Carrying Case with Removable Cover

Abstract

A carrying case including a base portion, a lid rotatively and removably connected to the base portion, a first and second securing unit on an edge of the base portion with the first securing unit and second securing unit being separated by a distance and each having a channel extending through their length, a third securing unit on an edge of the lid having a channel extending through the length of the third securing unit wherein the length of the third securing unit is less than the distance separating the first and second securing units, a removable pin having a knob and a threaded portion on one end wherein the pin is sized such that the pin passes through the channels in the first, second and third securing unit.

Description

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application No. 61/896,202 filed Oct. 28, 2013 entitled “Carrying Case with Removable Cover.”

BACKGROUND

Traveling for business or pleasure often requires the use of luggage to transport belongings to and from a destination. Many times different pieces of luggage are used based on the purpose of the travel. In many cases, the appearance of luggage used for personal travel differs from luggage used for business travel. Because different luggage styles are used for business and personal travel, travelers must buy multiple luggage pieces depending on the purpose of the travel.

A need exists of luggage that will allow a user to change the appearance of the luggage without purchasing a new luggage set.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention includes a carrying case including a base portion, a lid rotatively and removablly connected to the base portion, a first and second securing unit on an edge of the base portion with the first securing unit and second securing unit being separated by a distance and each having a channel extending through their length, a third securing unit on an edge of the lid having a channel extending through the length of the third securing unit wherein the length of the third securing unit is less than the distance separating the first and second securing units, a removable pin having a knob and a threaded portion on one end wherein the pin is sized such that the pin passes through the channels in the first, second and third securing unit, where the surface of the channel of the first or second securing unit includes a threaded portion and the threaded portion of the pin is sized to engage the threaded portion of the first or second securing unit when the pin engages the securing units.

In another embodiment, the lid is removed from the base by removing the pin from the first, second and third securing units.

In another embodiment, the lid is made of plastic.

In another embodiment, the lid include ridges extending from the surface of the lid.

In another embodiment, the ridges form a recessed area on the cover.

In another embodiment, the recessed area is sized to accommodate a graphical image.

In another embodiment, the lid is made of a clear material.

In another embodiment, the graphical image is printed on an interior surface of the lid.

In another embodiment, the ridges prevent the recessed area of the lid from contacting the ground

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a carrying case that is consistent with this invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a removable cover;

FIG. 3 depicts a side cut away view of the securing band;

FIG. 4 depicts a tensioning unit for the rigid band that is incorporated onto a side of the securing band;

FIG. 5 depicts a carrying case with a removable cover;

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment a removable hinge for the carrying case;

FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment of the cover for the carrying case; and

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of the securing units and pin of the carrying case.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts a carrying case that is consistent with this invention. The carrying case 100 includes a base 102, an upper lid 104, and a securing band 106. The securing band 106 removably connects a removable cover (not shown) to the upper lid 108 of the carrying case 100. The base 102 is made from a rigid material such as aluminum, steel, plastic or any other rigid material. In one embodiment, the base 102 includes a rigid frame covered in a durable fabric such as nylon or Kevlar. The upper lid 108 is removably connected to the base 102 by a hinge (not shown) that connects the base 102 to the upper lid 108 along one side of the base 102 and upper lid 108.

FIG. 2 depicts a removable cover 200. The removable cover 200 includes a face portion 202, side walls 204 and securing ridge 206. The face portion 202 is configured to receive an embossed or imprinted logo such as the logo of a sports teams. The removable cover 200 is made from a rigid material such as steel, aluminum, polycarbonate or any other rigid material. The securing ridge 206 runs along the periphery of the lower edge of the removable cover 202. The removable cover 202 is shaped such that is substantially conforms to the shape of the upper lid 108.

FIG. 3 depicts a side cut away view of the securing band 106. The securing band 106 is substantially “C” shaped and includes a rigid band 300 embedded in the securing band 106. The rigid band 300 is made from a material having memory characteristics such as steel. The rigid band 300 continuously runs through the center of the securing band 106 along the entire length of the securing band 106. The upper ridge 302 of the securing band includes a notch 304 that is configured to engage a ridge 306 on the outer edge of the securing ridge 206. The lower ridge 308 of the securing band 106 engages a ridge 310 of the upper lid 108 to secure the upper lid 108 to the cover 206. A ridge 312 on the outer portion of the ridge 310 may engage a notch 314 in the lower portion of the securing ridge 106 to laterally secure the upper lid 108 to the cover 206.

When the rigid band 300 is placed under tension, the center portion 316 of the securing band 106 is pulled in contact with the ridge 206 and the ridge 310. The rigid band 300 also rotates the upper ridge 302 and the lower ridge 308 of the securing band 106 such that the upper and lower ridge 302 and 308 apply opposing forces against the ridges 206 and 310 to secure the cover 206 to the upper lid 108. The length of the ridges 206 and 310 are configured such that the securing band 106 affixes the cover 206 to the upper lid 108.

When the tension is removed from the rigid band 300, the center portion 316 of the rigid band 300 moves away from ridge 206 and ridge 310 to allow the ridge 206 to be removed from the securing band 106. The securing band 106 is configured such that the rigid band 300 allows the upper ridge 302 to move away from the cover 206 to allow the over to be removed.

In one embodiment, the ridge 310 is permanently affixed to the lower ridge 308 of the securing band 106. Consistent with this embodiment, the notch 312 may be spring biased such that the notch recesses into the ridge 310 when the cover 206 engages the notch 306. Further, the side surface of the notch 312 may be sloped away from the securing band 106 to allow the ridge 206 to slide along the top surface of the notch 312 forcing the notch 312 down until the ridge 206 is positioned above the notch 312.

FIG. 4 depicts a tensioning unit 400 for the rigid band 300 that is incorporated onto a side of the securing band 106. Each end of the rigid band 300 is affixed to one end of clips 402 such that the rigid band 300 is pulled into tension when the clips 402 are engaged and is released from tension when the clips 402 are disengaged. In one embodiment, the rigid band 300 is secured to two clips 402. In another embodiment, multiple rigid bands 300 are connected to multiple clips 402 to ensure the proper amount of tension is applied to the rigid band to secure the cover 200 to the upper lid 108. A biased push button 404 may be used to engage and disengage the clips. When the push button 404 is engaged, a bar securing the clip to the carrying case is retracted to allow the tension in the rigid band 300 to pull the clip away from the carrying case. When the clip 402 is pushed towards the securing band 106, the clip engages the bar and the button 404 is extended upward. The number of rigid bands 300 and clips 402 used in the carrying case is determined by the distance the securing band 106 must travel to allow insertion of the ridge 206 on the cover 200 into the securing band 106.

FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of the carry case with a removable cover. The carrying case 500 include removable hinges 504 and 506 that allow the cover 502 to be removed from the carrying case 500. FIG. 6 depicts a detailed view of the removable hinges. Each hinge includes a pin (not shown) and a knob 602. The pin engages securing units 604 on the lower portion of the case and a securing unit 604 on the cover 502. The securing unit 606 on the removable case 502 is sized such that the length of the securing unit 606 is less than the distance between the securing units 604 on the lower portion of the case. The knob 602 includes a cavity having a threaded portion that engages a threaded portion on a securing unit 604 of the lower case. The knob 602 is removably attached to the securing unit 604 such that the pin can be removed from the securing units 604 and 606.

The cover 502 is attached to the base by the hinges 502 and 504 and rotates open and closed via the hinges 502 and 504. The cover may be made from any solid material including plastic, metal, wood or any other material. The pin may be made of any rigid material including steel or plastic. FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment of a cover. The cover 700 includes a recessed portion 702 on the surface of the cover 700. The recessed portion 702 is formed by two ridges 704 and 706. The ridges 704 and 706 extend from the surface of the cover 700 such that the top surface of each ridge is separated from the surface of the cover by a distance. In one embodiment, the top surface of the ridges are separated from the surface of the cover by a distance that is sufficient to prevent the surface of the cover 700 from contacting the ground when the cover is dropped or slid on the ground. In one embodiment, the ridges 704 and 706 are integrally attached to the cover. In another embodiment, the ridges 704 and 706 are removably attached to the cover 700. In another embodiment, the ridges 704 and 706 are affixed to the cover 700. The surface area of the recessed portion is sized to accommodate a graphical image. In one embodiment, the cover is made of a substantially clear material and a graphical image is printed on the back surface of the cover 700. The transparent material may be acrylic or plastic. The securing units 606 on the cover 700 include a central cavity 708 that allows the pin to pass through the entire length of the securing unit 606.

FIG. 8 depicts a side detached view of the cover 700 engaging the base 102. The base 102 includes securing units 604. Each securing unit 604 includes an opening allowing the pin 802 to pass through the opening. The cover 700 includes securing units 606 that is configured to fit between the two securing units 604 on the base 102 when the cover is attached to the base 102. Each securing unit 606 includes a central cavity that is sized to accommodate the pin 802.

The pin 802 includes the knob 602 and a threaded portion 804 the pin has a diameter that is sized to fit into the opening in the securing units 604 and 606. One of the securing units 604 on the base includes a threaded portion that is configured to engage the threaded portion 804 on the pin 802. The knob 602 is configured to rotate such that the threaded portion 804 fully engage the threaded portion in the securing unit 604 on the base 102. The channels in the securing units 604 and 606 are configured such that the central axis of the channels are coaxial when the cover 700 is positioned on the base 102. In one embodiment, the end of the pin opposite the knob is threaded and engages a corresponding thread in the securing unit 604 furthest from the knob 602 when the pin 802 engages the securing units.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention claimed. The disclosed configuration is the preferred embodiment and is not intended to preclude functional equivalents to the various elements.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, are included to illustrate and provide a further understanding of the invention. Together with the description, the drawings serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Claims

1. A carrying case including:

a base portion;

a lid rotatively and removably connected to the base portion;

a first and a second securing unit on an edge of the base portion with the first securing unit and second securing unit being separated by a distance and each having a channel extending through their length;

a third securing unit on an edge of the lid having a channel extending through the length of the third securing unit wherein the length of the third securing unit is less than the distance separating the first and second securing units;

a removable pin having a knob and a threaded portion on one end wherein the pin is sized such that the pin passes through the channels in the first, second and third securing unit,

wherein

the surface of the channel of the first or second securing unit includes a threaded portion and the threaded portion of the pin is sized to engage the threaded portion of the first or second securing unit when the pin engages the securing units.

2. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein the lid is removed from the base by removing the pin from the first, second and third securing units.

3. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein the lid is made of plastic.

4. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein the lid include ridges extending from the surface of the lid.

5. The carrying case of claim 4 wherein the ridges form a recessed area on the cover.

6. The carrying case of claim 5 wherein the recessed are is sized to accommodate a graphical image.

7. The carrying case of claim 1 wherein the lid is made of a clear material.

8. The carrying case of claim 7 wherein a graphical image is printed on an interior surface of the lid.

9. The carrying case of claim 4 wherein the ridges prevent the recessed area of the lid from contacting the ground.