Abstract: A "flight bag" style carry-on bag incorporates a pair of wheels positioned at a bottom corner of the bag and spaced along the width dimension of the bag. A pull handle is integrated with the bag, and preferably both the pull handle and the wheels are attached to an internal support structure such as a bottom pan. The wheels have an exterior surface presenting an edge upon which the wheels roll at the furtherest spaced apart locations to increase the width of lateral support provided by the wheels. The pull handle assembly includes at least one rod moving in a channel with a slider member connected to the rods to effectively transmit torque between a grip connected to the rod and the internal support structure.

Abstract: A mobile cooler including a compartment having pivotable wheels and a handle assembly for pulling the cooler. A pair of wheel assemblies individually pivot within recesses in the cooler from a raised to a lowered position. In the lowered position the cooler can be transported over smooth or uneven terrain. The handle telescopes partly into the compartment, and partly folds down by a pair of hinges to fit within recesses in the compartment lid. The handle length can be adjusted to suit the user.

Abstract: A camera bag having a substantially rigid rectilinear well with a plurality of rigid bins disposed therein. The bins are mounted for rotation about horizontal axes disposed toward the front of the bag and may be selectively rotated between a home position in which they fit in the interior of the bag and an open position at which their contents may be easily accessed. Apparatus for maintaining the bins and both their open and home position is disclosed. A retractable U-shaped handle having telescoping rods is used to pull the bag on a pair of wheels when desired. The telescoping rods become journaled in tubular guides disposed within the interior of the bag. Removable side pockets are particularly designed for carrying lenses and specifically designed to be quickly removed from the sides of the bag and carried on the belt of a user.

Abstract: A formed panel for a bag and method of manufacturing therefore is provided which allows the bag to maintain an original shape without deformation even though the bag may be acted on by external forces, and also allows the bag to appear soft from the outside thereof. The panel is formed from the impression of a fabric material onto a rigid plastic material. Also provided is a hard-sided, soft-gusseted luggage to protect the contents of the luggage without a totally rigid construction. A method of manufacturing a hard panel for luggage which includes impressing a fabric sheet onto a plastic sheet to form a combined sheet and molding the combined sheet to the desired shape.

Abstract: An improved carrying case for a laptop computer or other delicate electronic instrument is generally rectangular, having front and rear walls. A suspension system for the laptop computer or other equipment includes a cradle suspended from the front and rear walls for receiving a laptop computer, and elastic panel members supporting the cradle for absorbing shocks and impacts occurring upon placing of the case on a floor or the like.

Abstract: Luggage has a generally rectangular container. A vertical sheath is fixed to the inside of the container along an end wall. A rigid handle is slidably mounted in the sheath and when extended is pivotable to a forwardly-inclined attitude for pulling the luggage. A wheel is mounted on the bottom wall of the luggage and centered between the forward and rearward end walls. A pair of wheels are mounted on the bottom wall adjacent each end wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to luggage equipped with four rolling elements. Three of the elements (34, 36, 38) swivel on axles which are mounted more or less perpendicular to the face (28) of the luggage to which they are attached, while the fourth element (40) has a fixed rotation axis. According to this embodiment, the luggage may be moved either by pushing it while it rests on all four rolling elements or by pulling it, in which case it rests on the two swiveling rolling elements (34, 36) located along the longer side of the luggage face (28) to which they are attached.

Abstract: The portable cart a cooler is made by having a vinyl roller on one of its carry handles. There are two roller handle stops or locks that are in the walls of the cooler body, they are on direct opposite sides from each other. They allow for the locking of the roller handle in position for the carting or towing feature of this invention. The pull or tow handle of the cooler is longer in length than the roller handle to allow user to walk in an upright position and to keep cooler from striking users heels when towing. As stated earlier ordinary portable coolers, ice chests do not have the features of this cart a cooler invention, therefore the cart a cooler could be classified a new and useful improvement over older objects considered to be portable coolers, ice chests.

Abstract: A frame for luggage includes a plywood floor, a channel-shaped main frame attached to the ends of the floor and projecting therefrom, a pair of A-frame brackets capturing the ends of the floor at their bases and being attached at their apexes to the main frame, a pair of major wheels rotatably mounted on transverse axles fixed to the floor centered longitudinally between the ends of the floor, and a caster wheel mounted to said floor at the each end thereof. The luggage frame is strong, yet lightweight and is supported primarily on the major wheels which being on fixed axles maintain the luggage frame tracking in the direction in which it is pulled while the castered wheels provide low friction ground support for the ends of the floor.

Abstract: Combined luggage and cart apparatus includes a cart disposed within a luggage case. The cart has tubular legs joined at one end by a base plate. A U-shaped handle is inserted in the legs and a locking arrangement prevents separation of the handle from the legs, once inserted. The locking arrangement includes a sleeve inserted in the legs, and a split ring insertable through the sleeve and held captive on the handle. The sleeve includes a locking tab to engage the legs, and the split ring engages the sleeve when the handle is placed in use.

Abstract: A suitcase having a pull handle. The pull handle is rotatably affixed to the suitcase with a bracket element to assist the user of the suitcase in pulling same across a flat surface with substantially no fishtailing.

Abstract: A soft combination briefcase and carrying case for the purpose of transporting a portable computer easily and in relative safety with its ancillary supplies and including structure for suspending the computer unit in the central zone of the carrying case, spaced from the case bottom and ends to protect the computer against damage.

Abstract: Luggage cases which include four wheels may uncontrollably roll down inclined conveyor belts and the like. Disclosed is a brake system for selectively disabling at least some of the four wheels 12,14 on such a case 10. Preferably, this brake system is selectively operated by a pull strap or the like. In one condition, the brake system deploys a ground engaging arm which supports one end of the case 10 and prevents the wheels to be disabled from engaging the inclined surface of the conveyor belt.

Abstract: A briefcase includes a body portion defining a receptacle and having an open top, a flap formed of a pliable material and extending over the open top for closing the same, a handle, and an anchor at each end of the handle secures the handle to the flap. A back-up plate is mounted in the flap and extends over substantially the entire area thereof and is formed of a metallic material which is relatively stiffer than the material forming the flap. The anchors include a fastener extending through the flap and the back-up plate for fastening the handle to the back-up plate for supporting the case.

Abstract: An improved carry-on case having a built-in travel cart capable of being towed by itself or with several pieces of luggage. The handle of the cart can be retracted for convenient storage.

Abstract: A suitcase (K) consists of two suitcase shells (1) and (2), which can be folded together, and includes castors and a pull handle (Z). The pull handle is on the narrow side (14) opposite the castors, and is swingably seated on a mounting plate (17) attached to the other suitcase shell (2). The suitcase shell (2) is adapted to be connected to the opposite suitcase shell (1) by at least one closure which extends over a fold joint (3) of the suitcase. This achieves a structurally advantageous configuration which is stable in use due to an interpenetration between hasp closure (I) and the mounting plate.

Abstract: A suitcase including a plurality of independently, selectively accessible compartments defined by a pair of opposed sides and having retaining devices for securing articles in the compartments with respect to the sides of the suitcase, a handle attached to the sides of the suitcase for supporting such sides and for allowing the suitcase to be carried by the handle, wheels mounted on the suitcase for supporting the suitcase on the ground and a pull strap attached to the sides of the suitcase at forward and rearward points or attachment for manually pulling the suitcase along the ground.

Abstract: Conventional garment bags and other "carryon" type luggage cases include a carry handle and a shoulder strap attached to the upper surface of the uppermost portion of the luggage piece called the console. In order to prevent the shoulder strap from tangling in baggage handling equipment, the shoulder strap includes a pair of releasable attachment means called snap hooks which permit the user to remove the shoulder strap and carry the shoulder strap separately or in a pocket included in the outer panel of the luggage piece. The luggage piece shown includes a dedicated shoulder strap pocket which extends substantially the entire width of the luggage piece and includes a zippered closure through which a permanently attached shoulder strap can be deployed. The shoulder strap is attached into the inside of the shoulder pocket and is structurally attached to the body of the luggage piece.

Abstract: A retractable handle assembly is disclosed, comprising an elongate handle body (8, 10) having a lower end pivotally attached to an upper surface of the storage case, and extendable from a retracted position to an extended position. The handle body is adapted having an elongate internal cavity, and a profiled opening (56) extending through a lower surface. A release spring plate member (16) is fixedly mounted at one end within the handle body cavity, and has a profiled free end extending within the cavity in cantilever fashion toward handle lower body end. The release spring plate member pivots about the anchored end in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the handle body. A handle link plate member (22) is further provided having a lower end pivotally attached to the case upper surface, inboard of the handle lower end.

Abstract: A portable electronic equipment, such as a laptop computer, is provided with a handle which is slidably mounted to a body of the equipment. The handle comprises a handle body, a pair of sliding rods, and a pair of guide rails. The body has upper and lower fixing plates integrally formed at right and left ends thereof, with the upper fixing plate being provided with a guide groove and the lower fixing plate being provided with a guide hole. The sliding rods have first pin members which are vertically inserted between the guide grooves in the upper fixing plates and the guide holes in the lower fixing plates and second pin members which are horizontally inserted in guide grooves of the guide rails.

Abstract: Carrying case having a grip portion which is so constructed as to hold the upper and lower lid members whereby the locked state of the carrying case is maintained during transportation by the holding force of the operator but is released at use by opening the grip portion, and of which interior is so constructed as to accommodate accessories to allow easy and secure observation of the accessories when the grip portion is opened prior to the use.

Abstract: The carrying handle comprises a handle strip and two terminal legs, which are articulated to the narrow side of the container. The legs are subdivided into two portions, which are interconnected by means of an intermediate joint. The articulation axis of the intermediate joint and of the container side joint are parallel to the handle strip. The leg portions are bent in the inoperative position of the carrying handle, so that they come to rest parallel to one another. Thus, the legs are shortened in the inoperative position, so that they do not project over the outer edges, particularly in the case of narrow containers and are instead located within the predetermined dimensions.

Abstract: Luggage has a generally rectangular container. A vertical sheath is fixed to the inside of the container along an end wall. A rigid handle is slidably mounted in the sheath and when extended is pivotable to a forwardly-inclined attitude for pulling the luggage. A spring attached to the lower end of the handle returns the handle to a vertical position when it is released. Major wheels are mounted on the luggage by fixed transverse axles adjacent the bottom wall and centered between the forward and rearward end walls. A castered wheel is mounted on the bottom wall adjacent each end wall.

Abstract: A rigid or semi-rigid suitcase consists of a central frame forming a closed rigid annulus to which are assembled two rigid shells, one shell being welded to one side of the frame and the other shell being hinged on the other side. The suitcase is further characterized in that the central frame, made of a single piece, is shaped so that it comprises, in its latch portion or top panel, a recess closed by a reinforcing member with which the recess cooperates so as to form a hollow beam serving as a stiffening member for the top of the suitcase, the hollow beam receiving the locking mechanisms, the central handle and the lateral handle of the suitcase.

Abstract: A handbag with a handle which can be converted into a shoulder strap includes a flexible strap a portion of which extends from an upper portion of the body of the handbag and constitutes its handle. The handbag includes a device for adjusting the length of the portion of the strap outside the upper portion of the body of the handbag so that the handle can be converted into a shoulder strap.

Abstract: An improved handle and latch assembly for a portable personal computer. The computer includes a cover. To open the cover, the user grasps the handle and pushes it a slight distance toward the computer. The handle is slideably coupled to the cover of the personal computer. A locking member is moveably disposed within the cover. A pair of locking hooks extend out of the cover and engage with slots in the keyboard section of the computer. When the handle is moved inward, it contacts the locking member and moves it, thereby releasing the hooks, and allowing the cover to be opened.

Abstract: A luggage assembly comprising a suitcase having integrally connected thereto a laterally extendable handle at its upper end and a wheel assembly at its lower end is disclosed. To effect transport, the handle is moved from a lowered, compact, position to a raised position and the suitcase is tilted from an upright standing position to a canted position in which it is supported solely by its wheels and rolled by pulling said handle. An attachment allows for additional luggage items to be carried by the assembly and transported in a fully balanced manner.

Abstract: A suitcase frame (1) provided with means to carry luggage and a document suitcase as well. The frame is provided with carrying wheels (6, 7) pivotable between a position inside the frame (1) and an operable position outside the frame (1). The wheels (6, 7) are actuated by the handle (10) of the suitcase frame (1).

Abstract: A tote bag made of cloth having a compartment at the bottom holding a block of buoyant material for flotation of the bag, the compartment having an opening for insertion of the block with a slide fastener for closing the opening, the block being rigid and holding the bottom of the bag flat, the bag being adapted to float with the compartment generally upright one way or the other and having distress signals on the bottom of the compartment arranged so that a signal is upright and visible above water whichever way the compartment is disposed.

Abstract: An aircraft carry-on bag fitted with transport casters or slides on a rigid bottom and pulled by a strap or rigid handle bridle fastened on both vertical sides of said bag near its top front edge.

Abstract: A luggage is provided with a steering handle (15) for steering the case when it is being rolled on the ground. The handle (15) is pivoted to the case shell (19) by means of a pivot pin (20) for movement between a closed position in which the handle (15) lies adjacent the shell (19) and an extended position in which the handle projects from the shell. Movement of the handle (15) away from the closed position is limited by means of a stay (23) connected between the case shell (19) and a position on the steering handle (15) spaced from the pivot pin (20) towards the free end of the handle (15). The stay (23) is of resilient flexible material. The base molding (17) of the handle is provided with a projection (32) which holds the stay (23) in a flexed condition when the handle (15) is in the closed position so that the stay (23) exerts a force on the handle tending to hold the handle (15) in the closed position. Thus, the need for a separate spring to hold the handle in the closed position is avoided.

Abstract: A grip for a container such as a tool box is provided by a strap having longitudinal slots at its end region by passing these end regions through guide strips formed unitary in the wall of the container so that projecting tongues formed unitary therein engage in the slots. This allows mounting without tools or damage to the housing in a simple manner.

Abstract: A carrying case for a lap-top model of a personal computer, a portable word processor or the like comprises a generally box-like casing accommodating various electric components therein and having a display panel assembly generally hingedly supported for movement in a direction towards and away from the casing, a foldable handle assembly supported for pivotal movement between concealed and projected positions, and at least one lock mechanism operable to lock the panel assembly in a closed position to the canister. The lock mechanism comprises an engagement member secured to the panel assembly and a releaseable one-piece member including a release button and a pawl member engageable with the engagement member. All necessary support elements to which the handle assembly is fitted are integrally formed with a bottom wall of the casing.

Abstract: A portable file cabinet is constructed as a generally rectangular box having a hinged lid. A pair of multifold file sections are monuted on the interior of the lid. The interior of the file cabinet has a pair of storage compartments and a main record compartment with file dividers. A removable supply case is received within one compartment in the file cabinet. A pair of wheels and a retractable handle are mounted on a bottom surface of the file cabinet to provide ease of transportability. The file cabinet may be constructed from aluminum alloy impregnated with a variety of colors or from a less expensive fiber board material of the type sold under the trademark MASONITE.

Abstract: A bag or sack made of a non-rigid waterproof material is rendered unsinkable by the presence of floatation inserts. Should the bag fall into the water, it does not sink and may be recovered together with its contents. The floatation inserts are inserted inside longitudinal auxiliary pockets provided at the top wall of the bag in the space between the two handles. The handles are also preferably provided with floatation elements, so as to render the gripping of the bag which has fallen into the water easier.

Abstract: The handle for a luggage case has two end portions and a rigid portion extending substantially across the top side of the case between two ends of the top side when in a first position. One end of the handle is pivotably attached to one end of the top side of the case. The other end of the handle is securable to the other end of the top side of the case. When the handle is in a first position it enables a user to lift and carry the case. The securable end of the handle may also be released and positioned at a substantially greater distance from the case than the other end of the handle for engagement by a user for dragging the case along the ground while allowing the user to maintain a relatively upright position. Wheels attached to the case define a plane along the ground.

Abstract: Various systems have been proposed for providing personal identification information in conjunction with luggage pieces. Recently there has been concern that such personal identifying information should not be broadly or notoriously displayed. Thus, I.D. tags having a flap covering this personal identification information have been offered to the public. Information on such tags still can be relatively easily viewed, and the tags can become lost or pulled off of the luggage through ordinary baggage handling. The disclosed system includes an identification panel which is flush with a panel of the luggage and is normally protected by the luggage construction itself, specifically a web tangent to and affixed permanently to the outer covering of that luggage panel. The identification panel includes an elastic member which holds the identification panel against all but determined intentional effort to withdraw the panel from underneath the web.

Abstract: An improved case handle structure for a folding case with a retractable handle, wherein the improvement comprises a case made of multiple layers consisting of an inner lining, a first stiffening element, a foam element, a second stiffening element and an outer skin, and wherein the legs of the retractable handle are movably positioned between the first stiffening element and the foam element.

Abstract: A handle for a bag includes an elongated, flexible sheet member having an attachment region at each end. The attachment regions are adapted for attachment to the bag. The sheet member includes an elongated, rectangular intermediate region between the attachment regions. A welting member is adjacent to the intermediate region. The welting member includes an elongated sheet of relatively highly compressible and resilient material. The intermediate region is folded along its long principal axis so that the long sides of that region are mutually jointed at a seam with the welting member positioned between the two halves of the intermediate region on either side of the principal axis. The handle further includes a plurality of seams joining opposite portions of the two halves along substantially parallel axes extending transverse to the principal axis. The transverse axes are equally spaced in the direction of the principal axis by a distance D.

Abstract: A suitcase is modified to have wheels at the bottom corners of the rear face of the suitcase, a retractable handle with an offset to secure stacked luggage against the offset, and a spring actuated folding shelf which can grip adjacent luggage items. The offset handle can be used for normal lifting when retracted and pulling when extended. Offset allows extension structure to be placed in the rear wall of the suitcase while the handle is placed in the normal central location. The offset also lowers the center of gravity of the combination, especially when other items of luggage are stacked on the extensible handle. The shelf is incorporated into the front wall, and can be folded out and down to support adjacent luggage. The shelf is spring loaded towards the closed (flush with suitcase) position, in order to secure the shelf when not in use and to grip adjacent luggage when the shelf is deployed.

Abstract: A piece of luggage is disclosed which consists of a case in the shape of a flat parallelepiped comprising two greater rigid lateral walls and a rigid quadrangular frame with an upper side provided with a curved handle, a base side and end sides. At least one of its lateral walls is movable, being provided with a rigid perimetral edge which slides telescopically within the frame. Displacement of this lateral wall occurs in a direction perpendicular to its plane between a retracted position in which it is located in the plane of the corresponding edge of the frame and a projecting position. The result is that the internal volume of the case is increased.

Abstract: A handle for a luggage case made of two longitudinal spaced apart rows of heavy cord of twisted material with an outer piece of fabric material folded longitudinally around the two rows and sewn along a longitudinal centerline to form a strap. The cords are centrally located and of a length such that it determines the length of the handle and forms a substantially rigid, padded central portion of the handle. The opposite ends of the formed strap are free of the corded fabric, are slid through attachment loops, and folded under until the ends substantially come together thereby forming a lower and upper layer for the handle. A sleeve is wrapped around the juncture of the ends, and both upper and lower layers are fixed together.

Abstract: A convertible carrying handle and shoulder strap for hand luggage has bails fixed to a top wall of a peripheral frame of the luggage and through which straps are slidable, the straps being attached at one of their ends to a handle positioned between the bails and having fastener members at their free ends for attachment to side walls of the peripheral frame.

Abstract: Luggage of the type adapted to maintain articles of clothing, business materials and the like is disclosed having roller means along a lower edge thereof and a modular handle unit adapted to be extended away from the luggage to provide a pull handle therefor and further including an elongated strap adapted to be extended around an auxiliary piece of luggage to piggyback the auxiliary piece of luggage on the main piece of luggage.

Abstract: A cushioning pad for relieving the strain of carrying luggage, which pad is removable and attachable to a plurality of luggage pieces by means of a pair of stretchable elastic bands provided in the cushioning pad by through holes positioned at each end thereof. The cushioning pad of the present invention can be used on hand-held luggage, as well as luggage using a strap for carrying the luggage over the shoulder, such as garment bags. The stretchable elastic bands are used to not only secure the cushioning pad to the luggage handle or strap, but are also used to join a plurality of luggage pieces using the same cushioning pad. A plurality of hangers contained within one garment bag can also be joined together by one of the pair of elastic bands, with the other one of the pair of elastic bands used to secure the cushioning pad to the handle of the garment bag.

Abstract: The suitcase structure comprises a substantially parallelepipedal, flattened elongate body defining at a smaller lateral face thereof a recess provided on the bottom with a handgrip for carrying the suitcase. At the larger faces of the body there are provided openable side bodies defining on their interiors compartments, provided at the top with hanger holding rods for hanging clothes hangers thereon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel handle and panel assembly in a zipper closed portfolio and in particular to an improved internally cushioned handle construction in which the inner seam of the handle is formed by sewing the front and back handle sections together and folding whereby the inner side of the handle presents a stitching line located between inner folded plies which constitute the front and back sides of the handle, respectively, and wherein the cushioning material is provided on the outer side of the handle to provide a soft reinforcement of this soft outer side thereby improving the feel of the handle as it is grasped by the fingers of the hand in carrying the portfolio. The handle is of the type which can be retracted, or moved up and down within the panel. The zipper of the portfolio constitutes the sole entry into a security compartment within the panels on the right and left sides of the portfolio.

Abstract: A sewn polyolefin in fabric bag which uses the molded shapes of the polyolefin material to form a shaped enclosure. Enclosure means and a fabric hinge are sewn directly to the polyolefin enclosure means to form the completed bag. The bags formed in this manner have many of the advantages of both soft and hard shelled bags. The polyolefin material is capable of providing a predetermined shape but has a soft exterior surface and is deformable. Sewing can be done using conventional sewing techniques. Polyolefin materials have not previously been usable in this manner because of their inability to bond or weld in reliable manner to other materials.

Abstract: An improved suitcase construction is disclosed which comprises an inclined handle which permits the force of the movement of the center of gravity of a person who holds the handle to be translated to the suitcase in the direction of movement to allow the suitcase to be moved with a minimum of effort. The suitcase also comprises a plurality of casters, wherein the rear casters have outer diameters greater than the outer diameters of the front casters to provide increased stability and direction changing capability during the movement.

Abstract: A pair of bands (bands of both sides may be connected at bottom surface) are attached in inverted U-shape along both side surfaces (only one side will do if hand holding condition is not needed) of a large size bag and the like, and a cramping device of an upper portion of the inverted U-shape band is formed in a special adjusting mechanism according to this invention, and when the band is shifted in vertical and horizontal directions against these cramping devices and is fixed, the length and the interval of the shouldering band can be properly adjusted so as to match a physical constitution (height and size of shoulders) of user of bag. After the length and the interval are properly adjusted, there is no shift of band at all even if the band is pulled.