Carry on multi-function luggage

Abstract

Disclosed is an airline carry on bag having a considerable number of features. Two of its most unique are a hinged door that includes a lounge chair, and a movable compartment divider to allow separation of laundry from clean clothes. It is movable so that more and more of the interior accommodates laundry and less and less accommodates clean clothes as the journey progresses. Other features are a telescoping handle, that includes rod hinges to flip down to create a tabletop surface to be used for a laptop computer and also for food trays and beverages, a lockable safe drawer with external access, an externally accessible zippered opening containing a freshen kit, a zippered closure hinged at the bottom so that the interior of the luggage can be partially unzipped to access the interior without laying the bag down, an external netting to store a newspaper, a large digital travel clock externally visible including an alarm clock, a bag levelling mechanism when laid down, a telescoping add-on cart that supports the weight of additional bags, wheels that are large enough and light enough to accommodate bringing the luggage over curbs, escalators and rough ground, a fixed identification plate and the like.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of travel luggage, and more specifically concerns luggage that is specially adapted by reason of size and functionality for use with travel on commercial airliners. The airlines have rules that allow luggage of a certain size to be carried on board and placed in overhead bins or underneath the seat in front, and the present invention is designed to comply with those rules. The invention also relates to the field of luggage in an aspect that facilitates clearance through aviation transportation security. This concerns the screening procedures as presently embodied by the Transportation Security Agency (“TSA”) as set up by the United States government following the terrorist attacks of Sep. 11, 2001. As of this time, every carry on piece of luggage and every passenger are separately screened. The luggage is passed through an x-ray machine, and passengers must transit a metal detector.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Over the decades since travel by jet airliners became common place, the luggage manufacturing industry has created product designs particularly adapted for being carried aboard jet airliners and placed in overhead shelves that later became closed and locked overhead bins. The dimensions of these overhead bins dictated size limitations for the luggage to be placed in them. In the relatively recent past this has led some airlines to automatically limit the size of carry on bags by placing a template across the entrance of the x-ray baggage screening equipment operated by the TSA so as to prevent oversized bags from being admitted into the concourses from which modern jet aircraft are boarded by the passengers.

The screening process by the TSA also causes inconvenience to some degree to transiting passengers, depending upon what they are transporting on their person and in their carry on luggage. For example, a male passenger will frequently be carrying in his trouser pocket a set of keys. These cannot pass through the metal detector through which each passenger must pass to clear TSA's security. Therefore, these keys must be removed and currently are placed in a tray which is then passed through the x-ray luggage screening machine and examined by TSA security workers. This inconvenience is obviated if a location is provided that is readily accessible from the outside of carry on luggage to insert and readily remove the keys so that keys pass through the baggage screening machine without being separately handled.

Another example is that since sharp objects can no longer be taken aboard an aircraft, but can be seen to some degree inside a carry on bag when it passes through the x-ray luggage screening machine, a way to present such an object as scissors that may not really be a sharp object is indicated. In other words, if an object is disposed in a toiletries bag or “dopp” kit within the suitcase, the TSA is obligated to open and completely search the entire suitcase unless there is a means available to readily demonstrate that the object proceed from the x-ray screening machine does not represent a prohibited object. This is achievable by removing the questionable object from a toiletries bag or dopp kit (termed a “freshen kit”) that is externally accessible so that it can be readily inspected and passed if it is not a prohibited item.

The present invention relates to an airline carry on bag having a considerable number of features. It is equipped with wheels that are large enough and light enough to accommodate bringing the luggage over curbs, onto escalators, and over rough ground, a telescoping handle, a handle equipped with a rod hinge to flip down to create a table top surface to be used for a laptop computer and also for food trays and beverages, a lockable safe drawer with external access, an externally accessible zippered opening for a freshen kit, a zippered closure hinged at the bottom so that the interior of the luggage can be partially unzipped to access the interior without laying the bag down, an external netting to store a newspaper, a large digital travel clock externally visible including an alarm clock, a bag levelling mechanism when laid down, a hinged door including a flip chair that acts as a lounge chair, a compartment divider to allow separation of laundry from clean clothes which can be moved so that more and more of the interior accommodates laundry and less and less accommodates clean clothes as the journey progresses, a telescoping add-on cart that supports the weight of additional bags and the like.

