JP2014503318A - Case for equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

  A case (20) for the device (100) connectable with the fixture (462) is provided. The case (20) includes a first housing (22) and a second housing (24). The first housing (22) and the second housing (24) are cooperatively shaped and the first portion (424) of the device (100) with the device (100) coupled to the fixture (462). ) Can be covered. From the opening formed when the first housing (22) and the second housing (24) are joined together, the second part of the device (100), including the fixture (120) for attaching the pair fixture (462), is provided. Will be exposed. From the state in which the device (100) is removed from the fixture (462), the second portion of the device (100) is put into the correspondingly shaped third housing (28) movably connected to the opening. Wrapping (100).

Description

  The present invention is often attached to a case for a device, specifically, a fixture such as a stand at the time of use, and an operator places the device in the case before removing the device from the fixture, and the case is removed from the case. The present invention relates to an apparatus case in which an operator can attach the apparatus to a fixture prior to taking out the apparatus.

  Devices such as instruments are often housed in cases or housings when not in use or transported. Once in the case, you can protect such devices from accidental damage. Even when the device is troublesome or bulky, it can be transported more easily than the transport of the device alone if it is in the case. The case is generally composed of a hard or soft outer layer that protects the device from impacts and a softer inner layer or member that protects the device from impact loads.

  Depending on the application, the device may be attached to a fixture for its use. The fixture that will be attached to will be a tripod if it is a portable telescope or camera. In some cases, the fixture may be a fixture, for example, a machining center facility or a manufacturing environment inspection station facility. Since the device is not integrated with the fixture, the operator is required to remove the device from the case and carry it for some distance before installing it in the place of use. . During this period, that is, the period from removal from the case to attachment of the anti-fixing device, the device may be damaged or otherwise unwilling. If the device has a complicated shape or is bulky, the shape and size of the device may be damaged, and it may be difficult to take the device out of the case to mount the fixture.

US Pat. No. 6,904,691

  As described above, although the conventional device case can achieve its intended purpose, there is still room for improvement. Therefore, a device case having the following features is proposed.

  A case according to an embodiment of the present invention is a case for a device that can be connected to a certain type of fixture, and includes first, second, and third housings, and the first and second housings are It is a shape that can be integrally coupled so that an opening is formed at one end, and the third housing is movably connected to one end of the first and second housings so as to face the opening. The first and second housings are configured so that when the device is connected to a fixture, the second portion of the device, including the fixture for mounting the pair of fixtures, is exposed from the opening. A structure that can be wrapped is used. The third housing is configured such that after the device is removed from the fixture, the second portion of the device is inserted and the device can be wrapped in the case.

  A device case according to another embodiment of the present invention is a case for housing a device attached to a certain type of fixture or a part thereof, and includes a first housing and a first housing rotatably connected to the first housing. An inner case having a second housing and a third housing pivotally connected to one end of the second housing; a base member and a lid member pivotally connected along one side of the base member; And an outer case having a first opening of an acceptable size provided in the base member. The first and second housings are configured to be capable of cooperating with the apparatus being removed from the fixture and accommodating the first portion of the apparatus. The third housing is configured to be capable of accommodating the second portion of the device in cooperation with the first and second housings in a state where the device is removed from the fixture. The base member and the lid member are configured to be able to accommodate the inner case in cooperation with the lid member being rotated to the base member and in contact therewith.

  A case according to still another embodiment of the present invention is a case for a device that can be connected to a certain type of fixture, and has a first outer shell and a first side, and the first outer shell is an open end. A first housing having a second outer shell and a second side portion, the second outer shell having an open end, and a third side portion having a third recess. A second housing is pivotally connected to the first housing around the first axis, and the third housing is movably connected to the second housing. The first and second sides are configured to cooperate to receive the first portion of the device while the device is coupled to the fixture. The third recess is configured to receive the second part of the device. The third housing has a configuration in which the third side portion is in contact with the first and second housings and the device can be wrapped in the case in a state where the device is removed from the fixture.

  An apparatus transportation method according to still another embodiment of the present invention includes a step of preparing an apparatus coupled to a fixture, a first housing, a second housing pivotally coupled to the first housing, and A step of preparing a first case having a third housing pivotally connected to one end of the case, and a rotation of the first housing relative to the second housing to change the first housing from the first state to the second state. A step of changing the third housing from the third state to the fourth state by rotating about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis; and A step of accommodating the first part of the device by rotating the first housing from the second state to the first state by rotation, and the first part of the device is in the first and second housings. It has a step of removing the device from the fixture in a certain state, the.

  An apparatus transportation method according to still another embodiment of the present invention includes a first housing, a second housing pivotally connected to the first housing, and a third housing movably connected to one end of the case. Preparing the device with the device enclosed in one case, moving the third housing to expose the first part of the device, and connecting the first part of the device to the fixture And turning the second housing around the first phrase to change the first housing from the first state to the second state, thereby bringing the first housing into the second state and the second part of the device. Exposing the second housing and removing the second housing from the second part of the device.

It is a figure which shows the case for apparatuses which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which caught it from another direction. It is the figure which caught it from another direction. It is the figure which caught it from another direction. It is a figure which shows the case for apparatuses which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which caught it from another direction. It is the figure which caught it from another direction. It is a perspective view of AACMM which is an example of a measuring device. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a case suitable for the AACMM shown in FIG. 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view at the time of opening of the case shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a side view of the case shown in FIG. 4, particularly a view showing a state being put on an attached measuring instrument. It is a front view of the case shown in FIG. It is a perspective view of the case shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a front view of the case shown in FIG. 4, particularly a view showing a state in which a part of the measuring instrument is accommodated therein. It is a perspective view of the composite case which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the composite case shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. They should not be construed as limitations on the technical scope of the present invention. Numbering for members is common to the drawings.

  Embodiments of the present invention are advantageous for device protection and transportation. For example, the case can be configured so that the operator can house the device in the case prior to removing the device from the fixture. Moreover, it is possible to use a complex case structure that can easily transport the device between uses, and not only to be carried by the operator but also to be transported by the carrier.

  1A to 1D show a case 20 used for protection and transportation of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The case 20 is for a device attached to a fixture such as a tripod or a surface mount plate. The structure is devised so that devices, such as a telescope, a camera, a video camera, and a measuring instrument, can be enclosed. In this case 20, the first housing 22 is rotatably connected to the second housing 24 using a plurality of hinges 26 (or even one) along one side. A third housing 28 is provided at one end of the case 20, and is rotatably connected to the second housing 24 along a side 30 and using a plurality of hinges 32 (or even one). The first housing 22 and the second housing 24 are rotatable about the first axis 34, whereas the third housing 28 is rotatable about the second axis 36 with respect to the second housing 24. In the illustrated example, the second shaft 36 is substantially perpendicular to the first shaft 34.

  The first housing 22 includes a shell 38 having a configuration in which one end 40 of the first housing 22 is wide open. In the illustrated example, such a shell 38 is formed using a waterproof material such as a polyurethane cloth material. In the inner region defined by the shell 38 is a filler 42. The filler 42 is formed of a continuous cell type or an independent cell type polyurethane foam material, and substantially fills the inside of the shell 38. The filler 42 forms one side of the first housing 22 so as to face the second housing 24 when the case 20 is closed. As shown in FIG. 1D, in this example, a cloth liner 44 made of an electrostatic discharge (ESD) countermeasure material is added. The filling material 42 has a plurality of indentations 46 according to the size, shape and contour of the device to be inserted (in the case of one) so that when the device is put there and the case 20 is closed, the device is generally fixed. There is also). As will be described later in detail, since the opening 48 is formed in the open end 40 adjacent to the recess 46, a part of the device protrudes from the one end 40 of the first housing 22 when the housings 22 and 24 are closed. . In the illustrated example, since the filler 42 is compressible and its depression 46 is smaller than the device to be accommodated, the filler 42 is compressed when the case 20 is closed, and there is almost no gap between the filler 42 and the outer surface of the apparatus. Disappears.

  The configuration of the second housing 24 is similar to that of the first housing 22. First, the second housing 24 is provided with a shell 50 having a configuration in which one end 52 thereof is wide open. Inside the shell 50 is a filler 54 having a plurality (sometimes one) of depressions 56. The depression 56 has a size, a shape and a contour that can receive the device to be accommodated or a part thereof. Since the opening is formed at the open end 52 adjacent to the recess 56, a part of the apparatus can be protruded from the one end 40 of the second housing 24. The filler 54 is formed of a polyurethane foam material or the like of a continuous cell type or an independent cell type, and an ESD countermeasure material is also added to the outer surface thereof.

  As can be understood, when the housings 22 and 24 are rotated so as to be in the closed state, the facing surfaces of the fillers 42 and 54 come into contact with each other, and the portions in the recesses 46 and 56 of the accommodation target device are generally wrapped. The portion of the device thus housed in the housings 22, 24 is hardly shaken in the case 20.

  The housings 22 and 24 are provided with a plurality (or even one) of latch members 58. The role of the member 58 is to firmly and reliably and releasably connect the housings 22 and 24 when the case 20 is closed. Accordingly, various members including the over-center draw type latch can be used as the latch member 58. One or more handles may be provided on the housings 22 and 24 so that the operator can easily carry the case 20.

  The third housing 28 also has a similar structure to the first housing 22 and includes a shell 60 and a filler 62. The filling material 62 is provided with a recess 64 having a size, shape and contour that can receive a portion of the device that protrudes from the open ends 40 and 52 of the housings 22 and 24. The shell 60 is formed of a waterproof material such as a polyurethane cloth, and the filler 62 is formed of a polyurethane foam material of a continuous cell type or an independent cell type. A liner made of an ESD countermeasure material is also added to the filler 62. Since the size is set accordingly, the open ends 40 and 52 are closed by the housing 28 when the third housing 28 is turned to the closed state. As described in detail later, when the housings 22, 24, and 28 are rotated to change from the open state shown in FIG. 1C to the closed state shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the device is substantially enclosed in the case 20. become. As can be understood, since the open ends 40 and 52 may be closed with the third housing 28 in the closed state, the movable connection destination of the housing 28 is not the first housing 22 but the second housing 24. Other parts of the case 20 can be used. The case 20 further includes a plurality of (or even one) latch members 66 for connecting the third housing 28 to the first housing 22 in the closed state.

  The case 20 further includes a first member 68 and a second member 70 that keep the third housing 28 open through the cooperation. As the holding mechanism, a mechanical type or a magnetic type can be used. The third housing 28 may not be provided with the hinge 32 but may be held by the latch member 66.

  2A to 2C show a case 72 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the first housing 74 of the case 72 is connected to the second housing 76 by a hinge 78 so that the first housing 74 can be rotated around the first shaft 80. The housings 74 and 76 are similar in structure to the housings 22 and 24, and have a shell, a filler, and an open end in the same manner as described above. The housings 74 and 76 are further provided with indentations 77 and 79 of a size, shape and contour that can accommodate devices to be protected and transported. If the case 72 is closed, the housings 74 and 76 can be connected by the latch member 82.

  The third housing 84 of the case 72 is connected to the second housing 76 by a hinge 86 so that the third housing 84 can be rotated around the second shaft 88. In the present embodiment, the second axis 88 is substantially parallel to the first axis 80. The third housing 84 has a configuration similar to that of the third housing 28 and includes a shell and a filler with a recess 90. The third housing 84 can be fixed to the first housing 74 by a latch member 92.

  As can be understood by those skilled in the technical field (so-called persons skilled in the art), the shape of the case according to the present invention is based on consideration of the device to be accommodated and the environment in which the case is stored and transported. It depends on the considerations for and is not limited to any particular shape. Similarly, there is no need for the housings to be oriented as shown in the above embodiment nor to be permanently pivotably connected between the housings as described above. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the present invention can be practiced with other attachment mechanisms and means, including optional attachment means. Various materials can be used as the forming material inside and outside the case within the technical scope of the present invention.

  An example of the use of such a case is accommodation of measuring instruments. FIG. 3 shows a perspective external view of a portable coordinate measuring instrument with joint arm (AACMM) 100 as a kind of measuring instrument, that is, a joint arm used for coordinate measurement. As shown in the figure, the AACMM 100 is a 6-axis or 7-axis joint type measuring device, and a measuring probe housing 102 is connected to an arm 104 at one end thereof. The arm unit 104 includes a first arm segment 106, a second arm segment 108, and a first bearing cartridge group 110 (for example, two bearing cartridges) that connect them. The second arm segment 108 is connected to the measurement probe housing 102 by a second bearing cartridge group 112 (for example, two bearing cartridges). The first arm segment 106 is connected to a base 116 that occupies the other end of the arm portion 104 in the AACMM 100 by a third bearing cartridge group 114 (for example, three bearing cartridges). These bearing cartridge groups 110, 112, and 114 are useful for multi-axis joint movement. Further, a shaft that constitutes the seventh axis of the AACMM 100 may be provided in the measurement probe housing 102, and the movement of the measurement means (probe 118, etc.) around the seventh axis of the AACMM 100 may be detected by the in-cartridge encoder system. it can. When the AACMM 100 is used, the base 116 is usually fixed to the work surface.

  The base 116 is provided with a mounting tool or a mounting tool 120. By using this attachment 120, the AACMM 100 can be movably attached to a desired position, for example, a tripod, an examination table, a machining center, a wall, a floor, or the like. In the illustrated AACMM 100, since the handle portion 122 is provided on the base 116, the operator can easily hold the base 116 and move the AACMM 100. The base 116 is also provided with a cover portion 124 that is movable so that a user interface, for example, a display screen can be seen when opened.

  As you can see, these AACMM100 and other measuring instruments are adequately protected from accidental damage and changes in equipment calibration conditions when moving from equipment to equipment or transporting from place to place. It is hoped that measures will be taken. As can also be seen, instruments such as the AACMM 100 are devices that have many degrees of freedom and weight provided by the bearing cartridge groups 110, 112, 114 and arm segments 106, 108, so It is difficult to handle without being attached.

  4 and 5 show an example 400 of a case suitable for housing and protecting a measuring instrument such as the AACMM100. In this case 400, the first housing 402 is movably connected to the second housing 404 along one or more hinges along the edge 406. A third housing 408 is provided at one end of the case 400 and is movably connected to the second housing 404 along one or more hinges along the edge 410. While the first housing 402 and the second housing 404 are rotatable about the first axis 412, the third housing 408 is rotatable about the second axis 414 with respect to the second housing 404. In the illustrated example, the first axis 412 is substantially perpendicular to the second axis 414.

  The first housing 402 includes a shell 416 that has a configuration in which one end 418 is largely open. The hollow interior region defined by the shell 416 is generally filled with filler 420. One side of the first housing 402 is the surface of the filler 420. It is desirable to add a cloth liner made of an ESD countermeasure material to the surface of the filler 420. The filler 420 is provided with a recess 422. The recess 422 has a size, shape and contour that can accommodate a portion of the instrument. Specifically, a shape capable of receiving a portion 424 of the AACMM 100 shown in FIG. 3 as shown in FIG. 6, that is, the first arm segment 106, the second arm segment 108, the measurement probe housing 102, the base 116 (part of), etc. Such indentations 422 are provided in a form with regions having a size, shape and contour that are remarkably acceptable.

  The second housing 404 has a configuration similar to that of the first housing 402 and includes a shell 426 having one end 430 that is wide open. Inside the shell 426 is a filler 54, which is provided with a recess 432 of size, shape and contour that can receive a portion of the instrument. On the other hand, an adjacent member 444 is provided on the outer surface 442 of the shell 426 at the open end 430. In the illustrated example, the member 444 has a plate shape and is arranged so as to be linked with the magnetic member (magnet) 446 on the third housing 408. As can be understood, when the housings 402 and 404 are rotated and closed, the facing surfaces of the fillers 420 and 428 come into contact with each other, and the portion 424 in the recesses 422 and 432 of the measuring instrument is substantially wrapped. It will be. When encased in the housings 402 and 404, the measuring instrument is hardly shaken in the case 400.

