Daily Carry-on Luggage Systems

Abstract

A compact luggage system including a front housing portion and a rear housing portion hingedly connected to the front housing portion, and an accordion insert attached to the front housing portion and the rear housing portion. The accordion insert includes an accordion pocket adapted for storing one or more articles during travel.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to new and improved luggage systems for helping individuals transport their personal items through airports, terminals, and other transportation systems, while overcoming the shortcomings and drawbacks associated with prior art technologies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Luggage systems have greatly evolved over the past 100 years in step with developments in transportation systems (i.e., airports, terminals, bus and railway stations, and ocean liners), electronic communication and computing technologies, and evolving consumer behaviors and lifestyles. Consequently, particular groups of travelers have developed particular sets of expectations when it comes to particular classes of travel. At the same time, manufacturers of luggage systems have worked hard to ensure their evolving lines of luggage systems and related products will meet and satisfy these evolving expectations relating to utility, functionality, aesthetics as well as beauty.

While thousands of luggage systems have been designed, developed, manufactured, and sold throughout the global marketplace over the past three decades, for both carry-on and check-in luggage systems alike, there still remains, however, a great need for new and improved luggage systems that address the new ways in which many people like to travel, in styles they feel most comfortable, and with unprecedented levels of convenience which they naturally welcome.

In view, therefore, of these facts and circumstances of the global luggage system marketplace, there is a great need in the art for new and improved luggage systems that better address the ways in which many people like to travel, in a style they feel most comfortable, while enjoying an unprecedented level of convenience which they will naturally welcome, while overcoming the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art luggage systems, methods, and technologies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a primary object of the invention is to provide improved luggage systems that better address the ways in which many people like to travel, in a style they feel most comfortable, while enjoying an unprecedented level of convenience, and overcoming the shortcomings and drawbacks of prior art luggage systems, methods, and technologies.

In furtherance of this primary object, a new and improved compact luggage system is provided comprising a front housing portion and a rear housing portion hingedly connected to the front housing portion. In some aspects, the compact luggage system comprises an accordion insert attached to the front housing portion and the rear housing portion. The accordion insert comprises an accordion pocket adapted for storing one or more articles during travel.

In some embodiments, the accordion insert is attached to the front housing portion and the rear housing portion with a hook and loop fastener. In some embodiments, the accordion insert is snapped to the front housing portion and the rear housing portion. In some embodiments, the accordion insert is attached to the front housing portion and the rear housing portion with both a hook and loop fastener and snaps. In some embodiments, the hook and loop fastener is a Velcro® hook and loop fastener. In some embodiments, the accordion insert is attached to the front housing portion and the rear housing portion with zippers.

In some embodiments, the accordion insert comprises a front accordion wall and a back accordion wall. In some embodiments, the front accordion wall comprises a compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket. In other embodiments, the front accordion wall comprises a compartment facing the front housing portion. In some embodiments, the front accordion wall comprises a first compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket and second compartment facing the front housing portion.

In some embodiments, the back accordion wall comprises a compartment facing the rear housing portion. In other embodiments, the back accordion wall comprises a compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket. In some embodiments, the back accordion wall comprises a first compartment facing the rear housing portion and a second compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket.

In some embodiments, the compact luggage system further comprises a zipper structure for sealing the front housing portion and the rear housing portion. In some embodiments, the rear housing portion comprises a telescoping handle assembly.

In some aspects, a compact hard-shell luggage system is provided comprising a front hard-shell housing portion and a rear hard-shell housing portion hingedly connected to the front hard-shell housing portion. In some aspects, the compact hard-shell luggage system comprises an accordion insert attached to the front hard-shell housing portion and the rear hard-shell housing portion. The accordion insert comprises an accordion pocket adapted for storing one or more articles during travel.

In some embodiments, the accordion insert is attached to the front hard-shell housing portion and the rear hard-shell housing portion with a hook and loop fastener. In some embodiments, the accordion insert is snapped to the front hard-shell housing portion and the rear hard-shell housing portion. In some embodiments, the accordion insert is attached to the front hard-shell housing portion and the rear hard-shell housing portion with both a hook and loop fastener and snaps. In some embodiments, the hook and loop fastener is a Velcro® hook and loop fastener. In some embodiments, the accordion insert is attached to the front hard-shell housing portion and the rear hard-shell housing portion with zippers.

