Transformable storage container

Abstract

A transformable storage container may comprise: an end wall; a support frame operatively coupled to the end wall by a plurality of sides extending between the end wall and the support frame, the support frame defining an opening to an interior cavity defined by the end wall, the plurality of sides, and the support frame, the support frame further comprising: a first channel substantially parallel to the end wall; and a second channel substantially perpendicular and conjoined to the first channel, the first channel and the second channel forming a channel interface therebetween; and an end door movably coupled to the support frame by the first channel and the second channel, the end door comprising a protrusion proximate a perimeter of the end door, the protrusion being moveable between the first and second channels and rotatable within the channel interface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A transformable storage container comprising:
 an end wall;   a support frame operatively coupled to the end wall by a plurality of sides extending between the end wall and the support frame, the support frame defining an opening to an interior cavity defined by the end wall, the plurality of sides, and the support frame, the support frame further comprising:
 a first channel substantially parallel to the end wall; and 
 a second channel substantially perpendicular and conjoined to the first channel, the first channel and the second channel forming a channel interface therebetween; and 
   an end door movably coupled to the support frame by the first channel and the second channel, the end door comprising a protrusion proximate a perimeter of the end door, the protrusion being moveable between the first and second channels and rotatable within the channel interface,   wherein the end door is moveable between a closed position and an open position,   wherein in the closed position, the end door substantially covers the opening,   wherein in the closed position, the protrusion is configured to be positioned in the first channel, and   wherein the protrusion is configured to travel from the first channel to the second channel during movement of the end door from the closed position to the open position.   
     
     
         2 . The transformable storage container of  claim 1 , wherein an outer wall of the first channel is of sufficient length to maintain engagement of the protrusion. 
     
     
         3 . The transformable storage container of  claim 1 , wherein in the open position, the end door is positioned substantially perpendicular to the support frame. 
     
     
         4 . The transformable storage container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of sides comprises a first side door hingedly coupled to another of the plurality of sides, the first side door positionable within a second opening providing access to the interior cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The transformable storage container of  claim 4 , wherein the first side door is collapsible into the interior cavity to provide access to the interior cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The transformable storage container of  claim 5 , wherein the support frame comprises a locking mechanism for securing the first side door in a closed position. 
     
     
         7 . The transformable storage container of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a latch rotatably coupled to a knob manipulatable for repositioning the latch between the support frame and the first side door, wherein in a first position, the latch is configured to engage a surface of the first side door opposite the second opening, and in a second position, the latch is configured to not engage the first side door. 
     
     
         8 . The transformable storage container of  claim 7 , wherein the first side door comprises a channel for receiving the latch in the first position. 
     
     
         9 . The transformable storage container of  claim 6 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises at least one magnetic element. 
     
     
         10 . The transformable storage container of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the end wall and the support frame comprises an overhang extending partially over the second opening, the overhang further comprising the locking mechanism, and wherein at least one of the overhang and the locking mechanism is configured to prevent the first side door from collapsing inward or opening outward when the locking mechanism is engaged with the first side door. 
     
     
         11 . The transformable storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is not positioned within the first channel or the second channel in the open position. 
     
     
         12 . The transformable storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the end wall comprises an additional support frame defining an additional opening to the interior cavity, wherein an additional door is movably positioned in the additional opening. 
     
     
         13 . A transformable storage container comprising:
 a first end wall; and   a second end wall operatively coupled to the first end wall by a plurality of sides extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the plurality of sides and the first and second end walls defining an interior cavity,   wherein a first side of the plurality of sides comprises a first side door hingedly coupled to a second side of the plurality of sides, the first side door being moveable between an open position and a closed position, the first side door being configured to at least partially cover an opening to the interior cavity in the closed position,   wherein the first side door is configured to collapse into the interior cavity toward the open position to provide access to the interior cavity, and   wherein at least one of the first end wall and the second end wall comprises a feature configured for engaging the first side door and preventing the first side door from collapsing inward and opening outward when the feature is engaged with the first side door.   
     
     
         14 . The transformable storage container of  claim 13 , wherein the feature comprises at least one of an overhang and a locking mechanism configured for detachably coupling the first side door to the feature and removably positioning the first side door within the opening. 
     
     
         15 . The transformable storage container of  claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a latch rotatably coupled to a knob manipulatable for repositioning the latch between the at least one of the first and second end walls and the first side door, wherein in a first position, the latch is configured to engage a surface of the first side door opposite the opening, and in a second position, the latch is configured to not engage the first side door. 
     
     
         16 . The transformable storage container of  claim 15 , wherein the first side door comprises a channel for receiving the latch in the first position. 
     
     
         17 . The transformable storage container of  claim 13 , wherein the feature comprises at least one magnetic element. 
     
     
         18 . The transformable storage container of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first end wall and the second end wall comprises a support frame defining an additional opening to the interior cavity, wherein an additional door is movably positioned in the additional opening. 
     
     
         19 . The transformable storage container of  claim 13 , wherein the first side further comprises a second side door hingedly coupled to a third side of the plurality of sides, the second side door being moveable between an open position of the second side door and a closed position of the second side door, the second side door being configured to at least partially cover the opening to the interior cavity in the closed position of the second side door, wherein in the closed position of the second side door, the second side door is configured to collapse into the interior cavity. 
     
     
         20 . A transformable storage container comprising:
 a first end wall;   a second end wall comprising a support frame, the second end wall being operatively coupled to the first end wall by a plurality of sides extending between the first end wall and the second end wall, the plurality of sides and the first and second end walls defining an interior cavity, the support frame defining a first opening to the interior cavity, the support frame further comprising:
 a first channel substantially parallel to the second end wall; and 
 a second channel substantially perpendicular and conjoined to the first channel, the first channel and the second channel forming a channel interface therebetween; and 
   an end door movably coupled to the support frame by the first channel and the second channel, the end door comprising a protrusion proximate a perimeter of the end door, the protrusion being moveable between the first and second channels and rotatable within the channel interface,
 wherein the end door is moveable between a closed end door position and an open end door position, 
 wherein in the closed end door position, the end door substantially covers the first opening, 
 wherein in the closed end door position, the protrusion is configured to be positioned in the first channel, and 
 wherein the protrusion is configured to travel from the first channel to the second channel during movement of the end door from the closed end door position to the open end door position, 
   wherein a first side of the plurality of sides comprises a first side door hingedly coupled to a second side of the plurality of sides, the first side door being moveable between an open side door position and a closed side door position, the first side door being configured to at least partially cover a second opening to the interior cavity in the closed side door position,   wherein the first side door is configured to collapse into the interior cavity toward the open side door position to provide access to the interior cavity, and   wherein at least one of the first end wall and the support frame comprises a feature configured for engaging the first side door and preventing the first side door from collapsing inward and opening outward when the feature is engaged with the first side door.