EP1475008B1 - Suitcase - Google Patents

Abstract

Case (1) comprises a lower case part (3) that is open at the top, a standing surface with wheels arranged on the under side of the lower case part, a lid element (5) with a locking device (25b), and an extendable handle (13) fixed inside the case on an outer wall of the lower case part. The extendable handle is extended through an opening (15) in the case and has a housing (21) fixed on the lower case part. The opening is arranged in the lid element. The lid element and the housing fit together and when the lid element is closed lie closely on at least one peripheral edge of the opening. Preferred Features: The lid element and/or the lower case part are made of a hard material, preferably plastic or a light metal.

Description

The invention relates to a case according to the preamble of claim 1, which is preferably designed as a suitcase trolley.

Suitcases in trolley form are well known. In most cases, an extendable handle is attached to an outer main surface of the suitcase and a standing surface provided with at least two rollers, so that it is possible to pull the case slightly tilted behind him.

In US 5,927,451 A a suitcase is described in trolley construction with one-piece lid. The lid opens in the direction of the pull-out handle and is bent over it when the handle is inserted. A disadvantage of this embodiment is that the lid does not release the entire cross-sectional area of the case after opening. Also, the lid must at least partially made of a soft material, since it is bent.

US Pat. No. 6,047,976 A describes a trolley-type container with a multi-part lid which has a frame element which receives an insulating plate. The cover element has a recess for the passage of a trolley handle, wherein the extendable handle has a housing attached to the case bottom. The cover element with the frame part is adapted to the lower part of the container, so that in the closed state of the cover element the peripheral edge of the cover element rests on the lower case part.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide an internally disposed, extendable handle in a completely open to the top, which does not hinder a one-handed operation. Furthermore, the case should be robust and weatherproof.

To solve this problem serve the features of claim 1.

The invention advantageously provides that an opening is arranged in the cover element, the cover element and the housing of the extendable handle are adapted to one another and, in the closed state of the cover element, lie close to each other at least at a peripheral edge of the opening of the cover element.

The arrangement of the extendable handle in the interior of the suitcase has proven to be particularly space-saving. In addition, in such suitcases on the outside flat side walls can be realized, which is advantageous when transporting several suitcases in the narrowest space, such. B. the trunk of a vehicle, is an advantage. Furthermore, it is a requirement of aviation companies that the extendable handles do not protrude beyond the box cross-section so that they are protected during transport. A complete opening of the suitcase upwards is only possible if the extendable handle is guided by the cover element. In order to obtain a robust case, the cover element advantageously consists of a hard material. Further, the combination of a lid of hard material and the guide of the extendable handle can be prevented by an opening in this cover that the lid is fully opened in the extended state of the handle, so that no unwanted full opening of the case is possible when pulling the case , In order to protect the extendable handle against damage from objects in the case and to protect items in the case against any contamination by, for example, lubricants of the extendable handle, it is advantageous to attach a housing around the extendable handle in the case bottom. To ensure weatherproofness of the suitcase is the lid member in the closed state sealingly pressed against the housing of the pull-handle.

The cover element and / or the lower case part may consist of a hard material, preferably plastic or a light metal, for example aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

It is preferably provided that the housing has a guide of the extendable handle and is fastened on the inside of the outer wall of the case bottom part.

According to one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one seal is arranged at the opening in the cover element and / or at the upper end of the housing of the extendable handle, such that the case interior is sealed in the closed state of the suitcase to the outside.

At least one seal is arranged at the upper end of the housing of the extendable handle on at least one opening for the guidance of the extendable handle, such that the housing of the extendable handle is sealed to the outside. As a result, any liquids can not penetrate into the housing of the extendable handle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the housing of the extendable handle is displaceable in the vertical direction. A corresponding construction could thus, for example, by closing the case push the housing upwards and thus strengthen the sealing effect between the housing and the lid.

On the cover element, a carrying handle may preferably be arranged centrally.

It is preferably provided that the cover element is articulated to a suitcase base.

The lid member may be hinged on the side of the extendable handle on the case bottom. This does not disturb the case of the pull-out handle and the pull-out handle when packing the case. In addition, the opening in the lid member through which the extendable handle is guided, a stop edge, which can push against the extendable handle in the extended state, so that the lid when pulling the case is not unintentionally completely open.

An alternative embodiment of the suitcase provides that the cover element consists of a plurality of hingedly interconnected strips, which are guided in lateral guides of end-side wall elements of the suitcase base jalousine-like. By this embodiment of the lid member is a full opening of the suitcase up possible, wherein the lid member is not pivoted away and thus does not protrude laterally over the case, so that there is no risk of tipping the case in the open state.

The lid member may be divided into two parts and both lid parts may rest in the closed position with the free leading edges together.

On the inside of the lid member, a driving device may be arranged, which moves the housing of the extendable handle when closing the lid member and presses up against the lid member and releases the housing when opening the lid member again.

This arrangement has proved to be particularly advantageous because automatically with the opening of the lid member, the housing is released and moves down. As a result, the way for the cover element is released and an unobstructed movement of the louver-like cover element is possible.

In the following, embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Koffers mit ausgezogenem Griff,

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Koffers von oben mit geöffnetem Deckel und eingeschobenem Griff,

Fig. 3

eine vergrößerte Ansicht des Griffes bei geschlossenem Deckelelement,

Fig.4

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer zweiten Ausführungsform im geschlossenen Zustand und mit ausgezogenem Griff,

Fig. 5

einen Schnitt durch die zweite Ausführungsform bei geöffnetem Deckelelement,

Fig. 6

einen Schnitt durch die zweite Ausführungsform bei geschlossenem Deckelelement, und

Fig. 7

eine Detaildarstellung des ausziehbaren Griffs der zweiten Ausführungsform in einem Zustand kurz vor dem vollständigen Schließen des Deckelelements.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of the suitcase with extended handle,

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the suitcase from above with open lid and inserted handle,

Fig. 3

an enlarged view of the handle with the cover element closed,

Figure 4

a perspective view of a second embodiment in the closed state and with extended handle,

Fig. 5

a section through the second embodiment with the lid member open,

Fig. 6

a section through the second embodiment with the lid member closed, and

Fig. 7

a detailed view of the extendable handle of the second embodiment in a state shortly before the complete closing of the lid member.

A suitcase 1, which is to be opened at the top and formed in a trolley construction, is shown in FIG. It is understood that the invention is also applicable to other types of cases.

The case 1 has a case bottom 3 and a one-piece lid member 5. At the bottom of the case 3, two rollers 11 are attached to the corners of the rear wall 7 and the base 9, so that the case 1 can roll in the inclined state. An extendable handle 13 in telescopic form is arranged in the interior of the case 1 and can be pulled out through an opening 15 in the cover element 5. On the lid member 5, a handle 17 is centrally attached. The cover element 5 is hinged to the rear wall 7 via hinges 19.

The opening 15 in the one-piece cover element 5 is adapted so that the opening 15 presses with the enclosure 28 in the closed state of the cover element 5 to the upper edge of the housing 21 of the extendable handle 13 and the seal 27. The extendable handle 13 can be pulled out through the opening 15 in the closed state of the lid member 5. To open the lid member 5 of the extendable handle 13 must be inserted, otherwise the one edge of the opening 15 in the lid member 5 against the extendable handle 13th would strike. If the handle 13 is inserted, the cover element 5 can be folded over the extendable handle 13 in the closed state.

Fig. 2 shows the case 1 in the open state from above.

In the interior of the case 1, the extendable handle 13 is covered with a housing 21. In addition to the housing 21 for the extendable handle 13 pockets 23 are arranged. The pockets 23 are adapted to the "dead space" created by the arrangement of the extendable handle 13 and the housing 21 in the interior of the case. At the parallel to the rear wall 7 extending front wall 24 of the case bottom part 3, a lock part 25a is attached to the opening edge as a closing device. A second lock part 25b is arranged on the cover element 5. A wall, not shown in Fig. 2, can be inserted as a partition in vertically arranged guide grooves in the case walls of the case bottom part 3.

Fig. 3 shows a detail of the extendable handle 13. At the upper part of the housing 21 of the extendable handle 13, the seal 27 is arranged, which is adapted to the opening 15 with the enclosure 28 in the closed state of the lid member 5. The openings of the housing 21, through which the rods of the extendable handle 13 are guided, are surrounded by seals 26.

4, a second embodiment of the case 1 is shown with a louver-like cover element 5.

The lid member 5 is made in two parts, each part consists of hinged interconnected strips. These strips are guided on the lateral end walls 29 in guides 31 jalousieartig.

In Fig. 5, the second embodiment of the case 1 is shown in the open state in section.

The cover element 5 is shown open in this figure. The two parts of the cover element 5 are now parallel to the walls 7,24. The driving device 33a in the form of a projection attached to one part of the cover element 5 has released the catch 33b secured to the housing 21 of the extendable handle 13. The return means 35 in the form of a spring, the housing 21 of the extendable handle 13 has the acting gravity pulled supportive in a lower position. It is understood that the spring is not absolutely necessary, since the gravity is sufficient to move the housing 21 with the extendable handle 13 in the lower position.

Fig. 6 shows the second embodiment of the case 1 in the closed state.

The two free front edges 37 of the two-part lid member 5 abut each other. The entrainment element 33a and the entrainment member 33b are engaged, and the entrainment element 33a has pushed the housing 21 of the extendable handle 13 upwards so that the housing 21 of the retractable grip 13 bears against the cover element 5 and presses against the cover element 5 with the seal 27 , The spring of the return device 35 is tensioned. The handle 13 can be pulled out through the opening 15 in the closed lid member 5 if necessary.

Fig. 7 shows the operation of the extendable handle 13 and the sliding housing 21 in a detailed representation in a state shortly before the complete closing of the second lid member 5. The driving element 33a is engaged with the cam 33b and has pushed the housing 21 upwards , In the second course of the closing operation of the cover element 5, the housing 21 is pressed further upwards, so that it presses against the edge of the opening 15 with the seal 27 in the closed state of the two-part cover element 5.

Claims (9)

1. Suitcase (1), preferably a trolley case, comprising:

   - a suitcase bottom part (3) open to the top,

   - a stand surface (9) provided at the lower side of the suitcase bottom part(3),

   - rollers (11) provided at the stand surface (9),

   - a lid member (5) with locking means (25a, 25b) for locking the suitcase bottom part (3), and

   - a telescopic handle (13) for pulling the suitcase (1), said handle being fastened in the interior at an outer wall of the suitcase bottom part (3) and being adapted to be pulled out, whereby the telescopic handle (13) can be pulled out through an opening (15) in the lid member of the suitcase (1), the telescopic handle (13) comprising a housing (21) fastened to the suitcase bottom part (3),

   characterized in that

   - the lid member (5) and the housing (21) of the telescopic handle (13) are adapted to each other and, in the closed position of the lid member (5) abut each other tightly at least along a peripheral edge of the opening (15) of the lid member (5).
2. Suitcase of claim 1, characterized in that the lid member (5) and/or the suitcase bottom part (3) are made of a hard material, preferably plastics or light metal.
3. Suitcase of one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing (21) comprises a guide for the telescopic handle (13) and is fastened on the inside of the outer wall of the suitcase bottom part (3).
4. Suitcase of one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one seal (27) is arranged at an edging (28) of the opening (15) in the lid member (5) and/or at the top end of the housing (21) of the telescopic handle (13), such that the interior of the suitcase is sealed against the outside when the suitcase (1) is closed.
5. Suitcase of one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the housing (21) of the telescopic handle (13) is displaceable in the vertical direction and, in the closed position of the lid member (5), is adapted to be pressed against the lid member (5), preferably with a bias.
6. Suitcase of one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lid member is hinged to the suitcase bottom part on the side of the telescopic handle.
7. Suitcase of one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lid member comprises a plurality of articulately connected strips that are guided in lateral guides by frontal wall elements of the suitcase bottom part.
8. Suitcase of claim 7, characterized in that the lid member is divided in two parts and that the free front edges of both lid parts abut when the lid is closed.
9. Suitcase of claim 7 or 8, characterized in that an entraining means on the inner side of the lid member moves the housing of the telescopic handle when the lid member is closed and presses it upward against the lid member, while releasing it downward when the lid member is opened.

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