U.S. patent application number 10/339668 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-15 for carrying case with removable accessory modules.
Invention is credited to Hollingsworth, W. Dale.
Application Number | 20040134734 10/339668 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32711147 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040134734 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hollingsworth, W. Dale |
July 15, 2004 |
Carrying case with removable accessory modules
Abstract
A carrying case comprises an enclosure defining an accessible
interior and an organizing assembly. The organizing assembly
includes an organizing panel disposed in the interior and a
plurality of accessory modules removably attachable on the
organizing panel. The accessory modules are configured to hold
objects to be carried in the carrying case and are removably
attachable on the organizing panel at various selected positions. A
method of using the carrying case involves transporting the
carrying case while the removably attached accessory modules are
fixed on the organizing panel in the selected positions, detaching
a selected accessory module from the organizing panel and removing
the detached accessory module from the interior to permit use of
the object held thereby.
Inventors: |
Hollingsworth, W. Dale;
(Wilton, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EPSTEIN & GERKEN
Suite 340
1901 Research Boulevard
Rockville
MD
20850
US
|
Family ID: |
32711147 |
Appl. No.: |
10/339668 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/110 ;
190/109 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 5/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/110 ;
190/109 |
International
Class: |
A45C 003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A carrying case comprising an enclosure defining an accessible
interior; and an organizing assembly comprising an organizing panel
in said interior and a plurality of accessory modules removably
attachable on said organizing panel, each of said accessory modules
being configured to hold an object to be carried in said interior,
said accessory modules being removably attachable on said
organizing panel in various adjustable positions on said organizing
panel.
2. The carrying case recited in claim 1 wherein each of said
accessory modules has a configuration representative of the
corresponding object held therein.
3. The carrying case recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of
accessory modules comprise a business card holder, a pen holder, a
disk holder and a universal pouch.
4. The carrying case recited in claim 3 wherein said plurality of
accessory modules further comprise a holder for headphones, a power
adapter holder, a hand-held computer holder, a wireless card
holder, and a portable keyboard holder.
5. The carrying case recited in claim 1 wherein said organizing
panel has a height and width and said accessory modules are
removably attachable on said organizing panel in various positions
along said height and said width.
6. The carrying case recited in claim 1 wherein said interior is
defined between opposed external walls of said enclosure and said
organizing panel is disposed along an interior surface of one of
said external walls.
7. The carrying case recited in claim 1 wherein said interior is
defined between opposed external walls of said enclosure and
wherein said organizing panel is disposed between said external
walls.
8. The carrying case recited in claim 1 and further including one
or more additional accessory modules interchangeable with one or
more of said plurality of accessory modules.
9. The carrying case recited in claim 1 wherein each of said
accessory modules is configured to removably hold the corresponding
object therein.
10. The carrying case recited in claim 1 wherein said accessory
modules are removably attachable on said organizing panel in
various user-selected positions in which said accessory modules are
fixed to said organizing panel.
11. The carrying case recited in claim 10 wherein said organizing
panel comprises a first organizing panel in said interior and
further including a second organizing panel in said interior and
wherein said accessory modules are removably attachable on said
second organizing panel in various user-selected positions in which
said accessory modules are fixed to said second organizing
panel.
12. A carrying case comprising an enclosure defining an accessible
interior; an organizing panel in said interior comprising one or
more attachment devices; and a plurality of accessory modules each
adapted to hold an object to be carried in said interior, each of
said accessory modules comprising an attachment element releasably
engageable with at least one of said one or more attachment devices
for removably attaching said accessory modules to said organizing
panel.
13. The carrying case recited in claim 12 wherein at least one of
said one or more attachment devices is adapted to releasably engage
said attachment elements of more than one of said accessory modules
simultaneously.
14. The carrying case recited in claim 12 wherein said one or more
attachment devices comprises a plurality of attachment devices and
said attachment element of a single one of said accessory modules
is adapted to releasably engage more than one of said attachment
devices simultaneously.
15. The carrying case recited in claim 12 wherein said one or more
attachment devices are made of an adherent material and said
attachment elements are made of a material removably adherable to
said adherent material.
16. The carrying case recited in claim 15 wherein said adherent
material is Nylex.
17. The carrying case recited in claim 15 wherein said adherent
material is Velcro.
18. The carrying case recited in claim 15 wherein said one or more
attachment devices comprises a plurality of attachment devices each
including a strip of said adherent material secured on a surface of
said organizing panel.
19. The carrying case recited in claim 18 wherein said organizing
panel has a height and width and said strips are secured on said
surface at spaced locations along said height and extend parallel
to one another along said width.
20. The carrying case recited in claim 19 wherein said attachment
element of a single one of said accessory modules is adapted to
releasably engage a pair of said strips simultaneously.
21. A method of using a carrying case comprising the steps of
selecting accessory modules for a plurality of objects to be
carried in an interior of a carrying case; inserting the objects in
the accessory modules, respectively; removably attaching the
accessory modules at selected positions on an organizing panel
disposed within the interior of the carrying case; transporting the
carrying case while the removably attached accessory modules are
fixed on the organizing panel in the selected positions; detaching
a selected accessory module from the organizing panel; and removing
the detached accessory module from the interior to permit use of
the object held thereby.
22. The method recited in claim 21 wherein said step of selecting
includes selecting accessory modules indicative of the
corresponding objects held therein.
23. The method recited in claim 21 wherein said step of removably
attaching includes engaging attachment elements on the accessory
modules with one or more attachment devices on the organizing
panel.
24. The method recited in claim 21 wherein said step of removably
attaching includes contacting the accessory modules with the
organizing panel and said step of detaching includes moving the
selected accessory module away from the organizing panel.
25. The method recited in claim 21 and further including the step
of rearranging the accessory modules on the organizing panel.
