CA2171849A1 - Luggage case - Google Patents
Luggage caseInfo
- Publication number
- CA2171849A1 CA2171849A1 CA002171849A CA2171849A CA2171849A1 CA 2171849 A1 CA2171849 A1 CA 2171849A1 CA 002171849 A CA002171849 A CA 002171849A CA 2171849 A CA2171849 A CA 2171849A CA 2171849 A1 CA2171849 A1 CA 2171849A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- case
- wall
- latch
- shell
- case according
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage
- A45C5/14—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage with built-in rolling means
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
- A45C13/02—Interior fittings; Means, e.g. inserts, for holding and packing articles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
- A45C13/26—Special adaptations of handles
- A45C13/262—Special adaptations of handles for wheeled luggage
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B65/00—Locks or fastenings for special use
- E05B65/52—Other locks for chests, boxes, trunks, baskets, travelling bags, or the like
- E05B65/5207—Other locks for chests, boxes, trunks, baskets, travelling bags, or the like characterised by bolt movement
- E05B65/5246—Other locks for chests, boxes, trunks, baskets, travelling bags, or the like characterised by bolt movement rotating
- E05B65/5269—Other locks for chests, boxes, trunks, baskets, travelling bags, or the like characterised by bolt movement rotating about an axis parallel to the surface on which the lock is mounted
- E05B65/5276—Other locks for chests, boxes, trunks, baskets, travelling bags, or the like characterised by bolt movement rotating about an axis parallel to the surface on which the lock is mounted parallel to the wing edge
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05C—BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS
- E05C19/00—Other devices specially designed for securing wings, e.g. with suction cups
- E05C19/10—Hook fastenings; Fastenings in which a link engages a fixed hook-like member
- E05C19/12—Hook fastenings; Fastenings in which a link engages a fixed hook-like member pivotally mounted around an axis
- E05C19/14—Hook fastenings; Fastenings in which a link engages a fixed hook-like member pivotally mounted around an axis with toggle action
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05C—BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS
- E05C5/00—Fastening devices with bolts moving otherwise than only rectilinearly and only pivotally or rotatively
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B65/00—Locks or fastenings for special use
- E05B65/52—Other locks for chests, boxes, trunks, baskets, travelling bags, or the like
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
- Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)
- Handcart (AREA)
Abstract
A luggage case comprises a lid shell (11) and a base shell (12) connected together by a hinge (22). The edges of the shells can be fastened together by latches (23, 24, 25), Two latches (23, 24) are mounted on the lid shell at the end walls. When they are released, they project downwardly and outwardly to provide gripping elements for opening the case. The case has two wheels (70, 71) and a steering handle (74) for rolling the case in a two-wheeled mode. Two castors (72, 73) are located on the back wall, and a pulling handle (76) is provided on the front wall. The pulling handle can be used for pulling the case on the wheels and the castors in four-wheeled mode. The carrying handle (21) is fixed to the frame (22) so as not to pivot. It is made of thermoplastic rubber to allow twisting movement for the comfort of the traveller. The latch (25) operates easily under carrying handle (21).
Description
~ W096l02424 21 718 4 g PCT~S95/09741 L~GGAG~ CAS~
The present invention relates to luggage cases and is particularly concerned with luggage cases moulded from plastics material.
A conventional luggage case of plastics material comprises two shells, each having a peripheral side wall, the side walls forming the front, back and end walls of the case. The two shells are hinged together at the back walls and have latches for releasably fastening the edges of the cases together when the ca~e is closed.
Usually, such cases have a protruding lip rllnn; ng around the edge of each shell at the place where the shells meet to provide stiffne~s to the otherwise flexible ~hell. A metal frame may be included around part or all of the frame to provide additional stiffness.
In many designs of case, the projecting lip also provides the means for gripping the lid of the case to open the case when the shells are released. The need to provide a lip for this purpose places a constraint on the designer of luggage cases.
According to the present invention in a first aspect, a luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, each shell having a peripheral side wall, the side walls forming the front, back and end walls of the case, the two shells being hinged together at the back wall and having at least one latch for releasably fastening the shells together when the case is closed, at least a portion the latch being mounted on the lid shell and being arranged to project away from the peripheral side wall when the latch is released 80 as to W096/0221 ~ 9 PC~595/n9741 provide means for gripping and raising the lid shell to open the case.
With this arrangement, it is no longer necessary to provide the lid shell with a projecting lip for gripping when opening the case. In a preferred construction of the case, the edge of the lid shell fits into a ch~nnel in the edge of the base shell. This enables a case with a rounded contour to be constructed.
Preferably the latches are of a toggle construction designed to pull the two shells together as they are closed. Preferably the latches fit into a recess in the peripheral wall of the shell 80 as not to pro;ect substantially when fastened.
Two latches may be mounted on the end walls of the case near the front of the case. Two such latches may be provided, one at each end. With this arrangement the latches are easy to grip for opening the case.
The present invention is also concerned with the problem of handling heavy cases. It is know to provide cases with wheels or ca~tors for transporting the case when heavily filled. In one construction a pair of wheels are located at the corner of the case between the back wall and one of the end walls. Such cases are intended to be tilted at an angle to run on the wheels and a steering handle may be provided near the front of the opposite end wall. Another type of case has four castors on the back wall of the case. The case rests on the castors with the front wall uppermost and is pulled along on the ground by a strap or handle.
According to the present invention, a luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, each shell having a peripheral side wall, the side walls forming the front, back and end wall~ of the ca~e, a carrying W096/02424 21 7i 8 4 ~ PcT~sg5/ng74l handle on the front wall of the case, the case having two coaxial wheels mounted at the corner of the case between the back wall and one of the end walls and two ca~tors mounted on the back wall, and including at least one additional handle for pulling the case on the wheels and the castors, or for steering the case when tilted onto the two wheels. With this arrangement of case the traveller can wheel the case either on two wheels or four according to preference and to suit the circumstance.
The case may include a steering handle at or near the corner of the case diagonally opposite the wheels.
In addition or alternatively, it may include a pulling handle in the same region.
Cases of known construction are usually joined together at their back walls by a single hinge pin which passes through holes in hinge knuckles. Thieves have found it possible to gain access to such cases even when locked by pushing out the hinge pin.
According to the present invention in a third aspect there is provided a luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, each shell having a peripheral side wall, the side walls forming the front, back and end walls of the case, the two shells being connected together at the back wall by a hinge means and having at least one latch for releasably fastening the shells together when closed, the hinge means comprising interengaging hinge knuckles on the edges of the back walls of the respective shells, and two coaxial hinge pins inserted from opposed ends though aligned holes in the knuckles, an obstruction being provided on one side of the shells between the aligned holes to prevent each hinge pin being pushed out of the holes through the end through which it is inserted.
W096/0~4 ~ 4 PCT~sgclo97Jl ~
With this arrangement, the hinge pins can only be extracted from the ends in which they are inserted. It is not possible to push the hinge pins out through the opposite end because o~ the obstruction.
It is known to provide luggage case with a pulling handle for pulling the case along the ground when resting on four wheels or castors. In one known arrangement, the pulling handle is attached to a retractable strap. The strap is attached to a linear spring which extends down the inside of an end wall of the case. The strap passes over a pulley near the back wall of the case. The length of strap required for conveniently pulling a case is greater the smaller the case is because the front wall of the ca~e is closer to the ground. However with the linear gpring arrangement, the length of strap that can be accommodated is restricted in small cases.
According to the present invention in a fourth aspect there is provided a luggage case having top, bottom, front back and end walls, four wheels or castors being mounted on the back wall and a pulling handle assembly near the corner between the front wall and one of the end walls, the pulling handle assembly comprising a pulling strap attached at one end to a spool mounted inside the case, the ~pool being spring loaded 80 as to wind in the strap when not in use, the strap passing to the outside of the case through a slot in the wall of the case and a handle grip being attached to the outer end of the strap, a recess being provided in the outside of the case at the said corner and the handle grip being shaped to fit into the recess when not in use.
With this arrangement, the length of strap that can be accommodated is restricted by the size of the case and, if desired, the same unit can be used in a range of cases of different sizes.
W096/02424 21 718~9 PCT~S95/09741 It is desirable to be able to open cases fully in order to have access for packing the lid of the case as well as the base. When a case is provided with castors the castors may limit the extent to which the case may be opened.
According to the present invention in a fifth aspect, there is provided a luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, each shell having a peripheral side wall, the side walls forming the front, back and end walls of the case, the two shells being hinged together at the back wall and having at least one latch for securing the case together when closed, at least two castors, one of the said castors being mounted on the back wall of each of the shells, the castors being spaced at different distances from the hinge axis, a rece~s being provided between the castor furthest from the axis and the hinge axis to accommodate the castor on the other shell when the case is fully opened.
When a luggage case is being carried on the roof of a car it may be exposed to rain. In order to provide rigidity and for other reasons, it may be desirable to form the edge of the base shell with inner and outer lips with a chAnnel between them which receives the edge of the lid shell. With such a construction however there is a possibility that rain falling on the case may collect in the ch~nnel and enter the suitcase damaging its contents.
According to the present invention in a sixth aspect there is provided a luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid ghell, the two shells being joined together by a hinge, the edge of the base shell being formed with an inner lip and an outer lip with a channel between the inner and outer lips, the inner lip ext~n~;ng around the entire case, the outer lip exten~ing around the entire case except in the region of W096/02424 ~ 9 PCT~S95/09741 the hinge, the edge of the lid shell being received in the channel between the inner and outer lips when the case is closed, the inner lip being higher than the outer lip around the entire periphery of the case. With this arrangement, if water collects in the channel it will overflow to the outside of the case before it can overflow the inner lip and damage the contents of the case.
In many constructions of case, the carrying handle is pivoted to the base shell 80 that it can accommodate the swaying --v~.cnt of the case as the case is carried pivoting handle also may prevent the handle being damaged in use. There are however situations where it i8 desired that the handle should not be able to pivot about a longitudinal axis. Such cases can be uncomfortable to carry because the swaying ,-vl ^nt of the case makes the handle turn in the hand of the user.
According to the present invention in a seventh aspect, there is provided a luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, the two shells being hinged together, and at least one latch for holding the case together when closed, and a carrying handle, the carrying handle being fixed to the wall of the case at its ends 80 as not to pivot relatlve to the case, at least a portion of the handle being made of a material that allows torsional twisting when the case is firmly held by the handle and the case sways from side to side.
With this arrangement, the swaying -v~- ~nt of the case is accommodated by the torsional twisting of the handle.
In some constructions of case it is desired to provide a central latch in the front wall of the case.
If the handle is a fixed handle, access to the latch may be restricted and therefore the latch may be difficult to operate.
W096/02424 ~ 8 ~ 9 PCT~S95/0974l According to the present invention in a eighth aspect, there is provided a luggage case compri~ing a base shell and a lid shell, the two shells being hinged together, a carrying handle and a latch for holding the ~hells together when the case is fastened, the latch being located between a gripping portion of the carrying handle and the wall of the case and being o$ the type that draws the edges of the shells together as it i8 fastened, the latch being mounted on one of the shells and having a claw hook for engagement with a portion of the other shell, the latch including an operating lever being coupled to the claw portion by a linkage, which when the lever is operated to fasten the case, causes the claw portion first to move towards the wall of the other shell and then to be drawn towards the said one shell. With this arrangement, operation of the latch is facilitated.
In some cases it is desired to be able to divide the space between the lid shell and the base shell with a panel. Such panels are usually hinged to the back wall of the case and have clips for securing the front edge of the case to the lid shell. One conventional form of clip consists of a turnbuckle. Such arrangements can however be difficult to operate, particularly where single-h~e~ operation is required.
According to the present invention in a ninth aspect, there is provided a luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, the two shells being hinged together along a back wall of the case, and a panel within the case for dividing the space within the lid ~hell from the space within the base shell, the panel being attached at its back edge to the interior of the back wall and having means for detachably securing its front edge to the lid of the case, the said means comprising loop attached to the pad and a hook attached to the inside of the lid shell, a resilient detent being .2i~4~ --W096/02124 PCT~S9StO9741 po~ition to prevent the loop from accidentally disengaging from the hook.
An embodiment of the in~ention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a case in accordance with the invention;
Flgure 2 shows a top plan view of the case;
Figure 3 shows an end elevation of the case;
Figure 4 shows a rear ele~ation of the case;
Figure 5 shows a per~pective sketch of the case in the open condition;
Figure 6 shows a side elevation, partly in section, of a side latch of the case;
Figure 7 shows a rear elevation of the latch of Figure 6;
Figure 8 shows a detail of the wall construction;
Figure 9 shows a detail of the hinge construction:
Figure 10 shows a sketch of the case being used in two wheel operation;
Figure 11 shows a detail of the case being used in four wheel operation;
Figure 12 shows a perspective sketch of the pulling handle construction;
Figure 13 8how8 a detail view of the ca8e in the open condition;
Figure 14 ~hows a further detail of the case in the open condition;
~igure 15 shows a sketch of the castors in the open condition;
Figure 16 shows a cross-section through the rim of the case;
Figure 17 shows a cross-section through the rim of the case in the region of the hinge;
Figure 18 shows a detail of the handle construction;
W096/02~24 18~ PCT~S95/09741 Figure 19 shows a side elevational view of the central latch with the case wall in cross section.
Figure 20 shows a perspective view of a central latch;
Figure 21 shows a perspective detail of an arrangement for holding a dlviding panel;
Figure 22 is a cut-away view of the catch of Figure 21; and Figure 23 shows elevational views of the catch of Figures 21 and 22.
Referring to the drawings, these show a luggage case 10 comprising two shells, a lid shell 11 and a base shell 12, each formed as a single moulding from plastics material. Each shell has a peripheral wall 13 and 14 respectively, and the two shells together form the front 14, back 15, top 16, underneath 17 and end walls 18 and 19 of the case. The edge of the base shell is of thicker section than the rest of the base shell so as to form an integral fr~me running entirely around the base shell. A carrying handle 21 is mounted on the frame 20 on the front wall of the case.
The two shells 11 and 12 are connected together at the back wall 15 by a hinge 22.
The edges of the two shells are held together when the case is closed by three latches. Two side latches 23 and 24 are mounted on the lid shell 11 and posltioned on the end walls. In the embodiment they are shown near the front of the case between the mid-point of the end walls and the front wall. A third latch 25 is mounted on the base shell on the front wall 14 underneath the gripping portion of the handle 21. All three latches are of the type that draw the edges of the case together with a toggle action as they are fastened.
Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, the construction of the side latches will be described in detail.
W096/02~24 ' ''l ' ` PCT~S95/09741 -The side latch 23 comprises a mounting portion 30, a body portion 31, and a latch portion 33. The mounting portion 30 is secured to the wall of the lid shell 11 by screws 34 which pass through the wall into the mounting portion. The base portion 31 is pivotally connected to the mounting portion 30 by a hinge pin 35 which pasQes through aligned holes in lugs 36 and 37 on the mounting portion and the base portion respectively. A spring 38 acts between the mounting portion and the base portion to bias the base portion so that its lower end is urged away from the end wall of the base shell. Part of the body portion projects above the hinge pin 35 to form an abutment 39 which engages part of the mounting portion to limit the mov~ ^nt of the lower end of the body portion away from the case in the open position shown in Figure 6. The hinge pin 35 extends generally parallel to the end wall of the case and to the edge of the shell.
The latch portion 33 i8 connected to the body portion 31 near its lower end by a hinge pin 40 which passes through aligned holes in lugs or flanges 41 and 42 on the body portion and latching portion respectively. The pivot pin 40 is parallel to the pivot pin 35.
The main part of the latching portion projects upwardly from the hinge pin 40 and is formed at its upper end with an abutment portion 44 which cooperates with a recess 45 formed by a lip on the outside of the end wall of the base shell 12.
The latch portion is pivotal about the pivot pin 40 between an open position in which it is inclined upwardly away from the body portion 31 and towards the wall of the case and a closed position in which it projects upwardly and lies close to the body portion.
The lugs or flanges 41 and 42 on the latch portion and W096/02424 18~ f; pcT~ss~/ns7~l the body portion bear resiliently against one another to provide a frictional resistance to rotation of the latch portion relative to the body portion. A catch mechanism 50 is located in the lower end of the latch to hold the latch in the closed position. The catch 50 is mounted for sliding movement in the latching portion and is biased downwardly by a spring 51. Tabs 52 carried by the sliding portion engage in slots 53 on the body portion to hold the latch portion in the closed position. To release the latch a gripping portion 54 on the lower end of the catch 50 is pushed upwardly against the spring 51 to move the lugs 52 out of the slots 53 and permit the latch to be rotated from the closed position to the open position.
The lower portion 55 of the latch portion form~ the part that is gripped by the user when opening the case.
The pivot pin 40 is located closer to the wall of the case than the gripping portion 55 80 that when the catch 50 is released, upwards pressure on the gripping portion 55 tends to rotate the latch portion from the closed position to the open position. This rotation is further facilitated by the biasing action of the spring 38 moving the body portion into the opened position whilst the abutment 44 is engaged in the recess 45 under the lip at the edge of the case. Once the latch is in the fully open position as shown in Figure 6, the abutment 44 is clear of the lip 80 that the lid can be raised and the case opened.
It will be noted that the body portion forms an angle of le~s than 40, approximately 20, in the open position 80 that the latches point downwardly and outwardly when released. The lower end of the latches 23 ~nd 24 can be ~rippea by tne user and provide a convenient means for opening the case. This is particularly important with a case such as is shown in the drawings where the edge of the lid shell fits within the edge of W096/02424 ~`~g~ ~ " ' PCT~S9~/09741 the base shell and there is no ~lange or other projection which can conveniently be gripped to hold the shell. It is also to be noted that the weight of the lid shell is transmitted through the body portion to the gripping portion of the latch portion and that the delicate parts of the catch do not transmit the~e forces.
To close the case when the lid is lowered, the lower end of the latch is pushed inwardly again~t the action of the spring 38 80 that the abutment 44 engages in the recess 45. As the lower end of the latch 18 pushed inwardly, the two shells are drawn together. It is to be noted that the point of contact between the abutment 44 and the recess 45 moves from a position inside theplane joining the pivot pins 35 and 40 to a position ~ust outside thig pl ane 80 that the latch is closed with a toggle action.
20Figure 9 of the drawingg shows the detail of the hinge construction.
The hinge is formed by ~n~ckles 60 and 61 moulded on the edges of the lid and base shells 11 and 12 respectively. The kn~lc~l~8 are interengaged and hi nqe pi ns 63 and 64 are inserted from opposite ends into aligned holes 65A and 658 passing through the hinge knuckles. The aligned holes do not pass through all the hinge knuckles. One of the knuckles 66 has no hole passing through it 80 as to form an obstruction. The pins therefore cannot be pushed from the outer ends beyond the obstruction 66.
A problem with a conventional case having a single hinge pin rnnn;ng the length of the back wall of the case is that a thief can sometimes gain access to the case even when locked by pushing the hinge pin out through the holes in the hinge knnckles. By including W096/02424 ~9 PCT~S9~/09741 the obstruction 66, the hinge pins cannot be removed in this way since they can only be removed by pulling them out of the ends through which they have been inserted.
The pins 63 and 64 are of such a length that when fully inserted the amount projecting beyond the end of the hinge knuckles is insufficient to grip to extract the hinge pins.
The luggage case 10 is provided with two wheels mounted on stub axles at the corner of the case between the end wall 19 and the back wall 15. The rotational axis of the wheels 71 and 72 are coaxial. On the back wall of the case near the end wall 18 are mounted two castors 72 and 73. The castors are mounted for swivelling movement about axes which are vertical when the case is st~n~ing with its back wall lowermost.
On the end wall 18 of the case is mounted a folding pulling handle 74. As shown in Figure 1, the pulling handle can be folded into a retracted position in which it is located in a recess 75 in the end wall of the case. The pulling handle 74 can be pivoted outwardly into an extended position as indicated dia~ tically in Figure 10 to form a pulling or ~teering handle enabling the case to be tilted 80 as to run on the two wheels 70 and 71.
At the corner between the front wall 14 and the end wall 18 is a retractable pulling handle 76. The retractable pulling handle can be extended as shown diagrammatically in Figure ll to allow the case to be pulled along the ground st~n~;ng on the two wheels 70 and 71 and the two castors 72 and 73. Thus, the case can be manoeuvred either on two wheels or on four wheels dep~n~ing on the user's preference and the circumstances.
As can be seen in Figure 3, the top wall 14 of the W096/02424 2 ~ 7 18 ~ 9 ~ PCT~S95/09741 -case diverges from the bottom wall 17 from the front towards the back 80 as to give the case a generally wedged shaped appearance when viewed from the end~. As can be seen from Figure 1 and Figure 4, the walls of the base and lid shells are flared outwardly in the region 80 around the castors 70 and 73. These features enable the wheels 70 and 71 and the castors 72 and 73 to be spaced as clo~e to the top and bottom walls of the case as possible giving the case greater stability than otherwise would be the case.
Figure 12 shows in diagrammatic form the construction of the pulling handle 76. A strap 90 is attached at one end to a spool 91 located in an enclosure 92 on the inside of the case at the corner between the end wall 18 and the front wall 16 The strap 90 passes through a slot 93 in the wall of the case and is attached to a handle grip 94 on the outside of the case. A spring 96 operates between the drum 91 and the enclosure 92 80 as to urge the drum to rotate ln one direction w~n~ing in the ~trap 90 when not in use.
A recess 97 is formed in the frame 20 on the outside of the case at the corner between the front wall 14 and the end wall 18. The recess is elongate along the direction of the frame and curves around the corner.
The handle grip 94 is similarly elongate and curved 80 as to fit in the recess 97. When the pulling handle is not in use, the spring 96 causes the strap to be wound in on the spool 91 and the handle grip 94 fits into the recess 97 80 as to not to project from the overall outline of the case.
The handle grip 94 is shorter in length than the recess 97 8e as to provide a space 98 into which the user can insert a finger to lift the handle grip out of the recess when he wishes to use the pulling handle.
W096/02424 71~9 i ` ~ ~ PCT~S95/Q9741 As illustrated in Figure 12, the pulling handle assembly is located in the enclosure 92 on the inside of the base shell near the edge of the shell. This forms a space between the enclosure 92 and the bottom wall 17 of the case into which a security box 98 is inserted for holding valuables, keys or the like. The box 98 iB
moulded from plastics material and has a lid 99 which is connected to the main portion of the box by an integral hinge. Locating the security box in this position renders it less visible when the case is opened and makes use of what otherwise would be re~n~nt space.
By providing an arrangement in which the pulling strap is wound on a drum rather than the known arrangement in which it is passed down the inside of the end wall of the case and over a pulley to a linear spring, the pulling handle assembly is more compact and the same unit can be used for different sizes of ca~e.
The length of strap required is greater the smaller the size of the case because the front wall is closer to the ground when being pulled. With the linear arrangement the space available in a small case may not be sufficient from a convenient length of pulling strap to be accommodated. The construction described avoids this difficulty.
The castor and wheel construction now will be described in greater detail.
As can be seen in Figure 4, the base shell 12 is deeper than the lid shell 11 80 that the wheel 71 on the base shell is spaced further from the hinge access 100 than the wheel 70 on the lid shell and the castor 73 on the base shell is spaced further from the hinge access than the castor 72 on the lid shell. A recess 101 is formed in the outside of the back wall of the base shell adjacent the wheel 71 between the wheel 71 and the hinge axi s 100 . Similarly, a recess 102 is formed in the W0 96/02424 217 18 4 9 ~ - PCT/US9~lQ9741 outside of the back wall o~ the base shell ad~acent the castor 73 between the castor 73 and the hinge axi s 100. The recesses 101 and 102 accommodate the wheel 70 and the castor 72 respectively when the case is fully 5 opened as shown in Figures 13 and 14.
Each castor 72 and 73 is constructed wlth a portion 110 which swivels about the swivel axis 111 and carries the castor wheel 112 on a wheel axis 113. The swivelling portion 110 includes a shroud portion 114 which extends down around the castor wheel to protect it from damage by ob~ects lying on the ground.
The wheel axi~3 113 of the castor is offset from the swivel axis in the conventional manner 80 that the weight of the castor wheel tends to cause the castor to adopt a particular orientation with the castor wheel below the swivel axis when the case is placed with its bottom wall on the ground. As can be seen from the drawings, the swivel portion of the castor is cut away by a recess 115 on the side which is opposite the castor wheels. A8 a consequence, the swivelling portion has asymmetry about the swivelling axi~ and the centre of gravity of the swivelling portion is offset from the swivelling axis in the same direction as the offset of the castor wheel axis. This offsetting of the centre of gravity of the swivelling portion e~h~nces the t~n~lency of the castors to orientate themselves with the castor wheel axis below the swivel axis when the case is horizontal.
It is to be noted that the recess 102 would not be large enough to accommodate the castor 72 when the case i8 open if the swivel portion did not include the recess 3S 115. By providing the recess 115 on the castor wheel 73 on the base shell, the swivelling portion provides clearance for the castor wheel 112 of the castor 72 on the lid shell when the case is fully opened. The recess WO 96/02424 21 7 ~ PCT/US95/09741 115 extends from the side that iB uppermost when the case is opened around the swivelling portion to the sides that face horizontally. With this arrangement, clearance is provided even if the castors do not swivel 5 fully into the position where the castor wheel lies immediateiy below the swivel axis, for example if there is some sticking in the swivelling action or if the case is not on a truly horizontal surface.
Figures 16 and 17 show the edge construction of the case. As can be seen in Figure 16, the base shell is for3med at its edge with an inner lip 120 and an outer lip 121, a ch,annel 122 being formed between the inner and outer lips. The channel 122 accommodates the edge 15 123 of the lid shell when the case is closed and gives the closed case rigidity and security from objects falling out. The edge construction of the case is substantially as shown in Figure 16 around the entire periphery of the case except in the region of the hinge.
20 Figure 17 shows the construction in this region. The outer lip 121 is replaced by the knuckles 60 of the base shell. Around the entire periphery of the case, the inner lip 120 is higher than the outer lip 121.
In use, if the case is exposed to rain, for example by being mounted on the roof rack of a car, water may run down the outside of the lid 3hell and collect in the channel 122. By ensuring that the inner lip 120 is, at all points, higher than the outer lip 121, the 30 construction ensures that water collecting in the ch~nnel overflows to the out8ide before it reaches a level where it can overflow into the interior of the case. Thus, the case can be constructed without an elastomeric seal in the channel to prevent ingress of 35 water.
Figure 18 shows details of the carrying handle construction. The carrying handle 21 comprises a 2.124 PCT/US9S/0~7~
gripping portion 140 made from a material that is suf~iciently tough and rigid to be self supporting and to bear the weight of the case but which allow torsional twisting. A suitable material is thermoplastic rubber.
5 The moulded handle is secured to the frame port~on 20 of the base wall of the case by means of U-shaped brackets 141 mounted on the front wall of the case. Pins 143 pass through L-shaped slots 142 in the limbs 144 of the U-shaped brackets and through the ends of the handle 140 10 to secure the handle to the frame. The pln and 810t arrangement allows limited ,v.- ~nt of the ends of the handle relative to the frame in the longit~ nAl direction of the handle. The handle is fixed to the case 80 as to allow no pivoting v~ -nt about an axia 15 parallel to the longit~ n:~l direction of the handle.
However, by using thermoplastic rubber or similar material for the handle which allows limited torsional twisting ,v- -nt, the handle can accommodate swaying -v~ ~nt of the case as the case is carried without the 20 gripping portion turning in the hand of the user. The construction of the handle therefore makes the case more comfortable to carry than it would be if the handle was made of rigid inflexible material.
As stated previously, the central latch 25 is located underneath the handle between the gripping portion and the wall of the case. As the handle is fixed and does not pivot about a longitllrl1n~l axis at the points where it is fixed to the case, the access to the central latch is restricted. The central latch is constructed to facilitate operation in this re~tricted envi~o- -nt. Figures l9 and 20 show the central latch construction in detail.
The central latch comprises a base portion 160 which is secured in a recess 161 in the outside of the base shell of the ca~e on the front wall below the handle. A claw portion 162 is pivotally connected to W096/02~24 71 8 ~9 PCT~S95/09741 the base portion by pins 163 which fit into elongated slots 164 on side flanges 165 of the base portion. The claw portion 162 is also linked to the base portion by pins 166 which have a common axis parallel to the pins 163 and are mounted in lugs 167 on the claw portion. The pins 166 project into L-shaped slots 168 in the side flanges 165.
The main portion of the slot 168 extends parallel to the slot 164. At the end of the slot 168 closest to the edge of the case is a sideways extension 169. The extension extends away from the case wall approximately at right angles to the main portion of the slot. The pins 166 and 163 cooperate with the slots 164 and 168 to guide the claw portion between the closed position and the open position of the latch. When the latch is opened, the pin 163 i8 at the upper end of the slot 164 nearest the edge of the case. The pin 166 is in the portion of the slot 169. Thus, the hook portion 170 of the claw is tilted away from the edge of the case. As the claw portion is moved downwardly, the pin 166 moves into the main portion of the slot 168 causing the claw portion to pivot about the pins 163 and the hook portion 170 to move towards the wall of the lid shell and engage in a recess 171. Further -~ t of the claw portion downwardly causes the pin 166 to move down the slot 168 and the pin 163 to move the slot 164 80 that translational 5v~ A~t of the claw portion towards the base shell is achieved without substantial rotation of the claw portion about the pivot pin 163. The lid shell is thus drawn towards the base shell as the case is closed.
The movement of the claw portion described above is effected by a means of an operating lever 180 which is pivoted to the base portion by a pivot pin 181 which passes through lugs 182 on the operating lever and through the side flanges 165 of the base portion. The pivot pin i8 parallel to the pins 163 and 166. The lever 180 includes a gripping portion 183 which is WO 96/02~24 PCT/US95/09741 ~
8 4~
accommodated in a cut-out 184 in the claw portion 162.
A shaft 185 passes through the lugs 182 on the underside of the lever and carries at its outer ends two roller8 186 which engage cam surfaces 187 on the claw portion. A spring 189 acts between the base portion and the lever 180 to bias its 80 as to pivot about the pin 181 away from the wall of the case. To close the latch, the user presses the gripping portion 183 towards the wall of the case and the lever pivots against the action of the spring 189 towards the base portion. The v. ^nt of the levers causes the rollers 184 in engagement with the cam surfaces 187 to swing in an arc towards the base and run down the cam surfaces. The cam surfaces are shaped 80 that the ends closest to the base portion are closer to the edge of the case than the portions which are furthest from the case wall. In consequence, as the rollers run down the cam surfaces 187, the claw portion is drawn downwardly causing it to execute first a rotational --v. -nt around the pivot pins 163 and then a translational _ v~ ^nt drawing the two shells together. A catch 190 is provided in the lower end of the gripping portion of the lever 180 which functions in a similar manner to the catch 50 of the latches 23 and 24 to hold the lever in the closed position. To release the latch and open the case, the catch 190 is first released and the lever 180 is pulled outwardly, assisted by the spring 189 to allow the claw portion to move upwardly releasing the tightening pressure on the two shells and then to rotate outwardly lifting the hook portion 170 outer of the recess 171.
It will be appreciated that the latch construction allows fastening and unfastening of the latch in the confined region of the handle 21.
Figure 5 shows a panel 200 which divides the space within the lid shell 11 from the space within the base W096/02424 ~ PCT~S9~/09741 1~18~
shell 12. The panel 200 is hinged at its back edge 201 to the inside of the back wall of the case. At both ends of the front edge of the panel 200 is a loop 202 formed by a plastic moulding. The moulding includes a bar portion 205 connected to the panel by two strap portions 206 at each end.
On the inside of the lid shell near the corners between the front wall and the end walls are clips 210 which cooperate with the loops 202.
Each clip comprises a base portion 220 which is secured to the lid shell by screws 221. A hook or bracket portion 222 is supported from the base portion.
The bar 205 of the loop portion can be hooked over the hook portion 202 to secure the front edge of the panel 200 to the lid shell.
A resilient detent 223 extends into the entrance of the bight 224 of the hook portion to prevent the bar accidentally c~ing off the hook. The detent comprises a tongue carried by a resilient bracket 225. The tongue forms a constriction in the mouth to the bight. The re~ilience of the bracket 225 causes the tongue to engage the back of the bracket 222. A gripping portion 226 is formed on the bracket 225. To widen the constriction in the entrance to the bight and allow the loop to be removed from the hook 222, the user presses on the gripping portion 226 to displace the tongue away from the hook portion 222 against the resilient action of the bracket 225. The base portion of the clip is formed with projecting portions or cheeks 228 on either ~ide of the bracket 225 which projects as far as the gripping portion 226 to prevent the contents of the case being able to depress the gripping portion and thus accidentally allow the loop to come off the hook.
The clip 220 may be formed as a single moulding or W096/02424 ` '' PCT~S9S109741 -as a two-piece moulding as illustrated in Figure 23.
The construction of the catch mechanism de~cribed above enables the panel to be attached to the lid shell or released using single h~n~e~ operation.
It will be appreciated that the luggage case described above has various novel features which may be used together as in the embodiment or separately.
The present invention relates to luggage cases and is particularly concerned with luggage cases moulded from plastics material.
A conventional luggage case of plastics material comprises two shells, each having a peripheral side wall, the side walls forming the front, back and end walls of the case. The two shells are hinged together at the back walls and have latches for releasably fastening the edges of the cases together when the ca~e is closed.
Usually, such cases have a protruding lip rllnn; ng around the edge of each shell at the place where the shells meet to provide stiffne~s to the otherwise flexible ~hell. A metal frame may be included around part or all of the frame to provide additional stiffness.
In many designs of case, the projecting lip also provides the means for gripping the lid of the case to open the case when the shells are released. The need to provide a lip for this purpose places a constraint on the designer of luggage cases.
According to the present invention in a first aspect, a luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, each shell having a peripheral side wall, the side walls forming the front, back and end walls of the case, the two shells being hinged together at the back wall and having at least one latch for releasably fastening the shells together when the case is closed, at least a portion the latch being mounted on the lid shell and being arranged to project away from the peripheral side wall when the latch is released 80 as to W096/0221 ~ 9 PC~595/n9741 provide means for gripping and raising the lid shell to open the case.
With this arrangement, it is no longer necessary to provide the lid shell with a projecting lip for gripping when opening the case. In a preferred construction of the case, the edge of the lid shell fits into a ch~nnel in the edge of the base shell. This enables a case with a rounded contour to be constructed.
Preferably the latches are of a toggle construction designed to pull the two shells together as they are closed. Preferably the latches fit into a recess in the peripheral wall of the shell 80 as not to pro;ect substantially when fastened.
Two latches may be mounted on the end walls of the case near the front of the case. Two such latches may be provided, one at each end. With this arrangement the latches are easy to grip for opening the case.
The present invention is also concerned with the problem of handling heavy cases. It is know to provide cases with wheels or ca~tors for transporting the case when heavily filled. In one construction a pair of wheels are located at the corner of the case between the back wall and one of the end walls. Such cases are intended to be tilted at an angle to run on the wheels and a steering handle may be provided near the front of the opposite end wall. Another type of case has four castors on the back wall of the case. The case rests on the castors with the front wall uppermost and is pulled along on the ground by a strap or handle.
According to the present invention, a luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, each shell having a peripheral side wall, the side walls forming the front, back and end wall~ of the ca~e, a carrying W096/02424 21 7i 8 4 ~ PcT~sg5/ng74l handle on the front wall of the case, the case having two coaxial wheels mounted at the corner of the case between the back wall and one of the end walls and two ca~tors mounted on the back wall, and including at least one additional handle for pulling the case on the wheels and the castors, or for steering the case when tilted onto the two wheels. With this arrangement of case the traveller can wheel the case either on two wheels or four according to preference and to suit the circumstance.
The case may include a steering handle at or near the corner of the case diagonally opposite the wheels.
In addition or alternatively, it may include a pulling handle in the same region.
Cases of known construction are usually joined together at their back walls by a single hinge pin which passes through holes in hinge knuckles. Thieves have found it possible to gain access to such cases even when locked by pushing out the hinge pin.
According to the present invention in a third aspect there is provided a luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, each shell having a peripheral side wall, the side walls forming the front, back and end walls of the case, the two shells being connected together at the back wall by a hinge means and having at least one latch for releasably fastening the shells together when closed, the hinge means comprising interengaging hinge knuckles on the edges of the back walls of the respective shells, and two coaxial hinge pins inserted from opposed ends though aligned holes in the knuckles, an obstruction being provided on one side of the shells between the aligned holes to prevent each hinge pin being pushed out of the holes through the end through which it is inserted.
W096/0~4 ~ 4 PCT~sgclo97Jl ~
With this arrangement, the hinge pins can only be extracted from the ends in which they are inserted. It is not possible to push the hinge pins out through the opposite end because o~ the obstruction.
It is known to provide luggage case with a pulling handle for pulling the case along the ground when resting on four wheels or castors. In one known arrangement, the pulling handle is attached to a retractable strap. The strap is attached to a linear spring which extends down the inside of an end wall of the case. The strap passes over a pulley near the back wall of the case. The length of strap required for conveniently pulling a case is greater the smaller the case is because the front wall of the ca~e is closer to the ground. However with the linear gpring arrangement, the length of strap that can be accommodated is restricted in small cases.
According to the present invention in a fourth aspect there is provided a luggage case having top, bottom, front back and end walls, four wheels or castors being mounted on the back wall and a pulling handle assembly near the corner between the front wall and one of the end walls, the pulling handle assembly comprising a pulling strap attached at one end to a spool mounted inside the case, the ~pool being spring loaded 80 as to wind in the strap when not in use, the strap passing to the outside of the case through a slot in the wall of the case and a handle grip being attached to the outer end of the strap, a recess being provided in the outside of the case at the said corner and the handle grip being shaped to fit into the recess when not in use.
With this arrangement, the length of strap that can be accommodated is restricted by the size of the case and, if desired, the same unit can be used in a range of cases of different sizes.
W096/02424 21 718~9 PCT~S95/09741 It is desirable to be able to open cases fully in order to have access for packing the lid of the case as well as the base. When a case is provided with castors the castors may limit the extent to which the case may be opened.
According to the present invention in a fifth aspect, there is provided a luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, each shell having a peripheral side wall, the side walls forming the front, back and end walls of the case, the two shells being hinged together at the back wall and having at least one latch for securing the case together when closed, at least two castors, one of the said castors being mounted on the back wall of each of the shells, the castors being spaced at different distances from the hinge axis, a rece~s being provided between the castor furthest from the axis and the hinge axis to accommodate the castor on the other shell when the case is fully opened.
When a luggage case is being carried on the roof of a car it may be exposed to rain. In order to provide rigidity and for other reasons, it may be desirable to form the edge of the base shell with inner and outer lips with a chAnnel between them which receives the edge of the lid shell. With such a construction however there is a possibility that rain falling on the case may collect in the ch~nnel and enter the suitcase damaging its contents.
According to the present invention in a sixth aspect there is provided a luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid ghell, the two shells being joined together by a hinge, the edge of the base shell being formed with an inner lip and an outer lip with a channel between the inner and outer lips, the inner lip ext~n~;ng around the entire case, the outer lip exten~ing around the entire case except in the region of W096/02424 ~ 9 PCT~S95/09741 the hinge, the edge of the lid shell being received in the channel between the inner and outer lips when the case is closed, the inner lip being higher than the outer lip around the entire periphery of the case. With this arrangement, if water collects in the channel it will overflow to the outside of the case before it can overflow the inner lip and damage the contents of the case.
In many constructions of case, the carrying handle is pivoted to the base shell 80 that it can accommodate the swaying --v~.cnt of the case as the case is carried pivoting handle also may prevent the handle being damaged in use. There are however situations where it i8 desired that the handle should not be able to pivot about a longitudinal axis. Such cases can be uncomfortable to carry because the swaying ,-vl ^nt of the case makes the handle turn in the hand of the user.
According to the present invention in a seventh aspect, there is provided a luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, the two shells being hinged together, and at least one latch for holding the case together when closed, and a carrying handle, the carrying handle being fixed to the wall of the case at its ends 80 as not to pivot relatlve to the case, at least a portion of the handle being made of a material that allows torsional twisting when the case is firmly held by the handle and the case sways from side to side.
With this arrangement, the swaying -v~- ~nt of the case is accommodated by the torsional twisting of the handle.
In some constructions of case it is desired to provide a central latch in the front wall of the case.
If the handle is a fixed handle, access to the latch may be restricted and therefore the latch may be difficult to operate.
W096/02424 ~ 8 ~ 9 PCT~S95/0974l According to the present invention in a eighth aspect, there is provided a luggage case compri~ing a base shell and a lid shell, the two shells being hinged together, a carrying handle and a latch for holding the ~hells together when the case is fastened, the latch being located between a gripping portion of the carrying handle and the wall of the case and being o$ the type that draws the edges of the shells together as it i8 fastened, the latch being mounted on one of the shells and having a claw hook for engagement with a portion of the other shell, the latch including an operating lever being coupled to the claw portion by a linkage, which when the lever is operated to fasten the case, causes the claw portion first to move towards the wall of the other shell and then to be drawn towards the said one shell. With this arrangement, operation of the latch is facilitated.
In some cases it is desired to be able to divide the space between the lid shell and the base shell with a panel. Such panels are usually hinged to the back wall of the case and have clips for securing the front edge of the case to the lid shell. One conventional form of clip consists of a turnbuckle. Such arrangements can however be difficult to operate, particularly where single-h~e~ operation is required.
According to the present invention in a ninth aspect, there is provided a luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, the two shells being hinged together along a back wall of the case, and a panel within the case for dividing the space within the lid ~hell from the space within the base shell, the panel being attached at its back edge to the interior of the back wall and having means for detachably securing its front edge to the lid of the case, the said means comprising loop attached to the pad and a hook attached to the inside of the lid shell, a resilient detent being .2i~4~ --W096/02124 PCT~S9StO9741 po~ition to prevent the loop from accidentally disengaging from the hook.
An embodiment of the in~ention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a case in accordance with the invention;
Flgure 2 shows a top plan view of the case;
Figure 3 shows an end elevation of the case;
Figure 4 shows a rear ele~ation of the case;
Figure 5 shows a per~pective sketch of the case in the open condition;
Figure 6 shows a side elevation, partly in section, of a side latch of the case;
Figure 7 shows a rear elevation of the latch of Figure 6;
Figure 8 shows a detail of the wall construction;
Figure 9 shows a detail of the hinge construction:
Figure 10 shows a sketch of the case being used in two wheel operation;
Figure 11 shows a detail of the case being used in four wheel operation;
Figure 12 shows a perspective sketch of the pulling handle construction;
Figure 13 8how8 a detail view of the ca8e in the open condition;
Figure 14 ~hows a further detail of the case in the open condition;
~igure 15 shows a sketch of the castors in the open condition;
Figure 16 shows a cross-section through the rim of the case;
Figure 17 shows a cross-section through the rim of the case in the region of the hinge;
Figure 18 shows a detail of the handle construction;
W096/02~24 18~ PCT~S95/09741 Figure 19 shows a side elevational view of the central latch with the case wall in cross section.
Figure 20 shows a perspective view of a central latch;
Figure 21 shows a perspective detail of an arrangement for holding a dlviding panel;
Figure 22 is a cut-away view of the catch of Figure 21; and Figure 23 shows elevational views of the catch of Figures 21 and 22.
Referring to the drawings, these show a luggage case 10 comprising two shells, a lid shell 11 and a base shell 12, each formed as a single moulding from plastics material. Each shell has a peripheral wall 13 and 14 respectively, and the two shells together form the front 14, back 15, top 16, underneath 17 and end walls 18 and 19 of the case. The edge of the base shell is of thicker section than the rest of the base shell so as to form an integral fr~me running entirely around the base shell. A carrying handle 21 is mounted on the frame 20 on the front wall of the case.
The two shells 11 and 12 are connected together at the back wall 15 by a hinge 22.
The edges of the two shells are held together when the case is closed by three latches. Two side latches 23 and 24 are mounted on the lid shell 11 and posltioned on the end walls. In the embodiment they are shown near the front of the case between the mid-point of the end walls and the front wall. A third latch 25 is mounted on the base shell on the front wall 14 underneath the gripping portion of the handle 21. All three latches are of the type that draw the edges of the case together with a toggle action as they are fastened.
Referring now to Figures 6 and 7, the construction of the side latches will be described in detail.
W096/02~24 ' ''l ' ` PCT~S95/09741 -The side latch 23 comprises a mounting portion 30, a body portion 31, and a latch portion 33. The mounting portion 30 is secured to the wall of the lid shell 11 by screws 34 which pass through the wall into the mounting portion. The base portion 31 is pivotally connected to the mounting portion 30 by a hinge pin 35 which pasQes through aligned holes in lugs 36 and 37 on the mounting portion and the base portion respectively. A spring 38 acts between the mounting portion and the base portion to bias the base portion so that its lower end is urged away from the end wall of the base shell. Part of the body portion projects above the hinge pin 35 to form an abutment 39 which engages part of the mounting portion to limit the mov~ ^nt of the lower end of the body portion away from the case in the open position shown in Figure 6. The hinge pin 35 extends generally parallel to the end wall of the case and to the edge of the shell.
The latch portion 33 i8 connected to the body portion 31 near its lower end by a hinge pin 40 which passes through aligned holes in lugs or flanges 41 and 42 on the body portion and latching portion respectively. The pivot pin 40 is parallel to the pivot pin 35.
The main part of the latching portion projects upwardly from the hinge pin 40 and is formed at its upper end with an abutment portion 44 which cooperates with a recess 45 formed by a lip on the outside of the end wall of the base shell 12.
The latch portion is pivotal about the pivot pin 40 between an open position in which it is inclined upwardly away from the body portion 31 and towards the wall of the case and a closed position in which it projects upwardly and lies close to the body portion.
The lugs or flanges 41 and 42 on the latch portion and W096/02424 18~ f; pcT~ss~/ns7~l the body portion bear resiliently against one another to provide a frictional resistance to rotation of the latch portion relative to the body portion. A catch mechanism 50 is located in the lower end of the latch to hold the latch in the closed position. The catch 50 is mounted for sliding movement in the latching portion and is biased downwardly by a spring 51. Tabs 52 carried by the sliding portion engage in slots 53 on the body portion to hold the latch portion in the closed position. To release the latch a gripping portion 54 on the lower end of the catch 50 is pushed upwardly against the spring 51 to move the lugs 52 out of the slots 53 and permit the latch to be rotated from the closed position to the open position.
The lower portion 55 of the latch portion form~ the part that is gripped by the user when opening the case.
The pivot pin 40 is located closer to the wall of the case than the gripping portion 55 80 that when the catch 50 is released, upwards pressure on the gripping portion 55 tends to rotate the latch portion from the closed position to the open position. This rotation is further facilitated by the biasing action of the spring 38 moving the body portion into the opened position whilst the abutment 44 is engaged in the recess 45 under the lip at the edge of the case. Once the latch is in the fully open position as shown in Figure 6, the abutment 44 is clear of the lip 80 that the lid can be raised and the case opened.
It will be noted that the body portion forms an angle of le~s than 40, approximately 20, in the open position 80 that the latches point downwardly and outwardly when released. The lower end of the latches 23 ~nd 24 can be ~rippea by tne user and provide a convenient means for opening the case. This is particularly important with a case such as is shown in the drawings where the edge of the lid shell fits within the edge of W096/02424 ~`~g~ ~ " ' PCT~S9~/09741 the base shell and there is no ~lange or other projection which can conveniently be gripped to hold the shell. It is also to be noted that the weight of the lid shell is transmitted through the body portion to the gripping portion of the latch portion and that the delicate parts of the catch do not transmit the~e forces.
To close the case when the lid is lowered, the lower end of the latch is pushed inwardly again~t the action of the spring 38 80 that the abutment 44 engages in the recess 45. As the lower end of the latch 18 pushed inwardly, the two shells are drawn together. It is to be noted that the point of contact between the abutment 44 and the recess 45 moves from a position inside theplane joining the pivot pins 35 and 40 to a position ~ust outside thig pl ane 80 that the latch is closed with a toggle action.
20Figure 9 of the drawingg shows the detail of the hinge construction.
The hinge is formed by ~n~ckles 60 and 61 moulded on the edges of the lid and base shells 11 and 12 respectively. The kn~lc~l~8 are interengaged and hi nqe pi ns 63 and 64 are inserted from opposite ends into aligned holes 65A and 658 passing through the hinge knuckles. The aligned holes do not pass through all the hinge knuckles. One of the knuckles 66 has no hole passing through it 80 as to form an obstruction. The pins therefore cannot be pushed from the outer ends beyond the obstruction 66.
A problem with a conventional case having a single hinge pin rnnn;ng the length of the back wall of the case is that a thief can sometimes gain access to the case even when locked by pushing the hinge pin out through the holes in the hinge knnckles. By including W096/02424 ~9 PCT~S9~/09741 the obstruction 66, the hinge pins cannot be removed in this way since they can only be removed by pulling them out of the ends through which they have been inserted.
The pins 63 and 64 are of such a length that when fully inserted the amount projecting beyond the end of the hinge knuckles is insufficient to grip to extract the hinge pins.
The luggage case 10 is provided with two wheels mounted on stub axles at the corner of the case between the end wall 19 and the back wall 15. The rotational axis of the wheels 71 and 72 are coaxial. On the back wall of the case near the end wall 18 are mounted two castors 72 and 73. The castors are mounted for swivelling movement about axes which are vertical when the case is st~n~ing with its back wall lowermost.
On the end wall 18 of the case is mounted a folding pulling handle 74. As shown in Figure 1, the pulling handle can be folded into a retracted position in which it is located in a recess 75 in the end wall of the case. The pulling handle 74 can be pivoted outwardly into an extended position as indicated dia~ tically in Figure 10 to form a pulling or ~teering handle enabling the case to be tilted 80 as to run on the two wheels 70 and 71.
At the corner between the front wall 14 and the end wall 18 is a retractable pulling handle 76. The retractable pulling handle can be extended as shown diagrammatically in Figure ll to allow the case to be pulled along the ground st~n~;ng on the two wheels 70 and 71 and the two castors 72 and 73. Thus, the case can be manoeuvred either on two wheels or on four wheels dep~n~ing on the user's preference and the circumstances.
As can be seen in Figure 3, the top wall 14 of the W096/02424 2 ~ 7 18 ~ 9 ~ PCT~S95/09741 -case diverges from the bottom wall 17 from the front towards the back 80 as to give the case a generally wedged shaped appearance when viewed from the end~. As can be seen from Figure 1 and Figure 4, the walls of the base and lid shells are flared outwardly in the region 80 around the castors 70 and 73. These features enable the wheels 70 and 71 and the castors 72 and 73 to be spaced as clo~e to the top and bottom walls of the case as possible giving the case greater stability than otherwise would be the case.
Figure 12 shows in diagrammatic form the construction of the pulling handle 76. A strap 90 is attached at one end to a spool 91 located in an enclosure 92 on the inside of the case at the corner between the end wall 18 and the front wall 16 The strap 90 passes through a slot 93 in the wall of the case and is attached to a handle grip 94 on the outside of the case. A spring 96 operates between the drum 91 and the enclosure 92 80 as to urge the drum to rotate ln one direction w~n~ing in the ~trap 90 when not in use.
A recess 97 is formed in the frame 20 on the outside of the case at the corner between the front wall 14 and the end wall 18. The recess is elongate along the direction of the frame and curves around the corner.
The handle grip 94 is similarly elongate and curved 80 as to fit in the recess 97. When the pulling handle is not in use, the spring 96 causes the strap to be wound in on the spool 91 and the handle grip 94 fits into the recess 97 80 as to not to project from the overall outline of the case.
The handle grip 94 is shorter in length than the recess 97 8e as to provide a space 98 into which the user can insert a finger to lift the handle grip out of the recess when he wishes to use the pulling handle.
W096/02424 71~9 i ` ~ ~ PCT~S95/Q9741 As illustrated in Figure 12, the pulling handle assembly is located in the enclosure 92 on the inside of the base shell near the edge of the shell. This forms a space between the enclosure 92 and the bottom wall 17 of the case into which a security box 98 is inserted for holding valuables, keys or the like. The box 98 iB
moulded from plastics material and has a lid 99 which is connected to the main portion of the box by an integral hinge. Locating the security box in this position renders it less visible when the case is opened and makes use of what otherwise would be re~n~nt space.
By providing an arrangement in which the pulling strap is wound on a drum rather than the known arrangement in which it is passed down the inside of the end wall of the case and over a pulley to a linear spring, the pulling handle assembly is more compact and the same unit can be used for different sizes of ca~e.
The length of strap required is greater the smaller the size of the case because the front wall is closer to the ground when being pulled. With the linear arrangement the space available in a small case may not be sufficient from a convenient length of pulling strap to be accommodated. The construction described avoids this difficulty.
The castor and wheel construction now will be described in greater detail.
As can be seen in Figure 4, the base shell 12 is deeper than the lid shell 11 80 that the wheel 71 on the base shell is spaced further from the hinge access 100 than the wheel 70 on the lid shell and the castor 73 on the base shell is spaced further from the hinge access than the castor 72 on the lid shell. A recess 101 is formed in the outside of the back wall of the base shell adjacent the wheel 71 between the wheel 71 and the hinge axi s 100 . Similarly, a recess 102 is formed in the W0 96/02424 217 18 4 9 ~ - PCT/US9~lQ9741 outside of the back wall o~ the base shell ad~acent the castor 73 between the castor 73 and the hinge axi s 100. The recesses 101 and 102 accommodate the wheel 70 and the castor 72 respectively when the case is fully 5 opened as shown in Figures 13 and 14.
Each castor 72 and 73 is constructed wlth a portion 110 which swivels about the swivel axis 111 and carries the castor wheel 112 on a wheel axis 113. The swivelling portion 110 includes a shroud portion 114 which extends down around the castor wheel to protect it from damage by ob~ects lying on the ground.
The wheel axi~3 113 of the castor is offset from the swivel axis in the conventional manner 80 that the weight of the castor wheel tends to cause the castor to adopt a particular orientation with the castor wheel below the swivel axis when the case is placed with its bottom wall on the ground. As can be seen from the drawings, the swivel portion of the castor is cut away by a recess 115 on the side which is opposite the castor wheels. A8 a consequence, the swivelling portion has asymmetry about the swivelling axi~ and the centre of gravity of the swivelling portion is offset from the swivelling axis in the same direction as the offset of the castor wheel axis. This offsetting of the centre of gravity of the swivelling portion e~h~nces the t~n~lency of the castors to orientate themselves with the castor wheel axis below the swivel axis when the case is horizontal.
It is to be noted that the recess 102 would not be large enough to accommodate the castor 72 when the case i8 open if the swivel portion did not include the recess 3S 115. By providing the recess 115 on the castor wheel 73 on the base shell, the swivelling portion provides clearance for the castor wheel 112 of the castor 72 on the lid shell when the case is fully opened. The recess WO 96/02424 21 7 ~ PCT/US95/09741 115 extends from the side that iB uppermost when the case is opened around the swivelling portion to the sides that face horizontally. With this arrangement, clearance is provided even if the castors do not swivel 5 fully into the position where the castor wheel lies immediateiy below the swivel axis, for example if there is some sticking in the swivelling action or if the case is not on a truly horizontal surface.
Figures 16 and 17 show the edge construction of the case. As can be seen in Figure 16, the base shell is for3med at its edge with an inner lip 120 and an outer lip 121, a ch,annel 122 being formed between the inner and outer lips. The channel 122 accommodates the edge 15 123 of the lid shell when the case is closed and gives the closed case rigidity and security from objects falling out. The edge construction of the case is substantially as shown in Figure 16 around the entire periphery of the case except in the region of the hinge.
20 Figure 17 shows the construction in this region. The outer lip 121 is replaced by the knuckles 60 of the base shell. Around the entire periphery of the case, the inner lip 120 is higher than the outer lip 121.
In use, if the case is exposed to rain, for example by being mounted on the roof rack of a car, water may run down the outside of the lid 3hell and collect in the channel 122. By ensuring that the inner lip 120 is, at all points, higher than the outer lip 121, the 30 construction ensures that water collecting in the ch~nnel overflows to the out8ide before it reaches a level where it can overflow into the interior of the case. Thus, the case can be constructed without an elastomeric seal in the channel to prevent ingress of 35 water.
Figure 18 shows details of the carrying handle construction. The carrying handle 21 comprises a 2.124 PCT/US9S/0~7~
gripping portion 140 made from a material that is suf~iciently tough and rigid to be self supporting and to bear the weight of the case but which allow torsional twisting. A suitable material is thermoplastic rubber.
5 The moulded handle is secured to the frame port~on 20 of the base wall of the case by means of U-shaped brackets 141 mounted on the front wall of the case. Pins 143 pass through L-shaped slots 142 in the limbs 144 of the U-shaped brackets and through the ends of the handle 140 10 to secure the handle to the frame. The pln and 810t arrangement allows limited ,v.- ~nt of the ends of the handle relative to the frame in the longit~ nAl direction of the handle. The handle is fixed to the case 80 as to allow no pivoting v~ -nt about an axia 15 parallel to the longit~ n:~l direction of the handle.
However, by using thermoplastic rubber or similar material for the handle which allows limited torsional twisting ,v- -nt, the handle can accommodate swaying -v~ ~nt of the case as the case is carried without the 20 gripping portion turning in the hand of the user. The construction of the handle therefore makes the case more comfortable to carry than it would be if the handle was made of rigid inflexible material.
As stated previously, the central latch 25 is located underneath the handle between the gripping portion and the wall of the case. As the handle is fixed and does not pivot about a longitllrl1n~l axis at the points where it is fixed to the case, the access to the central latch is restricted. The central latch is constructed to facilitate operation in this re~tricted envi~o- -nt. Figures l9 and 20 show the central latch construction in detail.
The central latch comprises a base portion 160 which is secured in a recess 161 in the outside of the base shell of the ca~e on the front wall below the handle. A claw portion 162 is pivotally connected to W096/02~24 71 8 ~9 PCT~S95/09741 the base portion by pins 163 which fit into elongated slots 164 on side flanges 165 of the base portion. The claw portion 162 is also linked to the base portion by pins 166 which have a common axis parallel to the pins 163 and are mounted in lugs 167 on the claw portion. The pins 166 project into L-shaped slots 168 in the side flanges 165.
The main portion of the slot 168 extends parallel to the slot 164. At the end of the slot 168 closest to the edge of the case is a sideways extension 169. The extension extends away from the case wall approximately at right angles to the main portion of the slot. The pins 166 and 163 cooperate with the slots 164 and 168 to guide the claw portion between the closed position and the open position of the latch. When the latch is opened, the pin 163 i8 at the upper end of the slot 164 nearest the edge of the case. The pin 166 is in the portion of the slot 169. Thus, the hook portion 170 of the claw is tilted away from the edge of the case. As the claw portion is moved downwardly, the pin 166 moves into the main portion of the slot 168 causing the claw portion to pivot about the pins 163 and the hook portion 170 to move towards the wall of the lid shell and engage in a recess 171. Further -~ t of the claw portion downwardly causes the pin 166 to move down the slot 168 and the pin 163 to move the slot 164 80 that translational 5v~ A~t of the claw portion towards the base shell is achieved without substantial rotation of the claw portion about the pivot pin 163. The lid shell is thus drawn towards the base shell as the case is closed.
The movement of the claw portion described above is effected by a means of an operating lever 180 which is pivoted to the base portion by a pivot pin 181 which passes through lugs 182 on the operating lever and through the side flanges 165 of the base portion. The pivot pin i8 parallel to the pins 163 and 166. The lever 180 includes a gripping portion 183 which is WO 96/02~24 PCT/US95/09741 ~
8 4~
accommodated in a cut-out 184 in the claw portion 162.
A shaft 185 passes through the lugs 182 on the underside of the lever and carries at its outer ends two roller8 186 which engage cam surfaces 187 on the claw portion. A spring 189 acts between the base portion and the lever 180 to bias its 80 as to pivot about the pin 181 away from the wall of the case. To close the latch, the user presses the gripping portion 183 towards the wall of the case and the lever pivots against the action of the spring 189 towards the base portion. The v. ^nt of the levers causes the rollers 184 in engagement with the cam surfaces 187 to swing in an arc towards the base and run down the cam surfaces. The cam surfaces are shaped 80 that the ends closest to the base portion are closer to the edge of the case than the portions which are furthest from the case wall. In consequence, as the rollers run down the cam surfaces 187, the claw portion is drawn downwardly causing it to execute first a rotational --v. -nt around the pivot pins 163 and then a translational _ v~ ^nt drawing the two shells together. A catch 190 is provided in the lower end of the gripping portion of the lever 180 which functions in a similar manner to the catch 50 of the latches 23 and 24 to hold the lever in the closed position. To release the latch and open the case, the catch 190 is first released and the lever 180 is pulled outwardly, assisted by the spring 189 to allow the claw portion to move upwardly releasing the tightening pressure on the two shells and then to rotate outwardly lifting the hook portion 170 outer of the recess 171.
It will be appreciated that the latch construction allows fastening and unfastening of the latch in the confined region of the handle 21.
Figure 5 shows a panel 200 which divides the space within the lid shell 11 from the space within the base W096/02424 ~ PCT~S9~/09741 1~18~
shell 12. The panel 200 is hinged at its back edge 201 to the inside of the back wall of the case. At both ends of the front edge of the panel 200 is a loop 202 formed by a plastic moulding. The moulding includes a bar portion 205 connected to the panel by two strap portions 206 at each end.
On the inside of the lid shell near the corners between the front wall and the end walls are clips 210 which cooperate with the loops 202.
Each clip comprises a base portion 220 which is secured to the lid shell by screws 221. A hook or bracket portion 222 is supported from the base portion.
The bar 205 of the loop portion can be hooked over the hook portion 202 to secure the front edge of the panel 200 to the lid shell.
A resilient detent 223 extends into the entrance of the bight 224 of the hook portion to prevent the bar accidentally c~ing off the hook. The detent comprises a tongue carried by a resilient bracket 225. The tongue forms a constriction in the mouth to the bight. The re~ilience of the bracket 225 causes the tongue to engage the back of the bracket 222. A gripping portion 226 is formed on the bracket 225. To widen the constriction in the entrance to the bight and allow the loop to be removed from the hook 222, the user presses on the gripping portion 226 to displace the tongue away from the hook portion 222 against the resilient action of the bracket 225. The base portion of the clip is formed with projecting portions or cheeks 228 on either ~ide of the bracket 225 which projects as far as the gripping portion 226 to prevent the contents of the case being able to depress the gripping portion and thus accidentally allow the loop to come off the hook.
The clip 220 may be formed as a single moulding or W096/02424 ` '' PCT~S9S109741 -as a two-piece moulding as illustrated in Figure 23.
The construction of the catch mechanism de~cribed above enables the panel to be attached to the lid shell or released using single h~n~e~ operation.
It will be appreciated that the luggage case described above has various novel features which may be used together as in the embodiment or separately.
Claims (48)
1. A luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, each shell having a peripheral side wall, the side walls forming the front, back and end walls of the case, the two shells being hinged together at the back wall and having at least one latch for releasably fastening the shells together when the case is closed, at least a portion of the latch being mounted on the lid shell and being arranged to project away from the peripheral side wall when the latch is released so as to provide means for gripping and raising the lid shell to open the case.
2. A case according to Claim 1, in which the edge of the base shell is formed with an outer lip, and the edge of the lid shell fits inside the said outer lip on the base shell when the case is closed.
3. A case according to Claims 1 or 2, in which there are at least two latches mounted on the lid shell, one of said latch being mounted on each end wall of the lid shell near the front.
4. A case according to Claims 1 or 2 in which the latch or latches are of the type that draw the edges of the shells together as they are fastened.
5. A case according to Claim 4 in which the latch includes a body portion which is mounted at its upper end to the lid shell for pivotal movement about an axis substantially parallel to the end wall of the case, the body portion extending downwardly from the pivot axis and being movable between a closed position in which it lies close to the wall of the case and an open position in which it projects downwards and away from the wall of the case, biasing means acting on the body portion to urge it towards the open position.
6. A case according to Claim 5 in which the body portion makes an angle of less than 40° to the wall of the case in the open position.
7. A case according to Claim 6, in which the body portion makes an angle of approximately 20° to the wall of the case in the open position.
8. A case according to Claim 5, in which the latch includes a latch portion which is pivotally mounted on the body portion on a second pivot axis, the latch portion projecting from the second pivot axis towards the first mention axis on which the body portion is mounted to the lid, the latch portion being pivotable between a closed position in which it lies close to the body portion and an open position in which it projects upwardly away from the body portion and towards the case, the latch portion carrying an abutment portion for engagement with a cooperating portion of the base shell to hold the shells together when the latch is closed.
9. A case according to Claim 8, in which the abutment makes contact with the cooperating portion on a line which lies outside the plane joining the first and second pivot axis in the closed position, but inside the said plane in the open position so that the latch operates with a toggle action.
10. A case according to Claim 8, in which part of the latch portion extends below the body portion to form a gripping portion of the latch that is gripped by the user when the latch is being released and the lid is being lifted, the second pivot axis lying closer to the wall of the case than the gripping portion so that upward pressure on the gripping portion tends to pivot the latch portion from the closed to the open position.
11. A case according to Claim 8, in which the latch includes a catch mechanism for securing the latch portion to the body portion in the closed position.
12. A case according to Claim 5, in which a part of the body portion abuts the wall of the lid shell or a mounting portion fixed to it in order to limit pivotal movement of the body portion away from the closed position under the action of the biassing means.
13. A luggage case according to Claim 5, in which the latch or latches fit into a recess in the peripheral wall of the shell so as not to project substantially from the case when the latches are fastened.
14. A luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, each shell having a peripheral side wall, the side walls forming the front, back and end walls of the case, the two shells being connected together at the back wall by a hinge means and having at least one latch for releasably fastening the shells together when closed, the hinge means comprising interengaging hinge knuckles on the edges of the back walls of the respective shells, and two coaxial hinge pins inserted from opposed ends through aligned holes in the knuckles, an obstruction being provided on one side of the shells between the aligned holes to prevent each hinge pin being pushed out of the holes through the end through which it is inserted.
15. A luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, each shell having a peripheral side wall, the side walls forming the front, back and end walls of the case, a carrying handle on the front wall of the case, the case having two coaxial wheels mounted at the corner of the case between the back wall and one of the end walls and two castors mounted on the back wall, and including at least one additional handle for pulling the case on the wheels and the castors, or for steering the case when tilted onto the two wheels.
16. A case according to Claim 14, in which two handles are provided in addition to the carrying handle, one handle being a steering handle mounted on the end wall opposite to the corner where the wheels are mounted and adapted for steering the case on two wheels, and a pulling handle at or near the corner between the said end face and the front wall for pulling the case on the two wheels and the castors.
17. A case according to Claim 16, in which the pulling handle comprises a strap with a handle on one end, the other end being secured to a spool inside the case, the spool being spring loaded to wind the strap onto the spool when not in use.
18. A case according to Claim 17, in which the spool is located in an enclosure in the base shell and in which the base shell includes a security box between the enclosure and the bottom wall of the case for valuables and the like.
19. A case according to any of Claims 15 to 18, in which the top wall diverges from the bottom wall from front to back so as to give the case a generally wedge-shaped appearance when viewed from the ends.
20. A case according to Claim 15, in which the wall of the top and bottom shells include a flared-out portion in the region of the castors so as to enable the castors to be spaced further from each other than would otherwise be possible.
21. A luggage case having top, bottom, front, back and end walls, four wheels or castors being mounted on the back wall and a pulling handle assembly near the corner between the front wall and one of the end walls, the pulling handle assembly comprising a pulling strap attached at one end to a spool mounted inside the case, the spool being spring loaded so as to wind in the strap when not in use, the strap passing to the outside of the case through a slot in the wall of the case and a handle grip being attached to the outer end of the strap, a recess being provided in the outside of the case at the said corner and the handle grip being shaped to fit into the recess when not in use.
22. A case according to Claim 21, in which the handle grip and the recess are both elongate and the recess is longer than the handle so as to leave a space between the grip and the wall of the case when the grip is in the recess for insertion of the users finger to enable the grip to be lifted out of the recess.
23. A case according to Claim 21 or 22, in which the spool is housed in an enclosure within the base of the case and a security box is provided between the enclosure and the bottom wall for valuables and the like.
24. A luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, each shell having a peripheral side wall, the side walls forming the front, back and end walls of the case, the two shells being hinged together at the back wall and having at least one latch for securing the case together when closed, at least two castors, one of the said castors being mounted on the back wall of each of the shells, the castors being spaced at different distances from the hinge axis, a recess being provided between the castor furthest from the axis and the hinge axis to accommodate the castor on the other shell when the case is fully opened.
25. A case according to Claim 24, in which centre of gravity of each castor is offset from the swivel axis so that when the case is placed on its bottom wall and the swivel axis is substantially horizontal the castors hang in a predetermined orientation.
26. A case according to Claims 24 or 25, in which each castor includes a swivelling portion mounted on the swivel axis and in which a castor wheel is mounted for rotation about a wheel axis; the swivelling portion being asymmetric with respect to the axis of swivel axis of the castor, so that the centre of gravity of the said swivelling portion is offset in the same direction as the wheel axis of the castor wheel.
27. A case according to Claim 26, including two coaxial wheels at a corner between the back wall and an end wall one of said wheels being mounted on each shell, one of the wheels being further from the hinge axis than the other wheel, a recess being provided in the back wall of the case between the wheel further from the hinge axis and the hinge to accommodate the other wheel when the case is fully opened.
28. A case according to Claim 27, in which the swivelling portion of the castor farthest from the hinge includes a recess on the side opposite to the castor wheel, to provide clearance of the other castor.
29. A case according to Claim 28, in which the said recess on the swivelling portion extends to the sides of the swivelling portion that normally face horizontally when the case is opened, to provide clearance for the other castor even when the said castor is not hanging with its centre of gravity immediately below the swivel axis.
30. A luggage case according to Claim 26, in which the castors include a shroud which extends around the castor wheels to protect them from damage by collision with objects on the ground.
31. A luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, the two shells being joined together by a hinge, the edge of the base shell being formed with an inner lip and an outer lip with a channel between the inner and outer lips, the inner lip extending around the entire case, the outer lip extending around the entire case except in the region of the hinge, the edge of the lid shell being received in the channel between the inner and outer lips when the case is closed, the inner lip being higher than the outer lip around the entire periphery of the case.
32. A case according to Claim 31, in which there is no seal in the channel.
33. A luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, the two shells being hinged together, and at least one latch for holding the case together when closed, and a carrying handle, the carrying handle being fixed to the wall of the case at its ends so as not to pivot relative to the case, at least a portion of the handle being made of a material that allows torsional twisting when the case is firmly held by the handle and the case sways from side to side.
34. A luggage case according to Claim 33, in which the said portion of the handle is of thermoplastic rubber.
35. A luggage case according to Claim 33 or 34, in which the latch is located between a gripping portion of the carrying handle and the wall of the case.
36. A luggage case according to Claim 35, in which the latch is a claw latch with a toggle action that draws the shells together as the latch is fastened.
37. A luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, the two shells being hinged together, a carrying handle and a latch for holding the shells together when the case is fastened, the latch being located between a gripping portion of the carrying handle and the wall of the case and being of the type that draws the edges of the shells together as it is fastened, the latch being mounted on one of the shells and having a claw hook for engagement with a portion of the other shell, the latch including an operating lever being coupled to the claw portion by a linkage, which when the lever is operated to fasten the case, causes the claw portion first to move towards the wall of the other shell and then to be drawn towards the said one shell.
38. A luggage case according to Claim 37, in which the latch includes a base portion, the claw portion and the operating lever being mounted on the base portion for pivotal movement about spaced parallel axis.
39. A luggage case according to Claim 38, in which the linkage includes a guide in the base portion for permitting limited transverse movement of the pivot axis of the claw portion in a direction substantially parallel to the front wall of the case.
40. A luggage case according to Claim 39, in which linkage includes a further guide in the base portion spaced from the first guide and for permitting limited pivoting movement of the claw hook about the said pivot axis followed by translational movement with substantially no pivoting movement.
41. A luggage case according to Claim 39 or 40, in which the guide comprises a pair of slots in which a pivot pin forming the pivot axis is located.
42. A luggage case according to Claim 41 when appendant to Claim 40, in which the further guide comprises two further slots, each further slot having a first portion extending parallel to the first pairs of slots and a second portion extending substantially at right angles to the first slot.
43. A luggage case according to any of Claims 38 and 40, in which the claw portion includes a cam surface and the lever carries means engageable with the cam surface, pivoting of the lever relative to the base causing the said means to move along the cam surface causing the claw portion to move towards the said one shells.
44. A luggage case comprising a base shell and a lid shell, the two shells being hinged together along a back wall of the case, and a panel within the case for dividing the space within the lid shell from the space within the base shell, the panel being attached at its back edge to the interior of the back wall and having means for detachably securing its front edge to the lid of the case, the said means comprising loop attached to the pad and a hook attached to the inside of the lid shell, a resilient detent being position to prevent the loop from accidentally disengaging from the hook.
45. A luggage case according to Claim 44, in which the loop is formed by a bar attached to the panel by straps at each end.
46. A luggage case according to Claim 45, in which the bar and straps are formed integrally.
47. A luggage case according to Claims 44, 45 or 46, in which the detent comprises a resilient tongue which projects into the entrance to the bight formed by the hook so as to form a constriction.
48. A luggage case according to Claim 47, in which the detent includes a manually operable portion for displacing the tongue against the resilient action so as to widen the constriction and allow the loop to be released.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9414354.2 | 1994-07-15 | ||
| GB9414354A GB9414354D0 (en) | 1994-07-15 | 1994-07-15 | Luggage case |
| PCT/US1995/009741 WO1996002424A1 (en) | 1994-07-15 | 1995-07-14 | Luggage case |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2171849A1 true CA2171849A1 (en) | 1996-02-01 |
Family
ID=10758419
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002171849A Abandoned CA2171849A1 (en) | 1994-07-15 | 1995-07-14 | Luggage case |
Country Status (18)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0717705B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH09503149A (en) |
| KR (1) | KR100399296B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1135710A (en) |
| AR (1) | AR020320A2 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE237246T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU692291B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9506052A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2171849A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE69530362T2 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK0717705T3 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2196074T3 (en) |
| GB (2) | GB9414354D0 (en) |
| HK (1) | HK1010976A1 (en) |
| PT (1) | PT717705E (en) |
| SG (4) | SG96171A1 (en) |
| TW (1) | TW322421B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996002424A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8297464B2 (en) | 2007-06-13 | 2012-10-30 | Jean-Pierre Grenier | Carrying case with locking latch mechanism |
| EP2826394B1 (en) | 2013-07-19 | 2020-07-15 | Samsonite IP Holdings S.a.r.l | Luggage with shell, frame, and lock |
| FR3012299B1 (en) * | 2013-10-25 | 2015-12-18 | Vuitton Louis Sa | ROLLING LUGGAGE COMPRISING A RETRACTABLE ROD |
| US9616562B2 (en) | 2014-07-22 | 2017-04-11 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Tool storage devices |
| USD844324S1 (en) | 2015-07-17 | 2019-04-02 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Bag |
| KR200487279Y1 (en) | 2015-11-18 | 2018-08-29 | 김성준 | Structure of Connecting Expansion part with Opening part in a Hard Type Traveling Bag |
| US9872547B2 (en) | 2015-11-25 | 2018-01-23 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Handle assembly for a case |
| CN206933608U (en) * | 2016-03-08 | 2018-01-30 | 新秀丽Ip控股有限责任公司 | Luggage case and luggage and articles |
| IT201700088144A1 (en) * | 2017-08-01 | 2019-02-01 | Gt Line Srl | LOCK FOR TRANSPORTABLE CONTAINERS OF THE TYPE OF TRUNKS, CASES, CASES, TROLLEY AND SIMILAR |
| USD963337S1 (en) | 2019-07-31 | 2022-09-13 | Plasticase, Inc. | Case with an extendable handle |
| WO2022198247A1 (en) | 2021-03-24 | 2022-09-29 | Kogelnik Holding Gmbh | Container, especially suitcase, comprising at least one half-shell component or shell |
| CN115778083A (en) * | 2021-07-15 | 2023-03-14 | 雅捷马产品公司 | Portable food preparation device |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB231623A (en) * | 1924-02-11 | 1925-04-09 | Frederic Hanman | Improvements in trunks or bags |
| US1908178A (en) * | 1930-06-23 | 1933-05-09 | Dresner & Son Inc S | Traveling case |
| US2091651A (en) * | 1936-05-06 | 1937-08-31 | Platt Benjamin | Partition holder for luggage carriers |
| US4005800A (en) * | 1972-09-13 | 1977-02-01 | The Plastic Forming Company, Inc. | Plastic container hinge and latch |
| US3876247A (en) * | 1973-12-14 | 1975-04-08 | Aron Chilewich | Combined briefcase and backrest |
| US3982613A (en) * | 1975-08-07 | 1976-09-28 | Leeds Travelwear, A Division Of Rapid-American Corporation | Retractable pull strap on wheeled luggage |
| GB1570816A (en) * | 1977-03-25 | 1980-07-09 | Devillers Jean Pierre | Method of assembling castings and the resulting products |
| JPS6341937Y2 (en) * | 1980-03-24 | 1988-11-02 | ||
| US4550813A (en) * | 1984-03-28 | 1985-11-05 | Browning Arthur J | Molded wheeled luggage, ensemble thereof and process for making the same |
| EP0175022A1 (en) * | 1984-09-06 | 1986-03-26 | SAMSONITE CORPORATION (a Delaware corporation) | Steering handle for luggage case |
| US4712657A (en) * | 1986-02-12 | 1987-12-15 | Andiamo Inc. | Method and means for sealing a carrying case |
| US4838396A (en) * | 1987-03-06 | 1989-06-13 | Delsey Luggage Company | Luggage handle |
| FR2657915B1 (en) * | 1990-02-06 | 1995-07-21 | Superior Sa | KNEE LOCK, PARTICULARLY FOR SUITCASE. |
| DE9005955U1 (en) * | 1990-05-25 | 1990-10-31 | S. Franzen Söhne (GmbH & Co), 5650 Solingen | Movable suitcase |
| US5178244A (en) * | 1991-07-03 | 1993-01-12 | Joseph Liang | Luggage with unitarily pivoting front wheel assembly |
| US5154265A (en) * | 1992-03-17 | 1992-10-13 | Stephen G. Capistrant | Retractable wheel assembly |
-
1994
- 1994-07-15 GB GB9414354A patent/GB9414354D0/en active Pending
- 1994-07-15 TW TW083106481A patent/TW322421B/zh active
-
1995
- 1995-06-30 SG SG9700786A patent/SG96171A1/en unknown
- 1995-06-30 SG SG1995000782A patent/SG32391A1/en unknown
- 1995-06-30 SG SG1997000784A patent/SG68613A1/en unknown
- 1995-06-30 SG SG1997000782A patent/SG55285A1/en unknown
- 1995-07-14 DE DE69530362T patent/DE69530362T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-07-14 ES ES95928251T patent/ES2196074T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-07-14 DK DK95928251T patent/DK0717705T3/en active
- 1995-07-14 EP EP95928251A patent/EP0717705B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-07-14 PT PT95928251T patent/PT717705E/en unknown
- 1995-07-14 AT AT95928251T patent/ATE237246T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-07-14 KR KR1019960701266A patent/KR100399296B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1995-07-14 GB GB9605408A patent/GB2296709B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-07-14 JP JP8505287A patent/JPH09503149A/en not_active Ceased
- 1995-07-14 AU AU32086/95A patent/AU692291B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1995-07-14 CA CA002171849A patent/CA2171849A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-07-14 WO PCT/US1995/009741 patent/WO1996002424A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1995-07-14 CN CN95190890.1A patent/CN1135710A/en active Pending
- 1995-07-14 BR BR9506052-9A patent/BR9506052A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
1998
- 1998-11-18 HK HK98112101A patent/HK1010976A1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1999
- 1999-04-06 AR ARP990101536A patent/AR020320A2/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0717705B1 (en) | 2003-04-16 |
| SG96171A1 (en) | 2003-05-23 |
| ATE237246T1 (en) | 2003-05-15 |
| ES2196074T3 (en) | 2003-12-16 |
| DE69530362D1 (en) | 2003-05-22 |
| EP0717705A4 (en) | 2000-04-26 |
| HK1010976A1 (en) | 1999-07-02 |
| GB2296709A (en) | 1996-07-10 |
| SG55285A1 (en) | 1998-12-21 |
| DE69530362T2 (en) | 2003-10-23 |
| BR9506052A (en) | 2002-04-30 |
| GB9605408D0 (en) | 1996-05-15 |
| WO1996002424A1 (en) | 1996-02-01 |
| AR020320A2 (en) | 2002-05-08 |
| AU3208695A (en) | 1996-02-16 |
| JPH09503149A (en) | 1997-03-31 |
| GB9414354D0 (en) | 1994-09-07 |
| CN1135710A (en) | 1996-11-13 |
| AU692291B2 (en) | 1998-06-04 |
| DK0717705T3 (en) | 2003-06-16 |
| GB2296709B (en) | 1998-10-07 |
| EP0717705A1 (en) | 1996-06-26 |
| MX9600976A (en) | 1998-12-31 |
| TW322421B (en) | 1997-12-11 |
| SG32391A1 (en) | 1996-08-13 |
| KR100399296B1 (en) | 2003-12-31 |
| PT717705E (en) | 2003-09-30 |
| SG68613A1 (en) | 1999-11-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |