Storage enclosure

Abstract

A storage enclosure may include a number of components, such as floor panels, wall panels and roof panels, which may be interconnected to form a structure such as a storage cabinet. The storage enclosure may include wall panels with outwardly extending projections that are sized and configured to allow the wall panels to be connected to floor panels and roof panels. The storage enclosure may also include one or more living hinges, which may facilitate storage and / or shipping of the storage enclosure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 600,243, filed Aug. 9, 2004 and entitled STORAGE CABINET, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention generally relates to enclosures and, in particular, to storage enclosures. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Many types of enclosures are used for storing various items such as tools, machines, lawn care equipment, recreational equipment, athletic equipment, supplies, provisions and the like. Conventional storage enclosures often include walls, a door, a floor and a roof. The walls, door, floor and roof of typical storage enclosures often include one or more parts that are interconnected and these various components may be attached to form the enclosure. [0006] A well known type of storage enclosure is a shed. Conventional sheds are typic...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0021] Still another aspect is an enclosure that may include one or more components that may be interconnected. For example, the enclosure may include walls, roof, floor, etc. and these components can be interconnected. Preferably, the components can be relatively quickly and easily connected and disconnected. Advantageously, this may allow the components to be easily reconfigured, repaired and / or replaced. In addition, this may allow the structure to be easily moved, reused and the like.

[0035] Another aspect is an enclosure that may include one or more shelves. For example, a shelf may be attached to the rear wall of the enclosure and the shelf may extend from one sidewall to the opposing sidewall. Advantageously, if the shelf extends from one sidewall to the opposing sidewall, then the shelf may be connected to the sidewalls and / or the rear wall, which may increase the strength and / or rigidity of the enclosure. A shelf may also be connected to a corner, and that may further increase the strength and / or rigidity of the enclosure. The shelves, however, could be attached to any desired portion of the enclosure. In addition, the shelves may include living hinges that allow the shelves to be securely attached to the enclosure.

Problems solved by technology

Disadvantageously, conventional sheds often require a substantial amount of time, labor, skill and effort to build and construct.

In addition, many conventional sheds are difficult to repair, modify, change or rearrange because the sheds may be difficult or impossible to disassemble or dismantle.

Accordingly, it is often impractical or unfeasible to move or reconfigure many conventional sheds.

The windows and vents of many conventional sheds, however, are often constructed from a number of interconnected components and may be difficult to manufacture and install.

For example, conventional sheds may require substantial construction and / or modification of the shed to install the windows or vents, which may require a significant amount of time.

In addition, the windows and vents of many conventional sheds may undesirably allow water and / or other materials to enter the shed.

Wooden sheds, however, are relatively heavy and require a large amount of time to construct and assemble.

These numerous parts typically increase the costs of the shed and require a large amount of time and effort to construct the shed.

In addition, wooden sheds typically deteriorate over time and often require continual maintenance.

For example, conventional wooden sheds may be damaged by rotting or otherwise deteriorating when exposed to the elements.

In addition, the wood may warp or decay over time.

Undesirably, this may result in significant maintenance costs.

Disadvantageously, the sheet metal is often flexible and easily damaged.

In particular, the sheet metal walls may be damaged by forces being applied to either the inner or outer walls of the shed.

In particular, this may cause the walls to undesirably bow inwardly or outwardly and, in some circumstances, may create an opening in the wall.

Significantly, the damaged sheet metal may be more susceptible to rust or corrosion and the damaged sheet metal may be very difficult to repair or replace.

In addition, conventional metal sheds often require a plurality of screws or bolts to assemble the shed, which may increase manufacturing costs and the time required to assemble the shed.

Moreover, metal sheds often have a tendency to rust and deteriorate over time, especially when exposed to the elements.

Thus, metal sheds may have to be painted or otherwise protected from rusting or oxidation.

The materials used to construct conventional sheds are often heavy and bulky.

Accordingly, many of the components are large and bulky.

In addition, if these components are constructed from wood or metal, then the components may be very heavy.

Thus, the components of conventional sheds may be large, awkward, heavy and generally unwieldy.

Many conventional sheds are shipped in an unassembled configuration because of their large size in the assembled configuration.

The weight of the components, however, may result in significant shipping expenses and those expenses may be compounded every time the shed is transported or shipped.

For example, there may be significant costs when the manufacturer ships the shed to the retailer.

In addition, it may be very difficult for many consumers to transport the shed from the retailer to their home or other location because of its large size and weight.

Thus, many consumers may have to pay extra to have the shed delivered from the retailer.

On the other hand, some consumers may be unwilling to pay extra to have the shed delivered and they may have no practical way of taking the shed home.

Therefore, instead of renting or borrowing equipment such as a truck or forklift, some consumers will simply not purchase a conventional shed.

Further, even when the shed is delivered to the consumer, the large, heavy and bulky components, such as the roof or walls, may prevent some consumers from assembling the shed.

Accordingly, the large transportation costs, difficulties in moving the shed and / or problems in assembling the shed may discourage many potential consumers from purchasing conventional sheds.

In addition to conventional sheds being constructed from large, heavy and bulky materials and components, conventional sheds are often shipped in very large and heavy boxes.

These gigantic shipping boxes often will not fit in a typical retail consumer's vehicle.

Accordingly, the size and weight of many known sheds is substantial, which may greatly complicate and increase the costs of shipping.

Accordingly, the shipping costs per shed (such as, from a supplier to a retailer) can be significantly increased.

Also, because these packaged sheds are so large and heavy, many shippers may find it difficult to efficiently deliver the sheds and may refuse to ship the sheds.

In addition, because many conventional packaged sheds are so large and heavy, they typically must be shipped to consumers using freight shippers, which may charge even more for these heavy, large and awkward boxes.

In some instances, this cost may be simply too large for a customer to justify the purchase.

Known storage sheds are also typically constructed of a variety of awkwardly shaped components, which can be difficult to ship and can be susceptible to damage if shipped.

In order to ship and protect these awkwardly shaped components, large amounts of packaging materials may be required.

The packing material, however, takes additional space in the packaging and the packing material increases the shipping costs.

In addition, because the components may be awkwardly shaped, custom packing materials may be required and the packing material may be irreparably damaged during shipping.

Thus, the packing material may not be reusable and may create a significant amount of waste.

Further, it may require a significant amount of time to prepare these awkward components for shipping, and this may increase labor costs and decrease manufacturing efficiency.

Finally, the awkwardly shaped components often consume a large amount of area, which may increase the overall volume required to ship the shed and that may correspondingly increasing shipping costs.

Disadvantageously, these seams or joints are often susceptible to leaks.

For example, the seams or joints may allow water to enter the shed and the water can damage whatever is stored within the shed.

In addition, many conventional sheds are subjected to a variety of adverse weather conditions and some conventional sheds may be damaged by the weather if they are constructed from weak materials or poorly assembled.

For example, conventional sheds may be damaged by heavy winds, significant amounts of rain or large accumulations of snow.

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