Abstract: A process, and related structure, uses conventional palletized compositions to form the elements of a non-textile fabric by coining a single pellet or briquette of a polymer into an individual element in a single forming step. The steps of the process generally include: a) positioning a pellet in or adjacent to a mold cavity, and b) forcing the pellet into contact with the mold surfaces of the mold cavity to plastically deform the pellet to the shape of the mold cavity. The forcing step preferably uses an energy and speed where the pellet superplastically deforms to substantially fill the mold cavity. This process is repeated with the elements being formed in the appropriate order to form a non-textile fabric. The elements thus formed can have a variety of shapes, and can form base units for the formation of the non-textile fabric of two, three or more elements.

Abstract: A process, and related structure, uses conventional palletized compositions to form the elements of a non-textile fabric by coining a single pellet or briquette of a polymer into an individual element in a single forming step. The steps of the process generally include: a) positioning a pellet in or adjacent to a mold cavity, and b) forcing the pellet into contact with the mold surfaces of the mold cavity to plastically deform the pellet to the shape of the mold cavity. The forcing step preferably uses an energy and speed where the pellet superplastically deforms to substantially fill the mold cavity. This process is repeated with the elements being formed in the appropriate order to form a non-textile fabric. The elements thus formed can have a variety of shapes, and can form base units for the formation of the non-textile fabric of two, three or more elements.

Abstract: A process, and related structure, uses conventional pelletized compositions to form the elements of a non-textile fabric by coining a single pellet or briquette of a polymer into an individual element in a single forming step. The steps of the process generally include: a) positioning a pellet in or adjacent to a mold cavity, and b) forcing the pellet into contact with the mold surfaces of the mold cavity to plastically deform the pellet to the shape of the mold cavity. The forcing step preferably uses an energy and speed where the pellet superplastically deforms to substantially fill the mold cavity. This process is repeated with the elements being formed in the appropriate order to form a non-textile fabric. The elements thus formed can have a variety of shapes, and can form base units for the formation of the non-textile fabric of two, three or more elements.

Abstract: An inventive solid phase forming process, and related structure, using conventional pelletized thermoplastic compositions to form the elements of a non-textile fabric by coining a single pellet or briquette of the polymer into an individual element in a single forming step. The steps of the process generally include: a) positioning a pellet in or adjacent to a mold cavity, and b) forcing the pellet into contact with the mold surfaces of the mold cavity to plastically deform the pellet to cause the pellet to adapt the shape of the mold cavity. The mold cavity has a shape to form the desired element, and its volume is substantially the same as the volume of the pellet. The forcing step or act preferably uses an energy and speed wherein the pellet superplastically deforms to substantially fill the volume of the mold cavity.

Abstract: Wheeled luggage cases include at least two wheels and a handle with which to roll the luggage on these wheels. Most prior art wheel handles require the user to use considerable force to balance the case on these two wheels, either when the case is carrying auxiliary cases or when otherwise fully loaded. The disclosed luggage case has a wheel handle which extends out of and along one side of the case on an arm, and a handle grip mounted on this arm in a way that tips the luggage case forward to better balance over the wheels when carrying varying loads. The wheel handle arm also includes a mechanism that supports the handle grip at different heights to further optimize this load balancing function.

Abstract: Luggage cases usually include wheels to aid in their transport. The wheels and their mounting systems must themselves be extremely sturdy, and should not cause weakness or mechanical failure of the luggage case to which they are mounted. The disclosed cantilever wheel mounting assembly 18 includes an axle 22 with a protruding end 26 that fits into an elastomeric mounting block 20 that in turn is received in a corresponding cavity in a molded luggage case shell. A screw fastener 38 passes through one of the walls 15 of the cavity, and through a corresponding hole 44 in the mounting block and through a hole 28 through the end of the axle 22 to hold the assembly in place while permitting the axle to pivot about the fastener when the elastomeric block flexes in response to vibrations and impacts in use.

Abstract: An auxiliary luggage attachment and security tether mechanism secure an auxiliary luggage case to a main luggage case for support on and by an exterior surface of a main luggage case, and secure at least the main luggage case to an object. The attachment mechanism comprises a clutch mechanism, an elongated flexible strap having an inner end fixably attached to the clutch mechanism and the outer end attached to a hook, the clutch mechanism being biased to pull the flexible strap onto the clutch mechanism and retract the hook to the clutch mechanism. A lid is pivotally mounted adjacent to the clutch mechanism and has a selectively open position where the hook and strap are accessible, and a selectively closed position where the lid covers the clutch mechanism and the strap or hook to the extent the strap is retracted onto the clutch mechanism. The lid engages the clutch mechanism in the open position to release the clutch mechanism whereby the strap can be extended from the clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A children's toilet apparatus is disclosed that is convertible from a free-standing potty chair to a toilet trainer that cooperates with a conventional toilet. The apparatus principally comprises a toilet seat member and adjustable legs which are pivotally interconnected. When employed as a free-standing potty chair, the leg members independently support the toilet seat member. When utilized as a toilet trainer, the leg members are oriented so that the toilet seat member is stabilized on and about the water closet seat of a conventional toilet by virtue of the interconnection of the toilet seat member and the leg members and contact of one of the leg members with a floor surface. In a preferred arrangement, one of the leg members is provided with a step member and hand grips to aid children in positioning themselves on top of the toilet seat member when the apparatus is employed as a toilet trainer.

Abstract: A foldable baby carriage is provided which is foldable to a compact, reduced volume configuration having a height and width essentially less than or equal to the height and width of the back member. In the folded configuration, two of the components, preferably the back member and rear wheels support, cooperate to form a shell which encloses the other two major components of the carriage, preferably the seat member and the front wheels support.

Abstract: A locking trolley for gripping and locking the hooked ends of hangers in a garment bag includes a C-shaped frame member and a jaw member extending forward from the rear of the C-shaped frame member. Gripping pads for gripping the hooked ends of hangers are located between the lower horizontal portion of the C-shaped frame member and the jaw member. A locking arrangement operatively moves the jaw member toward the lower horizontal portion of the frame member to cause the gripping pads to grip the hanger ends and also locks the jaw member in the hanger gripping position. The locking arrangement preferably takes the form of a locking lever pivotably connected to the forward end of the jaw member. The locking lever pivots between the jaw member and the upper horizontal portion of the frame member to hold the jaw member in the locked position. To release the locked relationship the locking lever is grasped and pivoted between the jaw member and the upper horizontal portion of the frame member.

Abstract: A locking trolley for gripping and locking the hooked ends of hangers in a garment bag includes a C-shaped frame member and a jaw member extending forward from the rear of the C-shaped frame member. Gripping pads for gripping the hooked ends of hangers are located between the lower horizontal portion of the C-shaped frame member and the jaw member. A locking arrangement operatively moves the jaw member toward the lower horizontal portion of the frame member to cause the gripping pads to grip the hanger ends and also locks the jaw member in the hanger gripping position. The locking arrangement preferably takes the form of a locking lever pivotably connected to the forward end of the jaw member. The locking lever pivots between the jaw member and the upper horizontal portion of the frame member to hold the jaw member in the locked position. To release the locked relationship the locking lever is grasped and pivoted between the jaw member and the upper horizontal portion of the frame member.

Abstract: A lower edge wall of a luggage case part has camming teeth with intervening grooves. The other case part has a set of spaced apart teeth for consecutive meshing with those of the first case part. One or more leaf springs are received across the meshed teeth of the case parts. The dimensions and geometry of the spring are such that when the case parts reach a predetermined maximum opening angle, the central spring portions contact opposing portions of the two case parts forming a limit stop to further opening of the case.

Abstract: A locking member is secured permanently to one zipper operator as a pull tab and is selectively positionable onto a second pull tab of another zipper operator when the two are located in juxtaposition. A rod-like detent within the locking member is movable under the selective control of a finger actuated member to pass into a loop on the second zipper operator locking the two operators together. A lock is provided actuatable by a key for securing the detent within the loop on the second pull tab and maintaining the zipper closed until affirmatively unlocked and released.

Abstract: A gravity positioned detent is moved into obstructing relation to the end of a slidable latch member when the luggage case is wrong-side-up, preventing operation of the latch mechanism and opening of the case. When oriented right-side-up, the detent is moved out of the way, allowing full operation of the latch mechanism and opening of the case.

Abstract: A first preformed case section with front and bottom panels and top, bottom and side flanges is joined by a hinge with a second case section constructed of two unitarily related preformed parts defining a top, back and end panels. A pair of individual latching mechanisms interconnect the end panels of the two case sections to one another. A locking-latch apparatus is provided on the top panel adjacent the handle, e.g., combination or key lock. With the second case section back wall resting on a horizontal support surface, the first case section on opening extends at 90.degree. to the first case section, with the bottom panel stably resting on the same support surface. Platelike retainers are located on the inner lower panel surface adjacent each end and serve to prevent long garments arranged therein from being clamped between the case section edges during closing.

Abstract: The luggage case has a pair of wheels located at a lower back edge such that when the case rests on a flat surface, the wheels are held spaced from the floor surface. On lifting the case side opposite that including the wheels, the wheels are brought into rolling contact with the floor. A handle assembly is foldably received into the side wall opposite that including the wheels and can be selectively folded outwardly into a position for pulling or pushing, or, when not in use, folded into a receiving recess formed in the case side wall. A spring-loaded latch mechanism secures the handle within the recess during nonuse, and a finger release enables selective extension of the handle outwardly from the case wall for easy access when it is desired to move the case.