Wheeled luggage with molded polymeric shell and fabric construction

Abstract

A wheeled luggage item comprises a molded shell and fabric in combination. The molded shell includes arcuate side panels which in cooperation with the fabric side panels of the luggage enable the incorporation of oversize storage pockets on the side panels which are easily accessible without access to the interior of the luggage through a front side panel. A method of attaching the fabric to the molded shell is also disclosed along with various reinforcing boards and members to facilitate the integrity of the combination.

1 . Luggage, comprising in combination:
 a molded shell having a generally rectangular back side, a top side, a bottom side, a first lateral side connecting the top side and bottom side, and a spaced second lateral side generally parallel to, spaced from the first lateral side and connecting the top side and bottom side, said top side, bottom side, first lateral side and second lateral side forming a peripheral wall extending generally transversely from the back side, said top side and said bottom side being generally congruent, said first lateral side and said second lateral side being generally congruent, said top side and said bottom side being generally rectangular, said first lateral side and said second lateral side each having an outer edge configured with the opposite end thereof spaced a greater distance from the back side panel than sections of said edge therebetween; and   a fabric panel assembly attached to the top side, first and second lateral sides and bottom side of the shell to form a generally rectangular parallelepiped enclosure with at least first and second lateral composite panels comprised of fabric and said first and second lateral sides of said shell.   
   
   
       2 . The luggage of  claim 1  further including a fabric pocket on the outside of said fabric forming at least one composite lateral side. 
   
   
       3 . The luggage of  claim 1  further including an elastomeric strip having a first channel fitted over said peripheral edge of the shell and a second channel adjacent thereto for receipt of said fabric. 
   
   
       4 . The luggage of  claim 3  further including stitching through said fabric and said shell to attach said fabric to said shell, said stitching covered within said second channel. 
   
   
       5 . The luggage of  claim 1  further including a generally rigid board member fastened to the bottom side of said shell on the inside thereof. 
   
   
       6 . The luggage of  claim 5  wherein the luggage includes a composite bottom side comprised of said bottom side of said shell and said fabric, and said board member is fitted over the composite bottom side and fastened thereto. 
   
   
       7 . The luggage of  claim 6  further including a support skeg on the composite bottom side fastened to said composite side and said board member. 
   
   
       8 . The luggage of  claim 6  further including a telescoping handle extending generally from the bottom side of said shell through the top side of said shell. 
   
   
       9 . The luggage of  claim 8  further including a bracket for attaching the telescoping handle to the bottom side of said shell, said bracket further fastened to said board member. 
   
   
       10 . The luggage of  claim 8  further including wheels attached to the bottom side of said shell. 
   
   
       11 . The luggage of  claim 1  including a fabric pocket on the outside of the fabric forming each composite lateral side. 
   
   
       12 . The luggage of  claim 1  wherein the outer edge along said first and second lateral sides of said shell comprises an arcuate shape extending between the bottom side and the top side. 
   
   
       13 . The luggage of  claim 3  wherein the strip has an S-shaped cross section. 
   
   
       14 . The luggage of  claim 1  further including a carry handle on the top side of said shell. 
   
   
       15 . The luggage of  claim 12  including a fabric pocket on the outside of fabric forming at least one composite lateral side. 
   
   
       16 . The luggage of  claim 3  further including a generally rigid board member fastened to the bottom side of said shell. 
   
   
       17 . The luggage of  claim 16  further including a skeg fastened to the bottom side and board member and a telescoping handle fastened to the bottom side and board member and extending through the top side. 
   
   
       18 . The luggage of  claim 17  wherein the elastomeric strip has an S-cross sectional shape.