U.S. patent application number 12/372730 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-15 for foldable carrying device.
Invention is credited to Owen SLATER.
Application Number | 20090255770 12/372730 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41163077 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090255770 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SLATER; Owen |
October 15, 2009 |
FOLDABLE CARRYING DEVICE
Abstract
The carrying device of the present invention provides a unique
construction which allows a user to collapse and store the carrying
device in a way that allows it to be deployed, set-up quickly, and
packed away again. The carrying device of the present invention
comprises a back panel, a front panel, a bottom panel and side
panels. When the panels of the carrying device are zipped together,
the carrying device provides a convenient enclosure for storing and
carrying items. When the panels of the carrying device are
unzipped, the carrying device may be collapsed to a compact shape
for easy storage.
Inventors: |
SLATER; Owen; (Plano,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Reed Smith, LLP
10 SOUTH WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606-7507
US
|
Family ID: |
41163077 |
Appl. No.: |
12/372730 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61029047 |
Feb 15, 2008 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/1 ; 190/107;
190/112; 190/119; 190/124; 190/18A; 224/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 3/04 20130101; A45C
7/0036 20130101; A45C 9/00 20130101; A45C 5/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/1 ; 190/18.A;
190/107; 190/112; 190/119; 190/124; 224/153 |
International
Class: |
A45C 7/00 20060101
A45C007/00; A45C 9/00 20060101 A45C009/00; A45C 13/26 20060101
A45C013/26; A45C 5/14 20060101 A45C005/14 |
Claims
1. A carrying device device, comprising: a back panel, the back
panel comprising a top edge, a bottom edge, a right edge, and a
left edge; a bottom panel connected foldably to the back panel; a
front panel connected to a front edge of the bottom panel, the
front panel having a left edge, a right edge, and a top edge; a
right side panel comprising a bottom edge, a front edge, a top
edge, and a rear edge, the rear edge of the right side panel
connected foldably to the right edge of the back panel; a left side
panel comprising a bottom edge, a front edge, a top edge and a rear
edge, the rear edge of the left side panel connected foldably to
the left edge of the back panel; and a zipper having a first side
attached to the left and right edges of the bottom panel and the
left, right and top edges of the front panel; and a second side of
the zipper attached to the bottom, front and top edges of the left
side panel, a top edge of the back panel and the bottom, front and
top edges of the right side panel.
2. The carrying device of claim 1 wherein the back panel is
constructed of at least one of a rigid material, and a flexible
material having a rigid edge.
3. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the bottom panel is
constructed of at least one of a rigid material, and a flexible
material having a rigid edge.
4. The carrying device of claim 1, further comprising a wheel
assembly attached to the back panel.
5. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the front panel is
connected to the bottom panel via a hinge.
6. The carrying device of claim 1, further comprising a telescopic
handle attached to the back panel.
7. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge, front
edge and top edge of the left side panel and the bottom edge, front
edge and top edge of the right side panel further comprise a stiff
wire member.
8. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the front panel further
includes a strap, the strap having a first end and second end, the
first end attached to the left side of the front panel, the second
end attached to the right edge of the front panel, wherein the
strap enables an attachment of the front panel to the left and the
right side panels.
9. The carrying device of claim 4, wherein the wheel assembly is
detachably connected to the back panel.
10. The carrying device of claim 4 wherein the wheel assembly is
connected to the back panel.
11. The carrying device of claim 1, further comprising at least one
of a foot assembly connected to the bottom panel and a telescopic
handle connected to the back panel.
12. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the front panel is made
of a mesh material that allows air circulation in and out of the
carrying device.
13. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
the left side panel and a portion of the right side panel are made
of a mesh material that allows air circulation in and out of the
carrying device.
14. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
the left side panel and a portion of the right side panel are made
of a transparent material.
15. The carrying device of claim 1, further comprising a seat belt
holder attached to the back panel.
16. The carrying device of claim 5, wherein the hinge is made of a
material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a
semi-rigid plastic material, and a fabric material.
17. The carrying device of claim 1, further comprising a flexible
adjustable strap attached to the back panel.
18. The carrying device of claim 1 which converts to a backpack,
the carrying device comprising: at least one flexible adjustable
strap having a first end and a second end; the first end connected
to the side panel of the carrying device; the second end connected
to the back panel of the carrying device; wherein the flexible
adjustable strap permits wearing the carrying device.
19. The carrying device of claim 1 having a first open position for
carrying items and a second collapsed position for storage.
20. A carrying device device, comprising: a back panel, the back
panel comprising a top edge, a bottom edge, a right edge, and a
left edge; a bottom panel, wherein the bottom panel is connected
foldably to the back panel; a front panel connected to the bottom
panel, the front panel having a left edge, a right edge, and a top
edge; a right side panel comprising a bottom edge, a front edge, a
top edge, and a rear edge, the rear edge of the right side panel
connected via a hinge structure to the right edge of the back
panel; a left side panel comprising a bottom edge, a front edge, a
top edge, and a rear edge, the rear edge of the left side panel
connected via a hinge structure to the left edge of the back panel;
and a zipper having a first side attached to the left and right
edges of the bottom panel and the left, right and top edges of the
front panel; and a second side of the zipper attached to the
bottom, front and top edges of the left side panel, a top edge of
the back panel and the bottom, front and top edges of the right
side panel.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/029,047, filed on Feb. 15, 2008, to the
extent allowed by law.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A collapsible carrying device, useful as luggage is
described. The carrying device includes foldable side and front
panels which partially detach from each other, thus permitting
folding the carrying device into a compact shape.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In modern society, luggage or carrying devices are an
unavoidable necessity of every day life. People need comfortable
and convenient carrying devices that allow them to go about their
life, work, and travel, in an easy way. Such carrying devices are
generally referred to as luggage items, bags, containers, or the
like. People use these items to carry work-related material to
their offices, or to carry other traveling accessories on business
trips, vacations, or the like. Quite often people travel with their
small dogs, cats, birds or other pet animals, and such carrying
devices may also be used for carrying pet animals.
[0004] It would be desirable to have a luggage product or carrying
device that may be stored in a compact manner when not in use.
Additionally, it would be further desirable to have a luggage
product which may be collapsed and stored in a way that allows it
to be deployed, set-up quickly, and packed away again when
necessary.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A carrying device according to the principles of the present
invention is manufactured to provide a unique method of opening and
closing the carrying device. The carrying device of the present
invention also provides a unique construction which allows a user
to collapse and store the carrying device in a way that allows it
to be deployed, set-up quickly, and packed away again. An
embodiment of the carrying device of the present invention provides
a single closing apparatus, such as a zipper for example, to be
used to close the entire carrying device.
[0006] The carrying device of the present invention comprises a
back panel, a bottom panel foldably connected to the back panel, a
front panel connected to the bottom panel, a right side panel
connected to the right edge of the back panel, a left side panel
connected to the left edge of the back panel, and a zipper having a
first side attached to the left and right edges of the back panel
and the left, right and top edges of the front panel, and a second
side of the zipper attached to bottom, front and top edges of the
left side panel, a top edge of the back panel and bottom, front and
top edges of the right side panel.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] While the appended claims set forth the features of the
present patent with particularity, the patent, together with its
objects and advantages, may be best understood from the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, of which:
[0008] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a side view and a rear view
respectively of a carrying device according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0009] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a bottom view and a top view
respectively of a carrying device according to the embodiment of
the present invention shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;
[0010] FIG. 2C is a detailed view of a loop webbing structure on
the back panel of an embodiment of the carrying device of the
present invention which can be used to secure the carrying device
in a desired location;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the carrying device of
the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the carrying
device in a partially open position;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a view of a carrying device of the present
invention with an open zipper;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a sequential series of illustrations showing the
carrying device of the present invention as it is folded into a
compact shape;
[0014] FIGS. 6A and 6B provide close-up views of the foot of the
carrying device according to the principles of the present
invention;
[0015] FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C provide detailed perspective, plan, and
top views, respectively, of the foot of the carrying device of the
present invention;
[0016] FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a wheel assembly attached to a
back panel of the carrying device of the present invention;
[0017] FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C provide detailed views of the wheel
assembly of the carrying device of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
carrying device of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a sequential series of illustrations showing the
carrying device of FIG. 10 as it is folded into a compact
shape;
[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates a comparison of the storing of the
carrying device of FIG. 11 as compared to other carrying devices
currently on the market; and
[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the carrying device of
the present invention for use as a back pack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0022] A carrying device according to the principles of the present
invention is manufactured to provide a unique method of opening and
closing the carrying device. The carrying device of the present
invention includes a unique construction which allows a user to
collapse and store the carrying device in a way that allows it to
be deployed, set-up quickly, and packed away again. An embodiment
of the carrying device disclosed herein allows a single closing
apparatus, such as a zipper for example, to be used to close the
entire carrying device.
[0023] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a carrying device 10
according to the principles of the present invention includes an
enclosure 10 on a wheel assembly that can either be carried or
wheeled around by the user (not shown). As further illustrated in
FIGS. 1A and 1B, the carrying device 10 includes a right side panel
12 connected foldably to a right edge 14 of a back panel 16 of the
carrying device 10. The right side panel 12 comprises a bottom edge
18, a front edge 20, a rear edge 17, and a top edge 22. The
carrying device 10 further comprises a left side panel 24 also
foldably connected to a left edge 26 of the back panel 16 of the
carrying device 10. (Shown in FIG. 3). The left side panel 24 also
comprises a bottom edge 19, a front edge 21, a rear edge 25 and a
top edge 23.
[0024] FIG. 2 further illustrates additional views of the
embodiment of the carrying device 10 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. As
shown in 2A, a bottom panel 28 of the carrying device 10, foldably
connects to the back panel 16. FIG. 2A also shows a dashed line
denoting an area 30 of the carrying device 10 where a plastic board
or other similar rigid material (note shown) may be installed, in
an embodiment, at the bottom panel 28 of the carrying device 10 to
provide support for cargo placed thereon. A foot 32 may also be
secured to the bottom panel 28 at 30 via a rivet or other similar
fastener through fabric or other material of the bottom panel 28.
FIG. 2B also illustrates a top view of a front panel 34 of the
carrying device 10. The front panel 34 is foldably connected to the
bottom panel 28 at a front edge 29 of the bottom panel (shown in
FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the front panel 34 may be made of a
flexible material. FIG. 2C also illustrates an embodiment of the
carrying device 10 wherein a loop 36 of webbing or other similar
material may be stitched into a binding 38 on the edge of the back
panel 16 of the carrying device 10. Such loop 36 may have a button
40 or similar fastening mechanism that may be used to secure a
second end of the loop 36 to the back panel 16 of the carrying
device 10. Such loop 36 may be used to secure the carrying device
10 to a seat belt (not shown), to the top of a vehicle (not shown),
or to some other location. While the embodiment disclosed here
shows the button 40 in black, one of ordinary skill in the art
would appreciate that alternate color studs may also be used.
[0025] In FIG. 3, right side panel 12 and left side panel 24 of the
carrying device 10 and the front panel 34 of the carrying device 10
have been opened using a zipper 42 that connects the front panel 34
and the right side panel 12 and left side panel 24 to the bottom
panel 28 and back panel 16 of the carrying device 10. The zipper 42
has a first side 44 that is attached to a left edge 46 and a right
edge 48 of the bottom panel 28 and a left edge 50, a right edge 52,
and a top edge 54 of the front panel 34. The zipper 42 also has a
second side 56 that is attached to a bottom edge 19, a front edge
21, and a top edge 23 of the left side panel 24, a top edge 58 of
the back panel 16, and the bottom edge 18, the front edge 20, and
top edge 22 of the right side panel 12. FIG. 3 also shows a
telescopic handle 60 attached to the back panel 16 of the carrying
device 10 and a wheel assembly 62 attached to the bottom panel 28
of the carrying device 10 (also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). In an
embodiment of the present invention, the carrying device 10, where
the front panel 34 and the bottom panel 28 are joined together, the
back panel 16 and the bottom panel 28 are reinforced rigid material
and are joined together by a hinge 64 to provide support to the
structure of the carrying device 10. Examples of a rigid
reinforcing material may include plastic and other similar
materials. In an embodiment, the hinge 64 may be made of a metal, a
semi-rigid plastic material, a fabric, or other similar materials.
In another embodiment, the front panel 34 may be made of flexible
material. The left side panel and the right side panel may also be
made of a flexible material. Examples of flexible material in the
present invention may include fabric and other similar materials.
The left side panel 24 and right side panel 12 are separated from
the bottom panel 28, and the front panel 34 by a zipper 42. Each of
the left and right side panels 24, 12 may be attached to the back
panel 16 by a hinge 65 along a rear edge 17, 25 of the left side
panel 24 and the right side panel 12. In a still further
embodiment, the outer perimeter of the left and right side panels
12, 24 may enclose a stiff wire member (not shown) that holds the
fabric side of the left and right side panels 24, 12 taut.
Additionally, in an embodiment of the present invention, the front
panel 34 may be made of a mesh material which allows air
circulation in and out of the carrying device. In another
embodiment, a portion of the left side panel 24 and the right side
panel 12 may also be constructed from a mesh or similar material to
allow air circulation in and out of the carrying device. In another
embodiment, a portion of the left side panel 24 and the right side
panel 12 may also be constructed from a transparent material.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates the carrying device 10 of the present
invention zippered open and laying on the back panel 16 with the
front panel 34 laid on the same surface as the back panel 16. In
use, the carrying device 10 of the present invention has a first
closed position for holding cargo and other items in the carrying
device 10. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate,
the carrying device 10 can be easily folded into a compact form
from these positions. As shown in FIG. 5, the carrying device 10 of
the present invention has a second collapsed position for easy
storage that results from the foldable construction of the carrying
device 10. In FIG. 5, the carrying device 10 is shown in its fully
usable position at 66 on the top left and subsequent images from
left to right and top to bottom illustrate the folding of the
carrying device 10, such that the carrying device 10 is completely
folded in a compact form as shown in the bottom right image at 68.
In the folded position 68, a user can extend a strap 70
horizontally to secure the front panel 34 and the left and right
side panels 28, 12 to the back panel 16 via button 40 on loop 36.
In the illustrated embodiment button 40 is a press button. However,
other fasteners known in the art may be used. In alternative
embodiments, the button 40 and loop 41 may be placed in different
locations along the back panel 16.
[0027] As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, the
folding process for the carrying device 10 of the present invention
is much simpler than that for other carrying device products in the
field. As shown in FIG. 3, a user unzips the zipper 42 downward
along the front panel 34. When a user has reached about halfway
down the front of the carrying device 10, the user then unbuttons
the retaining strap 70. Next, the user lays the carrying device 10
on its back panel 16 and continues to unzip until the zipper 42
reaches the end of the front panel 34. As shown at 67 in FIG. 5,
and similar to FIG. 4, the front panel 34 and the back panel 16 now
rest on a parallel surface 11. Finally, the user folds the left and
right side panels 24, 12 in towards a center of the carrying device
10 and folds the bottom panel 28 down on top of the right and left
side panels 12, 24 as shown in FIG. 5 at 69. The straps 36 on the
back panel 16 of the carrying device 10, which can be used to
retain the carrying device 10 in a vehicle (not shown) through the
use of a lap belt as discussed above, may also be used to maintain
the item in a folded position as shown in FIG. 5. As one of
ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, one or more steps in
folding the carrying device 10 described herein may be taken in an
alternative order or eliminated if necessary. The carrying device
10 may further comprise a strap attached to the back panel 16 that
attaches to a clasp attached to the bottom panel 28 to keep the
carrying device in a closed position. (not shown)
[0028] The construction of the carrying device 10 of the present
invention allows the carrying device to be stiff and ridged in the
open or expanded position to provide support for carrying cargo,
pets, or other items. At the same time when not in use, the
carrying device of the present invention may be folded flat to aid
with shipping and storage.
[0029] FIG. 6 provides further detail of the foot 32 that may be
attached to the carrying device 10 of the present invention to
stabilize and support the additional weight of the carrying device
10 at points 31 and 33 when the carrying device 10 is in use. When
the carrying device 10 is in the open position to hold items, the
foot 32 provides a shelf 72 that helps support the right and left
side panels 12, 24 of the carrying device 10. FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C
provide views of an embodiment of the foot 32 as described above.
As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, in other
embodiments, the foot 32 may be designed in an alternative
manner.
[0030] In an embodiment of the carrying device 10 of the present
invention, the wheel assembly 62 may be secured to the back panel
16 of the carrying device 10 in line with the telescopic handle 60
for convenient pulling or carrying of the carrying device 10. The
foot assembly 32 may be secured to reinforced material 30 in the
bottom panel 28 via a rivet fastener or the like (note shown). In
an alternative design the right and left side panels 12, 24 of the
carrying device 10 may have a stiff structure (not shown) around
the entire perimeter of the carrying device 10. Additionally, the
bottom panel 28 may have a stiff structure (not shown). When
zippered closed such that the carrying device 10 is in a position
to carry items and other cargo, the right and left side panels 12,
24 of the carrying device 10 and the foot 32 help keep the carrying
device 10 rigid for maximum support of items in the carrying device
10. In an embodiment, a wheel assembly 62 may be attached to the
back panel 16. (See FIG. 8) In alternative embodiments, the wheel
assembly 62 may be attached to the bottom panel 28. The wheel
assembly 62 is designed to allow effective use and flexibility for
various designs and materials of construction that may selected for
the carrying device 10 of the present invention. FIGS. 9A, 9B, and
9C provide additional detail of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 8.
While the illustrated embodiments include a wheel assembly 62, in
an alternative embodiment, an alternative wheel assembly may be
used or the wheel assembly may be avoided altogether.
[0031] The carrying device 10 is designed to be very simple and
very easy to use, requiring only hand pressure to collapse and
store. Moreover, the carrying device 10 of the present invention is
not limited to the sides, front and base being foldably attached or
hinged to the back panel 16. In an alternative embodiment of the
carrying device 10, the sides, front and base attached to the back
panel can be alternatively hinged to the base 16.
[0032] In an alternative embodiment, a carrying device 100 is shown
in FIG. 10. A front panel 134, back panel 116 and bottom panel 128
are joined together, with the back panel 116 and bottom panel 128
being made of a rigid material and joined together by hinge 151.
The front panel 134 is constructed from a flexible material. The
left side panel 124 and right side panel 112 are separated from the
bottom and front panels 128, 134 by a zipper 142. Each of the right
and left side panels 112, 124 are attached and hinged along a back
edge 161 of the side panel 112, 124 with a hinge 162 connected to a
side 114, 126 of the back panel 116. The outer perimeter of the
left and right side panels 112, 124 has a stiff wire member that
holds each of the right and left side panels 112, 124 taut. The
right and left side panels 112, 124 are zippered open and fold into
the carrying device 100 as shown at 188 and 190 in FIG. 11. The
front panel 134 may fold on top as shown at 192 and 194. The
additional features of the embodiment of the carrying device 100
shown in FIG. 10 are similar to the features and operation of the
carrying device 10 shown in FIGS. 1-9 and previously discussed
above.
[0033] As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate a
number of different embodiments or improvements could be made to
the carrying device disclosed herein which would be considered to
be covered by the present invention.
[0034] The carrying device disclosed herein may be shipped either
fully assembled, or flat, in which case it may require some
customer assembly. In an embodiment of the carrying device, VELCRO
may be used to attach various components together.
[0035] FIG. 12 illustrates a comparison of the carrying device of
the present invention with a carrying device that is much more
cumbersome to carry and does not allow the compact structure
allowed by the carrying device of the present invention. Therefore
the carrying device of the present invention may be more appealing
to the end user compared to other products presently in the
market.
[0036] FIG. 13 illustrates the carrying device 10 of the present
invention in use as a back pack.
[0037] In view of the many possible embodiments to which the
principles of this patent may be applied, it should be recognized
that the embodiments described herein with respect to the drawing
figures are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken
as limiting the scope of patent. For example, for performance
reasons one or more components of the apparatus of the present
patent may be implemented in alternative form and material.
Therefore, the patent as described herein contemplates all such
embodiments as may come within the scope of the following claims
and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *