Storage systems, apparatus and methods

Abstract

Illustrative embodiments of a storage apparatus may be incorporated into a support structure, such as a table. The table may include a table top supported by a support post. The support post having a first end portion and a second end portion, the support post coupled to the table top. The storage apparatus may be spaced apart from the table top along the support post and may include an attachment aperture extending through the storage apparatus. The storage apparatus may have one or more storage receptacles arranged around the attachment aperture for storing small items such as cups and cell phones, etc. In the illustrative embodiment, the support post may extend through the attachment aperture of the storage apparatus to couple the storage apparatus to the support post at a location along the longitudinal axis of the support post that is spaced apart from the table top.

1 . A storage apparatus for attachment to a support post of a support structure of a boat, the storage apparatus comprising:
 a first storage surface and a second storage surface opposite the first storage surface;   an attachment aperture extending through the storage apparatus from the first storage surface to the second storage surface, the attachment aperture configured to be coupled to a support post of the support structure via one or more fixation devices;   one or more storage receptacles arranged around the attachment aperture, the storage receptacles are configured to restrain drinks while the boat is in motion.   
     
     
         2 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the attachment aperture is substantially centrally located on the storage apparatus and the storage receptacles are arranged radially around the attachment aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure that the storage apparatus is configured to be coupled to is a table. 
     
     
         4 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the storage apparatus further comprises a flexible sleeve, wherein the flexible sleeve is sized and shaped to extend through the attachment aperture and configured to provide dampening of vibrations to the storage apparatus, when the storage apparatus is coupled to a support post that extends through the attachment aperture, further wherein the one or more fixation devices are sized and shaped to couple the flexible sleeve to the support post. 
     
     
         5 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the support post is between 1.5-2.5 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein when the storage apparatus is sized and shaped to store at least one of a 12 ounce can or a 20 ounce bottle of soda without tipping over when the storage apparatus is accelerated on a boat in a linear motion in the plane of the storage apparatus from zero to 15 miles per hour in 20 seconds, the plane of the storage apparatus at an angle of 15 degrees from ground. 
     
     
         7 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter or width of the storage apparatus is between 8-16 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the storage apparatus comprises one or more receptacle apertures configured to support at least one of the one or more storage receptacles, and wherein at least one of the storage receptacles comprises a 3.0 inch or 3.75 inch universal drop in cup holder insert. 
     
     
         9 . The storage apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the one or more receptacle apertures is between about 2.75 inches and 4.0 inches. 
     
     
         10 . A method of assembling a storage apparatus to a support structure of a boat, the method comprising:
 receiving:   a support structure comprising a table top having a first table surface and a second table surface opposite the first table surface;   a support post extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end portion to a second end portion, wherein the table top and the support post are couplable at a table top connection point, and wherein the support post is configured for coupling to a floor at a first end portion;   a storage apparatus comprising:
 a first storage apparatus surface and a second storage apparatus surface opposite the first storage apparatus surface; 
 an attachment aperture extending through the storage apparatus from the first storage apparatus surface to the second storage apparatus surface; 
 one or more storage receptacles arranged around the attachment aperture, 
   inserting the support post of the table through the attachment aperture of the storage apparatus;   coupling the storage apparatus to the support post at a location along the longitudinal axis of the support post that is spaced apart from the table top; and   coupling the table top to the support post at the table top connection located along the support post distal from the first end portion.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising removing the table top from the support post before the step of inserting the post through the attachment aperture of the storage apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising coupling a first fixation device to the support post between the storage apparatus and the first end portion of the support post. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising coupling a second fixation device to the support post between the storage apparatus and the second end portion of the support post. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising placing a flexible sleeve around the post before the step of inserting the support post through the attachment aperture of the storage apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein placing the flexible sleeve around the support post comprises sliding a sleeve over the support post starting at the second end portion and sliding the sleeve to the location intermediate the first end portion and second end portion. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing a flexible sleeve configured to reduce transmission of vibrations between the storage apparatus and the support post;   removing the table top from the support post before the step of inserting the post through the attachment aperture of the storage apparatus;   placing the flexible sleeve around the support post by sliding a sleeve over the support post starting at the second end portion and sliding the sleeve to the location intermediate the first end portion and the second end portion;   coupling a first fixation device to at least one or both of the support post and the storage apparatus;   coupling the table top to the second end portion of the support post.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more storage receptacles are sized and shaped to store a 12 ounce can or 20 ounce bottle of soda upright in at least one of the one or more storage receptacles without tipping over when the storage apparatus is accelerated in a linear motion in the plane of the storage apparatus from zero to 15 miles per hour in 20 seconds. 
     
     
         18 . A support structure for a boat, the support structure having a storage capabilities, the support structure comprising:
 a table top having a first table surface opposite a second table surface, the table top extending along a table top plane;   a support post extending along a longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the table top plane, the support post having a first end portion and a second end portion, the support post coupled to the table top;   a storage apparatus comprising:
 a first storage surface and a second storage surface opposite the first storage surface; 
 an attachment aperture extending through the storage apparatus from the first storage surface to the second storage surface; 
 one or more storage receptacles arranged around the attachment aperture, 
   wherein the support post extends through the attachment aperture and the storage apparatus is coupled to the support post at a location along the longitudinal axis of the support post that is spaced apart from the table top.   
     
     
         19 . The support structure of  claim 18 , wherein the support structure is a table having a table mounting mechanism configured to fixedly mount the table to a floor of a boat. 
     
     
         20 . The support structure of  claim 18 , wherein the support surface provides shade to the majority of the storage apparatus when a light source located above the first support surface and facing toward the first support surface intersects the support surface at an angle of 70 degrees with respect to the support surface plane.