Patent ID: 6591950
Filing Date: 2003-07-15
Classification: A45C

Abstract:
An item of expandable luggage, comprising:a frame having a first, substantially rigid, rear component and a second, substantially rigid, front component, each of which components includes a pair of opposite peripheral wall panels that together with another pair of opposite peripheral wall members form the peripheral boundary of a variable main compartment enclosure and a generally rectangular area; a peripherally continuous first gusset of flexible material coupled between the peripheral wall panels and the peripheral wall members of the two frame components in the front to rear direction, the adjacent ends of the first and second frame components carrying mating halves of a peripherally continuous, first zipper, which, when undone, permits the first gusset to unfold in the forward direction to enlarge the main compartment enclosure; a front panel of flexible material covering the end of the second frame component; a second zipper extending around at least three sides of the second frame component and the front panel for releasably coupling the front panel to the second frame component, to permit access to the main compartment of the luggage item; at least one external front pocket carried by the flexible front panel, said at least one front pocket comprising along the bottom and substantially the full length of both sides thereof a second gusset of flexible material, the top of the front pocket being non-expandably attached to the front panel; and the edges of the front pocket adjoining the second gusset carrying mating halves of a third zipper which, when undone, permits the second gusset to unfold in the forward direction to enlarge the volume enclosed by the at least one front pocket.