Abstract:
A carrying case or luggage includes a concave curved side panel to facilitate positioning of the luggage when held by hand straps or a shoulder strap against the hip or leg of a user or person carrying the luggage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to luggage or a carrying case which is contoured to facilitate carrying of the luggage by handles or by a shoulder strap. 
     When carrying a computer, business papers, clothing or other items, it is often necessary to retain the items in a carrying case or item of luggage which maintains a generally rigid shape, particularly the plan profile shape. Maintenance of shape facilitates protection of items within the luggage or carrying case. It may also facilitate packing of the luggage or case. Finally, it may facilitate stacking or storage of the luggage or case. 
     Typically, luggage and carrying cases of the type referenced have a rectangular, parallel-piped shape. Consequently, carrying such items is often is uncomfortable and unyielding. For example, prior art shapes may rub uncomfortably against the side of the person carrying the case or luggage. The present invention provides a design alternative to prior art luggage and carrying case constructions which is easier to utilize and carry. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, the present invention comprises luggage having a bottom panel which defines the plan profile of the luggage. End panels and opposite side panels along with a top panel having an access opening, for example, a zipper opening, define the remaining enclosure of the luggage or carrying case. Extra pockets or pouches may be incorporated on one or more of the panels other than the bottom panel. Importantly, one side panel, which does not include any extra pouches or pockets has a curved profile. The concave curved profile enables carrying of the luggage against one side of a person&#39;s body so that the luggage conforms to the shape of the body of the carrier and will be more easily carried, will not jostle the user when being carried, and will stay in position when being carried. 
     Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved carrying case or luggage which may be more easily handled and manipulated. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a piece of luggage or case which includes one side panel having a concave channel or configuration. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide luggage which is easily carried easily, handled and which has full storage capacity, is capable of having a form and shape, and is capable maintaining that form and shape for ease of access to the interior of the luggage. 
     These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of the luggage or case of the invention viewed from a first side panel depicting the concave shape thereof; 
     FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the case of FIG. 1 viewed from the underside thereof; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the bottom of the carrying case of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is an isometric view depicting the manner of use of the bag of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4A is a plan view of an alternative bag configuration; 
     FIG. 5 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the invention as viewed from the side or second side panel thereof; 
     FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the case of FIG. 5 viewed from the bottom side thereof; 
     FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the carrying case of FIG. 5 viewed from the side panel side thereof depicting the concave curvature thereof; and 
     FIG. 8 is an isometric view illustrating the manner of use of the case of FIG. 5 when being carried. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIGS. 1-4 depict a first embodiment of the invention and FIGS. 5-8 depict a second embodiment. The embodiment of FIGS. 1-4 has a generally kidney shaped profile. The embodiment of FIGS. 5-8 has a generally rectangular profile with a concave side portion or section. 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the embodiment includes a bottom panel  10  particularly as depicted in FIG.  3 . The bottom panel has a first end  12  and a second end  14 , a first side  15  which is correlated with a first baggage side panel  16  and a second side  17  correlated with a second baggage side panel  18 . The ends  12 ,  14  are arcuate in shape and curved slightly. The second side panel  18  is generally planar and flat. The first side panel  16  is concave curved. The first side panel  16  thus includes a concave central section  20  with side margins  22  and  24  as shown in phantom in FIG.  1 . 
     The bottom profile, shown in FIG. 3, therefore defines the general contour and shape of the case or baggage comprised of the various sides  12 ,  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  17  and  18  as well as the bottom panel  10 . A top panel  26  completes the enclosure of the case of the case. The top panel  26  has a shape which conforms with or is congruent with the shape of the bottom panel  10  shown in FIG.  3 . Panels  10 ,  26  are typically congruent, overlay one another, and are spaced by the vertical dimension of the side and end panels  12 ,  14 ,  17  and  18 . A zipper  28  defines and connects the margin between the top panel  26  and side panel  18 . The zipper  28  thus defines an opening which follows the contour of the bag. 
     Handles  30 ,  32  are attached to the side panels  16 ,  18 . The handle  30  connects with the side panel  16  at the margin of that panel  16  with the top panel  26 . A stiffening element, rib or member  31  is provided at the margin also. Importantly, the handle  30  includes opposite strap ends  36 ,  38  which are connected respectively to the margin regions  22 ,  24  respectively of side panel  16 . The handle  32  is likewise positioned and connected to the opposite side panel  18  in a symmetric manner. 
     The profile of the bag depicted in FIGS. 1-4 enables a user of the bag to position the concave curved portion against their leg. Thus, a strap  40  which is attached to the bag enables the bag to be comfortably positioned against the hip or leg of the individual carrying the bag. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, which is depicted, the profile of the bag is that which is represented by the bottom panel  10  in FIG.  3 . 
     An alternative and closely related shape would have the profile of FIG. 4A; namely, a kidney shaped bottom. In the example of FIG. 4A, a concave side  42  has an opposite side  44  which is smoothly connected by end curves or sections  46 , 48  to define a profile which, again, may be comfortably positioned against the hip of a user or person carrying the bag. 
     FIGS. 5-8 illustrate an embodiment of the invention which incorporates features of typical rectangular parallelpiped carrying cases in combination with the curved construction to facilitate carrying represented by FIGS. 1-4. That is, referring to FIG. 5, there is depicted a bag having a second side panel  50 , a first side panel  52 , an end panel  54 , a second end panel  56 , a bottom panel  58  and a top side or panel  60 . The first side panel  52  includes a generally concave, vertical center section  62  having margins  64  and  66  on the opposite sides thereof which connect to planar sections  68 ,  70  respectively. A handle  72  has strap connectors  74 ,  76  attached respectively to the margins  64 ,  66  of the curved or concave section  62  by stiffening member  63 . Additional pockets, for example, outer pocket  78  may be positioned and attached to the side panel  50 . Zippers and other access fasteners are provided. A strap  80  is attached to the luggage of FIGS. 5-8 to support the luggage in a manner whereby the concave portion or section is again positioned against the hip of a user. This enhances the comfort and ease of portability of the luggage. 
     It is noted that three different profiles, within the context of the invention, have been disclosed. Additionally, with respect to each profile, various compartments and pouches may be included and incorporated in the luggage or carrying case, particularly on side panels. Ingress and egress to the carrying case is facilitated by access zippers, for example, or other opening and closing fasteners. The combination of the concave profile, along with the carrying straps and handle straps, and the position thereof as attached to the carrying case enable the case to be utilized in the fashion designed and desired. Thus, the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.