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US 2017/0000232 A1Published application
Modular suitcase frame
AssigneeTumi, Inc.
InventorPaul V. Scicluna
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A piece of luggage comprises a front shell, a rear shell, and a frame assembly configured to hingedly secure the front shell to the rear shell. The frame assembly including a front frame sub-assembly configured to be secured to the front shell and a rear frame sub-assembly configured to be secured to the rear shell. Each of the front frame sub-assembly and the rear frame sub-assembly including a plurality of frame members and a plurality of corner members.
Claims35
A piece of luggage comprising:
- a front shell;
- a rear shell;
- a frame assembly including a front frame sub-assembly configured to be secured to the front shell and a rear frame sub-assembly configured to be secured to the rear shell, each of the front frame sub-assembly and the rear frame sub-assembly including a plurality of frame members and a plurality of corner members configured to be interchangeably assembled to achieve a respective frame sub-assembly;
- and
- at least one hinge that joins the front shell to the rear shell.
2 more elements
A method for producing an article of luggage comprising:
- forming a plurality of luggage shells comprising a front shell and a rear shell having substantially similar widths and heights;
- forming a length of edge framing material having a tab portion and an edge coupling portion that extends along the length of the edge framing material;
- cutting said edge framing material into two or more pieces having a length that is substantially similar to the width of said front and rear luggage shells and into two or more pieces having a length that is substantially similar to the height of said front and rear luggage shells;
- forming a plurality of reinforcing corner pieces;
- forming a plurality of front edge joint pieces;
- forming a plurality of rear edge joint pieces;
- constructing a front edge frame comprising at least four pieces of front edge framing material, at least eight front edge joint pieces, and at least four reinforcing corner pieces;
- constructing a rear edge frame comprising at least four pieces of rear edge framing material, at least eight rear edge joint pieces, and at least four reinforcing corner pieces;
- attaching said front edge frame to said front shell;
- attaching said rear edge frame to said rear shell;
- joining said front shell to said rear shell with a hinge.
8 more elements
A piece of luggage comprising:
- a front shell and a rear shell, each shell comprising an internal compartment for receiving contents;
- at least four pieces of front edge framing material having a tab portion and a front edge coupling portion that extends along the length of said front edge framing material;
- at least four pieces of rear edge framing material having a tab portion and a rear edge coupling portion that extends along the length of the rear edge framing material, wherein said front edge coupling portion and said rear edge coupling portion are capable of matingly coupling;
- at least eight reinforcing corner pieces;
- at least eight front edge joint pieces;
- at least eight rear edge joint pieces;
- a front edge frame comprising said at least four pieces of front edge framing material, at least eight front edge joint pieces, and said at least four reinforcing corner pieces;
- a rear edge frame comprising said at least four pieces of rear edge framing material, at least eight rear edge joint pieces, and said at least four reinforcing corner pieces;
- wherein said front edge frame is attached to said front shell and said rear edge frame is attached to said rear shell;
- and
- at least one hinge joining said front shell to said rear shell.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.