Sign carrying case

Abstract

A carrying case with multiple compartments of size sufficient for carrying any sign to include signs attached to a frame with elongated legs with sharpened ends further comprising straps to control movement of the sign within the compartment and cover the sharpened ends of the elongate legs.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an improved sign carrying case.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Cases for carrying artwork as well as signs have existed for a long time. In connection with artwork, these cases contain various dividers so that several pieces of original art can be carried at the same time. A handle is typically employed to allow for convenient carrying. Sign carrying cases are typically of the same design. Signs, however, can be attached to a frame which includes elongated legs having sharpened ends which are used to stake the sign into the ground. These types of signs are traditionally used in the real estate business to advertise that a house is for sale as well as the real estate agent selling the house. Historically, these types of signs are simply placed into the trunk of a car or other cargo carrying portion of a vehicle. The signs then tend to move during transportation damaging not only the signs themselves but the also the cargo area in which they are contained. Signs such as the foregoing, can also be used to advertise other items for sale, not just real estate. Key to this type of sign is the placed on a frame which includes the elongated legs for staking the frame into the ground. The frame can be of any sturdy material but is typically made of metal.

In order to reduce damage to the sign or the cargo area, signs such as described above can be placed into a typical artwork designed case. Prior art in this regard consists of U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,381 issued Aug. 23, 1988, to Michael C. Castle, entitled Sign Carrier and Storage Bag; U.S. Patent Application Number 2007/028983, Ananyzeh Gonzalez Inventor, Published Dec. 20, 2007, entitled Sign Transportation Ans Storage Device; U.S. Patent Application Number 2007/093842, Published Aug. 23, 2007, Larry J. Williams Inventor, entitled Realtor Kit; U.S. Patent Application Number 2009/0206622, Published Aug. 20, 2009, Pat Craft Inventor, entitled Board Bag; U.S. Design Pat. 371,237, entitled Tote Bag for Carrying and Storing a Real Estate Sign, Sharon Pfeifer Inventor, Published Jul. 2, 1996; and U.S. Design Pat. 294,307, entitled Real Estate Caddy or Similar Article, Diane Williams Inventor, Published Feb. 23, 1988. None of this prior art discloses a carrying case with the ability to house a sign attached to a frame having elongated legs with sharpened ends to stake the sign into the ground. If such signs were placed into the carrying cases of this prior art, the sharpened ends tend to pierce the carrying case.

Disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Number 2008/0105585, Published May 8, 2008, entitled Case for Holding Signs, Joel and Randy Koeppl Inventors, is a carrying case which appears to house both a sign as well as the frame to which the sign is attached. As shown in FIG. 2 of the Koeppl Application, the elongated legs of the sign frame do not have sharpened ends. If signs attached to frames having elongated legs with sharpened ends were to be placed into the Koepple case, the sharpened ends would puncture the bottom of the case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a large enough carrying case with containment of both a sign as well as the frame onto which it is attached including the elongated legs having sharpened ends. Additionally, the carrying case of the present invention includes straps attached to the top of the inside of the carrying case which are long enough to reach and cover the sharpened ends of the elongated legs. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the front of the carrying case of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts the pockets into which the sharpened ends of the elongated legs of the frame are placed into the inside straps.

FIG. 3 illustrates the carrying case of the present invention with more than one inside carrying compartment and in a size for smaller signs not attached to a frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention.

The carrying case [1] of the present invention, depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, is made from any material of sufficient rigidity and strength to adequately protect and house signs of various sizes, generally comprises two opposing panels, one of which [3] can be seen in FIG. 1. There may be one compartment within the carrying case of the present invention or as seen in FIG. 3, there may be several [9]. The carrying case can be opened and closed along its lateral [4], top [5] and bottom [6] using any traditional means such as a zipper or simple Velcro®.

FIG. 2 depicts one of the outside panels [3] opened to view the inside securing straps [7]. The straps [7], preferably 2, are attached to the inside edges of the carrying case at the top and are of sufficient length to extend the full length of the elongated legs of the metal frame to which the sign is attached. At the bottom end of said straps [7] are pockets [8] into which the sharpened ends of the elongated legs of the sign frames are placed. The sharpened ends of frames are essential to stake the signs into the ground. As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the carrying case of the present invention includes a handle or strap [2] either attached to the sides or top of the carrying case so that the case can be easily carried.

While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A carrying case with multiple compartments of size sufficient for carrying signs attached to a frame with elongated legs with sharpened ends further comprising straps to control movement of the sign within the compartment and cover the sharpened ends of the elongate legs.

2. A sign carrying case comprising two opposing panels with an inside and outside surfaces along with top, bottom and lateral edges further comprising a means to re-sealably fasten said top, bottom and lateral edges together to form a case.

3. The sign carrying case of claim 2 further comprising at least one interior panel of sufficient size to separate multiple signs, attached to the inside surface of said opposing panels.

4. The sign carrying case of claim 2 wherein the means to re-sealaby fasten said top, bottom and lateral edges together are interlocking teeth (“zipper”).

5. The sign carrying case of claim 2 wherein a carrying strap is attached to the outside surface of said opposing panels

6. The sign carrying case of claim 2 further comprising a means to secure signs to the inside surfaces of said opposing panels.

7. The sign carrying case of claim 6 wherein the means to secure said signs are straps.

8. The sign carrying case of claim 7 wherein said straps further comprise on one end pockets of sufficient height and width to restrain and cushion the sharpened ends of said elongated legs.