A MESH FOR CONNECTING ITEMS THERETO

Abstract

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: body units forming the centre/middle part of the frame structure, the body units adapted to interlink with at least 4 other units in the frame structure, peripheral units around the outside edge of the body units, each peripheral unit adapted to interlink with at least 3 other units in the frame structure, corner units at each corner of the outer periphery and therefore linking with peripheral units, each corner unit adapted to interlink with at least 2 other units in the structure, wherein each planar unit is a ring defining an inner opening, the outer surface of the ring supporting interlocking parts wherein a first interlocking part on a first ring arranged in the frame structure aligns and cooperates with a second complementary shaped interlocking part on a second adjacent ring arranged in the frame structure to thereby interlink the units to form the mesh.

Claims

1. 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: body units forming the center part of the frame structure, the body units adapted to interlink with at least 4 other units in the frame structure, peripheral units around the outside edge of the body units, each peripheral unit adapted to interlink with at least three other units in the frame structure, corner units at each corner of the outer periphery and therefore linking with peripheral units, each corner unit adapted to interlink with at least two other units in the structure, wherein each planar unit is a ring defining an inner opening, the outer surface of the ring supporting interlocking parts wherein a first interlocking part on a first ring arranged in the frame structure aligns and cooperates with a second complementary shaped interlocking part on a second adjacent ring arranged in the frame structure to thereby interlink the units to form the mesh.

2. The mesh of claim 1, wherein at least some of the rings define an opening in which there is mounted a module that is reversibly locked into the opening and is substantially immovable once in position.

3. The mesh of claim 2, wherein each module is connectable with an item that can thereby be mated with the mesh and carried with the mesh.

4. The mesh of claim 1, wherein the rings are arranged in aligned rows and columns.

5. The mesh of claim 1, wherein rings in the mesh are not deformable under normal conditions and are formed from be airplane grade aluminum.

6. The mesh of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the ring, measured as the widest opening in the ring, is at most 3 cm.

7. The mesh of claim 1, wherein rings in the mesh have an octagonal shape.

8. The mesh of claim 7, wherein the length of each side in the octagonal-shaped ring are unequal.

9. The mesh of claim 1, wherein the peripheral interlocking parts around the periphery of the mesh, including the corners, have identical outside ring surfaces.

10. The mesh of claim 9, wherein the identical outside ring surfaces are all first interlocking parts.

11. The mesh of claim 1, wherein the first interlocking part comprises a hook and the second interlocking part comprises a loop.

12. The mesh of claim 11, wherein there are two hooks for each loop.

13. The mesh of claim 2, wherein the module is multi-component and includes a locking plate associated with a connection plate which in use, clamps or sandwiches around a ring to lock the module into position.

14. The mesh of claim 1, wherein the mesh is provided with a bag or a handbag.

15. The mesh of claim 14, wherein the mesh is provided on the outside surface of the bag or the handbag.

16. 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 the mesh according to claim 1 formed from a solid non-deformable material and defining a plurality of 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.

17. The bag of claim 16, wherein the connection plate of the module is co-operatable with a cooperation plate associated with an item.

18. A personal item transporting system comprising a bag and a plurality of items, the bag comprising walls defining at least one internal compartment, 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, at least some of the openings in the mesh configured to receive a module that removably locks into the opening and is immovable once in position, each module having a connection plate and at least some of the plurality of items having a cooperating plate, wherein the connection plate is mateable with the cooperating plate, and wherein, in use, at least some items can be placed in the internal compartment of the bag so as to be carried in the bag, and at least some of the items can be mated with the modules of the mesh so as to be carried on the outside surface of the bag.

19. The personal item transporting system of claim 18, wherein the mesh comprises: 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; body units forming the center part of the frame structure, the body units adapted to interlink with at least 4 other units in the frame structure, peripheral units around the outside edge of the body units, each peripheral unit adapted to interlink with at least three other units in the frame structure, corner units at each corner of the outer periphery and therefore linking with peripheral units, each corner unit adapted to interlink with at least two other units in the structure, wherein each planar unit is a ring defining an inner opening, the outer surface of the ring supporting interlocking parts wherein a first interlocking part on a first ring arranged in the frame structure aligns and cooperates with a second complementary shaped interlocking part on a second adjacent ring arranged in the frame structure to thereby interlink the units to form the mesh.

20. The personal item transporting system of claim 19, wherein the bag comprises walls defining at least one internal compartment into which items can be placed, at least one of the walls of the bag comprising the mesh formed from a solid non-deformable material and defining a plurality of 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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0062] 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:

[0063] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mesh according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0064] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mesh of FIG. 1.

[0065] FIG. 3 is a side view of the mesh of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0066] FIG. 4 is a mesh on a larger scale than the mesh of FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0067] FIG. 5 is a close-up perspective view of a ring unit form the mesh of FIG. 1.

[0068] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the ring unit of FIG. 1.

[0069] FIG. 7A, 7B, 7C are perspective views of ring units prior to rolling and showing A: an optional corner unit ring; B a body unit ring and C: a peripheral unit ring.

[0070] FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment of the mesh.

[0071] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the module docked into the mesh.

[0072] FIG. 10 is a side view of the module in the mesh of FIG. 9 with an item (mobile phone) docking to the module.

[0073] FIG. 11 is a photo of a bag comprising the mesh.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0074] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a mesh 10 comprising a substantially planar open frame structure. In FIG. 1, the plane is in the x/y direction as shown by the arrows. The structure is formed from a plurality of interlinked planar units which in this embodiment are planar rings 12. FIG. 1 shows nine individual units joined to one another to form a mesh 10. Not all ring units are labelled for clarity. An individual unit is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. When lifted by hand, the mesh 10 is slightly malleable within the constraints of the attachment points 14. Accordingly, the mesh 10 could deform over surface undulations such as bulky items in a bag. There are twelve attachment points, not all of which are labelled for clarity.

[0075] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the mesh 10 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, is a side view along the y plane showing the low profile of the frame structure. In FIG. 4, it is demonstrated that the mesh 10 can be increased in size by the addition of more ring units 12. The mesh in FIGS. 1 to 3 is 33 ring units. The mesh 10 in FIG. 4 is 48 ring units.

[0076] An embodiment of ring 12 can be seen in perspective view in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the ring 12 is formed from aeroplane grade aluminium in a single plane. In this embodiment, the diameter of the wall forming the ring is 3 mm. A cross-section of the wall would show it to be hollow and squared with decorative ribs along the upper ring body. The ring 12 is octagonal with 4 side wall portions (marked as a in FIG. 5) being longer than 4 joining wall portions (marked as b in FIG. 5). The diameter of the ring 12 (measured as the opening 16 in the ring across its widest distance) is about 3 cm. An octagonal shape as shown is pleasing when arranged into the mesh 10 as can be seen in e.g. FIG. 2. Between each octagon is formed a vacant space 18 which also has an octagonal-type shape. The space 18 is a Kanisza type of illusion where the shape of an octagon can be seen without there being the full complement of the 8-sides required to form the octagon shape. In design work, this type of illusion can provide an overall aesthetic that is very desirable and can become valuable in recognisable branding.

[0077] 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 FIG. 2. When the rings are arranged in aligned rows and columns each ring is in theory connectable to at least four other rings. Accordingly, for mesh 10 according to this embodiment, on its outside surface each ring 12 has four interlocking parts shown circled and marked as 14 in FIG. 3. The interlocking parts 14 are complementary to those of an adjacent ring partner, and so will alternate around the rings outer surface. For example, the interlocking parts of ring 12A are complementary to those of rings in adjacent row 1, 12B and adjacent column 1, 12D. Ring 12E has interlocking parts that are complementary with each of rings 12B, 12D, 12F and 12H. the interlocking parts are arranged so as to provide a zone of interlocking shown schematically by the circles 14 (not necessarily to scale).

[0078] 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.

[0079] The hooks 114, 114 can be formed and rolled through the loop during manufacture. FIG. 7 shows the hooks in a form prior to rolling. The hooks can be rolled over the loops during manufacture, to disallow disconnection of the hook/loop 214/114,114 connection once joined. Once rolled, the hooks 114, 114 can be a loose fit through the loops 214 to allow some sliding movement of the respective surfaces. By the arrangement of the rings 12 with these interlocking parts 14 into a mesh 10 by placement of the rings 12 adjacent to one another in rows and columns (refer e.g. FIG. 2), during a manufacturing process, each hook 114,114 can be attached to each loop 214 in the series so as to link the rings 12 together to form the mesh 10 as shown in e.g. FIG. 1.

[0080] 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 FIG. 6. The N side of body unit ring 12E seen in e.g. FIGS. 2 and 6 can comprise a locking part 14 that aligns and cooperates with an interlocking part 14 on the S side of adjacent body unit ring 12Bwhere the adjacent body ring will be in the row above. The S side of ring 12E has an interlocking part that cooperates with ring 12H in the row below. The W side of body unit ring 12E comprises a locking part that aligns and cooperates with an interlocking part on the E side of adjacent body unit ring 12Dwhere the adjacent body unit ring will be in the same row. The E side of the ring 12E has an interlocking part that aligns and cooperates with an interlocking part on the W side of 12F (same row).

[0081] Mesh 10 of e.g., FIG. 2 has one body unit 12E. A mesh 10 with more rings 12 (e.g. that of FIG. 4) could have more than one body unit. The mesh 10 of FIG. 4 has twelve body units. If the body unit rings 12E of FIG. 2 are all identical and are oriented in the same way, once the periphery of the mesh is reached, there would be an unused interlocking part extending out from the sides of the mesh frame structure. Where this is a loop (e.g. ring 12A), this is advantageous since loops are desirously located at the periphery of the mesh 10. Where this would be a hook (e.g. if ring 12B was repeated), then the ring with the exposed peripheral hooks can be rotated so as to expose a loop to the edge (e.g. 12J) or a different type of ring configuration can be used e.g. the ring of FIG. 7C.

[0082] 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 FIG. 8 for reference.

[0083] FIG. 7 shows three different types of ring units in which the interlocking parts 14 are in different configurations. In some instances, at least one corner unit might be required to have no loops 114 (ring embodiment shown at left of FIG. 7 (A)). In some instances (e.g. 12E), there may be required to be two sets of hooks 114 and two loops 214 (ring embodiment shown in middle of FIG. 7 (B)). In some instances, there may be required to be one set of hooks 114 and three loops (e.g. 12 J) (as shown in FIG. 7C). In the embodiment of the mesh 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, there are only two types of ring units required that of FIGS. 7B and 7C. This is because the orientation of rings 12A to 12J are alternated along the rows and columns as to always ensure that the correct interlocking parts cooperate, and to ensure that loops 214 are always at the outer periphery. In some embodiments, as can be seen in FIG. 8, the rings are fixed in their orientation and so a ring of the type FIG. 7A is required at ring 112J.

[0084] In the embodiment shown in e.g. FIG. 2, the same interlocking parts (loops 214) are all present at the outer periphery of the frame structure 10. These loop interlocking parts 214 running around the outer periphery 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 an embodiment, the mesh 10 is provided on the surface of a bag 32 such as a handbag as shown in FIG. 11. The mesh 10 is shown attached to the outside surface of a bag 32.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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 FIGS. 9 and 10, once the locking plate 20 is in position there is substantially no space(s) between the ring 12 and the locking plate 20. As can be seen in FIG. 10, the locking plate 20 is of reasonably low profile so that that once in place in the ring opening 16, locking plate 20 is reasonably flush with the frame structure 10. The locking plate 20 is formed from moulded plastic.

[0087] 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 FIG. 11. The stem 24 extends about the thickness of the ring opening 16, so that the two pieces 20, 22 can be firmly attached to one another about the stem 24. The stem 24 is shown in this embodiment as integrally formed with the locking plate 20 (it could be formed integrally with the connection plate 22). In use, the locking plate 20 and connection plate 22 being at the other end of the stem 24 are clamped or sandwiches about the ring 12. The locking plate 20 is positioned on one side of the mesh 10 and the connection plate 22 is positioned on the other side of the mesh 10.

[0088] 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 FIG. 9). The connection plate 22 may be of a complementary shape to the locking plate 20. 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 22 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 22 is formed from moulded plastic.

[0089] As can be seen in FIG. 10, the connection plate 22 has a location 26 on its exposed surface onto which items 30 can be docked. Each item 30 for docking has attached thereto a cooperating plate 28 which cooperates with the dock 26 on the connection plate 22. The cooperation can be of the type with mating flanges which have open parts for receiving each other and once received, are twistable so as to overlap the flanges and reversibly trap against one another. Once mated, the item 30 is difficult to pull off the frame structure, but easy to intentionally remove by simple twist and pull.

[0090] The mesh 10 can be connected to bag 32 (as can be seen in example FIG. 11). The bag 32 has walls 34 defining at least one internal compartment (not shown since the bag 32 is closed and under the user's arm). At least one of the walls 34 comprises the mesh 10. At least some of the openings in the mesh 10 have a module 20. The openings for receiving the module 20 are the ring opening 16 which are configured as described in detail herein to receive the module about the opening. The module 20 is then removably locked into the opening 16 and is substantially immovable once in position. The modules have a connection plate 22 as described which is mateable with a cooperating plate 28 on a number of items 30 owned by the user. The items 30 can include mobile phone, make up case, decorations, small pocket wallets, and so on When using the bag 32, at least some items 30 can be placed in the internal compartment of the bag 32 so as to be carried in the bag. Furthermore, at least some of the items 30 can be mated with the modules 20 of the mesh 10 so as to be carried on the outside surface of the bag 32. The bag 32 plus the item 30 is essentially a personal item transporting system.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 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.