Cargo organizer

Abstract

A collapsible multi-compartment cargo organizer including a top compartment and a bottom compartment disposed atop one another. Each compartment is accessed though either a top or side zipper opening. The cargo organizer is particularly well suited to store items in the back of a sports utility vehicle, van, or station wagon.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/148,940, filed on Sep. 28, 2001, and U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/152,740, filed Dec. 21, 2001, the disclosure of both are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to storage containers, and in particular to a multi-compartment, portable, collapsible cargo organizer.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] People use carrying devices or bags to store and tote their personal items. Many bags have been designed to assist the traveler. Some examples of bags include, but are not limited to, pocketbooks, purses, duffle bags, suitcases, luggage, and brief cases. The appropriate bag for a traveler's taste often depends on the type of personal item being transported and the distance and travel time between destinations. Some examples of personal items could include, but are not limited to clothes, shoes, jewelry, sporting equipment, paperwork, and toiletries.

[0006] To assist the traveler, when traveling from destination to destination, larger pieces of baggage have been designed. Larger pieces of baggage enable more personal items to be carried. Thus, when traveling by plane, car, bus or train the traveler can carry all personal items in one multi-purpose bag rather than spreading their personal items in a number of bags. One problem with large pieces of luggage is that the bags tend to be bulky and consequently, difficult to store. Another problem with large pieces of luggage is that the bags tend to fill up, consequently making the bags heavy and difficult to carry. In addition, large bags tend to be deep consequently, complicating access to items stored at the deepest part of the bag.

[0007] One solution to the heavy bag syndrome—aside from using a smaller bag—is to design the bag with wheels and a telescopic, retractable handle. In this manner, travelers can rest the bag on the ground, pivot the bag on its wheels, and use the retractable handle in its extended state to drag the luggage. This handle-wheel arrangement eliminates forcing the traveler to bear the weight of the items stored in the bag, thereby alleviating back and other strains caused by lifting the heavy bags. While the handle-wheel arrangement alleviates the heavy bag syndrome large bags are still difficult to store and to access the contents from therein.

[0008] A common configuration to overcome the storage problem associated with large bags when not in use has been to design a bag without a skeletal structure, e.g., a duffle bag, thereby requiring less storage space. However, one detriment of the duffle bag is that there is no internal skeletal structure protecting the items being stored.

[0009] Another disadvantage associated with large bags, even those constructed without a skeletal system is that there is one or many large compartments that are accessible from a single opening. By way of example, the main compartment of a duffle bag is accessible only from the top opening. Similarly, the main compartment of a piece of luggage is typically accessed via a zipper disposed about the perimeter of the suitcase dividing the main compartment into two halves that are hinged along the back portion of the luggage. To access either half of the main compartment the top half of the main compartment must be flipped opened with respect to the bottom half. This requires a predetermined amount of height clearance in lifting the top half open and even more clearance is necessary to flip the top half open all the way so that it is substantially parallel with that of the bottom half. In many environments or situations a sufficient amount of clearance room is not available to open the top half of the luggage.

[0010] Still another problem encountered with conventional skeletal or non-skeletal baggage that have deep compartments is that it is difficult to access and remove an item that is located deep within the compartment. Travelers are forced to rifle through all of the items stored in the bag often times disrupting the organization of the items around the item being sought after or having to remove top items to gain access to an item deep within the compartment.

[0011] It is thereby desirable to design a cargo organizer that solves the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The term “cargo organizer” is defined herein as any container used to hold one or more items or articles. Some typical cargo organizers may include a piece of baggage or luggage, a duffle bag, an attaché, a brief case, a knapsack, a pocketbook, or a suitcase.

[0013] The present invention is directed to a cargo organizer including a top compartment and a bottom compartment disposed one atop the other. The top compartment is defined by a first side wall and a first top wall. In addition, the top compartment is accessible via a first releasable connection disposed along at least a portion of the first side wall or the first top wall. The bottom compartment defined by a second side wall and a second top wall. The bottom compartment is accessible via a second releasable connection disposed along at least a portion of the second side wall or the second top wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the detailed description in drawings of illustrative embodiments of the present invention wherein like reference numbers refer to similar elements throughout the several views and in which;

[0015] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment with the upper compartment and the lower compartment in a closed state;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a right side elevation view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1 with the upper compartment and lower side compartment in an open state;

[0023] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the present invention in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment with the upper compartment and the lower side compartment in a closed state;

[0024] FIG. 10 is a left side elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

[0025] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

[0026] FIG. 12 is a right side elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

[0027] FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

[0028] FIG. 14 is a rear elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

[0029] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

[0030] FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9;

[0031] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 with the upper compartment in an open state and the bottom compartment in a closed state; and

[0032] FIG. 18 is a front perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 with the upper compartment in a closed state and the bottom compartment in an open state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0033] By way of example, the illustrative embodiments of the present invention depict a collapsible bag with two large cavities or compartments, one situated on top of the other. It is contemplated and within the intended scope of the invention to include more than two compartments each placed atop the other with at least one compartment being accessible via an opening from the top while the another compartment is accessible from a side opening. The two compartments are substantially equal in length and width. For illustration purposes only, the two embodiments shown and described depict a configuration in which the two compartments are substantially equal in height, however, it is contemplated that the compartments may vary in height.

[0034] FIGS. 1-8 depict a first exemplary embodiment of the cargo organizer 100 in accordance with the present invention. The cargo organizer 100 may be made of a durable, rigid material (e.g., plastic), a relatively soft material, e.g., fabric or cloth, or some combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the cargo organizer 100 is made from a collapsible yet durable fabric or cloth. By way of example, the cargo organizer 100 shown and described is rectangular in shape, however, the bag may be configured in any desired shape.

[0035] The cargo organizer 100 is divided into a top compartment 120 and a bottom compartment 140. Top compartment 120 is formed by a top wall 130, a bottom wall 132 (as shown in FIG. 8) and four side walls 122, 124, 126, 128. The top wall 130 is shown releasably connected to three of the four side walls 122, 124, 126 by way of a zipper 150. Any other type of alternative releasable connection mechanism may be used, for example, Velcro, snaps, buttons, ties, hook-and-eyes, etc. The top wall 130 is permanently connected to a portion of the remaining side wall 128 as shown in FIG. 5. Accordingly, the user unzips the top wall 130 from the three side walls 122, 124, 126, and pulls or flips back the top wall 130 relative to the remaining wall 128 to which it is permanently secured. As previously stated, the top wall 130 is preferably made from a flexible material so as to be readily pulled back without having to be lifted up to its full height, thereby requiring substantially less clearance room to fully access the top compartment 120 than would be required if the top wall 130 was rigid.

[0036] In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the zipper 150 or other releasable connection may extend along the entire perimeter of the top wall 130 so that when released or unzipped the top wall may be completely removed from the cargo organizer. Furthermore, the top wall may be releasably connected to the cargo organizer by way of a plurality of releasable connection mechanisms. For example, the top wall 130 may be secured to the four side walls by two separate zippers, each extending around a portion of the perimeter of the cargo organizer 100. The first zipper may be designed to extend along the right half of the length of the front longitudinal side wall 124, wrap around the right side wall 126, and extend half the length of the back longitudinal side wall 128. Likewise, the second zipper would extend along the left half of the length of the front longitudinal side wall 124, wrap around the left side wall 122, and extend half the length of the back longitudinal side wall 128. When each zipper closure is fully opened, the left and right halves of the top wall 130 would be lifted so as to fold in half longitudinally thereby permitting access from either the right or left side of the top compartment.

[0037] Whereas the zipper 150 is disposed about at least a portion of the perimeter of the top wall 130 of the top compartment 120, a second zipper 152 is disposed about at least a portion of the perimeter of at least one of the side walls of the bottom compartment 140. The bottom compartment 140 is formed by a top wall that also serves as the bottom wall 132 of the top compartment 120 (FIG. 8). In other words, a single piece of material serves as the partition between the top compartment 120 and bottom compartment 140. Alternatively, the top wall of the bottom compartment could be another wall formed by an additional layer of material separate from that of the bottom wall 132 of the top compartment 120.

[0038] The bottom compartment 140 is further formed by four side walls 142, 144, 146, 148, and a bottom wall 154 (FIG. 7). In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, side wall 144 is releasably connected about a portion of its perimeter to side walls 142, 146 and top wall 132 of the lower compartment by a zipper 152. The cargo organizer, however, can be configured, as desired, so that any one of the four side walls, or even multiple side walls, may be releasably connected to the bottom compartment 140. Referring to FIG. 4, zipper 152 is disposed along three edges of the side wall 144. The remaining bottom edge of the side wall 144 being permanently secured to the bottom wall 154. When the cargo organizer is positioned with the bottom wall 154 on a flat surface, the unzipped side wall 144 opens downward, as shown in FIG. 8. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, the side wall 144 may be permanently secured along a top edge adjacent the top wall 132, whereby in an unzipped opened state the side wall 144 is pulled upwards to permit access to the contents of the bottom compartment 140 from underneath.

[0039] Although not shown, still another embodiment is contemplated wherein the zipper 152 is disposed about the entire perimeter of the side panel 144 so as to permit its complete removal from the cargo organizer 100. Similar to that described above with respect to the top compartment, the side panel 144 may be releasably connected via multiple zippers.

[0040] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the cargo organizer 100 of FIG. 1 with the top compartment 120 and the bottom compartment 140 in an open state. The top wall 130 of the top compartment 120 when unzipped (open state) reveals a first cavity 176, while the unzipped (open state) of the side wall 144 of the bottom compartment 140 reveals a second cavity 178. A skeletal structure is provided as a series of dividers and/or reinforcing walls. This skeletal structure is preferably releasably secured into place using, for example, snaps or Velcro, so that when not in use the dividers may be released and folded downward substantially flat on top of the bottoms wall 132, 154 of the top and bottom compartments, respectively. Accordingly, the cargo organizer can be collapsed down into a substantially flattened state for easy storage with minimum amount of space. Another advantage of the skeletal structure is that it enables a user to separate their personal items thereby maintaining organization even in a large cavity. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, dividers 182, 184 separate the first cavity 176 into three smaller cavities, while dividers 183, 186 separate the second cavity 178 into three smaller cavities. The cargo organizer may be designed with any number of dividers or no dividers at all. These dividers may be arranged within the respective cavities as desired. In addition to or instead of such dividers, a removable skeletal frame may be inserted adjacent the interior perimeter of the walls to provide enhanced rigidity. This is especially well suited when using a flexible or collapsible material. When the cargo organizer is not in use the skeletal frame may be removed or collapsed so that the cargo organizer is substantially flattened for easy storage.

[0041] A pair of handles 160, 168 is disposed on opposite sides of the cargo organizer to assist one or more individuals when carrying the cargo organizer. Although two handles are shown, the cargo organizer may be configured to include any number of one or more handles positioned along one or more of the walls. Preferably a pair of wheels is disposed so that the cargo organizer may be pivoted about the wheels and rolled instead of being lifted. When pulling the cargo organizer 100 using the wheels 162, 164, it is advantageous to use a retractable or telescopic pull out handle. The right hand elevation view of the cargo organizer shown in FIG. 3 depicts a zippered pouch 170 that conceals the telescopic pull out handle (not shown).

[0042] The back elevation view in FIG. 7 shows bumper guards or rails 172, 174 disposed along the bottom panel 152. These guards protect the exterior surface of the cargo organizer from ordinary wear and tear. A logo 166 or decal may be affixed to the outside of the cargo organizer to identify the manufacturer.

[0043] A second exemplary embodiment of the cargo organizer 200 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 9-18. The cargo organizer 200 in accordance with the second embodiment is the same as that of the cargo organizer 100 of the first embodiment except that the arrangement of the access opening to the top and bottom compartments 120, 140 have been switch. In particular, whereas zippers 150 and 152 are respectively disposed about a portion of the perimeter of the top wall 130 of the top compartment 120 and side wall 144 of the bottom compartment 140 of the cargo organizer 100 in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment, the top compartment is accessed via a zipper along at least a portion of at least one side wall 124 of the top compartment 120 while the bottom compartment 140 is entered using a zipper disposed along at least a portion of the top wall 132 of the bottom compartment 140 (FIG. 18).

[0044] The cargo organizer in accordance with the present invention is ideal for storage in the trunk/back of a sports utility vehicle, a station wagon, or a van. The cargo organizer can be packed with items and then placed in the vehicle or packed after being placed in the vehicle. By way of example, usage of the cargo organizer 100 in accordance with the first embodiment will be described in detail. A user placing/removing items into/from the cargo organizer 100 simply unzips the zipper 150 disposed along the a portion of the perimeter of the top wall 130 of the top compartment 120, flips back or open the top wall 130, and places/removes the desired items into/from the top compartment without having to remove the cargo organizer from the vehicle. Preferably, the top wall 130 is made from a flexible material such as fabric or cloth so that it may be easily pulled open or back even in relatively close quarters, such as the trunk/back of a vehicle, wherein limited head room prevents flipping open a rigid top of a piece of luggage. In this first embodiment entry to the lower compartment is advantageously gained via a side opening defined by zipper 152 disposed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the side wall 144. To store/access items in the bottom compartment 140, the zipper 152 is unzipped and the side wall 144 is flipped onto the floor of the vehicle providing full access to the items in the bottom compartment without having to shift, remove, or disrupt the organization of the items in the top compartment.

[0045] The cargo organizer 200 in accordance with the second embodiment is used in a similar manner except that access to the top compartment is through a side wall opening while access to the bottom compartment is by way of a zipper disposed along a portion of the perimeter of the top wall 132. Because of the opening to the bottom compartment via a zipper disposed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the top wall 132, the cargo organizer 200 requires more clearance head room if opened in the vehicle than that of the first embodiment.

[0046] Thus, while there have been shown, described, and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements steps which perform substantially the same, function in substantially the same way, to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated. It is also to be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, but that they are merely conceptual in nature. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A cargo organizer comprising:

a top compartment defined by a first side wall and a first top wall, the top compartment being accessible via a first releasable connection disposed along at least a portion of one of the first side wall and the first top wall; and

a bottom compartment defined by a second side wall and a second top wall, the bottom compartment being accessible via a second releasable connection disposed along at least a portion of one of the second side wall and the second top wall.

2. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first and second releasable connections are one of a zipper, Velcro, buttons, buckles, ties, snaps, and hook-and-eyes.

3. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first releasable connection is disposed about at least a portion of the perimeter of one of the first side wall and the first top wall.

4. A cargo organizer as in claim 3, further comprising a second releasable connection disposed about at least a portion of the first top wall.

5. A cargo organizer as in claim 4, wherein when the top compartment is fully opened using the first and second releasable connection, a left and right halve of the top wall are lifted so as to fold in half longitudinally permitting access from either the right or left side of the top compartment

6. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 3, wherein the first releasable connection is disposed about the entire perimeter of one of the first side wall and the first top wall.

7. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the second releasable connection is disposed about at least a portion of the perimeter of one of the second side wall and the second top wall.

8. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 7, wherein the second releasable connection is disposed about the entire perimeter of one of the second side wall and the second top wall.

9. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first top wall is made from a flexible material.

10. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least one removable divider disposed in at least one of the first compartment and the second compartment.

11. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 1, further comprising a removable skeletal system for providing support to the first and second side walls when assembled and when removed permit the cargo organizer to be collapsed down.

12. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the cargo organizer is rectangular in shape.

13. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 1, further comprising at least two wheels disposed exteriorly of the bottom compartment so as to roll the cargo organizer while being pulled by a handle.

14. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 13, wherein the handle is retractable.

15. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top and bottom compartments are disposed one atop another.

16. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the top and bottom compartments are substantially equal in overall dimension and shape.

17. A cargo organizer comprising:

a rectangular top compartment defined by at least one first side wall and a first top wall, the top compartment being accessible via a first releasable connection disposed along at least a portion of the first top wall; and

a rectangular bottom compartment defined by at least one second side wall and a second top wall, the bottom compartment being accessible via a second releasable connection disposed along at least a portion of one of the at least one second side wall.

18. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 17, wherein the top compartment is formed by four first side walls and the bottom compartment is formed by four second side walls.

19. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 18, wherein the top compartment is further defined by a first bottom wall and the bottom compartment is further defined by a second bottom wall.

20. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 19, wherein the first bottom wall and the second top wall are a single wall.

21. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 19, wherein the first bottom wall and the second top wall are separate walls.

22. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 17, wherein the top and bottom compartments are disposed one atop another.

23. A cargo organizer comprising:

a top compartment defined by at least one first side wall and a first top wall, the top compartment being accessible via a first releasable connection disposed along at least a portion of the at least one first side wall; and

a bottom compartment defined by at least one second side wall and a second top wall, the bottom compartment being accessible via a second releasable connection disposed along at least a portion of the second top wall.

24. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 23, wherein the top compartment is formed by four first side walls and the bottom compartment is formed by four second side walls.

25. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 24, wherein the top compartment is further defined by a first bottom wall and the bottom compartment is further defined by a second bottom wall.

26. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 25, wherein the first bottom wall and the second top wall are a single wall.

27. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 25, wherein the first bottom wall and the second top wall are separate walls.

28. The cargo organizer in accordance with claim 23, wherein the top and bottom compartments are disposed one atop another.