CA1285249C - Carrying case - Google Patents
Carrying caseInfo
- Publication number
- CA1285249C CA1285249C CA000545458A CA545458A CA1285249C CA 1285249 C CA1285249 C CA 1285249C CA 000545458 A CA000545458 A CA 000545458A CA 545458 A CA545458 A CA 545458A CA 1285249 C CA1285249 C CA 1285249C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- flap
- well
- lid
- case
- tray
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Carrying Case The carrying case disclosed is of the attache-case variety. It includes a tray (3) located under the lid (2) of the case. The tray overlies, and closes, the compartment (14) in the body (1) of the case when the lid of case is un-zipped and raised. The tray (3) can be used as a writing tablet (7). The tray (3) includes a flap (8) that is hinge-able relative to the remainder (7) of the tray. The flap (U) can be raised to allow restricted access to the compartment (14). Alternatively, the whole tray (3) can be raised to permit wide-open access to the compartment (19). The lid (2) of the case is provided with a corresponding hinged flap (21). The tray (3) rests on top of the inner frame (5) of the body (l) of the case.
The frame encircles the whole compartment, and is rigid enough that the floor of the compartment can be of flexible fabric. A shoulder strap is attached to the frame, and lies around the frame when not in use.
Carrying Case The carrying case disclosed is of the attache-case variety. It includes a tray (3) located under the lid (2) of the case. The tray overlies, and closes, the compartment (14) in the body (1) of the case when the lid of case is un-zipped and raised. The tray (3) can be used as a writing tablet (7). The tray (3) includes a flap (8) that is hinge-able relative to the remainder (7) of the tray. The flap (U) can be raised to allow restricted access to the compartment (14). Alternatively, the whole tray (3) can be raised to permit wide-open access to the compartment (19). The lid (2) of the case is provided with a corresponding hinged flap (21). The tray (3) rests on top of the inner frame (5) of the body (l) of the case.
The frame encircles the whole compartment, and is rigid enough that the floor of the compartment can be of flexible fabric. A shoulder strap is attached to the frame, and lies around the frame when not in use.
Description
~l~85249 CA~RYIN~ CA~E
Thls lnventlon relates to carrylng cases, such a~ document-carrylng ca~es.
~ackground to the Inventlon Document or buslness ca~es may be categorlzed lnto two types:- the tradltlonal brlefcase, whlch opens only at one edge, and permlts papers etc. to be lnserted only edge-wlse, and the attache-case, whlch opens completely, llke a sultcase.
The attache-case ls now the more fashlonable, but the attache-case does ~uffer from one partlcular drawback, whlch arlses from the fact that the lnterlor compartment of the case ls 80 hlghly accesslble when the attache-case ls opened; the very accesslblllty of the attache-caso means that lt ls lmposslble to keep the contents of the case concealed when the ca3e ls open.
~ ;~85;~
Many businessmen therefore are reluctant to use an attache-case at a conference table, or whlle worklng on a traln or aircraft.
The businessmen on that basis prefer the traditional brief-case whlch does at least keep its contents hldden. Its dls-~ tage i5 that the traditional briefcase keeps itscontents always hldden.
One aim of the invention is to provide a carrying case which can keep its contents hidden while being partly open, llke a brlefcase, but whlch can provlde wlde-open acce~s, like an attache-case.
General Descrlptlon of the Inventlon In the lnventlon, the case has a lld, and has a body which deflnes an lnterior compartment. The case also includes a tray, whlch is sltuated lnside the lld, the tray being openable relatlve to the body ln such a manner that when the tray ls opened, the compartment ls wide open and highly accessible, ln the manner of an attache-case.
In the invention, the tray lncludes a flap. The flap ls lndependently openable relatlve to the body, so that the flap portion of the tray may be opened when the rest of the tray is closed. The flap occupies only a minor portion of ~,Z~;249 the whole tray and ls dlmensloned to glve only a restrlcted access into the compartment when the flap is open, in the manner of the tradltlonal brlefcase.
.
Thus, the carrying case of the lnvention, by virtue of the flap ln the tray, may be set like an attache case, wlth the compartment wide open, or it may be set like a traditional briefcase, wlth the contents of the case restrictedly accessible and hidden from view.
The fact that the two kinds of access are provided in a tray whlch ls ltself covered by, and can be closed by, an outer lld has additional beneflts. The fact that the lld is present means that the main portion of the tray can be used to hold such an ltem as a pad of paper, and, more important-ly, the 1ap portion can include pockets which can be used to contaln such articles as a calculator, business cards, small statlonery ltems, etc.
The 1ap of the tray ln act has lts own speclal, and advantageous, klnd of access. The upper face of the flap i~
covered whenever the lid is closed, and yet the upper face is exposed completely, virtually as soon as the lld starts openln~. Thls fact makes the upper face of the flap eminently suitable for containing the items as mentioned.
It is recognized in the lnvention that such a flap ln a tray in a case, since the upper face of the flap is so easily ~ 85~49 exposed, provldes very ready access to the small ltem~, when the businessman opens the lid by a small amount. The fact that the lid can be closed over the flap when approprlate of course is important also. In the invention, this highly convenient means of access to the small items in the upper face of the flap ls achieved without compromising the ability of the flap to provide the variety of types of access to the interior; ie. to provide, as mentioned, both the partly-concealed access, and the wide-open access, to the interior.
Thus, in the case of the invention, the lnterlor compartment can have three states of accessibility: ~a) the lnterlor cGmpartment can be fully closed; (b) the lnterior compartment can be partially open, ln that the content~ are accessible and yet at the same time concealed, or (c) the interior compartment can be wide open; in the case of the invention also the tray can be either closed or wide open, whlch means that the tray itself ls very suitable as a writing tablet; ln the case of the lnvention also, the upper face of the flap of the tray ls completely accesslble as soon as the lld is opened by only a small amount, whlch makes the upper face of the flap an ldeal place for contalnlng small item~. It ls recognized in the lnventlon that, lf the upper face of the flap were not covered by the lid, the upper face would be quite unsuitable as a place for the contalners of the ~mall ltems.
:l~ 85~4~
These different klnd~ of acGes~ are all useful ln themselves, and the different kinds of access complement each other, without wasteful duplication. It is recognized that this tremendous variety of kinds of access, unparalled in cases known hitherto, i5 due mainly to the provision of the flap on the inner tray, and to the positioning of the flap in relation to the lid of the case so that the upper face of the flap is exposed as soon as the lid starts to open.
Detalled Descriptlon of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Examples of cases whlch embody the lnvention are shown in the drawings:-Fig.lA ls a pictorlal vlew of a case, whlch shows a tray ofthe case in the almost fully open position;
Flg.l~ ls a correspondlng vlew to Flg lA, but shows the tray ln the fully closed posltion;
Flg.lC is a correspondlng view to Flg 1~, but shows the tray ln a partly open posltlon;
Flg.2 ls a cut-away close-up vlew of a corner of the case;
Fig. 3 is a cross-section at a side-wall o~ the case;
Fig. 4 is a pictorial view of the exterior of the case;
Fig. 5 is a pictorial view of a component of the case, made in an alternative manner;
Fig. 6 is a cross-section of the component of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 corresponds to Fig. 6, and shows a di~erent stage in the asse~bly of the case;
Fig. 8 is a pictorial view of another case.
Fig. 8A is a view correspondin~ to Fi~. 8 of yet another case.
Fig ~A is a oross-section of, and Fig. 9B a pictorial view of, part of a case which includes a shoulder strap;
Figs. ~C and 9D corresPond to Fig. ~A, and show the shoulder strap in various stages;
The case shown in Fig. 1 comprises a body 1, a lid 2, and a tray 3. The lid 2 is hinged to the body 1 by means of a hinge-band 4.
The body 1 and lid 2 are of conventional construotion. As shown, the body 1 includes an inner stiffening frane 5 and an outer stiffening ~rame 6, but the particular manner of ~285249 constructlng the body and lid ls not e~sentlal to the invention in its broadest sense. The body might, for example, be made as a one-plece mouldlng ln plastlc material. However, the inner frame 5, when an inner frame ls present, can be arranged to provide an abutment which is useful in the inventlon as will be explained presently. The frame arrangement can be useful too in provldlng an anchorage for a shoulder strapt as shown in Fig 8, or for a conventional carrying handle The case lncludes the tray 3. The tray 3 is a unitary or one-piece component which is vacuum-formed out of sheet plastlc material. The tray 3 includes a main-portion or tablet 7, a flap-portlon 8, and a lug-portion 9. Each of these three portions 7, 8, 9 is rigid in itself, and the tray 3 ls provlded wlth two hinges 10, 11 so that the portions 7, 8, 9 can articulate relatively, as shown. The hlnges 10, 11 lle parallel to the hlnge that is deflned and provlded by the hinge-band 4.
The hlnges 10, 11 are of the "llvlng hlnge" klnd, ln that the hislges 10, 11 are formed lntegrally lnto the material, by maklng the materlal locally thlnner along a crea~e-llne.
The thlnnlng can be performed by melting the material locally, or by cutting a groove in the material.
It may be noted that a llvlng hlnge ls not as a general rule regarded as belng rellable over a long servlce llfe, because ' ` . ''` ' -' ' ' ' there ls a tendency ln a llvlng-hlnge for a tear to start at the crease. It is recognised in the invention that a living hinge is acceptable in the case of the invention, because the arcuate movement at the hinge is required to be only a few degrees.
The tray 3 is formed all round with a lip 13, which rests on the abutment provided by the inner frame 5 tFig.3), as referred to above.
~he tray 3 ~ay take up one of three positions. Flrst (Fig lB) the tray 3 may be closed. Here, the tablet 7 and the flap 8 are both resting with the lip 13 on the lnner-frame 5. The compartment 14, defined by the body 1, is now fully closed and inaccesslble.
In the second position (Fiq lA) the tray 3 ls open. Now, the llp 13 ls well clear of the lnner frame 5, and the compartment 14 is fully open and accessible.
In the thlrd po~ltlon ~Flg lC) the tray 3 ls ln a partly-open positlon. Here, the tablet 7 ls closed down onto the lnner frame 5, but the flap 8 has been ralsed, by plvotlng the flap 8 about the hlnge 10. The flap 8 ls so dlmensloned tl-at a person's hand can be lnserted lnto the gap 15 thus produced, to galn access to the compartment 14. Thls acce~s through the gap 15 ls not of course as complete as the access provided when the tray 3 ls ln the fully open ~ ~85249 posltlon, but the restrlcted acce~s ls nevertheless qulte adequate for checking the contents of the compartment 14, and for withdrawing papers occaslonally. It wlll be noted that when the tray 3 is in the partly open position, the contents of the compartment 14 are well hidden.
The shape and size of the tray 3 as shown is such that when the tray 3 is in the closed ~Fig 1~) position the tray completely covers the compartment 1~. It is recognlsed in the invention that sometimes it is not necessary for the tray to completely cover the compartment. The tray might, for example, be somewhat narrower than the compartment, and yet such a tray, when closed, could still act to retain and to mask the contents of the compartment.
The upper face of the flap portion 8 of the illustrated tray 3 has been provided wlth wells 16 for the purpose of receiving a calculator, pens and pencils, business cards, or other approprlate articles. The wells 16, as shown, have been provlded with snap-ln or glued-ln covers 17 to retaln the items in the wells.
When the lld 2 ls closed, of course the upper face of the flap portion 8 is concealed. As soon as a person has opened the lid 2 only slightly, the upper face of the flap portion 8 is exposed, and the person has access to the items stored therein.
~28S249 The tablet 7 has al~o been formed wlth a well 18, whlch ls dimensioned to receive a standard-sized pad of paper. An elastic band l9 serves to locate the pad in the well 18.
The wells 16, 18 serve to stiffen the tray, which ensures that the tray cannot bend except at the hinges.
The lug 9 is attached to the ~ackwall 12 of the body 1. As shown in Fig 2 the lug 9 has slots 20 at its attachment polnt with the back wall 12. The slots 20 permit the tray 3 to rise and remain level if the compartment 19 should be over-filled.
The lid 2 of the lllustrated case is also provided with a flap 21. The lld-flap 21 overlies the tray-flap 8. The lid 2 is closed onto the body 1 by means of two zip fasteners 22, 23. These are arranged symmetrically, and it will be noted therefore that the zips may be pulled back so that only the lid-flap 21 ls unzipped, while the remainder or main-portion 24 of the lid 2 remains zipped and closed.
The lid-flap 21 of the lid 2 is hinged with respect to the main-portion 24, of the lid 2; the result is that a person may easily take out a business card, for example, from the wells 16 of his case without opening the whole lid.
However, as pointed out above, the upper face of the tray flap 8 is well-accessible upon partially openeing the lld, even if the lid does not have the extra benefit of a lid-flap.
~l~8S249 The hinge 25 of the lld-flap 21 may be formed also as a living hinge, or, when the lid is of flexible fabric, as illustrated, the hinge 25 may simply comprise the limit of a stiffening board 26 attached to the lid 2. A pocket 27 may be incorporated also into the lid 2.
The hinge 25 permits the lid 2 to incorporate an attractive design feature; instead of the lid 2 being a mere flat slab, the hinge 25 divides the lid into two rectangular areas, each of pleasing and harmonious proportions, as shown in Fig 4.
Fig 5 illustrates another manner of arranging the tray.
Here, the inner frame 30 and the tray 36 are formed together from a single piece of sheet plastic material, by vacuum formlng. The tray 36 is then ~heared at 37 (Fig 6) from the frame 30, except that the back edge of the tray 36 is left attached to the back wall of the frame 30 by means of a living hinge 38. A trim strip 39 (Fig 7) can be added aroun~ the edge of the tray 36, so that the tray 36 may rest on top of the frame 30 when the tray is in the closed ~ositlon.
The inner frame and tray can be very inexpensive when made in the Flg 5 manner. Also, the resulting constructlon is light in weight, yet it is adequately rigid because the bent-over edges of the frame 30 and tray 36 act a~
31 ~85~'4 stlffeners.
Fig 8 illustrates a different manner of constructlng the tray of the invention. Here, the tray 70 is secured, detachably, to the back wall of the body by means of strap-hinges 71. The maln portion 72 of the tray is flat, and is provided with pockets above 73 and below 74, for holding papers. A clip 75 is also provided for securinq papers.
The flap portlon 76 of the tray includes, in its upper face, a clear plastic holder 77 for a calculator, a pen-holder 78, and an elastic card-retainer 79, which are all formed in the upper surface of the flap portion 76. Such a tray 70 may be constructed out of sheets of card, one for the main portion 72 and one for the flap portion 76, the sheets being covered above and below by a suitable fabric or cloth. The hinge 80 between the two portions is formed simply by leaving a small gap between the two sheets.
In the invention, the frame of the case, comprising the inner frame and the outer frame, extends all round the walls of the interior compartment 14, and defines the well-shaped character of the compartment. The frame has all the rigidlty the case needs in itself, and the floor of the compartment can be of flexible fabric material.
The inherent rigidity, coupled with the inexpensive 5~>49 construction, of this kind oE frame can be turned to further advantage, in that the frame can easily be used to provide a sturdy base for the attachment of a shoulder strap. Figs 9A-D show a case which includes a shoulder strap 50, which is suitable for supporting the weight of the caseO
It is important that a shoulder strap, when not in use, be stowed on the outside of the case: a method of stowing the shoulder strap that reguires the case to be unpacked has little chance of success. It is also important that, when stowed on the outside, the shoulder strap should be neat and unobtrusive. It is also important that the weight oE the case be transmitted to the strap through attachment points that are strong and rigid, yet are also neat and unobtrusive.
All these aspects can be accommodated in the shoulder strap arrangement shown in Figs 9A-D. Figs 9A and 9B show the strap in the stowed-away condition, from which it may be noted that the strap is so unobtrusive that it can barely be perceived that the case actually is provided with the shoulder strap.
The shoulder strap 50 is in two parts, one on each side wall of the case. One end of the part 49 of the strap 50 is attached to a ring 51 by means of a press-fastener 52. The rlng 51 ls se~ured to the frame 53 by mean~ of a stud 54.
An upper supplementary strap 5~ is important ln malntaining ~.2~524~3 a v~ c:ontlnulty 2~0un~:1 the ca~. Th~ h;~ l. wall .57 ~f the case also is fitted with a ring 58, which i~ secured by means of a lower supplementary strap 59 and a further stud 60.
The case is also provided with a handle 63.
Fig 9C shows the shoulder strap 50 partly unfolded, and being made ready for use. Fig 9D shows the press-fastener 52 secured to the correspondlng fastener of the other part 64 of the strap 50 on the other slde of the case. It may be noted that the forces from the shoulder strap are fed into the frame directly through the stud 54, and the corres-ponding stud of the other strap 64, and that the frame is inherently so shaped as to be easily capable of supporting such forces, when so applied.
Although the carrylng case that has been described and illustrated is a businessman's portfolio the invention is applicable to other kinds of carrying case. The ~asic feature of the invention is the tray with its movable flap, which permits a choice of either wide-open access or restricted access to the compartment below. This feature is useful not only in briefcases, but also in sports bags, and in luggage generally.
Thls lnventlon relates to carrylng cases, such a~ document-carrylng ca~es.
~ackground to the Inventlon Document or buslness ca~es may be categorlzed lnto two types:- the tradltlonal brlefcase, whlch opens only at one edge, and permlts papers etc. to be lnserted only edge-wlse, and the attache-case, whlch opens completely, llke a sultcase.
The attache-case ls now the more fashlonable, but the attache-case does ~uffer from one partlcular drawback, whlch arlses from the fact that the lnterlor compartment of the case ls 80 hlghly accesslble when the attache-case ls opened; the very accesslblllty of the attache-caso means that lt ls lmposslble to keep the contents of the case concealed when the ca3e ls open.
~ ;~85;~
Many businessmen therefore are reluctant to use an attache-case at a conference table, or whlle worklng on a traln or aircraft.
The businessmen on that basis prefer the traditional brief-case whlch does at least keep its contents hldden. Its dls-~ tage i5 that the traditional briefcase keeps itscontents always hldden.
One aim of the invention is to provide a carrying case which can keep its contents hidden while being partly open, llke a brlefcase, but whlch can provlde wlde-open acce~s, like an attache-case.
General Descrlptlon of the Inventlon In the lnventlon, the case has a lld, and has a body which deflnes an lnterior compartment. The case also includes a tray, whlch is sltuated lnside the lld, the tray being openable relatlve to the body ln such a manner that when the tray ls opened, the compartment ls wide open and highly accessible, ln the manner of an attache-case.
In the invention, the tray lncludes a flap. The flap ls lndependently openable relatlve to the body, so that the flap portion of the tray may be opened when the rest of the tray is closed. The flap occupies only a minor portion of ~,Z~;249 the whole tray and ls dlmensloned to glve only a restrlcted access into the compartment when the flap is open, in the manner of the tradltlonal brlefcase.
.
Thus, the carrying case of the lnvention, by virtue of the flap ln the tray, may be set like an attache case, wlth the compartment wide open, or it may be set like a traditional briefcase, wlth the contents of the case restrictedly accessible and hidden from view.
The fact that the two kinds of access are provided in a tray whlch ls ltself covered by, and can be closed by, an outer lld has additional beneflts. The fact that the lld is present means that the main portion of the tray can be used to hold such an ltem as a pad of paper, and, more important-ly, the 1ap portion can include pockets which can be used to contaln such articles as a calculator, business cards, small statlonery ltems, etc.
The 1ap of the tray ln act has lts own speclal, and advantageous, klnd of access. The upper face of the flap i~
covered whenever the lid is closed, and yet the upper face is exposed completely, virtually as soon as the lld starts openln~. Thls fact makes the upper face of the flap eminently suitable for containing the items as mentioned.
It is recognized in the lnvention that such a flap ln a tray in a case, since the upper face of the flap is so easily ~ 85~49 exposed, provldes very ready access to the small ltem~, when the businessman opens the lid by a small amount. The fact that the lid can be closed over the flap when approprlate of course is important also. In the invention, this highly convenient means of access to the small items in the upper face of the flap ls achieved without compromising the ability of the flap to provide the variety of types of access to the interior; ie. to provide, as mentioned, both the partly-concealed access, and the wide-open access, to the interior.
Thus, in the case of the invention, the lnterlor compartment can have three states of accessibility: ~a) the lnterlor cGmpartment can be fully closed; (b) the lnterior compartment can be partially open, ln that the content~ are accessible and yet at the same time concealed, or (c) the interior compartment can be wide open; in the case of the invention also the tray can be either closed or wide open, whlch means that the tray itself ls very suitable as a writing tablet; ln the case of the lnvention also, the upper face of the flap of the tray ls completely accesslble as soon as the lld is opened by only a small amount, whlch makes the upper face of the flap an ldeal place for contalnlng small item~. It ls recognized in the lnventlon that, lf the upper face of the flap were not covered by the lid, the upper face would be quite unsuitable as a place for the contalners of the ~mall ltems.
