Luggage system with clothes rack and method of use thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a luggage system for a rigid piece of luggage having an outer surface and an interior compartment, the luggage system having a pair of telescopic posts for suspending a clothes hanger over the piece of luggage. This allows the user to place the wardrobe replacement garments in an organized and immediately wearable orientation in a dance game, drama, or other activities where the user needs to quickly access the garments. This may also be used in conventional travels to hang clothes directly on the user's luggage piece. The telescopic rod is provided with a base, and the base is clamped into a receiver in the luggage piece and can stretch upwards to suspend the clothes rack. A cover can be used to seal the receiver when the receiver is not in use. A button may be pushed or a latch may be slid to release the telescopic arm, or a spring element itself may incorporate this effect. In order to increase privacy when people go out, the curtain-shaped object and the clothes rack can be used together.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a luggage system and a method of using the same, and more particularly, to a rigid luggage system having a telescoping post for a clothes hanger and a receiving system therefor. Background Art

[0002] Dancers, performers, travelers, or anyone else often need to quickly change clothes or costumes in public places. Typical luggage requires the user to rummage through piles of clothes to find the correct item. Existing luggage with wardrobe attachments requires the wardrobe rod to extend from the storage compartment of the luggage piece, making it impossible to close the luggage when the wardrobe feature is in use. Additionally, these wardrobe features are typically made as light and inexpensive as possible, often having a single structural post extending away from the luggage piece on either side of the crossbar. When the luggage piece is open, the contents stored therein are vulnerable to theft. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally provides a rigid luggage piece having a pair of telescoping posts that suspend a clothes rack above the luggage piece. This allows the user to place wardrobe change clothing in an organized and immediately wearable orientation during dance competitions, plays, or other activities where the user needs quick access to their clothes. This can also be used for regular travel to hang clothes directly on the user's luggage piece.

[0004] The telescoping rod is installed within a cavity receiver inside the luggage piece and can then be telescoped upward to suspend the clothes rack. When not in use, a lid can seal the receiver. A button on the inside of the luggage can be pressed to release the telescoping arm. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0005] The drawings form a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which illustrate various objects and features of the present invention.

[0006] Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the embodiment is shown in a first storage orientation.

[0007] Figure 2 For Figure 1 A detailed view taken around a circle of

[0008] Figure 3 For Figure 1 A detailed view taken around a circle of

[0009] Figure 4 For Figure 1 A partially exploded three-dimensional view of an embodiment of

[0010] Figure 5 Is a side view of the embodiment.

[0011] Figure 6 Is a front view of the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 7 Is a three - dimensional isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, wherein the embodiment is shown in a closed orientation.

[0013] Figure 8 Is a side view of the embodiment, wherein the embodiment is shown in an open orientation.

[0014] Figure 9 Is a detailed three - dimensional isometric view of an alternative embodiment receiver cap element of the embodiment, wherein the alternative embodiment receiver cap element is shown in an open orientation separated from the remaining luggage.

[0015] Figure 10 Is a detailed three - dimensional isometric view of the embodiment, the embodiment being shown in a closed orientation.

[0016] Figure 11 Is a side view of the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 12 Is a three - dimensional isometric view of an alternative embodiment luggage system with a counterweight element.

[0018] Figure 13 Is a three - dimensional isometric view of the embodiment, wherein the counterweight element is shown removed.

[0019] Figure 14 Is a three - dimensional isometric view of the embodiment, wherein an alternative arrangement of the embodiment is shown. Detailed Description

[0020] I. Introduction and Environment

[0021] As needed, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it should be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention can be embodied in various forms. Thus, the specific structural details and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as restrictive, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art how to adopt the present invention differently in almost any appropriate detailed structure.

[0022] Certain terms will be used in the following description for reference only and not for limitation. For example, up, down, front, back, right, and left refer to the orientation of the present invention in the views being referenced. The words "inwardly" and "outwardly" refer respectively to directions toward and away from the described aspect and the geometric center of its designated part. Forward and backward generally refer to the direction of travel when appropriate. The terms will include the specifically mentioned words, their derivatives, and words of similar meaning.

[0023] II. Preferred Embodiment Luggage System 2 with Suspended Clothes Hanger 26

[0024] As Figure 1-6 shown, the present invention provides a luggage piece 2 having paired receiver cavities 14, each receiver cavity terminating in a receiver cap 6. Each cavity can receive a telescopic arm 20 made of a plurality of interlocking segments 22, the telescopic arm 20 being inserted into and engaging with the corresponding receiver. As Figure 4 shown, the telescopic arm can be telescoped upward to suspend the clothes hanger 26 above the luggage piece. Clothes can be hung on the clothes hanger with or without a clothes hanger.

[0025] As Figure 2 shown, the receiver cap 6 can have a lid 12 for closing the top opening 8 of the receiver cavity 14. The receiver cavity 14 is accessible and has a hollow interior 10 that accommodates the telescopic arm when in a first storage orientation. The lid 12 can be closed with the telescopic arm inserted or not inserted into the receiver. A button 16 or other release mechanism can be used to release the telescopic arm from within the receiver. As shown, the user will open the luggage case 4 via the opening 5 and access the button 16 inside the luggage case 4. Once the button 16 is triggered, this will activate a spring element 18 at the bottom of the receiver cavity 14, as Figure 3 shown in more detail.

[0026] When the button 16 is pressed, the spring element 18 will push the telescopic arm 20 upward out of the top opening 8 so that the user can then telescope the telescopic arm 20 upward, where the respective segments 22 are locked into their respective positions. One embodiment can include an automatically telescoping arm using a plurality of such spring elements. When the telescopic arm 20 is fully pressed back into the receiver cavity 14 to return the luggage system 2 to the first storage orientation, the button 16 locks the telescopic arm 20 in place, where the spring element 18 is locked in a ready position.

[0027] Alternatively, as Figure 2As shown, button 17 can be located at the top of telescopic arm 20. When this button 17 is pressed, spring element 18 will unlock again, thereby pushing the telescopic arm upward out of receiver cavity 14. When pressed downward to return, spring element 18 will then lock into place.

[0028] As Figure 3 The spring element 18 as shown has a base 23 which is set against the bottom of receiver cavity 14. Spring 24 connects the base to top platform 21 which is set against the bottom edge of the bottommost section 22 of the telescopic arm 20. When pressed downward and locked into place via button 16, telescopic arm 20 will keep spring 24 depressed and ready to push the telescopic arm 20 upward when button 17 is pressed.

[0029] Clothes hanger 26 can be inserted onto the top of telescopic arm 20 using hanger receiver 28 which is connected to the top end of the uppermost section 22 of telescopic arm 20. Alternatively, telescopic arm 20 can have folding elements that can form a clothes hanger, or some other suitable means of holding a clothes hanger around the top of telescopic arm 20. To increase privacy when out, a curtain (not shown) can be added to clothes hanger 26 for a quick dressing room.

[0030] In an alternative embodiment, spring element 18 can be a spring-loaded pop-up button instead of relying on internal button 16. Spring element 18 can have two orientations: a first locked orientation where telescopic arm 20 is locked within receiver cavity 14; and a second pop-up orientation where telescopic arm 20 is pressed downward against spring element 18, thereby unlocking spring element 18 and popping telescopic arm 20 out of the top opening 8 of receiver cavity 14. When pressed again, spring element 18 will lock back, where the telescopic arm is fixed within the cavity. As Figure 4-6 shown, when the telescopic arm is pulled out of the cavity, each section 22 locks into place.

[0031] III. Alternative Embodiment Luggage System 102 with Suspended Clothes Hanger 126

[0032] Figure 7-11An alternative embodiment of a luggage system 102 is shown. Similar to a typical piece of luggage, this embodiment includes an opening 105 that is secured via a zipper or other suitable closure; a handle strap 130 that is secured to at least one side of the luggage body 104; and a telescoping handle 140 that is designed to extend outwardly and away from the luggage body 104 to allow the luggage to be pulled along the ground by pulling on the telescoping handle. The telescoping handle can be any suitable telescoping handle commonly used in luggage systems, such as those sold by Away Inc. in New York or any other common luggage retailer.

[0033] The functionality of this embodiment is generally the same as the previous embodiment, but there are key improvements.

[0034] As Figure 8 shown, the present invention provides a luggage system 102 having paired receiver cavities 114, each receiver cavity terminating in a receiver cap 106. Each cavity can receive a telescoping arm 120 made of a plurality of interlocking segments 122, and the telescoping arm 120 is inserted into and engages with the corresponding receiver. As Figure 8 shown, the telescoping arm can be telescoped upward to suspend a clothes hanger 126 above the luggage. Clothes can be hung on the clothes hanger with or without a clothes hanger. The clothes hanger 126 can be connected to the telescoping arm 120 via paired hanger receivers 128, which can simply be holes or connectors within the body of the clothes hanger 126, or can extend away from the clothes hanger to receive the telescoping arm 120.

[0035] As Figure 9 shown, the receiver cap 106 can have a lid 112 for closing the top opening 108 of the receiver cavity 114. The receiver cavity 114 is accessible and has a hollow interior 110 that houses the telescoping arm when in a first storage orientation. The lid 112 can be closed with the telescoping arm inserted or not inserted into the receiver. A slidable latch 116 or other release mechanism can be used to release the telescoping arm from within the receiver. A static latch 109 can receive a latch receiver 107 located within the lid 112. Figure 10 This is shown in more detail. The lid 112 can have a lifting lip 111 to assist in opening the lid. The receiver cap 106 has a shank 117 that is inserted into the receiver cavity 114.

[0036] As shown, the user will open the lid 112 of the receiver cap 106. From there, the user will pull the slidable latch 116, which will release the telescoping arm 120 via the spring element 118, and the spring element 118 functions the same as the spring element of the foregoing embodiment. The slidable latch 116 can be spring-loaded so that it slides back into place, and when the telescoping arm 120 is reinserted into the opening 108 of the receiver cap 106, the slidable latch 116 will re-engage and lock the telescoping arm 120. In this embodiment, there is no need to access the inner opening 105 of the luggage 102.

[0037] IV. Alternative Embodiment Luggage System 202

[0038] Figure 12-14 Another alternative luggage system 202 is shown, which may incorporate elements of the foregoing embodiments 2, 102. This alternative luggage system 202 has a device body 204 and an openable door 206 that together enclose an interior space 208. An optional zip-openable opening 210 may be included. The counterweight element 212 is stored within the interior space 208, either in the door space 214 or within the body of the luggage system 202. Figure 13 Shows how the counterweight element 212 is removed. Figure 14 Shows how the zip-openable opening 210 and the door 206 can be opened in an alternative orientation to expose the interior space 208 and the counterweight element 212.

[0039] When the luggage system 202 is deployed in a deployment orientation with a telescoping arm and a rod as included in other embodiments, the counterweight element 212 serves as a balance for the luggage system 202.

[0040] It should be understood that although certain embodiments and / or aspects of the present invention have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited thereto and includes various other embodiments and aspects.

Claims

1. A luggage system for a rigid luggage piece having an outer surface and an inner compartment, the luggage piece further comprising a telescoping handle, the telescoping handle comprising a telescoping handle arm configured for pulling the luggage piece, characterized in that: The baggage system further comprises: a pair of receiver cavities having a floor proximate a bottom of the luggage piece and a top opening proximate a top of the luggage piece; each top opening of a respective one of the pair of receiver cavities includes a cap configured to be placed over the respective opening, wherein the cap is configured to selectively seal the top opening via a cover; a pair of telescoping arms, each of the pair of telescoping arms being deployed within a respective one of the pair of receiver cavities; each of the pair of receiver cavities includes a selectively releasable securing element configured to retain a respective one of the pair of telescoping arms within a respective one of the receiver cavities; each of the selectively releasable securing elements being configured to release a respective one of the pair of telescoping arms from within a respective one of the pair of receiver cavities to thereby convert the luggage system from a first storage orientation to a second deployed orientation; each of the pair of receiver cavities includes a spring element disposed between the floor of a respective one of the pair of receiver cavities and a bottom end of a respective one of the pair of telescoping arms; wherein the luggage system is configured to transition between a first storage orientation and a second deployed orientation; each respective one of the pair of telescoping arms is configured to be released from within a respective one of the pair of receiver cavities to thereby convert the luggage system from a first storage orientation to a second deployed orientation; and A clothing hanger is configured to be connected to a top end of each of the pair of telescoping arms when the luggage system is converted to the second deployed orientation.

2. The luggage system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the selectively releasable securing elements is accessible upon lifting the cover of the cap.

3. The luggage system according to claim 2, characterized in that: Each of the selectively releasable securing elements includes a slidable latch.

4. The luggage system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The baggage system further comprises: The slidable latch is spring loaded such that the latch is configured to return to its initial orientation when released; and Thus, the slidable latch is configured to automatically engage and secure the respective telescoping arm when the telescoping arm is returned into its respective receiver cavity.

5. The luggage system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The baggage system further comprises: Each of the caps includes a stem configured to be inserted into the receiver cavity.

6. The luggage system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The baggage system further comprises: each of said caps comprising a latch; and Each of the covers includes a latch receiver configured to receive the latch when in a closed orientation.

7. The luggage system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The baggage system further comprises: Each of said spring elements has a first locked position and a second unlocked position; each said spring element being configured to be converted from said first locked position to said second unlocked position by pressing downwardly against a respective one of said pair of telescoping arms located above said respective spring element; each said spring element being thereby configured to release a respective one of said pair of telescoping arms from within a respective one of said pair of receptacle cavities, thereby converting said luggage system from said first storage orientation to said second deployed orientation; and Each of the spring elements is configured to be converted from the second unlocked position to the first locked position by a second downward pressing against a corresponding one of the pair of telescopic arms located above the corresponding spring element.

8. The luggage system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The luggage system further includes at least two rollers configured to allow the luggage piece to be rolled.

9. The luggage system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The luggage system further includes at least one exterior storage compartment located on an exterior surface of the luggage piece.

10. The luggage system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The baggage system further comprises: a removable weight element configured to move from a first storage orientation within the interior compartment of the luggage piece to a second removal orientation in which the weight element is selectively removed from the interior compartment; and The removable weight element is configured to act as a counterweight to the garment rack when in the first storage orientation.

11. A luggage system for a rigid luggage piece having an exterior surface and an interior compartment, the luggage piece further comprising a telescoping handle, the telescoping handle comprising a telescoping handle arm configured for pulling the luggage piece, wherein: The baggage system further comprises: a pair of telescopic arms, the pair of telescopic arms being deployed within the luggage piece; wherein the luggage system is configured to transition between a first storage orientation and a second deployed orientation; each respective one of the pair of telescoping arms being configured to be released from within a respective one of the pair of receiver cavities to thereby convert the luggage system from the first storage orientation to the second deployed orientation; a clothing hanger configured to be connected to a top end of each of the pair of telescoping arms when the luggage system is converted to the second deployed orientation; a removable weight element configured to move from a first storage orientation within the interior compartment of the luggage piece to a second removal orientation in which the removable weight element is selectively removed from the interior compartment; and The removable weight element is configured to act as a counterweight to the garment rack when in the first storage orientation.

Images