U.S. patent application number 15/815467 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-16 for 2-in-1 luggage.
This patent application is currently assigned to Travelers Club Luggage, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Travelers Club Luggage, Inc.. Invention is credited to Peter YU.
Application Number | 20190142123 15/815467 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66432962 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190142123 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YU; Peter |
May 16, 2019 |
2-IN-1 LUGGAGE
Abstract
A luggage container includes a first compartment and a second
compartment detachably coupled to the first compartment, and each
of the first compartment and the second compartment includes an
outer shell, a pair of wheels, a telescopic pull handle, at least
one carrying handle, at least one foot stand, and an inner shell.
The inner shell is: sized to cover a first storage space formed by
an inner layer covering an inner surface of the outer shell;
concealed when the luggage container is closed in a single
container configuration in which the first compartment and the
second compartment are coupled via a fastener; and exposed in a
dual container configuration in which the first compartment and the
second compartment are completely detached from each other when the
fastener is open, the inner shell serving as another outer shell
for the first or second compartment in the dual container
configuration.
Inventors: |
YU; Peter; (La Palma,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Travelers Club Luggage, Inc. |
La Palma |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Travelers Club Luggage,
Inc.
La Palma
CA
|
Family ID: |
66432962 |
Appl. No.: |
15/815467 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/108 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 5/14 20130101; A45C
7/0045 20130101; A45C 5/06 20130101; A45C 13/103 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 7/00 20060101
A45C007/00; A45C 5/06 20060101 A45C005/06; A45C 13/10 20060101
A45C013/10 |
Claims
1. A luggage container comprising: a first compartment; and a
second compartment detachably coupled to the first compartment,
wherein at least one of the first compartment and the second
compartment comprises: an outer shell; a pair of wheels; a
telescopic pull handle that is retractable and extendable; at least
one foot stand; and an inner shell that is: sized to cover a first
storage space formed by an inner layer covering an inner surface of
the outer shell; concealed when the luggage container is closed in
a single container configuration in which the first compartment and
the second compartment are coupled via a fastener; and exposed in a
dual container configuration in which the first compartment and the
second compartment are completely detached from each other when the
fastener is open, the inner shell serving as another outer shell
for the first or second compartment in the dual container
configuration, and wherein the inner shell comprises: an outer
portion having an opening formed at a substantially central area of
the outer portion, wherein each of four outer sides of the outer
portion is coupled to a top portion of a corresponding side of the
inner layer; and an inner portion sized to fit the opening of the
outer portion, wherein one of four sides of the inner portion is
coupled to one of four inner sides of the outer portion, and a
first row of zipper is formed along remaining three sides of the
inner portion, the first row of zipper teeth corresponding to a
second row of zipper teeth formed along remaining three inner sides
of the outer portion such that at least one slider moves along a
track formed by the first and second rows of zipper teeth.
2. The luggage container of claim 1, wherein: the outer shell
comprises a hard shell made of a rigid material; and the inner
shell comprises a soft shell made of a flexible soft material.
3. The luggage container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
first compartment and the second compartment further comprises at
least one carrying handle.
4. The luggage container of claim 1, wherein the inner shell is
further sized to form a second storage space in addition to the
first storage space.
5. The luggage container of claim 4, wherein a size of the second
storage space is substantially equal to or greater than a size of
the first storage space.
6. The luggage container of claim 4, wherein the luggage container
further comprises a container or box that is sized to fit into the
first and second storage space such that contents can be put into
the container or box to be placed in the first or second
compartment.
7. The luggage container of claim 6, wherein the container or box
has a lid that can be open to receive the contents.
8. The luggage container of claim 6, wherein the container or box
is foldable such that the container or box can be stored in the
luggage container in a folded form.
9. The luggage container of claim 6, wherein the container or box
is made of a material that is pliable in response to an applied
force.
10. The luggage container of claim 9, wherein the material
comprises a hard material including plastic.
11. The luggage container of claim 1, wherein: each of the first
compartment and the second compartment further comprises a fastener
strap; one end of the fastener strap is coupled to a top portion of
a first side of the inner layer and the other end of the fastener
strap is coupled to a top portion of a second side of the inner
layer that faces the first side; and the fastener strap comprises a
first locking structure and a second locking structure configured
to be inserted into the first locking structure.
12. The luggage container of claim 11, wherein: the fastener strap
is configured to be adjusted to fasten over the inner shell in the
dual container configuration; and the fastener strap is exposed in
the dual container configuration.
13. The luggage container of claim 1, wherein: the luggage
container is not sized to be carry-on luggage in the single
container configuration; and each of the first and second
compartments is sized to be carry-on luggage in the dual container
configuration.
14. The luggage container of claim 1, wherein the fastener
comprises a zipper.
15. The luggage container of claim 14, wherein the zipper
comprises: a third row of zipper teeth formed on the first
compartment; a fourth row of zipper teeth formed on the second
compartment; a first slider coupled to the third row of zipper; and
a second slider coupled to the fourth row of zipper.
16. The luggage container of claim 15, wherein a first end portion
of the third row of zipper and a second end portion of the third
row of zipper overlap such that double rows are formed on the first
compartment for a section that is less than 20 cm and greater than
10 cm.
17. The luggage container of claim 15, wherein: the first slider
remains coupled to the third row of zipper when the first
compartment is in an independent form in the double container
configuration; and the second slider remains coupled to the fourth
row of zipper when the second compartment is in an independent form
in the double container configuration.
18. The luggage container of claim 15, further comprising a zip
lock formed on one of the first compartment or the second
compartment, wherein the first slider and the second slider are
inserted into the zip lock to secure the sliders when the zipper is
closed in the single container configuration.
19. The luggage container of claim 14, wherein the first storage
spaces of the first and second compartments are accessible when the
zipper is at least partially open in the single container
configuration.
20. The luggage container of claim 1, wherein the one of the four
sides of the inner portion is stitched to the one of the four inner
sides of the outer portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field
[0001] The present invention relates generally to luggage
containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to
luggage that can be transformed into two separate pieces such that
each piece can be used as individual luggage on its own.
Background
[0002] A challenge to traveling has always been carrying one's
belongings in the most efficient and easy manner. To meet this
challenge, expandable luggage designs have appeared in the prior
art to allow carrying additional items when expanded. However,
prior art designs merely allow expansion of a limited portion of
the luggage to a certain degree such that the storage space of the
expanded luggage may not be sufficient to accommodate extra
contents that require a larger storage space. Further, even if
luggage may be expanded sufficiently to accommodate a large amount
of contents, such expanded luggage may not satisfy size and/or
weight limitations required for checking in baggage for air
travel.
[0003] Moreover, recently, airlines started charging checked
baggage fees even for a first checked bag. Therefore, whenever a
bag is checked, the checked baggage fee may be burdensome to some
travelers. For that reason, now many travelers try to reduce the
size of their luggage so that they can carry on their luggage
without paying the checked baggage fees. However, if the size of a
luggage container surpasses the size limitation, such luggage
container must be checked at an airport regardless of the amount of
actual contents in the luggage container. Therefore, a solution is
necessary to avoid such inconvenience and burden arising due to the
size of luggage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are
directed to an improved luggage apparatus that substantially
obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and
disadvantages of the related art. According to one embodiment of
the present invention, a luggage container includes a first
compartment and a second compartment detachably coupled to the
first compartment, and each of the first compartment and the second
compartment includes an outer shell, a pair of wheels, a telescopic
pull handle that is retractable and extendable, at least one
carrying handle, at least one foot stand, and an inner shell that
is: sized to cover a first storage space formed by an inner layer
covering an inner surface of the outer shell; concealed when the
luggage container is closed in a single container configuration in
which the first compartment and the second compartment are coupled
via a fastener; and exposed in a dual container configuration in
which the first compartment and the second compartment are
completely detached from each other when the fastener is open, the
inner shell serving as another outer shell for the first or second
compartment in the dual container configuration.
[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, the inner shell
includes: an outer portion having an opening formed at a
substantially central area of the outer portion, wherein each of
four outer sides of the outer portion is coupled to a top portion
of a corresponding side of the inner layer; and an inner portion
sized to fit the opening of the outer portion, wherein one of four
sides of the inner portion is coupled to one of four inner sides of
the outer portion, and a first row of zipper is formed along
remaining three sides of the inner portion, the first row of zipper
teeth corresponding to a second row of zipper teeth formed along
remaining three inner sides of the outer portion such that at least
one slider moves along a track formed by the first and second rows
of zipper teeth.
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, the outer shell
includes a hard shell made of a rigid material. In one aspect of
the present invention, the inner shell includes a soft shell made
of a flexible soft material. In one aspect of the present
invention, the inner shell is further sized to form a second
storage space in addition to the first storage space. In one aspect
of the present invention, a size of the second storage space is
substantially equal to or greater than a size of the first storage
space.
[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, the luggage
container further includes a container or box that is sized to fit
into the first and second storage space such that contents can be
put into the container or box to be placed in the first or second
compartment. In one aspect of the present invention, the container
or box has a lid that can be open to receive the contents. In one
aspect of the present invention, the container or box is foldable
such that the container or box can be stored in the luggage
container in a folded form. In one aspect of the present invention,
the container or box is made of a material that is resistant to
breakage. In one aspect of the present invention, the material
includes a hard material including plastic.
[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, each of the first
compartment and the second compartment further includes a fastener
strap; one end of the fastener strap is coupled to a top portion of
a first side of the inner layer and the other end of the fastener
strap is coupled to a top portion of a second side of the inner
layer that faces the first side; and the fastener strap includes a
first locking structure and a second locking structure configured
to be inserted into the first locking structure. In one aspect of
the present invention, the fastener strap is configured to be
adjusted to fasten over the inner shell in the dual container
configuration; and the fastener strap is exposed in the dual
container configuration.
[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the luggage
container is not sized to be carry-on luggage in the single
container configuration, and each of the first and second
compartments is sized to be carry-on luggage in the dual container
configuration. In one aspect of the present invention, the fastener
includes a zipper. In one aspect of the present invention, the
zipper includes a third row of zipper teeth formed on the first
compartment; a fourth row of zipper teeth formed on the second
compartment; a first slider coupled to the third row of zipper; and
a second slider coupled to the fourth row of zipper. In one aspect
of the present invention, a first end portion of the third row of
zipper and a second end portion of the third row of zipper overlap
such that double rows are formed on the first compartment for a
section that is less than 20 cm and greater than 10 cm. In one
aspect of the present invention, the first slider remains coupled
to the third row of zipper when the first compartment is in an
independent form in the double container configuration; and the
second slider remains coupled to the fourth row of zipper when the
second compartment is in an independent form in the double
container configuration.
[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, the luggage
container further includes a zip lock formed on one of the first
compartment or the second compartment, wherein the first slider and
the second slider are inserted into the zip lock to secure the
sliders when the zipper is closed in the single container
configuration. In one aspect of the present invention, the first
storage spaces of the first and second compartments are accessible
when the zipper is at least partially open in the single container
configuration. In one aspect of the present invention, the one of
the four sides of the inner portion is stitched to the one of the
four inner sides of the outer portion.
[0011] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be
apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention
will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed
out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the
appended drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that both the
foregoing general description and the following detailed
description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to
provide a further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1A shows a 2-in-1 luggage container that is in a single
container configuration and in a closed configuration according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 1B shows a 2-in-1 luggage container that is in a single
container configuration and in an open configuration according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2A shows a 2-in-1 luggage container that is in a dual
container configuration and in a closed configuration according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2B shows a 2-in-1 luggage container that is in a dual
container configuration and in an open configuration according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with
respect to the embodiment(s) illustrated in the annexed
drawings.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1A-2B, a luggage container 100 includes a
first compartment 101 and a second compartment 102 detachably
coupled to the first compartment. The first compartment 101 and the
second compartment 102 form a single luggage container when they
are coupled together or in a single container configuration.
Further, each of the first compartment 101 and the second
compartment 102 is configured to be used as a single luggage
container without requiring the other compartment when they are
completely detached from one another or in a dual container
configuration.
[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of
the first compartment 101 and the second compartment 102 includes
an outer shell 141 or 142, a pair of wheels 121 or 122, a
telescopic pull handle 111 or 112 that is retractable and
extendable, at least one carrying handle 131 or 132, at least one
foot stand, and an inner shell 151 or 152. According to an
embodiment of the present invention, the inner shell 151 or 152 is
sized to cover a first storage space formed by an inner layer
covering an inner surface of the outer shell 141 or 142. Further,
the inner shell 151 or 152 is concealed when the luggage container
100 is closed in a single container configuration in which the
first compartment 101 and the second compartment 102 are coupled
via a fastener 103. Furthermore, the inner shell 151 or 152 is
exposed in a dual container configuration in which the first
compartment 101 and the second compartment 102 are completely
detached from each other when the fastener 103 is open, the inner
shell serving as another outer shell for the first or second
compartment in the dual container configuration.
[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the fastener 103
may be a zipper. For example, the zipper includes a third row of
zipper teeth formed on the first compartment, a fourth row of
zipper teeth formed on the second compartment, a first slider
coupled to the third row of zipper, and a second slider coupled to
the fourth row of zipper. In one aspect of the present invention, a
first end portion of the third row of zipper and a second end
portion of the third row of zipper overlap such that double rows
are formed on the first compartment for a section that is less than
20 cm and greater than 10 cm.
[0020] Further, according to an embodiment of the present
invention, the first slider remains coupled to the third row of
zipper when the first compartment is in an independent form in the
double container configuration, and the second slider remains
coupled to the fourth row of zipper when the second compartment is
in an independent form in the double container configuration. The
luggage container 100 may also include a zip lock 105 formed on one
of the first compartment or the second compartment 101 or 102,
wherein the first slider and the second slider are inserted into
the zip lock to secure the sliders when the zipper is closed in the
single container configuration. The first storage spaces of the
first and second compartments 101, 102 are accessible when the
zipper is at least partially open in the single container
configuration.
[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
inner shell 151 or 152 includes an outer portion 151-1 or 152-1
having an opening formed at a substantially central area of the
outer portion, wherein each of four outer sides of the outer
portion is coupled to a top portion of a corresponding side of the
inner layer and an inner portion 151-2 or 152-2 sized to fit the
opening of the outer portion. According to an embodiment of the
present invention, one of four sides of the inner portion 151-1 or
152-2 is coupled to one of four inner sides of the outer portion
151-1 or 152-1, and a first row of zipper is formed along remaining
three sides of the inner portion, the first row of zipper teeth
corresponding to a second row of zipper teeth formed along
remaining three inner sides of the outer portion such that at least
one slider moves along a track 151-3 or 152-3 formed by the first
and second rows of zipper teeth. For example, the one of the four
sides of the inner portion 151-2 or 152-2 may be stitched to the
one of the four inner sides of the outer portion 151-1 or 152-1. In
FIG. 2B, the opening of the outer portion 151-1 is open because the
track 151-3 is not zipped by a slider, and the opening of the outer
portion 152-1 is closed by the inner portion 152-2 because the
track 152-3 is zipped by the at least one slider.
[0022] In one aspect of the present invention, the outer shell 141
or 142 includes a hard shell made of a rigid material. In one
aspect of the present invention, the inner shell 151 or 152
includes a soft shell made of a flexible soft material. Therefore,
when the luggage container 100 is in the dual luggage
configuration, at least one of the first or second compartment 101
or 102 may be made of two different materials, i.e., a hard outer
shell 141 or 142 and a soft inner shell 151 or 152. In another
aspect of the present invention, the inner shell 151 or 152 is
further sized to form a second storage space in addition to the
first storage space. A size of the second storage space is variable
based on how much the inner shell 151 or 152 is expanded according
to a size of content stored in the second storage space. For
example, the size of the second storage space may be substantially
equal to or greater than a size of the first storage space based on
a size of the inner shell 151 or 152.
[0023] In another embodiment of the present invention, the luggage
container 100 may also include a container or box that is sized to
fit into the first and second storage space such that contents can
be put into the container or box to be placed in the first or
second compartment 101 or 102. When the inner shell 151 or 152 is
made of soft material such as cloth or other fabric, the included
container or box provides a defined shape for the second storage
space regardless of an amount of actual contents to be put in the
first or second compartment 101 or 102 that is in the dual
container configuration such that the shape of the first or second
compartment 101 or 102 is consistently maintained by the container
or box placed therein. For example, the container or box has a lid
that can be open to receive the contents and the container or box
with the lid closed may be put into the first or second compartment
101 or 102 via the opening of the outer portion 151-1 or 152-1, the
inner portion 151-2 or 152-2 closing the opening. The container or
box may be foldable such that the container or box may be stored in
the luggage container 100 in a folded form or the container or box
may be made of a material that is resistant to breakage such as a
hard material including plastic.
[0024] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the
first compartment 101 and the second compartment 102 may further
include a fastener strap 104 such that one end of the fastener
strap is coupled to a top portion of a first side of the inner
layer and the other end of the fastener strap is coupled to a top
portion of a second side of the inner layer that faces the first
side, the fastener strap including a first locking structure and a
second locking structure configured to be inserted into the first
locking structure. Based on the size of the inner shell 151 or 152
that is made of soft material, the second storage space may have an
empty or remaining space when the second storage space is not fully
filled with contents. Therefore, the fastener strap 104 is
configured to be adjusted to fasten over the inner shell 151 or 152
in the dual container configuration, the fastener strap exposed
externally in the dual container configuration. The fastener strap
104 may also be used even when the luggage container 100 is in the
single container configuration, the fastener strap remaining within
the luggage container when the luggage container is in the closed
configuration.
[0025] In one embodiment of the present invention, the luggage
container 100 is not sized to be carry-on luggage in the single
container configuration. That is, the size of the luggage container
100 in the single container configuration may be larger than the
size permitted for carry on.
[0026] However, each of the first and second compartments 101 and
102 is individually sized to be carry-on luggage in the dual
container configuration. As shown in FIG. 2B, the telescopic pull
handles 111 and 112 may be pulled out to be extended so that each
of the first and second compartments 101 and 102 can be pulled
using the extended handle 111 or 112 and the wheels 121 or 122.
[0027] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative
embodiments exist from the above description of the embodiments
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In
addition, luggage may be made with any material that is suitable.
The luggage described herein may be of any sizes and for example,
the luggage includes wheeled or non-wheeled luggage, soft or hard
side luggage, a trunk, a suitcase, a garment bag, a tote, a duffle
back, a backpack, and any types of bags.
[0028] Therefore, the foregoing description of the preferred
embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of
illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive
or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited
not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended
hereto. The above specification and examples provide a complete
description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the
invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the
invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
* * * * *