OUT OF SEAM DOCKING ZIPPER

INVENTOR: DAN CUSTER

This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Application No. 29/366,168, filed July 20, 2010, a continuation in part of U.S. Application No. 29/363,447, and is entitled to that filing date for priority. The application also claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/386,549, filing September 26, 2010, and is entitled to that filing date for priority. The specification, figures and complete disclosure of U.S. Application No. 29/366,168, 29/363,447, and 61/386,549 are incorporated herein by specific reference for all purposes.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper which enables a user to more easily begin the zipping process for attachment of a first bag or piece of luggage to a second bag or piece of luggage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, a luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper allows a person to easily and quickly attach a first bag or piece of luggage to a second bag or piece of luggage. In one exemplary embodiment, the luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper comprises a first bag, a second bag and a slider. In one embodiment, the first bag comprises a first strip of fabric tape carrying teeth. The first strip of fabric tape may be attached to the front of the first bag. The first strip of fabric tape comprises an out of seam portion. In another exemplary embodiment, the second bag comprises a second strip of fabric tape carrying teeth. The second strip may be attached to the rear of the second bag. In one embodiment, the second strip of fabric tape is complementary to the first strip of fabric tape allowing attachment of the first strip of fabric tape to the second strip of fabric tape. The first and second strips of fabric tape form a zipper. The second strip of fabric tape comprises an out of seam portion.

In one embodiment, the luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper comprises a slider attached to either the first strip of fabric tape or the second strip of fabric tape. The slider is configured to connect the first strip of fabric tape of a first bag to the second strip of fabric tape of a second bag.

The luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper allows the attachment of two bags which may then function, be used as or transported as, one bag. The luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper allows two bags to function as one bag which is ideal, for example, for those who travel by plane and are limited to one carry on item.

In one exemplary embodiment, the out of seam docking zipper may be a #10 zipper size but any other zipper size may be used as needed as desired by one skilled in the art. The luggage combination with out of seam docking zipper comprises two strips of fabric tape carrying teeth.

One strip of fabric tape is attached to a first bag. The second strip of fabric tape is attached to a second bag. A slider of a zipper is attached to one strip of fabric tape. An out of seam portion of each fabric tape extends out of the seam allowing quick and easy connection of a first bag to a second bag. In one embodiment, the out of seam portion of each fabric tape extend out of seam in a downward direction when the bags are held upright. In another embodiment, the out of seam portions of each fabric tape extend about two inches out of the seam. The out of seam portion may extend other lengths as desired by one of skill in the art.

The luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper may be used to attach any two bags. In one embodiment, the luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper may attach a first bag which is an upright luggage roller to a second bag which is a backpack. In another embodiment, out of seam docking zipper may be used to attach a first bag which is a laptop computer sleeve to a second bag which is small sleeve or pouch.

A method of using a luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper is also disclosed. The method comprising the following steps: a) obtaining a luggage combination with an out of seam docking zipper comprising a first bag having a first strip of fabric tape carrying teeth, wherein the first strip is attached to the front of the first bag, wherein the first strip of fabric tape has an out of seam portion; a second bag having a second strip of fabric tape carrying teeth attached to the rear of the second bag, wherein the second strip of fabric tape is complementary to the first strip of fabric tape, further wherein the second strip of fabric tape has an out of seam portion; and a slider attached to either the first strip of fabric tape or second strip of fabric tape, wherein the slider is configured to connect the first strip of fabric tape to the second strip of fabric tape; b) holding the out of seam portion of the first strip of fabric tape; c) holding the out of seam portion of the second strip of fabric tape; d) aligning the first and second strips of fabric tape; and e) connecting the first and second strips of fabric tape using the slider.

The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the disclosed invention and equivalents thereof.