Abstract:
A portable apparatus including a storage and a support arrangement that is convertible to a resting platform defined as a back pack or a suitcase.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a divisional under 37 C.F.R. §1.53(b) of prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/905,608, filed May 30, 2013, which claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/653,246, filed May 30, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/655,165, filed Jun. 4, 2012, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a travel accessory such as a backpack or a suitcase. 
       BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/047,556 (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0222931) and PCT/US2012/000124 (hereafter “related applications” and incorporated by reference) both disclose a number of suitcases having arrangements that allow for the conversion of the suitcases to a chaise or a bed. Generally speaking, these applications disclose supports, each disposed at opposite sides of a suitcase section, which can be deployed so that the suitcase may be used as a bed or a chaise. When not in use, the supports are stored within the suitcase. 
         [0004]    One of the proposed arrangements in the related applications employs telescopic supports which can be selectively collapsed (stored state) or longitudinally extended (deployed state) to provide support for a compliant and rollable fabric. The rollable fabric is stored around a spring loaded roller in a compartment residing in the suitcase section so that it may be pulled out (thereby loading the biasing spring) and connected to a support to realize a support arrangement at one side of the suitcase. The compliant fabric, when disengaged from the support, is automatically retracted and rolled around its associated roller due to the force stored in the biasing spring. 
         [0005]    While the related applications disclose similar arrangements, disclosed herein are further novel features which result in new combinations as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. 
       SUMMARY OF THE CLAIMED INVENTION 
       [0006]    A portable storage apparatus according to the present invention includes a storage; and at least one support arrangement convertible to a resting platform, the support arrangement including a support arm and a compliant body. 
         [0007]    In one preferred form, the at least one support arm is telescopically extendible/collapsible. The compliant body may be a fabric that is rolled around a roller. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, the at least one support arm includes a handle, and the compliant body is securely attached to the handle. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, the at least one support arm includes a handle, and the roller resides in the handle. 
         [0010]    The storage may be a sack with shoulder straps defining a backpack. A rigid plate may be integrated with the sack. 
         [0011]    The storage may be a suitcase. 
         [0012]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention, which refers to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0013]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate front and back elevation views, respectively, of a backpack according to the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate back and side elevation views, respectively, of a backpack according to the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3A-3D  illustrate sections identified in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , namely, sections S- 01 , S- 02 , S- 03 , S- 04 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 3E  illustrates a backpack according to a variation of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C, and 4D  illustrate front, right, left, and back elevation views, respectively, of a suitcase according to the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate back and left elevation views of a suitcase according to the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a suitcase according to the present invention with its support arrangements deployed. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C  illustrate sections S- 05 , S- 06  and S- 07  identified in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
           [0021]      FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, and 8D  illustrate front, right, left, and back elevation views, respectively, of a suitcase according to another variation of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9A  illustrates a suitcase as depicted in  FIGS. 8A-8D  with its support arrangements in a deployed state. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 9B, 9C and 9D  illustrate a suitcase as depicted in  FIGS. 8A-8D  and  FIG. 9A  with its support arrangements in a stored state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate front elevation and back elevation views, respectively, of a backpack  10  that includes support arrangements, which can be deployed to convert the backpack into a resting platform such as a bed or a chaise. Backpack  10  includes a sack section  12  usually made of a fabric or the like material. On the side  14  configured for resting against the user&#39;s body (back side) are provided at least one, but usually two, shoulder straps  16 . The manner of use of a backpack is well known. Therefore, how a backpack is used will not be described here. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate the apparatus in a non-use state. Thus, the support arrangements are in a stored state. However, pull-out handles  18  are visible in  FIG. 1B . 
         [0026]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate front and side elevation views, respectively, of backpack  10 . For the sake of clarity, the sack section  12  and the shoulder straps  16  are only illustrated in outline form. A backpack  10  according to the invention includes at least one, but preferably two support arrangements. Each support arrangement includes a pull out handle  18 , a compliant and rollable fabric  20 , which, in its stored state, is rolled around a spring loaded roller  22  (similar to the one disclosed in the related applications discussed in the background section) and a pair of telescopic arms  11  each coupled to an end of pull out handle  18 . 
         [0027]    Each telescopic arm  11  includes an external extension tube  24  having a first internal diameter, a middle extension tube  26  having a second internal diameter smaller than the first internal diameter, and an internal extension tube (or rod)  28  having an outer diameter that is smaller than the first and the second internal diameters. Internal extension tube  28  is received inside of middle extension tube  26  and middle extension tube is received inside of external extension tube  24 . Thus, internal extension tube  28  may be extracted from the interior of middle extension tube  26 , and middle extension tube  26  may be extracted from the interior of external extension tube, whereby the three bodies can be extended/collapsed in a telescopic fashion. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A-3D , in order to integrate tubes  24 - 28 , appropriate stoppers may be employed. Referring to  FIG. 3A  (identified as region S- 01  in  FIG. 2A ), a pair of extension stoppers  30  are provided at the end of external extension tube  24 . Extension stoppers  30  are configured to engage a section of middle extension tube  26  when middle extension tube  26  has been extended out a predetermined distance. Thus, for example, each extension stopper  30  may be pivotably mounted about a pin  31  (see  FIG. 3C ) allowing the stoppers  30  to swing into features defined in internal extension tube  24 . Referring to  FIG. 3D , for example, middle extension tube  26  may be provided with stopper catcher  32  recesses at a short distance from an end thereof. When middle extension tube  24  has been pulled out far enough extension stoppers  30  swing into stopper catchers  32  of middle extension tube  26  and prevent its further longitudinal travel. Note that the same mechanism is preferably used to stop the internal extension tube  28  from advancing beyond a predetermined point. Specifically, extension stoppers  30  are provided at the end of middle extension tube  26  in the same manner as described above, and internal extension tube  28  is provided with stopper catcher  32  recesses (see  FIG. 3D ) which engage extension stoppers  30  at the end of middle extension tube  26  when internal extension tube  28  has been pulled out far enough. Note that the end of internal extension tube  28  is coupled to pull out handle  18 . Thus, when pull out handle  18  is pulled away from sack  12 , internal extension tube  28  is extracted causing the telescopic extension of the tubes. Further note that external extension tube  24  includes extension stopper  30  (see  FIGS. 3B and 3D ), which pivot about pivot pin (see  FIG. 3B ), and are received inside respective stopper catch  32  recesses, deployed in a common support tube  33  which houses the telescopic arms. Common support tube  33  may be longitudinally aligned with tubes  24 ,  26  and  28 , and disposed on or inside sack  12  backpack  10 . One purpose of common support tube  33  is to set how far out external extension tube  24  may be extended outwardly, thereby setting the limit for the length of the telescopic arm  11  in its extended state. 
         [0029]    Referring now back to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , while only one telescopic arm  11  has been described, it should be noted that two telescopic arms  11  are used to realize a support arrangement. Each telescopic arm  11  is positioned adjacent (i.e. close to) a respective side of two opposite sides of sack  12  in order to set the width of the support arrangement. Furthermore, while one support arrangement may be employed in a backpack  10  according to the present invention, two support arrangements, each deployable from a respective side of two opposite sides of sack  12 , is preferred. Note that the telescopic support arms of each support arrangement may be extended to the same length, or different lengths, or may be configured to be the same or different length when stored. While not shown in the figures, it will be understood that to use the present invention, the user will extend the telescopic arms by pulling out the handle  18 . The rollout fabric  20 , which may be coupled to pull out handle  20 , will be automatically pulled out (i.e., rolled out). Once telescopic arms  11  are fully extended, fabric  20  will provide a support for the user in generally the same manner as described in the related applications set forth in the background section. Note that, optionally, a rigid plate  19  or the like ( FIG. 3E ) may be integrated with sack portion  12  between arms  11  at back side of sack  12  to provide further support for the weight of the user. Preferably, the rigid plate is coupled to common support tubes  33 , but such coupling is not necessary and the rigid plate may be left uncoupled. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D  show front, right, left and back elevation views of a suitcase  34  that includes the same support arrangements as those of backpack  10 . Thus, instead of a sack  12 , suitcase  34  includes a suitcase section  36  having one surface  37  which can provide, partial support for the user when the support arrangements are deployed, similar to the suitcases shown in the related applications discussed in the background section. 
         [0031]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate suitcase  34 . For the sake of clarity the suitcase section  36  is shown in outline form. Note that like numerals are used to identify like features as those described above. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate suitcase  34  with the support arrangements deployed for use. Note that a compartment  38  is provided inside suitcase section  36  to house fabric  20  and its associated roller. Such a component is also shown in the related applications discussed in the background section. Also, note a pull-out handle support  39 , which is preferably hingedly coupled to handle  18 , may be optionally provided for further support as also illustrated in the related applications described in the background section. Fabric  20  is permanently attached to handle  18 ; whereas, in the arrangements shown in the related applications described in the background section, the fabric is detachably attached. 
         [0033]      FIG. 7A, 7B and 7C  illustrate the stopper catcher arrangements described above in a deployed state. 
         [0034]      FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D  show front, left, right and back elevation views, respectively, of a suitcase  40  according to a new variation. Suitcase  40  includes a suitcase section  36  having a surface  37  that can be used for partial support of a user. Similar to the backpack  10  and suitcase  34  and also similar to the suitcases shown in the related applications described in the background section, suitcase  40  includes support arrangements, which when deployed, convert the suitcase into a bed or a chaise. However, suitcase  40  employs a novel configuration. 
         [0035]      FIG. 9A  illustrates suitcase  40  with the arrangements deployed. The support arrangements in suitcase  40  include a rollable fabric  20 , a fabric roller  22 , which is disposed in a compartment  38  residing at or inside handle  18 , rather than at or inside suitcase section  36 . Fabric  20  is permanently or detachably attached to suitcase section  36  at an edge which is adjacent to surface  37  of suitcase section  36 . Note that suitcase  40  preferably includes two support arrangements each residing at one side of two opposite sides of suitcase section  36 , each side being preferably adjacent surface  37 . A support arrangement in suitcase  40  includes a one piece arm (not a multiple piece telescopic arm  11 ) which resides in and is slidably supported within a support tube  42 . For example, one arm  44  is attached at one end to a handle  18 , and is provided with a rubber stopper  46  at another, opposite end. Rubber stopper  46  is disposed on the exterior surface of arm  44  and is sized to make contact with the interior surface of support tube  42 . Arm  44  may have a first interior diameter that is larger than the cross-section (exterior diameter) of another arm  48 . Another arm  48  is coupled at one end to another handle  18  having another component  38  in which a roller  22  and fabric  20  reside (in a stored state), and includes another rubber stopper  50  at an opposite end. Rubber stopper  50  preferably extends around the exterior surface of arm  48  and is sized so that it makes contact with the interior surface of support tube  42 . Note that in the stored state, arm  44  is received inside of support tube  44  until it meets rubber stopper  50 , and arm  48  is moved, relative to rubber stopper  50  and received inside of arm  44  in the stored state.  FIGS. 9B, 9C and 9D  illustrate arms  44  and  48  in their stored state. Note that arm  48  may include a rubber top  52  or the like which is sized to engage the interior of arm  44  so that, in a stored state, arm  48  does not move around and cause rattling. Arm  44  is configured to slide relative to stopper  46 , while stopper  46  is preferably fixed relative to support tube  42  and does not exit from support tube  42  when arm  44  is extracted. Similarly, arm  48  is configured to slide relative to stopper  50  while stopper  50  is preferably fixed relative to support tube  42  so that rubber stopper  50  does not exit support tube  42  when arm  48  is extended. Alternatively, stoppers  46  and  50  may be allowed to slide toward one another inside support tube  42 ; however, the respective ends of support tube  42  may be configured to prevent stoppers  46 , 50  from falling out of support tube  42 . It should be noted that while only support arms  44  and  48  are discussed a each support arrangement, as illustrated in the figures, would include two support arms, each positioned adjacent a respective side of opposite sides of a suitcase section  36 , and each connected at one end to a pull-out handle  18 . Thus, one support arrangement would include two arms  44  each connected to a respective end of a pull-out handle  18  and another support arrangement would include a pair of arms  48  each connected at one end to a handle  18 . 
         [0036]    Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claim.