:l~ 85~4~
These different klnd~ of acGes~ are all useful ln themselves, and the different kinds of access complement each other, without wasteful duplication. It is recognized that this tremendous variety of kinds of access, unparalled in cases known hitherto, i5 due mainly to the provision of the flap on the inner tray, and to the positioning of the flap in relation to the lid of the case so that the upper face of the flap is exposed as soon as the lid starts to open.
Detalled Descriptlon of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Examples of cases whlch embody the lnvention are shown in the drawings:-Fig.lA ls a pictorlal vlew of a case, whlch shows a tray ofthe case in the almost fully open position;
Flg.l~ ls a correspondlng vlew to Flg lA, but shows the tray ln the fully closed posltion;
Flg.lC is a correspondlng view to Flg 1~, but shows the tray ln a partly open posltlon;
Flg.2 ls a cut-away close-up vlew of a corner of the case;
Fig. 3 is a cross-section at a side-wall o~ the case;
Fig. 4 is a pictorial view of the exterior of the case;
Fig. 5 is a pictorial view of a component of the case, made in an alternative manner;
Fig. 6 is a cross-section of the component of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 corresponds to Fig. 6, and shows a di~erent stage in the asse~bly of the case;
Fig. 8 is a pictorial view of another case.
Fig. 8A is a view correspondin~ to Fi~. 8 of yet another case.
Fig ~A is a oross-section of, and Fig. 9B a pictorial view of, part of a case which includes a shoulder strap;
Figs. ~C and 9D corresPond to Fig. ~A, and show the shoulder strap in various stages;
The case shown in Fig. 1 comprises a body 1, a lid 2, and a tray 3. The lid 2 is hinged to the body 1 by means of a hinge-band 4.
The body 1 and lid 2 are of conventional construotion. As shown, the body 1 includes an inner stiffening frane 5 and an outer stiffening ~rame 6, but the particular manner of ~285249 constructlng the body and lid ls not e~sentlal to the invention in its broadest sense. The body might, for example, be made as a one-plece mouldlng ln plastlc material. However, the inner frame 5, when an inner frame ls present, can be arranged to provide an abutment which is useful in the inventlon as will be explained presently. The frame arrangement can be useful too in provldlng an anchorage for a shoulder strapt as shown in Fig 8, or for a conventional carrying handle The case lncludes the tray 3. The tray 3 is a unitary or one-piece component which is vacuum-formed out of sheet plastlc material. The tray 3 includes a main-portion or tablet 7, a flap-portlon 8, and a lug-portion 9. Each of these three portions 7, 8, 9 is rigid in itself, and the tray 3 ls provlded wlth two hinges 10, 11 so that the portions 7, 8, 9 can articulate relatively, as shown. The hlnges 10, 11 lle parallel to the hlnge that is deflned and provlded by the hinge-band 4.
The hlnges 10, 11 are of the "llvlng hlnge" klnd, ln that the hislges 10, 11 are formed lntegrally lnto the material, by maklng the materlal locally thlnner along a crea~e-llne.
The thlnnlng can be performed by melting the material locally, or by cutting a groove in the material.
It may be noted that a llvlng hlnge ls not as a general rule regarded as belng rellable over a long servlce llfe, because ' ` . ''` ' -' ' ' ' there ls a tendency ln a llvlng-hlnge for a tear to start at the crease. It is recognised in the invention that a living hinge is acceptable in the case of the invention, because the arcuate movement at the hinge is required to be only a few degrees.
The tray 3 is formed all round with a lip 13, which rests on the abutment provided by the inner frame 5 tFig.3), as referred to above.
~he tray 3 ~ay take up one of three positions. Flrst (Fig lB) the tray 3 may be closed. Here, the tablet 7 and the flap 8 are both resting with the lip 13 on the lnner-frame 5. The compartment 14, defined by the body 1, is now fully closed and inaccesslble.
In the second position (Fiq lA) the tray 3 ls open. Now, the llp 13 ls well clear of the lnner frame 5, and the compartment 14 is fully open and accessible.
In the thlrd po~ltlon ~Flg lC) the tray 3 ls ln a partly-open positlon. Here, the tablet 7 ls closed down onto the lnner frame 5, but the flap 8 has been ralsed, by plvotlng the flap 8 about the hlnge 10. The flap 8 ls so dlmensloned tl-at a person's hand can be lnserted lnto the gap 15 thus produced, to galn access to the compartment 14. Thls acce~s through the gap 15 ls not of course as complete as the access provided when the tray 3 ls ln the fully open ~ ~85249 posltlon, but the restrlcted acce~s ls nevertheless qulte adequate for checking the contents of the compartment 14, and for withdrawing papers occaslonally. It wlll be noted that when the tray 3 is in the partly open position, the contents of the compartment 14 are well hidden.
The shape and size of the tray 3 as shown is such that when the tray 3 is in the closed ~Fig 1~) position the tray completely covers the compartment 1~. It is recognlsed in the invention that sometimes it is not necessary for the tray to completely cover the compartment. The tray might, for example, be somewhat narrower than the compartment, and yet such a tray, when closed, could still act to retain and to mask the contents of the compartment.
The upper face of the flap portion 8 of the illustrated tray 3 has been provided wlth wells 16 for the purpose of receiving a calculator, pens and pencils, business cards, or other approprlate articles. The wells 16, as shown, have been provlded with snap-ln or glued-ln covers 17 to retaln the items in the wells.
When the lld 2 ls closed, of course the upper face of the flap portion 8 is concealed. As soon as a person has opened the lid 2 only slightly, the upper face of the flap portion 8 is exposed, and the person has access to the items stored therein.
~28S249 The tablet 7 has al~o been formed wlth a well 18, whlch ls dimensioned to receive a standard-sized pad of paper. An elastic band l9 serves to locate the pad in the well 18.
The wells 16, 18 serve to stiffen the tray, which ensures that the tray cannot bend except at the hinges.
The lug 9 is attached to the ~ackwall 12 of the body 1. As shown in Fig 2 the lug 9 has slots 20 at its attachment polnt with the back wall 12. The slots 20 permit the tray 3 to rise and remain level if the compartment 19 should be over-filled.
The lid 2 of the lllustrated case is also provided with a flap 21. The lld-flap 21 overlies the tray-flap 8. The lid 2 is closed onto the body 1 by means of two zip fasteners 22, 23. These are arranged symmetrically, and it will be noted therefore that the zips may be pulled back so that only the lid-flap 21 ls unzipped, while the remainder or main-portion 24 of the lid 2 remains zipped and closed.
The lid-flap 21 of the lid 2 is hinged with respect to the main-portion 24, of the lid 2; the result is that a person may easily take out a business card, for example, from the wells 16 of his case without opening the whole lid.
However, as pointed out above, the upper face of the tray flap 8 is well-accessible upon partially openeing the lld, even if the lid does not have the extra benefit of a lid-flap.
~l~8S249 The hinge 25 of the lld-flap 21 may be formed also as a living hinge, or, when the lid is of flexible fabric, as illustrated, the hinge 25 may simply comprise the limit of a stiffening board 26 attached to the lid 2. A pocket 27 may be incorporated also into the lid 2.
The hinge 25 permits the lid 2 to incorporate an attractive design feature; instead of the lid 2 being a mere flat slab, the hinge 25 divides the lid into two rectangular areas, each of pleasing and harmonious proportions, as shown in Fig 4.
Fig 5 illustrates another manner of arranging the tray.
Here, the inner frame 30 and the tray 36 are formed together from a single piece of sheet plastic material, by vacuum formlng. The tray 36 is then ~heared at 37 (Fig 6) from the frame 30, except that the back edge of the tray 36 is left attached to the back wall of the frame 30 by means of a living hinge 38. A trim strip 39 (Fig 7) can be added aroun~ the edge of the tray 36, so that the tray 36 may rest on top of the frame 30 when the tray is in the closed ~ositlon.
The inner frame and tray can be very inexpensive when made in the Flg 5 manner. Also, the resulting constructlon is light in weight, yet it is adequately rigid because the bent-over edges of the frame 30 and tray 36 act a~
31 ~85~'4 stlffeners.
Fig 8 illustrates a different manner of constructlng the tray of the invention. Here, the tray 70 is secured, detachably, to the back wall of the body by means of strap-hinges 71. The maln portion 72 of the tray is flat, and is provided with pockets above 73 and below 74, for holding papers. A clip 75 is also provided for securinq papers.
The flap portlon 76 of the tray includes, in its upper face, a clear plastic holder 77 for a calculator, a pen-holder 78, and an elastic card-retainer 79, which are all formed in the upper surface of the flap portion 76. Such a tray 70 may be constructed out of sheets of card, one for the main portion 72 and one for the flap portion 76, the sheets being covered above and below by a suitable fabric or cloth. The hinge 80 between the two portions is formed simply by leaving a small gap between the two sheets.
In the invention, the frame of the case, comprising the inner frame and the outer frame, extends all round the walls of the interior compartment 14, and defines the well-shaped character of the compartment. The frame has all the rigidlty the case needs in itself, and the floor of the compartment can be of flexible fabric material.
The inherent rigidity, coupled with the inexpensive 5~>49 construction, of this kind oE frame can be turned to further advantage, in that the frame can easily be used to provide a sturdy base for the attachment of a shoulder strap. Figs 9A-D show a case which includes a shoulder strap 50, which is suitable for supporting the weight of the caseO
It is important that a shoulder strap, when not in use, be stowed on the outside of the case: a method of stowing the shoulder strap that reguires the case to be unpacked has little chance of success. It is also important that, when stowed on the outside, the shoulder strap should be neat and unobtrusive. It is also important that the weight oE the case be transmitted to the strap through attachment points that are strong and rigid, yet are also neat and unobtrusive.
All these aspects can be accommodated in the shoulder strap arrangement shown in Figs 9A-D. Figs 9A and 9B show the strap in the stowed-away condition, from which it may be noted that the strap is so unobtrusive that it can barely be perceived that the case actually is provided with the shoulder strap.
The shoulder strap 50 is in two parts, one on each side wall of the case. One end of the part 49 of the strap 50 is attached to a ring 51 by means of a press-fastener 52. The rlng 51 ls se~ured to the frame 53 by mean~ of a stud 54.
An upper supplementary strap 5~ is important ln malntaining ~.2~524~3 a v~ c:ontlnulty 2~0un~:1 the ca~. Th~ h;~ l. wall .57 ~f the case also is fitted with a ring 58, which i~ secured by means of a lower supplementary strap 59 and a further stud 60.