  The housings 402 and 404 are provided with a plurality (or even one) of latch members 434 along a side portion 436 opposite to the hinge. The role of the latch member 434 is to firmly and reliably connect the housings 402 and 404 in the closed state. Accordingly, various members can be used as the latch member 434 including an over-center draw type latch in which the claw or hook member is fitted in the slot 435 on the side portion 437 of the second housing 404. Further, the housings 402 and 404 are provided with a plurality of handles 438 and 440 (one is also possible) so that the operator can easily carry the case 400. In the illustrated example, the position of the handle 438 is shifted from the center of the case 400 in order to align the center of gravity of the measuring instrument at the biased position.

  The third housing 408 has a configuration similar to that of the first housing 402 and includes a shell 448 and a filler 450. The filler 450 is provided with a depression 452 of a size, shape and contour that can receive a portion of the instrument. Since the size is set appropriately, the open ends 418 and 430 are closed by the housing 408 when the third housing 408 is rotated to the closed state. As will be described in detail later, when the housings 402, 404, and 408 are rotated and closed, the measuring instrument is substantially enclosed in the case 400. The case 400 further includes one or more latch members 454 for connecting the third housing 408 to the first housing 402 in the closed state as shown in FIG.

  In the illustrated example, a protrusion 458 is provided on the outer surface 456 of the third housing 408. The magnetic member 446 is disposed on the surface of the protrusion 458. The role of the magnetic member 446 is to keep the third housing 408 open in cooperation with the plate member 444. As can be understood, the members 444 and 446 may be reversed, and the magnetic member 446 may be fixed on the surface 442 and the plate member 444 may be fixed on the third housing 408. Instead of the members 444 and 446, a mechanical latch mechanism may be used.

  6 to 9 show a procedure for packing a measuring instrument such as AACMM100. Measuring instruments such as the AACMM 100, laser tracker, laser scanner, three-dimensional imager, total station, theodolite, and rotating level are often operated in a state of being mounted on the work surface 460. As can be appreciated, the work surface 460 may be attached to other support structures such as tripods, free standing equipment, equipment on the wall, equipment on the ceiling, etc. It only needs to be solid and hard enough to support the instrument. When a measuring instrument is attached to such a structure or work surface 460, equipment such as a fixture 462 is used. As the fixing device 462, a magnetic fixing device, for example, Patent Document 1 assigned to the assignee of the present application (name: Portable Coordinate Measurement Machine with Improved Counter Balance; incorporated herein by reference) You can use it as described in As a means for movably connecting the measuring instrument to the fixture 462, a fixture 120 such as a screw ring can be used. If the operator wants to move the instrument, he can remove it from the fixture 462 by turning the screw ring 120 in the “loosening” direction.

  As can be appreciated, the place where the instrument is used is often crowded, and the operator often contacts the instrument with other devices or instruments in the vicinity of the place. In the case of the AACMM 100, various degrees of freedom may be provided by the bearing cartridge groups 110, 112, and 114, which is further complicated. In that respect, the case 400 described in the present application has an advantage that the measuring instrument or a part thereof can be enclosed in the case 400 before being removed from the fixture 462. There is also an advantage that a measuring instrument in which the arm segments 106 and 108 can rotate and swing almost freely can be firmly fixed in the case 400 if left unattended. If the arm segments 106 and 108 rotate during handling against the operator's will, the position of the center of gravity will change suddenly in an uncontrollable manner. This can cause severe damage to the instrument, resulting in a non-usable period or downtime. Since the measuring instrument housed in the case 400 is in a state that is easier to handle, for example, its arm is restrained, operators of various physical sizes can attach and remove in a shorter time. Increases flexibility in worker distribution for owners.

  The operator is required to move and transport the measuring instrument by first releasing the latch between the first housing 402 and the third housing 408, rotating the third housing 408 to open, and then using the magnetic member 446. The third housing 408 is fixed in an open state by a latch. Next, the latch between the first housing 402 and the second housing 404 is released, and the second housing 404 is turned to change from the closed state to the open state. When the case 400 is opened, a part 424 of the measuring instrument is put into one of the recesses 422 and 432. As can be seen, the third housing 408 is kept open as shown in FIG. 7 by the action of the magnetic latches (444, 446) as the holding means. This can be performed relatively smoothly while attached to the surface 460. After that, the housings 402 and 404 are rotated with respect to each other to be in a closed state, so that a part 424 of the measuring instrument is accommodated and captured in the recesses 422 and 432.

  After the first housing 402 and the second housing 404 are closed, the operator uses the latch member 434 to fix the housings 402 and 404 closed as shown in FIG. When the instrument portion 424 is thus encased in the housings 402 and 404 and can be free of damage, the instrument is removed from the work surface 460. When the measuring instrument is removed, the handle 438 or the like is used, and the apparatus is moved together with the case 400 from the fixture 462. Further, the third housing 408 is changed to the closed state by releasing and rotating the magnetic latches (444, 446). As the third housing 408 rotates, the remaining part of the measuring instrument is accommodated in the recess 452. After the third housing 408 is closed, the housing 408 is fixed to the first housing 402 by the latch member 454 so that the operator can transport the measuring instrument together with the case 400.

  As you can see, the procedure for attaching the instrument housed in the case is almost the reverse of the above procedure. When attaching the measuring instrument, the base of the measuring instrument is exposed by rotating the third housing 408 in a direction away from the measuring instrument. The base is then attached to the work surface 460. When the measuring instrument is firmly attached, the first housing 402 and the second housing 404 are separated from each other, and the case 400 may be removed from the measuring instrument.

  As will be understood, the embodiments for the measuring instrument have been described. However, this is for the purpose of explanation only and is not intended to limit the present invention to such embodiments. The procedure for attaching other devices such as musical instruments, still cameras, video cameras, and telescopes may be substantially the same.

  In some cases, the operator desires long-distance transportation of the device and uses a service provided by a carrier. In such cases, the operator would like to protect the device more carefully to prevent damage during shipping. 10 and 11 show an apparatus transport container 500 according to another embodiment. In the present embodiment, the apparatus is housed in the inner case 400 as described above. In addition, a second case or outer case 502 having a base 504 and a lid member or cover member 506 is used.

  The base 504 has a rectangular shape as a whole, and includes a shell portion 508 and a filler 510. There are a plurality of (or even one) depressions 512 along the periphery of the shell portion 508. In the recess 512, a plurality of latch members 514 are provided (or even one). The latch member 514 is a member that cooperates with a corresponding member on the cover member 506 side, for example, a slot, and keeps the cover member 506 closed during transportation. In the recess 512 located at the end of the base 504, a plurality of handles (516 may be provided) are also provided. Such a shell portion 508 can be formed by rotational molding of a plastic material such as a polyurethane material.

  Filler 510 is disposed within shell portion 508. The filler 510 is provided with a plurality of (or even one) openings 520 and 522. The filler 510 can be formed of a continuous cell polyurethane foam material. The opening 520 is sized to receive and hold the case 400. As can be appreciated, the size of the opening 522 is sized to accept one or more accessory devices or assemblies used by the operator during operation of the device. For example, when the apparatus is a measuring instrument, the accessory case 524 containing the apparatus or assembly used together with the measuring instrument is sized to accept one or more. Examples of accessories include a laser line probe, a touch probe, a barcode reader, a flash light source, a digital camera, a video camera, and a fixture.

  The configuration of the cover member 506 is similar to the base 504. The member 506 is provided with a shell portion 525 and a filler 526. In the case of the illustrated example, the shell portion 525 is formed by rotational molding of a polyurethane material. The shell portion 525 has a plurality of depressions 528 (or even one), and the positions thereof are substantially aligned with the depressions 512 on the base 504 side. In this example, the filler 526 is formed of a continuous cell type polyurethane foam material. The filler 526 has a plurality of depressions 530 (or even one), and the size thereof is a size that can support and hold the cases 400 and 524 in cooperation with the openings 520 and 522. . In this example, the filler 526 is provided with a pocket area 532 of a size that can hold a paper document, a user manual, and the like.

  The work required by the operator for transporting the device is to first place the device in the case 400 as described above. Thereafter, the case 400 is placed in the opening 520. If there is an accessory that an operator may use with the device, place the accessory in case 524 and place case 524 in opening 522. Thereafter, the cover member 506 may be placed on the base 504 on which the cases 400 and 524 are arranged, and the outer case 502 may be sealed with the latch member 514. By fastening the cover member 506 firmly, the device is packed tightly and suitable for transport.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications can be made without departing from the technical scope of the present invention and components thereof can be equally understood as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Can be substituted. Furthermore, various modifications suitable for the situation or material can be made in accordance with the teachings of the present application without departing from the gist of the present invention. That is, the present invention is not limited to the configuration described above as a preferred embodiment in the first place, but rather includes the configuration that satisfies the provisions of the appended claims. Further, the terms such as “first” and “second” do not indicate the order or importance, but are merely used to distinguish between the modified components. And it is not always necessary that there is a single component that is not clearly indicated as a plurality, but rather it is permissible to have a plurality of components.

Claims (41)

A first housing (22), a second housing (24) and a third housing (28);
The first housing (22) and the second housing (24) have a shape that can be integrally coupled so that an opening (48) is formed at one end thereof.
A case (20) in which a third housing (28) is movably connected to one end of the first and second housings so as to face the opening (48). A case (20) according to claim 1,
The connection between the first housing (22) and the second housing (24) is a rotatable connection around the first axis (34),
The first housing (22) and the second housing (24) rotate to the closed state,
A case in which the movable connection destination of the third housing (28) is the second housing (24).   The case (20) according to claim 2, wherein the connection between the second housing (24) and the third housing (28) is a rotatable connection around the second axis (36), and the second axis (36). Is a case that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis (34). The case (20) according to claim 3, further comprising:
One or more first latch members (58) for connecting between the first housing (22) and the second housing (24);
One or more second latch members (66) for connecting the second housing (24) and the third housing (28);
With case.   5. The case (20) according to claim 4, wherein the second latch member (66) has a magnetic coupling portion.   The case (20) of claim 1, wherein the first housing (22), the second housing (24) and the third housing (28) are each a generally rigid outer shell (38) and an inherent foam. A case having a liner (44) overlapping the member (42) and the foamed member (42), and the liner is made of an anti-static discharge cloth.   The case (20) according to claim 6, wherein the accommodation object (100) is a measuring instrument.   The case (20) according to claim 7, wherein the measuring instrument (100) is a coordinate measuring instrument with a joint arm, a laser tracker, a laser scanner or a three-dimensional imager.   The case (20) according to claim 6, wherein the accommodation object (100) is a telescope.   The case (20) according to claim 6, wherein the accommodation object (100) is a camera.   The case (20) according to claim 6, wherein the accommodation object (100) is a total station, a theodolite or a rotary level. A first housing (402), a second housing (404) pivotally connected to the first housing (402), and a third housing (408) pivotally connected to one end of the second housing (404) An inner case (400) having
A base member (504) and a lid member (506) pivotably connected along one side of the base member (504), and a first opening (520) sized to receive the inner case (400) is the base. An outer case (502) provided on the member (504);
The lid member (506) is rotated to the base member (504) and in contact with the base member (504), the base member (504) and the lid member (506) cooperate to wrap the inner case (400). 500).   The case (500) according to claim 12, wherein a plurality of second openings (522) sized to receive the accessory case are provided in the outer case (502).   The case (500) according to claim 12, further comprising a latch member (444, 446) for releasably connecting the second housing (404) and the third housing (408).   15. A case (500) according to claim 14, wherein the latch member (444, 446) comprises a magnetic member (446).   16. The case (500) of claim 15, wherein the first housing (402), the second housing (404) and the third housing (408) are each a generally rigid outer shell (416) and an inherent foam. A case having a liner that overlaps the member (420) and the foamed member (420), and the liner is made of a cloth for preventing electrostatic discharge.   The case (500) of claim 16, wherein the inner case is sized to accommodate a measuring instrument.   18. The case (500) according to claim 17, wherein the measuring instrument is a coordinate measuring instrument with a joint arm, a laser tracker, a laser scanner or a three-dimensional imager.   A case (500) according to claim 16, wherein the inner case is sized to accommodate a telescope.   The case (500) of claim 16, wherein the inner case is sized to accommodate a camera.   17. The case (500) of claim 16, wherein the inner case is sized to accommodate a total station, a theodolite or a rotary level. A first housing (402) having a first outer shell (416) and a first side, the first outer shell (416) having an open end (418);
A second housing (404) having a second outer shell (426) and a second side, the second outer shell (426) having an open end (430);
A third housing (408) having a third recess (452);
The second housing (404) is pivotally connected to the first housing (402) about the first axis (412), and the third housing (408) is movably connected to the second housing (404). ).   23. A case (400) according to claim 22, wherein the third housing (408) is pivotally connected about a second axis (414) so that the pivoting state can be changed between the first state and the second state. Case. A case (400) according to claim 23, comprising:
The third housing (408) has a fourth side facing the second shaft (414);
A case whose fourth side is movably connected to a second housing (404).   25. The case (400) of claim 24, further comprising a magnetic latch (444, 446) positioned between the fourth side and second housing (404).   26. The case (400) of claim 25, wherein the magnetic latch (444, 446) comprises a plate member (444) and a magnetic member (446).   27. The case (400) of claim 26, wherein the second axis (14) is substantially perpendicular to the first axis (412).   28. A case (400) according to claim 27, wherein the first, second and third housings are sized to accommodate a measuring instrument when closed.   29. The case (400) according to claim 28, wherein the measuring instrument is a coordinate measuring instrument with a joint arm, a laser tracker, a laser scanner or a three-dimensional imager.   28. A case (400) according to claim 27, wherein the first, second and third housings are sized to accommodate the telescope when closed.   28. The case (400) of claim 27, wherein the first, second and third housings are sized to accommodate a camera when closed. A method for transporting a device, comprising:
Providing a device (100) coupled to a fixture (462);
A first housing (402), a second housing (404) rotatably connected to the first housing (402), and a third housing (408) rotatably connected to one end of the own case (400). Providing a first case (400) having:
Changing the first housing (402) from the first state to the second state by rotating about the first axis (412) relative to the second housing (404);
Changing the third housing (408) from the third state to the fourth state by rotating around a second axis (414) substantially perpendicular to the first axis (412);
Placing the first portion (424) of the device (100) into the second housing (404);
Accommodating the first portion (424) of the device (100) by changing the first housing (402) from the second state to the first state by rotation;
Removing the device (100) from the fixture (462) with the first portion of the device (100) in the first housing (402) and the second housing (404);
Having a method.   33. The method of claim 32, further comprising wrapping the device (100) within the first case (400) by changing the third housing (408) from the fourth state to the third state by pivoting. Having a method.   34. The method of claim 33, further comprising coupling the third housing (408) to the second housing (404) during the fourth state.   35. The method of claim 34, further comprising using a magnetic latch (444, 446) to connect the second housing (404) and the third housing (408) in the fourth state.   33. The method of claim 32, further comprising a base portion (504) and a lid portion (506) with one or more indentations (512), the indentation (512) being a first case (400). ) To prepare a second case (502) that is sized to accept.   37. The method of claim 36, further comprising turning the third housing (408) from the fourth state to the third state by pivoting and then placing the first case (400) in the recess (512). A method having steps. A method of transporting a device (100) comprising:
A first housing (402), a second housing (404) rotatably connected to the first housing (402), and a third housing (408) movably connected to one end of the case (400). Preparing the device (100) in a state where the device (100) is encased in one case (400);
Moving the third housing (408) to expose the first part (424) of the device (100);
Coupling the first portion (424) of the device (100) to the fixture (462);
By rotating the first housing (402) from the first state to the second state by rotating about the first axis (412) with respect to the second housing (404), the first housing (402) is in the second state. Exposing the second part of the device (100);
Removing the second housing (404) from the second part of the device (100);
Having a method.   39. The method of claim 38, wherein the third housing (408) is coupled to one end of the first case (400) such that the third housing (408) can be changed between the third state and the fourth state by rotating around the second axis (414). The way it is. 40. The method of claim 39, further comprising:
Rotating the third housing (408) from the fourth state to the third state by rotating to expose the first part (424) of the device (100);
Connecting the third housing (408) to the second housing (404) in a fourth state;
Having a method. 41. The method of claim 40, further comprising:
A second case having a base portion (504) and a lid portion (506) with one or more indentations (512), the indentation (512) being sized to receive the first case (400) 500) preparing steps;
Removing the first case (400) from the recess (512) before rotating the third housing (408) from the fourth state to the third state;
Having a method.

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