FOLDABLE CARRYING DEVICE

Abstract

The carrying device of the present invention provides a unique construction which allows a user to collapse and store the carrying device in a way that allows it to be deployed, set-up quickly, and packed away again. The carrying device of the present invention comprises a back panel, a front panel, a bottom panel and side panels. When the panels of the carrying device are zipped together, the carrying device provides a convenient enclosure for storing and carrying items. When the panels of the carrying device are unzipped, the carrying device may be collapsed to a compact shape for easy storage.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/029,047, filed on Feb. 15, 2008, to the extent allowed by law.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

A collapsible carrying device, useful as luggage is described. The carrying device includes foldable side and front panels which partially detach from each other, thus permitting folding the carrying device into a compact shape.

BACKGROUND

In modern society, luggage or carrying devices are an unavoidable necessity of every day life. People need comfortable and convenient carrying devices that allow them to go about their life, work, and travel, in an easy way. Such carrying devices are generally referred to as luggage items, bags, containers, or the like. People use these items to carry work-related material to their offices, or to carry other traveling accessories on business trips, vacations, or the like. Quite often people travel with their small dogs, cats, birds or other pet animals, and such carrying devices may also be used for carrying pet animals.

It would be desirable to have a luggage product or carrying device that may be stored in a compact manner when not in use. Additionally, it would be further desirable to have a luggage product which may be collapsed and stored in a way that allows it to be deployed, set-up quickly, and packed away again when necessary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A carrying device according to the principles of the present invention is manufactured to provide a unique method of opening and closing the carrying device. The carrying device of the present invention also provides a unique construction which allows a user to collapse and store the carrying device in a way that allows it to be deployed, set-up quickly, and packed away again. An embodiment of the carrying device of the present invention provides a single closing apparatus, such as a zipper for example, to be used to close the entire carrying device.

The carrying device of the present invention comprises a back panel, a bottom panel foldably connected to the back panel, a front panel connected to the bottom panel, a right side panel connected to the right edge of the back panel, a left side panel connected to the left edge of the back panel, and a zipper having a first side attached to the left and right edges of the back panel and the left, right and top edges of the front panel, and a second side of the zipper attached to bottom, front and top edges of the left side panel, a top edge of the back panel and bottom, front and top edges of the right side panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the appended claims set forth the features of the present patent with particularity, the patent, together with its objects and advantages, may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a side view and a rear view respectively of a carrying device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a bottom view and a top view respectively of a carrying device according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 2C is a detailed view of a loop webbing structure on the back panel of an embodiment of the carrying device of the present invention which can be used to secure the carrying device in a desired location;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the carrying device of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the carrying device in a partially open position;

FIG. 4 is a view of a carrying device of the present invention with an open zipper;

FIG. 5 is a sequential series of illustrations showing the carrying device of the present invention as it is folded into a compact shape;

FIGS. 6A and 6B provide close-up views of the foot of the carrying device according to the principles of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C provide detailed perspective, plan, and top views, respectively, of the foot of the carrying device of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a wheel assembly attached to a back panel of the carrying device of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C provide detailed views of the wheel assembly of the carrying device of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the carrying device of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sequential series of illustrations showing the carrying device of FIG. 10 as it is folded into a compact shape;

FIG. 12 illustrates a comparison of the storing of the carrying device of FIG. 11 as compared to other carrying devices currently on the market; and

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the carrying device of the present invention for use as a back pack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

A carrying device according to the principles of the present invention is manufactured to provide a unique method of opening and closing the carrying device. The carrying device of the present invention includes a unique construction which allows a user to collapse and store the carrying device in a way that allows it to be deployed, set-up quickly, and packed away again. An embodiment of the carrying device disclosed herein allows a single closing apparatus, such as a zipper for example, to be used to close the entire carrying device.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a carrying device 10 according to the principles of the present invention includes an enclosure 10 on a wheel assembly that can either be carried or wheeled around by the user (not shown). As further illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the carrying device 10 includes a right side panel 12 connected foldably to a right edge 14 of a back panel 16 of the carrying device 10. The right side panel 12 comprises a bottom edge 18, a front edge 20, a rear edge 17, and a top edge 22. The carrying device 10 further comprises a left side panel 24 also foldably connected to a left edge 26 of the back panel 16 of the carrying device 10. (Shown in FIG. 3). The left side panel 24 also comprises a bottom edge 19, a front edge 21, a rear edge 25 and a top edge 23.

FIG. 2 further illustrates additional views of the embodiment of the carrying device 10 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. As shown in 2A, a bottom panel 28 of the carrying device 10, foldably connects to the back panel 16. FIG. 2A also shows a dashed line denoting an area 30 of the carrying device 10 where a plastic board or other similar rigid material (note shown) may be installed, in an embodiment, at the bottom panel 28 of the carrying device 10 to provide support for cargo placed thereon. A foot 32 may also be secured to the bottom panel 28 at 30 via a rivet or other similar fastener through fabric or other material of the bottom panel 28. FIG. 2B also illustrates a top view of a front panel 34 of the carrying device 10. The front panel 34 is foldably connected to the bottom panel 28 at a front edge 29 of the bottom panel (shown in FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the front panel 34 may be made of a flexible material. FIG. 2C also illustrates an embodiment of the carrying device 10 wherein a loop 36 of webbing or other similar material may be stitched into a binding 38 on the edge of the back panel 16 of the carrying device 10. Such loop 36 may have a button 40 or similar fastening mechanism that may be used to secure a second end of the loop 36 to the back panel 16 of the carrying device 10. Such loop 36 may be used to secure the carrying device 10 to a seat belt (not shown), to the top of a vehicle (not shown), or to some other location. While the embodiment disclosed here shows the button 40 in black, one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that alternate color studs may also be used.

In FIG. 3, right side panel 12 and left side panel 24 of the carrying device 10 and the front panel 34 of the carrying device 10 have been opened using a zipper 42 that connects the front panel 34 and the right side panel 12 and left side panel 24 to the bottom panel 28 and back panel 16 of the carrying device 10. The zipper 42 has a first side 44 that is attached to a left edge 46 and a right edge 48 of the bottom panel 28 and a left edge 50, a right edge 52, and a top edge 54 of the front panel 34. The zipper 42 also has a second side 56 that is attached to a bottom edge 19, a front edge 21, and a top edge 23 of the left side panel 24, a top edge 58 of the back panel 16, and the bottom edge 18, the front edge 20, and top edge 22 of the right side panel 12. FIG. 3 also shows a telescopic handle 60 attached to the back panel 16 of the carrying device 10 and a wheel assembly 62 attached to the bottom panel 28 of the carrying device 10 (also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). In an embodiment of the present invention, the carrying device 10, where the front panel 34 and the bottom panel 28 are joined together, the back panel 16 and the bottom panel 28 are reinforced rigid material and are joined together by a hinge 64 to provide support to the structure of the carrying device 10. Examples of a rigid reinforcing material may include plastic and other similar materials. In an embodiment, the hinge 64 may be made of a metal, a semi-rigid plastic material, a fabric, or other similar materials. In another embodiment, the front panel 34 may be made of flexible material. The left side panel and the right side panel may also be made of a flexible material. Examples of flexible material in the present invention may include fabric and other similar materials. The left side panel 24 and right side panel 12 are separated from the bottom panel 28, and the front panel 34 by a zipper 42. Each of the left and right side panels 24, 12 may be attached to the back panel 16 by a hinge 65 along a rear edge 17, 25 of the left side panel 24 and the right side panel 12. In a still further embodiment, the outer perimeter of the left and right side panels 12, 24 may enclose a stiff wire member (not shown) that holds the fabric side of the left and right side panels 24, 12 taut. Additionally, in an embodiment of the present invention, the front panel 34 may be made of a mesh material which allows air circulation in and out of the carrying device. In another embodiment, a portion of the left side panel 24 and the right side panel 12 may also be constructed from a mesh or similar material to allow air circulation in and out of the carrying device. In another embodiment, a portion of the left side panel 24 and the right side panel 12 may also be constructed from a transparent material.

FIG. 4 illustrates the carrying device 10 of the present invention zippered open and laying on the back panel 16 with the front panel 34 laid on the same surface as the back panel 16. In use, the carrying device 10 of the present invention has a first closed position for holding cargo and other items in the carrying device 10. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, the carrying device 10 can be easily folded into a compact form from these positions. As shown in FIG. 5, the carrying device 10 of the present invention has a second collapsed position for easy storage that results from the foldable construction of the carrying device 10. In FIG. 5, the carrying device 10 is shown in its fully usable position at 66 on the top left and subsequent images from left to right and top to bottom illustrate the folding of the carrying device 10, such that the carrying device 10 is completely folded in a compact form as shown in the bottom right image at 68. In the folded position 68, a user can extend a strap 70 horizontally to secure the front panel 34 and the left and right side panels 28, 12 to the back panel 16 via button 40 on loop 36. In the illustrated embodiment button 40 is a press button. However, other fasteners known in the art may be used. In alternative embodiments, the button 40 and loop 41 may be placed in different locations along the back panel 16.

As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, the folding process for the carrying device 10 of the present invention is much simpler than that for other carrying device products in the field. As shown in FIG. 3, a user unzips the zipper 42 downward along the front panel 34. When a user has reached about halfway down the front of the carrying device 10, the user then unbuttons the retaining strap 70. Next, the user lays the carrying device 10 on its back panel 16 and continues to unzip until the zipper 42 reaches the end of the front panel 34. As shown at 67 in FIG. 5, and similar to FIG. 4, the front panel 34 and the back panel 16 now rest on a parallel surface 11. Finally, the user folds the left and right side panels 24, 12 in towards a center of the carrying device 10 and folds the bottom panel 28 down on top of the right and left side panels 12, 24 as shown in FIG. 5 at 69. The straps 36 on the back panel 16 of the carrying device 10, which can be used to retain the carrying device 10 in a vehicle (not shown) through the use of a lap belt as discussed above, may also be used to maintain the item in a folded position as shown in FIG. 5. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, one or more steps in folding the carrying device 10 described herein may be taken in an alternative order or eliminated if necessary. The carrying device 10 may further comprise a strap attached to the back panel 16 that attaches to a clasp attached to the bottom panel 28 to keep the carrying device in a closed position. (not shown)

The construction of the carrying device 10 of the present invention allows the carrying device to be stiff and ridged in the open or expanded position to provide support for carrying cargo, pets, or other items. At the same time when not in use, the carrying device of the present invention may be folded flat to aid with shipping and storage.

FIG. 6 provides further detail of the foot 32 that may be attached to the carrying device 10 of the present invention to stabilize and support the additional weight of the carrying device 10 at points 31 and 33 when the carrying device 10 is in use. When the carrying device 10 is in the open position to hold items, the foot 32 provides a shelf 72 that helps support the right and left side panels 12, 24 of the carrying device 10. FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C provide views of an embodiment of the foot 32 as described above. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, in other embodiments, the foot 32 may be designed in an alternative manner.

In an embodiment of the carrying device 10 of the present invention, the wheel assembly 62 may be secured to the back panel 16 of the carrying device 10 in line with the telescopic handle 60 for convenient pulling or carrying of the carrying device 10. The foot assembly 32 may be secured to reinforced material 30 in the bottom panel 28 via a rivet fastener or the like (note shown). In an alternative design the right and left side panels 12, 24 of the carrying device 10 may have a stiff structure (not shown) around the entire perimeter of the carrying device 10. Additionally, the bottom panel 28 may have a stiff structure (not shown). When zippered closed such that the carrying device 10 is in a position to carry items and other cargo, the right and left side panels 12, 24 of the carrying device 10 and the foot 32 help keep the carrying device 10 rigid for maximum support of items in the carrying device 10. In an embodiment, a wheel assembly 62 may be attached to the back panel 16. (See FIG. 8) In alternative embodiments, the wheel assembly 62 may be attached to the bottom panel 28. The wheel assembly 62 is designed to allow effective use and flexibility for various designs and materials of construction that may selected for the carrying device 10 of the present invention. FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C provide additional detail of the assembly illustrated in FIG. 8. While the illustrated embodiments include a wheel assembly 62, in an alternative embodiment, an alternative wheel assembly may be used or the wheel assembly may be avoided altogether.

The carrying device 10 is designed to be very simple and very easy to use, requiring only hand pressure to collapse and store. Moreover, the carrying device 10 of the present invention is not limited to the sides, front and base being foldably attached or hinged to the back panel 16. In an alternative embodiment of the carrying device 10, the sides, front and base attached to the back panel can be alternatively hinged to the base 16.

In an alternative embodiment, a carrying device 100 is shown in FIG. 10. A front panel 134, back panel 116 and bottom panel 128 are joined together, with the back panel 116 and bottom panel 128 being made of a rigid material and joined together by hinge 151. The front panel 134 is constructed from a flexible material. The left side panel 124 and right side panel 112 are separated from the bottom and front panels 128, 134 by a zipper 142. Each of the right and left side panels 112, 124 are attached and hinged along a back edge 161 of the side panel 112, 124 with a hinge 162 connected to a side 114, 126 of the back panel 116. The outer perimeter of the left and right side panels 112, 124 has a stiff wire member that holds each of the right and left side panels 112, 124 taut. The right and left side panels 112, 124 are zippered open and fold into the carrying device 100 as shown at 188 and 190 in FIG. 11. The front panel 134 may fold on top as shown at 192 and 194. The additional features of the embodiment of the carrying device 100 shown in FIG. 10 are similar to the features and operation of the carrying device 10 shown in FIGS. 1-9 and previously discussed above.

As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate a number of different embodiments or improvements could be made to the carrying device disclosed herein which would be considered to be covered by the present invention.

The carrying device disclosed herein may be shipped either fully assembled, or flat, in which case it may require some customer assembly. In an embodiment of the carrying device, VELCRO may be used to attach various components together.

FIG. 12 illustrates a comparison of the carrying device of the present invention with a carrying device that is much more cumbersome to carry and does not allow the compact structure allowed by the carrying device of the present invention. Therefore the carrying device of the present invention may be more appealing to the end user compared to other products presently in the market.

FIG. 13 illustrates the carrying device 10 of the present invention in use as a back pack.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of this patent may be applied, it should be recognized that the embodiments described herein with respect to the drawing figures are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of patent. For example, for performance reasons one or more components of the apparatus of the present patent may be implemented in alternative form and material. Therefore, the patent as described herein contemplates all such embodiments as may come within the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A carrying device device, comprising:

a back panel, the back panel comprising a top edge, a bottom edge, a right edge, and a left edge;

a bottom panel connected foldably to the back panel;

a front panel connected to a front edge of the bottom panel, the front panel having a left edge, a right edge, and a top edge;

a right side panel comprising a bottom edge, a front edge, a top edge, and a rear edge, the rear edge of the right side panel connected foldably to the right edge of the back panel;

a left side panel comprising a bottom edge, a front edge, a top edge and a rear edge, the rear edge of the left side panel connected foldably to the left edge of the back panel; and

a zipper having a first side attached to the left and right edges of the bottom panel and the left, right and top edges of the front panel; and

a second side of the zipper attached to the bottom, front and top edges of the left side panel, a top edge of the back panel and the bottom, front and top edges of the right side panel.

2. The carrying device of claim 1 wherein the back panel is constructed of at least one of a rigid material, and a flexible material having a rigid edge.

3. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the bottom panel is constructed of at least one of a rigid material, and a flexible material having a rigid edge.

4. The carrying device of claim 1, further comprising a wheel assembly attached to the back panel.

5. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the front panel is connected to the bottom panel via a hinge.

6. The carrying device of claim 1, further comprising a telescopic handle attached to the back panel.

7. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge, front edge and top edge of the left side panel and the bottom edge, front edge and top edge of the right side panel further comprise a stiff wire member.

8. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the front panel further includes a strap, the strap having a first end and second end, the first end attached to the left side of the front panel, the second end attached to the right edge of the front panel, wherein the strap enables an attachment of the front panel to the left and the right side panels.

9. The carrying device of claim 4, wherein the wheel assembly is detachably connected to the back panel.

10. The carrying device of claim 4 wherein the wheel assembly is connected to the back panel.

11. The carrying device of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a foot assembly connected to the bottom panel and a telescopic handle connected to the back panel.

12. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the front panel is made of a mesh material that allows air circulation in and out of the carrying device.

13. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the left side panel and a portion of the right side panel are made of a mesh material that allows air circulation in and out of the carrying device.

14. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the left side panel and a portion of the right side panel are made of a transparent material.

15. The carrying device of claim 1, further comprising a seat belt holder attached to the back panel.

16. The carrying device of claim 5, wherein the hinge is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a semi-rigid plastic material, and a fabric material.

17. The carrying device of claim 1, further comprising a flexible adjustable strap attached to the back panel.

18. The carrying device of claim 1 which converts to a backpack, the carrying device comprising:

at least one flexible adjustable strap having a first end and a second end;

the first end connected to the side panel of the carrying device;

the second end connected to the back panel of the carrying device;

wherein the flexible adjustable strap permits wearing the carrying device.

19. The carrying device of claim 1 having a first open position for carrying items and a second collapsed position for storage.

20. A carrying device device, comprising:

a back panel, the back panel comprising a top edge, a bottom edge, a right edge, and a left edge;

a bottom panel, wherein the bottom panel is connected foldably to the back panel;

a front panel connected to the bottom panel, the front panel having a left edge, a right edge, and a top edge;

a right side panel comprising a bottom edge, a front edge, a top edge, and a rear edge, the rear edge of the right side panel connected via a hinge structure to the right edge of the back panel;

a left side panel comprising a bottom edge, a front edge, a top edge, and a rear edge, the rear edge of the left side panel connected via a hinge structure to the left edge of the back panel; and

a zipper having a first side attached to the left and right edges of the bottom panel and the left, right and top edges of the front panel; and

a second side of the zipper attached to the bottom, front and top edges of the left side panel, a top edge of the back panel and the bottom, front and top edges of the right side panel.