Abstract: A carrying bag includes a bag body including first and second panels cooperating to substantially form a first compartment therebetween; an expandable compartment configured for housing an object, the expandable compartment including first and second areas cooperating with each other; the first area being connected to the bag body, the first area having two end portions, each end portion comprising a protrusion, and the first area having a fold line approximately along its center, the second area comprising three regions configured to cooperate with each other; and a cord capable of cooperating with the second area for facilitating the cooperation of the three regions. The shape of the protrusions of the end portions prevents the visibility of the first area to a user when the compartment is in an unexpanded configuration.

Abstract: A towing arrangement includes a pivotal handle which allows a user to position the handle more comfortably that would otherwise be possible with a conventional towing arrangement. The relative motion of the handle can also increase the maneuverability of a piece of luggage by eliminating the need for a person to reposition his or her hand on the handle when attempting to redirect the piece of luggage.

Abstract: A composite handle for a carrying case and for being collapsably self-pivoting downward to an unobtrusive and decorative position on the carrying case after being released. The carrying case has a top and is carried by a user. The composite handle includes a pair of handle components. Each handle component connects to an opposite side of the carrying case. The pair of handle components are movable between an inactive mode where the pair of handle components lay substantially flat on the top of the carrying case and an active mode where the pair of handle components are proximate, but not connected to each other to form the composite handle gripped by the user. The pair of handle components are arranged to be movable relative to each so as to allow each handle component, when released by the user, to return to the inactive mode thereof by itself, with one handle component overlapping the other handle component unobtrusively and decoratively.

Abstract: A retaining assembly includes a first portion capable of being attached a strap, a second portion capable of being secured to the first portion, the second portion including a retaining portion capable of cooperating with a harnessing member; and a member capable of sliding over the retaining portion and cooperating with the second portion in a plurality of positions. When the member is in a first position, the combination of the retaining portion and the member is capable of retaining the harnessing member, and the retaining assembly is prevented from pivoting around the harnessing member.

Abstract: A computer carrying case has an outer receptacle with walls of flexible material joined to form a fully enclosed volume. The outer receptacle receives a computer receptacle having front and back walls that include substantially rigid panels and that are coupled together at the ends by devices that permit the width of the computer receptacle between the front and back walls to be adjusted so that laptop computers of different thicknesses can be accommodated reasonably snugly.