Volume expansion element

Abstract

Volume expansion element ( 1 ) for a piece of luggage ( 2 ) comprising a longitudinal closure element ( 3 ) with a first closing side ( 4 ) and a second closing side ( 5 ) and a gusset ( 6 ) which is in connection with said first closing side ( 4 ) and said second closing side ( 5 ) and extends between said first closing side ( 4 ) and said second closing side ( 5 ), wherein in a non-expanded state the first closing side ( 4 ) is in direct engagement with the second closing side ( 5 ) and wherein in an expanded state the first closing side ( 4 ) and the second closing side ( 5 ) are disengaged from each other such that they are positioned at a distance (D) to each other, which distance (D) is bridged with said gusset ( 6 ). Further at least one tensile element ( 7 ) is in connection with the first closing side ( 4 ) and the second closing side ( 5 ) such that with the tensile element ( 7 ) a tightening force can be provided between said first closing side ( 4 ) and said second closing side ( 5 ) in the expanded state.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A volume expansion element for a piece of luggage comprising
 a longitudinal closure element with a first closing side and a second closing side and   a gusset which is in connection with said first closing side and said second closing side and extends between said first closing side and said second closing side,   wherein in a non-expanded state the first closing side is in direct engagement with the second closing side and   wherein in an expanded state the first closing side and the second closing side are disengaged from each other such that they are positioned at a distance to each other, which distance is bridged with said gusset, wherein   at least one tensile element is in connection with the first closing side and the second closing side such that with the tensile element a tightening force can be provided between said first closing side and said second closing side in the expanded state.   
     
     
         19 . The volume expansion element according to  claim 18 , wherein the tensile element is arranged relative to said closing sides and said gusset such that in said non-expanded state the tensile element is embedded in said gusset and said engaged closing sides and/or wherein the tensile element is arranged behind the gusset on the opposite side of said closing sides. 
     
     
         20 . The volume expansion element according to  claim 18 , wherein the tensile element has the shape of a strip-like element extending transverse over the gusset from the first closing side to the second closing side. 
     
     
         21 . The volume expansion element according to  claim 18 , wherein the tensile element is a strap with at least one length adjusting element with which the length of the strap can be adjusted and thereby a tensile force between the closing sides can be provided. 
     
     
         22 . The volume expansion element according to  claim 18 , wherein the tensile element is an elastic strap; and/or a spring-like band providing a tensile force between the closing sides. 
     
     
         23 . The volume expansion element according to  claim 18 , wherein several bearing points are arranged at a distance to each other in the vicinity of the first closing side and the second closing side, wherein a tensile band is then guided trough said bearing points whereby the tensile band connects alternatively the bearing points of the first closing side and bearing points of the second closing side such that when the tensile element is put under tension the first closing side and the second closing side will be moved together. 
     
     
         24 . The volume expansion element according to  claim 18 , wherein the tensile element is, in particular apart from its end regions, separate from said gusset. 
     
     
         25 . The volume expansion element according to  claim 18 , wherein the tensile element is an integral part of the gusset; or wherein the tensile element is provided by said gusset. 
     
     
         26 . The volume expansion element according to  claim 18 , wherein the gusset is provided as non-interrupted gusset which completely bridges the distance between the first closing side and the second closing side. 
     
     
         27 . The volume expansion element according to  claim 18 , wherein the width of the gusset between the first closing side and the second closing side in the expanded state is larger than 5 cm, in particular larger than 8 cm, preferably larger than 12 cm. 
     
     
         28 . The volume expansion element according to  claim 18 , wherein the longitudinal closure element is a zipper, wherein the first closing side comprises a first row of teeth, wherein the second closing side comprises a second row of teeth and wherein a slider is present between said first row of teeth and said second row of teeth. 
     
     
         29 . The volume expansion element according to  claim 18 , wherein the first closing side and a first edge region of the gusset are connectable to a first housing part of a piece of luggage and second closing side and a second edge region of the gusset are connectable to a second housing part of a piece of luggage. 
     
     
         30 . The volume expansion element according to  claim 29 , wherein the closing sides are in a firm connection with the gusset in a starting segment of the longitudinal closure element, which starting segment extends from said starting point to the regions in which the closing sides extend parallel to the edge regions of the gusset. 
     
     
         31 . The volume expansion element according to  claim 29 , wherein the first closing side and the second closing side extend along the edge regions of the gusset and meet at a starting point between said edge regions. 
     
     
         32 . The volume expansion element according to  claim 31 , wherein the closing sides are in a firm connection with the gusset in a starting segment of the longitudinal closure element, which starting segment extends from said starting point to the regions in which the closing sides extend parallel to the edge regions of the gusset. 
     
     
         33 . A piece of luggage comprising a housing with a first housing part and a second housing part and a volume expansion element according to  claim 18 , wherein said first closing side is in connection with the first housing part and the second closing side is in connection with the second housing part and wherein said gusset bridges a gap between said first housing part and said second housing part. 
     
     
         34 . The piece of luggage according to  claim 33 , wherein said housing comprises a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls, wherein said front wall and said back wall forming major faces of the housing, wherein said side walls forming side faces of the housing and extend between the front wall and the back wall and wherein said top wall and said bottom wall forming top and bottom ends of the housing and extend between the front wall and the back wall,
 wherein the volume expansion element extends in a circumferential manner around said housing in the top wall, the side walls and the bottom wall.   
     
     
         35 . The piece of luggage according to  claim 33 , wherein the first housing part is a front shell comprising at least the front wall and the second housing part is a back shell comprising at least the back wall. 
     
     
         36 . The piece of luggage according to  claim 33 , wherein
 at least one of said tensile elements links the first housing part with the second housing part in the area of said bottom wall; and/or   wherein at least one of, in particular exactly two of, said tensile elements links the first housing part with the second housing part in the area of each of said side walls; and/or   wherein in the area of said top wall no tensile element is arranged.   
     
     
         37 . The piece of luggage according to  claim 34 , wherein in said front wall a closure element is arranged giving access to the interior space of said housing. 
     
     
         38 . The piece of luggage according to  claim 34 , wherein a plate is arranged in said housing at the bottom end, which plate is in firm connection with one of said first housing part or said second housing part.