Portable table and carrier for construction plans

Abstract

A case has a main body with a plan storage compartment for holding a set of construction plans and one or more accessory storage boxes. A lid is hinged to the main body and is movable between a closed position to cover and protect the set of plans in the plan storage compartment, and an open position to allow viewing of the plans. Binder clips at opposite ends of the plan storage compartment secure the set of plans in place and a strap on the underside of the lid holds turned pages of the plans when the lid is open, thereby permitting individual pages of the plans to be easily viewed while the entire set of plans is secured in place and held open to a selected page. A recessed area on the underside of the main body accommodates folding leg members which are operable between a collapsed position, in concealed relation within the recessed area, and an extended position to support the case in a horizontal, elevated position above the floor, forming a table. A carry handle and shoulder strap are provided on the case for ease of transport.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 527,549, filed Dec. 5, 2004 under 35 U.S.C. 119(e).FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a carry case which converts to a table and, more particularly, to a portable case which holds a set of construction plans and accessory devices, such as pens, pencils, rulers, calculators and the like, and wherein the carry case is provided with extendable legs to form a table. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The construction of a building or home often involves a general contractor, along with numerous subcontractors such as framers, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, roofers and window installers. All of these individuals require a set of construction plans (e.g. blueprints) which provide the details of construction for the building, and particularly the specifications relating to each phase of construction. Each of the subcontractors will usual...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] The present invention is directed to a portable table and carrier device for transporting and reading construction plans (e.g. blueprints). The device includes a case with a main body having a plan storage compartment for holding one or more sets of construction plans in a flat position. The main body is further provided with one or more accessory storage boxes or compartments, each having an access door which hinges open to permit placement and removal of accessory items such as pens, pencils, rulers and the like which are stored in the compartments. A lid is hinged to the main body and is movable between a closed position to cover and protect the set of plans in the plan storage compartment, and an open position to allow viewing of the plans. Binder clips at opposite ends of the plan storage compartment secure the set of plans in place. A strap on the underside of the lid holds the turned pages of the plans when the lid is open, thereby permitting individual pages of the plans to be easily viewed while the entire set of plans is secured in place and held open to the selected page.

[0006] A recessed area on the underside of the main body accommodates folding leg members which are operable between a collapsed position, in concealed relation within the recessed area, and an extended position to support the case in a horizontal, elevated position above the floor, thereby providing a table for conveniently reading the plans. With the legs extended, the device can be used as a portable table for other purposes, such as eating meals, typing on a laptop computer or doing paperwork. A carry handle and shoulder strap are provided on the main body of the case for ease of carrying and transport.

[0007] With the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a device for carrying a set of construction plans, or multiple sets of plans, within a protective compartment which keeps the plans concealed and dry, and wherein the device converts to a table to facilitate ease of reading the plans at a construction site or other field location.

Problems solved by technology

Due to the harsh nature of construction sites, it is often difficult to find a suitable work surface which allows the plans to be opened, spread flat and easily viewed.

When working outdoors or in open structures, gusts of wind make it difficult to hold the plans open to any particular page.

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