Patent Publication Number: US-6341894-B1

Title: Accessory carrying case

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to carrying cases and more particularly pertains to a new accessory carrying case for transporting, storing, and presenting accessories for use. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of carrying cases is known in the prior art. More specifically, carrying cases heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,519; U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,843; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 276,954; U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,377; U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,209; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,873,781. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new accessory carrying case. The inventive device includes a main member with a first surface and a second surface; a plurality of pockets, each positioned on the second surface of the main member, each one of the plurality of pockets is designed for holding an accessory related to the game of bingo; and a clamp member which is used to selectively couple the main member to a table. 
     In these respects, the accessory carrying case according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of transporting, storing, and presenting accessories for use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of carrying cases now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new accessory carrying case construction wherein the same can be utilized for transporting, storing, and presenting accessories for use. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new accessory carrying case apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the carrying cases mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new accessory carrying case which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art carrying cases, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a main member with a first surface and a second surface; a plurality of pockets, each positioned on the second surface of the main member, each one of the plurality of pockets is designed for holding an accessory related to the game of bingo; and a clamp member which is used to selectively couple the main member to a table. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new accessory carrying case apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the carrying cases mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new accessory carrying case which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art carrying cases, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new accessory carrying case which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new accessory carrying case which is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new accessory carrying case which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such accessory carrying case economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new accessory carrying case which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new accessory carrying case for transporting, storing, and presenting accessories for use. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new accessory carrying case which includes a main member with a first surface and a second surface; a plurality of pockets, each positioned on the second surface of the main member, each one of the plurality of pockets is designed for holding an accessory related to the game of bingo; and a clamp member which is used to selectively couple the main member to a table. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new accessory carrying case that is lightweight and foldable for easy storage. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new accessory carrying case that keeps accessories readily available during game play. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a new accessory carrying case according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a schematic rear view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the present invention in an open position. 
     FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of the present invention in a closed position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new accessory carrying case embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, the accessory carrying case  10  generally comprises a main member  20 , and a clamp member  50 . 
     The main member  20  includes a first surface  22  and a second surface  24  and is substantially rectangular. 
     The clamp member  50  is used to selectively couple the main member  20  to a table. 
     The main member  20  further comprises a first  26 , second  32 , third  36 , fourth  38 , and fifth panel member  42 . Each of the panel members  26 , 32 , 36 , 38 , 42  has a first and second surface corresponding to the first  22  and second surfaces  24  of the main member  20 . Each of the panel members  26 ,  32 ,  36 ,  38 ,  42  has a width. The first  26 , third  36 , and fifth panel members  42  each have a length substantially less than the width. The second  32  and fourth panels  38  each have a length substantially greater than the width. 
     The first panel member  26  further comprises a first portion of hook and loop fastener  28  and a slit  30 . The first portion of hook and loop fastener  28  is positioned on the first panel&#39;s  26  first surface. The slit  30  is positioned medially on the first panel  26 . The silt  30  is for selectively receiving the clamp member  50 . Thus the main member  20  is selectively coupled to a table. 
     The second panel  32  further comprises a plurality of pockets  34  positioned on the second panel&#39;s  32  second surface. Each one of the plurality of pockets  34  is designed for receiving and holding an accessory associated with the game of bingo. 
     The fourth panel  38  further comprises a second plurality of pockets  40  positioned on the forth panel&#39;s  38  second surface. Each one of the second plurality of pockets  40  is designed for receiving an holding an accessory associated with the game of bingo. 
     The fifth panel  42  further comprises a second portion of hook and loop fastener  44  and an handle  46 . The second portion of hook and loop fastener  44  is positioned on the fifth panel&#39;s  42  second surface such that when the main member  20  is folded along the panels the second portion of hook and loop fastener  44  selectively engages with the first portion of hook and loop fastener  28  positioned on a first panel&#39;s  26  first surface. 
     The handle member  46  is positioned on the fifth panel&#39;s  42  first surface for facilitating carrying of the main member  20 . 
     In use, the main member is opened by disengaging the second portion of hook and loop fastener from the first portion of hook and loop fastener. The main member is unfolded and positioned adjacent to an edge of a table. The clamp member is then secured to the table and engages the main member via the slit. The main member is now positioned such that the accessories are available to the user. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.