Transport cage with enclosed case

• US 7,004,365 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2003
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Joseph T. Ingram
• Original Assignee: Joseph T. Ingram
• Inventors: Ingram, Joseph T.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, TRI M
• Application Number:
  US10/441,019
• Publication Number:
  US 20040232182A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,015 Days
• Field of Search: 224/401, 224403-405, 224/328, 224/319, 224/309, 224/566, 224/527, 224/314, 224/42.33, 224/42.34, 220/485, 220/23.91, 220/23.87, 220/730, 220/668
• US Class Current: 224/401
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/14 for supporting weapons
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/055 Enclosure-type carriers, e.g. containers, boxes B60R9/048 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/065 Enclosure-type carriers, e.g. trunks
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 33/06 Containers for carrying smallarms, e.g. safety boxes, gun cases F41C33/02 takes precedence

Abstract

A transport cage (“cage”) and enclosed case combination, wherein the cage is adapted to attach to a vehicle rack where the cage functions simultaneously as a transport container and as a supplemental rack. The cage comprises a first and second tubular framework respectively defining an open box (“box”) and a lid. The lid can move between an open and closed position with respect to the box. In the preferred embodiment the cage is designed to accommodate a rifle case. At least one connector enables the cage to be connected to a vehicle rack. The first or second tubular framework enable additional items to be attached to the cage such that the cage acts as a supplemental rack. The cage and case combination is particularly suited to carrying additional items on an ATV rack thereby extending the carrying capacity of an ATV rack.

Claims

1. A transportation apparatus adapted to carry items therein and function as a supplemental rack for attaching further items thereto, comprising:

a cage having a first tubular framework and a second tubular framework respectively defining an open box and a lid, wherein the lid moves between an open and closed position with respect to the box, wherein when the lid is in a closed position the lid and box collectively define an internal storage space for carrying at least one item therein, and wherein the lid and box collectively define a supplemental rack suitable for attaching other items thereto;

said first tubular framework consisting of first and second ends, first and second lateral sides, said first and second ends and said first and second lateral sides defining a rectangular form, a plurality of first members extending between said first and second ends, and parallel to said lateral sides, a plurality of second members extending between said first and second lateral sides, and parallel to said ends, said first and second members intersecting and forming a grid within said rectangular form;

said second tubular framework consisting of pair of first ends and a pair of second ends, a pair of first lateral sides, and a pair of second lateral sides, said pair of first ends being parallel and vertically spaced apart by a predetermined distance, said pair of second ends being parallel and vertically spaced apart by said predetermined distance, said pair of first lateral sides being parallel and vertically spaced apart by said predetermined distance, said pair of second lateral sides being parallel and vertically spaced apart by said predetermined distance, and a plurality of spacer rods extending periodically and perpendicularly between each pair of first ends, each pair of second ends, each pair of first lateral sides, and each pair of second lateral sides, said spacers defining said predetermined distance;

the upper of said pair of first ends, the upper of said pair of second ends, the upper of said pair of first lateral, and the upper of said pair of second lateral sides defining an upper rectangular form, the lower of said pair of first ends, the lower of said pair of second ends, the lower of said pair of first lateral, and the lower of said pair of second lateral sides defining a lower rectangular form, a plurality of first members extending between the lower of said pair of first ends and said pair of second ends, and parallel to the lower of said lateral sides, a plurality of second members extending between the lower of said pair of first lateral sides and the lower of said pair of second lateral sides, and parallel to the lower of said ends, said first and second members intersecting and forming a grid within said lower rectangular form;

wherein said rectangular form of said first tubular framework being hingedly coupled to said upper rectangular form of said second tubular framework;

a pair of lock brackets respectively disposed on each of said first and second tubular framework;

whereby when said first tubular framework is in a closed position, said pair of lock brackets are adjacent and adapted to receive a locking mechanism therebetween; and

at least one connector adapted to attach the cage to a vehicle rack, wherein said cage lockingly secures items contained therein and simultaneously provides a capacity for releasably securing a load to the top thereof.

2. The transportation apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a case, wherein the case is sized to fit inside the internal storage space of the cage.

3. The transportation apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a case, wherein the case is sized to fit inside the internal storage space of the cage, wherein the case comprises at least one insert, wherein the at least one insert is made of material able to absorb mechanical shocks and wherein the insert is adapted to secure at least one item inside the case.

4. The transportation apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a case, wherein the case is sized to fit inside the internal storage space of the cage, wherein the case comprises at least one insert, wherein the at least one insert is made of material able to absorb mechanical shocks and wherein the insert is adapted to secure a rifle or parts of a rifle.

5. The transportation apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a case, wherein the case is sized to fit inside the internal storage space of the cage, wherein the case comprises at least one insert, wherein the at least one insert is made of material able to absorb mechanical shocks and wherein the insert is adapted to secure a camera or parts of a camera.

6. The transportation apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a case, wherein the case is sized to fit inside the internal storage space of the cage, wherein the case comprises at least one insert, wherein the at least one insert is made of material able to absorb mechanical shocks and wherein the insert is adapted to secure a pair of binoculars or parts of a pair of binoculars.

7. The transportation apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a case, wherein the case is sized to fit inside the internal storage space of the cage, wherein the case comprises at least one insert, wherein the at least one insert is made of material able to absorb mechanical shocks and wherein the insert is adapted to secure a pair of binoculars or parts of a pair of binoculars, further wherein the first and second tubular frameworks are made of tubes of high strength corrosion resistant material.

8. The transportation apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a case, wherein the case is sized to fit inside the internal storage space of the cage, wherein the case comprises at least one insert, wherein the at least one insert is made of material able to absorb mechanical shocks and wherein the insert is adapted to secure a pair of binoculars or parts of a pair of binoculars, further wherein the first and second tubular frameworks are made of tubes of treated steel selected from the group consisting essentially of chromed steel, zinc coated steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel, and any combination thereof.

9. The transportation apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a case, wherein the case is sized to fit inside the internal storage space of the cage, wherein the case comprises at least one insert, wherein the at least one insert is made of material able to absorb mechanical shocks and wherein the insert is adapted to secure a pair of binoculars or parts of a pair of binoculars, further wherein the first and second tubular frameworks are made of tubes of treated steel selected from the group consisting of:

chromed steel, zinc coated (galvanized) steel, and stainless steel.

10. The transportation apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a case, wherein the case is sized to fit inside the internal storage space of the cage, wherein the case comprises at least one insert, wherein the at least one insert is made of material able to absorb mechanical shocks and wherein the insert is adapted to secure a pair of binoculars or parts of a pair of binoculars, further wherein the first and second tubular frameworks are made of tubes of hollow square or rectangular steel tube sections.

11. The transportation apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a case, wherein the case is sized to fit inside the internal storage space of the cage, wherein the case comprises at least one insert, wherein the at least one insert is made of material able to absorb mechanical shocks and wherein the insert is adapted to secure a pair of binoculars or parts of a pair of binoculars, further wherein the first and second tubular frameworks are made of tubes of metal of circular cross-section.

12. The transportation apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a case, wherein the case is sized to fit inside the internal storage space of the cage, wherein the case comprises at least one insert, wherein the at least one insert is made of material able to absorb mechanical shocks and wherein the insert is adapted to secure a pair of binoculars or parts of a pair of binoculars, further wherein the first and second tubular frameworks are made of polymer for lightness, strength, and resistance to weathering.

13. A transportation apparatus for carrying items on a rack attached to an all terrain vehicle rack, comprising:

a cage having a first tubular framework and a second tubular framework respectively defining an open box and a lid, wherein the lid moves between an open and closed position with respect to the box, wherein when the lid is in a closed position the lid and box collectively define an internal storage space for carrying at least one item therein, and wherein the lid and box collectively define a supplemental rack suitable for attaching other items thereto;

said first tubular framework consisting of first and second ends, first and second lateral sides, said first and second ends and said first and second lateral sides defining a rectangular form, a plurality of first members extending between said first and second ends. and parallel to said lateral sides, a plurality of second members extending between said first and second lateral sides, and parallel to said ends, said first and second members intersecting and forming a grid within said rectangular form;

said second tubular framework consisting of pair of first ends and a pair of second ends, a pair of first lateral sides, and a pair of second lateral sides, said pair of first ends being parallel and vertically spaced apart by a predetermined distance, said pair of second ends being parallel and vertically spaced apart by said predetermined distance, said pair of first lateral sides being parallel and vertically spaced apart by said predetermined distance, said pair of second lateral sides being parallel and vertically spaced apart by said predetermined distance, and a plurality of spacer rods extending periodically and perpendicularly between each pair of first ends, each pair of second ends, each pair of first lateral sides, and each pair of second lateral sides, said spacers defining said predetermined distance;

the upper of said pair of first ends, the upper of said pair of second ends, the upper of said pair of first lateral, and the upper of said pair of second lateral sides defining an upper rectangular form, the lower of said pair of first ends, the lower of said pair of second ends, the lower of said pair of first lateral, and the lower of said pair of second lateral sides defining a lower rectangular form, a plurality of first members extending between the lower of said pair of first ends and said pair of second ends, and parallel to the lower of said lateral sides, a plurality of second members extending between the lower of said pair of first lateral sides and the lower of said pair of second lateral sides, and parallel to the lower of said ends, said first and second members intersecting and forming a grid within said lower rectangular form;

wherein said rectangular form of said first tubular framework being hingedly coupled to said upper rectangular form of said second tubular framework;

a pair of lock brackets respectively disposed on each of said first and second tubular framework;

whereby when said first tubular framework is in a closed position, said pair of lock brackets are adjacent and adapted to receive a locking mechanism therebetween;

at least one connector adapted to attach the cage to a vehicle rack; and

a case, wherein the case is sized to fit inside the internal storage space of the cage, wherein the case comprises at least one insert, wherein the at least one insert is made of material able to absorb mechanical shocks and wherein the insert is adapted to secure a hunting rifle or parts of a hunting rifle,

wherein said cage lockingly secures items contained therein and simultaneously provides a capacity for releasably securing a load to the top thereof.