U.S. patent application number 11/831215 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-17 for portable luggage with an accessory pocket adapted for receiving a laptop computer.
This patent application is currently assigned to EBAGS.COM. Invention is credited to Bernard H. Majeau.
Application Number | 20080087513 11/831215 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39302164 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080087513 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Majeau; Bernard H. |
April 17, 2008 |
Portable Luggage With an Accessory Pocket Adapted for Receiving a
Laptop Computer
Abstract
A storage system is provided that includes an accessory storage
compartment that is isolated from a main storage compartment of a
piece of luggage. More specifically, the accessory storage
compartment is provided that selectively interconnects to a primary
opening panel of the piece of luggage wherein a secondary opening
is integrated into the primary opening that provides access to the
items stored in the accessory storage compartment.
Inventors: |
Majeau; Bernard H.;
(Greenwood Village, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHERIDAN ROSS PC
1560 BROADWAY
SUITE 1200
DENVER
CO
80202
US
|
Assignee: |
EBAGS.COM
6060 Greenwood Plaza Boulevard
Greenwood Village
CO
80111
|
Family ID: |
39302164 |
Appl. No.: |
11/831215 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60820927 |
Jul 31, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/111 ;
190/127 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/02 20130101;
A45C 5/03 20130101; A45C 2013/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/111 ;
190/127 |
International
Class: |
A45C 5/00 20060101
A45C005/00 |
Claims
1. A portable luggage device adapted for storing an electronics
device, comprising: a first storage compartment defined by an upper
end, a lower end, a rear surface, a front surface and opposing side
surfaces; a first opening panel interconnected to said first
storage compartment that allows for selective access into said
first compartment, said first opening panel including an opening
therethrough; a second storage compartment interconnected to said
first opening panel, said second storage compartment comprising a
rigid non-conforming shell that is adapted to receive an electronic
device, wherein items contained in said first storage compartment
are precluded from occupying a space defined by said rigid,
non-conforming shell; and a second opening panel associated with
said first opening panel that provides selective access to said
second storage compartment.
2. The portable luggage device of claim 1, wherein said rigid,
non-conforming shell may be selectively removed from said first
opening panel.
3. The portable luggage device of claim 1, wherein said second
storage compartment is adapted to receive a laptop computer.
4. The portable luggage device of claim 1, wherein said second
storage compartment is adapted to receive a brief case.
5. The portable luggage device of claim 1, wherein said second
storage compartment is an auxiliary storage case that is
selectively interconnected to said first opening panel.
6. The portable luggage device of claim 1, wherein said first
opening panel is interconnected to said first storage compartment
and said second opening panel is interconnected to said first
opening panel by at least one of a zipper, a snap, a hook and loop
fastener and a strap and buckle.
7. The portable luggage device of claim 1, wherein said rigid
non-conforming shell is selectively interconnected to said first
opening panel with at least one of snaps, zippers and hook and loop
fasteners.
8. A portable luggage device, comprising: a first storage
compartment defined by an upper end, a lower end, a rear surface, a
front surface and opposing side surfaces; a first opening panel
interconnected to said first storage compartment that allows for
selective access into said first compartment, said first opening
panel including an opening therethrough; a second storage
compartment interconnected to at least one of said first opening
panel and said rear surface of said first storage compartment, said
second storage compartment comprising a means for protecting,
wherein items contained in said first storage compartment are
precluded from occupying a storage space defined by said means for
protecting; and a second opening panel associated with at least one
of said first opening panel and said rear panel that provides
selective access to said second storage compartment.
9. The portable luggage device of claim 8, wherein said means for
protecting includes a padded rigid non-conforming shell.
10. The portable luggage device of claim 8, wherein said means for
protecting may be selectively removed from said at least one of
said first opening panel and said rear surface of said first
storage compartment.
11. The portable luggage device of claim 8, wherein said means for
protecting is adapted to store a laptop computer.
12. The portable luggage device of claim 8, wherein said second
storage compartment is adapted to receive a brief case.
13. The portable luggage device of claim 8, wherein said second
storage compartment is an auxiliary storage case that is
selectively interconnected to said first opening panel.
14. The portable luggage device of claim 8, wherein said means for
protecting is selectively interconnected to said first opening
panel with at least one of snaps, zippers and hook and loop
fasteners.
15. The portable luggage device of claim 8, wherein said means for
protecting includes at least one of a suspension system and a shock
isolation system interconnected to said means for protecting.
16. A device for protecting an electronic device for incorporation
into luggage, comprising: a shell having a left panel, a right
panel, a bottom panel and a main panel that define a space for
storing an electronic device, wherein said shell is adapted for
selective interconnection to the luggage; and at least one means
for interconnection positioned on said shell.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein said shell includes at least
one of padding, a shock isolation system and a suspension
system.
18. The device of claim 16, further comprising a second main panel
for selective interconnection to said left panel and said right
panel to define an attache case that is separate from the
luggage.
19. The device of claim 16, wherein said at least one means for
interconnection is at least one of a snap, a zipper and a hook and
loop fastener.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/820,927, filed Jul. 31, 2006, the
entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to portable luggage adapted
for use with an electronic device such as a laptop computer or
other similar device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Luggage is well known in the art and is used for
transporting personal effects. With the increased use of electronic
apparatus such as laptop computers, digital video disk players and
other related fragile items, there is an increasing need for forms
of luggage that provide a protective compartment to prevent
significant damage associated with impacts or vibrations. Numerous
attempts have been made to solve this problem, including suspension
systems that cradle the laptop computer when it is positioned
within the luggage.
[0004] The shortcomings of prior art protection systems are very
apparent to anyone who has ever gone through security screening at
an airport. More specifically, security personnel generally require
that laptop computers be removed from luggage for further
inspection. Once the contents of the luggage has been opened and
the laptop computer removed, the items within the luggage are free
to move into the space formerly occupied by the laptop computer,
thereby making it extremely difficult to reposition the laptop
computer or other electronic device within the luggage. Thus there
is a need in the luggage industry for a specialized compartment
that is designed to retain and protect an electronic device, such
as a laptop computer, and that preserves space exclusively for the
electronic device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is thus one aspect of the present invention to provide a
specialized compartment within a conventional piece of luggage,
such as a suitcase, attache, or carry-on bag, that is adapted for
storing or protecting an electronic device such as a laptop
computer. More specifically, the present invention may be
constructed independently within a piece of luggage, or designed to
be selectively removable to allow the retrofitting of existing
luggage, and is designed to be accessible upon opening an accessory
compartment or main compartment used in a suitcase or other
conventional piece of luggage.
[0006] Conventional luggage, such as a suitcase, typically
comprises one or more selectively accessible compartments that are
used to store personal effects such as clothing, overnight bags,
and other items as necessary. That is, many of these pieces of
luggage contain two or three distinct compartments that may be
selectively opened and closed by the use of a zipper, VELCRO.RTM.,
loop and buckle, or other means well known in the art to allow
quick access to the contents stored in the luggage. In one
embodiment of the present invention, a rigid or semi-rigid shell is
provided within one of the compartments of the luggage, that is
designed to retain a specific shape and size so as to receive a
laptop computer. When the luggage is selectively opened, the shell
is readily accessible, and the laptop computer can be removed. Even
after the luggage is inspected and the stored contents moved from
their original position, the shell retains its original shape and
thus allows for the quick and easy reentry of the laptop
computer.
[0007] It is thus one aspect of the present invention to provide a
rigid or semi-rigid shell that is made of a generally
non-conforming material that retrains a specific shape and size.
Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, rigid plastics,
fiberglass, polyethylene, or Styrofoam or rigid padding materials
are used to define the rigid or semi-rigid shell. The semi-rigid
shell may be interconnected to an existing piece of luggage by the
use of VELCRO.RTM., snaps, belts, and other interconnecting
mechanisms well known in the art. Alternatively, the shell may be
integrally interconnected or stitched to an interior portion of the
luggage that is easily accessible upon opening the luggage to
receive the laptop computer. In another aspect of the present
invention, a strap or VELCRO.RTM. (i.e., hook & loop material)
closure mechanism may be used on the shell to prevent the laptop
computer from inadvertently moving from within the luggage.
Furthermore, padding materials such as foams, Styrofoam, or other
compressible materials may be used for added protection to the
laptop computer.
[0008] Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, a piece of
luggage or a portable luggage device is provided and which
comprises:
[0009] a first storage compartment defined by an upper end, a lower
end, a rear surface, a front surface and opposing side
surfaces;
[0010] a first opening panel interconnected to said first storage
compartment that allows for selective access into said first
compartment, said first opening panel including an opening
therethrough;
[0011] a second storage compartment interconnected to said first
opening panel, said second storage compartment comprising a rigid
non-conforming shell that is adapted to receive an electronic
device, wherein items contained in said first storage compartment
are precluded from occupying a space defined by said rigid,
non-conforming shell and
[0012] a second opening panel associated with said first opening
panel that provides selective access to said second storage
compartment.
[0013] The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should
it be construed as being representative of the full extent and
scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth
in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well
as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the
Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present
invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of
elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention.
Additional aspects of the present invention will become more
readily apparent from the Detail Description, particularly when
taken together with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the general description of the
invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings
given below, serve to explain the principles of these
inventions.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of prior art luggage with
an access panel;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the
present invention wherein a front panel is in an open position;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a detailed view of an inside of the front panel
showing a shell of one embodiment of the present invention that
defines a portion of a storage area;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the
present invention wherein the front panel is shown opened with a
computer stored therein; and
[0019] FIG. 5 is a left elevation view of the luggage shown in FIG.
2 with a portion cut away to show the storage area of one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] To assist in the understanding of the present invention the
following list of components and associated numbering found in the
drawings is provided herein: TABLE-US-00001 # Component 2 Luggage 4
Main Storage Compartment 5 Front Panel 6 Accessory Storage Area 8
Zipper 10 Shell 12 Shell Attachment Mechanism 14 Laptop Computer 16
Luggage Handle 18 Luggage Wheels 20 Access Panel 22 Articles 24
Secondary Storage Pocket 26 Left panel 28 Right panel 30 Bottom
panel
[0021] It should be understood that the drawings are not
necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not
necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render
other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It
should be understood, of course, that the invention is not
necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1, a prior art method of securing a
laptop computer 14 within luggage 2 is shown. Previously, users of
luggage 2 simply placed items that they wanted to access quickly
atop their stored articles 22. When an article, such as a laptop
computer 14, was needed, the user would simply unzip the access
panel 20, thereby providing selective access to the main storage
compartment 4. However, during security checks at an airport, for
example, the laptop computer 14 must be quickly removed and
activated for security personnel. Often this task is done while the
luggage 2 is in an upright position such that when the access panel
20 is opened and the laptop computer 14 removed, the stored
articles 22 shift and occupy the space previously occupied by the
laptop computer 14 wherein reinsertion of the laptop computer 14 is
difficult or impossible. This situation leads to security
inspection delays and also may require repacking of the luggage 2
subsequent to the security check.
[0023] Referring now to FIGS. 2-5, one embodiment of the present
invention is shown that comprises a shell 10 that interconnects to
an inner portion of the luggage 2 and isolates the stored laptop
computer 14, or other items, from the stored articles 22. The shell
10 defines an accessory storage area 6 that is adapted to receive
the laptop computer 14, for example. Embodiments of the present
invention have the advantage of allowing access through the access
panel 20 into the accessory storage area 6 without disturbing the
articles 22 stored within the main storage compartment of the
luggage 2. The shell 10 of embodiments of the present invention is
interconnected to an inner surface of the luggage 2 via a shell
attachment mechanisms 12, such as snaps or hook and loop fasteners.
Although the accessory storage area 6 is shown interconnected to
the front panel 5 of the luggage, one skilled in the art will
appreciate that accessory storage areas 6 may be incorporated into
the rear sides or top of the luggage. In addition, the accessory
storing area 6 may be of any shape and size and is not limited to
the configuration provided herein. The shell 10 as contemplated
herein may be constructed of a rigid, semi-rigid or soft material.
Preferably, the shell 10 is rigid such that pressure applied by the
stored articles 22 does not deform the shell 10 so that the laptop
computer 14 may be quickly and easily placed back into the
accessory storage pocket 6 subsequent to removal.
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, one embodiment of the present
invention is provided. Here, the accessory storage area 6 includes
a left panel 26, a right panel 28 and a bottom panel 30 for the
storage of the laptop computer 14. It is also clearly shown how the
articles stored within the luggage are isolated from the accessory
storage area 6. One skilled in the art will appreciate that further
cushioning and shock isolation mechanisms may be employed within
the accessory storage area 6 to further protect the laptop computer
14 or other electronic device stored therein, without departing
from the scope of the invention. For example, the shock isolation
mechanism disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0248913,
published Nov. 10, 2005, which is incorporated by reference herein,
may be integrated into embodiments of the present invention.
[0025] Referring specifically to FIG. 3, the shell 10 of one
embodiment of the present invention is shown adjacent to the shell
attachment mechanisms 12. Here, snaps are employed to interconnect
the shell 10 to an inner portion of the luggage, however, one
skilled in the art will appreciate other interconnection mechanisms
may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention.
For example, attachment mechanisms 12 that are composed of hook and
loop fasteners may be employed. The accessory storage area 6 may be
large enough to accommodate a brief case, for example. Further, the
shell 10 may be configured to form a brief case or attache, perhaps
similar to a mail bag. In operation, one could configure the shell,
and any straps or handles included therewith, for incorporation to
the piece of luggage.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 5, a left elevation view of luggage 2
of one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The access
panel 20 provides access to the accessory storage area 6, thereby
allowing exposure of the laptop computer 14. The laptop computer 14
is removed, the shell 10, which comprises a portion of the
accessory storage area 6, prevents the articles stored within the
luggage to enter into the accessory storage area 6.
[0027] While various embodiments of the present invention have been
described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and
alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the
art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such
modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of
the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *