Portable storage unit with integrated mounting system and method of manufacturing thereof

Abstract

A portable storage unit includes an integrated mounting system and a rugged, weatherproof design that facilitates transport. The rigid main body of the storage unit includes a bottom cover having a bottom surface with a recessed central region positioned between adjacent side regions that extends between top and bottom surfaces of the main body and facilitates mounting the storage unit to a tree or other mounting structure. A top cover has a lip that extends over an edge of the bottom cover and a gasket creates an airtight and watertight seal therebetween. At least one hinge couples the rigid top cover to the rigid bottom cover and an anchoring member coupled to a top surface of the main body. Accessory panels provide attachment points for storage on exterior and interior surfaces of the storage unit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable storage unit comprising:
 a main body comprising:
 a rigid bottom cover having a bottom surface comprising a central region positioned between adjacent side regions, wherein the central region extends between a top surface and a bottom surface of the main body and is recessed relative to the adjacent side regions; and 
 a rigid top cover having a lip that extends over an edge of the rigid bottom cover; 
   at least one hinge coupling the rigid top cover to the rigid bottom cover; and   an anchoring member coupled to a top surface of the main body, the anchoring member having one of a hooked end and a looped end extending outward from the main body.   
     
     
         2 . The portable storage unit of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of mounting rings coupled to opposing side surfaces of one of the rigid bottom cover and the rigid top cover. 
     
     
         3 . The portable storage unit of  claim 2  further comprising a backpack-style strap assembly mounted to the central region of the rigid bottom cover, the backpack-style strap assembly comprising a pair of shoulder straps having clipped fasteners that releasably engage the pair of mounting rings. 
     
     
         4 . The portable storage unit of  claim 1  wherein the main body is symmetrical or substantially symmetrical across a central horizontal axis thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The portable storage unit of  claim 1  wherein the main body comprises fiberglass. 
     
     
         6 . The portable storage unit of  claim 1  wherein the rigid top cover comprises a multi-faceted surface. 
     
     
         7 . The portable storage unit of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of horizontal ribs extending outward from the central region of the rigid bottom cover. 
     
     
         8 . The portable storage unit of  claim 1  further comprising at least one accessory panel coupled to the main body such that a gap is formed therebetween, the at least one accessory panel having a symmetrical pattern of openings formed therein. 
     
     
         9 . The portable storage unit of  claim 8  further comprising a plurality of spacers positioned between the at least one accessory panel and the main body to define the gap. 
     
     
         10 . The portable storage unit of  claim 8  wherein the at least one accessory panel is positioned within a cavity formed in a central facet of the rigid top cover. 
     
     
         11 . The portable storage unit of  claim 1  further comprising:
 at least one latching mechanism coupled to the main body to retain the main body in a closed position; and 
 a gasket positioned on the upper edge of the rigid bottom cover, the gasket creating an airtight and watertight seal between the rigid top cover and the rigid bottom cover when the main body is in the closed position. 
 
     
     
         12 . The portable storage unit of  claim 1  wherein a cavity formed within the main body is sized to receive a plurality of arrows. 
     
     
         13 . A method of manufacturing a portable storage unit comprising:
 forming a rigid bottom cover with a bottom surface comprising a central portion positioned between adjacent side portions, the central portion recessed relative to the adjacent side portions and extending across a length of the bottom cover between a first end and a second end thereof;   forming a rigid top cover having a lip sized to extend around an edge of the rigid bottom cover;   hingedly coupling the rigid top cover to the rigid bottom cover to form a enclosure; and   coupling an anchoring member to an end surface of the enclosure, the anchoring member comprising one of an anchor hook and an anchor loop.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 forming a recessed cavity in a central portion of the rigid top cover; and 
 coupling an accessory panel within the recessed cavity such that a gap is formed between the accessory panel and an exterior surface of the central portion of the rigid top cover. 
 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising forming a plurality of horizontal ribs extending outward from the central portion of the rigid bottom cover. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising:
 disposing a gasket around the edge of the rigid bottom cover; and 
 coupling a first portion of at least one latching mechanism to the rigid bottom cover; and 
 coupling a second portion of the at least one latching mechanism to the rigid top cover; 
 wherein the gasket is configured to form an airtight and watertight seal between the rigid bottom cover and the rigid top cover when the at least on latching mechanism is in an engaged position. 
 
     
     
         17 . A storage unit assembly comprising;
 a first anchor strap;   a mounting ring having a hooked end configured to engage the first anchor strap and an eye portion opposite the hooked end; and   a portable storage unit comprising:
 a rigid main body comprising a top cover hingedly coupled to a bottom cover, the top cover comprising a lip that extends over an edge of the bottom cover when the storage unit is in a closed position, and the bottom cover comprising a recessed portion positioned between a pair of adjacent side portions and extending across a length of the bottom cover; and 
 an anchoring member coupled at a first end of the rigid main body, the anchoring member having a hooked end sized to engage the eye portion of the mounting ring. 
   
     
     
         18 . The storage unit assembly of  claim 17  further comprising:
 a pair of mounting rings coupled to opposing side surfaces of the rigid main body proximate a second end of the rigid main body; and 
 a second anchor strap comprising hooked fasteners positioned at opposing ends thereof, the hooked fasteners sized to engage the pair of mounting rings. 
 
     
     
         19 . The storage unit assembly of  claim 18  further comprising a shoulder strap assembly coupled to the recessed portion of the bottom cover, the shoulder strap assembly comprising a pair of shoulder straps having clips positioned ends thereof, the clips sized to engage the pair of mounting rings. 
     
     
         20 . The storage unit assembly of  claim 17  further comprising a pattern of horizontal ribs extending outward from the recessed portion of the bottom cover.