Samsonite Corporation

Daniel G Elles

William L King

James S Gregg

Lawrence J Deliman

Rik Hillaert

Carlo F Zezza, Jr

David W Fiddes

Jon C Nordmark

Robert M Tesman

David E Workman

Robert L Bromley

Elliot J Younessian

James E Wilkuski

Don N Burzen

Jonathan Ted Chopper

David A Koontz

The present invention provides a latch-type of lockthat includes an override mechanism to grant access to an article of luggageby an override tool such as a master key. The present invention can be used on any type of storage facility and/or transport vessel including large storage containers, such as molded plastic storage and shipping boxes for linens and the like, briefcases, computer bags, messenger bags, backpacks, hard or soft-sided totes, hybrids, other molded or non-molded vessels, framed cases, unframed cases, and so on. The latch lockof the present invention includes a mechanism for clearing a pathwaythat, when the lockis in a locked condition, is blocked. A pivot armis provided to block/unblock pathwayThe pivot armis operated by a camwhich is in turn operated by the override tool. When the lockhas been overridden, the pivot armrotates out of pathwaythereby allowing lateral movement of a sliderwhich in turn allows displacement of a leverthereby granting access to the contents of the luggage

Combination lock with pass-key override

Wheeled luggage cases include at least two wheels and a handle with which to roll the luggage on these wheels. Most prior art wheel handles require the user to use considerable force to balance the case on these two wheels, either when the case is carrying auxiliary cases or when otherwise fully loaded. The disclosed luggage case has a wheel handle which extends out of and along one side of the case on an arm, and a handle grip mounted on this arm in a way that tips the luggage case forward to better balance over the wheels when carrying varying loads. The wheel handle arm also includes a mechanism that supports the handle grip at different heights to further optimize this load balancing function.

Wheeled luggage case with extendable handle

Luggage cases usually include wheels to aid in their transport. The wheels and their mounting systems must themselves be extremely sturdy, and should not cause weakness or mechanical failure of the luggage case to which they are mounted. The disclosed cantilever wheel mounting assembly 18 includes an axle 22 with a protruding end 26 that fits into an elastomeric mounting block 20 that in turn is received in a corresponding cavity in a molded luggage case shell. A screw fastener 38 passes through one of the walls 15 of the cavity, and through a corresponding hole 44 in the mounting block and through a hole 28 through the end of the axle 22 to hold the assembly in place while permitting the axle to pivot about the fastener when the elastomeric block flexes in response to vibrations and impacts in use.

Wheel mounting system for molded luggage case

An auxiliary luggage attachment and security tether mechanism secure an auxiliary luggage case to a main luggage case for support on and by an exterior surface of a main luggage case, and secure at least the main luggage case to an object. The attachment mechanism comprises a clutch mechanism, an elongated flexible strap having an inner end fixably attached to the clutch mechanism and the outer end attached to a hook, the clutch mechanism being biased to pull the flexible strap onto the clutch mechanism and retract the hook to the clutch mechanism. A lid is pivotally mounted adjacent to the clutch mechanism and has a selectively open position where the hook and strap are accessible, and a selectively closed position where the lid covers the clutch mechanism and the strap or hook to the extent the strap is retracted onto the clutch mechanism. The lid engages the clutch mechanism in the open position to release the clutch mechanism whereby the strap can be extended from the clutch mechanism. The lid engages the clutch mechanism in the closed position to hinder the movement of the clutch mechanism and fix the length of extension of the strap. A lock mechanism in the lid locks the lid in the closed position, covering the clutch mechanism. The hook at the end of the strap can be replaced in the receptacle to engage the clutch mechanism, and the lid can then be locked to secure the hook and the strap to the clutch mechanism.

Retractable auxiliary luggage case attachment and security tether

Luggage case have included devices for holding garments on hangers. These devices usually consisted of a clamp-like device for holding the hook portion of special hangers together with a ladder-like rack which was laid over the garments in the case. Then the garments were folded over this ladder-like device. Such systems tended to the cumbersome and did not easily permit the use of ordinary closet hangers. The disclosed system includes a buckle and strap arrangement that holds the hook portions of a number of closet type hangers, regardless of style or construction, snugly and compactly near a wall of the luggage case. A simple packing bar comprises a laterally extending rod held by flexible rod supports. The rod supports are detachably pivotably mounted to opposite side walls of the case and have a length which permits adjustable positioning of the rod relative to the bottom wall of the case depending on the number and thickness of the clothing being packed.

Packing system for luggage case

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

Travel bag with combination pull handle and auxiliary bag strap

This invention is a handle assembly for luggage. It includes an elongated, hollow, complaint handgrip portion having a pair of parallel grooves on its upper surface. A rigid end member is received in each end of the hollow handgrip and extends away from the same side of the handgrip at a divergent angle. Openings in the distal ends of the rigid end members engage co-operating means on the luggage case. A metal U-shaped member engages the two inserted rigid end members and the parallel grooves to hold the handle parts in proper assembled relation.

Growing community of inventors

Conifer, CO, United States of America

Daniel G Elles