Waterproof storage unit

Abstract

A storage unit which is substantially water proof is provided. The storage unit may comprise a shell having lower edges which mate into a groove formed in a top surface of a base to provide a substantially waterproof barrier therebetween. The junction between the lower edge of the side walls and the first groove may be sealed with a water proof sealant. A front side wall of the shell may have an aperture therethrough to allow users to move items into and out of the storage unit. A door may be attached to the storage unit to prevent water from entering into the storage unit through the aperture. Moreover, a lower edge of the door body may be inserted into a second groove formed in the top surface of the base to prevent water from entering into the storage unit from under the door.

1 . A storage unit for storing items, the unit comprising:
 a) a unitary shell having a top wall, rear side wall, a left side wall, a right side wall and a front side wall which define respective lower edges, the front side wall having an aperture defining an outer periphery for moving items in and out of the unit, the outer periphery of the aperture defined by a first side, a second side, a top and a bottom;   a water diverting shield formed along the entire top so that water sliding off of the water diverting shield at the top is routed to the first and second sides of the outer periphery of the aperture and the water diverting shield continues to extend along the entire first and second sides from the top to the bottom so that water is urged to the ground and away from the aperture;   b) a base defining a top surface having a first groove sized and configured to receive the lower edges to form a substantially water proof barrier between the side walls and the base; and   c) a door having a door body defining a bottom edge, the door traverseable between a closed position wherein the door body covers the aperture to prevent water from entering into the storage unit and an opened position wherein the door body is disposed away from the aperture to allow items to be moved in and out of the storage unit fo the front side wall.   
     
     
         2 . The unit of  claim 1  wherein a junction between the lower edges of the side walls and the first groove of the base is sealed with a waterproof sealant. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The unit of  claim 1  wherein the top, left side wall, right side wall, front side wall and the rear side wall are fabricated from a unitary material. 
     
     
         5 . The unit of  claim 1  wherein the base further has a ramp aligned with the aperture to allow items to be rolled into or out of the storage unit. 
     
     
         6 . The unit of  claim 1  wherein the top surface of base is raised substantially above ground level to maintain an interior storage area of the unit in a dry condition when the surrounding area outside the unit is flooded. 
     
     
         7 . The unit of  claim 1  wherein the shell, base and the door are resistant to salt water environments. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The unit of  claim 1  wherein the water diverting shield is continuous and protrudes out from the top and the first and second sides of the outer periphery of the aperture so that water on the top cascades down the first and second sides. 
     
     
         10 . The unit of  claim 1  wherein the door is a roll up door disposed behind the aperture of the front side wall of the shell. 
     
     
         11 . The unit of  claim 1  wherein the roll up door is disposed within the unit. 
     
     
         12 . The unit of  claim 1  wherein the top surface of the base has a second groove and the bottom edge of the door is inserted into the groove when the door is traversed to the closed position to prevent water from entering into the storage unit under the door. 
     
     
         13 . The unit of  claim 1  further comprising a ramp disposed in front of the door, the ramp having an inclined surface which starts at ground level and terminates at the elevation of the top surface of the base.