EP0573493A1

EP0573493A1 - Handle for luggage designed to be pulled along the ground behind a person, and a suitcase with such a handle

Info

Publication number: EP0573493A1
Application number: EP19920905474
Authority: EP
Inventors: Franz Thoeny; Herbert Braendle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-03-01
Filing date: 1992-02-25
Publication date: 1993-12-15
Also published as: JPH06505892A; WO1992015219A1

Abstract

La présente invention se rapporte à une poignée (1) pour bagage tractable sur le sol (3), ainsi qu'à une valise munie d'une telle poignée (1). La poignée (1) dispose de trois bras (4) s'écartant les uns des autres en formant un angle, lesquels peuvent être fixés sur le bagage (3) en trois points (5). Grâce à cette poignée (1), le bagage (3) bénéficie d'un bon guidage latéral.The present invention relates to a handle (1) for luggage which can be towed on the ground (3), as well as to a suitcase provided with such a handle (1). The handle (1) has three arms (4) which move away from each other at an angle, which can be fixed to the luggage (3) at three points (5). Thanks to this handle (1), the luggage (3) has good lateral guidance.

Description

Handle for luggage and suitcases that can be dragged along the floor with one handle

The invention relates to a handle for luggage that can be traced on the floor and a suitcase with such a handle.

When transporting pieces of luggage, especially luggage, such as Suitcases, the transporters try to lighten the load by providing the piece of luggage with runners or rollers which allow it to be pulled. For this purpose, the items of luggage in question are also provided with a handle. A known form of training is that in which the handle is formed by a loop which is connected to the item of luggage with a flexible band. The band is attached approximately in the middle of the upper area of the luggage. If the piece of luggage is equipped with 4 wheels, it can be easily pulled with the known loop on a flat, smooth surface.

There is a problem with this type of known handle: if one of the wheels locks e.g. due to scattering on the street or when pulling on uneven terrain, it can happen that the lengthwise direction of the piece of luggage deviates considerably from the direction of pull in the flexible belt. The same effect also occurs in the event of sudden changes in direction by the transporter. This can result in a considerable tensile load transversely to the longitudinal direction of the piece of luggage. Since the items of luggage, such as suitcases or the like, generally have a relatively high center of gravity, this can very easily lead to the item of luggage overturning.

There are case designs that try to prevent this disadvantage by attaching the wheels to a side wall of the case and before it is tightened is raised, wherein, at the opposite side to the wheels nwandung ^'a handle directly is secured to the suitcase. However, these constructions have the disadvantage that the case contents can be shifted into an undesired position and that, if individual wheels are blocked, tilt tendencies or movement tendencies in undesired directions occur which the transporter may find unpleasant.

Another variant of known case constructions tries to avoid the disadvantages described by rigidly connecting the case with a one-armed, rigid handle that can be folded out and in. This construction has the disadvantage that the handle e.g. can get in the way of automatic transport in baggage handling systems. However, if the handle is retractable, the piece of luggage loses its packing volume.

Another disadvantage arises from the fact that such known handles on existing suitcases cannot generally be retrofitted.

Another disadvantage arises from the fact that »this joint is subjected to particularly high stress, which can even lead to the handle being torn out. Therefore, it must be very solid and therefore heavy in construction. In addition, the piece of luggage must be particularly torsionally stiff and massive even in the area of the fastening point.

The object of the invention is to avoid the disadvantages mentioned above and to provide a handle for a piece of luggage which is not in the way in automatic transport systems, which does not reduce the packing volume of the luggage and which prevents the luggage from tipping over when tensile train prevented. In addition, the handle according to the invention should make it possible to lift the item of luggage on one side, for example for transporting it over a step. It should be light in weight and easily mountable on luggage.

The object is achieved by the invention by applying the features described in claim 1 or 6. A case designed according to the invention is described in claim 10. All types of luggage but also e.g. Transport boxes, wheelbarrows, etc. to understand.

The three arms provided in accordance with the invention result in the baggage item compared to the known different train conditions. In extreme cases, these arms can even be flexible, e.g. be made of the same material as is customary for those handles that have only one band. In each case, the arm acts as a traction element that is furthest away from the transporter with its attachment point on the piece of luggage. The risk of tipping can be reduced in this way. However, should tipping tendencies occur, these can be compensated for by counter-movements with the handle. The piece of luggage can be built relatively light. There are only small demands on the massiveness of the arms.

The handle described in claim 6 only solves the problem of tipping over to a lesser extent, but because of the support over the edge of the tubes it has improved transmission rigidity with simultaneous collapsibility. It can be stowed away to save space. Claims 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 describe configurations according to the invention, the different advantages of which are set out below.

The training according to claim 2 ensures particularly good

Leadership behavior. The security against rotation can be achieved in that the arms are connected to the handle in a rotationally fixed manner, or in that a latching mechanism, e.g. in the form of tongue and groove or in the form of a form fit between the arms and handle, the form of this form fit differing from the cylindrical shape.

The embodiment according to claim 3 allows the smallest possible folding of the handle. This also saves material because at least the third arm (if the first two are stiff) can only be loaded on the train during transport.

The embodiment according to claim 4 allows the space-saving folding of the handle on the one hand and the achievement of a rigid power transmission system on the other hand, which enables the luggage to be directed in any direction with comparatively little effort.

The design according to claim 5 increases the stability of the arms and improves the power transmission.

The embodiment according to claim 7 improves the upward tilting behavior of the luggage over its rear runners.

The embodiment according to claim 8 enables the quick connection and detachment of the handle from the luggage.

The embodiment according to claim 9 simplifies the stiffening or loosening of the handle, with a turnbuckle The position of the pretension is used, which is required to achieve sufficient rigidity.

The advantage of a suitcase according to claim 10 can be seen especially in connection with the tilting of the piece of luggage during transport, since in this case the wheels or rollers are always protected in the idle state and are therefore only subjected to stress when the suitcase is transported.

The invention is explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the drawing. It shows:

1 shows a piece of luggage in an oblique view with a schematically indicated handle; 2 shows a handle with parts of the projecting arms;

3 shows a fork tube in section;

4 shows a handle in section, with a tensioning lever and latching lever, but without a base body;

5 and 6 an end piece of the arms, partially cut and in top view;

7 shows a runner with a countersunk roller in a side view; and

Fig.8 a variant with a stiffenable arm.

The figures are described together. Identical parts are given the same reference symbols; Similar parts are given the same reference numerals with different indices. The illustrated embodiments are only examples and do not limit the invention. The principle of the invention is only defined in the claims and within the knowledge of an average person skilled in the art there are a large number of detail solution variants within the scope of the invention.

A schematically indicated piece of luggage 3 can be seen in FIG. 1, which in the parked state is supported on the floor via runners 17. The front runners 17a are used only for support or sliding purposes, while a roller 18 is integrated in each of the rear runners 17b, which comes into contact with the ground when the item of luggage 3 is tilted up a little via the runners 17b.

On the front side of the piece of luggage, above the runners 17a, three arms 4 are detachably attached at points 5, which belong to a handle 1 which is attached to the end facing away from the luggage 3. The three arms 4 are arranged so that the two first arms ^• 4a and 4b lie in a plane which is perpendicular to a plane through the longitudinal direction of the Ge päckstückes 3, and which is perpendicular to a vertical to the ground plane . The third arm 4c protrudes downward from the handle 1.

The arms 4 can be flexible in order to fulfill a minimal function of the handle according to the invention. In most cases, however, only the arm 4c will be constructed from flexible band material, while the first two arms 4a and 4b are either stiff or stiffenable.

If the arms 4a and 4b are stiffened and rigidly connected to the item of luggage 3 at the points 5, then together with the third arm 4c they form a supporting structure which allows the item of luggage 3 to be optimally lifted and controlled from the handle 1 . The piece of luggage 3 can be pulled or pushed without any problems. It is easy to prevent it from tipping over by holding the handle. For this reason, the handle is connected to the arms 4 in a rotationally rigid manner. The third arm 4c acts as a support.

The handle 1 is shown approximately in its original size from FIG. It has a base body 19 which is formed from a rigid bracket. On the base body 19, a clamping lever 8 is pivotally mounted. The clamping lever 8 is with Traction cables 6a and 6b connected and able to tension them via an eccentric 9 (FIG. 4).

The eccentric 9 is only shown schematically in FIG. It can be arranged both on the base body 19 and on the tensioning lever 8 itself.

A large number of tubes 7a and 7b are threaded onto the pull cables 6a and 6b. If the traction cable 6 is tensioned, the tubes 7 are lined up closely and are supported with one another with their end faces in such a way that the arms formed by them become stiff. The principle used here is also known as the "shoe system". The tubes 7 have elevations on one side and depressions 10 on the other side, which are constructed in opposite directions and, in the stiffened state, detach from one another.

The last tube between the handle 1 and the remaining tubes 7 is designed as a two-in-one tube 7c. This shape ensures that the same tension or stiffness prevails in both arms 4a and 4b when the pulling ropes 6a and 6b are guided to a single pulling rope 6c (FIG. 3). This pull rope has a guide eye 24 at its end facing the pull cables 6a and 6b. The pull ropes 6a and 6b can be threaded into the eyelet 24 and can therefore be made in one piece. They then slide back and forth in the eyelet until an equal tension is reached on both sides. The tension applied by the pulling rope 6c is evenly distributed over the pulling ropes 6a and 6b.

The handle 1 shown in FIG. 4 with the base body 19 omitted has a tensioning lever 8 which is mounted on an axis 25 on the base body 19. The tensioning lever 8 has a bore 26 through which the pull cable 6c is guided. At the end of the bore 26, the pull rope 6c is undamaged. held. A movement of the tensioning lever 8 pulls the pulling rope 6c, not shown, via a dash-dotted eccentric 9 which brings about the tension in the rope 6.

The end of the traction cable 6c can be pretensioned in a turnbuckle (not shown) according to requirements. Such a turnbuckle can on the one hand be its own eccentric, but it can also consist only of a threaded rod or a rotatable square which can be locked.

In the tensioned state, the tensioning lever 8 is held pressed against the base body 19 by a locking lever 20 with a locking lug 21. The locking lug 21 engages in a stop 22 of the tensioning lever 8. The locking lug 21 and the stop 22 are designed to be self-locking on their contact surfaces. The locking lever 20 is pivotally mounted on a second axis 27 on the base body 19. It is held in the closed position by a spring 28 (not shown in detail). But it can also be made of resilient material itself.

If the locking lever 20 is pressed against the force of the spring 28, which can be accomplished, for example, with the thumb in the direction of the arrow 29, it releases the stop 22 and thus the tensioning lever 8 and the pulling cable 6 can relax, through which the tubes 7 are loosened and the arms 4 become flexible.

5 and 6 show the end pieces 7e of the arms 4 as they are formed at points 5 on the piece of luggage 3 (see FIG. 1). They each have an eyelet 14 which can be connected to the luggage 3 by means of screw, snap or other closures. A channel 30 for the pull rope 6, not shown, det in a receptacle 31, in which a gag, not shown, holds the traction cable 6 captively.

As shown, the eyelet 14 can be open, but also closed. As a rule, since the arm 4c is subjected to tension, it is mainly subjected to pressure from the direction of the arms 4a, 4b.

The runner 17 shown in FIG. 7 is mounted on the underside of the luggage item 3 (see FIG. 1). It has a surface 32 which rests on the floor when the item of luggage 3 is parked. In the parked state, this surface 32 is closer to the floor than the circumference of a roller 18 which is mounted in the runner 17. Only when the luggage item 3 is lifted or tilted in the vertical direction does the roller 18 come into engagement with the floor, at the same time the contact being released by the surface 32. The roller 18 is, as not shown in detail, coated with rubber, so that there is little rolling noise.

8 shows a handle 1a which has only one stiffenable arm with tube 7d and a flexible arm 4d. The mechanism of tensioning the tubes 7d is carried out analogously to the method shown in FIG. 4 via a pull rope 6d. The tubes 7d, however, are thicker in comparison to those according to FIG. 2, which provides an even more stable mutual support of their end faces when braced.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Handle (1) for luggage (3) that can be dragged on the floor (2), characterized in that it has three arms (4) that protrude from one another at an angle, which can be connected to the luggage (3) at three points (5) are, or are detachable from this.

2. Handle according to claim 1, characterized in that the first two (4a, 4b) of the three arms (4) lie in one plane; which is in the transport position of the luggage (3) approximately perpendicular to a plane normal to the floor (2), while the third arm (4c) protrudes at an angle from this plane towards the floor (2), and preferably the handle ( 1) can be fixed against rotation with respect to the arms (4). (Fig.1)

3. Handle according to claim 2, characterized in that at least the third arm (4c) is flexible. (Fig.2)

4. Handle according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the two first arms (4a, 4b) are stiff or at least stiffenable in the transport position, preferably such that they each consist of a pull rope (6) with a number on it lined up tubes (7), which can be stressed primarily under pressure, with a tensioning lever (8) and an eccentric (9). (Fig.2)

5. Handle according to claim 4, characterized in that in each case adjacent tubes (7) on their end faces have opposing depressions (10) or elevations (11) which facilitate correct positioning of the tubes (7) from the relaxed state, the two outer tubes (7a, 7b) facing the handle (1) preferably cooperate with a single y-shaped fork tube (7c) such that the two pulling cables (6a, 6b) into one (6c) united, which with the tension lever - ir -

(8) connected, and is guided over the eccentric (9). (Fig.2-4)

6. Handle (1) for luggage (3) that can be dragged along the floor (2), characterized in that it has at least one stiffenable arm (4d) that can be connected or detached to the luggage and that consists of at least one pulling rope (d) with a number of tubes (7d) with a tensioning lever (8) and with an eccentric (9) lined up on it, which can be stressed primarily under pressure, the connection between the arm (4d) and the item of luggage (3) on the Connection point (5) with a stiffened arm (4d) in at least two directions (arrow 13) approximately perpendicular to a plane parallel through the longitudinal extent of the luggage (3) - is laterally stable.

7. Handle according to claim 6, characterized in that the handle (1) has a preferably flexible second arm (4e) which at an angle to the first (4d) in the transport position against the floor (2) from the handle (1) protrudes and can be connected to the luggage (3). (Fig. 8)

8. Handle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the arms (4) at their end facing away from the handle (1) have eyelets (14) or the like, which are connected to the luggage (3.) By means of push buttons or snap closures ) are connectable. (Fig.5; 6)

9. Handle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a handle-shaped base body (19) which has a tension lever (8) on one end, an eccentric (9) and optionally a turnbuckle (23) and the other end a locking lever (20), which has a latching lug (21), for engaging in an opposite recess (22) on the tensioning lever (8), the latching lever (20) being releasable against spring pressure.

10. Case with one of the handles (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has runners (17) on its wall (16) facing the floor in the transport position, into which at least one roller (18) is integrated is such that at least one of these can only be brought into engagement with the floor (2) when the case is lifted on its handle (1) or when the case is tilted by lifting on its handle (1).