Abstract
A modular grid system for insertion into a protective case has a grid plate with a lattice that forms round or square holes, into which round or square pegs are frictionally inserted. The grid is elevated above the bottom of the case by standoffs, 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. Modular frames of different shapes and sizes can be connected together to create a protective depression in any shape or size of case. The lid of the case closes upon the object, thereby securing and protecting it with foam on all sides.
Claims
1. A modular grid device for protecting a valuable/fragile item in a case, consisting of: two or more modular grids, where each modular grid consists of: a lower support, a grid plate, and a plurality of pegs, wherein the grid plate comprises 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, where the lower support is a lower perimeter wherein the lower perimeter has two lower side members 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 two upper side members which define an upper space wherein the grid plate is located above the lower support and below the upper perimeter, wherein each of the two or more modular grids is attached to at least one of the two or more modular grids by two or more tab connectors which connect to two or more tabs.
2. The modular grid device of claim 1, where the lower support comprises two or more standoffs, where each of the two or more standoffs is an extension from the modular grid device itself which projects in a downward direction at approximately 90 degrees off the modular grid device.
3. The modular grid device 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 modular grid device of claim 1, 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. The modular grid device of claim 1, where a user connects the two or more modular grids to each other by the two or more tab connectors to create a desired shape, where the desired shape is based upon a case shape where the case shape comprises a case length, a case width, and a case height of a user's case into which a valuable/fragile item is secured.
6. A modular grid device for protecting a valuable/fragile item in a case, comprising two or more modular grids, where each modular grid consists 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 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, wherein the pegs are made of a substance selected from the group consisting of foam, plastic and rubber, wherein the lower support is a lower perimeter wherein the lower perimeter has two lower side members, 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 two upper side members, which define an upper space wherein the grid plate is located above the lower support and below the upper perimeter wherein each of the two or more modular grids is attached to at least one of the two or more modular grids by two or more tab connectors.
7. The modular grid device of claim 6, where a user connects the two or more modular grids to each other by the two or more tab connectors to create a desired shape, where the desired shape is based upon a case shape where the case shape comprises a case length, a case width, and a case height of a user's case into which a valuable/fragile item is secured.
8. The modular grid device of claim 6, where the lower support comprises two or more standoffs, where each of the two or more standoffs is an extension from the modular grid device itself which projects in a downward direction at approximately 90 degrees off the modular grid device.
9. The modular grid device of claim 6, wherein the grid plate is made from a substance selected from the group consisting of foam and plastic.
10. The modular grid device of claim 6, wherein the lattice forms a plurality of round holes, and the pegs are round pegs.
11. The modular grid device of claim 6, wherein the lattice forms a plurality of square holes and wherein the pegs are square pegs.
12. The modular grid device of claim 6, 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 modular grid device of claim 6, where the lower support is a lower perimeter wherein the lower perimeter has two lower side members which define a lower space and wherein the lower space is bounded on four sides by the lower perimeter.
14. The modular grid device of claim 6, 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 modular grid device of claim 6, wherein the pegs are made of a substance selected from the group consisting of foam, plastic and rubber.
16. The modular grid device 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 modular grid device 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 modular grid device of claim 16, 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 modular grid device of the claim 16, 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 modular grid device of claim 6, 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
[0024] FIG. 1 is a top view of the grid plate portion of the invention with square holes.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a top view of another embodiment of the grid plate with round holes.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a top view of the grid plate portion of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a square peg.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stepped peg.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a round peg.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a grid plate with round pegs inserted.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a top view of a grid plate with square pegs.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a top view of a firearm secured amongst pegs.
[0033] FIG. 10 is a side, perspective view of stepped pegs supporting a grid plate, where the grid plate is loading with round pegs.
[0034] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a pistol secured in the invention showing how it nestles into the pegs.
[0035] FIG. 12 is a side, perspective view of the lower perimeter.
[0036] FIG. 13 is a side, perspective view of the upper perimeter.
[0037] FIG. 14 is a side, perspective view of round pegs that have been inserted into the lower perimeter.
[0038] 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.
[0039] FIG. 16 a top, perspective view of a case into which the lower perimeter frame has been inserted.
[0040] FIG. 17 a top, perspective view of a case into which the lower perimeter frame, the grid plate and some pegs have been inserted.
[0041] 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] FIG. 21 is side, perspective view of a case with a grid plate being supported by stepped pegs.
[0045] FIG. 22 is a front, perspective view of the case about to be closed upon the firearm.
[0046] 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).
[0047] FIG. 24 is a top view of some tools nestled in the invention.
[0048] FIG. 25 is a side, perspective view of some tools nestled in the invention.
[0049] 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.
[0050] FIG. 27 is a side, perspective view of a grid plate with pegs sitting on top of foam cushion.
[0051] FIG. 28 is a front, perspective view of a case with a lower perimeter frame.
[0052] FIG. 29 is a front, perspective view of a case with pegs and an upper perimeter frame added.
[0053] FIG. 30 is a side, perspective view of a foam cushion.
[0054] 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.
[0055] FIG. 32 is a side, perspective view of a grid plate with round pegs being depressed into a cushion.
[0056] FIG. 33 is a top view of a modular grid plate.
[0057] FIG. 34 is a bottom, perspective view of a modular grid plate.
[0058] FIG. 35 is a close-up, bottom perspective view of a modular grid plate.
[0059] FIG. 36 is a side view of multiple grid plates connected together to create a larger grid plate surface.
[0060] FIG. 37 is a top, perspective view modular grid plate with pegs in an elevated position.
[0061] FIG. 38 is a top, perspective view modular grid plate with pegs in a depressed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0062] 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.
[0063] 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.
[0064] 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.
[0065] 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.
[0066] 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.
[0067] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a round peg 6.
[0068] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a grid plate 3 with round pegs 6.
[0069] 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.
[0070] 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.
[0071] 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.
[0072] 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.
[0073] 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.
[0074] 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.
[0075] FIG. 14 is a side, perspective view of the lower perimeter 1 laterally restraining pegs 6.
[0076] 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.
[0077] 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.
[0078] 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.
[0079] 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.
[0080] 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.
[0081] 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.
[0082] 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.
[0083] 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.
[0084] 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.
[0085] 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.
[0086] 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.
[0087] 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.
[0088] FIG. 27 is a side, perspective view of a grid plate with pegs 6 sitting on top of foam cushion 42.
[0089] FIG. 28 is a front, perspective view of a case with a lower perimeter frame 1 already inserted.
[0090] 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.
[0091] FIG. 30 is a side, perspective view of a foam cushion.
[0092] 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.
[0093] FIG. 32 is a side, perspective view of a grid plate with round pegs 6 being depressed into a cushion 42.
[0094] FIG. 33 is a top view of a modular grid plate. The modular grid plate 101 has tabs 102 which can be used to connect one modular grid plate to another by tab connectors (105 in other figures). Rounds pegs 103 can be individually depressed to create an ideally shaped cavity or depression into which a valuable and/or fragile item can be placed. Standoffs 104 are molded as part of the modular grid plate and provide a strong bottom support, thereby allowing the pegs to be individually depressed.
[0095] FIG. 34 is a bottom, perspective view of a modular grid plate 101. Tabs 102 can mate with tab connectors 105 to create a customized shape for insertion into a protective case. Standoffs 104 provide bottom support, as they are molded as part of the process to create the modular grip plate, and thereby provide support against which a user can apply pressure to individually depress various pegs.
[0096] FIG. 35 is a close-up, bottom perspective view of a modular grid plate 101, showing how the tabs 102 can be snapped into tab connectors 105, to create the individualized shape for a user's specific protective case.
[0097] FIG. 36 is a side view of multiple grid plates connected together to create a larger grid plate surface. There can be standoffs 104 in the center and at the edges of the modular grip plate. Some standoffs can have tabs 102 built into the edges, while other standoffs can have tab connectors 105 built in.
[0098] FIG. 37 is a top, perspective view modular grid plate with pegs in an elevated position. The standoffs 104 hold the modular grip plate above the bottom of the case, while tabs 102 can snap into tab connectors 105 to create a finish grip combining multiple modular grid plates in a user-specified pattern.
[0099] FIG. 38 is a top, perspective view modular grid plate with pegs in a depressed position. In this figure, the user has pushed down on the pegs 103 to create a pattern. The standoffs 104 have provided support for the modular grid plate 101, while tabs 102 can snap into tab connectors 105 to create a finish grip combining multiple modular grid plates in a user-specified pattern.
[0100] 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.
[0101] 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.
[0102] 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.
[0103] 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.
[0104] 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.
[0105] 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.
[0106] 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.
[0107] 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.
