CN115104827A - Luggage system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a luggage system. In particular, the present invention discloses a suitcase having a base and a lid, wherein the lid is rotatable about a hinge from a closed configuration to an open configuration and securable via one or more latch assemblies. The cover may include an upper housing, and the base may include a lower housing. The upper and lower shells may be seamlessly shaped to form a watertight and/or waterproof suitcase. The suitcase may have a retractable drawbar assembly externally attached to the base of the suitcase using a plurality of mounting clips. The handle assembly may include a pair of squeeze assemblies connected to the base of the suitcase and to each other by a grip. The suitcase may also have a removably secured inner liner. The inner liner may include a plurality of grommets and a plurality of fastener portions to releasably attach to the suitcase.

Description

Luggage system

Cross reference to related patent applications

The present application claims priority from united states patent application No. 17/208,508 filed on 22/03/2021, united states patent application No. 17/208,508 is a continuation-in-part application of united states patent application No. 16/839,311 filed on 3/4/2020 as a continuation-in-part application of united states patent application No. 16/735,013 filed on 6/1/2020, which claims priority from both united states provisional patent application No. 62/788,886 filed on 6/1/2019 and united states provisional patent application No. 62/788,888 filed on 6/1/2019. U.S. patent application No. 16/839,311 also claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/830,203 filed on 5.4.2019. All applications cited above are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to luggage and luggage systems.

Background

Suitcases may be used to transport clothing, shoes, and other materials or items. However, travel requirements sometimes cause damage to the suitcase and damage to its contents. A durable and waterproof suitcase may be needed to protect the contents of the suitcase, whether while in flight or in a car. To facilitate movement, the pull rod provides a simple way for a user to pull or push the wheeled suitcase.

Disclosure of Invention

Aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a suitcase comprising: (a) a base including a first housing structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first housing structure has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a bottom portion connected to the first end of the first housing structure and configured to support the suitcase on a surface, wherein a first interior space is defined by the first housing structure and the bottom portion; (b) a cover rotatably connected to the base, wherein the cover includes a second housing structure having a third side, a fourth side opposite the third side, a third end, a fourth end, and a top portion connected to the third end of the second housing structure, and a second interior space defined by the second housing structure and the top portion; and (c) an inner liner of the lid releasably secured to the base within the first interior space or to the second interior space. The inner liner can include at least one storage cavity recessed from an upper surface of the inner liner, wherein the inner liner includes a plurality of first fastener portions positioned proximate the upper surface of the inner liner that releasably connect to a plurality of second fastener portions positioned on the base or lid. Each of the plurality of first fastener portions may be attached to a tab attached to the upper fabric bond at a first end of the tab, wherein the tab may encircle the upper surface of the inner liner and a second end of the tab is attached to the outer surface of the inner liner. Each of the plurality of first fastener portions may be an internally threaded fastener portion and each of the plurality of second fastener portions may be an externally threaded fastener portion. The inner liner may have a plurality of layers including a fabric outer layer forming an outer surface, a foam middle layer, and a water barrier layer forming an inner surface, wherein the inner surface faces the first end when installed in the base and faces the third end when installed in the cover. The inner liner may also include a first set of openings extending through a first side of the inner liner and a second set of openings extending through a second side of the inner liner, where the first side is opposite the second side. A center of a first opening of the first set of openings may be aligned with a center of a second opening of the second set of openings. A mount on one of the base or the cover may extend through an opening of a first set of openings of the inner liner, wherein each opening of the first set of openings comprises a polyurethane-based grommet.

Additional aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a container comprising: (a) a base including a first housing structure having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a bottom portion connected to the first end of the first housing structure and configured to support the container on a surface, wherein a first interior space is defined by the first housing structure and the bottom portion; and (b) an inner liner releasably secured to the base within the first interior space, wherein the inner liner includes a first set of openings extending through a first side of the inner liner and a second set of openings extending through a second side of the inner liner, wherein the first side is opposite the second side. Each opening of the first and second sets of openings may include a grommet, wherein the grommet has an inner layer and an outer layer that are joined together. The inner layer may have a first outwardly facing surface that is substantially parallel to the inner surface of the inner liner, and the outer layer of the grommet may have a second outwardly facing surface that is substantially parallel to the outer surface of the inner liner. The inner and outer layers of the grommet may be permanently joined in a central region adjacent the aperture in the grommet. The central region may extend in the range of 2mm and 8mm from the edge of the aperture of the grommet, wherein the central regions may be radio frequency welded together. The inner and outer layers may be formed of the same material, or alternatively, the inner and outer layers may be formed of different materials. The inner liner can include a plurality of first fastener portions positioned along a bottom surface of the inner liner that releasably connect to a plurality of second fastener portions positioned on the base.

Other aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a suitcase comprising: (a) a base including a first housing structure having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a bottom portion connected to the first end of the first housing structure and configured to support a suitcase on a surface, and a first interior space defined by the first housing structure and the bottom portion; (b) a cover connected to the base, wherein the cover includes a second housing structure having a third side, a fourth side opposite the third side, a third end, a fourth end opposite the third end, a top portion connected to the third end of the second housing structure, and a second interior space defined by the second housing structure and the top portion; and (c) an inner liner of a lid releasably secured to the base within the first interior space or the second interior space, wherein the inner liner comprises: a plurality of layers including a fabric outer layer forming an outer surface, a foam intermediate layer, a water-resistant layer forming an inner surface; and at least one storage cavity recessed from an upper surface of the inner liner. The inner liner can include a plurality of first fastener portions positioned proximate an upper surface of the inner liner, releasably coupled to a plurality of second fastener portions positioned on the base or the cover, and a first set of openings extending through a first sidewall of the inner liner and a second set of openings extending through a second sidewall of the inner liner, wherein the first sidewall is opposite the second sidewall. Each opening of the first and second sets of openings may include a grommet, wherein the grommet has an inner layer and an outer layer coupled together, and the inner layer has a first outwardly facing surface that is substantially parallel to the inner surface of the inner liner, and the outer layer of the grommet has a second outwardly facing surface that is substantially parallel to the outer surface of the inner liner. The inner and outer layers of the grommet may be formed of a polyurethane-based material that is permanently joined in a central region adjacent the aperture in the grommet. Each of the plurality of first fastener portions may be attached to a tab attached at a first end of the tab to the upper fabric bond of the inner liner. A mount on the first or second housing structure may extend through the aperture in the grommet and the strap may be releasably connected to the mount.

Aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a suitcase having a base, the base comprising: a first housing structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first housing structure has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the first side has a first outwardly facing surface and a second outwardly facing surface. The second outwardly facing surface may be offset from the first outwardly facing surface by a first fixed distance. The first housing structure may have a bottom portion connected to a first end of the first housing structure and configured to support the suitcase on a surface. The first interior space may be defined by the first housing structure and the bottom portion, and the lower latch recess may be located in the second outwardly facing surface, wherein the lower latch recess includes a rear surface, a lower surface, and a pair of side surfaces. The suitcase may further include a lid rotatably connected to the base, wherein the lid includes: a second housing structure having a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, wherein the second housing structure includes a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end. The third side may have a third and a fourth outwardly facing surface, wherein the fourth outwardly facing surface may be offset from the third outwardly facing surface by a second fixed distance. The second housing structure may also include a top portion connected to the third end of the second housing structure. The second interior space may be defined by the second housing structure and the top portion; and the upper latch recess may be located in the second outwardly facing surface. The shackle assembly may be located within the lower shackle recess and the upper shackle recess, wherein the lower shackle recess and the upper shackle recess have a depth that is greater than a thickness of the shackle assembly. The perimeter of the latch assembly is located within the combined perimeter of the upper and lower latch recesses when the suitcase is in the closed configuration. The cover does not have an opening extending through the first outwardly facing surface into the second interior space. The second outwardly facing surface may extend along the entire periphery of the base. The fourth, outwardly facing surface may also extend along the entire periphery of the cover. The lid is rotatably connected to the base by at least one hinge. A portion of the at least one hinge is located in the upper hinge recess and the lower hinge recess, wherein the lower hinge recess is located in the second outwardly facing surface and the upper hinge recess is located in the fourth outwardly facing surface.

Other aspects of the present disclosure may be directed to a carrying case having a lid connected to a base by at least one hinge, wherein the at least one hinge includes at least two links, and when the carrying case is in an open configuration, the at least one hinge defines an axis of rotation and the axis of rotation is located outside of a rear edge of the base and a rear edge of the lid. The base includes a pair of wheel assemblies, wherein each wheel assembly is attached to a wheel recess formed in the base, and wherein each wheel assembly includes a wheel housing and a wheel. Each wheel housing includes an outwardly facing flange surface spaced outwardly from an adjacent surface of the base a fixed distance around the wheel recess. The bottom portion of the base may further include a tapered region between the pair of wheel assemblies, wherein the tapered region forms an angle in a range of 1 degree to 30 degrees as measured from a center portion of the bottom portion toward a lower surface of the tapered region. The base may include a second end surface along the second end of the first housing structure and the lid includes a fourth end surface along the fourth end of the second housing structure, and the second and fourth end surfaces are spaced apart from each other when the carrying case is in the closed configuration. The second end surface may include a sealing rib protruding from the second end surface, and the fourth end surface may include a groove receiving the gasket, and the sealing rib engages the gasket when the carrying case is in the closed configuration. The base may include a plurality of ribs extending from a surface below the lower latch recess to an inner surface of the bottom portion, wherein each rib of the plurality of ribs is spaced apart from each other by a distance in a range of 8 to 10 times a thickness of each rib. The first volume of the first interior space is within 10% of the second volume of the second interior space. Additional aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a suitcase having a base comprising: a first housing structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the housing structure has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the first side has a first outwardly facing surface and a second outwardly facing surface. The second outwardly facing surface may be offset from the first outwardly facing surface by a first fixed distance. The first housing structure may also include a bottom portion connected to the first end of the first housing structure. The first interior space may be defined by the first housing structure and the bottom portion; and the lower hinge recess may be located in the second outwardly facing surface. A cover is rotatably connected to the base, wherein the cover comprises: a second housing structure having a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, wherein the housing structure includes a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end. The third side may have a third outwardly facing surface and a fourth outwardly facing surface, wherein the fourth outwardly facing surface is offset from the third outwardly facing surface by a second fixed distance. The second housing structure may have a top portion connected to a third end of the housing structure; and the second interior space may be defined by the second housing structure and the top portion. The hinge assembly may be at least partially received within the lower hinge recess, wherein the cover is rotatably connected to the base by the hinge assembly. The hinge assembly may include at least two links. The hinge assembly defines a hinge axis when the suitcase is in the open configuration, wherein the hinge axis is located outside of the rear edge of the base and the rear edge of the lid. The hinge assembly may be at least partially received in an upper hinge recess, wherein the upper hinge recess is located within the fourth outward surface. In some examples, the hinge assembly includes three hinge assemblies. Each hinge assembly may include a base hinge insert and a cover hinge insert, wherein both the base hinge insert and the cover hinge insert include cavities that at least partially receive at least two links. The recess of the base hinge insert has a depth greater than a thickness of the at least two links. The at least two links include a first link and a second link, wherein the first link includes a first link opening and a second link pin. For example, the first link pin may extend through the first link opening and into the base hinge insert, and wherein the second link pin extends through the second link opening and into the lid hinge insert.

Additional aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a method of forming a suitcase, the method comprising: (a) molding a base housing, wherein the base housing has a plurality of lower latch recesses, a plurality of lower hinge recesses, a base housing structure, and a base interior space; (b) molding a lid housing, wherein the lid housing has a plurality of upper latch recesses and a plurality of upper hinge recesses, a lid housing structure, and a lid interior space; (c) placing the base housing and the lid housing adjacent to each other, wherein the base interior space and the lid interior space both face in the same direction, and wherein the lower hinge recess and the upper hinge recess face each other; (d) placing a first portion of a hinge assembly into a lower hinge recess; (e) placing a second portion of the hinge assembly into the upper hinge recess; (f) securing a first portion of a hinge assembly to a base using a first mechanical fastener; (g) securing a second portion of the hinge assembly to the cover using a second mechanical fastener; (h) placing the latch assembly into the upper latch recess; and (i) securing the latch assembly to the cover using a third mechanical fastener, wherein the first mechanical fastener, the second mechanical fastener, and the third mechanical fastener are all oriented substantially parallel to one another. The first mechanical fastener may be oriented generally parallel to the third side of the lid housing. The method may also include attaching the wheel assembly to the base housing in a wheel recess using a fourth mechanical fastener, wherein the fourth mechanical fastener is oriented generally parallel to the first mechanical fastener. Further, the method may include attaching a portion of the latch assembly to the cover latch mount prior to placing the portion of the latch assembly into the upper latch recess, wherein the cover latch mount includes a body member and a flange, wherein the flange extends outwardly from the body member and wherein the body member of the cover latch mount is received within the upper latch recess. The method may further include securing the lid latch mount to the lid housing using a third mechanical fastener extending through the opening in the flange and into the thickened portion of the lid housing.

Other aspects of the present disclosure may be directed to a suitcase having a base, the base comprising: a first housing structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first housing structure has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The bottom portion is connectable to the first end of the first housing structure and is configured to support the suitcase on a surface. The first interior space may be defined by the first housing structure and the bottom portion, and the lower latch recess may be located within the second outwardly facing surface, wherein the lower latch recess has a rear surface, a lower surface, and a pair of side surfaces. A cover is rotatably connected to the base, wherein the cover comprises: a second housing structure having a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side. The second housing structure may also have a third end and a fourth end, wherein the top portion is connected to the third end of the second housing structure; and a second interior space is defined by the second housing structure and the top portion. The inner liner is releasably secured to the base shell within the first interior space or to the lid within the second interior space, wherein the inner liner includes at least one storage cavity recessed from an upper surface of the inner liner and includes a liner attachment assembly releasably engaging the base attachment member. The liner attachment assembly may be permanently attached to the inner liner, and the base attachment member may be permanently attached to an inner surface of the suitcase. The liner attachment assembly includes a gripping member that is rotated a predetermined amount to move the liner attachment assembly from an unlocked position to a locked position. The liner is secured to the suitcase when the liner attachment assembly is in the unlocked position, and the liner is removable from the suitcase when the liner attachment assembly is in the unlocked position.

Additional aspects may relate to a liner releasably secured to a suitcase by a liner attachment assembly, where the liner attachment assembly may include a tail member, a flange member, and a grip member, where the tail member includes a tail body member having a locking tab extending outwardly from the tail body member. The tail body member may have a generally cylindrical shape. In some examples, the locking tab may comprise two locking tabs disposed opposite each other, and wherein each locking tab may comprise at least one tapered surface. The flange member may include a flange opening that receives a portion of the tail member, and wherein the grip member may be attached to a portion of the tail member that extends into the flange opening. The liner attachment assembly may be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position by rotating the gripping member approximately 90 degrees in a first direction, and from the locked position to the unlocked position by rotating the gripping member approximately 90 degrees in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction. The base attachment member may include a first wall and a second wall, wherein each wall extends away from the inner surface of the base, the first end is located at the inner surface and the second end is opposite the first end. The first wall may include a first base locking tab at the second end extending toward the second wall, and the second wall may include a second base locking tab at the second end extending toward the first wall. The locking tab of the liner attachment assembly is positioned at least partially under the first base locking tab or the second base locking tab when the liner attachment assembly is in the locked position.

Other aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a suitcase comprising: a first housing structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first housing structure has a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and wherein the first housing structure has a first outwardly facing surface and a second outwardly facing surface. The second outwardly facing surface may be offset from the first outwardly facing surface by a first fixed distance. The first housing structure may also include a bottom portion connected to the first end of the first housing structure. The first interior space may be defined by the first housing structure and the bottom portion; and the lower hinge recess may be located in the second outwardly facing surface. A cover is rotatably connected to the base, wherein the cover comprises: a second housing structure having a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, wherein the housing structure includes a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end. The second housing structure may have a third outwardly facing surface and a fourth outwardly facing surface, wherein the fourth outwardly facing surface is offset from the third outwardly facing surface by a second fixed distance. The second housing structure may have a top portion connected to a third end of the housing structure, and the second interior space may be defined by the second housing structure and the top portion. The suitcase may include a retractable drawbar, wherein the drawbar comprises: (a) a pair of nested compression assemblies, wherein each compression assembly includes a primary compression element and a secondary compression element, wherein the secondary compression element is nested within the central opening of the primary compression element and is slidably engaged with the primary compression element; (b) a grip connected to the secondary expression of each of the pair of expression assemblies, wherein the grip includes a release button. The grip portion includes a release button that, when depressed, actuates a rack and pinion assembly located within the grip portion to allow the pull rod to extend. The rack and pinion assembly may include a pair of rack gear members, wherein each rack gear member includes an engagement member contacting a portion of the release button, the rack gear portion. Each rack drive portion may engage the pinion gear to equalize movement of the rack drive members, and wherein the engagement members have a first angled surface that engages the release button, wherein the first angled surface comprises a compound angle relative to an upper surface of the base member. Each rack gear member may further include a gear member at an end opposite the rack gear member, wherein the gear member has a second angled surface that contacts a third angled surface on the actuating member, wherein the actuating member disengages the locking mechanism for the drawbar assembly.

Further, further aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a suitcase including a retractable drawbar assembly including: (a) a pair of compression assemblies, wherein each compression assembly includes a primary compression element and a secondary compression element, wherein the secondary compression element is nested within a central opening of the primary compression element and is slidably engaged with the primary compression element, and (b) a grip portion connected to the secondary compression element of each of the pair of compression assemblies, wherein the compression assemblies are at least partially secured to the base portion by a plurality of mounting clips mounted to an outwardly facing surface of the base portion. A plurality of mounting clips may be secured within the recess along a bottom portion of the base and may also be evenly spaced within the recess. Each mounting clip may be secured within a recess located within the recess. Additionally, each of the plurality of mounting clips may include a central body having a top end, a bottom end, a front side, a rear side, and an outer spring arm. The primary extrusion may have a plurality of receivers, with the outer spring arms of one of the plurality of mounting clips engaging a first receiver of the plurality of receivers to secure the primary extrusion to the base. The number of receivers may be equal to the number of outer spring arms on each mounting clip. The suitcase may also have a bottom cover attached to the recess that contacts the main extrusion to prevent the main extrusion from moving in a direction toward a plane formed by the axes of the plurality of wheels. The tie rod assembly may further include a primary bushing positioned between the primary extrusion and the secondary extrusion, wherein the primary bushing includes an upper lip contacting an end surface of the primary extrusion and a central opening receiving the secondary extrusion. The upper lip may have a plurality of inwardly facing grooves.

Additional aspects of the present disclosure may relate to a suitcase having a retractable handle assembly with (a) a pair of squeeze assemblies, wherein each squeeze assembly includes a primary squeeze and a secondary squeeze, and (b) a grip portion connected to the secondary squeeze of each of the pair of squeeze assemblies, wherein the grip portion includes a release button for the handle assembly. The secondary extrusion may be nested within the central opening of the primary extrusion and slidably engaged with the primary extrusion. The release button of the grip portion may actuate a rack and pinion assembly located within the grip portion to allow the pull rod assembly to extend or retract. The rack and pinion assembly may include a pair of rack gear members, wherein each rack gear member includes an engagement member contacting a portion of the release button, the rack gear portion. Each rack gear portion may engage a pinion gear to equalize the movement of the rack gear members. A gasket may be positioned around the perimeter of the release button. One of the pressing assemblies may be at least partially secured to the base by a plurality of mounting clips mounted to an outwardly facing surface of a bottom portion of the base. A plurality of mounting clips are secured within the recesses along a bottom portion of the base.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a suitcase having a retractable drawbar assembly, the retractable drawbar assembly comprising: (a) a pair of compression assemblies, wherein each compression assembly includes a primary compression and a secondary compression, and (b) a gripping portion extending between the pair of compression assemblies connecting the pair of compression assemblies. The secondary extrusion may be nested within the central opening of the primary extrusion and may also be slidably engaged with the primary extrusion. A first of the pair of compression assemblies may be at least partially secured to the base by a first plurality of mounting clips mounted to the base, and a second of the pair of compression assemblies is at least partially secured to the base by a second plurality of mounting clips mounted to the base. Each of the first and second plurality of mounting clips may include a central body having a top end, a bottom end, a front side, a rear side, and a spring arm. Each pair of extrusion assemblies may further include a tertiary extrusion nested within the central opening of the secondary extrusion and slidably engaged with the secondary extrusion. The first plurality of mounting clips are attached to the base within a first recess extending along an outwardly facing surface of the bottom portion, and the second plurality of mounting clips are attachable to the base within a second recess extending along an outwardly facing surface of the bottom portion. The first recess may be substantially parallel to the second recess. The first bottom cover may be positioned in the first recess and may also contact the primary extrusion of the first extrusion assembly to prevent the primary extrusion from moving within the first recess in a direction toward a plane formed by the axes of the plurality of wheels. The first bottom cover may include an opening in a bottom surface. The first extrusion assembly may further include a primary bushing positioned between the primary extrusion and the secondary extrusion, wherein the primary bushing has an upper lip contacting an end surface of the primary extrusion and a central opening receiving the secondary extrusion. Additionally, the upper lip may have a plurality of inwardly facing grooves.

Drawings

The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary suitcase according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 6 is a left side view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 with its drawbar in a raised position according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 10A is a front perspective view of a wheel assembly removed from the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 10B is a rear perspective view of a wheel assembly removed from the suitcase of fig. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 11A is an exploded perspective view of an alternative wheel assembly mounted to the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 11B is a rear perspective view of a cover of the alternative wheel assembly shown in fig. 11A, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 11C is an enlarged rear perspective view of a wheel well in a suitcase for receiving the alternative wheel assembly shown in fig. 11A according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 11D is a partial cross-sectional view of the alternative wheel assembly shown in fig. 11A mounted to the suitcase of fig. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein with some components removed for clarity.

FIG. 12A is a partially exploded view of an identification tag holder mounted to the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 12B is a rear perspective view of an identification tag holder according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 12C is a partial cross-sectional view of an identification tag bracket mounted to the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in an open configuration according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 14A is a side perspective view of the suitcase of fig. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 14B is an enlarged side perspective view of the suitcase of fig. 1 with the latch assembly removed in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 15A is a partially exploded perspective view of a latch assembly assembled to a lid of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 15B is a partial perspective view of a latch assembly assembled to a lid of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 15C is a partially exploded perspective view of a latch assembly assembled to a base of the suitcase of fig. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 16A is a partial cross-sectional side view through a latch assembly of the suitcase of fig. 1 in a locked position according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 16B is a partial cross-sectional side view through a latch assembly of the suitcase of fig. 1 in an unlocked position according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a latch assembly of the suitcase of FIG. 1, in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 18 is a rear perspective view of a latch assembly of the suitcase of fig. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 19 is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in a locked orientation in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 20 is a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in an unlocked position according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 21 is a perspective schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the suitcase of FIG. 1 provided with a deployable bag in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 22 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the suitcase of FIG. 21 provided with a deployable bag in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 23 is a front right perspective view of the deployable bag of the suitcase of FIG. 21 in a closed configuration in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 24 is a front right perspective view of the deployable bag of the suitcase of FIG. 21 in an open configuration in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 25 is a rear perspective view of the deployable bag of the suitcase of FIG. 21 in a closed configuration in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 26 is a rear perspective view of the deployable bag of the suitcase of fig. 21 in an open configuration in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 27 is an enlarged view of the deployable bag installed in the carrying case of fig. 21 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 28 is an enlarged view of the deployable bag installed in the carrying case of fig. 21 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 29 is an enlarged view of the deployable bag installed in the carrying case of fig. 21 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 30 is a rear perspective view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 with the drawbar extended and certain components removed, in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 31 is a front perspective view of a grip portion of a drawbar assembly of the exemplary suitcase according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 32 is a side view of the grip portion of fig. 31 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 33 is a front view of the grip portion of fig. 31 with the cover removed, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 34 is a perspective view of the grip portion of fig. 33, according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 35 is a front perspective view of another exemplary suitcase according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 36 is a rear perspective view of the suitcase of fig. 35 according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 37 is a front view of the suitcase of FIG. 35, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 38 is a right side view of the suitcase of fig. 35 according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 39 is a rear view of the suitcase of FIG. 35 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 40 is a left side view of the suitcase of FIG. 35 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 41 is a top view of the suitcase of FIG. 35 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 42 is a bottom view of the suitcase of FIG. 35 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 43A is a partially exploded top right perspective view of the suitcase of fig. 35 in an open configuration in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 43B is a perspective partially exploded view of an alternative attachment assembly for the suitcase of FIG. 35 for an interior liner, where the liner has been removed, in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 43C is a perspective partial view of the attachment assembly of fig. 43B in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 43D is a perspective partial view of the attachment assembly of fig. 43B in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 43E is a perspective exploded view of the liner attachment assembly of fig. 43B, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 43F is a perspective view of a lid of the suitcase of fig. 35, with some components removed, in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 43G is an enlarged perspective view of a mechanical connector disposed on an interior of the cover of fig. 43F according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 43H is an enlarged perspective view of a mechanical connector disposed on an interior of the cover of fig. 43F according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 44A is a front view of the suitcase of fig. 35 in an open configuration with some components removed in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 44B is a partially exploded front perspective view of the suitcase of fig. 35 in an open configuration with some components removed in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 44C is a partial front perspective view of the suitcase of fig. 35 in an open configuration with some components removed in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 44D is an enlarged, partially cut-away perspective view of a lid of the suitcase of FIG. 35, with some components removed, in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 45 is a partial front perspective view of the suitcase of fig. 35 in an open configuration with some components removed in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 46 is a partial top view of the suitcase of fig. 35 in an open configuration with some components removed in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 47 is a rear perspective view of the wheel assembly of the suitcase of FIG. 35, according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 48 is a front perspective view of the wheel assembly of the suitcase of FIG. 35, according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 49 is a right front perspective view of a lid housing of the suitcase of FIG. 35, according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 50 is a front left perspective view of a lid housing of the suitcase of FIG. 35, in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 51 is a front left perspective view of a base housing of the suitcase of FIG. 35, in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 52 is a right front perspective view of a base housing of the suitcase of FIG. 35, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 53 is a partial rear perspective view of the partially assembled suitcase of fig. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 54 is a partial front perspective view of a drawbar press assembly on a drawbar assembly side of the suitcase of FIG. 1, with the suitcase shell removed for clarity in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 55A is a partially cutaway side view of the suitcase of fig. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 55B is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of fig. 55A, according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 56 is a partially cut-away side view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 57A is a rear perspective view of a housing of the suitcase of FIG. 1 with the drawbar removed for clarity in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 57B is an enlarged, partial, rear perspective view of fig. 57A according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 58 is a partially cut-away side view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 59 is an enlarged front perspective view of the drawbar assembly of fig. 54 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 60 is an enlarged front perspective view of the drawbar assembly of fig. 54, according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 61 is a top cross-sectional view of an extrusion of the draw bar compression assembly of FIG. 54, according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 62 is a partial rear perspective view of the tension rod compression assembly of FIG. 54 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 63 is an enlarged rear perspective view of a junction of a secondary extrusion and a primary extrusion of the view of the drawbar assembly of fig. 62 according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 64 is an enlarged rear bottom perspective view of the drawbar assembly of fig. 54, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 65 is a rear perspective view of a primary extrusion of a tie bar extrusion assembly according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 66 is a rear perspective view of a secondary extrusion of a tie rod extrusion assembly according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 67 is a rear perspective view of a three stage extrusion of a tension bar extrusion assembly according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 68 is a rear perspective view of a top cap of a tension rod compression assembly according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 69 is a rear perspective view of a bottom cap of a drawbar press assembly according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 70 is a rear perspective view of a mounting clip of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 71 is a rear perspective view of an exemplary suitcase according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 72A is a front perspective view of the drawbar assembly of fig. 71 according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 72B is a top cross-sectional view of an extrusion of the drawbar extrusion assembly of fig. 72A according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 73 is a rear perspective view of the drawbar assembly of fig. 72A, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 74 is a front perspective view of the drawbar assembly of fig. 72A according to one or more aspects described herein, with some components removed.

Fig. 75 is a front perspective view of the drawbar assembly of fig. 72A, with some components removed, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 76 is a front perspective view of the drawbar assembly of fig. 72A, with some components removed, according to one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 77 is a rear perspective view of the suitcase of FIG. 71 with some components removed in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 78 is a partially exploded cross-sectional side view of the suitcase of FIG. 71 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 79 is a partially exploded cross-sectional side view of the suitcase of FIG. 71 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 80 is a partially cutaway side view of the suitcase of FIG. 71 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

FIG. 81 is an enlarged, partial perspective view of the suitcase of FIG. 71 in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 82 is a perspective view of a main bushing of the tie rod assembly of fig. 72A, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 83 is a perspective view of a secondary bushing of the tie rod assembly of fig. 72A, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 84 is a perspective view of a bottom cap of the drawbar assembly of fig. 72A according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 85 is a front perspective view of a grip portion of the drawbar assembly of fig. 72A, with some components removed, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 86 is a rear perspective view of a grip portion of the drawbar assembly of fig. 72A, with some components removed, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 87 is a front perspective view of an interior liner for a base of a suitcase according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 88 is a front perspective view of an inner liner for a lid of a suitcase according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 89 is a front view of the inner liner of fig. 87 according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 90 is a right side view of the inner liner of fig. 87 according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 91 is a front view of the inner liner of fig. 88, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 92 is a left side view of the inner liner of fig. 88, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 93 is a left side view of the inner liner of fig. 88, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 93 is a right side view of the inner liner of fig. 92, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 94 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the inner liner of fig. 87 according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 95 is a perspective view of a portion of a fastener attached to the inner liner of fig. 87 according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 96 is a cross-sectional schematic view of attachment of a portion of the fastener shown in fig. 95 according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 97 is a front view of the inner liner of fig. 87 with an exemplary strap extending through the inner liner and the suitcase removed, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 98 is a front view of an exemplary strip according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 99A-99E are perspective views of a manufacturing process of a grommet according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 100 shows a flowchart of a manufacturing process of the grommet shown in fig. 99A to 99E.

Fig. 101A-101D are perspective views of an optional mechanical connector that may be disposed on the interior of a lid or base of a suitcase, according to one or more aspects described herein.

Fig. 102 is a front view of the suitcase of fig. 35 in an open configuration showing optional positions of mechanical connections, with some components removed, in accordance with one or more aspects described herein.

Moreover, it should be understood that the drawings may represent proportions of different elements of a single embodiment; however, the disclosed embodiments are not limited to this particular ratio.

Detailed Description

In the following description of various example structures in accordance with the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention herein. Additionally, while "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "side," "back," and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein for convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures or orientations during conventional use. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, the reader is advised that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

In addition, the term "plurality" as used herein means any number greater than 1, either separately or in combination, up to an infinite number if desired.

"generally parallel," as the term is used herein, means that a first line, line segment, plane, edge, surface, etc. is approximately (in this case, within 5%) equidistant from another line, plane, edge, surface, etc. that exceeds at least 50% of the length of the first line, line segment, or edge, or exceeds at least 50% of the area of the plane or surface, etc. In some instances, a line, line segment, or edge may be considered "substantially parallel" if it is approximately equidistant (+ -5%) from another corresponding line, line segment, or edge that exceeds at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or even at least 95% of the length of any considered line, line segment, or edge. Further, planes or surfaces may be considered "substantially parallel" if one plane or surface is approximately equidistant (+ -5%) from another corresponding plane or surface that exceeds at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or even at least 95% of the surface area of any considered plane or surface.

"generally perpendicular," as that term is used herein, means that a first line, line segment, plane, edge, surface, etc., is approximately (in this case, within 5%) orthogonal to another line, plane, edge, surface, etc., that exceeds at least 50% of the length of the first line, line segment, or edge, or exceeds at least 50% of the area of the plane or surface, etc. In some instances, a line, line segment, or edge may be considered "substantially perpendicular" if it is approximately orthogonal (+ -5%) in distance from another respective line, line segment, or edge that exceeds at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or even at least 95% of the length of any considered line, line segment, or edge. Further, a plane or surface may be considered "substantially perpendicular" if it is approximately perpendicular (± 5%) to another corresponding plane or surface that exceeds at least 60%, at least 75%, at least 85%, at least 90%, or even at least 95% of the surface area of any considered plane or surface.

Aspects of the invention relate generally to suitcases or containers, as well as aspects of suitcases, such as latch assemblies, wheel assemblies, and other sub-assemblies. According to various aspects and embodiments, the suitcase and latch assembly described herein may be formed from one or more of a variety of materials, such as metals (including metal alloys), polymers, and composites, and may be formed in one of a variety of configurations, without departing from the scope of the invention. It will be appreciated that the suitcase may contain components made of several different materials. In addition, these components may be formed by various forming methods. For example, the metal component may be formed by forging, molding, casting, stamping, machining, and/or other known techniques. In addition, the polymer component may be formed or manufactured by polymer processing techniques, such as various molding and casting techniques and/or other known techniques.

The various figures in this application illustrate examples of suitcases according to the present disclosure. When the same reference number appears in multiple figures, that reference number is used consistently in this specification and the figures refer to the same or similar parts throughout. The carrying case may be configured to, for example, hold, store, carry items, including but not limited to clothing, shoes, electronics, or any other item. Additionally or alternatively, the carrying case may be configured to store the frangible material without departing from the scope of the disclosure described herein.

Fig. 1-8 depict views of the carrying case 100. Suitcase 100 may include a base 102 and a lid 104 that may be connected together. For example, the base 102 and the cover 104 may be rotatably coupled together such that the base 102 and the cover 104 are coupled by a hinge 106 or multiple hinges 106. The base 102 and the cover 104 may be structures that form a space to accommodate an item, as will be discussed more fully herein. In some examples, the base 102 and the cover 104 may have similar volumetric displacements such that the dimensions of the interior space 103 of the base 102 are substantially the same as the dimensions of the interior space 105 of the cover 104, or wherein the spatial volume of the base 102 may be within 10% of the spatial volume of the cover 104. In some embodiments, the volume of the carrying case 100 may be about 42000 cubic centimeters, or in the range of 35000 cubic centimeters and 45000 cubic centimeters. The base 102 and cover 104 may be cubic or substantially cubic in shape. For example, in some embodiments, the suitcase 100 may have a length of about 22 inches (55.9cm), a width of about 14 inches (35.6cm), and a height of 9 inches (22.9 cm). While in other embodiments, the suitcase 100 may have different dimensions. In other examples, the base 102 may be prismatic or generally prismatic in shape (e.g., a pentagonal prism, a hexagonal prism, a heptagonal prism, etc.). In still other examples, the base 102 may be generally cylindrical in shape or may have a generally trapezoidal cross-section. Various other shapes may be used without departing from the invention.

Suitcase 100 may also include a towing or retractable drawbar assembly 400, a plurality of handles 160, a plurality of wheels 168 located at the bottom of suitcase 100, a plurality of shackle assemblies 180, and a pair of retractable shackle rings 178, 179 to allow mounting of a padlock to secure suitcase 100 during travel. Further, the suitcase 100 may be configured to be water-tight or waterproof, or to not substantially allow any moisture or humidity to enter the interior of the suitcase 100. As another feature, the exterior of the suitcase 100 may have a contoured shape that may include a plurality of recesses to receive the latch assembly 180, the hinge 106, the pull rod assembly 400, and the wheels 168, thereby minimizing their contours and potential damage from collisions with other objects during travel.

The base 102 may include a lower housing structure 108 having a first side 110, a second side 112 opposite the first side 110, a third side 114 extending between an edge of the first side 110 and an edge of the second side 112, and a fourth side 116 opposite the third side 114. The lower housing 108 may also have a first end 118 and a second end 120 proximate the opening of the interior space 103 of the base 102. The lower shell 108 may also include a bottom portion 122 connected to the first end 118 of the lower shell structure 108 and configured to support the suitcase 100 on a surface, such as a work bench, floor, or the like. Likewise, the cover 104 may include an upper housing structure 124 having a first side 126, a second side 128 opposite the first side 126, a third side 130 extending between an edge of the first side 126 and an edge of the second side 128, and a fourth side 132 opposite the third side 130. The upper housing structure 124 may also have a first end 134 and a second end 136 proximate the opening of the interior space 105 of the cover 104. The upper housing structure 124 may also include a top portion 138 connected to the first end 134 of the upper housing structure 124 and configured to support the suitcase 100 on a surface, such as a work bench, the floor, or the like.

In some examples, the upper housing 124 and the lower housing 108 may each be formed as a unitary or single member such that each housing is seamless. Further, the upper and lower housings 124, 108 may not have any holes or openings that pierce or extend from the outer surface into the respective interior spaces 103, 105 of the base 102 and cover 104. By having a housing 108, 124 that does not have an opening extending from the exterior to the interior, the suitcase 100 may advantageously prevent any moisture or humidity from entering the interior of the suitcase 100. The shell 108, 124 may generally have a thickness in the range of 2mm and 4mm or in the range of 1.5mm and 6 mm. The shell 108, 124 may also include a variable wall thickness in a localized area. For example, some areas may be thicker than other areas of the housing 108, 124 to provide attachment locations for various components. These thicker regions may be arranged to receive mechanical fasteners or other connecting members. As another feature, the housings 108, 124 may include ribs or beads 109 that may be disposed along the outer or inner surfaces of the lower housing 108 and the upper housing 124 to increase the rigidity and strength of the housings, while also providing additional protection to the housings 108, 124. For example, the ribs 109 may be oriented along the length of the top portion 138 of the upper housing 124 and along the bottom portion 122 of the lower housing 108. In some embodiments, the ribs 109 may be evenly spaced from the first and second sides 126, 128 of the upper shell 124 and the ribs 109 may be arranged in pairs.

As described above, the upper and lower shells 124, 108 may form a majority of the exterior of the suitcase 100 and each shell may have a contoured shape including a major surface, a raised surface, and a plurality of recesses that may protect the components from impact or damage. For example, the upper housing 124 can include a raised projection surface 140 that extends around the perimeter of the upper housing 124 near and/or along the second end 120. Raised surface 140 may be offset a fixed distance from a major surface 142 of the upper housing. A plurality of upper latch recesses 144 may be formed at least partially within the raised surface 140. Each upper latch recess 144 may have a depth equal to or greater than a thickness of each latch assembly 180 to provide protection to the latch assembly 180. The upper latch recess 144 may have a generally rectangular shape, or alternatively a shape that closely matches the shape of the catch assembly 180. Each latch recess 144 may have a receiving feature to secure the latch assembly 180 within the recess 144. The receiving features may include dimples on either side of the recess 144 to receive a pin or other mounting hardware of the latch assembly 180.

Similar to the upper housing 124, the lower housing 108 may include a major surface 146, a raised protruding surface 148 extending around the perimeter of the lower housing 108 near and/or along the second end 136. Raised surface 148 may be offset a fixed distance from the major surface 146 of the upper housing. A plurality of lower latch recesses 150 may be formed at least partially within raised surface 148. Each lower latch recess 150 may have a depth equal to or greater than a thickness of each latch assembly 180. The lower latch recess 150 may have a depth substantially the same as the depth of the upper latch recess 144. The latch recess 150 may include a latch retainer 182 that extends through the recess 150 and provides an engagement surface for the latch assembly 180 to secure the lower housing 108 to the upper housing 124. Each latch recess 150 may have a generally rectangular shape, or alternatively a shape that closely matches the shape of the latch assembly 180. The shape and size of the latch recesses 144, 150 may be mirror images of each other and may be aligned to form a larger recess to receive the entire latch assembly 180.

The drawbar assembly 400 may be attached to the lower housing 108 along the exterior of the bottom portion 122. The drawbar assembly 400 may be formed as a separate member and attached to the lower housing 108. The lower housing 108 may have a drag recess or tie bar recess 154 offset from the major surface 146 on the bottom portion 122 of the lower housing 108. The pull recess 154 may be generally U-shaped, as shown in fig. 2, or may be a pair of symmetrical elongated recesses 154 to receive the pull rod assembly 400. The recess 154 may have a depth equal to or greater than the thickness of the tie rod extrusion to substantially protect the tie rod assembly 400 from impact. The handle assembly 400 may include an extendable squeeze assembly 410 that slides upward from the top of the suitcase to provide a user with a raised grip to easily pull the suitcase 100, as shown in fig. 9.

In addition, to allow a user to easily pull the suitcase 100, the bottom of the suitcase may include a plurality of wheel assemblies 164 located at the rear and bottom of the suitcase 100. Each wheel assembly 164 may be formed as a separate member, as shown in fig. 10A and 10B, and may include a wheel housing 166 having a circular shape and at least one mounting flange 167 at least one end, and a wheel 168 mounted on a shaft (not shown) such that the axis is centrally aligned with the circular shape. The mounting flange 167 may include mounting holes. The lower housing 108 may include a wheel recess 170 to receive the wheel assembly 164. The wheel assembly 164 may be secured to the wheel recess using at least one mechanical fastener that extends through a mounting hole located in the mounting flange 167. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, suitcase 100 may include a pair of wheel assemblies 164; however, in other embodiments, the suitcase may include more additional wheel assemblies 164. The wheel assembly 164 may be evenly spaced from the sides of the suitcase 100. The wheel housing 166 may be formed of a polymeric material, such as polyamide (nylon) or the like, while the wheels 168 may be formed of a polymeric material, such as polyurethane or the like.

Fig. 11A to 11D show another option for a wheel assembly 264 that may be mounted to the suitcase 100. The wheel assembly 264 may include a wheel housing 266 having a circular shape and a mounting flange 267. The wheel assembly 264 may also include a wheel 268 mounted on a shaft 269. The wheel housing 266 may also include a pair of horizontally oriented projections 271 positioned along each side of the wheel housing 266 that may be inserted into a pair of grooves 273 oriented within the recess 270 of the lower housing 108. Each projection 271 of a pair of projections is received in each recess 273 of the pair of recesses to be supported to the wheel housing 266 in the vertical direction within the recess 270. The wheel assembly 264 may then be secured in a horizontal orientation by a mechanical fastener that extends through a mounting hole in the flange 267 and into a thickened portion of the housing 108, which prevents the fastener from penetrating into the housing interior. Alternatively, the wheel housing 266 may also include a detent 275 or protrusion on the front end of the wheel housing 266. The pawl 275 is receivable in a slot 277 near the rear end of the recess 270 to provide additional support for the wheel assembly 264 in the horizontal direction.

In some embodiments, the bottom of suitcase 100 (corresponding to the bottom of suitcase 100)Fourth side 132 of upper housing 124) may also and/or alternatively include one or more feet 172A that may support suitcase 100 on a surface such as a work bench, floor, or the like. The feet 172 may be attached to the upper housing 124 and may be positioned relative to the wheel assembly 164 to provide proper balance, as shown in fig. 8. The legs 172 may be formed of a non-slip or non-slip impact absorbing material, such as rubber, elastomer, or other similar material. For example, the legs 172 may be formed of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber (ethylene propylene diene monomer) or similar material. Adhesives, ultrasonic welding techniques or electromagnetic welding (e.g. electromagnetic welding) may be used

) The legs are attached to the housing. By attaching the legs using adhesive or welding techniques, the housing 108, 124 may remain free of any intrusion into its interior.

Each leg 172 can be received in a leg recess 174, which can be formed in the raised surface 148 of the upper housing 124. The legs 172 may have a generally oval, square, or any shape. Further, each foot 172 may extend an amount equal to the distance each wheel 168 extends beyond the suitcase. Thus, the top of the suitcase 100 may be substantially horizontal when resting on its side on the ground. Alternatively, one or more legs 172B may be positioned along the second side 112, 128 of the housing 108, 124 such that the legs 172B are positioned opposite each other on the upper housing 124 and the lower housing 108. As shown in fig. 6, the legs 172B may be positioned along the second side 128 of the upper shell 124 and along the second side 112 of the lower shell 108. Legs 172B may be formed of similar material as legs 172A of the bottom of suitcase 100. Although of the same material, the shape of the leg 172B may be slightly different from the shape of the leg 172A, as the leg 172B may have a substantially truncated oval shape. The leg 172 may be generally aligned with one of the hinges 106, with the flat portion of the leg 172B spaced from the edge of the hinge 106. Further, when carrying case 100 is fully open, legs 172B may be arranged to contact each other to reduce impact forces on the hinges and other components of carrying case 100 when opened.

Another feature of the suitcase 100 is an identification tag holder 250 to assist a user in easily identifying the suitcase 100, as shown in fig. 12A and 12C. The identification tag holder 250 may be located on the cover 104 or the base 102. For example, the identification tag holder 250 may be located between the compression assemblies 410 of the drawbar assembly 400. Identification tag holder 250 may include a transparent sleeve 252 and a slidable cartridge 254. Cartridge 254 may have a central opening 253 and may slidably engage with a slot 255 positioned in lower housing 108 such that cartridge 254 moves in a vertical direction. The cartridge 254 may include a recess for securing the ferrule 252. The ferrule 252 may have an opening to receive an identification tag 257, such as a business card or similar material that may contain user identification information. Cartridge 254 can be slid upward along slot 255 to an open position exposing the pocket to allow a user to install ferrule 252 and slide cartridge 254 downward into slot 255. Cartridge 254 may include a pair of grooves or recesses 258 disposed on each side of cartridge 254 to receive detents 260 or protrusions positioned within slots 255. When cartridge 254 is slid downward within slot 255, pawl 260 may be received within groove 258 of cartridge 254. Cartridge 254 may be secured within slot 255 by a detent 260 that engages a recess 258. The slot 255 may have a pair of detents 260, one detent 260 located on each side of the slot 255. A groove 258 may be located near lower end 259. The identification material can then be easily viewed through opening 253 of cartridge 254. In some embodiments, pawl 260 may be disposed on cartridge 254 and groove 258 is disposed within slot 255.

To help improve the security of the carrying case 100, the carrying case 100 may include a pair of padlock loops 178, 179 to receive padlocks (not shown) to prevent any unauthorized opening of the carrying case 100. The first shackle 178 may be connected to the upper housing 124 and the second shackle 179 may be connected to the lower housing 108 such that the first shackle 178 is aligned with the second shackle 179 to allow a padlock to be inserted into the opening 178, 179 of each shackle. Each of the catch rings 178, 179 may be retractable, in that they may be rotated into slots on the respective housings 124, 108 to store and protect the rings 178, 179 when not in use.

The suitcase 100 (which includes the upper shell 124 and the lower shell 108) may be formed from a variety of materials, such as one or more metals, alloys, polymers, ceramics, or fiber-reinforced materials. In some examples, the upper and lower housings 124, 108 may be formed from a polymer material, such as a polycarbonate alloy, thermoplastic olefin (TPO), or other similar material, that is molded to form the housings 108, 124. In some arrangements, the housings 108, 124 (not shown) are formed using an injection molding or rotational molding (not shown) process, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. However, various other types of molding or other manufacturing processes (e.g., stamping, casting, forging, etc.) may be used to form suitcase 100 without departing from this invention.

As described above, the base 102 and the cover 104 may be rotatably coupled together. The hinge 106 may be one of various types of hinges, including a continuous piano hinge, a double hinge, a ball joint hinge, a living hinge, or the like double hinge, to allow the base 102 and cover 104 to rotate up to 180 degrees away from each other in the fully open position, as shown in fig. 13. In some examples, the cover 104 can be removably or permanently connected to the base 102 at a hinge 106. When in the open configuration, the interior spaces 103, 105 of the base 102 and cover 104 are accessible to a user. When in the closed configuration, the hinge 106 may facilitate rotation of the lid 104 and base 102 to secure the contents within the carrying case 100.

Further, as shown in fig. 13, the interior spaces 105, 103 of the cover 104 and base 102 may include a liner 115 to provide a soft interior surface. Liner 115 may include a waterproof fabric material to provide additional moisture protection to the contents of suitcase 100. Alternatively, a plurality of magnetic or ferromagnetic elements may be disposed along an inner edge of the second end 120 of the lower shell 108 of the base 102, and may also be disposed along an inner edge of the second end 136 of the upper shell 124 of the cover 104. These magnetic elements may help align and close the cover 104 and the base 102.

Additionally, in some arrangements, the carrying case 100 may include a gasket 176 or other sealing device. The gasket 176 may be disposed in the lid 104 or the base 102 and may help seal the lid 104 and the base 102 when the carrying case 100 is in the closed configuration. The gasket 176 may be disposed in a recess or groove in the cover 104. Alternatively, the washer 176 may be disposed in a recess or groove formed in the base 102. In some examples, the washer 176 can be a conventional washer having a substantially circular cross-section.

In other embodiments, the suitcase 100 may be capable of achieving an IP52 rating up to an IP67 rating (as specified by the international electrotechnical commission). For example, in one embodiment, the carrying case 100 may be manufactured such that it is protected from limited ingress of dust and is waterproof to a water spray test corresponding to the IP52 rating. While in other embodiments, the suitcase 100 may be manufactured such that it is dust tight when tested for 8 hours, and/or waterproof when tested under water at 1 meter depth for 30 minutes. In some embodiments, the carrying case 100 may be able to achieve an IP67 rating that provides no or complete protection from dust at 8 hours of testing, and no harmful amounts of water are likely to enter when the package is immersed in water under defined pressure and time conditions (up to 1m in water). The time for the dust test of IP67 was 8 hours, and the packages were tested in vacuum. The time of the IP67 water test is 30 minutes, and when the package is tested, the lowest point of the package is 1000mm below the water surface, or the highest point of the package is 150mm below the water surface (based on the deeper point). According to the IP rating, the suitcase 100 may include a one-way vent. For example, a one-way vent may not be necessary if the level of protection is IP52, but may be needed if the level is higher, such as IP 67.

In some arrangements, carrying case 100 may also include one or more handles 160. The handle 160 may be disposed on one or more portions of the base 102 along the lower housing 108. Handles 160 may be disposed on the top and right sides of suitcase 100. The handle 160 may be secured to the raised surface 148 of the lower housing 108. The handle 160 may be formed of a polymer and molded with Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) to provide a soft, comfortable surface for a user to grip. The handle 160 may be connected to a cam ring attached to a bracket 162. The bracket 162 may be joined/secured to the lower shell 108 using mechanical fasteners that do not extend into the interior of the lower shell 108.

As described above, carrying case 100 may also include one or more latch assemblies 180. The latch assembly 180 may have a locked position and an unlocked position and may be configured to lock the cover 104 to the base 102 when the cover 104 is in the closed configuration. The latch assembly 180 may include one or more portions that are integrally formed with the suitcase 100 or otherwise attached thereto. As shown in fig. 14A-16B, suitcase 100 may include a latch retainer 182 located within lower latch recess 150. The latch retainers 182 may extend from sidewalls of the lower latch recess 150 of the lower housing 108. The recess 150 is shaped to receive a portion of the locking member 190, as will be discussed in more detail below. The latch retainer 182 may have an upper surface 184, an inner surface 186, and a lower surface 188. As will be discussed in more detail below, when the carrying case 100 is in the closed configuration, the latch assembly 180 may engage the latch retainer 182 to lock the lid 104 to the base 102.

