SOFT-SIDED LUGGAGE ARTICLE HAVING A SPLIT-GUSSET WITH A SECURITY FEATURE

Abstract: A soft-sided luggage article (20) has a split-gusset component. The luggage article includes a lid gusset and a base gusset. A covering material (26, 28) is disposed over both the lid and base gusset, the lid and base gussets being joined by a zipper (30). One of the lid or base gussets includes an extension portion (40) or tongue which engages into a groove portion in the other of the lid or base gusset. In this way, unauthorized entry into the luggage article is resisted when the zipper is breached. A split-gusset, as described above, is also disclosed as well as a unique hinge for the luggage article.

Description: - 1 - SOFT-SIDED LUGGAGE ARTICLE HAVING A SPLIT-GUSSET WITH A SECURITY FEATURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to soft-sided luggage and more specifically, to a split-gusset having a security feature which is used for the soft-sided luggage. Soft-sided, or gussetted luggage, includes in one embodiment, a split-gusset which makes up a lid gusset and base gusset, which lid and base gussets are hingedly connected to each other. Conventionally, a fabric covering is stretched around both the base and lid gussets with the base and lid then being joined together by providing a zipper. This type of luggage article is very popular due to its lightweight and pleasing aesthetic appearance. One disadvantage of this type of zippered soft-sided luggage is that the zipper is very easily breached, and can provide an unscrupulous person with easy access to the interior of the luggage article. Thus, some consumers hesitate to purchase soft-sided luggage due to security concerns. What is needed, therefore, is a luggage article and a split-gusset which provides a security feature which is currently lacking in prior art luggage articles. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention has met or exceeded the above-mentioned needs, as well as others. The soft-sided luggage article of the invention includes a split-gusset including a lid gusset and a base gusset. A covering material is disposed over both the lid and base gusset, - 2 - the lid and base gussets being joined by a zipper. One of the lid or the base gussets includes an extension portion or tongue which engages into a groove portion in the other of the lid or the base gusset. In this way, unauthorized entry into the luggage article is resisted when the joining means is breached. A split-gusset, as described above, is also disclosed as well as a unique hinge for the luggage article. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following detailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the soft-sided luggage article of the invention. Figure 2 is a front elevational view, partially cutaway, showing the security feature of the invention. Figure 3 is a perspective view of the split-gusset by itself. Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a back elevational view showing the unique hinge of the invention. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 5. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of Figure 5. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the luggage article 20 when it is open. - 3 - DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to Figure 1, the soft-sided luggage article 20 of the invention will be discussed. The luggage article 20 looks from the outside to be the same as any other soft-sided luggage article and consists of a lid 22 and a base 24 hingedly connected thereto by a hinge which is not shown in Figure 1 but which will be discussed in detail with respect to Figures 5-8. The lid 22 and base 24 consist of a lid gusset (not shown in Figure 1 ) and a base gusset (also not shown in Figure 1 ) which are both covered by a fabric covering 26 and 28, respectively. In order to close the luggage article 20 and then gain subsequent access thereto, a joining means, shown in Figure 1 as a zipper 30, is provided. Although zipper 30 is preferred, other joining means, such as latches, belts or buckles can be employed. As discussed above, the problem with the joining means, especially zipper 30, is that the zipper 30 can be easily pried open or otherwise breached, and unauthorized access to the interior of the luggage article 20 can be obtained. The invention herein provides a security feature that will resist unauthorized access to the interior of the luggage article 20 in case the zipper 30 is breached. Referring particularly to Figures 2-4, it will be seen that when the zipper 30 is breached, the invention provides a security feature in the form of a tongue or extension 40 extending from the lid gusset 42. The tongue 40 will resist unauthorized access to the interior of the luggage article 20 when the zipper 30 is breached. Referring particularly to Figures 3 and 4 , the details of the security feature of the invention will be discussed. Figure 3 shows the split-gusset 50 of the invention which consists of a base gusset 52 and the lid gusset 42. Each of these parts is a unitary injection 4 - molded element, which brings advantages such as simplifying construction, eliminating number of pieces, and increasing the repeatability of assembly. The base gusset 52 and lid gusset 42 are preferably made of molded plastic, but can be made of any suitable material. As shown best in Figure 4, the base gusset 52 includes a groove portion 60 defined by an outer wall 62 and an inner wall 64, which is integrally formed with and joined to the outer wall 62 by a horizontal rib 66. The groove portion 60 is adapted to receive the tongue or extension 40, which extends downwardly and is offset laterally inwardly from the outer wall 68 of the lid gusset 42. It will be appreciated that preferably a lower portion 70 of tongue 40 will engage into the groove portion 60, and the upper portion 72 will extend upwardly away from the groove portion 60. It is this upper portion 72 (see also, Figure 2 ) which will prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the luggage article 20. The extension 40 also adds structural integrity to the luggage article 20. While Figures 2-4 show the extension of tongue 40 extending from the lid gusset 42 and the groove portion 60 being defined by the base gusset 52, it will be appreciated that, although not preferred, the invention contemplates providing an extension or tongue on the base gusset and the groove portion being defined by the lid gusset. Figures 5-8 show the unique dual hinge of the invention. The hinge 100 is adapted to pivot about two separate parallel hinge lines, shown as A and B in Figures 5 and 8. As shown in Figure 8, this dual hinge line design will allow the lid 22 to be fully rotated so that a portion 22a thereof can rest on the surface 120 on which the base 24 rests. This will eliminate "cantilevering" of the lid which would occur if the lid - 5 - could not fully rotate. This design is advantageous, as frequently the interior of the lid gusset 42 is dedicated to holding a "suiter" which can add extra weight to the lid 22. If the lid 22 had to cantilever and was unable to rest on the surface 120, this could do damage to conventional hinges. The hinge design of the invention eliminates this problem. Referring to Figures 5-7, the hinge 100 includes a plurality of lid gusset tubes, such as lid gusset tube 140 and a plurality of base gusset tubes, such as base gusset tube 150. The hinge 100 further consists of a plurality of hinge links, such as hinge link 160, joined together by a plurality of bridging ribs, such as bridging rib 170 (Figure 6) . Each hinge link 160, as shown in Figure 7, has a central portion 162, a first upper tubular portion 164 and an opposed second lower tubular portion 166. A pair of hinge bars, upper hinge bar 180 and lower hinge bar 182 are provided which are engaged into and join the respective lid gusset tubes 140 and first upper tubular portions 164 (hinge bar 180 ) and the respective base gusset tubes 150 and second lower tubular portions 166 (hinge bar 182 ) as can best be seen in the cross-sectional views of Figures 6 and 7. It is the above design which provides the unique dual hinge line hinge 100 of the invention. The lid gusset tubes 140 and base gusset tubes 150 are preferably integrally molded with the lid gusset 42 and base gusset 52, respectively and thus are made of plastic. The hinge links 160 and bridging ribs 170 are also preferably made of plastic. The hinge bars 180 and 182 can be made of any suitable material, but preferably, for strength, are made of metal. It will be appreciated that a luggage article with a security feature to resist unauthorized access therein when a zipper is breached is provided. The - 6 security of the luggage article can be further enhanced by providing a lock and hasp. While specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.

Claims: 7 - WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A soft-sided luggage article comprising: a split-gusset including a lid gusset and a base gusset; a covering material disposed over said lid and base gussets, said lid and base gussets being joined together by joining means when said luggage article is closed; and one of said base gusset or said lid gusset including an extension portion with said other of said base gusset or said lid gusset including a groove portion so that when said luggage article is closed, said extension portion engages into said groove portion in order to resist unauthorized entry into said luggage article when said joining means is breached. 2. The luggage article of Claim 1, wherein said extension portion is disposed on said lid gusset and said groove portion is disposed on said base gusset. 3. The luggage article of Claim 1, wherein said joining means is a zipper. 4. The luggage article of Claim 1, wherein said base and lid gusset are hingedly connected to each other by hinge means. 5. The luggage article of Claim 4, wherein said hinge means are pivotable about a pair of parallel hinge lines. - 8 - 6. The luggage article of Claim 5, wherein said hinge means comprises: a plurality of tubes disposed on said lid gusset and corresponding tubes disposed on said base gusset; a hinge portion including a plurality of hinge links each having a first tubular portion and an opposed second tubular portion; and a pair of hinge bars, a first hinge bar disposed in said lid gusset tubes and said first tubular portions and a second hinge bar disposed in said base gusset tubes and said second tubular portions. 7. The luggage article of Claim 6, wherein said lid gusset tubes alternate with said first tubular portions and said base gusset tubes alternate with said second tubular portions. 8. A split-gusset for a luggage article including a covering material and a joining means, said split-gusset comprising: a first gusset including a groove portion; and a second gusset including an extension portion that engages into said groove portion when said first gusset is closed onto said second gusset, whereby said extension portion resists unauthorized entry through said joining means when said joining means is breached. 9. The split-gusset of Claim 8, wherein said first gusset is a base gusset. 10. The split-gusset of Claim 9, wherein said second gusset is a lid gusset. 11. The split-gusset of Claim 8, wherein said first gusset is a lid gusset. - 9 - 12. The split-gusset of Claim 8, wherein said second gusset is a base gusset. 13. The split-gusset of Claim 8, wherein said joining means is a zipper. 14. The split-gusset of Claim 8, wherein said first and second gussets are hingedly connected to each other by hinge means. 15. The split-gusset of Claim 14, wherein said hinge means comprises: a plurality of tubes disposed on said first gusset and corresponding tubes disposed on said second gusset; a hinge portion including a plurality of hinge links each having a first tubular portion and an opposed second tubular portion; and a pair of hinge bars, a first hinge bar disposed in said first gusset tubes and said first tubular portions and a second hinge bar disposed in said second gusset tubes and said second tubular portions. 16. The split-gusset of Claim 15, wherein said first gusset tubes alternate with said first tubular portions and said second gusset tubes alternate with said second tubular portions. 17 A split-gusset for a luggage article comprising: a lid gusset; a base gusset; and hinge means hingedly connecting said lid gusset to said base gusset, said hinge means being pivotable about a pair of parallel hinge lines. - 10 18. The split-gusset of Claim 17, wherein said hinge means comprises: a plurality of tubes disposed on said lid gusset and corresponding tubes disposed on said base gusset; a hinge portion including a plurality of hinge links each having a first tubular portion and an opposed second tubular portion; and a pair of hinge bars, a first hinge bar disposed in said lid gusset tubes and said first tubular portions and a second hinge bar disposed in said base gusset tubes and said second tubular portions. 19. The split-gusset of Claim 18, wherein said hinge bars are made of metal. 20. The split-gusset of Claim 18, wherein said lid gusset tubes alternate with said first tubular portions and said base gusset tubes alternate with said second tubular portions.

Inventors: BOZAK JOHN A, HAM SOOHYUN, TIRAMANI PAOLO M B, BOZAK, JOHN, A., HAM, SOOHYUN, TIRAMANI, PAOLO, M., B.
Applicants: 500 GROUP INC, BOZAK JOHN A, HAM SOOHYUN, TIRAMANI PAOLO M B, 500 GROUP, INC., BOZAK, JOHN, A., HAM, SOOHYUN, TIRAMANI, PAOLO, M., B.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A45C3
IPC codes: A45C3, A45C5, A45C13, B29C49, B60B33, B65D43