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Portable storage systemPortable storage system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080061607, Portable storage system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a-d) to Great Britain Patent Application No. 0617324.9, filed Sep. 2, 2006, which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a portable storage system for a seating unit such as, but not limited to, a sun bed, sun lounger, other recliner, deck chair or the like. [0003] It is well known for sunbathers and the like to take a variety of articles with them both to provide entertainment or distraction whilst sunbathing, and for practical reasons. Typically, for example, a sunbather may have a media player such as an mp3 player, CD player, IPOD.RTM., hand held games console, or the like for providing entertainment. The sunbather may also have reading material such as a book, magazine, and/or newspapers, a cold drink for avoiding dehydration, sun lotion, money, a digital camera, jewelry, sunglasses, etc. [0004] The convenient storage of such articles, whilst sun bathing, is a known problem. [0005] Typically, articles are left on the ground such as hot concrete by a swimming pool, or on a sandy beach near the sea. Alternatively the articles may be stored haphazardly in a bag. However, in both cases there is a significant risk of the articles becoming damaged or being stolen. Portable electronic devices in particular are attractive to thieves since they are often lightweight and high in value. Furthermore thieves can easily steal an article whilst the sunbather is distracted or asleep. [0006] Where the articles are left on the ground, for example, they are easily kicked or trodden on, and hence damaged by a passer-by. They also represent a health and safety hazard because the passer-by might be injured as a result of treading on/tripping over an article. Additionally, electronic articles and especially those with mechanical/electro-mechanical parts can become damaged by sand, water, and or radiation from the sun. [0007] Storage in a bag is preferable but the articles remain at risk of damage during transit and while a user is looking through the contents of the bag. Additionally, the bag itself along with its contents is still at significant risk of theft while a user is asleep/distracted. [0008] Known storage systems for chairs and the like generally comprise rigid box-like structures which are fixed to the chair and which are not portable without the chair itself. [0009] The present invention provides a portable storage system for a seating unit such as a sun bed, sun lounger, other recliner, deck chair or the like, which mitigates the above problems. [0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided, a storage system for a seating unit such as a sun bed, sun lounger, other recliner, deck chair or the like the storage system comprising: [0011] storage means for storing articles; and securing means for securing said storage means to said seating unit; wherein said securing means is securable around a portion of said seating unit such that said storage means are accessible to a user; and wherein said storage means comprises at least two pannier portions, each pannier portion arranged to depend from the attachment portion on a respective side of said seating unit. [0012] The present invention is particularly advantageous since the storage system can be attached to and removed from the seating unit as required. Thus the storage system is not specific to any single seating unit and can be carried by a user for use in conjunction with a variety of seating units as and when required by the user. The user can therefore use the storage system in a manner similar to that of a conventional carrier or bag when carrying articles to a desired location and can subsequently attach the storage system to the seating unit. [0013] Furthermore the present invention is advantageous since the elongate securing means passes around the seating unit, typically around the portion of a seating unit which is configured to support the weight of a user, such as the seat itself. Thus when the user is sitting or lying on the seating unit, it is difficult to remove the storage system without first dislodging the user. Hence it is difficult for a thief to remove the storage system without alerting the user. [0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the securing means comprises a first strip of material which is attached at one end to the first pannier and at an opposing end to the second cannier. Preferably the securing means comprises a second strip which is releasably attachable between the first and second pannier portions. [0015] During use, the first strip can pass around a first side of a seating unit and the second strip can be passed around a second side of the seating unit and fastened to form a closed loop around the seating unit. The second strip can be detached, breaking the closed loop, when it is required to remove the storage system from the seating unit. Typically the first and second strips can be passed respectively above and below a portion of the seating unit. [0016] According to a preferred embodiment the first and second pannier portions comprise opposing attachment means so as to allow the pannier portions to be selectively fastened together when the storage system is removed from the seating unit. This makes the storage system easy to carry by a user. The attachment means may be located along one edge, along a pair of edges, or else around the perimeter of each pannier portion. [0017] Preferably either or both of the first or second strips of material provide a strap, such as for example a shoulder strap, for carrying the storage system. In one embodiment, the strip which acts as a shoulder strap may be attached to different locations on each of the first and second pannier portions. The strip may be attached towards opposing edges of the pannier portions. [0018] Each pannier portion may have a pair of opposing major faces which may be substantially rectangular in shape. A first face of each pannier portion may be provided with pockets, pouches and/or flaps for selective access to one or more internal pockets of the pannier. A second face of each pannier may be provided with attachment means for attachment to the second face of the opposing pannier portion when the storage system is configured to be carried by a user. Attachment means may additionally or alternatively be provided on the securing means adjacent the pannier portions. [0019] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage system for selective attachment to a seating unit comprising: storage means comprising first and second pannier portions, each pannier portion having fastening means for releasable fastening of the pannier portions together; and, securing means in the form of first and second strips of material, wherein the storage system is arranged to be convertible between a first format in which the first and second pannier portions are fastened together by way of said fastening means and a second format in which the first and second pannier portions are spaced apart such that the securing means extends therebetween, and wherein at least one of the first and second strips is releasable such that the strips can be passed around a seating unit and fastened to form a closed loop around said seating unit such that the pannier portions are securable to the seating unit in the second condition. [0020] Typically the pannier portions depend from respective sides of the seating unit when secured thereto. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021] The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures in which: Continue reading about Portable storage system... Full patent description for Portable storage system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Portable storage system 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. 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