US2861661A - Luggage case - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 25, 1958 E. H. HEITLER 2,861,661

- LUGGAGE CASE Filed March 2, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Fig. 3 Emma? H. Heir/er ATTORNEY Nov. 25, 1958 I E. H. HEITLER 2,861,661

LUGGAGE CASE Filed March 2, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Fig. 8 Emma! H. Heir/er BY Y ATTORAEY Nov. 25, 1958 E. H. HEITLER 3 L LUGGAGE CASE Filed March 2, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Q INVENTOR. V a a 37V) 80 4| Emmef H. Heir/er U manmmxu Fig. I?! ATTORNEY Nov. 25, 1958 E. H. HEITLER LUGGAGE CASE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 2, 1955 Fig. I?

Fig. l6

INVENTOR. I Emmett H. Heir/er BY B m F ATTORNEY United States Patent O LUGGAGE CASE Emmett H. Heitler, l)enver, (3010., assignor to Shwaytler Bros., line, Denver, (3010., a corporation of Colorado ApplicationMarch 2, 1955, Serial No. 491,692

is Claims. .(cl. 190-49 This invention relates to luggage cases.

In previous luggage cases, numerous and varied types of constructions have been utilized. For instance, luggage cases have been made of leather, formed to shape and sewed at the corners oftwo sections, the sections being generally rectangular or perhaps having other shapes, and often provided witha lining of fabric. Along the bottom, such sections have been provided with a backing plate or reinforcement to which a hinge or hinges connecting the two sections together are attached. Also,

a reinforcement for the remaining edges of one section may be adapted to be received by an L-shaped reinforcement for the corresponding edges of the opposite section. The two sections may be held in closed position by various types of locks, bolts, draw bolts and the like. However, the principal structuralelement of such luggage cases is the leather, with the parts attached to the abutting edges of the sections being merely reinforcement for the'leather. In other types of luggage cases, the principal loadresisting elements of the two interfitting sections have been made from panels of plywood or the like, covered with fabric or plastic, with reinforcing plates, hinges, cooperating edge reinforcements, hardware and similar parts being attached thereto in a manner similar to the leather case described above. While sturdy in construction andhighly-resistant towear and therefore quite. serviceable and highly popular, since many millions have been sold, such luggage cases tend to be heavier than desired. Also, the two sections of the case have been made from metal drawn to shape, so that there are no abutting edges or joints at the corners, but the weight -is still unduly great.

My copending application, Serial No. 484,335,-filed January 27, 1955, entitled Luggage Cases, Such as Hat Box, discloses and claims a novel type of construction for luggage cases in which the principal'load bearing element of a luggage case comprises tongue .and groove strips extending all the way around the peripheral edge of each of two sections of a luggage case, with the tongue and groove interfitting around all or substantially the entire periphery, with the case in closed position, so as to provide a relatively strong load bearing element. Such tongue and groove strips may have a central web to which the sides and also the lining, if provided, of the sections may be attached, as by rivets, and also a flange at .both the inside and outside, the space between the outer flange and the web receiving the ends of thesides of the case section and the space between the inner flange and the web receiving the ends of the lining of the case sections, when provided. The sidesand ends of the case sections may include a wear resistant outer layer of wear resistant plastic or other suitable material, bonded to a plastic impregnated fiber layer. or a light metal, such as a magnesium alloy, while lininglayers on the inside of a case section may include an innermost layer of fabric and a backing strip for the fabric formed of fibre or other suitable material. A luggage case constructed in accordance with thepresent invention may asareel Patented Nov. 25, 1%58 include the novel-tongue and groove load bearing strips of my co-pending application Serial No. 484,335.

Among the objects of this invention are to provide a novel luggage case; to provide such a luggagecase which is light in weight, yet sufficiently strong to resist hard usage; to provide such a luggage case which may be made in two sections, one of which may hold dresses, skirts and the like and is adapted'to be hung on the-wall or on a closet door or the like, and the other of which may receive other articles of apparel; to provide such a luggage case in which additional load resisting elements cooperate with theload bearing tongue and groove strips of my co-pendingapplication Serial No. 484,335 to maintain the sides and end walls of the case sections'in position and also to strengthen the same;'to provide such additional elements which are themselves strong, yet light in weight; to provide such additional elements which may readily be installed in the case; to provide such a luggage case, in one section of which suits or dresses may be carried on hangers and which includes a novel draw bar for holding-such suits, dresses and the like in position within the case; and to provide such a luggage case which is economical to manufactureand easily assembled.

Additional objectsof the present invention will become apparent from the description which follows, taken .in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is aperspective view of a luggage case, constructed in accordance-with this invention, v in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the two sections of the luggage case of 'Fig. l in disassembled relation, also illustrating the relative position of one of the sections which'is particularly adapted to be hung on a closet door or the like;

Fig. 3 is a bottom View of the luggage case of Fig-l;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary view of a portion of one side of the luggage case, with-the outer layers broken away to show an interior framework;

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken along line 5-5ofFig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a novel framework adapted to fit inside each section and to cooperate with the aforesaid tongue and groove strips of my co-pending application Serial No. 484,335;

Fig. 7' is an enlarged, fragmentary cross section taken along line 7-7 of Fig.3;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross section taken at the position of the lock and handle, along line-88 of Fig.1;

Fig. 9 is a similar enlarged, fragmentary cross section taken at a draw bolt, such'as along line 9-9 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentarycross section taken at the position of one of the separable hinges, along line'1010 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view looking upwardly at a trolley on which garment hangers may be placed, from the position of line 1111 of Fig.2;

Fig. 12 is a plan view of one of the tongue and groove strips which form the abutting edges ofthe case sections;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the central portion ofthe bottom of one section of the case, with certain parts being broken away to show the interior construction more clearly;

Fig. 14 is a longitudinal section of an upper section of the case, in the position of Fig. 2, with certain parts omitted, with a draw bar and the supporting arms therefor in-closed position and with garments in the case section indicated by dash lines;

Fig. 15 is a section similar to Fig. 14, but with the draw bar and arms in open or lower position;

Fig. 16 is a condensed side elevation of an eccentric arm, a pair of which pivotally support the draw bar of Figs.,14 and 15;

Fig. 17 is a condensed top plan view of the eccentric draw bar arm of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is an end view thereof; and

Fig. 19 is a side elevation of a garment rod bracket.

As illustrated in Figs. 1-3, a luggage case constructed in accordance with this invention may be formed as two separable sections, such as an upper section U and a lower section L, provided with separable hinges H at' the bottom which permit the two sections to be separated so that the upper section U may be supported by a rectangular hook particularly adapted to be placed on top of a closet door or the like, so that the dresses, suits or the like placed in upper section U may be unfolded and hang downwardly, as described later. One of the sections, such as the lower section L, may be provided with a tongue strip 11 extending entirely around the peripheral edge thereof and adapted to interfit with a groove strip 12 which extends entirely around the peripheral edge of the other section of the case, such as the upper section U. Thus, one section is preferably provided with strip means around the edge which has a crosssectional shape providing a transversely convex, longitudinally extending portion complementary to and interfitting with a transversely concave, longitudinally extending portion provided by the cross-sectional shape of the strip means of the other section. The two sections are held together in closed position, as by a pair of draw bolts 13 at the sides and another pair of draw bolts 13' at the top, while the sections may be locked together by a lock 14 at the top. A handle 15 permits the case to be carried, While a ring 16 may be attached to the upper section U for receiving a hook 17, connected to the hook 10 by a swivel rod 18, when the upper section U is to be suspended, such as in Fig. 2. The upper section U may also be provided with a trolley 19 on which hangers for dresses, suits and the like may be placed, while such garments, when longer than the height of the upper section U, may be folded beneath a removable rod 20, mounted in brackets 21 at the lower end of section U, andthe ends folded over and held in position by a draw bar 22 of Fig. 2, which is supported by an eccentric arm 23 at each side, the novel action and positioning of draw bar 22 and eccentric arms 23 being described later. In general, garments 24 may be packed in the upper section U as in Fig. 14 and hang therefrom as in Fig. 15, as described later.

The tongue strip 11 and 'groove strip 12 may be formed by extrusion of a light-weight metal, such as aluminum or aluminum alloy, and is preferably constructed in accordance with my co-pending application Serial No. 484,335. Thus, the tongue strip 11 is provided with a tongue 25, as in Fig. 7, while the groove strip 12 is provided with a groove 26, the tongue and groove being adapted to interfit and each of the strips being formed to a peripheral shape corresponding to the edges of the sections U and L, such as illustrated in Fig. 12, the abutting ends of each formed strip being attached together, as by a plate 27 which is riveted to the inside of a central web 28 of the strip, the plate 27 being partially shown in Fig. 13 and the web 28 being more readily apparent from Fig. 7. Also, each of the strips 11 and 12 is provided with an outer flange 29 and an inner flange 30, the former providing a space for reception of the edges of the side walls 31 of the case sections, which may comprise an outer covering layer of a vinyl plastic, or other suitable Wear resistant material, preferably bonded to a layer of fiber reinforced by impregnation with plastic from both sides. The end 33 of the upper section U and the end 34 of the lower section L may be similarly formed from suitable materials, such as a plastic wear resistant layer bonded to a plastic impregnated fiber layer, or the side walls and ends may comprise a plastic wear resistant outer layer bonded to a light metal, such as amagnesium alloy. Due to the plastic or smooth metal on the inside of the side walls and ends of the case, it is unncessa y to line the case, although a fabric lining may be pro vided, if desired. An elastic curtain (not shown, being: conventional) may be provided for the entire opening of the lower section L, such a curtain conveniently being. attached at its lower end to the web 28 of strip 11, as by the same rivets by which hinges H are attached, andv provided at its upper end with books adapted to removably engage brackets 35 of Fig. 9 at the position of draw bolts 13. Also, an elastic curtain (not shown) may be provided for the lower portion of the upper section U, conveniently being attached to web 28 of groove strip 12, as by the same rivets which attach hinges H thereto, de-- scribed later. The side walls 31 may be attached to the: web 28 of the strips 11 and 12 by a series of peripherally spaced rivets 36, as in Fig. 7, as well as by the rivets which attach the draw bolts 13 and 13, the lock 14,. the handle 15 and the hinges H to the webs 28 of thetongue and groove strips, as described later. The side walls 31 of upper section U may be connected to the end 33 thereof and the side walls 31 of lower section L may be similarly connected to the end 34, as by a reinforcing strip 37, conveniently formed of molded plastic, while stitching 38 which attaches these parts together, as in Fig. 8, may pass completely therethrough.

In accordance with this invention, a truss-like structure T, shown in Fig. 6 with parts thereof also shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 5, may be inserted within each of the sections U and L, not only to maintain the end 33 of upper section U and the end 34 of lower section L spaced apart from the respective strips 11 and 12, but also to resist any force tending to compress the luggage case. This truss-like structure includes a rod 40 which is formed to a shape corresponding to the ends of the case sections and the abutting ends of which are connected together by a tubular coupling 41 which may merely he slipped over one end and then partially over the other end when the abutting ends of the rod are brought together, as in Fig. 6. In addition, each of a series of pairs of truss arms 42 is conveniently made from a single suitable length of steel wire, for strength, with the arms 42 bent upwardly to a generally V-shape from the center 43 which may be welded to a short tube 44. Each pair of arms 42 is movable to a desired position by sliding tube 44 along the rod 40. Each outer end 45 of each arm 42 is preferably flattened and trimmed at the extreme end to form a point which will engage the tongue or groove strip when, as in Figs. 4 and 5, the end 45 of each arm 42 is placed in the space between the inner flange 30 and the web 28 of a strip 11 or 12. Each arm 42 is also provided with an offset 46 which positions the ends 45 inwardly from the remainder of the arms, as in Fig. 5, thus permitting the flat end 45 to be disposed substantially parallel to web 28 and also permit the rod 40 to occupy a position directly opposite the tongue or groove strip. The installation of truss structure T is relatively simple, since the rod 40 may merely be slipped inside the case section and placed against the end 33 or 34, as the case may be, whereupon each arm 42 in turn may be flexed and slipped beneath the inner flange 30 of the strip 11 or 12. Although the truss arms 42 may be moved by hand, the engagement of the pointed ends 45 with the strip 11 or 12 resists any force tending to compress the case. In addition, the rods 40, particularly when reinforced by the truss structures T, and also when coupled with the load resistance of the strips 11 and 12 when interfitting together, resists any tendency for deformation of the case, as by a load placed thereon when the case is on its side. Since luggage cases are often stacked one on top of the other, the truss structure in each section will prevent deformation of the case by other cases when so stacked.

In further accordance with this invention, the trolley 19, as in Figs. 2, 8 and 11, may be arcuate at its outer end and extend inwardly in a straight line to an L-shaped bracket 48, the upper leg 4? of which may be attached to the top of the case section U by the same rivets 50 by which a clip 51 forthe ring 16 is attached. At the opposite end of the arcuate, front of trolley 19, a leg52, con veniently integral therewith, extends upwardly to a position beneath one endof handle 15, at which it may be attached to web 28 of, strip 12 by arivet 53, as in Fig. 11, by which one of the anchors 54 of Fig. 8 for handle 15 is attached to web 28. As will be evident, when the upper section U is suspended by hook 10 in ring 16, the weight of the suits, dresses and the like on the hangers placed on the trolley 19, will tend to be supported directly from hook 10. Also, when the case is carried by handle 15, the weight on the trolley 16 tends to be transmitted directly to the handle 15. Thus, the weight of the garments suspended from trolley 19 will normally be transmitted directly to the part by which the case is carried or suspended, thereby reducing stress on other parts.

As in Fig. 8, the lock 14 may include a column extending through wall 31 to a lock body 56, provided with an extending arm 57 at the rear and the outer end of which, along with the outer end of a strip 58, may be attached to the wall 31 by a rivet 59. Column 55 also passes through strip 58, while the inner end ofstrip 58 engages one side of web 28 and lock body 55 abuts the inside of tongue strip 11 and extends to a position in which an extensible latch 60 may engage a slot in a catch 61, shown also in Fig. 11. As in Figs. 8 and 11, catch 61 may be attached to web 28 of strip 12 of the upper section U, as by a pair of rivets 62 extending through web 28'and wall 31, as well as a spacing block 63. As in Fig. 9, a base 64 for each draw bolt 13 or 13' may be attached to web 28 of strip 11 by one of the rivets 36, by which a curtain bracket 35 may be attached to the case, as indicated previously, while base 64 may also be attached to wall 31 by a rivet 65. The inner end of a draw bolt pin 66 may be riveted against web 28 of tongue strip 12, while the head of draw bolt pin 66 may engage a wear pad 67 formed of a strip of plastic and bonded to the outside of the case, pin 66 also extending through the wall 31. It will be understood, of course, that other types of locks, handles, draw bolts and the like may be utilized, while the draw bolt and lock. parts may be attached to the opposite case sections from those shown.

In further accordance with this invention, each hinge H may comprise a male half 70 and a female half 71, each being conveniently attached, as in Fig. 10, by rivets 72 to the web 28 of the respective tongue strip 11 of section L and groove strip 12 of section U. The male half 76 is provided with an angularly extending'tongne 73, which extends arcuately. through a desired angle, such as 135, then tangentially. The tongue 73 of each male half 76 of each hinge is adapted to engage a lateral pin 74 mounted in wrap-around ears 75 of the female half 71 of the hinge, so that, as in Fig. 10, the engagement of the tongue 73 with the pin 74 will hold the strips 11 and 12 in engagement at the bottom of the case sections when in closed position. Such engagement of hinge tongues '73 with pins 74 also permits the case sections to be opened, as to a position past 90", without separation, but when the sections are pivoted further apart, the upper section U may be lifted from the lower section L, the pins 74 thereby being separated from the tongues 73, as in Fig. 2. After the two case sections have been separated, the lower section L may be separately placed at any desired location, while the upper section U may be hung on a closet door, as by hook 111, or in other desired position. It is to be noted that, unless the upper section of the case is moved past aperpendicular position rearwardly, the hinges H will still remain attached together. Thus, the case may be opened and either section supported against a chair, bed or the like, with the sections still attached together.

As indicated previously, the abutting ends of the tongue strip 11 and groove strip 12 are attached together by a plate 27 riveted to the Web 23 at each-end of the strip, on" opposite sides of the plate between-the butting edges, plate 27 preferably being placed on the inside of web 28, asin Fig. 13. As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 13, at the bottom of the case, an additional reinforcing strip 77, preferably formed of metal, such as aluminum, may cover the seam between the edges of the wall 31 of the lower section L, while a similar strip 78 may be mounted on the outside of the bottom of the upper section U. Also, each of the strips 77 and 78 may be provided with a tab 79- which extends around the seam between the abutting edges of the ends of the strip 37, one of the tabs 79 also being shown in Fig. 1. Each of the strips 77 and 78 may be attached to the case by a pair of rivets 80, as in Fig. 13, extending through the wall 31 adjacent each abutting end thereof, while a single rivet '81 may extend through the seam at the abutting ends of wall 31 and also through web 28 of the strips 11 or 12, as will be evident from the position thereof shown in Fig. 3. Also, the end of each tab 79 may be attached to the end 33 or 34 of the respective case section, as by a rivet in the position shown in Fig. 1. It willbe understood, of course, that the strips 77 and 73 may be mounted in any other suitable manner, while other ways of securing and/or protecting the abuttingends ofwall 31 and strip 37 may be utilized. A pair of knobs 83,- as in Fig. 3, may be mounted in spaced position on the bottom of each section of the case to support the case when it is placed in upright position, thereby preventing the hinges H from .receiving the weight of the case, when placed upright. Also, the knobs 83 support the case in a stable manner, since the; hinges-Hextend slightly from the bottom and the case would tend to tip'to one side or the other if placed on the hinges in theabsence of the knobs 83.

The draw bar 22, as indicated previously, may extend between a pair of eccentric arms 23, as between points adjacent the outer ends thereof, and attached thereto in a suitable manner, as by rivets or screws extending through holes 85 of Fig. 16. As in Figs. 1618, the inner end 86 of each arm 23, which may be pivotally attached as by a rivet to web 28 of strip 12 of the upper case section U, as in Fig. 2, may be offset by an integral, right angle section 87 of Figs. 16-18 and also disposed outwardly from the remainder of the arm by an angular section 38, so that with the straight portion of each arm 23 parallel to tongue strip 11, the bar 22 willbe disposed in an intermediate position between the front and back of the upper section U, as in the position of Fig. 2. Each bracket 21 for removable rod 211, as in Fig. 19, may be provided with a slot 90, formed as a reentrant curve, so that rod 20, which may be provided with a neck adjacent each end adapted to fit into a slot 911, may be placed in the brackets and stayv in place until removed, particularlywith the upper section U in upright position, as in Fig. 2. The base 91 of each bracket 21 also may be offset and extend angularly, so that each bracket 21 may be attached, as by rivets, to web 28 of strip 12 at the curved lower corners thereof with the brackets parallel.

As will be evident from the position of arms 23 and draw bar 22 in Fig. 15, garments 24, such as dresses, suits and the like, may depend from hangers mounted on trolley 19 and hang down without interference by bar 22, since the eccentricity of arms '23 permits the bar 22 to be moved to a position directly below the lower end of the upper section of the case. As shown in Fig. 15, rod 211 has been removed. In this position, the hangers for the garments may be moved around trolley 19, particularly onto the front curve thereof, so that access to any individual garment is convenient. To pack such garments in the upper section U, the garments 24 are placed on hangers and the hangers placed on trolley 19, as shown in Fig. 15. Then,.the garments are pressed inwardly into. the case section until rod 20 can be inserted'at the lower end, the garments thereby passing behind rod 20 and the lower ends thereof extending outwardly and then downwardly. Then, draw bar 22 is merely moved upwardly to the position of Fig. 14, such movement automatically pulling the garments 24 around rod 20 and the extending portions of the garments being automatically pulled upwardly and folded over draw bar 22. When packed in this manner, the only creases which tend to be produced extend horizontally, at the positions at which the garments fold about rod 20 and bar 22, but such horizontal creases tend naturally to fall out when the garments are straightened in suspended position, as in Fig. 15. It will be noted that, when an upward pull on rod 20 is exerted, the reentrant curve 90 of brackets 21, as in Fig. 19, will prevent the rod 2t from being pulled out of the brackets. For unpacking, all that is necessary is tosuspend the upper section U, as in Fig. 14, pull draw bar 22 downwardly to the position of Fig. and remove rod 20. If the garments do not fall naturally to the position of Fig. 15, they may be adjusted in position, while the hangers may also be movedoutwardly on trolley 19 to give each garment more space.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that a luggage case constructed in accordance with this invention fulfills to a marked degree the requirements and objects hereinbefore set forth. Particularly in a luggage casein which two opposed concave sections meet at the edges thereof when closed with each section including an end wall spaced from the edges and side walls extending between the end wall and the edge of each, due to the use of the interfitting edge strips, such as tongue and groove strips, as the principal load bearing elements, as well as the truss structure including a member, such as a rod, inside each section, which is disposed against the end wall, extending around the end wall adjacent the side walls of the case sections, and which is connected to the tongue and groove strips by supporting means, preferably truss-like elements, the case not only resists deformation from the sides and top, but also from above when placed flat. The curved trolley on which hangers or the like may be placed comprises a highly useful feature, while the attachment of one end of this trolley to one of the handle anchors and the opposite end to a ring or other means by which the case section may be suspended by a hook or the like, the load on the trolley will be transmitted directly to the point at which the case is supported.

The preferred form of truss-like members which cooperate with a flanged tongue or groove section and are also attached to a spacing and wall supporting rod, such preferred form comprising two arms in substantially a V- shape, permits the truss structure to be installed in a section of the case with ease and rapidity. The offset in the truss arms and the flattened ends thereof respectively enable the rod to be positioned directly beneath the web of the tongue or groove section and resist any twisting movements of the remainder of the case relative to the tongue or groove sections. In addition, while the truss elements may .be flexed for installation, once in position the friction between the ends thereof and the tongue or groove section provide a relatively high load resistance. The use of separable hinges enables the case to be packed muchmore readily, since dresses, suits or the like to be packed may be left on hangers and the hangers placed on the trolley therefor, With any extra length extending down past the lower end of the case section. However, when the draw bar, mounted on eccentric arms, is moved from down to up position, the articles are automatically folded into the case at the correct points. Also, when so folded, any creases which tend to be produced will extend laterally of the garments and will tend to fall out more readily when the garments are again straightened out while hanging. While separable hinges are preferably provided, it will be evident that the hinges may be non-separable. In

addition, certain features of a luggage case of this invention may be utilized without others. Thus, while a preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that other embodiments'may exist and that numerous changes may be made, all without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A luggage case, in which two opposed concave sections 'meet at the edges thereof when closed and each section is provided with an end wall spaced from said edge and side walls extending between said edge and said end wall, comprising strip means extending around said edge of each said section with said side walls attached to said strip means, said strip means of one section having a transversely convex, longitudinally extending portion interfitting with a complementary, transversely concave, longitudinally extending portion of said strip means of the other section with said sections closed; a member inside each said section disposed against the end wall thereof and extending around aid end wall adjacent said side walls; and supporting means for said member in each said section, said supporting means extending between and engaging said strip means and said member.

2. A luggage case, in which two opposed concave sections meet at the edges thereof when closed and each section is provided with an end wall spaced from said edge and side walls extending between said edge and said end wall,'comprising strip means extending around said edge of each said section with said side walls attached to said strip means, said strip means of one section engaging said strip means of the other section with said sections closed and each said strip means being provided with a web and an inner flange spaced from said web, said web and flange being opposite to the engaging surfaces of each said strip means; a member inside each said section disposed against the end wall thereof and extending around said end wall adjacent said side walls; and supporting means for said member in each said section and extending between and engaging said member and said strip means, said supporting means engaging said strip means between said web and said inner flange.

3. A luggage case as. defined in claim 2, wherein each said strip means is provided with an outer flange spaced from said Web; and said side walls extend between said web and outer flange and are attached to said web.

4. A luggage case, in which two opposed concave sections meet at the edges thereof when closed and each section is provided with an end Wall spaced from said edge and side walls extending between said edge and said end wall, comprising strip means extending around said edge of each said section with said side walls attached to said strip means, said strip means of one section engaging said strip means of the other section with said sections closed; a member inside each said section disposed against the end wall thereof and extending around said end wall adjacent said side walls; and a series of truss arms extending between and engaging said strip means and said member in spaced relation in each said section, said truss arms being disposed in pairs with each pair connected at said member and extending away from each other and toward said strip means, each said arm having a lateral otfset therein so that said member may be spaced outwardly in said case section relative to the strip means thereof.

5. A luggage case, in which two opposed concave sections meet at the edges thereof when closed and each section is provided with an end wall spaced from said edge and side walls extending between said edge and said end wall, comprising strip means extending around said edge of each said section with said side walls attached to said strip means, said strip means of one section engaging said strip means of the other section with said sections closed and each said strip means being provided with a web and an inner flange spaced therefrom; a member inside each said section disposed against the end wall thereof and extending around said end wall adjacent said side walls; and a series of truss arms extending between said strip means and said member in spaced relation in each said section, said truss arms being disposed in pairs with each pair connected at said member and extending away from each other toward the ends, the ends thereof engaging said strip means with the end of each said arm being flattened to fit between said web and inner flange of said strip means.

6. A luggage case, in which two complementary concave sections meet at the edges thereof when closed and each said section is provided with an end wall spaced from said edge and side walls extending between said edges and said end wall, comprising strip means extending around said edge of each said section with said side walls attached to said strip means, said strip means of one section having a tongue and said strip means of the other section having a complementary groove, said tongue and groove extending longitudinally of the respective strip means so that said tongue and groove are interfitting with said sections closed; a member inside each said section disposed against the end wall thereof and extending around said end wall adjacent said side walls; supporting means for said member in each said section and extending between and engaging said strip means and said member; and separable hinges connecting said sections in closed position, said hinges being attached to said strip means of said one section adjacent the lower end thereof and to said strip means of the other section at a corresponding position.

7. A luggage case as defined in claim 6, wherein said hinges comprise male and female halves respectively attached to the opposite sections at the lower ends thereof; a male half including a base and a tongue extending arcuately therefrom and then outwardly with the included angle between said base and said outwardly extending portion being approximately 135; and a female half includes a base having an car at each side and a pin extending transversely between said ears for removable engagement with said tongue.

8. A luggage case as defined in claim 6, wherein said hinges are attached to said sections at the lower ends thereof; and the wall of each case section adjacent said hinges is provided with a spaced pair of knobs for supporting said case with said sections closed and in upright position.

9. A luggage case, in which two opposed concave sections meet at the edges thereof when closed and each section is provided with an end wall spaced from said edge and side walls extending between said edge and said end wall, comprising strip means extending around said edge of each said section with said side walls attached to said strip means, said strip means of one section having a longitudin'ally extending tongue portion interfitting with a complementary, longitudinally extending groove portion of said strip means of the other section with said sections closed and said strip means of at least one section being provided on the side opposite the interfitting portion with a web and an inner flange spaced therefrom; a rod inside said one section disposed against the end wall thereof and extending around said end wall adjacent said side walls; a series of truss arms extending between said strip means and said rod in spaced relation in said one section, said truss arms being disposed in pairs with each pair being integral and connected at said rod and extending away from each other toward the ends, the ends thereof engaging said strip means with the end of each said arm being flattened and pointed to fit between said web and inner flange of said strip means, each said truss arm being provided with an offset disposed intermediate said strip means and said rod; and a series of collars surroundin'g said rod, said collars being movable along said member with each said collar being non-removably attached to a pair of truss arms.

10. A luggage case, in which two opposed concave sections meet at the edges thereof when closed and each section is provided with an end wall spaced from said edge and side walls extending between said edge and said end wall, comprising strip means extending around said edge of each said section with said side walls attached to said strip means, said strip means of one section engaging said strip means of the other section with said sections closed; a member inside each said section disposed against the end wall thereof and extending around said end wall adjacent said side walls; and a series of arms disposed in pairs with the arms of each pair connected at said member and extending between and engaging said strip means and said member in each section, for supporting the respective member from the respective strip means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 842,277 Villrnow Jan. 29, 1907 1,048,934 Brandon Dec. 31, 1912 1,637,206 Weeks July 26, 1927 1,980,714 Brady Nov. 13, 1934 2,109,141 Richter Feb. 22, 1938 2,200,972 Stein May 14, 1940 2,206,564 Hallman July 2, 1940 2,318,527 Rosenthal May 4, 1943 2,415,220 Ritter Feb. 4, 1947 2,611,463 Trimble et al. Sept. 23, 1952 2,672,224 Horwitz Mar. 16, 1954 2,717,093 Mautner Sept. 6, 1955

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