Luggage Cover

Abstract

Provided is a luggage cover having a front, rear, top and a pair of opposing side walls defining an interior volume and having an open bottom. The open bottom can be placed around the top of a luggage container and pulled thereover, wherein the luggage cover is stretchable and fits snugly thereon in a sleeve-like manner and will not slip therefrom. A first indicia is disposed on the front wall thereof and a second indicia is disposed on the rear wall thereof, wherein the indicia displays front and rear views of a single image. The first and second indicia enable the user to readily identify one's luggage while traveling. The luggage cover is padded to prevent scuffs and scratches from forming on the luggage container and absorb impact in order to protect the contents therein.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/948,733 filed on Mar. 6, 2014. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a luggage cover that can be placed over the body of a standard luggage container in order to protect the luggage container from scuffs, scratches, dust and the like. More specifically, the present invention is padded to absorb impact and thus protect the contents within the luggage container, wherein the invention further provides a first indicia on a front surface thereof and second indicia on a rear surface thereof in order to enable a user to readily identify his or her particular luggage while traveling and at crowded places such as an airport baggage claim.

Conventional luggage covers include zippers, straps or other hardware which can be difficult and tedious to apply. These covers are often bulky and are not streamlined to snugly fit onto a luggage container in a sleeve-like manner in order to reduce the amount of space taken up by the cover and to offer a refined appearance to one's luggage container. Further, conventional methods of covering luggage containers do not provide a visual indicator to users regarding the identification and/or ownership of their particular luggage container.

More practical classes of luggage covers provide an easy to identify cover that includes identifying colored designs or an identification marking in order to facilitate the easy identification of their luggage, wherein such markings can include a plastic sleeve in which a name card and the like can be inserted therein for viewing by the user for identification purposes. Still, these devices do not provide a padded apparatus having a front and back indicia forming a whole image for the user to view in order to identify his or her particular luggage.

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a new and improved luggage cover having a first indicia on the front thereof and a second indicia on the back thereof to allow a user to easily identify his or her luggage. The indicia can include various figures, characters, patterns, objects and the like. The first indicia and the second indicia form a whole and complete image for the user to view and recognize his or her particular luggage, wherein the first indicia shows a front view and the second indicia shows a rear view of character and the like. The invention provides a padded material that is placed over a luggage container in a snug fitting and sleeve like manner, wherein the luggage cover can protect the contents placed therein as well as protect the exterior of the luggage container form scuffs, dents, scratches and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to luggage covers. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices generally relate to luggage covers for luggage containers, wherein some devices provide identification functions for the easy recognition of one's luggage. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 7,077,251 to Gaither provides a designer cover for luggage that enables one to easily identify their particular luggage when traveling and/or at an airport baggage claim, bus terminal, train station and the like. The device is washable, lightweight, and foldable and can provide a plurality of pockets, pouches, and an umbrella pouch and can provide characters or sports scenes disposed thereon for easy identification thereof. Further, the device includes a slot for the wheels and the handle of the luggage. The present invention however, provides a cover for luggage having an open bottom and a cutout at the top thereof in order to accommodate the handle and wheels of the luggage.

U.S. Publication No. 2011/0259692 to Warncke discloses a cover for a luggage container having a cover body for securing the cover to a luggage bag in order to protect the luggage from scuffing, scratching, staining and the like. The device can further provide advertising and identification functionality. An outer face of the cover body may be provided with at least one identification marking, to facilitate identification of a luggage container which is covered by the cover. The identification marking can be drawn, embroidered, etched, sewn, or otherwise disposed on the cover body. Still, the device does not disclose a luggage cover having characters, figures, or patterns having such indicia on the front and back thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,562 to Oh describes a luggage container that includes an integrated cover, wherein the cover is permanently affixed thereto. The cover provides two compartments, wherein the device is water resistant and can provide protection to the luggage container and the contents therein. Still, this device does not provide a removable cover that can be easily washed and applied to various luggage containers. Further, the device does not provide an identification function to notify users to the identity of his or her particular luggage when traveling.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,441,641 to Beakey allows for a luggage cover that preserves the aesthetic features of the articles of luggage. The device provides a plurality of cutout areas that coincide with conventional wheeled luggage features such as wheels and handles. This device however, is suitable only for particular styles of luggage and does not provide versatility for various luggage pieces. Further, the device does not provide an open bottom and identification indicia disposed on the front and back thereof.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,093,699 to Yu discloses a luggage cover that is adapted to be used with a luggage container having a plurality of panels, wherein one panel is an expandable panel. The device enables users to protect one's luggage and reduce the general wear and tear of the luggage container to which it is applied. The present invention provides a luggage cover that both protects the luggage to which it is applied and enables the user to readily indentify his or her luggage in an aesthetically pleasing manner.

These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The above discussed luggage covers do not provide for a luggage cover that includes identifying indicia disposed on the exterior thereof, wherein the identifying indicia includes the image of a character, object, animal and the like having a front side and a back side in order to provide a whole image. Further, the above prior art devices do not provide a sleeve-like cover that is padded in order to absorb impact thereto in order to protect the exterior of the luggage container as well as the contents placed therein. In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing luggage cover devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of luggage covers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new luggage cover, wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user for identifying and/or distinguishing his or her particular luggage from others' luggage when traveling, at an airport baggage claim, at a bus terminal and the like.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved luggage cover device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a luggage cover having an open bottom to easily place the luggage cover over various luggage containers.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a luggage cover having a padded material to absorb impact and protect the contents within the luggage container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a luggage cover that can protect the exterior of the luggage container from scratches, scuffs, and dents.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a luggage cover having a first indicia disposed on the front thereof for easy identification thereof by the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a luggage cover that having a second indicia disposed on the back thereof for easy identification thereof by the user.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a luggage cover that can be constructed from a water resistant material and/or waterproof material.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a luggage cover having a cutout at the top thereof in order to accommodate the handle of the luggage container therethrough.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a luggage cover adapted to fit over a luggage container in a snug and sleeve like manner.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the luggage cover wherein the device is placed over a luggage container.

FIG. 2 shows a back view of the luggage cover having a second indicia disposed thereon, wherein the second indicia corresponds with the first indicia and completes the first indicia.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the luggage cover. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for protecting luggage containers from damage and providing indicia thereon in order to enable the user to readily distinguish one's particular luggage container from another's. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a front view of the luggage cover 11 having a cutout 12 at the top thereof, an open bottom and a first indicia 14 and second indicia 15 disposed on the front wall 24 and rear wall 25 thereof, wherein the luggage cover 11 is placed over a standard luggage container 16 in order to provide protection thereto. The luggage cover 11 provides a front wall 24, a rear wall 25, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top wall defining an interior volume having an open bottom. The front wall 24, rear wall 25, first side wall, second side wall and top wall provide a first side and a second side, wherein the first side comprises the exterior surface of the luggage cover 11 and the second side comprises the interior surface of the luggage cover 11. Each of the walls 24, 25 are connected so as to form a unitary body. The top wall of the luggage cover provides a centrally located cutout 12 in which the handle of a luggage container 16 can be inserted therethrough.

The luggage cover 11 is padded to absorb impact to the luggage container 16 if contacted by force. The user can place the open bottom of the luggage cover 11 over the top of a standard luggage container 16, wherein the user can grip the first side wall and the second side wall of the luggage cover 11 and manually slide the luggage cover 11 over the luggage container 16 and extend it downward to the bottom end of the luggage container 16 in order to protect the exterior of the luggage container 16 from scratches, stains, dents and scuffs.

The first indicia 14 is disposed on the exterior of the front wall 24 and can include various characters, cartoons, shapes, coins, animals, objects and figures, such as a cartoon dog as shown in a preferred embodiment. The second indicia is disposed on the rear wall 25 the luggage cover 11 and coincides with the first indicia 14. Thus, the first indicia may display the front of an object, and the second indicia may display the rear of the same object. In the illustrated embodiment, the first indicia 14 displays the front side of a cartoon dog having a head, eyes, a nose, ears, a mouth, arms and legs and can be wearing a garment. The second indicia 15 displays the back side of the cartoon dog and completes the first indicia of the cartoon dog, wherein the second indicia shows the back side of the ears, head, arms, legs and garment thereon thus providing both a front a back view thereof.

The first indicia 14 and the second indicia of the luggage cover 11 enables the user to readily identify one's luggage when traveling, at an airport baggage claim, bus terminal and other similar locations. The user can quickly view and recognize the first indicia 14 and/or second indicia 15 of his or her particular luggage and thus distinguish his or her luggage from others' luggage containers nearby. The luggage cover 11 provides a cutout 12 at the top wall thereof, wherein the handles 20 of the luggage container 16 extend therethrough and the user can manually grasp the handles 20 thereof in order to transport the luggage container 16. The open bottom of the luggage cover 11 allows the wheels of the luggage container 16 to extend therethrough and contact the floor or ground in order to enable the user to slide the wheels of the luggage container 16 thereover.

The user can easily identify one's particular luggage via viewing the first indicia 14 disposed on the front wall 24 or second indicia 15 disposed on the rear wall 25 of the luggage cover 11, wherein the first indicia 14 can be the front side of a coin in an alternative embodiment and the second indicia 15 can be the back side of the coin, Similarly, the first indicia 14 can be the front side or view of a cartoon dog as shown in a preferred embodiment and the second indicia 15 can be the back side of a cartoon dog as shown in FIG. 2. Once identified, the user can grip the handles 20 of the luggage container 16 that are extended through the cutout 12 of the top wall of the luggage cover and easily transport both the luggage container 16 and the luggage cover 11 thereon.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a rear view of the luggage cover 11 having a second indicia 15 disposed thereon, wherein the second indicia 15 corresponds with the first indicia 14 and completes the first indicia 14. The first indicia 14 and second indicia 15 are such that they match one another and form one whole image having a front side and a back side, wherein the front side of the image is disposed on the front wall 24 of the luggage cover 11 and the back side of the image is disposed on the rear wall 25 of the luggage cover 11. The first indicia 14 and the second indicia 15 can be disposed on the first side of the front wall 24 and the first side of the rear wall 25 and can be screen printed, embossed, stamped, painted, and/or ink marked.

The luggage cover 11 is padded and thus adapted to absorb impact when contacted, jolted, thrown or tousled about in order to protect the body of the luggage container and the contents within the luggage container from damage when traveling through and on a conveyor belt, below deck on a boat, stored in an overhead bin or the cargo hold of an airplane wherein luggage is often forcefully contacted in such locations. The luggage cover 11 can be made from neoprene in a preferred embodiment to snugly fit a luggage container 16 in a sleeve like manner; however the luggage cover can be made from cotton, polyester, foam rubber, stretchable materials, fabric materials and/or other suitable materials.

Further, the luggage cover 11 can be made in various sizes to fit different types of luggage containers and can provide various colors, patterns and the like thereon. The luggage cover is adapted to be snug fitting having a slightly stretchy nature, such that it fits in a sleeve like manner when applied to a luggage container and conforms to the shape thereof, wherein the luggage cover 11 can grip the luggage container and will not slip therefrom. The luggage cover 11 can be machine washable and dryer compatible.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1) A luggage cover for a luggage container, comprising:

a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall and a top wall defining an interior volume and having an open bottom;

wherein said front wall provides a first indicia disposed thereon and said rear wall provides a second indicia disposed thereon.

2) The luggage cover of claim 1, wherein said top wall further comprises a centrally located cutout adapted to receive a handle of a luggage container therethrough.

3) The luggage cover of claim 1, wherein said first indicia is the front of a figure, object, coin, shape, character, or animal.

4) The luggage cover of claim 1, wherein said second indicia is the back of a figure, object, coin, shape, character, or animal and corresponds with said first indicia forming a whole image having a front and a back, wherein said front of said whole image is disposed on said front wall of said luggage cover and said back of said whole image is disposed on said rear wall of said luggage cover.

5) The luggage cover of claim 1, wherein said first indicia and said second indicia is disposed on said front wall and said rear wall, respectively, by means of screen printing, embossing, stamping, painting, or ink marking.

6) The luggage cover of claim 1, being composed of a padded material.

7) The luggage cover of claim 1, being composed of a stretchable material adapted to fit snugly onto a luggage container.