Field of the Invention

The invention pertains to storage compartments and more particularly to a waterproof storage compartment that is adapted to be embedded into an article such as a surfboard.

Background of the Invention

Participants in surfing or other board sports often need to carry objects such as keys or money into the surf. It is not always possible to leave keys etc. on dry land. Leaving car keys hidden outside a car makes it vulnerable to theft.

There have been previous attempts to devise storage containers adapted to be mounted on or into surfboards, kneeboards, kayaks and the like. Some leg ropes and surf garments have pockets for storing small items such as keys. However, prior art devices and pockets are not well adapted to provide a large, reliable, water tight enclosure for storing state of the art automobile keys that have electronic components such as radio or infra red transmitters built into them. The term waterproof and watertight should be interpreted as being defined by the practical considerations of the invention, surfing and similar activities.

Objects and Summary of the Invention It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a watertight storage compartment suitable for mounting in or embedding in a surfboard or the like.

In preferred embodiments, the compartment is large enough to store objects such as automobile keys that include electronic components. In particularly preferred embodiments, the compartment further comprises a hinged lid that provides access to the interior.

In other embodiments, the internal compartment includes a cavity extending from it in a lateral direction.

In yet other embodiments, the device includes an optional, modular, leg rope retention plug.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure i is a perspective view of a storage compartment with a hinged lid;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective of the device depicted in Figure l; Figure 3 is a cross-section through the device depicted in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating the removable leg rope retention plug; and Figure 5 is another exploded perspective.

Best Mode and Embodiments of the Invention

As shown in Figure 1, a storage compartment assembly 10 comprises a main body 11 having a hinged lid 12. The lid 12 further comprises a sealing rim 21 and a resilient latch 22. In this example, the main body 11 presents an oval planform and has an internal compartment 13 which in this example is generally "D" shaped and has a generally D shaped access opening. The opening to the internal compartment 13 is surrounded by a peripheral rim 14 that in turn is surrounded by a peripheral channel 15. The channel 15 is surrounded by a rim 16. The top edge of the rim 16 defines an edge of the upper surface 17 of the assembly 10. A sidewall 18 of the internal compartment 13 has an opening 19 formed in it. The opening 19 leads into a laterally extending cavity 20. The laterally extending cavity provides additional interior space for elongated objects such as keys. It has its own peripheral wall and thus defines a protruding body that extends away from the exterior of the main body.

An optional leg rope retention plug module 23 may also be provided. The plug 23 includes a narrow neck or extension 24 that is attachable to the main body 11 as will be explained. As shown in Figure 2, the neck or extension 24 of the leg rope retention plug 23 further comprises an end face 25 onto which is formed a tapered key 26. As shown better in Figure 4, the tapered key 26 is received by a tapered keyway 48 formed on an exterior surface of the main body 11. This allows the leg rope retention plug 23 to be removed when it is not required or inserted snugly prior to the device being installed in a surfboard. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the leg rope retention plug module 23 comprises a body portion 27 into which a central recess 28 is formed. A retaining pin 29 spans the central recess 28 and is embedded into the sidewalls of the plug 23.

With reference to Figure 2, it can be seen that the generally D shaped lid 12 incorporates a pair of spaced apart hinged components or slotted bushings 30. Each hinge component includes a tapered gap 31. At least one sidewall of the main body 11 includes an opening 32 for receiving a transverse hinge pin 33. The hinge pin 33 spans a recessed bay 34 that is formed into the upper surface of the body 11. In this way, the tapered openings 31 of the hinge components 30 can be pressed onto the hinge pin 33, but only when inserted vertically. When the lid is closed, the hinge will not dissemble. In addition, should the lid become damaged or otherwise require replacement, opening the lid into a generally vertical position allows for the lid to be removed or a new one reinserted, as required.

Figure 2 also illustrates a sacrificial rim 35 that surrounds the upper surface of the main body 11. A similar and surrounding rim 36 may optionally be provided around the leg rope retention plug 23 and its extension 24. In the example depicted in Figure 2, sacrificial rim 35 incorporates four positioning lugs 37.

During installation, an opening is machined into a surfboard deck or other surface in which the compartment will be installed. The opening may be sized to accommodate only the main body 11 or the main with the leg rope retention plug 27 attached. The opening is only slightly larger than the size of

the installed device. Because the positioning lugs 37 extend outward further than the side walls of the main body 11 and because the underside of each lug 37 is flush with the top surface of the main body 11, the lugs 37 act to position the device in the installation opening and at the same time align the top surface 17 of the device with the top surface or deck of the surfboard or other body. Resin is used to secure the device 10 in the installation opening and fill the gap between the device 10 and the walls of the installation opening. Various keying features are disclosed including the continuous bosses and vertical grooves on the exterior of the main body. The keying features help bind the main body into the opening into which it is installed with resin, filler etc. After the installation resin has hardened, the sacrificial rims 35, 36 and the positioning lugs 37 can be sanded flush with the deck.

As shown in Figure 3, both the main body 11 and the leg rope retention plug 23 have exterior surfaces that are characterised by a peripheral groove 38. The (at least one) peripheral groove acts to key the device into the installation resin. The resin flows into the groove 38 while it is wet and hardens thus assisting to minimise inadvertent separation of the compartment from the device into which it is installed.

Figure 3 also illustrates in greater detail the lid's latch and sealing arrangements. As illustrated in this example, the latch 22 comprises a resilient "U" shaped spring 39 that extends into a pocket 40 formed in a sidewall of the main body 11. The pocket 40 contains a compression spring 41. When the lid 12 is fully closed, the tip of the "U" shaped projection 39 impinges on the compression spring 41. The spring is maintained in a compressed condition so long as the lid is closed.

The latch 22 includes a retainer 42 that fits within a slot 43 formed in the sidewall of the main body. The lid 12 is opened by urging the latch 22 away from the slot 43. The slot 43 may act as a drain for the channel around the compartment access opening. When the retainer 42 is clear of the slot, the compression spring 41 will urge the lid 12 up and into an open position.

As also shown in Figure 3, the lid incorporates a sealing rim 44 that projects away from the underside 45 of the lid 12. In preferred embodiments,

the sealing rim 44 fits within the peripheral rim 14 of the internal compartment. The arrangement creates a watertight three point seal that can be enhanced with the use of elastomeric sealing components.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the leg rope retaining plug or module 23 preferably includes an opening 46 in its sidewall though which the retaining pin 29 can be inserted. A receiving recess 47 is located opposite the insertion opening 46. As previously explained, the retaining pin 29 extends between the receiving opening 46 and the retaining recess 47.

As better illustrated in Figure 5, an upper boss 51 surrounds the upper part of the main body 11 and a lower boss 52 surrounds the lower portion of the main body. A medial groove 53 separates the upper and lower bosses 51, 52. These features contribute to the keying of the device into the installation recess and the adhesive contained in it. Note that the optional plug module 23 also includes an upper boss 51 and a lower boss 52, separated by a groove 53. When the module 23 is joined to the main body 11 by the keyway 48, the upper and lower bosses 51, 52 appear continuous.

As shown in Figure 6, a main body 60 may be subdivided into a plurality of components for manufacturing purposes. In this embodiment, the main body 60 comprises an upper portion 61 and a lower portion 62. The upper portion 61 has a peripheral wall 63 but no bottom. The upper half 64 of the laterally extending cavity is formed into the upper portion 61. The lower half 65 of the laterally extending cavity is formed into the lower portion 62. When the upper and lower portion 61, 62 are formed, the main body 60 is complete and need only be fitted with a lid mechanism and optional plug module 66. Note that in this embodiment, the outer peripheral walls of the upper and lower portion 61, 62 are formed with full length or a partial length grooves 67 that provide a means of keying the main body 60 into the installation opening. Note that both the upper and lower portion 61, 62 include co-operating an aligning portions 68 of the tapered keyway that is required to retain the plug module 66. As shown in this example, tapered keyways may be provided in more than one location around the outside of the

main body 60. This provides the installer with flexibility in the location of the plug module relative to the main body 60.

Note that the lower portion 62 comprises a peripheral wall into which are formed recesses 69 for weight and material reduction and that the lower portion 62 includes an integral floor 62a. Co-operating alignment pins and openings may be provided between the upper and lower portion 61, 62.

As shown in Figure 7, the lower portion 62 may be replaced with an alternate bottom section 70. The alternate bottom section 70 is used in place of the lower portion 62 and results in a total cavity depth that is reduced but still quite useful. The bottom section 70 includes a tongue 71 that co-operates with the lower edges 72 of the upper part of the laterally extending cavity that is carried by the upper body portion 61. Thus, the peripheral edges 73 of the bottom section 70 are generally co-extensive with the bottom edges of the upper portion 61. In this way, surfboards with sufficient thickness can enjoy the increased depth provided by using the upper and lower portion 61, 62 while boards that are not as thick may use the combination of upper portion 61 and bottom section 70. Either arrangement can use the optional plug module 6. It should be also obvious that either arrangement relies on the fitting of a hinged lid 74 as discussed and illustrated with reference to Figures 1-6.

While the present invention has been described with reference to particular details of construction, these should be understood as having been provided by way of example and not as limitations to the scope of spirit or the invention.