Convertible luggage bag

Abstract

A luggage bag ( 10 ) which is convertible from a collapsed configuration ( 12 ) to an expanded configuration ( 13 ) which is self-supporting to maintain an expanded interior volume ( 11 ). This bag ( 10 ) includes a bottom panel ( 20 ), a top panel ( 18 ), a number of flexible, non-self-supporting side panels ( 14,16,22,26 ), and at least one self-supporting side support panel ( 46 ), which is moveable from a prone position ( 70 ) to an upright position ( 62 ), to support at least one of the flexible side panels ( 14,16,22,26 ) and maintain an expanded interior volume ( 11 ) within the luggage bag ( 10 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A luggage bag which is convertible from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration which is self-supporting to maintain an expanded interior volume, comprising: 
 a bottom panel;    a top panel;    a plurality of flexible, non-self-supporting side panels; and    at least one self-supporting side support panel, which is moveable from a prone position to an upright position, to support at least one of said flexible side panels and maintain an expanded interior volume within said luggage bag.    
     
     
         2 . The luggage bag recited in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said plurality of flexible side panels include a top side panel, a bottom side panel, an inner side panel, and an outer side panel.    
     
     
         3 . The luggage bag recited in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said at least one side support panel includes panels which releasably fasten in position adjacent to said inner and outer side panels to provide support to said inner and outer side panels.    
     
     
         4 . The luggage bag recited in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said at least one side support panel includes panels which releasably fasten in position adjacent to said top side panel and bottom side panel to provide support to said top side panel and bottom side panels.    
     
     
         5 . The luggage bag recited in  claim 2 , wherein: 
 said top side panel has a top support panel, and said bottom side panel includes a bottom support panel.    
     
     
         6 . The luggage bag recited in  claim 5 , wherein: 
 said top support panel is enclosed in a top pouch and said bottom support panel is enclosed in a bottom pouch.    
     
     
         7 . The luggage bag recited in  claim 6 , wherein: 
 said top support panel is removable from said top pouch and said bottom support panel is removable from said bottom pouch.    
     
     
         8 . The luggage bag recited in  claim 1 , wherein said luggage bag further comprises a wheel assembly including a wheel bracket.  
     
     
         9 . The luggage bag recited in  claim 8 , wherein said luggage bag further comprises a support handle which attaches to said wheel bracket.  
     
     
         10 . The luggage bag recited in  claim 1 , wherein said luggage bag further comprises an extendable handle.  
     
     
         11 . The luggage bag recited in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said at least one side support panel is permanently attached to said luggage bag by at least one flexible member.    
     
     
         12 . The luggage bag recited in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 said at least one flexible member is a strap.    
     
     
         13 . A luggage bag which is convertible from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration comprising: 
 a plurality of flexible side panels; and    at least one side support panel which is moveable from a first position to a second position, to support at least one of said flexible side panels.    
     
     
         14 . The luggage bag recited in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said plurality of flexible side panels include a top side panel, a bottom side panel, an inner side panel, and an outer side panel.    
     
     
         15 . The luggage bag recited in  claim 14 , wherein: 
 said at least one side support panel includes panels which move into position adjacent to said inner and outer side panels to provide support to said inner and outer side panels.    
     
     
         16 . The luggage bag recited in  claim 14 , wherein: 
 said at least one side support panel includes panels which move into position adjacent to said top side panel and bottom side panel to provide support to said top side panel and bottom side panels.    
     
     
         17 . The luggage bag recited in  claim 13 , wherein: 
 said at least one side support panel is permanently attached to said luggage bag.