Garment compression system for travel and storage

Abstract

A garment compression system for travel and storage which effectively increases the useable volume in luggage, storage closets and storage areas is disclosed. The system consists of two cooperating substantially flat plate members, at least two lengths of belting surrounding the flat plate members for use in generating compressive forces and suitable buckles and fittings to retain the system in the compressed state. Buckles of sufficient strength located on the belting are capable of holding tension forces generated in the compression process, to withstand the force generated by the compression of the items between the cooperating flat plate members. The belting has loose ends for ease of removal of the top plate member to facilitate placing items to be compressed between the top and bottom plate members. Each of the plate members has a cooperating notch suitably placed to guide the belting during the compression operation. The end of the belting is manually pulled by the user with a tensile force that causes the top and bottom plate members to move closer together. This moving of the plate members causes the articles between the two plate members to compress, thereby squeezing out the voids in the various fabrics between the plate members.

1 . A garment compression system, comprising: at least two substantially identical flat members arranged parallel to each other with a gap there between into which articles to be compressed can be inserted, said members having aligned notches on their periphery to guide at least one co-working tension generating device wrapped around the flat members and a mechanism means that is able to hold tension and release tension that has been manually applied on each end of the at least one tension generating device. 
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said tension generating devices are straps. 
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein two tension generating devices are wrapped in parallel around said flat members. 
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein two tension generating devices are wrapped perpendicular to each other around said flat members. 
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein manual force applied by the user is sufficient to put the device into full operation and use. 
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein the width of the top and bottom compression members is adjustable. 
   
   
       7 . The compression system according to  claim 1  wherein the tension generating device has a mechanical advantage greater than two. 
   
   
       8 . The compression system according to  claim 1  wherein said members are formed wire baskets capable of cooperating with the tension generating device. 
   
   
       9 . A suitcase for the transporting of garments for travel comprising: two opposing end walls, two opposing side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall, said top wall being pivotably affixed to one of the side walls and adapted for opening and dosing so as to form an enclosure that may be opened and secured closed, said suitcase further comprising: a compression system, comprising: a flat bottom member affixed to the inside of said bottom wall, a top member having substantially the same shape as said bottom members, each of said members having aligned notches on their periphery to guide at least one co-working tension generating device wrapped around the flat top and bottom members and a mechanism means that is able to hold tension and release tension that has been manually applied on each end of the at least one tension generating device. 
   
   
       10 . The suitcase according to  claim 9  wherein said top and bottom members are sized to fit within the entire interior of said suitcase. 
   
   
       11 . The suitcase according to  claim 9  wherein said top and bottom members are sized to within a range of 50% to 100% of the interior length of said suitcase, whereby said suitcase can be utilized to contain both compressed garments and non-compressible articles.