U.S. patent application number 12/000945 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-25 for travel bag with stowable seat.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cosmoda Corporation. Invention is credited to Michael Melanson, Philip L. Poissant.
Application Number | 20090159385 12/000945 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40787276 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090159385 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Poissant; Philip L. ; et
al. |
June 25, 2009 |
Travel bag with stowable seat
Abstract
A travel bag having a storage compartment is provided with
opposed support members either side of the storage compartment.
Each support member defines an upper rear corner area. A seat is
pivotally attached to the support members adjacent the upper rear
corner areas, operable to pivot from a stowed position adjacent a
rear face of the storage compartment to an operating position
between upper edges of the support members. A separate seat
structure, for use in association with a travel bag to be attached
thereto, is also provided. The seat structure has opposed support
members connected by a cross-bracing structure. The support members
are adaptable to be fitted around the sides of the travel bag. Each
support member defines an upper rear corner, and, a seat is
pivotally attached to the support members adjacent the upper rear
corners, operable to pivot from a stowed position adjacent a rear
face of the travel bag to an operating position between upper edges
of the support members.
Inventors: |
Poissant; Philip L.;
(Toronto, CA) ; Melanson; Michael; (Richmond Hill,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DENNISON ASSOCIATES
133 RICHMOND STREET WEST, SUITE 301
TORONTO
ON
M5H 2L7
CA
|
Assignee: |
Cosmoda Corporation
Toronto
CA
|
Family ID: |
40787276 |
Appl. No.: |
12/000945 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/8 ; 190/110;
190/115; 190/18A; 297/129; 297/217.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 9/00 20130101; A47C
4/52 20130101; A45C 5/14 20130101; A47C 13/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/8 ; 190/18.A;
190/110; 190/115; 297/217.1; 297/129 |
International
Class: |
A47C 13/00 20060101
A47C013/00; A45C 5/14 20060101 A45C005/14; A45C 3/00 20060101
A45C003/00; A45C 13/00 20060101 A45C013/00; A47C 31/00 20060101
A47C031/00 |
Claims
1. A travel bag comprising: a storage compartment, opposed support
members either side of said storage compartment, each support
member defining an upper rear corner area, a seat pivotally
attached to the support members at the upper rear corner areas,
operable to pivot from a stowed position adjacent a rear face of
said storage compartment to an operating position between upper
edges of the support members.
2. A travel bag as claimed in claim 1 wherein each support member
additionally defines a ground-engaging lower portion.
3. A travel bag as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a
retractable handle attached to an upper portion of the storage
compartment, operable to extend upwardly from a storage position
adjacent the storage compartment to an operating position away
therefrom and wherein the seat is operable, during pivotal movement
from its stowed position to its operating position, to pass over
the handle in its storage position.
4. A travel bag as claimed in claim 3 wherein the support members
and the seat further comprise engagement means therebetween for
engaging the seat with the support members to prevent downward
movement of the seat.
5. A travel bag as claimed in claim 4 wherein the engagement means
comprises seat support abutments on the support members against
which the seat abuts in its operating position.
6. A travel bag as claimed in claim 5 wherein the seat comprises
seat arms, one end of each of which is pivotally attached to a
support member, and a seat pan attached to the other ends of the
seat arms and wherein the seat arms are of a length that the handle
is accessible and operable when the seat is in its operating
position.
7. A travel bag as claimed in claim 6 wherein the storage
compartment is of flexible material.
8. A travel bag as claimed in claim 7 wherein the support members
are connected by a cross-brace.
9. A travel bag as claimed in claim 5 wherein wheels are attached
to a lower region of the storage compartment.
10. A seat structure, for use in association with a travel bag to
be attached thereto, the structure comprising: opposed support
members connected by a cross-bracing structure, said support
members adaptable to be fitted around the sides of the travel bag,
each support member defining an upper rear corner, and, a seat
pivotally attached to the support members adjacent the upper rear
corners, operable to pivot from a stowed position adjacent a rear
face of the travel bag to an operating position between upper edges
of the support members.
11. A seat structure as claimed in claim 10 wherein each support
member additionally defines a ground-engaging lower portion.
12. A seat structure as claimed in claim 11 wherein the travel bag
has a retractable handle attached to an upper portion thereof
operable to extend upwardly from a storage position adjacent the
travel bag to an operating position away therefrom and wherein the
seat is operable, during pivotal movement from its stowed position
to its operating position, to pass over the handle in its storage
position.
13. A seat structure as claimed in claim 12 wherein each support
member defines a seat support against which the seat, in its
operating position, abuts.
14. A seat structure as claimed in claim 13 wherein the seat
comprises seat arms, one end of each of which is pivotally attached
to a support member, and a seat pan attached to the other ends of
the seat arms and wherein the seat arms are of a length that the
handle is accessible and operable when the seat is in its operating
position.
15. A seat structure as claimed in claim 14 wherein the travel bag
has wheels attached to a lower region thereof.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a travel bag, in particular a
carry-on bag, having a stowable seat to support the weight of a
sitting adult.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is common for modern travelers to have with them at all
times a travel bag, known as a "carry-on" bag, with their personal
effects. In many cases, travelers will have no checked baggage and
will rely on having all of their effects in a single carry-on bag.
Such travel bags, to qualify as carry-on bags, must be of
relatively small size in accordance with regulations or travel
industry practice, so that they can be safely stowed, for example
in overhead bins on airplanes. Such regulations and practices
usually establish maximum height, length and width dimensions for
such bags. To maximize capacity in accordance with such
constraints, many travel bags are specifically designed in a
generally right rectangular prism shape and sized to meet such
dimensional standards. Although relatively small compared to
suitcases intended as checked luggage, carry-on bags can
nevertheless transport a significant quantity of goods and can be
fairly heavy and for some people can be difficult or awkward to
handle.
[0003] To assist in their handling, many carry-on bags (such as
shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,954 to Nordstrom) are provided with
wheels along a bottom edge and a retractable or telescoping handle
adjacent an upper edge of the bag, generally on the same side of
the bag as the wheels. The combination of a telescoping handle and
wheels allows the traveler to easily move the bag, usually by
pulling but sometimes by pushing.
[0004] Modern travel, particularly by air, often requires lengthy
waits, for example at various transportation hubs, such as
airports, waiting in lines or for connections. In many situations,
seating is either not provided or, with over-crowding, is not
available. In such situations, it would be desirable for a traveler
to have the option of sitting or resting on his or her carry-on
bag, but typical carry-on bags are not capable of or comfortable
for such use.
[0005] Like any other type of luggage, carry-on bags can be made of
a variety of materials. Although some such bags are made of rigid
materials and may comprise a hard shell case capable of bearing a
person's weight, they are not necessarily designed to be sat upon
and, as a result, may be unstable, uncomfortable or awkward to use,
especially in the start-and-stop environment of a moving line-up.
In addition, many carry-on bags are made from non-rigid fabrics,
such as nylon, canvas, leather and the like. Although in some cases
internal stiffeners or stiffening material (e.g. made from metal,
plastic, foam or even cardboard) can be used to provide some at
least semi-rigid support, shape and structure to carry-on bags,
they are typically not capable of bearing the weight of a sitting
person without crushing the contents of the bag. In addition, they
may also suffer from the problems of instability, lack of comfort
and awkwardness of use.
[0006] In recognition of at least some of these problems, various
travel bags have been proposed to incorporate a seat structure for
the convenience of a traveler.
[0007] For example, various proposals have been made (e.g. as shown
in U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,447 to Pohl, U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,313 to Lenz
et al, French patent no. 2,834,431 to Le Bret Brigitte, PCT
publication no. WO 9803096 to Nakagawa, PCT publication no. WO
03099056 to Tamura) to provide a seat which can deploy from the
side of a travel bag or case to extend to a horizontal position
away from the bag, to be supported by a suitable brace structure
extending back to the bag or by legs which contact the ground.
There can be various difficulties with such structures. For
example, they can be relatively mechanically complex, involving
various moving parts which are susceptible to damage, wear or
failure, and thus relatively costly to manufacture and maintain. In
addition, given that the overall size of the bag will have to be
constrained to meet the requirements as a carry-on bag, the
presence of such mechanical components may reduce the effective
carrying capacity of the bag. Moreover, some of the exposed
elements of the mechanical system may catch on, or interfere with,
nearby objects or in some cases even be somewhat hazardous, which
may render the bags unsuitable or unsafe as carry-on bags. In
addition, in some designs, the seating arrangement can suffer from
stability problems because the weight of the person will not
necessarily be centered over a stable base.
[0008] Some other designs have been proposed that would
specifically allow a child to sit on the top of a travel bag (e.g.
as shown U.S. patent publication no. 2004/0066069 to Caldana). Such
designs suffer from the problem that an adult may not be able to
sit on the luggage without crushing its contents. In addition, the
seat arrangement can interfere with access to or use of the
telescopic handle or access to the top of the bag (e.g. to grab a
handle or open a zippered compartment) and not easily or
conveniently operable to change from an in-use position to a
convenient storage position.
[0009] In some structures (e.g. as shown in French patent no.
2302066 to Durand), seats for adults or children are attached to
vertical supports extending away from the bag or case, which
greatly interfere with the ability of the bag or case to function
as carry-on baggage.
[0010] Some have proposed seats which can move from a stowed
position on the front or back of a bag to an in-use position on top
of the bag. For example, U.S. publication no. 2007/0007801 to
Bishop discloses a specially designed travel bag featuring an
inverted U-shaped telescoping handle in which the legs are
relatively widely separated. Slots are defined on the inside of
each leg. A seat is fitted between the legs and slidably held in
the slots by pins. The seat is operable to move up and down and
rotate while restrained by the slots. U.S. Pat. No. 7,097,017 to
LaCrosse et al discloses a seat pivotally attached to linkages
pivotally attached to the sides of the bag. Such designs are
relatively complex and may thus be more susceptible to damage, wear
or failure, and thus relatively costly to manufacture and/or
maintain.
[0011] Finally, it is noted that many of the above-noted prior art
designs require specially engineered structures which are incapable
of being, or at least not easily adaptable to be, applied to
substantially conventional travel bags with conventional wheel,
storage compartment or telescoping handle arrangements. The
inability to use conventional components will tend to increase the
cost of such travel bags.
[0012] In light of all the above, there remains a need for a travel
bag with a comfortable seat that will be capable of bearing the
weight of an adult, that is convenient to operate and mechanically
reliable and that may be adapted to be used with conventional
travel bags or travel bag components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention provides a travel bag having a storage
compartment with opposed support members either side of said
storage compartment, each support member defining an upper rear
corner area, and a seat pivotally attached to the support members
adjacent the upper rear corner areas, operable to pivot from a
stowed position adjacent a rear face of the storage compartment to
an operating position between upper edges of the support
members.
[0014] The present invention also provides a seat structure, for
use in association with a travel bag to be attached thereto, the
structure having opposed support members connected by a
cross-bracing structure, said support members adaptable to be
fitted around the sides of the travel bag, each support member
defining an upper rear corner, and, a seat pivotally attached to
the support members adjacent the upper rear corners, operable to
pivot from a stowed position adjacent a rear face of the travel bag
to an operating position between upper edges of the support
members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are
illustrated in the attached drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a travel bag according to
the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side view of a travel bag according to the
invention.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top view of a travel bag according to the
invention.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portable seat structure in
accordance with the invention.
DETAILED DISCLOSURE
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, there is generally shown a travel bag
10 in accordance with the invention. Travel bag 10 comprises a
storage compartment 12, of generally right rectangular prism shape.
Preferably, the overall dimensions of travel bag 10 will meet the
requirements of relevant travel regulations or practices; for
example, Air Canada specifies that carry-on bags shall not exceed
the following dimensions: 9 inches by 15.5 inches by 21.5 inches
(23 cm.times.40 cm.times.55 cm).
[0021] Storage compartment 12 has a front face or panel 14, a rear
face or panel 16, a top face or panel 18, a bottom face or panel 20
and right and left side faces or panels 22 and 24. Storage
compartment 12 may have various access means (not shown), such as
zippers, hook and loop fasteners and drawstrings, to access the
interior of storage compartment 12 or various sub-divisions thereof
or pockets. In addition, storage compartment 12 may on various
faces have various handles, such as shown at 26 to assist in
lifting or carrying the bag in different orientations. In addition,
there may be a top handle 28, located generally in the middle of
top panel 18.
[0022] The various panels 14 to 24 may be made of any typical
travel bag material, including flexible fabric materials, such as
nylon, canvas and leather. If such non-rigid materials are used,
they may be optionally strengthened and supported in conventional
manner by rigid or semi-rigid interior frame or stiffening members
or material (not shown), e.g. made from metal, plastic, foam or
even cardboard.
[0023] Rear and top panels 16 and 18 generally meet and define an
upper rear edge 30. Similarly, rear and bottom panels 16 and 20
generally meet and define a lower rear edge 32.
[0024] In a manner well understood in the travel bag art, a
conventional retractable or telescoping handle 34 is attached to
storage compartment 12 in the vicinity of upper rear edge 30,
utilizing such telescoping tube support sub-structure (not shown)
as may be required. In a closed position 34b (shown in FIG. 2),
telescoping handle 34 is generally snug up against top panel 18. In
some cases, top panel 18 may define a suitable recess (not shown)
into which the handle 34 may be stowed when not in use. In its
extended in-use position 34a (again, shown in FIG. 2), handle 34
may extend as much as 18 to 30 inches (45 to 75 centimeters) away
from top panel 18.
[0025] In addition, also in known manner, conventional spaced apart
wheels 36 are attached to storage compartment 12 generally in the
vicinity of lower rear edge 32, utilizing such wheel support
sub-structure (not shown) as may be required.
[0026] As noted above, although various of panels 14 to 24 may be
made of flexible non-rigid material, suitable support
sub-structures (not shown) must be provided in known manner to
support telescoping handle 34 and wheels 36 and the proper
operation thereof.
[0027] Although for the purposes for the present invention it would
not be required, for esthetic or other reasons, panels 14 to 24 may
be made of a more rigid material, such as various plastic or
composite materials or a metal such as aluminum.
[0028] Opposed rigid support members 38 are attached to storage
compartment 12 on each side of storage compartment 12, generally
adjacent the left and right side panels 22 and 24. Support members
38 define upper edges 39 and ground engagement edges 40 which
support travel bag 10 in a generally upright position on a flat
surface. Each support member 38 also defines an upper rear corner
area 41 at about, or slightly above, the height of top panel
18.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 3, support members 38 may be rigidly
connected by a cross brace structure 42 and, as shown therein,
storage compartment 12 may be fastened thereto. Although mechanical
fasteners 43 are shown, any suitable fastening means (e.g. glue,
any mechanical fasteners or even removable fasteners such as
loop-and-hook fasteners, snaps, lashing) could be used. Support
members 38 are preferably directly fastened to side panels 22 and
24 by any suitable fastening means but in some cases may be
adequately held in position through cross brace structure 42 and
the fastening of storage compartment 12 thereto.
[0030] In some embodiments, particularly where it is anticipated
that storage compartment 12 is capable of providing sufficient
lateral stability, it may not be necessary to include a cross brace
42 in the structure of travel bag 10. In such a case, support
members 38 may be separately attached to storage compartment 12 by
any suitable means, such as those noted above.
[0031] In other embodiments, to achieve a more integrated esthetic
appearance, left and right side panels 22 and 24 could be omitted
in favour of direct attachment of the front, rear, top and bottom
panels 14 to 20 to support members 38.
[0032] A seat 44 is pivotally connected to support members 38 in
the upper rear corner areas 41. As shown in FIG. 3, the pivotal
connection is achieved by means of suitable pins 46, but any
suitable axle or other pivotal connection means may be used. In the
embodiment shown, seat 44 comprises a seat pan 48 connected to seat
arms 50 which in turn effect the pivotal connection to support
members 38.
[0033] As best illustrated in FIG. 2, with telescoping handle 34 in
its retracted or stowed position 34b, seat 44 is operable to pivot
between an operating or in-use position 44a, namely located between
the upper edges 39 of support members 38, and a stowed position
44b, namely generally alongside rear panel 16 of storage
compartment 12 or cross brace 42. In effecting such pivoting
motion, seat 44 will pass over handle 34.
[0034] With the seat arrangement shown, namely comprising seat pan
48 and seat arms 50, a seat set back area 52 is defined, namely a
space defined by a rear edge 49 of seat pan 48, seat arms 50 and a
line between the upper rear corner areas 41. When the seat 44 is in
its in-use position 44a, the presence of the seat set back area 52
allows easy access to the telescoping handle 34. Accordingly,
handle 34 may be extended or retracted as necessary and without the
need to move the seat 44 from its in-use position 44a to its
storage position 44b.
[0035] In the event that seat 44 in its in-use position 44a
prevents easy access to a handle 28, seat 44 may be pivoted out of
the way for temporary access to handle 28 or, if handle 34 is
retracted, may be returned to its storage position 44b.
[0036] To retain seat 44, either in its in-use position 44a or in
its storage position 44b, retaining means 58, such as a clip or
resilient engaging means, may be provided.
[0037] Preferably, support members 38 and seat 44 will cooperate
with each other via suitable engagement means therebetween for
engaging the seat with the support members 38 to prevent downward
movement of seat 44 when seat 44 is in the in-use position 44a. In
the illustrated embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, seat support
abutments 54 are provided on support members 38 upon which a lower
surface of seat 44 may bear. Other cooperative engagement means may
be used.
[0038] Referring particularly to FIG. 2, it will be noted that,
when ground engagement edge 40 is in contact with the ground,
wheels 36 are preferably not also in contact with the ground.
However, the lower rear corner areas 56 of support members 38 are
cut away to partially expose wheels 36. In this manner, when travel
bag 10 is tipped rearwardly by handle 34 in the extended position
34a, the weight of travel bag 10 and its contents are transferred
from ground engagement edges 40 to wheels 36 for rolling
operation.
[0039] Support members 38, cross-brace structure 42 and seat 44 may
be made of any suitable rigid yet lightweight material (e.g. metal,
plastic, composite material). Final material choice and detailed
design will depend in large part on the desired appearance and
style for travel bag 10.
[0040] The seat structure described above may be readily adapted to
function in combination with other independent travel bags. For
example, as shown in FIG. 4, a separate self-supporting seat
structure 70, adaptable to be attached to a conventional travel bag
(not shown) with wheels and a telescoping handle on one side of the
bag, may be provided. As in the case of the embodiments described
above, seat structure 70 comprises opposed support panels 38
connected by a cross brace structure 42. The support members 38
define upper rear corner areas 41 to which seat 44 is pivotally
attached. Seat supporting abutments 54 are provided on each support
member 38. Seat 44 comprises a seat pan 48 to which are attached
seat arms 50 which in turn are pivotally attached to the support
members 38. A seat setback area 52 is defined by the rear edge 49
of the seat 44, arms 50 and a line between the upper rear corner
areas 41. Seat structure 70 is sized so that it is adapted to
receive, between support members 38, and hold (via any suitable
attachment means, not shown) a conventional travel bag, whereby its
telescoping handle may be accessible through and extend upwardly
through seat setback area 52.
[0041] Although various preferred embodiments of the present
invention have been described herein in detail, it will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations and
modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope
of the appended claims.
* * * * *