Portable storage unit

Abstract

A portable storage unit to carry, store and organize, various sports sticks, garden tools and other household items that require upright storage either on a permanent or temporary basis consisting of a pair of rigid side members that in the open position are spaced apart and a support section provided between the two side members, the support section adapted to permit the side members to move from an open spaced apart position to a closed adjacent position to permit the portable storage unit to be carried in one hand.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a portable device to carry, store and organize, various sports sticks, garden tools and other household items that require upright storage either on a permanent or temporary basis. In particular the present invention provides a portable storage unit for hockey sticks and the like. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A common problem associated with sports teams and hockey in particular is the care and placement of sticks in the dressing room, at the players bench and when moved from one location to another. Hockey sticks, for example, are typically placed against the wall inside arena change rooms, sometimes behind the door, or left outside smaller dressing rooms. At some point, for example when one player grabs a stick or a player doesn't place his stick carefully or when bumped by a player or equipment bag, the sticks invariably fall down posing a potential tripping hazard, blocking access in or out of the change room or hallw...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that allows players and coaching staff an opportunity to organize sports-related sticks in a portable unit in the dressing room and at the bench of an arena or sports facility (whenever facilities don't provide sports-related stick storage), and retrieve them without searching through falling or fallen sticks.

[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a trainer or other person, whether at the professional or recreational level, means to easily carry between 15-20 sticks, using one hand, safely through crowds and players without physical stress and hazard to anyone.

[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide trainers the means to easily organize and access their safety equipment required on the bench.

[0017] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide, a means to easily and safely move sport-related sticks while traveling in a vehicle, on a bus, train or airplane.

Problems solved by technology

A common problem associated with sports teams and hockey in particular is the care and placement of sticks in the dressing room, at the players bench and when moved from one location to another.

At some point, for example when one player grabs a stick or a player doesn't place his stick carefully or when bumped by a player or equipment bag, the sticks invariably fall down posing a potential tripping hazard, blocking access in or out of the change room or hallway or in some cases physical injury.

Sticks used in ringette fall very easily and are a potential hazard for injury to players, coaching staff and parents.

But, the dressing room is not the only place there is a problem.

It is very difficult for a trainer to carry 15-20 sticks at a time through an arena, many times past spectators and players, creating a potential for injury when trying to navigate through the crowd.

It is not easy to carry 15-20 loose sticks at one time.

Tape availability at the bench is a common problem and many times players, or the game itself, can be delayed while the player waits for someone to return from the dressing room with more tape.

Sticks are free to crash around and expensive sticks can be damaged.

Pulling sticks out of the storage area can be a potential hazard for both the players and coaching staff.

The problem of safe stick storage and transport has been identified but to date, despite several attempts, no viable solution has been found.

However these units are fixed in place and do not permit trainers, coaches or players to safely and easily carry a large number of sticks from one location to another.

Nothing is available to store sticks safely in these conditions.

It was too heavy and awkward to carry up a staircase.

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