US20130248309A1

US20130248309A1 - Luggage With Rechargeable Power Supply and Storage Shelves

Info

Publication number: US20130248309A1
Application number: US13/845,000
Authority: US
Inventors: Marvin Lein; Jim Leis
Original assignee: WESTSIDE DESIGN LLC
Current assignee: WESTSIDE DESIGN LLC
Priority date: 2012-03-23
Filing date: 2013-03-17
Publication date: 2013-09-26

Abstract

An article of luggage that incorporates a rechargeable battery that may be used to recharge personal electronic devices with multiple electrical interconnects for interfacing with various types of plugs. The invention is defined by luggage that includes an integral tray for holding liquids, aerosols and gels. The tray is easily slid out of the luggage when the luggage is placed on the x-ray conveyer so that the bag holding the liquids, aerosols and gels is appropriately exposed for proper security screening at airports. The luggage further includes an integral tray for holding a laptop computer. The tray is easily slid out of the luggage when the luggage is placed on the x-ray conveyer so that computer is appropriately exposed for proper security screening. The laptop and liquid trays may be longitudinally slid out of, and into the main body of the luggage, and may be alternately pivoted to provide access to contents held on the trays.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to luggage, and more particularly to a travel bag that is incorporates a built-in rechargeable battery for recharging computers and other personal electronic devices. The inventive luggage further comprises storage shelves that are retained in the luggage and easily slid out of and into the luggage; one shelf is adapted for holding liquids in containers appropriate for carry-on luggage in domestic flights and the other shelf is adapted for holding a laptop computer. Both shelves are easily moved to an extended position to expose liquids and a laptop computer in an appropriate manner for security screening at airports.

BACKGROUND

Air travelers are very familiar with security screening regulations currently in place at airports in the United States for domestic flights and at foreign airports for flights into the US. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has put in place numerous regulations for security screening. While the vast majority of air travelers recognize the importance of these security screening measures for insuring safety, travelers are just as aware of the slowdowns and delays caused by current safety screening requirements. Frequent flyers are especially aware of safety screening requirements as these flyers are often subject to screening multiple times every day.
Among other TSA requirements, liquids, aerosols and gels, are allowed in carry-on luggage only in limited quantities. The TSA currently follows the “3-1-1” rule: each traveler is limited to carrying aboard an aircraft liquids in a 3.4 ounce (100 ml) bottle or less (by volume) , in a 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag, with 1 bag per passenger placed in screening bin. By consolidating the bottles into one bag and X-raying them separately from the carry-on bag enables security officers to quickly clear the items.
Laptop computers are similarly subject to special screening rules. Generally speaking, the laptop must be placed in a bin on the x-ray conveyer such that there is nothing above or below the computer and so that the computer lies flat. Moreover, TSA regulations currently specify that the distance between the bottom of the computer and the conveyer is no more than 1¼ inches. There are some “checkpoint friendly” laptop bags on the market that purportedly make security screening easier. The TSA indicates that such bags have a designated laptop-only section that has no metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on-top of the laptop-only section, that there are no pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section, that there is nothing in the laptop compartment other than the laptop, and that the traveler must completely unfold the bag so that there is nothing above or below the laptop-only section, allowing the bag to lie flat on the X-ray belt.
All air travelers will appreciate that despite advancements in checkpoint friendly luggage such as those just described, there is a serious need for luggage that makes passage through security screening checkpoints more efficient and fast. Such luggage should recognize the dual needs of simplifying use for the traveler, while making security screening simple and reliable.
At the same time, most travelers utilize one or more personal electronic devices such as a laptop, smart phone, and electronic tablets. These devices are indispensable to many travelers but are notorious for needing recharging. As a result, quick recharging stations can be found strategically located in most airports. Despite the convenience of such recharging stations, there is a clear need for alternate methods of charging personal electronic devices while traveling.
The present invention comprises a carry-on bag that addresses each of the needs described above.
In one embodiment, the invention is defined by luggage that incorporates a rechargeable battery that may be used to recharge personal electronic devices.
In another embodiment, the invention is defined by luggage that includes an integral shelf for holding liquids, aerosols and gels in the 1-quart zip top bag approved by the TSA. The shelf is easily slid out of the luggage when the luggage is placed on the x-ray conveyer so that the bag holding the liquids, aerosols and gels is appropriately exposed for proper security screening.
In yet another embodiment, the invention is defined by luggage that includes an integral shelf for holding a laptop computer. The shelf is easily slid out of the luggage when the luggage is placed on the x-ray conveyer so that computer is appropriately exposed for proper security screening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and its numerous objects and advantages will be apparent by reference to the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a piece of luggage according to the present invention showing some internal components and illustrating the liquid-tray and laptop tray in their out or extended positions. In FIG. 1 the luggage is lying flat as it would normally be laid on an x-ray conveyer belt.

FIG. 1A is a side elevation view of the luggage shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the liquid and laptop trays and their orientation relative to the luggage.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second piece of luggage according to the present invention, similar to the luggage shown in FIG. 1 except larger in dimensions, showing some internal components and illustrating the liquid-tray and laptop tray in their out or extended positions. In FIG. 2 the luggage is lying flat as it would normally be laid on an x-ray conveyer belt.

FIG. 2A is a side elevation view of the luggage shown in FIG. 2 illustrating the liquid and laptop trays and their orientation relative to the luggage.

FIGS. 3 through 6 are perspective views of yet another piece of luggage according to the present invention:

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of luggage in which the liquid and laptop trays are shown in their stowed positions.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the luggage shown in FIG. 3 illustrating the laptop tray being slid longitudinally out of the main body of the luggage.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the luggage shown in FIG. 3 illustrating the alternative pivotal movement of both the laptop and liquid trays.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the luggage shown in FIG. 3 illustrating the both the laptop and liquid trays being slid longitudinally out of the main body of the luggage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An article of luggage 10 incorporating the illustrated invention is shown in the figures as having a main body 12 with an extendable/retractable handle 14 and with wheels 16. Main body 12 defines a rectangular geometric configuration with, for purposes herein, a front panel 18, rear panel 20, opposed side panels 22 and 24, respectively, and opposed top and bottom panels 26 and 28, respectively. A hand grip 30 is attached to side panel 24. Throughout this specification, like structures shown in different drawings are given the same reference numbers. More specifically, like structures in the piece of luggage 110 shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A are identified with the same reference numbers as the corresponding structures in FIGS. 1 and 1A. And like structures in the luggage 200 shown in FIGS. 3 through 6 are assigned the same reference numbers as corresponding structures in FIGS. 1, 1A and 2 and 2A.
At times herein, relative directional terms are used to identify structural features of the invention and their relationship to other features. The geometric center of main body 12 is considered to be the “center” of luggage 10 and the hand grip 10 will be considered at the upper or top end of the mail body; the wheels 16 are located at the lower or bottom end of the main body. Other relative directional terms correspond to this convention: “inner” or “inward” refers to the geometric center of the main body, or the direction toward the geometric center, and so on.
With reference now to FIGS. 1 and 1A, luggage 10 comprises the following components. As detailed below, these same components are also found in the article of luggage 200 illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 through 6.

- 1) a laptop tray 50 that is reciprocally and slidably extendable out of and into top panel 26 of main body 12 as illustrated with arrows A in FIGS. 1 and 1A;
- 2) a liquids tray 100 that is reciprocally and slidably extendable out of and into bottom panel 28 of main body 12 as illustrated with arrows B in FIGS. 1 and 1A; and
- 3) an integrated rechargeable battery system 150 that is housed within main body 12 and which includes electrical connections adapted for recharging personal electronic devices.

Each of these three components is described below.

1. Laptop Tray 50

As noted, laptop tray 50 is reciprocally slidable into and out of the main body 12, which defines a frame structure for attaching the laptop tray 50. The tray is sized to hold a conventional laptop computer 52 and may be fitted with optional retaining straps 54 to retain the laptop 52 on the tray 50. The tray has opposed lateral edges that are slidable in appropriate tracks in the interior of main body 12 of luggage 10. It will be appreciated that there are numerous structures known to those of ordinary skill in the art to slidably attach a tray in the manner illustrated and described. For example, rails may be attached to the structural frame or opposed interior sides of the main body 12 of luggage 10 and the tray 50 may be fitted with wheels that ride in the rails. As another example, the tray 50 may be reciprocally movable in slots formed in the interior sides of the main body 12. The tray 50 is movable between an extended position shown in FIG. 1 and a stowed position (not shown) in which the tray 50 is completely contained within the main body. In the stowed position, the tray is latched in place with an appropriate latching mechanism to retain the tray in the stowed position and to prevent unintended movement of the tray to the extended position. The top panel 26 may include a zippered compartment or equivalent covering to hide and protect the laptop tray 50 when it is in the stowed position.
Laptop tray 50 is preferably designed so that it meets TSA guidelines for security inspection of a laptop computer when the tray is in its extended position and the luggage 10 is laid flat on an x-ray conveyer belt as shown in the figures—that is, when the rear panel 20 of luggage 10 is laid onto the conveyer and the wheels 16 are on the conveyer. For instance, laptop tray 50 is a designated laptop-only section that has no metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on-top of the laptop tray 50, there are no pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop tray 50. Accordingly, there is nothing in the laptop tray 50 other than the laptop 52 and with the tray 50 in the extended position the traveler laptop “compartment” is completely unfolded so that there is nothing above or below the laptop tray 50 (except of course the supporting panel portion of the tray on which the laptop rests), allowing the laptop 52 to lie flat on or parallel to and closely spaced apart from the x-ray belt for good security screening. More specifically, the laptop tray 50 is installed in luggage 10 so that when the luggage is lying on its rear panel 20 on a conveyer with the laptop tray 50 in its extended position, the lower surface of a computer 52 held on the tray is separated from the conveyer by no more than 1¼ inches. Because there are no structural parts from luggage 10 either above or below the laptop 52 when the tray 50 is in its extended position as shown in FIG. 1, the luggage 10 may be scanned without requiring removal of the laptop 52 from the tray 50. Upwardly projecting peripheral side edges 56 help retain the laptop 52 in place in the tray 50 and as noted, the laptop tray 52 includes a support panel on which the laptop rests.
The laptop tray may include interior padding 56 and/or strips of padding, both on the inner-facing edges of side edges 56 and on the support panel, that pad the computer 52 to prevent damage while in transit, and also to allow the user to adjust the relative size of the laptop tray to accommodate and snugly retain laptops having different dimensions.

2. Liquids Tray 100

As with laptop tray 50, liquids tray 100 is reciprocally slidable into and out of the main body 12, but as shown in the drawings, liquids tray 100 is slidable out of the opposite end of luggage 10 in bottom 28. The liquids tray 100 is appropriately sized to hold a traveler's liquids in compliance with TSA regulations, and especially the 1-quart zip top bags, shown schematically at 102, that comply with the “3-1-1” rule. As described above with respect to laptop tray 50, the liquids tray 100 has opposed lateral edges that are slidable in appropriate tracks in the interior of main body 12 of luggage 10. And again as described above, it will be appreciated that there are numerous structures known to those of ordinary skill in the art to slidably attach a tray in the manner illustrated and described. And like the laptop tray 50, liquids tray 100 has upwardly extending peripheral side edges 104 that help retain liquids within the confines of the tray.
The liquids tray 100 is movable between an extended position shown in FIG. 1 and a stowed position (not shown) in which the tray 100 is completely contained within the main body. In the stowed position, the tray is latched in place with an appropriate latching mechanism to retain the tray in the stowed position and to prevent unintended movement of the tray to the extended position. The bottom panel 28 may include a zippered compartment or equivalent covering to hide and protect the liquids tray 100 when it is in the stowed position. As with laptop tray 50, when the luggage 10 is laid with its rear panel 16 on an x-ray conveyer belt and liquids tray 100 is in the extended position there are no structural components of the luggage 10 either above or below the liquids tray that would interfere with proper x-ray screening. Thus, the support panel portion of the liquids tray on which liquids are supported does not render screening ineffective with respect to TSA screening rules.
Main body 12 includes interior compartments that define close-fitting panels that cover the upper (i.e., exposed) portions of both laptop tray 50 and liquids tray 100 when the trays are in their retracted positions. Although the interior panels are now shown in the drawings, the panels fit closely against the upper portions of the trays so that articles retained on the trays are retained tightly in place on the trays when the luggage 10 is moved about. Thus, a laptop 52 is retained snuggly in place in laptop tray 50 when the tray is in its retracted position and while luggage 50 is moved about, even if optional retaining straps 54 are not included and/or used. Likewise, a zip top bag 102 containing multiple individual containers of liquid is retained snuggly in place in liquids tray 100 when the tray is in its retracted position and while luggage 50 is moved about. Because the objects on the trays (i.e., laptop 52 and bag 102) are relatively immovable relative to the trays themselves on which they are retained, damage to the objects is prevented.
It will be appreciated that the relative positions of laptop tray 50 and liquids tray 100 may be reversed so that the laptop tray slides into and out of the bottom panel 28 and the liquids tray 100 slides into and out of the top panel 26.

3. Battery System 150

The rechargeable battery system 150 comprises a rechargeable battery 152 that is removably housed in main body 12, an electrical interface panel 154 and electric wiring such as a wiring harness 156 that electrically interconnects the battery 152 with the interface panel 154. Rechargeable battery 152 is a standard battery that is rechargeable with standard 120 volt current from a conventional wall electrical outlet. A typical rechargeable battery useful herein is a lithium ion or lithium polymer type of battery, although those of skill in the art will recognize that there are numerous types of batteries that are appropriate for use with the present invention. The battery 152 is retained in an internal compartment in main body 12 that is accessible for services and replacement of the battery as needed. A conventional recharging cord (not shown) is supplied for recharging the battery 152 with standard current from a wall electrical outlet.
The electrical interface panel 154 defines a location where a traveler may connect a variety of different personal electronic devices such as laptop 52, smart phones and tablets to battery 152 to thereby recharge the batteries in the personal electronic devices. The interface panel 154 is accessible through a closable panel that opens on the side panel 26, such as a zippered flap. It will be appreciated that there are innumerable recharging interconnect types on the market today. As such, in addition to a standard US compliant plug interface, interface panel includes plural standard charging interconnects—such as, for example, USB connections—so that the traveler is able to connect their various electronic devices to the battery 152 for recharging. It will be understood that in view of the many different standard interconnects on the market today, most travelers and users of electronic devices also carry converters that are capable of interfacing with different interconnects.
To recharge an electronic device such as laptop 52, the recharging cord for the laptop is attached to the appropriate plug in the electrical interface 154. This may be done with the tray in either its extended position, or its stowed position. In addition, more than one electronic device may be simultaneously attached to interface 154 so that both devices are recharged simultaneously. This is advantageous when a traveler wants to have all electronic devices fully charged at the end of a long flight. The interface 154 may further include battery charge indicators such as light emitting diodes that give the user a quick indication of the state of charge off the battery 152.
With reference now to FIGS. 2 and 2A, it may be seen that the size of luggage 10 may be varied to provide a range of sizes from the relatively larger bag shown in FIGS. 1 and 1A, to the relatively smaller bag 200 shown in FIG. 2. The size of the trays 50 and 100 are the same in both FIGS. 1 and 2. As such, their relative positions in the bags at which the trays slid in the main body may be varied so that the trays do not hit one another or the battery when in the stowed positions. Thus, in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 2A the laptop tray 50 is offset in respect of the liquids tray 100 in order for the trays to be fully movable in the luggage.

4. Third Embodiment

Turning now to the series of FIGS. 3 through 6, an alternative third embodiment of an article of luggage 200 according to the present invention is shown. As with the first and second embodiments described above, like structures shown the piece of luggage 200 of FIGS. 3 through 6 are identified with the same reference numbers as the corresponding structures in FIGS. 1 and 1A and 2 and 2A.
As detailed below, there are several differences between the luggage 200 and the luggage 10 of FIG. 1. Among those differences is that the main body 202 of the luggage 200 is fabricated from a molded, hard-sided frame-set 204 that defines a rigid back for the luggage and a separate soft-sided luggage portion 206 that is attached to the frame-set 204. In effect, by manufacturing the luggage 200 with hard-sided frame-set 204 and a separate soft-sided luggage portion 206 allows the pieces to be manufactured and sold separately. For example, one manufacturer may fabricate the frame-set 204 and sell that product to multiple manufacturers who can customize the luggage portion 206 with their own designs and colors, etc.
Another primary difference is that the laptop tray 50 and liquids tray 100 that are used with luggage 200 are dual-functioning: both are retractably slidable into and out of the main body 202 of the luggage in much the same manner as detailed above with respect to luggage 10, but in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 through 6, the trays 50 and 100 are also hingedly attached to the main body so that the trays may be pivoted about the hinged attachment for access to the trays while they are in either their extended or retracted positions.
The frame-set 204 is preferably molded from a plastic material, although other materials may be used. The frame-set 204 defines the rear panel 20 of the luggage 200 and includes integral wrap around side portions—in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 the wrap around side portion 208 is visible and in FIG. 6 the wrap around side portion 210 is visible. The frame-set 204 includes integrally molded opposed skid rails 212, 214 into which retractable handle 14 is inserted and the frame-set 204 defines the base for the laptop tray 50 and the liquids tray 100, both of which are nestled between the opposed skid rails 212 and 214. The wheels 16 are also attached to the frame-set 204.
As noted, both the laptop tray 50 and the liquids tray 100 are separately reciprocally slidable between retracted positions in which the trays are completely within the outer perimeter of the main body 202, and extended positions in which the trays are exposed to allow the user to access them. The laptop tray 50 is shown in its extended position in FIG. 4 and is movable in the direction of arrow A. A door 218 is hinged to the frame-set 204 so that when tray 50 is in its retracted position there is no access to the laptop tray and so that the computer is hidden and protected. The tray is sized to hold a conventional laptop computer (not shown) and may be fitted with optional retaining straps (not shown) to retain the laptop on the tray. The tray 50 has opposed lateral side edges 222 and 224 that are slidable in appropriate tracks formed in the corresponding interior of main body 202, and more specifically, tracks that are in one embodiment formed in the frame-set 204. It will be appreciated that there are numerous structures known to those of ordinary skill in the art to slidably attach a tray in the manner illustrated and described. As another example, and as noted above, separate rails may be attached to the frame-set 204 and the tray 50 may be fitted with wheels that ride in the rails. As noted, the tray 50 is movable between the retracted or stowed position shown in FIG. 3, and an extended position shown in FIG. 4 in which the tray 50 is extended out of the main body so that the user may access a computer retained on the tray. In the stowed position, the tray is latched in place with an appropriate latching mechanism to retain the tray in the stowed position and to prevent unintended movement of the tray to the extended position—hinged door 208 may serve this function.
Liquids tray 100 is likewise slidably retractable into and out of main body 202 as indicated with arrow A in FIG. 6, and may be connected to the main body 202 in the same manner as laptop tray 50. A hinged door (not shown) also opens and closes access to the liquids tray in the same manner as with hinged door 218 described above.
With reference now to FIG. 5, both laptop tray 50 and liquids tray 100 are also hingedly connected to the main body 202 so that the trays may be pivoted to provide access to the trays. Specifically, the lower end 226 of tray 50 is pivotally hinged to the frame-set 204, and the lower end 228 of tray 100 is pivotally hinged to the frame-set 204 so that the trays may separately be pivoted (arrows A and B) from their stowed positions in which the trays are coplanar with the rear panel 20 and an access positions shown in FIG. 5. The trays may be pivoted as shown with arrows A and B from their stowed positions to their access positions both when they are in their retracted positions shown in solid lines in FIG. 5, and when they are slid into their extended position as exemplarily shown in dashed lines in FIG. 5 with tray 50.
The embodiment of luggage 200 shown in FIGS. 3 through 6 includes a rechargeable battery system 150 as detailed in respect of the other embodiments described above, although it is shown only schematically in FIG. 6. The battery system 150 comprises a rechargeable battery 152, an electrical interface panel 154 and electric wiring harness 156 that electrically interconnects the battery with the interface panel and which is routed through a channel formed in the tray. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 through 6, battery 152 is attached to and slidable with laptop tray 50 and the electrical interface panel 154 is located at the opposite (i.e., outermost) edge of the laptop tray, interiorly of hinged door 218. It will thus be appreciated that when the laptop tray is in the stowed position (FIG. 3), opening of door 218 (as shown in FIG. 3) exposes the interface panel 154 and also allows the laptop tray 50 to be slid outwardly to its extended position (FIG. 4).
With reference to FIG. 4, the laptop tray 50 is shown in its extended position. In this position it may be seen that battery 152 and interface panel 154 move with the laptop tray when it is moved between the stowed and opened positions. With the tray in the open position and with the luggage 200 lying with its rear panel 20 resting on a screening conveyer (as in FIG. 6, with the conveyer not shown) there is nothing either above or below a laptop retained on tray 50, and as detailed above with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1, there is no greater than 1¼ inches of separation between the lower surface of a computer and the surface of the screening conveyer on which the luggage 200 is lying, thereby satisfying TSA regulations.
As noted, both laptop tray 50 and liquids tray 100 are pivotally attached to base frame-set 204. As best illustrated in FIG. 5, the pivotal movement of the trays from their home (i.e., stowed) positions to their access positions is illustrated with arrows A and B (for trays 50 and 100, respectively). It will be noted that when laptop tray 50 is pivoted to its access position, the electrical interface panel 154 does not pivot with the tray and instead remains in place relative to frame-set 204.
Alternately, either or both of the laptop trays 50 and 100 may be installed and equipped such that the trays are pivotally openable to approximately 90 degrees relative to the plane defined by the rear panel 20 of the luggage 200. In this position with, for example, the luggage resting in the position shown in FIG. 3 and the laptop tray opened to its 90 degree position (i.e., so the tray is generally parallel to the ground plane), the laptop tray serves and a tray table or work table.
While the present invention has been described in terms of preferred and illustrated embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill that the spirit and scope of the invention is not limited to those embodiments, but extend to the various modifications and equivalents as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An article of luggage, comprising:

a luggage main body defining a frame;

a laptop computer tray adapted for receiving a laptop computer, said laptop computer tray attached to and reciprocally slidable into and out of the frame between a retracted position in which the laptop computer tray is entirely within said main body and an extended position in which the laptop computer tray is exposed, and wherein when said article of luggage is laid with its rear panel on a surface and said laptop computer tray is in the extended position, apart from said laptop computer tray there are no structural components of said article of luggage either above or below a laptop computer received on said laptop computer tray.

2. The article of luggage according to claim 1 further comprising a liquids tray reciprocally slidable into and out of the frame between a retracted position in which the liquids tray is entirely within said main body and an extended position in which the liquids tray is exposed.

3. The article of luggage according to claim 2 wherein when said article of luggage is laid with its rear panel on a surface and said liquids tray is in the extended position, apart from said liquids tray there are no structural components of said article of luggage either above or below said liquids tray.

4. The article of luggage according to claim 1 wherein said laptop computer tray has a first end and a second end and said first end is connected to said frame with a hinge so that said laptop computer tray is pivotally movable about said hinge between a stowed position and an access position.

5. The article of luggage according to claim 4 wherein said laptop computer tray is pivotally movable between the stowed position and the access position when the laptop computer tray is in either the retracted or extended position.

6. The article of luggage according to claim 2 wherein said liquids tray has a first end and a second end and said first end is connected to said frame with a hinge so that said liquids tray is pivotally movable about said hinge between a stowed position and an access position.

7. The article of luggage according to claim 6 wherein said liquids tray is pivotally movable between the stowed position and the access position when the liquids tray is in either the retracted or extended position.

8. The article of luggage according to claim 1 further comprising:

a rechargeable battery in the main body;

an electrical interface panel electrically connected to the rechargeable battery and having plural electrical interconnects for charging personal electronic devices.

9. The article of luggage according to claim 1 wherein the frame is defined by front and rear panels, opposed side panels and top and bottom panels.

10. The article of luggage according to claim 9 wherein the rear panel of the frame is defined by a molded structure.

11. The article of luggage according to claim 1 wherein the distance between the distance between a laptop computer held in the laptop computer tray when the laptop computer tray is in the extended position and the surface is no greater than about 1¼ inches.

12. An article of luggage, comprising:

a luggage main body having front and rear panels, opposed side panels and top and bottom panels;

a laptop tray reciprocally slidable into and out of one of either the top or bottom panel between a retracted position in which the laptop tray is entirely within said main body and an extended position in which the laptop tray is exposed; and

a liquids tray reciprocally slidable into and out of the opposite of either the top or bottom panel from the laptop tray and between a retracted position in which the liquids tray is entirely within said main body and an extended position in which the liquids tray is exposed; and

a rechargeable battery.

13. The article of luggage according to claim 12 wherein the laptop tray is adapted for receiving a laptop computer and wherein when said article of luggage is laid with its rear panel on a surface and said laptop tray is in the extended position, apart from said laptop computer tray there are no structural components of said article of luggage either above or below a laptop computer received on said laptop tray.

14. The article of luggage according to claim 13 wherein the liquids tray is adapted for receiving a container of liquid and wherein when said article of luggage is laid with its rear panel on a surface and said liquids tray is in the extended position, apart from said liquids tray there are no structural components of said article of luggage either above or below a container of liquid received on said liquids tray.

15. The article of luggage according to claim 14 further comprising an electrical interface panel electrically connected to the rechargeable battery and having plural electrical interconnects for charging personal electronic devices.

16. The article of luggage according to claim 15 wherein said electrical interface panel is movable with said laptop tray when said laptop tray is moved from the retracted to the extended position.

17. An article of luggage, comprising:

a main body defining a frame for front and rear panels, and opposed top and bottom panels and opposed side panels;

a first tray attached to and reciprocally slidable into and out of the frame between a retracted position in which first tray is entirely within a perimeter of said main body and an extended position in which the first tray is exposed, wherein when said article of luggage is laid with the rear panel on a surface and said first tray is in the extended position, there are no additional structural components of said article of luggage either above or below the first tray, said first tray further pivotally attached to said frame for pivotal movement between a stowed position and an access position in which an item retained on said first tray may be removed therefrom;

a second tray attached to and reciprocally slidable into and out of the frame between a retracted position in which second tray is entirely within a perimeter of said main body and an extended position in which the second tray is exposed, wherein when said article of luggage is laid with the rear panel on a surface and said second tray is in the extended position, there are no additional structural components of said article of luggage either above or below the second tray, said second tray further pivotally attached to said frame for pivotal movement between a stowed position and an access position in which an item retained on said second tray may be removed therefrom; and

a battery in the main body and an electrical interface panel electrically connected to the battery and having plural electrical interconnects for recharging electronic devices.

18. The article of luggage according to claim 17 wherein the first and second trays may be moved between their stowed and their access positions when said trays are in both their retracted and their extended positions.

19. The article of luggage according to claim 18 including a handle attached to the frame and reciprocally movable from a retracted position to an extended position.

20. The article of luggage according to claim 19 wherein said battery and electrical interface panel move with said first tray as it is moved between its retracted and its extended position, but said battery and electrical interface panel do not move with said first tray as it is moved between its stowed position and its access position.