Plan or map protector and storage apparatus

Abstract

A portable holder ( 10 ) for at least one flexible sheet ( 12 ) comprises an inner elongate tube ( 24 ) comprising an arresting arrangement ( 25, 26 ) for removably arresting a peripheral region ( 12.1 ) of the at least one sheet and a coaxial outer elongate tube ( 14 ) defining a first elongate slot ( 22 ). The inner tube ( 24 ) is rotatable relative to the outer tube ( 14 ). A first end cap ( 54 ) for the outer tube ( 14 ) defines a slot ( 57 ). The outer tube ( 14 ) and inner tube ( 24 ) being user manipulatable relative to one another to bring the arresting arrangement ( 25, 26 ), first elongate slot ( 22 ) and slot ( 57 ) of the first end cap into register, so that the at least one sheet may be inserted into the holder to be arrested by the arresting arrangement. A winding mechanism ( 34 ) is provided for the inner tube to roll up the at least on sheet on the inner tube.

1 . A portable holder for at least one flexible sheet, the holder comprising:
 an inner elongate member comprising an arresting arrangement for removably arresting a peripheral region of the at least one sheet;
 a coaxial outer elongate tube defining a first elongate slot; 
 the inner member and outer member being rotatable relative to one another; 
 a first end cap for the outer tube mounted at a first end of the outer tube 
 the first end cap defining a slot; and 
 the outer tube and inner member being user manipulatable relative to one another to bring the arresting arrangement, first elongate slot and slot of the first end cap into register, so that the at least one sheet may be removed from the arresting arrangement and the holder, or, inserted into the holder to be arrested by the arresting arrangement. 
   
     
     
         2 . A holder as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the inner member extends between the first end cap and a second end cap at a second end of the outer tube. 
     
     
         3 . A holder as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner member comprises an inner tube. 
     
     
         4 . A holder as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the arresting arrangement comprises a bore of the inner tube and an axially extending second elongate slot region defined in the inner tube. 
     
     
         5 . A holder as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the at least one sheet is arrested in the bore of the inner tube by at least one device connected to the peripheral region of the sheet and which device is axially removable and receivable in the bore of the inner tube, but radially trapped therein with the at least one sheet extending through the second slot. 
     
     
         6 . A holder as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the at least one device comprises an openable and closeable clamp comprising a first wing and a second wing hinged to a spine and at least one stud on the first wing which, when the first and second wings are hinged towards one another to a closed configuration, is removably arrested by a suitable formation on the second wing. 
     
     
         7 . A holder as claimed in  claim 6  wherein a thickness dimension of the clamp between the two wings in the closed configuration is larger than a width of the second slot, so that the clamp cannot pass through the second slot and is radially trapped in the bore of the inner tube. 
     
     
         8 . A holder as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the holder comprises a first radially extending sheet guide wheel towards the first end cap and a second radially extending sheet guide wheel towards the second end cap. 
     
     
         9 . A holder as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the second guide wheel is linked to a winding mechanism to be driven thereby. 
     
     
         10 . A holder as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the winding mechanism comprises a manually manipulatable wheel, which is connected by an axially extending drive shaft to the second guide wheel, the drive shaft extending through a hole in the second end cap for free rotation therein to cooperate with a suitable formation on the manually manipulatable wheel. 
     
     
         11 . A holder as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising at least one protective sheet anchored to the inner member. 
     
     
         12 . A holder as claimed in  claim 11  comprising first and second protective sheets with the at least one sheet sandwiched therebetween. 
     
     
         13 . A holder as claimed in  claim 12  comprising a third and transparent loose sheet. 
     
     
         14 . A holder as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the first, second and third sheets are made from a durable transparent material. 
     
     
         15 . A system for storing and transporting at least one flexible sheet, the system comprising:
 a central and stationary storage facility;   the facility comprising at least one suspender for suspending the at least one sheet by a peripheral region of the at least one sheet;   the sheet being removably receivable by the suspender; and   at least one portable holder as claimed in  claim 1 .