Patent Application
20100155187
In a principal aspect the present invention relates to a luggage holder for maintaining a valise or carrying case stacked upon a wheeled case or luggage item of the type having a telescoping handle extendable from one side thereof. The luggage holder is comprised of spaced elastic straps which are joined together to form an adjustable length loop that may be attached to the wheeled case and then positioned over the carrying case to be retained against the telescoping handle of the wheeled case.
Travelers often find it convenient to use a wheeled carrying case and in addition a valise, briefcase or carrying case for their computer, personal papers and additional luggage items. A traveler may thus somehow place and retain the carrying case on the top of the wheeled case by attaching in some manner the carrying case in position against the telescoping handle of the wheeled case. Various devices have been proposed to effect the attachment and maintenance of the carrying case in position on a wheeled carrying case. By way of example and not limitation, a product known as the “lug buddy” is commercially available for such a purpose.
While such a device is convenient, it has limitations. The degree of adjustability is limited. Their ability to retain an item satisfactorily in place upon the wheeled luggage, and in particular, in position lodged against the telescoping handle of wheeled luggage, is limited often causing the carrying case to slip or become disengaged from its perch or position on a wheeled carrying case.
Thus, there has developed a need for an improved luggage holder of the general type for holding a carrying case or valise stacked upon a wheeled case of the type having a telescoping handle. It is to be noted that a wheeled case having a telescoping handle typically includes a carry handle on the top side of the wheeled case as well as a telescoping handle which is typically designed to telescope from one of the lateral sides of the wheeled carrying case. The luggage holder of the present invention is designed for utilization with such an arrangement in a wheeled case, although it has applicability to various other designs and other utilitarian purposes with respect to binding or holding travel cases and luggage in combination.
Briefly, the present invention comprises a luggage holder for holding a carrying case stacked upon a wheeled case of the type having a top side with a carry handle and a lateral side with a telescoping handle. The telescoping handle may be projected upwardly above the top side of the wheeled case. The luggage holder of the invention includes spaced elastic cords projecting or extending from a fastener plate. The fastener plate includes a buckle with a strap which may be attached to the top side handle of the wheeled carrying case. The elastic cords which project from the fastener plate slidably extend and pass through a bridging element connected between the elastic cords. The elastic cords further project upwardly from the bridging element and are connected to a cord spacing plate. The ends of the cords are connected by means of an adjustable connector or clamping element. The upper spacing plate may include a frictional material on one surface to facilitate maintaining the upper end fitted over the telescoping handle of the wheeled case. The bridging element which connects the elastic cords intermediate the fastener plate and the spacing plate may be slidably adjusted between the plate to maximize the ability of the luggage holder to hold a carrying case stacked upon the wheeled case and against the telescoping handles.
Thus, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved luggage holder for holding a carrying case upon a wheeled case of the type having a telescoping handle.
A further object of the invention is to provide a luggage holder which is designed to maintain a carrying case by providing a force spread against the side of the carrying case to hold the case in position against the telescoping handles of the wheeled carrying case.
Another object of the invention is to provide a luggage holder which includes a bridging element which is adjustable to facilitate the maintenance of forces or pressure to hold a carrying case supported on a wheeled case.
Further, it is an object of the invention to provide a luggage holder which is adjustable to provide for variable holding forces upon a carrying case stacked upon a wheeled case.
Another object of the invention is to provide a luggage holder which has a myriad of uses for the stacking of luggage items and which is highly adjustable.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows.
In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the drawing comprised of the following figures:
Referring to
The elastic cords 2 and 4 are retained in spaced relationship at their lower end by a fastener plate 12. The fastener plate 12 includes a stitched passage 14 which defines a pathway for the cords 2 and 4. Typically, the cords 2 and 4 are sewn into position so that their extent from exit passages 16 and 18 of the fastener plate 12 provide an equal length of cord 2 and 4. However, the cords 2 and 4 may be sewn into the fastener plate 12 and not be slidable through the passage 14.
The fastener plate 12 is fabricated from a material which has an adequate stiffness to maintain the spacing of the cords 2 and 4. A stiffening member, for example, may be incorporated between two layers of fabric forming the fastener plate 12 to maintain adequate separation of the cords 2 and 4. The cords 2 and 4 are preferably separated a distance of 2 to 10 inches. The fastener plate 12 has a vertical height in the range of 2 to 6 inches.
A buckle construction 20 is affixed to the outside face 22 of the fastener plate 12. The buckle construction 20 is comprised of a buckle retention element 24 and a releasable element 26. An adjustable length strap 28 is fitted through the releasable element 26. The releasable element 26 may be detached from the fixed element 24 by engaging release buttons 30.
An important feature of the invention is the inclusion of a slidable bridging element 32. The bridging element 32 is comprised of a material which is adequately stiff to maintain separation of the cords 2 and 4. The bridging element 32 thus may be a reinforced fabric material or a pair of fabric layers which include a stiffening element therebetween. The opposite sides of the bridging element 32 define first and second slide passages 34 and 36 through which the cords 2 and 4 are slidable. The bridging element 32 thus may be adjusted longitudinally along the length of the spaced elastic cords 2 and 4.
The elastic cords 2 and 4 connect to a spacing plate 40. The spacing plate 40 is comprised of a generally stiff, rigid or semi-rigid material or assembly adequate to maintain the spacing of the terminus ends of the cords 2 and 4. Thus, the spacing plate 40 may be comprised of a leather material or reinforced fabric materials. The spacing plate 40 includes a first outer cover or sheet of material 42 along one lateral side forming a passage 44 for the terminus end of the elastic cord 2. In similar fashion, the opposite side of the spacing plate 40 includes a cover 46 which defines a passage 48 for the terminus end of the cord 4. Circular clips 50 and 52 receive the terminus ends of the cords 2 and 4, respectively. The terminus ends 6 and 8 of the cords 2 and 4 then fit through and are maintained tightly joined or retained by the adjustable connector or clamp element 60. Thus, the cords 2 and 4 may be adjusted in length and the spacing plate 40 may also be adjusted along the length of the elastic cords 2 and 4.
The depiction of the device in
Thereafter, an auxiliary case, valise or the like 78 is placed on the top side 72 of the wheeled luggage item and rested against the telescoping handle 76. This is depicted in
Various other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. That is, the materials used to make the various plates and web members may be varied. The types of buckles and the elastic cord arrangement may be varied. The adjustability of the cords and the stability created by the bridging element and plate elements described enable a higher degree of confidence that the case 78 will be supported appropriately on the case 70. Thus, while there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is limited only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
