Abstract: A luggage article 100 is provided. The luggage article 100 may include a reinforcing board 202, and a closed loop frame 206. The reinforcing board 206 may include a central portion 220 and first and second side portions 224, 226 on opposing lateral sides of the central portion 220. The central portion may extend over a rear side 120 of the luggage article 100. The first and second side portions 224, 226 may extend over at least part of the opposing left 126 and right 128 sides of the luggage case 100. The closed loop frame 206 may match and aligned with the distal edge 250 of the first side portion 224 or the second side portion 226 of the reinforcing board 220. The top section 226 of the closed loop frame may also curve around the top edges (142, 144) of the luggage case 100 to extend at least partially over the top side 122 to match and align with the inwardly curved side edge 282 of the top portion 228.

Abstract: A luggage article 100 is provided. The luggage article 100 may include a reinforcing board 202, and a closed loop frame 206. The reinforcing board 206 may include a central portion 220 and first and second side portions 224, 226 on opposing lateral sides of the central portion 220. The central portion may extend over a rear side 120 of the luggage article 100. The first and second side portions 224, 226 may extend over at least part of the opposing left 126 and right 128 sides of the luggage case 100. The closed loop frame 206 may match and aligned with the distal edge 250 of the first side portion 224 or the second side portion 226 of the reinforcing board 220. The top section 226 of the closed loop frame may also curve around the top edges (142, 144) of the luggage case 100 to extend at least partially over the top side 122 to match and align with the inwardly curved side edge 282 of the top portion 228.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A backpack may include a main body that defines a main compartment that may be accessed by a closure mechanism. The backpack may incorporate a secondary panel and a sleeping bag. The secondary panel may be permanently or removably attached to the backpack. The sleeping bag may be permanently or removably attached to the secondary panel. The secondary panel and the backpack may define a space to receive the sleeping bag. The secondary panel may conform to the shape of the backpack while the sleeping bag is received between the secondary panel and the backpack.

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.

Abstract: The present embodiment provides a neat, tailored accordion gusset 4 with crisscrossing elastic ribbons 22 attached to opposite rigid wire frames 8 and 10 of the expandable gusset 4, as well as a tensioned bungee cord 20 attached to the innermost edge of the center seam 26 of the expansion gusset 4. These elastic members 22 are enclosed and sealed from view by the outermost wall 6 of the luggage case 2 and an inner wall 14 defined by an elastic textile such as Spandex or the like. The resulting expansion gusset 4 can best be built into a main packing compartment door 6 of the luggage case 2 and will expand in response to over-packing of the main packing compartment 18 by expanding the expansion gusset 4 in response to the pressure of the goods against the restoring force of the various elastic members 22.

Abstract: Luggage cases have been provided with expandable sections that permit the luggage case to accommodate varying amounts of the traveler's goods. These systems have included a flaccid textile gusset section, normally closed and surrounded by a zipper. The zipper can be opened fully to permit this gusset to expand. Elastically controlled gussets have also been proposed. The instant invention provides a neat, tailored accordion gusset 4 with crisscrossing elastic ribbons 22 attached to opposite rigid wire frames 8 and 10 of the expandable gusset 4, as well as a tensioned bungee cord 20 attached to the innermost edge of the center seam 26 of the expansion gusset 4. These elastic members 22 are enclosed and sealed from view by the outermost wall 6 of the luggage case 2 and an inner wall 14 defined by an elastic textile such as Spandex or the like.

Abstract: Handles to carry luggage handles have been made of a variety of materials and in a variety of styles. Some require specially molded, cast, or stamped parts of plastic, rubber or metal. But, such handles tend to be expensive and heavy. Here a handle is constructed from a pair of webbing pieces edge stitched to form an elongated tube into which a specially constructed filler member or core is inserted. This core comprises a central stiffening member of a tempered steel wire rod and a plastic tube. Several layers of foam padding are wound around this member, and the entire assembly is slid into the cavity formed by the edge sewn webbing pieces to form a grip. The lengths of the webbing pieces are such to form integral straps for attaching the grip directly to a luggage case.