GB2183994A

GB2183994A - Travel drawer

Info

Publication number: GB2183994A
Application number: GB08508991A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerald Barry Maguire
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-04-09
Filing date: 1985-04-09
Publication date: 1987-06-17
Also published as: GB8508991D0

Abstract

The travel drawer comprises a rectangular case open at one end, with a drawer insert. A rubber sealing ring surrounds the open end of the case which also has two dovetail female type recesses in the top and two dovetail type projections in the base. The drawer units can be combined to form a chest of drawers by slipping one module on top of another and joining the two modules with the dovetail male and female connections. The drawer has a centrally positioned recessed handle and two locking slides on either side of the drawer front. The modules can be attached to the roof of a car by means of a 'H' framework structure with female dovetail recesses. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Travel Drawer This invention relates to a 'suitcase type' of storage box which opens for loading as a drawer from the front. Each box has design characteristics such that two or more boxes may be joined in the form of modules, the whole forming what can be best described as a chest of drawers.

In the camping leisure industry, there has been a considerable increase in the number of people (particularly families with young children) taking camping holidays. In the main this growth stems from: The relative cheapness of camping against other forms of holiday.

The availability of more sophisticated camping equipment giving greater levels of comfort.

The use of the motor car-which has enabled campers to transport more clothes/personal effects/ equipment than previously possible to aid comfort and enjoyment.

In the transport of clothing and personal effects, most campers use conventional suitcases. The suitcases are usually strapped to a roof rack attached to the roof of a car and covered with a form of plastic sheet to give protection from the weather.

Having arrived at the camp site, and erected the tent, clothes and personal effects are usually stored in the suitcases (used for storage when travelling) and placed in the sleeping compartments of the tent.

This means of transporting/storing clothes personal effects/equipment has the following limitations/drawbacks: Suitcases were primarily developed for the transport of clothes and personal effects, not the storage required when camping.

The design was not intended to give the maximum durability required in the camping environment.

The relative cost of suitcases is high.

The space taken up in the tent (access is difficult if cases are stored one upon another).

The back-aching business of opening suitcases on the floor to obtain and/or deposit clothes.

Suitcases are not designed as damp/waterproof receptacles. This is an obvious drawback in the camping environment, where dampness is an occupational hazard.

Suitcases are not designed specifically for the transport of materials on car roof racks.

The major limitations are: (a) Most suitcases have projections, e.g., handles, which inhibit 'neat' stacking side by side.

(b) Suitcases are susceptible to adverse weather conditions.

The invention outlined in this document addresses these limitations outlined above.

According to the present invention, there is provided a sealed rectangular carcus case open at one end into which a drawer is fitted. The carcus and drawer together form a module. Design characteristics such as 'male' projections and female recesses form part of the case structure. This enables two or more complete modules to slide and lock together (one on top of the other) in multiples as required. Feet are fitted to the base of the lowest module to lift it off the ground. A rubber seal is fitted around the open end of the case carcus which acts as a watertight seal when the drawer is closed. The whole comprises a compact storage facility offering both easy access and minimum space requirements. The product is formed by plastic injection moulding techniques and/or extrustion techniques, and as such is both relatively inexpensive (when compared to the cost of a suitcase) and durable.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 shows one carcus case and inset (closed) drawer view from top.

Figure 2 shows three modules stacked together with one module showing the drawer open.

Figure 3 shows a single module with base upwards.

Figure 4 shows a 'H' structure/framework necessary to attach carcus modules to the roof of a motor vehicle.

Referring to the drawing, the travel drawer comprises a sealed rectangular carcus with a drawer unit 2. Both the carcus and drawer unit are made from plastic manufactured by injection moulding and/or extrusion techniques. Each carcus unit has "2" dovetail female type recesses in the top 3 with "2" dovetail male type projections in the base 4.

Both the carcus unit and drawer have guides to facilitate the opening and closing of the drawer unit 5. The drawer front 6 has two slides to lock the drawer to the carcus 7. The open end front of the case carcus has a lip inside the front open edge which incorporates a rubber sealing ring 8. This ring stretches completely around the open edge, partly inserted into the lip recess for retention purposes.

The drawer front incorporates a handle and recess in the centre front 9 to enable lift. In order to connect two or more modules (comprising carcus case and drawer) each module is connected by slipping one module on top of another joining the male and female dovetail recesses. (See Fig. 2). One or more modules are stood off the ground by leg facilities 10 which are adjustable for height (individually). The modules may be fitted to the 'H' type plastic car rack. (See Fig. 4) for transport on the roof of a motor vehicle. The female type dovetail recesses in the 'H' framework structure are positioned to enable the module units (2 side by side) to be fixed to the roof 'H' framework structure roof rack.

1. A sealed rectangular case structure open at one end made in one piece from plastic or 'poly' plastic type material (yet to be specified) manufactured by either injection moulding and/or extrusion techniques.

2. A sealed rectangular case structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a recess lip is constructed around the inside front open edge of the carcus case which will incorporate a rubber sealing ring which

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Travel Drawer This invention relates to a 'suitcase type' of storage box which opens for loading as a drawer from the front. Each box has design characteristics such that two or more boxes may be joined in the form of modules, the whole forming what can be best described as a chest of drawers. In the camping leisure industry, there has been a considerable increase in the number of people (particularly families with young children) taking camping holidays. In the main this growth stems from: The relative cheapness of camping against other forms of holiday. The availability of more sophisticated camping equipment giving greater levels of comfort. The use of the motor car-which has enabled campers to transport more clothes/personal effects/ equipment than previously possible to aid comfort and enjoyment. In the transport of clothing and personal effects, most campers use conventional suitcases. The suitcases are usually strapped to a roof rack attached to the roof of a car and covered with a form of plastic sheet to give protection from the weather. Having arrived at the camp site, and erected the tent, clothes and personal effects are usually stored in the suitcases (used for storage when travelling) and placed in the sleeping compartments of the tent. This means of transporting/storing clothes personal effects/equipment has the following limitations/drawbacks: Suitcases were primarily developed for the transport of clothes and personal effects, not the storage required when camping. The design was not intended to give the maximum durability required in the camping environment. The relative cost of suitcases is high. The space taken up in the tent (access is difficult if cases are stored one upon another). The back-aching business of opening suitcases on the floor to obtain and/or deposit clothes. Suitcases are not designed as damp/waterproof receptacles. This is an obvious drawback in the camping environment, where dampness is an occupational hazard. Suitcases are not designed specifically for the transport of materials on car roof racks. The major limitations are: (a) Most suitcases have projections, e.g., handles, which inhibit 'neat' stacking side by side. (b) Suitcases are susceptible to adverse weather conditions. The invention outlined in this document addresses these limitations outlined above. According to the present invention, there is provided a sealed rectangular carcus case open at one end into which a drawer is fitted. The carcus and drawer together form a module. Design characteristics such as 'male' projections and female recesses form part of the case structure. This enables two or more complete modules to slide and lock together (one on top of the other) in multiples as required. Feet are fitted to the base of the lowest module to lift it off the ground. A rubber seal is fitted around the open end of the case carcus which acts as a watertight seal when the drawer is closed. The whole comprises a compact storage facility offering both easy access and minimum space requirements. The product is formed by plastic injection moulding techniques and/or extrustion techniques, and as such is both relatively inexpensive (when compared to the cost of a suitcase) and durable. A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 shows one carcus case and inset (closed) drawer view from top. Figure 2 shows three modules stacked together with one module showing the drawer open. Figure 3 shows a single module with base upwards. Figure 4 shows a 'H' structure/framework necessary to attach carcus modules to the roof of a motor vehicle. Referring to the drawing, the travel drawer comprises a sealed rectangular carcus with a drawer unit 2. Both the carcus and drawer unit are made from plastic manufactured by injection moulding and/or extrusion techniques. Each carcus unit has "2" dovetail female type recesses in the top 3 with "2" dovetail male type projections in the base 4. Both the carcus unit and drawer have guides to facilitate the opening and closing of the drawer unit 5. The drawer front 6 has two slides to lock the drawer to the carcus 7. The open end front of the case carcus has a lip inside the front open edge which incorporates a rubber sealing ring 8. This ring stretches completely around the open edge, partly inserted into the lip recess for retention purposes. The drawer front incorporates a handle and recess in the centre front 9 to enable lift. In order to connect two or more modules (comprising carcus case and drawer) each module is connected by slipping one module on top of another joining the male and female dovetail recesses. (See Fig. 2). One or more modules are stood off the ground by leg facilities 10 which are adjustable for height (individually). The modules may be fitted to the 'H' type plastic car rack. (See Fig. 4) for transport on the roof of a motor vehicle. The female type dovetail recesses in the 'H' framework structure are positioned to enable the module units (2 side by side) to be fixed to the roof 'H' framework structure roof rack. CLAIMS

2. A sealed rectangular case structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein a recess lip is constructed around the inside front open edge of the carcus case which will incorporate a rubber sealing ring which stretches completely around the open edge partly inserted in the lip recess for retention purposes.

3. A sealed rectangular carcus as claimed in claim 2 above, with two dovetail female type recesses in the top side of the carcus running from the rear to end nearthefront edge.

4. A sealed rectangular carcus as claimed in claim 3 above, with two dovetailed male type projections in the base of the carcus running from the rear to end near the front edge.

The position of the male and female recesses to be such that one carcus case can be slipped on top of another and joined symetricaliy without overlap on any edge.

5. A drawer to fit the sealed rectangular carcus case claimed in claim 4 above, with drawer guides incorporated on the outside of each drawer side.

6. A drawer as claimed in claim 5 above, with a handle in a recess in the centre of the drawer front.

7. A drawer as claimed in claim 6 above, the twin locking slides situtated at either side of the drawer front. The sildes move in a horizontal plane in such a way as to fit into a receptacle holes either side of the front edge of the carcus case. A locking facility is enabled once the drawer is closed and the clips moved in a horizontal plane. The drawer slides are recessed sufficiently into the drawer front to ensure no projection out from the drawer front.

8. A plastic 'H' type roof rack structure/framework with claps on each end to fit in the roof gully on top of a car roof. The 'H' structure to incorporate two dovetail female type recesses running from back to front of the car, positioned in such away as to enable the sealed rectangular carcus structure outlined in claim 7 above to slide on and hold the 'H' rack on the car roof.

9. A sealed rectangular carcus case with an integral drawer as described herein with reference to figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawing.