Mobile storage units for delivery

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9809973-B1
Application number	US-201514826637-A
Country	US
Kind code	B1
Filing date	Aug 14, 2015
Priority date	Sep 25, 2013
Publication date	Nov 7, 2017
Grant date	Nov 7, 2017

Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments for a mobile storage unit. The mobile storage unit includes a plurality of walls forming an interior region to store a plurality of items. The mobile storage unit also includes a base supporting the plurality of walls. The mobile storage unit may further include wheels to allow for transport from one location to another location.

First claim

Therefore, the following is claimed:

1. A mobile storage unit, comprising:
a plurality of walls defining an interior region, a first wall of the plurality of walls comprising an opening configured to provide access to the interior region;
a base supporting the plurality of walls;
a computing device configured to communicate item information related to an item being stored within the interior region to a display device coupled to a particular wall of the plurality of walls; and
a plurality of retractable wheels,
wherein the plurality of retractable wheels positioned in a first position make contact with a ground surface, and the plurality of retractable wheels positioned in a second position avoid contact with the ground surface,
wherein individual wheels of the plurality of retractable wheels are coupled to a lower portion of the mobile storage unit via a corresponding locking joint member, the individual wheels being rotatable about a pivot point of the corresponding locking joint member such that an upwards rotation of the individual wheels places the individual wheels in the second position, and a downwards rotation of the individual wheels places the individual wheels in the first position, and
wherein the mobile storage unit is configured to be movable by at least one of detachable attachment to a moveable payload platform or detachment from the moveable payload platform, and wherein the movable payload platform is configured to carry and transport the mobile storage unit.

2. The mobile storage unit of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of guiderails extending outwardly from an exterior of one or more walls of the plurality of walls, the plurality of guiderails being configured to engage a corresponding set of receiving guiderails of the moveable payload platform.

3. The mobile storage unit of claim 2 , further comprising a first locking device coupled to the base, the first locking device being configured to engage a second locking device of the moveable payload platform.

4. The mobile storage unit of claim 1 , wherein the item information comprises at least one of delivery route information of the item or temperature information of the interior region.

5. The mobile storage unit of claim 1 , further comprising a refrigeration system.

6. The mobile storage unit of claim 5 , wherein the refrigeration system comprises at least one of: a thermally insulated compartment or a temperature controller.

7. The mobile storage unit of claim 1 , further comprising a transmitter, wherein the transmitter is configured to communicate with an external computing system.

8. A mobile storage unit, comprising:
a base;
a plurality of walls supported by the base, the plurality of walls defining an interior region;
a computer system configured to track information about at least one of the interior region or an item stored within the interior region; and
a plurality of wheels, individual wheels of the plurality of wheels being coupled to a lower portion of the mobile storage unit via a corresponding locking joint member, the individual wheels being rotatable about a pivot point of the corresponding locking joint such that the individual wheels rotated to a first position make contact with a ground surface, and the individual wheels rotated to a second position avoid contact with the ground surface,
wherein the mobile storage unit is configured to be movable upon at least one of detachable attachment to a moveable payload platform or detachment from the moveable payload platform, and wherein the movable payload platform is configured to carry and transport the mobile storage unit.

9. The mobile storage unit of claim 8 , further comprising a display coupled to an exterior surface of a particular wall of the plurality of walls, the display being in data communication with the computer system and being configured to display the information.

10. The mobile storage unit of claim 9 , wherein the information comprises at least one of delivery route information of the item or temperature information of the interior region.

11. The mobile storage unit of claim 8 , further comprising a plurality of guiderails extending outwardly from at least one of the plurality of walls, wherein individual guiderails of the plurality of guiderails are configured to engage with a corresponding receiving guiderail of a plurality of receiving guiderails on the moveable payload platform.

12. The mobile storage unit of claim 8 , further comprising a power receptacle coupled to a power source.

13. The mobile storage unit of claim 8 , further comprising a doorway configured to provide access to the interior region.

14. The mobile storage unit of claim 13 , wherein the doorway comprises a sliding door that translates along a plane formed by the doorway.

15. A system, comprising:
a mobile storage unit, comprising:
a plurality of walls coupled to a base, the plurality of walls defining an interior region;
a plurality of wheels, individual wheels of the plurality of wheels being coupled to a corresponding wall of the plurality of walls; and
a plurality of locking joints mounted to a lower portion of the mobile storage unit, the individual wheels being coupled to a corresponding locking joint, the individual wheels being rotatable about a pivot point of the corresponding locking joint such that the individual wheels rotated to a first position make contact with a ground surface, and the individual wheels rotated to a second position avoid contact with the ground surface; and

a computer system coupled to the mobile storage unit, the computer system being configured to track information about at least one of the interior region or an item stored within the interior region;
wherein the mobile storage unit is configured to be movable upon at least one of detachable attachment to a moveable payload platform or detachment from the moveable payload platform, and wherein the movable payload platform is configured to carry and transport the mobile storage unit.

16. The system of claim 15 , further comprising a display coupled to an exterior side of the mobile storage unit, the display being in data communication with the computer system.

17. The system of claim 15 , further comprising a refrigeration system situated outside the mobile storage unit, and wherein the storage unit further comprises a port that is coupled to the refrigeration system via a duct.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the mobile storage unit further comprises an internal refrigeration system configured to control a temperature of the interior region.

19. The system of claim 15 , further comprising:
another computing system external to the mobile storage unit, the other computing system being configured to track information about the mobile storage unit and the item stored within the mobile storage unit; and
an identification system coupled to the mobile storage unit, the identification system being configured to communicate a unique identifier to the other computing system.

20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the mobile storage unit further comprises a plurality of guiderails configured to engage with a plurality of receiving guiderails of the moveable payload platform.

Assignees

• Amazon Tech Inc

Inventors

• Chainey James Andrew

Classifications

• G05B19/4183

  characterised by data acquisition, e.g. workpiece identification · CPC title

• E04B1/34347

  Anchoring means therefor · CPC title

• G05B2219/42337

  Tracking control · CPC title

• E04B1/34336 Primary

  Structures movable as a whole, e.g. mobile home structures (vehicles comprising living accommodation for people, e.g. caravans, camping or like vehicles B60P3/32) · CPC title

• F25D11/003 Primary

  Transport containers · CPC title