Abstract: A wheeled luggage item includes a collapsible bar assembly for stably supporting a secondary bag on top of the luggage item. The collapsible bar assembly includes a base mounted on top of the luggage and a generally U-shaped bar member having two ends respectively pivoted to the base. The bar member can be pivoted between a collapsed position, at which the bar member rests against the base, and an extended position, at which the bar member extends outwardly at an angle of about 90° to the base. Releasable locking means disposed on the base lock the bar member at the collapsed position. A push-button releases the bar member from the collapsed position, and an elastic member captured between the base and the bar member biases the bar member upward away from the collapsed position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite frame for a side gusset of a bag. The composite frame has a peripheral raised region and a depressed central region. The composite frame is made up of a moldable substrate, e.g. ethyl vinyl acetate foam, an outer layer of wear-resistant material, e.g., high-denier nylon, or poly/nylon combination, and, preferably, an inner adherent layer, e.g., the loop half of a hook-and-loop fabric. During the manufacturing process, a flat sheet of substrate is covered on one side by the wear-resistant material and, preferably, on the other side by the adherent layer. Incisions are cut through a central region of the substrate-adhered materials composite. The composite is then molded to provide the peripheral raised region and the depressed central region, with the raised surface being covered by the wear-resistant material.

Abstract: A light-weight side gusset for a bag is manufactured from a formed composite frame having a peripheral raised region and a depressed central region. An opening is formed through the depressed central region to form a relatively narrow border portion around the inner periphery of the raised region. A central panel corresponding in configuration to the outline of the depressed region is attached to the border portion of the depressed region to cover the opening therethrough. The composite frame is made up of a moldable substrate, e.g. ethyl vinyl acetate foam, an outer layer wear-resistant material, e.g., high-denier nylon or poly/nylon combination, and, preferably, an inner adherent layer, e.g., the loop half of a hook-and-loop fabric. A complete bag is assembled by securing two such gussets to the body of the bag. A drop-in liner is attached to the inner surfaces of the gussets to line the interior of the bag.

Abstract: A light-weight side gusset for a bag includes a formed composite frame having a peripheral raised region and a depressed central region. An opening through the depressed central region forms a relatively narrow border portion around the inner periphery of the raised region. A central panel corresponding in configuration to the outline of the depressed region is attached to the border portion of the depressed region to cover the opening therethrough. The composite frame is made up of a moldable substrate, e.g. ethyl vinyl acetate foam, an outer layer wear-resistant material, e.g., high-denier nylon or poly/nylon combination, and, preferably, an inner adherent layer, e.g., the loop half of a hook-and-loop fabric. Methods of manufacturing the composite frame, a gusset including such frame, and a bag including such gusset are also disclosed.

Abstract: A handle assembly for towable, wheeled luggage includes an axially elongated tubular member, which is extendably and retractably attachable at one end to the luggage, and a handgrip assembly rotatably mounted on the free end of the tubular member. A slidable collar assembly surrounds the rotational dividing line between the handgrip assembly and the tubular member and is axially movable relative thereto to permit selective rotation and locking of the handgrip assembly relative to the tubular member. The handgrip assembly may have a P-shaped configuration which is rotatable to position the loop portion of the P-shaped assembly to one side or the other to accommodate lefthanded and righthanded towing of the luggage.

Abstract: A bag, of tote or briefcase size, includes a removable and adjustable protective cradle for carrying a portable computer or other sensitive device. The cradle may be selectively secured at different heights to divider members within the interior of the bag. When not needed, the protective cradle may be removed from the bag to free the bag to carry other contents.

Abstract: A handle assembly for towable, wheeled luggage includes an axially elongated tubular member, which is extendably and retractably attachable at one end to the luggage, and a handgrip assembly rotatably mounted on the free end of the tubular member. A slidable collar assembly surrounds the rotational dividing line between the handgrip assembly and the tubular member and is axially movable relative thereto to permit selective rotation and locking of the handgrip assembly relative to the tubular member. The handgrip assembly may have a P-shaped configuration which is rotatable to position the loop portion of the P-shaped assembly to one side or the other to accommodate lefthanded and righthanded towing of the luggage.

Abstract: A wheeled luggage item includes a collapsible bar assembly for stably supporting a secondary bag on top of the luggage item. The collapsible bar assembly includes a base mounted on top of the luggage and a generally U-shaped bar member having two ends respectively pivoted to the base. The bar member can be pivoted between a collapsed position, at which the bar member rests against the base, and an extended position, at which the bar member extends outwardly at an angle of about 90° to the base. Releasable locking means disposed on the base lock the bar member at the collapsed position. A push-button releases the bar member from the collapsed position, and an elastic member captured between the base and the bar member biases the bar member upward away from the collapsed position.

Abstract: A light-weight side gusset for a bag includes a formed composite frame having a peripheral raised region and a depressed central region. An opening through the depressed central region forms a relatively narrow border portion around the inner periphery of the raised region. A central panel corresponding in configuration to the outline of the depressed region is attached to the border portion of the depressed region to cover the opening therethrough. The composite frame is made up of a moldable substrate, e.g. ethyl vinyl acetate foam, an outer layer wear-resistant material, e.g., high-denier nylon or poly/nylon combination, and, preferably, an inner adherent layer, e.g., the loop half of a hook-and-loop fabric. Methods of manufacturing the composite frame, a gusset including such frame, and a bag including such gusset are also disclosed.

Abstract: A light-weight side gusset for a bag is manufactured from a formed composite frame having a peripheral raised region and a depressed central region. An opening is formed through the depressed central region to form a relatively narrow border portion around the inner periphery of the raised region. A central panel corresponding in configuration to the outline of the depressed region is attached to the border portion of the depressed region to cover the opening therethrough. The composite frame is made up of a moldable substrate, e.g. ethyl vinyl acetate foam, an outer layer wear-resistant material, e.g., high-denier nylon or poly/nylon combination, and, preferably, an inner adherent layer, e.g., the loop half of a hook-and-loop fabric. A complete bag is assembled by securing two such gussets to the body of the bag. A drop-in liner is attached to the inner surfaces of the gussets to line the interior of the bag.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a composite frame for a side gusset of a bag. The composite frame has a peripheral raised region and a depressed central region. The composite frame is made up of a moldable substrate, e.g. ethyl vinyl acetate foam, an outer layer of wear-resistant material, e.g., high-denier nylon, or poly/nylon combination, and, preferably, an inner adherent layer, e.g., the loop half of a hook-and-loop fabric. During the manufacturing process, a flat sheet of substrate is covered on one side by the wear-resistant material and, preferably, on the other side by the adherent layer. Incisions are cut through a central region of the substrate-adhered materials composite. The composite is then molded to provide the peripheral raised region and the depressed central region, with the raised surface being covered by the wear-resistant material.

Abstract: A bag, of tote or briefcase size, includes a removable and adjustable protective cradle for carrying a portable computer or other sensitive device. The cradle may be selectively secured at different heights to divider members within the interior of the bag. When not needed, the protective cradle may be removed from the bag to free the bag to carry other contents.

Abstract: An easy-access bag includes three compartments that are hinged together so as to be foldable between a closed position, in which all three compartments form a compact, integral bag for carrying or towing, and an open position, in which all three compartments lie in side-by-side relation to each other and are all simultaneously accessible for packing or unpacking or for security inspections.

Abstract: A garment bag has a front wall that is longitudinally divided to provide a pair of flaps that are turnable away from each other to provide access to the interior of the bag. Each flap has a hinge with a series of detents to permit the flap to be held releasably in any one of a plurality of differently angulated positions. By virtue of this arrangement, access to the interior of the bag is provided, and the flaps may be set in different positions to accommodate available space in a closet.

Abstract: A luggage case has a bottom wall supported on four swivel wheels that permit the luggage case to be turned in any direction about a vertical axis. Two of the swivel wheels are part of a leading wheel assembly, and two of the swivel wheels are part of a trailing wheel assembly. Each wheel assembly has a one-piece molded plastic base including an elongated plate extending transversely of the bottom wall of the luggage case and attached thereto, and a pair of downwardly open protective cups surrounding respective swivel wheels. A retractable handle system includes a fixed portion mounted on the top wall of the case, and a movable portion having a handle that may be extended and tilted upwardly for pulling the case along the ground.