U.S. patent application number 09/947031 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-06 for luggage with container holder.
This patent application is currently assigned to Luggage America, Inc.. Invention is credited to Oh, Scott.
Application Number | 20030042091 09/947031 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25485398 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030042091 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Oh, Scott |
March 6, 2003 |
Luggage with container holder
Abstract
An improved luggage container for carrying a container comprises
a first compartment having at least front, rear and side surfaces
and a second compartment formed on a first side surface of the
first compartment. The second compartment has a cover defining and
providing access to the second compartment and an outer layer
attached inside the second compartment. The outer layer defines a
top opening for receiving therein the container such that the outer
layer is deployed by opening the cover of the second compartment,
and when the second compartment is closed, the outer layer is
completely enclosed within the second compartment. The cover of the
second compartment uses a rear side edge of the first compartment
as a pivoting axle.
Inventors: |
Oh, Scott; (Carson,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JONATHAN Y. KANG, ESQ.
LEE & HONG P.C.
11th Floor
221 N. Figueroa Street
Los Angeles
CA
90012-2601
US
|
Assignee: |
Luggage America, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
25485398 |
Appl. No.: |
09/947031 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/111 ;
190/102; 190/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 2200/20 20130101;
A45C 5/14 20130101; A45C 5/06 20130101; A45C 13/02 20130101; A45C
3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/111 ;
190/115; 190/102 |
International
Class: |
A45C 013/40; A45C
013/30 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A luggage container for carrying a container, comprising: a
first compartment having at least front, rear and side surfaces; a
second compartment formed on a side surface of the first
compartment, wherein the second compartment has a cover defining
and providing access to the second compartment; and an outer layer
attached inside the second compartment, the outer layer defining a
top opening for receiving therein the container such that the outer
layer is deployed by opening the cover of the second compartment,
and when the second compartment is closed, the outer layer is at
least partially enclosed within the second compartment.
2. The luggage container of claim 1, further comprising: a handle
disposed along a length of the first compartment; and a pair of
wheels mounted to a lower end of the first compartment.
3. The luggage container of claim 1, wherein the outer layer having
an elastic band to define the top opening.
4. The luggage container of claim 1, wherein the second compartment
further includes an inner layer that is shared with the first
compartment, the inner layer being of a water resistive
material.
5. The luggage container of claim 1, wherein the cover of the
second compartment uses a rear side edge of the first compartment
as a pivoting axle.
6. The luggage container of claim 5, further comprising: a handle
disposed along a length of the first compartment; and a pair of
wheels mounted to a lower end of the first compartment.
7. The luggage container of claim 5, wherein the outer layer having
an elastic band to define the top opening.
8. The luggage container of claim 5, wherein the second compartment
further includes an inner layer that is shared with the first
compartment, the inner layer being of a water resistive material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to generally to luggage
containers, and more specifically, to a luggage with integrated
container holder.
[0003] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0004] A challenge to traveling has always been carrying one's
belongings in the most efficient and easy manner. However,
depending on the circumstances, one bag is often not the best for
all situations. Depending on pavement conditions, the number of
stairs, etc., a backpack can be best fitted for the situation. At
other times, a wheeled suitcase is best to transport heavier
baggage through airports, even roads, etc.
[0005] The problem arises when a traveler is confronted with more
than one luggage or bags during a single trip, especially when
traveling involves flights and moving through busy airports or rail
terminals. When traveling using airplanes, many doctors have
recommended that sufficient amount of fluid be consumed during the
flight. In addition, moving about the terminals and simply just
walking cause a traveler to be dehydrated. As a result, many
travelers carry, in addition to their luggage and handbags, a
beverage bottle, such as a water bottle.
[0006] However, due to limited carrying capacity, usually the water
bottle cannot be conveniently placed in such luggage. Sometimes,
such bottles are placed inside a handbag, which may result in
spilling. Furthermore, the size of the typical water bottle causes
the bag to bulge thus causing a burden to carry the bag. Although
various attempts have been made to solve the problem, as popularity
of wheeled luggage or suitcases become increasingly more popular,
an improved design is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an
improved luggage that substantially obviates one or more of the
problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related
art.
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a means to
conveniently carry a bottle when the luggage is being wheeled.
[0009] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention
will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed
out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the
appended drawings.
[0010] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described, a luggage container for carrying a container comprises a
first compartment having at least front, rear and side surfaces; a
second compartment formed on a first side surface of the first
compartment, wherein the second compartment has a cover defining
and providing access to the second compartment; and an outer layer
attached inside the second compartment, the outer layer defining a
top opening for receiving therein the container such that the outer
layer is deployed by opening the cover of the second compartment,
and when the second compartment is closed, the outer layer is at
least partially enclosed within the second compartment. Preferably,
the outer layer has an elastic band to define the top opening.
[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the
luggage further comprises a handle disposed along a length of the
first compartment; and a pair of wheels mounted to a lower end of
the first compartment.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
second compartment further includes an inner layer that is shared
with the first compartment, the inner layer being of a water
resistive material.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
cover of the second compartment uses a rear side edge of the first
compartment as a pivoting axle.
[0014] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention
will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed
out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the
appended drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that both the
foregoing general description and the following detailed
description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to
provide a further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wheeled luggage having
an integrated container holder in accordance with a preferred
embodiments of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of the wheeled luggage with the cover
for the container holder opened in accordance with the preferred
embodiments of the present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the use of the container
holder in the wheeled luggage in accordance with the preferred
embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with
respect to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the annexed
drawings.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the wheeled luggage 10
having an integrated container holder in accordance with a
preferred embodiments of the present invention. According to FIG.
1, the luggage 10 has at least two compartments 20 and 25, wherein
the main compartment 20 is used to keep the user's belongings,
while a second or side compartment 25 is used to hold a container,
such as water bottle. The inside of the main compartment 20 is
accessible by using a zipper 22. The luggage 10 also has an
extendable handle 30. The retractable handle 30 extends
substantially along the length of the luggage 10. The extendable
handle 30 is mounted on the main compartment 20 at a position that
is adjacent to the backside of the main compartment 20. In the
wheeled suitcase configuration, the handle 30 extends out of the
top of the main compartment 25 to a predetermined distance and used
by the user to pull the luggage 10 by rolling the wheels 32, 34
after tilting the luggage 10.
[0021] The wheels 32 and 34 are preferably disposed at the bottom
edge of the luggage 10 to provide stability. According to the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the wheels 32, 34
are dual wheels (two wheels on each side) to provide stability and
easy transport.
[0022] The second compartment 25 is preferably placed along a side
of the luggage 10 and adjacent the rear side edge. The second
compartment 25 has a cover 27 that opens on the side using the rear
side edge as a pivoting axle 42. Preferably, the pivoting axle 42
of the second compartment 25 is the rear side edge of the luggage
10. The cover 27 closes the second compartment 25 by using any
suitable fastener known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such
as zippers, snaps, hook and loop fasteners or the like. According
to the preferred embodiment, the second compartment 25 is about 9
inches by 3 inches.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a side view of the wheeled luggage 10 with the
cover 27 for the second compartment 25 opened in accordance with
the preferred embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a
view illustrating the use of the second compartment as a container
holder.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the second compartment 25 is
affixed to the side of the main compartment 20. A zipper 26 is used
to open and close three sides of the second compartment 25 and
generally defines the shape of the second compartment 25. When the
second compartment 25 is fully opened, the second compartment cover
27 is at least partially attached to the rear side edge of the
luggage 10.
[0025] The second compartment 25 includes an inner layer 44 and an
outer layer 46. The outer layer 46 includes an elastic band 48 at
the top. The outer layer 46 is attached at three sides with a top
opening for receiving a container 100 therein. The elastic band 48
causes the container 100 to be held firmly against the inner layer
44. According to the preferred embodiment, the outer layer 46 is
made of an elastic fabric mesh. However, other suitable material
may also be substituted.
[0026] Preferably, the inner layer 44 is made of a water resistance
material to protect the materials stored inside the main
compartment 20 due to possible condensation formed on the outer
surface of the container 100. The inner layer 44 of the second
compartment 25 is preferably shared with the lining of the main
compartment 20. However, this is not necessary and each compartment
may have a separate lining.
[0027] When the second compartment cover 27 is opened, a pocket
formed by the outer layer 46 and the inner layer 44 is exposed and
deployed from the second compartment 20. As seen in FIG. 1, the
second compartment 27 is closed, hiding and protecting the outer
layer 46 during the times the luggage 10 is wheeled.
[0028] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
luggage 10 can be formed of any durable material, such as canvas,
fabric, nylon, leather, plastic (e.g. vinyl), etc.
[0029] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative
embodiments exists from the description of the preferred
embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Preferred embodiments were shown in the context of a
standard carry-on size luggage. However, in alternative
embodiments, a full size luggage or a luggage with additional
compartments can be substituted for the preferred luggage.
Moreover, the location of the second compartment 25 may also be
changed. For example, the second compartment 25 may be placed on
the cover of the main compartment 20 (the front of the luggage 10).
Alternatively, the second compartment 25 may be placed in the
middle of the side of the luggage instead of being near the rear
side edge of the luggage 10.
[0030] Therefore, the foregoing description of the preferred
embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited
not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended
hereto. The above specification and examples provide a complete
description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the
invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the
invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
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