Travel case convertible as a work table

Abstract

A travel case having features that allow the travel case to stand on four legs to form a horizontal surface suitable for use as a work table is disclosed. The travel case is adapted to operate in two modes including a default mode, and a props/table mode. In the default mode, the travel case is configured to function as a conventional travel case. In the props/table mode, the travel case is configured to stand on four legs, thereby allowing a case body to be used as an elevated horizontal support surface. The props/table mode is configured to facilitate ease of unpacking and packing of the travel case. The travel case comprises a flip switch to activate one of the default mode or props/table mode.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A travel case, comprising:
 a case support assembly coupled to a case assembly for facilitating supporting the case assembly in an elevated position horizontally upon a surface, wherein the case support assembly comprises a left assembly and a right assembly, wherein the left assembly and right assembly is coupled to a flip switch, wherein the flip switch is configured to allow a user to change the operation of the case support assembly between a default mode and a props mode, wherein the props mode is activated by rotation of the flip button to an inverted orientation, wherein each of the left assembly and right assembly comprises:
 an outer tube defined by a c-shaped profile and a box shaped profile, 
 a middle tube disposed within the c shaped profile, wherein the middle tube comprises a post to slidably lock and unlock with the outer tube, 
 an inner tube disposed within the middle tube, wherein the inner tube has a flat portion that cooperatively engages to a flat portion of the middle tube, wherein the middle tube and inner tube are configured to coordinate subsequent to a rotation of the flip switch, wherein the inner tube comprises a post to slidably lock and unlock with the middle tube, 
 a top leg set hingedly coupled to a top end of the outer tube, wherein the top leg set comprises a top stay having a first end pivotally coupled to a cam set of the outer tube and a second end slides on a top leg, 
 a bottom leg set hingedly coupled to a bottom end of the outer tube, 
 wherein the bottom leg set comprises a bottom stay having a first end pivotally coupled to the cam set of the outer tube and a second end slides on a bottom leg, wherein the top stay and the bottom stay are configured to extend or retract the top leg set and the bottom leg set, respectively, and 
   the cam set slidably disposed within the box shaped profile of the outer tube comprises,
 a cam inner member having a concentric rack corresponding to a flat portion of the middle tube to facilitate a shuttle to slide therein, 
 a cam middle member, and 
 a cam cap member, wherein a follower of the top stay and follower of the bottom stay engages a closed track of the cam middle member and cam cap member,
 wherein the rotation of the flip switch disengages the inner tube from the middle tube and the middle tube from the outer tube, thereby enabling the middle tube coupled with the shuttle to travel down a shuttle track and push the cam set to move downward to unfold leg sets of each of the left and right assembly for facilitating supporting the case assembly in an elevated position horizontally upon the surface. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The travel case of  claim 1 , wherein each of the left and right assembly comprises:
 a mode link coupled to the flip switch,   a mode sleeve coupled to the mode link,   a mode driver coupled to the mode link, and   a pusher coupling the flat portion middle tube and mode driver for transferring rotational motion from the flip switch to the inner tube and the middle tube.   
     
     
         3 . The travel case of  claim 1 , further comprises a pivot rod interconnected to the flip switch and a trolley set defined by the outer tube, the middle tube and the inner tube, wherein the rotation of the flip switch is configured to move the trolley rod upward or downward. 
     
     
         4 . The travel case of  claim 1 , wherein the top stay and the bottom stay pivot by a top stay bracket and a bottom stay bracket disposed at the outer tube. 
     
     
         5 . The travel case of  claim 1 , wherein the top leg set and the bottom leg set are extended open and retracted close by the respective top stay arm and the bottom stay arm in a sequential manner. 
     
     
         6 . The travel case of  claim 1 , wherein the middle tube comprises a slidable post, wherein the slidable post protrudes through a default hole of the outer tube for locking and unlocking the middle tube. 
     
     
         7 . The travel case of  claim 1 , wherein the inner tube comprises a slidable post, wherein the slidable post protrudes through clearance hole of the outer tube for locking and unlocking the inner tube. 
     
     
         8 . The travel case of  claim 1 , wherein the posts of the inner tube and middle tube protrude through the default hole and clearance hole to lock the case in default mode and prevent change of modes. 
     
     
         9 . The travel case of  claim 1 , wherein the posts of the inner tube and the middle tube that protrude through the default hole and the clearance hole are released by rotation of the flip button to the inverted orientation. 
     
     
         10 . The travel case of  claim 1 , wherein the top stay is coupled to the outer tube via a top stay bracket, and the bottom stay is coupled to the outer tube via a bottom stay bracket. 
     
     
         11 . The travel case of  claim 1 , wherein the cam inner member, the cam middle member, and the cam cap member are configured to move together through an interlocking mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The travel case of  claim 1 , wherein the cam inner member has a relief to the middle tube to pass by and rotate freely. 
     
     
         13 . The travel case of  claim 1 , wherein the shuttle track allows the shuttle to slide freely from a top stop to a bottom stop. 
     
     
         14 . The travel case of  claim 1 , wherein the flip switch is reversed to an initial position to change operation of the case from the props mode to the default mode. 
     
     
         15 . The travel case of  claim 1 , further comprises a trolley bar interconnected with a trolley rod and a pivot rod, wherein the trolley bar, trolley rod and pivot rod move in conjunction to release the trolley set to move upward or downward.