Abstract:
A carrier system for transport of folders, binder and the like is disclosed. One embodiment includes a soft web which encompasses the binder/folder and has attachment handles which allows the binder/folder to be transported without integral handles. In another embodiment a substantially rigid material defines a pocket to receive a folder/binder. In a further embodiment the folder/binder is outfitted which attachment points for receiving removable handles.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/655484 filed on 23 Feb. 2005, the complete subject matter of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1.Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     The present invention is directed to a carrier system of particular advantage for office files, binders, folders or the like.  
         [0005]     2. Background  
         [0006]     In an office setting, containers for documents are relatively common, including file folders, expandable folders, ring binders, and so forth. Papers and other documents are routinely stored in these containers. For instance, a set of receipts may be stored in an expandable folder, such as a so-called “accordion” folder that has expandable pleats on its sides and bottom. The accordion folder may have indexable sections for various categories, such as the letters of the alphabet or month of the year. This type of folder may be a common choice when storing documents for tax preparation, because receipts for various different items may be placed into different sections in the accordion folder. As a storage device, the folder functions nicely.  
         [0007]     However, when the time comes to transport the accordion folder and its contents to the accountant for tax preparation, the common accordion folder has some shortcomings. For instance, the folder must be held upright during transport. When holding the folder along with other items, extra care has to be devoted to maintaining the upright orientation of the folder when opening doors, pushing buttons in an elevator, and so forth. In addition to the problem that items may fall out of the folder if not carried upright, it would be convenient if a user could carry a multiplicity of folders and binders with a carrying system that hardly takes up any space when not in use. Such a system could be “at the ready” but otherwise unobtrusive. Typically such folders do not have handles and if they did, there would always be a chance of them tearing out. In addition, if the folders were outfitted with handles, they would become bulkier and fewer such folders could be fitted side by side on a shelf or the like.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, there exists a need for a document container system that is easily transportable, compact, takes up little space and if possible attractive.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY  
       [0009]     The following is a summary of some of the features of the invention. It is not intended to define the invention, but only assist the reader when reading the entire application to get a quick overview of the subject matter. The scope of the invention is defined by the claims and the detailed description provides various embodiments. Reference should be had to those sections for a complete understanding of the invention.  
         [0010]     According to one aspect of the invention there is shown a carrier system having a carrier folder having a pair of opposing sidewalls, defining a space for articles therebetween, each of said sidewalls have an upper edge; affixation points on proximate said upper edge of said sidewalls; at least one handle strap removably attachable to said affixation point; so that said folder can be carried by said strap when in a transport mode and wherein said straps may be removed in a non-transport mode.  
         [0011]     According to another aspect of the invention there is disclosed a carrier system having a carrier shell having opposing sidewalls and a bottom, thereby defining a space for receiving a folder; a multi-compartment index folder having a plurality of compartments, sized to be received within said defined space, releasable attachment elements for removable affixing said folder into said shell; affixation points on said sidewalls; at least one handle strap removably attachable to said affixation points, so that said folder can be carried by said strap when in a transport mode and wherein said straps may be removed in a non-transport mode.  
         [0012]     According to another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a carrier system having a pliable web carrier shell capable of forming opposing sidewall portions and a bottom portion, thereby defining a space for receiving a folder sized to be received within said defined space, affixation points on said sidewall portions; at least one handle strap removably attachable to said affixation points; so that said folder can be carried by said web. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an accordion folder according to one embodiment.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the carrier.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  with handles removed;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a further alternate embodiment of a binder carrier system.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the carrier system invention used on a multi-compartment index folder, in this case an accordion folder  10  with handles  11  and  12  attached to its front cover/sidewall  13  and rear cover/sidewall  14 , respectively. These sidewalls are preferably substantially rigid in order to keep their form when in transport mode. It is to be understood that the accordion type file is an example, but that binders and folders of virtually any type could be substituted and still benefit from the carrier system provided thereon. The handles  11  and  12  are preferably attached through affixation points, in this case holes  17  and  18  at the top of the front and back covers, respectively, so that they may freely drop to the sides of the folder when not being held.  
         [0018]     An alternative construction involves the use of a folder insert which comprises sidewalls  15  and dividers  19 , and wherein the insert also has its own sidewalls which mate with covers  13  and  14 . In effect, covers  13  and  14  and a connecting bottom (preferably rigid) form a shell into which a multi-compartment index folder can be placed within and thus transported. The multi-compartment index folder can be temporarily affixed to the carrier shell ( 13 - 14  and bottom) by Velcro®, friction, tape, magnets or any other removable affixation means. In this system, one carrier shell can be used with a plurality of multi-compartment index folder inserts.  
         [0019]     This structure has the advantage that the handles are completely removable and when removed, the surfaces to which they are attached are made as unobtrusive as possible so that such folders can be stacked side-by-side or otherwise. This is accomplished by providing attachment means on the sidewalls which are substantially flush when the handles are removed. In this case holes are shown, but other systems, such as snaps, or other clasps, perhaps recessed, can be used.  
         [0020]     Alternatively, other appropriate fastening methods may be used, or the handles may be integrated into the front and rear covers and be folded out of the way. For example, in  FIG. 1A , a binder or folder could be made of a laminate or plastic material with the handle material being an extension of the cover material (i.e. die cut with handles) or with a handled glued or welded on, but preferably being flat/planar and having a fold line  117  where the handle can be folded away toward the inside cover of the binder. Alternatively, the  111 - 112  can be pushed into a receiving pocket in the sidewalls of the file so that they disappear but are always available.  
         [0021]     The accordion folder  10  has pleated sides  15  and  16  connecting the front cover  13  and rear cover  14 , and, optionally, a pleated bottom. Preferably, the accordion folder  10  has dividers  19  that can separate the contents of the folder into various compartments, which simplifies locating the stored documents. The carrier system of  FIG. 1  is more convenient than a typical accordion folder, in that attachment of the removable handles  11  make the system function like a brief case or hand bag. Furthermore, panels  13  can be ornamented, as in a handbag, with a well-known trademarked pattern or other surface ornamentation. It could even be fabric-covered and appear as part of a coordinated clothing outfit.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  illustrates an alternate embodiment of the carrier system based on the principle that existing binder/folder/file stocks cannot be easily retrofitted to receive carry straps, but can still take advantage of the present inventive concept.  FIG. 2  shows a ring binder  29  with a strap handle  21 . The handle  21  is removably attached to holes  22  and  23  along the top of the outside cover  24 , made preferably of a soft web, such as a fabric, by adjustable swivel clasps  26  and  27 . When the clasps  26  and  27  are engaged, the binder  20  may be supported by the handle  21 . Inside the binder  20  is a ring binder mechanism  28  (for illustration only, since almost any item can be carried in this system), and an optional internal cover  29  that protects any documents stored in the binder. The internal cover  29  may be attached to the outside cover  24  by a suitable manner, such as Velcro®, or may be unattached to the outside cover  24 . Gussets could be provided (not shown) which span the two sides of panels  24 , perhaps just a minor portion of the distance from the bottom toward the top (such as 25%-33%) or all the way to the top, though this will impede the expandability of the space between the panels  24 .  
         [0023]     The system of  FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate a soft cover system. The cover  24  is preferably a web, which is defined as a pliable material capable of generally conforming to the shape of the object carried therewithin.  
         [0024]     The overall length of panel  24  is determined by how many binder-like items are to be carried therebetween. Double handles can also be provided as is shown in  FIG. 1 , but for this embodiment, a single handle is used.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows the carrier system of  FIG. 2  with the handle removed. The outside cover  24 , no longer joined at holes  22  and  23 , is free to be opened by the user, allowing access to the internal cover  29 , the ring binder mechanism  28 , and any documents stored in the binder  30 . Note, that the carrier may now be rolled up, or otherwise made into a deminimus package, for later use.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a carrier system  40  with a shoulder strap  41 . The strap  41  is connected to an intermediate handle  42 , which in turn is attached to the cover  43 . Alternatively, each end of the shoulder strap  41  may be attached to its own intermediate handle  41 A, or may be attached directly to the cover  43  by various means, such as double adjacent holds, studs with loops, etc. Inside the cover  43  can be, for example a ring mechanism, located at the end nearest the strap  41 , so that when the binder  40  is suspended by the strap  41 , the contents of the binder  40  are suspended by their holes. There is a securing strap, preferably a rubber band type binder  44  around the outside of the cover  43 , which ensures that the binder  40  remains closed during transport. The securing strap  44  may alternatively have a buckle, snap, hooked fastener, or other suitable locking mechanism to secure the binder. Alternatively, the securing strap may be replaced by an extension on one or both ends of the cover, which folds over the contents and is secured on the opposite end of the cover. This structure works best on ring binders since the open end of the binder is facing the ground when carried and it is important that there are other means to keep articles from calling out. A binder with a cover flap would be a suitable solution.  
         [0027]     The advantage of the structure in  FIG. 4  is that awkward binders can be carried with the minimum of modification. In fact, the handle/strap  41   a  can provide a convenient way to withdraw the binder from a shelf by inserting one&#39;s finder into the gap between the binder and the strap.  
         [0028]     Although the various embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-4  are for ring binders or accordion folders, it will be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that other types of document containers may be used as well. The functional advantage of the carrier system is created by making binders/folders/files/etc, which were previously hard to carry, now convertible into briefcases or handbags and without modifying the function of same and without requiring a bulky mechanism. The description of the invention and its applications as set forth herein is illustrative and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Variations and modifications of the embodiments disclosed herein are possible, and practical alternatives to and equivalents of the various elements of the embodiments would be understood to those of ordinary skill in the art upon study of this patent document. These and other variations and modifications of the embodiments disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.