Abstract:
A carrying case has an elongated housing having a central and two end housing structures in overlapping, telescoping relationship so that the length of the carrying case can be adjusted. Hinges are connected to each housing with the hinge axes aligned so that the housings can be jointly rotated between open and closed positions without twisting the housing structures. Hinge alignment is possible by making the leaves of some hinges radially longer than the leaves of other hinges. Interengaging, load-bearing bosses are provided on the housing structures for adjustability to the length of the carrying case while providing strong connections, making it possible to use light weight material. Ribs and buttresses are molded as unitary parts of the central element and have an interengaging feature for reinforcement.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to carrying cases and, more particularly, to an adjustable carrying case suitable for transporting elongated implements such as fishing rods. 
     Fishing rod carrying cases are widely used to protect fishing rods during transport and storage, and are commonly seen at airports, as travelers try to protect their rods, reels and fishing accessories from damage in baggage handling. 
     Several problems are encountered with conventional fishing rod cases. One problem with adjustable fishing rod cases is that longitudinal adjustability is desirable so that the case can properly accommodate either short rods or long rods. However, an adjustable case generally requires stronger, and thus heavier, materials, resulting in an increase in the overall weight of the case. 
     Additionally, many fishing rod carrying cases have been developed which open only at their ends and require insertion of the fishing rods longitudinally. Insertion in this manner often results in damage to the rod tips and shafts. Though some carrying cases have been designed to open along the longitudinal axis of the case, such cases incorporate fixed hinges and do not allow for adjustment to accommodate rods of different length. Therefore, numerous molds must be made in order to produce cases of varying size, thus increasing the cost of manufacture. 
     A primary object of this invention is to provide a strong and light weight carrying case, which will protect one or more fishing rods, with reels attached, or other elongated articles and adjust to accommodate articles of various lengths. Another object of the invention is to provide an elongated carrying case that is longitudinally adjustable through a wide range, but which can be opened along its longitudinal axis for easy access to its interior. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The carrying case in accordance with the invention is preferably in the form of an elongated housing having a first housing structure comprising an elongated central element and a second housing structure comprising two end elements. The end elements are situated at opposite ends of the central element in an overlapping, telescoping relationship with the central element so that the overall length of the carrying case can be adjusted. Each of the central and end elements comprises two molded shell halves with concave interior faces, positionable in opposed relationship to each other. 
     The carrying case further comprises a first hinge structure which is directly connected to the first housing structure and a second hinge structure directly connected to the second housing structure. The first hinge structure includes a hinge connecting the shell halves of the central element. The second hinge structure includes first and second hinges which connect the shell halves of the two end elements. Each hinge comprises a set of knuckles and two leaves. The leaves project radially with respect to a hinge axis which extends through the knuckles, and are rotatable relative to each other about the hinge axis. The leaves of at least one of the hinge structures are made radially longer than the leaves of the other hinge structures, the relative lengths of the leaves being such that the axes of the hinges are in alignment with one another. With the hinges aligned, the shell halves of the central and end elements can be jointly rotated between opened and closed positions without twisting of the shell halves. Consequently, the shell halves can be molded from light weight materials without making the case susceptible to damage resulting from twisting. 
     The hinge structure having the radially longer leaves is connected at a location on the elongated housing remote from the ends of the central element so that the length of the housing can be adjusted through a wide range without interference between the hinge structure having the longer leaves and the other hinge structures. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the end elements telescopically overlap the central element, and the hinge structure connected to the central element contains the radially longer leaves. In an alternative embodiment, the central element telescopically overlaps the two end elements and the hinge structures of the end elements have the longer leaves. 
     The carrying case further comprises a first series of bosses on each shell half of one of the housing structures. The bosses on this housing structure are uniformly spaced from one another and are situated in a line extending in the direction of elongation. Each boss includes a hollow interior recess which extends perpendicular to the shell half wall. A through hole also extends perpendicularly through each of the bosses. 
     The carrying case further comprises at least one boss on each shell half of the other housing structure. These bosses include threaded holes alignable with the through holes of the first series of bosses. The bosses are selectably receivable in plural interior recesses of the bosses of the first series. Thus, the overall length of the carrying case can be adjusted to a plurality of discrete lengths by engaging the exterior surface of the boss with the hollow interior wall of one of the bosses of the first series. To secure the engaged bosses, a threaded fastener extending through the through hole of a selected boss on the first housing structure is threaded into a threaded hole of a selected boss on the other housing structure. Attachment of the housing structures in this manner is desirable because the longitudinal load is borne by the bosses instead of the locking screws. The distribution of the longitudinal load by means of the interengaging bosses avoids concentrated loads that would be encountered if the elements were held together only by metal fasteners, and therefore makes it possible to mold the shell halves from light weight materials. 
     The carrying case further comprises reinforcing ribs molded as a unitary part of the shell half. Each rib extends transverse to the longitudinal direction of the case. 
     Buttresses, which are also molded as unitary parts of the shell halves, provide additional support to the reinforcement ribs and shell walls, allowing the walls of the shell to be light in weight without sacrificing strength. Each buttress has a first edge meeting the reinforcement rib and a second edge meeting the interior face of the shell half to which it is connected. Each buttress extends longitudinally, and is situated substantially in a plane mutually perpendicular to the reinforcement rib and the interior face of its shell half. Each buttress further includes a notch located at an end of the first edge remote from the interior face of the shell half. The reinforcing ribs of each shell half are longitudinally offset from each other by a short distance so that the ribs of one shell half partially overlap the ribs of the other shell half when the shell halves are positioned in opposed relationship with their concave interior faces facing each other. The offset enables the ribs of one shell half to be received in the notches of the buttresses of the opposing shell half, providing the case with a very high degree of strength and stiffness when closed. 
     Although a three part carrying case is preferred for optimum length adjustment, a two part case can take advantage of the interengaging bosses and the interlocking ribs and buttresses. Thus, in an alternative embodiment, the carrying case comprises an elongated housing including a first housing structure comprising an elongated element and a second housing structure comprising only one end element situated in an overlapping, telescoping relationship with the elongated element so that the overall length of the carrying case can be adjusted. 
     Other objects, details and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fishing rod case in a closed condition; 
     FIG. 2 is a left side elevational view of the fishing rod case in a closed condition, the right side elevational view being a mirror image of the left side elevational view; 
     FIG. 3 a  is an enlarged view of a hinge of the first hinge structure, having elongated leaves; 
     FIG. 3 b  is an enlarged view of a hinge of the second hinge structure; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the fishing rod case in a closed condition; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the fishing rod case in a closed condition; 
     FIG. 6 is a left end elevational view of the fishing rod case in a closed condition, the right end elevational view being a mirror image of the left end elevational view; 
     FIG. 7 is perspective view of the fishing rod case in an open condition; 
     FIG. 8 is enlarged section view of the engaged bosses and locking crew; 
     FIG. 9 section view of the fishing rod case taken on plane  9 — 9  n FIG. 7; 
     FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a shell half of the elongated central element; 
     FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary section view of the fishing rod case in the closed position; 
     FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the fishing rod case; 
     FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the fishing rod case in an open condition; and 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the fishing rod case, having increased capacity. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiments will be described with reference to the drawing figures where like numerals represent like elements throughout. 
     The carrying case, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, is in the form of an elongated housing  12  consisting of first and second housing structures. The first housing structure  14  comprises an elongated central element  16  and the second housing structure  18  comprises two end elements  20 . The end elements  20  are situated at opposite ends of the central element  16  in an overlapping, telescoping relationship with the central element  16  so that the overall length of the carrying case can be adjusted. The central element  16  includes a molded carrying handle  22  with aligned lock-receiving holes, one of which is shown at  24 , to permit locking of the carrying case. 
     The case, which preferably has the general shape illustrated in FIG. 1, can be made from a variety of materials. In the preferred embodiment, the case is formed by molding a synthetic resin such as polypropylene. The molded components should be light in weight and capable of withstanding a wide range in temperature and humidity without cracking, deforming or breaking under impact, or under pressure exerted by adjacent items of baggage. 
     As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the carrying case further comprises a first hinge structure  26 , which is directly connected to the first housing structure  14  and a second hinge structure  28 , which is directly connected to the second housing structure  18 . The first hinge structure  26  comprises hinges  30  connecting the shell halves  32 ,  34  of the central element  16 . The second hinge structure  28  comprises hinges  36  connecting the shell halves  38 ,  40  of the two end elements  20 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3 a,  each hinge  30  of the hinge structure  26  comprises four knuckles  42  and two leaves  44 . Each leaf  44  has two parts, each of which is connected to an adjacent knuckle  42 . The leaves  44  project radially with respect to a hinge axis extending through the knuckles  42 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3 b,  each hinge  36  of the hinge structure  28  similarly comprises four knuckles  43  and two leaves  45 . Each leaf  45  has two parts, each of which is connected to an adjacent knuckle  43 . The leaves  45  project radially with respect to a hinge axis extending through the knuckles  43 . 
     In the preferred embodiment, the leaves  44  of the hinges  30  of the first hinge structure  26  are radially longer than the leaves  45  of the hinges  36  of the second hinge structure  28 , the difference in the radial lengths of the leaves being such that the axes of the hinges  30 ,  36  are in alignment with one another. Thus, the housing structures  14  and  18  are jointly rotatable along a single hinge axis between a closed position as shown in FIG.  1  and an open position as shown in FIG. 7, thereby preventing twisting of the carrying case. 
     In the preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the end elements telescopically overlap the central element, and the hinge structure connected to the central element contains the radially longer leaves. The hinges  30  on the central element  16  are close to each other and are remote from the ends of the central element  16 . Locating the hinges  30  remote from the ends of the central element  16  allows the length of the elongated housing  12  to be adjusted through a wide range without interference between the hinges  30  and the end elements  20 . 
