STORAGE DEVICE WITH BUILT-IN SEATING ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

A storage device with built-in seating arrangement comprises of a cuboidal housing 101 of a pliable material having a plurality of compartments 102 for storage of a user’s goods, a pair of flexible straps 103 attached on rear surface of the housing 101 for enabling mounting of housing 101 onto shoulders, four telescopic rods 201 attached to four corners of frame by pivot joints 202 having suction cup 203 at an end for placing and gripping onto ground surface, pair of L-shaped telescopic members having rectangular cushioned flaps for resting of user’s arms, a weight sensor provided on frame for detecting weight of user, speaker 107 provided on housing 101 to generate an audio warning for user regarding an overweight condition, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 108 installed on housing 101 for recording and processing images of housing 101.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a storage device with built-in seating arrangement that provides a storing and sitting option to the user along with notifying the user to prevent from falling and getting injured upon detecting the weight.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Seating refer to arrangement of seats in a particular space, such as a theater, stadium, classroom, or even a dining area. It's essential to consider factors like comfort, accessibility, and capacity when designing seating layouts for different purpose. A storage bench, combines a seating surface with storage space underneath. These are often used in entryways, bedrooms, or living rooms to provide both seating and a place to store items like shoes, blankets, or toys. Ottomans with built-in storage compartments offer a compact seating solution with hidden storage. They are versatile and often be used as footrests, coffee tables, or extra seating in living rooms, dens, or bedrooms. A traditional storage device with a built-in seating arrangement like a storage bench or chest. These pieces of furniture typically feature a hinged or lift-up seat that reveals a storage compartment underneath. Historically, storage benches and chests have been popular for their practicality and versatility. They store items like shoes, blankets, toys, or other household items while also serving as a convenient spot to sit down.

[0003] Conventionally, traditional storage device with built-in seating arrangement are useful but they have their own limitations. Combining seating with storage often resulted in compromises in both aspects. The space available for storage within the seating unit was typically limited, leading to insufficient storage capacity compared to standalone storage solutions. Pre-designed seating arrangements with built-in storage may not have offered much flexibility in terms of customization. Users might have been restricted in adjusting the storage compartments or seating configurations according to their specific needs or space requirements. Therefore there is need to develop a device that is capable of providing a storing and sitting option to the user along with detecting weight and notifying the user to prevent any injury.

[0004] US9808086B1 discloses about a seating arrangement system for securing the spacing of a predetermined arrangement of seating is provided. The seating arrangement system embodies a plurality of movable tiles forming a supporting surface for securing the predetermined arrangement of movable seats, wherein each tile associated with a vertical member of each seat is selectively pivoted to an opening configuration, exposing a base aperture into which the vertical member is secured. The remaining tiles being selectively maintained in the closed configuration, providing an even surface for traversing about the predetermined arrangement of movable seats. US'086 is able to provide seating arrangement to the user, but however lacks in providing storing space to the user.

[0005] US5190350A discloses about a lightweight seating arrangement having an envelope with an upper layer and a lower layer defining a pad-receiving, air-tight cavity. A pad is positioned within the cavity and preferably bonded to the upper layer and lower layer. The pad folds along a fold line from a flat position to a position in which a back portion extends upwardly from the seat portion and the back portion is movable towards and away from the seat portion along the fold line. The pad may be comprised of two parts, one in the seat portion and one in the back portion, with a space there between to provide the fold line. Flaps extending completely across the seating arrangement are provided at the remote ends thereof and overly a portion of both the back portion and the seat portion. Tab portions are coupled to the flaps at the sides thereof and flexible straps, which are detachably coupled together, are provided on the tab portions. When the flexible straps are coupled together, the back portion may be retained in any desired angular orientation with respect to the seat portion as desired. A valve is provided for allowing air into and out of the air-tight cavity and for sealing air at atmospheric pressure, greater than atmospheric pressure, or lower than atmospheric pressure, as desired. US'350 is able to provide a portable seating arrangement particularly useful in various outdoor activities ranging from backpacking, camping, mountain climbing, but however lacks in providing detecting the weight and notify the user to prevent from falling and getting injured.

[0006] Conventionally, many storage device with built-in seating arrangement have been developed that are capable of provide a portable seating arrangement particularly useful in various outdoor activities ranging from backpacking, camping, mountain climbing but however lacks in providing storing space to the user along with detecting the weight and notify the user to prevent from falling and getting injured.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of providing a storing and sitting option to the user along with detecting weight and notifying the user to prevent any injury.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable of storing things as well as provides a sitting option to the user.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is capable notify the user to prevent from falling and getting injured upon detecting the weight.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is reliable in nature.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to a storage device with built-in seating arrangement that is capable of storing things as well as provides a sitting option to the user along with notifying the user to prevent from falling and getting injured upon detecting the weight.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a storage device with built-in seating arrangement comprises of a cuboidal housing of a pliable material having a plurality of compartments for storage of a user's goods, a pair of flexible straps attached on a rear surface of the housing for enabling a mounting of the housing onto shoulders of the user, a rectangular frame attached to a front surface of the housing by a hinge at a lower edge, an upper edge of the frame is attached with the housing by an electromagnet, a plurality of fabric strips attached across the frame for enabling a seating of the user on the frame, four telescopic rods attached to four corners of the frame by pivot joints having a suction cup at an end for placing and gripping onto a ground surface, a pair of L-shaped telescopic members having rectangular cushioned flaps at the ends for resting of the user's arms, a weight sensor provided on the frame for detecting weight of the user, speaker provided on the housing to generate an audio warning for the user regarding an overweight condition.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit installed on the housing for recording and processing images in a vicinity of the housing, a microphone provided on the housing for receiving an audio command from the user regarding deploying the chair, a wireless communication module provided on the housing for enabling the user to remotely trigger the microcontroller, a battery is associated with the device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a storage device with built-in seating arrangement; and
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a telescopic rod configured with the proposed device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to a storage device with built-in seating arrangement that is capable notifying the user to prevent from falling and getting injured upon detecting the weight and storing things as well as provides a sitting option to the user.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, an isometric view of a storage device with built-in seating arrangement and an isometric view of a telescopic rod are illustrated, respectively comprising a cuboidal housing 101 of a pliable material having a plurality of compartments 102 for storage of a user's goods, a pair of flexible straps 103 attached on a rear surface of the housing 101, a rectangular frame 104 attached to a front surface of the housing 101 by a hinge 105 at a lower edge, an upper edge of the frame is attached with the housing 101 by an electromagnet 106 connected with a metal strip on the housing 101, four telescopic rods 201 attached to four corners of the frame by pivot joints 202, rod having a suction cup 203, speaker 107 provided on the housing 101, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 108 installed on the housing 101 and a microphone 109 provided on the housing 101.

[0023] The proposed device comprises of a cuboidal housing 101 of a pliable material having a plurality of compartments 102 for storage of a user's goods. A pair of flexible straps 103 attached on a rear surface of the housing 101 for enabling a mounting of the housing 101 onto shoulders of the user.

[0024] A rectangular frame 104 attached to a front surface of the housing 101 by a hinge 105 at a lower edge. The hinge 105 joint comprises of a pair of leaf that is screwed with the surfaces of the rectangular frame 104. The leaf are connected with each other by means of a cylindrical member integrated with a shaft coupled with a DC (Direct Current) motor to provide required movement to the hinge 105. The rotation of the shaft in clockwise and anti-clockwise aids in opening and closing of the hinge 105 respectively. Hence the microcontroller actuates the hinge 105 that in turn provides movement to the rectangular frame 104.

[0025] Further, an upper edge of the frame is attached with the housing 101 by an electromagnet 106, disposed in the upper edge of the frame, connected with a metal the on the housing 101. The electromagnet 106 is a specialized type of magnet in which the magnetic field is produced by an electric current wherein the electromagnet 106 consists of wire wound into a coil. When the current is passed through the wire, it creates a magnetic field which is concentrated in the hole in the center of the coil thus energizing the electromagnet 106.

[0026] A microphone 109, linked with the microcontroller, provided on the housing 101 receiving an audio command from the user to actuate the hinge 105 and the electromagnet 106 to rotate and open the frame. The microphone 109 contains a small diaphragm connected to a moving coil. When sound waves of the user hit the diaphragm, the coil vibrates. This causes the coil to move back and forth in the magnet's field, generating an electrical current. The signal of which are sent to the microcontroller to rotate and open the frame. Upon rotating and opening the frame, a plurality of fabric strips attached across the frame enable a seating of the user on the frame.

[0027] Synchronously, a wireless communication module, linked with the microcontroller, provided on the housing 101 enables the user to remotely trigger the microcontroller, by connecting with a computing unit, to actuate the hinge 105. The computing unit is linked with a microcontroller embedded with the housing 101 via an integrated communication module that includes but is not limited to a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) module which is capable of establishing a wireless network between the microcontroller and the computing unit.

[0028] Upon seating of the user on the frame, microcontroller actuates four telescopic rods 201 attached to four corners of the frame by pivot joints 202, each the rod having a suction cup 203 at an end for placing and gripping onto a ground surface. The telescopic rods 201 is linked to a pneumatic unit, including an air compressor, air cylinders, air valves and piston which works in collaboration to aid in extension and retraction of the suction cup 203. The pneumatic unit is operated by the microcontroller, such that the microcontroller actuates valve to allow passage of compressed air from the compressor within the cylinder, the compressed air further develops pressure against the piston and results in pushing and extending the piston. The piston is connected with the suction cup 203 and due to applied pressure the suction cup 203 extends and similarly, the microcontroller retracts the telescopically rods by closing the valve resulting in retraction of the piston. Thus, the microcontroller regulates the extension/retraction of the suction cup 203 for placing and gripping onto the ground surface.

[0029] The pivot joint attached with the telescopic rods 201 is a mechanical component that allows rotary movement around a single axis, wherein the pivot joint is powered by a (Direct Current) motor that is capable of converting the electric current provided from an external force into mechanical force for providing the required power to the pivot joint for providing rotational movement around the single axis to the telescopically rods for placing and gripping onto the ground surface.

[0030] Further, microcontroller actuates a weight sensor provided on the frame for detecting weight of the user in a sitting position. The weight sensor comprises of a convoluted diaphragm and a sensing module. Due to the weight of user on the frame, the size of the diaphragm changes which is detected by the sensing module. The sensing module detects the weight of the user and on the basis of the changes in sizes of the diaphragm, the acquired data is forwarded to the microcontroller in the form of a signal for further processing.

[0031] Further, the microcontroller actuate speaker 107 provided on the housing 101 to generate an audio warning for the user regarding an overweight condition if the detected weight exceeds a threshold weight. The speaker 107 works by receiving signals from the microcontroller, converting them into sound waves through a diaphragm's vibration, and producing audible sounds with the help of amplification and control circuitry in order to warn the user regarding an overweight condition.

[0032] Upon warning the user, microcontroller actuates an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 108 installed on the housing 101 and integrated with a processor, for recording and processing images in a vicinity of the housing 101 to determine a slope of ground surface to trigger the microcontroller to actuate the telescopic rods 201 to extend or retract as per the detected slope to maintain a horizontal level of the frame. The artificial intelligence based imaging unit 108 comprises of a camera lens and a processor, wherein the 360 degree rotatable camera captures multiple images of the housing 101 and then the processor carries out a sequence of steps including pre-processing, feature extraction and segmentation. In pre-processing, the unwanted data like noise, background is removed out and the image is converted into a format recommended for feature extraction. The features like pixel intensities of the foreground image are extracted and are sent for classification to determine a slope of ground surface.

[0033] Lastly, a battery is installed within the device which is connected to the microcontroller that supplies current to all the electrically powered components that needs an amount of electric power to perform their functions and operation in an efficient manner. The battery utilized here, is generally a dry battery which is made up of Lithium-ion material that gives the device a long-lasting as well as an efficient DC (Direct Current) current which helps every component to function properly in an efficient manner. As the device is battery operated and do not need any electrical voltage for functioning. Hence the presence of battery leads to the portability of the device i.e., user is able to place as well as moves the device from one place to another as per the requirements.

[0034] The present invention works best in the following manner, comprises of the cuboidal housing 101 of the pliable material having the plurality of compartments 102 for storage of a user's goods. The pair of flexible straps 103 enables the mounting of the housing 101 onto shoulders of the user. Further, the plurality of fabric strips attached across the frame for enabling the seating of the user on the frame. The microphone 109 receive the audio command from the user regarding deploying the chair to trigger the microcontroller to actuate the hinge 105 and the electromagnet 106 to rotate and open the frame and the pivot joints 202 to rotate the telescopic rods 201 and extend the rods for placing of the housing 101 on the ground surface, gripping onto ground surface by the suction cup 203. Upon the pair of L-shaped telescopic members having rectangular cushioned flaps at the ends, allows resting of the user's arms. Further, the weight sensor detects weight of the user in the sitting position to trigger the microcontroller to actuate speaker 107 generate an audio warning for the user regarding an overweight condition if the detected weight exceeds a threshold weight. Upon warning for the user regarding an overweight condition the artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 108 records and processes images in the vicinity of the housing 101, to determine the slope of ground surface to trigger the microcontroller to actuate the telescopic rods 201 to extend or retract as per the detected slope to maintain the horizontal level of the frame.

[0035] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, an angle sensor installed with the frame may be used to detect the angle of inclination of the frame.

[0036] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) A storage device with built-in seating arrangement, comprising:

i) a cuboidal housing 101 of a pliable material having a plurality of compartments 102 for storage of a user's goods, a pair of flexible straps 103 attached on a rear surface of said housing 101 for enabling a mounting of said housing 101 onto shoulders of said user;
ii) a rectangular frame 104 attached to a front surface of said housing 101 by a hinge 105 at a lower edge, wherein an upper edge of said frame is attached with said housing 101 by an electromagnet 106, disposed in said upper edge of said frame, connected with a metal strip on said housing 101;
iii) a plurality of fabric strips attached across said frame for enabling a seating of said user on said frame;
iv) four telescopic rods 201 attached to four corners of said frame by pivot joints 202, each said rod having a suction cup 203 at an end for placing and gripping onto a ground surface;
v) a pair of L-shaped telescopic members having rectangular cushioned flaps at the ends, attached on two sides of said frame for resting of said user's arms;
vi) a weight sensor provided on said frame for detecting weight of said user in a sitting position to trigger a microcontroller to actuate speaker 107 provided on said housing 101 to generate an audio warning for said user regarding an overweight condition if said detected weight exceeds a threshold weight; and
vii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 108, installed on said housing 101 and integrated with a processor for recording and processing images in a vicinity of said housing 101, to determine a slope of ground surface to trigger said microcontroller to actuate said telescopic rods 201 to extend or retract as per said detected slope to maintain a horizontal level of said frame.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a microphone 109, linked with said microcontroller, provided on said housing 101 for receiving an audio command from said user regarding deploying said chair to trigger said microcontroller to actuate said hinge 105 and said electromagnet 106 to rotate and open said frame and said pivot joints 202 to rotate said telescopic rods 201 and extend said rods for placing of said housing 101 on said ground surface, gripping onto ground surface by said suction cup 203.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a wireless communication module, linked with said microcontroller, is provided on said housing 101 for enabling said user to remotely trigger said microcontroller, by connecting with a computing unit, to actuate said hinge 105 and said electromagnet 106 to rotate and open said frame and said pivot joints 202 to rotate said telescopic rods 201 and extend said rods for placing of said housing 101 on said ground surface, gripping onto ground surface by said suction cup 203.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for powering up electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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