CN1078623A - Suitcase with reasonable opening feature - Google Patents

Abstract

A kind of briefcase, has a drain pan, one is articulated in the top shell of drain pan along the drain pan side, one handle at the chest upside, one dividing plate between drain pan and top shell, it is articulated in the bottom side of close described drain pan in the chest, with the device that is used for dividing plate being fixed on a unlatching or a closed position with respect to the top shell, the top shell has a height dimension, dividing plate only extends the part of described height dimension towards the chest upper limb from the hinged side of top shell, at least one closable container is positioned at the inboard of at least one shell, is between dividing plate upper limb and the chest upside.

Description

Suitcase with reasonable opening feature

The present invention relates to suitcase, for example commercial suitcase or briefcase, more particularly, the present invention relates to have the chest of two main chambers, be used for belongings, and in some chest, make the article of the relevant individual that adorned and public affair orderly, by an inner hinged dividing plate two chambers are separated from each other.

Such chest roughly is divided into two classes: the first kind is the flexible wall case of being made by fabric or leather-like material, be generally the big big envelope shape of no fastened configuration, the big class of another of chest comprises hard layer structure or shell, and they are divided into top shell and the drain pan hinged along the bottom side.Drain pan has a handle that is contained on the end face to be used to carry usually.Usually with a locking device top shell and drain pan are fixed together selectively.In commercial suitcase, comprise a file part at large, comprise one group of vertically arranged flexible partition, they with link to each other along the hinged dividing plate of top shell bottom inner edge.The left side of whole folder structure and right side are fixed by flexibly connecting sheet, and the intermediate spacers of dividing plate and dividing plate back can outwards be rotated, and expose paper, file and analog and be convenient to choose.

Drain pan has a big chamber to be used to the clothing of packing into usually, heap file, books and other article.An example of this suitcase is shown in United States Patent (USP) 3,756,639, and this patent has transferred assignee of the present invention.Except having shown above-mentioned feature, this chest comprises a gravimetric response ratchet 41, if a people attempts to open it when chest is put upside down, ratchet can prevent the operation of latch bar 17.This has just prevented the landing of the file of adorning in the main casing, as shown in this patent Fig. 2.The United States Patent (USP) 4,714 of Yamamoto, this patent of 286(also transfers assignee of the present invention), shown another kind of briefcase with gravity sensing characteristic.Yet if chest is in unsuitable direction, this chest can not prevent to be opened, and Yamamoto discloses a kind of gravity sensing device, to control the degree that the top shell is opened.Especially, if chest is placed on horizontal level, the ball bearing ratchet that is arranged in lid strut groove can make chest open fully.Yet if chest is opened in a upright position, ball will fall into groove, thereby shorten an arm of strut effectively, and this will prevent that lid from opening fully, so the article in the chest main casing will be difficult for landing from chest.Yet, both having made to have prevented outside the complete landing outlet of the article in the main casing, part objects may be fallen the chest bottom at least.Both made when only lid being partially opened, and, also made lid be difficult to close because article (file, pencil, tape recorder etc.) are piled up in the chest bottom.

United States Patent (USP) 3,112 has shown a scheme that addresses this problem in 017.Wherein, show a briefcase, it has a dividing plate that is articulated in the drain pan diapire.When dividing plate 25 is fixed when putting in place, if 3 at non-horizontal level chest is opened, the article in the drain pan be cannot see by coverage, and these article can landing from chest.Dividing plate 25 provides writing surface, so that chest can be used as a desk.Yet, after chest is opened, dividing plate 25 must be moved to the another location from a position.So take if desired shirt 24 or other article must be opened chest, then dividing plate to be drawn back from its locked position of coupler on shirt, and when taking article 24, the most handy fixture 23 is fixed on upright position in the lid with dividing plate.

So the chest of any prior art does not comprise such device: at fixing briefcase main portion article to prevent its landing outside case or when moving to the chest bottom, the article of the file part that can automatically allow to take.Above the prior art chest this device is not provided yet: when when vertical direction is opened chest, can automatically allow to enter the file part of chest, and when when horizontal level is opened chest, the article in the chest drain pan that allows to take.

And the briefcase of prior art can not make small article, pencil for example, and orderlyization such as sunglasses are so that only be convenient to take when partially opening at chest.The chest of some prior arts has pencil box, but they are to arrange along the hinged side of chest, so, require the user to open chest fully so that these small articles of taking.And many briefcases are useful on the installation ticket at the front surface along the file dividing plate, the pouch of each sheet and analog.Equally,, chest to be opened fully basically, like this, just exposed the article in the drain pan, or make the article displacement and chest can not be closed once more fully for these less flat article of taking.

Briefcase and suitcase that flexible wall and sclerine have been arranged have the pocket and the inside and outside lattice of outside band zip, can put into standby pencil and analog.Article in the feasible chest of can taking selectively of the lattice of this outside both, when a people opens outside lattice, can keep chest partly to close.Yet this additional opening makes the complex structure of chest, and if wish safety just must provide independent lock and lock bolt.

So, the inventor has invented a kind of chest, comprise a drain pan and a top shell, with a file part that is contained in usually on the shell of top, file comprises one along the hinged header board in its base, with header board is fixed on the device that opens and closes the position with respect to the top shell, with the sheet that flexibly connects that is connected header board side and shell-side limit, top.

The top shell has a height dimension, the part that the file header board only extends described height from the top edge of the hinged side direction shell of shell.Be preferably in the dividing plate top edge one device is provided, be used for releasably dividing plate being connected on the shell of top or drain pan, thus, when dividing plate was connected on the drain pan, the degree that the degree that the top shell is opened from drain pan around hinge can be opened by the file dividing plate defined.The device that is used to fasten comprises that one is positioned at the outstanding device on the file header board, and one is contained in first device and that is used for releasably fixing outstanding device on the drain pan is contained in and is used for second device of fixing outstanding device releasably on the shell of top.

A kind of chest also is provided, and it has a top shell and a drain pan and the device of the lock bolt form that is used for selectively top shell and drain pan are fixed together, and the top shell is articulated on the drain pan, and the top shell defines chamber, a top, and drain pan defines a main chamber.One inner panel is arranged in case, be used to seal main chamber and chamber, top, one first device is provided for when opening chest in the approximate vertical position, can automatically described plate be fixed on primary importance, at this location plate the main chamber is sealed.When opening chest in the approximate horizontal position, this device automatically is fixed on the second place with plate, in this position, and chamber, plate sealing top.

A kind of chest also is provided, has comprised a top shell, a drain pan, one connects the hinge at edges and is used for selectively top shell and drain pan being fixed together to close the device of chest along two shells.The top shell defines chamber, a top, and drain pan defines a main accommodating chamber.One file that is contained in usually in the chamber, top is arranged.File comprises that one has formed the plate of file front portion, and the ripple brace that extends between this plate side and shell inside, top.Also have the device that is used for fixing in alternate position this plate, this device can be operated, and maybe this plate is fixed in the primary importance among the shell of top, or is fixed in the second place among the drain pan.When top shell and drain pan during, can do this selectable location in the closed position.The device that is used to operate comprises with pivot and is contained in first hook on the shell of top, this hook comprises that a swing part is used for the direction of perception gravity, when chest during at a horizontal level, make the hook location, mesh with header board, and loosening this plate during in the upright position when chest, described device comprises that also one is contained in second hook on the drain pan.Second hook comprises that a pendulous device is used for the direction of perception gravity, and when chest during in the upright position, makes hook location and plate engagement, when chest during at horizontal level, plate is unclamped.

When chest during in the upright position, first and second hook devices are located mutually and are meshing with each other.More particularly, second hook comprises a support leg device, and when chest is in vertical position, when second hook rotated owing to gravity, described supporting leg forced first hook and described plate to break away from engagement.

Fig. 1 has shown that briefcase of the present invention is in its open position;

Fig. 2 has shown the partial view that the top shell of chest is opened from horizontal level among Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 has shown among Fig. 1 the chest after open the upright position;

Fig. 4 is the partial sectional view of the thin portion of briefcase structure among Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is the view that is similar to Fig. 4, has shown the chest after the upright position is opened.

Briefcase 10 has global shape and the structure that is similar to the prior art briefcase.As the chest of prior art, briefcase of the present invention comprises a top shell 11, and the top shell defines a chamber, top 12 that is formed by the space that is included in the shell of top.Chest also comprises a drain pan 14 that structurally is similar to top shell 11.Drain pan 14 defines a volume that comprises main chamber 17, and greater than chamber 12, top, top shell 11 is hinged with a known way along being connected edge 24 under it with drain pan 14 usually for it.Top shell and drain pan selectively are fixed together by selectively being contained in the latch hook 18 in the drain pan lock hook slot 19.Latch hook 18 is operated by the latch lever 16 with pivotal mounting, and it can make latch hook rotate to break away from engagement with lock hook slot 19, and this latch hook mechanism can comprise a blocking device, and for example a common key lock perhaps is a combination lock, as known in the suitcase field.Drain pan comprises and carries handle 21 that it embeds in the recess of drain pan top side shown in the figure.Also can consider to adopt the more common handle arrangements that has handle or be connected in the shoulder belt of drain pan top surface.

Shell chamber, top is occupied by a file 20 basically, file comprise one be generally thin, hard by the dividing plate 22 of material system attractive in appearance with by soft cloth 1, the ripple brace 23 of leather or leather-like material system.The ripple brace has common leg-of-mutton global shape, dividing plate 22 can be rotated by the lower edge of top shell downside, to expose article wherein in the chamber, top.

What be connected to the every side of file is the hinged strut 25 of known structure.It has limited the scope that top shell 11 rotates around hinge 24.

A pair of rod member 36 and 36 is connected in horizontal edge on the dividing plate 22.These rod members 36 have formed the corresponding jag that protrudes in outside its side.The top edge of dividing plate 22 defines the height of file, and it is usually less than the whole height of top shell 11 with the chamber, top 12 that is limited by it.In the space between dividing plate 22 upper limbs and shell chamber upper limb one or more containers 13 that lid is arranged, these have the container of lid can take various ways, for example by leather or textile band zip the bag, but in most preferred embodiment, it is made of box, box has simple spring-loaded around the hinged door of its lower edge, and allows to enter the container 13 that is limited by it, and will mention this novel importance of arranging below.

Similarly, main chamber 17 comprises one or more bottom containers 15.As top container 13, these containers can be taked any form, but illustrated be to constitute by box-like structure roughly, it has the hinged lid that rotates around its lower edge (when chest is in vertical position).Meaning and its position in drain pan of these lattice chambers or container will be described in detail belows equally.

By file lock bolt 30 a pair of and at least one bar 36 jags engagement, and dividing plate 22 can be fixed on position shown in Figure 1.

Referring to Fig. 2, wherein shown the detailed structure of this layout.Lock bolt 30 comprises a box 31, it be equipped with can around shown in one first pivotal part 32 that rotates relatively freely of axle.First pivotal part comprise can with shown in rod member 36 select the first hook 32a of engagement.First pivotal part 32 comprises that also one can be subjected to the swing part 33 of GRAVITY CONTROL, and in position shown in Figure 2, swing part 33 applies a counterclockwise rotation kinetic moment around axle, makes the jag secure engagement of hook spare 32a location and bar 36.One second box 38 structures are identical with box 31, and it is directly relative with it that it is arranged in bottom compartment 17, and attached on drain pan 14 madial walls.First box and second box can comprise matching surface 35, when top shell and drain pan are closed mutually, can help two boxes and element wherein to align mutually.

One second pivotal part, 34 pivotallies are used for freely rotating in second box, 38 inboards.Second pivotal part has the second hook 34a, it be subjected to second swing part 31 of this GRAVITY CONTROL in aggregates by the gravity self poisoning.A cantilever arm 40 forms the part of swing part 39, and as what will show, cantilever arm 40 engages and make its rotation with first pivotal part 32 under certain conditions by the gravity on the swing component 34.Second box 38 comprises semi-cylindrical groove, when top shell and drain pan are closed mutually, is used to admit rod member 36 and makes its accurate location.

As depicted in figs. 1 and 2, by the hook portion 32a of first pivotal part 32, plate 22 is fixed on a closed position.So when chest was in position shown in Figure 1, available hand unclamped from file with file lock bolt 30 with at the corresponding lock bolt 30 of chest opposite side, and the article in the file of can taking.Certainly, the door of raising top container 13 and bottom container 15 by the finger-hole shown in using can easily be taken article wherein.

When top shell and drain pan are closed mutually, and when the horizontal level of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 moves to vertical closed position shown in Figure 3, first and second pivot member are bonded with each other, synchronously make first tumbler 32 decontrol hooking together of it and rod member 36 ends, and making second hook spare 34a location and 36 one-tenth meshing relations of second rod member, this can know from Fig. 4 and see.Wherein, second pivotal part 34 has rotated with clockwise relative to chest.The matching surface 35 of first and second boxes has made all parts accurately locate mutually, and the semi-cylindrical recesses on second box, 38 front surfaces is accurately fixed two bars 36 and 36, aligns with each hook portion.It should be noted that second pivotal part 34 has rotated cantilever arm 40 is engaged with the swing part 33 of first pivotal part 32.Swing component 33 will tend to keep the position among Fig. 2, but when cantilever arm 40 engaged, the bigger quality of part 34 can promote it.So the end of the first hook 32a and bar 36 breaks away from.If chest is opened one in this position second pivotal part 34 and its corresponding hook 34a and bar 36 engagements from its upright position, situation shown in Figure 5 will occur.Specifically, second pivotal part 34 will be closed the major part of drain pan 14 bottom compartments 17, if not its whole words with fixed head 22.Simultaneously, ripple brace 23 is drawn back to its open position, and exposes the article in the file 20.The size of brace 23 allows the top shell to open to a big but limited degree.So the top shell is limited by the brace sidewall rather than by strut 25 from the degree of its vertical direction turn-off.

In this way, the article in the main chamber 17 are fixed on the throne, make the unlikely landing of article, do not cause chest not close fully again.And in position shown in Fig. 5, the each several part that the user can arrange near file from the chest top, and make the article in the file of taking very convenient.And, because top container 13 and bottom container 15 are to be positioned at along top shell and drain pan upper limb, be in the both sides that opening and file are partly arranged article, so the article in this container of can easily taking.

By this way, described briefcase is to open or open in the upright position at horizontal level according to it, and user's different needs is reacted automatically and immediately.This function can realize and need not that the user opens chest earlier and whether decision should close main chamber 17 choosing and to check, or file should not be opened to check.So the shortcoming of the chest of prior art has been overcome dexterously.In each example,, the unconscious landing and the exposure of article in the main chamber 17 have been prevented basically when when chest is opened in the upright position.

Should be noted that the present invention also considers other layout.When showing a pair of bar with external part 36 and 36, also easily make a kind of replacement structure, wherein structure 32a and 34a only need alternately and a bar engagement.If protruding leg 40 is offset a little, and mutually skew and allow hook portion to pass mutually and mesh the different piece of same bar 36 of pivotal part 32 and 34, just can easily accomplish this point.And, when having shown simple swing weight, also can consider other gravity sensing device.A mercoid switch or other position sensor devices can be fastened with a bolt or latch to finish same operation by the controller electric lock.

And when the orientation of chest is utilized when triggering the different function of file lock bar element, other devices also are among the scope of the invention.For example, obviously can adopt a lock bolt that separates, it can perhaps make plate be fixed on the drain pan from peripheral operation before chest is opened, and perhaps is fixed on the shell of top.And, can trigger it and adhere to or hook function by carrying handle 21.For example, can provide a mechanical linkage between handle 21 and lock bolt,, file can be fixed on the drain pan, as shown in the figure if consequently handle 21 is in upright position shown in Figure 5.Yet if handle 21 is in position shown in Figure 1, plate is fixed on the closed position among the shell of top.

The present invention is described with reference to a briefcase, but it also is easy to be applied to the suitcase of other types: its outer bag or turnover plate are improper or disabled, and when chest during in its vertical orientations, the user wish to take the article at chest top and/or the little lattice chamber of arranging along chest top in article.

Claims (12)

1, a kind of chest, it is characterized in that, comprise a drain pan, one is articulated in the top shell of drain pan along the bottom side, one handle at described chest upside, one dividing plate between drain pan and top shell, it is articulated in the bottom side of close described drain pan in the chest, with the device that is used for dividing plate being fixed on a unlatching or a closed position with respect to the top shell, the top shell has a height dimension, dividing plate only extends to the part of described height dimension from the hinged side of top shell towards the chest upper limb, at least one closable container is positioned at the inboard of at least one shell, is between dividing plate upper limb and the chest upside.

2, chest as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that, also comprise the device that flexibly the dividing plate sidepiece is connected on the shell of top, releasably dividing plate is connected on the shell of top or the device on the drain pan with being used at the dividing plate upper limb, thus, the device that flexibly connects dividing plate defines the degree that the top shell is opened around hinged side from drain pan.

3, chest as claimed in claim 2, it is characterized in that: describedly unclamp fastening device and comprise the outstanding device that is positioned on the described dividing plate, releasably will give prominence to device for one is fixed on first on drain pan device and is contained in and be used for releasably will giving prominence to device on the shell of top and be fixed in the device of second on the shell of top.

4, chest as claimed in claim 3, it is characterized in that, described releasable fastener comprises the device that is used for the described chest of perception orientation, thus, when with chest when an approximate vertical orientation is opened, the fixing described outstanding device of described first device, when with chest when an approximate horizontal orientation is opened, the fixing described outstanding device of described second device.

5, a kind of chest, it is characterized in that, have a top shell and a drain pan, the locking device that top shell and drain pan are fixed together selectively, the top shell is articulated on the drain pan, and the top shell defines chamber, a top, drain pan defines a main chamber, one is positioned the inner panel in the case, is used to close main chamber and chamber, top and a device, when with chest when open an approximate vertical position, this device is used for automatically described plate being fixed on primary importance, and in this position, plate is closed the main chamber, when with chest when open an approximate horizontal position, it is used for automatically plate being fixed on the second place, and in this position, plate is closed the chamber, top.

6, chest as claimed in claim 5, it is characterized in that: described chest is a briefcase, described plate is the header board that is contained in file in the chamber, top, described header board is connected in the chamber, top by the ripple brace, when described automatic fixer was not fixed on the described second place with described plate, described brace allowed plate to produce from chamber, described top.

7, a kind of chest, it is characterized in that, comprise a top shell, one drain pan, one hinge along described shell fillet, the locking device that selectively top shell and drain pan is fixed together in the closed position of shutting chest, the top shell defines chamber, a top, drain pan defines a main chamber, one is contained in the file of chamber, top usually, file comprises the plate that has formed the file front portion, and between plate side and top shell, extend flexibly connect sheet, be used for plate is fixed on the device of alternate position, the primary importance among the shell of top can be operated or selectively plate is fixed on to this device, perhaps selectively plate is fixed on the second place in the drain pan, when top shell and drain pan during in the closed position, two kinds of selectable fixing operations of described device can be carried out.

8, chest as claimed in claim 7, it is characterized in that: the device that is used for fixing comprises that one is contained in first hook on the shell of top, it has a swing part to be used for the direction of perception gravity, thus, when chest during at horizontal level, make hook location and plate engagement, and unclamp plate during in the upright position when chest, described device comprises that also one is contained in second hook on the drain pan, second hook comprises that a swing part is used for the perception gravity direction, when chest during in the upright position, and second hook and plate engagement, when chest during at horizontal level, second hook unclamps plate.

9, chest as claimed in claim 8 is characterized in that: according to chest is in a upright position or a horizontal level, and first hook and second hook are located mutually, and selectively are meshing with each other.

10, chest as claimed in claim 9 is characterized in that: second hook comprises a leg device, and when forwarding chest to a upright position, second hook is owing to gravity rotates, and the described leg device and first clasp joint touch, and forces first hook and described plate to break away from engagement.

11, chest as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that: described handle is connected in drain pan, is positioned at the upside of case.

12, chest as claimed in claim 11 is characterized in that: described drain pan has a recess along its top side, and described handle embeds in the described recess.

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