GB2334021A - Luggage having a reinforcing frame - Google Patents

Abstract

Luggage such as a combined garment bag and travel case of the type having compartments which may be folded over one another has a rigid reinforcing frame 42 of generally rectangular configuration, a butt joint being formed between end portions of the frame member 42 by pins or nails 150 embedded in the end portions. Preferably the frame is of extruded plastics material and comprises opposed flat panels separated by longitudinal cellular passages in which the pins 150 are frictionally engaged.

Description

This invention relates to travel bags. More particularly, it relates to rigid frame, soft sided garment bags equipped with rollers and handles for transport. Such bags usually include hangers for holding suits or dresses and auxiliary pockets for holding soft clothing items.

Suits, dresses, gowns and the like are usually stored on hangers because such garments are subject to wrinkling when folded to fit within a conventional suitcase. A fulllength flexible garment bag is the most efficient carrier for preventing wrinkling, but is not equipped with compartments for organizing anything other than hanging clothing. Even for trips of short duration, a traveler usually carries a small overnight bag for small clothing items in addition to the ftill-length garment bag. Although some foldable travel bags are now equipped with compartments for undergarments, socks, sweaters and other soft clothing items, they tend to be bulky and unwieldy and are difficult to stow beneath the seat or in the overhead compartment of an aircraft.

Attempts to moddy suitcases to include hooks and hangers for such garments represent a compromise which has not been entirely successful. Hangers are generally provided on at least one interior wall of a hard-sided relatively large suitcase so that suits, dresses and the like can be stored on a hanger and folded once. Such hangers do not provide wrinkle-free transportation of fine articles of clothing and are not suitable for carry-on. The pressure exerted by other articles in such suitcases, especially if the suitcase is relatively full, still results in wrinkling of the hanging clothing Other suitcases include a rigid panel for supporting the portion of hanging clothing which lies within the interior well of one side ofthe suitcase. Clothing portions which hang below the lower edge ofthe panel are folded over the edge ofthe panel. While the proper arrangement using such suitcases can lead to top and bottom portions of the hanging clothes which are unwrinkled, experience shows that such an arrangement tends to put a crease in the clothing along the panel edge.

A conventional folding panel arrangement is shown in United States Patent No.

5,458,239 to Plath in which a folding panel is accompanied by larger diameter padded bars at the fold line along a folding panel. This structure requires two folds in a suit and puts the entire folded assembled into the lid of the case. The folds in this structure are severe, however, despite the large radius padded bars. Wrinkles form where the suitcoat wraps around the bars and tend to get Aironede in. Thus, the problem of transporting suits or dresses in wrinkle-free condition in a rigid fame stowable case which functions as a soft-sided garment bag remain to be solved. The problem is compounded if several garnents are placed in such a bag, one over the other. Also, the bulky, heavy frame structure of conventional soft-sided garment bags adds substantially to the weight of the bag while also reducing its internal storage volume.

SUMMARY OF TE INVENTION In accordance with the invention a rigid frame garment bag and travel case combination (travel bag) is provided which serves as a soft-sided garment bag to prevent wrinkling of suits, dresses, gowns and other fine garments. The lightweight, rigid frame structure of the invention is especially suitable for handling several business suits or other garments without significant wrinkling while still retaining the lightweight, durable characteristics of conventional travel bags. The overall strength ofthe rigid frame structure accommodates a significant number of other garments in auxiliary pockets but is small enough to fit into an overhead compartment as required by airline rules.

In the preferred embodiment, increased frame strength and reduced weight construction are provided by a multicellular, rigid plastic frame member secured end-to-end in a rectangular configuration. The rigid plastic frame member includes flat side panels which are spaced apart and joined by multiple transverse web linking portions forming multiple cell passages extending longitudinally along the length ofthe rigid frame. Opposite end portions of the rigid frame are joined together by metal pins, nails or the like inserted into aligned cell passages. The frictional fit engagement ofthe metal pin or nail linking members against the cell walls provides a strong union which withstands the impacts and rough handling normally encountered during travel.

The multi-cellular, rigid plastic frame arrangement may be assembled manually without requiring special tools and forms a smooth, narrow line butt union easily sealed by thin plastic tape and is not visible when covered by conventional external padding and fabric materials.

The lightweight, reinforced frame structure supports opposed openable main compartments foldingly and flexibly hinged along one common side. There is an upper compartment and a lower compartment viewed as the bag is opened and laid out. The compartments are defined by a closed face, an open face into which garments are placed and three generally rectangular sides in addition to the common side. The three rectangular sides ofthe compartments have edges which come together along a common parting line closable with a sliding fastener when the compartments are pivoted toward each other about the foldingly hinged common side to close and form the case.

The overall dimensions of the case are typically about seventeen inches by about twenty-four inches by about seven inches. Those dimensions make the case small enough to fit in the overhead compartment of an airliner. The fabric used in the construction is preferably ballistic nylon as conventionally employed in the construction of soft-sided luggage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The accompanying drawing is incorporated into and forms part of the specification to illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serves to explain the principles of the invention. The drawing is only for illustrating an exemplary embodiment showing how the invention can best be made and used and should not be construed as limiting the invention to the illustrated and described embodiments. Various advantages and features ofthe invention will be come more readily understood from the following detailed description taken in connection with the appended claims and attached drawing in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a travel bag incorporating the principles of the invention; Fig. 2 is a view from the opposite side of the bag of Fig. 1 showing an additional compartment mounted on the closed face ofthe lower main compartment and an access area containing a telescoping handle mechanism which enables the case to be rolled; Fig. 3 is a plan view ofthe case of Flg. 1 in its full open and laid out position over a fiat surface wherein a flexible panel having an edge connected along the right side of both upper and lower main compartments and another panel having an edge connected along the right side of both upper and lower main compartments and another panel having an edge connected along the lower side of the lower compartment are laid open respectively to the right of and below the main compartments; Fig. 4 is a uoss-sectional view taken along line 44 of Fig. 3 showing a portion ofthe U-shaped frame where it is fastened to a brace laying across the closed face of the upper compartment; Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing a suit hung and secured in the main compartment with a holding strap fastened over the common side and the smaller of the folding panels folded inwardly over the lower main compartment and the lower portion of the suit contained therein; Fig. 6 shows the next step in closing the travel bag after the steps shown in Fig. 5 in which the larger panel attached along the right side of both compartments is folded over and secured and showing that the folding panel has accessible pockets on both surfaces; Fig. 7 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of the travel bag shown in Fig.

1; Fig. 8 is a sectional view, taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 7; showing the reinforced fnune of the present invention; and, Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a metal pin/nail linking member that is insertable into the cellular passages ofthe frame.

DESCRSTION OF TE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Preferred embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to various examples of how the invention can be made and used. Like reference numerals are used throughout the description and several views of the drawing to indicate like or corresponding parts. Throughout the description, the travel bag or case is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10. Fig. I shows what may be regarded as the front of case 10 while Fig. 2 may be regarded as a view ofthe back.

When viewed from above with the bag open and lying flat, an upper side and right angularfy continuing opposed left and right sides form the upper compartment. A lower side, right angularly continuing into opposed left and right sides form the lower compartment.

Each of the compartments are attached to the reinforced frame by a rigid U-shaped frame which extends across the upper side ofthe upper compartment and another rigid U-shaped frame which extends across the lower side ofthe lower compartment. The U-shaped frames have legs which extend toward but short ofthe common wall along the left and right sides ofthe respective compartments. At least one brace lies across the closed face ofthe upper compartment and connects the ends of the legs of the rigid frame. Similarly, at least one brace lies across the closed face ofthe lower compartment and connects the ends ofthe legs which extend along and define the left and right sides ofthe lower compartment. Layers of fabric which make up the bag cover the reinforced frame member and the U-shaped frames.

The rigid rectangular frame forms part of the common wall between the upper and lower compartments and acts as the backbone of the common wall extending substantially between the left and right sides ofthe main compartments, The rectangular frame is covered with sturdy fabric from which the faces ofthe compartments are formed. The common wan has an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion when considered in the flat laid open orientation of the case wherein the upper edge portion serves as a loose hinged connection to the upper compartment and the lower edge portion serves as a loose hinged connection to the lower compartment. The upper and lower edge portions extend away from and are separated by the height ofthe planar frame, The common wall has an interior surface f cing up when the case is open and the dosed faces of the main compartment are on a surface. A securable strap extends between the left and right sides along the interior surface of the common wall over the planar frame in order to hold a suit or several suits against the common wall, thereby establishing a soft fold protected by the common wall when the case is closed.

