US189410A - Improvement in trunks, portmanteaus - Google Patents

Description

H. F. WORTHINGTON.

TRUNKS, POR'I'MANTEAUS, &c.

No. 189,410. Patented April 10, 1877.

N.PETERS PHOTD-UTHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE.

HARRY F. WORTHINGTON, OF SOUTH RIVER, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN TRUNKS, PORTMANTEAUS, 8co- Specification forming part of Letters Patent N o. 1 89,410, dated April 10, 1877; application filed February 20, 1877.

To all whom it may concern v Be it known that I, HARRY F. 'WonTHING- TON, of South River, Middlesex county, State ot New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Trunks, Portmanteaus, Valises, &c., of which the following is a specification:

The object of this invention is to increase the usefulness of trunks, portmanteaus, valises, or similar traveling-cases, and to adapt them for use not only to carry articles, but to be extended to increase their cubical area for the transportation of large articles; and to that end it consists in providing such a traveling-case with means for expanding its dimensions, as will more fully hereinafter appear.

The drawings illustrating my improved traveling-case show, in Figure 1, a perspective view of the same closed in its most compact form; Fig. 2, a plan view of the same opened to its maximum dimensions; Fig. 3, a longitudinal section on line a, Fig. l, of the same in its closed condition; and Figs. 4 and 5, details of construction.

It is a well-known fact that traveling-cases are usually so constructed that their dimensions are limited, in one direction at least, by the size of their frame-work, and that such cases are only extensible by means of flexible or bellows-shaped sides, which may be forced outwardly when the article is filled to its fullest capacity. Such flexible or bellows-sided traveling-cases form a cumbersome article when they are only partially filled, for the reason that the said means for their enlargment either loosely protrude from them or form a bulky mass when strapped down upon them.

My improvement consists in providing the main or body portion of a trunk, portmanteau, valise, or similar travelingcase with auxiliary compartments, which are so constructed as to be capable of sliding in and out of said body portion, to increase or diminish the cubical area of said traveling-case, and adapt it for the carriage of a greater or lesser quantity of contents, too fully hereinafter pointed out to need preliminary description.

In carrying out this invention an ordinary traveling-case is constructed with open ends,

in which are introduced box-shaped compartments A, whose inner ends are open, and whose tops are provided with a cover, hinged thereto. These compartments A are adapted to slide within the body 0 of the case, and, when in a closed position, are contained within said body, thus forming a traveling-case of ordinary dimensions, but with doubled sides, top and bottom, as is indicated in Fig. 3, in which condition the case is capable of receiving its minimum quantity or bulk of articles to be transported. When, however, articles of great longitudinal dimensions are required to be carried in this traveling-case, or such as are of a bulk exceeding the minimum capacity of the traveling-case, the compartments A may be slid outwardly to increase the interior longitudinal dimensions of the case, and consequently its cubical area, as is seen in Fig. 2, where, for the purpose of illustration, a shirt is shown as introduced in said case. In this instance, the article being of greater length than the body 0 of the case, it cannot be placed therein without doubling, and thereby injuring the article.

When the traveling-case is thus to be used its cover D is opened, and the covers B B of the auxiliary compartments A are thrown open, and said compartments are slid outwardly far enough to provide an area equal to the length of the articles to be packed therein, or increased in'size equal to the cubical contents to be received.

When the traveling-case has thus been suitably packed the covers B are folded inwardly onto the auxiliary compartments A, and the cover D is closed down thereon and locked in the usual manner. In this condition the traveling-case will be preserved in its lateral dimensions, while its length will be increased to an extent equal to that of its normal condition plus the extent to which the auxiliary compartments extend from its ends-in short, it will be increased in its length.

The sides a b or bottom a of the auxiliary compartments may be provided with catches, bolts, a set-screw, or similar device, engaging with the sides 0 i or bottom m of the body 0 of the traveling-case, to secure the said auxiliary compartments A in any relative position of their extension from the body 0.

While any of the common devices for holding in fixed relative positions two devices sliding upon each other may be used, I have shown in Fig. 4 a spring-catch for this purpose, and in Fig. 5 a set-screw, both of which devices are operated from the interior of the traveling-case; but an exterior fastening may be used, or the auxiliary compartments A may be held extended by the materials packed within the case, their farther protrusion from the case being prevented by external devices such as straps 0, with which traveling-cases are usually provided, and which serve to protect the same when subjected to the hardships of travel.

This invention has been described as applied to an ordinary traveling case or valise, having a shallow cover, D, hinged to one side of its main body or box portion 0, and with auxiliary compartments A of a size equal to that of the box. It is to be understood, however, that this invention is applicable to such a traveling-case when the same is divided longitudinally into two equal body portions, hinged together. In such case four auxiliary compartments, A, may be provided, one in each end of its two body-portions.

This invention is also applicable to trunks constructed either with shallow covers or with equal top and bottom body-portions.

It is equally applicable to all rectangular or other shaped traveling-case. One auxiliary compartment only might be used. In such case it would be preferable to have the auxiliary compartments slide from one side of the traveling-case-as in the instance of a knapsack, which, it is obvious, it would be desirable not to increase laterally, but to have the bottom extensible, so that the added bulk will rest upon the back of the wearer, and thus not interfere with the arms or head of his person. In some cases, though, two auxiliary compartments, as herein represented, might extend from the sides and protrude beyond his shoulders.

In all smaller traveling-cases the construction will preferably be a metallic frame-work, inclosed by a flexible covering, this construction to be the same, both in the body of the case and its auxiliary compartments.

In large traveling-cases, or such as are intended for the transportation of heavy articles, the whole structure might be made of heavy leather, metal, wood, or similar strong materials.

It is, therefore, to be understood that the invention is in no wise limited by the material used, the form of the article, its shape,or the position of the line ofdivision separating its cover from its body, or by the number of auxiliary compartments A embodied in it.

What, therefore, is claimed as new is The combination, with the box or body 0 and its cover D D, the auxiliary compartments A A and covers B B, substantially as described. I

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribiu g witnesses.

Witnesses:

H. T. MUNSON, M. B. PBILIPP.

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