US3454068A - Compartmentalized attache case - Google Patents

Description

July 8, 1969 s. s. GOLDSTEIN T Al, 3,454,068

COMPARTMENTALIZED A'Tmcn CASE Filed Dec. 22. 1967 United States Patent 3,454,068 COMPARTMENTALIZED ATTACHE CASE Sam S. Goldstein, 35 E. 35th St., New York, NY. 10006, and Daniel B. Copen, Spearingtown, N.Y.; said Copen assignor to Peerless Plastics, Incorporated, New York,

' Filed Dec. 22, 1967, Ser. N0. 692,869

Int. Cl. A45C 3/02, 1/00, 11/26 US. Cl. 1501.6 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to the field of attache cases, and more particularly to an improved form thereof having means for retaining in readily available manner a plurality of useful articles often required during the course of a business day.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved attache case of the class described in which such articles are maintained in a location separate from business papers and other non-personal articles also positioned within the case.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved two element attache case, a first element of which forms a casing element, a portion of which supports a first plurality of personal articles in readily available condition, and a second element which is selectively disposable within the first mentioned element, an outer surface of which supports additional personal articles.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved attache case of the class described, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved attache case of the class described which may present an attaractive external appearance.

A feature of the disclosed embodiment lies in the fact that the bulk of the component parts thereof may be conveniently formed from planar synthetic resinous materials.

Another feature of the embodiment lies in the fact that the casing element thereof may be used separately and independently of an insert element thereof.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the invention, showing the same in closed condition.

FIGURE 2 is a similar view in perspective thereof, showing the device in opened condition.

FIGURE 3 is a view in perspective of the insert element forming a part of the embodiment in disengaged condition.

FIGURE 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view as seen from the plane 44 in FIGURE 1.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly a casing element 11 and an insert element 12.

The casing element 11 is preferably of laminated sheet vinyl construction, although, where more expensive conice struction is desired, resort can be made to leather. The element 11 includes a front panel 16, a bottom panel 17, a rear panel 18, an upper panel 19, a closure panel or flap 20 as well as side panels 21 and 22.

The front panel 16 is bounded by an outer surface 24, an inner surface 25, side edges 26 and 27, an upper edge 28 and a lower edge 29. A fold line 30, formed by heat sealing or skiving divides an upper pivotally mounted portion 31 from a lower fixed portion 32.

The inner surface 25 in the area of the upper portion 31 mounts a pocket-forming member 2511 secured thereto by heat seal lines 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39; to define article retaining pockets 40, 41, 42 and 43. Snap fastener means 44 and 45 selectively engage cooperating means 46 and 47 on the side panels 21 and 22, respectively.

The bottom panel 17 is bounded by end edges, one of which is indicated by reference character 50, an upper surface 51, a lower surface 52 and side edges 53.

The rear panel 18 is of area equivalent to the front panel 16, and is bounded by inner surface 54, an outer surface 55 and end edges, one of which is indicated by reference character 56.

The upper panel 19 corresponds in area to the bottom panels 17, and is bounded by an inner surface 58, an outer surface 59 and end edges 60 and 61. Carrying handle means 62 of conventional type is affixed to the outer surface 59, preferably by means (not shown) which penetrates the upper panel 19. Side edges 63 and 64 interconnect the upper panel 19 with the rear panel 18 and the closure panel 20, as best seen in FIGURE 4.

The closure panel 20 is bounded by an inner surface 66, an outer surface 67, a lower edge 68 and end edges 69 and 70. A conventional closure member 71 selectively engages a corresponding member 72 on the front panel 15 in well known manner to maintain the device 10 in closed condition.

The side' panels 21 and 22 are similar and symmetrical, each including an outer surface 74, an inner surface 75, and bounded by side edges 76 and end edges 77. Heat sealed flaps 78 provide for interconnection with the bottom panel 17, in well known manner. Each of the side panels 21, 22 includes a forwardly extending tab 29, the lower portion of which is heat sealed to the inner surface of the fixed portion 32 of the front panel 16, the upper portion thereof being free of such interconnection to abut the inner surface of the pivotally mounted portion 31.

The insert element 12 is also preferably formed from heat sealed synthetic resinous material, and as best seen in FIGURE 3, includes first and second wall members 82 and 83, respectively interconnected by a relatively thick fold line area 84.

The first wall member 82 is bounded by an upper edge 86, side edges 87 and 88 and a lower edge 89, as well as inner and outer surfaces 90 and 91, respectively. The outer surface 91 has heat sealed thereto a plurality of pocket forming members 92, 93, 94, 95 and 96.

The second wall member 83 is of coextensive area, and is bounded by an upper edge 97, side edges 98 and 99, and a lower edge 100. A resilient clip member 101 supports a pad or other writing surface 102 on the inner surface 103.

During use, papers and other non-personal articles may be disposed between the Wall members 83 and 84 upon the folding thereof to the position shown in FIGURES 2 and 4 to permit ready removal of the same when required. When such articles are to be removed, it is necessary only to unfasten the closure member 71 and fold the upper panel 19 and closure panel 20 to the position shown in FIGURE 2, whereby the insert element 12 may be partially or fully withdrawn. Where one of the personal articles is desired, the insert element 12 is not with- 3 drawn, but rather the upper portion 31 is disengaged from the tabs 29, and folded outwardly as shown in FIG- URE 2, whereby the inner surface of the portion 31 and outer surface 91 are simultaneously exposed, for the selective removal of any desired article (not shown). In this manner, the principal function of the insert element is unaffected, while it serves a dual function in the provision of the pockets 92-96.

We wish it to be understood that we do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

We claim:

1. Compartmentalized attache case construction comprising a casing element and an insert element selectively positionable within said casing element; said casing element including a rear wall, side walls interconnected to said rear wall for substantially the entire height thereof, and a forward wall including a lower portion permanently interconnected at the side edges thereof to said side walls, and an upper portion hingedly connected to said lower portion for pivotal movement about an axis perpendicular to the plane of said side walls; said upper portion when in coplanar relation with respect to said lower portion having an inwardly disposed surface, and article retaining means thereon; said insert element including a pair of side walls mutually interconnected at lower edges thereof for the retention of planar material there between, one of said walls having an outwardly disposed surface having article retaining means thereon and adapted to be positioned opposite said inwardly disposed surface of said forward wall of said casing element, when said insert element is positioned therein, whereby the article retaining means on said outwardly disposed surface and said inwardly disposed surface may be simultaneously exposed without the necessity of withdrawing said insert element by outwardly pivoting the upper portion of said forward wall.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1 including means for retaining said upper portion of said forward wall in coplanar relation relative to said lower portion thereof.

3. Structure in accordance with claim 2, said last mentioned means including a snap fastener.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,335,898 12/1943 Arnold 150-34 2,413,465 12/1946 Ohlsen 150-34 2,612,199 9/1952 Schocket ISO-34 2,650,630 9/1953 Mytinger 150-34 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,366,538 6/1964 France. 1,065,793 4/1967 Great Britain.

' DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner.

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