US3080951A - Case for bowling equipment or similar device - Google Patents

Description

I. KAUFMAN March 12, 1963 CASE FOR BOWLING EQUIPMENT OR SIMILAR DEVICE Fiied May 18, 1961 United States PatentO 3,080,951 CASE FOR BOWLING EQUIPMENT R SIMILAR DEVICE Irving Kaufman, New York, NY. (382 Jefferson St., Brooklyn 37, N .Y.) Filed May 18, 1961, Ser. No. 111,006 1 Claim. (Cl. 190-48) This invention relates generally to the field of easing equipment, and more particularly to an improved case adapted for use in containing bowling equipment, including. a bowling ball and bowling shoes. Devices of this type are generally known in the art, and the invention lies in specific constructional details permitting an improved result from the standpoint of strength, convenience and compactness. 7

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved bowlers bag of relatively rigid construction having a lower compartment adapted to retain a relatively heavy bowling ball, and an upper shelf adapted to support a pair of bowling shoes in such manner as to permit removal of the ball while still supporting the shoes, or vice versa.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved bowlers bag of the class described of molded synthetic resinous construction, in which the side walls thereof are reinforced by the provision of a pivotally mounted shelf element therebetween, in which the reinforcing action is obtained irrespective of the relative position of the shelf.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved bowlers bag in which at least a portion of the shelving may be moved to an inoperative position when not required, thereby increasing the storage space and utility of the bag.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of a folding or movable shelf which will automatically be cammed from an interfering position to a non-interfering position upon the insertion of a bowling ball, and which will normally return under the action of gravity to a position wherein it at least partially looks a ball in an engaged position within the opened bag until such time as removal is desired.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved bowlers bag possessed of the above advantages, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A feature of the invention lies in the relatively light total weight of the bag as contrasted with existing soft type bowlers bags.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed in the appended claim.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding part-s throughout the several views.

FIGURE l is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 22 in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view as seen from the plane 3-3 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view corresponding to that seen in FIGURE 2, but showing the insertion of a bowling ball into position for carrying.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged horizontal longitudinal sectional view as seen from the plane 55 in FIGURE 3.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly:

, 3,080,951 Patented Mar. 12, 1963 first and second casing elements 11 and 12, and first and second shelf elements 13 and 14.

The first casing element 11 is preferably formed as a single injection molding from suitable synthetic resinous material of light weight consistent with strength, although, if desired, the same may be formed of a suitable metallic material, such' as aluminum, magnesium alloys and the like. The element 11 includes a generally planar side panel 16, end panels 17 and 18, a top panel 19, and a bottom panel 20. Mounted upon the top panel 19 is a suitable carrying handle or strap 21, suitable hinge means 22, or the equivalent, serving to interconnect the bottom panel 20 with the second casing element 12. Latching means 23 on the top panel 19 may be of any suitable con ventional type.

The second casing element 12 is of generally similar construction, and symmetrically shaped and arranged with respect to the first casing element 11. It includes a generally planar side panel 28, end panels 29 and 30, a top panel 31 and a bottom panel 32. A projecting lip 33 may be provided to effect a seal between the elements 11 and 12, as is well known in the art, if desired.

The first shelf element 13 is preferably formed of planar strip steel, bent or otherwise formed to suitable configuration. It includes reinforcing bars 34 and 35 secured by suitable rivets 36 or other means to the inner surface 37 of the casing element 11. Extending from the lower portions of the bars 35 and 34 are bend portions 38 and 39 which are horizontally aligned. The horizontal supporting surface of the element 13 is formed by a first longitudinal member 40, a bend portion 41, a first transverse member 42, a second bend portion 43, a second longitudinal member 44, a third bend portion 45, a second transverse member 46, a fourth bend portion 47, and a third longitudinal member 48 which interconnects with the bend portion 39. The members 4048 all lie within a single horizontal plane.

The second shelf element 14 is of generally similar construction, and is arranged for pivotal movement with respect to the first shelf element 13. In one position thereof it lies in co-planar relationship with respect to the first shelf element 13. The second shelf element 14 includes a pair of curved mounting portions 50 and 51 secured by rivets 52 and 53, or other suitable means, to the reinforcing bars 34 and 35, respectively. Connected to the mounting portion 51 is a first longitudinal portion 54, leading to a bend portion 55, a first transverse portion 56, a second bend portion 57, a vertically disposed member 58, a third bend portion 59, a second longitudinal portion 60, a fourth bend portion 62, a vertically disposed member 63, a fifth bend portion 64, a second transverse portion 65, a sixth bend portion 66, and a third longi tudinal member 67.

It will be observed that when the second shelf element 14 is in the position shown in FIGURE 3, the two shelf elements 14 and 13 are in generally co-planar relation, the second shelf element 14 extending into the interior of the second casing element 12 when the casing elements are in relatively closed condition.

Upon the insertion of a bowling ball, generally indicated by reference character 69, the outer surface of the same will strike the second longitudinal member 60 to deflect the same upwardly to permit passage of the ball into seated position. When the shelf element 14 has passed the highest point on the ball, the same will drop downwardly to its original position to retain the ball in position as best seen in FIGURE 4. Following this, the shoes 70 of the bowler may be placed upon the shelf elements 13 and 14 to be supported thereby, and the device 10 closed. Where it is desired to carry articles other than the ball and shoes, the second shelf element 14 may be moved to the alternate position shown in FIGURE 4, wherein articles larger than that of the bowling ball may also be fitted within the device 10 in the absence of the bowling ball.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

In a bowling bag for a bowling ball, the improvement comprising: a casing including first and second symmetrical casing elements, means interconnecting said casing elements along one edge of each casing element, each of said casing elements having a side wall and end walls disposed generally perpendicular to said side wall, a first shelf element fixedly interconnected between the end walls of said first casing element, and a second shelf element in the area of said first shelf element mounted upon said first shelf element for pivotal movement about an axis perpendicular to said end walls of said first casing element; said second shelf element selectively projecting between the end walls of said second casing element, said first and second shelf elements each having a recess therein through which a portion of the spherical surface of said ball may pass; whereby the manual positioning of said ball between said casing elements may serve to move said second shelf element about its pivotal axis to a position wherein the same may clear a portion of the surface of said ball, and subsequently to move in an opposite direction to retain said ball when theicleared position thereof is seated within said recess.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 858,831 Sherman July 2, 1907 2,091,607 Nave Aug. 31, 1937 2,945,582 Abraham et a1. July 19, 1960 2,976,101 Rooney Mar. 21, 1961 2,982,419 Shiels May 2, 1961 2,991,859 Kaplan July 11, 1961

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