Abstract: A hard-sided suitcase may have a front and a back hard-sided shell that together comprise a main storage compartment. A telescopic handle may have retractable or extendable arms, corresponding fixed tubes configured to house the arms, and a curved handle. The fixed tubes and/or frame of the telescopic handle may be at least partially encased within the back hard-sided shell. The fixed tubes may be approximately flush with the exterior of the back hard-sided shell, and the interior of the back hard-sided shell may provide a smooth and continuous surface to the main storage compartment to alleviate packing around the telescopic handle during use. The curved handle may have an undulating bend, and be configured to fit into a corresponding curved surface on the top of the back hard-sided shell. The top and backmost portions of the curved handle may be approximately flush with the back hard-sided shell.

Abstract: A hard-sided suitcase may have a front and a back hard-sided shell that together comprise a main storage compartment. A telescopic handle may have retractable or extendable arms, corresponding fixed tubes configured to house the arms, and a curved handle. The fixed tubes and/or frame of the telescopic handle may be at least partially encased within the back hard-sided shell. The fixed tubes may be approximately flush with the exterior of the back hard-sided shell, and the interior of the back hard-sided shell may provide a smooth and continuous surface to the main storage compartment to alleviate packing around the telescopic handle during use. The curved handle may have an undulating bend, and be configured to fit into a corresponding curved surface on the top of the back hard-sided shell. The top and backmost portions of the curved handle may be approximately flush with the back hard-sided shell.

Abstract: A handle-scale includes a luggage-scale for calculating a weight of a piece of luggage that is built into a carry-handle having weight-release slides and/or metal hinges. Scale functionality may be enclosed within the carry-handle. The luggage-scale may have a digital readout display, such as a touch screen, that changes color once weight is calculated. The handle-scale may be movable between a first and a second vertical position with respect to the piece of luggage during use. The handle-scale may include an outer shell that protects the digital readout by withdrawing the digital readout from an exterior of the handle-scale such that when a user grips the handle, the hand of the user does not touch the digital readout. The handle-scale may separately display a measurement scale, and whole and partial units of the calculated weight. The handle-scale may have an undulating outer exterior to facilitate gripping and manually lifting.

Abstract: A suitcase, which can include first and second hard-sided shells defining storage compartments. The suitcase can include a divider, which can be positioned between the first and second hard-sided shells, wherein the first and second hard-sided shells are connectable to edges of the divider by utilizing first and second zipper mechanisms respectively. The divider can comprise flexible material and can be utilized to separate the storage compartments of the hard-sided shells. The hard-sided suitcase can also include a third zipper mechanism, which can extend around a plurality of sides of the divider. The third zipper mechanism can include a double-sided zipper that can be operated from each side of the divider. Upon opening the portion of the divider, simultaneous access can be provided to the storage compartments of the first and second hard-sided shells by folding or removing the flexible divider material.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic luggage scale includes a handle designed to be held generally horizontally, and a hook supported by the handle, which extends generally vertically below the handle. The handle houses an electronic scale, the electronic scale connected to the hook for calculating a weight of an object suspended from the hook. The hook may be metal and have a rubber and/or plastic exterior. A touch screen display may be provided in a top surface of the handle that displays the calculated weight from the electronic scale component. The touch screen display may include an icon representing a virtual control button that controls a user-selectable setting, and provides haptic feedback when the user-selectable setting changes due to a user pressing the virtual control button for a predetermined period of time. The touch screen display may include icons that control power, illumination, units of measurement, and/or other functionality.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic luggage scale includes a handle designed to be held generally horizontally, and a hook supported by the handle, which extends generally vertically below the handle. The handle houses an electronic scale, the electronic scale connected to the hook for calculating a weight of an object suspended from the hook. An easy-to-read digital display is provided in a top surface of the handle, the display displaying the calculated weight from the electronic scale component. The hook is supported by the handle at a central portion of the handle such that a user's two hands can hold the handle on either side of a hook attachment while leaving the display visible between the user's hands. The handle curves downwardly from the central portion the handle to free ends thereof to provide an ergonomic support for the user to lift the object to be weighed.

Abstract: A suitcase featuring a biometric lock may be provided. The suitcase may include a plurality of hard-sided shells for forming storage compartments of the suitcase. Additionally the suitcase may include a fastening mechanism for connecting the plurality of hard-sided shells. The fastening mechanism may be utilized to provide access to at least one storage compartment of the storage compartments. The biometric lock of the suitcase may be configured to prevent unauthorized access to one or more storage compartments of the suitcase. The biometric lock may include a memory device configured to store a plurality of fingerprints. Also, the biometric lock may include a biometric reader, which may be configured to receive a fingerprint from a user. The biometric reader may be further configured to unlock the biometric lock when a received fingerprint matches a stored fingerprint of the plurality of stored fingerprints.

Abstract: A hard-sided suitcase may include a plurality of polycarbonate shells for forming storage compartments of the hard-sided suitcase, wherein at least one of the plurality of polycarbonate shells is utilized for forming a hard-sided zipper pocket. The hard-sided suitcase may include a zipper mechanism for connecting a pair of polycarbonate shells to form a main storage compartment and for providing access to the main storage compartment. The hard-sided suitcase may include a second zipper mechanism for connecting the hard-sided zipper pocket to one of the polycarbonate shells forming the main storage compartment. When the second zipper mechanism is opened, the hard-sided zipper pocket may be in an open position, and when the second zipper mechanism is closed, the hard-sided zipper pocket may be in a closed position. The hard-sided zipper pocket may be held open and at angle with respect to the suitcase via a flexible, pocket lining.

Abstract: A hard-sided suitcase may include polycarbonate shells for forming one or more storage compartments. The suitcase may include fiber-optic fibers or other light emitting devices for providing lighting to the hard-sided suitcase. The fiber-optic fibers may be placed on or within the polycarbonate shells. The suitcase may include a lighting mechanism or controller for sending light through the fiber-optic fibers. The lighting mechanism may be configured to send colored light through the fibers, and to change the light pattern being illuminated at a random and/or predetermined interval. A power source may power to the lighting mechanism. The power source, when switched on, may cause the lighting mechanism to send the light through the fiber-optic fibers. Light emitting diodes may also provide illumination. The lighting mechanism may control the lighting of the light emitting devices individually and simultaneously to facilitate a wide range of potential illumination patterns.

Abstract: A hard-sided suitcase may include two polycarbonate composite or other hard shells, and a polycarbonate composite or other expansion portion positioned between the two shells at approximately a midpoint of a depth of the suitcase. A carrying handle may be attached to the polycarbonate composite expansion portion. An opening zipper may connect at least one of the polycarbonate composite shells to the polycarbonate composite expansion portion and provide access to one or more storage compartments. An expansion zipper may connect the polycarbonate composite expansion portion and the other of the polycarbonate composite shells. The expansion zipper may have a flexible gusset. A reinforcement frame may be connected to the polycarbonate composite expansion portion such that the polycarbonate composite expansion portion can bear the weight of the hard-sided suitcase when lifted by the carrying handle. The reinforcement frame may be a honeycomb plastic frame and enclosed by a fabric material.