[0001]FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002]This application relates generally to luggage systems, including tote bags and the like, featuring retaining devices for coupling of multiple articles of luggage and related systems and methods.
[0003]BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004]As transportation systems, electronics, and user expectations have evolved over the last 100 years, luggage systems have evolved alongside to maintain their relevance and to aid travelers as they move through airports, terminals, bus stations, railways, and ocean liners. This evolution has pushed luggage manufacturers to ensure their luggage products meet and satisfy the evolving expectations relating to utility, functionality, and aesthetics.
[0005]Despite that there have been numerous luggage systems that have been designed, manufactured, and sold throughout the global luggage marketplace over the past 50 years, there still remains a great need for new and improved luggage systems that address the continued evolution in methods of travel and user expectations. Specifically, “carry-on” bags have become a staple of the modern traveler, providing additional security for user's personal items, as well as providing a traveler easier access to their personal items during travel (e.g. under a seat in front). As “carry-on” bags become increasingly relevant in an era of increased travel costs, the average traveler will begin to require systems that allow them to travel while simultaneously carrying multiple bags.
[0006]As such, there is a need in the art for new and improved luggage systems that better address the needs of users while simultaneously overcoming the shortcomings, deficiencies, and drawbacks of prior art luggage systems, methods, and technologies. There is a need for luggage systems that allow for single travelers to enhance the amount of clothing and personal items they can carry without the need for large “checked” bags.
[0007]SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008]Accordingly, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide improved luggage systems that better address the ways in which people travel, in a style they feel most comfortable, while enjoying an unprecedented level of convenience which they will naturally welcome, and overcoming the shortcomings and drawback of prior art luggage systems, methods and technologies.
[0009]In furtherance of this primary object, a new and improved luggage system is provided comprising a retaining device that will allow for a user to attach the luggage system to other rolling luggage, thereby allowing a single traveler to easily and comfortably transport multiple luggage systems without impacting practicality or aesthetics. The invention can provide for totes or bags of suitable size for carrying personal effects without being unwieldy or otherwise imposing a burden upon a traveler. The invention can provide for a tote or bag that is capable of being retained upon or coupled to another article of luggage, e.g., wheeled or un-wheeled hard or soft-side luggage, while also remaining aesthetically pleasing. The invention can provide for a retaining device that permits for effective retention of the tote or other bag during use but whereby the retaining device can also be removed and/or hidden when not in use. Where the retaining device, e.g., a removable strap, sleeve, or the like, can be removed, weight savings can be realized, which can offer a benefit to an already encumbered traveler.
[0010]Modern day travelers rely less and less on large single luggage systems, and instead opt to travel utilizing multiple smaller bags. This affords the travel particular benefits, including the ability to “carry-on” these bags into a plane cabin—thereby reducing airline fees and costly delays waiting for luggage to be transported from the plane to the airport carousel. Therefore it is an object of the systems and methods described herein to provide travelers a means of transporting their multiple pieces of luggage easily and securely. Specifically, it is the intent of the invention to provide luggage systems that can be configured, with the addition of a removable strap attached to an integral retaining system, a trolley sleeve that allows for a traveler to easily and securely place the luggage system atop a second piece of rolling luggage—thereby enhancing the mobility and carrying capacity of each traveler without sacrificing safety or security.
[0011]In one aspect, the invention features a luggage system to allow for the attachment of a removable trolley sleeve. The luggage system includes a front and rear side connected via at least one seam. The luggage system can include at least one opening located substantially along the seam. Additionally, the luggage system can include a retaining device located on the interior of the luggage system. In some embodiments the retaining device can be actuated so as to fit through the opening, thereby enabling a removable strap to be attached and the trolley sleeve to be formed. In some embodiments the actuation of the retaining device requires a user to pull the retaining device through the opening. In some embodiments the retaining device must be pushed through the opening. In some embodiments actuating the retaining device requires merely attaching a strap to the retaining device. In some embodiments the opening device can incorporate a closing feature for concealing the opening to create a clean aesthetic or so as to prevent the user's belongings from spilling when the retaining device is not in use.
[0012]In some embodiments, the opening is located entirely in the front or rear side. In some embodiments the retaining device can include a fastener. In some embodiments the fastener can include d-ring. Alternatively, the fastener can be a magnetic. Alternatively the fastener can be a button or a leather loop.
