be sized and shaped to accommodate the latch 106. According to an embodiment, the void 133 may be generally U-shaped to accommodate a circular latch.
The barrier plate 118 may be disposed behind the sub-face 110 and is further adapted to redirect water away from, and minimize water intrusion into, the interior storage area. The barrier plate 118 may include or define a milled recess 117 sized and shaped to accommodate the latch 106. According to one embodiment the barrier plate 118 may be milled or otherwise formed to include a substantially semi-circular recess to accommodate a circular slam latch. The barrier plate 118 may be further sized and shaped such that when it is coupled to the sub-face 110, the bottom surface of the barrier plate 118 rests on or near the floor 120. The barrier plate 118 may also have a height that, in assembly, extends higher than the bottom edge 139 of the void 133 defined in the sub-face 110 (
According to an embodiment, the drawer assembly 100 may include a first drawer slide 128 coupled to the first side wall 122, and a second drawer slide 130 coupled to the second side wall 124. The first and second drawer slides 128, 130 may be coupled to the first and second side walls 122, 124, respectively by one or more bolts 131 and nuts 132, or similar fasteners, including, but not limited to, adhesive or friction-fit. The first drawer slide 128 and second drawer slide 130 may be a known slides made from stainless steel or other non-oxidizing material. The drawer slides 128, 130 may be adapted to couple to corresponding tracks or other suitable retaining devices (not shown) disposed in a wall, cabinet, or other void adapted to slidably receive the drawer assembly 100.
Referring now to
Referring to
According to an embodiment, one or more seals 150 may be disposed about the perimeter of the cabinet face 154 at the interface between the exterior face 102 and the cabinet face 154. According to an embodiment, the seals 150 may be a pedestal bulb seal. The seal 150 may be adapted to form a fluid-resistant interface between the exterior face 102 and the cabinet face 154. The seal 150 may also help redirect water flow toward the channel 104, the drain 105, and ultimately to an outer surface of the drawer assembly 100.
As shown by the flow path X of
Referring to
Significantly, the present invention can be adapted and utilized with existing drawers, in that existing drawers can be milled to create the channels, and other components can be coupled to the drawer, as set forth above, to create a water-resistant drawer. Accordingly, the present invention provides a cost-effective solution for creating water resistant drawers.
Referring to
For example, the storage assembly door 300 may include a door face 302 defining a latch void 308 adapted to receive a latch 306, such as a stainless-steel slam latch. The storage assembly door 300 may also include a subface 310 coupled to the door face 302 and define a void 333 sized and shaped to accommodate the latch 306. A barrier plate 318 defining a milled recess 317 may be coupled to the subface 310. The piano hinge 365 may be coupled to a bottom edge of the door face 302.
According to an embodiment, an inward facing wall 303 of the door face 302 may include a or define a channel 304. As explained below, the channel 304 may have a profile sized and shaped to accommodate and direct the flow of water entering the storage door assembly 300 from either over the top of the drawer face 302 or through the latch 306, and thus redirect such water away from the interior storage area. According to an embodiment, the channel 304 may include a substantially Y-shaped profile with sloped upper wings 336, a substantially U-shaped center 337 and a drain 305. The center 337 may be sized and shaped to substantially match the lower profile of the latch void 308. According to an embodiment, the wings 336 of the channel 304 may include or define an interior beveled top-edge 338. According to an embodiment, the interior beveled top-edge 338 may include an approximately 45-degree beveled angle. The door face 302 may include or define holes 335 adapted to receive screws securing the door face 302 to the sub-face 310.
According to an embodiment, the sub-face 310 may include or define holes 334 that are adapted to respectively receive screws or other fasteners (not shown) to couple the sub-face 310 to the door face 302 through the corresponding holes 335 in the door face 302. The sub-face 310 may further define or include holes 319 adapted to respectively receive screws or other fasteners (not shown) to couple sub-face 310 to the barrier plate 318 through corresponding holes 321 in the barrier plate 318.
According to an embodiment, the sub-face 310 may be formed to include a top-edge 312 including an approximately ¼-inch wide route formed along the side facing the door face 302 and a ⅛-inch route 314 formed on the inside facing edge of the sub-face 310. The top-edge 312 of the sub-face 310 may generally slope downwardly from the outer edges towards the center of the sub-face 310 to the void 333 defined about the center of the sub-face 310. The top-edge 312, including the routed edges, as further explained below, may be adapted to direct water away from the interior storage area beyond the storage door assembly 300. The void 333 may also be sized and shaped to accommodate the latch 306. According to an embodiment, the void 333 may be generally U-shaped to accommodate a circular latch.
The barrier plate 318 may be disposed behind the sub-face 310 and is further adapted to redirect water away from, and minimize water intrusion into, the interior storage area beyond the storage assembly door 300. The barrier plate 318 may include or define a milled recess 317 sized and shaped to accommodate the latch 306. According to one embodiment the barrier plate 318 may be milled or otherwise formed to include a substantially semi-circular recess to accommodate a circular slam latch. According to an embodiment, the milled recess 317 may also be sized and shaped to further direct water away from the internal storage area and towards the sub-face 310 and door face 302. As such, as shown in
The storage door assembly 300 may include a face plate 301 coupled to a cabinet or other structure adapted to frame the door face 302, sub-face 310 and barrier plate 318. The face plate 301 may be coupled to a top return 326, first side return 322, a second side return 324 and a bottom return 320. The returns may be coupled to the face plate 301 by a plurality of fasteners, such as screws 329 A seal 350, such as a bulb seal, may be disposed about an outward facing wall of the top return 326, bottom return 320 first side return 322 and second side return 326. The seal 350 may be configured to provide a fluid resistant seal between returns and the door face 302 (
A catch block 360 may be coupled to an inward facing wall of the top return 326. A flange 361 may be coupled to the catch block 360 and be adapted to receive and secure the latch 306. When the latch 306 is secured by the flange 361 or the catch block 360, the door face 302 may compress the seal 350 against the top return 326, bottom return 320 first side return 322 and second side return 326.
Referring to
Additionally, the storage door assembly 300 may be adapted to prevent the flow of water through the latch 306 from entering the internal storage area.
Significantly, the present invention can be adapted and utilized with existing cabinetry and doors, in that existing doors can be milled to create the channels, and other components can be coupled to the door, as set forth above, to create a water-resistant door. Accordingly, the present invention provides a cost-effective solution for creating water resistant doors.
While embodiments herein describe a storage assembly for a boat or other water-bound vehicle, one skilled in the art will recognize that the scope of the invention is not limited to such vehicles. Embodiments of the present invention may be used in any environment in which a protected storage compartment is desired, including without limitation, vehicles such as cars, planes or the like as well as, kitchens, garages, and other household or commercial areas.
While the embodiments described herein detail a storage assembly adapted to prevent water from entering an internal storage area, one skilled in the art will recognize that the described assemblies are not limited only water, rather the embodiments described are adapted to prevent the flow of other fluids and materials.
As used herein, the term “coupled” can mean any physical, electrical, magnetic, or other connection, either direct or indirect, between two parties. The term “coupled” is not limited to a fixed direct coupling between two entities.
As used herein terms denoting direction, order, or orientation such as “first,” “second,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “lateral,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “over,” “under,” “above,” “below,” “front,” back,” or the like, are non-limiting and used herein for ease of explanation. One of skill in the art will recognize the use of these terms as merely descriptive examples that do not limit the placement, orientation, or disposition of the elements described using such terms.
The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of the inventors' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.
