Abstract: A towing arrangement includes a pivotal handle which allows a user to position the handle more comfortably that would otherwise be possible with a conventional towing arrangement. The relative motion of the handle can also increase the maneuverability of a piece of luggage by eliminating the need for a person to reposition his or her hand on the handle when attempting to redirect the piece of luggage.

Abstract: Stabilizing means for a secondary bag carried on a wheeled luggage case is attached to the telescoping handle assembly of the case. The handle assembly has a single telescoping tube and a stabilizing arm or arms pivotally mounted on the outer section of the telescoping tube. When the handle assembly is withdrawn from the case, the stabilizing arm or arms are pivoted to a horizontal position. On retraction of the handle into the case, the arm or arms are pivoted to a position parallel to the tube section. In another embodiment, collar affixed to the outer section of the tube carries a pair of L-shape members, each with a leg extending downwardly and parallel to the tube section. The collar and L-shaped arms move with the outer tube section into and out of the luggage case.

Abstract: A shoulder strap pad for carrying a bag on the shoulder includes a load-bearing backing member attached to or integral with the shoulder strap and a resilient cushion attached to the lower side of the backing member. The lower surface of the cushion is covered by a non-abrasive material and is formed with a plurality of raised pads for contacting the shoulder and a lengthwise-extending padded collar region along the inner side thereof for protecting the exposed surfaces of the neck and/or shoulder against chafing.

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.