U.S. patent application number 10/980018 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-04 for business travel bag.
This patent application is currently assigned to Coakley Business Class, LLC. Invention is credited to Mary E. Repke, Lois Zaprzalka Sherr.
Application Number | 20060090976 10/980018 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36336823 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060090976 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Repke; Mary E. ; et
al. |
May 4, 2006 |
Business travel bag
Abstract
Travel bag for organizing computer and other items has a
computer compartment that includes pockets for small items and a
dual-entry pocket. Flat pockets are provided on two large sides of
the dual-entry pocket. An opening on the outer body of the bag
provides access to contents of the dual-entry pocket and flat
pockets. The flat pockets are made of elastic material for securely
holding small items and devices that are frequently retrieved, such
as cell phone, travel tickets, sunglasses, etc. A briefcase style
includes a retractable flap that covers the top of the bag and
slides down into the bag to provide unfettered access to contents.
A tote style has deep pockets in expandable side gussets, for
holding water bottle, umbrella, shoes, etc. Straps are rope-filled
tubular leather. A cord kit, a tool kit, and a purse may be
included.
Inventors: |
Repke; Mary E.; (Bloomfield,
NJ) ; Sherr; Lois Zaprzalka; (New York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BOHAN, MATHERS & ASSOCIATES, LLC
PO BOX 17707
PORTLAND
ME
04112-8707
US
|
Assignee: |
Coakley Business Class, LLC
Bloomfield
NJ
|
Family ID: |
36336823 |
Appl. No.: |
10/980018 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/110 ;
206/576 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/02 20130101;
A45C 3/06 20130101; Y10S 190/902 20130101; A45C 2013/025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/110 ;
206/576 |
International
Class: |
B65D 71/00 20060101
B65D071/00; B65D 69/00 20060101 B65D069/00 |
Claims
1: A travel bag comprising: a body comprising a first wall and a
second wall, two sidewalls, a top and a bottom, said body
encompassing a central storage area with a primary access to said
central storage area from said top of said body; a computer
compartment formed along an inner surface of said first wall; and a
series of flat pockets provided along said second wall; wherein
said computer compartment has an outer compartment face and one or
more pockets are provided on said outer compartment face.
2: The travel bag of claim 1, wherein said computer compartment has
a rear compartment wall and stretch sides, each stretch side
extending between an end of said outer compartment face and said
rear compartment wall.
3: The travel bag of claim 2, wherein said stretch sides are made
of a stretch material that includes polychloroprene synthetic
rubber.
4: The travel bag of claim 2, wherein said computer compartment has
a closable top for securing any contents within said
compartment.
5: The travel bag of claim 4, wherein said closable top is an
elastic fabric top with a zipper closure.
6: The travel bag of claim 2 further comprising a retractable flap
and a storage pocket for said flap, said storage pocket provided
between said rear compartment wall and said first wall, wherein
said retractable flap is slidably restrained within said storage
pocket and is exentable between a stored position in which a
substantial area of said retractable flap is stored within said
storage pocket and a closed position in which said retractable flap
extends across said top of said body and is securable to said
second wall.
7: The travel bag of claim 1 further comprising a dual-entry pocket
formed along an inner surface of said second wall, wherein said
dual-entry pocket has two dual-entry-pocket faces and said series
of flat pockets is provided on at least one of said two dual-entry
pocket faces; and wherein a secondary access is provided in said
second wall so as to enable access to contents of said dual-entry
pocket.
8: The travel bag of claim 7, wherein said dual-entry pocket is a
rectangular pocket in which all four edges of a first face of said
two dual-entry pocket faces are joined to all four corresponding
edges of a second face of said two dual-entry pocket faces and
wherein a pocket opening is provided in said first face and also in
said second face, so as to provide access to an internal dual-entry
pocket area from each of said two dual-entry pocket faces.
9: The travel bag of claim 8, wherein said pocket opening is a
closable opening.
10: The travel bag of claim 9, wherein said pocket opening is
provided with a zipper closure.
11: The travel bag of claim 7, wherein said series of flat pockets
includes a first series of flat pockets that is provided on said
first face of said dual-entry pocket, said first face facing inward
toward said central storage area.
12: The travel bag of claim 7, wherein said series of flat pockets
includes a second series of flat pockets that is provided on said
second face of said dual-entry pocket, said second face facing
outward toward said second wall of said body.
