Patent Publication Number: US-10772402-B2

Title: Hard-sided luggage bag with front lid

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/361,981 filed on May 30, 2014, which is a national stage entry of International Application No. PCT/CA2013/050078 filed on Feb. 1, 2013, which claims priority from U.S. Application No. 61/618,384 filed Mar. 30, 2012 and Canadian Application No. 2,785,061 filed Aug. 10, 2012, and the entire contents of each are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to hard-sided luggage. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The following paragraphs are not an admission that anything discussed in them is prior art or part of the knowledge of persons skilled in the art. 
     Hard-sided luggage has become increasingly popular in recent years. Hard-sided luggage can provide several benefits versus soft-sided baggage, including attractiveness, durability and light weight. One important benefit to using hard-sided luggage is that contents tend to be well protected. Hard-sided luggage can include features such telescoping handles, and swivel wheels that allow for easy maneuvering. Hard-sided luggage can also include a secure locking mechanism, including TSA-approved locks, for example. Internally, hard-sided luggage can include features such as dividers, pockets and straps to hold its contents in place. 
     Hard-sided luggage can be constructed of several different materials, including aluminum, polycarbonate, ABS and polypropylene. Hard-sided luggage is available in endless colors and designs, and the shells can be scratch-resistant, dent-resistant, and generally waterproof. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following paragraphs are intended to introduce the reader to the more detailed description that follows and not to define or limit the claimed subject matter. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a hard-sided luggage bag can include: at least one shell portion having a front side, a back side, and top, bottom, left and right sides extending generally between the front and back sides, the front and back sides spaced from one another in a depth direction, the top and bottom sides spaced from one another in a height direction, the at least one shell portion enclosing a storage compartment and including an access opening permitting access to the storage compartment, the access opening formed in at least part of the front side; and at least one lid releasably coupled to the at least one shell portion to cover the access opening. The at least one lid can be releasably joined to the at least one shell portion along a bottom edge of the access opening. The bottom edge can be spaced from the bottom side in the height direction. The bottom edge can extend across the front side between the left and right sides. The at least one lid can be releasably joined to the at least one shell portion along left, top and right edges of the access opening that extend across the respective left, top and right sides of the at least one shell portion. The at least one shell portion can include a rearward shell portion coupled to a forward shell portion by at least one of a main joint and an expansion section that, in the depth direction, is generally intermediate the front and back sides, the forward shell portion including the access opening. Along the left side, a first dimension between an interior edge of the forward shell portion and the left edge of the access opening can be less than a second dimension between the left edge of the access opening and the bottom edge of the access opening at the front side. The first and second dimensions can be parallel to the depth direction. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a hard-sided luggage bag can include: a rearward shell portion coupled to a forward shell portion, the shell portions together having a front side, a back side spaced from the front side, and top, bottom, left and rights sides extending generally between the front and back sides, the front and back sides spaced from one another in a depth direction, the top and bottom sides spaced from one another in a height direction, the shell portions being coupled by at least one of a main joint and an expansion section that, in the depth direction, is generally intermediate the front and back sides, the shell portions enclosing a storage compartment, the forward shell portion including an access opening permitting access to the storage compartment, the access opening formed in at least part of the front side, the access opening including a bottom edge that is spaced from the bottom side in the height direction and extends across the front side between the left and right sides, and the access opening including left, top and right edges that extend across respective left, top and right sides of the forward shell portion; and a lid coupled to the forward shell portion to cover the access opening and defining a substantial portion of the front side of the bag, the lid releasably joined to the forward shell portion by a lid closure zipper along at least a portion of the bottom, left and top edges of the access opening. Along the left side of the bag at a vertical position that, in the height direction, is generally intermediate the top and bottom sides, a first horizontal dimension between an interior edge of the forward shell portion and the left edge of the access opening can be less than a second horizontal dimension between the lid closure zipper at the left edge of the access opening and the front side of the lid. 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a hard-sided luggage bag can include: a rearward shell portion releasably joined to a forward shell portion along a main joint, the shell portions enclosing a storage compartment, the main joint permitting a first way to access the storage compartment by releasing a main closure mechanism, the forward shell portion including an access opening permitting a second way to access the storage compartment, separate from the first way, by releasing a lid closure mechanism; and a lid releasably coupled to the forward shell portion to cover the access opening. The lid can define a substantial portion of a front side of the bag. The access opening can include bottom, left and right edges. The bottom edge can be spaced vertically from a bottom side of the bag in a height direction, and can extend horizontally across a front side of the forward shell portion. The left and right edges of the access opening can extend across respective left and right sides of the forward shell portion. Along the left side, a first horizontal dimension between an interior edge of the forward shell portion and the left edge of the access opening can be less than a second horizontal dimension between the left edge of the access opening and the front side of the bag as defined by the lid. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of apparatuses and methods of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are left side and front views of a first example of a hard-sided luggage bag; 
         FIG. 1A  is a detailed view of a portion of the hard-sided luggage bag of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the hard-sided luggage bag of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , shown with a lid in an open position; 
         FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7  are top, bottom, right side, and back views of the hard-sided luggage bag of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second example of a hard-sided luggage bag; 
         FIG. 9  is a right side view of the hard-sided luggage bag of  FIG. 8 , shown with a lid in a partially open position; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the hard-sided luggage bag of  FIG. 8 , shown with the lid in a fully open position; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a third example of a hard-sided luggage bag; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the hard-sided luggage bag of  FIG. 11 , shown with a lid in an open position; 
         FIG. 13  is a right side view of a fourth example of a hard-sided luggage bag, shown with a lid in a partially open position; 
         FIG. 14  is another right side view of the hard-sided luggage bag of  FIG. 13 , shown with an expansion section in a released position; 
         FIG. 15  is another right side view of the hard-sided luggage bag of  FIG. 13 , shown with a main closure mechanism in a released position; and 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the hard-sided luggage bag of  FIG. 13 , shown with the lid in an open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various apparatuses or methods are described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses and methods having all of the features of any one apparatus or method described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses or methods described below. It is possible that an apparatus or method described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus or method described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, and the applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an example of a hard-sided luggage bag is shown generally at  10 . The bag  10  extends in a depth direction  12  between a front side  14  and a back side  16 . The bag  10  extends in a width direction  18  between a left side  20  and a right side  22 . The bag  10  extends in a height direction  24  between a top side  26  and a bottom side  28 . 
     In the example illustrated, the bag  10  includes a rearward shell portion  30  and a forward shell portion  32 . The shell portions  30 ,  32  can be generally complementary in size and shape. The shell portions  30 ,  32  can be formed of a variety of materials, including, for example but not limited to, aluminum, polycarbonate, ABS, polypropylene, and composites thereof. The shell portions  30 ,  32  can include an interior lining formed of fabric material. 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 3 , the shell portions  30 ,  32  are coupled together to enclose a storage compartment  34 . The forward shell portion  32  includes an access opening  36  formed therein. The access opening  36  permits access to the storage compartment  34 . A lid  38  is coupled to the forward shell portion  32 . In an open position, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the lid  38  allows access to the storage compartment  34  through the access opening  36 . In a closed position, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lid  38  covers the access opening  36 . 
     In the example illustrated, the lid  38  is shown to be formed of a shell portion, generally in continuity with the forward shell portion  32 . In some examples, the lid  38  can include one or more zippered pockets arranged along an interior side thereof. 
     Alternatively, in soft-sided examples, the lid can be formed of at least one fabric portion (not shown), which can be formed of, for example but not limited to, polyester, nylon or polypropylene fabric materials. In such examples, the at least one fabric portion can include one or more zippered pockets, that can be accessible from the exterior of the bag. In other hybrid examples, the lid can be formed of a combination of at least one shell portion and fabric materials. 
     Furthermore, in yet other examples, the lid can be formed of two portions (or more), that are configured to open and close independently of one another. In such examples, the lid portions can be releasably joined to one another, e.g., with a zipper or another suitable closure mechanism, roughly midway across the access opening between a bottom edge and a top edge. Alternatively, the access opening can include two separate sections, separated by a strut element (not shown) that, for example, extends across the access opening between a left edge and a right edge. In such examples, each of the lids can be releasably joined to the strut element, and coupled to the forward shell portion along one of its edges by respective hinges. 
     Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and with continued reference to  FIG. 3 , the lid  38  is releasably joined to the forward shell portion  32  along a bottom edge  40  of the access opening  36 . The bottom edge  40  is shown to be spaced apart a first dimension  42  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) from the bottom side  28  in the height direction  24 . Thus, in the height direction  24 , the access opening  36  has a second dimension  44  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) that is less than a third dimension  46  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the bag  10  between the top and bottom sides  26 ,  28 . With the access opening  36  and the lid  38  spaced apart from the bottom side  28  in this manner, a lower portion of the bag  10  can provide a relatively rigid structure, which can be maintained when the lid  38  is in the open position. 
     In the example illustrated, the bottom edge  40  extends generally across the front side  14  between the left and right sides  20 ,  22 . The lid  38  is further releasably joined to the forward shell portion  32  along a left edge  48 , a top edge  50  and a right edge  52  of the access opening  36  that extend generally across the left, top and right sides  20 ,  26 ,  22 , respectively. 
     The lid  38  is releasably joined to the forward shell portion  32  along the edges  40 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  by a lid closure mechanism  54 . In the example illustrated, the lid closure mechanism  54  includes a lid zipper  55 . 
     The lid  38  is shown to be releasably joined only partly along the left edge  48 , as the lid  38  is connected to the forward shell portion  32  generally along the left edge  48  by a hinge  56 . In other examples, a hinge connecting the lid  38  and the forward shell portion  32  can be arranged on the bottom edge  40 , which can reduce the risk of contents falling out of the access opening  36  if the lid  38  is opened while the bag  10  is disposed in an upright position. In such examples, the bag  10  can include gussets (not shown), provided alongside the edges  48 ,  52 , to help to prevent contents from falling out of the access opening  36  when the lid  38  is opened and the bag  10  is disposed in the upright position. In yet other examples, a hinge connecting the lid  38  and the forward shell portion  32  can be arranged on the top edge  50 , or on the right edge  52 . Various configurations are possible. 
     In the depth direction  12 , the edges  48 ,  50 ,  52  are arranged generally adjacent to the front side  14 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , in the depth direction  12 , the access opening  36  has a fourth dimension  58  that is substantially less than a fifth dimension  60  of the bag  10  between the back side  14  and the edges  48 ,  50 ,  52 . Thus, referring back to  FIG. 3 , users can have access to almost the full depth of the storage compartment  34  through the access opening  36 . Furthermore, in some examples, as illustrated, the sides  20 ,  26 ,  22  can present a generally uniform dimension in the depth direction  12  so that the storage compartment  34  is of a generally uniform depth over the edges  48 ,  50 ,  52  of the access opening  36 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 1A , an interior edge of the forward shell portion  32  defines a vertical line  61 , the left edge  48  defines a vertical line  63 , and the bottom edge  40  defines a horizontal line  65  and a vertical line  67  at the front side of the bag. In the example illustrated, the access opening  36  includes a curved bottom corner  69  that is arranged intermediate of the bottom edge  40  and the left edge  48 . A vertical line  71  intersects a boundary between the curved bottom corner  69  and the bottom edge  40 . The lines  61 ,  63 ,  67 ,  71  are each parallel to the height direction  24 , and the line  65  is parallel to the depth direction  12 . In the example illustrated, the bottom edge  40  extends horizontally parallel to the depth direction  12  between the front side of the bag and the curved corner  69 . As illustrated, a horizontal dimension  73  between the lines  61 ,  63  is less than a horizontal dimension  75  between the lines  63 ,  67 , and a horizontal dimension  77  between the lines  63 ,  71  is less than a horizontal dimension  79  between the lines  71 ,  67 .  FIG. 6  shows generally the same configuration on the other side of the bag  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an expansion section  62  is shown to be connected to inner edges  64 ,  66  of the shell portions  30 ,  32 , respectively. In the example illustrated, the expansion section  62  includes an expansion zipper  68 , which, when released, increases space between the inner edges  64 ,  66  thereby increasing a depth dimension of the bag  10  (i.e. in the depth direction  12 ). 
     In the example illustrated, the expansion section  62  is shown to be generally intermediate the front and back sides  14 ,  16  so that, in the depth direction  12 , a sixth dimension  70  of the rearward shell portion  30  between the back side  16  and the inner edge  64  is similar to a seventh dimension  72  of the forward shell portion  32  between the inner edge  66  and the front side  14 . In this manner, a center of gravity of the bag  10  can remain generally balanced between the sides  14 ,  16  once the expansion zipper  68  is released. 
     Furthermore, referring to  FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 , the expansion section  62  is shown to be generally spaced apart from the access opening  36  and the lid  38 , with the edges  40 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52  of the access opening  36  being generally intermediate the expansion section  62  and the front side  14 . For users, this can help to reduce confusion between the lid zipper  55  and the expansion zipper  68 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the bag  10  includes wheels  74  arranged on the bottom side  28 . Some or all of the wheels  74  can be swivel wheels. In the example illustrated, two of the wheels  74  are fixed to the rearward shell portion  30 , and two of the wheels  74  are fixed to the forward shell portion  32 . With the lid  38  spaced apart from the bottom side  28 , the lid  38  can be opened without interfering with the wheels  74 . Furthermore, as mentioned above, with the access opening  36  and the lid  38  spaced apart from the bottom side  28 , a lower portion of the bag  10  can provide a relatively rigid structure, which can bear the weight of the bag  10  and its contents, and can serve as a stable base for attachment of the wheels  74 . 
     In the example illustrated, the bag  10  further includes a top handle  76 , a side handle  78  and feet  80 . As shown, the top handle  76  can be retractable, and suitable for guiding the bag  10  on the wheels  74 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 , an example of a hard-sided luggage bag is shown generally at  110 . In the example illustrated, the bag  110  includes a rearward shell portion  130  and a forward shell portion  132 . The shell portions  130 ,  132  can be generally complementary in size and shape. The shell portions  130 ,  132  can be formed of a variety of materials, including, for example but not limited to, aluminum, polycarbonate, ABS, polypropylene, and composites thereof. The shell portions  130 ,  132  can include an interior lining formed of fabric material. 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 10 , the shell portions  130 ,  132  are coupled together to enclose a storage compartment  134 . The forward shell portion  132  includes an access opening  136  formed therein. The access opening  136  permits access to the storage compartment  134 . A lid  138  is coupled to the forward shell portion  132 . In an open position, the lid  138  permits access to the storage compartment  134  through the access opening  136 . In a depth direction, edges of the access opening  136  are arranged generally adjacent to a front side of the bag  110 . Thus, users can have access to almost the full depth of the storage compartment  134  through the access opening  136 . Furthermore, in some examples, as illustrated, the sides of the bag  110  can present a generally uniform dimension in the depth direction so that the storage compartment  134  is of a generally uniform depth over the edges of the access opening  136 . In a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the lid  138  covers the access opening  136 . 
     In the example illustrated, referring again to  FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 , the lid  138  is shown to be formed of a shell portion, generally in continuity with the forward shell portion  132 . Alternatively, in some examples, the lid  138  can be formed of at least one shell portion, at least one fabric portion, or a combination thereof. 
     The lid  138  is releasably joined to the forward shell portion  132  along edges of the access opening  136  by a lid closure mechanism  154 . In the example illustrated, the lid closure mechanism  54  includes a lid zipper  55 . 
     The lid  138  is shown to be releasably joined only partly along a bottom edge  140  of the access opening  136  ( FIG. 10 ), as the lid  138  is connected to the forward shell portion  132  generally along the bottom edge  140  by a hinge  156 . The hinge  156  is spaced apart from a bottom side of the bag  110  in a height direction. 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 9 , the arrangement of the hinge  156  can help to reduce the risk of contents falling out of the access opening  136  if the lid  138  is opened while the bag  110  is disposed in an upright position. The bag  110  can include releasable support straps  180  coupled between the lid  138  and the forward shell portion  132 . Each of the support straps  180  can include a first member fixed to the lid  138 , and a second member fixed to the forward shell portion  132  and attached to the first member. In some examples, the first and second members of the support straps  180  can be attached to each other with a snap buckle. The releasable support straps  180  can be configured to maintain the lid  138  in a partially opened position (shown in  FIG. 9 ), as opposed to a fully opened position (shown in  FIG. 10 ), which can also help to reduce the risk of contents falling out of the access opening  136 . 
     The rearward shell portion  130  is releasably joined to the forward shell portion  132  along a main joint  182  by a main closure mechanism  183 . In the example illustrated, the main closure mechanism  183  includes a main zipper  185 . 
     The storage compartment  134  can be accessed by releasing the main closure mechanism  183 . Thus, in some examples, the storage compartment  134  can be accessed in two separate ways, namely, through the access opening  136  by releasing the lid closure mechanism  154 , or through the main joint  182  by releasing the main closure mechanism  183 . The main joint  182  is shown to be generally intermediate front and back sides of the bag  110  so that, once the main closure mechanism  183  is released, the bag  110  can be opened into two roughly equal halves (defined by the rearward shell portion  130  and the forward shell portion  132 ). Furthermore, the main zipper  185  is shown to be generally spaced apart from the lid zipper  155 , which can help to reduce confusion between the main zipper  185  and the lid zipper  155 . A hinge (not shown) can also be provided to connect the shell portions  130 ,  132  together. 
     In some examples, referring again to  FIG. 10 , the bag  110  can include a divider  184 , which is shown to be partially detached and flipped to one side of the bag  110 . The divider  184  can be planar and flexible, e.g., formed of a fabric material, and can be shaped to correspond with an interior cross-section of the storage compartment  134 . The divider  184  can be releasably suspended in the storage compartment  134 , for example, by a divider zipper  186 , which joins edges of the divider  184  to a flap  188  that is fixed to interior side walls of the storage compartment  134 . In some examples, a pocket (not shown) can be arranged within the storage compartment  134  for stowing the divider  184  when it is at least partially detached from the flap  188 . 
     When the divider  184  is attached (e.g., by zipping up the divider zipper  186 ), the divider  184  can divide the storage compartment  134  into two substantially separate subcompartments. In the example illustrated, the divider  184  divides the storage compartment into a front subcompartment (accessible through the lid  138 ), and a rear subcompartment (accessible through the main joint  182 ). In some examples, a volume of the front subcompartment can be substantially less than a volume of the rear subcompartment. When the divider  184  is detached, as shown in  FIG. 10 , generally the full volume of the storage compartment  134  can be accessible to the user by opening either the lid closure mechanism  154  or the main closure mechanism  183 . 
     As illustrated, within the storage compartment  134 , the bag  110  can further include at least one interior zippered pocket  190 , and one or more restraint straps  192 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the bag  110  is also shown to include wheels  174  arranged on a bottom side, and some or all of the wheels  174  can be swivel wheels. In the example illustrated, two of the wheels  174  are fixed to the rearward shell portion  130 , and two of the wheels  174  are fixed to the forward shell portion  132 . The bag  110  can further include a top handle  194 , a retractable handle  176 , a side handle  178 , and feet  180 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , an example of a hard-sided luggage bag is shown generally at  210 . In the example illustrated, the bag  210  includes a rearward shell portion  230  and a forward shell portion  232 . The shell portions  230 ,  232  can be generally complementary in size and shape. The shell portions  230 ,  232  can be formed of a variety of materials, including, for example but not limited to, aluminum, polycarbonate, ABS, polypropylene, and composites thereof. The shell portions  230 ,  232  can include an interior lining formed of fabric material. 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 12 , the shell portions  230 ,  232  are coupled together to enclose a storage compartment  234 . The forward shell portion  232  includes an access opening  236  formed therein. The access opening  236  permits access to the storage compartment  234 . A lid  238  is coupled to the forward shell portion  232 . In an open position, the lid  238  allows access to the storage compartment  234  through the access opening  236 . In a closed position, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the lid  238  covers the access opening  236 . 
     In the example illustrated, the lid  238  is shown to be formed of a shell portion, and extends generally outwardly relative to the forward shell portion  232 . Edges of the access opening  236  are arranged generally adjacent to a front side of the bag  210 . Thus, users can have access to almost the full depth of the storage compartment  234  through the access opening  236 . Furthermore, the storage compartment  234  is of a generally uniform depth along the edges of the access opening  236 . 
     The lid  238  is releasably joined to the forward shell portion  232  along edges of the access opening  236  by a lid closure mechanism  254 . In the example illustrated, the lid closure mechanism  254  includes lid clasps  257 . In such examples, the lid closure mechanism  254  can also include a rigid frame which extends along edges of the lid  238  and/or the edges of the access opening  236  to ensure that the lid  238  correctly mates with the forward shell portion  232  when closed. 
     The lid  238  is shown ( FIG. 11 ) releasably joined only partly along the left edge of the access opening  236 , as the lid  238  is connected to the forward shell portion  232  generally along the left edge by a hinge  256 . 
     The rearward shell portion  230  is releasably joined to the forward shell portion  232  along a main joint  282  by a main closure mechanism  283 . In the example illustrated, the main closure mechanism  283  includes main clasps  287 . In such examples, the main closure mechanism  283  can also include a rigid frame which extends along inner edges of the shell portions  230 ,  232  to ensure that they correctly mate when closed. 
     The storage compartment  234  can be accessed by releasing the main closure mechanism  283 . Thus, in some examples, the storage compartment  234  can be accessed in two separate ways, namely, through the access opening  236  by releasing the lid closure mechanism  254 , or through the main joint  282  by releasing the main closure mechanism  283 . The main joint  282  is shown to be generally intermediate front and back sides of the bag  210  so that, once the main closure mechanism  283  is released, the bag  210  can be opened into two roughly equal halves (defined by the rearward shell portion  230  and the forward shell portion  232 ). Furthermore, the lid clasps  257  are shown to be generally spaced apart from the main clasps  287 , which can help to reduce confusion between the lid closure mechanism  254  and the main closure mechanism  283 . A hinge (not shown) can also be provided to connect the shell portions  230 ,  232  together. 
     In the example illustrated, referring particularly to  FIG. 12 , the bag  210  includes a divider  284 . The divider  284  can be planar and flexible, e.g., formed of a fabric material, and can be shaped to correspond with an interior cross-section of the storage compartment  234 . The divider  284  can be releasably suspended in the storage compartment  234 , for example, by a divider zipper  286 , which joins edges of the divider  284  to a flap  288  that is fixed to interior side walls of the storage compartment  234 . In some examples, a pocket (not shown) can be arranged within the storage compartment  234  for stowing the divider  284  when it is at least partially detached from the flap  288 . 
     When the divider  284  is attached (i.e. by zipping up the divider zipper  286 ), the divider  284  can divide the storage compartment  234  into two substantially separate subcompartments. In the example illustrated, the divider  284  divides the storage compartment  234  into a front subcompartment (accessible through the lid  238 ), and a rear subcompartment (accessible through the main joint  282 ). In some examples, a volume of the front subcompartment can be substantially less than a volume of the rear subcompartment. When the divider  284  is detached, as shown in  FIG. 12 , generally the full volume of the storage compartment  234  can be accessible to the user by opening either the lid closure mechanism  254  or the main closure mechanism  283 . 
     In the example illustrated, the divider  284  includes a zippered pocket  296 . In some examples, the zippered pocket  296  can span generally the full length and width of the divider  284 . Furthermore, as illustrated, the lid  238  can include a zippered pocket  298  arranged along an interior side thereof. The zippered pocket  298  can span generally the full length and width of the lid  238 . 
     The bag  210  is shown to include wheels  274  arranged on a bottom side, and some or all of the wheels  274  can be swivel wheels. In the example illustrated, two of the wheels  274  are fixed to the rearward shell portion  230 , and two of the wheels  274  are fixed to the forward shell portion  232 . The bag  210  is also shown to include a top handle  294 , a retractable handle  276 , a side handle  278 , and feet  280 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13, 14, 15 and 16 , an example of a hard-sided luggage bag is shown generally at  310 . In the example illustrated, the bag  310  includes a rearward shell portion  330  and a forward shell portion  332 . The shell portions  330 ,  332  can be generally complementary in size and shape. The shell portions  330 ,  332  can be formed of a variety of materials, including, for example but not limited to, aluminum, polycarbonate, ABS, polypropylene, and composites thereof. The shell portions  330 ,  332  can include an interior lining formed of fabric material. 
     Referring particularly to  FIG. 16 , the shell portions  330 ,  332  are coupled together to enclose a storage compartment  334 . The forward shell portion  332  includes an access opening  336  formed therein. The access opening  336  permits access to the storage compartment  334 . A lid  338  is coupled to the forward shell portion  332 . In an open position, the lid  338  allows access to the storage compartment  334  through the access opening  336 . In a depth direction, edges of the access opening  336  are arranged generally adjacent to a front side of the bag  310 . Thus, users can have access to almost the full depth of the storage compartment  334  through the access opening  336 . Furthermore, in some examples, as illustrated, the sides of the bag  310  can present a generally uniform dimension in the depth direction so that the storage compartment  334  is of a generally uniform depth over the edges of the access opening  336 . In a closed position, the lid  338  covers the access opening  336 . 
     Referring particularly to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the lid  338  is formed of a shell portion, generally in continuity with the forward shell portion  332 . Alternatively, in some examples, the lid  338  can be formed of at least one shell portion, at least one fabric portion, or a combination thereof. 
     The lid  338  is releasably joined to the forward shell portion  332  along edges of the access opening  336  by a lid closure mechanism  354 . In the example illustrated, the lid closure mechanism  354  includes a lid zipper  355 . 
     The lid  338  is shown to be releasably joined only partly along a bottom edge of the access opening  336 , as the lid  338  is connected to the forward shell portion  332  generally along the bottom edge by a hinge  356  ( FIG. 16 ). The hinge  356  is spaced apart from a bottom side of the bag  310  in a height direction. 
     The rearward shell portion  330  is releasably joined to the forward shell portion  332  along a main joint  382  by a main closure mechanism  383 . In the example illustrated, the main closure mechanism  383  includes a main zipper  385 . 
     The storage compartment  334  can be accessed by releasing the main closure mechanism  383 . Thus, in some examples, the storage compartment  334  can be accessed in two separate ways, namely, through the access opening  336  by releasing the lid closure mechanism  354 , or through the main joint  382  by releasing the main closure mechanism  383 . 
     The main joint  382  is shown to be generally intermediate front and back sides of the bag  310  so that, once the main closure mechanism  383  is released, the bag  310  can be opened into two roughly equal halves (defined by the rearward shell portion  330  and the forward shell portion  332 ). Furthermore, the main closure mechanism  383  is shown to be generally spaced apart from the lid closure mechanism  354 , which can help to reduce confusion between the main zipper  385  and the lid zipper  355 . A hinge (not shown) can also be provided to connect the shell portions  330 ,  332  together. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS. 13 and 14 , an expansion section  362  is shown to be connected to an inner edge of the forward shell portion  332  and a forward edge of the main joint  382 . In the example illustrated, the expansion section  362  includes an expansion zipper  368 , which, when released, increases space between the inner edge of the forward shell portion  332  and the forward edge of the main joint  382 , thereby increasing a depth dimension of the bag  310 . 
     In the example illustrated, the expansion section  362  is shown to be arranged adjacent to the main joint  382 , but generally intermediate front and back sides of the bag  310 , so that a center of gravity of the bag  310  can remain generally balanced between the front and back sides once the expansion zipper  368  is released. 
     In some examples, referring again to  FIG. 16 , the bag  310  can include a divider  384 , which is shown to be partially detached and rolled up to one side of the storage compartment  334 . The divider  384  can be planar and flexible, e.g., formed of a fabric material, and can be shaped to correspond with an interior cross-section of the storage compartment  334 . The divider  384  can be releasably suspended in the storage compartment  334 , for example, by a divider zipper, which joins edges of the divider  384  to one or more flaps that are fixed to interior side walls of the storage compartment  334 . In some examples, a pocket (not shown) can be arranged within the storage compartment  334  for stowing the divider  384  when it is at least partially detached from the one or more flaps. 
     When the divider  384  is attached (e.g., by zipping up the divider zipper), the divider  384  can divide the storage compartment  334  into two substantially separate subcompartments. In the example illustrated, the divider  384  divides the storage compartment into a front subcompartment (accessible through the lid  338 ), and a rear subcompartment (accessible through the main joint  382 ). In some examples, a volume of the front subcompartment can be substantially less than a volume of the rear subcompartment. When the divider  384  is detached, as shown in  FIG. 16 , generally the full volume of the storage compartment  334  can be accessible to the user by opening either the lid closure mechanism  354  or the main closure mechanism  383 . 
     In the example illustrated, the hinge  356  being arranged on the bottom edge of the access opening  336  can help to reduce the risk of contents falling out of the access opening  336  if the lid  338  is opened while the bag  310  is disposed in an upright position. The bag  310  includes gussets provided alongside edges of the access opening  336 . In the example illustrated, the gussets are formed by first members  391  fixed to the lid  338 , and second members  393  fixed to the forward shell portion  332  and attached to the first members  391 . In some examples, the first and second members  391 ,  393  can be attached using a hook-and-loop fastener. The first and second members  391 ,  393  can be configured to maintain the lid  338  in a partially opened position (shown in  FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 ), as opposed to a fully opened position (shown in  FIG. 16 ), which can also help to reduce the risk of contents falling out of the access opening  336 . 
     As illustrated, within the storage compartment  334 , the bag  310  can further include at least one interior zippered pocket  390 , and one or more restraint straps  392 . 
     The bag  310  is shown to include wheels  374  arranged on a bottom side, and some or all of the wheels  374  can be swivel wheels. In the example illustrated, two of the wheels  374  are fixed to the rearward shell portion  330 , and two of the wheels  374  are fixed to the forward shell portion  332 . The bag  310  is also shown to include a top handle  394 , a retractable handle  376 , and a side handle  378 . 
     While the above description provides examples of one or more apparatuses or methods, it will be appreciated that other apparatuses or methods may be within the scope of the accompanying claims.