CASE RISER

Description

FIELD OF THE TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates generally to a riser, and more particularly to a case riser for stacking and storing of modular cases. Even more particularly, the disclosure may include a case riser for stacking and storing cases housing emergency response or similar materials and equipment.

BACKGROUND

Cases for transport and storage of emergency response materials are necessarily rugged and large. Such cases are often also heavy and can require lots of storage space. To save space, such cases are often stacked. One of the problems is that stacking can require a lot of manpower or a forklift for stacking and unstacking the cases. Further, the cases may be stacked in multiple levels. While cases may be designed to stack one on top of another, that can cause challenges when stacking multiple cases that may be over the users reach and/or when the weight of the case requires mechanical assistance to lift, transport, access, and/or store.

Also, stacking in a safe manner so that the cases are easy to access and stacked safely, so as not to fall or dislodge can be a challenge and a safety hazard.

Therefore, Applicants desire systems, apparatus, and methods for a case riser to improve case storage and transport, without the drawbacks presented by the traditional systems and methods.

SUMMARY

In accordance with the present disclosure, case riser devices, systems, and methods are provided for stacking, storage and transport of cases. This disclosure provides improved systems, kits, and devices that are cost efficient, convenient, space efficient, and safe, particularly when used to store emergency response material cases and the like.

One embodiment of the present disclosure includes a case riser for storing and transport of emergency response equipment in stacked cases. A case riser may include, in some embodiments, a case riser body, at least a set of legs, a top surface and a lower surface, a set of ends and/or a set of sides.

A case riser may include an opening forming an underspace. A case riser may include projections along the top surface. Interior channels may be included within at least a portion of the projections. Interior channels not located within the projections may be included in the case riser. The case riser may include a projection indent.

At least portions of a selected shape of the projections and the projection indent may correspond with one another. The projection indents may be formed in the legs.

The case riser may include an exterior offset in certain examples. The case riser may include recesses in the case riser body. An underspace may be formed in the case riser body that is sized to accommodate a forklift interaction and forms a pocket. The pocket may be a forklift pocket.

In other embodiments, a case riser system may include one or more case risers. The case riser system may include one or more cases. The case riser in the case riser system may be aligned in parallel along a top or bottom, and/or top and bottom of one or more cases. The one or more case risers may be separated one from another along a case surface. The separation between the case risers along a case surface may include a hollow space between each of the case risers.

Embodiments may also include a case riser kit according to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. A case riser kit may include one or more cases and one or more case risers. The case riser kit may include a case riser system.

Embodiments may also include a method for storing and transport of cases according to any of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Example may also include a method including providing a forklift pocket for accommodating a forklift interaction. A set of cases may be stored in a vertical alignment without the surfaces of at least a portion of the cases touching due to a case riser. One, two, or more accesses may be provided for forklift interaction between cases. A case may be raised above the floor and stored or transported in a manner including a case riser to raise the bottom case surface off of the floor surface. A second case may be stacked apart but upon the first case without directly touching the two cases, the cases being separated by the case riser/s.

The above summary was intended to summarize certain embodiments of the present disclosure. Embodiments will be set forth in more detail in the figures and description of embodiments below. It will be apparent, however, that the description of embodiments is not intended to limit the present inventions, the scope of which should be properly determined by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure. The drawings may contain representations of various trademarks and copyrights owned by the Applicant. In addition, the drawings may contain other marks owned by third parties and are being used for illustrative purposes only. All rights to various trademarks and copyrights represented herein, except those belonging to their respective owners, are vested in and the property of the Applicant. The Applicant retains and reserves all rights in its trademarks and copyrights included herein, and grants permission to reproduce the material only in connection with reproduction of the granted patent and for no other purpose.

The drawings, photographs, pictures, and the like may contain text or captions that may explain certain embodiments of the present disclosure. This text is included for illustrative, non-limiting, explanatory purposes of certain examples and elements detailed in the present disclosure.

Embodiments of the disclosure will be better understood by a reading of the Description of Embodiments along with a review of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a side perspective view of a case riser according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a top view of a case riser according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 1C is an end view of a case riser according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 1D is a side view of a case riser according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 1E is another perspective view of a case riser according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 1F is a bottom perspective view of a case riser according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an end perspective view of a case riser system according an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the case riser system according to FIG. 2 assembled according to one example of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a close up view of the case riser of FIG. 1 in use according to one example of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a close up end perspective view of the case riser of FIG. 1 in use according to one example of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an alternate side perspective view of the case riser of FIG. 1 according to one example of the disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a case riser system according to FIG. 2 of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is an alternative side perspective view of the case riser of FIG. 1 according to one example of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a bottom perspective view of the case riser of FIG. 8 according to one example of the disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an alternative bottom perspective view of the case riser of FIG. 8 with layers removed according to one example of the disclosure;

FIG. 11 is an alternative bottom perspective view of the case riser of FIG. 8 according to one example of the disclosure;

FIG. 12A is a cut away side perspective view of the case riser of FIG. 8 according to one example of the disclosure;

FIGS. 12B-C are cross sectional side views of the case riser of FIG. 8, cross-sectioned at different along the side at differing depths, according to one example of the disclosure;

FIGS. 13A and 13 B are cross-sectional end views of the case riser of FIG. 8 according to one example of the disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a case riser according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a side perspective view of an alternative case riser system according an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the case riser system of FIG. 15 according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “forward,” “rearward,” “left,” “right,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

It will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art that the present disclosure has broad utility and application. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the disclosure and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified may be considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, photographs, pictures, and the like. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While many embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1F and to the drawings in general, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the disclosure or any invention thereto. In FIG. 1A, a case riser 10 is shown embodied according to the present disclosure. A case riser 10 may include a case riser body 12, legs 18, a top surface 20, a lower surface 21, ends 15, 15′, and sides 14, 14′. FIGS. 1B-1F show various views of a case riser 10.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show an example of a case riser system 100 including at least one case 2 and a set of case risers 10. The case 2 includes a case top 5, case sides 4, case ends 3 and a case bottom 6. The case 2 is typically designed to hold and store equipment. In some examples, the case 2 may be a modular case, designed for containing and storing for transport emergency services and response equipment and materials.

In one embodiment, a case 2 may be a modular case having an interlocking top, and/or bottom. The case 2 top 5 and/or bottom 6 may interlock one with another. More than one case 2 may stack one with another. The interlocking top 5 and bottom 5 design may allow more secure stacking and storing. The cases 2 may, by way of example, be rotationally molded. The cases 2 may include plastic inserts to eliminate leak paths. The cases 2 may protect contents from the elements, and be dustproof, water-resistant, and/or prevent corrosion and buildup of hazardous materials. The case 2 may include external hardware. The interiors of the cases 2 may include 90 degree angled walls to maximize interior volume and stacking efficiency. To appreciate the case situations the cases structured to and may endure, they are often used by fire, law enforcement, search and rescue, emergency response, and military during training, deployment and crisis calls, such as experienced in rapidly deployable disasters. Exemplary case specifications may include, exterior dimensions or around 37.38×25×24 in (94.93×63.50×60.96 cm) to at least 101.13×25×24 in (256.86×63.50×60.96 cm), interior dimensions of around 34.10×22.80×22.13 in (86.61×57.91×56.20 cm) to at least 97.90×22.80×22.13 in (248.66×57.91×56.20 cm) and case weights of around 54 lb (24.5 kg) to at least 120 lb (54.4 kg).

The dimensions and structure of the cases 2 make safe, space efficient, durable, and quick storage between deployments challenging. Case risers 10 are structured to be as rugged and durable as these cases 2 to be able to safely aid in secure, space saving storage and access.

Case risers 10, in some embodiments, are structured to fit with cases 2 both under and between the cases to allow for stacking of the cases. Case riser 10 may include projections 30. Projections 30 may take on a variety of dimensions and shapes.

By way of example, and as shown in FIG. 1A-1F, the projections 30 may be octagonal, having 8 sides. The projections may take on any shape, by way of example, square, round, oval, etc. The case riser 10 may include on a lower surface corresponding projection indents 45 (see for example FIG. 9), that correspond to the shape selected X for the projections 45. The projection indents 45 may be partials of the perimeter of the projection 30 shape selected X. By way of example, and as seen in FIG. 9, the projection indents 45 may take on one-half of the perimeter shape of the projection 30 (here seen as 4 sides of an octogen. The projection 30 may be located on a case riser top surface 20. The projection indent 45 may be located on a leg 18 lower surface. The projections 30 on a first case riser 10 located on a top surface 20 may correspond in both shape and location and align with projection indents 45 on a leg 18 lower surface of a second case riser 10 (and/or in a lower surface of case riser 10). The projection 30 and projection indent 45 having corresponding shapes, locations and/or dimensions, allows a first case riser 10 to mate securely with a second case riser 10. This same alignment allows the projections 30, projections indent 45, to have a shaping, alignment and shape selected X to not only correspond and mate with each other but also to match the projection shaping found on the cases 2 the case riser 10 is mating with and securely stacking.

In some examples, the projections 30 and projections indent 45 may be opposite in nature, such that, the top surface 20 may have projection indents 45 and the projections 30 may occur on a lower surface 21 and/or leg 18 of case riser 10. It is also contemplated that the projections 30 and/or projection indents 45 mate with shape selected X by accepting and mating portions of the case 2 between the projections 30 and settling a shape selected X between the projections for securing a case surface with a case riser surface. In other examples, the case riser projections, any projection indents 45, and/or case projections 5′ need not coordinate or match, for example, in size shaping, perimeter dimension and/or alignment.

Case riser 10 may include two or more legs 18. Legs 18 on opposite ends 15, 15′ may be separated by an opening 22. The opening 22 may form an underspace 23. Opening 22 may form a bridge along the lower surface 21 side of the case riser 10. The underspace 23 may extend, by way of example, from one side 14 of the case riser 10 to the other side 14′.

FIG. 3 shows, in one example, case risers 10 in case riser system 100 stacking cases 2 in a vertical fashion. Case risers 10 may be spaced apart one from another along the bottom or top of the cases 2 and may raise the case off of the floor surface and/or above another case 2. Spacing between the risers along a case surface allows forklift interaction for stacking the cases. The underspace 23, when the case riser 10 is oriented lengthwise L with end 15, 15′ matching with case sides 4, also provides another, second, forklift interaction space with use of the case risers 10.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show examples of close up views of a case riser 10 nested between two cases 2. Case top projections 5′, in this example, mate with the projection indents 45 along a case top surface 5 and the case legs 18. The case riser top surface 20 provides a surface to securely support the bottom of the top situated case 2. The case riser top surface 20 may be a flat surface. The case riser top surface 20 may have a raised ledge at the ends 15, 15′ to guide the top situated case to settle between the ends. The case top surface may include projections 30. The case top surface may include projection indents 45.

The opening 22 may include an edge 26 (see also FIG. 8). The edge may be a chamfered edge. The edge may be an edge set about on a 45 degree angle (with about representing being within 5 degrees above or below 45 degrees). The edge may be any edge that prevents a 90 degree corner along the opening at the angle between the case body 12 and the leg 18. An edge may guide a forklift blade toward the underspace 23 during a forklift interaction with the case riser 10/case 2.

Turning to FIG. 6, a case riser 10 may include interior channels 40 formed in the projections 30. Interior channels 40 may serve to strengthen the overall case riser with additional surface area supports. Case riser 10 may include interior channels not located in the projections 40′. Likewise, interior channels 40′ may provide additional strength and durability to the case riser 10, increasing the load potential without break of the case riser 10.

FIG. 7 shows one example of a case riser system 100 where cases 2 are situated on pallets along a floor surface and then case risers 10 are employed and spaced between cases 2 for stacking.

A case riser 10 may include an exterior offset 42, referencing FIGS. 8 and 9. An exterior offset 42 may extend from a lower surface 21. An exterior offset, in one example, may extend between opposite edges 26. An exterior offset may extend the length of the lower surface 21 and terminate at the edges 26. There may be one or more exterior offsets 42. Exterior offsets 42 may increase the durability and strength of case riser 10. Exterior offsets 42 may increase the load strength of case riser 10. In some embodiments, a case riser 10 may include interior channels 40 and/or 40′ and exterior offsets. The interior channels 40 and/or 40′ may be located in alternating positioning across the width of the case riser side 14 to side 14′.

In some embodiments, interior channels 40/40′ may not extend all the way through from a top surface 20 to a lower surface 21. Dimples may be formed as shown in FIG. 11. The dimples may be recesses formed in the lower surface 21 that recess toward the interior channels 40/40′. The dimples may or may not align with the interior channels 40/40′. The dimples may serve to provide added wall strength.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show embodiments of case riser 10. Case riser 10 may include an interior channel 40′ in legs 18. One or more recesses 28 may be located along the ends 15, 15′ and/or sides 14, 14′ of case riser 10.

FIGS. 12A-12C show examples of a cross sectional view along the length of a case riser 10 with the edge 26, underspace 23, interior channels 40, 40′ structures clearly shown in the interior of an example of case riser 10. FIGS. 13A-13B show examples of a cross sectional view along a width of one embodiment of a case riser 10, with projections 30 and interior channels 40, 40′ shown in the body of case riser 10.

Various embodiments of case riser 10 and a case riser system 100 are shown in FIGS. 14-16.

A case riser 10, in some examples, may be considered a riser compatible with vertical stacking of cases. The case riser 10 may allow picking of cases by a forklift from two different directions. The case riser 10 may allow picking of cases by a forklift from two different locations along the same plane. The underspace 23 may be considered a forklift pocket. The space between case risers 10 in a case riser system 100 may be considered a forklift pocket.

Examples of a case riser 10 may include an exemplary height establishing a space between stacked cases of between 4 inches and 5 inches. In some examples, the height of the case riser from top to bottom (projection to leg bottom surface for example) of 5 inches or less. Other heights are considered within the scope of this disclosure. Consideration on a case riser 10 may be given to a height that allows forklift interaction between boxes (often difficult with boxes stacked directly upon one another), but that does not include excess height resulting in wasted space between cases.

Some case riser 10 examples, may include a double row structure (see FIG. 1). A first row may form a top surface portion along the length l and a second row may form a lower surface portion along the length L that is merged one with another.

Examples may include a case riser 10 structured to form a stacking space between stacked cases 2 so that the two cases do not touch surfaces.

Methods of stacking cases 2 according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. Methods of separating and supporting stacked cases are considered withing the scope of the embodiments. Methods of palleting cases for storage are also within the scope of the disclosure.

Embodiments may include a kit for stacking cases including at least one case 2 and at least one case riser 10 according to any of the embodiments disclosed herein. Case riser kits may include a case riser system.

In some embodiments, a cart riser may be considered a riser that does not extend the full length of a case the riser supports. The cart riser may extend from one side to another side of the case being supported. In some instances, the case riser may extend from one end of a case to the opposite end of a case. The case riser may, in this example, extend less than the full end to end length of the case. More than one care riser may be used in cooperation to support a case.

Those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure will recognize that a variety of configurations, shaping and sizing of the case risers 10 and any number of case risers 10 in a case riser system 100, along with other examples including a variety of case and coordinating case riser overall shapes, styles, and sizes for the convenience of its user are contemplated. It is to be further understood that case riser 10 and case riser system 100 may also be employed and useful during transport of cases 2. It is also contemplated that a case riser could be structured to extend any portion of up to and including the full length and width of a case surface, such that one case riser would support and form a space between a first case and a second case, etc. A case riser 10 may extend beyond the dimensions of a case 2.

A forklift interaction, in one example, may be considered stacking one and/or a set of cases in a manner that allows them to be placed and picked by way of a forklift. Forklift prongs may be allowed to fit around, above and/or under the cases and/or case risers allowing forklift interaction.

Embodiments may include ornamental design elements for a case riser.

Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of structure and function. Many of the novel features are pointed out in the appended claims. The disclosure, however, is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts, within the principle of the disclosure, to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the general claims are expressed. It is further noted that, as used in this application, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent.