US3105534A

US3105534A - Briefcase closure

Info

Publication number: US3105534A
Application number: US95426A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harris Abraham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-03-13
Filing date: 1961-03-13
Publication date: 1963-10-01
Anticipated expiration: 1980-10-01

Description

Oct. 1, 1963 A. HARRIS BRIEFCASE CLOSURE Filed March 13, 1961 INVENTOR ABRAHAM HARRI$ ATTORNEYS.

This invention relates to briefcases of the satchel or valise type and, more particularly, to a novel closure construction for such briefcases.

Briefcases of this type generally comprise a pair of side walls of relatively rigid or stifi natural or artificial leather or leather-like material interconnected by foldable end and bottom walls of relatively flexible material. The closure construction includes a pair of pivotally interconnected U-shaped rigid frames, each having an elongated base extending along the top edge or margin of a respective side wall, the outer ends of the arms of the two frame members being pivotally interconnected. The two frame members are so interrelated that, when the briefcase is closed, they overlap with the outer frame member overlying and embracing the inner frame memher.

The outer frame member has secured thereto a handle for carrying the briefcase and a flap, of relatively stiif natural or artificial leather or leather-like material, is sewn or riveted to the side wall associated with this outer frame member and positioned to extend downwardly over the side wall associated with the inner frame member. This latter side wall has a key operated latch construction which is engageable with a catch on the end of this flap.

The flap secured to the side wall hav'mg the outer frame member is generally relatively long and, when the briefcase is open, overlaps the inner frame member and extends down along the side wall associated with the latter. Frequently, the loop or catch on the end of this flap will engage or catch in the latch, which is annoying. It may be stated that this flap is biased to normally overlie the opposite side Wall of the briefcase, and difficulty is experienced in keeping the flap out of the way when the briefcase is open.

A further disadvantage of known constructions is that the entire weight of the briefcase is carried by the outer frame member to which the handle is secured, the only transfer of weight to the other side of the briefcase being that provided by the catch on the flap being engaged in the latch on the side Wall associated with the inner frame of the briefcase. Consequently, after a period of time, the inner frame of the briefcase tends to sag away from the outer frame thereof, when the briefcase is closed, providing a very unsightly appearance for the briefcase.

The present invention is directed to a new type of flap construction for such briefcase, in which the flap is secured to one half of a metal hinge, the other half of metal hinge being secured to the outer frame of the briefcase. Thereby, the flap is no longer biased to extend over the other wall of the briefcase and may be tipped back out of the Way when the briefcase is open. As a preferred form of the invention, the second half of the hinge, which is secured to the outer frame of the briefcase, is provided with an extension forming therewith a U-shaped clip which is arranged to embrace the inner frame of the briefcase when the briefcase is closed so that the weight normally taken by the inner frame of the briefcase is transferred, through the U-shaped clip, to the outer frame of the briefcase and thus to the handle. This prevents sagging of the inner frame of the briefcase, when the briefcase is closed, and thus prevents the aforementioned unsightly appearance of the briefcase.

For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description of typical embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a briefcase closure embodying a preferred form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical, substantially central sectional View through the briefcase closure with the briefcase closed but the flap in a retracted position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the combined flap hinge and U-shaped clip embodying the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hinge member formed in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, a briefcase 1! of the satchel or valise type, is illustrated as having relatively stiff side Walls 11 and 21. Adjacent the upper edges of Walls 11 and 21,

margins

12, and 22, each comprising an elongated strip of relatively flexible natural or artificial leather or leather-like material folded over upon itself about a medial longitudinal line, are stitched to the upper edges of walls 11 and 21. These

margins

12 and 22 extend not only over the upper edges of walls 11 and 21, respectively, but also substantially therebeyond, and the margins substantially fully enclose the respective frame members 13 and 23. Each frame member is preferably of metal and is substantially U-shaped in elevation, the base being relatively elongated and the legs being relatively short. The corresponding ends of the two frame members 13 and 23 are pivotally interconnected in the usual manner to form the hinged closure for the briefcase.

A handle 15 is secured to the outer frame 213, as by having looped ends receiving pins 14 disposed between spaced metal posts 16 anchored, in any suitable manner, to the outer frame 13. A flap 24 is secured to the wall 21, to assist in opening the briefcase, and below this flap a conventional latch 25 is secured to the wall 21. The construction of the briefcase, as so far described, is conventional and, in the usual manner, the latch 25 is arranged to cooperate with a catch 17 extending from a metal plate 18 bent over and anchored to the outer end of a closure flap Ztl. For this purpose, the latch '25 is provided with several slots 26 and is arranged to be operated, for engagement and disengagement of catch 17, by suitable means such as a handle 27. Additionally, latch 25 may be provided with the usual lock 28.

