Carrying cases having amusement features

• US 20020100777A1
• Filed: 01/31/2001
• Published: 08/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Patent Category Corporation
• Original Assignee: Patent Category Corporation
• Inventors: Zheng, Yu
• Granted Patent: US 6,769,588 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 224/153
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 15/00 Purses, bags, luggage or other receptacles covered by groups A45C1/00 - A45C11/00, combined with other objects or articles A45C1/08, A45C3/14, A45C11/321, A45C13/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/14 with built-in rolling means
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/04 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of two straps passing over the two shoulders
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 4/02 Sacks or packs convertible into other articles or into objects for other use
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 33/00 Other toys
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/929 Article carrier for electrical device
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 224/93 Attached to animate bearer

Abstract

A carrying case has a storage section that has at least one storage compartment for receiving articles. An amusement feature is provided with the carrying case. The amusement feature can be an electronic device, or a non-electronic device. The amusement feature can be provided on an outer surface of the carrying case, on an inner panel disposed inside the storage section, on a pouch attached to the storage section, or at any internal or external location of the carrying case.

Claims

1. A carrying case, comprising:

a storage section having at least one storage compartment for receiving articles, the storage section defining an outer panel; and

an electronic device attached to the outer panel of the storage section.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is removably attached to the outer panel.

3. The case of claim 1, further including a storage pouch attached to the outer panel, and wherein the electronic device is attached to the pouch.

4. The case of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is embodied in a toy attached to the outer panel.

5. The case of claim 1, wherein the electronic device has a front surface and a rear surface, and wherein the electronic device is pivotably attached to the outer panel in a manner such that the front surface of the electronic device faces the outer panel in a first position, and the rear surface of the electronic device faces the outer panel when pivoted to a second position.

6. The case of claim 5, further including releasable attachment mechanisms associated with the electronic device and the storage section for releasably securing the electronic device in the first and second positions.

7. The case of claim 1, wherein the electronic device includes a plurality of electronic devices coupled to each other by electrical coupling.

8. The case of claim 1, wherein the outer panel is a first outer panel, and the storage section includes a second outer panel, with the electronic device being a first electronic device, further including a second electronic device attached to the second outer panel of the storage section.

9. A carrying case, comprising:

a storage section having at least one storage compartment for receiving articles, the storage section defining an inner panel and an outer panel that removably covers the inner panel, with a space being defined between the outer and inner panels; and

an electronic device attached to the inner panel and positioned between the outer and inner panels.

10. The case of claim 9, wherein the electronic device is removably attached to the inner panel.

11. The case of claim 9, wherein the electronic device includes a plurality of electronic devices coupled to each other by electrical coupling.

12. The case of claim 9, wherein the electronic device is a first electronic device, and further including a second electronic device attached to the outer panel of the storage section.

14. The case of claim 13, further including a slidable handle that is slidably retained inside the storage space, with the electronic device attached to the slidable handle.

15. The case of claim 13, further including locking mechanisms for retaining the electronic device inside the storage space.

16. The case of claim 13, wherein the electronic device has a housing that is hingedly coupled to a retainer piece by a hinge, with the retainer piece always disposed inside the storage space, and with the housing pivotable about the hinge to different orientations.

17. The case of claim 13, wherein the electronic device includes a plurality of electronic devices coupled to each other by electrical coupling.

19. The case of claim 18, wherein the electronic device is removably attached to the inner surface.

20. The case of claim 18, wherein the electronic device is a first electronic device, and further including a second electronic device attached to the outer surface.

13. A carrying case, comprising:

a storage section having at least one storage compartment for receiving articles, the storage section defining an outer panel, an opening provided in the outer panel, and a storage space inside the storage section that is accessible via the opening; and

an electronic device retained in the storage space and removable from the storage space via the opening.

18. A carrying case, comprising:

a storage section having at least one storage compartment for receiving articles, the storage section defining an outer panel having an outer surface and an inner surface; and

an electronic device attached to the inner surface of the outer panel.

21. A carrying case, comprising:

a storage section having at least one storage compartment for receiving articles, the storage section defining a panel having a surface;

an amusement feature provided on the surface of the panel; and

a rigid pad coupled to the surface that the amusement feature is provided on, the rigid pad providing a support for the amusement feature.

22. The case of claim 21, wherein the pad has at least one pre-formed fold line.

23. The case of claim 22, wherein the amusement feature is carried on a fabric piece that is connected to the surface of the panel, the fabric piece defining a sleeve for receiving the pad.