US3869034A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wardrobe apparel case
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-01-29
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Granted: 1975-03-04
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Expires: 1993-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A carrying case for clothing and apparel having compartments at opposite sides of a center panel respectively (1) to accommodate garments held on hangers and folded when the case is closed but extended when the case is open and suspended, and (2) to contain one or more trays to hold apparel and the like and arranged to be extended horizontally when the case is open and suspended. An elongated horizontal compartment is provided adjacent the normal top panel of the case which extends for the full width thereof. A cover of flexible material encloses the case and has side panels adapted to be unfastened to expose and permit opposite sides of the case to be opened when suspended with the normal bottom of the case disposed uppermost.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Henry M Thornton
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 02:43
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45C; A45C13/00; A45C13/02; A45C13/03; A45C5/00; A45C5/03; A47; A47B; A47B61/00; A47B61/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
A suitcase for carrying wearing apparel and the like comprising in combination, a substantially U-shaped frame having longitudinally extending end panels and a connecting supporting panel adapted when in one arrangement to be carried by a handle and when in a second arrangement to be suspended from overhead means, a dividing partition extending between said end panels intermediately of the outer side edges thereof and perpendicular to said connecting supporting panel and said end panels to provide a pair of compartments in longitudinal back-to-back relationship, one or more tray-like members each having a bottom panel, pivot means connecting said tray-like member or members to said end panels of said frame in one of said compartments for movement between a compact folded position relative to said frame when said U-shaped frame is arranged to be carried and an outwardly extended substantially horizontal open position when said U-shaped frame is suspended to provide convenient access to apparel contained in said member or members, suspending means connected between said tray-like member or members and said end panels of said U-shaped frame and adapted to maintain said traylike member or members in said substantially horizontal open position relative to said frame when the latter is suspended as aforesaid, and said other compartment comprising a wardrobe compartment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
A suitcase for carrying wearing apparel and the like comprising in combination, a substantially U-shaped frame having longitudinally extending end panels and a connecting supporting panel adapted when in one arrangement to be carried by a handle and when in a second arrangement to be suspended from overhead means, a dividing partition extending between said end panels intermediately of the outer side edges thereof and perpendicular to said connecting supporting panel and said end panels to provide a pair of compartments in longitudinal back-to-back relationship, one or more tray-like members each having a bottom panel, pivot means connecting said tray-like member or members to said end panels of said frame in one of said compartments for movement between a compact folded position relative to said frame when said U-shaped frame is arranged to be carried and an outwardly extended substantially horizontal open position when said U-shaped frame is suspended to provide convenient access to apparel contained in said member or members, suspending means connected between said tray-like member or members and said end panels of said U-shaped frame and adapted to maintain said traylike member or members in said substantially horizontal open position relative to said frame when the latter is suspended as aforesaid, and said other compartment comprising a wardrobe compartment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
90 words
The suitcase according to claim 1 in which a plurality of tray-like members are supported in said one of said compartments in said U-shaped frame and said frame additionally having extension means pivotally connected between one of said tray-like members and said U-shaped frame and arranged to support said tray-like member in spaced relationship below the other tray-like member when extended to open position to facilitate ready access to said one of said tray-like members when positioned horizontally relative to said U-shaped frame and the latter is in suspended position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The suitcase according tO claim 2 in which said extension means comprises a pair of parallel supporting links pivotally connected at one end to said end panels of said U-shaped frame and the other ends being connected to said one of said tray-like members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The suitcase according to claim 3 in which said one of said tray-like members is positioned in flatly abutting relation to said other tray-like member when said tray-like members are positioned in carrying position within said U-shaped frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said pivot means by which said tray-like members are pivotally connected to said end members of said U-shaped frame are disconnectable to permit separation of said tray-like members from said U-shaped frame to facilitate access to said tray-like members for loading and unloading the same.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
106 words
The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said wardrobe compartment further includes means to support garments in hanging condition within said compartment, said dividing partition having a free edge substantially coextensive with the ends of said end panels of said U-shaped frame, a side panel foldably interconnected to the free edge of said partition and adapted to be disposed selectively across the side face of said wardrobe compartment and in a downwardly extending position when the suitcase is suspended from the connecting supporting panel of said U-shaped frame, thereby to expose garments within said compartment when said enclosing panel is in said downwardly extending position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
50 words
The case according to claim 6 further including a bar extending transversely across said wardrobe compartment adjacent and spaced laterally from said dividing partition, said bar being adapted for garments to be folded thereover incident to compactly storing the same within said wardrobe compartment when closed by said side panel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
137 words
The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said connecting supporting panel of said U-shaped frame is uppermost when suspended vertically as aforesaid to permit movement of said tray-like members to open position and comprises a bottom for said suitcase disposed lowermost when said suitcase is being carried in closed condition, the portion of said suitcase which is opposite to said connecting supporting panel comprises the normal top of said suitcase and further includes a carrying handle connected to said normal top, whereby said connecting supporting panel of said U-shaped frame of said case serves as a bottom of said case when being carried by said handle, and foldable hook means connected to said connecting supporting panel and operable to suspend the same from overhead means when said suitcase is arranged with said connecting supporting panel uppermost.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
131 words
The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said U-shaped frame comprises a basic frame formed from a strip of material of substantially uniform width and the ends thereof being bent from a bight portion comprising said connecting supporting panel into parallel relationship with each other to form said end panels of substantially equal length, side panel members having similar edges extending between and interconnectable to and foldable downwardly from the outer ends of said end panels of said U-shaped frame from enclosing positions for the sides of said compartments to open positions to expose the contents of said compartments when said connecting supporting panel of said frame is disposed uppermost, and means to secure said side panel members in said enclosing positions thereof between the edges of said end panels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
The suitcase according to claim 1 further including an extendible bar mounted within said wardrobe compartment and adapted to support garments in hanging condition by means of coat hangers supported thereon, and the outer end of said extendible bar also having hook means thereon adpated to engage support means such as a hook or clothes pole when said suitcase is suspended therefrom and thereby support the outer end of said extendible support bar Substantially in horizontal position and permit coat hangers to be disposed thereon in spaced relationship while supporting garments therefrom in freely hanging condition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
69 words
The suitcase according to claim 1 in which said dividing partition has one edge positioned adjacent and substantially in line with the outer ends of said end panels of said U-shaped frame, and a carrying handle for said case interconnected to said edge of said dividing partition, whereby said suitcase when carried is positioned with said handle uppermost and the connecting supporting panel of said U-shaped frame is lowermost.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-03 | 1978-09-02 | 1979-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-03 | 1982-09-02 | 1983-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-03 | 1986-09-02 | 1987-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |