Abstract:
A suitcase comprises a receptacle portion and a flap portion connected thereto. An access fastener is provided between the receptacle portion and the flap portion so as to releasably connect the flap portion to the receptacle portion to allow/close access to an interior of the receptacle portion. A first and a second level of lateral expansion are provided on the flap portion and/or the receptacle portion, with respectively a first-expansion and a second-expansion fastener extending about a periphery of the suitcase and openable to release suitcase material to increase a volume of the suitcase, whereby the volume of the suitcase is cumulatively increased by the first and the second level of lateral expansion.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present patent application claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/797,774, filed on May 5, 2006. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to luggage and, more particularly, to suitcases and like pieces of luggage expandable in size, to increase the volume thereof. 
         [0004]    2. Background Art 
         [0005]    The amount of luggage used by a traveler often varies in round trips. A traveler will typically pack some gifts, business documents or the like, that are destined to being given at the trip&#39;s destination. Likewise, travelers will often return home with additional luggage, to carry items such as souvenirs. Similarly, travelers will frequently shop while on vacation, to benefit from locally unavailable merchandise, to save on high local taxes, and/or simply for the pleasure of it. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, expandable compartments have been developed on suitcases and like pieces of luggage. For such expandable compartments, a zip fastener surrounds the periphery of a soft-shell suitcase, and is openable to release folded material. This results in an increase in the volume of the suitcase. The zip fastener is simply closed to reduce the size of the suitcase back to its original non-expanded dimensions. 
         [0007]    Therefore, the size of the piece of luggage may be adjusted to some extent in order to adjust the carrying volume of the suitcase as a function of the items to be accommodated within the suitcase. However, the level of expansion is somewhat limited by the single zip fastener with respect to the overall configuration of the suitcase. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0008]    It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a suitcase or like piece of luggage that addresses issues associated with the prior art. 
         [0009]    Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a suitcase comprising: a receptacle portion having wheels at a bottom for rolling displacement of the suitcase, and a retractable handle projecting from a top of the suitcase for manipulating the suitcase during the rolling displacement; a flap portion connected to the receptacle portion; an access fastener between the receptacle portion and the flap portion so as to releasably connect the flap portion to the receptacle portion to allow/close access to an interior of the receptacle portion; a first level of lateral expansion on any one of the flap portion and the receptacle portion, the first level of lateral expansion having a first-expansion fastener extending about a periphery of the suitcase and openable to release suitcase material to increase a volume of the suitcase; and a second level of lateral expansion on any one of the flap portion and the receptacle portion, the second level of lateral expansion having a second-expansion fastener extending about a periphery of the suitcase and openable to release suitcase material to further increase a volume of the suitcase; whereby the volume of the suitcase is cumulatively increased by the first and the second level of lateral expansion. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof and in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a multi-level expandable suitcase constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as twice expanded; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a left-side view of the multi-level expandable suitcase of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a right-side view of the multi-level expandable suitcase of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the multi-level expandable suitcase of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the multi-level expandable luggage of  FIG. 1 , with a stand device in a retracted position; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the multi-level expandable luggage of  FIG. 1 , with the stand device in an extended support position. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , a multi-level expandable suitcase in accordance with the preferred embodiment is generally shown at  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the suitcase  10  is of the upright type, and is in the upright position in  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
         [0018]    The suitcase  10  has a generally rectangular body. In the illustrated embodiment, it is seen that the suitcase has a trapezoidal shape (i.e., flared) from a front viewpoint. Accordingly, the center of mass of the suitcase  10  is lower with this trapezoidal shape, resulting in additional stability for the suitcase  10 . The suitcase  10  has a receptacle portion A and a flap portion B, separable to allow access to an interior of the suitcase  10 . In  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the receptacle portion A and the flap portion B are connected, whereby the suitcase  10  is closed. The suitcase  10  has a front surface  14  and a rear surface  16 . The periphery of the suitcase  10  is defined by a left lateral surface  18 , a top surface  20 , a right lateral surface  22  and a bottom surface  24 . 
         [0019]    The front surface  14  is provided with a pouch  26  and a main face pocket  28 . The main pocket  28  has a transverse zip fastener  30 . 
         [0020]    A retractable handle system  32  is positioned on the top surface  20  adjacent to the rear surface  16 . A retractable handle  32 ′ extends upwardly from the top surface  20  of the suitcase  10 . In  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the retractable handle  32 ′ is generally at a midpoint of its full extension. Although not shown, the handle  32 ′ may be fully retracted into the suitcase  10 . 
         [0021]    Caster systems  34  are associated with the handle  32 ′, and are positioned at the intersection of the rear surface  16  and the bottom surface  24  of the suitcase  10 , with a rotational axis of casters  34 ′ being generally parallel to the intersection edge between the rear surface  16  and the bottom surface  24 . As is well known, the suitcase  10  may be tilted so as to rest on the casters  34 ′ while being supported and handled using the handle  32 ′, in a rolling configuration of the suitcase  10 . 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , legs  36  are provided on the bottom surface  24 , adjacent to the front surface  14 . When the suitcase  10  is in the upright position as is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the suitcase  10  is supported by the casters  34 ′ and the legs  36 . 
         [0023]    A handle  38  is provided on the left lateral surface  18  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) in combination with four legs  40  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) on the right lateral surface  22 . The suitcase  10  may therefore be put down on the ground to be supported by the four legs  40  after being transported using the handle  38 . 
         [0024]    The receptacle portion A is separated from the flap portion B by an access zip fastener  42  provided on the periphery of the suitcase  10  in combination with a tab  44  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ). By opening the access zip fastener  42 , access is provided to an interior of the suitcase  10 . The access zip fastener  42  is typically provided with a pair of pullers (not shown). 
         [0025]    In order to increase the volume of the suitcase  10 , a first level of expansion is provided by way of a first-expansion zip fastener  50 . The zip fastener  50  is provided on the flap portion B and surrounds the full periphery of the suitcase  10 . Accordingly, to expand the suitcase  10  to the first level of expansion, the zip fastener  50  is opened by being pulled about the full periphery of the suitcase  10 . The front surface  14  is then pulled outwardly to expand the suitcase  10 . Loose suitcase fabric  52  is provided to define the additional volume of the suitcase  10 . Otherwise, when the zip fastener is closed, the loose suitcase fabric  52  is in an accumulated condition within the suitcase  10 . 
         [0026]    Similarly, a second level of expansion is provided by way of a second-expansion zip fastener  54 . As is the case for the first-expansion zip fastener  50 , the zip fastener  54  is provided on the flap portion B and extends about the full periphery of the suitcase  10 . Accordingly, to expand the suitcase  10  to the second level of expansion, the zip fastener  54  is opened by being pulled about the full periphery of the suitcase  10 . The front surface  14  is further pulled outwardly to expand the suitcase  10 . Loose suitcase fabric  56  is provided to define the additional volume of the suitcase  10 . 
         [0027]    As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the two levels of expansion allow a significant increase in the volume of the suitcase  10 . Moreover, either one of the two levels of expansion can be used alone, to reduce the expansion by half. 
         [0028]    It is pointed out that the width of expansion is a function of the width of the loose suitcase fabric  52  that is provided. In  FIG. 3 , it is seen that the widths of expansion for the first and the second level of expansion are generally equal. However, it is considered to have two different widths of expansion, to provide an additional overall width for the suitcase  10  as opposed to the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . More specifically, if the levels of expansion each provide an additional width of value X, the expansion is either X or 2× in value. On the other hand, if the first level of expansion has a value X, the second level of expansion has value Y, then the suitcase  10  can be expanded by X, Y or X+Y. 
         [0029]    It is seen from  FIG. 2 , that the expanded flap portion B is smaller in length than the receptacle portion A of the suitcase  10  (i.e., from the rear surface  16  to the zip fastener  42 ). This is to reduce the risk of tilting of the suitcase  10  while in the upright position. The risk of tilting of course depends on the contents of the suitcase  10  and their effect on the center of mass, but a smaller flap portion B to a larger receptacle portion A will nonetheless reduce the risk of tilting. 
         [0030]    Also, the capacity of the pockets provided on the front surface  14 , namely pouch  26  and main face pocket  28 , must be limited in view of balancing the suitcase  10  with respect to tilting. By limiting the size of these pockets, only small items can be fitted therein. For instance, the main face pocket  28  is narrow, such that relatively light items such as documents, shoes (e.g., loafers) can be accommodated therein. In view of the risk of tilting, it is also contemplated to remove the main face pocket  28 . 
         [0031]    The overall dimensions of the suitcase  10  may also be selected in view of having the suitcase  10  qualify as suitable carry-on luggage. However, the multiple levels of expansion described above can also be used on larger suitcases and like pieces of luggage. 
         [0032]    In an embodiment, the height of the suitcase  10  ranges between 20 to 30 inches, with a height of 25 inches well suited for the suitcase  10  to be used as carry-on luggage. A suitable width of the suitcase  10  for a height of 25 inches, after the two levels of expansion have been expanded, is 14 inches, so as to obtain a preferred ratio of 1.78:1 between the height and the width, to reduce the risk of the filled suitcase  10  tipping over for a 25 inch high suitcase  10 . Ratios are lower for smaller heights&#39; of the suitcase  10 . 
         [0033]    Within these considerations, it is contemplated to provide the suitcase  10  or like piece of luggage with additional levels of expansion. For instance, a third zip fastener (not shown) may be provided adjacent to the second-expansion zip fastener  54 . 
         [0034]    Although the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 4  uses zip fasteners in the levels of expansion (e.g., metallic or plastic), other types of fasteners may be used, such as Velcro™, buttons, Ziploc™-type fasteners, tabs with male and female connectors, or the like. Also, a first level of expansion or even multiple levels of expansion may be provided on the receptacle portion A while the flap portion B has a single or no levels of expansion. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a stand device  60  is secured to the bottom surface  24  and is positioned adjacent to the legs  36 . The stand device  60  has a leg  62  that is displaceable along direction X, from a retracted position ( FIG. 5 ), to an extended support position ( FIG. 6 ). When the suitcase  10  is expanded by one or multiple levels, the leg  62  is displaced to the extended support position of  FIG. 6  so as to provide additional support to the suitcase  10  in its upright position ( FIGS. 1 to 4 ). This reduces the possibility of tilting of the suitcase  10  while in the upright position, as the stand device  60  will participate in supporting the suitcase  10 . Moreover, the trapezoidal shape of the suitcase  10  also reduces the risk of tipping over, by lowering the center of mass of the suitcase  10 . 
         [0036]    It is considered to provide straps or like structural supports (i.e., attachment means) inside the suitcase  10 , both in the receptacle portion A and in the flap portion B. With such structural supports, the items can be arranged in an organized manner in the suitcase  10 . Accordingly, whether the flap portion B is expanded or not, the straps or like supports can be used to retain items in the flap portion B in an organized manner.