LUGGAGE SYSTEM WITH HANGER RECEIVER ELEMENTS AND METHOD OF USE

Abstract

A luggage system having a telescoping trolley arm which also includes one or more clothes hanger receiver elements which allow clothing to be hung from the luggage system while preventing the clothes hangers from slipping off, spilling clothing to the floor

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a luggage system and method for use thereof, and more specifically to a luggage system with an extendable clothing rack with hanger receiver elements.

2. Description of the Related Art

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.

Many existing systems also deploy large clothing rods which can be cumbersome to transport and use. What is needed is an incorporated hanger element for receiving hanging clothes on hangers within receiver elements thereon to prevent slippage.

Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for luggage with the advantages and features of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides a luggage system having a telescoping trolley arm which also includes one or more clothes hanger receiver elements which allow clothing to be hung from the luggage system while preventing the clothes hangers from slipping off, spilling clothing to the floor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof.

FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional isometric view of a first embodiment of the present invention shown in a first, stored orientation.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof shown in a second, extended orientation serving as a hanger for a clothes-hanging element.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a more detailed front elevational view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional isometric view of a second embodiment of the present invention shown in the second, extended orientation serving as a hanger for the clothes-hanging element.

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional isometric view of a third embodiment of the present invention shown in the second, extended orientation serving as a hanger for the clothes-hanging element.

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view thereof.

FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional isometric view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in the second, extended orientation serving as a hanger for the clothes-hanging element.

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view thereof.

FIG. 11 is a three-dimensional isometric view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention shown in the second, extended orientation serving as a hanger for the clothes-hanging element.

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view thereof.

FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a sixth embodiment thereof shown in the second, extended orientation.

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of a seventh embodiment thereof shown in the second, extended orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

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. First Embodiment Luggage System 2

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the present invention features a luggage device system 2 with a housing 4 and a handle element 6. The housing 4 is preferably made of a rigid or hard-case material, but any suitable material could be used. The housing has an opening which may be opened or closed via a zipper or other fastener as shown in FIG. 2.

The handle element 6 has a pair of telescoping arms 14 which allow the handle element to retract within a slot 8 located within the housing 4 and then to be extracted and pulled upward to function as both a handle for pulling the luggage along the ground using the casters on the luggage bottom face, or the handle element 6 can be used as a clothes-hanging element.

The handle element 6 includes at least one clothes-hanger element receiver slot 10, shown as ridges or recesses herein. These receiver slots 10 could be scalloped shaped, triangular shaped, or could be thinner and more varied, including comb-like structures, or any suitable receiver slot with side boundaries to hold clothes-hanging elements When used as a clothes-hanging element, the two receiver slots 10 or recesses shown in the handle element receive the hooked end of a clothes hanger 16 or other clothes-hanging element, and prevents the clothes hanger 16 from sliding off of the handle element 6, spilling clothes on the floor. The receiver slots 10 or recesses could be of any suitable shape and size, with other alternative embodiments shown below, including, several scalloped receivers, triangular receivers, rounded receivers, squared receivers, comb-shaped receivers, receiving spikes, or any suitable shape and size receiver.

When the user is finished with the handle element 6, it can easily be retracted into the body of the luggage system 2 housing 4. A button 12 or other element can trigger the handle to release to either be pulled upward away and out of the luggage or, conversely, pressed down and into the luggage. There could be spring elements (not shown) to help ease the transition of the telescoping arms out of the luggage, as is typical in similar luggage handle systems.

Note that a second pair of telescoping arms connected to a second pull handle element 5, as shown in FIG. 1 located more prominently to one side of the luggage could also be used, as is more typically known in the art, such as those suitcases manufactured by JRSK, Inc. d.b.a. Away of New York, USA, or any other typical luggage manufacturer.

III. Second Embodiment Luggage System 52

FIGS. 5-6 show a second embodiment luggage system 52 featuring an identical housing 4 and telescoping arms 14 for a slightly alternative embodiment handle element 56 including a button 62 and a pair of scalloped ridges 60 or recesses on either side of the handle element. These ridges 60 function to hold the clothes-hanging element such as the clothes hanger 16 similar to the prior embodiment. Here, additional hangers may be hung and the scalloped shape may be more suitable to some use-cases.

IV. Third Embodiment Luggage System 102

FIGS. 7-8 show a third embodiment luggage system 102 featuring an identical housing 4 and telescoping arms 14 for a slightly alternative embodiment handle element 106 including a button 112 and a pair of triangular receiver slots 110 or recesses on either side of the handle element. These receiver slots 110 function to hold the clothes-hanging element such as the clothes hanger 16 similar to the prior embodiments.

V. Fourth Embodiment Luggage System 152

FIGS. 9-10 show a fourth embodiment luggage system 152 featuring an identical housing 4 and telescoping arms 14 for a slightly alternative embodiment handle element 156 including a button 162 and three scalloped receiver slots 160 or recesses on either side of the handle element. These receiver slots 160 function to hold the clothes-hanging element such as the clothes hanger 16 similar to the prior embodiments.

VI. Fifth Embodiment Luggage System 202

FIGS. 11-12 show a fifth embodiment luggage system 202 featuring an identical housing 4 and telescoping arms 14 for a slightly alternative embodiment handle element 206 including a button 212 and three triangular receiver slots 210 or recesses on either side of the handle element. These receiver slots 210 function to hold the clothes-hanging element such as the clothes hanger 16 similar to the prior embodiments.

VII. Sixth Embodiment Luggage System 252

FIG. 13 shows a sixth embodiment luggage system 252 featuring an identical housing 4 and telescoping arms 14 for a slightly alternative embodiment handle element 256 including a button and more than three, shallow scalloped receiver slots 260 or recesses on either side of the handle element. This provides many locations to hold many hangers without allowing any of them to slip. These receiver slots 260 function to hold the clothes-hanging element such as the clothes hanger 16 similar to the prior embodiments.

VIII. Seventh Embodiment Luggage System 302

FIG. 17 shows a sixth embodiment luggage system 302 featuring an identical housing 4 and telescoping arms 14 for a slightly alternative embodiment handle element 306 including a button and more than three, shallow triangular receiver slots 310 or recesses on either side of the handle element. This provides many locations to hold many hangers without allowing any of them to slip. These receiver slots 310 function to hold the clothes-hanging element such as the clothes hanger 16 similar to the prior embodiments.

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.

Claims

1. A luggage system comprising: a housing formed from two halves creating an opening for an interior space;a handle element connected to a pair of telescoping legs configured to extend up and out of said housing;said handle element comprising at least one clothes-hanger element receiver located on an upper face of said handle element, said at least one clothes-hanger element receiver configured to prevent a clothes-hanger element from sliding off of said handle; andsaid handle element configured to hold clothing items on said clothes-hanger element above said housing of the luggage system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises a rigid material.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a second pull handle located in proximity with a face of one of said two halves of said housing;said second pull handle comprising a second pair of telescoping legs configured to allow said second pull handle to be extended from within said housing; andsaid second pull handle configured for pulling said housing about casters affixed to said housing.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one clothes-hanger element receiver comprises a plurality of scalloped-shaped ridges.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one clothes-hanger element receiver comprises a plurality of triangular-shaped ridges.