Foldable case

Abstract

A foldable case for storing and transporting an implement is provided. The foldable case comprises a pair of body panels, each defining a first longitudinal segment, a second longitudinal segment, and a central segment disposed between the first and second longitudinal segments and defining a lateral fold axis therethrough. An attachment panel connects the pair of body panels and defines a longitudinal fold axis. The body panels further comprise a flexible substrate that extends continuously through the first and second longitudinal segments and the central segment, and a rigid substrate coupled to the flexible substrate at only the first and second longitudinal segments. The body panels are pivotable about the longitudinal fold axis to move the foldable case between an open position and a closed position, and the body panels are further pivotable about the lateral fold axes to move the foldable case to and from a portable condition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A foldable case for storing and transporting an implement, the foldable case comprising:
 a pair of body panels, wherein each body panel defines a first longitudinal segment, a second longitudinal segment, and a central segment defining a lateral fold axis therethrough, wherein the central segment is disposed between the first longitudinal segment and the second longitudinal segment, each of the body panels further comprising:
 a flexible substrate that extends continuously through the first longitudinal segment, the central segment, and the second longitudinal segment of each body panel, and 
 a rigid substrate coupled to the flexible substrate at only the first longitudinal segment and the second longitudinal segment of each body panel; and 
   an attachment panel defining a longitudinal fold axis, wherein the attachment panel is disposed between and operatively couples the pair of body panels to one another,   wherein the body panels are pivotable about the longitudinal fold axis to transition the foldable case between an open position and a closed position, and wherein the body panels are pivotable about the lateral fold axis to transition the foldable case to and from a portable condition.   
     
     
         2 . The foldable case of  claim 1  wherein each body panel defines an outer face and an opposite inner face such that when the foldable case is in the closed position, the inner faces of the respective body panels are disposed facing one another and radially spaced apart by an interior space. 
     
     
         3 . The foldable case of  claim 2  wherein, when the foldable case is in the portable condition, the respective body panels are folded along the lateral fold axis such that the first longitudinal segments of the body panels are disposed adjacent to the second longitudinal segments of the body panels, thereby reducing an overall length of the foldable case for storage or transport. 
     
     
         4 . The foldable case of  claim 1  wherein each of the longitudinal segments has a length L 1  and the central segment has a length L 2 , wherein the length L 2  is less than the length L 1 . 
     
     
         5 . The foldable case of  claim 4  wherein the length L 2  is less than half the length L 1 . 
     
     
         6 . The foldable case of  claim 4  wherein the body panels are mirror images of one another across the longitudinal fold axis. 
     
     
         7 . The foldable case of  claim 6  wherein the flexible substrate comprises an exterior fabric layer and an interior fabric layer. 
     
     
         8 . The foldable case of  claim 7  wherein the flexible substrate further comprises a padding layer disposed between the exterior fabric layer and the interior fabric layer. 
     
     
         9 . The foldable case of  claim 8  wherein the exterior fabric layer comprises a double PVC-coated polyester fabric and the interior fabric layer comprises a single-knit cotton fabric. 
     
     
         10 . The foldable case of  claim 8  wherein the rigid substrate is positioned between the exterior fabric layer and the padding layer. 
     
     
         11 . The foldable case of  claim 10  wherein the rigid substrate comprises a thermoformed ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) material. 
     
     
         12 . The foldable case of  claim 10  wherein each of the rigid substrate and the padding layer are secured to at least one of the interior fabric layer and exterior fabric layer. 
     
     
         13 . The foldable case of  claim 12  wherein the rigid substrate and the padding layer are secured by one of bonding, sewing, and lamination. 
     
     
         14 . The foldable case of  claim 2  wherein each body panel further defines a plurality of edges and a flange extending from the plurality of edges, and wherein the flange of one body panel is configured to align with the flange of the other body panel when the foldable case is in the closed position. 
     
     
         15 . The foldable case of  claim 14  further comprising a fastening element operatively coupled between the flanges of the body panels. 
     
     
         16 . The foldable case of  claim 15  wherein the fastening element comprises a zipper mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . The foldable case of  claim 16  further comprising a carry system operatively coupled to the pair of body panels, wherein the carry system comprises a shoulder sling and a carry handle.