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.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively securing at least a first zipper closure mechanism 125 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 145 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 luggage article may include at least one panel attached to other walls to form the luggage article. The at least one panel may be framed by rods and/or a coil spring member connected to corner pieces to form a peripheral frame that extends around and is attached to and supports the periphery of a lamina to thereby form a framed panel that is attached to the other walls to form the luggage article. The configuration of the rods, coil spring member and the corner pieces may result in reduced weight and improved memory and elasticity comparative to conventional frames, and may offer an improvement and alternative to conventional luggage frames.

Abstract: A luggage article having a lower portion supporting a pluralities of supports and including a plurality of walls forming a luggage case structure defining an interior cavity and having a front wall, back wall, opposing side walls, and a bottom wall, at least one support assembly being mounted on a lower portion adjacent the front wall, the lower portion of the front wall has a protruding ledge structure extending at least partially laterally across the front wall, front edges of the opposing sidewalls being offset rearwardly from the front edge of the protruding ledge structure to enhance stability.

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 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: 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 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.

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 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 article having a lower portion supporting a pluralities of supports and including a plurality of walls forming a luggage case structure defining an interior cavity and having a front wall, back wall, opposing side walls, and a bottom wall, at least one support assembly being mounted on a lower portion adjacent the front wall, the lower portion of the front wall has a protruding ledge structure extending at least partially laterally across the front wall, front edges of the opposing sidewalls being offset rearwardly from the front edge of the protruding ledge structure to enhance stability.

Abstract: A luggage article may include at least one panel attached to other walls to form the luggage article. The at least one panel may be framed by rods and/or a coil spring member connected to corner pieces to form a peripheral frame that extends around and is attached to and supports the periphery of a lamina to thereby form a framed panel that is attached to the other walls to form the luggage article. The configuration of the rods, coil spring member and the corner pieces may result in reduced weight and improved memory and elasticity comparative to conventional frames, and may offer an improvement and alternative to conventional luggage frames.

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: 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.

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 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.

Abstract: A luggage case shell may be formed in a molding step. The luggage case shell may including an outer layer formed from a softer material, and a skeletal frame formed from a harder material. The skeletal frame may support the outer layer. A base frame may be joined to the outer layer and the skeletal frame. The base frame may support a telescoping handle and wheels. A foam layer may be positioned between the skeletal frame and the outer layer. Inner surfaces of the skeletal frame and the foam layer may be substantially co-planar. The outer layer and the skeletal frame may be joined in a pressing or molding operation. During the pressing or molding operation, the shell may also be shaped. The base frame or the foam layer may also be joined to the outer layer and the skeletal in the pressing or molding operation.