Adaptable foam grid system for insertion into protective case.

Abstract

An omni foam grid system for insertion into a protective case has a grid plate sandwiched between a lower perimeter frame, or series of stepped pegs, and an upper perimeter frame. The grid plate has a lattice that forms round or square holes, into which round or square pegs are frictionally inserted. The lower perimeter frame or a series of stepped pegs position the grid plate above the bottom of the case, such that when an object such as a gun or drone is pressed into the invention, the pegs under the invention depress into the negative space, leaving undepressed pegs on all sides of the object to prevent lateral movement during transport in the case. The lid of the case closes upon the object, thereby securing and protecting it with foam on all sides.

Claims

1. An insert for protecting a valuable/fragile item in a case, consisting of a lower support, a grid plate, and a plurality of pegs, wherein the grid plate has a lattice that defines a plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of openings has an opening width, wherein the plurality of pegs fit within the plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of pegs has a peg width, and the peg width is slightly larger than the opening width, such that each of the plurality of pegs is frictionally but movably secured in each opening, wherein the grid plate is located above the lower support such that a negative space is created below the grid plate, wherein an object is pressed into the plurality of pegs, resulting in some depressed pegs being depressed into the negative space and some original pegs remaining in an upright position, wherein the object is secured on an object bottom by the depressed pegs and secured on an object side by the original pegs.

2. The insert of claim 1, where the lower support is a lower perimeter wherein the lower perimeter has a lower top member, two lower side members, and a lower bottom member, which define a lower space and wherein the lower space is bounded on four sides by the lower perimeter, and additionally comprising an upper perimeter, wherein the upper perimeter has an upper top member, two upper side members, and an upper bottom member, which define an upper space wherein the grid plate is located above the lower support and below the upper perimeter.

3. The insert of claim 1, wherein the lower support is a plurality of stepped pegs, where each of the stepped pegs has a bottom portion, a top portion, and a step, where the top portion has a top portion diameter, where the top portion diameter is less than the opening diameter of a grid plate opening, where the bottom portion has a bottom portion diameter than is greater than the opening diameter of the grid plate opening, wherein the bottom portion transition to the top portion at a step, where the grid plate rest upon the step.

4. The insert of claim 3, wherein the openings are circular, and have a circular opening diameter, and wherein the circular opening diameter is larger than the top portion diameter and smaller than the bottom portion diameter, such that the grid plate rests on the step.

5. An insert for protecting a valuable/fragile item in a case, comprising a lower support, a grid plate, and a plurality of pegs, wherein the grid plate has a lattice that defines a plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of openings has an opening width, wherein the plurality of pegs fit within the plurality of openings, wherein each of the plurality of pegs has a peg width, and the peg width is slightly larger than the opening width, such that each pegs is frictionally but movably secured in each opening, wherein the grid plate is located above the lower support such that a negative space is created below the grid plate.

6. The insert of claim 5, wherein an object is pressed into the plurality of pegs, resulting in some depressed pegs being depressed into the negative space and some original pegs remaining in an upright position, wherein the object is secured on an object bottom by the depressed pegs and secured on an object side by the original pegs.

7. The insert of claim 6, wherein the pegs are made of a substance selected from the group consisting of foam, plastic and rubber.

8. The insert of claim 7, wherein the grid plate is made from a substance selected from the group consisting of foam and plastic.

9. The insert of claim 7, wherein the lattice forms a plurality of round holes, and the pegs are round pegs.

10. The insert of claim 7, wherein the lattice forms a plurality of square holes and wherein the pegs are square pegs.

11. The insert of claim 7, where the lower support is a lower perimeter wherein the lower perimeter has a lower top member, two lower side members, and a lower bottom member, which define a lower space and wherein the lower space is bounded on four sides by the lower perimeter, and additionally comprising an upper perimeter, wherein the upper perimeter has an upper top member, two upper side members, and an upper bottom member, which define an upper space wherein the grid plate is located above the lower support and below the upper perimeter.

12. The insert of claim 11, wherein the lower perimeter and upper perimeter are made from foam, wherein the insert is inserted into a case, wherein the case has a case bottom and a case top, wherein the upper perimeter adds protection to the plurality of pegs, wherein the case top comprises a case top foam, wherein the case top foam secures the object from a top direction when the case top is closed upon the case bottom.

13. The insert of claim 12, where the lower support is a lower perimeter wherein the lower perimeter has a lower top member, two lower side members, and a lower bottom member, which define a lower space and wherein the lower space is bounded on four sides by the lower perimeter.

14. The insert of claim 7, wherein the lower support is a plurality of stepped pegs, where each of the stepped pegs has a bottom portion, a top portion, and a step, where the top portion has a top portion diameter, where the top portion diameter is less than the opening diameter of a grid plate opening, where the bottom portion has a bottom portion diameter than is greater than the opening diameter of the grid plate opening, wherein the bottom portion transition to the top portion at a step, where the grid plate rest upon the step, wherein the grid plate rests upon a plurality of stepped pegs, thereby creating a negative space below the grid plate.

15. The insert of claim 14, wherein the pegs are made of a substance selected from the group consisting of foam, plastic and rubber.

16. The insert of claim 15, wherein the openings are circular, and have a circular opening diameter, and wherein the circular opening diameter is larger than the top portion diameter and smaller than the bottom portion diameter, such that the grid plate rests on the step.

17. The insert of claim 16, where the number of stepped pegs is four, and each of the four stepped pegs is located at a corner of the grid plate.

18. The insert of claim 17, where the number of stepped pegs is more than four, and four of the stepped pegs are located at a corner of the grid plate.

19. The insert of the claim 18, where at least one of the stepped pegs is at a location other than a corner or a side of the grid plate.

20. The insert of claim 14, where the openings are square and have a width, and wherein the width is less than the top portion diameter and greater than the bottom portion diameter, such that the grid rests on a step, where the step is located at an intersection of the top portion and the bottom portion of the stepped peg.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a top view of the grid plate portion of the invention with square holes.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a top view of another embodiment of the grid plate with round holes.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a top view of the grid plate portion of the invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a square peg.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stepped peg.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a round peg.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a grid plate with round pegs inserted.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a top view of a grid plate with square pegs.

[0031] FIG. 9 is a top view of a firearm secured amongst pegs.

[0032] FIG. 10 is a side, perspective view of stepped pegs supporting a grid plate, where the grid plate is loading with round pegs.

[0033] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a pistol secured in the invention showing how it nestles into the pegs.

[0034] FIG. 12 is a side, perspective view of the lower perimeter.

[0035] FIG. 13 is a side, perspective view of the upper perimeter.

[0036] FIG. 14 is a side, perspective view of round pegs that have been inserted into the lower perimeter.

[0037] FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of the round pegs that have been inserted in the grid plate sitting on top of the lower perimeter with the upper perimeter added for protection.

[0038] FIG. 16 a top, perspective view of a case into which the lower perimeter frame has been inserted.

[0039] FIG. 17 a top, perspective view of a case into which the lower perimeter frame, the grid plate and some pegs have been inserted.

[0040] FIG. 18 a top, perspective view of a case into which the lower perimeter frame, the grid plate and some pegs have been inserted, and an upper perimeter added to provide protection from the side of the pegs.

[0041] FIG. 19 is a top, perspective view of a case wherein a pattern has been depressed into the pegs, simulating the kind of nestling protection the invention provides for a firearm, drone, or other value and/or fragile item.

[0042] FIG. 20 a top, perspective view of a case into which the several stepped pegs hold up a grid plate, and some pegs have been depressed, simulating the kind of nestling protection the invention provides for a firearm, drone, or other value and/or fragile item.

[0043] FIG. 21 is side, perspective view of a case with a grid plate being supported by stepped pegs.

