US20100108452A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20100108452A1
Application number: US12/535,091
Authority: US
Inventors: Matthew G. Williams; Terrence P. Kinskey
Original assignee: Union Rich USA LLC
Current assignee: LF Centennial Ltd
Priority date: 2008-08-04
Filing date: 2009-08-04
Publication date: 2010-05-06
Also published as: WO2010017165A2; WO2010017165A3; CA2731997A1

Abstract

A mobile office system configured to retain files and other business necessities in a readily accessible manner. In particular, the mobile office system may be formed from a mobile office bag body defining a main compartment formed from a plurality of outer sidewalls and a bottom wall that is generally orthogonal to the outer sidewalls. The mobile office system may include a support structure included within the mobile office bag body that maintains the sidewalls in a generally erect position in which the main compartment maintains an opening opposite to the bottom wall. A plurality of wheels may extend outwardly from the mobile office bag body such that the plurality of wheels are capable of supporting the mobile office body and enabling the mobile office bag body to be movable by tilting the mobile office bag body such that the mobile office bag body is supported by the plurality of wheels.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/085,941 entitled “Mobile Office Bag,” filed Aug. 4, 2008, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed generally to a storage system, and more particularly to a storage system configured to organize and contain files, mobile computers and other business necessities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bags, such as suitcases, are known and are used by individuals who are travelling or otherwise on the go. Such bags may include wheels and generally have the form of a hollow rectangular solid with a large, open main storage compartment. The walls of the bags can include a plurality of pockets for storage. The main storage compartment is ideal for transporting objects, such as clothing that are easily deformable. However, transport of other types of objects is limited or inconvenient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is drawn to a mobile office system that includes a mobile office bag body and at least two modular storage devices configured for removable storage within a main compartment of the mobile office bag body. Each of the at least two modular storage devices can have at least one dimension approximating at least one dimension of the main compartment.

The mobile office bag body can include four outer sidewalls and a generally rectangular bottom wall that is generally orthogonal to the outer sidewalls, each of said outer sidewalls being generally orthogonal to each to two adjacent outer sidewalls. A support structure can be included within the mobile office bag body in order to maintain the outer sidewalls in a generally erect position and the bottom in a generally planar orientation. The bottom wall and the four outer sidewalls can define a main compartment within the mobile office bag body and maintaining an opening opposite the bottom wall.

The mobile office bag body can include an extendible handle having an adjustable length for extending the extendible handle in a direction generally opposite the bottom wall of the mobile office bag body. A plurality of wheels can extend outwardly from the mobile office bag body such that the plurality of wheels is capable of supporting the mobile office body. The plurality of wheels enabling the mobile office bag body to be rolled by tilting the mobile office bag body with the extendible handle such that the mobile office bag body is supported by the plurality of wheels when pulled by a user.

The mobile office bag body can also include one or more support legs extending outwardly from the bottom wall. The support legs and the wheels can be adjacent to opposite edges of the bottom wall. The one or more support legs can enable the mobile office bag body to remain level when resting on the plurality of wheels and the one or more support legs. The mobile office bag body and the support structure can be covered by a fabric. The mobile office bag body can also include an outer lid attached to an upper edge of at least one of the outer sidewalls. The outer lid positioned to cover the opening to fully enclose the main compartment. The outer lid can be openable via a zipper connection.

The mobile office bag body can include a handle attached to the outer lid and the outer lid can include a reinforcement. The handle can be attached to the reinforcement.

The mobile office system can also include at least two modular storage devices configured for removable storage within the main compartment. Each of the at least two modular storage devices can have at least one dimension approximating at least one dimension of the main compartment. Each of the at least two modular storage devices can have a longest dimension approximating a longest dimension of the main compartment. The total volume of said at least two modular storage devices approximates a volume of the main compartment.

The mobile office system can include plurality of pockets on at least one outer surface of the mobile office bag body. The extendible handle can be positioned within the mobile office bag body such that the extendible handle is extendible through a sealable opening in the lid. The sealable opening can be sealable with a zipper, VELCRO or other similar means.

The at least one modular storage device can be selected from the group consisting of an accordion file bag, a computer case, a removable divider, a supply organizer, and a miscellaneous bag. The at least two modular storage devices can comprise fabric surfaces.

At least one of the modular storage devices can have a generally rectangular modular bottom, a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a sealable lid. The sealable lid can be attached to an upper edge of one of the front wall, the back wall and the two side walls. The front wall and the back wall can be attached to opposite edges of the generally rectangular modular bottom and the two side walls can be attached to opposite edges of the generally rectangular modular bottom. The generally rectangular modular bottom, front wall, back wall, and two side walls can define a modular storage compartment with an opening opposite the modular bottom. The modular bottom can be reinforced and at least one of the front wall, back wall and two side walls can be reinforced, padded, or both. The modular storage compartment can be further divided by a plurality of sub-dividers, thereby defining a plurality of sub-compartments within the modular storage compartment. The modular storage devices can be supply organizers having said plurality of sub-dividers.

Each of the modular storage devices can include a modular bottom, having an area. The total area of the plurality of modular bottoms can be greater than an area of the bottom wall. The total area of the plurality of bottoms can be greater than 150% of the area of the bottom wall. For instance, if the area of the bottom wall is 10,000 cm², the total area of the plurality of bottoms can be 13,500 cm².

The mobile office system can include at least two supply organizers. Each of the two supply organizers can include a handle attached to the sealable lid. The at least two supply organizers can be stackable and a stacked height of the stacked supply organizers can approximate a height of said main compartment. In addition to the two supply organizers, the mobile office system can also include an accordion file bag, a computer case, or both.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the presently disclosed invention and, together with the description, disclose the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile office bag with aspects of the invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the mobile office bag ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the mobile office bag ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the mobile office bag ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modular storage device.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mobile office bag.

FIG. 8 is another perspective view of the mobile office bag ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is yet another perspective view of the mobile office bag ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a top perspective view of the mobile office bag ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modular storage device.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mobile office bag.

FIG. 17 is another perspective view of the mobile office bag ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the mobile office bag ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is yet another perspective view of the mobile office bag ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a modular storage device.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mobile office bag.

FIG. 26 is another perspective view of the mobile office bag ofFIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a top perspective view of the mobile office bag ofFIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is a top view of the mobile office bag ofFIG. 25.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 31 is yet another perspective view of the mobile office bag ofFIG. 25.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mobile office bag.

FIG. 34 is another perspective view of the mobile office bag ofFIG. 33. 100511FIG. 35 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 36 is a top perspective view of a mobile office bag ofFIG. 33.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 38 is yet another perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a modular storage device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown inFIGS. 1-40, this invention is directed to amobile office system10 configured to retain files and other necessities of a businessperson in a readily accessible manner. In particular, themobile office system10 may be formed from a mobileoffice bag body12 defining amain compartment14 formed from a plurality ofouter sidewalls16 and abottom wall18 that is generally orthogonal to theouter sidewalls16. Theouter sidewalls16 may form a rectangular structure, and, in at least one embodiment, may form a square structure in another embodiment. Themobile office system10 may include asupport structure34 within the mobileoffice bag body12 that maintains the sidewalls16 in a generally erect position in which themain compartment14 maintains anopening20 opposite to thebottom wall18.

Themobile office system10 may be formed from one or more layers of a fabric. For instance, themobile office system10 may be formed from a durable fabric such as, but not limited to, CORDURA, SPUNTUFF, and other appropriate fabrics. The multiple layers of fabric may be stitched, welded, or attached together through other appropriate manners. Themobile office bag12 may be constructed such that the fabric layers form the outer surfaces of themobile office system10 and enclose thesupport structure34.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, themobile office system10 may be formed from fourouter sidewalls16. In particular, theouter sidewalls16 may be formed from afirst sidewall22 that is opposite to asecond sidewall26. Theouter sidewalls16 may also include third and

fourth sidewalls

30,32 that are opposite to each other and generally orthogonal to the first and

second sidewalls

22,26. Thefirst sidewall22 may be attached to the third and

fourth sidewalls

30,32, and thesecond sidewall26 may be attached to the third and

fourth sidewalls

30,32 or opposite to thefirst sidewall22. One or more of theouter sidewalls16 may include portions of thesupport structure34. In at least one embodiment, thesupport structure34 may be rigid boards that retain a planar configuration. One or more of theouter sidewalls16 may be formed from an inner fabric layer, an outer fabric layer, and a rigid board positioned between the inner and outer fabric layers. The support members may be formed from materials, such as, but not limited to, a polyethylene (PE) board, such as, but not limited to, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) board. In one embodiment, the first and

second sidewalls

22,26 may be formed from rigid boards formed of fabric covered three millimeter thick PE boards, and the third and

fourth sidewalls

30,32 may be formed from rigid boards formed from fabric covered two millimeter thick PE boards.

Each of the

sidewalls

22,26,30,32 may be generally rectangular and include an edge attached to an edge of thebottom wall18. In addition, for each of the

sidewalls

22,26,30,32, each of the two edges adjacent the edge attached to thebottom wall18 can be attached to an edge of an adjacent sidewall. For example, opposite edges ofsidewall22 can be attached to edges of

adjacent sidewalls

30,32.

Themobile office system10 may include one ormore wheels36 extending from themobile office system10. In at least one embodiment, themobile office system10 may include a plurality ofwheels36 extending outwardly from the mobileoffice bag body12 such that the plurality ofwheels36 are capable of supporting themobile office body12 and enabling the mobileoffice bag body12 to be rolled by tilting the mobileoffice bag body12 with theextendable handle40 such that the mobileoffice bag body12 is supported by the plurality ofwheels36. Thewheels36 may be positioned in outer corners of thebottom wall18 of the mobileoffice bag body12 and be contained within wheel pockets38 in thebottom wall18. In some embodiments, thewheels36 can be located at the corner of the mobileoffice bag body12 at the intersection of the bottom18, thesecond sidewall26 and one of the third or

fourth sidewalls

30,32. Thewheels36 may be formed from any appropriate size, shape or configuration, and in at least one embodiment, may be formed from wheels that are between about two inches and about four inches in outer diameter.

The mobileoffice bag body12 can also include one ormore support legs37 extending outwardly from thebottom wall18. The one ormore support legs37 enabling the mobileoffice bag body12 to remain level when resting on the plurality ofwheels36 and the one ormore support legs37.

Themobile office system10 may include anextendible handle40 having an adjustable length that extends from the mobileoffice bag body12 in a direction generally opposite from where the plurality ofwheels36 are attached to the mobileoffice bag body12. Theextendible handle40 may include extendible shafts that may be hollow shafts formed from materials including, but not limited to, aluminum. The handle itself may be formed the same materials used to form the extendible shafts or may be formed from different materials. The handle itself may be formed from metals, plastics, or other appropriate materials. Theextendible handle40 may be positioned within the mobileoffice bag body12 such that theextendible handle40 is extendible through azippered opening41 in thelid42.

Themobile office system10 may include alid42 positioned in theopening20 to seal theopening20 opposite to thebottom wall18. Thelid42 may be formed from any appropriate material, including those materials previously identified and in the configuration previously identified. Thelid42 may be reinforced, include padding of both. Thelid42 may be openable via a zipper connection. The zipper may be positioned at a perimeter of thelid42.

Themobile office system10 may include one ormore pockets46 for storing items. In at least one embodiment, themobile office system10 may include a plurality ofpockets46 on at least one outer surface of the mobileoffice bag body12. Thepockets46 may be formed from fabric or other appropriate materials.

Themobile office system10 may include at least onemodular storage device44 configured to fit within the mobileoffice bag body12. Themodular storage device44 may have any appropriate shape and may be shaped for a particular purpose. Themodular storage device44 may include an accordion file bag, a computer case, a removable divider, and a miscellaneous bag. Themodular storage device44 may be formed from fabric or other appropriate materials. The removable divider may divide the main compartment. Themodular storage device44, including the removable divider, may include hook and loop connectors configured to removably attach themodular storage device44 to themobile office system10 and to thebottom wall18 of themobile office system10.

The mobileoffice bag body12 and the support structure can be covered by a fabric. The mobileoffice bag body12 can also include anouter lid42 attached to an upper edge of at least one of theouter sidewalls26. Theouter lid42 can be positioned to cover the opening to fully enclose themain compartment14. Theouter lid42 can be openable via a zipper connection.

The mobileoffice bag body12 can include ahandle50 attached to theouter lid42 and theouter lid42 can include a reinforcement. Thehandle50 can be attached to the reinforcement.

Themobile office system10 can also include at least twomodular storage devices44 configured for removable storage within themain compartment14. Each of the at least twomodular storage devices44 can have at least one dimension approximating at least one dimension of said main compartment. Each of the at least two modular storage devices can have a longest dimension approximating a longest dimension of the main compartment. As used herein, “approximating” a dimension is used to indicate that one dimension is between 90% and 100% of another dimension, preferably between 92% and 98% of another dimension. For example, if the width of the main compartment is 100 cm and the length of a modular storage device is 95 cm, the length of the modular storage compartment approximates the width of the main compartment.

As used herein, “approximating” a volume is used to indicate that the relevant volume is between 72.9% (=90% * 90% * 90%) and 100% of another volume, preferably between 77% and 95% of another volume. For example, if the total volume of four modular storage devices is 800,000 cm³and the volume of the main compartment is 1,000,000 cm³, then the total volume of the modular storage devices approximates the volume of the main compartment. The total volume of said at least two modular storage devices approximates a volume of the main compartment.

Themobile office system10 can include plurality of pockets on at least oneouter surface48 of the mobileoffice bag body10. As shown inFIGS. 7,8,10,16-18,33,34 and36, theextendible handle40 can be positioned within the mobileoffice bag body12 such that theextendible handle40 is extendible through azippered opening41 in thelid42.

The at least onemodular storage device44 can be selected from the group consisting of an accordion file bag (e.g.,FIGS. 11 and 22), a computer case (e.g.,FIG. 15), a removable divider (e.g.,FIG. 14), a supply organizer (e.g.,FIGS. 5,6,12,23-24 and29), and a miscellaneous bag (e.g.,FIG. 13). The at least twomodular storage devices44 can comprise fabric surfaces, can be reinforced, can be padded, or any combination thereof.

At least one of themodular storage devices44 can have a generally rectangular modular bottom60, a modularfront wall62, amodular back wall64, two

modular side walls

66,68, and a modularsealable lid70. Thesealable lid70 can be attached to an upper edge of one of thefront wall62, theback wall64 and the two

side walls

66,68. Thefront wall62 and theback wall64 can be attached to opposite edges of the generally rectangular modular bottom60 and the two

side walls

66,68 can be attached to opposite edges of the generally rectangular modular bottom60. The generally rectangular modular bottom60,front wall62,back wall64, and two

side walls

66,68 can define amodular storage compartment72 with an opening opposite themodular bottom60. The modular bottom60 can be reinforced, padded, or both, and at least one of thefront wall62,back wall64 and two

side walls

66,68 can be reinforced, padded, or both. Themodular storage compartment72 can be further divided by a plurality ofsub-dividers74, thereby defining a plurality ofsub-compartments76 within themodular storage compartment72. Themodular storage devices44 can be supply organizers (e.g.,FIGS. 5,6,12,23-24 and29) having said plurality ofsub-dividers74.

Each of themodular storage devices44 can include a modular bottom60, having an area. The total area of the plurality ofmodular bottoms60 can be greater than an area of thebottom wall18. The total area of the plurality ofbottoms60 can be greater than 150% of the area of thebottom wall18. For instance, if the area of thebottom wall18 is 10,000 cm², the total area of the plurality ofbottoms60 can be 13,500 cm², 15,500 cm², or more.

Themobile office system10 can include at least twosupply organizers44. Each of the twosupply organizers44 can include ahandle78 attached to the sealable lid. The at least twosupply organizers44 can be stackable, as show inFIGS. 5,6,29,35 and40. The stacked height of the stacked supply organizers can approximate a height of themain compartment14. In addition to the twosupply organizers44, the mobile office system can also include anaccordion file bag44, acomputer case44, or both.

The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, explaining, and describing embodiments of this invention. Modifications and adaptations to these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention.

Claims

1. A mobile office system, comprising

a mobile office bag body comprising four outer sidewalls and a generally rectangular bottom wall that is generally orthogonal to the outer sidewalls, said mobile office bag body defining a main compartment;

a support structure included within the mobile office bag body that maintains the sidewalls in a generally erect position and the bottom in a generally planar orientation, wherein the main compartment maintains an opening opposite to the bottom wall;

a plurality of wheels extending outwardly from the mobile office bag body such that the plurality of wheels are capable of supporting the mobile office body and enabling the mobile office bag body to be movable by tilting the mobile office bag body such that the mobile office bag body is supported by the plurality of wheels;

one or more support legs extending from said bottom wall, enabling said mobile office bag body to remain level when resting on said plurality of wheels and said one or more support legs;

an extendible handle having an adjustable length for extending the extendible handle in a direction generally opposite from the plurality of wheels on the mobile office bag body;

wherein the mobile office bag body and the support structure are covered by a fabric;

an outer lid attached to an upper edge of at least one of said outer sidewalls, said outer lid positioned to cover the opening to seal the opening opposite to the bottom wall, wherein the outer lid is openable via a zipper connection; and

at least two modular storage devices configured for removable storage within the main compartment, each of said at least two modular storage devices having at least one dimension approximating at least one dimension of said main compartment.

2. The mobile office system ofclaim 1, wherein mobile office bag body includes a plurality of pockets on at least one outer surface of the mobile office bag body.

3. The mobile office system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one modular storage device is selected from the group consisting of an accordion file bag, a computer case, a removable divider, a supply organizer, and a miscellaneous bag.

4. The mobile office system ofclaim 1, wherein the at least two modular storage devices comprise fabric surfaces.

5. The mobile office system ofclaim 1, wherein the extendible handle is positioned within the mobile office bag body such that the extendible handle is extendible through a zippered opening in the lid.

6. The mobile office system ofclaim 1, wherein each of said at least two modular storage devices having a longest dimension approximating a longest dimension of said main compartment.

7. The mobile office system ofclaim 1, wherein at least one of the modular storage devices comprises a generally rectangular modular bottom, a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a sealable lid attached to an upper edge of one of the front wall, the back wall and the two side walls, wherein the front wall and the back wall are attached to opposite edges of the generally rectangular modular bottom and the two side walls are attached to opposite edges of the generally rectangular modular bottom, said generally rectangular modular bottom, front wall, back wall, and two side walls defining a modular storage compartment.

8. The mobile office system ofclaim 7, wherein said generally rectangular bottom is reinforced and at least one of said generally rectangular bottom, said front wall, said back wall and said two side walls is reinforced, padded, or both.

9. The mobile office system ofclaim 7, wherein said modular storage compartment is further divided by a plurality of sub-dividers, thereby defining a plurality of sub-compartments.

10. The mobile office system ofclaim 1, further comprising a handle attached to said outer lid, wherein said outer lid comprises a reinforcement, said handle attached to said reinforcement.

11. The mobile office system ofclaim 1, wherein each of said at least two modular storage devices comprises a modular bottom, each of said modular bottoms having an area, wherein a total area of said modular bottoms is greater than an area of said bottom wall.

12. The mobile office system ofclaim 11, wherein each of said at least two modular storage devices having a longest dimension approximating a longest dimension of said main compartment.

13. The mobile office system ofclaim 1, wherein each of said at least two modular storage devices comprises a modular bottom, each of said modular bottoms having an area, wherein a total area of said modular bottoms is more than 150% of an area of said bottom wall.

14. The mobile office system ofclaim 1, wherein said at least two modular storage devices comprises at least two supply organizers,

each of said at least two supply organizers comprising a generally rectangular modular bottom, a front wall, a back wall, two side walls, and a sealable lid attached to an upper edge of one of the front wall, the back wall and the two side walls, wherein the front wall and the back wall are attached to opposite edges of the generally rectangular modular bottom and the two side walls are attached to opposite edges of the generally rectangular modular bottom, said generally rectangular modular bottom, front wall, back wall, and two side walls defining a modular storage compartment,

wherein each of said at least two modular storage devices comprises a handle attached to said sealable lid, and

wherein said at least two supply organizers are stackable and a stacked height of said stacked supply organizers approximates a height of said main compartment.

15. The mobile office system ofclaim 14, further comprising an accordion file bag, a computer case, or both.

16. The mobile office system ofclaim 15, wherein a total volume of said at least two modular storage devices approximates a volume of said main compartment.

17. The mobile office system ofclaim 15, wherein each of said at least two modular storage devices comprises a modular bottom, each of said modular bottoms having an area, wherein a total area of said modular bottoms is greater than an area of said bottom wall.

18. The mobile office system ofclaim 15, wherein each of said at least two modular storage devices comprises a modular bottom, each of said modular bottoms having an area, wherein a total area of said modular bottoms is more than 150% of an area of said bottom wall.

19. The mobile office system ofclaim 14, wherein each of said at least two modular storage devices have a longest dimension approximating a longest dimension of said main compartment.

20. The mobile office system ofclaim 15, wherein each of said at least two modular storage devices have a longest dimension approximating a longest dimension of said main compartment.