Patent US5086888A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5086888A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Folding suitcase with hard casing
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1990-09-07
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Granted: 1992-02-11
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Expires: 2010-09-07
Abstract
Abstract A folding suitcase with hard casing consisting of six hard sides at least, wherein the plate bodies of hard casing on the bottom, left and right sides (i.e. bottom, left and right plate bodies) are separable from their corresponding soft surface materials so that these plate bodies become removable. The inner sides at the bottom of the left and right plate bodies are provided with grooves respectively to engage with two longitudinal sides of a bottom plate body, the inner sides at the tops of the left and right plate bodies are provided with hook-and-loop fasteners. A part protruding upward from the tops of the left and right soft surface materials each become a turnover body of which the inner side is also provided with the hook-and-loop fastener to be folded inward and tightly adhered to the foregoing hook-and-loop fasteners on the left and right plate bodies, so the upper and lower ends and the inner and outer sides of left and right plate bodies are tightly fixed and firmly assembled. When these hook-and-loop fasteners are disengaged from each other and the bottom, left and right plate bodies are removed, only the soft surface materials are left on the bottom, left and right sides of the suitcase which become foldable, so the suitcase as whole can be folded into a flat shape with its front and rear sides overlapping each other in order to reduce the space warehousing, shipping and storing it.
Inventors
- 👤 Chung-Nan Chu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:01
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45C; A45C7/00; A45C7/0018; A45C7/0036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A folding suitcase having a hard casing consisting of at least six hard plate including hard bottom, left and right side plate bodies; soft surface materials associated with each of said bottom, left and right plate bodies, said plate bodies being movable but associated plate bodies substantially abutting against each other when the suitcase is assembled and can be engaged with the corresponding soft surface materials, respectively; and assembling devices for maintaining associated ones of said plate bodies in abutment when the suitcase is assembled, whereby disassembly of said plate bodies only requires said assembling devices to release said left and right plate bodies so that all said plate bodies can be removed and the soft surface materials on the bottom, left and right sides of the suitcase become foldable, and the suitcase as a whole can be folded into a flat shape with its front and rear sides overlapping each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
A folding suitcase having a hard casing consisting of at least six hard plate including hard bottom, left and right side plate bodies; soft surface materials associated with each of said bottom, left and right plate bodies, said plate bodies being movable but associated plate bodies substantially abutting against each other when the suitcase is assembled and can be engaged with the corresponding soft surface materials, respectively; and assembling devices for maintaining associated ones of said plate bodies in abutment when the suitcase is assembled, whereby disassembly of said plate bodies only requires said assembling devices to release said left and right plate bodies so that all said plate bodies can be removed and the soft surface materials on the bottom, left and right sides of the suitcase become foldable, and the suitcase as a whole can be folded into a flat shape with its front and rear sides overlapping each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A folding suitcase with hard casing as claimed in claim 1, wherein said assembling devices are hook-and-loop fasteners.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
263 words
A folding suitcase having a hard casing consisting of at least six hard plates including hard bottom, left and right side plate bodies, soft surface materials associated with each of said bottom, left and right plate bodies, said plate bodies being movable but associated plate bodies substantially abutting against each other when the suitcase is assembled and can be engaged with the corresponding soft surface materials, respectively; and assembling devices for securing said left and right plate bodies, whereby disassembly of said plate bodies only requires removal of said plate bodies so that the soft surface materials on the bottom, left and right sides of the suitcase become foldable, and the suitcase as a whole can be folded into a flat shape with its front and rear sides overlapping each other, said bottom plate body having two opposing lateral sides extending along said left and right plate bodies when assembled, said inner sides at the bottom of both left and right plate bodies each being provided with a groove to engage said two lateral sides of said bottom plate body, the inner sides at the tops of said left and right plate bodies being provided with assembling devices, portions protruding upward from the tops of said left and right soft surface materials forming turnover bodies of which the inner sides are also provided with assembling devices, whereby said plate bodies and soft surface materials can be assembled or disassembled using said assembling devices on said turnover bodies to engage with or disengage from those assembling devices on said left and right plate bodies.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
263 words
A folding suitcase having a hard casing consisting of at least six hard plates including hard bottom, left and right side plate bodies, soft surface materials associated with each of said bottom, left and right plate bodies, said plate bodies being movable but associated plate bodies substantially abutting against each other when the suitcase is assembled and can be engaged with the corresponding soft surface materials, respectively; and assembling devices for securing said left and right plate bodies, whereby disassembly of said plate bodies only requires removal of said plate bodies so that the soft surface materials on the bottom, left and right sides of the suitcase become foldable, and the suitcase as a whole can be folded into a flat shape with its front and rear sides overlapping each other, said bottom plate body having two opposing lateral sides extending along said left and right plate bodies when assembled, said inner sides at the bottom of both left and right plate bodies each being provided with a groove to engage said two lateral sides of said bottom plate body, the inner sides at the tops of said left and right plate bodies being provided with assembling devices, portions protruding upward from the tops of said left and right soft surface materials forming turnover bodies of which the inner sides are also provided with assembling devices, whereby said plate bodies and soft surface materials can be assembled or disassembled using said assembling devices on said turnover bodies to engage with or disengage from those assembling devices on said left and right plate bodies.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A folding suitcase with hard casing as claimed in claim 3, wherein said assembling devices are hook-and-loop fasteners.
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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) | 1995-02-10 | 1995-08-12 | 1996-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-02-10 | 1999-08-12 | 2000-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-02-10 | 2003-08-12 | 2004-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |