Patent Publication Number: US-11039672-B2

Title: Portable carrier for storing one or more objects and methods thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/477,162, filed on Apr. 3, 2017, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. App. Ser. Nos. 62/316,829, 62/401,563, and 62/442,193, filed on Apr. 1, 2016, Sep. 29, 2016, and Jan. 4, 2017, respectively. This application additionally claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. App. Ser. No. 62/495,599, filed May 5, 2017. The disclosures of all of the aforementioned applications being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     Embodiments of the invention relate to storage systems, and more specifically, to a portable carrier for storing one or more objects and methods thereof. 
     Discussion of Art 
     There is currently a need for a portable carrier that can hold magazines containing ammunition, tools, documents, and/or other objects, that can be securely but removably mounted to metal surfaces, such as walls or other surfaces in nuclear power plants, correctional facilities and military installations. There is also a need for portable carriers such as the above that can hold tools and other items for use by automotive workers, construction workers and the like. Embodiments of the invention fulfill these needs, among many others. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     In an embodiment, a portable carrier for storing one or more objects is provided. The portable carrier includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The second portion has a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side. The third portion connects the first portion to the second portion and is adapted to allow the first portion and the second portion to transition between an open position and a closed position. At least one of the first side and the third side include one or more object fasteners for fastening the one or more objects to the first portion and the second portion, respectively. The first side and the second side are transversely aligned with the third side and the fourth side, respectively, when the first portion and the second portion are in the open position, and the second side faces the fourth side with the first side opposite the third side when the first portion and the second portion are in the closed position. 
     In another embodiment, a method of storing one or more objects is provided. The method includes fastening the one or more objects to a portable carrier. The portable carrier includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The second portion has a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side. The third portion connects the first portion to the second portion. The method further includes transitioning the first portion and the second portion from a closed position to an open position. The second side faces the fourth side with the first side opposite the third side when the first portion and the second portion are in the closed position. The first side and the second side are transversely aligned with the third side and the fourth side, respectively, when the first portion and the second portion are in the open position. The method further includes transitioning the first portion and the second portion from the closed position to the open position. 
     In yet another embodiment, a fastener for a portable carrier is provided. The fastener includes a steel channel, a magnet, and a fabric strip. The steel channel has a base portion and two legs with two fold-overs. The magnet is disposed within the steel channel and secured in part by the two fold-overs. The fabric strip passes between the two legs, over the magnet, and under the two fold-overs. 
     In still yet another embodiment, another fastener for a portable carrier is provided. The fastener includes a steel channel and a magnet. The steel channel has a base portion and two legs. The base portion has two slots operative to secure the fastener to a portable carrier via a fabric strip. The magnet is disposed within the steel channel. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be better understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of a portable carrier for storing one or more objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is another diagram of the portable carrier for storing one or more objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is another diagram of the portable carrier for storing one or more objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is another diagram of the portable carrier for storing one or more objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is another diagram of the portable carrier for storing one or more objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is another diagram of the portable carrier for storing one or more objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is another diagram of the portable carrier for storing one or more objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is another diagram of the portable carrier for storing one or more objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is another diagram of the portable carrier for storing one or more objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is another diagram of the portable carrier for storing one or more objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is another diagram of the portable carrier for storing one or more objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram of a portion fastener of the portable carrier of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is another diagram of a portion fastener of the portable carrier of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is another diagram of a portion fastener of the portable carrier of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is another diagram of the portable carrier for storing one or more objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is another diagram of the portable carrier for storing one or more objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is another diagram of the portable carrier for storing one or more objects, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram of another embodiment of the portion fastener of  FIG. 12 , wherein the portion fastener has slots, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is another diagram of the portion fastener of  FIG. 18 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is yet another diagram of the portion fastener of  FIG. 18 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 21  is diagram of two portion fasteners, in accordance with the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 18-20 , wherein the portion fasteners are secured to the portable carrier of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will be made below in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference characters used throughout the drawings refer to the same or like parts. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-7 , a portable carrier/system  10  for storing one or more objects  12 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, is shown. The carrier  10  includes a first portion  14 , a second portion  16 , and a third portion  18 . The first portion  14  has a first side  20  (best seen in  FIG. 6 ) and a second side  22  (best seen in  FIG. 7 ) opposite the first side  20 . The second portion  16  has a third side  24  (best seen in  FIG. 6 ) and a fourth side  26  (best seen in  FIG. 7 ) opposite the third side  24 . The third portion  18  connects the first portion  14  to the second portion  16  and is adapted to allow the first portion  14  and the second portion  16  to transition between a first/open/deployed position (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6-7 ) and a second/closed/carry position (shown in  FIGS. 2-5 ). At least one of the first side  20  and the third side  24  include one or more object fasteners  28  (best seen in  FIG. 6 ) for fastening the one or more objects  12  to the first portion  14  and the second portion  16 , respectively. The first side  20  and the second side  22  are transversely aligned with the third side  24  and the fourth side  26 , respectively, when the first portion  14  and the second portion  16  are in the open position, and the second side  22  faces the fourth side  26  with the first side  20  opposite the third side  24  when the first portion  14  and the second portion  16  are in the closed position. The term “transversely aligned,” as used herein with respect to the first  14 , second  16 , and third  18  portions, means that the first portion  14 , second portion  16 , and third  18  portion are, or substantially, aligned along the same longitudinal axis so as to form a continuous and/or nearly continuous surface. In other words, the first  14 , second  16 , and third  18  portions are laid-out in a nearly flat configuration, or a configuration that follows the contour of the wall/surface to which the carrier  10  may be attached/secured to. As will be appreciated, in embodiments, the carrier  10  may be mountable to a curved surface/wall such as a tank and round structural beam. 
     The first  14  and/or second  16  portions may be made of fabric, plastic, rubber, wood, composites, and/or any other suitable material. As will be understood, the first  14  and second  16  portions may be stiffer, i.e., less flexible, than the third  18  portion. For example, in embodiments, the first  14  and second  16  portions may be formed by covering backings, e.g., aluminum plates and/or other suitable materials such as plastic, wood, and/or composite, with fabric, and the third portion  18  may be a section of fabric having no internal backing. In embodiments, the first  14 , second  16 , and third  18  portions may form two surfaces having areas of about 8-15″ by about 8-15″ in the closed position, and a single surface having an area of about 8-15″ by about 16-30″ in the open position. 
     The object fasteners  28  may be formed from weaved loops made out of fabric strips, metal loops, clips, hook-and-loop fasteners, buttons, zippers, and/or any other appropriate type of fastener for fastening/securing objects  12 , e.g., ammo magazines, work tools, liquid containers, etc. The first  14  and/or second  16  portions may further include one or more grommets  30  ( FIG. 6 ) and/or rings  32  ( FIG. 6 ), which may be used to secure additional items to the carrier  10 , and/or to secure the carrier  10  to another (larger) object. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 8-9 , in embodiments, the carrier  10  may further include a handle  34 , which, as will be discussed in greater detail below, may facilitate the transition of the portions  14 ,  16  from the open position to the closed position. The handle  34  may be made of an elastic material such that handle  34  will extend outward from the third  18  portion when pulled on (best seen in  FIG. 8 ), and subsequently retract when released so that the handle  34  lies flat against the third portion  18  (best seen in  FIG. 9 ). As will be appreciated, the auto-retraction of the handle  34  prevents the handle  34  from unintendedly snaring/snagging on items/objects, e.g., door handles, pipe openings, tree branches, etc. Further, while the handle  34  is shown in the provided figures as being centrally disposed on the third portion  18 , it will be understood that the handle  34  may be disposed on the first  14  and/or second  16  portions and/or any combination thereof. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 7 and 10-11 , in embodiments, the first  20 , second  22 , third  24 , and/or fourth  26  sides may include one or more slots  35  ( FIG. 7 ) for storing documents and/or other thin objects  12 , e.g., plastic cards, rulers, etc. Additionally, at least one of the second side  22  and the fourth side  26  include one or more portion fasteners  36  adapted to fasten the fourth side  26  to the second side  22  when the first portion  14  and the second portion  16  are in the closed position (best seen in  FIG. 11 ). The fasteners  36  may be further adapted to fasten the carrier  10  to a metal surface, e.g., the innards of a manufacturing machine, the wall of a vehicle, and/or any other magnetic surface such as a filing cabinet (best seen in  FIG. 1 ). 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , the fasteners  36  may be disposed on the second  22  and fourth  26  sides such that some of the fasteners  36  are disposed near the edges of the second  22  and fourth  26  sides that are the furthest away from the third portion  18 , and such that some of the fasteners  36  are disposed on the second  22  and fourth  26  sides near the third portion  18 . As will be appreciated, disposing the fasteners  36  in such an arrangement mitigates the likelihood that the second  22  and fourth  26  sides will buckle and/or otherwise separate from a metal wall to which the carrier  10  is attached to while the first  14  and second  16  portions are in the open position. In embodiments, the fasteners  36  may be disposed in a staggered arrangement as shown in  FIG. 7 , which as will be appreciated, reduces the number of fasteners  36  required to sufficiently keep the carrier  10  attached to a metal wall when the first  14  and second  16  portions are in the open position. 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 7 and 10-11 , in embodiments, the portion fasteners  36  may be magnets sewn into the second  22  and/or fourth  26  sides. For example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 12-14 , each fastener  36  may be a magnet  38  disposed/contained/secured within a steel channel  40  having a base portion  42  and two legs  44  and  46  with two fold-overs  48  and  50 . The magnet  38  may be disposed on the base  42  and held in place, i.e., secured at least in part, by the legs  44 ,  46  and/or fold-overs  48 ,  50 . A fabric strip  52  may then be passed between the legs  44 ,  46 , over the magnet  38 , and under the two folder-overs  48 ,  50 . As will be understood, the magnetic force generated by the magnet  38  may be carried/directed by the legs  44 ,  46  and/or the two fold-overs  48 ,  50 . Accordingly, as will be appreciated, the strength of the magnetic coupling between the legs  44 ,  46  (and/or fold-overs  48 ,  50 ) with a metal object, e.g., a metal wall, in embodiments in which the legs  44 ,  46  and/or the two fold-overs  48 ,  50  extend above the fabric strip  52 , is larger than the magnetic coupling strength would be if the fabric strip  52  were disposed over the legs  44 ,  46  and fold-overs  48 ,  50 . In embodiments, the steel channel  40  may have legs  44 ,  46  and no fold-overs  48 ,  50 . 
     As will be appreciated, in embodiments, the magnet  38  may have a width, i.e., the distance between the legs  44 ,  46 , of about 0.62″, a length of about 1″, and a height, i.e., in the direction normal to the surface of the base portion  42 , of about 0.16″. Accordingly, in embodiments, the base  42  may have a width, i.e., the distance between the legs  44 ,  46 , of about 0.89″, a length, i.e., the distance along the legs  44 ,  46 , of about 1″, and a thickness of about 0.04″. In such embodiments, each leg  44 ,  46  may be about 0.25″ to about 0.275″ in length/height and have a thickness of about 0.4″. For example, in embodiments, each leg  44 ,  46  may have a height, i.e., in the direction normal to the surface of the base portion  42 , of about 0.253″. 
     As will also be appreciated, while the fasteners  36  and wall are disclosed herein as being magnets and metal, respectively, it will be understood that the fasteners  36  and wall may be made from other materials. For example, the fasteners  36  may include adhesives and/or loop-and-hook fasteners, and the wall may be wood, composite, fabric, and/or any other suitable material to which the fasteners  36  can be securely attached to. 
     Moving now to  FIGS. 1 and 15-17 , in operation, according to an embodiment, one or more objects  12  are fastened to the carrier  10  via the object fasteners  28  ( FIG. 6 ), the first  14  and second  16  portions are transitioned to the open position, and the carrier  10  is fastened to a metal wall via the portion fasteners  36  as best seen in  FIG. 1 . The carrier  10  may then be removed from the metal wall by transitioning the first  14  and second  16  portions to the closed position. For example, in embodiments, a user may transition the first  14  and second  16  portions to the closed position by grabbing the handle  34  as shown in  FIG. 15 , and pulling the handle  34  as shown in  FIG. 16  until the carrier  10  detaches from the wall and the first  14  and second  16  portions move into the closed position as shown in  FIG. 17 . As will be appreciated, the transition of the first  14  and second  16  portions to the second position from the first position may also be facilitated at least in part by gravity and/or a spring. 
     Illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 19  is another embodiment of the portion fastener  36  wherein the portion fastener  36  has slots  400 , and (optionally) may not have fold over portions. In embodiments, the slots  400  may be disposed at the ends  402  and  404  of the base portion  42 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , a fabric strip/strap  406  may be strung through the slots  400  so as to secure the base portion  42  in place on the second  22  and/or fourth  26  side of the carrier  10 . As shown in  FIG. 21 , once the base portion  42  has been secured to the second  22  and/or fourth  26  side via strip/strap  406 , a second fabric strip/strap  408  may then be strung over the magnet  38  so as to secure the magnet  38  in pace within the base portion  42 . In embodiments, strip  406  may pass under the base portion  42 , i.e., the base portion  42  is disposed between the side  22  and/or  26  and the magnet  38 , and strip  408  may pass over the magnet  38 , i.e., the magnet  38  is between the strip  408  and the base portion  42 . In embodiments, strips  406  and/or  408  may be further secured to the second  22  and the fourth  26  sides. 
     It is further to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Additionally, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. 
     For example, in an embodiment, a portable carrier for storing one or more objects is provided. The portable carrier includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The second portion has a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side. The third portion connects the first portion to the second portion and is adapted to allow the first portion and the second portion to transition between an open position and a closed position. At least one of the first side and the third side include one or more object fasteners for fastening the one or more objects to the first portion and the second portion, respectively. The first side and the second side are transversely aligned with the third side and the fourth side, respectively, when the first portion and the second portion are in the open position, and the second side faces the fourth side with the first side opposite the third side when the first portion and the second portion are in the closed position. In certain embodiments, at least one of the second side and the fourth side include one or more portion fasteners adapted to fasten the fourth side to the second side when the first portion and the second portion are in the closed position. In certain embodiments, the portion fasteners are disposed in a staggered arrangement. In certain embodiments, the portion fasteners are magnets. In certain embodiments, each magnet is contained within a steel channel having a base portion and two legs with two fold-overs, each magnet secured in part by the two fold-overs. In certain embodiments, a fabric strip passes between the two legs over the magnet and under the two fold-overs. In certain embodiments, the two fold-overs direct a magnetic force generated by the magnet. In certain embodiments, at least one of the first portion and the second portion include a grommet. In certain embodiments, each magnet is contained within a steel channel having a base portion with one or more slots. A fabric strip passes through the slots so as to secure the base portion to at least one of the second and the fourth sides of the portable carrier. 
     Other embodiments provide for a method of storing one or more objects. The method includes fastening the one or more objects to a portable carrier. The portable carrier includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The first portion has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The second portion has a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side. The third portion connects the first portion to the second portion. The method further includes transitioning the first portion and the second portion from a closed position to an open position. The second side faces the fourth side with the first side opposite the third side when the first portion and the second portion are in the closed position. The first side and the second side are transversely aligned with the third side and the fourth side, respectively, when the first portion and the second portion are in the open position. The method further includes transitioning the first portion and the second portion from the closed position to the open position. In certain embodiments, the method further includes, when the first portion and the second portion are in the closed position, fastening the fourth side to the second side via one or more portion fasteners disposed on at least one of the second side and the fourth side. In certain embodiments, the one or more portion fasteners are disposed in a staggered arrangement. In certain embodiments, the one or more portion fasteners are magnets. In certain embodiments, each magnet is disposed within a steel channel having a base portion and two legs with two fold-overs, each magnet secured in part by the two fold-overs. In certain embodiments, the method further includes, when the first portion and the second portion are in the open position, fastening the portable carrier to a metal wall via the magnets. In certain embodiments, transitioning the first portion and the second portion from a closed position to an open position is facilitated by a handle disposed on at least one of the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion. In certain embodiments, the handle extends outward from the third portion when pulled and retracts when released such that the handle lies flat against the third portion. 
     Yet still other embodiments provide for a fastener for a portable carrier. The fastener includes a steel channel, a magnet, and a fabric strip. The steel channel has a base portion and two legs with two fold-overs. The magnet is disposed within the steel channel and secured in part by the two fold-overs. The fabric strip passes between the two legs, over the magnet, and under the two fold-overs. In certain embodiments, the magnet has a width of about 0.62 inches, a length of about 1.0 inches, and a height of about 0.16 inches. In certain embodiments, each leg has a height of about 0.253 inches. In certain embodiments, the two legs carry a magnetic force generated by the magnet. 
     Yet still other embodiments provide for another fastener for a portable carrier. The fastener includes a steel channel and a magnet. The steel channel has a base portion and two legs. The base portion has two slots operative to secure the fastener to a portable carrier via a fabric strip. The magnet is disposed within the steel channel. 
     Thus, as will be appreciated, some embodiments of the present invention provide for a portable carrier that is compact, quickly securable/removable to/from a metal wall, and capable of storing tools, equipment, documentation, and/or other objects. Accordingly, some embodiments of the present invention provide for a carrier that allows maintenance personal to organize/group tools specific to a particular task within a single device that can be quickly deployed to and/or moved from one location to another. Moreover, as the magnets and steel carriers disclosed herein provide for fasteners having strong magnetic coupling with a metal wall, some embodiments of the present invention provide for a portable carrier that is capable of securing heavy objects to a metal wall. 
     It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the invention, they are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” “upper,” “lower,” “bottom,” “top,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical or positional requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted as such, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose several embodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the embodiments of invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims. 
     As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising,” “including,” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property. 
     Since certain changes may be made in the above-described invention, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all of the subject matter of the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted merely as examples illustrating the inventive concept herein and shall not be construed as limiting the invention.