Abstract: The surfaces of a metal pull tab which is hingedly secured to a metal bracket on a zipper slider and/or the surface of the bracket which engages the pull tab is covered by a non-metallic relatively soft coating which prevents wear caused by metal-to-metal contact between the pull tab and the bracket and reduces noise caused by free-swinging contact between the pull tab and the zipper or slider to which it is attached.

Abstract: Zipper closures, luggage locks attached to zipper closures and retractable handles on travel bags are protected by covers which conceal such luggage hardware when in the closed or retracted position. The protective covers are in the form of rectangular flaps or the like which have one edge secured to the bag and aligned so that the flap is extendable over and attached or attachable to the bag on the opposite side of the zipper or handle so that the luggage hardware is covered and protected during transit.

Abstract: A rigid frame travel bag equipped with wheels and a retractable handle is formed with a rigid frame assembly which includes a front panel, a rear panel and a shell in the form of a C-shaped bottom panel. The rigid frame members are constructed of extruded plastic material such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). For increased strength and reduced weight, each panel is formed with longitudinally extending cells defined by longitudinally extending ribs. The front and rear panels are attached to the C-shaped bottom panel by integrally formed connecting flanges which extend in overlapping engagement with the inside surfaces of end panel portions extending from the bottom panel. The front and rear panels are also attached to and stabilized on one of the end panel portions by wheel assembly support plates.

Abstract: A rigid frame garment bag travel case combination is formed in a rectilinear shaped case having opposed openable main compartments which share a common side. Each compartment is bounded by a partial rigid U-shaped frame. Between the openable compartments is a common wall provided with a separate planar frame which protects garments, especially suits or dresses, which may be hung from one compartment across the common side and into the other main compartment and secured by crossing straps. A small fold-out fabric panel attached to the lower edge of a lower main compartment is capable of holding dresses which are longer than both compartments. A larger fold-out panel is attached to one side of both main compartments and has a number of pockets for soft garments. The larger panel is folded over the openable compartments and the smaller panel. It is secured along its edge with a zipper.

Abstract: Wheeled luggage apparatus having a pair of independent wheel assemblies is formed with a frame having first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. A first notch (which extends from edge to interior side surfaces of the first and second sidewalls) and a second notch (which extends from edge to interior side surfaces of the second and third sidewalls) are formed in the frame. First and second wheel assemblies, each fully independent from the other, are mounted to the frame of the wheeled luggage apparatus. Each of the independent wheel assemblies is comprised of first and second subassemblies. Each of the first subassemblies are comprised of a central wheel well and first and second flanges while each of the second subassemblies are comprised of a central portion and first and second flanges.