US1512772A - Brief case - Google Patents

Description

5. H. LIFTON BRIEF CASE Filed Aug. 4., 1923 ATTORNEY hetented @ct. 211, H924.

entree star SAMUEL H. LIFTON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

BRIEF case.

Application filed August 4, 1923. Serial No. 655,567.

10 closure therefor in the form of a flap adapted go overlap the-upper edges of the body memer. In devices of the character described herein, having a closure flap, it is necessary to 15 hold the flap upward and outward by one hand while inserting articles into the case, or removing them therefrom.

Considerable dilficulty is frequently had under such conditions in properly arranging the contents within the case and in sorting out, or selecting from, the contents of such case without removing the entire contents.

The invention has for its primary object to provide a device of the character stated that is simple and strong in construction, durable in use, and adapted to enable the contents of such a case to be readily inserted therein in any desired relation to each other, and selectively removed therefrom readily and quickly.

For accomplishing such purpose, the invention comprises a brief case, or similar device, provided with a closure flap that readily adjusts itself to a vertical position when released at its free margin from the body of the case, thereby enabling the user to employ both hands, if so desired, in placing any articles within the case in their proper relation to each other, or to remove therefrom any desired article without removing the entire contents of the case.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, hereinafter stated, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination,

' and arrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically stated, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown a device embodying the structure of the invention in its preferred form, but it is to be understood that changes, variations, and modilications may be resorted to without depart ing from the scope of the invention.

lln describing the invention in detail, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, wherein like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a brief case embodying my invention, showing the closure flap in open position in full lines, and indicating by dotted lines the position of the flap when closed;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and illustrating by dotted lines the closure flap in closed cs1- tion, and in a position intermediate its c osed and open position;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the inner surface of a closure flap and one side ofv a brief case embodying the invention, in a modified form;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to that shown in Fig. 3, illustrating a further'modification of the invention; and

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. l.

The body of the brief case shown in the drawings is of the usual construction, comprising front cover member 1 and back cover member 2, the latter having a closure flap 3 formed therewith. The front and back cover members are connected by means of gusset members 4, and if desired an intermediate wall 5 may be connected with the gusset members.

The gusset members are secured to the cover members at their outer margins by means of rows of stitching 6.

The closure flap is shown provided with a lock section 7 which engages a corresponding lock section 8 secured to the front cover member 1. The flap is also provided with strap members 9 which engage buckle members 10 secured to the front cover member l in the usual manner.

In order to enable the closure flap to automatically assume a vertical position as soon as said member is disengaged from connection with the front cover member of the case, the closure flap and a portion of thebaclr cover member 2 are provided with a flexible resilient member 11 which extends downwardly below the lower margin of the closure flap, so as to have a bearing on both the back cover member and the closure fla The member 11 may be of any suitable form, such as a thin band or wire, made of metal, or other material having similar capabilities.

As shown in Fig. 1, the resilient member is made in two sections, each section extending lit/It lid along the lateral margin of the closure flap and part-way down the margin of the back 7 cover of the case, with the upper end thereof back cover member and closure flap inany suitable manner, preferably by means of a cover or lining 14, the outer margin of which may be secured together with the outer margin of the back cover member and the outer margin of one of the gussets 4, as shown in Fig. 5, with a portion of said cover or lining secured to the back cover member by means of a row of stitching 15. The member thus covering the flexible member is preferably extended entirely across the inner face of the back cover member, although that is not an essential feature of the invention.

The resilient member 11 serves not only as means for automatically raising the closure flap when released from the front cover member, but also as a reinforcing member for holding the outer margin of the flap in shape .so as to preventit from twisting or curling. The reinforcing feature of said member may be employed to reinforce the back cover member 2 by continuing the resilient member around the entire outer margin of the closure flap, and the entire outer margin of the back cover member, as shown in Fig. 4.

The case is carried in the usual manner by means of a handle or strap 12.

When in use, brief cases are generally handled roughly, and frequently they are thrown down carelessly on their back cover member, and consequently that portion of the case is subjected to greater wear than the remaining portions thereof. By extending the resilient member entirely around the margin of the closure flap and the outer margin of the back cover member, the back .cover member and the cover flap of the-brief case are specially protected from injury. 7

When it is desired to have access to the I interior of the case, and the closure flap is released from engagement with the front cover member, the closure flap instantly springs backward automatically into the position shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2; the user of the case is then enabled to use both hands while examining the contents of the case and remove any desired article therefrom, without withdrawing the entire in Fig. 2, which shows the osition assumed by the closure flap interme iate its position when locked in engagement with the front cover member, and its vertical osition.

The convenience and ease with which the brief case can be filled, or any ortion of its contents examined and remove is increased by virtue of the fact that the closure flap spring member, by being extended around i the outer margin of the back cover member, enables said covermember to beheld evenly in a vertical lane coincident with that of the closure dhp, thereby preventing any bulgin or sagging of the back cover mem her an closure flap.

at I claim as new and desire to seen by Letters Patent is: Y

1. A brief case, comprising a body having a front cover member, and a back cover member provided with a closure flap, and resilient means connected with said closure flap and back cover member, adapted to gugomatically lift said flap and open said 2. A brief case, comprising a body having a front'cover member, and a back-cover member provided-with a closure flap, and a resilient flap opening member secured to the outer margin of said flap and back cover member.

3. A brief case, com'prising'a body having a front cover member, and a back cover member provided witha closure flap, and a resilient bandsecuredto the outer margin of said flap and back cover member.

In testimony that I claim. the foregoing. as my invention, I have signed myname hereunder.

SAMUEL n. LIFTON.

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