AUDIO, COMPUTER AND VIDEO COMPONENT CASE AND METHODS OF PRODUCTION
Audio, computer and video component cases have been developed that comprise: a) a lower box component having an open top, at least two side panels, a back panel, a front panel and a bottom panel, wherein the bottom panel is coupled with at least one of the at least two side panels, the back panel, the front panel or a combination thereof; b) an upper box component having an open bottom, at least two side panels, a back panel, a front panel and a top panel, wherein the top panel is coupled with at least one of the at least two side panels, the back panel, the front panel or a combination thereof; c) a platform for supporting an audio component, computer component, video component or a combination thereof, wherein the platform comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the platform is coupled to the lower box, the upper box or a combination thereof and wherein the platform is hingeably movable to expose the lower surface of the platform; and d) at least one latch assembly comprising a latch and a latch receptacle, wherein the latch assembly is coupled to the lower box, the upper box or a combination thereof.
The field of the subject matter is a case for housing and accessing audio, computer and video components, their related accessories and cables, along with methods of production of the contemplated cases.
BACKGROUNDDisc jockeys (also referred to as “DJs”), musicians, programmers and technicians are always looking for equipment cases that can function as strong, stable transport cases for the equipment, while at the same time functioning as stands, support and temporary platforms for that same equipment during operation and performances. Conventional cases are generally square or rectangular in shape, padded or carpeted on the inside and able to lock when the equipment is stored.
There are several styles of cases on the market today, including those sold by Genesis (ST-17A) and Odyssey Designs (SS-1702 DJ). Both of these designs suffer from having a single point of contact between the upper part of the case and the lower part of the case, where the upper part of the case moves separate from the lower part of the case to expose the inside of the case and providing a single, fixed operating position.
A platform and multiple box case has been developed by Hsaio and Montano, Inc. and is described in US Patent Publication 2007/0170181. These cases have a sliding assembly on the side of the case where the component platform can slide back and forth along slanted panels fixed inside the bottom of the case. There are several problems with this design, including the introduction of a number of working pieces. For example, the platform is slideably attached to a set of slanted supports. The sliding members on each side are susceptible to dirt, humidity and breakage. Once the sliding members fail, it is difficult to move the platform in order to expose the bottom of the inside of the case. In addition, there's no versatility in the platform arrangement—meaning that the platform is on the same angle as the supports. If the supports are slanted, then the platform will move back and forth on an angle. If the supports are level, then the platform will move back and forth in a level plane. However, there is no embodiment that allows the platform to be on an angle in one instance and level in another instance.
Therefore, it would be ideal to have an audio, computer and video component case that would a) allow the user to have a slanted platform for some applications and a level platform for other uses, b) allow the user to access the bottom of the case for storage or for additional components, c) be durable and sturdy for packing, unpacking and transporting the components, d) be versatile enough to allow the same transport case to be used as the support and housing for the components during use or performances, and e) allow the user to expand the case during use to include side platforms and supports.
SUMMARY OF THE SUBJECT MATTERAudio, computer and video component cases have been developed that comprise: a) a lower box component having an open top, at least two side panels, a back panel, a front panel and a bottom panel, wherein the bottom panel is coupled with at least one of the at least two side panels, the back panel, the front panel or a combination thereof; b) an upper box component having an open bottom, at least two side panels, a back panel, a front panel and a top panel, wherein the top panel is coupled with at least one of the at least two side panels, the back panel, the front panel or a combination thereof; c) a platform for supporting an audio component, computer component, video component or a combination thereof, wherein the platform comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the platform is coupled to the lower box, the upper box or a combination thereof and wherein the platform is hingeably movable to expose the lower surface of the platform; and d) at least one latch assembly comprising a latch and a latch receptacle, wherein the latch assembly is coupled to the lower box, the upper box or a combination thereof.
Surprisingly, an audio, computer and video component case has been developed that a) allows the user to have a slanted platform for some applications and a level platform for other uses, b) allows the user to access the bottom of the case for storage or for additional components, c) is durable and sturdy for packing, unpacking and transporting the components, d) is versatile enough to allow the same transport case to be used as the support and housing for the components during use or performances, and e) allows the user to expand the case during use to include side platforms and supports.
Specifically, an audio, computer and video component case has been developed that comprises: a) a lower box component having an open top, at least two side panels, a back panel, a front panel and a bottom panel, wherein the bottom panel is coupled with at least one of the at least two side panels, the back panel, the front panel or a combination thereof; b) an upper box component having an open bottom, at least two side panels, a back panel, a front panel and a top panel, wherein the top panel is coupled with at least one of the at least two side panels, the back panel, the front panel or a combination thereof; c) a platform for supporting an audio component, computer component, video component or a combination thereof, wherein the platform comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the platform is coupled to the lower box, the upper box or a combination thereof and wherein the platform is hingeably movable to expose the lower surface of the platform; and d) at least one latch assembly comprising a latch and a latch receptacle, wherein the latch assembly is coupled to the lower box, the upper box or a combination thereof. There are a number of contemplated embodiments that will be discussed in this application.
As used herein, the phrase “hingeably movable” means that a first object is coupled to a second object through the use of a hinge device and the first object is movable with respect to the second object through the use of the hinge device. This concept is clearly shown in the progression of
A contemplated support system for the platform is shown in several of the Figures disclosed herein. In these figures, the support system comprises a plurality of side supports and a back support system that work together to support the platform in all stages of use. In this embodiment, the hinge device couples the platform to the support system. In some embodiments, the support system may comprise the plurality of dividers and the front or back panel of the lower box component, instead of an entirely separate support system, as shown in
Several of the figures also show at least part of the at least one latch assembly comprising a latch and a latch receptacle, wherein the latch assembly is coupled to the lower box, the upper box or a combination thereof. As contemplated herein, latch assemblies are designed to attach the upper box component and the lower box component to one another, lock the component case or a combination thereof. The latch assemblies may comprise any suitable material, including metal, metal alloys, composite materials, plastics or other materials designed to be strong and non-corrosive.
Contemplated audio components and video components comprise at least one receiver, at least one amplifier, at least one speaker, at least one turntable, at least one compact disc or digital video disc player, at least one videotape player, at least one recording device, at least one mixing and/or sound device, at least one laptop or conventional computer device, at least one media drive or a combination thereof. Contemplated cases may also store and support at least one piece of support equipment, including records/LPs, paperwork, such as songlists, CDs, DVDs, videotapes, communication devices, such as telephones, walkie-talkies, cell phones, intercoms and other communication devices.
The lower box component, upper box component or a combination thereof may comprise a plurality of legs, wheels or a combination thereof to perform several functions, including a) facilitate transport during travel from performance to performance, b) facilitate transport during the performance from site to site, c) act as a component case stand when a table or other support isn't available. It is contemplated that the legs would perform the last function listed above, in that they could be retracted or folded down (similar to a folding table) and locked into place to support the component case. When retracted or removed, the legs could be easily stored inside the case or in a recess on the outside of the case.
The lower box component, upper box component or a combination thereof may also comprise at least one subopening panel that is entirely contained within the boundaries of that particular panel. In other words, the primary panel surrounds the sides of the at least one subopening panel. An example of this subopening panel is shown in
The materials for contemplated audio, video and computer component cases may include any suitable and durable material, including steel/metal plates, heavy duty cardboard, plywood or wood products, carpeting (inside of the case) or a combination thereof.
Thus, specific embodiments and applications of audio, computer and video component cases and their methods of production have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the disclosure. Moreover, in interpreting the disclosure, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.
Claims
1. An audio, computer and video component case, comprising:
- a lower box component having an open top, at least two side panels, a back panel, a front panel and a bottom panel, wherein the bottom panel is coupled with at least one of the at least two side panels, the back panel, the front panel or a combination thereof;
- an upper box component having an open bottom, at least two side panels, a back panel, a front panel and a top panel, wherein the top panel is coupled with at least one of the at least two side panels, the back panel, the front panel or a combination thereof;
- a platform for supporting an audio component, computer component, video component or a combination thereof, wherein the platform comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the platform is coupled to the lower box, the upper box or a combination thereof and wherein the platform is hingeably movable to expose the lower surface of the platform; and
- at least one latch assembly comprising a latch and a latch receptacle, wherein the latch assembly is coupled to the lower box, the upper box or a combination thereof.
2. The audio, computer and video component case of claim 1, further comprising a support system for supporting the platform.
3. The audio, computer and video component case of claim 2, wherein the support system comprises a plurality of side supports, a back support, a front support or a combination thereof.
4. The audio, computer and video component case of claim 2, wherein the support system is coupled to the platform by a hinge device.
5. The audio, computer and video component case of claim 1, wherein the platform is coupled to one of the back panel, the side panels, the front panel of the lower box component by a hinge device.
6. The audio, computer and video component case of claim 1, wherein at least some of the side panels are dividers.
7. The audio, computer and video component case of claim 1, wherein the component case further comprises at least one expansion component.
8. The audio, computer and video component case of claim 7, wherein the at least one expansion component comprises a side platform.
9. The audio, computer and video component case of claim 1, further comprising at least one wheel, at least two legs or a combination thereof.
10. The audio, computer and video component case of claim 1, wherein the audio component, video component, computer component or combination thereof comprises at least one receiver, at least one amplifier, at least one speaker, at least one turntable, at least one compact disc or digital video disc player, at least one videotape player, at least one recording device, at least one mixing and/or sound device, at least one laptop or conventional computer device, at least one media drive or a combination thereof.
11. The audio, computer and video component case of claim 1, wherein the case also comprises storage for at least one piece of support equipment.
12. The audio, computer and video component case of claim 11, wherein the at least one piece of support equipment comprises records/LPs, paperwork, CDs, DVDs, videotapes, communication devices, cables, connectors or combinations thereof.
13. The audio, computer, and video component case of claim 12, wherein communication devices comprise telephones, walkie-talkies, cell phones, intercoms or a combination thereof.
14. The audio, computer and video component case of claim 1, wherein the lower box component, upper box component or combination thereof comprises at least one subopening panel.
15. The audio, computer and video component case of claim 14, where the at least one subopening panel comprises at least one latch assembly.
16. The audio, computer and video component case of claim 1, wherein the case comprises any suitable and durable material, including steel/metal plates, heavy duty cardboard, plywood or wood products, carpeting (inside of the case) or a combination thereof.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 3, 2007
Publication Date: Jun 4, 2009
Inventor: David Saghian (Encino, CA)
Application Number: 11/949,550
International Classification: A47F 7/00 (20060101);