Abstract: A locking slider assembly includes a rail having a travel direction and a cross-sectional dimension, the rail switchable between a first state in which the cross-sectional dimension has a first value and a second state in which the cross-sectional dimension has a second value, the second value greater than the first value and a slider having a slot that fits over the rail, the slot having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface and second surface separated by a distance aligned with the cross-sectional dimension that is greater than the first value of the cross-sectional dimension and less than or equal to the second value of the cross-sectional dimension, so that the slot can slide over the rail when the rail is in the first state, and the slot cannot slide over the rail when the rail is in the second state.

Abstract: A fold-out tray incorporated in an item of luggage includes a support attached to an item of luggage, the support having an upper end and a lower end, a main panel, the main panel having a distal end and a proximal end, a first connector coupling the proximal end of the main panel to the support, the first connector permitting the main panel to be rotated between a first position against the support and a second position in which the main panel is substantially horizontal, and a brace comprising a proximal end contacting the support at a point below the proximal end of the main panel when the main panel is in the second position and a distal end contacting the main panel between the proximal end of the main panel and the distal end of the main panel when the main panel is in the second position.

Abstract: A collapsible suitcase has a bottom panel, a rear panel, two side panels, and a front panel. The rear panel, side panels, and front panel are connected to the bottom panel by hinges permitting them to be rotated from a folded position against the bottom panel to a deployed position perpendicular to the bottom panel. The side hinges have a clearance sufficiently greater than the clearance of the front hinge to allow the side hinges to lie flat on the front panel when folded, and the rear hinge has a sufficiently greater clearance than that of the side hinges to allow the rear panel to lie flat on the side panels when folded.

Abstract: A luggage item with a hatch includes a first member having a first exterior surface, a second member pivotally connected to the first member, the second member having a second exterior surface, the first and second members movable between a closed position in which the first member and second member together form a substantially enclosed surface about a cavity, the first and second exterior surface together forming the exterior of the luggage item, and an open position in which the cavity is accessible from outside the luggage, an opening in the luggage item through which a user may access the cavity when the first and second members are in the closed position, and a hatch pivotally attached to the exterior, the hatch movable to cover the opening, and a latch connecting the hatch to the exterior when the hatch covers the opening.

Abstract: A collapsible luggage item includes a lower part forming an open-topped box having a substantially rigid bottom and a substantially rigid sidewall substantially perpendicular to the bottom, the sidewall having a lower edge attached to the bottom and an upper edge. The collapsible suitcase includes a collapsible upper part having a plurality of panels, each panel of the plurality of panels having a top edge, and a bottom edge pivotally joined to the upper edge of the sidewall so that each panel may be rotated between a deployed position substantially parallel to the sidewall and a collapsed position with the panel folded into the interior of the lower part, at least one substantially rigid corner brace attached to one of the panels, and at least one fastener that attaches each corner brace to the interior surface of a second panel, adjacent to the first panel, of the plurality of panels.

Abstract: A method for detecting a loss of portable property includes receiving, by a receiver attached to a first portable item, a signal from at least one transmitter attached to a second portable item. The method includes detecting, by the receiver, a change in distance from the at least one transmitter. The method includes determining, by the receiver, using at least one motion sensor, which of the at least one transmitter and the receiver is in motion. The method includes selecting, by the receiver, an alarm condition, based on the determination.

Abstract: A stand attached to a baggage item includes a collapsible shaft having a proximal end attached to the baggage item and a distal end. In some embodiments, the stand includes a support on to which an object may be secured. In some embodiments, the stand includes one or more basal elements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fold-out tray for an item of luggage, the fold-out tray comprising a main panel having a work surface, a connector coupled to the main panel to permit the main panel to rotate between a first position in which the work surface is substantially vertical and a second position in which the work surface is substantially horizontal, and a support coupled to the connector. The support, which enables the fold-out tray to be attached to the item of luggage, has a depression into which the main panel fits when the main panel is in the first position. The fold-out tray also has a securing mechanism that is configured to, when engaged, prevent the main panel from rotating into the second position when the main panel is in the first position, and, when disengaged, allow the main panel to rotate into the second position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a retractable extension handle for an item of luggage, the retractable extension handle comprising a hollow grip, a motion transfer element, a button coupled to the hollow grip and to the motion transfer element, a motion transfer rod coupled to the motion transfer element and to an actuator, and an engagement latch coupled to the actuator. The motion transfer element is set within an interior space of the hollow grip and has a shape that is substantially similar to a shape of at least a portion of the hollow grip. The button enables a user to retract and extend the retractable extension handle. The engagement latch is configured to fix a position of the retractable extension handle relative to the item of luggage. The hollow grip is configured to rotate relative to the actuator.

Abstract: A handle includes a first handle rod having a distal end and a proximal end, a second handle rod having a distal end and a proximal end, the second handle rod coupled to the first handle rod and disposed parallel to the first handle rod, a grip coupled to the distal end of the first handle rod and to the distal end of the second handle rod, and a pocket disposed between the first handle rod and the second handle rod.

Abstract: A collapsible suitcase has a bottom panel, a rear panel, two side panels, and a front panel. The rear panel, side panels, and front panel are connected to the bottom panel by hinges permitting them to be rotated from a folded position against the bottom panel to a deployed position perpendicular to the bottom panel. The side hinges have a clearance sufficiently greater than the clearance of the front hinge to allow the side hinges to lie flat on the front panel when folded, and the rear hinge has a sufficiently greater clearance than that of the side hinges to allow the rear panel to lie flat on the side panels when folded.

Abstract: An extension handle includes a handle portion having a first handle rod slidable relative to an item of luggage, a ring-shaped grip attached to the handle rod, at least one engagement latch in the handle rod that fixes the handle rod relative to the luggage item, a push-button in the grip, a motion transfer ring in an interior space of the ring-shaped grip and coupled to the push-button such that the motion transfer ring is configured to move linearly when the push-button is depressed, a motion transfer rod passing through an opening connecting the grip interior to a handle interior, contacting the motion transfer ring so it moves into the handle when the intermediate member moves toward the handle portion, at least one actuator in the handle portion that slides in the direction of the engagement latch when motion the transfer rod extends into the handle portion, disengaging the latch.

Abstract: An item of luggage includes a first handle rod, the first handle rod having a proximal end and a distal end, a grip coupled to the distal end of the first handle rod, a fold-out tray including a main panel, the main panel having a distal end, a proximal end, and a work surface, and a connector coupled to the proximal end of the main panel, the connector permitting the fold-out tray to be rotated between a first position in which the work surface is substantially parallel to the first handle rod and a second position in which the work surface is substantially perpendicular to the first handle rod.

Abstract: A pull-down cabinet includes a first element fixed to an elevated structure, a second element having at least one storage surface, and at least one resistance mechanism comprising a tube having a substantially closed end, a piston within the tube creating a chamber between the piston and the substantially closed end, and a one-way valve communicating with the chamber such that the one-way valve opens, allowing fluid to pass through the one-way valve rapidly, when the piston is moved in a first direction within the tube, and closes, allowing substantially less fluid to pass through the one-way valve, when the piston is moved in a second direction within the tube, the resistance mechanism joining the first element to the second element so that when the second element slides away from the first element, the one-way valve closes, and when the second element slides toward the first element, the valve opens.