EP1649772A2

EP1649772A2 - A suitcase with variable-capacity compartment

Info

Publication number: EP1649772A2
Application number: EP05425614A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Antonio Di Berardino
Original assignee: Dielle Manifatture Srl
Current assignee: Dielle Manifatture Srl
Priority date: 2004-10-21
Filing date: 2005-08-31
Publication date: 2006-04-26
Also published as: RU52303U1; EP1649772A3; ITRN20040014U1

Abstract

A suitcase (1) with a variable-capacity compartment (22), adaptable to the total volume of the items packed inside it, comprises two sections (2, 3) having edges (5, 6) that are shaped to match each other and can be juxtaposed by imparting a translational movement in reciprocally opposite directions along a transversal line (7) common to the sections (2, 3) themselves; at least one mechanism (8) associated with the sections (2, 3) and designed to enable them to move only towards each other and to prevent them from moving away from each other; and a device (9) for disabling the mechanism (8) in such a way that the two sections (2, 3) can be moved away from each other. The sections (2, 3) comprise side walls (10, 11) that are reciprocally penetrable and can be slid in guides (4) in a direction parallel to the line (7) in order to vary the volume of the compartment (22) inside the suitcase (1). The mechanisms (8) and the respective disabling devices (9) are each associated with the side walls (10, 11) inside the sections (2, 3) of the suitcase (1).

