WO2013105979A1

WO2013105979A1 - Mobile travel jacket

Info

Publication number: WO2013105979A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/021313
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Byrne
Original assignee: Thomas Byrne
Priority date: 2012-01-13
Filing date: 2012-01-13
Publication date: 2013-07-18

Abstract

A jacket or coat is provided which can be converted to a carry-on bag for use on commercial aircraft. The jacket or coat is provided with an inner and/or outer shell having at least one pocket in the inner and/or outer shell. Mounted on the back of the jacket or coat is a pouch having an inner rigid or semi-rigid portion with a plurality of rotatable casters and/or roller balls mounted thereon. An overlapping flexible flap portion covers the rotatable casters and/or roller balls in the pouch. The flap can be lowered to expose the rotatable casters and/or roller balls, and either a strap or telescopic handle is also mounted in the pouch to facilitate pulling of the jacket along the floor by the rotatable casters. The jacket having items in the pockets thereof can be folded to resemble in size and shape a carry-on bag which can be stowed in the overhead on commercial aircraft.

Description

Mobile Travel Jacket

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates in general to clothing, and, more particularly, to a garment used during travel which can be converted to a carry-on bag. This garment is designed to hold portable electronic devices, such as cell phones, pagers, PADs, and other items such as keys, glasses, wallets and make up kit, allowing the use of the electronic items without removing them from the garment. The garment of the present invention is portable and need not be carried.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]

Portable electronic devices are now commonly carried during air travel. These devices include, but are not limited to, cellular/digital phones and/or other similar wireless

communication devices such as pagers, personal digital assistance (Commonly referred to as PDAs, Palm Pilots 7, and/or pockets/PCs), micro computers, MP3 players, recording devices, e- Book readers, walk man 7, and other portable listening devices, portable television sets, radar detectors, pedometers, remote control unites, portable global positioning satellite (GPS) devices, cameras and video recorders/ cam recorders, two-way radios, calculators and miniature flash lights. In addition, there are numerous accessories related to these portable electronic devices such as modems, portable printers, portable keyboards, memory cards/discs, portable scanners, batteries and other energy sources including charging and AC adaptors, cradles, cables, modules, air phones/headphones/headsets and other listening device, microphones, recording devices, software and stylus.

[0003]

Currently, these items are carried in various bags, pockets, cartons and cases. As result of relatively unorganized carriage of this equipment and supplies, their use consumes excessive time and energy. Also, recharging of the batteries and care of equipment when not in use consumes a large portion of time.

[0004]

Recently, US airlines began applying a separate baggage fee for each bag checked. Also, at least one US airline has also begun charging a fee even for carryon bags. US reissue patent 40,613 E discloses a garment having pockets which can be loaded with electronic gear.

However, when such a garment is loaded with electronic gear, it becomes quite heavy and is therefore awkward to carry around an airport.

[0005]

It is therefore a principle object of the present invention to provide a garment capable of storing in its pockets a variety of electronic devices to avoid paying a luggage fee for the electronic equipment.

[0006]

It is another object of the present invention to provide a garment for carrying electronic equipment, which garment can be transformed into a portable carrying device which can be easily pulled and/or rolled on the floor of an airport.

[0007] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a garment for carrying electronic equipment which can be transformed into a portable wheeled carrier capable of being easily rolled and stowed in the overhead compartment of commercial aircraft.

[0008]

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a garment for carrying electronic equipment which includes a belt which can be transformed into a strap used to pull the wheeled garment bag.

[0009]

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a garment which will save travelers baggage fees when traveling by air, and still carry the same amount of clothing and/or other items they normally would in a suitcase, but without having to pay fees and without having to carry it.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010]

Applicant diligently carried out research to achieve the above described objects and unexpectedly discovered the garment bag of the present invention. This garment bag includes an inner shell, an outer shell connected to and disposed around the inner shell, and at least one pocket disposed on the inner shell or the outer shell.

[0011]

Secured to the outer surface of the back of the garment is a pouch comprising an inner portion, a plurality of the rotatable casters attached to a said inner portion and an outer flap portion covering the rotatable casters. Applicant discovered that the casters mounted on the garment facilitate rolling of the garment even when the pockets have been filled with the above described electronic gear and or other items.

[0012]

In a first preferred embodiment, there is provided a garment bag comprising

(a) and inner shell;

(b) an outer shell connected to and disposed around the inner shell, at least one pocket disposed on the inner or outer shell;

(c) the at least one pocket including an opening allowing items to be inserted into and removed from the pocket; and

(d) secured to an outer surface of a back of the garment is a pouch comprising an inner ridged or semi-ridged portion, a plurality of rotatable casters attached to said inner portion, and an overlapping flexible portion covering the rotatable casters, an inner portion of the pouch being attached at an upper and lower end, an outer back surface of the garment and an overlapping portion of the pouch being capable of being lowered to expose rotatable casters which are normally inside of the pouch.

