Patent Publication Number: US-7584830-B2

Title: Suitcase and desk combination device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to suitcase devices and more particularly pertains to a new suitcase device for which includes extendable legs for allowing the suitcase to be used as a work surface or desk. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The use of collapsible work area devices is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,498 describes a collapsible desk assembly which may be folded up into a carrying case. Another type of collapsible work area device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,117 and include a paper support area which had a plurality of telescoping legs attached thereto. Another such device is found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,473,022 and includes combined carrying case and a table. 
   While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a device that includes a generally conventional suitcase which may be used as a desk by extending legs outwardly of the suitcase. This will allow a traveler to use the suitcase as a desk while waiting at an airport or during other times when work space is needed. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a housing that has a bottom wall, a top wall and a peripheral wall that is attached to and extends between the top and bottom walls. The peripheral wall has a break therein and that defines an opening for accessing an interior of the housing. The bottom wall has a bottom edge, a top edge, a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. The bottom wall is substantially planar. Each of a plurality of legs extends into the top wall. Each of the legs has a free end and each of the legs is selectively telescoping so that the free ends may be selectively positionable in a stored position adjacent to the top wall or in an extended position extending away from the top wall. 
   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. 
   The 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. 

   
     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 perspective view of a suitcase and desk combination device according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1  of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6   a  is a top cross-sectional view of first position of a locking assembly of present invention. 
       FIG. 6   b  is a top cross-sectional view of as second position of the locking assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a side cross-sectional view of the locking assembly of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of a retaining member of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of the retaining member of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the retaining member of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a bottom view of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of the third embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a foldable leg of the third embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 13  thereof, a new suitcase device 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 13 , the suitcase and desk combination device  10  generally comprises a housing  12  that has a bottom wall  14 , a top wall  16  and a peripheral wall  18  that is attached to and extends between the top  16  and bottom  14  walls. The peripheral wall  18  has a break  20  therein that defines an opening for accessing an interior of the housing  12 . A zipper  22  is attached to the peripheral wall  18  and extends along the break  20  for selectively closing the opening. The bottom wall  14  has a bottom edge  24 , a top edge  26 , a first lateral edge  28  and a second lateral edge  30 . The break  20  is elongated and is positioned nearer to the bottom wall  14  than the top wall  16 . The bottom wall  14  is substantially planar. A plurality of pockets  32  is attached to the top wall  16 . 
   A pair of wheels  34  is rotatably coupled to the housing  12  and is positioned at a juncture of the bottom edge  24  and the peripheral wall  18 . A retractable handle  36  is attached to the housing  12 . The retractable handle  36  is attached to the peripheral wall  18  and is positioned adjacent to the upper edge  26  of the bottom wall  14 . The handle  36  is selectively extendable inwardly or outwardly from the housing  12 . 
   Each of a plurality of legs  40  extends into the top wall  16 . Each of the legs  40  has a free end  42  and each of the legs  40  is selectively telescoping. The free ends  42  may be selectively positionable in a stored position adjacent to the top wall  16  or in an extended position extending away from the top wall  16 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the legs  40  include a plurality of sections  44  frictionally engaged with each other when the legs  40  are in the extended position. Each of the sections  44  has a first end  51  and a second end  52 . Each of the first ends  51  of the sections  44  is positioned adjacent to the second ends  52  of adjacent ones of the sections  44  when the sections  44  are in the extended position.  FIG. 5  shows a second embodiment where the edges of the top wall  16  extend outwardly from the housing  12  in order to hold the legs  40  in compartments  53  at the sides of the housing  12 . This allows for additional space within the housing  12 . 
   A plurality of foot members  46  is provided. Each of the foot members  46  is attached to one of the free ends  42  and each of the foot members  46  comprises a resiliently elastic material. The plurality of legs  40  preferably includes  4  legs each positioned adjacent to one of corners of the top wall  16 . 
   A plurality of locking members  54  selectively locks each of the legs  44  in the extended position in the second embodiment as shown in  FIG. 6   a ,  6   b  and  7 . Each of the locking members  54  includes a first mating member  55  and a second mating member  56 . The first mating members  55  are attached to one of the first ends  51  of the sections  44  and each of the second mating members  56  is attached to one of the second ends  52  of the sections  44 . The first  55  and second  56  mating members are releasably securable to each other. The first mating member  55  includes a pair of spaced discs wherein one of the discs has a plurality of notches  57  extending therethrough. The second mating member  56  includes a plurality of tabs  58  extendable through notches  57 . The second mating member  56  is then rotated with respect to the first mating member  55  to retain the tabs  58  between the two discs. 
   A plurality of retention members  60  selectively retains each of the legs  44  in a stored position. Each of the retention members  60  includes an annular ridge  61  positioned on a top side of each of the foot members  46  and an annular depression  62  in the housing  12  extending around each of the legs  44 . Each of the ridges  61  is aligned with one of the depressions  62  so that each of the ridges  61  is extendable into one of the depressions  62  when the legs  44  are in the stored position. Each of the ridges  61  is frictionally couplable with one of the depressions  62 . 
     FIGS. 11-13  depict a third embodiment including foldable legs  70  are positionable in slots  72  in the peripheral wall  18 . The foldable legs  70  include a plurality of joints  71  allowing them to be positioned in an extended position or in a folded position. The foldable legs  70  are attached by a pivot rod  73  to allow them to selectively rotated with respect to the housing  12 . The pivot rod  73  is extendable into the housing to allow the foldable legs  70  to be returned to the slots  72 . 
   In use, device  10  is used as a conventional suitcase. When a work area is provided, the legs  40  are extended outwardly of the top wall  16  and positioned as shown in  FIG. 2  so that the bottom wall  14  may be used as a desk. The bottom wall  14  is preferably comprised of substantially rigid material. The break  20  is positioned adjacent to the bottom wall  14 , unlike a conventional suitcase which places the break adjacent to the top wall, so that a user of the device  10  can open the housing  12  without spilling its contents. 
   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.