In some embodiments, the accordion insert comprises a front accordion wall and a back accordion wall. In some embodiments, the front accordion wall comprises a compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket. In other embodiments, the front accordion wall comprises a compartment facing the front hard-shell housing portion. In some embodiments, the front accordion wall comprises a first compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket and second compartment facing the front hard-shell housing portion.

In some embodiments, the back accordion wall comprises a compartment facing the rear hard-shell housing portion. In other embodiments, the back accordion wall comprises a compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket. In some embodiments, the back accordion wall comprises a first compartment facing the rear hard-shell housing portion and a second compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket.

In some embodiments, the compact hard-shell luggage system further comprises a zipper structure for sealing the front hard-shell housing portion and the rear hard-shell housing portion. In some embodiments, the rear hard-shell housing portion comprises a telescoping handle assembly.

In some aspects, a compact hard-shell luggage system comprises a front hard-shell housing portion, a rear hard-shell housing portion hingedly connected to the front hard-shell housing portion, and an accordion insert attached to the front hard-shell housing portion and the rear hard-shell housing portion. The front hard-shell housing portion comprises a front-accessible pocket adapted for storing one or more articles during travel. The rear hard-shell housing portion comprises a telescoping handle assembly. The accordion insert comprises an accordion pocket adapted for storing one or more articles during travel.

In some embodiments, the front-accessible pocket comprises a zipper structure for sealing the front-accessible pocket. In some embodiments, the compact hard-shell luggage system further comprises a zipper structure for sealing the front hard-shell housing portion and the rear hard-shell housing portion.

In some embodiments, the front-accessible pocket comprises a front inner wall and a back inner wall. In some embodiments, the front inner wall comprises a slip pocket. In other embodiments, the back inner wall comprises a compartment adapted for storing one or more articles during travel.

In some embodiments, the accordion insert is attached to the front hard-shell housing portion and the rear hard-shell housing portion with a hook and loop fastener. In some embodiments, the accordion insert is snapped to the front hard-shell housing portion and the rear hard-shell housing portion. In some embodiments, the accordion insert is attached to the front hard-shell housing portion and the rear hard-shell housing portion with both a hook and loop fastener and snaps. In some embodiments, the hook and loop fastener is a Velcro® hook and loop fastener. In some embodiments, the accordion insert is attached to the front hard-shell housing portion and the rear hard-shell housing portion with zippers.

In some embodiments, the accordion insert comprises a front accordion wall and a back accordion wall. In some embodiments, the front accordion wall comprises a compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket. In other embodiments, the front accordion wall comprises a compartment facing the front hard-shell housing portion. In some embodiments, the front accordion wall comprises a first compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket and second compartment facing the front hard-shell housing portion.

In some embodiments, the back accordion wall comprises a compartment facing the rear hard-shell housing portion. In other embodiments, the back accordion wall comprises a compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket. In some embodiments, the back accordion wall comprises a first compartment facing the rear hard-shell housing portion and a second compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention can become apparent from the following drawings and description, all of which illustrate the principles of the invention, by way of example only.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages of the invention described above, together with further advantages, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary compact luggage system with an exemplary front-accessible pocket according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an exemplary compact luggage system without a front-accessible pocket according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the exemplary compact luggage system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a right-side view of the exemplary compact luggage system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a left-side view of the exemplary compact luggage system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the exemplary compact luggage system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the exemplary compact luggage system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the exemplary compact luggage system of FIG. 1 with the exemplary front-accessible pocket open according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a front wall of the exemplary front-accessible pocket of the exemplary compact luggage system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a back wall of the exemplary front-accessible pocket of the exemplary compact luggage system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is an open view of the exemplary compact luggage system of FIG. 1 with an exemplary clip-in pad according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is an open view of the exemplary compact luggage system of FIG. 1 without a clip-in pad according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 13 is a front view of an exemplary laundry bag of the exemplary compact luggage system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 14 is a back view of an exemplary laundry bag of the exemplary compact luggage system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is an isometric view of the exemplary compact luggage system of FIG. 1 with an exemplary accordion organizer according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the exemplary compact luggage system of FIG. 1 with an exemplary accordion organizer according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 17 is an isometric view of an exemplary accordion organizer according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 18 is a front view of the exemplary accordion organizer of FIG. 17 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 19 is a back view of the exemplary accordion organizer of FIG. 17 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a side view of the exemplary accordion organizer of FIG. 17 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the exemplary accordion organizer of FIG. 17 according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view of an exemplary middle front wall of the exemplary accordion organizer of FIG. 17 according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In some aspects, the systems and methods described herein can include a new and improved compact luggage system having a front housing portion and a rear housing portion hingedly connected to the front housing portion. The compact luggage system described herein can include an accordion insert and a front-accessible pocket that are adapted for storing one or more articles during travel. The systems and methods described herein can facilitate a user during travel by providing easily accessible and convenient storage systems.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, an example compact luggage system 100 includes four double-spinner wheels 102, 104, 106, and 108 mounted in the four corners of the luggage system 100. The compact luggage system 100 also includes front housing portion 110 hingedly connected to rear housing portion 112 with a hinge assembly 128. In some embodiments, the front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112 can have a hard shell. For example, the front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112 can be molded from a thermoplastic such as 100% virgin polycarbonate. As shown, the front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112 are arranged in a closed configuration and sealed using an integrated zipper mechanism 114. The compact luggage system 100 also includes a TSA-approved combination lock assembly 116 that can lock the zipper mechanism 114 and prevent the compact luggage system 100 from opening. The integrated zipper mechanism 114 comprises a two-part zipper subsystem having zipper components stitched into and along the respective lip portions of the openings of the front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112 of the compact luggage system 100. The TSA-approved combination lock assembly 116 can lock together securely the zipper pull tabs of the zipper mechanism 114.

The compact luggage system 100 can include a telescopic handle assembly 118 and a top handle 120. As shown, the telescopic handle assembly 118 is in a retracted configuration, allowing for easy storage in travel compartments. The telescopic handle assembly 118 includes a manually-releasable handle structure having a release button, and two telescoping rods having at least three selectable lengths for different size users. In a protracted configuration, the telescopic handle assembly 118 allows a user to pull (i.e. trolley) compact luggage system 100 around during travel. The top handle 120 is mounted to the rear housing portion 112 and allows a user to carry the compact luggage system 100 in an upright carrying configuration.

The compact luggage system 100 can also include a front-accessible pocket 122 that is adapted for storing one or more articles during travel. For example, the front-accessible pocket 122 can be used to store articles that a user would prefer to easily access while traveling. Such articles can include a book, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile phone, or any other electronic device. The front-accessible pocket 122 can also be used to store articles that require removal during a security check-point, such as a laptop and/or liquids. The front-accessible pocket 122 sits on recess 140 of front housing portion 110. As shown in FIG. 2, recess 140 is sized to receive at least a portion of the front-accessible pocket 122. The front-accessible pocket 122 can be sealed using an integrated zipper mechanism 124 and can include an additional integrated zipper mechanism 126 for accessing an external front pouch 130.

Referring to FIGS. 8-10, the front-accessible pocket 122 can include a front inner wall 900 and a back inner wall 1000. As shown in FIG. 8, the front-accessible pocket 122 is arranged in an open configuration with the integrated zipper mechanism 124 un-zipped, exposing the front inner wall 900 and back inner wall 1000. The front inner wall 900 can include a mesh compartment 902 and a zipper structure 904 for sealing the mesh compartment 902. The mesh compartment 902 is adapted for securing one or more articles, such as a mobile phone or keys. The back inner wall 1000 can include a mesh pouch 1002 with an elastic banding adapted for securing one or more articles, such as a book, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile phone, or any other electronic device.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the compact luggage system 100 is arranged in an open configuration, with front housing portion 110 hingedly connected to rear housing portion 112 with a hinge assembly 128. The front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112 include interior volumes 1102 and 1104, respectively. Interior volumes 1102 and 1104 are adapted for storing one or more articles during travel. For example, interior volumes 1102 and 1104 can be used to store shirts, pants, and other garments. The interior volume 1102 can include a mesh pouch 1102 that can be adapted for storing one or more articles during travel.

As shown in FIG. 11, the interior volume 1104 can include a divider 1108 that is clipped to the rear housing portion 112 using clipping structures 1110 and 1112. The divider 1108 can help a user keep one or more articles separated from the rest of the compact luggage system 100. As shown in FIG. 12, the interior volume 1104 if shown without the divider 1108, revealing laundry bag 1300, described further in relation to FIGS. 13 and 14 below. The front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112 also includes wing structures 1120, 1122 and 1124, 1126, respectively. As described further in relation to FIGS. 15 and 16 below, wing structures 1120, 1122, 1124, and 1126, are configured to allow an accordion insert 1500 to attach to the front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the laundry bag 1300 includes a laundry bag pocket 1302 that can be sealed using an integrated zipper mechanism 1304. The laundry bag pocket 1302 can be expandable, and is adapted for storing one or more articles during travel. For example, the laundry bag pocket 1302 can be used to store soiled clothes and zipped closed using integrated zipper mechanism 1304 in order to keep the soiled clothes separated from other clothes in the compact luggage system 100.

The interior volume 1104 can also include straps that, along with the divider 1108 and clipping structures 1110 and 1112, are used as a compression system. For example, the compression system can be used to compress the laundry bag 1300 within interior volume 1104. Laundry bag 1300 can be placed within interior volume 1104 and between the divider 1108 and rear housing portion 1112. The straps of the compression system can be pulled such that the laundry bag 1300 is compressed between the divider 1108 and rear housing portion 1112.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the compact luggage system 100 is shown in a semi-open configuration with an accordion insert 1500 attached to the front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112. The accordion insert 1500 can be adapted to store one or more articles during travel. In the semi-open configuration, the compact luggage system 100 is in an upright position, and allows a user to easily access one or more articles stored within the accordion insert 1500. For example, in the semi-open configuration, a user may be able to access one or more files, one or more books, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile phone, and/or any other electronic device that is stored within the accordion insert 1500. As shown, the accordion insert 1500 is attached to the front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112 using wing structures 1120, 1122, 1124, and 1126. As described further in relation to FIGS. 17-22 below, the accordion insert 1500 can be attached to wing structures 1120, 1122, 1124, and 1126 using a hook and loop fastener and/or snap structures.

Referring to FIGS. 17-22, an accordion insert 1500 includes a front wall 1702, a back wall 1704, side walls 1706 and 1708, and a bottom wall 1718. The front wall 1702, back wall 1704, side walls 1706 and 1708, and bottom wall 1718 define an accordion pocket 1502 that is adapted for storing one or more articles during travel. For example, the accordion pocket 1502 can be adapted for storing one or more files, one or more books, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile phone, and/or any other electronic device. The accordion insert 1500, for example, can be made of a nylon material. The front wall 1702 can include a mesh pouch 1750 facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502. The mesh pouch 1750 can have an elastic banding adapted for securing one or more articles, such as a book, a laptop, a tablet, a mobile phone, or any other electronic device. In some embodiments, the front accordion wall 1702 includes a mesh pouch facing the front housing portion 110. Alternatively, the front accordion wall 1702 can include both a first mesh pouch 1750 facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502 and a second mesh pouch facing the front housing portion 110. In some embodiments, the back accordion wall 1704 includes a mesh pouch facing the rear housing portion 112. In other embodiments, the back accordion wall 1704 includes a mesh pouch facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502. Alternatively, the back accordion wall 1704 can include both a first mesh pouch facing the rear housing portion 112 and a second mesh pouch facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502.

The accordion insert 1500 can be adapted to be in an expanded configuration or in a compressed configuration. For example, if the compact luggage system 100 is in a closed configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, the accordion insert 1500 can be in a compressed configuration due to the forces expended on the accordion insert 1500 by the front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112. If the compact luggage system 100 is in a semi-open configuration, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the accordion insert 1500 can be in an expanded configuration, allowing a user to easily access one or more articles stored within the accordion insert 1500. The accordion insert 1500 can transition from the compressed configuration to the expanded configuration during an unzipping of the zipper mechanism 114 and/or during an increase in separation between the front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112. Similarly, the accordion insert 1500 can transition from the expanded configuration to the compressed configuration during a zipping-up of the zipper mechanism 114 and/or during a decrease in separation between the front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112.

The accordion insert 1500 includes wing structures 1710, 1712, 1714, and 1716 that can be attached to wing structures 1120, 1122, 1124, and 1126 of front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112. Each wing structure can include a snap structure and a hook and loop fastener strip. For example, wing structure 1710 includes top snap structure 1720, bottom snap structure 1722, and hook and loop fastener strip 1730, and wing structure 1714 includes top snap structure 1724, bottom snap structure 1726, and hook and loop fastener strip 1732. Similarly, wing structure 1712 includes top snap structure 1740, bottom snap structure 1742, and hook and loop fastener strip 1734, and wing structure 1716 includes top snap structure 1744, bottom snap structure 1746, and hook and loop fastener strip 1736. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, wing structures 1120 and 1122 of front housing portion 110 and wing structures 1124 and 1126 of rear housing portion 112 have corresponding snap structures and hook and loop fastener strips that are mateable with the corresponding snap structures and hook and loop fastener strips of wing structures 1714, 1710, 1716, and 1712, respectively. In some embodiments, the hook and loop fastener strips are Velcro® hook and loop fastener strips.

When attaching the accordion insert 1500 to the front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112, a user may attach the wing structures of the accordion insert 1500 to the corresponding wing structures of the front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112. For example, a user may attach wing structure 1710 of the accordion insert 1500 to the wing structure 1122 of the front housing portion 110. The attachment of wing structure 1710 to wing structure 1122 can be accomplished by mating the top snap structure 1720 to the corresponding top snap structure of wing structure 1122 and the bottom snap structure 1722 to the corresponding bottom snap structure of wing structure 1122. The attachment of wing structure 1710 to wing structure 1122 can also be accomplished by mating the hook and loop fastener strip 1730 to the corresponding hook and loop fastener strip of wing structure 1122.

Similarly, a user may attach wing structure 1714 of the accordion insert 1500 to the wing structure 1120 of front housing portion 110. The attachment of wing structure 1714 to wing structure 1120 can be accomplished by mating the top snap structure 1724 to the corresponding top snap structure of wing structure 1120 and the bottom snap structure 1726 to the corresponding bottom snap structure of wing structure 1120. The attachment of wing structure 1714 to wing structure 1120 can also be accomplished by mating the hook and loop fastener strip 1732 to the corresponding hook and loop fastener strip of wing structure 1120.

In addition to attaching the accordion insert 1500 to the front housing portion 110, a user may attach the accordion insert 1500 to the rear housing portion 112. For example, a user may attach wing structure 1716 of the accordion insert 1500 to the wing structure 1124 of rear housing portion 112. The attachment of wing structure 1716 to wing structure 1124 can be accomplished by mating the top snap structure 1744 to the corresponding top snap structure of wing structure 1124 and the bottom snap structure 1746 to the corresponding bottom snap structure of wing structure 1124. The attachment of wing structure 1716 to wing structure 1124 can also be accomplished by mating the hook and loop fastener strip 1736 to the corresponding hook and loop fastener strip of wing structure 1124.

Similarly, a user may attach wing structure 1712 of the accordion insert 1500 to the wing structure 1126 of rear housing portion 112. The attachment of wing structure 1712 to wing structure 1126 can be accomplished by mating the top snap structure 1740 to the corresponding top snap structure of wing structure 1126 and the bottom snap structure 1742 to the corresponding bottom snap structure of wing structure 1126. The attachment of wing structure 1712 to wing structure 1126 can also be accomplished by mating the hook and loop fastener strip 1732 to the corresponding hook and loop fastener strip of wing structure 1126.

In an illustrative embodiment, a new and improved compact luggage system 100 is provided comprising a front housing portion 110 and a rear housing portion 112 hingedly connected to the front housing portion 110. The compact luggage system 100 comprises an accordion insert 1500 attached to the front housing portion 110 and the rear housing portion 112. The accordion insert comprises an accordion pocket 1502 adapted for storing one or more articles during travel.

In some embodiments, the accordion insert 1500 is attached to the front housing portion 110 and the rear housing portion 112 with a hook and loop fastener. In some embodiments, the accordion insert 1500 is snapped to the front housing portion 110 and the rear housing portion 112. In some embodiments, the accordion insert 1500 is attached to the front housing portion 110 and the rear housing portion 112 with both a hook and loop fastener and snaps. In some embodiments, the hook and loop fastener is a Velcro® hook and loop fastener. In some embodiments, the accordion insert 1500 is attached to the front housing portion 110 and the rear housing portion 112 with zippers.

In some embodiments, the accordion insert 1500 comprises a front accordion wall 1702 and a back accordion wall 1704. In some embodiments, the front accordion wall 1702 comprises a compartment 1750 facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502. In other embodiments, the front accordion wall 1702 comprises a compartment facing the front housing portion 110. In some embodiments, the front accordion wall 1702 comprises a first compartment 1750 facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502 and second compartment facing the front housing portion 110.

In some embodiments, the back accordion wall 1704 comprises a compartment facing the rear housing portion 112. In other embodiments, the back accordion wall 1704 comprises a compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502. In some embodiments, the back accordion wall 1704 comprises a first compartment facing the rear housing portion 112 and a second compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502.

In some embodiments, the compact luggage 100 further comprises a zipper structure 114 for sealing the front housing portion 110 and the rear housing portion 112. In some embodiments, the rear housing portion 112 comprises a telescoping handle assembly 118. In some embodiments, the rear housing portion 112 comprises a compression system configured to compress a laundry bag 1300.

In another illustrative embodiment, a new and improved compact hard-shell luggage system 100 is provided comprising a front hard-shell housing portion 110 and a rear hard-shell housing portion 112 hingedly connected to the front hard-shell housing portion 110. The compact hard-shell luggage system 100 comprises an accordion insert 1500 attached to the front hard-shell housing portion 110 and the rear hard-shell housing portion 112. The accordion insert comprises an accordion pocket 1502 adapted for storing one or more articles during travel.

In some embodiments, the accordion insert 1500 is attached to the front hard-shell housing portion 110 and the rear hard-shell housing portion 112 with a hook and loop fastener.

In some embodiments, the accordion insert 1500 is snapped to the front hard-shell housing portion 110 and the rear hard-shell housing portion 112. In some embodiments, the accordion insert 1500 is attached to the front hard-shell housing portion 110 and the rear hard-shell housing portion 112 with both a hook and loop fastener and snaps. In some embodiments, the hook and loop fastener is a Velcro® hook and loop fastener. In some embodiments, the accordion insert 1500 is attached to the front hard-shell housing portion 110 and the rear hard-shell housing portion 112 with zippers.

In some embodiments, the accordion insert 1500 comprises a front accordion wall 1702 and a back accordion wall 1704. In some embodiments, the front accordion wall 1702 comprises a compartment 1750 facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502. In other embodiments, the front accordion wall 1702 comprises a compartment facing the front hard-shell housing portion 110. In some embodiments, the front accordion wall 1702 comprises a first compartment 1750 facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502 and second compartment facing the front hard-shell housing portion 110.

In some embodiments, the back accordion wall 1704 comprises a compartment facing the rear hard-shell housing portion 112. In other embodiments, the back accordion wall 1704 comprises a compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502. In some embodiments, the back accordion wall 1704 comprises a first compartment facing the rear hard-shell housing portion 112 and a second compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502.

In some embodiments, the compact hard-shell luggage 100 further comprises a zipper structure 114 for sealing the front hard-shell housing portion 110 and the rear hard-shell housing portion 112. In some embodiments, the rear hard-shell housing portion 112 comprises a telescoping handle assembly 118. In some embodiments, the rear hard-shell housing portion 112 comprises a compression system configured to compress a laundry bag 1300.

In another illustrative embodiment, a compact hard-shell luggage system 100 comprises a front hard-shell housing portion 110, a rear hard-shell housing portion 112 hingedly connected to the front hard-shell housing portion 110, and an accordion insert 1500 attached to the front hard-shell housing portion 110 and the rear hard-shell housing portion 112. The front hard-shell housing portion 110 comprises a front-accessible pocket 122 adapted for storing one or more articles during travel. The rear hard-shell housing portion 112 comprises a telescoping handle assembly 118. The accordion insert 1500 comprises an accordion pocket 1502 adapted for storing one or more articles during travel.

In some embodiments, the front-accessible pocket 122 comprises a zipper structure 126 for sealing the front-accessible pocket 122. In some embodiments, the compact hard-shell luggage system 100 further comprises a zipper structure 114 for sealing the front hard-shell housing portion 110 and the rear hard-shell housing portion 112.

In some embodiments, the front-accessible pocket 122 comprises a front inner wall 900 and a back inner wall 1000. In some embodiments, the front inner wall comprises a slip pocket 902. In other embodiments, the back inner wall 1000 comprises a compartment 1002 adapted for storing one or more articles during travel.

In some embodiments, the accordion insert 1500 is attached to the front hard-shell housing portion 110 and the rear hard-shell housing portion 112 with a hook and loop fastener. In some embodiments, the accordion insert 1500 is snapped to the front hard-shell housing portion 110 and the rear hard-shell housing portion 112. In some embodiments, the accordion insert 1500 is attached to the front hard-shell housing portion 110 and the rear hard-shell housing portion 112 with both a hook and loop fastener and snaps. In some embodiments, the hook and loop fastener is a Velcro® hook and loop fastener. In some embodiments, the accordion insert 1500 is attached to the front hard-shell housing portion 110 and the rear hard-shell housing portion 112 with zippers.

In some embodiments, the accordion insert 1500 comprises a front accordion wall 1702 and a back accordion wall 1704. In some embodiments, the front accordion wall 1702 comprises a compartment 1750 facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502. In other embodiments, the front accordion wall 1702 comprises a compartment facing the front hard-shell housing portion 110. In some embodiments, the front accordion wall 1702 comprises a first compartment 1750 facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502 and second compartment facing the front hard-shell housing portion 110.

In some embodiments, the back accordion wall 1704 comprises a compartment facing the rear hard-shell housing portion 112. In other embodiments, the back accordion wall 1704 comprises a compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502. In some embodiments, the back accordion wall 1704 comprises a first compartment facing the rear hard-shell housing portion 112 and a second compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket 1502.

In some embodiments, the compact hard-shell luggage 100 further comprises a zipper structure 114 for sealing the front hard-shell housing portion 110 and the rear hard-shell housing portion 112. In some embodiments, the rear hard-shell housing portion 112 comprises a telescoping handle assembly 118. In some embodiments, the rear hard-shell housing portion 112 comprises a compression system configured to compress a laundry bag 1300.

The present invention has been described in great detail with reference to the above illustrative embodiments. It is understood, however, that numerous modifications will readily occur to those with ordinary skill in the art having had the benefit of reading the present invention disclosure.

For example, the luggage system of the present invention 100 can be modified such that the luggage system 100 further comprises a rechargeable battery power module having a set of USB-type DC electrical power supply ports and a USB-type DC power recharging port. In some embodiments, the telescopic handle assembly 118 can be configured to support the rechargeable battery power module. For example, when the telescopic handle assembly 118 is arranged in a retracted configuration, the USB-type DC electrical power supply ports and USB-type DC power recharging port are not accessible, and when the telescopic handle assembly 118 is arranged in a protracted configuration, the USB-type DC electrical power supply ports and the USB-type DC power recharging port are accessible for supplying electrical power to electrical power consuming devices and/or recharging the rechargeable battery module of the luggage system 100. Example embodiments of a rechargeable battery module in a luggage system is disclosed in the following patents, each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety: U.S. Pat. Nos. 10,219,599; 10,219,600; 10,034,527; and 10,334,927.

As described above, the accordion insert 1500 of the luggage system of the present invention 100 is attachable to and removable from the luggage system 100 in order to facilitate easy access to the contents within front housing portion 110 and rear housing portion 112. In another example, the luggage system of the present invention 100 can be modified such that the accordion insert 1500 is not removable from the luggage system 100. For example, the accordion insert 1500 can be sewn in or attached to the luggage system 100 using other similar means.

One skilled in the art will realize the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of the invention described herein. It will be appreciated that the illustrated embodiments and those otherwise discussed herein are merely examples of the invention and that other embodiments, incorporating changes thereto, including combinations of the illustrated embodiments, fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A compact luggage system, comprising:

a front housing portion and a rear housing portion hingedly connected to the front housing portion; and

an accordion insert attached to the front housing portion and the rear housing portion, and comprising an accordion pocket adapted for storing one or more articles during travel.

2. The compact luggage system of claim 1, wherein the accordion insert is attached to the front housing portion and the rear housing portion with at least one of a hook and loop fastener or a plurality of snaps.

3. The compact luggage system of claim 1, wherein the accordion insert comprises a front accordion wall and a back accordion wall.

4. The compact luggage system of claim 3, wherein the front accordion wall comprises a compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket.

5. The compact luggage system of claim 3, wherein the front accordion wall comprises a compartment facing the front housing portion.

6. The compact luggage system of claim 3, wherein the back accordion wall comprises a compartment facing the rear housing portion.

7. The compact luggage system of claim 3, wherein the back accordion wall comprises a compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket.

8. The compact luggage system of claim 1, wherein the rear housing portion comprises a compression system configured to compress a laundry bag.

9. A compact hard-shell luggage system, comprising:

a front hard-shell housing portion and a rear hard-shell housing portion hingedly connected to the front hard-shell housing portion; and

an accordion insert attached to the front hard-shell housing portion and the rear hard-shell housing portion, and comprising an accordion pocket adapted for storing one or more articles during travel.

10. The compact hard-shell luggage system of claim 9, wherein the accordion insert is attached to the front hard-shell housing portion and the rear hard-shell housing portion with at least one of a hook and loop fastener or a plurality of snaps.

11. The compact hard-shell luggage system of claim 9, wherein the accordion insert comprises a front accordion wall and a back accordion wall.

12. The compact hard-shell luggage system of claim 11, wherein the front accordion wall comprises a compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket.

13. The compact hard-shell luggage system of claim 11, wherein the front accordion wall comprises a compartment facing the front hard-shell housing portion.

14. The compact hard-shell luggage system of claim 11, wherein the back accordion wall comprises a compartment facing the rear hard-shell housing portion.

15. The compact hard-shell luggage system of claim 11, wherein the back accordion wall comprises a compartment facing an interior of the accordion pocket.

16. The compact hard-shell luggage system of claim 9, wherein the rear hard-shell housing portion comprises a compression system configured to compress a laundry bag.

17. A compact hard-shell luggage system, comprising:

a front hard-shell housing portion comprising a front-accessible pocket adapted for storing one or more articles during travel;

a rear hard-shell housing portion hingedly connected to the front hard-shell housing portion, and comprising a telescoping handle assembly; and

an accordion insert attached to the front hard-shell housing portion and the rear hard-shell housing portion, and comprising an accordion pocket adapted for storing one or more articles during travel.

18. The compact hard-shell luggage system of claim 17, wherein the front-accessible pocket comprises a zipper structure for sealing the front-accessible pocket.

19. The compact hard-shell luggage system of claim 17, wherein the front-accessible pocket comprises a front inner wall and a back inner wall.

20. The compact hard-shell luggage system of claim 19, wherein the front inner wall comprises a slip pocket.

21. The compact hard-shell luggage system of claim 17, wherein the rear hard-shell housing portion comprises a compression system configured to compress a laundry bag.