US20060137384A1

US20060137384A1 - Flood and storage bag

Info

Publication number: US20060137384A1
Application number: US11/251,348
Authority: US
Inventors: Lee Bernard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-10-14
Filing date: 2005-10-14
Publication date: 2006-06-29
Also published as: US20090152266A1; US20120167484A1

Abstract

The present invention discloses a flood and storage device for storing products during floods. The product has a self-releasing “framework” once activated akin to that of the “self opening” umbrella. The flood and storage device further includes a rigid interior frame structure 10 (shown in FIG. 2) completely encompassed by a waterproof covering 15 defining housing 20 having interior cavity 25 therein. Interior cavity 25 varies in size and length to completely encompass the contents to be protected from a flood.

Description

This application claims the filing date of provisional application no. ______

BACKGROUND

The need to protect and store goods is a staple issue of people. Often, the former need is caused by the presence of the inclement or dangerous (i.e. rising water, flooding, etc.) weather; the latter due to the ever increasing need for space individuals and families often experience. The Flood & Storage Bag (working title) is a product designed to address both needs at the residential, corporate, industrial, and military level.

SUMMARY

The Flood and Storage Bag is a product designed to provide the user with the ability to protect and/or store a variety of items (insignificantly varying sizes) generally, and when the weather is severe (e.g. flooding, etc.). It is a product which can be easily used by a wide variety of persons with minimal to no difficulty. It is designed to facilitate easy manufacturing. Further, the savings designed into the manufacturing process are anticipated to allow product pricing within a standard, or average, affordability range.
The product meets a constantly occurring and real need of all potential users—individual and corporate. The moving of this product from concept to real product would benefit not only those involved, but also the general public.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an illustration of the frame of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates the under wiring structure.
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the present invention.
FIG. 5A is a front view of a tie of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is illustrates how the unit can be folded.

DETAILED SPECIFICATION

The product is designed to be easily used by anyone-including senior citizens and individuals with mild to medium physical impairment to provide protection, and storage, for items ranging in size from a desktop computer to an automobile. The product when fully activated forms a moisture proof, water tight, and air tight shield around the stored item.
A product of this type has a number of uses and applications. As an example, in the case of an impending flood, individuals, residents, military and other governmental entities, and corporations would use the Flood and Storage Bag to protect key items such as: electronic equipment, key data items (e.g. floppy disks, magnetic and audio-visual tapes, CDs, etc.), photographs and other print media items, and other items subject to water/moisture damage (e.g. furniture, paintings, etc.).
Other applications would include the protection and storage of items on an everyday basis. This would provide application ranging from simple storage of items outside to protection of items stored in non-climate controlled places.
The product is designed from materials which not afford the previously referenced moisture protection, but also provide a flame retardant and durable protection of the enclosed item or items. The product has a self-releasing “framework” once activated akin to that of the “self opening” umbrella. Once fully open the individual will be able to easily place whatever item, or items, they desire to protect inside. The Flood and Storage Bag will also be manufactured to accept various accessories which will enhance the basic use of function of the product. Such accessories would include items such as a storage case, and automatic-opening/closing function, etc.
Another advantage accrued by this product is the use thereof for the protection of vehicles and similar items of value as they are being transported. The product, pursuant to design consideration, intended to be light enough for set-up and use by one person; therefore, it has immediate application to the transportation of vehicles, furniture, and other valuable items. This would be especially applicable to transportation of high end and exclusive vehicles.
The product has universal geographic applicability. The product would be designed with an accessory for use when the product is located in an extreme clod (long term negative temperature). Based on initial design considerations, and research, the product would have application, and uses, for an extremely wide variety of clients on both a national and international basis. Further, the Flood and Storage Bag has been designed with the concept of manufacturing ease at the forefront.
Referring to FIGS. 1, and 2, there is shown a perspective view of the present invention flood and storage device 5. The flood and storage device further includes a rigid interior frame structure 10 (shown in FIG. 2) completely encompassed by a waterproof covering 15 defining housing 20 having interior cavity 25 therein. Interior cavity 25 varies in size and length to completely encompass the contents to be protected from a flood.
Housing 20 further includes a front wall 32, back wall 34, bottom wall 36, first side wall 38, and opposing second wall 40. Front wall 32 can further include a small window 33 mounted into front wall 32. Window 35 is preferably made of a transparent material for viewing the contents in the housing. Window 35 can be made of glass, acrylic, plastic or another suitable material. Additionally, front wall 32 can be adapted with an automatic control for opening and closing the housing 10 the entry way into housing 20. As shown, suitable fastening means can be affixed along the peripheral edges of the front wall 32. By way of example, a zipper is fixed along the peripheral edges of the front wall 32. Window 35 allows for viewing the contents of what is in the housing. At least one air vent 25 can be strategically place along a wall of the housing thereby preventing water from coming in but allow air to circulate inside the housing.
Affixed at each corner of the housing are anchoring means 40 for securing the housing in place to prevent the device from floating away during a flood. As shown, each anchoring means is
Covering 15 is made of a material that is waterproof, wind resistant, water repellant, bacteria inhibitor, flame resistant, and flexible.
FIG. 2 illustrates the overall frame structure and FIG. 3 illustrates the under wire interior frame structure required to support the features of the present invention. A plurality of rods is interconnected to form the desired shape and configuration of the housing. In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 3 a support flat platform 42 can be used to further provide support.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged rear perspective view of the present invention. Mounted to the rear wall is a faucet.
In some situations, the present invention may require the present invention to be secured in place. FIG. 5A illustrates a tie for that particular purpose. This tie is used to 8 secure
FIG. 5 A illustrates how unit folds for easy storage. Interior frame collapses to allow for easy storage as shown. The interior frame structure is specifically designed into sections which easily collapse to fold for storage as shown.

Claims

1. a flood and storage device comprising:

A rigid interior frame structure encompassed by a water proof covering defining a housing having an interior cavity therein;

the interior frame comprising a plurality of rods configured into three dimensional structure having a bottom wall, a front wall, a side wall, an opposing side wall, and a back wall; and

a releasable fastening means affixed to the front wall to allow entry into the housing.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a window strategically mounted to the front wall.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising anchoring means affixed at each lower corner of the housing for securing the housing in place to prevent the housing from floating off during a flood.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the framework structure collapses into a one-piece unit for easy storage and transportation.

5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a faucet externally mounted to the back wall.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the framework structure further comprises a flat platform support within the bottom wall.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the framework structure is self-releasing into the three dimensional structure.

8. The device of claim 7 further comprising an automatic control mechanism for opening and closing the framework structure.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the releasable fastening means is affixed to the peripheral edge of the front wall.

10. The device of claim 1 further comprising at least one air vent strategically placed on the side wall, front wall, opposing side wall, or the back wall.