The present invention relates generally to a stabilizer system for a collapsible wardrobe and luggage system and method for use thereof, and more specifically to a stabilizer for use with the telescoping handle arms of a wardrobe and luggage system and storage thereof.
Dancers, performers, travelers, or anyone else often need to quickly change clothing or costumes in public places. Typical luggage requires the user to sift through piles of clothing to find the correct article. Existing luggage with wardrobe attachments require the wardrobe bar to extend from the storage compartment of the luggage, rendering the luggage unable to close while the wardrobe feature is in use. Further, these wardrobe features are typically made to be as lightweight and as cheap as possible, typically having a single structural post extending away from the luggage on either side of the crossbar. While the luggage is open, contents stored within are susceptible to theft. These also lack the ability to provide privacy to the user when changing outfits or costumes.
What is needed is a structurally superior wardrobe element for luggage which allows the luggage to remain fully functional while the wardrobe is in use, while the wardrobe further provides privacy to the user. What is further needed is a stabilizer system for increasing the structural superiority of such wardrobe elements.
Heretofore there has not been available a stabilizer system for a luggage wardrobe system or method of use with the advantages and features of the present invention.
The present invention generally provides a stabilizer device for a luggage system with a wardrobe element which extends from the luggage portion and which can support a crossbar for hanging clothing or costumes. Optional arms can extend away from the crossbar for supporting a privacy curtain as defined in U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,506,856 and 9,820,542, which are commonly owned by the Applicant of the present invention and are incorporated herein by reference. The wardrobe element is secured within the sides of the luggage, and the opening of the luggage can be opened and closed without needing to store the wardrobe element. In a preferred embodiment, the wardrobe element includes two pairs of structural legs extending out of respective pockets within the luggage, the legs terminating at the crossbar. The stabilizer element is used between each pair of supports forming the legs, and when not in use is sored within a pocket adjacent to the stored location of the legs. The preferred embodiment is ideal for use when traveling or performing, which may require the user to change multiple outfits or costumes in an otherwise public area.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof.
I. Introduction and Environment
As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.
II. Preferred Embodiment Stabilizer System 2
Each of the pair of supports 9 extend through separately enclosed side passages 26 having their own flaps 6 which seal using a zipper 12 or other closure device, allowing the supports 9 to remain extended while the main compartment 11 of the luggage wardrobe 4 remains closed. This allows the lid 13 to be securely locked or otherwise fastened shut to protect the contents of the luggage wardrobe 4 while the supports 9 are extended upward.
A rod 16 may be connected to the top of the supports 9 using a storage crown 18 or other element, such as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 10,512,318 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/683,650, which are commonly owned by the Applicant of the present invention and are incorporated herein by reference. This allows the rod 16 to be placed at an elevated position ideal for receiving clothing or costumes placed on clothes hangers or other hanging elements. An optionally removable privacy curtain arm connects to one or both ends of the rod, allowing a privacy curtain to be extended out and away from the luggage for privacy while the user is changing clothing. The rod 16 may be a telescoping rod for easy storage. The lid 13 could attach to the rod 16 and/or the supports 9 for additional functionality and privacy. A storage crown 18 could be placed atop each handle 28 and the rod 16 extended between two crowns. The crowns include features as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 10,512,318 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/683,650, incorporated herein by reference, which add additional storage and functionality to the present application.
A stabilizer 10 is shown in
It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.
This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/683,650, filed Nov. 14, 2019, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/946,138 filed Apr. 5, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,512,318, which claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/481,746 filed Apr. 5, 2017, which are incorporated herein by reference.
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Child | 16802971 | US | |
Parent | 15946138 | Apr 2018 | US |
Child | 16683650 | US |