Abstract: A luggage case (100, 600, 700, 800, 900) may include opposing sidewalls forming minor faces (105, 106), opposing sidewalls forming major faces (101, 102), and opposing end walls (103, 104) together forming an article defining an enclosed space (109). A line of separation (150) may be formed in said minor faces (105, 160) and end walls (103, 104). A first portion of the line of separation (150) may extend along a first portion of opposing minor faces (105, 106) at a location proximate one of said opposing major faces (101, 102) and corresponding one of said opposing end walls (103, 104) positioned therebetween. A second portion of the line of separation (150) may extend along a second portion of said opposing minor faces (105, 106) in a direction away from said one of said opposing major faces (101, 102) and towards other of said opposing major faces (101, 102).
Abstract: A suitcase may include at least two panels defining a pocket, a substantially planar object sized for receipt within a pocket, at least one guide joined to at least one of the at least two panels, and at least one connection assembly joining the substantially planar object to the at least one guide. The substantially planar object may be a table. The at least one connection assembly and the at least one guide may be configured to allow the at least one connection assembly to move along the guide. The at least one connection assembly may further be configured to allow the table to pivot relative to an outer surface of the suitcase. The table may be supported by an upper outer surface of the suitcase. The table may provide a working surface for a user.
Abstract: An adjustable apparatus (e.g., a case or sleeve) for carrying a portable electronic device may include a back wall, a right wall, a left wall, and a front wall. The back wall may include right, left, bottom and top edges. The right, left and front walls may each include a free end and an attached end opposite the free end. The right wall's attached end may be joined to the back wall closer to the right edge than the left edge. The left wall's attached end may be joined to the back wall closer to the left edge than the right edge. The front wall's attached end may be joined to the back wall closer to the bottom edge than the top edge. The free ends of the right and left walls may be repeatably and adjustably coupled to the front wall via securing features, such as hook-and-loop fasteners.
Abstract: A luggage item may include a first and second outer portions defining an inner compartment of the luggage item and a closing mechanism. At least one of the first outer portion or the second outer portion may include a frame structure and a relatively flexible cover member. The closing mechanism may be configured to operably engage a peripheral edge of each of the outer portions and configured to selectively open and close the luggage item. The frame structure may include a first frame member. The first frame member may form at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the at least one of the first outer portion or the second outer portion. The first frame member may define a width dimension extending in a direction away from the peripheral edge. The relatively flexible cover member and the closing mechanism may be joined to the first frame member by a common sewn attachment.
Abstract: A backpack may include a main body that defines a main compartment that may be accessed by a sealing mechanism. The backpack may also include a shoulder strap that is coupled to a first portion of the main body and coupled to a second portion of the main body, with the second portion of the main body distal the first portion. The backpack may also include a secondary support strap coupled to the shoulder strap and the first portion of the main body.
Abstract: A wheel assembly for a luggage item and a luggage item. The wheel assembly may include a housing for operably coupling the wheel assembly to a luggage item. The wheel assembly may also include a wheel support rotatably coupled to the housing and having a first axis of rotation. The wheel support may be coupled to a wheel member having a second axis of rotation. A friction reduction member may be positioned between the housing and the wheel support to facilitate the relative rotation therebetween. The wheel support may include an underside defining in part a conical shape.
Abstract: A luggage case may include opposing sidewalls forming minor faces, opposing sidewalls forming major faces, and opposing end walls together forming an article defining an enclosed space. A line of separation may be formed in said minor faces and end walls. A first portion of the line of separation may extend along a first portion of opposing minor faces at a location proximate one of said opposing major faces and corresponding one of said opposing end walls positioned therebetween. A second portion of the line of separation may extend along a second portion of said opposing minor faces in a direction away from said one of said opposing major faces and towards other of said opposing major faces.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 8, 2013
Date of Patent:
June 23, 2015
Assignee:
Samsonite IP Holdings S.a r.l.
Inventors:
Sean B. Farrelly, Rik Hillaert, Vivien Cheng, Jean-Claude Van De Walle, Wim De Vos, Richard Miles
Abstract: An apparatus for selectively securing at least a first zipper closure mechanism (25) and a second zipper closure mechanism (135) of a luggage case (100), may include a lock device (145) coupled to the luggage case (100). The lock device (14) includes a lock mechanism (158) operable between a locked and unlocked configuration, at least two securing recesses (151, 152, 153, 154) for releasable receipt of at least a portion of each of the respective first and second zipper closure mechanisms (125, 135), and at least one release member (160) for actuating the lock mechanism (158).
Abstract: A piece of luggage (100, 298) may include front, rear, top, bottom, right, and left sides or faces (102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112) that define an enclosed space. The enclosed space may be divided into one or more compartments. The luggage piece may further include at least one zipper (124) to access the enclosed space. The at least one zipper may include a zipper track (132), at least one zipper slider (134), and at least one zipper tab (136). The luggage piece may further include a frame (138, 300) that generally defines the shape of the luggage piece. The frame may include upper and lower bodies (140, 142, 144, 146, 302, 304) that are joined together by elongated structural members (148, 150, 306), such as pultrusions or closed wire loops. The upper bodies may substantially define the top side of the luggage piece, and the lower bodies may substantially define the bottom side of the luggage piece. The upper and lower bodies may be molded, hard bodies.
Abstract: Protective systems (1000) for a luggage piece (100) may include a deformable body (1002) and a cover (1004). The cover (1004) may be configured to overlie and to be coupled with the deformable body (1002). The cover (1004) may be more rigid than the deformable body (1002). The deformable body (1002) may include an interior shape (1034) at least partially complementary to a recess (1003) formed in an exterior surface (101) of the luggage piece (100). The deformable body (1002) may be joined to the luggage piece (100) when positioned at least partially in the recess (1003). External impacts exerted on the cover (1004) may be transmitted across the cover (1004) such that the forces associated with such external impacts may be exerted on the deformable body (1002) across a larger surface area than a surface area of the cover (1004) receiving the external impacts and may be at least partially absorbed by the deformable body (1002).
Abstract: A wheel housing (340) for a luggage case may include first and second pieces (342, 344) pivotally joined together. At least one of the first and second pieces (342, 344) supports an axle (346) that supports a wheel (348). The first piece (342) includes a surface that conforms to a first surface portion of the luggage case (100, 300), and the second piece (344) includes a surface that conforms to a second surface portion of the luggage case (100, 300). The wheel housing (340) may advantageously be coupled to a luggage case (100, 300). The first piece of (342) the wheel housing (340) may be operatively coupled to a first support portion of the luggage case (100, 300), and the second piece (344) of the wheel housing (340) may be coupled to a second support portion of the luggage case (100, 300). The first and second support portions of the luggage case (100, 300) may be defined by a single sheet of material in some examples.