Frames And Interior Braces Patents (Class 190/24)
  • Patent number: 9155369
    Abstract: A luggage item may include a first and second outer portions defining an inner compartment of the luggage item and a closing mechanism. At least one of the first outer portion or the second outer portion may include a frame structure and a relatively flexible cover member. The closing mechanism may be configured to operably engage a peripheral edge of each of the outer portions and configured to selectively open and close the luggage item. The frame structure may include a first frame member. The first frame member may form at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the at least one of the first outer portion or the second outer portion. The first frame member may define a width dimension extending in a direction away from the peripheral edge. The relatively flexible cover member and the closing mechanism may be joined to the first frame member by a common sewn attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l.
    Inventor: Dirk Santy
  • Patent number: 8727083
    Abstract: A fiberglass frame, serving as trunk frame, and including round rods, connection pieces, lateral rods, a handle rack and fastening pieces. The connection piece is provided with three connection ends, and each connection end is provided with an insertion slot. The round rod is inserted into the insertion slot in the connection piece to form a frame with the connection piece. The handle rack is located on a side of the frame and is provided with an upper fixing stand and a lower fixing stand, such that the upper fixing stand is connected to two the connection pieces on two sides through an upper lateral rod. The lower lateral rod runs through the lower fixing stand and is connected to two the connection pieces on two sides.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Chu Shan Lai
  • Patent number: 8668064
    Abstract: One example may be directed to a luggage case including a first wire frame element forming at least a partial shape of a main body, an inner material attached at least in part to the first wire frame element, an outer material positioned over the first wire frame element, and a second wire frame element attached at least in part to the inner material and the outer material. The outer material is not attached to the first wire frame element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a. r.l.
    Inventors: Dirk Santy, Luc K. F. Huyghe
  • Patent number: 8662268
    Abstract: An article of luggage comprises a suitcase with a substantially cuboid fabric structure supported by a frame. A set of wheels and an upward and rearward projecting handle are mounted on the frame. The suitcase is stable in an upright position. A user may incline the handle of the suitcase rearward from the upright position to wheel the suitcase. Thus, the suitcase need not be orientated far from the vertical when being wheeled by a user. The handle may be fixed but is preferably telescopic. The frame has a plurality of elongate members connected to form a frame base and a frame top spaced apart by diagonal length members connected between the front of the base and the rear of the top. The handle is mounted to the diagonal length members and the wheels are mounted to the frame base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: UP Global Sourcing UK Limited
    Inventor: Alex Keir
  • Patent number: 8636123
    Abstract: Luggage cases of the soft-side construction are perceived to be lighter than hard-side cases. However, many rigidifying elements in soft-side cases tend to add to the weight of a soft-side luggage case. This reduces its weight advantage over molded shell luggage cases. Using a textile body in the luggage case to form both the grip of a carry handle and a portion of the outer surface of the luggage helps reduce the weight of the luggage. The textile body may be attached to a thin resilient wire hoop to resist distortion of the luggage case when is it lifted by the handle. This construction saves weight in comparison to conventional luggage case constructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Dirk Santy, Joris Smeuninx, George Teixeira, Kenzo Yoneno
  • Patent number: 8256591
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a support mechanism for luggage, and more specifically to a support mechanism for luggage having U-shaped recesses within which telescoping handle tubes are positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: eBags, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard H. Majeau
  • Patent number: 8123007
    Abstract: The invention provides a carry-on wheeled luggage (1) for photographic equipment that has an interior compartment (80) deep enough to accommodate a large article of photographic equipment such as at least a 400 mm 2.8 f-stop aperture telephoto lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Think Tank Photo, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Harland Murdoch, Michael Sturm
  • Patent number: 8118168
    Abstract: A combination rolling cabinet and storage assembly for storing and transporting collectibles therein, having: a top and bottom compartment; top and bottom walls joined by opposed side walls all joined to an upright rear wall, the cabinet defining an interior compartment accessible through an open upright front side of the door between open and closed positions; a base cabinet including wheels and a retractable/extendible pulling handle for locomoting; at least one additional cabinet connectable on top of the base cabinet; upper storage apparatus connectable on top of the base cabinet; a plurality of removable tote tray drawers or containers, and light holder carried in trunklike housing between top compartment and bottom compartment; can be loaded or unloaded upright or laying on floor or flat surface; and components are made of any suitable materials, preferably plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Inventors: Thomasena J. Holloway, Albert Holloway, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20120024649
    Abstract: A fiberglass frame, serving as trunk frame, comprising: round rods; connection pieces; lateral rods; a handle rack; and fastening pieces. Wherein, on said connection piece is provided with three connection ends, and each connection end is provided with an insertion slot; said round rod is inserted into said insertion slot in said connection piece, to form a frame with said connection piece; said handle rack is located on a side of said frame, and is provided with an upper fixing stand and a lower fixing stand, such that said upper fixing stand is connected to two said connection pieces on two sides through an upper lateral rod, and said lower lateral rod runs through said lower fixing stand, and is connected to two said connection pieces on two sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventor: Chu Shan LAI
  • Patent number: 7984797
    Abstract: A rolling soft sided luggage case enclosing a volume and having opposing sidewalls, the sidewalls being supported by a tubular strut frame structure independent of the wheel housings mounted at the rear corners of the case. A straddle bracket affixed to a middle region of a side edge of the structural base joins the rear sidewall strut to the rigid base without engaging the wheel housing in order to facilitate ease of construction and repair of the wheel bracket. The levered portion of the base to which the wheel housing is affixed serves as a dampened swing arm on which the luggage case is sprung in order to isolate the structural frame of the case from bumps while being rolled and to and dampen shocks to the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Delsey Luggage, Inc.
    Inventor: David Bieber
  • Patent number: 7607535
    Abstract: A device and method for containing and hanging clothes, according to which the clothes are contained in a body member and a hanging system is manually moved between a retracted position in which it is supported by, and contained in, the body member, and an extended position in which it is supported by, and extends from, the body member. The clothes can be hung on the hanging system in its extended position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: Holly Katherine Jackson
  • Patent number: 7581625
    Abstract: A case, such as a suitcase or a photo case, for holding an object at an exterior thereof includes a case body and a hinge edge frame arrangement. The hinge edge frame arrangement includes a first edge frame, a second edge frame and a resilient element. The first edge frame is extended along the utility edge of the case body to retain a utility panel in position, wherein the first edge frame has an elongated holding slot formed between an outer and an inner wall along a utility edge. The second edge frame includes an elongated pivot arm, having an enlarged end portion, pivotally received in and extended along the holding slot of the first edge frame, and a clipping member extended from the pivot arm, wherein the clipping member is adapted to fold between a clipping position and a releasing position for detachably clipping an object by the clipping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Inventor: Chun Lung Cheng
  • Publication number: 20080210818
    Abstract: A modular unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) having a fuselage, a nose cone, a left wing piece, a right wing piece, and a tail section. The tail section and nose cone each join to the fuselage through mating bulkhead structures that provide quick connection capability while being readily separated so as to enable the UAV to break apart at these connection points and thereby absorb or dissipate impact upon landing. The UAV is capable of rapid assembly in the field for two-man launch and data retrieval, as well as quick disassembly into these five component parts for transport and storage in a highly compact transport case that can be carried as a backpack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Tien-Seng Chiu, Jay Willmott, Kirk Jenkins
  • Patent number: 6755288
    Abstract: A luggage structure is disclosed to include a hard plastic body internally decorated with a curtain, a metal reinforcing inner frame and a metal reinforcing outer frame respectively fastened to inner and outer diameters of the hard plastic body, a flexible supplementary frame attached to the topmost edge of the hard plastic body and riveted to the metal reinforcing inner frame, a fabric cover fastened to the flexible supplementary frame and adapted to close/open the luggage, and a fabric shell riveted to the metal reinforcing outer frame and covered over the flexible supplementary frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Allen Lai
  • Publication number: 20040118649
    Abstract: A luggage structure is disclosed to include a hard plastic body internally decorated with a curtain, a metal reinforcing inner frame and a metal reinforcing outer frame respectively fastened to inner and outer diameters of the hard plastic body, a flexible supplementary frame attached to the topmost edge of the hard plastic body and riveted to the metal reinforcing inner frame, a fabric cover fastened to the flexible supplementary frame and adapted to close/open the luggage, and a fabric shell riveted to the metal reinforcing outer frame and covered over the flexible supplementary frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Allen Lai
  • Patent number: 6745877
    Abstract: A luggage having a hidden type pull handle includes a main body, a telescopic pull handle, and two roller sets. Each of the two roller sets includes a wheel seat, a roller, and a reinforcement member. The pull handle is retained on the middle partition of the main body. Thus, when the pull handle is pulled in an oblique manner, the pull handle directly forces the main space of the main body to lean, so that the shell around the periphery of the secondary space of the main body is not pulled by the pull handle, thereby preventing the main body from being torn out, so as to increase the lifetime of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Inventor: Yen-Lung Tsai
  • Patent number: 6679358
    Abstract: A bag equipped with a bottom case, which is comprised of a bottom plate and a side peripheral wall and is integrally provided at its inner or outer surface with handle holding members and at its outer surface with caster mounting members, and which is coupled to an upper case made of fabric material or synthetic resin, is disclosed. The bottom case is detachably coupled to an upper case to allow only one case of both cases to be separated from the other case and to be cleaned or replaced with a new one. The bottom case is provided at its side wall with a reinforcing frame to prevent the side wall from being squeezed or broken. The bottom case is provided with handle mounting members to be integrally formed thereto or to be separated therefrom so as to diversify design and appearance of the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Inventor: Sung Hoan Be
  • Patent number: 6651792
    Abstract: A suitcase structure includes a shell which is reinforced by a reinforcing frame. The reinforcing frame is formed of a bottom tray, a top plate, a back plate, and two side plates. The top plate and the back plate are made integrally. The bottom tray is formed of a bottom rib, a plurality of peripheral ribs raised from the fringes of the bottom rib, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs for reinforcing corners of the peripheral ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sunco Luggage Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Kuwayama
  • Patent number: 6612413
    Abstract: A luggage includes a frame which is formed of bottom plate, top side plate and back plate. The top side plate and left and right side plates and top plate are joined together. The lower edges of the top side plate and the back plate are fastened to the side edge of the bottom plate. The top edge of the back plate is fastened to the top plate. The back plate is provided on the top with a stacking plate to facilitate the stacking of the top plate. The junctures of the side edges of the bottom plate, the side plates and the top plate are arcuate in shape. The juncture of the back plate and the stacking plate is arcuate in shape. The frame is resistant to deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Sunco Luggage Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Osamu Kuwayama
  • Patent number: 6604616
    Abstract: A container, incorporated with a multi-functional edge frame arrangement, includes a container body including a base panel and a plurality side panels connected to edge portions of said base panel respectively. The multi-functional edge frame arrangement includes a plurality of edge frames, each having a main frame having a L-shaped cross section and two edge holders provided at two side ends of the main frame. An edge portion of the side panel and an edge portion of the base panel are arranged to securely mount along the edge holders respectively so as to connect the side panel with the base panel. At least one of the edge frames is constructed to form a utility edge frame and the multi-functional edge frame arrangement further includes a mounting unit provided on the utility edge frame and a container accessory including a reinforcing member shaped and sized to fittedly mount on the mounting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Chun Lung Cheng
  • Publication number: 20030121740
    Abstract: A container, incorporated with a multi-functional edge frame arrangement, includes a container body including a base panel and a plurality side panels connected to edge portions of said base panel respectively. The multi-functional edge frame arrangement includes a plurality of edge frames, each having a main frame having a L-shaped cross section and two edge holders provided at two side ends of the main frame. An edge portion of the side panel and an edge portion of the base panel are arranged to securely mount along the edge holders respectively so as to connect the side panel with the base panel. At least one of the edge frames is constructed to form a utility edge frame and the multi-functional edge frame arrangement further includes a mounting unit provided on the utility edge frame and a container accessory including a reinforcing member shaped and sized to fittedly mount on the mounting unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Chun Lung Cheng
  • Patent number: 6293378
    Abstract: A frame bracket for lightweight luggage comprises a U-shaped plastic frame, a fabric frame covered on the U-shaped plastic frame, two L-shaped lower skeletal frame members each having a vertical member provided at the front corners of the bottom to secure the support plate, the plastic frame, and the fabric frame, and a U-shaped support plate provided on the bottom of U-shaped plastic frame. With the enhancement of U-shaped support plate and L-shaped lower skeletal frame members, the purpose of protecting the bottom of luggage and strengthening the structural frame is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2001
    Assignee: Chaw Khong Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jer Hong Lin
  • Patent number: 6283261
    Abstract: A luggage frame including two upright support rods, two brackets fastened respectively to the top end of the upright support rods, two base seats fastened respectively to the bottom end of the upright support rods, two caster mounts fastened respectively to the base seats, a top plate fastened to the two brackets, and a bottom plate fastened to the caster mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Inventor: Yu-Yi Sher
  • Patent number: 6260680
    Abstract: A luggage frame assembly comprises a fabric frame and a plastic frame wherein plastic frame is a closed member except the open front side, mating fasteners are equally spaced apart around the inner surface of the peripheral edge of the open front side of plastic frame, a steel cable frame is formed around the peripheral edge of the open front side of fabric frame, a zipper is fastened around the peripheral edge of the open front side of fabric frame to secure to the steal cable frame, and opposite mating fasteners are equally spaced apart around the inner surface of the joining of the zipper and the steel cable frame. Mating fasteners cling to opposite mating fasteners to secure fabric frame and plastic frame at the peripheral edges of the front side of the luggage in assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Chaw Khong Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jer Hong Lin
  • Patent number: 6116390
    Abstract: Wheeled luggage having a container of soft fabric adapted for stacking with other similar containers such as suitcases or the like. The container has at least three wheels mounted on the bottom to provide stability when rolled over a supporting surface. A selected pair of wheels extend beyond the rear periphery of the container so that the container may be pulled in a tilted position as well as pulled along on the wheels. The non-selected wheel is swiveled so that the suitcase may be easily maneuvered when it is pulled along the supporting surface in a non-tilted position. A handle device may be either a leash-type strap detachably connected to a connection at one end of the container and/or a rigid handle may be telescopically arranged on the container with or without a pivot. A pouch may be provided on the container for insertably receiving and storing the strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Inventor: Fred E. Cohen
  • Patent number: 5950779
    Abstract: A bag is provided and includes a freely opening and closing bag body, casters allowing the bag to be moved in the self standing upright posture and fixed at the lower face of the bag body, and a handle which is freely extensible inwardly and outwardly of the bag body. The handle has a grip at its upper extremity and connects vertical rods at both extremities of the grip. The vertical rods are introduced into guide pipes fixed to the bag body so as to be freely extensible. The interior of the bag body is divided into two compartments with one on each side by the partition fixed at the bag body. The bag body has covers which open and close each compartment, and the guide pipes are fixed to the partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Swany Corporation
    Inventor: Etsuo Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 5700717
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing the contact resistance associated with tungsten plug contacts to P-doped diffusion regions of a semiconductor device. Before or during the formation of the tungsten plug contacts, a high energy, low dosage of an N-dopant or neutral species such as silicon or germanium is implanted into the P-doped diffusion regions of the semiconductor device. The implantation causes lattice damage within the P-doped diffusion regions, enhancing diffusion of the P-dopant within the P-doped diffusion regions. This results in the P-dopant diffusing toward the contact, replacing dopant lost to segregation into the contact metalization, and thus reducing the contact resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward D. Nowak, Ying-Tsong Loh, Lily Ding
  • Patent number: 5685402
    Abstract: An internal frame for supporting a substantially rectangular wheeled suitcase comprises:(1) a base;(2) a U-shaped frame having a top panel and two side panels, the lower ends of the two side panels being vertically mounted to the left and right sides of the base;(3) a substantially rectangular extension board wherein the approximately middle section of the extension board is mounted to the top panel of the U-shaped frame;(4) two L-shaped braces mounted on the rear end of the extension board;(5) two supporting tubes vertically mounted on the rear side of the base;(6) two L-shaped head covers mounted on the rear sides of the two L-shaped braces for holding the upper ends of the two supporting tubes in between; and(7) a U-shaped pull handle telescopingly installed on the upper ends of the two supporting tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Inventor: Jerhong Lin
  • Patent number: 5671831
    Abstract: An adjustable travel bag which includes a main bag body having a front open side and an endless, strap-like folding collapsible coupling panel around the front open side, and an auxiliary bag body openably fastened to the coupling panel of the main bag body by a main zipper to close/open the front open side of the main bag body, wherein the coupling panel of the main bag body has two rows of interlocking teeth fixedly mounted along two opposite side edges thereof and unfastenably fastened together by a slide to secure the coupling panel in a folded up condition to minimize the holding space of the main bag body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Inventor: Tai-Yung Chiu
  • Patent number: 5634539
    Abstract: A box-like luggage item, such as a trunk, has panels forming ends, sides, top, and bottom of the box. Extruded strips having coves therein receive and grip edges of the panels in order to form the panels into the box-like structure. The box-like structure has a lid and a body with some of the extruded strips having a single cove for receiving a lower edge of each side of the lid and other extruded strips receiving an upper edge of each side of the body. Each of these extruded strips contains an area of a predetermined cross section for receiving an arm of an L-shaped bracket having the same predetermined section which strengthens and aligns the corner of the frame. This ability to align corners enables an elimination of a prior art practice of first installing a strip, cutting a notch in the strip, and then removing the notched material in order to mount hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Inventor: Bruce F. Gordon
  • Patent number: 5620069
    Abstract: A framed duffel bag has a fabric shell having a box shape with four sides joined by a bottom and a zip-open top. Three framing members made from strips of resilient material hold the four sides erect. Each of the strips is formed with two bends that separate a base from two arms that extend perpendicular to the base. The strips are threaded into channels formed along the bottom and two sides. The two sides are foldable toward the bottom against resilient torques generated by the strips, and the bottom is foldable in half to further compact the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Inventor: Gregory J. Hurwitz
  • Patent number: 5433303
    Abstract: A case with a collapsible frame. The collapsible frame has four straight walls and four connectors. Any two continuous straight walls are connected to each other by means of a connector. Each connector has a link assembly and a buckle assembly which consists of a female buckle and a male buckle. A straight wall is linked to the link assembly which is further linked to the male buckle which is engaged with the female buckle which is linked to another straight wall. The link assembly has several links. Any two continuous links have a first relative position so that they are allowed to pivot relative to each other and a second position so that they are kept from pivoting with respect to each other. The frame is collapsible when the links are in the first relative position and the female buckle is disengaged from the male buckle. The case occupies small space when the frame is folded. A frame is formed when the links are in the second relative position and the female buckle is engaged with the male buckle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Inventor: Chi-Lu Chen
  • Patent number: 5358082
    Abstract: An expandable article of luggage of softside and hardside material construction, consisting of a top section, a bottom section, and a center section that can be added or removed readily for different luggage capacities, is constructed of a design such that the luggage expands like softside luggage when overfilled, but retains its frame shape like hardside luggage. Its design also allows for a center section that may be collapsed and folded and inserted in the unexpanded luggage. In addition, the material combination allows for an improved wheel construction, consisting of large disk shaped wheels mounted in wheel wells at the base of the luggage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Inventor: James E. Armstrong, IV
  • Patent number: 5323886
    Abstract: A suitcase made in a rectangular configuration having a retractable handle assembly detachably fastened to one long side thereof, the retractable handle assembly having wheel holders fixed thereto at the bottom to hold two wheels by bolts and lock screws, a hollow base frame fastened to one short side thereof to hold a retractable bracket, and a tie strap having a middle part detachably fastened to an opposite short side of the suitcase and two hooks on two opposite ends thereof hooked on the retractable bracket to hold a case, etc., outside the suitcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Inventor: Shou-Mao Chen
  • Patent number: 5295565
    Abstract: The wheeled luggage has upper and lower cast skeletal frame members and substantially parallel tubular members interconnecting the upper and lower skeletal frame members and maintaining the skeletal frame members in a predetermined spaced apart relation so as to define a body cavity therebetween. The wheeled luggage also has a covering connected to the skeletal frame members and enclosing the body cavity with an openable fastener on the covering for providing access to the interior of the body cavity. A retractable handle having elongate substantially parallel side members telescopically is received in the tubular members and is in an extended position when the luggage is being transported. Spaced apart wheel mounting members extend from rear portions of the lower skeletal frame member and are cast integral therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: Purdy Neat Things Company
    Inventor: Ricky Latshaw
  • Patent number: 5181590
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: American Tourister, Inc.
    Inventors: Lester E. Carpenter, Wayne I. Schmitt, Laurence Snell, David Bieber, Donald W. Stucke, Jeremy S. Waltzer
  • Patent number: 5056695
    Abstract: A luggage carrier for attachment to the rear side of a vehicle and including an external bottom frame having channel means for pivotally supporting the carrier on a receiver post projecting rearwardly at about the level of the vehicle bumper. The luggage carrier further includes an internal frame having a bottom subframe portion, a pair of lateral subframes and a forward, vertically extending subframe. A rigid panel is secured to the forward vertically extending subframe. An arcuate closure subassembly is pivotally connected to the upper side of the forward subframe, and is pivotable to a position covering the opening at the top of the luggage carrier. The internal frame is covered by a flexible fabric sleeve or encasement, and vinyl pads are interposed between the fabric encasement and the frame to smooth the flexible fabric of the encasement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1991
    Inventor: Allen L. Giblet
  • Patent number: 3938630
    Abstract: A fabricated case is described which is suitable for carrying relatively heavy objects. Two opposed hinged concave shells are shown, each including a back wall and four side walls. In at least one of the shells, at least three of the walls joined by integral corners are formed from a single sheet of semi-rigid material, such as plastic, bent by the use of a heated tool, and joined along an edge of the sheet to a metallic frame section which provides strength and rigidity to the case. In contrast to molded attache or luggage case shells, the shells may be made with greater depth and in diverse shapes without the use of vacuum molds or other special tooling. The preferred frame section is F-shaped in cross section with a channel portion and an integral flange portion extending therefrom and forming a continuation of the base of the channel portion. The flange portion lies against the outer side of the walls with the channel portion extending transversely across the coextensive edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1976
    Assignee: Platt Luggage, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph E. March
  • Patent number: D311814
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Inventor: David L. Steiner