Business case with expandable internal compartment for overnight clothing

Abstract

A soft-sided business case is convertible from a low-profile configuration to an expanded configuration. The business case comprises a first internal compartment that is zippered and appropriately padded for storing a computer or other personal electronic device and related accessories. The opposite side of business case comprises an interior zippered compartment enclosing a file folio having a plurality of pockets. A third internal compartment is provided between the file folio compartment and the first interior compartment and comprises gusseted expanding central walls for increasing the interior volume of the third internal compartment to receive clothing and/or other personal articles so that the case can also be used as an overnight travel bag. Access to the third interior compartment is through a soft interior dividing wall releasably affixed to the file folio.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A soft-sided expandable business case, providing zippers for accessing the internal compartments, having a first sidewall, opposing second sidewall, each sidewall being fixedly attached to a lower panel and an opposing upper panel, a first side panel and an opposing second side panel, constructed of a fabric secured to a rigid frame, said business case comprising: 
 a first compartment padded for carrying electronic devices and related accessories;    a second internal compartment comprising a central zipper, said central zipper extending around the periphery of the case, and an expansion gusset formed in the bottom, top and end walls of the case for selectively increasing the internal volume of said second compartment;    a third compartment comprising a file folio secured to the interior, the folio extending substantially between the lower panel, upper panel, first side panel and second side panel; and    a means for carrying said business case,    whereby the expansion gusset is maintained on the interior of the case in a collapsed condition when the central zipper is closed and said gusset forms a portion of the lower panel, upper panel, first side panel and second side panel in an expanded position when the central zipper is opened.    
     
     
         2 . The business case of  claim 1 , wherein an interior wall of the file folio is maintained in a first retained position with respect to the end walls of the case by at least one releasable fastener and moveable to a second free position away from the end walls upon release of said at least one fastener for accessing the internal compartment of the third interior compartment.  
     
     
         3 . The business case of  claim 2  where the at least one releasable fastener is selected from the group consisting of snaps, hook and loop fasteners, clips, toggles and slot fasteners.  
     
     
         4 . The business case of  claim 3  where the at least one releasable fastener is attached to a strip of flexible material.  
     
     
         5 . The business case of  claim 2  where the closed bottom portion of the file folio is secured to the business case proximate the juncture of the lower panel and first and second side panel of the business case.  
     
     
         6 . The business case of  claim 5  where the first side wall forms the front wall of the file folio, whereby the file folio is movable with the unzippered side wall to provide access to the interior of the case.  
     
     
         7 . The business case of  claim 1  wherein said second compartment comprises restraining means for restricting the movement of stored items.  
     
     
         8 . The business case of  claim 1  wherein said second compartment is provided with means for retaining items of clothing when placed in position in said expanded compartment for storage during travel.  
     
     
         9 . The business case of  claim 1  wherein said second internal compartment comprises form-fitting, water-proofing compartments for personal toiletries.  
     
     
         10 . The business case of  claim 1  wherein said means for carrying said business case comprises a plurality of straps.  
     
     
         11 . The business case of  claim 10  wherein said means for carrying said business case comprises a shoulder strap.  
     
     
         12 . The business case of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of wheels are mounted to the exterior lower panel of said business case for rolling the business case across a support surface.  
     
     
         13 . The business case of  claim 12  further comprising a telescoping handle assembly secured to said business case extendable above the top panel and provided with a handle grip.  
     
     
         14 . The business case of  claim 1  wherein said first compartment comprises means for cushioning and positioning an electronic device.  
     
     
         15 . The business case of  claim 14  wherein said means for cushioning an electronic device comprises impact resistant members and stiffening inserts.  
     
     
         16 . The business case of  claim 1  wherein said expansion gusset is composed primarily of a woven nylon fabric.  
     
     
         17 . The business case of  claim 1  further comprising an auxiliary storage pocket attached to at least one of said first and second sidewalls.  
     
     
         18 . A soft-sided business case that is expandable to convert said case to an overnight travel and business case, said business case comprising a pair of opposing side walls, opposing lower and upper panels and first and second opposing side panels, said case further comprising an expansion gusset secured to the interior of the case around the lower panel, opposing upper panel, first side panel and opposing second side panel of the business case, and a continuous zipper extending around the exterior of the lower panel, opposing upper panel, first side panel and opposing second side panel, of the business case, whereby the central zipper when closed maintains the expansion gusset in a collapsed position and when opened allows the expansion gusset to expand to provide an interior central storage compartment of increased volume between opposing storage volumes.  
     
     
         19 . A soft-sided business case containing a plurality of internal compartments having at least one expansion gusset for increasing the interior storage volume of said business case, said expansion gusset accessible by a closure having a zipper, which, when closed collapses the gusset and when opened allows expansion of the gusset, whereby the volume defined by the expansion gusset is increased.