US3330388A

US3330388A - Carrying case

Info

Publication number: US3330388A
Application number: US495589A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward B Stein
Original assignee: STEBCO PRODUCTS CORP
Current assignee: STEBCO PRODUCTS CORP
Priority date: 1965-10-13
Filing date: 1965-10-13
Publication date: 1967-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 1984-07-11

Description

July 11, 1967 E. B. STEIN CARRYING CASE Filed Oct. 13, 1965 I "V '7 U Q U NN'TOR.

w -M/r ATTORNEY? United States Patent 3,330,388 CARRYING CASE Edward B. Stein, Glencoe, 111., assignor to Stehco Products Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Iliinois Filed Oct. 13, 1965, Ser. No. 495,589 6 Claims. (Ci. 190-48) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention concerns a luggage case having opposing molded end panels with opposing grooves and with one or more dividers each cooperable with an opposing pair of grooves for holding the divider in an upright position. The end panels are further provided with flanges to permit the end panels to be readily stitched to side walls of the case to secure the end panels in assembly therewith.

The present invention relates generally to a catalog or luggage case that can be used to carry different types of goods. The luggage case herein disclosed g nerally is of the type described in US. Patent No. 3,169,615.

The present invention concerns itself with a new type of luggage case having molded end panels particularly constructed for ready assembly with bottom and side walls of the luggage case. In the past, it has generally been the practice to employ leather or plastic relatively flexible end closure panels. Cases of the present type previously were compartmentalized with dividers that were switched or interiorly secured within the case.

According to important features of this invention, the molded end panels are formed with ribs which define opposing grooves and removable relatively stilf dividers are provided for engagement in the grooves in a number of different positions. These dividers can be removed at any time from the grooves and engaged with other grooves to vary the sizes of the compartments within the case as desired in accordance with certain features of this invention.

According to other features of this invention, the end panels are provided with a continuou peripheral flange which extends beyond the plane of the rib bottoms so that the flange can be stitched to the side and bottom walls of the luggage case free of interference with the ribs and so that the cases can be economically manufactured at higher production rates.

In accordance with other features of this invention, the ribs on the end panels are intentionally restricted in vertical dimensions so as to be spaced above the bottom flange portion of the peripheral rim flange providing a stitching clearance area thereunder to facilitate attachment of the end panels to the side and bottom walls of the luggage case.

In accordance with still other features of this invention, the dividers are provided with inclined edges between the side edges and the bottom edge for extending free of the end panels at lower ends thereof whereby the divider can snugly engage the end panels as well as the case bottom.

It is, therefore, an important object of this invention to provide a new and improved luggage case that can be economically manufactured and which has removable dividers that can be positioned in a number of different selectable positions.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and improved luggage case wherein the end panels can be formed in a molding process and conveniently stitched to side and bottom walls to form a luggage case.

Other objects and features of this invention will more fully become apparent in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustraitng a single embodiment and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of my luggage case;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially on the line IIII looking in the direction indicated by the arrow as seen in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective View of a molded end panel; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view taken substantially on the line IV-IV looking in the direction indicated by the arrows as seen in FIG- URE 1.

As shown on the drawings: The reference numeral 10 indicates generally my luggage case. This case can be manufactured from a folded strip 11 comprised of any suitable material or materials. As illustrated, the strip 11 has inner and outer layers of plastic 11a and 11b and an inner layer constituting of relatively stiff fiberboard.

When the strip 11 is formed to shape, confronting side walls 12 and 13 are joined togehter at lower ends by a bottom wall 14. Top flaps 15 and 16 are secured by means of hinges 17 and 18 to upper ends of the side walls 12 and 13. The top flap 16 has a handle 19 that is mounted thereon by means of

handle pivots

20 and 21. The handle is adapted to project through a flap slot 22 provided in the top flap 15. Suitable locks 23 are provided on the top flaps for locking the case. The case thus far described is of the type dlisclosed in US. Patent No. 3,169,615.

In accordance with important features of this invention, molded end panels of rectangular shape 25 are provided. Since each end panel is of essentially identical construction a description of one Will sutfice for each of them.

The end panel 25 includes a main panel portion 25a that is peripherally encompassed by a continuous angled marginal rim flange 27 having top, bottom and side

rim flange portions

28, 29, 30 and 31. Cooperable with each end panel 25 is a marginal T-shaped reinforcing strip 32. As is illustrated in FIGURE 2, the end panels are positioned between the side panels or side walls 12 and 13 and on the bottom wall 14. The T-shaped reinforcing strip is mounted between the peripheral rim flange 27 and the side and

bottom walls

12, 13 and 14. These surfaces are stitched together by stitching 33 and are further secured by means of rivets 34 and 35.

Each end panel 25 has a series of upright vertically extending molded ribs 36 that terminate at bottom ends in inclined rib bottoms 36a. The ribs 36 define inwardly opening confronting grooves 37. The peripheral flange 27 extends in one direction away from main panel portion 25a and the grooves 37 open in an opposite direction away from the main panel portion 25a. It will further be noted that the ribs 36 terminate at lower ends so as to be spaced above bottom rim flange portion 29 to provide an enlarged stitching clearance area 42 as will hereafter he discussed in further detail.

A series of dividers 38 are provided for selective assembly with selective confronting grooves 37 on the end panels 25. These dividers can be comprised of any suitable material such as wood and the like and are provided with vertical edges 39 for removable slidable engagement within the grooves 37. These vertical edges 39 terminate at lower ends in beveled edges 40 which in turn are connected to a bottom edge 41. The beveled edges 40 are particularly positioned so that the vertical divider edges 39 can engage in the end panel grooves 37 and so that the bottom edge 41 can engage with the bottom wall 14 of the luggage case, all without interfering with the enlarged stitching clearance area 42; It is in this manner that the divider can be firmly supported interiorly of the bag on the bottom 14, the inclined molded rib bottoms 36a, and between the walls defining the rib grooves 37.

The rim flange 27 is dimensioned with reference to the molded ribs 36 so that enough area is provided to permit the rim flange to be stitched to the side and bottom Walls of the luggage case in a vertical plane P-l spaced from a vertical plane P-2 extending through the rib bottoms 36. By manufacturing the luggage case with the previously described features, presently available equipment can be readily used for assembling the components of my luggage case.

It is significant to note that vertical grooves 37 extend vertically through the upper or top rim flange portion 28 in the peripheral rim flange 27 so that the divider 38 can be readily assembled therein as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. The top rim flange portion 28 also serves another important function since the flaps 15 and 16 can rest thereon and be supported thereby when they are disposed in a closed overlapped position as illustrated in FIGURES 1 and'4.

Although minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent warranted hereon, all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim:

1. A luggage case comprising side and bottom case walls,

end panels disposed between said side case walls and on said bottom case wall in assembly therewith and with said panels having upright ribs defining opposing rib grooves,

closure flaps hingedly secured to upper ends of said side walls, a dividers having opposite upright edges removably secured in said rib grooves and a bottom divider edge carried on said bottom case wall, 7 t the end panels each having'a continuous rim'flange about its perimeter including top, bottom and side rim flange portions extending away from said dividers, stitch means securing said top, bottom and side flange portions on each end panel in unitary assembly with said side and bottom case walls and i 1 with said top flange portions providing supports for said closure flaps.

2. A luggage case comprising side and bottom case walls,

'end panels disposed between said side case walls and on said bottom case wall in assembly therewith and with said panels having upright ribs defining confronting rib grooves,

dividers having opposite upright edges removably secured in said rib grooves and a bottom divider edge carried on said bottom case wall,

the end panels each having a continuous rim flange about its perimeter including top, bottom and side rim flange portions extending away from said dividers, and stitch means securing said top, bottom 7 and side flange portions on each end panel in unitary assembly with said side and bottom case walls,

the stitch means lying in a vertical plane spaced out- Wardly at each end from a vertical plane through 4 said ribs.

3. A luggage case comprising side and bottom case walls,

end panels disposed between said side case walls and on said bottom case wall in assembly therewith and with said panels having upright ribs defining confronting rib grooves,

the end panels each having an'angled rim flange about its perimeter including top, bottom and side rim flange portions extending away from said dividers,

the lower ends of said ribs being spaced above said bottom rim flange portion providing a stitching 'clear- 7 ance area, and

stitch means securing said top; bottom and side flange portions on each end panel in unitary assembly with said side and bottom case Walls,

the stitch means lying in a vertical plane spaced outwardly at each end from a vertical plane through said ribs.

4. A luggage case comprising side and bottom case walls,

the end panels each having an angled rim flange about its perimeter including top, bottom and side rim flange portions extending away from said dividers,

the lower ends of said ribs being spaced above said bottom rim flange portion providing a stitching clearance area,

the dividers each having inclined edges at opposite ends joined with said upright edges and with said bottom divider edge whereby the dividers can extend free of the end panels of the lower ends of the rib grooves to avoid interference and to insure coaction with the bottom case wall and the end panels, and stitch means securing said top, bottom and side flange portions on each end panel in unitary assembly with said side and bottom case Walls.

5. A luggage case comprising side and bottom case walls, 7

end panels disposed between said side case walls and on said bottom case Wall in assembly therewith and with said panels having upright ribs defining con,- fronting rib grooves,

dividers having opposite upright edges removably se cured in said rib grooves and a bottom divider edge carried on said bottom case wall, the end panels each having an angled rim flange about its perimeter including top, bottom and side rim flange portions extending away from said dividers,

the dividers each having inclined edges at opposite ends joined with said upright edges and with said bottom divider edgewhereby the dividers can extend free of the end panels of the lower ends'of the rib grooves to avoid interference and to insure coaction with the bottom case wall arid the end panels, arid stitch means on said bottom case wall in assembly therewith and with said panels having upright ribs defining confronting rib grooves,

the end panels each having a continuous rim flange about its perimeter including top, bottom and side rim flange portions extending away from said dividers,

the rib grooves extending vertically through the top rim flange portion on both of the end panels,

dividers having opposite upright edges removably secured in said rib grooves and a bottom divider edge carried on said bottom case Wall, and stitch means securing said top, bottom and side flange portions on each end panel in unitary assembly with said side and bottom case walls.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 11/1895 Great Britain.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner

Claims

1. A LUGGAGE CASE COMPRISING SIDE AND BOTTOM CASE WALLS, END PANELS DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID SIDE WALLS AND ON SAID BOTTOM CASE WALL IN ASSEMBLY THEREWITH AND WITH SAID PANELS HAVING UPRIGHT RIBS DEFINING OPPOSING RIB GROOVES, CLOSURE FLAPS HINGEDLY SECURED TO UPPER ENDS OF SAID SIDE WALLS, DIVIDERS HAVING OPPOSITE UPRIGHT EDGES REMOVABLY SECURED IN SAID RIB GROOVES AND A BOTTOM DIVIDER EDGE CARRIED ON SAID BOTTOM CASE WALL, THE END PANELS EACH HAVING A CONTINUOUS RIM FLANGE ABOUT ITS PERIMETER INCLUDING TOP, BOTTOM AND SIDE RIM FLANGE PORTIONS EXTENDING AWAY FROM SAID DIVIDERS, STITCH MEANS SECURING SAID TOP, BOTTOM AND