Patents by Inventor Dirk Santy

Dirk Santy has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11786021
    Abstract: A piece of luggage may include a front side, a rear side, a top side, a bottom side, a right side and a left side that define an enclosed space. The enclosed space may be divided into one or more compartments. The luggage may further include at least one zipper to access the enclosed space. The at least one zipper may include a zipper track, at least one zipper slider, and at least on zipper tab. At least a portion of the zipper track may be positioned within one or more recessed areas defined by at least some of the sides of the luggage. In some embodiments, the zipper track may be positioned within the one or more recessed areas along substantially the entire length of the zipper track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a r.l.
    Inventors: Reinhard Meersschaert, Dirk Santy
  • Publication number: 20230276914
    Abstract: A piece of luggage may include a front side, a rear side, a top side, a bottom side, a right side and a left side that define an enclosed space. The enclosed space may be divided into one or more compartments. The luggage may further include at least one zipper to access the enclosed space. The at least one zipper may include a zipper track, at least one zipper slider, and at least on zipper tab. At least a portion of the zipper track may be positioned within one or more recessed areas defined by at least some of the sides of the luggage. In some embodiments, the zipper track may be positioned within the one or more recessed areas along substantially the entire length of the zipper track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Reinhard Meersschaert, Dirk Santy
  • Patent number: 10292472
    Abstract: Luggage cases of the soft-side construction are perceived to be lighter than hard-side cases. However, many rigidifying elements in soft-side cases tend to add to the weight of a soft-side luggage case. This reduces its weight advantage over molded shell luggage cases. Using a textile body in the luggage case to form both the grip of a carry handle and a portion of the outer surface of the luggage helps reduce the weight of the luggage. The textile body may be attached to a thin resilient wire hoop to resist distortion of the luggage case when is it lifted by the handle. This construction saves weight in comparison to conventional luggage case constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a r.l.
    Inventors: Dirk Santy, Joris Smeuninx, George Teixeira, Kenzo Yoneno
  • Patent number: 10194727
    Abstract: A luggage article may include first and second opposing panels each forming a major face panel, first and second opposing side panels each forming a minor face panel and first and second end panels. The panels together may form an article defining an enclosed space. At least one panel of the major face panels the minor face panels, or the end panels may define a groove adjacent to the periphery thereof. The luggage article may further include a first frame structure having a first frame member. The first frame member may define a ring structure positioned about the periphery of the at least one panel. The first frame member, the at least one panel, and at least one adjacent luggage panel may be joined together by a fastener positioned through the first frame member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Reinhard Meersschaert, Dirk Santy
  • Patent number: 9681717
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Reinhard Meersschaert, Dirk Santy
  • Publication number: 20160029763
    Abstract: A luggage article may include first and second opposing panels each forming a major face panel, first and second opposing side panels each forming a minor face panel and first and second end panels. The panels together may form an article defining an enclosed space. At least one panel of the major face panels the minor face panels, or the end panels may define a groove adjacent to the periphery thereof. The luggage article may further include a first frame structure having a first frame member. The first frame member may define a ring structure positioned about the periphery of the at least one panel. The first frame member, the at least one panel, and at least one adjacent luggage panel may be joined together by a fastener positioned through the first frame member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: Reinhard Meersschaert, Dirk Santy
  • Patent number: 9155369
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Dirk Santy
  • Publication number: 20140311848
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Reinhard Meersschaert, Dirk Santy
  • Publication number: 20140131155
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Dirk Santy
  • Publication number: 20140124317
    Abstract: Luggage cases of the soft-side construction are perceived to be lighter than hard-side cases. However, many rigidifying elements in soft-side cases tend to add to the weight of a soft-side luggage case. This reduces its weight advantage over molded shell luggage cases. Using a textile body in the luggage case to form both the grip of a carry handle and a portion of the outer surface of the luggage helps reduce the weight of the luggage. The textile body may be attached to a thin resilient wire hoop to resist distortion of the luggage case when is it lifted by the handle. This construction saves weight in comparison to conventional luggage case constructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a r.l.
    Inventors: Dirk Santy, Joris Smeuninx, George Teixeira, Kenzo Yoneno
  • Patent number: 8695770
    Abstract: Generally, embodiments discussed herein may include an article of softside luggage including flexible portions formed from flexible material and a rigid or semi-rigid reinforcing member. One embodiment may take the form of a wheeled duffel including a base wall, a top wall opposite the base wall, a plurality of sidewalls extending upwardly from the base wall to the top wall, a top end wall, and a bottom end wall opposite the top end wall. The wheeled duffel may further include a reinforcing member forming the top and bottom end walls and extending along the base wall from the top end wall to the bottom end wall. The reinforcing member may have an hourglass shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Dirk Santy
  • Patent number: 8668064
    Abstract: One example may be directed to a luggage case including a first wire frame element forming at least a partial shape of a main body, an inner material attached at least in part to the first wire frame element, an outer material positioned over the first wire frame element, and a second wire frame element attached at least in part to the inner material and the outer material. The outer material is not attached to the first wire frame element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a. r.l.
    Inventors: Dirk Santy, Luc K. F. Huyghe
  • Patent number: 8636123
    Abstract: Luggage cases of the soft-side construction are perceived to be lighter than hard-side cases. However, many rigidifying elements in soft-side cases tend to add to the weight of a soft-side luggage case. This reduces its weight advantage over molded shell luggage cases. Using a textile body in the luggage case to form both the grip of a carry handle and a portion of the outer surface of the luggage helps reduce the weight of the luggage. The textile body may be attached to a thin resilient wire hoop to resist distortion of the luggage case when is it lifted by the handle. This construction saves weight in comparison to conventional luggage case constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Dirk Santy, Joris Smeuninx, George Teixeira, Kenzo Yoneno
  • Publication number: 20130220755
    Abstract: A piece of luggage may include a front side, a rear side, a top side, a bottom side, a right side and a left side that define an enclosed space. The enclosed space may be divided into one or more compartments. The luggage may further include at least one zipper to access the enclosed space. The at least one zipper may include a zipper track, at least one zipper slider, and at least on zipper tab. At least a portion of the zipper track may be positioned within one or more recessed areas defined by at least some of the sides of the luggage. In some embodiments, the zipper track may be positioned within the one or more recessed areas along substantially the entire length of the zipper track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSONITE IP HOLDINGS S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Reinhard Meersschaert, Dirk Santy
  • Patent number: 8353400
    Abstract: A lightweight computer carrying case (1) has an undulating leaf spring (17) enclosed between two layers of foam. The foam strips and leaf spring are bonded to one another, and the combined spring protection system (15) is surrounded by an aesthetic layer of fabric and mounted in the interior of a main packing compartment. Once snugly fitted betwixt the spring protection device, the computer (23) is strapped in and enjoys superior safety from impact forces, including impacts felt on the corner of the carrying case. The foam is of EVA construction and the leaf spring comprises polypropylene or ABS. A unique and aesthetically pleasing outer pocket with a curving zippered access (29) holds valuables, and a sleeve pocket on the outer front face of the case provides easy access to computer peripherals and such.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Dirk Santy, Donald John Wilson
  • Patent number: D666003
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Dirk Santy, Joris Smeuninx
  • Patent number: D666004
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Dirk Santy, Joris Smeuninx
  • Patent number: D678678
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a r.l.
    Inventors: Dirk Santy, Joris Smeuninx, George Teixeira
  • Patent number: D697717
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a r.l.
    Inventor: Dirk Santy
  • Patent number: D698153
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Dirk Santy