• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    A wheeled vertical briefcase structure provided with a body, to which is pivotally attached a lid assembly, is described herein. The body defines a rear compartment, designed to receive computer related equipment, that may be selectively closed by the lid assembly. On the other hand, the lid assembly defines a front compartment, designed to receive legal size stationary items in an accordion file. This front compartment is selectively closed by a lid which is pivotally mounted to the lid assembly. The wheeled vertical briefcase structure of the present invention also includes other compartments designed to receive compact disks, floppy disks, PC-cards, pens, business cards, letter size stationary items, a cellular phone, books, and the like.
    公开号:CA2269380A1
    申请号:C2269380
    申请日:1999-04-21
    公开日:1999-10-24
    发明作者:Jean-Paul Thieblot
    申请人:Jean-Paul Thieblot；
    IPC主号:A45C5-04
    专利说明:
    TITLE OF THE INVENTION WHEELED VERTICAL BRIEFCASE STRUCTURE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to briefcases. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a wheeled vertical briefcase structure. BACKGROUND O~THE INVENTION Briefcases are, and have been for many years, widely used to carry the business related objects of the business traveller or the travelling salesman, for example. With the increased popularity of portable computers, the conventional briefcase has evolved into a complete portable office. Indeed, to be commercially successful, a briefcase must now incorporate multiple compartments, each designed to receive one of the different elements daily used by the so called "mobile worker". The multiple compartments briefcases are generally horizontal briefcases, i.e., that their width is greater than their height during transport. To ease the transport of these briefcases, they are now often provided with wheels and telescopic handles to allow the user to pull the briefcase behind him at an angle, freeing the user from the weight of the briefcase. United States Patent N° 5,485,922, entitled: "Portable computer carry case assembly", issued on January 23) 1996, to Robert A. Butcher describes such a horizontal briefcase. A drawback of such a wheeled horizontal briefcase is that the width of the briefcase makes it less manoeuvrable in tight spaces during wheeled transport. To overcome this drawback, Michael H. Shyr et aL in their United States Patent N° 5,678,666, issued on October 21, 1997 and entitled "Travelling bag detachably housing a portable computer" describe a hybrid suitcase/briefcase designed to simultaneously carry clothes and a portable computer. The travelling bag described in this document includes a body, divided in two separate compartments by a flexible partition, and a lid, hingedly mounted to the body. A clothes receiving compartment is provided in the rear portion of the travelling bag and a computer case receiving compartment is provided in the front portion of the travelling bag. The lid is provided with external compartments designed to receive stationary items, floppy disks, calculators, compact disks and the like. The hybrid suitcase/briefcase of Shyr et al. has many drawbacks. For example, the flexible partition that separates the clothes receiving compartment and the computer case receiving compartment must be opened to access the clothes receiving compartment. The access of the rear clothes receiving compartment is therefore limited since the computer case must be removed from the computer case receiving compartment each time the clothes receiving compartment is to be accessed. Another drawback of the travelling bag of Shyr et al. is the limited space available for the stationary items, disks, calculators, compact disks and the like. Indeed, to keep the thickness of the travelling bag to a suitable level for air travel purposes, the thickness of the lid must be kept to a minimum. It may therefore be difficult to insert a large folder in the stationary items compartment of the lid. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved wheeled vertical briefcase structure.$~pIIARY OF TIHE INVENTION More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a wheeled vertical briefcase structure comprising:a body including:a rear wall having a peripheral edge portion; and a first peripheral wall having a proximate edge mounted to the peripheral edge portion of the rear wall; the peripheral wall also having a distal edge provided with first closure means; the peripheral wall defining, with the rear wall, a rear compartment;a lid assembly including:
    a second peripheral wall pivotally mounted to the first peripheral wall via hinges means for pivotal movements between open and closed positions; the second peripheral wall having a proximate edge provided with second closure means configured and sized to interconnect with the first closure means to selectively and removably secure the second peripheral wall in the closed position where it closes the rear compartment;the second peripheral wall also having a distal edge provided with third closure means;a fixed wall having a peripheral edge portion mounted to the proximate edge of the second peripheral wall; the second peripheral wall defining, with the fixed wall, a front compartment; and a lid pivotally mounted to the second peripheral wall via hinges means for pivotal movements between open and closed positions; the rectangular lid wall having a proximate edge provided with fourth closure means configured and sized to interconnect with the third closure means to selectively and removably secure the lid in the closed position where it closes the front compartment. Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the appended drawings:
    5 Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a wheeled vertical briefcase according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the wheeled vertical briefcase of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the wheeled vertical briefcase of Figure 1 where a computer receiving compartment is shown in an open position; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the wheeled vertical briefcase of Figure 1 where a first stationary items receiving compartment is shown in an open position; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the wheeled vertical briefcase of Figure 1 where a second stationary items receiving compartment and a miscellaneous items receiving compartment are shown in open positions; and Figure 6 is a schematic sectional view of the vertical wheeled briefcase of Figure 1.
    DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Generally stated, the present invention is concerned with a wheeled vertical briefcase, conventionally provided with wheels and a pull handle, having a body defining a rear computer receiving compartment and a lid assembly defining a front stationary items receiving compartment. This feature is an advantage since it allows each compartment to be accessed without opening the other compartment, while providing an adequate volume for the storage of legal size stationary items. The lid assembly also includes external compartments and pockets designed to receive letter size stationary items, a cellular phone, pens, business cards, books, and the like. Turning now to the appended Figures, a wheeled vertical briefcase 10 having a vertical briefcase structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. The wheeled vertical briefcase 10 includes a body 12 and a lid assembly 14. As can be better seen from Figure 6, which is a schematized sectional view of the wheeled vertical briefcase 10, the body 12 includes a generally rectangular rear wall 16, provided with a peripheral edge portion 18, and a peripheral wall 20 provided with a proximate edge 22 mounted to the peripheral edge portion 18 of the rear wall 16. The peripheral wall 20 also includes a distal edge 24 provided with first closure means under the form of a row of interlocking tabs 26 forming half of a zipper fastener.
    The rear wall 16 defines, with the peripheral wall 20, a rear compartment 28, designed to receive computer related items, as will be further described hereinafter. The lid assembly 14 includes a peripheral wall 30 having a proximate edge 32 provided with a hinge 34 pivotally mounting the lid assembly 14 to the body 12. The proximate edge 32 also includes second closure means under the form of a row of interlocking tabs 36 forming half of a zipper fastener. The interlocking tabs 36 are configured and sized to interconnect with the interlocking tabs 26 of the body 12 to therefore allow the user to close the compartment 28 (as shown, for example) in Figure 1) with the lid assembly 14 and to removably secure the lid assembly in a closed position. The lid assembly 14 further includes a generally rectangular fixed wall 38 provided with a peripheral edge portion 40 mounted to the proximate edge 32 of the peripheral wall 30. The peripheral wall 30 defines, with the fixed wall 38, a front compartment 46, designed to store legal size stationary items, as will be further described hereinafter. The peripheral wall 30 also includes a distal edge 42 provided with third closure means under the form of a row of interlocking tabs 44 forming half of a zipper fastener. The lid assembly 14 also includes a generally rectangular lid 48 configured and sized to close the compartment 46. The lid 48 has a peripheral edge portion 50 provided with a hinge 52 pivotally mounting the lid 48 to the peripheral wall 30. The peripheral edge portion 50 is also provided with fourth closure means under the form of a row of interlocking tabs 54 forming half of a zipper fastener. The interlocking tabs 54 are configured and sized to interconnect with the interlocking tabs 44 of the peripheral wall 30 to therefore allow the user to close the compartment 46 (as shown, for example, in Figure 1 ) with the lid 48 and to removably secure the lid 48 in a closed position. As will be easily understood by one skilled in the art, the zipper fasteners defined by the two pair of rows of interlocking tabs 26) 36 and 44, 54 are only provided on the portions of the peripheral walls that are not hingedly interconnected. It is to be noted that the presence of both the fixed wall 38 and the interlocking tabs 44 and 54 allows the user to access the compartment 46 without compromising the integrity of the contents of the compartment 28. Turning now to Figure 3 of the appended drawings, the rear compartment 28 will be further described. This rear compartment 28 is configured as a computer related items receiving compartment. It therefore includes an internal peripheral padded element 56 provided with an outer surface made of hook and loop type material onto which padded dividers 58 and 60, each having edge-mounted hook and loop elements (not shown), may be removably mounted. The computer receiving compartment 28 is thus divided in three sections 62, 64 and 66 having user-definable sizes.
    The bottom surface of the compartment 28 is defined by a bottom padded element 68 to safely receive a portable computer (not shown) and/or other accessories. Securing straps 70 and 72 are also mounted in the compartment 28 to tie-down the contents thereof. It is to be noted that the internal peripheral padded element 56 and the bottom padded element 68 are removably mounted to the body 12 via a zipper fastener 74 to allow the removal of these elements, for example, for cleaning purposes. As will be understood by one skilled in the art the compartment 28 could receive other items. For example, files; day planners, spectacles, collapsible umbrellas and/or other personal effects could be placed in the rear compartment 28. Furthermore, it is to be noted that if this rear compartment 28 is not intended to receive computer related equipment or other fragile items, the padding elements 56 and 68 could be omitted. As can be clearly seen from Figure 3, when the lid assembly 14 is in its open position, a rear surface 76 of the fixed wall 38 is accessible to the user. This rear surface 76 is therefore provided with multiple compartments designed to receive computer related and other office related items. More specifically, the rear surface 76 is provided with a compact disk compartment 78, a floppy disk compartment 80, a PC-card compartment 82, a pen holder 84, a business card holder 86 and a stationary items pocket (not shown but accessible via a zipper fastener 88). Turning now to Figure 4 of the appended drawings, the legal size stationary items receiving compartment 46 will be further described. The compartment 46 includes an accordion file 90 provided with three sections 92, 94 and 96 configured and sized to receive legal-5 size stationary items. The section 96 is connected to the lid 48 via two connecting straps 98 and 100 that restrict the opening of the lid 48. The straps 98 and 100 also cause the accordion file 90 to open upon opening of the lid 48.
    10 Figure 5 of the appended drawings illustrates the various external compartments mounted to the external surface of the lid 48. These external compartments include a letter size stationary items receiving compartment 102 and a multi-purpose compartment assembly 104. The letter size stationary items receiving compartment 102 includes a three-section accordion file 106 configured and sized to receive letter sized stationary items (not shown). The accordion file 106 may selectively be closed via a zipper fastener 108. The compartment 102 also includes a stationary items pocket (not shown but accessible via a zipper fastener 109). It is to be noted that the number of sections of the accordion files 90 and 106 is not critical. The multi-purpose compartment assembly 104 includes a front cover 110 that may be closed via lateral zipper fasteners 112 and 114 and a top flap 116 that may be removably secured to the front cover 110 via hook and loop type fasteners 118. The multi-purpose compartment assembly 104 also includes a cellular phone/spectacles pocket 120, pen holders 122, 124, business cards holders 126, 128 and a general purpose pocket (not shown but accessible via a zipper fastener 130). Turning briefly to Figure 2 of the appended drawings, the external surface 132 of the rear wall 16 is provided with a compartment 134 configured and sized to receive two paperback sized books side by side. The compartment 134 may be closed via a zipper fastener 136. A pocket 138 is also provided to hold small items such as, for example, plane tickets. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, the wheeled vertical briefcase 10 also includes the following conventional features found on some known briefcases. It is however to be noted that the combinaison of these conventional features with the above-described features of the wheeled vertical briefcase 10 improves the overall usefulness of the wheeled vertical briefcase. The conventional features are as follows:~ a top handle 140 and a lateral handle 142 (Figure 1);~ a flexible securing element 144 (Figure 1 ) allowing other pieces of luggage (not shown) to be secured to the wheeled vertical briefcase 10;~ a pair of wheels 146 and 148 respectively mounted to the body 12 via wheel mounting supports 150 and 152;~ a telescopic handle assembly 154 mounted to the rear wall 13 of the body 12 (Figure 2); and ~ four projections 156 (Figure 2) mounted to one of the sides of the wheeled vertical briefcase 10 to allow the briefcase to be horizontally positioned without damaging the external surface of the briefcase 10. It is to be noted that while the receiving tubes of the telescopic handle assembly 154 are shown mounted to the external surface of the rear wall 16, this position of the receiving tubes is not critical to the present invention. Indeed, these receiving tubes could be mounted to the internal surface of the rear wall, for example. As will be readily understood by one skilled in the art, the accordion files 90 and 106 are oversized to enable the user to insert documents that are bound or otherwise secured in conventional oversized folders. It is to be noted that while the hinges 34 and 52 are illustrated herein as length of fabric, other types of hinges could be used to pivotally mount the various elements to one another. Of course, the various compartments and pockets described hereinabove could be used to store items different from the items specifically stated.Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (17)
    [1] 1. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure comprising:a body including:a rear wall having a peripheral edge portion; and a first peripheral wall having a proximate edge mounted to said peripheral edge portion of said rear wall; said peripheral wall also having a distal edge provided with first closure means; said peripheral wall defining, with said rear wall, a rear compartment;a lid assembly including:a second peripheral wall pivotally mounted to said first peripheral wall via hinges means for pivotal movements between open and closed positions; said second peripheral wall having a proximate edge provided with second closure means configured and sized to interconnect with said first closure means to selectively and removably secure said second peripheral wall in said closed position where it closes said rear compartment; said second peripheral wall also having a distal edge provided with third closure means;a fixed wall having a peripheral edge portion mounted to said proximate edge of said second peripheral wall;said second peripheral wall defining, with said fixed wall, a front compartment; and a lid pivotally mounted to said second peripheral wall via hinges means for pivotal movements between open and closed positions; said rectangular lid wall having a proximate edge provided with fourth closure means configured and sized to interconnect with said third closure means to selectively and removably secure said lid in said closed position where it closes said front compartment.
    [2] 2. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said rear compartment includes a computer receiving compartment.
    [3] 3. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 2, wherein said computer receiving compartment includes a peripheral padding element and a rear padding element.
    [4] 4. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 3, wherein said peripheral and rear padding elements are mounted to said distal edge of said first peripheral wall via fastening elements.
    [5] 5. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 3, wherein said computer receiving compartment further includes at least one divider having a padded external surface and at least one pair of straps to tie down contents of said computer receiving compartment.
    [6] 6. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said front compartment includes a legal size stationary items compartment.
    [7] 7. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 6, wherein said legal size stationary items compartment includes an accordion file.
    [8] 8. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 7, wherein said accordion file includes at least two sections.
    [9] 9. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 1, wherein (a) said first closure means include a row of interconnecting tabs, and (b) said second closure means include a row of interconnecting tabs configured and sized to interconnect with the tabs of said first closure means to thereby define a zipper fastener selectively and removably securing said second peripheral wall in said closed position.
    [10] 10. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 1, wherein (a) said third closure means include a row of interconnecting tabs, and (b) said fourth closure means include a row of interconnecting tabs configured and sized to interconnect with the tabs of said third closure means to thereby define a zipper fastener selectively and removably securing said lid in said closed position.
    [11] 11. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 1, wherein said lid includes an external surface provided with external compartments.
    [12] 12. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 11, wherein said external compartments include a letter size stationary items receiving compartment.
    [13] 13. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 12, wherein said letter size stationary items compartment includes an accordion file.
    [14] 14. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 13, wherein said accordion file of said letter size stationary items compartment includes at least two sections.
    [15] 15. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 1, wherein (a) said rear wall, (b) said fixed wall and (c) said lid are generally rectangular.
    [16] 16. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pull handle assembly mounted to said rear wall.
    [17] 17. A wheeled vertical briefcase structure as recited in claim 16, wherein said pull handle assembly includes receiving tubes are mounted to an external surface of said rear wall.
    类似技术:
    公开号 | 公开日 | 专利标题
    US5676223A|1997-10-14|Business case
    US7293635B2|2007-11-13|Business travel bag
    US6837346B2|2005-01-04|Carrying cases with pop-out compartments
    US6047752A|2000-04-11|Handbag system
    CA2756166C|2014-08-12|Storage bag with secondary access
    US4609084A|1986-09-02|Travel pack
    US7900758B2|2011-03-08|Carry-on case for conforming to the curved shape of an overhead carry-on luggage compartment
    US5967270A|1999-10-19|Combination briefcase and computer bag assembly
    US5954170A|1999-09-21|Combination organizer and accordion file
    US6491074B1|2002-12-10|Purse for carrying various articles
    US20080142558A1|2008-06-19|Soft-sided collapsible vehicle storage organizer
    US4265286A|1981-05-05|Attache case with removable file folder
    US6994131B2|2006-02-07|Carry-all bag
    US20050207827A1|2005-09-22|Binder with multi-access pocket
    US20060208043A1|2006-09-21|Carrier system
    US7841454B2|2010-11-30|Adjustable carrier with straps
    US20020153216A1|2002-10-24|Business case with expandable internal compartment for overnight clothing
    US20030205490A1|2003-11-06|Hand-held organizer
    US5375706A|1994-12-27|Compact disc carrying case
    US6516927B2|2003-02-11|Case with internal file pockets and sidewall access
    US6767152B1|2004-07-27|Binder with end pocket
    US20040134734A1|2004-07-15|Carrying case with removable accessory modules
    US20040163912A1|2004-08-26|Carrying case having interfitting accessory modules and method of using the same
    US5865233A|1999-02-02|Purse organizer
    US6761255B2|2004-07-13|Portable carrier
    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    法律状态:
    2003-04-22| FZDE| Dead|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US6624498A| true| 1998-04-24|1998-04-24||
    US09/066,244||1998-04-24||
    [返回顶部]