Collapsible luggage

Abstract

A case is disclosed, having a collapsible body and a handle configured for hanging the case in its collapsed state. The collapsible body comprises a frame configured to expand and collapse to move the case between its expanded and collapsed configurations. The handle includes a carabiner-style form to allow the case to be hung on a bar of a domestic hanging space.

1 - 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . A collapsible case for transporting items, the case comprising:
 a support frame comprising a plurality of elongate members;   first, second and third pairs of opposing walls;   wherein the walls are substantially rigid and attached to the support frame;   wherein the first pair of opposing walls is pivotably connected to a second pair of opposing walls, such that rotation of each of the second pair of opposing walls relative to the first pair of opposing walls causes movement of the first pair of opposing walls;   wherein hinges between the first and second pairs of opposing walls are provided via hinges between frame portions supporting respective walls of the case;   wherein the third pair of opposing walls are each configured to rotate about an edge of one or more walls of the case;   the case being arranged to have:   a first, expanded configuration, in which the pairs of opposing walls are spaced apart to provide to provide a six walled substantially closed case; and   a second, collapsed configuration, in which the first pair of opposing walls lie in planes substantially adjacent one another, to substantially minimise an internal volume of the case and to substantially minimise an outer dimension of the case perpendicular to the plane of the first pair of walls.   
     
     
         55 . The case of  claim 54  wherein the elongate frame members are received the walls, to locate the walls relative to the frame members. 
     
     
         56 . The case of  claim 54  wherein, in the expanded configuration, a gap is provided between adjacent substantially parallel edges of adjacent hinged walls of the case, to permit the adjacent hinged walls to advance toward one another when moving from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         57 . The case of  claim 54  further comprising a handle configured for hanging the case when in its collapsed configuration; wherein the handle has a first configuration in which the handle forms a substantially closed loop, and is configured to be moveable to a second configuration in which the loop is opened, to allow an item to which the handle will be hung to pass through an open side of the loop. 
     
     
         58 . A case according to  claim 57  wherein the handle comprises: a main handle portion; and a moveable handle portion, which is moveable relative to the main body of the loop to open and close a side of the loop. 
     
     
         59 . A case according to  claim 58  wherein the moveable handle portion is configured to rotate between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         60 . The case of  claim 57  wherein a handgrip of the handle forms a hooking portion to hang the case, the case being adapted to rest upon the handgrip when hung. 
     
     
         61 . The case of  claim 60  wherein the hooking portion further comprises a snagging portion extending from the handgrip. 
     
     
         62 . The case of  claim 60  wherein the handle is alterable between a first configuration in which the handle comprises a substantially closed loop, and a second configuration in which an opening is formed in the loop to allow the handle to be attached to an article such that it rests on the hooking portion. 
     
     
         63 . The case of  claim 60  wherein the handle comprises a moveable portion, which is moveable to open and close the opening. 
     
     
         64 . The case of  claim 63  wherein the moveable portion is configured to rotate between the open and closed positions. 
     
     
         65 . The case of  claim 63  wherein the moveable portion is biased towards its closed position. 
     
     
         66 . The case of  claim 60  wherein the handle comprises a connecting member that connects together two arm members of the handle between the opening and a proximal end of the handle. 
     
     
         67 . The case of  claim 66  wherein a recess is formed by the hooking portion, connecting member and a side portion opposing an opening to the recess. 
     
     
         68 . The case of  claim 67  wherein a loop is formed by the hooking portion, connecting member and two side portions, one of which comprises a moveable portion. 
     
     
         69 . The case of  claim 57  wherein the handle extends away from the case in a direction substantially parallel with the common plane of the first pair of opposing walls. 
     
     
         70 . The case of  claim 57  wherein the handle is extendable from and substantially retractable into a side wall of the case. 
     
     
         71 . A collapsible case for transporting items, the case being arranged to have:
 a first, expanded configuration, in which the pairs of opposing walls are spaced apart to provide to provide a six walled substantially closed case; and a second, collapsed configuration, in which the first pair of opposing walls lie in planes substantially adjacent one another, to substantially minimise an internal volume of the case and to substantially minimise an outer dimension of the case perpendicular to the plane of the first pair of walls; wherein the case comprises:   a handle configured for hanging the case when in its collapsed configuration; wherein the handle has a first configuration in which the handle forms a substantially closed loop, and is configured to be moveable to a second configuration in which the loop is opened, to allow an item to which the handle will be hung to pass through an open side of the loop.   
     
     
         72 . The case of  claim 71  wherein a handgrip of the handle forms a hooking portion to hang the case, the case being adapted to rest upon the handgrip when hung. 
     
     
         73 . The case of  claim 71  wherein the handle comprises a connecting member that connects together two arm members of the handle between the opening and a proximal end of the handle.