Luggage Panel Insert System

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

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

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”.

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.

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

As seen in, the luggage system is formed as a bagwith a left side walland a right side wallbounded by a front-end wall and a rear end wall. The baghas a main openingwhich is a fabric opening that can be closed with a zipper.

The roller handle assemblymounts to the base. The roller handle assembly has a roller handle frame. The roller handle frameconnects to the base. The roller handle framereceives telescopically a first roller handle memberand a second roller handle member. The roller handle gripas a roller handle latch. The user can depress the roller handle latchon the roller handle gripand retract the handle formed by the first roller handle memberand the second roller handle member. The handle retracts back into the roller handle frame after use.

The main bodyhas an upper pouchmounted on the upper panel. The upper portionalso has an upper slot opening. The upper slot openingis formed on the upper panelbetween the upper pouch in the main opening. The backhas a main opening first strapand a main opening second strapthat assist in closing the main opening. The main opening second strapis parallel to the main opening first strap. The upper slot openingis parallel to the lower slot opening. The lower slot openingcan also be used for providing an opening to allow installation of a rack. The upper slot openingcan also be used for providing an opening for allowing installation of a rack. The lower portionhas a lower slot openingformed near the main opening. The left side of the bag may have a first left pouchand a second left pouch. The lower portion of the bag preferably includes wheels so that a user can wheel the bag around using the roller handle grip.

As seen in, the luggage exterior has a main openingthat can be closed with a main opening first strapand a main opening seven strap. Adjacent to the main opening for strapis the upper slot opening. Adjacent to the main opening second strapis the lower slot opening. The first left pouchand the second left pouchare mounted to the main bodybetween the baseand the main opening.

As seen in, the baghas a basevisible 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 pouchand a second left pouch. The soft right side receives a side retainer panel. The side retainer panelhas a wire frame. The side retainer panelis formed of a wireframesupporting a frame panel. The frame panel base layerand a frame panel pocket layerare laminate and parallel to each other. The side retainer panel is formed of the wireframeand the frame panel. The frame panelprovides a tensile support retaining the wireframein a rectangular shape. The rectangular shape has rounded corners. The wireframeis wrapped in fabric, and the frame panelis formed of fabric which wraps around the wireframe. The wireframeis received in a fabric sleeve of the frame panel. The fabric sleeve forms and edge of the side retainer panel. The base, and panel, and front panel have a frame panel retainer ridgewhich retains the side retainer panel. The side retainer panelfits against the retainer ridgeand the right side wall. The retainer ridgeforms a slot with the side of the bag. The frame panel retainer ridgeis preferably fabric and can be a hem of a connection between the baseand the sidewalls. The frame panel retainer ridge stitchingretains the shape of the retainer ridge. The retainer ridgeis flexible and shaped to retain the side retainer panel.

As seen in, the side retainer panelcan fit into the frame panel receiving area formed by the frame panel retainer ridgethat is retained by the frame panel retainer ridge stitching. The side retainer panelcan have a frame panel first pocketand a frame panel second pocket. 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. The right side panel receiving area is also preferably formed as a left side frame panel retainer slot. The frame panel retainer slotis formed between the frame panel retainer ridgeand the bag side. The side retainer panels fit into the side retainer panel slots and the wireframebiases between the pair of end panelsforming a retainer against compression. The end panels of a duffel bag would slouch if it were not for the side retainer panels.

The end panelmay also have a rack support, which is attached to the end panel. Both end panels may have rack supports. The rack supportpreferably includes a first rack brackethaving an upper rack supportand a second rack brackethaving a lower rack support. The upper rack supportcan be formed as an opening for retaining an upper portion of a rack post and the lower rack supportcan be formed as an opening for retaining a lower end portion of a rack post.

As seen in, the frame panel retainer slotsinclude a first frame panel retainer slotand a second frame panel retainer slot. The first frame panel retainer slot includes a first end panel slot, and the second frame panel retainer slotincludes a second end panel slot. The first end panel edgelodges in the first end panel slot. The second end panel slotreceives a second end panel edge. The pair of end panel edges, supports the end panelwhich freely folds at the end panel joint. The first end panel edgeand the second end panel edgeare resiliently biasing against and supporting the end panel. Pushing down on the front end panelwhile the end panel edges are supporting the end panelproduces a resilient spring effect allowing flexibility with some deformation.

The front end panelis formed as a rigid board that folds down at the end panel joint. The end panel joint can be a fabric material. The left side walland the right side wallare softer fabric than the end panels. 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, the flexible panels are entrained within the soft receiving slots such that they do not dislodge. The rear end panelis also formed as a rigid board that folds down at a rear end panel joint.

As seen in, a pair of side retainer panelsincludes a first side retainer paneland a second side retainer panel. 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 panellodges to the first frame panel retainer slot areaand the second side retainer panel lodges to the second frame panel retainer slot area. 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 paneland the second side retainer panelcan pop out as they are not enclosed or encapsulated, but rather lodged within the slots.

As a left side wall seen in, the accessory pocketscan be formed with a transparent pocket layerto allow viewing of contents within. The accessory pocketscan also receive a hookfor hanging the accessories pockets on a rack for use. The accessory pocketsare accessible when the side panels are in the mounted position and providing structural stability. The accessory pocketsare 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, the bag may further include a left wheel assemblyand a right wheel assemblyto allow wheeled locomotion.

As seen in, the rackcan be formed with a first rack postand a second rack post. The first rack postcan have a first telescopic jointand the second telescopic joint. The second rack post may have a third telescopic jointand a fourth telescopic joint. The crossbeamhas a first crossbeam connectorand the second crossbeam connector. The first crossbeam connectorconnects to the first rack post, and the second crossbeam connectorconnects to the second rack post. The first rack postand the second rack postattached to the first rack bracketand the second rack bracketwhich are formed on the rear end paneland the front end panel.

As seen in, 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, the bag can have a collapsed configurationand an end panel in a folded mode. After engaged in a folded mode and in the collapsed configuration, 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, four left straps retain the left luggage panel and include a first left corner strap, a second left corner strap, a third left corner strap, and a fourth left corner strapare 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, second right corner strap, third right corner strap, and a fourth right corner strap.

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.