Abstract:
A freestanding device with framed cavities to transport articles of clothing or other items on hangers that can be affixed in an open position to provide unobstructed access to the clothing or other items retained inside. The device includes one or more framed cavities that can be biased toward or away from each other. A user can place clothing or other items onto a hanger holder without removing each item from their respective hanger. The device can then be closed for transportation while the clothing or other items remain hung. When access to the clothing or other items is desired, the framed cavities may be biased away from each other and a frame lock engaged to allow the device to remain in a freestanding open position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application No. 61/868,959 filed on Aug. 22, 2013. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0004]    The present disclosure is related to the field of luggage and other devices used to transfer items and clothing. Existing luggage devices comprise a hard or soft case having one or more cavities. Clothing and other items are usually removed from a closet or cabinet and placed into the cavity of the luggage. Clothing that is typically suspended from hangers in a closet are removed from their respective hanger and folded prior to placing them into the luggage. When the luggage user arrives at their destination, the clothing and items are removed from the luggage and once again hung in a closet. Because many clothing items are damaged or become wrinkled from being in a folded state, ironing or steaming of the clothes is required after removal from the luggage. 
         [0005]    Flexible garment bags having characteristics of luggage have been used to avoid causing damage or wrinkles to clothing. The clothing items are placed into the garment bag while on their respective hanger; the garment bag is then folded and carried by a strap. However, access to the contents of these bags require placement on a flat surface, such as a bed, or suspending the bag from a hook or rod. Moreover, the capacities of these garment bags are limited. 
         [0006]    It would be desirable to have a freestanding luggage that can remain in an open position, providing unobstructed access to cavities where clothing is suspended from hangers. The solution is found in the present disclosure for a portable closet system, which comprises several cavities joined by a hinge. The portable closet system is designed to allow clothing to be removed from a closet and suspended in a cavity while remaining on a hanger. Further, the cavity section of the portable closet system is capable of being opened and locked into position so that the user has access to the clothing just as they would if it were in a closet. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosure is directed to a device that satisfies this need to have a portable closet system in the form of a freestanding luggage that can remain in an open position, providing access to clothing suspended from hangers. The apparatus comprises several cavities that can be biased about a hinge and locked into an open position, at least one cavity having a clothing hanger holder allowing unobstructed access to the items within the device. 
         [0008]    With the portable closet system there is no need to remove clothing from hangers and fold them before placement into the portable closet system. By allowing the clothes to remain hung in the portable closet system, damage or wrinkling of the fabrics are avoided. When the user reaches their destination, there is no need to remove and re-hang clothing that is in the portable closet system. The clothing can be removed from the portable closet system as needed and worn without the need to iron or steam the clothing. When the user returns home, they can simply remove the clothing from the luggage and place them into the closet while still on their respective hangers. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1A  illustrates an inside front perspective view of an embodiment of a luggage device in the open position embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1B  illustrates an outside front perspective view of an embodiment of a luggage device in the closed position. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a side elevation view of embodiment of a luggage device in the closed position. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a front perspective view of a frame in the open position embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a sectional view of the frame of  FIG. 2A  in the closed position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a sectional view of a first frame and second frame drop loop in the open position embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a sectional view of a first frame and second frame drop loop of  FIG. 3B  in the closed position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  illustrates a sectional view of a first frame and second frame drop loop with a frame lock in the locked position embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  illustrates a sectional view of a first frame and second frame drop loop with a frame lock of  FIG. 4A  in the unlocked position 
           [0018]      FIG. 5A  illustrates a side elevation view of a frame lock embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5B  illustrates a perspective view of the frame lock illustrated in  FIG. 5A . 
           [0020]      FIG. 6A  illustrates an outside back perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a device embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6B  illustrates an outside back perspective view of the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 6A  in the closed position. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates a top perspective sectional view of a hinge embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective sectional view of a latch embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system. 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  illustrates an inside front perspective view of embodiment of a device in the open position embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system. 
           [0025]      FIG. 10  illustrates a side perspective view of hanger holder embodying features of the present disclosure for a portable closet system. 
           [0026]      FIG. 11  illustrates a front elevation view of a hanger. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-11 , a portable closet system  100  comprises a first frame  102  and a second frame  104  supported by a base  110 , the second frame  104  capable of being biased toward the base  110 . The frames are further capable of being secured in an open position with a frame lock  500 . The first frame  102 , second frame  104  and base  110  covering may incorporate a hard shell  600 , or be encapsulated by a flexible fabric shell  900 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2B , a first frame  102  and base  110  provide a structure for the connection of a second frame  104  and to support the portable closet system  100 . The first frame  102  and second frame  104  provide a cavity for clothing or other items to be placed inside, in the same manner as a closet. Preferably, the shape of the frames is square or rectangle, having parallel side supports joined together by horizontal supports. The second frame  104  may include side supports that overlap the first frame  102 , creating a drop loop  106  as best illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-4B . The drop loop  106  would abut the side supports of the first frame  102 . The drop loop  106  and the side supports of the first frame  102  may include a through hole to allow the first frame  102  and second frame  104  to be biased toward each other. 
         [0029]    A base  110  supports the portable closet system  100  in an open or closed position, and may be incorporated into the first frame  102 . The depth of the base  110  may be larger than the first frame  102  to support the higher center of gravity when the device is in an open position. The base  110  may further comprise wheels or casters  108 , allowing the portable closet system  100  to be rolled during transportation. The first frame  102 , second frame  104 , and base  110  may be made from any natural or synthetic material typically used for luggage frame construction, including metal or plastic. In an alternative embodiment, the first frame  102  and second frame  104  may be connected along a vertical axis. Preferably, the first frame  102  and second frame  104  are of the same size, providing a uniform shape when the second frame  104  is biased toward the first frame  102 . Like existing luggage, the frame can be made in a variety of sizes to provide different interior capacities. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 4A-5B , at least one frame lock  500  may be used to pivotally join the first frame  102  to the second frame  104 . The frame lock  500  is engaged to affix the first frame  102  and second frame  104  in an open or extended position, allowing unobstructed access to either frame cavity. The frame lock  500  is shaped like an elongated Bolt  502  with a square shaft and opposing ends as illustrated in  FIG. 5A . One end of the Bolt  502  has a t-shaped head while the opposite end comprises screw threads  504 . A turn screw node  506  can be threaded onto the screw threads  504  of the Bolt  502 . A washer  508  and spring  510  are inserted onto the bolt  502  between the t-shaped head and turn screw node  506 . 
         [0031]    The elongated Bolt  502  of the frame lock  500  is inserted through the drop loop  106  of the second frame  104  and side support of the first frame  102 . The washer  508  and spring  510  are located on the Bolt  502  between the t-shaped head and the adjacent frame. The washer  508  and spring  510  prevent the t-shaped head of the Bolt  502  from engaging grooves or holes in the adjacent frame. When the turn screw node  506  is tightened, the t-shaped head is drawn toward the frame. When the first frame  102  and second frame  104  are in the open position, and the turn screw node  506  is tightened, the t-shaped head engages several holes in the adjacent frame, causing the portable closet system  100  to remain in an open position. The elongated Bolt  502  should be of a length sufficient to pass through the first frame  102  and second frame  104  and allow the turn screw node  506  to be attached. 
         [0032]    A hard shell  600 , flexible shell  900 , or combination thereof, may be used to encapsulate the portable closet system  100 . Where a hard shell  600  is implemented, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6B , the frame features may be incorporated into the hard shell  600  itself. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the hard shell  600  may further incorporate a flap  604  having a hinge  602  to cover the space where the first frame  102  and second frame  104  are joined. A pouch  606  on the first frame  102  would provide a pocket for the distal end of the flap  604  to slide into when the portable closet system  100  is opened. A guide stopper  608  may be implemented on the distal end of the flap  604  to prevent over extension of the flap  604  when the second frame  104  is biased toward the first frame  102 . Alternatively, a flexible shell  900  may be used to cover the entire device as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1B . Use of the flexible shell  900  may also be limited to specific portions of the portable closet system  100 , such as the interior cavity of each frame. For example, a flexible shell  900  with zipper  908  closures may be used to cover the clothes hanging area of the second frame cavity  104  as illustrated in  FIG. 1A and 9 . The hard shell  600  may be made from materials such as plastic or fiberglass, while the flexible shell  900  may be made from flexible natural or synthetic textiles typically use for luggage. 
         [0033]    A front latch  800  ( FIGS. 1B and 8 ) and side latches  610  ( FIGS. 1C and 6B ) may be used to secure the portable closet system  100  in a closed position. The front latch  800  and side latches  800  may be spring loaded or include adjustable straps to maintain constant positive tension between the first frame  102  and second frame  104 . The front latch  800  joins the distal end of the second frame  104  to the base  110 , while the side latches  800  join the sides of the first frame  102  and second frame  104  together. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 1A and 9 , interior compartments  902  may be incorporated into one or both frame cavities, providing storage space for smaller items. A clothing hanger holder  904  may be incorporated into one or both frame cavities. Preferably, a clothing hanger holder  904  is located in the second frame  104  cavity while individual compartments  902  are located in the first frame  102  cavity. The clothing hanger holder  904  may be shaped with a narrow channel  905  having a flat inner surface as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . Unlike a typical cylindrical rod used to support hangers, the narrow channel with flat surface would retain hangers  906  as shown in  FIG. 11 , even when the portable closet system  100  is closed. 
         [0035]    The portable closet system  100  is used by first disengaging the front latch  800 , side latches  800 , and then extending the second frame  104  away from the first frame  102 . Next, the frame lock  500  can be engaged to secure the portable closet system  100  in an open position. The zipper  908  may then be opened to access the hanger holder  904  area or other compartments  902 . Clothing can then be removed from a user&#39;s closet and placed onto the hanger holder  904  while still on each clothing article&#39;s respective hanger. The portable closet system  100  is closed by closing the interior zippers  908 , disengaging the frame lock  500 , folding the first frame  102  and second frame  104  toward each other, and then engaging the front latch  800  and side latches  800 . Once the user has reached their destination, they can simply open the portable closet system  100  and access the items within just as they would access their closet at home. 
         [0036]    All features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying claim, abstract, and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
         [0037]    Any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. 
         [0038]    Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration and not limitation.