Concealable stretch panel for carrying loose items on luggage and the like

Abstract

The present invention relates to luggage and baggage of all types. A concealable panel is incorporated into articles of baggage, including traditional luggage, suitcases, backpacks, school bags, and carry cases of all types to selectively form an outer accessory pocket. While the panel is preferably made of a stretchable mesh-net, it may also be made of a solid woven or knitted fabric materials, being elastic or inelastic. The panel is attached along one edge to the inside of a pocket on the carry case and it includes releasable devices such as resilient clasps to attach the opposed end to the outer wall of the carry case. When not in use, the panel may be folded upon itself and stored in the pocket, which includes a zipper closure device.

1 . An article of baggage, which comprises an enclosure for carrying personal articles or the like, said enclosure having at least one outer wall portion and a panel attached at least at a first end to said outer wall portion, said panel having at least one releasable connecting device associated with a second end generally opposite said first end to releasably attach said second end to said outer wall portion to form an outer pocket for retaining articles or the like.  
   
   
       2 . The article of baggage according to  claim 1 , wherein said outer wall portion of said enclosure includes a storage pocket for reception and storage of said panel when not in use.  
   
   
       3 . The article of baggage according to  claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of said panel is of mesh construction.  
   
   
       4 . The article of baggage according to  claim 3 , wherein said panel includes a first fabric section at said first end, said first fabric section being connected to said outer wall portion and said mesh portion being connected to said first fabric section.  
   
   
       5 . The article of baggage according to  claim 4 , wherein at least two releasable connecting devices are attached to said second end of said panel for releasably attaching said second end to said outer wall portion to form said outer pocket.  
   
   
       6 . The article of baggage according to  claim 5 , wherein said panel further comprises a second fabric section at said second end portion and said at least two releasable connecting devices are attached to said second fabric section.  
   
   
       7 . The article of baggage according to  claim 6 , wherein said first and second fabric sections are woven.  
   
   
       8 . The article of baggage according to  claim 7 , wherein said portion of said panel of mesh construction is formed of interconnected nylon or nylon/polyester blend elastic yarns such that said mesh portion of said panel is elastic.  
   
   
       9 . The article of baggage according to  claim 8 , wherein said releasable connecting devices are releasable spring clasps.  
   
   
       10 . The article of baggage according to  claim 9 , wherein said enclosure is at least one of a carry bag, suitcase, schoolbag, and backpack.  
   
   
       11 . An article of baggage, which comprises: 
 a) an enclosure for storing personal articles or the like, and having at least a bottom wall portion and a plurality of sidewall portions;    b) a panel of fabric or the like attached at a first end to one of said sidewall portions, said panel having a second end which is free and being movable between a withdrawn position and an extended position;    c) a pocket associated with said at least one side wall portion in the region of said panel for reception and storage of said panel when in the withdrawn position, said pocket including closure means for selectively closing and opening said pocket for respectively storing said panel therein or for permitting withdrawal of said panel therefrom to form said pocket on said side wall portion;    d) at least two releasable connecting devices attached to the free end of said panel; and    e) at least two corresponding attachment devices respectively positioned on said at least one side wall portion for attachment by said connecting devices when said panel is in said extended position for forming an accessory pocket on said side wall portion.    
   
   
       12 . The article of baggage according to  claim 11 , wherein said enclosure is at least one of a carry bag, suitcase, schoolbag and backpack having at least a bottom wall, a top wall and a plurality of side walls defining an interior storage space for receiving and storing personal articles or the like.  
   
   
       13 . The article of baggage according to  claim 12 , wherein said panel is generally rectangular in shape and includes at least a portion of elastic mesh construction to facilitate forming an outer stretch pocket for insertion of accessory articles of the like therein.  
   
   
       14 . The article of baggage according to  claim 13 , wherein said panel comprises woven fabric borders along each side, said panel being attached to said at least one side wall portion by said fabric border at said first end and said releasable connecting devices being attached to said fabric border at said free end of said panel.  
   
   
       15 . The article of baggage according to  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of said panel is comprised of woven or knitted fabric.  
   
   
       16 . The article of baggage according to  claim 12 , wherein said closure means for said panel storage pocket comprises a zipper and said panel is attached to said sidewall portion inside said storage pocket.  
   
   
       17 . A method of forming an accessory pocket on an article of baggage, said article of baggage including an enclosure having a plurality of walls defining an internal storage space for receiving personal articles of the like, comprising: 
 a) positioning a panel of material or the like adjacent an outer surface of one said walls;    b) attaching one end of said panel to said adjacent wall, the other end of said panel being free;    c) providing releasable connecting devices on said free end of said panel;    d) providing correspondingly spaced attachment devices on said one wall for connection by said releasable connecting devices when said free end of said panel is extended to a distalmost position; and    e) extending said free end of said panel to said distalmost position and releaseably connecting said connecting devices to said correspondingly position attachment devices to form an accessory pocket on said enclosure.    
   
   
       18 . The method of forming an accessory pocket on an article of baggage according to  claim 17  wherein at least a portion of said panel is comprised of an elastic mesh material such that said accessory pocket is extendable to allow insertion of articles of personal property or the like to be inserted therein.  
   
   
       19 . The method of forming an accessory pocket on an article of baggage according to  claim 18 , wherein said elastic mesh material includes CORDURA® brand fibers.  
   
   
       20 . A stretch panel attached at a first end to an outer wall of an article of baggage, said panel having releasable spring clasps at the free end thereof, said releaseable clasps adapted for releasably connecting said free end to corresponding attachment devices on said outer wall, said attachment devices being spaced from said attached first end of said panel such that said panel is extendable toward said attached devices to form an outer accessory pocket on said outer wall of said article of baggage.  
   
   
       21 . The stretch panel according to  claim 20  wherein said outer wall of said article of luggage includes a storage pocket in the region of said attached first end of said panel for storage of said panel when not in use, said storage pocket having closure means for opening said storage pocket to facilitate storage of said panel therein and for permitting extension of said panel therefrom when need to form an external accessory pocket on the article of baggage.  
   
   
       22 . The stretch panel according to  claim 21  wherein said first end of said panel is attached to said outer wall inside said storage pocket.