GB2512593A

GB2512593A - A carrier

Info

Publication number: GB2512593A
Application number: GB1305904.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donovon Leon Harris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-04-02
Filing date: 2013-04-02
Publication date: 2014-10-08
Anticipated expiration: 2033-04-02
Also published as: GB2512593A8; GB201305904D0; GB2512593B

Abstract

A carrier comprises a carriage means 1 arranged to support an elongate body 3 on a user, said body 3 defining a lacuna 4 arranged for closely surrounding cuboid material in use, and arranged with an access mechanism to allow lateral access to said lacuna. The body 3 may be made up of six side panels wherein three are fixed panels 9,10 and three are displaceable panels 7,8. The carrier is particularly suited for carrying cubiod material such as building bricks and blocks.

Description

I

A CARRIER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a carrier, more particularly but not exclusively a carrier for stacked bricks or blocks.

Backnround Building or repairing structures such as houses often requires use of bricks or block materials. Each brick must be individually laid and as the height of the building walls increases a bricklayer may be required to work from height, for example on a scaffolding lift in order to reach the top of the wall. Additionally the bricks required for building must also be moved from the delivery location to the working location such as up on the scaffolding so that the bricklayer can reach them. SO 00

Typically a builder may have a brick hod which they fill with bricks and carry to where they are required. However the hod is typically open therefore if not carried in the correct alignment bricks can fall. Furthermore the hod is often rested against a users shoulder and supported by their arm when being carried meaning that they may have only one spare hand when moving the bricks for example climbing a ladder.

*:** Therefore the user may be less stable whilst carrying the bricks and more susceptible S...

* to accident or injury. S.

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PriorArt Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: Korean patent application KR2001 0006556 (OLERIO) provides a rack system for a backpack which is secured to the interior of a standard backpack! and is accessible by means of a zippered flap in the backpack. The rack system has rigid side walls with slots or brackets for receiving a plurality of shelves either slidably or by snap fit connections. The shelves are angled for appropriate distribution of the weight of materials that the wearer is carrying. Optionally, at least one shelf may be equipped with a hinged lid and divided into compartments for storage of small items such as pens, rulers, etc. The shelves allow far improved organization of the backpack which subsequently prevents materials from being damaged.

United Kingdom patent application GB 2 349 808 (PECK) discloses a rigid rucksack comprises a rigid casing, which is constructed in two unequal sized parts joined by a hinge, provided with padding and carrying straps mounted on the outside of the smaller casing part. Preferably the hinge axis is vertically aligned when the rucksack is carried by a user on his back and the rucksack is provided with lockable clasps fitted to the outside of the casing for securing the two casing parts together. The rucksack may be made of plastic or metal and may be provided with moulded or bolt on attachment fixtures 8 on the outside of the casing for externally securing additional baggage. The rucksack may have a waist strap.

United States patent application US 5 477 997 (WEATHERLY) discloses a device for carrying bricks, said device comprising: a belt; a harness attached to said belt; a holder attached to said belt and having an inner surface, said inner surface of said holder dimensioned to hold said bricks, said holder having means formed therein for spacing said bricks apart from said inner surface of said holder; a plate, said plate having curved end portions being connected to said belt and a flat portion intermediate said end portions having a hole therein and being located adjacent said belt; a sleeve rotatably disposed within said hole: and means for fixably attaching said holder to said sleeve so that said holder rotates with respect to said flat portion S...

* of said plate. *Ss

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a carrier comprising a carrier comprising a carriage means arranged to support an elongate body on a user, said body defining a lacuna arranged for closely surrounding cuboid material in use, and arranged with an access mechanism to allow lateral access to said lacuna.

In some embodiments said carriage means allows the user to strap the carrier to themselves or more particularly their torso, shoulders or back in use, wherein the carriage means transfers weight of the material carried within the body across and to plural points about the user, so as to prevent discomfort and damage to the user, and in addition or the alternative enable greater quantities of material to be carried.

In order to remove and insert the materials the body advantageously allows lateral access in order that a larger area of the material is visible and accessible to the user during access, wherein a load of material may be added to the body, and said body is dimensioned so as to fit within the body, advantageously with minimal room for movement once the materials are in place and the access mechanism closed.

The lacuna in some embodiments is suitable for containing a plurality of cuboids such as bricks or blocks and in different embodiments is accordingly dimensioned with reference to standard brick or block sizes, to ensure movement of the bricks or blocks is minimised once the access mechanism is closed.

Typical embodiments thereby comprise a brick carrier comprising: a body dimensioned to receive a plurality of stacked bricks wherein the body provides a central lacuna that is substantially rectangular. In order to provide the access mechanism typically the body is arranged with at least one displaceable panel, which panel is displaced such as on a hinge to open the body and allow access to the lacuna, and allow addition or subtraction to a vertical stack of bricks. *...

" 20 In some other embodiments the access mechanism comprises at least one removeable panel.

* In this way a plurality of bricks is capable of vertical or horizontal stacking and a **.

plurality of bricks may be added to or subtracted from the stack with ease.

In order to accomplish this, the panel is ideally displaced from the body, for example through use of a side, or top or bottom hinge. Ideally in order to increase access and allow easier movement of the materials more than one part or portion of the body is displaceable.

In some embodiments therefore the body is arranged with at least two displaceable portions, wherein for example three faces of the brick box are moulded or formed so as to form a rigid corner brace, caddy or V-section for supporting the bricks.

Preferably said caddy comprises a base and two sides so for example the bricks can be stacked on the base up to but not beyond the height of the sides.

Two further side panels and a lid panel may be provided to complete the body so that the bricks can be enclosed in use, in particular when the bricks are being moved to prevent the bricks falling out. Said two sides and the lid may be displaceable so that the body can be readily opened to receive and remove bricks.

It may be envisaged that in some embodiments the sides and lid may be displaced so as to readily acces or load the bricks from various orientations, although in some situations only one of the sides or only the lid may be removed to gain access.

In some embodiments the displaceable portions may be displaced so as to not interfere with the materials or access, Typically the displaceable sides are attached to one another and/or the caddy at fixtures such as hinges or slideable on runners. In this way the sides can be readily displaced and repositioned and attached securely so as to minimise accidental or unauthorised movement. * * . * *

In some embodiments the hinges are externally mounted so as not to be knocked in use by the bricks which may damage or weaken the fixtures. Furthermore by being externally mounted the fixtures can be readily replaced if required. Typically the body may include recessed portions to accept the fixtures, 0** t*.

* In some embodiments the sides and lid may additionally or alternatively connect to en each other and the caddy by interlocking fixtures such as mating parts for example snap fittings or corresponding male and female or hook parts. Furthermore the interlocking portions may be lockable so as prevent opening.

In some embodiments every edge of every side or the lid that is capable of displacement includes at least one means of attachment to an adjoining edge or fixture. For example a first edge on one side may be connected to another by fixtures so as to be displaceable. Second, third and fourth edges of the same side may then be accepted to adjacent edges by means of attachment so as to close the body wherein said means of attachment is reversed for the access mechanism.

In this way, for the before mentioned embodiment the body can only be opened by disconnecting and/or displacing at least three edges from others, therefore accidental opening is reduced and the body has superior strength. It may be envisaged that in some embodiments that at least two connections are included on each side or on the lid.

The body may be formed from a strong, durable material such as synthetic plastic for example Nylon (Trade Mark) or a polyurethane with a shore hardness of D80.

In some embodiments the body may be reinforced with inserts or a lattice. For example a metal or alloy lattice may be provided within each side for improved strength.

The base may include at least one aperture and ideally a plurality of apertures so as to allow drainage of liquid for example rain water and to allow the body to be easily washed and drained.

In preferred embodiments at least one of the body's outward facing sides includes * straps for enabling the body to be carried by the user on their back.

**.*** * * The straps may be dimensioned for passing over a users shoulders so that the body may be carried on the user's back in a similar manner to that of a back pack and wherein preferably the straps are formed from strong, durable, flexible material such as a polyweave material. For example the strap may be formed from Nylon (Trade *** Mark) webbing.

Ideally the straps may be semi rigid so as to not trail whilst not in use and so as to be readily positioned over the user's shoulders. For example the straps may include a layer, cover or insert of resiliently deformable material to provide some form to the straps. Advantageously this also limits the straps from cutting into the user's shoulders whilst carrying the brick box. For example the straps may include portions of resiliently deformable material such as foam or neoprene.

Additionally the body side that houses the straps may also be padded for additional user comfort, in particular to provide a soft surface for the user's shoulders, back or torso.

In some embodiments the body side supporting carrying straps may include a lumber pad for lower back support in use and a waist band for securing about the user in use. Advantageously the lumber pad also serves to position the body against the user's back tilting the top towards the back rather than leaning away from the user's S back for greater stability and improved loading for the spine.

All straps may be adjustable so as to be tightened and loosened to suit the user. The straps and lumber pad may be bolted through the side, by nuts and bolts so as to be strongly secured to the body. In some embodiments the bolt end and nut are covered in rubber stoppers to as to prevent damage by the material or bricks. In this way the straps can be readily removed and replaced if they break or become worn.

The carrier may be closed whilst transporting the material so that the material is enclosed and therefore cannot fall out. When the destination for the material is reached1 for example at the top of the ladder on the scaffold lift, the carrier can be removed from the user's back. The lid may then be removed or displaced from the body, the body upturned and the body lifted off to reveal the stack of bricks.

The base and/or sides may include feet so as to keep the brick box from being flush with the ground. In this way the sides can be readily opened without becoming stuck on the ground and the user may place their fingers under the body in order to lift it. fl*.

* Typically one foot may be included in each corner of the base. The feet may be formed from a strong, durable resiliently deformable material such as rubber, for example rubber with a shore hardness of ASO, so as to be hard wearing and to minimise slip.

It may be envisaged that in some embodiments the means of aftachment may also serve as feet where for example the access mechanism protrudes from a panel's edge thereby coming into the contact with the ground first.

In some embodiments the portions of the body that may come into contact with the ground whilst loading or emptying may include a protective coating so as to prevent damage. For example said portions may be coated in a layer of rubber. Typically the sides maybe dimensioned so that the rubber layer does not increase the overall size of the size which may inhibit opening and dosing of the displaceable portions. a

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment with body opened; Figure 2 shows a side view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a rear view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a view from below of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 with body and lacuna closed; Figure 7 a view from above of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 with body and * * lacuna closed; S. .e Figure 8 show views from front and rear of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 with body and lacuna closed; and S...

* Figure 9 show side views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 with body and lacuna closed.

Detailed Description of Ficiures

With reference to the figures the carriage means comprises two shoulder straps 1 and a waist strap 2.

The carriage means is arranged to support an elongate body 3, surrounding and defining a lacuna 4. Said lacuna 4 is generally cuboid and dimensioned suitable for containing a cuboid material such as stacked bricks or blocks (not shown), and arranged with an access mechanism 5, 6 which allows the body 3 to be opened and permits a user to have lateral access (A) to said lacuna 4, as well as vertically oriented access B. The access mechanism 5, 6 comprises male clips 5 and corresponding hooks 6, which hooks 6 are moulded into walls of the panels 7,8,9,10 that form the body 3.

Said panels 7, 8, 9, 10 are rigid and hinged to each other so that in order to release the access mechanism 5,6 and gain access to the lacuha 4 the panels 7, 8, 9, 10 require releasing of a plurality of parts of the access mechanism, or more particularly a first step of the top panel's 8 clip 5 from its hook 6, and subsequent steps relating to lateral access A. In this iiay the user is enabled to add bricks or material vertically via the top panel 8, however the side panels 7 are not liable to come apart without said first step, limiting unauthorised access. *e ce

Two side panels 10 of the body are unable to move in relation to a base panel 9, so *r": as to provide a hod, and wherein the carriage means is fixedly related to the base 9.

-. te ** 20 The base 9 includes a drainage hole 13 and elevating feet 11. The panels are hinged at hinges 14 and the straps have reinforced mountings 12 on the panels, * . *0* The T-section clips 5 are accepted to the recess hooks 6 by a snap fitting to provid a secure fitting wherein the T-bar prevents the clip 5 being pulled through the recess of the hook 6 in the event of forces being subjected to the body 3 whilst loaded which places strain on the access mechanism.

Typically the body 3 is dimensioned to provide a lacuna for 12 stacked bricks in total.

Therefore the total weight of bricks is not likely to exceed 24 kilograms. It may be envisaged that other embodiments of various shapes and sizes may be provided, for example to accommodate different types of brick or blockwork.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. oG ga * . * * * * Stt

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Claims

Claims 1. A carrier comprising a carriage means arranged to support an elongate body on a user, said body defining a lacuna arranged for closely surrounding cuboid material in use, and arranged with an access mechanism to allow lateral access to said lacuna.
2. A carrier according to claim I wherein the carriage means allows the user to strap the carrier to their torso, shoulders and back in use.
3. A carrier according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the access mechanism comprises a plurality of lockable panels on the body.
4 A carrier according to claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the access mechanism allows vertical access to the lacuna.
5. A carrier according to claim 3 wherein three of said panels are fixed, and * * three are displaceable. * *
6. A carrier substantially as herein described with reference to the **fl --accompanying drawings. **.*I "II * * **