Storage structure

Abstract

A storage structure for being used both as a container for storing a liquid and as a supporting structure for supporting an entity such as an object or a person. The storage structure includes a base wall, a substantially opposed top wall and a peripheral wall extending between the base and top walls. The base, top and peripheral walls together form a liquid tight platform enclosure encompassing a liquid storing volume. The storage structure also has an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture both extending through the platform enclosure substantially adjacent respectively to the top wall and the base wall. The inlet and outlet apertures both establish fluid communication between the liquid storing volume and the exterior of the platform enclosure for respectively allowing filling and emptying of the liquid storing volume. An inlet aperture valve and an outlet aperture valve are operatively coupled respectively to the inlet and outlet apertures for allowing selective sealing obstruction respectively of the inlet and outlet apertures. The platform enclosure is configured, sized and made of a suitable material for allowing the platform enclosure to act both as a container for substantially sealingly storing the liquid and as a supporting structure for stably supporting thereon the entity.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A storage structure for being used both as a container for storing a liquid and as a supporting structure for supporting an entity said storage structure comprising: 
 a base wall, a substantially opposed top wall and a peripheral wall extending between said base and top walls, said base, top and peripheral walls together forming a liquid tight platform enclosure encompassing a liquid storing volume;    an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture both extending through said platform enclosure substantially adjacent respectively to said top wall and said base wall, said inlet and outlet apertures both establishing fluid communication between said liquid storing volume and the exterior of said platform enclosure for respectively allowing filling and emptying of said liquid storing volume;    an inlet aperture obstructing means and an outlet aperture obstructing means operatively coupled respectively to said inlet and outlet apertures for allowing selective sealing obstruction respectively of said inlet and outlet apertures;    said platform enclosure being configured, sized and made of a suitable material for allowing said platform enclosure to act both as a container for substantially sealingly storing said liquid and as a supporting structure for stably supporting thereon said entity.    
     
     
         2 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a venting aperture extending through said platform enclosure substantially adjacent to said top wall for allowing venting of said liquid storing volume.  
     
     
         3 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 2  further comprising a venting tube attached to said platform enclosure in fluid communication with said venting aperture, said venting tube defining a venting tube distal end located substantially away from said platform enclosure, said venting tube distal end having substantially the configuration of an inverted “J”-shaped hook.  
     
     
         4 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a gauge means operatively coupled to said liquid storing volume for providing information on the quantity of said liquid stored in said liquid storing volume.  
     
     
         5 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a separating aperture extending through said platform enclosure, said separating aperture being configured, sized and positioned relative to said outlet aperture so as to allow said separating and discharge apertures to selectively discharge therethrough liquids of different densities; whereby said separating aperture allows for the selective discharge therethrough of a liquid having a higher density then that discharged through said discharge aperture and whereby said discharge aperture allows for the selective discharge therethrough of a liquid of lower density then that discharged through said separating aperture.  
     
     
         6 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 1  wherein said top wall is configured and sized for allowing an intended user to stand thereon.  
     
     
         7 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 6  further comprising a stair section operatively coupled to said platform enclosure so as to allow said intended user to use said stair section for moving between a base position located substantially in register with the level of said base wall and platform position wherein said intended user stands on said top wall.  
     
     
         8 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 7  wherein said stair section is releasably coupled to said platform enclosure.  
     
     
         9 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 7  wherein said stair section defines a stair enclosure for storing a portion of said liquid.  
     
     
         10 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 9  wherein said stair enclosure is in fluid communication with said platform enclosure.  
     
     
         11 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 7  wherein said peripheral wall defines a front section, a rear section and a pair of side sections, said front section defining at least one substantially horizontal step portion and at least one substantially vertical spacing portion for forming at least part of said stair section.  
     
     
         12 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 11  wherein said rear section extends at an angle relative to said base and top walls.  
     
     
         13 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 12  further comprising at least one leg attachment structure extending substantially outwardly from said rear section and at least one supporting leg extending substantially downwardly from said at least one leg attachment structure for supporting said storage structure.  
     
     
         14 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 7  wherein said peripheral wall defines a front section, a rear section and a pair of side sections, said front section extending at an angle relative to said base and top walls; said storage structure further including a stair adaptor mounted on said front section, said stair adaptor defining at least one substantially horizontal step portion and at least one substantially vertical spacing portion for forming at least part of said stair section.  
     
     
         15 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 14  wherein said rear section extends at an angle relative to said base and top walls.  
     
     
         16 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 15  further comprising at least one leg attachment structure extending substantially outwardly from said rear section and at least one supporting leg extending substantially downwardly from said at least one leg attachment structure for supporting said storage structure.  
     
     
         17 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a handrail attachment means extending therefrom for allowing the releasable attachment thereto of a handrail.  
     
     
         18 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a peripheral frame, said peripheral frame including channel members assembled in an end-to-end relationship with each other.  
     
     
         19 . A storage structure as recited in  claim 1  further comprising at least one internal wall for dividing said platform enclosure into at least two distinct enclosure sections.  
     
     
         20 . A storage structure for being used both as a container for storing a liquid and as a supporting structure for supporting an entity, said storage structure comprising: 
 a base wall, a substantially opposed top wall and a peripheral wall extending between said base and top walls, said base, top and peripheral walls together forming a liquid tight platform enclosure encompassing a liquid storing volume;    said peripheral wall defining a stair extending between said base and top walls;    an inlet aperture and an outlet aperture both extending through said platform enclosure substantially adjacent respectively to said top wall and said base wall, said inlet and outlet apertures both establishing fluid communication between said liquid storing volume and the exterior of said platform enclosure for respectively allowing filling and emptying of said liquid storing volume;    an inlet aperture obstructing means and an outlet aperture obstructing means operatively coupled respectively to said inlet and outlet apertures for allowing selective sealing obstruction respectively of said inlet and outlet apertures;    said platform enclosure being configured, sized and made of a suitable material for allowing said platform enclosure to act both as a container for substantially sealingly storing said liquid and as a supporting structure for stably supporting thereon said entity.