U.S. patent application number 13/040457 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-11 for expandable bag.
This patent application is currently assigned to INGENIOUS DESIGNS LLC. Invention is credited to Joy Mangano.
Application Number | 20110192688 13/040457 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46326362 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110192688 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mangano; Joy |
August 11, 2011 |
Expandable Bag
Abstract
An expandable bag includes a body having a lower portion
defining a closed bottom and a generally upstanding lower sidewall
having an upper rim and an upper portion defining an upper sidewall
having a lower edge coupled adjacent to the upper rim of the lower
portion and having an upper rim defining a top opening. The upper
portion is movable between a folded position, in which the upper
sidewall is folded within the lower sidewall such that the upper
rim of the upper portion and the top opening thereof is disposed
generally adjacent to the upper edge of the lower portion to define
an interior compartment of a certain size, and an extended
position, in which the upper portion is unfolded and extended
upwardly, thereby extending the height of the body and creating an
interior compartment of greater size.
Inventors: |
Mangano; Joy; (St. James,
NY) |
Assignee: |
INGENIOUS DESIGNS LLC
Ronkonkoma
NY
|
Family ID: |
46326362 |
Appl. No.: |
13/040457 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11584323 |
Oct 20, 2006 |
7909150 |
|
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13040457 |
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11009600 |
Dec 10, 2004 |
7178567 |
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11584323 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
190/103 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 1/02 20130101; A45C
13/36 20130101; A45C 3/06 20130101; A45C 7/0072 20130101; A45C
7/0063 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/103 |
International
Class: |
A45C 7/00 20060101
A45C007/00 |
Claims
1. An expandable bag comprising: a body having a lower main portion
having a closed bottom and a pair of generally upstanding, lower
opposing sidewalls defining an upper rim and an upper secondary
portion having a pair of opposing sidewalls, each having a lower
edge coupled to said lower main portion generally adjacent to said
upper rim of said lower main portion and having an upper rim
defining a top opening, said upper secondary portion being movable
between a folded position, in which said sidewalls thereof are
folded within said lower sidewalls such that said upper rim of said
upper portion and said top opening thereof are disposed generally
adjacent to said upper rim of said lower portion, thereby defining
an interior compartment of a certain size, and an extended
position, in which said upper portion is unfolded and extended
upwardly, thereby extending the height of said body and, in turn,
said bag, creating an interior compartment of a greater size; a
pair of handles, each coupled to an opposite side of said upper
portion; and means for releasably coupling said handles to said
lower main portion which serves to prevent movement of said upper
secondary portion from said folded to said extended position when
so coupled and which, upon release thereof, permits upward
extension of said upper secondary portion.
2. The bag according to claim 1, wherein said means for releasably
coupling comprises at least one spring-clip coupled to said lower
main portion and at least one first ring coupled to said upper
secondary portion adjacent to said upper rim thereof.
3. The bag according to claim 2, wherein said means for releasably
coupling includes a second ring coupled to said upper secondary
portion but spaced below said at least one first ring.
4. The bag according to claim 3, wherein at least four
spring-clips, four first rings and four second rings are
provided.
5. The bag according to claim 4, wherein said handles each have a
pair of opposite ends which are each joined to one of said first
rings.
6. The bag according to claim 5, wherein said opposite ends of said
handles each have a closed loop through which one of said first
rings passes.
7. The bag according to claim 6, wherein: said rim of said upper
portion is provided with four pairs of closed loops through one
pair of which one of said first rings passes.
8. The bag according to claim 7, further comprising: a zipper with
two sliders coupled to said upper rim of said upper portion for
opening and closing said top opening thereof.
9. The bag according to claim 1, additionally including means for
magnetically coupling said upper secondary portion to said lower
main portion.
10. The bag according to claim 9, wherein said means for
magnetically coupling includes at least one magnetic snap on said
lower main portion and at least one magnetic snap on said upper
secondary portion.
11. The bag according to claim 5, wherein: said lower portion is
provided with four vertical reinforcing belts, each of said spring
clips being coupled to one of said belts.
12. The bag according to claim 11, wherein: each belt has an
outstanding loop to which one of said spring clips is coupled.
13. The bag according to claim 5, wherein: said upper portion has
four rings coupled to said upper sidewall closer to said lower edge
thereof than said top opening, said four rings of said upper
portion being engagable by said four spring clips when said upper
portion is in said extended position.
14. An expandable bag comprising: an outer portion having a side
wall defining a top and a bottom, said bottom being closed; a
flexible inner portion having a side wall defining a top and a
bottom, said bottom of said inner portion being coupled to said top
of said bottom portion and said top of said inner portion defining
an opening to said bag; said flexible inner portion being movable
from a first position wherein it is substantially contained within
said outer portion to a second extended position wherein it is
substantially out of said lower portion and located above said
outer portion; and first releasable coupling means for releasably
coupling said outer and inner portions to each other when said
inner portion is in said first position, said first releasable
coupling means including a magnetic snap.
15. A bag according to claim 13, wherein: said first releasable
coupling means includes two magnetic snaps, each at an opposite end
of said bag.
16. A bag according to claim 15, wherein: one magnetic snap is
located on said outer portion and the other of said magnetic snap
located on said inner portion.
17. A bag according to claim 14, further comprising: second
releasable coupling means for releasably coupling said outer and
inner portions to each other when said inner portion is in said
first position, said second releasable coupling means including a
first ring and a spring clip.
18. A bag according to claim 17, wherein: said ring is coupled to
said inner portion and said spring clip is coupled to said outer
portion.
19. A bag according to claim 17, further comprising: third
releasable coupling means for releasably coupling said outer and
inner portions to each other when said inner portion is in said
second position, said third releasable coupling means including a
second ring and said spring clip.
20. A bag according to claim 19, wherein: said second ring is
vertically spaced apart from said first ring.
21. A bag according to claim 19, wherein: said first and second
rings are coupled to said inner portion and said spring clip is
coupled to said outer portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 11/584,323,
filed on Oct. 20, 2006, issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,909,150 which is a
continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 11/009,600, filed Dec. 10, 2004,
now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,567 the contents of which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates broadly to luggage. More
particularly, this invention relates to a hand bag which is
vertically expandable.
[0004] 2. State of the Art
[0005] Frequently during shopping or traveling it is discovered
that a carrying bag is not large enough to accommodate the
additional items accumulated during the trip. The prior art
discloses many different kinds of expanding bags which address this
problem. However, all of these bags are cumbersome and/or
aesthetically displeasing.
[0006] My previously incorporated parent application discloses an
expandable shoulder bag comprising a body having a relatively
rigid, lower portion defining a closed bottom and a generally
upstanding lower sidewall having an upper rim defining an upper
opening and a relatively flexible upper portion defining an upper
sidewall having a lower edge coupled adjacent to said upper edge of
said lower portion and having an upper rim defining a top opening,
said upper portion being movable between a folded position, in
which said upper sidewall is folded within said lower sidewall such
that said upper rim of said upper portion and said top opening
thereof is disposed generally adjacent to said upper edge of said
lower portion, thereby defining an interior compartment of a
certain size, and an extended position, in which said upper portion
is unfolded and extended upwardly, thereby extending the height of
said body and, in turn, said bag creating an interior compartment
of a greater size.
[0007] A strap for supporting said body is secured to said upper
portion generally adjacent to said upper rim thereof and releasable
coupling means are also provided for releasably coupling said strap
to said lower portion which serves to prevent movement of said
upper portion from said folded to said extended position when so
coupled and which, upon release thereof, permits extension of said
upper portion.
[0008] Preferably, said releasable coupling means comprises at
least one first member secured to said lower portion and at least
one second member secured to said strap which first and second
members are releasably coupled to one another. Advantageously, said
strap has a pair of opposite ends, said lower portion is composed
of at least two side panels joined at their opposite lateral and
bottom edges, and said releasable coupling means comprises a pair
of first members, each secured at an opposite end' of said lower
portion arid a pair of second members, each secured generally
adjacent to an opposite end of said strap. Desirably, said first
member is a releasable clasp and said second member is ring.
[0009] Since the development of the expandable bag of the parent
application, I have applied the concepts of the parent application
to a hand bag and made several improvements which are the subject
of this application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a
carrying bag such as a woman's hand bag or tote and, in particular,
an expandable hand bag.
[0011] It is also an object of the invention to provide an
expandable hand bag which is easy to use and aesthetically
pleasing.
[0012] It is another object of the invention to provide an
expandable hand bag which in its unexpanded state appears
conventional and is not readily discernable as an expandable
bag.
[0013] Certain of the foregoing and related objects are readily
attained according to the present invention by the provision of an
expandable bag comprising: a body having a lower main portion
having a closed bottom and a pair of generally upstanding, lower
opposing sidewalls defining an upper rim and an upper secondary
portion having a pair of opposing sidewalls, each having a lower
edge coupled to said lower main portion generally adjacent to said
upper rim of said lower main portion and having an upper rim
defining a top opening, said upper secondary portion being movable
between a folded position, in which said sidewalls thereof are
folded within said lower sidewalls such that said upper rim of said
upper portion and said top opening thereof are disposed generally
adjacent to said upper rim of said lower portion, thereby defining
an interior compartment of a certain size, and an extended
position, in which said upper portion is unfolded and extended
upwardly, thereby extending the height of said body and, in turn,
said bag, creating an interior compartment of a greater size; a
pair of handles, each coupled to an opposite side of said upper
portion; and means for releasably coupling said handles to said
lower main portion which serves to prevent movement of said upper
secondary portion from said folded to said extended position when
so coupled and which, upon release thereof, permits upward
extension of said upper secondary portion.
[0014] Preferably, said means for releasably coupling comprises at
least one spring-clip coupled to said lower main portion and at
least one first ring coupled to said upper secondary portion
adjacent to said upper rim thereof. Said means for releasably
coupling may include a second ring coupled to said upper secondary
portion but spaced below said at least one first ring. Desirably,
at least four spring-clips, four first rings and four second rings
are provided.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the handles each have a pair of
opposite ends which are each joined to one of said first rings and
said opposite ends of said handles each have a closed loop through
which one of said first rings passes. Advantageously, said rim of
said upper portion is provided with four pairs of closed loops
through each pair of which one of said first rings passes.
[0016] Most advantageously, a zipper with two sliders is coupled to
said upper rim of said upper portion for opening and closing said
top opening thereof. Most desirably, the bag additionally includes
means for magnetically coupling said upper secondary portion to
said lower main portion. The means for magnetically coupling
preferably includes at least one magnetic snap on said lower main
portion and at least one magnetic snap on said upper secondary
portion. The lower portion is also desirably provided with four
vertical reinforcing belts, and each of said spring clips is
coupled to one of said belts. Advantageously, each belt has an
outstanding loop to which one of said spring clips is coupled. Most
desirably, said upper portion has four rings coupled to said upper
sidewall closer to said lower edge thereof than said top opening,
said four rings of said upper portion being engagable by said four
spring clips when said upper portion is in said extended
position.
[0017] Certain of the foregoing and related objects are also
attained according to the present invention by the provision of an
expandable bag comprising: an outer portion having a side wall
defining a top and a bottom, said bottom being closed; a flexible
inner portion having a side wall defining a top and a bottom, said
bottom of said inner portion being coupled to said top of said
bottom portion and said top of said inner portion defining an
opening to said bag; said flexible inner portion being movable from
a first position wherein it is substantially contained within said
outer portion to a second extended position wherein it is
substantially out of said lower portion and located above said
outer portion; and first releasable coupling means for releasably
coupling said outer and inner portions to each other when said
inner portion is in said first position, said first releasable
coupling means including a magnetic snap.
[0018] Preferably, said first releasable coupling means includes
two magnetic snaps, each at an opposite end of said bag.
Advantageously, one magnetic snap is located on said outer portion
and the other of said magnetic snap located on said inner
portion.
[0019] Desirably, a second releasable coupling means is provided
for releasably coupling said outer and inner portions to each other
when said inner portion is in said first position, said second
releasable coupling means including a first ring and a spring clip.
Advantageously, said ring is coupled to said inner portion and said
spring clip is coupled to said outer portion. Most advantageously,
third releasable coupling means are provided for releasably
coupling said outer and inner portions to each other when said
inner portion is in said second position, said third releasable
coupling means including a second ring and said spring clip.
Desirably, said second ring is vertically spaced apart from said
first ring. Advantageously, said first and second rings are coupled
to said inner portion and said spring clip is coupled to said outer
portion.
[0020] Certain of the foregoing and related objects are readily
attained according to the present invention by the provision of an
expandable hand bag comprising a body having a relatively rigid,
lower portion defining a closed bottom and a generally upstanding
lower sidewall having an upper rim and a relatively flexible upper
portion defining an upper sidewall having a lower edge coupled
adjacent to said upper rim of said lower portion and having an
upper rim defining a top opening, said upper portion being movable
between a folded position, in which said upper sidewall is folded
within said lower sidewall such that said upper rim of said upper
portion and said top opening thereof is disposed generally adjacent
to said upper rim of said lower portion, thereby defining an
interior compartment of a certain size, and an extended position,
in which said upper portion is unfolded and extended upwardly,
thereby extending the height of said body and, in turn, said bag
creating an interior compartment of a greater size.
[0021] A pair of hand grips are secured to opposite sides of said
upper portion generally adjacent to said upper rim thereof and
releasable coupling means are also provided for releasably coupling
said hand grips to said lower portion which serves to prevent
movement of said upper portion from said folded to said extended
position when so coupled and which, upon release thereof, permits
extension of said upper portion.
[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the upper portion is
provided with four pairs of loops, two pair on one side and two
pair on the other side. The hand grips each have two ends which
terminate in a loop. The hand grip loops are coupled to the fabric
loops via four, preferably metal rings. When in the folded
position, the rings are located adjacent to decorative vertical
reinforcing straps on the outer surface of the lower portion. Each
of the reinforcing straps has an outstanding loop which is coupled
to the base portion of a spring clip. Each of the four spring clips
is releasably coupled to one of the four rings. When the clips are
uncoupled from the rings, the upper portion can be pulled out of
the lower portion, thus expanding the volume of the hand bag.
Access to the interior of the handbag is preferably controlled by a
zipper coupled to the upper rim of the upper portion. The side wall
of the upper portion is preferably provided with reinforcing straps
which align with the reinforcing straps on the lower portion. The
upper portion reinforcing straps each have an outstanding loop
which is coupled to a ring which is releasably coupled to one of
the spring clips so that the clips do not dangle when the upper
portion of the bag is extended.
[0023] Looking at the side of the bag with the upper portion folded
into the lower portion, the height to width ratio is approximately
2:5 and the vertical extent of the hand grips is slightly more that
the height of the bag. With the upper portion extended, the height
of the bag is increased by about 65%.
[0024] According to a further preferred embodiment, when in the
folded position, the upper and lower portions are also secured to
each other by interior magnetic snaps on the lower portion which
mate with exterior magnetic snaps on the upper portion. In
addition, according to a further preferred embodiment, the zipper
is provided with two sliders for easier access to the interior of
the bag. Furthermore, a decorative tassel is preferably coupled to
one of the rings to which the hand grips are attached.
[0025] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the
detailed description taken in conjunction with the provided
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an expandable bag
according to the invention in the unexpanded state;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective top and side view of an expandable
bag according to the invention in the unexpanded state;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but with the spring
clips uncoupled from the handle rings in preparation of expanding
the bag;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective top, side and end view of the
expandable bag according to the invention in an expanded state.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the bag in the expanded
state; and
[0031] FIGS. 6a, 6b, and 6c are schematic side sectional views
showing, respectively, the bag in the unexpanded state, partially
expanded state and fully expanded state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Turning now to the Figures and, in particular FIGS. 1-3, an
expandable hand bag 10 according to the invention includes a body
12 having a lower main body portion 13 having two opposing side
panels or side walls 14 which are each joined at opposite lateral
ends to opposing end panels or end walls 15 and along their bottom
edges to a closed bottom panel 16, preferably via stitching. The
top edges of the side panels 14 and end panels 15 define an upper
open rim 17.
[0033] As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, an upper secondary body
portion 18 is provided having two opposing side panels or side
walls 19 which are each joined to opposing end panels or end walls
20. As seen best in FIG. 6c, the bottom edges of the side panels 19
and end panels 20 are each coupled via an upturned edge to the
interior sides of corresponding side panel 14 and end panel 15,
respectively, of the lower main body portion 13, adjacent to but
spaced below the upper rim 17 of said lower portion 13 preferably
via stitching. The top edges of side panel 19 and end walls 20
cooperatively define an upper rim 21 generally defining a top
opening.
[0034] The upper portion 18 is movable between a generally hidden
folded position (FIGS. 1-3 and 6c), in which said upper side walls
19 and end walls 20 are folded within said lower side walls 14 and
end walls 15 such that said upper rim 21 of said upper portion 18
and top opening defined thereby is disposed generally adjacent to,
and within, the upper rim 17 of said lower portion 13, thereby
defining an interior compartment of a certain size, and an extended
position or state (FIGS. 4 and 5 and 6a), thereby extending the
height of said body 12 and creating an interior compartment of a
greater size.
[0035] A pair of straps or handles 22 (seen best in FIGS. 2 and 4)
are each secured to an opposite side panel 19 of said upper portion
18 generally adjacent to said upper rim 21 thereof.
[0036] Each strap has a pair of free ends 23 in the form of a loop
by which they are attached to an annular metal ring 24. Similarly,
four pairs of short straps 25 are coupled to the upper rim 21 and
each has a looped end by which each pair is received on the same
ring 24 as one of the handle free ends 23.
[0037] When in the folded state (FIGS. 1-2), the rings 24 are
located adjacent to decorative vertical reinforcing straps 26 (only
two of the four can be seen in the drawings) on the outer surface
of the lower portion 13. Each of the reinforcing straps has a loop
27 which is coupled pivotably, via a ring 28, to the base portion
of a spring clip 29. Each of the four spring clips 29 (only two can
be seen in the drawings) is releasably coupled to one of the four
rings 24. When the clips 29 are uncoupled from the rings 24 (FIGS.
3 and 4), the upper portion 18 can be pulled out of the lower
portion 13, as illustrated in the sequence illustrated in FIGS. 6a,
6b, and 6c, thus expanding the volume of the hand bag 10.
[0038] Access to the interior of the handbag 10 is preferably
controlled by a zipper 30 (seen best in FIGS. 2 and 4) coupled to
the upper rim 21 of the upper portion 18. The side walls 19 (FIGS.
4 and 5) of the upper portion 18 are also preferably provided with
reinforcing straps 32 (only two of the four can be seen in FIGS. 4
and 5) which align with the reinforcing straps 26 on the lower
portion 13. The upper portion reinforcing straps 32 also each have
a loop 34 which pivotably supports a generally D-shaped ring which
is releasably coupled to one of the spring clips 29 so as to assist
in supporting the upper portion 18 of the bag 10 when in its
extended position in proper, general vertical, alignment with the
lower portion 13 of the bag 10 and preventing it from collapsing to
its folded position (FIGS. 4 and 5).
[0039] Comparing the height of the bag with the upper portion 18
folded into the lower portion (FIGS. 1 and 3), and with the upper
portion extended (FIGS. 4 and 5), the height of the body 13 is
preferably increased by about 50%. Of course, the height can be
varied to suit a particular desired volume gain.
[0040] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, when in
the folded state, the upper and lower portions 18, 13,
respectively, are also secured to each other by magnets or magnetic
snaps 40 on each of the interior sides of end panels 15 of the
lower portion 13 which mate with magnets or magnetic snaps 42 on
the exterior sides of end panels 20 of the upper portion 18. (These
snaps are actually seen best in FIGS. 4 and 5 though the snaps
engage each other when the bag is folded as shown in FIGS.
1-3.)
[0041] It will be appreciated that the magnetic snaps 40, 42 also
keep the upper end walls 20 of the upper portion 18 secured to the
end walls 15 of the lower portion 13 to facilitate opening of the
bag when the zipper 30 is pulled. The zipper 30 is provided with
two sliders 44 (seen best in FIG. 2). Furthermore, a decorative
tassel 46 is coupled to one of the rings to which one of the straps
the hand grips are attached. Optionally, in lieu of or in addition
to the tassel, a fob bearing a trademark or a monogram (not shown)
may be attached to one of the rings.
[0042] There have been described and illustrated several
embodiments of an expandable hand bag. While particular embodiments
of the invention have been described, it is not intended that the
invention be limited thereto, as it is intended that the invention
be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the
specification be read likewise. For example, although it is
particularly advantageous to use the spring clip-ring assemblies
and/or magnetic snaps described above, other releasably coupling
means, e.g., mechanical snaps, buttons, Velcro fasteners, etc.
could possible be employed to suit a particular application. In
addition, the handbag can be made of a variety of materials and the
relative rigidity of the lower main body portion and the upper main
body portion is preferably selected so that the movement thereof
between the unexpanded and the expanded states can be accomplished
without the aid of an internal, movable support frame, i.e., the
bag would preferably be "frameless", (in comparison see, e.g., U.S.
Pat. No. 1,060,824). It will therefore be appreciated by those
skilled in the art that yet other modifications could be made to
the provided invention without deviating from its spirit and scope
as claimed.
* * * * *