US3739886A

US3739886A - Compartmented portable case

Info

Publication number: US3739886A
Application number: US00273286A
Authority: US
Inventors: N Kertzman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1972-07-19
Filing date: 1972-07-19
Publication date: 1973-06-19
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-19

Abstract

A portable case containing a main large compartment adjacent to the hinged sides of the main body of the case and the cover therefor, and a pair of smaller symmetrical compartments on the opposite side with a gap therebetween. The handle for the case is mounted within the confines of the gap so that a convenient hold thereon may be had while permitting the case to be handled or stacked without the protrusion of the handle beyond the outlines of the case, thereby protecting the handle against damage.

Description

Umted States Patent 91 v [111 3,739,886 Kertzman June 19, 1973 [54] COMPARTMENTED PORTAIILE CASE D21 1,143 5/1968 Lawson D875 Inventor: Norman K ma 8802 S da 838,952 12/1906 Crablll 190/57 X Drive, S'lverS rin Md. 0910 1 p g 2 Primary Examiner-Donald F. Norton [22] Filed: July 19,1972 Anorney-Samuel Lebowitz [21] Appl. No.: 273,286

Related US. Application Data [57] ABSTRACT [63] continuafiomimpan of 08373 Jan 21 A portable case containing a main large compartment 1971 abandone adjacent to the hinged sides of the main body of the case and the cover therefor, and a. pair of smaller sym-v 52 us. Cl 190/49, 190/51, 190/57 metrical compartments on the pp Side with a gap [51] Int. Cl B65d 13/04 therebetween- The handle for the ease is mounted [58] Field of Search 190/49, 50, 51, 52, wihin the confines of the p 50 a convenient held 190/57, 58 R, 58 A, 58 B, 58 C; D87/5 thereon may be had while permitting the case to be handled or stacked without the protrusion of the han- 5 References Cited dle beyond the outlines of the case, thereby protecting UNITED STATES PATENTS the handle against damage. D194,339 l/l963 Harty D87/5 16 Claims, 14 Drawing Figures I ii '7' i [I I7 Hi PAIENIEU Jun 1 9 ma F ax COMPARTMENTED PORTABLE CA'SE This is a continuation-impart of my application Ser. No. 108,373, filed .Ian. 21, 1971, now abandoned.

This invention relates to a compartmentedportable case, andmore particularly to one providing both large and small compartments for the segregation of differently sized items. i v

It is the object of the present invention to provide a portable case of rugged and economical construction and which may assume different forms and sizes so that it may be adapted to the fabrication of attache cases and luggage units serving many different functional purposes.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable case which is provided with a main storage compartment anda pair of symmetrically disposeds maller compartments adjacent thereto with a gap between the latter for the reception of a handlefor the case within said gap. The handle may be grasped comfortably at a point of balance of the case'and is disposed at such a level that it does not protrude beyond the boundaries of the case,.so that the latter may be stacked ortransported without possibility of injury to the handle.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a portable case in which the'compartments are framed from sheet material, the components of which may be integrated easily to reenforce and brace the entire assembly, which results in a portable case ofli'ght weight and good strength.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line 2--2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3is a vertical sectional view alongline 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3b is an enlarged view of the portion indicated in dotted lines in'FlG- 3 and designated 3b;

FIG. 4' isa vertical sectional view alongline 44 of FIG; 2;

FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c are enlarged views of the portions circled in FIG. 4; and designated, respectively, 4a, 4b and-4c; V

FIG. 5 is a sectional; view of the upper portionof' the casewith a variant'outline of the gap from that shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is aiplan view of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 isa view correspondingto FIG. 5 with a handle of different shape'mounted withinthe central gap;

FIG..8 is a plan view of FIG. 7; FIG. 9is a sectional view correspondingto the upper portion of FIG. 2 with a different embodiment of handle mounted within the, gap; and.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of FIG. 9.

In the drawingsare showndifferent embodimentsof portable cases and mounting handles therefor, all of which have thecommon characteristicthat compartments of different sizes are. provided in each of the stored or transported without interference from any handle protruding therefrom. The small compartments constituting part of the interior of the portable case, complement the main storage compartment so that large items may be packed in the large compartment, leaving the small compartments for the storage and segregation of smaller items, so that they may be easily located for use.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the main storage compartment S in its simplest form, is formed of a band of sheet material which may be of metal, plastic sheeting, plywood or the like, which is shaped into a rectangular form by the hinged wall 1, from which extends the

lateral walls

2 and 3 to define the length of the case. Wall 4 is bent inwardly from lateral wall 2, and wall 5 is bent inwardly from lateral wall 3, to complete the rectangular outline and to fix the width of the storage compartment, with a break-joint at the point 6.

The smaller compartments may be fabricated from a second auxiliary band of sheet material which is comprised of auxiliary wall portion 11 in juxtaposition with wall 4, with the second auxiliary wall portion 12 extending transversely thereto in a plane constituting an extension of the lateral wall 2, wherefrom it is bent transversely into a third auxiliary wall portion 13 up to the gap G wherefrom is bent in a re-entrant direction, at an obtuse angle a into a fourth auxiliary wall portion 14, and thereafter to portion 15 in juxtaposition with the innermost portions of

walls

4 and 5 wherefrom it extends into walls 16, l7, l8 and 19 inallochiral relation to wall portions l4, l3, l2 and 11, respectively.

The wall portions of the

main storage compartments

4 and 5 may be integrated to the wall portions 11 and 19 and medial portion 15 of the auxiliary band, in any desired manner by gluing, bolting, or if the bands forming the chambers are constituted] by metal, by resistance welding. Thus, if the case is fabricated from steel or aluminum sheeting, a pair of spaced welds at each of said portions are very effective.

The resultant assembly provides the symmetrical compartments C and C on each side of the gap G in balanced relation to the central median of the storage compartment. The handle H may be disposed in this gap so that the same does not protrude beyond the

walls

13 and 17 of the smaller compartments which are opposite the wall 1 whereat pintle hinges P are provided for the purpose of affixing a cover or lid L to the main storage compartment.

The area bounded by the outer peripheral portions of the main and storage compartment may be closed by a rigid plate 20 of the same or different material and are fastened to the peripheral bands of the storage compartment by corner angle or trihedlral fasteners or stays F. Alternatively, the production of the frame of the portable case in the manner described above, lends itself to the'application of soft walls of plastic, leather or the like sheeting to the outer face of the portable case or luggage item, as is well known in the art.

The coveror lid L may be of identical congruous construction as the main storage compartment S, and

, may be constituted by wall 1' which is hinged to the wall 1 by hinges P, and from which extends the lateral walls 2' and 3 as well as the inwardly extending portions 4' and 5'.

The auxiliary band for forming the auxiliary compartments may also be assembled and joined to the band defining the main storage compartment in the same manner as described in connection with the latter, to define outer walls 13' and 17 disposed in the same plane as

outer walls

13 and 17 with the gap 15' therebetween.

Transverse wall 30 of the lid L may be connected to the outer edges of the auxiliary band of sheet material and the opposite free edges of the band are offset as clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, to provide a weatherproof seal at the meeting edges of the main and cover sections.

As is well known in the art, the interior of the frame in both the main storage section and the lid L may be lined with any suitable material, and the outer surface thereof may be-covered with any ornamental sheet material of plastic, fabric or the like.

Variations may be made in the construction of the portable case by varying the contours of the band form ing the auxiliary compartments. Thus, in FIGS. 5 to 8, the

outer walls

13 and 17 are bent at right angles to the

adjoining walls

34 and 36, respectively, which merge with the wall 35 in juxtaposition with the external surface of the band defining the main storage compartment. The handle 40 extends between the

vertical walls

34 and 36, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and in FIGS. 7 and 8, a yoke-shaped handle 42 may be mounted for pivotal movement on brackets 43 affixed to the horizontal base wall 35 within the gap.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, the compartments are of trapezoidal contour, similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, but in this case, a curved handle 49 extends between brackets 44 mounted on

walls

14 and 15 to provide a convenient hand-hold for the portable case. However, in all instances, the handle, whatever form it assumes, is disposed in the gap G without protruding beyond the outer boundaries of the portable case, and the symmetrical compartments on each side of the gap result in a well-balanced assembly.

The advantages of the invention may be realized by varying the outlines of the portable case from the rectangular contours shown in the drawings. For example, the

lateral walls

2 and 3 may be curved convexly, or the reverse, to obtain special esthetic outlines. The same is true of the

outer walls

13 and 17 which need not be parallel to the walls 1 and 1' of the side of the case which are hinged together.

While the drawings show a case in which the lid L is fabricated in the same manner as the main body of the case, to provide compartments therein, the advantages of the invention may be realized if the compartments are provided only in the main body of the case and the lid is without such, being merely coextensive with the peripheral boundaries of the main portion of the case.

While it is advantageous for the auxiliary band for forming the compartments C and C' to be of a unitary strip of material, departures from this construction may be made without sacrificing the benefits of the invention. Thus, the auxiliary band may be fabricated in two parts, one for forming the

walls

11, 12 and 13, 14 and part of wall 15, and the other for forming the remaining part of wall 15 and

walls

16, 17, 18 and 19. Preferably, the interruption in the wall portion 15 is staggered with respect to the break-joint 6 between

wall portions

4 and 5 of the main storage compartment.

Other structural changes may be made within the purview of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

l. A frame for a portable case containing a-main storage compartment adjacent to the hinged side of the case and a pair of smaller compartments on the opposite side of the case with a gap between the latter for mounting a handle for the case within said gap, said frame comprising a. a continuous band of sheet material bent into a closed perimetric form comprised of two main walls displaced from each other a distance corresponding to the width of said storage compartment, and main lateral walls extending between the ends of said walls at a distance corresponding substantially to the length of said storage compartment, and

b. a second continuous band of sheet material bent into a closed perimetric form to form at least one of said smaller compartments having one auxiliary wall joined to the external face of said band on said wall of said storage compartment remote from the hinged side of said case and adjacent to one of the main lateral walls, a second auxiliary wall extending transversely from said first auxiliary wall to form a continuation of said last-mentioned one of said main lateral walls, a third auxiliary wall extending from said second auxiliary wall in a plane substantially parallel to that of said first-mentioned auxiliary wall, and a fourth auxiliary wall bent into reentrant form into engagement with said firstmentioned external face of said first continuous band and into juxtaposition therewith at said gap, whereat the same is joined to said last-mentioned band.

2. A frame as set forth in claim 1, including a substantially rigid plate of sheet material joined to the periphery of said bands at one edge thereof to form the transverse wall of said storage compartment with the opposite edge of said bands being free.

3. A frame as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fourth auxiliary wall extends at an obtuse angle relative to said third auxiliary wall to form a small compartment of trapezoidal shape.

4. A frame asset forth in claim 1, wherein said fourth auxiliary wall extends perpendicularly from said third auxiliary wall to form a small compartment of rectangular shape.

5. A frame as set forth in claim 1, wherein the peripheral portions of the free edges of said bands are offset for forming a weather-proof seal thereat.

6. A frame for a portable case as set forth in claim 1, to form the main portion of the case and a congruouslyshaped frame formed from continuous bands of material of lesser width to constitute a cover for said main frame hinged together at said first-mentioned side of the case.

7. A frame as set forth in claim 1, including a layer of lining material on the inner surface of said frame and a layer of wear-resistant flexible sheet material on the outer surface of said frame.

8. A frame as set forth in claim 1, wherein both of said smaller compartments are formed from said second continuous band of sheet material by the continuation of said band at said gap into allochirally bent relation identical to said first small compartment and adjacent to the other main lateral wall.

9.-A frame as set forth in claim 8, wherein said continuous bands of sheet material are formed of sheet metal and the juxtaposed walls of the main and smaller compartments defined thereby are integrated with welded joints therebetween.

10. A frame as set forth in claim 1, wherein the outer perimeters of said bands of sheet material which define the outer boundaries of said main storage compartment and two smaller compartments define a substantially rectangular outline.

l1.-A portable case comprising a. a main storage section and a cover section therefor hinged together along their juxtaposed edges at one side of said sections with congruous lateral edges on each section extending transversely from the opposite ends of said juxtaposed edges, a pair of compartments of relatively smaller crosssection but of substantially the same depth as said main storage section on the side of the latter opposite the hinged side,

c. said compartments being of identical volume and spaced equidistantly from the transverse medial axis of said portable case to define a gap therebetween,

d. said cover section being of similar peripheral outline as said main storage section including the gap at the medial portion of the edge thereof opposite the hinged edges, and

e. a handle for said case mounted on said main storage section at said gap within the bounds of said compartments.

12. A portable case as set forth in claim 11, wherein the lateral edges of said main storage and cover sections extend substantially perpendicularly relative to said juxtaposed edge thereof, to outline the outer lateral walls of said main storage section and smaller compartments adjacent thereto in said last-mentioned section, the corresponding lateral edges in the cover section also extending substantially perpendicularly relative to said juxtaposed edge thereof, and co-planar outer edges on said main storage and cover sections extending inwardly from said lateral edges thereon as far as said gap and merging with the reentrant walls of the latter.

13. A portable case as set forth in claim 12, wherein said last-mentioned co-planar outer edges and reentrant walls are disposed substantially perpendicularly to each other.

14. A portable case as set forth in claim 12, wherein said last-mentioned co-planar outer edges and reentrant walls extend at an obtuse angle relative to each other at said gap.

15. A portable case comprising a. a main storage section and a cover section therefor hinged together along their juxtaposed edges at one side of said sections with congruous lateral edges on each section extending transversely from the opposite ends of said juxtaposed edges,

b. a pair of compartments of relatively smaller crosssection but of substantially the same depth as said main storage section on the side of the latter opposite the hinged side,

d. a pair of auxiliary compartments in said cover section of substantially the same depth as the latter and of similar cross-sectional dimensions as said first-mentioned compartments and located similarly to the latter relative to said medial axis and the hinged side thereof to form a gap therebetween of the same size as said first-mentioned gap,

e. said cover section with the auxiliary compartments adapted to overlie the main storage section with the first-mentioned compartments in the closed condition of said portable case to form a large storage chamber adjacent to the hinged side of the portable case and a pair of identical small chambers beyond the large chamber adjacent to the opposite lateral edges of said portable case with a gap at the center of the case, and

f. a handle for said portable case mounted in said gap within the bounds of said compartments.

16. A portable case as set forth in claim 15, wherein the lateral edges of said main storage and cover sections extend substantially perpendicularly relative to said juxtaposed edges, to outline the outer lateral walls of said large and small chambers, with the outer edges of said small chambers opposite the hinged side extending inwardly substantially in a common plane to define the outermost walls of said small chambers adjacent to said gap.

Claims

1. A frame for a portable case containing a main storage compartment adjacent to the hinged side of the case and a pair of smaller compartments on the opposite side of the case with a gap between the latter for mounting a handle for the case within said gap, said frame comprising a. a continuous band of sheet material bent into a closed perimetric form comprised of two main walls displaced from each other a distance corresponding to the width of said storage compartment, and main lateral walls extending between the ends of said walls at a distance corresponding substantially to the length of said storage compartment, and b. a second continuous band of sheet material bent into a closed perimetric form to form at least one of said smaller compartments having one auxiliary wall joined to the external face of said band on said wall of said storage compartment remote from the hinged side of said case and adjacent to one of the main lateral walls, a second auxiliary wall extending transversely from said first auxiliary wall to form a continuation of said last-mentioned one of said main lateral walls, a third auxiliary wall extending from said second auxiliary wall in a plane substantially parallel to that of said first-mentioned auxiliary wall, and a fourth auxiliary wall bent into reentrant form into engagement with said firstmentioned external face of said first continuous band and into juxtaposition therewith at said gap, whereat the same is joined to said last-mentioned band.

4. A frame as set forth in claim 1, wherein said fourth auxiliary wall extends perpendicularly from said third auxiliary wall to form a small compartment of rectangular shape.

6. A frame for a portable case as set forth in claim 1, to form the main portion of the case and a congruously-shaped frame formed from continuous bands of material of lesser width to constitute a cover for said main frame hinged together at said first-mentioned side of the case.

9. A frame as set forth in claim 8, wherein said continuous bands of sheet material are formed of sheet metal and the juxtaposed walls of the main and smaller compartments defined thereby are integrated with welded joints therebetween.

11. A portable case comprising a. a main storage section and a cover section therefor hinged together along their juxtaposed edges at one side of said sections with congruous lateral edges on each section extending transversely from the opposite ends of said juxtaposed edges, b. a pair of compartments of relatively smaller cross-section but of substantially the same depth as said main storage section on the side of the latter opposite the hinged side, c. said compartments being of identical volume and spaced equidistantly from the transverse medial axis of said portable case to define a gap therebetween, d. said cover section being of similar peripheral outline as said main storage section including the gap at the medial portion of the edge thereof opposite the hinged edges, and e. a handle for said case mounted on said main storage section at said gap within the bounds of said compartments.

15. A portable case comprising a. a main storage section and a cover section therefor hinged together along their juxtaposed edges at one side of said sections with congruous lateral edges on each section extending transversely from the opposite ends of said juxtaposed edges, b. a pair of compartments of relatively smaller cross-section but of substantially the same depth as said main storage section on the side of the latter opposite the hinged side, c. said compartments being of identical volume and spaced equidistantly from the transverse medial axis of said portable case to define a gap therebetween, d. a pair of auxiliary compartments in said cover section of substantially the same depth as the latter and of similar cross-sectional dimensions as said first-mentioned compartments and located similarly to the latter relative to said medial axis and the hinged side thereof to form a gap therebetween of the same size as said first-mentioned gap, e. said cover section with the auxiliary compartments adapted to overlie the main storage section with the first-mentioned compartments in the closed condition of said portable case to form a large storage chamber adjacent to the hinged side of the portable case and a pair of identical small chambers beyond the large chamber adjacent to the opposite lateral edges of said portable case with a gap at the center of the case, and f. a handle for said portable case mounted in said gap within the bounds of said compartments.