Abstract:
In combination a carrier pack, with an enclosure for a device comprising at least one of the following: a compact disc or discs, a compact disc player, a component or components related to a disc or a player, with attachment structure on the pack and on the enclosure whereby the enclosure can be removably attached to, or removed from the pack.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to transport and use of a protective case for electrical structures, as for example compact discs, and a player for such discs; and more particularly concerns a case or enclosure readily attachable to a carrier such as a back pack, hand bag, or a cooler, or other carrier equipment. 
     Compact disc players including drives are connectable to speaker units, and operable to transmit audio signals between the player and speaker, as via wiring. Previously, it was known to transport or move the player while it was not protected, or if the player was carried in a transport receptacle, it had to be removed from the receptacle or enclosure, for use. In either event, the player became unprotected at some point between its transportation and use. Accordingly, there is need to provide means whereby the player, may remain protected during both transportation and use, as in a case. 
     Also there is need for an enclosure having the advantageous attachment functions, and equipment transport functions, and affording the surprising results, that are now enabled or provided by the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a major object of the invention to provide a highly useful combination that includes 
     a) an enclosure for a device comprising at least one of the following: 
     x 1 ) a compact disc or discs, 
     x 2 ) a compact disc player, 
     X 3 ) a component or components related to the disc or the player, 
     b) attachment structure on the enclosure, whereby the enclosure can be attached to or removed from a carrier. 
     As will be seen, the attachment structure typically includes a first zipper and a first zipper track on the enclosure to be track connected to a first zipper track on a carrier, such as a back pack, luggage bag, cooler, etc. 
     Another object is to provide an enclosure as referred to which has a wall to face the carrier, the wall having a periphery, and wherein the first zipper track extends about said periphery. 
     A further object is to provide an enclosure having two sections that are relatively openable for allowing reception of the device to be transported into the interior of the enclosure, and for removal of the device from the interior. 
     An additional object is to provide first attachment structure including a first zipper and first zipper tracks on the enclosure and on the pack; and also to provide second attachment structure including a second zipper and second zipper tracks on two sections of the enclosure, whereby the enclosure can be opened while it remains attached to the carrier. As will be seen, for compactness while affording multiple functions, the first and second zipper tracks preferably extend in generally parallel, spaced relation. In this regard, one enclosure section typically has a wall extending between the first and second zipper tracks, and a through opening is provided in that wall for passing wiring that allows electrical communication between the device in the enclosure and an electrically operable speaker unit outside the enclosure, all without requiring opening of the enclosure or its detachment from the carrier. The speaker may be incorporated in a head set, and a retainer is preferably provided on the enclosure, to removably support the head set. 
     Further objects include provision of an enclosure as referred to, that consists of flexible material; the provision of a carrier as referred to in the form of a back pack; the provision of a carrier in the form of a cooler; the provision of multiple carriers, to which any of the enclosures may be attached by first zipper structure, as referred to. 
    
    
     These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following specification and drawings, in which: 
     DRAWING DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 is a first elevational view of an enclosure or case showing attachment to a carrier, such as a back pack; 
     FIG. 2 is a view like FIG. 1, but with the enclosure or case removed from the illustrated rear side of the back pack; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view taken on lines  3 — 3  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view taken on lines  4 — 4  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing details of a clip, as in also seen in side view in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a vertical section taken on lines  6 — 6  of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the enclosure or case, separated from the carrier, and with an attached carrying strap; 
     FIG. 8 is a frontal view of the enclosure or case itself, with head phone device attached; 
     FIG. 9 is a rear view of an upper portion of the enclosure or case; 
     FIG. 10 is a frontal view of the FIG. 8 case, but opened up by unzipping of a front flap which is lowered, to show case interior structure for supporting compact discs with room provided for a CD player; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the opened-up case, showing both interior and exterior structure; 
     FIG. 12 is a rear view of a modified back pack, to which a case or enclosure, as referred to, is attached; and 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a luggage item, having and end wall to which the case, as described, is removably attached as by zipper structure. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring first to FIGS. 1-4, an enclosure is shown at  10  removably attached to a container, such as the back pack  11 , illustrated. As seen in FIG. 10, the enclosure  10  is typically especially adapted to store compact discs, i.e. CD&#39;s  12  and/or a player unit  12   a  for such discs. See also FIG.  11 . The discs fit within pockets  13  formed by overlaying layers  13   a  of flexible material forming entrances  13   b  for individual discs. Other associated equipment may be stored within the enclosure  10 , for transport. The attachment structure as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 preferably comprises zipper structure  15 , including a zipper track  15   a  on the enclosure, a zipper track  15   b  on the rear wall  11   a  of the pack  11 , and a zipper  15   c  slidable along the two tracks to interfit them. See zipper handle  15   d , in FIG.  4 . 
     The back pack  11  may include a housing  11   b  of which rear wall  11   a  is a component; a top wall  17 , bottom wall  18 , and side walls  19  and  20 . See FIG.  1 . Shoulder straps  21  and  22  are attached to the housing  11   b , for assembly on the shoulders of the back pack wearer. 
     The enclosure  10  as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 has a forward facing wall  23  facing the pack rear wall  11   a ; a rear wall  24 , and top, bottom and side walls  25 ,  26  and  27 . Wall  23  closest to the pack  11  has a looping periphery, as shown; and the zipper track  15   a  extends lengthwise of and proximate that periphery, i.e. along a looping path. Track  15   b  extends parallel to track  15   a , so that when interconnected, the two tracks hold the front side of wall  23  closely proximate the facing extent of pack rear wall  11   a . When tracks  15   a  and  15   b  are disconnected, the enclosure  10  is removed from attachment to the back pack, and it may be separately carried about, and used. 
     The enclosure has two sections that are relatively openable for allowing reception of a device or devices into the enclosure, or their removal. As referred to, such device or devices may comprise a component disc or discs, a compact disc player, and/or other related electronic video or communication equipment. Such two sections may comprise the rear wall  24 , and the walls  25 - 27  away from which rear wall is movable or openable as seen in FIGS. 10 and 11 to allow access to the interior of the enclosure, and devices therein. 
     FIG. 11 shows compact discs  12  stored in pockets  13   a  located on a foldable flap  30  carried by the enclosure, and a compact disc player (or other electronic equipment) housing  31  stored interiorly of the enclosure behind a flap  31   a  edge connected at  31   b  to the enclosure. A communication wire or cable  32  extends from the player or unit  31  through an access opening  32   a  formed in enclosure top wall  25 , openable and closable by a zipper structure  33 , including tracks  33   a  and  33   b , and a zipper having a handle  33   c.    
     The two sections of the enclosure (openable wall  24 , and walls  25 - 27 ) are removably interconnected as by a zipper structure  40 , seen in FIG. 3, that includes looping track  41  on wall  24 , and looping track  42  on walls  25  and  27 , as shown. The looping tracks  41  and  42  bound the interior  43  of the enclosure, and they extend in generally parallel, spaced apart relation to tracks  15   a  and  15   b  described above. In this regard, walls  25 - 27  extend between tracks  41  and  42 , and tracks  15   a  and  15   b . If desired, the bottom or adjacent edge portions of walls  24  and  26  may be foldably connected as at  90 , in FIG.  10 . 
     A retainer or retainers  50  are carried by the enclosure, as on a side wall  25 , or both side walls  27 , for removably supporting electronic equipment to which cable or cable sections  32  are connected, as seen in FIG.  8 . That equipment may include head set speakers  53  and  54 , having stems  53   a  and  54   a  removably attached to retainer clips  50   a , as shown in FIG. 8, and also in FIG. 4, for storage of the head set, to the enclosure, and separate transport with the enclosure when the latter is detached from the back pack, or other carrier device. 
     FIG. 7 shows a carrier strap  80  separately attached to the side walls  27  of the enclosure, as via adjustable connectors  60 ,  61  and  62 . Elements  61  may be attached to the retainers  50 , as shown in FIG.  7 . 
     FIG. 12 shows attachment of the enclosure  10 , as described above, to the rear wall  70  of a back pack  71 , of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,295. 
     FIG. 13 shows attachment of the enclosure  10 , as described above, to the end wall  81  of a luggage unit  82 , having a handle  83 . Accordingly, the same enclosure  10  can be selectively attached to many different types or shapes of carrier equipment, as desired.