U.S. patent application number 12/527324 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-29 for traveling bag.
Invention is credited to Young June Chun.
Application Number | 20100101908 12/527324 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39690285 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100101908 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chun; Young June |
April 29, 2010 |
TRAVELING BAG
Abstract
Provided is a traveling bag that can be folded to a small volume
so as to be stored in a small space for reducing transportation and
storage costs. The traveling bag has front and rear sides, and four
peripheral sides connecting the front and rear sides. The traveling
bag includes: first and second zippers each configured to connect
three edges of each of two mutually facing peripheral sides of the
four peripheral sides to one of the front and rear sides and edges
of the other two peripheral sides, wherein when the first and
second zippers are opened, the two mutually facing peripheral sides
are foldable along the other edge thereof. Therefore, the traveling
bag can be folded to a small volume so as to be stored in a small
space. Furthermore, the traveling bag can be kept in a
predetermined shape for storing and carrying items more safely.
Inventors: |
Chun; Young June; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RABIN & Berdo, PC
1101 14TH STREET, NW, SUITE 500
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Family ID: |
39690285 |
Appl. No.: |
12/527324 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
February 15, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2008/000919 |
371 Date: |
August 14, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/18A ;
190/107; 190/115; 190/121 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 5/14 20130101; A45C
7/0036 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/18.A ;
190/107; 190/115; 190/121 |
International
Class: |
A45C 5/14 20060101
A45C005/14; A45C 7/00 20060101 A45C007/00; A45C 13/00 20060101
A45C013/00; A45C 13/06 20060101 A45C013/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 16, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0016313 |
Feb 16, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0016337 |
Claims
1. A traveling bag having front and rear sides, and four peripheral
sides connecting the front and rear sides, the traveling bag
comprising: first and second zippers each configured to connect
three edges of each of two mutually facing peripheral sides of the
four peripheral sides to one of the front and rear sides and edges
of the other two peripheral sides, wherein when the first and
second zippers are opened, the two mutually facing peripheral sides
are foldable along the other edge thereof.
2. The traveling bag of claim 1, further comprising peripheral
frames disposed at at least the two mutually facing peripheral
sides of the four peripheral sides so as to maintain a shape of the
traveling bag.
3. The traveling bag of claim 1, further comprising a wire disposed
along at least a side of the first and second zippers so as to
maintain a shape of the traveling bag.
4. The traveling bag of claim 1, further comprising: a main zipper
disposed at the front side to form a door; and a handle disposed on
an outer surface of at least one of the four peripheral sides.
5. The traveling bag of claim 1, further comprising: a cart handle
extendable from at least one of the four peripheral sides; and a
wheel disposed at at least one of the four peripheral sides.
6. A traveling bag having front and rear sides, and four peripheral
sides connecting the front and rear sides, the traveling bag
comprising: four peripheral frames disposed at inner surfaces of
the four peripheral sides, respectively, so that both edges of the
peripheral frame is close to edges of two neighboring peripheral
frames; and four connecting members each configured to connect
closely disposed edges of two neighboring peripheral frames of the
four peripheral frames.
7. The traveling bag of claim 6, further comprising first and
second holding members disposed at both edges of the four
peripheral frames in a direction from the front side to the rear
side, wherein each of the four the connecting members detachably
connects the first and second holding members disposed at the
closed disposed edges of the two neighboring peripheral frames.
8. The traveling bag of claim 7, wherein each of the four
connecting members comprises: first and second pin portions
configured to be coupled to the first and second holding members
disposed at the closed disposed edges of the two neighboring
peripheral frames; and a bridge connecting the first and second pin
portions.
9. The traveling bag of claim 7, wherein one of the pin portion and
the holding member comprises a hole formed in the direction from
the front side to the rear side, and the other of the pin portion
and the holding member comprises a protrusion formed in the same
direction as the hole.
10. The traveling bag of claim 6, further comprising first to
fourth subsidiary zippers disposed between the four peripheral
sides.
