LV10031B - Hand luggage with intelligent opening feature - Google Patents

Abstract

Attache cases and business cases in general typically have a portfolio section for organizing papers and a main packing section. Depending on the needs of the user, these portions can be selectively closed off. However, it is best that these sections are relatively accessible depending on whether the case is opened from the vertical position or whether the case is opened from the horizontal position. Accordingly, applicant has provided a portfolio catch system which, depending on the orientation of the case (10), holds the portfolio (20) in a closed position where the front (22) of the portfolio is attached to the lid portion (11) of the case (10), or in the alternative, if the case (10) is opened from the vertical position, the panel (22) is held to the base (14) of the case (10), thus preventing the contents of the base (14) from spilling and automatically permitting ready access to the contents of the portfolio (20). Also disclosed is a series of lid containers (13) and base containers (15) arrayed along the upper edge of the lid (11) and base (14) shells at the upper side of the case (10). These containers (13, 15) are readily accessible in all conditions of the case (10), and are especially accessible when the case is opened from the vertical position wherein access to the contents of the portfolio (20), as well as these lid and base containers (13, 15), can be readily had.

Description

LV 10031

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 5 This invention relates to luggage cases such as business or attache cases. More particularly, the invention relates to cases having two main compartments for carrying and, in some cases, organizing the contained personai and business related items, the compartments being separated from one another by an internai, 10 hinged, divider panei.

Such cases fall in generally two groups! the first are softside cases made of fabric or leather-like material, often unstructured in a generally large envelope shape. The other general class of cases includes hard outer structure or covering 15 divided into a lid shell and a base shell which are hinged together along the bottom side. The base shell usually has a handle attached to the top face for carrying. The lid shell and base shell are normally selectively held closed together with a latching device. In business cases, it is guite common to include a 20 portfolio section comprising a number of vertically arranged flexible dividers vhich are attached to a divider panei hinged along the bottom inside edge of the lid shell. The entire portfolio construction is held on left and rights sides by flexible gusset panels vhich permit the divider panei and the intermediate 25 dividers behind the divider panei to hinge out. This exposes papērs, documents and the like for easy access.

The base shell generally provides a large compartment for carrying clothing items or stacks of papērs, books and other items. An example of such a brief case is shovn in U.S. patent 3,756,639 2 assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Here, in addition to shoving the features mentioned abovef the case includes a gravity responsive detent 41 which prevents the operation of the latch Iever 17 if one tried to open the case upside-dovn. This 5 prevents the papērs held in the main shell from spilling out as is shown in figurē 2 of that' patent. U.S. patent 4,714,286 to īamamoto, also assigned to the assignee of the present invention, shovs an attache case with another gravity sensing feature. Hovever, rather than preventing the case from opening at ali if the 10 case is improperly oriented, īamamoto teaches providing gravity sensing means to control the extent of opening of the lid shell. In particular, if the case vere lying in a horizontal position, the bail bearing detent located in a slot in the lid stays would permit the case to open fully. Hovever, if the case vere opened from a 15 vertical position, the bail vould fall into a slot to in effect shorten one arm of the stay. The lid shell vould be prevented from opening fully, thus contents in the main shell of the case vold not tend to fall from the case. Hovever, it's likely that at least some of the contents of the main shell vould fall to the bottom of 20 the case even if such contents vere prevented from falling completely out of the case. It vould be difficult to shut the lid because of the accumulation of contents (papērs, pencils, tape recorder, etc.) in the bottom of the case vhile the lid vas even only partially opened. 25 One solution to this is shovn in U.S. patent 3,112,017. Here, an attache case is shovn vith a divider panei hinged to the bottom vali of the base shell. When the divider 25 is clipped in place, the contents of the base shell are both hidden from viev and 3 LV 10031 generally prevented from falling out of the case should the case be opened in an other than horizontal position. The divider panei 25 provides a vriting surface so that the case can be used as a desk. Hovrever, the divider panei 25 must be moved from one position to 5 the other after the case is opened. Thus, if access to shirt 24 or the like vas desired, the caše must be opened, then the divider pad pulled from its latched position over the shirt and preferably holding devices 23 clipped to hold the divider pad irt the vertical position vithin the lid while accessing articles 24. 10 Thus, none these prior art cases include means for automatically permitting access to either the contents of the portfolio portion while holding the contents of the main portion of the attache case from spilling out of the case or from moving to the bottom of the case. Nor do any of the above prior art cases 15 provide means for automatically permitting access to the portfolio portion of the case when the case is opened from a vertical orientation and for permitting access to the contents in the base shell of the case when the case is opened from a horizontal position. 20 Also, these prior attache cases do not have a way of organizing small items, such as pencils, sunglasses, etc., for easy access when the case is only partially opened. Some prior cases have pencil boxes and such but they are arrayed along the hinged side of the case, thus requiring the user to fully open the case to 25 easily access these small items. Also, many attache cases have small pockets along the front face of the portfolio divider panei for airline tickets, business cards and the like. Here again, in order to access these relatively small, flat items, the case must 4 be substantially fully opened, thus exposing the contents of the base shell or permitting the displacement of such contents and thus preventing the case from fully closing again.

There have been business cases and hand luggage, both soft 5 sided and hard sided, with exterior zippered pockets, extra pencils for accessing interior and' exterior compartments and the like. Such extra compartments do permit selective access to the contents of the case, that is, they do keep portions of the case closed while one opens these extra compartments. Hovever, such extra 10 access openings complicate the construction of the case and must be provided separate locks and latches if such security is desired.

SUMMARĪ OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, Applicant has invented a case comprising a base 15 Shell and a lid shell and a portfolio section normally carried in the lid shell, the portfolio comprising a front panei, hinged along a bottom edge thereof, and means for holding the front panei in an open or a closed position relative to the lid shell, and flexible gussets attaching the sides of the front panei and the sides of the 20 lid shell.

The lid shell has a height dimension, the front panei of the portfolio extending only part of said height from the hinged side of the shell toward the upper edge of the shell. There is preferably provided a means at the upper edge of the divider panei 25 for releasably attaching the divider panei to the lid shell or alternatively to the base shell whereby the degree of opening of the lid shell from the base shell about the hinge is limited by the extent of which the divider panei of the portfolio can be opened 5 LV 10031 when the divider panei is attached to the base shell. This means for fastening comprises a protrusion means located on the front panei of the portfolio, a first means for releasably holding the protrusion carried by the base Shell, and a second means carried by 5 the lid shell for releasably holding the protrusion means.

Also provided is a case vhich has a lid shell and a base shell and means for selectively holding the lid shell and base shell together in the form of a latch, the lid shell being hinged to the base shell and the lid shell defining a lid compartment and the 10 base shell defining a main compartment. There is an internai panei positioned vithin the case for closing the main compartment and the lid compartment. A first means is provided for automatically holding this panei in a first position vherein the panei closes off the main compartment when the case is opened from a generally 15 vertical position. This means also automatically holds the panei in a second position vherein the panei closes off the lid compartment vhen the case is opened from a substantially horizontal position.

Also provided is a case vhich includes a lid shell, a base 20 shell, a hinge along an adjoining edge of these shells, and means for selectively holding the lid shell and base shell together to shut the case. The lid shell defines a lid compartment and the base shell defines a main packing compartment. There is a portfolio normally carried in the lid compartment. This portfolio 25 includes a panei defining the front of the portfolio and bellovs gussets extending betveen the sides of this panei and the interior of the lid shell. Means are provided for holding this panei in alternate positions, this means being operable to either hold the 6 panei in the first position vithin the lid Shell or in the second position in the base shell, this selective positioning being operable vhile the lid shell and base shell are in the closed position. This means for operating comprises a first hook pivoted to the lid shell, this hook including a pendulum portion for sensing the direction of the pull of gravity to position the hook for engaging the front panei vhen the case is in a horizontal position and for releasing the panei vhen the case is in a vertical position, said means further including a second hook positioned and carried by the base shell. This second hook includes a pendulum means for sensing the direction of gravity and for positioning the hook for engaging the panei vhen the case is in the vertical position, but for releasing the panei vhen the case is in the horizontal position.

This first and second hook means are positioned relative to one another to engage one another vhen the case is in a vertical position. More particularly, this second hook includes a leg means vhich forces the first hook out of engagement vith said panei vhen the second hook rotates in response to gravity vhen the case is a vertical position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURĒS

Figurē 1 shovs an attache case according to the instant invention in an open position.

Figurē 2 shovs a broken avay portion of the case of Figurē 1 vith the lid shell being opened from the horizontal position.

Figurē 3 shovs the case of Figurē 1 after it has been opened in the vertical position. 7 LV 10031

Figurē 4 is a part|ally broken away view of a detail of the attache case of Figurē 1.

Figurē 5 is a view similar to Figurē 4 but showing the case after it has opened in the vertical position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Attache case 10 has an overall shape and construction similar to prior art attache cases. As vith such prior art cases, it includes a lid Shell 11 which defines a lid compartment 12 defined by the space contained vithin the lid shell. The case further includes a base shell similar in construction to the lid Shell 11. This base shell 14 defines a volume which comprises the main compartment 17, which typically is larger than the lid compartment 12. The lid shell 11 and base shell 14 are hinged together along their lower adjoining edges at 24 in a knovn manner. The lid shell and base shell are selectively held together by latch hooks 18 which are selectively received in latch hook receivers 19 in the base shell. The latch hooks 18 are operated by pivotally mounted latch Iever 16 which rotates the hooks away from hooking engagement in receivers 19. This latching mechanism could include a locking device such as an ordinary key lock or perhaps a combination lock, as is veli knovn in the luggage arts. The base shell includes a carrying handle 21, here shovn as being inset in a cavity along the top side of the base shell. A more conventional handle arrangement vith the handle or shoulder strap attached to a surface on the top side of the base shell is also contemplated.

The lid shell compartment is primarily occupied by a portfolio 20 vhich comprises a divider panei 22 of a generally thin but 8 rigid, aesthetxcally pleasing material, and bellovs gussets 23 made of a flexible cloth, leather,3 or leather-like material. These bellows gussets have a generally triangular overall shape which permits the panei 22 to pivot about its lower edge at the lover 5 side of the lid shell in the lid compartment to display the contents thereof.

To either side of the portfolio is a hinge stay 25 of knovm construction. This limits the range of pivoting of the lid shell 11 about hinge 24. 10 A pair of rod members 36 and 36 are attached along the upper horizontal edge of the panei 22. These rod members 36 form corresponding protruding ends beyond the sides thereof. The upper edge of the panei 22 defines the height of the portfolio vhich is substantially less than the overall height of the lid shell 11 and 15 the lid compartment 12 defined therein. Hithin the space betveen the upper edge of the panei 22 and the upper edge of the shell compartment are one or more lid containers 13. These lid containers can take many forms such as zippered pouches made of leather or fabric, but in the preferred embodiment they are defined 20 by boxes with simple spring-loaded, hinged doors vhich hinge about their lower edges to permit access to the compartment 13 defined therein. The importance of this novel arrangement vill be set forth belov.

Similarly the main compartment 17 includes one or more base 25 containers 15. Like the lid containers 13, these containers can take many forms but are shovn as being defined by a generally box-like construction vith hinged lids vhich pivot about their lovermost edges (vhen the case is the vertical position). Here 9 LV 10031 again, the significance of these compartments or containers and their position vithin the base shell will be set forth with greater detail.

The panei 22 is held in the position shown in Figurē l by a 5 pair of portfolio catches 30 which engage the protruding ends of at least one of the rods 36.

Referring to Figurē 2, the details of this arrangement are shovn. The catch 30 comprises a box 31 vhich holds a first pivoting member 32 for relatively free pivotal movement about the 10 axis shovn. This first pivoting member includes a first hook 32a vhich can selectively engage the rod member 36 as shown. The first pivoting member 32 further includes a pendulum portion 33 vhich responds to the pull of gravity. In the position shovn in Figurē 2, pendulum member 33 applies a counterclockvise rotating torque 15 about the axis to place the hook member 32a in firm engagement vith the protruding end of rod 36. A second box 38 is constructed similar to box 31 and positioned directly opposite thereof vithin the base compartment 17 and attached to the interior side valis of the base Shell 14. The first box and second box may include mating 20 surfaces 35 to help align these boxes and the members contained therein relative to one another vhen the lid shell and base shell are closed on one another. A second pivoting member 34 is pivoted for free rotation to the inside of the second box 38. This second pivoting member has 25 a second hook 34a vhich is integral vith a second pendulum portion 39 vhich also responds to the pull of gravity by orienting itself vith gravity. A protruding arm 40 forms part of the pendulum portion 39. As vill be set forth, this protruding arm 40 can 10 engage and, through the force of gravity on the pendulum member 34, rotate the first pivoting member 32 under certain conditions. The second box 38 includes semi-cylindrical indentations to receive and precisely position the rod members 36 when the lid Shell and base shell are closed on to one another.

As shovm in Figurēs 1 and 2, the panei 22 is held in a closed position by the hook portion 32a of first pivoting member 32. Thus, the portfolio catch 30, and its corresponding matē 30 on the other side of the case can be manualļy released from the portfolio when the case is positioned in Figurē 1 to permit access to the contents of the portfolio. Of course, the contents of the lid containers 13 and the base containers 15 can be easily had by flipping their doors open using the finger holes shovm.

When the lid shell and base shell are closed on to one another and moved from the horizontal position shovm in Figurēs 1 and 2 to the vertical closed position shovm in Figurē 3, the first and second pivoting members engage in one another to simultaneously cause the first rotāting member 32 to release its hooked engagement from the end of the rod member 36 and to place the second hook member 34a into an engaging relationship with second rod member 36. This can best be seen with reference to Figurē 4. Here, the second pivoting member 34 has moved relative to the case in a clockvise direction. The mating surfaces 35 of the first and second boxes have positioned ali the parts relative to one another precisely and the semi-cylindrical cutouts on the front face of the second box 38 have held both rods 36 and 36 in precise alignment with the various hook portions. Kotē that the second pivoting member 34 has rotated to bring the protruding arm 40 to engage the pendulum portion 33 of 11 LV 10031 the first pivoting member 32. While the pendulum member 33 vould tend to remain in the position shovm in Figurē 2, it is overpovered by the greater mass of member 34 when the protruding arm 40 engages it. Thus, the first hook 32a disengages from the end of rod 36. 5 If the case is opened from this vertical position vherein the second pivoting member 34 and its corresponding hook 34a have engaged the rod 36, the configuration in Figurē 5 will occur. In particular, the panei 22 is held by the second pivoting member 34 to close off most if not ali of the base compartment 17 in the base 10 Shell 14. Simultaneously, the bellpvs gussets 23 are pulled into their open position to expose the contents of the portfolio 20. The gussets 23 are sized to permit the lid shell to open a substantial but limited degree. Thus, the degree to which the lid shell pivots open from this vertical orientation is limited by the 15 bellows sides and not by the stays 25.

In this manner, the contents of the main compartment 17 are held in position, making it unlikely that the contents will spill down and prevent the case from shutting completely again. Also in the position shovn in Figurē 5, access to the contents of the 20 portfolio has been made very convenient with the various sections of the portfolio arrayed for access by the user from the top of the case. Also, the contents of lid containers 13 and the base containers 15 are readily accessible nov since these containers are located along the upper edge of the lid and base shells flanking 25 the open and arrayed contents of the portfolio section.

In this manner, the disclosed attache case has been made to be responsive automatically and immediately to the differing needs of the user, depending on vhether the case is opened from the 12 horizontal position or vhether the case is opened from the vertical position. This novel functioning is done vithout the need for the user to first open the case and decide vhether the main packing compartment 17 should be closed to access or inspection or vhether 5 the portfolio section should be opened for inspection. Thus, the disadvantages of the prior art cases are elegantly overcome. In each instance, vhen the case is opened from the vertical position, inadvertent spillage or visual access of the contents of the main compartment 17 are substantially prevented. 10 It should be understood that other arrangements are contemplated by the instant invention. While a pair of rods vith protruding ends 36 and 36 are shovn, an alternative construction is easily made vhere the hooks 32a and 34a need alternately engage only one rod. This can be easily done if the protruding leg 40 is 15 offset slightly and the pivoting members 32 and 34 are offset from one another to permit the hook portions to pass one another and engage a different portion of the same rod 36. Also, vhile simple pendulum veights are shovn, other grāvity sensing means are contemplated. A mercury svitch or some other orientation sensing 20 means could control electromechanical catches to accomplish the same operation.

Also, vhile the orientation of the case is used to trigger the varying functions of the portfolio latch members, other means are vithin the scope of the invention. For example, a separate latch 25 operable from the outside before the case is opened to either cause the panei to be fastened to the base shell or to be fastened to the lid shell is clearly possible. Also, the alternative attaching or hooking function could be triggered by the carrying handle 21. For 13 LV 10031 example, a lufechanical linkage between the handle 21 and the catches could be provided such that if the handle 21 is in the vertical position as shown in Figurē 5, the portfolio is held to the base Shell as shown. Hovever, if the handle 21 is in the position shown 5 in Figurē 1, the panei is held in the closed position in the lid Shell.

While this invention has been described with reference to a business case, the teachings could be easily applied to other types of hand luggage where outside pockets or access panels are 10 inadeguate or unavailable, but the user wishes to access the contents of the case lid and/or contents of small compartments arrayed along the upper portion of the case, while the case is in a vertical orientation. 14

Claims (12)

EN 10031 Patent Claims 1. Bag consisting of a base coat, a cover coat attached to the base coat along the underside of the hinge, a dispenser panel located at the top of the handbag and the cover and attached to the underside of the base shell inside the bag and means for retaining the dispenser in the bag. or in a closed position with respect to the cover shell having a height defined for the cover, and the dividing panel extends only in the direction of the half of said height from the cover to the top edge of the bag and at least one closable pocket positioned at least one inside the top edge of the dispenser panel. and the top edge of the bag. 2. A bag according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for flexibly engaging the edge of the dividing panel on the cap shell, and means for loosely coupling the splitting panel to the cap shell, or alternatively at the base cover, thereby limiting the degree of opening of the cap from the base shell to the hinged edge. dividing panel flexible binding means. 3. A bag as claimed in claim 2, wherein said free-binding means comprises bumps disposed on said dispensing panel, first means for loosely coupling said bumps to said base cap, and said second means for holding said cuffs free of said bumps to said cap shell. 4. A bag as claimed in claim 3, wherein said free binding means comprises means for receiving said bag condition, wherein said first means, when said bag is opened substantially vertically, associates said bumps and, if said bag is open mainly in the horizontal position, said bumps are linked by said second means. 5. §2155 »which has a cover coat and a base coat and a closure for selective cover coat and base coat, the cover coat attached to the hinge base-wall delimits the lid compartment, and the main compartment delimits the main compartment, the inner panel of the bag closes the main compartment and the lid compartment, means the panel for automatic holding in the first position, where the panel closes the main compartment when the bag is opened mainly in a vertical position, and for automatically holding the panel in the second position, where the panel closes the lid compartment when the bag is opened mainly in a horizontal position. 6. §222 By item 5, characterized in that the bag is a diplomatic bag and said panel is a front panel of the document compartment secured in the lid compartment, said front panel is attached to the lid compartment with a bell insert that allows the panel to be released from the hinge connection with said cover. the lid compartment when said automatic engagement means does not hold said panel in said second position. LV 10031 7. A bag that includes a cover cover, a baseboard, a hinge along the attachment portion of this casing and locks for the selective closure of the cover and the base cover to close the bag, the cap-shell restricts the lid compartment and the main compartment delimits the main compartment, the document compartment normally sits in the lid compartment and includes a panel, which delimits the front of the document compartment as well as the flexible inserts that extend between the edges of the panel and the cover and the means for holding the panel in a variable position, these means being able to operate both selectively in the first position of the panel inside the cover and in the second position to selectively hold the panel to the base shell , both selective retention operations of the above-mentioned means remain in effect until the cover cover and the base shell are in the closed position. 8. A bag as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that said retaining means comprise a first hook held in a collar and having a pendulum portion for receiving the direction of gravity of the drawbar, by means of which the hooks are engaged for tapping the panel when the bag is in the horizontal position and the panel for release when the bag is in a vertical position, said means further comprises a second hook held by the base lid, the second hook includes a pivot portion for receiving gravity direction for tapping the panel when the bag is in the upright position, and releasing the panel when the bag is horizontal. 9. A bag as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the first and second hooks are arranged one to the other, respectively, so as to selectively collapse each other depending on whether the bag is in a horizontal or vertical position. 10. A bag as claimed in claim 9, wherein the second hook comprises means for contacting the first hook and the first hook out of the joint with said panel when the second hook rotates under the force of gravity by turning the bag upright. 11. A bag according to claim 1, wherein said handle is attached to the base shell at the top of the bag. 12. A bag Pcc Ρ1111 ^ 01 11 », characterized in that said base coat has a recess on the surface and said handle is inserted into said recess.