U.S. patent application number 12/657028 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-14 for garment organizing system,assembly, and method.
Invention is credited to Kim Ritschel.
Application Number | 20110083932 12/657028 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43853955 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110083932 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ritschel; Kim |
April 14, 2011 |
Garment organizing system,assembly, and method
Abstract
A garment organizing system, assembly, and method enables users
to organize garmentry for travel. The basic assembly comprises a
support panel, a pair of restraint bindings, a series of spaced
binding attachment structures for attaching each restraint binding
to the support panel at spaced intervals, and an optional panel
linking mechanism for linking the first support panel to an
adjacent support panel. The support panels support garmentry placed
thereupon. Each restraint binding is fixedly attached to a first
edge of the first respective support panel, and the restraint
bindings restrain garmentry supported by the support panels
intermediate the periodically spaced binding attachment structures.
The panel linking mechanism enables the user to fold a series of
interconnectable garment restraint assemblies into a back-to-back
garment restraint assembly arrangement for travel.
Inventors: |
Ritschel; Kim; (North
Barrington, IL) |
Family ID: |
43853955 |
Appl. No.: |
12/657028 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12587815 |
Oct 14, 2009 |
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12657028 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
190/108 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/03 20130101;
A45C 2013/026 20130101; A45C 7/0086 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/108 |
International
Class: |
A45C 3/00 20060101
A45C003/00 |
Claims
1. A garment organizing system for use with travel, the garment
organizing system comprising: a series of interconnectable garment
restraint assemblies, each garment restraint assembly comprising a
support panel, a pair of garment restraint bindings, binding
attachment means for removably attaching each garment restraint
binding to a support surface of a respective support panel, and
panel linking means for linking each support panel to an adjacent
support panel, the binding attachment means being cooperably spaced
along the length of each garment restraint binding for receiving
garmentry intermediate said spacing, the support panels for
supporting garmentry placed thereupon, each garment restraint
binding being fixedly attached to an outer, first edge of a first
support panel, the restraint bindings for selectively restraining
garmentry supported by the support panels intermediate said binding
attachment means, said panel linking means enabling the user to
link the series of interconnectable garment restraint assemblies,
the linkable garment restraint assemblies for organizing garmentry
for travel.
2. The garment organizing system of claim 1 wherein the support
panels are each constructed from flexible material, the support
panels each comprising peripheral support means for maintaining a
substantially planar support panel periphery, the support panels
being sized and shaped for cooperable use with standardized
luggage.
3. The garment organizing system of claim 2 being usable in
combination with an article of luggage, the article of luggage
having a spacious interior, the linkable garment restraint
assemblies being foldable at the panel linking means for folding
the garment restraint assemblies into a back-to-back garment
restraint assembly arrangement, the garment restraint assembly
arrangement being receivable in the spacious luggage interior.
4. The garment organizing system of claim 1 wherein said pair of
garment restraint bindings are substantially parallel to one
another.
5. The garment organizing system of claim 1 wherein said garment
restraint bindings comprise length adjusting means for adjusting
the effective length of the garment restraint bindings for
enhancing restraint of garmentry.
6. The garment organizing system of claim 1 wherein said garment
restraint bindings are elastic, the elastic garment restraint
bindings for enhancing restraint of garmentry.
7. The garment organizing system of claim 1 comprising means for
hanging the series of interconnected garment restraint assemblies
from a first end of the series of interconnected garment restraint
assemblies.
8. The garment organizing system of claim 7 comprising means for
holding travel accessories, said means being hung from a second end
of the series of interconnected garment restraint assemblies, said
second end being opposite said first end.
9. A garment organizing assembly for use with travel, the garment
organizing assembly comprising: a support panel for supporting
garmentry placed thereupon, garment binding means for restraining
garmentry against the support panel, and binding attachment means
for removably attaching said garment binding means to a first
surface of a the support panel, the binding attachment means being
cooperably spaced along the length of said garment binding means
for receiving garmentry intermediate said spacing, the garment
binding means for selectively restraining garmentry supported by
the support panel intermediate said garment binding means.
10. The garment organizing assembly of claim 9 comprising panel
linking means for linking the support panel to an adjacent support
panel, said panel linking means for enabling the user to
interconnect a series of garment restraint assemblies for
organizing garmentry for travel.
11. The garment organizing assembly of claim 9 wherein the support
panel is constructed from flexible material, the support panel
comprising peripheral support means for maintaining a substantially
planar support panel periphery, the support panel being sized and
shaped for cooperable use with standardized luggage.
12. The garment organizing assembly of claim 10 wherein said panel
linking means are flexible, the flexible panel linking means for
enhancing foldability of interconnected garment restraint
assemblies.
13. The garment organizing assembly of claim 9 said garment binding
means comprise length adjusting means for adjusting the effective
length of the garment binding means for enhancing restraint of
garmentry.
14. The garment organizing system of claim 9 comprising means for
hanging the garment restraint assembly from a first end of the
garment restraint assembly.
15. The garment organizing system of claim 14 comprising means for
holding travel accessories, said means being hung from a second end
of the garment restraint assembly, said second end being opposite
said first end.
16. A garmentry organizing method for organizing garmentry with
travel, the garmentry organizing method comprising the steps of:
providing a first garment restraint assembly, the first garment
restraint assembly comprising a support panel, garment binding
means, and binding attachment means for removably attaching in
spaced relation said garment binding means to a support surface of
the first support panel; supporting garmentry upon the first
support panel intermediate said binding attachment means; and
restraining garmentry upon the first support panel via said garment
binding means.
17. The garmentry organizing method of claim 16 comprising the
additional steps of: providing panel linking means for linking the
first support panel to an adjacent support panel; and linking at
least one additional garment restraint assembly to the first
support panel via the panel linking means.
18. The garment organizing method of claim 17 comprising the step
of folding the linked garment restraint assemblies into a
back-to-back garment restraint assembly column.
19. The garment organizing method of claim 17 comprising the step
of hanging the series of interconnected garment restraint
assemblies from a first end of the series of interconnected garment
restraint assemblies.
20. The garment organizing method of claim 19 comprising the steps
of: providing means for holding travel accessories; and hanging
said means for holding travel accessories from a second end of the
series of interconnected garment restraint assemblies, said second
end being opposite said first end.
Description
PRIOR HISTORY
[0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part patent
application claiming the benefit of pending U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/587,815, filed in the United States Patent and
Trademark Office on Oct. 14, 2009.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention generally relates to an assembly for
restraining garmentry and similar other travel items during travel.
More particularly, the present invention relates to an assembly or
series of interconnected or linked assemblies for organizing
garmentry during travel.
[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art
[0005] The prior art is replete with examples of
garmentry-receiving and/or garmentry-organizing luggage and the
like. Separate systems and/or assemblies for organizing garmentry,
which separate systems and/or assemblies may be used in conjunction
with standardized luggage, are less well known. Some of the more
pertinent prior art relating to luggage-organizing assemblies and
the like usable in combination with standardized luggage are
described hereinafter.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,952 ('952 patent), which issued to
Chinman, discloses a Wrapper for Clothing. The '952 patent
describes a wrapper for clothing and the like comprising a flexible
member having a central area with a plurality of outwardly
extending wing sections. A reinforcing base is provided in the
central area. The wrapper also includes a shape retainer having the
same geometric shape as the reinforcing member but being of a
lesser dimension. Accordingly, articles of clothing may be folded
around the shape retainer so that the articles are folded into the
geometric shape, and the articles may then be placed on top of the
base. The wing sections may then be folded over the articles to
wrap the articles therein.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,431 ('431 patent), which issued to
Pulichino, Jr. et al., discloses a Suitcase with Compartment for a
Foldable Garment Bag. The '431 patent describes a suitcase
comprising a generally rectangular container, a partition dividing
said container into two compartments, a full length garment bag
having at least one clothes hanger, said garment bag consisting of
an elongated fabric sheath for enclosing a suit or dress and
including means for opening said bag while it is unfolded with a
garment hanging freely in it and thereafter closing said bag upon a
garment, said garment bag being folded upon itself in one of said
compartments.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,324 ('324 patent), which issued to
Franklin et al., discloses a Soft-Sided Luggage Case with
Interfitting and Foldably Separate Packing Compartments. The '324
patent describes an openable and closeable soft-sided luggage case
having an external flexible panel, an internal frame structure
surrounding an internal cavity, and a carrying handle or a carrying
strap connected to the frame structure, includes a first packing
compartment which is connected to the external panel. The first
packing compartment extends into the interior cavity and consumes a
portion of the interior cavity when the case is closed.
