WO2008023298A2

WO2008023298A2 - Plan or map protector and storage apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2008023298A2
Application number: PCT/IB2007/053133
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andreas Nicolaou Koupis; Paul Lambourn; Davis Andrew Mauchline
Original assignee: Andreas Nicolaou Koupis; Paul Lambourn; Davis Andrew Mauchline
Priority date: 2006-08-22
Filing date: 2007-08-08
Publication date: 2008-02-28
Also published as: ZA200706651B; WO2008023298A3

Abstract

A holder (10) for at least one flexible sheet (12) comprises an inner elongate tube (24) for arresting the at least one sheet. An outer elongate tube 20 defines a first elongate slot 26. A first end cap (32) for the outer tube located at a first end of the outer tube is user removable from the outer tube, to enable the inner tube to be removed and the at least one sheet to be anchored on the inner tube. A winding mechanism (34) enables the user to roll up the at least on sheet on the inner tube and the at least one sheet to be paid out from the holder, through the first slot 26.

Description

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a holder or apparatus for housing sheets of flexible material, including but not limited to sheets of paper with drawings, plans and maps depicted thereby.

It is well known that building plans are often provided on a set comprising a plurality of paper sheets. The sheets are normally A3 size or bigger and are stacked on one another and rolled up for ease of transport and storage. On site, these rolls of plans are often awkward to handle and use and are also subjected to harsh conditions, wherein they may be damaged. Furthermore, safe and secure long term storage of the plans are also problems.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a holder for a plurality of sheets of flexible material with which the applicant believes the aforementioned disadvantages may at least be alleviated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a holder for at least one flexible sheet, the holder comprising: an inner elongate member for arresting the at least one sheet; an outer elongate tube defining an elongate slot; at least a first end cap for the outer tube located at a first end of the outer tube;

- the first end cap being user removable from the outer tube to enable the inner member to be removed and the at least one sheet to be anchored on the inner member; and a winding mechanism to roll up the at least on sheet on the inner member and to enable the at least one sheet to be paid out from the holder through the slot.

The inner member may extend between the first end cap and a second end cap at a second end of the outer tube and the inner tube may be rotatable relative to the first and second end caps and the outer tube.

The inner member may comprise a coaxial inner tube.

The inner tube may define an axially extending second slot.

The at least one sheet, but typically a plurality of stacked sheets, may be anchored to the inner tube by at least one device connected to one end of the sheet and which may be axially removable and receivable in the inner tube, but radially trapped therein with the at least one sheet extending through the second slot.

The at least one device may for example comprise an openable and closeable clamp comprising a first wing and a second wing hinged to a spine and at least one stud on the first wing which, when the first and second wings are hinged towards one another to a closed configuration, is removably arrested by a suitable formation, such as a hole, for example, on the second wing.

A thickness dimension of the clamp between the two wings in the closed configuration may be larger than a width of the second slot, so that the clamp cannot pass through the slot and is radially trapped in the bore of the inner tube.

The holder may comprise a first radially extending sheet guide wheel towards the first end cap and a second radially extending sheet guide wheel towards the second end cap.

The first and second guide wheels may removably be mounted on the inner tube for rotation therewith. The first guide wheel may be linked to the winding mechanism to be driven thereby.

The winding mechanism may comprise a manually manipulatable wheel, which may be connected by a drive shaft to the first wheel.

The drive shaft may be an axially extending shaft, for example a hexagonal shaft, which is integral with the first guide wheel and which extends through a hole in the first end cap for free rotation therein and to cooperate with a suitable formation, such as a hexagonal socket, on the winding wheel.

In other embodiments, the winding mechanism may comprise automatic drive means such as an electric motor.

The holder may further comprise a at least one protective sheet anchored to the inner member. In a preferred embodiment two protective sheets may be provided, so that the at least one sheet may be sandwiched therebetween. The holder may comprise a third sheet that is not anchored as aforesaid, but which may be interleaved with the at least one sheet and selectively to be superimposed on a selected one of the at least one sheet, to enable a user to make notes or other marks in manuscript on the third sheet, to supplement the drawing or the like on an underlying sheet

The first, second and third sheets may be made from any durable material and are preferably transparent.

The invention also extends to sub-assemblies of the holder as herein defined or described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DIAGRAMS

The invention will now further be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrams wherein: figure 1 is a diagrammatic three dimensional view of a holder according to the invention for a plurality of sheets of a flexible material; figure 2 is an axial section through he holder; figure 3 is an exploded three dimensional view of parts of the holder towards a first of the holder; figure 4 is another three dimensional view of a first sub-assembly comprising the parts in figure 3, also showing a sheet in exploded relationship relative to the first sub-assembly; figure 5 is an exploded three dimensional view of parts of the holder towards a second end thereof; figure 6 is and exploded view of the first sub-assembly and a second sub-assembly comprising the parts in figure 5; figure 7 is a view similar to figure 1 with the sheet partially withdrawn from the holder; figure 8 is a diagrammatic section on line VIII in figure 1 .

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

A holder according to te invention for at least one sheet 1 2 of a flexible material, including but not limited to sheets of paper depicting plans, diagrams, drawings, maps etc is generally designated by the reference numeral 10 in the diagrams.

The holder 10 comprises an elongate body 14 having a first end 16 and a second end 18. The body 14 comprises a first elongate member in the form of an outer tube 20 extending between the first and second ends and defining an axially extending slot 22 through which the at least one sheet 12, in use extends. As will be explained hereinafter, the at least one sheet 12, in use, is anchored to a second elongate member in the form of a coaxial inner shaft or tube 24 (shown in figures 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8), to be rolled up onto the second member and to be user selectively manipulated between a first configuration (shown in figures 1 and 8) wherein it is fully rolled up onto the inner shaft and a second configuration (shown in figure 7) wherein it is at least partially paid out from the second member and holder.

As best shown in figures 3 and 4, the inner tube 24 also defines an axially extending slot 26 between opposed inwardly extending lips 27.1 and 27.2 which are formed integrally with the tube 24. The inner tube is rotatable about its own axis 28 by a winding mechanism 30. In one example embodiment, the winding mechanism is provided at the first end 16 adjacent a first end cap 32. The mechanism may be a manual mechanism as shown, comprising a manually manipulatable wheel 34 mounted immediately adjacent the first end cap 32. The wheel cooperates with a driven sheet guide wheel 36 mounted in the outer tube 20 on the other side of the first end cap 32 as the manually manipulatable wheel 34. The driven wheel comprises a hexagonal stub axle 38 extend axially outwardly through a large enough hole 40 in the end cap 32, so that it is freely rotatable therein. The axle is a tight fit in formation such as a hexagonal socket 41 defined in an inside cheek of the wheel 34. The outside cheek of the wheel 34 comprises a hand grip 42. On driven wheel 36 and on the other side thereof as the axle 38 there is provided an integral circular flange 44 defining an interruption between opposed inwardly extending lips 46.1 and 46.2. An outside diameter of the flange is just smaller than an inside diameter of the inner tube 24, so that the flange is a tight fit in the tube with the lips 27.1 and 27.2 abutting against the lips 26.1 and

46.2, as shown in figures 2 and 4.

The first end cap 32 comprises a circular axially extending flange 48 having an outside diameter just smaller than an inside diameter of the outer tube 20, so that in use, the flange 48 is a snug fit at the first end of the outer tube, as shown in figures 2 and 6. The first end cap comprises an integral ear 50 defining a first slot 52.

Referring to figures 1 , 2 and 5, at the second end 18 of the holder there is provided a second end cap 54. The second end cap comprises a second ear 56 defining a second slot 58. A shoulder band or suitable handle (not shown) may removably be secured to the holder, to facilitate carrying or handling of the holder 10 by a user.

On an inside cheek of the second cap 54 there is provided an integral axially extending circular flange 60. An idler sheet guide wheel 62 comprises a first integral circular and axially extending flange 64 (shown in figure 2) having an outside diameter just smaller than an inside diameter of the flange 60 on the second end cap, so that the first flange is a rotatable fit in the flange 60 on the cap. The idler wheel 62 comprises a second integral axially extending circular flange 66 having an outside diameter just smaller than an inside diameter of the internal tube 24 and defining an interruption 68 between opposed lips 70.1 and 70.2. When the second flange 66 is received in the internal tube, lips 27.1 and 27.2 abut against the lips 70.1 and 70.2.

The second end cap 54 comprises a circular coaxial and axially extending flange 72 having an outer diameter just smaller than an inner diameter of the outer tube, so that the flange part 72 of the second cap 54 is a tight fit at the second end of the outer tube 20. Referring now to figure 4, the at least one sheet 12, but typically a stack of sheets are anchored at their one ends 12.1 to the inner tube

24 by at least one clamp element 74.1 to 74. n. The clamp elements are similar in configuration and therefore, clamp element 74.1 only will be described in more detail. Clamp element 74.1 comprises first and second wings 76 and 78 hinged to a spine 80. The clamp element may be integrally formed from a suitable plastics material and the hinges may for example be provided by suitable reductions in the material. At least one integral stud 82 may stand proud from one wing and is removably receivable in a formation such as a hole 84, defined in the other wing. The thickness d of the clamp elements is larger than the width of the slot 26 in the inner tube. In use, the clamps are mounted at the one end of the at least one sheet with the studs extending through holes 85 punched into the at least one sheet 12.

At the opposed end 12.2 of the at least one sheet 12, there is provided an elongate protective and removable handling strip 86.

Referring now to figures 4 and 6, the at least one sheet 12 with clamp elements 74.1 to 74. n are slid axially into bore 25 of a first sub- assembly comprising inner tube 24 and first end cap 32. Because of the aforementioned relative dimensions, the clamp elements are radially trapped in the bore 25 of the inner tube. The at least one sheet is rolled onto the inner tube 24 as shown in figure 6.

Thereafter, the aforementioned first sub-assembly is axially received in a second sub-assembly comprising outer tube 20 and second end cap 52, with the region 12.2 of the at least one sheet 12 extending through the slot 22 in the outer tube. The assembled holder 10 with the at least one sheet 12 held thereby is shown in figure 7.

A section on line VIII in figure 1 is shown in figure 8.

The holder 10 may comprise at least one, preferably two transparent protective and liquid impermeable sheets (not shown), between which a stack of paper sheets 12 with drawings, plans, maps etc may be sandwiched. The strip 86 may be permanently secured to one of the protective sheets and may provide a fluid tight closure for the slot 22.

The holder may further comprise a separate intermediate transparent sheet, which may not be anchored as aforesaid, but which may be removed from the stack by the user when paid out and then superimposed on any selected paper sheet in the stack, to enable the user to make notes or other additions in manuscript in an erasable or other ink on the intermediate sheet, to supplement the underlying drawing, for example.

It will be appreciated that the clamp elements 74.1 to 74. n, which are openable and closable to receive replacement or additional sheets and which, due to their configuration, are radially trapped in the inner tube, provide a convenient and easy to use mechanism of collating and storing a stack of sheets for storage in the holder. The holder with manually manipulatable winding wheel provides a convenient mechanism for rolling up the stack or paying the stack out for use by a user. Other winding mechanisms such as a crank and/or an electric motor may also be used. The motor may be driven by battery and/or solar power. The motor may be controlled by a controller, which may be configured to cause the motor to pay out and/or pay in only predetermined lengths of the sheet. Other means to ensure that the sheets, when not anchored on the inner shaft as aforesaid, cannot be paid out entirely from the outer tube may comprise a brake, a length of string connected between the at least one sheet and the inner shaft or outer tube, a spring-loaded mechanism etc. A spring loaded mechanism may in any event be connected to the inner shaft to facilitate paying in the at least on sheet.

The optional protective transparent sheets protect the stack in harsh environments. The holder protects its contents and is believed to be convenient to carry and transport, as well as to store away.

A suitable bearing arrangement (nor shown) may be provided between the inner shaft and the end caps or the outer tube. An array of at least two juxtaposed and interconnected holders may also be provided. In one embodiment of the array two holders as herein described may be connected to one another back-to-back, so that the respective openings 22 face away from one another.

Claims

1 . According to the invention there is provided a holder for at least one flexible sheet, the holder comprising: - an inner elongate member for arresting the at least one sheet;

- an outer elongate tube defining a first elongate slot;

- at least a first end cap for the outer tube located at a first end of the outer tube; - the first end cap being user removable from the outer tube to enable the inner member to be removed and the at least one sheet to be anchored on the inner member; and a winding mechanism to roll up the at least on sheet on the inner member and to enable the at least one sheet to be paid out from the holder through the first slot.

2. A holder as claimed in claim 1 wherein the inner member extends between the first end cap and a second end cap at a second end of the outer tube and wherein the inner member is rotatable relative to the first and second end caps and the outer tube.

3. A holder as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the inner member comprises a coaxial inner tube.

4. A holder as claimed in claim 3 wherein the inner tube defines an axially extending second slot.

5. A holder as claimed in claim 4 wherein the at least one sheet is anchored to the inner tube by at least one device connected to one end of the sheet and which is axially removable and receivable in the inner tube, but radially trapped therein with the at least one sheet extending through the second slot.

6. A holder as claimed in claim 5 wherein the at least one device comprises an openable and closeable clamp comprising a first wing and a second wing hinged to a spine and at least one stud on the first wing which, when the first and second wings are hinged towards one another to a closed configuration, is removably arrested by a formation on the second wing.

7. A holder as claimed in claim 6 wherein a thickness dimension of the clamp between the two wings in the closed configuration is larger than a width of the second slot.

8. A holder as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7 comprising a first radially extending sheet guide wheel towards the first end cap and a second radially extending sheet guide wheel towards the second end cap.

9. A holder as claimed in claim 8 wherein the first and second guide wheels are mounted on the inner tube for rotation therewith.

10. A holder as claimed in claim 9 wherein the first guide wheel is connected to the winding mechanism.

1 1 . A holder as claimed in claim 10 wherein the winding mechanism comprises a manually manipulatable wheel, which is connected by a drive shaft to the first wheel.

12. A holder as claimed in claim 9 wherein the drive shaft comprises an axially extending shaft which is integral with the first guide wheel and extends through a hole in the first end cap to cooperate with a formation on the manually manipulatable wheel.

13. A holder as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 1 2 comprising at least one protective sheet anchored to the inner member.

14. A holder as claimed in claim 13 comprising first and second protective sheets anchored to the inner member and wherein the at least one sheet is sandwiched between the first and second protective sheets.

15. A holder as claimed in any one of claims 13 and 14 comprising at least one transparent sheet which is not anchored to the inner member, but which may selectively be superimposed on a selected one of the at least one sheet.