Hard-sided suitcase

Abstract

A suitcase includes at least two hard-sided shells forming at least one storage compartment. An expansion portion is positioned between first and second ones of the hard-sided shells at approximately a midpoint of a depth of the suitcase. The expansion portion includes an expansion shell portion and a flexible expansion gusset. An opening zipper is configured to connect the first one of the hard-sided shells to the expansion shell portion and to provide access to the at least one storage compartment. An expansion zipper is configured to connect the expansion shell portion and the second one of the hard-sided shells. When unzipped the flexible expansion gusset connects the expansion shell portion and the second hard-sided shell such that the expansion portion increases a storage capacity of the suitcase. At least one carrying handle is attached to an exterior surface of the expansion shell portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hard-sided suitcase, comprising:
 at least two hard-sided shells forming at least one storage compartment of the hard-sided suitcase;   an expansion portion positioned between a first one of the hard-sided shells and a second one of the hard-sided shells at approximately a midpoint of a depth of the hard-sided suitcase, the expansion portion comprising an expansion shell portion and a flexible expansion gusset;   an opening zipper configured when zipped to connect the first one of the hard-sided shells to the expansion shell portion, and when unzipped to provide access to the at least one storage compartment;   an expansion zipper configured when zipped to connect the expansion shell portion and the second one of the hard-sided shells, and when unzipped the flexible expansion gusset connects the expansion shell portion and the second hard-sided shell such that the expansion portion increases a storage capacity of the at least one storage compartment of the hard-sided suitcase; and   at least one carrying handle attached to an exterior surface of the expansion shell portion.   
     
     
         2 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge connecting the first one of the hard-sided shells and the expansion portion. 
     
     
         3 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 1 , wherein the hard-sided shells are formed of a polycarbonate material. 
     
     
         4 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion shell portion is formed of a polycarbonate material. 
     
     
         5 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible expansion gusset is formed of a fabric. 
     
     
         6 . A hard-sided suitcase, comprising:
 a left hard-sided shell and a right hard-sided shell configured to form a main storage compartment of the hard-sided suitcase;   an expansion portion positioned between the left hard-sided shell and the right hard-sided shell, the expansion portion comprising an expansion shell portion and a flexible expansion gusset;   an opening zipper configured when zipped to connect the left hard-sided shell to the expansion shell portion, and when unzipped to provide access to the main storage compartment;   an expansion zipper configured when zipped to connect the expansion shell portion and the right hard-sided shell, and when unzipped the flexible expansion gusset connects the expansion shell portion and the right hard-sided shell such that the expansion portion increases a storage capacity of the main storage compartment of the hard-sided suitcase; and   at least one carrying handle attached to an exterior surface of the expansion shell portion.   
     
     
         7 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 6 , further comprising a hinge connecting the left hard-sided shell and the expansion portion. 
     
     
         8 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 6 , wherein the hard-sided shells are formed of a polycarbonate material. 
     
     
         9 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 6 , wherein the expansion shell portion is formed of a polycarbonate material. 
     
     
         10 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible expansion gusset is formed of a fabric. 
     
     
         11 . A hard-sided suitcase, comprising:
 at least two polycarbonate shells forming at least one storage compartment of the hard-sided suitcase;   an expansion portion positioned between a first one of the polycarbonate shells and a second one of the polycarbonate shells at approximately a midpoint of a depth of the hard-sided suitcase, the expansion portion comprising an expansion polycarbonate shell portion and a fabric expansion gusset;   an opening zipper connecting the first one of the polycarbonate shells to the expansion polycarbonate shell portion, and providing access to the at least one storage compartment; and   an expansion zipper positioned between the expansion polycarbonate shell portion and the second one of the polycarbonate shells,   wherein in an non-expanded state, the expansion zipper is closed and connects the expansion polycarbonate shell portion with the second one of the polycarbonate shells, and wherein in an expanded state, the expansion zipper is open and the fabric expansion gusset connects the expansion polycarbonate shell portion with the second one of the polycarbonate shells so as to increase a storage capacity of the at least one storage compartment of the hard-sided suitcase.   
     
     
         12 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 11 , further comprising a carrying handle attached to an exterior surface of the expansion polycarbonate shell portion. 
     
     
         13 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 11 , further comprising a hinge connecting the first one of the polycarbonate shells and the expansion portion. 
     
     
         14 . The hard-sided suitcase of  claim 11 , wherein the fabric expansion gusset is formed of a ballistic nylon material.