U.S. patent application number 12/220665 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-24 for garment compression system for travel and storage.
Invention is credited to Raymond R. Lupkas.
Application Number | 20090236195 12/220665 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41087797 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090236195 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lupkas; Raymond R. |
September 24, 2009 |
Garment compression system for travel and storage
Abstract
A garment compression system for travel and storage which
effectively increases the useable volume in luggage, storage
closets and storage areas is disclosed. The system consists of two
cooperating substantially flat plate members, at least two lengths
of belting surrounding the flat plate members for use in generating
compressive forces and suitable buckles and fittings to retain the
system in the compressed state. Buckles of sufficient strength
located on the belting are capable of holding tension forces
generated in the compression process, to withstand the force
generated by the compression of the items between the cooperating
flat plate members. The belting has loose ends for ease of removal
of the top plate member to facilitate placing items to be
compressed between the top and bottom plate members. Each of the
plate members has a cooperating notch suitably placed to guide the
belting during the compression operation. The end of the belting is
manually pulled by the user with a tensile force that causes the
top and bottom plate members to move closer together. This moving
of the plate members causes the articles between the two plate
members to compress, thereby squeezing out the voids in the various
fabrics between the plate members.
Inventors: |
Lupkas; Raymond R.;
(Milford, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Raymond R. Lupkas
1112 Windward Road
Milford
CT
06461-1745
US
|
Family ID: |
41087797 |
Appl. No.: |
12/220665 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61070475 |
Mar 24, 2008 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/103 ;
24/68D |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/2191 20150115;
A45C 13/03 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/103 ;
24/68.D |
International
Class: |
A44B 21/00 20060101
A44B021/00; A45C 7/00 20060101 A45C007/00 |
Claims
1. A garment compression system, comprising: at least two
substantially identical flat members arranged parallel to each
other with a gap there between into which articles to be compressed
can be inserted, said members having aligned notches on their
periphery to guide at least one co-working tension generating
device wrapped around the flat members and a mechanism means that
is able to hold tension and release tension that has been manually
applied on each end of the at least one tension generating
device.
2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said tension generating
devices are straps.
3. The system according to claim 1 wherein two tension generating
devices are wrapped in parallel around said flat members.
4. The system according to claim 1 wherein two tension generating
devices are wrapped perpendicular to each other around said flat
members.
5. The system according to claim 1 wherein manual force applied by
the user is sufficient to put the device into full operation and
use.
6. The system according to claim 1 wherein the width of the top and
bottom compression members is adjustable.
7. The compression system according to claim 1 wherein the tension
generating device has a mechanical advantage greater than two.
8. The compression system according to claim 1 wherein said members
are formed wire baskets capable of cooperating with the tension
generating device.
9. A suitcase for the transporting of garments for travel
comprising: two opposing end walls, two opposing side walls, a top
wall and a bottom wall, said top wall being pivotably affixed to
one of the side walls and adapted for opening and dosing so as to
form an enclosure that may be opened and secured closed, said
suitcase further comprising: a compression system, comprising: a
flat bottom member affixed to the inside of said bottom wall, a top
member having substantially the same shape as said bottom members,
each of said members having aligned notches on their periphery to
guide at least one co-working tension generating device wrapped
around the flat top and bottom members and a mechanism means that
is able to hold tension and release tension that has been manually
applied on each end of the at least one tension generating
device.
10. The suitcase according to claim 9 wherein said top and bottom
members are sized to fit within the entire interior of said
suitcase.
11. The suitcase according to claim 9 wherein said top and bottom
members are sized to within a range of 50% to 100% of the interior
length of said suitcase, whereby said suitcase can be utilized to
contain both compressed garments and non-compressible articles.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 USC 119(e) from
provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/070,475, filed Mar. 24,
2008, entitled Compression Travel & Storage System.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a garment compression system for
travel or storage for a variety of goods, such as clothing,
household or any other compressible items, whether for use in a
suitcase for travel, or for use in a home, business, industrial or
commercial location for storage. More specifically, the invention
provides a device adapted for easy compression of packed items for
transport or storage of any dry goods.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Here to fore, a simple, easy-to-use system for travelers to
pack a large volume of garments into a limited space, such as an
aircraft carry-on suitcase has not been adequate. Further, any
similar system for household or commercial storage also has not
been adequate. Prior devices often relied on vacuum to reduce the
volume of garments. Furthermore, this vacuum process was often used
at the end of the manufacturing process to allow more new garments
to be packaged in a smaller container for shipping to a retailer.
Other prior devices relied on electricity to power compressive
mechanisms which made them most suitable for use in large scale
garment manufacturing and packing operations. In the present
environment, new restrictions are being placed on the number and
size of luggage pieces that can be carried by a traveler without
having to pay additional fees to the transporting carrier. What is
needed is a device that allows clothing and other compressible
household goods to be packed using a reliable compression packing
system that has the added benefit of staying in the compressed
state without the danger of losing its effectiveness due to loss of
any compressive forces as experienced in vacuum systems on the
market today. The present invention increases storage life and
eliminates decompression that can occur in vacuum type of system
failure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, a primary object of the subject invention is to
provide a garment compression system for travel and/or storage that
is easily operated without special equipment or training and in
which the storage life of the compressed goods stored therein will
be indefinite. Another object of the subject invention is to
provide a compression storage system having no need for electrical
power. Still another object of the subject invention is to provide
a compression system adapted for easy storage of household items,
such as clothing, household items, industrial items, and commercial
items. These advantages are attained by providing a garment
compression system, comprising of two or more substantially
identical flat compression members arranged parallel to each other
with a gap there between into which garments to be compressed can
be inserted. Each of the compression members have aligned notches
on their periphery to guide at least one co-working tension
generating device wrapped around the flat compression members and a
mechanism means that is able to hold tension and release tension
that has been manually applied on the end of the at least one
tension generating device. The tension generating device is a strap
and multiple straps can be used in which case they would be
arranged in parallel to each other or perpendicular to each other.
The straps can be arranged with appropriate pulleys to provide a
mechanical advantage to the user when applying a manual compression
force to the compression members. In one embodiment, means is also
provided to adjust the width of the compression members by manually
operated screws or similar means. In yet another embodiment, the
flat compression members are replaced by formed wire baskets which
then cooperate with the tension generating device.
[0005] In another embodiment of the invention, the invention is
built into a suitcase for the storage of garments for a traveler.
The suitcase comprises two opposing end walls, two opposing side
walls, a top wall and a bottom wall, with the top wall being
pivotably affixed to one of the side walls and adapted for opening
and closing so as to form an enclosure that may be opened and
secured closed. The suitcase further includes a compression system,
comprising: a flat bottom member affixed to the inside of the
suitcase bottom wall, a top member having substantially the same
shape as said bottom member, each of said members having aligned
notches on their periphery to guide at least one co-working tension
generating device wrapped around the flat top and bottom members
and a mechanism means that is able to hold tension and release
tension that has been manually applied on the end of the at least
one tension generating device. When utilized in a suitcase, the
compression generating system may be sized to occupy the full
interior of the suitcase or may be reduced in length to provide an
area within the suitcase where non-compressible articles my be
placed.
[0006] Other objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent from the following description taken in connection with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention
without any items to be compressed in place.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the various components of
the present invention, including a schematic illustration of items
to be compressed.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the various components of
another embodiment of the present invention, showing the
adaptability of the device to be expanded to a longer useable
length.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a view of yet another embodiment of the invention
showing a further lengthening of the invention to accommodate
unusually long items to be compressed.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a view of the clamping portion of the invention
depicting a mechanical advantage of two provided by the clamping
mechanism.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a view of an alternate clamping portion of the
invention depicting a mechanical advantage of four provided by the
clamping mechanism.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a view of the invention depicting the travel
compression system inserted into a suitcase after the compression
of the articles.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a view of an alternate embodiment of the invention
depicting the travel compression system built into a suitcase.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a view of an alternate embodiment of the invention
depicting the use of wire baskets as the compression members of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a view of an alternate clamping mechanism for the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the various components of
another embodiment of the present invention, showing the
adaptability of the device to be expanded to a wider useable
width.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] The garment compression system 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
includes a top substantially flat platform member 2 and a bottom
cooperating substantially flat platform member 3. Each of the
platform members has at least two aligned notches 8 along opposite
sides of their periphery. A strap 7 is arranged around the platform
members and is received by the notches therein. A suitable clasp
(or buckle) 6 will receive the ends of the strap 7 and thus form
the strap into a continuous loop. A slide lock 4 is provided to
allow the operator to adjust the length of the strap 7. A cam lock
5 with a cam lock lever 10 is also provided to secure the strap 7.
The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 uses four aligned notches 8 on each
platform member 2 and 3 to support two straps 7.
[0019] In use, the user places garments 9 or other items to be
stored on bottom platform member 3. Top platform member 2 is then
placed on top of the garments and the straps 7 are arranged around
the platform members and in the notches 8 therein. The buckle 6
cooperates with and is retained by a loop formed when the strap 7
is passed through each piece of the buckle 6. The resulting loop
thus formed allows the strap 7, when pulled on the loose end near
cam lock 5, to start the compression process. When the end of the
strap 7 is pulled, the effective length of the loop and strap is
reduced thus resulting in the top platform member 2 moving closer
to platform member 3 thereby causing compressive forces to be
exerted on the garments 9. This movement causes the squeezing
process that removes the voids within the various garments 9
between member 2 and member 3.
[0020] As the members 2 and 3 are drawn together, the material
between platform members 2 and 3 will be compressed by squeezing
out voids. The operation of removing the voids is continued until
the operator has reached a solid mass or a desired degree of
compression to suit the needs of the user. When the desired degree
of compression is reached, depressing the cam lock lever 10 on cam
lock 5 on strap 7 retains this position. Once the lever 10 on the
cam lock 5 is depressed, the entire system will remain in that
degree of compression. Because of the design of the cam lock 5,
this condition is not subjected to release until the lever 10 on
the cam lock 5 is raised by either lifting the lever 10 on cam lock
5 or lifting the loose end of the strap 7 that will cause the lever
10 on cam lock 5 to raise thereby releasing the holding capability
of the cam lock 5. The process is repeated for each of the straps
used in the system.
[0021] The degree of compression is controlled by the tension the
operator applies to the end of the belting/strapping. No external
power such as a vacuum or air-expelling device is required to put
the device into full operation and use. Once the desired degree of
compression is attained by the operator, no decompression will
occur. There will not be a release of the compressive forces as
presently experienced in vacuum type systems when a leak is
encountered. The system does not rely on a vacuum to maintain its
usefulness or effectiveness. The system does not lose its
usefulness if a vacuum system is not available to start the
compression.
[0022] The system can also be adapted to provide a mechanical
advantage for the user when applying tension to the system. In FIG.
5, the strap 7 is looped over a pulley 11 to provide a mechanical
advantage of two to the user, thus increasing the amount of tension
that may be applied to the garments 9. If it is desired to provide
additional tension to the system without increasing the strength
required of the user in operation of the system, a mechanical
advantage of four could be provided as shown in FIG. 6 by providing
additional pulleys 12 and 13 and appropriate supporting members.
The strap 7 would be wound around these pulleys in a well know
manner to provide additional mechanical advantage. One skilled in
the art can quickly realize that with the addition of a series of
pulleys, any mechanical advantage other than that shown in the
drawings is possible.
[0023] Where longer length items are needed to be compressed, the
platform members 2 and 3 could be lengthened and additional straps
7 could also be added as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Additionally,
platform member notches 8 could also be arranged not only on the
sides of the platform member but also on the ends of the members 2
and 3 so as to provide for a strap in a direction perpendicular to
the original straps.
[0024] In FIG. 7, after compressing a large volume of garments, the
garment compression system 1 has been inserted into suitcase 14
thereby allowing a traveler to carry a large volume of garments in
the minimum space, thus saving on excess luggage fees recently
imposed by many transportation carriers such as airlines.
[0025] In another embodiment which is shown in FIG. 8, the garment
compression system can be built into any standard size or special
sized suitcase 14 or soft sided traveling bags to increase
usability. In this embodiment, the suitcase 14 comprises a
compression system including a flat bottom member 3 affixed to the
inside of the bottom wall of the suitcase, a top member 2 having
substantially the same shape as the bottom member, with each of the
members having aligned notches 8 on their periphery to guide at
least one co-working tension generating device wrapped around the
flat top and bottom members and a mechanism means that is able to
hold tension and release tension that has been manually applied on
each end of the tension generating device.
[0026] This compression system could also be designed to
accommodate storage of household linens and other articles used in
a home. The system can be adapted to any convenient length by
placing a multiplicity of compression members at suitable distances
apart.
[0027] Someone skilled in the art might use some other known form
of force generating mechanism to secure the straps 7.
Alternatively, some other force generating mechanism other than
straps could be used. For example, FIG. 10 shows the use of thumb
screws 24 to provide the compressive force for the system.
Tightening the screws 24 would compress garments 9 between the
members 2 and 3. Preferably, the thumb screws would be of the type
that the heads would fold over after use so as to take up less room
when the device is used.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 11, the top and bottom platform members can
be suitably adapted with means to adjust their width by screws or
other means to accommodate a special width without affecting the
length. Each of the top and bottom members 2 and 3 are split
lengthwise into two sections and are reconnected by screws 20 to a
width adjustment plate 22. The width adjustment plate has a series
of threaded holes to provide for adjustment of the width of each of
the members 2 and 3. Alternatively, slots in the members 2 and 3
could be used with screws 20 to provide width adjustment.
[0029] The system can also be designed to be used when in a
suitcase to leave a convenient length 15 at one end of the suitcase
for articles, such as shoes, that cannot be compressed. The device
is suitable at all times without fear of vacuum leaking and
re-expanding. The belting/strapping described herein could be
replaced in an emergency by any article or item capable of
sustaining tensile forces. The compression system could be
dimensioned without any height or width restrictions other than
those imposed by federal state or local laws.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 9, another embodiment of the invention
could use two formed wire baskets 16 and 18 instead of the top and
bottom platform members 2 and 3 shown in FIG. 1. Such baskets are
well known and consist of a flat perpendicular grid of wire 18 that
is then turned up for a short distance to form integral side and
end walls. The wire 18 could be appropriately finished by painting,
plating or plastic coating. For use in this invention, the height
of the wire side and end walls would be kept to a minimum so two
identical opposing wire baskets would be able to contain and
compress garments without interfering with each other. The size of
wire used is selected to withstand the forces that will be applied
to compress the garments. The side walls of the basket would be
formed with indentations equivalent to the notches 8 used on
platform members 2 and 3 to retain the strap 7.
[0031] It is to be understood that while a certain form of this
invention has been illustrated and described, it is not limited
thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the
claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.
* * * * *