This invention is directed toward a wheel assembly that can easily be attached and detached from a case such that the case can be wheeled when needed, but have the wheels removed for storage or transportation in a vehicle or plane. The wheel assembly comes in three parts—an axel, two wheels, and two wheel mounts—so it is simple to assembly, and because it has no moving parts, it is solid and durable.

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. A locking/unlocking system is mechanically connected to elongate member and at least partly housed in the sheath. An interface system includes a cam journal and is configured to actuate the locking/unlocking system by the handle axle. The cam journal includes a first end mechanically connected to the handle axle and a second end, opposite the first end, with a transmission tip having a contact face. In a first position of the grip portion, the locking/unlocking system is configured to lock the handle in a selected position. In a second position of the grip portion, obtained by the rotation of the grip portion, the locking/unlocking system is configured to unlock the handle.

A luggage article (400, 700) having an attachment member (501, 801) for releasably supporting a second article (401, 701), the luggage article (400, 700) including a first shell (418, 718) and a second shell (420, 720) selectively secured together along a line of connection (426, 726) by a closure mechanism (424, 724), a lock mechanism (600, 900) to selectively engage and disengage the closure mechanism (424, 724), an attachment member (501, 801) including a base plate (505, 805) and a retention feature (520, 820) extending away from the base plate (505, 805), the attachment member (501, 801) attached together with the lock mechanism (600, 900) to a panel (403, 703) of one of the first (418, 718) or second shells (420, 720), and a gap (554, 854) is formed between at least a portion of the retention feature (520, 820) and the panel (403, 703), and the retention feature (520, 820) is deflected away from and biased back towards the panel (403, 703) to capture the second article (401, 701).

In one embodiment, a luggage case is disclosed. The luggage case includes a main body including a lid shell and a base shell. The lid shell and the base shell are hingedly coupled to one another and selectively closable by a closure mechanism. The luggage case further includes a primary recess, the primary recess defining a bottom wall. A secondary recess is formed in the bottom wall of the primary recess and an attachment member is positioned in the secondary recess.

In one embodiment, a luggage article (100) is disclosed. The luggage article (100) includes a shell (102) with forming an internal storage volume (166). A recess (140) is formed in the shell (102) and includes a base wall (152) that defines a substantially planar surface (142), and a first peripheral wall (144) that at least partially surrounds the base wall (152) and forms a peripheral shape (146) in the shell (102). The luggage article (100) includes an identification tag assembly (112) including: a display body (122) defining a second peripheral shape (150) and configured to receive an information element (128) configured to display information (164), and a first attachment element (130); a second attachment element (132) coupled to the shell (102) proximate to the recess (140). The first attachment element (130) and the second attachment element (132) together releasably secure the display body (122) to the shell (102) in the recess (140).

Systems and methods for luggage systems are provided. The luggage systems and methods include a luggage housing assembly having a front housing portion and a rear housing portion connected to the front housing portion by a hinge. The luggage systems and methods include a set of wheels mounted to the luggage housing assembly. The luggage systems and methods can include a rechargeable power supply assembly that includes a housing component and a battery module casing configured to receive a rechargeable battery module. The luggage systems and methods can include a compression pad subsystem configured to compress contents of the luggage within the housing portions.

A carrying case includes an outer container with a plurality of side walls extending from a lower support. An outer lid is at least partially removably coupled with the plurality of side walls and positioned opposite the lower support. Each of the side walls, lower support and outer lid have an inner surface defining an interior space within the case. A plurality of first attachment means extend from at least two opposing side wall inner surfaces. A removable inner tray includes a plurality of inserts configured to fit within the interior space of the outer container. A plurality of second attachment means extend from the plurality of inserts and are positioned to correspond with locations of the first attachment means, such that the first and second attachment means are engaged when the inner tray is positioned within the interior space of the case.

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.