Briefcase with pockets with magnetic closures

Abstract

A soft sided briefcase is disclosed which has typical compartments and further includes external pockets with secure flap closures. The pockets are affixed to the side of the briefcase, and the flap closures are suitably hinged to a portion of the pockets. Sections of the pockets as well as areas of the flaps include cooperating steel plate members and permanent magnets, or both having permanent magnets, to provide access faster than would be possible via conventional zipper closures and is reasonably secure in providing protective closure for internal contents.

1 . A soft sided case constructed of suitable material, such as a strong fabric, plastic, leather or the like, and having suitable compartments for carrying various articles, such as a laptop computer, books, and other devices, and further comprising 
 at least one external pocket affixed to a side of the case for carrying smaller items such as cell phones, portable communication devices, calculators, pens, pencils and the like, and the pocket further including an attached flap configured to be opened for internal access and to completely enclose and cover the pocket, and the flap including an internal stiffening member to configure the top of the flap to overlay the top of the pocket, and sections of the flap and the pocket including cooperating metal pieces and magnets, or both including magnets, for mutually attracting the flap to the pocket.    
   
   
       2 . A case as in  claim 1  wherein the stiffening member is a thin gauge plastic strip.  
   
   
       3 . A case as in  claim 1  wherein the pocket includes metal inserts attractable by permanent magnets, and the flap including permanent magnets.  
   
   
       4 . A case as in  claim 1  wherein the members in the pocket and the members in the flap comprise permanent magnets arranged to mutually attract each other.  
   
   
       5 . A case as in  claim 1  including a pair of handles and a cover attached to one handle, the cover including one or more magnets for firmly enclosing the cover around both handles.  
   
   
       6 . A soft sided case constructed of suitable material, such as a strong fabric, plastic, leather or the like, and having suitable compartments for carrying various articles, such as a laptop computer, books, and other devices, and further comprising 
 a plurality of external pockets affixed to a side of the case for carrying smaller items such as cell phones, portable communication devices, calculators, pens, pencils and the like, and the pockets each further including an attached flap configured to be opened for internal access and to completely enclose and cover the respective pocket, and each flap including an internal stiffening member to configure the top of the flap to overlie the top of the respective pocket, and sections of the flap and the pocket including cooperating metal pieces and magnets, or both including magnets, for mutually attracting each flap to the respective pocket.    
   
   
       7 . A case as in  claim 6  wherein the stiffening member is a thin gauge plastic strip.  
   
   
       8 . A case as in  claim 6  wherein the pockets include metal inserts attractable by permanent magnets, and the flaps including permanent magnets.  
   
   
       9 . A case as in  claim 6  wherein the members in the pocket and the members in the flap each comprise permanent magnets arranged to mutually attract each other.  
   
   
       10 . A case as in  claim 6  including a pair of handles and a cover attached to one handle, the cover including one or more magnets for firmly enclosing the cover around both handles.