초록 ▼

A reconfigurable, transportable container assembly is provided. Side panels are releasably interconnected with each other and combine with a base panel, and a top panel releasably mates with the side panels. The top panel is combined with the side panels and the base panel to form a transport confi

A reconfigurable, transportable container assembly is provided. Side panels are releasably interconnected with each other and combine with a base panel, and a top panel releasably mates with the side panels. The top panel is combined with the side panels and the base panel to form a transport configuration that defines a closed, transportable, collapsible container, and that is reconfigurable to a nontransport configuration that defines a substantially stationary structure different from the transport configuration. Embodiments can include deployable wheel assemblies and extendible jack assemblies connect to the base panel.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A reconfigurable, transportable container assembly, comprising: a base panel having joinery; a lift assembly attached to the base panel and being movable relative to the base panel between a retracted position and an extended position; a plurality of releasably interconnected side pane

We claim: 1. A reconfigurable, transportable container assembly, comprising: a base panel having joinery; a lift assembly attached to the base panel and being movable relative to the base panel between a retracted position and an extended position; a plurality of releasably interconnected side panels attached to the base panel when the side panels are in an installed closed position to define an internal volume, the side panels having first and second panel joinery, the first panel joinery releasably mates with the base joinery; a top panel removably attached to the side panels when the side panels are in the installed, closed position, the top panel having integral top joinery that releasably mates with the second panel joinery, the top panel being combined with the side panels and the base panel to form a first configuration defining a closed, transportable, collapsible container and being reconfigurable to a second configuration defining a substantially stationary structure different from the first configuration; wherein first and second panel joinery sealably mate with the base and top joinery, respectively, forming pressure-ventable fluid-tight seals therebetween, and the side panels each have side joinery that sealably mates with the side joinery of adjacent side panels forming pressure-ventable fluid-tight seals therebetween; and wheel assemblies attached to the base panel and being movable between a stored position and a deployed position, the wheel assemblies being configured to rollably support the transportable container assembly when in the deployed position. 2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a fluid-tight bladder connected to one of the top panel and base panel. 3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the base panel is shaped to receive the top panel in an inverted position when the side panels are removed from the base panel, the bladder is positioned atop the top panel when in the inverted position. 4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the base joinery is configured to mate with the top joinery of the top panel when the container is in a collapsed position with the side panels removed from the top and base joinery. 5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the side panels are sized to be fully contained between the top and base panels when the container is in the collapsed position. 6. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the top and base joinery form a substantially fluid-tight seal between the top and base panels when the container is in the collapsed position. 7. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of supports contained in the container assembly when the container is in the first configuration and connected to the top panel to support the top panel at a position above and spaced apart from the side panels when the container assembly is in the second configuration. 8. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a personnel support structure sized to be contained in the container assembly in the first configuration and being positionable relative to the side panels to define a support assembly that supports a person above the base panel when the container assembly is in the second configuration. 9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the lift assembly further comprises first and second extended positions supporting the base panel a respective first and second selected distances away from a support surface. 10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the lift assembly further comprises a caster portion adjacent to a distal end thereof, the caster portion positioned to engage the support surface when the lift assembly is in the first extended position, and the caster portion positioned to disengage the support surface when the lift assembly is in the second extended position. 11. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a pressure release valve in fluid communication with the internal volume. 12. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the lift assembly is sized to support the base panel a selected distance away from a support surface when the lift assembly is in the extended position that allows the wheel assemblies to be moved between the stored and deployed positions without substantial interference by the support surface. 13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the base panel has a bottom surface and a recessed area adjacent to the bottom surface, the lift assembly is substantially fully contained in the recessed area when the lift assembly is in the retracted position, and a leg portion of the lift assembly projects past the bottom surface and engages the support surface when the lift assembly is in the extended position. 14. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the base panel has a bottom surface and recessed areas adjacent to the bottom surface, the wheel assemblies are substantially fully contained in the recessed areas when the wheel assemblies are in the stored position, and the wheel assemblies project past the bottom surface when the wheel assemblies are in the deployed position. 15. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the base panel has a bottom surface and first and second recessed areas adjacent to the bottom surface, the lift assembly is substantially fully contained in the first recessed area when the lift assembly is in the retracted position, and the lift assembly projects past the bottom surface when the lift assembly is in the extended position, and the wheel assemblies are substantially fully contained in the second recessed areas when the wheel assemblies are in the stored position, and the wheel assemblies project past the bottom surface when the wheel assemblies are in the deployed position. 16. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the lift assembly is movable between the retracted position, a first extended position, and a second extended position, the lift assembly being configured to support the base panel a selected distance above a support surface when the lift assembly is in the first and second extended positions, and configured to be substantially out of engagement with the support surface when in the retracted position, the lift assembly includes a support leg portion and a caster assembly, the caster assembly being positioned to movably engage the support surface when the lift assembly is in the first extended position. 17. The assembly of claim 16 wherein the support leg portion of the lift assembly has a free end portion, and the caster assembly is out of rolling engagement with the support surface while the support leg portion engages the support surface when the lift assembly is in the second extended position. 18. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the base panel has a concave body portion and a floorboard removably connected to the body portion, the body portion shaped to define a storage area below the floorboard. 19. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the base panel has a plurality of channels formed therein and sized to receive tines of a fork lift assembly, the lift assembly and wheel assembly being spaced apart from the plurality of channels when in the retracted and stored positions, respectively. 20. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a tow member removably attachable to the base panel and configured to releasably attach to the tow vehicle, the tow member being storable in at least one of the internal volume, the base panel and the top panel. 21. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the side panels include a pair of opposing, interchangeable end panels and a pair of interchangeable left and right panels extending between the end panels. 22. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of seals at interconnections between adjoining side panels and at interconnections between the side panels and the top and base panels. 23. A collapsible container assembly, comprising: a base panel; interchangeable side panels removably attached to the base panel, the side panels interconnected with each other and form a substantially fluid-tight seal with the base panel when the side panels are in a substantially upright, closed position, the side panels and base panels defining an internal volume when the side panels are in the closed position, at least one of the side panels being movable between the closed position and a lowered, open position with a bottom edge of the respective side panel being in engagement with the base panel when in the first, lowered position to form a ramp for access into the internal volume of the container assembly; a top panel removably attached to the side panels and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal when the side panels are in the closed position, the top panel being combined with the side panels and the base panel to form a buoyant and collapsible container assembly; wherein the base panel is configured to mate with the top panel defining a smaller second internal volume and forming a substantially fluid-tight seal therebetween when the container assembly is in a collapsed position with the side panels removed from the top and base panels; retractable wheel assemblies attached to the base panel and being movable between a stored position and a deployed position; and a tow member removably attachable to the base panel and configured to releasably attach to a tow vehicle, the tow member being storable in at least one of the internal volume, the base panel and the top panel. 24. The assembly of claim 23 wherein the base panel has a bottom surface and recessed areas adjacent to the bottom surface, the wheel assemblies are substantially fully contained in the recessed areas when the wheel assemblies are in the stored position, and the wheel assemblies project past the bottom surface when the wheel assemblies are in the deployed position. 25. The assembly of claim 23 wherein the tow member is a telescopic tow bar movable between a collapsed position for storage and an extended position for connecting to the tow vehicle. 26. The assembly of claim 23, further comprising a fluid-tight bladder connectable to one of the top panel or the base panel. 27. The assembly of claim 26 wherein the base panel is shaped to receive the top panel in an inverted position when the side panels are removed, and the bladder is positionable atop the top panel when in the inverted position. 28. The assembly of claim 26 wherein the top panel in the inverted position defines a concave receptacle, and the bladder is retained in the concave receptacle. 29. The assembly of claim 23, further comprising a retractable lift assembly attached to the base panel and being movable between a retracted position and an extended position. 30. The assembly of claim 29 wherein the lift assembly supports the base panel a selected distance from a support surface when the lift assembly is in the extended position that allows the wheel assemblies to be moved between the stored position and the deployed position substantially without interference by the support surface. 31. The assembly of claim 29 wherein the lift assembly is an adjustable jack. 32. The assembly of claim 29 wherein the base panel has a bottom surface and a recessed area adjacent to the bottom surface, the lift assembly is substantially fully contained in the recessed area when the lift assembly is in the retracted position, and the lift assembly projects past the bottom surface when the lift assembly is in the extended position. 33. The assembly of claim 23 wherein the side panels are sized to be fully contained between the top and base panels when removed and the container assembly is in the collapsed position. 34. The assembly of claim 23 wherein the side, base, and top panels define a first configuration when all the side panels are in the closed position between the base and the top panels, and the container assembly is reconfigurable to a second configuration defining a stationary structure different than the first configuration. 35. A reconfigurable transport container assembly, comprising: a base panel having base joinery; a retractable lift assembly integrally attached to the base panel and movable between a retracted position and an extended position; retractable wheel assemblies integrally attached to the base panel movable between a stored position and a deployed position and being configured to rollably support the container assembly for towing by a tow vehicle when the wheel assemblies are in a deployed position; a tow member releasably attached to the base panel and positioned to releasably engage the tow vehicle when the wheel assemblies are in the deployed position; a plurality of side panels removably attached to each other and to the base panel to define an internal volume; a top panel having top joinery and being removably attached to a plurality of side panels when the side panels are in an installed closed position to form a first configuration defining a transportable container assembly and being reconfigurable to a second configuration defining a substantially stationary structure different from the first configuration; and wherein each of the plurality of side panel further comprises base and top joinery that sealably mate with the base and top joinery of the base and top panels, respectively, forming pressure-ventable fluid-tight seals therebetween, and each of the plurality of side panels each have side joinery that sealably mates with the side joinery of adjacent side panels forming pressure-ventable fluid-tight seals therebetween. 36. The assembly of claim 35 further comprising a fluid-tight bladder connected to one of the top panel and base panel. 37. The assembly of claim 35 wherein the top panel, base panel, and side panels form a substantially fluid-tight and buoyant transportable container when the assembly is in the first configuration. 38. A transportable container assembly, comprising: a substantially rigid molded base panel having a concave body portion and a floorboard removably connected to the body portion, the body portion shaped to define a storage area below the floorboard; a pair of substantially rigid molded end panels and a pair of substantially rigid molded side panels alternately removably attached to each other and to the base panel to define an internal volume, each of the end and side panels being independently movable relative to the base panel from a substantially upright, closed position to a lowered, open position to provide access to the internal volume; a substantially rigid molded top panel removably attached to the end and side panels to cover the internal volume when the end and side panels are in the closed position, the top panel being combined with the end and side panels and the base panel to form a transportable, collapsible container; when the end and side panels are in the closed position, releasable and sealable mating joinery portions of the end panels forming pressure-ventable substantially fluid-tight side panel joints with the respective adjacent side panels; when the end and side panels are in the closed position, first tongue-and-groove joinery formed between the base panel and each of the end and side panels, and second tongue-and-groove joinery formed between the top panel and each of the end and side panels, each of the first and second tongue-and-groove joinery forming pressure-ventable substantially fluid-tight seal there between; retractable lift assemblies recessed in the base panel and being movable between a retracted position, a first extended position and a second extended position, each lift assembly having a rotatable leg assembly, a jack assembly between the base panel and the leg portion, and a caster portion, the lift assemblies being configured to support the base panel above a support surface when the lift assemblies are in each of the first and second extended positions and to be substantially out of engagement with the support surface when in the retracted position, each caster assembly positioned to movably engage the support surface when the respective lift assembly is in the first extended position, the caster assembly being out of engagement with the support surface and the leg portion being in engagement with the support surface when the respective lift assembly is in the second extended position; a pair of retractable wheel assemblies attached to the base panel adjacent to a center portion thereof and being movable between a stored position and a deployed position; and a pressure release valve in fluid communication with the internal volume, the pressure release valve being structured to substantially equalize pressure differentials relative to ambient pressure. 39. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the side panels further comprise substantially planar panels and the end panels further comprise wrap-around corners that align and mate with the respective side panels. 40. The assembly of claim 38, further comprising a tow bar positioned to extend from a first end of the base panel and further comprising an eyelet adjacent to an end thereof distal from the first end of the base panel when extended therefrom, and a second opposite end of the base panel further comprising a trailering attachment having a coupler structured to connect to the eyelet adjacent to the distal end of the tow bar of an other container assembly. 41. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the top and base panels are configured to engage each other when the assembly is in a collapsed position with the side panels removed. 42. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the end and side panels are independently movable between the closed and open positions, each end and side panel being substantially rigid and configurable to engage the base panel to form a loading ramp for access to the internal volume when the respective panel is in the open position. 43. The assembly of claim 38 further comprising a fluid-tight bladder connected to one of the top panel and base panel. 44. The assembly of claim 43 wherein the base panel is shaped to receive the top panel in an inverted position when the side panels are removed, and the bladder is positioned atop the top panel when in the inverted position. 45. The assembly of claim 41, further comprising third tongue-and-groove joinery between the top panel and the base panel when the side panels are removed, the tongue-and-groove joinery forming a substantially fluid-tight seal. 46. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the pressure release valve is further structured to substantially equalize a pressure differential of approximately one pound per square inch (PSI). 47. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the lift assembly supports the base panel a selected distance from a support surface when the lift assembly is in the second extended position that allows the wheel assemblies to be moved between the stored position and the deployed position without interference by the support surface. 48. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the base panel has a bottom surface and a recessed area adjacent to the bottom surface, the lift assembly is substantially fully contained in the recessed area when the lift assembly is in the retracted position, and the lift assembly projects past the bottom surface when the lift assembly is in the first and second extended positions. 49. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the pressure release valve is further structured to substantially equalize positive and negative pressure differentials relative to ambient pressure.