Variable Volume Patents (Class 190/103)
  • Patent number: 4951816
    Abstract: The invention comprises an elongate body adaptable for the carrying and transportation of various lengthy items along with clothes or other related or unrelated items the placement of the latter of which provides a resilient deformable barrier for the protection of the former, and which body includes appropriate compartments, securing means and/or fastening means for the accomplishment of such purposes. Such body is constructed of materials, and comprises appropriate fastening and carrying means, which allow it to be folded along various axes thereof so as to allow it to be configured in a variety of ways for the accomplishment of its purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Inventor: Harrison C. Smith
  • Patent number: 4949401
    Abstract: A collapsible multicompartmented pack able to be affixed to the back of a garment. The pack may include two compartments; a first boxlike collapsible compartment and a second flat compartment that may have snaps for compressing the first compartment between the back of the garment and the second compartment. A single cover is provided that may either close the first compartment when it is expanded or cover both the first and second compartments when the first compartment is compressed. Multiple compartments of either type may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Inventor: Cheston B. Kimsey, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4923060
    Abstract: A video camera carrying case including a body portion for receiving a video camera having an opening for passage of the camera therethrough into the interior of the body portion. An adjustable disengageable safety strap is connnected to the body portion for restraining the camera within the body portion. The carrying case also can include a substantially deformable shroud to protect the interior of the body portion from the elements and the body portion can be constructed of a substantially deformable material which is capable of absorbing shock delivered to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Sima Products Corporation
    Inventor: Steven M. Breslau
  • Patent number: 4919240
    Abstract: An expandable and collapsible valise is described as rigidized and supported against distortion by at least two vertical encircling adjustable straps and one horizontal encircling adjustable strap, the vertical straps being retained in situ by means of a topmost movable batten having strap retention keepers thereon. Additional vertical strap retention keepers are at the bottom of the valise. The vertical straps overlay a horizontally disposed retention strap, adjustably supported adjacent the bottom of the valise being likewise secured against displacement. The bottom of the valise is characterized by convolute portions which, being an extension of the front and rear panels of the valise are extensible and contractible, depending upon the content volume of the valise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventor: Charles S. Tobias
  • Patent number: 4895230
    Abstract: Luggage cases of the softside construction which are capable of being collapsed when not in use are known. However, these past constructions are cumbersome, heavy, or comprise a number of parts which must be assembled by the retailer in order to display the case in its erected condition or must be erected by the consumer before the case can be used for travel, packing, etc. The disclosed luggage case comprises a 6-sided case of the duffel type which includes a bottom board, a front batten stiffening the front panel, and a back batten stiffening the back panel, and including at least perimeter stiffening means, preferably a stiffening wire or coil wire around each end panel. The bottom board is releasable to permit it to be placed in parallel with the stiffened front panel. The packing door carries the stiffening batten for the back panel, and this permits the batten to be moved parallel to the bottom board and front batten.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventor: William L. King
  • Patent number: 4887751
    Abstract: A compartmented luggage for separating a travelers belongings and allowing convenient carrying and access. A foldout flap and a plurality of compartments are detachably mounted to an outer shell avoiding mixing of various types of clothing and use outside of cartage. The luggage also has a strap arrangement allowing cartage by handles, shoulder strap or on the user's back. The strap arrangement includes a strap retractor to reel in excess strap material. Strap material can also be used to attach one of the compartments to the outer shell of the luggage. Internal straps and hooks can also be provided to secure the various compartments within the outer shell. If a larger compartment is required, smaller compartments can be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 19, 1989
    Inventor: Michael Lehman
  • Patent number: 4856570
    Abstract: A multi-use handbag is disclosed having a main storage body, at least one handle and at least one locking flap secured to one or more corners of the main storage area to an engagement member disposed along the lateral side of the handbag. Various configurations are obtainable by selective connection of the handles to the body and selective connection of the locking flaps to the engagement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventors: Jim Rushing, Linda Rushing
  • Patent number: 4844214
    Abstract: The straps connecting the lid of a brief case and the outer panel of an expansible portfolio are adjustably connected to the outer panel through a track and buckle arrangement. The buckle is ordinarily locked in place on the track by a locking element spring urged into engagement with a complementary locking element on the track. A button connected to the buckle locking element allows the user to overcome the force of the spring and slide the buckle along the track to adjust the associated strap. The locking element and the spring are integrally formed components from a unitary molded plastic part which is carried by the buckle casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Samsonite Corporation
    Inventors: Renato Castelli, Willy Van Hoye, Eric Sijmons, Henri Morel, Jean M. Nowacki
  • Patent number: 4830154
    Abstract: An improved tube shape duffle-type travel or sports bag features an oblong, softsided, expansible central compartment having access through the top thereof, and smaller end compartments on each on the opposing ends of the oblong central compartment. The opposing compartments have circumferential slide fastener openings therearound and has an expansible wall constructed in connection and cooperation with one end wall of the main central compartment providing a collapsible pocket, preferably made of waterproof material, which is capable of extending into the main and end compartments and expanding therein as desired, preferably for positioning soiled or wet clothing or assessories therein. The central compartment further includes opposed tubular expansion panels positioned between the ends of the central sidewall panel and the respective end panels of that compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Kingport International Corporation
    Inventors: Edward L. Gerch, Warner D. Rosenfeld
  • Patent number: 4826329
    Abstract: The flexible bag comprises a container of flexible plastics material having an internal sheet and an external sheet which define a sealed chamber which can be filled with air at low pressure. The sealed chamber is composed of a series of tubes separated by welded seams but in communication with each other. The air causes the container to assume a substantially parallelepipedic external shape and produces an internal housing which is defined by the internal flexible sheet and which is capable of housing an office machine, for example a portable typewriter. The container comprises two handles projecting from the parallelepipedic shape, for facilitating transportation of the container itself, and a valve to permit the container to be inflated only when it is to be used for the protection or transportation of the machine. The container may be easily deflated and in that case can be re-folded on to itself in order substantially to reduce its bulk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Ing. C. Olivetti & C., S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mario Bellini
  • Patent number: 4819796
    Abstract: A garment carrier of the type including a generally rectangular outer panel and a like sized generally rectangular inner panel joined along their respective peripheries to the opposed sides of an elongate side panel extending around the peripheries of the outside and inside panels, with the garment carrier being foldable along a mid portion spine extending transversely of the outside panel. User carrying means including handles and/straps are fixable to the spine in a manner known in the art. The outside panel of the garment carrier includes a plurality of pockets positioned thereon with each pocket including an opening associated therewith, and a means for selectively closing said opening mounted adjacent each opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Kingport International Corporation
    Inventors: Edward L. Gerch, Warner D. Rosenfeld
  • Patent number: 4805749
    Abstract: An improved tube shape duffel-type travel or sports bag is disclosed which features an oblong softsided central compartment having access through the top thereof, and a pair of matching smaller compartments, one each on the opposing ends of the oblong central compartment. The opposing compartments have circumferential zippered openings therearound. In the improvement of the invention one of the end compartments includes a plurality of pockets/dividers therein for selective positioning of user materials in each as desired. The opposing smaller compartment on the opposite end of the bag includes therein an expansible wall constructed in connection and cooperation with one end wall of the main central compartment. The expansible wall includes a collapsible pocket, preferably made of waterproof material, which is capable of extending into the main compartment and expanding therein as desired, preferably for positioning worn clothing or accessories therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Kingport International Corporation
    Inventor: Edward L. Gerch
  • Patent number: 4805748
    Abstract: A sports duffle bag has a canvas, plastic, or leather, top opening tubular body, with a sidewall open top pocket closed by a slide fastener, and sized to snugly receive the head of a tennis racket. An opening at a top corner of the pocket permits the racket handle to project from the pocket. An expansion panel is secured in the mouth of the pocket and has two flaps connected by a slide fastener so that in the open position the flaps hang in the pocket alongside the head of the racket and in the closed position the flaps are pulled above the pocket and closed over a racket head extending above the pocket thus increasing the height of the pocket for accommodating oversized rackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1989
    Assignee: Kingport International Corporation
    Inventor: Edward L. Gerch
  • Patent number: 4773515
    Abstract: A multi-compartment, expansible luggage bag has a main storage compartment with one or more expansible joints to increase the size of the main storage compartment. In conjunction with the main storage compartment, there is also provided a separable end storage compartment having an inner flexible membrane that can be extended inwardly beyond each of the expansion joints to maximize the volume of the end storage compartment when the expansion joints are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Skyway Luggage Company
    Inventor: Henry L. Kotkins, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4756394
    Abstract: Expandable luggage which includes a case forming a first compartment and having a hinged cover, and a collapsible bag located at the top of the case and forming a second compartment to provide additional packing space when required. A removable panel is also attached to the top of the case, and the panel forms a pocket for the collapsible bag when the second compartment is not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Inventor: Fred E. Cohen
  • Patent number: 4733759
    Abstract: An adjustable size soft body luggage case is provided with a lid that is capable of pivoting outwardly of the remainder of the case, whereby access to the entire interior storage space is provided. The body of the case includes side walls, end wall, a top wall and a lower periphery. An access opening formed between one of the end walls and the top, bottom and at least one of the side walls, whereby a lid is defined. At least one collapsable gusset having side and end walls is secured to the lower periphery of the body. Each gusset has a fastener assembly means including a slider and a pair of fastener elements having a base end and a distal end. One of the pair of fastener elements is secured to the upper periphery of a respective gusset. The other of the pair of fastener elements is secured to the lower periphery of the same respective gusset. The slider has a male connector element secured thereto. A female connector element is secured to the lid portion of each gusset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Inventor: Liu Shih-Chen
  • Patent number: 4685546
    Abstract: An auxiliary carrying case is provided with an apertured upper extension of a rear wall thereof which can be bent over and placed over the handle of a conventional carrying case for the auxiliary case to be carried piggy back on the conventional carrying case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1986
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1987
    Inventor: Brian D. Sadow
  • Patent number: 4613039
    Abstract: A garment bag can selectively neatly retain either men's or women's clothing. The garment bag includes a garment receiving compartment defined by front and rear panels which are interconnected by respective side panels. A closable opening in the front panel permits access to the compartment. The compartment also includes a selectively closable bottom opening. Connected to the edges defining the bottom opening is a pocket which is movable between a first position in which it received within the compartment and second position in which it extends outward from the bottom opening to increase the effective length of the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: D. Klein & Son, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Shaw, Jesse Zuckerbrod
  • Patent number: 4589530
    Abstract: An improved luggage comprising a main body portion, a lid hingedly attached to one side of the main body portion, a zipper fastener provided on the main body portion and the lid, a supporting frame fastened on the inner sides of the main body portion, four casters mounted on the bottom of the main body portion, two fixing members engageable with the casters and a stiffening board capable of engaging with the casters, whereby when not in use the improved luggage may be reduced in volume thereby facilitating the storage and transportation of the luggage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Inventor: Yuh Y. Sher