Patent Application
20240398080
The present invention relates to a mesh that can be used to support items during use. In an embodiment, the mesh forms the surface of a bag and items can be mated with and carried by the mesh.
It is sometimes necessary to connect one item to another. It can be useful to provide a large surface on which items can be connected at various locations. If the location of the item can be selected or changed, then the user has flexibility in deciding where it can be located. The item may be positioned in a convenient location if it is an item that a user wants to quickly access. The item may be positioned in a location that is out of the way if the user wants to store the item for later use.
A problem with many connecting systems is that the items are not securely attached. The item might therefore fall away from or become loose on the surface to which is attached, which can be inconvenient and in a worst-case scenario the item might break if it falls e.g. on to the floor. Another problem with many connecting systems is that the surface to which the item is attached is heavy and or cumbersome and is difficult to transport; for example, if the user wants to take a plurality of the items with him from one location to another location.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved connecting system that in embodiments allows for the convenient connection of items whilst providing a secure attachment. In embodiments, the attachment system is lightweight and portable so multiple items can be transported at the same time.
In a first aspect there is provided a mesh comprising a substantially planar open frame structure formed from a plurality of interlinked planar units, wherein the open frame structure is infinitely increasable in size by the addition of more units, the frame structure comprising three types of units:
The inter-locking parts can comprise hooks and loops. Hook (or hooks) provided on the outer surface of a first ring can engage with a loop (or loops) provided on an outer surface of a second ring. Each hook acts like a hand extending out for grasping. Each loop acts like a handle extending out and intended to be grasped by a hand.
In an embodiment, the mesh allows for the convenient attachment of items to each ring in the frame structure. Each ring defines an opening configured to receive a module that removably locks into the opening and is substantially immovable once in position. The module reversible locks into the ring opening which means it can be locked in and then taken out by unlocking as required. Each module can be connectable with an item that can thereby be mated with the mesh and carried with the mesh.
In an embodiment, the mesh is provided on the surface of a bag such as a handbag. The surface can be the inside surface of the bag. The surface can be the outside surface of the bag.
Thus, in another aspect there is provided a bag for carrying items, the bag comprising walls defining at least one internal compartment into which items can be placed, at least one of the walls of the bag comprising a mesh as described herein formed from a solid non-deformable material and defining a plurality of openings, or an alternative mesh which also defines openings wherein at least some of the openings are configured to receive a module that removably locks into the opening and is immovable once in position, wherein each module is connectable with an item that can thereby be mated with the mesh and carried on the bag.
In yet a further aspect, there is provided a personal item transporting system comprising a bag and a plurality of items, the bag comprising walls defining at least one internal compartment,
The mesh described herein is a 3D geometric object defined by a set of finite elements. Each finite element in this instance is a ring. The rings are connectable together to form the mesh. As an additional ring is added the mesh gets larger in the x and y direction. A mesh formed from 4 rings will be smaller than a mesh made of 40 rings; a mesh made from 40 rings will be smaller than a mesh made from 400 rings. As more rings are added the mesh gets larger and larger. Each new ring can be added in sequence. If the rings are added adjacent to one another in rows and columns (like in a game of Connect Four™) the mesh can have a substantially square structure which gets larger as more rings are added. In this structure, the rows of rings are aligned with the columns of rings such that the centre point of each ring is along the same horizontal and vertical axis as other rings in the same rows/columns. If the rings are added to one other in this format the simplest shape formed by 4 rings (2 rows) can be square as described above, but it could be modified so as to be triangular or rectangular or any other shape available by tessellation/mosaicking/connection of the rings in a grid-pattern. Alternatively, the rows of rings could be misaligned, so that each ring in a row sits offset to a ring in an adjacent column. In this structure, every second row of rings is aligned in a columns of ring such that the centre point of each ring is along the same horizontal and vertical axis as other rings in the same rows/columns, whereas the rings in the intervening rows are offset by one half ring distance. If the rings are added to one other in this format the simplest shape formed by 6 rings (in 3 rows) can be hexagonal.
Whatever the arrangement, the mesh is in theory infinitely increasable in size by the addition of more rings. In practice, however, a pre-determined size will be prepared which might correspond to a location on which the mesh is desirably mounted or stored. In an embodiment the desired pre-determined size might be 4×4 ring units, or 5×5 ring units or 10×10 ring units, alternatively, 5×10 units, 7×9 units and so on. Once formed by interlocking, the substantially planar open frame structure of the mesh may be handled as one unit. The mesh might have some flex in it if handled as the interlocking parts move over one another. The mesh can be secured at its edges to a surface which will prevent or at least reduce movement of the frame structure of the mesh.
Each ring in the mesh can be formed from a strong, solid non-deformable material. The ring can be formed in a cast. The diameter of the wall forming the ring can be about 1, 2 or 3 mm. A cross-section of the wall forming the ring can show it to be circular, square, hexagonal, triangular (solid or hollow) in cross-section. The ring surface can be decorated with bevels or flanges or other decoration as desired. The wall forming the ring can be one solid piece with no gaps. The material from which the ring is formed can be a plastic material. The material from which the ring is formed can be a metal. The metal can be aluminium. The aluminium can be aeroplane grade aluminium. The strength of the ring should be such that anything that attaches to it does not deform the shape of the ring. The ring cannot be deformed by bending using typical hand strength. The ring is difficult to deform even using a mechanical tool. The strength of the ring across the diameter can result in a mesh that can carry 15 to 20 kg. The diameter of the ring (measured as the opening in the ring at its widest point) can be at least 2, 3 or 4 cm. The diameter of the ring (measured as the opening in the ring at its widest point) can be at most 6, 5, 4 or 3 cm. In an embodiment, the diameter of the ring across its widest point is 3 cm. The ring is formed in a single plane. The plane can be flat. The plane can be twisted. A twisted plane may give an aesthetically pleasing design to the mesh, but the twist should not be so great the rings cannot be interlinked. The ring can form a circle like a ring worn on a finger. Alternatively, the ring can have sides which made it triangular or square-shaped. The ring can be a polygon such as by having a hexagonal shape. The ring can have an octagonal shape. The length of each side in any polygonal-shaped ring do not have to be equal.
Each ring is adapted to be connectable to rings in adjacent rows and columns. When the rings are arranged adjacent in aligned rows and columns each ring is in theory connectable to at least four other rings. Accordingly, for mesh according to this embodiment, on its outside surface each ring has four interlocking parts. The interlocking parts should be complementary to those of an adjacent ring partner, and so will alternate around the rings outer surface.
There are first and second interlocking parts, each first interlocking part is configured to engage with a second complementary shaped interlocking part. By complementary shaped it is meant that the first interlocking part can mate with the second interlocking part to lock them together. The shapes chosen can be any that allow interlocking without easy unlocking. For example, the first interlocking part could be a ball that mates into a socket (the socket being the complementary shape to the ball). The first interlocking part could be a hook that passes through a loop (the loop being the complementary shape to the hook). In an embodiment, each interlocking part comprises a single hook mateable with a single complementary positioned loop. By mateable it is meant capable of being joined or mated.
The interlocking part may be made up of more than one interlocking part portion. The interlocking part portions may co-operate to provide the interlock. In an embodiment, each first interlocking part comprises two or more interlocking part portions. In an embodiment, each second interlocking part comprises two or more interlocking part portions. In an embodiment, there are two interlocking part portions in the form of hook. In this embodiment, the interlocking part therefore comprises a comprises a pair of hooks. The pair of hooks can be mateable with a complementary positioned pair of loops. In an embodiment, each interlocking part comprises a pair of hooks, but these can be mateable into a single complementary shaped loop (rather than two hoops).
An advantage of configurations in which there is a plurality of interlocking portions is that the portions can be spaced from one another to engage with complementary shapes over a longer distance. It should be understood that a single point of interlocking connection between the rings would provide pivot a point about which the rings could move/rotate and the resultant mesh might be loose and incoherent. In an embodiment, the interlocking parts are arranged so as to provide a zone of interlocking that covers at least 30, 40 or 50% of the diameter of the ring opening. For example, in an embodiment in which the ring opening is 3 cm in diameter, the zone of interlocking may extend about 1.5 cm.
An additional advantage of configurations in which there is a plurality of interlocking portions is that each part requires less material for manufacture. The less material used, the more lightweight is the mesh. The interlocking parts can be hollow in cross section. The loops can be hollow in cross section. The hooks can be hollow in cross section. The hooks can be formed and rolled through the loop during manufacture. The hooks can be firmly rolled over the loops so as to disallow movement between the hook/loop. Alternatively, and advantageously, the hooks can be a loose fit through the loops to allow some sliding of the surfaces thereby the frame structure as formed is slightly deformable around larger objects once the mesh is formed. By the arrangement of the rings with these interlocking parts into a mesh by placement of the rings adjacent to one another in rows and columns, during a manufacturing process, each hook can be attached to each loop in the series so as to link the rings together to form the mesh. Once linked, the rings are not intended to be un-linked except by the use of tools and force.
In order to engage and interlock, the interlocking parts have to extend from the surface of the ring by a distance that enables then to interact. In an embodiment, the interlocking parts extend from the outer surface of the ring by at most 20, 30 or 40% of the diameter of the ring opening. For example, in an embodiment in which the ring opening is 3 cm in diameter, the interlocking parts extend about 1 cm from the ring surface. The interlocking parts can be formed from the same material of the ring. The interlocking parts are preferably integral with the ring so as to have optimum structural integrity; however in embodiments, the interlocking parts may be separate parts that a retro-fitted to the outside surface of the ring body e.g. by welding. Preferably, the interlocking parts are rigid once in place on the outer surface of the ring and do not (cannot) move independently of the ring.
When viewed from a birds-eye view, each body unit ring can comprise a North (N), South(S), West (W) and East (E) side, each of these being in the traditional locations as would be found on a compass face. These notations are used for convenience only and do not represent any actual compass direction for the ring.
In an embodiment, the N side of a body unit ring can comprise a locking part that aligns and cooperates with an interlocking part on the S side of an adjacent body unit ring—where the adjacent body ring will be in the row below. The W side of a body unit ring can comprise a locking part that aligns and cooperates with an interlocking part on the E side of an adjacent body unit ring—where the adjacent body unit ring will be in the same row. Each body unit ring may comprise
As described above, in embodiments, the interlocking parts that align and cooperate can comprise a hook that aligns and cooperates with the loop. The hook can pass through the aperture of the loop and be secured to the loop. For the purposes of this description, the first interlocking is referred to as a hook and the second interlocking part is referred to as a loop. It should be understood that the first interlocking could be the loop, and the second interlocking part could be the hook without losing any function, except the pattern described below would have to be modified accordingly.
The body units form the body of the mesh and each body unit is connectable to 4 other units, so all the interlocking parts are utilised. The units can be arranged in a repeating pattern to make sure that the interlocking parts complement one another. If the body unit rings are used at the periphery of the mesh, there would be e.g. an unused hook interlocking part extending on the E and S sides of the mesh frame structure. It should be understood that it could be other sides of the unit (e.g. N, W) where the hook feature is redundant if the unit has a different configuration. Nevertheless, the point is that hooks (or equivalent) which are at the periphery would have nothing to link to as the frame structure is complete. It can be convenient therefore for a different type of ring to be used around the periphery of the mesh so as to ensure that the outer surfaces of the rings at the periphery of the mesh do not have unused interlocking parts.
The peripheral units interlink with at least 3 other units in the frame structure. The peripheral unit includes a corner unit at each corner of the frame structure. The corner unit connects to two other units in the grid. The ring units at the periphery and corners of the frame structure can be selected so as to always have the same outer ring surface available at the peripheral edge. Optionally, the outer ring surface at the periphery of the frame structure has no interlocking parts present. Alternatively, the interlocking parts at the outer periphery of the frame structure are always the same interlocking parts. In an embodiment, the interlocking parts at the periphery of the frame structure are always loop interlocking parts. Loop interlocking parts can be useful for securing the mesh to an object such as a bag.
The loops could be stitched to fabric of the bag surface to secure the mesh at its outer periphery. In order to provide loop interlocking parts, a peripheral unit may require the following configuration
This type of peripheral unit would ensure that along the E side there are peripheral loops. In order to complete the structure with a loop at the S and E side of the last corner, a unique corner unit might be required in one corner being
This further unit may not be required in some patterns in which the units are alternated and rotated.
The mesh is configured to receive a module that docks into the opening in a planar unit (body, peripheral or corner) and is substantially immovable once in position. Other meshes might also be used to house the module in some embodiments. Alternative meshes might be those in which there is a solid matrix or grid in which there are formed a plurality of openings. Each opening should be as described herein and may be referred to as a ring although it should be understood that the opening could be e.g. a square if the mesh or grid is formed from intersecting, i.e. configured to receive a module that once inserted is substantially immovable. By the module being substantially immovable it is meant that the module is not intended to be moved and is firm when manually handled once in position. The module is designed to lock into an opening in the mesh. It should be understood that by design the module is not equivalent to other objects, such as clips or hooks including carabiners, that can be passed through the ring opening and connected to the mesh. These other attachment points would be loose once connected to the mesh and would move around the ring opening providing an insecure attachment. There is the possibility that the clips and hooks could disengage or worse reduce the integrity of the mesh, and or the items connected with the clips/hooks could become tangled in the mesh. The module on the other hand is substantially immovable once in position and cannot slide around the rings inner surface. Instead, the module is removably locked into position in the ring opening and provides a stable and immovable structure onto which items can be connected.
The module is multi-component and includes a locking plate associated with a connection plate. The locking plate and connection plate, in use, clamp or sandwich around a planar unit to lock the module into position.
The locking plate can have a body with a complementary shape to the opening, so that once in position there is substantially no space(s) between the unit and the locking plate. Preferably, the locking plate is planar and has a low profile so that once in place in the opening, the locking plate is reasonably flush (although not completely flush in most embodiments) with the frame structure. The locking plate since it has bulk and a body will extend from the mesh some distance e.g. 1, 3, 4, 5, or 5 mm. The locking plate can be formed from any material, but it is preferred that the material is hard wearing, strong but light. In an embodiment, the locking plate is formed from moulded plastic.
The locking plate can be sized so as to be larger than the opening. If the locking plate has a varied shape (e.g. it could be shaped like a X or a Y), its largest diameter can be sized to prevent it from unintentionally passing back through the opening in the mesh once it is located on one side thereof. In an embodiment, the locking plate can be collapsible so as that it can pass through the opening. This is advantageous when the user wishes to attach the module but only has access to one side of the mesh. The access to only one side of the mesh could be because the mesh is attached to e.g. the wall of a bag. In the collapsed state, the locking plate could slip through an opening in the mesh, and once through it can be un-collapsed to its former larger state. In this embodiment, since its natural size state would be larger than the ring opening, no energy is required to hold it into position on the other side of the ring opening which should become clearer as the other components are described.
The locking plate is associable with a connection plate that it co-operates with. The two items can be associated with one another by a shared stem. The stem is associated with the locking plate at a first end and is associated with the connection plate at its other end remote from the first end. The stem can be any sort of extension between the two plates that causes them to be firmly attached to one another once assembled. The stem can be a solid annular piece or a plurality of stem parts that form columns. The stem can be formed integrally with either of the locking plate or connection plate. The stem can be a retro fit to either of the locking plate or connection plate prior to use. In use, the locking plate is positioned on one side of the planer unit in the mesh as described and is held into position. The connection plate being at the other end of the stem can then be attached to the locking plate. The connection plate plays an important role in preventing the locking plate from moving back through the ring opening since it immobilised on the opposite side of the mesh from the locking plate and therefore provides the opposing clamping or sandwiching means with the locking plate.
The locking plate and connection plate can be firmly attached to one another by a click fit where the connection plate and or locking plate has a male part that clicks into a receiving female part on the other. In order to release the module, there may be an area that is depressible by fingers to release the click fit. Alternatively, there can be a twist fit, where upon mating the parts are twisted relative to one another so as to overlap shoulder parts that then grip and are not passable over one another. These types of fitments should be known to the skilled person and the appropriate choice could be made based on the teachings of this specification.
While it is described that the locking plate can be clamped to the frame structure together with the connection plate (with the stem therebetween). It could also be that the locking plate is connected to the ring by being a tight interference fit inside the rim of an opening in a planar unit. An interference fit, also known as a press fit or friction fit is a form of fastening between two tight fitting mating parts that produces a joint which is held together by friction after the parts are pushed together. While this type of arrangement is possible it may be less preferred than the arrangement described above. The clamping or sandwiching arrangement will have more structural integrity and is less likely to cause the module to fall off the frame structure especially when heavy of bulky items are connected to the connection plate.
The connection plate is sized so as to be larger than the ring opening, so it cannot pass through the ring opening. The connection plate can have a body with a complementary shape to the opening (albeit that the shape might be larger). Once in position, there may be substantially no space(s) between the planar unit and the connection plate. The connection plate may be of a complementary shape to the locking plate. Preferably, the connection plate is low profile that that once in place about the ring opening, the connection plate is reasonably flush with the frame structure. The connection plate can be formed from any material, but it is preferred that the material is hard wearing, strong but light. In an embodiment, the connection plate is formed from moulded plastic.
The connection plate has a location on its exposed surface. By exposed surface it is meant a surface onto which a user can access and there is space enough for an item to be docked. Each item for docking has attached thereto a bespoke cooperating plate which is configured to cooperate with the connection plate. The cooperation can be of the type that allows for reversible mating between mechanical mechanisms. The cooperating plate can be formed from any material, but it is preferred that the material is hard wearing, strong but light. In an embodiment, the cooperation plate is formed from moulded plastic. Once mated, the item should be difficult to pull off the frame structure, but easy to intentionally remove by straightforward manual manipulation.
As described above, the mesh can be on the outside surface of a bag. A bag can be used to carry items that a person might require through the day. In addition to being practical, handbags have also become a fashion item, with style, colour, pattern, shape and branding all being taken into consideration during purchase. Handbags can range in price from tens of dollars, to thousands of dollars for high-end fashion. The owner of the handbag may also want to personalise the bag with decals and ornaments that makes their bag recognisable in a crowd. However, despite the desire to be fashionable, most users are aware that a bag serves a practical purpose and at least some functionality is desirable.
A problem with bags (especially handbags) is that once filled it can be difficult to find items within them. If a specific item is required in a hurry, the owner can be seen digging around in the bag and sometimes the contents of the bag must be removed before the item can be located. This problem is exacerbated in low light or in cramped areas. A further problem can exist when the bag is used to store wet or perishable items those items can cause damage to other items of value in the bag. For example, it may not be desirable to store an electronic device alongside wet swimwear or gym gear; it may not be desirable to store make-up alongside food items. A small pouch can be added to the inside of the bag to store the most often used items, or items which require protection, but this small pouch can also become cluttered. The bag according to an embodiment of the present invention permits at least some items to be placed in the internal compartment of the bag (as usual), but also at least some of items can be mated with the modules of the mesh so as to be carried on the outside surface of the bag.
There can be more than one item carried on the outside surface of the bag. The item(s) can include but are not limited to phone (the cooperating plate being on the phone cover or built into the body of the phone itself), make up compact, small purse, key fob, electronic device pouch such as for housing an electronic cigarette. The item might not be functional and could include a decorative item such as a mirror, a decorated letter (perhaps an initial), or a photo frame or other decal that the user might wish to display on the outside of the bag.
The mesh can be secured to the bag (or other item) by stitching it around the outside periphery. The attachment of the mesh should be to hold it firmly to the bag and prevent it from being torn or pulled away by any heavy item attached to the mesh. In an embodiment, the bag is formed for the mesh and therefore the bag only comprises the mesh. In addition to there being a mesh at the outside surface of the bag, there could be mesh on an inside surface of the bag. The mesh can be attached to the inside surface to form a lining. Alternatively, the mesh could be a small 3×3 or 4×4 unit mesh that is attached to the bag on a cord. The user can locate their items by pulling the cord and locating the smaller piece of internal mesh to which their e.g. phone or wallet could be attached.
When the user wants to attach an item to their mesh, they first obtain a module as described herein. The module can be provided as a unit sold separately to the bag. The module can be disassembled prior to use to remove the locking plate from the connection plate. The user would then locate the locking plate on one side of the mesh and hold it in position while the connection plate is connected. The module is thus held tightly to the mesh and ready for use. The user would have an item modified to have a cooperation plate. The modification could be by inserting a phone into a phone case with a cooperation plate built into the cover, or by purchasing a small wallet with the cooperation plate built into the body of the purse. The cooperating plate is preferably of low profile and does not affect the function or aesthetic of the item when in use away from the mesh. In order to connect the item to the module, the user simply mates the two together and is ready to go.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which are not drawn to scale and which are exemplary only and in which:
An embodiment of ring 12 can be seen in perspective view in
Each ring 12 is adapted to be connectable to rings 12 in adjacent rows and columns. Row 1, Row 2 and Row 3 and Column 1, Column 2 and Column 3 are shown marked in
The inter-locking parts 14 can comprise hooks 114 and loops 214. Hook 114 (or hooks 114, 114′) provided on the outer surface of a first ring can engage with a loop 214 provided on an outer surface of a second ring. Each hook 114 acts like a hand extending out for grasping. Each loop 214 acts like a handle extending out and intended to be grasped by a hand. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the first interlocking parts in the form of hooks 114 are made up of more than one interlocking part portion e.g. 114, 114′. The pair of hooks 114, 114′ are mateable with a complementary positioned loop 214 when they are brought together in a zone of interlocking.
The hooks 114, 114′ can be formed and rolled through the loop during manufacture.
When viewed from a birds-eye view, each body unit ring 12E can comprise a North (N), South(S), West (W) and East (E) side as shown in
Mesh 10 of e.g.,
The peripheral units 12A to 12J (not including 12E) interlink with at least 3 other units in the frame structure. The peripheral units include a corner unit 12A, 12C, 12G, 12J at each corner of the frame structure 10. Each corner unit 12A, 12C, 12G, 12J connects to two other units in the grid. For example, corner unit 12J is connected with 12H and 12F. The naming of the units is shown in
In the embodiment shown in e.g.
The mesh 10 allows for the convenient attachment of items to each ring unit 12 in the frame structure. Each ring 12 defines an opening 16 configured to receive a module 19 that removably locks into the opening and is immovable once in position. Each module 19 can be connectable with an item 30 that can thereby be mated with the mesh 10 and carried with the mesh 10.
The mesh 10 in any form is configured to receive a module 19 that removably locks into the ring opening 16 and is substantially immovable once in position. The module 19 is multi-component and includes a locking plate 20 associated with a connection plate 22. The locking plate 20 and connection plate 22, in use, clamp or sandwich around a ring 12 unit to lock the module into position. The locking plate 20 can be passable through a ring opening 16. As can be seem in
In this embodiment, the locking plate 20 has a stem like body 24 extending therefrom. The stem 24 is associated with the locking plate 20 at a first end; and once in position in the mesh 10 is associated with the connection plate 22 at its other end remote from the first end as can be seen in
The connection plate 22 is sized so as to be larger than the ring opening, so it cannot pass through the ring opening 16. The connection plate 22 can have a body with a complementary shape to the ring opening (albeit that the shape might be larger). Once in position, there may be substantially no space(s) between the ring and the connection plate (this can be seen somewhat in
As can be seen in
The mesh 10 can be connected to bag 32 (as can be seen in example
It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.
Any promises made in the present description should be understood to relate to some embodiments of the invention and are not intended to be promises made about the invention as a whole. Where there are promises that are deemed to apply to all embodiments of the invention, the applicant/patentee reserves the right to later delete them from the description and does not rely on these promises for the acceptance or subsequent grant of a patent in any country.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020903610 | Oct 2020 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2021/051159 | 10/5/2021 | WO |
