US3056490A - Garment carrier - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 2, 1962 R. R. TEETOR GARMENT CARRIER Filed Aug. 25, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet l www" 1142 IN1/EN ToR.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 2, 1962 Filed Aug. 25, 1960 HIIIIIIHHHH.. M! m m e m V l Wn. mj W TUHH. w W 7m 9 j Q 3 0 3 d. 6 6 3 5 w 3/ M- f M .....//J/ l, w w W 0u/ llJJH//l lllll A rl R o r. .Q 6-a..- H www 4....- kk \L NU o 5 Oct. 2, 1962 R` R. TEETOR 3,056,490

GARMENT CARRIER Filed Aug. 25, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 5f Q, JU

IN V EN TOR.

R. R. TEETOR GARMENT CARRIER Oct. 2, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 25, 1960 is'. H5

Patented Oct. 2, 1962 3,056,490 GARMENT CARRIER Ralph R. Teetor, Perfect Circle Corp., 552 S. Washington St., Hagerstown, Ind. Filed Aug. 25, 1960, Ser. No. 51,966 22 Claims. (Ci. 20o-J) This invention relates to improvements in luggage devices or garment carriers and more particularly to an improved device for packing mens suits or similar garments.

Under modern travel conditions it is becoming in creasingly important and desirable for the traveler to have luggage of minimum size and weight, which at the same time affords maximum convenience and does not cause excessive wrinkling of the packed garments. Wearing apparel, such as suits, dresses, coats, and the like, are particularly difficult to pack in a compact manner without being subject to undue wrinkling.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved garment carrying unit which meets all of the foregoing requirements.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved garment carrier adapted to accommodate a plurality of garments in a compact selfcontained pack age which can be transported in a suitcase or any conventional carrier case or which can be used independently of other luggage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel `and improved carrier unit which is particularly adapted for packing a plurality of mens suits in neatly folded condition with a minimum extent of wrinkling.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a carrier unit for packaging a plurality of suits, dresses, coats, and the like in compact folded condition and including a novel and improved arrangement for maintaining a flexible curtain or cover in snug protective relation around the folded garments regardless of the thickness `of the garment bundle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a garment carrier comprising a preferred embodiment of the invention, the carrier being shown in flat unfolded condition preparatory to use in packing a plurality of mens suits;

FIG. 2 is an edge view of the device as seen from the right side of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. l but with the addition of a pair of coat hangers;

FIGS. 4-10 are a sequence of small scale plan views showing the steps involved in packing the device;

FIG. 1l is a plan view of the unit completely packed with four suits;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged scale sectional view of the completely packed unit, as seen substantially along the line 12-12 of FIG. l1, but with the addition of an outermost flexible cover or bag;

FIG. 13 is a large scale elevational View of a corner portion of the device showing certain details of construction;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along the line 14-14 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 13 but showing a different operating position of the device;

FIG. 16 is a sectional View taken along the line 16-16 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 17 is a small scale plan view of a simplied embodiment of the invention adapted particularly for packing two mens suits or the like; and

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing a modication of one structural feature of the invention.

Referring lirst to FIGS. 1 to 3, a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated which comprises a garment carrier or rack which is specially adapted for packing four mens suits or similar garments. The device includes a central panel means or partition 20 in the form of a rigid rectangular main frame having oppositely disposed edge members 21 and 22 which are interconnected by oppositely disposed side members 23 and 24, the several frame members preferably having a tubular construction. A panel section of llexible material, such as cloth fabric, is mounted so as to span the main frame 21-22-23-24. In the illustrated embodiment the panel section within this main frame is provided by a pair of elongated strips having superimposed portions within the confines of the main frame and `also having foldable flap portions extending beyond the opposite edges of the frame.

As best seen in FIG. 3, one strip 25 is secured at one end thereof to the frame by being looped around the frame member 21 and stitched together, as at 26, and is long enough to extend beyond the opposite frame member 22 to provide a flap 27 at one side of the partition 201. The other strip 28 has one end thereof looped around the frame member 22 and stitched, as at 29, and is long enough to extend in the opposite direction beyond the frame member 2l to provide a ap 30 .at the opposite side of the partition 20. The superimposed strip portions 25, 28 within the confines of the main frame 21-22-2324 are stitched together along parallel lines 31 and 32 spaced inwardly from the frame members 21 and 22, respectively, so as to provide a double thickness panel section extending across the main frame for receiving packed garments at each side thereof. The panel section 25-28 within the main frame also has a pair of laterally extending loop portions 33 extending around the side members 23 and 24 of the main frame.

At the` front side of the partition 20, as viewed in FIG. l, a pair of upper and lower hanger loops 34 and 34' are suspended from the frame member 21 for mounting a pair of coat hangers 35 (FIG. 3). In this instance, the coat hangers are of the plastic type having a snap fastener connection 36 with the hanger loops 34 and 34. Each coat hanger also has a pivotally mounted hook 35 which may be swung downwardly to inoperative position when the hanger is connected to its supporting loop, as best seen in FIGS. 5 to 7, but which may be swung upwardly to its normal position for suspending the garments in a clothes closet or the like after they have been removed from the garment carrier. A similar pair of hanger loops 37 and 3S are suspended from the frame member 22 at the rear side of the partition 20 as viewed in FIG. 1.

As hereinafter described in more detail, a pair of mens suits or similar garments are adapted to be packed in a compact bundle at each side of the partition 20. To facilitate the folding of the garments into compact bundles and to hold the garments in properly spread relation so as to avoid excessive wrinkling, a pair of foldable generally U-shaped frames 39 and 41 are pivotally secured to the main frame adjacent the oppositely disposed frame members 21 and 22, respectively. Thus, the foldable frame 39, which is adapted to be swung forwardly as viewed in FIG. 1 or downwardly to the left as viewed in FIG. 2 to overlie the main frame, comprises a pair of spaced side legs 42 and an interconnecting crossbar portion 43. The inner ends of the legs 42 have offset pivot portions 44 which extend outwardly from the plane of the frame 39 and are journaled in the main frame. The swingable frame 41 has a similar construction including oppositely spaced legs 46 and a crossbar 47, the inner ends of the legs 46 having laterally offset pivot portions 4S journaled in the main frame for swinging movement of the frame 41 so as to overlie the rear side of the main frame 21 as piewed in FIG. 1 or the right side thereof as viewed in FIG. 2.

By means of the offset pivot portions 44 and 48, it will be understood that when the device is not packed with garments, it is thereby possible to collapse the device by swinging the frames 39 and 41 so as to overlie the opposite sides of the main frame 21 in substantially parallel relation therewith. The details of the pivotal connection between the main frame and the swingable frames 39 and 41 are best seen in FIGS. 13 and 14. As there shown, the inturned end portion of the offset pivot portion 48 on the frame leg 46 projects into an axial opening in the end of the frame member 23 at the corner of the main frame and is provided with an annular groove 49. To retain the frame leg 46 in the axial opening, the frame member 23 is indented, as at 51, into the groove 49 for retaining the pivot portion 48 in journaled relation in the main frame.

As will become more evident from the detailed description below, the oppositely extending flaps 27 and 30 cooperate with the swingable frames 39 and 41, respectively, for snugly enclosing the garment bundles at the opposite sides of the main panel section 25-28. Thus, in packing garments at the front side of the main panel section 25--28 as viewed in FIG. 1, the swingable frame 39 is swung downwardly to overlie the main frame and after the garment bundle has been completely packed the free end of the ap 27 is then folded upwardly over the crossbar 43 of the swingable frame 39 and thence downwardly over the edge 21 of the main frame for snugly enclosing the garment bundle. Similarly, when garments are packed at the opposite side of the main panel section 25-28, the swingable frame 41 is swung upwardly at the rear of the main frame as viewed in FIG. l, and the flap 30 is folded rearwardly and downwardly over the crossbar 47 and thence upwardly around the edge 22 of the main frame. It will, of course, be evident that the entire device may be turned over to facilitate packing the opposite side thereof.

The free ends of the flaps 27 and 30 are provided with releasable catches 57 and 58, respectively, which are arranged to cooperate with suitable ratchet means 59 and 61, respectively, provided at the inwardly facing portions of the main frame members 23 and 24. The ratchet means 59 are located between the main frame member 21 and the xed connection 31 of the ap 30, and inasmuch as the fixed connection 31 is disposed inwardly from the main frame member 21, it will be understood that the wrapped-around free end of the flap 27 can readily be inserted between the flap 30 and the panel section 25 (FIG. 3) for interconnecting the catches 57 with the ratchets 59 and thereby properly tensioning the ap 27 over the corresponding garment bundle. Similarly, the xed connection 32 of the flap 27 is disposed inwardly from the main frame member 22 so that the wrapped-around free end of the flap 30 may readily be inserted between the flap 27 and the panel section 28 for interconnecting the catches 5S with the ratchets 61 and thereby properly tensioning the flap 30 over the other garment bundle.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 12, the manner of packing the device with four mens suits will be described in detail.

In FIG. 4, the front side of the device is being packed first with two mens suits, and the trousers of the suits are superimposed on the main panel section 25-28 in the manner illustrated with the leg portions 62 of the trousers extending outwardly in opposite directions beyond the sides 23 and 24 of the main frame. The hanger loops 34 and 34 overlie the superimposed trousers.

In FIG. a coat hanger 35 of the type previously described has been attached to the lowermost hanger loop 34 by means of the snap fastener connection 36 with a coat 63 suspended on the hanger and extending downwardly therefrom in the usual manner. In FIG. 6 another coat hanger 35A with a coat 64 suspended thereon has been secured to the loop 34 so that the shoulder portions of the respective coats 63 and 64 are olfset suiciently to avoid excessive thickness of the garment bundle in the region of the shoulder portions of the coats. In FIG. 6, the swingable frame 39 has also been swung downwardly to overlie the partially packed suits and thereby retain them in spread relation.

In FIG. 7, the outwardly extending end portions of the trousers 62 have been folded inwardly over the side legs 42 of the swingable frame 39 so as to overlie the coats 63 and 64.

In FIG. 8, the depending tail portions of the coats 63 and 64 have now been folded upwardly over the crossbar portion 43 of the frame 39 so as to overlie the inwardly folded ends of the trousers 62. Thus, in the FIG. 8 condition, a compact garment bundle comprising two suits has been formed at the front side of the main panel with the swingable frame 39 contained within the garment bundle. As will readily be understood, the swingable frame thereby provides garment folding edge por-tions for facilitating formation of the bundle and at the same time holds the garments in spread relation so as to avoid excessive wrinkling and disfiguration.

In FIG. 9, the packing of the front side of the garment carrier has been completed by upward folding of the ilap 27 over the preformed garment bundle, the ap 27 being of suicient length to extend completely across the garment bundle between the crossbar 43 and the main frame member 21 and thence around the member 21 to the opposite side of the main panel. FIG. 10 comprises a rear view of the device with one side completely packed as shown in FIG. 9. Thus, the free end of the ap 27 has been received between the flap 30 and the rear side of the main panel section 25-28 and the catches 57 have been engaged with the ratchets 59 so as to hold the ap 27 in tensioned relation around the garment bundle.

In a similar fashion, the device is turned over and the opposite side of the carrier is now packed with two suits, the coat hangers being mounted on the Aloops 37 and 38 and the frame 41 being swung inwardly during the packing operation with the flap 343 being folded over the garment bundle and the catches 5S engaged with the ratchets 61. The completed garment bundle containing four suits is shown in FIGS. l1 and l2 from which it will be seen that by reason of the longitudinal offsetting of the shoulder portions of the two suits on each side of the device and by reason of the symmetrical relationship whereby the offset shoulder portions of one pair of suits are located adjacent one end of lthe carrier and the offset shoulder portions of the other pair of suits are located at the opposite end of the carrier, a luggage package of substantially uniform thickness is readily obtained.

The complete garment package is selfcontained and may then be packed in a suitcase, trunk, or other similar luggage container, without danger of further wrinkling of the garments because of the fact that each garment bundle is snugly retained against displacement or bunching by the combined action of the swingable frames and the enclosing aps. If desired, it is also possible to utilize the garment carrying device independently of other luggage and in this connection the completed package is shown in FIG. 12 as being enclosed by an outer flexible bag or case 66 having a handle 67.

Although various types of releasable connections may be provided between the free ends of the flaps 27 and 30 and the main frame, it is desirable that provision be made for securing the ends of the ilaps in a plurality of adjusted positions on the main frame in `order to insure that the flaps are snugly tensioned over the respective garment bundles in spite of different thicknesses of garments which may be encountered. The releasable catch and ratchet mechanism heretofore mentioned is preferred, and the details of a suitable catch means are shown in FIGS. 13 to 16.

As seen in FIGS. `13 and 14, the recesses 61 are formed at the inner edge of `the main frame side member 23 and are in the form of generally triangular notches arranged to permit movement of a suitable detent or pawl member in one direction only, i.e., the proper direction for tensioning the corresponding flap member.

The free end of the flap 30 is hemmed to provide a transverse pocket 68, and a reinforcing bar, such as a resiliently bendable metal strap 69, extends through the pocket 68 and projects beyond each side of the iiap 30 for mounting the catches 58. Each catch 58 has a sleeve portion 71 rigidly secured at one end thereof to the projecting end of the strap 69 and terminating at its other end in an upright retaining arm 72 with a guide flange 73 adapted to depend at the outer side of the main frame member 23 or 24. An upright plate member 74 is pivotally connected at its lower end, as by a pivot pin or rivet 76, to the lower end of the arm 72 and is formed at its upper end with a finger tab '77 and an L-shaped hook 78, the tab 77 and the hook 78 extending transversely from the plate member 74 at its opposite edges for straddling the corresponding main frame member 23 or 24.

A hairpin spring 79 is disposed between the arm 72 and the plate member 74 and curves around the pivot 76 with one leg 81 of the spring engaging behind the linger tab 77 and the other leg 82 having its end portion 83 (FIG. 14) bent over the juncture between the sleeve 71 and the arm 72 for anchoring the spring. Thus, the spring 79 normally urges the plate member 74 outwardly, as seen in FIG. 13 and at the left-hand side of FIG. 16. In this position, the frame member 23 is embraced between the arm 72 and the hook 78, and a detent or pawl 84 on the hook '78 is received in one of the ratchet recesses 61. When the catch 58 is detached from the main frame, the upright arm '72 serves as a stop and is engaged by `the hook '78 on the spring-pressed plate 74.

In operating the catches 58, the end of the iiap 30 is Wrapped upwardly around the main frame edge 22 and the finger tabs 77 on both catches are pressed inwardly against the action of the springs 79, as seen in FIG. l5 and at the right-hand side of FIG. 16. With the hooks 78 thus displaced inwardly, the catches 57 are then pushed into place at a convenient location on the frame members 23 and 24 with the guide flanges 73 disposed at the outside of the frame members. Upon release of the finger tabs 77, the spring-actuated plate members 74 are pivoted outwardly to engage the detents 84 in the ratchet recesses 61 whereby each of the frame members 23 and 24 are snugly surrounded by the guide flange 73, the arm 72, and the hook 78. With the catches 58 thus engaged in the ratchet recesses 61, it will be seen that the catches may then be urged upwardly along the frame members 23 and 24 so as to tension the flap 30 as tightly as desired. To unpack the carrier, it is only necessary to depress the finger tabs 77 of the catches to quickly release the flap 30. Obviously, the catches 5'7 on the flap 27 are manipulated in a similar manner for attaching and detaching the same relative to the ratchet openings 59.

FIG. 17 shows a simplified form of the invention useful for packing only two mens suits or similar garments. In this instance, the center panel comprises a rigid main frame 86 having a iiexible panel section 87 fixed thereto with hanger loops 88 and 89 at one side thereof. A single swingable frame 91 is pivotally connected at one edge of the main frarne 86, and an elongated iiexible lia-p 92 is tixedly secured at one end thereof to the opposite edge of the main frame. Catches 93 are provided at the free end of the flap 92 for coaction with ratchet means 94 on the main frame 86. In use, garments are packed on the panel section 87, the frame 91 being swung downwardly during the formation of the garment bundle in the manner previously described. The iiap 92 is then folded 6 upwardly over the garment bundle and around to the reverse or rear side of the center panel where the catches 93 are secured in adjusted relation to the ratchets 94 as heretofore explained.

In FIG. 18 I have illustrated a modified form` of at-- tachment means for holding the flaps in tensioned relation over the garment bundles in the four-suit form of the invention first described. In this embodiment each tubular side member of the main frame, as at 96, has extending therethrough an elongated tension spring 97 with short lengths of chain 98 and 99 affixed to the opposite ends of the spring 97. rIhe chains 98 and 99 extend through openings 101 and 102, respectively, at opposite sides of the tubular frame member 96, and. the outer ends of the chains are provided with apertured clips 103 and 104i having attached nger rings 106 and 107 for manipulating the same. The garment covering flaps at the opposite sides of the device (not shown in FIG. 18) are provided with stiff cross straps 108 and 109 carrying headed projections `111 and 112 adapted to be .engaged by the apertured clips 103 and 104.

In using the FIG. I8 form of the invention, one of the garment covering iiaps which encloses the garment bundle at the left-hand side of the main frame, as viewed in FIG. 18, is wrapped upwardly and over the upper edge 113 of the main frame to the opposite side thereof,I and the finger ring 106 is lifted upwardly against the tension of the spring 97 to engage the apertured clip 103 over the projection 111 on the cross strap 103. It will be understood that a similar operation is carried out at the opposite edge of the main frame so that the cross strap `108 is thereby secured adjacent both of its ends. In a similar manner, the enclosing flap for the garment bundle at the right-hand side of the carrier, as viewed in FIG. 18, is wrapped downwardly and around the lower edge 114 of the main frame, and the cross strap 109 is secured by pulling the finger ring :187 to engage the apertured clip 104 over the projection 112. Thus, regardless 0f the thickness of the respective garment bundles, the flaps are maintained in taut relation `by the resilient action of the springs in the tubular members of the main frame. When the flaps are disconnected from the clips 103 and 104iit will be evident that the finger rings 106 and 107 are retracted to the openings 101 and 102 but are larger than these openings so that the rings are always readily accessible.

Although the invention has been described with particular reference to certain specific structural embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that various modifications and equivalent structures may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

l. A garment carrier comprising generally rectangular panel means adapted to receive garments on at least one side thereof, a swingable member pivotallyconnected to said panel means, a fiexible fiap having an end portion thereof secured in fixed relation to said panel means, said member and said flap being adapted to extend outwardly in opposite directions from opposite edges of said panel mea-ns when the carrier is open for packing garments, said member being pivotable inwardly from one of said edges at said one side of said panel means to overlie the garments thereon and to permit portions of the garments to be folded inwardly over the member, said flap being adapted to be wrapped inwardly from the other of said edges to overlie the folded garments and said member at said one side of said panel means, and attachment means cooperating between the opposite end portion of said flap and the opposite side of said panel means for detachably securing the opposite end portion of said fiap to said panel means at the opposite side thereof for snugly connng the garments between said flap and said panel means.

2. The structure of claim y1 further characterized in 7 that said panel means comprises a rigid peripheral frame and a panel of flexible material secured across said frame.

3. The structure of claim l further characterized in that the length of said flap between said end portions thereof is sufficient to permit the flap to be wrapped over said one side of said panel means and thence over said one edge to the opposite side of said panel means, and said attachment means comprises cooperating interengageable means on said opposite end portion of said iiap and on the opposite side of said panel means.

4. The structure of claim l further characterized in that the lirst-mentioned end portion of said flap is secured to said panel means at said one side thereof on a line spaced from said other edge of said panel means and is adapted to extend outwardly from said line to said other edge and then to be wrapped inwardly to overlie the garments folded over said member.

5. A garment carrier comprising a rectangular main frame, means for receiving garments on at least one side of said main frame, a swingable frame pivotally secured to said main frame adjacent one edge of the latter, said swingable frame being foldable inwardly of said main frame from a position extending outwardly from said one edge to a position overlying said one side of said main frame and the garments thereon, said swingable frame when in the latter position providing at least one garment folding edge portion over which the garments may be folded inwardly into a compact bundle, a flexible flap having an end portion secured in ixed relation to said main frame, said ap being foldable inwardly at said one side of said main frame from a position extending outwardly from the opposite edge of said main frame to a position overlying the garment bundle and said swingable frame, and attachment means cooperating between the opposite end portion of said flap and the opposite side of said main frame for detachably securing the opposite end portion of said flap to said main frame at the opposite side thereof for snugly confining the garment bundle between said liap and said main frame.

6. The structure of claim further characterized in that the length of said ap between said end portions thereof is suticient to permit the flap to be folded over said one side of said main frame and thence over said one edge to the opposite side of said main frame, and said attachment means comprises cooperating interengageable means on said opposite end portion of said flap and on the opposite side of said main frame.

7. A garment carrier comprising panel means adapted to receive garments on at least one side thereof, garment positioning means pivotally connected to said panel means and foldable against said one side thereof to overlie the garments at said one side of said panel means whereby portions of the garments may be folded inwardly over said garment positioning means thereby holding the garments in spread relation and providing a compact garment bundle at said one side of said panel means, a flexible flap having a free end portion and also having an opposite end portion xedly secured to said panel means, said flap being foldable across said panel means to overlie the garment bundle and said garment positioning means at said one side of said panel means, and adjustable attachment means comprising cooperating interengageable means on said free end portion of said ap and on said panel means for detachably securing said free end portion of said flap to said panel means in a selected one of a plurality of adjusted positions whereby said flap is held in taut relation for snugly confining the garment bundle between said panel means and said flap for different thicknesses of the garment bundle.

8. A garment carrier comprising central panel means having a pair of oppositely disposed edges, means for receiving garments on at least one side of said panel means, a swingable member pivotally connected to said panel means adjacent one of said edges, said member being foldable inwardly from said one edge to overlie the garments at said one side of said panel means whereby portions of the garments may be folded inwardly over said member to provide a compact garment bundle at said one side of said panel means, a flexible flap having a free end portion and also having an opposite end portion iixedly secured to said panel means, said flap being foldable inwardly from the other of said edges of said panel means to overlie the garment bundle and said member, and adjustable attachment means comprising cooperating interengageable means on said free end portion of said flap and on said panel means for detachably securing said free end portion of said flap to said panel means in a selected one of a plurality of adjusted positions whereby said iiap is held in taut relation for snugly confining the garment bundle between said panel means and said flap for different thicknesses of the garment bundle.

9. A garment carrier comprising a rectangular main frame, means for receiving garments on at least one side of said main frame, a swingable frame pivotally secured to said main frame adjacent one edge of the latter, said swingable frame being foldable inwardly from said one edge to overlie the garments at said one side of said main frame, said swingable frame when in inwardly folded position providing at least one garment folding edge portion over which the garments may be folded inwardly to provide a compact garment bundle at said one side of said main frame, an elongated flexible flap having a free end portion and also having an opposite end portion ixedly secured to said main frame, said flap being foldable inwardly from the opposite edge of said main frame to overlie the garment bundle and said swingable frame and said free end portion thence being foldable over said one edge of said main frame to the opposite side of said main frame, and adjustable attachment means coacting between said free end portion of said ap and said main frame at said opposite side thereof for securing said free end portion in a selected one of a plurality of adjusted positions whereby said flap is retained in taut relation for snugly confining the garment bundle between said main frame and said flap for different thicknesses of the garment bundle.

l0. The structure of claim 9 further characterized in that: said main frame includes a pair of elongated, rigid, oppositely disposed frame members extending between said edges, the end portions of said frame members adjacent said one edge of the main frame being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced recesses; and said attachment means comprises a pair of releasable catches atixed to said free end portion of said iiap, said catches including detent portions receivable in said recesses for anchoring the flap and hook portions cooperable with said frame members.

ll. The structure of cla-im 9 further characterized in that said attachment means comprises resiliently extensible means carried by said main frame and means at the free end portion of said ap connectible with said extensible means for maintaining the ap under tension for different thicknesses of the garment bundle.

l2. The structure of claim 9 further characterized in that said main frame is provided with a plurality of spaced recesses and said attachment means comprises detent means secured to said free end portion of said flap and detachably receivable in said recesses.

13. The structure of claim 12 further characterized in that said recesses comprise ratchet means for tensioning said flap by moving the free end portion of the flap along said main frame.

14. A garment carrier comprising rectangular panel means including a rigid main frame and a panel of flexible material secured across said main frame, means for receiving garments on at least one side of said panel means, said main frame having a pair of oppositely disposed edges and a pair of elongated oppositely disposed frame members extending between said edges, the end portions of said frame members adjacent one of said edges being provided with a plurality of longitudinally spaced recesses opening inwardly of said main frame, a swingable generally U-shaped member having side legs and a crossbar with the side legs pivotally connected to said main frame adjacent said one edge, said swingable member being foldable inwardly from said one edge to overlie the garments at said one side of said panel means, the side legs and the crossbar of said swingable member when in inwardly folded position providing a plurality of garment folding edge portions over which the garments may be folded inwardly to provide a compact garment bundle at said one side of said panel means, an elongated flexible Hap having a free end portion and also having an opposite end portion fixedly secured to said main frame, said ap being foldable inwardly from the opposite edge of said main frame to overlie the garment bundle and said swingable member and said free end portion thence being `foldable over said one edge of said main frame, and releasable catch means affixed to said free end portion of said flap and including spring-pressed detents receivable in vselected recesses in said frame members at said opposite side of said panel means for tensioning said ap over the garment bundle and thereby snugly conning the garment bundle `between said panel means and said ap for dilerent thicknesses of the garment bundle, said catch means also including releasable hook portions cooperable with said frame members.

15. A garment carrier comprising a rectangular main frame having a pair of oppositely disposed edges and a pair of elongated tubular oppositely disposed frame members extending lbetween said edges, means for receiving garments on at least one side of said main frame, a swingable frame pivotally secured to said main frame adjacent one edge of the latter, said swingable frame being foldable inwardly from said one edge to overlie the garments at said one side of said main frame, said swingable frame when in inwardly folded position providing at least one garment folding edge portion over which the garments may be folded inwardly to provide a compact garment bundle at said one side of said main frame, an elongated flexible flap having a free end portion and also having an opposite end portion ixedly secured to said main frame, said flap being foldable inwardly from the opposite edge of said main frame to overlie the garment bundle and said swingable frame and said free end portion thence being foldable over said one edge of said main frame to the opposite side of said main frame, elongated resilient means extending through said tubular frame members, and means for detachably connecting said free end portion of said flap to said resilient means at said opposite side of said main frame whereby said flap is resiliently retained in taut relation for snugly confining the garment bundle between said main frame and said flap for diferent thicknesses of the garment bundle.

16. A garment carrier comprising a central partition, means for receiving garments on the opposite sides of said partition, a pair of swingable frame members pivotally connected at oppositely disposed edges of said partition, said frame members being foldable inwardly to overlie the garments at said opposite sides of said partition, said frame members when in inwardly folded position providing garment folding edge portions over which the garments may be folded to provide compact garment bundles at said opposite sides of said partition, a pair of elongated flexible flaps each having a free end portion, the opposite end portions of said flaps having fixed connections with said partition at said opposite sides thereof and spaced inwardly from said oppositely disposed edges thereof, one of said aps being foldable inwardly from one edge of said partition to overlie the garment bundle and folded frame member at one side of said partition and the other of said aps being foldable inwardly from the other edge of said partition to overlie the other garment bundle and folded frame member at the other side of said partition, attachment means for adjustably securing the free end portion of said one iiap to said partition at said other side thereof between said other edge and the xed connection of said other flap with said partition, and attachment means for adjustably securing the free end portion of said other flap to said partition at said one side thereof between said one edge and the xed connection of said one flap with said partition, whereby said aps are retained in taut relation for snugly confining the respective garment `bundles between said partition and the respective flaps.

17. The structure of claim 16 further characterized in that each of said attachment means includes means for securing the free end portion of the corresponding ap at a selected one of a plurality of adjusted positions on said partition whereby to accommodate garment bundles of different thicknesses.

18. The structure of claim 16 further ycharacterized in that said partition comprises a rigid rectangular frame including a pair of elongated oppositely spaced frame portions extending between said edges, each of said frame portions being provided with recesses spaced therealong between said edges and said xed connections, and each of said attachment means comprises a pair of detents secured to the free end portions of the respective flaps and receivable in selected recesses for securing the free end portions of the aps to said frame portions to accommodate garment bundles of different thicknesses.

19. A garment carrier comprising a central partition including a main rectangular frame having a pair of oppositely disposed edges and a pair of elongated tubular oppositely spaced frame portions extending between said edges, means for receiving garments on the opposite sides of said partition, a pair of swingable frame members pivotally connected at said oppositely disposed edges, said frame members being foldable inwardly to overlie the garments `at said opposite sides of said partition, said frame members when in inwardly folded position providing garment folding edge portions over which the garments may be folded to provide compact garment bundles lat said opposite sides of said partition, a pair of elongated flexible flaps each having a free end portion, the opposite `end portions of said iiaps having xed connections with said partition at said opposite sides thereof and spaced inwardly from said oppositely disposed edges, one of said flaps being foldable inwardly from one edge of said main frame to overlie the garment bundle and folded frame member at one side of said partition and the other of said tiaps being foldable inwardly from the other edge of said main frame to overlie the garment bundle and folded frame member at the other side of said partition, elongated resilient means extending through each of said tubular frame portions, means for detachably connecting the free end portion of said one flap to said resilient means at said other side of said partition between said other edge and the fixed connection of said other flap with said partition, and means for detachably connecting the free end portion `of said other flap to said resilient means at said one side of said partition between said one edge and the fixed connection of said one ap with said partition, whereby said flaps are resiliently retained in taut relation for snugly confining the respective garment bundles between said partition and the respective flaps for different thicknesses of the garment bundles.

20. A garment carrier comprising a central rectangular partition having a pair of oppositely disposed edges, means on one side of said partition adjacent one of said edges for mounting a pair of coat hangers to receive a pair of superposed coats with the shoulder portions thereof in offset relation adjacent said one edge and the tail portions thereof extending toward the other of said edges, means on the other side of said partition adjacent said other edge for mounting another pair of coat hangers to receive another pair of superposed coats with the shoulder portions thereof in offset relation adjacent said other edge and the tail portions thereof extending toward said one edge, a

pair of swingable members pivotally connected to said partition adjacent said edges, said swingable members being foldable inwardly to overlie the superposed coats at opposite sides of said partition, said swingable members when in inwardly folded position providing garment folding edge portions over which the tail portions of the respective pairs of coats may be folded inwardly to provide compact `garment bundles at opposite sides of said partition, and a pair of elongated exible ilaps each having one end portion thereof secured in fixed relation to said partition, said flaps also having free end portions which are oldable inwardly across the respective sides of said partition and detachably securable thereto for snugly coniining the respective garment bundles between said partition and said flaps, the offset relation between the shoulder portions of the coats at each side of said partition minimizing the thickness of the garment bundle at each side, and the symmetrical disposition of the offset shoulder portions of the respective pairs of coats at the opposite sides of and adjacent said opposite edges of said partition providing a packed unit of substantially uniform thickness.

21. The structure of claim 20 further characterized in that the free end portions of said flaps are securable to said partition in a plurality of adjusted positions whereby said aps are retained in taut relation over the respective garment bundles for garment bundles of diierent thicknesses.

22. A garment carrier comprising a rectangular main frame, means for receiving garments on at least one side of said main frame, a swingable frame having offset pivot arms extending outwardly from the plane of the swingable frame, the outer end portions of said pivotal arms being pivotally connected to said main frame adjacent one edge of the latter, said frames thereby being adapted to be folded together in substantially parallel relation when the carrier is not packed with garments, said swingable frame being foldable inwardly of said main frame from a position extending outwardly from said one edge to a position overlying said one side of said main frame and the garments thereon when the carrier is packed with garments, said swingable frame when in the latter position providing at least one garment folding edge portion over which the garments may be folded inwardly into a compact bundle, a flexible flap having an end portion secured in xed relation to said main frame, said flap being foldable inwardly at said one side of said main frame from a position extending outwardly from the opposite edge of said main frame to a position overlying the garment bundle and said swingable frame, and attachment means for detachably securing the opposite end portion of said ilap to said main frame for snugly confining the garment bundle between said ap and said main frame.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 17,177 Lengstield Ian. 1, 1929 1,975,294 Sand et al. Oct. 2, 1934 i 2,086,895 Cart July 13, 1937 2,176,792 Currie Oct. 17, 1939 2,526,385 Meyer Oct. 17, 1950

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