11. The traveling bag of claim 6, further comprising: a main zipper
disposed at the front side to form a door; and a handle disposed on
an outer surface of at least one of the four peripheral sides.
12. The traveling bag of claim 6, further comprising: a cart handle
extendable from at least one of the four peripheral sides; and a
wheel disposed at at least one of the four peripheral sides.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a traveling bag, and more
particularly, to a traveling bag that can be folded to a small
volume so as to be stored in a small space for reducing
transportation and storage costs.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Generally, bags means various containers used for
conveniently storing and carrying items.
[0003] According to the purposes, bags can be classified into
handbags, shoulder bags, Boston bags, suitcases, briefcases,
trunks, rucksacks, attache cases, gazette bags, and cosmetic bags.
According to the raw materials, bags can be classified into cloth,
leather, synthetic leather, and synthetic plastic bags.
[0004] Multipurpose bags have been introduced to satisfy demands of
people who frequently use bags for different purposes. In addition,
since the appearances or designs of bags have become important
factors in the competitive market, various bags that cannot be
classified based on the above-mentioned criteria have been
introduced.
[0005] An example of such bags is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a
perspective view illustrating a trunk, also called a traveling bag
or cart bag. The trunk is a bag usually used by travelers. The
trunk includes frames 30 and 32 for maintaining the shape of the
trunk even when the trunk impacted, and an outer cover 10 enclosing
the frames 30 and 32. Recently, the use of bags like the trunk of
FIG. 1 is explosively increased since people travel more
frequently, and thus the design of such bags has been modernized
and diversified. Hereinafter, such bags will be referred to as a
traveling bag.
[0006] As shown in FIG. 1, the frames 30 and 32 of the traveling
bag are usually formed of a metal such as aluminum or a synthetic
resin such as poly-ethylene (PE). The outer cover 10 may be formed
of cloth, leather, or synthetic leather. The outer cover 10
encloses the frames 30 and 32 for forming the hexahedral shape of
the traveling bag. A door 13 is formed on one side of the traveling
bag, and the door 13 can be closed using a zipper 42.
[0007] The traveling bag has a front side 12 at which the door 13
and the zipper 42 are formed, a rear side 14 facing the front side
12, and four peripheral sides 16, 18, 20, and 22. When the
traveling bag is erected, the peripheral sides 16 and 20 become top
and bottom sides, and the peripheral sides 18 and 22 become right
and left sides.
[0008] The frames 30 and 32 are fundamental structures forming the
shape of the traveling bag. The frame 30 is a rear frame shaped
like a plate or bar for supporting the rear side 14 of the
traveling bag. The frame 32 is a peripheral frame shaped like a
plate or bar disposed along the periphery of the rear frame 30 for
supporting the four peripheral sides 16, 18, 20, and 22 of the
traveling bag. The outer cover 10 covers the rear frame 30 and the
peripheral frame 32 for forming the exterior of the traveling bag.
The door 13 is formed at the front side 12 of the traveling bag,
and the zipper 42 is disposed around the door 13 for opening and
closing the door 13. A handle 44 is attached to the top side 16,
and a cart handle 46 is attached to the rear side 14. The cart
handle 46 is vertically extendable from top side 16. At least two
wheels 48 are mounted on the bottom side 20. An inner cover (not
shown) can be additionally attached along the inside of the
traveling bag for preventing interferences between items and the
peripheral frame 32 when the items are put into the traveling bag
or taken out of the traveling bag.
[0009] After opening the door 13 of the front side 12 using the
zipper 42, a user can place items into the traveling bag. Then, the
user can close the door 13 using the zipper 42. The user can carry
the traveling bag by holding the traveling bag using the handle 44
or wheel the traveling bag by pulling the traveling bag using the
cart handle 46. Since the shape of the traveling bag can be
maintained owing to the rigid frames 30 and 32, items contained in
the traveling bag can be safely carried even when the inside area
of the traveling bag is not fully filled with items.
[0010] However, since the traveling bag occupies the same space
regardless of whether the traveling bag is empty or fully filled,
unnecessary costs can be spent for transporting the traveling bag
and keeping the traveling bag in storage.
[0011] That is, due to the unchangeable shape of the traveling bag,
an additional space is necessary for storing or carrying items
using the traveling bag. For example, when such traveling bags are
stored in a confined space such as a storage room, a car, or a
container for ship or air transportation, the number of traveling
bags that can be stored in the confined space is low. In addition,
if the traveling bags are too densely stored in such a confined
space, frames of the traveling bags can be damaged or broken.
[0012] In a method for addressing these problems, items are first
put into relatively small bags, and then the small bags are placed
into a traveling bag. However, in this case, items having various
sizes cannot be effectively stored in the traveling bag.
[0013] For these reasons, unnecessary costs are spent for storing
and transporting items using such traveling bags. For example,
prices of products transported using such traveling bags may be
increased. Therefore, there is a need for a traveling bag that can
reduce transportation and storage costs.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0014] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a
traveling bag that substantially obviates one or more of the
problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
The traveling bag can be folded to a small volume so as to be
stored in a small space for reducing transportation and storage
costs. Furthermore, the traveling bag can be kept in a
predetermined shape for storing and carrying items more safely.
Technical Solution
[0015] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a traveling bag having front and rear sides, and four
peripheral sides connecting the front and rear sides, the traveling
bag including: first and second zippers each configured to connect
three edges of each of two mutually facing peripheral sides of the
four peripheral sides to one of the front and rear sides and edges
of the other two peripheral sides, wherein when the first and
second zippers are opened, the two mutually facing peripheral sides
are foldable along the other edge thereof.
[0016] The traveling bag may further include peripheral frames
disposed at at least the two mutually facing peripheral sides of
the four peripheral sides so as to maintain a shape of the
traveling bag. The traveling bag may further include a wire
disposed along at least a side of the first and second zippers so
as to maintain a shape of the traveling bag. The traveling bag may
further include: a main zipper disposed at the front side to form a
door; and a handle disposed on an outer surface of at least one of
the four peripheral sides. The traveling bag may further include: a
cart handle extendable from at least one of the four peripheral
sides; and a wheel disposed at at least one of the four peripheral
sides.
[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a traveling bag having front and rear sides, and four
peripheral sides connecting the front and rear sides, the traveling
bag including: four peripheral frames disposed at inner surfaces of
the four peripheral sides, respectively, so that both edges of the
peripheral frame is close to edges of two neighboring peripheral
frames; and four connecting members each configured to connect
closely disposed edges of two neighboring peripheral frames of the
four peripheral frames.
[0018] The traveling bag may further include first and second
holding members disposed at both edges of the four peripheral
frames in a direction from the front side to the rear side, wherein
each of the four the connecting members detachably connects the
first and second holding members disposed at the closed disposed
edges of the two neighboring peripheral frames. Each of the four
connecting members may include: first and second pin portions
configured to be coupled to the first and second holding members
disposed at the closed disposed edges of the two neighboring
peripheral frames; and a bridge connecting the first and second pin
portions. One of the pin portion and the holding member may include
a hole formed in the direction from the front side to the rear
side, and the other of the pin portion and the holding member may
include a protrusion formed in the same direction as the hole. The
traveling bag may further include first to fourth subsidiary
zippers disposed between the four peripheral sides. The traveling
bag may further include: a main zipper disposed at the front side
to form a door; and a handle disposed on an outer surface of at
least one of the four peripheral sides. The traveling bag may
further include: a cart handle extendable from at least one of the
four peripheral sides; and a wheel disposed at at least one of the
four peripheral sides.
Advantageous Effects
[0019] According to the present invention, the traveling bag can be
folded to a small volume so as to be stored in a small space.
Furthermore, the traveling bag can be kept in a predetermined shape
for storing and carrying items more safely.
[0020] Therefore, transportation and storage costs can be reduced,
and items can be safely kept and carried.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional
traveling bag.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a traveling bag
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an opened state of
the traveling bag according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG.
3.
[0025] FIGS. 5 through 7 are perspective views for explaining a
method of folding the traveling bag according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a modified version
of the traveling bag according to the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a traveling bag
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating an opened state
of the traveling bag according to the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0029] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
10.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line XII-XII of FIG.
10.
[0031] FIGS. 13 through 15 are perspective views for explaining a
method of folding the traveling bag according to the second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a modified
version of the traveling bag according to the second embodiment of
the present invention.
MODE FOR THE INVENTION
[0033] The present invention will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0034] In the following description, exemplary embodiments are
introduced for provide easy and complete understanding of the scope
and spirit of the present invention. Elements explained in a
description of a first embodiment will not be explained in
descriptions of the other embodiments for conciseness. In the
descriptions of the other embodiments, different elements or
characteristics will be mainly explained.
First Embodiment
[0035] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a traveling bag
according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 2, the traveling bag of the first
embodiment includes a front side 110, a rear side 112, and four
peripheral sides 114, 116, 118, and 120. In the traveling bag, an
accommodation space is formed to receive items.
[0037] A door is formed at the front side 110, and a main zipper
150 is disposed along the door for closing and opening the door.
When the traveling bag is erected, the peripheral side 114 becomes
a top side, and a handle 152 is attached to the top side. A cart
handle 154 is attached to the rear side 112. The cart handle 154
can be vertically extended from the top side. At least one caster
type wheel 156 can be attached to the lowest side of the four
peripheral sides 114, 116, 118, and 120 using a rotation shaft
158.
[0038] After opening the door using the main zipper 150, a user can
put items into the traveling bag. Then, the user can close the door
using the main zipper 150. The user can carry the traveling bag by
holding the handle 152 or wheel the traveling bag after placing the
wheel 156 of the traveling bag on a floor and adjusting the length
of the cart handle 154.
[0039] The traveling bag of the first embodiment further includes
frames 130, 132, 134, 136, and 138 for as structural components,
and an outer cover 102 covering the frames 130, 132, 134, 136, and
138 for forming the exterior of the traveling bag. The frames 130,
132, 134, 136, and 138 includes a rear frame 130 supporting the
rear side 112, and first to fourth peripheral frames 132, 134, 136,
and 138 supporting the four peripheral sides 114, 116, 118, and
120.
[0040] The rear frame 130 may include a plate or at least one bar
formed of a metal or a synthetic resin such as poly-ethylene (PE).
The first to fourth peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and 138 are
arranged along the periphery of the rear frame 130 in perpendicular
to the rear frame 130. Each of the first to fourth peripheral
frames 132, 134, 136, and 138 may include a plate or at least one
bar formed of the same material as that used for forming the rear
frame 130. Hereinafter, the four peripheral sides 114, 116, 118,
and 120 will be referred to as first to fourth peripheral sides
114, 116, 118, and 120 in correspondence with the first to fourth
peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and 138.
[0041] Mutually facing two frames of the first to fourth peripheral
frames 132, 134, 136, and 138 can be paired. The mutually facing
frames may have the same shape. In this case, both edges of one of
the first to fourth peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and 138 may be
disposed close to edges of two peripheral frames
134-138,132-136,134-138, or 132-136. For example, as shown in FIG.
2, both edges of the first peripheral frame 132 are disposed close
to edges of the second and fourth peripheral frames 134 and 138.
Both edges of the second peripheral frame 134 are disposed close to
edges of the first and third peripheral frames 132 and 136. Both
edges of the third peripheral frame 136 are disposed close to other
edges of the second and fourth peripheral frames 134 and 138. Both
edges of the fourth peripheral frame 138 are disposed close to
other edges of the first and third peripheral frames 132 and
136.
