WO2016042304A1

WO2016042304A1 - A luggage system and components therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2016042304A1
Application number: PCT/GB2015/052655
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mauro DI-VITO
Original assignee: Sunrise Properties (Wolverhampton) Limited
Priority date: 2014-09-19
Filing date: 2015-09-14
Publication date: 2016-03-24
Also published as: GB2530493A; GB201416590D0; EP3193655A1

Abstract

With reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, we provide a luggage system comprising: a frame (20); and at least one luggage module (11, 12) having a shell (22) and at least one packing compartment within the shell, wherein the luggage module is attachable to the frame.

Description

Title: "A luggage system and components therefor" Description of Invention

This invention relates to a luggage system and components for the luggage system. Luggage pieces:

Pieces of luggage are used to transport articles between locations. The articles are safely stowed and protected from damage in an internal packing volume provided by a compartment or sub-compartment of the luggage piece. The articles to be stowed can be, for example, personal possessions, clothing, electronic equipment, tools, cosmetics, livestock, foodstuffs, medicines, liquid containers, solids, gas containers.

Pieces of luggage are designed to be portable (in that they can be carried by a capable person) and/or rolled (so that they can be rolled along a floor surface by a capable person).

The size of the luggage depends on what it is intended to carry and may range from a small handbag, a vanity case, a lunchbox, a laptop case, a satchel, a briefcase, a cabin bag, a backpack, a rucksack, a child's wheelie case, a pilot case, a hold bag, a small suitcase, a large suitcase, a trunk and a cargo container.

Usually, luggage pieces have a framework or skeleton structure which maintains, if necessary, the shape of the luggage piece. A shell of the luggage piece fits around, or may be integrally formed with, the framework. The shell may define the luggage compartment or sub-compartment and/or there may be further skins which define a compartment or sub-compartment. The framework may comprise reinforced portions of the shell or may be a skeleton which is separate and distinct from the shell. Luggage may have a hard shell, a soft shell or a hybrid shell composed of hard and soft shells. Hard shells are known to provide rigidity and toughness, resistant to violent impacts resulting from rough luggage-handling at airports, for example. Soft shells are generally lighter, allowing easier handling for a user.

The external shape of luggage pieces is generally a rectangular cuboid with rounded or smoothed edges and vertices.

The luggage may include one or more handles for carrying the luggage piece. The handles may be extendable handles. Typically, cases provide handles aligned with an edge of the case, so that the handle telescopes within the case, extending along and inside a wall of the case. Such a layout results in only a small encroachment of the handle into the interior volume of the case, along one side, but may result in an awkward holding position for a user.

Luggage pieces may be provided with wheels or rollers to roll the luggage piece along a surface.

According to an aspect of the invention we provide a luggage system comprising:

a frame;

at least one luggage module having a shell and at least one packing compartment within the shell, wherein the luggage module is attachable to the frame. Further features of the above aspect of the invention are described in the appended claims.

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood,

embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a piece of luggage embodying the present invention, rollers are not illustrated;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a piece of luggage embodying the present invention, rollers are not illustrated;

Figure 3 is a collection of views of the piece of luggage of figures 1 and 2:

Figure 3a is a perspective view of a piece of luggage embodying the present invention with an extendable handle partially extended;

Figure 3b is a is a view from above of the piece of luggage of Figure 3a;

Figure 3c is a view from the front of the piece of luggage of Figure 3a with the extendable handle partially extended; Figure 3d is a view from one side of the piece of luggage of

Figure 3a with the extendable handle collapsed;

Figure 3e is a view from another side of the piece of luggage of Figure 3a with the extendable handle collapsed; and Figure 3f is a is a view from below of the piece of luggage of Figure 3a illustrating potential sites for rollers;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a luggage module embodying the present invention;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a piece of luggage embodying the present invention illustrating optional zip fasteners, rollers are not illustrated;

Figure 6 is a plan view of a piece of luggage according to embodiments of the present invention, illustrating a position of the handle relative to the frame; Figure 7 is a front view of the frame of a piece of luggage according to embodiments of the invention (without rollers attached); and

Figures 8 and 9 are perspective views of the underside of an upper portion of the frame, and the topside of a lowermost portion of the frame, respectively, according to embodiments of the invention.

A piece of luggage embodying the present invention is shown in Figures 1 to 5. The piece of luggage 10 is a suitcase 10 in this example but the piece of luggage could be any piece of luggage used to transport articles (not shown) between locations.

The size of the luggage 10 depends on what it is intended to carry and may range from a small handbag, a vanity case, a lunchbox, a laptop case, a satchel, a briefcase, a cabin bag, a backpack, a rucksack, a child's wheelie case, a pilot case, a hold bag, a small suitcase, a large suitcase, a trunk and a cargo container. The piece of luggage 10 comprises a frame or skeleton 20,21 (referred to herein as a 'framework') and a pair of luggage modules 1 1 ,12, two halves of a whole or a "front" and a "back" module 1 1 ,12, which connect together to form the piece of luggage. The luggage modules in the illustrated example are wedge-shaped (best seen in figure 4). The profile of the wedge is a right- angled triangle with angle "a" at the "thin end" of the wedge. The wedge has five major surfaces: a triangular top surface (T), a triangular bottom surface (B), an hypotenuse surface (H) extending between the hypotenuse edges of the wedge (not hatched), an opposite surface (O) extending between the opposite edges of the wedge (right-hatched) and an adjacent surface (A) extending between the adjacent edges of the wedge (left-hatched). Putting together the two hypotenuse surfaces (H) of two luggage modules 1 1 ,12 creates a rectangular cuboid suitcase shape.

The framework 20,21 structure maintains, if necessary, a part of the shape of the luggage piece. The framework 20,21 may extend (not shown) to define each of the edges of a luggage module 1 1 ,12. In one example, the framework 20,21 is integrally formed in one of the luggage modules 1 1 or the framework 20,21 is connected to one or both of the luggage modules 1 1 ,12. In other examples, the framework 20,21 is held between or sandwiched between the two luggage modules 1 1 ,12.

The shell 22 of the luggage piece 10 fits around, is integrally formed with, or extends from the framework 20,21 . In other examples, a luggage module has its own frame independent of the framework 20,21 , separate but connectable to the framework 20,21 .

In one example, the two luggage modules 1 1 ,12 are connectable to one another and to the framework 20,21 . In another example, the two luggage modules 1 1 ,12 are connectable to one another and the framework 20,21 is held between the luggage modules 1 1 ,12: in a particular example, the framework 20,21 is sandwiched securely between the luggage modules 1 1 ,12. In a further example, the one luggage module 1 1 is connectable to the framework 20,21 and the other luggage module 12 is connectable to the one luggage module 1 1 . The manner of connection between the luggage modules 1 1 ,12 is discussed below.

The edges around the hypotenuse surface (H) of the one luggage module 1 1 are connectable to the edges around the hypotenuse surface (H) of the other luggage module 12. Preferably, one or more zip fasteners (Za,Zb) are used to connect the edges around the hypotenuse surfaces (H) to one another (see figure 5). Zip fasteners Za,Zb of the one luggage module 1 1 connect to zip fasteners Zb,Za of the other luggage module 12. In other examples, the framework 20,21 carries zip fasteners Zb,Za adapted to engage and connect with zip fasteners Za,Zb on respective ones of the edges around the

hypotenuse surfaces (H) of the two luggage modules 1 1 ,12 (or just to the one luggage module 1 1 ).

In other examples, the edges around the hypotenuse surface (H) have a connector (best seen in figure 2) or set of connectors 100,101 . In figure 2, one luggage module 1 1 has connectors 100b, 101 b and another luggage module 12 has connectors 100a,101 a. Connectors 100 releasably connect and attach to connectors 101 to join the edges around the hypotenuse surfaces (H) of the two luggage modules to one another. In other examples, the framework 20,21 carries connectors 100,101 adapted to engage and connect with connectors 101 ,100 on respective ones of the edges around the hypotenuse surfaces (H) of the two luggage modules 1 1 ,12 (or just to the one luggage module 1 1 ). The connectors or zip fasteners can be carried on other parts of the luggage modules and framework, not necessarily only along the edges around the hypotenuse surfaces - for example, the connectors can be carried on the opposite surfaces (O).

It will be appreciated that luggage modules 1 1 and 12 are similar to one another - they can be identical. Only one manufacturing line is necessary to construct luggage modules 1 1 and 12. Putting together the two hypotenuse surfaces (H) of two luggage modules 1 1 ,12 as shown in figures 1 to 3 and 5 creates a piece of luggage or a luggage system 10. A luggage module 1 1 ,12 may be a piece of luggage in its own right also.

The two luggage modules 1 1 ,12 do not need to be identical save that the two luggage modules co-operate to connect to one another so that the hypotenuse surfaces (H) are brought together to "join" the two modules into a single luggage piece.

The shell 22 of the luggage modules 1 1 ,12 defines a packing volume - a luggage compartment or sub-compartment and/or there may be further skins which define a compartment or sub-compartment. The framework may comprise reinforced portions of the shell or may be a skeleton which is separate and distinct from the shell. Each compartment has a compartment opening. Preferably a main opening 24 to provide access to a main

compartment is in the adjacent surface (A) of each module.

The shell or luggage module surface material may be a hard shell

manufactured from a metal, such as aluminium sheet, or a rigid plastics or composite material. The shell may be a soft shell manufactured from a durable flexible fabric or composite material. Such a soft shell may or may not be reinforced. The shell may be a hybrid shell composed of hard and soft shells. Preferably, the shell is formed of a durable light-weight material that results in the luggage system 10 being light to carry and easy to manoeuvre, while maintaining its shape, and providing a protective barrier against violent impacts. Preferably the shell is formed around four of the six sides of the cuboid-shaped luggage piece, enabling access to the interior from two sides (i.e. the front and back). The resultant case or luggage piece 10 formed by combining two luggage modules 1 1 ,12 is divided into two compartments across the same diagonal, providing two internal packing volumes. The two compartments are accessible from opposite sides of the case 10 via respective zipped openings 24. The two zipped openings 24 lie on opposite sides of the case 10 in one example.

In other examples, when two luggage modules are joined alongside one another, the main compartment zip openings can face inwardly towards one another so access to the main compartments can only be obtained by unjoining/disconnecting the luggage modules. Access to a sub-compartment may be provided on an outward facing surface of a luggage module.

The hypotenuse surface (H) of one or both of the luggage modules may comprise a hard divider, i.e. that surface is a hard shell. The hypotenuse surface (H) of one or both of the luggage modules may be detachable from the or each luggage module to create a large compartment composed of two luggage modules.

The framework 20,21 or shell 22 of the luggage modules 1 1 ,12 may include one or more handles 14 for carrying the luggage piece. One or more of the handles 14 may be included as part of the framework 20,21 and/or enclosed in the shell 22 of the luggage modules.

In embodiments, and as shown in Figures 6 to 9 of the drawings, a shell 22 of the luggage piece 10 fits around the one or more luggage modules 1 1 , 12 and forms the framework. The framework provides a protective barrier around a periphery of the luggage piece 10, and provides a structure to which the luggage modules 1 1 , 12 are connected. The luggage modules 1 1 , 12 may, in addition, be connectable to one another. In embodiments, the framework (i.e. the shell 22) may surround the upper and lower, and left and right sides of the luggage modules 1 1 , 12, leaving the front and back sides of the luggage piece 10 accessible.

In such embodiments, the luggage modules 1 1 , 12 may provide connectors on their respective top and bottom surfaces (T, B) for connection with securing formations 72 of the interiorly-facing surface 70 of the shell 22. In

embodiments, portions of the shell 22 may provide aligning formations to hold one or both of the luggage modules 1 1 , 12 in position relative to the shell 22. The securing formations 72 and aligning formations may be the same or different formations. In the illustrated examples, an extendable handle 14 has a handgrip 30 which is located at the middle of a "top" surface of the two connected luggage modules 1 1 ,12. The handle lies substantially along a line passing through the centre of gravity of the luggage piece but unlike conventional cases, the handle 14 lies diagonally across the "top" of the case along the line where the two luggage modules 1 1 ,12 join. Preferably, there is a depression 34 along the line where the two luggage modules 1 1 ,12 join. The diagonal part of the handle sits in the depression when the extendable handle is collapsed.

The extendable handle is a telescopic handle with the arms 28 of the handle 14 telescoping into the framework 20,21 at opposite corners of the rectangle formed by the two wedge-shaped luggage modules 1 1 ,12, and/or in embodiments, at opposite corners of the rectangle formed by the top side of the shell 22. For a single arm handle 14, the handgrip 30 makes a "T" at the tip of the arm. For a multi-arm handle 14, the handgrip 30 spans the tips of the arms. Handgrips have a longitudinal axis which extends diagonally across the composite "top" surface of the combined luggage modules 1 1 ,12.

The handle 14 extends out of and collapses into an element of the framework 20,21 or shell 22 of one or both of the luggage modules 1 1 ,12. Extendable handles may be telescopic. Telescopic handles can telescope out of and into an element of the framework or shell.

In embodiments, and with reference to Figures 6 to 9, the handle 14 may extend out of and collapse within the shell 22 through apertures 60 formed in an uppermost side 62 of the shell 22. The shell 22 provides sleeves 64 for receiving a portion of each arm 28 of the handle 14, to guide the respective arms 28 lengthwise of the shell 22 (i.e. so that the arms remain substantially aligned lengthwise of the shell 22). The sleeves 64 may extend along a portion of the length of the shell 22 (i.e. between its uppermost 62 and lowermost 68 sides).

In embodiments, the sleeves 64 formed by the shell 22 extend only a portion of the way along the length of the shell 22. The length of the sleeves 64 is sufficient to guide the arms 28 of the handle 14 so as to maintain their alignment. In this way, the material forming the shell 22 is minimised, resulting in a light-weight shell 22.

In such embodiments, the arms 28 of the handle 14 may extend within the shell 22, to a collapsed position in which the ends of the arms 28 are located adjacent, against, or within receiving portions 66 provided at the lowermost side 68 of the shell 22. In embodiments, one or both of the luggage modules 1 1 , 12 provides one or more sleeves, lengthwise of the shell 22, aligned between the apertures 60 and the receiving portions 66, through which a portion of the arms 28 of the handle 14 are guided as the arms 28 are collapsed into and extended from the shell 22. When the extendable handle 14 is extended and the piece of luggage is moved into a rolling configuration, the centre of gravity of the luggage piece lies below and behind a handgrip of the handle to facilitate a stable rolling motion.

The diagonally disposed handle makes the case easier to pull along, on two, three or four rollers and is more comfortable for a user. Also, the user is less likely to catch their walking heel on the case whilst rolling. As a result the case is more easily manoeuvrable around corners, for example, without the user needing to twist her wrist into an unnatural or uncomfortable position in order to tilt or guide the case around a corner.

The framework 20,21 or the luggage modules 1 1 ,12 may accommodate a single extendable handle with a single extendable arm (not shown). The root of the extendable arm is attached to the luggage piece, to a part of the framework or as a part of the framework. A tip of the extendable arm has a handgrip which is normal to the arm. The luggage is designed to be portable (in that it can be carried by a capable person) and/or rolled (so that it can be rolled along a floor surface by a capable person). Luggage pieces may be provided with rollers 50: that is wheels, castors, bearing surfaces, low-friction surfaces or rollers to allow the luggage piece to be rolled along a surface. In this specification, the term "roller" encompasses all forms of wheel, castor, bearing surface, low-friction surface or wheel.

Rollers 50 are located at two or more corners of a base of a luggage module 1 1 as shown in figure 3f so that the luggage piece can be pivoted into a rolling configuration in which only the rollers 50 are in contact with a floor surface and the luggage piece 10 is rolled along the surface. The rollers 50 need not be at the corners but should be spaced apart sufficiently to provide a stable rolling platform.

In one example of a luggage system, only one luggage module 1 1 has rollers 50, the other luggage module 12 does not have rollers 50. Because a roller luggage module 1 1 and a non-roller luggage module 1 2 can be connected to one another (perhaps via a framework 20,21 ), only one of the luggage modules needs rollers 50. In other examples, the framework 20,21 carries the rollers 50 and neither of the luggage modules need have rollers 50.

Luggage pieces can have three or four rollers 50 in which case they can stand and are stable on the rollers alone in a substantially upright condition, an upright rolling configuration.

The two-compartment design allows, for example, for 'his and hers' luggage modules 1 1 ,12, with different exterior colouring and decoration on the two "halves" of the case - the "back" and the "front" of the case. Or, the two luggage modules 1 1 ,12 could provide two separate compartments of clothing for a two day business trip, for example. Or, business equipment in one luggage module 1 1 with a hard shell 22 and personal clothing in the other luggage module 12 with a soft shell 22. Examples of the invention offer a uniquely modular luggage piece construction. Or, one "half" - one luggage module 1 1 ,12 - can be used as a piece of luggage in its own right or it can be releasably connected to a framework with a handle.

The external shape of the luggage system is generally a rectangular cuboid with rounded or smoothed edges and vertices. Other shapes of luggage pieces include cylinders, square cuboids, pear-shaped containers (such as guitar cases) and any irregular shape (various musical instrument cases or a child's wheelie case in the general shape of an animal which the child may pull or ride upon). Some luggage pieces such as rucksacks comprise a semi-rigid framework with a non-self-supporting fabric: such pieces do not have a defined external shape - their shape changes with their orientation, how fully they are packed and the shape of what is packed inside them.

The articles are safely stowed and protected from damage in an internal packing volume provided by a compartment or sub-compartment of the luggage piece. The articles to be stowed can be, for example, personal possessions, clothing, electronic equipment, tools, cosmetics, livestock, foodstuffs, medicines, liquid containers, solids, gas containers.

Embodiments of luggage pieces according to the present invention are described herein. Unless stated otherwise, it is intended that features of embodiments may be combined with those of other different embodiments in any combination. For example, features of the contemplated shells, and luggage modules, rollers, various connection mechanisms, and handles, are combinable as required. When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components. The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A luggage system comprising:

a frame;

at least one luggage module having a shell and at least one packing compartment within the shell, wherein the luggage module is attachable to the frame.

2. The system of claim 1 comprising two luggage modules which are connectable alongside one another and to the frame.

3. The system of claim 1 comprising two luggage modules which are connectable alongside one another and the frame is held between the luggage modules.

4. The system of claim 1 comprising two luggage modules, wherein the one luggage module is connectable to the frame and the other luggage module is connectable alongside the one luggage module.

5. The system of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the elements of the luggage system are the frame and the at least one luggage module and one or more of the elements of the luggage system are releasably connectable to at least one other element.

6. The system of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein luggage modules have the same connector mechanisms and placement of connector mechanisms.

7. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the or each luggage module is substantially wedge-shaped which creates a rectangular cuboid shape when two luggage modules are connected alongside one another.

8. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the system includes a handle for the luggage which, in use, lies diagonally across the "top" of the luggage system.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the handle lies diagonally substantially along the line where two luggage modules join.

10. The system of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the handle sits in a

depression lying diagonally across the "top" of the luggage system.

1 1 . The system of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the handle extends out of and collapses into an element of the frame or shell of the luggage module.

12. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one luggage module carries at least one roller.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one roller is disposed at a base of the at least one luggage module.

14. The system of any preceding claim, wherein there are two luggage modules and at least one roller is disposed at a base of each of the two luggage modules.

15. The system of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein there are two luggage modules and at least one roller is disposed at a base of one of the two luggage modules and the other luggage module does not have a roller.

16. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the or each luggage module compartment has an access opening with a closure mechanism.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the access opening faces outwardly of the luggage system.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the access opening faces

inwardly of the luggage system.

19. The system of claim 17 or 18, wherein each luggage module has a main compartment and one or more sub-compartments and the access opening of the main compartment faces inwardly of the luggage system and the access opening of a sub-compartment faces outwardly of the luggage system.

20. A luggage system substantially as described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

21 Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.