Abstract:
A strap mechanism for attaching an additional parcel to a rolling suitcase is disclosed. A strip of elasticized material with a sleeve for sliding over a rolling suitcase handle is secured around the parcel using a hook and loop fastening mechanism. The strap mechanism prevents the additional parcel from twisting off or otherwise falling off of the rolling suitcase. A horizontally and vertically oriented device is presented, as well as a universal configuration. Different materials can be used for the strap mechanism including but not limited to neoprene, veltex, elastic, or medical grade elastic. Additional embodiments include the use of a pocket attached to a side of the strap which may be used for additional storage purposes.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of the filing date of earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 61/662,974, filed Jun. 22, 2012, and entitled “Device for Attaching Parcel to Rolling Suitcase,” the entire teachings and contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the field of luggage accessories and, more particularly, attachment methods for transporting multiple types of luggage parcels. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Attempts have been made in the past to secure additional bags to rolling luggage for the purpose of convenience when traveling with multiple bags. Attachment means have included straps, buttons, clips, buckles, notches, hooks, loops, mated releasable assemblies, and mesh webbing. 
     Gold et al U.S. Pat. No. 7,841,453 describes a rolling piece of luggage with an additional parcel of luggage strapped to retractable handle using a mechanism of loops and buckles. A fixed loop slides around the retractable handle of the rolling suitcase and an adjustable loop of thin strap material with buckle closure surrounds the second bag. The adjustable loop intended to secure the second bag provides no support for lateral movement should the operator of the rolling suitcase turn a sharp corner or otherwise make a sudden movement. 
     Bacon et al U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,502 provides an open space in a sheet of material for slipping over a retractable suitcase handle and a strap mechanism for supporting a child car seat against a rolling suitcase. 
     Arney U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,343 describes a Velcro, or hook and loop, fastening means and use of a flap to slidably attach one piece of luggage to another. The Velcro fastening mechanism surrounds each individual parcel of luggage and then a buckle attachment means secures one parcel to another. 
     In Nordstrom et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,559 discloses using a clasp to attach a strap to the retractable handle of the rolling suitcase and another clasp to attach the strap to the additional piece of luggage. Nordstrom discloses using tongue and slot means for securing the clasp mechanism. The additional piece of luggage is not seated securely at the top of the rolling suitcase and could easily slide from side to side during sudden movements or sharp turns. 
     Zionts et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,439 discloses the use of hooks, loops, and straps to attach an auxiliary bag to a rolling suitcase in which the auxiliary bag hangs from the front end of the rolling luggage and could easily slide from side to side during sudden movements or sharp turns. 
     Plath U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,972 describes a button attachment with hook for attaching a parcel of luggage to a rolling suitcase. The device requires a stud to be built in to the rolling suitcase to support the mechanism, therefore rendering it an attachment device that is not universal for all rolling suitcases. 
     Ambal U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,070 presents a mechanism for attaching two pieces of luggage in a side by side abutting manner. A plate is secured to each piece of luggage, one male and one female with a tongue and groove attachment mechanism, one slidably connectable to the other. Connecting the two pieces of luggage requires that the attachment plates are properly secured to the two pieces of luggage by screws. This is a somewhat timely process for simply securing one piece of luggage to the other. 
     In London et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,832, a girdle strap, which uses elastic material and a releasable fastener mechanism for attaching the free ends together, is used to secure a piece of luggage to a rolling piece of luggage. The girdle strap additionally uses a buckle mechanism for supporting the extra piece of luggage. 
     A mechanism for reliably harnessing an additional parcel of luggage to a rolling suitcase to prevent side to side movement without cumbersome straps and attachment means was not found in the prior art. Further, the present invention offers the flexibility of harnessing in a vertical or horizontal orientation such that the dimensions and size of the additional parcel to be transported would not be limited in either dimension. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a simple, unique mechanism to hug an extra bag or parcel securely to a rolling suitcase preventing slipping or swinging from side to side. The device allows the user to carry a wide variety of additional luggage on top of a rolling suitcase comfortably and with great ease of use. 
     After the retractable handle of a rolling suitcase is extended, the attachment device sleeve is slid over the retractable handle. The bag or parcel to be carried is placed on top of the suitcase adjacent to the retractable handle. The bag or parcel is wrapped with the attachment device and secured using the hook and loop fastening mechanism. 
     Alternatively, the bag or parcel is wrapped snugly with the attachment device and secured with the hook and loop fastening mechanism prior to sliding the sleeve opening over the retractable handle of the rolling suitcase. 
     A vertical and horizontal style will be available to accommodate bags of different sizes and shapes, as well as a universal style that is interchangeable between the vertical and horizontal orientation. The vertical and horizontal oriented attachment device, as well as the universal style, can accommodate gym bags, duffel bags, shopping bags, purses, carry-on bags, boxy items, purses, or any other item that could reasonably fit on top of a rolling suitcase. The handle of a bag or purse can be looped around the rolling suitcase handle for extra support. 
     The attachment device can be made with a slight stretch material. Different materials can be used for the strap mechanism including neoprene, veltex, elastic, medical grade elastic, stretch jean material, necked-bonded laminate (NBL), stretch-bonded laminate (SBL), or any other related material and also including any material that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The strap mechanism can have one side that is receptive to a hook and loop fastening mechanism, such as Velcro. A Velcro strip will be secured to the end of the other side. Alternatively, in the case where the material used for the strap mechanism does not have any Velcro receptive area, a Velcro strip can be placed on the outside surface of the strap mechanism for securing the strap mechanism in place using the Velcro strip. 
     A sleeve will be located either in the center of the length of the strap or off center. An off center configuration would provide flexibility depending on the length of the strap mechanism to ensure that the Velcro attachment strip can be secured roughly at the front center of the additional parcel to be transported. The sleeve can either be placed on the outside or inside surface of the strap mechanism depending on the configuration (vertical, horizontal, or universal). 
     An additional pocket can be optionally attached to a side of the strap for storage of a cell phone, PDA, tablet, MP3 player, keys, pens or pencils, passports or other travel paperwork, or any other item of an appropriate size. The pocket may be detachable or permanently attached to the device. In the case of a detachable pocket, the pocket may be secured using a hook and loop fastening mechanism or by any other means that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 a    shows the inside surface of the vertical orientation of the device for attaching an additional parcel to a rolling suitcase. 
         FIG. 1 b    shows the outside surface of the vertical orientation of the device for attaching an additional parcel to a rolling suitcase. 
         FIG. 2 a    shows the inside surface of the horizontal orientation of the device for attaching an additional parcel to a rolling suitcase. 
         FIG. 2 b    shows the outside surface of the horizontal orientation of the device for attaching an additional parcel to a rolling suitcase. 
         FIG. 3 a    shows the inside surface of a universal configuration of the device for attaching an additional parcel to a rolling suitcase, whereby the device can be used in either a horizontal or vertical orientation. 
         FIG. 3 b    shows the outside surface of a universal configuration of the device for attaching an additional parcel to a rolling suitcase, whereby the device can be used in either a horizontal or vertical orientation. 
         FIG. 3 c    shows the inside surface of an alternative form of the universal configuration of the device for attaching an additional parcel to a rolling suitcase, whereby the device can be used in either a horizontal or vertical orientation. 
         FIG. 3 d    shows the outside surface of an alternative form of the universal configuration of the device for attaching an additional parcel to a rolling suitcase, whereby the device can be used in either a horizontal or vertical orientation. 
         FIG. 4  is an alternate embodiment of the invention, indicating an extra pocket for storage of various items desired to be easy access during travel. 
         FIG. 5 a    shows the device in use in the vertical orientation securing a parcel (purse, carry-on bag, etc) on top of a rolling suitcase. 
         FIG. 5 b    shows a front view of the device in use securing a basketball on top of a rolling suitcase. 
         FIG. 5 c    shows a rear view of the device in use in the universal configuration, securing a basketball on top of a rolling suitcase. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, wherein like or corresponding reference numerals are used for like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIG. 1 a    is an illustration of one embodiment of the device for attaching a parcel to a rolling suitcase laid out in a flat configuration. This figure illustrates the device in the vertical orientation. In this configuration, an elongated bag or parcel could be placed on top of a rolling suitcase with the device wrapped around the top, bottom, and front and back sides of the parcel. Strip  11  consists of a hook and loop fastening mechanism, such as Velcro, and is used to secure the device  10  around an additional parcel. Strip  11  can either attach to Velcro receptive area  13  or another strip of Velcro on the outside surface of the strap mechanism. 
       FIG. 1 b    shows the vertical orientation of device  10 , this time showing the outside surface of the device. Stitching  12 , parallel to the long edge of the device, secures sleeve  14  to the outside surface of device  10  as illustrated here. An extendible handle of a rolling suitcase or other comparable support mechanism slides through sleeve  14  such that device  10  can be wrapped around a parcel and secured thereto. Area  13  is receptive to a hook and loop fastening mechanism and is intended to be the area onto which strip  11  connects to secure device  10  around a parcel. 
       FIG. 2 a    shows another embodiment of the invention, the horizontal orientation of device  10 . Shown here is the inside surface of device  10 , where stitching  12  is parallel the short edge of the device and is again used to secure sleeve  12  in place for mounting around the extendible handle of the rolling suitcase. In the horizontal orientation, placement of sleeve  14  on the inside surface of the strap mechanism provides more support for the device as a whole as less stress is placed on the stitching, grommets, or rivets used to secured sleeve  14 . 
       FIG. 2 b    shows the horizontal orientation of device  10 , showing the outside surface of the device. Stitching  12  is parallel to the short edge of the device. Area  13  is receptive to a hook and loop fastening mechanism and is intended to be the area onto which strip  11  connects to secure device  10  around a parcel. 
       FIG. 3 a    shows one embodiment of the invention wherein reinforced stitching, grommets, rivets, or other comparable means  15  are used to secure sleeve  14  onto the inside surface of device  10  at the four corners of the connection point between sleeve  14  and the strap device  10 . In this way, either a vertical or horizontal configuration of device  10  is possible as the extendible handle of the rolling suitcase can fit through either parallel to the long edge or parallel to the short edge of device  10 . Strip  11  consists of a hook and loop fastening mechanism and is used to secure the device  10  around an additional parcel. Additional hook and loop fastening pieces can be placed at locations between the reinforced stitching, grommets, or rivets, either along the edge or in the center of sleeve  14 . These additional fastening pieces would provide additional support for sleeve  14  and for device  10  overall. 
       FIG. 3 b    illustrates the outside surface of device  10  including reinforced stitching, grommets, rivets, or other comparable means  15  which are used to secure sleeve  14  and hook and look receptive area  13 . 
       FIG. 3 c    and  FIG. 3 d    illustrate the inside and outside surfaces, respectively, of a preferred embodiment of the universal configuration. Reinforced stitching is used as securing means for sleeve  14  on the outside surface along the long edge of the device  10  and as a securing means for sleeve  14  on the inside surface along the edge parallel with the short edge of the device  10 . Additionally, pieces of hook and loop fastening mechanism strips may be attached to the surface of sleeve  14  (for sleeve  14  either on the inside or outside surface of device  10 ) in contact with hook and loop receptive area  13  to provide securing means for device  10  once in place around a parcel for transportation on top of a rolling suitcase  19 . Strips of hook and loop fastening mechanism may be circular, square, rectangular, or any other reasonable shape. 
     In the preferred embodiment, sleeve  14  is placed on the outside surface of device  10 . The width of the device may range from 4-12 inches, preferably 7-9 inches, and the length of the device may range from 36-60 inches, preferably 40-50 inches. The smaller range of sizes may be used for attachment apparatuses intended for use by children and with children&#39;s rolling suitcases. The mid to high end of sizes may be used by adults for medium and larger rolling luggage. Variations from these size ranges are possible and would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
       FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of the invention wherein pocket  16  is attached to the outside surface of device  10  for attaching a parcel to a rolling suitcase. Pocket  16  can be added to any configuration of the device, vertical, horizontal, or the universal configuration. Pocket  16  can be used to conveniently hold anything from a cell phone, PDA, tablet, MP3 player, keys, pens or pencils, passports or other travel paperwork, or any other item of an appropriate size. The pocket or pockets, which can be placed anywhere along the length of the strap mechanism, can be attached by Velcro to be movable about the outside surface of the strap mechanism or attaching using stitching, rivets, grommets, or other attachment means obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, loops, hooks or other devices obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art could be used in conjunction with the present invention. 
       FIG. 5 a    shows parcel (purse, small travel bag, etc)  17  sitting on top of suitcase  19  adjacent to extendible handle  18  secured with device  10  using a hook and loop fastening mechanism to support parcel  17  from sliding or falling off if the user were to turn a sharp corner with the rolling suitcase. 
     The attachment device may be used to surround a medium size tote bag, for example, by wrapping the strap through the handles, which may provide extra support for the tote bag to help keep the contents secure. The sleeve of the attachment apparatus may be subsequently placed over a retractable handle of a rolling suitcase for transport and secured using a securing mechanism such as a hook and loop fastening mechanism. The tote bag may be easily removed from the top of the rolling suitcase during security check in, for example, simply by releasing any securing devices of the sleeve and lifting the tote bag with attachment apparatus strap surrounding to place onto the moving belt for security inspection. An additional benefit of the attachment apparatus is here provided in extra support for containing the contents of the tote bag. 
       FIG. 5 b    shows a front view of basketball  20  sitting on top of suitcase  19  adjacent to extendible handle  18  secured with device  10  using a hook and loop fastening mechanism to support parcel  17  from sliding or falling off if the user were to turn a sharp corner with the rolling suitcase. This illustration is used to show the universality of the parcel that could be placed on top of suitcase  19 . 
       FIG. 5 c    shows a rear view of basketball  20  sitting on top of suitcase  19  with the universal configuration of strap mechanism  10 . Sleeve  14  is located on the outside surface of device  10 . 
     It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variances which fall within the scope of the invention.