US2179126A - Case - Google Patents

Description

Patented Nov. 7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE and particularly to brief cases, envelopes, book bags and the like.

Cases of this character frequently are formed of front and rear panels connected together on three sides by means of a gusset or the like. In constructing bags in this manner the raw edges of the material are frequently exposed along the sides and bottom of the case. Not only are the "raw edges unattractive in appearance but also they are subject to wear and discoloration. The construction of the case is further complicated by the fact that reenforcing'or stiffening members are frequently provided adjacent the edges of the case. In the methods of construction heretofore in use the reenforcing members further detracted from the appearance of the case and subjected it to further wear at the points where the members were located.

20 It is an object of the present invention to overcome the dilficulties heretofore encountered and to provide an improved case such as a brief case, envelope, book bag or the like of improved construction, in which there are no unsightly raw 25 edges along the sides and bottom of the case.

It is a further object to provide an improved case of the above character of reenforced construction, in which the reenforcing or stiffening elements are embodied in the case in such a man- 30 ner as not only to strengthen the case but also to improve the appearance thereof.

Another object is to provide an improved case which combines both finished edges and a reenforcing frame in a unitary structure, thus satis- 35 fying at one and the same time two real needs of the art.

With these and other objects in view reference should be had to the accompanying drawing, in which 40 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a case embodying my invention, showing the cover flap in open position;

Fig, 2 is a sectional view of one side of the case taken on the line 22 of Figure 1;

45 Fig. 3 is a sectional View of one side of the cover flap of the case, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is a view of one type of stiffening or reenforcing element that may be used in the cover 50 flap; and

Fig. 5 is a view of one type of reenforcing or stiffening element that may be used around the edges of the front and rear panels of the case.

It should be understood that a case embodying 55 my invention may be made of any desired ma- This invention relates to improvements in cases terial, suchas leather, artificial leather, textile material, plastic material orthe like. It should also be understood that my invention may be embodied in many different types of cases, such as brief cases, envelopes, book'bags and the like. 5'"- In the accompanying drawing my invention is illustrated as embodied in a brief case comprsing front and rear panels Ill and II connected together along their side and bottom edges as by means of agusset I2 which may be formed in 10 several sections, or, as shown, may be formed in one piece. The upper edges of the front and rear panels indicated at l3 are not connected together but are open so as to permit the insertion and removal of articles. A convenient form of closure may be provided for the case by forming the rear panel II with an extension or flap I4 at its upper end adapted to be folded over the front of the case in the usual manner and be releasably held in closed position in any desired manner as by the catch indicated at [5 and I6 and the straps I! which encircle the bag and are supported in suitable loops [8 secured to the panels. The inside of the bag may be divided into several compartments as shown, by means of the partitions I9 secured at their lateral edges to the folds in the gusset as by means of stitches 2B.

To prevent undesirable raw edges along the sides and bottom of the bag I secure the edges; of the gusset to the front and rear panels in an improved manner. Thus, as shown most clearly in Fig. 2, the longitudinal edges of the gusset indicated at 2| are placed against the inner surfaces of the front and rear panels [0 and II, a short distance from the side and bottom edges thereof. 'The side and bottom marginal edges indicated at 23 are then folded inwardly towards the inside andthe center of the bag as shown, and laid against the surface of the gusset adjacent the longitudinal edges thereof, and the en- 40 tire assembly is held in position in some suitable manner as by the stitches 22.

To .reenforce or stiffen the bag I preferably employ. reenforcing or stiffening elements which may be formed of metal, wire, fibre, twisted paper or the like. I have found that satisfactory results are obtained by employing a stiffening element made of wire, and accordingly, I have illustrated astiffening element of this character in the accompanying drawing. I preferably emplay a stiffening element adjacent both the front and rear panels and each stiffening element may be formed in one or more pieces. In the accompanying drawing I have illustrated the preferred form of stiffening element comprising a unitary wire member 24, which is formed so as to extend around the two sides and the bottom of the panel. I preferably employ two reenforcing or stiffening elements in my case, one in association with the front panel and one in association with the rear panel. In assembling the stiffening elements with the case I preferably place the elements on the inner surface of the panels surrounding the edges Zl of the gusset prior to folding the marginal edges of the panels inwardly against the gusset. When the reenforcing or stiffening elements have been thus positioned the marginal edges of the panels are folded inwardly as shown and are stitched in position by means of the stitches 22.

the sides and bottom of the case. The reenforc ing or stiffening elements cause the folded-over edges of the panels to assume the appearance of piping.

If desired, a reenforcingor stifiening element may also be used in association with the cover flap M. This reenforcing or stiiiening element indicated at 25 may likewise be formed of any suitable material such as. wire, fiber, twisted paper or the like. In the accompanying drawing I illustrate a stiffening element 25 made of wire which is placed against the inner surface of the flap l4 and the marginal edges thereof are folded inwardly as indicated at 26 and stitched in position as shown at 21. It should be appre- In this way it will be seen that only finished edges will be presented along ciated that the stiffening element 25 should be of such a size as not to interfere with the folding of the flap in closing.

From the foregoing description of my inven tion it will be appreciated that I have provided an improved case such as a brief case, envelope, or book bag, in which there are no unsightly exposed raw edges along the sides or bottom thereof and in which the case is reenforced or stiffened in an improved manner. ,7

It should be understood that modifications may be made in the'illustrated and described embodiment of my invention, such as varying the type of case employed and also such as forming the stiffening elements and gusset in a plurality of sections.

I claim:

In a case of the character described, front and rear panels, a gusset connected between the panels, one of the longitudinal edges of the gusset being secured tothe. inner surface of one of the panels a short distance fromthe side and bottom edges thereof, and a reinforcing wire member positioned around the side and bottom edges of the last-mentioned panel and abutting the longitudinal edge of the gusset, the marginal edge of said last-mentioned panel at the sides and bottom thereof being folded inwardly upon the gusset so as to cover and conceal the reinforcing member and the edge of the gusset.

' ABRAHAM I. KLOTZ.

Images