13: The travel bag of claim 1, wherein said series of flat pockets
is constructed of a stretch material.
14: The travel bag of claim 13, wherein said stretch material is
includes polychloroprene synthetic rubber.
15: The travel bag of claim 1 further comprising an expandable
gusset in said side wall and a deep pocket in said expandable
gusset, wherein said expandable gusset is expandable to an expanded
configuration in which said side wall is extended outward to open
up said deep pocket or foldable to a folded configuration in which
said side wall is folded inward toward said central storage area of
said body.
16: The travel bag of claim 14, wherein said deep pocket is formed
by a detachable deep-pocket wall that is removably attachable to at
least one of said walls of said body.
17: The travel bag of claim 16, wherein said deep pocket includes
two deep pockets, one in each exandable gusset of said side
walls.
18: The travel bag of claim 15, wherein a small pocket is provided
in said detachable deep-pocket wall.
19: The travel bag of claim 1 further comprising a central file
pocket with a zipper closure, said central file pocket extending
substantially parallel to and between said computer compartment and
said second wall.
20: The travel bag of claim 1, further comprising travel bag
carrying means that are attached to said body.
21: The travel bag of claim 20, wherein said carrying means include
a strap.
22: The travel bag of claim 21, wherein said strap is a filled
strap that includes an outer strap material and a strap-filler
material to provide a substantially round strap.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to the field of briefcases and other
protective hand-carried cases or bags. More particularly, the
invention relates to a travel bag that is adapted to neatly
organize and securely carry a laptop and other small electronic
devices and business materials, as well as a purse or hand bag for
personal items, and is attractive in appearance.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The business person today, when going to a meeting, must
frequently carry along a number of items, such as a laptop
computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cell phone, plus
paper files. Often the person has to travel to a distant location
for the meeting, which means that personal items must also be
carried along. Today, due to stringent security restrictions on
airline travel, a traveler is limited to two carry-on items: one
carry-on size piece of luggage and one personal item. Typically,
the traveling business person wants to avoid having to check
luggage to save time and, thus, wants to carry onto the plane the
one piece of carry-on luggage plus a single bag that contains all
necessary business items and artifacts. The situation is more
complicated for a businesswoman, who, in addition to the typical
tools of the business world mentioned above, also typically carries
a purse or handbag, which contains small personal items, such as
wallet, keys, glasses, and personal care and cosmetic items. The
new regulations count a purse as the one personal item the traveler
is allowed to bring onboard, so the business woman today has to
check what normally would be allowed as carry-on luggage, if she
wants to carry a briefcase/laptop case and a purse on board.
[0005] A solution to this problem is to carry a bag that fits
within the security regulations as a carry-on bag, and combines the
features of a well-organized computer carrycase with storage area
for personal artifacts. Numerous computer carry bags and tote bags
are available. None of the conventional bags, however, provides the
degree of protection for electronic devices and files, while
simultaneously providing the storage space and organization for
myriad other accessories, such as power cords and chargers, PC and
office supplies, as well as the personal items a businesswoman
typically carries with her. Many tote bags are open at the top,
exposing the contents to the weather and the view of other parties,
and also making it easier for a thief to lift articles from the bag
if it is left unguarded for only very brief moments. A critical
disadvantage of the conventional tote bag is that it does not
provide the organizational functionality desired for neatly and
conveniently storing the artifacts and devices required in the
course of business, because it has an open bucket design with very
few pockets, if any at all. Such tote bags make it difficult to
maintain a system of ordering the items for convenient retrieval.
Heavy items, such as keys and mobile phones, invariably sink to the
bottom, and within a short period of time, papers float about
loosely and the items are hopelessly jumbled and difficult to
retrieve quickly. Tote bags generally detract from the look that a
professional and successful businesswoman wishes to convey, and
many of them are difficult to carry, with straps that slip off the
shoulder.
[0006] Other bags or cases for computers, particularly those in the
briefcase style, provide a secure enclosure for a computer and
other articles, but make it difficult to quickly and easily gain
access to some of the articles, without first having to set the
case down in order to open it up. Having to set the case down in
order to open it also puts the person carrying it into a more
vulnerable position, because the case is now separated from the
person and open, restricting the ability of the person to move away
from an unpleasant situation without giving up control of the case.
This is particularly true of such computer bags with a hinged
two-part body that must be unlocked or released, and the upper part
then lifted to expose the articles therewithin. Security checks at
an airport now regularly require that a laptop be removed from its
carrying case for inspection. This increases the need for a
carrying case that allows one to quickly and easily remove the
laptop for an airport security check, and just as quickly and
easily replace it once cleared through security. The functional
structure of the briefcase has not changed in over 30 years and it
fails to address the need to organize electronic devices and
accessories, and business and personal articles.
[0007] What is needed, therefore, is a travel bag particularly
geared to the needs of the business traveler, that will neatly and
securely store electronic devices, and provide storage area for
business and personal items. What is further needed is such a
travel bag that enables the user to organize all necessary devices
and articles, and yet provides easy access to selected areas. What
is yet further needed is such a travel bag that is comfortable to
carry, protects the contents of the bag from the weather, and is
fashionably attractive.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] For the reasons cited above, it is an object of the present
invention to provide a business travel bag that combines the easy
access provided by the conventional open tote bag with the security
provided by the conventional briefcase. It is a further object to
provide such a travel bag that allows practical and convenient
organization of items stowed within the bag, and yet allows quick
and easy retrieval of selected items. It is a yet further object to
provide such a travel bag that has the aesthetic and fashionable
appeal desired by the successful businessperson.
[0009] The objects of the invention are achieved by providing a
travel bag comprising a computer compartment, a plurality of
pockets for securing handheld electronic devices and various other
small items, and storage area for various bulky articles, such as a
purse or handbag, power cords and office supplies, water bottle,
books, magazines, umbrella, or shoes. The body of the travel bag
according to the invention may be constructed in several styles,
such as a briefcase or a tote bag, and, as used hereinafter, the
simple term "body" encompasses both the briefcase and the tote bag,
as well as other styles. The body, which includes an outer body and
a lining, is generally rectangular in shape, has a front wall, a
rear wall, two side walls, and a bottom; the primary access into
the tote bag is from the top. A primary access closure means may be
provided to close the top of the body. The type of closure means
provided may vary according to the particular style of the travel
bag. For example, the primary closure means on a briefcase style
may be a flap that extends from the back wall across the top of the
travel bag to the front wall and is secured with snaps, magnetic
snaps, buckles, fabric hook-and-loop strips, etc. The flap may be
retractable, being stowed in a space provided on the rear wall when
not in use. The primary closure means for a tote bag style may be a
fabric flap with a zipper that closes off the top of the bag or a
magnet closure that holds the upper edges of the front and rear
walls together. The outer body of the travel bag according to the
invention may be made of any number of materials, such as canvas,
leather, synthetic materials, including microfibers, other rugged
and durable materials, or combinations thereof. The lining is
ideally made of a supple, tear-resistant, water-repellent and
mildew-resistant fabric.
[0010] The computer compartment is provided along the inner surface
of one wall, either the front or rear wall, of the travel bag. For
ease of description, the computer compartment will be described
herein as being placed along the rear wall. The compartment is
padded with a shock-absorption means, has elastic side gussets and
a compartment closure means that closes the top of the compartment
as desired. The elastic side gussets and padding allow the computer
compartment to accommodate the varying dimensions of a conventional
laptop, yet snugly hold the laptop and protect it from impact
shock. The compartment closure means is provided as additional
security to protect the computer from slipping out of the
compartment if the travel bag is inadvertently turned upside down,
dropped, or falls over, and also makes it more difficult for an
unauthorized person to extract the computer from the travel bag
without notice. Compartment closure means that are suitable for
securing the computer compartment include a fabric panel that is
secured to the compartment with a zipper, snaps, magnetic snaps,
hook-and-loop fabric strips, buckles, etc. One or more pockets are
provided on a surface of the computer compartment that faces the
central area of the travel bag, to hold pens, business cards, and
other small items.
[0011] It is sometimes desirable to access the internal storage
area of a bag "on the fly", that is, without first putting the bag
down and gaining access through the primary access at the top of
the tote bag. For this reason, a dual-entry pocket is provided
along the the front wall of the travel bag, i.e., the wall opposite
the computer compartment. The dual-entry pocket is a large
enclosed, rectangular pocket formed from two pocket faces that are
joined to each other along all four edges. Access to the dual-entry
pocket is provided through openings, such as zippers, that are
provided on each face. An opening or secondary access through the
front wall of the outer body allows access to the dual-entry pocket
from the front wall. The faces of the pockets are ideally
constructed of a piece of material, folded over and stitched around
three sides to form the enclosed pocket area. A first face of the
dual-entry pocket faces the interior of the travel bag, the second
face faces the front wall of the outer body. Arranged on the first
face is a first flat pocket or pockets, and on the second face, a
second flat pocket or pockets. The second flat pocket or pockets
are readily accessible through the secondary access in the front
wall. It may be desirable to provide the first and/or second flat
pocket or pockets correspondingly as a first and/or second series
of three or four pockets of varying sizes, to accommodate specific
items. The first series of flat pockets is well-suited to organize
and hold, for example, electronic devices and other small items and
accessories, such as a PDA, CDs or diskettes, reading glasses,
business card holders, and personal items, such as makeup or a
hairbrush. The second series of pockets, which is the series
closest to the outer body wall, is best-suited to hold in an
organized manner electronic devices and small items that are
necessarily frequently retrieved from the bag during travel.
Examples of such devices and items include a cell phone, travel
tickets and passport, and sunglasses. Ideally, in order to securely
hold such items, which vary in shape and dimension, these flat
pockets are made of heavy-duty stretch fabric that is sturdy, yet
sufficiently elastic to securely hold the intended items. An
example of such stretch fabric that is suitable for the flat pocket
or pockets is nylon-covered material of polychloroprene (CR)
synthetic rubber. One particularly suitable type of CR rubber is
neoprene DA 25, which has been used for the top body of shoes,
sports accessories such as wearable CD player holders and CD
organizers for cars. The stretch fabric is rugged and the
elasticity such that a cell phone, a PDA, or a pair of eyeglasses
is held securely in the pocket and will not, under normal
conditions of use, inadvertently slip out of the pocket.
[0012] The travel bag according to the invention further comprises
a cord kit and/or a tool kit, both of which may be stored in the
relatively spacious interior storage area between the computer
compartment and the dual-entry pocket. These kits are provided for
neatly and securely storing cords, surplus batteries, a wireless
mouse and other accessories for the various electronic devices, a
collection of tools, such as drawing utensils and/or office
products, or make-up. Each kit is ideally made of a sturdy fabric
or leather with a zipper opening that provides easy access to the
contents. In addition to the kits, a small purse or clutch-style
handbag is provided that folds flat when not in use, but is
adequate in size to store a checkbook size wallet or credit card
etui, a few small personal or cosmetic articles, keys, a cell
phone, etc. This purse is made of a fabric or leather that is
aesthetically pleasing to the eye and the touch.
[0013] The travel bag according to the invention that is fashioned
as and hereinafter referred to as a "briefcase" has a briefcase
body that is sturdy and rugged, with front, rear and side walls
that have sufficient rigidity to stand upright. A zippered central
pocket is provided between the rear wall with the computer
compartment and the front wall with the dual-entry pockets.
Extending across the top of the body is a retractable security
flap, which, when opened, slides down into a pocket space provided
for it between the outer rear wall and the computer compartment.
The flap is secured to the front wall by some suitable closure
means, such means encompassing zippers, snaps, magnetic snaps,
buckles, and hook-and-loop fabric strips. A sleeve is provided on
the outside of the rear wall for the purpose of sliding the
briefcase over the pull-out handle of a conventional piece of
carry-on-size wheeled luggage, thereby allowing the user to
conveniently and securely stow the briefcase with the luggage. When
placed on the luggage handle in this manner, the front wall of the
briefcase, along with the dual-entry pocket, is readily accessible,
without having to remove the briefcase from the luggage handle.
[0014] The travel bag according to the invention that is fashioned
as, and is hereinafter referred to as, a "tote bag" has a soft
outer body with expandable side gussets in the side walls. The tote
bag includes the computer compartment, the dual-entry pocket, and
the flat pockets described above, and further has deep pockets for
stowing an umbrella, a water bottle, shoes, books, magazines, etc.
In order to keep the tote bag as compact as possible, the
expandable gussets fold in and are secured in place when not needed
with magnets or snaps, or some other suitable fastener means. This
shortens the overall length of the tote bag by several inches. The
straps or handles of the tote bag are placed at the outer corners
of the body as defined with the expandable gussets folded in. This
placement of the straps provides improved balance of the bag when
it is fully loaded.
[0015] The deep pockets, dimensioned to easily hold an umbrella, a
water bottle, shoes, and other large bulky items, are formed in the
expandable gusset areas by a deep-pocket wall that is a piece of
fabric that extends from the front wall to the rear wall of the
lining on the body of the tote bag. The deep-pocket wall is
attached with a zipper to one or the other wall. If a larger,
uninterrupted storage area is needed, the zipper is unzipped and
the deep-pocket wall folded out of the way. One or more pockets for
holding small items, such as keys, are provided on the deep-pocket
wall.
[0016] The rear wall of the outer body of the tote bag has a
sleeve-pocket with zippers along the top and bottom edges, allowing
it to serve as a secured pocket or, when unzipped on both edges, as
a sleeve for securing the tote bag on the pulled-out handle of a
wheeled, carry-on luggage. The front wall of the outer body has an
open pocket that extends across the front wall between the straps.
The inner wall of the open pocket has a zipper in it that provides
access to the dual-entry pocket.
[0017] Attractive and sturdy handles or straps that are adjustable
in length are attached to the travel bag so that it may be carried
as a shoulder bag or as a tote. To provide greater comfort, the
straps may be rope-filled tubular leather straps. The straps may be
attached to secondary straps that may be stitched onto the body,
that is, down the front and rear walls and across the bottom of the
body. This provides greater support for weight and reduces wear and
tear on the straps.
[0018] Various other features that may be provided on the travel
bag according to the invention include grommets or "feet" on the
bottom of the travel bag and tabs provided on one or the other
interior wall or on a pocket for securing key chains. Other
features and elements of the travel bag according to the invention
are disclosed in the drawings and the detailed description
below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The present invention is described with reference to the
accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers
indicate identical or functionally similar elements.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a briefcase style of the
travel bag according to the invention.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a cut-away perspective view of the travel bag,
showing the computer compartment and retractable flap.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of the travel bag,
showing the retractable flap storage space, the computer
compartment, and the dual-entry pocket.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a cut-away perspective view of the front wall of
the travel bag, showing a dual-entry pocket and a first series of
flat pockets.
[0024] FIG. 5 is a cut-away plane view of the front wall of the
travel bag, showing a second series of flat pockets on the
dual-entry pocket.
[0025] FIG. 6 is a cut-away top view of the travel bag,
illustrating the arrangement of the computer compartment, the
centrer zipper compartment, the dual-entry pocket and first and
second series of flat pockets.
[0026] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a cord kit/tool kit.
[0027] FIG. 8A is an illustration of a purse.
[0028] FIG. 8B shows the purse folded flat.
[0029] FIG. 9 is an illustration of the travel bag as a tote bag,
with the expandable gussets folded in.
[0030] FIG. 10 is an illustration of the tote bag of FIG. 7, with
the expandable gussets expanded.
[0031] FIG. 11 is an illustration of the rear of the tote bag,
showing the sleeve-pocket.
[0032] FIG. 12 is a partial cut-away view of the front wall of the
tote bag, showing the dual entry pocket and second series of flat
pockets.
[0033] FIG. 13 is a partial cut-away view of the front wall of the
tote bag, showing the computer storage bag, the deep pockets, and
the small pocket on the deep-pocket wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a a first embodiment of a travel bag
100 according to the invention, which is a briefcase. FIG.1 is a
perspective view of the travel bag 100, closed, illustrating
primarily the outer structure of the travel bag. FIGS. 2 and 3 are
cut-away perspective views that illustrate various internal
features of the travel bag 100, and FIG. 5 illustrates a preferred
configuation of internal features of the travel bag 100. The travel
bag 100 comprises a body 110 that includes a front wall 112, a rear
wall 114, and side walls 116, a retractable flap 130, and a
carrying means 120. The travel bag 100 is lined with a fabric
lining 500, that is supple and preferably light in color.
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates a computer compartment 200 provided along
the rear wall 114 for securely holding a laptop computer. The
computer compartment 200 is formed by a compartment wall 210 that
runs parallel to the rear wall 114 and compartment side gussets
212. The side gussets 212 are made of a heavy-duty elastic
material, such as a nylon-covered neoprene stretch fabric. The
computer compartment 200 is provided with a shock-attenuation means
(not shown) to protect the computer. Such means include foam
padding or air cushioning. A plurality of pockets 220 are rovided
on the compartment wall 210 for storing various articles. In the
particular embodiment shown, the pockets 220 include a writing
utensil pocket 224, business cards and/or diskette storage pocket
226, and a flat pocket for CD's or a PDA 222. The configuration and
shape of these pockets are provided as an illustration only of the
various types of pockets 220 that may be included in the travel bag
100 according to the invention and not intended to be a limitation
of the scope of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows a flap storage space 134 that is provided
between the rear wall 110 and the computer compartment 200 for
slidably receiving the retractable flap 130 and shows the flap 130
retracted into the flap storage space 134. FIGS. 1 and 2 show the
retractable flap pulled out and attached to the inner surface of
the front wall 112 with a flap closure means 132. In the embodiment
shown, the flap closure means 132 is a plurality of magnetic snaps.
The flap closure means 132 is shown as magnetic snaps for
illustration purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. Many
suitable closures exist, such as interference-fit snaps, fabric
hook-and-loop strips, button-and-slot means, zippers, etc. Ideally,
the flap closure means 132 includes a series of closures that allow
the flap to close in different positions, in order to securely
close the travel bag 100 under various load conditions: very full,
not so full, etc.
[0037] FIG. 4 is a partial cut-away view of the travel bag 100,
with a cross-sectional illustration a dual-entry pocket 520 that is
provided on the front wall 112 of the travel bag 100 according to
the invention. The dual-entry pocket 520 has an exterior lining
wall 512, an interior lining wall 511, and a pocket space 510
therebetween. An interior dual-entry zipper 521A provides access to
the pocket space 510 from the interior and an exterior dual-entry
zipper 521 B provides access to the same pocket space 510 from the
exterior of the travel bag 100. FIG. 4 also shows a first series of
flat pockets 320 stitched onto the interior lining wall 511. The
flat pockets 320 are constructed to organize and securely hold
certain electronic devices and other small items. In the particular
embodiment shown, the first series of flat pockets 320 includes
three pockets 322, 324, and 326, which are designed to carry, for
example, a PDA, reading classes, and business cards. Ideally, the
lining walls 511, 512, are padded with a padding material 513 to
provide sufficient rigidity to prevent them from collapsing under
the weight of the contents stored in the flat pockets 320. The
padding may be a foam or other type of material that provides the
desired rigidity.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows a second series of flat pockets 520 that is
provided on the exterior lining wall 512 These flat pockets 520 are
dimensioned to organize and securely hold certain items that are
frequently needed when traveling, such as travel tickets and
passport, cell phone, and sunglasses. In the embodiment shown, the
second series of flat pockets includes three pockets 522, 524, and
526, which are intended to carry travel tickets, a cell phone, and
sunglasses. Because the items carried in flat pockets 320 and 520
vary in size, they are ideally constructed of a rugged,heavy-duty
stretch material, such as a neoprene fabric. This material is
sufficiently elastic to accommodate the variations in size among
the various makes and styles of a PDA or cell phone, or the various
travel tickets, for example, yet prevent them from slipping out of
the pocket.
[0039] A zipper 521A/521B is provided in each of the lining walls
511 and 512, respectively, so that a user may reach straight
through the dual-entry pocket 510 when both zippers 521A and 521B
are unzipped. A dual-entry or secondary access 140 (shown in FIG.
1) is provided in the front wall 112, which provides access to the
lining wall 510. This secondary access 140 may be a zipper hidden
by an outer pocket, or simply an opening in a pocket on the outside
of the front wall 112. The advantage of the secondary access 140 is
that the user can access the contents in the dual-entry pocket 510
and in the second series of flat pockets 520, without having to use
the primary access at the top of the travel bag 100. So, for
example, the user, while carrying the travel bag 100 on her
shoulder, can reach through the secondary access 140 into the flat
pockets 522, 524, or 526, without having to release the retractable
flap 130 and slide it back into the body 110.
[0040] FIG. 6 is a top plane view in partial cross-section of the
travel bag 100. In addition to the computer compartment 210 and the
dual-entry pocket 510, with the various pockets 220, 320, and 520,
a central storage area 150 with a zipper closure 152 is also shown.
This central storage area 150 is similar in construction to the
dual-entry pocket 510, and is particularly practical in a travel
bag that is a briefcase style.
[0041] FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B illustrate various accessory bags or
kits that may be stored in the travel bag 100. FIG. 7 is an
illustration of a tool kit 700. A cord kit is similar in
construction to the tool kit 700, but with greater dimensions to
provide adequate space to accommodate the power cords with DC
adapters. FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a clutch-type purse 800 that
folds flat when not in use and is easily stored in the travel bag
100. The purse 800 is large enough to hold a check-size wallet, a
cell phone, and a few personal items such as makeup, lipstick,
etc.
[0042] FIGS. 9-13 illustrate a second embodiment of the travel bag
100 according to the invention that is styled as a tote bag 900.
The tote bag 900 includes the computer compartment 200, the
dual-entry pocket 510, the first series of flat pockets 320 and the
second series of flat pockets 520 that are described above. Further
provided in the tote bag 900 are expandable gussets 920 in the side
walls 116 and deep pockets 930 that are provided in the expandable
gussets 920. Gusset fasteners 922 may be provided in the side walls
116. When the extra space provided by the expandable gussets 920 is
not needed, the gussets 920 are folded inward toward the interior
of the tote bag 900 and snapped in place. This effectively reduces
the overall length of the tote bag 900 by several inches, as shown
in FIG. 9. Expanded gussets 920 are shown in FIG. 10.
[0043] FIGS. 12 and 13 are cut-away drawings that show various
features in the interior of the tote bag 900. FIG. 12 shows the
dual-entry pocket 510 with the first and second series of flat
pockets 320, 520 arranged along the interior surface of the front
wall 112 and FIG. 13 shows the computer compartment 210, with
elastic side gussets 212 and pockets 220, arranged along the
interior surface of the rear wall 114. FIG. 13 also shows the deep
pockets 930 provided in the expandable gussets 920, with a
removable deep pocket wall 934. The purpose of the deep pocket 930
is to provide a storage area separate from the central interior
portion of the tote bag for holding items that are long and/or
bulky and, for that reason, are inconvenient to store in a bag that
has smaller items, and also for holding items that need to be kept
separate from other items because they are wet. The deep pocket 930
is particularly adapted for storing, for example, a water bottle,
an umbrella (even a wet one), or shoes, etc. In order to be able to
accommodate rather large bulky items, however, the deep pocket 930
may be a hindrance and, thus, the deep-pocket wall 934 is removable
by simply unzipping a deep-pocket zipper 932, thereby detaching one
end of the deep-pocket wall 934 from the lining 500 and moving the
loose wall, which is a supple piece of lining material, aside. A
small pocket 940 is provided on the deep-pocket wall 934 for
conveniently storing very small articles, such as a key chain.
[0044] FIG. 9 shows the front wall 112 of the travel bag 900, with
a front wall pocket 940, and FIG.11 the rear wall 114, with a
pocket-sleeve 950. The pocket-sleeve 950 has at least one zipper
along the bottom pocket edge 952, and may also have a zipper along
the top edge 954. When the bottom pocket edge 952 is closed, the
pocket-sleeve 950 serves as a pocket, and when both bottom and top
pocket edges 952, 954 are open, the pocket-sleeve 950 serves as a
sleeve, which is used to secure the tote bag 900 to the pulled-out
handle of a wheeled piece of luggage.
[0045] As mentioned above, the body of the travel bag 100 may be
made of any number of suitable fabrics, including leather, canvas,
other rugged and durable natural and synthetic fabrics, or a
combination thereof. In a highly fashionable travel bag 100,
particularly one in the briefcase style, the body 110, the
retractable flap 130, and the wall of the computer compartment 210
may be made of high-grade leather. The body 110 is lined with the
supple lining material 500, which preferably is tear-resistant,
water-repellent and mildew-resistant. Ideally, the lining material
500 is of a light color, which makes it easier to see into the
interior of the travel bag.
[0046] The carrying means 120 in the embodiment of the travel bag
100 shown in FIG. 1 is a set of straps 122. Preferably, the straps
122 are rope-filled tubular leather straps that are comfortable to
grip and are also comfortable to wear on the shoulder, but other
means such as flat straps may also be used. Whatever the type of
the carrying means 120, they are preferably adjustable in length to
accommodate a wide range of heights of users the straps 122 may
wrap around the body 110, that is, flat strap extensions are
stitched down along the outer front and rear walls and across the
bottom of the body, to increase the carrying strength of the bag,
as shown in FIGS. 1 and 9. In the tote bag style 900, the ends of
the straps 122 are attached to the corners of the body 110 as
defined when the expandable gussets 920 are folded in, as shown in
FIG. 9.
[0047] It is understood that the embodiments described herein are
merely illustrative of the present invention. Variations in the
construction of the travel bag may be contemplated by one skilled
in the art without limiting the intended scope of the invention
herein disclosed and as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *