Patent Publication Number: US-2005126872-A1

Title: Convertible luggage

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates to the field of luggage.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Conventional luggage, e.g., a suitcase, may be used for packing and/or storing one or more items, e.g. clothing. A user may use the luggage, for example, for transferring the items from a first location to a second location, e.g., when traveling.  
      The user may pack the items at the first location and transfer the luggage to the second location. The user may unpack at the second location at least some of the packed items and arrange them, e.g., on a shelf of a closet, in order, for example, to conveniently access them in the future.  
      The user may then re-pack the unpacked items, e.g., in order to transfer them to yet another location or back to the first location.  
      The unpacking, arranging and/or re-packing of the items in the luggage may be time consuming. A user traveling relatively frequently and/or for relatively short periods of time, for example, a businessman, may spend a relatively large amount of time for packing, unpacking and/or arranging the items.  
     SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS O THE INVENTION  
      Embodiments of the invention may include a luggage with a flexible collapsible compartmented interior structure adapted, for example, for convenient packing, unpacking and storage, e.g., temporary storage, of packed items.  
      Embodiments of the present invention provide a convertible luggage including a flexible collapsible, compartmented interior structure able to fit, when in a collapsed state, into an interior of the luggage, and to be transformed from the collapsed state into a temporary sturdy expanded state when the luggage is open.  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the interior structure may include a compartmented flexible interior arrangement, and a support mechanism able to support the interior arrangement when the interior structure is in the expanded position.  
      According to some exemplary embodiments, the support mechanism may include two generally stiff support arrangements located, e.g., at two opposite sides of the interior arrangement, respectively.  
      According to some exemplary embodiments, the convertible luggage may include a support connector able to connect the support mechanism to the interior arrangement.  
      According to one exemplary embodiment, the support mechanism may be rotated with respect to the interior arrangement, and placed on a top surface of the interior arrangement when the interior structure is in the collapsed state.  
      According to another exemplary embodiment, the support mechanism may include a telescopic mechanism able to be in an expanded state and a closed state according to the state of the interior structure. The telescopic mechanism may include a telescopic bar and/or a handle able to assist in locking and unlocking the telescopic mechanism.  
      According to exemplary embodiments, the interior arrangement may include one or more generally stiff horizontal separators and/or one or more generally flexible vertical separators. A length and a width of the one or more horizontal separators may be smaller than a length and a width of the interior of the luggage, respectively.  
      According to exemplary embodiments, the convertible luggage may include at least one handle for lifting the interior structure.  
      According to exemplary embodiments, the interior structure may be removed from the luggage.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanied drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a flexible collapsible compartmented interior structure according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of the structure of  FIG. 1  in an expanded state according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of the structure of  FIG. 1  in a transitional expand-collapse state according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a flexible collapsible compartmented interior structure according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention;  
       FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of a handle of the structure of  FIG. 4  according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;  
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are schematic illustrations of a telescopic mechanism in an open state and in a closed state, respectively, according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of the structure of  FIG. 4 , in a collapsed state according to exemplary embodiments of the invention; and  
       FIG. 8  is a schematic illustration of a support connector according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
      It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the drawings have not necessarily been drawn accurately or to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity or several physical components included in one functional block or element. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the drawings to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Moreover, some of the blocks depicted in the drawings may be combined into a single function.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
      In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and structures may not have been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.  
      Embodiments of the invention may include a luggage with a flexible collapsible compartmented interior structure adapted, for example, for convenient packing, unpacking and storage, e.g., temporary storage, of packed items, as described below.  
      According to embodiments of the invention, the interior structure may be able to fit when in a collapsed state into an interior of the luggage, and to be transformed from the collapsed state into a temporary sturdy expanded state when the luggage is open, as described below.  
      Reference is made to  FIG. 1 , which schematically illustrates a flexible collapsible, compartmented interior structure  100  according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
      According to the exemplary embodiments of  FIG. 1 , structure  100  may include a compartmented flexible interior arrangement  101  having one or more generally stiff horizontal separators  105 , which may function as shelves, and two or more generally soft (e.g., flexible) vertical separators  106 , which may function as walls. Separators  105  may have a length and a width smaller than a width and length of an interior of a luggage  110 . A total thickness of separators  105  may be smaller compared to a height of the interior of luggage  110 . Thus arrangement  101  may be fitted, for example, when in a collapsed state, e.g., as described below, into the interior of luggage  110 .  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, arrangement  101  may include any desired number of separators  106  and/or separators  105  having any desired shape and/or size. For example, arrangement  101  may include a relatively large number of separators  105  and/or separators  106  in order to allow separately packing and/or storing of a relatively large number of items.  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, structure  100  may also include a support mechanism able to support arrangement  101  when in an expanded state, e.g., as described below.  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the support mechanism may include two generally stiff support arrangements  103 , e.g., located on two sides of arrangement  101 , respectively. Support arrangements  103  may include “leg” elements formed of any suitable relatively stiff material, e.g., metal or plastic.  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, structure  100  and/or arrangement  101  may or may not be attached to luggage  110 , e.g., to the interior bottom surface of luggage  110 . In some exemplary embodiments, when luggage  110  is opened, structure  100  may be detached and removed from luggage  110  and may be used, for example, as a stand-alone compartmented structure, e.g., for temporary storage of items.  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, structure  100  may be used in an expanded (“open”) state or in a collapsed (“closed”) state, as described below.  
      Reference is made to  FIG. 2 , which schematically illustrates structure  100  in the expanded state according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.  
      As shown in  FIG. 2 , when the collapsible interior is in the expanded state, legs  103  may be generally vertical to a surface, e.g., a floor, on which structure  100  may be positioned. Legs  103  may be attached to an outer part of arrangement  101 , for example, by one or more detachable connectors  104  or any other suitable detachable attachment elements, e.g., clips. In the expanded state of structure  100 , vertical walls  106  may be generally stretched to their full size, e.g., forming expanded interior compartments in arrangement  101 . Furthermore, in the expanded state of structure  100 , legs  103  may temporarily support arrangement  101  such that arrangement  101 , e.g., including walls  106  and separators  105 , is generally sturdy and steady.  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, structure  100  when in the expanded state, may be either attached to the luggage or may be pulled out of the luggage and placed, for example, directly on the floor.  
      Reference is made to  FIG. 3 , which schematically illustrates structure  100  in a transitional expand-collapse state according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, a user may use one hand to hold a handle  102 , e.g., connected to a top of arrangement  101 , and to slightly lift structure  100 . Using another hand, the user may detach one leg  103  from arrangement  101 , e.g., by detaching connectors  104 , pull the leg, rotate the leg, e.g., by 270 degrees, and place the rotated leg, e.g., on top of arrangement  101 . After completing this procedure with one leg, the user may repeat the same procedure with the other leg. Once both legs are placed on top of arrangement  101 , arrangement  101  may be free to collapse downward, e.g., by gravity, and may be conveniently tucked inside the luggage (not shown in  FIG. 3 ).  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, interior structure  100  may be tightly collapsed and tucked inside the luggage, and secured using straps or any other suitable securing means (not shown in the drawings), e.g., as are known in the art. The straps or other securing means may be used to lock interior structure  100  in a closed position and prevent undesired, e.g., spontaneous, opening of the interior structure, for example, due to a pressure exerted by items tightly stored in the compartments of the structure. Legs  103  may rest on top of arrangement  101 . The collapsed state is not particularly shown in the drawings, but should be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art in view of the various descriptions and illustrations herein.  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, a user may open the luggage and may release the straps or other securing means of the structure  100 . The user may then pull handle  102 , e.g., using one hand, and may proceed to pull the entire interior structure out of the luggage. Once the interior structure is substantially completely open, the user may use another hand to rotate one leg  103 , e.g., by approximately 270 degrees, to a generally vertical position, and may attach the rotated leg to the body of the interior structure, e.g., by connectors  104 . Once finished with one leg, the user may repeat the same procedure with the other leg.  
      According to other embodiments of the invention, the flexible collapsible compartmented interior structure may include any other desired configuration to support the interior structure in an expanded state and to transform the interior structure from the expanded state into the collapsed state, e.g., as described below.  
      Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which schematically illustrates a flexible collapsible, compartmented interior structure  400  according to another exemplary embodiment of the invention.  
      According to the exemplary embodiments of  FIG. 4 , structure  400  may include a compartmented flexible arrangement  401  having one or more generally stiff horizontal separators  405 , which may function as shelves, and two or more generally soft (e.g., flexible) vertical separators  406 , which may function as walls. Separators  405  may have a length and a width smaller than a width and a length of an interior of a luggage  410 . A total thickness of separators  405  may be smaller compared to a height of the interior of luggage  410 . Thus arrangement  401  may be fitted, for example, when in a collapsed state, e.g., as described below, into the interior of luggage  410 .  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, arrangement  401  may include any desired number of separators  406  and/or separators  405  having any desired shape and/or size. For example, arrangement  401  may include a relatively large number of separators  405  and/or separators  406  in order to allow separately packing and/or storing of a relatively large number of items.  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, structure  400  may also include a support mechanism to support arrangement  401  when in an expanded state, e.g., as described below.  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, structure  400  may include two telescopic mechanisms  403 , e.g., located on two sides of structure  400 , respectively. Mechanism  403  may include, for example, one or more, e.g. a pair, of “telescopic” bars  415  of any suitable relatively stiff material, e.g., metal or plastic. Bar  415  may be closed or expanded, as is known in the art.  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, mechanism  403  may also include a handle  421 , e.g., a plastic handle, connected, for example, by a connector  422 , to a first end of telescopic bar  415 , e.g., such that each pair of bars  415  is connected to one handle  421 .  
      Reference is also made to  FIG. 5 , which schematically illustrates handle  421  according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, handle  421  may include a button  504 , e.g., located at the bottom of handle  421 . Button  504  may be associated with a locking mechanism (not shown), e.g., as is known in the art, for locking telescopic bars  415  connected to handle  421 . For example, telescopic bars  415  may be opened or closed relatively freely when button  504  is pressed. Once button  504  is released, the telescopic bars may be locked in their current position, whether opened or closed.  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, mechanism  403  may be in a collapsed (“closed”) state or in an expanded (“open”) state, as described below.  
      Reference is made to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , which schematically illustrate telescopic mechanism  403  in an expanded state and in a closed state, respectively, according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.  
      A second end of each telescopic bar  415  may be connected by a connector  640  to a predetermined surface, for example, a bottom surface of structure  400  ( FIG. 4 ) or an outer surface of arrangement  401  ( FIG. 4 ). Alternatively, the support surface may include an interior surface of luggage  410 . Accordingly, structure  400  ( FIG. 4 ) may be attached to the interior surface of luggage  410 .  
      Referring back to  FIG. 4 , handle  421  may be connected to arrangement  401 , for example, by a support connector  450 , e.g., as described below. Thus, arrangement  401  may be used in an expanded state or in a collapsed state corresponding to an expanded state and a collapsed state of sub-structures  403 , respectively, as described below.  
      As shown in  FIG. 4 , when structure  400  is in the expanded state, bars  415  may be generally vertical to a surface, e.g., a floor or the interior surface of luggage  410 , on which structure  400  may be positioned. In the expanded state of structure  400 , vertical walls  406  may be generally stretched to their full size, e.g., forming expanded interior compartments in arrangement  401 . Furthermore, in the expanded state of structure  400 , bars  415  may support structure  400  such that arrangement  401 , e.g., including walls  406  and separators  405 , is generally sturdy and steady.  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, structure  400  when in the expanded state, may be attached to luggage  410 .  
      According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, a user may hold both handles  421  and press buttons  504  ( FIG. 5 ). While holding the buttons, the user may push the handles down towards the bottom of the luggage until the interior arrangement is completely tucked inside the luggage. The user may then release buttons  504  ( FIG. 5 ) such that bars  415  are locked in the closed state.  
      Reference is made to  FIG. 7 , which schematically illustrates structure  400  in the collapsed state according to exemplary embodiments of the invention.  
      As illustrated by  FIG. 7 , structure  400  may be tightly collapsed and tucked inside luggage  410 . At this state telescopic bars  415  (not shown in  FIG. 7 ) may be locked, e.g., in order to prevent spontaneous opening of structure  400 .  
      In order to expand structure  400 , a user may, for example, hold handles  421  and press buttons  504  ( FIG. 5 ). While holding buttons  504  ( FIG. 5 ) pressed, the user may pull structure  400  up, e.g., by pulling up handles  421 , until bars  415  ( FIG. 1 ) are fully expanded. The user may then release buttons  504  ( FIG. 5 ) to lock bars  415  ( FIG. 1 ) at a current, e.g., expanded, position.  
      Reference is made to  FIG. 8 , which schematically illustrates support connector  450  according to some exemplary embodiments of the invention.  
      According to some exemplary embodiments of the invention, connector  450  may be connected, e.g., fixedly attached, to arrangement  401 , and detachably connected to handle  421 . For example, connector  450  may include two generally flexible connecting elements, e.g., plastic connecting elements  452 , to fit in two respective gaps of handle  421 . Handle  421  may be detached from connector  450 , for example, by pressing elements  452  towards each other.  
      While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.