U.S. patent application number 12/378471 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-03 for access compartment having inwardly opening magnetic closure flap for carry case.
Invention is credited to Adam Courter, Richard J. Krulik, Lois Zaprzalka Sherr.
Application Number | 20090218186 12/378471 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40951386 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090218186 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sherr; Lois Zaprzalka ; et
al. |
September 3, 2009 |
Access compartment having inwardly opening magnetic closure flap
for carry case
Abstract
A magnetic closure device for a compartment of a carry case, the
compartment having an access opening, the access opening having at
least one first predetermined dimension. The flap is attached to
the carry case and positioned inside the compartment, the flap
having at least one dimension greater than the corresponding first
dimension of the access opening to retain the flap inside the
compartment and to thereby prevent movement of the flap outside the
opening. The flap is hingedly attached at one end to the carry case
and is arranged to move inwardly to provide access to the
compartment through the opening. Mutually magnetically attractable
devices are respectively attached to a wall portion of the
compartment and to the flap in correspondingly opposed positions to
retain the flap in engagement with the wall portion of the
compartment to provide closure to the compartment, whereby the flap
is manually movable inwardly to provide user access to the
compartment. A carry case incorporating such flap is also
disclosed, as well as a method of opening and closing the flap.
Inventors: |
Sherr; Lois Zaprzalka; (Hong
Kong, CN) ; Courter; Adam; (Brooklyn, NY) ;
Krulik; Richard J.; (Dix Hills, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ABELMAN, FRAYNE & SCHWAB
666 THIRD AVENUE, 10TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
40951386 |
Appl. No.: |
12/378471 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61065985 |
Feb 14, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/111 ;
150/117; 24/303 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/1069 20130101;
Y10T 24/32 20150115; A45C 5/03 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/111 ; 24/303;
150/117 |
International
Class: |
A45C 3/00 20060101
A45C003/00; A44B 21/00 20060101 A44B021/00 |
Claims
1. A magnetic closure device for a compartment of a carry case, the
compartment having an access opening, said access opening having at
least one first predetermined dimension, which comprises: a) a flap
attached to said carry case and positioned inside said compartment,
said flap having at least one dimension greater than said
corresponding first dimension of said access opening to prevent
movement of said flap outside said opening, said flap being
attached at one end to the carry case and being arranged to move
inwardly to provide access to said compartment through said
opening; and b) mutually magnetically attractable devices
respectively attached to a wall portion of said compartment and to
said flap in correspondingly opposed positions to retain said flap
in engagement with said wall portion of said compartment to provide
closure to said compartment, said flap being manually movable
inwardly to provide user access to said compartment.
2. The magnetic closure device according to claim 1, wherein said
flap is constructed of an outer woven material layer which is
complementary to the outer material layer of said carry case.
3. The magnetic closure device according to claim 2, wherein said
outer material layer is woven polyester or nylon.
4. The magnetic closure device according to claim 3, wherein said
flap further comprises an inner lining and an intermediate
non-woven fibrous mat material sandwiched between said outer woven
material layer and said inner lining.
5. The magnetic closure device according to claim 4, wherein the
widthwise dimension of said flap is greater than the corresponding
widthwise dimension of said compartment opening to prevent exiting
of said flap from said compartment.
6. The magnetic closure device according to claim 5, wherein said
flap is attached along an upper end to said carry case to form a
bead-type hinge, said hinge including a coiled metal spring-like
member extending over the widthwise dimension of said flap, said
spring-like member being encased within a resilient generally
tubular member, which is in turn, positioned within a woven
material layer, said hinge thereby being structured and dimensioned
to bias said flap outwardly toward an outer wall of said
compartment.
7. The magnetic closure device according to claim 6, wherein said
resilient generally tubular member is polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and
said flap includes a magnet attached at the free end thereof, and a
correspondingly mutually magnetically attractive material device is
attached to the adjacent outer wall of said compartment to thereby
retain said flap in engagement with said adjacent wall to close the
compartment.
8. The magnetic closure device according to claim 7, wherein said
magnetic material is positioned on said flap and said mutually
magnetic material device on said adjacent outer wall of said
compartment is a mutually attractive magnet.
9. The magnetic closure device according to claim 8, wherein said
magnets are rare earth magnets such as neodymium.
10. The magnetic closure device according to claim 9, wherein said
flap includes an inner woven material liner, and said outer woven
material liner of said flap combines with said bead-type hinge to
bias said flap outwardly toward the closed position with respect to
said compartment opening.
11. The magnetic closure device according to claim 10, wherein said
flap further comprises at least one spring-like resilient material
strip embedded therein along a dimension generally perpendicular to
said widthwise dimension, and extending from said flap hinge toward
said free end of said flap, to bias said flap toward the closed
position.
12. The magnetic closure device according to claim 11, wherein said
flap further comprises at least two of said resilient material
strips positioned in generally spaced apart parallel relation with
each other.
13. The magnetic closure device according to claim 10, wherein said
flap further comprises at least one resilient material coil spring
embedded therein along a dimension generally perpendicular to said
widthwise dimension, and extending from said flap hinge toward said
free end of said flap, to act as a spring to bias said flap toward
the closed position.
14. The magnetic closure device according to claim 13, wherein said
flap further comprises at least two of said resilient material coil
springs positioned in generally spaced apart parallel relation with
each other.
15. A carry case having an accessible compartment for storage of
articles or the like, said compartment including a magnetic closure
device; which comprises: a) a flap pivotably attached to said carry
case and positioned inside said compartment, said flap having at
least one dimension greater than said corresponding first dimension
of said access opening to prevent movement of said flap outside
said opening, said flap being attached at one end to the carry case
and being arranged to move inwardly to provide access to said
compartment through said opening; and b) mutually magnetically
attractable devices respectively attached to a wall portion of said
compartment and to said flap in correspondingly opposed positions
to retain said flap in engagement with said wall portion of said
compartment to provide closure to said compartment, said flap being
manually movable inwardly to provide user access to said
compartment.
16. The carry case according to claim 15, further comprising two or
more of such accessible compartments and magnetic closure
flaps.
17. A method of opening and closing a closure device for an
accessible compartment of carry case, the compartment having a
pivotable closure flap positioned normally therein, said
compartment having a dimension which is greater than a
corresponding dimension of said closure flap to prevent exiting of
said closure flap therefrom, said closure flap being hinged at one
end and structured with said carry case to bias said closure flap
outwardly toward a closed position in engagement with a wall of
said compartment, said closure flap having attached at the free end
portion thereof, a magnetic material device, and said adjacent wall
of said compartment having a magnetically attractive material
device attached thereto in opposed relation with said magnetic
material of said closure flap, to retain said closure flap in a
closed position with respect to said compartment, comprising: a)
applying inward force to said flap to break the magnetic contact
and to cause inward movement of said flap into said compartment for
gaining access to the inside of said compartment; and b) releasing
said flap to permit it to return toward the closed position under
the natural resilient bias of said flap until said mutually opposed
magnets enter their respective magnetic fields to complete the
closure of said flap when said flap engages the corresponding
adjacent wall of said compartment.
18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said magnetic
material on said flap is a magnet, and said magnetically attractive
material on said adjacent wall of said compartment is a magnet of
opposite polarity to said magnet on said flap.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein said magnets are rare
earth magnets.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said rare earth
magnets are neodymium.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to innerwardly opening flaps for
compartments of carry cases such as articles of luggage and the
like, wherein the flap is structurally and magnetically biased
toward the closed position to facilitate automatic closing movement
of the flap when released by the user.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The use of magnetically attractable devices for providing
closures in conjunction with various articles such as ladies
handbags, satchels and other personal containers is well known. For
example, it is well-known to use magnetically attractable fasteners
as closures, latches or the like for handbags. One example of a
magnetic fastener for use with handbags is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
No. 5,675,874 to Chen which relates to a magnetic closure device
adaptable for use with such handbags or other enclosures. Another
example is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,344 to Chen, et al.,
which relates to a handbag having functional devices secured by
magnetically attractable devices.
[0005] Up to the present, although it has been known to utilize
magnetically mutually attractable devices to provide closure and to
assist latches for such closures on handbags, satchels, luggage,
suitcases and article carrying devices in general, the use of
mutually magnetically attractable devices to assist in the closing
movement of such closure devices, as well as to retain a flap-type
closure of such carry cases in the closed position, is not known,
particularly as disclosed herein.
[0006] The present invention elates to a closure device for a
compartment of a carry case, wherein the compartment has an access
opening and an inwardly movable flap which is held in the closed
position by a pair of magnetically attractive devices, and in
particular, a pair of magnets.
[0007] In particular, the flap of the present invention is so
constructed and attached to the carry case, so as to receive an
inherent initial assist toward the closed position, as well as to
retain it in the closed position when the respective magnets come
into close relation with each other.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] A magnetic closure device for a compartment of a carry case
is disclosed, the compartment having an access opening, the access
opening having at least one first predetermined dimension, which
comprises a flap attached to the carry case and positioned inside
the compartment. The flap has at least one dimension greater than
the corresponding first dimension of the access opening to prevent
movement of the flap outside the opening. The flap is attached at
one end to the carry case and is arranged to move inwardly to
provide access to the compartment through the access opening.
Mutually magnetically attractable devices are respectively attached
to a wall portion of the compartment and to the flap in
correspondingly opposed positions to retain the flap in engagement
with the wall portion of the compartment to provide closure to the
compartment, so that the flap is manually movable inwardly to
provide user access to the compartment. The flap is preferably
constructed of an outer woven material layer which is complementary
to the outer material layer of the carry case. Furthermore, the
outer material layer is preferably woven polyester or nylon.
[0009] The flap further comprises an inner lining and an
intermediate non-woven fibrous mat material sandwiched between the
outer woven material layer and the inner lining. The widthwise
dimension of the flap is greater than the corresponding widthwise
dimension of the compartment opening to prevent exiting of the flap
from the compartment.
[0010] The flap is attached along an upper end to the carry case to
form a bead-type hinge, the hinge including a coiled metal
spring-like member extending over the widthwise dimension of the
flap, the spring-like member being encased within a resilient
generally tubular member, which is in turn, positioned within a
woven material layer. The hinge is thus structured and dimensioned
to bias the flap outwardly toward an outer wall of the
compartment.
[0011] The resilient generally tubular member is preferably
polyvinyl chloride (i.e., PVC), and the flap preferably includes a
magnet attached at the free end thereof. A correspondingly mutually
magnetically attractive material is attached to the adjacent outer
wall of the compartment to thereby retain the flap in engagement
with the adjacent wall to close the compartment.
[0012] Preferably the respective magnetic materials on the flap and
the outer wall are mutually magnetically attractive magnets,
preferably rare earth magnets such as neodymium.
[0013] The flap includes an inner woven material liner, and the
outer woven material liner of the flap combines with the bead-type
hinge to bias the flap outwardly toward the closed position with
respect to the compartment opening.
[0014] In an alternative embodiment, the invention further
comprises at least one spring-like resilient flat material strip
embedded therein along a dimension generally perpendicular to the
widthwise dimension, and extending from the flap hinge toward the
free end of the flap, to bias the flap toward the closed position.
Preferably, at least two of such resilient material strips are
positioned in generally spaced apart parallel relation with each
other. The spring-like members may be of any resilient material
such as spring steel, plastic or the like.
[0015] In another embodiment, the flap comprises at least one
resilient material coil spring embedded therein along a dimension
generally perpendicular to the widthwise dimension, and extending
from the flap hinge toward the free end of the flap, to act as a
spring to bias the flap toward the closed position. At least two of
such resilient material coil springs may be used, and positioned in
generally spaced apart parallel relation with each other.
[0016] A carry case is also disclosed having an accessible
compartment for storage of articles or the like, the compartment
having at least one first dimension, and including a magnetic
closure device which comprises, a flap attached to the carry case
and positioned inside the compartment, the flap having at least one
dimension greater than the corresponding first dimension of the
access opening to prevent movement of the flap outside of the
opening. The flap is attached at one end to the carry case and
arranged to move inwardly to provide access to the compartment
through the opening. Mutually magnetically attractable devices are
respectively attached to a wall portion of the compartment and to
the flap in correspondingly opposed positions to retain the flap in
engagement with the wall portion of the compartment to provide
closure to the compartment. The flap is manually movable inwardly
to provide user access to the compartment. Two or more of such
accessible compartments and magnetic closure flaps may be
provided.
[0017] A method is disclosed for opening and closing a closure
device for an accessible compartment of carry case, the compartment
having a pivotable closure flap positioned normally therein, the
compartment also having a dimension which is greater than a
corresponding dimension of the closure flap to prevent exiting of
the closure flap therefrom. The closure flap is hinged at one end
and structured with the carry case to bias the closure flap
outwardly toward a closed position in engagement with an outer wall
of the compartment, the closure flap further having attached at the
free end portion thereof, a magnetic material device, and the
adjacent wall of the compartment having a magnetically attractive
material device attached thereto in opposed relation with the
magnetic material of the closure flap, to retain the closure flap
in a closed position with respect to the compartment. The method
comprises applying inward force to the flap to break the magnetic
contact and to cause inward movement of the flap into the
compartment for gaining access to the inside of the compartment,
and releasing the flap to permit it to return toward the closed
position under the natural resilient bias of the flap until the
mutually opposed magnets enter their respective magnetic fields to
complete the closure of the flap when the flap engages the
corresponding adjacent wall of the compartment.
[0018] The magnetically attractive material device on the flap is
preferably a magnet, and the magnetically attractive material
device on the adjacent outer wall of the compartment is preferably
a magnet of opposite polarity to the magnet on the flap. The
magnets are preferably rare earth magnets. Furthermore, the rare
earth magnets are preferably neodymium.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described
hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a top, front, and left side perspective view of a
carry case incorporating two magnetic flap closure devices for
compartments of the carry case having an access opening, the flaps
being inside the compartment and being of dimensions greater than
the corresponding dimensions of the access openings of the
compartments to open inwardly;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 2-2 of
FIG. 1, illustrating in the magnetic flap in the closed
position;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 3-3 of
FIG. 1, illustrating the two flaps in the closed position, the
right hand flap showing the magnets in cross-section, and the left
hand flap showing the magnets in phantom lines;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a top, front, and left side perspective view of
the carry case of FIG. 1, illustrating how a user will conveniently
insert an article into a compartment which includes the magnetic
flap of the invention as a closure device for the compartment;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 5-5 of
FIG. 4;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 6-6 of
FIG. 4;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 7-7 of
FIG. 4;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of one of the compartments
of the carry case of FIG. 1, illustrating how an article is
contained in the compartment when the carry case and the
compartment are turned upside down;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic flap of the
present invention, illustrating a preferred construction, wherein
the length "L" of the flap when extended, is greater than the
corresponding dimension of the opening of the compartment;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the carry case of FIG.
1, illustrating the magnetic flap of the invention, with the flap
in the extended position outside the compartment opening, and
further illustrating the natural resilient action of the flap
provided by the construction of the flap and joint, such resilience
serving to initiate the closing movement of the flap until the
magnets complete the closure;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a top, front and left side perspective view of an
alternative construction of the flap of the present invention,
incorporating spring steel strips to begin the closure movement of
the flap prior to such movement being taken over by the magnets to
complete the closure;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 12-12
of FIG. 11;
[0032] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 13-13
of FIG. 11, illustrating a spring steel strip in cross-section;
[0033] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 14-14
of FIG. 13, further illustrating a portion of the flap having a
spring steel strip incorporated therein;
[0034] FIG. 15 is a top, front and left side perspective view of an
alternative embodiment of the invention, illustrating the use of
alternative springs in the form of elongated coil springs, to begin
the closure movement of the flap prior to being taken over by the
magnets;
[0035] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 16-16
of FIG. 15, illustrating the flap and related coil spring of FIG.
15;
[0036] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 17-17
of FIG. 15; and
[0037] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 18-18
of FIG. 17, illustrating the coil spring of FIG. 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0038] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, there is
illustrated a carry case in the form of an article of luggage 10,
having two compartments 34, 36, each of which incorporates the
inwardly opening magnetic closure flaps 12,14 constructed according
to the present invention. The respective left and right side
closure flaps 12, 14 are shown in phantom lines and include dual
magnets 16, 18 and 20, 22 respectively, to complete the closure of
the left side and the right side flaps.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 2-2 of
FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the right side flap 14 and the construction
thereof is illustrated in cross-section. In particular, the flap 14
is preferably constructed of an outer layer of woven polyester
material 24, which in the present embodiment, is the same material
as the material which forms the bag 10. Alternative materials such
as woven nylon can be used, for example. The backing material of
the flap 14 is comprised of a non-woven mat-type polyester fabric
material layer 26. One example of such non-woven product is
marketed under the trademark PELON.RTM. by Pelon Corporation, New
York, N.Y.
[0040] The non-woven fibrous material inner layer 26 adds stability
to the woven polyester outer layer and assists in providing bending
resistance to the flap 14. In particular, it provides a degree of
resilience to the flap 14 so as to assist the flap 14 in beginning
its outward closing movement when in use, by providing a degree of
stability and resilience to the flap 14 at the joint 28. In
addition, the inner lining 30 of the flap, as well as in the
remaining portions of the carry case, wherever appropriate, is made
of a woven material such as polyester or the like. Other lining
materials such as rayon or the like are contemplated.
[0041] Referring again to FIG. 2, there is shown a joint 28 with
flap 14 attached to inner wall 32 of compartment 36 by stitches 37
so as to be pivotably movable toward and away from the outer wall
43 of the compartment 36. Joint 28 also includes piping in the form
of a fabric bead 38 which encases a strip 39 of extruded polyvinyl
chloride (i.e., PVC) piping, and which preferably has a resilient
coiled spring-like metal member 40 in the center of the extruded
material, as shown. The coiled spring-like member 40 is tightly
woven, and has an appearance similar to a coiled extension spring,
but may or may not be made of a spring metal. Furthermore, the bead
can be made without the spring member.
[0042] The position and configuration of the bead 38 also assists
in providing resilient movement to the flap 14, so that when the
flap 14 is pushed inwardly by the user to insert an article into
compartment 36, and thereafter released, the initial movement of
the flap towards the closed position is partially assisted by the
resiliency of the construction as described hereinabove, as well as
by the presence of the extruded strip 39 of piping and the coiled
metal member 40 positioned therein. In addition, the tightly woven
outer fabric layer 24 is placed in tension when the flap is pushed
inwardly, and thereby also provides resilient resistance to bending
of the flap at joint 28. This resistance to bending of flap 14 at
joint 28 provides the uniquely produced initial movement of the
flap 14 according to the present invention.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a cross-sectional
view, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1, illustrating the
construction of the flaps 12 and 14 within the carry case 10. In
particular, the various layers of material as described in
connection with FIG. 2 are shown.
[0044] Referring now to FIG. 4, the use and operation of the flap
14 is illustrated. The hand 46 of the user is shown inserting an
article 48 into the right-side compartment 36, pushing flap 14
inwardly to gain access into the compartment 36. As can be seen,
the insertion procedure of the article 48 (such as a book, for
example) into the compartment 36 can be accomplished by merely
pushing the flap inwardly, using the article 48 until the article
48 is completely enclosed within the compartment 36. A more
detailed cross-sectional view of the mechanism depicted in FIG. 4
is illustrated in FIG. 5, which is a cross-sectional view, taken
along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.
[0045] FIG. 6 illustrates a similar article 50 positioned within
the left side compartment 34, as taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 4.
In particular, the article 50 is shown within the compartment 34,
having inner wall 33 and outer wall 37, after the flap has been
permitted to move outwardly to the closed position, thereby
securing the article 50 within the compartment 34. The construction
of the flap 35 is similar to the construction of flap 14 of FIGS. 1
and 2. Alternative materials and known construction techniques are
contemplated.
[0046] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 7-7 of
FIG. 4, and illustrating the presence of the article 50 positioned
in the left-side pocket 34, while article 48 is securely positioned
within the right-side pocket 36 as described previously.
[0047] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of compartment 36 of the
carry case 10 of FIG. 1, with the article 48 positioned within
compartment 36 and retained therein by flap 14, which is in the
closed position. In FIG. 8, the carry case is shown with the upside
down to illustrate the relative secure positioning of the article
48 within the compartment 36, thereby preventing loss of the
article or any possibility of the article falling out of the
compartment, such as when the carry case is transported from place
to place, or loaded into a baggage compartment of an airliner or
train, for example.
[0048] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the flap of the present
invention, illustrating the construction of flap 14 of FIG. 1,
which includes the woven polyester (or nylon) material outer layer
24, and the inner non-woven fibrous mat material 26, as well as the
relatively thin inner lining 30 which is made of woven polyester.
Alternative equivalent materials and types of fabrics are
contemplated. Magnet 42 is shown in cross-section, and generally
has a rectangular shape.
