Luggage cases and expansion zipper assemblies and other parts for luggage cases
AssigneeSamsonite IP Holdings S.a r.l.
InventorReinhard Meersschaert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A luggage case includes a shell and a continuous closure structure, the continuous closure structure including a protective cover and separately or additionally an expansion zipper. The continuous closure assembly of the continuous closure structure includes a first strip portion and a second strip portion connected along a common outer edge. The second strip portion overlays a portion of the first strip portion. The expansion zipper assembly of the continuous closure structure includes a central webbing portion having zipper teeth on opposing sides, and a gusset member secured between the shell and the central webbing portion.
Claims16
A luggage case comprising:
- a first shell and a second shell;
- first engagement features extending along an edge of the first shell;
- second engagement features extending along an edge of the second shell;
- an expansion webbing, positioned at least partially between the first and second shells, and defining opposing first and second edges, with each opposing edge including engagement features, wherein:
- the respective engagement features of the first opposing edge and the first shell correspond to form a first openable zipper structure;
- the engagement features of the second opposing edge and the second shell correspond to form a second openable zipper structure;
- an unreinforced gusset member connected to the expansion webbing, and operably joined with the second shell;
- and
- wherein the first openable zipper structure is arranged to allow access to an interior chamber formed between the first and second shells, and the second openable zipper structure is arranged to allow the gusset member to extend to increase the volume of the interior chamber when in an open configuration.
An expansion zipper assembly for a luggage case comprising:
- a first zipper tape including engagement features along one edge;
- a second zipper tape including engagement features along one edge;
- an expansion webbing, defining opposing edges and positioned between the first and second zipper tapes, with each opposing edge forming an openable zipper structure with the adjacent engagement features of the first or second zipper tape;
- a gusset member defining a first and second opposing edges, the first opposing edge attached to the expansion webbing, and the second opposing edge attached to second zipper tape.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.