Abstract:
A magnetic closure device for a compartment of a carry case, the compartment having an access opening, the access opening having at least one first predetermined dimension. The flap is attached to the carry case and positioned inside the compartment, the flap having at least one dimension greater than the corresponding first dimension of the access opening to retain the flap inside the compartment and to thereby prevent movement of the flap outside the opening. The flap is hingedly attached at one end to the carry case and is arranged to move inwardly to provide access to the compartment through the opening. Mutually magnetically attractable devices are respectively attached to a wall portion of the compartment and to the flap in correspondingly opposed positions to retain the flap in engagement with the wall portion of the compartment to provide closure to the compartment, whereby the flap is manually movable inwardly to provide user access to the compartment. A carry case incorporating such flap is also disclosed, as well as a method of opening and closing the flap.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to innerwardly opening flaps for compartments of carry cases such as articles of luggage and the like, wherein the flap is structurally and magnetically biased toward the closed position to facilitate automatic closing movement of the flap when released by the user. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    The use of magnetically attractable devices for providing closures in conjunction with various articles such as ladies handbags, satchels and other personal containers is well known. For example, it is well-known to use magnetically attractable fasteners as closures, latches or the like for handbags. One example of a magnetic fastener for use with handbags is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,874 to Chen which relates to a magnetic closure device adaptable for use with such handbags or other enclosures. Another example is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,344 to Chen, et al., which relates to a handbag having functional devices secured by magnetically attractable devices. 
         [0005]    Up to the present, although it has been known to utilize magnetically mutually attractable devices to provide closure and to assist latches for such closures on handbags, satchels, luggage, suitcases and article carrying devices in general, the use of mutually magnetically attractable devices to assist in the closing movement of such closure devices, as well as to retain a flap-type closure of such carry cases in the closed position, is not known, particularly as disclosed herein. 
         [0006]    The present invention elates to a closure device for a compartment of a carry case, wherein the compartment has an access opening and an inwardly movable flap which is held in the closed position by a pair of magnetically attractive devices, and in particular, a pair of magnets. 
         [0007]    In particular, the flap of the present invention is so constructed and attached to the carry case, so as to receive an inherent initial assist toward the closed position, as well as to retain it in the closed position when the respective magnets come into close relation with each other. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A magnetic closure device for a compartment of a carry case is disclosed, the compartment having an access opening, the access opening having at least one first predetermined dimension, which comprises a flap attached to the carry case and positioned inside the compartment. The flap has at least one dimension greater than the corresponding first dimension of the access opening to prevent movement of the flap outside the opening. The flap is attached at one end to the carry case and is arranged to move inwardly to provide access to the compartment through the access opening. Mutually magnetically attractable devices are respectively attached to a wall portion of the compartment and to the flap in correspondingly opposed positions to retain the flap in engagement with the wall portion of the compartment to provide closure to the compartment, so that the flap is manually movable inwardly to provide user access to the compartment. The flap is preferably constructed of an outer woven material layer which is complementary to the outer material layer of the carry case. Furthermore, the outer material layer is preferably woven polyester or nylon. 
         [0009]    The flap further comprises an inner lining and an intermediate non-woven fibrous mat material sandwiched between the outer woven material layer and the inner lining. The widthwise dimension of the flap is greater than the corresponding widthwise dimension of the compartment opening to prevent exiting of the flap from the compartment. 
         [0010]    The flap is attached along an upper end to the carry case to form a bead-type hinge, the hinge including a coiled metal spring-like member extending over the widthwise dimension of the flap, the spring-like member being encased within a resilient generally tubular member, which is in turn, positioned within a woven material layer. The hinge is thus structured and dimensioned to bias the flap outwardly toward an outer wall of the compartment. 
         [0011]    The resilient generally tubular member is preferably polyvinyl chloride (i.e., PVC), and the flap preferably includes a magnet attached at the free end thereof. A correspondingly mutually magnetically attractive material is attached to the adjacent outer wall of the compartment to thereby retain the flap in engagement with the adjacent wall to close the compartment. 
         [0012]    Preferably the respective magnetic materials on the flap and the outer wall are mutually magnetically attractive magnets, preferably rare earth magnets such as neodymium. 
         [0013]    The flap includes an inner woven material liner, and the outer woven material liner of the flap combines with the bead-type hinge to bias the flap outwardly toward the closed position with respect to the compartment opening. 
         [0014]    In an alternative embodiment, the invention further comprises at least one spring-like resilient flat material strip embedded therein along a dimension generally perpendicular to the widthwise dimension, and extending from the flap hinge toward the free end of the flap, to bias the flap toward the closed position. Preferably, at least two of such resilient material strips are positioned in generally spaced apart parallel relation with each other. The spring-like members may be of any resilient material such as spring steel, plastic or the like. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, the flap comprises at least one resilient material coil spring embedded therein along a dimension generally perpendicular to the widthwise dimension, and extending from the flap hinge toward the free end of the flap, to act as a spring to bias the flap toward the closed position. At least two of such resilient material coil springs may be used, and positioned in generally spaced apart parallel relation with each other. 
         [0016]    A carry case is also disclosed having an accessible compartment for storage of articles or the like, the compartment having at least one first dimension, and including a magnetic closure device which comprises, a flap attached to the carry case and positioned inside the compartment, the flap having at least one dimension greater than the corresponding first dimension of the access opening to prevent movement of the flap outside of the opening. The flap is attached at one end to the carry case and arranged to move inwardly to provide access to the compartment through the opening. Mutually magnetically attractable devices are respectively attached to a wall portion of the compartment and to the flap in correspondingly opposed positions to retain the flap in engagement with the wall portion of the compartment to provide closure to the compartment. The flap is manually movable inwardly to provide user access to the compartment. Two or more of such accessible compartments and magnetic closure flaps may be provided. 
         [0017]    A method is disclosed for opening and closing a closure device for an accessible compartment of carry case, the compartment having a pivotable closure flap positioned normally therein, the compartment also having a dimension which is greater than a corresponding dimension of the closure flap to prevent exiting of the closure flap therefrom. The closure flap is hinged at one end and structured with the carry case to bias the closure flap outwardly toward a closed position in engagement with an outer wall of the compartment, the closure flap further having attached at the free end portion thereof, a magnetic material device, and the adjacent wall of the compartment having a magnetically attractive material device attached thereto in opposed relation with the magnetic material of the closure flap, to retain the closure flap in a closed position with respect to the compartment. The method comprises applying inward force to the flap to break the magnetic contact and to cause inward movement of the flap into the compartment for gaining access to the inside of the compartment, and releasing the flap to permit it to return toward the closed position under the natural resilient bias of the flap until the mutually opposed magnets enter their respective magnetic fields to complete the closure of the flap when the flap engages the corresponding adjacent wall of the compartment. 
         [0018]    The magnetically attractive material device on the flap is preferably a magnet, and the magnetically attractive material device on the adjacent outer wall of the compartment is preferably a magnet of opposite polarity to the magnet on the flap. The magnets are preferably rare earth magnets. Furthermore, the rare earth magnets are preferably neodymium. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    Preferred embodiments of the invention are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a top, front, and left side perspective view of a carry case incorporating two magnetic flap closure devices for compartments of the carry case having an access opening, the flaps being inside the compartment and being of dimensions greater than the corresponding dimensions of the access openings of the compartments to open inwardly; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , illustrating in the magnetic flap in the closed position; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the two flaps in the closed position, the right hand flap showing the magnets in cross-section, and the left hand flap showing the magnets in phantom lines; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a top, front, and left side perspective view of the carry case of  FIG. 1 , illustrating how a user will conveniently insert an article into a compartment which includes the magnetic flap of the invention as a closure device for the compartment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of one of the compartments of the carry case of  FIG. 1 , illustrating how an article is contained in the compartment when the carry case and the compartment are turned upside down; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the magnetic flap of the present invention, illustrating a preferred construction, wherein the length “L” of the flap when extended, is greater than the corresponding dimension of the opening of the compartment; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the carry case of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the magnetic flap of the invention, with the flap in the extended position outside the compartment opening, and further illustrating the natural resilient action of the flap provided by the construction of the flap and joint, such resilience serving to initiate the closing movement of the flap until the magnets complete the closure; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a top, front and left side perspective view of an alternative construction of the flap of the present invention, incorporating spring steel strips to begin the closure movement of the flap prior to such movement being taken over by the magnets to complete the closure; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  12 - 12  of  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  13 - 13  of  FIG. 11 , illustrating a spring steel strip in cross-section; 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 , further illustrating a portion of the flap having a spring steel strip incorporated therein; 
           [0034]      FIG. 15  is a top, front and left side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention, illustrating the use of alternative springs in the form of elongated coil springs, to begin the closure movement of the flap prior to being taken over by the magnets; 
           [0035]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  16 - 16  of  FIG. 15 , illustrating the flap and related coil spring of  FIG. 15 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  17 - 17  of  FIG. 15 ; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  18 - 18  of  FIG. 17 , illustrating the coil spring of  FIG. 15 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0038]    Referring to the drawings, and initially to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a carry case in the form of an article of luggage  10 , having two compartments  34 ,  36 , each of which incorporates the inwardly opening magnetic closure flaps  12 , 14  constructed according to the present invention. The respective left and right side closure flaps  12 ,  14  are shown in phantom lines and include dual magnets  16 ,  18  and  20 ,  22  respectively, to complete the closure of the left side and the right side flaps. 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2 , the right side flap  14  and the construction thereof is illustrated in cross-section. In particular, the flap  14  is preferably constructed of an outer layer of woven polyester material  24 , which in the present embodiment, is the same material as the material which forms the bag  10 . Alternative materials such as woven nylon can be used, for example. The backing material of the flap  14  is comprised of a non-woven mat-type polyester fabric material layer  26 . One example of such non-woven product is marketed under the trademark PELON® by Pelon Corporation, New York, N.Y. 
         [0040]    The non-woven fibrous material inner layer  26  adds stability to the woven polyester outer layer and assists in providing bending resistance to the flap  14 . In particular, it provides a degree of resilience to the flap  14  so as to assist the flap  14  in beginning its outward closing movement when in use, by providing a degree of stability and resilience to the flap  14  at the joint  28 . In addition, the inner lining  30  of the flap, as well as in the remaining portions of the carry case, wherever appropriate, is made of a woven material such as polyester or the like. Other lining materials such as rayon or the like are contemplated. 
         [0041]    Referring again to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a joint  28  with flap  14  attached to inner wall  32  of compartment  36  by stitches  37  so as to be pivotably movable toward and away from the outer wall  43  of the compartment  36 . Joint  28  also includes piping in the form of a fabric bead  38  which encases a strip  39  of extruded polyvinyl chloride (i.e., PVC) piping, and which preferably has a resilient coiled spring-like metal member  40  in the center of the extruded material, as shown. The coiled spring-like member  40  is tightly woven, and has an appearance similar to a coiled extension spring, but may or may not be made of a spring metal. Furthermore, the bead can be made without the spring member. 
         [0042]    The position and configuration of the bead  38  also assists in providing resilient movement to the flap  14 , so that when the flap  14  is pushed inwardly by the user to insert an article into compartment  36 , and thereafter released, the initial movement of the flap towards the closed position is partially assisted by the resiliency of the construction as described hereinabove, as well as by the presence of the extruded strip  39  of piping and the coiled metal member  40  positioned therein. In addition, the tightly woven outer fabric layer  24  is placed in tension when the flap is pushed inwardly, and thereby also provides resilient resistance to bending of the flap at joint  28 . This resistance to bending of flap  14  at joint  28  provides the uniquely produced initial movement of the flap  14  according to the present invention. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the construction of the flaps  12  and  14  within the carry case  10 . In particular, the various layers of material as described in connection with  FIG. 2  are shown. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the use and operation of the flap  14  is illustrated. The hand  46  of the user is shown inserting an article  48  into the right-side compartment  36 , pushing flap  14  inwardly to gain access into the compartment  36 . As can be seen, the insertion procedure of the article  48  (such as a book, for example) into the compartment  36  can be accomplished by merely pushing the flap inwardly, using the article  48  until the article  48  is completely enclosed within the compartment  36 . A more detailed cross-sectional view of the mechanism depicted in  FIG. 4  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 , which is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  illustrates a similar article  50  positioned within the left side compartment  34 , as taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 4 . In particular, the article  50  is shown within the compartment  34 , having inner wall  33  and outer wall  37 , after the flap has been permitted to move outwardly to the closed position, thereby securing the article  50  within the compartment  34 . The construction of the flap  35  is similar to the construction of flap  14  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Alternative materials and known construction techniques are contemplated. 
         [0046]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 4 , and illustrating the presence of the article  50  positioned in the left-side pocket  34 , while article  48  is securely positioned within the right-side pocket  36  as described previously. 
         [0047]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of compartment  36  of the carry case  10  of  FIG. 1 , with the article  48  positioned within compartment  36  and retained therein by flap  14 , which is in the closed position. In  FIG. 8 , the carry case is shown with the upside down to illustrate the relative secure positioning of the article  48  within the compartment  36 , thereby preventing loss of the article or any possibility of the article falling out of the compartment, such as when the carry case is transported from place to place, or loaded into a baggage compartment of an airliner or train, for example. 
         [0048]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the flap of the present invention, illustrating the construction of flap  14  of  FIG. 1 , which includes the woven polyester (or nylon) material outer layer  24 , and the inner non-woven fibrous mat material  26 , as well as the relatively thin inner lining  30  which is made of woven polyester. Alternative equivalent materials and types of fabrics are contemplated. Magnet  42  is shown in cross-section, and generally has a rectangular shape. 
         [0049]    The flap is of generally greater dimensions than the dimensions of the opening of the respective compartment along both directions to retain it inside the compartment. In  FIG. 10 , the resilient nature of the flap is illustrated by hypothetically removing the flap from the compartment and permitting it to assume its natural upward position. The natural resilient upward movement of the flap which is provided by the relatively tightly woven construction of the outer material layer  14 , the inner non-woven fibrous material  26 , the outer woven polyester material layer  24 , and the extruded PVC piping  39 , which encases a coiled metal spring-like member  52 , which in turn provides rigidity and resilience to the PVC piping  39 . As noted, the piping material is preferably extruded polyvinyl chloride (i.e., PVC) and coiled member  52  may or may not preferably be made of a resilient spring metal such as steel. 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 10  it can be seen that by bending the flap downwardly at joint  28  is as shown in the previous FIGS. The flap  14  has a natural resistance to the downward movement due to the structural characteristics as described hereinabove. It therefore tends to move upwardly toward the closed position (when inside the compartment  36 ) under the influence of such natural resilience. At a predetermined point in the movement of the flap where the respective magnets  42 ,  44  come into their respective fields of attraction, the magnets assist in completing the final closure of the flap. 
         [0051]      FIG. 11  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the flap of the present invention, including resilient strips such as spring steel strips,  56 ,  58 , to provide the initial outward force to begin outward movement of the flap towards the closed position. The steel strips  56 ,  58  complement the force already provided by the structure of the flap and hinge as described hereinabove. 
         [0052]    In particular,  FIG. 11  illustrates flap  54  which is identical in all respects to the flaps described hereinabove, with the addition of spring steel strips  56 ,  58  to provide additional initial outward movement of the flap  54  towards the closed position within the compartment  60 . As an alternative to the spring steel strips, any resilient material strip such as plastic or the like can be used. For example, strips of alternative resilient materials such as nylon, polyester or the like can replace the steel strips  56 ,  58 . 
         [0053]    As can be seen in  FIG. 12 , once the flap  54  is pushed inwardly to insert an object into the compartment  60 , and thereafter released, the flap  54  begins its outward movement under the resilient spring steel strips  56 ,  58 . In addition thereto, all of the features which add to the resilience of the flap as described hereinabove, such as the fabric bead  38  and the extruded PVC strip  40  and inner coiled metal member  52  positioned therein, also provide an assist initiating the movement of the flap towards the closed position. As stated hereinabove, once the flap  54  moves sufficiently close to the outer magnet  64 , the respective magnetic fields of the magnets assume control and complete the closure of the flap. 
         [0054]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view, taken along lines  13 - 13  of  FIG. 11 , showing the spring steel strip  56  and the inner woven polyester material lining  30 , and the outer woven polyester material  24  are also shown. 
         [0055]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 . The spring steel strip  56  is illustrated in greater detail and surrounded by woven polyester fabric material  24  on the outer side, and the woven polyester lining material  30  on the inner side. 
         [0056]      FIG. 15  is an illustration of yet another alternative embodiment of the flap construction, incorporating coil springs  66 ,  68  in the same positions of the spring steel strips  56 ,  58  shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 11-14 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 15 , the coil springs provide the well-known (relatively mild) natural resilience against bending, which therefore provides the initial upward movement of the flap toward the closed position until the respective magnetic fields of the magnets assume control to complete the closure of the compartment. 
         [0057]    It is noted that in other respects the embodiment and structure of the flaps shown in  FIGS. 15-18  is the same as the previous embodiments. Accordingly, the provision of the resilient features provided in the previous embodiments are also prevalent in this embodiment. In particular, since the joint  28  is constructed as shown in the previous embodiments, the piping applies a degree of pressure against the top surface of the flap at the joint and thereby causes the flap  14  to resist bending towards the open position, thus assisting in its natural movement towards the closed position. In addition, as noted hereinabove, the woven polyester outer material  24  of the flap  14 , as well as the non-woven mat material  26  on the inner side between the woven polyester lining  30 , and the springs  66 ,  68 , also provides some degree of resilience to the flap closure movements. 
         [0058]    It should be understood that alternative materials for the construction of the carry case and the flaps can be used, such as woven polyester, leather and the like. In addition, the pair of magnets  42 ,  44  can alternatively be replaced by a single magnet on the flap or on the compartment wall, and a magnetically attractable material such as iron or steel, or other, on the opposite member, so that the magnetic attraction is provided in a manner similar to a pair of magnets as shown. 
         [0059]    While any type of magnetic materials are contemplated. Rare earth magnetic materials such as neodymium and the like can provide substantial magnet force to complete the closure of the flap.