Patent Publication Number: US-10787028-B2

Title: Carrying case for wet canvas

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/597,545 filed on Dec. 12, 2017. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to carrying cases. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a carrying case having a tension bar configured to secure a wet canvas therein, such that nothing contacts the canvas. 
     Many people paint as a hobby or profession, however typical oil paint requires a significant amount of time to properly dry, especially in comparison to alternate paints, such as acrylic paints or water-based paints. Frequently, painters must transport or otherwise move a wet canvas, which can be difficult to do without ruining the painting via contacting other objects or otherwise contaminating it with dust or debris. Typical carriers for canvas don&#39;t account for transporting a recently painted canvas therein, as the exterior of the canvas often contacts the interior surfaces of the canvas. In order to properly transport a wet canvas, a user must take care to only contact interior surfaces of the canvas frame, as often the edges contain traces of paint as well. Additionally, during the transportation process, the exterior surface of the canvas must not contact other surfaces while also preventing dust and debris from accumulating thereon. Therefore, there is a need for a device that can removably secure a canvas therein, and operate as a carrier wherein no contact is made with the surface of the canvas during transport. 
     In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing carrying cases. In this regard, the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of carrying cases now present in the known art, the present invention provides a carrying case wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when transporting recently painted canvas. 
     The present system comprises a base having at least one sidewall extending perpendicularly away from a perimeter thereof, thereby defining an interior volume. A lid is removably securable to the sidewall, wherein the lid is configured to enclose the interior volume when secured to the sidewall. A tension bar is affixed to the base within the interior volume and is configured to telescopically move between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein a linear distance between a first end thereof and a second end thereof is greater when in the extended position. The first and second ends are further configured to frictionally engage an interior surface of a canvas frame, such that the exterior of the canvas is not contacted, thereby avoiding damage thereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the carrying case for wet canvas. 
         FIG. 2  shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the carrying case for wet canvas with arms in a deployed position. 
         FIG. 3  shows a side view of an embodiment of the carrying case for wet canvas with arms in a stored position. 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the carrying case for wet canvas. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the carrying case. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of the carrying case for wet canvas. The carrying case for wet canvas  11  comprises a base  12  having a sidewall  13  extending perpendicularly away therefrom about a perimeter of the base  12 , thereby defining an interior volume  15 . The interior volume  15  is dimensioned to receive a canvas therein, such that space is defined therearound, thereby ensuring that the canvas does not contact the sidewall  13  during transport. In this way, the user is ensured that recently painted canvases are not unduly harmed during the transportation process. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrying case for wet canvas  11  further comprises a handle  30  affixed to the sidewall  13  along an upper end thereof, thereby providing a gripping surface allowing a user to easily transport the carrying case for wet canvas  11 . The handle  30  can comprise a U-shaped member defining an opening configured to receive a user&#39;s hand therethrough, or any other suitable style of handle  30 , such as a flexible chain. 
     The carrying case for wet canvas  11  further comprises a tension bar  17  affixed to the base  12 . The tension bar  17  is configured to telescopically move between an extended position and a retracted position, wherein a linear distance between a first end (as shown in  FIG. 4, 18 ) and a second end (as shown in  FIG. 4, 19 ) of the tension bar  17  is greater when in the extended position. The tension bar  17  is configured to frictionally engage an interior surface of a canvas frame, such that the canvas is secured within the carrying case without contacting a painted surface of the canvas. As the tension bar  17  is telescopically adjustable in length, the tension bar  17  can removably secure varying sizes of canvas frames thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the tension bar  17  is slidably disposed within a slot  27  extending through the base  12 , thereby allowing a user to selectively move the tension bar  17  along a length of the base  12 . In some embodiments, the tension bar  17  is configured to frictionally engage the slot  27 , such that the tension bar  17  retains a desired position, wherein other embodiments, a clamp (as shown in  FIG. 2, 28 ) is used to secure the position of the tension bar  17 . In this way, the user can position the tension bar  17  and a canvas stored thereon in a desired position within the interior volume  15  to ensure that the canvas does not contact the interior of the carrying case for wet canvas  11  during transport. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the carrying case for wet canvas with arms in a deployed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the carrying case further comprises a pair of arms  23  pivotally affixed to the sidewall  13  at opposing lateral sides of the base  12 , wherein the pair of arms  23  are configured to selectively move between a deployed position and a stored position. When the pair of arms  23  are placed in the deployed position, the pair of arms  23  can be braced against a support surface, thereby allowing the base  12  to stand upright. In this way, the carrying case can additionally function as an easel, allowing a user to paint a canvas stored within the carrying case. In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of arms  23  further comprise a first support arm  26  extending therebetween at a distal end  25  of each of the pair of arms  23 . The first support arm  26  is configured to provide stability to the pair of arms  23 , ensuring that the pair of arms  23  remain coplanar during use. In this way, the carrying case is provided additional stability when used as an easel. In some embodiments, a lower surface of the first support arm  26  comprises a material thereon, wherein the material comprises a coefficient of friction greater than one, thereby allowing the pair of arms  23  to frictionally engage the support surface. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a clamp  28  is disposed on a rear side of the base  12  within the slot  27 , wherein the clamp  28  is configured to selectively engage the tension bar. In this way, the user can maintain the position of the tension bar at a desired position within the slot  27 , such that the canvas stored therein does not contact any portion of the carrying case. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamp  28  comprises a bar having a width greater than that of the slot  27 , wherein the bar frictionally engages a rear surface of the base  12  when a wing nut is tightened. However, in alternate embodiments, other engagement mechanisms are contemplated. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a side view of an embodiment of the carrying case for wet canvas with arms in a stored position. In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of arms  23  are shown in a stored position, wherein the pair of arms  23  rest flush with the sidewall. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the pair of arms  23  comprise a width equivalent to a height of the sidewall. In this way, the carrying case maintains a minimal form factor allowing ease of transport and storage. In some embodiments, the pair of arms  23  are dimensioned such that the pair of arms  23  frictionally engage the sidewall when in the stored position, such that the pair of arms  23  remain in the stored position during transport. Similarly, the first support arm  26  is configured to frictionally engage and rest flush against the sidewall when the pair of arms  23  are in the stored position, such that the pair of arms  23  are maintained in a stored position. In some embodiments, a notch is disposed in each of the pair of arms  23 , the notch configured to frictionally engage a protrusion extending from the sidewall, so as to further secure the pair of arms  23  in a stored position. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the pair of arms  23  further comprise a second support arm  29  extending therebetween, wherein the second support arm  29  is affixed to a rear side of the pair of arms  23 . The second support arm  29  further provides stability and structural integrity to the pair of arms  23 , while also serving as a backstop, preventing the pair of arms  23  from being pivoted beyond the stored position from the deployed position. When in the stored position, the second support arm  29  rests flush against a rear surface of the base  12 , such that the carrying case comprises a minimal form factor. Furthermore, the placement of the second support arm  29  along the pair of arms  23  defines an opening through which the clamp  28  can extend, ensuring that the user can continue to make adjustments to the tension bar position when the pair of arms  23  are in the stored position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the carrying case for wet canvas. They carrying case further comprises a lid  16  removably securable to the sidewall  13 . In the illustrated embodiment, the lid  16  is frictionally engaged with the sidewall  13  via a lip  33  extending perpendicularly away from an interior surface  31  of the lid. Alternate forms of lid  16  securement are contemplated, such as, but not limited to fasteners, straps, and the like. The lid  16  comprises a planar outer surface, minimizing storage space required for the carrying case, while also ensuring an even load distribution during transportation thereof. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the tension bar  17  is telescopically adjustable in length, such that the tension bar  17  is configured to selectively move between an extended position and a retracted position. A length between the first end  18  and the second end  19  of the tension bar  17  is greater when the tension bar  17  is in the extended position. In this way, canvases of various sizes can be secured to the tension bar  17 , allowing the user to paint on a variety of canvases. In some embodiments, the tension bar  17  is spring-biased towards the extended position, such that the tension bar  17  automatically engages a canvas when the canvas is placed over the tension bar  17 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, an engagement member  21  extends perpendicularly away from each of the first and second ends  18 ,  19  of the tension bar  17 . The engagement member  21  is configured to provide a greater surface area of engagement with a canvas frame  20 . In this way, the user is ensured that the canvas frame  20  will retain the position during transport and use. In the illustrated embodiment, an exterior surface  22  of the engagement member  21  is configured to frictionally engage an interior surface of the canvas frame  20  when the tension bar  17  is in the extended position. In some embodiments, the exterior surface  22  of the engagement member  21  comprises a material having a coefficient of friction greater than one thereon, such that the canvas frame  20  is more securely engaged thereby. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the position of the canvas frame  20  within the interior volume  15  can be adjusted via movement of the tension bar  17  along the slot disposed within the base. In this way, the canvas frame  20  can be maintained at a distance from the sidewall  13  to ensure no contact is made therewith. Additionally, the lid  16  is dimensioned such that the interior surface  31  of the lid  16  is separated from an exterior surface  32  of the canvas by a gap  30  when the canvas frame  20  is secured to the tension bar  17 . This ensures that the canvas does not contact the interior surface  31  of the lid, the sidewall  13 , or any other portion of the carrying case when in use. In this way, a user can safely and easily store a recently painted canvas within the interior volume  15  to allow for storage or transport of the canvas, without damaging, marring, or otherwise affecting the wet surface of the canvas. 
     It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.