     FIG. 7 shows that the first and second opposed parts  46  and  48  of the carrying case are hinged together in clamshell fashion. The first part  46  comprises a shell half  32  of the central element  16  and a shell half  38  of each of the end elements  20 . The second part  48  comprises the other shell half  34  of the central element  16  and the other shell halves  40  of the end elements  20 . Since the shell halves  32 ,  34  of the central element  16  are substantially identical elements, and a shell half of each end element  20  on the first part  46  is an element substantially identical to the opposed shell half of the second part  48  at the opposite end of the central element, only three molds are needed to make the carrying case. Thus, the cost of manufacture is minimized. Additionally, each shell half,  38  and  40 , may include foam padding  72  lining the interior wall in order to protect rod tips and reels from damage. 
     In the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS.  7  and  10 - 13 , the wall of the first housing structure  14  has eight columns of bosses  50  extending in the direction of elongation of the housing  12 . The bosses  50  in each column are uniformly spaced from one another and situated so that adjacent parallel columns form rows of bosses  50 . Thus, each row has two bosses  50 . As shown in FIG. 8, each boss  50  has a hollow interior recess  54 . The recesses all extend toward the interior of the case in a direction perpendicular to the wall. A through hole  56  also extends perpendicularly through each boss  50 . 
     The wall of the second housing structure  18  has eight columns of bosses  52  extending in the direction of elongation of the housing  12 . Each end element  20  has four columns. The bosses  52  of each column are uniformly spaced from one another by a distance equal to the spacing of the bosses  50  of the first housing structure  14 . As shown in FIG. 8, bosses  52  have threaded holes  58  alignable with the through holes  56  of bosses  50 . The overall length of the carrying case can be selectably adjusted by engaging the exterior walls of the bosses  52  of the end elements  20  with the hollow interior recesses  54  of any of the bosses  50  of the central element  16 . To secure the case in the desired length, locking screws  60  can be extended through through holes  56  of bosses  50  and threaded into the threaded holes  58  of those bosses  52  that are engaged in the recesses of bosses  50 . FIG. 12 further illustrates the columns of bosses  52 , with threaded holes  58 , of the second housing structure  18 , which are aligned with the columns of bosses  50  of the first housing structure  14 . 
     As shown in FIGS. 7 and 12, the first shell half  32  comprises a plurality of reinforcing ribs  62  each molded as a unitary part of the shell half and extending transverse to the longitudinal direction. Formed in each rib  62  are recesses  64  large enough to receive a fishing rod. Shell half  34  has similar ribs. When the shell halves  32 ,  34  are in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 1, the recesses  64  register with each other to form restraints which hold the rods in place. 
     The first shell half  32  further includes a plurality of buttresses  66  molded as unitary parts of the shell half  32 . The buttresses  66  are situated substantially in a plane mutually perpendicular to the ribs  62  the interior face of the shell half  32  and are molded as unitary parts of the ribs and the shell half. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, each buttress  66  has a notch  68  located at the end of the edge of the buttress  66  remote from the interior face of the shell half  32 . When the carrying case is in a closed position, the buttresses  66  of the first shell half  32  extend in the longitudinal direction from one side of rib  62 , and the buttresses  66  of the second shell half  34  extend in the longitudinal direction from the opposite side of the opposed rib  62 . The opposed reinforcing ribs  62  are longitudinally offset from each other by a distance sufficient to enable the opposed ribs  62  to overlap each other partially when the case is in a closed position. This configuration enables the first ribs  62  to be received in the notches  68  of the opposing buttresses  66  so that the rib and buttress structures interlock with each other, thereby providing the case with a high degree of rigidity and strength when closed. 
     FIG. 14 shows an alternative embodiment of the carrying case capable of handling more fishing rods. Each shell half,  46  and  48 , includes ribs  62 , each having four recesses  64  and three buttresses  66 . Each of the buttresses  66  is positioned between two adjacent recesses  64 . 
     In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the central element can telescopically overlap the two end elements, in which case the hinges of the end elements would have the longer leaves. To achieve maximum adjustability without interference the central element and the hinges of the end elements, the hinges of the end elements would be located near the outer ends of the end elements. 
     Although a three part carrying case is preferred for optimum length adjustment, a two part carrying case can also take advantage of several of the features of the invention. Thus, in another alternative embodiment, a two part case can include a first housing structure having an elongated element, and a second housing structure, having only one end element. The housings are situated in an overlapping, telescoping relationship with each other. As in the preferred embodiment, the two part case takes advantage of interengaging bosses and interlocking ribs and buttresses for reinforcement. 
     Still other modifications can be made to the embodiments of the carrying case described. For example, the columns of bosses located on each end element may each include multiple bosses, while each corresponding column of bosses located on the central element includes only a single boss. Thus, adjacent columns of bosses on the central element form only one row. For optimum length adjustment, the bosses on the central element are located near the ends of the central element. 
     Conversely, the preferred boss configuration can also be modified so that the columns located on the end elements include a single boss while the columns of the central element have multiple bosses. For optimum length adjustment using this configuration, the bosses on the end elements are located near the inner ends of the end elements. In either of the two alternative boss configurations, adjustability is still maximized. 
     The carrying case can also be modified so that each end element has only one column of bosses on each shell half, in which case, the central element would have a like number of columns on each shell half, alignable with the columns of the end elements. 
     Still other modifications may be made to the apparatus described above without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.