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Apparatus and methods for storing and securing personal belongingsApparatus and methods for storing and securing personal belongings description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070080565, Apparatus and methods for storing and securing personal belongings. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention in general relates to furniture and, in particular, to apparatus and methods for securing personal belongings in an office and other environments. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A long-standing problem for employees is how and where to secure their personal belongings at the office. Such belongings might include purses, lunches, books and magazines, walking shoes and personal supplies. Of particular concern is the secure storage of purses containing valuables, which are often placed under the worker's desk or in a drawer of the desk. [0003] When stored under the desk, a purse often interferes with the worker's leg room, may be damaged by accidental kicking, and is inconvenient to retrieve. Further, the purse is not secure from theft when the worker leaves the desk area. When stored in a desk drawer, the purse takes up valuable space which would normally be used for files or supplies, and unless the desk is locked every time the worker leaves the area, theft remains a problem. [0004] Some employers provide workers with lockable metal storage lockers, much like those used in schools for storing student's belongings. However, these lockers are expensive and take up significant office space. [0005] A similar problem arises in public places such as restaurants and automobiles, where it is desired to have a secure storage area in the interior of the car which is large enough to accommodate a purse, and yet is easily reachable by a seated passenger or driver. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] This invention broadly resides in systems and associated methods for securing personal belongings to a seat or chair. In contract to existing systems, the invention provides two locking mechanisms, one associated with a container having a locking door, and the second associated with a tether with a second lock for locking the container to the seat or chair. The preferred embodiments further provide a bracket for mounting the container on the seat or chair for more convenient access. The system may further include a slide assembly between the container and the bracket allowing the container to be positioned for more convenient access while remaining tethered to the seat or chair. [0007] The invention is applicable to virtually any type of seat or chair with appropriate modification. For example, where the seat or chair has a back rest with an upper edge, the bracket may includes a bent lip configured to hang over the top edge. Where the seat or chair includes a seat portion with opposing side edges, the bracket may have two ends, each terminating in a bent lip to engage with a respective one of the opposing side edges. In embodiments of this kind, the bracket may feature an adjustable length to accommodate seat portions of varying width. [0008] Where the seat or chair includes a seat portion with opposing side edges and a central post under the seat portion, the bracket may have two ends, each terminating in a bent lip to engage with a respective one of the opposing side edges, with a central aperture through which the central post extends. [0009] Where the seat or chair includes a plurality of legs, the tether may be adapted to attach to one or more of the legs. Where the seat or chair includes a seat portion with opposing side edges and a central post under the seat portion, the tether may be adapted to attach to the central post. In situations where the seat or chair includes a seat portion with opposing side edges and a central post under the seat portion attached to a plurality of radial caster supports, the bracket may mount the container to one or more of the radial caster supports. In cases where the seat or chair includes a seat portion with opposing side edges and a central post under the seat portion attached to a plurality of radial caster supports, the tether may be adapted to attach to one or more of the radial caster supports. [0010] Wherein the seat or chair includes a back rest with opposing side edges, the bracket may have two ends, each terminating in a bent lip to engage with a respective one of the opposing side edges of the back rest. If the seat or chair includes a back rest with opposing side edges, a back surface and a region between the back rest and a seat portion, the tether may be adapted to attach to the region between the back rest and the seat portion. The tether may be provided on a spring-loaded reel attached to the bracket, and the container may assume the form of a purse or handbag. [0011] Thus, the invention provides an article storage container that is secured to either a swivel, or straight-legged chair, or vehicle seat. The container may located in a stowed position that occupies space not normally utilized by the person sitting in the chair and is moveable to an accessible position that permits article to be stored and retrieved from the container. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional swivel or task chair used in an office environment; [0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional, straight-legged chair; [0014] FIG. 3 is a front view of the chair of FIG. 1, showing a first embodiment of the invention where a storage container is attached underneath the chair in a stowed position, and also showing how the container is secured to the chair by a locking cable; [0015] FIG. 4 is a front view of the chair of FIG. 3, showing the storage container in an accessible position; [0016] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the bracket for mounting the storage container of FIG. 3 to the chair; [0017] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the bracket of FIG. 5; [0018] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the bracket of FIG. 5; [0019] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the storage container of FIG. 3; [0020] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the storage container of FIG. 3; Continue reading about Apparatus and methods for storing and securing personal belongings... Full patent description for Apparatus and methods for storing and securing personal belongings Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus and methods for storing and securing personal belongings patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Apparatus and methods for storing and securing personal belongings or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Furniture for placing electronic device Next Patent Application: Seating system and a passenger accommodation unit for a vehicle Industry Class: Chairs and seats ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Apparatus and methods for storing and securing personal belongings patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.41071 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Accenture , Agouron Pharmaceuticals , Amgen , AT&T , Bausch & Lomb , Callaway Golf 174 |
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