EP2897485A1

EP2897485A1 - Improved suitcase and set of suitcases

Info

Publication number: EP2897485A1
Application number: EP13779270.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Benjamin BANOUN; Fabrice MANTELET
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-09-20
Filing date: 2013-09-19
Publication date: 2015-07-29
Also published as: WO2014044983A1; US20150245694A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a suitcase including a main body (10) and a base (20) supporting three wheels (30) suitable for being in contact with the ground (S), the contact areas between the wheels and the ground forming a supporting polygon. The main body can pivot relative to the base between a static position and a dynamic position. The invention also relates to a set of suitcases (1000) comprising first (1) and second (100) suitcases. The surfaces of the suitcases can be attached to one another and are provided with openings. The openings can be placed opposite one another when the surfaces of the suitcases are attached to one another and comprise a closing system suitable for isolating or providing access to the inside of the suitcases.

Description

IMPROVED CASE AND SET OF SUITCASES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to rolling suitcases and luggage, for example for transporting objects during travel.

More particularly, the invention relates to two aspects of an improved suitcase and a set of suitcases.

FIRST ASPECT OF THE INVENTION: ROLLER CASE WITH IMPROVED HANDLING

FIELD OF THE FIRST ASPECT OF THE INVENTION

More particularly, the invention relates to a suitcase comprising a main body and several wheels so as to be moved effortlessly by the user, for example a wheeled suitcase.

BACKGROUND OF THE FIRST ASPECT OF THE INVENTION

Such bags can be moved either upright, four wheels usually resting on the ground, or in an inclined position, two wheels then resting on the ground and supporting a portion of the weight of the bag while the user bears the rest of the weight of the bag by firmly holding a handful of the bag.

The inclined position corresponds to the most convenient position for the user because the bag is stable during its movement and can be maneuvered easily. However, the weight of the latter must be limited so as not to impose excessive effort on the user. In addition this displacement position has many disadvantages such as, for example, the accelerated wear of certain wheels or the difficulty of lifting the bag to overcome obstacles such as steps.

To solve these problems, solutions employing retractable rollers have been described, such as for example that GB 2,440,310 which describes a suitcase having a support frame, provided with wheels, and which can extend forward when the luggage is tilted to provide support to the bag and relieve the stress imposed on the user.

These solutions have several disadvantages. They are, in particular, mechanically fragile, do not allow optimal positioning of the handle, among other things when it is necessary to lift the bag, for example to pass an obstacle.

The present invention is intended to overcome these disadvantages. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE FIRST ASPECT OF THE INVENTION For this purpose, according to the invention, a suitcase of the kind in question comprises a main body and a base bearing at least three wheels, the main body being mounted on the base of able to pivot relative to the base between a static position and a dynamic position, each of said at least three wheels being adapted to be in contact with a ground, at a contact zone, both in the static position and in the the dynamic position, the contact zones of said wheels with the ground forming a lift polygon in the static position and in the dynamic position.

Thanks to these provisions, the bag can be bulky without requiring excessive effort of the user during his move. The positioning of the handle is also optimal for lifting the bag when crossing obstacles.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more of the following may also be used:

the lift polygon formed by the areas of contact of the wheels with the ground has a width and a length, said width being at least greater than one fifth of said length;

the main body comprises at least a first lateral face extending in an extension plane, the main body being mounted on the base by means of at least one pivot located on said lateral face, so as to be pivotable relative to at the base around a direction perpendicular to said extension plane;

the main body further comprises a second lateral face opposite to the first lateral face, the base comprising at least two supports each carrying at least one wheel, each of said supports being fixed to a respective lateral face of the main body by means of a pivot located on said lateral face;

- The supports are pivotally mounted relative to the main body so as to pivot independently of each other;

the supports are interconnected;

- The bag further comprises a locking mechanism adapted to block the pivoting of the main body relative to the base in at least one position selected from the static position and the dynamic position;

the locking mechanism is adapted to be able to be in at least three operating states comprising:

a blocking state in which the locking mechanism blocks the pivoting of the main body relative to the base,

an unlocked state in which the locking mechanism allows pivoting of the main body relative to the base, and an armed state in which the locking mechanism blocks the pivoting of the main body relative to the base following a pivoting of the main body relative to the base;

- The bag further comprises a wheel locking device adapted to lock at least one wheel of the bag, the wheel lock device being operably connected to the locking mechanism so as to allow the locking of said at least one wheel when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked operating state and when the locking mechanism is in the operating state armed;

- The bag further comprises a telescopic handle.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of one of its embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

SECOND ASPECT OF THE INVENTION: ASSEMBLY OF SUITCASES AND MODULAR CASE

FIELD OF THE SECOND ASPECT OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to suitcases and luggage, for example for transporting objects, clothing items or personal effects during travel.

More particularly, the invention relates to a set of suitcases comprising a first and a second bag each comprising an interior volume defined by an envelope provided with at least one face, the faces of the first and second bags being adapted to be fixed to the body. against each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE SECOND ASPECT OF THE INVENTION Document US Pat. No. 6,817,623 describes an example of such a set of suitcases comprising two rigid elements fixed to one another and making it possible, for example, to store and transport electronic equipment.

Such a set of bags, however, has many disadvantages when it is used for the transport of clothing items or personal belongings of a traveler. The articles are difficult to access, the content is fragmented and does not allow a proper organization of said articles.

The purpose of the invention is in particular to improve the situation.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE SECOND ASPECT OF THE INVENTION To this end, according to the invention, a set of suitcases of the kind in question is characterized in that the faces of the first and second bags are each provided with at least one opening, that said openings are adapted to be placed facing each other when the faces of the first and second bags are fixed against each other the other, and in that each of the openings of said bags comprises a closure system adapted to change the state of said opening between a closed state isolating the interior volume of said bag, and an open state giving access to the interior volume of said suitcase.

With these provisions, the set of bags can be assembled to form a container having a flexible interior volume.

the first case is provided with a rigid structural part and the face of the second case is fixed to the rigid structural part of the first case;

at least one of the first and second cases is provided with at least two wheels;

the first and the second suitcase are each provided with at least two wheels;

at least one of the first and second cases is provided with a telescopic handle;

at least one of the first and second cases comprises a fastening device and an unlocking command of the fastening device;

at least one of the suitcases is provided with at least three distinct faces each comprising at least one opening giving access to the interior volume of said bag, two of said three faces being opposite to each other, the third one of said three faces being substantially non-coplanar with said two faces;

the set of bags further comprises a third bag comprising an interior volume delimited by an envelope provided with at least one face, said face being adapted to be fixed against one face of the second bag and comprising an opening (210a), said opening being adapted to be placed facing an opening of the face of the second case when said faces are fixed against each other, each of said openings of said bags comprising a closure system adapted to change the state of said opening between a closed state isolating the interior volume of said bag, and an open state giving access to the interior volume of said bag;

- at least two suitcases out of the said suitcases are adapted to be fixed on another suitcase among the said suitcases.

The invention also relates to a suitcase for a set of suitcases, said bag comprising an interior volume delimited by an envelope provided with at least one face adapted to be fixed against one face of another bag, said face of the bag being provided with an opening adapted to be placed facing an opening of the face of the second case when said faces of the case and the second case are fixed against each other, said opening comprising a system of closure adapted to change the state of said opening between a closed state isolating the interior volume of said bag, and an open state giving access to the interior volume of said bag.

In some of the embodiments described above, the suitcase or suitcase may have one or more of the following advantages: the interior space is of adjustable size, the suitcases can be used independently of each other to form small storage or suitcase set can be assembled to form a large container, the openings of the suitcases can provide easy access to the contents of these suitcases during transport, during air travel the set of suitcases can be split to carry a suitcase in the cabin, suitcases can be combined at will and have easily differentiable color combinations on an airport baggage claim mat, suitcases can be used separately as small suitcases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

On the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a suitcase according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a front view of a bag according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a bag in the dynamic position according to one embodiment of the invention as well as a user of said bag, FIG. 4a is a perspective view of a slide of a mechanism of FIG. locking a suitcase according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4b is an exploded perspective view of a locking mechanism of a case according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 4c is a detail of the locking mechanism of FIG. 4b, FIG. 5a is a view along section V-V of a locking mechanism of a bag in the blocking state,

FIG. 5b is a view along section V-V of a locking mechanism of a bag in the unlocked state, and

Figure 5c is a view along section V-V of a locking mechanism of a bag in the armed state.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a suitcase of a set of suitcases according to one embodiment of the invention, FIGS. 7a and 7b are perspective views illustrating a suitcase of a set of suitcases according to one embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a set of suitcases according to one embodiment of the invention,

Figure 9 is a partial sectional view of the set of bags according to section IX-IX.

DESCRIPTION DETAILED

In the different figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

FIRST ASPECT OF THE INVENTION: ROLLER CASE WITH IMPROVED HANDLING

Figure 1 illustrates an embodiment of a suitcase 1 according to the invention. The term suitcase will be used in the following description but may be understood as designating suitcases, luggage, trunks, briefcase boxes, bags and more generally all containers for transporting objects or small living beings, for example. example during a trip, and can generally be raised from the ground by a single human being without assistance.

The bag 1 of Figure 1 comprises a main body 10 and a base 20. The base 20 is provided with at least three wheels 30, for example four wheels in the embodiment of Figure 1. The bag 1 may further comprise a handle 40 which may for example be a telescopic handle.

The wheels 30 rest on the ground S at the contact zones 30a and are fixed to the base 20 so as to hold the base vertically relative to the ground S and in a stable manner, without the case resting on another support of whatever it is.

The contact zones 30a of the wheels 30 form a support polygon.

This support polygon may for example have a width and a length.

The width and length may for example be dimensions of the lift polygon measured in two respective directions, said directions being substantially perpendicular to each other and parallel to the plane of extension of the ground S.

The width of the polygon may for example be greater than one fifth of the length.

Preferably, the wheels 30 are not aligned.

The three wheels can thus be placed at the vertices of an unflattened triangle so as to form a triangular shaped lift polygon. To increase the stability of the bag 1, the base 20 will advantageously comprise four wheels 30, the lift polygon then having the shape of a quadrilateral.

In particular, the projection on the ground S of the center of gravity of the bag 1 may be substantially within the support polygon when the bag is normally loaded.

The axes of rotation of the wheels 30 may be distant from each other.

The axes of rotation of the wheels 30 may be parallel to each other to allow easy movement of the bag 1. The axes of rotation of the wheels 30 are for example oriented along a transverse axis Y. These axes can be used to define a preferred direction of movement X according to which the bag can be moved easily. This direction may be a direction orthogonal to the direction of the axes of rotation of the wheels and parallel to the plane formed by the ground S.

The preferred direction of movement X further defines a front and a back of the case.

Said front and rear should be understood as corresponding to the front and back of the suitcase when the user pulls the last suitcase him using the handle 40.

A suitcase according to the invention may also be pushed by the user.

Alternatively, some of the wheels 30 may pivot about a vertical axis Z, perpendicular to the plane of extension XY of the ground, for example the rear wheels 30c in the embodiment of Figure 1.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the main body 10 will now be described further, the orientations of the features described below being understood when said main body 10 is in its static position. The dynamic position will be described later.

The main body 10 may comprise two lateral faces 1 1, 12 opposite to each other with respect to said main body 10. The lateral faces 1 1, 12 extend for example along a vertical plane X, Z and form the flanks of the main body 10.

These side faces 1 1, 12 are for example substantially parallel to the preferred direction of movement X of the bag.

The main body may further comprise upper 14 and lower 15 faces as well as front 16 and rear 17 faces.

In one embodiment, the front 16 and rear 17 faces may for example be orthogonal, on at least a portion of their surface, to the preferred direction of movement X, while the upper 14 and lower 15 faces may be parallel to the extension surface of the soil S on at least a portion of their surface.

