Platt Luggage, Inc.

Joseph E March

Thomas E Riley, Jr

Thomas A Grabarek

Carrying case

A carrying case of the type having its bottom and sidewalls formed of a U-shaped unitary member is provided which employs a structural frame made of a plurality of rigid members which are secured to one another by rivets. The frame includes upper and lower pairs of metal bars extending generally horizontally on opposite sides of the case between generally rectangular end shells which may have U-shaped metal guards disposed on their sides and bottoms. The bars are preferably made of spring steel so that they may return to their original shapes after being distorted by overloading of the case. The end shells may have integral nodes formed on them to partially shield exposed ends of the U-shaped guards.

A carrying case includes a wall member which provides a bottom and sidewalls for the carrying case and which has at each of its opposite ends an end assembly including a generally planar plastic end panel having a pair of metal end frames extending about its periphery. The end panels may be cut from flat sheets of material and need not be molded into specialized shapes. In the preferred embodiment, the end panels are made substantially of antistatic materials which enable the case to be useful in transporting items which might be damaged by static electricity. The case illustrated herein includes a divider assembly which is removable as a unit from the case and which is made substantially of antistatic materials.

Carrying case with removable divider assembly

The present invention relates to a carrying case, and more particularly to a carrying case adaptable for carrying relatively heavy items. Guards of rigid material disposed on end shells of the case cooperate synergistically with rivet assemblies to provide exceptional strength, rigidity, durability and damage resistance to the carrying case.

Carrying case with guards

A supply carrier for removable insertion into a tool case includes a plurality of trays. The trays are generally identical in shape and dimensions. Each tray includes a generally rectangular base and an upstanding flange which includes at least a first side wall and a second side wall spaced from and generally parallel to the first side wall. The trays are connected by a pair of link members pivotally attached to the first side walls and a generally identical pair of link members pivotally attached to the second side walls. The trays are pivotable between a first position of vertical alignment, a second position of supported offset arrangement and a third position of supported horizontal alignment.

Hinged tray assembly

A luggage case is provided with the appearance of a soft sided luggage case; but with superior strength afforded by two opposed interior concave inner shells of molded plastic structural material, pivotally mounted for opening and closing. The luggage case is sufficiently strong to carry tools and other equipment used to clean business machines. Outer coverings of decorative vinyl or the like are joined as by stitching to the inner shells proximate the peripheries of the inner shells and are free to flex and to be displaced relative to the inner shells to provide a soft outer appearance and feel. Preferably, a tough vinyl beading is secured around the peripheral corners of the luggage case to prevent abrasion of the decorative vinyl coverings.

Luggage case with soft sided exterior

A fabricated case is described which is suitable for carrying relatively heavy objects. Two opposed hinged concave shells are shown, each including a back wall and four side walls. In at least one of the shells, at least three of the walls joined by integral corners are formed from a single sheet of semi-rigid material, such as plastic, bent by the use of a heated tool, and joined along an edge of the sheet to a metallic frame section which provides strength and rigidity to the case. In contrast to molded attache or luggage case shells, the shells may be made with greater depth and in diverse shapes without the use of vacuum molds or other special tooling. The preferred frame section is F-shaped in cross section with a channel portion and an integral flange portion extending therefrom and forming a continuation of the base of the channel portion. The flange portion lies against the outer side of the walls with the channel portion extending transversely across the coextensive edge. An elongated clamping member is disposed against the inner side of the walls and is secured to the frame section by suitable fasteners.

Growing community of inventors

Chicago, IL, United States of America

Joseph E March