Suitcase with integrated shelving system

Abstract

A travel bag is disclosed that includes an integrated shelving system for storing various clothing items during travel. The integrated shelving system includes a plurality of shelves each adaptable to store a number of clothing items (such as shirts, socks, underwear, pants, and skirts). The integrated shelving system may be opened to an extended state to allow a person to insert and/or remove clothing items from the plurality of shelves, and may be closed to a collapsed state to store the clothing items during travel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A suitcase comprising:
 a rigid body including a lid attached to a body portion; and   an integrated shelving system removably attached to an inner portion of the body portion and configured to store a number of items, wherein:
 in a folded state, the integrated shelving system is compressed to a compact size adapted to fit entirely within the body portion; and 
 in an extended state, the integrated shelving system is expanded to an extended size adapted to allow a person to access the items stored therein. 
   
     
     
         2 . The suitcase of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated shelving system includes a plurality of shelves configured to form a number of compartments within which to store the items. 
     
     
         3 . The suitcase of  claim 2 , wherein:
 when the integrated shelving system is in the folded state, the items and the plurality of shelves are compressed together; and   when the integrated shelving system is in the extended state, the compartments are of a maximum size and the items are displayed as rows of a shelf.   
     
     
         4 . The suitcase of  claim 1 , further comprising a retractable handle system including a pair of arms and a handle, wherein:
 when the handle system is in a retracted state, the handle is adapted for carrying the suitcase; and   when the handle system is in an extended state, the handle is adapted to maintain the integrated shelving system in the extended state.   
     
     
         5 . The suitcase of  claim 4 , wherein:
 when the handle system is in the retracted state, the arms are not visible; and   when the handle system is in the extended state, the handle system is extended beyond the body portion and the handle is adapted to be removably attached to a top portion of the integrated shelving system.   
     
     
         6 . The suitcase of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a strap including a first end attached to a portion of the integrated shelving system, and including a second end adapted to secure the integrated shelving system to the handle when the integrated shelving system is in the extended state and the handle system is in the extended state.   
     
     
         7 . The suitcase of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated shelving system includes a cover configured to act as a roof over the items stored therein. 
     
     
         8 . The suitcase of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a retractable handle system including a pair of arms and a handle; and   a pocket attached to the cover and configured to secure a top portion of the integrated shelving system to the handle when the integrated shelving system is in the extended state.   
     
     
         9 . The suitcase of  claim 8 , wherein securing the top portion of the integrated shelving system to the handle is to maintain the integrated shelving system in the extended state. 
     
     
         10 . The suitcase of  claim 1 , wherein:
 in a closed state, the lid is configured to seal contents within the suitcase; and   in an opened state, the lid is configured to prevent the suitcase from tipping over when the integrated shelving system is in the extended state.   
     
     
         11 . The suitcase of  claim 10 , wherein the lid and the body portion form an angle of approximately 90 degrees when the lid is in the opened state.