IES20160168A2 - A transit chess case - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hard plastic injection moulded case (1) (bottomless) with a rigid plastic handle as part of the mould which will be used for storing and carrying chess game equipment, which also contains two bottom sliding drawers which must be removed from case and placed at edge of table before the case can be uplifted by hand in order to reveal the three piece chess board, the two holding transparent units (7) and chess pieces and pawns (12)which, when the two chess board flaps are dropped down onto the table, the 2 players may then move their respective sides into start up positions by sliding by hand, their separate units towards them, after which, carefully lifting up the housing units, should be each placed onto each of the two sliding drawers prior to game commencement. Reverse this procedure to close up equipment after use, turning the case on its side to enable insertion of sliding drawers. <Figure 3>

Description

A TRANSIT CHESS CASE Field of the invention The present invention relates to a portable case for the chess game equipment for transporting chess pieces and boards safely.

Background to the invention Some chess players have been known to spend vast amounts of money on chest sets but are reluctant to carry them away from their homes in case they become damaged, chipped or lost.

This invention, which must be made of plastic, is lighter than other materials for ease of portability by young chess players and others who may not be too agile.

Existing models for carrying chess equipment consist of a cardboard box, a sports style bag with the pieces inserted haphazardly into pouches or a plastic bag with a folded chess board made of wood or vinyl plus caterers Tupperware.

Summary of the invention The components/features required to complete this invention are namely: A bottomless transit chess case (1) comprising: a main case body with a chess clock compartment (3) incorporated, an internally stored chessboard (flaps 5 and centre section 6) and at least one injection moulded retention unit (7) for holding chess pieces in place; wherein the main body comprises a plastic rigid handle (2) to transport the case and a separate hand grip (11) for lifting the case onto and off horizontal playing surfaces such as tables, etc., wherein the main body bottom further comprises sliding drawers (4) positioned at the bottom of the chess case to allow the sliding in and out of the folded chess board, the sliding drawers containing hand grips for ease of access; the main body also containing internal channels (10) for holding the sliding drawers in position; wherein the plastic rigid handle (2) is formed integrally as part of the mould; wherein the main body and chess clock compartment (3) are padded internally; wherein the chess clock compartment (3) contains a lock (9) for added security; wherein the chess board centre section (6) and flaps (5) are held together using piano hinges in order to smoothly join the two flaps to the centre section; wherein the plastic transparent injection moulded retention units (7) will hold the 5 chess pieces and pawns, separately in their respective pre start-up positions.

This invention requires several moulds in order to complete this product, namely: * Bottomless case Centre piece of chess board 2 other chess board pieces (flaps) Transparent injection moulded retention units Sliding drawers with hand grips Chess pieces and pawns Description of the drawings Figure 1 shows a front view of the carry case showing the main body and chess clock compartment.

Figure 2 shows the main body portion with the sliding drawers in use.

Figure 3 shows the full carry case in use with the chessboard and chess pieces positioned in 20 the holding position.

Figure 4 shows the chess pieces being held in position by the injection moulded retention units.

Figure 5 shows both sets of chess pieces being held in position.

Figure 6 shows the complete chessboard and pieces with retention units removed and the 25 chess pieces mid game.

Figure 7 shows an aerial view of the moulded retention unit.

Figure 8 shows a series of chess pieces that the retention unit must cover.

Using the transit chess case Place the case flat on a table so that the top of the case faces upward, then pull out 2 sliding drawers and place them at the side of a table, one for each player to use. The chest board centre, two flaps, transparent injection moulded retention units and chess pieces are now visible along with the edges of the two piano hinges.

The two players now pull the two transparent injection moulded retention units containing the individual chess pieces towards themselves, one unit each player.

Gently and carefully lift up the transparent injection moulded retention units so the pieces and pawns are now clear to play, and then place the two units, one on each of the two sliding drawers which were placed at the side of the table. Use the two sliding drawers and two transparent injection moulded retention units to return the pieces to the chess board centre squares section when the players have decided to finish playing.

The captured pieces and/or pawns may be placed in the appropriate positions in the holding units, or players may decide not to use the units until their game or games are finished.

When the games are over and the players have returned the holding units on the sliding drawers to centre board with all the pieces and pawns contained within said units, remove the sliding drawers, lift up the two flaps and replace the case top and sides, then turn the case on its side in order to insert the two interlocking sliding drawers while pushing up the centre of chess board underside gently and slightly with one hand.

Various modifications, additions and alterations may be made to the invention by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims section.

Claims (2)

Claims

1. A bottomless transit chess case (1) comprising: a main case body with a chess clock compartment (3) incorporated, an internally stored chessboard (5,6) and at least one injection moulded retention unit (7) for holding chess pieces in place; wherein the main case body comprises a plastic rigid handle (2) to transport the case and a separate hand grip (11) for lifting the case onto and off horizontal playing surfaces such as tables, etc.; wherein the main case body bottom further comprises at least two sliding drawers (4) positioned at the bottom of the chess case to allow the sliding in and out of the folded chess board (centre section (6) and flaps (5)), the sliding drawers containing hand grips for ease of access; the main body also containing internal channels (10) for holding the sliding drawers in position; wherein the plastic rigid handle (2) is formed integrally as part of the mould; wherein the main body and chess clock compartment are padded internally; wherein the chess clock compartment (3) contains a lock (9) for added security; wherein the piece chess board centre section (6) and flaps (5) are held together using piano hinges in order to smoothly join the two flaps to the centre section; wherein the plastic transparent injection moulding units (7) will hold the chess pieces and pawns, separately in their respective pre start-up positions.

2. A bottomless transit chess case as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.