A handle assembly include right and left straps secured to a handle, the right and left straps each have first magnetic elements secured thereto. A case has second magnetic elements mounted thereto, such mounted to the case with a portion of the right or left strap secured between itself and the case. The magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements draws the handle toward the case. The case may define a recess such that the handle is drawn into the recess and does not protrude.

An insulating device may include a body comprising an outer shell, an insulating layer and aerogel structure adjacent to the outer shell, and an inner liner secured to the outer shell. The aerogel structure may comprise skiving features that extend from a surface of the aerogel structure to a mid-point width of the aerogel structure and may be configured to facilitate folding of the aerogel structure.

An insulating device may include a body comprising an outer shell, an insulating layer and aerogel structure adjacent to the outer shell, and an inner liner secured to the outer shell. The aerogel structure may comprise skiving features that extend from a surface of the aerogel structure to a mid-point width of the aerogel structure and may be configured to facilitate folding of the aerogel structure.

A wheeled luggage case comprises (a) a storage chamber, (b) a cover defining an opening on at least one side of the storage chamber for providing ready access therein and at least two labyrinth axle-free wheels operatively connected to the chamber for towing the case along a ground surface. The labyrinth axle-free wheel comprises an internal rim, an external rim provided with a ground interface, rollers being rotatably disposed within a roller spacer between the internal and external rims in a uniform circumferential manner by means of a spacer and external covers. A labyrinth type dust passage in the wheel is defined by the rims and the external plates mechanically connected to the internal rim.

A wheeled carrier including a rigid base having a bottom side, opposing front and rear sides extending upward from the bottom side, and opposing first and second lateral sides extending upward from the bottom side, a body extending upward from the base defining an interior between the base and an apex of the body, a pair of wheels connected to the base, the pair of wheels configured to rotate about an axis proximate to the rear side of the base, a telescoping handle assembly including two telescoping legs, each having a proximal end attached to the base and a distal end, the telescoping handle assembly including a handle connecting the distal ends of the two telescoping legs and extending over the apex of the body, and a pair of backpack straps attached to the body.

A method for manufacturing a quadrangular shell having five faces and non-developable trihedral connectors between the faces. Plies having continuous fibers are cut to cover the five faces of the shell outside of the trihedral connector zones. Four connector components consolidated in the shape of the trihedral connectors are obtained. Each of the components includes an integration zone between the plies. Plies are positioned and laid up. The four consolidated components are inserted in the trihedral connection zones by inserting the integration zones between two plies to form an assembly obtain a preform. The preform is placed in a tool and the consolidation of the stack of fibrous plies is performed by subjecting the assembly to a predetermined pressure/temperature cycle.

An item of luggage includes an extendable and retractable handle mechanism having a handle axle to which a grip portion is mechanically connected. An elongate member of specific cross-section is mounted to be movable in translation relative to a fixed sheath and a locking/unlocking system. The locking/unlocking system includes a bushing and partly housed in the elongate member. In a first position of the grip portion, the locking/unlocking system is configured to compress the bushing such that it is tightly applied against an inside face of the sheath to keep the elongate member fixed in the sheath, thus locking the handle in a selected position. In a second position of the grip portion, the locking/unlocking system is configured to decompress the bushing to enable a free sliding of the elongate member in the sheath, thus unlocking the handle.

An item of luggage includes an extendable and retractable handle mechanism having a handle axle to which a grip portion is mechanically connected. An elongate member is mounted to be movable in translation relative to a fixed sheath partly housing a locking/unlocking system, which is mechanically connected to elongate member. An interface system is actuated by the handle axle and actuates the locking/unlocking system. A support member forms a housing for a portion of the handle axle and the interface system. The support member includes a wall forming a guide and a stop for rotational movement of the interface system and of the handle axle between first and second positions of the grip portion and the handle axle. In the first position, the locking/unlocking system locks the handle in a selected position. In the second position, obtained by the rotation of the grip portion, the locking/unlocking system unlocks the handle.

An item of luggage includes an extendable and retractable handle mechanism having a handle axle to which a grip portion is mechanically connected. An elongate member is mounted to be movable in translation relative to a fixed sheath partly housing a locking/unlocking system, which is mechanically connected to elongate member. An interface system is actuated by the handle axle and actuates the locking/unlocking system. A support member forms a housing for a portion of the handle axle and the interface system. The support member includes a wall forming a guide and a stop for rotational movement of the interface system and of the handle axle between first and second positions of the grip portion and the handle axle. In the first position, the locking/unlocking system locks the handle in a selected position. In the second position, obtained by the rotation of the grip portion, the locking/unlocking system unlocks the handle.

Case for containing an item and method of manufacture comprising: a first panel having a perimeter edge and at least one hinge for folding the first panel. A second panel having a perimeter edge and at least one hinge for folding the second panel. A side panel. A first fastener configured to attach the side panel to the perimeter edge of the first panel. A second fastener configured to attach the side panel to the perimeter edge of the second panel. Method of manufacture of a layered material comprising the steps of: placing a substrate between a first and a second layer of self-reinforced polypropylene (srPP). Bonding the layers of srPP and substrate by: stitching, or riveting through the first layer of srPP, the substrate and the second layer of srPP; or gluing the first layer of srPP, the substrate and the second layer of srPP together.