US20230276916A1

US20230276916A1 - Travel case convertible as a work table

Info

Publication number: US20230276916A1
Application number: US17/687,602
Authority: US
Inventors: Margaret D Gerth; Robert J Gerth; Dun Wu; Qunzhu WANG; Haolei Wang; Xiaoqi Lin; Junjian Lu
Original assignee: Mdg Holdings LLC
Current assignee: Mdg Holdings LLC
Priority date: 2022-03-05
Filing date: 2022-03-05
Publication date: 2023-09-07

Abstract

The present invention discloses a travel case for use as a work table. The travel case is adapted to operate in two modes including a default mode, and a table mode. During default mode, the travel case is configured to function as a conventional travel case and during table mode, the travel case is configured to stand on four legs to use a case body as a horizontal support surface. The table mode is configured to allow for easy access for unpacking and packing the travel case. The travel case comprises a release switch to activate any of the default mode or table mode. The downward movement of the release switch releases the internal mechanism and opens the four legs to a stable stance. The four legs are folded to its initial position to convert the travel case from travel mode to default mode.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a travel case convertible as a work table, and more particularly, to a travel case with the ability to stand on four legs to form a horizontal surface suitable for use as a work table.

BACKGROUND

With increase in the number of travelers, the transport facility has added more flights/transport vehicles to accommodate them. As a result, transport vehicles/flights spend more time waiting to take off. Consequently, individuals often find themselves spending a considerable amount of time in public places waiting for departures or arrival. Concurrently, a horizontal surface suitable to support a laptop, tablet, lunch on the go is required during this waiting time.
Travelers often user their briefcases/travel cases as a support surface, a writing pad or as support for work papers. Any attempt to open the front wall/cover of the travel is hindered by the work documents/objects lying thereon, which have to be held on to awkwardly when the front wall is swung up about a swivel axis parallel to the ground. Having a dedicated workspace or table would eliminate this problem. In addition, travels cases come in myriad shapes, sizes, and styles such as carryon bags, duffle bags, trunks, and totes unsuitable for use as the horizontal surface.
Therefore, a need exists for a travel case with the ability to stand on four legs to form a horizontal surface suitable for use as a work table.

SUMMARY

The present invention discloses a travel case for use as a work table. The travel case is adapted to operate in two modes including a default mode, and a table mode. During default mode, the travel case is configured to function as a conventional travel case and during table mode, the travel case is configured to stand on four legs to use a case body as a horizontal support surface. The table mode is configured to allow for easy access for unpacking and packing the travel case. The travel case comprises a release switch to activate any of the default mode or table mode. The moving of the release switch to down releases the internal mechanism of a leg system and allows a user to open the four legs to a stable stance. Engaging the release switch to an initial position or folding the legs to their original position resets the travel case from table mode to default mode.
The table mode forms a horizontal surface suitable to support a laptop, tablet, lunch on the go, or resting one's feet. The default mode allows the user to collapse the trolley case when arriving at their interim or final destination or after use as a desk.
The above summary contains simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail and is not intended as a comprehensive description of the claimed subject matter but, rather, is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the functionality associated therewith. Other systems, methods, functionality, features and advantages of the claimed subject matter will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed written description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description of the illustrative embodiments can be read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements. Embodiments incorporating teachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respect to the figures presented herein, in which:

FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a travel case, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of the travel case in travel mode, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a perspective view of a leg assembly of the travel case, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates rear perspective view of the travel case with leg assembly, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 exemplarily illustrates a release switch of the travel case, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6A exemplarily illustrates an inner mechanism of the release switch, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6B exemplarily illustrates the operation of the leg assembly to open an outer leg component, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6C exemplarily illustrates the operation of the leg assembly to open an inner leg component, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6D exemplarily illustrates the operation of the leg assembly to place the travel case on the surface in table mode, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A exemplarily illustrates a spring mechanism to fix the legs on the bottom of the travel case, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B exemplarily illustrates the spring mechanism to fix the legs at the maximum support angle, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1A, the present invention discloses a travel case 100 with the ability to stand on four legs to form a horizontal surface suitable for use as a work table. The travel case 100 adapted to operate in two modes including a default/travel mode, and a table mode. During default mode, the travel case 100 is configured to function as a conventional travel case 100 and during table mode, the travel case 100 is configured to stand on four legs to form a horizontal support surface. In one embodiment, the horizontal support surface may be a smooth surface on its tabletop.
The case 100 comprise a case assembly 110 having one or more case components to form the case assembly 110. The case 100 include an upper end and a lower end. The case 100 includes a handle set 120 on the upper end and a wheel assembly 130 at the lower end The outlook of the case 100 shows the one or more case components that include a top shell/lid shell 140, middle shell 150, and bottom shell/rear shell 160. In one embodiment, the top shell 140 may be designed as lid opening or trunk style opening or split case opening. The lid opening allows for the case 100 to be open in the table position. The case 100 includes a nameplate 145 on its top shell 140, and lower shell 170. Further, the case 100 includes a handle 180 at any one of the sides for easy handling while converting it into table mode or carrying it in the travel mode.
FIG. 2 depicts the case 100 in the travel mode. The case 100 is made of three shells including a rear shell 160 that is the foundation for attaching hardware for conversion of the case 100 into a horizontal support surface, a mid shell 150 that has a novel perimeter interior flange 190 to support a lid shell 140 with a positive support to not move underweight which the more common zipper closure do not provide, and a lower shell 170 to support the wheel assembly for easy carrying of the case 100. The case 100 further comprises at least two contoured blocks (not shown in figure) located on the upper, interior corners configured to hold the lid shell 140 and secure it when using as a table. The contoured blocks eliminate the inward collapsing of the lid shell 140. The case 100 further comprises a trolley set 200. The trolley set 200 is industry standard. The trolley set 200 has a right and left assembly. Each assembly comprises an outer tube 210 which contains internally slidable inner tube 220. The lower end of the outer tube 210 is mounted internally at the rear side of the case 100. The outer tube 210 is a hollow tube which allows sliding movement of the inner tube 220. The inner tube 220 has the upper end and the lower end. The lower end of the inner tube 220 is positioned inside the outer tube 210 configured to telescopically slide along the inner side of the outer tube 210 to certain distance. The sliding of inner tube 220 is restricted at a point to avoid the slippage of the inner tube 220 from the outer tube 210. Further, a handle 230 is attached at the top end of the inner tube for easy carrying or wheeling of the case 100 during travel mode.
FIG. 3 depicts a leg assembly 300 of the case 100. The leg assembly 300 is configured to be mounted at the rear side of the case 100. The leg assembly 300 comprises a top mounting plate 320 and a bottom mounting plate 310. The leg assembly 300 is attached to the rear side of the case 100 at the upper end using the top mounting plate 320 using one or more fasteners. The leg assembly 300 is attached to the rear side of the case 100 at the lower end using the bottom mounting plate 310 using one or more fasteners.
FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the case 100 with the leg assembly 300 at its rear surface 400. The rear surface 400 comprises an upper base 410 with a release switch 430 and a lower base with one or more internal components, which provide internal locking mechanism to support the locking or unlocking of the leg assembly 300. The leg assembly 300 comprises an outer leg component 620 (as shown in FIG. 6B) and an inner leg component 630 (as shown in FIG. 6C). The outer leg component 620 comprises a pair of outer legs 330 having a first end and a second end, and an outer crossbar 340 disposed between the pair of outer legs 330 proximal to the second end. The outer legs 330 comprise a hinge connector 370 at the first end configured to pivotably connect the outer leg component 620 to the lower end of the case 100. The inner leg component 630 comprises a pair of outer legs 350 having a third end and a fourth end, and an inner crossbar 360 disposed between the pair of inner legs 350 proximal to the fourth end. The inner legs 350 comprise a hinge connector 380 at the third end configured to pivotably connect the inner leg component 630 to the lower end of the case 100.
FIG. 5 depicts an enlarged view of the release switch 430. The release switch 430 is configured to lock and/or unlock the folding and/or unfolding of the four legs. The release switch 430 is moved/pressed downwards to unlock the folding of the legs. The four legs are opened outwards to convert the case 100 from the travel mode to table mode.
FIG. 6A to FIG. 6D exemplarily illustrates an operation of the release switch 430 to convert the case 100 from travel/default mode to table mode. At one step, the release switch 430 is moved or pressed downwards to unlock the four legs using an internal mechanism 600 of the release switch 430 (as shown in FIG. 6A). The internal mechanism 600 includes a spring 610 operably connected to the release switch 430. At another step, the outer leg component 620 is opened outwards (as shown in FIG. 6B). The outer leg component 620 includes the pair of outer legs 330 and outer crossbar 340 disposed between the outer legs 330. The outer leg component 620 is hingedly connected to the lower base 420 via the hinge connector 370. At another step, the inner leg component 630 is then opened outwards (as shown in FIG. 6C). The inner leg component 630 includes the pair of inner legs 350 and inner crossbar 360 disposed between the inner legs 350. The inner leg component 630 is hingedly connected to the upper base 410 via the hinge connector 380. At another step, the case 100 is positioned over the surface with the opening legs (as shown in FIG. 6D) as table. In one embodiment, the table comprises a smooth horizontal surface. In one embodiment, the legs are collapsed to convert the case 100 from table mode to default mode by holding the switch 430 upwards using the spring 610. In one embodiment, the legs are collapsed by engaging the switch 430 using the internal mechanism 600 without pushing the switch 430 down to collapse the legs.
FIG. 7A to FIG. 7B shows a spring mechanism 700 to fix the legs on the bottom of the travel case 100. The spring mechanism 700 comprises the spring 610 and a shaft 720. The shaft 720 includes one or more fixed end 710. During default mode, the ends 710 of the shaft 720 are fixed to lock the movement of the leg assembly 300. During table mode, the spring 610 is activated by pressing the release switch 430, and unlocks the leg assembly 300 to open the legs outwards to place the case 100 over the surface as shown in FIG. 6D.
While the disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular system, device or component thereof to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The described embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A travel case, comprising:

a case assembly having one or more case compartments to form the case assembly;

a wheel assembly coupled to a lower side of the case assembly configured to move the case assembly upon a surface;

a leg assembly coupled to a rear side of the case assembly configured to stand the case assembly upon the surface, wherein the leg assembly comprises,

an outer leg component having a pair of outer legs and an outer leg crossbar or upper crossbar disposed between the pair of outer legs, wherein the pair of outer legs comprise a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the pair of outer legs are hingedly connected to a lower base of the case assembly,

an inner leg component having a pair of inner legs and an inner leg crossbar or lower crossbar disposed between the pair of inner legs, wherein the pair of inner legs comprise a third end and a fourth end, wherein the third end of the pair of inner legs are hingedly connected to an upper base of the case assembly, and

a release switch positioned at the upper base configured to lock and/or unlock the leg components, wherein the release which is configured to:

move downwards to unlock the outer leg component;

open the outer leg component outwards;

open the inner leg component outwards, and

place the case assembly with opened legs on the surface on a horizontal direction to use as a table.

2. The travel case of claim 1, further comprises a spring assembly having a spring and one or more shafts configured to support the movement of the release switch.

3. The travel case of claim 2, wherein the spring assembly fixes the outer legs and inner legs on the bottom of the case assembly during not in use.

4. The travel case of claim 2, wherein the spring assembly fixes the outer legs and inner legs at the maximum support angle to maintain the stability of the case assembly during use.

5. The travel case of claim 1, wherein the release switch is moved downwards to change the case assembly from default mode to table mode.

6. The travel case of claim 1, wherein the legs are collapsed to convert the case assembly from table mode to default mode by holding the switch upwards using the spring.

7. The travel case of claim 1, wherein the legs are collapsed by engaging the switch using the locking mechanism without pushing the switch down to collapse the legs.