Trunks and hand-carried luggage – Hand luggage – Variable volume
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-17
2001-06-12
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Trunks and hand-carried luggage
Hand luggage
Variable volume
C190S127000, C190S105000, C190S107000, C190S114000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244399
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to luggage. It relates more particularly to a collapsible hard case for transporting articles of one kind or another. The case is especially adapted to contain and transport a foldable bicycle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are two basic types of luggage namely soft side luggage and rigid luggage such as cases and trunks. The former type has an advantage in that it can be crushed or folded up so that it occupies a minimum amount of space when not in use. Also, the walls of the luggage piece, being flexible, allow for certain amount of overpacking. However, the same attribute means that fragile articles in the luggage can be damaged if the luggage piece is handled roughly or impacted from without. A hard case, on the other hand, having rigid walls, protects the case contents. It is disadvantaged in that when empty, it takes up a relatively large space in a closet or storage area.
It would be desirable, therefore, to be able to provide a luggage piece which has the advantages of both hard and soft side luggage, with none of the disadvantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved luggage piece.
Another object of the invention is to provide a case which, when erect, has relatively rigid walls, but which can be collapsed when the case is not in use.
Another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible hard case which can be erected and collapsed quite easily.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a collapsible case which protects even fragile articles that may be within the case.
A further object of the invention is to provide a collapsible hard case especially suitable for transporting a foldable bicycle.
Other objects will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, appear hereinafter.
The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the following detailed description, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
Briefly, the present case or container has top, bottom and opposite side walls formed from a continuous strip of flexible sheet material arranged in a loop. Sewed into the loop at spaced apart locations therealong is a series of transverse rigid battens which extend substantially the entire width of the loop perpendicular to the edges thereof. Thus, while the loop is rigid in the lateral direction, it is flexible in the longitudinal direction, i.e., in the direction of the loop. The case also has mirror-image front and rear panels which can be opened. Each panel is provided with removable relatively rigid struts which, when in place, rigidify the panel. Also, fasteners are provided on the edges of each panel which connect to mating fasteners on the adjacent edges of the loop. Thus, when the front and rear panels are fastened to the opposite edges of the loop, the panels support the loop in an erect position wherein the loop has the same general shape as the panels.
As we shall see, the case may be fitted with wheels and a strap or handle similar to those on conventional suitcases so that the case looks like a piece of conventional roll away luggage.
However, due to its aforesaid novel construction, the case has all of the advantages of both rigid luggage and soft side luggage and none of the disadvantages thereof. More particularly, the removable struts in the front and rear panels not only maintain the shape of the case, but also protect the case contents from impacts against the front and rear of the case. On the other hand, impacts against the other walls of the case are resisted by the battens incorporated into the fabric material loop that forms those walls.
When loading or unloading the case, the front or rear panel may be opened, the other panel maintaining the shape of the case. When the case is not in use, it may be collapsed by opening both panels and removing the struts therein. This will allow the panels to be folded up within the loop. Without the panels to support it, the loop is also flexible in the longitudinal direction and can be rolled up to form a compact relatively small volume package which can be conveniently placed in a closet or other storage area.
As will become apparent, the collapsible hard case described herein is relatively easy and inexpensive to make in quantity. Furthermore, it can be erected and collapsed quite easily without a need for any tool and, when collapsed, it occupies a minimum amount of space. For instance, when the case is used to house a foldable bicycle, once the bicycle is removed from the case and unfolded, the case may be collapsed and strapped to a carrier behind the seat of the bicycle.
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Cesari and McKenna
Mai Tri M.
O.J. Birkenstrand
Shoap Allan N.
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