Configurable container-support frame
A configurable container-support frame is disclosed. The frame includes at least two sections, each section including at least three substantially parallel telescoping members, each connected to two other members by a cross member that is substantially perpendicular to the telescoping members. The telescoping members of one section telescopically engage with the telescoping members of at least one other section and the engaged sections define a configurable volume. The frame may be disposed within an existing container, such as a bag or a box, to improve the protective capabilities of that container. Or the frame may be integrated with a surface, such as a fabric, to create a configurable container with improved protective capabilities over the surface alone.
1. A configurable container-support frame comprising:
(a) a first frame section comprising:
(i) at least three telescoping members, wherein each telescoping member is substantially parallel to each other telescoping member, and
(ii) at least three cross members, wherein each cross member connects to two different telescoping members and wherein each cross member is substantially perpendicular to each telescoping member to which it connects;
(b) a second frame section comprising:
(i) at least three telescoping members, wherein each telescoping member is substantially parallel to each other telescoping member, and
(ii) at least three cross members, wherein each cross member connects to two different telescoping members and wherein each cross member is substantially perpendicular to each telescoping member to which it connects,
(iii) wherein each telescoping member of the second frame section is nested with a telescoping member of the first frame section thereby forming pairs of nested telescoping members;
(c) at least three detents, each detent comprising a pin and a spring, wherein each detent is disposed within a different telescoping member such that each of the pairs of nested telescoping members includes at least one detent and wherein each detent is configured to selectively engage one of the pairs of telescoping members thereby locking the relative positions of the telescoping members of the pair of telescoping members; and
(d) a detent-release mechanism comprising:
(i) a single trigger, and
(ii) at least three detent-actuators, wherein each detent-actuator is disposed such that each pair of nested telescoping members includes at least one detent-actuator and wherein each detent-actuator is configured to selectively engage a detent, and
(iii) at least three force-transfer elements, wherein each force-transfer element is disposed to effect mechanical communication between the trigger and at least one of the three detent-actuators such that if a force is applied to the trigger the force will be communicated to each detent-actuator.
2. The configurable container-support frame of claim 1 wherein the at least three force-transfer elements are cables.
3. The configurable container-support frame of claim 2 wherein the trigger is a spool.
4. The configurable container-support frame of claim 1 wherein the at least three force-transfer elements are rods.
5. The configurable container-support frame of claim 4 wherein the rods are flexible.
6. The configurable container-support frame of claim 1 further comprising:
(a) a third frame section comprising:
(i) at least three telescoping members, wherein each telescoping member is substantially parallel to each other telescoping member, and
(ii) at least three cross members, wherein each cross member connects to two different telescoping members and wherein each cross member is substantially perpendicular to each telescoping member to which it connects,
(iii) wherein each telescoping member of the third frame section is nested with a telescoping member of the second frame section thereby forming pairs of nested telescoping members; and
(b) at least three additional detents, each additional detent comprising a pin and a spring, wherein each additional detent is disposed within a different telescoping member such that each of the pairs of nested telescoping members formed by the third frame section and the second frame section includes at least one of the additional detents and wherein each of the additional detents is configured to selectively engage one of the pairs of telescoping members formed by the third frame section and the second frame section thereby locking the relative positions of the telescoping members of the pair of telescoping members formed by the second frame section and the third frame.
7. The configurable container-support frame of claim 6 , the detent-release mechanism further comprising:
(a) at least three additional detent-actuators, wherein each additional detent-actuator is disposed such that each pair of nested telescoping members formed by the third frame section and the second frame section includes at least one of the additional detent-actuators and wherein each additional detent-actuator is configured to selectively engage at least one of the additional detents; and
(b) wherein each force-transfer element is disposed to effect mechanical communication between the trigger and at least one of the three additional detent-actuators such that if a force is applied to the trigger the force will be communicated to each additional detent-actuator.
8. The configurable container-support frame of claim 6 , the detent-release mechanism further comprising:
(a) a second trigger,
(b) at least three additional detent-actuators, wherein each additional detent-actuator is disposed such that each pair of nested telescoping members formed by the third frame section and the second frame section includes at least one of the additional detent-actuators and wherein each additional detent-actuator is configured to selectively engage at least one of the additional detent, and
(c) at least three additional force-transfer elements, wherein each force-transfer element is disposed to effect mechanical communication between the second trigger and at least one of the three additional detent-actuators such that if a force is applied to the second trigger the force will be communicated to each additional detent-actuator.
9. A configurable container-support frame comprising:
(a) at least three nested pairs of telescoping members, each nested pair of telescoping members comprising:
(i) a first telescoping member,
(ii) a second telescoping member, wherein the second telescoping member fits within the first telescoping member,
(iii) a detent, wherein the detent is configured to selectively engage the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member and thereby prevent the first telescoping member from moving with respect to the second telescoping member, and
(iv) a detent actuator, wherein the detent actuator is configured to selectively engage the detent and thereby cause the detent to disengage the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member, and
(b) at least six cross members, each cross member disposed to connect two of the nested pairs of telescoping members;
(c) a detent-actuator-control means for selectively positioning the detent actuator to engage the detent, for each of the nested pairs of telescoping members.
10. A configurable container-support frame comprising:
(a) at least two frame sections, each frame section comprising:
(i) at least three telescoping members, wherein each telescoping member is substantially parallel to each other telescoping member, and
(ii) at least three cross members, wherein each cross member connects to two different telescoping members and wherein each cross member is substantially perpendicular to each telescoping member to which it connects,
(iii) wherein each telescoping member of one frame section is nested with one telescoping member of at least one other frame section, and
(b) at least three detents, each comprising a pin and a spring, wherein each detent is disposed within a different telescoping member such that each pair of nested telescoping members includes at least one detent, whereby each telescoping member may be selectively locked in position relative to the telescoping member with which it is nested, and
(c) a detent-release means for compressing each detent spring disposed in the nested pairs of telescoping members connecting one frame section to another frame section.