[0009] The remaining portion of the interior cavity forms a second
packing compartment. The first packing compartment includes a cover
member which is selectively closeable for separating the first and
second packing compartments when the case is closed and which is
selectively openable for allowing access to the first packing
compartment when the case is opened. The first and second packing
compartments are equally accessible and available for packing. The
first packing compartment may function as a garment bag. A packing
and unpacking method is also used for the case.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,297 ('297 patent), which issued to
Myers, discloses a Garment Bag Construction to Minimize Wrinkling.
The '297 patent describes a garment bag of the type having an
elongate body substantially formed of flexible fabric or sheet
material, and defining a cavity with a hanger support at the top
for receiving hanging clothes on hangers. The bag folds double on
itself for transport, and includes a pair of rigid wall portions
which when the bag is folded double on itself are urged forcefully
together.
[0011] These rigid wall portions substantially immobilize the
clothing items therebetween to greatly reduce creasing and
wrinkling of the clothing items which would otherwise result from
their shifting about in transit. The garment bag also includes
features preserving the efforts of careful packing during folding
and unfolding of the bag to further reduce clothes wrinkling. Also,
the garment bag includes a specially configured toiletries kit
which by its shape and placement in the folded bag further
contributes to a reduction of clothes wrinkling. The garment bag is
also self-supporting in its transport conditions so that it is more
convenient to carry by hand.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,766 ('766 patent), which issued to
Deconinck, discloses a Travelling or Packing Bag. The '766 patent
describes a bag enabling personal belongings to be packed and
carried inside a case comprises a rigid inner tray having a support
edge of rounded profile and a packing wall which is at least partly
solid. The tray is pivotable between a horizontal position and a
vertical position. Personal belongings can be laid flat on the
packing wall when the tray is in the horizontal position. In the
vertical position a jacket previously folded in two in the
longitudinal direction and a pair of trousers can be laid astride
the edge.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,026 ('026 patent), which issued to
Chernoff, discloses a Garment Holding Device for use with Various
Types of Luggage. The '026 patent describes a novel garment holding
device for use with various types of luggage comprising a
substantially cylindrical hollow tube about which suits and other
garments can be completely wrapped, a fabric cover for holding
garments securely about the outside surface of the tube, and a
flexible hanger which is capable of holding suits and other
garments against the outside of the tube while being flexible
enough to conform to the curvature of the tube.
[0014] A fabric cover wraps around the garments and the tube and
holds the garments securely against the outer surface of the tube.
Because the garments will be rolled instead of folded, wrinkling of
the garments will be reduced. The hollow center of the cylinder is
utilized to carry bulky and awkward shaped objects such as shoes
and shaving or makeup kits. The tube, when holding a garment
wrapped around its outer surface, can be carried inside any luggage
of appropriate size. Because of the novel way the suits and
garments are wrapped around the outside of a cylinder the overall
shape of the luggage can be more compact and easier to carry.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,391 ('391 patent), which issued to
Gerch, discloses a Garment Carrier within Suitcase and Method for
Packing. The '391 patent describes a luggage piece and a method for
packing and transporting the same. A first compartment has an
interior for carrying first items. A second compartment is provided
for carrying second items. The second items are distinguishable
from the first items in that the second compartment includes a
hanging device for hanging articles from the hanging device.
[0016] The second compartment, therefore, acts as a garment carrier
and the first compartment acts as a standard luggage compartment.
The first compartment and the second compartment are integrally
formed as a single luggage piece for simple packing and unpacking
of articles as well as simplified transport of the luggage piece
following packing of the articles. An extendable arm having a
handle and wheels is provided for transport of the luggage
piece.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 7,207,426 ('426 patent), which issued to
Godshaw et al., discloses a Combination Duffle and Garment Bag. The
'426 patent describes a luggage item convertible from a duffle bag
form to a garment bag form by disengaging duffle end panels from
the lateral sides of the garment bag and folding those end panels
against the inside of the garment bag. Various arrangements of
handles and carry straps are disclosed which facilitate transport
of the luggage item as a duffle bag or a garment bag.
[0018] It may be seen from a review of the prior art that the prior
art fails to disclose a garment organizing system, assembly, and
method whereby one or more support panels support garmentry placed
thereupon, and one or more restraint panels are fixedly attached to
respective support panels for selectively restraining
panel-supported garmentry. A plurality of support panels may then
be linked together and stacked into columns, and the columnar
stacks may then be neatly inserted into standardized luggage for
further travel. The prior art thus perceives a need for such a
garment organizing system, assembly, and method as described in
more detail hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The present invention essentially provides a garment
organizing system for use with travel, which garment organizing
system comprises a series of linkable or linked garment restraint
assemblies. The preferred embodiment according to the present
invention is reflected in FIGS. 23-27 of the drawings supporting
this specification. Each garment restraint assembly preferably
comprises a support panel; a pair of garment restraint bindings;
certain binding attachment means for removably attaching the
garment restraint bindings to a support surface of the support
panel; and certain panel linking means for linking or
interconnecting each support panel to an adjacent support
panel.
[0020] It is contemplated that said binding attachment means may be
defined by any number of attachment devices or attachment
mechanisms. The attachment devices or mechanism allow or enable the
user to restrain garmentry in spaced relation intermediate the
garment restraint bindings and the support panel against the
support surface of said panel. The panel linking means intermediate
adjacent support panels enable the user to fold adjacent garment
restraint assemblies at the panel junction site to allow the
support panels to be stacked into back-to-back relation to one
another such that the garment restraint bindings and garments
restrained thereby face outwardly on opposed sides of the folded
arrangement. The back-to-back garment restraint assembly
arrangement may then be placed into luggage for further travel
purposes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] Other features of my invention will become more evident from
a consideration of the following brief description of patent
drawings:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first alternative embodiment
of a garment restraint assembly according to the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 1(a) is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view of a
portion of a support panel with parts broken away to show structure
for maintaining the form and function of the support panel
periphery.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a second alternative embodiment
of a garment restraint assembly according to the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a series of interconnected
garment restraint assemblies showing the first alternative
embodiment of the garment restraint assembly (otherwise depicted in
FIG. 1) connected to a series of three second alternative
embodiments of the garment restraint assembly (otherwise depicted
in FIG. 2).
[0026] FIG. 3(a) is an enlarged, fragmentary side view of the
junction site between adjacent support panels otherwise depicted in
FIG. 3 showing a first alternative panel linking mechanism, namely,
a snap fastener assembly.
[0027] FIG. 3(b) is an enlarged, fragmentary side view of the
junction site between adjacent support panels showing a second
alternative panel linking mechanism, namely, a hook and loop type
fastener arrangement.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the first alternative
embodiment of the garment restraint assembly showing garmentry in
broken lines as received and restrained intermediate the restraint
panel and support panel.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the second alternative
embodiment of the garment restraint assembly showing garmentry in
broken lines as received and restrained intermediate the restraint
panel and support panel.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a first arrangement of
previously depicted and interconnected garment restraint assemblies
showing restraint panels facing or pointing in a uniform direction
before being stacked.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a second arrangement of
previously depicted and interconnected garment restraint assemblies
showing adjacent restraint panels facing opposing directions before
being stacked.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a top exploded type perspective view of a series
of garment restraint assemblies showing the restraint panels of
successfully stacked assemblies facing a uniform direction.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a series of
interconnected garment restraint assemblies stacked into a garment
restraint assembly column wherein the restraint panels are facing
or pointing in a uniform direction.
[0034] FIG. 9(a) is an enlarged fragmentary side view depiction of
a first edge of the garment restraint assembly column otherwise
depicted in FIG. 9 showing a fastening mechanism fastening the top
support panel to the bottom support panel of the stack.
[0035] FIG. 10 is a depiction of a garment restraint assembly
column received within luggage designed for receiving and
transporting a golf bag for travel.
[0036] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of a standard suitcase with its
lid open receiving various pieces of travel items (shown in broken
lines) including a garment restraint assembly column.
[0037] FIG. 12 is a side view depiction of a standard suitcase with
its lid open receiving various pieces of travel items (shown in
broken lines) including a garment restraint assembly column in the
process of being inserted into the suitcase.
[0038] FIG. 13 is a top exploded type perspective view of a series
of third alternative embodiments of the garment restraint
assemblies showing the restraint panels of successfully stacked
assemblies facing opposing directions.
[0039] FIG. 14 is a plan view of two third alternative embodiments
of the garment restraint assembly according to the present
invention showing the top of the left assembly with its restraint
panel facing a first direction and the bottom of the right assembly
with its restraint panel facing a second direction opposite the
first direction.
[0040] FIG. 14(a) is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view as
sectioned from FIG. 14 showing the details of a third type of panel
linking mechanism linking the two third alternative embodiments of
the garment restraint assemblies, which panel linking mechanism is
a looped cord-like structure.
[0041] FIG. 14(b) is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view as
sectioned from FIG. 14 showing the details of a cord length
adjustment mechanism made a part of the restraint panel.
[0042] FIG. 15(a) is an enlarged view of a snap fastener
arrangement axially displaceable along a length of fragmentary
elastic cord.
[0043] FIG. 15(b) is an enlarged view of a loop assembly axially
displaceable along a length of fragmentary elastic cord.
[0044] FIG. 16 is a fragmentary view of the back edge of a support
panel of a third alternative embodiment of the garment restraint
assembly showing an elastic cord and edge of a respective restraint
panel being looped over flanged buttons attached to the back side
of the support panel.
[0045] FIG. 16(a) is an enlarged side view of a flanged button
attached to an edge of the support panel with a cord being
removably received intermediate the edge of the support panel and
the flanged portion of the button.
[0046] FIG. 17 is a fragmentary view of the front edge of a support
panel of a third alternative embodiment of the garment restraint
assembly showing a respective restraint panel being folded over the
edge of the support panel.
[0047] FIG. 18 is a top plan view of a third alternative embodiment
of the garment restraint assembly showing a restraint panel having
a length greater in magnitude than the width of the underlying
support panel.
[0048] FIG. 19 is an enlarged fragmentary depiction of a cord-type,
panel linking mechanism showing cord-pinching devices for (1)
adjusting the length of the panel linking mechanism and/or (2) the
size of the loop formed at the end of the panel linking
mechanism.
[0049] FIG. 20 is a fragmentary plan type depiction of an edge of a
fourth alternative, embodiment of the garment restraint assembly
showing the support panel outfitted with hooks and the restraint
panel having exposed elastic cord portions receivable by the hooks
for removably attaching the restraint panel to the support
panel.
[0050] FIG. 20(a) is an enlarged fragmentary view showing details
of the hooked junction site otherwise depicted in FIG. 20.
[0051] FIG. 20(b) is an enlarged fragmentary side view of the
support panel of the fourth alternative embodiment of the garment
restraint assembly showing a cord being received by a hook.
[0052] FIG. 21(a) is a fragmentary view of a first lateral back
edge of a fourth alternative embodiment of the garment restraint
assembly showing a male snap fastener structure attached
thereto.
[0053] FIG. 21(b) is a fragmentary view of a second lateral front
edge of a fourth alternative embodiment of the garment restraint
assembly showing an extended female snap fastener structure
attached thereto.
[0054] FIG. 21(c) is an enlarged depiction of the extended female
snap fastener structure otherwise depicted in FIG. 21(b).
[0055] FIG. 22(a) is a fragmentary view of a first lateral edge of
a fifth alternative, preferred embodiment of the garment restraint
assembly showing a length of rigid material attached to the first
lateral edge with a cord.
[0056] FIG. 22(b) is a fragmentary view of a second lateral edge of
a fifth alternative, preferred embodiment of the garment restraint
assembly showing an extended grommet assembly attached thereto.
[0057] FIG. 23 is a top perspective view of two, linked, sixth
alternative embodiments of the garment restraint assemblies
according to the present invention showing a pair of garment
restraint bindings extending the length of the linked sixth
alternative embodiments.
[0058] FIG. 24 is a top perspective view of the two, linked, sixth
alternative embodiments of the garment restraint assemblies
otherwise shown in FIG. 23, showing a series of rolled garments
restrained by the garment restraint bindings intermediate paired
binding attachment structures.
[0059] FIG. 25 is a side edge view of the two, linked sixth
alternative embodiments of the garment restraint assemblies
otherwise depicted in FIG. 24 showing the garment restraint
assemblies being folded at the junction therebetween so as to form
a back-to-back garment assembly arrangement.
[0060] FIG. 26 is a side edge view of the two, linked sixth
alternative embodiments of the garment restraint assemblies
otherwise depicted in FIG. 25 showing the garment restraint
assemblies folded to form a back-to-back garment assembly
arrangement.
[0061] FIG. 27 is a plan view of the two, linked, sixth alternative
embodiments of the garment restraint assemblies otherwise shown in
FIG. 23 outfitted with a hook at a first end and a travel accessory
bag at a second end of the interconnected garment restraint
assemblies as hung upon a fragmentary door (shown in broken
lines).
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0062] Referring now to the drawings with more specificity, the
preferred embodiment of the present invention essentially provides
a garment organizing assembly and/or system for use with travel,
which garment organizing system comprises a series of linkable or
interconnectable garment restraint assemblies as at 110. Each
garment restraint assembly 110 comprises a support panel as at 111;
certain garment binding means; certain binding attachment means for
attaching said garment binding means to a support surface 113 of
the support panel 111 in spaced relation along the length of said
garment binding means and optionally certain panel linking means
for linking or interconnecting each support panel 111 to an
adjacent support panel 111.
[0063] The support panels 111 are akin to support panels 11
otherwise described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/587,815,
filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Oct. 14,
2009, to which this specification claims a benefit, and the
specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto.
It will thus be understood that support panels 11 and 111 both
function to support garmentry 101 placed thereupon as generally
depicted in FIGS. 4, 5, 8, 9, and 24-26. The support panels 11 and
111 are preferably constructed from flexible material such as
fabric or netting 20, and preferably comprise certain peripheral
support means for maintaining a substantially planar support panel
periphery as at 21 about the garmentry supportive fabric, netting
20, or similar other garment supportive material.
[0064] With regard to the peripheral support means, it is
contemplated that the same may be defined by a form or
frame-providing structure such as heavy gauge wire 18 or similar
other structure, to which the fabric, netting 20 or similar other
structure is permanently attached. The support panel peripheries 21
of support panels 11 or 111 are preferably sized and shaped for
cooperable use with standardized luggage 102 as generally depicted
in FIGS. 11 and 12. Luggage 103 for receiving and transporting a
golf bag is further shown in FIG. 10 into which the stacked
assemblies 10 or garment restraint assembly stacked column 50 or
back-to-back garment restraint assembly arrangement 150 may be
placed.
[0065] The garment organizing system is thus contemplated to
further comprise, in combination, an article of luggage (as at 102
and 103) as generally and generically depicted where the luggage
has an interior as at 120 capable of receiving a garment restraint
assembly column 50 or back-to-back restraint assembly arrangement
150. It will thus be seen from an inspection of FIGS. 10-12 that
the stackable garment restraint assemblies 10 or garment restraint
assembly column 50 or garment restraint assembly arrangement 150
may thus be received in the spacious interior 120.
[0066] It is contemplated that the garment binding means may be
preferably defined by a pair of opposed or parallel garment
restraint bindings as at 112. Each garment restraint binding 112 is
preferably constructed from flexible, cord-like material, and is
preferably and fixedly attached to a first edge 122 of a respective
support panel 111 (as for example by way of stitching). The second
ends of the bindings 112 are preferably unattached to the support
panel 111.
[0067] Each garment restraint binding 112, however, is attached to
the support surface 113 of one or more support panels 111 via
certain binding attachment means, which may be preferably defined
by looped fabric structures as at 123. Notably, the looped fabric
structures 123 are spaced along the length of each garmentry
restraint binding 112 such that (rolled) garmentry 101 may be
restrained therebetween via the binding(s) 112 as generally
depicted in FIGS. 24-26.
[0068] The garment restraint bindings 112 may preferably comprise
certain length adjusting means such as cord stops (as at 44) for
adjusting the effective length of the garment restraint bindings
112 and enhancing restraint characteristics of the garment
restraining assemblies 110. It is further contemplated that the
bindings 112 may be formed from elastic material(s) for altering
the effective length of the bindings 112 for improving the
restraint characteristics of the garment restraint bindings
112.
[0069] The panel linking means may be defined by any number of
linking devices or linking mechanisms. In this last regard, several
examples of linking type mechanisms have been depicted in the
various figures. The preferred panel linking means according to the
present invention is exemplified in FIGS. 24-27 and may be defined
by a flexible piece of fabric 124 stitched or otherwise fixedly
attached to adjacent edges (as at 125 and 126) of adjacent or
opposed support panels 111.
[0070] The flexible piece of fabric 124 enables the user to fold
the connected assemblies 110 at the junction site such that the
assemblies 110 may be folded into a back-to-back garment restraint
assembly arrangement 150 as generally depicted in FIGS. 25 and 26.
In this regard, the reader is directed to FIG. 25, which figure
depicts the back sides or back surfaces 115 of the support panels
111 being moved toward one another as generally depicted by vector
arrow 116.
[0071] Alternatively, FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 3(a), 4, and 5 show or attempt
to depict a first alternative type of panel linking mechanism,
namely, cooperative extended snap-type fastener assemblies 31
attached to laterally opposite edges 32 of the support panel(s) 11.
FIGS. 13, 14, 14(a), and 19 show or attempt to depict a second type
of linking mechanism, namely, raised (flange-headed) buttons 52
(akin to buttons 26) attached to a first lateral edge 33 that
operate to receive and retain an extended loop 34 attached to a
second lateral edge 35 of each support panel 11.
[0072] Notably, from a comparative inspection of FIGS. 13, 14, and
16-18, it may be seen that the buttons 52 may be formed on either a
support side 29 of the second edge 23 or a back side 29 of the
second edge 23. In this regard, it is noted that bulky or weighty
garmentry and the like may require additional restraint holding
forces enabled by more fully extending the elastic cord 27 over the
edge 23 and loop the same over the buttons 26 as located on the
back side 29 of the second edge 23. A flanged head 40 extends from
a post 41, which head 40 functions to retain the received cord 27
as generally depicted in FIG. 16(a). Less bulky or weighty
garmentry and the like may require less stretching of the elastic
cord 27 to retain the restrained items upon the support panel(s)
11.
[0073] FIGS. 21(b) and 21(c) show extended female type snap
fastener structures 36 attached to a first lateral edge 37 that
operate to receive and retain a male snap fastener 38 attached to a
second lateral edge 39. FIGS. 22(a) and 22(b) depict a fifth
alternative, preferred means for selectively and removably linking
adjacent support panels 11 to one another. In this regard, the
reader will note that FIG. 22(a) depicts a rigid length of material
or pin 61 attached via a length of cord to a second lateral edge
39. The pin 61 may be inserted through grommet 60 attached to a
first lateral edge 37 as depicted in FIG. 22(b). Notably, the
length of pin 61 is greater in magnitude than the inner diameter of
grommet 60 so as to provide fastening stop structure after the
grommet 60 receives the pin 61.
[0074] Other, alternative, less preferable forms may include such
arrangements as hook and loop type fasteners such as VELCRO brand
type hook and loop fastening structure 16 as generally depicted in
FIG. 3(b). It is contemplated that the panel linking means
essentially function to enable the user to interconnect, stack, or
fold the series of interconnectable garment restraining assemblies
10 or assemblies 110 for allowing the user to organize garmentry
during or for travel.
[0075] While the above description contains much specificity, this
specificity should not be construed as limitations on the scope of
the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention.
For example, it is contemplated that the present invention
essentially provides a garment organizing assembly 110 for use with
travel, which garment organizing assembly 110 essentially comprises
a support panel (as at 111); certain garment restraint means as may
be exemplified by paired garment restraint bindings 112; certain
binding attachment means for attaching at spaced intervals each
garment restraint binding 112 to a support panel 111; and certain
panel linking means for linking each support panel 111 to an
adjacent support panel 111 as heretofore exemplified.
[0076] The support panel 111 supports garmentry 101 (or similar
other travel items) placed thereupon. The garment restraint means
or binding(s) 112 are fixedly attached to a first edge of a
respective support panel 111. The binding attachment means attach
the restraint means or bindings 112 at spaced intervals along the
length of the bindings 112 to a support surface 113 of the support
panels 111, and thus the restraint bindings 112 essentially
function to selectively restrain garmentry 101 otherwise supported
by the support panel 111. The panel linking means enable the user
to interconnect and fold a series of garment restraint assemblies
110 into a back-to-back garment restraint assembly arrangement for
organizing garmentry 101 for travel.
[0077] A first end of the assembly 110 may be further outfitted
with certain means for hanging the assembly 110. In this regard, it
is contemplated that the means for hanging the assembly 110 may be
exemplified by a hook as at 130 attached adjacent the edge 122.
Further, the assembly 110 may comprise certain means for holding
travel accessories, which means may be exemplified by a travel bag
140 or similar other construction, but which construction may be
hung from the second end of assembly 110 or interconnected
assemblies 110, which end is opposite the edge 122 for first end of
the assembly 110 or interconnected assemblies 110.
[0078] The foregoing specifications are further believed to support
certain methodology for organizing garmentry for travel, which
garmentry organizing method may be said to essentially comprise a
series of steps. In this regard, it is contemplated that one or
more garment restraint assemblies are initially provided, wherein
each garment restraint assembly comprises a support panel, certain
garment binding means, and certain binding attachment means for
removably attaching in spaced relation said garment binding means
to a support surface of a respective support panel. Garmentry may
thus be supported by a select support panel intermediate said
binding attachment means, and restrained upon the select support
panel via said garment binding means.
[0079] The garmentry organizing method may comprise certain
additional steps, including the provision of certain panel linking
means for linking each support panel to an adjacent support panel;
and the linkage a series of garment restraint assemblies to one
another via the panel linking means. Once the support panels are
linked, the method may comprise the step of folding the linked
garment restraint assemblies into a back-to-back garment restraint
assembly arrangement. The method may further comprise the step of
hanging a garment restraint panel or a series of interconnected
garment restraint assemblies from a first end of the series of
interconnected garment restraint assemblies.
[0080] The garment organizing method may further comprise the steps
of providing certain means for holding travel accessories as
exemplified by bag 140, and hanging said means for holding travel
accessories from a second end of the series of interconnected
garment restraint assemblies, said second end being opposite said
first end.
[0081] Accordingly, although the invention has been described by
reference to certain preferred and alternative embodiments, and
certain methodology, it is not intended that the novel disclosures
herein presented be limited thereby, but that modifications thereof
are intended to be included as falling within the broad scope and
spirit of the foregoing disclosure, the following claims and the
appended drawings.
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