Abstract: A strap connector for connecting a strap to an article is provided that may comprise a t-bar for attaching the strap to the article, a housing for receiving the t-bar, the housing secured to the article, the housing comprising a floor, and a bumper plate for maintaining the t-bar in a position within the housing, the bumper plate comprising a bumper protruding above the surface of the floor of the housing.

Abstract: An article of luggage is provided for comprising a first layer of hard shell and a second layer of hard shell material with one or more ornamental substrate disposed between at least the first layer of hard shell material and at least the second layer of hard shell material. A section of hard shell material may be formed by pressing and/or heating at least the first layer of hard shell material, the second layer of hard shell material, and the ornamental substrate together.

Abstract: A piece of luggage comprises a front shell, a rear shell, and a frame assembly configured to hingedly secure the front shell to the rear shell. The frame assembly including a front frame sub-assembly configured to be secured to the front shell and a rear frame sub-assembly configured to be secured to the rear shell. Each of the front frame sub-assembly and the rear frame sub-assembly including a plurality of frame members and a plurality of corner members.

Abstract: A telescopic suitcase handle is provided for including a telescopic handle housing disposed within a suitcase, a lower extendible handle section movably disposed within the telescopic handle housing, and an upper extendible handle section movably disposed within the lower section. A spring loaded bullet disposed within the upper section releasably engages with one of a plurality of openings along the length of the lower section for temporarily holding the upper extendible handle section in place. A spring-loaded protrusion releasably engages with the lower extendible handle section for temporarily holding the lower section in place.

Abstract: A checkpoint-friendly bag for allowing a laptop computer stored in a dedicated portion thereof to provide a clear, unobstructed, and distinct image thereof when X-ray screened at an inspection station without having to remove the laptop computer from the dedicated portion. The bag includes a dedicated compartment and a non-dedicated compartment. The non-dedicated compartment stores items other than the laptop computer.

Abstract: A combination mobile shoulder strap and stationary shoulder cushion for carrying a receptacle, via appropriate releasable connectors, without movement of the stationary shoulder cushion and without the consequences caused at least by such movement to a wearer. The combination includes a stationary shoulder cushion, a pair of mobile strap elements, and apparatus that laterally pivotally attaches the pair of mobile strap elements to the stationary shoulder cushion so as to allow the pair of mobile strap elements to carry the receptacle, via the appropriate releasable connectors, and move relative to the stationary shoulder cushion, while the stationary shoulder cushion does not move so as to eliminate the consequences to a wearer caused at least by such movement of the pair of mobile strap elements. The apparatus is underlaid by the stationary shoulder cushion so as to eliminate the consequences caused by the apparatus undesirably engaging the wearer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to RFID-shielded articles and methods thereof. In one embodiment, a wallet is provided that may comprise an inner layer having a foldable portion; an outer layer comprising RFID shielding material adapted to block a radio signal, the outer layer comprising a foldable portion adapted to cooperate with the foldable portion of the inner layer, the outer layer attached to the inner layer; a pocket formed between the outer layer and the inner layer, the pocket having an opening adapted to receive currency; and a card holder disposed on the inner layer, the card holder adapted to receive a card comprising an RFID tag.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to double-sided wheel assemblies and methods thereof. In one embodiment, double-sided wheel assembly is provided that may comprise a wheel member comprising a first wheel; a second wheel; and a center member disposed between the first wheel and the second wheel, the first wheel and second wheel adapted to distribute the load of the luggage; a wheel carriage for supporting the wheel member; and a wheel support base adapted to couple with the wheel carriage.

Abstract: A combination mobile shoulder strap and stationary shoulder cushion for carrying a receptacle, via appropriate releasable connectors, without movement of the stationary shoulder cushion and without the consequences caused at least by such movement to a wearer. The combination includes a stationary shoulder cushion, a pair of mobile strap elements, and apparatus that laterally pivotally attaches the pair of mobile strap elements to the stationary shoulder cushion so as to allow the pair of mobile strap elements to carry the receptacle, via the appropriate releasable connectors, and move relative to the stationary shoulder cushion, while the stationary shoulder cushion does not move so as to eliminate the consequences to a wearer caused at least by such movement of the pair of mobile strap elements. The apparatus is underlaid by the stationary shoulder cushion so as to eliminate the consequences caused by the apparatus undesirably engaging the wearer.

Abstract: A strap connector for connecting a strap to an article is provided that may comprise a t-bar for attaching the strap to the article, a housing for receiving the t-bar, the housing secured to the article, the housing comprising a floor, and a bumper plate for maintaining the t-bar in a position within the housing, the bumper plate comprising a bumper protruding above the surface of the floor of the housing.

Abstract: A combination mobile shoulder strap and stationary shoulder cushion for carrying a receptacle, via appropriate releasable connectors, without movement of the stationary shoulder cushion and without the consequences caused at least by such movement to a wearer. The combination includes a stationary shoulder cushion, a pair of mobile strap elements, and apparatus that laterally pivotally attaches the pair of mobile strap elements to the stationary shoulder cushion so as to allow the pair of mobile strap elements to carry the receptacle, via the appropriate releasable connectors, and move relative to the stationary shoulder cushion, while the stationary shoulder cushion does not move so as to eliminate the consequences to a wearer caused at least by such movement of the pair of mobile strap elements. The apparatus is underlaid by the stationary shoulder cushion so as to eliminate the consequences caused by the apparatus undesirably engaging the wearer.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an expandable suitcase comprises: a front portion; a back portion; a plurality of side panels, each side panel aligning with one of a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side of the suitcase, and each side panel having a primary board, at least a first side board rotatably connected to the primary board about a common edge therewith, and a first side flap rotatably connected to the first side board about a common edge opposing the common edge with the primary board; and a plurality of hinges disposed at an intersection of two side panels, each hinge comprising a first hinge panel attached to one of the side panels and a second hinge panel connected to the other side panel, wherein the hinge remains in a substantially planar position in a rested state.

Abstract: An interchangeable wheel cover for a wheel of a piece of luggage, including a center cap assembly and a trim ring assembly. The center cap assembly interchangeable affixes the trim ring assembly to the wheel of the piece of luggage.

Abstract: A strap handle for a piece of luggage that has been modified to have the strap handle added thereon. The strap handle includes a strap, and apparatus for having the strap handle added onto the piece of luggage. The apparatus sits within the piece of luggage. The strap engages into the apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to RFID-shielded articles and methods thereof. In one embodiment, a wallet is provided that may comprise an inner layer having a foldable portion; an outer layer comprising RFID shielding material adapted to block a radio signal, the outer layer comprising a foldable portion adapted to cooperate with the foldable portion of the inner layer, the outer layer attached to the inner layer; a pocket formed between the outer layer and the inner layer, the pocket having an opening adapted to receive currency; and a card holder disposed on the inner layer, the card holder adapted to receive a card comprising an RFID tag.

Abstract: A closed loop strap handle for a piece of luggage that has been modified to have the closed loop strap handle replaceably added thereon. The closed loop strap handle includes a strap, and apparatus for replaceably having the closed loop strap handle added onto the piece of luggage. The apparatus sits within the piece of luggage. The strap replaceably engages into the apparatus and loops to replaceably engage itself.