A case for an optical instrument is provided. The case has a body with a bottom and two pairs of oppositely disposed side walls connected to the body forming a cavity. The case also includes a lid having a top cover and two pairs of oppositely disposed side portions, each of which corresponds with and overlaps a corresponding side wall of the body when the lid is in a closed position. A first pair of the two pairs of side walls each includes an elastic chord which connects the given side wall to the corresponding side portion of the lid.

With respect to cases for laptop computers, and the like and, an improvement comprises pair of opposing strap guides through which elastic side retention straps are respectively journaled to prevent the straps from interfering with the closure of the case. A case according to the invention comprises top and bottom covers hinged in the rear of the case, and a closure mechanism such as a zipper is for closing the top and bottom covers. Right and left elastic retaining straps respectively connect the top and bottom portions of the case, and the right and left elastic retaining straps pass through respective strap guides, each attached to the inner surface of the top portion of the case, to prevent the retaining straps from being caught in the hinged portions of the computer or the closure mechanism as the case is closed. Each elastic retaining strap may twist between the bottom cover of the case and each strap guide.

A luggage item with a hatch includes a first member having a first exterior surface, a second member pivotally connected to the first member, the second member having a second exterior surface, the first and second members movable between a closed position in which the first member and second member together form a substantially enclosed surface about a cavity, the first and second exterior surface together forming the exterior of the luggage item, and an open position in which the cavity is accessible from outside the luggage, an opening in the luggage item through which a user may access the cavity when the first and second members are in the closed position, and a hatch pivotally attached to the exterior, the hatch movable to cover the opening, and a latch connecting the hatch to the exterior when the hatch covers the opening.

A luggage item with a hatch includes a first member having a first exterior surface, a second member pivotally connected to the first member, the second member having a second exterior surface, the first and second members movable between a closed position in which the first member and second member together form a substantially enclosed surface about a cavity, the first and second exterior surface together forming the exterior of the luggage item, and an open position in which the cavity is accessible from outside the luggage, an opening in the luggage item through which a user may access the cavity when the first and second members are in the closed position, and a hatch pivotally attached to the exterior, the hatch movable to cover the opening, and a latch connecting the hatch to the exterior when the hatch covers the opening.

With respect to cases for laptop computers, and the like and, an improvement comprises pair of opposing strap guides through which elastic side retention straps are respectively journaled to prevent the straps from interfering with the closure of the case. A case according to the invention comprises top and bottom covers hinged in the rear of the case, and a closure mechanism such as a zipper is for closing the top and bottom covers. Right and left elastic retaining straps respectively connect the top and bottom portions of the case, and the right and left elastic retaining straps pass through respective strap guides, each attached to the inner surface of the top portion of the case, to prevent the retaining straps from being caught in the hinged portions of the computer or the closure mechanism as the case is closed. Each elastic retaining strap may twist between the bottom cover of the case and each strap guide.

A panel support (24, 424, 824) comprises an arm (26, 826) having a first portion coupled to a panel (22, 422, 822) and a second portion movable to an extended panel supporting position. A pliable member (28, 828) extends from the panel (22, 422, 822) and is coupled to the arm (26, 826). The pliable member (28, 828) is maintained in tension despite movement of the arm (26, 826).

A panel support (24, 424, 824) comprises an arm (26, 826) having a first portion coupled to a panel (22, 422, 822) and a second portion movable to an extended panel supporting position. A pliable member (28, 828) extends from the panel (22, 422, 822) and is coupled to the arm (26, 826). The pliable member (28, 828) is maintained in tension despite movement of the arm (26, 826).

A backpack having a body, a handle, and a top flap made entirely of made from ethylene-vinyl acetate. The body having rear surface, a front surface, an upper surface, and a base surface, wherein the upper surface defines an opening by way of an upper periphery. The handle projects upward from the upper periphery. The top flap extends from a rear end to a forward end, wherein the rear end is connected to the rear surface so that the flap is movable between an open condition and a closed condition blocking access to the opening. A flap opening formed in the flap forward of the rear end thereof, wherein the flap opening is dimensioned, shaped, and located along the flap so that in the open condition the handle engages the flap opening so as to prop the flap in a vertically upright position.

A backpack having a body, a handle, and a top flap made entirely of made from ethylene-vinyl acetate. The body having rear surface, a front surface, an upper surface, and a base surface, wherein the upper surface defines an opening by way of an upper periphery. The handle projects upward from the upper periphery. The top flap extends from a rear end to a forward end, wherein the rear end is connected to the rear surface so that the flap is movable between an open condition and a closed condition blocking access to the opening. A flap opening formed in the flap forward of the rear end thereof, wherein the flap opening is dimensioned, shaped, and located along the flap so that in the open condition the handle engages the flap opening so as to prop the flap in a vertically upright position.

A backpack having a body, a handle, and a top flap made entirely of made from ethylene-vinyl acetate. The body having rear surface, a front surface, an upper surface, and a base surface, wherein the upper surface defines an opening by way of an upper periphery. The handle projects upward from the upper periphery. The top flap extends from a rear end to a forward end, wherein the rear end is connected to the rear surface so that the flap is movable between an open condition and a closed condition blocking access to the opening. A flap opening formed in the flap forward of the rear end thereof, wherein the flap opening is dimensioned, shaped, and located along the flap so that in the open condition the handle engages the flap opening so as to prop the flap in a vertically upright position.