Structure for transporting and using portable equipment comprising in particular elements that can be interconnected using wired connections, such as portable multimedia equipment

Abstract

The structure allows portable equipment having elements which can be preferably, although do not have to be, interconnected using one or more wired connections to be carried around and used, the structure including: two platforms each of which having a bottom intended to support one or more parts of the equipment, a lid, means of connecting the lid to the platforms, it being possible for the structure to be configured into at least three configurations, namely a so-called transport configuration, a so-called intermediate configuration, and a so-called configuration of use. The structure further allows, in all three configurations, at least one wired connection to be led out from one platform to the other so as to connect at least one item supported by the internal face of the bottom of a platform to at least one other element supported by the internal face of the bottom of the other platform.

1 . A structure for transporting and using portable equipment including several elements, said structure including:
 two platforms, each of which comprises a bottom intended to support one or more parts of the equipment, each bottom comprising an outer face and an inner face that is intended to be oriented towards said elements,   a lid,   means for connecting the lid to said platforms,   
       it being possible for said structure to be configured into at least three configurations, i.e.:
 a so-called transport configuration, in which the lid is secured to the two platforms and covers each inner face of each platform, so as to form, with at least each inner face of each platform, at least two housings that are able to contain the elements of said equipment, and which are in position folded against each other, with the bottoms of the platforms positioned opposite each other, 
 a so-called intermediate configuration, in which the lid is secured to the two platforms and forms, with each platform, the same two housings as in the transport configuration, but in which the platforms are positioned relative to each other so that the external faces of the bottoms of the platforms can be placed on a same planar support, and 
 a so-called configuration of use, in which the platforms are in the same position as for the intermediate configuration, and in which the lid is at least partially separated from the two platforms, such that the inner faces of the bottoms of the platforms are uncovered and directly accessible, 
 
       said structure also allowing, in all three configurations, at least one wired connection to be led out from one platform to the other so as to connect at least one item supported by the internal face of the bottom of a platform to at least one other element supported by the internal face of the bottom of the other platform. 
     
     
         2 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the external faces of the bottoms of the platforms are opposite each other when the structure is in the transport configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the two platforms are rotationally mobile around an axis and the transition from the transport configuration to the intermediate configuration, and vice versa, is obtained by simple rotation of the two platforms around said axis, without detaching the lid. 
     
     
         4 . The structure according to  claim 3 , wherein said lid connects the two platforms to each other in the transport configuration and in the intermediate configuration, and allows the two platforms to rotate around said axis, in order to allow the transition from the transport configuration to the intermediate configuration, and vice versa, without detaching the lid. 
     
     
         5 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the platforms are connected using a flexible connector in all three configurations. 
     
     
         6 . The structure according to  claim 5 , wherein said flexible connecting means makes it possible, in the use configuration, to adjust the orientation in a same plane as the bottoms of the two platforms relative to each other. 
     
     
         7 . The structure according to  claim 5 , wherein said flexible connecting means makes it possible to guide at least one wired connection from one platform to the other. 
     
     
         8 . The structure according to  claim 7 , wherein said flexible connecting means makes it possible to guide at least one wired connection from one platform to the other, such that once the element(s) of a platform are connected, using said wired connection(s), with one or more elements of the other platform, said elements stay connected to each other during the transition from the transport configuration to the intermediate configuration, and vice versa, as well as during the transition from the intermediate configuration to the configuration of use, and vice versa. 
     
     
         9 . The structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the flexible connecting means forms a flexible sheath, both ends of which are open, and which can be passed through by one or several wired connections. 
     
     
         10 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each platform also includes at least one lateral rebate on the periphery of its bottom, the housings of the structure in the transport configuration and in the intermediate configuration being delimited by the lid, the internal face of the bottom of each platform, and the lateral rebates of each platform. 
     
     
         11 . The structure according to  claim 10 , wherein a platform includes a lateral rebate, which is positioned opposite a lateral rebate of the other platform when the structure is in the intermediate configuration and in the configuration of use, and in that each of said rebates includes a cutout allowing at least one wired configuration to be led out from one platform to the other in all three configurations of the structure. 
     
     
         12 . The structure according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the lateral rebates of one of the platforms includes two parts: a fixed part including an indentation provided for a video projection means-type element, and a part forming a mobile rebate that makes it possible to cover the indentation in the transport and intermediate configurations, and to release the indentation in the configuration of use. 
     
     
         13 . The structure according to  claim 5 , wherein each platform also includes one or several lateral rebates on the periphery of its bottom, said housings of the structure in the transport configuration and in the intermediate configuration being delimited by the lid, the internal face of the bottom of each platform, and the lateral rebates of each platform, in which structure said flexible connecting means is arranged above two lateral rebates on the two platforms, which are opposite each other when the structure is in the intermediate configuration and in the configuration of use, and thus makes it possible to guide at least one wired connection above said lateral rebates. 
     
     
         14 . The structure according to  claim 13 , wherein the two ends of the flexible connecting means are respectively fixed on the upper edge of the two lateral rebates that are opposite each other in the intermediate configuration and in the configuration of use. 
     
     
         15 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein each platform includes fixing means making it possible to removably fasten elements of a piece of equipment on the internal face of the bottom of the platform. 
     
     
         16 . The structure according to  claim 15 , wherein the fixing means can be repositioned, and are preferably of the type with loops or hooks. 
     
     
         17 . The structure according to  claim 15 , wherein the fixing means include strips having different adhesion capacities. 
     
     
         18 . The structure according to  claim 17 , wherein the strips are self-gripping. 
     
     
         19 . The structure according to  claim 1 , including a handle fixed on the lid or on at least one of the platforms. 
     
     
         20 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid is made from a flexible material. 
     
     
         21 . The structure according to  claim 1 , including one or several pouches that can be removably fastened on the internal face of the bottom of each platform, each removable pouch including at least one opening on the bottom for at least one wired connection to be led out, and at least one opening on the top so that an equipment element can be inserted into the pouch. 
     
     
         22 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom of one of the two platforms is provided with integrated lifting means. 
     
     
         23 . The structure according to  claim 22 , wherein the integrated lifting means includes an inflatable pouch pressed against the external face of the bottom of the platform. 
     
     
         24 . The structure according to  claim 23 , wherein the lifting means includes an inflating bulb connected to the pouch by a hose that is passed through the bottom of the platform. 
     
     
         25 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the platforms are made from a rigid material. 
     
     
         26 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting means making it possible to secure the lid to the platforms comprise one or several slide closures. 
     
     
         27 . The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the connecting means making it possible to secure the lid to the platforms include one or several closures with self-gripping means. 
     
     
         28 . The structure according to  claim 1 , also including elastic stretchers that allow the elements of a piece of equipment and/or the wired connections connecting the elements of a piece of equipment to be fastened to the inner face of the bottom of the platforms. 
     
     
         29 . The structure according to  claim 1 , and portable equipment including at least two elements, one or more elements of the equipment being positioned in one of the housings of the structure in the transport or intermediate configuration, and one or more other elements of the equipment being positioned in the other housing of the structure in the transport or intermediate configuration. 
     
     
         30 . The structure and equipment according to  claim 29 , wherein at least certain elements of the equipment can be interconnected using one or more wired connections. 
     
     
         31 . The structure and equipment according to  claim 30 , wherein one or more elements of a housing are connected, using one or several wired connections, with one or more elements of the other housing, said elements staying connected to each other during the transition from the transport configuration to the intermediate configuration and vice versa, as well as during the transition from the intermediate configuration to the configuration of use, and vice versa. 
     
     
         32 . The structure and equipment according to  claim 31 , wherein the wired connection(s) are led out from one housing to the other while being guided by the flexible connecting means of the structure. 
     
     
         33 . The structure and equipment according to  claim 29 , wherein the equipment is portable multimedia equipment. 
     
     
         34 . The structure and equipment according to  claim 29 , wherein the equipment includes a video projector contained in one housing of the structure and a terminal contained in the other housing of the structure. 
     
     
         35 . The structure and equipment according to  claim 29 , wherein the equipment includes a printer and a terminal. 
     
     
         36 . The structure and equipment according to  claim 29 , wherein the wired connections include electrically conducting connector cables. 
     
     
         37 . The structure and equipment according to  claim 29 , also including energy distribution means, which on one hand comprise several connectors that can be connected respectively to elements of the equipment that require energy to operate, and on the other hand a power connector that is connected to said connectors, and that can be connected to a power source so as to supply all of the connectors with energy, said source being able to be positioned inside or outside the structure. 
     
     
         38 . The structure and equipment according to  claim 37 , wherein the energy distribution means comprises an electrical power cable, one end of which is electrically connected to the outlet, and which comprises several strands, the ends of which are electrically connected to said connectors, respectively.