GB2590412A

GB2590412A - A container

Info

Publication number: GB2590412A
Application number: GB1918554.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brett Stevenson Matthew
Original assignee: Perforated and Stamped Products Ltd
Current assignee: Perforated and Stamped Products Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-16
Filing date: 2019-12-16
Publication date: 2021-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-16
Also published as: EP4077839A1; GB2590412B; GB201918554D0; WO2021123778A1

Abstract

A lockable storage container 100 has at least one base member 102 with an outer edge region comprising a rail, and at least one wall 104 mounted on the base member. A lower edge region of the wall comprises a skirt that overlaps an outer surface of the rail, preferably by means of a first inner abutment surface (206, fig. 2c) on the skirt. The lower edge region may have a first engagement surface (254) for engaging with an upper support surface of the rail. The first engagement surface may be vertically offset with respect to, and preferably also parallel with, a lower surface of the skirt. A kit of parts for assembling a lockable storage container is also described.

Description

A CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a container and in particular, but not exclusively, to the construction of a secure storage unit, such as for storing a bicycle or tools.

It is common place to store a bicycle in a shed or other form of storage unit remotely located from an owner's house which immediately increases the risk of the storage unit being broken into and the contents thereof being damaged or stolen. Typically, a wall panel or closure of the storage unit is prised open to gain access to the contents therein. Increased security of storage containers/units is therefore desired.

Additionally, unauthorised access into conventional storage containers/units is made relatively easy in view of the relative weakness of the container/unit itself, particularly in relation to the joints between connecting sections of the container/unit. Increased strength of storage containers/units is therefore also desired.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a storage unit which is particularly difficult, if not impossible, to unlawfully break into.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a storage unit having a strong and secure joint construction which minimises flat surface area otherwise prone to attack and breach.

It is an aim of certain embodiments of the present invention to provide a storage unit which is non-complex and efficient to assemble, aptly by one person, and requiring minimal tooling.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a lockable storage container comprising: at least one base member having an outer edge region comprising a rail portion; and at least one wall member mounted on the base member, wherein a lower edge region of the wall member comprises a skirt portion configured to overlap an outer surface of the rail portion.

Optionally, a first inner abutment surface of the skirt portion abuts a first outer surface of the rail portion.

Optionally, the lower edge region of the wall member comprises a first engagement surface configured to engage with an upper support surface of the rail portion.

Optionally, the first engagement surface is vertically offset with respect to a lower surface of the skirt portion.

Optionally, the first engagement surface is substantially parallel with the lower surface of the skirt portion.

Optionally, the outer surface of the rail portion is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first engagement surface and/or the lower surface of the skirt portion.

Optionally, the outer edge region of the base member comprises a lower support surface vertically offset with respect to the upper surface to provide a stepped cross section.

Optionally, the lower support surface is configured to engage with and support the lower surface of the skirt portion.

Optionally, the upper and lower support surfaces are substantially parallel with respect to each other.

Optionally, the lower edge region of the wall member comprises a flange portion downwardly extending from the first engagement surface and configured to provide a second abutment surface for abutment with a second surface of the rail portion.

Optionally, the first and second abutment surfaces are substantially parallel with respect to each other.

Optionally, the first engagement surface and the upper support surface of the rail portion comprise a plurality of spaced apart through holes each configured to receive an elongate fastener for securing the wall member to the base member.

Optionally, the at least one base member comprises a plurality of interconnected elongate base panels.

Optionally, the at least one wall member comprises a plurality of interconnected elongate wall panels.

Optionally, a first wall panel comprises a first edge region defining an elongate channel portion, and an adjacent second wall panel comprises a second edge region defining an elongate rail portion configured to locate in the channel portion.

Optionally, the rail portion is configured to engage with inner surfaces of the channel portion.

Optionally, the rail portion and the channel portion each comprise a plurality of spaced apart through holes configured to receive an elongate fastener for fastening the adjacent wall panels together.

Optionally, the rail portion and the channel portion are configured such that outer wall surfaces of the first and second wall panels provide a substantially continuous outer wall surface when the adjacent wall panels are connected together.

Optionally, the at least one wall member comprises a first box-like section mounted on a second box-like section mounted on the base member comprising a base boxlike section.

Optionally, the base box-like section has a length and width which is less than a length and width of the second box-like section which in turn is less than a length and width of the first box-like section to thereby provide a tiered container body.

Optionally, the container comprises a lockable lid member hingedly coupled to the first box-like section.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit of parts for assembling a lockable storage container, comprising: at least one base member having an outer edge region comprising a rail portion; and at least one wall member mountable on the base member, wherein a lower edge region of the wall member comprises a skirt portion configured to overlap an outer surface of the rail portion.

Optionally, the at least one base member comprises a plurality of interconnectable elongate base panels.

Optionally, the at least one wall member comprises a plurality of interconnectable elongate wall panels.

Optionally, the kit comprises at least one closure member for closing an opening of the container in use.

Description of the Drawings

Certain embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure la illustrates a first storage container according to certain embodiments of the present invention in a closed state; Figure lb illustrates the storage container of Figure la in an open state; Figure 2a illustrates a vertical cross section through the container of Figure la; Figure 2b illustrates a horizontal cross section through the container of Figure 1a; Figure 2c illustrates a magnified view of the cross-sectional area referenced 'A' in Figure 2a; Figure 2d illustrates a magnified view of the cross-sectional area referenced S' in Figure 2b; Figure 2e illustrates a schematic view of the hook and rail joint between the wall panels and the base panels from outside the container; Figure 2f illustrates a schematic view of the hook and rail joint between the wall panels and the base panels from inside the container; Figure 2g illustrates a first schematic view of the hook and rail joint between adjacent wall panels from inside the container; Figure 2g illustrates a further schematic view of the hook and rail joint between adjacent wall panels from inside the container; Figure 3a illustrates a further storage container according to certain embodiments of the present invention in a closed state; Figure 3b illustrates the storage container of Figure 3a in an open state; Figure 3c illustrates a first vertical cross-sectional view through the container of Figure 3a; Figure 3d illustrates a second vertical cross-sectional view through the container of Figure 3a; Figure 3e illustrates a magnified view of the cross-sectional area referenced 'C' in Figure 3c; Figure 3f illustrates a magnified view of the cross-sectional area referenced 'D' in Figure 3c; and Figure 3g illustrates a magnified view of the cross-sectional area referenced 'E' in Figure 3d.

Detailed Description

As illustrated in Figures la and lb, a storage container/unit 100 according to certain embodiments of the present invention includes a substantially flat base 102, a pair of opposed and substantially parallel side walls 104,105 extending upwardly from the base, a rear end wall 106 extending upwardly from a rear edge region of the base, a pitched roof 108 supported on the side walls and rear end wall, and a pair of lockable doors 110 respectively mounted on hinges to the front ends of the side walls. An optional ramp 112 extends from a front edge region of the base to allow a bicycle or the like to be efficiently wheeled into the container. The container 100 as illustrated in Figure la is in a closed state with the doors closed and the container as illustrated in Figure lb is in an open state with the doors open.

As illustrated in Figures 2a and 2b, the side walls 104,105 and rear end wall 106 are each made up of a plurality of interconnecting panels. Each side wall 104,105 of the illustrated container 100 comprises five substantially planar panels and the rear end wall 106 comprises a single planar panel 107 located between a pair of opposed corner panels 109 each including a relatively long rear wall portion 111 and a shorter side wall portion 113 orientated substantially perpendicularly to the longer rear wall portion 111. The base 102 is also provided by a plurality of interconnecting base panels 115.

As illustrated in Figures 2e and 2f, the connected base panels 115 provide a base 30 tray having an edge profile 200 along at least its sides and rear edge regions which is configured for engagement with correspondingly shaped lower end regions of the side wall panels 104,105 and the rear end wall panels 107,109.

As illustrated in Figure 2c, the edge profile 200 of the base tray comprises a stepped cross section having a first base portion 201 spaced apart from a second base portion 211 both engageable with the ground. The first base portion 201 is spaced from the second base portion 211 for ease of forming the profile but it may extend closer towards, or engage with, the second base portion 211. A first riser portion 202 extends vertically upwardly and perpendicularly from the first base portion 201, a first support portion 203 extends horizontally and perpendicularly inwardly from the first riser portion 202, a second riser portion 205 extends vertically upwardly and perpendicularly from the first support portion 203, a second support portion 207 lo extends horizontally and perpendicularly inwardly from the second riser portion 205, and an inner wall portion 209 extends downwardly from the second support portion 207 towards the second base portion 211. The first support portion 203 provides a lower support surface 204, the second riser portion 205 provides an abutment surface 206, and the second support portion 207 provides an upper support surface 208. The upper and lower support surfaces 204,208 are adapted to correspondingly engage with respective lower edge region surfaces of the side wall panels and the rear wall panels. The upper and lower support surfaces 204,208 are substantially horizontal and abutment surface 206 is substantially vertical. The abutment surface 206 engages with a respective flat surface of the side wall panels and rear wall panel of the unit as described further below.

Alternatively, the angle of the upper and lower support surfaces and the abutment surface may not be substantially horizontal and vertical. For example, one or both of the support surfaces may be angled downwardly in the outboard direction such that any water ingress in the joint is directed outwardly to prevent ingress into the storage unit and/or corrosion etc. The support surfaces may be different angles, such as the upper support surface being substantially horizontal and the lower support surface being angled downwardly and outwardly. Likewise, the abutment surface of the cross section need not be substantially vertical and may be angled inwardly or outwardly with respect to the vertical.

As illustrated in Figure 2c, the lower edge regions of the side wall panels 104,105 and the rear wall panels 106 are correspondingly shaped to engage with the stepped peripheral cross section of the base tray. The wall panels each comprise a substantially hooked cross section 250 at their lower edge region including a substantially vertical outer wall portion 252 providing an outer surface of the wall panel, a first engagement portion 253 extending inwardly and perpendicularly from the outer wall portion 252, an abutment portion 255 extending upwardly and perpendicularly from the first engagement portion 253, a second engagement portion 257 extending inwardly and perpendicularly from the abutment portion 255, and a flange portion 259 extending downwardly and perpendicularly from the second engagement portion 257. The first engagement portion 253 provides a first engagement surface 254, the abutment portion 255 provides a first inner abutment surface 256, the second engagement portion 257 provides a second engagement surface 258, and the flange portion 259 provides a second inner abutment surface 260. The first and second engagement surfaces 254,258 are substantially horizontal and are adapted to engage with the upper and lower support surfaces 204,208 of the base tray stepped profile. The first and second inner abutment surfaces 256,260 are substantially vertical and adapted to engage with outer abutment surface 206 of the second riser portion 205 and the outer surface of the inner wall portion 209, i.e. with the raised rail portion of the base tray profile, to laterally constrain the wall panels with respect to the rail portion of the base tray profile during assembly and use.

The optional flange portion 259 is illustrated as being shorter in length than the abutment portion 255 but they may be the same length or different lengths. The first and second inner abutment surfaces 256,260 define a channel in the lower end regions of each wall panel 104-106 which is sized and shaped to locate over the elongate and substantially horizontal rail portion defined by the stepped cross section of the base tray. The second engagement surface 258, i.e. base of the channel, of each wall panel engages with the upper support surface 208 of the base tray rail, and the first and second inner abutment surfaces 256,260 respectively engage with the outer surfaces of the elongate rail to laterally constrain each wall panel with respect to the base tray during assembly and in use. This 'hook and rail' arrangement also allows each wall panel 104-106 to be located on the assembled base tray by a single person and safely left in situ in a stable manner whilst the same person secures the wall panel to the base tray using suitable fasteners. The 'hook and rail' arrangement between the wall panels and the assembled base tray is illustrated in Figures 2e and 2f.

As illustrated in Figure 2d, the vertical edge regions of adjacent wall panels 104-106 interlock via a similar 'hook and rail' arrangement according to certain embodiments of the present invention. A first wall panel 270 includes a vertical edge region having a first wall portion 272 extending perpendicularly inwardly with respect to an outer surface 271 of the wall panel, a second wall portion 274 extending perpendicularly from the first wall portion 272 in a direction parallel with the outer surface 271 of the wall panel, and a flange portion 276 extending perpendicularly and outwardly from the second wall portion 272. The vertical edge region of the first wall panel 270 thereby defines an inwardly extending hooked channel profile.

The adjacent second wall panel 280 includes a vertical edge region having a first wall portion 282 extending perpendicularly inwardly with respect to an outer surface 281 of the second wall panel, a second wall portion 284 extending perpendicularly from the first wall portion 282 in a direction parallel with the outer surface of the second wall panel, and a flange portion 286 extending perpendicularly and outwardly from the second wall portion 284. The vertical edge region of the second wall panel 280 thereby defines an inwardly extending hooked rail profile which is shaped and sized to be received in the hooked channel profile of the first wall panel 270.

During assembly, as illustrated in Figures 2e and 2f, the adjacent wall panels 270,280 are located on the stepped profile of the base tray, and the hooked rail profile of the second wall panel 280 is located within the hooked channel profile of the first wall panel 270, or vice versa. This 'hook and rail' arrangement desirably securely locates the adjacent wall panels together in at least an inboard direction and also in a direction along the elongate rail portion of the base tray, even before the wall panels have been secured to the base tray by suitable fasteners, such as bolts. The hooked channel and rail profiles of the wall panels may be sized to provide an interference fit to further constrain the wall panels together before being securely fastened together. During assembly, adjacent wall panels 270,280 may be coupled together via the vertical 'hook and rail' mechanism, located on the rail portion of the base tray profile, and slidably moved along the base rail until the wall panels are in a desired location thereon, before being secured thereto by suitable fasteners, such as bolts, from inside the unit. Alternatively, one of the panels may be located on the rail portion of the base tray profile before the other adjacent wall panel is located thereon before the wall panels are coupled and fastened together. The 'hook and rail' arrangement between adjacent wall panels is illustrated in Figures 2g and 2h.

The first and second support portions 203,207 of the stepped profile of the base panels 115 and the first and second engagement portions 253,257 of the hooked profile of the wall panels 104-106 each include a plurality of spaced apart holes for receiving suitable mechanical fasteners, such as bolts, to secure the wall panels to the base. Likewise, the first and second wall portions 272,274 and 282,284 of the vertical edge regions of the adjacent wall panels 270,280 each include a plurality of spaced apart holes for receiving suitable mechanical fasteners, such as bolts, to secure the wall panels together along their vertical edge regions.

The holes in the base panels 115 and the second wall panel 280 may be threaded for receiving threaded bolts or may be non-threaded for a bolt to extend through and engage with a correspondingly threaded nut, e.g. a weld nut or hex nut insert fixed to an inner surface of the base or second wall portion. Aptly, a spring washer may be provided between each bolt head and the respective panel surface to prevent loosening of the fastenings over time due to vibrations in the panels during use.

Alternatively, the fasteners may be rivets, self-tapping screws, plastic plugs with serrated barbs, or the like.

Desirably, the 'hook and rail' profiles allow the fasteners to be located on the inside of the unit to prevent any of the fasteners being maliciously removed in an attempt to gain unauthorised access into the unit. Furthermore, the 'hook and rail' profiles provide a particularly high bending strength and stiffness to the base tray and wall panels, and the connections therebetween, and also allow at least a pair of fasteners to be used at each fastening location, either along the base or up the wall panels, wherein one fastener of the pair is located inboard of the other fastener. The combination of the 'hook and rail' profile and the double fastening at each fastening location along the base tray/wall panel joint and the wall panel/wall panel joints provides an additional level of security against malicious attack and unauthorised attempts to enter the storage unit. The stepped profile of the base tray/wall panel joint and the hooked profile of the wall panel joints cause a change of direction of the joint which is in contrast to a conventional face-to-face joint. This change in direction provides more than one additional barrier against an unauthorised person using a tool, such as crowbar, in attempt to prise open the joint at the base or between adjacent wall panels and gain access into the unit.

Aptly, each base panel 115, wall panel 104-106 and roof panel 108 is formed from folded sheet material, such as steel or aluminium, or for lighter weight applications the panels may be moulded from a plastics material.

As illustrated in Figures 2e and 2f, the base panels 115 utilise the same 'hook and rail' connection such that if the unit is tipped over by a malicious person, access into the unit between the base panels is made equally difficult, if not prevented completely. Additionally, the base tray may be bolted from inside the unit to the ground.

To assemble the storage unit 100, the base panels 115 are connected together by hooking the edge region of one base panel over the edge region of an adjacent panel until a base tray 102 having the desired length is formed. The base panels 115 are then fastened together using suitable fasteners, such as bolts. Adjacent rear wall panels 106 are then coupled together along their vertical edge regions using the 'hook and rail' arrangement and efficiently located on, and supported by, the stepped rail portion of the assembled base tray. The rear wall panels can then be fastened together and to the base tray from the inside of the unit by the same person. Alternatively, one of the rear corner wall panels 109 may be first mounted on and attached to the rail portion of the base tray, the other one of the rear corner wall panels 109 may then be mounted on and attached to the rail portion of the base tray, and then the centre rear wall panel 107 may be mounted on and attached to the rail portion of the base tray between the two rear corner wall panels 109 and then attached thereto. Side wall panels 104,105 are then efficiently located on, and supported by, the stepped rail portion of the assembled base tray, before being coupled together and to the rear wall panels by the 'hook and rail' arrangement. The side wall panels can then be fastened together and to the base tray and rear wall panels from the inside of the unit by the same person. The roof panels 108 can then be located on and fastened to the wall panels before the doors are hung to complete the assembly. Flashing strips may be located over the joints between adjacent roof panels to seal the roof and prevent ingress of water into the unit, if desired/required.

As illustrated in Figures 3a and 3b, a storage container 300 according to certain embodiments of the present invention includes a tiered body 302 and a lid 304 hingedly mounted to the body 302. Figure 3a shows the container in a closed state with the lid closed, and Figure 3b shows the container in an open state with the lid open. The body 302 of the container 300 comprises a plurality of interconnected sections; a base section 306, an intermediate section 308, and an upper section 310.

The lid 304 is mounted to the upper section 308. Each section has a substantially rectangular cross section in plan view and the base section 306 is sized to fit in a correspondingly shaped tray 312 which may be fixed to a surface, such as the bed of a van or truck, to prevent the container sliding around during transit or the like. The container may be bolted to the tray 312 from the inside to prevent the container being maliciously removed from the tray, particularly when closed and locked. A handle 314 is provided on each end of the upper section 310 to allow a user to lift and manoeuvre the container. A handle 316 is also provided on a front region of the lid to allow a user to open and close the lid. A lock assembly 318 is provided to lock the lid in a closed state.

As illustrated in Figure 3c, the lower edge region of the upper section 310 is configured to hook over the upper edge region of the intermediate section 308. Likewise, the lower edge region of the intermediate section 308 is configured to hook over the upper edge region of the base section 306. More specifically, the lower edge region of the upper and intermediate sections each include a peripheral skirt 320 having a cross section comprising a substantially vertical outer wall portion 322, a skirt portion 324 extending inwardly and perpendicularly from the outer wall portion 322, an abutment portion 326 extending upwardly and perpendicularly from the skirt portion 324, and an engagement portion 328 extending inwardly and perpendicularly from the abutment portion 326. The abutment portion 326 provides an inner abutment surface 327 for engaging a corresponding abutment surface of the body section below. The engagement portion 328 provides an engagement surface 329 for engaging a corresponding support surface of the body section below.

The upper edge region of the intermediate and base sections each include a peripheral rail 330 having a cross section comprising a substantially vertical outer wall portion 332, a support portion 334 extending inwardly and perpendicularly from the outer wall portion 332, and an inner wall portion 336 extending downwardly and perpendicularly from the support portion 334. The outer wall portion 332 is configured to abut with the abutment surface 327 of the body section above. The support portion 334 provides a support surface 335 for engaging the engagement surface 329 of the body section above and supported thereon.

The angle of the various surfaces may not be substantially horizontal and vertical. For example, the support surface 335 and engagement surface 329 may be angled downwardly in the outboard direction such that any water ingress in the joint is directed outwardly to prevent ingress into the storage container and/or corrosion etc. Likewise, the abutment surface 327 need not be substantially vertical and may be angled inwardly or outwardly with respect to the vertical.

Aptly, each body section and the lid are formed from folded sheet material, such as steel or aluminium, or for lighter weight applications the sections and lid may be moulded from a plastics material. Aptly, the sheet steel may be around 2mm thick.

The engagement portion 328 of an upper body section, e.g. the upper section, and the support portion 334 of the lower body section, e.g. the intermediate section, include a plurality of spaced apart holes each for locating a fastener, such as a bolt, to securely connect the body sections together. The holes may be threaded for receiving threaded bolts or may be non-threaded for a bolt to extend through and engage with a correspondingly threaded nut, e.g. a weld nut fixed to an inner surface of the section or a hex nut insert or the like. Aptly, a spring washer may be provided between each bolt head and the respective section to prevent loosening of the fastenings over time due to vibrations/impacts in use. Alternatively, the fasteners may be rivets, self-tapping screws, plastic plugs with serrated barbs, or the like.

Desirably, the 'hook and rail' joints between the different sections of the container body allow the fasteners to be located on the inside of the container to prevent any of the fasteners being maliciously removed in an attempt to gain unauthorised access into the container. Furthermore, the 'hook and rail' joints provide a particularly high bending strength and stiffness to the sections themselves, and the connections therebetween. The 'hook and rail' joints provide an additional level of security against malicious attack and unauthorised attempts to enter the container.

The overlapping arrangement of the skirt/hook and rail profiles cause a change of direction of the joint which is in contrast to a conventional face-to-face and substantially flat joint. This change in direction provides more than one additional barrier against an unauthorised person using a tool, such as crowbar, in attempt to prise open the joint and gain access into the container.

This overlapping hook/skirt and rail arrangement provides the tiered body 302 of the container which protects the container from the most severe attacks with each section overlapping by around 25mm. This provides a particularly strong joint and a tiered body design also reduces the amount of flat area prone to attack and, in the unlikely event a joint is breached, only a relatively small aperture is created making it particularly difficult to access the contents of the container.

As illustrated in Figures 3d, 3f and 3g, the lid 304 includes a locking bar 350 fixed therein by suitable fasteners, such as bolts or rivets or the like. The locking bar 350 includes a plurality of spaced apart and downwardly extending projections 352 along its length, each projection having a hammer-head lock formation 354 defining a pair of opposed lugs at their free ends. The lock formations 354 may alternatively define a single lug instead of a pair of opposed lugs.

A locking plate 356 is slidably mounted inside the upper body section 308 of the container. The locking plate 356 includes a plurality of elongate slots 358 oriented in the horizontal plane and configured to be mounted on a respective one of a plurality of pins 360 extending inwardly from the inner surface of the upper body section 308, such that the locking plate 356 is slidably moveable in either direction. The main body of the locking plate is oriented substantially vertically inside the container. An upper portion 362 of the locking plate is oriented substantially horizontally and includes a plurality elongate slots 364 which are aligned with and configured in size and shape to receive a respective one of the lock formations 354 when the lid is closed and the locking plate 356 is in an unlocked position. When the lid is closed and the locking plate 356 is slidably moved to a locked position, the slots of the locking plate are moved over one of the lugs such that the lock formations 354 cannot be pulled through the locking plate slots, and in turn the lid cannot be opened. The illustrated lock assembly comprises five equally spaced lock formations and corresponding locking plate slots which provides a plurality of locking points along the opening of the container and in turn a particularly strong and secure locking assembly to prevent any malicious attempts to prise open the lid. This locking arrangement also ensures that the locking force is constant along the length of the container when in a locked state. Aptly, the locking bar 350 and locking plate 356 are formed from 4mm heavy-duty steel, or the like.

As illustrated in Figure 3f, the locking plate 356 is housed within the rail portion of the upper region of the upper box section 308, wherein the upper surface of the rail portion includes slotted apertures to allow respective ones of the lock formations 354 to enter the rail portion when the lid is closed and engage with the locking plate 356. This arrangement provides additional security and protects the locking plate from malicious attack or attempts to directly move the locking plate to gain unauthorised access into the container.

As illustrated in Figures 3d and 3f, a lock shaft 370 is coupled to a key-operated lock barrel 372. The lock shaft 370 is coupled to a first end region of an elongate cam plate 374 such that rotation of the lock shaft rotates a second end region of the cam plate. A drive pin 376 is coupled to the second end region of the cam plate 374 which in turn is coupled to the locking plate 356, such that the locking plate is moved when the cam plate is rotated. The drive pin 376 may be mechanically coupled, such as by a screw or bolt, to the locking plate or it may be freely located in an aperture, such as a hole or slot, in the locking plate.

Certain embodiments of the present invention therefore provide a storage container which is non-complex to manufacture and easy and safe to assembly by a single person. The storage container has a construction which is particularly strong and secure and which minimises, if not prevents, the risk of an authorised person maliciously gaining access to contents inside the container, such as bicycles, tools, or the like.

Claims

Claims 1. A lockable storage container comprising: at least one base member having an outer edge region comprising a rail portion; and at least one wall member mounted on the base member, wherein a lower edge region of the wall member comprises a skirt portion configured to overlap an outer surface of the rail portion.
2. The container according to claim 1, wherein a first inner abutment surface of the skirt portion abuts a first outer surface of the rail portion.
3. The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower edge region of the wall member comprises a first engagement surface configured to engage with an upper support surface of the rail portion.
4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the first engagement surface is vertically offset with respect to a lower surface of the skirt portion.
5. The container according to claim 4, wherein the first engagement surface is substantially parallel with the lower surface of the skirt portion.
6. The container according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the outer surface of the rail portion is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the first engagement surface and/or the lower surface of the skirt portion.
7. The container according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the outer edge region of the base member comprises a lower support surface vertically offset with respect to the upper surface to provide a stepped cross section.
8. The container according to claim 7, wherein the lower support surface is configured to engage with and support the lower surface of the skirt portion.
9. The container according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the upper and lower support surfaces are substantially parallel with respect to each other.
10. The container according to any of claims 3 to 9, wherein the lower edge region of the wall member comprises a flange portion downwardly extending from the first engagement surface and configured to provide a second abutment surface for abutment with a second surface of the rail portion.
11. The container according to claim 10, wherein the first and second abutment surfaces are substantially parallel with respect to each other.
12. The container according to any of claims 3 to 11, wherein the first engagement surface and the upper support surface of the rail portion comprise a plurality of spaced apart through holes each configured to receive an elongate fastener for securing the wall member to the base member.
13. The container according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one base member comprises a plurality of interconnected elongate base panels.
14. The container according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one wall member comprises a plurality of interconnected elongate wall panels.
15. The container according to claim 14, wherein a first wall panel comprises a first edge region defining an elongate channel portion, and an adjacent second wall panel comprises a second edge region defining an elongate rail portion configured to locate in the channel portion.
16. The container according to claim 15, wherein the rail portion is configured to engage with inner surfaces of the channel portion.
17. The container according to claims 15 or 16, wherein the rail portion and the channel portion each comprise a plurality of spaced apart through holes configured to receive an elongate fastener for fastening the adjacent wall panels together.
The container according to any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the rail portion and the channel portion are configured such that outer wall surfaces of the first and second wall panels provide a substantially continuous outer wall surface when the adjacent wall panels are connected together.
The container according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one wall member comprises a first box-like section mounted on a second box-like section mounted on the base member comprising a base box-like section.
The container according to claim 19, wherein the base box-like section has a length and width which is less than a length and width of the second box-like section which in turn is less than a length and width of the first box-like section to thereby provide a tiered container body.
The container according to claim 19 or 20, comprising a lockable lid member hingedly coupled to the first box-like section.
A kit of parts for assembling a lockable storage container, comprising: at least one base member having an outer edge region comprising a rail portion; and at least one wall member mountable on the base member, wherein a lower edge region of the wall member comprises a skirt portion configured to overlap an outer surface of the rail portion.
23. The kit according to claim 22, wherein the at least one base member comprises a plurality of interconnectable elongate base panels.
24. The kit according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the at least one wall member comprises a plurality of interconnectable elongate wall panels.
25. The kit according to any of claims 22 to 24, comprising at least one closure member for closing an opening of the container in use. 18. 19. 20.is 21. 22.