A large foldable panel has an edge foldably connected along one ofthe side edges of both the upper and lower compartments. As the panel has an outer periphery slightly less than the combined periphery of the upper and lower compartments, it can be pivoted similar to the page of a book over the open faces of both compartments and removably fastened therein to serve as a ffenvble wall over garments previously placed in the compartments. The upper side has a centrally located hanger fastening device to hold hangers whereby one or more suits can be laid out flat across the upper and lower compartments and the common wall and covered with the folding panel to create a soft fold in the vicinity of the common side when the case is closed and secured, thereby preventing hard wrinkles from forming.

In addition to the strap which lies over the interior surface ofthe common wall to hold such suit or suits in place, other straps may be placed across the suits to hold them against the closed faces ofthe upper and lower compartments.

Another folding panel having an edge connected along the lower side and an area substantially equal to the open area ofthe lower compartment can be folded over the open face of the lower compartment and secured to form a removable wall over the lower compartment before the larger panel is folded over the face of both compartments. Both of these flexible panels include accessory pockets for soft garments such as shirts, underwear, socks and the like.

The lower compartment preferably includes an additional compartment mounted on the outside closed face of the lower compartment. The additional compartment is

7 nibstai-y coextensive with the lower compartment.

The lower compartment#has a perimeter wall defined by a rigid frame and includes exposed wheels attached to the reinforced frame and an extendable handle for rolling the dosed case along a surface without lifting the full weight of the bag. The

additional compartment attached to the lower main compartment is#traversed internally by an extendable handle mechanism connected to an extendable handle opposite the wheels and having an openable access opening for storage of soft garments within the additional compartment.

The closed face of the upper compartment preferably includes a second additional compartment mounted on the outside of the dosed face of the upper compartment. The

second additional compartment is#substantially coextensive with the upper compartment, having a flauble outer wall surface accessible from the outside ofthe closed case and one or more pockets having closures for storage of soft garments. Because the closed faces ofthe upper and lower compartments and the additional and second additional compartments are made of flexible material, they will expand outwardly when filled with soft garments without applying pressure on folded suit or suits contained within the main compartments ofthe structure. The peripheral walls ofthe closed bag are formed by the reinforced rectangular frame, the contents are protected from crushing.

Even with two suits in the bag, there is still sufficient room in the main compartments for additional soft garments such as shirts and underwear. The bag of the invention can be hung from a handle or hook for convenient loading and removal of hanging shirts or dresses without stooping Small, soft garments can be stowed in the separate pockets. The hangered garments are placed with the aid of gravity so they hang naturally. Once the large folding panel is closed over the hangered garments, they are held in the correct position which is established while the case is hanging. The larger folding panel and the smaller folding panel hold the suits or dresses in place when the case is closed. Upon reaching the destination, the travder can open the bag and hang it by a handle in the same manner as a soft-sided garment bag, if desired, without unloading the soft garments because they are retained in the separate auxiliary pockets.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the case 10 is opened and laid flat on a surface. Most ofthe description will be given with reference to this orientation ofthe fully opened case 10. The case 10 has opposed openable main compartments including an upper compartment 12 and a lower compartment 14 foldingly hinged along the common side 16. The main compartments 12,14 are defined by faces in the plane ofthe drawing sheet and sides which, except for the common side, are perpendicular to the plane of the drawing sheet. The upper compartment 12 has a closed face 18 and lower compartment 14 has a closed face 20. The closed faces are, of course, attached to the sides and form a floor ofthe main compartments 12, 14. Directly above and coextensive with the closed faces 18, 20 are corresponding open faces 22 for the upper compartment 12, 24 for the lower compartment 14. These open faces come together when the hingedly connected compartments are pivoted to face each other when the case 10 is closed. Removable zippered pockets 25 are conveniently located along the upper corners of the compartment 12.

The compartments have three generally rectangular sides in addition to the common side 16 vhich come together along a common parting line 26 as shown in Fig. 6. The parting line 26 includes both sides of a sliding fastena 28 located at the upper edge of the sides which surround the compartments and which is used to close case 10. The upper compartment 12 (see Fig. 3) has an upper side 30 and a lower compartment has a corresponding lower side 32 which is partly obscured by a small flap or panel to be described later. Upper side 30 continues smoothly into the left side 34 and a right side 36 which in Fig 3 is partly obscured by a large flap or panel to be described later. Similarly, the lower side 32 of lower compartment 14 transitions smoothly into a left side 38 and a right side 40 which is partially obscured by the large flap or panel mentioned above.

The sides 30, 34 and 36 and sides 32, 38 and 40 are each made of two layers of material sandwiching a rigid rectangular frame 42 which is seen in Fig. 4 and Fig. 7. The frame 42 is constructed of a lightweight rigid plastic material which has some flexibility to withstand impact forces. The three rectangular shaped sides of the upper and lower compartments 12, 14 are enclosed within fabric coverings as indicated in Fig s 1 and 7. With respect to upper compartment 12, the frame 42 extends across the upper side 30, having legs which extend along each ofthe left side 34 and right side 36 but end short of the common side 16. The legs ofthe rigid U-shape frame in upper compartment 12 extend to approximately where a brace 44 is seen in Fig. 3. The brace 44 is a flat rectangular shaped piece with upturned right angled ends 46 which by means of a fastener 48 connect the ends ofthe legs of rigid U-shaped frame 42 in upper compartment 12 and secures them. The brace 44 is preferably covered with fabric.

The lower compartment 14 has sides supported by a rigid frame 42 in exactly the same manner as the upper compartment 12. In lower compartment 14, the rigid frame 42 runs along lower side 32 with legs tuning at right angles to form the interior ofthe left side 38 and right side 40, terminating where another brace 44 connects the ends of the legs of the U-shaped frame and secures them short of common wall 16.

When the case 10 is closed, the common side 16 forms part of the fourth side of upper compartment 12 and the fourth side of lower compartment 14. A planar panel 50 is sandwiched between fabric panels which make up common side 16 and extends along common side 16 from the left side to the right side of case 10. The planar panel 50 indudes a main planar member 52 which is conveniently made with the same thickness as the rigid frame 42. The panel 50 preferably includes a thin flexible member 54 lying under the main planar member 52 (see Fig. 3) which is wider than member 52 and extends a small distance above and below the top and bottom edges of main panel member 52.

The common side 16 has an upper edge portion 56 and a lower edge portion 58 where the doubled fabric panels covering the planar frame 52 extend away from the frame and are loosely and flexibly coupled to the fabric which forms the closed faces of compartments 12 and 14. The fabric may simply be continued across the common side in a double piece between which planar frame 50 is located. In the preferred embodiment, the thinner flexible member 54 may be extended left and right slightly beyond main planar member 42 and sewed along the edge 59 to hold it in place. Other conventional means could be employed to hold the planar frame 50 in place so that it acts as a backbone ofthe common side to which handles or straps may be anchored from outside the case by means of bolts through the planar members and the fabric.

The edge 59 represents the opposite ends of common side 16 generally in line with the left and right sides ofthe main compartment but is not connected to them except through the connection ofthe common wall along the upper and lower edge portions of common side 16 which comprise the loosely hinged fabric connections. This allows the common side to lie relatively flat when the case is laid out fully opened on a surface.

In Fig. 1 the common side 16 is shown on the right side where handle 60 is bolted in place through the planar member at tabs 62 with fasteners 48. Tabs 64 near the ends of common wall 16 are also bolted through planar member 50. Tabs 64 anchor the ends of sliding fastener 28 which forms the parting line 26 seen in Fig. 6.

Common wall 15 is seen in Fig. 3 showing an interior surface over planar frame 52.

A securable strap 66 with connections at the left and right side lays along the interior surface of common wall 16 and serves to hold a suit against the common wall thereby helping to establish a soft fold line at common wall 16 when case 10 is dosed. An additional secrable strap 68 is seen lying across the interior side of closed face 20 of lower compartment 14.

Additional straps may be employed as desired. Fixed elastic straps could be employed.

Normally a suit coat 67 when hung from fixture 70 near handle 72 along the upper side of compartment 12 will hang straight across both open compartments to near lower side 32. The structure is ideally suited to carry several suits 67 on top of each other in this manner because the height ofthe sides above closed faces 18, 20 will easily accommodate several suits with space remaining. When the case is closed there is a large radius soft fold line established along common side 16 which is protected by the width ofthe planar member 52. In the preferred embodiment, the planar member 52 is about 3-1/4 inches wide and the thinner planar member 54 is about 4-3/4 inches wide, although these dimensions are not critical, The handle 72 may be a hook (not shown) or a separate hook may be employed for hanging the rigid frame bag in a vertical orientation for loading and unloading.

A small flexible flap or panel 74 is flexibly attached along one edge near the upper inside edge of lower side 32. This will be referred to as the smaller panel 74. The edge 76 is connected to lower side 32. A perimeter 78 having a cloth covered wire frame therearound establishes a rectangular area substantially equal to the open area of open face 24 of the lower main compartment. The wire frame simply holds the shape and makes the panel easy to open and close but it is not essential.

The panel preferably includes an accessory pocket 80 on the inner surface and may contain one or more securing straps 82 which may be used to secure a garment. This flap is of particular us in the case of long dresses which will extend below lower side 32 but in most cases will not extend below the lower edge 84 of smaller panel 74.

After placing suits or dresses on hangers and securing them in place with straps 66, 68 and 82, panel 74 is folded over as shown in Fig. 5 and attached by means of straps 86 to hold it in place. Because edge 76 is attached near the upper edge ofthe lower side 32 ofthe compartment 14, there is another soft fold created there which is protected by the height of lower side 32 above closed face 20 even if the hanging garment extends out onto the panel 74.

The case can be opened and hung vertically by the handle 72. The suits or dresses can be placed on hangers and hang within the open case. Referring to Fig. 5, an additional accessible pocket 88 is conveniently provided on the opposite side of panel 74 from pocket 80. In the preferred embodiment, the smaller panel 74 is a flexible fabric panel loosely hinged at lower side 32.

Referring again to Fig. 3, a larger foldable panel 90 having an edge 92 foldably connected to the upper portion ofthe inside surfaces ofthe side edges 36, 40 ofthe upper and lower compartments. The rectangular perimeter edge 94 of panel 90 is slightly less than the combined periphery ofthe upper and lower compatments and includes a sliding fastener 96 around three sides of perimeter 94. A cooperating corresponding portion of zipper 96 is found attached to the sides just inside zipper 28 in Fig. 6.

The inside surface of larger panel 90 includes a pair of accessible panels 98 and 100.

These are suitable for shirts or other sift garments. An additional pocket 102 for small items is seen in the upper right hand corner of Flg 5. Flg. 6 shows the appearance ofthe opposite side oflarger panel 90 aSa it has been folded OVff coat 67 to close the open faces 22, 24 of both compartments and overlap smaller panel 74 where it is fastened in place by means of sliding fastener 96. Additional pockets 104 and 106 are formed on the underside of larger panel 90, which are shown in Fig. 6. In the preferred embodiment, the larger panel 90 is a flexible fabric panel loosely hinged along sides 36 and 40 but unconnected to the common side 16.

Fig. 2 shows an additional compartment 108 mounted on the closed face 20 of the lower compartment. The additional compartment 108 has rectilinear sides 110, 112, 114, 116 perpendicular to face 20 which enclose a chamber 118. The sides 110, 112, 114, 116 form a perimeter wall defined by an internal frame similar to the reinforced frame 42. The reinfbrced frame 42 is hidden in Fig. 2 but fellows along and forms the shape of contiguous sides 110-116.

A pair of opposed wheel mounts 120 have exposed wheels 122 located near side 114.

The wheel mounts are rigidly attached to the internal frame 119. A chamber 118 of the compartment 108 is traversed internally by an extendable handle mechanism 124 and an extendable handle 126 of a conventional nature. The handle 126 is received in a well formed within frame 119 and covered with a flap 128. Additional compartment 108 has an openable access panel 130 which is closed with a zipper. Despite the presence of handle mechanism 124, a considerable amount of soft garments can be stored within the chamber 118 without disturbing or opening the main case. Chamber 118 is ideal for storing soiled clothing.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the frame 119 is a rigid frame, separate from the reinforced frame 42, which encloses the main compartment below. The additional compartment 108 is connected to the remainder ofthe bag mainly through the fabric sidewalls which are stitched or bonded into the bag Protective corner welts 132 resist edge wear. The wheel structure is described in detail in my copending United States patent application Serial No.08/744,466 filed November 7, 1996 which is incorporated herein by reference. As shown in Fig. 1, an additional handle 134 is placed near the handle 126 for allowing the use oftwo hands to lift the bag if desired.

In Fig. 1 a second additional compartment 136 is shown mounted on the outside of the closed face 18 ofthe upper compartment. The additional compartment 136 has a rectangular periphery 138 and an internal compartment 140 which is closed by zippers 142.

The additional compartment 136 anther indudes separated pockets 144 and 146 which have their own zippered openings. Finally, opposite wheels 122 and support feet 148 maintain the case 10 in the.upright, standing position shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig.s 7,8 and 9 the reinforced fr without compromising the internal storage volume of the travel case assembly. The frame 42 has a thickness dimension of about 114 inch. The flat side panels and linking web members have a thickness of about 1/64 inch with lateral spacing between web linking portions being approximately 3/16 inch. The frame end portions 42A, 42B are assembled together in a butt union 149 by inserting the end portions 1SOA oftwo or more pins/nails 150 into selected cell passages 158. The nails are fully inserted until the ribs 150C, 150D form a strong interlocldng union with the web and panel sidewalls. The end portions 1 SOB of the pins/nails are then inserted into corresponding aligned cell passages 158 ofthe opposite frame end portion 42B. After the end portions are fully pressed together, with the pins/nails 150 being flilly embedded within the frame end portions, the butt union 149 is waterproofed and sealed by a strip ofthin plastic tape.

The multi-cellular frame is preferably formed by extrusion of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or ABS plastic. ABS is generally preferred because it is about 30 /0 lighter than PVC in construction of aralent strength and rigidity. Any other material which may be formed into the lightweight cellular structure and provide equivalent or better strength and rigidity at the same volume and weight may also be used.

In the embodiments discussed above, the multi-cellular frame material is particularly suited for forming soft-sided travel bags utilizing a rectangular frame structure covered by a soft, flexible containment wall because the ends ofthe multi-cellular member may be joined by pins inserted into the cellular passages. However, the invention is not limited to this particular bag structure. The multi-cellular material may be used to form frames for travel bags in which the ends of the frame are not joined to form a rectangular frame. The material may be shaped to form a side panel frame or support, or may be used as a free panel structure. The multi-cellular material may thus be used in hard-sided luggage as well as soft sided luggage.

While the invention has been descnbed with particular reference to specific embodiments thereof; it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the same principles may be used in similar arrangements. Therefore, it is to be understood that although the invention has been described within particular reference to specific embodiments, the forms ofthe invention shown and described in detail are to be taken as preferred embodiments only and that various changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims (16)

WHAT IS CLAIMED:

1. A garment bag and travel case assembly including a rigid frame member and side members forming lower and upper compartments movably coupled together along a common edge of the rigid frame member, the lower and upper compartments foldably hinged along the common side for movement to a closed position in which the lower and upper compartments are folded together in side-byside relation or to an open position in which the lower and upper compartments are unfolded from each other, the rigid frame member comprising a flat body member arranged in a generally rectangular configuration with opposite end portions of the frame member secured end-to-end in a bun union by a plurality of pins extending across the bufl union and embedded within aligned end portions of the flat body member.

2. A garment bag and travel case assembly as defined in Claim 1 wherein the flat body member is intersected by multiple longitudinally extending cell passages forming first and second flat side panel members spaced apart and joined by multiple transverse web linking portions extending longitudinally along the length of the rigid frame member; and the plurality of pins have opposite end portions received within aligned cell passages ofthe opposite end portions ofthe rigid frame member.

3. A garment bag and travel case assembly as defined in Claim 1 wherein each pin includes a shank portion and at least one rib member projecting radially from the shank portion at a position intermediate the opposite end portions ofthe pin.

4. A garment bag and travel case assembly as defined in Claim 1 wherein the opposite end portions of the frame member are intersected by a plurality of longitudinally extending passages and each pin is dimensioned for interference fit and frictional engagement within the longitudinally extending passages.

5. A garment bag and travel case assembly including a rigid frame member and side members forming lower and upper compartments movably coupled together along a common edge of the rigid frame member, the rigid frame member comprising a flat body member intersected by multiple longitudinally extending passages, the longitudinally extending passages bounded between first and second flat panel portions and separated by transversely extending web linking portions which connect the first and second panel members together, with opposite end portions of the frame member secured end-to-end in a butt union.

6. A garment bag and travel case combination suitable for accommodating several suits and soft garments comprising: (a) a generally rectangular case having opposed openable main compartments including an upper compartment and a lower compartment foldingly hinged along one common side, the compartments being defined by a closed face, an open face and three generally rectangular sides in addition to the common side, wherein the three rectangular sides of the compartments have edges which meet along a common parting line closeable with a sliding fastener when the compartments are pivoted toward each other about the hinged common side to close the case; (b) the three generally rectangular sides of the upper compartment include an upper side continuing into opposed left and right sides when viewed from above with the case open and laying flat on a surface; (c) the three generally rectangular sides of the lower compartment include a lower side continuing into opposed left and right sides when viewed from above with the case opened and laying flat on a surface; (d) a rigid frame member forming part of the common side between the upper and lower compartments, the common side having an upper edge portion and a lower edge portion when considered in the flat laid open orientation of the case wherein the upper edge portion serves as a loosely hinged connection to the upper main compartment and the lower edge portion serves as a loosely hinged connection to the lower main compartment and the rigid frame member acts as a backbone of the common side to which handles or straps may be anchored from the outside of the case; and (e) the rigid frame member including first and second flat side panels spaced apart and joined by multiple transverse web linking portions forming multiple cell passages extending longitudinally along the length of the rigid frame member, with opposite end portions of the rigid frame member secured end-to-end in a butt union by a plurality of pins, with opposite end portions of each pin or nail being received within aligned cell passages of the opposite end portions ofthe rigid frame member.

7. A garment bag of the type including a rigid frame member and side members forming lower and upper sections that are niovably coupled together along a common edge of the rigid frame member, the rigid frame member comprising a flat body member having opposite end portions that are intersected by multiple, longitudinally extending passages, with opposite end portions of the frame member being secured together end-to-end in a butt union by a plurality of pins or nails that extend across the butt union and are disposed within aligned passages of the opposite end portion.

8. A travel bag having a substantially rigid frame comprising a flat body member arranged in a generally rectangular configuration with opposite end portions of the body member secured end-to-end in a butt union by at least one pin extending across the butt union and embedded within aligned end portions of the flat body member.

9. A travel bag as defined in Claim 8 wherein the flat body member comprises a monolithic body of extruded plastic having first and second oppositely disposed side panels spaced apart and joined by multiple transverse web linking portions extending longitudinally along the length of the body member forming longitudinally extending cell passages.

10. A travel bag as defined in Claim 9 wherein the pin has opposite end portions received within aligned cell passages in opposite ends of the body member.

11. A travel bag as defined in Claim 10 wherein said pin includes a shank portion and at least one rib member projecting radially from the shank portion at a position intermediate the opposite end portions ofthe pin

12. A travel bag as defined in Claim 11 wherein said pin is dimensioned for interference fit and frictional engagement within the longitudinally extending passages.

13. A travel bag having a soft, flexible containment wall and substantially rigid frame member comprising a body of plastic material comprising first and second parallel panels spaced apart and joined by multiple transverse linking webs which extend longitudinally along the length of the frame member and define longitudinally extending cells.

14. A travel bag as defined in Claim 13 wherein said plastic material is extruded ABS plastic.

15. A travel bag as defined in Claim 13 wherein said plastic material is extruded polyvinyl chloride.

16. A travel bag is claimed herein and as specifically described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings .