Hockey stick carriers
United States Patent 1 1 Demasson Apr. 29, 1975 1 1 HOCKEY STICK CARRIERS [76] Inventor: Amedee J. Demasson,  
 Manitouwadge, Ontario, Canada,  
 POT 2C0 [22] Filed: Jan. 4, I974 [21] Appl. No.: 426,193  
 [52] US. Cl. 224/45 S; 224/45 W; 2230/] 1.37 A [51] Int. Cl B65d 9/30 {58] Field of Search..... 224/45 S, 45 R, 45.9, 45 W, 224/48 W; 280/1 1.37 A, 11.37 C, 11.37 K;  
 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,865,645 7/1932 Schroder 224/45 W 2.133.883 10/1938 Aubert 224/45 S 2,807,399 9/1957 Burns 224/45 W 3,780,920 12/1973 Green 224/45 S FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 416,373 8/1941 Germany 280/1 1.37 A 649,709 8/1935 Germany 280/1 1.37 A 1,466,972 12/1966 France 280/1 1.37 K 1,325,762 3/1963 France 280/1 1.37 A  
 Primary Examiner-Robert .1. Spar Assistant Examiner-Kenneth Noland [57] ABSTRACT The carrier holds pairs of hockey sticks on an oblong base plate and is hand liftable by grasping the intermediate portions of a pair of inverted U-shaped rods each having two leg portions terminating in ends rigidly secured to the oblong base plate. A number of pairs of hockey sticks are securable on the base plate between the U-shaped rods by crosspieces each having one end portion pivotally and longitudinally slidably movable relative to a leg portion, the crosspieces each having another end portion notched to releasably engage a different leg portion.  
 1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPRZSIQYS HOCKEY STICK CARRIERS My invention relates to improvements in hand liftable carriers and more particularly to a carrier for holding and transporting pairs of hockey sticks.  
  In the past, it has been customary to carry relatively long but narrow or thin articles such as hockey sticks and skiis by merely grasping a pair of these articles one in each hand or by wrapping a flexible band around the middle of a number of those articles to hold them together and then carrying the bundle either in the arms or with a suitable handle attached to the band.  
  An important object of my invention is to provide a carrier for one pair or a number of pairs of hockey sticks and which carrier provides for clamping the hockey stick handles together in parallel relation.  
  Another object of my invention is the provision of a hockey stick carrier which permits stacking a number of pairs of hockey sticks and clamping them together in a compact bundle.  
  I have found that by providing a rigid flat base plate of substantially rectangular shape with upstanding U- shaped rods rigidly affixed to the base plate at opposite sides thereof a receptacle can be provided of a size to receive one pair or a number of pairs of hockey sticks along the middle portions of their handles in a compact clamped relationship forming a bundle that can be easily handled by grasping the U-shaped rods at intermediate portions which are over the bundle of hockey sticks.  
  In the drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention,  
  FIG. 1 is a top plan view of my carrier with pairs of hockey sticks clamped therein.  
  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of my hockey stick carrier with one clamping crosspiece in closed position and the other clamping crosspiece swung open.  
  FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.  
  In the drawing. wherein similar reference characters donate corresponding parts throughout the views, the letter A generally designates my hockey stick carrier for clamping pairs of hockey sticks together in a bundle.  
  The carrier A comprises a rigid oblong or rectangular steel plate 4 having opposite sides 5, 6 within the margins of which are rigidly affixed as by welding at 7l0 the lower ends lll4 of upstanding U-shaped rigid steel rods l5, l6, and having two leg portions l720 and an upper intermediate connecting portion 21, 22, each including a laterally and upwardly offset bight portion 23, 24 forming a handle or handles.  
  The inverted U-shaped rods l5, 16 are disposed in parallel relation with a spacing equal to the width of a pair of hockey stick handles 25, 26 whereby one pair or a number of pairs of hockey stick handles in stacked relation may be clamped therebetween as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawing.  
  Pivotally and vertically slidably connected to the leg portion 19, 20 of one 16 of said inverted U-shaped rods are corresponding ends 27, 28 of flat crosspiece 29, 30 having other ends 31, 32 that are notched to swing into and out of engagement with the leg portions l7, 18 of the other inverted U-shaped rod 15.  
  In the use of my carrier A, one pair 25, 26 or a number of pairs of hockey stick handles are placed with the middle portions 33, 34 between the inverted U-shaped rods l5, 16 so that they rest flatwise on the metal plate 4 and thereafter the crosspieces 29, 30 are swung over the bundle of hockey sticks into closed position and pushed down onto the top of the bundle.  
  This procedure leaves the upwardly offset bight portions 23, 24 spaced above the top of the bundle, thus providing a handle or handles to be grasped by a person during carrying of the bundle.  
 I claim:  
  l. A carrier for pairs of hockey sticks comprising a substantially oblong base plate having ends and parallel sides defining a rectangular supporting surface, a pair handles, at least one crosspiece having one end portion connected to a leg portion of one of said inverted U- shaped rods for pivotal and longitudinal sliding movement relative to said leg portion, and said crosspiece having another end portion notched to releasably engage a leg portion of the other of said inverted U- shaped rods upon pivotal movement of said crosspiece.