Abstract:
A storage system is provided that includes an accessory storage compartment that is isolated from a main storage compartment of a piece of luggage. More specifically, the accessory storage compartment is provided that selectively interconnects to a primary opening panel of the piece of luggage wherein a secondary opening is integrated into the primary opening that provides access to the items stored in the accessory storage compartment.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/820,927, filed Jul. 31, 2006, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to portable luggage adapted for use with an electronic device such as a laptop computer or other similar device.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Luggage is well known in the art and is used for transporting personal effects. With the increased use of electronic apparatus such as laptop computers, digital video disk players and other related fragile items, there is an increasing need for forms of luggage that provide a protective compartment to prevent significant damage associated with impacts or vibrations. Numerous attempts have been made to solve this problem, including suspension systems that cradle the laptop computer when it is positioned within the luggage.  
         [0004]     The shortcomings of prior art protection systems are very apparent to anyone who has ever gone through security screening at an airport. More specifically, security personnel generally require that laptop computers be removed from luggage for further inspection. Once the contents of the luggage has been opened and the laptop computer removed, the items within the luggage are free to move into the space formerly occupied by the laptop computer, thereby making it extremely difficult to reposition the laptop computer or other electronic device within the luggage. Thus there is a need in the luggage industry for a specialized compartment that is designed to retain and protect an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, and that preserves space exclusively for the electronic device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     It is thus one aspect of the present invention to provide a specialized compartment within a conventional piece of luggage, such as a suitcase, attaché, or carry-on bag, that is adapted for storing or protecting an electronic device such as a laptop computer. More specifically, the present invention may be constructed independently within a piece of luggage, or designed to be selectively removable to allow the retrofitting of existing luggage, and is designed to be accessible upon opening an accessory compartment or main compartment used in a suitcase or other conventional piece of luggage.  
         [0006]     Conventional luggage, such as a suitcase, typically comprises one or more selectively accessible compartments that are used to store personal effects such as clothing, overnight bags, and other items as necessary. That is, many of these pieces of luggage contain two or three distinct compartments that may be selectively opened and closed by the use of a zipper, VELCRO®, loop and buckle, or other means well known in the art to allow quick access to the contents stored in the luggage. In one embodiment of the present invention, a rigid or semi-rigid shell is provided within one of the compartments of the luggage, that is designed to retain a specific shape and size so as to receive a laptop computer. When the luggage is selectively opened, the shell is readily accessible, and the laptop computer can be removed. Even after the luggage is inspected and the stored contents moved from their original position, the shell retains its original shape and thus allows for the quick and easy reentry of the laptop computer.  
         [0007]     It is thus one aspect of the present invention to provide a rigid or semi-rigid shell that is made of a generally non-conforming material that retrains a specific shape and size. Thus, in one embodiment of the present invention, rigid plastics, fiberglass, polyethylene, or Styrofoam or rigid padding materials are used to define the rigid or semi-rigid shell. The semi-rigid shell may be interconnected to an existing piece of luggage by the use of VELCRO®, snaps, belts, and other interconnecting mechanisms well known in the art. Alternatively, the shell may be integrally interconnected or stitched to an interior portion of the luggage that is easily accessible upon opening the luggage to receive the laptop computer. In another aspect of the present invention, a strap or VELCRO® (i.e., hook &amp; loop material) closure mechanism may be used on the shell to prevent the laptop computer from inadvertently moving from within the luggage. Furthermore, padding materials such as foams, Styrofoam, or other compressible materials may be used for added protection to the laptop computer.  
         [0008]     Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, a piece of luggage or a portable luggage device is provided and which comprises:  
         [0009]     a first storage compartment defined by an upper end, a lower end, a rear surface, a front surface and opposing side surfaces;  
         [0010]     a first opening panel interconnected to said first storage compartment that allows for selective access into said first compartment, said first opening panel including an opening therethrough;  
         [0011]     a second storage compartment interconnected to said first opening panel, said second storage compartment comprising a rigid non-conforming shell that is adapted to receive an electronic device, wherein items contained in said first storage compartment are precluded from occupying a space defined by said rigid, non-conforming shell and  
         [0012]     a second opening panel associated with said first opening panel that provides selective access to said second storage compartment.  
         [0013]     The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the Detail Description, particularly when taken together with the drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explain the principles of these inventions.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of prior art luggage with an access panel;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the present invention wherein a front panel is in an open position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of an inside of the front panel showing a shell of one embodiment of the present invention that defines a portion of a storage area;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention wherein the front panel is shown opened with a computer stored therein; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a left elevation view of the luggage shown in  FIG. 2  with a portion cut away to show the storage area of one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0020]     To assist in the understanding of the present invention the following list of components and associated numbering found in the drawings is provided herein:  
                                             #   Component                                2   Luggage       4   Main Storage Compartment       5   Front Panel       6   Accessory Storage Area       8   Zipper       10   Shell       12   Shell Attachment Mechanism       14   Laptop Computer       16   Luggage Handle       18   Luggage Wheels       20   Access Panel       22   Articles       24   Secondary Storage Pocket       26   Left panel       28   Right panel       30   Bottom panel                  
 
         [0021]     It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a prior art method of securing a laptop computer  14  within luggage  2  is shown. Previously, users of luggage  2  simply placed items that they wanted to access quickly atop their stored articles  22 . When an article, such as a laptop computer  14 , was needed, the user would simply unzip the access panel  20 , thereby providing selective access to the main storage compartment  4 . However, during security checks at an airport, for example, the laptop computer  14  must be quickly removed and activated for security personnel. Often this task is done while the luggage  2  is in an upright position such that when the access panel  20  is opened and the laptop computer  14  removed, the stored articles  22  shift and occupy the space previously occupied by the laptop computer  14  wherein reinsertion of the laptop computer  14  is difficult or impossible. This situation leads to security inspection delays and also may require repacking of the luggage  2  subsequent to the security check.  
         [0023]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-5 , one embodiment of the present invention is shown that comprises a shell  10  that interconnects to an inner portion of the luggage  2  and isolates the stored laptop computer  14 , or other items, from the stored articles  22 . The shell  10  defines an accessory storage area  6  that is adapted to receive the laptop computer  14 , for example. Embodiments of the present invention have the advantage of allowing access through the access panel  20  into the accessory storage area  6  without disturbing the articles  22  stored within the main storage compartment of the luggage  2 . The shell  10  of embodiments of the present invention is interconnected to an inner surface of the luggage  2  via a shell attachment mechanisms  12 , such as snaps or hook and loop fasteners. Although the accessory storage area  6  is shown interconnected to the front panel  5  of the luggage, one skilled in the art will appreciate that accessory storage areas  6  may be incorporated into the rear sides or top of the luggage. In addition, the accessory storing area  6  may be of any shape and size and is not limited to the configuration provided herein. The shell  10  as contemplated herein may be constructed of a rigid, semi-rigid or soft material. Preferably, the shell  10  is rigid such that pressure applied by the stored articles  22  does not deform the shell  10  so that the laptop computer  14  may be quickly and easily placed back into the accessory storage pocket  6  subsequent to removal.  
         [0024]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4 , one embodiment of the present invention is provided. Here, the accessory storage area  6  includes a left panel  26 , a right panel  28  and a bottom panel  30  for the storage of the laptop computer  14 . It is also clearly shown how the articles stored within the luggage are isolated from the accessory storage area  6 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that further cushioning and shock isolation mechanisms may be employed within the accessory storage area  6  to further protect the laptop computer  14  or other electronic device stored therein, without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the shock isolation mechanism disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0248913, published Nov. 10, 2005, which is incorporated by reference herein, may be integrated into embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0025]     Referring specifically to  FIG. 3 , the shell  10  of one embodiment of the present invention is shown adjacent to the shell attachment mechanisms  12 . Here, snaps are employed to interconnect the shell  10  to an inner portion of the luggage, however, one skilled in the art will appreciate other interconnection mechanisms may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, attachment mechanisms  12  that are composed of hook and loop fasteners may be employed. The accessory storage area  6  may be large enough to accommodate a brief case, for example. Further, the shell  10  may be configured to form a brief case or attaché, perhaps similar to a mail bag. In operation, one could configure the shell, and any straps or handles included therewith, for incorporation to the piece of luggage.  
         [0026]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a left elevation view of luggage  2  of one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The access panel  20  provides access to the accessory storage area  6 , thereby allowing exposure of the laptop computer  14 . The laptop computer  14  is removed, the shell  10 , which comprises a portion of the accessory storage area  6 , prevents the articles stored within the luggage to enter into the accessory storage area  6 .  
         [0027]     While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and alterations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.