None of the references disclosed by the prior art search combines significant numbers of the invention features. For example, Thomas, U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,084, shows retrieval of what could be a freshen kit from a predetermined location and zippered closures. Cunningham, U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,223 teaches a number of structures similar to the invention, but it lacks a movable compartment divider, the license plate, the alarm clock and the like. Pohl, U.S. Publ. No. US 2002/0195303 A1, teaches a table in combination with luggage. The same teachings appear in Lee, U.S. Pat. No. 5,941,352 and Martin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,367. Hung-Hsin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,073 teaches a seat and a telescoping handle with luggage. Dercole, U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,172 shows a great number of individual compartments and fixed compartment dividers, while Kinzer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,641 teaches large curb climbing wheels. Giblet, U.S. Pat. No. 5,056,695 teaches a license plate in combination with luggage art, and Baker, U.S. Pat. No. 4,647,056 shows a clock in combination with luggage.

Other references of interest are Chen et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,016,893 for a multi purpose travelling suitcase having a plurality of configurations, Pakoash, U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,574 for luggage having enhanced clothing and accoutrement carrying capabilities in an accessible configuration, and Tiramani, et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,347,847 and 6,601,930 are roller containers for assembly use.

It does not appear that any reference located by Applicant's search reveal use of a movable compartment divider to shift and separate clean clothes from laundry as a trip progresses, and none show the efficient form of the inventive flip chair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a multi-function carry on bag that provides a plurality of passenger convenience features none of which all found in a single prior art reference.

It is a related object of the invention to provide a multi-function carry on bag that includes a movable compartment divider that shifts to separate clean clothes from laundry as a trip progresses.

Another object of the invention is to provide a comfortable lounge type chair in combination with multi-function carry on luggage.

Further object of the invention is to provide a computer table/food tray support in combination with multi-function carry on luggage.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an externally visible multi-function travel and alarm clock with a large digital easy to read format in combination with multi-function carry on luggage.

A further object of the invention is to provide an externally accessible freshen kit and an externally accessible lockable safe drawer with handle for depositing keys and the like in combination with a multi-function carry on bag.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide all the foregoing objects and advantages in various combinations with each other.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the following descriptions and the appended drawings.

In accordance with a principal aspect of the present invention there is provided an aggregation of numerous features in one carry on bag that comprise conveniences to an airline passenger. Although there is a substantial amount of prior art in the luggage field, no reference located by a thorough pre-examination search teaches a significant number of the special convenience features represented by the present invention. The present invention is equipped with wheels and a telescoping handle as many carry on bags are. The wheels are large enough and wide enough to accommodate steering the luggage over curbs and across rough ground without tipping. The wheels are made with rubber tires and steel rims. The telescoping handle can be flipped down at its rod hinge to create a tabletop surface using a planar surface disposed between the telescoping rods. Near the top of the telescoping handle is a coat hook. The tabletop accommodates not only a laptop computer but also food trays and beverages. Near the upper surface of the bag there is a lockable safe drawer with a handle to pull it out. The drawer is to empty your pockets passing through metal detectors so that pocket contents are sent through the x-ray luggage screening machine, rather than having to be loaded into and out of a tray.

Next to the safe drawer there is a zippered opening in which is disposed a chamber containing a slightly smaller sized and identically shaped freshen kit. It not only enables the user to freshen up without having to open the bag itself, but allows the user to remove potentially sharp objects for inspection by a TSA screener without having to open the entire carry on luggage and search it completely.

The main compartment of the luggage disposed beneath the drawer and freshen kit also has a zippered closure around the sides and top of a door that is hinged at the bottom so that the bag can be partially unzipped to access belongings without laying the bag down.

On the opposite side or back of the bag is a netting type of enclosure which may be accessed from the upper side to store a newspaper, magazines and the like. Above that is disposed a digital travel clock flush with the surface of the bag and having rather large numerals so that it can be read from a reasonable distance. The travel clock, also an alarm clock, allows the user to take a nap while waiting for a flight or use the alarm in a hotel room because the hotel alarm clock is an unfamiliar design.

Disposed beneath the netting enclosure and also flush with the surface of the luggage is a name and address plate similar to a small license plate which is removably attached with screws, but it is otherwise fixed and durable. It is surrounded by a protective ridge. Also in the back are feet at the upper corners disposed on either side of the travel alarm clock. These two feet achieve a level bag when the bag is laid down on its back because they have the same dimension from the plane of the bag's back as do the wheels which are substantially recessed into the lower corners of the bag.

Turning to the front of the bag, on the hinged door to the main compartment is a flip chair. The flip chair is comprised of a seat surface and back surface and an adjustable angle limiter that may be adjustable straps between the back and seat surfaces. The back surface, seat surface, and bottom hinged door are all attached by a second hinge at one of the vertical sides of the door.

Inside the main compartment there is a compartment divider that is vertical when the bag is lying on its back. This compartment divider is supported on a track that allows it to be adjusted at any point along the horizontal dimension of the main compartment.

Its principal purpose is to allow the separation of laundry from clean clothes. As clean clothes are used and put into the laundry section, the divider can be moved so that more and more of the bag's interior accommodates laundry and less and less of it accommodates clean clothes. This divider tucks away at the top of the compartment when it is not in use. At the bottom of the bag in a plane parallel to the wheels and disposed just inside of them, is a telescoping add-on cart that supports the weight of additional bags that can be stacked on the opening surface of the bag and/or on its top.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discretion taken in conjunction with the appended drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top, front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in an upright and closed configuration.

FIG. 2 is a similar view showing safe drawer open.

FIG. 3 is a similar view showing the external access open to show the freshen kit.

FIG. 3A shows the freshen kit completely removed from the chamber in which it is stored.

FIG. 4 is a top, rear perspective view showing netting, travel clock, license plate, large wheels, and levelling feature used in combination with the wheels.

FIG. 5 shows the primary compartment open with the adjustable compartment divider shown.

FIG. 5A is an inset showing the detail of the adjustment feature of the movable divider.

FIG. 6 is a front top perspective view showing the telescoping handle extended with a planar surface between the telescoping rods and a coat hook interrupting a handle opening near the handle. It also shows the telescoping add-on cart for supporting one or more additional bags.

FIG. 7 shows telescoping handle bent at a rod hinge to form a computer lap top table or beverage and food tray table.

FIG. 8 shows the use of the telescoping add-on cart.

FIG. 8A is an inset showing the detail of the add-on cart.

FIG. 9 shows the structure of the flip chair when opened.

FIG. 10 shows the use of the table for eating which may also be used for a lap top computer.

FIG. 11 shows the use of the flip chair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one that is skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

References now made to the drawings, wherein like characteristics and features of the present invention are shown in the various figures are designated by the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1 is a top, front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention 10 in an upright and closed configuration. Seen are top side wall 12, top fixed handle 14, telescoping handle 16, telescoping crossbar 18, right side wall 20, side handle 22, pullout safe drawer 24, zippered freshen kit closure 26, and hard surfaced and zippered main compartment closure 28. Pull out safe drawer 24 is lockable but the locking means is conventional and not shown. Main compartment closure 28 is rotatably attached to the invention 10 at primary hinge 30. The invention 10 is transportable using a pair of large diameter wide track rubber covered wheels 32 with steel rims which are recessed into wheelwells and flush with the outer surface of carry on multi-function bag 10 at 34.

FIG. 2 shows similar features to FIG. 1, except that the pullout safe drawer has been unlocked and opened. This feature is intended to be a depository for small items such as keys, pens, a cellular phone, and the like which will set off a metal detector through which airline passengers must pass. These objects can be readily accommodated through a TSA baggage screening machine and examined after passage of the bag therethrough if desired. It avoids placing such items in a tray to be passed through an x-ray baggage screening machine and possibly being left behind.

FIG. 3 is a broken top front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention which shows the zippered enclosure 26 of the freshen kit 36 unzipped and that the freshen kit 36 partially withdrawn from the carry-on multi-function bag 10. Freshen kit 36 is shaped and sized to fit precisely within chamber 38 disposed next to pullout safe drawer 24.

FIG. 3A illustrates more completely what freshen kit 36 looks like when withdrawn from freshen kit chamber 38. It is a rectangular container having a zippered enclosure 40 and its own handle 42. It is intended to contain such items as a toothbrush, toothpaste, a razor, a comb and brush, and various toiletries. It is also designed in the rectangular and flat configuration to be stable when open and retain its contents in a bathroom facility.

FIG. 4 is a top, rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention 10 and illustrating a variety of additional features. These include externally visible, large numeral digital travel alarm clock 44 and netting 46. Netting 46 is resiliently elastic and attached to rear planar surface 62 of carry on multi-function bag 10 at least at its four corners 48, 50, 52, and 54. It is intended to be an exteriorly accessible resiliently expandable retainer for such things as newspapers, magazines, airplane tickets, itinerary, rental car reservation, purchased CD's and the like. A further feature visible in FIG. 4 is a fixed position but removable name, address and telephone number identification plate 56 which is preferably permanently embossed, surrounded by protective ridge 58 and which can only be removed using fasteners 60. Also readily visible in this view are large diameter wide track rubber covered wheels 32 with steel rims which can be seen to project slightly out from rear planar surface 62 at 64. Finally in regard to FIG. 4, the inventive carry-on multi-function bag 10 is equipped with a pair of rubber feet 66 that project from the rear planar surface 62 exactly the same amount as wheels 32 do at 64 such that when the luggage 10 is laid on its back, as best seen in FIG. 11, it is slightly raised above the floor and parallel to the floor.

FIG. 5 is an inverted front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention 10 in which the main compartment closure 28, partially broken away, is shown open at primary hinge 30 to expose the contents and the interior features of main compartment 68. The interior features include wheelwells 70, telescoping add-on cart interior shield 72, and telescoping handle interior tubes 74. The wheelwells 70 and telescoping handle interior tubes are obviously employed on both sides of main compartment 68, but only those on one side are visible in FIG. 5. It is understood thereby that main compartment 68 is symmetrical about a centerline parallel to the telescoping handle interior tubes 74. The most significant interior feature of the main compartment 68 it is a compartment divider 78, which is movable along side track 80 to vary the amount of space on main compartment 68 on either side of compartment divider 78. Inset view FIG. 5A is an enlarged fragmentary view of compartment divider 78 and side track 80. Compartment divider 78 includes retainers 82 which ride along side track 80 to selectively position and retain compartment divider 78 at its optimum position given the nature of the contents of main compartment 68. A principal advantage of compartment divider 78 is the ability to separate clean clothing from laundry, and the position of compartment divider 78 can be shifted using retainers 82 to reposition compartment divider 78 progressively as a trip proceeds whereby clean clothing is converted into laundry. Retainers 82 are conventional and thus their details are not shown. It will further be understood that compartment divider 78 is provided with side tracks 80 on both sides although only side is pictured in FIG. 5. Compartment divider 78, side tracks 80 and retainers 82 are all designed so that compartment divider 78 can be moved to its extremity at the top of the main compartment 68 when the inventive luggage is erect.

FIG. 6 shows telescoping handle 16 extended. Telescoping handle 16 is connected by telescoping crossbar 18 to telescoping rods 84. It will be understood that telescoping rods 84 can be in multiple segments, such as two or three per side although only one and part of a second 86 are illustrated in FIG. 6. Telescoping rods 84 includes disposed therebetween a planar surface 88 which is recessed near telescoping handle 16 with a handle opening 90. Handle opening 90 is also interrupted with coat hook 92. Telescoping rods 86 also include planar surface 94 disposed therebetween. Disposed between telescoping rods 84 and 86 are rod hinges 96. Also seen in FIG. 6 is telescoping add-on cart 98 comprised of at least an inner leaf 100 which is nestled within outer leaf 102, both of which are retractable within add-on cart interior shield 72 as seen in FIG. 5. Use of telescoping add-on cart 98 will be better seen in connection with FIG. 8.

FIG. 7 shows that telescoping handle 16, telescoping tubes 84 and planar surface 88 can be folded into a horizontal position at rod hinges 96 to form a table, one purpose which is shown in FIG. 10. The table includes a beverage holder 104.

FIG. 8 illustrates the use of the telescoping add-on cart 98 described in regard to FIG. 6. It supports additional luggage 106 whether the inventive carry-on multi-function luggage 10 is tilted as shown in FIG. 8 or is directly upright as shown in FIG. 6. The detail of the use of the add-on cart is shown in inset FIG. 8A. In it can be seen outer leaf 102 and inner leaf 100 supporting luggage 106. Also seen is foot 108 which has the dual role of supporting the erect bag in a truly vertical position as shown in FIG. 6, as well as preventing the inner leaf 100 from being completely retracted within outer leaf 102 so as to be in accessible thereafter when telescoping add-on cart 98 is retracted into cavity 109. Cavity 109 is contained within add-on cart interior shield 72 as seen in FIG. 5. Returning to FIG. 8 momentarily, use of the inventive apparatus in a tilted mode as pictured in FIG. 8 allows carrying one or more additional pieces of luggage 110 such as a briefcase.

FIG. 9 is an inverted front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the invention 10 in which the main compartment closure 28 is shown closed and in which its three layers are separated into main compartment primary closure 112, flip chair seat portion 114, and flip chair back portion 116. Flip chair seat portion 114 and flip chair back portion 116 are connected to each other and to main compartment primary closure 112 by secondary hinge 118 such that the angle between main compartment primary closure 112 and flip chair seat portion 114 is a variable. Similarly, by reason of secondary hinge 118, the angle between flip chair seat portion 114 and flip chair back portion 116 is similarly a variable. The latter variable, however, is controlled by an angle limiter device, which can be, but is not limited to, adjustable straps 120 and 122. The fact that there are three layers in main compartment closure 28 is actually visible in nearly all the preceding figures, but was not described until the purpose was visible in FIG. 9. Means to fasten the three layers 112, 114, and 116 of main compartment closure 28 to each other are provided, but are conventional and thus not shown.

FIG. 10 illustrates one use of planar surface 88 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Also seen are telescoping side rods 84 and 86 and rod hinge 96. Planar surface 88 acts as a tabletop not only for the consumption of food and beverages as shown in FIG. 10, but also as a work area for a laptop computer or for a variety of other useful functions.

Turning finally to FIG. 11, the use of the flip chair first shown in FIG. 9 is illustrated. The angular distance between flip chair back portion 116 and flip chair seat portion 114 is fixed by an ample limiter device which may be on adjustable strap 120 and a similar strap on the other side (not shown) 122. The angular position between flip chair seat portion 114 and main compartment primary closure 112 is a variable controlled by the posture of the user, his or her position, and the length of his or her legs.

While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms or certain embodiments or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby. Such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved, especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

Claims

1. In an improved carry on piece of luggage having a top, bottom, sidewalls, front and rear, two wheels, a telescoping handle and multiple compartments, wherein the improvement comprises:

a main compartment having interior side rails;

a compartment divider that is movable and supported in position between the side rails; and

retainers selectively connecting the compartment divider to the side rails at any position from one end of the main compartment to another end.

2. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises an externally accessible, lockable pull out safe drawer.

3. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises:

a freshen kit chamber;

a zippered externally accessible closure to the chamber; and

a freshen kit sized and shaped to fit precisely within the chamber and also shaped to provide a stable enclosure of toiletries when opened for use.

4. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises:

telescoping rods that support the telescoping handle, which rods emerge from tubes within the luggage;

rod hinges between first and second elements of the telescoping rods; and

a planar surface disposed between the first elements of the telescoping rods and forming a table when the first elements are bent to a horizontal position at the rod hinges.

5. The improved luggage of claim 4 in which the planar surface is recessed near the telescoping handle with a handle opening.

6. The improved luggage of claim 5 in which the handle opening is interrupted with a coat hook.

7. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises a netting enclosure that is externally accessible.

8. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises an externally visible large numeral digital travel alarm clock.

9. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises a fixed position permanently embossed user identification plate that is externally visible, circumscribed by a protective ridge and removably attached to the luggage exterior by fasteners.

10. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises a pair of rubber feet that project from a rear planar surface of the luggage substantially equally as the wheels such that when the luggage is laid on its back it is slightly raised above the floor and substantially level, and in which the wheels further comprise curb climbing, large diameter, rubber covered, wide track steel rim wheels recessed into wheelwells.

11. The improved luggage of claim 1 which further comprises a telescoping add-on cart having an outer leaf, and inner leaf, a foot, and a cavity into which the cart is retractable.

12. In an improved carry on piece of luggage having a top, bottom, sidewalls, front and rear, two wheels, a telescoping handle and multiple compartments, wherein the improvement comprises:

a flip chair hingedly connected to an outer surface of the luggage, said chair having a seat portion attached to the hinge, a back portion attached to the hinge, and at least one angle limiter attached to the seat portion and back portion to define a maximum angle therebetween, and wherein an angle between the seat portion and the outer surface of the luggage is a variable determined by positioning of a user's legs.

13. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises an externally accessible, lockable pull out safe drawer.

14. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises:

a freshen kit chamber;

a zippered externally accessible closure to the chamber; and

a freshen kit sized and shaped to fit precisely within the chamber and also shaped to provide a stable enclosure of toiletries when opened for use.

15. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises:

telescoping rods that support the telescoping handle, which rods emerge from tubes within the luggage;

rod hinges between first and second elements of the telescoping rods; and

a planar surface disposed between the first elements of the telescoping rods and forming a table when the first elements are bent to a horizontal position at the rod hinges.

16. The improved luggage of claim 15 in which the planar surface is recessed near the telescoping handle with a handle opening.

17. The improved luggage of claim 16 in which the handle opening is interrupted with a coat hook.

18. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises a netting enclosure that is externally accessible.

19. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises an externally visible large numeral digital travel alarm clock.

20. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises a fixed position permanently embossed user identification plate that is externally visible, circumscribed by a protective ridge and removably attached to the luggage exterior by fasteners.

21. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises a pair of rubber feet that project from a rear planar surface of the luggage substantially equally as the wheels such that when the luggage is laid on its back it is slightly raised above the floor and substantially level, and in which the wheels further comprise curb climbing, large diameter, rubber covered, wide track steel rim wheels recessed into wheelwells.

22. The improved luggage of claim 12 which further comprises a telescoping add-on cart having an outer leaf, and inner leaf, a foot, and a cavity into which the cart is retractable.

23. In an improved carry on piece of luggage having a top, bottom, sidewalls, front and rear, two wheels, a telescoping handle and multiple compartments, wherein the improvement comprises:

a main compartment having interior side rails;

a compartment divider that is movable and supported in position between the side rails;

retainers selectively connecting the compartment divider to the side rails at any position from one end of the main compartment to another end; and

a flip chair hingedly connected to an outer surface of the luggage, said chair having a seat portion attached to the hinge, a back portion attached to the hinge, and at least one angle limiter attached to the seat portion and back portion to define a maximum angle therebetween, and wherein an angle between the seat portion and the outer surface of the luggage is a variable determined by positioning of a user's legs.

24. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises an externally accessible, lockable pull out safe drawer.

25. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises:

a freshen kit chamber;

a zippered externally accessible closure to the chamber; and

a freshen kit sized and shaped to fit precisely within the chamber and also shaped to provide a stable enclosure of toiletries when opened for use.

26. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises:

telescoping rods that support the telescoping handle, which rods emerge from tubes within the luggage;

rod hinges between first and second elements of the telescoping rods; and

a planar surface disposed between the first elements of the telescoping rods and forming a table when the first elements are bent to a horizontal position at the rod hinges.

27. The improved luggage of claim 26 in which the planar surface is recessed near the telescoping handle with a handle opening.

28. The improved luggage of claim 27 in which the handle opening is interrupted with a coat hook.

29. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises a netting enclosure that is externally accessible.

30. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises an externally visible large numeral digital travel alarm clock.

31. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises a fixed position permanently embossed user identification plate that is externally visible, circumscribed by a protective ridge and removably attached to the luggage exterior by fasteners.

32. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises a pair of rubber feet that project from a rear planar surface of the luggage substantially equally as the wheels such that when the luggage is laid on its back it is slightly raised above the floor and substantially level, and in which the wheels further comprise curb climbing, large diameter, rubber covered, wide track steel rim wheels recessed into wheelwells.

33. The improved luggage of claim 23 which further comprises a telescoping add-on cart having an outer leaf, and inner leaf, a foot, and a cavity into which the cart is retractable.