Hard-Sided Expandable Suitcase

Abstract

A hard-sided suitcase may include two polycarbonate composite or other hard shells, and a polycarbonate composite or other expansion portion positioned between the two shells at approximately a midpoint of a depth of the suitcase. A carrying handle may be attached to the polycarbonate composite expansion portion. An opening zipper may connect at least one of the polycarbonate composite shells to the polycarbonate composite expansion portion and provide access to one or more storage compartments. An expansion zipper may connect the polycarbonate composite expansion portion and the other of the polycarbonate composite shells. The expansion zipper may have a flexible gusset. A reinforcement frame may be connected to the polycarbonate composite expansion portion such that the polycarbonate composite expansion portion can bear the weight of the hard-sided suitcase when lifted by the carrying handle. The reinforcement frame may be a honeycomb plastic frame and enclosed by a fabric material.

1 . A hard-sided suitcase, the hard-sided suitcase comprising:
 at least two polycarbonate composite shells for forming one or more storage compartments of the hard-sided suitcase;   a polycarbonate composite expansion portion positioned between the two polycarbonate composite shells at approximately a midpoint of a depth of the suitcase;   at least one carrying handle attached to the polycarbonate composite expansion portion;   an opening zipper connecting at least one of the polycarbonate composite shells to the polycarbonate composite expansion portion and providing access to the one or more storage compartments of the storage suitcase;   an expansion zipper connecting the polycarbonate composite expansion portion and the other of the polycarbonate composite shells, the expansion zipper provided with a flexible gusset therein; and   a reinforcement frame connected to the polycarbonate composite expansion portion such that the polycarbonate composite expansion portion can bear the weight of the hard-sided suitcase when lifted by the carrying handle.   
     
     
         2 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 1 , the hard-sided suitcase further comprising a hinge between (a) one of the at least two polycarbonate composite shells for forming one or more storage compartments of the hard-sided suitcase, and (b) the polycarbonate composite expansion portion to facilitate opening the hard-suited suitcase. 
     
     
         3 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement frame is a honeycomb plastic frame. 
     
     
         4 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 3 , wherein the reinforcement frame is enclosed by a fabric material, and the reinforcement frame has a width of between approximately one inch and approximately two inches, and a thickness of between approximately one inch and approximately two inches. 
     
     
         5 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 3 , wherein the reinforcement frame is screwed or riveted to the polycarbonate composite expansion portion. 
     
     
         6 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 1 , the hard-sided suitcase further comprising wheels, the wheels being hub cap plated. 
     
     
         7 . A hard-sided suitcase having a re-enforced expansion portion, the hard-sided suitcase comprising:
 two hard shells configured to form a main storage compartment of the hard-sided suitcase;   an expansion portion positioned between the two hard shells at approximately a midpoint of a depth of the suitcase;   at least one carrying handle attached to the expansion portion;   an opening zipper connecting one of the two hard shells to the expansion portion and providing access to the main storage compartment of the hard-sided suitcase;   an expansion zipper connecting the expansion portion and the other of the two hard shells, the expansion zipper configured to have a flexible gusset; and   a reinforcement frame connected to the expansion portion such that the expansion portion is configured to bear the weight of the hard-sided suitcase when lifted by the carrying handle.   
     
     
         8 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 7 , wherein the reinforcement frame is directly interconnected to the expansion portion, the expansion portion being manufactured from a polycarbonate composite. 
     
     
         9 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 8 , wherein the reinforcement frame is a honeycomb plastic frame. 
     
     
         10 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 9 , wherein the reinforcement frame is enclosed by a fabric material, and the reinforcement frame has a thickness of at least approximately one inch extending into the interior of the hard-sided suitcase. 
     
     
         11 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 7 , the hard-sided suitcase further comprising a hinge between one of the two hard shells and the expansion portion that facilitates opening the hard-sided suitcase. 
     
     
         12 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 7 , the hard-sided suitcase further comprising wheels, the wheels being hub cap plated. 
     
     
         13 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 7 , wherein the two hard shells are manufactured from a polycarbonate based material. 
     
     
         14 . A hard-sided suitcase having a re-enforced expansion portion, the hard-sided suitcase comprising:
 a left hard shell and a right hard shell configured to form a main storage compartment of the hard-sided suitcase;   an expansion portion positioned between the left and right hard shells at approximately a midpoint of a depth of the suitcase;   at least one carrying handle attached to the expansion portion;   an opening zipper connecting the left hard shell to the expansion portion and providing access to the main storage compartment of the hard-sided suitcase;   an expansion zipper connecting the expansion portion and the right hard shell; and   a reinforcement frame connected to the expansion portion such that the expansion portion is configured to bear the weight of the hard-sided suitcase when lifted by the carrying handle.   
     
     
         15 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 14 , wherein the expansion zipper includes a flexible gusset. 
     
     
         16 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcement frame is a honeycomb plastic frame and is enclosed by a fabric material. 
     
     
         17 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcement frame is mechanically attached to the expansion portion, the expansion portion being manufactured from a polycarbonate based composite. 
     
     
         18 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 14 , the hard-sided suitcase further comprising a hinge between the left hard shell and the expansion portion that facilitates opening the hard-sided suitcase. 
     
     
         19 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 14 , wherein the reinforcement frame has a width of between approximately one inch and approximately two inches, and a thickness of between approximately one inch and approximately two inches. 
     
     
         20 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 14 , wherein the left and right hard shells are manufactured from a polycarbonate based material.