Twin organizer pack

Abstract

A twin organizer pack adapted to carry a substantial load of fishing tackle or other pieces. Each pack in the twin is formed by a carrying case provided with a handle and a tray having a rectangular base supporting an array of cells to accommodate the pieces. Mounted on one end of the base adjacent each corner thereof is a pair of lugs having inwardly-projecting legs defining a T-shaped socket. Mounted on the opposite end of the base adjacent each corner thereof is a pair of lugs having outwardly projecting legs defining a T-shaped plug. To assemble the twin pack, two cases are stacked in back-to-back relation, with the plugs on each base then being next to the sockets on the other base and in line therewith. The cases are then interlocked by shifting one case toward the other to cause the plugs to enter the sockets, at which point the cases are in registration. Their handles are then brought into side-by-side relation to form a twin pack having a twin handle that can be grasped by one hand.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to organizers in a carrying case format adapted to store fishing tackle pieces or other paraphernalia, and more particularly to a twin organizer pack composed of a pair of interlocked carrying cases.

[0003] 2. Status of Prior Art

[0004] A sports fisherman embarking on a fishing expedition must take along many pieces of fishing tackle or gear, such as fishing hooks of different types and sizes, floats of various kinds, weights in a range of weights, diverse lures and bait as well as fish gutting implements and other pieces the fisherman may require.

[0005] In order to store fishing tackle in an organized manner so that the pieces are readily accessible, it is known to provide an organizer for this purpose in the form of a compartmentalized tray or box having an array of cells, each accommodating a particular piece of fishing tackle. It is also known to provide such an organizer in a carrying case format having a handle to facilitate handling of the organizer, which now can be hand-carried, or placed in the trunk of a vehicle or in the locker of a fishing boat. To obtain access to a particular piece, the fisherman has only to open the case and take the piece out of the cell in which it was stored.

[0006] In recent years, developments in the field of fishing tackle have multiplied the number of pieces available to a sports fisherman. As a consequence, a single organizer carrying case is incapable of carrying the many more pieces one may require on a fishing expedition.

[0007] The obvious solution to this problem is for the fisherman to take along two organizer-carrying cases, which together can accommodate all of the pieces. But this presents practical difficulties in that the fisherman now needs both hands to carry the two cases. It is far better for a fisherman or for that matter any individual loaded with luggage, to carry only one piece at a time in one hand, thereby leaving the other hand free for other purposes.

[0008] Should a fisherman try to carry in one hand a pair of handled carrying cases, because the handles are spaced apart, the fisherman, unless he has an unusually big hand, would find it difficult to grasp both handles in one hand.

[0009] Another practical drawback in having a load of fishing tackle distributed between two carrying cases which must be separately handled is that these cases often wind up at different places on a boat or on fishing grounds. Hence when a fisherman needs a particular piece of tackle, he may not remember which case contains the desired piece and where that case is located.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In view of the foregoing, the main object of this invention is to provide a twin organizer pack having a large capacity capable of carrying a substantial load of paraphernalia.

[0011] The paraphernalia disclosed herein is fishing tackle or gear, for such gear takes the form of small pieces that lend themselves to storage in small organizer cells. However, a twin pack in accordance with the invention is useable as an organizer for many other species of small pieces such as nuts, bolts, washers, screws and other fastener items, or for clothing buttons of different sizes, shapes and colors. The organizer is useful for storing any set of items which must be organized to prevent their intermixing.

[0012] More particularly, an object of this invention is to provide a twin organizer pack composed of a pair of carrying cases interlocked in back-to-back relation, with the handles of the two cases then being in side-by-side relation to form a twin handle that can be grasped without difficulty in one hand.

[0013] Among the significant advantages of the invention are the following:

[0014] A. The two carrying cases which together form a twin organizer pack are molded of transparent, synthetic plastic material, making it possible to see the contents of the twin packs.

[0015] B. Each of the cases has a tray that is compartmentalized by means of parallel slats and transverse insert plates bridging adjacent slats to create an array of cells the dimensions of which depend on the spacing between adjacent plates. Hence the sizes of the cells can be adjusted to accommodate pieces of different length.

[0016] C. The two carrying cases which together form a twin pack can be quickly interlocked to assemble the twin pack, and just as quickly disassembled.

[0017] D. The carrying cases are molded of high strength synthetic plastic material and are capable of withstanding the rough handling to which cases containing fishing tackle are often subjected.

[0018] E. The carrying case can be mass-produced at low cost.

[0019] Briefly stated, these objects are attained in a twin organizer pack adapted to carry a substantial load of fishing tackle or other pieces. Each pack of the twin is formed by a carrying case provided with a handle and a tray having a rectangular base supporting an array of cells to accommodate the pieces. Mounted on one end of the base adjacent each corner thereof is a pair of lugs having inwardly-projecting legs defining a T-shaped female socket. Mounted on the opposite end of the base adjacent each corner thereof is a pair of lugs having outwardly projecting legs defining a T-shaped male plug.

[0020] To assemble the twin pack, two cases are stacked in back-to-back relation, with the plugs in each base then being next to the sockets on the other base and in line therewith. The cases are then interlocked by shifting one case toward the other to cause the plugs to enter the sockets, at which point the cases are in registration. Their pivoted handles may then be swung into side-by-side relation to form a twin pack having a twin handle that can be grasped by one hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] For a better understanding of the invention as well as other objects and features thereof, reference is made to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0022] FIG. 1. is a perspective view of an organizer carrying case in accordance with the invention, the lid of the case being raised to expose the compartmentalized tray to which the lid is hinged;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the base of the tray;

[0024] FIG. 3 shows one of the slats forming the compartmentalized tray and a transverse insert plate to be joined to the slat;

[0025] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of one of the carrying cases in the twin pack;

[0026] FIG. 4B shows the other carrying case;

[0027] FIG. 4C shows the two cases interlocked to form the twin pack;

[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the female sockets mounted on the base of the tray;

[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one of the male plugs mounted on the base of the tray;

[0030] FIG. 7 is an end view of a male plug on the base of one tray inserted into the female socket on the base of the other tray in the twin pack; and

[0031] FIG. 8 shows a ramp on the base of one tray engaged by a ledge on the base of the other tray.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 1, shown therein is one of the pair of organizer carrying cases which form a twin pack in accordance with the invention. This carrying case, generally identified by numeral 10, comprises a box-like compartmentalized tray 11 to which is hinged a rectangular lid 12. The tray and lid are molded of transparent synthetic plastic material of high strength such as polypropylene, polyethylene, or polystyrene so that the contents of the case are visible.

[0033] Attached by living hinges to the front side of lid 12 is a pair of latch elements 13 and 14 which when the lid is shut can then snap onto a complementary pair of catches 15 and 16 mounted on the front side of tray 11.

[0034] Pivotally mounted within a recess 17 at the center section of the front side of tray 11 is a handle 18. This handle is normally retracted within the recess but can be swung out so that the case can be carried. When swung out, handle 18 is then in line with the base 11B of the tray. In a conventional carrying case, the handle mounted on the upper end thereof is midway between the sides, whereas in the case shown it is in line with the base side of the case.

[0035] Tray 11 is compartmentalized by means of rectangular plastic slats 19 in combination with plastic transverse insert plates 20. As shown in FIG. 1, tray 11 is divided by three parallel slats 19 into four channels C1, C2, C3 and C4, the slats bridging the opposite ends of the tray. Each channel is sub-divided into cells by transverse insert plates 20. To join the plates to the slats, there are molded at equi-spaced positions along each slat 19 a slotted vertical column 19C which functions as a joint to connect a plate to the slat.

[0036] Each insert plate 20, as shown in FIG. 3, has formed on its vertical edges a tapered wedge 20T. Hence when an edge of the plate slides into the column 19C, it then becomes wedged therein. But the wedging can be overcome and should one wish to remove an insert plate from the slats, the plastic can be pulled out without difficulty. Should all of the columns on the slats be occupied by insert plates, then there would be erected an array of individual cubical cells 21 all having about the same dimensions. These relatively small cells are suitable for most small item fishing tackle.

[0037] However, it may be necessary to create larger cells to accommodate longer pieces. As shown in FIG. 1, this is done by omitting insert plates from channel C1, C2 and C3 to create double size cells 22, 23 and 24. By omitting more plates, the cells can be further lengthened.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2, mounted on one side of the base 11B of tray 11 of the case on which the cells are supported are two pair of lugs 25, one pair of which is adjacent the rear corner of the base, the other being adjacent the front corner thereof. The lugs in pair 25 as shown in FIG. 5, each have an inwardly-projecting leg 25L to define a T-shaped female socket S. Mounted on the opposite end of base 11 are two pairs of lugs 26, one being adjacent the rear corner at this end of the base, the other being adjacent the front corner. As shown in FIG. 6, lugs 26 are provided with outwardly-projecting legs 26L to define T-shaped male plugs which complement the T-shaped female socket S. Each pair of female lugs 25 on one end of the base and the complementary pair of male lugs 26 on the opposite end of the base lie on a common longitudinal axis.

[0039] In order to interlock a pair of carrying cases, they must first be stacked in back-to-back relation, with the male plugs on the bases of the two cases being then next to and in line with the female sockets thereof. In this initial state, one case is longitudinally displaced with respect to the other. Then the upper case is shifted toward the lower case to cause the plugs to enter the sockets, at which point the two cases lie in registration with each other.

[0040] To prevent overshooting of the case that is shifted, the ends of the female sockets are blocked (not shown) to prevent the plugs inserted therein from going beyond the sockets. To resist separation of the interlocked two cases, base 11 as shown in FIG. 2, is provided adjacent each pair of female lugs 25 a triangular ramp 27. On the other end of the base in front of the male lugs 26 there is a ridge 28.

[0041] When the upper case is shifted into registration with the lower case, then as shown in FIG. 8, its base 11B rides over ramp 27 until the ridge 28 at the end of the base overrides the ramp to fall behind its straight edge, thereby resisting displacement of the case.

[0042] To assemble a twin pack made up of two carrying cases, one being shown in FIG. 4A and the other in FIG. 4B, the two cases are interlocked in back-to-back relation to form the twin pack shown in FIG. 4C. It is important to note that in the twin pack. the handles 18 of the two cases are in side-by-side relation to form a twin handle that can be grasped by a single hand.

[0043] While there has been shown a preferred embodiment of a twin organizer pack in accordance with the invention, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the essential spirit of the invention. Thus the handle on each carrying case can be attached to one end of the case rather than to one side thereof.

Claims

1. An organizer carrying case for storing an transporting a load of different pieces, said case comprising:

a. a compartmentalized tray having a rectangular base in which is supported an array of cells adapted to receive said pieces; and

b. means mounted on said base and engageable with complementary means on a like case when the like case is in back-to-back relation with said case to interlock the cases, thereby creating a twin pack capable of carrying a greater load of pieces.

2. A case as in claim 1, in which the pieces are pieces of fishing gear, and the cells are dimensioned to accommodate these pieces.

3. A case as in claim 1, further including a lid hinged to a rear end of the tray which when closed then shuts the cells.

4. A case as in claim 3, in which hinged to a front side of the lid is a pair of latching elements adapted to engage a pair of catches mounted on a front side of the tray.

5. A case as in claim 1, further including a handle pivotally mounted in a recess in the front side of the tray, the handle when swung out of the recess being then in alignment with said base, whereby when said case is in back-to-back relation with a like case, the handles thereof are then in side-by-side relation to create a twin handle.

6. A case as set forth in claim 1, molded of transparent synthetic plastic material whereby the pieces stored in said cells are visible.

7. A case as in claim 1, in which compartmentalization of the tray is effected by means of parallel slats extending between opposing ends of the tray and transverse insert plates joined to adjacent slats at spaced positions to define said cells.

8. A case as in claim 7, in which the slats are provided at spaced positions with slotted vertical columns into which said plates are slidable.

9. A case as in claim 1, further including a ramp mounted at one end of the base and a ridge mounted on the other end thereof, whereby when said case and said like case are in back-to-back relation and the like case is shifted in one direction to bring it into registration with said case, the base of the like case then rides over the ramp and the ridge thereof overrides the ramp to fall behind it to prevent shifting of the like case in a reverse direction.

10. A case as in claim 1, in which said means includes

A. a pair of lugs at one end of said base shaped to define a T-shaped female socket; and

B. a pair of lugs at the opposite end of the base shaped to define a T-shaped male plug that is insertable in said socket.

11. A case as in claim 10, in which the socket lugs have inward projections.

12. A case as in claim 10, in which the plug lugs have outward projections.

13. A twin organizer pack comprising a pair of compartmentalized carrying cases for carrying a load of pieces, said cases being in back-to-back relation, each case having a base on which is mounted means which engage complementary means on the other case of the pair to interlock the cases.

14. A twin organizer as in claim 13, in which each case is provided with a handle which is aligned with said base whereby when the cases are in back-to-back relation, the handles are then in side-by-side relation to create a twin handle.

15. A twin organizer as set forth in claim 13, in which each case includes a tray that is compartmentalized to form an array of cells for receiving different pieces, and a lid hinged to the tray to close the cells.