Expandable and collapsible suitcase

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an expandable and collapsible luggage item, such as a suitcase. The luggage item can be easily transitioned between two or three different sizes, allowing for use as an overnight or weekend bag, airplane carry-on, or large suitcase. As described herein, the design of the expandable and collapsible luggage item includes various shell panels that are slidably engaged and positioned adjacent each other to allow for the luggage item to collapse and expand.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An expandable and collapsible luggage item, comprising:
 a. a body including a back section and a front section, the front section including two slidably-connected shell panels and the back section including two slidably-connected shell panels;   b. at least one telescoping member, the telescoping member connected to the interior of the back section; and   c. at least one support bracket, the support bracket bridging a bottom shell panel and a top shell panel of the front section or bridging a bottom shell panel and a top shell panel of the back section,   and wherein the telescoping member is configured to expand and collapse the luggage item to a minimum of three vertical positions.   
     
     
         2 . The expandable and collapsible luggage item of  claim 1 , wherein the body is a hard-shell body. 
     
     
         3 . The expandable and collapsible luggage item of  claim 1 , wherein the telescoping member includes a movable locking mechanism that is configured to lock and release at the three vertical positions. 
     
     
         4 . The expandable and collapsible luggage item of  claim 3 , comprising two telescoping members connected to the interior of the back section, each including the movable locking mechanism that is configured to lock and release at the three vertical positions. 
     
     
         5 . The expandable and collapsible luggage item of  claim 4 , wherein the two telescoping members are connected via at least one horizontal support that includes a release point for the movable locking mechanisms. 
     
     
         6 . The expandable and collapsible luggage item of  claim 2 , wherein the body comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, aluminum, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The expandable and collapsible luggage item of  claim 1 , wherein the support bracket comprises a channel component and a glide component. 
     
     
         8 . The expandable and collapsible luggage item of  claim 1 , further comprising two roller components at a base of the front and/or back section. 
     
     
         9 . The expandable and collapsible luggage item of  claim 1 , wherein the back second and the front section are connected via a zipper.