Abstract:
Luggage cases that are sized and shaped to be carried on to the passenger compartment of a commercial airplane are called carry-on luggage cases. Cases small enough to fit below the passenger seat  28  immediately in front of the traveler must be very small and compact and generally interfere with comfortable placement of the passenger&#39;s feet during travel. The disclosed luggage case  2  includes a tapering reinforced portion  22  of the main packing door  18  on which a passenger may wish to place or rest his or her feet during travel. This main packing door  18  is constructed to bend and open to give access to a specially designed slanting shelf area  12  where a bottled drink  16  or cosmetics can be easily accessed without removing the case  2  from its stowed position beneath the front passenger seat  28.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to softside luggage case construction, specifically luggage cases sized to be carried on into the cabin of a commercial aircraft by the traveler. More specifically, this invention relates to luggage cases sized to fit beneath the aircraft seat directly in front of the passenger. In many instances the traveler has no choice but to place his or her carry-on luggage in the extremely restricted space beneath the passenger seat immediately in front of the traveler. This space must also accommodate the feet of the passenger. For tall passengers, this is a major problem. The passenger must put his or her feet on either side of the carry-on luggage case stowed in this precious space or place his or her feet on the case itself. For shorter passengers, it is often an advantage to have carry-on luggage on which to place ones&#39; feet to create a comfortable position and to rest ones&#39; feet or legs. 
     It is an object of this invention to accommodate both or all passengers to optimize the use of the space below the seat immediately forward of the passenger, as well as to accommodate bottles and containers that may otherwise more easily spill by providing a shelf space within this carry-on sized luggage case to position a bottle or container at about 45° from a horizontal plane, whether the case is in the stowed position (that is, lying down) below the mentioned passenger seat or standing erect on its wheels and/or glides as when the case is being towed or wheeled on the provided wheels typical for such luggage cases. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the luggage case according to this invention. 
         FIG. 2  is right side view thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is the left side view thereof. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the luggage case. 
         FIG. 6  is a back view thereof. 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the carry-on case in its stowed position with the flexible lid portion open to expose the specially slanted shelf arrangement. 
         FIG. 8  is a closer view thereof. 
         FIG. 9  is a similar view with the self-hinging zip door fully open to expose the entire main packing compartment. 
         FIG. 10  shows the case in a similar configuration to  FIG. 8  but with the case in a vertical position. 
         FIGS. 11  A, B, and C illustrate three conditions of use that take advantage of the innovative features of this preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention including a dually accessible compartment that can be opened from a top side or a bottom side. 
         FIG. 13  is a right side thereof. 
         FIG. 14  is a front view thereof. 
         FIG. 15  is the left side view thereof. 
         FIG. 16  is a back view thereof. 
         FIG. 17  is a top view of the luggage case. 
         FIG. 18  is a view of the carry-on case as it would appear in a stowed position either underneath a passenger seat or in an overhead compartment. 
         FIG. 19  is a closer view of the dually accessible compartment. 
         FIG. 20  shows the luggage case in an upright position with the main packing door open and hinged from the side. 
         FIG. 21  is a closer view thereof. 
         FIG. 22  is a closer view of the main packing door showing how the main packing compartment can be easily accessed even when the carry-on is in a stowed position. 
         FIG. 23  is a close up view of an organizing feature within the main packing compartment. 
         FIGS. 24 and 25  show the case in a stowed and upright position respectively. 
         FIGS. 26 through 29  illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The case  2  is constructed in the known manner using a fabric, preferably textile fabric, outer covering. Plastic sheets  4  stabilize the overall shape of the case  2  and conventional wheels  6  and carry handle  8  and/or towing handle (not shown) permit the case to be towed on a pair of corner mounted wheels  6  as shown in the figures. Wheels  6  could comprise castor wheels. Inside the case  2  there is a specially designed organizing feature  12 , specifically one and preferably two stiffened dividers  14  which are mounted at approximately 45° from the horizontal or stowed position ( FIGS. 11B  and C for example) as well as 45° from the vertical position (when the case  2  stands on its wheels  6  and glides  7  as in  FIG. 11A  for example). These dividers  14  help support and position one or more containers  16 , such as containers  16  used to hold liquid refreshment during a flight, cosmetics, snacks, medication bottles and the like. Of course, it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that case  2  can comprise any type of storage and/or transport vessel, including backpacks, messenger bags, totes, purses, briefcases, or any other type of storage and/or transport device. Case  2  may be manufactured with the exclusion of wheels and can be transported by any other mechanism including shoulder straps, backpack straps, carry-handles, or other transport device. 
     The main packing door  18  of the case  2  has a special construction and operation, as can be seen in the figures. This packing door  18  preferably extends the entire front face of the luggage case  2  and is generally constructed in two sections. The first section follows a generally tapering side shape. This tapering portion or surface  22  has a stiffening polyethylene panel to permit it to help resist crushing or permanent bending when the passenger&#39;s feet are placed on these surfaces. The packing door  18  also has a flexible hinge portion  24  connecting this tapering portion  22  with the rest of the main packing door  18 . This permits this door  18  to be flipped open as shown in  FIG. 8  to permit access to the 45°-mounted slanting shelf area, created by dividers  14 , within the main packing compartment  26 . Thus, access can be had without removing the case  2  from its stowed position beneath the passenger seat  28  immediately in front of the traveler. The rest of the main packing door  18  is constructed of layers of textile fabric on the inside and outside and preferably includes another small compartment  30  with zipper access  32  (see  FIG. 2 ). Small compartment  30  includes inner pouches of various materials and sizes. Otherwise the construction of the case  2  is typical and construction techniques are well known throughout the luggage industry, using polyethylene sheet to give resilient stiffness to the overall door  18 . Preferably, at least the tapering portion  22  of the door  18  further includes a layer of foam padding with a pleasing texture or ribs  34  sewn or molded in to permit a comfortable rest for the stocking feet of the traveler. 
     The main packing door  18  may also comprise on its inner surface an upper pocket  36  and a lower pocket  38 . Upper and lower pockets  36  and  38  may comprise any shape or depth, and may comprise any material including solid textile or mesh material. Pockets  36  and  38  may be open pockets or they may be closed by zippers  40 . Main packing door  18  defines main packing compartment  26  and is secured by zipper  32 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , towing handle is concealed by back pouch  42 . Back pouch  42  is surrounded by zippers  32  and may accommodate packed items of the user. Back pouch  42  may vary in size and shape and may include a multitude of additional inner pouches. 
       FIGS. 12 through 25  illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention. An advantage of the present invention is a dually accessible compartment  44  that is shown in closer detail in  FIG. 19 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the luggage case  2  can comprise all of the above-mentioned features in a variety of visual manifestations. For example, tapered portion  22  can also be defined by a padded front panel as shown in  FIGS. 12 through 25 . Tapered portion  22  is tapered such that not only does case  2  fit comfortably underneath the forward passenger seat  28 , but also neatly resides in the overhead compartment by shoving the case  2  tapered-end first into the overhead bin. The contents of case  2  can be accessed while the case  2  is stowed in the overhead compartment by opening a bottom zipper  46  that defines dually accessible compartment  44 . Thusly, dually accessible compartment  44  can be accessed from the bottom by opening bottom zipper  46 , or accessed from the top when in an upright position, by opening zipper  32 . A securing feature  48  is provided to lock bottom zipper  46  in place, helping to remind the user to secure the contents of dually accessible compartment  44  while the case  2  is being towed or stored upright. In this embodiment of the present invention, securing feature  48  comprises a hook and snap mechanism. Of course, other securing mechanisms may be used to secure the bottom zipper  46 . Such securing mechanisms may include hook and loop fasteners, buttons, slots and straps, or any other securing mechanism. Dually accessible compartment  44  includes additional pouches of various sizes and material. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a close up view of the accessibility of dually accessible compartment  44 . Case  2  can be stored underneath the forward passenger seat  28  with tapered portion  22  facing the passenger, or with the bottom opening of the dually accessible compartment  44  facing the passenger. In either configuration, the contents of the present invention are much more easily accessible than those contents store in a conventional carry-on. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , a second carry handle  8  is provided on the right side of case  2 . In this embodiment of the present invention, the main packing door  18  is self-hinged from the side of case  2 . It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the length and position of hinge  24  can vary. For example, side hinge  24  could be shorter, so that main packing door  18  could still be easily bent back by a passenger while the case  2  is stored under the forward passenger seat  28 . The passenger would need only slightly open zipper  32 . Of course, the location of the main packing door hinge  24  can be moved any where along case  2 . For example, main packing door  18  can be hinged from the bottom as discussed previously with regard to the descriptions of  FIGS. 1 through 12 . Conversely, hinge  24  could be positioned on a corner allowing main packing door  18  to be opened horizontally. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 20 through 25 , this second embodiment of the present invention incorporates organizing feature  12 . The organizing feature comprises one modular unit that includes a shelf area created by dividers  14 . This unique shelving area allows items such as water bottles  16  to remain slightly upright whether the case itself is laying down or upright. In all embodiments of the present invention, the organizing feature  12  may be removable from case  2 , or it may be fixed permanently within the case  2 . Organizing feature  12  could be sewn into the case  2 , or attached by other means including glue, staples, pins, etc. Additionally, dividers  14  may be individually removed from either a permanent or removable organizing feature  12 . Organizing feature  12  may incorporate a slot (not shown) to accommodate the mechanism of the towing handle (not shown). Organizing feature  12  is attached to the main packing compartment  26  by a system of snaps  50 . Of course, other mechanisms could be used to detachably affix the organizing feature  12  to main packing compartment  26 , including hook and loop fasteners and so on. Snaps  50  are sewn to the sides and/or bottom of organizing feature  12  and attach to mating eyes (not shown) that are sewn onto the material of the main packing compartment  26 . Dividers  14  include elastic strips  52  to further secure personal items in an upright position. Any other securing methods could be incorporated into dividers  14 . Such mechanisms may include basting, pouches, etc. 
       FIGS. 26 through 29  illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention. The case shown in  FIGS. 26 through 29  incorporates features of both the first and second embodiments. The case  2  in these figures incorporates a tapered portion  22  that also includes ribs  34 . Case  2  further includes an all-sided accessible compartment  60 . Referring to  FIG. 28 , all-sided accessible compartment  60  is defined by a self-hinging textile panel  45  that is approximately 2 inches in length. Self-hinging textile panel  45  is affixed directly to the textile panel that defines all-sided accessible compartment  60 . This minimal hinge connection  45  permits access to the interior of all-sided accessible compartment  60  from all normal sides of the compartment including a top side, both the vertical sides, and from the bottom side as well. This valuable feature permits the traveler to store case  2  in any location on an aircraft, including an overhead compartment, the space below a passenger seat, or other location, while still being able to access the contents of all-sided accessible compartment  60  without having to remove the case  2  from its place. Of course, the sides of all-sided accessible compartment  60  may include a folding gusset panel (not shown). In addition, a mini compartment  54  is included in which a passenger may store essential items. 
     The present invention therefore provides a method and system for easily accessing items stored in a stowed case  2  by including a tapered portion  22 , a smartly placed door hinge  24 , and a dually accessible compartment  44 . 
     Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example, and changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.