Abstract: A luggage article may include a plurality of walls together defining an outer structure of the luggage article, a wheel bracket attached to and extending from one of the walls, and one or more wheels attached to the wheel bracket. The wheel bracket may comprise a leaf spring having a loop-shaped profile and the one or more wheels may be rotationally attached to a lower end of the loop-shaped leaf spring. The configuration of the wheel bracket may result in higher shock absorption and reduced wheel noise comparative to conventional wheel brackets, and offer an improvement and alternative to conventional luggage wheel brackets.

Abstract: Process of making a plastic component (1), in particular luggage shell, from self-reinforced thermoplastic material, to a plastic component (1) made of self-reinforced thermoplastic material and an apparatus for making such a plastic component, in particular luggage shell (7). The invention provides a new product and process for manufacturing same on the basis of self-reinforced thermoplastic material by means of the step of tensioning said material (lamina), at least partially tensioning said lamina during all follow-up component shaping and/or molding steps up to a release of a component pre-form shape from the remainder lamina, to form the component. The present invention allow the manufacturing of an ultra-light weight luggage shell (7) on the basis of using self-reinforced thermoplastic material, the manufacturing of same can be further enhanced by permanently tensioning said material during all manufacturing steps up to the final finishing of the product.

Abstract: Process of making a plastic component (1), in particular luggage shell, from self-reinforced thermoplastic material, to a plastic component (1) made of self-reinforced thermoplastic material and an apparatus for making such a plastic component, in particular luggage shell (7). The invention provides a new product and process for manufacturing same on the basis of self-reinforced thermoplastic material by means of the step of tensioning said material (lamina), at least partially tensioning said lamina during all follow-up component shaping and/or molding steps up to a release of a component pre-form shape from the remainder lamina, to form the component. The present invention allow the manufacturing of an ultra-light weight luggage shell (7) on the basis of using self-reinforced thermoplastic material, the manufacturing of same can be further enhanced by permanently tensioning said material during all manufacturing steps up to the final finishing of the product.

Abstract: A laminate (110) of polypropylene films (100), a luggage shell (120) constructed of the laminate (110), a method (200) of making the laminate (110), and a method (280) of making the luggage shell (120) are provided. The films (100) include a core (102) and at least one outer layer (104). The laminate (110) includes a plurality of films (100). The laminate (110) may be formed by laminating a plurality of films 100 under predetermined pressure, temperature, and time conditions. The shell (120) may be formed by deep drawing a sheet of laminate (110) while applying heat and tension to the laminate (110).

Abstract: A luggage article may include a plurality of walls together defining an outer structure of the luggage article, a wheel bracket attached to and extending from one of the walls, and one or more wheels attached to the wheel bracket. The wheel bracket may comprise a leaf spring having a loop-shaped profile and the one or more wheels may be rotationally attached to a lower end of the loop-shaped leaf spring. The configuration of the wheel bracket may result in higher shock absorption and reduced wheel noise comparative to conventional wheel brackets, and offer an improvement and alternative to conventional luggage wheel brackets.

Abstract: A luggage article may include a plurality of walls together defining an outer structure of the luggage article, a wheel bracket attached to and extending from one of the walls, and one or more wheels attached to the wheel bracket. The wheel bracket may comprise a leaf spring having a loop-shaped profile and the one or more wheels may be rotationally attached to a lower end of the loop-shaped leaf spring. The configuration of the wheel bracket may result in higher shock absorption and reduced wheel noise comparative to conventional wheel brackets, and offer an improvement and alternative to conventional luggage wheel brackets.

Abstract: A hardside luggage article may include a first shell component formed at least in part by a lamina. The lamina may include a substrate layer, a carrier film, and a material layer affixed to the substrate layer via the carrier film. The substrate layer may define a surface and a first material property. The carrier film may have opposing first and second surfaces. The first surface of the carrier film may be affixed to the surface of the substrate layer. The material layer may be affixed to the second surface of the carrier film. The material layer may define a second material property. The second material property may be different than the first material property. The material layer may form at least one feature protruding away from the surface of the substrate layer.

Abstract: Provided herein is a luggage article 100 that includes two opposing shells 110, 120 hingedly connected together along one edge, and having peripheral rims 210, 250 that abut together in a closed configuration. One of the shells may have a peripheral rim with a recess 220. The other shell may have a peripheral rim with a projecting flange 230, 260 that is engagable within the recess 220 when the case is closed. At least one of the shells 210, 250 may have a second peripheral projecting flange 210, 250 that is arranged to project beyond and be engaged behind a peripheral rim of the opposing shell. The second peripheral projecting flange may be limited to extending from a small portion or along discrete selected sections of the peripheral rim.

Abstract: A laminate (110) of polypropylene films (100), a luggage shell (120) constructed of the laminate (110), a method (200) of making the laminate (110), and a method (280) of making the luggage shell (120) are provided. The films (100) include a core (102) and at least one outer layer (104). The laminate (110) includes a plurality of films (100). The laminate (110) may be formed by laminating a plurality of films 100 under predetermined pressure, temperature, and time conditions. The shell (120) may be formed by deep drawing a sheet of laminate (110) while applying heat and tension to the laminate (110).

Abstract: Protective systems for a luggage piece may include a deformable body and a cover. The cover may be configured to overlie and to be coupled with the deformable body. The cover may be more rigid than the deformable body. The deformable body may include an interior shape at least partially complementary to a recess formed in an exterior surface of the luggage piece. The deformable body may be joined to the luggage piece when positioned at least partially in the recess. External impacts exerted on the cover may be transmitted across the cover such that the forces associated with such external impacts may be exerted on the deformable body across a larger surface area than a surface area of the cover receiving the external impacts and may be at least partially absorbed by the deformable body.

Abstract: Protective systems (1000) for a luggage piece (100) may include a deformable body (1002) and a cover (1004). The cover (1004) may be configured to overlie and to be coupled with the deformable body (1002). The cover (1004) may be more rigid than the deformable body (1002). The deformable body (1002) may include an interior shape (1034) at least partially complementary to a recess (1003) formed in an exterior surface (101) of the luggage piece (100). The deformable body (1002) may be joined to the luggage piece (100) when positioned at least partially in the recess (1003). External impacts exerted on the cover (1004) may be transmitted across the cover (1004) such that the forces associated with such external impacts may be exerted on the deformable body (1002) across a larger surface area than a surface area of the cover (1004) receiving the external impacts and may be at least partially absorbed by the deformable body (1002).

Abstract: A luggage article may include a plurality of walls together defining an outer structure of the luggage article, a wheel bracket attached to and extending from one of the walls, and a wheel attached to the wheel bracket. The wheel bracket may comprise first and second elongate arms extending along a common side of the wheel. The first and second arms may be vertically-spaced apart from one another over at least a portion of the length of the first and second arms. The configuration of the wheel bracket may result in higher shock absorption and reduced wheel noise comparative to conventional wheel brackets, and offer an improvement and alternative to conventional luggage wheel brackets.

Abstract: A luggage article may include a plurality of walls together defining an outer structure of the luggage article, a wheel bracket attached to and extending from one of the walls, and one or more wheels attached to the wheel bracket. The wheel bracket may comprise a leaf spring having a loop-shaped profile and the one or more wheels may be rotationally attached to a lower end of the loop-shaped leaf spring. The configuration of the wheel bracket may result in higher shock absorption and reduced wheel noise comparative to conventional wheel brackets, and offer an improvement and alternative to conventional luggage wheel brackets.

Abstract: A luggage piece may include a first shell and a second shell pivotably joined to the first shell. The luggage piece may include a clamp-type latch configured to releasably secure the first shell to the second shell. The luggage case may further include a frame assembly. The frame assembly may include opposing first and second frame members. The first frame member and the second frame member may be joined to the first shell and the second shell, respectively. The first and second frame members may be pivotably joined together by a hinge. The first frame member may be configured with a first recess to receive therein at least a portion of the clamp-type latch such that exterior surfaces of the first shell, the first frame member, and the clamp-type latch are substantially flush with each other when the clamp-type latch is positioned in its latched position.

Abstract: A luggage case may include opposing sidewalls forming minor faces, opposing sidewalls forming major faces, and opposing end walls together forming an article defining an enclosed space. A line of separation may be formed in said minor faces and end walls. A first portion of the line of separation may extend along a first portion of opposing minor faces at a location proximate one of said opposing major faces and corresponding one of said opposing end walls positioned therebetween. A second portion of the line of separation may extend along a second portion of said opposing minor faces in a direction away from said one of said opposing major faces and towards other of said opposing major faces.

Abstract: A luggage article may include a plurality of walls together defining an outer structure of the luggage article, a wheel bracket attached to and extending from one of the walls, and a wheel attached to the wheel bracket. The wheel bracket may comprise first and second elongate arms extending along a common side of the wheel. The first and second arms may be vertically-spaced apart from one another over at least a portion of the length of the first and second arms. The configuration of the wheel bracket may result in higher shock absorption and reduced wheel noise comparative to conventional wheel brackets, and offer an improvement and alternative to conventional luggage wheel brackets.

Abstract: A luggage piece may include a first shell and a second shell pivotably joined to the first shell. The luggage piece may include a clamp-type latch configured to releasably secure the first shell to the second shell. The luggage case may further include a frame assembly. The frame assembly may include opposing first and second frame members. The first frame member and the second frame member may be joined to the first shell and the second shell, respectively. The first and second frame members may be pivotably joined together by a hinge. The first frame member may be configured with a first recess to receive therein at least a portion of the clamp-type latch such that exterior surfaces of the first shell, the first frame member, and the clamp-type latch are substantially flush with each other when the clamp-type latch is positioned in its latched position.

Abstract: Protective systems (1000) for a luggage piece (100) may include a deformable body (1002) and a cover (1004). The cover (1004) may be configured to overlie and to be coupled with the deformable body (1002). The cover (1004) may be more rigid than the deformable body (1002). The deformable body (1002) may include an interior shape (1034) at least partially complementary to a recess (1003) formed in an exterior surface (101) of the luggage piece (100). The deformable body (1002) may be joined to the luggage piece (100) when positioned at least partially in the recess (1003). External impacts exerted on the cover (1004) may be transmitted across the cover (1004) such that the forces associated with such external impacts may be exerted on the deformable body (1002) across a larger surface area than a surface area of the cover (1004) receiving the external impacts and may be at least partially absorbed by the deformable body (1002).

Abstract: Process of making a plastic component (1), in particular luggage shell, from self-reinforced thermoplastic material, to a plastic component (1) made of self-reinforced thermoplastic material and an apparatus for making such a plastic component, in particular luggage shell (7). The invention provides a new product and process for manufacturing same on the basis of self-reinforced thermoplastic material by means of the step of tensioning said material (lamina), at least partially tensioning said lamina during all follow-up component shaping and/or molding steps up to a release of a component pre-form shape from the remainder lamina, to form the component. The present invention allow the manufacturing of an ultra-light weight luggage shell (7) on the basis of using self-reinforced thermoplastic material, the manufacturing of same can be further enhanced by permanently tensioning said material during all manufacturing steps up to the final finishing of the product.

Abstract: A luggage case may include opposing sidewalls forming minor faces, opposing sidewalls forming major faces, and opposing end walls together forming an article defining an enclosed space. A line of separation may be formed in said minor faces and end walls. A first portion of the line of separation may extend along a first portion of opposing minor faces at a location proximate one of said opposing major faces and corresponding one of said opposing end walls positioned therebetween. A second portion of the line of separation may extend along a second portion of said opposing minor faces in a direction away from said one of said opposing major faces and towards other of said opposing major faces.