Luggage with a recessed zipper

Abstract

A piece of luggage may include a front side, a rear side, a top side, a bottom side, a right side and a left side that define an enclosed space. The enclosed space may be divided into one or more compartments. The luggage may further include at least one zipper to access the enclosed space. The at least one zipper may include a zipper track, at least one zipper slider, and at least on zipper tab. At least a portion of the zipper track may be positioned within one or more recessed areas defined by at least some of the sides of the luggage. In some embodiments, the zipper track may be positioned within the one or more recessed areas along substantially the entire length of the zipper track.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A luggage piece, comprising:
 a base;   a lid pivotally joined to the base to pivot between at least a first position where the base and the lid define a substantially enclosed space and a second position to allow access to the substantially enclosed space;   the lid and the base together defining an area recessed relative to outermost surfaces of the lid and the base when the lid and base are configured in the first position; and   an assembly for maintaining the lid and the base in the first position, the assembly joined to the lid and the base at least within the recessed area.   
     
     
         2 . The luggage piece of  claim 1 , wherein the assembly comprises a zipper. 
     
     
         3 . The luggage piece of  claim 2 , wherein the zipper includes a zipper track recessed relative to the outermost surfaces of the sides of the luggage piece along the length of the zipper track. 
     
     
         4 . The luggage piece of  claim 3 , wherein the lid and base are each formed of a hard material joined by a piano-type hinge.