Description

This invention relates to a variable-capacity suitcase, that is to say, a suitcase whose volume is adaptable to the total volume of the items packed inside it.
Documents GB 181170 and GB 213722 disclose suitcases and like items of luggage having containment compartments of variable volume comprising, in particular, two case sections joined to each other by hinges and equipped with case closing devices of the rotatable detent type.
The hinges and detents of the closing devices are not fitted directly to the two sections of the case but are mounted on telescopic guides which are in turn fixed to each of the two sections and which are equipped with rods enabling the two sections to be moved towards and away from each other.
More specifically, the telescopic guides are mounted on the outside of the case and consist of strong metal tubes housing the pawl and ratchet mechanisms, also made of metal, connected to the rods which: when engaged, enable the two sections of the case to be moved only towards each other so as to reduce the capacity of the case; and when disengaged, permit sliding also in the opposite direction so that the two sections can be moved apart.
The engagement or disengagement of the ratchet mechanisms inside the guides occurs automatically and is controlled by the relative condition of the case, that is to say: when the suitcase is open and the two sections of it are side by side, the two sections can slide on the telescopic guides in both directions; when the two sections of the case are opposite each other, on the other hand, they can slide towards each other only.
This operation is made possible by specially-designed cams which are built into the metal structure of the telescopic guides housing the ratchet mechanisms and which interact with the mechanisms upon actuation resulting from the rotation of the hinges and detents of the closing devices.
A suitcase of this type has numerous practical disadvantages and modern travellers would find it virtually useless. Its main disadvantages are described below.
The mechanisms that enable the two sections of the case to move apart in a single direction only or together again also in the opposite direction are located on the outside of the case, forming cumbersome metal protrusions which not only occupy a great deal of space but may also be dangerous to a person who bumps into them accidentally. Moreover, during manual or automatic handling of the case, for example at an airport, the metal protrusions would easily get trapped in any irregular or loose surface, causing considerable inconvenience and undesired interruptions in luggage handling and storage systems.
Besides, the considerable complexity of the mechanisms and of the guides built into the mechanisms, combined with the need to make them sufficiently resistant to breaking involve, on the one hand, the use of strong metal materials and, on the other, the presence on the suitcase of large quantities of metal which prevent the suitcase from passing metal detectors during security checks.
Another disadvantage is that since the two sections of the suitcase are substantially box-shaped and are closed by overlapping the respective edges, there is no seal between them to prevent dust and damp from getting into the suitcase compartment.
This invention proposes to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages by providing a variable capacity suitcase of the type defined in the preamble to claim 1, wherein the two sections comprise side walls that are reciprocally penetrable and can slide into each other as if in guides in such a way as to vary the volume of the suitcase compartment, and wherein the unidirectional sliding mechanism of the two case sections and the respective disabling device are mounted inside the suitcase directly on the two sections of the suitcase itself.
In the suitcase according to the invention, therefore, the walls of the two sections form a smooth, regular surface, without overlapping edges; which, added to the fact that the mechanisms for varying the capacity of the compartment are mounted inside the suitcase, enables all undesired protrusions that would make handling more difficult to be eliminated and which has the added advantage of providing a variable capacity suitcase offering an unlimited choice of exterior designs in the same way as a conventional suitcase.
The unidirectional sliding mechanism is fitted to the suitcase in a position that is completely independent of and separate from the hinges and fastening means. Further, the device for disabling the unidirectional sliding mechanism can be actuated by a deliberate action of the user.
This considerably simplifies suitcase construction, which in turn means reduced production costs, operating reliability and the possibility of miniaturising the suitcase mechanisms. The latter aspect makes it possible to obtain a variable-capacity suitcase with substantially the same internal packing space as a conventional suitcase having the same overall dimensions.
The miniaturisation and constructional simplification of suitcase mechanisms according to the invention also overcomes the problem of cumbersome metal parts since the devices used to vary the capacity of the suitcase compartment can, without reducing their efficiency, be made much smaller and using non-ferromagnetic or plastic materials, also taking into account that they are mounted inside the suitcase and therefore protected and less exposed to the risk of damage by external action.
Moreover, the side walls of the two suitcase sections may also be provided with seals to protect the compartment against dust and damp in exactly the same way as conventional, fixed-capacity suitcases.
The technical characteristics of the invention, with reference to the above aims, are clearly described in the claims below and its advantages are apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention provided merely by way of example without restricting the scope of the inventive concept, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective assembly view of a suitcase according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective, exploded view of the suitcase of Figure 1, illustrated in an open condition;
Figures 3 and 4 are vertical cross sections showing the suitcase of Figure 1 in the fully extended and least extended conditions, respectively; and
Figures 5 and 6 are scaled-up views showing details of the invention in different operating conditions.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a variable-capacity suitcase, that is to say, a suitcase 1 having a compartment 22 whose volume can be adapted by the user according to the volume of the items packed inside it.
The suitcase 1 essentially comprises two sections, labelled 2 and 3, fitted with customary hingeing means 12 and fastening means 13.
The first section 2 comprises an annular body 34 and a lid 35 interconnected by the hingeing means 12 and fastening means 13. The hingeing means 12 enable the rotational movement by which the lid 35 opens and close with respect to the annular body 34; the fastening means 13, on the other hand, prevent this rotational movement.
As illustrated in Figure 2, the second section 3, on the other hand, has a monobloc structure consisting of an outer shell 36 and a bottom 37 made as a single unit in one part.
The two sections 2 and 3, when associated with each other, delimit the compartment 22 inside the suitcase 1.
Figures 2 and 3 also show that the annular body 34 of the first section 2 end the outer shell 36 of the second section 3 have respective end edges 5 and 6 which are shaped to match each other and can be juxtaposed by imparting to the two sections 2 and 3 a translational movement in reciprocally opposite directions along a common line 7 transversal to both sections 2 and 3.
As may be observed in more detail from Figures 3 and 4, the translational movement is made possible by the fact that the side walls 10 and 11 of the sections 2 and 3 - with respective opposing edges 5 and 6 - are shaped in such a way as to reciprocally penetrate each other, the side wall 10 into the side wall 11, and to slide in a guide 4 in a direction parallel to the aforementioned transversal line 7 so as to vary the volume of the compartment 22 inside the suitcase 1, as may be noticed by comparing Figures 3 and 4.
The suitcase 1 also comprises mechanisms, labelled 8 in their entirety, which are associated with the inside of the side walls 10 and 11 of the suitcase sections 2 and 3, and which enable the sections 2 and 3 to slide freely only towards each other, while preventing their movement in the opposite direction, away from each other.
The mechanisms 8 are associated with disabling devices - labelled 9 in their entirety - designed to modify the state of the mechanisms 8 in such a way as to enable the two sections 2, 3 to move away from each other when necessary or required by the user.
The mechanisms 8 for unidirectionally sliding the sections 2 and 3 are located on the suitcase 1 in a position that is totally independent of the hingeing means 12 and fastening means 13 of the suitcase 1.
Further, each mechanism 8 comprises a slider 14 and a guide 4, both linear, extending in a direction parallel to the line 7, located on the annular body 34 of the first section 2 and on the outer shell 36 of the second section 3, respectively.
The slider 14 has a plurality of teeth 15 forming a ratchet with a substantially saw-toothed profile, made preferably as one with the side wall 10 of the annular body 34 of the first section 2 and located on the inside of the wall 10 facing compartment 22 of the suitcase 1.
The guide 4, on the other hand, is embodied by a gap 18 in the side wall 11 of the second section 3 which - being shaped, as mentioned above, to accommodate the side wall 10 of the annular body 34 of the first section 2 and being locally provided for this purpose with two parallel layers 43, 44 - is designed to receive and hide the slider 14 and the annular body 34 of the first section 2 as the two sections 2 and 3 are moved closer together in the direction corresponding to a reduction in the volume of the suitcase 1 compartment 22.
A retention element 16 projects into the gap 18 through a suitable aperture 21. The retention element consists basically of a pawl hinged at the top to the inner layer 44 of the side wall 11 of the second section 3 and elastically opposed by spring means 17 positioned between the pawl 16 and a lever 19 and designed to push the pawl 16 towards the inside of the gap 18 through the aperture 21.
During use of the suitcase 1, when a certain content of the suitcase 1 has been placed inside the second section 3 and when the sections 2 and 3, whose side walls 10 and 11 are in a condition of initial reciprocal penetration, are pushed towards each other (compare Figures 3 and 4), the sliders 14 start moving forward in the guides 4, advancing with respect to them until lid 35 of the first section 2 comes into contact with the contents of the suitcase 1, thus stopping the movement of the sections 2 and 3 and consequently adapting the capacity of the suitcase 1 to the contents packed in it.
As may be clearly inferred from Figures 5 and 6, when the two suitcase sections 2 and 3 are moved towards each other in the direction corresponding to the reduction in the size of the suitcase compartment 22, the retention plate 16 - although pushed into contact with the teeth 15 on the slider - enables the slider 14 to move freely along the guide 4. If one attempts to raise the section 2, on the other hand, the retention element 16 acting on the ratchet 15 on the slider 14 prevents the slider 14 from moving in the opposite direction, thereby preventing the sections 2 and 3 from moving apart and keeping them in the relative position previously adopted. This means the suitcase 1 maintains the size suited to its actual contents.
As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lever 19 constitutes a possible embodiment of the means 9 for disabling the mechanism 8, that is to say, for disabling its function of allowing movement in a single direction only.
For this purpose, the lever 19 is hinged to the side wall 11 of the second section 3 and is designed to be turned, by a deliberate action of the user, between two limit stop positions. The configurations of lever 19, retention element 16 and spring means 17 are both illustrated in Figure 4: one on the right and the other on the left of Figure 4.
The users can deliberately operate the lever 19 by turning from one end position to the other. In one of these positions (the one on the left) the retention element 16 is held against the slider 14 by the force exerted on it by the spring means 17 which in turn oppose the action of the lever 19. Under these conditions, the sliding mechanism 8 is engaged and the two suitcase sections 2 and 3 can slide only in one direction, that is to say, only towards each other. In the other position, the lever 19 is free to turn relative to the wall 11 together with the retention element 16 so as to disengage the unidirectional sliding mechanism 8, thus allowing the sections 2 and 3 to slide freely not only forwards but also backwards in a direction parallel to the line 7.
The side walls 10 and 11 of the section 2 and 3 are shaped in such a way that watertight sealing means can easily be interposed between them in order to keep water and dust out of the suitcase 1 compartment 22. This can easily be done by fitting the guide 4 with suitable sealing strips 20 for example on the upper edge 6 of the side wall 11 of the second section 3.
The invention described above, besides achieving all the above mentioned aims, also has the advantage of being easy and economical to make, without in any way reducing the functional effectiveness or influencing the exterior design aspects of the suitcase 1. Moreover, the adaptability of the compartment 22 to the total volume of the items packed in the suitcase 1 not only makes the suitcase 1 more practical and versatile to use but also enables the user to achieve considerable savings because a single suitcase 1 can meet all the practical requirements that would otherwise call for a set of two or even three conventional suitcases of different sizes.
It will be understood that the invention described may be useful in many industrial applications and may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

