Patent Application
20130248309
The present invention relates to luggage, and more particularly to a travel bag that is incorporates a built-in rechargeable battery for recharging computers and other personal electronic devices. The inventive luggage further comprises storage shelves that are retained in the luggage and easily slid out of and into the luggage; one shelf is adapted for holding liquids in containers appropriate for carry-on luggage in domestic flights and the other shelf is adapted for holding a laptop computer. Both shelves are easily moved to an extended position to expose liquids and a laptop computer in an appropriate manner for security screening at airports.
Air travelers are very familiar with security screening regulations currently in place at airports in the United States for domestic flights and at foreign airports for flights into the US. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has put in place numerous regulations for security screening. While the vast majority of air travelers recognize the importance of these security screening measures for insuring safety, travelers are just as aware of the slowdowns and delays caused by current safety screening requirements. Frequent flyers are especially aware of safety screening requirements as these flyers are often subject to screening multiple times every day.
Among other TSA requirements, liquids, aerosols and gels, are allowed in carry-on luggage only in limited quantities. The TSA currently follows the “3-1-1” rule: each traveler is limited to carrying aboard an aircraft liquids in a 3.4 ounce (100 ml) bottle or less (by volume) , in a 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag, with 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. By consolidating the bottles into one bag and X-raying them separately from the carry-on bag enables security officers to quickly clear the items.
Laptop computers are similarly subject to special screening rules. Generally speaking, the laptop must be placed in a bin on the x-ray conveyer such that there is nothing above or below the computer and so that the computer lies flat. Moreover, TSA regulations currently specify that the distance between the bottom of the computer and the conveyer is no more than 1¼ inches. There are some “checkpoint friendly” laptop bags on the market that purportedly make security screening easier. The TSA indicates that such bags have a designated laptop-only section that has no metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on-top of the laptop-only section, that there are no pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section, that there is nothing in the laptop compartment other than the laptop, and that the traveler must completely unfold the bag so that there is nothing above or below the laptop-only section, allowing the bag to lie flat on the X-ray belt.
All air travelers will appreciate that despite advancements in checkpoint friendly luggage such as those just described, there is a serious need for luggage that makes passage through security screening checkpoints more efficient and fast. Such luggage should recognize the dual needs of simplifying use for the traveler, while making security screening simple and reliable.
At the same time, most travelers utilize one or more personal electronic devices such as a laptop, smart phone, and electronic tablets. These devices are indispensable to many travelers but are notorious for needing recharging. As a result, quick recharging stations can be found strategically located in most airports. Despite the convenience of such recharging stations, there is a clear need for alternate methods of charging personal electronic devices while traveling.
The present invention comprises a carry-on bag that addresses each of the needs described above.
In one embodiment, the invention is defined by luggage that incorporates a rechargeable battery that may be used to recharge personal electronic devices.
In another embodiment, the invention is defined by luggage that includes an integral shelf for holding liquids, aerosols and gels in the 1-quart zip top bag approved by the TSA. The shelf is easily slid out of the luggage when the luggage is placed on the x-ray conveyer so that the bag holding the liquids, aerosols and gels is appropriately exposed for proper security screening.
In yet another embodiment, the invention is defined by luggage that includes an integral shelf for holding a laptop computer. The shelf is easily slid out of the luggage when the luggage is placed on the x-ray conveyer so that computer is appropriately exposed for proper security screening.
The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will be apparent by reference to the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
An article of luggage 10 incorporating the illustrated invention is shown in the figures as having a main body 12 with an extendable/retractable handle 14 and with wheels 16. Main body 12 defines a rectangular geometric configuration with, for purposes herein, a front panel 18, rear panel 20, opposed side panels 22 and 24, respectively, and opposed top and bottom panels 26 and 28, respectively. A hand grip 30 is attached to side panel 24. Throughout this specification, like structures shown in different drawings are given the same reference numbers. More specifically, like structures in the piece of luggage 110 shown in
At times herein, relative directional terms are used to identify structural features of the invention and their relationship to other features. The geometric center of main body 12 is considered to be the “center” of luggage 10 and the hand grip 10 will be considered at the upper or top end of the mail body; the wheels 16 are located at the lower or bottom end of the main body. Other relative directional terms correspond to this convention: “inner” or “inward” refers to the geometric center of the main body, or the direction toward the geometric center, and so on.
With reference now to
Each of these three components is described below.
As noted, laptop tray 50 is reciprocally slidable into and out of the main body 12, which defines a frame structure for attaching the laptop tray 50. The tray is sized to hold a conventional laptop computer 52 and may be fitted with optional retaining straps 54 to retain the laptop 52 on the tray 50. The tray has opposed lateral edges that are slidable in appropriate tracks in the interior of main body 12 of luggage 10. It will be appreciated that there are numerous structures known to those of ordinary skill in the art to slidably attach a tray in the manner illustrated and described. For example, rails may be attached to the structural frame or opposed interior sides of the main body 12 of luggage 10 and the tray 50 may be fitted with wheels that ride in the rails. As another example, the tray 50 may be reciprocally movable in slots formed in the interior sides of the main body 12. The tray 50 is movable between an extended position shown in
Laptop tray 50 is preferably designed so that it meets TSA guidelines for security inspection of a laptop computer when the tray is in its extended position and the luggage 10 is laid flat on an x-ray conveyer belt as shown in the figures—that is, when the rear panel 20 of luggage 10 is laid onto the conveyer and the wheels 16 are on the conveyer. For instance, laptop tray 50 is a designated laptop-only section that has no metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on-top of the laptop tray 50, there are no pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop tray 50. Accordingly, there is nothing in the laptop tray 50 other than the laptop 52 and with the tray 50 in the extended position the traveler laptop “compartment” is completely unfolded so that there is nothing above or below the laptop tray 50 (except of course the supporting panel portion of the tray on which the laptop rests), allowing the laptop 52 to lie flat on or parallel to and closely spaced apart from the x-ray belt for good security screening. More specifically, the laptop tray 50 is installed in luggage 10 so that when the luggage is lying on its rear panel 20 on a conveyer with the laptop tray 50 in its extended position, the lower surface of a computer 52 held on the tray is separated from the conveyer by no more than 1¼ inches. Because there are no structural parts from luggage 10 either above or below the laptop 52 when the tray 50 is in its extended position as shown in
The laptop tray may include interior padding 56 and/or strips of padding, both on the inner-facing edges of side edges 56 and on the support panel, that pad the computer 52 to prevent damage while in transit, and also to allow the user to adjust the relative size of the laptop tray to accommodate and snugly retain laptops having different dimensions.
As with laptop tray 50, liquids tray 100 is reciprocally slidable into and out of the main body 12, but as shown in the drawings, liquids tray 100 is slidable out of the opposite end of luggage 10 in bottom 28. The liquids tray 100 is appropriately sized to hold a traveler's liquids in compliance with TSA regulations, and especially the 1-quart zip top bags, shown schematically at 102, that comply with the “3-1-1” rule. As described above with respect to laptop tray 50, the liquids tray 100 has opposed lateral edges that are slidable in appropriate tracks in the interior of main body 12 of luggage 10. And again as described above, it will be appreciated that there are numerous structures known to those of ordinary skill in the art to slidably attach a tray in the manner illustrated and described. And like the laptop tray 50, liquids tray 100 has upwardly extending peripheral side edges 104 that help retain liquids within the confines of the tray.
The liquids tray 100 is movable between an extended position shown in
Main body 12 includes interior compartments that define close-fitting panels that cover the upper (i.e., exposed) portions of both laptop tray 50 and liquids tray 100 when the trays are in their retracted positions. Although the interior panels are now shown in the drawings, the panels fit closely against the upper portions of the trays so that articles retained on the trays are retained tightly in place on the trays when the luggage 10 is moved about. Thus, a laptop 52 is retained snuggly in place in laptop tray 50 when the tray is in its retracted position and while luggage 50 is moved about, even if optional retaining straps 54 are not included and/or used. Likewise, a zip top bag 102 containing multiple individual containers of liquid is retained snuggly in place in liquids tray 100 when the tray is in its retracted position and while luggage 50 is moved about. Because the objects on the trays (i.e., laptop 52 and bag 102) are relatively immovable relative to the trays themselves on which they are retained, damage to the objects is prevented.
It will be appreciated that the relative positions of laptop tray 50 and liquids tray 100 may be reversed so that the laptop tray slides into and out of the bottom panel 28 and the liquids tray 100 slides into and out of the top panel 26.
The rechargeable battery system 150 comprises a rechargeable battery 152 that is removably housed in main body 12, an electrical interface panel 154 and electric wiring such as a wiring harness 156 that electrically interconnects the battery 152 with the interface panel 154. Rechargeable battery 152 is a standard battery that is rechargeable with standard 120 volt current from a conventional wall electrical outlet. A typical rechargeable battery useful herein is a lithium ion or lithium polymer type of battery, although those of skill in the art will recognize that there are numerous types of batteries that are appropriate for use with the present invention. The battery 152 is retained in an internal compartment in main body 12 that is accessible for services and replacement of the battery as needed. A conventional recharging cord (not shown) is supplied for recharging the battery 152 with standard current from a wall electrical outlet.
The electrical interface panel 154 defines a location where a traveler may connect a variety of different personal electronic devices such as laptop 52, smart phones and tablets to battery 152 to thereby recharge the batteries in the personal electronic devices. The interface panel 154 is accessible through a closable panel that opens on the side panel 26, such as a zippered flap. It will be appreciated that there are innumerable recharging interconnect types on the market today. As such, in addition to a standard US compliant plug interface, interface panel includes plural standard charging interconnects—such as, for example, USB connections—so that the traveler is able to connect their various electronic devices to the battery 152 for recharging. It will be understood that in view of the many different standard interconnects on the market today, most travelers and users of electronic devices also carry converters that are capable of interfacing with different interconnects.
To recharge an electronic device such as laptop 52, the recharging cord for the laptop is attached to the appropriate plug in the electrical interface 154. This may be done with the tray in either its extended position, or its stowed position. In addition, more than one electronic device may be simultaneously attached to interface 154 so that both devices are recharged simultaneously. This is advantageous when a traveler wants to have all electronic devices fully charged at the end of a long flight. The interface 154 may further include battery charge indicators such as light emitting diodes that give the user a quick indication of the state of charge off the battery 152.
With reference now to
Turning now to the series of
As detailed below, there are several differences between the luggage 200 and the luggage 10 of
Another primary difference is that the laptop tray 50 and liquids tray 100 that are used with luggage 200 are dual-functioning: both are retractably slidable into and out of the main body 202 of the luggage in much the same manner as detailed above with respect to luggage 10, but in the embodiment of
The frame-set 204 is preferably molded from a plastic material, although other materials may be used. The frame-set 204 defines the rear panel 20 of the luggage 200 and includes integral wrap around side portions—in
As noted, both the laptop tray 50 and the liquids tray 100 are separately reciprocally slidable between retracted positions in which the trays are completely within the outer perimeter of the main body 202, and extended positions in which the trays are exposed to allow the user to access them. The laptop tray 50 is shown in its extended position in
Liquids tray 100 is likewise slidably retractable into and out of main body 202 as indicated with arrow A in
With reference now to
The embodiment of luggage 200 shown in
With reference to
As noted, both laptop tray 50 and liquids tray 100 are pivotally attached to base frame-set 204. As best illustrated in
Alternately, either or both of the laptop trays 50 and 100 may be installed and equipped such that the trays are pivotally openable to approximately 90 degrees relative to the plane defined by the rear panel 20 of the luggage 200. In this position with, for example, the luggage resting in the position shown in
While the present invention has been described in terms of preferred and illustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill that the spirit and scope of the invention is not limited to those embodiments, but extend to the various modifications and equivalents as defined in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61614635 | Mar 2012 | US |
