Carrying case with inflatable sections

• US 5,624,035 A
• Filed: 06/07/1995
• Issued: 04/29/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: INNO Design, Inc.
• Original Assignee: INNO Design, Inc.
• Inventors: Kim, Young S.
• Primary Examiner(s): FIDEI, DAVID
• Application Number:
  US08/485,109
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 206/522, 206/591, 206/592, 206/521, 383/3, 229/87.02, D23/231, D23/232
• US Class Current: 206/522
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/052 filled with fluid, e.g. inflatable elements

Abstract

Disclosed herein is carrying case for protecting items. The carrying case includes an enclosure assembly having various sections, an air valve, an air pump and an attachment mechanism. Each section foldably connects to an adjacent section so that the enclosure assembly can fold from an open configuration to a closed configuration. The attachment mechanism includes a strap for holding the carrying case in the closed configuration. The air valve attaches to at least one section to selectively regulate air pressure in the section.

Claims

1. A carrying case for holding an item comprises:

an enclosure assembly, the enclosure assembly being divided into at least two inflatable sections, each section being foldably connected to an adjacent section for folding the enclosure assembly from an open configuration to a closed configuration, in the closed configuration the enclosure assembly defining a central portion for holding an item;

a foldable frame attached to the enclosure assembly, the frame being formed in sections corresponding to each section of the enclosure assembly, the sections of the enclosure assembly fold with the sections of the frame to close the enclosure assembly;

an air valve attached to at least one section to selectively regulate airflow into and out of the sections; and

an attachment mechanism attachable between sections for maintaining the enclosure assembly in the closed configuration,

whereby, when the enclosure assembly is in the closed configuration, the attachment mechanism attaches between the sections and maintains the enclosure assembly in the closed configuration, the air valve regulates air flow into the sections to inflate the sections.

2. A carrying case as set forth in claim 1, wherein the carrying case includes air interconnect conduits which interconnect each section in fluid communication with an adjacent section to maintain uniform air pressure throughout the enclosure assembly.

3. A carrying case as set forth in claim 1, wherein the carrying case has a base, four walls and a top which define discrete sections of the enclosure assembly, the base is generally rectangular shaped, the sections foldably connect to form a rectangular box shape when the carrying case is in the closed configuration.

4. A carrying case as set forth in claim 1, wherein the sections of the enclosure assembly are generally triangular shaped.

5. A carrying case as set forth in claim 4, wherein the carrying case has an inner periphery, the inner periphery being circular shaped for attachment over an item.

6. A carrying case as set forth in claim 4, wherein the enclosure assembly has a center, the sections interconnect at the center.

7. A carrying case as set forth in claim 6, wherein each section has an external periphery which is attachable to the open end of a golf bag.

9. A carrying case as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one section includes a pump and a pump tube, the pump has bellows and a frame, the pump tube connects with the air valve for delivering air from the pump to the enclosure assembly.

8. A carrying case for holding an item comprises:

an enclosure assembly, the enclosure assembly being divided into at least two inflatable sections, each section being foldably connected to an adjacent section for folding the enclosure assembly from an open configuration to a closed configuration, in the closed configuration the enclosure assembly defines a central portion for holding an item;

a partition wall included within each section to form partitions which regulate airflow within each section, each partition wall has a hole to facilitate air flow through the partitions;

an air valve attached to at least one section to selectively regulate airflow into and out of the sections; and

an attachment mechanism attachable between sections for maintaining the enclosure assembly in the closed configuration,

whereby, when the enclosure assembly is in the closed configuration, the attachment mechanism attaches between the sections and maintains the enclosure assembly in the closed configuration, the air valve regulates air flow into the sections to inflate the sections.

10. A carrying case for protecting items, comprising:

an enclosure assembly, the enclosure assembly being divided into at least two sections, each section being foldably connected to an adjacent section for folding the enclosure assembly from an open configuration to a closed configuration, each section having at least one partition wall to regulate air flow within each section;

an air interconnect conduit attached in fluid communication between each section and an adjacent section to facilitate air flow between the sections;

an air valve attached to at least one section to selectively regulate air pressure in the enclosure assembly;

a pump attachable to the air valve; and

a strap for attaching the sections together for defining and maintaining the closed configuration,

whereby, when the enclosure assembly is folded in the closed configuration, the sections are attached by the strap for maintaining the enclosure assembly in the closed configuration, the pump and the air valve regulate air pressure in the enclosure assembly.

11. A carrying case as set forth in claim 10, wherein the carrying case has an arcuate periphery and a center, the center interconnects each section of the enclosure assembly, the sections bend adjacent the center to facilitate movement of the carrying case from the open configuration to a closed configuration.

12. A carrying case as set forth in claim 10, wherein the carrying case has an exterior and a central portion, the attachment mechanism adjustably grips the exterior to hold the carrying case in the closed configuration to inhibit movement of items held in the central portion.

13. A carrying case as set forth in claim 10, wherein each strap includes a hook and loop means for attachment to another section to hold the enclosure assembly in the closed configuration.

14. A carrying case as set forth in claim 10, wherein the pump has a pump tube, the pump includes a bellows and a frame, the bellows is semi-spherical shaped and compressible, the frame is annular in shape to surroundingly engage the bellows, the bellows mounts on the frame and compresses against the frame to urge air through the pump tube and into the enclosure assembly via the air valve.

15. A carrying case as set forth in claim 14, wherein the pump tube removeably attaches to the air valve.

16. A carrying case comprising:

a golf bag for holding golf clubs, the golf bag has an open end for receiving golf clubs and a closed end;

an enclosure assembly, the enclosure assembly being divided into at least two sections, each section being foldably connected to an adjacent section to fold the enclosure assembly from an open configuration to a closed configuration, the enclosure assembly being capable of attachment to the golf bag for covering the open end of the golf bag when the enclosure assembly folds into the closed configuration, the enclosure assembly is inflatable to immobilize the golf clubs when the enclosure assembly attaches to the golf bag;

each section having at least one partition wall to regulate air flow within each section;

an air interconnect conduit attached in fluid communication between each section and an adjacent section to facilitate air flow between the sections;

an air valve attached to at least one section to selectively regulate airflow into and out from the enclosure assembly; and

an attachment mechanism attachable between sections, the attachment mechanism attaches between sections when the enclosure assembly is in the closed configuration for maintaining the enclosure assembly in the closed configuration,

whereby, when the enclosure assembly folds in the closed configuration, the attachment mechanism attaches between sections to maintain the enclosure assembly in the closed configuration and to attach the enclosure assembly to the golf bag, and the valve regulates airflow into and out from the enclosure assembly.

17. A carrying case as set forth in claim 16, wherein the carrying case has an inner periphery, the inner periphery flexes to attach around the open end of the golf bag.

18. A carrying case as set forth in claim 16, wherein the enclosure assembly has an internally defined periphery, the internal periphery is shaped to surroundingly engage the open end of the golf bag.

19. A carrying case as set forth in claim 16, wherein the enclosure assembly includes a pump attached in fluid communication with the air valve.