Expandable insert for soft luggage articles such as backpacks and the like

An expanding device for an article such as a backpack having a compartment defined by at least two opposing flexible sidewalls, the device capable of expanding the backpack when inserted into the backpack compartment from a collapsed position to an expanded position, said device comprising, in combination:

• a pair of opposed insert panels, the insert panels being interconnected by two webs, each of the two webs having a foldline disposed therein between points of attachment of said webs to said insert panels, said two webs being folded upon themselves about said foldlines when said device is inserted into said backpack compartment and said backpack is collapsed, said two webs further including at least one elastic member engaging said two webs and extending between said two webs the two webs each including a tab, the elastic member engaging said tabs, such that said elastic member is in tension when said device is in said collapsed position, and wherein said opposing insert panels are in a general parallel relationship, said elastic member urging said device into said expanded position by applying forces to said two webs, whereby said two webs are unfolded about said web foldlines and said webs are disposed generally perpendicularly to said insert panels and said insert panels assume a generally parallel, spaced-apart position, each of said webs including at lest one gusset portion extending between said webs and said insert panels, said gusset portions limiting movement of said webs about said web foldlines.

An expanding insert assembly for use in an article carrier having at least one article carrying compartment defined by two opposing sidewalls of the carrier, said carrier being of the type having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition, the insert assembly comprising:

• a first planar insert panel for bearing against one of the two opposing sidewalls of said carrier, a second planar insert panel for bearing against another of said two opposing sidewalls of said carrier, an expansion component disposed between the first and second insert panels, the expansion component including first and second webs, the first web having a base integrally formed with a central portion of the first inset panel and the second web portion have a base integrally formed with a central portion of the second insert panel, said first web further being attached to said second insert panel central portion, said second web further being attached to said first insert panel central portion, said apparatus further including elastic means for activating said expansion component from between a first, collapsed position within said article carrier wherein said first and second insert panels are disposed relatively closely together to a second, expanded condition within said article carrier wherein said first and second insert panels are spaced a preselected distance apart from each other which is equal to a common length of said first and second webs, such that, when said expansion component is in said second, expanded condition, said first and second insert panels are generally parallel to each other, said first and second webs each further including at least one gusset integrally formed therewith, said gussets extending from said first and second webs to said first and second insert panels and being joined thereto by attachment means.

An expansion apparatus for use in an article of soft luggage of the type having a collapsed condition and an expanded condition, the apparatus comprising;

• a first planar insert panel for bearing against a first sidewall of the article, a second planar insert panel opposing the first insert panel for bearing against a second sidewall of said article, an expansion assembly disposed between said first an second insert panels, the expansion assembly including first and second web members, the first web member extending from a central portion of said first insert panel and a being attached to a central portion of said second insert panel, the second web member extending from said second insert panel and being attached to said first insert panel central portion, said apparatus further including means for activating said expansion apparatus from between a first, collapsed position within said article wherein said first and second insert panels are disposed relatively closely together to a second, expanded condition within said article wherein said first and second insert panels are spaced a preselected distance apart from each other in the form of at least one elastic member, the preselected distance being equal to a common length of said first and second web members, such that, when said expansion apparatus is in said second, expanded condition, said first and second insert panels are generally parallel to each other, said first and second web members each further including a foldline, the foldline permitting said web members to be folded upon themselves when said expansion apparatus is in said first collapsed position, said apparatus further including means for limiting movement of said first and second web members about said web foldlines when said expansion apparatus is in said second, expanded position.