MODULAR HANDLING GADGET

DESCRIPTION

MODULAR HANDLING GADGET

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a modular handling gadget with foldable features that volumetrically cover less space and ensure practical placing and easy handling of, in particular, planar objects such as paper, catalogue, brochure, price lists, leaflets and similar others and promotional products such as key holders, pens, lighters, etc. and products such as towel sets, computers, ice creams placed in foam, etc. or handling of purchased products with less trouble in order to be used at places such as fairs, shops and shopping malls.

Prior Art related to the Invention

Today, firms are taking part in many promotional organizations in order to directly promote the developed and state - of - the - art products to their consumers. Amongst such organizations, the most significant organizations are the fairs where the firms generally come together with certain sector groups and which aim to ensure the consumers to get acquainted with the relevant sector from all aspects and see numerous firm together and observe the products manufactured by the firms under the same environment. During such organizations, the firms deliver informative documents such as catalogues, brochures, price lists, leaflets, etc. in order for communicating detailed information with different contents related to the firms and their products. Considering the fact that the fair areas contain a good deal of firms and that such firms produce multiple products, it would be hard for the visitors to receive all catalogues (promotional products) and to handle such catalogues (promotional products) while strolling around the fair.

After taking documents in quantities that could be handled without getting excessively tired, the visitors cannot take necessary documents from the visited firms; which, in turn, preclude comparison of all products with each other, thus brings forth failure to inform the consumer in the strictest sense. This, in turn, leads to failure to achieve the objective particularly at large - scale organizations.

Today, numerous simple machines are designed for the purpose of more effective usage of the manpower to handle loads from one point to another. One of the most simple and oldest of such machines is the single - wheel hand cart used for various purposes. However, due to the dimensions and the continuous need for balancing, such machine requires utilization with both hands. These reasons precluded utilization of this design.

Today, there are also some products designed more specifically for personal use that is characterized as shopping trolley. However, such products are not very handy and practical as they are not foldable, don't take a small place and are not portable.

The utility model publication of the prior art entitled "Advertisement Cart For Use at the Fairs" issued under number TR 2003 / 02358 Y relates to an invention designed for the purpose of partially eliminating the aforementioned negativities, and that enable receiving and handling of all informative documents distributed during the fair. However, such advertisement carts distributed free of charge to the visitors for advertisement purposes by the firms or the fair organizations cover too much space in terms of volume during shipment and storage. Therefore, not only the shipment costs of such products during delivery to the fair site from the manufacturer but also gives rise to stock problems. As a result of this, it is not possible to stock adequate number of advertisements carts and the available advertisement cart stocks can be distributed to only some of the visitors. This, in turn, causes the gadget produced for effective advertisement purposes failing fulfillment of its function adequately.

Purpose of the Invention

With the present invention, it is mainly aimed to develop a modular handling gadget;

· Having a planar structure for facilitating shipment and storage, and that can be converted to position of use by folding,

• Covers very small space by stacking one on top of another when in open position at planar position,

• The handling element of which can be reduced telescopically,

· The bottom of the handling element has foldable features, and

• Capable of bearing illuminated advertisement and promotional elements on it.

The modular handling gadget developed with this invention ensures the consumers to easily handle the informative documents they collect from the fair area by placing in the gadget and to be able to take the documents related to all products of interest and, at the same time, capable of promoting the brand, advertisement and similar promotional tools located on the handling gadget.

By virtue of the modular handling gadget developed with this invention, it is possible to easily handle any commercial product (for instance: towel set, computer, icecream placed into foam, etc.), or promotional materials (paper, catalog, brochure, price lists, leaflets, key holders and similar).

The modular handling gadget developed with this invention requires very little storage and shipment space by virtue of its foldable and telescopically reducible characteristics.

The users are also capable of storing this product practically and in such manner to cover small space when not in use and can prepare the product for use whenever necessary by refolding.

Therefore the handling gadget that is expanded only after it is handed to the visitor of the fair or the shopping mall or the store covers very little volume to the most possible extent prior to and during utilization. This, in turn, enables access to and utilization by more fair visitors.

The modular handling gadget developed with this invention is foldable and collapsible easily and in the shortest time.

Description of the Figures Explaining the Invention

The figures prepared for better explaining the modular handling gadget developed with this invention are presented as attached hereto, and their respective definitions are as follows.

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the modular handling element in open position

Figure 2 - is the detail view of the Folding Mechanism locking mechanism (Detail A)

Figure 3 - is the front view of the modular handling element in open position

Figure 4 - is the side view of the modular handling element in open position

Figure 5 - is the plan view of the modular handling element in open position

Figure 6 - is the figure illustrating the telescopic folding mechanism of the modular

handling element in open position.

Figure 7 - is the figure illustrating the folding mechanism of the modular handling

element and closed position of the telescopic action mechanism.

Figure 8 - is the side view of the modular handling element in closed position.

Figure 9 - is the perspective view of the modular handling element in closed position. Figure 10 - is the front view of the stacked modular handling elements showing the storage method.

Figure 11 - is the perspective view of the stacked modular handling elements showing the storage method. Figure 12 - is the perspective view of the complete modular handling gadget showing assembled form of the modular handling element and the bag.

Figure 13 - is the perspective view of the bag with assembly flange in open position.

Figure 14 - is the perspective view of the bag showing the assembly flange folding direction. Figure 15 - is the perspective view of the bag showing folded position of the assembly flange.

Figure 16 - is the perspective view of the bag demonstrating the folding direction for fixation of the assembly flange to the assembly flange insertion port.

Figure 17 - is the perspective view of the bag demonstrating the stages of the folding action for fixation of the assembly flange to the assembly flange insertion port.

Figure 18 - is the perspective view showing fixation of the assembly flange to the assembly flange insertion port.

Figure 19 - is the isometric view of the complete modular handling gadget showing assembled form together with the handling element and the bag (containing illuminated promotion on the surface).

Figure 20 - is the extended view of the monolithic bag.

Figure 21 - is the extended view of the bag, the assembly flange of which is manufactured individually and added afterwards. Figure 22 - is the view of the bag, the assembly flange of which is manufactured individually and added afterwards, assembled to the telescopic handling element.

Figure 23 - is the view of the bag, the assembly flange of which is manufactured individually and added afterwards, assembled to the non - telescopic (fixed dimension) handling element.

The parts on the figures are enumerated individually and the definitions of such numbers are also given as follows.

0. The modular handling element

1. The handling element bottom (Bottom)

2. The handling element bottom fixation/locking mechanism

2.a. Teeth

2.b. Teeth slot

3 The wheels

4 The sub profile

5 The profile connecting piece

6 The telescopic action guide

7 The handling profile

8 The holding handle

9 The bag

10 The assembly flange

11 The handle

12 The frontal advertisement surface

13 The lateral advertisement surfaces

14 The cover advertisement surface

15 The object placement port

16 The advertisement/promotion element

17 The illumination element

18 The battery

19 The electrical wiring

20 The assembly flange insertion port

21 The sub profile assembly hole

Detailed Description of the Invention

The modular handling gadget developed with this invention comprises of the following as the principal elements;

· The modular handling element (0), and

• The bag (9). The Modular handling element (0), on the other hand, comprises of the following as the principal elements;

• The sub profile (4)

• The handling profile (7), and

· The bottom (1).

In a preferred embodiment of the modular handling element (0), the bottom (1) features foldable characteristics, and furthermore Sub profile (4) and upper profile (7) is capable of telescopic retraction and extension.

The embodiment where the bottom of the modular handling element (0) is foldable and capable of telescopic retraction and extension comprises of the following elements at the most fundamental form;

• foldable bottom (1),

• the fixation/locking mechanism (2) that contains minimum one Teeth (2.a) and Teeth slot (2.b) at both sides, · the fixation/locking mechanism (2) that is assembled to the bottom (1) at one side and to the Sub profile (4) at the other side,

• Wheels (3) at the lower side of the bottom;

• Sub profile (4) assembled to the bottom through fixation/locking mechanism (2),

• Sub profile assembly hole (21),

· The Holding handle (8) used for the purpose of steering the modular handling gadget,

• The Handling profile (7) having the handling handle (8) on one side,

• The Profile connecting piece (5) connecting the Sub profile (4) and the Handling profile (7) · The Telescopic action guide (6) regulating sliding opening action of the mentioned Sub profile and handling profiles (4 and 7).

At the embodiment where the bottom of the modular handling element (0) is foldable, however the sub profile (4) and the handling profile (7) does not have telescopic retraction and extension characteristics (fixed dimension), on the other hand, comprises of the following elements at the most fundamental form ; • foldable bottom (1),

• the fixation/locking mechanism (2) that contains minimum one Teeth (2. a) and Teeth slot (2.b) at both sides,

• Sub profile (4) or the Handling profile (7) (only one) assembled to the Bottom (1) · the fixation/locking mechanism (2) that is assembled to the bottom (1) at one side and to the Sub profile (4) at the other side,

• Wheels (3) at the lower side of the bottom (1);

• Sub profile (4) assembled to the bottom through fixation/locking mechanism (2),

• Sub profile assembly hole (21),

· The Holding handle (8) used for the purpose of steering the modular handling gadget and assembled to the Sub profile (4) or to the Handling profile (7).

The bag (9) of the modular handling gadget developed with this invention that is planar in the opened form together with all elements, on the other hand, comprises of the following elements at the most fundamental form; · The frontal advertisement surface (12), the lateral advertisement surfaces (13) and the cover advertisement surface (14);

• Handle (11) on the cover advertisement surface (12) for ensuring manual handling, and

• The object placement port (15) that enables utilization without requiring opening the cover,

• The assembly flange (10) and assembly flange insertion port (20) that enables assembly of the modular handling gadget to the Bag.

It is possible to add the following elements to the bag (9) in order to apply advertisement and promotional elements; · The advertisement promotion element (16) that could be placed onto any or all of the Bag (9) surfaces (12, 13, 14),

• The illumination element (17), and

• The Battery (18) and the Electrical wiring (19) to be used for supplying the illumination element (17). In another embodiment of the modular handling gadget developed with this invention; the Bag (9) can also be manufactured as planar without having the Assembly flange (10) and the Assembly flange insertion port (20), which ensures insertion of the Bag (9) to the upper profile (7) and / or the Sub profile (4), to be monolithic. In such embodiment, the extended Bag (9), the Assembly flange (10) and the Assembly flange insertion port (20) as shown in Figure 20 can be manufactured in such manner and further assembled to the lateral surface through agglutination or punching or otherwise (Figure 21). The assembly flange (10) and the assembly flange insertion port (20) can be assembled to the lateral surface of the planar Bag (9) manufactured without being monolithic through agglutination, via any connecting piece or with punching. Thus, it can be stacked and stored in planar form.

The Bag (9) manufactured in planar form as expanded, where the assembly flange (10) and the assembly flange insertion port (20) is not monolithic, as shown in Figure 21 comprises of the following;

• The frontal advertisement surface (12), the lateral advertisement surfaces (13) and the cover advertisement surface (14);

• The handle (11) on the cover advertisement surface (12) for ensuring manual handling, and

• The object placement port (15) that enables utilization without requiring opening the cover, and · The assembly flange (10) manufactured individually and added (assembled) to any of the lateral surfaces (12, 13 or 14) afterwards.

It is further possible to add the following to such Bag (9) in order to apply advertisement and promotion elements:

• The advertisement promotion element (16) that could be placed onto any or all of the Bag (9) surfaces (12, 13, 14),

• The illumination element (17), and

• The battery (18) and the electrical wiring (19) to be used for supplying the illumination element (17).

In a preferred embodiment of the modular handling gadget developed with this invention, the bottom (1) is formed by assembling the wheels (3), then the part containing the teeth (2.a) in order to form bottom fixation/locking mechanism (2). The section of the bottom fixation/locking mechanism (2) above the bottom (1) contains the teeth slot (2.b) that ensures fixture in such manner that enables the handling element (0) to carry the Bag (9) when the modular handling gadget is prepared for use.

The fixation/locking operation is ensured by insertion of the teeth (2.ato the teeth slot (2.b). The teeth (2.a) and the teeth slot (2.b) by which the locking is ensured by insertion of the teeth might be in rectangular, square, circular, elliptic and trapezoid form with respect to the cross - sectional geometry.

In the event that one desires to close the modular handling gadget, the bottom

(1) is folded by applying force inwards from the axis of the fixation/locking mechanism

(2) , meanwhile the teeth (2.a) is separated from the teeth slot (2.b) and thus locking is disengaged and the handling element (0) is folded and the gadget takes volumetrically minimum dimensions.

At the modular handling gadget developed with this invention, the sub profiles (4) of the handling element (0) is assembled by inserting to the sub profile assembly holes (21) within the fixation/locking mechanism (2). The sub profiles (4) are foldable onto the bottom (1) together with the bottom fixation/locking mechanism (2).

In order to ensure connection of the sub profiles (4) with the handling profile (7), there are two blind holes and two open holes underneath the connecting piece (5). The sub profiles (4) are assembled by inserting to such blind holes.

The handling profiles (7) are inserted into the open holes on the connecting piece (5) and fixed to the telescopic action guide (6) designed for moving between the connecting piece (5) and the bottom (1). The holding handle (8) with blind holes is assembled to the terminal section of the handling profile (7) on the upper side. The assembled system ensures linearity of the telescopic action performed by the telescopic action guide (6), the handling profile (7) and the sub profile (4). Both ends of the telescopic action guide (6) are semicircular and such terminals lean on the sub profile (4). In this manner, smooth reciprocating movement is ensured. Both ends of the telescopic action guide (6) can have semicircular shape as well as other geometrical structures such as semi square, semi rectangular, semi ellipsoid, and semi trapezoid, etc. Both ends of the telescopic action guide (6) in which the sub profile (4) penetrates through can have circular, square, rectangular, ellipsoid and trapezoid geometry conforming to the geometry of the sub profile.

The lower part of the connecting piece (5) has recesses to which the fingers can be placed for facilitating manual handling when in closed position. When the handling profile (7) is pulled upwards by holding the handling handle (8), the telescopic action guide (6) enters into the lower part of the profile connecting piece (5) and ensures fixation through shrink fit method. The holding handle (8), on the other hand, ensures transportation of the modular handling gadget from one point to another in an ergonomic manner and execution of the reciprocating telescopic action without any difficulty. The lower part of the holding handle (8) has recesses to which the fingers can be placed for facilitating manual handling when in open position. The wheels (3) can be manufactured from all kinds of materials, but it can preferably be manufactured from hard plastic at the inner section (the hub section close to the rotation center - the rim part) and from rubber or silicon - based soft plastic at the outer perimeter. Thus, generation or noise or sound during handling is prevented.

The pivot that ensures rotation of the wheels (3) is preferably manufactured from metal.

The modular handling gadget having folding and telescopic action mechanisms can be stored with ease by virtue of these features and, by this means, present lower stock and shipment costs. In order to stack with highest efficiency, as described in Figure 10 and 11, the wheel of each mentioned handling element (0) in folded form overlap with each other in such manner to match the holding handle of the other gadget. The handling element (0) is manufactured from materials such as light plastic or light metal. By virtue of the lightweight due to the manufactured material and the advantageous storage method mentioned above, the gadget is not subject to any restriction with respect to stacking. The bag (9) is the element in which the documents or other objects are placed.

The bag (9) is prepared as monolithic and planar form with its unfolded (open) form. The monolithic and open (unfolded) appearance of the bag (9) is shown in Figure 20. The low space requirements in volumetric terms and thus easy storage and handling features of this invention are ensured not only having the Bag (9) as monolithic and open (unfolded) planar form, but also having the handling element (0) to retract telescopically, and the bottom (1) to lock by folding. Therefore, minimum volume is obtained.

The frontal advertisement surface (12), the lateral advertisement surfaces (13) and the cover advertisement surface (14) form the bag (9) by telescoping into each other from folding section. The bag (9) is the unit where the objects to be handled are stored. In the event that one desires to use the bag (9) as individual from the modular handling element (0), it has a handle (11) for manual handling. Therefore, the bag (0) can be used as independent from the handling element (0). Prior to formation of the complete bag (9) modular handling gadget, the assembly flange (10) is adequately folded and inserted through the assembly flange insertion port (20). With the help of the assembly flange (10), the bag (9) is assembled (inserted) to the modular handling element (0) by inserting from up and drawing down and thus easy handling by pulling is ensured via the wheels. By virtue of the object placement port (15) located on the frontal advertisement surface of the bag (9), all kinds of objects capable of passing in between the opening (15) without opening the cover of the box into the bag (9).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the modular handling gadget ensures handling of the documents obtained during promotional organizations by maintaining within its bag (9). During such handling, the bag (9) also ensures that the advertisement and promotional elements (169 with various sizes, designs, colors, figures and characters placed onto the exterior surface (12, 13 and 14) by other consumers.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the frontal advertisement surface (12), the lateral advertisement surfaces (13) and the cover advertisement surface (14) forming the exterior surface of the bag (9) bears advertisements (16) designed with matching size. On such advertisement surfaces (12, 13 and 14), it is also possible to employ illumination element (17) within or around the advertisement and promotional elements (16) for the sake of improving the efficiency of the advertisement as conforming to the request of the firm using the product and the size of the Bag (9). The illumination element (17) is supplied from a battery (18) placed within a box and the electrical wiring (19) that provide connection of this battery.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bag (9) of the modular handling gadget developed with this invention can be manufactured from cardboard as well as it can be manufactured from numerous other different materials such as plastic, sheet metal, hard fabric etc. and optionally with different colors and patterns, and also with different sizes and geometries. The bag (9) can have geometric patterns such as prism, sphere, ellipsoid, etc. as well as other special forms representative of the shape of the products and services of the firm such as trucks, busses, houses, cabins, planes, medications or cigarette box.