[0049] The flap is of generally greater dimensions than the
dimensions of the opening of the respective compartment along both
directions to retain it inside the compartment. In FIG. 10, the
resilient nature of the flap is illustrated by hypothetically
removing the flap from the compartment and permitting it to assume
its natural upward position. The natural resilient upward movement
of the flap which is provided by the relatively tightly woven
construction of the outer material layer 14, the inner non-woven
fibrous material 26, the outer woven polyester material layer 24,
and the extruded PVC piping 39, which encases a coiled metal
spring-like member 52, which in turn provides rigidity and
resilience to the PVC piping 39. As noted, the piping material is
preferably extruded polyvinyl chloride (i.e., PVC) and coiled
member 52 may or may not preferably be made of a resilient spring
metal such as steel.
[0050] In FIG. 10 it can be seen that by bending the flap
downwardly at joint 28 is as shown in the previous FIGS. The flap
14 has a natural resistance to the downward movement due to the
structural characteristics as described hereinabove. It therefore
tends to move upwardly toward the closed position (when inside the
compartment 36) under the influence of such natural resilience. At
a predetermined point in the movement of the flap where the
respective magnets 42, 44 come into their respective fields of
attraction, the magnets assist in completing the final closure of
the flap.
[0051] FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the flap of
the present invention, including resilient strips such as spring
steel strips, 56, 58, to provide the initial outward force to begin
outward movement of the flap towards the closed position. The steel
strips 56, 58 complement the force already provided by the
structure of the flap and hinge as described hereinabove.
[0052] In particular, FIG. 11 illustrates flap 54 which is
identical in all respects to the flaps described hereinabove, with
the addition of spring steel strips 56, 58 to provide additional
initial outward movement of the flap 54 towards the closed position
within the compartment 60. As an alternative to the spring steel
strips, any resilient material strip such as plastic or the like
can be used. For example, strips of alternative resilient materials
such as nylon, polyester or the like can replace the steel strips
56, 58.
[0053] As can be seen in FIG. 12, once the flap 54 is pushed
inwardly to insert an object into the compartment 60, and
thereafter released, the flap 54 begins its outward movement under
the resilient spring steel strips 56, 58. In addition thereto, all
of the features which add to the resilience of the flap as
described hereinabove, such as the fabric bead 38 and the extruded
PVC strip 40 and inner coiled metal member 52 positioned therein,
also provide an assist initiating the movement of the flap towards
the closed position. As stated hereinabove, once the flap 54 moves
sufficiently close to the outer magnet 64, the respective magnetic
fields of the magnets assume control and complete the closure of
the flap.
[0054] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines 13-13
of FIG. 11, showing the spring steel strip 56 and the inner woven
polyester material lining 30, and the outer woven polyester
material 24 are also shown.
[0055] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 14-14 of
FIG. 13. The spring steel strip 56 is illustrated in greater detail
and surrounded by woven polyester fabric material 24 on the outer
side, and the woven polyester lining material 30 on the inner
side.
[0056] FIG. 15 is an illustration of yet another alternative
embodiment of the flap construction, incorporating coil springs 66,
68 in the same positions of the spring steel strips 56, 58 shown in
the embodiment of FIGS. 11-14. In the embodiment of FIG. 15, the
coil springs provide the well-known (relatively mild) natural
resilience against bending, which therefore provides the initial
upward movement of the flap toward the closed position until the
respective magnetic fields of the magnets assume control to
complete the closure of the compartment.
[0057] It is noted that in other respects the embodiment and
structure of the flaps shown in FIGS. 15-18 is the same as the
previous embodiments. Accordingly, the provision of the resilient
features provided in the previous embodiments are also prevalent in
this embodiment. In particular, since the joint 28 is constructed
as shown in the previous embodiments, the piping applies a degree
of pressure against the top surface of the flap at the joint and
thereby causes the flap 14 to resist bending towards the open
position, thus assisting in its natural movement towards the closed
position. In addition, as noted hereinabove, the woven polyester
outer material 24 of the flap 14, as well as the non-woven mat
material 26 on the inner side between the woven polyester lining
30, and the springs 66, 68, also provides some degree of resilience
to the flap closure movements.
[0058] It should be understood that alternative materials for the
construction of the carry case and the flaps can be used, such as
woven polyester, leather and the like. In addition, the pair of
magnets 42, 44 can alternatively be replaced by a single magnet on
the flap or on the compartment wall, and a magnetically attractable
material such as iron or steel, or other, on the opposite member,
so that the magnetic attraction is provided in a manner similar to
a pair of magnets as shown.
[0059] While any type of magnetic materials are contemplated. Rare
earth magnetic materials such as neodymium and the like can provide
substantial magnet force to complete the closure of the flap.
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