US2227342A

US2227342A - Utility case

Info

Publication number: US2227342A
Application number: US309466A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gustowski Thaddeus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1939-12-15
Filing date: 1939-12-15
Publication date: 1940-12-31
Anticipated expiration: 1957-12-31

Description

1940- T. GUSTOWSKI 2,227,342

UTILITY CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 15. 1939 INVENTOR.

T. G USTOWSKI UTILITY CASE Filed D80. 15, 1939 Dec. 31, 194-0.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BY ggjiews Gz asfawsh.

Patented Dec. 31, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

Generally, the invention may be considered an article of luggage. It will be seen, however, that its uses are quite manifold and that it may be found convenient for people who live in board ing houses, hotels and the like.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a practical, light and compact container-for articles such as hair brushes, tooth brushes, tooth paste, soap, combs, cosmetics, and other similar articles. ,These articles can be deposited conveniently in the respective receptacles of the container and then when desired, said whole case may be folded and carried by a handle provided on said container for that purpose.

The case may be made either of sheet metal, or, which would be more suitable, fibre or other such light material. When covered with cloth, leather, or such other covering, it has the ap'-- pearance of an article of luggage.

I shall now describe my utility case with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of my utility case when said case is set up for use.

Fig. 2 shows a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the case in its folded up condition.

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the upper part of said case in an open condition.

Fig. 5 shows a sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 shows a sectional it is open.

Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the case when it is closed.

Similar numerals refer to similar throughout the several views.

I shall now describe my utility case in detail. As will be seen from the drawings, the principal elements of my utility case are panel I and receptacles or trays H and I 2, which are pivotally attached to said panel. The panel itself is a flat member, oblong in shape, its parallel sides It being disposed at right angle to the body of said panel and forming heads [1. Said beads hold Wire locking members I 8. Pivoted to said sides l6 by pins l3 and M respectively, are the above said receptacles II and I2, of which the lower serves as a stand for the case when same is in an open position, as shown in Fig. 1. In order to impart steadiness to the case when it is inan open position, I am employing braces 22,whichare secured by means of

pins

23 and 24 to the upper and lower receptacle respectively, as shown. Projections 25 on the sides of the lower receptacle 12 view of the case when parts however, it may be advisable to have serve to secure the braces in place when the case is set up for use. A provision is made on the upper part of the panel for a mirror 26 which is suspended on a pivoted member 2'! and secured in place against swaying or knocking about by a latch 28. The details pertaining to the mirror will be described hereinbelow.

Receptacles II and I2 are similar in shape except that the upper receptacle l I is provided with an extension 2|. When the case is set up for use, as shown in Fig. 1, the extension serves as a tray upon which articles such as brushes, combs or cosmetics, taken out of the receptacles may be temporarily placed in readiness for application. When the case is folded up, as shown in Fig. 2, said extension is adapted to cover the top of mirror 26 on the upper end of panel I0.

I have shown both receptacles to be of the same size. It is possible, however, to make one of these receptacles somewhat longer, although it is evident that both receptacles ought to be made of the same depth for the sake of appearance and compactness. It is also evident that the receptacles may be subdivided into small compartments, as indicated in the lower receptacle 12, which contains a partition 30.

I shall now describe the details pertaining to the location and to the manipulation of mirror 26. The mirror is mounted on a. rigid backing 33, the edges of which are turned over the edges 30 of the mirror to form a frame 330. therefor. Normally, the face of the mirror is turned towards the panel ID, in which position the mirror is held by means of latch 28. The latter is disposed in a sheath 34 forming a ridge on the back of the 35 mirrorand is adapted to slide into a perforated tab or tongue 29, affixed to panel I0.

When the mirror is to be used, the latch is disengaged from the tongue by being slid upwardly, whereupon the mirror is lifted until the plane of the mirror is at an angle of 90 degrees to the plane of the panel I0. Subsequently the mirror is reversed by being swung sideways, 180 degrees, wherein the suspending member 2'! acts as a pivot. When allowed to drop down to a position parallel with "the panel, it is suspended with its face turned towards the receptacles. Sometimes, the mirror held higher than in the above said normal position. In such a case, all that is necessary is to swing the mirror upward, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. In order to secure the mirror in this position, the reverse end of latch 28, marked here 3| is inserted into a slot 32 at the top of the panel ID, as shown in said Fig. 5.

When the case is folded, as shown in Fig. 2, locking members 13 may be swung inside so that they bear against extension 2|, thus preventing receptacles H and i2 from swinging open. Said members, however, have an additional purpose as they serve as hooks to suspend such articles as wash cloths, water bags, etc.

It will be evident that structurally the case of my invention may be changed without, however, departing from the basic idea underlying the invention. What I, therefore, claim has follows:

1. A foldable utility case comprising an upright panel substantially rectangular in shape, a plurality of rectangular receptacles of equal depth, hingedly affixed to said panel at right angles thereto but adapted to be swung upward to assume-a position parallel therewith so that said panel serves as a cover for'said receptacles, brace means pivotally afiixed to the sides of said re-. ceptacles to connect the same, the lower ends of said braces being in a yieldable engagement with engageable parts on the lower receptacle to retain said receptacles in an open position.

2. A foldable utility case comprising an upright panel, a plurality of open, superimposed receptacles hinged thereto at an angle of 90 degrees and adapted to be swung upward against said panel, the bottom receptacle serving as a stand for the case, a pair of braces pivotally affixed to the sides of the receptacles and disposed parallel with the panel irrespective of the position of the receptacles, the lower ends of the braces bearing yieldably against raised engageable means on the sides of the receptacles to keep the receptacles at said angle of 90 degrees.

3. A foldable utility case comprising an upright panel, a plurality of open, superimposed receptacles hinged thereto at an angle of 90 degrees and adapted to be swung upward against said panel, the uppermost receptacle being provided with an outward traylike extension parallel with the bottom thereof, while the bottom receptacle serves as a stand for the case, a pair of braces pivotally afiixed to the sides of the receptacles and disposed parallel with the panel irrespective of the position of the receptacles, the lower ends of the braces bearing yieldably against projecting engageable means on the sides of the receptacles to keep the receptacles at said angle of 90 degrees.

THADDEUS GUSTOWSKI.