US2062462A - Garment carrier - Google Patents

Description

A. LEVINE GARMENT CARRIER Dec. 1, 1936.

Filed Dec. 10, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORN Y f Dec. 1, 1936. A. LEVINE GARMENT CARR I ER 4 snets-sheet 2 Filed Dec. 10, 1930 ATTORN Y Dec. 1,1936. A EVINE 2,062,462

GARMENT CARRIER Filed Dec 10; 1930 4 Sheets- Sheet 3 a BYMW'W Dec. 1, 1936'.

EI mm 0 LM% m m ARd Patented Dec. 1, 1936 Ul'lED STTES ATENT' .oFFIcE- Application December 10, 1930, Serial No. 501,241

31 Claims.

My present invention relates generally to a collapsible or foldable cradle or envelope adapted to accommodate and to enfold garments and more particularly to the association of such a cradle or envelope with a luggage article within which the folded cradle or envelope can be received.

Although I have herein illustrated and shall hereinafter describe my invention as it may be applied to a luggage article of the suit case type, nevertheless, it will be understood that from a number of aspects, my invention is not restricted to this specific usage, nor, for that matter, are some of the features of the collapsible envelope or cradle necessarily limited to the employment thereof with any luggage article whatsoever.

A general object of my invention is to provide a device which will efficiently and conveniently serve to accommodate garments, such as suits, dresses, skirts, trousers, and the like, and in a compact and neatly folded manner for the purpose of permitting transportation thereof.

A more particular object of my invention lies in providing a garment-enfolding cradle or device in conjunction with a luggage article, and more particularly, in combination with a pair of spaced substantially parallel opposite walls of such an article.

A particular feature lies in providing a construction which will permit the garment envelope, when folded or collapsed, to be compactly and efliciently accommodated within the confines of the space lying between said opposite walls.

For example, in the preferred form of the invention herein illustrated by way of example, I 35 have shown a construction wherein the garment cradle may be collapsed into a compact bundle or envelope adapted to fit compactly and snugly Within the confines of the opposite flanges or side walls of a cover for a suit case or the like.

Another important object of my invention lies in providing a device whose manipulation, such as unfolding and folding thereof, may be carried out with the maximum of convenience and elficiency. More particularly, I aim to provide a a construction which may be expeditiously employed by a user during the normal procedure of packing and unpacking a suit case or similar luggage article.

For example, one of the main features of my invention lies in providing an arrangement whereby the garment envelope or cradle is extensible into a substantially horizontal plane, the device being adapted to rest in such position upon the uper open face of a suit case body or the like, so that the application and removal of garments may be accomplished with atleas'tthe same eificiency and expedience as would be the case if the garment were being folded and packed into a suit case in the usual and unenveloped manner. I

With the foregoing general objects in view, it is a particular feature of my invention to provide a cradle or garment bed of the character I mentioned in pivoted or hinged association with a luggage article, the pivot axis lying "closely adjacent to the hinge line between two, pivoted members of the luggage article. For example in the preferred form illustrated, the garment enveloping structure is pivoted to the opposite side walls of a cover of a suit case at a point closely adjacent to the hinge between such cover and the body portion or member of the suit case.' A still further feature of my invention lies in providing a construction wherein the, garments may be associated with individual removable garment supports, respectively, as for example coat hangers or the like. may be applied to a hanger or rung, or a dress may be applied to a supporting bar or the like, prior to the packing procedure; and the garment or garments thus supported, may then be. applied to the garment cradle vby simply hooking the hanger into position, or similarly associating the rung or garment support in a predetermined manner'with the cradle. Similarly, when the de: vice is unpacked, the'present garment envelope or cradle is opened up or extended and the several garments may then be individually or'collectively removed by simply separating eachrespective garment support from the cradle. In accordance with the last mentioned feature of my invention, the construction is such-that the main supporting element for the garment is positioned closely adjacent to the. pivotedend of the cradle. This permits each garment to be applied right side up, and directly from the front to a suit case or the'like, while the sameis being packed; and similar advantages obtained'during the unpacking of the luggage article. I

A still further feature of my invention lies'in providing a construction which insures'a neat and unwrinkled folding, of-each garment, the same being not only completely enveloped and enclosed but being firmly and efficiently heldin a stretched and pressed condition.

Briefly, my invention resides in the provision of a flexible bed or cradle, upon which a garment or garments may be caused'to lie'in a substan- Thus, a suit of clothes I j 1 tially horizontal plane. Means are provided whereby the garment may thereupon be enfolded and also folded into a packed and neat condition, completely enclosed by the cradle or fabric bed.

This bundle or package is then adapted to be swung or otherwise positioned into a compact relationship with the particular walls with which it is associated, as for example, the opposite walls of a suit case cover. To carry out the general objectives of my invention, the flexible garment bed or cradle is provided in a novel and particular manner with reenforcing frames, links, cross bars, elastics and the like, the nature of which will be more fully described hereinafter.

I achieve the foregoing general objects and advantages, and such other objects as may hereinafter appear or be pointed out, in the manner illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typical suit case shown with the cover thrown back into a vertical position and the present garment accommodating device in an extended or opened condition ready for packing;

' Figure 2 is a similar view showing a suit of clothes applied to the device, the latter being partially closed;

Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view through the cover of the suit case showing the disposition of the frame elements of the device when the cradle is completely collapsed;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a vertical cross sectional view taken through the device of Figure 1, showing in dot and dash lines the manner in which several portions are adapted to pivot or swing;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan View taken substantially in the direction of the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 'i-l of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 showing the portions of the cradle in partially collapsed condition;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary end view taken substantially in the direction 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an enlarged longitudinal cross section through the collapsed or folded cradle device with garments accommodated therein;

and

Figure 11 is a plan view partly in section, of a slightly modified construction.

The suit case herein illustrated by way of example consists of a box like body member l5 and a complementary cover it. The latter is shown asmarginally flanged to provide the front end wall I! and the opposite side walls 18 and IS. The cover 16 is hinged or pivoted to the body l5 along the line 28 as shown most clearly in Figure 3, and when the cover is thrown back to the position of Figures 1 and 2, it is held at substantially right angles to the body l5 by means of the collapsible brackets 21.

In accordance with my present invention an extensible and collapsible garment cradle or envelope is pivoted to the opposite walls I8 and I9 closely adjacent tothe hinge 2i and more particularly, at the pivot points 22 and 23 shown most clearly in Figures 3 and 6.

Generally speaking; my present device is formed of two main sections and an auxiliary section or flap. Thus, referring to Figure 1, I will point out that a rear section is defined by the opposite side braces 24 and 25, and extends forwardly from the pivots 22 and 23 to a point slightly in back of the front wall 23 of the body l5. A front section is defined by the side braces or frames 2'! and 28 and extends from the front end of the rear section to a point projecting well out beyond the front wall 26 when the cradle is opened. At the front end of the section last mentioned, a transverse bar or rung 29 serves to support the rear end of an auxiliary forward flap 35.

Before describing the details of the construction, I will point out that my invention provides for a flexible band of material, such as fabric, which is attached at the rear end of the rear section and extends forwardly between the side braces 24, 25, 21 and 28 and is attached at the front end of the front section to the bar 29. The garments are adapted to be supported at the rear end of the rear section so that they may be laid fiat upon the garment bed thus provided for them when the cradle is extended. The flap 3! is supposed to be folded upwardly over the above lower ends of the garments and the entire front section is then adapted to be folded upwardly and rearwardly into superposed relationship with the rear section, thus completely enveloping the garments. Then the superposed sections of the device are swung upwardly about the pivots 22 and 23 to position the entire device within the confines of the space between the opposite walls l8 and I9. The position of the garments and the relationship of the parts when the cradle is completely collapsed or folded with the garments enfolded therein, is shown most clearly in Figure 10.

I shall now describe the manner in which the rear and front sections are articulated end to end and shall refer particularly to Figures 5 and 6, it being understood that both longitudinal sides of the device are symmetrical and that wherever the description is given of one side, as for example, of the brace 24, it applies with equal truth to the opposite, as for example, to the brace 25 unless specific reference to the contrary is made.

Referring to Figure 5, it has already been pointed out that the brace 24 is pivoted at 22 to the wall I9 closely adjacent to the hinge axis 20. At its forward end, the brace 24 is riveted or similarly attached as at 3| to the upright end 32 (Figure 7) of a transverse brace or bar 33.

The rear end of the brace 21 is pivoted as at 34 to the upper portion of the end 32. This pivotable association is shown somewhat more clearly 'in Figure 6 in which it is to be noted that the rear end of the brace 28 is pivoted as at 35 to the upper portion of the side 36 of the brace 33.

Between the brace 24 and the side 32 is a plate 3'! which lies substantially in the plane of the braces 24 and 21. The rivets 3| and the pivot 34 pass directly through this plate and an additional rivet 38 connects the plate 31 with the brace 24. An opening 39 is provided in this plate toward the rear thereof and approximately over the rivet 38. The foregoing parts will be more clearly recognizable with the aid of Figure 6, where the same reference numerals, primed, are applied to the corresponding parts of the corresponding plate 31 which lies between the brace 25 and the end 36.

A small bracket 40, or its equivalent is attached to the side wall of the body l5 and serves as a support for the forward end of the brace 24 when the latter is swung downwardly into the position of Figure 5. Also, at the forward edge of the plate 31, the latter is provided with a small strip or tab 4| which serves as a support for the brace 21 when the latter is in the extended position of Figure 5.

When the brace 21 is swung rearwardly and upwardly as indicated by the dot and dash lines of Figure 5, it may be automatically snapped into 7 an engaged position overlying the brace 24, this being accomplished by the rounded head of a rivet 42, which engages frictionally and resiliently within the opening 39 of the plate 31. The corresponding rivet 42' on the brace 28 has a rounded head 43 which shows clearly in Figure 6 and which engages with the opening 39'. This position, for braces 28 and 25, is shown in Figures 8 and 9.

At the rear of the brace 21, a spring clip 44, having a forked or slotted end is mounted for a purpose presently to be described. It is attached to the brace 21 by means of the rivet 42 and a second rivet 45. In Figure 6, the corresponding spring clip 44' is shown attached to the brace 28 by the rivet 42 and an additional rivet 45 At the extreme end of the fiap 30 a cross bar 46 is provided, and this bar has pins 41' (Figure 1) at its opposite ends. The pins 47' engage removably and resiliently with the rear free forked ends of the sprin clips 44 and 44' which are slotted for that purpose.

Extending between the rear ends of the braces '24 and 25 is a garment supporting transverse bar or rung 41 to which the rear end of a fabric 48 is secured as shown most clearly in Figures and 6. This band is greater in longitudinal length than the combined lengths of the rear and front sections previously referred to, and the excess length is adapted normally to form a depending loop 49 immediately in front of the cross bar 33. The band 48 is of a width which extends almost completely from the braces 24 and 21 on one side to the corresponding braces 2-5 and 28 on the opposite side and this band 48 is unattached to the device except at the rear bar or rung 41 and at the forward bar or rung 29.

For the purpose of maintaining the rear and forward portions of the band 48 in a normally -taut position, strips of elastic material 50 are attached to the band at points on opposite sides of the center thereof. For example, a transverse pocket 5| is provided in the band 48 between the rung 41 and the bar 33. A similar transverse pocket 52 is provided between the bar 33 and the' rung 29. Each elastic 50 is attached at its rear end to a transverse bar 53 arranged in the pocket "5|, and at its forward end to a transverse bar 54 arranged in the pocket 52.

As viewed in Figure 5, each elastic 59 extends out of the pocket 5| underneath the band 48. Then approximately at the bar 33, the elastic is passed upwardly through an opening 55 (see Figure in the band 48 and extends directly across the top of the loop 49. On the forward side of the loop, the elastic 50 passes through an opening 56 in the band 48 and continues under neath the latter until it reaches the rod 54 in -the pocket 52. 70

Preferably, the flap 38 is connected tothe rod 39 by means of elastic portions 51 shown most clearly in Figure 1.

A hanger 58 is adapted to be used with the device described, this hanger having a hook 59 which adapted to engage over the transverse completed.

bar .41 in the manner shown in Figures 1 and'2.

When the device is to be used, a suit of clothes or the like is applied to the hanger 58 in the usual manner while the hanger is held in the hand. The suit having been properly adjusted into a neat supported condition, the hook 59 is applied over the rung or garment support 41 in the manner illustratively shown in Figures 1 and 2. This arranges the suit of clothes in a fiat upright position upon the extended cradle. The rod 46 is then grasped and swung upwardly and rearwardly into resilientengagement with the spring clips 44 and 44'. This serves to cover over the lower portion of the garment or garments, and sandwich them under pressure between the band 48 and the flap 39, as shown in Figure 2.

The bar 29 is then grasped and the-front section of the device is swung upwardly and rearwardly until it overlies the rear section. At the conclusion of this procedure, the rounded rivet head 43 snaps into engagement with the opening 39' of the plate 31', and. the same engagement takes place at the opposite sideof the device in connection with the hole 39. The loop 49 provides for the mass of garment material at the mid-portion of the cradle, and the garment or garments are thus completely yet neatly enfolded' within the envelope.

The final procedure consists in grasping the bar 33 and swinging the entire collapsed cradle device upwardly into the confines of the cover. Preferably, spring clips 69 and 6! are mounted on the walls l8 and I9 respectively, so as to hold the collapsed and folded garment package in proper accommodated position. The clip 69 is engageable by the rounded'head of .the rivet 35, and the clip 6| is similarly engaged by the rounded head of the corresponding rivet 34.

The suit case may then be packed in the usual manner tofill the body portion 15, and finally, the cover [6 may be brought downwardly in the customary manner after the packing has been The accommodation of the garments in the cradle device, and the manner in which these garments are neatly yet completely unfoldedv in an unwrinkled and an efficient manner is clearly illustrated in Figure 10 wherein the several parts heretofore described are clearly depicted.

In unfolding the device, the procedure is reversed, and it takes but a few seconds to throw the cover l6 upwardly into the position of Figure 1, then to grasp the bar 33 and pull it downwardly, then to grasp the rung 29 and swing the sectionsinto therelationship of Figure 2, and finally to release the bar 46 and swing the flap into the position of Figure 1. This uncovers the garments and permits them to be removed, each garment being still carried upon its respective hanger 58 or the equivalent.

Obviously, more than one hanger may be used, and any convenient number of garments may be wrapped in the manner hereinbefore described.

In Figure 11, I have illustrated the slight modification which I have found useful for the support of dresses and the like. The cover I to is hinged at a to the body'l5a. The braces a and 24a are pivoted to the walls l8a and |9a at the points 23a and 22a respectively. The rear rung 41a extends between the rearv ends, as

In addition, I have provided a pair ofxspring clips 62 and 63, mounted upon the braces 25a and 24a respectively. A bar or garment supporting rung 64 is adapted to fit resiliently and removably between the free ends of these clips.

In using the device of Figure 11, the rung 64 is removed and dresses or the like are hung thereover, after which the rung is applied as shown in Figure l I, whereby the dress will lie fiat upon the cradle bed. The rung 64 may be used alone or in conjunction with the bar 4117., and obviously a plurality of such rungs or bars may be the procedure, if desired.

In order to permit the proper nesting'of garments in the embodiment of Figure 11 wherein the hanger bars 64 and 41a are employed, I'find it advisable to so arrange and construct the spring clips 82 and 63 that the cross rung 64 will be held at a level above'that of the cross rung 4111 when the cradle is extended in horizontal position. This permits of arranging the garments carried by the cross rung 64 in a plane above that of those carried by the rung i'ia.

It will be obvious that changes in the details herein described for the purpose of explaining the general nature of my invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. These details are therefore intended to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. For attachment to the spaced walls of a luggage article, a collapsible garment cradle adapted to be accommodated between said walls when collapsed, said cradle comprising rear and front sections articulated end to end, the rear section being articulated at its rear end to said walls, the front section being adapted to form an extension of said rear section when aligned therewith, the rear section being provided at its rear end with a garment support, the front section being foldable over the rear section into superposed relationship therewith so as to enfold supported garments, and said cradle comprising an outer frame and a flexible bed portion.

2. For use with a luggage article having spaced walls a collapsible garment cradle comprising rear and front garment-supporting sections pivoted together end to end, the rear section being pivoted at its rear end to said walls, the front section being adapted to form an extension of the rear section and being foldable over the rear section into superposed relationship therewith; and a continuous flexible band extending across said sections and attached only at its ends respectively to the rear of the rear section and to the front of the front section.

3. In a luggage article having spaced walls a collapsible garment cradle comprising rear and front sections pivoted together end to end, the rear section being pivoted at its rear end to said walls, the front section being adapted to form an extension of the rear section and being foldable over the rear section into superposed relationship therewith; and a continuous flexible band extending from the rear of the rear section to the front of the front section and being greater in length than the combined lengths of said sections, so as to provide expansibility for accommodated garments said band being connected at one end to the front section and at its other end to the rear section.

4. In an article of luggage, a foldable garment cradle comprising pivotally connected rear and front sections adapted to be positioned into end to end relationship or into superposed collapsed relationship, a continuous flexible band carried by said sections and extending from the rear of the rear section to the front of the front section, and means for retaining the end portions of said band in a taut condition so as to form a slack loop thereof at the midportion.

5. In an article of luggage, a foldable garment cradle comprising pivotally connected rear and front sections adapted to be positioned into end to end relationship or into superposed collapsed relationship, a continuous flexible band carried by said sections and extending from the rear of the rear section to the front of the front section, said flap being greater in length than the com.- bined lengths of said sections, so as to provide expansibility for accommodated garments, and means for retaining the excess length of the band as a loop at the central portion thereof.

6. For use with an article of luggage, a foldable garment cradle comprising pivotally connected rear and front sections adapted to be relatively positioned into end to end relationship or into superposed collapsed relationship, a continuous flexible band carried by said sections and extending from the rear of the rear section to the front of the front section, said flap being greater in length than the combined lengths of said sections, so as to provide expansibility for accommodated garments, and means for retaining the excess length of the band as a loop at the central portion thereof; said means comprising an elastic member extending between portions of the band on opposite sides of its central portion. 7

'7. For use with an article of luggage, a foldable garment cradle comprising a rear section pivoted at the rear to said luggage article, a forward section pivoted at the rear to the front end of the rear section, and a front flap member attached at its rear to the front of the forward section, said flap member being adjustable into a position overlying the forward section, so as to cover the garments supported on said forward sec,-

tion. r

8. In an article of luggage, a foldable garment cradle comprising a rear section pivoted at the rear to said luggage article, a forward section pivoted at the rear to the front end of the rear section, a flap attached at its rear to the front of the forward section, and means for securing the flap in taut condition over the forward section.

9. In an article of luggage, a foldable garment cradle comprising a rear section pivoted at the rear to said luggage article, a forward section pivoted at the rear to the front end of therear section, a flap attached at its rear to the front of the forward section, and means for securing the forward or free end of the flapto the rear end of the forward section so as to hold the flap taut over the forward section.

10. In an article of luggage, a foldable garment cradle comprising a rear section pivoted at the, rear to said luggage article, a forward section pivoted at the rear to the front end of the rear section, a flap attached at its rear to the front of the forward section, a reinforcement bar carried transversely by the free end of the flap, and resilient means for removaloly engaging said bar at the rear of the forward section.

11. For use with an article of luggage, a foldable garment cradle comprising a rear section pivoted at the rear to said luggage article, a garment-supporting bar carried by and extending transversely across the rear of the rear section,

a forward section pivoted at its rear end to the front end of the rear section, a continuous flexible band carried by and extending from the gar. ment-supporting barto the front of the forward section, to whichit is connected, and a flap at the front of the forward section adapted to overlie the forward section'to cover the free ends of garments supported upon said bar and band.

' 12.. For use withthe cover member of a luggage article, a collapsible garment cradle pivoted thereto and comprising a rear and a front section pivoted to each other end to end, a continuous band extending from the rear of the rear section to the front of the front section, said band being attached to said sections only at its rear and forward ends with its midpo-rtion slack, and a garment-supporting bar at the rear of the rear section.

13. For use in an article of luggage having complementary hinged sections, a garment carrying rack comprising parallel outer frame members and an intermediate flexible member positioned between said frame members, whereby a garment support is provided, said frame members each consisting of two hingedly united sections, said frame members being pivotally mounted at their innerends on the opposed walls of one of the hinged sections, and a flap member extending beyond the free outer sections of the frame membersjwherebya garment of a length so as to extend over said rack sections and said flap may be laidon the rack, may be folded into three superimposed portions by manipulation of the flap and rack sections, and positioned within said hinged section to which the frame members are pivoted,

14. In an article of luggage having complementary hinged sections, a garment carrying rack comprising parallel outer frame members and an elastically tensioned member supported between said frame'members and forming therewith a substantially flat garment support, said frame members each consisting of two sections united end to end in hinged relation and the two inner sections pivoted to two of the opposed walls of one of the hinged sections of said article of luggage, and a-flapmember extending beyond the other two frame members, and adapted to be folded over the elastically tensioned member, whereby'a garment of a length so as to extend over said rack sections and said flap may be laid on the rack, may be foldedinto three superimposed portions by manipulation of the flap and rack sections and positioned within said hinged sectionto which the frame members are pivoted.

15. For use in an article of luggage having complementary hinged sections, one of which forms the body and the other the cover thereof, a rack comprising parallel outer frame members pivotally mounted at its inner end within the cover section, and an intermediate flexible member positioned between said frame members and having its ends attached to' the rack, elastic tensioning means uniting intermediate portions of said flexible member so as to hold the ends thereof in tension and to form a bight at the middle portion of said flexible member, said frame members each consisting of two hingedly united portions one of which is pivoted to one of two opposed walls of the cover section, whereby it can be collapsed into superimposed relation to said cover section, a flap member supported from the outer ends of said frame members, and adapted to be superimposed on the flexible member and ,held in substantially fixed relation thereto, whereby a garment may be laid on the rack and the flap and may, by folding and collapsing .of the flap and the rack, be protectively folded and positioned within said cover section.

16. A folding garment packaging envelope adapted to be received in folded condition within an article of luggage, said envelope comprising relatively rigid frame sections pivoted end to end, said frame sections each comprising side members and a fabric bed positioned between the side members of both sections and unsupported at both sides thereof, and attached to the frame sections only at its end portions, so as to be adapted for the support of garments. (Y

17. For use with a frame elementpof a luggage article, comprising spaced, substantially parallel, opposite walls, a collapsible garment cradle between said walls and having one end thereof free and the other end pivoted to said ,Wall, said cradlecomprisingrelatively rigid frame sections, pivoted end to end, and each comprising, side members, and a fabric bed positioned between said sidememb'ers of both sections and supported from. said frame sections so as to be adapted for the sup-port of garments.

18. In an article of luggage having spaced, substantially parallel, opposite Walls, a collapsible garment. cradlef between said walls and pivotally carried thereby at one end thereof, means on the pivoted end of the cradlefor supporting garments, said cradle when collapsed being accommodated wholly within the confines of thespace bounded by said walls, and said cradle consisting of a collapsible outer frame, andaflexible bed, collapsible with the frame and adapted to support garments.

19. In a luggage articlehaving body and cover members connected by a hinge, a collapsible garment cradle pivoted to the cover member adjacent the hinge, said cradle comprising two sections adapted for superposition and for end-,to-end extension so as to overlie the. topof the body mem-' ber and cooperative means operative between the inner one of said sections and the body member to support said section above the body member, and coacting means carried by said sections whereby the outer section will be supported from the innerse'ction in extendedend-to-end relation so as to overlie said body member.

20. A garment-supporting 'means' for use in luggage, comprising two sections .connected in end-to-end relation and adapted for superposition, one of said sections being pivotally supported at a pointwithin said article of luggage, and a reinforcing and garment supporting member adapted to be removably positioned on one of said sections and adjacent the point of'connection of said sections, and a second garmentsupporting member adapted to be removably positioned on said pivoted section, and adjacent the axis of pivoting.

21. A garment-supporting means for use in luggage, comprising two sections connected in end-to-end relation and adapted forsuperposition, and a reinforcing garment supporting mem ber adapted to be removably positioned on one of said sections and adjacent the point of connection of said sections, and flexible garment- -v protecting means associating said member with one of said sections.

22. In an article of luggage a garment supporting member comprising a flexible sheeted element and an outer frame for supporting the same, said supporting member having two sections connected in end-to-end relation and adapted to be superposed by folding, and said frame member comprising removable brace means adapted to be positioned transversely of said element and adjacent the axis of folding, and tensioning means whereby sections of said sheeted element will be held substantially flat, and whereby garments, positioned between said brace means and said element, will be pressed against said brace means when the sections of said garment-supporting members are superposed.

23. For use in an article of luggage a garment supporting member in the form of a flexible sheet, and a frame surrounding said member and serving to support the same, and portions of said member being elastically tensioned relatively to each other, whereby said member will be caused at all times to include substantially flat garment-supporting surfaces.

24. For use with a luggage article having spaced walls, a collapsible garment cradle comprising rear and front garment-supporting sections pivoted together end toend, the rear section being pivoted at its rear end to said walls, the front section being adapted to form an extension of the rear section and being foldable over the rear section into superposed relationship therewith; and a continuous flexible band extending across said sections and attached only at its ends respectively to the rear of the rear section and to the free end of the front section.

25. In a luggage article having body and cover members connected by a hinge, a collapsible garment cradle pivoted to the cover member adjacent the hinge, said cradle comprising two sections adapted for superposition and for end-toend extension so as to overlie the top of the body member and said extended cradle being of such length as to extend beyond the body member when in such overlying relation thereto, cooperative means operative between one of said sections and the body member to support said section above the body member and to prevent its entry within the bottom section, and coacting means carried by said sections, whereby the outer section will be supported from the inner section in extended end-to-end relation so as to overlie said body member and with its free end extending beyond said body member.

26. In a luggage article having body and cover members connected by a hinge, a collapsible garment cradle pivoted to the cover member adjacent the hinge, said cradle comprising two sections adapted for superposition and for end-toend extension so as to overlie the top of the body member and said extended cradle being of such length as to extend beyond the body member when in such overlying relation thereto, cooperative means operative between the inner one of said sections and the body member to support said section above the body member and to prevent its entry into said body member, and coacting means carried by said sections, whereby the outer section will be supported from the inner section in extended end-to-end relation so as to overlie said body member and with its free end extending beyond said body member, and garment-supporting means on said free end.

27. In a luggage article having body and cover members connected by a hinge, a collapsible garment cradle pivoted to the cover member adjacent the hinge, said cradle comprising two sections adapted for superposition and for end-toend extension so as to overlie the top of the body member, and said extended cradle being of such length as to extend beyond the body member when in such overlying relation thereto, cooperative means operative between one of said sections and the body member to support said section above the bodymember, and coacting means carried by said sections, whereby the outer section will be supported from the inner section in extended end-to-end relation so as to overlie said body member and with its free end extending beyond said body member, and garment-supporting means on said free end, and garment enveloping means carried by said free end in pendent relation thereto.

28. For use in a luggage article comprising spaced, substantially parallel opposite walls, a collapsible garment cradle between said walls and having one end thereof free and the other end pivoted to said walls, means on the pivoted end of the cradle for supporting garments, said cradle being foldable, whereby its portions may be doubled upon each other to bring the free end over said pivoted end so as to enfold the garments within the cradle, said cradle consisting of foldable rigid outer frame elements supporting a flexible bed adapted to support garments.

29. For use with a luggage article comprising spaced, substantially parallel opposite walls, a collapsible garment cradle between said walls and having one end thereof free and the other end pivoted to said walls, means on the pivoted end of the cradle for supporting garments, said cradle being foldable wherebyits portions may be doubled upon each other contiguous relationship with the pivoted end, thereby enfolding the supported garments, said cradle being so dimensioned that it may be swung into a position lying wholly within the space bounded by said walls and said cradle comprising an outer frame and a fabric bed adapted to support garments.

30. For use with a pair ofspaced walls of a luggage article, a collapsible garment cradle having one end articulated to said walls and the means at the articulated end'for a flap at the free end of other end free, supporting garments, the cradle for covering ported garments, means for seeming the flap at the midportion of the cradle, said cradle being foldable whereby its portions may be doubled at said midportion to enfold the garments, and means for retaining the collapsed cradle between said walls, said cradle comprising an outer frame the free ends of the supand a fabric bed adapted to support garments.

31. A garment-supporting means for use in luggage, comprising two sections connected in end-to-end relation and one of said sections having its free end supported inpivoted relation to said luggage, said sections being adapted for superposition, and a reinforcing garment supporting member adapted to be removably positioned on one of said sections adjacent the point of connection of said sections.

ABRAHAM LEVINE. 1

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