U.S. patent application number 10/702249 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-12 for carry on multi-function luggage.
Invention is credited to Cohen, Louis B..
Application Number | 20050098402 10/702249 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34551622 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050098402 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cohen, Louis B. |
May 12, 2005 |
Carry on multi-function luggage
Abstract
Disclosed is an airline carry on bag having a considerable
number of features. Two of its most unique are a hinged door that
includes a lounge chair, and a movable compartment divider to allow
separation of laundry from clean clothes. It is movable so that
more and more of the interior accommodates laundry and less and
less accommodates clean clothes as the journey progresses. Other
features are a telescoping handle, that includes rod hinges to flip
down to create a tabletop surface to be used for a laptop computer
and also for food trays and beverages, a lockable safe drawer with
external access, an externally accessible zippered opening
containing a freshen kit, a zippered closure hinged at the bottom
so that the interior of the luggage can be partially unzipped to
access the interior without laying the bag down, an external
netting to store a newspaper, a large digital travel clock
externally visible including an alarm clock, a bag levelling
mechanism when laid down, a telescoping add-on cart that supports
the weight of additional bags, wheels that are large enough and
light enough to accommodate bringing the luggage over curbs,
escalators and rough ground, a fixed identification plate and the
like.
Inventors: |
Cohen, Louis B.; (Aventura,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Robert J. Van Der Wall
Suite 1620
Colonial Bank Centre
1200 Brickell Avenue
Miami
FL
33131
US
|
Family ID: |
34551622 |
Appl. No.: |
10/702249 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/12A ; 190/1;
190/11; 190/18A; 190/3; 190/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 9/00 20130101; A45C
5/14 20130101; A45C 2009/002 20130101; A45C 13/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/012.00A ;
190/018.00A; 190/001; 190/003; 190/008; 190/011 |
International
Class: |
A47B 003/10; A45F
003/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In an improved carry on piece of luggage having a top, bottom,
sidewalls, front and rear, two wheels, a telescoping handle and
multiple compartments, wherein the improvement comprises: a main
compartment having interior side rails; a compartment divider that
is movable and supported in position between the side rails; and
retainers selectively connecting the compartment divider to the
side rails at any position from one end of the main compartment to
another end.
2. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises an
externally accessible, lockable pull out safe drawer.
3. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises: a
freshen kit chamber; a zippered externally accessible closure to
the chamber; and a freshen kit sized and shaped to fit precisely
within the chamber and also shaped to provide a stable enclosure of
toiletries when opened for use.
4. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises:
telescoping rods that support the telescoping handle, which rods
emerge from tubes within the luggage; rod hinges between first and
second elements of the telescoping rods; and a planar surface
disposed between the first elements of the telescoping rods and
forming a table when the first elements are bent to a horizontal
position at the rod hinges.
5. The improved luggage of claim 4 in which the planar surface is
recessed near the telescoping handle with a handle opening.
6. The improved luggage of claim 5 in which the handle opening is
interrupted with a coat hook.
7. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises a
netting enclosure that is externally accessible.
8. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises an
externally visible large numeral digital travel alarm clock.
9. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises a fixed
position permanently embossed user identification plate that is
externally visible, circumscribed by a protective ridge and
removably attached to the luggage exterior by fasteners.
10. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises a pair
of rubber feet that project from a rear planar surface of the
luggage substantially equally as the wheels such that when the
luggage is laid on its back it is slightly raised above the floor
and substantially level, and in which the wheels further comprise
curb climbing, large diameter, rubber covered, wide track steel rim
wheels recessed into wheelwells.
11. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises a
telescoping add-on cart having an outer leaf, and inner leaf, a
foot, and a cavity into which the cart is retractable.
12. In an improved carry on piece of luggage having a top, bottom,
sidewalls, front and rear, two wheels, a telescoping handle and
multiple compartments, wherein the improvement comprises: a flip
chair hingedly connected to an outer surface of the luggage, said
chair having a seat portion attached to the hinge, a back portion
attached to the hinge, and at least one angle limiter attached to
the seat portion and back portion to define a maximum angle
therebetween, and wherein an angle between the seat portion and the
outer surface of the luggage is a variable determined by
positioning of a user's legs.
13. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises an
externally accessible, lockable pull out safe drawer.
14. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises: a
freshen kit chamber; a zippered externally accessible closure to
the chamber; and a freshen kit sized and shaped to fit precisely
within the chamber and also shaped to provide a stable enclosure of
toiletries when opened for use.
15. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises:
telescoping rods that support the telescoping handle, which rods
emerge from tubes within the luggage; rod hinges between first and
second elements of the telescoping rods; and a planar surface
disposed between the first elements of the telescoping rods and
forming a table when the first elements are bent to a horizontal
position at the rod hinges.
16. The improved luggage of claim 15 in which the planar surface is
recessed near the telescoping handle with a handle opening.
17. The improved luggage of claim 16 in which the handle opening is
interrupted with a coat hook.
18. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises a
netting enclosure that is externally accessible.
19. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises an
externally visible large numeral digital travel alarm clock.
20. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises a
fixed position permanently embossed user identification plate that
is externally visible, circumscribed by a protective ridge and
removably attached to the luggage exterior by fasteners.
21. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises a pair
of rubber feet that project from a rear planar surface of the
luggage substantially equally as the wheels such that when the
luggage is laid on its back it is slightly raised above the floor
and substantially level, and in which the wheels further comprise
curb climbing, large diameter, rubber covered, wide track steel rim
wheels recessed into wheelwells.
22. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises a
telescoping add-on cart having an outer leaf, and inner leaf, a
foot, and a cavity into which the cart is retractable.
23. In an improved carry on piece of luggage having a top, bottom,
sidewalls, front and rear, two wheels, a telescoping handle and
multiple compartments, wherein the improvement comprises: a main
compartment having interior side rails; a compartment divider that
is movable and supported in position between the side rails;
retainers selectively connecting the compartment divider to the
side rails at any position from one end of the main compartment to
another end; and a flip chair hingedly connected to an outer
surface of the luggage, said chair having a seat portion attached
to the hinge, a back portion attached to the hinge, and at least
one angle limiter attached to the seat portion and back portion to
define a maximum angle therebetween, and wherein an angle between
the seat portion and the outer surface of the luggage is a variable
determined by positioning of a user's legs.
24. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises an
externally accessible, lockable pull out safe drawer.
25. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises: a
freshen kit chamber; a zippered externally accessible closure to
the chamber; and a freshen kit sized and shaped to fit precisely
within the chamber and also shaped to provide a stable enclosure of
toiletries when opened for use.
26. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises:
telescoping rods that support the telescoping handle, which rods
emerge from tubes within the luggage; rod hinges between first and
second elements of the telescoping rods; and a planar surface
disposed between the first elements of the telescoping rods and
forming a table when the first elements are bent to a horizontal
position at the rod hinges.
27. The improved luggage of claim 26 in which the planar surface is
recessed near the telescoping handle with a handle opening.
28. The improved luggage of claim 27 in which the handle opening is
interrupted with a coat hook.
29. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises a
netting enclosure that is externally accessible.
30. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises an
externally visible large numeral digital travel alarm clock.
31. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises a
fixed position permanently embossed user identification plate that
is externally visible, circumscribed by a protective ridge and
removably attached to the luggage exterior by fasteners.
32. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises a pair
of rubber feet that project from a rear planar surface of the
luggage substantially equally as the wheels such that when the
luggage is laid on its back it is slightly raised above the floor
and substantially level, and in which the wheels further comprise
curb climbing, large diameter, rubber covered, wide track steel rim
wheels recessed into wheelwells.
33. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises a
telescoping add-on cart having an outer leaf, and inner leaf, a
foot, and a cavity into which the cart is retractable.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of travel
luggage, and more specifically concerns luggage that is specially
adapted by reason of size and functionality for use with travel on
commercial airliners. The airlines have rules that allow luggage of
a certain size to be carried on board and placed in overhead bins
or underneath the seat in front, and the present invention is
designed to comply with those rules. The invention also relates to
the field of luggage in an aspect that facilitates clearance
through aviation transportation security. This concerns the
screening procedures as presently embodied by the Transportation
Security Agency ("TSA") as set up by the United States government
following the terrorist attacks of Sep. 11, 2001. As of this time,
every carry on piece of luggage and every passenger are separately
screened. The luggage is passed through an x-ray machine, and
passengers must transit a metal detector.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Over the decades since travel by jet airliners became common
place, the luggage manufacturing industry has created product
designs particularly adapted for being carried aboard jet airliners
and placed in overhead shelves that later became closed and locked
overhead bins. The dimensions of these overhead bins dictated size
limitations for the luggage to be placed in them. In the relatively
recent past this has led some airlines to automatically limit the
size of carry on bags by placing a template across the entrance of
the x-ray baggage screening equipment operated by the TSA so as to
prevent oversized bags from being admitted into the concourses from
which modern jet aircraft are boarded by the passengers.
[0005] The screening process by the TSA also causes inconvenience
to some degree to transiting passengers, depending upon what they
are transporting on their person and in their carry on luggage. For
example, a male passenger will frequently be carrying in his
trouser pocket a set of keys. These cannot pass through the metal
detector through which each passenger must pass to clear TSA's
security. Therefore, these keys must be removed and currently are
placed in a tray which is then passed through the x-ray luggage
screening machine and examined by TSA security workers. This
inconvenience is obviated if a location is provided that is readily
accessible from the outside of carry on luggage to insert and
readily remove the keys so that keys pass through the baggage
screening machine without being separately handled.
[0006] Another example is that since sharp objects can no longer be
taken aboard an aircraft, but can be seen to some degree inside a
carry on bag when it passes through the x-ray luggage screening
machine, a way to present such an object as scissors that may not
really be a sharp object is indicated. In other words, if an object
is disposed in a toiletries bag or "dopp" kit within the suitcase,
the TSA is obligated to open and completely search the entire
suitcase unless there is a means available to readily demonstrate
that the object proceed from the x-ray screening machine does not
represent a prohibited object. This is achievable by removing the
questionable object from a toiletries bag or dopp kit (termed a
"freshen kit") that is externally accessible so that it can be
readily inspected and passed if it is not a prohibited item.
[0007] The present invention relates to an airline carry on bag
having a considerable number of features. It is equipped with
wheels that are large enough and light enough to accommodate
bringing the luggage over curbs, onto escalators, and over rough
ground, a telescoping handle, a handle equipped with a rod hinge to
flip down to create a table top surface to be used for a laptop
computer and also for food trays and beverages, a lockable safe
drawer with external access, an externally accessible zippered
opening for a freshen kit, a zippered closure hinged at the bottom
so that the interior of the luggage can be partially unzipped to
access the interior without laying the bag down, an external
netting to store a newspaper, a large digital travel clock
externally visible including an alarm clock, a bag levelling
mechanism when laid down, a hinged door including a flip chair that
acts as a lounge chair, a compartment divider to allow separation
of laundry from clean clothes which can be moved so that more and
more of the interior accommodates laundry and less and less
accommodates clean clothes as the journey progresses, a telescoping
add-on cart that supports the weight of additional bags and the
like.
[0008] None of the references disclosed by the prior art search
combines significant numbers of the invention features. For
example, Thomas, U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,084, shows retrieval of what
could be a freshen kit from a predetermined location and zippered
closures. Cunningham, U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,223 teaches a number of
structures similar to the invention, but it lacks a movable
compartment divider, the license plate, the alarm clock and the
like. Pohl, U.S. Publ. No. US 2002/0195303 A1, teaches a table in
combination with luggage. The same teachings appear in Lee, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,941,352 and Martin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,367. Hung-Hsin,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,073 teaches a seat and a telescoping handle
with luggage. Dercole, U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,172 shows a great number
of individual compartments and fixed compartment dividers, while
Kinzer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,641 teaches large curb climbing wheels.
Giblet, U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,695 teaches a license plate in
combination with luggage art, and Baker, U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,056
shows a clock in combination with luggage.
[0009] Other references of interest are Chen et al. U.S. Pat. No.
6,016,893 for a multi purpose travelling suitcase having a
plurality of configurations, Pakoash, U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,574 for
luggage having enhanced clothing and accoutrement carrying
capabilities in an accessible configuration, and Tiramani, et al.,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,347,847 and 6,601,930 are roller containers for
assembly use.
[0010] It does not appear that any reference located by Applicant's
search reveal use of a movable compartment divider to shift and
separate clean clothes from laundry as a trip progresses, and none
show the efficient form of the inventive flip chair.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is a principal object of the present invention to provide
a multi-function carry on bag that provides a plurality of
passenger convenience features none of which all found in a single
prior art reference.
[0012] It is a related object of the invention to provide a
multi-function carry on bag that includes a movable compartment
divider that shifts to separate clean clothes from laundry as a
trip progresses.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a comfortable
lounge type chair in combination with multi-function carry on
luggage.
[0014] Further object of the invention is to provide a computer
table/food tray support in combination with multi-function carry on
luggage.
[0015] An additional object of the invention is to provide an
externally visible multi-function travel and alarm clock with a
large digital easy to read format in combination with
multi-function carry on luggage.
[0016] A further object of the invention is to provide an
externally accessible freshen kit and an externally accessible
lockable safe drawer with handle for depositing keys and the like
in combination with a multi-function carry on bag.
[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
all the foregoing objects and advantages in various combinations
with each other.
[0018] Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those
skilled in the art upon reference to the following descriptions and
the appended drawings.
[0019] In accordance with a principal aspect of the present
invention there is provided an aggregation of numerous features in
one carry on bag that comprise conveniences to an airline
passenger. Although there is a substantial amount of prior art in
the luggage field, no reference located by a thorough
pre-examination search teaches a significant number of the special
convenience features represented by the present invention. The
present invention is equipped with wheels and a telescoping handle
as many carry on bags are. The wheels are large enough and wide
enough to accommodate steering the luggage over curbs and across
rough ground without tipping. The wheels are made with rubber tires
and steel rims. The telescoping handle can be flipped down at its
rod hinge to create a tabletop surface using a planar surface
disposed between the telescoping rods. Near the top of the
telescoping handle is a coat hook. The tabletop accommodates not
only a laptop computer but also food trays and beverages. Near the
upper surface of the bag there is a lockable safe drawer with a
handle to pull it out. The drawer is to empty your pockets passing
through metal detectors so that pocket contents are sent through
the x-ray luggage screening machine, rather than having to be
loaded into and out of a tray.
[0020] Next to the safe drawer there is a zippered opening in which
is disposed a chamber containing a slightly smaller sized and
identically shaped freshen kit. It not only enables the user to
freshen up without having to open the bag itself, but allows the
user to remove potentially sharp objects for inspection by a TSA
screener without having to open the entire carry on luggage and
search it completely.
[0021] The main compartment of the luggage disposed beneath the
drawer and freshen kit also has a zippered closure around the sides
and top of a door that is hinged at the bottom so that the bag can
be partially unzipped to access belongings without laying the bag
down.
[0022] On the opposite side or back of the bag is a netting type of
enclosure which may be accessed from the upper side to store a
newspaper, magazines and the like. Above that is disposed a digital
travel clock flush with the surface of the bag and having rather
large numerals so that it can be read from a reasonable distance.
The travel clock, also an alarm clock, allows the user to take a
nap while waiting for a flight or use the alarm in a hotel room
because the hotel alarm clock is an unfamiliar design.
[0023] Disposed beneath the netting enclosure and also flush with
the surface of the luggage is a name and address plate similar to a
small license plate which is removably attached with screws, but it
is otherwise fixed and durable. It is surrounded by a protective
ridge. Also in the back are feet at the upper corners disposed on
either side of the travel alarm clock. These two feet achieve a
level bag when the bag is laid down on its back because they have
the same dimension from the plane of the bag's back as do the
wheels which are substantially recessed into the lower corners of
the bag.
[0024] Turning to the front of the bag, on the hinged door to the
main compartment is a flip chair. The flip chair is comprised of a
seat surface and back surface and an adjustable angle limiter that
may be adjustable straps between the back and seat surfaces. The
back surface, seat surface, and bottom hinged door are all attached
by a second hinge at one of the vertical sides of the door.
[0025] Inside the main compartment there is a compartment divider
that is vertical when the bag is lying on its back. This
compartment divider is supported on a track that allows it to be
adjusted at any point along the horizontal dimension of the main
compartment.
[0026] Its principal purpose is to allow the separation of laundry
from clean clothes. As clean clothes are used and put into the
laundry section, the divider can be moved so that more and more of
the bag's interior accommodates laundry and less and less of it
accommodates clean clothes. This divider tucks away at the top of
the compartment when it is not in use. At the bottom of the bag in
a plane parallel to the wheels and disposed just inside of them, is
a telescoping add-on cart that supports the weight of additional
bags that can be stacked on the opening surface of the bag and/or
on its top.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] Various other objects, advantages and features of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following discretion taken in conjunction with the appended
drawing, in which:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a top, front perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention in an upright and closed
configuration.
[0029] FIG. 2 is a similar view showing safe drawer open.
[0030] FIG. 3 is a similar view showing the external access open to
show the freshen kit.
[0031] FIG. 3A shows the freshen kit completely removed from the
chamber in which it is stored.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a top, rear perspective view showing netting,
travel clock, license plate, large wheels, and levelling feature
used in combination with the wheels.
[0033] FIG. 5 shows the primary compartment open with the
adjustable compartment divider shown.
[0034] FIG. 5A is an inset showing the detail of the adjustment
feature of the movable divider.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a front top perspective view showing the
telescoping handle extended with a planar surface between the
telescoping rods and a coat hook interrupting a handle opening near
the handle. It also shows the telescoping add-on cart for
supporting one or more additional bags.
[0036] FIG. 7 shows telescoping handle bent at a rod hinge to form
a computer lap top table or beverage and food tray table.
[0037] FIG. 8 shows the use of the telescoping add-on cart.
[0038] FIG. 8A is an inset showing the detail of the add-on
cart.
[0039] FIG. 9 shows the structure of the flip chair when
opened.
[0040] FIG. 10 shows the use of the table for eating which may also
be used for a lap top computer.
[0041] FIG. 11 shows the use of the flip chair.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0042] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention
are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one that is skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0043] References now made to the drawings, wherein like
characteristics and features of the present invention are shown in
the various figures are designated by the same reference
numerals.
[0044] FIG. 1 is a top, front perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention 10 in an upright and closed
configuration. Seen are top side wall 12, top fixed handle 14,
telescoping handle 16, telescoping crossbar 18, right side wall 20,
side handle 22, pullout safe drawer 24, zippered freshen kit
closure 26, and hard surfaced and zippered main compartment closure
28. Pull out safe drawer 24 is lockable but the locking means is
conventional and not shown. Main compartment closure 28 is
rotatably attached to the invention 10 at primary hinge 30. The
invention 10 is transportable using a pair of large diameter wide
track rubber covered wheels 32 with steel rims which are recessed
into wheelwells and flush with the outer surface of carry on
multi-function bag 10 at 34.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows similar features to FIG. 1, except that the
pullout safe drawer has been unlocked and opened. This feature is
intended to be a depository for small items such as keys, pens, a
cellular phone, and the like which will set off a metal detector
through which airline passengers must pass. These objects can be
readily accommodated through a TSA baggage screening machine and
examined after passage of the bag therethrough if desired. It
avoids placing such items in a tray to be passed through an x-ray
baggage screening machine and possibly being left behind.
[0046] FIG. 3 is a broken top front perspective view of the
preferred embodiment of the present invention which shows the
zippered enclosure 26 of the freshen kit 36 unzipped and that the
freshen kit 36 partially withdrawn from the carry-on multi-function
bag 10. Freshen kit 36 is shaped and sized to fit precisely within
chamber 38 disposed next to pullout safe drawer 24.
[0047] FIG. 3A illustrates more completely what freshen kit 36
looks like when withdrawn from freshen kit chamber 38. It is a
rectangular container having a zippered enclosure 40 and its own
handle 42. It is intended to contain such items as a toothbrush,
toothpaste, a razor, a comb and brush, and various toiletries. It
is also designed in the rectangular and flat configuration to be
stable when open and retain its contents in a bathroom
facility.
[0048] FIG. 4 is a top, rear perspective view of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention 10 and illustrating a variety
of additional features. These include externally visible, large
numeral digital travel alarm clock 44 and netting 46. Netting 46 is
resiliently elastic and attached to rear planar surface 62 of carry
on multi-function bag 10 at least at its four corners 48, 50, 52,
and 54. It is intended to be an exteriorly accessible resiliently
expandable retainer for such things as newspapers, magazines,
airplane tickets, itinerary, rental car reservation, purchased CD's
and the like. A further feature visible in FIG. 4 is a fixed
position but removable name, address and telephone number
identification plate 56 which is preferably permanently embossed,
surrounded by protective ridge 58 and which can only be removed
using fasteners 60. Also readily visible in this view are large
diameter wide track rubber covered wheels 32 with steel rims which
can be seen to project slightly out from rear planar surface 62 at
64. Finally in regard to FIG. 4, the inventive carry-on
multi-function bag 10 is equipped with a pair of rubber feet 66
that project from the rear planar surface 62 exactly the same
amount as wheels 32 do at 64 such that when the luggage 10 is laid
on its back, as best seen in FIG. 11, it is slightly raised above
the floor and parallel to the floor.
[0049] FIG. 5 is an inverted front perspective view of the
preferred embodiment of the invention 10 in which the main
compartment closure 28, partially broken away, is shown open at
primary hinge 30 to expose the contents and the interior features
of main compartment 68. The interior features include wheelwells
70, telescoping add-on cart interior shield 72, and telescoping
handle interior tubes 74. The wheelwells 70 and telescoping handle
interior tubes are obviously employed on both sides of main
compartment 68, but only those on one side are visible in FIG. 5.
It is understood thereby that main compartment 68 is symmetrical
about a centerline parallel to the telescoping handle interior
tubes 74. The most significant interior feature of the main
compartment 68 it is a compartment divider 78, which is movable
along side track 80 to vary the amount of space on main compartment
68 on either side of compartment divider 78. Inset view FIG. 5A is
an enlarged fragmentary view of compartment divider 78 and side
track 80. Compartment divider 78 includes retainers 82 which ride
along side track 80 to selectively position and retain compartment
divider 78 at its optimum position given the nature of the contents
of main compartment 68. A principal advantage of compartment
divider 78 is the ability to separate clean clothing from laundry,
and the position of compartment divider 78 can be shifted using
retainers 82 to reposition compartment divider 78 progressively as
a trip proceeds whereby clean clothing is converted into laundry.
Retainers 82 are conventional and thus their details are not shown.
It will further be understood that compartment divider 78 is
provided with side tracks 80 on both sides although only side is
pictured in FIG. 5. Compartment divider 78, side tracks 80 and
retainers 82 are all designed so that compartment divider 78 can be
moved to its extremity at the top of the main compartment 68 when
the inventive luggage is erect.
[0050] FIG. 6 shows telescoping handle 16 extended. Telescoping
handle 16 is connected by telescoping crossbar 18 to telescoping
rods 84. It will be understood that telescoping rods 84 can be in
multiple segments, such as two or three per side although only one
and part of a second 86 are illustrated in FIG. 6. Telescoping rods
84 includes disposed therebetween a planar surface 88 which is
recessed near telescoping handle 16 with a handle opening 90.
Handle opening 90 is also interrupted with coat hook 92.
Telescoping rods 86 also include planar surface 94 disposed
therebetween. Disposed between telescoping rods 84 and 86 are rod
hinges 96. Also seen in FIG. 6 is telescoping add-on cart 98
comprised of at least an inner leaf 100 which is nestled within
outer leaf 102, both of which are retractable within add-on cart
interior shield 72 as seen in FIG. 5. Use of telescoping add-on
cart 98 will be better seen in connection with FIG. 8.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows that telescoping handle 16, telescoping tubes
84 and planar surface 88 can be folded into a horizontal position
at rod hinges 96 to form a table, one purpose which is shown in
FIG. 10. The table includes a beverage holder 104.
[0052] FIG. 8 illustrates the use of the telescoping add-on cart 98
described in regard to FIG. 6. It supports additional luggage 106
whether the inventive carry-on multi-function luggage 10 is tilted
as shown in FIG. 8 or is directly upright as shown in FIG. 6. The
detail of the use of the add-on cart is shown in inset FIG. 8A. In
it can be seen outer leaf 102 and inner leaf 100 supporting luggage
106. Also seen is foot 108 which has the dual role of supporting
the erect bag in a truly vertical position as shown in FIG. 6, as
well as preventing the inner leaf 100 from being completely
retracted within outer leaf 102 so as to be in accessible
thereafter when telescoping add-on cart 98 is retracted into cavity
109. Cavity 109 is contained within add-on cart interior shield 72
as seen in FIG. 5. Returning to FIG. 8 momentarily, use of the
inventive apparatus in a tilted mode as pictured in FIG. 8 allows
carrying one or more additional pieces of luggage 110 such as a
briefcase.
[0053] FIG. 9 is an inverted front perspective view of the
preferred embodiment of the invention 10 in which the main
compartment closure 28 is shown closed and in which its three
layers are separated into main compartment primary closure 112,
flip chair seat portion 114, and flip chair back portion 116. Flip
chair seat portion 114 and flip chair back portion 116 are
connected to each other and to main compartment primary closure 112
by secondary hinge 118 such that the angle between main compartment
primary closure 112 and flip chair seat portion 114 is a variable.
Similarly, by reason of secondary hinge 118, the angle between flip
chair seat portion 114 and flip chair back portion 116 is similarly
a variable. The latter variable, however, is controlled by an angle
limiter device, which can be, but is not limited to, adjustable
straps 120 and 122. The fact that there are three layers in main
compartment closure 28 is actually visible in nearly all the
preceding figures, but was not described until the purpose was
visible in FIG. 9. Means to fasten the three layers 112, 114, and
116 of main compartment closure 28 to each other are provided, but
are conventional and thus not shown.
[0054] FIG. 10 illustrates one use of planar surface 88 as shown in
FIGS. 6 and 7. Also seen are telescoping side rods 84 and 86 and
rod hinge 96. Planar surface 88 acts as a tabletop not only for the
consumption of food and beverages as shown in FIG. 10, but also as
a work area for a laptop computer or for a variety of other useful
functions.
[0055] Turning finally to FIG. 11, the use of the flip chair first
shown in FIG. 9 is illustrated. The angular distance between flip
chair back portion 116 and flip chair seat portion 114 is fixed by
an ample limiter device which may be on adjustable strap 120 and a
similar strap on the other side (not shown) 122. The angular
position between flip chair seat portion 114 and main compartment
primary closure 112 is a variable controlled by the posture of the
user, his or her position, and the length of his or her legs.
[0056] While the invention has been described, disclosed,
illustrated and shown in various terms or certain embodiments or
modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the
invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be,
limited thereby. Such other modifications or embodiments as may be
suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved,
especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims
here appended.
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