The case is also provided with a handle 63.
Fig 9C shows the shoulder strap 50 partly unfolded, and being made ready for use. Fig 9D shows the press-fastener 52 secured to the correspondlng fastener of the other part 64 of the strap 50 on the other slde of the case. It may be noted that the forces from the shoulder strap are fed into the frame directly through the stud 54, and the corres-ponding stud of the other strap 64, and that the frame is inherently so shaped as to be easily capable of supporting such forces, when so applied.
Although the carrylng case that has been described and illustrated is a businessman's portfolio the invention is applicable to other kinds of carrying case. The ~asic feature of the invention is the tray with its movable flap, which permits a choice of either wide-open access or restricted access to the compartment below. This feature is useful not only in briefcases, but also in sports bags, and in luggage generally.
Claims (16)
- CLAIM 1. A carrying case, which comprises a body (1), a tray (3), and a lid (2), characterized:
in that the lid is separate from the tray (3);
in that the lid is pivotably attached to a back wall (12) of the body (1);
in that the tray is pivotably attached to the said back wall;
in that the body includes side-walls and a front-wall which, together with the back-wall, define a well-shaped compartment (14) in the body;
in that the tray (3) includes a main-portion (7) and a flap-portion (8), the portions being connected by a flap-hinge (10), which permits relative pivoting movement therebetween;
in that the axis of the flap-hinge is spaced from the said back wall of the body;
in that the axis (11) about which the tray is pivotable, and the axis (4) about which the lid is pivotable, and the axis of the flap hinge, are all three parallel;
in that the flap-portion (8) is smaller than the main-portion (7);
in that the main-portion (7) is rigid;
and in that the tray (3) can be set selectably to all these positions relative to the body:-(a) a closed position, in which the said two portions (7,8) of the tray (3) lie over respective parts of the well-shaped compartment (14),> the tray (3) being so shaped and dimensioned as to substantially close at least a major part of the well-shaped compartment (14) when set in the closed position;
(b) a wide-open position, in which both portions (7, 8) are displaced away from the well-shaped compartment (14), leaving the well-shaped compartment wide open;
(c) and a partially-open position where the main-portion (7) lies over, and substantially closes, a part of the well-shaped compartment (14), and where, simultaneously, the flap-portion (8) lies open enough relative to the body (11) to permit access into the well-shaped compartment. - CLAIM 2. Case of claim 1, where the flap-portion (8) is rigid, and is provided, in the upper face of the flap-portion -- the upper face of the flap-portion being the face that faces away from the well-shaped compartment --with one or more flap-wells (16), so constructed and arranged as to be suitable for receiving and containing small items of stationery, business cards, and the like.
- CLAIM 3. Case of claim 1, where the flap portion (8) and the main-portion (7) exist together as a single unitary piece of material (3);
and where the flap-hinge (10) is a living-hinge in that the flap-hinge comprises a crease in the said piece of material, formed between the flap-portion (8) and the main-portion (7). - CLAIM 4. Case of claim 1, where the tray (3) includes also a lug-portion (9);
where the lug-portion (9) is fixed to the back wall (12);
where the lug-portion and the main-portion (7) exist together as a single unitary piece of material;
where the tray is pivotable with respect to the back-wall about a tray-hinge (11);
and where the tray-hinge (11) is a living hinge formed between the lug-portion (9) and the main-portion (7). - CLAIM 5. Case of claim 4, where the case includes an adjustment means, for adjusting the height of the tray (3) relative to the the body (1).
- CLAIM 6. Case of claim 1, where the body (1) includes an inner frame (5) which is located inside the compartment (14);
where the inner frame is included in the walls of the well-shaped compartment;
where the tray (3) includes a lip (13);
and where the arrangement is such that the lip (13) rests on the inner frame (5) when the tray (3) is set to the said closed position. - CLAIM 7. Case of claim 1, where the body (1) includes a frame (5) which extends around all four walls of the well-shaped compartment of the body;
and where the said frame is so constructed and arranged as to provide structural rigidity to the well-shaped compartment. - CLAIM 8. Case of claim 7, where the frame includes an inner frame (5) and an outer frame (6);
where the body includes a floor to the well-shaped compartment (14 where the said floor is made of flexible material;
and where the flexible material extends between, and is sandwiched between, the inner frame and the outer frame. - CLAIM 9. Case of claim 7, where the case is provided with a shoulder strap;
where the shoulder strap is operatively connected to the frame in such a manner that, in use of the shoulder strap to support the weight of the case, the weight of the case is transmitted from the shoulder strap directly to the frame. - CLAIM 10. Case of claim 9, where the shoulder strap is retractable when not in use to a position in which folded lengths of the shoulder strap are laid around the frame, on the outside of the case.
- CLAIM 11. Case of claim 8, where the inner frame and the tray exist together as a single unitary piece of material.
- CLAIM 12. A carrying case, which comprises a body (1) and a closure member (3);
where the body includes a well-shaped compartment (14) in the body;
characterized in that:-the closure member (3) includes a main-portion (7) and a flap-portion (8), the portions being connected by a connecting means (10) which permits relative movement therebetween;
the flap-portion (8) is smaller than the main-portion (7);
the main-portion (7) is rigid;
and the closure member (3) can be set selectably to all these positions relative to the body:-(a) a closed position, in which the said two portions (7,8) of the closure member (3) lie over respective parts of the well-shaped compartment (14), the closure member (3) being so shaped and dimensioned as to substantially close at least a major part of the well-shaped compartment (14) when set in the closed position;
(b) a wide-open position, in which both portions (7, 8) are displaced away from the well-shaped compartment (14), leaving the well-shaped compartment wide open;
(c) and a partially-open position where the main-portion (7) lies over, and substantially closes, a part of the well-shaped compartment (14), and where, simultaneously, the flap-portion (8) lies open enough relative to the body (11) to permit access into the well-shaped compartment;
where the case is provided with a lid (2), where the lid is separate from the closure member (3), and where the lid is attached to a back wall (12) of the body (1) and is pivotable relative to the back wall (12);
where the lid (2) includes a lid-flap-portion (21) and a lid-main-portion (24) the portions (21, 24) being connected by a lid-flap-connecting-means (25) which permits relative movement therebetween;
where the lid (2) can be set selectably to all these positions relative to the body (1):-(a) a closed position, in which the said two portions (21,24) of the lid (2) lie over the corresponding portions (8,7) of the closure member (3);
(b) a wide-open position, in which both portions (21, 24) of the lid are displaced away from the closure member (3), leaving the closure member, in substance, wide open;
(c) and a partially-open position, where the lid-main-portion (24) lies over, and substantially closes, the main-portion (7) of the closure member (3), and where simultaneously the lid-flap-portion (21) lies open enough relative to the closure-member (3) to permit access into the lid-flap-portion (21). - CLAIM 13. Case of claim 12, where the lid (2) is secure-able to the body (1) by means of a zip fastener (22, 23) and where the zip fastener (22, 23) is so arranged that the lid-flap-portion (21) is movable to the said partially open position at the same time as the lid-main-portion (24) remains secured to the body (1) by the zip fastener (22, 23).
- CLAIM 14. Carrying case, which comprises a body (1) and a closure member (3);.
where the body includes a well-shaped compartment (14) in the body;
characterized in that:-the closure member (3) includes a main-portion (7) and a flap-portion (8), the portions being connected by a connecting means (10) which permits relative movement therebetween;
the flap-portion (8) is smaller than the main-portion (7);
the main-portion (7) is rigid;
and the closure member (3) can be set selectably to all these positions relative to the body:-(a) a closed position, in which the said two portions (7,8) of the closure member (3) lie over respective parts of the well-shaped compartment (14), the closure member (3) being so shaped and dimensioned as to substantially close at least a major part of the well-shaped compartment (14) when set in the closed position;
(b) a wide-open position, in which both portions (7, 8) are displaced away from the well-shaped compartment (14), leaving the well-shaped compartment wide open:
(c) and a partially-open position where the main-portion (7) lies over, and substantially closes, a part of the well-shaped compartment (14), and where, simultaneously, the flap-portion (8) lies open enough relative to the body (11) to permit access into the well-shaped compartment;
where the case is provided with a lid (2), where the lid is separate from the closure member (3), and where the lid is attached to a back wall (12) of the body (1) and is pivotable relative to the back wall (12);
and where the main portion comprises a tablet (7) and includes a paper-retaining-well (18), which is so dimensioned as to receive snugly a pad of paper. - CLAIM 15. Carrying case, which comprises a body (1) and a closure member (3);
where the body includes a well-shaped compartment (14) in the body;
characterized in that:-the closure member (3) includes a main-portion (7) and a flap-portion (8), the portions being connected by a connecting means (10) which permits relative movement therebetween;
the flap-portion (8) is smaller than the main-portion (7);
the main-portion (7) is rigid;
and the closure member (3) can be set selectably to all these positions relative to the body:-(a) a closed position, in which the said two portions (7,8) of the closure member (3) lie over respective parts of the well-shaped compartment (14), the closure member (3) being so shaped and dimensioned as to substantially close at least a major part of the well-shaped compartment (14) when set in the closed position;
(b) a wide-open position, in which both portions (7, 8) are displaced away from the well-shaped compartment (14), leaving the well-shaped compartment wide open;
(c) and a partially-open position where the main-portion (7) lies over, and substantially closes, a part of the well-shaped compartment (14), and where, simultaneously, the flap-portion (8) lies open enough relative to the body (11) to permit access into the well-shaped compartment;
where the case is provided with a lid (2), where the lid is separate from the closure member (3), and where the lid is attached to a back wall (12) of the body (1) and is pivotable relative to the back wall (12);
and where the flap-portion (8) includes a loose-article-well (16). - CLAIM 16. Case of claim 15, where the loose-article-well (16) in the flap-portion (8) is provided with a cover (17), which is so dimensioned and disposed as to act as a retainer for loose articles placed in the loose-article-well (16).
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000545458A CA1285249C (en) | 1987-08-26 | 1987-08-26 | Carrying case |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000545458A CA1285249C (en) | 1987-08-26 | 1987-08-26 | Carrying case |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1285249C true CA1285249C (en) | 1991-06-25 |
Family
ID=4136340
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000545458A Expired - Lifetime CA1285249C (en) | 1987-08-26 | 1987-08-26 | Carrying case |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1285249C (en) |
-
1987
- 1987-08-26 CA CA000545458A patent/CA1285249C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |