Portable storage unit

Abstract

A portable storage unit to carry, store and organize, various sports sticks, garden tools and other household items that require upright storage either on a permanent or temporary basis consisting of a pair of rigid side members that in the open position are spaced apart and a support section provided between the two side members, the support section adapted to permit the side members to move from an open spaced apart position to a closed adjacent position to permit the portable storage unit to be carried in one hand.

1 . A portable storage unit to carry, store and organize, various sports sticks, garden tools and other household items that require upright storage either on a permanent or temporary basis consisting of a pair of rigid side members that in the open position are spaced apart and a support section provided between the two side members, the support section adapted to permit the side members to be moved by hand from an open spaced apart position to a closed adjacent position to permit the portable storage unit to be carried in one hand holding both side members, wherein a top of the rigid side members is adapted to lean against a vertical surface when sports sticks, garden tools and other household items are being stored in the upright position, the support section has a lower portion and a top portion, each of said lower portion and top portion secured to the side members at different heights and positions to support and maintain the sports sticks, garden tools or other household items to be placed in the portable storage unit, the lower portion of the support section has a base, opposite upstanding side walls attached to a bottom section of each of said rigid side members and an upstanding front wall that together in the open position, form a scoop-like shape that supports and retains a bottom end of sports sticks, garden tools and other household items that require upright storage in the portable storage unit.  
   
   
       2 . A portable storage unit according to  claim 1  wherein the side members are hockey sticks having a blade and a shaft.  
   
   
       3 . A portable storage unit according to  claim 2  wherein the base of the lower portion of the support section has a sleeve formed on opposite sides and wherein the blade of the hockey sticks that form the side members is inserted into the sleeve along the side of the base of the lower portion of the support section to form the opposite upstanding walls.  
   
   
       4 . A portable storage unit according to  claim 2  wherein the lower portion is attached to the shaft of the hockey sticks that form the side supports.  
   
   
       5 . A portable storage unit according to  claim 1  wherein when the rigid side members are moved by hand from the open position to the closed position, both the top portion and the lower portion of the support section bend on the longitudinal axis of the portable storage unit.  
   
   
       6 . A portable storage unit according to  claim 1  wherein the top portion of the support section comprises a generally rectangular panel having opposite ends, one end of panel is attached to a top portion of one side member and the other end of panel is attached to a top portion of the other of the side members.  
   
   
       7 . A portable storage unit according to  claim 6  wherein the ends of the panel are secured in such a way as to form a slight V-shape in the panel providing an angle to the panel to aid in holding stored objects.  
   
   
       8 . A portable storage unit according to  claim 7  wherein the top portion is composed of durable, lightweight fabric having one or more rolls of topstitching in a top to bottom direction to enhance the fabric's natural tendency to bend in half along a center fold line.  
   
   
       9 . A portable storage unit according to  claim 1  wherein the support section includes a separate middle portion provided with one or more pockets to act as a storage area for trainer equipment as well as provide additional support and containment for the middle portion of sports sticks when the unit is in use, both stationary and in transit.  
   
   
       10 . A portable storage unit according to  claim 1  further comprising a carry bag to be placed over the portable storage unit during transport of the portable storage unit in a closed position.