Abstract: An improved design for a rolling suitcase having a retractable handle assembly is disclosed. The design includes a multi-piece molded shell having opposing side and end walls and a bottom wall, which together form a packing area. The telescoping tubes of the handle are located outside the packing area to maximize the packing area, and also to provide a flat bottom surface to minimize wrinkling of packed articles. The wheel skids are moved to the outer corners of the suitcase to minimize intrusion into the packing area. The tubes are made from fiber reinforced polymer for enhanced strength, and are concealed from view by a covering envelope. The handle assembly and wheel skids attach to the shell in a manner that enhances the structural strength and rigidity of the suitcase. Wear points on the handle assembly are provided with removable wear members made from abrasion-resistant material.

Abstract: A backpack has a generally rigid support having a front face and a back face, shoulder straps attached to the support for holding same against a back of a user, and structure on the back face for holding an object. A pressurizable and flexible bladder covers generally all of the front face of the support and has a closable fill opening. This bladder is secured to the front face of the support with the fill opening accessible.

Abstract: A suitcase has a plurality of walls at least one of which is rigid. The walls defining a storage space. The one wall is formed of a side panel of relatively soft moldable plastic and a plurality of fiber-glass rods imbedded in the panel and rigidifying it. Such a system is normally used where the suitcase has two such similar side panels extending parallel to and spaced from each other.

Abstract: An item of expandable luggage having a main body and an expandable member. A locking expansion means connects the main body to the expandable member, and includes at least one fixed plate and corresponding slidable plate slidably coupled together. Each fixed plate is fixedly mounted to the main body and includes a plurality of locking apertures. Each slidable plate is fixedly mounted to the expandable member and includes an expansion control mechanism for controlling displacement of the slidable plate with respect to its corresponding fixed plate. Each expansion control mechanism includes an actuator for engaging a first end of a rotatable crank. A locking element includes opposing first and second ends. The second end of the locking element engages the second end of the crank. The first end of the locking element slidably engages with one of the apertures of the first fixed plate in response to the actuator engaging the corresponding crank.

Abstract: A retractable carry strap (12) for carrying cases (10) such as luggage, suitcases, or briefcases, wherein the retractor device is in the form of compact spring biasing compartments (12) are provided to apply resilient retraction forces (10) to the carry strap to return it to a position in close proximity to the carrying case and to store strap retracting energy when the shoulder strap is extended away from the carrying case.

Abstract: A swivel hook assembly has a head on its pin rotatable in a limb of a loop which is formed with a raised rim outwardly of a collar extending inwardly from the limb into the loop and surrounding the bore receiving the pin to prevent enlargement of the bore and escape of the pin from the bore with separation of the hook from the loop.