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An item of luggage consisting of a plurality of sides sufficient to define a first volumetric space is coupled to a frame. The frame is movable from a first position that supports or reinforces the item to a second position that clears the frame from a surface of the item, allowing access to compart

An item of luggage consisting of a plurality of sides sufficient to define a first volumetric space is coupled to a frame. The frame is movable from a first position that supports or reinforces the item to a second position that clears the frame from a surface of the item, allowing access to compartments or features on the item that were impeded by the frame in its first position. In certain embodiments, a pivotable frame is coupled to the item at opposing pivot points on the item. The frame includes a pair of arms, each arm pivotably coupled to the item at a pivot point and extending therefrom. A cross member is disposed between and coupled to the arms. The arms pivotably move the cross member from a first position to a second position. In other embodiments, a modular assembly for a frame allows for compact storage of the frame. A luggage item may also be a modular item in an assembly with a permanent frame or a modular frame.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An item of luggage, comprising: a plurality of sides sufficient to define a first volumetric space, a pivotable frame coupled to the item at opposing pivot points on the item, the frame comprising a pair of arms, each arm pivotably coupled to the item at a pivot point and extending therefrom; and

1. An item of luggage, comprising: a plurality of sides sufficient to define a first volumetric space, a pivotable frame coupled to the item at opposing pivot points on the item, the frame comprising a pair of arms, each arm pivotably coupled to the item at a pivot point and extending therefrom; anda cross member disposed between and coupled to the arms, the arms pivotably moving the cross member from a first position to a second position, the cross member being movable so that it may be disposed along an edge of a front side of the item, the pivot points being spaced rearward of the front side on different opposing first and second sides;wherein the frame is configured as a cradle such that when the cross member is in the first position, the cross member and the arms are closely adjacent the lateral sides of the luggage item, and the cross member is closely adjacent a lower front edge of the luggage item;wherein when the cross member is in the first position it is capable of engaging the ground and supporting the item in an upright position, at least a portion of the cradle being disposed across at least a portion of an exterior surface of the item; andwherein when the cross member is moved to the second position, the portion of the cradle disposed across the exterior surface of the luggage item clears the cradle away from that surface so that the surface is unimpeded by the portion of the cradle. 2. The item of claim 1 wherein the pivot points are disposed on the lateral side walls at positions that are closer to a back side of the item than the front side. 3. The item of claim 2 wherein the pivot points are disposed on the side walls at a position on the side walls that is closer to a bottom side of the item than a top side of the item. 4. The item of claim 1 wherein the pivots points are associated with wheels mounted on wheel axles disposed at opposite sides at about a bottom side of the luggage item. 5. The item of any of claim 1 wherein the arms and/or cross member of the frame are capable of engaging the ground and supporting the item in an upright position when the cross member is in the first position. 6. The item of claim 1 wherein the portion of the cradle is disposed across an openable surface for a compartment of the item. 7. The item of claim 1 wherein when in a first position the cross member is disposed adjacent the front lower edge of the luggage item and is movable to a second position spaced below the lower edge. 8. The item of claim 1 wherein each arm comprises an assembly of components that are coupled by a mechanism that allows collapsibility of the arm. 9. The item of claim 8 wherein the mechanism comprises a hinge enabling the arms to collapse by folding together. 10. The item of claim 1 further comprising an expandable section that is disposed within the space between first and second opposing sides, wherein at least the first opposing side defines a boundary for the volumetric space and provides an exterior surface for the item of luggage; and the expandable section has a first configuration wherein it is stored within the space and has an expandable side that is adjacent to the first opposing side, and a second configuration wherein the expandable side extends a predetermined distance from the first opposing side to define a boundary for a second volumetric space that is the same as or different from the first volumetric space. 11. An item of luggage, comprising: a plurality of sides comprising a front side, an opposing back side and opposing left and right sides disposed between the front and back sides, the sides defining a first volumetric space,a frame coupled to the left and right sides of the item, the frame being moveable from a first position that supports or reinforces the item along a bottom edge of the front side to a second position that is rearward of the front side and toward the back side, the second position clearing the frame from a surface of the item allowing access to compartments or features on the item accessed at the front side of the item; andwherein a closure mechanism for accessing a compartment in the item, is associated with the portion of the exterior surface of the item, and the movement of a cross member that is included in the frame from the first position, where it impedes the use of the closure mechanism, to the second position, clears the cross member from the closure mechanism to provide unimpeded use of the closure mechanism. 12. The item of claim 11 wherein the frame further comprises one or more feet disposed on the frame, the feet being configured to engage a ground surface supporting the item when the item is in anh upright position with the frame in the first position. 13. The item of claim 11 wherein one or more wheels are disposed on the frame to facilitate rolling of the item. 14. The item of claim 13 wherein the one or more wheels are disposed on the arms or cross member and are configured on the item to facilitate rolling of the item. 15. A frame for a luggage item, comprising: an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion, the portions being arranged orthogonal to one another so as to be configured to receive orthogonal side portions of a luggage item, the upper portion comprising an assembly of elements and the lower frame portion comprising an assembly of elements, the upper and lower frame portions being detachable from one another to enable storage of the frame portions in a more compact form than when assembled together, and wherein the frame includes a set of opposing arms that at one set of ends are coupled to a cross-member for engaging a ground surface supporting the item in an upright position when the cross member is in a first position, and another set of ends for the arms are each hingeably coupled to a wheel assembly, the arms hinging from the first position to a second position that clears the frame from impeding access to a predetermined surface on a luggage item coupled to the frame. 16. The frame of claim 15 wherein the upright portion and/or lower portion are formed of a set of detachable elements that enable storage of the upright and/or lower frame portions in a more compact form than when assembled together.