In some embodiments, the latch assembly 180 may be rotatably connected to the cover latch mount 181 prior to mounting to the cover 104. The latch assembly 180 may be coupled to the cover latch mount 181 using a pin 203 or a hinge. The pins 203 may be inserted into openings in the latch body 200 of the latch assembly 180 and a pair of openings in the sides of the cover latch mount 181, as shown in fig. 15A and 15B. The cover latch mount 181 may be received in the upper latch recess 144 of the upper housing 124. The cover latch mount 181 may be mounted in the recess 144 in a direction generally parallel to the surface of the first side 126 and secured to the housing 124 using at least one mechanical fastener inserted into an opening on a flange 183 of the cover latch mount 181. Mechanical fasteners that secure the flange 183 to the upper housing 124 may be inserted into threaded holes in the thickened portion of the housing 124, which may prevent the fasteners from penetrating the interior of the housing 124. The pin 203 may be a cylindrical pin or a stepped pin and may have knurled features.

Similarly, in some examples, the base latch mount 185 may be received in the lower latch recess 150 of the lower housing 108, as shown in fig. 15C. The latch keeper 182 may be installed into the base latch mount 185 prior to installation into the base 102. The base latch mount 185 may be mounted in the recess 150 in a direction generally parallel to the surface of the first side 110 and secured to the lower housing 108 using at least one mechanical fastener inserted into an opening on the flange 187 of the cover latch mount 185. Mechanical fasteners that secure the flange 187 to the housing 108 may be inserted into threaded holes in the thickened portion of the housing 108, which may prevent the fasteners from penetrating the interior of the housing 108.

Referring now to the latch assembly 180, as shown in fig. 15A-18, the latch assembly 180 may include a plurality of components including a latch body 200, a locking member 190, a biasing member 220, and an actuating member 230. As described above, the latch assembly 180 may include a locked position and an unlocked position.

The latch body 200 may be pivotally engaged with the cover 104. As shown in fig. 17, the latch body 200 may be pivotally engaged with the cover 104 using a pin or hinge 203, but any suitable pivotal engagement may be used. In some embodiments, hinge 203 may be removably engaged with carrying case 100. The hinge 203 may allow a user to easily remove and replace the latch assembly 180 if damaged. The latch body 200 may include an inner surface 204 and an outer surface 206. The outer surface 206 may be contoured and may not extend outward from the outer edge of the raised surface 148 of the lower shell 108 or the raised surface 140 of the upper shell 124. The inner surface 204 may also be curved and may also include a number of different features. One exemplary feature that may be included on the latch body 200 may be one or more engagement lugs 208. As will be discussed in more detail below, the engagement lugs 208 may engage the base 102 or the latch retainers 182 and may help to press the lid 104 against the base 102 of the carrying case 100.

The latch body 200 may also engage with the locking member 190. As shown in fig. 16A and 16B, the locking member 190 may be slidably engaged with the latch body 200 such that the locking member 190 may move between an upward position and a downward position along a substantially linear path. The locking member 190 may be configured to lock the lid 104 in the closed configuration when the locking member 190 is in the downward position and unlock the lid 104 when the locking member 190 is in the upward position.

As shown generally in fig. 18, the locking member 190 may be movably engaged with one or more guide members 192 such that the locking member 190 may slide up and down the guide members 192. In one embodiment, the locking member 190 may include holes 194 through the locking member 190, and the guide member 192 may also pass through the holes. The guide member 192 may be engaged with the latch body 200 at the top end 195 and the bottom end 196. As shown in fig. 18, the guide member 192 is a cylindrical rod, but any suitable shape that allows the locking member 190 to move up and down may be used. For example, the guide member 192 may be prismatic or substantially prismatic in shape (e.g., pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, etc.). In other examples, the latch assembly 180 may include other devices suitable for allowing substantially linear movement between the locking member 190 and the latch body 200, including, for example, a track.

As also shown in fig. 18, the latch assembly 180 can further include at least one biasing member 220 that engages the latch body 200 and the locking member 190. As will be discussed in more detail below, the biasing member 220 is configured to bias the locking member 190 in a downward position. Biasing member 220 may be a compression spring, as shown in fig. 18, but may be any suitable means for biasing locking member 190 in the downward position in alternative embodiments.

The locking member 190 may include a base portion 210 and a hook 212 extending inwardly from the base portion 210. Hook portion 212 may include a lower surface 214 and an inwardly facing surface 216. As shown in fig. 15, when the latch assembly 180 is in the locked position, a lower surface 214 of the hook 212 of the locking member 190 may engage the upper surface 184 of the latch retainer 182 and an inwardly facing surface 216 of the hook 212 may engage the inner surface 186 of the latch retainer 182. Additionally, the upper surface of the engagement lug 202 may engage the lower surface 188 of the latch retainer 182 when the latch assembly 180 is in the locked position.

The latch body 200 may also be pivotally engaged with the actuating member 230. Actuating member 230 may also be engaged with locking member 190 and may be configured to move locking member 190 from the downward position to the upward position. As shown in fig. 15 and 16, the actuating member 230 may be pivotally coupled to the latch body 200 by a hinge 232 that extends through the latch body 200 and the actuating member 230. The actuation member 230 may include a grip portion 234, an actuation cartridge 236, and one or more arms 238 connecting the grip portion 234 and the actuation cartridge 236. As shown in fig. 16B, the grip portion 234 is spaced a distance from the lower surface of the recess 150 of the lower housing 108. This distance may allow a user to place their fingers between the lower surface of the recess 150 and the grip portion 234 to grasp the back surface 240 of the grip portion 234. As shown in fig. 15 and 16, actuation barrel 236 of actuation member 230 may engage locking member 190. The actuation cylinder 236 may include a raised portion 242. As will be discussed in more detail below, a user may pull forward on grip portion 234 of actuation member 230, thereby causing boss portion 242 of actuation barrel 236 to rotate and raise locking member 190. This movement causes the latch assembly 180 to unlock and allow the cover 104 to move from the closed configuration to the open configuration.

Referring now to fig. 16A and 16B, a process for moving an embodiment of the latch assembly 180 from a locked position to an unlocked position is shown, along with a side cross-sectional view of the latch assembly 180 and portions of the base 102 and cover 104. Fig. 16A and 16B show simplified versions of the base 102 and cover 104 to focus the illustration on the catch assembly 180. Fig. 16A depicts the latch assembly 180 in the locked position, while fig. 16B depicts the latch assembly 180 in the unlocked position. As shown in FIG. 16A, in the locked position, the lower surface 214 of the hook 212 engages the upper surface 184 of the latch retainer 182; the inwardly facing surface 216 of hook portion 212 engages the inner surface 186 of latch retainer 182; and the engagement lugs 202 engage the lower surface 188 of the latch retainer 182.

As shown in fig. 16B, the latch assembly 180 may be moved to the unlocked position by rotating the actuating member 230, as indicated by the arrow. This rotation may be accomplished by the user pulling the back surface 240 forward. As the actuation cylinder 236 rotates, the raised portion 242 engages the lock member 190 and raises the lock member 190.

The latch assembly 180 (which includes the latch body 200, the locking member 190, and the actuating member 230) may each be formed separately and may be formed from a material such as a plastic material or another suitable material that may be formed or molded into a desired shape material. The latch assembly 180 may be made of sufficient size, thickness, and material of construction to withstand repeated stress cycles as the latch engages/disengages the latch retainer 182 over time. The suitcase described herein includes various features that ensure convenient and efficient manufacture of the suitcase while providing durability and wear resistance.

Fig. 19-20 show a carrying case 100 having an alternative latch assembly 280 for locking and unlocking the lid 104 to the base 102. The latch assembly 280 may include a handle 282 that is rotatable about an axis oriented generally perpendicular to the first side 110 of the lower housing 108 and the first side 126 of the upper housing 124. The handle 282 may be permanently attached to the cover 104 and have a catch or hook such that when in the locked orientation, the catch engages the base 102 to lock the cover 104 to the base 102. To unlock the carrying case 100, the handle 282 may be rotated approximately 90 degrees to disengage the catch from the base 102, thereby allowing the lid 104 to move relative to the base 102.

Figures 21 to 29 show another option for the carrying case 100. In this embodiment, the suitcase 100 may include a deployable bag 300 attached to one or both of the interior spaces 103, 105. Fig. 21 shows the conversion of the bag 300 removed from the interior space 105 of the cover 104 and then converted into a backpack. Fig. 21 also shows the bag 300 in an open configuration with the front bag pulled open. Although the illustrated embodiment shows the deployable bag 300 releasably attached to the interior space 105 of the cover 104, the deployable bag 300 may be releasably attached to the interior space 103 of the base 102. The deployable bag 300 may be secured within the carrying case 100 and then removed for ease of conversion into a portable bag for easy carrying by a user. As shown, the deployable bag 300 may have at least one strap or a pair of straps 302 so that the bag 300 may be worn by a user as a backpack.

The deployable bag 300 may have multiple pockets, including a rear pocket 304 that may secure and store the carrying strap 302 such that the bag 300 may be carried by a handle 306A located at the top of the bag 300 or a handle 306B located at one side of the bag 300. The pack 300 may also have a closure 320 on the front side of the pack and a closure 322 along the side that allows access to the interior of the pack 300. The front closure 320 allows a user to access the interior of the bag 300 even when the bag 300 is secured within the lid 104. The bag 300 may include a waterproof outer material and may have a volume of about 20 liters or a volume in the range of 15 to 30 liters. As another way of defining the dimensions, the packet 300 may substantially fill the volume of the interior space 105 of the lid 104. As an alternative to the deployable bag 300, a one-way vent may be provided to allow the bag 300 to be compressed to remove air from the bag 300, thereby minimizing the volume of the bag within the suitcase 100.

Further, the bag 300 may include a plurality of attachment loops 308 arranged along the outer circumference of the bag 300. For example, the attachment loops 308 may be evenly spaced along the top, bottom, left side, and right side of the bag 300. Each side of the bag 300 may include at least two attachment loops 308, or in some embodiments, each side of the bag 300 may have three or more attachment loops 308. Each attachment loop 308 may engage a hook 310 positioned along a side of the interior space 105 of the cover 104. As shown in fig. 27, the hooks 310 may engage and extend through the loops 308 to secure the bag 300 to the suitcase 100. Fig. 28 shows the removal of the loop 308 from the hook 310 to disengage the bag 300 from the carrying case 100. The hook 310 may be permanently attached to the inside surface 312 of the cover 104. The hook 310 may include an outward member 314 extending outward from the side surface 312 and a downward member 316 extending from an edge of the outward member 314 toward an interior bottom surface 318 of the cover 104.

The attachment loop 308 may be part of an outer band that is attached to the outer surface of the bag 300, or alternatively, the loop 308 may be placed separately along the outer surface of the bag. The attachment loops 308 may be formed of nylon or other suitable fabric material. Alternatively, the attachment loops 308 may be replaced by alternative fastening methods, such as hook and loop type fasteners, magnetic elements, or other releasable elements that may be positioned around the perimeter of the wrap 300.

Alternatively, the bag 300 may be replaced by a plurality of deployable bags 300 that are removably attached to the interior of the lid 104. The plurality of deployable bags 300 may be modular bags of different sizes. For example, the plurality of deployable packs 300 may include a first pack filling approximately half of the interior space 105 and a second pack and a third pack each filling approximately one-quarter of the interior space 105. Further, at least one of the plurality of bags may be waterproof, or all of the plurality of bags may be waterproof.

Suitcase 100 may also include a drawbar assembly 400 or a towing handle. The drawbar assembly or tractor may be used in conjunction with wheels on the suitcase to easily pull or push the suitcase for greater maneuverability. The drawbar assembly 400 may include a pair of squeeze assemblies 410 that are connected to the base 102 of the suitcase 100 and to each other by a handle or grip 402. The components of the drawbar assembly 400 may be formed by various molding methods. For example, the metal component may be formed by forging, extrusion, molding, casting, stamping, machining, and/or other known techniques. The polymer component may be formed or manufactured by polymer processing techniques, such as various molding and casting techniques and/or other known techniques.

As described above, the exterior of the suitcase 100 may have a contoured shape that may include a plurality of recesses to receive the latch assembly, the drawbar assembly 400, and the wheels 168, thereby minimizing their contours and potential damage from collisions with other objects while traveling. For example, the lower housing 108 may have a drag recess 154 offset from the major surface 146 on the bottom portion 122 of the lower housing 108. The drag recess 154 may have a depth equal to or greater than the thickness of the compression assembly 410 to sufficiently protect the drawbar assembly 400 from impact. The handle assembly 400 may include a pair of extendable squeeze assemblies 410 that extend upward from the top of the suitcase 100 to provide a user with a raised grip 402 to easily pull the suitcase 100, as shown in fig. 30. The extrusion assembly 410 may include a primary extrusion 420 and one or more secondary extrusions 430, 460, wherein the secondary extrusions may be nested within a central opening of the primary extrusion 420 and slidably engaged with the primary extrusion 420.

Fig. 31-34 illustrate an exemplary grip or handle 402 of the handle assembly 400. As described above, the grip 402 may extend between the compression assemblies 410 and serve as an interface area for a user to extend and lower the pull rod 400. The grip 402 may include a release button 411, an upper grip cover 413, and a lower grip cover 415. The lower grip housing 415 may include a pair of press members 417 that extend away from an upper surface 419 of the upper grip housing 413. The extension members 417 may have openings 431 shaped and contoured slightly larger than the contour of the minor extrusion 430 or the contour of the tertiary or secondary extrusion 460 so that the uppermost extrusions 430, 460 may be inserted into the openings 431 and secured. The pressing members 430, 460 may then be secured to the grip portion 402 by means known to those skilled in the art.

The release button 411 may be centered in the horizontal and vertical directions along the grip 402. In addition, the contour of upper surface 419 may match the adjacent surface of the suitcase to provide a clean aesthetic appearance. The release button 411 may also include a contoured upper surface 433 to correspond with an upper surface 419 of the grip 402. In addition, the release button 411 may be coupled to a rack and pinion assembly 435 as shown in fig. 33 and 34. The upper and lower grip covers 413, 415 are shown removed in fig. 33 and 34. The release button 411 may have two lower engagement members 437 on each end of the button 411 that contact the engagement members 441 on each of a pair of rack gear members 439. Each rack gear member 439 may comprise an engaging member 441, a rack gear portion 443 at a first end, a base member 445, and a gear member 447 at a second end opposite the first end. The rack gear portion 443 of each rack gear member 439 may be meshed with the pinion gears 449. The pinion 449 may be centrally located below the release button 411 such that when the release button 411 is pushed, the release button 411 may move in a direction generally perpendicular to the upper surface 419 of the grip 402. When the button 411 is pushed, the lower engagement member 437, which may have an angled surface 461, may contact and slide along a corresponding angled surface 463 of the engagement member 441 on the rack gear member 439. The angled surface 463 may have a compound angle with respect to the upper surface of the base member 445, where the compound angle is angled with two orthogonal planes that are also orthogonal to the upper surface of the base member 445. The compound angle of surface 463 may form an acute angle of between 1 and 60 degrees with two orthogonal planes. As the angled surfaces 461, 463 move along each other, both rack drive members 439 are urged to move outwardly. The pinion gears 449 may help to keep the motion between the two gear members 439 equal and controlled. As the gear member 439 moves outwardly, the transmission member 447 then applies a force to the actuating member 465 located in the slot in the lower extension 417. The driving member 447 may include an angled surface that contacts an angled surface on the actuating member 465. The actuating member 465 can disengage the locking mechanism of the drawbar assembly 400, allowing the grip 402 to pull upward and extend the compression assembly 410.

Fig. 35-52 illustrate an exemplary carrying case 500. Features of suitcase 500 are indicated using like reference numerals under the "5 xx" series of reference numerals, rather than "1 xx" as used in the embodiments shown in figures 1 to 30. Thus, certain features of the suitcase 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-30 that have been described above may be described in less detail, or may not be described at all. In addition, the suitcase 500 may also include the latch assembly 180 and the pull rod 400 as described above. The exemplary carrying case 500 can include a base 502 and a lid 504 rotatably coupled together by a hinge 506 or hinges 506.

The base 502 may include a lower housing structure 508 having a first side 510, a second side 512 opposite the first side 510, a third side 514 extending between an edge of the first side 510 and an edge of the second side 512, and a fourth side 516 opposite the third side 514. The lower housing 508 may also have a first end 518 and a second end 520 proximate the opening of the interior space 503 of the base 502. The lower housing 508 may also include a bottom portion 522 connected to the first end 518 of the lower housing structure 508 and configured to support the suitcase 500 on a surface, such as a work bench, floor, or the like. Likewise, the cover 504 may include an upper housing structure 524 having a first side 526, a second side 528 opposite the first side 526, a third side 530 extending between an edge of the first side 526 and an edge of the second side 528, and a fourth side 532 opposite the third side 530. The upper housing structure 524 may also have a first end 534 and a second end 536 proximate to the opening of the interior space 505 of the cover 504. The upper housing structure 524 may also include a top portion 538 connected to the first end 534 of the upper housing structure 524 and configured to support the suitcase 100 on a surface, such as a work bench, floor, or the like.

