US2096768A - Portable case and the like - Google Patents

Description

Oct. ,26, 1937. H. H. sTYLL PRTABLE CASE AND THE LIKE original Filed Jan. 27, 1955 2 sheets-shawl YT" l INVENTOR Oct. 26, 1937.

original Filed Jan. 27, 193s 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Oct. 26, 1937 PATaNr PRTABL CASE AND THE LIKE Harry H. Styll, Southbridge, Mass.

Application January 27, 1933, Serial No. 653,849 ReneWedOctober 4, 1935 19 claims. (c1. 15o- 71.65

This invention relates to improvements in portable cases and has particular reference to operable means for supporting the case in upright position.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide simple and economical collapsible supporting means by which the case may be supported in upright position when desired and which may be folded up inconspicuously at other lowtimes. i

Another object of the invention is to provide simple means for supporting a case in upright position that otherwise would be overbalanced and would not stand in such an upright position.

15.; Another object of the invention is to provide simple means by which a case or le that willnot ordinarily stand in an upright posi-tion may be so supported for reference and use in such position.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple and efficient means that will support a case in upright position and that will also eX- pand the case when being moved to supporting position and that will collapse the case when being moved to stowed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide simple, economical and inconspicuous means .for supporting a collapsible case in upright position when desired for use as a vertical file device.

l Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent that many changes in arrangement of parts and details of 35 construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressedin the accompanying claims. AI therefore dov not wish to be confined to the exact arrangements shown and described, as the .preferred forms 40 have been shown and described by way` of illustration only.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure I is a perspective view showing the invention applied to a collapsible brief case.

Figure II is a bottom view of Figure I showing the case in collapsed position.

Figure III is a view similar to FigureV II showing the case in expanded position.

Figure IV is a partial cross section on line IV-IV of Figure III.

Figure V is a rear elevation showing a modied form of the invention.

Figure VI is an end view of Figure V.

modif-led form of the invention.

Figure VIII is an end View of, Figure VII.

Figure IX isan end view showing'a modifica-V tion, and Y Figure X is a bottom-viewrshowing another modification,

As is well known, brief cases and similar cases for carrying papers and other objects are-relatively high and wide .and relatively narrow across the bottom, so that they will not stand alone in vertical or upright position.Y The case when not in use is therefore usually laid down upon one of its broad sides or horizontally. The contents as a consequence have to be removed or inserted in a horizontal direction. This .makes the case unhandy in use and of no' assistance while the paper or articles removed from it is being used. As a consequence, attorneys or others whol use such cases usually remove the contents, or at least the desired portion of the contents, and then lay the case aside, as otherwise'it would be in the way. Very often it is of vimportance that certain portions of the contents should not be exposed to view and that only that part of the contents immediately desired for use at the time should be removed. If the contents have to be referred to back and forth, or in orderly progression, it involves an awkward break in the proceeding to have to pause and insert or remove parts of the contents of the case.Y Were the case supported in a vertical position the contents would be easily accessible in any order desired and the case could be used not only as a vertical file case but asia support for the contents in use as well. It is, therefore, one of the principal objects of this Vinvention to provide means by which such cases can be so used.

Referring to the Ydrawings, Vwhereinrsimilar characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout: y'

In Figure I,.I have shown an expandible brief case made of leather or other flexible .material having the case walls l, theV fluted expansion members 2, and the pocket division walls 3. On

the bottom of the caSaFigures II and III, I place thebrace members i!l having the horizontal portions l0 and theupright portions` Il. 'Ihe part I0 @Omlats with the bottom of thecase and the and the parts pushed together.

part II with the side thereof. These braces are secured to the cases by rivets or otherwise as at I2.

Pivoted to the part I of the braces are the extension rods I3 having the guide slots I4, into which t the pins I5 secured to the feet 8.

The operation is as follows:

When the case is closed or collapsed as shown in Figure II, the feet 8 lie over the'rod 4 in a longitudinal direction, the pins I5 being at the outer ends of the slots I 4. To extend the feet 8 transversely as shown in Figure III,`the feet 8 are rotated on the pivots 1, the pins I5 moving to the inner ends of the slots I4. 'I'his movement of the feet 8 expands the case as shown in'Figure III. Moving the parts to the position shown in Figure II contracts the case.V When the feet 8 are extended transversely as shownin Figure III, the case Will be supported vertically'as shown' in Figure I, and the case used as a vertical le for inserting or removing contents, and it also can be used as a support of the paper on content in use.

In the modication shown in Figures V and VI there is provided a brace member having the f vertical legs 25 and the horizontal leg 2B. The legs 25 are pivotally connected to the case I at ZTI, so that the brace member may rest against the case when stowed and be extended therefrom to form a supporting easel as shown in Figure VI. To hold the brace member in extended position awayV from the case there is provided the extension member 28, having the central hinge 29 and the end hinges 30, forming pivotal connection with the braceV member and the case respectively. When not in use as an easel support the brace member lies against 'thecase I. When extended, as shown in Figure VI, it is held in position by the extension member 28. To move the brace member from extension position it is necessary only to press the hinge 29 upwardly, which causes it to fold on the hinge 29, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure VI. When held extended as in Figure VI the case may be .used as a file case and the les 3| taken out or replaced without disturbing `the position of the case. The case in this position may also be used for a reading support.

In the modification shown in`Figures VII'and VIII, two cases I are utilized, they being hinged together at 32. The hinge at 32 may be preferably a fold of the material from which the cases I are made, or it may be a separate hinge secured to the parts 33 and 34 respectively. The case may be held in extended position as shown in Figure VIII by means of the extension member 35, having the central hinge 36 and the end hinges 3l! and 38 secured to the members 33 and 34 respectively. When stowed the members 33 and 34 rest against each other. When extended as in Figure VIII they are held apart by the extension 35. To close the members 33 and 34, the extension member 35 is pushed up Von the hinge 35, as indicated in dotted lines Figure VIII,

In extended position the les 3| may be removed or inserted without disturbing the position of the case, and the case may be used as a reading stand.

Y In Figure IX is shown a modication in which the extension member V28 is applied to each end of the case near the bottom thereof. The member 28 is secured to the case I at the pivotal means 38 and it has the central hinge 29. When i the member 28 is extended as shown, the case Will stand upright on its bottom. The vmember 28 operates in the same manner as the member 28 in Figure VI.

In Figure X is shown a modification in which the extension member 28 is applied to the bottom of the case near its ends being connected to the case in manner similar to that of Figure IX. When the member 28 is extended the case I will stand uprighton its bottom. The operation of the member 28 is similar to that of the member 28 in Figure IX.

Instead of being hinged at 29 the member 28 in` Figures IX and X could be made in two pieces, each connected to the case .at an end at 30 and being slidably connected adjacent the center. When the case is expanded or retracted the two pieces would slide one on the other.

While the devices kdescribed are particularly cases as Well.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided simple, eilicient, economical, and inconspicuous means for vcarrying out all the objects of the invention and for obtaining its advantages.

Having described the invention, I claim:

' applicable to expansion cases, some forms of the `invention may Valso be applied to nonexpanding 1. In combination with a case portion relatively long, high and relatively thin and expansible, a foot member, means for movably securing the foot member to the case portion and means for limiting the movement of the foot member on its securing means to the case from a position where the foot member is stowed against the case portion to one where the foot member will support the case portion on its relatively thin base, said means for limiting the movement of the foot being associated with the front and rear walls of the case and being adapted to expand the said case when the foot is moved to its supporting position.

2. In combination With a case portion relatively long and high and relatively thin, a foot member and means for pivotally connecting the foot member intermediate its ends to the base of the case portion whereby the foot member may be positioned beneath and extended longitudinally with the base of the case portion and moved to a position in a direction substantially normal thereto wherein one of its ends will project outwardly of the rear and the other to the front of the case.

3. In combination with a device of the character described, a fixed support member, a foot member pivoted intermediateits ends to the support member, an extension member having a guide portion and means associated with the foot member and interengaging with the said guide portion for conning the movement of the foot member on its pivot to an arc of substantially 90 degrees. Y

4. In combination with a case having expansion means between its sides, a support secured to the base of the case, a foot member pivoted to the support and extension means having pivotal connection to the case and guide means interengaging the toot member whereby the movement of the foot member on its pivot will be confined from a position where the foot member lies longitudinally of the base of the case to one where it lies substantiallyY transverse thereto and which will cause the expansion means of the case to expand or contract during said movement from one position to the other. y

5. In combination with` a case having expansion means between its sides, a support secured to the base ofthe case, a foot member pivoted to the support, extension means associated with the case and foot member to control the movement of the foot member on its pivot from a position where the foot member lies longitudinally of the base of the case to a position where it lies substantially normal thereto and which will expand or contract the expansion means' of the case during said movement and brace members associated -With `the sides of the case and with the extension means to support the sides when the case is expanded and rested on the said foot memben 6. In combination with a case-like portion relatively long and high and relatively thin, a foot member and a pair of link members each having a guide slot therein, said link members having a pivotal connection to the case, and said foot member having means slidable in the slots in the link member and a pivotalV connection to the case.

7. A case portion having relatively long and high side portions and being relatively thin, a foot member, means for pivotally connecting the foot member intermediate its ends to the'base of the case portion and guide means slidably associated with the foot memberV and pivotally connected with the case portion for controlling the movement of theA foot member on the base of the case portion from a position where the foot member extends longitudinally of the base to one where it extends substantially normal thereto.

8. In combination with a case-like portion rel-V tively long and high and relatively thin, a support secured to the base of the case intermediate the sides, a foot member pivoted to the support, brace members in the case adjacent the sides and link members having slots therein, each link being pivoted to a brace member and the foot member having means slidable inthe slots of the link members.

9. In combination with a case-like portion relatively long and high and relatively thin, a support secured to the bottom of the case portion intermediate its sides, a foot member pivoted to the support, brace members secured to each sideV of the case portion and link members having slots therein, each end of a link being pivoted to a brace member, and the foot member having means slidable in the slots of the links.

l0. A case support for use with a case composed of front and rear Walls formed of stify flexible material comprising a main support having means for attachment to one of the side walls of the case and having an associate support member pivotally connected so that it may be folded to a position substantially parallel with a portion of the main support and in stowed relation with the case when not in use and so that it may be opened to lie in a direction transverse to the plane of the main support to form a transverse base in cooperative relation with said main support adjacent the bottom of the case to aid in supporting the case in an upright position.

1l. A case support for use with a case composed of side walls formed of stiiy flexible material comprising a main support having means for attachment to one of the side Walls of the case and having a pair of associate support members pivotally connected so that they may be folded in overlapped relation with each other and in stowed relation with the case when not in use and so that they may be opened to an elongated relation-'With each other in a direction transverse to the plane of the main support to form a base in cooperative relation with said main support adjacent the bottom of the case to aid in supporting the case in an upright position. y Y

12. A ycase comprising front and rear walls formed of stiilly flexible material, a main support having a portion associated with one of the side walls of the case and having an associate support member pivotally connected thereto so that it may be folded with respect to the support and in stowed relation with the case when not in use and so that it may be opened to lieV in a direction `transverse to the planeV of the main support to formV a base in cooperative relation with said main support adjacent the bottom of the case to aid in supporting the case in an upright position, Y

173. A case comprising frontand Vrear walls formed of stiiily flexible material, a main support attached to one of the side walls of the case and having a pair of associate support members pivotally connected so that they may be folded in overlapped relation with each other and in stowed relation with the case when not in use and so that they may be opened to an elongated relation with each other inV a direction transverse to the plane of the main support to form a base in cooperative relation with said Y main support to aid in supporting the case in an upright position.

14. In combination with a case portion having relatively long and high side walls and which is relatively thin, a main support having means for attachment to one of the side walls and having a pair of associate brace members adjustably associated therewith and With each other adjacent the bottom of the case, said braceV .walls of the case in an upright position.

15. A case comprising front and rear walls which may be moved to varying spaced relation with each other, a main support associated with the case and having an associate support member rotatably connected so that it may be folded in substantially overlapped relation with the main support and in stowed relation with the case when not in use and sothat it may be opened to a relationl substantially transverse the main support to form a base in cooperative relation with said main support to aid in supporting the casein an upright position and means associated with said associate support member for varying the spaced relation of the front and rear walls when said associate support member is moved from stowed position to its position substantially transverse the main support.

16. A case comprising front and rear walls and a collapsible base, a support rotatably associated intermediate its ends with said collapsible base so that it may be folded in substantially overlapped relation with the base and in stowed relation with the case when not in use and so that it may be opened to a relation substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base whereby its opposed ends are projected outwardly beyond the front and rear walls of the case to form a support to aid in supporting the case in an upright position.

17. A case comprising front and rear Walls and a collapsible base whereby the front and rear walls may be moved to varying spaced relation with each other, a support rotatably associated with the base intermediate its ends so that it may be folded in substantially overlapped relation with the base and in stowed relation with the case when not in use and so that it may be opened to a relation substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base whereby its opposed ends will extend outwardly beyond the front and rear walls respectively of the case to forni a support to aid in supporting the case in an upright position and means associated with said support and with the front and rear walls of the oase for varying the spaced relation of said front and rear walls when said support is moved from stowed position to its position substantially tranverse the longitudinal axis of the base. Y

18. A case comprising front and rear walls having expansion means therebetween, supports associated with said case having a pivotal connection intermediate their ends and portions spaced from the intermediate pivotal connection provided with pivotal connections to the portions of the case which may be expanded so that the said supports may be folded and positioned substantially in stowed relation with the case when not in use and so that portions thereof may be opened to a relation substantially transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the case when in use to form means in cooperative relation With said ease for aiding in supporting it in an upright position;

19. A case comprising front and rear walls having expansion means therebetween, supports associated with the case having a pivotal connection intermediate their ends and portions spaced from the intermediate pivotal connection provided with pivotal connections to the case so that the -said supports may be folded and positioned substantially in stowed relation with the case when not in use and so that portions thereof may be opened to a relation substantially transverse to the longitudinal dimension of the case when in use to form means for aiding in supporting the case in an upright position, said supports also providing means for expanding the expansion means to increase the space between the front and rear walls of the case and having means associated therewith for locking the walls in said spaced relation when opened.

HARRY H. STYLL.

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