As stated, a principal feature of the invention resides in the manner in which the flap 25 is secured to the outer frame 13. In the preferred arrangement shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, a first metal hinge member St} is anchored to the inner end of flap 26'. Member 30 comprises a metal plate which is folded upon itself and provided with a central and substantially rectangular slot 31. One side of the folded metal plate is provided with prongs 32 adjacent its outer edge, and the other side of the metal plate is provided with prongs 33 intermediate its inner and outer edges. By placing the inner edge of flap 2% into the folded metal plate hinge member 30, and then compressing the sides of the folded metal plate toward each other, the hinge member 39' is anchored to the inner edge of flap 29 by engagement of

prongs

32 and 33 through the material of the flap.

It will be noted that the hinge member 30 is positioned on the flap 20 in such a manner that the inner edges of the notch 31 are slightly above the inner edge of the flap, thus leaving two long tudinally separated U-shaped bight portions projecting from the inner end of the flap 20. These spaced bight portions receive a hinge pintle 35.

Hinge pintle 35 acts as the pivotal interconnection between the first hinge member 30 and the second hinge member 40. The second hinge member 40 is a metal member including a plate portion 41 formed with holes 42 for receiving rivets 4;- whereby the plate portion may be anchored to the upper frame member 13. The outer edge of the plate portion 41 is formed, adjacent its central portion, with a substantially circular cross section hinge pintle receiving extension 43 having a length substantially equal to the length of the notch or recess 31. Pintle receiving portion 43 is arranged to embrace the pintle 35 along the exposed portion thereof between the two spaced bight portions of the hinge member 39, and to be Wrapped therearound to thereby hingedly interconnect the

hinge members

30 and 40.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the second hinge member 4t) is provided with means for engaging and supporting the inner frame member 23. As shown particularly in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, this means comprises an integral lip 45 which is curved downwardly from the inner edge of the plate portion 40 to form a bight, as at 4-6, and then extends outwardly in spaced parallel relation to the plate portion'dil, as indicated at 47, the portion 47 having a downturned extremity 48.

By reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be noted that, when the bag is opened, or is closed but not latched, the

flap may be swung up and out of the way and will stay in this position, unlike the flaps previously used which have been secured by stitching along the wall 11, for example, and thus biased to overlap the wall 21. T hereby, the annoyance of having the catch 17 engage into the latch when opening the bag, or when trying to keep the bag partly opened, is avoided. This is due to the two-part metal hinge construction 3il-4il, with one part being secured to the flap 20 and the second part being secured to the outer frame 13.

Furthermore, when the bag is closed, the inner frame supporting portion 45 has its Wall 47 extending beneath the inner frame 23 and supporting the same, whereby the inner and outer frames are, in efiect, anchored together so that the weight of the bag may be transferred to the handle 15 without there being any relative upward bending of the outer frame 13 or downward bending of the inner frame 23.

"In cases where the briefcase is not intended to support a great deal of weight, so that a support for the inner frame member 23 is not necessary, the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4 may be used. The second hinge member 46 shown in FIG. 4 is identical with the hinge member of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, except that, in the case of member All, the flap is omitted. Other- Wise, the construction is exactly the same as that of the member 40 of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.

From the foregoing description, it will be noted that the briefcase embodying the invention has numerous practical advantages. The flap 2! when the briefcase is opened, swings back on the novel hinge construction 30-35-40 so that the user has a fullview of the contents of the briefcase. When flap 2G is in this swung back position, there is no danger of the flap 2t? scratching a hand when placing material in the bag or removing it therefrom. The hinge construction 3il354d, by virtue of allowing the flap 2% to swing back as a unit, prevents tearing, breaking, or cracking of the flap 2% due to constant bending back and forth, which latter is characteristic of prior art briefcases. Additionally, the shelf or flap 45 of the hinge interlocks the upper and lower frames, thus preventing sagging of the frames when the briefcase is heavily loaded.

While specific embodiments of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. 7

What is claimed is:

1. In a briefcase or the like of the valise type and including a pair of side walls of leather or leather-like material, a pair of inner and outer relatively rigid frame members each secured to and extending along the upper margin of a respective side wall and hingedly interconnected to define a top opening, the inner and outer frame members being overlapped when the opening is closed, latch means secured to one side wall, and a flap of leather or leather-like material extending from the other side wall and carrying a catch releasably engageable with the latch means to latch the briefcase closed: the improvement comprising a first metal hinge member secured to the inner end of said flap and having hinge pintle receiving means projecting beyond said inner end; a hinge pintle engaged in said hinge pintle receiving means; and a second metal hinge member including a relatively flat plate portion underlying and secured to said outer frame member and having hinge pintle receiving means projecting outwardly of the margin of such other side wall and engaged with said hinge pintle.

2. A briefcase or the like as claimed in claim 1 in which said first metal hinge member comprises a metal strap element folded on itself to embrace the inner edge of said flap and anchored to said flap, said strap element having a centrally located relatively elongated recess which, when the folded strap element is anchored to the inner end of said flap, defines an outwardly opening notch located intermediate a pair of bights receiving said hinge pintle; the hinge pintle receiving means of said second hinge member embracing said pintle between said bights.

3. In a briefcase or the like of the valise type and including a pair of side Walls, a pair of inner and outer relatively rigid frame members each secured to and extending along the upper margin of a respective side wall and hingedly interconnected to define a top opening, the

inner and outer frame members being overlapped when the opening is closed, latch means secured to one side Wall, and a flap extending from the other side wall and carrying a catch releasably engaged with the latch means to latch the briefcase closed: the improvement comprising a first metal hinge member secured to the inner end of said flap and having hinge pintle receiving means projecting beyond said inner end; a hinge pintle engaged in said hinge pintle receiving means; and a secondmetal hinge member secured to said outer frame member and having hinge pintle receiving means projecting outwardly of the margin of such other side wall and engaged with said hinge pintle; said first metal hinge member comprising a metal strap element folded on itself to embrace the inner edge of said flap and anchored to said flap, said strap element having a centrally located relatively elongated recess which, when the folded strap element is anchored to the inner end of said flap, defines an outwardly opening notch located intermediate a pair of bights receiving said hinge pintle; the hinge pintle receiving means of said second hinge member embracing said pintle between said bights; and in which second hinge member comprises a relatively fiat plate portion secured to and underlying said outer frame member and a lip portion projecting from the outer edge of said plate portion and curved to a circular cross section to receive said pintle; the length of said lip portion being substantially equal to the length of said notch.

4. In a briefcase or the like of the valise type and including a pair of side walls, a pair of inner and outer relatively rigid frame members each secured to and extending along the upper margin of a respective side wall and hingedly interconnected to define a top opening, the inner and outer frame members being overlapped when the opening is closed, latch means secured to one side wall, and a flap extending from the other side wall and carrying a catch releasably engaged with the latch means to latch the briefcase closed: the improvement comprising a first metal hinge member secured to the inner end of said flap and having hinge pintle receiving means projecting beyond said inner end; a hinge pintle engaged in said hinge pintle receiving means; and a second metal hinge member secured to said outer frame member and having hinge pintle receiving means projecting outwardly of the margin of such other side wall and engaged with said hinge pintle; said first metal hinge member comprising a metal strap element folded on itself to embrace the inner edge of said flap and anchored to said flap, said strap element having a centrally located relatively elongated recess which, when the folded strap element is anchored to the inner end of said flap, defines an outwardly opening notch located intermediate a pair of bights receiving said hinge pintle; the hinge pintle receiving means of said second hinge member embracing said pintle between said bights; and in which said second hinge member including a plate portion secured to said outer frame member, and a lip integral with said plate portion and extending downwardly from the inner edge of said plate portion and then outwardly parallel to said plate portion to embrace and support said inner frame member in the closed condition of the briefcase.

5. In a briefcase or the like as claimed in claim 4, the outer edge of said lip being curved downwardly to facilitate engagement of said inner frame member over said lip.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,112,888 Burchess Oct. 6, 1914 2,474,003 Lifton June 21, 1949 2,630,851 Rodgers Mar. 10, 1953 2,707,505 Klehr May 3, 1955 2,859,787 Perlin Nov. 11, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 363,947 Germany Mar. 30, 1920

Claims

1. IN A BRIEFCASE OR THE LIKE OF THE VALISE TYPE AND INCLUDING A PAIR OF SIDE WALLS OF LEATHER OR LEATHER-LIKE MATERIAL, A PAIR OF INNER AND OUTER RELATIVELY RIGID FRAME MEMBERS EACH SECURED TO AND EXTENDING ALONG THE UPPER MARGIN OF A RESPECTIVE SIDE WALL AND HINGEDLY INTERCONNECTED TO DEFINE A TOP OPENING, THE INNER AND OUTER FRAME MEMBERS BEING OVERLAPPED WHEN THE OPENING IS CLOSED, LATCH MEANS SECURED TO ONE SIDE WALL, AND A FLAP OF LEATHER OR LEATHER-LIKE MATERIAL EXTENDING FROM THE OTHER SIDE WALL AND CARRYING A CATCH RELEASABLY ENGAGEABLE WITH THE LATCH MEANS TO LATCH THE BRIEFCASE CLOSED: THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING A FIRST METAL HINGE MEMBER SECURED TO THE INNER END OF SAID FLAP AND HAVING HINGE PINTLE RECEIVING MEANS PROJECTING BEYOND SAID INNER END; A HINGE PINTLE ENGAGED IN SAID HINGE PINTLE RECEIVING MEANS; AND A SECOND METAL HINGE MEMBER INCLUDING A RELATIVELY FLAT PLATE PORTION UNDERLYING AND SECURED TO SAID OUTER FRAME