26. The method recited in claim 21 and further including the steps
of detaching one or more of the accessory modules from the
organizing panel, removing the detached one or more accessory
modules from the interior, selecting one or more other accessory
modules for one or more other objects to be carried in the
interior, inserting the one or more other objects in the one or
more other accessory modules, removably attaching the one or more
other accessory modules at selected positions on the organizing
panel, transporting the carrying case while the removably attached
one or more other accessory modules are fixed on the organizing
panel in the selected positions for the one or more other accessory
modules.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to the co-pending patent
application entitled Carrying Cases with Pop-Out Compartments
(Attorney Docket No. 0592.0003C) filed Nov. 27, 2002, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to carrying cases
and, more particularly, to carrying cases having removable
accessory modules for releasably securing various objects in the
carrying cases in various selectively changeable arrangements.
[0004] 2. Brief Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Carrying cases have become very popular for use in
conveniently storing and transporting various objects including
personal and business effects. Conventional carrying cases
typically include an enclosure defining an interior for holding the
objects, and the interior may be divided into a plurality of
interior compartments to allow objects in the interior to be
organized by placing them in different interior compartments.
However, it is common for an individual carrying case to carry many
objects of different sizes and types such that the number of
objects carried ordinarily exceeds the number of interior
compartments. When a plurality of objects are placed in the same
interior, compartment, the objects may become comingled in a
disorganized manner. It is often difficult, therefore, to locate
and access a particular object or objects in the interior and
objects which become comingled may sustain damage due to contacting
other objects. In addition, objects within the interiors of
conventional carrying cases are oftentimes unrestrained such that
the objects are free to move about within the interiors and may
resultantly be damaged due to uncontrolled movement and/or
impacting other objects and/or walls of the carrying cases. Objects
which have become comingled with other objects and/or which have
been displaced from their original positions in the carrying cases
must usually be located and accessed by the user engaging in
time-consuming random searching and/or rearranging of the contents
of the carrying cases.
[0006] Some carrying cases have pockets or other similar organizing
structures in their interiors for holding objects apart from other
objects in the interiors. The organizing structures of conventional
carrying cases, however, are disadvantageously limited in the type,
size and number of objects that can be held thereby, and the
organizing structures often interfere with and detract from the
remaining usable space in the interiors. Although the organizing
structures are typically permanently fixed within the interiors,
objects may be free to move within the organizing structures
themselves and even to become inadvertently removed from the
organizing structures thereby placing the objects at risk of damage
and/or loss. The process of removing particular objects from and
placing objects in the organizing structures may be tedious,
cumbersome and time-consuming for users. The process of removing
objects from the organizing structures may be further complicated
by the fact that an object or objects within an organizing
structure may not be readily visible or recognizable such that the
user must search for a particular object or objects in the
organizing structure. Also, the user may have to search an
organizing structure in order to locate a particular object that
has become displaced from its original position in the organizing
structure, particularly where a plurality of unrestrained objects
are placed in a single organizing structure. Upon removal from an
organizing structure, the removed object loses whatever protection
may be provided by the organizing structure.
[0007] It is evident from the foregoing that conventional carrying
cases lack versatility in the type, number and size of objects that
can effectively and protectively be carried and maintained in an
organized manner. While the organizing structures of conventional
carrying cases may be useful for holding and thereby isolating
certain objects in the interiors, they are inadequate to hold and
thusly isolate many different types, sizes and numbers of objects.
A carrying case useful for one purpose may be inadequate for
another purpose depending on the objects needed to be carried in an
organized manner for different user requirements. Accordingly,
conventional carrying cases are generally limited in purpose and
not adapted to the changeable needs of users to carry many
different combinations of different types, sizes and numbers of
objects in an organized manner. Particularly, conventional carrying
cases are deficient at meeting the needs of mobile professionals
and other users to carry variable combinations of various different
objects while maintaining the objects secure and organized within
the carrying cases. Conventional carrying cases do not lend
themselves to customization by users in terms of the objects and
the positions or arrangements carried therein in an organized
manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention
to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of conventional
carrying cases.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to allow an
individual carrying case to be adapted to carry various
combinations of various different objects in an organized
manner.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide an
organizing panel in a carrying case to which a plurality of
accessory modules may be removably, replaceably attached.
[0011] An additional object of the present invention is to provide
a carrying case with a plurality of removable accessory modules
configured to hold particular objects commonly carried in carrying
cases.
[0012] The present invention also has as an object to permit the
arrangement of removable accessory modules in a carrying case to be
selectively varied by a user.
[0013] It is also an object of the present invention to expand the
versatility of carrying cases.
[0014] Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to allow
the functional utility of carrying cases to be customized by a
user.
[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to enhance
the protection of objects arranged in a carrying case in an
organized manner.
[0016] Still a further object of the present invention is to
facilitate removal of objects from and placement of objects in a
carrying case while maintaining the organization of other contents
of the carrying case.
[0017] The present invention has as another object to reduce the
amount of time required for a user to locate a particular object or
objects within a carrying case.
[0018] Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to
equip a carrying case with an organizing assembly comprising an
organizing panel in the interior of the carrying case and a
plurality of accessory modules removably attachable to the
organizing panel at various user-selected positions.
[0019] Some of the advantages of the present invention are that the
organizing assembly can be incorporated in various types of
carrying cases as well as in various interior compartments of
carrying cases; more than one organizing assembly can be
incorporated in an individual carrying case; the number and type of
accessory modules attached to the organizing panel can be selected
by the user so that only needed accessory modules are installed in
the carrying case; the accessory modules are easily interchangeable
by the user; the accessory modules may be used to provide
structural protection for the objects held thereby; the objects are
prevented from displacement in the carrying case due to the
accessory modules being attached to the organizing panel; the
accessory modules may be no larger than necessary to accommodate
the objects, thereby maximizing the number of accessory modules
that may be attached on the organizing panel at one time as well as
maximizing the amount of remaining interior space available for
use; the accessory modules may be configured to match the
configurations of the objects; the objects may be recognizable from
the configurations of the corresponding accessory modules; the
objects may be partly visible while received in the accessory
modules to facilitate identifying the objects; the objects may be
removable from and/or placeable in the accessory modules while the
accessory modules remain attached to the organizing panel; the need
for users to randomly search for particular objects in the interior
of carrying cases is eliminated; the accessory modules may be
designed to positively retain the corresponding objects in the
accessory modules so as to prevent inadvertent removal of the
objects from the accessory modules; various structures and/or
methods can be used to effect removable attachment of the accessory
modules to the organizing panel; and the organizing panel can be
designed to withstand many repeated attachments and removals of the
accessory modules.
[0020] These and other objects, advantages and benefits are
realized with the present invention as generally characterized in a
carrying case comprising an enclosure enclosing an accessible
interior and having an organizing assembly. The organizing assembly
includes an organizing panel disposed in the interior and a
plurality of accessory modules removably attachable on the
organizing panel. Each accessory module is configured to hold an
object to be carried in the interior. The organizing panel
comprises one or more attachment devices for releasably engaging
attachment elements on the accessory modules. In one embodiment,
the one or more attachment devices are made of an adherent
material, and the attachment elements are made of a material
removably adherable to the adherent material. The adherent material
may comprise Nylex or Velcro, for example, and the adherable
material may comprise a complementary adherable material. Of
course, various mechanical fastener devices and elements can be
used for the one or more attachment devices and for the attachment
elements. A single attachment device can be adapted to releasably
engage a plurality of accessory modules simultaneously. A single
accessory module can be removably attachable to a plurality of
attachment devices simultaneously. The accessory modules can be
removably attached on the organizing panel in various user-selected
positions, with the accessory modules being rearrangeable and
adjustable on the organizing panel. The removably attached
accessory modules are fixed to the organizing panel so that the
accessory modules and the objects held thereby are stabilized and
do not move within the interior when the carrying case is
transported. The objects are protected due to being stabilized, and
the organized arrangement of the objects on the organizing panel is
maintained during transport. The accessory modules are detachable
from the organizing panel for removal from the carrying case to
permit use of the objects held by the accessory modules. Of course,
the accessory modules may permit removal of the objects from the
accessory modules while the accessory modules remain attached to
the organizing panel. Each accessory module can have a
configuration representative or indicative of the corresponding
object held thereby, such that an object may be recognized from the
configuration or appearance of its accessory module. The objects
can be partly visible or exposed from the accessory modules to
facilitate identification of the objects. Accessory modules can be
made available for various standard objects, and any number of
accessory modules can be used interchangeably in the carrying case.
More than one organizing panel can be provided in the enclosure,
which may have the configuration of a suitcase or any other
configuration. The organizing panel may be incorporated in a
carrying case for a notebook or laptop computer.
[0021] The present invention is further generally characterized in
a method of using a carrying case comprising the steps of selecting
accessory modules for a plurality of objects to be carried in an
interior of a carrying case, inserting the objects in the accessory
modules, respectively, removably attaching the accessory modules at
selected positions on an organizing panel disposed within the
interior of the carrying case, transporting the carrying case while
the removably attached accessory modules are fixed on the
organizing panel in the selected positions, detaching a selected
accessory module from the organizing panel, and removing the
detached accessory module from the interior to permit use of the
object held thereby.
[0022] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following description of the preferred
embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings
wherein like parts in each of the several figures are identified by
the same reference characters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a carrying case according to
the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the carrying case.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a back plan view of the carrying case.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the carrying case with
front, back and middle interior compartments of the carrying case
shown as being open and with a pop-out compartment for the front
interior compartment shown in a withdrawn position.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of the carrying case with
the front, back and middle interior compartments shown as being
open and the pop-out compartment shown in the withdrawn
position.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of the carrying case with
the front and middle interior compartments shown as being closed,
the back interior compartment shown as being open, and depicting an
organizing assembly in the back interior compartment.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a first accessory
module of the organizing assembly.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a back perspective view of the first accessory
module of FIG. 7.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a second accessory
module of the organizing assembly.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a third accessory
module of the organizing assembly.
[0033] FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the third accessory
module of FIG. 10.
[0034] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a fourth accessory
module of the organizing assembly.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] A carrying case 10 according to the present invention is
illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and comprises a body or enclosure 12
enclosing an interior comprising one or more interior compartments.
In carrying case 10, the enclosure 12 defines an interior
comprising a plurality of interior compartments including a front
interior compartment 14a, a middle interior compartment 14b and a
back interior compartment 14c. The enclosure 12 can have various
external configurations and may be designed, for example, as a
notebook, a portfolio, an attache case, a briefcase, a duffel bag,
or a suitcase. The enclosure 12 for carrying case 10 is similar to
a suitcase and is defined by a plurality of external walls
including a front wall 16, a back wall 18, a top wall 20, a bottom
wall 22, a left side wall 24, a right side wall 26, and an external
panel 28 on front wall 16 defining a pop-out compartment 29. It
should be appreciated that the terms "front", "back", "top",
"bottom", "left" and "right" are all relative terms applicable to
the external walls 16-26, respectively, when the carrying case 10
is viewed and oriented as shown in FIGS. 1-6 but that each of the
latter terms can apply to any of the external walls 16-26 depending
on the orientation of the carrying case 10 and the direction from
which the carrying case 10 is viewed. Accordingly, the terms
"front", "back", "top", "bottom", "left" and "right" should not be
construed as limiting the external walls 16-26. The external walls
16-26 can be planar or non-planar and can be rigid or non-rigid
depending on the materials and construction for the carrying case
10. The carrying case 10 can be made of various rigid or non-rigid
materials. For example, the external walls of the carrying case may
be made primarily of one or more durable fabrics with planar front
and back walls 16 and 18 and planar panel 28, and any of the
external walls and/or panels may be rigidified or reinforced for
increased strength and ease of use.
[0036] The front interior compartment 14a is defined between
external front wall 16 and an internal front wall 30, with the
spacing between external front wall 16 and internal front wall 30
defining a depth for the compartment 14a. The middle interior
compartment 14b is defined between the internal front wall 30 and
an internal wall back 32, with the spacing between the internal
front wall 30 and the internal back wall 32 defining a depth for
the middle interior compartment 14b. The back interior compartment
14c is defined between the external back wall 18 and the internal
back wall 32, with the spacing between the external back wall 18
and the internal back wall 32 defining a depth for the back
interior compartment 14c. The height of the external front wall 16,
the external back wall 18, the internal front wall 30 and the
internal back wall 32 can be the same or different. For carrying
case 10, the height of the internal front and back walls 30 and 32
is greater than the height of the external front and back walls 16
and 18, such that the height of middle interior compartment 14b is
greater than the height of the front and back interior compartments
14a and 14c. Accordingly, the top wall 20 is segmented and has a
stepped configuration comprising front top wall segment 20a, middle
top wall segment 20b and back top wall segment 20c.
[0037] A top edge of external front wall 16 is joined to front top
wall segment 20a, which extends from the external front wall 16 to
the internal front wall 30. A top edge of internal front wall 30 is
joined to the middle top wall segment 20b, which extends from the
internal front wall 30 to the top edge of the internal back wall
32. The top edge of the external back wall 18 is joined to the back
top wall segment 20c, which extends from the external back wall 18
to the internal back wall 32. Upper portions of the internal front
and back walls 30 and 32 extend upwardly from the front and back
top wall segments 20a and 20c, respectively, due to the height of
the middle interior compartment 14b being greater than the height
of the front and back interior compartments 14a and 14c. The upper
portions of the internal front and back walls 30 and 32 contribute
to defining the exterior of the enclosure 12; and, accordingly, it
should be appreciated that portions of any or all of the internal
walls can serve as exterior walls of the enclosure 12. Of course,
it should also be appreciated that any or all of the internal walls
can be disposed entirely within the interior of the carrying case
10, such as when the front, middle and back interior compartments
14a, 14b and 14c are of the same height. It is also to be
understood that, where the front, middle and back interior
compartments 14a, 14b and 14c are of the same height, the top wall
20 does not have to be segmented but may be planar and/or
continuous.
[0038] The bottom wall 22 connects a lower edge of external front
wall 16 to a lower edge of external back wall 18. The bottom wall
22 is also connected to a lower edge of internal front wall 30 and
to a lower edge of internal back wall 32. It should be appreciated,
however, that the lower edges of the internal front and back walls
30 and 32 do not have to be connected to the bottom wall 22 as long
as the lower edges of the internal front and back walls are close
enough to the bottom wall to maintain an adequate separation
between the interior compartments. As described above for top wall
20, the bottom wall 22 may be segmented or may be formed as a
planar and/or continuous wall. The bottom wall 22 of carrying case
10 is segmented; however, the bottom wall segments are
substantially in alignment with one another so as to be disposed in
the same plane or substantially in the same plane. It should be
appreciated, therefore, that the segments of a segmented wall of
the carrying case 10 can be aligned or substantially aligned with
one another so as to be co-planar or substantially co-planar as
depicted for bottom wall 22, or the segments can be non-aligned
with one another to be disposed at different levels as described
and illustrated for top wall 20.
[0039] The left side wall 24 joins a left side edge of external
front wall 16 to a left side edge of external back wall 18. The
left side wall 24 is also connected to a left side edge of internal
front wall 30 and to a left side edge of internal back wall 32. The
right side wall 26 joins a right side edge of external front wall
16 to a right side edge of external back wall 18. The right side
wall 26 is also connected to a right side edge of internal front
wall 30 and to a right side edge of internal back wall 32. It
should be appreciated that portions of the left and right side
edges of internal front and back walls 30 and 32 which are disposed
in the interior do not have to be connected to the external left
and right side walls 24 and 26, respectively, so long as the left
and right side edges of the internal front and back walls are close
enough to the external left and right side walls, respectively, to
maintain adequate separation of the interior compartments. As
described above for top wall 20 and bottom wall 22, the left and
right side walls 24 and 26 may be segmented or may be formed as
planar and/or continuous walls. The left and right side walls 24
and 26 are each segmented, and the segments of each comprise front,
middle and back side wall segments. The middle side wall segments
are of greater height than the front and back side wall segments
due to the relatively greater height of the middle interior
compartment. Left ends of top wall 20 (or top wall segments) and
bottom wall 22 (or bottom wall segments) are joined, respectively,
to top and bottom ends of left side wall 24 (or left side wall
segments). Similarly, right ends of top wall 20 (or top wall
segments) and bottom wall 22 (or bottom wall segments) are joined,
respectively, to top and bottom ends of right side wall 26 (or
right side wall segments).
[0040] The external walls and internal walls of carrying case 10
can have various perimetric configurations, and the external front
wall 16, external back wall 18, internal front wall 30 and internal
back wall 32 for enclosure 12 are shown as having rectangular
perimetrical configurations. The front wall 16 has an opening or
window 33 therein, and the external panel 38 is disposed along an
exterior face of front wall 16 to completely cover the window and
define the pop-out compartment 29. The pop-out compartment 29 is
described in detail in the co-pending patent application previously
incorporated herein by reference.
[0041] The interior of carrying case 10 is accessible via one or
more selectively openable, selectively closable openings in
enclosure 12. Carrying case 10 has a selectively openable,
selectively closable opening for each interior compartment, the
carrying case 10 having front, middle and back openings 34a, 34b
and 34c providing access into the front, middle and back interior
compartments 14a, 14b and 14c, respectively. A closure is provided
for selectively opening and selectively closing each opening, the
carrying case 10 having closures 36a, 36b and 36c for openings 34a,
34b and 34c, respectively, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The
openings can be designed in various ways, with the openings 34a,
34b and 34c extending continuously and uninterruptedly along the
entire length of top wall 20 downwardly along the left and right
side walls 24 and 26 to lower ends of the left and right side
walls. The closures 36a, 36b and 36c can be designed in various
ways, and the closures 36a, 36b and 36c for carrying case 10
comprise zippers extending along opposed edges of the openings 34a,
34b and 34c, respectively, as described in the co-pending patent
application previously incorporated herein by reference.
[0042] When the closures 36a, 36b and 36c are completely or fully
closed, the openings 34a, 34b and 34c are also completely or fully
closed and the interior compartments 14a, 14b and 14c are each in a
completely or fully closed position as shown in FIGS. 1-3. When the
closures 36a, 36b and 36c are completely or fully open, the
openings 34a, 34b and 34c are also completely or fully open and the
interior compartments 14a, 14b and 14c are each in a completely or
fully open position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The interior
compartments 14a, 14b and 14c may be opened and closed
independently of one another, as represented in FIG. 6 showing the
front and middle interior compartments 14a and 14b closed and the
back interior compartment 14c open.
[0043] The open and closed positions for the interior compartments
are obtained via pivotal or rotational movement of the external
and/or internal walls. The external front wall 16 and/or the
internal front wall 30 is/are pivotal about its lower end to open
and close the front interior compartment 14a. As shown in FIG. 4,
the left and right side edges of external front wall 16 may be
connected to the left and right side edges of internal front wall
30, respectively, by connecting members 37 to limit the separation
between the external front wall 16 and the internal front wall 30
in the open position for front interior compartment 14a as
described in greater detail in the co-pending patent application
previously incorporated herein by reference. Middle interior
compartment 14b is opened and closed by pivoting the internal front
wall 30 and/or the internal back wall 32 about its lower end, and
the front and back walls 30 and 32 may be connected by connecting
members 37, shown in FIG. 4, to limit their separation in the open
position for middle interior compartment 14b. Back interior
compartment 14c is opened and closed by pivoting external back wall
18 and/or internal back wall 32 relative to one another about their
lower ends, and connecting members 37 may be provided between the
external back wall 18 and the internal back wall 32 as shown in
FIG. 4 to limit the separation between the external back wall and
the internal back wall when the back interior compartment 14c is
open. In addition to limiting the separation possible between the
compartment walls, connecting members 37 also serve to provide
lateral boundaries for the interior compartments, respectively, so
that loose objects are deterred from falling out of the enclosure
along the left and right sides of the interior compartments.
[0044] Each interior compartment can have various partly closed or
partly open positions with the front and back walls thereof
oriented at various angles to one another. Various partly closed or
partly open positions may also be obtained for each interior
compartment when the closure for the compartment is partly
closed/partly open so that the corresponding opening is also partly
closed/partly open, with the degree of access into the interior
compartment through the corresponding opening depending on the
extent to which the corresponding closure and/or compartment
opening is/are partly closed/partly open. Accordingly, the "closed
position" for the interior compartments includes a fully closed
position as well as various partly closed positions, and the "open
position" for the interior compartments includes a fully open
position as well as various partly open positions.
[0045] The bottom wall 22 may be provided with a plurality of feet
38 by which the carrying case 10 may be supported on the ground,
floor or other support surface with the carrying case 10 in a
vertical, upright or upstanding position as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The
feet 38 each have a partial spherical or dome-shaped configuration
and are preferably made of a smooth, non-abrasive material so that
the feet 38 do not scratch or otherwise damage support surfaces,
such as wood and glass, upon which the carrying case may be placed.
The feet 38 may be made of a frictional material to resist sliding.
The feet 38 may be made of a deformable material to facilitate
assembly of the feet in corresponding holes or apertures along the
bottom wall 22. The top wall 20 is provided with a handle 40 by
which the carrying case 10 may be carried in the hand of a user. As
shown in FIG. 6, the carrying case 10 may be provided with an
adjustable shoulder strap, the shoulder strap 42 having opposite
ends removably attached to attachment tabs 44 on top wall 20. The
attachments tabs 44 are illustrated as being disposed to the front
and rear of middle compartment 14b with one attachment tab located
toward the left side of the carrying case and the other attachment
tab located toward the right side of the carrying case. However,
the attachment tabs 44 can be disposed at any suitable
locations.
[0046] An external front pocket 46 may be provided along an
exterior face of the external front wall 16, the external front
pocket 46 extending from the window 33 to the left side of the
enclosure 12. The external front pocket 46 is closed along its
left, right and bottom sides while being open along its top side
for the introduction of objects therein and removal of objects
therefrom. An external back pocket 48 is disposed along an exterior
face of external back wall 18, the external back pocket 48
extending from the right side to the left side of the enclosure 12.
The external back pocket 48 is closed along its left, right and
bottom sides and has a zipper closure along an open top side
thereof.
[0047] Carrying case 10 has an organizing assembly 52 according to
the present invention comprising at least one organizing panel 54
in the interior and a plurality of accessory modules 56a-56d
removably attachable on the organizing panel. As shown in FIGS. 5
and 6, carrying case 10 has organizing panel 54 disposed in back
interior compartment 14c along a back surface or face of internal
back wall 32. The organizing panel 54 can be a separate panel
disposed over the back surface of internal back wall 32 or can be
formed by the back surface of internal back wall 32. The organizing
panel 54 can have any desired peripheral shape and size, the
organizing panel 54 being planar and having a peripheral shape and
size corresponding to the height and width of the back interior
compartment 14c. The organizing panel 54 is adapted for removable
attachment of the accessory modules 56a-56d thereto, and the
surface of the organizing panel which faces into the back interior
compartment 14c is provided with or formed as one or more
attachment devices 58 for releasably cooperatively engaging
attachment elements provided on the accessory modules 56a-56d,
respectively. The organizing panel 54 has a plurality of attachment
devices 58 each comprising a of strip of releasably adherent
material 59 extending from the left side to the right side of the
organizing panel in spaced parallel arrangement along the height of
the organizing panel. While only horizontal strips of adherent
material 59 are depicted for organizing panel 54, it should be
appreciated that the strips of adherent material can be arranged on
the organizing panel in many various ways including horizontally,
vertically and/or at various angles. In addition, it should be
appreciated that the entire surface of the organizing panel 54
which faces into the back interior compartment 14c can be of
adherent material 59 so that the organizing panel itself comprises
a single, unitary attachment device for releasable attachment of
one or more accessory modules thereto. While the strips of adherent
material 59 may each be considered a separate attachment device, it
should be understood that the attachment devices formed by strips
of adherent material 59 may operate alone or in combination to
releasably secure one or more accessory modules thereto. For
example, two strips of adherent material 59, i.e. two attachment
devices, may operate in combination with one another to releasably
secure a single accessory module on the organizing panel while one
strip of adherent material 59, i.e. one attachment device may
operate alone to releasably secure one or a plurality of accessory
modules on the organizing panel. The adherent material 59 may be
Nylex or Velcro, for example.
[0048] The accessory modules 56a-56d are each configured for a
particular object, and preferably the accessory modules are
configured to hold diverse objects commonly carried in carrying
cases. Representative accessory modules 56a-56d are shown in FIGS.
6-12 and include first accessory module 56a corresponding to a pen
holder, second accessory module 56b corresponding to a disk holder,
third accessory module 56c corresponding to a business card holder,
and fourth accessory module 56d corresponding to a universal pouch
for miscellaneous objects. The accessory module 56a is shown in
FIGS. 6-8 and comprises a rectangular receptacle 60 having a
vertical dimension or height to accommodate the length of standard
pens or other writing implements, a horizontal dimension or width
to accommodate a row of standard pens or other writing implements
in side by side arrangement and a depth to accommodate at least one
row of standard pens or other writing implements. The accessory
module 56a has a pivotal lid 62 formed integrally, unitarily with
receptacle 60, the lid 62 having two parallel hinge, pivot or fold
lines about which the lid is pivotal to selectively close and open
a mouth at the top of receptacle 60. The hinge lines divide the lid
62 into a top segment 66 and a front segment 68. In the closed
position for accessory module 56a, the top segment 66 is disposed
over the mouth of receptacle 60 parallel to a bottom wall of the
receptacle and the front segment 68 overlies a front wall of the
receptacle such that the lid 62 follows and completes the
configuration of the receptacle for a slim profile. The upper edge
of the front wall of the receptacle can have a notch or cutout
therein to facilitate visualization and/or grasping of the pens or
other writing implements. The long slender profile or configuration
of the accessory module 56a is indicative of the pens or other
writing implements therein since writing implements such as pens
typically have a long slender profile. Of course, the accessory
module 56a may be provided with a window for visualization of the
pens or other writing implements therethrough as explained below
for accessory module 56d.
[0049] The accessory module 56a has a closure for maintaining the
lid 62 in the closed position and comprises a magnetic closure
including a magnet member 70 carried by lid 62 and a magnetically
attractable member 72 carried by the front wall of receptacle 60 as
shown in FIG. 7. Preferably, the magnet member 70 and magnetically
attractable member 72 are disposed within the lid 62 and front wall
of receptacle 60, respectively, so that the magnet member and
magnetically attractable member are concealed or hidden and not
exposed. Accordingly, the magnet member 70 and the magnetically
attractable member 72 can be disposed within the wall thicknesses
of the lid 62 and front wall of receptacle 60, respectively. When
the lid 62 is in the closed position, the magnet member 70 and
magnetically attractable member 72 are in alignment such that the
lid is held in place via a magnetic force capable of being overcome
by a user manually grasping the lid 62 and moving the front segment
68 away from the front wall of receptacle 60.
[0050] Accessory module 56a includes at least one attachment
element 74 along the back of the receptacle 60 for removable
attachment to at least one attachment device 58 of organizing panel
54. As shown in FIG. 8, the attachment element 74 for accessory
module 56a comprises strips of removably adherable material 76,
complimentary to adherent material 59, arranged on the back of
receptacle 60 in a T-shaped configuration. The strips of adherable
material 76 include a strip of adherable material 76 extending
vertically along the receptacle 60 and a strip of adherable
material 76 extending horizontally over the vertical strip of
adherable material. Of course, it should be appreciated that the
strips of adherable material 76 can be arranged on the accessory
module 56a in many various ways. It should also be appreciated that
the entire back surface of the receptacle 60 can be of adherable
material 76 so that the accessory module is itself an attachment
element for releasable attachment to the attachment device(s) of
the organizing panel. The adherable material 76 may be a Nylex or
Velcro complementary adherable material.
[0051] When the strips of adherable material 76 are arranged on the
accessory module 56a as shown in FIG. 8, the accessory module 56a
may be removably attached to more than one strip of adherent
material 59 simultaneously. As shown in FIG. 6, the accessory
module 56a can be arranged with the horizontal strip of adherable
material 76 removably attached to an upper strip of adherable
material 59 and the vertical strip of adherable material 76
removably attached to middle and lower strip of adherent material
59 simultaneously, the accessory module 56a spanning the space
between the upper and lower strips of adherent material 59.
Accordingly, it should be appreciated that an attachment element on
an accessory module can be removably attached to a plurality of
attachment devices of the organizing panel simultaneously.
[0052] The accessory module 56b is shown in FIGS. 6 and 9 and
comprises a backing 78 and a cover 80 connected by a spine 82. The
spine 82 is connected to the backing 78 along a first hinge, pivot
or fold line and is connected to the cover 80 along a second pivot,
hinge or fold line allowing the accessory module 56b to be disposed
in a folded position in which the cover 80 is disposed on top of
the backing 78. The accessory module 56b includes a closure 84 for
maintaining the accessory module 56b in the folded position and
comprising a strap 86 having one end attached to the backing 78 and
an opposite end carrying a female component 88 of a snap fastener.
A male component 90 of the snap fastener is carried by a front face
of the cover 80 for releasable engagement with the female component
88 when the accessory module 56b is in the folded position. The
spine 82 has a depth between the backing 78 and the cover 80 in the
folded position to accommodate a booklet of disk-receiving jackets
92. Each disk-receiving jacket 93 has an entry slot to allow a disk
93, such as CD/DVD, to be inserted in the disk-receiving jacket 93
as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 9. Although not visible in FIG. 9,
the accessory module 56b has an attachment element, such as
attachment element 74, along the back face of the backing 78 for
removable attachment with one or more attachment devices of the
organizing panel 54 as shown in FIG. 6. The accessory module 56b is
shown in FIG. 6 as spanning the space between the upper and lower
strips of adherent material 59; and, accordingly, the accessory
module 56b may be removably attached to the upper, middle and lower
strips of adherent material 59 simultaneously. The configuration of
the accessory module 56b is indicative of its contents and is
readily recognizable as a disk holder.
[0053] FIGS. 6, 10 and 11 illustrate accessory module 56c which is
configured as a double folding business card holder comprising a
pair of rectangular receptacles 94 connected by a spine 96. Each
receptacle 94 is configured to receive a stack of standard business
cards insertable therein and removable therefrom via a lengthwise
slot 98. The spine 96 extends between the slots 98 and is pivotally
connected to the receptacles 94 along spaced and parallel hinge,
pivot or fold lines 100 along the slots 98, respectively. The
receptacles 94 are pivotal relative to one another along the hinge
lines 100 between a folded position for the accessory module 56c
shown in FIG. 6 and an unfolded position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
In the folded position for accessory module 56c, the receptacles 94
are disposed one on top of the other with the slots 98 facing and
closed by the spine 96. Spine 96 has a width or depth between the
hinge lines 100 to closely accommodate the depth of the receptacles
disposed one on top of the other. In the unfolded position for the
accessory module 56c, one or both of the receptacles 94 is/are
pivoted away from the spine 96 as permitted by hinge lines 100 such
that the slot 98 for the pivoted receptacle 94 no longer faces the
spine 96 and is, therefore, exposed. In a fully open or unfolded
position for the accessory module 56c, the receptacles 94 and spine
96 can be laid flat with the slots 98 facing one another.
[0054] The accessory module 56c may include a closure, such as a
magnetic closure, for maintaining the accessory module 56c in its
folded position. As shown in FIG. 11, an inside wall of one of the
receptacles 94 may be provided with a magnet member 70 and the
inside wall of the other receptacle 94 may be provided with a
magnetically attractable member 72. The inside walls of the
receptacles 94 are in contact or abutment with one another in the
folded position for the accessory module 56c so that the magnet
member and the magnetically attractable member are in alignment to
releasably maintain the accessory module 56c in its folded
position. Preferably, the magnet member and magnetically
attractable member are disposed within the wall thicknesses of the
inside walls of the receptacles 94 so that the magnet member and
magnetically attractable member are hidden or concealed and not
exposed. Although not visible in FIGS. 10 and 11, an attachment
element, such as attachment element 74, is provided on the back
face of accessory module 56c for removable attachment with one or
more attachment devices 58 of organizing panel 54 as shown in FIG.
6. As an example, the accessory module 56c can be provided with a
vertically extending strip of adherent material 76 along an outside
wall of one of the receptacles 94 for removable attachment to the
upper and middle strips of adherent material 59 simultaneously as
shown in FIG. 6. Each receptacle 94 has an external peripheral
configuration and size corresponding to the peripheral
configuration of standard business cards, and the external
peripheral configuration of accessory module 56c in the folded
position is the same as that for an individual receptacle 94 to be
indicative of its contents.
[0055] FIG. 12 illustrates the accessory module 56d which comprises
a pouch or bag 102 having front and rear inwardly curving upper
edges 104 defining an opening therebetween via which various
miscellaneous objects may be inserted in and removed from the
interior of the pouch or bag 102. The accessory module 56d is
provided with an attachment element, such as attachment element 74,
along the back thereof for removable attachment to one or more
attachment devices of organizing panel 54. FIG. 6 illustrates the
accessory module 56d removably attached to the lowermost strip of
adherent material 59 of the organizing panel 54. Accordingly,
accessory module 56d is representative of a removable attachment in
which the accessory module is removably attached to a single
attachment device of the organizing panel.
[0056] FIG. 6 depicts one representative arrangement for the
accessory modules 56a-56d upon the organizing panel. However, it
should be appreciated that various diverse arrangements for the
accessory modules 56a-56d on the organizing panel are possible. The
accessory modules 56a-56d are removably attached to the organizing
panel 54 merely by contacting the attachment elements 74 on the
accessory modules with the attachment devices 58 on the organizing
panel. The accessory modules 56a-56d may be removed or detached
from the organizing panel merely by grasping the accessory module
and pulling it away from the organizing panel to disengage the
attachment element from the attachment device(s). The positions of
the accessory modules 56a-56d on the organizing panel can be
adjusted vertically along the height of the organizing panel and
horizontally along the width of the organizing panel. In addition,
all or some of the accessory modules 56a-56d can be removed from
the enclosure when not in use to increase the amount of space
available in the interior compartment 14c for other uses. All or
some of the accessory modules 56a-56d can be removed from the
enclosure and replaced with other, different accessory modules
designed to carry other objects. Additional accessory modules which
can be made available for use with the carrying case of the present
invention include an accessory module for holding headphones,
especially noise canceling headphones, an accessory module for
holding an AC adapter or other power adapters, an accessory module
for holding a wireless card, an accessory module for holding an
electronic device such as a PDA, and an accessory module for
holding a portable keyboard. The accessory modules are preferably
no larger than necessary to accommodate the corresponding objects
so that the size and configuration of the objects are maintained.
By designing the accessory modules to be no larger than necessary,
usable space on the organizing panel and in the interior of the
carrying case is conserved. The accessory modules can be provided
with cut-outs or windows through which objects in the accessory
modules are visible or recognizable without removing the objects
from their accessory modules. As shown by way of example for
accessory module 56d, a window 106 may be provided in a wall of the
accessory module for visualization of at least a portion of an
object contained therein, and the window may be covered with a
transparent material. Of course, the accessory modules can be made
partly or entirely of transparent or see-through materials. More
than one organizing panel can be provided in the same or different
interior compartments of the carrying case as represented by
additional organizing panel 54' shown in FIG. 4 along the interior
face of external back wall 18. Where back to back organizing panels
are provided in the same interior compartment as shown for
organizing panels 54 and 54', the depth of the interior compartment
in which the organizing panels are disposed can be selected to
accommodate accessory modules removably attached to both organizing
panels simultaneously. The organizing panel 54' is used in a manner
similar to organizing panel 54, with accessory modules being
removably attachable thereto in various user-selected positions in
which the accessory modules are fixed on the organizing panel.
[0057] In a method of using the carrying case 10, accessory modules
are selected by the user corresponding to a plurality of objects to
be carried in the interior of the carrying case in accordance with
the user's needs. The user inserts the objects in their
corresponding accessory modules and removably attaches the
accessory modules to the organizing panel. Where the one or more
attachment devices are made of an adherent material and the
attachment elements are made of a removably adherable material, the
accessory modules are attached merely by contacting the removably
adherable material with the adherent material on the organizing
panels. The accessory modules can be attached to the organizing
panel at various user-selected positions on the organizing panel,
and the positions of the accessory modules on the organizing panel
can be adjusted and rearranged at the discretion of the user. Of
course, in order to attach the accessory modules to the organizing
panel, the interior compartment containing the organizing panel
will have been opened via its corresponding opening and closure to
establish access to the organizing panel. Once the accessory
modules are attached to the organizing panel, the opening will be
closed by the user to allow the carrying case to be transported
while the accessory modules are fixed on the organizing panel in
the selected positions. In order to retrieve an accessory module
from the interior of the carrying case to permit use of the object
held thereby, the interior compartment containing the organizing
assembly is again accessed via its opening and corresponding
closure, and the user detaches the selected accessory module from
the organizing panel. Where the one or more attachment devices are
made of adherent material and the attachment elements are made of
adherable material, the accessory module need only be grasped and
moved or pulled away from the organizing panel in order to effect
its detachment from the organizing panel. The detached accessory
module is removed from the interior of the carrying case via the
opening, and the object contained therein is available for use. The
method of using the carrying case may further involve detaching one
or more of the accessory modules from the organizing panel,
removing the detached one or more accessory modules from the
interior of the carrying case, selecting one or more other
accessory modules corresponding to one or more other objects to be
carried in the interior, inserting the one or more other objects in
the one or more other accessory modules, and removably attaching
the one or more other accessory modules at selected positions on
the organizing panel via the opening into the compartment
containing the organizing panel. The carrying case may then be
transported while the one or more other accessory modules are fixed
on the organizing panel in the selected position therefor.
[0058] The organizing assembly of the present invention allows the
objects held by the accessory modules to be easily and quickly
located and retrieved from the interior of the carrying case. The
accessory modules and, therefore, the objects contained therein,
are secured on the organizing panel such that the objects are not
free to move about the interior of the carrying case and do not
become comingled. The accessory modules may be arranged on the
organizing panel in an organized manner as customized by the user.
An accessory module to be retrieved from the carrying case will be
in the position previously established for the accessory module by
the user, since the removably attached accessory modules do not
move relative to the organizing panel. The accessory modules can be
located and retrieved from the interior without requiring the
interior compartment containing the organizing assembly to be fully
open. The interior compartment containing the organizing assembly
need only be open a small amount so that a particular accessory
module can be located and retrieved by feel via a hand inserted
through a small opening into the interior compartment. Objects
within the accessory modules can be visually identified from the
configuration or appearance of the corresponding accessory modules
and/or tactilely identified by feeling the shape of the
corresponding accessory modules. Portions of the objects exposed
from or visible through the accessory modules can also be used to
facilitate recognition of the objects without requiring that the
objects be removed from the accessory modules. Objects can be
removed from the accessory modules even while the accessory modules
remain removably attached to the organizing panel. Alternatively,
the entire accessory module can be removed to permit use of the
object therein. The accessory modules may be used to provide
structural protection for the objects, and the objects are also
protected due to the accessory modules being secured in position on
the organizing panel. During transport of the carrying case,
objects held in the removably attached accessory modules are
prevented from uncontrollably impacting one another as well as the
walls of the enclosure to further protect the objects from damage.
Since the accessory modules are fixed within the interior, the
objects held thereby are prevented from inadvertently falling out
of the carrying case when the interior compartment containing the
organizing assembly is open.
[0059] The organizing assembly of the present invention can be
incorporated in various types of carrying cases including any
number of interior compartments. The carrying case may be a
carrying case for a notebook or laptop computer. The organizing
panel can have any size or configuration and may be disposed at
various locations within the interior. Interior surfaces of any of
the external or internal walls may serve as the organizing panel or
panels. The one or more attachment devices of the organizing panel
can be designed in various ways to cooperate with the attachment
elements on the accessory modules to releasably or removably attach
the accessory modules on the organizing panel. The one or more
attachment devices may comprise a single continuous attachment
device or a plurality of separate discontinuous attachment devices.
The attachment device or devices can be arranged on the organizing
panel in various ways at various locations. The attachment elements
for the accessory modules may each comprise a single continuous
attachment element or a plurality of separate discontinuous
attachment elements. The attachment elements may be disposed on the
accessory modules in various arrangements and at various locations.
Depending on the design for the removable attachment, the
attachment device(s) can be the same as or different from the
attachment elements. Alternatively or in addition to adherent and
adherable materials, various mechanical components can be used for
the removable attachment. Accordingly, the attachment device(s) and
the attachment elements may comprise various mechanical fasteners
including snap, hook and clip fasteners. Magnetic fasteners may
also be used for the attachment device(s) and attachment elements
to removably attach the accessory modules to the organizing panel.
The accessory modules can be designed in many various ways
depending on the objects to be contained therein. Various closures
can be used in the accessory modules including magnetic closures as
well as various other types of closures. The accessory modules may
be made of various materials and are preferably lightweight so as
not to add appreciably to the weight of the corresponding objects
and the carrying case. The accessory modules are preferably
conducive to being grasped manually. The carrying case may be sold
or supplied with any number of standard accessory modules, and
additional diverse accessory modules may be made available for
optional purchase.
[0060] Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many
variations, modifications and changes in detail, it is intended
that all subject matter discussed above or shown in the
accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative only and not
be taken in a limiting sense.
* * * * *