US20240335017A1

US20240335017A1 - Briefcase table assembly

Info

Publication number: US20240335017A1
Application number: US18/131,680
Authority: US
Inventors: Gerald Craig
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-04-06
Filing date: 2023-04-06
Publication date: 2024-10-10

Abstract

A briefcase table assembly includes a briefcase which comprises a case portion and a lid portion. A handle is movably coupled to the lid portion for carrying the briefcase. A pair of closures is each movably coupled to the lid portion to releasably engage the case portion for retaining the lid portion in a closed position. A plurality of legs is each pivotally coupled to the case portion. Each of the legs is positionable in a stored position having each of the legs being recessed in the case portion. Each of the legs is positionable in a deployed position has each of the legs extending downwardly from the case portion for supporting the briefcase above a support surface. In this way the briefcase can be employed as a table.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to briefcase devices and more particularly pertains to a new briefcase device for facilitating a briefcase to be employed as a table. The device includes a briefcase which has a case portion and a lid portion, and the case portion has a plurality of recesses integrated therein. A plurality of legs is each pivotally coupled to the case portion and each of the legs is stored in a respective recess. The legs can be positioned in a deployed position to support the briefcase in a horizontal orientation to employ the briefcase as a table.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to briefcase devices including a variety of briefcase devices that have table wings movably integrated into the briefcase and legs for supporting the briefcase in a horizontal orientation. The prior art discloses a variety of briefcase devices that each at least includes a recess and a plurality of legs that are pivotally disposed in the recess for supporting a briefcase in a horizontal orientation. The prior art discloses a briefcase device that includes a plurality of legs that are each telescopically recessed into the briefcase.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a briefcase which comprises a case portion and a lid portion. A handle is movably coupled to the lid portion for carrying the briefcase. A pair of closures is each movably coupled to the lid portion to releasably engage the case portion for retaining the lid portion in a closed position. A plurality of legs is each pivotally coupled to the case portion. Each of the legs is positionable in a stored position having each of the legs being recessed in the case portion. Each of the legs is positionable in a deployed position has each of the legs extending downwardly from the case portion for supporting the briefcase above a support surface. In this way the briefcase can be employed as a table.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a briefcase table assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a right side phantom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, a new briefcase device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4 , the briefcase table assembly 10 generally comprises a briefcase 12 which includes a case portion 14 and a lid portion 16 that is hingedly coupled to the case portion 14 for opening and closing the case portion 14. The case portion 14 has a plurality of recesses 18 each being integrated into the case portion 14. Furthermore, the case portion 14 has a bottom wall 20 and an outer wall 22 extending upwardly from the bottom wall 20, and the outer wall 22 has a front side 24, a back side 26, a first lateral side 28, a second lateral side 30 and a distal edge 32 with respect to the bottom wall 20. Each of the recesses 18 each is recessed into the bottom wall 20 and each of the recesses 18 is elongated. Moreover, each of the recesses 18 is oriented to extend along a respective one of the front side 24, the back side 26, the first lateral side 28 and the second lateral side 30, and each of the recesses 18 has a bounding surface 34.
The lid portion 16 has a perimeter wall 36 and the perimeter wall 36 has a forward side 38, a rear side 40 and a lower edge 42, and the lower edge 42 corresponding to the rear side 40 is hingedly coupled to the distal edge 32 of the case portion 14 corresponding to the back side 26 of the outer wall 22. A handle 44 is movably coupled to the lid portion 16 for carrying the briefcase 12 and the handle 44 has a central member 46 extending between a pair of outward members 48. Each of the outward members 48 has distal end 50 that is hingedly coupled to the forward side 38 of the perimeter wall 36 of the lid portion 16 such that the central member 46 can be gripped.
A pair of closures 52 is each movably coupled to the lid portion 16 and each of the closures 52 releasably engages the case portion 14 when the lid portion 16 is closed for retaining the lid portion 16 in a closed position. Each of the closures 52 is disposed on the forward side 38 of the outer wall 22 of the lid portion 16. Additionally, each of the closures 52 engages the front side 24 of the of the outer wall 22 of the case portion 14 when the lid portion 16 is closed and the closures 52 are positioned in an engaging position for inhibiting the lid portion 16 from being opened. Each of the closures 52 may comprise a clasp, a buckle or any other type of releasable, mechanical closure.
A plurality of legs 54 is each pivotally coupled to the case portion 14 and each of the legs 54 is positionable in a stored position having each of the legs 54 being positioned in a respective one of the recesses 18 in the case portion 14. Conversely, each of the legs 54 is positionable in a deployed position having each of the legs 54 extending downwardly from the case portion 14 for supporting the briefcase 12 above a support surface 56. In this way the lid portion 16 defines a work surface 58 to facilitate the briefcase to be employed 12 as a table.
Each of the legs 54 has an upper end 60 and a lower end 62, and the upper end 60 of each of the legs 54 is pivotally coupled to the bounding surface 34 of the respective recess 18. Each of the legs 54 comprises a first portion 64 which slidably receives a second portion 66 such that each of the legs 54 has a telescopically adjustable length. The first portion 64 of each of the legs 54 has a hole 68 extending through the first portion 64 and the second portion 66 of each of the legs 54 has a lock 70 which is movably integrated into the second portion 66. The lock 70 on the second portion 66 of a respective one of the legs 54 engages the hole 68 in the first portion 64 of the respective leg 54 when the respective leg is positioned in the deployed position for retaining the respective leg 54 at a maximum length.
As is most clearly shown in FIG. 2 , a plurality of straps 72 is each disposed on the bottom wall 20 of the case portion 14 and each of the straps 72 is extendable across a respective one of the recesses 18 to retain the legs 54 in the stored position. Each of the straps 72 has a free end 73 that is matable to the bottom wall 20 to retain the straps 72 extending across the respective recess 18. A plurality of feet 74 is each coupled to the lower end 62 of a respective one of the legs 54. Each of the feet 74 is comprised of a resiliently compressible material to frictionally engage the support surface 56 to inhibit the legs 54 from slid portioning on the support surface 56.
In use, the briefcase 12 is employed in the traditional convention of briefcases while the legs 54 are in the stored position. Each of the legs 54 is positioned in the deployed position and the legs 54 are extended into the maximum length. In this way the legs 54 can support the briefcase 12 in a horizontal orientation such that contents of the briefcase 12 are inhibited from falling out of the briefcase 12. Additionally, the lid portion 16 of the briefcase 12 can be employed as a table while the briefcase 12 is supported on the legs 54.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

I claim:

1. A briefcase table assembly being convertible between a briefcase and a table, said assembly comprising:

a briefcase comprising a case portion and a lid portion being hingedly coupled to said case portion for opening and closing said case portion, said case portion having a plurality of recesses each being integrated into said case portion;

a handle being movably coupled to said lid portion for carrying said briefcase;

a pair of closures, each of said closures being movably coupled to said lid portion, each of said closures releasably engaging said case portion when said lid portion is closed for retaining said lid portion in a closed position; and

a plurality of legs, each of said legs being pivotally coupled to said case portion, each of said legs being positionable in a stored position having each of said legs being positioned in a respective one of said recesses in said case portion, each of said legs being positionable in a deployed position having each of said legs extending downwardly from said case portion for supporting said briefcase above a support surface thereby facilitating said lid portion to define a work surface wherein said briefcase is configured to facilitate a user to employ said briefcase as a table.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

said case portion has a bottom wall and an outer wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall, said outer wall having a front side, a back side, a first lateral side, a second lateral side and a distal edge with respect to said bottom wall;

each of said recesses is each recessed into said bottom wall, each of said recesses being elongated, each of said recesses being oriented to extend along a respective one of said front side, said back side, said first lateral side and said second lateral side, each of said recesses having a bounding surface;

said lid portion has a perimeter wall, said perimeter wall having a forward side, a rear side and a lower edge, said lower edge corresponding to said rear side being hingedly coupled to said distal edge of said case portion corresponding to said back side of said outer wall.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein:

said handle has a central member extending between a pair of outward members, each of said outward members having distal end being hingedly coupled to said forward side of said perimeter wall of said lid portion wherein said central member is configured to be gripped; and

each of said closures is disposed on said forward side of said outer wall of said lid portion, each of said closures engaging said front side of said of said outer wall of said case portion when said lid portion is closed and said closures are positioned in an engaging position for inhibiting said lid portion from being opened.

4. The assembly according to claim 2, each of said legs has an upper end and a lower end, said upper being of each of said legs being pivotally coupled to said bounding surface of said respective recess.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein:

each of said legs comprises a first portion which slidably receives a second portion such that each of said legs has a telescopically adjustable length;

said first portion of each of said legs has a hole extending through said first portion; and

said second portion of each of said legs has a lock being movably integrated into said second portion, said lock on said second portion of a respective one of said legs engaging said hole in said first portion of said respective leg when said respective leg is positioned in said deployed position for retaining said respective leg at a maximum length.

6. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of feet, each of said feet being coupled to said lower end of a respective one of said legs, each of said feet being comprised of a resiliently compressible material wherein each of said legs is configured to frictionally engage the support surface to inhibit said legs from slid portioning on the support surface.

7. A briefcase table assembly being convertible between a briefcase and a table, said assembly comprising:

a briefcase comprising a case portion and a lid portion being hingedly coupled to said case portion for opening and closing said case portion, said case portion having a plurality of recesses each being integrated into said case portion, said case portion having a bottom wall and an outer wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall, said outer wall having a front side, a back side, a first lateral side, a second lateral side and a distal edge with respect to said bottom wall, each of said recesses each being recessed into said bottom wall, each of said recesses being elongated, each of said recesses being oriented to extend along a respective one of said front side, said back side, said first lateral side and said second lateral side, each of said recesses having a bounding surface, said lid portion having a perimeter wall, said perimeter wall having a forward side, a rear side and a lower edge, said lower edge corresponding to said rear side being hingedly coupled to said distal edge of said case portion corresponding to said back side of said outer wall;

a handle being movably coupled to said lid portion for carrying said briefcase, said handle having a central member extending between a pair of outward members, each of said outward members having distal end being hingedly coupled to said forward side of said perimeter wall of said lid portion wherein said central member is configured to be gripped;

a pair of closures, each of said closures being movably coupled to said lid portion, each of said closures releasably engaging said case portion when said lid portion is closed for retaining said lid portion in a closed position, each of said closures being disposed on said forward side of said outer wall of said lid portion, each of said closures engaging said front side of said of said outer wall of said case portion when said lid portion is closed and said closures are positioned in an engaging position for inhibiting said lid portion from being opened;

a plurality of legs, each of said legs being pivotally coupled to said case portion, each of said legs being positionable in a stored position having each of said legs being positioned in a respective one of said recesses in said case portion, each of said legs being positionable in a deployed position having each of said legs extending downwardly from said case portion for supporting said briefcase above a support surface thereby facilitating said lid portion to define a work surface to facilitate said briefcase to be employed as a table, each of said legs having an upper end and a lower end, said upper being of each of said legs being pivotally coupled to said bounding surface of said respective recess, each of said legs comprising a first portion which slidably receives a second portion such that each of said legs has a telescopically adjustable length, said first portion of each of said legs having a hole extending through said first portion, said second portion of each of said legs having a lock being movably integrated into said second portion, said lock on said second portion of a respective one of said legs engaging said hole in said first portion of said respective leg when said respective leg is positioned in said deployed position for retaining said respective leg at a maximum length; and

a plurality of feet, each of said feet being coupled to said lower end of a respective one of said legs, each of said feet being comprised of a resiliently compressible material wherein each of said legs is configured to frictionally engage the support surface to inhibit said legs from slid portioning on the support surface.