PORTABLE CLOSET SYSTEM

Abstract

A freestanding device with framed cavities to transport articles of clothing or other items on hangers that can be affixed in an open position to provide unobstructed access to the clothing or other items retained inside. The device includes one or more framed cavities that can be biased toward or away from each other. A user can place clothing or other items onto a hanger holder without removing each item from their respective hanger. The device can then be closed for transportation while the clothing or other items remain hung. When access to the clothing or other items is desired, the framed cavities may be biased away from each other and a frame lock engaged to allow the device to remain in a freestanding open position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/868,959 filed on Aug. 22, 2013.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure is related to the field of luggage and other devices used to transfer items and clothing. Existing luggage devices comprise a hard or soft case having one or more cavities. Clothing and other items are usually removed from a closet or cabinet and placed into the cavity of the luggage. Clothing that is typically suspended from hangers in a closet are removed from their respective hanger and folded prior to placing them into the luggage. When the luggage user arrives at their destination, the clothing and items are removed from the luggage and once again hung in a closet. Because many clothing items are damaged or become wrinkled from being in a folded state, ironing or steaming of the clothes is required after removal from the luggage.

Flexible garment bags having characteristics of luggage have been used to avoid causing damage or wrinkles to clothing. The clothing items are placed into the garment bag while on their respective hanger; the garment bag is then folded and carried by a strap. However, access to the contents of these bags require placement on a flat surface, such as a bed, or suspending the bag from a hook or rod. Moreover, the capacities of these garment bags are limited.

It would be desirable to have a freestanding luggage that can remain in an open position, providing unobstructed access to cavities where clothing is suspended from hangers. The solution is found in the present disclosure for a portable closet system, which comprises several cavities joined by a hinge. The portable closet system is designed to allow clothing to be removed from a closet and suspended in a cavity while remaining on a hanger. Further, the cavity section of the portable closet system is capable of being opened and locked into position so that the user has access to the clothing just as they would if it were in a closet.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a device that satisfies this need to have a portable closet system in the form of a freestanding luggage that can remain in an open position, providing access to clothing suspended from hangers. The apparatus comprises several cavities that can be biased about a hinge and locked into an open position, at least one cavity having a clothing hanger holder allowing unobstructed access to the items within the device.

With the portable closet system there is no need to remove clothing from hangers and fold them before placement into the portable closet system. By allowing the clothes to remain hung in the portable closet system, damage or wrinkling of the fabrics are avoided. When the user reaches their destination, there is no need to remove and re-hang clothing that is in the portable closet system. The clothing can be removed from the portable closet system as needed and worn without the need to iron or steam the clothing. When the user returns home, they can simply remove the clothing from the luggage and place them into the closet while still on their respective hangers.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates an inside front perspective view of an embodiment of a luggage device in the open position embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system.

FIG. 1B illustrates an outside front perspective view of an embodiment of a luggage device in the closed position.

FIG. 1C illustrates a side elevation view of embodiment of a luggage device in the closed position.

FIG. 2A illustrates a front perspective view of a frame in the open position embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system.

FIG. 2B illustrates a sectional view of the frame of FIG. 2A in the closed position.

FIG. 3A illustrates a sectional view of a first frame and second frame drop loop in the open position embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system.

FIG. 3B illustrates a sectional view of a first frame and second frame drop loop of FIG. 3B in the closed position.

FIG. 4A illustrates a sectional view of a first frame and second frame drop loop with a frame lock in the locked position embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system.

FIG. 4B illustrates a sectional view of a first frame and second frame drop loop with a frame lock of FIG. 4A in the unlocked position

FIG. 5A illustrates a side elevation view of a frame lock embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system.

FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of the frame lock illustrated in FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A illustrates an outside back perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a device embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system.

FIG. 6B illustrates an outside back perspective view of the alternate embodiment of FIG. 6A in the closed position.

FIG. 7 illustrates a top perspective sectional view of a hinge embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective sectional view of a latch embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system.

FIG. 9 illustrates an inside front perspective view of embodiment of a device in the open position embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side perspective view of hanger holder embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front elevation view of a hanger.

DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIGS. 1-11, a portable closet system 100 comprises a first frame 102 and a second frame 104 supported by a base 110, the second frame 104 capable of being biased toward the base 110. The frames are further capable of being secured in an open position with a frame lock 500. The first frame 102, second frame 104 and base 110 covering may incorporate a hard shell 600, or be encapsulated by a flexible fabric shell 900.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, a first frame 102 and base 110 provide a structure for the connection of a second frame 104 and to support the portable closet system 100. The first frame 102 and second frame 104 provide a cavity for clothing or other items to be placed inside, in the same manner as a closet. Preferably, the shape of the frames is square or rectangle, having parallel side supports joined together by horizontal supports. The second frame 104 may include side supports that overlap the first frame 102, creating a drop loop 106 as best illustrated in FIGS. 2A-4B. The drop loop 106 would abut the side supports of the first frame 102. The drop loop 106 and the side supports of the first frame 102 may include a through hole to allow the first frame 102 and second frame 104 to be biased toward each other.

A base 110 supports the portable closet system 100 in an open or closed position, and may be incorporated into the first frame 102. The depth of the base 110 may be larger than the first frame 102 to support the higher center of gravity when the device is in an open position. The base 110 may further comprise wheels or casters 108, allowing the portable closet system 100 to be rolled during transportation. The first frame 102, second frame 104, and base 110 may be made from any natural or synthetic material typically used for luggage frame construction, including metal or plastic. In an alternative embodiment, the first frame 102 and second frame 104 may be connected along a vertical axis. Preferably, the first frame 102 and second frame 104 are of the same size, providing a uniform shape when the second frame 104 is biased toward the first frame 102. Like existing luggage, the frame can be made in a variety of sizes to provide different interior capacities.

Referring to FIGS. 4A-5B, at least one frame lock 500 may be used to pivotally join the first frame 102 to the second frame 104. The frame lock 500 is engaged to affix the first frame 102 and second frame 104 in an open or extended position, allowing unobstructed access to either frame cavity. The frame lock 500 is shaped like an elongated Bolt 502 with a square shaft and opposing ends as illustrated in FIG. 5A. One end of the Bolt 502 has a t-shaped head while the opposite end comprises screw threads 504. A turn screw node 506 can be threaded onto the screw threads 504 of the Bolt 502. A washer 508 and spring 510 are inserted onto the bolt 502 between the t-shaped head and turn screw node 506.

The elongated Bolt 502 of the frame lock 500 is inserted through the drop loop 106 of the second frame 104 and side support of the first frame 102. The washer 508 and spring 510 are located on the Bolt 502 between the t-shaped head and the adjacent frame. The washer 508 and spring 510 prevent the t-shaped head of the Bolt 502 from engaging grooves or holes in the adjacent frame. When the turn screw node 506 is tightened, the t-shaped head is drawn toward the frame. When the first frame 102 and second frame 104 are in the open position, and the turn screw node 506 is tightened, the t-shaped head engages several holes in the adjacent frame, causing the portable closet system 100 to remain in an open position. The elongated Bolt 502 should be of a length sufficient to pass through the first frame 102 and second frame 104 and allow the turn screw node 506 to be attached.

A hard shell 600, flexible shell 900, or combination thereof, may be used to encapsulate the portable closet system 100. Where a hard shell 600 is implemented, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6B, the frame features may be incorporated into the hard shell 600 itself. Referring to FIG. 7, the hard shell 600 may further incorporate a flap 604 having a hinge 602 to cover the space where the first frame 102 and second frame 104 are joined. A pouch 606 on the first frame 102 would provide a pocket for the distal end of the flap 604 to slide into when the portable closet system 100 is opened. A guide stopper 608 may be implemented on the distal end of the flap 604 to prevent over extension of the flap 604 when the second frame 104 is biased toward the first frame 102. Alternatively, a flexible shell 900 may be used to cover the entire device as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B. Use of the flexible shell 900 may also be limited to specific portions of the portable closet system 100, such as the interior cavity of each frame. For example, a flexible shell 900 with zipper 908 closures may be used to cover the clothes hanging area of the second frame cavity 104 as illustrated in FIG. 1A and 9. The hard shell 600 may be made from materials such as plastic or fiberglass, while the flexible shell 900 may be made from flexible natural or synthetic textiles typically use for luggage.

A front latch 800 (FIGS. 1B and 8) and side latches 610 (FIGS. 1C and 6B) may be used to secure the portable closet system 100 in a closed position. The front latch 800 and side latches 800 may be spring loaded or include adjustable straps to maintain constant positive tension between the first frame 102 and second frame 104. The front latch 800 joins the distal end of the second frame 104 to the base 110, while the side latches 800 join the sides of the first frame 102 and second frame 104 together.

Referring to FIG. 1A and 9, interior compartments 902 may be incorporated into one or both frame cavities, providing storage space for smaller items. A clothing hanger holder 904 may be incorporated into one or both frame cavities. Preferably, a clothing hanger holder 904 is located in the second frame 104 cavity while individual compartments 902 are located in the first frame 102 cavity. The clothing hanger holder 904 may be shaped with a narrow channel 905 having a flat inner surface as illustrated in FIG. 10. Unlike a typical cylindrical rod used to support hangers, the narrow channel with flat surface would retain hangers 906 as shown in FIG. 11, even when the portable closet system 100 is closed.

The portable closet system 100 is used by first disengaging the front latch 800, side latches 800, and then extending the second frame 104 away from the first frame 102. Next, the frame lock 500 can be engaged to secure the portable closet system 100 in an open position. The zipper 908 may then be opened to access the hanger holder 904 area or other compartments 902. Clothing can then be removed from a user's closet and placed onto the hanger holder 904 while still on each clothing article's respective hanger. The portable closet system 100 is closed by closing the interior zippers 908, disengaging the frame lock 500, folding the first frame 102 and second frame 104 toward each other, and then engaging the front latch 800 and side latches 800. Once the user has reached their destination, they can simply open the portable closet system 100 and access the items within just as they would access their closet at home.

All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claim, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.

Claims

1. A portable closet system comprising:

(a) at least two framed cavities, the framed cavities capable of being biased toward each other; at least one frame cavity having a hanger holder; and

(b) at least one frame lock allowing the framed cavities to remain in an open position;

2. The portable closet system of claim 1, wherein the frame lock provides a hinge point between the at least two framed cavities.

3. The portable closet system of claim 1, wherein the at least one framed cavity includes a base.

4. The portable closet system of claim 3, wherein the base includes at least one wheel.

5. The portable closet system of claim 1, wherein the framed cavities are biased around a horizontal axis.

6. The portable closet system of claim 1, wherein the framed cavities are biased around a vertical axis.

7. The portable closet system of claim 1, wherein the framed cavities are encapsulated by a flexible fabric.

8. The portable closet system of claim 1, wherein the framed cavities are encapsulated by a hard shell.

9. The portable closet system of claim 8, wherein a flap cover distally extends from a framed cavity, the flap spanning the joint between framed cavities.

10. The portable closet system of claim 9, wherein a pouch on framed cavity receives the distal end of the flap.

11. The portable closet system of claim 10, wherein a flap includes a guide stopper to retain the flap in the pouch.

12. The portable closet system of claim 1, wherein at least one latch joins the framed cavities when biased together.