KINETIC CARRIER DEVICE

Abstract

A kinetic carrier device having a plurality of panels and a receiver configured to form a chamber that can hold one or more articles. The kinetic carrier device can include a packaging system that can secure and hold one or more articles in the chamber of the kinetic carrier device. The chamber can be created by enclosure of a space in the kinetic carrier device.

Claims

1. A kinetic carrier device having one degree of freedom, comprising: a plurality of panels; a receiver configured to hold one or more articles; and a transformative attachment mechanism configured to attach at least a pair of the plurality of panels to the receiver, wherein the transformative attachment mechanism facilitates movement of the plurality of panels in three-degrees-of-freedom (3 DOF) or six-degrees-of-freedom (6 DOF) with respect to the receiver.

2. The device in claim 1, wherein the transformative attachment mechanism is configured to guide a pair of adjacent panels to a closed configuration, thereby forming a chamber in the kinetic carrier device.

3. The device in claim 1, wherein the kinetic carrier device forms a spherical shape when configured in a closed configuration.

4. The device in claim 1, wherein the kinetic carrier device forms a cylindrical shape when configured in a closed configuration.

5. The device in claim 1, wherein the transformative attachment mechanism comprises a pivot foundation and a pivot network, wherein the pivot foundation and the pivot network cooperate to transform six-degrees-of-freedom motion to one-degree-of-freedom motion.

6. The device in claim 5, wherein the pivot foundation comprises at least one: a pivot member; a base rotation member; a hinge; and a base.

7. The device in claim 6, wherein the hinge is configured to pivotally attach the base to an end of the pivot member.

8. The device in claim 6, wherein the base is configured to attach to an inner surface of the receiver, or the base is configured as part of the receiver.

9. The device in claim 7, wherein another end of the pivot member is configured to attach to the base rotation member.

10. The device in claim 5, wherein the pivot network comprises a network of a plurality of rotation members.

11. The device in claim 10, wherein the pivot network further comprises network of a plurality of rotation member fasteners, each one of the plurality of rotation member fasteners corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of rotation members.

12. The device in claim 1, wherein the transformative attachment mechanism comprises a pivot member and a rotational member.

13. The device in claim 1, comprising at least a pair of sealing members, each of the pair of sealing members being positioned on a panel and configured to engage another of the pair of sealing members on an adjacent panel.

14. The device in claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels comprises six semi-spherical panels configured to form a spherical shape when the device is in a closed configuration.

15. The device in claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels comprises two semi-cylindrical panels configured to form a cylindrical shape when the device is in a closed configuration.

16. A kinetic carrier device having one degree of freedom, comprising: a receiver configured to hold one or more articles; and a transformative attachment mechanism configured to attach at least a pair of a plurality of panels to the receiver and facilitate transformation of movement of the plurality of panels from three-degrees-of-freedom (3 DOF) or six-degrees-of-freedom (6 DOF) to one-degree-of-freedom (1 DOF), wherein the transformative mechanism includes: a pivot foundation configured to attach to the receiver; and a pivot network configured to attach the plurality of panels wherein the pivot foundation and the pivot network cooperate to transform 3 DOF or 6 DOF movement to 1 DOF movement.

17. The device in claim 16, wherein the pivot foundation comprises at least one: a pivot member; a base rotation member; a hinge; and a base.

18. The device in claim 17, wherein the hinge is configured to pivotally attach the base to an end of the pivot member.

19. The device in claim 17, wherein the base is configured to attach to an inner surface of the receiver, or the base is configured as part of the receiver.

20. The device in claim 18, wherein another end of the pivot member is configured to attach to the base rotation member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. No attempt is made to show structural details of the disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosure and the various ways in which it may be practiced.

[0020] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a non-limiting embodiment of a kinetic carrier device constructed according to the principles of the disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 2 shows a perspective top view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 1.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows a perspective bottom view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 1.

[0023] FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 5 shows a top view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 1 in a partially open configuration.

[0025] FIG. 6 shows a perspective side view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 1 in the partially open configuration.

[0026] FIG. 7 shows a perspective bottom view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 1 in the partially open configuration.

[0027] FIG. 8 shows another top view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 1 in the partially open configuration.

[0028] FIG. 9 shows a top view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 1 in an open configuration.

[0029] FIG. 10 shows a perspective side view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 1 in the open configuration.

[0030] FIG. 11 shows a perspective bottom view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 1 in the open configuration.

[0031] FIG. 12 shows a bottom view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 1 in the open configuration.

[0032] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of another non-limiting embodiment of the kinetic carrier device.

[0033] FIG. 14 shows a front view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 13.

[0034] FIG. 15 shows a bottom view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 13.

[0035] FIG. 16 shows a perspective bottom view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 13.

[0036] FIG. 17 shows a perspective top view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 13 in a partially open configuration.

[0037] FIG. 18 shows a perspective side view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 13 in the partially open configuration.

[0038] FIG. 19 shows a perspective top view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 13 in an open configuration.

[0039] FIG. 20 shows another perspective top view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 13 in the open configuration.

[0040] FIG. 21 shows a perspective side view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 13 in the open configuration.

[0041] FIG. 22 shows a perspective bottom view of the kinetic carrier device in FIG. 13 in the open configuration.

[0042] The present disclosure is further described in the detailed description and drawings that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0043] The embodiments of the disclosure and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. The features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment can be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the disclosure. The examples are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the disclosure can be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

[0044] According to the disclosure, a kinetic carrier device is provided that has one-degree-of-freedom (1 DOF). The kinetic carrier device can be made to have any three-dimensional (3D) shape, including, for example, a sphere, a pyramid, a cone, a cube, a cuboid, a tetrahedron, a hexagonal pyramid, an octahedron, a dodecahedron, an icosahedron, an ellipsoid, a cylinder, or any other 3D shape that can be employed according to the principles of the disclosure. The kinetic carrier device can include one or more panels that can cover an opening of, or encapsulate, a chamber in the kinetic carrier device. The one or more panels can be configured to form the chamber in the kinetic carrier device. The kinetic carrier device can include a receiver that can be arranged to hold one or more articles. The receiver can be arranged to receive and securely hold the one or more articles.

[0045] The kinetic carrier device can be made of a material such as, for example, metal, wood, carbon fiber, fiberglass, plastic, glass, or any natural or manmade material, or any combination of the foregoing.

[0046] FIGS. 1-12 show various view of a non-limiting embodiment of the kinetic carrier device 1, including: a top view of the kinetic carrier device 1 in a closed configuration (FIG. 1); a perspective top view of the kinetic carrier device 1 in the closed configuration (FIG. 2); a perspective bottom view of the kinetic carrier device 1 in the closed configuration (FIG. 3); a bottom view of the kinetic carrier device 1 in the closed configuration (FIG. 4); a top view of the kinetic carrier device 1 in a partially open configuration (FIG. 5); a perspective side view of the kinetic carrier device 1 in the partially open configuration (FIG. 6); a perspective bottom view of the kinetic carrier device 1 in the partially open configuration (FIG. 7); another top view of the kinetic carrier device 1 in the partially open configuration (FIG. 8); a top view of the kinetic carrier device 1 in an open configuration (FIG. 9); a perspective side view of the kinetic carrier device 1 in the open configuration (FIG. 10); a perspective bottom view of the kinetic carrier device 1 in the open configuration (FIG. 11); and a bottom view of the kinetic carrier device 1 in the open configuration (FIG. 12).

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1-12, the kinetic carrier device 1 can be configured to hold one or more articles in the chamber. The one or more articles can be placed in a chamber 62 formed by the receiver 30 and a plurality of panels 20. The article(s) can be secured directly to the receiver 30, or to an enfold 62 that is installable in the receiver 30, to prevent movement of the article(s) such as, for example, during transport or manipulation of the kinetic carrier device 1.

[0048] In various embodiments, the panels 20 are arranged to move simultaneously as an interconnected network, to open or close and, thereby, enclose or expose the chamber 62 formed by the panels 20 and the receiver 30. For instance, the panels 20 can be arranged to open to provide access to a space that forms the chamber 62 when the kinetic carrier device 1 is in the closed configuration, including any articles in the space. The panels 20 are arranged to move simultaneously in a first direction to transform the kinetic carrier device 1 to a closed configuration (for example, shown in FIGS. 1-4), and to move simultaneously in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction to transform the kinetic carrier device 1 to an open configuration (for example, shown in FIGS. 9-12). Accordingly, by a single manipulation, or one-degree-of-freedom (1 DOF), all of the panels 20 can be moved simultaneously in an open direction or a closed direction. In the case of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-12, all of the panels can be opened via 1 DOF, through a single manipulation of the sphere formed by the panels 20 and receiver 30. For instance, a pair of adjoining panels 20 can be grasped using two hands and the hands moved in opposite offset directions with respect to each other to cause the panels 20 to part and pivot with respect to each other, thereby opening the network of panels 20 to expose the chamber 62. The kinetic carrier device 1 can be manipulated to stop anywhere between the open and closed configurations, as seen in FIGS. 5-8.

[0049] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-12, the kinetic carrier device 1 has six panels 20. In various other embodiments, the kinetic carrier device can have fewer or more than six panels.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 3-11, each panel 20 can be attached to the receiver 30 by a transformative attachment mechanism. The transformative attachment mechanism can be arranged to operate in six-degrees-of-freedom (6 DOF). The transformative attachment mechanism can be arranged to facilitate movement of each panel 20 in three-dimensional (3D) space with respect to the receiver 30, including changes in orientation through rotation about three perpendicular axes (for example, x-, y-, and z-axes), including yaw (normal axis), pitch (transverse axis), and roll (longitudinal axis).

[0051] Referring to FIG. 4, the transformative attachment mechanism can include a pivot foundation and pivot network that transforms 6 DOF to 1 DOF. The pivot foundation includes a hinge 33, a pivot member 36, and a base rotation member 37. The pivot member 36 can be attached to the receiver 30 by one or more hinges 33 to allow the pivot member 36 to move in a pivot plane, such as, for example, a plane that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hinge 33, to allow the pivot member 36 to pivot back or forth and/or up or down with respect to the receiver 30. The hinge 33 can be attached to both the pivot member 36 and the receiver 30. The hinge 33 can include, or it can be connected to, a base 35 that attaches to a wall of the receiver 30.

[0052] In a nonlimiting embodiment, the pivot member 36 can be integrally formed with the receiver 30. In that embodiment, the hinge 33 can include, for example, a living hinge that is made of the same material as the receiver 30.

[0053] In various embodiments, the base 35 can be integrally formed with the receiver 30.

[0054] The receiver 30 can include an opening 38 (shown FIG. 10), which can be configured to have substantially the same shape and size as a portion (or entirety) of the pivot member 36 that extends outward from the receiver 30 when the kinetic carrier device 1 is in the open configuration. The opening 38 and pivot member 38 can be configured such that when the kinetic carrier device 1 is in the closed configuration, the pivot member 36 recedes into the opening 38 and the outer surface of the pivot member 36 is flush with the outer surface of the receiver 30; and when the kinetic carrier device 1 is in the open configuration, the pivot member 36 extends outward from the outer surface of the receiver 30.

[0055] The base rotation member 37 can include a mechanical articulating joint, such as, for example, a heim joint, a rod end bearing, a rose joint, a ball joint, a spherical bearing, a ball swivel, a rod, or any combination thereof. The base rotation member 37 can include, for example, a spherical bearing that attaches to the pivot member 36 and a rod that attaches to one or more of the panels 20, such as, for example, a pair of panels 20 that are located adjacent to each other, as seen in, for example, FIGS. 8 and 10.

[0056] Each panel 20 can include a pair of connection points, including a first connection point that attaches the panel 20 to the base rotation member 37 and a second connection point that attaches the panel 20 to a panel rotation member 23 and a second adjacent panel 20 that is different from the first adjacent panel 20. A combination of all of the panel rotation members 23 forms, in the aggregate, the pivot network, such that the application of a force at a single point on the kinetic carrier device 1 is transferred and resultant force vectors distributed across all panel rotation members 23 and all base rotation members 37 to provide 1 OF, for example, from 3 OF or 6 OF.

[0057] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-12, each panel 20 includes at least one rotation member fastener 22, which can be positioned along an edge of the panel 20 and configured to mate to a corresponding rotation member fastener 22 of the adjoining panel 20, as seen in FIG. 5.

[0058] In an embodiment, the first connection point of each panel 20 can be arranged to attach to a unique base rotation member 37.

[0059] In an embodiment, the first connection point of each panel 20 in a pair of adjacent panels 20 can be arranged to attach to a common base rotation member 37, as seen, for example, in FIG. 8 or 10.

[0060] In various embodiments, the panel rotation member 23 can include a pin, a rod, a bearing, a gear, or a mechanism that allows for rotational movement in a two-dimensional (2D) plane.

[0061] In an embodiment, the panel rotation member 23 can include a base rotation member 37.

[0062] Each panel 20 can include a sealing member 21 that is arranged to engage a sealing member 21 in an adjacent panel 20 to secure the panel 20 to the adjacent panel 20. The sealing member 21 can include, for example, a magnet, a metal pin, a metal rod, a metal plate, a tongue-and-groove, or any mechanism that can secure the sealing members 21 to each other, necessitating a predetermined amount of force to disengage the sealing members 21 and move the adjacent panels 20 away from each other to open the kinetic carrier device 1.

[0063] An embodiment of the transformative attachment mechanism can include three-degrees-of-freedom (3 DOF).

[0064] In an embodiment, the receiver 30 includes a spherical or semi-spherical shape having a cavity configured to receive and hold an article (not shown). Other embodiments of the receiver 30 are contemplated in this disclosure, including structures having shapes other than semi-spherical, depending on a particular purpose or application of the kinetic carrier device 1, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0065] In an embodiment, the receiver 30 can include an opening (not shown), which can be arranged to provide access from the bottom of the device 1 to the chamber 62 in the kinetic carrier device 1 while in the closed configuration. The receiver 30 can include an attachment mechanism (not shown) that can attach to an external structure (not shown), such as, for example, a pole, a rod, or any other suitable structure that can attach to the receiver 30 to support the kinetic carrier device 1.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 9, the kinetic carrier device 1 can include an insert 60. The insert 60 can be configured to snugly fit within, and secure to, the receiver 30. The insert 60 can include a plurality of holes 65, each of which can be configured to provide access to a respective base rotation member 37, or an opening for a portion of the respective base rotation member 37 to be seated within the hole 65, such as when the kinetic carrier device is in the closed configuration. The insert 60 can be configured with an aesthetically pleasing finish, such as, for example, velvet, silk, glass, or other material.

[0067] In an alternative embodiment, the holes 65 can be configured to allow an attachment mechanism to pass through the hole 65 and attach to the receiver 30 body at one end and an article (not shown) positioned in the chamber 62 at another end, or to the receiver 30 body through another hole 65 with the article fastened therebetween.

[0068] FIGS. 13-22 show various views of another embodiment of a kinetic carrier device 4, constructed according to the principles of the disclosure, including: a perspective view of the kinetic carrier device 4 (FIG. 13); a front view of the kinetic carrier device 4 (FIG. 14); a bottom view of the kinetic carrier device 4 (FIG. 15); a perspective bottom view of the kinetic carrier device 4 (FIG. 16); a perspective top view of the kinetic carrier device 4 in a partially open configuration (FIG. 17); a perspective side view of the kinetic carrier device 4 in the partially open configuration (FIG. 18); a perspective top view of the kinetic carrier device 4 in an open configuration (FIG. 19); another perspective top view of the kinetic carrier device 4 in the open configuration (FIG. 20); a perspective side view of the kinetic carrier device 4 in the open configuration (FIG. 21); and a perspective bottom view of the kinetic carrier device 4 in the open configuration (FIG. 22).

[0069] Referring to FIGS. 13-22, in this embodiment the kinetic carrier device 4 comprises a cylindrical shape. The kinetic carrier device 4 can include a pair of panels 20, a receiver 30, a pair of side walls 50, and a base 70. The base 70 can include a plurality of legs 75.

