US3738458A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Carrying case with removable side panels
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-07-14
•
Granted: 1973-06-12
•
Expires: 1991-07-14
Abstract
Abstract A carrying case comprising two hinged shell portions each comprising a perimeter frame and a structural side panel carried within a slot extending around the inside surface of the frame. Each frame is segmented such that the side panels may be removed from the frames and replaced or reversed to change appearance.
Inventors
- 👤 H Yount
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:45
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45C; A45C13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In an article of luggage, such as a carrying case, first and second shells which are pivotal relative to one another in a clamshell fashion, each shell comprising a normally closed perimeter frame, first and second rigid side panels removably disposed in frames of the first and second shells, respectively, and first selectively operable latch means to open the frames to permit removal of the side panel, said first latch means including first and second fixed portions adjacently disposed on the first and second shells, respectively, and first and second movable portions operatively associated with the first and second fixed portions, respectively, for unlatching the frames, said first and second movable portions being movable only towards one another whereby the adjacent locations thereof prevents unlatching of the frames except when the shells are pivotally separatEd from one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In an article of luggage, such as a carrying case, first and second shells which are pivotal relative to one another in a clamshell fashion, each shell comprising a normally closed perimeter frame, first and second rigid side panels removably disposed in frames of the first and second shells, respectively, and first selectively operable latch means to open the frames to permit removal of the side panel, said first latch means including first and second fixed portions adjacently disposed on the first and second shells, respectively, and first and second movable portions operatively associated with the first and second fixed portions, respectively, for unlatching the frames, said first and second movable portions being movable only towards one another whereby the adjacent locations thereof prevents unlatching of the frames except when the shells are pivotally separatEd from one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including second selectively operable latch means to latch the two perimeter frames together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including a carrying handle on at least one of the perimeter frames.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each of the perimeter frames includes a slot track extending fully around the interior surface thereof in a closed fashion, the side panels being slidably insertable into the slot track whereby such side panels are captured in position when the perimeter frames are closed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein the side panels are identical but have distinct ornamental surface designs on the opposite sides thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1218432A
Cited
GB401388A
Cited
US2699848A
Cited
US2695210A
Cited
FR1108023A
Cited
US2950792A
Cited
US3575226A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-11 | 1976-12-11 | 1977-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-11 | 1980-12-11 | 1981-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-11 | 1984-12-11 | 1985-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |