CA2135454C - Foldable frame for a case - Google Patents
Foldable frame for a caseInfo
- Publication number
- CA2135454C CA2135454C CA002135454A CA2135454A CA2135454C CA 2135454 C CA2135454 C CA 2135454C CA 002135454 A CA002135454 A CA 002135454A CA 2135454 A CA2135454 A CA 2135454A CA 2135454 C CA2135454 C CA 2135454C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- buckle
- link
- lateral edge
- recess
- edge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C7/00—Collapsible or extensible purses, luggage, bags or the like
- A45C7/0018—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage
- A45C7/0036—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage collapsible to a minimal configuration, e.g. for storage purposes
Landscapes
- Buckles (AREA)
- Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
- Stackable Containers (AREA)
- Assembled Shelves (AREA)
Abstract
A case with a collapsible frame. The collapsible frame has four straight walls and four connectors. Any two continuous straight walls are connected to each other by means of a connector. Each connector has a link assembly and a buckle assembly which consists of a female buckle and a male buckle. A straight wall is linked to the link assembly which is further linked to the male buckle which is engaged with the female buckle which is linked to another straight wall. The link assembly has several links. Any two continuous links have a first relative position so that they are allowed to pivot relative to each other and a second position so that they are kept from pivoting with respect to each other. The frame is collapsible when the links are in the first relative position and the female buckle is disengaged from the male buckle. The case occupies small space when the frame is folded. A frame is formed when the links are in the second relative position and the female buckle is engaged with the male buckle.
Description
~13545~
1 FnTn~RT~ F~ FOR
1 FnTn~RT~ F~ FOR
2 BACXGROUND OF lNV~ ~ ION
3 This invention relates to a collapsible frame for a 4 case, such as a suitcase.
Cases, and suitcases in particular, are very useful for 6 transporting clothes etc. on vacation and the like.
7 Currently available cases include those that are rigid and 8 those that are flexible. The rigid cases may have better 9 protection of their content against foreign impacts, however, they occupy larger space when they are not in use.
11 The flexible cases may have less protection of their 12 contents, however, they occupy less space when they are not 13 in use. Therefore, there are some drawbacks in each of the 14 conventional cases.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
16 It is the primary object of this invention to provide a 17 case which provides a sufficient protection of its content 18 and occupies small space when it is not in use.
19 The primary object of this invention is achieved by providing a case which uses a collapsible frame. The 21 collapsible frame has four straight walls and four 22 connectors. Any two continuous straight walls are connected 23 to each other by means of a connector. Each connector has a 24 link assembly and a buckle assembly which consists of a female buckle and a male buckle. A straight wall is linked 26 to the link assembly which is further linked to the male 27 buckle which is engaged with the female buckle which is 28 linked to another straight wall. The link assembly has 2 ~ 3 ~ 4 1 several links. Any two continuous links have a first 2 relative position so that they are allowed to pivot relative 3 to each other and a second position so that they are kept 4 from pivoting with respect to each other. The frame is collapsible when the links are in the first relative 6 position and the female buckle is disengaged from the male 7 buckle. The case occupies a small space when the frame i8 8 folded. A frame is formed when the links are in the second 9 relative position and the female buckle is engaged with the male buckle.
11 For a better understAn~;ng of the present invention and 12 objects thereof, a study of the detailed description of the 13 embodiments described hereinafter should be made in relation 14 to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
16 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a case which employs 17 a collapsible frame according to the first embodiment of the 18 present invention;
19 Figure 2 is an exploded view of a connector which is in use in the frame of the case as shown in Figure 1;
21 Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a 22 pivoting assembly and a male buckle which are in use in the 23 connector as shown in Figure 2, showing that they are 24 retained in a first relative position;
Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view similar 26 to Figure 3, but showing that the pivoting assembly and the 27 male buckle are in a second position relative to each other;
28 Figure 5 is an enlarged partial view of a dovetail and 21:35~4 1 a latch both of which are retained in the male buckling 2 member wherein the dovetail is retained in first position so 3 as to allow the latch to slide;
4 Figure 6 is an enlarged partial view similar to Figure 5 but showing the dovetail retained in a second position so 6 as to lock the latch; and 7 Figure 7 is a perspective view of a case which employs 8 a collapsible frame according to the second embodiment of 9 the present invention.
DET~TT~n n~eCl~TPTION OF P~irr;~lJ EMBODIMENT
11 Referring to Figure 1, a case 10 uses a collapsible 12 frame which has two long straight walls 11, two short 13 straight walls 12 and four connectors 20 according to the 14 first embodiment of the present invention. The long straight walls 11 are opposed to each other. The short 16 walls 12 are opposed to each other. Thus, the straight 17 walls 11 and 12 form a substantially rectangular frame when 18 they are joined together by means of the connectors 20.
19 Each long straight wall 11 is connected to an adjacent short wall 12 by means of a corresponding connector 20. The walls 21 11 and 12 are rigid for providing protection of the content 22 of the case.
23 Each connector 20 has a link assembly 30 and a buckle 24 assembly 40 which consists of a female buckle 41 and a male buckle 51. The link assembly 30 of a connector 20 at the 26 top left corner of the case 10 is linked to a long wall 11 27 at the top. The buckle assembly 40 of the connector 20 at 28 the top left corner is linked to a short wall 12 at the _4 _ ~135~5~
1 left. The link assembly 30 of a connector 20 at the bottom 2 left corner is linked to the short wall 12 at the left. The 3 buckle assembly 40 of the connector 20 at the bottom left 4 corner is linked to a long wall 11 at the bottom. The link assembly 30 of a connector 20 at the bottom right corner is 6 linked to the long wall 11 at the bottom. The buckle 7 assembly 40 of a connector 20 at the bottom right corner is 8 linked to a short wall 12 at the right. The link assembly 9 30 of a connector 20 at the top right corner is linked to the long wall 11 at the top. Each link assembly 30 is 11 foldable. Thus, the left short straight wall 12 is foldable 12 toward the upper long straight wall 11 when the female 13 buckle 41 of the left lower connector 20 is disengaged from 14 the male buckle 51 of the same.
Referring to Figure 2, the link assembly 30 consists of 16 several links 31 (only one is shown). Each link 31 is 17 shaped as an arc when it is shown in a top view. Each link 18 31 has a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge which is 19 opposite to the first lateral edge, an upper edge and a lower edge. A slot 32 (see Figure 3) is longitudinally 21 defined in the first lateral edge of each link 31. An ear 22 33 is formed on the upper edge of the link 31 and another 23 ear 33 is formed on the lower edge of the link 31. The 24 distance between the ears 33 is marginally larger than the length of the second lateral edge of the link 31 so that the 26 second lateral edge of a link 31 can be disposed between the 27 ears 33 of another link 31. Two recesses 34 and 35 are 28 defined in each ear 33 such that they partially overlap each 2135~54 . --5 1 other so as to form a rim between them. Instead of a ridge, 2 several teeth are formed on the second lateral edge of one 3 of the links 31 which is furthest from the buckle assembly 4 20. The teeth formed on the link 31 are insertable into a corresponding number of recesses (not numbered) defined in 6 one of the walls 11 and 12 for engaging one of the link 7 assemblies with one of the walls 11 and 12.
8 A ridge 37 is longitudinally formed on the second 9 lateral edge of each link 31. A boss 38 is formed on the top of each link 31 while another boss 38 is formed on the 11 bottom of each link 31. To form the link assembly 30, the 12 second lateral edge of a link 31 is disposed between the 13 ears 33 of another link 31 so that the bosses 38 of a link 14 31 are received in the recesses 34 or 35 of another link 31.
Referring to Figure 3, the bosses 38 of a link 31 are 16 received in the recesses 34 of another link 31 so that the 17 ridge 37 of the first link 31 is disengaged from the slot 32 18 of the second link 31 so that a link 31 is allowed to pivot 19 with respect to another link 31. That is, the link assembly 30 is foldable.
21 Referring to Figure 4, the bosses 38 of a link 31 are 22 engaged in the recesses 35 of another link 31 so that the 23 ridge 37 of a link 31 is received in the slot 32 of another 24 link 31. Thus, the first link 31 is kept from pivoting relative to the second link 31. That is, the link assembly 26 30 is thus retained in position.
27 Referring again to Figure 2, the female buckle 41 has a 28 plate with a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge - 6 - 2 1~5 ~ 4 1 which is opposite to the first lateral edge. A tab 43, 2 through which a hole is defined, perpendicularly projects 3 from a side of the plate near the first lateral edge.
4 Several teeth 44 project from the second lateral edge of the plate. The teeth 44 are engaged in several recesses (not 6 shown) which are defined in a short wall 12 so that the 7 female buckle 41 is linked to the short wall 12.
8 The male buckle 51 has a first lateral edge and a 9 second lateral edge which is opposite to the first lateral edge. A slot 52 is longitudinally defined in the first 11 lateral edge of the male buckle 51. An ear 53 is formed on 12 an upper end of the first lateral edge of the male buckle 51 13 while another ear 53 is formed on a lower end of the first 14 lateral edge of the male buckle 51. Two recesses 54 and 55 are defined in each ear 53. The slot 52 is similar to the 16 slot 32 in structure and function. The ears 53 are similar 17 to the ears 33 in structure and function. The recesses 54 18 and 55 are similar to the recesses 34 and 35 in structure 19 and function. Thus, a link 31 can be linked to the male buckle 51. The link 31 is pivotable with respect to the 21 male buckle 51 as the bosses 38 of the former are received 22 in the recesses 54 of the latter. The link 31 is kept from 23 pivoting relative to the male buckle 51 as the bosses 38 of 24 the former are received in the recesses 55 of the latter.
A C-shaped portion 56 is formed on the second lateral 26 edge of the male buckle 51. A spring-biased latch 57 with a 27 first lateral edge and a second lateral edge is received in 28 a space 58 which is defined in the male buckle 51. A tongue _ 7 _ ~ 13~ aS 4 1 59 projects from the second lateral edge of the spring-biased 2 latch 57. A dovetail slot 60 is defined in the male buckle 3 51. The space 58 is above the dovetail slot 60, the former 4 is in commlln;cation with the latter. Two recesses 61 and 62 are defined in the dovetail slot 60, the former is below the 6 latter. A dovetail 63 on which a boss 64 is formed is 7 engageable with the dovetail slot 60.
8 To engage the female buckle 41 with the male buckle 51, 9 the spring-biased latch 57 is moved in a direction as indicated with an arrow A so that the tongue 59 is moved out 11 of the C-shaped portion 56. The female buckle 41 is moved 12 toward the male buckle 51 in a direction as indicated with 13 an arrow B so that the tab 43 is inserted in the C-shaped 14 portion 56. The spring-biased latch 57 is then released so that the tongue 59 is inserted in the hole which is defined 16 through the tab 43.
17 Referring to Figure 5, as the boss 64 is received in 18 the recess 61, the spring-biased latch 57 is not trapped by 19 means of the dovetail 63. The spring-biased latch 57 is thus allowed to slide in the space 58 along a direction as 21 indicated with arrow A (see Figure 2), i.e., the tongue 59 22 is disengageable from the hole which is defined through the 23 tab 43. As a result, the female buckle 41 is disengageable 24 from the male buckle 51.
Referring to Figure 6, as the boss 64 is received in 26 the recess 62, an upper portion of the dovetail 63 traps a 27 lower portion of the spring-biased latch 57. The spring-28 biased latch 57 is thus kept from moving in the direction as 2135~4 1 indicated with arrow A (see Figure 2), i.e., the tongue 59 is 2 retained in the hole which is defined through the tab 43.
3 Thus, the female buckle 41 is locked to the male buckle 51.
4 Referring to Figure 7, according to a second embodiment of this invention, each connector 31 consists of a link 6 assembly 30, two buckle assemblies 40 and 40'. The buckle 7 assembly 40 consists of a female buckle 41 and a male buckle 8 51. The buckle assembly 40' consists of a female buckle 41 9 and a male buckle 51'. The male buckle 51' is similar to the male buckle 51, therefore, details of the former will 11 not be given.
12 To collapse the case, lower female buckles 41 are 13 disengaged from the lower male buckles 51, the two short 14 straight walls 12 are folded inward to a position substantially parallel to the upper long straight wall 11, 16 thereby allowing the lower long straight wall 11 connected 17 with a male buckle 51 at each end thereof to be pushed 18 toward the upper straight wall 11, resulting in a reduction 19 of the volume of the case.
While the present invention has been explained in 21 relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood 22 that variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in 23 the art upon reading this specification. Therefore, the 24 present invention is intended to cover all such variations as shall fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Cases, and suitcases in particular, are very useful for 6 transporting clothes etc. on vacation and the like.
7 Currently available cases include those that are rigid and 8 those that are flexible. The rigid cases may have better 9 protection of their content against foreign impacts, however, they occupy larger space when they are not in use.
11 The flexible cases may have less protection of their 12 contents, however, they occupy less space when they are not 13 in use. Therefore, there are some drawbacks in each of the 14 conventional cases.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
16 It is the primary object of this invention to provide a 17 case which provides a sufficient protection of its content 18 and occupies small space when it is not in use.
19 The primary object of this invention is achieved by providing a case which uses a collapsible frame. The 21 collapsible frame has four straight walls and four 22 connectors. Any two continuous straight walls are connected 23 to each other by means of a connector. Each connector has a 24 link assembly and a buckle assembly which consists of a female buckle and a male buckle. A straight wall is linked 26 to the link assembly which is further linked to the male 27 buckle which is engaged with the female buckle which is 28 linked to another straight wall. The link assembly has 2 ~ 3 ~ 4 1 several links. Any two continuous links have a first 2 relative position so that they are allowed to pivot relative 3 to each other and a second position so that they are kept 4 from pivoting with respect to each other. The frame is collapsible when the links are in the first relative 6 position and the female buckle is disengaged from the male 7 buckle. The case occupies a small space when the frame i8 8 folded. A frame is formed when the links are in the second 9 relative position and the female buckle is engaged with the male buckle.
11 For a better understAn~;ng of the present invention and 12 objects thereof, a study of the detailed description of the 13 embodiments described hereinafter should be made in relation 14 to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
16 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a case which employs 17 a collapsible frame according to the first embodiment of the 18 present invention;
19 Figure 2 is an exploded view of a connector which is in use in the frame of the case as shown in Figure 1;
21 Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of a 22 pivoting assembly and a male buckle which are in use in the 23 connector as shown in Figure 2, showing that they are 24 retained in a first relative position;
Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view similar 26 to Figure 3, but showing that the pivoting assembly and the 27 male buckle are in a second position relative to each other;
28 Figure 5 is an enlarged partial view of a dovetail and 21:35~4 1 a latch both of which are retained in the male buckling 2 member wherein the dovetail is retained in first position so 3 as to allow the latch to slide;
4 Figure 6 is an enlarged partial view similar to Figure 5 but showing the dovetail retained in a second position so 6 as to lock the latch; and 7 Figure 7 is a perspective view of a case which employs 8 a collapsible frame according to the second embodiment of 9 the present invention.
DET~TT~n n~eCl~TPTION OF P~irr;~lJ EMBODIMENT
11 Referring to Figure 1, a case 10 uses a collapsible 12 frame which has two long straight walls 11, two short 13 straight walls 12 and four connectors 20 according to the 14 first embodiment of the present invention. The long straight walls 11 are opposed to each other. The short 16 walls 12 are opposed to each other. Thus, the straight 17 walls 11 and 12 form a substantially rectangular frame when 18 they are joined together by means of the connectors 20.
19 Each long straight wall 11 is connected to an adjacent short wall 12 by means of a corresponding connector 20. The walls 21 11 and 12 are rigid for providing protection of the content 22 of the case.
23 Each connector 20 has a link assembly 30 and a buckle 24 assembly 40 which consists of a female buckle 41 and a male buckle 51. The link assembly 30 of a connector 20 at the 26 top left corner of the case 10 is linked to a long wall 11 27 at the top. The buckle assembly 40 of the connector 20 at 28 the top left corner is linked to a short wall 12 at the _4 _ ~135~5~
1 left. The link assembly 30 of a connector 20 at the bottom 2 left corner is linked to the short wall 12 at the left. The 3 buckle assembly 40 of the connector 20 at the bottom left 4 corner is linked to a long wall 11 at the bottom. The link assembly 30 of a connector 20 at the bottom right corner is 6 linked to the long wall 11 at the bottom. The buckle 7 assembly 40 of a connector 20 at the bottom right corner is 8 linked to a short wall 12 at the right. The link assembly 9 30 of a connector 20 at the top right corner is linked to the long wall 11 at the top. Each link assembly 30 is 11 foldable. Thus, the left short straight wall 12 is foldable 12 toward the upper long straight wall 11 when the female 13 buckle 41 of the left lower connector 20 is disengaged from 14 the male buckle 51 of the same.
Referring to Figure 2, the link assembly 30 consists of 16 several links 31 (only one is shown). Each link 31 is 17 shaped as an arc when it is shown in a top view. Each link 18 31 has a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge which is 19 opposite to the first lateral edge, an upper edge and a lower edge. A slot 32 (see Figure 3) is longitudinally 21 defined in the first lateral edge of each link 31. An ear 22 33 is formed on the upper edge of the link 31 and another 23 ear 33 is formed on the lower edge of the link 31. The 24 distance between the ears 33 is marginally larger than the length of the second lateral edge of the link 31 so that the 26 second lateral edge of a link 31 can be disposed between the 27 ears 33 of another link 31. Two recesses 34 and 35 are 28 defined in each ear 33 such that they partially overlap each 2135~54 . --5 1 other so as to form a rim between them. Instead of a ridge, 2 several teeth are formed on the second lateral edge of one 3 of the links 31 which is furthest from the buckle assembly 4 20. The teeth formed on the link 31 are insertable into a corresponding number of recesses (not numbered) defined in 6 one of the walls 11 and 12 for engaging one of the link 7 assemblies with one of the walls 11 and 12.
8 A ridge 37 is longitudinally formed on the second 9 lateral edge of each link 31. A boss 38 is formed on the top of each link 31 while another boss 38 is formed on the 11 bottom of each link 31. To form the link assembly 30, the 12 second lateral edge of a link 31 is disposed between the 13 ears 33 of another link 31 so that the bosses 38 of a link 14 31 are received in the recesses 34 or 35 of another link 31.
Referring to Figure 3, the bosses 38 of a link 31 are 16 received in the recesses 34 of another link 31 so that the 17 ridge 37 of the first link 31 is disengaged from the slot 32 18 of the second link 31 so that a link 31 is allowed to pivot 19 with respect to another link 31. That is, the link assembly 30 is foldable.
21 Referring to Figure 4, the bosses 38 of a link 31 are 22 engaged in the recesses 35 of another link 31 so that the 23 ridge 37 of a link 31 is received in the slot 32 of another 24 link 31. Thus, the first link 31 is kept from pivoting relative to the second link 31. That is, the link assembly 26 30 is thus retained in position.
27 Referring again to Figure 2, the female buckle 41 has a 28 plate with a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge - 6 - 2 1~5 ~ 4 1 which is opposite to the first lateral edge. A tab 43, 2 through which a hole is defined, perpendicularly projects 3 from a side of the plate near the first lateral edge.
4 Several teeth 44 project from the second lateral edge of the plate. The teeth 44 are engaged in several recesses (not 6 shown) which are defined in a short wall 12 so that the 7 female buckle 41 is linked to the short wall 12.
8 The male buckle 51 has a first lateral edge and a 9 second lateral edge which is opposite to the first lateral edge. A slot 52 is longitudinally defined in the first 11 lateral edge of the male buckle 51. An ear 53 is formed on 12 an upper end of the first lateral edge of the male buckle 51 13 while another ear 53 is formed on a lower end of the first 14 lateral edge of the male buckle 51. Two recesses 54 and 55 are defined in each ear 53. The slot 52 is similar to the 16 slot 32 in structure and function. The ears 53 are similar 17 to the ears 33 in structure and function. The recesses 54 18 and 55 are similar to the recesses 34 and 35 in structure 19 and function. Thus, a link 31 can be linked to the male buckle 51. The link 31 is pivotable with respect to the 21 male buckle 51 as the bosses 38 of the former are received 22 in the recesses 54 of the latter. The link 31 is kept from 23 pivoting relative to the male buckle 51 as the bosses 38 of 24 the former are received in the recesses 55 of the latter.
A C-shaped portion 56 is formed on the second lateral 26 edge of the male buckle 51. A spring-biased latch 57 with a 27 first lateral edge and a second lateral edge is received in 28 a space 58 which is defined in the male buckle 51. A tongue _ 7 _ ~ 13~ aS 4 1 59 projects from the second lateral edge of the spring-biased 2 latch 57. A dovetail slot 60 is defined in the male buckle 3 51. The space 58 is above the dovetail slot 60, the former 4 is in commlln;cation with the latter. Two recesses 61 and 62 are defined in the dovetail slot 60, the former is below the 6 latter. A dovetail 63 on which a boss 64 is formed is 7 engageable with the dovetail slot 60.
8 To engage the female buckle 41 with the male buckle 51, 9 the spring-biased latch 57 is moved in a direction as indicated with an arrow A so that the tongue 59 is moved out 11 of the C-shaped portion 56. The female buckle 41 is moved 12 toward the male buckle 51 in a direction as indicated with 13 an arrow B so that the tab 43 is inserted in the C-shaped 14 portion 56. The spring-biased latch 57 is then released so that the tongue 59 is inserted in the hole which is defined 16 through the tab 43.
17 Referring to Figure 5, as the boss 64 is received in 18 the recess 61, the spring-biased latch 57 is not trapped by 19 means of the dovetail 63. The spring-biased latch 57 is thus allowed to slide in the space 58 along a direction as 21 indicated with arrow A (see Figure 2), i.e., the tongue 59 22 is disengageable from the hole which is defined through the 23 tab 43. As a result, the female buckle 41 is disengageable 24 from the male buckle 51.
Referring to Figure 6, as the boss 64 is received in 26 the recess 62, an upper portion of the dovetail 63 traps a 27 lower portion of the spring-biased latch 57. The spring-28 biased latch 57 is thus kept from moving in the direction as 2135~4 1 indicated with arrow A (see Figure 2), i.e., the tongue 59 is 2 retained in the hole which is defined through the tab 43.
3 Thus, the female buckle 41 is locked to the male buckle 51.
4 Referring to Figure 7, according to a second embodiment of this invention, each connector 31 consists of a link 6 assembly 30, two buckle assemblies 40 and 40'. The buckle 7 assembly 40 consists of a female buckle 41 and a male buckle 8 51. The buckle assembly 40' consists of a female buckle 41 9 and a male buckle 51'. The male buckle 51' is similar to the male buckle 51, therefore, details of the former will 11 not be given.
12 To collapse the case, lower female buckles 41 are 13 disengaged from the lower male buckles 51, the two short 14 straight walls 12 are folded inward to a position substantially parallel to the upper long straight wall 11, 16 thereby allowing the lower long straight wall 11 connected 17 with a male buckle 51 at each end thereof to be pushed 18 toward the upper straight wall 11, resulting in a reduction 19 of the volume of the case.
While the present invention has been explained in 21 relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood 22 that variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in 23 the art upon reading this specification. Therefore, the 24 present invention is intended to cover all such variations as shall fall within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (4)
1. A case comprising a collapsible frame comprising four walls being joined together by means of four connectors each comprising a buckle assembly and a link assembly;
the link assembly consisting of several links each comprising a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, an upper edge, a lower edge, an ear which is formed on the upper edge thereof and which defines a first recess and a second recess, a lower ear which is formed on the lower edge thereof and which defines a first recess and a second recess, a slot defined in the first edge of the link, a ridge formed on the second edge of the link, a boss formed on the upper edge of the link near the ridge and another boss formed on the lower edge of the link near the ridge;
wherein a link is pivotable in respect to another link when the bosses of the former are received in the first recesses defined in the upper and lower ears of the latter, and when the bosses of a link are received in the second recesses defined in the upper and lower ears of another link, the ridge of the former being received in the slot of the latter, retaining the former in position relative to the latter;
the buckle assembly including a female buckle and a male buckle including a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, an upper ear projecting from the first lateral edge thereof and defining a first recess and a second recess so that the first and second recesses defined therein partially overlap each other, a lower ear projecting from the second lateral edge thereof and defining a first recess and a second recess so that the first and second recesses defined therein partially overlap each other, a slot defined in the first lateral edge thereof;
wherein one of the links is pivotably linked to the male buckle when the bosses of the former are received in the first recesses defined in the upper and lower ears of the latter, and when the bosses of the link are moved into the second recesses defined in the upper and lower ears of the male buckle, the ridge of the former being received in the slot defined in the latter, retaining the former in position relative to latter.
the link assembly consisting of several links each comprising a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, an upper edge, a lower edge, an ear which is formed on the upper edge thereof and which defines a first recess and a second recess, a lower ear which is formed on the lower edge thereof and which defines a first recess and a second recess, a slot defined in the first edge of the link, a ridge formed on the second edge of the link, a boss formed on the upper edge of the link near the ridge and another boss formed on the lower edge of the link near the ridge;
wherein a link is pivotable in respect to another link when the bosses of the former are received in the first recesses defined in the upper and lower ears of the latter, and when the bosses of a link are received in the second recesses defined in the upper and lower ears of another link, the ridge of the former being received in the slot of the latter, retaining the former in position relative to the latter;
the buckle assembly including a female buckle and a male buckle including a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, an upper ear projecting from the first lateral edge thereof and defining a first recess and a second recess so that the first and second recesses defined therein partially overlap each other, a lower ear projecting from the second lateral edge thereof and defining a first recess and a second recess so that the first and second recesses defined therein partially overlap each other, a slot defined in the first lateral edge thereof;
wherein one of the links is pivotably linked to the male buckle when the bosses of the former are received in the first recesses defined in the upper and lower ears of the latter, and when the bosses of the link are moved into the second recesses defined in the upper and lower ears of the male buckle, the ridge of the former being received in the slot defined in the latter, retaining the former in position relative to latter.
2. The case according to claim 1 wherein the buckle assembly comprises:
a male buckle including a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a C-shaped portion formed on the second lateral edge thereof, a space defined therein, a spring-biased latch received in the space defined therein and a tongue extending from the spring-biased latch;
a female buckle including a plate with a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, a tab perpendicularly projecting from the first edge of the plate thereof and defining a hole;
wherein the tongue of the spring-biased latch can be moved from the C-shaped portion of the male buckle so that the tab of the female buckle can be moved within the C-shaped portion of the male buckle, the tongue of the spring-biased latch can be inserted to the hole defined in the tab of the male buckle for firmly engaging the male buckle with a the female buckle.
a male buckle including a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, a C-shaped portion formed on the second lateral edge thereof, a space defined therein, a spring-biased latch received in the space defined therein and a tongue extending from the spring-biased latch;
a female buckle including a plate with a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, a tab perpendicularly projecting from the first edge of the plate thereof and defining a hole;
wherein the tongue of the spring-biased latch can be moved from the C-shaped portion of the male buckle so that the tab of the female buckle can be moved within the C-shaped portion of the male buckle, the tongue of the spring-biased latch can be inserted to the hole defined in the tab of the male buckle for firmly engaging the male buckle with a the female buckle.
3. The case according to claim 2 wherein the male buckle defines a dovetail slot in communication with the space defined therein and includes a dovetail slidably received in the dovetail slot between a first position allowing the spring-biased latch to be moved into the dovetail slot for disengaging the tongue from the hole defined through the tab of the female buckle and a second position restraining the spring-biased latch so as to retain the tongue in the hole defined through the tab of the female buckle.
4. The case according to claim 4 wherein the male buckle defines a first recess and a second recess within the dovetail slot, and the dovetail comprises a boss formed thereon;
wherein the boss of the dovetail is received in the first recess defined in the dovetail slot when the dovetail is in the first position, and the boss of the dovetail is received in the second recess defined in the dovetail slot when the dovetail is in the second position.
wherein the boss of the dovetail is received in the first recess defined in the dovetail slot when the dovetail is in the first position, and the boss of the dovetail is received in the second recess defined in the dovetail slot when the dovetail is in the second position.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN93247759U CN2178063Y (en) | 1993-12-14 | 1993-12-14 | Frame connect with improved structure for trunk |
| CN93247759.3 | 1993-12-14 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2135454A1 CA2135454A1 (en) | 1995-06-15 |
| CA2135454C true CA2135454C (en) | 1997-07-22 |
Family
ID=5029015
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002135454A Expired - Fee Related CA2135454C (en) | 1993-12-14 | 1994-11-09 | Foldable frame for a case |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0662289B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN2178063Y (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE200398T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2135454C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69427076T2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19833395C2 (en) * | 1998-07-24 | 2002-06-27 | Daimler Chrysler Ag | Self-supporting vehicle body |
| TWM317787U (en) * | 2006-10-27 | 2007-09-01 | Chi-Lu Chen | Skeleton structure of storage box |
| US9375063B2 (en) | 2011-08-24 | 2016-06-28 | Stephen Chi Yueh Chen et al. | Systems and methods for collapsible luggage |
| US10004307B2 (en) | 2012-06-21 | 2018-06-26 | Biaggi USA, LLC a Delaware Limited-Liability Company | Folding duffle |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BE813513A (en) * | 1973-02-09 | 1974-07-31 | CAMPING SUITCASE WITH FOLDING ELEMENTS | |
| US4210230A (en) * | 1979-04-26 | 1980-07-01 | Airway Industries, Inc. | Flat-pack luggage case |
| US4598802A (en) * | 1984-09-28 | 1986-07-08 | Jacques Abenaim | Foldable frame type luggage |
| WO1988009135A1 (en) * | 1987-05-29 | 1988-12-01 | Kabushiki Kaisha Kawabe Kinzoku Syokai | Reinforcing material for bags |
| US4770312A (en) * | 1987-06-10 | 1988-09-13 | Judy O | Detachable case |
| US5433303A (en) * | 1994-02-03 | 1995-07-18 | Chen; Chi-Lu | Foldable frame for a case |
-
1993
- 1993-12-14 CN CN93247759U patent/CN2178063Y/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1994
- 1994-11-07 EP EP94117503A patent/EP0662289B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-11-07 DE DE69427076T patent/DE69427076T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1994-11-07 AT AT94117503T patent/ATE200398T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-11-09 CA CA002135454A patent/CA2135454C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ATE200398T1 (en) | 2001-04-15 |
| DE69427076T2 (en) | 2001-08-02 |
| EP0662289A3 (en) | 1998-12-30 |
| EP0662289B1 (en) | 2001-04-11 |
| CA2135454A1 (en) | 1995-06-15 |
| EP0662289A2 (en) | 1995-07-12 |
| CN2178063Y (en) | 1994-09-28 |
| DE69427076D1 (en) | 2001-05-17 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |