U.S. patent application number 13/328092 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-17 for case, system and method for storing and/or for transporting articles.
Invention is credited to Claudia Chisholm.
Application Number | 20120118692 13/328092 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42116455 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120118692 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chisholm; Claudia |
May 17, 2012 |
CASE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR STORING AND/OR FOR TRANSPORTING
ARTICLES
Abstract
A case, a system and a method store and/or to transport
articles, such as, for example, office-related articles and
personal articles. A first compartment forms a first volume that
may be protected by walls of the case. Further, a second
compartment forms a second volume. The second compartment extends
into the first volume of the first compartment. The second
compartment receives and/or stores the articles towards the
interior of the first compartment. The second compartment is opened
to form a tray for accessing one or more of the articles without
opening the first compartment.
Inventors: |
Chisholm; Claudia;
(Northbrook, IL) |
Family ID: |
42116455 |
Appl. No.: |
13/328092 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12290314 |
Oct 29, 2008 |
8104594 |
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13328092 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
190/18A ;
190/109; 53/468 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/02 20130101;
A45C 5/03 20130101; A45C 5/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/18.A ;
190/109; 53/468 |
International
Class: |
A45C 5/14 20060101
A45C005/14; B65B 5/04 20060101 B65B005/04 |
Claims
1. A case for storing and accessing a first type of articles and a
second type of articles wherein the first type of articles are
stored in and accessed from the case separately from the second
type of articles, the case comprising: a first compartment having a
depth defined between a first wall and a second wall wherein the
second wall is positioned opposite to the first wall wherein the
compartment has a first volume defined between the first wall and
the second wall to store the first type of articles; a first flap
that forms a portion of the second wall wherein the first
compartment is accessible via the first flap; a first fastener
between the first wall and the second wall wherein the first
fastener closes the first compartment with the first flap; a second
flap having a length defined between a top end and a bottom end
wherein the bottom end of the second flap is positioned opposite to
the top end of the second flap wherein the second flap has a width
defined between a first end and a second end wherein the second end
of the second flap is positioned opposite the first end of the
second flap wherein the second flap forms a portion of the first
flap wherein the bottom end of the second flap is attached to the
first flap; and a second compartment accessible via the second flap
having a length defined between a top end and a bottom end wherein
the bottom end of the second compartment is positioned opposite to
the top end of the second compartment wherein the second
compartment has a width defined between a first end and a second
end wherein the second end of the second compartment is positioned
opposite to the first end of the second compartment wherein the
second compartment has a depth defined between the second flap and
a back side wherein the back side of the second compartment is
positioned opposite to the second flap wherein the second
compartment extends from the first flap past the first fastener
into the first volume of the first compartment wherein the back
side of the second compartment is positioned between the first
fastener and the first wall of the first compartment wherein the
second compartment is accessible without accessing the first
compartment.
2. The case of claim 1 further comprising: a bag attached to the
first wall within the first compartment wherein the bag is sized
and shaped to receive a laptop computer and padded to protect the
laptop computer.
3. The case of claim 1 wherein the first fastener is a zipper.
4. The case of claim 1 further comprising: a second fastener
securing the first end of the second flap, the top end of the
second flap and the second end of the second flap to the first
flap.
5. The case of claim 1 further comprising: a webbing attaching the
first end of second flap to the first flap.
6. The case of claim 1 further comprising: a pocket in the second
compartment wherein the pocket has a cavity which stores the second
type of articles.
7. The case of claim 1 further comprising: a wheel attached to the
first wall of the first compartment wherein the wheel rotates.
8. The case of claim 1 further comprising: a bag attached to the
first wall within the first compartment wherein the bag has a
cavity to store the first type of articles.
9. A system for transporting a plurality of articles wherein one of
the plurality of articles is separated from a remainder of the
plurality of articles and is accessible without accessing the
remainder of the plurality of articles, the system comprising: a
case having a first volume defined by a plurality of walls wherein
the first volume of the case is accessible via one of the plurality
of walls wherein at least two of the plurality of walls of the case
are attached by a first fastener; a compartment having a depth
defined between one of the plurality of walls of the case and a
back side of the compartment wherein the back side of the
compartment is positioned opposite to one of the plurality of walls
of the case wherein the compartment has a second volume wherein the
compartment extends into the case penetrating the first volume
wherein the first fastener is positioned at a point along the depth
of the compartment between the back side of the compartment and one
of the plurality of walls wherein the second volume is less than
the first volume wherein the compartment is accessible via one of
the plurality of walls; and a bag to receive one of the plurality
of articles wherein the bag is sized to fit within the compartment
to position the bag extending into the case and penetrating the
first volume.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein the first fastener is a
zipper.
11. The system of claim 9 further comprising: a flap formed with
one of the plurality of walls wherein the flap has a top end and a
bottom end wherein the bottom end is positioned opposite to the top
end wherein the flap has a first end and a second end wherein the
second end is positioned opposite to the first end wherein the
bottom end is attached to one of the plurality of walls wherein the
top end of the flap, the first end of the flap and the second end
of the flap have a second fastener securing the flap to one of the
plurality of walls wherein the second fastener is disengaged to
access the compartment.
12. The system of claim 9 further comprising: an opening in the bag
wherein the opening is sized to receive one of the plurality of
articles.
13. The system of claim 9 further comprising: a padded material
forming the bag wherein the padded material is compressible.
14. The system of claim 9 further comprising: a padded material
forming the compartment wherein the padded material is
compressible.
15. The system of claim 9 further comprising: a non-rigid material
forming the compartment wherein the back side of the compartment is
movable toward one of the plurality of walls of the case.
16. The system of claim 9 wherein the bag is sized and shaped to
receive a laptop computer and padded to protect the laptop
computer.
17. A method for storing a plurality of articles in a case wherein
the case has a main compartment accessible by a first flap attached
to the case with a fastener and a volume defined by a plurality of
walls of the case wherein the case has a secondary compartment
accessible by a second flap located on the first flap wherein the
secondary compartment extends from the second flap into the volume
of the main compartment to a back side of the secondary compartment
wherein the fastener is positioned between the second flap and the
back side of the secondary compartment wherein the main compartment
is not accessible via the secondary compartment wherein the
secondary compartment is accessible without accessing the main
compartment, the method comprising the steps of: opening the main
compartment with the first flap; placing one of the plurality of
articles in the main compartment; closing the main compartment with
the first flap; opening the secondary compartment with the second
flap; placing one of the plurality of articles within the secondary
compartment in a position adjacent to the back side of the
secondary compartment between the back side of the secondary
compartment and the fastener and entirely within the volume of the
main compartment; and closing the secondary compartment with the
second flap.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: securing
the second flap to the first flap.
19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of:
compressing the secondary compartment to increase the volume of the
main compartment.
20. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of: securing
the first flap to one of the plurality of walls.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a case, a system
and a method for storing and/or for transporting articles. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a case, a system
and/or a method for storing and/or for transporting articles, such
as, for example, office-related articles. The case, the system and
the method may have a first compartment that may form a first
volume of space that may be protected by one or more walls of the
case. Further, the case, the system and the method may have a
second compartment that may form a second volume. The second
compartment may be accessible through one of the walls and may
extend into the first volume of the first compartment. The second
compartment may be sized to receive one or more of the articles.
Moreover, the second compartment may be opened to form a tray for
accessing one or more of the articles that may be stored in the
second compartment.
[0002] It is generally known that luggage, such as, for example,
suitcases, trolley cases, briefcases, duffel bags, backpacks and/or
the like are used to store and/or transport belongings. Luggage is
used to transport the belongings by foot and/or in automobiles,
trains, busses, airplanes and/or the like. Further, it is known
that luggage may be constructed in carrier-approved sizes to allow
for maximum carrying capability within the overhead compartment
size constraints of commercial airplanes, busses and/or trains.
[0003] Further, it is generally known that business travelers often
need to store and transport office-related accessories and/or
supplies on business trips by foot and/or in automobiles, trains,
busses, airplanes and/or the like. The office-related accessories
may be, for example, books, files, documents, pens, pencils,
business cards, product demos, marketing displays and/or fixtures
and/or portable electronic devices, such as, for example, laptop
computers, PDAs, cell phones, electronic music players, power
adaptors and/or the like. Still further, business travelers often
need to store and/or transport personal belongings, such as, for
example, clothes and/or toiletries along with the office-related
accessories. Often, portable electronic devices, such as, for
example, laptop computers, cell phones and/or PDAs may require
removal from luggage for security screening at transportation hubs,
such as, for example, at airports, train stations and/or the like.
Still further, portable electronic devices, such as, for example,
laptop computers, cell phones and/or PDAs must be easily accessible
to be used, powered off and/or disabled during portions of airplane
flights. Moreover, the office-related accessories may require
access, for example, during transportation and/or after the
traveler has arrived at his or her destination.
[0004] As a result, known luggage is provided with various external
pockets that may be more accessible than a rigidly protected main
compartment of the luggage. To access the contents that are
protected by the main compartment of the known luggage, the entire
case must be opened. The external pockets of the known luggage have
a space between two sheets of luggage material. The external
pockets are formed by attaching the sheets of luggage material.
Therefore, the external pockets provide minimal depth for receiving
contents, and a volume of the external pockets tapers at the
perimeter where the two sheets of material are attached. Further,
the external pockets provide minimal or no rigid protection of the
contents and form spaces having less carrying capacity than the
main compartment. As a result, travelers are reluctant to stow
delicate electronic devices, other fragile contents and/or
sensitive documents in the various external pockets because of the
risk of damage during transportation. Alternatively, travelers
often use, for example, a suitcase, a trolley system and/or a
duffel bag to store and transport personal belongings and use a
separate bag, such as, for example a briefcase, a backpack, a tote
bag and/or a laptop case to transport office-related
accessories.
[0005] A need, therefore, exists for a case, a system and/or a
method for storing and/or for transporting articles. Additionally,
a need exists for a case, a system and/or a method for storing
and/or for transporting office-related articles, such as, for
example, books, files, documents, pens, pencils, business cards,
product demos, marketing displays and/or fixtures and/or portable
electronic devices, such as, for example, laptop computers, PDAs,
cell phones, electronic music players, power adaptors and/or the
like. Further, a need exists for a case, a system and/or a method
for storing and/or for transporting articles that may reduce a
number of luggage items required to store and/or transport the
articles. Further, a need exists for a case, a system and/or a
method for storing and/or for transporting articles that may have a
first compartment defining an interior of the case and a second
compartment that extends from an exterior of the case into the
first compartment of the case. Further, a needs exists for a case,
a system and/or a method that may have a second compartment that
may be accessible from an exterior of the case for storing and/or
retrieving contents that may be stored in a volume of the first
compartment without opening the first compartment. Further, a need
exists for a case, a system and/or a method that may provide
protection for fragile articles stored in the second compartment.
Further, a need exists for a case, a system and/or a method that
may have a tray that opens to access the second compartment in
instances wherein the first compartment of the case cannot be
opened due to time and/or space constraints.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention generally relates to a case, a system
and a method for storing and/or for transporting articles. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a case, a system and
a method for storing and/or for transporting articles, such as, for
example, office-related articles. The office-related articles may
be, for example, documents, newspapers, portable electronic
devices, power cabling, books, magazines, writing utensils, files,
clothing, toiletries and/or the like. The case, the system and the
method may have a first compartment that may form a first volume of
space that may be protected by one or more walls of the case. The
first compartment may be accessible by a first flap that may form
one of the walls of the case. The first flap may be fastened to the
case with a fastener, such as, for example, a zipper system.
Moreover, the case, the system and the method may have a second
compartment that may be accessible from a second flap that may be
positioned on the first flap. The second flap may be fastened to
the first flap with a fastener, such as, for example, a zipper
system.
[0007] The second compartment may form a second volume and/or may
extend into the first volume of the first compartment when the case
is situated in a closed position; therefore, any contents of the
second compartment may be protected by the walls of the case that
may form the first compartment. The second compartment may be sized
to receive one or more of the articles. Moreover, the second
compartment may be padded to further protect one or more of the
articles. The second flap may be connected to the first flap with
one or more webbings. Therefore, the second flap may be opened to
form a tray for allowing access to the second compartment.
[0008] Further, the second compartment may have a divider that may
have various pockets and/or holders for receiving and/or for
storing one or more of the articles. Further, the divider may be
secured within the second compartment to restrict one or more of
the articles within the volume of the first compartment towards a
back of the second compartment and away from the second flap. The
divider may be unsecured to allow access to the articles stored
within the volume of the first compartment toward the back of the
second compartment.
[0009] Moreover, the case, the system and the method may have a
shuttle bag that may be sized to fit within the second compartment
adjacent to the divider and within the volume of the first
compartment toward the back of the second compartment. The shuttle
bag may receive, for example, a laptop computer and/or other
article and may be padded to further protect the same.
[0010] To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a
case for storing and accessing a first type of articles and a
second type of articles wherein the first type of articles are
stored in and accessed from the case separately from the second
type of articles is provided. The case has a first compartment
having a plurality of walls wherein the compartment has a first
volume defined by the plurality of walls. Further, the case has a
first flap that forms a portion of one of the plurality of walls
wherein the first compartment is accessible via the first flap.
Still further, the case has a second flap having a length defined
between a top end and a bottom end wherein the bottom end of the
second flap is positioned opposite to the top end of the second
flap wherein the second flap has a width defined between a first
end and a second end wherein the second end of the second flap is
positioned opposite the first end of the second flap wherein the
second flap forms a portion of the first flap wherein the bottom
end of the second flap is attached to the bottom end of the first
flap. Still further, the case has a second compartment accessible
via the second flap having a length defined between a top end and a
bottom end wherein the bottom end of the second compartment is
positioned opposite to the top end of the second compartment
wherein the second compartment has a width defined between a first
end and a second end wherein the second end of the second
compartment is positioned opposite to the first end of the second
compartment wherein the second compartment has a depth defined
between the second flap and a back side wherein the back side of
the second compartment is positioned opposite to the second flap
wherein the second compartment extends from the first flap into the
first volume of the first compartment wherein the second
compartment is accessible without accessing the first compartment.
Moreover, the case has a divider having a length defined between a
top end and a bottom end wherein the bottom end of the divider is
positioned opposite to the top end of the divider wherein the
bottom end of the divider is attached to the bottom end of the
second compartment between the second flap and the back side of the
second compartment.
[0011] In an embodiment, the case has a fastener attaching the top
end of the divider to the top end of the compartment between the
second flap and the back side of the second compartment.
[0012] In an embodiment, the case has a fastener securing the first
flap to one of the plurality of walls of the first compartment.
[0013] In an embodiment, the case has a fastener securing the first
end of the second flap, the top end of the second flap and the
second end of the second flap to the first flap.
[0014] In an embodiment, the case has a webbing attaching the first
end of second flap to the second compartment.
[0015] In an embodiment, the case has a pocket on the divider
wherein the pocket has a cavity wherein the cavity stores the
second type of articles.
[0016] In an embodiment, the case has a wheel attached to one of
the plurality walls of the first compartment wherein the wheel
rotates.
[0017] In an embodiment, the case has a bag attached to one of the
plurality of walls within the first compartment wherein the bag has
a cavity to store the first type of articles.
[0018] In another embodiment, a system for transporting a plurality
of articles wherein one of the plurality of articles is separated
from a remainder of the plurality of articles and is accessible
without accessing the remainder of the plurality of articles is
provided. The system has a case having a first volume defined by a
plurality of walls wherein the first volume of the case is
accessible via one of the plurality of walls. Further, the system
has a compartment having a depth defined between one of the
plurality of walls of the case and a back side of the compartment
wherein the back side of the compartment is positioned opposite to
one of the plurality of walls of the case wherein the compartment
has a second volume wherein the compartment extends into the case
penetrating the first volume wherein the second volume is less than
the first volume wherein the compartment is accessible via one of
the plurality of walls. Still further, the system has a divider
having a top end and a bottom end wherein the bottom end of the
divider is positioned opposite to the top end of the divider
wherein the bottom end of the divider is attached to an interior of
the compartment between one of the plurality of walls and the back
side of the compartment wherein the divider separates the
compartment into a front portion and a rear portion wherein the
rear portion is adjacent to the back side of the compartment and
the front portion is adjacent to one of the plurality of walls of
the case. Moreover, the system has a bag to receive one of the
plurality of articles wherein the bag is sized to fit within the
rear portion of the compartment between the divider and the back
side of the compartment.
[0019] In an embodiment, the system has a fastener securing one of
the plurality of walls to the case.
[0020] In an embodiment, the system has a flap formed with one of
the plurality of walls wherein the flap has a top end and a bottom
end wherein the bottom end is positioned opposite to the top end
wherein the flap has a first end and a second end wherein the
second end is positioned opposite to the first end wherein the
bottom end is attached to one of the plurality of walls wherein the
top end of the flap, the first end of the flap and the second end
of the flap have a fastener securing the flap to one of the
plurality of walls wherein the fastener is disengaged to access the
compartment.
[0021] In an embodiment, the system has an opening in the bag
wherein the opening is sized to receive one of the plurality of
articles.
[0022] In an embodiment, the system has a padded material forming
the bag wherein the padded material is compressible.
[0023] In an embodiment, the system has a padded material forming
the compartment wherein the padded material is compressible.
[0024] In an embodiment, the system has a non-rigid material
forming the compartment wherein the back side of the compartment is
movable toward one of the plurality of walls of the case.
[0025] In an embodiment, the system has a fastener attaching the
top end of the divider to the interior of the compartment.
[0026] In another embodiment, a method for storing a plurality of
articles in a case wherein the case has a main compartment
accessible by a first flap and a volume defined by a plurality of
walls of the case wherein the case has a secondary compartment
accessible by a second flap located on the first flap wherein the
secondary compartment extends from one of the plurality of walls of
the case into the volume of the main compartment to a back side of
the secondary compartment wherein the main compartment is not
accessible via the secondary compartment and further wherein the
case has a divider to segregate the second compartment is provided.
The method has the step of opening the main compartment with the
first flap. Further, the method has the step of placing one of the
plurality of articles in the main compartment. Still further, the
method has the step of closing the main compartment with the first
flap. Still further, the method has the step of opening the
secondary compartment with the second flap. Still further, the
method has the step of placing one of the plurality of articles
within the secondary compartment adjacent to the back side of the
secondary compartment and entirely within the volume of the main
compartment. Still further, the method has the step of securing the
divider to the secondary compartment to restrict movement of the
article away from the back side of the secondary compartment and
outside the volume of the main compartment. Moreover, the method
has the step of closing the secondary compartment with the second
flap.
[0027] In an embodiment, the method has the step of securing the
second flap to the first flap.
[0028] In an embodiment, the method has the step of compressing the
secondary compartment to increase the volume of the main
compartment.
[0029] In an embodiment, the method has the step of securing the
first flap to one of the plurality of walls.
[0030] It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to
provide a case, a system and a method for storing and/or for
transporting articles.
[0031] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a
case, a system and a method for storing and/or for transporting
office-related articles, such as, for example, books, files,
documents, pens, pencils, business cards, product demos, marketing
displays and/or fixtures and/or portable electronic devices, such
as, for example, laptop computers, PDAs, cell phones, electronic
music players, power adaptors and/or the like.
[0032] And, another advantage of the present invention is to
provide a case, a system and a method for storing and/or for
transporting articles that may have a first compartment that may
form a first volume defining an interior of the case and a second
compartment that extends from an exterior of the case into the
first volume within the case.
[0033] Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide
a case, a system and a method for storing and/or for transporting
articles that may have a second compartment that may be accessible
from an exterior of the case for storing and/or retrieving contents
that may be stored in a volume of the first compartment without
opening the first compartment.
[0034] A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a
case, a system and a method for storing and/or for transporting
articles that may provide protection for fragile articles stored in
the second compartment.
[0035] Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to
provide a case, a system and a method for storing and/or for
transporting articles that may have a tray that opens to access the
second compartment in instances wherein the first compartment of
the case cannot be opened due to time and/or space constraints.
[0036] And, another advantage of the present invention is to
provide a case, a system and a method for storing and/or for
transporting articles that may be a carrier-approved size for
stowing in, for example, overhead compartments of planes, trains
and/or busses.
[0037] Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide
a case, a system and a method for storing and/or for transporting
articles that may have a divider in the second compartment to
separate articles and/or to secure one or more of the articles
towards an interior of the case.
[0038] Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a
case, a system and a method for storing and/or for transporting
articles that may allow for access to the articles while the case
may be located in, for example, an overhead compartment of a plane,
a train and/or a bus and/or other location with limited space for
opening the case.
[0039] Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide
a case, a system and a method for storing and/or for transporting
articles that may allow for separation of personal articles from
office-related articles wherein the office-related articles may be
accessed while the personal articles remain stowed.
[0040] A still further advantage of the present invention is to
provide a case, a system and a method for storing and/or for
transporting articles that may have a bag in the second compartment
to further protect an article, such as, for example, a laptop
computer.
[0041] Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to
provide a case, a system and a method for storing and/or for
transporting articles that may reduce a number of luggage items
required to store and/or transport the articles.
[0042] And, another advantage of the present invention is to
provide a case, a system and a method for storing and/or for
transporting articles that may have wheels and/or a handle for
maneuvering articles.
[0043] Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide
a case, a system and a method for storing and/or for transporting
articles that may allow for access to the articles, such as, for
example, electronic devices at security screening checkpoints in
transportation depots, such as, for example, at airports, bus
stations and/or train stations.
[0044] Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to
provide a case, a system and a method for storing and/or for
transporting articles wherein the case and/or the system may appear
to be a single-compartment trolley case when situated in a closed
position.
[0045] And, another advantage of the present invention is to
provide a case, a system and a method for storing and/or for
transporting articles that may be used in a meeting and/or on a
trip.
[0046] Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide
a case, a system and a method for storing and/or for transporting
articles that may allow access to articles without opening a main
compartment of the case.
[0047] Additional features and advantages of the present invention
are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed
description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a case for storing
and/or for transporting articles in an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0049] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a system for
storing and/or for transporting articles in an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a system for
storing and/or for transporting articles in an embodiment of the
present invention.
[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a case for storing
and/or for transporting articles in an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0052] The present invention generally relates to a case, a system
and a method for storing and/or for transporting articles. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a case, a system and
a method for storing and/or for transporting articles, such as, for
example, personal articles and/or office-related articles. The
personal articles may be, for example, clothing, toiletries and/or
the like. The office-related articles may be, for example,
documents, business cards, stamps, newspapers, portable electronic
devices, power cabling, storage media, books, magazines, writing
utensils, files and/or the like. The portable electronic devices
may be, for example, laptop computers, personal data assistants
(PDAs), cellular telephones, digital music players, voice
recorders, projectors, power adapters and/or the like.
[0053] Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to
like parts, FIGS. 1-4 generally illustrate a case 2 for storing
and/or for transporting articles 80. It should be understood that
the articles 80 may be any articles that may be transported as
known to one having ordinary skill in the art.
[0054] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the case 2 may have a
length 92 defined between walls 14, 16; a width 90 defined between
walls 10, 12; and a depth 96 defined between walls 6, 8. The walls
6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 of the case 2 may form a first compartment 84
having a first volume defined by the length 92, the width 90 and
the depth 96. The walls 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 may be constructed
from a rigid and/or a semi-rigid material, such as, for example,
steel, aluminum, titanium, leather, plastic and/or like material
that may protect contents of the case 2. The walls 6, 8, 10, 12,
14, 16 may be a composition of layers of materials for luggage
construction. The case 2 may be constructed in a carrier-approved
luggage size, such as, for example, a carry-on size allowed by an
airline carrier. It should be understood that the case 2 and/or the
walls 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 may be constructed from any material
suitable for luggage construction as known to one having ordinary
skill in the art. The present invention should not be deemed as
limited to a specific embodiment of the walls 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16.
Further, it should be understood that the case 2 may be constructed
in any size as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. The
present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific
size of the case 2.
[0055] The case 2 may have two or more wheels 22 to maneuver the
case 2 on one or more types of surface. The case 2 may have a
retractable handle 4 to steer, to pull and/or to push the case 2 on
the wheels 22. The case 2 may have a handle 18 attached to the wall
14 to aid in lifting and/or maneuvering the case 2. The case 2 may
have a handle 20 attached to the wall 10 to aid in lifting and/or
maneuvering the case 2. It should be understood that the wheels,
the retractable handle 4, the handle 18 and/or the handle 20 may be
any wheel, retractable handle and/or handles, respectively, as
known to a one having ordinary skill in the art.
[0056] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the first compartment 84 may be
accessible by a first flap 24 that may form a portion of the wall 6
of the case 2. The first flap 24 may have a length 88 defined
between a top end 30 and bottom end 32 that may be positioned
opposite to the top end 30. Further, the first flap 24 may have a
thickness defined between a front side 34 and a back side 36 that
may be positioned opposite to the front side 34. Further, the first
flap 24 may have a width 91 defined between a first end 38 and a
second end 40 that may be positioned opposite to the first end 38.
The bottom end 32 of the first flap 24 may be attached to and/or
continuously formed with the case 2.
[0057] In an embodiment, the first end 38, the top end 30 and the
second end 40 of the first flap 24 may be removably fastened to the
case 2 with a fastener 28, such as, for example, a zipper system, a
hook and loop fastener, a button, a snap, a strap, a magnetic latch
and/or the like. The fastener 28 may be disengaged at the first end
38, the top end 30 and the second end 40 to open the case 2 to
expose the first compartment 84. Likewise, the fastener 28 may be
engaged at the first end 38, the top end 30 and the second end 40
to close the case 2 to secure the first compartment 84. It should
be understood that the bottom end 32 of the first flap 24 may be
attached and/or formed with the case 2 in any fashion as known to
one having ordinary skill in the art. Further, the fastener 28 may
be any fastener suitable for luggage construction as known to one
having ordinary skill in the art. The present invention should not
be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the fastener
28.
[0058] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the case 2 may have a second
compartment 76 that may be accessible by a second flap 26 that may
form a portion of the first flap 24. The second flap 26 may have a
length 86 defined between a top end 42 and a bottom end 44 that may
be positioned opposite to the top end 42. Further, the second flap
26 may have a thickness defined between a front side 46 and a back
side 48 that may be positioned opposite to the front side 46.
Further, the second flap 26 may have a width 93 defined between a
first end 50 and a second end 52 that may be positioned opposite to
the first end 50. The length 86 of the second flap 26 may be less
than the length 88 of the first flap 24. The thickness of the
second flap 26 may be approximately equivalent to the thickness of
the first flap 24. The width 93 of the second flap 26 may be less
than the width 91 of the first flap 24. The bottom end 44 of the
second flap 26 may be attached to and/or continuously formed with
the first flap 24 that may be adjacent to the bottom end 32 of the
first flap 24.
[0059] In an embodiment, the first end 50, the top end 42 and the
second end 52 of the second flap 26 may be removably fastened to
the first flap 24 with a fastener 29, such as, for example, a
zipper system, a hook and loop fastener, a button, a snap, a strap,
a magnetic latch and/or the like. The fastener 29 may be disengaged
at the first end 50, the top end 42 and the second end 52 to open
the case 2 to expose the second compartment 76. Likewise, the
fastener 29 may be engaged at the first end 50, the top end 42 and
the second end 52 to close the case 2 to secure the second
compartment 76. The fastener 29 may be any fastener suitable for
luggage construction as known to one having ordinary skill in the
art. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a
specific embodiment of the fastener 29.
[0060] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the back side 48 of the
second flap 26 may be attached to the first flap 24 by webbings 56
at the first end 50 and the second end 52 of the second flap 26.
The webbings 56 may be, for example, a foldable and/or pliable
material, such as, for example, nylon and/or the like. The webbings
56 may have one or more creases 57 to allow the webbings 56 to
fold. In an embodiment, the webbings 56 may fold inward between the
back side 48 of the second flap 26 and the second compartment 76
when the second flap 26 is maneuvered adjacent to the first flap
24. When the case 2 is situated in an upright position as
illustrated in FIG. 2, the second flap 26 may be unfastened from
the first flap 24 and moved outward with respect to the first flap
24. In an embodiment, the top end 42 of the second flap 26 may
rotate about the bottom end 44 of the second flap 26. The bottom
end 44 of the second flap 26 may be attached to the bottom end 32
of the first flap 24.
[0061] In an embodiment, the second flap 26 opens a distance from
the first flap 24 which may extend the webbings 56 to resist
further opening of the second flap 26. As a result, in an open
position as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second flap 26 may
form a tray 82 for receiving and/or removing the articles 80 from
the second compartment 76. It should be understood that the
webbings 56 may be constructed from any material suitable for
allowing the second flap 26 to open to form a tray with the first
flap 24 as known to one having ordinary skill in the art. The
present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specific
embodiment of the webbings 56.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 4, the second compartment may have a length
87 defined between a top end 106 and a bottom end 108 that may be
positioned opposite to the top end 106; a width 95 defined between
a first end 102 and a second end 104 that may be positioned
opposite to the first end 102; and a depth 94 defined between the
second flap 26 and a back side 100 that may be positioned opposite
to the second flap 26. The second compartment 76 of the case 2 may
have a second volume defined by the length 87, the width 95 and the
depth 94. In an embodiment, the second volume of the second
compartment 76 may be greater than ten percent of the of the first
volume of the first compartment 84.
[0063] The top end 106, the bottom end 108, the first end 102 and
the second end 104 of the second compartment 76 may be constructed
from the same material and/or materials. The top end 106, the
bottom end 108, the first end 102 and the second end 104 of the
second compartment 76 may be constructed from a rigid and/or a semi
rigid material, such as, for example, steel, aluminum, titanium,
leather, plastic, nylon and/or like material that may be suitable
for protecting contents of the second compartment 76 of the case 2.
The top end 106, the bottom end 108, the first end 102 and the
second end 104 of the second compartment 76 may be a constructed
from a plurality of materials that may be suitable for luggage
construction. The top end 106, the bottom end 108, the first end
102 and the second end 104 of the second compartment 76 may be
constructed from a material and/or materials that may provide
padding to the articles 80 within the second compartment 76 and/or
to the articles 80 within the first compartment 84.
[0064] In another embodiment, the top end 106, the bottom end 108,
the first end 102 and the second end 104 of the second compartment
76 may be constructed from materials that may be deformable, such
as, for example, nylon, foam and/or the like. The materials may be
deformed to depress the second compartment 76 toward the second
flap 26. Deforming the second compartment 76 toward the second flap
26 may allow for more of the first volume of the first compartment
84 to be occupied by the articles 80. It should be understood that
the top end 106, the bottom end 108, the first end 102 and the
second end 104 of the second compartment 76 may be constructed from
any material suitable for luggage construction as known to one
having ordinary skill in the art. The present invention should not
be deemed as limited to a specific embodiment of the top end 106,
the bottom end 108, the first end 102 and the second end 104 of the
second compartment 76.
[0065] In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the top end 106, the
bottom end 108, the first end 102 and the second end 104 of the
second compartment 76 may be attached to and/or may extend from the
back side 36 of the first flap 24 in a direction toward the wall 8
of the case 2 to a point between the first flap 24 and the wall 8
of the case 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the length 87 of the second
compartment 76 may be less than the lengths 92, 88, 86 of the case
2, the first flap 24 and the second flap 26, respectively; the
width 95 of the second compartment 76 may be less than the widths
90, 91, 93 of the case 2, the first flap 24 and the second flap 26,
respectively; and the depth 94 of the second compartment 76 may be
less than the depth 96 of the case 2.
[0066] As a result, the second compartment 76 may extend into the
first volume of the first compartment 84 without catching and/or
snagging on the case 2 when the first flap 24 is maneuvered between
an open position and/or a closed position. As shown in FIGS. 1 and
4, the articles 80 that may be stored within the second compartment
76 may be protected by the first flap 24, the second flap 26, the
top end 106 of the second compartment 76, the bottom end 108 of the
second compartment 76, the first end 102 of the second compartment
76, the second end 104 of the second compartment 76 and further by
the walls 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 of the case 2. The second
compartment 76 may receive the articles 80 within the first volume
of the first compartment 84 from the second flap 26 inward to the
depth 94 from the second flap 26.
[0067] In an embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2 an 3, the second
compartment 76 may have a divider 58 that may be sized to fit
entirely within the second compartment 76. The divider 58 may have
a top end 60 and a bottom end 62 that may be positioned opposite to
the top end 60. The divider 58 may have a front side 64 and a back
side 66 that may be positioned opposite to the front side 64. The
divider 58 may be generally planar. The bottom end 62 of the
divider 58 may be attached to and/or integrally formed with the
bottom end 108 of the second compartment 76 between the second flap
26 and the back side 100 of the second compartment 76. The divider
58 may be constructed from a rigid material, a semi-rigid material,
a pliable material, an elastic material and/or may be constructed
from more than one material, such as, for example, corrugated
paper, plastic, nylon, rubber, wood and/or like material for
separating and/or restraining articles.
[0068] The front side 64 of the divider 58 may have one or more
holders 70 and/or one or more pockets 72 for holding and/or for
storing one or more of the articles 80. The divider 58 may restrict
one or more of the articles 80 within the first volume of the first
compartment 84 toward the back side 100 of the second compartment
76 and away from the second flap 26. AS illustrated in FIG. 2, the
top end 60 of the divider 58 may be secured to the top end 106 of
the second compartment 76 with a fastener 68, such as, for example,
a hook and loop fastener, a snap, a button and/or the like. As a
result, the divider 58 may further secure one or more of the
articles 80 away from the wall 6 of the case 2 toward an interior
of the case 2. The fastener 68 may be unsecured to allow access to
the articles 80 stored between the back side 66 of the divider 58
and the back side 100 of the second compartment 76.
[0069] In an embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the back
side 48 of the second flap 26 may have one or more holders 70
and/or pockets 72 for receiving and/or storing articles 80. The
holders 70 and/or the pockets 72 may be constructed in varying
sizes to secure, to organize and/or to restrain the articles 80. It
should be understood that the holders 70, the pockets 72, and the
fastener 68 may be any holders, pockets and/or fasteners,
respectively, as known to one having ordinary skill in the art.
[0070] As illustrated in FIG. 3, a system 54 may have the case 2
and a shuttle bag 74 that may be sized to fit within the second
compartment 76 that may be adjacent to the divider 58 between the
back side 66 of the divider 58 and the back side 100 of the second
compartment 76. The shuttle bag 74 may be, for example, a sleeve
having an open end that may be sized and/or shaped to receive, for
example, a laptop computer 81. In an embodiment, the shuttle bag 74
may be padded to further protect the laptop computer 81 and/or
other article. The shuttle bag 74 may have a flap 75 that may be
opened to receive the laptop computer 81 and/or other article
and/or closed to further protect the laptop computer 100 and/or
other article. It should be understood that the shuttle bag 74 may
be any sleeve that may be sized to fit into the second compartment
76 between the divider 58 and the back side 100 of the second
compartment 76 as known to one having ordinary skill in the art.
The present invention should not be limited to a specific
embodiment of the shuttle bag 74.
[0071] FIGS. 2 and 3 generally illustrate the case 2 and/or the
system 54 with various articles 80. FIG. 2 generally illustrates
positioning of the shuttle bag 74 between the divider 58 and the
back side 100 of the second compartment 76. FIG. 3 generally
illustrates insertion of the laptop computer 81 into the shuttle
bag 74. FIG. 3 generally illustrates positioning of the laptop
computer 81 into the shuttle bag 74 with various office-related
articles 80 in the second compartment 76. After the laptop computer
81 and/or the articles 80 may be placed in the second compartment
76, the fastener 68 may secure the shuttle bag 74 as shown in FIG.
2, the second flap 26 may be secured to the first flap 24 with the
fastener 29, and the second compartment 76 may be closed. Articles
(not shown), such as, for example, personal belongings may be
stowed in the first compartment 84.
[0072] In an embodiment, the first compartment 84 may have a bag 98
to store articles (not shown) and/or to secure articles (not shown)
within the first compartment 84. As shown in FIG. 1, the first flap
24 may be secured to the case 2 with the fastener 28 to close the
first compartment 84. During and/or after transportation of the
laptop computer 81 and/or the articles 80 in the case 2, a traveler
may access the laptop computer 81 and/or the articles 80 in the
second compartment 76 without opening the first compartment 84. The
walls 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 of the case 2, the material and geometry
of the second compartment 76, the first flap 24, the second flap 26
and/or the shuttle bag 74 may further protect the laptop computer
81 and/or the articles 80.
[0073] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described
herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes
and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention and without diminishing its
attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intended that such changes
and modifications be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *