HANGING SHELF SYSTEM AND TRAVEL ORGANIZER FOR USE IN COMBINATION WITH A SUITCASE

Abstract

A hanging shelf system and travel organizer is specifically adapted for use in combination with a suitcase wherein the shelf system is adapted to collapse to a size suitable for removable insertion within the suitcase. The shelf system is configurable between a vertically expanded configuration when deployed wherein a plurality of shelves and walls form storage compartments for receiving clothing and other travel items, and a vertically compact, stowed configuration wherein the travel shelf apparatus is compactly configured for insertion into a suitcase for travel. When the user reaches his/her destination the travel organizer may be removed from the suitcase and hung in a closet in the vertically expanded configuration with spaced shelves thereby providing the traveler with ready access to the packed articles while eliminating the need to unpack and repack.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/175,115, filed on May 4, 2009

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for use with a suitcase, and more particularly to a travel organizer comprising a hanging shelf system that may be collapsed for transport within a suitcase and quickly removed and deployed in a hanging configuration to provide the traveler with access to clothing and other travel items.

2. Description of Related Art

Luggage refers to various sizes and shapes of containers, suitcases, and travel bags used to transport personal items during travel. Historically, luggage was recognized as a large bulky container such as a trunk or storage locker. As technology advanced and individuals accelerated the rate of personal travel, such cumbersome containers were replaced by lighter-weight suitcases and travel bags. Improvements in suitcase design allowed for ease of transportability and use. Although several styles of suitcases exist today, most luggage has been designed for ease of use by the traveler. Popular models are rectangular-shaped, and provide an expandable handle and wheels that allow the traveler to roll, rather than carry, the luggage from one point to another. Generally, the interior of the suitcase features an empty volume of space which allows for maximizing the number of articles which may be stored. As such, the traveler must pack their individual items prior to the trip and then unpack upon arrival at the destination. As travelers are increasingly mobile, it is often inconvenient to pack and unpack at each destination. Accordingly, there exists a need for suitcase accessory devices designed to assist in the organization of contents.

The background art reveals a number of attempts directed to improving suitcase organization and storage. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,334,669, issued to Barker et al., discloses a rolling luggage system incorporating an expandable and collapsible shelf-containing compartment for organization of stored items within the luggage during travel.

In addition, the background art reveals a number of references directed to closet organizers. With respect to closet organization, prior art reveals many attempts to best utilize space. Many objects of prior art are directed at hanging shelf systems and/or hanging closets. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,659, issued to Poon discloses a hanging shelf system with a plurality of shelves. U.S. Pat. No. 2,533,333, issued to Kitson, discloses a collapsible and portable wardrobe featuring shelf and clothes-storage space, which may be rolled compactly for ease of transport. The wardrobe itself is portable, and securely latches to itself to maintain closure during transport. U.S. Pat. No. 2,244,887, issued to Manley, discloses a portable collapsible shelved cabinet wherein the stored articles are covered to protect them against outside elements, whereby the device is easily folded into a compact unit for transport. U.S. Pat. No. 2,440,192, issued to Cowan, discloses a hanging, dust-proof container for storing articles, which may be collapsed and transported for travel.

The references of the background art are primarily designed to organize items either within suitcase as disclosed by Barker, or in a hanging shelf system for permanent storage in a closet. The background art fails, however, to disclose a hangable travel organizer system designed for removable insertion and transport within a conventional suitcase. Accordingly, there exists a need for a travel organization system whereby the organizational element is easily collapsible for insertion and transport within a suitcase, and, upon reaching the desired destination, removable and hangable without requiring removal and replacement of the contents.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the limitations and disadvantages present in the art by providing a hanging shelf system travel organizer that is specifically adapted for use in combination with a suitcase. A travel organizer in accordance with the present invention comprises a hanging shelf system adapted to collapse to a size suitable for insertion within an article of luggage. The shelf system is configurable between a vertically expanded configuration when deployed wherein a plurality of shelves are disposed in vertically spaced relation for receiving clothing and other travel items, and a vertically compact, stowed configuration wherein the travel shelf apparatus is compactly configured for insertion into a suitcase for travel. When the user reaches his/her destination the travel organizer may be removed from the suitcase and hung in a closet in the vertically expanded configuration with spaced shelves thereby providing the traveler with ready access to the packed articles while eliminating the need to unpack and repack.

A hanging shelf system in accordance with the present invention is preferably provided with three storage compartments, each of which includes a supporting bottom surface configured to function as shelf. Each shelf preferably includes a lightweight yet sturdy rigid or semi-rigid horizontally disposed panel to provide structural support. The remaining structure is comprised of flexible, preferably mesh, fabric thereby allowing the apparatus to be selectively configured between a vertically expanded configuration wherein the shelves are maximally spaced, and a vertically collapsed configuration wherein the shelves are minimally spaced. In contrast to prior art, no structural support is provided. A pair of hooks is provided to allow the organizational apparatus to be hung from a closet rod. When suspended from the closet rod the travel organizer automatically deploys to the vertically extended configuration under the influence of gravity. By simply unhooking the entire apparatus from the closet rod, the user can collapse the system into the luggage. As the sides and rear of the apparatus are formed of flexible fabric, the apparatus will compact itself into a small volume of space, i.e., the interior of luggage. Upon arrival at the destination, the user can open the luggage, and lift the system by grasping the hooks and hanging in a closet or over a door frame. Because there is no need to empty the system prior to packing, all items remain organized in the shelving apparatus and ready for use in minimal time.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved travel organizer specifically designed for use with luggage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus which is adaptable for ease of transport in standard luggage.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus adapted to allow for collapsibility.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus adapted to store clothes and other objects commonly transported in luggage.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus adapted for continued organization of items in the apparatus upon arrival, where packing and repacking of items is not required.

These and other objects are met by the present invention which will become more apparent from the accompanying drawing and the following detailed description of the drawings and preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a travel shelf system organizer in accordance with the present invention illustrated in relation to a suitcase;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view illustrating the travel shelf system partially received within the suitcase;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view thereof illustrating the travel shelf system fully received within the suitcase;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment travel shelf system having deployable and stowable support members; and

FIG. 5 is a front perspetive view thereof illustrating pivotal movement of the legs to the stowed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 depict a preferred embodiment of the present invention which comprises a shelf system and travel organizer apparatus, generally referenced as 10, that is specifically sized and shaped to fit within a suitcase 11. Suitcase 11 preferably includes an openable top closure configurable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. With the top in the open configuration the user is presented with access to the interior of the suitcase via a top opening having a length and a width.

Travel organizer 10 preferably comprises a collapsible shelf system sized for removable insertion within a suitcase. In a preferred embodiment, travel organizer 10 comprises an expandable and collapsible main body 12 having a top 12a and a bottom 12b. Main body 12 preferably includes three (3) storage surfaces or shelves, referenced as 14, 16, and 18 connected thereto and supported thereby. Shelf 14 forms a bottom shelf connected in proximity to the bottom of main body 12. Shelf 18 forms a top shelf connected below the top 12a of main body 12. Shelf 16 forms a middle shelf and is disposed between bottom shelf 14 and top shelf 18. Each shelf preferably includes a lightweight yet sturdy rigid or semi-rigid horizontally disposed panel to provide structural support. As used herein, the term “rigid” as applied to describe shelves 14, 16, and 18, shall mean capable of retaining a generally planar shape while supporting a modest load of the type associated with a stack of folded clothing or other travel articles, namely a load between approximately 1.0 lbs and 10.0 lbs. for embodiments on the invention intended for general business or recreational travel. The term “rigid” should not be construed to mean absolutely rigid, e.g. without a degree of deflection or bending under an applied load. The present invention, however, may be adapted to handle greater loads in embodiments intended for the transport of other goods and/or industrial use. The present invention may further be configured with shelves that are generally flexible and not rigid.

Main body 12 is preferably fabricated from flexible sheet-like material, such as natural or synthetic fabric, e.g. cotton, nylon, polyester etc. The fabric may be woven or non-woven, and may further have water-resistant characteristics for maintaining the contents dry and/or for keeping wet contents in one compartment from wetting contents in another compartment. Main body 12 includes opposing side walls, referenced as 20a and 20b, and a rear wall 22. An important aspect of the invention involves forming side walls 20a and 20b, and rear wall 22, out of mesh material to allow the user to visually inspect the contents from the side or rear of main body 12, while further providing ventilation.

Main body 12 is configurable between an expanded configuration wherein shelves 14, 16, and 18, are disposed in maximally spaced generally parallel relation as illustrated in FIG. 1, and a collapsed configuration wherein shelves 14, 16, and 18, are disposed in minimally, substantially adjacent relation as illustrated in FIG. 3. When in the expanded configuration, the vertical spacing between shelves is preferably approximately 8.0 inches. In addition, side walls 20a and 20b and rear wall 22 preferably project upward from top shelf 18 approximately 6.0 inches when in the expanded configuration so as to contain articles placed on top shelf 18. As should be apparent, side walls 20a and 20b and rear wall 22 function to support shelves 14, 16, and 18, while containing clothing and articles disposed thereon. The dimensions set forth herein in connection with the preferred embodiment may be altered (e.g. increased and/or decreased) within the scope of the present invention.

A pair of hooks 24 are attached to main body 12 along the top edges of side panels 20a and 20b by straps, 25 as best seen in FIG. 1. Hooks 24 and straps 25 are preferably configurable between a retracted configuration for hanging main body 12 from a closet rod as seen in FIG. 1, to an extended configuration (shown in phantom) for hanging main body 12 from a more elevated support structure, such as a door hook or door top edge. Hooks 24 function in the retracted and extended configurations to allow the main body 12 to be hung from a variety of supporting structures disposed at various heights upon removal from the suitcase. When packed in a suitcase, hooks 24 and straps 25 may be tucked into the side (as shown in FIG. 3) or folded over the top.

Travel organizer and shelf system 10 is primarily intended for use as a travel organizer that allows the user to pack travel articles, such as clothing, therein with the travel organizer disposed in the expanded configuration and then drop the system into a suitcase wherein travel organizer 10 is contained during travel as illustrated in sequence in FIGS. 1-3. In that regard, the user may pack shelf system 10, while main body 12 is hanging in a closet (or other support structure) from hooks 24, in the expanded configuration. When hanging from hooks 24 in the expanded configuration, main body 12 forms a first compartment bounded at the bottom by shelf 14, on the sides by side walls 20a and 20b respectively, at the rear by rear wall 22, and on the top by the bottom surface of shelf 16. A second compartment is bounded at the bottom by the top surface of shelf 16 on the sides by side walls 20a and 20b respectively, at the rear by rear wall 22, and on the top by the bottom surface of shelf 18. Finally, a third open-top compartment is bounded at the bottom by shelf 18 on opposing sides by side walls 20a and 20b, and at the rear by rear wall 22, and provides a surface upon which folded clothing or other items may be placed. The present invention thus provides a travel organizer that allows a user to pack by simply placing clothing and the like on any one of the three shelves while the device hangs in a closet in an expanded configuration, after which the organizer may be placed in an article of luggage configured to a compact configuration for travel. Accordingly, a significant aspect of the present invention relates to sizing main body 12, and particularly the length and width dimensions of shelves 14, 16, and 18, to fit within a piece of luggage, suitcase, or other suitable travel container. Accordingly, the present invention includes the combination of a luggage shelf system 10 with a correspondingly sized suitcase. More particularly, the length and width dimensions of shelves 14, 16, and 18, are sized to be slightly less than the corresponding length and width dimensions of the luggage intended for use therewith. Once the traveler reaches his or her destination the organizer is simply removed from the luggage and hung in a closet whereby the shelves vertically expand to allow for access to the packed items.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict an alternate embodiment, shelf system 10, which includes a collapsible support frame including left and right frame members, referenced as 30a and 30b. Opposing left and right support frame members 30a and 30b function to allow the system to be free standing and/or to stand within the body of a suit case. Support frame members 30a and 30b are each configurable between a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration as generally illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 illustrates a deployed configuration wherein frame members 30a and 30b are disposed in generally vertically adjacent relation with corresponding sides 20a and 20b to support main body 12 in the expanded configuration. At least one strap member 32 is provided for securing frame member 30 in the deployed configuration. In a preferred embodiment, strap member 32 includes an end adapted with hook and loop fastening by mating engagement with fastening element 33. FIG. 4 depicts strap member 32 in art attached configuration, and FIG. 5 depicts strap member 32 in a detached configuration. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, each support member 30 is pivotally connected proximal the upper portion of the corresponding panel 20 to as to allow for pivotal movement of each support member as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. As should now be apparent, shelf system 10 may be supported in a free standing manner by support frame members 30 as illustrated in FIG. 4, or compacted to the compact configuration within a suitcase with frame members 30 folded over the top thereof for compact transport within the suitcase. As should be apparent, the alternate embodiment shelf system 10 depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 may also include the hooks 24 and straps 25 as disclosed with the preferred embodiment.

The instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A hanging shelf system for removable insertion within a suitcase, said hanging shelf system comprising:

a main body including a rear wall and opposing side walls generally extending between a top and a bottom;

said rear wall and said opposing side walls formed of flexible material;

a plurality of generally horizontal planar shelves connected to said main body between said opposing side walls, said plurality of shelves disposed in vertically spaced relation between the top and bottom of said main body;

a pair of hooks projecting upward from the top of said main body;

said main body being configurable between an expanded configuration wherein said shelves are disposed in maximum vertically spaced relation, and a collapsed configuration wherein said shelves are disposed in minimum vertically space relation.

2. A hanging shelf system according to claim 1, wherein said flexible material comprises a mesh.

3. A hanging shelf system according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of horizontal planar shelves includes a bottom shelf disposed in proximity to the bottom of said main body; a top shelf disposed in spaced relation and below the top of said main body; and a middle shelf disposed between said top and bottom shelves.

4. A hanging shelf system according to claim 1, wherein each of said pair of hooks is configurable between a deployed configuration and a stowed configuration.

5. A hanging shelf system according to claim 1, further including a strap having opposing ends connected to the top of said main body, with said pair of hooks connected to said strap.

6. A hanging shelf system for removable insertion within a suitcase opening defined by a length and a width, said hanging shelf system comprising:

a main body having a top and a bottom with a rear wall and opposing side walls generally extending between the top and bottom;

said rear wall and said opposing side walls formed of flexible mesh material;

a plurality of generally horizontal planar shelves connected to said main body between said opposing side walls;

said plurality of shelves including a bottom shelf disposed in proximity to the bottom of said main body, a top shelf disposed in spaced relation and below the top of said main body, and a middle shelf disposed between said top and bottom shelves;

a strap having opposing ends with one of said opposing ends connected to one of said opposing side walls and the other opposing end connected to the other opposing side wall;

a pair of hooks connected to said strap in spaced relation;

said main body being configurable between an expanded configuration wherein said shelves are disposed in maximum vertically spaced relation, and a collapsed configuration wherein said shelves are disposed in minimum vertically space relation;

said main body having length and width dimensions that are less than the length and width dimensions of the suitcase, such that said main body may be removably inserted into the suitcase through the suitcase opening and contained within the suitcase in the collapsed configuration.

7. A hanging shelf system according to claim 6, further including a support frame configurable from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration wherein said support frame supports said main body in said expanded configuration.

8. In combination with a suitcase having a length, a width, and a depth there is provided a hanging shelf system sized for removable insertion within the suitcase, said hanging shelf system comprising:

a main body having a top and a bottom with a rear wall and opposing side walls generally extending between the top and bottom;

said rear wall and said opposing side walls formed of flexible material;

a plurality of generally horizontal planar shelves connected to said main body between said opposing side walls;

said plurality of shelves including a bottom shelf disposed in proximity to the bottom of said main body, a top shelf disposed in spaced relation and below the top of said main body, and a middle shelf disposed in spaced relation between said top and bottom shelves;

a strap having opposing ends with one of said opposing ends connected to one of said opposing side walls and the other opposing end connected to the other opposing side wall;

a pair of hooks connected to said strap in spaced relation;

said main body being configurable between an expanded configuration wherein said shelves are disposed in maximum vertically spaced relation, and a collapsed configuration wherein said shelves are disposed in minimum vertically space relation;

said main body having length and width dimensions that are less than the length and width dimensions of the suitcase, such that said main body may be removably inserted into the suitcase through the suitcase opening and contained within the suitcase in the collapsed configuration.

9. A hanging shelf system according to claim 8, wherein said flexible material comprises a mesh.

10. A hanging shelf system according to claim 8, further including a support frame configurable from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration wherein said support frame supports said main body in said expanded configuration.