U.S. patent application number 09/758886 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-11 for luggage article.
Invention is credited to Abraham, J. Richard.
Application Number | 20020088679 09/758886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25053487 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020088679 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abraham, J. Richard |
July 11, 2002 |
Luggage article
Abstract
A luggage article includes a main body including a first wall, a
flap, and a first gusset attached to the main body and to the flap,
with the flap being moveable from a closed position in which the
flap is partially attached to the main bag body to an open position
in which the flap is at least partially attached from the main bag
body to form a storage compartment defined by the first wall and
the flap that can receive an item therein. The abstract shall not
be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.
Inventors: |
Abraham, J. Richard;
(Pittsburgh, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Brij K. Agarwal
Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC
44th Floor
600 Grant Street
Pittsburgh
PA
15219
US
|
Family ID: |
25053487 |
Appl. No.: |
09/758886 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/111 ;
190/109; 190/903 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 5/03 20130101; A45C
5/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/111 ;
190/109; 190/903 |
International
Class: |
A45C 003/00; A45C
005/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A luggage article comprising: a main bag body including a first
wall; a flap; and a first gusset attached to the main body and to
the flap; the flap being movable from a closed position in which
the flap is partially attached to the main bag body to an open
position in which the flap is at least partially detached from the
main bag body to form a storage compartment that is defined by the
first wall and the flap and that can receive an item therein.
2. The luggage article as set forth in claim 1, in which the first
wall includes a first side edge portion and the flap includes a
second side edge portion, the first gusset being attached to the
first and second side edge portions.
3. The luggage article as set forth in claim 1, further comprising
a second gusset, and in which the interior wall includes a pair of
opposed first side edges, a first top edge, and a first bottom
edge, and in which the flap includes a pair of opposed second side
edges, a second top edge, and a second bottom edge, the first
gusset being attached to one of the first side edges and to one of
the second side edges, the second gusset being attached to the
other of the first side edges and to the other of the second side
edges.
4. The luggage article as set forth in claim 3, in which the
storage compartment is defined by the first wall, the flap, and the
first and second gussets, when the flap is in the open
position.
5. The luggage article as set forth in claim 4, in which a zipper
extends between at least a portion of the main bag body and the
flap.
6. The luggage article as set forth in claim 5, in which the second
bottom edge is fixedly attached to the main bag body.
7. The luggage article as set forth in claim 1, in which the first
wall has a first inner surface, the flap has a second inner
surface, and in which the first and second inner surfaces are
substantially moisture-resistant.
8. The luggage article as set forth in claim 7, in which the first
wall and the flap are lined with a moisture-resistant material to
form the first and second inner surfaces.
9. The luggage article as set forth in claim 8, in which the
moisture-resistant material is polyvinyl chloride.
10. The luggage article as set forth in claim 8, in which the first
gusset is lined with a moisture-resistant material.
11. The luggage article as set forth in claim 10, further
comprising a second gusset, and in which the interior wall includes
a pair of opposed first side edges, a first top edge, and a first
bottom edge, and in which the flap includes a pair of opposed
second side edges, a second top edge, and a second bottom edge, the
first gusset being attached to one of the first side edges and to
one of the second side edges, the second gusset being attached to
the other of the first side edges and to the other of the second
side edges, and in which the second gusset is lined with a
moisture-resistant material.
12. The luggage article as set forth in claim 1, in which the flap
is manufactured at least partially out of a resilient material such
that the storage compartment is structured to be expandable to hold
the item therein when the flap is in the closed position.
13. The luggage article as set forth in claim 1, in which the first
gusset is a strap.
14. The luggage article as set forth in claim 13, in which the
first gusset includes a first portion attached to the main bag body
and a second portion attached to the flap, the first and second
portions being releasably connected with one another.
15. The luggage article as set forth in claim 14, in which the
first gusset includes a buckle releasably extending between the
first and second portions.
16. The luggage article as set forth in claim 15, in which the flap
includes an interior zippered compartment.
17. The luggage article as set forth in claim 1, in which the flap
includes an interior zippered compartment.
18. A luggage article comprising: a main bag body including a first
wall; a flap structured to be cantilevered from the main bag body
such that the first wall and the flap form a storage
compartment.
19. The luggage article as set forth in claim 18, in which the flap
can be cantilevered between a closed position and an open position,
and further comprising a first gusset extending between the main
bag body and the flap, in which the flap in the open position is
supported in the open position by the first gusset.
20. A method of storing an item in a storage compartment of a
luggage article, the method comprising the steps of: detaching at
least a portion of a flap of the luggage article from a main bag
body of the luggage article; moving the detached portion of the
flap away from the main bag body to form the storage compartment
between the flap and a first wall of the main bag body; and
receiving the item into the storage compartment.
21. The method as set forth in claim 20, in which the step of
moving the detached portion of the flap includes the step of
supporting the flap in an open position with a first gusset.
22. The method as set forth in claim 21, in which the step of
supporting the flap includes the step of holding the flap in
equipoise with the first gusset and with gravity.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to luggage articles
and, more particularly, to a luggage article having a flap that
forms an auxiliary storage compartment that can receive an item
therein.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Numerous types of luggage articles are known and understood
in the relevant art. Luggage articles typically are used for
storing a plurality of items such as clothing or other items
therein, and typically are configured with handles, wheels, and the
like to facilitate moving the luggage articles and the items
therein from one location to another. Luggage articles thus are
conveniently used by travelers to transport from one location to
another their clothing and other items needed for daily use. While
such luggage articles have been reasonably successful at achieving
their intended purposes, such luggage articles have not, however,
been without limitation.
[0005] Most luggage articles are configured with a main storage
cavity into which the clothing and other items are introduced for
storage and transportation. It is desirable, however, that dirty
and sometimes wet clothes be kept separate from clean clothes in
order to avoid the transmission of moisture perspiration, odors,
and soil from the dirty clothes to the clean clothes. It is also
desirable to isolate certain items, such as bottles holding liquids
therein, from the clean clothing or other items in order to avoid
the liquid from contaminating the clean clothing or other items in
the event that the bottle breaks and the liquid escapes. While
external pockets have been provided on some types of luggage
articles, and it is understood that dirty clothes can sometimes be
received in such pockets, the use of such pockets nevertheless
remain inconvenient due to their small size and generally awkward
configuration. Additionally, while some luggage articles are
configured with multiple sub-compartments within the main storage
cavity, such sub-compartments are undesirable for the storage of
dirty clothing inasmuch as such dirty clothing presents an
unsightly appearance when the main storage cavity is opened for
other purposes, such as to place additional articles therein during
travel.
[0006] It is thus desired to provide an improved luggage article
having a flap externally disposed thereon such that a storage
compartment is defined behind the flap. The storage compartment
preferably is separated by a wall from the main storage cavity and
is configured to conveniently receive therein an item such as a
piece of dirty clothing or other item. It is also preferred that
the flap be configured to remain open under certain circumstances
to facilitate the introduction of items therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with the foregoing, a luggage article is
provided, the general nature of which can be stated as including a
main body including a first wall, a flap, and a first gusset
attached to the main body and to the flap, with the flap being
moveable from a closed position in which the flap is at least
partially attached to the main bag body to an open position in
which the flap is at least partially detached from the main bag
body to form a storage compartment that is defined by the first
wall and the flap and that can receive an item therein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A further understanding of the present invention can be
obtained from the Description of the Preferred Embodiments and the
accompanying figures in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of
a luggage article in accordance with the present invention, with
the luggage article being in a closed condition;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the first embodiment
in an open condition;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, except partially cut
away;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of
a luggage article in accordance with the present invention, with
the first embodiment being in a closed condition;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the second embodiment
in an open condition and with a zippered compartment thereof not
shown for purposes of clarity;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, except partially cut
away and shown without the zippered compartment for purposes of
clarity; and
[0015] FIG. 7 is a sectional view as taken along line 7-7 of FIG.
4.
[0016] Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the
specification.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] A luggage article 4 in accordance with a first embodiment of
the present invention is indicated generally in FIGS. 1-3. The
luggage article 4 includes a main bag body 8, a flap 12, and a pair
of gussets 16. The luggage article 4 is configured to receive and
store therein a variety of items such as clothing, personal items,
and the like, and includes handles, wheels, and other devices to
facilitate carrying or otherwise moving the luggage article 4 from
one location to another. The luggage article 4 can be configured in
the form of numerous known types of luggage articles, such as
carry-on bags, suitcases, garment bags, and other known luggage
configurations.
[0018] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3, the main bag body 8
is roughly in the shape of a hollow rectangular parallelepiped with
rounded comers, although it will be appreciated that other sizes
and shaped can be utilized. The flap 12 and the gussets 16 are
disposed on one side of the main bag body 8. The flap 12
advantageously defines a storage compartment 20 between the flap 12
and the main bag body 8. The storage compartment 20 is
advantageously configured to receive an item therein, such as an
article of dirty clothing or other such item, as will be set forth
more fully below.
[0019] The luggage article 4 is manufactured primarily out of a
flexible and somewhat resilient material such as sheets of woven
nylon or other such material. Moreover, while the luggage article 4
depicted in FIGS. 1-3 is manufactured primarily out of flexible,
resilient fabric to be of a "soft-sided" configuration, it is
further understood that in other configurations the luggage article
4 could be manufactured out of relatively stiff materials such as
molded plastic, which could include polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and
PVC-derivatives, or other such materials, without departing from
the concept of the present invention.
[0020] The main bag body 8 includes a first wall 24 (FIGS. 2 and
3,) a second wall 28, and a perimeter wall 32 connected with one
another to form a hollow rectangular body. The first and second
walls 24 and 28 are substantially rectangular with rounded corners,
and are parallel and spaced apart from one another. The perimeter
wall 32 extends between the spaced first and second walls 24 and 28
and extends around the perimeters of each of the first and second
walls 24 and 28.
[0021] The main bag body 8 further includes a main bag zipper 36
that detachably connects the perimeter wall 32 with the first wall
24 and extends therebetween. When the main bag zipper 36 is in the
released position, the first wall 24 can be pivoted away from the
perimeter wall 32 to reveal a main storage cavity 40 within the
main bag body 8. The main storage cavity 40 is configured to
receive therein a quantity of items such as clothing, shoes,
personal items and the like. As will be set forth more fully below,
the main storage cavity is advantageously separated from the
storage compartment 20 by the first wall 24.
[0022] The first wall 24 includes a pair of first side edges 44, a
first top edge 48, and a first bottom edge 52 that are connected
with one another along arcuate corners to form the substantially
rectangular perimeter of the first wall 24. The first side edges 44
are substantially parallel and spaced apart from one another, and
the first top and bottom edges 48 and 52 are likewise substantially
parallel and spaced apart from one another. The second wall 28 is
substantially similar to the first wall 24.
[0023] The flap 12 is a substantially rectangular body with rounded
corners having a pair of parallel and spaced apart second side
edges 56, a second top edge 60, and a second bottom edge 64. The
second top and bottom edges 60 and 64 are substantially parallel
and spaced apart from one another, and along with the second side
edges 56 form the perimeter of the flap 12. The second bottom edge
64 of the flap 12 is fixedly attached to the main bag body 8 such
as by sewing or other appropriate attachment method, such that the
flap 12 is flexibly and pivotably mounted on the main bag body
8.
[0024] In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3, the fixed
attachment of the flap 12 to the main bag body 8 extends beyond the
second bottom edge 64, and continues along the rounded comers
between the second bottom edge 64 and the second side edges 56, and
extends a small distance along the second side edges 56. A flap
zipper 68 extends between the flap 12 and the main bag body 8 along
the remainder of the perimeter of the flap 12. It is understood,
however, that in other embodiments the relative extent of the flap
zipper 68 and the fixed attachment of the flap 12 onto the main bag
body 8 may vary without departing from the concept of the present
invention.
[0025] The flap zipper 68 advantageously can be moved between a
zipped condition (FIG. 1) and an unzipped condition (FIG. 2), which
permits the flap 12 to be moved between a closed position (FIG. 1)
and an open position (FIG. 2). As is best shown in FIG. 2, the flap
12 in the open position is partially attached to the main bag body
8, whereby the portions of the flap 12 that are fixedly attached to
the main bag body 8 remain attached thereto, and the portions of
the flap 12 along which the flap zipper 68 extends are detached
from the main bag body 8. As such, it can be seen from FIG. 2 that
the second bottom edge 64 and a small portion of the lower ends of
the second side edges 56 remain attached to the main bag body 8,
while the other portions of the perimeter of the flap 12 are spaced
or pivoted away from the main bag body 8.
[0026] As can further be seen in FIGS. 1-3, the flap 12
additionally includes a zippered compartment 72 that is internal
either to the flap 12 or to the storage compartment 20. The
zippered compartment 72 includes a zipper on the flap 12, and thus
provides an additional separate storage space within the luggage
article 4 that can be accessed from the exterior of the luggage
article 4.
[0027] The embodiment of the luggage article 4 depicted in FIGS.
1-3 includes a perimeter strip 76 that extends between the first
wall 24 and the flap 12. The perimeter strip 76 thus spaces the
flap 12 from the first wall 24 and increases the volume of the
storage compartment 20. It can seen, therefore, that the fixed
attachment of the flap 12 to the main bag body 8 is actually a
fixed attachment of the second bottom edge 64 and a portion of the
second side edges 56 of the flap 12 to the perimeter strip 76.
Likewise, the flap zipper 68 extends between the flap 12 and the
perimeter strip 76 about the remainder of the perimeter of the flap
12. It is understood, however, that in other embodiments the
luggage article 4 may be configured to not include the perimeter
strip 76 without departing from the concept of the present
invention. In such a configuration, the flap 12 may be mounted
directly onto the first wall 24 of the luggage article 4.
[0028] As is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the gussets 16 extend
between the second side edges 56 of the flap 12 and the first side
edges 44 of the first wall 24. The gussets 16, as depicted
generally in FIG. 2, are roughly trapezoid-shaped sheets of
material similar to that out of which the main bag body 8 and flap
12 are manufactured, although other appropriate materials may be
employed without departing from the concept of the present
invention. It can be understood from FIG. 2 that in other
configurations the gussets 16 could potentially extend between the
perimeter strip 76 and the second side edges 56 of the flap 12
without departing from the concept of the present invention.
[0029] Assuming that the second bottom edge 64 is at a vertically
lower position than the second top edge 60, the flap 12 in the open
position is retained in equipoise in the position depicted
generally in FIG. 2 by the combined action of gravity and the
retentive forces of the gussets 16. As such, the flap 12 in the
open position remains in the open position such that the storage
compartment 20 includes a mouth extending generally vertically
upward with respect to FIG. 2. This open-mouth configuration of
storage compartment 20 permits the flap 12 to function in concert
with the first wall 24 such that the storage compartment 20 serves
as a laundry hamper that can receive a number of items therein,
such as dirty clothing. The first wall 24 advantageously separates
the storage compartment 20 from the main storage cavity 40 to
resist the transmission of perspiration, odors, and soil
therebetween. The luggage article 4 also is preferably configured
such that it will remain vertically upright in the orientation
depicted generally in FIG. 2 despite the introduction of numerous
items into the storage compartment 20.
[0030] As is best shown in FIG. 2, the gussets 16 extend along a
substantial portion of the first and second side edges 44 and 56.
The gussets 16 thus cooperate with the flap 12 and first wall 24 to
form the laundry hamper which retains the items within the storage
compartment 20 when the flap 12 is in the open position by
resisting items from falling through the space between the flap 12
and the first wall 24. It is understood, however, that the gussets
16 may be of other configurations than that depicted in FIGS. 2 and
3 without departing from the concept of the present invention.
[0031] Inasmuch as it is desirable to physically separate the
storage compartment 20 from the main storage cavity 40 with the
first wall 24, and inasmuch as it is understood that some of the
items that can be stored within the storage compartment 20 can
include wet clothing and liquid-containing structures, the first
wall 24, the flap 12, and the gussets 16 are lined with a
moisture-resistant material to form moisture-resistant inner
surfaces. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-3, the
moisture-resistant material is polyvinyl chloride. In other
embodiments, it is understood that substantial benefits can also be
achieved by lining only the first wall 24 with the
moisture-resistant material. It is further understood that in other
configurations the lining material may be of a
different-moisture-resistant material, and it is farther understood
that such moisture resistance may be imparted to the luggage
article 4 in fashions other than by lining with a
moisture-resistant material, such as by impregnating the various
components of the luggage article 4 with the moisture-resistant
material, or by manufacturing various components of the luggage
article 4 out of the moisture-resistant material.
[0032] In use, the luggage article 4 is typically transported from
one location to another with the flap 12 in the closed position as
is depicted generally in FIG. 1. When it is desired to place an
item into the storage compartment 20, the flap zipper 68 is moved
from the zipped condition to the unzipped condition, which permits
the flap 12 to pivot from the closed position to the open position,
whereby the flap 12, the gussets 16, and the first wall 24
cooperate to make the storage compartment 20 into a laundry hamper
with an upward-pointing mouth as is depicted generally in FIG. 2.
The flap 12 is maintained in equipoise in the open position by the
combined action of the gussets 16 and gravity acting upon the flap
12, which advantageously permits items to be placed into the
storage compartment 20 without the need to manually hold the flap
12 in the open position.
[0033] Once the items are positioned in the storage compartment 20,
the flap zipper 68 is moved from the unzipped condition to the
zipped condition to detachably reconnect the detached portions of
the flap 12 onto the main bag body 8 and to thereby close the
storage compartment 20. In so doing, the material of the flap 12
and/or of the first wall 24 resiliently stretches or otherwise
elastically deforms as needed to accommodate the items in the
storage compartment 20. The items in the storage compartment 20 are
advantageously retained therein and are kept separate from the main
storage cavity 40 by the first wall 24 that is interposed
therebetween.
[0034] It thus can be seen that the flap 12 and the gussets 16
advantageously define the storage compartment 20 against the first
wall 24, with the first wall 24 advantageously separating the
storage compartment 20 from the main storage cavity 40. The first
wall 24 and other components of the luggage article 4 are
advantageously moisture-resistant to resist the transmission of
perspiration, odor, and soil between items in the storage
compartment 20 and items in the main storage cavity 40. The fixed
attachment of the second bottom edge 64 of the flap 12 to the main
bag body 8 operates in concert with the gussets 16 such that the
flap 12 remains in the open position depicted generally in FIG. 2.
The flap 12 and/or the first wall 24 are made out of a flexible and
resilient material that can stretch to accommodate varying
quantities of items of different shapes within the storage
compartment 20.
[0035] A second embodiment of a luggage article 104 in accordance
with the present invention is indicated generally in FIGS. 4-7. The
luggage article 104 advantageously includes gussets 116 that are in
the form of straps 176 extending between the flap 112 and the first
wall 124.
[0036] The straps 176 each include a first portion 180 and a second
portion 184 that are detachably connected with one another via a
buckle 188 extending therebetween. The first portion 180 of each
strap 176 is connected with the first wall 124 of the luggage
article 104, and the second portion 184 of each strap 176 is
connected with the flap 112. The buckle 188 extending between the
first and second portions 180 and 184 permits the first and second
portions 180 and 184 to be detached from one another to permit the
flap 112 to be pivoted farther away from the main bag body 108 than
the open position.
[0037] The luggage article 104 additionally includes a flexible
sheet 192 on the first wall 124 that defines an additional
retention compartment within the storage compartment 120. The flap
112 additionally includes a zippered compartment 172 (FIG. 7) that
is of a different configuration than the zippered compartment
172.
[0038] It can further be seen that the main bag body 108 includes a
main bag zipper 136 that is disposed thereon opposite the flap 112.
The flap 112 thus remains stationary when the main bag zipper 136
is operated and the second wall is pivoted away from the main bag
body 108. In other embodiments, however, the main bag zipper could
be disposed adjacent the flap 112, whereby it would permit the
first wall 124 to be selectively pivoted with the flap 112 away
from the main bag body 108 to open the main storage cavity.
[0039] The luggage articles 4 and 104, depending upon their
specific configurations, may have a front side and a back side
defined thereon. The front and back sides may be defined by the
presence of wheels and/or handles, the positioning of zippers, and
in other fashions. In this regard, it is understood that the flaps
12 and 112 may be disposed on either or both of the front and back
sides of the luggage articles 4 and 104.
[0040] While a number of particular embodiments of the present
invention have been described herein, it is understood that various
changes, additions, modifications, and adaptations may be made
without departing from the scope of the present invention as set
forth in the following claims.
* * * * *