AU2014203321B2

AU2014203321B2 - Document Storage Device

Info

Publication number: AU2014203321B2
Application number: AU2014203321A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brendan Keane; Edward Joseph Khoury
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-06-18
Filing date: 2014-06-18
Publication date: 2019-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 2034-06-18
Also published as: AU2014203321A1

Abstract

Abstract A document storage device (10) comprising a base (14) provided to rest on the ground in use and an upper container (12) supported above the base (14). 5 The upper container (12) includes a top cover (54) pivotable between a closed position and an open position and the base (14) includes an internal chamber which can be filled with a ballast material. Fg3 38 a3

Description

“Document Storage Device”

Applicant:

Brendan Keane

Associated provisional applications:

Number 2013902198 filed 18 June 2013

The following statement is a full description of the invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:

2014203321 18 Jun 2014 “Document Storage Device”

Field of the Invention [001] The present invention relates to a device for storage of documents on an industrial site, such as a building site.

Background to the Invention [002] Industrial sites generally require various types of documentation to be completed and stored for detailing information regarding the site. As an example, many construction sites require safety documentation identifying hazards and building processes, which are to be viewed and signed by personnel on the site.

[003] As such documentation must be stored out in the elements, it is usual for some storage container to be used. However, it is common for personnel on site to simply erect a makeshift container for storage of this documentation. Given that processes on building sites require inspection and completion of documentation on a daily basis, these makeshift document storage containers will often become a focal point on the building site around which personnel meet to discuss aspects of the construction.

[004] The present invention relates to a document storage device constructed for storage of documentation on an industrial site. The document storage device is aimed at providing features to create safe storage and easy access to documents as well as providing other advantages for onsite personnel.

Summary of the Invention [005] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a document storage device comprising:

a base provided to rest on the ground in use;

2014203321 17 Jun 2019 an upper container supported above the base;

wherein the upper container includes a top cover pivotable between a closed position and an open position and the base includes a body comprising upper and lower surfaces, front and rear surfaces and first and second edge surfaces to define an internal chamber accessible via a hole in an outer wall of the body such that liquid received through the hole is retained within the internal chamber and the hole is closable with a cap.

[006] Preferably, the top cover includes an upper surface which is angled downwardly towards the front of the document storage device in the closed position.

[007] Preferably the upper container comprises a base wall, front and rear walls extending upwardly from opposed front and rear sides of the base wall and first and second side walls extending upwardly from the base wall, wherein the front wall is shorter than the rear wall and the first and second side walls taper downwardly from the rear wall to the front wall such that the depth of the upper container is greater adjacent the rear wall than adjacent the front wall [008] In one embodiment, the top cover comprises a planar member pivotally secured to the rear wall such that the top cover is pivotable between a closed position and an open position. In one embodiment, upper edges of the side, front and rear walls include an upwardly extending lip portion to be received in a corresponding groove provided around the periphery of the top cover [009] In a preferred embodiment, hinge arms are provided having first ends pivotally connected to a base plate secured to the rear wall and second ends connected to a lower surface of the top cover [010] Preferably the hinge arms include a bend therein such that when the top cover is in the open position, the second ends of the hinge arms are located rearwardly of the rear wall.

[011] In one embodiment, the frame comprises first and second side walls and a rear wall arranged such that lower edges thereof rest on upper surfaces of footing portions provided around a main body of the base, the footing portions having an upper surface located below an upper surface of the main body.

2014203321 18 Jun 2014 [012] Preferably the footing portions extend outwardly from along first and second edge surfaces and a rear surface of the main body of the base.

[013] Preferably the footing portions include protrusions having angled upper surfaces and the lower edges of the side walls and the rear wall include corresponding recesses into which the protrusions are received when the side walls and the rear wall are engaged with the footing portions.

[014] Preferably the footing portions are provided with a plurality of holes through which fasteners may be passed to engage into the side and rear walls to secure the side and rear walls to the base.

[015] Preferably the frame is provided with a shelf which is securable to the side walls and the rear wall such that the shelf is supported above the base to divide the space between the base and the upper container into multiple compartments. Preferably a front edge of the shelf is provided with an upturned lip and the upper surface of the main body of the base is also provided with a lip adjacent the front surface thereof

Brief Description of the Drawings [016] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings in which:

[017] Figure 1a is a first upper perspective view of a document storage device in accordance with the present invention;

[018] Figure 1b is a second upper perspective view of the document storage device of Figure 1a;

[019] Figure 2a is a front view of the document storage device of Figure 1; [020] Figure 2b is a bottom view of the document storage device of Figure 1; [021] Figure 2c is a first side view of the document storage device of Figure 1;

[022] Figure 2d is a second side view of the document storage device of Figure 1;

[023] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the document storage device of Figure 1;

2014203321 18 Jun 2014 [024] Figure 4a is an upper perspective view of the document storage device of Figure 1 with the top cover in an open position;

[025] Figure 4b is a side cross sectional view of the upper container of the document storage device of Figure 1 with the top cover in the open position;

[026] Figure 5a is a front view of the upper container of the document storage device of Figure 1;

[027] Figure 5b is a lower view of the upper container of the document storage device of Figure 1;

[028] Figure 5c is a side view of the upper container of the document storage device of Figure 1; and [029] Figure 5d is a lower perspective view of the base of the document storage device of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments [030] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a document storage device 10 comprising an upper container 12 supported above a base 14. The base 14 is provided to rest on the ground in use and the upper container 14 is supported above the base 14 by a frame 16.

[031] The base 14 comprises a main body 18 having an internal chamber therein. The internal chamber is fillable with a ballast material via a hole 20. A cap 21 is provided to seal the hole 20 once the internal chamber is filled. The internal chamber may be filled with water, sand or other suitable ballast material to provide a stable weighted base for the document storage device 10.

[032] The main body 18 of the base 14 in the embodiment shown comprises a generally rectangular prism shape having upper and lower surfaces 22 and 23, front and rear surfaces 24 and 25 and first and second edge surfaces 26 and 27. The main body 18 also includes footing portions 28 provided for receiving the frame 16. The footing portions 28 extend outwardly from along the first and second edge surfaces 26 and 27 and the rear surface 25 such

2014203321 18 Jun 2014 that upper surfaces of the footing portions 28 are located below the upper surface 22 of the main body 18 of the base 14.

[033] The frame 16 comprises first and second side walls 30 and 32 and a rear wall 34. Each for the side walls 30 and 32 and the rear wall 34 comprises a rectangular planar member securable to the base 14. The first and second side walls 30 and 32 are arranged such that lower edges thereof rest on upper surfaces of the footing portions 28 adjacent the first and second edge surfaces 26 and 27 respectively. The rear wall 34 is arranged such that the lower edge thereof rests on an upper surface of the footing portion 28 provided adjacent the rear surface 25 of the main body 18.

[034] As can be seen in Figure 3, the footing portions 28 include protrusions 36 having angled upper surfaces. The lower edges of the side walls 30 and 32 and the rear wall 34 include corresponding recesses 37 into which the protrusions 36 are received when the side walls 30 and 32 and the rear wall 34 are engaged with the footing portions 28. Engagement between the protrusions 36 and the recesses 37 serves to locate the side walls 30 and 32 and the rear wall 34 relative to the base 14. The footing portions 28 are also provided with a plurality of holes 38 through which fasteners 39 may be passed to engage into the side and rear walls 30, 32 and 34 to secure the side and rear walls 30, 32 and 34 to the base 14.

[035] The first and second side walls 30 and 32 and the rear wall 34 are preferably made from a mould plastic material, as are the base 14 and upper container 12. The side walls 30 and 32 and the rear wall 34 include a plurality of grooves 40 extending from adjacent the upper edges thereof to adjacent the lower edges thereof to provide additional strength to the components.

[036] The frame 16 is also provided with a shelf 42. The shelf 42 is securable to the side walls 30 and 32 and the rear wall 34 such that the shelf 42 is supported above the base 14 to divide the space between the base 14 and the upper container 12 into multiple compartments. Inner surfaces of the side walls 30 and 32 and the rear wall 34 are provided with slots 44 into which edges of the shelf 42 engage. A front edge of the shelf 42 is provided with an

2014203321 18 Jun 2014 upturned lip 46 to prevent items placed on the shelf 42 from sliding off. The upper surface 22 of the main body 18 of the base 14 is also provided with a lip 46 adjacent the front surface 24 thereof.

[037] The upper container 12 is securable to upper edges of the side walls 30 and 32 and the rear wall 34 as can be seen in the Figures. The upper container 12 comprises a base wall 48, front and rear walls 50 and 51 extending upwardly from opposed front and rear sides of the base wall 48 and first and second side walls 52 and 53 extending upwardly from the base wall 48 between ends of the front and rear walls 50 and 51. The front, rear and side walls 50, 51, 52 and 53 define an upper opening into which can be placed documents or other items for storage.

[038] The front wall 50 is shorter than the rear wall 51 and the first and second side walls 52 and 53 taper downwardly from the rear wall 51 to the front wall 50 such that the depth of the upper container 12 is greater adjacent the rear wall 51 than adjacent the front wall 50.

[039] The upper container 12 is provided with a top cover 54 which is pivotally secured to the rear wall 51 such that the top cover 54 is pivotable between a closed position (as shown in Figure 1) and an open position (as shown in Figure 4). The top cover 54 comprises a planar member and, in the closed position, the top cover 54 rests on the upper edges of the side walls 52 and 53 and the front and rear walls 50 and 51. In the closed position, the upper surface 55 of the top cover 54 is therefore angled, being lower adjacent the front of the document storage device 10.

[040] Upper edges of the side, front and rear walls 50, 51, 52 and 53 include an upwardly extending lip portion 56. When the top cover 54 is in the closed position, the lip portion 56 is received in a corresponding groove 57 provided around the periphery of the top cover 54 in order to seal the inside of the upper container 12 against the weather.

[041] The interior of the upper container 12 is provided also with a divider 58. The divider 58 extends between the front wall 50 and the rear wall 51 generally midway between the side walls 52 and 53. The divider 58 is

2014203321 18 Jun 2014 provided to divide the space within the upper container into multiple compartments for separation of documents. The divider 58 includes also a gap 59 such that long items may be placed within the upper container parallel to the front and rear walls 50 and 51.

[042] The connection between the top cover 54 and the rear wall 51 of the upper container 12 is provided by a plurality of hinge arms 60 connected to the inner surface of the rear wall 51. The hinge arms 60 are pivotally connected at a first end thereof to a base plate 61 which is secured to the rear wall 51. Second ends of the hinge arms 60 are connected to a lower surface of the top cover 54. The top cover 54 can thereby pivot about the rear wall 51 by pivoting action of the hinge arms 60 about the base plates 61.

[043] As can be seen in Figure 4b, the hinge arms 60 include a bend therein such that when the top cover 54 is in the open position, the second ends of the hinge arms 60 are located rearwardly of the rear wall 51. The top cover 54 when moved to the open position, will thereby remain in the open position. Movement of the top cover 54 toward the open position will cause the top cover 54 to continue to move to the closed position.

[044] In use, the document storage device 10 can be transported to and erected on site in a suitable location. Filling the internal chamber of the base 14 will provide weighting such that the document storage device 10 will be stable in windy conditions. The upper container 12 provides a weather sealed location for storage of site documents and the angled upper surface of the top cover 54 provides a useful surface for signing or completion of documentation. The compartments formed by the shelf 42 may be used for storage of onsite safety equipment or other items.

[045] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:
2. A document storage device in accordance with claim 1, wherein, the top cover includes an upper surface which is angled downwardly towards the front of the document storage device in the closed position.
3. A document storage device in accordance with claim 2, wherein the upper container comprises a base wall, front and rear walls extending upwardly 20 from opposed front and rear sides of the base wall and first and second side walls extending upwardly from the base wall, wherein the front wall is shorter than the rear wall and the first and second side walls taper downwardly from the rear wall to the front wall such that the depth of the upper container is greater adjacent the rear wall than adjacent the front wall.

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4. A document storage device in accordance with claim 3, wherein the top cover comprises a planar member pivotally secured to the rear wall such that the top cover is pivotable between a closed position and an open position.
5 13. A document storage device in accordance with claim 8, wherein a front edge of the shelf is provided with an upturned lip and the upper surface of the main body of the base is also provided with a lip adjacent the front surface thereof.

5. A document storage device in accordance with claim 4, wherein upper edges of the side, front and rear walls include an upwardly extending lip portion 30 to be received in a corresponding groove provided around the periphery of the top cover.

2014203321 12 Jun 2019

5 1. A document storage device comprising:

a base provided to rest on the ground in use;

an upper container supported above the base;

wherein the upper container includes a top cover pivotable between a closed position and an open position and the base includes a body comprising upper 10 and lower surfaces, front and rear surfaces and first and second edge surfaces to define an internal chamber accessible via a hole in an outer wall of the body such that liquid received through the hole is retained within the internal chamber and the hole is closable with a cap.

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6. A document storage device in accordance with claim 5, wherein hinge arms are provided having first ends pivotally connected to a base plate secured to the rear wall and second ends connected to a lower surface of the top cover.

5
7. A document storage device in accordance with claim 6, wherein the hinge arms include a bend therein such that when the top cover is in the open position, the second ends of the hinge arms are located rearwardly of the rear wall.
8. A document storage device in accordance with any one of the preceding

10 claims, wherein the upper container is supported above the base by a frame comprising first and second side walls and a rear wall arranged such that lower edges thereof rest on upper surfaces of footing portions provided around a main body of the base, the footing portions having an upper surface located below an upper surface of the main body.

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9. A document storage device in accordance with claim 8, wherein the footing portions extend outwardly from along first and second edge surfaces and a rear surface of the main body of the base.

10. A document storage device in accordance with claim 9, wherein the footing portions include protrusions having angled upper surfaces and the lower

20 edges of the side walls and the rear wall include corresponding recesses into which the protrusions are received when the side walls and the rear wall are engaged with the footing portions.

11. A document storage device in accordance with claim 10, wherein the footing portions are provided with a plurality of holes through which fasteners

25 may be passed to engage into the side and rear walls to secure the side and rear walls to the base.

12. A document storage device in accordance with claim 11, wherein the frame is provided with a shelf which is securable to the side walls and the rear

2014203321 12 Jun 2019 wall such that the shelf is supported above the base to divide the space between the base and the upper container into multiple compartments.
10 Brendan Keane