Luggage case with snap-fit front pocket or other component

Abstract

A luggage case including at least one shell defining an aperture, and having an edge portion extending around at least a portion of the aperture. A component, such as a pocket assembly, is coupleable to the edge portion; and a rim coupling structure is defined along at least a portion of one of the edge portion or the pocket assembly. A frame coupling structure is defined along at least a corresponding portion of the other of the edge portion or the pocket assembly, and the frame coupling structure selectively couples to the rim coupling structure by a snap-fit engagement to attach the pocket assembly to the at least one shell.

1 . A luggage case comprising:
 at least one shell defining an aperture or a recess, and having an edge portion extending around at least a portion of the aperture or the recess;   a pocket assembly coupleable to the edge portion; and   wherein:
 a rim coupling structure is defined along at least a portion of one of the edge portion or the pocket assembly, 
 a frame coupling structure is defined along at least a corresponding portion of the other of the edge portion or the pocket assembly, and 
 the frame coupling structure couples to the rim coupling structure by a snap-fit engagement to attach the pocket assembly to the at least one shell. 
   
     
     
         2 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rim coupling structure includes at least two discrete rim coupling structures positioned at different locations along at least a portion of one of the edge portion or the pocket assembly; and   the frame coupling structure includes at least two discrete frame coupling structures positioned at different locations along at least a corresponding portion of the other of the edge portion or the pocket assembly.   
     
     
         3 . The luggage case of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the aperture or recess defines at least 4 sides and the pocket assembly defines at least 4 sides;   a discrete rim coupling structure is positioned on each of the at least 4 sides of one of the aperture or the recess or each of the at least 4 sides of the pocket assembly; and   a discrete frame coupling structure is correspondingly positioned on each of the at least 4 sides of the other of the aperture or recess or each of the at least 4 sides of the pocket assembly.   
     
     
         4 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the at least one shell includes the rim coupling structure formed along the portion of the edge portion; and   the pocket assembly includes the frame coupling structure.   
     
     
         5 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the frame coupling structure defines a U-shaped clamp or clip feature defining a slot, and   the rim coupling structure defines a hook shaped feature, and   the hook shaped feature is received in the slot and retained by the frame coupling structure in a snap-fit engagement.   
     
     
         6 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the rim coupling structure is integral with and extends from the edge portion; and   the frame coupling structure is defined by a frame coupled to the pocket assembly.   
     
     
         7 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the frame coupling structure is an elongated feature extending along a side of the pocket assembly.   
     
     
         8 . The luggage case of  claim 6 , wherein the frame comprises:
 a plurality of sides, and   a plurality of frame coupling structures including at least one frame coupling structure positioned on and extending at least partially along each of the plurality of sides.   
     
     
         9 . The luggage case of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the rim coupling structure includes:
 a head portion, 
   the frame coupling structure includes
 a base flange defining the slot, 
   the frame coupling structure corresponds to the rim coupling structure, and   the head portion is received in the slot to selectively couple the frame coupling structure and the rim coupling structure.   
     
     
         10 . The luggage case of  claim 9 , wherein the frame coupling structure includes:
 the base flange including:
 a top portion, and 
 a bottom portion, 
 the bottom portion forming the U-shaped receiving feature and defined in part by a free wall. 
   
     
     
         11 . The luggage case of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the base flange includes:
 a hitch structure extending towards the free wall and including a tang spaced from the base flange to define a gap, and 
   the tang is received in the channel and the catch portion is received in the gap to maintain engagement and retain the frame coupling structure with the rim coupling structure.   
     
     
         12 . The luggage case of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the edge portion includes at least one corner region,   the corner region includes a corner rim coupling structure,   the pocket assembly includes:
 a corner portion including a corner frame coupling structure, and the corner rim coupling structure supports the corner frame coupling structure. 
   
     
     
         13 . The luggage case of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the rim coupling structure defines a rib; and   the frame coupling structure contacts the rib to limit movement of the frame coupling structure relative to the rim coupling structure.   
     
     
         14 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the pocket assembly includes at least four sides and at least four corner portions, and   the aperture or the recess is defined by at least four sides and at least four corner regions of the edge portion.   
     
     
         15 . The luggage case of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture or the recess is a recess having a bottom wall, or an opening extending into an interior region of the at least one shell, or an opening formed in a bottom wall of a recess defined in the at least one shell.