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Convertible luggage and a reversible panel thereforRelated Patent Categories: Trunks And Hand-carried Luggage, Hand Luggage (suitcase, Briefcase, Etc.), Compartmented, Removable Compartment Or Compartment-forming MemberConvertible luggage and a reversible panel therefor description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070137959, Convertible luggage and a reversible panel therefor. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 60/742,313, filed Dec. 5, 2005, and 60/815,301 filed Jun. 21, 2006, and incorporates the disclosures of the same in their entireties herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates to convertible luggage and to a reversible panel that can be securely attached thereto. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A piece of luggage has a certain appearance. Once a piece of luggage is produced, however, its appearance and functionality cannot be changed or varied in any way or manner. In some cases, the fabric of the luggage is a solid color, and in other cases, the fabric of the luggage has certain designs. Sometimes, the appearance and function of the luggage is appropriate for the present use, while other times, the appearance and function may not be desirable. Thus, if a user would like a different appearance or functionality, the user would need to use a different piece of luggage, as it would be difficult if not impossible to change the luggage's appearance. However, purchasing multiple pieces of luggage can be expensive. It would be desirable to have a piece of luggage that could have different appearances and functions, which could be used for different purposes. [0004] Therefore, there exists in the industry a need for luggage or other items whose appearance and functionality can be quickly and easily altered so as to create a different piece of luggage. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] Advantageously, the present invention provides luggage that allows the user of the luggage to change its appearance and/or functionality by reversing or changing one or more panels. Thus, with one piece of luggage, a user can gain many different looks and functions. For example, the panels can include different colors, designs, and fabrics so as to change the look and feel of the luggage. Additionally or alternatively, the panels can include compartments and/or pockets so as to add functionality. The panels can also be layered on top of one another. [0006] Briefly described, in a first preferred form the present invention comprises convertible luggage, such as a suitcase, purse, briefcase, backpack, computer bag, etc. The piece of luggage has a body and a detachable and reversible panel for creating a pocket on the body that can be attached to the convertible luggage, such as with a zipper. The panel has a first face and a second face on an opposite side of the panel. The detachable and reversible panel can be securely attached to at least a portion of the body in at least a first configuration with the first face facing out and in at least a second configuration with the first face facing in and the second face facing out. In one form, the first face matches a color and a fabric of the body, and the second face comprises a contrasting fabric or design. Such design can be a pattern, artwork, or a logo. The detachable and reversible panel can be fastened to the body with a reversible zipper. The reversible zipper includes a pair of tapes, wherein one tape has an insertion pin at each end. [0007] In another aspect, the present invention comprises a plurality of detachable and reversible panels for attachment to a piece of luggage. The first panel has a front face and a rear face, wherein the rear face has a different appearance than the front face. The first panel also includes a first portion of a reversible zipper attached to the front face. The second panel has a front face and a rear face, wherein the rear face has a different appearance than the front face. The second panel also includes an edge extending around the front and rear faces and a reversible zipper, wherein the reversible zipper extends around at least a portion of the edge of the second panel and mates with the cooperating zipper portion on the first panel. At least one of the faces can include a design. Preferably, the first panel is reversible such that the front face is visible in a first configuration and the rear face is visible in a second configuration. The first panel can attach to either an external surface or an internal surface of the piece of luggage. Additionally or alternatively, the second panel can form a pocket when attached to the first panel. [0008] In still another aspect, the present invention comprises an improvement to a piece of luggage of the type having a body with a front portion, a rear portion, and a plurality of size portions for defining at least one inner compartment for housing items. The improvement includes a removable and reversible front portion having a first face and a second face, wherein the detachable and reversible front portion can be securely attached to the body in a first configuration with the front face facing out and in at least a second configuration with the first face facing in and the second face facing out. Preferably, a removable and reversible panel is attached to the front portion. In another form, at least one face of the front portion matches the appearance of a fabric clothing item worn by a user of the luggage such that at times the luggage can match the clothing item and at other times not. [0009] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES [0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a piece of convertible luggage having a reversible panel according to an example embodiment of the present invention and shown in a closed configuration. [0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the convertible luggage of FIG. 1 and shown in an open configuration. [0012] FIG. 3 is a front view of a reversible zipper having a single slider for use with the reversible panel of the present invention according to a first example embodiment of the present invention. [0013] FIG. 4 is a front view of a reversible zipper having a double slider for use with the reversible panel of the present invention according to a second example embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 5A is a front view of a reversible zipper having a double slider for use with the reversible panel of the present invention according to a third example embodiment of the present invention and shown in a closed configuration. [0015] FIG. 5B is a front view of the reversible zipper of FIG. 5A and shown with the two tapes separated from one another. [0016] FIG. 5C is a detail view of an end of a tape for the reversible zipper of FIG. 5A according to another example embodiment. [0017] FIGS. 6A-6D show various views of a slider that can be used with the reversible zipper of FIG. 5A. [0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a U-shaped channel member for retaining a bottom portion of the slider of FIGS. 6A-6D. [0019] FIG. 8 is a partial front view of a reversible zipper for use with the reversible panel of FIG. 1 according to a fourth example embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading about Convertible luggage and a reversible panel therefor... Full patent description for Convertible luggage and a reversible panel therefor Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Convertible luggage and a reversible panel therefor patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Convertible luggage and a reversible panel therefor or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Toolbag with expandible pockets Next Patent Application: Dual compartment tool bag Industry Class: Trunks and hand-carried luggage ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Convertible luggage and a reversible panel therefor patent info. 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