US2841257A - Luggage for carrying apparel without folding - Google Patents

Description

y 1, 1953 E. R. DALLAS 2,841,257

LUGGAGE F OR CARRYING APPAREL WITHOUT FOLDING Filed Aug. 22, 1956 MP p; -1

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2,841,257 Patented July 1, 1958 Fice LUGGAGE FOR CARRYlNG APPAREL WITHOUT FGLDWG Edgar Roy Dallas, Detroit, Mich.

Application August 22, 1956, Serial No. 605,547

3 Claims. (Ci. 190-41) This invention relates to luggage, and more particularly to hand or personal luggage for carrying suits, dresses and similar items.

The problems involved in transporting garments such as suits, coats and dresses in hand baggage without wrinkling or creasing are known to every traveler. Conventional types of personal baggage, such as trunks and valises, even though sufficient to accommodate the bulk of such articles of apparel, require that each item be folded at least once in order to fit within the outside dimensions of the container. As a result of this folding and the subsequent compression of the clothes, journeys of even a few hours normally result in wrinkled or misshapen garments which require repressing. In recent years several types of personal baggage have been commercialized in which the suits or dresses are placed in the container in unfolded condition. However, these types 'of baggage have all been found to have features which make them unsatisfactory. For example, in some cases the container must be folded after the apparel is placed inside in order that the baggace can be easily carried, the clothing being creased in the process. In other cases, with the garment bag type of baggage, the containers are unwieldy and because of their pliable nature will not protect the clothing when other luggage is placed on top of the bag, such as usually happens in the baggage compartments of trains or planes.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome these disadvantages of previously known types of personal baggage and to provide a piece of hand luggage which is especially adapted for carrying garments such as suits, coats and dresses in unwrinkled condition, without sacrificing ease of handling of the baggage.

It is another object to provide an improved baggage construction of this nature which occupies a minimum of space in the travelers quarters during stopping points, and which may be readily used as a wardrobe so that the garments need not be unloaded or disturbed except as needed.

It is a further object to provide a piece of hand baggage of this character in which means may readily be provided for carrying additional apparel such as shirts, underwear or shoes without increasing the bull: of the overall container and without incurring any wrinkling or crushing of the larger garments.

It is also an object to provide an improved hand baggage item of the above nature, which is extremely simple in construction, can be manufactured of standard and inexpensive materials, and is sturdy enough to withstand the rigors of transportation in all types of public and private vehicles while protecting the condition of the clothes being carried.

It is another object to provide an improved personal baggage article of this type which is readily adapted to be placed in the rear seat compartment of an automotive vehicle in such a way as to be held snugly in upright condition, thus being readily accessible for removal.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the novel and improved personal baggage item of this invention, parts being broken away for clarity, showing the front of the containerin closed position and a portion of the frame;

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the rear of the container with the carrying handle;

Figure 3 is a front view of the container frame showing the rounded corner configuration of the baggage;

Figure 4 is a side view of the frame showing the bracing construction;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper portion of Figure 4 showing the details of the hanger bar construction; and

Figure 6 is a top view of the frame showing the position of the hanger bar.

The invention comprises a frame generally indicated at 11 and a cover indicated at 12 which is snugly fitted thereon. Frame 11 may be constructed of any suitable material such as tubular steel, and consists of two pairs of uprights 13, each pair being connected by top and bottom members 14 and 15 respectively. Top members 14 slope upwardly from their outer ends to their centers, while bottom members 15 are horizontal. The corners 16 between the uprights and members 14 and 15 are preferably rounded, and in suitable instances each pair of uprights 13 together with its connecting members may be formed by bending a single length of tubular metal into the required shape.

As seen in Figure 4, the two pairs of uprights 13 with their connecting members are held in spaced-apart position by three pairs of cross members 17, 18 and 19. These members are secured at their opposite ends to the uprights and are spaced apart vertically to form rigid connections. Preferably, the lengths of these cross members increase from top to bottom, thus providing a slightly tapered frame construction with the base somewhat wider than the top. This construction may be found most suitable since the lower portions of suits and dresses usually have greater bulk than the upper portions. The downwardly flared construction may also be found to provide greater stability when the baggage is resting on the floor. An additional horizontal frame member 21 may also be provided in the same plane as intermediate cross members 18 at the rear of the container to further strengthen the frame.

Although the exact dimensions of frame 11 are not critical, for purposes of the invention it is preferable that the height H and width W of the frame be sufficient to accommodate a suit of clothes in hanging condition without folding or bunching of the material. For example, a satisfactory height H for the frame has been found to be 37", while a width W of 22" has also been found suitable. It should be understood however that these figures are merely illustrative and that other appropriate dimensions are contemplated within the principles of the invention. The depths D and D of the top a nd bottom of the frame respectively are likewise preferablysufficient to accommodate the required number of garments. One suitable set of dimensions has been found to be a top depth D of 4 and a bottomdepth D of 7". J

Means are provided for supporting clothes hangers at the top of frame 11, this means comprising a hanger 'bar 22 secured between. the central portions of upper members 14. As seen :in Figure 5, the main portion of bar 22 is below the level of the extreme top of frame 11 so Ethat the hanger hooks may be accommodated and restrained between bar 22 and the 'cover material.

Cover 12 may be fabricated'ofany'suitablematerial such as rubberized cloth or canvas, and is'so constructed as to fit snugly and in taut position over frame 11. I For this purpose :the cover may be sewn in place after' frame 11 hasbeen assembled, or may be secured thereto, or both. Alternatively, cover 12 may be removably mounted onthe frame so that it may be separately cleaned.

When in position, cover '12 entirely encloses frame 11 leaving no exposed metal parts. The cover has a front panel 23,'a rear panel 24, side panels 25 and top and bottom panels 26 and 27 respectively when in assembled position. Buttons or other wear members (not shown) may be provided on bottom panel 27, since the luggage will normally stand in upright position.

Front panel 23 is provided with an access covered by a flap 28 for loading and unloading purposes.

'As shown in Figure l, flap 28 is contiguous along its lower edge with front panel 23 and may be constructed of the same material as the remainder of cover 12. The flap'occupies the major portion of front panel 23, being securable to the panel by a slide fastener 29 of inverted U-shaped, or similar fastening means. When opened, flap 28 uncovers an opening affording full access to the interior of the baggage. A second slide fastener 30 is shown dividing bottom panel 27 and the lower portions of'side panels 25, to facilitate removal of cover 12 for cleaning purposes.

Mounted on rear panel 24 is a carrying handle 31 by means of which the case may be lifted and carried. Handle 31 may be secured to rear panel 24 by any appropriate means, or may be attached 'if desired directly to reinforcing bar 21. The position of handle 31 relative to the top of the container is such that when grasped and lifted, bottom panel 27. will be raised from the ground a sufficient distance to enable the carrier to walk comfortably while his engaged arm remains dow nwardly extended. 'Although'it is realized that to attain maximum comfort the height 'of handle 31 could vary with individuals of different heights, the handle position is preferably so'chosen as to permit the bag to be carried easily by persons of shorter stature while not detracting from the carrying convenience for taller persons.

Figures 3 and .4 illustrate the manner in which suits and dresses may be enclosed within the novel baggage case without being'folded or wrinkled. Figure 3 shows the position of a mans suit within the confines of frame 11. It will be seen that the suit coat 32 and the trousers 33 are draped on .a hanger 34 in the usual manner and hang freely within the frame without being folded or creased in any way. The spacing between the suit coat and the sides and bottom of the frame will ofcourse vary with the clothing size, and in some instances it may be desirable to use a hanger 34 having a book 35 with opening 7 which may be hung side by side in the container will .of course depend on its depth relative to the bulktof material; If the garments do not occupy the entire depth of the case, and it is expected that. the baggage will be tilted or upended during the journey (for example, when it is to be checked on' a train or plane), means may be provided for restraining :the garments from movement. In the illustrated embodiment, this means takes the form of two pairs ofstraps 38 and 39 attached to the frame or cover inside "the 'case. These straps, which are located at intermediate and lower por-' tions of the container, will serve to maintain the gar 1 ments in their extended position regardless of the method The baggage piece of-this invention is sturdy enough.

to withstand the rough handling common in public transportation, with frame 11 and;cov er 12 cooperating to' provide resilient but firmprotection "for the contents.

The case is especially adapted for loading into the rear seat compartment of an automotive vehicle duringtravel:

ingQ Because of the taperedconfiguration of the'fcon;

tainer, it will'fit snugly between the backof the front seat and the front of the rear seat of an automobile, rese ing on' the floor and occupying a minimum of space.

From this position it may be readily removed when'the traveler arrives at his destination.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodi ment of the invention disclosed is wellcalculatedfio fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, vari% ation and-change without departing from thefproper scope or fair meaning of the 'subjoined claimsj a What is claimed is:: a 1 1 l. Ina piece of hand baggage, a frame comprising two pairs of spaced upright members which form the frame edges, top and bottom members' connecting each pair of upright members, a plurality of cross members con necting said' pairs of upright members to form a rigid frame, a bar extending between said top members adapted to support a clothes hanger, the height, width and depth of said frame being sufficient to accommodate a suit of clothes draped on such hanger, a cover or" pliablema terial secured over said frame to form abase, front and rear panels extending upwardly from said base, "and side and top panels extending between said front and,

rear panels, an access opening in said front panel, a flap for said access opening, the disposition of said opening 7 beingsuch that said cover will be securely retained on said frame when said flap is open, and a carrying handle a relatively short shank, so that the hanger is closer to the top of the frame.

Similarly a ladys dress 35 may be'draped on a hanger and suspended from hanger bar 22. In the case of a dress, the lower portion 37 may be pinned up .as shown in Figure 4 so as not to engage the bottom of the container. It will be noticed, however, that as .in the case of the suit, dress 36 hangs freely and without pressure being exerted onany portion of the material, so that wrinkles will ,bejavoided. The number of garments secured to saicl rear panel and spaced a sufiicient distance below. said top panel to permit convenient lifting and carrying of the piece of baggage. r

2. ha piece of hand baggage, a frame, saidfraine having twosides, each side being formed of a length of tubular metal" and being ofgenerally rectangular shape with a pair of upright p'ortionsand top and bottom mem bers connecting said upright portions, a plurality of cross.

members connecting said two lengths of tubular. metal, a bar secured between said top members and adapted to support a clothes hanger, the height, width and depth oflsaidi' frame being sufli-cient to accommodate .a' garment such as a' suit draped on such hanger, a cover of pliable" material secured oversaid frame, said cover having a ba'se,'front and rear panels, and side and top panels con necting said front and rear panels, an access opening in said front panel, a flap for said opening, the lower edge of said flap being contiguous with said front panel and movable between a closed position and an open position extending from said front panel, the disposition of said opening being such that said cover Will be securely retained on said frame when said flap is open, and a carrying handle secured to said rear panel a sulficient distance below said top panel to enable convenient lifting and carrying of the piece of baggage.

3. The combination according to claim 2, the lengths of said cross members being such that said bottom frame members are spaced apart a greater distance than said top frame members, whereby said base is of larger area than said top panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,016,520 Short Oct. 8, 1935 2,086,895 Cart July 13, 1937 2,163,116 Derman June 20, 1939 2,684,135 Cart July 20, 1954 2,755,896 Breglia July 24, 1956 2,806,563 Einhorn Sept. 17, 1957

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