A suitcase with a variable-capacity compartment (22), adaptable to the total volume of the items packed inside it, comprising two sections (2, 3) having edges (5, 6) that are shaped to match each other and can be juxtaposed by imparting a translational movement in reciprocally opposite directions along a transversal line (7) common to the sections (2, 3) themselves; at least one mechanism (8) associated with the sections (2, 3) and designed to enable them to move only towards each other and to prevent them from moving away from each other; and a device (9) for disabling the mechanism (8) in such a way that the two sections (2, 3) can be moved away from each other, the suitcase (1) being characterised in that the sections (2, 3) comprise side walls (10, 11) that are reciprocally penetrable and can be slid in guides (4) in a direction parallel to the line (7) in order to vary the volume of the compartment (22) inside the suitcase (1); and characterised also in that the mechanism (8) and the respective disabling device (9) are associated with the side walls (10, 11) inside the sections (2, 3) of the suitcase (1).
The suitcase according to claim 1, characterised in that the device (9) for disabling the mechanism (8) is actuated by a deliberate action of the user.
The suitcase according to claim 1, comprising means (12) for hingeing the sections (2, 3) to each other and means (13) for fastening the suitcase (1) in the closed condition, characterised in that each unidirectional sliding mechanism (8) is associated with the suitcase (1) in a position that is totally independent of the hingeing means (12) and fastening means (13) of the suitcase (1).
The suitcase according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each mechanism (8) comprises a slider (14) and a guide (4), relative to which the slider (14) moves, located on the sections (2, 3), respectively, the slider (14) having a plurality of teeth (15) and the guide (4) being instead equipped with a retention element (16) that acts on the plurality of teeth (15) in such a way as to allow the slider (14) to move in one direction only with respect to the guide (4).
The suitcase according to claim 4, characterised in that the plurality of teeth (15) form a ratchet on the slider (14), the retention element (16) consisting of a pawl mounted on the guide (4) and being opposed by spring means (17) in such a way as to be pushed against the slider (14) to engage the ratchet (15) in one of the sliding directions of the slider (14).
The suitcase according to claim 4, characterised in that the guide (4) fully accommodates the slider (14).
The suitcase according to claim 6, characterised in that the guide (4) is embodied by a gap (18) in the side wall (11) of one of the sections (2, 3).
The suitcase according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the slider (14) is made on the side wall (10) of one of the sections (2, 3).
The suitcase according to claim 4, characterised in that the disabling device (9) comprises a lever (19) which is associated with the side wall (11) of the section (3) incorporating the guide (4) and which supports the spring means (17) positioned between the lever (19) itself and the retention element (16) of the slider (14), the lever (19) being actuated by the user of the suitcase (1) by turning it between two separate end positions, at one of which the retention element (16) is pushed against the slider (14), whilst at the other it can move freely relative to the slider (14).
The suitcase according to one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises watertight sealing means (20) positioned between the side walls (10, 11) of the sections (2, 3).
The suitcase according to claim 10, characterised in that the sealing means (20) include sealing strips fitted at least on the guide (4) at the end of it that receives the side wall (10) of the section (2) opposite it.