Luggage with wheels and with telescoping handle intermediate side walls

Abstract

The carrying case or luggage item is in the form of a rectangular parallel piped container with a midpanel separating a forward compartment and a rear compartment wherein one of the compartments is designed for the storage of clothing or personal items including a hanging bag or wardrobe and the opposite side compartment is designed for the protective carrying of a personal computer and business records. In addition to a midpanel which separates the two compartments, the telescoping handle is provided to facilitate the separation of the compartments and to provide a means for transporting the luggage item which includes wheels on its bottom side.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a utility application based upon the previously filed provisional application serial no. 60/190,194 filed Mar. 17, 2000 which is incorporated herewith by reference and for which priority is claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a luggage item or case which includes a telescoping handle, wheels to facilitate transport, and separated opposed compartments one of which is designed for carrying of a computer and business records and the other of which is designed for carrying clothing and personal items.

[0003] Business persons are often confronted with the need to take short-term, overnight business trips. On such trips it is common practice for many business persons to take their computer, various business records as well as clothing, toiletries and the like. Most typically the business items are packed in one case or valise and the personal items are packed in a separate case or valise.

[0004] As a consequence of packing separate types of items in separate cases, the transport of such items becomes cumbersome. Thus, there has developed a need to simplify the manner in which items, which are business items as well as personal items, can be carried, preferably in a single case which is efficient, economical, and which is capable of providing for transport of a personal computer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Briefly, the present invention comprises a luggage item or case which is in the form of a parallelpiped case or container wherein the container includes a vertical wall separating front and back compartments and further wherein one of the compartments is designed to facilitate the storage of a wardrobe and clothing or personal items and the opposite side compartment is designed for the carrying of a personal computer, business records, and the like. The vertical separating, or mid-panel wall, which defines the separate compartments, further incorporates a telescoping handle and wheels attached to the bottom side of the case to facilitate ease of transport of the case.

[0006] The case is further designed to incorporate a system which enables storage of the personal computer within the case in a protected manner that reduces shock or impact that may affect the personal computer. The case further includes access panels which facilitate ease of access and entry to the case and, in particular, to either one of the two compartments defined by the separating midpanel. The case or luggage further includes a construction which enables inclusion of a wardrobe container or hanging bag-type container for clothing on one of the compartments.

[0007] Thus it is an object of the invention to provide a luggage or carrying case which is more universal in that it enables a traveler to pack and incorporate business items and personal items including clothing in a single case.

[0008] It is a further object of the invention to provide a luggage item which includes first and second separate compartments within the case separated by a midpanel wall and a telescoping handle wherein one of the compartments is useful for the storage of clothing and personal items and the other compartment is useful for the storage of a personal computer and business items.

[0009] Yet a further object of the invention is to provide a wheeled carrying case or luggage item useful for the carriage of both personal items and business items.

[0010] A further object of the invention is to provide a luggage or a carrying case wherein the luggage item can be constructed in compliance with airline size regulations.

[0011] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a carrying case or item of luggage which enables the packing of clothing and personal items in one compartment segregated from a second compartment where business are packed and further wherein the compartment which permits the packing of clothing serves to cushion or facilitate the protection of the items carried within the business compartment.

[0012] Yet another object of the invention a luggage or carrying case which is economical, lightweight, easily transportable, rugged and suitable for carrying business items as well as personal items such as clothing and toiletries.

[0013] These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0014] In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:

[0015] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the luggage case of the invention as viewed from the front side;

[0016] FIG. 1a is a partial isometric view of the storage folders in the internal pocket of the front side of the luggage case of FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the luggage case of FIG. 1 as viewed from the back side with the back side in the open position;

[0018] FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric view depicting a wardrobe incorporated in the back side compartment of the luggage case;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional elevation of the luggage case taken substantially along the line 4—4 in FIG. 5;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the case of FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a front side elevation of the case of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the storage folder construction incorporated in the front side compartment of the luggage case;

[0023] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a computer support system incorporated in the front storage compartment of the luggage case;

[0024] FIG. 9 is an isometric, vertical cross sectional view of the luggage case of FIG. 1; and

[0025] FIG. 10 is an isometric vertical cross sectional view of an alternative luggage case incorporating features of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] FIGS. 1-9 depict a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 10 depicts a second embodiment of the invention.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1-9, the luggage case of the invention includes a top side 12, a first lateral side 14, a second lateral side 16, a bottom side 18, a front side 20, and a back side 22. The collective sides are formed as a rectangular, parallelpiped luggage case. The front side 20 is divided into a rigid, rectangular upper panel 24 connected along a hinged seam 26 to a rigid, rectangular lower panel 28. The lower panel 28 includes wheel wells 30 and 32 with wheels 34 and 36 in the wells 30 and 32, respectively. The bottom side 18 includes an external support bar or foot 38 which, together with wheels 36, supports the luggage case.

[0028] The front, upper panel 24 is hinged to the lower panel 26 and may be pivotally moved about the horizontal hinge 26 by releasing a zipper connection 40 to expose the interior of the luggage case and more particularly, a front section 42, or front compartment 42 thereof. The front compartment 42 includes an upper folio 44 which is attached along an upper edge 46 to the interior of the front compartment 42. The folio 44 or the interior of the case includes a strap 50 connectable to a fastener 52 on the folio 44 to hold the compartments or sections of the folio 44 in the closed position. As depicted in FIG. 7, the folio 44 may include a panel 60 with additional pockets such as pocket 54 and pocket 56, as well as pencil or pen pockets 58 on the outside of panel 60. The outer panel 60 retains or fits over a series of pockets such as pocket 62 and pocket 64 between an inside panel 66 and outer panel 60. Panels 60/66 are connected by flexible gussets 68 and 70 on opposite sides of the folio 44. Gussets 68, 70 connect to panels 63, 65 to define pockets 62, 64.

[0029] The front compartment 42 further includes a horizontal plate or platform 72 designed to support a personal computer. The platform 72 is biased by springs 74 interposed between the platform 72 and the bottom side 18 as depicted in FIG. 4, for example. On the inside of the compartment 42 attached to each of the opposite sides 14 and 16 of the luggage case is a sponge rubber, or other elastomeric bumper, or buffer 76 and 78, respectively, which facilitates retention of a personal computer in position supported on the platform 72 and protects the computer from shock as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, a personal computer, shown in phantom at 80, can be retained on the platform 72 between the buffers 76 and 78.

[0030] The inside of the compartment 42 further includes a mid-panel 82 which extends for the full height of the luggage case and is, in the preferred embodiment, cushioned by cushioning material 84 as depicted in FIG. 9. The inside of the front panel or front side 20, is similarly cushioned by cushioning material 86. This assembly protects the personal computer 80 which is retained within the forward or front compartment 42 of the luggage case against midpanel 82.

[0031] Another important feature of the luggage case is the position of the telescopic handle 90. The telescopic handle 90 includes a first vertical telescoping handle member 92 and a second parallel member 94, both of which are inserted through the middle of the top side 12 and project downwardly along midpanel 82 to the bottom side 18 of the luggage case. The telescopic handle 90 thus extends and telescopes upwardly through the top side 12 from the bottom side 18. The midpanel 82 divides the luggage case into a front section 42, as already described, and a back section 96. The backside 22 is attached by a zipper 98 which extends around three sides of the rectangular backside 22 and permits the backside 22 to be pivoted about a hinge connection 100 to the lateral side 14. Thus, as depicted in FIG. 2, for example, the backside 22, when pivoted about the hinge 100 opens to expose the interior or back compartment or section 96. The back section 96 preferably includes a foldable wardrobe 102. The wardrobe 102 includes a zipper attachment 104 which attaches a lower side or end 101 of wardrobe 102 to a compatible zipper attachment 106 on the inside of the back compartment 96. The zipper attachment 106 is positioned parallel to the hinge 100 and adjacent the junction of the panel 82 to the side 14.

[0032] The wardrobe 102 includes a zippered cover 106 attached by zippers 108 and 110 to a back cover 107 for access to the interior of the wardrobe 102. The wardrobe 102 may thus be easily folded when it is inserted into the back compartment 96 of carrying case or unfolded when it is removed therefrom. The wardrobe 102 may serve as a hanging bag for clothing items retained therein when detached from the case.

[0033] The backside 22 further includes an outside face with storage pockets, such as storage pockets 114 and 116. The pocket 116 includes a zipper 118 which provides access to a pocket on the outside of the storage pocket 116. The storage pocket 116 also includes a zipper 120 for access to a storage area 122 as depicted in FIG. 9. The zipper 118 defines a further storage pocket 119 on the outside thereof. In the embodiment shown, a fold-out bottle bag 126 may be retained within the pocket 119 and which provides access through the zipper 118. The bag 126 thus may be folded out of the pocket 119 and a water bottle, for example, may be held therein.

[0034] FIG. 8 depicts a construction of the biasing or spring support system for a personal computer retained within the front compartment 42. The platform 72 may comprise a plastic panel or fibreboard or other similar material. The platform 72 fits over a U-shaped cross section molded plastic, or sheet metal retainer 130. A U-shaped bottom retainer 132 is positioned opposite retainer 130 so that springs 74 are retained between retainers 130, 132. A block of sponge-like elastomeric material 134 may be inserted in the space between the retainers 130 and 132 to dampen movement of the personal computer 80 and the effect of the springs 74.

[0035] In review, the luggage case is divided into two basic sections or compartments 42, 96 by a vertical midpanel 82. The front section 42 comprises an area, or region, for storage of work materials, including a personal computer, work papers, pens, pencils, papers, folders and the like. The back section 96 comprises an area or section for storage of clothing and personal articles. The telescoping handle 90 and midpanel 82 separate the compartments 42, 96. The handle 90 is positioned adjacent the midpanel 82 in the clothing compartment 96.

[0036] FIG. 10 discloses a modification of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-9. In FIG. 10, the luggage case is foreshortened and is in the form of a suitcase with or without any wheels. Thus, referring to FIG. 10, a telescopic handle 140, is positioned along a vertical midpanel 142 of a carrying case. The handle 140 may be telescoping or may merely be a regular luggage type handle. In any event, it is positioned along the midpanel of a rectangular, parallelpiped luggage case 144 of the type having a back side panel 146 and a front side panel 148. The front side panel 148 is accessible by means of a zipper 150 for access to an interior storage area 152. The interior storage section is designed for receipt and support of a personal computer upon a biased support pad 154 analogous to the pad 72 previously described supported by springs 156 analogous to the springs 74 previously described. The compartment 152 thus serves as a padded storage compartment for a personal computer.

[0037] The backside 146 encloses a storage compartment 160 in which clothing and similar personal items may be stored. A zipper 162 provides access to the back section, or backside 146, of storage compartment 160.

[0038] While there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A luggage case comprising, in combination:

generally rectangular parallelpiped case including a bottom side, a top side and spaced, lateral sides connecting the top side and the bottom side, a front panel and a back panel, said front and back panels and the sides defining a luggage case enclosure, said lateral sides being generally equal in length and longer than the top side and bottom side;

a mid panel within the case dividing the interior of the case into a front section and a rear section;

a telescoping handle projecting from the top side into the case along the mid panel;

wheels affixed to the bottom side at the junction of the front panel and the bottom side; and

a resilient support adjacent the bottom side in one of the sections for protective support of an item lodged on the support.

2. The case of claim 1 wherein the resilient support comprises a cross member supported on a biasing element interposed between the cross member and the bottom side.

3. The case claim 1 wherein the front panel is divided into a lower panel portion affixed to the bottom side and limited vertical extent of the spaced lateral sides, and an upper panel portion hinged to the lower panel section along a hinge line connecting the panel portions.

4. The case of claim 1 wherein the front panel is hinged to the case between the lateral sides of the case for access to the front section.

5. The case of claim 1 wherein the back panel is hinged to a side of the case for access to the back section.

6. The case of claim 1 wherein the back panel includes pockets attached thereto.

7. The case of claim 1 wherein the back section includes a wardrobe carrier.

8. The case of claim 7 wherein the wardrobe includes a base end and a hanger end, said based end removably attached to the case.

9. The case of claim 1 wherein the wardrobe is foldable into the back section.

10. The case of claim 1 wherein the resilient support is comprised a cross member supported on a plurality of springs mounted on the bottom side.

11. A luggage case comprising, in combination:

a generally rectangular parallelpiped case including a bottom side, a top side and spaced, lateral sides connecting the top side and the bottom side, a front panel and a back panel fitted to the sides to define a luggage case enclosure;

a telescoping handle extending from the top side into the enclosure and separating the enclosure into an interior front section and an interior back section, said back section including a wardrobe carrier removably attached to the case, said front section including a compartment having a resilient support mechanism mounted above the bottom side, said front side including a hinged front panel for access to the front side; said back side including a hinged panel attached for access to the back section; and

wheels affixed to the bottom side.

12. The case of claim 12 wherein the front side includes a lower section comprised of a rigid panel.

13. The case of claim 13 wherein the rigid panel extends to the bottom side and includes mounting brackets for the wheels.

14. The case of claim 13 wherein the rigid panel extends to the bottom side and comprises at least part of the bottom side.

15. The case of claim 12 wherein the front side includes a rigid panel extending from the bottom side upward to a hinge connection to a front panel section which may be opened to the interior of the case.

16. A luggage case comprising in combination:

a generally rectangular parallelpiped case including a front panel, a back panel, a top side, a bottom side and spaced lateral sides joined to the top side and bottom side to define an enclosure in combination with the front panel and the back panel; and

a telescoping handle positioned generally parallel to and intermediate the front panel and back panel and inside the case, said handle assembly telescopically extending from the top side and defining means for separating the interior of the case into a first, front compartment accessible from the front panel and a second, back compartment accessible from the back panel, said front and back panels each including hinged sections to permit access to a compartment.

17. The case of claim 16 further including a detachable, foldable wardrobe in the second back compartment.

18. The case of claim 16 further including a computer support and storage compartment in the first front compartment comprising a support member supported by a biasing mechanism to absorb shock and cushion support of an item in the computer support and storage compartment.

19. The case of claim 16 further including an L shaped reinforcing element having a first leg extending over at least a portion of the bottom side and a second leg extending over at least a portion of the front side.

20. The case of claim 19 including wheels supported by the L shaped reinforcing element.