DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a storage device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for collecting, storing, and dispensing money and other offerings.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Storage boxes that are used for collecting donations in the form of money or other benevolent charities are known in the art. Such storage boxes are generally positioned in specific locations of important public gathering places such as temples, churches, and mosques. Such storage boxes are often located at easily accessible and convenient locations inside the premises of temples and likely places so that it enables public in large to make benevolent offerings. Such storage boxes are often called as ‘Hundis’.
[0003] Typically, such Hundis are provided as large collection units that occupy lot of space and are usually heavy masses that are often difficult to handle. More particularly, in such known Hundis, deposition and collection of donations into and from the Hundis are often problematic due to clogging of money deposited inside the Hundi. Moreover, such known Hundis are often prone to theft attacks due to their lack of substantial security features and requires several additional protection measures for prevention of theft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components.
[0005] Fig. 1. illustrates a perspective front view of a storage device in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0006] Fig. 2. illustrates a perspective view of a holding structure of the storage device in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0007] Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a main container of the storage device in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0008] Fig. 4 illustrates a cover assembly of the storage device in accordance to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0009] Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective side view of the storage device in a first tilted condition in accordance to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[00010] Fig. 6. illustrates a perspective side view of the storage device in a second tilted condition in accordance to an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[00011] Generally, the conventional Hundis or the storage boxes for collecting donations face the above stated problems as discussed in the background. Further, the problem with respect to the clogging of the donations inside the storage box affect the overall productivity as the number of man hours taken to collect all the donations from the storage box increases tremendously. Furthermore, the fatigue induced as a result of such time-consuming collection process is also considerably higher. Moreover, the process of collecting cash and other donations from the storage box is extremely cumbersome, which adds further woes to the already difficult process of handling the collection chamber of the storage box.
[00012] Further, the conventional storage boxes face the problem of having their opening area at a substantially lower height from the ground level with smaller openings, which makes its accessibility extremely difficult. Furthermore, the average time taken for completely offloading the donations from the collection chamber is higher in case of the conventional storage boxes, for example, approximately 45 minutes to 60 minutes per Hundi.
[00013] Furthermore, the conventional Hundis caused lot of operational discomfort, especially during loading and unloading of cash from the Hundi. For instance, the opening provided on the conventional Hundis cases operational stress, which leads to fatigue, which in turn leads to increase in overall man hours in the cash collection operation. Moreover, such conventional Hundis are not provided with no feature for dispensing cash from the cash collection box and further, there are no facilities provided for transporting the collected cash from the cash collection box as the conventional Hundis are stationary and fixed to the floor. Such conventional Hundis require additional efforts to transport the cash collection box from the Hundi area to a separate counting area, which further increases overall man hours and fatigue.
[00014] Still further, the conventional Hundis are often counted with several other problems including opening and closing of locks, difficulty in accessing opening zone of the Hundi as the opening is disposed at substantially low height, which requires bending and which leads to fatigue. Moreover, the opening doors of the conventional Hundis are prone to jamming. Further, in addition to the jamming of the cash inside the storage box, there are also problems with respect to spilling of cash during the process of collection of cash. Further, the door provided on the opening zone in addition to being low in height, is also small in size, which further leads to an increase in the overall lead time of cash collection.
[00015] The present subject matter provides an improved Hundi in the form of a storage device that overcomes the above stated problems. In an embodiment, the present subject matter provides a device for collecting, storing, and dispensing at least one of a valued medium of exchange, and a valued offering like any currency in form of paper notes and metallic coins. The device comprises a main container containing at least one storage compartment for collecting and storing said at least one of a valued medium of exchange, and said valued offering. The main container having a base portion that is closed and disposed substantially above a ground level, and a top portion having an opening. A cover assembly is disposed substantially above the main container. The cover assembly having a first part capable of covering at least a first portion of the opening of the main container. The first part extending laterally from one side to other side of the opening, and a second part hingedly coupled to one or more hinge joints of the first part. The second part capable of opening and closing about the hinge joints and covering at least a second portion of the opening.
[00016] The storage device further includes a holding structure comprising a first frame member and a second frame member capable of rotatably mounting the main container. The main container is capable of swiveling about an imaginary line joining a top end of the first frame member and the second frame member up to a predetermined swivel angle. At least one gear box assembly is disposed substantially adjoining at least one of the first frame member and the second frame member of the holding structure. The at least one gear box assembly is capable of rotating the main container beyond the predetermined swivel angle.
[00017] In an embodiment, the storage device includes the first part of the cover assembly having at least one laterally extending offering cavity. Further, in an embodiment, the offering cavity of the storage device includes one or more auxiliary hinge joints spaced apart from each other. The one or more auxiliary hinge joints are capable of rotatably mounting at least one lid for covering the offering cavity.
[00018] Further, in an embodiment, the storage device further includes a plurality of lock members including a first lock member capable of locking the second part of the cover assembly with the main container. The second part including at least one latch and the main container including at least one projection capable of projecting into a slot provided on the at least one latch for locking operation.
[00019] In an embodiment, the storage device of the present subject matter having the plurality of lock members that includes a second lock member disposed substantially above the at least one projection on the main container. The second lock member is covered by the at least one latch when the first lock member is in locked state.
[00020] In one embodiment, the plurality of lock members including a third lock member is disposed substantially projecting upwardly from a top surface of the second part of the cover assembly. The third lock member is capable of being operated after unlocking of the first and the second lock members while unlocking the cover assembly, and before locking of the second and first lock members while locking the cover assembly. Further, the third lock member is capable of being operated upon swiveling of the main container for a predetermined swivel angle ranging from 60° to 80°.
[00021] In one embodiment, the first and second frame member of the holding structure includes a tapered top end and a broad bottom end having a width more than the top end. The top end of the frame members including a plummer block, while the side surfaces of the main container includes a support flange that is capable of being rotatably mounted to corresponding plummer blocks is disposed on the tapered top end of the first and second frame members for causing swiveling motion of the main container.
[00022] In one embodiment, the broad bottom end of the frame member includes one or more castor wheels capable of moving the device in more than one direction. The broad bottom end further includes at least one floor lock capable of holding the device firmly on a ground surface. Further, in an embodiment, the gear box assembly includes a worm and worm gear arrangement connected to a rotatable wheel handle. The rotation of the rotatable wheel handle translating into rotation of the main container beyond a predetermined swivel angle ranging from 80° to 135°. Further, the gear box assembly includes a gear box cover for protecting the gear box assembly from moisture and foreign particles.
[00023] In an embodiment, the storage device of the present subject matter is advantageous and ensures that the difficulties through the process and facility in the conventional Hundis are overcome. Further, the storage device of the present subject matter enables substantial reduction in cash collection time from approximately 45 minutes to about 10 minutes, which largely increases the overall productivity and reduces human fatigue associated with the process of cash collection. Further, in an embodiment, the present subject matter provides the storage device that has the location of plurality of locks at optimal height and includes doors that are substantially optimized to eliminate jamming. Further, the present subject matter eliminates jamming of the cash by enabling unloading from the top. Further, in an embodiment, the present subject matter provides an advantageous storage device that enables controlling the flow of cash from the collection box. Further, the storage device of the present subject matter is provided with opening of bigger size and is enabled with features for moving the entire storage device in order to overcome the problem associated with the fatigue caused during cash collection and collection box transportation.
[00024] The present invention along with all the accompanying embodiments and their other advantages would be described in greater detail in conjunction with the figures in the following paragraphs.
[00025] Fig. 1. illustrates a perspective front view of a storage device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the storage device 100 of the present subject matter includes a main container 102, a cover assembly 104, a gear box assembly 106, and a holding structure 108 supported on a ground surface 110. In an embodiment, the main container 102 of the storage device 100 is rotatably supported by means of the holding structure 108. In an embodiment, the main container 102 is disposed substantially above the ground surface 110 such that the main container 102 is capable of being swiveled during unloading process of the storage device 100. In an embodiment, the swiveling of the main container 102 is achieved by means of the gear box assembly 106. For instance, rotation of the rotatable wheel handle 112 of the gear box assembly 106 is capable of being rotated either clockwise or anti-clockwise about the rotational axis of the gear box assembly 106. In an embodiment, the clockwise rotation of the wheel handle 112 causes further rotation of the gears disposed inside the gear box assembly 106, which in turn cases the main container 102 to rotate forwardly about a central lateral axis of the main container 102 enabling the main container 102 to be easily accessed.
[00026] In an embodiment, the main container 102 is upwardly covered by means of the cover assembly 104. In an embodiment, the cover assembly 104 includes a first part 122 that is fixedly attached to the main container 102 and a second part 116 that is hingedly attached to the first part 122. In an embodiment, the second part 116 of the cover assembly 104 is hingedly attached to the first part 122 by means of one or more hinge joints 120. In an embodiment, the second part 116 of the cover assembly 104 is provided with a hingedly disposed latch member 132. In an embodiment, the latch member 132 is capable of being locked by means of a primary lock member 130. In one embodiment, the second part 116 of the cover assembly 104 includes an upwardly disposed rotatable handle 126, which is used for upwardly lifting the second part 116 of the cover assembly 104. In an embodiment, the rotatable handle 126 acts as a tertiary lock member 126, which enables additional locking of the main container 102. In an embodiment, the laterally disposed one or more handle members 118 enables easy handling of the cover assembly 104, especially during opening and closing of the second part 116 of the cover assembly 104.
[00027] In an embodiment, the main container 102 is rotatably supported by the holding structure 108, which includes a plurality of frame members, each including a floor locking member 114. In an embodiment, the floor locking member 114 enables retarding the movement of the storage device 100 by locking the holding structure 108 to the ground surface 110. In an embodiment, the holding structure 108 is provided with a plurality of caster wheels 128, which enables ease of movement of the storage device 100 in all directions. In an embodiment, the castor wheel 128 enhances the degree of freedom of the movement of the storage device 100. In an embodiment, the castor wheels 128 are made to move when the floor locking member 114 is not in a locked state.
[00028] Further, in an embodiment, the first part 122 of the cover assembly 104 is provided with a rearwardly disposed offering cavity 124, which enables receiving one or more donations in the form of cash or other offerings into the main container 102. In another embodiment, the offering cavity 124 is provided with an auxiliary hinged cover member (not shown), which is disposed in a normally covered state covering the offering cavity 124, and which is capable of rotatably opened at the time of offering into the offering cavity 124. In an alternative embodiment, the auxiliary hinged cover member is capable of being slidably supported on the offering cavity 124.
[00029] Fig. 2. illustrates a perspective view of the holding structure 108 of the storage device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the holding structure 108 includes one or more frame assembly, which includes a LH side supporting legs 210, and a RH side supporting legs 208. In an embodiment, the LH side supporting legs 210 and the RH side supporting legs 208 are connected and held together by means of a horizontally disposed base portion 216. In one embodiment, the supporting legs 208, 210 are disposed in such a manner that the base of the supporting legs 208, 210 is wider than the top. In an embodiment, the top region of the supporting legs 208, 210 is provided with a plummer block RH & LH 204, 202 respectively. In an embodiment, the plummer blocks 204, 202 enables rotatably supporting the main container 102. Further, in an embodiment, the base of the supporting legs 208, 210 are downwardly provided with floor locking members RH & LH 214, 212. In an embodiment, at least one of the supporting legs 208, 210 is provided with a horizontally disposed with a supporting structure 206 that is capable of supporting the gear box assembly 106.
[00030] Fig. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the main container 102 of the storage device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the main container 102 includes an inner chamber 302, an outer case 306, and a base member 310. In an embodiment, the donations including cash and other offerings are stored in the inner chamber 302 of the main container 102. In one embodiment, a separation wall 304 is a partition to create multiple separate chambers which is capable of segregating the offerings made inside the inner chamber 302 and can be made to dispense off independently of each other. Further, in an embodiment, the base member 310 is provided with curved edges enabling ease of handling during swiveling of the main container 102 at the time of cash collection. In an embodiment, at least one side of the outer case 306 of the main container 102 is provided with a support flange 308 that is capable of being rotatably coupled with the plummer blocks 202, 204 of the holding structure 108. Further, in an embodiment, a front face of the outer case 306 is provided with a hook member 312 for accommodating the latch member 132 enabling the primary lock member 130 to be locked. In an alternative embodiment, the hook member 312 is capable of acting as a secondary lock member 312, which can be accessed after unlocking the primary lock member 130.
