US20220061481A1

US20220061481A1 - Luggage with power bank pocket

Info

Publication number: US20220061481A1
Application number: US17/004,956
Authority: US
Inventors: Juan Emilio Phillips; Long Hoang
Original assignee: Travelpro Products Inc
Current assignee: Travelpro Products Inc
Priority date: 2020-08-27
Filing date: 2020-08-27
Publication date: 2022-03-03
Also published as: GB2612281A; GB2612281B; WO2022047211A1; GB202302902D0; CA3190894A1

Abstract

A luggage article may include front and rear hard shells that define a packing compartment. An expansion material may extend between the hard shells when the luggage article is closed. A pocket may be attached to the expansion material and include a pocket opening through the expansion material. The pocket may be dimensioned to hold a power bank. A port may be provided along an exterior side of the luggage article to electrically couple the power bank within the pocket with an electrical device outside of the luggage article.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application is directed to luggage having a power bank pocket, and more specifically to hardside luggage having a power bank pocket.

BACKGROUND

Use of electronic devices such as smartphones, media players, laptops, and tablets while traveling has become a mainstay of travel. Use of these powered devices allows travelers to work, stave-off travel boredom, stay connected to friends and family, and keep up-to-date on current events while traveling. While access to power outlets are becoming more common, availability of a public power outlet is in no way a certainty while traveling. One way to improve access to power during travel is utilization of a power bank. A power bank typically includes a battery and circuitry encased in a housing. The power bank can be supplied with power to charge the battery, which may thereafter be used as a mobile power solution. One or more outlet ports or connections, such as universal serial bus (USB) connections, may be provided on the housing for connecting to electronic devices.
While power banks have helped to extend access to power when grid power is unavailable, traveling with power banks is not free from obstacles. One obstacle travelers with power banks face is ease of access to the power bank or the power supplied to it. Power banks come in various sizes and are often bulky and unsuitable to be conveniently carried in a pant or coat pocket while in use. Power banks also contain hazardous chemicals and have been known to leak and even explode. Another obstacle travelers with power banks face are airline regulations. TSA currently requires power banks to accompany travelers in carry-on luggage rather than in checked luggage. If a traveler accidentally leaves a power bank in checked luggage, the traveler may be required to remove it. Otherwise, travelers risk loss of their power banks when TSA officials remove and confiscate them from checked luggage. What is needed are improved strategies for convenient travel with power banks.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a luggage article includes a packing compartment defined by front and rear hard shells. Each of the front and rear shells may include a rim. A closure mechanism may be operable to selectively transition the luggage article between open and closed configurations. In the closed configuration the closure mechanism couples the rims of the front and rear shells to enclose the packing compartment. An expansion material may extend between the rims of the front and rear shells when the luggage article is in the closed configuration. A pocket opening may extend through the expansion material. A pocket may be attached to the expansion material and have an interior space accessible through the pocket opening that is dimensioned to contain a power bank. An expansion closure mechanism may be operable to selectively increase or decrease a distance between the rims of the front and rear hard shells when the luggage article is in the closed configuration, thereby transitioning the expansion material between expanded and contracted configurations. When the expansion material is in the contracted configuration, the pocket opening may be covered by the expansion closure mechanism. When the expansion material is in the expanded configuration, the pocket opening may be located and accessible along an exterior side of the luggage article. The luggage article may include a port configured to electrically couple between a power bank contained within the pocket and an electronic device outside of the luggage article to receive a supply of power from the power bank. The port may be accessible from the exterior side of the luggage article when the luggage article is in the closed configuration.
In one example, the pocket hangs from the expansion material. The pocket may be positioned within the packing compartment when the luggage article is in the closed configuration. The port is located within a housing positioned along an exterior side of the front or rear hard shell. The pocket may include a stowing mechanism comprising selectively mateable attachment structures positioned on the pocket and an adjacent interior lining of the packing compartment to securely stow the pocket along the adjacent interior lining.
In another aspect, a luggage article includes a packing compartment defined by front and rear hard shells. Each of the front and rear hard shells may include a rim. A closure mechanism may be operable to selectively transition the luggage article between open and closed configurations. In the closed configuration, the closure mechanism may couple the rims of the front and rear hard shells to enclose the packing compartment. An expansion material may extend between the rims of the front and rear hard shells when the luggage article is in the closed configuration. A pocket opening may extend through the expansion material. A pocket may be attached to the expansion material and have an interior space accessible through the pocket opening dimensioned to contain a power bank. A port may be configured to electrically couple between a power bank contained within the pocket and an electronic device to receive a supply of power from the power bank.
In one example, the port is accessible from an exterior side of the luggage article when the luggage article is in a closed configuration. The port may be positioned within a housing located along the exterior side of the front or rear hard shell. The housing may include a cover that is selectively movable to cover and reveal the port. The port may comprise a universal serial bus (USB) port.
In an above or another example, an expansion closure mechanism may be operable to selectively increase or decrease a distance between first and second ends of the expansion material to transition the luggage article between expanded and contracted configurations. When the luggage article is in the contracted configuration, the pocket opening may be covered by the expansion closure mechanism. When the luggage article is in the expanded configuration, the pocket opening may be located and accessible along the exterior of the luggage article.
In an above or another example, an expansion closure mechanism may be operable to selectively increase or decrease a distance between the rims of the front and rear hard shells to increase or decrease an available volume within the packing compartment, thereby transitioning the expansion material between expanded and contracted configurations. When the expansion material is in the contracted configuration, the pocket opening may be covered by the expansion closure mechanism. When the expansion material is in the expanded configuration, the pocket opening may be located and accessible along the exterior of the luggage article.
In an above or another example, the pocket may hang from the expansion material. The pocket may position within the packing compartment when the luggage article is in the closed configuration. The pocket may include a stowing mechanism comprising selectively mateable attachment structures positioned on the pocket and an adjacent interior lining of the luggage compartment to securely stow the pocket along the adjacent interior lining. Wiring may extend between the pocket and the port. A hole may extend through the pocket through which the wiring may be extended into the pocket. The wiring may have a first end connected to the port. The wiring may extend from the port, through the packing compartment, to a second end that positions within the pocket and that is configured for connection with a power bank when contained within the pocket. The packing compartment may be lined with an interior lining. A hole may extend through the lining. The wiring may be extended through the hole in the interior lining.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an elevated rear view of a hardside luggage including a power bank pocket according to various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 1B is an elevated side view of the hardside luggage shown in FIG. 1A according to various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 1C is an elevated front view of the hardside luggage shown in FIG. 1A according to various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 1D is an elevated side view of the hardside luggage shown in FIG. 1A according to various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 1E is an elevated bottom view of the hardside luggage shown in FIG. 1A according to various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 1F is an elevated top view of the hardside luggage shown in FIG. 1A according to various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 2A is an isolated view in perspective of the rear shell and expansion material according to various embodiments described herein;

FIG. 2B is an isolated view in perspective of the rear shell and expansion material with the expansion material shown in ghost according to various embodiments described herein; and

FIG. 2C is an isolated exploded view in perspective of an upper portion of the rear shell and lining according to various embodiments described herein.

DESCRIPTION

A luggage article may include a pocket configured to hold a power bank that may be used to supply power to electronic devices. Power bank typically include one or more ports through which electronic devices may be connected to receive a supply of power from the power bank battery. Those having skill in the art will recognize that the electronic devices powered through connection with the power bank may also be charged by the supply of power supplied by the power bank.
Wiring may extend or be extendable between the pocket and a port to electrically couple the power bank to the port. The port is preferably exteriorly mounted or otherwise accessible for connection with electronic devices along an exterior side of the luggage. A first end of the wiring may extend from the port and include a connector along a second end for directly or indirectly connecting to the power bank. In another example, the second end of the wiring extends from the power bank and the first end includes a connector for directly or indirectly connecting to the port. In another example, the first end of the wiring includes a connector for directly or indirectly connecting to the port and the second end includes a connector for directly or indirectly connecting to the power bank. As noted above, some embodiments may include multiple ports to which a power bank may be electrically coupled. In such embodiments, wiring may be configured for serial or parallel connection to the multiple ports.
In one embodiment, luggage having a power bank pocket comprises an expandable hardside luggage having front and rear hard shells between which a packing compartment is defined. The hard shells are typically made of a rigid material such as a hard plastic, metal, or composite material. A pocket is provided between the front and rear shells. The pocket may extend into the packing compartment such as between an interior surface of a shell and interior lining that lines the packing compartment or exterior to such an interior lining. As introduced above, a port may be provided along an exterior side of the luggage, preferably along an exterior of the front or rear shell, such as a top or side thereof. The port may be a universal serial bus (USB) port, for example, although any suitable port may be provided. The pocket includes an interior space dimensioned to receive a power bank. An opening to the pocket may be located along an expansion material that spans between the front and rear shells when the luggage is closed. The expansion material may be attached to or coupled to each of the front and rear shells when the luggage is closed. In one embodiment, a hole may extend through the pocket through which a wire for coupling the port and power bank may be extended. In some embodiments, the pocket may include a stowing mechanism for stowing the pocket when housing a power bank or when empty. For example, the pocket and adjacent lining may include attachment structures to allow the pocket to be removably fastened to an interior side of one of the shells or lining.
FIGS. 1A-1F depict various views of luggage 1 having a power bank pocket 10. The luggage 1 comprises an expandable hardside luggage having a front shell 40 and a rear shell 70, where FIG. 1A is a rear view depicting a rear shell 70 configuration with an extendable and retractable stowaway handle 5 in a retracted position and FIG. 1C depicts a front shell 40 configuration with front pockets 7 a, 7 b. The luggage 1 may include one or more sets of wheels 9 configured to rotate about a vertical axis (see, e.g., FIG. 1E). A packing compartment 100 (see, e.g. FIGS. 2A & 2B) is defined between the interior sides 72 of the front and rear shells 40, 70 (interior side of front shell 40 not shown).
A closure mechanism 120 extends around the respective rims 44, 74 of the front and rear shells 40, 70 and is operable to removably couple the front and rear shells 40, 70. In the illustrated embodiment, a binding 130 that links the front and rear shells 40, 70 extends along a side of the luggage 1. The closure mechanism 120 is configured to be operable to selectively close and open, thereby transitioning the luggage 1 between an open configuration wherein the front and rear shells 40, 70 may be separated to reveal the packing compartment 100 and a closed configuration, as shown, wherein the front and rear shells 40, 70 are coupled along two or more sides to enclose the packing compartment 100. In various embodiments, the closure mechanism 120 may include various attachment structures such as hook and loop, mating structures, screw tabs, rail and groove, clips, latches, buttons and loops or holes, magnets, snaps, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure mechanism 120 includes first and second mateable zipper strips 46, 76 that extend from a first position adjacent to the binding 130, around three sides of the luggage 1, and back to a second position adjacent to the binding 130. A zipper pull coupled to the zipper strips 46, 76 may be grasped by a user to selectively mate the zipper strips 46, 76 to transition the luggage 1 between the open and closed configurations.
An expansion material 75 may extend from one or both shells 40, 70 to allow a distance between the respective rims 44, 74 of the front and rear shells 40, 70 to be selectively increased and decreased when the closure mechanism 120 secures the shells 40, 70 together in the closed configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, a first end 75 a of the expansion material 75 extends from the rear shell 72, e.g., from a rim 74 thereof, and the zipper strip 76 extends along a second end 75 b of the expansion material 75. In other embodiments, the expansion material 75 may extend from the front shell 40, e.g., from a rim 44 thereof, or both the front and rear shells 40, 70.
An expansion closure mechanism 140 may be positioned around the expansion material 75. The expansion closure mechanism 140 is operable to selectively increase or decrease the distance between the first and second ends 75 a, 75 b of the expansion material 75 to transition the luggage 1 and/or expansion material 75 between expanded (see, e.g., FIGS. 1B & 1F) and contracted (see, e.g., FIGS. 1D & 1E) configurations. The expansion closure mechanism 140 may be operable to selectively increase or decrease the distance between the rims 44, 74 of the shells 40, 70 to increase or decrease the available volume within the packing compartment 100. In various embodiments, the closure mechanism 140 may include various attachment structures such as hook and loop, mating structures, screw tabs, rail and groove, clips, latches, buttons and loops or holes, magnets, snaps, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, the expansion closure mechanism 140 includes first and second mateable zippers 77 a, 77 b. The zippers 77 a, 77 b may be attached to a material or other structures anchored to or beyond the expansion material 75 such that when mated the distance between the ends 75 a, 75 b of the expansion material 75 is decreased. When the zippers 77 a, 77 b are mated, the expansion closure mechanism 140 may cover the expansion material 75. In one embodiment, the material or structures to which the zippers 77 a, 77 b or other attachment structures of the expansion closure mechanism 140 anchor may include ends 75 a, 75 b of the expansion material 75.
A zipper pull 77 is operable to selectively mate and separate the zipper strips 77 a, 77 b to transition the expansion material 75 and luggage 1 between respective contracted and expanded configurations. The zipper strips 77 a, 77 b may be positioned adjacent to the first and second ends 75 a, 75 b of the expansion material 75 such that when mated, intervening expansion material 75 c positions interiorly of the expansion closure mechanism and, when the zipper strips 77 a, 77 b are separated to allow the expansion material 75 to expand, the intervening expansion material 75 c is exposed along the exterior side of the luggage 1.
With further reference to FIGS. 2A-2C, illustrating isolated views of the rear shell 70, expansion material 75, or portions thereof, a pocket 10 may be provided between the front and rear shells 40, 70. The pocket 10 may extend into the packing compartment 100 or may locate between an interior lining 78, see, e.g., the exploded view of FIG. 2C, that lines the packing area between the shells 40, 70. While lining 78 for the front shell 40 is not shown, it will be appreciated that various embodiments may similarly include interior lining 78 that lines the interior side of the front shell 40.
A port 110 is provided along an exterior side 2 of the luggage 1, preferably along an exterior side 50, 80 of the front or rear shell 40, 70, such as a top 49 a, 79 a or side 49 b, 49 c, 79 b, 79 c thereof. The port 110 may be a universal serial bus (USB) port, although other types of ports 110 may be used. The port 110 may be provided within a housing 111 located along the exterior side 2 of the luggage 1. In some embodiments, the housing 111 may include a cover that may be selectively opened and closed to access or cover the port 110.
The pocket 10 includes an interior space dimensioned to receive a power bank (not shown). As best shown in FIGS. 1F, 2A, & 2C, an opening 11 to the pocket 10 may be located along the expansion material 75, such as along the intervening expansion material 75 c. A closure mechanism 12 may be associated with the opening 11 and be configured to selectively open and close the opening 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure mechanism 12 includes first and second mateable zipper strips 13 a, 13 b. A zipper pull 13 c may be used to mate and separate the zipper strips 13 a, 13 b to respectively close and open the opening 11.
In various embodiments, the pocket 10 may include one or more material sheets having attached edges to form a pocket 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the pocket 10 includes a first sheet 14 a and a second sheet 14 b. The sheets 14 a, 14 b are attached along upper ends to the expansion material 75 to form an upper end 15 a of the pocket 10. The sheets 14 a, 14 b extend away from the expansion material to lower ends and are therealong attached to form a lower end 15 b of the pocket 10. Sides of the sheets 14 a, 14 b are similarly attached to form lateral edges 15 c, 15 d of the pocket 10 between front and rear sides 15 e, 15 f of the pocket 10. In one embodiment, a single sheet may be looped and attached along it's sides to form the pocket 10. In another embodiment, three or more sheets may be used to form a pocket 10 having more than two sides. It is to be appreciated that sheets or other material may be layered or reinforced to strengthen the pocket 10. While the pocket 10 is illustrated as extending or projecting into the packing compartment 100 and having front and rear sides 15 e, 15 f that extend from the expansion material along three edges, in some embodiments, the pocket 10 may comprise an over and/or under layer that extends along the intervening expansion material 75 c and attaches thereto along its outer edges to form the pocket 10.
As introduced above, an expansion closure mechanism 140 may be used to selectively transition the luggage 1 or expansion material 75 between expanded and contracted configurations. In the contracted configuration, the opening 11 to the pocket 10 may be obscured or covered by the expansion closure mechanism 140, which may include zipper strips 77 a, 77 b, material to which the zipper strips 77 a, 77 b attach, or other material that covers the opening 11 in the contracted configuration. In the expanded configuration, the opening 11 may be revealed such that it is accessible from the exterior side 2 of the luggage 1. For example, the opening 11 may be positioned along the exterior side 2 of the luggage 1 in the expanded configuration. In one embodiment, the expansion closure mechanism 140 does not operate to contract the expansion material 75 or luggage 1 but rather cover the underlying expansion material 75 and opening 11 in a similar manner.
In the illustrated embodiment, a hole 16 extends through the pocket 10 for extending wiring 114 between the interior and exterior of the pocket 10 to be used to electrically couple a power bank to the port 110 when contained within the pocket 10. The hole 16 is located along an upper portion of the rear side 15 f, proximate to the upper end 15 b of pocket. However, in other embodiments, the hole 16 may be located at other locations along the rear side 15 f and/or front side 15 e. As noted above, some embodiments may include a pocket 10 having three or more lateral sides and/or a base side forming a bottom of the pocket 10. In some such embodiments, the pocket 10 may include a hole 16 located along any side or base of the pocket 10.
Optionally, a reinforcement material 17 may be utilized to form edges or a perimeter of the hole 16. For example, a rubber or elastomeric reinforcement material 17 may be positioned over the hole 16 and attached to the pocket material. In the illustrated embodiment, a rubber reinforcement material 17 is attached to an exterior of the rear side 15 f of the pocket 10 to define the hole 16. In some embodiments, reinforcement material 17 may be provided along the interior of the pocket 10 in addition to or alternatively to the exterior side of the pocket 10.
In some embodiments, the pocket 10 may include an optional stowing mechanism 18 configured to stow the pocket 10, e.g., when housing a power bank. For example, a strap or rigging attached to or extending through or around the pocket 10 may be provided that may be selectively pulled to stow the pocket 10 relative to the expansion material 75 and/or shell 40, 70. In one such example, the strap or rigging is provided along the exterior side of the luggage 1 to allow a user to stow the pocket 10 when the luggage 1 is in the closed configuration. In another example, the pocket 10 may be configured to selectively attach to an interior side 72 of the front or rear shell 40, 70 or interior lining 78 to secure a position of the pocket 10. The stowing mechanism 18 may include one or more attachment structures such as mating structures, zippers, hook and loop, screw tabs, rail and groove, clips, latches, buttons and loops or holes, magnets, snaps, or the like. In the illustrated embodiment, a stowing mechanism 18 including one or more mateable attachment structures comprising hook and loop structures 19 are provided along the rear side 15 f of the pocket 10 and an adjacent interior side 72 of the shell 70 or lining 78 therealong for stowing with pocket 10. The hook and loop structures 19 located to correspond to the position of the pocket 10 when the luggage 1 is in the expanded configuration or otherwise are positioned to provide stowing in the expanded configuration. Notably, when the luggage 1 or expansion material 75 is transitioned to the contracted configuration or to the expanded configuration, the pocket 10 may remain attached along the attachment structures. In some embodiments, additional hook and loop structures 19 or other attachment structures may be provided that correspond to the luggage 1 in the contracted configuration.
The port 110 may be positioned along any portion of the luggage 1. The port 100 is preferably positioned or otherwise accessible along the exterior side 2 of the luggage 1. For example, the port 110 may be located along the exterior 80 of the rear shell 70, e.g., along the top 79 a, bottom 79 b, side 79 c, side 79 d, or base 79 e. Similarly, the port 110 may be located along the exterior 50 of the front shell 40, e.g., along the top 49 a, bottom 49 b, side 49 c, side 49 d, or base 49 e. In the illustrated embodiment, the port 110 and housing 112 are located along the exterior of 80 of the rear shell 70, along side 79 c.
When the luggage 1 includes an interior lining 78, a hole 20 may optionally extend through the lining 78 for extending wiring 114 from the packing compartment 100 to the port 110. The wiring 114 may be routed between the lining 78 and the interior side 72 of the shell 40, 70 to the port 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the hole 20 is located along an upper portion of the top 79 a of the rear shell 70, adjacent to the rim 74. The location of the hole 20 is configured to correspond, e.g., approximately align, with the location of hole 16 when the luggage 1 is in the expanded configuration and the pocket 10 is stowed. However, the hole 20 may be located at other locations along the lining 78. In some embodiments, the location of hole 16 is configured to correspond with the location of hole 16 when the luggage 1 is in the contracted configuration. In another embodiment, the locations of hole 20 and hole 16 are configured to be offset by approximately a same distance when the pocket 10 is stowed and the luggage 1 is in either the expanded or contracted configuration. For example, hole 16 may be positioned along a first side of hole 20, offset a first distance, when the luggage is in the contracted configuration and hole 16 may be positioned along a second side of hole 20, offset the first distance, when the luggage is in the expanded configuration.
Optionally, a reinforcement material 21 may be utilized to form edges or a perimeter of the hole 20. For example, a rubber or elastomeric reinforcement material 21 may be positioned over the hole 20 and attached to the lining 78. In the illustrated embodiment, a rubber reinforcement material 21 is attached to an exterior of the lining 78 to define the hole 20. In some embodiments, reinforcement material 21 may be provided along the interior side of the lining 78 in addition to or alternatively to the exterior side of the lining 78.
As introduced above, wiring 114 may extend or be extendable between the pocket 10 and the port 110 for electrically coupling a power bank to the port 110. In the illustrated embodiment, a first end 114 a of the wiring 114 extends from the port 110. A connector (not shown) may be provided along a second end 114 b of the wiring 114 for directly or indirectly connecting to a power bank. In use, the connector may be provided within the pocket 10 for simple connection to the power bank through the opening 11, even when the luggage 1 is in the closed configuration. In another example, the second end 114 b of the wiring 114 may extend from a power bank, through the hole 11, and the first end 114 a may include a connector for directly or indirectly connecting to the port 110. In yet another example, the first end 114 a of the wiring 114 may include a connector for directly or indirectly connecting to the port 110, and the second end 114 b may extend through the hole 16 and include a connector for directly or indirectly connecting the wiring 114 to a power bank. As noted above, some embodiments may include multiple ports 110 associated with one or more housings 112 to which a power bank may electrically couple. In such embodiments, wiring 114 may be configured for series or parallel connection to the multiple ports 110.
This specification has been written with reference to various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments. However, it will be recognized by persons having ordinary skill in the art that various substitutions, modifications, or combinations of any of the disclosed embodiments (or portions thereof) may be made within the scope of this specification. For example, luggage disclosed herein may include a port attachment for modular attachment of a different port, such as a proprietary port to provide availability of the port along the exterior of the luggage, which may be in addition to or instead of the port described herein. In a further or another example, the luggage may include an exteriorly mounted power bank charging port to allow a user to connect a power bank to a power source for charging the power bank. The power bank charging port may electrically couple to the power bank via wiring that is routed to the pocket in a similar manner as described above. It will similarly be appreciated that while the pocket is described herein for holding a power bank, the pocket may be used house other devices within the luggage to provide exterior availability or access of the output or input of such device. Thus, it is contemplated and understood that this specification supports additional embodiments not expressly set forth in this specification. Such embodiments may be obtained, for example, by combining, modifying, or reorganizing any of the disclosed steps, components, elements, features, aspects, characteristics, limitations, and the like, of the various non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments described in this specification. For example, in one embodiment, the pocket may include a power bank harness for securing a position of the power bank within the pocket. For example, straps, clips, or other attachment structures may extend from the interior pocket lining or from a shell from which the pocket extends to extend around the power bank. The straps, clips, or other attachment structures may be attachable to the power bank and or another attachment structure positioned along the interior pocket. In example, a first end of a strap may extend from the interior pocket lining to a second end having a hook or loop attachment structure. The strap may be extended around the power bank and the second end may be attached to a corresponding loop or hook attachment structure positioned within the interior of the pocket, such as the interior pocket lining. It is also to be appreciated that while the illustrated embodiments may include various features, such features are not intended to be essential unless indicated otherwise. For example, various embodiments may include pockets that are not hanging pockets. Similarly, the various holes for extension of wiring may include connectors and/or lack reinforcement structures.
The grammatical articles “one”, “a”, “an”, and “the”, as used in this specification, are intended to include “at least one” or “one or more”, unless otherwise indicated. Thus, the articles are used in this specification to refer to one or more than one (i.e., to “at least one”) of the grammatical objects of the article. By way of example, “a component” means one or more components, and thus, possibly, more than one component is contemplated and may be employed or used in an application of the described embodiments. Further, the use of a singular noun includes the plural, and the use of a plural noun includes the singular, unless the context of the usage requires otherwise. Additionally, the grammatical conjunctions “and” and “or” are used herein according to accepted usage. By way of example, “x and y” refers to “x” and “y”. On the other hand, “x or y” generally refers to “x”, “y”, or both “x” and “y”, and may be considered to be generally synonymous with “and/or,” whereas “either x or y” refers to exclusivity.
The present disclosure may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be had to the following claims rather than the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention. Further, the illustrations of arrangements described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description. Many other arrangements will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Other arrangements may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A luggage article comprising:

