EP1201150A1

EP1201150A1 - Automatic spring-open pocket structure

Info

Publication number: EP1201150A1
Application number: EP00309458A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Chih-Chung Fang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-10-27
Filing date: 2000-10-27
Publication date: 2002-05-02

Abstract

An automatic spring-open pocket structure comprises at least one resilient steel piece (2) to pop and open a pocket (8), wherein the resilient steel piece (2) is disposed between the pocket (8) and a main body (6) of the pocket structure. When the pocket is closed, the resilient steel piece (2) is curved inside the pocket, or it will pop to open the pocket (8) automatically when a piece of sealing zipper or Velcro-fastener of the pocket is untied.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An average backpack is usually fitted with at least one pocket closed with a piece of zipper or Velcro-fastener. No matter whichever the case may be, a user has to untie the zipper or the fastener before he can reach his hand for something in the pockets of the backpack every time he wants to pick up anything therefrom.
In attempt of saving a little bit of time and trouble, an automatic spring-open pocket of this invention is conceived and presented hereunder for waiving of abovesaid avoidable repeated actions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of this invention is to provide an automatic spring-open pocket structure, particularly to a pocket structure comprising at least one resilient steel piece rich in flexibility disposed between the pocket and the pocket flap. When the pocket is closed, the resilient steel piece is curved inside the pocket, or it will spring to open the pocket automatically as soon as the zipper or the Velcro-fastener of the pocket is untied.
For more detailed information regarding this invention together with further advantages or features thereof, at least an example of preferred embodiment will be elucidated below with reference to the annexed drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The related drawings in connection with the detailed description of this invention, which is to be made later, are described briefly as follows, in which:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of an automatic spring-open pocket structure of this invention;
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a U-shaped resilient steel piece of this invention when a pocket is closed; and
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a straightened resilient steel piece of this invention when the pocket is opened.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

This invention is concerned with a pocket structure, particularly with a spring-open pocket structure that can open its own pocket flap automatically. and an example of zipper pocket is embodied and recited hereunder.
As indicated in Fig. 1, the main body 6 of the pocket structure can be a backpack, a school bag, a shopping bag, etc., provided laterally with a box-like pocket 8 including a pocket flap 10 and a zipper 4 disposed at an opening 12 of the pocket 8. A lateral face of the pocket 8 is attached to the main body 6.
In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the pocket flap 10 is made of a hard material and faced in a front direction defined by the main body 6. wherein the zipper 4 is used for sealing the opening 12 of the pocket 8; and a stopper 14 is sewed on two lateral portions of the pocket flap 10 respectively between the pocket flap 10 and the main body 6 so as to limit an open mouth of the pocket flap 10 and thereby prevent things inside the pocket 8 from escaping away.
A sandwich construction design is adopted for the stopper 14, wherein a curved resilient steel piece 2 in form of a thin piece or a strip is inserted in one or both of the stoppers 14 to have its one end disposed at a lateral inner wall of the pocket flap 10 and the other jointed with an opposite end of the opening 12 inside the pocket 8.
The steel piece 2 is curved further to become U-shaped for storing elastic energy shown in Fig. 2 when the pocket 8 is closed. On the contrary, as soon as the pocket 8 is opened, the curved steel piece 2 is then relieved to restore itself back to the original state. This can be done as shown in Fig. 3, wherein the elastic force of the steel piece 2 will drive the pocket flap 10 to pop and open the pocket 8.
In the above described, at least one preferred embodiment has been elucidated with reference to drawings annexed, it is apparent that numerous variations or modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof, as set forth in the claims below.

Claims

An automatic spring-open pocket structure having at least one openable pocket disposed on a main body of the pocket structure, wherein:

at least one resilient steel piece is fitted between a pocket flap and the main body of the pocket structure; and

the cross section of the resilient steel piece is compressed to curve further if the pocket is closed, or, relieved to pop and open the pocket flap as soon as the pocket is opened.
The pocket structure according to claim 1, wherein a stopper is sewed and attached on two lateral portions of the pocket flap respectively between the pocket flap and the main body of the pocket structure.
The pocket structure according to claim 2, wherein a sandwich construction design is adopted for the stopper, and the resilient steel piece is sandwiched in the stopper.
The pocket structure according to claim 1, wherein the resilient steel piece is shaped as a thin piece or a strip.