U.S. patent application number 17/537915 was filed with the patent office on 2022-06-02 for luggage system with removable clothing rack and method of use.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sanni McKelvey, Stephen R. McKelvey. Invention is credited to Sanni McKelvey, Stephen R. McKelvey.
Application Number | 20220167719 17/537915 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220167719 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McKelvey; Sanni ; et
al. |
June 2, 2022 |
LUGGAGE SYSTEM WITH REMOVABLE CLOTHING RACK AND METHOD OF USE
Abstract
A rigid piece of luggage with a pair of removable, telescoping
posts which suspend a clothing rack above the luggage. This allows
the user to place wardrobe changes in an organized and
ready-to-wear orientation for dance competitions, plays, or other
events where the user needs quick access to clothing. This could
also be used for regular travel for hanging clothes directly from
the user's luggage. The telescoping pole has a base which snaps
into receivers within the luggage and which then can be telescoped
upward to suspend the clothing rack. A cover can seal the receiver
when not in use. A button can be depressed to release the
telescoping arms, or the spring element could include that
functionality itself. A curtain could be used with the clothing
rack for privacy on-the-go.
Inventors: |
McKelvey; Sanni; (Leawood,
KS) ; McKelvey; Stephen R.; (Leawood, KS) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
McKelvey; Sanni
McKelvey; Stephen R. |
Leawood
Leawood |
KS
KS |
US
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/537915 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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63119415 |
Nov 30, 2020 |
|
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International
Class: |
A45C 9/00 20060101
A45C009/00; A45C 5/03 20060101 A45C005/03; A45C 5/14 20060101
A45C005/14; A45C 5/06 20060101 A45C005/06 |
Claims
1. A luggage system for a hard-cased piece of luggage having an
exterior face and an interior compartment, the luggage system
comprising: a pair of receiver cavities having a floor near a
bottom of the piece of luggage and a top opening near a top of said
piece of luggage; a pair of telescoping arms, each one of said pair
of telescoping arms being deployed within a respective one of said
pair of receiver cavities; each of said pair of receiver cavities
including a spring element deployed between said floor of the
respective one of said pair of receiver cavities and a bottom end
of the respective one of said pair of telescoping arms; wherein
said luggage system is configured to be transformed between a
first, stored orientation and a second, deployed orientation; each
respective one of said pair of telescoping arms configured to be
released from within the respective one of said pair of receiver
cavities, thereby transforming said luggage system from said first,
stored orientation and said second, deployed orientation; and a
clothing rack configured to be connected to a top end of each of
said pair of telescoping arms when said luggage system is
transformed into said second, deployed orientation.
2. The luggage system of claim 1, further comprising: each top
opening of each respective one of said pair of receiver cavities
comprising a cap configured to be placed over the respective to
opening; and said cap configured to selectively seal said top
opening.
3. The luggage system of claim 1, further comprising: each of said
pair of receiver cavities including a button configured to retain
the respective one of said pair of telescoping arms within the
respective one of said receiver cavities; and each said button
configured to release the respective one of said pair of
telescoping arms from within the respective one of said pair of
receiver cavities, thereby transforming said luggage system from
said first, stored orientation and said second, deployed
orientation.
4. The luggage system of claim 3, wherein each said button
accessible via said interior compartment of said piece of
luggage
5. The luggage system of claim 3, wherein each said button is
placed on a top face of the respective telescoping arm.
6. The luggage system of claim 1, further comprising: each said
spring element having a first, locked position and a second,
unlocked position; each said spring element configured to be
transformed from said first, locked position to said second,
unlocked position by pressing downward against the respective one
of said pair of telescoping arms located above the respective said
spring element; each said spring element thereby configured to
release the respective one of said pair of telescoping arms from
within the respective one of said pair of receiver cavities,
thereby transforming said luggage system from said first, stored
orientation and said second, deployed orientation; and each said
spring element configured to be transformed from said second,
unlocked position to said first, locked position by pressing
downward against the respective one of said pair of telescoping
arms located above the respective said spring element a second
time.
7. The luggage system of claim 1, further comprising at least two
roller wheels configured to allow the hard-cased piece of luggage
to be rolled.
8. The luggage system of claim 1, further comprising at least one
exterior storage compartment located on an exterior face of the
hard-cased piece of luggage.
9. A luggage system for a hard-cased piece of luggage having an
exterior face and an interior compartment, the luggage system
comprising: a pair of receiver cavities having a floor near a
bottom of the piece of luggage and to top opening near a top of
said piece of luggage; a pair of telescoping arms, each one of said
pair of telescoping arms being deployed within a respective one of
said pair of receiver cavities; each of said pair of receiver
cavities including a button configured to retain the respective one
of said pair of telescoping arms within the respective one of said
receiver cavities; each of said pair of receiver cavities including
a spring element deployed between said floor of the respective one
of said pair of receiver cavities and a bottom end of the
respective one of said pair of telescoping arms; wherein said
luggage system is configured to be transformed between a first,
stored orientation and a second, deployed orientation; each said
button configured to release the respective one of said pair of
telescoping arms from within the respective one of said pair of
receiver cavities, thereby transforming said luggage system from
said first, stored orientation and said second, deployed
orientation; and a clothing rack configured to be connected to a
top end of each of said pair of telescoping arms when said luggage
system is transformed into said second, deployed orientation.
10. The luggage system of claim 9, wherein each said button
accessible via said interior compartment of said piece of
luggage
11. The luggage system of claim 9, wherein each said button is
placed on a top face of the respective telescoping arm.
12. A luggage system for a hard-cased piece of luggage having an
exterior face and an interior compartment, the luggage system
comprising: a pair of receiver cavities having a floor near a
bottom of the piece of luggage and a top opening near a top of said
piece of luggage; a pair of telescoping arms, each one of said pair
of telescoping arms being deployed within a respective one of said
pair of receiver cavities; each of said pair of receiver cavities
including a spring element deployed between said floor of the
respective one of said pair of receiver cavities and a bottom end
of the respective one of said pair of telescoping arms; each said
spring element having a first, locked position and a second,
unlocked position; each said spring element configured to be
transformed from said first, locked position to said second,
unlocked position by pressing downward against the respective one
of said pair of telescoping arms located above the respective said
spring element; each said spring element thereby configured to
release the respective one of said pair of telescoping arms from
within the respective one of said pair of receiver cavities,
thereby transforming said luggage system from said first, stored
orientation and said second, deployed orientation; each said spring
element configured to be transformed from said second, unlocked
position to said first, locked position by pressing downward
against the respective one of said pair of telescoping arms located
above the respective said spring element a second time; and a
clothing rack configured to be connected to a top end of each of
said pair of telescoping arms when said luggage system is
transformed into said second, deployed orientation.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 63/119,415 Filed Nov. 30, 2020, which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a luggage system
and method for use thereof, and more specifically to a rigid
luggage system with removable posts for a clothes-hanging rack and
containment system thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] Dancers, performers, travelers, or anyone else often need to
quickly change clothing or costumes in public places. Typical
luggage requires the user to sift through piles of clothing to find
the correct article. Existing luggage with wardrobe attachments
require the wardrobe bar to extend from the storage compartment of
the luggage, rendering the luggage unable to close while the
wardrobe feature is in use. Further, these wardrobe features are
typically made to be as lightweight and cheaply as possible,
typically having a single structural post extending away from the
luggage on either side of the crossbar. While the luggage is open,
contents stored within are susceptible to theft.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention generally provides a rigid piece of
luggage with a pair of removable, telescoping posts which suspend a
clothing rack above the luggage. This allows the user to place
wardrobe changes in an organized and ready-to-wear orientation for
dance competitions, plays, or other events where the user needs
quick access to clothing. This could also be used for regular
travel for hanging clothes directly from the user's luggage.
[0005] The telescoping pole has a base which snaps into receivers
within the luggage and which then can be telescoped upward to
suspend the clothing rack. A cover can seal the receiver when not
in use. A button on the inside of the luggage can be depressed to
release the telescoping arms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating
various objects and features thereof.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view of a preferred embodiment
of the present invention shown in a first, stored orientation.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a detailed view taken about the circle of FIG.
1.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a detailed view taken about the circle of FIG.
1.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded three-dimensional view of the
embodiment of FIG. 1 shown in a second, extended orientation.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view thereof.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
I. Introduction and Environment
[0013] As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are
disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may
be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and
functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as
limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
[0014] Certain terminology will be used in the following
description for convenience in reference only and will not be
limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer
to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The
words, "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer to directions toward and
away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being
described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly
are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if
appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically
mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.
II. Preferred Embodiment Luggage System 2 with Suspended Clothing
Rack 26
[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, the present invention provides a
piece of luggage 2 with a pair of receiver cavities 14 each
terminating in a receiver cap 6. Each cavity can receive one
telescoping arm 20, made of a number of interlocking segments 22,
which is inserted into engaged with a respective receiver. The arms
can telescope upward, as shown in FIG. 4, to suspend a clothing
rack 26 above the luggage. Clothing can be hung from the rack with
or without hangers.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the receiver cap 6 can have a cover 12
for closing the top opening 8 of the receiver cavity 14. The
receiver cavity 14 is accessible has a hollow interior 10 housing
the telescoping arm when in a first, stored orientation. The cover
12 could be closed with or without the telescoping arm inserted
into the receiver. A button 16 or other release mechanism can be
used to release the telescoping arm from within the receiver. As
shown, the user would open the luggage case 4 via the opening 5 and
access the button 16 on the interior of the luggage case 4. Once
done, this would activate a spring element 18 at the base of the
receiver cavity 14 as shown in more detail in FIG. 3.
[0017] When the button 16 is pressed, the spring element 18 pushes
the telescoping arm 20 upwards out of the top opening 8 such that
the user can then telescope the arms 20 upwards, the individual
sections 22 locking into their respective places. An embodiment
could include an automatically telescoping arm using multiple such
spring elements. When the arms 20 are pressed back within the
receiver cavities 14 fully, returning the luggage system 2 to a
first, stored orientation, the button 16 will lock the arms 20 into
place, with the spring element 18 locked in a ready position.
[0018] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, a button 17 may be
located at the top of the telescoping arm 20. When this button 17
is pressed, the spring element 18 again would unlock, pushing the
arm up and out of the receiver cavities 14. When pushed back down,
the spring element 18 would then lock in place.
[0019] The spring element 18 as shown in FIG. 3 has a base 23 which
is set against the bottom of the receiver cavity 14. A spring 24
connects the base to a top platform 21 which is set against the
bottom edge of the bottom-most arm 20 segment 22. When pressed down
and locked into place via the button 16, the arm 20 will keep the
spring 23 depressed and ready to push the arm 20 upwards when the
button 17 is depressed.
[0020] The clothing rack 26 may be inserted onto the tops of the
arms 20 using rack receivers 28 which connect to the top ends of
the upper-most arm 20 segments 22. Alternatively, the arms 20 may
have folding elements which can form the clothing rack, or some
other suitable means of retaining a clothing rack about the tops of
the arms 20 could be employed. For added, on-the-go privacy, a
curtain (not shown) could be added to the clothing rack 26 for a
fast-changing room.
[0021] In an alternative embodiment, the spring element 18 could be
a spring-loaded pop-up button rather than relying on the internal
button 16. The spring element 18 can have two orientations: a
first, locked orientation where the telescoping arm 20 is locked
down within the receiver cavity 14, and a second, popped-up
orientation where the telescoping arm 20 is pressed downwardly
against the spring element 18, thereby unlocking the spring element
18 and popping the arm 20 up out of the top opening 8 of the
receiver cavity 14. When pressed again, the spring element 18 would
lock back down with the telescoping arm secured within the cavity.
When the telescoping arm is pulled out of the cavity, the various
segments 22 lock into place as shown in FIGS. 4-6.
[0022] It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or
aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the
invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other
embodiments and aspects.
* * * * *