GB2344810A

GB2344810A - Carrying cases for items such as sound and/or light mixing consoles

Info

Publication number: GB2344810A
Application number: GB9827806A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Malcolm Ross
Original assignee: C P CASES Ltd
Current assignee: C P CASES Ltd
Priority date: 1998-12-17
Filing date: 1998-12-17
Publication date: 2000-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 2018-12-17
Also published as: GB2344810B; GB9827806D0

Abstract

An item such as a sound and/or light mixing console 1 is supported within a carrying case 2 by means of springs 9 which are such as to substantially counterbalance the weight of the console when the case is carried. The springs 9, preferably pairs of helical compression springs, may be seated in bores in wooden blocks 8 and act against spreader plates 10. A front edge of the console 1 is protected by foam, preferably a layer of low density foam sandwiched between layers of high density foam, and sides of the console are also protected by cushioning foam, preferably high density polyethylene foam. The case 2 has a lid 3 lined with plastics foam and provided with a handle and trolley wheels 12.

Description

Improvements relating primarily to sound and lighting mixing consoles The invention relates to sound and lighting mixing consoles and similar equipment. The invention will be described below with particular reference to sound and lighting mixing consoles, although it is applicable to other equipment, particularly heavy equipment containing components which need to be protected from shock and vibration.

Hitherto, in order to transport sound and lighting mixing consoles from place to place, use has been made of a case provided with cushion foam to support the console within the case and to protect it from shocks. While cases of this kind are adequate for much technological equipment, a problem arises with heavy items, and is particularly severe with mixing consoles.

Most, often nearly all, of the rear face of a mixing console is occupied by cabling and connector ports, leaving only a narrow flat cheek at each side at which the considerable weight of the console can be supported during transport. As a result the foam at this area is overloaded and is compressed beyond its cushioning level. Further, in the long term it loses its resilience so that it ceases to have any protective effect against shock or vibration When a mixing console has been transported to a temporary place of use it will usually be preferred to make use of it without removing it from its transport case. The case must therefore provide ample space at the rear of the console for cabling and plug-and-socket connections. The presence of this additional space increases the possibility of movement of the console within the case as it is carried, further exacerbating the problem of providing adequate cushioned support.

In the present invention, which is defined in the claims appended hereto, the console (or other item) is supported within the case, when in the carrying position, by spring means chosen so as to exert a force substantially counterbalancing its weight. The console is then essentially floating within the case, and thereby is largely isolated from shocks and vibration undergone by the case.

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic top view of a console mounted in a tray forming the lower portion of its carrying case, the lid having been removed, and Figure 2 is a diagrammatic section of a case showing how the console is supported within the case Referring first to Figure 1, the console 1 lies within in a tray 2 forming the lower portion of its carrying case, the lid 3 (shown in Figure 2) having been removed. The tray and lid are of wood, although other materials may be suitable. Between the console 1 and the sides of the tray 2 are layers 4 of cushioning foam, such as high density polyethylene foam, which acts as a shock absorber. A layer of foam 5 is also provided between the front edge of the console and the front of the tray 2, and this layer is preferably composed of a sandwich composed of a layer of low density foam between layers of high density foam, since this has to absorb possible shocks arising from the console"bouncing"when being carried, as will be apparent from the description which follows.

The horizontal depth of the case is considerably greater than that of the console 1, so that there is an open space 6 behind the console. The rear of the console is largely occupied by connector sockets except for a couple of flat cheeks 7, one at each end, and the open space 6 allows for plugs to be inserted in these sockets as required and provides accommodation for their associated cables. Optionally, an inner lid may be provided to cover this space.

Refer now also to Figure 2. A pair of wooden blocks 8 are secured in the rear corners of the tray 2, and these each have a pair of shallow bores (not shown) which provide seatings for helical compression springs 9, of which there are two on each side. Each pair of springs bears against a spreader plate 10 faced with a non-slip layer such as a hard rubber surface pad, which in turn bears against one of the flat cheeks 7 at the ends of the rear surface of the console. The lengths and spring rates of these springs are carefully matched to the weight of the console, so that when the case is up-ended for carrying the console tends to float within the case and shocks and vibration experienced by the case will not generally be transmitted to the console. While the case is being carried the console may tend to bounce on the springs, and for this reason, as described above, the front layer 5 of plastic foam is a composite 'sandwich'layer, providing damping if the console strikes the front of the case.

Figure 2 shows the case with the lid 3 in position. The lid is in the form of an inverted tray whose length and breadth match those of the lower tray 2 and is lined with plastic foam.

Catches (not shown in the drawing) are provided for attaching the lid to the tray 2, and the lid is provided with a carrying handle (also not shown).

Attached to the rear of the lid, that is to say on the side opposite to the carrying handle, is a wooden plinth 11 extending across the full depth of the case. and provided with trolley wheels 12. Openings in the plinth provide access to the catches which hold the lid in place.

A thin shim 13 spaces the plinth 11 from the lid, so that the lid can be fitted on to the case without the case fouling the plinth.

When the case is being carried upright, or when it is wheeled along the ground, the weight of the console is supported by the springs 9, so that it floats substantially in equilibrium within the case. In this condition vibration sustained by the case, due for instance to its being wheeled over a rough surface, is largely absorbed by the springs instead of being transmitted to the console.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An arrangement comprising an item of equipment supported within a carrying case, the front (i. e. the portion which will be uppermost when carried) and the sides of the item being cushioned from contact with the front and side walls of the case body by layers of resilient material and the item being supported by spring means bearing against the rear surface of the item, the spring means being so chosen that its force substantially balances the weight of the item in the carrying position.
2. An arrangement according to Claim 1 in which the spring means comprises helical compression springs.
3. An arrangement according to Claim 2 in which the springs are seated in blocks fixed to the sides and/or back of the case body and bear against the rear of the item through rigid load spreaders.
4. An arrangement according to any preceding claim in which the layers of resilient material at the sides of the case body are of high density plastic foam, and the layer at the front of the case body is of a sandwich of high density and low density foam.
5. An arrangement according to any preceding claim in which the case is provided with a detachable lid which can be fastened to the body of the case and which is provided with wheels and a carrying handle.
6. An arrangement according to any preceding claim in which the item of equipment is a mixing console for sound and/or lighting, the console being separated from the back of the case body by a space for connectors and cabling and the spring means bearing against side cheeks of the rear surface of the console.