Luggage item having a hatch

Abstract

A luggage item with a hatch includes a first member having a first exterior surface, a second member pivotally connected to the first member, the second member having a second exterior surface, the first and second members movable between a closed position in which the first member and second member together form a substantially enclosed surface about a cavity, the first and second exterior surface together forming the exterior of the luggage item, and an open position in which the cavity is accessible from outside the luggage, an opening in the luggage item through which a user may access the cavity when the first and second members are in the closed position, and a hatch pivotally attached to the exterior, the hatch movable to cover the opening, and a latch connecting the hatch to the exterior when the hatch covers the opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A luggage item with a hatch, comprising:
 a first member having a first exterior surface;   a second member pivotally connected to the first member, the second member having a second exterior surface, the first member and second member movable between a closed position in which the first member and second member together form a substantially enclosed surface about a cavity, the first exterior surface and second exterior surface together forming the exterior of the luggage item, and an open position in which the cavity is accessible from outside the luggage;   an opening in the luggage item through which a user may access the cavity when the first member and second member are in the closed position;   a hatch pivotally attached to the exterior, the hatch movable to cover the opening; and   a latch connecting the hatch to the exterior when the hatch covers the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The luggage item of  claim 1 , wherein the first member is substantially rigid. 
     
     
         3 . The luggage item of  claim 1 , wherein the second member is substantially rigid. 
     
     
         4 . The luggage item of  claim 1 , wherein the hatch is substantially rigid. 
     
     
         5 . The luggage item of  claim 1 , wherein the hatch further comprises a biasing means that acts to resist the attachment of the hatch to the latch. 
     
     
         6 . The luggage item of  claim 1 , wherein the latch engages automatically when the hatch is pressed against the latch. 
     
     
         7 . The luggage item of  claim 1 , wherein the latch further comprises a lock. 
     
     
         8 . The luggage item of  claim 1  further comprising at least one fastener fixing the first member to the second member 
     
     
         9 . The luggage item of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one fastener is a slide fastener. 
     
     
         10 . The luggage item of  claim 9 , wherein the fastener further comprises a lock. 
     
     
         11 . The luggage item of  claim 10 , wherein the lock secures at least one puller of the slide fastener to the exterior surface. 
     
     
         12 . The luggage item of  claim 10 , wherein the lock further comprises:
 at least one female element in the exterior surface; and   at least one male element projecting from the at least one puller so that the at least one male element may be inserted into the at least one female elements.   
     
     
         13 . The luggage item of  claim 12 , wherein the male element is secured within the female element by friction. 
     
     
         14 . The luggage item of clam  12 , wherein the male element is secured within the female element by magnetism. 
     
     
         15 . The luggage item of  claim 10  further comprising a latch that secures the puller of the at least one fastener to the exterior surface. 
     
     
         16 . The luggage item of  claim 15 , wherein the latch further comprises a lock. 
     
     
         17 . The luggage item of  claim 10 , wherein the lock is located on a part of the exterior surface that is covered by the hatch when the hatch is secured with the latch. 
     
     
         18 . The luggage item of  claim 17 , wherein the hatch further comprises at least one barrier element that projects downward from the hatch when the hatch is in the closed position. 
     
     
         19 . The luggage item of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one barrier element further comprises a barrier element on each side of the lock. 
     
     
         20 . The luggage item of  claim 18 , wherein the exterior surface further comprises at least one groove, and wherein the at least one barrier element further comprises at least one tab that inserts into the at least one groove when the hatch is in the closed position.