Stackable and interlocking carrying cases for a mobile tactical command and control center

Abstract

First and second stackable and interlocking carrying cases having particular application for use at a mobile tactical command and control center to be operated in the field. The first carrying case transports a pull-out desk top and a pull-top drawer at the interior thereof. The second carrying case transports a shock isolated housing at the interior thereof to which standard (e.g., 19 inch) rack mounted electronics are connected. A plurality of the first and second carrying cases can be stacked one above the other to form a pair of vertical columns. The pull-out desk top slides outwardly from the first carrying case in one of the vertical columns so as to extend between the pair of columns and thereby create a flat writing surfaces, or the like, for building a modular desk. Access to the electronics necessary to operate the tactical command and control center is available from one or more of the second carrying cases in the pair of vertical columns.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates to stackable and interlocking carrying cases within which rack mounted electronics and a desk top are transported. The carrying cases can be stacked one above the other to facilitate shipment and storage or to build modular furniture (e.g., a desk) to conveniently fit within a tent at a mobile tactical command and control center located in the field. [0003] 2. Background Art [0004] It is desirable to transport fragile computers as well as related electrical hardware having communications, networking, data storage, and the like, applications in shock resistant portable cases so that such equipment can be transported without being subject to damage that it may otherwise be caused by shock and other mechanical forces to be encountered during transit. For example, the military may wish to ship listening equipment to a hostile environment to monitor and / or control a military exercise. By way of ano...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] Stackable and interlocking carrying cases are disclosed that are especially suitable for use within a small enclosure (e.g., a tent) at a mobile tactical command and control center. The carrying cases are of relatively light weight, compact size and are preferably manufactured from a shock resistant material that is capable of minimizing the transfer of shock to the contents of the cases during transit.

[0008] A first of the stackable and interlocking carrying cases includes a pair of wheels at one end of the front and a pair of locking feet projecting from the opposite end of the front. The first carrying case also includes pairs of locking recesses at each end of the back. The pairs of wheels and locking feet at the front of one carrying case are received in interlocking engagement within respective pairs of locking recesses at the back of an adjacent carrying case so that a plurality of carrying cases can be stacked together in a vertical column having increased stability so as to be palletized for storage and shipment. The first carrying case has a pair of detachable side panel that are removed to permit access to conventional (e.g., 19 inch) rack mounted electronics that are supported by a shock isolated housing at the interior of the case. The shock isolated housing is retained at the interior of the carrying case by sets of shock deflecting coiled spring that are positioned between the housing and the case. Rack mounted electronics for communications, data storage, networking, and the like, applications are detachably connected to and supported by the shock isolated housing so as to be transported from place-to-place at the interior of the first carrying case.

[0009] A second one of the stackable and interlocking carrying cases has pairs of locking grooves formed at opposite ends of the front. A pair of locking feet project from one end of the back, and a pair of locking grooves are formed at the opposite end of the back. Thus, the first and second stackable carrying cases may be interconnected in interlocking engagement with one another for building modular furniture that can be easily configured and broken down so as to be especially suitable for use within a small enclosure (e.g., a tent) for a mobile tactical command and control center in the field. To this end, the second carrying case has a hollow interior so as to receive a pull-out drawer and a pull-out desk top. Like the first carrying case, the second case has detachable side panels that are removed to permit the drawer to be pulled outwardly therefrom so as to enable access to the contents (e.g., stationary supplies) thereof. The desk top is pulled axially outward via an exit opening that is formed through the top of the case to establish a flat surface that is suitable for writing or for supporting a telephone, photograph, etc.

[0010] By arranging the first and second carrying cases in a pair of vertical stacks with the second carrying case located on top of one stack, the desk top can be pulled outwardly from the second case so as to extend between the vertical stacks and thereby create a modular desk. In addition, the drawer can also be pulled outwardly from the second case, whereby the modular desk may be used during a military or similar exercise with the convenience of a standard office desk. In this same regard, when the side panels are removed from selected ones of the first carrying cases in one or both of the stacks, access will be immediately available to the rack mounted electronics therewithin so as to provide the resources necessary to configure a space efficient tactical command and control center.

Problems solved by technology

Because of the relatively large size that characterize conventional shipping cases and the equipment carried therein, it is often difficult to stack a number of such shipping cases close together on a pallet so as to fit within the cargo hold or storage space of a truck, plane or ship, particularly when storage space is at a premium.

That is, a tall stack of conventional shipping containers is known to consume excessive cargo area as well as to be unstable so as to shift and possibly fall over during transit.

Because of the large weight associated with the conventional shipping containers, it is often difficult to transport individual containers that must be hand carried onto an airplane or a helicopter or to a remote base over rugged terrain.

What is even more, a grouping of bulky shipping containers are undesirable at a command and control station in the field.

More particularly, in some instances, access to and use of the equipment transported therewithin is not possible until some or all of the equipment is first removed from its container.

Thus, a great deal of time may be wasted during loading and reloading the shipping containers which can lead to inefficiency, especially when it is desirable to create a highly mobile command and control center that is capable of rapid deployment.

Consequently, the shipping containers either create tight working conditions within a small enclosure or require that larger and more expensive enclosures be available within which to house the personnel and the equipment required to operate a remote command and control center.

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