Abstract:
A portable foldable multi carriage device that enable achieving large lateral gaps between carriages and enable modes of opening in which the carriages are not parallel, the portable foldable multi carriage device including a pair of first support members, wherein each of the first support members has two ends, a pair of second support members, wherein each of the second support members has two free ends, and a long shaft, wherein the pair of first support members is mounted on the long shaft and wherein the pair of second support members is mounted on the long shaft, having a rotational capability with regard to each other, the long shaft being the center of the rotation.

Description:
REFERENCE TO CROSS-RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Israeli patent application No. 199,266, filed on Jun. 10, 2009, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to multi carriages devices, more particularly, to portable foldable multi carriages devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    There are various known devices which enable porting tiers of carriages from one place to another. These devices are folded for porting and/or storage, and prior to use or positioning where they are required, they are opened. There is a wide variety of carriage devices, also including shelves, such as bookshelves, and boxes, such as toolboxes. These devices typically include pairs of support rods and open to a structure with multiple parallel tiers. 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  of the prior art is a side view schematic illustration of two typical multi carriage devices, serving as sewing kits  10 . The left-hand sewing kit  10  is closed, while the right-hand sewing kit  10  is in an open mode, which can be referred to as working mode. Each of both sewing kits  10  as shown in the present illustration, includes three trays  11  which are connected by means of pivots  13  to three pairs of parallel link members  12 . 
         [0005]    One pair, the central one in the side view, is longer, while the other two pairs are shorter. The side view shows only one link member  12  of each pair. This typical structure significantly limits the lateral gap between the trays  11  when opening and keeps them parallel in any state, from closed mode, through transitional modes, to fully open mode. These limits sometimes make it impossible to load or unload the trays  11  with objects of various shapes and sizes. 
         [0006]    There is therefore a need for a portable foldable multi carriage device that will enable achieving large lateral gaps between carriages and enable modes of opening in which the carriages are not parallel. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a portable foldable multi carriage device including: a pair of first support members, wherein each of the first support members has two ends; a pair of second support members, wherein each of the second support members has two free ends; and a long shaft, wherein the pair of first support members is mounted on the long shaft, wherein the pair of second support members is mounted on the long shaft, having a rotational capability with regard to each other and wherein the long shaft is a center of the rotation, and wherein the portable foldable multi carriage device has a folded state and open state. 
         [0008]    According to further features of the described embodiment of the present invention the center of rotation is practically located at a center of each of the second support members. 
         [0009]    According to still further features of the described embodiment of the present invention, the portable foldable multi carriage device further includes: at least two toolboxes wherein each of the toolboxes has a topside and an underside; and at least four short shaft, wherein each of the first support members is connected by one of the short shafts at one of its ends to one of the toolboxes and is connected by another one of the shorts shaft at its second end to another one of the toolboxes, wherein each of the toolboxes has a rotational capability with regard to the pair of first support members. 
         [0010]    According to still further features of the described embodiment of the present invention, the portable foldable multi carriage device further includes: at least one side wheel, mounted practically on an end of one of the second support members. 
         [0011]    According to still further features of the described embodiment of the present invention, one toolbox, one pair of first support members, and one pair of second support members, are defining one tier of the portable foldable multi carriage device, and wherein the portable foldable multi carriage device comprises at least two of tiers, mounted one above the other. 
         [0012]    According to still further features of the described embodiment of the present invention, the portable foldable multi carriage device, further includes: a carrying handle mounted on one of the toolboxes; at least one first lock mounted on one of the toolboxes; and at least one flat spring mounted on one of the first support member. 
         [0013]    According to still further features of the described embodiment of the present invention, the first support member is divided into two first support member halves, the two first support member halves are mounted inside a first telescopic support member, and wherein the second support member is divided into two second support member halves, wherein the two second support member halves are mounted inside a second telescopic support member. 
         [0014]    According to still further features of the described embodiment of the present invention, the portable foldable multi carriage device further includes: at least one stretching spring, having two ends, wherein one of the stretching spring ends is disposed on an edge of a bottom of one of the toolboxes, wherein a second end of the stretching spring is disposed on a long shaft, and wherein the long shaft is disposed on two ends, of two of the second support members. 
         [0015]    According to still further features of the described embodiment of the present invention, the portable foldable multi carriage device further includes: a cog track, disposed on the bottom; and a cogwheel, disposed on a long shaft. 
         [0016]    According to still further features of the described embodiment of the present invention, the portable foldable multi carriage device further includes: a rotational handle, mounted on the long shaft, on which the cogwheel is mounted. 
         [0017]    According to still further features of the described embodiment of the present invention, the portable foldable multi carriage device further includes: a ratchet mechanism disposed on the long shaft, which the cogwheel is mounted on, and on a second support member. 
         [0018]    According to still further features of the described embodiment of the present invention, the center of rotation is practically located at a center of each of the first support member. 
         [0019]    According to another features of the described embodiment of the present invention, the center of rotation is practically located closer to one end than to another end of each of the first support member. 
         [0020]    According to another features of the described embodiment of the present invention, the portable foldable multi carriage further includes: a telescopic walls box mounted inside said toolbox. 
         [0021]    According to another features of the described embodiment of the present invention, the portable foldable multi carriage further includes: two grooves in two opposite walls of said toolbox, wherein in each of said grooves there is mounted one of said side wheel. 
         [0022]    According to a features of a second embodiment of the present invention the portable foldable multi carriage device further includes: a pair of third support members and at least one short shaft, wherein the short shaft is mounted on one of the second support members and is mounted on at least one of the first support members, and wherein the second support member and the first support member, have a rotational capability with regard to each other and wherein the short shaft is the center of the rotation. 
         [0023]    According to still further features of the second described embodiment of the present invention, one pair of third support members, one pair of first support members, and one pair of second support members, are defining one tier of the portable foldable multi carriage device, and wherein the portable foldable multi carriage device comprises at least two of the tiers, mounted one above the other. 
         [0024]    According to still further features of the second described embodiment of the present invention, the portable foldable multi carriage device further includes: at least one horizontal shelf, mounted on one of the long shaft; and at least one vertical shelf mounted on another one of the long shafts, wherein the horizontal shelf and the vertical shelf, has a rotational capability with regard to each other. 
         [0025]    According to still further features of the second described embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal shelf has at least one pin, wherein the vertical shelf has at least one locking hole, and wherein the pin and the locking hole are compatible and enable a locking the horizontal shelf and the vertical shelf to each other. 
         [0026]    According to still further features of the second described embodiment of the present invention, the vertical shelf is practically thinner than the horizontal shelf. 
         [0027]    According to still further features of the second described embodiment of the present invention the portable foldable multi carriage device further includes: at least one main diagonal shelf, mounted on the pair of first support member; and at least one secondary diagonal shelf mounted on one of the long shafts. 
         [0028]    According to still further features of the second described embodiment of the present invention the portable foldable multi carriage device of claim  16 , further including: at least one second lock mounted on one of the second support member. 
         [0029]    According to still further features of the second described embodiment of the present invention, the portable foldable multi carriage device further includes: two first base members, wherein each of the first base members has two ends, wherein each of the first base members is mounted practically at each of the ends on a long shaft; and two second base members, wherein each of the second base members has two ends, wherein each of the second base members is mounted practically at one of the ends to one of the long shaft, wherein each of the second base members has an opening, practically close to the other one of the ends, and wherein the first base members, the second base members, has a rotational capability with regard to each other. 
         [0030]    Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  of the prior art a side view schematic illustration of two typical multi carriage devices, serving as toolboxes. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, in closed mode. 
           [0034]      FIG. 3   a  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent tiers of carriages, according to the present invention, in a state of one open tier. 
           [0035]      FIG. 3   b  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of one tier of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having telescopic walls, according to the present invention, in a state of one open tier. 
           [0036]      FIG. 3   c  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of telescopic support member of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent tiers of carriages, according to the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 4  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent tiers of carriages, according to the present invention, in a state of two open tiers. 
           [0038]      FIG. 5   a  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having two pairs of support members between every two tiers of adjacent carriages, according to the present invention, in a state of a partially open top tier. 
           [0039]      FIG. 5   b  is a top schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a toolbox, having two opening handles, according to the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 6   a  is a side schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, with two open tiers. 
           [0041]      FIG. 6   b  is a geometrical side view schematic illustration of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, with each first support member divided into two different length segments. 
           [0042]      FIG. 6   c  is a geometrical side view schematic illustration of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, with each first support member divided into two equal lengths. 
           [0043]      FIG. 7   a  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a top tier of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, with the option of adding stretching springs. 
           [0044]      FIG. 7   b  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a top tier of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, with the optional addition of a rotational handle. 
           [0045]      FIG. 7   c  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a ratchet device of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, with the optional addition of ratchet device. 
           [0046]      FIG. 8   a  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, in an open mode, without carriages. 
           [0047]      FIG. 8   b  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, in a transitional state, without carriages. 
           [0048]      FIG. 9   a  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, in a folded state with carriages. 
           [0049]      FIG. 9   b  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, in open mode, with carriages. 
           [0050]      FIG. 10   a  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a horizontal shelf of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention. 
           [0051]      FIG. 10   b  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of an horizontal shelf and vertical shelf, of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention. 
           [0052]      FIG. 10   c  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of an horizontal shelf and vertical shelf, of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers according to the present invention, in a transitional state. 
           [0053]      FIG. 10   d  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of an horizontal shelf and vertical shelf, of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent tiers of carriages, according to the present invention, in open mode. 
           [0054]      FIG. 11  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, in open mode, with carriages. 
           [0055]      FIG. 12  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, serving as a hanging device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0056]    The present invention is of a portable foldable multi carriage device. The principles and operation of portable foldable multi carriage devices according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description. 
         [0057]    Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. 
         [0058]    Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The materials, dimensions, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting. 
         [0059]    The following list is a legend of the numbering of the application illustrations:
         10  sewing kit     11  trays     12  parallel link members     13  pivots     18  tier     19  telescopic walls box     20  toolbox     20   u  topside     20   l  underside     21   a  first support member     21   b  second support member     21   c  third support member     22   a  first telescopic support member     22   b  second telescopic support member     23  locking pin     24  long shaft     25  short shaft     26  side wheel     27  carrying handle     28  first lock     29  opening handle     30  balancing member     31  cover     32  groove     33  flat spring     34  central wheel     35  stretching spring     36  cogwheel     37  cog track     38  rotational handle     39  ratchet mechanism     40  first base member     41  second base member     42  opening     43  second lock     44  horizontal shelf     45  vertical shelf     46  main diagonal shelf     47  secondary diagonal shelf     48  pin     49  locking hole     50  lamp     51  post     100   a  portable foldable multi carriage device, having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers     100   b  portable foldable multi carriages device, having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers       
 
         [0105]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 2  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a , having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, in closed mode. 
         [0106]    The portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a  shown in the present illustration includes three tiers of toolboxes  20 , when the bottom two are at the same height, while the top one is of a smaller height, and has an optional cover  31 , shown slightly open, and an additionally optional carrying handle  27 . 
         [0107]    The illustration shows second support members  21   b , whose purpose will be explained in the following, between every two tiers. The illustration also shows first locks  28 , which can be optionally installed on the sides of toolboxes  20 , and are designed to prevent the portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a  from opening when being carried by a hand holding carrying handle  27 . 
         [0108]      FIG. 3   a  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a , having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent tiers of carriages, according to the present invention, in a state of one open tier. 
         [0109]    Each first support member  21   a  is connected at each of its ends by means of a shaft to toolbox  20 . 
         [0110]    One such connection is magnified in the circle on the right side of the illustration, which shows the tip of a short shaft  25 . Through both centers of each pair of first support members  21   a  passes a long shaft  24 , which also passes through each pair of second support members  21   b , though not necessarily through the center. At the end of each second support member  21   b  is a wheel or other sliding mechanism, as will be described in the following. 
         [0111]    A second support member  21   b  is characterized with both of its ends being free. 
         [0112]    As used herein the specification and in the claims section that follows, the term “free support member end” and the like refer to ends that are connected neither to any carriage nor to any other support member not of the same pair, and at most will have a side wheel on a shaft or some other sliding device, engaged within a groove of a carriage, such as a toolbox. 
         [0113]    At one end of the bottom toolbox  20 , there can be a support mechanism, of various types including the type presented for example in the present illustration, in which the support mechanism includes two retractable balancing members  30  disposed on the underside of the bottom toolbox  20 . 
         [0114]      FIG. 3   b  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of one tier of a portable foldable multi carriage device, having telescopic walls box  19 , according to the present invention, in a state of one open tier. A telescopic walls box  19  can be added into the toolbox  20  when the portable foldable multi carriage device ( 100   a ), having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, is folded, and it can be pulled upwards as shown in the present illustration thus increasing the storage volume. 
         [0115]    The telescopic walls box  19  can be kept pulled out by means of pins, not shown in the illustration, by means of friction between walls, or by any other means. 
         [0116]      FIG. 3   c  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of telescopic support member of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a , having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent tiers of carriages, according to the present invention. 
         [0117]    The normal maximum gap that can be achieved between two adjacent tiers is limited as a result of the length of the relevant first support member  21   a , which is practically no longer than the length dimension of toolbox  20 . 
         [0118]    To achieve a gap between two tiers which is larger than the length of first support member  21   a , portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a  has a first support member  21   a  and a second support member  21   b , which are halved and respectively disposed within a first telescopic support member  22   a  and a second telescopic support member  22   b  so that their lengths can be adjusted when creating the gap between two adjacent toolboxes  20  and fixed by means of locking pins  23 . 
         [0119]      FIG. 4  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a , having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent tiers of carriages, according to the present invention, in a state of two open tiers  18 . Each tier  18  also includes, one toolbox  20 . The circle on the right side of the illustration shows a magnified side wheel  26 , resting on the topside  20   u  of tool-box  20 . 
         [0120]    Side wheel  26  is also installed near the second tip of the second support member  21   b , and it takes part in supporting the toolbox  20  above it, by contact with the toolbox&#39;s underside  20   l.    
         [0121]      FIG. 5   a  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a , having two pairs of support members between every two tiers of adjacent carriages, according to the present invention, in a state of a partially open top tier. The window on the right side of the present illustration shows a side wheel  26  within groove  32 , which is disposed near the topside  20   u  of toolbox  20 , as another option. 
         [0122]    Groove  32  can also be disposed next to the underside  20   l  of toolbox  20 , and can contain an additional side wheel  26 . 
         [0123]    The circle on the left side shows a magnification of a flat spring  33 , which can be connected at one of its ends to first support member  21   a  and serves both to assist in providing pushing force when opening as well as to soften the impact that may be occur between two adjacent toolboxes  20  when closing. 
         [0124]    There is an optional opening handle  29 , mounted on one wall of one of the toolboxes  20 , which serves as a manual grasping point when opening. Additional opening handles  29  can be mounted on additional walls. 
         [0125]      FIG. 5   b  is a top schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a toolbox  20 , having two opening handles  19 , according to the present invention. 
         [0126]    According to the present invention, an opening handle  19  can be assembled to any of the walls of toolbox  20  and be positioned and quantified such that the opening is optimally efficient for the structure of the portable foldable multi carriage device. 
         [0127]      FIG. 6   a  is a side schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a , having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, with two open tiers. In the present illustration the angle between the lower toolbox  20  and the second support member  21   b , which is marked as beta, is 90 degrees, and the gap achieved between both toolboxes  20  is at its maximum possible. This maximum possible distance, is the shortest distance of the state shown in the illustration, between both toolboxes  20  practically, for small alpha angle and small side radius wheel  26 , equals the distance between the shafts on both ends of the first support member  21   a , practically equals the length of the toolboxes  20 , and is marked as a. 
         [0128]    In the present illustration, the joint rotation shaft of the first support member  21   a  and the second support member  21   b  divides the first support member  21   a  into two equal lengths and divides the second support member  21   b  into two parts of uneven lengths, a lower part marked as d and a longer upper part marked as c. As a result, when the underside of the bottom toolbox  20  is on a horizontal plane, the underside of the toolbox  20  one tier above it is at an angle marked as alpha relative to the horizon, and there is a horizontal deviation between both toolboxes  20 , marked as b. The angle alpha can also be measured between two undersides  20   l.    
         [0129]      FIG. 6   b  is a geometrical side view schematic illustration of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a , having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, with each second support member  21   b  divided into two different length segments, namely c≠d while the length of each first support member  21   a  is divided into two equal length segments, namely the length of each segment is practically a/2. As a result, the angle alpha between every toolbox  20  and the horizon, is larger the higher the tier. These alpha angles can be controlled according to the purpose requirements, by determining the lengths and divisions of every pair of second support members  21   b.    
         [0130]      FIG. 6   c  is a geometrical side view schematic illustration of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a , having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, with each second support member  21   b  divided into two equal lengths, namely d=c. As a result, in any open state all undersides of the toolboxes  20  remain parallel. This geometrical description is accurate on the condition that the topside  20   u  of each toolbox  20  is parallel to its underside  20   l.    
         [0131]      FIG. 7   a  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a top tier of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a , having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention. This illustration shows the option of adding stretching springs  35  to facilitate opening of the portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a.    
         [0132]    The stretching springs  35  are installed underneath tool-box  20 . Each stretching spring  35  is connected at one end to the underside of a tool-box  20  and at its other end, as magnified in the circle on the left side of the illustration, to a long shaft  24 , which connects the ends of a pair of second support members  21   b . Furthermore, additional support can be gained by adding one or more wheels, such as a central wheel  34 , mounted on a long shaft  24 . 
         [0133]      FIG. 7   b  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a top tier of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a , having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention. This illustration shows the optional addition of a rotational handle  38 , in this specific case even in addition to stretching springs  35 , to facilitate opening of the portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a . The magnified circle on the left side shows that the underside of tool-box  20 , in this case the topmost one, has an attached cog track  37 , and the long shaft  24  has a corresponding mounted cogwheel  36 . One end of long shaft  24  is attached to the rotational handle  38 , so that manual rotation of the handle rotates the long shaft  24 , which in turn rotates the cogwheel  36 , moving it along the cog track  37 . 
         [0134]      FIG. 7   c  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a ratchet mechanism  39  of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a , having two pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention. To prevent unwanted closing of portable foldable multi carriage device  100   a , a ratchet mechanism  39  can be mounted on the long shaft  24  and on the corresponding second support member  21   b.    
         [0135]      FIG. 8   a  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   b , having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, in an open mode, without carriages. In this configuration, the third support member  21   c  and the first support member  21   a  are connected at their edges by means of a long shaft  24  and the first support member  21   a  is connected to a second support member  21   b  by means of a short shaft  25 . 
         [0136]    In order to achieve increased strength and structural stability, a parallel and corresponding additional first support member  21   a  can be added to each first support member  21   a , as shown in the present illustration. 
         [0137]    The lower end of the bottom first support member  21   a  is connected, by means of a long shaft  24 , to a first base member  40 , which is connected, by means of another long shaft  24 , to a second base member  41 , which is connected by means of yet another long shaft  24  to the first support member  21   a  and to a third support member  21   c.    
         [0138]      FIG. 8   b  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   b , having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, in a transitional state, without carriages. The illustration shows that the second support members  21   b  ends are free. 
         [0139]    The upper circle shows a magnification of the connection by means of a short shaft  25 . The lower circle shows a magnification of the option of disconnecting one end of the second base member  41  from a long shaft  24  by means of opening  42 . This option enables compact folding, also of the bottom part of the portable foldable multi carriage device  100   b.    
         [0140]      FIG. 9   a  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   b , having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, in a folded state with carriages. Every tier has one horizontal shelf  44  and one vertical shelf  45 , which is in the present state also practically horizontal. 
         [0141]      FIG. 9   b  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   b , having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, in open mode, with carriages. Every tier has one horizontal shelf  44  and one vertical shelf  45 . 
         [0142]    The illustration shows a tier  18  which also includes one horizontal shelf  44  and one vertical shelf  45 . 
         [0143]    The circle on the left side shows an option for locking third support member  21   c  with two second support members  21   b , which has a U-shaped cross section, by means of second lock  43 . 
         [0144]    The transitions from open mode, as shown in the previous illustration, to open mode, as shown in the present illustration, and back can be done with the portable foldable multi carriage device  100   b  lying on the ground. 
         [0145]      FIG. 10   a  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a horizontal shelf  44  of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   b , having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention. 
         [0146]    The horizontal shelf  44  is connected at one end to long shaft  24 , while on the opposite end is at least one pin  48 , magnified in the circle underneath. Pin  48  serves to connect and disconnect horizontal shelf  44  and a vertical shelf not shown in the present illustration. 
         [0147]      FIG. 10   b  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of an horizontal shelf  44  and vertical shelf  45 , of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   b , having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention. Vertical shelf  45  is connected on one end to another long shaft  24 . Near its opposite end, is engraved at least one locking hole  49 , which during locking is engaged with pin  48 . In the present illustration the horizontal shelf  44  and vertical shelf  45  are in folded mode, with the vertical shelf  45  resting upon the horizontal shelf  44 . In order to achieve compact folding, the vertical shelf  45  can be made of a strong material which is thin relative to the thickness of the horizontal shelf  44 . 
         [0148]      FIG. 10   c  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of an horizontal shelf  44  and vertical shelf  45 , of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   b , having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers according to the present invention. 
         [0149]    The horizontal shelf  44  and vertical shelf  45  are in a transitional state. 
         [0150]      FIG. 10   d  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of an horizontal shelf  44  and vertical shelf  45 , of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   b , having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent tiers of carriages, according to the present invention. 
         [0151]    The horizontal shelf  44  and the vertical shelf  45  are in open mode, locked to each other by engagement of at least one pin ( 48 ), not shown in the present illustration, with locking hole  49 . As shown in the circle on the right side, the thickness of the vertical shelf  45 , which is marked dv, can be small relative to the thickness of the horizontal shelf  44 , which is marked dh. 
         [0152]      FIG. 11  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   b , having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, in open mode, with carriages. In the configuration shown in the present illustration, the carriages are main diagonal shelves  46  and secondary diagonal shelves  47 . Each main diagonal shelf  46  is attached to a second support member  21   b . Each secondary diagonal shelf  47  is practically perpendicular to main diagonal shelf  46 , attached to its bottom end. 
         [0153]    The illustration shows a tier  18 , which also includes one main diagonal shelf  46 , and one secondary diagonal shelf  47 . 
         [0154]    The lower part of each one of the second most lower support members  21   b  is shorter than its upper part, for the purpose of geometrical compatibility with the location of a first base member  40 , in open mode. 
         [0155]      FIG. 12  is an isometric schematic illustration of an illustrative, exemplary embodiment of a portable foldable multi carriage device  100   b , having three pairs of support members between every two adjacent carriage tiers, according to the present invention, serving as a hanging device. In this function, portable foldable multi carriage device  100   b  can be installed horizontally, for example, without shelves, between two posts  51 , and loads such as lamps  50  can be placed upon it or hung from it for purposes such as lighting a theater stage. 
         [0156]    Note that long shaft  24  and the short shaft  25  enable rotational movement between various items connected with them. 
         [0157]    While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.