Expandable Bags, Carrying Cases, and Luggage Systems

Abstract

A bag has a frame with a lip disposed about a periphery of the frame. The frame has an outer panel and an extension that couples the outer panel to the frame. The extension is configured to have an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. The extension extends laterally outward beyond the lip of the frame when the extension is in the expanded configuration, and the extension resides laterally inward of the lip of the frame when the extension is in the collapsed configuration. A first magnet is disposed at an end surface of the outer panel. A second magnet is disposed at an inner surface of the frame. The first magnet is configured to magnetically couple to the second magnet when the extension member is in the collapsed configuration. The extension further comprises a hinge.

1 . A bag comprising:
 a frame having a lip disposed about a periphery of the frame;   an outer panel; and   an extension that couples the outer panel to the frame, the extension being configured to assume an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration,   wherein the extension extends laterally outward beyond the lip of the frame when the extension is in the expanded configuration, and wherein the extension resides laterally inward of the lip of the frame when the extension is in the collapsed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The bag of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first magnet disposed at an end surface of the outer panel; and   a second magnet disposed at an inner surface of the frame.   
     
     
         3 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the first magnet is configured to magnetically couple to the second magnet when the extension member is in the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The bag of  claim 1 , wherein the extension further comprises a hinge. 
     
     
         5 . The bag of  claim 4 , wherein the hinge is configured to pull the outer panel flush with the lip of the frame when the extension is in the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The bag of  claim 5 , wherein the first magnet is configured to magnetically couple to the second magnet when the extension member is in the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The bag of  claim 6 , further including a strap, wherein the strap is connected to the frame of the bag and to the extension, wherein the strap retains the extension to the frame when the extension member is in the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The bag of  claim 5 , wherein the outer panel is formed as a rigid or resiliently flexible member.