Portable table and carrier for construction plans

Abstract

A case has a main body with a plan storage compartment for holding a set of construction plans and one or more accessory storage boxes. A lid is hinged to the main body and is movable between a closed position to cover and protect the set of plans in the plan storage compartment, and an open position to allow viewing of the plans. Binder clips at opposite ends of the plan storage compartment secure the set of plans in place and a strap on the underside of the lid holds turned pages of the plans when the lid is open, thereby permitting individual pages of the plans to be easily viewed while the entire set of plans is secured in place and held open to a selected page. A recessed area on the underside of the main body accommodates folding leg members which are operable between a collapsed position, in concealed relation within the recessed area, and an extended position to support the case in a horizontal, elevated position above the floor, forming a table. A carry handle and shoulder strap are provided on the case for ease of transport.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/527,549, filed Dec. 5, 2004 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a carry case which converts to a table and, more particularly, to a portable case which holds a set of construction plans and accessory devices, such as pens, pencils, rulers, calculators and the like, and wherein the carry case is provided with extendable legs to form a table.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The construction of a building or home often involves a general contractor, along with numerous subcontractors such as framers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, roofers and window installers. All of these individuals require a set of construction plans (e.g. blueprints) which provide the details of construction for the building, and particularly the specifications relating to each phase of construction. Each of the subcontractors will usually have a set of plans directed to the particular work being performed by that subcontractor. The general contractor requires a full set of plans detailing all phases of the construction project. Typically, construction plans are printed on large rectangular sheets, in sets ranging from five sheets to more than twenty sheets. The sheets in each set of plans are bound together along a side binding.

During the course of construction, the General Contractor, as well as all of the subcontractors, must routinely refer to their plans, on the jobs site, in order to confirm that the work being performed is in accordance with the specifications in the plans. Due to the harsh nature of construction sites, it is often difficult to find a suitable work surface which allows the plans to be opened, spread flat and easily viewed. When working outdoors or in open structures, gusts of wind make it difficult to hold the plans open to any particular page. It is, therefore, not surprising to find one or more individuals at a typical construction site struggling to read construction plans on makeshift surfaces, such as on the top of a stack of building materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a portable table and carrier device for transporting and reading construction plans (e.g. blueprints). The device includes a case with a main body having a plan storage compartment for holding one or more sets of construction plans in a flat position. The main body is further provided with one or more accessory storage boxes or compartments, each having an access door which hinges open to permit placement and removal of accessory items such as pens, pencils, rulers and the like which are stored in the compartments. A lid is hinged to the main body and is movable between a closed position to cover and protect the set of plans in the plan storage compartment, and an open position to allow viewing of the plans. Binder clips at opposite ends of the plan storage compartment secure the set of plans in place. A strap on the underside of the lid holds the turned pages of the plans when the lid is open, thereby permitting individual pages of the plans to be easily viewed while the entire set of plans is secured in place and held open to the selected page.

A recessed area on the underside of the main body accommodates folding leg members which are operable between a collapsed position, in concealed relation within the recessed area, and an extended position to support the case in a horizontal, elevated position above the floor, thereby providing a table for conveniently reading the plans. With the legs extended, the device can be used as a portable table for other purposes, such as eating meals, typing on a laptop computer or doing paperwork. A carry handle and shoulder strap are provided on the main body of the case for ease of carrying and transport.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a device for carrying a set of construction plans, or multiple sets of plans, within a protective compartment which keeps the plans concealed and dry, and wherein the device converts to a table to facilitate ease of reading the plans at a construction site or other field location.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device which protectively carries one or more sets of construction plans, and wherein the device includes folding legs to enable the device to convert into a table at a construction site or other field location.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a carry case device for carrying one or more sets of construction plans, and wherein the device includes a plan storage compartment and hinged lid for covering and protecting the plans during transport, and further wherein the device includes binder clips for securing the plans flat and in readable position within the compartment when the lid is opened.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portable table and carrier for construction plans which protectively conceals one or more sets of construction plans during non-use and transport, and further wherein the device facilitates ease of reading construction plans in harsh indoor and outdoor construction environments.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a carrying case device for carrying one or more sets of construction plans, as set forth above, and wherein the lid of thedevice includes means for holding turned pages of the set of plans to allow selected individual pages to be easily viewed within the plan storage compartment of the device.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a carry case device for protectively carrying one or more sets of construction plans, as set forth above, and further wherein the device includes one or more accessory storage compartments for holding items such as, but not limited to, pens, pencils, rulers, a calculator, a pencil sharpener, a magnifier and other such items which are commonly used by architects, general contractors and sub-contractors when reading construction plans at a construction site.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a portable table and carrier for construction plans, as set forth above, which is lightweight and relatively compact in size to facilitate ease of carrying with the use of a handle and/or shoulder strap.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a portable table and carrier for construction plans which is easily transportable and moveable to different locations, such as from one floor to another floor of a building under construction.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a portable table and carrier for construction plans as set forth above, which is of a durable and rugged construction and yet relatively inexpensive.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are more readily apparent with reference to the drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top prospective view of the portable table and plan carrier device of the present invention, shown in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a top prospective view of the device of FIG. 1 shown with the lid in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a top prospective view of the device of the present invention shown with the lid open and a set of construction plans operatively secured and held open for viewing a selected page of the plans;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the device of the present invention shown with the legs extended to provide a table and an accessory storage box access door opened to provide access to the accessory storage box;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the device as shown in FIG. 4, with the access door of the accessory storage compartment closed;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the device shown with the lid fully opened and the legs extended to support the device as a table;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view, in partial cross-section, showing the device in a completely closed position for transport; and

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the device showing the legs folded to the collapsed position in concealed relation within a recessed area on the bottom side of the case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Although the invention will be described in terms of a specific embodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications, rearrangements, and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

Referring to the several views of the drawings, and initially FIGS. 1-2, the portable table and construction plan carrier device of the present invention is shown and is generally indicated as 10. The device is defined primarily by a case 12 having a main body 14 and a hinged lid 16. In a preferred embodiment, the main body 14 is molded as a single piece. The lid 16 is attached to the main body 14 along one edge by hinge 18. The lid may be molded together with the main body with a living hinge or, alternatively, the lid 16 may be molded as a separate piece and attached to the main body 14, using hinge 18, during manufacture. The lid 16 is movable between a closed position (as seen in FIG. 1) and a fully open position (see FIG. 6) to reveal an interior plan storage compartment 20. The plan storage compartment 20 is recessed within the interior main body 14 and is sized and configured to accommodate at least one full set of plans, having multiple pages, in a flat position. In a preferred embodiment, the lid 16 includes angled peripheral edges 22 surrounding a main lid panel 24. The angled edges serve to raise the main panel 24 of the lid 16 approximately one inch beyond the top edge 26 surrounding the plan compartment 20, thereby increasing the depth and overall volume of the plan storage compartment 20 when the lid 16 is closed. This enables at least one substantially large set of construction plans, consisting of at least 20 pages, to be neatly stored and secured in place within the plan storage compartment when the lid is closed. Tabs 28 on the underside of the lid 16 releasably snap into correspondingly aligned holes 29 in the top peripheral border 30 of the main body surrounding the recessed plan storage compartment. The tabs 28 and correspondingly aligned holes 29 secure the lid closed to protectively contain the plans within the plan storage compartment. A seal may be provided about the underside of the lid and/or around the top peripheral frame on the main body surrounding the plan storage compartment to keep the storage compartment water tight when the lid is closed, and thereby keeping the plans dry during transport.

As seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plan storage compartment is provided with binder clips 32 at opposite ends for securing the set of plans flat and in place within the compartment. As seen in FIG. 3, the binder clip near the hinge secures the binding of the plans while the binder clip on the opposite end of the compartment secures the loose edges of the plan pages. This binder clip is momentarily opened when turning pages of the plans and is released to clamp down on the edges of the plan pages when the set of plans is turned to the desired page. The turned pages which are flipped over onto the underside of the cover (see FIG. 3) are secured under a strap 34 to hold the turned pages in place so that they do not fall back onto the page being viewed.

In a preferred embodiment, the strap 34 is a plastic molded strap and is formed with the lid during the molding process. The main body 14 is further provided with accessory storage compartments. In a preferred embodiment, two accessory storage compartments 42 are provided on opposite sides of a carry handle 50. In the preferred embodiment, the accessory storage compartments are similar in nature to a glove box in an automobile and include hinged access doors 44 which swing down to an open position, forming a tray. The accessory storage compartments are particularly useful for holding pens, pencils, rulers, dividers, erasers, a pencil sharpener, a calculator and other like items which are typically needed when using construction plans at a construction site or other field location. In a preferred embodiment, the access doors 44 of the storage compartments 42 are integrally molded with the main body 14, as a single piece, with a living hinge permitting hinged, swinging movement of the access doors between the closed position (see FIG. 5) and the open position (see FIG. 4).

The bottom side of the main body is provided with a recessed area 58 for accommodating leg members 60, 62. In a preferred embodiment, the leg members 60, 62 are each formed as a U shape, to include a pair of parallel legs. The leg members 60, 62 are pivotally secured to the underside of the main body, within the recessed area, to permit folding movement between a collapsed position, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, and an extended position as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. In the collapsed position, the leg members 60, 62 are folded flat against the underside of the main body, thereby concealing the leg members within the recessed area. This provides for a low profile carry case, as seen in FIG. 7, for ease of transport and stowage, such as in an automobile trunk, behind the driver's seat or in a luggage compartment. When the leg members 60, 62 are folded down to the extended position, the device 10 is converted into a table with the main body 14 supported in a horizontal position in spaced relation above and underlying floor surface. In this position, as seen in FIGS. 4-6, the lid 16 can be fully opened to permit convenient access and viewing of each of the individual pages of the plans, while the set of plans is held secured and flat on an elevated table structure. When the user has finished reading the plans, the lid is simply closed to protectively conceal the plans. When leaving the construction site, or other location, the user simply folds the legs to the collapsed position, within the recessed area, and, with the lid closed and the accessory storage compartment door is closed, the case 12 is easily carried with the use of the handle 50 and for an adjustable shoulder strap 52.

Nubs 70 are provided on the bottom side of the case (see FIG. 2) for resting the case on a ground surface, similar to a briefcase or suitcase. The nubs are preferably formed of plastic and integrally molded with the main body.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.

Claims

1. A combination portable table and construction plan carrying case, comprising:

a rectilinear case having a main body configured as a tray with lower, front, and rear surfaces and a top peripheral border having an upper surface and front, rear and opposing side edges with a lid attached to one of said side edges by a hinge means wherein said lid is movable between a closed position and an open position; said lid including a main lid panel having peripheral edges adapted for engagement with said front, rear, and opposing side edges of said top peripheral border; said main body including a recessed region within said top peripheral border defining a recessed storage compartment sized and configured to accommodate at least one full set of architectural plans having multiple pages, said recessed storage compartment having front, rear and opposing side edges respectively parallel to said front, rear, and opposing side edges of said main body; said top peripheral border having first and second binder clips mounted thereon proximate to said opposing side edges of said recessed storage compartment configured to secure plans in place within said storage compartment; and

two pairs of folding leg members pivotally attached to said lower surface of said main body in a diametrical arrangement; said two pairs of folding leg members positionable between a collapsed position adjacent said main body and an extended position whereby the rectilinear case is supported in a horizontal position relative to an underlying support surface.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said first and second binder clips comprise elongated structures mounted parallel to said opposing side edges of said recessed storage compartment wherein each of said first and second binder clips each have a first and second ends secured to said top peripheral border respectively proximate said front and rear edges of said recessed storage compartment.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein at least one of said first and second binder clips can be selectively opened and closed whereby said first binder clip secures the binding of the plans and said second binder clip secures said loose pages of the plans.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said lower surface of said main body includes at least one recess therein configured to receive said two pairs of folding leg members in said collapsed position.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said main body and said hinged lid are formed as an integral piece, and said hinge means comprises a living hinge.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said main body further comprises a plurality of interior walls defining at least one accessory storage compartment disposed therein proximate said front surface, wherein said at least one accessory storage compartment is accessed through at least hinged access door disposed in said front surface corresponding to said at least one accessory storage compartment.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein said at least one hinged access door includes a hinge means parallel to said lower surface of said main body, whereby said hinged door swings downwardly to an open position.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said at least one hinged access door is integrally molded with said main body, and said hinge means comprises a living hinge.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said peripheral edges of said hinged lid are obliquely angled.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said lower surface of said lid includes a plurality of tabs protruding therefrom and said top peripheral border includes a plurality of corresponding holes therein wherein said tabs and said holes are adapted for mated engagement with said one another, whereby said plurality of tabs and plurality of holes securely engage with one another when the lid is in the closed position.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising a sealing gasket disposed on peripheral edges of said lid.

12. The device of claim of claim 1, wherein said main lid panel has an inside surface with strap fixedly attached thereto configured and positioned to hold turned pages when said lid is in said open position.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said strap is integrally formed with said lid.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said two pairs of folding leg members are each unitary U-shaped structures.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein said front surface of said main body includes a carrying handle.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein said rear side of said main body includes a plurality of nubs protruding therefrom.