Special receptacle or package – With ornamentation or simulation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-22
2001-01-16
Gehman, Bryon P. (Department: 3728)
Special receptacle or package
With ornamentation or simulation
C040S312000, C190S125000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173837
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to convertible luggage, and more particularly to a computer laptop carrying case or briefcase with interchangeable side panels to vary the ornamental appearance of the case.
2. Description of the Related Art
In this age of portable electronic computers, the design or fashion options for carrying cases remain quite limited. Black vinyl or leather bags are commonplace, as well as hard cases of various solid colors. The bland appearance of such conventional cases is believed justified by their perceived appropriateness for all occasions.
Still, it may be desirable to display an ornamental design coordinating with a user's outfit that day, a school emblem, a company logo, or an advertising slogan for an important client. Consequently, the prior art includes carrying cases having some adaptability, such as interchangeable side panels made possible by altering the structure of various cases. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,575,226 and 3,738,458, issued to Chapman and Yount, respectively, are representative examples of such adaptable carrying cases.
Although adaptable cases such as those disclosed in the Chapman and Yount patents have proven generally suitable for their intended purposes, they possess inherent deficiencies which detract from their overall effectiveness and desirability. The Chapman and Yount cases are configured for partial structural disassembly to change the side panels, making those designs complex and costly.
That way of changing the panels also necessarily means the contents of the cases are potentially exposed while doing the changeover. Additionally, the integrity of the case may be generally compromised if it is more susceptible to being broken into or allowing moisture in around the side panels. Finally, the Chapman and Yount carrying cases are unique designs, seemingly eliminating the possibility of reworking the conventional carrying cases described above to add the interchangeability feature.
It would be an advance in the art to overcome these shortcomings and to resolve these disadvantages, in a manner to provide an improved and versatile carrying case that is useful and attractive.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a carrying case having interchangeable side panels not part of the structure of the overall case itself.
It is an additional object of the present invention that the interchangeable panels be securely retained once installed, although not requiring any disassembly of the carrying case structure to accomplish the installation.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a carrying case having interchangeable side panels, attachable and releasable while the contents of the case remain enclosed.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a carrying case having interchangeable side panels without compromising the integrity of the case to being tampered with or allowing the entry of foreign matter.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a kit for converting an existing conventional carrying case into one having interchangeable side panels which are easily changed out.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description and drawings which follow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention specifically addresses the deficiencies of the prior art mentioned above, as well as the objects of the invention. More particularly, the present invention is a carrying case including a suitcase having structural side panels, and a number of ornamental side panels about the same size as the structural side panels for temporary attachment thereto on the outside of the suitcase. The ornamental side panels, not being part of the structure of the suitcase, may be interchanged without opening the suitcase or disassembling it in any way.
The ornamental side panels generally cover the underlying structural side panels, and are preferably attachable with conventional hook and loop fasteners, such as those sold under the Velcro® trademark. The suitcase may further include integral flanged framework surrounding each of the structural side panels outside the suitcase, configured such that the edges of the ornamental side panels may be tucked under the flanged framework when installing the same. That is, the flanged framework preferably provides a small clearance between itself and the structural side panel, slightly more than the thickness of the ornamental side panels.
The ornamental side panels may further include a small tag attached to a corner of each, for pulling the ornamental side panels out from under the flanged framework upon detaching a particular ornamental side panel. The small tag is preferably of a thickness substantially less than the clearance between the flanged framework and the structural side panel, thereby making it usable as a tool in tucking the edges of the ornamental side panels under the flanged framework.
A method for converting a suitcase into a carrying case having interchangeable side panels is also part of the invention. The method includes providing the suitcase having the structural side panels, providing the ornamental side panels, and releasably attaching one of the ornamental side panels to each of the structural side panels outside the suitcase. Still further, the method may include providing the small tag attached to the corner of each of the ornamental side panels, and pulling the tag to remove the ornamental side panels out from under the flanged framework.
These, as well as other advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description and drawings. It is understood that changes in the specific structure shown and described may be made within the scope of the claims which follow without departing from the spirit of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 34361 (1993-08-01), Pratt
patent: 2438780 (1948-03-01), Hochner
patent: 3575226 (1971-04-01), Chapman
patent: 3710901 (1973-01-01), Guard et al.
patent: 4938326 (1990-07-01), Pfeiffer
patent: 5009319 (1991-04-01), Jantzen
patent: 5400903 (1995-03-01), Cooley
patent: 5529184 (1996-06-01), Sadow
patent: 5533558 (1996-07-01), Carey et al.
patent: 5560479 (1996-10-01), Leyba et al.
patent: 5607054 (1997-03-01), Hollingsworth
patent: 5775497 (1998-07-01), Krulik
patent: 5803266 (1998-09-01), Blackwelder
patent: 5870282 (1999-02-01), Andr{acute over (e)} et al.
Cislo & Thomas
Gehman Bryon P.
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