Luggage system

Abstract

A suitcase may include a main body having an opening therein. The suitcase may further include a base disposed in the opening. The suitcase may further include a coupler configured to selectively engage with a portion of a secondary bag, the coupler being configured to be received in the opening. The suitcase may further include a strap extending from the coupler. The suitcase may further include a lock-fastener supported by the main body and configured to allow the strap to be adjusted to increase or decrease a length of the strap between the coupler and the lock-fastener.

1 . A suitcase comprising:
 a main body having an opening therein;   a base disposed in the opening;   a rigid coupler configured to selectively engage with a portion of a secondary bag, the coupler comprising a rigid main link pivotably connected with a rigid pivot link, the coupler being pivotable between a larger-sized open configuration where the main link and the pivot link cooperatively support the portion of the secondary bag and a smaller-sized closed configuration, the coupler being sized relative to the opening so as to be received in the opening only when in the smaller-sized closed configuration;   a strap extending from the main portion of the coupler; and   a lock-fastener supported by the main body and configured to allow the strap to be adjusted to increase or decrease a length of the strap between the coupler and the lock-fastener.   
     
     
         2 . The suitcase of  claim 1 , wherein the lock-fastener is disposed in the opening and is actuatable between a secure condition and an adjustment condition, the secure condition preventing extension of the strap in at least one direction relative to the main body under normal loading conditions, the adjustment condition permitting extension of the strap relative to the main body. 
     
     
         3 . The suitcase of  claim 1 , further comprising a collapsible handle comprising a grip portion, the grip portion configured to release at one end and pivot at another end, the grip portion further comprising a sleeve configured to slide off an inner rod of the grip portion. 
     
     
         4 . The suitcase of  claim 1 , further comprising a collapsible handle and at least one adjustment tab, wherein actuating the at least one adjustment tab causes the collapsible handle to move at least partially into a cavity of the main body, the at least one adjustment tab extending out from below a grip portion. 
     
     
         5 . The suitcase of  claim 1 , wherein the strap further comprises a second strap length extending from the lock-fastener, the second strap length configured to be secured to the main body. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The suitcase of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator, the actuator positioned substantially adjacent to or within a hole in the main body, the actuator configured to actuate the lock-fastener when the lock-fastener is positioned within a cavity of the main body. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A suitcase comprising:
 a main body having an opening therein;   a luggage connector comprising:
 a rigid coupler configured to selectively engage with a portion of a secondary bag. the coupler comprising a rigid main link pivotably connected with a rigid pivot link, the coupler being pivotable between a larger-sized open configuration where the main link and the pivot link cooperatively support the portion of the secondary bag and a smaller-sized closed configuration, the coupler being sized relative to the opening so as to be received in the opening only when in the smaller-sized closed configuration; 
 a strap extending from the coupler; and 
 a lock-fastener supported by the main body and configured to allow the strap to be adjusted to increase or decrease a length of the strap between the coupler and the lock-fastener when the luggage connector is adjusted between a stow position and a use position, 
   wherein the coupler is sized and shaped to be stowed in the opening when the luggage connector is in the stow position, and the strap and the coupler are configured to extend from the opening when the strap is in the use position.   
     
     
         10 . The suitcase of  claim 9 , further comprising a collapsible handle comprising a grip portion, the grip portion configured to release at one end and pivot at another end, the grip portion further comprising a sleeve configured to slide off an inner rod of the grip portion. 
     
     
         11 . The suitcase of  claim 9 , further comprising a collapsible handle and at least one adjustment tab, wherein actuating the at least one adjustment tab causes the collapsible handle to move at least partially into a cavity of the main body, the at least one adjustment tab extending out from below a grip portion. 
     
     
         12 . The suitcase of  claim 9 , wherein the strap further comprises a second strap length extending from the lock-fastener, the second strap length configured to be secured to the main body. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The suitcase of  claim 9 , further comprising an actuator, the actuator positioned substantially adjacent to or within a hole in the main body, the actuator configured to actuate the lock-fastener when the lock-fastener is positioned within a cavity of the main body. 
     
     
         15 . A method for coupling a secondary bag to a suitcase, comprising:
 removing a rigid coupler from a stow position in an opening in a main body of the suitcase to a use position by extending a length of a strap between the coupler and a lock-fastener, the strap extending from the opening in the main body,   a rigid coupler configured to selectively engage with a portion of a secondary bag, the coupler comprising a rigid main link pivotably connected with a rigid pivot link, the coupler being pivotable between a larger-sized open configuration where the main link and the pivot link cooperatively support the portion of the secondary bag and a smaller-sized closed configuration, the coupler being sized relative to the opening so as to be received in the opening only when in the smaller-sized closed configuration;   securing the lock-fastener and strap to prevent further extension of the length of a strap between the coupler and the lock-fastener; and   introducing a portion of the secondary bag to the coupler.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the lock-fastener is disposed in the opening and is actuatable between a secure condition and an adjustment condition, the secure condition preventing extension of the strap in at least one direction relative to the main body under normal loading conditions, the adjustment condition permitting extension of the strap relative to the main body. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the suitcase further comprises a collapsible handle comprising a grip portion, the grip portion configured to release at one end and pivot at another end, the grip portion further comprising a sleeve configured to slide off an inner rod of the grip portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the suitcase further comprises a collapsible handle and at least one adjustment tab, wherein actuating the at least one adjustment tab causes the collapsible handle to move at least partially into a cavity of the main body, the at least one adjustment tab extending out from below a grip portion. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the strap further comprises a second strap length extending from the lock-fastener, the second strap length configured to be secured to the main body. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The suitcase of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is formed in the front of the main body for passage of the coupler when the coupler is in a closed configuration, and wherein the main body also comprises a rear opening, the strap extending from the rear opening of the main body. 
     
     
         22 . The suitcase of  claim 9 , wherein the opening is formed in the front of the main body for passage of the coupler when the coupler is in a closed configuration, and wherein the main body also comprises a rear opening, the strap extending from the rear opening of the main body. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising adjusting the extension of the strap by feeding the strap through a second opening in a back of the main body of the suitcase.