Abstract: An assisted-rescue and personal evacuation system preferably includes a deployment bag, an equipment tether, a stop tether, a flexible anchor strap, a descender system, at least two carabiners and a rescue hitch system. The deployment bag includes a bag portion, an end flap, a rope protector and a pair of snap hooks. The equipment tether includes a tether strap and a tether loop. The tether loop is used to retain all of the rescue components. The stop tether preferably includes a stop body, a first stop carabiner and a second stop carabiner. The descender system preferably includes a rescue rope, a descender unit, a rope carabiner and a descender carabiner. The rescue rope is inserted through the descender unit. The rescue hitch system includes a hitch strap, a micro rope grab and a hitch carabiner. A micro haul device provides a 6:1 mechanical advantage for self or assisted rescue.

Abstract: A carry bag for pets includes a construction that has a general rectangular, parallelepiped configuration and incorporates first and second mesh flaps which may be folded to provide for easy ingress and egress of a pet from the bag. The flaps are designed to be retained in an open condition by means of magnetic catches. The configuration of the carry bag is designed to enhance the comfort of a pet retained therein.

Abstract: A case for transporting shoes is disclosed which comprises front and back walls, top and bottom walls, and first and second side walls which define a chamber. The front and back walls, top and bottom walls and the first side wall are formed as an integral structure. The second side wall is hinged proximate the bottom wall to permit the second side wall to move from a closed position to an open position to permit access to the chamber. The chamber comprises a plurality of compartments for receiving shoes. The case includes two hooks which are disposed in substantially parallel relationship to one another and which can move from a retracted to an extended position for hanging the case. Transportation of the case is facilitated by wheels mounted proximate the intersection of the back and bottom walls, and by a handle which is movable from a retracted position inside the case to an extended position out the top of the case.

Abstract: An illuminable storage receptacle that is mounted to a motor vehicle wheel well by suction cups disposed on the cover to cast white light from the bottom and rear portions in order to illuminate the subjacent work area. Red hazard lenses are disposed in the sidewalls and an amber hazard lens is disposed in the front wall. An interior compartment is disposed therein divided by a replaceable plate to form an illumination chamber to produce the light and a storage chamber for keeping lug nuts and the like while changing the tire. A strap having hook and loop fastener elements is provided to allow the user to selectively maintain the storage compartment on a substantially horizontal plane regardless of the angle of engagement of the cover with the vehicle.

Abstract: A shaped resilient foam insert and a method of maintaining a shape and reducing wrinkling and creasing of a handbag during storage are provided. The method includes opening the handbag to expose an interior cavity thereof which is formed by walls of the handbag. The interior cavity has a first set of dimensions and the shaped resilient foam body (insert) is disposed within the interior cavity. The foam body has a second set of dimensions with at least one dimension of the second set being greater than one dimension of the first set so that the foam body applies an outward force against walls of the handbag so that the handbag maintains its shape during storage and the walls are supported during storage so as to help prevent wrinkling and creasing of the handbag.

Abstract: An article shape maintenance system for maintaining the shape of a bag article during storage and non-use thereof. The article shape maintenance system includes a filler member, and a covering surrounding the filler member. The covering is comprised of a cloth material. The filler member is comprised of a resilient material such as foam rubber or polyester fiber. The filler member preferably includes a sachet containing a scented material. The filler member preferably includes silica gel or related material for absorbing moisture from within the bag.

Abstract: A utility bag is provided, comprising a flexible base having two opposing outer edges and two upwardly extending end panels; a pair of opposing flexible side panels attached to and extending upwardly from the opposing outer edges of the base, each of the side panels having a top edge and opposing side edges, and wherein each of the end panels of the base are attached to a lower portion of adjacent side edges of the opposing side panels; a pair of flexible upper panels attached to and extending substantially perpendicular from the top edges of the side panels, each of the upper panels including two downwardly extending end panels, wherein each of the downwardly extending end panels is attached to the end panel ofthe base and to an upper portion of an adjacent side edge of the side panels; flexible closing device, such as a zipper, cooperating between the upper panels and extending between the end panels of the base for closing and opening the bag; and wherein at least one of the side panels includes a first st

Abstract: A bag for a notebook computer which allows easy use of the computer while still maintained in the computer bag. The bag includes a body for receiving a notebook computer therein, and a cover pivotally coupled along one side to the body to enable opening motion of the cover. The bag further includes an angular motion restraint which couples the cover of the bag to the body of the bag, so that the cover opening approximately corresponds to the opening of the computer display panel. In one embodiment of the invention, the angular motion restraint includes a restraining band. The restraining band has one end fixed to the body of the bag and the other end fitted with a first fastener part. The first fastener part of the restraining band is attachable to a second faster part which is attached to an inner surface of the cover.

Abstract: A saddle bag insert 10 for use with a soft sided saddle bag 100 having front 101 and rear 102 end panels, a pair of side panels 103, 104 and a floor panel 105. The saddle bag insert 10 includes an insert member 20 fabricated from an elongated, thin, flat, contoured strip of rigid yet flexible material 21 having an intermediate segment 22 and a pair of end segments 23, 24 that are adapted to resiliently conform to the contours of the front and rear end panels 101, 102 and the floor panel 105 to provide rigidity to the soft sided saddle bag 100.

Abstract: A female hinge member, and a hinge assembly including the member, includes a pair of spaced ears between which a cylindrical roller is supported for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis about which the female hinge member and a pivotally attached male hinge member are relatively rotatable. The hinge assembly is connected to opposite end portions of a framework forming part of a handbag. As the hinge members are relatively rotated in moving between open and closed positions, the roller moves along the surface of a cantilever spring on the male hinge member, in rolling contact therewith.

Abstract: A briefcase has hidden spring loaded compartment which, when actuated, exposes the hidden compartment presenting a holstered gun to operative position.

Abstract: An unobtrusive carrier for self-protective devices is disclosed. Such a carrier has a body portion to which is connected a carrying strap. The body portion has a special secret compartment which is solely accessible by a spring-biased opening at one end of the body portion. The spring-biased opening comprises a frame assembly having two frame members pivotally connected to each other such that they can alternately be held in closed position against the spring-biasing or snapped to open position by the spring arms when a catch is released. A holster is provided within the secret compartment.

Abstract: A lighting control console has a base and a top. The top includes a control panel having control members on one side operably connected to control circuits on an opposite side. The circuits are covered by a removable insulation member. The top is connected to the base and is movable relative to the base between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the top and base are in nested contact. In the open position, the top is raised relative to the base. A storage compartment is provided in the base. The storage compartment and circuits can be accessed when the top is in the open position. When the top is in the closed position, the insulation member insulates the circuits from the storage compartment. A handle is provided on the console and is suitable for hand gripping so that the control console can be carried.

Abstract: An expandable insert for soft luggage articles, such as backpacks includes a pair of opposing planar insert panels interconnected by two web members. The web members may either be partially integrally formed from the insert panels or they may be separately formed. The web members are themselves also planar and each includes a foldline disposed therein between the opposing insert panels. At least one elastic band engages the two web members and provides an expansion force for the insert which draws the web members from a folded position into a generally planar position wherein they are generally perpendicular to the insert panels. The web members may include gusset portions which interconnect the web members to the insert panels.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion into and expansion of a soft bag or backpack, having a relatively flat foldable member, which is connected to a resilient member or an actuating means. The flat member is folded along at least one transverse axis into at least two sections. The resilient member is connected to the opposed ends of the flat member and urges the ends of the flat member inward from its flat position to a folded position. In the folded position, the flat member forms a gable and pushes the sides of the bag outward to expand the bag. In another form, a cord is used to pull the apparatus into its bag expanding position. Relatively flat inserts may be added to promote uniform expansion of the bag.

Abstract: An expander for insertion into and expansion of a soft bag comprising a device which is folded or collapsed to a flat state or spread apart to an expanded state. The soft bag is collapsed to a compact form in the flat state for shipment. In the expanded position, the bag is expanded to give the appearance that it is filled. Some embodiments use a resilient member to automatically urge the device from a flat position to its expanded position when compressive forces are removed from the bag. Other forms use a cord for manually moving the expander device into its bag-expanding position. To provide for a greater extent of expansion in relation to the length of the device in the flat position, an expanding device having four sequentially arranged sections, each of which is articulatable with respect to each adjacent section is provided in some embodiments.

Abstract: An expander for insertion into and expansion of a soft bag or backpack comprising a device which is folded or collapsed to a flat state or spread apart to an expanded state. In the flat position, the soft bag is collapsed to a compact form for shipment. In the expanded position, the bag is expanded to give the appearance that it is filled. In one embodiment, a resilient member automatically urges the device from a flat position to its expanded position when compressive forces are removed from the bag. In another form, a cord is used for manually moving the expander device into its bag-expanded position.

Abstract: An apparatus for insertion into and expansion of a soft bag or backpack, having a relatively flat foldable member, which is connected to a resilient member or an actuating mechanism. The flat member is folded along at least one transverse axis into at least two sections. The resilient member is connected to the opposed ends of the flat member and urges the ends of the flat member inward from its flat position to a folded position. In the folded position, the flat member forms a gable and pushes the sides of the bag outward to expand the bag. In another form, a cord is used to pull the apparatus into its bag expanding position. Relatively flat inserts may be added to promote uniform expansion of the bag.

Abstract: A closure device for a container having a lid hingedly attached at an attachment edge between one lower edge of the lid and a corresponding upper edge of the container comprises a spring means pivotally connected at a first end at a pivot point to a wing means capable of secure attachment to a hinged brace means. The brace means is mounted at its respective ends to an inside wall of the lid and a corresponding inside wall of the container. A second end of the spring means is adapted to be mounted on the inside wall of the container at such a distance from the brace means that when the lid is in a closed position the angle at the pivot point beneath the point exceeds 180 degrees, and when the lid is in an open position the same angle is less than 180 degrees.

Abstract: A cloth bag having the property of maintaining a sustained open-bag configuration once opened and the sides arranged vertically comprising a flat base, a pair of flexible yet retentive side panels and a pair of supple end panels attached to the base, a flexible yet retentive divider panel attached to the end panels and base to divide the bag into two large compartments, closure means, such as a zipper, to join the side panels together along their top edges and fold back and join the end panel top edges onto themselves to form exterior flaps that are folded down and attached to the end flap near the base and a handle for carrying same.

Abstract: Luggage comprises a box and a lid hinged thereto. The box and lid are latched closed by a hasp/latch arrangement. The latch is configured to act upon the hasp to pop-open the lid when the hasp is unlatched. The lid is held open by a stay which includes a non-metallic washer sandwiched between a pair of metallic links. The washer includes a flexing shoulder which yieldably resists rotation of the links. A handle is mounted on the luggage and comprises a flexible grip which is molded onto a stiff skeleton. The latter includes anchoring holes and ribs to prevent separation of the grip from the skeleton. The handle is mounted by means of studs, the latter being secured to the lid or box by means of wedges which are pushed between flexible legs of the studs. Hinges of the lid include plastic ground-engaging pads which are joined to anchoring skirts which prevent dislodgement of the pads from the hinge.