Stackable, interlocking carrying cases for making a modular desk having a removable desk top

Abstract

Stackable and interlocking carrying cases in which to transport rack mounted electronics of the kind having particular application at a mobile tactical command and control center. A plurality of carrying cases are stacked one above the other to form columns suitable for transport on a pallet and for making a modular desk or table to be located in a tent or similar enclosure for use by command and control center personnel. Each carrying case has a pair of detachable side panels that are adapted to be connected side-by-side one another to form a substantially flat working surface for use as a removable top to extend across a pair of columns of carrying cases. Each of the pair of detachable side panels carries a pair of support bars that are rotatable so as to extend between and thereby connect the side panels together so as to be capable of holding the usual office equipment and supplies. By virtue of the detachable side panels, a modular desk or table can be quickly and easily assembled in the field entirely from the plurality of carrying cases.

1 . A carrying case comprising a body including a top, a bottom, a front, a back and a pair of side panels, said pair of side panels adapted to be detached from said body and connected together to form a substantially flat working surface.  
   
   
       2 . The carrying case recited in  claim 1 , also comprising at least one support bar extending between said pair of side panels to connect said pair of side panels together following the detachment of said pair of side panels from the body of said carrying case.  
   
   
       3 . The carrying case recited in  claim 1 , also comprising a first support bar carried by a first side panel of said pair of side panels and a second support bar carried by the second side panel of said pair of side panels, said first and second support bars extending between said first and second side panels to connect said first and second side panels together following the detachment of said pair of side panels from the body of said carrying case.  
   
   
       4 . The carrying case recited in  claim 3 , wherein the first support bar is pivotally connected to the first side panel of said pair of side panels and the second support bar is pivotally connected to the second side panel of said pair of side panels, said first and second support bars being rotatable relative to the respective first and second pair of side panels so as to extend between and connect said first and second side panels together.  
   
   
       5 . The carrying case recited in  claim 4 , also comprising a guide channel connected to each of the first and second side panels of said pair of side panels, said first support bar being rotatable so as to extend between said first side panel and said second side panel by way of the guide channel connected to said second side panel, and said second support bar being rotated so as to extend between said second side panel and said first side panel by way of the guide channel connected to said first side panel.  
   
   
       6 . The carrying case recited in  claim 4 , wherein each of said first and second support bars runs longitudinally along the respective first and second side panels of said pair of side panels when said pair of side panels are attached to the body of said carrying case, each of said first and second support bars being rotated so as to run laterally across the respective first and second side panels for connecting said first and second side panels side-by-side one another following the detachment of said pair of side panels from the body of said carrying case.  
   
   
       7 . The carrying case recited in  claim 6 , wherein each of said first and second support bars has one end pivotally connected to the respective first and second side panels of said pair of side panels and first and second holes formed in the opposite free end thereof, the free end of each of said first and second support bars being respectively connected to said first and second side panels by way of said first hole when said first and second support bars run longitudinally along said first and second side panels, and the free end of each of said first and second support bars being respectively connected to said second and first side panels by way of said second hole when said support bars are rotated so as to run laterally across and extend between said first and second side panels.  
   
   
       8 . The carrying case recited in  claim 1 , wherein the substantially flat working surface that is formed by the connection together of said pair of side panels is the top of a desk or table.  
   
   
       9 . A plurality of carrying cases to be stacked together to form first and second columns of carrying cases, each of said carrying cases comprising a body including a top, a bottom, a back, a front and a pair of side panels, at least one of said pair of side panels adapted to be detached from the bodies of first and second carrying cases of said plurality of carrying cases and connected together to form a top to extend across said first and second columns of carrying cases.  
   
   
       10 . The plurality of carrying cases recited in  claim 9 , also comprising at least one support bar extending between the one of said pair of side panels detached from the bodies of the first and second carrying cases of said plurality of carrying cases to connect said side panels together following the detachment of said side panels from said first and second carrying cases.