[00031] Fig. 4 illustrates the cover assembly 104 of the storage device 100 in accordance to an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the cover assembly 104 is made of two parts, viz. the first part 122 that is fixedly attached to the main container 102, and the second part 116 that is hingedly coupled to the first part 122 and that is capable of rotatably closing the inner chamber 302 of the main container 102. In an embodiment, the second part 116 is hingedly coupled to the first part 122 by means of LH hinge joint 402 and the RH hinge joint 404. In an embodiment, the second part 116 is centrally provided with the rotatable handle 126, which acts as the tertiary lock member 126. In one embodiment, the second part 116 is forwardly provided with one or more projecting handle members 118 including a LH handle member 408 and a RH handle member 410 for facilitating opening and closing of the second part 116 of the cover assembly 104. In an embodiment, the first part 122 is provided with a laterally extending offering window 406 that is extended from the offering cavity 124.
[00032] Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective side view of the storage device 100 in a first tilted condition in accordance to an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the first tilted condition of the storage device 100 enables rotation of the main container 102 about the axis 502 of the main container 102 when the wheel handle 112 of the gear box assembly 106 is rotated in the clockwise direction. In an embodiment, the first tilted condition is achieved when the main container 102 is rotated to a first angle of rotation 504 about the axis 502. In an embodiment, the first angle of rotation 504 causes the main container 102 to rotate for a predetermined swivel angle ranging from 60° to 80°. In an embodiment, the first angle of rotation 504 of the main container 102 ensures that the main container 102 is rotated with ease during offloading of the collected cash inside the inner chamber 302. In another embodiment, the main container 102 can be rotated to the first angle of rotation 504 by means of a stepper motor (not shown) that is controller electrically by means of one or more switching units instead of the rotating wheel 112. In one alternative embodiment, the gear box assembly 106 is capable of retaining the main container in the first swivel position that is achieved through the rotation of the main container 102 by the first angle of rotation 504 to the first predetermined swivel angle.
[00033] Fig. 6. illustrates a perspective side view of the storage device 100 in a second tilted condition in accordance to an embodiment of the present subject matter. In an embodiment, the second tilted condition of the storage device 100 is achieved when the main container 102 is rotated to a second predetermined swivel angle ranging from 80° to 135° that is beyond the first predetermined swivel angle. In an embodiment, the rotation of the main container 102 beyond the first predetermined swivel angle to the second predetermined swivel angle is achieved by further rotation of the wheel handle 112. In an alternative embodiment, the above rotation can also be achieved electrically by means of the stepper motor (not shown) such that the cash and other offerings that are collected inside the inner chamber 302 of the main container are completely dispensed off when the main container 102 is retained at the second predetermined swivel angle caused by second angle of rotation 602 and when the second part 116 of the cover assembly 102 is in an opened condition. In one embodiment, the floor lock member 212, 214 are kept in a locked condition while rotating the main container 102 to the second predetermined swivel angle so that the storage device 100 does not move during the process of cash collection.
[00034] In an embodiment, the method of collecting cash and other offerings from the main container 102 of the storage device 100 includes the following operational sequence. In an embodiment, the present subject matter provides an operational method for storage and collection of cash and other offerings from the storage device 100 that is optimal, less time consuming, and that reduces the operational fatigue substantially. In an embodiment, the method involves opening of the primary lock member 130, which is followed by lifting the latch member 132 after opening the primary lock member 130. Further, the method involves opening the secondary lock member 312 after lifting the latch member 132. The method further involves rotating the main container 102 by the first angle of rotation 504 to access the tertiary lock member 126. In an embodiment, opening the tertiary lock member 126 is achieved at least by rotating the rotational handle 126 and by using a tertiary key.
[00035] Further, the method of operating the storage device 100 includes closing the auxiliary cover disposed above the offering cavity 124, and keeping the second part 116 of the cover assembly 104 completely in opening condition. Further, the method involves ensuring that a collection box is placed below the opening zone of the main container 102 for collecting cash and other offerings from the inside chamber 302 of the main container 102.
[00036] In an embodiment, the method further involves rotating the main container 102 by the second angle of rotation 602 and till the main container 102 attains the second predetermined swivel angle and till the main container 102 is completely dispensed off the cash that is collected inside the inner chamber 302. The method also involves bringing back the main container to the first predetermined swivel angle position. In one embodiment, rotating the wheel handle 112 in an anti-clockwise direction brings the main container 102 back to the first swivel angle position from the second swivel angle position.
[00037] In an embodiment, the method involves closing the second part 116 of the cover assembly 104, for example, in an embodiment, the second part 116 can be retained by a s-shaped hook, which is capable of released at the time of closure. The method also involves locking the tertiary lock member 126 in the reverse sequence of its unlocking.
[00038] Further, the method includes tilting the main container 102 back to the upright position by further rotating the wheel handle 112 in anti-clockwise direction, which is followed by locking the secondary lock member 312 in the reverse sequence of its unlocking. Further, the method involves locking the primary lock member 130 after closing the latch member 132 back to its original position, and opening the auxiliary cover disposed above the offering cavity 124.
[00039] Many modifications and variations of the present subject matter are possible in the light of above disclosure. Therefore, within the scope of claims of the present subject matter, the present disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A storage device (100) for collecting, storing, and dispensing at least one of a valued medium of exchange, and a valued offering, said storage device (100) comprising:
a. a main container (102) containing at least one storage compartment for collecting and storing said at least one of a valued medium of exchange, and said valued offering, said main container (102) having a base member (310) that is closed and disposed substantially above a ground level, and a top portion of said main container (102) having an opening; said main container (102) comprises a separation wall (304) to create a multiple separate chamber to segregate offerings;
b. a cover assembly (104) disposed on said top portion of said main container (102), said cover assembly (104) having a first part (122) capable of covering at least a first portion of said opening of said main container (102), and a second part (116) hingedly coupled to one or more hinge joints (120) of said first part (122), said second part (116) capable of opening and closing about said hinge joints (120) and covering at least a second portion of said opening;
c. a holding structure (108) comprising a first frame member and a second frame member capable of rotatably mounting said main container (102), said main container (102) capable of swiveling about an axis (502) joining a top end of said first frame member and said second frame member upto a predetermined swivel angle; a broad bottom end of said frame members includes one or more castor wheels (128) capable of moving said storage device (100) in more than one direction, said broad bottom end further includes at least one floor locking member (114) capable of holding said storage device (100) firmly on a ground surface (110); and
d. at least one gear box assembly (106) disposed substantially adjoining at least one of said first frame member and said second frame member of said holding structure (108), said at least one gear box assembly (106) capable of rotating said main container (102) beyond said predetermined swivel angle.
2. The storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first part (122) of said cover assembly (104) includes at least one laterally extending offering cavity (124).
3. The storage device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said offering cavity (124) includes one or more auxiliary hinge joints spaced apart from each other, said one or more auxiliary hinge joints capable of rotatably mounting at least one lid for covering said offering cavity (124).
4. The storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said storage device (100) further comprises a plurality of lock members including a first lock member capable of locking said second part (116) of said cover assembly (104) with said main container (102), said second part (116) including at least one latch member (132) and said main container (102) including at least one projection capable of projecting into a slot provided on said at least one latch member (132) for locking operation.
5. The storage device (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said plurality of lock members includes a second lock member disposed substantially above said at least one projection on said main container (102), said second lock member covered by said at least one latch member (132) when said first lock member is in locked state.
6. The storage device (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said plurality of lock members including a third lock member disposed substantially projecting upwardly from a top surface of said second part (116) of said cover assembly (104), said third lock member capable of being operated after unlocking of said first and said second lock members while unlocking said cover assembly (104), and before locking of said second and said first lock members while locking said cover assembly (104), and wherein said third lock member is capable of being operated upon swiveling of said main container (102) for a predetermined swivel angle ranging from 60° to 80°.
7. The storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and said second frame members of said holding structure (108) includes a tapered top end and a broad bottom end having a width more than said top end, said top end of said frame members including a plummer block (202,204) , side surfaces of said main container (102) containing a support flange (308) capable of being rotatably mounted to corresponding said plummer block (202,204) disposed on said tapered top end of said first and second frame members for causing swiveling motion of said main container (102).
8. The storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and said second frame members of said holding structure (108) comprising RH side supporting leg (208) and LH side supporting leg (210).
9. The storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said gear box assembly (106) comprises a worm and worm gear arrangement connected to a rotatable wheel handle (112), rotation of said rotatable wheel handle (112) translating into rotation of said main container (102) beyond said predetermined swivel angle ranging from 80° to 135°.
10. The storage device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein valued medium of exchange is a currency in form of paper notes and metallic coins.