Mesh expansion pocket for luggage

• US 6,742,636 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2001
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Travel Caddy Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Travel Caddy Incorporated
• Inventors: Godshaw, Donald E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mai, Tri M.
• Application Number:
  US09/963,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20020195304A1
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• Field of Search: 190/109, 190/18.A, 190/111, 190/102, 150/112, 150/114, 150/116, 150/117, 224/148.1
• US Class Current: 190/111
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 3/00 Flexible luggage; Handbags collapsible or extensible luggage, bags or the like A45C7/00
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/06 with outside compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 7/0063 comprising an integrated expansion device
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 7/0068 with slide fastener strips
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 2200/0583 Beverage vessels, e.g. bottles

Abstract

Expansion or collapsible pockets are incorporated in a side panel of luggage for carrying items which require ease of access.

Claims

1. In a luggage item of the type having:

a side panel of flexible material, a lower side panel edge and generally parallel side panel side edges extending from the lower edge, the improvement comprising, in combination;

an open topped expansion pocket, said expansion pocket including a first flexible material panel attached to the side panel lower edge and one of said side panel side edges and having a fastener mechanism along an edge of said first material panel intermediate the side panel side edges;

a second flexible material panel having a substantially mirror image shape and size as the first flexible material panel, said second panel attached to the side panel lower edge and the remaining side panel side edge, said second panel also including a fastener mechanism connectable with the first panel mechanism to join the first and second panels together to form a pocket with an open top;

a mesh fabric panel connecting the first and second material panels by extending between the material panels on the inside of a pocket formed by the material panels; and

a flexible ribbon member forming a connection between the top side of the first and second panels to limit the separation of the panels and also forming a top edge of the mesh panel.

2. The luggage item of claim 1 wherein the fastening mechanism comprises a zipper.

3. The luggage item of claim 1 wherein the ribbon member is elastomeric.

4. In a luggage item of the type having:

a side panel of flexible material, a lower side panel edge and generally parallel side panel side edges extending from the lower edge, the improvement comprising, in combination;

an open topped expansion pocket, said expansion pocket including a first flexible material panel attached to a side panel side edge and having a fastener mechanism along an edge of said first flexible material panel intermediate the side panel side edges;

a mesh fabric panel connecting the first flexible material panel by extending between the first flexible material panel and a side panel side edge; and

a flexible ribbon member forming a connection between the top side of the first flexible material panel and said side panel side edge to limit the separation of the first flexible material panel and also forming a top edge of the mesh panel.