Abstract: An article of luggage with exterior pockets in a moulded portion An article of luggage comprising: a body having an interior defining a body containment volume accessible through a body opening; a lid comprising a moulded concave shell having an interior defining a lid containment volume accessible through a lid opening extending in a lid opening plane; and a hinge between the body and the lid to enable movement of the lid relative to the body between: an open position in which the body and lid containment volumes are accessible through the body and lid openings; and a closed position in which the body and the lid openings cooperate such that the body and lid containment portions are enclosed. The moulded concave shell comprises: a lower protruded portion which protrudes from the lid opening plane via a lower stepped portion; an upper protruded portion which protrudes from the lid opening plane via an upper stepped portion that faces the lower stepped portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a suitcase (100) and a method of manufacturing a suitcase. The suitcase (100) comprises a frame (160) and a fabric cover (110) for the frame (160). The fabric cover (110) is provided external to all outer edges of the frame (160), and the outer edges of the frame (160) internally tension the fabric cover (110) to locate the fabric cover (110) and to define the shape of the suitcase (100).

Abstract: An article of luggage suitable for use as a seat has a resilient frame that defines top, bottom and side portions of the article, and a brace coupled to the frame and configured to resist displacement of the top portion of the article towards the bottom portion when the article rests on its bottom portion and a user sits on the top portion. Also a method of manufacturing such an article of luggage.

Abstract: An article of luggage, such as a trolley suitcase, comprises a shape defining framework. The article of luggage may comprise a shape defining framework and a towing handle telescopically incorporated into the shape defining framework. The shape defining framework may be formed from a plurality of elongate members interconnected at their end regions by connection pieces. At least one wheel can be positioned on the shape defining framework such that when the article of luggage is moved from a standing position to a towing position, the wheel(s) enables the article of luggage to roll along the ground in the direction it is being towed.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement enabling improved handling of the article of luggage. Articles of luggage are disclosed incorporating a variety of manipulation means 20 by which a user may manoeuvre an article of luggage 2 from a first position to a second position, the manipulation means 20 being provided on or over a top or side panel of the article of luggage, the manipulation means being provided with at least two gripping regions, the gripping regions being disposed along different axes to one another.

Abstract: A suitcase is disclosed comprising a first load container section defining at least a first part of a volume for receiving a load and a second container section for cooperation with the base load container section to enclose the volume. The suitcase comprises a base region provided with one or more wheel assemblies, and an upper region at or on which is provided a towing handle (30) adapted to be moved about a single point of contact (32) between a stowed position and a deployed position. This construction provides a towing handle that has the advantages provided by allowing for towing of a wheeled suitcase, while eliminating or at least mitigating the disadvantages of telescopic towing handle arrangements.

Abstract: Generally suitcases, or other articles of luggage, can be divided into ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ constructions. Both kinds of cases have their advantages, but each has its own disadvantages. An article of luggage is disclosed comprising a first portion and a second portion connected by a hinge arrangement, each of the first and second portions including a lower structural assembly (6,10) comprising a shell and an upper structural assembly (8,12) comprising a framework provided with a covering (50), the lower structural assembly and the upper structural assembly being secured together by stitching. Such an article of luggage has as an advantage that the lower structural assembly (6,10) provides stability for wheel fixings (30) and for location of a retractable towing handle assembly (74), while the upper structural assembly provides for a light-weight construction.

Abstract: An article of luggage (2) is disclosed comprising a first portion ((4), (104), (204), (304), (404)), a second portion ((6), (106), (206), (306), (406)), the first and second portions being hingedly connected for movement between a closed position and an open position, and a zip fastener ((50), (150), (250), (350), (450)) for releasably securing the first portion ((4), (104), (204), (304), (404)) of the article of luggage to the second portion ((6), (106), (206), (306), (406)) of the article of luggage in the closed position to define an internal storage volume between the first and second portions of the article of luggage, in which the article of luggage further comprises retention means ((60), (160), (260), (360), (460)) in use extending across the zip fastener ((50), (150), (250), (350), (450)) and in part permanently secured to one of the first and second portions.

Abstract: An article of luggage suitable for use as a seat has a resilient frame that defines top, bottom and side portions of the article, and a brace coupled to the frame and configured to resist displacement of the top portion of the article towards the bottom portion when the article rests on its bottom portion and a user sits on the top portion. Also a method of manufacturing such an article of luggage.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement enabling improved handling of the article of luggage. Articles of luggage are disclosed incorporating a variety of manipulation means 20 by which a user may manoeuvre an article of luggage 2 from a first position to a second position, the manipulation means 20 being provided on or over a top or side panel of the article of luggage, the manipulation means being provided with at least two gripping regions, the gripping regions being disposed along different axes to one another.

Abstract: Generally suitcases, or other articles of luggage, can be divided into ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ constructions. Both kinds of cases have their advantages, but each has its own disadvantages. An article of luggage is disclosed comprising a first portion and a second portion connected by a hinge arrangement, each of the first and second portions including a lower structural assembly (6,10) comprising a shell and an upper structural assembly (8,12) comprising a framework provided with a covering (50), the lower structural assembly and the upper structural assembly being secured together by stitching. Such an article of luggage has as an advantage that the lower structural assembly (6,10) provides stability for wheel fixings (30) and for location of a retractable towing handle assembly (74), while the upper structural assembly provides for a light-weight construction.

Abstract: An article of luggage, such as a trolley suitcase, comprises a shape defining framework. The article of luggage may comprise a shape defining framework and a towing handle telescopically incorporated into the shape defining framework. The shape defining framework may be formed from a plurality of elongate members interconnected at their end regions by connection pieces. At least one wheel can be positioned on the shape defining framework such that when the article of luggage is moved from a standing position to a towing position, the wheel(s) enables the article of luggage to roll along the ground in the direction it is being towed.

Abstract: A suitcase is disclosed comprising a first load container section defining at least a first part of a volume for receiving a load and a second container section for cooperation with the base load container section to enclose the volume. The suitcase comprises a base region provided with one or more wheel assemblies, and an upper region at or on which is provided a towing handle (30) adapted to be moved about a single point of contact (32) between a stowed position and a deployed position. This construction provides a towing handle that has the advantages provided by allowing for towing of a wheeled suitcase, while eliminating or at least mitigating the disadvantages of telescopic towing handle arrangements.

Abstract: An article of luggage, such as a trolley suitcase, comprises a shape defining framework. The article of luggage may comprise a shape defining framework and a towing handle telescopically incorporated into the shape defining framework. The shape defining framework may be formed from a plurality of elongate members interconnected at their end regions by connection pieces. At least one wheel can be positioned on the shape defining framework such that when the article of luggage is moved from a standing position to a towing position, the wheel(s) enables the article of luggage to roll along the ground in the direction it is being towed.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of towing multiple articles of luggage which are unstable and awkward when being towed and, in particular, relates to an article of luggage, wherein the article of luggage comprises a base portion; a lid portion hingedly attached to the base portion and wherein the base and lid portions are arranged to open and close; a trolley handle arrangement located at a first end of the article of luggage; a set of wheels located at or about an opposed end of the article of luggage to the trolley handle arrangement; a first complementary portion of a first two-part connector means; and in an opposed orientation, a first complementary portion of a second two-part connector means; and wherein in use the first complementary portion of the first two-part connector means is operable to connect to a second complementary portion of the first two-part connector means located on a second article of luggage, and wherein the first complementary portion of the second two-part connector me

Abstract: A method of producing an article of luggage characterized by a “soft” case construction characterized by the steps of molding from a material exhibiting “soft” case characteristics lid forming and base forming sections of such construction as to be shape wise self supporting in the absence of a perimeter frame and side, base or back panels whereby the form of the case is established and maintained by the molded lid and base sections; and an article of luggage produced by the method and characterized by a “soft” case construction including lid and base forming sections of such construction as to be shape wise self supporting in the absence of a perimeter frame and side, base or back panels whereby the form of the case is established and maintained by the molded lid and base sections.

Abstract: A hard suitcase includes a base portion and a lid portion each formed of a plastics material of such characteristic that the base and lid portions retain their intended shape. The hard suitcase also includes a zip fastener arrangement that is stitched to the base and lid portions. The zip fastener arrangement has an expandability feature to permit volume expansion of the hard suitcase.

Abstract: An article of luggage, such as a trolley suitcase, comprises a shape defining framework. The article of luggage may comprise a shape defining framework and a towing handle telescopically incorporated into the shape defining framework. The shape defining framework may be formed from a plurality of elongate members interconnected at their end regions by connection pieces. At least one wheel can be positioned on the shape defining framework such that when the article of luggage is moved from a standing position to a towing position, the wheel(s) enables the article of luggage to roll along the ground in the direction it is being towed.

Abstract: A method of producing an article of luggage characterized by a “soft” case construction characterized by the steps of molding from a material exhibiting “soft” case characteristics lid forming and base forming sections of such construction as to be shape wise self supporting in the absence of a perimeter frame and side, base or back panels whereby the form of the case is established and maintained by the molded lid and base sections; and an article of luggage produced by the method and characterized by a “soft” case construction including lid and base forming sections of such construction as to be shape wise self supporting in the absence of a perimeter frame and side, base or back panels whereby the form of the case is established and maintained by the molded lid and base sections.

Abstract: A hard suitcase includes a base portion and a lid portion each formed of a plastics material of such characteristic that the base and lid portions retain their intended shape. The hard suitcase also includes a zip fastener arrangement that is stitched to the base and lid portions. The zip fastener arrangement has an expandability feature to permit volume expansion of the hard suitcase.