Lightweight frame structure for a softside luggage case

Abstract

A frame structure for a softside luggage case is provided. The frame structure may include a bottom pan structure, at least two spinner wheel assemblies coupled with the bottom pan structure, and a rear frame coupled to and extending from a rear portion of the bottom pan structure. The rear frame may extend along at least a portion of a perimeter of a rear panel of the luggage case. The rear frame may include a pair of spaced apart elongate elements connected to and extending from the bottom pan structure. The rear frame may include a cross frame member coupling distal ends of the elongate elements together. The frame structure may not include a front frame structure.

1 . A frame structure for a softside luggage case, the frame structure comprising:
 a bottom pan structure;   at least two spinner wheel assemblies coupled with the bottom pan structure; and   a rear frame coupled to and extending from a rear portion of the bottom pan structure, the rear frame extending along at least a portion of a perimeter of a rear panel of the luggage case, and comprising:
 a pair of spaced apart elongate elements connected to and extending from the bottom pan structure; and 
 a cross frame member coupling distal ends of the elongate elements together; 
   wherein the frame structure does not include a front frame structure.   
     
     
         2 . The frame structure of  claim 1 , wherein the rear frame extends from adjacent rear corners of the bottom pan structure. 
     
     
         3 . The frame structure of  claim 1 , wherein:
 each of the elongate elements and the cross frame member is a pulltrusion; and   the cross frame member pulltrusion is connected to the distal end of a respective elongate element pulltrusion by a corner piece.   
     
     
         4 . The frame structure of  claim 1 , further comprising an extendable pull handle assembly including at least one tube connected to and extending between the bottom pan structure and the cross frame member. 
     
     
         5 . The frame structure of  claim 4 , wherein the cross frame member comprises two elements each extending from a respective elongate element to the extendable pull handle assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The frame structure of  claim 5 , wherein each of the two elements of the cross frame member extends between a respective elongate element and a proximate tube of the extendable pull handle assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The frame structure of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the extendable pull handle assembly includes a top bezel; and   each of the two elements of the cross frame member extends between the top bezel and a respective elongate element, preferably at least a portion of each of the two elements of the cross frame member being mounted into the top bezel of the extendable pull handle assembly.   
     
     
         8 . The frame structure of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one tube of the extendable pull handle assembly is separate from the elongate elements of the rear frame. 
     
     
         9 . The frame structure of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one cross brace each connected to and extending between a portion of the rear frame and a portion of the extendable pull handle assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The frame structure of  claim 9 , wherein each cross brace is connected to and extends between one of the elongate elements of the rear frame and one of the at least one tube of the extendable pull handle assembly. 
     
     
         11 . The frame structure of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one support brace each connected to and extending diagonally between a portion of the rear frame and a portion of the bottom pan structure. 
     
     
         12 . The frame structure of  claim 11 , wherein each support brace is connected to and extends between one of the elongate elements of the rear frame and the bottom pan structure. 
     
     
         13 . A softside luggage case comprising the frame structure of  claim 1 , the luggage case comprising:
 a housing defining an internal storage compartment, and including:
 opposing front and rear panels; and 
 opposing top and bottom panels extending between the front and rear panels; 
   wherein the frame structure is associated with only the rear and bottom panels of the housing.   
     
     
         14 . The softside luggage case of  claim 13 , wherein the rear panel is supported only by a peripheral frame structure. 
     
     
         15 . The softside luggage case of  claim 13 , wherein a frame member extends only along a rear edge of the top panel.