Portable collapsible modular and waterproof storage and transportation system

Abstract

A portable, collapsible modular container system for transportation and storage is provided. The containers are modular and can be staked in either extended or expanded position, collapsed, or a mix thereof. The container system is modular and customizable, and attachments such as wheel, handles, carry straps, tie down straps, and other accessories, may be added or removed at the option of the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage container comprising:
 an exterior including four side walls and a bottom, the four side walls collapsible to allow the storage container to take up less space when not in use;   a bi-stable support mechanism coupled to one or more of the four side walls, reconfigurable between at least a first stable configuration and a second stable configuration while coupled to the one or more of the four side walls, wherein the bi-stable support mechanism holds the storage container at a larger size when in the first stable configuration, and allows the container to collapse to a smaller size when in the second stable configuration;   an upper rim secured to an upper portion of the side walls and having a rigid structure for supporting a shape of the storage container, wherein the rim includes two central hinges on opposite portions of the rim, the two central hinges configured to allow the rim to close on itself to seal the storage container in a watertight manner; and   a rail system secured to the side walls and to the upper rim, comprising one or more rails extending along an interior and/or an exterior of the side walls.   
     
     
         2 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more rails are not continuous with each other. 
     
     
         3 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more rails comprise at least one internal rail extending along an interior of the side walls. 
     
     
         4 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more rails comprise at least one external rail extending along an exterior of the side walls. 
     
     
         5 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more rails comprise at least four internal rails and at least four external rails, with at least one internal rail extending along an interior of each of the side walls, and at least one external rail extending along an exterior of each of the four side walls. 
     
     
         6 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more rails comprise at least one internal rail extending along an interior of the side walls, and at least one external rail extending along an exterior of the side walls. 
     
     
         7 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more rails are positioned substantially parallel with the top of the side walls. 
     
     
         8 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more rails are spaced apart from the top of the side walls. 
     
     
         9 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the rail system and the upper rim are removably attached to the storage container. 
     
     
         10 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more rails further comprise a plurality of receptors for removably securing attachments to the storage container. 
     
     
         11 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the upper rim and the rail system are disconnectable from each other. 
     
     
         12 . The storage container of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable lid configured to interface with the upper rim to seal the storage container in a watertight and/or airtight manner. 
     
     
         13 . The storage container of  claim 12 , wherein the removable lid includes a hinging portion such that one or more portions of the lid can open while the lid itself remains removably attached to the storage container. 
     
     
         14 . The storage container of  claim 1 , further comprising straps removably connected to the rail system of the storage container, the straps configured to support a weight of the storage container to allow the storage container to be carried using the straps. 
     
     
         15 . The storage container of  claim 1 , further comprising mounting clips removably connected to the rail system, the mounting clips configured to support a weight of the storage container to allow the storage container to be mounted to a wall, vehicle, or other surface using the mounting clips. 
     
     
         16 . The storage container of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more quick release buckles removably connected to the rail system, the one or more quick release buckles configured to engage with other modular accessories and configured to support a weight of the storage container to allow the weight of the storage container to be carried using the one or more quick release buckles. 
     
     
         17 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the bi-stable support mechanism comprises four support members, each support member inserted in one of four corner pockets, each positioned at an intersection of the side walls to one another, wherein when the support members are extended the four side walls stand vertically to hold the storage container in the first stable configuration, and collapsing the support members configures the storage container to the second stable configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The storage container of  claim 17 , wherein the support members comprise bi-stable springs. 
     
     
         19 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom includes a bottom rail system configured to allow handles and other accessories to be mounted to the storage container using the bottom rails. 
     
     
         20 . The storage container of  claim 19 , further comprising a wheeled handle removably mounted to the bottom rail system, the wheels positioned such that the storage container can roll on the wheels when a user pulls on the handle.