Abstract:
The portable device for storing and retrieving items of apparel reduces the burden of packing and unpacking items. The portable device comprises a housing made of a first housing member and a second housing member ( 20, 30, 90 ) that is attached to at least one extension member ( 10, 28 ). The extension member can hold a plurality of apparel items ( 12 ). The portable device can be opened to view all of the well-organized items or the luggage can be closed to move the items as desired by a user. This can enable the user to easily travel without the burden of packing and unpacking because the items only leave the luggage when the items are in use.

Description:
STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to International Application PCT/US12/48396 filed on Jul. 26, 2012. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to containers comprised of a plurality of housing members, and having an access opening. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Prior to the disclosed invention, a user had to pack and unpack for a trip by placing items in a container and removing those items from a container. The arrangement of structural members in the container made inserting and removing items into the container needlessly time consuming and cumbersome as shown below. The present invention eliminates the need to pack and unpack and the time consumed by doing such. 
     Turning briefly to the prior art, U.S. Pat. App. No. 2010/0117499 A1 by Fortier teaches a telescopic storage device. The device comprises a series of shelves stacked one upon another with telescoping poles. The purpose of the extension members is to make the device portable while not in use. This has little to do with the present invention which teaches transporting apparel items on a extension member whether the member is expanded or contracted. Fortier teaches transporting material only in an expanded position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 2,476,932 issued to Trucker teaches a traveling case having a divided fabric sections. The device comprises a coat rack covered by a divided fabric sections. However, it does not teach extension members, rather, the entire device has a fixed construction and it simply solves a problem that existed in WWII that has matured into the problem the disclosed invention now seeks to solve. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,607,535 issued to Jackson teaches a apparel items container with an extendable apparel items hanging system. Basically, a user can pull a apparel items hanger upwards from a piece of luggage. The present invention teaches extension members that can carry apparel items whether the extension member is expanded or contracted. Were Jackson to contract his device, apparel items would fall to the floor. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention teaches a portable device for storing and retrieving items of apparel. The portable device comprises, a housing comprising at least a first housing member and a second housing member configured to detachably engage each other to selectively close and open the housing as desired, and at least one telescoping extension member affixed to one of the two housing members. The extension member is configured so as to be minimized when the at least two housing members are engaged to each other, and to be maximized when the at least two housing members are detached. The extension member is further configured to support a plurality of apparel items thereon in a manner so that whether minimized or maximized the apparel items remain suitably supported so that the items need not be removed when the housing members are engaged for transport. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention illustrated in contracted state. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention illustrated in expanded state. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention illustrated in expanded state. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention illustrated in expanded state. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention illustrated in expanded state. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention illustrated in expanded state. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the laundry bag only. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the laundry bag only. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic view of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the invention belt track device window shade. 
         FIG. 11  is a section view of the invention locking extension member illustrated in closed position. 
         FIG. 12  is a section view of the invention locking extension member illustrated in extended position. 
         FIG. 13  is a section view of the extension member with interior springs and interior wire connected to retractable spool showed in closed position. 
         FIG. 14  is a section view of the extension member with interior springs and interior wire connected to retractable spool showed in extended position. 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of the extension member with vertical slots and tracks for axles illustrated in extended configuration. 
         FIG. 16  is a side view of the extension member with vertical slots and tracks for axles illustrated in extended configuration. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of the extension member with vertical slots and tracks for axles illustrated in contracted configuration. 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of the invention for the ball bearing rings for the interior ball bearing assisted telescopic poles. 
         FIG. 19  is a top view of the invention for the ball bearing rings for the exterior ball bearing assisted telescopic poles. 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the invention for the ball bearing assisted telescopic poles. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention overcome many of the obstacles associated with packing and unpacking while traveling, and now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings that show some, but not all embodiments of the claimed inventions. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     There are numerous portable containers that can be configured with extension members in numerous manners. The following configurations are merely exemplary. By way of example  FIG. 9  provides a possible flow chart of the numerous possibilities for apparatus assembly. A user can create a container to be one of: a full separated container that detaches or separates ( FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 ); a hinged container ( FIG. 21 ,  FIG. 22 ), a container with a door or a fully removable container door. Those containers can be assembled to have floors, telescopic poles, expanding ceilings, expanding doors, expanding walls, arms, finger grasps, bags, belt track device, pulleys, pre-packed imbedded elements, sliding tracks and more as explained in  FIG. 9 . Additionally, portable containers can be assembled with elements. A common theme through these containers is at least one extension member, which is described in more detail in the embodiments below. 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  show a portable container comprising a housing. The housing comprises first housing member  20  and second housing member  30  detachably engaged by telescoping pole  10 . Here telescoping pole  10  is affixed to first housing member  20  and second housing member  30 . In this embodiment, telescoping pole  10  is an extension member. In this configuration, telescoping pole  10  can be minimized when the two housing members are engaged to each other (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) or maximized when the two housing members are detached (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). Telescoping pole  10  is sturdy and made of sufficiently strong material to hold a plurality of hangers  14  which further contain a plurality of apparel items  12 . 
     Second housing member  30  is mechanically coupled to female coupling  18  which can accommodate male guidepost  16  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ). Second housing member  30  is further mechanically coupled to pockets  26  which can store additional items. Locks  100  can engage to secure the portable container. Additionally, locks  100  can be incorporated with male guidepost  16  and female coupling  18  depending on user preference. 
       FIG. 3  shows the portable container comprising a housing. Here, second telescoping pole  10  is also attached to first housing member  20  and second housing member  30 . First housing member  20  is mechanically coupled to basket  32  that eliminates the possibility apparel items  12  becoming caught between first housing member  20  and second housing member  30  while contracting the two housing members. Ribbon  24  is further mechanically coupled to buckle  34  which can be used to secure apparel items  12  in transit. 
       FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6  show an alternate embodiment of the extension member. Here, a first telescopic track  28  is attached to first housing member  20  and second housing member  30 . As indicated above, second housing member  30  is mechanically coupled to female coupling  18  which can accommodate male guidepost  16 . Second housing member  30  is further mechanically coupled to pockets  26  which can store additional items. Locks  100  can engage to secure the portable container. First housing member  20  is mechanically coupled to basket  32  which prevents articles from obstructing the housing members from engaging. Ribbon  24  is further mechanically coupled to buckle  34  which can be used to secure apparel items  12  in transit. 
     This configuration is exemplary and other forms of telescopic extension members can be utilized in addition to telescopic track  28  such as columnar telescopic extension members or screw type extension members. 
       FIG. 21  shows an alternate embodiment of the extension member. Here, the extension member is telescoping pole  10  adjacent to a second pole where the second pole comprises spring housing sleeve  102 . Spring housing sleeve  102  is mechanically coupled to wheel with springs  88 . Apparel items  12  hung from telescoping pole  10  by hanger  14  can be secured to hinged container  90  by ribbon  98  which further comprises a couple (not shown) in a similar construction to ribbon  24  described above. Hinged container  90  comprises a first housing member mechanically coupled to a second housing member by a hinge. 
       FIG. 22  shows an alternate embodiment of the extension member. Here, the extension member is a first telescoping pole  10 . First telescoping pole  10  is mechanically coupled to attach ball joint  94 . Ball joint  94  is further attached to a second telescoping pole  10  and a vertical extension member. Here, the vertical member is locking telescoping pole  96 . Ball joint  94 , is an example of a connection that fulfills this purpose, however, any device with the ability to swivel is sufficient. In this configuration second telescoping pole  10  is a second extension member and locking telescoping pole  96  is a third extension member. Locking telescopic pole  96  can be lowered and used to support both telescopic poles  10 , which support apparel items  12  hung from hanger  14  on first telescoping pole  10  and second telescoping pole  10 . Alternately, or in conjunction with locking telescoping pole  96 , a user can hold onto loop  92  to provide support or to extend ball joint  94  away from hinged container  90 . In this manner, first telescoping pole  10  and second telescoping pole  10  can extend away from the housing while providing support for apparel items  12  suspended from first telescoping pole  10  and second telescoping pole  10 . Hinged container  90  comprises a first housing member mechanically coupled to a second housing member by a hinge. 
