US2859787A

US2859787A - Locking flap for brief cases

Info

Publication number: US2859787A
Application number: US660119A
Authority: US
Inventors: Perlin Samuel
Original assignee: Savoy Leather Manufacturing Corp
Current assignee: Savoy Leather Manufacturing Corp
Priority date: 1957-05-20
Filing date: 1957-05-20
Publication date: 1958-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 1975-11-11

Description

United States Patent LOCKING FLAP FOR BRIEF CASES Samuel Perlin, Roslyn Heights, N. Y., assignor to Savoy Leather Mfg. Corp., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 20, 1957, Serial No. 660,119

4 Claims. (Cl. 1501.6)

The present invention relates to improvements in the mounting of the locking flap on a brief case. More particularly, the invention is directed to the pivotal mounting of the flexible locking flap so that, when the brief case is opened as by spreading the pivotal frame at the upper end of the case, the locking flap may be pivoted away from the region directly over the opened case to facilitate handling, e. g., insertion and withdrawal of the contents from the brief case. The invention includes the specific mounting of the flexible locking flap in a manner preventing cracking of the material of the flap (normally and desirably leather) as a result of excessive and repeated flexure. The invention also includes, as a feature thereof, the positioning of the pivotal securing means on the posts upon which :he conventional brief .case handle is normally mounted to thereby provide an extremely simple and yet highly eflicient and attractive brief case combination in which the locking flap is securely and elfectively mounted in simple manner and which is nevertheless accomplished at minimum cost and with substantial enhancement in the efliciency with which the brief case can be used as a result of the pivotal movability of the locking flap.

In accordance with the invention, the locking flap is mounted so that the trailing end thereof is pivotal with respect to the rear section or back position of the brief case to permit the forward or locking end thereof to swing through an are. This pivotal mounting is preferably achieved by having the trailing end of the locking flap mounted between upstanding posts secured to the rear section of the case. This may be done in many ways, a preferred construction being to clamp the trailing end of the locking flap within the open forward extremity of a channel member, this channel member surrounding a bar which extends horizontally along the length of the brief case at the top thereof. The bar preferably extends entirely through the channel member, and is preferably mounted for pivotal movement in upright posts which are secured to the upper end of the back portion of the brief case. In accordance with preferred practice of the invention, the bar is deformed adjacent the upright posts to thereby provide a permanent mount for the bar. If the trailing end of the locking flap is sufiiciently wide, or if the channel member is sufiiciently wide, the deformation of the bar may be eliminated. The upright posts, in accordance with the invention, preferably perform a dual function in that these upright posts also serve as a pivotal support for the handle which is normally employed in carrying the brief case.

The invention will now be more fully described in connection with the accompanying drawings in which an illustrative brief case constructed in accordance with the invention is shown, it being understood that the brief case shown in the drawings is simply illustrative and that the scope of the invention will be set forth in the claims since many variations in structure will become evident to those skilled in the art.

Fig. 1 is a partial front elevation of the upper central portion of a brief case showing the locking flap, the bandle, and the mounting of these structures at the upper end of the back portion of the brief case.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section taken on the lines 2-2 of Fig.- 1 and showing the brief case in its locked carrying position with the handle upright. v

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and showing the brief case unlocked with the pivotal frame at the upper end of the frame opened with the locking flap pivoted away from the region directly overlying the opened case for the purpose of facilitating insertion and withdrawal of the brief cases contents.

Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view showing the locking flap with the channelmember secured thereto, the channel sember being in operative position surrounding the pivotal bar about which the locking flap swings.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and with reference to Fig. 1, there is shown a partial view of the front of a brief case which is generically identified by the assembly 13. Many other combinations of tongue and. locking or grasping assemblies are Well known and are included in the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 1, the upper extremity of the rear section 11 is normally provided with a stiffening element 16 (frequently a part of a pivotal frame assembly as.

shown in Fig. 3) upon which is mounted, in the form of the invention which is illustrated, a post support 17 to which is secured a plurality of handle supporting posts 18. The handle 19 is pivotally mounted upon the handle supporting posts 18 by means of the conventional pivot pin 20, there being a pair of post supports 17 each carrying a pair of spaced upstanding posts 18 between which is mounted an end 21 of the handle 19.

It will be observed that the locking flap 14 is fastened (by means of eyelet fasteners 22) within the forward extremity of a U-shaped channel member 23, which is preferably made of metal. The use of eyeless fasteners is simply illustrated and many variations may be used as will be more fully set forth hereinafter. The channel member 23 surrounds a bar 24 and the bar 24 has its ends mounted in the inner posts 18. Fig. 1 also shows a preferred mounting of the bar 24. The bar 24 can be inserted between posts 18 before the posts 18 are mounted on the support 17 otherwise the bar 24 is inserted in holes or bores in the posts 18 and is then crimped or otherwise deformed as shown at 25 to prevent the bar 24 from being removed from its mounted position between the inner posts 18. If. the locking flap is sufficiently wide, crimping of the metal bar may be dispensed with.

In the specific form 'of the invention shown in Fig. 1, it will be seen that the mounting of the locking flap 14 is achieved without any fixed securement of the flap to the rear section of the brief case and that the inner posts 18 perform a dual function in that these inner posts simultaneously support the handle 19 through the pin 20 and they also support the locking flap 14 through the bar 24. As will be evident, this leads to economy and simplicity in construction.

It is essential in accordance with the invention that the locking flap 14 be pivotally mounted. In this regard, the U-shaped channel member 23 may loosely surround the bar 24 or the bar 24 may be pivotal within the socket that receives the same in the posts 18 or the locking flap 14 may be pivotal as a result both of the pivotal mount- Patented Nov. 11, 1958- ingofthebar 24 and also of the looseness of theengagement between the bar 24 and its surrounding channel member 23. The specific form which is selected to permit pivotal movement of the locking flap 14 is immaterial. To briefly indicate the many variations which are here permissible it will be noted that the U-shapcd member may be a single piece ora plurality of separatepieces spaced apart along the length of the bar 24. The U- shaped member can be eliminated as by the use of a.

spiral binder passing around the bar 24 and through openings in thetrailing end of the flap 14. Spaced rings may be used in place of the spiral binder. Even the bar 24 may be eliminated as by having lateral projections on the ends of the channel members or by the use of separate metal members sectioned at each side of the trailing end qfthefl p Referring to Fig. 2, ,the briefcase is again shown in the position pictured in Fig. 1, e. g. ,the brief case being in its lockedcarrying position withthe handle 19 upright and the tongue 01: the locking flap 14 beingreceived withinthe lock 26 which is 'secured to the front sections 12 of the briefcase 10. I A

The invention is most clearly pictured in Fig. 3 which is a view similar to Fig. 2 and showing the brief case with the pivotal frame as the upper end of the case opened. Fig. 3 shows the positions of the handle 19 and the locking flap 14 in the positions which these elements occupy when the case is opened. It will be seen that the initial position of the locking fiap 14 is shown in phantom and that the locking flap 14 directly overlies the opened brief case 10. There is also shown in full lines the pivotal position of locking flap 14 and it will be seen that there is no need to flex the locking flap as is conventional and which quickly leads to destruction of this flap' or loosening of the sewn seam securing the'locl ing flap to the brief case. Fig. 3 further shows the handle 19 in its upstanding carrying position, this position being indicated in phantom. The movement oifthehandle 19 is indicated by the arrow 3t) and the movement ofthe locking flap 14 to permit unobstructed access to the interior of the brief case 10 is designated by the arrow .31.

The specific manner of securing the channeimember 23 to the bar 24 is not a feature of the invention since securement may be achieved in a number of different manners. There has already been described the securement of the channel member 23 'by means of eyelet fasteners 22 which function to clamp the legs of the channel member to the leather locking flap. In Fig. 4, there is shown in perspective and 'on an enlarged scale another suitable securement. Specifically, it will be observed that the locking flap 1 4 is inserted within the legs 32' of the U-shaped channel member 23 which encircles the bar '24 and se'curcment is achie'vedby forming prongs 33 and forcing these into the leather of the locking flap 14, it being understood that the prongs 33 in the upper leg 32 are also present in the lower leg 32. The channel member 23 may be secured by simple clamping without the formation of prongs or the channel member may have its legs constituted by spaced prongs in the form of a comb. The legs 32 may be perforated and securement effected by sewing. Even stapling may be employed. The member 23 is preferably of metal, but cloth or leather, etc., may be used in a less costly construction. I v

As will be appreciated, the essential feature of the present invention is the pivotal mounting of the flexible #991 ts. aotma PQ jFi o y st Contents a an opened brief case. This feature of the invention has been illustrated in its presently preferred form but various modifications can be made as has been discussed and as will be evident to those skilled in the art and the invention is defined in the claims which follow.

I claim:

1. A brief case comprising a rear section and a front section, a frame comprising relatively pivotal elements interconnecting said rear and front sections, a locking section mounted on said front section, a pair of upstanding posts mounted at the upper end of said rear section, U-shaped channel means pivotally connected to said posts, a flexible locking flap mounted upon said rear section, said flexible locking flap having'one end thereof secured within the open forward extremity of said U- shaped channel means with the other end of said flap being adapted to engage said locking section whereby said locking flap may be pivoted away from'the region directly over'the opened case to facilitate insertion and withdrawal of the contents thereof.

2. A brief case comprising a rear section and a front section, a frame comprising relatively pivotal elements interconnecting said rear and front sections, a locking section mounted on said front section, a pair of upstanding posts mounted at the upper end of said rear section, a bar extendingbetween and connected to said posts, a flexible lockingflap jmounted upon said rear section, said flexiblej locking flap having one end thereof connected to saidfbar forpivotal movement about the axis of said bar withithe other end of said flap being adapted to engage saidldcking s'ec'tionwhereby said locking flap may be pivoted away from "the region directly over the opened ease'tofailitate insertion and withdrawal of the contents thereof.

3.A brief case comprising a rear section and a front section, a frame comprising relatively pivotal elements interconnecting said "rear and front sections, a locking section mounted on said front section, a pair of upstanding posts mounted at the upper end of said rear section, a horizontal bar extending between said posts, a U -shaped channel member surrounding said bar, a flexible locking flap niounted upon said rear section, said flexible locking flap-having one end thereof secured within the open forwarde'xtr'emity of said U-shaped channel member with th'efotherend of said flap being adapted to engage said locking section whereby said locking flap may be pivoted away from the regiondirectly over the opened case to facilitate. insertion and withdrawal of the content thereof.

4;""Ina briefcase, a rear section, a pair of posts secured'to'said rear section, a bar mounted between said posts; .the portions of said bar adjacent said posts being deformed to preventremoval of said bar from between said posts, a U-shaped channel member surrounding said bar, said ,bar extending entirely through said channel member and a locking flap having one end thereof clamped within the open forward extremity of said U- shaped channel member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 736,095 Schmidt Nov. 19, 1929 1,974,382 Walker Sept. 1s, 1934 2,640,885 Kuhlik June 2, 1953