Patent Publication Number: US-2013248309-A1

Title: Luggage With Rechargeable Power Supply and Storage Shelves

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to luggage, and more particularly to a travel bag that is incorporates a built-in rechargeable battery for recharging computers and other personal electronic devices. The inventive luggage further comprises storage shelves that are retained in the luggage and easily slid out of and into the luggage; one shelf is adapted for holding liquids in containers appropriate for carry-on luggage in domestic flights and the other shelf is adapted for holding a laptop computer. Both shelves are easily moved to an extended position to expose liquids and a laptop computer in an appropriate manner for security screening at airports. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Air travelers are very familiar with security screening regulations currently in place at airports in the United States for domestic flights and at foreign airports for flights into the US. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has put in place numerous regulations for security screening. While the vast majority of air travelers recognize the importance of these security screening measures for insuring safety, travelers are just as aware of the slowdowns and delays caused by current safety screening requirements. Frequent flyers are especially aware of safety screening requirements as these flyers are often subject to screening multiple times every day. 
     Among other TSA requirements, liquids, aerosols and gels, are allowed in carry-on luggage only in limited quantities. The TSA currently follows the “3-1-1” rule: each traveler is limited to carrying aboard an aircraft liquids in a 3.4 ounce (100 ml) bottle or less (by volume) , in a 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag, with 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. By consolidating the bottles into one bag and X-raying them separately from the carry-on bag enables security officers to quickly clear the items. 
     Laptop computers are similarly subject to special screening rules. Generally speaking, the laptop must be placed in a bin on the x-ray conveyer such that there is nothing above or below the computer and so that the computer lies flat. Moreover, TSA regulations currently specify that the distance between the bottom of the computer and the conveyer is no more than 1¼ inches. There are some “checkpoint friendly” laptop bags on the market that purportedly make security screening easier. The TSA indicates that such bags have a designated laptop-only section that has no metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on-top of the laptop-only section, that there are no pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section, that there is nothing in the laptop compartment other than the laptop, and that the traveler must completely unfold the bag so that there is nothing above or below the laptop-only section, allowing the bag to lie flat on the X-ray belt. 
     All air travelers will appreciate that despite advancements in checkpoint friendly luggage such as those just described, there is a serious need for luggage that makes passage through security screening checkpoints more efficient and fast. Such luggage should recognize the dual needs of simplifying use for the traveler, while making security screening simple and reliable. 
     At the same time, most travelers utilize one or more personal electronic devices such as a laptop, smart phone, and electronic tablets. These devices are indispensable to many travelers but are notorious for needing recharging. As a result, quick recharging stations can be found strategically located in most airports. Despite the convenience of such recharging stations, there is a clear need for alternate methods of charging personal electronic devices while traveling. 
     The present invention comprises a carry-on bag that addresses each of the needs described above. 
     In one embodiment, the invention is defined by luggage that incorporates a rechargeable battery that may be used to recharge personal electronic devices. 
     In another embodiment, the invention is defined by luggage that includes an integral shelf for holding liquids, aerosols and gels in the 1-quart zip top bag approved by the TSA. The shelf is easily slid out of the luggage when the luggage is placed on the x-ray conveyer so that the bag holding the liquids, aerosols and gels is appropriately exposed for proper security screening. 
     In yet another embodiment, the invention is defined by luggage that includes an integral shelf for holding a laptop computer. The shelf is easily slid out of the luggage when the luggage is placed on the x-ray conveyer so that computer is appropriately exposed for proper security screening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will be apparent by reference to the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the following drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a piece of luggage according to the present invention showing some internal components and illustrating the liquid-tray and laptop tray in their out or extended positions. In  FIG. 1  the luggage is lying flat as it would normally be laid on an x-ray conveyer belt. 
         FIG. 1A  is a side elevation view of the luggage shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating the liquid and laptop trays and their orientation relative to the luggage. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a second piece of luggage according to the present invention, similar to the luggage shown in  FIG. 1  except larger in dimensions, showing some internal components and illustrating the liquid-tray and laptop tray in their out or extended positions. In  FIG. 2  the luggage is lying flat as it would normally be laid on an x-ray conveyer belt. 
         FIG. 2A  is a side elevation view of the luggage shown in  FIG. 2  illustrating the liquid and laptop trays and their orientation relative to the luggage. 
         FIGS. 3 through 6  are perspective views of yet another piece of luggage according to the present invention: 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of luggage in which the liquid and laptop trays are shown in their stowed positions. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the luggage shown in  FIG. 3  illustrating the laptop tray being slid longitudinally out of the main body of the luggage. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the luggage shown in  FIG. 3  illustrating the alternative pivotal movement of both the laptop and liquid trays. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the luggage shown in  FIG. 3  illustrating the both the laptop and liquid trays being slid longitudinally out of the main body of the luggage. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An article of luggage  10  incorporating the illustrated invention is shown in the figures as having a main body  12  with an extendable/retractable handle  14  and with wheels  16 . Main body  12  defines a rectangular geometric configuration with, for purposes herein, a front panel  18 , rear panel  20 , opposed side panels  22  and  24 , respectively, and opposed top and bottom panels  26  and  28 , respectively. A hand grip  30  is attached to side panel  24 . Throughout this specification, like structures shown in different drawings are given the same reference numbers. More specifically, like structures in the piece of luggage  110  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 2A  are identified with the same reference numbers as the corresponding structures in  FIGS. 1 and 1A . And like structures in the luggage  200  shown in  FIGS. 3 through 6  are assigned the same reference numbers as corresponding structures in  FIGS. 1 ,  1 A and  2  and  2 A. 
     At times herein, relative directional terms are used to identify structural features of the invention and their relationship to other features. The geometric center of main body  12  is considered to be the “center” of luggage  10  and the hand grip  10  will be considered at the upper or top end of the mail body; the wheels  16  are located at the lower or bottom end of the main body. Other relative directional terms correspond to this convention: “inner” or “inward” refers to the geometric center of the main body, or the direction toward the geometric center, and so on. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 1 and 1A , luggage  10  comprises the following components. As detailed below, these same components are also found in the article of luggage  200  illustrated in the embodiment of  FIGS. 3 through 6 .
         1) a laptop tray  50  that is reciprocally and slidably extendable out of and into top panel  26  of main body  12  as illustrated with arrows A in  FIGS. 1 and 1A ;   2) a liquids tray  100  that is reciprocally and slidably extendable out of and into bottom panel  28  of main body  12  as illustrated with arrows B in  FIGS. 1 and 1A ; and   3) an integrated rechargeable battery system  150  that is housed within main body  12  and which includes electrical connections adapted for recharging personal electronic devices.       

     Each of these three components is described below. 
     1. Laptop Tray  50   
     As noted, laptop tray  50  is reciprocally slidable into and out of the main body  12 , which defines a frame structure for attaching the laptop tray  50 . The tray is sized to hold a conventional laptop computer  52  and may be fitted with optional retaining straps  54  to retain the laptop  52  on the tray  50 . The tray has opposed lateral edges that are slidable in appropriate tracks in the interior of main body  12  of luggage  10 . It will be appreciated that there are numerous structures known to those of ordinary skill in the art to slidably attach a tray in the manner illustrated and described. For example, rails may be attached to the structural frame or opposed interior sides of the main body  12  of luggage  10  and the tray  50  may be fitted with wheels that ride in the rails. As another example, the tray  50  may be reciprocally movable in slots formed in the interior sides of the main body  12 . The tray  50  is movable between an extended position shown in  FIG. 1  and a stowed position (not shown) in which the tray  50  is completely contained within the main body. In the stowed position, the tray is latched in place with an appropriate latching mechanism to retain the tray in the stowed position and to prevent unintended movement of the tray to the extended position. The top panel  26  may include a zippered compartment or equivalent covering to hide and protect the laptop tray  50  when it is in the stowed position. 
     Laptop tray  50  is preferably designed so that it meets TSA guidelines for security inspection of a laptop computer when the tray is in its extended position and the luggage  10  is laid flat on an x-ray conveyer belt as shown in the figures—that is, when the rear panel  20  of luggage  10  is laid onto the conveyer and the wheels  16  are on the conveyer. For instance, laptop tray  50  is a designated laptop-only section that has no metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on-top of the laptop tray  50 , there are no pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop tray  50 . Accordingly, there is nothing in the laptop tray  50  other than the laptop  52  and with the tray  50  in the extended position the traveler laptop “compartment” is completely unfolded so that there is nothing above or below the laptop tray  50  (except of course the supporting panel portion of the tray on which the laptop rests), allowing the laptop  52  to lie flat on or parallel to and closely spaced apart from the x-ray belt for good security screening. More specifically, the laptop tray  50  is installed in luggage  10  so that when the luggage is lying on its rear panel  20  on a conveyer with the laptop tray  50  in its extended position, the lower surface of a computer  52  held on the tray is separated from the conveyer by no more than 1¼ inches. Because there are no structural parts from luggage  10  either above or below the laptop  52  when the tray  50  is in its extended position as shown in  FIG. 1 , the luggage  10  may be scanned without requiring removal of the laptop  52  from the tray  50 . Upwardly projecting peripheral side edges  56  help retain the laptop  52  in place in the tray  50  and as noted, the laptop tray  52  includes a support panel on which the laptop rests. 
     The laptop tray may include interior padding  56  and/or strips of padding, both on the inner-facing edges of side edges  56  and on the support panel, that pad the computer  52  to prevent damage while in transit, and also to allow the user to adjust the relative size of the laptop tray to accommodate and snugly retain laptops having different dimensions. 
     2. Liquids Tray  100   
     As with laptop tray  50 , liquids tray  100  is reciprocally slidable into and out of the main body  12 , but as shown in the drawings, liquids tray  100  is slidable out of the opposite end of luggage  10  in bottom  28 . The liquids tray  100  is appropriately sized to hold a traveler&#39;s liquids in compliance with TSA regulations, and especially the 1-quart zip top bags, shown schematically at  102 , that comply with the “3-1-1” rule. As described above with respect to laptop tray  50 , the liquids tray  100  has opposed lateral edges that are slidable in appropriate tracks in the interior of main body  12  of luggage  10 . And again as described above, it will be appreciated that there are numerous structures known to those of ordinary skill in the art to slidably attach a tray in the manner illustrated and described. And like the laptop tray  50 , liquids tray  100  has upwardly extending peripheral side edges  104  that help retain liquids within the confines of the tray. 
     The liquids tray  100  is movable between an extended position shown in  FIG. 1  and a stowed position (not shown) in which the tray  100  is completely contained within the main body. In the stowed position, the tray is latched in place with an appropriate latching mechanism to retain the tray in the stowed position and to prevent unintended movement of the tray to the extended position. The bottom panel  28  may include a zippered compartment or equivalent covering to hide and protect the liquids tray  100  when it is in the stowed position. As with laptop tray  50 , when the luggage  10  is laid with its rear panel  16  on an x-ray conveyer belt and liquids tray  100  is in the extended position there are no structural components of the luggage  10  either above or below the liquids tray that would interfere with proper x-ray screening. Thus, the support panel portion of the liquids tray on which liquids are supported does not render screening ineffective with respect to TSA screening rules. 
     Main body  12  includes interior compartments that define close-fitting panels that cover the upper (i.e., exposed) portions of both laptop tray  50  and liquids tray  100  when the trays are in their retracted positions. Although the interior panels are now shown in the drawings, the panels fit closely against the upper portions of the trays so that articles retained on the trays are retained tightly in place on the trays when the luggage  10  is moved about. Thus, a laptop  52  is retained snuggly in place in laptop tray  50  when the tray is in its retracted position and while luggage  50  is moved about, even if optional retaining straps  54  are not included and/or used. Likewise, a zip top bag  102  containing multiple individual containers of liquid is retained snuggly in place in liquids tray  100  when the tray is in its retracted position and while luggage  50  is moved about. Because the objects on the trays (i.e., laptop  52  and bag  102 ) are relatively immovable relative to the trays themselves on which they are retained, damage to the objects is prevented. 
     It will be appreciated that the relative positions of laptop tray  50  and liquids tray  100  may be reversed so that the laptop tray slides into and out of the bottom panel  28  and the liquids tray  100  slides into and out of the top panel  26 . 
     3. Battery System  150   
     The rechargeable battery system  150  comprises a rechargeable battery  152  that is removably housed in main body  12 , an electrical interface panel  154  and electric wiring such as a wiring harness  156  that electrically interconnects the battery  152  with the interface panel  154 . Rechargeable battery  152  is a standard battery that is rechargeable with standard 120 volt current from a conventional wall electrical outlet. A typical rechargeable battery useful herein is a lithium ion or lithium polymer type of battery, although those of skill in the art will recognize that there are numerous types of batteries that are appropriate for use with the present invention. The battery  152  is retained in an internal compartment in main body  12  that is accessible for services and replacement of the battery as needed. A conventional recharging cord (not shown) is supplied for recharging the battery  152  with standard current from a wall electrical outlet. 
     The electrical interface panel  154  defines a location where a traveler may connect a variety of different personal electronic devices such as laptop  52 , smart phones and tablets to battery  152  to thereby recharge the batteries in the personal electronic devices. The interface panel  154  is accessible through a closable panel that opens on the side panel  26 , such as a zippered flap. It will be appreciated that there are innumerable recharging interconnect types on the market today. As such, in addition to a standard US compliant plug interface, interface panel includes plural standard charging interconnects—such as, for example, USB connections—so that the traveler is able to connect their various electronic devices to the battery  152  for recharging. It will be understood that in view of the many different standard interconnects on the market today, most travelers and users of electronic devices also carry converters that are capable of interfacing with different interconnects. 
     To recharge an electronic device such as laptop  52 , the recharging cord for the laptop is attached to the appropriate plug in the electrical interface  154 . This may be done with the tray in either its extended position, or its stowed position. In addition, more than one electronic device may be simultaneously attached to interface  154  so that both devices are recharged simultaneously. This is advantageous when a traveler wants to have all electronic devices fully charged at the end of a long flight. The interface  154  may further include battery charge indicators such as light emitting diodes that give the user a quick indication of the state of charge off the battery  152 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 2 and 2A , it may be seen that the size of luggage  10  may be varied to provide a range of sizes from the relatively larger bag shown in  FIGS. 1 and 1A , to the relatively smaller bag  200  shown in  FIG. 2 . The size of the trays  50  and  100  are the same in both  FIGS. 1 and 2 . As such, their relative positions in the bags at which the trays slid in the main body may be varied so that the trays do not hit one another or the battery when in the stowed positions. Thus, in the embodiment of  FIGS. 2 and 2A  the laptop tray  50  is offset in respect of the liquids tray  100  in order for the trays to be fully movable in the luggage. 
     4. Third Embodiment 
     Turning now to the series of  FIGS. 3 through 6 , an alternative third embodiment of an article of luggage  200  according to the present invention is shown. As with the first and second embodiments described above, like structures shown the piece of luggage  200  of  FIGS. 3 through 6  are identified with the same reference numbers as the corresponding structures in  FIGS. 1 and 1A  and  2  and  2 A. 
     As detailed below, there are several differences between the luggage  200  and the luggage  10  of  FIG. 1 . Among those differences is that the main body  202  of the luggage  200  is fabricated from a molded, hard-sided frame-set  204  that defines a rigid back for the luggage and a separate soft-sided luggage portion  206  that is attached to the frame-set  204 . In effect, by manufacturing the luggage  200  with hard-sided frame-set  204  and a separate soft-sided luggage portion  206  allows the pieces to be manufactured and sold separately. For example, one manufacturer may fabricate the frame-set  204  and sell that product to multiple manufacturers who can customize the luggage portion  206  with their own designs and colors, etc. 
     Another primary difference is that the laptop tray  50  and liquids tray  100  that are used with luggage  200  are dual-functioning: both are retractably slidable into and out of the main body  202  of the luggage in much the same manner as detailed above with respect to luggage  10 , but in the embodiment of  FIGS. 3 through 6 , the trays  50  and  100  are also hingedly attached to the main body so that the trays may be pivoted about the hinged attachment for access to the trays while they are in either their extended or retracted positions. 
     The frame-set  204  is preferably molded from a plastic material, although other materials may be used. The frame-set  204  defines the rear panel  20  of the luggage  200  and includes integral wrap around side portions—in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5  the wrap around side portion  208  is visible and in  FIG. 6  the wrap around side portion  210  is visible. The frame-set  204  includes integrally molded opposed skid rails  212 ,  214  into which retractable handle  14  is inserted and the frame-set  204  defines the base for the laptop tray  50  and the liquids tray  100 , both of which are nestled between the opposed skid rails  212  and  214 . The wheels  16  are also attached to the frame-set  204 . 
     As noted, both the laptop tray  50  and the liquids tray  100  are separately reciprocally slidable between retracted positions in which the trays are completely within the outer perimeter of the main body  202 , and extended positions in which the trays are exposed to allow the user to access them. The laptop tray  50  is shown in its extended position in  FIG. 4  and is movable in the direction of arrow A. A door  218  is hinged to the frame-set  204  so that when tray  50  is in its retracted position there is no access to the laptop tray and so that the computer is hidden and protected. The tray is sized to hold a conventional laptop computer (not shown) and may be fitted with optional retaining straps (not shown) to retain the laptop on the tray. The tray  50  has opposed lateral side edges  222  and  224  that are slidable in appropriate tracks formed in the corresponding interior of main body  202 , and more specifically, tracks that are in one embodiment formed in the frame-set  204 . It will be appreciated that there are numerous structures known to those of ordinary skill in the art to slidably attach a tray in the manner illustrated and described. As another example, and as noted above, separate rails may be attached to the frame-set  204  and the tray  50  may be fitted with wheels that ride in the rails. As noted, the tray  50  is movable between the retracted or stowed position shown in  FIG. 3 , and an extended position shown in  FIG. 4  in which the tray  50  is extended out of the main body so that the user may access a computer retained on the tray. In the stowed position, the tray is latched in place with an appropriate latching mechanism to retain the tray in the stowed position and to prevent unintended movement of the tray to the extended position—hinged door  208  may serve this function. 
     Liquids tray  100  is likewise slidably retractable into and out of main body  202  as indicated with arrow A in  FIG. 6 , and may be connected to the main body  202  in the same manner as laptop tray  50 . A hinged door (not shown) also opens and closes access to the liquids tray in the same manner as with hinged door  218  described above. 
     With reference now to  FIG. 5 , both laptop tray  50  and liquids tray  100  are also hingedly connected to the main body  202  so that the trays may be pivoted to provide access to the trays. Specifically, the lower end  226  of tray  50  is pivotally hinged to the frame-set  204 , and the lower end  228  of tray  100  is pivotally hinged to the frame-set  204  so that the trays may separately be pivoted (arrows A and B) from their stowed positions in which the trays are coplanar with the rear panel  20  and an access positions shown in  FIG. 5 . The trays may be pivoted as shown with arrows A and B from their stowed positions to their access positions both when they are in their retracted positions shown in solid lines in  FIG. 5 , and when they are slid into their extended position as exemplarily shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 5  with tray  50 . 
     The embodiment of luggage  200  shown in  FIGS. 3 through 6  includes a rechargeable battery system  150  as detailed in respect of the other embodiments described above, although it is shown only schematically in  FIG. 6 . The battery system  150  comprises a rechargeable battery  152 , an electrical interface panel  154  and electric wiring harness  156  that electrically interconnects the battery with the interface panel and which is routed through a channel formed in the tray. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 3 through 6 , battery  152  is attached to and slidable with laptop tray  50  and the electrical interface panel  154  is located at the opposite (i.e., outermost) edge of the laptop tray, interiorly of hinged door  218 . It will thus be appreciated that when the laptop tray is in the stowed position ( FIG. 3 ), opening of door  218  (as shown in  FIG. 3 ) exposes the interface panel  154  and also allows the laptop tray  50  to be slid outwardly to its extended position ( FIG. 4 ). 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the laptop tray  50  is shown in its extended position. In this position it may be seen that battery  152  and interface panel  154  move with the laptop tray when it is moved between the stowed and opened positions. With the tray in the open position and with the luggage  200  lying with its rear panel  20  resting on a screening conveyer (as in  FIG. 6 , with the conveyer not shown) there is nothing either above or below a laptop retained on tray  50 , and as detailed above with respect to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , there is no greater than 1¼ inches of separation between the lower surface of a computer and the surface of the screening conveyer on which the luggage  200  is lying, thereby satisfying TSA regulations. 
     As noted, both laptop tray  50  and liquids tray  100  are pivotally attached to base frame-set  204 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the pivotal movement of the trays from their home (i.e., stowed) positions to their access positions is illustrated with arrows A and B (for trays  50  and  100 , respectively). It will be noted that when laptop tray  50  is pivoted to its access position, the electrical interface panel  154  does not pivot with the tray and instead remains in place relative to frame-set  204 . 
     Alternately, either or both of the laptop trays  50  and  100  may be installed and equipped such that the trays are pivotally openable to approximately 90 degrees relative to the plane defined by the rear panel  20  of the luggage  200 . In this position with, for example, the luggage resting in the position shown in  FIG. 3  and the laptop tray opened to its 90 degree position (i.e., so the tray is generally parallel to the ground plane), the laptop tray serves and a tray table or work table. 
     While the present invention has been described in terms of preferred and illustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill that the spirit and scope of the invention is not limited to those embodiments, but extend to the various modifications and equivalents as defined in the appended claims.