a packing compartment defined by front and rear hard shells, each of the front and rear hard shells including a rim;

a closure mechanism operable to selectively transition the luggage article between open and closed configurations, wherein in the closed configuration the closure mechanism couples the rims of the front and rear hard shells to enclose the packing compartment;

an expansion material extending between the rims of the front and rear hard shells when the luggage article is in the closed configuration;

a pocket opening extending through the expansion material;

a pocket attached to the expansion material and having an interior space accessible through the pocket opening and dimensioned to contain a power bank;

an expansion closure mechanism operable to selectively increase or decrease a distance between the rims of the front and rear hard shells when the luggage article is in the closed configuration thereby transitioning the expansion material between expanded and contracted configurations, wherein, when the expansion material is in the contracted configuration, the pocket opening is covered by the expansion closure mechanism, and wherein, when the expansion material is in the expanded configuration, the pocket opening is located and accessible along an exterior side of the luggage article;

a port configured to electrically couple between a power bank contained within the pocket and an electronic device to receive a supply of power from the power bank, wherein the port is accessible from the exterior side of the luggage article when the luggage article is in the closed configuration.

2. The luggage article of claim 1, wherein the pocket hangs from the expansion material.

3. The luggage article of claim 2, wherein the pocket is positioned within the packing compartment when the luggage article is in the closed configuration.

4. The luggage article of claim 3, wherein the port is located within a housing positioned along an exterior side of the front or rear hard shell.

5. The luggage article of claim 4, wherein the pocket includes a stowing mechanism comprising selectively mateable attachment structures positioned on the pocket and an adjacent interior lining of the packing compartment to securely stow the pocket along the adjacent interior lining.

6. A luggage article comprising:

a pocket opening extending through the expansion material;

a pocket attached to the expansion material and having an interior space accessible through the pocket opening dimensioned to contain a power bank; and

a port configured to electrically couple between a power bank contained within the pocket and an electronic device to receive a supply of power from the power bank.

7. The luggage article of claim 1, wherein the port is accessible from an exterior side of the luggage article when the luggage article is in a closed configuration.

8. The luggage article of claim 7, wherein the port is positioned within a housing located along the exterior side of the front or rear hard shell.

9. The luggage article of claim 8, wherein the housing includes a cover that is selectively movable to cover and reveal the port.

10. The luggage article of claim 7, wherein the port comprises a universal serial bus (USB) port.

11. The luggage article of claim 6, further comprising an expansion closure mechanism operable to selectively increase or decrease a distance between first and second ends of the expansion material to transition the luggage article between expanded and contracted configurations.

12. The luggage article of claim 11, wherein, when the luggage article is in the contracted configuration, the pocket opening is covered by the expansion closure mechanism, and wherein, when the luggage article is in the expanded configuration, the pocket opening is located and accessible along the exterior of the luggage article.

13. The luggage article of claim 6, further comprising an expansion closure mechanism operable to selectively increase or decrease a distance between the rims of the front and rear hard shells to increase or decrease an available volume within the packing compartment, thereby transitioning the expansion material between expanded and contracted configurations.

14. The luggage article of claim 13, wherein, when the expansion material is in the contracted configuration, the pocket opening is covered by the expansion closure mechanism, and wherein, when the expansion material is in the expanded configuration, the pocket opening is located and accessible along the exterior of the luggage article.

15. The luggage article of claim 6, wherein the pocket hangs from the expansion material.

16. The luggage article of claim 15, wherein the pocket is positioned within the packing compartment when the luggage article is in the closed configuration.

17. The luggage article of claim 16, wherein the pocket includes a stowing mechanism comprising selectively mateable attachment structures positioned on the pocket and an adjacent interior lining of the luggage compartment to securely stow the pocket along the adjacent interior lining.

18. The luggage article of claim 18, further comprising wiring extending between the pocket and the port, and wherein a hole extends through the pocket through which the wiring extends into the pocket.

19. The luggage article of claim 18, wherein the wiring comprises a first end connected to the port, wherein the wiring extends from the port, through the packing compartment, to a second end that positions within the pocket and that is configured for connection with a power bank when contained within the pocket.

20. The luggage article of claim 19, wherein the packing compartment is lined with an interior lining, wherein a hole extends through the lining, and wherein the wiring extends through the hole in the interior lining.