The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 03, 1995
Filed:
Sep. 04, 1992
James M Bornhorst, DeSoto, TX (US);
Edwin B Dangerfield, Arlington, TX (US);
James Maddux, III, Carrollton, TX (US);
Timothy D Stacy, Plano, TX (US);
Timothy W Terleski, Garland, TX (US);
Vari-Lite, Inc., Dallas, TX (US);
Abstract
A storage trunk for storing and transporting lighting equipment is constructed using a rotationally molded cross linked polyethylene plastic. The storage trunk is comprised of an enclosure body and a separately removable lid. The lid may be secured to the enclosure body by means of a plurality of latches. The interior of the enclosure body may be molded as a generally open rectangular region or may include molded features for receiving and supporting specific lighting instruments within its interior. The hollow walls of the molded enclosure body are filled with polyurethane foam for reinforcing the walls and damping their movement. A perforated metal stiffening frame is molded into the base of the enclosure body during the molding process for added strength. The underside of the enclosure body provides a plurality of casters for easy movement. The storage trunk features a unitized, seamless construction having no fasteners or external reinforcements to leak, snag other objects, or fall off. Various molded recesses, protrusions and surfaces in the storage trunk serve to enhance the functionality, strength and durability of the plastic storage trunk. Lateral bearing surfaces that protrude from the storage trunk minimize the wear on the exterior surfaces of the trunk by ensuring that the entire surface of the trunk does not contact adjacent surfaces. The storage trunk is constructed with convoluted end surfaces having protrusions and recesses that allow adjacent surfaces to interlock when positioned end to end.