EP0288651A1 - Double use convertible small valise - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention consists of a convertible briefcase which can be used in two different models, each of a different size and capacity. Its technical field is thus that of purses, handbags, and briefcases, with the feature that it does not require ancillary or mechanical resources of any type for the transformation.

The invention is characterised by being made up of a container whose internal bottom half constitutes a closed recipient of parallelepiped section, formed on the basis of four walls of parallel pairs, two of which are narrower than the other two and joined by a bottom rib to a flat base. The interior recipient is provided with an upper closure base, opened in two halves, which can be closed by means of a zip. The upper half of the container is made up by the prolongation of the four walls which basically form the interior recipient, with the special feature that those of smaller width, when extended, form a section to cover and close the unit, and these may be joined up by means of a zip closure so as to convert the unit to one of larger size. This unit can be folded along the lines defining the internal recipient conforming the the smaller unit. The two closing bases of both recipients contain an external system of rings which allow for the adaptation of any fixing device.

Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings show, in turn, the smaller and larger capacity models of the briefcase. Figure 5 is a cross-section through one of the sides in figure 2, while figure 4 shows a practical example of the phase of conversion.

Description

• The invention for which protection is sought by means of a European patent falls within a very specific technical field; purses, bags and briefcases.
• It is in the said field that this invention fills an important role by occupying a gap therein.
• In short, the invention for which protection is sought consists of a convertible briefcase which can be used in two different models of different size and capacity in each case.
• One of the most important features of this brief­case is that, constituted by a unit of average capacity, it can be transformed into another of approximately twice the size; the said transformation can be carried out, either way, in a manner which is simple for the user, by means of a simple manual action which does not require the use of ancillary or mechanical resources of any type.
• With continuing reference to the possible design, explained and shown in the drawings added as an appendix hereto, the briefcase which is the subject of this patent is made up essentially of a container recipient -1- with the outward appearance of a briefcase or hand­bag, approximately rectangular parallelepiped in shape, defined by four faces which are parallel by twos and a base; the side faces are extended by an upper closing rib -2-.
• The unit is open cross-wise over the entire top half, which makes it possible to separate the walls so as to give access to the interior; the said opening incorporates a zip closure -3- for closing the briefcase and to keep it closed whenever required.
• Inside the container -1-, in the lower half and bot­ tom which is common to both the available models of the briefcase, there is a separate compartment -4- closed at the top by a wall -6- which opens into two halves, also with a border zip -5- which makes it possible to close and thus separate this compartment from the rest of the functional unit.
• In order to reduce the size of the briefcase, in other words, to achieve the smaller capacity model, the upper zip closure -3- is opened and the two upper halves of the side walls are returned and folded under­neath the internal compartment -4- until they are once more together, at which point the zip -3- is closed and is thus left at the bottom outside part of the unit.
• The closing top -6- of the separate compartment -4- thus becomes the one which closes the new unit, which is made up of the said compartment and the upper half of the two walls of the larger recipient, folded outwards and once more joined up by means of the zip - 3- underneath the said compartment -4-.
• The zip closure -3- is thus operated by two runners, one on each side, since it has a dual role, on the one hand closing the upper part of container -1- (the larger one) and, on the other, joining the walls gathered under the smaller recipient -4-.
• On both sides of the upper rib -2- which closes the larger container -1- and on the upper part -6- which like­wise closes the smaller container, there is provision for a ring arrangement -7- which allows for the adapta­tion to any suitable means of attachment, making it - easier to move the briefcase by means of handles, for example or a belt-type strip for use as a shoulder strap.
• Following this description of the object of this patent, it remains only to add that the design thereof may include any modifications of detail which do not alter its essential nature, including changes of shape, the material used to make it, the proportions, dimensions, etc. and, in general, any of ancillary or complementary nature, all of which must be entirely included in the legal protection hereby sought.
• In order to make it easier to understand the object and scope of the patent invention which has been des­cribed, drawings are attached hereto, as already pointed out, in which a preferred design is given by way of example without any limiting character whatsoever, but merely as illustration; it may receive all types of modifications of detail provided that these do not alter its very characteristic purpose.
• The said drawings contain numerical references to indicate the different parts and components making up the unit; the said reference numbers are identical in all the figures.
• In the drawings, figure 1 shows a perspective view of the whole of the briefcase which is the subject of this patent in the reduced model, of smaller capacity.
• Figure 2 shows the same briefcase as in the previous one, also seen in perspective and as a whole, but now in its larger size and capacity model.
• Figure 3 is a view of the same briefcase as is shown in figure 2, in a cross-section through one of its sides, showing the interior arrangement.
• Figure 4 is a practical demonstration of the phase of transformation of the briefcase of its reduced size model.

Claims (6)

1) A dual-purpose convertible briefcase comprising a container in the form of a small suitcase which, in the lower internal half, constitutes a closed container of parallelepiped section, formed on the basis of four parallel walls, in pairs, two of which are narrower than the other two, and all of which are secured by their base rib to a flat-shaped bottom.

2) A dual-purpose convertible briefcase, pursuant to claim 1 wherein the internal recipient has an upper base closure sewn to the walls of the container, the said base being arranged open in two halves, and able to be zip closed.

3) A dual-purpose convertible briefcase, pursuant to claims 1 and 2, wherein the upper half of the container is made up on the extension of the four walls which basically form the internal recipient, with the particu­lar feature that when those of smaller width are extended, they form a section which covers and closes the unit, separated through their entire length into two halves which can be joined by means of a zip closure, thus form­ing one of the functional units for possible use.

4) A dual-purpose convertible briefcase, pursuant to claims 1 and 2, wherein the unit described in the above claims can be folded along the lines which define the recipient which is contained inside, thus providing a unit of smaller size which is the second possible model for use.

5) A dual-purpose convertible briefcase, pursuant to claims 1 and 2, wherein the two bases enclosing the two containers are fitted on the outside with a system of rings allowing the adaptation of any suitable attachment device, such as handles for carrying, or a belt-type strip for use as a shoulder-strap.

6) "DUAL=PURPOSE CONVERTIBLE BRIEFCASE".

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