[0013]

In a second preferred embodiment, there is provided in connection with the first preferred embodiment, a garment bag wherein a belt is slideably disposed in the garment, which belt can be used as a strap to pull the garment on the floor when the casters are exposed.

[0014]

In a third preferred embodiment, there is provided in connection with the second preferred embodiment, a garment bag wherein said belt further comprises a belt buckle adapted to be used as a handle for pulling and rolling the garment bag on its casters. [0015]

In a fourth preferred embodiment, there is provided in connection with the first preferred embodiment, a garment bag wherein said outer flap portion of the pouch is permanently secured at its lower end to an inner portion of the pouch.

[0016]

In a fifth preferred embodiment, there is provided in connection with the fourth preferred embodiment, a garment bag wherein a flap portion of the pouch is temporarily secured at its sides and upper edges to an inner portion of the pouch.

[0017]

In a sixth preferred embodiment, there is provided in connection with the fifth preferred embodiment, a garment bag wherein a flap portion of the pouch is secured to an inner portion of the pouch by either a zipper, hook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro®), or button fasteners.

[0018]

In a seventh preferred embodiment, there is provided in connection with the first preferred embodiment, a garment bag wherein the pouch contains four spaced casters, and or roller balls.

[0019]

In an eighth preferred embodiment there is provided in connection with the seventh preferred embodiment, a garment bag wherein each of the casters and/or roller balls are rotatable.

In a ninth preferred embodiment there is provided a garment bag comprising:

(a) and inner shell;

(b) an outer shell connected to and disposed around the inner shell, at least one pocket being disposed on either an inner or outer shell; (c) at least one pocket including an opening allowing items to be inserted or removed from the pocket;

(d) secured to an outer surface of the back of the garment bag is a pouch comprising an inner portion, a plurality of rotatable casters attached to said inner portion, and an overlapping flexible portion covering said rotatable casters, the inner portion of the pouch being attached to an outer back surface of the garment at a lower end thereof, and said overlapping portion of the pouch being capable of being lowered to expose the rotatable casters,

(e) a flexible belt disposed in the garment bag, which belt can be used as a strap to pull the garment bag on the floor when the casters are exposed, and

(f) said belt further comprising a belt buckle adapted to be used as a handle for pulling and rolling the garment bag on its casters.

[0020]

In a tenth preferred embodiment there is provided in connection with the ninth preferred embodiment a garment bag , wherein only an outer flap portion of the pouch is permanently secured at its lower end to an inner portion of the pouch.

[0021]

In an eleventh preferred embodiment there is provided in connection with the ninth preferred embodiment, a garment bag wherein a flap portion of the pouch is secured to an inner portion of the pouch at its upper end.

[0022]

In a twelfth preferred embodiment there is provided in connection with the ninth preferred embodiment, a garment bag wherein a flap portion of the pouch is secured to the inner portion of the pouch by either buttons, hooks, loop fasteners or by a zipper. [0023]

In a thirteenth preferred embodiment there is provided in connection with the ninth preferred embodiment, a garment bag wherein the pouch contains four casters.

[0024]

In a fourteenth preferred embodiment there is provided in connection with the ninth preferred embodiment, a garment bag wherein each of the casters are rotatable.

[0025]

In a fifteenth preferred embodiment there is provided in connection with the first preferred embodiment a pouch on the back of a jacket which contains two casters.

[0026]

In a sixteenth preferred embodiment there is provided in connection with the fifteenth preferred embodiment casters on the back of the jacket which are each rotatable.

[0027]

In a seventeenth preferred embodiment there is provided in connection with the fifteenth preferred a jacket having a pouch on the back thereof which contains a telescoping handle attached at one end to an inner portion of the pouch.

[0028]

In an eighteenth preferred embodiment there is provided in connection with the first preferred embodiment a garment bag in the form of a jacket having at least one pocket in an inner shell portion, and means to secure the front sides of the jacket together and at least one strap extending from and secured to each of the lower front sides of the jacket to provide further support for the closure thereof.

[0029] In a nineteenth preferred embodiment there is provided a garment bag in accordance with the eighteenth preferred embodiment in which straps are secured at each side of a front of the outer shell of the garment, and straps are provided with interlocking buckles so as to secure ends of the straps together to reinforce closure of the front of the jacket.

[0030]

In a twentieth preferred embodiment there is provided in connection with the fourteenth preferred embodiment a garment bag formed by folding a jacket having at least one interlocking female buckle attached to straps secured to and extending from an upper central portion of the back of the jacket, and another strap with an interlocking buckle which strap is attached to an overlapping portion of the pouch, said straps being secured together.

[0031]

In a twenty- first preferred embodiment there is provided in connection with the twentieth preferred embodiment a garment bag in which a kickstand is attached at one end to the telescoping handle.

[0032]

Additional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspects of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033]

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown, wherein:

[0034]

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing the rear or back exterior of the garment of the present invention.

[0035]

Fig. 2 is an elevational view showing the rear or back exterior of the garment of Fig. 1, illustrating a pouch secured to the back of the garment which pouch contains a plurality of rotatable casters and a belt.

[0036]

Fig. 3 is an elevational view showing a front exterior of the garment of the present invention, illustrating the manner in which the belt can be secured around the garment.

[0037]

Fig. 4 is a front partial view of the pouch and belt on the garment of the present invention, illustrating the belt wrapped around the pouch when the casters are exposed.

[0038]

Fig. 5 is a side view of the pouch and casters used with the garment of the present invention. [0039]

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the garment of the present invention being rolled on its casters.

[0040]

Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of a garment of the present invention, illustrating in particular a belt which can be transformed into a strap for pulling and rolling the wheeled garment across the floor.

[0041]

Fig. 8 is an elevational view of the front of the garment bag of the present invention, illustrating a breast pocket for carrying travel documents, and a plurality of straps extending between the right and left sides of the jacket so that buckles on these straps can be secured together to provide additional means of closure.

[0042]

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the front of the garment bag of the present invention, illustrating the use of Velcro straps looped through buckles on straps which are stitched to the left side of the jacket.

0043]

Fig. 10 is an elevational view of the back of the garment bag of the present invention, illustrating a female buckle secured by a strap at an upper central portion of the back, and the use of a zip fastener for the caster compartment cover.

[0044]

Fig. 11 is an elevational view of the back of the garment bag of the present invention, illustrating the position of the buckle in the upper center of the back which can be used in converting the jacket to a carry-on bag when it is folded, and the use of a Velcro fastener to secure the caster compartment cover.

[0045]

Fig. 12 is an elevational view of the back of the garment bag of the present invention, illustrating a female buckle at an upper center of the jacket and a companion male buckle attached by a strap in the caster compartment cover which buckles are in locking engagement when the jacket is folded into a bag mode, and a strap stowed in the caster compartment which can be used in towing the bag.

[0046]

Fig. 13 is an elevational view of the garment bag of the present invention, illustrating a two caster configuration together with a telescoping T handle stowed in the caster compartment for pulling the garment bag.

[0047]

Fig. 14 is an elevational view of the garment bag of the present invention, illustrating another two caster embodiment in which a telescoping handle is attached to a rigid member supporting the casters.

[0048]

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the garment bag of the present invention, illustrating pockets formed in an inner shell of the garment and the gap between pockets which facilitates folding of the jacket.

[0049]

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the garment bag of the present invention, illustrating a procedure in which the jacket is converted to a carry-on bag using a zip and buckles. [0050]

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a partially closed garment bag of the present invention, illustrating the top half of the garment containing items in a pocket which is folded over on top of front pockets and the caster compartment cover.

[0051]

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a closed garment bag of the present invention, illustrating caster wheels on the garment bag and the attached strap used in pulling the garment bag.

[0052]

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the closed garment bag of the present invention, illustrating an extra buckle attached to the inside of the caster compartment cover, which allows a towing strap to also function as a shoulder strap.

[0053]

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of the garment bag of the present invention, illustrating the fully packed bag being pulled by means of a telescoping handle which can be stowed when not in use under the canister cover.

[0054]

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of the garment bag of the present invention shown in Fig. 20, illustrating a kickstand which can be integrated into the telescoping handle.

[0055]

Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a recessed caster secured to a rigid board in the pouch according to the present invention.

[0056] Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view from the side of the supporting board and casters, illustrating the semi-recessed position of the casters in the pouch in the present invention.

[0057]

Fig. 24 is a side view of the garment bag of the present invention illustrating a preferred configuration of the casters relative to the loaded garment bag.

[0058]

Fig. 25 is a partial frontal view of the garment bag of the present invention, illustrating the roller ball

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0059]

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a garment is shown generally at 1 having pockets 3 for carrying electronic gear or other items (not shown). The garment 1 is shown in a closed position with a belt 5 secured around the waist position, see Fig. 1. Belt 5 is provided with belt buckle 7. Belt 5 is slidably disposed in an inner shell 9 and an outer shell 11 of garment 1, so it can be removed and wrapped around pouch 13. See Figs. 3-4 and 5. Pouch 13 is provided with a plurality of a rotatable casters 14 secured to pouch 13. In a preferred

embodiment, pouch 13 is secured at its lower end 17 to garment 1 (Fig. 2) by stitching, and at its upper end 19 by hook and loop fasteners. [0060]

Preferably belt 5 is used to pull and roll garment 1, and is especially effective when garment 1 is loaded with electronic equipment. Also, belt buckle 7 can be used as a handle to roll garment 1 thru an airport. Flap 21 is preferably secured at its lower end by stitching, and at its upper end by conventional hook and loop fasteners (not shown).

[0061]

In another preferred embodiment, garment 1 is provided in accordance with U.S. Re 40,613 E to include an inner shell 9, an outer shell 11 connected to and disposed around the inner shell; at least one pocket 3 disposed on the inner shell or the outer shell. At least one pocket 3 including an opening 23 allows items to be inserted into and removed from pocket 3.

[0062]

Garment bag 1 shown in Figs. 8-16 comprises a jacket having left and right sleeves 25, 27, a pair of straps attached to a left and right front side of the jacket, each of the straps having interlocking buckles or snaps 33 to provide additional means of closure to the front of the jacket when it is in a bag mode (Figs. 8 and 9).

[0063]

In another preferred embodiment, buckles 33 can be replaced by either Velcro, straps looped through buckles, or else by snaps alone. In another preferred embodiment, the back side of the garment bag (jacket) is provided with a buckle secured directly to the outer shell 11 of jacket 1, or to a strap 37 connected to outer shell 11. Pouch flap 21 is preferably secured to pouch 13 by means of zipper 39 (Fig. 10) or by a Velcro fastener 41 (Fig. 11). Pouch flap 21 covers pouch 13 containing casters 14 (Figs. 12-14 and 22(a) and (b)). The casters may be replaced with or used in conjunction with roller balls, both the casters and rollers balls being conventional off the shelf items.

[0064]

Secured to pouch flap 21 in Fig. 12 is strap 43 having a male buckle 45 which can be coupled in locking engagement with female buckle 35 secured to an upper back portion of jacket 1 (Figs. 17 and 18). Preferably, the casters are attached to a rigid board made of wood, plastic or composite material. In a preferred embodiment, pouch 13 contains a telescopic T handle 49. The T handle 49 is shown in dotted lines 51 when in an extended position (Fig. 13). Preferably, casters 14 are mounted on a rigid or semi-rigid board 53. Extended handle 55 is shown by dotted lines 57 in Fig. 14. Garment bag 1 shown in Fig. 15 illustrates the inner shell 9 having pockets 23 therein. A gap between the pockets facilitates folding the jacket 1 when it is packed. In a preferred embodiment, the jacket is converted to a carry-on bag by first folding the sleeves 25, 27 and then securing straps 29 and 31 and buckles 33 thereon to securely close jacket 1 having items in pocket 3 (Figs. 16-18).

[0065]

The closed bag shown in Fig. 18 can now be pulled along behind a user with all four casters and/or roller balls in contact with the floor to the boarding gate, where it can be unfolded and worn while boarding an aircraft. In another embodiment, the addition of an extra buckle 57 to an inside of the caster compartment cover 21 facilitates the use of a towing strap which can also function as a shoulder strap as shown in Fig. 19.

[0066]

The telescopic handle can be extended and the bag can be pulled behind the user to the boarding gate where it can be unfolded and worn while boarding the aircraft (Fig. 20). Also, a kickstand 59 can be attached to an extended telescopic handle so as to pull the packed bag 1 as shown in Fig. 21.

[0067]

In another preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 22(a) and 22(b), the casters 14 are recessed into a cavity 60 formed in the board 53. In another preferred embodiment in Fig. 23, casters 14 are positioned at a lower edge of board 53 to facilitate rolling of the garment bag 1. A fully loaded garment bag 1 is illustrated in Fig. 24 showing casters 14 at a lower edge of board 53 and extended T handle 49.

[0068]

Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed herein, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments. Furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

List of Numbered Drawing Elements:

1 : Garment

3: Pockets

5: Belt

7: Belt buckle

9: Inner shell

11: Outer shell

13: Pouch

14: Casters

17: Lower end of pouch

19: Upper end of pouch

21: Pouch flap

23: Pocket opening

25: Left sleeve

27: Right sleeve

29: Strap

31: Strap

33: Buckle

35: Female buckle

37: Strap

39: Zipper

41 : Velcro fastener

43: Strap

45: Male buckle

47: Strap

49: Telescopic T-handle in dotted lines 51 : Telescopic T-handle

53: Ridged board

60: Cavity

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A garment bag comprising

(a) an inner shell;

(b) an outer shell connected to and disposed around the inner shell, at least one pocket disposed on the inner or outer shell, the at least one pocket including an opening allowing items to be inserted into and removed from the pocket; and

(c) a pouch secured to an outer surface of a back of the garment, said pouch comprising:

(i) an inner ridged or semi-ridged portion,

(ii) a plurality of rotatable casters attached to said inner portion, and

(iii) an overlapping flexible portion covering rotatable casters and/or roller balls, an inner portion of the pouch being attached at an upper and lower end to an outer back surface of the garment, and an overlapping portion of the pouch being capable of being lowered to expose rotatable casters and/or roller balls which are normally inside of the pouch.

2. The garment bag of claim 1, further comprising a belt slideably disposed in or on the garment, said belt operable to be used as a strap to pull the garment bag on a floor when the casters and/or roller balls are exposed.

3. The garment bag of claim 2, wherein said belt further comprises a belt buckle in attachment with the belt, said belt buckle adapted to be used as a handle for pulling and rolling the garment bag on its casters and/or roller balls.

4. The garment bag of claim 1, wherein said outer flap portion of the pouch is permanently secured at its lower end to an inner portion of the pouch.

5. The garment bag of claim 4, wherein a said flap portion of the pouch is temporarily secured at its side and upper edges to an inner portion of the pouch.

6. The garment bag of claim 5, wherein the flap portion of the pouch is secured to an inner portion of the pouch at its upper end by one or more of a zipper, hook and loop fastener, or button fasteners.

7. The garment bag of claim 1, wherein the pouch contains four casters and/or roller balls.

8. The garment bag of claim 7, wherein each of the casters and/or roller balls are rotatable.

9. A garment bag comprising:

(a) an inner shell;

(b) an outer shell connected to and disposed around the inner shell, at least one pocket being disposed on an inner or outer shell, the at least one pocket including an opening allowing items to be inserted or removed from the pocket;

(c) a pouch secured to an outer surface of the back of the garment bag, said pouch comprising an inner portion, a plurality of rotatable casters and/or roller balls attached to the inner portion, and an overlapping flexible portion covering said rotatable casters and/or roller balls, the inner portion of the pouch being attached to an outer back surface of the garment at a lower end thereof, and said overlapping portion of the pouch being capable of being lowered to expose the rotatable casters and/or roller balls;

(d) a flexible belt slideably disposed in the garment bag, which belt can be used as a strap to pull the garment on the floor when the casters and/or roller balls are exposed; and

(e) a belt buckle in communication with the flexible belt, said belt buckle adapted to be used as a handle for pulling and rolling the garment bag on its casters and/or roller balls.

10. The garment bag of claim 9, wherein only an outer flap portion of the pouch is secured at its lower end to an inner portion of the pouch.

11. The garment bag of claim 9, wherein a flap portion of the pouch is secured to an inner portion of the pouch at its upper end.

12. The garment bag of claim 9, wherein the flap portion of the pouch is secured to the inner portion of the pouch by either buttons, hook and loop fasteners, buckles, or a zipper.

13. The garment bag of claim 9, wherein the pouch contains four casters and/or roller balls.

14. The garment bag of claim 9, wherein each of the casters and/or roller balls are rotatable.

15. The garment bag of claim 1, wherein the pouch contains two casters and/or roller balls.

16. The garment bag of claim 15, wherein the casters and/or roller balls are each rotatable.

17. The garment bag of claim 15, wherein the pouch further contains a telescoping handle attached at one end to an inner portion of the pouch.

18. The garment bag of claim 1, wherein the garment bag is a jacket having at least one pocket in an inner shell portion, and means to secure the front sides of the jacket together and at least one strap extending from and secured to each of the lower front sides of the jacket to provide further support for the closure thereof.

19. The garment bag of claim 18, wherein straps are secured at each side of a front of the outer shell of the garment, and straps are provided with interlocking buckles so as to secure ends of the straps together to reinforce closure of the front of the jacket.

20. The garment bag of claim 14, wherein when the garment is folded to form a bag with at least one interlocking female buckles attached to a pair of straps, attached to and extend from an upper central portion of the back of the jacket, and another strap with an interlocking buckle which strap is attached to an overlapping portion of the pouch, said straps being secured together.

21. The garment bag of claim 20, wherein a kickstand is attached at one end to the telescoping handle, and said kickstand is pivotally mounted at one end to the telescoping handle.