GB2392436A

GB2392436A - Equipment carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2392436A
Application number: GB0213682A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Karl William Harper
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-06-13
Filing date: 2002-06-13
Publication date: 2004-03-03
Also published as: GB0213682D0

Abstract

A carrier for the storage and transportation of items of equipment, particularly collapsible music stands. The carrier comprises an assemblage of tubes or cylinders which are tessellated and fixed together. The tubes are split into two parts at a convenient position along their lengths, providing a carrier with separate upper 1 and lower 2 elements. Locating devices (12, fig 3) may be provided to accurately align the upper and lower elements of the carrier and to bear any side loads which may occur. Covers 3, 8 may be provided below the lower element and above the upper element. A strap 5 connected to both covers may be provided to maintain the upper and lower elements of the carrier in the closed position and provide a means of transporting the carrier. Rollers 9 may be provided on the lower element to enable the carrier to be dragged over the ground. Feet 10 on the base of the lower cover would provide stability when the carrier is positioned upright on the ground.

Description

Equipment carrier The invention relates to a carrier and storage device

for collapsible music stands or items of equipment for which the carrier may be employed. Carriers may then be used for convenient transport, counting and storage.

Single holders or boxes are common, but when several items are to be transport-

ed, say for a band or orchestra, they are normally put into a bag or crate, where they tangle, are easily broken and it is impossible to know how many good ones there are. On arrival at the venue they also have to be separated, counted and car-

ried to the performance setup area peace meal.

The object of this invention is to separate the items while they are being carried, to protect them, to be able to count the required number without removal from the carrier and to transport them easily by providing a multiple compartmented earner. Accordingly, this invention provides receptacles in any required number set to-

gether into a protective carrier, enabling the items to be easily and safely counted, stored and transported.

Preferably the carriers could be made in metal or plastic, but could be made in any material or combination of materials which fulfils the application.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which FIGURE 1 shows a view of the whole carrier.

FIGURE 2 shows an enlarged view of the strap retention system FIGURE 3 shows the carrier with the top lifted.

FIGURE 4 shows the carrier fully opened with the top laid to one side.

As shown in Figure 1 the carrier comprises an assemblage of tubes which are tessellated and fixed together. The cross section of these tubes is a plane geometrical shape. The assembly shown is comprised of ten cylindrical tubes arranged as a triangular prism. However any cross section which fits the objects being stored or transported could be used and the number of tubes and their arrangement adapted to suit the application.

In the illustration the ten circular cross section tubes are split at a convenient point along their length, giving a top 1 and bottom 2 for each tube. The ten tubes 1 are then fixed together to form a top assembly and the ten tubes 2 fixed together to form a bottom assembly each of the same plan form. The top 3 covers the ends of the top assembly and is secured by items 4, which provide anchoring to the fixing devices in both components. Items 7 retain the bottom cover 8 in a similar way on the bottom assembly and also incorporate feet l 0.

The top assembly is held in contact with the bottom assembly during transport by the strap 5. The strap S is positioned conveniently to allow the carrier to be picked up without tipping. The two ends of the strap 5 are fixed under the bottom cover 8. The strap then passes over cutouts on opposite sides of the cover 8 and is protected at this point by antichafe strips 11. The strap 5 then runs up the sides of the assembled carrier to cutouts in the top cover 3. These cut outs are protected by anti-chafe strips 11. Where the strap passes over these top cutouts, the strap 5 is held in line by retainers 6. The retainers 6 keep the strap 5 parallel to itself and the carrier when the carrier is assembled. The retainers 6 also keep the strap lined up to and retain the top assembly from loss when removed. Figure 4 When the carrier is assembled and the strap 5 pulled tight the carrier is clamped together in either a vertical (shown) or horizontal position by the effect of gravity and the angle of the strap 5.

On a convenient side, rollers 9 of a known design are fitted to allow the carrier assembly to be tilted over and dragged by the now tight strap 5.

Figure 3 shows the two assemblies parted until the strap is tight, for viewing the contents. The size, length and cross section of the assembled tubes, the strap and the position of the split points, are arranged to suit the height of the items carried to enable the top to be removed with the strap attached. On convenient tubes location devices 12 are fitted (here three internal rings) to ensure the top assembly accurately locates on the bottom and to carry any side loads which may occur. Figure 4 shows the carrier with the top removed for access to the contents.

Claims

I A carrier made from an assemblage of tubes split to form a top and bottom which are held together during carriage by a clamping/carrying device relying only on angles and gravity for security.
2 A carrier as claimed in claim I whose top and bottom halves are located by spigots 12 fixed to the inner areas of the top and bottom and which locate the two halves and carry any lateral forces.
3 A carrier as claimed in claim I or claim 2 with low friction feet on the end remote from the clamping/carrying device to allow the carrier to be dragged by the clamping/carrying device.
4 A carrier as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 with cover devices fixed to the outer ends of the tubes to retain the contents
5 A carrier as claimed in any proceeding claim, wherein the end remote from the top is fitted with feet to allow it to rest stably in an upright position.
6 A carrier substantially as described herin with reference to Figures 14 of the accompanying drawings.