Patent Publication Number: US-2005121275-A1

Title: Portable organizer

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates generally to luggage. More particularly, the invention relates to luggage containing compartments for organizing the contents within the luggage.  
      There is a great need for luggage that allows a user to transport a variety of objects and materials. Over the years, many types of wheeled luggage have been used to aid a user in rolling luggage over a surface without the need to lift and carry that heavy piece of luggage. It is well-known for such pieces of wheeled luggage to include a handle that extends and retracts in order to allow the user to control the direction the luggage is rolling in.  
      Many different types of luggage have been employed to carry objects or materials. However, such luggage is usually more concerned with maximizing the amount of empty space within the luggage available for use by the user than anything else. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,272 discloses an expandible luggage with locking expansion mechanism. However, this piece of luggage merely expands the dimensions of the body of the luggage in order to create more room for objects, clothing, etc. to be placed within. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,609,598 discloses a luggage piece having a sector-like expandable section. However, this piece of luggage also merely increases the space within the luggage for receiving objects, clothing, etc.  
      While luggage such as those described above may provide means of increasing the interior volume of the luggage, such luggage can always be improved.  
      Accordingly, there is a need for luggage which allows a user to organize the contents within. There is also a need for luggage which provides the user with easy access to the contents within. There is a further need for luggage that provides expandible access to the contents therein. There is an additional need for luggage that provides expandible/collapsible storage therein. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other related advantages.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides luggage which allows a user to organize the contents within. The present invention also provides the user with easy access to the contents within. The present invention additionally provides expandible access to the contents therein. The present invention further provides expandible/collapsible storage.  
      An embodiment of the present invention, in the form of a portable organizer, includes a body defining an interior compartment. The organizer also includes a plurality of trays for holding objects. The trays are disposed within the compartment and movable between a collapsed configuration where all the trays are located within the compartment and an expanded configuration where a number of the plurality of trays extend outwardly from the body. The trays are aligned and operationally connected to each other.  
      The organizer further includes means for locking the trays in the expanded configuration connected to the body. The locking means include at least one telescopically expandable support.  
      The organizer includes at least one pocket connected to an exterior of the body.  
      The trays of the organizer are stacked one atop the other in the collapsed configuration. The trays are connected to an interior framework that is located generally within the compartment and connected to a bottom side of the compartment. The interior framework includes two collapsible sidewalls where the trays are connected to each of the sidewalls. Each tray is connected to a particular location on one of the sidewalls and to a corresponding location on the other of the sidewalls. The interior framework includes means for locking the trays in the expanded configuration. The locking means include at least one telescopically expandable support.  
      The body of the organizer includes a bottom side, a top side, two sidewalls, a front side, and a back side. The top side pivots along an intersection of the top side and back side and the front side pivots along an intersection of the front side and bottom side.  
      A pair of supports connect the front side and sidewalls. Each support includes a first portion connected to one of the side walls and a second portion connected to the front side. The first portion and second portion are connected by a fastening means which may come in various forms, including, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners.  
      Each sidewall of the body includes a pocket. Each sidewall may also include a handle. The top side of the body also includes a handle.  
      The organizer includes means for fastening the top side and the sidewalls. The organizer also includes means for fastening the front side and the sidewalls. The organizer further includes means for fastening the top side and front side.  
      The organizer includes a pair of wheels operationally connected to the body. The organizer additionally includes a handle connected to the body and extendable between a retracted position and an extended position. The wheels and handle may each be connected to an exterior framework that is itself connected to the body.  
      Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:  
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are orthogonal views illustrating a piece of luggage embodying the present invention showing, respectively, a handle extended and the handle retracted;  
       FIGS. 3 and 4  are front and rear views of the luggage of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are side views of the luggage of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIGS. 7 and 8  are top and bottom plan views of the luggage of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 9  is an orthogonal view of the luggage of  FIG. 1  with the luggage in an open configuration;  
       FIG. 10  is an orthogonal view of the luggage of  FIG. 9  with the trays extended;  
       FIGS. 11 and 12  are front and rear views of the luggage of  FIG. 10 ;  
       FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of the luggage of  FIG. 10 ;  
       FIGS. 14 and 15  are side elevational views of the trays of  FIG. 13  embodying the present invention in, respectively, extended and retracted configurations; and  
       FIG. 16  is a front view of the trays of  FIG. 14 ;  
       FIG. 17  is a front view of the trays in an intermediate extended position; and  
       FIG. 18  is a front elevation view of the trays of  FIG. 15 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      The present invention is useful in allowing a user to organize the contents within a piece of luggage embodying the present invention. The present invention is also useful in providing a user with easy access to the contents within a piece of luggage embodying the present invention. The present invention is further useful in providing expandible access to the contents within a piece of luggage embodying the present invention. The present invention is additionally useful in providing expandible/collapsible storage within a piece of luggage embodying the present invention.  
      As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, an embodiment of the present invention resides in a portable organizer  20 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-18 , the organizer  20  includes a generally cube-shaped body  22  defining an interior compartment  24 . Alternatively, the shape of the body  22  can be any three-dimensional shape including, without limitation, cylindrical, rectangular, or the like. The organizer  20  also includes a plurality of trays  26  for holding objects such as construction paper, printer paper, tools, jewelry, personal documents, embellishments, ribbons, any object that can be stored or the like. Nine trays  26  are shown in the figures for purposes of illustration. The trays  26  are disposed within the compartment  24  and movable between a collapsed configuration where all the trays  26  are located within the compartment  24  and an expanded configuration where a number of the plurality of trays  26  extend outwardly from the body  22 . The trays  26  are aligned and operationally connected to each other.  
      The body  22  of the organizer  20  includes a top side  28 , a bottom side  30 , a first sidewall  32 , a second sidewall  34  opposite the first sidewall  32 , a front side  36 , and a back side  38  opposite the front side  36 . The top side  28  is connected to the back side  38 . The top side  28  pivots along an intersection  40  of the top side  28  and the back side  38 . In a similar manner, the front side  36  pivots along an intersection  42  of the front side  36  and bottom side  30 . The body  22  can be reinforced by connecting a number of L-shaped brackets (not shown) along the intersections of the front side  36  and the sidewalls  32 ,  34  as well as connecting a number of the L-shaped brackets along the intersections of the back side  38  and the sidewalls  32 ,  34 .  
      The body  22  includes at least one pocket  44  connected to an exterior of the body  22 . Preferably, each sidewall  32 ,  34  of the body  22  includes a pocket  44  which extends outwardly from the sidewall  32 ,  34 . The pockets  44  may be various shapes including, without limitation rectangular, trapezoidal, semi-circular or the like. Each pocket  44  may be open or include a closure  45  in the form of a zipper. Each sidewall  32 ,  34  also includes a handle  46  to assist a user in lifting the organizer  20 . The ends of the handles  46  may be sewn or otherwise permanently attached to the sidewalls  32 ,  34 . The top side  28  of the body  22  also includes a handle  48 . The ends of the handle  48  may be sewn or otherwise permanently attached to the top side  28 . Mating fasteners  50 , in the form of hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons or the like, are used to removably connect the middle portion of the handle  48  on the top side  28  to the surface of the top side  28 .  
      The body  22  includes a means  52  for fastening the each side of the top side  28  to one of the sidewalls  32 ,  34 . The fastening means  52  is in the form of a closure that comes in various forms including, but not limited to, a zipper. One closure  52  runs along the length the top side  28  where the top side  28  meets the first sidewall  32  and another closure runs the length of the top side  28  where the top side  28  meets the second sidewall  34 . When each closure  52  is open, the top side  28  can pivot along an intersection  40  where the top side  28  meets the back side  38 .  
      The body  22  also includes a means  54  for fastening the each side of the front side  36  to one of the sidewalls  32 ,  34 . The fastening means  54  is in the form of a closure that comes in various forms including, but not limited to, a zipper. One closure  54  runs along the length the front side  36  where the front side  36  meets the first sidewall  32  and another closure runs the length of the front side  36  where the front side  36  meets the second sidewall  34 . When each closure  52  is open, the front side  36  can pivot along an intersection  42  where the front side  36  meets the bottom side  30 .  
      A pair of rectangularly-shaped supports  56  connect the front side  36  and the sidewalls  32 ,  34 . Each support  56  includes a first portion  58  connected to one of the sidewalls  32 ,  34  and a second portion  60  connected to the front side  36 . Each portion  58 ,  60  is rectangularly-shaped. The first portion  58  and the second portion  60  are connected to each other by a fastening means  62  which may come in various forms, including, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons and button holes, etc. The fastening means  62  may be positioned at several points along the lengths of the first and second portions  58 ,  60  in order to allow the combined length of the two portions  58 ,  60  to be adjustable. This allows the front side  36  to be held at a relative angle α of between zero and ninety degrees with respect to the body  22 . To this end, one end of each portion  58 ,  60  is attached at an angle to its respective side  32 ,  34 ,  36 . The ends of the portions  58 ,  60  may be sewn or otherwise permanently attached to its respective side  32 ,  34 ,  36 . In the alternative, the ends of the portions  58 ,  60  may be removably connected to its respective side  32 ,  34 ,  36  by hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons or the like.  
      The top side  28  includes a flap  64  which extends over and partially covers the front side  36 . The flap  64  includes a means  66  for fastening the top side  28  and the front side  36 . The fastening means  66  which may come in various forms, including, but not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons and button holes, etc.  
      The trays  26  of the organizer  20  are stacked one atop the other in the collapsed configuration. The trays  26  are connected to an interior framework  68  that is located generally within the interior compartment  24  and connected to the bottom side  30  and sidewalls  32 ,  34  of the body  22 . The interior framework  68  includes two collapsible sidewalls  70  where the trays  26  are connected to each of the sidewalls  70 . Each tray  26  is connected to a particular location on one of the sidewalls  70  and to a corresponding location on the other of the sidewalls  70 . The collapsible sidewalls  70  are constructed of a fiber cloth material which may be constructed from various materials including, without limitation, natural fibers, artificial fibers (e.g., NYLON), plastic, leather or the like. Each sidewall  70  includes a plurality of individual rectangular portions  72  where most, if not all, of the rectangular portions  72  have a hollow interior (not shown) filled with a flat internal sheet (not shown) that may be made from various materials including, without limitation, plastic, plywood, metal, wood or the like in order to reinforce the rectangular portions  72  such that the sidewalls  70  fold/unfold in a consistent manner as the trays  26  move between the collapsed and expanded configurations. The trays  26  may be connected to the sidewalls  70  by various fastening means  74  including, without limitation, rivets, nuts and bolts, screws or the like. Each sidewall  70  is a single piece separated into the rectangular portions  72  by stitching  76  which holds the flat internal sheets in position. The rectangular portions  72  to which the trays  26  are connected are slimmer than the remaining rectangular portions  72 .  
      The interior framework  68  also includes a collapsible back wall  78 , similar in construction and appearance to the sidewalls  70 , connected to each tray  26  at a particular location. Each tray  26  should be connected to the sidewalls  70  and back wall  78  at the same position along the walls  70 ,  78  such that each tray  26  is generally horizontal when the trays  26  are in the expanded and collapsed configurations. The collapsible back wall  78  is constructed in the same manner as the sidewalls  70  with a fiber cloth material which may be constructed from various materials including, without limitation, natural fibers, artificial fibers (e.g., NYLON), plastic, leather or the like.. The back wall  78  includes a plurality of individual rectangular portions  80  where most, if not all, of the rectangular portions  80  have a hollow interior (not shown) filled with a flat internal sheet (not shown) that may be made from various materials including, without limitation, plastic, plywood, metal, wood or the like in order to reinforce the rectangular portions  80  such that the back walls  78  folds/unfolds in a consistent manner as the trays  26  move between the collapsed and expanded configurations. The trays  26  may be connected to the back wall  78  by various fastening means  82  including, without limitation, rivets, nuts and bolts, screws or the like. The back wall  78  is a single piece separated into the rectangular portions  80  by stitching  84  which holds the flat internal sheets in position. The rectangular portions  80  to which the trays  26  are connected are slimmer than the remaining rectangular portions  80 .  
      The interior framework  68  includes a top portion  86 . The top portion  86  is shaped and sized so as to fit within the compartment  24  when the trays  26  are in the collapsed configuration. One end of the sidewalls  70  and back wall  78  is connected to the bottom side  30  while the other end of the sidewalls  70  and back wall  78  is connected to the top portion  86 . In the expanded configuration, the trays  26  are spaced apart and suspended between the collapsible walls  70 ,  78 .  
      The interior framework  68  includes a means  88  for locking the trays  26  in the expanded configuration. The locking means  88  includes two telescopically expandable supports  90 . Each support  90  includes two brackets  92  which connect the support  90  to one of the sidewalls  32 ,  34  at two locations along the length of the particular sidewall  32 ,  34 . The top end of each support  90  is connected to the top portion  86 .  
      The top portion  86  also includes two handles  94 , each handle  94  located near or at the location where one of the supports  90  connects to the top portion  86 . The handles  94  assist a user in lifting the trays  26  to the expanded configuration. The ends of the handles  94  may be sewn or otherwise permanently attached to the top portion  86 . The top portion  86  also includes two locking mechanism release buttons  96 , each button  96  assigned to and located above one of the supports  90 .  
      Each support  90  is telescopically expandable between the collapsed and expanded configurations and automatically lock into position in the expanded configuration. When the supports  90  are locked in the expanded configuration, depressing the release button  96  at the top of the support  90  frees the support  90  to telescopically move towards the collapsed position. The supports  90  also lock into position in an intermediate configuration between the expanded and collapsed configurations. As the supports  90  move from the expanded configuration towards the collapsed configuration, the supports  90  automatically lock into the intermediate configuration unless the user maintains the release button  96  in a depressed position, allowing the supports  90  to continue to telescopically retract towards the collapsed configuration.  
      An exterior, generally L-shaped framework  98  is connected to the bottom side  30  and back side  38  of the body  22 . The exterior framework  98  includes a pair of wheels  100  located near or at the intersection of the L-shape. The exterior framework  98  also includes a pair of rests  102  on the bottom of the framework  98  located towards the front side  36  of the body  22 . The rests  102  compensate for the additional height of the wheels  100  and allow the organizer  20  to maintain a generally horizontal stable position.  
      The exterior framework  98  also includes a handle  104  forming the upper portion of the exterior framework  98 . The handle  104  is telescopically expandable/retractable between retracted and extended positions and automatically locks into position in the extended position. When the handle  104  is locked in the extended position, depressing a release button  106  at the top of the handle  104  frees the handle  104  to telescopically move towards the retracted position. The handle  104  also locks into position in an intermediate position between the extended and retracted positions. As the handle  104  moves from the extended position towards the retracted position, the handle  104  automatically locks into the intermediate position unless the user maintains the release button  106  in a depressed position, allowing the handle  104  to continue to telescopically retract towards the retracted position.  
      In an alternative embodiment, instead of having the interior framework  68 . the organizer  20  include tracks (not shown) connected to the sidewalls  32 ,  34 . The trays  26  may be connected to and run along the tracks. The trays  26  may be connected to each other so that pulling the topmost tray  26  upwards, causes the remaining trays  26  to also be pulled upwards along the tracks.  
      In another alternative embodiment, the trays  26  may slide outwards horizontally from the interior framework  68 .  
      In yet another alternative embodiment, the trays  26  may be spring-loaded such that the trays  26  automatically move towards the expanded configuration from the collapsed configuration.  
      In a further alternative embodiment, the trays  26  may include a number of covered compartments or the tray  26  itself may be one large compartment with a lid to provide access to the contents therein.  
      In use, the user can fill the organizer  20  with a variety of objects such as construction paper, printer paper, tools, jewelry, personal documents, embellishments, ribbons, or any object that one normally thinks of as being storable in a drawer, chest, cabinet, closet or the like. One way the user can begin the process of filling the organizer is to open the top side  28  of the body  22  by opening the fastening means  52  (zippers are shown for purposes of illustration) on each side of the top side  28  that intersects with one of the sidewalls  32 ,  34 . When each zipper  52  is opened, the top side  28  is pivoted by the user along the intersection  40  where the top side  28  meets the back side  38  after the user pulls on the flap  64 , releasing the fastening means  66  connecting the flap  64  of the top side  28  to the front side  36 .  
      At this point, the user could lift the trays  26  by pulling the handles  94  on the top portion  86  but this would provide access to only the trays  26  that extend above the top of the body  22  in the expanded configuration. In order to access the bottom trays  26 , the user must open the front side  36  of the body  22 . The user then opens the fastening means  54  (zippers are shown for purposes of illustration) on each side of the front side  36  that intersects with one of the sidewalls  32 ,  34 . When each zipper  54  is opened, the front side  36  is pivoted by the user along the intersection  42  where the front side  36  meets the bottom side  30 .  
      The front side  36  may then pivotally fall outwards away from the body  22 , but the supports  56  allow the front side  36  to move only the distance allowed by the adjustable length of the supports  56 .  
      The user is then free to pull the handles  94  on the top portion  86  to move the trays  26  to the expanded configuration. The user then fills whatever number of trays  26  the user desires to fill with whatever objects the user desires to place in the trays. The trays  26  are generally in the form of an open receptacle with a generally flat bottom and a low rim  108  for holding, carrying, or exhibiting the articles contained therein. The bottom of each tray  26  includes a number of generally semi-circular grooves  110  traversing the tray  26  as well as an access hole  112  big enough to accommodate a user&#39;s fingers which allows the user to push up from below an object (e.g., a stack of paper) resting on the bottom of the tray.  
      The user can also fill the pockets  44  on the sidewalls  32 ,  34  if they so desire.  
      When the user is finished loading, unloading or accessing the contents of the trays  26 , the user can press the release buttons  96  to move the trays  26  back towards the collapsed configuration. The user can then secure the top and front sides  28 ,  36  in their closed positions by re-securing the zippers  52 ,  54  and pressing the flap  64  against the front side  36  so that the flap  64  is secured to the front side  36  by the fastening means  66 .  
      The user can then move the organizer  20  in the same manner that one would move conventional wheeled luggage: The user pulls the adjustable handle  104  to a desired position, tips the organizer  20  so that only the wheels  100  of the organizer  20  are in contact with the surface upon which the organizer  20  rests, and pulls the organizer  20  behind them as they move towards a desired destination.  
      The body  22  may be constructed of a fiber cloth material which may be constructed from various materials including, without limitation, natural fibers, artificial fibers (e.g., NYLON), plastic, leather or the like. One or more of the sides  28 - 38  may be constructed of the above materials and reinforced with an internal sheet that may be made from various materials including, without limitation, plastic, plywood, metal, wood or the like. The external and internal frameworks may be constructed from various materials including, without limitation, plastic, metal, wood or the like.  
      The above-described embodiments of the present invention are illustrative only and not limiting. It will thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims encompass all such changes and modifications as falling within the true spirit and scope of this invention.