[0070] In various embodiments, each panel 20 of the pair of panels can be connected at one end of the panel 20 to an end of the other panel 20 by a hinge 28. The hinge 28 can include a joint that allows the panels 20 to pivot or rotate with respect to each other. At the other end, one of the pair of panels 20 can be connected to the side wall 50 and/or the base 70 by, for example, a hinge mechanism 342 (shown in FIG. 22) that allows the panel 20 to pivot or rotate with respect to the side wall and/or base 70, for example, as seen in FIGS. 17-22. The other of the pair of panels 20 can be connected at its other end to the side walls 50 by a slide mechanism 341 (shown in FIG. 22) that allows the panel 20, for example, to slide along a guide 27 formed in one or both of the side walls 50. The slide mechanisms 341 and 342 can include, for example, a pin, a rod, or other attachment device that allows the panel 20 to pivot or rotate with respect to the receiver 30 or wall 50. The guide 27 can be formed as a slot or channel having any shape, such as, for example, a semi-circle, square, or the like.

[0071] In various embodiments, the slide mechanism 341 can be pivotally attached to an inner wall of the side wall 50 and the side wall 50 configured to rotate about the attachment mechanism(s) 29.

[0072] In an embodiment, the other of the pair of panels 20 can be arranged to be separable from the side walls 50 and the base 70.

[0073] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 17-22, the receiver 30 can include a semi-cylindrical shape provided with an opening (or channel) 39 (shown in FIG. 20). The opening 39 can include a cover, as seen in FIG. 19. The opening 39 can be arranged to receive and securely hold one or more articles (not shown). The receiver 30 can be arranged to attach to the side walls 50 by means of an attachment mechanism 29. In an embodiment, the attachment mechanism 29 is arranged to fixedly attach the receiver 30 to the side walls 50. In another embodiment, the attachment mechanism 29 is arranged to allow the receiver 30 to rotate with respect to the side wall 50 and/or the base 70. The attachment mechanism 29 can include, for example, a pin, a rod, a bearing, or other device that allows at least one of the receiver 30 and side walls 50 to rotate with respect to each other.

[0074] In an embodiment, the receiver 30 can include a back wall 34 (shown in FIG. 22) that is constructed to substantially mirror the shape of the panel(s) 20. The back wall 34 can be arranged to allow the panel(s) to come into contact and rest against a surface of the back wall 34 when the kinetic carrier device 4 is in the closed configuration (for example, shown in FIG. 13).

[0075] In an embodiment, the kinetic carrier device (e.g., 1 or 4) can include a packaging system (not shown). The packaging system can include an attachment mechanism (not shown) that can attach to the receiver 30, or be placed in the chamber in the receiver 30, and be arranged to receive and hold a particular type, size, or shape of an article, such as, for example, a consumer product, electronic equipment, jewelry, or any manmade or naturally occurring article.

[0076] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method of manufacturing is contemplated for making each component of the kinetic carrier device, including, for example, steel making, metal casting, die casting, molding, injection molding, rotational molding, extrusion blow molding, injection blow molding, casting, vacuum casting, thermoforming, compression molding, blowing, mould-blowing, pattern-moulding, tralling, cutting, fire-polishing, woodworking, carving, laminating, spinning, carbonizing, sizing, or any combination of the foregoing.

[0077] According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of assembling is contemplated for assembling each component to make the kinetic carrier device.

[0078] The terms a, an, and the, as used in this disclosure, means one or more, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0079] The terms including, comprising, and variations thereof, as used in this disclosure, mean including, but not limited to, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0080] Although process steps, method steps, or the like, may be described in a sequential order, such processes and methods can be configured to work in alternate orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of the processes or methods described herein can be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps can be performed simultaneously.

[0081] When a single structure or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of a single device or article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single structure or article may be used in place of the more than one structure or article. The functionality or the features of a structure or article may be alternatively embodied by one or more other structures or articles that are not explicitly described as having such functionality or feature.

[0082] While the disclosure has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure can be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of the instant disclosure. These examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments, applications or modifications of the disclosure.