[0044] FIG. 22 is a front, perspective view of the case about to be closed upon the firearm.

[0045] FIG. 23 is a front, perspective view of a case showing half the elevated grid plates with pegs inserted and the other half with just the grid and stepped pegs (without the pegs).

[0046] FIG. 24 is a top view of some tools nestled in the invention.

[0047] FIG. 25 is a side, perspective view of some tools nestled in the invention.

[0048] FIG. 26 is a bottom, side, perspective view of the grid plate showing a pattern that has bene depressed into the grid plate by pushing down on several of the pegs.

[0049] FIG. 27 is a side, perspective view of a grid plate with pegs sitting on top of foam cushion.

[0050] FIG. 28 is a front, perspective view of a case with a lower perimeter frame.

[0051] FIG. 29 is a front, perspective view of a case with pegs and an upper perimeter frame added.

[0052] FIG. 30 is a side, perspective view of a foam cushion.

[0053] FIG. 31 is a side view of another embodiment of the round peg, with this round peg having an end that is slightly larger such that the pegs can't be pulled out of the grid from the top.

[0054] FIG. 32 is a side, perspective view of a grid plate with round pegs being depressed into a cushion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0055] FIG. 1 is a top view of the grid plate portion 3 of the invention. The grid plate 3 is a series of openings 5 defined by the lattice 4. The openings can be round, square, triangular, hexagonal, or any other shape. In this particular embodiment, the openings are square.

[0056] FIG. 2 is a top view of another embodiment of the grid plate 3 where the openings 5 are round. The openings 5 are defined by the lattice 4.

[0057] FIG. 3 is another top view of a grid plate 3, where the openings 5 extend all the way to the edge of the grid plate. When this version of the grid plate is used with stepped pegs, there is no need for a bottom perimeter or top perimeter.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a square peg 7. A preferred embodiment calls for the pegs to be made of foam, but other materials such as plastic, rubber and even wood are contemplated. Inflatable pegs are also contemplated.

[0059] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stepped peg 20. The stepped peg has an upper portion 21, that is narrower than the opening on a grid plate, and a bottom portion 22, that is wider than the opening on a grid plate, such that the grid plates rests in an elevated position on the step 23. This creates the negative space under the grid plate into which certain pegs are pushed to create a protective cavity for the item to be stored.

[0060] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a round peg 6.

[0061] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a grid plate 3 with round pegs 6.

[0062] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a grid plate 3 with square pegs 7. It should be noted that while round and square pegs are used for purposes of illustration, any shape of peg can be used and is contemplated by this invention.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a toy pistol 8 installed in the invention showing how it nestles into the pegs 6. Because the lower perimeter 1 holds the grid plate above the bottom of the case, the pegs 6 under the toy pistol 8 and pressed down into the negative space, providing cushioning from below. The pegs that are not located under the toy pistol remain upright and provide cushioning from the sides, thereby securing the object from the bottom and from all four sides. A foam-cushion top of the case will finalize the security by pressing down on the object from above.

[0064] FIG. 10 is a side, perspective view of a grid plate 3, full of round pegs 6, where the grid plate 3 is supported by stepped pegs 20. The stepped pegs 20 have an upper portion 21 that is narrower than the openings in the grid plate, and a bottom portion 22 that is wider than the openings. This allows the grid plate 3 to rest in an elevated position, such that some of the pegs 6 can be pushed down to create a protective pocket for an item.

[0065] FIG. 11 is a side, perspective view showing how a pistol or other item 8 could be nestled into the pegs 6, and how the pegs could be pushed into the negative space portion of the invention in a pattern that mirrors the object they are going to protect the pegs are depressed into the negative space cushion the item from below, while the pegs that are not depressed cushion the object from the sides.

[0066] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the lower perimeter 1 portion of the invention. The lower perimeter 1 rests on the bottom of the case and elevates the grid plate (3 in other figures) above the bottom of the case, creating negative space (9 in other figures), into which pegs can be depressed to nestle an object.

[0067] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the upper perimeter portion 2 of the invention. The upper perimeter 2 secures the grid plate and provides a perimeter against which the pegs are braced laterally, as well as protecting the grid plate from the edges of the case into which the invention will be placed.

[0068] FIG. 14 is a side, perspective view of the lower perimeter 1 laterally restraining pegs 6.

[0069] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the entire invention. The lower perimeter 1 locates the grid plate 3 above the bottom of the case, creating negative space. The upper perimeter 2 secures the grid plate from moving upward in the case, and the, in this case, round pegs 6 are ready for an object such as a pistol to be pushed into them, pushing their bottom ends into the negative space.

[0070] FIG. 16 is a front, perspective view of a case into which the lower perimeter frame 2 has been inserted. The case top 10 will close upon the case bottom 11, but before that happens, some of the pegs 6 will be pushed down into the grid plate to create the desired protective pocket.

[0071] FIG. 17 a front, perspective view of a case into which the lower perimeter frame, the grid plate and the upper perimeter frame have been inserted, and a pattern 30 has been depressed into the pegs 6, simulating the kind of nestling protection the invention provides for a firearm, drone, or other value and/or fragile item.

[0072] FIG. 18 is a front, perspective of a case with a case top 10 and a case bottom 11, into which many pegs 6 have been inserted, and they are retained on the side by an upper perimeter frame 2.

[0073] FIG. 19 is a front, perspective view of a case where a shape 30 has been created in anticipation of protectively retaining an object with a specific shape. Grid plate 3 is elevated by stepped pegs 20. Some of the pegs 6 have been depressed to create the shapes or pockets 30 into which the items will be placed.

[0074] FIG. 20 is a side, perspective view of a case with an elevated grid plate 3, that is supported by stepped pegs 20 which rest on the case bottom 11. Each of the stepped pegs has an upper portion 21 that fits through the openings of the grid plate, and a bottom portion 22 that is wider that the openings, thereby allowing the grid plate to rest on top of the step in the stepped pegs. The next step will be to insert pegs into the openings in the grid plate. It is contemplated that the pegs can be pushed down in several manners. First, a user could use the object to physically push down all the pegs in its shadow. Second, a user could physically push down the appropriate pegs, then rest the object in the depression created. Third, for a mass-produced insert, a certain pattern of pegs could be pre-depressed to fit a certain item at the time the insert was manufactured. It is also contemplated that a layer of very soft form could be inserted into the lower perimeter to give the bottom of the pegs additional support. Further improvements include contemplation of a layer of elastic or Spandex that stretches across the four sides of the lower perimeter. Under this embodiment, when an object is placed on top of the pegs, it would depress certain pegs against the layer of elastic or Spandex, but when the object was removed, the pegs would all pop up back to their original position.

[0075] FIG. 21 is a side, perspective view of a case with square pegs 7 into which a toy pistol 8 has been pressed, to show how the individual pegs under the pistol depress into the negative space, cushioning the pistol on the bottom, while the undepressed pegs on the side secure the pistol from moving sideways in the case.

[0076] FIG. 22 is a is a front, perspective view of how a firearm 8 could be nestled into the pegs. Note how the pegs 6 under the firearm 8 have been pushed down at varying depths through the grid plate into the negative space, while the pegs not under the firearm remain fully upright, providing support against the firearm moving around inside the case. Note too how a depression to store ammunition 40 could also be created in the same case. The case top 10 is padded with foam and will give the firearm protection from all six sides once the case top 10 is closed onto the case bottom 11.

[0077] FIG. 23 is a front, perspective view of a case showing half the elevated grid plates with pegs inserted and the other half with just the grid and stepped pegs (without the pegs). This figure shows how a user can begin assembling the invention by hanging a grid plate 3 over stepped pegs 20. In the next step, pegs 6 are inserted into holes in the grid plate, and eventually, a desired shape 30 is created in the pegs 6 by depressing some of the pegs into the negative space below the grid plate.

[0078] FIG. 24 is a top view of some tools 41 nestled in the invention. Some pegs 6 have been depressed into the grid plate (3 in other figures) to create the protective nests for the tools 41.

[0079] FIG. 25 is a side, perspective view of some tools 41 nestled in the invention. The pegs 6 have been inserted into the grid plate 3. The grid plate 3 is supported by the stepped pegs 20. Several tools rest in protective pockets created by pushing down on a pattens of pegs.

[0080] FIG. 26 is a bottom, side, perspective view of the grid plate 3 showing a pattern that has bene depressed into the grid plate by pushing down on several of the pegs 6. The bottom portion of the stepped pegs 20 is visible, and these stepped pegs have created the negative space into which some of the pegs 6 are pushed to create the shape for the tools.

[0081] FIG. 27 is a side, perspective view of a grid plate with pegs 6 sitting on top of foam cushion 42.

[0082] FIG. 28 is a front, perspective view of a case with a lower perimeter frame 1 already inserted.

[0083] FIG. 29 is a front, perspective view of the case of FIG. 28, where a grid plate, many pegs 6 and an upper perimeter frame 1 have been added.

[0084] FIG. 30 is a side, perspective view of a foam cushion.

[0085] FIG. 31 is a side view of another embodiment of the round peg, with this round peg having an end 42 that is slightly larger such that the pegs can't be pulled out of the grid from the top.

[0086] FIG. 32 is a side, perspective view of a grid plate with round pegs 6 being depressed into a cushion 42.

Brief Summary of The Invention

[0087] The invention has an elevated grid with foam pegs that is held up by a series of stepped pegs or a lower frame. The foam pegs are inserted into the grid and held in place by friction due to the design of the pegs being slightly larger than the size of the grid patterns (square, round or other). The elevated grid and pegs allow for space under the grid so that the pegs can then be depressed down in the shape of the object that sits on top of the grid/pegs giving the object full protection around its perimeter. The pegs can be depressed down until they hit the surface that the elevated grid system is on, giving protection and support to the bottom of the object sitting above. Added protection can be applied by the lid of a case with foam that can be closed down on top of the grid and pegs. The pegs never have to be removed and/or changed into new positions to add protection. The user of our system simply has to push the pegs down into their desired shape. User can easily reset their grid and pegs by simply pushing the pegs back to their starting elevated position.

[0088] Each of the additional figures and methods disclosed herein can be used separately, or in conjunction with other features and methods, to provide improved devices and methods for making and using the same. Therefore, combinations of features and methods disclosed herein may not be necessary to practice the disclosure in its broadest sense and are instead disclosed merely to particularly describe representative and preferred embodiments.

[0089] Various modifications to the embodiments may be apparent to one of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure. For example, persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the various features described for the different embodiments can be suitably combined, un-combined, and re-combined with other features, alone, or in different combinations. Likewise, the various features described above should all be regarded as example embodiments, rather than limitations to the scope or spirit of the disclosure.

[0090] Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that various embodiments can comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual embodiment described above. The embodiments described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features may be combined. Accordingly, the embodiments are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the claims can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual embodiments, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art.

[0091] Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

[0092] Unless indicated otherwise, references to embodiment(s), disclosure, present disclosure, embodiment(s) of the disclosure disclosed embodiment(s), and the like contained herein refer to the specification (text, including the claims, and figures) of this patent application that are not admitted prior art.

[0093] For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms means for or step for are recited in the respective claim.

[0094] It should be understood that while the preferred embodiments of the invention are described in some detail herein, the present disclosure is made by way of example only and that variations and changes thereto are possible without departing from the subject matter coming within the scope of the following claims, and a reasonable equivalency thereof, which claims I regard as my invention.

[0095] All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.