US20130291304A1

US20130291304A1 - Portable bedside container

Info

Publication number: US20130291304A1
Application number: US13/476,857
Authority: US
Inventors: Ron Steinberg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-19
Filing date: 2012-05-21
Publication date: 2013-11-07

Abstract

A portable container having a horizontal platform supporting one or more pouches, pockets and bins wherein a portion of said horizontal platform configured to slide between a mattress and box-spring (or second mattress) which anchors the one or more pouches, pockets or bins proximate the bed. The one or more pouches, pockets or bins allow bedside utilities to be conveniently placed in said one or more pouches, pockets or bins proximate the bed.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to patent application Ser. No. 61/487,844 filed May 19, 2011 which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the present invention relate to storage and convenience, more specifically, to a portable bedside container that allows for storage of items in close proximity with a bed.

BACKGROUND

Storage devices, such as shelves, are known in prior art. It is commonplace to store bedside utilities such as television remote controls, books, telephones or beverages on shelves or night stands near the bed. However, there is a need for a storage container which increases the convenience of such storage by allowing a storage container to be positioned proximate to a bed. There are also some individuals, such as the elderly or infirm, who find difficulty in using more common storage containers, such as shelves or night stands, and would benefit from the added proximity of such a storage container.
As such, there exists a need for a portable bedside container having a combination of features and functionalities such that the container is capable of providing a convenient location for quick and convenient storage of bedside utilities.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention discloses a portable bedside container for convenient storage of bedside items, objects or utilities, comprising: one or more pouches, pockets or bins connected to a horizontal platform, said horizontal platform acts as anchor for the one or more pouches, pockets or bins by inserting between a mattress and box spring.
The one or more pouches, pockets or bins as well as the horizontal platform may take on any shape, size or dimensions and be made of a durable material such as plastic, fiberglass, MDF or similar material.
Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a portable bedside container according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a bed with the portable bedside container in place according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top down view of the bed with the portable bedside container in place according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top down, transparent, view of the bed with the portable bedside container in place according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an end view of the bed with the portable bedside container in place according to the embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top down view of the bed with an alternative portable bedside container in place according to the embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of portable bedside container with one or more hook and loop fasteners according to the embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.
Initial reference is made to FIG. 1 illustrating a perspective view of a portable bedside container 30 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The container 30 includes a horizontal platform 10 which provides a surface for a mattress to anchor the container 30 in place proximate a bed. In other embodiments, the shape of the horizontal platform 10 and container 30 may differ whilst remaining within the scope and spirit of the embodiments of the present invention. Supplementary adherence methods (e.g., suction) to better fix the container 30 to the bed may be incorporated as well. Horizontal platform 10 slides between a mattress and box-spring (or second mattress) acting to anchor the container 30. The horizontal platform and bin 20 may be a single integral unit or may be separate components attached to one another.
Further reference is made to pouch, pocket or bin 20 positioned substantially perpendicular to the horizontal platform 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The bin 20 may be angled relative to the horizontal platform 10 as well. The pouch, pocket or bin 20, as shown, has four walls and a bottom which define a storage area for bedside utilities, and may include one or more closing mechanisms for concealing and protecting stored items. The pouch, pocket or bin 20 may also take on any shape including as a single wall defining a cylindrical storage area. An openings 40 provides a pathway for cords to facilitate the charging of cellular phones or providing power to electric items such as cordless phones and/or lights which may be stored or placed in the pouch, pocket or bin 20. The opening 40 may also be in a bottom of the bin 20. In one embodiment, the bin 20 has a height commensurate with a mattress such that a bin opening 21 is substantially flush with a mattress top.
FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a bed with the portable bedside container 30 in place according to the embodiments of the present invention. A mattress 50 and box-spring 55 anchors the portable bedside container 30 in place proximate to the bed. FIG. 3 illustrates a top down view of the bed with the portable bedside container 30 in place according to the embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a top down, transparent, view of the bed with the portable bedside container 30 in place according to the embodiments of the present invention. The horizontal platform 10 is shown between the mattress 50 and box-spring 55.
FIG. 5 illustrates an end view of the bed with the portable bedside container 30 in place according to the embodiments of the present invention. This view shows an inner wall 31 is angled away from the mattress 50 and the upper edge 32 is angled downward relative to the horizontal platform 10 to provide more convenient access to the container 30.
FIG. 6 illustrates a top down view of the bed with an alternative portable bedside container 30′ in place according to the embodiments of the present invention. The portable bedside container 30′ includes a horizontal platform 10′ and bin 20′. In this instance, the bin 20′ is divided into 3 separate compartments 35-1 through 35-3.
FIG. 7 shows a portable bedside container 30 with hook and loop fasteners 11 incorporated onto said platform 10. The hook and loop fasteners 11 further maintain the portable bedside side container 30 in place between the mattress 50 and box-spring 55. Other connection means may be incorporated as well.
The container shelf 30 may be customized with logos, writing or images printed or otherwise adhered thereto.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A container comprising:

a horizontal platform;

one or more bins at one end of said horizontal platform, said one or more bins having one or more walls defining one or more storage areas; and

wherein a second end of said platform is configured for insertion between a mattress and box-spring to anchor said container in place proximate a bed.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein said one or more bins are substantially perpendicular to said horizontal platform.

3. The container of claim 1 further comprising one or more closing mechanisms associated with said one or more bins.

4. The container of claim 1 wherein said one or more bins have one or more compartments.

5. The container of claim 1 further comprising one or more openings in walls or a bottom of the one or more bins.

6. The container of claim 1 wherein openings associated with said one or more bins are substantially flush with a mattress top when said horizontal platform is positioned between a mattress and box-spring.

7. A container comprising:

a horizontal platform;

at least one bin at one end of said horizontal platform, said at least one bin having one or more walls defining one or more storage areas, said at least one bin having an inner wall angled away from a mattress to which said container is anchored, said at least one bin further having an angled upper edge relative to said horizontal platform; and

8. The container of claim 7 wherein said one or more bins are substantially perpendicular to said horizontal platform.

9. The container of claim 7 further comprising one or more closing mechanisms associated with said at least one bin.

10. The container of claim 7 wherein said at least one bin has one or more compartments.

11. The container of claim 7 further comprising one or more openings in walls or a bottom of the at least one bin.

12. The container of claim 7 wherein a top opening of said at least one bin is substantially flush with a mattress top when said horizontal platform is positioned between a mattress and box-spring.