Soft sided luggage frame

Abstract

Accordingly an aspect of the present invention provides a frame structure for a soft sided luggage case comprising a frame that can be thermoformed from a single piece of thermoplastic material and folded into a final form to provide structure for a soft sided luggage case. Conveniently, combinations of a base and at least one side portions of the bag can hingeably connected with living hinges to provide easy and fast assembly while permitting more efficient stacking for packing and shipping. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a frame for a soft sided luggage case. The frame includes a base portion having a perimeter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A frame for a soft sided luggage case comprising:
 a base portion having a perimeter; and   a side portion connected to the perimeter of the base portion,   wherein the base portion and the side portion are formed from a single piece of material, and wherein the side portion is movable from a first position to a second position supporting a wall of the luggage case.   
     
     
         2 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the side portion is connected to the base portion with a hinge. 
     
     
         3 . The frame of  claim 2 , wherein the hinge is a living hinge. 
     
     
         4 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the single piece of material comprises thermoplastic. 
     
     
         5 . The frame of  claim 4 , wherein the single piece of material includes apertures for weight reduction of the luggage case. 
     
     
         6 . The frame of  claim 1 , further comprising bracing disposed at least one of the base portion or the side portion, the bracing for providing additional support. 
     
     
         7 . The frame of  claim 6 , wherein the bracing is formed from the single piece of material. 
     
     
         8 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the side portion includes a flare for stretching the fabric. 
     
     
         9 . The frame of  claim 1 , further comprising a second side portion connected to the perimeter of the base portion, the second side portion movable from a first position to a second position. 
     
     
         10 . The frame of  claim 9 , wherein the first side portion is configured to support the wall of the luggage case and the second side portion is configured to support a second wall of the luggage case. 
     
     
         11 . The frame of  claim 10 , wherein the first side portion includes a first L-shaped edge and the second side portion includes a second L-shaped edge, the first L-shaped edge configured to cooperate with the second L-shaped edge when the first side portion is in the second position and the second side portion is in the second position. 
     
     
         12 . A frame for a soft sided luggage case comprising:
 a base portion having a perimeter; and   a side portion connected to the perimeter of the base portion, wherein the base portion and the side portion are integrally formed.   
     
     
         13 . The frame of  claim 12 , wherein the base portion and the side portion are formed using a thermoforming process. 
     
     
         14 . The frame of  claim 13 , wherein the side portion is connected to the base portion with a hinge. 
     
     
         15 . The frame of  claim 14 , wherein the hinge is a living hinge. 
     
     
         16 . The frame of  claim 12 , further comprising bracing disposed at least one of the base portion or the side portion, the bracing for providing additional support. 
     
     
         17 . The frame of  claim 16 , wherein the bracing is formed from the single piece of material. 
     
     
         18 . The frame of  claim 17 , wherein the single piece of material includes apertures for weight reduction of the luggage case. 
     
     
         19 . The frame of  claim 12 , wherein the side portion includes a flare for stretching the fabric. 
     
     
         20 . The frame of  claim 12 , further comprising a second side portion connected to the perimeter of the base portion, the second side portion movable from a first position to a second position. 
     
     
         21 . The frame of  claim 12 , wherein the first side portion is configured to support the wall of the luggage case and the second side portion is configured to support a second wall of the luggage case. 
     
     
         22 . The frame of  claim 21 , wherein the first side portion includes a first L-shaped edge and the second side portion includes a second L-shaped edge, the first L-shaped edge configured to cooperate with the second L-shaped edge when the first side portion is in the second position and the second side portion is in the second position. 
     
     
         23 . A luggage case comprising:
 a base;   a frame connected to the base, the frame having a base portion and a side portion connected to the base portion, wherein the base portion and the side portion are formed using a thermoforming process; and   a soft covering disposed over the frame.