U.S. patent application number 12/912153 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-26 for portable costume case with a collapsible rack.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rac-N-Roll. Invention is credited to Sharon J. Middup.
Application Number | 20110120826 12/912153 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40091234 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110120826 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Middup; Sharon J. |
May 26, 2011 |
PORTABLE COSTUME CASE WITH A COLLAPSIBLE RACK
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a portable costume case for
use by performers to allow for hanging of costumes to maintain them
in proper condition, as well as to allow for quick changes by the
performers from one costume to another. The costume case is a bag
having a base and opposing ends and sidewalls extending upwardly of
the base and connected to one another and a top. The top is
provided with a releasable opening means to allow the top to be
opened for access to the interior of the bag and to be closed to
maintain the contents within the interior of the bag. The case is
provided with a reinforced framework attached to the opposing ends
and sidewalls and encircling the bag to maintain the opposing ends
and sidewalls in an upright position. The opposing ends of the bag
are also provided with end stiffeners attached to the reinforced
framework. Each of the end stiffeners are provided with a receiving
means for an upright support for a costume rack. The costume rack
comprises upright supports having one end to be received within the
receiving means and having a means for attaching a horizontal
support bar thereto to provide for a support for hanging costumes.
During transport, the costume rack is removed from the receiving
means and stored within the interior of the bag and when it is
desired to use the bag for hanging of costumes the costume rack is
removed from the bag and mounted to the receiving means.
Inventors: |
Middup; Sharon J.; (Markham,
CA) |
Assignee: |
Rac-N-Roll
Markham
CA
|
Family ID: |
40091234 |
Appl. No.: |
12/912153 |
Filed: |
October 26, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11758616 |
Jun 5, 2007 |
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12912153 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
190/15R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 9/00 20130101; A45C
13/02 20130101; A45C 5/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/15.R |
International
Class: |
A45C 9/00 20060101
A45C009/00; A45C 13/03 20060101 A45C013/03 |
Claims
1. A portable costume case for use by performers to allow for
hanging of costumes to maintain them in proper condition, as well
as to allow for quick changes by the performers from one costume to
another, the costume case comprising a bag having a base and
opposing ends and sidewalls extending upwardly of the base and
connected to one another and a top, which is provided with a
releasable opening means to allow the top to be opened for access
to the interior of the bag and to be closed to maintain the
contents within the interior of the bag, the case being provided
with a reinforced framework attached to the opposing end and
sidewalls and encircling the bag to maintain the opposing end and
sidewalls in an upright position, the opposing ends of the bag also
being provided with end stiffeners attached to the reinforced
framework, each of the end stiffeners being provided with a
receiving means for an upright support of a costume rack, the
costume rack comprising upright supports having one end to be
received within the receiving means and having a means for
attaching a horizontal support bar thereto to provide for a support
for hanging costumes, the costume rack being removable from the
receiving means for storage within the interior of the case for
transport.
2. A portable costume case according to claim 1 wherein each of the
upright supports and horizontal support bar of the costume rack are
adjustable for height and length to not only allow for a collapsed
position for storage within the bag but also to allow for varying
heights of the costume rack, depending upon the nature of the
costumes hanging on the support bar.
3. A portable costume case according to claim 1 wherein the bag is
provided with a collapsible handle at one end thereof and wheels at
the other end thereof to allow for ease of transport of the case by
the user.
4. A portable costume case according to claim 3 wherein the bag is
provided with one or more exterior pockets for storage of
accessories or ancillary equipment.
5. A portable costume case according to claim 1, wherein the
upright supports are telescoping upright supports such that the
upright supports are adapted to transition from a collapsed
configuration suitable for storage to an expanded position suitable
for display and hanging of costumes.
6. A portable costume case according to claim 5, wherein the
horizontal support bar comprises a telescoping member.
7. A portable costume case according to claim 1, wherein each
upright support comprises a plurality of individual sections nested
within each other such that the upright supports are adapted to
transition from a collapsed configuration to an expanded
configuration.
8. A portable costume case according to claim 7, wherein each of
the upright supports comprises releaseable locking means such that
the upright supports can be secured in an expanded position.
9. A portable costume case comprising: a bag comprising a base, a
top, first and second opposing end walls, first and second opposing
sidewalls, the end walls and sidewalls extending upwardly from the
base and connected to one another, the top comprising an opening; a
framework attached to the opposing end and sidewalls to maintain
the opposing end and sidewalls in an upright position; and a
collapsible costume rack comprising first and second telescoping
upright supports coupled to the framework at the opposing end walls
and a horizontal support bar coupled to and extending between the
first and second telescoping upright supports, wherein the costume
rack is sized and shaped to hang costumes in an extended position
and to be disposed within the an interior of the bag in a collapsed
position.
10. The portable costume case according to claim 9, wherein the bag
further comprises a retractable handle that extends outwardly from
the first end wall in an extended position, and a pair of wheels
coupled to and extending outwardly from the second end wall.
11. The portable costume case according to claim 9, wherein the bag
further comprises one or more pockets for storage of accessories or
ancillary equipment.
12. The portable costume case according to claim 9, wherein the
first and second telescoping upright supports comprise at least one
releasable locking means.
13. The portable costume case according to claim 9, wherein the
first and second telescoping uprights are removably coupled to the
framework.
14. A portable costume case comprising: a base, first and second
opposing end walls and first and second opposing sidewalls, the end
walls and sidewalls extending upwardly from the base to define a
case interior; a top comprising an opening to access the case
interior; first and second stiffener elements attached to the first
and second end walls; a costume rack that includes first and second
upright members coupled to the first and second stiffener elements,
each upright member having a plurality of sections nested within
each other such that the upright members are moveable between
expanded and collapsed positions locking means to maintain the
upright members in the expanded position, and a horizontal member
extending between the first and second upright members, wherein the
costume rack is contained within the case interior when the upright
members are in the collapsed position, and wherein the first and
second uprights extend upwardly through the top opening in an
expanded position; an extendable handle coupled to the base and
extending outwardly from the first end wall when extended; and a
pair of wheels coupled to the base and extending outwardly from the
second end wall.
15. The portable costume case according to claim 14, wherein the
first and second upright members are coupled to the first and
second stiffener elements by at least one bracket disposed on each
stiffener element.
16. The portable costume case according to claim 14, wherein the
respective first and second ends of the first and second upright
members are disposed within openings in the base.
17. The portable costume case according to claim 14, further
comprising a framework attached to the first and second stiffener
elements and encircling the first and second opposing
sidewalls.
18. The portable costume case according to claim 14 wherein the
first and second upright members are removably coupled to the first
and second stiffener elements.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/758,616, filed Jun. 5, 2007, which is herein incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a portable costume case
with a collapsible costume rack and in particular to a portable
costume case for use by skaters and dancers.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Performers such as skaters and dancers especially during
performances and competitions require several different costumes
for the different numbers, which they perform during the
performance or competitions. Many of the venues in which the
competitions or performances take place may not have proper
facilities for hanging the costumes to ensure the costumes are in
the proper condition as well as to allow for quick changes for the
performers from one costume to another. In these circumstances, the
performers will have to sort through the various costumes in the
carrying case to select the proper costume and ensure it is in the
proper condition.
[0004] There have been many containers and portable display racks
developed for traveling salesman to allow them to display their
wares, especially garments at a retail outlet. Examples of such
containers and portable display racks are shown, for example, in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,982,820, 4,267,905, 2,639,793, and 1,894,485. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,639,793 describes a portable sample case
with a collapsible display rack having a garment hanging rack,
which is pivotable and extendable from the case to provide a rack
supported at one end for hanging of garments. U.S. Pat. No.
4,982,820 describes a container for use by a traveling salesperson
having a bag with a display stand therein and movable between a
collapsed position within the bag for transportation and an erect
state projecting from the bag for display purposes, the display
stand having a centrally supported bar for hanging of garments
thereon.
[0005] There thus remains a need for a portable costume case for
use by performers such as skaters and dancers during a performance
or competition to allow for hanging of the costumes to maintain
them in proper condition, as well as to allow for quick changes by
the performers from one costume to another.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention is directed to a portable costume case
for use by performers to allow for hanging of costumes to maintain
them in proper condition, as well as to allow for quick changes by
the performers from one costume to another. The costume case
comprises a bag having a base and opposing end and sidewalls
extending upwardly of the base and connected to one another and a
top. The top is provided with a releasable opening means to allow
the top to be opened for access to the interior of the bag and to
be closed to maintain the contents within the interior of the bag.
The case is provided with a reinforced framework attached to the
opposing end and sidewalls and encircling the bag to maintain the
opposing end and sidewalls in an upright position. The opposing
ends of the bag are also provided with end stiffeners attached to
the reinforced framework. Each of the end stiffeners are provided
with a receiving means for an upright support for a costume rack.
The costume rack comprises upright supports having one end to be
received within the receiving means and having a means for
attaching a horizontal support bar thereto to provide for a support
for hanging costumes. During transport, the costume rack is removed
from the receiving means and stored within the interior of the bag
and when it is desired to use the bag for hanging of costumes the
costume rack is removed from the bag and mounted to the receiving
means.
[0007] In an aspect of the invention each of the upright supports
and horizontal support bar of the costume rack are adjustable for
height and length to not only allow for a collapsed position for
storage within the bag but also to allow for varying heights of the
costume rack, depending upon the nature of the costumes hanging on
the support bar.
[0008] In another aspect of the invention the bag is provided with
a collapsible handle at one end thereof and wheels at the other end
thereof to allow for ease of transport of the bag by the user.
[0009] In another aspect of the invention the bag is provided with
one or more exterior pockets for storage of accessories or
ancillary equipment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A preferred embodiment of the costume bag of the present
invention is illustrated in the attached figures in which the:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from a first side of the
costume bag of the present invention in the closed position;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from a second side of the
costume bag of FIG. 1 in the closed position;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view from the bottom of the costume
bag of FIG. 1 in the closed position;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the insert of the costume
bag of FIG. 1; and
[0015] FIG. 5 is perspective view partly in cross-section of the
costume bag of FIG. 1 in the open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] A preferred embodiment of the costume case according to the
present invention is illustrated in the figures generally indicated
by the numeral 10. Costume case 10 includes a bag 12 having a base
14, end walls 16, sidewalls 18 and a top 20. The top 20 is provided
with a releasable opening means such as a zipper 22, which allows
the top 20 to be opened to allow access to the interior of the bag
12 or to be closed to maintain the contents within the interior of
the bag 12 during transport.
[0017] Each of the end walls 16 are provided with end stiffeners 24
which together with a reinforced framework 26 maintain the end
walls 16 and sidewalls 18 in an upright position even if the
interior of the bag 12 is empty. The end stiffeners 24 and
reinforcing frame 26 are located within the interior of the bag 12.
Attached to each of the end stiffeners 24 are receiving means for
receiving the uprights 28 of a costume rack 30. In the embodiment
illustrated in the figures the receiving means are two U clamps 32,
permanently attached to the end stiffeners 24 with the bight 34 of
each of the U clamps 32 being aligned to receive the ends of the
upright 28. In order to fit within the bight 34 of the U clamps 32,
the uprights 28 are generally circular in cross-section.
[0018] Other designs for the receiving means may be utilized
depending upon the nature of the uprights of the costume rack. For
example, if the uprights were rectangular in cross-section then a
receiving means able to accept and hold the uprights would be
utilized such as for example, a clamp having a square opening to
receive the upright.
[0019] Preferably, the uprights 28 are telescoping to allow for the
upright 28 to have a collapsed storage position and an extended
display position. The uprights 28 would be provided with a
plurality of individual sections 38 nested within each other, each
of the sections 38 being provided with a releasable locking means
40 to allow the sections 38 to be locked in the extended display
position. The locking means 40 could be any typical locking means
utilized in telescoping arrangements such as a cam lock, a screw
lock, or a releasable button and hole arrangement. The provision of
the telescoping uprights 28 provides for a reduced size of the
upright 28 when the upright 28 is in its storage position, thus
taking up less space within the bag 12 during transport of the bag
12. In a similar manner, the crossbar 36 may also be provided as a
telescoping bar to allow for a collapsed storage position and an
extended display position. A further advantage of the provision of
the telescoping costume rack of the present invention is that the
height of the crossbar 36 is adjustable to accommodate different
sizes of costumes and users. For example, if the costume case 10 is
being utilized by a younger performer than their costumes tend to
be smaller and the crossbar 36 would not have to be as high as it
would be have to be for an adult performer. Also costumes for
skaters tend to be not as long as costumes which may be utilized by
certain types of dancers and thus the height of the crossbar 36 of
the costume rack 30 may be adjusted to adapt to these various
situations.
[0020] The portable costume case of the present invention may be
constructed of any of the typical materials utilized in baggage and
luggage construction. For example, the costume case may be a hard
sided case constructed of a molded plastic, such as polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyvinylchloride or the like. Preferably, the
costume case is a soft sided case constructed from a material such
as canvas, nylon or the like, most preferably nylon.
[0021] As illustrated in the figures, the costume case 10 of the
present invention may also be provided with a plurality of external
pockets 42 for storage of accessories or ancillary equipment such
as skates, dance shoes, makeup cases, jewelry boxes, etc. The
external pockets 42 are sized to accept the accessories or
ancillary equipment and are provided with releasable closure means
such as zippers 44, or other closure means to secure the
accessories or ancillary equipment within the pocket 42 during
transport of the bag 12.
[0022] In order to allow for easier transport of the costume case
10 of the present invention, the costume case 10 is provided with
wheels 46 at one end of the case 10. The wheels 46 are preferably
provided adjacent the lower corners at one end of the case 10. The
other end of the case 10 at the bottom is provided with a
collapsible handle 48, which may be extended such that when the
user raises the case 10 by the handle 48, the case 10 is able to be
rolled along on the wheels 46 located at the other end of the case
10. The collapsible handle 48 is a typical construction of
collapsible handles utilized in luggage and baggage
construction.
[0023] In order to provide for additional capacity for hanging
costumes and other equipment, the uprights 28 may be provided with
rings 50 or other such structures, which would allow additional
costumes or other equipment to be hung from the rings 50.
[0024] The costume case of the present invention is utilized by
performers in the following manner. The performer will transport
the case by carrying it by the handle rolling it along on the
wheels. Once the performer has reached the performance location,
the handle would be collapsed and the bag placed in the proper
position. The top would be opened utilizing the releasable opening
means, and the costume rack would be assembled either by inserting
the uprights in the receiving means and attaching the crossbar or
by extending the telescoping uprights to the desired extended
position and attaching the crossbar to the uprights. The costumes
within the bag would be hung on the crossbar and any accessories or
ancillary equipment contained within the pockets removed.
[0025] Once the performance is completed, the performer would place
the accessories or ancillary equipment within the pockets, remove
the costumes from the crossbar and pack them within the bag, and
then disassemble and store the costume rack. The top would then be
closed, the handle extended and the performer could transport the
bag away from the performance location.
[0026] The portable costume case of the present invention provides
performers such as skaters and dancers with an easily assembled
costume rack to allow the performer to hang costumes for use in the
performance to maintain them in the proper condition. In addition,
the costume case of the present invention allows for quick changes
by the performers from one costume to another during the
performance. The costume case of the present invention also allows
for easy transport and storage of the costumes utilized by the
performers as well as any accessories or ancillary equipment,
utilized during the performances.
[0027] Although various preferred embodiments the present invention
have been described herein in detail, those of skill in the art
will appreciate that variations may be made thereto without
departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the
appended claims.
* * * * *