US3126076A

US3126076A - Koffler

Info

Publication number: US3126076A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1964-03-24
Anticipated expiration: 1981-03-24

Description

S. KOFFLER March 24, 1964 LUGGAGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 20, 1960 INVENTOR.

FIGS

SOL KOFFL R BY ATT'YS March 24, 1964 s. KOFFLER 3,126,076

LUGGAGE Filed July 20, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

SOL KOFFggER BY 7 ATT'YS 5. KOFFLER March' 24, 1964 LUGGAGE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.9

Filed July 20. 1960 *IIIIJ.

I II.

'IIIIIJ INVENTOR: SOL KOFFLER FIG. IO

ATT'YS United States Patent M 3,126,076 LUGGAGE Sol Koflier, 600. Blackstone Blvd, Providence, RI. Filed July 20, 1960, Ser. No. 44,127 6 @lairns. (Cl. 19043) This invention relates to luggage and, more particularly, to luggage of the type in which articles of clothing, and the like, may be supported on hangers.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide novel luggage in which articles of clothing, and the like, may be hung therein and removed therefrom in a novel and expeditious manner.

Another object of the present invention is to enable novel luggage to be constructed in such a manner that a plurality of articles of clothing may be hung therein and removed therefrom as a single unit in a novel and expeditious manner.

A further object of the present invention is to provide novel luggage wherein the parts thereof are so constituted and arranged that a single piece of luggage may afford both a practical and eiiicient car case or storage case, wherein articles of clothing such as dresses, suits, and the like, may be hung or laid out flat for their full length, and a practical and efiicient piece of hand luggage wherein articles of clothing, such as the aforementioned dresses, suits, and the like, may be packed in a manner to avoid excessive wrinkling thereof, while affording hand luggage which is compact and of such relatively small size that it is practical to carry as hand luggage.

Car cases or storage cases, as well as hand luggage, have been heretofore known in the art. However, such cases and hand luggage as have been heretofore known in the art have commonly had inherent disadvantages such as, for example, being either a case or hand luggage, but not being a combination of both; not affording ample room for efficiently packing dresses, suits, and other such relatively long articles of clothing therein; excessively wrinkling articles of clothing packed therein; being large and bulky in size; not permitting the ready insertion of clothing thereinto and the ready removal of clothing therefrom; being impractical to handle or carry; or being difficult and expensive to manufacture, and the like. It is an important object of the present invention to overcome such disadvantages.

Another object of the present invention is to enable novel luggage to be afforded which embodies novel structure for supporting clothing therein.

An object ancillary to the foregoing is to enable novel luggage of the aforementioned type to be afforded wherein such supporting structure for clothing is quickly and easily mounted in and removable from the luggage in a novel and expeditious manner.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a novel supporting structure for supporting hangers, and the like, in articles of luggage.

Another object is to enable such novel supporting structure to be afforded for articles of luggage which is practical and eflicient in operation and may be readily and economically produced commercially.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applyingthese principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing 3,126,076 Patented Mar. 24, 1964 from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination car case and handbag embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the combination car case and handbag shown in FIG. 1, but showing the combination car case and handbag laid out in flat, partially open position;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, but showing the combination car case and handbag in fully open position;

FIG. 5 is an exploded detail perspective view of a portion of the combination car case and handbag shown in FIG. 4, and particularly of the hanger-supporting structure thereof;

FIG. 6 is a detail perspective view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the parts shown in FIG. 5 in assembled relation relative to each other;

FIG. 7 is an exploded detail perspective view of a portion of the parts shown in FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the removable portion of the hanger-supporting structure shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, but showing it removed from the combination car case and handbag and with a plurality of dresses supported therefrom on hangers;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 9-9 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 1tl1tl in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary detail plan view of a portion of a type of hanger which is particularly well adapted for use in the combination car case and handbag shown inv the drawings:

A combination car case and handbag 1, embodying the principles of the present invention, is shown in the drawings to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The combination car case and handbag 1 includes a substantially rectangular-shaped body portion 2 having two substantially parallel, oppositely disposed

end walls

3 and 4; two oppositely disposed, substantially parallel side walls 5 and 6 extending between the

end walls

3 and 4 in substantially parallel relation to each other; and another side wall 7 extending between the

end walls

3 and 4 and the side walls 5 and 6 in substantially perpendicular relation thereto, the side wall 7 affording the bottom wall of the body portion 2 when the combination car case and handbag 1 is laid out in flat, open position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

A substantially rectangular-shaped cover 8 is secured at one longitudinal edge by suit-able binding or heading 9 to the side wall 5, the binding '9 extending the full length of the longitudinal edge of the side wall 5 disposed opposite to the side wall 7. The other three edges of the cover member 8 may be releasably secured to the longitudinal edges of the

end walls

3 and 4 and the side wall 6, disposed opposite to the longitudinal edges thereof to which the side wall 7 is connected, by suitable fastening means such as, for example, a zipper 10 which extends completely along the aforementioned other three edges of the cover member 8.

The body portion 2 may be made of any suitable mate rial. and the cover member 8 from a somewhat stiff, but relatively flexible material such as, for example, a single layer of canvas duck, or the like. The

end walls

3 and 4 are preferably made from a somewhat stiffer material such as, for example, leather, reinforced strips of canvas However, I prefer to make the side walls 5 and 6 I duck, or a plurality of layers of canvas duck. The side wall 7 includes two end panels 11 and 12 attached to opposite longitudinal edge portions of an intermediate panel 13. The end panels 111 and 1-2 are preferably made from relatively flexible material such as, for example, the aforementioned single layer of canvas duck, or the like, but the intermediate panel :13, like the

end walls

3 and 4, is preferably made from a somewhat stiffer material such as, for example, leather, reinforced canvas duck, or a plurality of layers of canvas duck.

Suitable reinforcing such as, for example, beading 14 extends along the edges of the walls 3-7 of the body portion 2. The beading 14 affords strong interconnections between interconnected edge portions of adjacent panels, and also acts as a stiffener so that the end portions of the body portion 2 are self-supporting in a longitudinal direction under normal conditions of use.

Two pairs of feet :15 are disposed at the opposite ends of the outer faces of each of the

end walls

3 and 4 of the body portion 2, FIGS. 2 and 3, and a hook 16 is pivotally attached to the outer face of the end wall 3 between the two pairs of feet 15 thereon, FIGS. 2 and 3. The hook 16 is pivotally mounted on an attaching member 17 secured to the outer face of the end wall 13 substantially midway between the two pairs of feet 15 thereon, in such position that it may be disposed in outwardly extended position shown in solid lines in FIG. 3, or the inwardly disposed, stored position shown in broken lines in FIG. 3. Preferably, the hook 16 is of such length, and is so mounted on the end wall 3 that when it is disposed in the aforementioned stored position, it lies substantially parallel to the outer face of the end wall 3 and terminates at its free end in inwardly spaced relation to the longitudinal edge of the end wall 3. The feet 15, the attaching member 17, and the hook 16 are of such size and are so disposed on the end wall 3, that the feet 15 thereon project outwardly from the outer face of the end wall 3 a greater distance than the attaching member 17 and the hook '16 when the later is disposed in the aforementioned stored position.

A pocket 18 may be mounted on one end portion of the cover 8 and may include suitable closing means such as, for example, a zipper 19 facing toward the center of the cover 8 as shown in FIG. 2. Similarly, a pocket 24) having a zipper 21 may be mounted on the outer face of the side wall 7, with the zipper 21 attached facing toward the central panel 13, F168. 1 and 3.

When the combination car case and handbag 1 is to be used as a car case or storage case, it is disposed in fully extended position as shown in FIGS. 2-4, and may be either laid out flat as shown in FIGS. 2-4, or may be hung in vertical depending position from the hook 16.

When the combination car case and handbag 1 is to be used as a handbag, the end portions thereof may be turned inwardly toward each other, away from the panel 13 into substantially parallel juxtaposition to each other, as shown-v in FIG. 1. The end portions of the body portion 2 may be releasably secured in such position relative to each other by suitable fastening means such as, for example, locks 22 and straps 23, having suitable lock-engaging members 2 4 thereon, disposed at respective opposite ends of each of the side walls and 6, FIGS. 2 and 3.

When the combination car case and handbag 1 is used as hand luggage, it normally is disposed in the upright position shown in FIG. 1, wherein the

end Walls

3 and 4 of the body portion 2 afford the bottom wall thereof, and the panel 13 of the side wall 7 affords the top wall thereof. In this position, the feet support the

end walls

3 and 4 in upwardly spaced relation to the supporting surface on which the handbag rests in such position that when the supporting hook 16 is disposed in the aforementioned stored position shown in broken lines in FIG. 3, it is disposed above such supporting surface. A handle 25 is secured to the panel 13 in outwardly projecting relation to the outer face thereof to thereby afford a handle by wlu'ch the combination car case and handbag 1 may be readily carried when it is to be used as a handbag.

Two identical hanger-supporting

devices

26 and 27 are attached to the inner faces of the

end walls

3 and 4 of the body portion 2 substantially midway between the ends thereof. As will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, the hanger-supporting

devices

26 and 27 afford structure by which garment supporting hangers may be supported at both ends of the body portion 2.

The hanger-supporting device 27 includes an elongated substantially channel-shaped supporting member 28 having a longitudinal extending web portion 29 with substantially L-shaped flange portions 30 and 311 projecting from the longitudinal edge portions of the web 29, FIGS. 57. The

flanges

30 and 3 1 include

legs

32 and 33, respectively, projecting substantially perpendicular forwardly from the web 29, and the

legs

34 and 35, respectively, projecting toward each other from the

legs

32 and 33 in substantially parallel, forwardly spaced relation to the web 2'9. The

legs

34 and 35 are disposed in uniplanar relation to each other, and terminate at their free edges in substantially spaced relation to each other.

The flanges 3t} and 321 of the supporting member 28 have

slots

36 and 37 formed therein, respectively, the

slots

36 and 37 preferably extending completely through the flanges 3t and 3 1 from the web 29 to the free edges of the

legs

34 and 35, and preferably being disposed substantially midway between the ends of the supporting member 28.

The hanger-supporting device 27 also includes an elongated, substantially annular-shaped supporting bar 38, including two substantially flat, elongated side members 39 and 44) disposed in substantially parallel spaced relation to each other, FIG. 5. The side members 39 and 443 are interconnected at their opposite ends by substantially arcuate-shaped

end portions

41 and 42.

Notches

43 and 44 are formed in the supporting bar 38 at the junction of respective longitudinal edge portions of the side member 40 with the end portion 42, FIG. 5. The

notches

43 and 44 are of such depth that the portion 45 of the end wall 42 disposed directly therebetween is narrower in width than the space between the

legs

34 and 35 of the

flanges

30 and 31 of the channel-shaped supporting member 33. The

side members

39 and 40 of the supporting bar 38 are of the same size, and each is complementary in size and shape to the internal dimensions of the channel-shaped supporting member 28. Thus, it will be seen that by inserting the end of the side portion 40, adjacent to the

notches

43 and 45 into one end of the supporting member 28, the side member 40 may be moved longitudinally into the supporting member 23, the portion 45 passing between the

flanges

30 and 31, and the longitudinal edge portions of the side portion 40 being disposed between the web 29 and the

legs

34 and 35 of the

flanges

30 and 31, respectively.

The side member 40 is split midway of its length, and the adjacent

free end portions

46 and 47 thereof are turned perpendicularly toward the side member 39 in parallel spaced relation to each. The free ends of the

end portions

46 and 47 may be welded to the inner face of the side member 39.

Notches

43a and 44a and 43b and 44b are formed in the junctions of the

free end portions

46 and 47, respectively, with the remainder of the side member 41 similarly to the formation of the

notches

43 and 44. Thus, it will be seen that the supporting bar 38 may he slid its full length into the supporting member 28 after its lower end has been inserted therein, the

notches

43a, 44a, 43b and 44b affording clearance for the movement of the

free end portions

44 and 47 between the flanges and 31 of the supporting member 28.

Two

other notches

48 and 49 are formed in respective longitudinal edge portions of the side member 39 of the supporting bar 33, FIGS. 5 and 7. The

notches

43 and 49 are disposed in alignment with the space between the

free end portions

46 and 47 of the side member 40 for a reason which will be discussed in greater detail presently.

A supporting member or supporting hook 52 having a hook 53 at one end thereof and a substantially straight, fiat shank 54 at the other end thereof is pivotally mounted on the supporting bar 38 with the shank 54 disposed between the

free end portions

46 and 47 of the side member 40 and pivotally attached thereto by suitable means such as a screw or bolt 55, which extends through the portion 46 and the shank 54 and may be threaded into the portion 47. The shank 54 is, preferably, substantially flat and is complementary in thickness to the width of the

slots

48 and 49. The

end portions

46 and 47 are so disposed in the supporting bar 38 that when the supporting hook 52 is attached thereto in the aforementioned manner, the shank 54 thereof is disposed in horizontal alignment with the

slots

48 and 49. The shank 54 is of such length that when one end portion thereof is disposed in either of the

slots

48 and 49, the other end portion thereof projects outwardly through the side member 46). The width of the shank 54 is such that when the shank 54 is disposed in the intermediate position shown in broken lines in FIG. 10, it is disposed in inwardly spaced relation to the

slots

46 and 47 and the slots 48 and 49 a distance greater than the thickness of the

legs

34 and 35 of the

flanges

30 and 31 of the channel-shaped supporting member 28, so that, when the supporting bar is disposed in the supporting member 28, with the supporting hook 52 disposed in the aforementioned intermediate position, the latter is spaced inwardly from the

flanges

30 and 31.

The

free end portions

46 and 47 and the

slots

48 and 49 are so positioned in the supporting bar 38 that when the supporting bar 38 is disposed in normal operative position in the supporting member 28, the

slots

48 and 49 and the space between the

end portions

46 and 47 are disposed in uniplanar relation to the

slots

36 and 37. The

slots

36 and 37 are of the same width as the

slots

48 and 49 and are so positioned relative thereto that when the hook-end portion of the shank 54 of the supporting member 52 is disposed in fully seated position in the slot 49, the free end portion of the shank 54 projects into the slot 36, as shown in FIG. 10, to thereby releasably latch the supporting bar 38 in the supporting member 28. When it is desired to remove the supporting bar 38 from the supporting member 28, the supporting member 52 may be rotated into the intermediate position shown in broken lines in FIG. to thereby free the shank 54 from latching engagement with the supporting member 28, and the supporting bar 38 may then he slid longitudinally upwardly as viewed in FIG. 5 out of the supporting member 28.

When the supporting bar 38 is removed from the supporting member 28, the supporting hook 52 may be rotated in a counterclockwise direction from the position shown in FIG. 5 into a position wherein the free end portion of the shank 54 is disposed in the slot 48. In this position of the supporting hook 52 the hook portion 53 thereof is disposed in outwardly projecting relation to the side member 40 on the opposite side thereof from the side member 39, so that when the hook member 53 is hooked over a supporting member such as, for example, a nail or a supporting rod, not shown, the supporting bar 38 may be supported thereby in substantially vertical depending relation thereto with the

side members

39 and 40 projecting substantially horizontally, and with the side member 39 disposed substantially vertically below the side member 40, in the position shown in FIG. 8.

The supporting device 26 is identical in construction to the supporting device 27 and, therefore, it is unnecessary to further describe the supporting device 26.

With the supporting

devices

26 and 27 constructed in the aforementioned manner, it will be seen that, if desired, the supporting bars 38 may be left in the supporting member 28 during packing of the combination car case and handbag 1, and that, with the combination car case and handbag 1 disposed in flat open position as shown in FIG. 4, clothing may be laid flat therein with alternate layers of clothing supported on hangers 56 hooked into the supporting bars 38 of the supporting

devices

26 and 27, respectively, as shown in FIG. 3. Also, of course, the combination car case and handbag 1 may be packed with articles of clothing merely laid into the body portion 2.

However, it will also be seen that, if desired, in the packing of the combination car case and handbag 1, the supporting bars 38 of the supporting

devices

26 and 27 may be removed from the supporting members 28 thereof in the manner previously described and may be hung from a suitable supporting .member such as, for example, a supporting bar, or the like, not shown. The hangers on which the clothing is to be packed in the combination car case and handbag 1, such as the hangers 56, may then be hung on the side members 39 of the supporting

devices

27 and 28, with the clothing hung thereon, and the entire load of clothing which it is desired to attach to the supporting

devices

26 and 27, respectively, in the body portion 2 may be laid into the body portion 2, as a unit, and the respective supporting bar 38 may be slid into the corresponding supporting member 28 and latched therein in the aforementioned manner. Thereafter, in the unpacking of the combination car case and handbag 1, the supporting bars 38 of the supporting

devices

26 and 27, with the load of clothing attached thereto may each be removed from the body portion 2, as a unit, and hung as a unit in a suitable storage space such as, for example, in the closet of a hotel room, or the like.

Also, it will be seen that with my novel combination car case and handbag 1, if desired, the entire car case may be hung in upright position to be used as a storage case, either in an automobile or in a suitable storage space such as, for example, in a clothes closet, or the like. In so arranging the combination car case and handbag 1, it may be supported by the hook 16 from any suitable supporting member, not shown, with the hook 16 disposed in extended position as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3. Normally, under these latter conditions, clothing attached to hangers in the combination car case and handbag 1, would be supported only from the supporting device 26. However, it will be seen that even in this position of the combination car case and handbag 1, the clothing thus supported therein may be quickly and easily removed from, and inserted into, the body portion 2, as a unit, by removing the supporting bar 38 from the supporting member 28 of the supporting device 26, and inserting the supporting bar 38 into the supporting member 28 of the supporting device 26, in the previously described manner.

With the side member 39 of the supporting bar 38 of substantially fiat construction, as disclosed herein, it will be seen that hangers having latching construction of the type shown in FIGS. 6 and 11 may be readily used therewith. Hangers of such construction are well known in the art and include two

abutment members

57 and 58 projecting upwardly therefrom, and which may be disposed on opposite sides of the side member 39 of one of the supporting bars 38 in attaching the hanger 56 thereto. Hangers such as the hanger 56 commonly embody a supporting hook such as that shown at 59, including a retaining member 60 on the lower end portion thereof, which may be pivoted into latching engagement behind the side member 39 of one of the supporting bars 38 as shown in broken lines in FIG. 11, to thereby retain the hanger 56 on the supporting bar 38. However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the supporting bars 38 may also be used to support hangers of types other than the hanger 56, and the present invention is not limited to the use of the supporting

devices

26 and 27 with hangers embodying the construction of the hangers 56, the latter merely being shown herein by Way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention affords a novel combination car case and handbag.

Also, it will be seen that the present invention affords novel supporting devices which are particularly Well adapted for use in car cases, handbags, and the like.

Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that this is capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An article of luggage wherein clothes hangers are to be hung from a portion thereof comprising:

(a) a supporting member attached to said portion,

(1)) a hanger supporting device engageable with and demountable from said supporting member, said hanger supporting device being elongated, having an upper side engaging said supporting member and a lower side adapted to receive the hook portions of said clothes hangers, said upper side having a relatively narrow opening approximately midway of its length,

() a hook member on said hanger supporting device adapted to be used for hanging said hanger support ting device after it has been demounted and removed from said luggage, said hook member having a hook portion and a shank portion, said shank portion being a fiat sheet metal piece the thickness of which is approximately the same as the size of said opening,

(d) a pair of members in spaced parallel relation to each other extending perpendicularly from said upper side into substantial abutment with said lower side of said hanger supporting device on opposite sides of said opening in said upper side, and

(e) means pivotally connecting the shank of said hook member to said perpendicularly extending members with the plane of the shank of the hook member parallel to the planes of said pair of members whereby said hook member can be rotated with respect to said hanger supporting device and the shank of said hook member can be moved through said opening in said upper side of said hanger supporting device when said hanger supporting device is demounted from said supporting member.

2. An article of luggage wherein clothes hangers are to be hung from a portion thereof comprising:

(a) a supporting member attached to said portion,

(b) a hanger supporting device engageable with and demountable from said supporting member, said hanger supporting device being elongated, having an upper side engaging said supporting member and a lower side adapted to receive the hook portions of said clothes hangers,

(c) said upper side being split to form a relatively narrow opening approximately midway of its length and the adjacent free end portions thereof being turned perpendicularly toward and into substantial abutment with said lower side in parallel spaced relationship.

(d) a hook member on said hanger supporting device adapted to be used for hanging said hanger supporting device after it has been demounted and removed from said luggage,

(:2) said hook member having a hook portion and a shank portion, said shank portion being a fiat sheet metal piece the thickness of which is approximately the same as the size of said opening and being pivotally mounted between said free end portions with the plane of the shank of the hook members parallel to the planes of said free end portions whereby said hook member can be rotated with respect to said hanger supporting device and the shank of said hook member can be moved through the opening between said free end portions in said upper side of said hanger supporting device when said hanger supporting device is demounted from said supporting member.

,3. An article of luggage wherein clothes hangers are to be hung from a portion thereof comprising:

'(a) a supporting member attached to said portion,

(12) a hanger supporting device engageable with and demountable from said supporting member, said hanger supporting device being elongated, having an upper side engaging said supporting member and a lower side adapted to receive the hook portions of said clothes hangers, said upper side having a relativeiy narrow opening approximately midway of its length,

'(c) a hook member on said hanger supporting device adapted to be used for hanging said hanger supporting device after it has been demounted and removed from said luggage, said hook member having a hook portion and a shank portion, said shank portion being a fiat sheet metal piece the thickness of which is approximately the same as the size of said opening,

(d) a pair of members in spaced parallel relation to each other extending perpendicularly from said upper side into substantial abutment with said lower side of said hanger supporting device on opposite sides of said opening in said upper side,

(e) means pivotally connecting the shank of said hook member to said perpendicularly extending members with the plane of the shank of the hook member parallel to the planes of said pair of members whereby said hook member can be rotated with respect to said hanger supporting device and the shank of said hook member can be moved through said opening in said upper side of said hanger supporting device when said hanger supporting device is demounted from said supporting member, and

(f) means operatively associated between said supporting member and said hanger supporting device for positively releasably holding said supporting member and said hanger supporting device together.

4. An article of luggage as claimed in claim 3 wherein (a) comprises a channel-shaped member having notches opposite each other in the sides thereof in the path of movement of (c), and (c) is provided with an extension of its shank portion adapted to engage said notches Whereby (a) and (b) are held in latched relationship when said extension of said shank portion and the sides of said notches are engaged.

5. A hanger supporting device adapted to be engaged with and deinounted from a supporting member in an article of luggage, said device comprising (a) an upper side adapted to engage said supporting member,

([2) a lower side adapted to receive the hook portions of clothes hangers,

(0) means providing a relatively narrow opening approximately midway of the length of the upper side, said means comprising a pair of members in spaced parallel relation to each other extending perpendicularly from said upper side into substantial abutment with said lower side on opposite sides of said opena (d) a hook member adapted to be used for hanging said hanger supporting device after it has been demounted and removed from said luggage, said hook member having a hook portion and a shank portion, said shank portion being a flat sheet metal piece the thickness of which is approximately the same as the size of said opening, and

(2) means pivotally connecting the shank portion of said hook member to said perpendicularly extend- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Botts May 15, 1923 Salavsky Jan. 24, 1933 Shwayder Nov. 22, 1949 Kish et a1. May 13, 1952 Lavine July 7, 1953 Ritter Nov. 23, 1954 Ludwig May 24, 1955 Schenkler May 22, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Ian. 17, 1946

Claims

1. AN ARTICLE OF LUGGAGE WHEREIN CLOTHES HANGERS ARE TO BE HUNG FROM A PORTION THEREOF COMPRISING: (A) A SUPPORTING MEMBER ATTACHED TO SAID PORTION, (B) A HANGER SUPPORTING DEVICE ENGAGEABLE WITH AND DEMOUNTABLE FROM SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER, SAID HANGER SUPPORTING DEVICE BEING ELONGATED, HAVING AN UPPER SIDE ENGAGING SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER AND A LOWER SIDE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE THE HOOK PORTIONS OF SAID CLOTHES HANGERS, SAID UPPER SIDE HAVING A RELATIVELY NARROW OPENING APPROXIMATELY MIDWAY OF ITS LENGTH, (C) A HOOK MEMBER ON SAID HANGER SUPPORTING DEVICE ADAPTED TO BE USED FOR HANGING SAID HANGER SUPPORTTING DEVICE AFTER IT HAS BEEN DEMOUNTED AND REMOVED FROM SAID LUGGAGE, SAID HOOK MEMBER HAVING A HOOK PORTION AND A SHANK PORTION, SAID SHANK PORTION BEING A FLAT SHEET METAL PIECE THE THICKNESS OF WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY THE SAME AS THE SIZE OF SAID OPENING, (D) A PAIR OF MEMBERS IN SPACED PARALLEL RELATION TO EACH OTHER EXTENDING PERPENDICULARLY FROM SAID UPPER SIDE INTO SUBSTANTIAL ABUTMENT WITH SAID LOWER SIDE OF SAID HANGER SUPPORTING DEVICE ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID OPENING IN SAID UPPER SIDE, AND (E) MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING THE SHANK OF SAID HOOK MEMBER TO SAID PERPENDICULARLY EXTENDING MEMBERS WITH THE PLANE OF THE SHANK OF THE HOOK MEMBER PARALLEL TO THE PLANES OF SAID PAIR OF MEMBERS WHEREBY SAID HOOK MEMBER CAN BE ROTATED WITH RESPECT TO SAID HANGER SUPPORTING DEVICE AND THE SHANK OF SAID HOOK MEMBER CAN BE MOVED THROUGH SAID OPENING IN SAID UPPER SIDE OF SAID HANGER SUPPORTING DEVICE WHEN SAID HANGER SUPPORTING DEVICE IS DEMOUNTED FROM SAID SUPPORTING MEMBER.