CH717720A1 - Suitcase stairlift accessory and kit, method of climbing or descending stairs with a suitcase. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a stair-climbing accessory for a suitcase, comprising: a support composed of a base, a rear part and a side part and at least three wheels arranged in a star and fixed to the support. The invention also relates to a stairlift kit for a suitcase, comprising: two such stairlift accessories, these two accessories having a mirror image with respect to each other; and means for horizontal attachment (16) of the two stairlift accessories to a suitcase. Finally, the invention also relates to a method of climbing or descending stairs with a suitcase.

Description

The invention relates to a stairlift accessory for suitcase provided or not with wheels. The invention also relates to a stair-climbing kit for a suitcase as well as to a method of ascending or descending stairs with a suitcase.

Background of the invention

[0002] The appearance of suitcases on wheels in the 1970s was a real revolution for travellers.

[0003] However, it suffices for example to have taken, if only once in one's life, the metropolitan in Paris, to recognize that going up and down stairs with a wheeled suitcase is a real torture, because the castors are not at all suitable for climbing stairs.

[0004] It was attempted in the Chinese utility model published on May 17, 2017 under the number CN206166043 to fix three wheels twice on each side of the frame of a suitcase. But the binding does not seem to have sufficient rigidity and is likely to break under repeated shocks when climbing stairs.

[0005] The Chinese patent application published on January 23, 2018 under the number CN107616604 proposes to add an axis comprising two pairs of three wheels to a suitcase. However, the way in which this axis is attached to the suitcase does not seem to be clearly indicated, which perhaps explains why suitcases of this type have not yet appeared on the market.

Brief description of the invention

The main purpose of the invention is to facilitate the climbing of stairs with a suitcase provided or not with wheels.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved with the aid of an accessory in accordance with the following point 1: 1.- Stairlift accessory for suitcase, comprising: - a support consisting of a base, a rear part and a side part and – at least three wheels arranged in a star and fixed to the support.

[0008] Advantageous characteristics of the accessory of point 1 mentioned above are indicated in the following points 2 to 7 bis: 2.- Accessory according to point 1, in which the base is a plate or horizontal grid. 3.- Accessory according to point 1 or point 2, in which the rear part and/or the side part is/are wall(s) or plate(s) or vertical grille(s). 4.- Accessory according to one of points 1 to 3, in which the plates or grids are perpendicular to each other and form a three-dimensional corner. 4 bis.- Accessory according to one of points 2 to 4, in which at least one of the plates has openings. 4ter.- Accessory according to one of the preceding points, in which the wheels are rotatably mounted on two three-pointed star-shaped parts, each star-shaped part itself being free to rotate about an axis central. 4quater.- Accessory according to the previous point, in which the axes of the star-shaped pieces are spaced vertically from the base of the support, downwards. 4quinquies.- Accessory according to point 4ter or 4quater, in which the star pieces are mounted on a shaft fixed to the side part of the support. 4sexies.- Accessory according to the previous point, in which a reinforcement bar connects the base of the support to the lower end of the shaft. 5.- Accessory according to one of the preceding points, in which the base of the support has a recess to allow the passage of suitcase wheels. 6.- Accessory according to the previous point, in which the rear part of the support has a second recess communicating with the recess of the base of the support. 7.- Accessory according to one of the preceding points, further comprising a crutch fixed to the support. 7 bis.- Accessory according to point 7, in which the crutch is foldable.

According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a kit corresponding to the following point 8: 8.- Stairlift kit for suitcase, comprising: - two stairlift accessories according to one of the preceding points, these two accessories having a mirror image relative to each other; and – means for horizontal attachment of the two stairlift accessories to a suitcase.

[0010] Advantageous characteristics of the kit of the aforementioned point are indicated in the following points 9 and 10: 9.- Stairlift kit according to point 8, further comprising means for vertical attachment of the two stairlift accessories to the suitcase . 10.- Stairlift kit according to one of points 8 and 9, in which the horizontal fixing means and/or the vertical fixing means are turnbuckles, straps or belts.

[0011] Finally, the invention also relates to a method according to the following point 11: 11.- Method of climbing or descending stairs with a suitcase, comprising the following steps: – a kit is obtained according to the one of points 8 to 10, – the stairlift accessories are fixed to the case using the horizontal fixing means, – the vertical fixing means are optionally added and – the stairs are climbed or descended normally by pulling or holding the suitcase by its handle or one of the handles. Thus, the invention, in addition to achieving its objective, offers in particular the following advantages: it is easy to put in place and to disassemble, adaptable to suitcases of different sizes and shapes, transportable and compact. The user having several suitcases can generally use the invention in turn with each of his suitcases, without having to acquire several kits according to the invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will now be described in detail in the following description which is given with reference to the appended figures, which represent schematically: [Fig. 1]: an accessory according to the invention in front view; [Fig. 2]: the accessory of Figure 1 in left view; [Fig. 3]: the accessory of Figures 1 and 2 in top view; [Fig. 4]: a kit according to the invention, placed on a suitcase; [Fig. 5]: a stand variant for an accessory according to the invention, in the folded position; and [Fig. 6]: the crutch of Figure 5, in the deployed position.

Detailed disclosure of the invention

Accessory according to the invention

An embodiment of the accessory or device according to the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 3, in a position that can be described as normal. First of all, it includes a support made up of a base 1, a rear part 2 and a side part 3.

The base 1 is formed of a first horizontal plate, the rear part 2 of a second vertical plate and the side part of a third vertical plate 3. These plates are perpendicular and secured to each other so as to form a three-dimensional corner.

[0015] They may optionally include openings 4, 5 and/or 6 of various shapes, intended to lighten the weight of the accessory.

As clearly seen in Figure 1, the accessory according to the invention is further provided with three wheels 7 of substantially the same diameter and arranged in a star, so as to form an equilateral triangle, when they are connected two two at a time. These wheels 7 are held at 120 degrees from each other by two parts 9 in a star with three branches 8. Each branch 8 is arranged facing another branch 8 and sufficiently spaced from it to form a space capable of receiving a wheel 7 , free to rotate around a horizontal axis 25 fixed to the two arms 8 of the star-shaped parts 9 holding the wheel in question.

The two star parts 9 are themselves free to rotate around an axis 10 passing through their center.

[0018] Although the axes 10 can be fixed directly to the support of the accessory according to the invention, in particular to the base 1 or to the side part 3, it is preferable to lower them relative to the base 1, in moving them away from the latter by fixing to the lower end of a shaft 11. The upper end of this shaft 11 is then fixed to the support, preferably to the lateral part 3, as can be seen in particular in the figure 2.

[0019] Preferably, a bar 24 is also provided to reinforce the attachment of the shaft 11, by connecting the lower end of the bar 24 to the base 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. It is further advantageous to provide that the pin 10 also passes through the lower end of the reinforcing bar 24.

In addition, it is preferable to provide a crutch 12 extending from the base 1 downwards, in order to maintain the base 1 in a horizontal or slightly inclined position, as will be seen later.

According to a preferred embodiment of the accessory according to the invention, the base 1 comprises a recess 13, visible in particular in Figure 3, and whose function will be explained later.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the rear part 2 of the support comprises a second recess (not shown) communicating with the first recess 13.

Kit according to the invention

The accessory or device according to the invention is not intended to be used alone but with another accessory or device according to the invention, in the form of a kit partially visible in Figure 4.

Another aspect of the invention therefore relates to a stairlift kit for a suitcase, comprising: two stairlift accessories according to the invention, these two accessories having a mirror image with respect to each other and horizontal attachment means 16 of the two stairlift accessories to the suitcase.

[0025] By “specular symmetry”, it is to be understood that the two accessories are the image of each other in a mirror, like a right hand and a left hand.

These horizontal fastening means 16 are preferably capable of surrounding the suitcase, that is to say of forming a loop around it. They can be constituted by a tensioner such as a bicycle tensioner or, preferably, a strap or a belt.

The kit according to the invention also preferably comprises vertical attachment means 17 of the two stairlift accessories to the suitcase. These vertical fastening means 17 are also preferably capable of surrounding the suitcase, that is to say of forming a loop around it. They can also be a tensioner such as a bicycle tensioner or, preferably, a strap or a belt.

Loops 14 similar to belt loops can advantageously be provided, for example on the rear wall 2, to hold in place the horizontal fixing means 16 in place.

[0029] Similarly, loops 15 similar to loops 14 can be provided on the base 1 or the side part 3, in order to hold the vertical fastening means 17 in place.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the horizontal fixing means and/or the vertical fixing means are themselves fixed to the accessory, in particular on the side part or the rear part. They can for example be rolled up/unrolled and possibly be provided with a rewinding mechanism such as a spiral spring.

[0031] Nowadays, the suitcases available on the market are almost all fitted with wheels 28. This is why a recess 13, visible in FIG. 3, is provided in the base 1 of the support for the climbing accessory. stairs according to the invention, so that the rollers 28 can pass through the base 1. The latter can then come into contact with the lower wall 26 of the suitcase, as can be seen in Figure 4.

The recess 13 has sufficiently large dimensions to allow it to accommodate the wheels of suitcases of different sizes.

[0033] Nevertheless, there are also suitcases on the market whose rollers are located rather at an angle of the suitcase and protrude both from the lower face 26 of the suitcase and from its rear face 27. It is then advantageous to provide in the rear part 2 a second recess (not shown) which communicates with the first recess 13. Thus, the part of the rollers which is located on the side of the lower face 26 of the suitcase can pass through the first recess 13 and the part of the rollers which is on the side of the rear face 27 of the case can pass through the second recess.

[0034] The majority of suitcases have a generally parallelepipedic shape and have a certain rigidity. However, it is possible to use the kit according to the invention with flexible suitcases, when the latter have a structure having a rigid rear face.

Use of the kit according to the invention

To use the kit according to the invention, one must first attach the two accessories to the suitcase. Since the support of each accessory forms a three-dimensional corner, each of the right and left rear lower corners of the suitcase can be placed in the three-dimensional corner of the accessory corresponding to it. The two accessories are therefore turned towards each other, with the suitcase between them. The horizontal fixing means 16 are then placed around the accessories and the case. By tightening these horizontal fastening means, the two rear corners of the case are wedged inside the corners of the supports of the respective accessories and pressed against the rear 2 and side 3 walls of these supports.

[0036] The accessories are thus secured to the bag.

[0037] It is possible to further improve the fixing of the accessories to the case by installing the vertical fixing means 17. The case is then also pressed against the base 1.

The kit therefore advantageously takes advantage of the existing structure of the bag and is somehow grafted onto it.

[0039] The crutch 12 allows the suitcase/kit assembly according to the invention to stand on its own. Preferably, each crutch 12 is provided a little shorter by a zero value (FIGS. 1 and 2) than the accessory according to the invention to which it belongs, when two of the three wheels 7 rest on the ground. This feature allows the assembly to lean slightly and lean more on the kickstand 12, thereby increasing overall stability.

In Figures 5 and 6 is shown a stand variant 19 for an accessory according to the invention, respectively in the folded and unfolded positions. This crutch 19 is composed of two elongated parts 20 and 21. Part 20 has one end pivotally mounted on the side wall 3, its rotation being however limited by a stop 22 provided on this side wall 3. At the other end of the part 20 is pivotally mounted one end of part 21, the free end of part 21 being intended to rest on the ground. The rotation of the part 21 is also limited by a stop 23 provided on the end of the part 20 not fixed to the side wall 3. Thus, when the stand 19 is fully deployed (fig. 6), under the effect of the weight of the case, part 20 comes into abutment against abutment 22 and part 21 comes into abutment against abutment 23, which has the effect of stabilizing the case/kit assembly according to the invention.

[0041] The accessories according to the invention may be made of any suitable material, in particular metal and/or plastic, the fixings or holdings being able to be made in known manner by welding, riveting, welding, crimping, etc.

Method according to the invention

The suitcase/kit assembly according to the invention being ready, it is then possible to climb stairs normally, by simply pulling the suitcase by its handle—or one of its handles if it has several. This is generally the upper handle 18 visible in Figure 4.

To descend stairs, the user generally precedes the suitcase/kit assembly according to the invention. He can, if need be, hold it in front of him and slow his descent, but that is less convenient.

[0044] The advantage provided by the shafts 11 is in particular that they make it possible to raise the center of gravity of the accessories and especially that of the suitcase/kit assembly according to the invention, which facilitates the climbing of the steps of the 'stairs.

Preferably, the three wheels 7 have a sufficiently large diameter so that, when two wheels 7 are aligned vertically, the lowest point of the wheel in the air is located above a step to cross.

As a first example, one can use three wheels 7 of approximately 9 cm in diameter, the axes 25 of which are spaced approximately 14 cm from each other, the distance between each axis 25 of wheel 7 and the axis 10 of the star parts 9 then being approximately 8 cm. When the suitcase/kit assembly according to the invention is stationary and rests on 2 wheels, the height between the ground and the highest end of the wheel in the air is then approximately 21 cm. . The base 1 can for example be about 8 cm away from the axis 10 of the star pieces 9.

As a second example, one can use three wheels 7 of approximately 15 cm in diameter, the axes 25 of which are spaced approximately 19 cm from each other, the distance between each axis 25 of wheel 7 and the axis 10 of the star pieces 9 then being approximately 11.5 cm. When the suitcase/kit assembly according to the invention is stationary and rests on 2 wheels, the height between the ground and the highest end of the upper wheel is then approximately 31 cm. The base 1 can be moved about 11.5 cm from the axis 10 of the star pieces 9.

Of course, one could use 4 wheels instead of 3, arranged regularly in a star shape between star-shaped parts with 4 branches instead of 3.

Claims (11)

1. Stairlift accessory for suitcase, comprising: – a support consisting of a base (1), a rear part (2) and a side part (3) and – at least three wheels (7) arranged in a star and fixed to the support. 2. Accessory according to claim 1, wherein the base (1) is a plate or horizontal grid. 3. Accessory according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the rear part (2) and / or the side part (3) is / are a / plate (s) or grid (s) vertical (s). 4. Accessory according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plates or grids (2,3,4) are perpendicular to each other and form a three-dimensional corner. 5. Accessory according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (1) of the support has a recess (13) to allow the passage of rollers (28) of the suitcase. 6. Accessory according to the preceding claim, wherein the rear part (2) of the support comprises a second recess communicating with the recess (13) of the base (1) of the support. 7. Accessory according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a stand (12) fixed to the support. 8. Suitcase stairlift kit, including: – two stairlift accessories according to one of the preceding claims, these two accessories having a mirror image with respect to each other; and – horizontal fastening means (16) of the two stairlift accessories to a suitcase. 9. Stairlift kit according to claim 8, further comprising means for vertical attachment (17) of the two stairlift accessories to the suitcase. 10. Stairlift kit according to one of Claims 8 and 9, in which the horizontal fixing means (16) and/or the vertical fixing means (17) are turnbuckles, straps or belts. 11. - Method of climbing or descending stairs with a suitcase, comprising the following steps: – a kit according to one of claims 8 to 10 is obtained, – the stairlift accessories are fixed to the case using the horizontal fixing means (16), – optionally add the vertical fastening means (17) and – you climb or descend the stairs normally by pulling or holding the suitcase by its handle (18) or one (18) of the handles.