GB2147497A - Case cover - Google Patents

Abstract

A case cover comprises a jacket (2) of flexible water resistant material and fixing means (8, 10), the jacket (2) having a pouch (4) for accommodating in use a case handle, the jacket (2) having an entry portion (6) via which a case to be covered is placed within the jacket (2), and the fixing means (8, 10) being such as to enable the entry portion (6) to be held in a closed position when the case (11) is within the jacket (2). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Case cover This invention relates to a case cover and more especially but not exclusively it relates to suitcase covers.

Suitcases have the disadvantage that they are not really watertight and consequently under certain conditions of use they will admit rain which is obviously undesirable. For example, when a suitcase is carried for any significant period of time on a car roof rack in rainy weather, rain water will tend to enter the case via the space between the lid and the body of the case with the result that the contents of the case could thereby become spoilt or damaged.

In order to provide some protection and thereby to obviate the disadvantage just before outlined, it is known to cover a suitcase with a sheet or a tarpaulin but this solution is less than ideal since case covers of this kind take time to fit and tend to flap about in use.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide a case cover which is quick and simple to fit.

Accordingly, this invention provides a case cover comprising a jacket of flexible water resistant material and fixing means, the jacket having a pouch for accommodating in use a case handle, the jacket having an entry portion via which a case to be covered is placed within the jacket, and the fixing means being such as to enable the entry portion to be held in a closed position when the case is within the jacket.

The entry portion and the pouch may be arranged to be opposite one another.

In one embodiment of the invention, the entry portion is an entry flap.

In another embodiment of the invention, the entry portion is an opening in a fold-over part of the jacket, the fold-over part of the jacket being such that it has two corner portions which are foldable before the entire foldover part is folded over to cause the jacket to precisely fit the case.

The fixing means may be adapted to be stuck in position on the jacket during the first use of the jacket on the case, whereby the entry portion can be custom closed to ensure that the jacket precisely fits the case.

The fixing means may comprise Velcro fixing means, Velcro being a Registered Trade Mark.

The Velcro fixing means may comprise first and second releaseably inter-engageable strips, the first strip being for securing to the entry portion and the second strip being for securing to a portion of the jacket against which the first strip abuts.

The flexible water resistant material may be a plastics material, for example polythene or polyvinyl chloride.

The flexible water resistant material may be printed with a design, with advertising material, or with a traffic hazard warning sign.

The case cover may be used with a case strap. The case strap may advantageously have a carrying handle and a quick release adjustable fastener. Preferably, the fastener is a lockable fastener.

The case strap is especially useful when the case is to be used for air travel or other occasions in which frequent handling is likely to occur. Usually, the case strap will be used such that it passes around the outside of the case cover. The case strap may be made of various materials such for example as plastics materials and other synthetic materials. The fastener may be a metal fastener but other materials may be used. Generally, the case strap will be made to be strong and durable.

The case covers can be made in various sizes to suit various sizes and designs of suitcases. Suitcases of any one size tend to vary a little in actual dimensions and design from one suitcase manufacturer to the next.

Thus, in order to ensure that the case cover will fit a given size of suitcase within the size variations and designs that will occur from manufacturer to manufacturer, the case covers are preferably made a little oversize.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a first case cover; Figure 2 is a front view of the case cover shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a side view of a case suitable for covering with the case cover shown in Figs. 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a front view of the case shown in Fig. 3; Figure 5 is a side view of a second case cover; Figure 6 shows the second case cover of Fig. 5 being fitted over a suitcase; Figure 7 shows the second case cover of Fig. 5 completely fitted over the suitcase and closed; Figure 8 is a side view of a case strap for use with the first or the second case covers; and Figure 9 is a front view of the case strap shown in Fig. 8.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 4, a case cover comprises a jacket 2, which takes the form of a six-sided rectilinear container fabricated of water resistant material. One of the sides is provided with an integral pouch 4 for receiving in use a case handle. The pouch 4 is arranged to be flexible and loose fitting whereby use of a case handle contained therein is not interfered with. One side of the jacket 2 has an entry portion having a flap 6 which serves for closure purposes. The flap 6 is closed by fixing means in the form of a Velcro fastener comprising two strips 8 and 10. The strip 8 is secured to one edge of the flap 6 and the strip 10 is secured to one edge of an adjacent side of the jacket 2 so that when the flap 6 is moved to a closed position, the strips 8 and 10 inter-engage to close the jacket 2.As sold, the case cover may be such that the strips 8, 10 are already fixed in position or, alternatively, the strips 8, 10 may be secured in position by the user on the first use of the case cover.

The jacket 2 is normally fabricated so as to be custom built to fix a suitcase, for example a small, medium or large suitcase. One suitable suitcase 11 is shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The suitcase 11 comprises a body portion 1 2 and a handle 14. The suitcase 11 is closed by means of case clips 6 and a wrap over strap 18.

Suitcases are usually made in the above mentioned sizes of small, medium and large.

Within any one of these sizes, size variations can take place from manufacturer to manufacturer. Also, the different designs of different manufacturers slightly alter the overall size dimensions of suitcases. The jacket 2 overcomes this problem of different size variations within each size range of suitcases by being produced slightly oversize so that it can fit the smallest to the largest suitcase in any size range. The closing of the jacket 2 with the flap 6 by means of the strips 8, 10 enables the jacket 2 still to be a precise fit over the suitcase 11, irrespective of the fact that it might be slightly oversize. Thus, for example, the suitcase 11 can be placed within the jacket 2 so that the handle 14 is accommodated within the pouch 4.The flap 6 is then wrapped over and the two strips 8, 10 are brought together so that the flap 6 serves as a closure member for the case cover and, in being wrapped over, ensures that the jacket 2 is formed to be a precise fit over the suitcase 11.

A suitcase cover that is especially cheap to manufacture is illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

The suitcase cover of Figs. 5, 6 and 7 comprises a jacket 20 which is made of polythene. The polythene is a relatively thick gauge material so that it will not easily tear during use. A presently preferred polythene material is 800 to 1000 polythene gauge material.

The jacket 20 is formed with an integral pouch 22. The entire suitcase cover is made with heat welded seams in one piece and specific sides such as in the jacket 2 of Figs.

1 to 4 are not in evidence until the jacket 20 is actually over a suitcase 24 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

The jacket 20 is particularly useful for fitting various sizes and designs of suitcase within any one size range of suitcases because it is provided with an entry portion in the form of a fold over part 24 which has an opening 26 extending right across the end of the jacket 20 remote from the pouch 22. The fold over part 24 has two corner portions 28, 30 which are foldable as indicated by the broken line 32 so that the corner portions 28, 30 fold onto the remainder of the fold-over part 24. This arrangement is then folded over again as indicated most clearly in the lower part of Fig. 7 to form a closed entry portion in the manner of an envelope.

Although the suitcase cover illustrated in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 can be sold with Velcro fixing strips 34, 36 in position. it is preferred that the suitcase cover is sold with the strips 34, 36 separate. The strips 34, 36 can then be secured in position by the user on the first use of the suitcase cover to ensure that the jacket 20 is a precise fit around the suitcase 24. As will be readily appreciated the Velcro strip 34 will be fixed to the body of the jacket 20 whilst the strip 36 will be fixed as indicated in Fig. 7 to the fold-over part 24. The strip 34 will be positioned at the place where the strip 36 will abut against the jacket 20.

It will be appreciated that case covers as just before described are simple, quick and easy to fit. They are effective to protect suitcases during use and in particular. they serve as waterproof protective covers if a suitcase is carried in an exposed position, for example on a car roof rack. The suitcase covers are also useful for protecting expensive suitcases from general wear and tear to which they are normally exposed, especially when used for air or rail travel. When cases are transported on vehicle roof racks, the covers protect the suitcases and their contents from insects, road grime, dust and dirt. The covers may also be effective to keep damaged cases closed and they can also serve to improve the appearance of old cases.

When a case such as a suitcase is to be used for air travel or other occasions in which frequent handling is likely to occur, the suitcase covers are advantageously enclosed by a case strap 38 as shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

The case strap 38 comprises a carrying handle 40 which is connected to a handle base 42 by a pair of links 44. First and second strap parts 46, 48 of a strap are secured to the handle base 42 as shown. The first strap part 48 has a lock 50 which can be locked with a key 52. The lock 50 receives a clasp 54 which is attached to the second strap part 46. The second strap part 46 has a back portion 56, so that it is adjustable in length and can be tightened around a suitcase.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the fastener means for the case covers may alternatively comprise ties or straps and buckles. The flap 6 can be made wider so that in the closed position it folds under the base 58 of the body portion 1 2 of the suitcase 11 and wraps around the side 60 of the suitcase 11. With such a modification, the strip 10 has to be higher along the side 62 of the jacket 2 so that, for example, the strip 10 might be at the position 64 shown in Figs. 1 with the wider flap 6.

The material from which the case covers are fabricated may be over-printed with a pattern or design, or in addition or alternatively they may be over-printed with advertising matter.

Thus, the case covers may serve as a mobile "bill board" to advertise for example the services of businesses such as airlines, hotels or companies in the travel business. Such case covers are especially useful for air and sea travel. If desired, the case covers may be printed with the name and/or address of the owner. When the case covers are to be used for car travel, they may advantageously be provided with a hazard warning triangle that may be orange in colour if desired. Thus, if a motorist should break down or be involved in an accident, he can place his suitcase with the case cover on it along the road with the warning triangle showing to warn people that he has broken down or that an accident has taken place.

Claims (12)

1. A case cover comprising a jacket of flexible water resistant material and fixing means, the jacket having a pouch for accommodating in use a case handle, the jacket having an entry portion via which a case to be covered is placed within the jacket, and the fixing means being such as to enable the entry portion to be held in a closed position when the case is within the jacket.

2. A case cover according to claim 1 in which the entry portion and the pouch are arranged to be opposite one another.

3. A case cover according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the entry portion is an entry flap.

4. A case cover according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the entry portion is an opening in a fold-over part of the jacket, the fold-over part of the jacket being such that it has two corner portions which are foldable before the entire fold-over part is folded over to cause the jacket to precisely fit the case.

5. A case cover according to any one of the preceding claims in which the fixing means is adapted to be stuck in position on the jacket during the first use of the jacket on the case, whereby the entry portion can be custom closed to ensure that the jacket precisely fits the case.

6. A case cover according to any one of the preceding claims in which the fixing means is Velcro fixing means.

7. A case cover according to claim 6 in which the Velcro fixing means comprises first and second releaseably inter-engageable strips, the first strip being for securing to the entry portion and the second strip being for securing to a portion of the jacket against which the first strip abuts.

8. A case cover according to any one of the preceding claims in which the flexible water resistant material is a plastics material.

9. A case cover according to claim 5 in which the plastics material is polyvinyl chloride or polythene.

10. A case cover according to any one of the preceding claims in which the flexible water resistant material is printed with a design, with advertising material, or with a traffic hazard warning sign.

11. A case cover according to any one of the preceding claims when used in combination with a case strap.

12. A case cover according to claim 11 in which the case strap comprises a carrying handle and a quick release adjustable lockable fastener.

1 3. A case cover substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.