Trunks and hand-carried luggage – Supporting devices – Wheeled
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-28
2001-10-09
Shoap, Allan N. (Department: 3727)
Trunks and hand-carried luggage
Supporting devices
Wheeled
C190S115000, C280S037000, C280S655100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298964
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a compact carrying case for a laptop computer, briefcase, portfolio, attache case, or similar cases, which includes a narrow roller along its bottom wall, and a retractable handle which extends into, and through the interior of, the carrying case and can readily be inserted into or removed from the case to permit conversion of the case between its carrying mode and rolling mode along a floor surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The increased prevalence and utilization of laptop computers and other readily transportable devices have led to the development of a variety of portable carrying cases to enable the user to safely and protectively transport the laptop computer or other contents. Such laptop computer carrying cases are usually slightly larger than the laptop computer, formed of fabric or other soft material, and include appropriate cushioning material to protect the laptop computer against jarring or dropping. Typical carrying cases are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,217,119 5,445,266 5,494,157 and 5,524,754. Such carrying cases as well as briefcases, portfolios, and attache cases usually include a manually graspable handle. A shoulder strap may also be provided in order to permit the user to lift and tote the carrying case during his or her travels. Such shoulder straps or manually graspable handles may be sufficiently convenient for carrying the case during short periods of time (e.g. during local commuting or within the user's building) or when the user is not carrying other baggage. However, during prolonged periods of carrying the case containing a laptop computer or many files, particularly when traveling in conjunction with other articles of luggage, it may be inconvenient and/or uncomfortable to restrict the transport of the laptop computer case by lifting with the shoulder strap or manually graspable handle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention a compact, lightweight, and unobtrusive construction is provided to readily convert the portable carrying case to a rolling mode. The structure for converting the case includes a retractable handle which extends into and through the interior of the carrying case and may be manually disconnected from the carrying case. When disconnected the handle assembly may be either (i) stored in the carrying case, or (ii) completely removed from the carrying case. Advantageously, the portable carrying case includes a handle storage compartment along one of its outer walls. The handle storage compartment includes a manually operable closure means, such as a zipper, or other means, such as a flap with a snap or Velcro closure, so that when the handle is in its retracted stored position and not removed from the carrying case, it will be completely confined within the case. In conjunction with the retractable handle, an elongated roller assembly, which will preferably be of a significantly lesser diameter than the individual wheels conventionally attached to wheeled articles of luggage, is mounted to the bottom of the carrying case. The elongated roller may also be preferably removed from the carrying case when it is not in the rolling mode. When it is desired to convert the portable carrying case for rolling operation, the previously removed retractable handle is manually re-attached to the carrying case, moved out from within the volume of the case, such that its free end extends upwardly beyond the top wall of the case. If the roller assembly had been removed, the roller assembly is also manually attached to the bottom of the carrying case to place the case in its rolling mode. The removable handle assembly, in conjunction with the narrow roller assembly which may also be removable, allows the portable carrying case to function as a conventional case, utilizing its shoulder strap or manually graspable handle, while maintaining the aesthetics of the case without significantly increasing the profile of the case.
The retractable handle may be formed of a single, or pair of interconnected, vertical extensible members, generally centrally located between the end walls of the case and comprised of a plurality of telescoping sections which extend into the interior volume of the case. Each of the sections is of a length less than the height of the handle storage compartment between the top and bottom walls of the case. Thus, the telescoping retractable handle, although removable, may be completely confined within the handle storage compartment in its connected and retracted position.
In accordance with my invention the retractable handle assembly may be completely removed from the case when it is desired to use the case in a non-rolling mode. A releasable means is provided for securing the retractable handle to the case. The releasable means may be manually moveable between a first condition in which the retractable handle is engaged and fixedly secured to a wall of the case and a second condition wherein the retractable handle may be removed from the case. When it is desired to use the case in the non-rolling mode for a substantial period of time the removed handle may be stored in a location other than the case, so as to reduce the weight of the case and increase the volume of the case available for other contents. The releasable means for the handle may include a bracket member which is permanently secured to the case, in conjunction with a manually actuated member. The retractable handle includes an attachment portion for selective cooperative engagement with the manually actuated member to establish the first operative condition when the retractable handle is engaged and fixedly secured to the case.
As another advantageous feature in accordance with the present invention the elongated roller assembly which is mounted to the bottom of the computer case may likewise be disconnected from the case when it is desired to use the case in the non-rolling mode. A second releasable means is provided for securing the elongated cylindrical roller to the case. The second releasable means is manually movable between a first condition wherein the elongated cylindrical roller is engaged and fixedly secured to the bottom of the case and a second condition wherein the elongated roller may be removed from the case. Thus, under those conditions when it is desired to use the case in the non-rolling mode the cylindrical roller assembly may be moved therefrom to reduce the weight of the case, and facilitate its storage when it has been placed in the overhead bin in an airplane cabin.
Although not to be considered as limiting, the portable carrying case may be in the order of 16″ wide and 12″ high. One embodiment may typically be in the order of 4″ deep. Another embodiment, which includes additional storage compartments, may be in the order of 6″ deep. The cylindrical roller means along the bottom wall of the case may have an outer diameter in the order of one half to three quarters of an inch. This is significantly less than the individual wheels typically utilized in conjunction with other wheeled articles of luggage.
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a compact portable carrying case which includes a narrow roller bar along its bottom wall and can be readily converted into a rolling case.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide such a portable carrying case which may contain a laptop computer and includes a retractable handle, which can be completely stored within the case in its inoperative position, and an elongated roller extending along the long edge of the bottom wall of the carrying case.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a portable carrying case in which the retractable handle may be manually disconnected when it is not desired to roll the case along the ground surface.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide such a portable carrying case in which the retractable handle includes a single vertical extensible member formed of telescoping sections, which c
Abelman ,Frayne & Schwab
Mai Tri M.
Outrigger, Inc.
Shoap Allan N.
LandOfFree
Rolling case does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Rolling case, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Rolling case will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2556685