[0042] Particularly, in the traveling bag of the first embodiment,
six edges of mutually facing two peripheral sides 114-118 or
116-120 are connected to one of the front and rear sides 110 and
120 and the other mutually facing two peripheral sides 116-120 or
114-118 through first and second zippers 162 and 164 (refer to FIG.
2). For example, six edges of the second and fourth peripheral
sides 116 and 120 can be connected to one of the front and rear
sides 110 and 120 and the other mutually facing two peripheral
sides 114 and 118 through the first and second zippers 162 and
164.
[0043] Therefore, when the traveling bag of the first embodiment is
used for storing items, the traveling bag can have a predetermined
shape by closing the first and second zippers 162 and 164. When the
traveling bag is stored or loaded to a predetermined storage room,
the traveling bag can be folded to the minimum size after opening
the zippers 162 and 164.
[0044] This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.
3 illustrating a perspective view of the traveling bag of the first
embodiment.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 3, three edges of each of the second and
fourth peripheral sides 116 and 120 are connected to one of the
front and rear sides 110 and 120 and the first and third peripheral
sides 114 and 118 through the zippers 162 and 164. Therefore, when
the zippers 162 and 164 are opened, the second and fourth
peripheral sides 116 and 120 can be rotated on the other edges
connected to the rear side 112.
[0046] Thus, after opening the zippers 162 and 164, the second and
fourth peripheral sides 116 and 120 can be folded onto the rear
side 112. Then, the traveling bag cannot maintain its shape against
a force acting from the front or back of the traveling bag. That
is, the first and third peripheral sides 114 and 118 can also be
folded onto the rear side 112. In this way, the traveling bag can
be folded into a flat shape.
[0047] The handle 152 can be disposed on the first peripheral side
114 by fixing the handle 152 to the first peripheral frame 132
using first fixing members R1 such as rivets passing through the
outer cover 102. The wheel 156 can be mounted on the third
peripheral side 118 by fixing the wheel 156 to the third peripheral
frame 136 using second fixing members R2 (refer to FIG. 7) such as
rivets or bolts and nuts passing through the outer cover 102. In
the same way, the second and fourth peripheral frames 134 and 138
can be coupled to the second and fourth peripheral sides 116 and
120 using fixing members such as rivets or bolts and nuts.
Therefore, the first to fourth peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and
138 can be folded together with the first to fourth peripheral
sides 114, 116, 118, and 120.
[0048] Alternatively, an additional inner cover can be used to fold
the second and fourth peripheral frames 134 and 138 together with
the second and fourth peripheral sides 116 and 120. This structure
will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a sectional
view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 4, the traveling bag of the first
embodiment may further include a first inner cover 166. The first
inner cover 166 may cover the second peripheral frame 134 and be
fixed to the second peripheral side 116 by, for example, stitching.
In this way, the second peripheral frame 134 can be folded together
with the second peripheral side 116. The fourth peripheral frame
138 can be attached to the fourth peripheral side 120 in the same
way so as to fold the fourth peripheral frame 138 together with the
fourth peripheral side 120. The traveling bag may further include
an additional inner cover for covering inner surfaces of the rear
frame 130 and the first to fourth peripheral frames 132, 134, 136,
and 138. In this case, items can be easily put into the traveling
bag and taken out of the traveling bag without interferences.
[0050] Therefore, when the zippers 162 and 164 are closed, the
first to fourth peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and 138 can be
connected into a rectangular shape having a predetermined volume.
After opening the zippers 162 and 164, the second and fourth
peripheral sides 116 and 120, and the first and third peripheral
sides 114 and 118 can be folded on to the rear side 112 to reduce
the volume of the traveling bag.
[0051] FIGS. 5 through 7 are perspective views for explaining a
method of folding the traveling bag according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0052] First, the traveling bag of the first embodiment is laid
down as shown in FIG. 5 to easily fold the traveling bag. In this
state, the rear side 112 of the traveling bag faces the floor, and
the front side 110 of the traveling bag faces upward.
[0053] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, after opening the zippers 162 and
164, the second and fourth peripheral sides 116 and 120 are folded
onto the rear side 112.
[0054] Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the first and third peripheral
sides 114 and 118 are folded onto the rear side 112. In this way,
the traveling bag of the first embodiment can be folded into a flat
shape having a small volume.
[0055] The folded traveling bag can be unfolded in a reverse order.
That is, after erecting the first and third peripheral sides 114
and 118 and the second and fourth peripheral sides 116 and 120 at
an upright angle to the rear side 112, the zippers 162 and 164 are
closed to connect the first to fourth peripheral frames 132, 134,
136, and 138 into a rectangular shape (refer to FIG. 2). Therefore,
according to the present invention, whether the traveling bag is
filled with items or not, the traveling bag can maintain its
volume. After putting items into the traveling bag, the main zipper
150 can be closed to safely keeping and carrying the items.
[0056] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a modified version
of the traveling bag according to the first embodiment of the
present invention. Elements of the modified version having the same
functions and structures as the above-described elements will be
denoted and referred to in the same way, and thus detailed
descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 8, in the modified version of the first
embodiment, longitudinal grooves having a predetermined depth are
formed in center portions of the second and fourth peripheral
frames 134 and 138 as first and second folding lines L1 and L2.
Therefore, after opening the zippers 162 and 164, the second and
fourth peripheral sides 116 and 120 and the second and fourth
peripheral frames 134 and 138 can be folded along the first and
second folding lines L1 and L2. Then, the first and third
peripheral sides 114 and 118 and the first and third peripheral
frames 132 and 136 can be folded so as to reduce the volume of the
traveling bag by more than about 0.5 times the unfolded volume of
the traveling bag.
[0058] In the first embodiment, the first to fourth peripheral
frames 132, 134, 136, and 138 are not essential elements of the
traveling bag. The first to fourth peripheral frames 132, 134, 136,
and 138 are exemplary elements for maintaining the shape of the
traveling bag. That is, instead of using the first to fourth
peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and 138, a wire 168 can be
disposed on at least one side of the traveling bag in the direction
of the zippers 162 and 164 so as to maintain the shape of the
traveling bag. It can be determined based on the purpose of the
traveling bag whether the wire 168 and/or the first to fourth
peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and 138 are used.
Second Embodiment
[0059] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a traveling bag
according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
10 is a perspective view illustrating an opened state of the
traveling bag according to the second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0060] In FIGS. 1 through 10, like elements denoted like reference
numerals. Thus, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.
Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the traveling bag of the second
embodiment is characterized by first to fourth connecting members
180, 182, 184, and 186 shaped like a clip and provided for
detachably connecting first to fourth peripheral frames 132, 134,
136, and 138.
[0061] In detail, the first to fourth connecting members 180, 182,
184, and 186 are used to detachably connecting neighboring edges of
the first to fourth peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and 138 (for
example, edges of first and second peripheral frames 132 and 134,
edges of second and third peripheral frames 134 and 136, edges of
third and fourth peripheral frames, and edges of first and fourth
peripheral frames 132 and 138). For this, first and second holding
members 142 and 144 are disposed on the neighboring edges of the
first to fourth peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and 138. That is,
the first to fourth connecting members 180, 182, 184, and 186 are
detachably coupled to the first and second holding members 142 and
144 disposed on the neighboring edges of the first to fourth
peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and 138. In more detail, the first
connecting member 180 may connect an edge of the first peripheral
frame 132 to an edge of the second peripheral frame 134. The second
connecting member 182 may connect the other edge of the second
peripheral frame 134 to an edge of the third peripheral frame 136.
The third connecting member 184 may connect the edge of the third
peripheral frame 136 to an edge of the fourth peripheral frame 138.
The fourth connecting member 186 may connect the edge of the fourth
peripheral frame 138 to the edge of the first peripheral frame
132.
[0062] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the encircled portion of FIG.
10. Although the third and fourth peripheral frame 136 and 138, and
the third connecting member 184 are only shown in FIG. 11, the
following description of FIG. 11 is commonly applied to the first
to fourth peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and 138 and the first to
fourth connecting members 180, 182, 184, and 186.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 11, the first and second holding members
142 and 144 are hole-shaped and are disposed on two neighboring
edges of the third and fourth peripheral frame 136 and 138 in the
depth direction of the traveling bag. The third connecting member
184 includes first and second pin portions 184a and 184b, and a
bridge 185 connecting the first and second pin portions 184a and
184b. The first and second pin portions 184a and 184b are
configured to be inserted into the first and second holding members
142 and 144 of the third and fourth peripheral frame 136 and 138.
Therefore, the third and fourth peripheral frames 136 and 138 can
be connected by inserting the first and second pin portions 184a
and 184b into the first and second holding members 142 and 144.
[0064] Alternatively, the first and second holding members 142 and
144 of the third and fourth peripheral frame 136 and 138 can be
shaped into a protrusion shape (not shown) extending in the depth
direction of the traveling bag, and the first and second pin
portions 184a and 184b of the third connecting member 184 can have
holes (not shown) corresponding to the first and second holding
members 142 and 144. This alternative case has the same effect.
[0065] When the first to fourth connecting members 180, 182, 184,
and 186 are inserted into the holding members 142 and 144 disposed
on the neighboring edges of the first to fourth peripheral frames
132, 134, 136, and 138, the first to fourth peripheral frames 132,
134, 136, and 138 can be connected into a rectangular shape.
Thereafter, when the first to fourth connecting members 180, 182,
184, and 186 are released from the holding members 142 and 144, the
first to fourth peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and 138 can be
separated.
[0066] Like in the first embodiment, a handle 152 can be disposed
on a first peripheral side 114 by fixing the handle 152 to the
first peripheral frame 132 using first fixing members R1 such as
rivets passing through an outer cover 102. A wheel 156 can be
mounted on the third peripheral side 118 by fixing the wheel 156 to
the third peripheral frame 136 using second fixing members R2
(refer to FIG. 15) such as rivets or bolts and nuts passing through
the outer cover 102. In the same way, the second and fourth
peripheral frames 134 and 138 can be coupled to second and fourth
peripheral sides 116 and 120 using fixing members such as rivets or
bolts and nuts. Therefore, the first to fourth peripheral frames
132, 134, 136, and 138 can be folded together with the first to
fourth peripheral sides 114, 116, 118, and 120.
[0067] Alternatively, an additional inner cover can be used to fold
the second and fourth peripheral frames 134 and 138 together with
the second and fourth peripheral sides 116 and 118. This structure
will be described with reference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a sectional
view taken along line XII-XII of FIG. 10.
[0068] Referring to FIG. 12, the traveling bag of the second
embodiment may further include a second inner cover 167. The second
inner cover 167 may cover the fourth peripheral frame 138. Both
edges of the second inner cover 167 can be fixed between the rear
side 112 and the fourth peripheral side 120 by, for example,
stitching. In this way, the fourth peripheral frame 138 can be
folded together with the fourth peripheral side 120. The second
peripheral side 116 can be folded together with the second
peripheral frame 134 in the same way. The traveling bag may further
include an additional inner cover for covering inner surfaces of a
rear frame 130 and the first to fourth peripheral frames 132, 134,
136, and 138. In this case, items can be easily put into the
traveling bag and taken out of the traveling bag without
interferences.
[0069] Therefore, when the first to fourth connecting members 180,
182, 184, and 186 are coupled to the holding members 142 and 144,
the second and fourth peripheral sides 116 and 120 and the first to
fourth peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and 138 can be connected
into a rectangular shape having a predetermined volume regardless
of whether the traveling bag is filled with items or not. After the
first to fourth connecting members 180, 182, 184, and 186 are
released from the holding members 142 and 144, the second and
fourth peripheral sides 116 and 120 and the first to fourth
peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and 138 can be folded on to the
rear side 114. Therefore, the traveling bag can be folded into a
flat shape.
[0070] FIGS. 13 through 15 are perspective views for explaining a
method of folding the traveling bag according to the second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0071] First, the traveling bag of the second embodiment is laid
down as shown in FIG. 13 to easily fold the traveling bag. In this
state, the rear side 112 of the traveling bag faces the floor, and
a front side 110 of the traveling bag faces upward.
[0072] Next, as shown in FIG. 14, a door of the traveling bag is
opened using a main zipper 150 to expose the first to fourth
connecting members 180, 182, 184, and 186.
[0073] Next, the first to fourth connecting members 180, 182, 184,
and 186 are detached. The first to fourth connecting members 180,
182, 184, and 186 can be easily detached by lifting the first to
fourth connecting members 180, 182, 184, and 186 toward the front
side 110. In this way, the first to fourth peripheral frames 132,
134, 136, and 138 can be separated.
[0074] Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the second and fourth peripheral
sides 116 and 120 are folded inwardly against the rear side 114. In
this way, the traveling bag of the second embodiment can be folded
into a flat shape, and thus the volume of the traveling bag can be
reduced.
[0075] The folded traveling bag can be unfolded in a reverse order.
That is, after erecting the first and third peripheral sides 114
and 118 and the second and fourth peripheral sides 116 and 120 at
an upright angle to the rear side 112, the first to fourth
connecting members 180, 182, 184, and 186 are coupled so as to
connect the first to fourth peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and
138 into a rectangular shape (refer to FIG. 10). Therefore,
according to the present invention, whether the traveling bag is
filled with items or not, the traveling bag can maintain its
volume. After putting items into the traveling bag, the main zipper
150 can be closed to safely keeping and carrying the items.
[0076] FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating a modified
version of the traveling bag of the second embodiment of the
present invention. Elements of the modified version having the same
functions and structures as the above-described elements will be
denoted and referred to in the same way, and thus detailed
descriptions thereof will be omitted.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 16, in the modified version of the second
embodiment, first to fourth subsidiary zippers 192, 194, 196, and
198 are disposed between the first to fourth peripheral sides 114,
116, 118, and 120.
[0078] In detail, the first subsidiary zipper 192 is disposed
between the first and second peripheral sides 114 and 116 to
connect neighboring edges of the first and second peripheral sides
114 and 116. The second subsidiary zipper 194 is disposed between
the second and third peripheral sides 116 and 118 to connect
neighboring edges of the second and third peripheral sides 116 and
118. The third subsidiary zipper 196 is disposed between the third
and fourth peripheral sides 118 and 120 to connect neighboring
edges of the third and fourth peripheral sides 118 and 120. The
fourth subsidiary zipper 198 is disposed between the first and
fourth peripheral sides 114 and 120 to connect neighboring edges of
the first and fourth peripheral sides 114 and 120.
[0079] Therefore, the first to fourth peripheral sides 114, 116,
118, and 120 can be folded more easily after detaching the first to
fourth connecting members 180, 182, 184, and 186, and opening the
first to fourth subsidiary zippers 192, 194, 196, and 198. When
unfolding the traveling bag, the first to fourth connecting members
180, 182, 184, and 186 can be easily coupled to the first to fourth
peripheral frames 132, 134, 136, and 138 after closing the first to
fourth subsidiary zippers 192, 194, 196, and 198 to temporarily
connect the first to fourth peripheral sides 114, 116, 118, and
120.
[0080] The present invention is not limited to a traveling bas
called a cart type bag. The present invention can be applied to
various bags, which will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art. Therefore, it will be understood by those of ordinary
skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be
made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *