EP0941677A1

EP0941677A1 - Wheeled suitcase or traveling bag with a built-in handle and variable transport setting

Info

Publication number: EP0941677A1
Application number: EP98203753A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giuseppe Fremder
Original assignee: Valextra SRL
Current assignee: Valextra SRL
Priority date: 1998-03-11
Filing date: 1998-11-07
Publication date: 1999-09-15
Also published as: IT243840Y1; ITMI980155U1; JPH11276226A; CN1228282A

Abstract

A wheeled suitcase or traveling bag with a built-in handle and variable transport setting, in which a portion of its frame holds a supporting element (17) bearing an internally fastened restraining and guiding element (18) suitable for receiving a handling element (13) extractable from an opening (23) provided in the suitcase or traveling bag, where the element (18) comprises a lower part (19) and an upper part (20) connectable to each other, the lower part (19) being permanently attachable (in 22) to the supporting element (17), and where a tubular section (24) can be inserted in the opening (23) so as to be lined up with the element (18) and locked in place from the inside with one extremity turned toward the inside of the handling element (13), fitted with an engaging mechanism capable of assuming upon compression two positions with respect to a bottom of the element (18), so that one extremity of the handle (33) is set opposite the opening (23) or slightly protruding toward the outside.

Description

This invention refers to a wheeled suitcase or traveling bag with a built-in handle and variable transport setting.
In the technology of bags and/or suitcases and/or traveling bags a number of solutions have been developed over the years, whereby these types of baggage, fitted with at least one wheel, have been equipped with a pulling device. The term traveling bag covers all containers used for traveling purposes, such as for instance soft bags, structured bags and other of various designs.
A first solution was set up so that a short side of a bag or suitcase would hold a U-shaped handle, whose extremities penetrate inside the bag or suitcase in a resting position. When in use this handle can be released and extracted to a fully extended position, together with a device allowing the extraction of a pair of retractable wheels.
An example of such a solution is shown in the U.S. patent 3.917.038. However, this solution allows to pull the suitcase or bag only in an inclined position and requires a complex mechanism for both extracting the wheels and handle and returning them to their respective seats.
Other solutions, such as those shown in the U.S. patents 3.948.365 and 3.805.529 provide a grabbing element hinged at one terminal flank of the bag or suitcase, which can be shifted between a resting position parallel to said flank and a rotated or extracted position suitable for pulling the bag or suitcase. This solution also allows to pull the suitcase only in an inclined position, at a certain inconvenience to the user.
A further solution is that proposed in the U.S. patent 4.256.320, in which a rod-shaped handling element is fitted' inside a seat appropriately provided in the upper part of one of the two half shells of the suitcase. This rod-shaped handling element carries a pushbutton at its free extremity facing outward, which if pushed allows to release certain internally engaging elements. This makes it possible to operate the rod-shaped element so as to make it assume various preestablished positions, for instance a fully retracted resting position, a partially extracted position, and a fully extracted position.
It is therefore obvious that certain elastic elements as well as hinged, contoured levers and their seats have to be provided, which are coordinated with each other and controlled by an appropriate push-button. All this translates to a particular structural and functional complication, while the suitcase must in any case be transported in an inclined position.
Finally, a particular suitcase solution is shown in the U.S. patent 4.358.005 by this same Applicant, which also provides a rod-shaped handling unit fitted inside a tubular seat fastened to the upper part of one of the two half shells of a suitcase. The tubular seat is open at both extremities at opposite sides of the suitcase, and fitted at one side with a pushbutton to release the handling element and on the other side with an opening to extract the handling unit. An internal releasing device between the pushbutton and one connecting extremity of the handling unit is actuated by the appropriate releasing pushbutton', and once released allows the handling element to be fully extracted.
This handling element in fact provides at some intermediate point a hinge for the two parts composing it, which barely protrudes beyond the opening of the formerly mentioned suitcase. The initially extracted part of the handling unit can thus be rotated with respect to the remaining part which is still inserted in its tubular seat, and the suitcase can be pulled along with a certain comfort, while resting all four of its wheels on the ground.
Such a solution solves the existing problem in each of the previously mentioned cases regarding a comfortable and fully supported transport of the suitcase. However, it involves an elaborate construction and complex mechanisms associated with the handling unit. It is in fact necessary to perforate at least one of the half shells of the suitcase on two sides, arrange a tubular body connecting the two openings and provide a complicated internal releasing device between the pushbutton and one connecting extremity of the handling unit. This solution, though functioning in an advantageous and optimal manner, therefore presents certain problems relating to its construction and the ensuing costs.
The scope of this invention is to produce a wheeled suitcase or traveling bag with a built-in handle and variable transport setting capable of generally resolving all the problems arising from time to time in the various technical solutions mentioned above.
Another scope is to produce a suitcase or traveling bag capable of exhibiting above all an extremely simple construction, eliminating any particular devices on the shells of the suitcase or in its parts holding the pulling handle, and capable of being easily used.
These scopes according to this invention are achieved by producing a wheeled suitcase or traveling bag with a built-in handle and variable transport setting where a portion of the frame of said suitcase or traveling bag holds a supporting unit bearing an internally fastened restraining and guiding element capable of receiving a handle extractable from an opening provided in said suitcase or traveling bag, characterized in that said restraining and guiding element comprises a lower part and an upper part capable of being connected to each other, whereby said lower part is permanently attachable to said supporting unit, and where moreover a tubular section can be inserted in said opening to be lined up with said restraining and guiding element and locked in place from the inside with one extremity turned toward the inside of said handling element, fitted with an engaging mechanism capable of assuming upon compression two positions with respect to one bottom of said restraining element, so that one end of one handle is set either opposite said opening or slightly protruding toward the outside.
The characteristics and advantages of a wheeled suitcase or traveling bag with a built-in handle and variable transport setting according to this invention will be more evident from the following exemplifying and non-limiting descriptions referred to the simplified drawings attached, in which:
Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a suitcase according to this invention in a first usage and transport position,
Figure 2 is a side elevation view entirely similar to that in Figure 1, showing a suitcase according to this invention in a second usage and transport position,
Figure 3 is a side elevation view of a suitcase according to this invention in a pulling position,
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a suitcase equipped with a handling element illustrated in a resting position fully retracted inside the same,
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in Figure 4, with the handling element partially extracted,
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in Figure 5, with the handling element partially extracted for pulling on two wheels,
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of a second example of a suitcase with a totally extracted and rotated handling element,
Figure 8 is a bottom view, partially sectionalized along the line VIII-VIII of Figure 9, of an internal portion of the suitcase showing the restraining and guiding element of the handling element,
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along the line IX-IX of Figure 8,
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along the line X-X of Figure 9 in the presence of a handling element,
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view along the line XI-XI of Figure 9 in the presence of a handling element,
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view along the line XII-XII of Figure 9 in the presence of a handling element,
Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view along the line XIII-XIII of Figure 9 in the presence of a handling element,
Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view along the line XIV-XIV of Figure 9 in the presence of a handling element.
The Figures 1 - 3 show examples of a suitcase 11 and a traveling bag 12 equipped with an extractable handling element 13 suitable for their pulling along on the front wheels 14 and rear wheels 15.
The Figures 1 and 2 show that the handling element 13 is placed in an upper internal part of the suitcase 11 and can be pulled in a partially inclined position (Figure 1) or in a fully ground-supported position with the aid of the four wheels 14 and 15 and the handling element 13 in an extracted and partly rotated position. Figure 3 on the other hand shows that in the suitcase 12 the handling element 13 is placed slightly inside one of the longer sides and that it allows, if extracted as shown in the figure, to pull the suitcase along in a slightly inclined position, while using the rear wheels 15.
As shown by the Figures 8 and 9, a portion of the internal wall 16 of the suitcase frame 11 (or in a similar way of the traveling bag 12) holds a supporting element 17, for example in the form of a contoured plate. This supporting element 17 bears an internally fastened restraining and guiding element, indicated in its overall form by 18, suitable for receiving the extractable handling element 13.
The restraining and guiding element 18 has a lower part 19 and an upper part 20, made for example of a molded plastic material and connected to each other by a snap lock, screw or similar choice.
The lower part 19 has an essentially elongated body with a U-shaped cross-section and lateral base extensions 21 designed to firmly attach it to the supporting element 17, for example by rivets or other suitable fastening elements, as shown in a simplified manner in 22.
The upper part 20 substantially presents an upturned C-shaped cross-section designed to connect it to the lower part 19, so as to form an elongated hollow seat of a tubular shape. The internal wall 16 of the suitcase 11 or of the traveling bag 12 is fitted with an opening 23 to pass the handling element 13 to the outside.
Said opening 23 admits a tubular section 24 fitted at one extremity with a head flange 25, curved and tilted to adapt to the outer shape of the suitcase 11 or traveling bag 12.
This tubular section 24 serves as an inlet and passage to move the handling element 13 toward the restraining and guiding element 18, constituted by a lower part 19 and an upper part 20.
After being inserted from the outside in the opening 23 and positioned on the complementary outer surface of the suitcase 11 or traveling bag 12, such a tubular section 24 receives a flexible collar 27 on one of its internal tubular extensions. The collar 27 is arranged to straddle the tubular extension 24, and locks it in place to prevent it from slipping out of the body of the suitcase 11 or of the traveling bag 12. In order to facilitate and guarantee this task, some latching and pressure elements 41 connecting the two elements 24 and 27 may be provided.
The sections shown in the Figures 10 -14 show all the details of the interconnection between the parts, as well as the positioning of the handling element 13 within the restraining and guiding element 18. It can thus be seen that some vertical portions of the lower part 19 having a U-shaped body fit against some hollows 28 carved out of the internal surfaces of the lateral sections of the upper part 20 shaped like an upturned C, so as to stabilize the connected parts.
Moreover, these lateral sections of the upper part 20 shaped like an upturned C are in the example shown fitted on each side with four toothed elements 29, which connect with a snap-lock action to the seats 30 hollowed out in the lower part 19, thus attaching to opposite projecting parts 31 of the same.
The upper part 20 shaped like an upturned C carries, at a certain point of the C-shaped section and along the length of this part 20 at a central and terminal point, two flexible and inward-turned projections 32 which engage, as will be seen later, with the handling element 13, thus establishing a pre-selected position.
The handling element 13 consists of a contoured body equipped at its extremity with a handle 33 which projects from the opening 23 and the tubular section 24. The opposite extremity of the contoured body is connected to an engaging mechanism which can assume two positions with respect to the bottom of the restraining element 18, indicated in an overall way by 34. This device holds a small wheel 35 that engages in a complementary hollow seat 36 at the bottom of the restraining and guiding element 18.
The small wheel 35 is also fastened to a lever 37 swiveling between two positions and controlled by a commercially available spring mechanism (not shown, but known) . This mechanism allows the lever to assume two positions: a first one engaged in the hollow seat 36 and holding the lever next to the engaging device (Figure 4) in a withdrawn condition, and a second one released from the hollow seat 36 (Figure 5) and holding the lever in an extended position, so as to elastically push the device and consequently the handling element 13 forward toward the outside.
The device is also rigidly connected to a small tooth 26 projecting toward the outside and capable of flexibly engaging with a snap-lock action with the two yielding projections 32 of the upper part 20 of the restraining and guiding element 18.
The handling element 13 may at a first intermediate point, as in the shown in the example, be provided with a flexible hinged joint 38 and in a second intermediate area with an annular portion protruding toward the outside 39, so as to stabilize itself within the restraining and guiding element 18.
It is in any case possible to provide an elastic element 40 near the bottom of the restraining and guiding element 18 holding the hollowed seat 36, so as to interact with the handling element 13 to aid its expulsion.
It can therefore be seen that it is possible to achieve, in a thoroughly simplified manner, a wheeled suitcase or traveling bag with a built-in handle allowing its variable transport setting at will. This will moreover provide a particularly simple structure, capable of being readily and safely assembled.
The suitcase generally appears as shown in Figure 4, with its handling element 13 completely retracted within its restraining and guiding element 18. In this position the wheel 35 is engaged in the hollowed seat 36 and keeps the handling element 13 locked inside the suitcase, as the lever 37 is set in a first position of minimal extension and withdrawal.
If a certain pressure is exerted on the extremity of the handle 33 accessible from the outside of the tubular section 24, the lever 37 shifts to its second extended position and therefore away from its hollowed seat 36, as shown in Figure 5. This is a non-operable position, in which the extremity of the handle 33 is slightly protruding and accessible.
The extraction of the handling element 13 continues and the small tooth 26 engages with the two projections 32, set at an intermediate point of the restraining and guiding element 18. In this position, as shown in Figure 6, the handling unit 13 can be used to move the suitcase, as shown in Figure 1, to pull it along on two wheels.
Due to the weight of the suitcase, it may occasionally be necessary or easier to move the suitcase by simply sliding it while completely resting on the ground. The handling element 13 must be further extracted in this case.
For this purpose the small tooth 26 is disengaged from the two projections 32 placed at an intermediate point of the restraining and guiding element 18, and the extraction of the handling element 13 is continued. The motion stops as soon as the small tooth 26 engages with the projections 32 provided next to a terminal point of the restraining and guiding element 18. The handling element 13 is thus almost totally extended, the hinged joint 38 can be operated by lifting the terminal part of the handle to the position most appropriate for its gripping and the suitcase can be pulled along on all of its wheels 14 and 15 rolling on the ground.
If such a hinged joint 38 is not provided, the handling element 13 will be completed extracted in a straight line as shown in Figure 3, which will in any case ease the handling of the baggage 12.
The design of the restraining and guiding element 18 in two pieces interconnected by a snap lock, one of which can easily be fastened to a supporting element 17 anchored to the suitcase or traveling bag allows an extremely simple construction and positioning system.
The supply of a tubular section 17, which can be inserted in the sole opening provided in the body of the suitcase or traveling bag and attachable by the simple positioning of a flexible collar facilitates the installation operations and the construction of the various components.

Claims

A wheeled suitcase or traveling bag with a built-in handle and variable transport setting, in which a portion of a frame of said suitcase or traveling bag holds a supporting element (17) bearing an internally fastened restraining and guiding element (18) capable of receiving a handling element (13) extractable from an opening (23) provided in said suitcase or traveling bag, characterized in that said restraining and guiding element (18) comprises a lower part (19) and an upper part (20) connectable to each other, said lower part (19) being permanently attachable (in 22) to said supporting element (17), and where a tubular section (24) can be inserted in said opening (23) which can be lined up with said restraining and guiding element (18) and locked in place from the inside with one extremity turned toward the inside of said handling element (13), fitted with an engaging mechanism capable of assuming upon compression two positions with respect to the bottom of said restraining element (18), so that one extremity of one handle (33) is set opposite the opening (23) or slightly protruding toward the outside.
A wheeled suitcase or traveling bag according to claim 1, characterized in that said lower part (19) of said restraining and guiding element (18) presents an elongated body with a U-shaped cross-section provided with lateral base extensions (21) to fasten it to said supporting element (17).
A wheeled suitcase or traveling bag according to claim 1, characterized in that said upper part (20) presents essentially an upturned C-shaped cross-section, capable of interconnecting with said lower part (19).
A wheeled suitcase or traveling bag according to claim 1, characterized in that said tubular section (24) is at one extremity fitted with a head flange (25) placed on the outside of said suitcase or traveling bag.
A wheeled suitcase or traveling bag according to claim 4, characterized in that said tubular section (24) can be locked in place inside said opening (23) by a flexible collar (27).
A wheeled suitcase or traveling bag according to claim 5, characterized in that said tubular section (24) and said collar (27) are provided with other latching and pressure elements (41) working together to establish an interconnection between the tubular section and the collar.
A wheeled suitcase or traveling bag according to claim 1, characterized in that said lower part (19) and said upper part (20) are provided on one side with toothed elements (29) and on the other side with seats (30) working together to establish a snap-lock interconnection between said lower and upper parts (19, 10).
A wheeled suitcase or traveling bag according to claim 1, characterized in that said lower part (19) and said upper part (20) are provided with vertical portions of said lower part (19) having a U-shaped body engaging in respective hollows (28) carved out inside said lateral portions of said upper part (20).
A wheeled suitcase or traveling bag according to claim 1, characterized in that said upper part (20) is provided along its length with at least two flexible and inward-turned projections (32) which engage with said handling element (13).
A wheeled suitcase or traveling bag according to claim 9, characterized in that said handling element (13) carries a small tooth (26) to engage in said at least two projections (32).
A wheeled suitcase or traveling bag according to claim 1, characterized in that it provides an elastic element (40) next to the bottom of said restraining element (18), which interacts with said handling element (13).
A wheeled suitcase or traveling bag according to claim 1, characterized in that said handling element (13) is provided at an intermediate point with a hinged joint (38).