U.S. patent application number 11/595008 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for propeller caddy for hobby planes.
Invention is credited to Frank D. Grundler.
Application Number | 20080105574 11/595008 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39358825 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080105574 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grundler; Frank D. |
May 8, 2008 |
Propeller caddy for hobby planes
Abstract
A storage and dispenser for propellers used with hobby planes is
disclosed. The storage and dispensing device is securable to a tool
box that contains parts and equipment for hobby planes. The storage
and dispenser is an open slot that allows visual identification of
the propellers that are stored within the dispenser and allows the
user to remove the desired propeller from the caddy. The propeller
caddy also provides protection to the propellers as well as reduced
user harm from the sharp edges of the propellers. The propeller
storage device can be integrated with the tool box, attachable onto
a tool box or secured with magnets, Velcro or similar securing
methods. Multiples propeller storage devices are securable together
to provide for expanded storage or storage of propellers specific
for each hobby plane.
Inventors: |
Grundler; Frank D.; (Sun
City, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BUHLER ASSOCIATES;BUHLER, KIRK A.
1101 CALIFORNIA AVE., SUITE 208
CORONA
CA
92881
US
|
Family ID: |
39358825 |
Appl. No.: |
11/595008 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/315.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63H 27/02 20130101;
B25H 3/022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/315.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 85/20 20060101
B65D085/20 |
Claims
1. A propeller storage caddy comprising: an essentially flat back
with a bottom that is perpendicular to the back; a left and right
side existing essentially perpendicular from the back and bottom
sides; a left front portion having attachment to the left side and
the bottom and a separate right front portion having attachment to
the right side and the bottom; at least one vertically elongated
opening between the left front portion and the right front portion,
whereby propellers are placed through the top of the propeller
storage caddy where they are retained, visible and removable.
2. The propeller storage caddy from claim 1 wherein the essentially
flat back of the caddy includes fastening means for fastening the
caddy to a hobby field box.
3. The propeller storage caddy from claim 1 that is made from a
transparent material to allow for viewing of the surfaces of a
propeller placed within the caddy.
4. The propeller storage caddy from claim 1 that further includes a
dispensing means located on at least one side of the caddy to allow
for a propeller to be slid out the bottom side of the caddy.
5. The propeller storage caddy from claim 1 that further includes
padding to prevent damage to the propellers stored within the
caddy.
6. The propeller storage caddy from claim 1 that further includes a
plurality of angular recesses within the caddy to retain propellers
a prevent contact between adjacent propeller placed within the
caddy.
7. The propeller storage caddy from claim 1 that further includes
recesses in the bottom of the caddy to provide for vertical storage
of multiple propellers.
8. The propeller storage caddy from claim 1 that further includes a
spring loaded lower door to allow for removal of at least one
propeller from the bottom of the caddy.
9. A hobby field box with a propeller storage caddy comprising: A
portable storage container including an interior storage volume for
storage of model airplane related material and further includes; at
least one side pouch formed with an outside facing vertical slot
where the side pouch allows for the storage of a plurality of
propellers in an essentially horizontal orientation to allow visual
identification and retrieval of at least one propeller stored in
the side pouch.
10. The hobby field box with propeller storage caddy from claim 9
that further includes an integrated starting unit.
11. The hobby field box with propeller storage caddy from claim 9
that is fabricated from plastic, wood, metal or a combination
thereof.
12. The hobby field box with propeller storage caddy from claim 9
that further includes a plurality of angular recesses within the
caddy to retain propellers a prevent contract between adjacent
propeller placed within the caddy.
13. The hobby field box with propeller storage caddy from claim 9
that further includes provisions for securing additional side
pouches to the outside of the hobby field box.
14. The hobby field box with propeller storage caddy from claim 9
that further includes a spring loaded lower door to allow for
removal of at least one propeller from the bottom of the caddy.
15. A propeller storage caddy comprising: an essentially elongated
rectangular cavity having an open top and a vertically elongated
opening on one of the faces is configured for the horizontal
storage and transportation of propellers, and further includes
securing means for securing the essentially elongated rectangular
cavity to a portable hobby field box.
16. The propeller storage caddy from claim 15 that further includes
additional securing means to allow multiple essentially elongated
rectangular cavities to secure to one another to increase the
number of propeller storage caddies.
17. The propeller storage caddy from claim 15 where in the securing
means for securing the essentially elongated cavity to the portable
hobby field box is with Velcro or similar temporary securing
means.
18. The propeller storage caddy from claim 15 where in the securing
means for securing the essentially elongated cavity to the portable
hobby field box is with a keyway slot using a threaded fastener
with a head.
19. The propeller storage caddy from claim 15 where in the
essentially elongated rectangular cavity is formed from plastic,
wood, metal or a combination thereof.
20. The propeller storage caddy from claim 15 where in the
essentially elongated rectangular cavity provides protection to the
edges and ends of propeller placed within the essentially elongated
cavity.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to improvements in a storage and
transportation device for propellers used with hobby planes. More
particularly, the present propeller caddy is a pocket that attaches
to a tool box. The propeller caddy is an open container where
propellers are placed, and allows the user to view the size and
pitch of the propellers within the caddy. The user can quickly
identify the desired propeller and remove it from the caddy. The
propeller caddy further provides protection to the propellers as
well as reducing user harm from the sharp edges of the
propellers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The hobby of building and flying remote control airplanes is
a common outdoor hobby that is enjoyed by many people. For advanced
hobbyist determining the proper propeller as well as the need to
replace a damaged propeller is a common practice. Occasionally the
flying conditions and the type of flying require different
propellers. In most cases a hobbyist brings multiple propellers and
places them in the bottom of their hobby field box where
identification of the desired propeller is difficult. In addition
the potential for damage to a propeller exists where it often is
impacted with a fuel container, batteries or tools that are also
found within the field box or flight box as they are commonly
called. Several field boxes have been patented to provide an
integrated engine starting mechanism. Exemplary examples of the
patents are disclosed herein.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 2,475,750 issued Jul. 12, 1949 to G. H.
McCormick et al. discloses a Model Airplane Starting Unit. This
patent includes a battery connected to a motor where the user
brings the propeller in contact with a cup that turns the propeller
to start the engine. There is no storage area on this apparatus for
storing additional equipment, tools or propellers.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,653 issued Oct. 1, 1991 to Guy J.
Coraccio discloses an Automatic Switching Mechanism for a Model
Plane Starter Motor. This patent is similar to '750 because it
includes an integrated motor to start a model plane. This patent
further provides that when the propeller is pushed into the motor a
switch is activated to turn the propeller. This apparatus does not
disclose storage means and there is further no disclosure for the
storage of propellers.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,713 issued on Jul. 16, 1996 to Douglas
J. Braddock discloses a Combination Field Box and Engine Starter
for Model Airplane Engines. This field box provides an airplane
starting motor and storage for related airplane equipment. The
storage is an open cavity in the center of the field box, a drawer,
and a pouch for storage of fuel. While this field box provides for
some additional storage, propellers are either stored in the drawer
or are placed in the open cavity. Regardless of where the
propellers are stored in this box, they are susceptible to damage
from the other materials placed in the field box.
[0006] There are a number of other field boxes that are available
over the internet or from hobby stores. Other examples of available
field boxes are found on the internet that provide for the storage
and transportation of tools, equipment and spare parts for a hobby
plane. These mobile tool boxes also do not provide for a separate
storage compartment for propellers to allow for visual
identification of the propeller(s) and reduce the potential damage
to the propellers.
[0007] What is needed is a propeller caddy that allows for safe
transportation of propellers for hobby planes. The propeller caddy
would be securable to a field box and allow visual identification
to the propellers within the field box and allow for easy removal
of the desired propeller. The proposed application includes all the
features in a propeller caddy that allows for safe transportation
of propeller while making them visible to the user.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the propeller caddy to provide an open
propeller storage caddy where propellers are loaded into the top of
the caddy where they are prevented from harm from other items. The
propeller caddy further includes an open front slot that allows for
viewing of the length and pitch of the propeller without requiring
removal of the propeller from the caddy.
[0009] It is another object of the propeller caddy to provide a
propeller caddy that is securable to the side of a field or flight
box. The attachment is with screws, glue, clamps, or Velcro. These
attachment means allow the propeller caddie to be secured to nearly
any side of the field or flight box. Multiple propeller caddies can
be used to store different propellers for different airplanes.
[0010] It is another object of the propeller caddy to allow
multiple propeller caddies to be ganged together. When multiple
caddies are ganged using Velcro or similar temporary securing means
the user can re-order the propeller caddies to place the caddie
with the desired propellers on the outside. This further allows the
user to safely store a larger variety of propellers and keep them
grouped for future use.
[0011] It is another object of the propeller caddie to utilize a
spring loaded lower door to allow for the removal of a propeller
from the bottom of the propeller caddy. In another similar
configuration, a slot is places on the lower edge of the propeller
caddy to allow for a propeller to be slid out the end of the
caddy.
[0012] It is another object of the propeller caddy that it is
designed and fabricated as in integrated part of a field or flight
box. In this configuration the propeller caddie can't be dislodged
from the side of field box.
[0013] It is still another object of the propeller caddy to provide
horizontal slots integrated within the caddy where propellers are
individually stored in a horizontal orientation. In another
individual storage configuration, pockets are placed in the bottom
of the propeller caddy and propellers are placed vertically in each
pocket.
[0014] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become more apparent from the following
detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention,
along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals
represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 shows the propeller caddy in a first preferred
embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 2 shows the propeller caddy in a second preferred
embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 3 shows the propeller caddy in the third preferred
embodiment
[0018] FIG. 4 shows the propeller caddy in a fourth preferred
embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 5 shows the propeller caddy secured or integrated to a
field or flight box with an additional propeller caddy removably
securable to the first propeller caddy.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] FIG. 1 shows the propeller caddy in a first preferred
embodiment. This first preferred embodiment shows the propeller
caddy 10 with an open to and an open front slot. The caddy has an
essentially flat back 20. Nail or screw hanger slots 21 are shown
for hanging the caddy from a field or flight box. While a flight or
field box is shown and described, it is contemplated that a user
can hang the propeller caddy on a wall or cabinet at their home
after they return from flying their plane, or they can hang
multiple propeller caddies and select the caddy that has the
desired propellers 11. A typical field or flight box is shown and
described in more detail in FIG. 5. Other methods of securing the
propeller caddy to a field box or other surface are contemplated
including but not limited to glues, nailing, double sided tape, and
temporary securing means such as Velcro. The right side 30 and left
side 31 of the caddy extends perpendicular from the back 20. The
bottom 50 joins the sides and the back 20. The front of the
propeller caddy has two members 40 and 41 that are secured to the
sides.
[0021] In another contemplated feature, the bottom is hinged 51 to
allow the user to open the bottom of the propeller caddy and
dispense a propeller from the bottom of the caddy. In this
configuration, the bottom is held closed with a spring or other
similar device that holds the bottom in a closed orientation until
the user pulls or pushes the bottom hatch down. The front of the
caddy is open 60 to allow the user to see the size of the various
propellers in the caddy to determine the preferred propeller from
the plurality of propellers 11.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows the propeller caddy in a second preferred
embodiment. The propeller caddy 10 in this figure also has an
essentially flat back 20. The configuration of the majority of the
caddy is similar to the caddy described with FIG. 1 with right side
30, and left side 32. The notable difference is with the left side
32. The left side is constructed such that it does not connect to
the bottom 50. This allows a user to slide a propeller 11 out the
side of the caddy through opening 70. The front members 40 and 41
are attached to the bottom 50 and the sides 30 and 32. The front of
the caddy is open 60 to allow for viewing of the plurality of
propellers to identify the desired propeller. The inside of the
caddy is preferably covered with a material such as felt or other
cushioning material to further prevent damage to the propeller(s)
11 stored within the propeller caddy.
[0023] It is contemplated that the propeller caddy be constructed
from a variety of materials including but no limited to wood,
metal, plastic or a combination thereof. In one embodiment the
caddy is fabricated from a transparent material to allow the user
to see the entire propeller(s).
[0024] FIG. 3 shows the propeller caddy 10 in the third preferred
embodiment. This third preferred embodiment has a similar
construction for the back 20, sides 30, 31, bottom 50 and front
components 42 and 43. The front components 42 and 43 are narrower
than the front pieces shown in other figures allowing for a larger
front opening 61. The back of the propeller caddy includes slotted
members 80 and 81. These slotted members that exist in an angular
configuration to hold each propeller 11 in a set of slots. A
retainer 82 is shown holding the propellers in their respective
slots. The retainer is a spring, rubber band or similar elastomeric
material or a flexible wire. In operation the retainer 82 is pulled
away from the back wall 20 and a propeller 11 is installed or
removed.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows the propeller caddy 10 in a fourth preferred
embodiment. This fourth preferred embodiment has a similar
construction for the back 20, and sides 30 and 31. The back member
20 has slots 21 for hanging the caddy on nails or screws. The front
members 40 and 41 are similarly attached to the back 20, bottom 51
and sides 30 and 31. The difference with this configuration is with
the bottom 51 where it has a plurality of recessed that allow the
propellers 11 to nest in a vertical orientation. A front bridge 82
joins the two front pieces 40 and 41 while still allowing an open
slot 60 in the front of the caddy. This orientation of the
propeller caddy allows visual inspection and determination of the
propellers 11 as well as providing retaining the propellers in a
vertical orientation where each propeller is protected from damage
from other propellers as well as allowing the user to select a
specific propeller while not disturbing the remaining
propellers.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows the propeller caddy secured or integrated to a
field or flight box with an additional propeller caddy removably
securable to the first propeller caddy. A typical field box 100
usually includes one or more drawers 101 for storing tools, an open
area 103 for storing fuel, rags or other large objects, and a
handle for easier transportation 102. Some field boxes include a
battery and a motor starter 104.
[0027] This figure shows two propeller caddies 10 where one caddy
is attached to the field or flight box. The caddy shown on the side
of the field box can be permanently secured or can be removable. In
this figure the caddy shown attached to the field box 100, is
permanently secured to the field box 100. The propellers 11 are
shown in the caddy. Velcro 90 and 91 is secured to the front of one
caddy and the back 20 of a second caddy to allow for attachment of
multiple caddies to the field box.
[0028] Thus, specific embodiments of a propeller caddy have been
disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the
art that many more modifications besides those described are
possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The
inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except
in the spirit of the appended claims.
* * * * *