Patent Application
20070296233
As illustrated in
The carrying device 10 also includes a fourth section 400 having a first end 410 that is integrally connected to the second section 200 at a second end 220, and having a second end 420 that is integrally connected to the third section 300 at a second end 320. When the first section 100, the second section 200, the third section 300, and the fourth section 400 are integrally connected as described, a central opening 50 is formed in the device 10.
The carrying device 10 further includes a plurality of holding members 600 that extend from the fourth section 400 at posterior side 430. Specifically, each holding member 600 extends from the fourth section 400 by a spinal shank 630. Extending outwardly from the spinal shank 630 is a hook arm 640 of the holding member 600. The hook arm 640 extends toward, but does not reach, the posterior side 430 of the fourth section 400. All hook arms 640 are arranged such that no two hook arms 640 face each other. In other words, the hook arms 640 all are oriented such that they face in a common direction.
The lengths of the spinal shanks 630 of the holding members 600, and therefore the distance which separates the hook arms 640 from posterior side 430 may be varied. For example, this length may be about 1.25 inches. As another example, this length may be about 1.75 inches. This length, however, is not limited to being about 1.25 inches or about 1.75 inches. Instead, this length may be any size that permits items to be loaded and unloaded from the holding members 600.
Also extending from the fourth section 400 are a plurality of flexible tines 700. Specifically, the flexible tines 700 extend from the posterior side 430 of the fourth section 400 to a position 615 at an inner face 620 of each holding member 600 at loading end 610. In this arrangement, each of the plurality of holding members 600 contacts, or nearly contacts, a single flexible tine 700. Therefore, in this arrangement, the carrying device 10 has one flexible tine 700 for every one holding member 600.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first section 100 is integrally connected to the first ends 210 and 310 of the second section 200 and the third section 300, respectively, and the fourth section 400 is integrally connected to the seconds ends 220 and 320 of the second and third sections 200 and 300, respectively. Further, in the preferred embodiment, all of the holding members 600 and the flexible tines 700 are integrally connected to the fourth section 400.
In the preferred embodiment, the first section 100, the second section 200, the third section 300, the fourth section 400, the holding members 600 and the flexible tines 700 all are formed from the same contiguous material. This material should be strong enough to withstand normal use of the device 10. Normal use includes dropping and bumping the device 10, and includes compressing it, such as running over it with an automobile tire. Further, this material should be capable of being manufactured as to have a smooth, or substantially smooth, and non-porous surface finish. This material therefore may be, but is not limited to being, a plastic or a plastic composite. Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, polyethylene, and composites including these two materials.
The carrying device 10 further includes a handle 500 that is associated with first section 100. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handle 500 entirely, or substantially entirely, surrounds the first section 100 and is made of one or more materials. For example, the handle 500 may be or include a foam material, such as a foam rubber. Examples of foam rubber that may be used include polyurethane, polystyrene, polyethylene, and neoprene. As another example, the handle 500 also may be or include a natural rubber, such as latex. Further, the handle 500 may be or include a natural or synthetic textile material, such as canvas or rayon, or animal product, such as leather. Still further, the handle 500 may be corded or textured in another way to improve gripping. No matter which material is used, or combinations of materials are used, to form the handle 500, the handle 500 should be sufficiently cushioned such as to minimize, if not eliminate, discomfort to the user's hand while using the device to carry heavy loads.
Further, the handle 500 may be irremovably connected to the outer surface of the first section 100 or it may be removably connected to the first section 100. For example, the handle 500 may be irremovably attached to the first section 100 by using an adhesive. As another example, the handle may be fastened to the handle 500 by using a fastening device. Removably connecting the handle 500 to the first section 100 would allow the handle 500 to be more easily cleaned or replaced.
Although the carrying device 10 is durably constructed, the carrying device 10 has a compact design. The handle 500 is selectably manufactured with a width dimension 510 that allows it to be gripped by hands of all sizes, even the smallest or the largest of hands. For example, the width 510 of the handle 500 may be, but is not limited to being, about 2.5 inches. Further, the first horizontal member 100 is of a thickness 130 which is smaller than the width 510 of the handle 500. For example, the thickness 130 may be, but is not limited to being, about 1.75 inches.
The flexible tines 700 are preferably formed and arranged such that a particular flexible tine 700 may be flexed in any direction toward or away from the loading end 610 of its corresponding holding member 600. Alternatively, each flexible tine 700 may be flexed only along a linear path between the inner spinal face 635 and loading end 610 of its proximate holding member 600.
The flexible tines 700 also may be of varying flexibility. The flexibility of the flexible tines 700 may be varied by varying their thickness 710 or the choice of material used to form them. For example, the flexible tines 700 having low flexibility may be formed by increasing the thickness 710 of the flexible tines 700. Flexible tines 700 having low flexibility may be preferred, for example, by users of the device who seek maximum protection from accidental unloading of bags from the device. For example, users of the device who carry the device while riding a bicycle on an uneven path may need such maximum protection.
As another example, flexible tines 700 having high flexibility may be formed by reducing their thickness 710. Flexible tine members 700 having low flexibility may be preferred, for example, by users who are frail, such as those having severe arthritis. Such frail users would have an easier time loading and unloading bags from the holding members 600 where the flexible tines 700 are easily flexed.
The only requirement regarding the flexibility of the flexible tine members 700 is that they must be sufficiently flexible as to allow the handles of a bag to be loaded onto the holding member 600 such that the handles of the bag fully clear the flexible tine member-holding member interface at position 615 and be able to contact the holding member 600 at its inner holding face 645.
While the present invention has been described with particular reference to certain embodiments of the carrying device, it is to be understood that it includes all reasonable equivalents thereof as defined by the following appended claims.
