Abstract: A doubler channel is provided for the main top wall support frame in a carrying case. The doubler channel extends vertically a substantial distance for increasing the beam strength of the top walls of the carrying case. A latch mechanism is proivided wholly outside of the support frame of the top wall of the carrying case. The support frame and doubler channel are all easily assembled without the need for screws or nuts and bolts. The latch mechanism conceals and anchors the ends of the doubler channel.

Abstract: The carrying case disclosed is of the attache-case variety. It includes a tray (3) located under the lid (2) of the case. The tray overlies, and closes, the compartment (14) in the body (1) of the case when the lid of case is un-zipped and raised. The tray (3) can be used as a writing tablet (7). The tray (3) includes a flap (8) that is hinge-able relative to the remainder (7) of the tray. The flap (8) can be raised to allow restricted access to the compartment (14). Alternatively, the whole tray (3) can be raised to permit wide-open access to the compartment (14). The lid (2) of the case is provided with a corresponding hinged flap (21). The tray (3) rests on top of the inner frame (5) of the body (1) of the case. The frame encircles the whole compartment, and is rigid enough that the floor of the compartment can be of flexible fabric. A shoulder strap is attached to the frame, and lies around the frame, when not in use.

Abstract: An article of soft luggage is formable into a simulation of an article of hard luggage by the provision of axially extending stiffening members and collapsible interconnecting members arranged at the corners thereof, the article of soft luggage having a peripheral stiffening frame whereby dimensional stability of the article of soft luggage is provided in all directions along the outer surface thereof.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing soft-sided luggage comprising the steps of forming in one piece an elongated plastic member having a U-shaped longitudinal cross section, transversely cutting from the member two frame elements of substantially identical, predetermined length, each frame element having a longitudinal U-shaped cross section including a base and two spaced, generally parallel legs, interconnecting the frame elements in opposed relationship by joining each opposed pair of legs with a one-piece resilient plastic wall element to form a generally rectangular hollow peripheral shell having two opposed open sides, and covering the shell with a flexible material including means for selectively obtaining access through at least one open side to the hollow interior of the shell.

Abstract: A case assembly kit for assembling a case of any chosen dimensions from a plurality of separate components includes a series of panels which are cut to chosen dimensions to form the bottom, side and end walls of a box-like, open top enclosure base and the top, side and end walls of a similar box-like lid. The kit further includes a series of angled corner strips for connecting adjacent edges of the bottom, side and end wall panels of the base and top, side and end wall panels of the lid, and mateable closure strips for securing along the opposed peripheral upper and lower edges, respectively, of the base and lid. Hinge devices are provided for hinging the lid along one edge to the base, and a latching mechanism is provided for releasably closing the lid. All the separate parts are securable together by bonding.

Abstract: A strap device for luggage, bags, cartons or the like to prevent the luggage from opening when subjected to rough handling. The strap device includes a pair of straps which encircle the luggage and pass on either side of a handle on the luggage. A pair of cross straps are secured between the encircling straps and confine and surround the handle such that the device cannot be slid off or pulled off the luggage. No additional connection or attachment between the strap device and luggage is required. Various mechanical and hook and loop fasteners can be used to secure and tighten the encircling straps.

Abstract: A foldable carry bag generally includes a flexible outer shell, foldable along a centerline thereof, to enable the bag to be opened to provide easy accessibility to compartments therein which are defined by flexible flaps attached to the outer shell and removably attached by zippers to flexible strips attached to end pieces of the carry bag. The bag is foldable to a flat configuration for storage and has the advantage of providing separate compartments within the bag which are easily accessible for packing and unpacking clothes, as well as arrangement of clothes or articles therein, while at the same time maintaining the lightweight and inexpensive features of conventional carry bags.

Abstract: In order to make the contents of a case well accessible it has at least three case elements to wit a middle element and at least two side elements arranged one on each side of the former and being pivotable with respect to the middle element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to luggage which includes a ceiling board having a handle, a bottom board, front and rear faces and both side walls which are composed of freely foldable sheets. The bag portions are formed in the inner lower parts of both side walls at both right and left sides, and fastening tools are attached to both corners of the ceiling part respectively, and further hard side reinforced inserts having core materials inside are composed to be attached to the pockets and the fastener tools attachably or freely removably.

Abstract: According to the invention, a rigid insert is provided in a soft luggage shell. The insert conforms to the configuration of the inside luggage surface and is removably held in place by a twistable retainer ring. The ring is encased in a cloth sleeve and mounted to the luggage in the vicinity of an edge of the insert. By twisting the ring, the ring and associated sleeve can be selectively placed either abuttingly against the insert or away from the insert to allow its removal. The invention also contemplates the provision of a protective shield which is removably mounted to a surface of the luggage which abuts a carrying vehicle.

Abstract: There is disclosed a strong, light-weight, rigid molded, plastic luggage provided with wheels and a retractable handle. The luggage ensemble utilizes the shape of respective individual pieces of the luggage and retention means to hold them in assembled relationship and utilization of the retractable handle and the wheels facilitate transportation of the relatively large load formed by the ensemble by an individual. The process for making the luggage, due to the unique structural design of its elements and the materials from which they are made, comprises unique, yet simple, molding and manufacturing steps which allow for facile assembly of a wide variety of luggage parts to form the completed product.

Abstract: A luggage construction wherein a flexible reinforcement spring is utilized. A flat spring having a repeating U-shaped pattern disposed on a wire is provided around the peripheral wall of the luggage to enhance structural integrity and assist in returning the luggage to its original shape after being deformed.

Abstract: A frame for a flexible suitcase comprises a single closed moulding of substantially rectangular longitudinal section, having an upper edge, a lower edge and two side edges interconnecting said upper and lower edges. The moulding is manufactured in a single pressure moulding operation from a synthetic material and is provided with a groove open towards the outside. Accessory supports are moulded in one piece with the aforementioned moulding.

Abstract: This foldable frame type article of luggage comprises a central band-like frame and front and back flexible wall panels detachably connected to the peripheral edges of the frame. The frame includes a rigid, shallow, U-shape member defining the bottom portion and minor adjacent parts of the respective side portions of the frame and a pair of flexible band-like legs detachably joining together at the middle of the top portion of the frame at one end and transversely hinged to the ends of the U-shape shallow member at the other end, whereby said legs can be collapsed against said shallow U-shape member, when the side wall panels are detached, for storing the article of luggage in a minimum of space. When the side wall panels are fully attached to the frame, they maintain said frame in erected position.

Abstract: An improved luggage comprising a main body portion, a lid hingedly attached to one side of the main body portion, a zipper fastener provided on the main body portion and the lid, a supporting frame fastened on the inner sides of the main body portion, four casters mounted on the bottom of the main body portion, two fixing members engageable with the casters and a stiffening board capable of engaging with the casters, whereby when not in use the improved luggage may be reduced in volume thereby facilitating the storage and transportation of the luggage.

Abstract: A collapsible bag or article of luggage having internal stiffening panels capable of forming a rigid configuration. The stiffening panels may be released to an unsecured position in which the article can assume a collapsed configuration. In its reinforcing position, the stiffening panels are anchored by an elongated retaining member affixed thereto.

Abstract: A cloth bag having the property of maintaining a sustained open-bag configuration once opened and the sides arranged vertically comprising a flat base, a pair of flexible yet retentive side panels and a pair of supple end panels attached to the base, a flexible yet retentive divider panel attached to the end panels and base to divide the bag into two large compartments, closure means, such as a zipper, to join the side panels together along their top edges and fold back and join the end panel top edges onto themselves to form exterior flaps that are folded down and attached to the end flap near the base and a handle for carrying same.

Abstract: There is disclosed a strong, light-weight, rigid, molded, plastic luggage provided with wheels and a retractable handle. The luggage ensemble utilizes the shape of respective individual pieces of the luggage and retention means to hold them in assembled relationship and utilization of the retractable handle and the wheels facilitate transportation of the relatively large load formed by the ensemble by an individual.The process for making the luggage, due to the unique structural design of its elements and the materials from which they are made, comprises unique, yet simple, molding and manufacturing steps which allow for facile assembly of a wide variety of luggage parts to form the completed product.

Abstract: Three luggage embodiments are disclosed. Each embodiment comprises outer and inner layers of flexible material. A series of closely adjacent parallel battens are sandwiched between the layers, there being rows of stitching between battens which form sheath-like pockets in which the battens are contained. The layers are also stitched at the ends of the battens. Handles are riveted to two battens, a zipper extending therebetween.

Abstract: A carrying case of the type having its bottom and sidewalls formed of a U-shaped unitary member is provided which employs a structural frame made of a plurality of rigid members which are secured to one another by rivets. The frame includes upper and lower pairs of metal bars extending generally horizontally on opposite sides of the case between generally rectangular end shells which may have U-shaped metal guards disposed on their sides and bottoms. The bars are preferably made of spring steel so that they may return to their original shapes after being distorted by overloading of the case. The end shells may have integral nodes formed on them to partially shield exposed ends of the U-shaped guards.

Abstract: A carrying case includes a wall member which provides a bottom and sidewalls for the carrying case and which has at each of its opposite ends an end assembly including a generally planar plastic end panel having a pair of metal end frames extending about its periphery. The end panels may be cut from flat sheets of material and need not be molded into specialized shapes. In the preferred embodiment, the end panels are made substantially of antistatic materials which enable the case to be useful in transporting items which might be damaged by static electricity. The case illustrated herein includes a divider assembly which is removable as a unit from the case and which is made substantially of antistatic materials.

Abstract: An activity bag system includes an outer carrying bag, multiple interchangeable inner containers carried one-at-a-time within the outer bag, and a container storage cover for each inner container which also serves as a partition for the outer carrying bag. Each inner container is divided by partitions into compartments for carrying the items needed for a particular sport or activity. At least some of the compartments are covered by a lid to which some items can be secured. The outer bag includes a lower section which receives the inner container and an upper lid section separated from the lower section by the inner container's storage cover. The inner container is placed within its storage cover when not being carried by the outer bag. The outer bag includes straps for securing large items to its outside surface and outside storage pockets, including an insulated pocket for carrying a container of hot or cold liquid.

Abstract: A portable locker for use in carrying sports equipment and clothing is capable of being mounted on a plane field or the like. The portable locker comprises a fabric bag on a metal frame forming a loop and having means extending from the frame adapted to be urged into soil to support the apparatus in an upright position.

Abstract: A resilient U-shaped steel band has its upper ends adjustably attached by means of slotted angle irons to a rigid saddle composed of a panel of fiberboard and a strip of plywood secured thereto. A bottom plate overlies the horizontal section of the band. Fabric sheet material constitutes the outer cover for the luggage being stitched to the fiberboard. A relatively heavy fabric belt is stitched to the cover along the edges of the band, thereby providing a sheath for the band and preventing transverse shifting thereto.

Abstract: A soft-sided piece of luggage comprises a container portion and a hinged cover including a lateral skirt. The skirt has a peripheral edge adapted for alignment with a peripheral edge of the container portion to accommodate the closure of cooperating zipper parts on the cover and container portion. Interior reinforcing means stiffens the luggage, and comprises a floor plate positioned along the inside of a rear wall of the container portion. The plate includes curved ends extending along rear corners of the container portion. The reinforcing plate projects beyond the peripheral edge of said container portion to shape respective rear and corner portions of the skirt when said cover is closed. A reinforcing U-bar extends along the inside of the container portion and is connected to the floor plate. A pair of curved stiffening plates are disposed at the inside of front corners of the container portion and are reinforced by the reinforcing bar.