Coat Carrier

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a coat carrier for conveniently carrying a coat when the coat is not being worn by the user. The coat carrier comprises a base panel and two side panels pivotally connected to the base panel. The side panels are movable between an open position for loading a coat into the coat carrier and a folded position forming a carrying case with open ends configured so that the coat extends outwardly from the open ends of the coat carrier when the coat is loaded into the coat carrier. A pair of handles are attached to the upper edges of respective side panels. A closure mechanism is provided for releasably securing the side panels in the folded position when the coat carrier is in use to carry a coat.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to carrying cases and, more particularly, to a carrying case for carrying a coat or other clothing article.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Travelers, whether for business purposes or personal reasons, often find that weather conditions at the destination may vary from the weather conditions at the start of the trip. Preparing for varying weather conditions encountered during the trip is a common problem. For example, a person may wear a coat or jacket at the start of a trip due to cool temperatures, rain, or wind conditions. As another example, a person may need to carry a coat to prepare for rain or weather conditions that are forecast at the destination. Additionally, during the course of a trip, a traveler may remove their coat for various reasons. For example, the traveler may remove their coat when traveling through airports, train stations and the like. As another example, a traveler may remove their coat when stopping for meals or meetings. In these and similar scenarios, the person may need to carry their coat for part of the day, which can be an inconvenience. Travelers may try to stuff their coat into a briefcase or carrying case, drape the coat over their luggage or wear the coat even when it is not needed. Once the coat is removed, it is easily misplaced. It can fall off the luggage or be left behind unintentionally at one of the stops made during the course of the trip. Accordingly, there is a need for carrying devices that allow a person to carry coats when the coats are not being worn, as well as other personal items.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a coat carrier for conveniently carrying a coat when the coat is not being worn by the user. The coat carrier comprises a base panel and two side panels pivotally connected to the base panel. The side panels are movable between an open position for loading a coat into the coat carrier and a folded position forming a carrying case with open ends configured so that the coat extends outwardly from the open ends of the coat carrier when the coat is loaded into the coat carrier. A pair of handles are attached to the upper edges of respective side panels. A closure mechanism is provided for releasably securing the side panels in the folded position when the coat carrier is in use to carry a coat.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and obvious from a study of the following description and the accompanying drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the coat carrier being carried by a user.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the coat carrier in the folded position from a first side.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the coat carrier in the folded position from a second side.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the coat carrier in the open position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the coat carrier in the open position with a coat being loaded.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the coat carrier mounted to a piece of luggage.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the coat carrier in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, an exemplary coat carrier is shown therein and indicated generally by the numeral 10. The coat carrier 10 provides a convenient means for carrying a coat when the coat is not being worn by the user and includes features for carrying various personal items and accessories, such as smart phones, tablets, and laptop computers. The coat carrier 10 resembles a carrying case with open ends and a handle. When a coat is loaded into the coat carrier, the coat protrudes from the open ends of the coat carrier 10 as shown in FIG. 1. The coat carrier 10 helps prevent the coat from being crumpled or wrinkled when it is being carried and further helps prevent the coat 10 from being misplaced or lost.

The coat carrier 10 may be made of any suitable material such as leather, synthetic leather, vinyl, or fabric. The coat carrier 10 comprises a base panel 20, two side panels 22, 24 and handles 30. The base panel 20 comprises a generally flat panel on which a coat 100 is laid when the coat 100 is loaded into the coat carrier 10. The side panels 22, 24 are pivotally connected to opposing sides of the base panel 20 by hinges 26, 28 respectively. The side panels 22, 24 are moveable between an open position shown in FIG. 4 and a folded position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. When the side panels 22, 24 are in the folded position, the base panel 20 and side panels 22, 24 form a carrier with two open ends 32 (front and back ends of the coat carrier 10) and an open top 34. The side panels 22, 24 are joined to the base panel 20 by hinges 26, 28 respectively.

The handles 30 comprise straps that are attached to the upper edges of the side panels 22, 24 respectively. When the coat 100 is loaded into the coat carrier 10, the coat carrier is carried by the handle as shown in FIG. 1. The coat 100, as previously noted, is captured between the side panels 22, 24 and extends out from the open ends 32 of the coat carrier.

The coat carrier 10 includes means to secure the side panels 22, 24 in the folded position as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-5, a series of mating snap fasteners 36 are arranged along the upper edge on the interior of the side panels 22, 24. When the side panels 22, 24 are folded together, the snap fasteners 36 can be engaged to secure the upper edge of the side panels 22, 24 together and effectively close the open top 34 of the coat carrier 10.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other types of securing devices may work equally as well to secure the side panels 22, 24 together. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example, the snap fasteners 32 are replaced by a securing strap 38. The securing strap 38 is secured at one end to the side panel 24, wraps over the open top 34 of the coat carrier 10 where the free end engages a fastener on side panel 22. For example, the free end of the securing strap 38 may engage a snap fastener, button fastener or buckle.

The coat carrier 10 may include a phone pocket 40 secured to the outer surface of one of the side panels 22, 24. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-7, the phone pocket 40 is attached to the outer surface of side panel 22. The phone pocket 40 is configured to receive a smart phone so that the smart phone is readily accessible when needed.

The coat carrier 10 may further include a sleeve 50 disposed on an inner surface of one of the side panels 22, 24 for receiving a computing device, such as a tablet or laptop computer. In the exemplary embodiment shown in the Figures, the sleeve 50 is attached to the inner surface of the side panel 24. The sleeve 50 may be padded to provide protection for the computing device. Sleeve 50 provides a convenient means for carrying the laptop computer so that the computer is readily accessible.

In some embodiments, the coat carrier 10 may further include luggage straps 60 attached to an outer surface of one of the side panels 22, 24. In the exemplary embodiment, a pair of luggage straps 60 are secured to the outer surface of the side panel 24. The luggage straps 60 are secured at their ends to the side panel 24. The luggage straps 60 enable the coat carrier 10 to be mounted to the extensible handle 112 for a piece of luggage 110 as shown in FIG. 6 by inserting the extensible handle 112 between the side panel 24 and luggage strap 60. The luggage straps 60 provide a convenient means for carrying the coat 100 while traveling.

In use, a coat 100 is loaded into the coat carrier 10 when the side panels 22, 24 are in the open position as shown in FIG. 5. Once the coat 100 is loaded, the side panels 22, 24 can be pivoted toward one another and the snap fasters 36 (or securing strap 38) are engaged to secure the side panels 22, 24 together. The coat carrier 10 can then be carried by the handles 30 as seen in FIG. 1. When carried, the coat 100 is supported in part by the base panel 20 and is captured between the side panels 22, 24. As previously noted, the coat 100 may extend out from the open ends 32 of the coat carrier 100.

FIGS. 8-11 illustrate a second embodiment of the coat carrier indicated generally by the numeral 110. The coat carrier 110 may be made of any suitable material such as leather, synthetic leather, vinyl, or fabric. The coat carrier 110 comprises a base panel 120, two side panels 122, 124 and handles 130. The base panel 120, as previously described, provides a generally flat panel on which a coat 100 is laid when the coat 100 is loaded into the coat carrier 110. The side panels 122, 124 are connected to opposing sides of the base panel 120 and are moveable between an open position as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and a folded position as shown in FIG. 8. When the side panels 122, 124 are in the folded position, the base panel 120 and side panels 122, 124 form a carrier with two open ends 132 (front and back ends of the coat carrier 10) and an open top 34. The side panels 22, 24 are joined to the base panel 20 by live hinges or flexures 126, 128.

In this embodiment, the coat carrier includes an outer layer 112 and inner layer 114 made of nylon or leather. The outer layer 112 comprises three sections: center section 112a, side section 112b, and side section 112c, which are stitched together along seam lines 112d to form the outer layer 112. The center section 112a forms an outer layer of the base panel 120 and the side sections 112b and 112c form the outer layer of the side panels 122 and 124 respectively. The outer layer 114 is also formed of nylon or leather and comprises two sections 114a and 114b, which are stitched together along seam lines 114c to form the inner layer 114. In this example, section 114a extends from a center of the base panel 120 to a top edge of a first side panel 122 and section 114b extends from a center of the base panel 120 to a top edge of a second side panel 124. Section 114a forms the inner layer of side panel 122 and part of the base panel 120. Section 114b forms the inner layer of side panel 124 and part of the base panel 120.

A lining 116 is applied to the inside of the outer layer 112 to provide a degree of stiffness so that that the side panels 122, 124 will retain their normal flat form and not fold over easily on itself. In one embodiment, the lining 116 comprises three sections 116a, 116b and 116c adhered to the inside of sections 112a, 112b, and 112c by an adhesive. Additionally, a thin sheet of plastic 118 is applied to the inside surface of section 112a to further increase the stiffness of the base panel 120 so that the base panel 120 does not bend significantly when a coat is loaded into the coat carrier 110. The plastic sheet 118 is disposed between section 112a of the outer layer 112 and the lining 116a, i.e., underneath the lining 116a.

In some embodiments, a small plastic tube or rod 136 is also inserted into hems 138 along the top edge of side panels 122, 124. The plastic tube or rod adds to the stiffness to the side panels 122, 124 and prevents the coat carrier from folding along the centerline of the coat carrier as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.

As shown in FIG. 11, there are gaps between the lining sections 116a, 116b, and 116c. These gaps extend from one side of the coat carrier 110 to the other along the seam lines 112d of the outer layer 112. The gaps create a natural fold line that allows the side panels 112, 124 to fold inward and outward along the seam lines 112d similar to a live hinge or flexure bearing.

The handles 130 comprise straps that are attached to the side panels 122, 124 respectively. When the coat 100 is loaded into the coat carrier 10, the coat carrier is carried by the handle as shown in FIG. 1. The coat 100, as previously noted, is captured between the side panels 122, 124 and extends out from the open ends 132 of the coat carrier.

The coat carrier 10 includes means to secure the side panels 122, 124 in the folded position as shown in FIG. 8. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-11, a series of straps 140 are secured to side panel 124 and have grommets 142 adjacent the free ends. Swivel locks 144 are attached to side panel 124. When the side panels 22, 24 are folded together, the straps 140 wrap over the open top 134 of the coat carrier 10 and the grommets 142 engage with the swivel locks 144. The swivel locks 144 are turned to secure the strap 140.

In some embodiments, the coat carrier 110 may further include a luggage straps 160 attached to an outer surface of one of the side panels 122, 124. In the exemplary embodiment, a wide luggage strap 160 is secured to the outer surface of the side panel 124. The ends of the luggage strap 160 are secured at opposite sides of the side panel 124 to enable the coat carrier 110 to be mounted to the extensible handle for a piece of luggage 110 as illustrated in FIG. 6 by inserting the extensible handle between the side panel 124 and luggage strap 160. The luggage strap 160 provides a convenient means for carrying the coat 100 while traveling.

The coat carrier may include pockets 40 on an outer surface of side panels 122, 124 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to hold a smartphone, keys, or other small articles as previously described.

The coat carrier 10 may further include a pocket or sleeve 50 as shown in FIG. 4 disposed on an inner surface of one of the side panels 122, 124 for receiving a smart phone, tablet, or laptop computer. The sleeve 50 may be padded to provide protection for the computing device.

The coat carrier 10 as herein described provides a convenient means for carrying a coat when the coat is not being worn by the user. Additionally, the coat carrier 10 is provided with features for carrying other personal items, such as a phone or laptop computer, in order to free a person's hands. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional features could be added. For example, additional features could be added for carrying keys, a wallet, credit cards, or a purse. In this way, any items that a person may need during the day will be readily available.

Claims

1. A coat carrier comprising: a base panel including an outer layer, an inner layer and a stiffening member between the outer layer and inner layer of the base panel;first and second side panels connected to the base panel so as to be movable between an open position for loading a coat into the coat carrier and a folded position forming a carrying case with open ends configured so that the coat extends outwardly from the open ends of the coat carrier when the coat is loaded into the coat carrier, wherein:the first and second side panels each include an outer layer, and inner layer and a lining between the outer layer and inner layer of the respective side panela pair of handles attached to the upper edges of respective side panels; anda securing mechanism for releasably securing the side panels in the folded position.

2. The coat carrier of claim 1 wherein each of the side panels each include an outer layer, an inner layer and a lining between the outer layer and inner layer of the side panel.

3. The coat carrier of claim 2 wherein the linings of the side panels are spaced from the stiffening member of the base panel to create gaps extending along fold lines between the side panels and the base panel.

4. The coat carrier of claim 1 wherein each of the side panels include a stiffening member inserted into a hem along an upper edge of the side panel.

5. The coat carrier of claim 1 further comprising a pocket for holding an article disposed on an outer surface of the first or second side panel.

6. The coat carrier of claim 1 further comprising a sleeve for holding a computing device disposed on an inner surface of the first or second side panel.

7. The coat carrier of claim 1 further comprising one or more luggage straps secured to an outer surface of the first or second side panel and configured for engagement with a baggage handle.

8. The coat carrier of claim 1 wherein the securing mechanism comprises: a securing strap attached to one of the first or second side panels; anda strap fastener secured to the other of the first and second side panels for engagement with the strap.

9. The coat carrier of claim 8 wherein the strap fastener comprises a swivel lock configured to engage a grommet on the strap.