     The devices described in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 21 , and  FIG. 22  can use laundry bag  36  to store dirty laundry as shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . Laundry bag  36  can be used to segregate clean apparel items  12  from apparel items  12  that require laundering. Laundry bag  36  can be accessed by laundry bag zipper  38  and is mechanically coupled to laundry bag pocket  40 . Laundry bag  36  can be hung from an extension member by hanger  14 . Laundry bag  36  can be temporarily coupled to housing member  30  by a hook and loop fastener such as the one trademarked under the name Velcro®, snaps, zipper, buttons or in any other known manner to keep apparel  12  hanging upon hanger  14  which can rest upon telescopic pole  10  or telescopic track  28  adjacent to the housing member coupled to ribbon  34  or ribbon  98 . The detachable coupling between the vertical edges of laundry bag  36  the interior container walls can be made of known materials. 
     The extension member can be built in a large number of ways including utilizing docking port element ( FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 12 ), utilizing rotating elements such as a retractable spool ( FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 14 ), utilizing a telescoping pole ( FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 19 ,  FIG. 20 ) and utilizing a telescopic track ( FIG. 15 ,  FIG. 16 ,  FIG. 17 ). 
     Of course, these configurations are exemplary and additional extension members can be used such as screw type extension members, pneumatic extension members, and hydraulic extension members. 
       FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12  show docking port  60 . In this example, telescopic pole  10  can have its movement stopped and locked into the extended position by having media ball  64  inserted into docking port  60 . In some embodiments, media ball  64  is pulled into docking port  65  elastic band  62 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , a variety of extension member is explained. Retractable spool  66  comprises spring  72  mechanically coupled to wind cord  74  which includes wire  68 . Retractable spool  66  comprises slot  70 . Arm  76  protrudes from slot  70 . In some embodiments arm  76  is L-shaped and wire  68  can be a cord made of material rather than a wire made of metal. When the extension member is extended retractable spool  66  is would and when retractable spool  66  is released, the extension member is contracted as spring  72  pulls wire  74  that is attached to most interior components of extension member  10 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 15 ,  FIG. 16  and  FIG. 17 , first pole  48  slides upon first U-shaped track  42 , second pole  50  slides upon second U-shaped track  44  and third pole  52  slides upon third U-shaped track  46 . In use, a series of drawers (not pictured) can rest upon first pole  48 , second pole  50  and third pole  52 . 
       FIG. 18  shows ball bearing ring  80  with housing ball bearings  84  protruding through the housing. Ball bearing ring  80  is mechanically coupled to the outside of interior telescopic poles. 
       FIG. 19  shows ring  82  with housing ball bearings  78  protruding through the housing. Ball bearing ring  82  is mechanically coupled to the inside external telescopic poles at the end of the external telescopic pole. 
       FIG. 20  shows a ball bearing assisted telescopic pole.  FIG. 20  shows and interior pole with ball bearing ring  84  mechanically coupled to the outside of the interior pole. In some configurations, ball bearing ring  84  can be welded to the outside of the interior pole.  FIG. 20  also shows an exterior pole with ball bearing ring  78  mechanically coupled to its interior located terminus of the exterior pole. Alternately, the ball bearings may be stationary and attached to ball bearing ring  84  and still reduce friction since the surface and contact between the interior elements of the extension member is reduced to a ball bearing point of contact with the adjacent element of the extension member. 
       FIG. 20  shows the collision of ball bearing ring  78  with ball bearing ring  84 . This collision stops movement of the interior pole as it moves inside the exterior pole and not only does it stop movement, but it prevents the interior pole and the exterior pole from separating. The position of the second ball bearing ring  84  relative to the first ball bearing ring  84  that collides with ball bearing ring  78  acts as a fulcrum and eliminates the interior telescopic pole and the exterior telescopic pole from sagging. Ball bearing assisted telescopic poles as shown in  FIG. 18 ,  FIG. 19 , and  FIG. 20  limit friction to just the surface of the ball bearings so the interior pole glides smoothly against the exterior pole and the exterior pole glides smoothly against the interior pole. 
     As noted in  FIG. 9  there is an assortment of additional components that can be added to a portable container including rolled vinyl  56  which is explained in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 10  shows rolled vinyl  56 . Rolled vinyl  56  can be unrolled to reveal hanging vinyl  58 . A user can utilize rolled vinyl  56  to cover apparel items  12  on hanger  14 .