Carrying case with removable accessory modules

Abstract

A carrying case comprises an enclosure defining an accessible interior and an organizing assembly. The organizing assembly includes an organizing panel disposed in the interior and a plurality of accessory modules removably attachable on the organizing panel. The accessory modules are configured to hold objects to be carried in the carrying case and are removably attachable on the organizing panel at various selected positions. A method of using the carrying case involves transporting the carrying case while the removably attached accessory modules are fixed on the organizing panel in the selected positions, detaching a selected accessory module from the organizing panel and removing the detached accessory module from the interior to permit use of the object held thereby.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[0001] This application is related to the co-pending patent application entitled Carrying Cases with Pop-Out Compartments (Attorney Docket No. 0592.0003C) filed Nov. 27, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to carrying cases and, more particularly, to carrying cases having removable accessory modules for releasably securing various objects in the carrying cases in various selectively changeable arrangements.

[0004] 2. Brief Discussion of the Related Art

[0005] Carrying cases have become very popular for use in conveniently storing and transporting various objects including personal and business effects. Conventional carrying cases typically include an enclosure defining an interior for holding the objects, and the interior may be divided into a plurality of interior compartments to allow objects in the interior to be organized by placing them in different interior compartments. However, it is common for an individual carrying case to carry many objects of different sizes and types such that the number of objects carried ordinarily exceeds the number of interior compartments. When a plurality of objects are placed in the same interior, compartment, the objects may become comingled in a disorganized manner. It is often difficult, therefore, to locate and access a particular object or objects in the interior and objects which become comingled may sustain damage due to contacting other objects. In addition, objects within the interiors of conventional carrying cases are oftentimes unrestrained such that the objects are free to move about within the interiors and may resultantly be damaged due to uncontrolled movement and/or impacting other objects and/or walls of the carrying cases. Objects which have become comingled with other objects and/or which have been displaced from their original positions in the carrying cases must usually be located and accessed by the user engaging in time-consuming random searching and/or rearranging of the contents of the carrying cases.

[0006] Some carrying cases have pockets or other similar organizing structures in their interiors for holding objects apart from other objects in the interiors. The organizing structures of conventional carrying cases, however, are disadvantageously limited in the type, size and number of objects that can be held thereby, and the organizing structures often interfere with and detract from the remaining usable space in the interiors. Although the organizing structures are typically permanently fixed within the interiors, objects may be free to move within the organizing structures themselves and even to become inadvertently removed from the organizing structures thereby placing the objects at risk of damage and/or loss. The process of removing particular objects from and placing objects in the organizing structures may be tedious, cumbersome and time-consuming for users. The process of removing objects from the organizing structures may be further complicated by the fact that an object or objects within an organizing structure may not be readily visible or recognizable such that the user must search for a particular object or objects in the organizing structure. Also, the user may have to search an organizing structure in order to locate a particular object that has become displaced from its original position in the organizing structure, particularly where a plurality of unrestrained objects are placed in a single organizing structure. Upon removal from an organizing structure, the removed object loses whatever protection may be provided by the organizing structure.

[0007] It is evident from the foregoing that conventional carrying cases lack versatility in the type, number and size of objects that can effectively and protectively be carried and maintained in an organized manner. While the organizing structures of conventional carrying cases may be useful for holding and thereby isolating certain objects in the interiors, they are inadequate to hold and thusly isolate many different types, sizes and numbers of objects. A carrying case useful for one purpose may be inadequate for another purpose depending on the objects needed to be carried in an organized manner for different user requirements. Accordingly, conventional carrying cases are generally limited in purpose and not adapted to the changeable needs of users to carry many different combinations of different types, sizes and numbers of objects in an organized manner. Particularly, conventional carrying cases are deficient at meeting the needs of mobile professionals and other users to carry variable combinations of various different objects while maintaining the objects secure and organized within the carrying cases. Conventional carrying cases do not lend themselves to customization by users in terms of the objects and the positions or arrangements carried therein in an organized manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of conventional carrying cases.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to allow an individual carrying case to be adapted to carry various combinations of various different objects in an organized manner.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide an organizing panel in a carrying case to which a plurality of accessory modules may be removably, replaceably attached.

[0011] An additional object of the present invention is to provide a carrying case with a plurality of removable accessory modules configured to hold particular objects commonly carried in carrying cases.

[0012] The present invention also has as an object to permit the arrangement of removable accessory modules in a carrying case to be selectively varied by a user.

[0013] It is also an object of the present invention to expand the versatility of carrying cases.

[0014] Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to allow the functional utility of carrying cases to be customized by a user.

[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to enhance the protection of objects arranged in a carrying case in an organized manner.

[0016] Still a further object of the present invention is to facilitate removal of objects from and placement of objects in a carrying case while maintaining the organization of other contents of the carrying case.

[0017] The present invention has as another object to reduce the amount of time required for a user to locate a particular object or objects within a carrying case.

[0018] Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to equip a carrying case with an organizing assembly comprising an organizing panel in the interior of the carrying case and a plurality of accessory modules removably attachable to the organizing panel at various user-selected positions.

[0019] Some of the advantages of the present invention are that the organizing assembly can be incorporated in various types of carrying cases as well as in various interior compartments of carrying cases; more than one organizing assembly can be incorporated in an individual carrying case; the number and type of accessory modules attached to the organizing panel can be selected by the user so that only needed accessory modules are installed in the carrying case; the accessory modules are easily interchangeable by the user; the accessory modules may be used to provide structural protection for the objects held thereby; the objects are prevented from displacement in the carrying case due to the accessory modules being attached to the organizing panel; the accessory modules may be no larger than necessary to accommodate the objects, thereby maximizing the number of accessory modules that may be attached on the organizing panel at one time as well as maximizing the amount of remaining interior space available for use; the accessory modules may be configured to match the configurations of the objects; the objects may be recognizable from the configurations of the corresponding accessory modules; the objects may be partly visible while received in the accessory modules to facilitate identifying the objects; the objects may be removable from and/or placeable in the accessory modules while the accessory modules remain attached to the organizing panel; the need for users to randomly search for particular objects in the interior of carrying cases is eliminated; the accessory modules may be designed to positively retain the corresponding objects in the accessory modules so as to prevent inadvertent removal of the objects from the accessory modules; various structures and/or methods can be used to effect removable attachment of the accessory modules to the organizing panel; and the organizing panel can be designed to withstand many repeated attachments and removals of the accessory modules.

[0020] These and other objects, advantages and benefits are realized with the present invention as generally characterized in a carrying case comprising an enclosure enclosing an accessible interior and having an organizing assembly. The organizing assembly includes an organizing panel disposed in the interior and a plurality of accessory modules removably attachable on the organizing panel. Each accessory module is configured to hold an object to be carried in the interior. The organizing panel comprises one or more attachment devices for releasably engaging attachment elements on the accessory modules. In one embodiment, the one or more attachment devices are made of an adherent material, and the attachment elements are made of a material removably adherable to the adherent material. The adherent material may comprise Nylex or Velcro, for example, and the adherable material may comprise a complementary adherable material. Of course, various mechanical fastener devices and elements can be used for the one or more attachment devices and for the attachment elements. A single attachment device can be adapted to releasably engage a plurality of accessory modules simultaneously. A single accessory module can be removably attachable to a plurality of attachment devices simultaneously. The accessory modules can be removably attached on the organizing panel in various user-selected positions, with the accessory modules being rearrangeable and adjustable on the organizing panel. The removably attached accessory modules are fixed to the organizing panel so that the accessory modules and the objects held thereby are stabilized and do not move within the interior when the carrying case is transported. The objects are protected due to being stabilized, and the organized arrangement of the objects on the organizing panel is maintained during transport. The accessory modules are detachable from the organizing panel for removal from the carrying case to permit use of the objects held by the accessory modules. Of course, the accessory modules may permit removal of the objects from the accessory modules while the accessory modules remain attached to the organizing panel. Each accessory module can have a configuration representative or indicative of the corresponding object held thereby, such that an object may be recognized from the configuration or appearance of its accessory module. The objects can be partly visible or exposed from the accessory modules to facilitate identification of the objects. Accessory modules can be made available for various standard objects, and any number of accessory modules can be used interchangeably in the carrying case. More than one organizing panel can be provided in the enclosure, which may have the configuration of a suitcase or any other configuration. The organizing panel may be incorporated in a carrying case for a notebook or laptop computer.

[0021] The present invention is further generally characterized in a method of using a carrying case comprising the steps of selecting accessory modules for a plurality of objects to be carried in an interior of a carrying case, inserting the objects in the accessory modules, respectively, removably attaching the accessory modules at selected positions on an organizing panel disposed within the interior of the carrying case, transporting the carrying case while the removably attached accessory modules are fixed on the organizing panel in the selected positions, detaching a selected accessory module from the organizing panel, and removing the detached accessory module from the interior to permit use of the object held thereby.

[0022] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like parts in each of the several figures are identified by the same reference characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of a carrying case according to the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the carrying case.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a back plan view of the carrying case.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the carrying case with front, back and middle interior compartments of the carrying case shown as being open and with a pop-out compartment for the front interior compartment shown in a withdrawn position.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of the carrying case with the front, back and middle interior compartments shown as being open and the pop-out compartment shown in the withdrawn position.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of the carrying case with the front and middle interior compartments shown as being closed, the back interior compartment shown as being open, and depicting an organizing assembly in the back interior compartment.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a first accessory module of the organizing assembly.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a back perspective view of the first accessory module of FIG. 7.

[0031] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a second accessory module of the organizing assembly.

[0032] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a third accessory module of the organizing assembly.

[0033] FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the third accessory module of FIG. 10.

[0034] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a fourth accessory module of the organizing assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0035] A carrying case 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and comprises a body or enclosure 12 enclosing an interior comprising one or more interior compartments. In carrying case 10, the enclosure 12 defines an interior comprising a plurality of interior compartments including a front interior compartment 14a, a middle interior compartment 14b and a back interior compartment 14c. The enclosure 12 can have various external configurations and may be designed, for example, as a notebook, a portfolio, an attache case, a briefcase, a duffel bag, or a suitcase. The enclosure 12 for carrying case 10 is similar to a suitcase and is defined by a plurality of external walls including a front wall 16, a back wall 18, a top wall 20, a bottom wall 22, a left side wall 24, a right side wall 26, and an external panel 28 on front wall 16 defining a pop-out compartment 29. It should be appreciated that the terms “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “left” and “right” are all relative terms applicable to the external walls 16-26, respectively, when the carrying case 10 is viewed and oriented as shown in FIGS. 1-6 but that each of the latter terms can apply to any of the external walls 16-26 depending on the orientation of the carrying case 10 and the direction from which the carrying case 10 is viewed. Accordingly, the terms “front”, “back”, “top”, “bottom”, “left” and “right” should not be construed as limiting the external walls 16-26. The external walls 16-26 can be planar or non-planar and can be rigid or non-rigid depending on the materials and construction for the carrying case 10. The carrying case 10 can be made of various rigid or non-rigid materials. For example, the external walls of the carrying case may be made primarily of one or more durable fabrics with planar front and back walls 16 and 18 and planar panel 28, and any of the external walls and/or panels may be rigidified or reinforced for increased strength and ease of use.

[0036] The front interior compartment 14a is defined between external front wall 16 and an internal front wall 30, with the spacing between external front wall 16 and internal front wall 30 defining a depth for the compartment 14a. The middle interior compartment 14b is defined between the internal front wall 30 and an internal wall back 32, with the spacing between the internal front wall 30 and the internal back wall 32 defining a depth for the middle interior compartment 14b. The back interior compartment 14c is defined between the external back wall 18 and the internal back wall 32, with the spacing between the external back wall 18 and the internal back wall 32 defining a depth for the back interior compartment 14c. The height of the external front wall 16, the external back wall 18, the internal front wall 30 and the internal back wall 32 can be the same or different. For carrying case 10, the height of the internal front and back walls 30 and 32 is greater than the height of the external front and back walls 16 and 18, such that the height of middle interior compartment 14b is greater than the height of the front and back interior compartments 14a and 14c. Accordingly, the top wall 20 is segmented and has a stepped configuration comprising front top wall segment 20a, middle top wall segment 20b and back top wall segment 20c.

[0037] A top edge of external front wall 16 is joined to front top wall segment 20a, which extends from the external front wall 16 to the internal front wall 30. A top edge of internal front wall 30 is joined to the middle top wall segment 20b, which extends from the internal front wall 30 to the top edge of the internal back wall 32. The top edge of the external back wall 18 is joined to the back top wall segment 20c, which extends from the external back wall 18 to the internal back wall 32. Upper portions of the internal front and back walls 30 and 32 extend upwardly from the front and back top wall segments 20a and 20c, respectively, due to the height of the middle interior compartment 14b being greater than the height of the front and back interior compartments 14a and 14c. The upper portions of the internal front and back walls 30 and 32 contribute to defining the exterior of the enclosure 12; and, accordingly, it should be appreciated that portions of any or all of the internal walls can serve as exterior walls of the enclosure 12. Of course, it should also be appreciated that any or all of the internal walls can be disposed entirely within the interior of the carrying case 10, such as when the front, middle and back interior compartments 14a, 14b and 14c are of the same height. It is also to be understood that, where the front, middle and back interior compartments 14a, 14b and 14c are of the same height, the top wall 20 does not have to be segmented but may be planar and/or continuous.

[0038] The bottom wall 22 connects a lower edge of external front wall 16 to a lower edge of external back wall 18. The bottom wall 22 is also connected to a lower edge of internal front wall 30 and to a lower edge of internal back wall 32. It should be appreciated, however, that the lower edges of the internal front and back walls 30 and 32 do not have to be connected to the bottom wall 22 as long as the lower edges of the internal front and back walls are close enough to the bottom wall to maintain an adequate separation between the interior compartments. As described above for top wall 20, the bottom wall 22 may be segmented or may be formed as a planar and/or continuous wall. The bottom wall 22 of carrying case 10 is segmented; however, the bottom wall segments are substantially in alignment with one another so as to be disposed in the same plane or substantially in the same plane. It should be appreciated, therefore, that the segments of a segmented wall of the carrying case 10 can be aligned or substantially aligned with one another so as to be co-planar or substantially co-planar as depicted for bottom wall 22, or the segments can be non-aligned with one another to be disposed at different levels as described and illustrated for top wall 20.

[0039] The left side wall 24 joins a left side edge of external front wall 16 to a left side edge of external back wall 18. The left side wall 24 is also connected to a left side edge of internal front wall 30 and to a left side edge of internal back wall 32. The right side wall 26 joins a right side edge of external front wall 16 to a right side edge of external back wall 18. The right side wall 26 is also connected to a right side edge of internal front wall 30 and to a right side edge of internal back wall 32. It should be appreciated that portions of the left and right side edges of internal front and back walls 30 and 32 which are disposed in the interior do not have to be connected to the external left and right side walls 24 and 26, respectively, so long as the left and right side edges of the internal front and back walls are close enough to the external left and right side walls, respectively, to maintain adequate separation of the interior compartments. As described above for top wall 20 and bottom wall 22, the left and right side walls 24 and 26 may be segmented or may be formed as planar and/or continuous walls. The left and right side walls 24 and 26 are each segmented, and the segments of each comprise front, middle and back side wall segments. The middle side wall segments are of greater height than the front and back side wall segments due to the relatively greater height of the middle interior compartment. Left ends of top wall 20 (or top wall segments) and bottom wall 22 (or bottom wall segments) are joined, respectively, to top and bottom ends of left side wall 24 (or left side wall segments). Similarly, right ends of top wall 20 (or top wall segments) and bottom wall 22 (or bottom wall segments) are joined, respectively, to top and bottom ends of right side wall 26 (or right side wall segments).

[0040] The external walls and internal walls of carrying case 10 can have various perimetric configurations, and the external front wall 16, external back wall 18, internal front wall 30 and internal back wall 32 for enclosure 12 are shown as having rectangular perimetrical configurations. The front wall 16 has an opening or window 33 therein, and the external panel 38 is disposed along an exterior face of front wall 16 to completely cover the window and define the pop-out compartment 29. The pop-out compartment 29 is described in detail in the co-pending patent application previously incorporated herein by reference.

[0041] The interior of carrying case 10 is accessible via one or more selectively openable, selectively closable openings in enclosure 12. Carrying case 10 has a selectively openable, selectively closable opening for each interior compartment, the carrying case 10 having front, middle and back openings 34a, 34b and 34c providing access into the front, middle and back interior compartments 14a, 14b and 14c, respectively. A closure is provided for selectively opening and selectively closing each opening, the carrying case 10 having closures 36a, 36b and 36c for openings 34a, 34b and 34c, respectively, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. The openings can be designed in various ways, with the openings 34a, 34b and 34c extending continuously and uninterruptedly along the entire length of top wall 20 downwardly along the left and right side walls 24 and 26 to lower ends of the left and right side walls. The closures 36a, 36b and 36c can be designed in various ways, and the closures 36a, 36b and 36c for carrying case 10 comprise zippers extending along opposed edges of the openings 34a, 34b and 34c, respectively, as described in the co-pending patent application previously incorporated herein by reference.

[0042] When the closures 36a, 36b and 36c are completely or fully closed, the openings 34a, 34b and 34c are also completely or fully closed and the interior compartments 14a, 14b and 14c are each in a completely or fully closed position as shown in FIGS. 1-3. When the closures 36a, 36b and 36c are completely or fully open, the openings 34a, 34b and 34c are also completely or fully open and the interior compartments 14a, 14b and 14c are each in a completely or fully open position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The interior compartments 14a, 14b and 14c may be opened and closed independently of one another, as represented in FIG. 6 showing the front and middle interior compartments 14a and 14b closed and the back interior compartment 14c open.

[0043] The open and closed positions for the interior compartments are obtained via pivotal or rotational movement of the external and/or internal walls. The external front wall 16 and/or the internal front wall 30 is/are pivotal about its lower end to open and close the front interior compartment 14a. As shown in FIG. 4, the left and right side edges of external front wall 16 may be connected to the left and right side edges of internal front wall 30, respectively, by connecting members 37 to limit the separation between the external front wall 16 and the internal front wall 30 in the open position for front interior compartment 14a as described in greater detail in the co-pending patent application previously incorporated herein by reference. Middle interior compartment 14b is opened and closed by pivoting the internal front wall 30 and/or the internal back wall 32 about its lower end, and the front and back walls 30 and 32 may be connected by connecting members 37, shown in FIG. 4, to limit their separation in the open position for middle interior compartment 14b. Back interior compartment 14c is opened and closed by pivoting external back wall 18 and/or internal back wall 32 relative to one another about their lower ends, and connecting members 37 may be provided between the external back wall 18 and the internal back wall 32 as shown in FIG. 4 to limit the separation between the external back wall and the internal back wall when the back interior compartment 14c is open. In addition to limiting the separation possible between the compartment walls, connecting members 37 also serve to provide lateral boundaries for the interior compartments, respectively, so that loose objects are deterred from falling out of the enclosure along the left and right sides of the interior compartments.

[0044] Each interior compartment can have various partly closed or partly open positions with the front and back walls thereof oriented at various angles to one another. Various partly closed or partly open positions may also be obtained for each interior compartment when the closure for the compartment is partly closed/partly open so that the corresponding opening is also partly closed/partly open, with the degree of access into the interior compartment through the corresponding opening depending on the extent to which the corresponding closure and/or compartment opening is/are partly closed/partly open. Accordingly, the “closed position” for the interior compartments includes a fully closed position as well as various partly closed positions, and the “open position” for the interior compartments includes a fully open position as well as various partly open positions.

[0045] The bottom wall 22 may be provided with a plurality of feet 38 by which the carrying case 10 may be supported on the ground, floor or other support surface with the carrying case 10 in a vertical, upright or upstanding position as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The feet 38 each have a partial spherical or dome-shaped configuration and are preferably made of a smooth, non-abrasive material so that the feet 38 do not scratch or otherwise damage support surfaces, such as wood and glass, upon which the carrying case may be placed. The feet 38 may be made of a frictional material to resist sliding. The feet 38 may be made of a deformable material to facilitate assembly of the feet in corresponding holes or apertures along the bottom wall 22. The top wall 20 is provided with a handle 40 by which the carrying case 10 may be carried in the hand of a user. As shown in FIG. 6, the carrying case 10 may be provided with an adjustable shoulder strap, the shoulder strap 42 having opposite ends removably attached to attachment tabs 44 on top wall 20. The attachments tabs 44 are illustrated as being disposed to the front and rear of middle compartment 14b with one attachment tab located toward the left side of the carrying case and the other attachment tab located toward the right side of the carrying case. However, the attachment tabs 44 can be disposed at any suitable locations.

[0046] An external front pocket 46 may be provided along an exterior face of the external front wall 16, the external front pocket 46 extending from the window 33 to the left side of the enclosure 12. The external front pocket 46 is closed along its left, right and bottom sides while being open along its top side for the introduction of objects therein and removal of objects therefrom. An external back pocket 48 is disposed along an exterior face of external back wall 18, the external back pocket 48 extending from the right side to the left side of the enclosure 12. The external back pocket 48 is closed along its left, right and bottom sides and has a zipper closure along an open top side thereof.

[0047] Carrying case 10 has an organizing assembly 52 according to the present invention comprising at least one organizing panel 54 in the interior and a plurality of accessory modules 56a-56d removably attachable on the organizing panel. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, carrying case 10 has organizing panel 54 disposed in back interior compartment 14c along a back surface or face of internal back wall 32. The organizing panel 54 can be a separate panel disposed over the back surface of internal back wall 32 or can be formed by the back surface of internal back wall 32. The organizing panel 54 can have any desired peripheral shape and size, the organizing panel 54 being planar and having a peripheral shape and size corresponding to the height and width of the back interior compartment 14c. The organizing panel 54 is adapted for removable attachment of the accessory modules 56a-56d thereto, and the surface of the organizing panel which faces into the back interior compartment 14c is provided with or formed as one or more attachment devices 58 for releasably cooperatively engaging attachment elements provided on the accessory modules 56a-56d, respectively. The organizing panel 54 has a plurality of attachment devices 58 each comprising a of strip of releasably adherent material 59 extending from the left side to the right side of the organizing panel in spaced parallel arrangement along the height of the organizing panel. While only horizontal strips of adherent material 59 are depicted for organizing panel 54, it should be appreciated that the strips of adherent material can be arranged on the organizing panel in many various ways including horizontally, vertically and/or at various angles. In addition, it should be appreciated that the entire surface of the organizing panel 54 which faces into the back interior compartment 14c can be of adherent material 59 so that the organizing panel itself comprises a single, unitary attachment device for releasable attachment of one or more accessory modules thereto. While the strips of adherent material 59 may each be considered a separate attachment device, it should be understood that the attachment devices formed by strips of adherent material 59 may operate alone or in combination to releasably secure one or more accessory modules thereto. For example, two strips of adherent material 59, i.e. two attachment devices, may operate in combination with one another to releasably secure a single accessory module on the organizing panel while one strip of adherent material 59, i.e. one attachment device may operate alone to releasably secure one or a plurality of accessory modules on the organizing panel. The adherent material 59 may be Nylex or Velcro, for example.

[0048] The accessory modules 56a-56d are each configured for a particular object, and preferably the accessory modules are configured to hold diverse objects commonly carried in carrying cases. Representative accessory modules 56a-56d are shown in FIGS. 6-12 and include first accessory module 56a corresponding to a pen holder, second accessory module 56b corresponding to a disk holder, third accessory module 56c corresponding to a business card holder, and fourth accessory module 56d corresponding to a universal pouch for miscellaneous objects. The accessory module 56a is shown in FIGS. 6-8 and comprises a rectangular receptacle 60 having a vertical dimension or height to accommodate the length of standard pens or other writing implements, a horizontal dimension or width to accommodate a row of standard pens or other writing implements in side by side arrangement and a depth to accommodate at least one row of standard pens or other writing implements. The accessory module 56a has a pivotal lid 62 formed integrally, unitarily with receptacle 60, the lid 62 having two parallel hinge, pivot or fold lines about which the lid is pivotal to selectively close and open a mouth at the top of receptacle 60. The hinge lines divide the lid 62 into a top segment 66 and a front segment 68. In the closed position for accessory module 56a, the top segment 66 is disposed over the mouth of receptacle 60 parallel to a bottom wall of the receptacle and the front segment 68 overlies a front wall of the receptacle such that the lid 62 follows and completes the configuration of the receptacle for a slim profile. The upper edge of the front wall of the receptacle can have a notch or cutout therein to facilitate visualization and/or grasping of the pens or other writing implements. The long slender profile or configuration of the accessory module 56a is indicative of the pens or other writing implements therein since writing implements such as pens typically have a long slender profile. Of course, the accessory module 56a may be provided with a window for visualization of the pens or other writing implements therethrough as explained below for accessory module 56d.

[0049] The accessory module 56a has a closure for maintaining the lid 62 in the closed position and comprises a magnetic closure including a magnet member 70 carried by lid 62 and a magnetically attractable member 72 carried by the front wall of receptacle 60 as shown in FIG. 7. Preferably, the magnet member 70 and magnetically attractable member 72 are disposed within the lid 62 and front wall of receptacle 60, respectively, so that the magnet member and magnetically attractable member are concealed or hidden and not exposed. Accordingly, the magnet member 70 and the magnetically attractable member 72 can be disposed within the wall thicknesses of the lid 62 and front wall of receptacle 60, respectively. When the lid 62 is in the closed position, the magnet member 70 and magnetically attractable member 72 are in alignment such that the lid is held in place via a magnetic force capable of being overcome by a user manually grasping the lid 62 and moving the front segment 68 away from the front wall of receptacle 60.

[0050] Accessory module 56a includes at least one attachment element 74 along the back of the receptacle 60 for removable attachment to at least one attachment device 58 of organizing panel 54. As shown in FIG. 8, the attachment element 74 for accessory module 56a comprises strips of removably adherable material 76, complimentary to adherent material 59, arranged on the back of receptacle 60 in a T-shaped configuration. The strips of adherable material 76 include a strip of adherable material 76 extending vertically along the receptacle 60 and a strip of adherable material 76 extending horizontally over the vertical strip of adherable material. Of course, it should be appreciated that the strips of adherable material 76 can be arranged on the accessory module 56a in many various ways. It should also be appreciated that the entire back surface of the receptacle 60 can be of adherable material 76 so that the accessory module is itself an attachment element for releasable attachment to the attachment device(s) of the organizing panel. The adherable material 76 may be a Nylex or Velcro complementary adherable material.

[0051] When the strips of adherable material 76 are arranged on the accessory module 56a as shown in FIG. 8, the accessory module 56a may be removably attached to more than one strip of adherent material 59 simultaneously. As shown in FIG. 6, the accessory module 56a can be arranged with the horizontal strip of adherable material 76 removably attached to an upper strip of adherable material 59 and the vertical strip of adherable material 76 removably attached to middle and lower strip of adherent material 59 simultaneously, the accessory module 56a spanning the space between the upper and lower strips of adherent material 59. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that an attachment element on an accessory module can be removably attached to a plurality of attachment devices of the organizing panel simultaneously.

[0052] The accessory module 56b is shown in FIGS. 6 and 9 and comprises a backing 78 and a cover 80 connected by a spine 82. The spine 82 is connected to the backing 78 along a first hinge, pivot or fold line and is connected to the cover 80 along a second pivot, hinge or fold line allowing the accessory module 56b to be disposed in a folded position in which the cover 80 is disposed on top of the backing 78. The accessory module 56b includes a closure 84 for maintaining the accessory module 56b in the folded position and comprising a strap 86 having one end attached to the backing 78 and an opposite end carrying a female component 88 of a snap fastener. A male component 90 of the snap fastener is carried by a front face of the cover 80 for releasable engagement with the female component 88 when the accessory module 56b is in the folded position. The spine 82 has a depth between the backing 78 and the cover 80 in the folded position to accommodate a booklet of disk-receiving jackets 92. Each disk-receiving jacket 93 has an entry slot to allow a disk 93, such as CD/DVD, to be inserted in the disk-receiving jacket 93 as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 9. Although not visible in FIG. 9, the accessory module 56b has an attachment element, such as attachment element 74, along the back face of the backing 78 for removable attachment with one or more attachment devices of the organizing panel 54 as shown in FIG. 6. The accessory module 56b is shown in FIG. 6 as spanning the space between the upper and lower strips of adherent material 59; and, accordingly, the accessory module 56b may be removably attached to the upper, middle and lower strips of adherent material 59 simultaneously. The configuration of the accessory module 56b is indicative of its contents and is readily recognizable as a disk holder.

[0053] FIGS. 6, 10 and 11 illustrate accessory module 56c which is configured as a double folding business card holder comprising a pair of rectangular receptacles 94 connected by a spine 96. Each receptacle 94 is configured to receive a stack of standard business cards insertable therein and removable therefrom via a lengthwise slot 98. The spine 96 extends between the slots 98 and is pivotally connected to the receptacles 94 along spaced and parallel hinge, pivot or fold lines 100 along the slots 98, respectively. The receptacles 94 are pivotal relative to one another along the hinge lines 100 between a folded position for the accessory module 56c shown in FIG. 6 and an unfolded position shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. In the folded position for accessory module 56c, the receptacles 94 are disposed one on top of the other with the slots 98 facing and closed by the spine 96. Spine 96 has a width or depth between the hinge lines 100 to closely accommodate the depth of the receptacles disposed one on top of the other. In the unfolded position for the accessory module 56c, one or both of the receptacles 94 is/are pivoted away from the spine 96 as permitted by hinge lines 100 such that the slot 98 for the pivoted receptacle 94 no longer faces the spine 96 and is, therefore, exposed. In a fully open or unfolded position for the accessory module 56c, the receptacles 94 and spine 96 can be laid flat with the slots 98 facing one another.

[0054] The accessory module 56c may include a closure, such as a magnetic closure, for maintaining the accessory module 56c in its folded position. As shown in FIG. 11, an inside wall of one of the receptacles 94 may be provided with a magnet member 70 and the inside wall of the other receptacle 94 may be provided with a magnetically attractable member 72. The inside walls of the receptacles 94 are in contact or abutment with one another in the folded position for the accessory module 56c so that the magnet member and the magnetically attractable member are in alignment to releasably maintain the accessory module 56c in its folded position. Preferably, the magnet member and magnetically attractable member are disposed within the wall thicknesses of the inside walls of the receptacles 94 so that the magnet member and magnetically attractable member are hidden or concealed and not exposed. Although not visible in FIGS. 10 and 11, an attachment element, such as attachment element 74, is provided on the back face of accessory module 56c for removable attachment with one or more attachment devices 58 of organizing panel 54 as shown in FIG. 6. As an example, the accessory module 56c can be provided with a vertically extending strip of adherent material 76 along an outside wall of one of the receptacles 94 for removable attachment to the upper and middle strips of adherent material 59 simultaneously as shown in FIG. 6. Each receptacle 94 has an external peripheral configuration and size corresponding to the peripheral configuration of standard business cards, and the external peripheral configuration of accessory module 56c in the folded position is the same as that for an individual receptacle 94 to be indicative of its contents.

[0055] FIG. 12 illustrates the accessory module 56d which comprises a pouch or bag 102 having front and rear inwardly curving upper edges 104 defining an opening therebetween via which various miscellaneous objects may be inserted in and removed from the interior of the pouch or bag 102. The accessory module 56d is provided with an attachment element, such as attachment element 74, along the back thereof for removable attachment to one or more attachment devices of organizing panel 54. FIG. 6 illustrates the accessory module 56d removably attached to the lowermost strip of adherent material 59 of the organizing panel 54. Accordingly, accessory module 56d is representative of a removable attachment in which the accessory module is removably attached to a single attachment device of the organizing panel.

[0056] FIG. 6 depicts one representative arrangement for the accessory modules 56a-56d upon the organizing panel. However, it should be appreciated that various diverse arrangements for the accessory modules 56a-56d on the organizing panel are possible. The accessory modules 56a-56d are removably attached to the organizing panel 54 merely by contacting the attachment elements 74 on the accessory modules with the attachment devices 58 on the organizing panel. The accessory modules 56a-56d may be removed or detached from the organizing panel merely by grasping the accessory module and pulling it away from the organizing panel to disengage the attachment element from the attachment device(s). The positions of the accessory modules 56a-56d on the organizing panel can be adjusted vertically along the height of the organizing panel and horizontally along the width of the organizing panel. In addition, all or some of the accessory modules 56a-56d can be removed from the enclosure when not in use to increase the amount of space available in the interior compartment 14c for other uses. All or some of the accessory modules 56a-56d can be removed from the enclosure and replaced with other, different accessory modules designed to carry other objects. Additional accessory modules which can be made available for use with the carrying case of the present invention include an accessory module for holding headphones, especially noise canceling headphones, an accessory module for holding an AC adapter or other power adapters, an accessory module for holding a wireless card, an accessory module for holding an electronic device such as a PDA, and an accessory module for holding a portable keyboard. The accessory modules are preferably no larger than necessary to accommodate the corresponding objects so that the size and configuration of the objects are maintained. By designing the accessory modules to be no larger than necessary, usable space on the organizing panel and in the interior of the carrying case is conserved. The accessory modules can be provided with cut-outs or windows through which objects in the accessory modules are visible or recognizable without removing the objects from their accessory modules. As shown by way of example for accessory module 56d, a window 106 may be provided in a wall of the accessory module for visualization of at least a portion of an object contained therein, and the window may be covered with a transparent material. Of course, the accessory modules can be made partly or entirely of transparent or see-through materials. More than one organizing panel can be provided in the same or different interior compartments of the carrying case as represented by additional organizing panel 54′ shown in FIG. 4 along the interior face of external back wall 18. Where back to back organizing panels are provided in the same interior compartment as shown for organizing panels 54 and 54′, the depth of the interior compartment in which the organizing panels are disposed can be selected to accommodate accessory modules removably attached to both organizing panels simultaneously. The organizing panel 54′ is used in a manner similar to organizing panel 54, with accessory modules being removably attachable thereto in various user-selected positions in which the accessory modules are fixed on the organizing panel.

[0057] In a method of using the carrying case 10, accessory modules are selected by the user corresponding to a plurality of objects to be carried in the interior of the carrying case in accordance with the user's needs. The user inserts the objects in their corresponding accessory modules and removably attaches the accessory modules to the organizing panel. Where the one or more attachment devices are made of an adherent material and the attachment elements are made of a removably adherable material, the accessory modules are attached merely by contacting the removably adherable material with the adherent material on the organizing panels. The accessory modules can be attached to the organizing panel at various user-selected positions on the organizing panel, and the positions of the accessory modules on the organizing panel can be adjusted and rearranged at the discretion of the user. Of course, in order to attach the accessory modules to the organizing panel, the interior compartment containing the organizing panel will have been opened via its corresponding opening and closure to establish access to the organizing panel. Once the accessory modules are attached to the organizing panel, the opening will be closed by the user to allow the carrying case to be transported while the accessory modules are fixed on the organizing panel in the selected positions. In order to retrieve an accessory module from the interior of the carrying case to permit use of the object held thereby, the interior compartment containing the organizing assembly is again accessed via its opening and corresponding closure, and the user detaches the selected accessory module from the organizing panel. Where the one or more attachment devices are made of adherent material and the attachment elements are made of adherable material, the accessory module need only be grasped and moved or pulled away from the organizing panel in order to effect its detachment from the organizing panel. The detached accessory module is removed from the interior of the carrying case via the opening, and the object contained therein is available for use. The method of using the carrying case may further involve detaching one or more of the accessory modules from the organizing panel, removing the detached one or more accessory modules from the interior of the carrying case, selecting one or more other accessory modules corresponding to one or more other objects to be carried in the interior, inserting the one or more other objects in the one or more other accessory modules, and removably attaching the one or more other accessory modules at selected positions on the organizing panel via the opening into the compartment containing the organizing panel. The carrying case may then be transported while the one or more other accessory modules are fixed on the organizing panel in the selected position therefor.

[0058] The organizing assembly of the present invention allows the objects held by the accessory modules to be easily and quickly located and retrieved from the interior of the carrying case. The accessory modules and, therefore, the objects contained therein, are secured on the organizing panel such that the objects are not free to move about the interior of the carrying case and do not become comingled. The accessory modules may be arranged on the organizing panel in an organized manner as customized by the user. An accessory module to be retrieved from the carrying case will be in the position previously established for the accessory module by the user, since the removably attached accessory modules do not move relative to the organizing panel. The accessory modules can be located and retrieved from the interior without requiring the interior compartment containing the organizing assembly to be fully open. The interior compartment containing the organizing assembly need only be open a small amount so that a particular accessory module can be located and retrieved by feel via a hand inserted through a small opening into the interior compartment. Objects within the accessory modules can be visually identified from the configuration or appearance of the corresponding accessory modules and/or tactilely identified by feeling the shape of the corresponding accessory modules. Portions of the objects exposed from or visible through the accessory modules can also be used to facilitate recognition of the objects without requiring that the objects be removed from the accessory modules. Objects can be removed from the accessory modules even while the accessory modules remain removably attached to the organizing panel. Alternatively, the entire accessory module can be removed to permit use of the object therein. The accessory modules may be used to provide structural protection for the objects, and the objects are also protected due to the accessory modules being secured in position on the organizing panel. During transport of the carrying case, objects held in the removably attached accessory modules are prevented from uncontrollably impacting one another as well as the walls of the enclosure to further protect the objects from damage. Since the accessory modules are fixed within the interior, the objects held thereby are prevented from inadvertently falling out of the carrying case when the interior compartment containing the organizing assembly is open.

[0059] The organizing assembly of the present invention can be incorporated in various types of carrying cases including any number of interior compartments. The carrying case may be a carrying case for a notebook or laptop computer. The organizing panel can have any size or configuration and may be disposed at various locations within the interior. Interior surfaces of any of the external or internal walls may serve as the organizing panel or panels. The one or more attachment devices of the organizing panel can be designed in various ways to cooperate with the attachment elements on the accessory modules to releasably or removably attach the accessory modules on the organizing panel. The one or more attachment devices may comprise a single continuous attachment device or a plurality of separate discontinuous attachment devices. The attachment device or devices can be arranged on the organizing panel in various ways at various locations. The attachment elements for the accessory modules may each comprise a single continuous attachment element or a plurality of separate discontinuous attachment elements. The attachment elements may be disposed on the accessory modules in various arrangements and at various locations. Depending on the design for the removable attachment, the attachment device(s) can be the same as or different from the attachment elements. Alternatively or in addition to adherent and adherable materials, various mechanical components can be used for the removable attachment. Accordingly, the attachment device(s) and the attachment elements may comprise various mechanical fasteners including snap, hook and clip fasteners. Magnetic fasteners may also be used for the attachment device(s) and attachment elements to removably attach the accessory modules to the organizing panel. The accessory modules can be designed in many various ways depending on the objects to be contained therein. Various closures can be used in the accessory modules including magnetic closures as well as various other types of closures. The accessory modules may be made of various materials and are preferably lightweight so as not to add appreciably to the weight of the corresponding objects and the carrying case. The accessory modules are preferably conducive to being grasped manually. The carrying case may be sold or supplied with any number of standard accessory modules, and additional diverse accessory modules may be made available for optional purchase.

[0060] Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations, modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all subject matter discussed above or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative only and not be taken in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A carrying case comprising

an enclosure defining an accessible interior; and

an organizing assembly comprising an organizing panel in said interior and a plurality of accessory modules removably attachable on said organizing panel, each of said accessory modules being configured to hold an object to be carried in said interior, said accessory modules being removably attachable on said organizing panel in various adjustable positions on said organizing panel.

2. The carrying case recited in claim 1 wherein each of said accessory modules has a configuration representative of the corresponding object held therein.

3. The carrying case recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of accessory modules comprise a business card holder, a pen holder, a disk holder and a universal pouch.

4. The carrying case recited in claim 3 wherein said plurality of accessory modules further comprise a holder for headphones, a power adapter holder, a hand-held computer holder, a wireless card holder, and a portable keyboard holder.

5. The carrying case recited in claim 1 wherein said organizing panel has a height and width and said accessory modules are removably attachable on said organizing panel in various positions along said height and said width.

6. The carrying case recited in claim 1 wherein said interior is defined between opposed external walls of said enclosure and said organizing panel is disposed along an interior surface of one of said external walls.

7. The carrying case recited in claim 1 wherein said interior is defined between opposed external walls of said enclosure and wherein said organizing panel is disposed between said external walls.

8. The carrying case recited in claim 1 and further including one or more additional accessory modules interchangeable with one or more of said plurality of accessory modules.

9. The carrying case recited in claim 1 wherein each of said accessory modules is configured to removably hold the corresponding object therein.

10. The carrying case recited in claim 1 wherein said accessory modules are removably attachable on said organizing panel in various user-selected positions in which said accessory modules are fixed to said organizing panel.

11. The carrying case recited in claim 10 wherein said organizing panel comprises a first organizing panel in said interior and further including a second organizing panel in said interior and wherein said accessory modules are removably attachable on said second organizing panel in various user-selected positions in which said accessory modules are fixed to said second organizing panel.

12. A carrying case comprising

an enclosure defining an accessible interior;

an organizing panel in said interior comprising one or more attachment devices; and

a plurality of accessory modules each adapted to hold an object to be carried in said interior, each of said accessory modules comprising an attachment element releasably engageable with at least one of said one or more attachment devices for removably attaching said accessory modules to said organizing panel.

13. The carrying case recited in claim 12 wherein at least one of said one or more attachment devices is adapted to releasably engage said attachment elements of more than one of said accessory modules simultaneously.

14. The carrying case recited in claim 12 wherein said one or more attachment devices comprises a plurality of attachment devices and said attachment element of a single one of said accessory modules is adapted to releasably engage more than one of said attachment devices simultaneously.

15. The carrying case recited in claim 12 wherein said one or more attachment devices are made of an adherent material and said attachment elements are made of a material removably adherable to said adherent material.

16. The carrying case recited in claim 15 wherein said adherent material is Nylex.

17. The carrying case recited in claim 15 wherein said adherent material is Velcro.

18. The carrying case recited in claim 15 wherein said one or more attachment devices comprises a plurality of attachment devices each including a strip of said adherent material secured on a surface of said organizing panel.

19. The carrying case recited in claim 18 wherein said organizing panel has a height and width and said strips are secured on said surface at spaced locations along said height and extend parallel to one another along said width.

20. The carrying case recited in claim 19 wherein said attachment element of a single one of said accessory modules is adapted to releasably engage a pair of said strips simultaneously.

21. A method of using a carrying case comprising the steps of

selecting accessory modules for a plurality of objects to be carried in an interior of a carrying case;

inserting the objects in the accessory modules, respectively;

removably attaching the accessory modules at selected positions on an organizing panel disposed within the interior of the carrying case;

transporting the carrying case while the removably attached accessory modules are fixed on the organizing panel in the selected positions;

detaching a selected accessory module from the organizing panel; and

removing the detached accessory module from the interior to permit use of the object held thereby.

22. The method recited in claim 21 wherein said step of selecting includes selecting accessory modules indicative of the corresponding objects held therein.

23. The method recited in claim 21 wherein said step of removably attaching includes engaging attachment elements on the accessory modules with one or more attachment devices on the organizing panel.

24. The method recited in claim 21 wherein said step of removably attaching includes contacting the accessory modules with the organizing panel and said step of detaching includes moving the selected accessory module away from the organizing panel.

25. The method recited in claim 21 and further including the step of rearranging the accessory modules on the organizing panel.

26. The method recited in claim 21 and further including the steps of detaching one or more of the accessory modules from the organizing panel, removing the detached one or more accessory modules from the interior, selecting one or more other accessory modules for one or more other objects to be carried in the interior, inserting the one or more other objects in the one or more other accessory modules, removably attaching the one or more other accessory modules at selected positions on the organizing panel, transporting the carrying case while the removably attached one or more other accessory modules are fixed on the organizing panel in the selected positions for the one or more other accessory modules.