US3977501A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Luggage case construction
Assignee: Samsonite Corp
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Filing: 1974-06-24
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Granted: 1976-08-31
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Expires: 1994-06-24
Abstract
Abstract The luggage case construction has a first open sided shell over which a cover is removably secured. The shell includes bottom, top and two end walls interconnected by a rectangular back wall. An elongated frame member extends continuously along the inner top wall surface, both end walls and for a distance inwardly of the end walls onto the bottom wall. The frame is centrally located within the shell and includes a pair of parallel rib-like elements integrally related by a wall portion via which it is riveted to the luggage case shell. At each of the corners of the luggage case sheel and in the central portion immediately under the handle of the top wall there are provided sheet-like elements between the channel and the luggage case walls. The sheet-like members extend transversely of the luggage case an amount equal to the total case width, such that when the cover is closed over the shell and the secured in place, the sheet-like member establishes a firm case width.
Inventors
- 👤 Juan Perez Alonso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:25
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45C; A45C3/00; A45C3/001
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A luggage case construction, comprising: an open-sided shell of relatively soft flexible material and generally rectangular geometry having back, top, bottom and end walls; a cover removably located over the shell open side; and an elongated flexible stiffener of predetermined configuration having a width dimension at least several times that of its overall thickness arranged to extend along the inner surface of the shell end, top and a portion of the bottom walls and in continuous contact therewith, said stiffener having such flexibility and memory characteristics that it can withstand deforming forces applied to the top wall sufficient to bring the top wall into contact with the bottom wall, and on removal of the deforming forces the stiffener will reassume its predetermined configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A luggage case construction, comprising: an open-sided shell of relatively soft flexible material and generally rectangular geometry having back, top, bottom and end walls; a cover removably located over the shell open side; and an elongated flexible stiffener of predetermined configuration having a width dimension at least several times that of its overall thickness arranged to extend along the inner surface of the shell end, top and a portion of the bottom walls and in continuous contact therewith, said stiffener having such flexibility and memory characteristics that it can withstand deforming forces applied to the top wall sufficient to bring the top wall into contact with the bottom wall, and on removal of the deforming forces the stiffener will reassume its predetermined configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A luggage case construction as in claim 1, in which said flexible stiffener is affixed to the shell walls via rivets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A luggage case construction as in claim 1, in which there is further provided straplike means arranged about the shell exterior surfaces of the top, side and bottom walls and lying directly opposite the stiffener; and a plurality of rivets interconnecting the stiffener, shell and straplike means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
160 words
A luggage case construction, comprising: an open-sided shell of relatively soft flexible material having back, top, bottom and end walls; a soft flexible cover removably secured over the shell open side; an elongated extruded plastic frame of a width at least several times its thickness affixed to the shell inner wall surfaces at several spaced points and extending along the top, bottom and end walls in conforming relation therewith; and a plurality of individual sheetlike members slidingly received between said frame and the shell wall lying immediately opposite at least at points of juncture of adjacent walls for establishing shell wall dimensionality transversely of the frame long dimension; said stiffener having such flexibility and memory characteristics that it can withstand oppositely directed torsional forces applied generally in the plane of the end walls sufficient to bring the top wall substantially into contact with the lower wall and on removal of said torsional forces, the stiffener will reassume its predetermined configuration.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
160 words
A luggage case construction, comprising: an open-sided shell of relatively soft flexible material having back, top, bottom and end walls; a soft flexible cover removably secured over the shell open side; an elongated extruded plastic frame of a width at least several times its thickness affixed to the shell inner wall surfaces at several spaced points and extending along the top, bottom and end walls in conforming relation therewith; and a plurality of individual sheetlike members slidingly received between said frame and the shell wall lying immediately opposite at least at points of juncture of adjacent walls for establishing shell wall dimensionality transversely of the frame long dimension; said stiffener having such flexibility and memory characteristics that it can withstand oppositely directed torsional forces applied generally in the plane of the end walls sufficient to bring the top wall substantially into contact with the lower wall and on removal of said torsional forces, the stiffener will reassume its predetermined configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
A luggage construction as in claim 4, in which there is further provided straplike means arranged about the shell exterior surfaces of the top, side and bottom walls and lying directly opposite to the frame; and a plurality of rivets interconnecting the frame, shell and straplike means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
115 words
A luggage case construction, comprising: an open-sided sheet having back, top, bottom and end walls; a cover received over the shell open side; and an elongated reinforcing frame of predetermined configuration contiguously extending along the inner top, bottom and end walls, said frame including a pair of continuous parallel raised portions separated by a recess extending its full length, said frame having such flexibility and memory characteristics that it can withstand either deforming forces applied to the top wall or torsional forces oppositely applied in the general plane of the end walls sufficient to bring the top wall into substantial contact with the bottom wall and reassuming said predetermined configuration on removal of said forces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
115 words
A luggage case construction, comprising: an open-sided sheet having back, top, bottom and end walls; a cover received over the shell open side; and an elongated reinforcing frame of predetermined configuration contiguously extending along the inner top, bottom and end walls, said frame including a pair of continuous parallel raised portions separated by a recess extending its full length, said frame having such flexibility and memory characteristics that it can withstand either deforming forces applied to the top wall or torsional forces oppositely applied in the general plane of the end walls sufficient to bring the top wall into substantial contact with the bottom wall and reassuming said predetermined configuration on removal of said forces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A luggage case as in claim 6, in which said reinforcing frame is constructed of extruded polyvinylchloride.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-31 | 1980-03-01 | 1980-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-31 | 1984-03-01 | 1984-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-31 | 1988-03-01 | 1988-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |