U.S. patent application number 10/131495 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-27 for expandable case.
Invention is credited to Hunter, Charles.
Application Number | 20030057044 10/131495 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26829536 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030057044 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hunter, Charles |
March 27, 2003 |
Expandable case
Abstract
An expandable case includes a top portion including a
rectangular top having four edges, and four top side walls hingedly
connected to the top at its four edges, respectively, the top and
the four top side walls each having an outside surface and an
inside surface, and a bottom portion including a rectangular bottom
having four edges, and four bottom side walls hingedly connected to
the bottom at its four edges, respectively, the bottom being
smaller than the top, the bottom and the four bottom side walls
each having an outside surface and an inside surface. The top
portion and the bottom portion are positioned relative to each
other such that the inside surface of each of the four top side
walls faces the outside surface of a corresponding bottom side
wall. Adjustable fasteners on the inside surfaces of the four top
side walls and the outside surfaces of the four bottom side walls
for fastening the four top side walls and the four bottom side
walls together, the fasteners being adjustable to permit the four
top side walls and the four bottom side walls to be fastened
together in a plurality of different positions.
Inventors: |
Hunter, Charles;
(Williamsburg, VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BURNS DOANE SWECKER & MATHIS L L P
POST OFFICE BOX 1404
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22313-1404
US
|
Family ID: |
26829536 |
Appl. No.: |
10/131495 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10131495 |
Apr 25, 2002 |
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PCT/US00/41542 |
Oct 25, 2000 |
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60161077 |
Oct 25, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
190/103 ;
190/104; 190/105; 190/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 13/72 20130101;
A45C 7/0031 20130101; H01R 31/065 20130101; A47B 21/0314 20130101;
H01R 25/006 20130101; H01R 13/6666 20130101; A45C 7/0036 20130101;
A45C 3/02 20130101; H01R 13/6675 20130101; G06F 1/1628 20130101;
A45C 2013/025 20130101; H04B 1/38 20130101; A45C 7/0054
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/103 ;
190/104; 190/105; 190/107 |
International
Class: |
A45C 007/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An expandable case, comprising: a top portion including a
rectangular top having four edges, and four top side walls hingedly
connected to the top at its four edges, respectively, the top and
the four top side walls each having an outside surface and an
inside surface; a bottom portion including a rectangular bottom
having four edges, and four bottom side walls hingedly connected to
the bottom at its four edges, respectively, the bottom being
smaller than the top, the bottom and the four bottom side walls
each having an outside surface and an inside surface; the top
portion and the bottom portion being positioned relative to each
other such that the inside surface of each of the four top side
walls faces the outside surface of a corresponding bottom side
wall; and adjustable fasteners on the inside surfaces of the four
top side walls and the outside surfaces of the four bottom side
walls for fastening the four top side walls and the four bottom
side walls together, the fasteners being adjustable to permit the
four top side walls and the four bottom side walls to be fastened
together in a plurality of different positions.
2. The expandable case as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
adjustable fasteners include a hook and pile fastener.
3. The expandable case as set forth in claim 2, wherein a hook
fastener is on the inside surfaces of the four top side walls and a
pile fastener is on the outside surfaces of the four bottom side
walls.
4. The expandable case as set forth in claim 2, wherein a pile
fastener is on the inside surfaces of the four top side walls and a
hook fastener is on the outside surfaces of the four bottom side
walls.
5. The expandable case as set forth in claim 1, wherein the top,
the four top side walls, the bottom, and the four bottom side walls
each include an outer material layer, an inner material layer, and
an interior padding material between the outer material layer and
the inner material layer.
6. The expandable case as set forth in claim 5, wherein the top,
the four top side walls, the bottom, and the four bottom side walls
each include a rigid shielding layer between the outer material
layer and the interior padding material.
7. The expandable case as set forth in claim 6, wherein the rigid
shielding layer is a metal material.
8. The expandable case as set forth in claim 1, wherein the case is
adjustable in size to fit one of a zip drive, a 3.5" floppy disk
drive, a CD drive, and a PCI card holder.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to cases and, more
particularly, to expandable cases.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY
[0002] It is often necessary to carry delicate computer accessories
such as zip drives, 3.5" floppy disk drives, CD drives, and PCI
card holders separately from the computer, such as when traveling
with a laptop computer. Because these accessories are typically of
sufficiently different sizes that a single-size of carrying case
cannot be used to protect the accessories from damage due to shocks
and the like, special carrying cases for each different accessory
are often provided. It would be desirable to provide a single
carrying case that would be suitable for use with a variety of
different computer accessories of different sizes.
[0003] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an
expandable case includes a top portion including a rectangular top
having four edges, and four top side walls hingedly connected to
the top at its four edges, respectively, the top and the four top
side walls each having an outside surface and an inside surface,
and a bottom portion including a rectangular bottom having four
edges, and four bottom side walls hingedly connected to the bottom
at its four edges, respectively, the bottom being smaller than the
top, the bottom and the four bottom side walls each having an
outside surface and an inside surface. The top portion and the
bottom portion are positioned relative to each other such that the
inside surface of each of the four top side walls faces the outside
surface of a corresponding bottom side wall. Adjustable fasteners
on the inside surfaces of the four top side walls and the outside
surfaces of the four bottom side walls for fastening the four top
side walls and the four bottom side walls together, the fasteners
being adjustable to permit the four top side walls and the four
bottom side walls to be fastened together in a plurality of
different positions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] The features and advantages of the present invention are
well understood by reading the following detailed description in
conjunction with the drawings in which like numerals indicate
similar elements and in which:
[0005] FIG. 1 is a plan view of outer surfaces of a top portion and
a bottom portion of an expandable case according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an expandable case
according to an embodiment of the present invention in a smallest
configuration; and
[0007] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an expandable case
according to an embodiment of the present invention in a largest
configuration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] An expandable case 21 according to an embodiment of the
present invention is shown in a disassembled and unfolded condition
in FIG. 1. The case 21 includes a top portion 23 including a
rectangular top 25 having four edges 27, 29, 31, 33 and four top
side walls 35, 37, 39, 41 hingedly connected to the top at its four
edges, respectively. The top 25 and the four top side walls 35, 37,
39, 41 each have an outside surface and an inside surface. The case
21 further includes a bottom portion 43 including a rectangular
bottom 45 having four edges 47, 49, 51, 53 and four bottom side
walls 55, 57, 59, 61 hingedly connected to the bottom at its four
edges, respectively. The bottom 45 and the four bottom side walls
55, 57, 59, 61 each have an outside surface and an inside
surface.
[0009] As seen in FIG. 2, the top portion 23 and the bottom portion
43 are positioned relative to each other such that the inside
surface of each of the four top side walls 35 and 39 faces the
outside surface of a corresponding bottom side wall 55 and 59.
Walls 37 and 57 and 41 and 61 are not shown in FIG. 2, but also
face one another in a manner similar to walls 35 and 45 and 39 and
59. Adjustable fasteners 63 and 65 on the inside surfaces of the
four top side walls walls 35, 37, 39, 41 and the outside surfaces
of the four bottom side walls 55, 57, 59, 61 are provided for
fastening the four top side walls and the four bottom side walls
together. The fasteners 63 and 65 are adjustable to permit the four
top side walls 35, 37, 39, 41 and the four bottom side walls 55,
57, 59, 61 to be fastened together in a plurality of different
positions.
[0010] Preferably, one of the four top side walls 35, 37, 39, 41
are provided with a suitable indicia to reflect that the case
should be opened by lifting that side wall. Suitable indicia might
include a color coded panel sewn or attached to the top side wall,
lettering, numbering, and/or words.
[0011] The bottom 45 is preferably smaller than the top 25.
Preferably, the bottom 45 is smaller than the top 25 in width and
length by an amount approximately equal to the combined thicknesses
of one or two pairs of side walls fastened together.
[0012] The adjustable fasteners 63, 65 are preferably in the form
of a hook and pile fastener, although other fasteners can be used,
if desired or necessary. For example, adjustable fasteners such as
buttons or snap fasteners could be used if desired or necessary.
Preferably, a hook or a pile fastener is on the inside surfaces of
the four top side walls 35, 37, 39, 41 and a pile or a hook
fastener is on the outside surfaces of the four bottom side walls
55, 57, 59, 61.
[0013] The top 25, the four top side walls 35, 37, 39, 41, the
bottom 43, and the four bottom side walls 55, 57, 59, 61 each
preferably include an outer material layer 67, an inner material
layer 69, and an interior padding material 71 between the outer
material layer and the inner material layer. The outer material
layer 67 and the inner material layer 69 are preferably fabric
materials, although not necessarily the same type of fabric. The
outer material layer 67 is preferably a rugged material and may
also be waterproof, such as canvas, vinyl, or imitation leather,
while the inner material layer 69 is preferably a softer material
that aids in cushioning the contents of the case. The interior
padding material 71 may be any suitable padding material, such as
foam rubber or non-woven fibers. The various layers of the top 25,
the four top side walls 35, 37, 39, 41, the bottom 43, and the four
bottom side walls 55, 57, 59, 61 are preferably secured together by
any suitable technique such as by being sewn together.
[0014] The top 25, the four top side walls 35, 37, 39, 41, the
bottom 43, and the four bottom side walls 55, 57, 59, 61 each also
preferably include a rigid shielding layer 73 between the outer
material layer 67 and the interior padding material 71. The rigid
shielding layer 73 preferably assists in protecting the contents of
the case 21. The rigid shielding layer 73 is preferably a metal
material, although other rigid materials such as PVC, wood, and the
like can also be used. If desired or necessary, the rigid shielding
material can be removable from the top 25, the four top side walls
35, 37, 39, 41, the bottom 43, and the four bottom side walls 55,
57, 59, 61, such as by being disposed in pockets formed in the top,
the four top side walls, the bottom, and the four bottom side
walls.
[0015] The expandable case 21 is preferably adjustable in size to
fit any one of a zip drive, a 3.5" floppy disk drive, a CD drive,
and a PCI card holder, i.e., items which are sufficiently different
in size that they would ordinarily be provided with carrying cases
matching their particular dimensions and not properly used for
carrying other components. Although the present invention has been
described in connection with use of the carrying case for carrying
computer accessories, it will be appreciated that the carrying case
can be used for carrying other articles.
[0016] The size of the case 21 is adjustable by adjusting the
points at which the four top side walls 35, 37, 39, 41 are fastened
to the four bottom side walls 55, 57, 59, 61. Preferred interior
dimensions of the case 21 are approximately 5.25"-5.75" (13.3
cm-14.6 cm) in length and width, approximately 0.875" (2.2 cm) in
height when in a smallest configuration (as seen in FIG. 2) and
approximately 1.375" (3.5 cm) in height when in a largest
configuration (as seen in FIG. 3).
[0017] While this invention has been illustrated and described in
accordance with a preferred embodiment, it is recognized that
variations and changes may be made therein without departing from
the invention as set forth in the claims.
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