Collapsible Work Surface Within Luggage Device

Abstract

The exemplary embodiments provide a luggage device having opposing front and rear sides, a telescoping handle attached to the rear side, and a left side and an opposing right side which are substantially perpendicular to the front and right sides. The device preferably includes a deployable work surface extending from at least one of the left and right sides. In some embodiments, the work surface is comprised of a first portion extending from the left side and a second portion extending from the right side. A compartment may be placed on each side to accept one or more support arms which may be hingedly fastened to each portion of the work surface.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A luggage device comprising:
 opposing front and rear sides;   a telescoping handle attached to the rear side;   a left side and opposing right side which are substantially perpendicular to the front and rear sides; and   a deployable work surface extending from one or more of the left and right sides.   
     
     
         2 . The luggage device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a pair of support arms which connect the work surface to the left or right side of the luggage device. 
 
     
     
         3 . The luggage device of  claim 2  further comprising:
 a compartment which accepts the support arms when the work surface is stowed. 
 
     
     
         4 . The luggage device of  claim 1  wherein:
 the work surface is comprised of a first portion which is attached to the left side and a second portion which is attached to the right side. 
 
     
     
         5 . The luggage device of  claim 4  wherein:
 the first and second portions each contain a proximal edge which is attached to the support arms and a distal edge which opposes the proximal edge. 
 
     
     
         6 . The luggage device of  claim 5  wherein:
 when deployed, the distal edges of the first and second portions substantially align with a vertical centerline of the device. 
 
     
     
         7 . The luggage device of  claim 1  wherein:
 the telescoping handle is free to move vertically while the work surface is deployed. 
 
     
     
         8 . The luggage device of  claim 1  wherein:
 when deployed, the work surface has a top surface and bottom surface where nothing protrudes above the top surface. 
 
     
     
         9 . The luggage device of  claim 8  wherein:
 the bottom surface of the work surface contains a texture that substantially matches a texture on the left and right sides of the device. 
 
     
     
         10 . A luggage device comprising:
 opposing front and rear sides;   a telescoping handle attached to the rear side;   a left side and opposing right side which are substantially perpendicular to the front and rear sides;   a first portion of a work surface which extends from the left side, said first portion having a top surface that is generally planar and a bottom surface opposing the top surface, where the bottom surface faces outwardly when the first portion is stowed; and   a second portion of a work surface which extends from the right side, said first portion having a top surface that is generally planar and a bottom surface opposing the top surface, where the bottom surface faces outwardly when the second portion is stowed.   
     
     
         11 . The luggage device of  claim 10  wherein:
 the bottom surface of the first portion is substantially aligned with an outer surface of the left side when the first portion is stowed; and 
 the bottom surface of the second portion is substantially aligned with an outer surface of the right side when the second portion is stowed. 
 
     
     
         12 . The luggage device of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a first notch placed within the top surface of the first portion; 
 a first support arm which is attached to the first portion and within the notch; 
 a second notch placed within the top surface of the second portion; and 
 a second support arm which is attached to the first portion and within the notch. 
 
     
     
         13 . The luggage device of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a first lower surface placed on the first portion and located below a vertical height of the top surface; 
 a first support arm which is attached to the first lower surface; 
 a second lower surface placed on the second portion and located below a vertical height of the top surface; and 
 a second support arm which is attached to the second lower surface. 
 
     
     
         14 . The luggage device of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a first support arm which connects the first portion to the left side; 
 a first compartment placed on the left side which accepts the first support arm when the first portion is stowed; 
 a second support arm which connects the second portion to the right side; and 
 a second compartment placed on the right side which accepts the second support arm when the second portion is stowed. 
 
     
     
         15 . A luggage device comprising:
 opposing first and second sides;   a first compartment positioned on the first side and having a top ledge;   a second compartment positioned on the second side and having a top ledge;   a first support arm which extends from the first compartment;   a second support arm which extends from the second compartment;   a first portion of a deployable work surface having a proximal edge which is hingedly fastened to the first support arm and a distal edge which opposes the proximal edge;   a second portion of a deployable work surface having a proximal edge which is hingedly fastened to the second support arm and a distal edge which opposes the proximal edge;   wherein the distal edge of the first portion is adjacent to the top ledge of the first compartment when the first portion is stowed; and   wherein the distal edge of the second portion is adjacent to the top ledge of the second compartment when the second portion is stowed.   
     
     
         16 . The luggage device of  claim 15  wherein:
 the distal edge of the first portion is adjacent to the distal edge of the second portion when the first and second portions are deployed. 
 
     
     
         17 . The luggage device of  claim 15  wherein:
 the distal edge of the first portion and the distal edge of the second portion are substantially aligned with a vertical centerline of the device when the first and second portions are deployed. 
 
     
     
         18 . The luggage device of  claim 15   wherein the distal edge of the first portion contacts the top ledge of the first compartment when the first portion is stowed; and   wherein the distal edge of the second portion contacts the top ledge of the second compartment when the second portion is stowed.   
     
     
         19 . The luggage device of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a first notch placed at the proximal edge of the first portion, where the first support arm is attached within the notch; and 
 a second notch placed within the proximal edge of the second portion, where the second support arm is attached within the notch. 
 
     
     
         20 . The luggage device of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a first lower surface placed on the first portion and located below a vertical height of the top surface and near the proximal edge, where the first support arm is attached to the first lower surface; 
 a second lower surface placed on the second portion and located below a vertical height of the top surface and near the proximal edge, where the second support arm is attached to the second lower surface.