Patent ID: 7328779
Filing Date: 2008-02-12
Classification: A45C

Abstract:
1. An expandable case such as a travel bag and the like having a packing compartment for receiving at least an article to be packed therein, access means for selectively opening and closing the packing compartment, a ratchet means for automatically expanding the packing compartment to a degree and for holding the case in a compressed condition once the access is closed, said ratchet means being positioned within an inner cavity of said expandable case and further includes a release mechanism that is accessible by a user only when said access is open, said ratchet means further including a slidably movable jack, said ratchet means further including a base plate that houses said slidably movable jack, wherein said jack further includes a set of teeth and slides into and out of a cavity within said base plate, said release mechanism including at least one detent that is activated by depressing said detent, said detent further including a hook portion that engages said teeth located on said jack, said ratchet means being held in a series of locked, secure positions when said hook portion engages said teeth, said ratchet means further comprising a biasing means that is engaged with said jack, said biasing means biases the jack in a fully extended position, and biases said expandable case in a fully expanded position when said detents are depressed, thus creating automatic expansion of said case.