Patent Publication Number: US-2010108452-A1

Title: Mobile office system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/085,941 entitled “Mobile Office Bag,” filed Aug. 4, 2008, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is directed generally to a storage system, and more particularly to a storage system configured to organize and contain files, mobile computers and other business necessities. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bags, such as suitcases, are known and are used by individuals who are travelling or otherwise on the go. Such bags may include wheels and generally have the form of a hollow rectangular solid with a large, open main storage compartment. The walls of the bags can include a plurality of pockets for storage. The main storage compartment is ideal for transporting objects, such as clothing that are easily deformable. However, transport of other types of objects is limited or inconvenient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is drawn to a mobile office system that includes a mobile office bag body and at least two modular storage devices configured for removable storage within a main compartment of the mobile office bag body. Each of the at least two modular storage devices can have at least one dimension approximating at least one dimension of the main compartment. 
     The mobile office bag body can include four outer sidewalls and a generally rectangular bottom wall that is generally orthogonal to the outer sidewalls, each of said outer sidewalls being generally orthogonal to each to two adjacent outer sidewalls. A support structure can be included within the mobile office bag body in order to maintain the outer sidewalls in a generally erect position and the bottom in a generally planar orientation. The bottom wall and the four outer sidewalls can define a main compartment within the mobile office bag body and maintaining an opening opposite the bottom wall. 
     The mobile office bag body can include an extendible handle having an adjustable length for extending the extendible handle in a direction generally opposite the bottom wall of the mobile office bag body. A plurality of wheels can extend outwardly from the mobile office bag body such that the plurality of wheels is capable of supporting the mobile office body. The plurality of wheels enabling the mobile office bag body to be rolled by tilting the mobile office bag body with the extendible handle such that the mobile office bag body is supported by the plurality of wheels when pulled by a user. 
     The mobile office bag body can also include one or more support legs extending outwardly from the bottom wall. The support legs and the wheels can be adjacent to opposite edges of the bottom wall. The one or more support legs can enable the mobile office bag body to remain level when resting on the plurality of wheels and the one or more support legs. The mobile office bag body and the support structure can be covered by a fabric. The mobile office bag body can also include an outer lid attached to an upper edge of at least one of the outer sidewalls. The outer lid positioned to cover the opening to fully enclose the main compartment. The outer lid can be openable via a zipper connection. 
     The mobile office bag body can include a handle attached to the outer lid and the outer lid can include a reinforcement. The handle can be attached to the reinforcement. 
     The mobile office system can also include at least two modular storage devices configured for removable storage within the main compartment. Each of the at least two modular storage devices can have at least one dimension approximating at least one dimension of the main compartment. Each of the at least two modular storage devices can have a longest dimension approximating a longest dimension of the main compartment. The total volume of said at least two modular storage devices approximates a volume of the main compartment. 
     The mobile office system can include plurality of pockets on at least one outer surface of the mobile office bag body. The extendible handle can be positioned within the mobile office bag body such that the extendible handle is extendible through a sealable opening in the lid. The sealable opening can be sealable with a zipper, VELCRO or other similar means. 
     The at least one modular storage device can be selected from the group consisting of an accordion file bag, a computer case, a removable divider, a supply organizer, and a miscellaneous bag. The at least two modular storage devices can comprise fabric surfaces. 
     At least one of the modular storage devices can have a generally rectangular modular bottom, a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a sealable lid. The sealable lid can be attached to an upper edge of one of the front wall, the back wall and the two side walls. The front wall and the back wall can be attached to opposite edges of the generally rectangular modular bottom and the two side walls can be attached to opposite edges of the generally rectangular modular bottom. The generally rectangular modular bottom, front wall, back wall, and two side walls can define a modular storage compartment with an opening opposite the modular bottom. The modular bottom can be reinforced and at least one of the front wall, back wall and two side walls can be reinforced, padded, or both. The modular storage compartment can be further divided by a plurality of sub-dividers, thereby defining a plurality of sub-compartments within the modular storage compartment. The modular storage devices can be supply organizers having said plurality of sub-dividers. 
     Each of the modular storage devices can include a modular bottom, having an area. The total area of the plurality of modular bottoms can be greater than an area of the bottom wall. The total area of the plurality of bottoms can be greater than 150% of the area of the bottom wall. For instance, if the area of the bottom wall is 10,000 cm 2 , the total area of the plurality of bottoms can be 13,500 cm 2 . 
     The mobile office system can include at least two supply organizers. Each of the two supply organizers can include a handle attached to the sealable lid. The at least two supply organizers can be stackable and a stacked height of the stacked supply organizers can approximate a height of said main compartment. In addition to the two supply organizers, the mobile office system can also include an accordion file bag, a computer case, or both. 
     These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the presently disclosed invention and, together with the description, disclose the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a mobile office bag with aspects of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the mobile office bag of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of the mobile office bag of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the mobile office bag of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mobile office bag. 
         FIG. 8  is another perspective view of the mobile office bag of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is yet another perspective view of the mobile office bag of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the mobile office bag of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mobile office bag. 
         FIG. 17  is another perspective view of the mobile office bag of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a top perspective view of the mobile office bag of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 19  is yet another perspective view of the mobile office bag of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 22  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 25  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mobile office bag. 
         FIG. 26  is another perspective view of the mobile office bag of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 27  is a top perspective view of the mobile office bag of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 28  is a top view of the mobile office bag of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 30  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 31  is yet another perspective view of the mobile office bag of  FIG. 25 . 
         FIG. 32  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 33  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mobile office bag. 
         FIG. 34  is another perspective view of the mobile office bag of  FIG. 33. 100511   FIG. 35  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 36  is a top perspective view of a mobile office bag of  FIG. 33 . 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 38  is yet another perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 39  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
         FIG. 40  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-40 , this invention is directed to a mobile office system  10  configured to retain files and other necessities of a businessperson in a readily accessible manner. In particular, the mobile office system  10  may be formed from a mobile office bag body  12  defining a main compartment  14  formed from a plurality of outer sidewalls  16  and a bottom wall  18  that is generally orthogonal to the outer sidewalls  16 . The outer sidewalls  16  may form a rectangular structure, and, in at least one embodiment, may form a square structure in another embodiment. The mobile office system  10  may include a support structure  34  within the mobile office bag body  12  that maintains the sidewalls  16  in a generally erect position in which the main compartment  14  maintains an opening  20  opposite to the bottom wall  18 . 
     The mobile office system  10  may be formed from one or more layers of a fabric. For instance, the mobile office system  10  may be formed from a durable fabric such as, but not limited to, CORDURA, SPUNTUFF, and other appropriate fabrics. The multiple layers of fabric may be stitched, welded, or attached together through other appropriate manners. The mobile office bag  12  may be constructed such that the fabric layers form the outer surfaces of the mobile office system  10  and enclose the support structure  34 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mobile office system  10  may be formed from four outer sidewalls  16 . In particular, the outer sidewalls  16  may be formed from a first sidewall  22  that is opposite to a second sidewall  26 . The outer sidewalls  16  may also include third and fourth sidewalls  30 ,  32  that are opposite to each other and generally orthogonal to the first and second sidewalls  22 ,  26 . The first sidewall  22  may be attached to the third and fourth sidewalls  30 ,  32 , and the second sidewall  26  may be attached to the third and fourth sidewalls  30 ,  32  or opposite to the first sidewall  22 . One or more of the outer sidewalls  16  may include portions of the support structure  34 . In at least one embodiment, the support structure  34  may be rigid boards that retain a planar configuration. One or more of the outer sidewalls  16  may be formed from an inner fabric layer, an outer fabric layer, and a rigid board positioned between the inner and outer fabric layers. The support members may be formed from materials, such as, but not limited to, a polyethylene (PE) board, such as, but not limited to, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) board. In one embodiment, the first and second sidewalls  22 ,  26  may be formed from rigid boards formed of fabric covered three millimeter thick PE boards, and the third and fourth sidewalls  30 ,  32  may be formed from rigid boards formed from fabric covered two millimeter thick PE boards. 
     Each of the sidewalls  22 ,  26 ,  30 ,  32  may be generally rectangular and include an edge attached to an edge of the bottom wall  18 . In addition, for each of the sidewalls  22 ,  26 ,  30 ,  32 , each of the two edges adjacent the edge attached to the bottom wall  18  can be attached to an edge of an adjacent sidewall. For example, opposite edges of sidewall  22  can be attached to edges of adjacent sidewalls  30 ,  32 . 
     The mobile office system  10  may include one or more wheels  36  extending from the mobile office system  10 . In at least one embodiment, the mobile office system  10  may include a plurality of wheels  36  extending outwardly from the mobile office bag body  12  such that the plurality of wheels  36  are capable of supporting the mobile office body  12  and enabling the mobile office bag body  12  to be rolled by tilting the mobile office bag body  12  with the extendable handle  40  such that the mobile office bag body  12  is supported by the plurality of wheels  36 . The wheels  36  may be positioned in outer corners of the bottom wall  18  of the mobile office bag body  12  and be contained within wheel pockets  38  in the bottom wall  18 . In some embodiments, the wheels  36  can be located at the corner of the mobile office bag body  12  at the intersection of the bottom  18 , the second sidewall  26  and one of the third or fourth sidewalls  30 ,  32 . The wheels  36  may be formed from any appropriate size, shape or configuration, and in at least one embodiment, may be formed from wheels that are between about two inches and about four inches in outer diameter. 
     The mobile office bag body  12  can also include one or more support legs  37  extending outwardly from the bottom wall  18 . The one or more support legs  37  enabling the mobile office bag body  12  to remain level when resting on the plurality of wheels  36  and the one or more support legs  37 . 
     The mobile office system  10  may include an extendible handle  40  having an adjustable length that extends from the mobile office bag body  12  in a direction generally opposite from where the plurality of wheels  36  are attached to the mobile office bag body  12 . The extendible handle  40  may include extendible shafts that may be hollow shafts formed from materials including, but not limited to, aluminum. The handle itself may be formed the same materials used to form the extendible shafts or may be formed from different materials. The handle itself may be formed from metals, plastics, or other appropriate materials. The extendible handle  40  may be positioned within the mobile office bag body  12  such that the extendible handle  40  is extendible through a zippered opening  41  in the lid  42 . 
     The mobile office system  10  may include a lid  42  positioned in the opening  20  to seal the opening  20  opposite to the bottom wall  18 . The lid  42  may be formed from any appropriate material, including those materials previously identified and in the configuration previously identified. The lid  42  may be reinforced, include padding of both. The lid  42  may be openable via a zipper connection. The zipper may be positioned at a perimeter of the lid  42 . 
     The mobile office system  10  may include one or more pockets  46  for storing items. In at least one embodiment, the mobile office system  10  may include a plurality of pockets  46  on at least one outer surface of the mobile office bag body  12 . The pockets  46  may be formed from fabric or other appropriate materials. 
     The mobile office system  10  may include at least one modular storage device  44  configured to fit within the mobile office bag body  12 . The modular storage device  44  may have any appropriate shape and may be shaped for a particular purpose. The modular storage device  44  may include an accordion file bag, a computer case, a removable divider, and a miscellaneous bag. The modular storage device  44  may be formed from fabric or other appropriate materials. The removable divider may divide the main compartment. The modular storage device  44 , including the removable divider, may include hook and loop connectors configured to removably attach the modular storage device  44  to the mobile office system  10  and to the bottom wall  18  of the mobile office system  10 . 
     The mobile office bag body  12  and the support structure can be covered by a fabric. The mobile office bag body  12  can also include an outer lid  42  attached to an upper edge of at least one of the outer sidewalls  26 . The outer lid  42  can be positioned to cover the opening to fully enclose the main compartment  14 . The outer lid  42  can be openable via a zipper connection. 
     The mobile office bag body  12  can include a handle  50  attached to the outer lid  42  and the outer lid  42  can include a reinforcement. The handle  50  can be attached to the reinforcement. 
     The mobile office system  10  can also include at least two modular storage devices  44  configured for removable storage within the main compartment  14 . Each of the at least two modular storage devices  44  can have at least one dimension approximating at least one dimension of said main compartment. Each of the at least two modular storage devices can have a longest dimension approximating a longest dimension of the main compartment. As used herein, “approximating” a dimension is used to indicate that one dimension is between 90% and 100% of another dimension, preferably between 92% and 98% of another dimension. For example, if the width of the main compartment is 100 cm and the length of a modular storage device is 95 cm, the length of the modular storage compartment approximates the width of the main compartment. 
     As used herein, “approximating” a volume is used to indicate that the relevant volume is between 72.9% (=90% * 90% * 90%) and 100% of another volume, preferably between 77% and 95% of another volume. For example, if the total volume of four modular storage devices is 800,000 cm 3  and the volume of the main compartment is 1,000,000 cm 3 , then the total volume of the modular storage devices approximates the volume of the main compartment. The total volume of said at least two modular storage devices approximates a volume of the main compartment. 
     The mobile office system  10  can include plurality of pockets on at least one outer surface  48  of the mobile office bag body  10 . As shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  10 ,  16 - 18 ,  33 ,  34  and  36 , the extendible handle  40  can be positioned within the mobile office bag body  12  such that the extendible handle  40  is extendible through a zippered opening  41  in the lid  42 . 
     The at least one modular storage device  44  can be selected from the group consisting of an accordion file bag (e.g.,  FIGS. 11 and 22 ), a computer case (e.g.,  FIG. 15 ), a removable divider (e.g.,  FIG. 14 ), a supply organizer (e.g.,  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  12 ,  23 - 24  and  29 ), and a miscellaneous bag (e.g.,  FIG. 13 ). The at least two modular storage devices  44  can comprise fabric surfaces, can be reinforced, can be padded, or any combination thereof. 
     At least one of the modular storage devices  44  can have a generally rectangular modular bottom  60 , a modular front wall  62 , a modular back wall  64 , two modular side walls  66 ,  68 , and a modular sealable lid  70 . The sealable lid  70  can be attached to an upper edge of one of the front wall  62 , the back wall  64  and the two side walls  66 ,  68 . The front wall  62  and the back wall  64  can be attached to opposite edges of the generally rectangular modular bottom  60  and the two side walls  66 ,  68  can be attached to opposite edges of the generally rectangular modular bottom  60 . The generally rectangular modular bottom  60 , front wall  62 , back wall  64 , and two side walls  66 ,  68  can define a modular storage compartment  72  with an opening opposite the modular bottom  60 . The modular bottom  60  can be reinforced, padded, or both, and at least one of the front wall  62 , back wall  64  and two side walls  66 ,  68  can be reinforced, padded, or both. The modular storage compartment  72  can be further divided by a plurality of sub-dividers  74 , thereby defining a plurality of sub-compartments  76  within the modular storage compartment  72 . The modular storage devices  44  can be supply organizers (e.g.,  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  12 ,  23 - 24  and  29 ) having said plurality of sub-dividers  74 . 
     Each of the modular storage devices  44  can include a modular bottom  60 , having an area. The total area of the plurality of modular bottoms  60  can be greater than an area of the bottom wall  18 . The total area of the plurality of bottoms  60  can be greater than 150% of the area of the bottom wall  18 . For instance, if the area of the bottom wall  18  is 10,000 cm 2 , the total area of the plurality of bottoms  60  can be 13,500 cm 2 , 15,500 cm 2 , or more. 
     The mobile office system  10  can include at least two supply organizers  44 . Each of the two supply organizers  44  can include a handle  78  attached to the sealable lid. The at least two supply organizers  44  can be stackable, as show in  FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  29 ,  35  and  40 . The stacked height of the stacked supply organizers can approximate a height of the main compartment  14 . In addition to the two supply organizers  44 , the mobile office system can also include an accordion file bag  44 , a computer case  44 , or both. 
     The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention.