GARMENT HANGER FOR LUGGAGE

Abstract

A piece of luggage including a handle coupled thereto. In the simplest case, the handle is fixedly positioned. However, the handle can be a retractable handle if desired. The handle includes a handgrip and a garment hanger portion. The garment hanger portion includes includes a plurality of arms coupled to the handgrip and angled downwardly relative to the handgrip. The arms are of a suitable shape and configuration so as to receive a garment for hanging. Further, the garment hanger portion can be collapsible so as to minimize a size thereof for stowage of the handle and the garment hanger portion in a compartment formed in the luggage.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/361,679 filed Jul. 6, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a piece of luggage, and more particularly to a piece of luggage having a handle in a shape of a garment hanger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As presented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,840,359, “the use of wheels attached to the side or edges of luggage containers has become a common expedient.” Most travelers have adopted roll-aboard luggage. In fact, not only is what is generally termed roll-aboard luggage being utilized for the transportation of garments and personal items, i.e. what is referred to as the “suitcase”, wheeled models of brief cases and sample cases are being adopted widely as well. Examples of the history of the improvements in this field are numerous and include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,323,887, 5,813,503, among others. In order for the suitcase or brief case or other luggage to best utilize the benefits of the wheels, a strap or handle is affixed to the opposite end of the luggage from the wheels to allow the luggage to be pushed or pulled or otherwise maneuvered, depending upon the design thereof.

Commonly, and especially when the traveler is a business person, he or she may also be wearing a suit jacket or sport coat or similar piece of outer apparel. Upon arriving at the airport or train station or any place other than the final destination, the traveler often has a significant amount of time to wait. In fact, the current United States airline regulations stipulate that a traveler must arrive at the airport departure gate at least thirty minutes before scheduled departure of a domestic flight and ninety minutes before the scheduled departure of an international flight. During this waiting period, the traveler often prefers to remove his or her suit jacket or sport coat. Unfortunately, at the crowded yet functionally desolate gates of airports and train stations and the like, there is no appropriate place to properly hang one's jacket. Alternatives are to lay it on the adjacent seat, if available, or to lay it over one's luggage or other similar measures. Any of these measures subjects the garment to dirt, grease, spilled liquids, staining, etc. In addition to the desire to maintain the cleanliness of the garment, a traveler would ordinarily prefer to hang his or her jacket to maintain its shape and preclude wrinkling and creasing.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop a piece of luggage having a handle in a shape of a garment hanger to permit a user to hang a garment, thereby minimizing damage thereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In concordance and agreement with the present invention, a piece of luggage having a handle in a shape of a garment hanger to permit a user to hang a garment, thereby minimizing damage thereto, has surprisingly been discovered.

Moreover, a design of wheeled luggage requires that it has a handle so as to be able to push, pull, or otherwise maneuver the wheeled luggage. The handle is shaped in various ways, depending upon the size of the luggage and the manufacturer thereof, and is generally affixed to a leg or legs, the component of which connects the handle to the luggage itself. In many cases, the leg or legs, telescopes and the leg and handle retract into the luggage so as to allow the luggage to be more easily stowed or stored and to make the luggage more robust when checked as baggage at an airport. It is an adaptation and improvement to the leg and handle combination that is the subject of this invention.

In one embodiment, an apparatus, comprises: a piece of luggage; and a handle coupled to the luggage, the handle having a handgrip and a garment hanger portion.

In another embodiment, an apparatus, comprises: a piece of luggage; and a handle coupled to the luggage, the handle having a handgrip and a garment hanger portion, wherein the garment hanger portion includes a plurality of arms and at least one support member disposed between the arms.

In yet another embodiment an apparatus, comprises: a piece of luggage; and a handle coupled to the luggage, the handle having a handgrip and a garment hanger portion, wherein the garment hanger portion includes a plurality of arms and a first support member disposed between the arms, and wherein the arms are coupled to the handgrip by a plurality of pivoting mechanisms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above objects and advantages of the invention will become manifest to those skilled in the art from reading the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a piece of luggage including a handle having a portion in a shape of a garment hanger according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of a handle having a portion in a shape of a garment hanger according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of a handle having a portion in a shape of a garment hanger according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of a handle having a portion in a shape of a garment hanger according to another embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of a handle having a portion in a shape of a garment hanger according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

FIG. 1 shows a piece of luggage 10 according to the present invention. The luggage 10 includes a handle 12 having a portion 13 in a shape of a garment hanger. As shown, the handle 12 includes a pair of spaced apart upright legs 14 coupled to the luggage 10. In the simplest case, the handle 12 is fixedly positioned. However, the handle 12 can be a retractable handle 12 if desired. A handgrip 15 includes distal ends 16, 17. Each of the distal ends 16, 17 is fixedly coupled to a corresponding upper end of at least one of the upright legs 14. The handgrip 15 is adapted to be grasped by a user for maneuvering the luggage 10 and/or selectively retracting and expanding the handle 12.

The garment hanger portion 13 shown is approximately sixteen to eighteen inches wide to properly support a garment hanging therefrom. When the luggage 10 is wider than the width of the garment hanger portion 13, it is desirable to permit the handle 12 to retract into the luggage 10. To accommodate the retraction of the handle 12 into a profile of the luggage 10, a compartment 18 may be formed in the luggage 10. The compartment 18 receives the garment hanger portion 13 so as to protect the garment hanger portion 13 and improve stowage thereof. A smaller compartment may also be formed in the luggage 10 if desired.

As shown, the garment hanger portion 13 includes a first arm 20 and a second arm 22. In a non-limiting example, each arm 20, 22 is substantially equal in length, and of a length in a range of about 8 inches to about 10 inches. The first arm 20 has a top end 24 and a bottom end 26. Similarly, the second arm 22 has a top end 28 and a bottom end 30. The top ends 24, 28 of the arms 20, 22, respectively, extend from the corresponding distal ends 16, 17 of the handgrip 15 and are angled downwardly relative to the handgrip 15. The arms 20, 22 are of a suitable shape and configuration so as to receive shoulders of a garment 31 shown in dashed lines, such as a suit or sport coat, jacket, shirt, or the like, for hanging.

The garment hanger portion 13 further includes an elongate support member 32 disposed between the bottom ends 26, 30 of the first and second arms 20, 22. In a non-limiting example, the support member 32 has a substantially friction-free surface so that the garment 31 hung over the support member 32 is not damaged or caught on the support member 32 during use. It is understood that the arms 20, 22 can be pivotally coupled to the handgrip 15 so that the garment hanger portion 13 can be pivoted about a longitudinal axis of the handgrip 15 in a range of about 180 degrees such that the support member 32 is above the arms 20, 22 and can be used as an alternative handgrip of the handle 12.

Certain pieces of luggage 10 may be significantly smaller in width than the dimension of the garment hanger 13. Many are designed as overnight bags and are designed so as to meet airline regulations specific to the size of luggage 10 that can be carried aboard an airplane. Further, the space beneath the seat of most airline seats is narrower than the dimension of the garment hanger 13. In an effort to comply with airline requests to stow carry-on luggage 10 beneath the seat in front of the traveler, many travelers are opting for this narrower configuration. In response to the fact that certain luggage 10 is narrower than the span of the garment hanger portion 13, one can incorporate a design of the garment hanger portion 13 so as to minimize a size thereof where the arms 20, 22 of the garment hanger portion 13 are collapsible, as shown in FIGS. 2-5. Further, when the garment hanger portion 13 is incorporated into the design of luggage with a retracting handle 12, the garment hanger portion 13 would slide more easily into the compartment 18 in the luggage 10 for stowage of the handle 12 and the garment hanger portion 13.

FIG. 2 shows a handle 12′ similar to that shown in FIG. 1 having a collapsible garment hanger portion 13′. Reference numerals for similar structure in respect of the description of FIG. 1 are repeated in FIG. 2 with a prime (′) symbol. The handle 12′ includes a pair of spaced apart upright legs 14′ coupled to the luggage (not shown). In the simplest case, the handle 12′ is fixedly positioned. However, the handle 12′ can be a retractable handle 12′ if desired. A handgrip 15′ includes distal ends 16′, 17′. Each of the distal ends 16′, 17′ is fixedly coupled to a corresponding upper end of at least one of the upright legs 14′. The handgrip 15′ is adapted to be grasped by a user for maneuvering the luggage and/or selectively retracting and expanding the handle 12′.

The garment hanger portion 13′ shown includes a first arm 20′ and a second arm 22′. In a non-limiting example, each arm 20′, 22′ is substantially equal in length. The first arm 20′ has a top end 24′ and a bottom end 26′. Similarly, the second arm 22′ has a top end 28′ and a bottom end 30′. The top ends 24′, 28′ of the arms 20′, 22′, respectively, are coupled to the corresponding distal ends 16′, 17′ of the handgrip 15′ by a pair of pivoting mechanisms 40, 41 such as hinges, for example. The arms 20′, 22′ are angled downwardly relative to the handgrip 15′ and are of a suitable shape and configuration so as to receive shoulders of a garment (not shown) such as a suit or sport coat, jacket, shirt, or the like, for hanging.

The garment hanger portion 13′ further includes an elongate support member 32′ disposed between the bottom ends 26′, 30′ of the first and second arms 20′, 22′. As shown, the support member 32′ includes a pair of pivoting mechanisms 42, 44 such as hinges, for example, disposed therein. The pivoting mechanisms 42, 44 of the support member 32′ are laterally aligned in respect of the handgrip 15′ with the corresponding pivoting mechanisms 40, 41, respectively, of the arms 20′, 22′, forming wing-like sides of the garment hanger portion 13′. The pivoting mechanisms 40, 41, 42, 44 permit the sides to be pivotally movable from an expanded position to a retracted position shown by the dashed lines. The sides can be held in the expanded position and/or the retracted position using a catch which releases upon actuation of a human machine interface (HMI) such as a push button, a slide, a switch, and the like, for example. Spring tension or other mechanism of the HMI can be employed to cause the sides to spread out to receive the garment. The support member 32′ may also include a substantially friction-free surface so that the garment hung over the support member 32′ is not damaged or caught on the support member 32′ during use.

FIG. 3 shows a handle 12″ similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-2 having a collapsible garment hanger portion 13″. Reference numerals for similar structure in respect of the description of FIGS. 1-2 are repeated in FIG. 3 with a double prime (″) symbol. The handle 12″ includes a pair of spaced apart upright legs 14″ coupled to the luggage (not shown). In the simplest case, the handle 12″ is fixedly positioned. However, the handle 12″ can be a retractable handle 12″ if desired. A handgrip 15″ includes distal ends 16″, 17″. Each of the distal ends 16″, 17″ is fixedly coupled to a corresponding upper end of at least one of the upright legs 14″. The handgrip 15″ is adapted to be grasped by a user for maneuvering the luggage and/or selectively retracting and expanding the handle 12″.

The garment hanger portion 13″ shown includes a first arm 20″ and a second arm 22″. In a non-limiting example, each arm 20″, 22″ is substantially equal in length. The first arm 20″ has a top end 24″ and a bottom end 26″. Similarly, the second arm 22″ has a top end 28″ and a bottom end 30″. The top ends 24″, 28″ of the arms 20″, 22″, respectively, are coupled to the corresponding distal ends 16″, 17″ of the handgrip 15″ by a pair of pivoting mechanisms 40″, 41″ such as hinges, for example. The pivoting mechanisms 40″, 41″ permit the arms 20″, 22″ to be pivotally movable from an expanded position to a retracted position shown by the dashed lines. When the arms 20″, 22″ are in the expanded position, the arms 20″, 22″ are angled downwardly relative to the handgrip 15″ and are of a suitable shape and configuration so as to receive shoulders of a garment (not shown) such as a suit or sport coat, jacket, shirt, or the like, for hanging. When the arms 20″, 22″ are in the retracted position, the arms 20″, 22″ form at least a part of the handgrip 15″. The arms 20″, 22″ can be held in the expanded position and/or the retracted position using a catch which releases upon actuation of a human machine interface (HMI) such as a push button, a slide, a switch, and the like, for example. Spring tension or other mechanism of the HMI can be employed to cause the arms 20″, 22″ to unfold and spread out to receive the garment.

FIG. 4 shows a handle 12″′ similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-3 having a collapsible garment hanger portion 13″′. Reference numerals for similar structure in respect of the description of FIGS. 1-3 are repeated in FIG. 4 with a triple prime (″′) symbol. The handle 12″′ includes a pair of spaced apart upright legs 14″′ coupled to the luggage (not shown). In the simplest case, the handle 12′″ is fixedly positioned. However, the handle 12″′ can be a retractable handle 12″′ if desired. A handgrip 15″′ includes distal ends 16″′, 17″′. Each of the distal ends 16″′, 17″′ is fixedly coupled to a corresponding upper end of at least one of the upright legs 14″′. The handgrip 15″′ is adapted to be grasped by a user for maneuvering the luggage and/or selectively retracting and expanding the handle 12″′.

The garment hanger portion 13″′ shown includes a first arm 20″′ and a second arm 22″′. In a non-limiting example, each arm 20″′, 22″′ is substantially equal in length. The first arm 20″′ has a top end 24″′ and a bottom end 26″′. Similarly, the second arm 22″′ has a top end 28″′ and a bottom end 30′″. The top ends 24″′, 28″′ of the arms 20″′, 22″′, respectively, are coupled to the corresponding distal ends 16″′, 17″′ of the handgrip 15″′ by a pair of pivoting mechanisms 40″′, 41″′ such as hinges, for example. The arms 20″′, 22″′ are angled downwardly relative to the handgrip 15″′ and are of a suitable shape and configuration so as to receive shoulders of a garment (not shown) such as a suit or sport coat, jacket, shirt, or the like, for hanging.

The garment hanger portion 13″′ further includes a pair of support members 46, 48. As shown, the support members 46, 48 are coupled to the bottom ends 26″′, 30″′ of the arms 20″′, 22″′, respectively, by a pair of pivoting mechanisms 50, 52 such as hinges, for example. Each of the support members 46, 48 is also slideably coupled to the legs 14″′ by a slide mechanism (not shown). The pivoting mechanisms 40″′, 41″′, 50, 52 and the slide mechanisms permit the arms 20″′, 22″′ and the support members 46, 48 of the garment hanger portion 13″′ to be pivotally movable from an expanded position to a retracted position shown by the dashed lines. The arms 20″′, 22″′ and the support members 46, 48 can be held in the expanded position and/or the retracted position using a catch which releases upon actuation of a human machine interface (HMI) such as a push button, a slide, a switch, and the like, for example. Spring tension or other mechanism of the HMI can be employed to cause the arms 20″′, 22″′ and the support members 46, 48 to collapse.

FIG. 5 shows a handle 12″″ similar to that shown in FIGS. 1-4 having a collapsible garment hanger portion 13″″. Reference numerals for similar structure in respect of the description of FIGS. 1-4 are repeated in FIG. 5 with a quadruple prime (″″) symbol. The handle 12″″ includes a pair of spaced apart upright legs 14″″ coupled to the luggage (not shown). In the simplest case, the handle 12″″ is fixedly positioned. However, the handle 12″″ can be a retractable handle 12″″ if desired. A handgrip 15″″ includes distal ends 16″″, 17″″. Each of the distal ends 16″″, 17″″ is fixedly coupled to a corresponding upper end of at least one of the upright legs 14″″. The handgrip 15″″ is adapted to be grasped by a user for maneuvering the luggage and/or selectively retracting and expanding the handle 12″″.

The garment hanger portion 13″″ shown includes a first arm 20″″ and a second arm 22″″. In a non-limiting example, each arm 20″″, 22″″ is substantially equal in length. The first arm 20″″ has a top end 24″″ and a bottom end 26″″. Similarly, the second arm 22″″ has a top end 28″″ and a bottom end 30″″. The top ends 24″″, 28″″ of the arms 20″″, 22″″, respectively, are coupled to the corresponding distal ends 16″″, 17″″ of the handgrip 15″″ by a pair of pivoting mechanisms 40″″, 41″″ such as hinges, for example. The arms 20″″, 22″″ are angled downwardly relative to the handgrip 15″″ and are of a suitable shape and configuration so as to receive shoulders of a garment (not shown) such as a suit or sport coat, jacket, shirt, or the like, for hanging.

The garment hanger portion 13″″ further includes a pair of support members 54, 56. As shown, the support members 54, 56 are coupled to the bottom ends 26″″, 30″″ of the arms 20″″, 22″″, respectively, by a pair of pivoting mechanisms 58, 60 such as hinges, for example. The support member 54 is pivotally coupled to the support member 56 by a pivoting mechanism 62 intermediate the arms 20″″, 22″″. The pivoting mechanisms 40″″, 41″″, 58, 60, 62 permit the arms 20″″, 22″″ and the support members 54, 56 to be pivotally movable from an expanded position to a retracted position shown by the dashed lines. The arms 20″″, 22″″ and the support members 54, 56 can be held in the expanded position and/or the retracted position using a catch which releases upon actuation of a human machine interface (HMI) such as a push button, a slide, a switch, and the like, for example. Spring tension or other mechanism of the HMI can be employed to cause the arms 20″″, 22″″ and the support members 54, 56 to collapse.

It is readily apparent to one skilled in the art that there are many such mechanisms that could be applied to the design of the garment hanger and its subsequent release.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a piece of luggage; and

a handle coupled to the luggage, the handle having a handgrip and a garment hanger portion.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the handle retracts into the luggage.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the garment hanger portion of the handle further comprises a plurality of arms.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the arms of the garment hanger portion are pivotally coupled to the handgrip of the handle.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the arms of the garment hanger portion are movable between an expanded position and a retracted position.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the arms form at least a portion of the handgrip when in the retracted position.

7. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the arms of the garment hanger portion are coupled to at least one support member disposed therebetween.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a piece of luggage; and

a handle coupled to the luggage, the handle having a handgrip and a garment hanger portion, wherein the garment hanger portion includes a plurality of arms and at least one support member disposed between the arms.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the handle retracts into the luggage.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the arms of the garment hanger portion are pivotally coupled to the handgrip of the handle.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the arms of the garment hanger portion are movable between an expanded position and a retracted position.

12. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the at least one support member includes at least one pivoting mechanism disposed therein.

13. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the arms are pivotally coupled to the at least one support member.

14. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the handle further comprises a plurality of legs.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the at least one support member is slideably coupled to at least one of the legs of the handle.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

a piece of luggage; and

a handle coupled to the luggage, the handle having a handgrip and a garment hanger portion, wherein the garment hanger portion includes a plurality of arms and a first support member disposed between the arms, and wherein each of the arms is coupled to the handgrip by a pivoting mechanism.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, the handle further comprising a second support member, wherein the second support member is pivotally coupled to the first support member.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the arms are pivotally coupled to at least one of the first support member and the second support member.

19. The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the first support member includes a plurality of pivoting mechanisms disposed therein, the pivoting mechanisms of the first support member laterally aligned in respect of the handgrip with the pivoting mechanisms coupling the arms to the handgrip, thereby forming wing-like sides of the garment hanger portion of the handle.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the wing-like sides of the garment hanger portion are movable between an expanded position and a retracted position.