US3955656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Elastic cover and seal for protecting luggage
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-08-30
•
Granted: 1976-05-11
•
Expires: 1994-08-30
Abstract
Abstract A continuous band of impervious elastic material covers and seals the closure around the periphery of a piece of luggage or similar container. An opening is provided, where necessary, through which the luggage handle protrudes. Various cross-sectional shapes are described for achieving close-fitting conformity with the peripheral side surfaces of the luggage.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert A. Kashinski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 00:15
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45C; A45C13/00; A45C13/008; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/805; Y10S206/811
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
In an article of luggage having: two substantially hollow, opposing, mated shells with side body portions and adjoining peripheral side portions, means for fastening the shells in a closed, mated relationship to define a closure joint in the area of the peripheral side portions, and a handle for carrying the luggage from place to place, the improvement comprising: a band of impervious material overlying substantially the entire closure joint and covering the peripheral side portions in the area adjacent to the closure without covering the side body portions to any substantial extent, the band having elastic properties at least in the direction of, and substantially over, its entire length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
In an article of luggage having: two substantially hollow, opposing, mated shells with side body portions and adjoining peripheral side portions, means for fastening the shells in a closed, mated relationship to define a closure joint in the area of the peripheral side portions, and a handle for carrying the luggage from place to place, the improvement comprising: a band of impervious material overlying substantially the entire closure joint and covering the peripheral side portions in the area adjacent to the closure without covering the side body portions to any substantial extent, the band having elastic properties at least in the direction of, and substantially over, its entire length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article of luggage as claimed in claim 1, in which: the band includes opposite ends, and a fastening device for joining and separating the opposite ends.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An article of luggage as claimed in claim 2, in which: at least a portion of the fastening device is permanently fixed to the article of luggage.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An article of luggage as claimed in claim 2, in which: the band includes at least one raised rib which lies in contact with the surface of the luggage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article of luggage as claimed in claim 2, in which: the band includes an opening through its surface for allowing the handle to protrude.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An article of luggage as claimed in claim 1, in which: the band includes at least one raised rib which lies in contact with the surface of the luggage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article of luggage as claimed in claim 6, in which: the band includes an opening through its surface for allowing the handle to protrude.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article of luggage as claimed in claim 6, in which: the band is permanently fastened to the article of luggage.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article of luggage as claimed in claim 1, in which: the band includes an opening through its surface for allowing the handle to protrude.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article of luggage as claimed in claim 9, in which: the band is permanently fastened to the article of luggage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article of luggage as claimed in claim 1, in which: the band is permanently fastened to the article of luggage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An article of luggage as claimed in claim 3, in which: the band includes at least one raised rib which lies in contact with the surface of the luggage.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article of luggage as claimed in claim 3, in which: the band includes an opening through its surface for allowing the handle to protrude.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article of luggage as claimed in claim 4, in which: the band includes an opening through its surface for allowing the handle to protrude.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
An article of luggage as claimed in claim 12, in which: the band includes an opening through its surface for allowing the handle to protrude.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
An article of luggage as claimed in claim 7, in which: the band is permanently fastened to the article of luggage.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for protecting an article of luggage having a closure, a closure joint, peripheral side portions, and said body portions from physical abuse and the entry of foreign material comprising: covering the closure and peripheral side portions of the luggage in the area over and adjacent to the closure with a substantially continuous, close-fitting band of impervious material having two opposite edges that extend substantially parallel to the closure joint and having elastic properties at least in the direction of the closure joint, without covering the side body portions of the luggage to any substantial extent, folding one edge of the band over onto the other edge along substantially its entire length to expose the luggage closure joint, while the other edge remains substantially in place on the peripheral side portions of the luggage, in order to gain access to the interior of the luggage, and folding the one edge back to substantially its original position to re-seal the luggage.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for protecting an article of luggage having a closure, a closure joint, peripheral side portions, and said body portions from physical abuse and the entry of foreign material comprising: covering the closure and peripheral side portions of the luggage in the area over and adjacent to the closure with a substantially continuous, close-fitting band of impervious material having two opposite edges that extend substantially parallel to the closure joint and having elastic properties at least in the direction of the closure joint, without covering the side body portions of the luggage to any substantial extent, folding one edge of the band over onto the other edge along substantially its entire length to expose the luggage closure joint, while the other edge remains substantially in place on the peripheral side portions of the luggage, in order to gain access to the interior of the luggage, and folding the one edge back to substantially its original position to re-seal the luggage.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 17, in which the step of covering includes the additional step of: passing a handle on the luggage through an opening which extends through the surface of the band.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 17, in which the band includes opposite ends and the step of covering includes the further step of: joining the opposite ends of the band with a fastening device.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method as claimed in claim 19, in which the step of covering includes the additional step of: passing a handle on the luggage through an opening which extends through the surface of the band.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2271211A
Cited
US2436369A
Cited
US2432365A
Cited
US2617504A
Cited
FR1153020A
Cited
DE2003476A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-05-11 | 1979-11-10 | 1980-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-11 | 1983-11-10 | 1984-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-11 | 1987-11-10 | 1988-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |