FR2572712A1 - PORTABLE RIGID CONTAINER WITH ADJUSTABLE CONTENANCE - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Rigid portable container with a variable capacity, comprising a bocy (1) which is of tubular shape and is closed at its ends (10, 12) and which comprises at least two tubular elements (3, 4, 5) which are assembled telescopically and which are provided with at least one means for alternately locking and releasing the elemens, with a view to adapting their relative positions ; this container being characterized in that it is divided into two shells (14, 15), each of which is constituted by the association of internal and external semi-tubular elements (3a , 3b , 4a , 4b , 5a , 5b ) which are telescopically assembled in relation to one another, and in that it is provided, half way along its length, with a gripping means (2).

Description

1 25727 12

  The invention relates to a portable rigid container

adjustable capacity.

  It is of particular interest but not exclusive

  Containers intended for the transport of long articles, such as sections of fishing rod. In order to transport long articles in relation to their transverse dimensions, and for example in length

  greater than one meter, it is known to use a long

  equipped for their handling and / or transport of

adequate grips.

  These sheaths are usually long bags made of

  flexible material and especially woven.

  However, in addition to the fact that articles can collide

  between them in the sheath, they are exposed to possible external blows, which is a hindrance

when the items are fragile.

  Of course, to avoid this disadvantage, rigid containers are known but, failing to find in the trade a container of the exact length of the articles to be transported, and to reserve it later only for this use, it is necessary to encumber with a container of dimensions

  often much higher than those

carry.

  For the transport of articles of better proportion

  in order to remedy these disadvantages, it is known (FR

  A-2,401,628) a compact container, compact and capable of

  adjustable so that, where necessary,

  allows to have a larger useful volume.

  For this, it includes expansion compartments

  deployable through bellows.

  The bellows are generally made of flexible material.

  If this type of container is perfect for storing and transporting fragile items such as clothing, it is inconceivable to create on the same principle containers intended to receive and protect

  long and fragile articles, with a view to transporting them.

  One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a rigid container for storage and transport

  of long articles and which is likely around a

  nominal capacity to be able to be adjusted in large propor-

  to the dimensions of the article or articles to be transported.

  For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a container of the aforementioned type which has a tubular shape closed at its ends and provided at mid-length with a gripping means, this container being characterized in particular by the fact that it comprises at least two tubular elements which are, depending on the direction of expansion of the container, are mounted telescopically and in that they themselves are provided with at least one means alternatively for blocking and unblocking the

  elements in order to adapt their relative positions.

  It will be better understood using the description

  BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 to 3: a longitudinal section of various embodiments of the invention, FIG. 4: a cross section according to IV- IV of Figure 2, - Figure 5: a cross section along VV of Figure 3, - Figure 6: in perspective, another variant of

realization of the container.

  Referring to the drawing, we see that the rigid container with adjustable volume is composed of a long tubular body 1 closed at its ends and provided at mid-length of a

  gripping means such as a handle 2.

  This body 1 comprises at least two tubular elements 3, 4, 5 mounted telescopically and themselves provided with at least one means 6 for alternately blocking and unlocking the elements 3, 4, 5 in order to adapt their

relative positioning.

  In the example of FIG. 1, on the one hand the body 1 is composed only of two tubular elements 3, 4 mounted telescopically along their largest axis 7 and, on the other hand, the means 6 for adjusting and locking of the interlocking length of one element 4 in the other 3 consists of a device such as a ring screwed on the outer element 3 and 257o71c having a female conical bearing surface 8 cooperating with a male conical bearing surface 9 of this element for cause an energetic local pinch of the wall of the external element 3

on that of the inner element 4.

  Of course, any other type of known adjustment and blocking device could be suitable and this is at the

scope of those skilled in the art.

  To arrange the articles (not shown) in the container 1, it may for example introduce them through an opening 10 reserved for one 11 of the ends 11, 12 of the

tubular body 1.

  This opening 10 is then subsequently closed by a shutter 13 for example screwed or elastically fitted to

this end 11.

  Neither of the ends 11, 12 of the tubular body 1 could of course be opened in this way. In this case, failing to access the interior of the body i by its ends 11, 12, the device 6 for adjusting and blocking may allow the dislodgement of the elements 3, 4 to, at the appropriate time to dispose of

  and / or take items from the container 1.

  This is also within the reach of those skilled in the art.

  In an alternative embodiment, particularly shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6, it can be seen that, while comprising at least two tubular elements mounted telescopically, the body 1 is split into two half-shells 14, 15 defining two substantially symmetrical assemblies and thus presenting a map

longitudinal opening.

  Each of the two half-shells 14, 15 thus itself comprises at least two elements 3a and 4a, 3b and 4b or even

  4a and 5a or 4b and 5b mounted telescopically.

  In each half-shell 14, 15 is therefore found in

  least one semi-tubular element -external and at least one

internal semi-tubular =

  Of course, as it is known, the two half-brothers

  pins 14, 15 can articulate with each other along a

  common generator located in the plane of opening.

  For this purpose they are provided with a means of

section 16.

  As is also known, the opposite side of the hinge means 16, the container also comprises complementary means 17, 18 of approximation and of

closing half-shells.

  In the remainder of the description, without this being

  for the invention, given the relative symmetry

  sorting of the container 1, relative to its longitudinal plane of opening which is to be substantially horizontal, only one of the half-cups 14, 15 will be described without specifying whether

  this is the upper half-shell 14 or lower 15.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 4, it will be noted that each semi-tubular element 3a to 5b has

  a cross section substantially shaped "U".

  The vertical branches of the "U" constitute the flanks

  19, 20 of each element 3a to 5b while the horizontal branch

zontale forms a bottom wall 32.

  The half-shells are provided with at least one locking means 21 preventing dislocation of the inner semi-tubular elements 4a, 4b of the outer semi-tubular elements 3a, 3b of the corresponding half-shell, while preserving their axial sliding by relative to the other external or internal semi-tubular elements of the

corresponding half-shell.

  This locking means 21 will comprise for example a stop 22 provided on each inner member 4a, 4b acting against another stop 23 as for it carried by the outer member 3a, 3b 'For example, as can be see-in Figures 4, 5, there is provided to achieve the locking means 21, to reserve in the inner face 24 of each side 19, 20 of an outer semi-element a groove 27 oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of displacement of the

half-tubular elements.

  With respect to this groove 27, the outer face 28 of each side 19, 20 of an inner semi-tubular element carries at least one member 29 of profile complementary to that of the

25727 12

  groove 27 and engaged therein.

  This organ may consist of at least one local boss

or in a continuous rib.

  Thus when one wants to adjust the capacity of the container 1, it is sufficient to slide the same value and in the same direction for the two half-shells 16, 17 the

  internal elements 4a '4b in the external elements 3a' 3b.

  In an alternative embodiment shown in the figure, the locking means 21 consists of a means that causes the faces facing each other to adhere to each other 30, 31

  bottoms 32 of the semi-tubular elements.

  This effect can for example be obtained by fixing on each of the faces 30, 31 facing the strips of material which after contact between them achieve adhesion and / or

a reversible anchorage.

  By way of example, it is possible to use strips of material of the type sold under the

brand VELCRO.

  It must be emphasized, however, that this has no value

limiting for the invention.

  Indeed, plots of magnetic material and / or

  adhesive, for example, would be equally suitable for

  the previously described function.

  Of course, the anchoring and / or adhesion of the faces between them must remain controllable so that it can be annihilated to slide the internal elements.

in the external elements.

  Note that the anchoring effect and / or adhesion

  described above may advantageously be suitable for realizing

  be at the same time the means 6 of control of telescopic

  the elements and the means 21 for locking the

these elements.

  In any case, it is necessary to have on each

  face 30, 31 of a ribbon of said material extending substantially

  in the longitudinal direction of movement and this, in any place to allow a blocking whatever

the desired extension.

  To limit the manual effort to a reasonable value 25727! Zk

2 5 7 2 7?

  necessary to disengage the semi-tubular elements of a half-shell 14, 15, it is sufficient to control the useful surface and therefore the width of the anchoring material ribbon and / or

adhesion.

  Advantageously, the ribbon of anchoring material and / or adhesion equipping the bottom of the semi-tubular element

  internal may be housed in a dwelling.

  Also, when the internal element is dislodged the

  36 preserves the ribbon from contact with a surface

likely to degrade it.

  Of course, the tape equipping the external element will be

  carried at the top of a complementary profile 37 to the dwelling 36.

  In another variant of embodiment visible in particular

  3 and 6, the means 6 for adjusting and blocking

  of the relative positioning in extension of the semi-tu-

  between them consists of a plurality of complementary means 34, 35 projecting, the other 35 hollow and respectively supported by at least some of the

  faces facing semi-tubular elements.

  The complementary means 34, 35 are, according to the same step "P" and following the direction of assembly and displacement

  telescopic, distributed regularly.

  The complementary means 34 protruding and recessed 35 are for example respectively ribs 36 and grooves 37 of complementary shapes, each perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mounting and the telescopic movement. In another variant embodiment, in FIG. 6, the container is formed of two half-shells 16, 17 each consisting of three semi-tubular elements 3a '3b' 4a '4b, a' 5b. In the version shown, there are provided for each half-shell 16, 17 at the ends two external elements 3,

  5 in which a medial element 4 is fitted.

  Of course, one could realize the opposite, that is to say at the ends of the internal elements joined by

an external median element.

  In any case, the extension of the formed structure

2572 7 12

allows to maintain its symmetry.

  Note that regardless of the means 6 and / or 21 opposing the disengagement of the semi-elements and the means for blocking the sliding elements, in the case of a body in two half-shells, to adjust the capacity of the body, it is sufficient: - to open the container 1, - to dislodge according to their cross section, the half-tubular elements 3 to 5, - to position them according to the new capacity so as to give a new length "L" identical to each shell 16, 17,

  to block the sliding of elements 3 to 5.

  The container 1 may be made of any material and for example plastic material advantageously, it will be made of thin rigid material and for example thermoformable. The bottom 32 of each half-shell 16, 17 may be equipped with any known means of storage and / or fixing

  long articles and for example fishing rods.

  It is obvious that the invention is not limited to the embodiment which has just been described and shown

  and which has not been given as an example.

  In particular, it is possible to go beyond the scope of the

  to amend certain provisions or to replace certain

  some means by equivalent means or alternatively replace certain organs by others capable of ensuring the same

  technical function or equivalent technical function.

Claims (5)

  1. rigid container with adjustable capacity comprising a body (1) which has a tubular shape closed at its ends (10, 12) and preferably provided at mid-length with a gripping means (2), comprising at least two tubular elements (3, 4, 5) which are mounted telescopically, this container being CHARACTERIZED: - firstly, in that these tubular elements themselves are provided with at least one means (6) alternatively for blocking and to unlock the elements in order to adapt their relative positions and - secondly, in that while comprising at least these two elements (3, 4, 5) mounted telescopically, it is split into two half-shells (14, 15) each constituted by the combination of inner and outer semi-tubular elements (3a '3b, 4a, 4b, 5as b) telescopically mounted by compared to others.   2. Container according to claim 1 characterized in that it is provided with means (21) for locking of any type capable of opposing the dislocation of the semi-tubular elements in a direction in their cross section while preserving the sliding axial elements   semi-tubular (3a to 5b) relative to each other.   3. Container according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the means (6) for alternately- blocking and unblocking the elements to adapt the length of the body (1) are constituted by complementary means (34, 35). ), one (34) projecting, the other (35) recessed and carried by the faces facing the semi-tubular elements.   4. Container according to claim 3 characterized in that the complementary means (34, 35) carried by the faces facing the elements (3, 4, 5) are regularly distributed in a same step (P) and in the direction telescopic assembly.   5. Container according to claim 4 characterized in that the complementary means (34, 35) projecting and recessed respectively are ribs (36) and grooves.   (37) contained in cross sections of the container.