Compartmented case providing enlarged work supporting surface
1 1 3,874,757 Apr. 1, 1975 COMPARTMENTED CASE PROVIDING ENLARGED WORK SUPPORTING SURFACE [76] Inventor: Artemas D. Marty, 19585 S.W.  
 Celebrity. Beaverton, Oreg. 97005 [22] Filed: June 28, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 483,948  
 [52] U.S. Cl 312/240. 312/201, 312/231 [51] Int. Cl A47b 85/00 [58] Field of Search 206/252, 255; 312/200.  
 [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.082.049 3/1963 Lifton 312/231 3.126.236 3/1964 Buchan ct a1 312/231 X 3.147.052 9/1964 Carr et a1 312/241 Primary E.\&#39;aminer-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney. Agent, or F irm-Kolisch, Hartwell, Dickinson &amp; Stuart 1 1 ABSTRACT A case including opposed compartmented sides having substantially planar inner side members which face each other when the case is closed and which lie in a substantially common support plane. when the case is opened. The sides are hingedly connected to opposite longitudinal sides of a backing member for swinging toward and away from each other. An elongate plate overlying the backing member is shiftable to a raised position spaced above the backing member when the sides are swung to their open position to position the plate with its upper surface substantially in a common plane with the upper supportive surfaces of the inner side members. On swinging of the sides toward each other, operator means connected to the plate lowers it toward the backing member to a stored position.  
 13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEU APR 1 1975 mumu COMPARTMENTED CASE PROVIDING ENLARGED WORK SUPPORTING SURFACE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a compartmented case having opposed sides mounted for swinging toward and away from each other for closing and opening, with side members thereof providing a supportive surface lying in a substantially common plane when the sides are opened, and a bridging plate extending therebetween in substantially the same supportive plane when the case is opened, and lowerable out of the way of the side members when the case is closed.  
  Compartmentalized cases are helpful in providing storage for records, art supplies, business paraphenalia and other items. It has been found that a pair of compartmented sides hingedly connected along an adjacent set of their edges for swinging relative to each other between open and closed positions provide a compact and convenient compartmented storage case.  
  While various compartmented cases have been devised in the past, none have provided a convenient and easily operated system providing a substantially continuous work-supporting surface covering an area equal to the total of the area of the two sides.  
  A general object of the present invention is to prvide a novel compartmented case including a pair of compartmented sides hingedly connected along an adjacent set of their edges for swinging toward and away from each other, with each side having an inner, substantially planar side member, where said side members lie in a substantially common plane when the case is opened and a bridging plate extends between the inner side members substantially in the plane of the side members to provide a substantially continuous worksupporting surface when the case is opened.  
  Another object of the invention is to provide such a novel compartmented case wherein the plate bridging the space between the two sides is shiftable between a raised position lying substantially in the plane of the side members when the case is opened, and a lowered position out of the way of the side members when the case is closed.  
  Yet another object is to provide novel operator means in such a case for shifting such plate between its lowered and raised postions on opening and closing of the case, respectively.  
  A still further object is the provision of such a compartmented case which provides a substantially planar support surface which is simple and economic in construction yet which produces a sturdy and smoothly operating case.  
 DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantages will become more fully apparent as the following description is read in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:  
  FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa compartmented case according to the invention in its closed position;  
  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the case of FIG. 1 opened;  
  FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 3-3 in FIG. 1;  
  FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 44 in FIG. 1 adjacent an end of the case;  
 DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, and first more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, at 10 is indicated generally a compartmented case constructed according to an embodiment of the invention. The case includes generally a pair of substantially rectangular, compartmented sides l2, l4 hingedly connected along an adjacent set of their edges to an enlongate backing member 16. The sides are mounted for swinging relative to the backing member between closed positions, as illustrated in FIG. 1 in contiguous facing engagement with each other, and open positions as illustrated in FIG. 2 extending laterally outwardly in diametrically opposed directions from backing member 16. A latch 18 is provided for locking sides l2, 14 to each other to maintain a closed position as illustrated in FIG. 1.  
  Backing member 16 is an elongate element molded of plastic or other material having the cross section illustrated generally in FIGS. 3 and 5 throughout a major portion of its length. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the backing member includes a substantially planar base portion 16a and a pair of elongate, upright, laterally spaced ribs 16b, 16c projecting upwardly therefrom. Side portions 16d, 16e incline upwardly and inwardly toward the ribs from opposite edge margins of base portion 16a at substantially a 45 angle. End caps, such as that indicated generally at l6fin FIG. 2, are secured to and close off opposite ends of backing member 16.  
  An elongate, formed metal hinge plate 20 extends longitudinally of backing member 16 and projects laterally outwardly beyond opposite edges of ribs 16b, 16c. Plate 20 is secured to the tops of ribs 16b, by fasteners, such as screws 22.  
  A plurality of bent-over marginal edge portions 24 of plate 20 are spaced apart longitudinally along opposite edge margins of the hinge plate. Edge portions 24 project downwardly in regions spaced laterally outwardly from ribs 16b, 16c and have tubular loops 26 formed in the lower ends thereof.  
  Sides 12, 14 are substantially mirror images of each other, and thus only one will be described in detail. Describing side 14, it includes a substantially planar outer side member 30. Side member 30 has an inner edge marginal projection 32 (see FIGS. 3-6) which extends at an incline of approximately 45outwardly and away from the planar portion of side member 30. The outer edge margin 34 of projection 32 projects substantially normal to the plane of planar portion 30 of the side member. Extending outwardly from one face of projection 32 and spaced longitudinally therealong are a plurality of hinge lugs 38. Hinge lugs 38 are spaced apart distances substantially equal to the width of loops 26 on the hinge plate and have bores extending therethrough which align with the holes through loops 26 to receive an elongate hingepin 40 therethrough. Hinge pin 40 pivotally connects side 14 to backing member 16, providing a pivot axis extending longitudinally of the backing member about which the side member may swing between its open and closed positions as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. The positioning of projection 32 and the angle at which it inclines from planar portion 30 of the side member is such as to meet with inclined side portion 166 of the backing member to provide a stop which limits swinging of the side member 14 relative to the backing member to the position illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6. The construction of side 12 is similar to side 14 and an inclined projection thereon is positioned to engage inclined side portion 1611 to stop side 12 in the positions illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6 extending outwardly from backing member 16 in a position diametrically opposed to side 14.  
  Secured to and projecting normally outwardly from outer side member 30 are a pair of substantially parallel. laterally spaced, elongate end plates 44, 46 and a pair of elongate, laterally spaced, substantially parallel edge plates 48, 50. Plates 44, 46, 48, 50 are secured adjacent their contiguous ends to define a rectangular fram secured to edge margins of side member 30. A pair of upright, elongate, laterally spaced spacer members 52, 54 extend between edge plates 48, 50 intermediate end plates 44, 46 to separate compartments in side 14.  
  Referring to FIGS. 36, edge plate 48 has an elongate lip portion 48a projecting normally outwardly therefrom substantially parallel to the planar portion of outer side member 30. Lip portion 48a projects toward opposite side 12 when the case is opened, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, and is directed toward backing member 16 when the case is closed as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. A similar edge plate 48 with a projecting lip 48a on side 12 is visible in FIGS. 3-6 also.  
  A plurality of hinge lugs 48b are spaced apart longitudinally along edge plate 48 adjacent lip portion 48b. Lugs 48b have aligned bores for receiving an elongate hinge pin.  
  A rectangular, substantially planar, inner side member is illustrated generally at 58 in FIG. 2. Side member 58 has dimensions which allow it to fit within the inner sides of the frame provided by end plates 44, 46 and edge plates 48, 50. Hinge lugs 58a on a longitudinal edge margin of member 58 and spaced longitudinally therealong fit between lugs 48b. Lugs 58a have aligned bores extending therethrough for aligning with the bores extending through hinge lugs 48b. An elongate hinge pin 60 extends through the bores oflugs 48b, 58a to hingedly connect member 58 to edge plate 48. The upper edges of spacer members 52, 54 and support strips 61 secured to the inner sides of plates 44, 46, 50 and lying in a common plane with the tops of members 52, 54 are operable to support member 58 in a position substantially paralleling outer side member 30. Member 58 is mounted in a position spaced laterally from and is swingable relative to outer side member 30 between the closed position illustrated in solid outline in FIG. 2 closing the compartments in side 14 and the open position illustrated in dot-dashed outline opening the compartments. A similar inner side member 58 is hingedly connected in side 12 for swinging relative to an outer side member thereof.  
  As is best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the positioning of inner side members 58 of sides 12, 14 is such that when the case is closed a space, indicated generally at 64, is provided therebetween in which a recordkeeping book, sketch pad, or other material may be kept. When the case is opened, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the upper planar surfaces of inner side members 58 of sides 12, 14 lie in a substantially common support plane.  
  Referring to FIGS. 3-6, backing member 16 and the portions of sides 12, 14 which project inwardly toward backing member 16 define recesses which provide a space indicated generally at 66 within which is mounted an elongate bridging plate 70. Plate 70 has a length which is slightly less than the distance between the inner faces of end plates 44, 46 and has a side-toside width which is slightly less than the side-to-side distance between the outer side members of sides 12, 14 when the case is closed, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. As is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the lip portions 48a on edge plates 48 of sides 12, 14 are spaced apart a distance less than the width of bridging plate 70 when the case is opened. The bridging plate is mounted for shifting movement between a lowered position, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, closely adjacent backing member 16, and a raised postion spaced above backing plate 16, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, with the upper surface of bridging plate 70 lying in a substantially common plane with the upper surfaces of the inner side members 58 of sides 12, 14.  
  End plates, such as that illustrated at 74 in FIGS. 4 and 6, are secured to and project downwardly from opposite ends of bridging plate 70. End plates 74 have substantially parallel, laterally spaced side margins 74a, 74b extending normal to the upper surface of the bridging plate, which side margins fit loosely between edge margins 34 of the outer side plates and side portions 16d, 16e of the backing member. The outer surfaces of end plates 74 are set closely adjacent end plates 44, 46 of sides 12, 14.  
  The end plate 74 nearest the viewer in FIG. 2 and the end plate 74 farthest from the viewer, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, each have a pair of laterally spaced, cylindrical follower members, secured thereto and projecting outwardly therefrom. A pair of such follower members are seen in dot-dashed outline in FIGS. 4 and 6 for end plate 74 farthest from the viewer.  
  A pair of mirror image, arcuate tracks, or cams, 82, 84 are cut on the inwardly facing surfaces of end plates 44, 46 of sides 12, 14 intermediate projections 32 and lip portions 48a (see FIGS. 4 and 6). The points at which extensions of the pivot axes for sides 12, 14 intersect the end plates are indicated generally at 86, 88 in FIGS. 4 and 6. As is best seen in FIG. 6, tracks 82, 84 curve in arcuate paths toward each other on progressing from the outer side members 30 toward the inner side members 58 of sides 12, 14. Further, tracks 82, 84 diverge, or curve outwardly from, their associated pivot axes on progressing from the outer side members toward the inner side members. As is seen in FIG. 6, the radius of each of tracks 82, 84 varies between a curve having a radius point at the pivot axes for the associated tracks at 82a, 84a and a larger radius curve 82b, 84b, curving about radius points spaced from pivot axes 86, 88, respectively.  
  Follower members 78, fit slidably within tracks 82, 84, respectively, whereby, when the sides are swung to their closed positions as illustrated in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, follower members 78, 80 move into portions 82a, 84a of the tracks to lower bridging plate 70. Upon swinging of sides 12, 14 toward their open positions, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 follower members 78, 80 move upwardly into the upper regions of track portions 82b, 84b, respectively to raise the bridging plate against the undersides of lips 48a. In its raised position the bridging plate thus is disposed with its upper surface in a substantially common plane with the upper surfaces of inner side members 58.  
  Describing the operation of the case, the compartments of sides l2, 14 are adapted to hold tools, pens, pencils, etc., and space 64 between the inner side members is adapted to hold papers. record books, etc.  
  Upon releasing latch 18 sides l2, 14 may be swung outwardly to the positions shown in FIG. 2.The inclined projections, such as that indicated at 32 on sides 12, 14, abutting side portions 16d and l6e provide stops for limiting swinging of the sides toward their open positions. This stops the sides in positions wherein they extend to diametrically oppposite sides of backing member 16. In this position, the upper planar support surfaces of the inner side members 58 lie in a substantially common plane. As the side members are swung to their open position, bridging plate 70 shifts from its lowered postion, contiguous backing member 16 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, to its raised position as illus trated in FIGS. 5 and 6 by action of tracks 82, 84 and followers 78, 80 running therein. In its raised position, the upper surface of bridging plate 70 lies in a substantially common plane with the upper surfaces of the inner side plates 58, thus to provide a substantially continuous support surface for sketching books, record books, etc.  
  Explaining the operation of tracks 82, 84 and follower members 78, 80 more fully, in the initial stages of swinging sides 12, 14 away from each other the fol lower members slide in constant radius portions 82a, 84a of the tracks. While sliding in portions 820, 84a the follower members, and thus bridging plate 70, are not raised from backing member 16. This allows the sides to swing a distance from each other before bridging plate 70 begins to rise, thus to prevent the bridging plate from impeding or binding on portions of the sides. Once the sides are swung to positions in which followers 78, 80 enter portions 82b, 84b of the tracks, further opening of the sides causes the bridging plate to rise toward the position illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 and be held in that position by the somewhat ledge-shaped portions 82c, 84c of the tracks which extend substantially parallel to outer side members 30.  
  When the sides are closed and the bridging plate again is lowered, lip portions 48a engage the top of the bridging plate to hold it in its lowered position as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4.  
  While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described herein, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.  
 It is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent:  
 1. A case comprising a first side having a substantially planar inner side member and an outer member spaced therefrom to define a compartment therebetween,  
 a second side having a substantially planar inner side member and an outer side member spaced therefrom to define a compartment therebetween, said second side disposed with an elongate edge margin thereof adjacent an elongate edge margin of said first side,  
 an elongate backing member disposed intermediate said edge margins of said sides,  
 hinge means pivotally connecting said sides to said backing member intermediate their inner and outer side members for swinging about laterally spaced pivot axes between a closed position wherein said inner side members of said first and second sides face and are contiguous each other and an open position wherein said inner side members extend outwardly in opposite directions from said backing member, with support surfaces of said inner side members disposed in a substantially common plane spaced from said backing member,  
 an elongate plate mounted intermediate said adjacent edge margins of the sides for shifting between a lowered position contiguous said backing member and a raised position spaced outwardly therefrom with a support surface of said plate disposed substantially in the plane occupied by said support surfaces of the inner sides when in their open positions, and  
 operator means operatively connected to said plate for shifting the same to its lowered position on swinging said sides to their closed position and to its raised position on swinging said sides to their open positions.  
  2. The case of claim 1, wherein said sides comprise means defining opposed recesses therein extending along their adjacent edge margins and said plate is disposed with opposite edge margins thereof received in said recesses.  
  3. The case of claim 1, wherein said operator means comprises cam means on said first and second sides and cam follower means on said plate engaging said cams.  
  4. The case of claim 3, wherein a side further comprises an end plate extending between said inner and outer side members substantially normal to the pivot axis for said side and wherein said cam means comprises an arcuate track defined on said end plate which extends in an are about said pivot axis between said inner and outer side members and which diverges from said pivot axis on progressing away from said outer side member toward said inner side member.  
  5. The case of claim 4, wherein said cam follower means comprises a follower member projecting outwardly from said plate and received in said track for movement in said track relative to said side.  
  6. The case of claim 3, wherein said cam means comprises an arcuate track on said first side and an arcuate track on said second side, each of which tracks extends in an are about the pivot axis for its associated side curving toward the opposite side and diverging from said pivot axis on progressing from a region near said outer side member toward said inner side member.  
  7. The case of claim 6, wherein said cam follower means comprises laterally spaced follower members secured to and projecting outwardly from said plate an received in said tracks.  
  8. The case of claim 7, wherein said tracks have a lower set of ends adjacent said outer side members which are laterally spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the spacing between said follower members when said sides are closed and an upper set of ends adjacent said inner side members which are laterally spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the spacing between the follower members when said sides are opened.  
  9. The case of claim 2, wherein each of said sides further comprises an elongate lip portion extending inwardly from the inner side member toward the other side when said case is open, said lip portion bounding a side of said recess and positioned to overlie a longitudinal edge margin of said plate when said plate is in its raised position.  
  10. The case of claim 9, wherein a lip projects inwardly from its associated side member a distance whereby an edge margin thereof is operable to engage and hold said plate in its lowered position when said sides are closed.  
 11. A case comprising a first side having a substantially planar inner side member and an outer member spaced therefrom to define a compartment therebetween.  
 a second side having a substantially planar inner side member and an outer side member spaced therefrom to define a compartment therebetween, said second side being disposed with an elongate edge margin thereof adjacent an elongate edge margin of said first side,  
 an elongate backing member disposed intermediate said edge margins of said sides,  
 hinge means pivotally connecting said sides to said backing member intermediate their inner and outer side members for swinging about laterally spaced pivot axes between a closed position wherein said inner side members of said first and second sides face and are contiguous each other and an open position wherein said inner side members extend outwardly in opposite directions from said backing member, with support surfaces of said inner side members disposed. in a substantially common plane spaced from said backing member,  
 an elongate plate mounted intermediate said adjacent edge margins of the sides for shifting between a lowered position contiguous said backing member and a raised position spaced outwardly therefrom with a support surface of said plate disposed substantially in the plane occupied by said support surfaces of the inner sides when in their open positions, and  
 interengaging track means and follower means on said sides and said plate operable to shift the plate to its lowered position on swinging said sides to their closed positions and to shift the plate to its raised position on swinging said sides to their open position.  
  12. The case of claim 11, which further comprises stop means limiting swinging of said sides to positions extending to diametrically opposite sides of said backing member when open.  
  13. The case of claim 11, wherein said track is de fined in a side and extends in an arc between said inner and outer side members about the pivot axis for said side and diverges from said pivot axis on progressing away from said outer side member toward said inner side member.