U.S. patent number 3,869,034 [Application Number 05/327,843] was granted by the patent office on 1975-03-04 for wardrobe apparel case.
Invention is credited to Henry M. Thornton, Jr..
United States Patent |
3,869,034 |
Thornton, Jr. |
March 4, 1975 |
Wardrobe apparel case
Abstract
A carrying case for clothing and apparel having compartments at
opposite sides of a center panel respectively (1) to accommodate
garments held on hangers and folded when the case is closed but
extended when the case is open and suspended, and (2) to contain
one or more trays to hold apparel and the like and arranged to be
extended horizontally when the case is open and suspended. An
elongated horizontal compartment is provided adjacent the normal
top panel of the case which extends for the full width thereof. A
cover of flexible material encloses the case and has side panels
adapted to be unfastened to expose and permit opposite sides of the
case to be opened when suspended with the normal bottom of the case
disposed uppermost.
Inventors: |
Thornton, Jr.; Henry M. (York,
PA) |
Family
ID: |
23278311 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/327,843 |
Filed: |
January 29, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/13R; 190/26;
190/111; 190/31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C
5/03 (20130101); A47B 61/06 (20130101); A45C
13/03 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
61/06 (20060101); A47B 61/00 (20060101); A45C
5/03 (20060101); A47b 061/02 (); A47b 061/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;190/3,4,5,6,7,9,10,13R,13B,13C,13D,13E,13F,13G,13H,31,34,35,17,41R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Norton; Donald F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Just; C. Hercus
Claims
I claim:
1. A suitcase for carrying wearing apparel and the like comprising
in combination, a substantially U-shaped frame having
longitudinally extending end panels and a connecting supporting
panel adapted when in one arrangement to be carried by a handle and
when in a second arrangement to be suspended from overhead means, a
dividing partition extending between said end panels intermediately
of the outer side edges thereof and perpendicular to said
connecting supporting panel and said end panels to provide a pair
of compartments in longitudinal back-to-back relationship, one or
more tray-like members each having a bottom panel, pivot means
connecting said tray-like member or members to said end panels of
said frame in one of said compartments for movement between a
compact folded position relative to said frame when said U-shaped
frame is arranged to be carried and an outwardly extended
substantially horizontal open position when said U-shaped frame is
suspended to provide convenient access to apparel contained in said
member or members, suspending means connected between said
tray-like member or members and said end panels of said U-shaped
frame and adapted to maintain said tray-like member or members in
said substantially horizontal open position relative to said frame
when the latter is suspended as aforesaid, and said other
compartment comprising a wardrobe compartment.
2. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which a plurality of
tray-like members are supported in said one of said compartments in
said U-shaped frame and said frame additionally having extension
means pivotally connected between one of said tray-like members and
said U-shaped frame and arranged to support said tray-like member
in spaced relationship below the other tray-like member when
extended to open position to facilitate ready access to said one of
said tray-like members when positioned horizontally relative to
said U-shaped frame and the latter is in suspended position.
3. The suitcase according to claim 2 in which said extension means
comprises a pair of parallel supporting links pivotally connected
at one end to said end panels of said U-shaped frame and the other
ends being connected to said one of said tray-like members.
4. The suitcase according to claim 3 in which said one of said
tray-like members is positioned in flatly abutting relation to said
other tray-like member when said tray-like members are positioned
in carrying position within said U-shaped frame.
5. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said pivot means by
which said tray-like members are pivotally connected to said end
members of said U-shaped frame are disconnectable to permit
separation of said tray-like members from said U-shaped frame to
facilitate access to said tray-like members for loading and
unloading the same.
6. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said wardrobe
compartment further includes means to support garments in hanging
condition within said compartment, said dividing partition having a
free edge substantially coextensive with the ends of said end
panels of said U-shaped frame, a side panel foldably interconnected
to the free edge of said partition and adapted to be disposed
selectively across the side face of said wardrobe compartment and
in a downwardly extending position when the suitcase is suspended
from the connecting supporting panel of said U-shaped frame,
thereby to expose garments within said compartment when said
enclosing panel is in said downwardly extending position.
7. The case according to claim 6 further including a bar extending
transversely across said wardrobe compartment adjacent and spaced
laterally from said dividing partition, said bar being adapted for
garments to be folded thereover incident to compactly storing the
same within said wardrobe compartment when closed by said side
panel.
8. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said connecting
supporting panel of said U-shaped frame is uppermost when suspended
vertically as aforesaid to permit movement of said tray-like
members to open position and comprises a bottom for said suitcase
disposed lowermost when said suitcase is being carried in closed
condition, the portion of said suitcase which is opposite to said
connecting supporting panel comprises the normal top of said
suitcase and further includes a carrying handle connected to said
normal top, whereby said connecting supporting panel of said
U-shaped frame of said case serves as a bottom of said case when
being carried by said handle, and foldable hook means connected to
said connecting supporting panel and operable to suspend the same
from overhead means when said suitcase is arranged with said
connecting supporting panel uppermost.
9. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said U-shaped frame
comprises a basic frame formed from a strip of material of
substantially uniform width and the ends thereof being bent from a
bight portion comprising said connecting supporting panel into
parallel relationship with each other to form said end panels of
substantially equal length, side panel members having similar edges
extending between and interconnectable to and foldable downwardly
from the outer ends of said end panels of said U-shaped frame from
enclosing positions for the sides of said compartments to open
positions to expose the contents of said compartments when said
connecting supporting panel of said frame is disposed uppermost,
and means to secure said side panel members in said enclosing
positions thereof between the edges of said end panels.
10. The suitcase according to claim 1 further including an
extendible bar mounted within said wardrobe compartment and adapted
to support garments in hanging condition by means of coat hangers
supported thereon, and the outer end of said extendible bar also
having hook means thereon adpated to engage support means such as a
hook or clothes pole when said suitcase is suspended therefrom and
thereby support the outer end of said extendible support bar
substantially in horizontal position and permit coat hangers to be
disposed thereon in spaced relationship while supporting garments
therefrom in freely hanging condition.
11. The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said dividing
partition has one edge positioned adjacent and substantially in
line with the outer ends of said end panels of said U-shaped frame,
and a carrying handle for said case interconnected to said edge of
said dividing partition, whereby said suitcase when carried is
positioned with said handle uppermost and the connecting supporting
panel of said U-shaped frame is lowermost.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The carrying of wearing apparel while traveling, including
temporarily storing the same during occupancy of hotel and motel
rooms has been a problem for many years with respect to removing
items of clothing therefrom and maintaining the apparel in neat,
smooth condition in which it is unwrinkled. There is especially the
very substantial problem and inconvenience of packing and unpacking
suitcases and similar containers in which the apparel is carried
while "living out of a suitcase" when traveling. Further, suitcases
in a hotel room are usually either in one's way or unsightly unless
completely or partially unpacked and, for example, placed under a
bed or in a closet. Locating and removing clothing from a packed or
partially unpacked suitcase is frequently difficult and causes
disarrangement and wrinkling. A suitcase simply is not a convenient
means for storing clothing in a hotel room under present
conditions, with present types of suitcases.
Arranging and maintaining certain articles of apparel not normally
carried or suspended on hangers, such as underclothes, stockings
and socks, night clothes, shirts and shirtwaists, handkerchiefs,
and numerous other items such as beauty preparations, shaving
equipment, etc., still offer many problems relative to packing and
maintaining the same in an orderly manner, especially for ready
availability when using conventional suitcases. Continual packing
and unpacking suitcases each night and morning is a great
inconvenience.
Due to the fact that the foregoing problems are so common and a
wide variety of people are familiar with the problems, many
solutions have been attempted which comprise the subject matter of
prior patents. Certain of these have included compartments within
which elongated garments are stored, in combination with additional
means to hold other items of apparel in more compact manner and in
various positions for accessibility. Included among these is U.S.
Pat. No. 842,277 to Villmow, dated Jan. 29, 1907, in which a
compartment is provided for elongated garments to be supported on
hangers and in at least partially folded condition within the
suitcase. There also is included a tray section somewhat resembling
a small suitcase in itself, which is pivotally connected to the
frame of the main suitcase and adapted to be pivotally moved from
and into enclosed position.
Another such patent is U.S. Pat. No. 1,292,493 to Logan, dated Jan.
28, 1919. This patent shows a suitcase having two similar, opposed
sections adapted to be folded apart relative to each other with
respect to a central section. An additional article-containing box
with a hinged cover is pivotally associated with the central
section and is adapted to contain smaller articles of clothing,
while the two side sections that are movable toward and from each
other are adapted to support elongated clothing in semi-folded
condition.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,796,961, to Ritter, dated Mar. 17, 1931, shows a
wardrobe case similar to that of the Villmow patent, but into which
further refinements have been introduced for purposes of rendering
articles of apparel stored in certain exposed compartments more
readily available than in the aforementioned patents when these
compartments are disposed in open position.
Still another patent of the type referred to is U.S. Pat. No.
2,036,346, to Meyer, dated Apr. 7, 1936. The wardrobe case or trunk
described in said patent primarily is adapted to hold elongated
garments in smoothly folded condition when the trunk or suitcase is
closed, but supports the same in hanging fashion from a coat hanger
within the case when the case is suspended from overhead means and
is disposed in open condition.
As modes of travel progress over the years, and also as new
materials for making wardrobe cases and suitcases become available,
the possibility for improving previous designs of these types of
apparel carrying means has increased to adapt the same to such
newer modes of travel, especially to permit the cases to withstand
handling to which they are subjected by modern conveyors, careless
porters, and otherwise. In view of this, the present invention has
been devised to constitute desired improvements over such
aforementioned prior devices, primarily for purposes of simplifying
construction, and particularly to render the packing, use, and
unpacking of suitcases more convenient and adapted to be undertaken
more readily than when using such previous designs of apparel
carrying cases. Such improved type of suitcase also is adapted to
contain a wide range of different types of clothing and apparel and
disposes all of the same readily available for access when the case
is open. No unpacking or repacking is necessary and the suitcase is
maintained in convenient and slightly condition by being suspended
on a hook or clothespole in a closet or alcove in a hotel room.
Details of the advantages and structure of the various embodiments
of said new wardrobe apparel case are set forth below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a
clothing or apparel case, essentially including two primary
compartments respectively disposed at opposite sides of the case
and separated by a suitable partition, whereby elongated clothing,
such as suits, dresses, and the like, may be carried in neatly
folded condition in one of said compartments, while the other
compartment houses one or more trays which are adapted to be
pivoted from compact, closed condition to horizontally extending,
open conditions so as to present the articles of clothing contained
therein handy for access, both when packing and unpacking the
same.
Another object of the invention is to provide a case of the type
referred to in which the basic frame may be U-shaped and the bight
panel portion thereof comprises the bottom of the case while it is
being carried by a handle provided along the opposite panel of the
case but said bight portion being disposed uppermost and adapted to
be connected to a supporting hook or clothes rod, whereby the case
is supported in depending manner to facilitate ready access to the
contents of the case when the various compartments thereof are
arranged in open condition.
A further object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary
compartment immediately adjacent and extending along the inner
surface of said bight portion of the U-shaped frame of the case,
said compartment being readily adapted to accomodate shoes, books,
toilet articles, and the like, which are of a somewhat bulky
nature.
Still another object of the invention is to support said
aforementioned trays by pivotal means within the frame of the case,
said pivot means also being adapted for separation of the trays
from the case to permit the same and the contents of the trays to
be placed directly in bureau drawers, as well as facilitate the
packing of the trays in a handy position prior to attaching the
same to the frame of the suitcase for compact arrangement therein,
the trays also including covers adapted to extend across the upper
face thereof and, thus, retain the articles packed therein
substantially within the positions in which they have been packed
under circumstances where the tray is pivotally moved to closed
position within the frame, in which it is disposed substantially
vertically in use while being carried or stored.
A still further object of the invention is to provide supporting
arrangements whereby one tray may be disposed a convenient distance
below another tray when the trays are opened for access, as when
the case is suspended from overhead means and the trays are
supported in outwardly projecting position.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an exterior
cover for the case which closely conforms thereto and may be
entirely removed from the case when desired, said cover having
opposite sides connected along its edges by slide fastening means
to the edges of a central panel which extends along the outer
surfaces of the U-shaped frame of the case, the arrangement of the
side panels of the cover being such that when the case is suspended
from overhead means and the oppostie sides thereof are to be opened
for access to the contents, the side panels of the cover may depend
vertically downward from the lowermost portion of the case and not
interfere with the opening of the compartments at opposite sides of
the case.
Still another object of the invention ancillary to the immediately
foregoing object is that the cover is provided with a reinforcing
strip which extends between the ends of the central panel to
provide means to which the opposite side panels of the cover may be
connected, said reinforcing strip also having a carrying handle
connected thereto, midway of its ends, for use when the cover is
closed, so as to completely cover the entire case, said cover also
having buttons on the central panel thereof upon which the case may
rest upon a supporting surface when the handle of the cover is
uppermost.
Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention, as well as
other objects thereof are set forth in the following specification
and illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprising a part
thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is perspective view of an exemplary wardrobe apparel case
embodying the principles of the present invention and showing the
case per se enclosed in a removable cover.
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the case
suspended from an overhead bar and one side of the cover being
disposed in depending, open position.
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing one of the trays
suspended downward from one of the side compartments of the
case.
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 and including the suspending bar
and in which an innermost tray is shown in open, outwardly
projecting position with respect to its compartment.
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the additional,
depending tray disposed in its open, outwardly projecting position
and in which the contents of both of the trays are readily
accessible, removable covers therefor being shown in extended and
partially fragmentary position.
FIG. 6 is a perspective, fragmentary view showing details of the
trays shown in FIGS. 3-5 and certain supporting means therefor.
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, perspective exploded view showing a cover
for one of the trays removed from its connecting means on the tray
to illustrate the removability of the cover.
FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, perspective view on a larger scale than
employed in FIG. 5 and illustrating further details of the trays
and the supporting means for said case.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, perspective exploded view showing details
of connecting means for lowermost tray shown in FIG. 8 with respect
to a link which supports said tray when in open position.
FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but illustrating the opposite
side of the case from that shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 10 being the first
of a series of views progressively illustrating details of
structure and function of the opposite side of the case from that
which contains the trays illustrated in the preceding figures.
FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but in which one side of the
cover for the case has been extended to open position and part of
the frame has been broken away to illustrate details of
structure.
FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 but in which a cover panel for
the illustrated side of the case has been moved to open, depending
position to support elongated garments, one of which is shown
supported from an extensible supporting bar and also illustrating
an overall overhead suspension bar upon which the extensible
supporting bar and the case are supported by hook means.
FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of the lower portion of
the case and cover shown in FIG. 10 and illustrating one embodiment
of carrying handle for the case.
FIG. 14 is a fragmentary plan view of an exemplary mechanism for
retaining coat hangers in desired position upon the interior
suspension rod illustrated in FIG. 12.
FIG. 15 is a fragmentary perspective view showing on a larger scale
than employed in FIG. 12 details of a clothing retaining bar around
which elongated clothing is adapted to be folded when stored within
the case in order to retain the clothing in straight condition.
FIG. is a perspective view of the cover per se for the apparel case
which is illustrated in separated condition from the case with the
sides extended to open position.
FIG. 17 is a fragmentary end elevation of the cover shown in FIG.
16.
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the case per se with the cover
removed and in condition to have the cover of FIG. 16 attached
thereto.
FIG. 19 is a side elevation of the cover shown in FIG. 16 with the
sides in closed position, the scale used in FIG. 19 being slightly
smaller than that of FIG. 16 and FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG. 1, the wardrobe apparel case comprising the
present invention is illustrated in what might be termed an
inverted position because it is in this position that the case is
intended to be used when suspended from a supporting hook, clothes
pole or otherwise, such as normally found in motel closets or
alcoves. In this figure, the case per se is illustrated as being
completely enclosed within a cover 10 which completely covers all
parts of the case. Said cover consists of a central panel 12 which
extends around the normal bottom of the case and along opposite
ends thereof, said bottom being shown uppermost in said figure.
Side panels 14 are connected to each other at one edge extending
along the normal top 16 of the case which is shown lowermost in
FIG. 1. The edges of the side panels 14 are connected to the
adjacent edges of the central panel 12 by rows of slide fastening
means 18, such as conventional zippers.
The side panels 14 not only extend along opposite side faces of the
case, but also partially across the normal top 16 to the median
line thereof, where the same are connected together and they also
preferably are connected to a reinforcing strip 20 which has
upturned end overlying portions of the terminal ends of the central
strip 12. The cover 10 may be formed from any suitable material
such as appropriate canvas, plastic-coated cloth, synthetic leather
type sheet material of which many commercial brands are available,
or flexible sheet plastic of appropriate composition. The outer
surfaces of some of all panels of the cover 10 may be decorated
appropriately both in regard to figures and/or colors. The
principal function of the cover 10 is to protect the case structure
contained therein, said case per se being best illustrated in FIG.
18. The cover 10 per se, in opened condition, is best shown in FIG.
16 and in this condition, it is in position to receive the case 22
shown in FIG. 18.