[0013]In another aspect the luggage system has two openings on opposite sides of the luggage system, each opening incorporating its own closing feature and corresponding retaining device.
[0014]In another aspect, the invention features a method for creating a trolley sleeve. The method includes providing a removable strap. The method also includes attaching the removable strap to a retaining system of the luggage system. The method also includes orienting the removable strap so as to create a trolley sleeve wherein an extendible handle from a second luggage system can be inserted. In some embodiments the removable strap is oriented to create a shoulder strap. In some embodiments the removable strap is oriented so as to be coupled to a shoulder strap.
[0015]In another aspect the bag has a front portion and a rear portion, each portion having at least one edge and wherein at least one seam is defined by the first edge of the front portion and the first edge of the rear portion. The bag can also have at least one opening in the seam and at least one closure device, where the closure device contains a first magnet attached to the first edge of the front portion and a second magnet attached to the first edge of the rear portion. Additionally, the bag can contain a retaining device attached within an interior cavity of the bag, wherein the retaining device has a length sufficient to permit routing of a distal end of the retaining device through the opening from the interior cavity to an exterior of the bag and the distal end of the retaining device having a fastener for securing a strap.
[0016]In another aspect the bag has a front portion and a rear portion which together define an interior cavity of the bag. The bag can also have at least one seam defined by the first edge of the front portion and the first edge of the rear portion and containing at least one opening in the seam. The opening in the seam can have a closure device, and a retaining device attached within the interior cavity. The retaining device has a length sufficient to permit routing of a distal end of the retaining device through the opening from the interior cavity to an exterior of the bag, and where the distal end of the retaining device includes a fastener for securing a strap.
[0017]In another aspect the bag facilitates the creation of a trolley sleeve, the steps for creating the trolley sleeve include at least: (i) disengaging at least one closure device of the bag, where the closure device is configured so as to secure at least one opening defined by the first edge of a front portion and the first edge of a rear portion; (ii) extending a distal end of at least one retaining device through at least one opening, the distal end of the retaining device comprising at least one fastener; and (iii) securing a strap to the at least one fastener.
[0018]In another aspect the bag contains at least one body portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface and an opening formed in the at least one body portion. Additionally, a retaining device can be attached to the interior surface such that the retaining device has a length sufficient to permit routing of a distal end of the retaining device through the opening from the interior surface to the exterior surface. The distal end of the retaining device can include a fastener for securing a strap.
[0019]Other aspects and advantages of the invention can become apparent from the following drawings and description, all of which illustrate the principles of the invention, by way of example only.
[0020]BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages of the invention described above, together with further advantages, may be better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. FIG. 1 is a rear prospective view of the luggage system. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the luggage system. FIG. 3 is a front view of the luggage system. FIG. 4 is an exterior right side view of the luggage system with a fastener depicted in an unextended configuration. FIG. 5 is an interior side detail view of the luggage system with the fastener depicted in an unextended configuration. FIG. 5A is an interior side detail view of the luggage system with the fastener depicted in an extended configuration. FIG. 5B is an exterior side detail view of the luggage system with the fastener depicted in an extended configuration. FIG. 6 is an exterior right side view of the luggage system with the fastener depicted in the extended configuration. FIG. 7 is a front view of the removable strap. FIG. 8 is a rear view of the luggage system with the removable strap attached. FIG. 9 is a rear prospective view of the luggage system with the removable strap attached.
[0021]DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022]While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific illustrative embodiments, it should be understood that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0023]Referring to FIG. 1 , FIG. 2 , and FIG. 3 , luggage system 1 can comprise front side 3 , rear side 4 , and seam 2 to define an interior space. In some embodiments, seam 2 can be formed by stitching front side 3 and rear side 4 together. In some embodiments, one or more of stitching, gluing, snapping, riveting, zippering, buttoning, or the like, can be used alone or in combination to join front side 3 and rear side 4 to form seam 2 . As further described herein, seam 2 can include an opening (which itself can be secured in an open or closed configuration) that can interrupt seam 2 as it extends down the length of luggage system 1 . Referring to FIGS. 1-9 , the luggage system 1 depicted is a tote. In some embodiments, luggage system 1 can be a handbag, a backpack, a satchel, a purse, a pocketbook, or any bag.
[0024]Front side 3 and rear side 4 can be formed from any material, including canvas, nylon, leather, a textile blend, fabric, or other suitable material. Front and rear sides 3 and 4 can be formed from the same or different materials, for example to increase the durability or rigidity of one or the other sides, including to increase the durability and/or rigidity of rear side 4 which can slide against the handle tubes of an article of luggage when luggage system 1 is placed on or removed from another article of luggage during travel. Luggage system 1 can include handles 12 which can be sewn or otherwise attached to front and rear sides 3 and 4 of luggage system 1 . In some embodiments, handles 12 can be removably attached to luggage system 1 . Handles 12 can be of a suitable length and geometry to permit a user to easily carry luggage system 1 when luggage system 1 is loaded or empty. In some embodiments, handles 12 can be of a suitable length and geometry so as not to interfere with retention of luggage system 1 upon or adjacent to another article of luggage, including as described herein.
[0025]Referring to FIG. 4 , luggage system 1 includes opening 5 in seam 2 where front and rear sides 3 and 4 are joined. In some embodiments, opening 5 contains an overlap between front side 3 and rear side 4 so as to be visually obscured when not in use. In some embodiments, opening 5 can be flush with seam 2 so as to be more easily accessed by a user or conceal the opening when the retaining device is not engaged. Opening 5 allows for the passage of items (e.g., a retaining device) from the interior of luggage system 1 to the exterior surface of luggage system 1 , including as described herein. In some embodiments opening 5 includes closure device 7 to secure opening 5 in a closed configuration when not in use. Closure device 7 can be a pair of complimentary magnets disposed in or on front side 3 and rear side 4 . In some embodiments, closure device 7 can close opening 5 automatically, e.g. whenever opening 5 is not held open by any object or by a user. In some embodiments, closure device 7 can require manual manipulation to open or close opening 5 . Closure device 7 can be a zipper, button(s), snaps, hook and loop fastener (e.g. Velcro), or other suitable mechanism to permit opening and closing of opening 5 without substantially interfering with the aesthetic appearance or smooth surface of the exterior of the bag and/or without substantially interfering with the interior of luggage device 1 , including to avoid taking up cargo space in the interior of luggage device 1 . In some embodiments, closure device 7 can be designed to assist in the retention of a removable strap described herein. In some embodiments, opening 5 can have no closure device 7 to allow for users with physical limitations to still utilize the advantageous of the present invention. In some embodiments, front side 3 and rear side 4 can be integrally formed from a single piece of material, such that seam 2 is not present on luggage device 1 . Where there is no seam 2 in luggage device 1 , opening 5 can be formed in the side of luggage device 1 , e.g., as a hole or other opening in the material making up the sides of luggage device 1 .
[0026]Referring to FIG. 5 , luggage system 1 can include retaining device 6 . In some embodiments retaining device 6 is a single strip of leather or other material. Retaining device 6 can be integral to the interior of the luggage system, or as illustrated in FIG. 5 , the retaining device can be a separate piece of material that is attached to the interior of luggage system 1 . In some embodiments, retaining device 6 can be attached to the exterior of luggage system 1 . In some embodiments, retaining device 6 is sewn onto luggage system 1 . In some embodiments, retaining device 6 can be e.g., buttoned, glued, zippered, or otherwise attached to luggage system 1 .
[0027]Retaining device 6 can be retractable so as to minimize its impact on the interior of the luggage system 1 . In some embodiments, retaining device 6 can be formed from or include a section of elastic or semi-elastic material to permit retaining device 6 to vary in length. Retaining device 6 can be formed from an elastic or semi-elastic material to decrease the space the retaining device 6 occupies, e.g., on the interior of luggage system 1 when it is not in use, or to provide for increased tension when a removable strap is joined to retaining device 6 , providing for better engagement and/or retention of luggage system 1 when it is used in conjunction with another article of luggage. In some embodiments, retaining device 6 can be adjustable such that it can be tightened or loosened by a user, which can decrease the space the retaining device 6 occupies, e.g., on the interior of luggage system 1 when it is not in use, or to provide for increased tension when a removable strap is joined to retaining device 6 , providing for better engagement and/or retention of luggage system 1 when it is used in conjunction with another article of luggage.
[0028]Retaining device 6 includes fastener 11 at the dorsal end of retaining device 6 . In some embodiments, fastener 11 can be a D-ring for securing a removable strap. In some embodiments, fastener 11 can include a magnet for securing a removable strap. In some embodiments, fastener 11 can include, e.g., snaps, buttons, leather tabs, or the like. Retaining device 6 can include a tensioner mechanism to impose a force upon fastener 11 .
[0029]Referring to FIG. 5A , retaining device 6 can actuate so as to protrude through opening 5 . In some embodiments, retaining device 6 can be positioned so as to require a 180 degree bend to protrude through the opening 5 . In some embodiments, retaining device 6 can be oriented so that no bend in the retaining device 6 is needed. Retaining device 6 be attached to either front side 3 or rear side 4 in such a manner as to pull or otherwise force the sides (and/or opening 5 ) closed or together when retaining device 6 is actuated to the engaged position, e.g., when a removable strap is attached. In this manner, the structural stability of luggage system 1 can be increased, e.g., because seam 2 would not experience forces that would tend to force the seam open, and likewise opening 5 would not experience forces that would tend to force the opening open.
[0030]FIGS. 5B and 6 depicts a left side view of luggage system 1 with retaining device 6 actuated through the opening 5 , such that it is capable of being engaged by a removable strap, e.g., as represented in FIG. 9 . In some embodiments, retaining device 6 and/or fastener 11 can sit against the exterior surface of luggage system 1 after being actuated through opening 5 , in order to prevent those components from inadvertently snagging or catching on external surfaces. In some embodiments, a user can pull retaining device 6 and/or fastener 11 through opening 5 in order to engage one or more of those components with the removable strap. In some embodiments, only fastener 11 can be exposed on the exterior of luggage system 1 , and in some embodiments, all or a portion of retaining device 6 can remain out of view from the outside of luggage system 1 (e.g., can remain internal to luggage system 1 ), once the removable strap is attached to fastener 11 . One skilled in the art will understand that the structures, devices, and related methods described with reference to the left side of luggage device 1 in FIGS. 4-6 can also be present on the right side of luggage device 1 and can be formed, shaped, and operate in the same manner as those structures, devices, and related methods as they are described herein with reference to FIGS. 4-6 .
[0031]Referring to FIG. 7 , in some embodiments the strap 8 is removable. Alternatively, strap 8 is permanently attached to retaining device 6 . In some embodiments strap 8 is less than 0.25 inches wide. In some embodiments strap 8 is between 0.25 and 0.75 inches wide. In some embodiments strap 8 is between 0.74 and 1 inches wide. In some embodiments strap 8 is more than 1 inch wide. Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 , strap 8 is engaged with luggage system 1 to create a trolley sleeve. In some embodiments strap 8 is attached to retaining device 6 when retaining device 6 is actuated through opening 5 . Alternatively the strap 8 traverses opening 5 and attaches to retaining device 6 on the interior of luggage system 1 . In some embodiments the trolley sleeve is positioned so as to allow luggage system 1 to be retained upon or coupled to a secondary article of luggage. By way of example and not limitation, the extendible handle of the secondary article of luggage can be inserted within the trolley sleeve. Alternatively luggage system 1 can be worn by a user, and the trolley sleeve can allow for a secondary article of luggage to attach and hang from luggage system 1 .
[0032]In some embodiments, strap 8 can be used as a shoulder strap. A shoulder strap can be longer than and/or extend beyond handles 12 , which can, e.g., permit a user to sling luggage system 1 over their shoulder for optional hands-free carrying. Strap 8 can be extendible and/or retractable when used as a shoulder strap, such that strap 8 can have suitable length to function as a shoulder strap, but can be retracted to fit snugly around the handle of a secondary article of luggage then luggage system 1 is so disposed. In some embodiments, strap 8 can be coupled with a separate shoulder strap to cooperate to allow ease of carrying and securing luggage system 1 .
[0033]Referring now to the drawings in general, the illustrations are for the purpose of describing an embodiment of the application and are not intended to limit the application thereto. The above-mentioned examples are provided to serve the purpose of clarifying the aspects of the application, and it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that they do not serve to limit the scope of the following claims. By its nature, this application is highly adjustable, customizable and adaptable. The above-mention examples are is just some of the many configurations that the mentioned components can take on. All modifications and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope of this disclosure.
