Patent Application
20150313332
One or more embodiments relate generally to roller bags, and in particular, collapsible rolling bags with extendible handles.
Many people use bags and luggage for holding items for organization and convenience, to carry the items from one place to another. Bags including one or more sets of wheels are convenient to use as it is easier for users to pull/push a bag with wheels rather than carry the full weight of the bag and items placed in the bag.
One or more embodiments relate to rolling storage devices including extendible handles where the storage devices are expandable/collapsible. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a storage container including one or more rolling elements. The storage container comprises one or more support arms coupled to interior portions of the storage container. The support arms are configured to be placed in a first state and a second state. An extendible handle is coupled to two or more pairs of connected telescoping arms that are coupled to the storage container.
One embodiment provides a rolling storage system. In one embodiment, the rolling storage system comprises a storage container including one or more sets of wheels. In one embodiment, the storage container comprises: one or more support arms coupled to interior portions of the storage container. In one embodiment, the one or more support arms are configured to be placed in a support state and a non-support state. In one embodiment, the storage container includes one or more folding portions each included on a first side wall and a second side wall. In one embodiment, an extendible handle is coupled to two or more pairs of connected telescoping arms that are coupled to the storage container.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the one or more embodiments will become understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying figures.
The embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the Figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:
The following description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the one or more embodiments and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described herein can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms are to be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc.
The description may disclose several preferred embodiments for collapsible rolling bags with extendible handles, as well as operation and/or component parts thereof. While the following description will be described in terms of collapsible rolling bags having extendible handles for clarity and to place the one or more embodiments in context, it should be kept in mind that the teachings herein may have broad application to all types of systems, devices and applications.
One or more embodiments relate to rolling storage devices/containers including extendible handles where the storage devices are expandable/collapsible. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a storage container including one or more rolling elements. The storage container comprises one or more support arms coupled to interior portions of the storage container. The support arms are configured to be placed in a first state and a second state. An extendible handle is coupled to two or more pairs of connected telescoping arms that are coupled to the storage container.
One embodiment provides a rolling storage system that comprises a storage container including one or more sets of wheels. In one embodiment, the storage container comprises one or more support arms coupled to interior portions of the storage container. In one embodiment, the one or more support arms are configured to be placed in a support state and a non-support state. In one embodiment, one or more folding portions are each included on a first side wall and a second side wall of the storage container. In one embodiment, an extendible handle is coupled to two or more pairs of connected telescoping arms that are coupled to the storage container.
In one example embodiment, the handle 110 includes extendible arms 120 and 125 that are telescoping (i.e., that fit within one another and lock or remain in an extended state when the handle is extended, and that lock or collapse within one another when the handle is compressed or closed).
In one embodiment, the utility bag 130 comprises a hinged cover, flexible case, zippered opening, locking opening, etc. for carrying desired items. In one embodiment, the utility bag 130 may be made of leather, canvas, synthetic leather, suede, synthetic suede, plastic, hardened plastic, nylon, metal, etc.
In one embodiment, the utility bag 130 includes one or more folding portions 131 that provide for a front of the utility bag 130 and the rear of the utility bag 130 to move towards one another in a collapsed state. In one embodiment, the one or more folding portions 131 comprises a seam or crease such that a first side portion 132 and a second side portion 133 may fold or collapse onto or close to one another, which provides for collapsing the utility bag 130 for storage, packaging, placing multiple collapsed utility bags 130 into a box for shipping and delivery, etc.
In one embodiment, the utility bag 130 is shown in a collapsed state with the front and rear walls separated by a collapsed utility bag state with a width 160, such as 2-6 inches. It should be noted that other widths 160 may exist for embodiments depending on the size, structure, design (e.g., external pockets, compartments, etc.) and materials used for the utility bag 130.
In one embodiment, the utility bag 130 includes rolling elements 140, such as wheels, rollers, etc. In one embodiment, the utility bag 130 includes two or more wheels 140 located on the bottom of the utility bag 130. In one embodiment, the utility bag 130 includes two wheels 140 on the rear bottom, and two stops or raised portions 150 on the front bottom. In one embodiment, the utility bag 130 may have two wheels 140 in replacement of the two stops or raised portions 150.
In one embodiment, the utility bag 130 includes one or more support arms 210 coupled to interior portions (e.g., rear wall, front wall, etc.) of the utility bag 130. In one embodiment, the one or more support arms 210 are configured to be placed in a support state and a non-support state. In one embodiment, when the support arms 210 are placed in a support state, the support arms are moved (e.g., folded out, pivoted, rotated, etc.) from a first position (e.g., against a rear/front interior wall of the utility bag 130) to a second position (e.g., against a side wall of the utility bag 130), which locks the support arms 210 against the interior front wall 220 and interior rear wall 221 of the utility bag 130.
In one embodiment, the support arms 210 include one or more support elements 905 (
In one embodiment, the support arms 210 include a hinge portion 910 (
In one embodiment, the support arms 210 are connected to the upper portion of the rear interior wall 221 next to or overlapping one another. In one embodiment, additional support arms 210 may be used. In one embodiment, the support arms 210 may have a length equal or close (e.g., slightly larger or smaller) to the depth of the utility bag 130 in an expanded state. In one embodiment, the support arms 210 may comprise telescoping arms (not shown) that adjust outward for support between the front interior wall 220 and the rear interior wall 221.
In one embodiment, the utility bag 130 is shown in an expanding state with the front and rear walls separated by a distance 260, such as 70-90% of the width of the utility bag 130.
In one embodiment, the support base element 335 comprises a flat support element that may include one or multiple layers surrounding a rigid material or rigid perimeter element for providing structural support when placed on or laid against the bottom of the storage container 330 and presses against the bottom and lower portions of the interior walls. In one embodiment, the support base element includes a padding material that covers a rigid structural element that provides support to maintain the storage container in an expanded state.
In one embodiment, the support arm attachment portions 320 include attachment elements for holding the support arms 210 in place when the storage container 330 is placed in an expanded state and the support arms 210 are moved into contact with the support arm attachment portions 320. In one embodiment, the support arms 210 and support arm attachment portions 320 include hook and loop fasteners for removably coupling to one another. In another embodiment, the support arms 210 and support arm attachment portions 320 removably couple to one another using magnetic elements, snap elements, zipper elements or compartments that surround both of the support arms 210 and support arm attachment portions 320, etc.
One or more embodiments provide storage containers or utility bags that are collapsible/expandable. In one embodiment, the collapsible/expandable storage containers include the support arms 210 that allow a utility storage bag 130 to include items within the bag and may remain in a semi-collapsed state, where the support arms 210 and the base support element 335 (in a perimeter structure) may be deployed around the items without having to remove the items from the utility storage bag 130. Similarly, in one embodiment, the deployed support arms 210 and the base support element 335 (in a perimeter structure) may be placed in a non-support state leaving the items in the utility storage bag 130 if desired.
One or more embodiments may be collapsed for shipping purposes, which reduces the shipping footprint of the rolling storage containers/bags and reduces shipping cost. One or more embodiments provide for reduced footprint for maintaining inventory and for stocking the products since the utility storage containers/bags may be stored/sold in a collapsed state.
In the description above, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known equivalent components and elements may be substituted in place of those described herein, and similarly, well-known equivalent techniques may be substituted in place of the particular techniques disclosed. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid obscuring the understanding of this description.
In one example, upon employing a motion sensor, a timer regulates the time that the lighting switch is closed based on sensing motion within a predetermined distance from this sensor disposed on the lighting source 125. In one embodiment, the predetermined motion sensing distance is adjustable by a user from 1 ft.-15 ft. In another embodiment, the predetermined motion sensing distance is preset between distances of 1 ft-3 ft. In one example, the motion sensor may be turned on or off so that the lighting switch may be manually set on/off. In one embodiment, the timer may be user adjustable or preset to a particular amount of time. In one example, the timer may be adjusted from 5 seconds to 15 minutes. In another example, the timer is preset between 30 seconds and one minute. The use of the motion sensor provides lighting in the set direction of the lighting source 125 by sensing motion without a user having to manually activate the lighting switch.
In one example, the sensor may include any combination of sensors, such as motion and light sensors, position and light sensors, etc.
In one embodiment, the power source comprises rechargeable or non-rechargeable batteries selected based on the number of LEDs and/or voltage required to power the lighting element. In one example, a solar charging circuit is employed to store energy in a rechargeable battery or power source. In one example, the solar charging circuit may be disposed as desired. In another example, an adapter or plug in socket may be employed with the lighting source 125 to connect to an external power source, such as a battery pack from an electric tool (e.g., electric drill, hammer, screwdriver, etc.), separate additional battery pack, an AC/DC power supply, a USB connection, a computer, etc.
In other examples, other types of light sources may be employed with lighting element, such as Electroluminescent (EL) light sources, etc. In one embodiment, the lighting source includes glow-in-the-dark material.
As is known to those skilled in the art, the aforementioned example architectures described above, according to one or more embodiments, may be implemented in many ways, such as program instructions for execution by a processor, as software modules, microcode, as computer program product on computer readable media, as logic circuits, as application specific integrated circuits, as firmware, as consumer electronic devices, etc., in wireless devices, in wireless transmitters, receivers, transceivers in wireless networks, etc. Further, one or more embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment containing both hardware and software elements.
In the description above, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known equivalent components and elements may be substituted in place of those described herein, and similarly, well-known equivalent techniques may be substituted in place of the particular techniques disclosed. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid obscuring the understanding of this description.
Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or “other embodiments” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. The various appearances of “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,” or “some embodiments” are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.
While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments are merely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, and that this invention not be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, since various other modifications may occur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.
