Convertible luggage and a reversible panel therefor

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-06-21
ZAUDERER KAREN B
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] Advantageously, the present invention provides luggage that allows the user of the luggage to change its appearance and / or functionality by reversing or changing one or more panels. Thus, with one piece of luggage, a user can gain many different looks and functions. For example, the panels can include different colors, designs, and fabrics so as to change the look and feel of the luggage. Additionally or alternatively, the panels can include compartments and / or pockets so as to add functionality. The panels can also be layered on top of one another.

Problems solved by technology

Once a piece of luggage is produced, however, its appearance and functionality cannot be changed or varied in any way or manner.
Sometimes, the appearance and function of the luggage is appropriate for the present use, while other times, the appearance and function may not be desirable.
Thus, if a user would like a different appearance or functionality, the user would need to use a different piece of luggage, as it would be difficult if not impossible to change the luggage's appearance.
However, purchasing multiple pieces of luggage can be expensive.

Method used

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  • Convertible luggage and a reversible panel therefor
  • Convertible luggage and a reversible panel therefor
  • Convertible luggage and a reversible panel therefor

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

[0038]FIG. 3 shows a front view of a reversible zipper 36 according to the present invention. The zipper 36 includes a left tape 42, which is attached to the luggage 10, and a right tape 44, which is attached to the panel 12. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the left tape 42 can be attached to the panel 12 and the right tape 44 can be attached to the luggage 10. The left and right tapes 42 and 44 have interlocking teeth 46 joined together with a slider 48. Preferably, the teeth 46 are symmetrical, and the measure of the distance between the teeth is the same as the measure of the width each tooth. The slider 48 has a pull-tab 50. At a first end 52 of the zipper 36 is a retainer box 54 secured to the left tape 42 and an insertion pin 56 secured to the right tape 44. At the opposite end 57 is a left top stop 60 secured to the left tape 42. The top stop 60 is shown as having a similar shape to the insertion pin 58, but the stop has a thicker part or a catch to arr...

second embodiment

[0040]FIG. 4 shows a front view of a reversible zipper 136 according to the present invention. The zipper 136 is substantially similar to the zipper 36 with the exception of the differences noted herein. The zipper 136 includes two sliders 148, 150, with two corresponding pull-tabs 149, 151, attached to the left tape 142. The right tape 144 is the separating portion and includes two insertion pins 156, 158, one at each end. Preferably, the insertion pins 156, 158 are identical or substantially similar to one another. Thus, either end of the tape 144 can be inserted into the sliders 148, 150. The left tape 142 includes a stop at each end. Thus, a first stop 154 is located at one end and a second stop 160 is located at the other. Preferably, the stops 154, 160 are identical or substantially similar to one another. The stops can be any of the variety of conventional zipper stops, such as a ball-type stop, or a stop that looks like an insertion pin, but has a catch for arresting the mov...

third embodiment

[0041]FIGS. 5A and 5B show a reversible zipper 236 according to the present invention. The zipper 236 is substantially similar to the zipper 136 with the exception of the differences noted herein. The zipper 236 has a left tape 242 and a right tape 244. The left tape 242 includes retainer boxes 252 and 260, one at each end (in lieu of the stops 154 and 160 of the zipper 136). The right tape 244 includes insertion pins 256, 258, one at each end. Thus, either end of the right tape 244 can be inserted in either of the sliders 248, 250 and corresponding the retainer boxes 252 and 260. As the sliders 248, 250 are moved towards one another, the tapes 242, 244 close. As the sliders 248, 250 are moved away from one another, the tapes 242, 244 separate.

[0042] Also, the tapes 242 and 244 can extend beyond the retainer boxes 252 and 260, so as to eliminate any potential gap in the fabrics if the zipper were configured in closed (or circular) configuration (so that the ends of the tapes and ret...

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PUM

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Abstract

Convertible luggage, such as a suitcase, purse, briefcase, backpack, etc. includes a body and a detachable and reversible panel having a first face and a second face having a different appearance than the first face. The detachable and reversible panel can be securely attached to at least a portion of the body such that in at least a first configuration with the first face facing out and in at least a second configuration with the first face facing in and the second face facing out. Moreover, the detachable and reversible panel can create a pocket for housing items therein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60 / 742,313, filed Dec. 5, 2005, and 60 / 815,301 filed Jun. 21, 2006, and incorporates the disclosures of the same in their entireties herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to convertible luggage and to a reversible panel that can be securely attached thereto. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A piece of luggage has a certain appearance. Once a piece of luggage is produced, however, its appearance and functionality cannot be changed or varied in any way or manner. In some cases, the fabric of the luggage is a solid color, and in other cases, the fabric of the luggage has certain designs. Sometimes, the appearance and function of the luggage is appropriate for the present use, while other times, the appearance and function may not be desirable. Thus, if a user would like a different appearance or function...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): A45C3/08A45C3/00A45C13/08
CPCA45C3/08A45C5/02A45C7/0027A45C7/005A45C7/0068A45C13/001A45C13/02A45C13/08A45C13/103A45C13/30A45C13/42
Inventor ZAUDERER, KAREN B.
Owner ZAUDERER KAREN B
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