GB2203056A - Multi-part carrying device - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-part tray, especially for holding the pieces of jigsaw puzzle, comprises a first open-topped tray (10) within which jigsaw puzzle pieces for example can be placed, at least one second open-topped tray (24) within which other pieces can be placed, and an intermediate divider (34). Preferably, the divider (34) is first fitted into the second tray (24) and the combination is then inverted and nested into the first tray (10). The divider (34) has a compressible foam material on each side with a non-planar surface configuration to exert pressure on the pieces in the trays. <IMAGE>

Description

MULTI-PART CARRYING DEVICE SPECIFICATION This invention relates generally to a multi-part carrying device, and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with a device which can be used for holding the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

The piecing together of a jigsaw puzzle normally takes a long time, particularly with large jigsaw puzzles, and therefore is often accomplished in stages over quite a long period of time. This immediately gives rise to the problem of how to store the jigsaw puzzle in a partially completed state, without losing any pieces and without disturbing the partially completed jigsaw puzzle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a multi-part carrying device which provides a solution to this problem. Although the device of the present invention is particularly well suited for holding jigsaw puzzle pieces, it can also be used for other applications, wherever it may be necessary to retain items in position on a flat surface so that they can be moved en bloc.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a multi-part carrying device which is portable, so that the device, when assembled, can be carried from place to place while still retaining the pieces in position.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a multi-part carrying device comprising first means defining a first open-topped compartment within which items can be placed, second means defining at least one second open-topped compartment within which other items can be placed, and an intermediate divider between said first and second means, wherein said first and second means are arranged to be held in contact with said divider thereby to retain the items in both or all said compartments in their placed positions.

Preferably, the divider is placed in said first or second means, and said first and second means are nested with each other to retain the items in place.

Preferably, the intermediate divider comprises a plate or board which has a surface configuration on both sides which is capable of a degree of compression and exerts a retaining pressure on individual items within the compartments. For example, the intermediate divider may comprise a flat sheet of material provided on both sides with a foam material which has a nonplanar surface, e.g. prominent and relieved areas, so that the foam material is capable of a degree of compression when the first and second means are brought together. In one presently preferred embodiment, the foam material has the surface configuration of a plurality of rows of pyramids arranged to have their apices in contact with the items placed in the compartments.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the intermediate divider is arranged to be latched into place in said first or in said second means in order first to retain in position those items in that compartment, and then the means fitted with the divider is inverted and latched into place in the other of said means to form an assembled unit.

The references above to the first and second means being "nested" with each other is intended to cover not only an arrangement where the two means defining the compartments are fitted physically one inside the other, but also an arrangement where the means defining the respective compartments are brought into surface to surface contact one with the other and then secured together against relative movement.

The multi-part carrying device of the present invention is preferably provided with suitable locking means and a handle or handles whereby the assembled device can be carried from place to place without any disturbance of the items, such as jigsaw puzzle pieces, within the assembled unit.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a number of embodiments of multi-part carrying device in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a first embodiment of device; Fig. 2 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of device; and Fig. 3 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of device.

The embodiments shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are essentially similar, that shown in Fig. 1 being a "single" tray and that shown in Fig. 2 being a "double" tray. The same elements in the respective views are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Referring first to Fig. 1, there is shown a rectangular base tray 10 which comprises a base 12 having a flat surface, and an upstanding wall 14 which thus defines an open-topped compartment. Items, such as jigsaw puzzle pieces, can be laid within this compartment and assembled within it, with the tray thus functioning as a work station. The wall 14 on one side of the tray is provided with a carrying handle 16. The inside surface of the opposite wall of the tray is provided with retaining pegs 18. The shorter length end walls 14 are each provided with a hole 20 therethrough to receive the stem of a retaining pin 22.

A second part of the composite unit comprises a second tray indicated generally at 24 which likewise has a peripheral upstanding wall 26 which defines an open-topped compartment having a flat interior surface 28. The dimensions of the tray 24 are such that, when inverted, it will fit snugly within the open-topped compartment defined by the peripheral wall 14 of the base tray 10. One of the longer side walls of the tray 24 is provided with two holes 30 which interengage with the pegs 18 of the base tray. The two shorter length end walls of the tray 24 are provided with slots 32 through which the stems of the pins 22 can pass.

A divider element 34 is arranged to fit within the top tray 24. The internal face of the wall 26 of the top tray 24 which is provided with the two holes 30 is grooved along its length to receive one longer edge of the divider 34. With that edge located in the groove the divider can be fitted down into the tray 24 and a pair of retaining clips 36 can then be operated to hold the divider element 34 securely in place within the tray. The divider element 34 comprises a flat rectangular sheet which is provided on both surfaces with a compressible foam material which has a configuration such that when the divider element is placed into the tray 24 and is locked into place therein the foam material will exert a pressure on items, such as jigsaw puzzle pieces, which are on the flat surface 28 of the tray, thereby holding them in their placed positions against movement.It has been found that foam material shaped as a plurality of rows of pyramids is particularly effective in providing point-by-point contact appropriate for jigsaw puzzle pieces. It has been found that a divider element 34 which has an irregular surface configuration is better than a foam material which has a smooth surface overall. The divider element 34 is provided with a lifting handle 38 to enable it more easily to be grasped.

In use, with a partially completed jigsaw puzzle in the base tray 10, and with the remaining jigsaw puzzle pieces set out on the surface 28 of the top tray 24, the divider element 34 is placed down into the top tray and is clipped into position to hold the jigsaw puzzle pieces in place. Then, the top tray 24 and divider element 34 are inverted and placed down into the opentopped compartment which is defined by the base tray 10. The pegs 18 are located in the holes 30 and the pins 22 are fitted into place to secure the two parts into an assembled unit. By this assembly, not only are the loose jigsaw puzzle pieces held securely in place within the top tray by the foam material on one side of the divider element 34, but the partially assembled jigsaw puzzle is also held securely in place within the base tray 10 by the foam material on the other side of the divider element 34.

Referring now to Fig. 2, this shows the "double" tray embodiment where the base tray 10 is of larger dimensions. In this embodiment there are two top trays 24a and 24b, which nest side by side within the base tray 10 when the unit is assembled. Similarly, the tray comprises two divider elements 34a and 34b associated with the respective top trays. In Fig. 2 one can see the groove 40 which is provided in one of the longer walls of each top tray to receive the edge of the divider element 34a, 34b when this is latched into place within the top tray. In this embodiment the carrying handle 16 is provided on a different wall of the base tray as compared with Fig. 1. Additionally, instead of having the two trays secured together by pins as in Fig.1, the double embodiment shown in Fig.

2 has a pair of retaining brackets 42 which are provided with pins 44 and which can be pushed into place on opposite sides of the base tray 10 in order to hold the two top trays securely in place within the base tray when the unit is assembled. It will be apparent that any alternative fastening mechanism may be used within the scope of the present invention.

Also visible in Fig. 2 is a recess 45 which is provided in the wall of each top tray 24a, 24b to enable the user to grip the tray and raise it from the base tray.

In Fig. 1 the wall of the base tray 10 adjacent to the handle 16 is recessed for the same purpose.

The multi-part carrying device of Figs. 1 and 2 can also be used as part of another item, for example as a top to a table. In other words, when the conventional table top is turned over to expose the tray one can simply open it up to convert it into a surface upon which the jigsaw puzzle can be assembled. With such an arrangement the internal tray or trays may be joined to the base tray by hinged joints so that the parts are nested together by a folding action. Such hinge joints can also be used with the tray even if it is not part of another item and is simply a portable unit as shown in the drawings.

The carrying device can also be fitted with legs, which may be designed to be folded away, in order to make it a self-contained jigsaw puzzle table and/or to enable it to be fitted for example to a bed for those who are bedridden.

In the modified carrying device shown in Fig. 3 there are first and second trays 50 and 52. These trays can be standard domestic or catering trays for example, which means that they can be used not only as part of the carrying device of the present invention but also for other purposes. A central divider, indicated generally at 54, comprises a plate, board or the like 56 which is provided on each face with a foam material 58, such as is described above in relation to Figs. 1 and 2. The bottom of the divider plate 56 is provided with a rib 60 which is provided along each side of the plate with a recess 62 of a length sufficient to receive one of the longer edges of one of the trays 50,52. The divider plate 56 is also provided with a hole 64 to serve as a carrying handle, and with pairs of catches 66 which serve to retain the trays in place.

In use, with a partially completed jigsaw puzzle for example in tray 50, the central divider 54 is laid down on top of the tray 50 and is held in place by the recess 62 and catches 66. The assembly of tray 50 and divider 52 is then picked up and placed down on to the other tray 52 which itself will have jigsaw puzzle pieces laid out thereon. This second tray 52 is then clipped into place and the complete assembly can then be picked up. The foam material 58 on each side of the divider will hold the individual items securely in place within the respective trays on each side of the divider.

Claims (7)

CLAIMS:

1. A multi-part carrying device comprising first means defining a first open-topped compartment within which items can be placed, second means defining at least one second open-topped compartment within which other items can be placed, and an intermediate divider between said first and second means, wherein said first and second means are arranged to be held in contact with said divider thereby to retain the items in both or all said compartments in their placed positions.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which the divider is placed in said first or second means, and said first and second means are nested with each other to retain the items in place.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, in which the divider comprises a plate or board which has a surface configuration on both sides which is capable of a degree of compression and exerts a retaining pressure on individual items within the compartments.

4. A device according to claim 1,2 or 3, in which the divider comprises a flat sheet of material provided on both sides with a foam material which has a nonplanar surface configuration.

5. A device according to claim 4, in which the foam material has the surface configuration of a plurality of rows of pyramids arranged to have their apices in contact with the items placed in the compartments.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, in which said divider is arranged to be latched into place in said first or in said second means in order first to retain in position those items in that compartment, and then the means fitted with the divider is inverted and latched into place in the other of said means to form an assembled unit.

7. A multi-part carrying device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.