Referring to FIGS. 2-9 in particular, the case 22 comprises a
substantially U-shaped supporting frame 24 which preferably is of
substantially uniform width and comprises supporting means. Said
frame may be formed from any suitable durable material, such as
synthetic resin, reinforced, if desired, with glass fibers or
equivalent material; metal, especially light weight metal, such as
aluminum or magnesium; thin plywood formed into such U-shaped
configuration; or other appropriate material which is relatively
stiff and durable. The frame 24 comprises a bight portion or
connecting panel 26, which serves as the normal bottom of the case
when being carried and for purposes of resting the case upon a
supporting surface. Integrally connected to the bight portion or
connecting panel 26 at the opposite ends thereof are end panels 28
comprising so-called legs of said frame 24.
Extending continuously between end panels 28 is a partition 30
which, for example, may be formed from the same material as the
frame 24 or at least some other reasonably stiff material. The
partition 30 is preferably substantially as wide as the frame 24
and the ends of the partition are integrally connected thereto.
Said partition is spaced a limited distance from and is parallel to
the bight portion 26 of the frame 24 and forms an elongated
box-like compartment 32 of uniform height within which somewhat
bulky items, such as shoes, books, toilet kits, and the like may be
contained. Said compartment preferable is capable of being opened
at opposite sides, such as when the side panels 14 of cover 10 are
moved to open position, such as illustrated in exemplary manner in
FIG. 2 in which one of the covers 14 is so disposed.
Extending perpendicularly from the lower face of the partition 30,
as viewed in FIGS. 2-5, is a dividing partition 34, which may be
formed from relatively stiff material or otherwise. If desired, the
material may be the same as that from which the frame 24 and
partition 30 are formed. Said dividing partition is firmly
connected at one edge to the adjacent surface partition 30 and the
opposite edge thereof is co-extensive with the normal top 16 of the
case. The opposite ends of dividing partition 34 also preferably
are firmly connected to the inner surfaces of the end panels or
legs 28 of the U-shaped frame 24 substantially midway between the
outer side edges 35 thereof, as clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 11.
The partition 34, in its capacity of dividing the interior of the
case 22, forms a pair of compartments 36 and 38, which respectively
have separate functions to contain apparel and other articles of
clothing, described in deail hereinafter. They preferably are of
the same capacity and shape, although this is not to be considered
a critical limitation since the sizes, particularly the depths of
said compartments may vary to reasonable degrees. The function and
contents of compartment 38 are illustrated in detail in FIGS. 2-9,
which details are as follows:
The principal function of compartment 38 is to contain one or more
apparel-accommodating trays 40 and 42. Said trays preferably are
similar in shape, both as to plan view, as well as height. The
frames of the trays may be formed from any suitable relatively
stiff material, such as wood, light weight metal, formed from
suitable synthetic resin, composition board, or otherwise. The
bottom panel 44 of each tray preferably is formed from rigid or
semi-rigid light weight material, such as pressboard, sheet resin,
metal, or if desired, each of the entire trays 40 and 42 may be
molded in its entirety from synthetic resin. If desired, the bottom
panel may also be formed from flexible, fabric-like material,
especially if the frames are substantially rigid.
Each tray also preferably is provided with a flexible cover sheet
or net sheet 46 which is of complementary area to the upper face of
each tray. Referring to FIG. 7, it will be seen that the cover
sheet 46 may be secured detachably to the tray by suitable
snap-fasteners 48 of conventional co-engageable type. The outer
edge of each cover 46 also is provided with any appropriate type of
releasable fastener to secure the covers 46, preferably tautly,
over the tops of the trays. Said trays are highly suited to
accommodate items of apparel which are not of the hanging type, and
which, in general, are smaller in size than dresses and suits or
coats, for example.
The tray 40, which is uppermost when in open position, as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 8, is pivotally connected adjacent its inner edge to
the end panels 28 of frame 24. This may be accomplished by any
appropriate means which provide for quick disconnection and
reconnection. One suitable means comprises headed pins 49 which are
co-engageable with keyhole slots 50, see FIG. 8, provided
respectively in the opposite end side panels of tray 40. When tray
40 is folded into closed condition against partition 34, as shown
in FIG. 3, there is still space between the bottom panel 44 of said
tray and the outer edges of frame 24 to accommodate an additional
tray 42. Such accommodation is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6,
wherein the bottom panel 44 of said tray serves as an outer panel
for the compartment 38 as shown in FIG. 2. Another possible pivotal
supporting means for tray 40, not shown, could be a flexible strip
connected to the lower edge of partition 34 and detachably
connected to the inner frame member of tray 40.
Tray 42 is pivotally supported adjacent its rearward ends of the
sides of the frame thereof respectively by a pair of supporting
links 52 which comprise extension means and are connected at one
end by pins 54 to end panels 28 of frame 24, see FIG. 3. From FIG.
6, it will be seen that the other ends of links 52 are detachably
and pivotally connected to the sides of the frame of tray 42 by
suitable means such as headed pins 48 which fit into keyhole slots
50 in said other ends of the links, as shown in FIG. 9.
The tray 42, which is outermost when the trays are in closed
condition as shown in FIG. 2, is first pivotally moved outwardly
and downwardly to the position shown in FIG. 3. This then renders
tray 40 accessible. Both of the trays then are in position to be
moved to horizontally extended position such as shown in FIGS. 5
and 8. They are supported in such position by appropriate
suspending means 56 which may comprise, preferably flexible fabric
tapes woven from strong, durable fibers, such as Nylon, or they may
be formed from any other preferably flexible tape-like material
respectively fastened at opposite ends to the sides of the tray
frames and the inner surfaces of the end panels 28 of frame 24. One
connection of each of the tapes preferably should be of the readily
disengageable type, such as a snap fastener 58 shown in exemplary
manner in FIGS. 5 and 8. By virtue of the disconnectability of the
trays 40 and 42 from their supporting means and also the
disengagement of the suspending means 56 from each of said trays,
it is apparent that the trays readily may be removed entirely from
the case 22, such as for purposes of being placed within a bureau
drawer in a motel or hotel, for example, or they may similarly be
removed for packing purposes prior to installing them in the case
frame 24. It also will be seen that when the frame 24 is suspended
from suitable overhead supporting means, such as a hook, or a
clothes pole 60, which is shown in exemplary manner in FIGS. 2, 3
and 12, the movement of the trays 40 and 42 between stored and
opened position readily is feasible. If desired to use the trays as
temporary storage means, such as while occupying a hotel room, for
example, the case may be suspended in the manner illustrated in
FIGS. 2-5, by means of a hook 62, which is preferably swivelly
connected to the bight portion 26 of the U-shaped frame 24. Due to
the fact that said bight portion normally is the lower portion or
bottom of the case when being carried, it is preferred that the
hook 62 may be held in flat condition, such as shown in FIG. 1, by
a suitable strap 64 or equivalent securing means. A latch 86, see
FIGS. 6 and 8, secures trays 40 and 42 in closed position.
Referring now to the details of compartment 36, attention is
directed to FIGS. 10-15. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, compartment
32 preferably extends entirely between the end panels 28 in
lengthwise direction, and the crosswise, it is as wide as the
transverse dimension of the U-shaped frame 24. Also, partition 34
forms the rear wall of compartment 36 as viewed in FIG. 12. Said
compartment primarily is intended to contain larger items of
apparel such as suits, coats, dresses, and the like which, at least
in general, usually require at least one fold to be formed in the
garment incident to packing within the compartment 36. Such
exemplary garment 66 is illustrated in exemplary manner in hanging
condition in FIG. 12. For convenience, garments of this type
normally are suspended initially upon coat hangers 68 and to
accommodate the same, the compartment 36 is provided with an
appropriate fixed bar 70, which is best shown in FIG. 12. The same
also has an extendible portion 72 thereon which may be either
foldable or telescopically contractable and expandable. The
extendible bar 72 also has a hook 74 mounted on the outer end
thereof which is adapted to be engaged with another overhead hook
or other suitable support such as a clothes pole 60 and thereby
afford reasonable latitude for coat hangers 68 to be separated
along the extendible bar 72 and thus maintain the clothes in freely
hanging, unfolded condition, such as when the case 22 is supported
in the manner shown in FIG. 12. The hooks of the coat hangers 68
may be retained upon fixed bar 70 by a suitable pivoted clip
element 71, as shown fragmentarily in FIG. 14 in top plan view.
Compartment 36, as seen from FIG. 11, has an outer panel 74 which,
like panels 34 of trays 40 and 42 may be either soft and flexible
or formed from rigid sheet material similar to that from which
partition 34 or the tray bottoms 44 are formed, or otherwise. Such
panels should be reasonably rugged so as to be capable of
sustaining limited shock in normal use. One edge of the panel 74 is
provided preferably with a flexible strip 76 which is of limited
width and comprises a flexible hinge strip. The edge thereof
opposite that which is connected to panel 74 comprises a detachable
edge 78 which is removably connectable to the dividing partition
34, for example, by suitable snap fasteners 79, as shown in
exemplary manner in FIGS. 11 and 12. Connected to the ends and
along the free edge of outer panel 74 are side strips 80 and 82. If
desired, these may be formed from the same material as the sides of
trays 40 and 42. Similarly, if desired, the side strips 80 and 82,
as well as the outer panel 74, may be formed integrally by molding
from synthetic resin, shaped from metal sheet material of suitable
light weight, or otherwise. Also, the ends of the side strips 80
preferably are connected to the end panels 28 of frame 24 by short
flexible strips 84 which are either of an elastic nature or may be
folded by puckering, as shown in FIG. 11, when the panel 74 and its
side strips are folded into closed position, such as shown in FIG.
11 and secured in such position by an appropriate latch 86.
The principal purpose of the flexible hinge strip 76 is to smoothly
fold elongated garments, for example, around a rigid folding strip
88 which extends between the inner surfaces of the end panels 28 of
frame 24. The ends may be secured suitably in any appropriate
brackets 90 which are fixed to the inner surfaces of end panels 28.
Preferably, the entrance end of each slot 92 is formed to exert
friction upon the end of strip 88 received therein, as can be seen
from FIG. 15.
To mount elongated articles of apparel 66, for example within
compartment 36 or to remove them therefrom, the case 22 preferably
is suspended vertically from a hook or other overhead means with
the outer panel 74 depending downward in open position for ready
access to compartment 36. Also the case 22 may be laid horizontally
upon a supporting surface for placing garments therein. In either
event, when the strip 88 is removed, garments mounted upon coat
hangers 68 can be attached to or removed from fixed bar 70 without
interference from depending panel 74. Thus, the lower end of the
suspended compartment 36 is open, as well as the front face
thereof. Compartment 36 preferably is arranged to accommodate a
limited number of such garments. After mounting garments upon the
bar 70, the strip 88 is placed over the outermost garment to serve
as a fold line for the garments when outer panel 74 is folded
upwardly into the closed position shown in FIG. 11. The lowermost
portions of the garments will then be folded upwardly around strip
88 and be held in such folded position when outer panel 74 is
closed after first folding extendible bar 72 to contract it.
The majority of the foregoing description has been given in
connection with the case 22, although references have been made
occasionally to the cover 10 which is made of flexible material and
includes the central panel 12 and the side panels 14. In the
preferred construction of the cover 10, it is removable from the
case 22. In use, however, it is not necessary that the cover be
removed from the case, especially since the ends and free edge of
each of the side panels 14 are secured to the edges of the central
panel 12, when in closed position, by slide fastening means 18.
Such fastening means, in general, are referred to as Zippers. To
actuate the fasteners, the slides thereof have small handles 94. In
the open position, the handles are respectively adjacent the
connected edge of the side panels 14 at each end thereof, only one
such end being shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, for example. When in closed
position, the side panels 14 are secured to the edges of the
central panel 12 by the fastening means 18 and this is achieved by
pulling the slides and handles 94 into abutment with each other, as
shown in FIG. 1 in exemplary manner adjacent the upper part of said
figure. The edge of the opposite side panel 14 from that shown in
FIG. 1 is similarly secured to the edges of the central panel
12.
Several expedients may be utilized in connecting the side panels 14
to the terminal ends of the end panels of the central panel 12. One
suitable expedient is illustrated in FIGS. 16, 18 and 19. In these
figures, the upturned terminal ends 20 of a narrow web or tape 98
are secured by appropriate stitching, rivets, or otherwise to the
outer surfaces of the terminal ends of the end panels of central
panel 12. The web or tape 98 may be formed from material similar to
that from which the cover 10 is formed, or otherwise. Preferably,
the web or tape should be capable of withstanding substantial
tensile forces. This is because a carrying handle 100 preferably is
secured to said web or tape intermediately of the opposite ends
thereof, as shown in FIG. 19. The handle, incidentally, may be
formed from the same material as the web or tape 98. Stitching,
rivets, or otherwise may be used to secure the ends of the handle
to said web or tape. The edges of the side panels 14 may be secured
to the web or tape by snaps, stitching, or otherwise. If desired,
the web or tape 98 also may be of such nature that it would be
capable of receiving a stiffening member such as a strip of wood,
plastic or metal, or a rod or tube of suitable shape.
When the case 22 has the cover 10 applied thereto and is disposed
in closed condition thereover, the same will be carried by the
handle 100. When it is desired to support the covered case upon a
supporting surface when the handle 100 is uppermost, it is
preferable that suitable means such as buttons 102 of a type
similar to those used at present on the bottoms of suitcases, may
be applied to the central panel 12 at appropriate locations to
afford satisfactory support for the covered case in such manner
that only the buttons engage the supporting surface. Also, the
central panel may be provided with a suitable opening 104 through
which the hook 62 may extend from its connection with the bight
portion 26 of the case 22. The strap 64, under such circumstances,
may be secured by snap fasteners or the like to the central panel
12 of the cover 10 to hold the hook 62 in the rest position which
is illustrated in FIG. 16. If desired, a suitable handle 100 may be
hingedly secured to the terminal edge of partition 34 and extend
through a slot in panel 12 of cover 10.
The cover 10, or a similar equivalent means, also permits another
expedient of construction, particularly for supporting the trays 40
and 42 and also the panel 74 and the side strips 80 and 82 thereon.
Particularly since the side panels 14 are flexible and durable,
either they, or equivalent panels, may be secured to the U-shaped
frame 24 or, if desired, they may be secured at one end, in
back-to-back manner, to the lower surface of partition 30, for
example, and depend downwardly therefrom. One long side of each of
the trays 40 and 42 is detachably secured to one of the flexible
panels at longitudinally spaced locations, such as by snap
fasteners, zippers, or otherwise. Thus, when the lower portion of
such flexible panel is folded upwardly, the trays 40 and 42 will be
folded into closely overlying condition with each other and with
the bottom panel 44 of tray 42 outermost to support and reinforce
the supporting flexible panel which covers it, such panel being
attached, for example, to the edges of frame 24 by zippered
fasteners 18 or other equivalent securing means. The trays can be
folded outwardly to horizontal position for use when the flexible
supporting panels 14 are suspended downwardly. The trays employ
suspending means such as straps 56 or the like to maintain them in
horizontal position.
Under the foregoing circumstances, the companion flexible panel 14
also has the panel 74 detachably connected thereto, at the edge of
panel 74 which is opposite side strip 82 thereof, in a manner to
replace flexible hinge strip 76 but serves a similar function.
Thus, when said companion flexible panel 14 is folded upwardly to
the position shown in FIG. 10, for example, and secured in closed
position by the exemplary fasteners 18, the panel 74 will be
maintained in closed position.
Rather than employ the side panels 14 of cover 10 to support trays
40 and 42 and panel 74 in the manner described immediately above,
additional similar panels may be employed in the manner described
and when the cover 10 is applied to the closed case, both
compartments 36 and 38 will be held in abutting, back-to-back
relationship. However, if it is desired not to use an overall
enclosing cover, such as cover 10, the respective closed
compartments may be held in abutting back-to-back relationship by
suitable cross straps, not shown, similar to those used in flexible
suitbags of current popular type to hold folded sections
together.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention
provides a wardrobe apparel case and a protecting cover therefor,
the case having compartments therein effectively separated from
each other and respectively adapted to contain a wide variety of
items of apparel and clothing, ranging from smaller items to full
length coats, dresses and suits. All of the items may be supported
and held effectively and smoothly when the case is closed. Also,
when it is desired to open the case to remove clothing or
temporarily store the same, such as when supported in suspended
manner from a hook or clothespole in a motel room overnight or
otherwise, the case may be opened in such manner as to support
conveniently the smaller items of apparel in the opened,
horizontally arranged trays, while the longer articles of clothing
may be supported in fully extended, hanging position. If desired,
however, the trays also may be removed from the frame of the case
to permit the same to be disposed at a convenient location to pack
the trays or, if desired, the loaded trays may be removed from the
frame and placed within a drawer of a chest or bureau in the motel
or hotel room and thus, not require unpacking of the trays.
Another advantage resulting from providing trays at least at one
side of the suitcase which are detachable is that a variety of
trays of different heights may be provided. Rather than utilizing a
plurality of relatively thin trays at any desired time, a single
tray having a depth or thickness equal to the summation of depths
of the thin trays may be used with the same facility as the
plurality of thin trays. Such a possibility provides a much greater
range of packing and carrying possibilities than if only a single
deep tray or a plurality of thin trays are provided. Under the
foregoing circumstances, the flexible outer cover will function
with equal facility under either arrangement of trays.
While the invention has been described and illustrated in its
several preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the
invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein
illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in
other ways falling within the scope of the invention as illustrated
and described.
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