Carrying Device

Abstract

A carrying device includes a generally planar framework and a plurality of straps coupled to the framework. At least two of the plurality of straps extend horizontally across the framework, and at least another two of the plurality of straps extend vertically across the framework, wherein each of the at least two horizontally extending straps intersects each of the at least two vertically extending straps. Further, each of the plurality of straps includes a loop, and each loop comprises two opposing vortices, the opposing vortices extending away from a perimeter of the framework thereby defining a pair of spaced apart handles.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part application that claims the priority of Non-provisional patent application U.S. Ser. No. 16/446,016 filed Jun. 19, 2019 titled CARRYING DEVICE and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to carrying devices and, more particularly, to a carrying device having a support system that includes multiple straps and a flexible framework coupled to the support system of straps for carrying heavy or awkward loads.

Often, articles of irregular shape or simply a multitude of smaller objects need to be moved from one location to another, such as needing to move one pile of objects from one location to another within an industrial facility, storage locker, basement, garage, or the like. A quick and convenient device to move such objects is needed.

Various devices exist to assist in the transport of heavy objects such as equipment, boxes, furniture, and the like. Devices such as dollies, carts, shelves on wheels, forklifts, and the like, may be used to move heavy loads. Unfortunately, these devices are often themselves heavy and difficult to maneuver, only adding to the frustration of moving the object. Further, heavy moving devices may be difficult to store when not in use.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a carrying device that included a network of horizontal and vertical straps coupled to a flexible, planar, and rectangular substrate that is useful for supporting miscellaneous articles being moved between two locations. Further, it would be desirable to have a carrying device that is lightweight and inexpensive yet durable and easy to maneuver. In addition, it would be desirable to have a carrying device having spaced apart handles that enable multiple persons to grasp and carry the carrying device when loaded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A carrying device according to the present invention includes a generally planar framework and a plurality of straps coupled to the framework. At least two of the plurality of straps extend horizontally across the framework, and at least another two of the plurality of straps extend vertically across the framework, wherein each of the at least two horizontally extending straps intersects each of the at least two vertically extending straps. Further, each of the plurality of straps includes a loop, and each loop comprises two opposing vortices, the opposing vortices extending away from a perimeter of the framework thereby defining a pair of spaced apart handles.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a carrying device that is itself lightweight and includes a system of straps and flexible framework to lift and move multiple articles with ease.

Another object of this invention is to provide a carrying device, as aforesaid, having a pair of layers configured to be slid across rough floor surfaces while at the same time maintaining flexibility associated with carrying irregular loads in a warehouse or shop environment.

Another object of this invention is to provide a carrying device, as aforesaid, that may include an area rug fixedly coupled to a system or grid of horizontal and vertical straps.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a carrying device, as aforesaid, having a plurality of handles spaced apart about a rectangular substrate that enable multiple persons to carry the carrying device in use.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a carrying device, as aforesaid, that is inexpensive to produce.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a carrying device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the carrying device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is still another perspective view of the carrying device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is yet another perspective view of the carrying device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the carrying device of FIG. 1 showing the flexibility of the carrying device.

FIG. 6 is enlarged perspective view of the carrying device of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A carrying device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of carrying devices which may be inexpensive to manufacture and light weight, yet configured to easily carry heavy loads, are disclosed herein.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a carrying device 100 according to embodiments of the invention. The carrying device 100 generally includes a substantially planar framework 105 coupled to a support system 115 (FIG. 6) for lifting and transporting heavy objects.

In an embodiment, the substantially planar framework 105 may include a single substrate layer 108. The substrate layer 108 may be any material capable of maintaining its integrity while carrying large loads. Preferably, the substrate layer 108 is a heavy, yet flexible material. FIG. 5 illustrates the flexibility of the substrate layer 108.

In a preferred embodiment, the carrying device 100 includes two layers of material so as to achieve the critical objects of the invention, namely to maintain flexibility and prevent damage to an object being transmitted while, at the same time, to be robust to slide or skid along a rough floor surface. More particularly, the substrate layer 108 may be a heavy woven textile material, such as wool, cotton, canvas, natural fibers (e.g., grasses), leather, synthetic fibers (e.g., nylon, viscose, polypropylene, et cetera), and the like. In embodiments, the substrate layer 108 is porous, allowing fluids to flow through the layer 108. However, the pores in the substrate layer 108, if any, may be configured to prevent even the smallest of articles from falling through the substrate layer 108 during transport.

The framework 105 may further include a backing layer 110 (FIG. 4) coupled to the substrate layer 108. The backing layer 110 is constructed of a material that is different from that of the substrate layer 108. In an embodiment, the backing layer 110 is a canvas or leather material configured to withstand sliding along a floor surface without being damaged. Like the substrate layer 110, it may be preferable for the backing layer 110 to be porous to allow fluids to escape through the layer 110.

Preferably, the backing layer 110 is laminated to the substrate layer 108 although the layers may be sewn, glued, or otherwise coupled together. Laminating refers to manufacturing process through which two or more flexible packaging layers are joined together using a bonding agent. The substrates making up the layers may consist of films, papers, or aluminum foils. In general terms an adhesive is applied to the less absorbent substrate web, after which the second web is pressed against it to produce a duplex, or two-layer, laminate. Laminating machinery can be classified according to the type of bonding agent used to produce the laminates. More particularly, wet lamination is where the bonding agent is still in a liquid state when the layers of materials are joined together. It is commonly used to produce a paper-aluminum foil laminate that is widely used in flexible packaging. Dry lamination is where the bonding agent, dissolved into a liquid (water or a solvent), is applied to one of the layers, before being evaporated in a drying oven. The adhesive coated layer is laminated to the other under strong pressure and using heated rollers, which improves the bond strength of the laminate.

In some embodiments, the framework 105 is rectangular. However, the framework 105 may have any desirable shape. Regardless of the shape of the framework 105, a vertical axis 140 runs longitudinally through the center of the framework 105. A horizontal axis 145 runs laterally through the center of the framework 105. As will be described in greater detail below, the support system 115 may be coupled to the framework 105 such that a portion of the support system 115 is provided on both sides of the vertical axis 140 and/or on both sides of the horizontal axis 145.

The support system 115 includes a plurality of straps 120 coupled to the framework 105 to provide strength to the carrying device 100, and defining handles 124 for lifting the carrying device 100. In some embodiments, each strap 120 is configured as a continuous loop. Each loop 120 includes respective vortices 122 at opposing ends thereof. The vortices 122 extend away from a perimeter of the substrate layer 108 to form handles 124. The handles 124 may further include a handle grip 126, such as a silicone grip, to further aid a user in lifting the carrying device 100 via the handles 124. Where the strap 120 is configured as a loop, the vortices 122 forming the handles 124 extend beyond the substrate 108. The remaining portion 128 of the loop 120 (e.g., the lengths 128) extend across the substrate 108 and are coupled (e.g., sewn, riveted, adhere, or otherwise coupled) directly to the framework 105.

Where the framework 105 includes a backing layer 110, one or more portions of the respective straps 120 may be coupled to one or both of the substrate 108 and the backing layer 110. In some embodiments, one or all of the respective straps 120 may be disposed between the substrate layer 108 and the backing layer 110. In some embodiments, one or more straps 120 may be joined to the substrate layer 108 prior to the backing layer 110 being joined to the substrate layer 108, such that the straps 120 are disposed between the respective layers 108 and 110 yet are only joined to the substrate layer 108. In other embodiments, one or more straps 120 may be disposed between the respective layers 108 and 110, and then subsequently joined to both layers 108 and 110. In still other embodiments, some straps 120 may be joined to the substrate layer 108 only, while other straps 120 are joined to both the substrate layer 108 and the backing layer 110. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the straps 120 are disposed atop the substrate layer 108. However, at least a portion of a strap 120 may also be sewn to the backing layer 110 (if any) along a length of the strap 120. Further, a portion of the strap 120 may be sewn to the backing layer 110 at the intersection of the strap 120 with the perimeter of the framework 105.

In some embodiments, the strap 120 may not be configured as a continuous loop. In such embodiments, the strap 120 includes a pair of separate, spaced apart lengths 128 of material having a first end 121a and a second end 121b (FIG. 6). The lengths 128 extend, either horizontally or vertically as the case may be, across the framework 105 as described above such that the respective ends 121a and 121b meet at respective opposing edges of the perimeter of the framework 105. Each length 128 may be sewn or otherwise coupled to the framework 105.

Each strap 120 may additionally include a pair of separate handles 124 configured for attachment to each end of the pair of lengths 128. Each handle 124 has respective ends for coupling the handle 124 to the framework 105. In some embodiments, the ends of the handle 124 may overlap with the respective ends (e.g., 121a or 121b) of the pair of lengths 128 when coupled to the framework 105. For example, a first end of one of the handles 124 may overlap the end 121b of one of the pair of lengths 128, and the second end of the handle 124 may overlap the end 121b of the other of the pair of lengths 128. Similarly, a first end of the other handle 124 may overlap the end 121a of one of the pair of lengths 128, and the second end of the handle 124 may overlap the end 121a of the other of the pair lengths 128. Thus, each strap 120 includes a pair of spaced apart lengths 128 and a pair of spaced apart handles 124.

Where the ends of the handle 124 do not overlap the respective ends 121a and 121b, the lengths 128 may not extend all the way to the perimeter of the framework 105, allowing room for the ends of the respective handles 124 to be coupled to the framework 105.

The straps 120 are positioned such that at least one strap 120 extends vertically across the framework 105 parallel to the vertical axis 140, and at least one strap 120 extends horizontally across the framework 105 parallel to the horizontal axis 145. In some embodiments, a first strap 120 extends vertically across the framework 105 parallel to the vertical axis 140 at one side of the vertical axis 140, while a second strap 120 extends vertically across the framework 105 parallel to the vertical axis 140 at an opposing side of the vertical axis 140.

Likewise, in some embodiments, a first strap 120 extends horizontally across the framework 105 parallel to the horizontal axis 145 at one side of the horizontal axis 145, while a second strap 120 extends horizontally across the framework 105 parallel to the horizontal axis 145 at an opposing side of the horizontal axis 145. In still other embodiments, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, two straps 120 extend horizontally across the framework 105 parallel to the horizontal axis 145 at one side of the horizontal axis 145, while two additional straps 120 extend horizontally across the framework 105 parallel to the horizontal axis 145 at an opposing side of the horizontal axis 145. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, a total of six straps 120 are coupled to the framework 105, resulting in a total of twelve handles 124 being disposed around the perimeter of the framework 105.

The straps 120 can be made of any appropriate material that is strong, yet flexible. Exemplary materials include woven textile material, such as wool, cotton, canvas, natural fibers (e.g., grasses), leather, synthetic fibers (e.g., nylon, viscose, polypropylene, et cetera), and the like.

In some embodiments, a border 135 may be coupled around the perimeter of the framework 105, as shown in FIG. 1. The border 135 may be the same material as the substrate 108 and/or the backing layer 110 (if any), or it may be any other appropriate material. The border 135 may be coupled to the framework 105 by sewing the border 135 thereto, or using any other coupling method, including those coupling methods described above. The border 135 may be joined to the framework 105 such that the border 135 overlies the straps 120 (and/or the ends of the handles 124, as the case may be). Thus, the border 135 may further help to secure the straps 120 to the framework 105.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A carrying device, comprising:

a generally planar framework; and

a plurality of straps coupled to said framework, at least two of said plurality of straps extending horizontally across said framework, and at least another two of said plurality of straps extending vertically across said framework, wherein each of said at least two horizontally extending straps intersects each of said at least two vertically extending straps;

wherein each of said plurality of straps comprises a loop, and each loop comprises two opposing vortices, said opposing vortices extending away from a perimeter of said framework thereby defining a pair of spaced apart handles;

wherein said framework includes a substrate layer that is flexible and a backing layer coupled to the substrate layer via lamination, said substrate layer being constructed of a woven material that is porous and said backing layer being constructed of canvas and operable for sliding;

wherein said plurality of straps comprises two straps extending vertically across said framework, and four straps extending horizontally across said framework, said horizontally extending straps intersecting said vertically extending straps; and wherein said straps form twelve handles disposed around a perimeter of said framework.

2. The carrying device as in claim 1, wherein each pore is configured to stop solid articles from passing therethrough.

3. The carrying device as in claim 1, wherein backing layer is bonded to said substrate later using dry lamination.

4. The carrying device as in claim 1, wherein each of said spaced apart handles includes a grip.

5. The carrying device of claim 1, further comprising a border coupled to a perimeter of said framework, wherein said border overlaps a portion of each of said straps.

6. The carrying device of claim 5, wherein said straps and said border are sewn to said framework.

7. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein said framework is generally rectangular.