Expandable carrying case

Abstract

This invention relates to a carrying case used to transport objects or documents, such as posters, drawings, or blueprints for presentation at conventions, exhibitions, meetings or similar functions. The expandable carrying case is made of leather or similarly sturdy, durable synthetic material such as nylon. It has flexible tubes that constitute a protective container for objects or rolled-up documents when deployed, and can be coiled up and stored in the said cylindrical case when not in use. The benefits of the present invention include its versatility in transporting objects or documents of different sizes or lengths. The flexible extensions are interconnected to each other, and to the cover and elongated tubular member through zippers, or similarly durable, sturdy fasteners to form one enclosed, protective carrier. This makes the current invention a uniquely versatile, flexible and reusable (hence “green”) transport/storage device.

1 . An elongated carrying case, comprising:
 a) a cover having a bottom end;   b) an elongated tubular member having a top end, where with the bottom end of the cover and the top end of the elongated tubular member fasten together to form a container; and,   c) at least one flexible extension in a rolled-up or folded configuration, whereby the flexible extension is sufficiently compact for storage or transport inside the container.   
     
     
         2 . The carrying case of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a) a first clip attached to the cover;   b) a second clip attached to the elongated tubular member; and   c) adjustable/expandable strap having one end of the strap attached to the first clip and other end of the strap attached to the second clip.   
     
     
         3 . The carrying case of  claim 1 , wherein the cover, elongated tubular member, or flexible extension(s) is/are made of one or more of the following material, or combination thereof: textiles (e.g., cotton, nylon, polyester), organic material (e.g., leather or the like), polymeric material (e.g., plastic, latex, or rubber), ceramic material, or metals. 
     
     
         4 . The carrying case of  claim 1 , wherein the cover, elongated tubular member, or flexible extension is made of nylon. 
     
     
         5 . The carrying case of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated tubular member has a length between 0.5 and 48 inches, preferably between 2 and 12 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The carrying case of  claim 1 , wherein the cover and elongated tubular member has a diameter sufficiently large for at least one document or object to be rolled-up, transported in the case, and unrolled without creasing the document or object. 
     
     
         7 . The carrying case of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter is between 2 to 12 inches. 
     
     
         8 . An elongated carrying case, comprising:
 a) a cover having a bottom end;   b) an elongated tubular member having a top end;   c) at least one flexible extension having a cylindrical configuration and open ends; and,   d) means for fastening the cover, flexible extension(s), and elongated tubular member, forming a container to carry at least one rolled-up document or object.   
     
     
         9 . The carrying case of  claim 8 , further comprises:
 a) a first clip attached to the cover;   b) a second clip attached to the elongated tubular member; and   c) an adjustable strap having one end of the strap attached to the first clip and other end of the strap attached to the second clip.   
     
     
         10 . The carrying case of  claim 8 , wherein the cover, one or more flexible extension, and elongated tubular member is/are made of the following material, or combination thereof: fabrics (e.g., cotton, nylon, polyester), organic material (e.g., leather or the like), polymeric material (e.g., plastic, latex, or rubber), ceramic material, or metals. 
     
     
         11 . The carrying case of  claim 8 , wherein the customized length of the extension(s) is suitable to transport large or small documents, paintings, or blueprints, preferably between 0.01 feet to 20 feet. 
     
     
         12 . The carrying case of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible extension has a length between 0.5 and 3 feet. 
     
     
         13 . The carrying case of  claim 8 , wherein the number of flexible extension(s) forming the container is from one to ten. 
     
     
         14 . The tube of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible extension further comprises a pocket. 
     
     
         15 . An elongated carrying case, comprising:
 a) a cover having a first open end;   b) at least one flexible extension having a length;   c) an elongated tubular member having a second open end;   d) means for fastening a plurality of flexible extensions, whereby the plurality of flexible extensions form a cylindrical tube having a total length, such that the total length increases with the fastening of each additional flexible extension, so that the total length is approximately the length of a document or object to be transported;   e) means for fastening the cover, cylindrical tube, and elongated tubular member to form a container, whereby the container is able to transport and protect the document or object being transported.   
     
     
         16 . The carrying case of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a) a first clip attached to the cover; 
 b) a second clip attached to the elongated tubular member; and 
 c) an adjustable expandable strap having one end of the strap attached to the first clip and other end of the strap attached to the second clip. 
 
     
     
         17 . The carrying of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a security measure such as a combination lock, key lock, tape, link, weld, or adhesive, wherein the security measure prevents unauthorized access to the objects or document stored inside the container.   
     
     
         18 . The carrying case of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible extension(s) further comprises a pocket. 
     
     
         19 . The carrying case of  claim 18 , wherein the pocket further comprises a fastener to ensure that stored items remain inside the pocket. 
     
     
         20 . The carrying case of  claim 15 , wherein the cover, at least one flexible extension, and elongated tubular member is made of the following material, or combination thereof: textile fabric (e.g., cotton, nylon, polyester), organic material (e.g., leather or the like), polymeric material (e.g., plastic, latex, or rubber), ceramic material, or metals.