U.S. patent application number 10/923318 was filed with the patent office on 2005-04-14 for concealable stretch panel for carrying loose items on luggage and the like.
Invention is credited to Drew, Jason V., Krulik, Richard J., Rada, Georgene.
Application Number | 20050077135 10/923318 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34272570 |
Filed Date | 2005-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050077135 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Drew, Jason V. ; et
al. |
April 14, 2005 |
Concealable stretch panel for carrying loose items on luggage and
the like
Abstract
The present invention relates to luggage and baggage of all
types. A concealable panel is incorporated into articles of
baggage, including traditional luggage, suitcases, backpacks,
school bags, and carry cases of all types to selectively form an
outer accessory pocket. While the panel is preferably made of a
stretchable mesh-net, it may also be made of a solid woven or
knitted fabric materials, being elastic or inelastic. The panel is
attached along one edge to the inside of a pocket on the carry case
and it includes releasable devices such as resilient clasps to
attach the opposed end to the outer wall of the carry case. When
not in use, the panel may be folded upon itself and stored in the
pocket, which includes a zipper closure device.
Inventors: |
Drew, Jason V.; (Port
Jefferson, NY) ; Rada, Georgene; (East Northport,
NY) ; Krulik, Richard J.; (Dix Hills, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ABELMAN, FRAYNE & SCHWAB
150 EAST 42ND STREET
NEW YORK
NY
10017-5612
US
|
Family ID: |
34272570 |
Appl. No.: |
10/923318 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60497450 |
Aug 22, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/102 ;
190/109; 190/110 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/001 20130101;
A45C 13/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/102 ;
190/110; 190/109 |
International
Class: |
A45C 013/40 |
Claims
I claim:
1. An article of baggage, which comprises an enclosure for carrying
personal articles or the like, said enclosure having at least one
outer wall portion and a panel attached at least at a first end to
said outer wall portion, said panel having at least one releasable
connecting device associated with a second end generally opposite
said first end to releasably attach said second end to said outer
wall portion to form an outer pocket for retaining articles or the
like.
2. The article of baggage according to claim 1, wherein said outer
wall portion of said enclosure includes a storage pocket for
reception and storage of said panel when not in use.
3. The article of baggage according to claim 2, wherein at least a
portion of said panel is of mesh construction.
4. The article of baggage according to claim 3, wherein said panel
includes a first fabric section at said first end, said first
fabric section being connected to said outer wall portion and said
mesh portion being connected to said first fabric section.
5. The article of baggage according to claim 4, wherein at least
two releasable connecting devices are attached to said second end
of said panel for releasably attaching said second end to said
outer wall portion to form said outer pocket.
6. The article of baggage according to claim 5, wherein said panel
further comprises a second fabric section at said second end
portion and said at least two releasable connecting devices are
attached to said second fabric section.
7. The article of baggage according to claim 6, wherein said first
and second fabric sections are woven.
8. The article of baggage according to claim 7, wherein said
portion of said panel of mesh construction is formed of
interconnected nylon or nylon/polyester blend elastic yarns such
that said mesh portion of said panel is elastic.
9. The article of baggage according to claim 8, wherein said
releasable connecting devices are releasable spring clasps.
10. The article of baggage according to claim 9, wherein said
enclosure is at least one of a carry bag, suitcase, schoolbag, and
backpack.
11. An article of baggage, which comprises: a) an enclosure for
storing personal articles or the like, and having at least a bottom
wall portion and a plurality of sidewall portions; b) a panel of
fabric or the like attached at a first end to one of said sidewall
portions, said panel having a second end which is free and being
movable between a withdrawn position and an extended position; c) a
pocket associated with said at least one side wall portion in the
region of said panel for reception and storage of said panel when
in the withdrawn position, said pocket including closure means for
selectively closing and opening said pocket for respectively
storing said panel therein or for permitting withdrawal of said
panel therefrom to form said pocket on said side wall portion; d)
at least two releasable connecting devices attached to the free end
of said panel; and e) at least two corresponding attachment devices
respectively positioned on said at least one side wall portion for
attachment by said connecting devices when said panel is in said
extended position for forming an accessory pocket on said side wall
portion.
12. The article of baggage according to claim 11, wherein said
enclosure is at least one of a carry bag, suitcase, schoolbag and
backpack having at least a bottom wall, a top wall and a plurality
of side walls defining an interior storage space for receiving and
storing personal articles or the like.
13. The article of baggage according to claim 12, wherein said
panel is generally rectangular in shape and includes at least a
portion of elastic mesh construction to facilitate forming an outer
stretch pocket for insertion of accessory articles of the like
therein.
14. The article of baggage according to claim 13, wherein said
panel comprises woven fabric borders along each side, said panel
being attached to said at least one side wall portion by said
fabric border at said first end and said releasable connecting
devices being attached to said fabric border at said free end of
said panel.
15. The article of baggage according to claim 12, wherein at least
a portion of said panel is comprised of woven or knitted
fabric.
16. The article of baggage according to claim 12, wherein said
closure means for said panel storage pocket comprises a zipper and
said panel is attached to said sidewall portion inside said storage
pocket.
17. A method of forming an accessory pocket on an article of
baggage, said article of baggage including an enclosure having a
plurality of walls defining an internal storage space for receiving
personal articles of the like, comprising: a) positioning a panel
of material or the like adjacent an outer surface of one said
walls; b) attaching one end of said panel to said adjacent wall,
the other end of said panel being free; c) providing releasable
connecting devices on said free end of said panel; d) providing
correspondingly spaced attachment devices on said one wall for
connection by said releasable connecting devices when said free end
of said panel is extended to a distalmost position; and e)
extending said free end of said panel to said distalmost position
and releaseably connecting said connecting devices to said
correspondingly position attachment devices to form an accessory
pocket on said enclosure.
18. The method of forming an accessory pocket on an article of
baggage according to claim 17 wherein at least a portion of said
panel is comprised of an elastic mesh material such that said
accessory pocket is extendable to allow insertion of articles of
personal property or the like to be inserted therein.
19. The method of forming an accessory pocket on an article of
baggage according to claim 18, wherein said elastic mesh material
includes CORDURA.RTM. brand fibers.
20. A stretch panel attached at a first end to an outer wall of an
article of baggage, said panel having releasable spring clasps at
the free end thereof, said releaseable clasps adapted for
releasably connecting said free end to corresponding attachment
devices on said outer wall, said attachment devices being spaced
from said attached first end of said panel such that said panel is
extendable toward said attached devices to form an outer accessory
pocket on said outer wall of said article of baggage.
21. The stretch panel according to claim 20 wherein said outer wall
of said article of luggage includes a storage pocket in the region
of said attached first end of said panel for storage of said panel
when not in use, said storage pocket having closure means for
opening said storage pocket to facilitate storage of said panel
therein and for permitting extension of said panel therefrom when
need to form an external accessory pocket on the article of
baggage.
22. The stretch panel according to claim 21 wherein said first end
of said panel is attached to said outer wall inside said storage
pocket.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application
No. 60/497,450, filed Aug. 22, 2003, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this
disclosure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention pertains to the field of luggage, including
items such as all types of carry cases, including suitcases,
backpacks and the like. More particularly, this invention relates
to a concealable stretch panel for carrying loose items on the
carry case when needed, but is retractable to a concealed position
when not in use.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] The use of baggage, including traditional luggage,
suitcases, backpacks and the like, has been increasingly common,
not only for individuals traveling extensively away from their
homes, but also for individuals commuting to and from work or
traveling on a limited basis. Often such articles of baggage
generally include openings either on one side or another of the
article or pivotable panels which are closed by closure mechanisms
such as zippers or the like.
[0006] In using such articles of baggage, most individuals complete
packing their belongings into the carry case and often find either
prior to departure or while en route that they have need to pack
additional items, either being items they had forgotten to pack or
items they acquired after beginning their travels. In such
instances it is often necessary for them to open the baggage en
route to insert the forgotten or newly acquired items. In some
instances, opening the baggage may be cumbersome while traveling
since many articles of luggage often include a pivotable panel
which must be totally unzipped and disconnected and pivoted away
from the carry case.
[0007] In some instances, articles of baggage have been provided
with pockets placed on the outside of the baggage for insertion of
additional items. However, many of these pockets are insufficient
in size to carry articles larger than those which would normally
fit into an individual's handbag or jacket pocket. In fact, in some
instances, the outside pockets are constructed of a mesh material
which allows them to expand to hold various size items, and the
elastic material is adapted to return to its original size when the
items are removed.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,146 to Siwak relates to baggage with a
retractable beverage container pocket in which the pocket is
constructed of mesh material and has an elastic strap along the
upper edge that allows the pocket to expand to support various size
containers such as bottled water. When not in use, the pocket is
intended to be held collapsed against or inside the article of
luggage by a closure mechanism such as a zipper to conceal the
pocket for aesthetic appearance purposes. The pocket disclosed in
the Siwak patent is attached at opposed ends and is enclosed in a
zippered shroud so that when the zipper is opened and the shroud is
made to separate, the pocket expands outwardly and is attached at
the two opposed ends. In the fully open position, the pocket
assumes a generally cylindrical configuration as it is intended for
reception and holding only a single beverage container.
[0009] The present invention relates to a concealable panel for
forming an external pocket for carrying loose items on all types of
baggage, including carry cases such as luggage, backpacks and the
like, wherein the panel is attached along a single edge to an outer
portion of the carry case and made to retract completely within a
compartment provided on the same outer portion of the carry
case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An article of baggage is disclosed, which comprises an
enclosure for carrying personal articles or the like, the enclosure
having at least one outer wall portion and a panel attached at
least at a first end to the outer wall portion. The panel has at
least one releasable connecting device associated with a second end
generally opposite the first end to releasably attach the second
end to the outer wall portion to form an outer pocket for retaining
articles or the like. The outer wall portion of the enclosure
includes a storage pocket for reception and storage of the panel
when not in use.
[0011] At least a portion of the panel is preferably of mesh
construction, but may be of conventional woven or knitted fabric.
The panel includes a first fabric section at the first end, the
first fabric section being connected to the outer wall portion and
the mesh portion being connected to the first fabric section.
Preferably, at least two releasable connecting devices are attached
to the second end of the panel for releasably attaching the second
end to the outer wall portion to form the outer pocket.
Furthermore, the panel further comprises a second fabric section at
the second end portion and the at least two releasable connecting
devices are attached to the second fabric section.
[0012] Preferably, the first and second fabric sections are woven.
The portion of the panel of mesh construction is preferably formed
of interconnected nylon or nylon/polyester blend elastic yarns such
that the mesh portion of the panel is elastic. The releasable
connecting devices are preferably releasable spring clasps.
Furthermore, the enclosure is preferably at least one of a carry
bag, suitcase, schoolbag, and backpack.
[0013] In the preferred embodiment, the article of baggage
comprises: an enclosure for storing personal articles or the like,
and having at least a bottom wall portion and a plurality of
sidewall portions; a panel of fabric or the like attached at a
first end to one of the sidewall portions, the panel having a
second end which is free and being movable between a withdrawn
position and an extended position; a pocket associated with the at
least one side wall portion in the region of the panel for
reception and storage of the panel when in the withdrawn position,
the pocket including closure means for selectively closing and
opening the pocket for respectively storing the panel therein or
for permitting withdrawal of the panel therefrom to form the pocket
on the side wall portion. At least two releasable connecting
devices are attached to the free end of the panel, and at least two
corresponding attachment devices are respectively positioned on the
at least one side wall portion for attachment by the connecting
devices when the panel is in the extended position for forming an
accessory pocket on the side wall portion. The enclosure may be at
least one of a carry bag, suitcase, schoolbag and backpack or the
like, having at least a bottom wall, a top wall and a plurality of
side walls defining an interior storage space for receiving and
storing personal articles or the like.
[0014] A method is disclosed for forming an accessory pocket on an
article of baggage, the article of baggage including an enclosure
having a plurality of walls defining an internal storage space for
receiving personal articles of the like, comprising:
[0015] a) positioning a panel of material or the like adjacent an
outer surface of one said walls;
[0016] b) attaching one end of the panel to the adjacent wall, the
other end of the panel being free;
[0017] c) providing releasable connecting devices on the free end
of the panel;
[0018] d) providing correspondingly spaced attachment devices on
the one wall for connection by the releasable connecting devices
when the free end of the panel is extended to a distalmost
position; and
[0019] e) extending the free end of the panel to the distalmost
position and releaseably connecting the connecting devices to the
correspondingly position attachment devices to form an accessory
pocket on the enclosure.
[0020] According to the method, at least a portion of the panel is
comprised of an elastic mesh material such that the accessory
pocket is extendable to allow insertion of articles of personal
property or the like to be inserted therein. The elastic mesh
material preferably includes CORDURA.RTM. brand fibers.
[0021] The invention also relates to a stretch panel attached at a
first end to an outer wall of an article of baggage, the panel
having releasable spring clasps at the free end thereof, the
releaseable clasps adapted for releasably connecting the free end
to corresponding attachment devices on the outer wall. The
attachment devices are spaced from the attached first end of the
panel such that the panel is extendable toward the attached devices
to form an outer accessory pocket on the outer wall of the article
of baggage.
[0022] The outer wall of the article of luggage preferably includes
a storage pocket in the region of the attached first end of the
panel for storage of the panel when not in use. The storage pocket
has closure means for opening the storage pocket to facilitate
storage of the panel therein and for permitting extension of the
panel therefrom when needed to form an external accessory pocket on
the article of baggage. The first end of the panel is preferably
attached to the outer wall inside the storage pocket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a left side perspective view from above, of an
article of luggage incorporating the concealable stretch panel
forming a pocket for carrying loose items constructed according to
the invention, the stretch panel comprised substantially of a cargo
net-type stretchable material panel;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of
FIG. 1, illustrating the concealable stretch panel in the extended
position and attached to an outer portion of the main body of the
article of luggage by releasable spring clasps;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a left side perspective view of the lower portion
of the article of luggage of FIG. 1, illustrating the zippered
compartment for reception of the stretch panel of the invention in
its concealed location;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of
FIG. 3;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a left side perspective view from above, of an
alternative embodiment of the concealable stretch panel forming a
pocket for carrying loose items constructed according to the
invention, wherein the stretch panel is completely detachable from
the connecting panel by a two-part separable zipper, the panel
shown in the attached position in solid lines as well as in the
detached position in dotted lines;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of
FIG. 5 illustrating the stretch panel in the extended position and
attached by releasable connecting devices to the outer panel of the
article of luggage;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a left side perspective view from above, of
another alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the
concealable stretch panel is incorporated into a traditional
backpack and the cargo mesh-net material panel has been substituted
by an elastic stretch material panel, or non-elastic material
panel, which is preferably woven; and
[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of
FIG. 7, illustrating the concealable stretch panel of FIG. 7 in the
extended position for reception of loose articles.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] In the description which follows, the inventive concealable
panel is contemplated for incorporation into all types of carry
cases which are referenced to herein generally as articles of
baggage. As noted previously, such articles of baggage may include
traditional luggage, suitcases, backpacks, school bags,
professional brief cases and the like, all being referred to herein
generally as articles of baggage.
[0032] Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown a left side
perspective view from above, of an article of luggage 10
incorporating concealable stretch panel 12 extended to form a
pocket 13 for carrying loose items constructed according to the
invention. The article of luggage may be in the form of the carry
case as shown, with or without wheels, for traveling purposes, and
it may be constructed of a fabric material such as nylon, polyester
or blends thereof, or it may be constructed of traditional suitcase
materials such as leather, vinyl, or combinations thereof.
[0033] Referring now again to FIGS. 1 through 4, the stretchable
material panel is preferably constructed of a stretch net material
similar to those used in cargo net panels which are generally
provided with sport utility vehicles for retaining articles in
position in the cargo area. In particular, the mesh-net is
preferably made of a blend of elastic members combined with nylon
or nylon/polyester blends which are interconnected or knitted to
form the mesh. Alternatively, the panel may be woven of a
nylon/polyester blend fiber, such as the product marketed by, E. I.
DuPont De Nemours, Wilmington, Del., under the registered trademark
CORDURA.RTM.. CORDURA.RTM. fibers are also extensively used to
fabricate the main portions of fabric carrying cases. The net panel
may also be constructed by attaching such stretch fibers at various
locations to form a net or, as noted, alternatively, it may be
constructed by a weaving or knitting process to provide a
stretchable net panel. Still alternatively, the panel may be woven
as a conventional piece of woven fabric of the same or alternative
blends of fibers as is used in the article of luggage, with or
without the elastic members incorporated.
[0034] In FIG. 1, the panel 12 is attached to the outer panel 14 of
the article of luggage by a fabric panel 16 which is, in turn,
attached to the lower portion of a zippered pocket 18 by stitches
20 shown in FIG. 4. The fabric panel 16 may be of the same material
as is used to make the article of luggage and is readily foldable
as indicated in FIG. 4 to permit retraction and concealment of the
stretch panel 12 into the pocket 18.
[0035] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 to 4, the stretch panel 12
includes at the free end, a pair of spring clasps 22, 24, which
include spring-biased release bars for releasably attaching the
clasps to eyelets 26, 28 attached to the outer panel 14 of the
article of luggage.
[0036] In operation, the stretch material panel is folded upon
itself as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, when not in
use, whereby it is inserted into the pocket 18 provided on the
outside of the article of luggage and placed in a concealed
position whereby the pocket is closed with the zipper 30. When
additional items are to be carried by the carry case and the carry
case is either full or in a location where opening panel 14
presents some difficulty, the pocket 18 may be quickly opened by
releasing zipper 30 and extending the stretch panel 12 to the
position shown in FIG. 1, whereby clasp devices 22 and 24 may be
attached to the eyelets 26, 28 respectively. Thereafter, a
plurality of extra items can be inserted into the pocket formed by
the space between the outer panel 14 and the stretch panel 12 for
retention and transporting along with the article of luggage.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown an
alternative embodiment of the concealable mesh-net stretch panel
112 of the invention which is similar to the construction of the
previous embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4. However, the panel 112
of FIGS. 5 and 6 is attached to the fabric panel 116 by a connector
panel 117 and a separable zipper 119, having separable halves 115
and 121. The separable zipper 119 is of the type generally used to
attach half sections of articles of clothing whereby the zipper
halves may be completely detachable from each other as shown in
FIG. 5.
[0038] Referring further to FIGS. 5 and 6, the mesh-net panel
includes a pair of clasps 122, 124 which are respectively attached
to eyelets 126, 128 as shown and which function in the same manner
as the clasps previously described in connection with the
embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown another
alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the concealable
stretch panel 212 is incorporated into a traditional backpack 211
and is attached to the backpack in the same manner as is the
mesh-net stretch panel of FIGS. 1 to 4, i.e., by being sewn or
otherwise attached to fabric panel 216, which is concealable within
zippered pocket 218. The pocket 218 is provided with zipper 230 for
closure purposes to completely conceal the stretch panel. However,
in this embodiment, the panel 212 is in the form of a stretch panel
which is either knitted or woven of elastic yarns in place of the
cargo-type mesh-net of the previous embodiments. A woven inelastic
panel may also be used.
[0040] The embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 provides increased coverage
for the loose articles to be carried as opposed to the mesh-net of
the previous embodiments which generally expose the articles to air
circulated through the openings of the mesh-net. In addition, it
should be noted that the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8 also includes
spring clasps 222, 224 which are attachable to the panel 214 of the
backpack by attaching the clasps to eyelets 226, 228 in the same
manner as is disclosed in the previous embodiments. As in the
previous embodiments, when the stretch panel is not required, the
clasps 222, 224 are simply released from the eyelets 226, 228 and
the panel is folded upon itself and inserted into the pocket 218
for concealing purposes. Thereafter, the zipper 230 is closed to
provide complete concealment of the stretch panel 212.
[0041] Still alternatively, the panels in each of the above
embodiments disclosed may be in the form of woven or knitted fabric
materials similar to the fabric used in many articles of luggage,
and it may be made of either elastic or inelastic fibers. Further
in the case of leather-type luggage, the panel may be made of
leather or vinyl, or combinations thereof.
[0042] It should be readily understood that the various embodiments
disclosed herein can be combined in any desired manner. For
example, the mesh-net embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4 can be
incorporated into the backpack of FIG. 7, and the woven or knitted
fabric material panel 212 of FIGS. 7 and 8, in elastic or inelastic
form, can be incorporated into the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4 and
FIGS. 5-6, with or without stretch capability, depending upon the
indicated needs and required uses dictated by the market.
* * * * *