SUITCASE

Abstract

A container comprising a bag simulative of an animal with a plurality of storage compartments. The present container for items and personal effects for travel will be seen to provide not only a useful container for the transportation of goods, but also serve as a fashion accessory for people of all ages. The container is also easy to use, and provides for a more ergonomic option as it only requires gentle pulling to activate the rear leg wheel system for the transportation of the container. When the tension has been released to a preset tension, the rear leg wheel system will retract, and the container resembling an animal will “sit down,” and can also provide other entertainment at the time with other gestures such as panting, yawning, or wagging its tail, for example.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/813,574, filed Apr. 18, 2013, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an aesthetically appealing container with retractable legs (supports) and realistic movements. The present container is a realistic representation of an animal with cavities with closures that allow a user, children and adults alike, to fill these cavities with personal effects in preparation for travel, including but not limited to, air travel, sea travel, automobile travel, etc. The said container is further capable of realistic movements that give a representation of user to be walking the animal as they transport the container during their travels. Also, the container also can provide realistic expressions such as movement of the face, ears, nose, neck, and tail and may even make sounds, for example.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Many suitcases, carriers, backpacks, and diaper bags in the shapes of animals, have been developed, produced, and patented over the years. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,276, issued Jan. 5, 1999, Smith, Jr. discusses a carrier bag simulative of an animal (horse), with a rocking base for carrying articles associated with infants. In U.S. Design Pat. D340,578, issued Oct. 26, 1993, Winkos provides for figures of an ornamental design for an children's animal suitcase in the shape of a dog. It is unclear in the disclosure what and how this suitcase functions.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe instant invention as claimed.

Current U.S. Classification: 206/457; D3/235; D3/45; D3/71; 150/117; 190/111; 206/542 International Classification: B65D 30/10; A45C 3/00

BRIEF SUMMARY

This invention relates to a container simulative of an animal, not only having numerous compartments suitable for the storage of personal effects, but also providing realistic movements including, but not limited to, expressions of the face, ears, nose, neck, and tail for example. It even can make realistic sounds unique to the type of animal.

Accordingly, is a principal object of the invention to provide a carrier for that carrier which and storage of articles and personal effects in association with travel for people of all ages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a carrier for having relatively large, and usable, storage compartments.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a carrier that is simulative of an animal in both shape, and function (realistic movements, gestures and sounds). For the animals that do not have a forward and rearward set of legs, the set of legs are defined also by a forward and rearward portion such as a whale or dolphin or other marine life for example.

These and other objects of the present invention will become immediately apparent upon further review of the following specifications and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an illustration of a suitcase according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows some compartments and features of the suitcase of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 represents the suitcase (the dog) laying down.

FIG. 4 shows some of the compartments and other features from FIGS. 1 and 3;

FIG. 5 represents the suitcase (the dog) in a “heel” mode;

FIG. 6 shows some of the compartments and other features from FIGS. 1 and 4;

FIG. 7 shows an illustration of suit case according to another embodiment;

FIG. 8 shows some of the compartments and other features of the suitcase of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows an illustration of a suitcase according to another embodiment; and

FIG. 10 shows some of the compartments of the suitcase of FIG. 9;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION

The present invention is a carrier for items or articles related to travel. With increasing regulation and demand for rigorous and effective containers suitable for travel by the TSA, this container provides a means of carrying and storing virtually any type of article or item that may be required while traveling. The present invention also provides an aesthetically pleasing container and realistic movements that mimic those of animals.

The present invention comprises a container simulative of an animal, not only having numerous compartments suitable for the storage of personal effects, but also providing realistic movements including, but not limited to, expressions of the face, ears, nose, neck, and tail for example.

Accordingly, is a principal object of the invention to provide a carrier for that carrier which and storage of articles and personal effects in association with travel for people of all ages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a carrier for having relatively large, and usable, storage compartments.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a carrier that is simulative of an animal in both shape, and function (realistic movements).

In summary, the present container for items and personal effects for travel will be seen to provide not only a useful container for the transportation of goods, but also serve as a fashion accessory for people of all ages. The container is also easy to use, and provides for a more ergonomic option as it only requires gentle pulling to activate the rear leg wheel system for the transportation of the container. When the tension has been released to a preset tension, the rear leg wheel system will retract, and the container resembling an animal will “sit down,” and can also provide other entertainment at the time with other gestures such as panting, yawning, or wagging its tail, for example.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

These and other objects of the present invention will become immediately apparent upon further review of the following specifications and drawings.

REFERENCES (incorporated herein by reference)

FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows an illustration of a suitcase 101 according to one embodiment, and in this particular example the suitcase resembles a dog. This suitcase is pulled and operated by handle 102, and suitcase is rolled on wheels 103. Item 104 serves as both a harness and a closure allowing the user to pick up the suitcase or keep the contents of the said suitcase retained within the suitcase. The rearward portion of the animal, and in this instance, the hind legs of the dog are activated by a hinge-joint assembly 105, which allows the suitcase to stand up, lay down, and “heel”.

FIG. 2 shows some of the compartments of the suitcase 101 and some of the other features from FIG. 1 with 201 representing a main compartment, 202 and 203 representing smaller, auxiliary compartments.

FIG. 3 represents the suitcase (the dog) laying down.

FIG. 4 shows some of the compartments of the suitcase 101 and some of the other features from FIGS. 1 and 3, with 201 representing a main compartment, 202 and 203 representing smaller, auxiliary compartments.

FIG. 5 represents the suitcase (the dog) in a “heel” mode actuated by the hinge-joint assembly 105.

FIG. 6 shows some of the compartments of the suitcase 101 and some of the other features from FIGS. 1 and 4, with 201 representing a main compartment, 202 and 203 representing smaller, auxiliary compartments.

FIG. 7 shows an illustration of a suitcase 701 according to another embodiment, and in this particular example suitcase represents an elephant. The suitcase is pulled and operated by handle 702, and suitcases rolled on wheels 703. Item 704 serves as both a harness and a closure allowing the user to pick up the suitcase or keep the contents of the said suitcase retained within the suitcase. The rearward portion of the animal, and in this intense the hind legs of the elephant are activated by a hinge—joint assembly 705, that allows the suitcase to stand up, lay down and “heel”.

FIG. 8 shows main compartment 801 and auxiliary compartments 802 and 803, and some of the other features outlined in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 shows an illustration of suitcase 901 according to another embodiment, and in this particular example the suitcase resembles a marine creature, specifically but not limited to a killer whale. This suitcase is pulled and operated by the handle 902, and suitcase is rolled on wheels 903. This suitcase can also be operated by handle 904.

FIG. 10 shows some of the compartment(s) 1001 of suitcase 901, and some of the other features outlined in FIG. 9.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be understood that many modifications can be made to the embodiments, and features can be interchanged between embodiments, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A container for items, comprising:

a. a bag having a main body portion with a first and opposite second side, a forward set of legs, a rearward set of legs, a neck portion, a head portion, and a tail portion;

b. a plurality of secondary pockets disposed along said first and second side of said main body portion;

c. ancillary pockets disposed within said main body portion;

d. a device for the transportation of said container;

e. a device for providing movement of container.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the said container is similar to of an animal.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein the said forward set of legs and said rearward set of legs each include wheels for rolling the container across a surface.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein said forward set of legs include a mechanism for the extension and retraction of said forward set of legs.

5. The container of claim 3, wherein said rearward set of legs include a mechanism for the extension and retraction of said rearward set of legs.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein said plurality of secondary pockets includes a pocket for electronic devices.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein said pocket includes a place for a cord.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein said cord pocket area is for the charging, listening to, or operating said electronic devices.

9. The container of claim 2, wherein said device for providing movement of the container includes at least one mechanism for the positioning of the said body of said animal.

10. The container of claim 4, wherein said mechanism responds to at least one signal or input.

11. The container of claim 4, wherein said mechanism responds to at least one signal or input.

12. The container of claim 5, wherein said mechanism responds to at least one signal or input.

13. The container of claim 10, wherein the signal or input is controlled or initiated by the user or signal.

14. The container of claim 10, wherein the signal or input is controlled or initiated by the algorithm.

15. The container of claim 12, wherein the algorithm is responsible for making the legs move.

16. The container of claim 9, wherein the signal or input is controlled or initiated by the user.

17. The container of claim 9, wherein the signal or input is controlled or initiated by the algorithm.

18. The container of claim 15, wherein the algorithm is used to make the container move.

19. The container of claim 2, wherein the container makes noises similar to those of an animal.

20. The container of claim 19, wherein the said noises are in response to a user input or an algorithm.

21. The container of claim 20, wherein the algorithm is used to make noises.