US20080105589A1

US20080105589A1 - Game Storage Container

Info

Publication number: US20080105589A1
Application number: US11/556,469
Authority: US
Inventors: Tobie J. Armstrong
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-03
Filing date: 2006-11-03
Publication date: 2008-05-08

Abstract

A game storage container includes a container body having bottom and side walls and that defines an open top and interior area. A lid is connected to the container body for movement between a first open configuration in which items may be placed into the interior area and a second closed configuration that securely encloses the interior area. A grid is situated in the bottom of the container body which defines a grid of horizontal and vertical grooves. The game storage container includes a plurality of partitions which may be separated into desired lengths and received by the grooves in order to form a plurality of compartments in which to organize and store the components of a board game system. The partitions are removable such that the configuration of compartments may be changed as desired.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to storage devices and, more particularly, to a storage container that may be selectively configured by a user for storing game accessories.
Board games are a popular source of entertainment amongst family and friends. Keeping all the game pieces organized is often a problem, however. An even larger problem is when game boxes become torn or otherwise dilapidated. When game boxes become deteriorated, it is easy for game pieces to become lost or for the game to seem otherwise undesirable to play. Further, it is difficult and time consuming to set up for game play when the components are initially very unorganized.
Various devices have been proposed in the art for storing or organizing game components. Although assumably effective for their intended uses, the existing devices do not enable a user to specifically configure an interior area to best organize the components of a particular game.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a game storage container that enables a user to form and configure compartments for storing the components of a board game. Further, it would be desirable to have a game storage container that may selectively store an existing board game box or just its components. In addition, it would be desirable to have a game storage container that may be easily re-configured for use with a different game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A game storage container according to this invention includes a container body having bottom and side walls and that defines an open top and interior area. The container body includes a durable plastic construction. A lid is connected to the container body for movement between a first open configuration in which items may be placed into the interior area and a second closed configuration that securely encloses the interior area. A grid is situated in the bottom of the container body which defines a grid of horizontal and vertical grooves. The game storage container includes a plurality of partitions which may be separated into desired lengths and received by the grooves in order to form a plurality of compartments in which to organize and store the components of a board game system.
Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a game storage container for organizing, storing, and preserving board games and accessories.
Another object of this invention is to provide a game storage container, as aforesaid, that includes a grid and a plurality of partitions that may be arranged on the grid to form compartments.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a game storage container, as aforesaid, having depressions for receiving decals.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a game storage container, as aforesaid, which is easy to reconfigure between uses.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a game storage container according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a lid in a first open configuration;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the game storage container with the lid in a second closed configuration;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the game storage container as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 a is a top view of the partitions shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 b is a perspective view of the partitions as in FIG. 4 a; and

FIG. 4 c is a front view of the partitions as in FIG. 4 b.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A game storage container 10 according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4 c of the accompanying drawings. The game storage device 10 includes a container body 12 with a grid 30 and plurality of partitions 40 that may be selectively arranged on the grid 30.
More particularly, the container body 12 includes a bottom wall 14 having a plurality of side walls 16 extending upwardly from peripheral edges of the bottom wall 14. The side walls 16 have free edges opposite the bottom wall 14 such that the container body 12 defines an open top and defines an interior area 24. A lid 26 is hingedly connected to one of the side walls 16 of the container body 12 for movement between a first configuration (FIGS. 1 and 3) that allows access to the interior area 24 through the open top and a second configuration (FIG. 2) that encloses the interior area 24 from access. The first and second configurations may also be referred to as open and closed configurations, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, items may be placed into the container body 12 when the lid 26 is at the open configuration, such as a game board 8. Preferably, the container body 12 includes a plastic construction that is durable. The container body 12 may be provided in various sizes so as to accommodate many different popular board games.
The game storage container 10 further includes a grid 30 mounted on an inner surface of the bottom wall 14 although it is understood that the grid and bottom wall 14 may present an integrated construction (FIGS. 1 and 3). The grid 30 defines a plurality of grooves. Preferably, the grid 30 includes a plurality of spaced apart horizontal grooves 32 and a plurality of spaced apart vertical grooves 34. The horizontal 32 and vertical grooves 34 intersect one another to form a grid pattern. In addition, each side wall 16 includes an inner surface 18 defining spaced apart wall grooves 20 with each wall groove extending between the bottom wall 14 and the upper edge of the respective side wall, i.e. extends to the open top. Each wall groove 20 is operatively connected with a respective horizontal or vertical groove of the grid 30.
Further, the game storage container 10 includes a plurality of partitions 40 for selectively dividing the grid 30, and thus the interior area, into compartments for organizing and separating items placed within the interior area, such as game pieces. The plurality of partitions 40 may initially be formed as one or more elongate strips 42 (FIG. 3). A strip 42 of partitions includes a plurality of lines of perforation 44, each line of perforation 44 being situated between each adjacent partition 40. Each line of perforation 44 is an area of weakness at which the strip 42 of partitions may be separated. A line of perforation 44 may include a construction having a plurality of male and female structures that may be separated one from another when sufficiently bent (FIGS. 4 a-4 c) It is understood that a user may selectively separate the strip 42 into smaller portions having specifically desired lengths. These partition portions may be engaged with the grid to form compartments, as will be described further below.
Preferably, each partition 40 includes opposed ends 46 having a configuration complementary to a configuration of the horizontal 32 and vertical 34 grooves of the grid 30 such that a partition 40, or group of connected partitions, may be inserted therein and held in a generally upright orientation (FIG. 3). More particularly, the ends of each partition 40 include dimensions that enable a snug friction-fit receipt in a respective groove but allows easy removal when desired, such as to reorient the compartment layout.
Each side wall 16 includes an outer surface defining at least one depression 22 or recessed area that is suitable for receiving a label or decal (not shown) therein (FIG. 2). Similarly, an outer surface of the lid 26 may also define a depression 28 for receiving a decal. Preferably, each depression includes a configuration that is complementary to the configuration of a desired decal. It is contemplated, therefore, that game storage containers for specific games and specific decals may be provided. In addition, it is also possible that decal sets may be sold separately for use with various game storage containers.
In use, a game storage container 10 may be configured by a user for storing the components of a game, including its game board, game playing pieces, cards, dice, instructions, and the like. To configure the storage container 10, a user may initially separate a strip 42 of partitions into smaller strips as needed to configure a plurality of compartments upon the grid 30 in the interior area 24. The partitions may be removably positioned in respective grooves, including side wall grooves 20. With the lid 26 in the open configuration, a user may insert game pieces into the interior area 24 where they may be organized within the compartments. If the user desires to store a different game in the container body 12, the partitions 40 may be removed from the grid grooves and repositioned. Decals may be applied within the depressions on the side walls 16 and lid 26 so as to identify what game is stored therein. It is understood that an entire game box itself may be stored in the container body 12 so as to preserve its physical integrity.
It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A game storage container, comprising:

a container body having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall, said container body defining an open top and an interior area;

a lid hingedly coupled to said container body for movement between a first configuration providing access to said interior area and a second configuration enclosing said interior area;

a grid mounted on said bottom wall, said grid defining a plurality of grooves; and

a plurality of partitions having a configuration for being selectively positioned in said plurality of grooves.

2. The game storage container as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of grooves includes a plurality of spaced apart horizontal grooves and a plurality of spaced apart vertical grooves, said plurality of horizontal and vertical grooves intersecting one another, respectively.

3. The game storage container as in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of side walls includes an inner surface defining a plurality of spaced apart wall grooves extending generally between said grid and said open top, each wall groove being connected to a respective one of said plurality of grooves.

4. The game storage container as in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of side walls includes an outer surface defining a depression for selectively receiving a decal.

5. The game storage container as in claim 4 wherein said plurality of partitions are connected one to another in an elongate strip, said plurality of partitions including a plurality of lines of perforation, whereby said plurality of partitions may be selectively separated.

6. The game storage container as in claim 4 wherein said depression includes a configuration complementary to a configuration of said decal.

7. The game storage container as in claim 1 wherein said lid includes an outer surface defining a depression for selectively receiving a decal.

8. The game storage container as in claim 7 wherein said depression of said lid outer surface includes a configuration complementary to a configuration of said decal.

9. The game storage container as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of partitions are connected one to another in an elongate strip, said plurality of partitions including a plurality of lines of perforation, whereby said plurality of partitions may be selectively separated.

10. The game storage container as in claim 2 wherein said plurality of partitions are connected one to another in an elongate strip, said plurality of partitions including a plurality of lines of perforation, whereby said plurality of partitions may be selectively separated.

11. The game storage container as in claim 10 wherein each of said plurality of partitions include an end having a configuration complementary to a configuration of said grooves for being selectively received therein.

12. The game storage container as in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of partitions include an end having a configuration complementary to a configuration of said grooves for being selectively received therein.

13. A game storage container, comprising:

a container body having a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from peripheral edges of said bottom wall, said bottom walls and plurality of side walls defining an open interior area and said container having an open top;

a grid mounted on said bottom wall, said grid defining a plurality of spaced apart horizontal grooves and a plurality of spaced apart vertical grooves, said plurality of horizontal and vertical grooves intersecting one another, respectively;

a plurality of partitions configured for being selectively received in said horizontal and vertical grooves.

14. The game storage container as in claim 13 wherein said plurality of partitions are connected one to another in an elongate strip, said plurality of partitions including a plurality of lines of perforation, whereby said plurality of partitions may be selectively separated.

15. The game storage container as in claim 13 wherein each of said plurality of side walls includes an inner surface defining a plurality of spaced apart wall grooves extending generally between said grid and said open top, each wall groove being connected to a respective one of said plurality of grooves.

16. The game storage container as in claim 13 wherein each of said plurality of side walls includes an outer surface defining a depression for selectively receiving a decal.

17. The game storage container as in claim 16 wherein each said depression includes a configuration complementary to a configuration of said decal.

18. The game storage container as in claim 16 wherein said plurality of partitions are connected one to another in an elongate strip, said plurality of partitions including a plurality of lines of perforation, whereby said plurality of partitions may be selectively separated.

19. The game storage container as in claim 13 wherein said lid includes an outer surface defining a depression for receiving a decal.

20. The game storage container as in claim 19 wherein said plurality of partitions are connected one to another in an elongate strip, said plurality of partitions including a plurality of lines of perforation, whereby said plurality of partitions may be selectively separated.