Abstract:
The present invention relates to a manual carrying device by which a person can transport one or more items by hand or by use of a shoulder strap. The device has cut-away, specially shaped slots for hand-holds, shoulder strap holes, and separate holes for the straps that pass through the device to secure the items to be transported. The invention is lightweight, compact, easily stored, and optionally, flotable.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a manual carrying device for the transport of items by a person by hand or by use of a shoulder strap. The device can be used for the transport of any one or more items that can be secured to it by means of straps and that is of a weight and size as to be capable of manual transport. The device can be used for carrying recreational items, work-related items, emergency equipment, and any other items as desired by the user.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    Some prior art teaches complex devices by which items are carried by means of collapsible or foldable carts with wheels that are integral to the items or that support the items and offer straps or various other means of securing the items while in motion. U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,925 teaches a collapsible chair with integral wheels for transport. U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,800 teaches a foldable cart having a mesh top, two rear wheels, and pull ropes at the front. Other examples of this type include:  
           [0005]    Graham, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,079, describes a 2-wheeled beach caddy and chair.  
           [0006]    Buickerood et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,905, write of a similar 2-wheeled beach caddy and folding chair.  
           [0007]    Kuchinsky, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,142 shows a similar 2-wheeled beach caddy with chair.  
           [0008]    Romer, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,075 shows a 4-wheeled beach caddy with sled runners.  
           [0009]    Higson, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,944 describes a rigid chair with 2 wheels that converts to a horizontal beach caddy and carrier.  
           [0010]    Sayette, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,620.191 describes a flat sled with 3 wheels and runners, also having holes for receiving an umbrella and cups.  
           [0011]    Sims, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,298 describes a single axle, 2-wheeled sled with tabs for securing cargo.  
           [0012]    Some examples in the category of sleds and hand totes:  
           [0013]    Johnson et al in U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,599, write of a modular frame sled, convertible to a hamper basket or other items.  
           [0014]    Gent et al in U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,599, teach a modular frame device for use within the bed of a pickup truck.  
           [0015]    Heard-Willmon, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,092 describes a folding organizer, which could be used as a tote, but is better suited to act in a static display.  
           [0016]    McKnight, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,477, writes of an ingenious tote device comprising a modular frame with an open sleeve element, suitable for conveying an umbrella.  
           [0017]    There remains a need for a device that is a lightweight, inexpensive, uncomplicated, and stable means of transport by a person who needs to carry one or more items with the option of having the hands free during the transport and who does not want or is unable to drag or wheel the items during transport, because of uneven, rough, sandy, or stepped terrain.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0018]    The present invention consists of a manual carrying device for the transport of items that are secured to the carrying device by means of straps. The manual carrying device may be constructed of molded plastic, injection foam, or metal, or other rigid materials preferably light in weight and low in density. The device is in the shape of a rectangle with rounded edges, having cut-away holes, slots, and specially shaped hand-hold slots strategically placed for straps, strings, and ropes that pass through the device and around or through the items being transported.  
           [0019]    It is an object of the present invention to provide for the transport of a variety of articles that can be carried by hand. The device may be used to transport any items that can be hand-carried and that can be secured to the device, and therefore it may be used to transport recreational items, work-related items, emergency equipment, and any other items as desired by the user. It is also possible to secure several bags each holding several items to the device.  
           [0020]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an efficient means for manual transport of one or more items. This device is small and compact, and therefore is easy to slide under or hang from the items transported, as well as set out of the way between transport usages. The device can be stored in a small and easily accessible space, such as a car trunk, handbag, briefcase, cupboard, and the like, from whence it can be quickly retrieved for transport. Items can be immediately secured to it for efficient transport. The person can carry the items hands-free by means of an optional shoulder strap. There are no springs, bolts, screws, hinges, appendages, or other parts that need to be adjusted for securing the items to be transported or for altering the way in which the device itself is configured.  
           [0021]    It is yet a further object of this device to provide a stable means of transporting articles by hand carry. This device allows items to be transported in a stable fashion while a person is walking by allowing the items to be secured to a single, rigid form and carried from a single point. The device has been developed to emphasize stability by the symmetrical placement of the slots and holes and by the use of a four-cornered design for attachment of the straps used for securing the items and for carrying the device. Separate straps are provided for carrying and for securing items, which feature offers additional transport stability.  
           [0022]    It is another object of this device to provide a simple and efficient means of altering the configuration of the device for different uses. The device can be used in a horizontal or vertical position as desired by the user. The position can be changed depending on the number and type of items being carried, the height of the user, and other factors existing at the time of transport. This flexibility of use is an important and innovative feature of this device because it allows the user to alter the mode of transport for stability, efficiency, human preference, and other factors simply by securing the items to the device in different configurations.  
           [0023]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide a transport device that may be easily and efficient manufactured and marketed.  
           [0024]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a transport device that is economically affordable and available for the buying public.  
           [0025]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide a transport device that is lightweight, and may be capable of floating on a body of water.  
           [0026]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a transport device that is durable and reliable in construction. The simple construction of this device is a significant innovation. There are no axles or bolts or screws that will break during normal wear-and-tear usage. The device does not need to be collapsed and unfolded for each usage, and therefore it has not joints that will wear out over time. The device has no moving parts, and the straps used can be easily replaced and inexpensively replaced.  
           [0027]    Before explaining an embodiment of the transport device in detail, it is to be understood that the transport device is not limited in its application to the details of construction and other arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in drawings. The transport device is capable of other embodiments and being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 shows the present invention from a top view in a horizontal position without straps.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 2 shows the top view in a horizontal position with straps for transport of three articles and a shoulder strap.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 3 shows the front view in a horizontal position when transporting four articles.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 illustrates a top view in a horizontal position when transporting four articles.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 5 illustrates the present invention in a side view in a vertical position with straps for transport of two items and a shoulder strap.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 6 shows the front view in a vertical position when transporting three articles.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 7 shows the front view in a vertical position when transporting four articles.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 8 illustrates a side view in a vertical position when transporting two articles.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 9 illustrates a side view in a vertical position when transporting three articles.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 10 shows the present invention when temporarily stored between uses. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0038]    Reference is first made to FIG. 1, which shows a top view of the present invention when in a horizontal position without any straps or articles secured to it. While the present invention can vary in size, ranging from 12 to 36 inches in length, 4 to 12 inches in width, and 1 to 4 inches in depth, its preferable dimensions are 24 inches in length, 5 inches in width, and 2 inches in depth. At each of the four rounded corners of the device are substantially circular openings ( 1 ) intended for attachment of an optional shoulder strap. Two openings are provided for hand holds ( 2 ), which openings in preferred embodiment are specially shaped to allow for easy hand grip. A plurality of openings ( 3 ) are provided for various strap configurations for the transport of articles. All of the openings in the present invention can vary in size, but they must be of a size to allow attachment and passage of the straps used to secure articles to the invention.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 2 is similar to the view shown in FIG. 1, but straps have been added for the transport of articles. There are two straps added through the center openings ( 4 ) to carry an article in the center, directly beneath the present invention, and there are two straps added to either side ( 5 ) for the transport of articles beneath the present invention on either side of the centered article. The straps used for the transport of articles may vary in size, shape, and buckle or other attachment device. The preferred embodiment is a durable, woven, strap such as might be used for securing luggage. It is also preferred that the straps separate using male-female buckles for easy use, but the buckle device can be any other means that will serve to secure the ends together.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 2 also shows an optional shoulder strap ( 6 ), which may or may not be padded over the shoulder, attached at the four corners of the invention. This shoulder strap uses a t-formation ( 7 ) to split the single strap into two straps a short distance, preferable  4  to  6  inches, above the invention so that the strap can be secured at all four corners. By use of this t-formation strap, the transport process is more stable than if the invention were to be transport from two points only. While the invention may transported using the hand grips provided, use of the strap allows hands-free transport and the ability to carry an additional item on top of the invention.  
         [0041]    In FIG. 3, the present invention can be seen from a front view while in use to transport four articles. The invention is held in a horizontal position using the stable four-point shoulder strap ( 6 ) with the t-formation ( 7 ). The articles that have been secured to the invention using the straps ( 4 ) and ( 5 ) as shown in FIG. 2, and the articles can be seen hanging below the invention, with the centered article ( 8 ) sandwiched between the two outer articles on either side ( 9 ). A fourth article can be transported by sliding it onto the top side of the invention, inside the space created by the t-formation shoulder strap ( 10 ). For illustration purposes, this figures shows the present invention being used to transport beach lounge chairs, a beach umbrella, and a mesh bag. This is only one embodiment of the invention and should not be considered limiting. This invention can be used to carry many different types of articles.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 4 is a top view of the present invention while in use to transport the four articles shown in FIG. 3. From this top view, the straps ( 5 ) securing the outer articles ( 9 ) can be seen, but the straps securing the center article are hidden underneath the fourth article ( 10 ) being transported on top of the invention. The t-formation strap is clearly shown in four-point formation ( 7 ), and the optional shoulder pad is visible at the top of the strap ( 11 ).  
         [0043]    [0043]FIGS. 5 through 9 show the present invention when used in the optional vertical position. The size of the invention is similar to the dimensions described in FIG. 1.  
         [0044]    In FIG. 5, the present invention is shown in a vertical position with straps attached for the transport of two articles, one carried beneath the invention ( 12 ), and one carried in a second layer at the outside of the first ( 13 ). The invention may be transport by the hand grip ( 2 ) or by the optional shoulder strap ( 14 ). In this embodiment, the shoulder strap does not have a t-formation because it would be attached at two points of the invention only. Shoulder padding is optional.  
         [0045]    The invention as illustrated in FIG. 6 shows a vertical transport position from a front view. The invention is being used to carry three articles, which for illustration purposes only include a beach chair, umbrella, and mesh bag. Each of these articles is secured using straps ( 12 ), ( 13 ), and ( 15 ) that are passed through the openings in the invention. The optional shoulder strap ( 14 ) allows for hands-free transport.  
         [0046]    In FIG. 7, a similar front view of the invention is shown while in the vertical transport position. The difference in this Figure is that a fourth article has been added for transport. With a fourth article, the invention remains evenly balanced during the transport by placing two articles on either side of the invention while in vertical position. Thus, the two larger objects ( 9 ) are secured by straps passing through lower openings in the invention while in vertical orientation ( 12 ) and the small objects are secured on opposite sides by straps passing through the center ( 13 ) and upper ( 15 ) openings of the invention. The optional shoulder strap ( 14 ) allows for hands-free transport.  
         [0047]    FIGS.  8  and FIGS.  9  show side views the present invention in vertical transport position with articles secured by straps. In FIG. 8, two articles are being transported, while in FIG. 9 three articles are secured to the invention. As can be seen by comparison of these two Figures, the user of this invention can vary the strap configuration in a plurality of ways to secure many articles to the invention for transport. The configuration used can be altered to allow the user to evenly distribute the weight being carried, and thus to balance the articles for easy transport. The invention can be carried by the hand grip or by the optional shoulder strap.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 10 demonstrates a further feature of the present invention, which is easy storage between uses. The user can quickly unbuckle and remove the straps or leave them attached to the articles transported, and the present invention can be stowed temporarily until required for further transport. If desired, the straps can be removed from the invention and used to connect the articles together, such as to hang a bag for easy access from the back of a beach chair.  
         [0049]    While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.