Similar to the example suitcase 100, the upper shell 524 and the lower shell 508 may each be formed as a unitary or single member such that each shell is seamless. Further, when the various components of the suitcase 500 are assembled to the shells 524, 508, the upper shell 524 and the lower shell 508 may not have any holes or openings that pierce or extend from the outer surfaces into the respective interior spaces 503, 505 of the base 502 and the lid 504. The shells 508, 524 may typically have a thickness in the range of 2mm and 4mm or in the range of 1.5mm and 6 mm. The shells 508, 524 may also include a variable wall thickness. As another feature, the shells 508, 524 may include ribs (or beads) 509 that may be disposed along the outer or inner surfaces of the lower shell 108 and the upper shell 524 to increase the rigidity and strength of the shells while also protecting the shells from impact.

The upper housing 524 and the lower housing 508 may form a majority of the exterior of the suitcase 500 and each housing may have a contoured shape including a major surface, a raised surface, and a plurality of recesses that may protect the components from impact or damage. For example, the upper housing 524 may include a raised, outwardly facing surface 540 near and/or extending along the second end 520 around the perimeter of the upper housing 524. The raised outward-facing surface 540 may be offset a fixed distance from the outward-facing major surface 542 of the upper housing 524. A plurality of upper latch recesses 544 and hinge recesses 545 may be formed in raised surface 540. Each upper latch recess 544 may have a depth equal to or greater than the thickness of each latch assembly 180 to provide protection to the latch assembly 180. In some examples, each upper latch recess can have a back surface 544A, an upper surface 544B, and a pair of opposing side surfaces 544C, and an opening 544D opposite the upper surface 545B. The upper recess depth of the latch recess 544 may be defined as the horizontal distance between the outwardly facing surface 540 and the rear surface 544A. The upper latch recess 544 may have a generally rectangular shape, or alternatively a shape that closely matches the shape of the strike assembly 180. Each latch recess 544 may have receiving features to secure the latch assembly 180 within the recess 544. The receiving features may include dimples on either side of the recess 544 to receive pins or other mounting hardware of the latch assembly 180. Similarly, each hinge recess 545 can be formed in raised surface 540. Each upper hinge recess 545 may have a depth equal to or greater than the thickness of each of the hinges 506 to protect the hinges 506 from impact.

Similar to the upper shell 124, the lower shell 508 may include an exterior facing major surface 546, a raised exterior facing surface 548 proximate to and/or extending along the second end 536 around the perimeter of the lower shell 508. The raised outward-facing surface 548 may be offset a fixed distance from the outward-facing major surface 546 of the lower housing 508. A plurality of lower latch recesses 550 and lower hinge recesses 551 may be formed in the raised surface 548. Each lower latch recess 550 may have a depth equal to or greater than the thickness of each latch assembly 180. The lower latch recess 550 may have a depth substantially the same as the depth of the upper latch recess 544. In some examples, each lower latch recess 550 may have a back surface 550A, an upper surface 550B, and a pair of opposing side surfaces 550C, and an opening 550D opposite the upper surface 550B. The lower recess depth of the lower latch recess 550 may be defined as the horizontal distance between the outer facing surface 548 and the rear surface 550A. The latch recess 550 may include a latch retainer 182 that extends through the lower recess 550 and provides an engagement surface for the latch assembly 180 to secure the lower housing 508 to the upper housing 524. Each latch recess 550 may have a generally rectangular shape, or alternatively a shape that closely matches the shape of the latch assembly 180. When the carrying case 500 is in the closed configuration, the shape and size of the latch recesses 544, 550 may be mirror images of each other and may be aligned to form a larger recess to receive the entire latch assembly 180. By receiving the entire latch assembly 180 within this larger recess, the exposed surface of the latch assembly 180 may be located below the exterior facing surfaces 540, 548, and also protected around the sides of the latch assembly 180 so that the perimeter of the latch assembly 180 may be located within the combined perimeter of the upper latch recess 544 and the lower latch recess 550 when the suitcase is in the closed configuration.

In some examples, as shown in fig. 44B and 44C, the latch assembly 180 may be rotatably connected to the cover latch mount 181 prior to mounting to the cover 504. The cover latch mount 181 may include a body member 189 receivable in the upper latch recess 544 and a ledge 183 mountable to a shelf in the recess 544 or to a surface adjacent to the upper latch recess 544. The cover latch mount 181 may be mounted in the recess 544 in a direction generally parallel to the surface of the first side 526 and secured to the housing 124 using at least one mechanical fastener inserted into an opening on the flange 183 of the cover latch mount 181. Mechanical fasteners that secure the flange 183 to the upper housing 524 may be inserted into threaded holes in the thickened portion of the housing 524, which may prevent the fasteners from penetrating the interior of the housing 524. As described above, in some examples, the base latch mount 185 may be received in the lower latch recess 550 of the lower housing 508. The latch keeper 182 may be installed into the base latch mount 185 prior to installation into the base 102. The cover latch mount 185 may include a base member 191 receivable in the lower latch recess 550 and a flange member 187 mountable to a shelf in the recess 544 or to a surface adjacent the upper latch recess 544. The lower latch mount 185 may be mounted in the lower latch recess 550 in a direction generally parallel to the surface of the first side 110 and secured to the lower housing 508 using at least one mechanical fastener inserted into an opening on the flange 187 of the cover latch mount 185. Mechanical fasteners that secure flange 187 to housing 108 may be inserted into threaded holes in the thickened portion of housing 508, which may prevent the fasteners from penetrating the interior of housing 508. The mechanical fasteners 623 securing the latch mounts 181, 185 to their respective housings 524, 508 may be oriented generally parallel to each other and may also be parallel to the first side portion 510 of the housing 508 and may also be parallel to the first side portion 526 of the housing 524.

Lower hinge recess 551 may be formed in raised surface 548. Each lower hinge recess 551 may have a depth equal to or greater than the thickness of each of the hinges 506 to protect the hinges 506 from impact. The shape and size of the recesses 545, 551 may be mirror images of each other and may be aligned to form a larger recess to receive the entire hinge 506. The larger recess formed by recesses 545, 551 may have a shape that surrounds most of the periphery of the hinge assembly 506.

As shown in fig. 43A, the suitcase 500 may include an inner liner 600. The inner liner 600 may be molded and may be releasably secured into the interior space 503 of the base 502 or the interior space 505 of the cover 504. The inner liner 600 may have a shaped outer shape to match the inner contour of the interior spaces 503, 505. The inner liner 600 may include a storage cavity 602 recessed from an upper surface 608 of the liner 600 to accommodate different items. For example, the storage cavity 602 may include a plurality of differently shaped cavities to receive and protect differently shaped items. The interior liner 600 may be formed by a molding process in which the liner 600 is molded from rubber, polymer, or foam material such as Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) or other similar material. The liner 600 may include mechanical elements 604, such as clips or hooks, spaced around the exterior of the liner 600, wherein the mechanical elements 604 engage corresponding mechanical elements, such as loops, located along the interior of the base 502 and the lid 504. Optionally, adhesives, hook and loop type fasteners (Velcro), magnetic elements, or other attachment methods may also be used to secure the inner liner 600. For example, the inner liner 600 may have a plurality of magnetic or ferromagnetic elements positioned along the perimeter and/or bottom surface that may be attached to corresponding magnetic or ferromagnetic elements positioned along or within the inner surfaces of the shells 508, 524. In some cases, the suitcase 500 may include multiple inner liners 600, where the inner liners 600 may be interchangeably installed into the suitcase 500 depending on the contents to be secured. In some examples, the inner liner 600 may include a releasable web or layer 606 to further secure the item within the liner 600.

As another option for releasably securing the inner liner 600 within the interior space 503 of the base shell 508 or the interior space 505 of the lid shell 524, the liner 600 may include a liner attachment assembly 620 that releasably engages the base attachment member 639. Fig. 43B-43E illustrate an alternative way of releasably attaching the liner 600 to either of the shells 508, 524. The liner attachment assembly 620 is movable between a locked position securing the liner 600 to one of the shells 508, 524 and an unlocked position allowing the liner 600 to be removed from the suitcase 500. The liner attachment member 620 may be permanently attached to the inner liner 600 and the base attachment member 639 may be permanently attached to the inner surfaces 507, 525 of the base shell 508 or lid shell 524. The liner attachment assembly 620 may include a tail member 622, a flange member 627, and a grip member 634. Tail member 622 may include a tail body member 624 having a locking tab 625 extending outwardly from tail body member 624. In some cases, such as the example shown in fig. 43E, the tail member 622 may have a pair of locking tabs 625 disposed opposite each other. The locking protrusion 625 may have at least one tapered surface to securely engage the base attachment member 639. Additionally or optionally, each locking protrusion 625 may have a detent or recess to engage a corresponding recess or detent on the base attachment member 639, thereby providing positive feedback that the attachment assembly 620 reaches the locked position. The body member 624 of the tail member 622 may have a generally cylindrical shape or may have any shape that is symmetrical about a central axis. The flange member 627 may include a flange body 629 and a flange opening 631, which may be permanently secured to the liner 600 (i.e., by stitching, rivets, adhesives, or other means known to those skilled in the art). The flange opening 631 can receive a portion of the tail member 622, and the grip member 634 can be attached to the portion of the tail member 622 that extends into the flange opening 631. The grip member 634 may be any shape and provide a surface to allow a user to grasp and rotate the grip member 634.

The base attachment member 639 may include a first wall 641 and a second wall 643, wherein each wall 641, 643 may extend away from the inner surface 507 of the base housing 508 with a first end 645 located at the inner surface and a second end 647 opposite the first end 645. The first wall 641 may include a first base locking projection 649 at the second end 647 extending toward the second wall 643, wherein the second wall 643 includes a second base locking projection 649 at the second end extending toward the first wall 643. The first wall 641 and the second wall 643 may be spaced a fixed distance from each other. Each base locking tab 649 can include an undulating edge shape 651 to receive tail member 622 such that body member 624, undulating edge shape 651, and opening 631 can be coaxial with one another when attachment assembly 620 is in the locked position.

The liner attachment assembly 620 may be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position by rotating the grip member 634 a predetermined amount in a first direction, and may be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by rotating the grip member 634 a predetermined amount in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction. For example, the liner attachment assembly 620 may be moved from the unlocked position to the locked position by rotating the grip member 634 approximately 90 degrees in a first direction, and the liner attachment assembly may be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position by rotating the grip member 634 approximately 90 degrees in a second direction, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction. In some examples, grip members 634 may be moved a predetermined amount in the same direction to move attachment assembly 620 from the locked position to the unlocked position. When in the locked position, the locking tab of the liner attachment assembly is positioned at least partially below the first base locking tab or the second base locking tab.

The liner may include a plurality of liner attachment assemblies 620, which may be attached to the base attachment member 639. For example, the liner attachment assembly 620 may be located within the storage cavity 602 or anywhere on the liner 600, such as a sidewall or bottom surface. Similarly, the housings 508, 524 may include a plurality of base attachment members 639, which may be disposed anywhere along the inner surface of the corresponding housing. For example, the base attachment member 639 may be placed along the inside and/or bottom surfaces of the shells 508, 524. Alternatively, the backpack 300 may also include a liner attachment assembly 620 and may be releasably secured to the shells 508, 524 as described above.

Fig. 43F and 43G illustrate another example of an attachment configuration for releasably securing the liner 600 to the base 502 and lid 504. Fig. 43F shows an example of a base 502 having a plurality of mechanical connectors 660 positioned along the inner surface 507. Although not shown, the cover 504 may have a plurality of mechanical connections 660 arranged in a similar manner. In this example, the liner 600 may have a plurality of mechanical connectors 660 that releasably engage a plurality of corresponding mechanical connectors disposed along the interior of the lower shell 508 and the upper shell 524. The mechanical connection 660 may be attached to the inner surface 507, 525 of the base 502 or the cover 504. The mechanical connections 660 may be evenly or irregularly spaced along each of the inner surfaces 507, 525 of the respective base 502 and cover 504. The mechanical connectors 660 may be attached to the inner surfaces 507, 525 using adhesives, tape, or other means known to those skilled in the art. In some examples, the inner surfaces 507, 525 can have ribs 552 that are positioned offset a predetermined distance along a portion of the perimeter of the mechanical connector 660, as shown in fig. 43G. In some examples, the ribs 552 may be located less than 2mm from the edge of the connection 660, or less than 4mm from the edge, or less than 8mm from the edge. The ribs 552 may serve to protect the mechanical connector 660 from impact and prevent any shear forces from acting on the mechanical connector 660 to prevent any loosening of the mechanical connector 660. The ribs 552 may be continuous or discontinuous around the entire perimeter of the mechanical connector 660, as shown in the illustrated example. For example, the rib 552 may have an opening or openings or breaks 553 in the length of the rib 552. Such discontinuities or openings 553 may allow a user to slide over the openings 553 in the ribs 552 with a tool to engage the mechanical connector 660 and pry open the connector 660 in order to repair or replace the damaged connector 660. Each rib 552 may be formed as part of the housing 508, 524. Although the illustrated example shows a circular mechanical connection 660 and rib 552, the mechanical connection 660 and rib 552 may have any shape, such as rectangular, triangular, or other geometric shapes. Alternatively, the connector 660 may have a magnetic or ferromagnetic element that releasably engages a complementary connector on the liner 600.

Further, both the base 502 and the cover 504 may include a plurality of mounts or plugs 556 attached to the inner surfaces 507, 525, respectively. Fig. 43F and 43H illustrate the mounting member 556. The mount 556 may be a plug attached to a boss 558 formed with the base housing 508 and the cover housing 524. The mounting member 556 may have a groove 560 that helps releasably connect the mounting member 556 to a strap or other restraining device. The mounting member 556 may allow a strap (not shown) to be releasably connected to the mounting member 556 on a first side of the suitcase 500 and to extend to a second side of the suitcase 500 to secure any contents stored within the suitcase 500. In some examples, the mount 556 can extend through an opening in the liner 600 to allow a user to access the mount 556 to attach the releasable strap when the liner is secured in the base 502 and/or cover 504.

FIG. 44A shows a front view of the suitcase in an open configuration with some components removed. A plurality of hinges 506 that couple the base 502 and cover 504 together may be secured to the base 502 and cover 504 such that the cover and base portions of the hinges 506 may be slid into the respective hinge recesses 545, 551 and then secured using mechanical elements 621, such as mechanical fasteners. The mechanical element 621 may be oriented generally perpendicular to the bottom portion 522 of the base 502. Similarly, the catch assembly 180 may be installed into the cover 504 by sliding the catch assembly 180 into the cover catch recess 544 and securing the catch assembly to the cover 504 using a mechanical element 623, such as a mechanical fastener, wherein the mechanical element 623 may also be oriented generally perpendicular to the bottom surface 522 of the base 502.

As described above, the suitcase 500 may include a gasket 576 or other sealing device. As shown, the gasket 576 may be disposed in a recess 577 disposed on the lower surface 537 at the second end 536 of the cover 504. The base 502 may have a sealing rib 581 disposed along an upper surface 521 at the second end 520 of the base 502 that engages the gasket 576 when the suitcase 500 is in the closed configuration. Further, when the carrying case 500 is in the closed configuration, the engagement of the gasket 576 and the sealing ribs 581 can prevent the upper surface 521 of the base 502 from contacting the lower surface of the lid 504, wherein the upper and lower surfaces and the fourth end surface are spaced apart from each other, wherein the lid 504 is spaced apart from the base 502 by a fixed distance, thereby creating a gap therebetween. Gasket 576 may be formed of a rubber or polymer material and, in some examples, has a generally circular cross-section. Alternatively, the gasket 576 may be disposed in a recess or slot formed in the base 502.

As shown in fig. 44D, the recesses 577 may include a rib 578 that extends upward to engage the gasket 576 against the engagement of the sealing rib 581. This rib 578 in the recess can help create a symmetrical load on gasket 576 such that gasket 576 has a circular cross-section while still providing an adequate seal.

Further, the base 502 of the suitcase 500 may include a tapered region 523 between the bottom portion 522 and the fourth surface 516. The tapered region 523 may be located between a pair of wheel assemblies 564 and form an acute angle with a central region of the bottom portion 522. The tapered portion may extend at an angle in a range of 1 degree and 30 degrees as measured from a central portion of the bottom portion 522 to the lower surface of the tapered region 523 (or a tangent plane to the lower surface of the tapered region 523). Tapered portion 523 allows suitcase 500 to be pulled in a greater variety of positions using draw bar 400 to accommodate users of different heights.

Fig. 63 and 64 show a hinge 506. The hinge assembly 506 may include at least two links 626, a base hinge insert 628, a cover hinge insert 630, and a plurality of link pins 632. A portion of each link 626 may be connected to the cover 504 by a link pin 632, and a portion of each link 626 may be connected to the base 502 by a link pin 632. The hinge assembly 506 may define a hinge axis 633 for rotation of the cover 504 relative to the base 502. The hinge axis 633 may be located beyond the rear edge of the base 502, and may also be located beyond the rear edge of the cover 504. Further, the hinge axis 633 may be outside of the physical geometry of the hinge assembly 506. The base hinge insert 628 and the lid hinge insert 630 may each have a recess 636, 638, respectively. The hinge recesses 636, 638 may receive a plurality of links 626. Each recess 636, 638 may have a depth measured from the respective top surface 640 and bottom surface 642 of the hinge inserts 628, 630 to the recess bottom surface that is greater than the thickness of each of the links 626. This arrangement allows the hinge inserts 628, 630 to protect the link 626 from any damage.

Each link 626 may have a top surface 640 and a bottom surface 642 opposite the top surface 640 and a side surface 644 extending between the top surface 640 and the bottom surface 642. A pair of apertures 646 may extend through side surface 644, with apertures 646 receiving link pin 632. For example, the link 626 may include a first link opening 646 that receives the first link pin 632 that extends through the opening 646 into an opening in the base hinge insert 628 and a second link opening 646 that receives the second link pin 632 that extends through the opening 646 into an opening in the lid hinge insert 630. Thus, each link 626 is connected to the base 502 and the cover 504. Further, bottom surface 642 may include a slot 648 that receives one of the link pins 632 when the suitcase is in the closed configuration and a slot 650 on top surface 640 that receives one of the link pins 632 when the suitcase is in the open configuration. The links 626 can be arranged adjacent to one another, wherein a first link can be oriented such that the top surface 640 faces the top perimeter of the lid 504 and the base 502 when the suitcase 500 is in the open configuration, and a second link can be oriented such that the bottom surface 642 faces the top perimeter of the lid 504 and the base 502 when the suitcase 500 is in the open configuration, as shown in fig. 45.

Each of the base hinge insert 628 and the lid hinge insert 630 may have a generally rectangular shape when viewed from a left side view of the carrying case 500. As described above, each hinge insert 628, 630 has a hinge recess 636, 638, where each hinge recess is open at one end and surrounded on the remaining sides by hinge insert walls. When installed, the open ends of each recess 636, 638 may be aligned with one another to form an integral hinge recess, thereby receiving the link 626 and allowing them to move. Each hinge insert 628, 630 may have a hinge flange 652 extending from a hinge insert wall at an end of the hinge insert 628, 630, the hinge insert 628, 630 having an open end with a recess 636, 638. The hinge flange 652 may have at least one opening to receive a mechanical element 621 that secures the hinge 506 within the respective hinge recesses 550, 551 of the base 502 and cover 504.

Similar to the configuration of carrying case 100, legs 572 can be generally aligned with one or more hinges 506, with the flat portion of legs 572B spaced from the edges of hinges 506. Further, when carrying case 500 is fully open, legs 572B may be disposed in contact with one another to reduce impact forces on the hinge and other components of carrying case 500 when opened, as shown in fig. 46. Although the example suitcase 500 is shown with three hinge assemblies 506, the suitcase 500 may have only two hinges 506 or may have more than three hinges.

The components of the hinge assembly 506, such as the link 626, hinge inserts 628, 630, and link pin 632 may be formed of a metallic material, such as steel or aluminum, to provide sufficient strength and rigidity. Alternatively, the components may be formed from a polymeric material or a composite material, such as a fibre-filled polymer. The components may be manufactured using known methods, such as casting, machining and molding.

Similar to suitcase 100, suitcase 500 may include a plurality of wheel assemblies 564 located near the rear and bottom corners of suitcase 500. As shown in fig. 47, the wheel assembly 564 may be mounted into a wheel recess 570 of the lower housing 508. The wheel assembly 564 may include a wheel housing 566 having a circular shape and a mounting flange 567. The wheel assembly 564 may also include a wheel 568 mounted on a shaft and bearing (not shown). The wheel housing 566 may also include a plurality of guide rails 569 oriented along a side surface of the wheel housing 566 and a plurality of guide rails 571 positioned along a top surface of the wheel housing 566. The guide rails 569, 571 will slide into corresponding guide grooves 573, 575 disposed within the wheel recess 570 of the lower housing 508. The guide slots 573, 575 and the guide rails 569, 571 may include at least one tapered surface to provide a tighter fit when the wheel assembly 564 is slid into its final position. In addition, guide rails 573, 575 and guide slots 569, 571 can secure wheel assembly 564 in a lateral and vertical direction (when viewing a rear view of suitcase 500). The wheel assembly 564 may be secured to the wheel recess 570 using at least one mechanical element, such as a mechanical fastener, that extends through a mounting hole located in the mounting flange 567, where the mechanical element is oriented parallel to the mechanical elements 621 and 624 that secure the hinge 506 and the latch assembly 180, respectively. As shown in the illustrated example, each wheel assembly may be secured with a single mechanical fastener.

Each wheel assembly 564 may be formed as a separate member as shown in fig. 47 and 48. Each wheel assembly 564 may include a wheel housing 566 having a circular shape and at least one mounting flange 567 at least one end, and a wheel 568 mounted on a shaft and bearing (not shown) such that the axis is aligned with the center of the circular shape. Further, each wheel housing 566 may have a contoured surface that generally follows the contour of the bottom surface 522 of the suitcase and includes a tapered portion 523. The outwardly facing surface 583 of the wheel housing 566 may be spaced outwardly from the bottom surface 522 and the tapered portion 523 of the base 502 when installed. Spacing the outwardly facing surface 583 from the base 502 may help protect the base 502 from any impact.

As shown in the illustrated example, the suitcase 500 may include a pair of wheel assemblies 564; however, in other embodiments, the suitcase may include an additional wheel assembly 564. The wheel assemblies 564 may be evenly spaced apart and may be located on the outer edge of the suitcase 500 such that the wheel housings 566 are exposed on at least three sides of the base 502. Wheel housing 566 may be formed of a polymeric material, such as polyamide (nylon) or the like, while wheel 568 may be formed of a polymeric material, such as polyurethane or the like. In some examples, wheel 568 may include a rubber coating or outer layer of rubber to provide better traction and wear resistance.

As described above, the base 502 may include the lower shell 508 and the cover 504 may include the upper shell 524 to provide a rigid structure that may form a barrier to protect the stored contents. The lower shell 508 and the upper shell 524 are typically formed from various materials, such as one or more metals, alloys, polymers, ceramics, or fiber-reinforced materials. In some examples, the upper and lower shells 124, 108 may be formed from a polymer material, such as a polycarbonate alloy, thermoplastic olefin (TPO), or other similar material, that is molded to form the shells 508, 524. In some arrangements, the shells 508, 524 (not shown) are formed using an injection molding or rotational molding (not shown) process, as will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. To further enhance the structure, the shells 508, 524 may include elongated rib structures to further strengthen the structure in the area around the latch assembly 180 and hinge 506. For example, as shown in fig. 49 and 50, the upper casing 524 may have a set of elongated ribs 527 extending from a surface below each upper latch recess 544 to an inner surface on the top portion 538 of the upper casing 524. Similarly, a set of elongated ribs 527 may extend from a surface below each upper hinge recess 545 to an inner surface of the top portion 538 of the upper housing 524. Each rib 527, 529 within each group may be evenly spaced from the next adjacent rib, where each rib may be spaced from each other by a distance of about 9.5 times the thickness of each rib 527, 529, or in the range of 8 to 10 times the thickness of each rib 527, 529, or in the range of 6 to 12 times the thickness of each rib 527, 529. Each rib 527, 529 may have a thickness of about 1.6mm or a thickness in the range of 1.0mm and 2.2 mm. Similarly, as shown in fig. 51 and 52, the lower shell 508 may have a set of elongated ribs 511 that extend from a surface below each lower latch recess 550 to an inner surface bottom portion 522 of the lower shell 508. Similarly, a set of elongate ribs 513 may extend from a surface below each lower hinge recess 551 to an inner surface of the bottom portion 522 of the lower housing 508. Each rib 511, 513 within each set of ribs may be evenly spaced from the next adjacent rib, wherein each rib 511, 513 may be spaced from each other by a distance of about 9.5 times the thickness of each rib 511, 513, or by a distance in the range of 8 to 10 times the thickness of each rib 511, 513, or by a distance in the range of 6 to 12 times the thickness of each rib 511, 513. Each rib 511, 513 may have a thickness of about 1.6mm or a thickness in the range of 1.0mm and 2.2 mm. The rib structures 511, 513, 527, 529 may also be connected to adjacent inner surfaces of the housing structures of the respective cover and base housings 524, 508. The rib structures 511, 513, 527, 529 help to strengthen and stiffen the shells 508, 524. Alternatively, the lower housing 508 may have an opening 515 disposed in the rib 513 below one of the hinge recesses 551 to receive a one-way pressure relief valve.

Fig. 53-70 illustrate the drawbar assembly 400 and its attachment to the suitcase 100. The drawbar assembly 400 may be attached to the lower housing 108 along the exterior of the bottom portion 122 of the housing 108. The pull rod 400 may be formed as a separate member or assembly and attached to the lower housing 108. The pull rod 400 may include a pair of squeeze assemblies 410 and a grip portion 402 extending between the pair of squeeze assemblies 410 for grasping by a user. In some embodiments, the drawbar 400 may include a single compression assembly 410. Each extrusion assembly 410 may have a primary extrusion 420, a secondary extrusion 430, a top cap or primary bushing 440 positioned between the primary extrusion 420 and the secondary extrusion, and a bottom cap 450 attached to the bottom end of the primary extrusion 420. Alternatively, each extrusion assembly 410 may have a primary extrusion 420, a secondary extrusion 430, a tertiary or secondary extrusion 460, a top cover 440 positioned between the primary extrusion 420 and the secondary extrusion 430, an upper cover or secondary bushing 404 positioned between the tertiary extrusion 460 and the secondary extrusion 430, and a bottom cover 450 attached to the bottom end of the primary extrusion 420. In still other embodiments, the number of extrusions in each extrusion assembly 410 may include a single extrusion or more than three extrusions.

As shown in fig. 61 and 65-67, the extrusions 420, 430, 460 of the extrusion assembly 410 may be configured in a nested arrangement. The primary extrusion 420 may have a central opening 422 surrounded by an outer wall 429, wherein the central opening 422 has a generally rectangular shape, with an alignment member 429A disposed on a rear side of the outer wall 429. The alignment member 429A may be a centrally located notch extending into the opening 422 along the outer wall 429 to assist in aligning the other extrusions 430, 460 within the openings 422, 432 as they move relative to one another. Although the exemplary alignment member 429A has a trapezoidal shape, the alignment member 429A may be curved, triangular, or other geometric shape. The secondary extrusion 430 may have an outer surface 434 with a shape or profile generally corresponding to the shape of the opening 422 of the primary extrusion 420 such that the secondary extrusion 430 may be inserted into the opening 422 of the primary extrusion 420. The outer shape of the secondary extrusion 430 may be offset from the inner surface of the opening 422 by a predetermined distance and include an alignment member 434A to allow the secondary extrusion 430 to freely slide up and down within the opening 422 of the primary extrusion 420 to allow the pull rod 400 to be extended to a use position or retracted to a storage position. Similarly, the tertiary extrusion 460 may have an outer surface 464 that has a shape or profile that generally corresponds to the shape of the central opening 432 of the secondary extrusion 430 such that the tertiary extrusion 460 may be inserted into the opening 432 of the secondary extrusion 430. The outer shape of the tertiary extrusion 460 may be offset from the inner surface of the opening 432 by a predetermined distance and include an alignment member 464A to allow the tertiary extrusion 460 to freely slide up and down within the opening 432 of the secondary extrusion 430. The grip 402 may be secured to the tertiary extrusion 460 of each of the extrusion assemblies 410. In some cases, the secondary extrusion 430 may be the uppermost extrusion of the extrusion assembly 410, with the grip portion 402 secured between the pair of secondary extrusions 430.

The primary extrusion 420, the secondary extrusion 430, and the tertiary extrusion 460 may each be formed as a single, unitary piece, wherein each extrusion 420, 430, 460 may have a substantially constant cross-sectional profile. FIG. 61 further illustrates that the nested arrangement and cross-sectional profile of the primary extrusion 420 can have a central opening 422 with a slot 424 positioned near the central opening 422 on the front side of the primary extrusion 420 and a central slot 423 extending into the slot 424. Outer slot walls 426 extend from either side of the slot 423 and wrap around until connecting an outer wall 429 that surrounds the central opening 422.

As shown in fig. 53-70, the handle assembly 400 may be externally secured to the base 102 of the suitcase 100, wherein either the base 102 or the lower housing 108 is devoid of any apertures extending through the housing 108. A plurality of mounting clips 470 may be used to secure the pull rod assembly 400 in each compression assembly 410 to the lower housing 108. As shown in fig. 53, a plurality of mounting clips 470 may be secured within the pull recess 154 of the lower housing 108. The plurality of mounting clips 470 may include three mounting clips 470 evenly spaced apart, a first clip 470 secured in an upper region of the recess 154, a second clip secured in a central region of the recess 154, and a third clip secured in a lower region of the recess 154, while other embodiments may include two mounting clips 470 or may include four mounting clips 470. To mount the drawbar 400 to the suitcase 100, each compression assembly 410 may be slid down into the towing recess 154 such that the central slot 423 located in the outer slot 424 of the main extrusion 420 slides over each of the mounting clips 470 until each of the outer spring arms 482 of the mounting clips 470 engage the receivers 425 located near the outer slot wall 426 of the main extrusion 420. As shown in fig. 54, 55A-55B, 60 and 61, the outer slot 424 may be adjacent the central opening 422 and disposed on the forward side of the main extrusion 420 such that the outer slot wall 426 faces the pull pocket 154 of the lower casing 108. The receiver 425 of the primary extrusion 420 may include a slot extending outward from the central slot 423. Each primary extrusion 420 may include a plurality of receivers 425. The plurality of receivers 425 may be arranged in groups, wherein the number of receivers 425 in each group is equal to the number of spring arms 482 on the mounting clip 470. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, four receivers 425 are arranged in a group to correspond to the four outer spring arms 482 on each mounting clip 470.

As best shown in fig. 70, the mounting clip 470 may have a central body 472 having a top end 474, a bottom end 476, a front side 478, a rear side 480, a plurality of outer spring arms 482 disposed on a left side 484 and a right side 486, a central spring arm 488 extending from the front side 478 of the central body 472, and a plurality of mounting apertures 479 extending through the central body 472. Each outer spring arm 482 may have a fixed end 492 attached to the central body 472 and a free end 494 such that the outer spring arm 482 is cantilevered from the fixed end. Additionally, each free end 494 may have an upper surface 495, a rear surface 496, and a lower surface 497. The angle 498 formed by the upper surface 495 and the rear surface 496 may be an obtuse angle. For example, the angle 498 may be approximately 115 degrees, or may be in the range of 91 degrees and 135 degrees. By arranging the horn 498 in this manner, the primary extrusion 420 can push the outer spring arms 482 inward to allow the extrusion 420 to slide downward over the mounting clip 470 until the extrusion reaches the bottom without the upper mounting clip 470 causing it to lock in the middle of the slide. As the primary expression 420 moves downward, the upper edge 427 of the receiver 425 may contact the upper surface 495 and urge the outer spring arms 482 inward toward the forward side 478, as best shown in fig. 55A and 55B, to allow the primary expression to continue moving downward until a final assembly position is reached. Further, rear surface 496 and undersurface 497 of free end 494 form an angle 499 that is acute. For example, angle 499 may be about 85 degrees, or in the range of 45 degrees and 89 degrees. By arranging the lower and rear surfaces 497 and 499 at an acute angle, the primary expression 420 may not be removed by pulling upward after the spring arms 482 are engaged with their corresponding receivers 425. Once the spring arms 482 are engaged, if the primary expression 420 is pulled upward, the lower edge 428 of the receiver 425 may contact the lower surface 497, wherein the angled lower surface 497 will cause the outer spring arms 482 to resist inward movement, thereby preventing upward movement of the primary expression 420.

As shown in fig. 56, each mounting clip 470 may be secured to the lower housing using a mechanical fastener 406 that is inserted through each mounting hole 479 of the mounting clip 470. The fastener 406 may be inserted into a blind hole 159 formed in the lower housing 108 such that the hole 159 does not extend into the interior space of the suitcase 100, which leaves the lower housing 108 free of any openings extending through its body. The wall thickness of the lower housing 108 may be greater than the wall thickness of a majority of the lower housing 108, which is located in the area where the mounting clip 470 is secured.

Since each mounting clip 470 is arranged to allow movement of the primary extrusion 420 in only one direction, the mounting clips 470 can be mounted on the suitcase in a manner that ensures proper operation thereof. Each mounting clip 470 may have a recess 493 on the rear side 480 that may engage the boss 155 disposed in the traction recess 154. Each boss 155 may have an asymmetric shape along at least one plane that intersects the axis of the blind hole 159 that engages a recess 493 having a corresponding asymmetric shape. The bosses 155 may be arranged in pairs to engage recesses 493 disposed on each mounting clip 470. For example, as shown in fig. 57A and 57B, bosses 155 may be arranged as three pairs of bosses 155 in each recess 154 to connect to three mounting clips 470 within each recess 154. As such, the number of pairs of bosses 155 may equal the number of mounting clips 470 attached to the housing 108. Each boss 155 may be D-shaped, with the upper region being circular and the lower region being straight. The asymmetry of the boss 155 and the recess 493 may help prevent the mounting clip 470 from being erroneously assembled to the lower housing 108. Alternatively, only one boss 155 of each pair of bosses 155 may be asymmetrically shaped.

Additionally, as a means of securely mounting the drawbar 400 to the suitcase, the central spring arm 488 of the mounting clip 470 may provide a horizontally-oriented force to help further secure the compression assembly 410 to the housing 108 and reduce any vibration within the drawbar 400 relative to the suitcase 100. As described above, the central spring arm 488 can extend outwardly from the front side 478 of the central body 472 toward the bottom end 476. The spring arm 488 can have a fixed end 489 on the front side 478 of the mounting clip 470 and a free end 490 spaced from the front side 478. The free end 490 may contact a portion of the outer wall 429 of the primary extrusion 420 that is positioned between the central opening 422 and the groove 424. When the free end 490 contacts the outer wall 429, the central spring arm 488 is compressed and, during compression, it applies a force to the primary extrusion 420 to reduce any vibrations and keep the drawbar 400 secured to the lower housing 108.

The compression assembly 410 may have features that prevent dirt and debris from causing the compression members 420, 430, 460 to form a restraint when moving relative to one another. Each extrusion 420, 430, 460 includes a central opening 422, 432, 462, respectively, to allow any dirt or debris entering the assembly 410 to easily pass through the center. Additionally, as shown in fig. 63 and 68, the extrusion assembly 410 may include a top cover 440 inserted into the central opening 422 at the top of the primary extrusion 420. The top cover 440 may have an upper lip 442 that rests on the top surface 421 of the primary expression member 420 and a lower portion 444 that is inserted into the central opening 422. The top cover 440 may have a central opening 446 extending through the top cover 440 that corresponds in shape to the outer surface 434 of the secondary extrusion 430. The upper lip 442 may have a plurality of inwardly facing grooves 448. These grooves 448 provide small openings to allow dust and debris to pass through so that dust can move along the interior of the extrusion assembly 410 without affecting the sliding motion of the secondary extrusion 430 and allow the secondary extrusion 430 to move freely relative to the primary extrusion 420. Similarly, the upper cover 404 may be inserted into the opening 432 of the secondary extrusion 430 and have a central opening to receive the tertiary extrusion 460. The upper cover 404 may have all of the features described above for the top cover 440, such as a plurality of inwardly facing grooves to allow dust and debris to pass through, so that dust can move along the interior of the extrusion assembly 410 without affecting the sliding movement of the tertiary extrusion 460, and to allow the tertiary extrusion 460 to move freely relative to the secondary extrusion 430.

Additionally, the bottom cover 450 of each compression assembly 410 may provide a means to further secure the pull rod 400 to the suitcase 100 and also provide a means to allow dirt and debris to exit each compression assembly 410. The bottom cover 450 may be inserted into the central opening 422 at the bottom of the primary extrusion 420. As shown in fig. 56, 58, 42, and 20, the bottom cover 450 may include an upper portion 451 extending into the central opening 422 of the main extrusion 420 and a lower portion 452 remaining outside of the main extrusion 420 and forming a bottom portion of the extrusion assembly 410. The lower portion 452 can include a lower spring arm 453 that extends downwardly away from a bottom surface 454 of the bottom cover 450. The lower spring arm 453 can have a fixed end 455 and a free end 456, wherein the free end 456 can contact the side surface 157 of the recess 154, as shown in fig. 56. The lower spring arms 453 may apply a force upward on the main extrusion to limit vibration and further secure the extrusion assembly 410 to the housing 108. The bottom cover 450 may also include a slot 458 along a lower portion 452 of the cover 450. In addition, the bottom cover 450 may include a central opening 457 through the bottom surface 454, which may be formed where the lower spring arm 453 extends from the bottom surface 454, as shown in fig. 58. The central opening 457 may allow dirt and debris to exit the compression assembly 410. As best shown in fig. 64, the bottom cover 450 may also have a plurality of side openings 459 disposed on either side of the central opening 457 that extend through the bottom surface 454 to allow dirt and debris to exit the compression assembly 410. The side openings 459 may be of any geometric shape, such as substantially rectangular as shown in the exemplary embodiment, or circular, oval, or other shapes. In addition, the side surfaces 157 of the drag recesses 154 may be angled downward to facilitate moving dirt and debris away and out of the crush assembly 410.

Fig. 71-86 show an alternative drawbar 700 that may be attached to the base 502 of the suitcase 500. Features of the lever assembly 700 are identified using like reference numerals under the "7 xx" series of reference numerals, rather than "4 xx" as used in the embodiment shown in fig. 1-70. Thus, certain features of the tie rod assembly 700 as shown in fig. 1-70 that have been described above may not be described in great detail, or may not be described at all. The pull rod assembly 700 may be attached to the lower housing 508 along the exterior of the bottom portion 522 of the lower housing 508. Similar to the lever assembly 400, the lever assembly 700 can be formed as a separate member or assembly and attached to the lower housing 508. The pull rod assembly 700 can include a pair of squeeze assemblies 710 and a grip 702 extending between the pair of squeeze assemblies 710 for grasping by a user. In some embodiments, the tie rod assembly 700 can include a single compression assembly 710. Each extrusion assembly 710 may have a primary extrusion 720, a secondary extrusion 730, a tertiary or secondary extrusion 760, a top cover or primary bushing 740 positioned between the primary extrusion 720 and the secondary extrusion 730, and a top cover or secondary bushing 704 positioned between the tertiary extrusion 760 and the secondary extrusion 730. In other examples, the number of extrusions may include a single extrusion, two extrusions, or more than three extrusions.

Similar to the compression assembly 410, the compression assembly 710 may have a nested arrangement. The primary extrusion 720 may have a central opening 722 surrounded by an outer wall 729, wherein the central opening 722 has a generally rectangular shape and an alignment member 729A is disposed on a rear side of the outer wall 729. The alignment member 729A may be a centrally located notch extending into the opening 722 along the outer wall 729 to assist in aligning the other pressers 730, 760 within the openings 722, 732 as they move relative to each other. Although the exemplary alignment member 729A has a trapezoidal shape, the alignment member 729A may be curved, triangular, or other geometric shape. The secondary extrusion 730 may have an outer surface 734 that has a shape or profile that generally corresponds to the shape of the opening 722 of the primary extrusion 720 such that the secondary extrusion 730 may slidably engage the opening 722. Similarly, the outer surface 764 may have a shape or profile generally corresponding to the shape of the central opening 732 of the secondary extrusion 730 so that the tertiary extrusion 760 may slidingly engage the opening 732 of the secondary extrusion 730. The grip portion 702 may be secured to the tertiary extrusion 760 of each of the extrusion assemblies 710. In some cases, the secondary extrusion 730 may comprise the uppermost extrusion of the drawbar assembly 700, and have a grip 702 secured between a pair of secondary extrusions 730.

Fig. 74-76 illustrate a lever assembly 700 with various components removed to illustrate a nested arrangement. For example, fig. 74 shows a tie rod assembly 700 with the primary extrusion 720 removed from one of the extrusion assemblies 710. Fig. 74 shows the secondary extrusion 730 located below the primary extrusion 720. In addition, a main bushing 740 may be positioned between the primary extrusion 720 and the secondary extrusion 730 at the top of the extrusion assembly 710. The primary stop 781 may be positioned at the bottom of the secondary extrusion 730 with a shelf 783 that contacts the bottom end of the secondary extrusion 730. The primary stop 781 may have a tab portion 785 that extends into the opening 732 of the secondary extrusion 730 to help secure the primary stop 781 to the extrusion assembly 710, as shown in fig. 75, which illustrates the extrusion assembly 710 with the primary extrusion 720, the secondary extrusion 730, and the primary liner 740 all removed. Fig. 75 also shows a secondary bushing 704 attached to the top of the tertiary extrusion 760. Fig. 76 further shows that the tertiary extrusion 760 is removed together with the intermediate stopper 787 positioned at the bottom end of the tertiary extrusion 760. Similar to the main stop 781, the intermediate stop 787 may have a shelf 789 that contacts the tertiary extrusion 760 and a spigot 791 that extends into an opening 762 in the tertiary extrusion 760 to help secure the intermediate stop 787 to the extrusion assembly 710, as shown in fig. 76. A push rod 793 is connected from the actuation member 765 to the locking mechanism to allow the grip portion 702 to be pulled upward to extend the squeeze assembly 710.

Similar to the extrusion of the drawbar assembly 400, the primary extrusion 720, the secondary extrusion 730, and the tertiary extrusion 760 may each be formed as a single, unitary piece, wherein each extrusion 720, 730, 760 may have a substantially constant cross-sectional profile, as shown in fig. 72B.

As shown in fig. 77-82, the drawbar assembly 700 may be externally secured to the base 502 or the lower housing 508. Each compression assembly 710 may be secured to the lower housing 508 using a plurality of mounting clips 770. As shown in fig. 78, a plurality of mounting clips 770 may be secured within the pull recess 554 of the lower housing 508. The plurality of mounting clips 770 may include two mounting clips 770, a first clip 770 located in an upper region of the recess 554 and a second clip secured in a lower region of the recess 554, while other embodiments may include three mounting clips 770 or may include four mounting clips 770. To mount the drawbar assembly 700 to the suitcase 500, each compression assembly 710 may be lowered into the towing recess 554 in a direction toward the front of the suitcase 500 such that the central slot 723 and the receiver 725 located in the outer groove 724 of the main compression member 720 slide over each of the mounting clips 770. The compression assembly 710 may then be slid upward toward the top surface 514 (away from the wheel assembly 564). The compression assembly 710 may stop when the lower edge 725A of the receiver 425 engages the lower surface 771 of the upper shelf 773 of the mounting clip 770. Spring arm 782 may engage outer groove wall 726 to keep groove wall 426 in contact with back side 780 of mounting clip 770. Receiver 725 of primary extrusion 720 may include a slot extending outwardly from central slot 723. Each primary extrusion 760 may include a plurality of receivers 725. The plurality of receivers 725 may be arranged in groups, where the number of receivers 725 in each group is equal to the number of spring arms 782 on mounting clip 770. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, two receivers 725 are arranged in a set to correspond to the two outer spring arms 782 on each mounting clip 770. Once the compression assemblies 710 are engaged with the mounting clips 770, a bottom cap 750 may be positioned within each recess 554 and secured to the housing 508 to prevent downward movement of each compression assembly 710. Once the bottom cover 750 is secured, the handle assembly 700 is secured to the suitcase 500. The bottom cover 750 may prevent the squeeze assembly 710 and the corresponding pull rod assembly 700 from moving downward toward the bottom of the suitcase (in a direction toward the plane formed by the axes of the plurality of wheels 564).

As best shown in fig. 81, the mounting clip 770 may have a central body 772 having a top end 774, a bottom end 776, a front side 778, a rear side 780, a plurality of outer spring arms 782 disposed on left and right sides 784 and 786, and a mounting aperture extending through the central body 772. Each outer spring arm 782 may have a fixed end 792 attached to the central body 772 and a free end 794 such that the outer spring arm 782 is cantilevered from the fixed end 792. Each spring arm 782 of mounting clip 770 may provide a horizontally oriented force to help further secure squeeze assembly 710 to housing 508 and reduce any vibration within pull rod assembly 700 relative to suitcase 500. When free end 794 contacts outer groove wall 726, spring arm 782 is compressed and, during compression, it exerts a force on main extrusion 720 to reduce any vibrations and keep pull rod assembly 700 secured to lower housing 508.

As shown in fig. 77, each mounting clip 770 may be secured to the lower housing 508 using a mechanical fastener 706 inserted through each mounting hole 779 of the mounting clip 770. The fastener 706 is inserted into a blind threaded hole 559 formed in the lower case 508 so that the hole 559 does not extend into the inner space of the suitcase 500. Each mounting clip 770 may be arranged to allow movement of the main extrusion 720 in only one direction, and the mounting clips 770 may be mounted on the suitcase in a manner that ensures proper operation thereof. Each mounting clip 770 may be positioned within a pocket 557, which is located within the recess 554. The pocket 557 may include a mounting hole 559 located away from the center of the pocket such that the mounting clip 770 may only be unidirectionally attached to the housing 508.

Similar to the compression assembly 410, the compression assembly 710 may have a means to prevent dirt and debris from causing the compression members 720, 730, 760 to form a restriction when moving relative to each other. Each extrusion 720, 730, 760 may include a central opening 722, 732, 762, respectively, to allow any dirt or debris that enters the assembly 710 to easily pass through the center. In addition, as shown in fig. 72A-76 and 82-83, each extrusion assembly 710 may include a top cover 740 inserted into the central opening 722 at the top of the main extrusion 720. The main bushing 740 may have a lower portion 744 that is inserted into the main extrusion 720 and a central opening 746 extending through the top cover 740 that corresponds in shape to the outer surface 734 of the secondary extrusion 730. The upper shelf 742 may have a plurality of inwardly facing grooves 748. These grooves 748 may provide small openings to allow dust and debris to pass through so that dust may move along the interior of the extrusion assembly 710 without affecting the sliding movement of the secondary extrusion 730 and allowing the secondary extrusion 730 to move freely relative to the primary extrusion 720. Similarly, the secondary bushing 704 may have a lower portion 703 that is inserted into the opening 732 of the secondary extrusion 730, an upper shelf 708 that rests on top of the secondary extrusion 730, and a central opening 707 for receiving the tertiary extrusion 760. The upper cover 704 may have all of the features of the top cover 740 described above, such as a plurality of inwardly facing grooves 705 to allow dust and debris to pass therethrough so that dust can move along the interior of the extrusion assembly 710 without affecting the sliding movement of the tertiary extrusion 760 and to allow the tertiary extrusion 760 to move freely relative to the secondary extrusion 730.

Additionally, as shown in fig. 84, each bottom cover 750 of the drawbar assembly 700 may provide a means for allowing dirt and debris to exit each compression assembly 710. In addition, the bottom cover 750 may include at least one opening 757 through the bottom surface 754 to allow dirt and debris to exit the compression assembly 710.

Fig. 85-86 illustrate an exemplary grip or handle 702 of the lever assembly 700. Features of grip 702 are indicated using like reference numerals under the "7 xx" series of reference numerals, rather than "4 xx" as used in the embodiments shown in fig. 1-70. Thus, certain features of the grip portion 702 as shown in fig. 1-70 that have been described above may be described in less detail, or may not be described at all. As described above, the grip portion 702 can extend between the compression assemblies 710 and serve as an interface region for a user to extend and lower the pull rod assembly 700. The grip 702 may include a release button 711, an upper grip cover (not shown), and a lower grip cover 715. The release button 711 may be centrally located in the horizontal and vertical directions along the grip 702. A seal 709 may be disposed around the release button 711 to prevent any dirt or moisture from entering the grip portion 702. For example, the release button 711 may be overmolded with rubber or a soft polymer material. Additionally or optionally, the seal 709 may also include a dust gasket around the perimeter of the base of the release button 711.

Similar to the grip portion 402, the release button 711 may be coupled to a rack and pinion assembly 735 as shown in fig. 86, with the upper and lower grip covers 715 removed. The release button 711 may have two lower engagement members 737 on each end of the button 711 that contact engagement members 741 on each of a pair of rack gear members 739. When the button 711 is pushed, the lower engagement member 737, which may have an angled surface 761, may contact and slide along a corresponding angled surface 763 of the engagement member 741 on the rack gear member 739. As the angled surfaces 761, 763 move along each other, both rack drive members 739 are urged to move outward. The pinion 749 may help to keep the motion between the two gear members 739 equal and controlled. As the gear member 739 moves outward, the transmission member 747 may then apply a force to the actuation member 765 that is located in the slot within the lower extension 717. The transmission member 747 may include an angled surface in contact with an angled surface on the actuation member 765. The actuation member 765 may be connected to the push rod 793 to disengage the locking mechanism, allowing the grip 702 to be pulled upward to extend the squeeze assembly 710.

As described above, the suitcase 500 may include an inner liner or pair of liners releasably secured to the base 502 or lid 504. Fig. 87-100 illustrate aspects of inner liners 802 and 804. As shown in fig. 87, 89, and 90, the base inner liner 802 can have a base liner body 803 that is contoured to match the shape of the interior space 503 of the base 502 (i.e., the base liner body 803 can have various convex or concave surfaces to correspond with the convex or concave surfaces within the interior space 503 of the base 502). Similarly, as shown in fig. 88 and 91-93, the lid inner liner 804 may have a lid liner body 805 that is contoured to match the shape of the interior space 505 of the lid 504 (i.e., the lid liner body 805 may have various convex or concave outer surfaces to correspond with the convex or concave surfaces within the interior space 505 of the lid 504). A majority of the overall shape of the inner liners 802, 804 may be formed from multiple layers that are compression molded together to form a wave-like shape as shown in fig. 94. Optionally, the liners 802, 804 may be formed using other manufacturing methods including, but not limited to, vacuum forming, or the like,

A core molding process (i.e., a process having a solid outer layer and a foam core layer) or other type of molding process. The inner liners 802, 804 may have an outer fabric layer 850 forming the outer surface 806, an intermediate foam layer 852, and an inner waterproof layer 854 forming the inner surface 818. The inner surface 818 formed by the inner waterproof layer 854 may contact the inner surfaces 507, 525 of the base 502 or the cover 504. Further, a portion of the inner surface 818 of the inner liners 802, 804 can face the bottom portion 522 when installed in the base and the top portion 538 when installed in the lid. An adhesive layer (not shown) may be applied between outer fabric layer 850 and intermediate foam layer 852 and also applied between inner waterproof layer 854 and the intermediate foamBetween layers 852. The adhesive layer may comprise a polyurethane-based adhesive, but may also comprise various glues, epoxies, acrylics, adhesive tapes, or other materials to form a permanent bond between the two materials. These adhesives may require a heating process or a curing process, and may be applied using a process for ensuring a consistent adhesive thickness, such as rolling or spraying the adhesive onto a designated surface. In some examples, the adhesive between the layers 850, 854 and the foam 852 may include multiple layers of adhesive, or even different adhesives within multiple layers. Outer fabric layer 850 may be a polyester fabric or other similar material and inner waterproof layer 854 may be a polyurethane coated backing scrim or other similar coating material. In some examples, inner waterproof layer 854 may include a polyurethane coated fabric that is permanently bonded to a scrim layer, such as with an adhesive. In other examples, the inner waterproof layer may comprise a stretch woven material or other similar material that is waterproof while still being breathable. Further, the intermediate foam layer 852 may be a rubber, polymer, or foam material, such as Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), or other similar material. The intermediate foam layer 852 may have a relatively smooth surface finish or may have a rough surface finish. In general, the base liner 802 and the lid liner 804 may be similar in construction to one another. Alternatively, the inner liners 802, 804 may be formed from a single layer of material using any of the materials included herein.

The inner liners 802, 804 can include a storage cavity 808 recessed from an upper surface 810 of each liner 802, 804 to accommodate different cargo. In some examples, storage cavity 808 may be a single cavity as shown in fig. 87 or may include a plurality of differently shaped cavities to receive and protect differently shaped items. Because the liners 802, 804 are releasably engaged, alternative liners having different configurations and storage cavity arrangements can be interchangeably mounted into the base 502 or lid 504 of the suitcase 500. These replacement liners may have a padded area to store electronics or other devices. Further, in some examples, as shown in fig. 88 and 91, the lid liner 804 can include a cover 812 over the storage cavity 808 that can be selectively opened and closed to help secure items within the storage cavity 808 of the lid liner 804. In addition, the covering 812 may include additional pockets 814 that may be selectively opened and closed to help secure items within the pockets 814. The selective closure 816 for the cover 812 and the additional pocket 814 may be a zipper, a magnetic closure, or other mechanical element that forms the selective closure 816.

As described above, the base inner liner 802 can be releasably secured to the interior space 503 of the base 502 and the lid inner liner 804 can be releasably secured to the interior space 505 of the lid 504. The liners 802, 804 can include a plurality of mechanical connectors or fasteners 820, such as clips, hooks, or portions of snap fasteners positioned near the upper surface 810 and spaced around the outer surface of the liners 802, 804. Mechanical elements or connectors 820 on the liners 802, 804 can releasably engage corresponding mechanical elements or connectors 660 positioned along the inner surfaces of the base 502 and cover 504. For example, each first snap fastener portion 820 of the plurality of first snap fastener portions 820 may be an internally threaded fastener portion that releasably connects to a corresponding externally threaded fastener portion 660 of a plurality of second mechanical connectors or snap fastener portions 660 on the base 502 or cover 504. Alternatively, the externally threaded fastener portions may be located on the fastener portions 820 on the bushings 802, 804, while the internally threaded fastener portions may be located on the mechanical connections 660 on the base 502 and cover 504. Each side of the liners 802, 804 can include a plurality of snap fastener portions 820. As shown in the illustrated example, for a generally rectangular shaped liner, the longer side of the liner 802, 804 may have four or more fastener portions 820, while the shorter side may have two or more fastener portions 820. Each fastener portion 820 may be aligned with a corresponding fastener portion 820 on the opposite side of the liner 802, 804.

In addition to or in lieu of the fasteners 820 positioned along the side surfaces, a plurality of mechanical connectors or fasteners 820 may be positioned along the bottom surface of the liner 802, 804, in addition to the fasteners 820 positioned along the side surfaces of the liner 802, 804. When positioned along the bottom surface of the liners 802, 804, the fasteners 820 can engage with mechanical connectors 660 disposed on the base 502 and the lid 504, as shown in fig. 102. As shown in the illustrated example of fig. 102, the mechanical connectors 660 may be arranged in a substantially centered linear array or in a pair of linear arrays spaced apart from each other on one or more bottom surfaces of the inner surfaces 507, 525 of the base 502 and cover 504. In some examples, the mechanical connectors 660 may be arranged in an array in a pattern that is not linear in nature. Similarly, the mechanical connectors 820 on either of the inner liners 802, 804 can be arranged in an array corresponding to the array of mechanical connectors 660 arranged on the corresponding base 502 or lid 504 of the liner. The plurality of mechanical connectors 660 may have a variety of shapes, such as a rectangular base shape 661, with the connecting portion 662 disposed at the center of the base shape 661, as shown in fig. 101A. Optionally, as shown in fig. 101B and 101C, the connecting portion 662 may be offset from a center point of the base in at least one direction. Still alternatively, similar to the mechanical connector 660 shown in fig. 43G, the mechanical connector 660 may have a base portion 661 with a generally circular shape and a connecting portion 662 that is substantially centered on the base portion 661, as shown in fig. 101D.

As shown in fig. 95 and 96, each fastener portion 820 may be attached to a tab or webbing 822 having a first end portion 824 secured beneath an upper fabric engaging portion 830 extending along the upper surface 810. The tab 822 may wrap around and around the upper fabric bond 830 along the upper surface 810. The second end 826 of the tab 822 may be secured to the outer surface 806 of the respective liner 802, 804. Additionally, a support member 832 may be disposed along the inner surface 818 behind and between the first end 824 of the tabs 822 and the second end 826 of each tab 822. In some examples, the support members 832 may extend along the inner surface 818 of each respective inner liner 802, 804 below the first end 824 of each tab 822. In some examples, each tab 822 can be secured to its respective inner liner 802, 804 using stitching 827. Each support member 832 may help further strengthen the seam 827 because it perforates the respective liner 802, 804. In some cases, the support member 832 may be a Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) or other waterproof or water-impermeable material to prevent any moisture from penetrating through the area where each tab 822 is secured to its respective liner 802, 804. In some cases, the tab 822 may be attached without the support member 832. Alternatively, the tabs 822 of the retaining fastener portion 820 may be attached using adhesives, fabric welding, or other permanent joining techniques known to those skilled in the art. Optionally, adhesives, hook and loop type fasteners (Velcro), magnetic elements, or other attachment methods may also be used to secure the inner liners 802, 804. For example, the inner liners 802, 804 may have a plurality of magnetic or ferromagnetic elements positioned along the perimeter and/or bottom surface that may attach to corresponding magnetic or ferromagnetic elements positioned along or within the inner surfaces of the base 502 and lid 504.

Each of the liners 802, 804 may have a first set of openings 840 extending through a first side 842 of each liner 802, 804 and a second set of openings 844 extending through a second side 846 of the inner liners 802, 804, wherein the first side 842 is opposite the second side 846. Each set of openings 840, 844 can include a pair of openings, but in some examples, more than two openings can be included, such as three openings, four openings, or more openings. The center of a first opening 840A in first set of openings 840 may be aligned with the center of a second opening 844A in second set of openings 844. Each opening 840 of the first set of openings 840 on the first side 842 may be aligned with a corresponding opening 844 of the second set of openings 844 on the second side 846. The mounts 556 on the base 502 and cover 504 can extend through these openings 840, 844 when the liners 802, 804 are installed in the base 502 and cover 504, respectively. The mounting member 556 may be releasably engaged with the mechanical element 892 of the strap 890, wherein the strap 890 may help restrain any cargo within the storage cavity 808. Fig. 97 shows a strap 890 extending through the base liner 802 with the base 502 removed, and fig. 98 shows the strap 890 with the mechanical element 892 releasably engaging the mounting 556.

Each opening 840, 844 may include a grommet 860. Grommet 860 may help increase the durability of openings 840, 844 by repeatedly inserting mounting member 556 into openings 840, 844. Each mounting member 556 may extend through an aperture 872 in the corresponding grommet 860 where the strap 890 may be releasably attached to the mounting member 556. Each grommet 860 may be formed of a waterproof or water-impermeable material, such as a (TPU) based material or other flexible material that receives the mounting member 556 through the openings 840, 844. As will be described in greater detail below, each grommet 860 may have an inner layer 862 and an outer layer 864 that are joined together. Inner layer 862 and outer layer 864 may be formed of the same material, or in some examples, these layers 862, 864 may be formed of different materials. Inner layer 862 can have a first outwardly facing surface 866 that is substantially parallel to inner surface 818 of each inner liner 802, 804 and outer layer 864 of grommet 860 can have a second outwardly facing surface 868 that is substantially parallel to outer surface 806 of each inner liner 802, 804. In other examples, each grommet 860 may be formed from a weldable film, a coated fabric, or a laminated fabric and joined by a process such as sonic welding, Radio Frequency (RF) welding, adhesive glue, or adhesive film.

Grommet 860 may be formed and installed using process 880 shown in fig. 100 and shown in fig. 99A-99E. First, as shown in fig. 99A, the base material may be cut into the desired shape of grommet 860 to form multiple layers 862, 864 of grommet 860. In the example shown, each layer 862, 864 may have a circular shape to form a circular-shaped grommet 860, however, the shape of the grommet 860 is not limited to a circular shape and may be square, rectangular, or other geometric shape. Next, as shown in fig. 99B, layers 862, 864 are permanently bonded together in central region 870. Central region 870 may be about 55 percent of the total surface area of one of the outwardly facing surfaces 866, 868 of grommet 860. In some examples, central region 870 can be in the range of 40 percent and 70 percent of the total surface area of one of the outwardly facing surfaces 866, 868 of grommet 860. The layers 862, 864 may be joined using RF welding, adhesives, or other means known to those skilled in the art. Fig. 99C shows the next step, in which a hole or opening 872 is cut through the central region 870. The apertures 872 are sized to receive the mounting members 556 and may be arranged such that the central region may extend within 2mm and 4mm of the outer edges of the apertures 872 of the grommet 860, or the central region may extend within 2mm and 8mm of the outer edges of the apertures 872 of the grommet 860. Finally, as shown in the cross-sectional schematic views of fig. 99D and 99E, grommets 860 may be secured into the openings 840, 844 of each liner 802, 804 using stitching, adhesives, or other means such that the center of the hole 872 in each grommet 860 is aligned with the center of the corresponding opening 840, 844 in the respective liner 802, 804. Further, the inner layer 862 can be disposed with a portion of the first outward-facing surface 866 substantially parallel to the inner surface 818 of each inner liner 802, 804, and the outer layer 864 of the grommet 860 can be disposed with a portion of the second outward-facing surface 868 substantially parallel to the outer surface 806 of each inner liner 802, 804. Each grommet 860 may be secured using stitching, adhesives, or other means of permanently attaching the grommet 860 to its respective liner 802, 804.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a suitcase that includes a lid rotatably connected to a base, where the lid may include an upper shell formed as a unitary member and where the base includes a lower shell formed as a unitary member. The carrying case may be configured in an open orientation or a closed configuration, wherein in the closed configuration, a plurality of latch assemblies secure the lid to the base. Further, the upper and lower housings may not have holes or openings extending from the outer surface through the inner surface. Alternatively, the catch assembly may be positioned in upper and lower catch recesses on the lid and base, respectively. In addition, the wheel assembly including the wheel housing, the wheel, and the shaft may be formed as a separate member and received in a recess formed on the lower case.

The invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of examples. The purpose served by the disclosure, however, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope of the disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the examples described above without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims (20)

1. A suitcase, the suitcase comprising:

a base, the base comprising:

a first housing structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first housing structure having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a bottom portion connected to the first end of the first housing structure and configured to support the suitcase on a surface;

a first interior space defined by the first housing structure and the bottom portion; and

a cover rotatably connected to the base, the cover comprising:

a second housing structure having a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, the second housing structure having a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end;

a top portion connected to the third end of the second housing structure; and

a second interior space defined by the second housing structure and the top portion; and

an inner liner releasably secured to the base within the first interior space or the lid within the second interior space, wherein the inner liner comprises at least one storage cavity recessed from an upper surface of the inner liner, wherein the inner liner comprises a plurality of first fastener portions positioned proximate the upper surface of the inner liner, the plurality of first fastener portions releasably connectable to a plurality of second fastener portions positioned on the base or the lid.

2. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first fastener portions is attached to a tab that is attached to an upper fabric bond at a first end of the tab.

3. The suitcase of claim 2, wherein the tab encircles the upper surface of the inner liner and a second end of the tab is attached to an outer surface of the inner liner.

4. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first fastener portions is an internally threaded fastener portion and each of the plurality of second fastener portions is an externally threaded fastener portion.

5. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the interior liner has a plurality of layers including a fabric outer layer forming an outer surface of the interior liner, a foam middle layer, and a water-proof layer forming an inner surface of the interior liner, wherein a portion of the inner surface of the interior liner faces the bottom portion when installed in the base and faces the top portion when installed in the lid.

6. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the inner liner includes a first set of openings extending through a first side of the inner liner and a second set of openings extending through a second side of the inner liner, wherein the first side is opposite the second side.

7. The suitcase of claim 6, wherein a center of a first opening of the first set of openings is aligned with a center of a second opening of the second set of openings.

8. The suitcase of claim 6, wherein a mount on one of the base or the lid extends through an opening of the first set of openings of the inner liner.

9. The suitcase of claim 6, wherein each opening of the first set of openings comprises a polyurethane-based grommet.

10. A container, the container comprising:

a base, the base comprising:

a first housing structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first housing structure having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a bottom portion connected to the first end of the first housing structure and configured to support the container on a surface;

a first interior space defined by the first housing structure and the bottom portion; and

an inner liner releasably secured to the base within the first interior space,

wherein the inner liner comprises a first set of openings extending through a first side of the inner liner and a second set of openings extending through a second side of the inner liner, wherein the first side is opposite the second side, wherein each opening of the first and second sets of openings comprises a grommet, wherein the grommet has an inner layer and an outer layer joined together, and the inner layer has a first outwardly facing surface that is substantially parallel to an inner surface of the inner liner, and the outer layer of the grommet has a second outwardly facing surface that is substantially parallel to an outer surface of the inner liner.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein the inner and outer layers of the grommet are permanently joined in a central region adjacent to the aperture in the grommet.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the central region extends in a range of 2mm to 8mm from an edge of the aperture of the grommet.

13. The container of claim 11, wherein the central regions are radio frequency welded together.

14. The container of claim 10, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are formed of the same material.

15. The container of claim 10, wherein the inner layer and the outer layer are formed of different materials.

16. The container of claim 10, wherein the inner liner comprises a plurality of first fastener portions positioned along a bottom surface of the inner liner, the plurality of first fastener portions releasably connectable to a plurality of second fastener portions positioned on the base.

17. A suitcase, the suitcase comprising:

a base, the base comprising:

a first housing structure having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first housing structure having a first end and a second end opposite the first end;

a bottom portion connected to the first end of the first housing structure and configured to support the suitcase on a surface;

a first interior space defined by the first housing structure and the bottom portion; and

a cover connected to the base, the cover comprising:

a second housing structure having a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, the second housing structure having a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end;

a top portion connected to the third end of the second housing structure; and

a second interior space defined by the second housing structure and the top portion; and

an inner liner releasably secured to the base within the first interior space or the lid within the second interior space, wherein the inner liner comprises: a plurality of layers having a fabric outer layer forming an outer surface, a foam middle layer, a water barrier forming an inner surface, wherein a portion of the inner surface of the inner liner faces the bottom portion when installed in the base and faces the top portion when installed in the lid; and at least one storage cavity recessed from an upper surface of the inner liner;

the inner liner comprises: a plurality of first fastener portions positioned proximate to the upper surface of the inner liner, the plurality of first fastener portions releasably connectable to a plurality of second fastener portions positioned on the base or the cover; and a first set of openings extending through a first sidewall of the inner liner and a second set of openings extending through a second sidewall of the inner liner, wherein the first sidewall is opposite the second sidewall; and is

Wherein each opening of the first and second sets of openings comprises a grommet, wherein the grommet has an inner layer and an outer layer joined together, and the inner layer has a first outwardly facing surface that is substantially parallel to the inner surface of the inner liner, and the outer layer of the grommet has a second outwardly facing surface that is substantially parallel to the outer surface of the inner liner.

18. The suitcase of claim 17, wherein the inner and outer layers of the grommet are formed of a polyurethane-based material and permanently joined in a central region adjacent an aperture in the grommet.

19. The suitcase of claim 17, wherein each of the plurality of first fastener portions is attached to a tab attached to an upper fabric bond at a first end of the tab along an upper surface of the inner layer.

20. The suitcase of claim 17, wherein a mount on the first or second shell structure extends through an aperture in the grommet and a strap is releasably connected to the mount.

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