LUGGAGE PANEL INSERT SYSTEM

Description

This patent application does not claim priority to an earlier application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is in the field of luggage systems, such as duffel bags, cases and backpacks.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

A variety of different luggage with panel inserts have been discussed in United States patents. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,458,451 entitled “Collapsible Storage and Carrying Case” by Donald E. Godshaw and Andrezj M. Redzisz, published Dec. 2, 2008, the inventors describe, “A collapsible bag construction includes a telescoping handle mounted on a bracket with a portion of the bracket extending along the bottom edge of the collapsible bag and cooperative with a supplemental or auxiliary rigid bottom panel that may be removed to permit the collapsible bag to be folded for storage”.

For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,232,018 entitled “Collapsible Luggage System” by Mark T. Salander, published Jun. 19, 2007, the inventor describes “This invention provides a structured luggage system that allows for maximum versatility in luggage piece dimensions and using two luggage pieces. Each of the two luggage pieces can be converted from a full-height luggage piece to an approximately half-height piece with relative ease. The lower or main piece includes conventional wheels and a retractable/extendible handle for easy transport. The upper or secondary piece is adapted to stack on and be secured to the extended handle and (in full-height configuration) offer a secondary grip for added stability adjacent to the handle grip. The lower piece includes an inner central septum that can be sealed or opened to selectively define either a two-compartment piece or large, single compartment piece. Each compartment includes easily removable stiffeners in corresponding side pockets. By removing the upper compartment stiffeners, the pocket can be collapsed into a thickened top that includes the septum as the thickened top's inside face. By also removing the bottom set of stiffeners, the bottom compartment can be collapsed, allowing the entire main/lower piece to be compressed for easy storage”.

For example, in United States publication 2005/0034947 entitled “Collapsible Duffle Bag” by Cory Nykoluk, published Feb. 17, 2005, the inventors describe “A collapsible item of luggage is provided comprising a rigid back wall. Three non-rigid sidewalls are attached the rigid back wall and to one another to form a rectangular box. An end panel is pivotally attached to a first end of the rectangular box. A retention flange is attached to one of the back wall or the end panel. Finally, a retention rod is attached to the other of the back wall or the end panel. The retention rod is removably attachable to the retention flange such that when the retention rod is attached to the retention flange the end panel is held in an extended position generally directed away from the back wall and when the retention rod is not attached to both retention flanges the end panel may be pivoted to a collapsed position generally adjacent and parallel to the back wall”.

For example, in United States publication 20150/041272 entitled “Collapsible Rolling Luggage” by Godfrey Ching Shan Shyr, published Feb. 12, 2015, the inventor describes, “A collapsible luggage includes a panel assembly that has a number of walls made of panels. The luggage has a rear panel, and a left side wall connected to the rear panel at a left side wall rear edge. A right side wall is connected to the rear panel at a right side wall rear edge, and a bottom wall is connected to the rear panel at a bottom wall rear edge. A top wall is connected to the rear panel at a top wall rear edge. The panel assembly has a deployed position and a stowed position. The panel assembly forms a cavity for storing articles when the panel assembly is in the deployed position. The front cover panel has a front cover panel hinged connection to the panel assembly and has a front cover panel zippered connection to the panel assembly”.

For example, in United States publication 2016/0331092, entitled “Split Wing Collapsible Luggage” by Graeme Wagoner, published Nov. 17, 2016, the inventor describes “An article of collapsible luggage includes a front surface, a plurality of front perimeter walls forming a closed perimeter around the front surface, and a split wing assembly having a left wing and a right wing. Both wings are pivotally attached the front perimeter walls and configured to rotate between a reinforcing position and a collapsing position. In the reinforcing position, the wings reinforce corners of the collapsible luggage and maintain the plurality of front perimeter walls substantially perpendicular to the front surface. In the collapsing position, the wings do not reinforce the corners of the collapsible luggage, thereby allowing the plurality of front perimeter walls to collapse into a substantially coplanar arrangement with the front surface”.

For example, in United States publication 2005/0224304, entitled “Collapsible Utility Bag and Advertising Vehicle” by Dilip Bhavnani, published Oct. 13, 2005, the inventor describes “The present invention relates to a collapsible utility bag which may, for example, be sized to fit within an athletic locker. The utility bag is generally rectangular in shape with a door that is hingedly attached to the front of the utility bag. Top and bottom rigid panels are provided, which are hinged or removable, and when in position support a top wall and a bottom wall. Removable side panels provide rigidity to side walls. Generally rectangular frames may be incorporated into the utility bag to provide further rigid support to the front and the rear of the bag. The utility bag can be collapsed for easy storage or shipping by removing the side panels, detaching the top and bottom panels, and collapsing the front of the bag towards the rear of the bag. A method for utilizing the present invention as a vehicle for advertising is also described”.

For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,655,329, entitled “Collapsible Luggage” by Katsuyoshi Kaneko, published Apr. 7, 1987, the inventor describes “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”.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A pair of wire-framed rectangular panels are inserted against the soft sides of a foldable duffel to provide structural rigidity, allowing the bag to maintain its shape at all times and to stand upright. These panels have additional functionalities such as built-in pockets, a flexible mirror, a hanging hook, among others. They are removable, and can hang on clothes racks via the hanging hooks, thereby becoming accessories that are usable when removed from the bag. This concept applies to other soft-construction travel bags such as backpacks and luggage.

A luggage panel insert system includes a bag that has a base, a left side wall, a right side wall, a rear end panel, and a front end panel. The left side wall is connected to the front end panel and the rear end panel. The right sidewall is connected to the front end panel and the rear end panel. The base connects to the left side wall, the right sidewall, the rear end panel, and the front end panel. A bag cavity is defined between the left side wall and the right side wall. The rear end panel and the front end panel fold down towards the base in a stowed position.

A pair of right end panel slots include a first right end panel slot, and a second right end panel slot. The pair of right end panel slots are formed on the right side wall. A pair of left end panel slots include a first left end panel slot, and a second left end panel slot. The pair of left end panel slots are formed on the left side wall.

A pair of side retainer panels include a right side retainer panel and a left side retainer panel. The right side retainer panel fits into the first right end panel slot and the second right end panel slot, between the first right end panel slot and the second right end panel slot.

The left side retainer panel fits into the first left end panel slot and the second left end panel slot between the first left end panel slot and the second left and panel slot. The right frame panel is accessible from the bag cavity. The left frame panel is accessible from the bag cavity. The right side retainer panel biases the rear end panel away from the front end panel to stiffen the bag a deployed position. The left side retainer panel biases the rear end panel away from the front end panel to stiffen the bag in the deployed position. The pair of side retainer panels are removable.

A pair of frame panel retainer slots include a right frame panel retainer slot and a left frame panel retainer slot. The right frame panel retainer slot is formed along the base. The left frame retainer panel slot is formed along the base. The right frame panel retainer slot receives the right side retainer panel. The left frame panel retainer slot receives the left side retainer panel. The pair of side retainer panels has a pocket formed between a frame panel base layer and a frame panel pocket layer. The pair of side retainer panels have a wire frame mounted a frame panel.

A rack mounts to the rear end panel and the front end panel. The rack includes a first rack post and the second rack post. The first rack post mounts to the rear end panel. The front rack post mounts to the front end panel. The rack further includes a crossbeam. The crossbeam has a first crossbeam connector connecting to the first rack post, and the crossbeam further includes a second crossbeam connector connecting to the second rack post.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top side perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the bag in an open position.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the luggage in open position.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the luggage with the frame panel retainer slot shown.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the luggage showing insertion of the side retainer panels.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the luggage showing insertion of a panel.

FIG. 8 is a diagram of the luggage showing insertion of a panel.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of the luggage showing a standing position of the panel.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of the luggage in crossbeam rack formation.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of the luggage in open position showing the frame panel inserted.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of the luggage in collapsed mode for storage.

The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide in referencing the elements of the drawings.

• • 20 Bag
  • 21 Main Body
  • 22 Main Opening
  • 23 Main Opening First Strap
  • 24 Main Opening Second Strap
  • 25 Upper Panel
  • 26 Base
  • 27 Upper Pouch
  • 28 First Left Pouch
  • 29 Second Left Pouch
  • 30 Roller Handle Assembly
  • 31 First Roller Handle Member
  • 32 Second Roller Handle Member
  • 33 Roller Handle Grip
  • 34 Roller Handle Latch
  • 35 Roller Handle Frame
  • 36 Upper Slot Opening
  • 37 Lower Slot Opening
  • 38 Upper Portion
  • 39 Lower Portion
  • 40 Rack Support
  • 41 Upper Rack Support
  • 42 Lower Rack Support
  • 43 First Rack Bracket
  • 44 Second Rack Bracket
  • 45 End Panel
  • 46 End Panel Fold Line
  • 50 Side Retainer Panel
  • 51 Wire Frame
  • 52 Frame Panel
  • 53 Frame Panel Base Layer
  • 54 Frame Panel Pocket Layer
  • 55 Frame Panel Ridge
  • 56 Frame Panel Retainer Ridge Stitching
  • 57 Frame Panel Retainer Slot
  • 58 Frame Panel First Pocket
  • 59 Frame Panel Second Pocket
  • 61 First Frame Panel Retainer Slot
  • 62 Second Frame Panel Retainer Slot
  • 63 End Panel Joint
  • 64 End Panel
  • 65 First End Panel Slot
  • 66 Second End Panel Slot
  • 67 First End Panel Edge
  • 68 Second End Panel Edge
  • 70 Pair Of Side Retainer Panels
  • 71 First Side Retainer Panel
  • 72 Second Side Retainer Panel
  • 73 First Frame Panel Retainer Slot Area
  • 74 Second Frame Panel Retainer Slot Area
  • 80 Accessories Pockets
  • 81 Transparent Pocket Layer
  • 82 Hook
  • 83 Left Wheel Assembly
  • 184 Right Wheel Assembly
  • 84 Left Side Wall
  • 85 Right Side Wall
  • 90 Rack
  • 91 First Rack Post
  • 92 Second Rack Post
  • 93 Crossbeam
  • 94 First Crossbeam Connector
  • 95 Second Crossbeam Connector
  • 96 First Telescopic Joint
  • 97 Second Telescopic Joint
  • 98 Third Telescopic Joint
  • 99 Fourth Telescopic Joint
  • 100 Collapsed Configuration
  • 101 End Panel In Folded Mode
  • 102 First Left Corner Strap
  • 103 Second Left Corner Strap
  • 104 Third Left Corner Strap
  • 105 Fourth Left Corner Strap
  • 106 First Right Corner Strap
  • 107 Second Right Corner Strap
  • 108 Third Right Corner Strap
  • 109 Fourth Right Corner Strap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As seen in FIG. 1, the luggage system is formed as a bag 20 with a left side wall 84 and a right side wall 85 bounded by a front-end wall and a rear end wall. The bag 20 has a main opening 22 which is a fabric opening that can be closed with a zipper.

The roller handle assembly 30 mounts to the base 26. The roller handle assembly has a roller handle frame 35. The roller handle frame 35 connects to the base 26. The roller handle frame 35 receives telescopically a first roller handle member 31 and a second roller handle member 32. The roller handle grip 33 as a roller handle latch 34. The user can depress the roller handle latch 34 on the roller handle grip 33 and retract the handle formed by the first roller handle member 31 and the second roller handle member 32. The handle retracts back into the roller handle frame after use.

The main body 21 has an upper pouch 27 mounted on the upper panel 25. The upper portion 38 also has an upper slot opening 36. The upper slot opening 36 is formed on the upper panel 25 between the upper pouch in the main opening 22. The back 20 has a main opening first strap 23 and a main opening second strap 24 that assist in closing the main opening 22. The main opening second strap 24 is parallel to the main opening first strap 23. The upper slot opening 36 is parallel to the lower slot opening 37. The lower slot opening 37 can also be used for providing an opening to allow installation of a rack. The upper slot opening 36 can also be used for providing an opening for allowing installation of a rack. The lower portion 39 has a lower slot opening 37 formed near the main opening 22. The left side of the bag may have a first left pouch 28 and a second left pouch 29. The lower portion of the bag preferably includes wheels so that a user can wheel the bag around using the roller handle grip 33.

As seen in FIG. 2, the luggage exterior has a main opening 22 that can be closed with a main opening first strap 23 and a main opening seven strap 24. Adjacent to the main opening for strap 23 is the upper slot opening 35. Adjacent to the main opening second strap 24 is the lower slot opening 37. The first left pouch 28 and the second left pouch 29 are mounted to the main body 21 between the base 26 and the main opening 22.

As seen in FIG. 3, the bag 20 has a base 26 visible when open. The duffel bag has soft sides, namely a soft left side and a soft right side. The soft left side has a first left pouch 28 and a second left pouch 29. The soft right side receives a side retainer panel 50. The side retainer panel 50 has a wire frame 51. The side retainer panel 50 is formed of a wireframe 51 supporting a frame panel 52. The frame panel base layer 53 and a frame panel pocket layer 52 are laminate and parallel to each other. The side retainer panel is formed of the wireframe 51 and the frame panel 52. The frame panel 52 provides a tensile support retaining the wireframe 51 in a rectangular shape. The rectangular shape has rounded corners. The wireframe 51 is wrapped in fabric, and the frame panel 52 is formed of fabric which wraps around the wireframe 51. The wireframe 51 is received in a fabric sleeve of the frame panel 52. The fabric sleeve forms and edge of the side retainer panel 50. The base 26, and panel 45, and front panel have a frame panel retainer ridge 55 which retains the side retainer panel 50. The side retainer panel 50 fits against the retainer ridge 55 and the right side wall. The retainer ridge 55 forms a slot with the side of the bag. The frame panel retainer ridge 55 is preferably fabric and can be a hem of a connection between the base 26 and the sidewalls. The frame panel retainer ridge stitching 56 retains the shape of the retainer ridge 55. The retainer ridge 55 is flexible and shaped to retain the side retainer panel 50.

As seen in FIGS. 3-4, the side retainer panel 50 can fit into the frame panel receiving area formed by the frame panel retainer ridge 55 that is retained by the frame panel retainer ridge stitching 56. The side retainer panel 50 can have a frame panel first pocket 58 and a frame panel second pocket 59. The right side retainer panel and the left side retainer panel fit into side retainer panel receiving areas, namely that the right side retainer panel fits into a right side retainer panel receiving area, and the left side retainer panel fits into a left side panel receiving area. The left side panel receiving area is preferably formed as a right side frame panel retainer slot 57. The right side panel receiving area is also preferably formed as a left side frame panel retainer slot 57. The frame panel retainer slot 57 is formed between the frame panel retainer ridge 55 and the bag side. The side retainer panels fit into the side retainer panel slots and the wireframe 51 biases between the pair of end panels 45 forming a retainer against compression. The end panels of a duffel bag would slouch if it were not for the side retainer panels 50.

The end panel 45 may also have a rack support 40, which is attached to the end panel 45. Both end panels may have rack supports. The rack support 40 preferably includes a first rack bracket 43 having an upper rack support 41 and a second rack bracket 44 having a lower rack support 42. The upper rack support 41 can be formed as an opening for retaining an upper portion of a rack post and the lower rack support 42 can be formed as an opening for retaining a lower end portion of a rack post.

As seen in FIG. 5, the frame panel retainer slots 57 include a first frame panel retainer slot 61 and a second frame panel retainer slot 62. The first frame panel retainer slot includes a first end panel slot 65, and the second frame panel retainer slot 62 includes a second end panel slot 66. The first end panel edge 67 lodges in the first end panel slot 65. The second end panel slot 66 receives a second end panel edge 68. The pair of end panel edges, supports the end panel 64 which freely folds at the end panel joint 63. The first end panel edge 67 and the second end panel edge 68 are resiliently biasing against and supporting the end panel 64. Pushing down on the front end panel 64 while the end panel edges are supporting the end panel 64 produces a resilient spring effect allowing flexibility with some deformation.

The front end panel 64 is formed as a rigid board that folds down at the end panel joint 63. The end panel joint can be a fabric material. The left side wall 84 and the right side wall 85 are softer fabric than the end panels 64. Thus, the receiving slots are soft and protrude past the rigid boards so that the rigid boards hold a side edge of the flexible panels. As forces wide to the end panel 64, the flexible panels are entrained within the soft receiving slots such that they do not dislodge. The rear end panel 45 is also formed as a rigid board that folds down at a rear end panel joint.

As seen in FIG. 6, a pair of side retainer panels 70 includes a first side retainer panel 71 and a second side retainer panel 72. Each of the side retainer panels has a front and rear end panel edge that fit into a front and rear end panel slot. The slots can be formed as a groove and may only be between 1 cm and 0.3 cm deep. The end panel slots receive the side retainer panels to convert the duffel bag from a soft bag to a more rigid one. The end panel slots and side retainer panels increase rigidity. As force is applied to the ends, the first side retainer panel 71 lodges to the first frame panel retainer slot area 73 and the second side retainer panel lodges to the second frame panel retainer slot area 74. The first and second frame panel slot retainer areas are formed by the pair of front and rear end panel slots and the left and right frame panel retainer slots. When force is excessive, the first side retainer panel 71 and the second side retainer panel 72 can pop out as they are not enclosed or encapsulated, but rather lodged within the slots.

As a left side wall seen in FIGS. 7-8, the accessory pockets 80 can be formed with a transparent pocket layer 81 to allow viewing of contents within. The accessory pockets 80 can also receive a hook 82 for hanging the accessories pockets on a rack for use. The accessory pockets 80 are accessible when the side panels are in the mounted position and providing structural stability. The accessory pockets 80 are also accessible when the side panels are removed and hung on the rack. Thus, the accessory pockets remain accessible at all times.

As seen in FIG. 9, the bag may further include a left wheel assembly 83 and a right wheel assembly 184 to allow wheeled locomotion.

As seen in FIG. 10, the rack 90 can be formed with a first rack post 91 and a second rack post 92. The first rack post 91 can have a first telescopic joint 96 and the second telescopic joint 97. The second rack post may have a third telescopic joint 98 and a fourth telescopic joint 99. The crossbeam 93 has a first crossbeam connector 94 and the second crossbeam connector 95. The first crossbeam connector 94 connects to the first rack post 91, and the second crossbeam connector 95 connects to the second rack post 92. The first rack post 91 and the second rack post 92 attached to the first rack bracket 43 and the second rack bracket 44 which are formed on the rear end panel 45 and the front end panel 64.

As seen in FIG. 11, the opposite side of the bag also shows that the two sides, namely the right side in the left side of the bag are basically symmetrical.

As seen in FIG. 12, the bag can have a collapsed configuration 100 and an end panel in a folded mode 101. After engaged in a folded mode and in the collapsed configuration 100, the bag can be stowed under a bed for example. A user can reinstall the panels when the user needs to add rigidity back to the bag. The user can reinsert the wireframe stabilizing side panels. The stabilizing side panels have a wire frame that will push past the front and rear rigid end plates and lodge into a soft portion of the left and right sides of the bag at the edges of the left and right sides of the bag. The wireframe stabilizing side panels are accessible from the cavity of the bag. Also, the slots are also accessible from the cavity of the bag. A user can pull the wireframe stabilizing side panels out of the end slots. The end slots communicate from the front slot portion to the lower slot portion to the rear slot portion. The retaining slots have a low and rounded raised protrusion edge that define the retaining slots.

The luggage panel side walls further include panel retaining straps. Each luggage panel side wall preferably has four panel retaining straps that retain the luggage panel. For example, the right luggage panel can be retained to the right sidewall using four right panel retaining straps. The retaining straps can be formed as elastic bands or belts that retain a corner of the luggage panel insert. The luggage retaining straps can be used in conjunction with or instead of the slots. As seen in FIG. 9, four left straps retain the left luggage panel and include a first left corner strap 102, a second left corner strap 103, a third left corner strap 104, and a fourth left corner strap 105 are mounted on the left side of the luggage. On the right side of the luggage, four right straps retain the right luggage panel. The four right straps include a first right corner strap 106, second right corner strap 107, third right corner strap 108, and a fourth right corner strap 109.

The panels can have various functions such as a mirror or a towel surface. The panels can have pockets such as mesh pockets or transparent clear pockets. The mesh pockets or clear pockets can be two or three pockets. The pockets can be opaque. The mirror is preferably flexible if mounted to the panel. The panels can have a variety of different electronic functions such as a cell phone charger or light, such as a battery holder. The panels can have built in straps that are stitched to the panel such as hook and loop tape straps that can attach a variety of news articles to the panels. The panels can be sequentially chained such as if one panel has a loop for receiving a hanging hook. The panels can hook to each other at hanging hook receiving loops. The panels can have multiple members or faces so that a panel has folding capability. The number of pockets may vary, for example the panel pockets can be five panel pockets or eight, or a single pocket. Panels can have pockets or features on both sides.