The lateral faces 1 1, 12 may each comprise a pivot 1 1 a, 12a extending along a transverse axis 13, perpendicular to the vertical extension plane X, Z of the lateral faces 1 1, 12. Pivots 11a, 12a may for example protrude outwardly from main body 10 along transverse axis 13.

The base 20 may comprise for example two supports 21, 22 situated respectively on either side of the main body 10 along the transverse axis 13. These supports may each be provided with two wheels 30.

The supports 21, 22 advantageously comprise respective holes 21a and 22a adapted to cooperate with the pivots 11a, 12a projecting from the lateral faces 11, 12 of the main body 10.

In this way, the supports 21, 22 of the base 20 can pivot relative to the main body 10 about the transverse axis 13, perpendicular to the extension plane X, Z of the lateral faces 1 1, 12.

The supports 21, 22 may be independent of each other so as to pivot independently of one another. They can also be connected to each other, for example by means of a connecting bar 23, as shown in Figure 2. In this embodiment, the base 20 forms a unitary assembly.

The supports 21, 22 may each comprise one or two wheels 30, for example two wheels in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The axis of rotation 30b of the wheels 30 is advantageously perpendicular to the extension plane X, Z of the lateral faces 1 1, 12 of the main body 10 of the bag 1. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the rear wheels 30c are free to pivot around the vertical axis Z.

Other variants of embodiment of the pivoting are possible, in particular by structural inversion. The pivots 11a, 12a may for example be located on the base 20 while the holes 21a, 22a may be placed on the main body 10 or, in another variant, a pivot 11a may be placed on the base main body 10 and another pivot 12a can be placed on the base 20, the holes 21a, 22a being respectively placed on the base 20 and the main body 10.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the main body 10 is pivotally mounted with respect to the base 20 so that it can for example be placed in at least two positions: a static position indicated in FIG. 1 and a dynamic position indicated on FIG. figure 3.

Alternatively, the main body 10 can be placed in a plurality of dynamic positions.

In the static position, the main body 10 is for example oriented so that its upper face 14 is parallel to the ground S and facing upwards.

To place the main body 10 in the dynamic position, a user 2 may for example apply a downward force on the handle 40 so as to tilt the main body 10 relative to the base 20. The bag 1 may comprise a wheel locking device 31 which can be placed in two states, a locked state, in which it immobilizes in rotation at least one wheel 30, and an unlocked state in which it leaves said at least one wheel 30 free to rotate about its axis of rotation 30b.

In this way, when the user tilts the main body 10 relative to the base 20, the bag 1 can remain stationary which facilitates the tilting operation.

In the dynamic position, the main body 10 is inclined, for example at least 20 ° and at most 60 ° relative to the static position.

It may for example be inclined so that the handle 40 is in the extension of the arm 2a of the user.

In this way, the effort required of the user 2 to move the bag 1 is minimal and the maneuverability of the bag 1 is optimal.

The lower face 15 of the main body 10 may advantageously comprise a front portion recessed rounded or inclined relative to a vertical plane, so that said lower face 15 does not touch the ground S when the bag 1 is in a dynamic position or when the main body 10 pivots between the static and dynamic positions.

The recessed front portion may for example consist of a rounded centered on the transverse axis 13 of rotation of the main body 10 relative to the base 20, that is to say be curved about the pivot axis. Alternatively, this recessed portion may be flat as illustrated for example in Figures 1 and 3.

In an advantageous embodiment, the transverse axis 13, around which the main body 10 and the base 20 can pivot relative to each other, can advantageously be located near the center of gravity of the main body 10 when it contains a standard charge. In this way, the effort to be exerted by the user 2 to pivot the main body 10 between the dynamic and static positions is minimal.

In the dynamic position, the projection on the ground S of the center of gravity of the main body 10 can be located near at least one of the wheels 30, for example the front wheels 30d of the bag.

In this way the effort exerted by a user, for example when crossing a step is minimal.

Referring now to FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c, a locking mechanism 60 may be mounted on the case 1.

This locking mechanism 60 can be adapted to allow the user to pivot the main body 10 relative to the base 20 and to block the movement of the bag in a single operation in a manner which will now be described with reference to the Figures 4a to 4c and 5a to 5c. The locking mechanism 60 may include a slideway 65 and a latch 66.

The lock 66 and the slideway 65 are placed facing each other when the main body 10 is in the static position and in the dynamic position.

The slideway 65 may for example be located on a lateral face 1 1 of the main body 10 and the lock 66 may be integrated in the base 20, for example in a support 21, as illustrated in FIG.

The slideway 65 is illustrated in FIG. 4a and has an outer face 65d and an inner face 65e.

The outer and inner faces are adapted to be respectively outwardly and inwardly of the main body 10 when the slideway 65 is fixed on a side face January 1 of the main body.

The slideway 65 comprises at least a first and a second recess 65a, 65c on its outer face 65d adapted to receive the lock 66.

The first recess 65a can accommodate the latch 66 when the main body 10 is in the static position so as to prevent pivoting of the main body 10 relative to the base 20.

Similarly, the second recess 65c can accommodate the latch 66 when the main body 10 is in the dynamic position.

The slideway 65 may further comprise on its outer face 65d a protrusion 65b placed between the two recesses 65a, 65c and adapted to exert a force on the latch 66 when the main body 10 pivots with respect to the base 20 between the static and dynamic positions as it will be described in more detail.

The latch 66 consists for example of an inner latch 61, an outer latch 62 and a latch guide 63.

The parts constituting the lock 66 can for example be assembled as follows.

The inner latch 61 can be inserted into the outer latch 62 through an opening 62e of the outer latch so as to slide in the outer latch 62 in a transverse direction Y1 between an unfolded position 61a and a folded position 61b.

The unfolded position 61a of the inner latch 61 relative to the inner latch 62 is for example shown in Figure 5c and the folded position 61b in Figures 5a and 5b.

In the unfolded position 61a, the inner latch 61 protrudes further from the outer latch 62 in the transverse direction Y1 than in the folded position 61b.

As described in more detail above, the inner latch 61 and the outer latch 62 may form a push button mechanism, i.e. a force applied on the inner latch 61 in the transverse direction Y1 , for example to return it inside the outer latch 62, makes it possible to make a transition from the folded position 61 b in the unfolded position 61a of the inner latch 61 and an inverse transition (from the unfolded position 61a to the folded position 61b)

The outer latch 62, containing the inner latch 61, is then introduced into the latch guide 63 through an opening 63e of the latch guide 63 so as to slide in said guide in the same transverse direction Y1 between an extended position 62a and a retracted position. 62b.

In the outward position 62a, the outer latch 62 protrudes further from the latch guide 63, in the transverse direction Y1, than in the retracted position 62b.

The outward position 62a of the outer latch 62 with respect to the latch guide 63 is for example shown in FIG. 5a and the folded position 62b in FIGS. 5b and 5c.

The latch 66 may also include a first spring 67a for applying to the inner latch 61 a force tending to return said latch in the unfolded position 61a.

Finally, the lock 66 may include a second spring 67b for applying to the outer latch 62 a force tending to return said latch in the extended position 62a.

By a combination of the positions described above, the locking mechanism 60 can be placed in three operating states which will now be described with particular reference to Figures 5a to 5c.

A first state 60a, illustrated in Figure 5a, is a blocking state.

In the blocking state 60a, the lock 66 is housed in one of the recesses 65a, 65c of the slideway. In this way, the pivoting of the main body 10 relative to the base 20 is prevented and the case can be moved easily by the user.

In the blocking state 60a, the inner latch 61 is in the folded position 61b and the outer latch 62 is in the extended position 62a.

A second state 60b is an unlocked state which is for example illustrated in FIG.

5b.

In the unlocked state 60b, the latch 66 is extracted from said recess. Thus, the main body 10 can pivot relative to the base 20 between the static and dynamic positions to allow the user to modify the position of the main body 10 relative to the base 20.

In the unlocked state 60b, the inner latch 61 is in the folded position 61b and the outer latch 62 is in the retracted position 62b.

The movement of the locking mechanism 60 from the locked state 60a to the unlocked state 60b is achieved by moving the outer latch 62 from the extended position 62a to the retracted position 62b.

This displacement can be achieved by an action of the user.

To allow movement of the outer latch 62 between the output 62a and retracted positions 62b, the outer latch 62 may have tabs 62f adapted to be accommodated in transverse grooves 62f of the latch guide 63 extending in the transverse direction Y1 in the latch guide 63.

The transverse displacement of the outer latch 62 between the exit 62a and retracted positions 62b can be controlled by the wheel lock 31 by means of a functional link 64.

This functional link 64 may for example be made by a cable connecting the wheel locking device 31 to the latch guide 63.

In this way, when the user exerts an action on the wheel locking device 31 to place it in the locked state, the functional link 64 exerts a force on the outer latch 62 to place it in the retracted position 62b.

Thus, the wheel locking device 31 can control the locking mechanism 60 by means of a functional link 64 so that a pressure of the user on the wheel locking device 31 brings the locking mechanism 60 from the blocking state 60a to the unlocked state 60b.

A third state 60c is an armed state which is for example illustrated in FIG. 5c.

In the armed state 60c, the latch 66 is housed in a recess of the slide. The pivoting of the main body 10 relative to the base 20 is thus prevented.

In the armed state 60c, the inner latch 61 is in the unfolded position 61a and the outer latch 62 is in the retracted position 62b.

The locking mechanism 60 can be moved from the unlocked state 60b to the armed state 60c by a movement of the inner latch 61 from the folded position 61b to the unfolded position 61a.

This displacement can be achieved by a simple pivoting of the main body 10 relative to the base 20.

Indeed, in one embodiment of the invention, the protrusion 65b placed between the two recesses 65a, 65c of the slideway 65 is adapted to exert a force on the latch 66 when the main body 10 pivots with respect to the base 20 between the static and dynamic positions, said force making it possible to modify the state of the locking mechanism 60 as described below.

In particular, the state of the locking mechanism 60 can be modified as soon as the pivoting of the main body 10 has been sufficient for the force exerted by the protrusion 65b to move the inner latch 61 between the folded position 61b. and the unfolded position 61 a.

Finally, the locking mechanism 60 can be moved from the armed state 60c to the blocking state 60a by a movement of the inner latch 61 from the folded position 61b to the unfolded position 61a and a displacement of the outer latch 62 of the retracted position 61b at the extended position 61a. These two displacements can be realized by an action of the user.

Thus, for example, the release of a pressure exerted by the user on the wheel locking device 31 may make it possible to return the outer latch 62 to the extended position 62a, for example by the action of the second spring 67b.

The movement of the outer latch 62 from the retracted position 62b to the extended position 62a abuts the inner latch 61 against the bottom of the recess 65a, 65c which houses the inner latch.

This pressing then exerts a force on the inner latch 61 which moves said latch from the unfolded position 61 to the folded position 61 b.

The movement of the inner latch 61 between the unfolded and folded positions 61b will now be further described with reference to Figs. 4a to 4c and 5a to 5c.

To enable movement of the inner latch 61 between the unfolded 61a and folded 61b positions, the inner latch 61 may be provided with a flexible tongue 68 having a prominence 68a and the outer latch 62 may be provided with an elongate opening 69 extending for example in the transverse direction Y1

The prominence 68a of the flexible tongue 68 may be adapted to be housed in said elongate opening 69 of the outer latch 62.

The elongated opening 69 may be delimited by two transverse faces 69a, 69b extending in the transverse direction Y1 and terminated by a first end face 69c, located near the opening 62e of the outer latch 62, and a second end face. 69d located opposite the first face 69c.

The elongated opening 69 may comprise on one of its transverse faces 69a a plurality of structures 69z extending inside the elongate opening in a lateral direction X1 perpendicular to the transverse direction Y1.

These structures 69z may comprise in order from the first end face 69c to the second end face 69d:

a first lateral recess 69e;

an inclined advance 69f extending in the lateral direction X1 in the elongate opening 69; and

a second lateral step 69g.

When the inner latch 61 is in the unfolded position 61a, the prominence 68a of the flexible tongue 68 is accommodated in the first lateral recess 69e.

When the inner latch 61 is in the folded position 61b, the prominence 68a of the flexible tongue 68 is accommodated in the second lateral recess 69g the flexible tongue 68 is then slightly deflected in the lateral direction X1.

The second lateral recess 69g may in particular be delimited by: a first end face 69h, extending in the lateral direction X1, and located on the side of the second recess 69g closest to the first end face 69c of the elongated opening 69, and

a second end face 69i, extending in the lateral direction X1, and located on the side of the second recess 69g closest to the second end face 69d of the elongated opening 69.

When the prominence 68a is housed in the second lateral recess 69g, the flexible tongue 68 may be deflected less than when the prominence 68a rests on the inclined advance 69f.

The presence of the first and second end faces 69h, 69i thus makes it possible to lock the inner latch 61 in the folded position 61b.

The transition between the unfolded position 61a and folded position 61b of the inner latch 61 is as follows.

When the inner latch 61 is in its unfolded position 60a, the first lateral recess 69e receives the prominence 68a, without the flexible tongue 68 is substantially deflected.

When a force is applied on the inner latch 61 in the transverse direction Y1, for example to retract said inner latch in the outer latch 62, the protrusion 68a abuts against the inclined advance 69f which then deflects the flexible tongue 68 according to the lateral direction X1.

Due to the inclination of the inclined advance 69f and the resilience of the flexible tongue 68, the inner latch 61 can be driven into the outer latch 62 without the protrusion 68a leaving the elongated opening 69.

Finally, when the inner latch 61 is pressed into the outer latch 62 to its folded position 61a, the prominence 68a is housed in the second lateral recess 69g to be locked there as described above.

The transition between the folded 61b and unfolded positions 61a of the inner latch 61 can be performed as follows.

By applying a new force on the inner latch 61, aiming to retract said inner latch 61 into the outer latch 62, the prominence 61b can be ejected from the second lateral recess 69g, and thus from the elongated opening 69, towards the interior of the inner latch 61, in a direction of thickness Z1, perpendicular to the transverse directions Y1 and lateral X1.

The ejection of the prominence 61b inwardly of the inner latch 61 is enabled by the elasticity of the flexible tongue 68.

The inclined advance 69f and the second recess 69g are offset relative to the rest position of the flexible tongue 68 in the lateral direction X1 (the rest position the flexible tongue 68 corresponds to the position in which the flexible tongue 68 is not deflected laterally).

The first recess 69e, meanwhile, is not offset from the rest position of the flexible tongue 68 in the lateral direction X1.

In this way, the prominence 68a can reintegrate the elongate opening 69 at the first step 69e, which corresponds to the unfolded position 61a of the inner latch 61.

The first spring 67a makes it possible to force the inner latch 61 to return to the unfolded position 61a once the prominence 61b has been ejected from the second lateral recess 69g.

In this way, the inner latch 61 and the outer latch 62 form a push button mechanism, that is to say a force applied on the inner latch 61 in the transverse direction Y1, for example to make it return to the inside of the outer latch 62, allows a transition from the folded position 61b to the unfolded position 61a of the inner latch 61 and a reverse transition (from the unfolded position 61a to the folded position 61b).

Thanks to the locking mechanism 60, the user can fill and empty the bag 1 without risking that the main body 10 rotates. The tilting of the main body 10 from the static position to the dynamic position is further facilitated.

Other locking mechanisms 60 may be employed by those skilled in the art and adapted to the embodiment of the bag. For example, one or both pivots 1 1a, 12a may have on their periphery recessed or protruding parts adapted to cooperate with complementary reliefs of holes 21a, 22a located on the supports 21, 22. Unlocking in rotation of the main body 10 relative to the base 20 can then be achieved by elastic deformation of the pivots 1 1a, 12a or holes 21a, 22a.

The bag 1 may also include a return means 50 for example a pneumatic cylinder or a spring. This means may also be constituted by a circular spring, for example housed at one or both pivots 1 1 a, 12a. The skilled person may employ different devices according to the embodiment chosen.

SECOND ASPECT OF THE INVENTION: ASSEMBLY OF SUITCASES AND MODULAR CASE

Figure 6 illustrates a first embodiment of a suitcase 1 according to the invention which may for example be a first or a second suitcase of a set of suitcases according to the invention as described below.

The term suitcase will be used in the following description but may be understood as designating suitcases, luggage, trunks, briefcase boxes, bags and more generally all containers for transporting objects or living beings of small size, for example during a trip, and can generally be lifted from the ground by a single human being without assistance.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the bag 1 comprises a main body 10 and a base 20. The base 20 is provided with at least three wheels 30, for example four wheels in the embodiment of FIG. 1. The bag 1 may further comprise a handle 40 which may for example be a telescopic handle.

The wheels 30 form a support polygon.

This support polygon may for example have a width and a length.

Preferably, the wheels 30 are not aligned.

The three wheels can thus be placed at the vertices of an unflattened triangle so as to form a triangular shaped lift polygon.

To increase the stability of the bag 1, the base 20 will advantageously comprise four wheels 30, the lift polygon then having the shape of a quadrilateral.

The axes of rotation of the wheels 30 may be distant from each other.

A suitcase according to the invention may also be pushed by the user. As a variant, some of the wheels 30 can pivot about a vertical direction Z, perpendicular to the plane of extension XY of the ground, for example the rear wheels in the embodiment of FIG. 6.

The suitcase 1 has an interior volume 1a delimited by an envelope 1b.

The inner volume 1a of the bag 1 may in some embodiments not be divided, i.e., consist of a single compartment in which removable or collapsible partitions may be present.

In other embodiments, fixed partitions may divide the inner volume 1a of the suitcase 1.

The envelope 1 b of the bag 1 may comprise two lateral faces 1 1, 12 opposite to each other with respect to the main body 10.

The lateral faces 1 1, 12 form the flanks of the main body 10 and may for example extend along a vertical plane X, Z.

The envelope 1b may further comprise upper faces 14 and lower 15 as well as front faces 16 and rear 17.

The front 16 and rear 17 faces will be orthogonal for example, on at least a portion of their surface, the preferred direction of movement X, while the upper faces 14 and lower 15 may be parallel to the surface of the ground S, on to least part of their surface.

The side faces 1 1, 12 may each comprise a pivot 1 1 a, 12a projecting outwardly of the main body 10 along a transverse axis 13, perpendicular to the vertical extension plane X, Z of the side faces 1 1, 12. The pivots 1 1a, 12a may allow to fix the main body 10 on the base 20 so as to allow said main body to pivot relative to said base.

Figures 7a and 7b illustrate a second embodiment of a suitcase according to the invention which may for example be a first 1 or a second suitcase 100 of a set of suitcases according to the invention as described below.

In this embodiment of a suitcase according to the invention, the bag 100 may comprise two wheels 30 which are directly fixed on a main body 1 10 of the bag 100.

Alternatively, the bag 100 may have no wheel.

The bag 100 may also include a telescopic handle 40.

Alternatively, the bag 100 may not include a telescopic handle 40.

It may finally comprise any element described above in relation to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6. The bag 100 has an inner volume 100a delimited by an envelope 100b provided for example with lower faces 1 10, upper 120, and lateral 130.

The lower face 1 10 of the bag 100 may be adapted to be fixed against the upper face of another bag, for example the upper face 14 of a bag 1 according to the embodiment of Figure 6 or the upper face 120 of a suitcase according to the embodiment of Figure 7a or Figure 7b so as to form a set of cases as will now be described in more detail.

A set of bags 1000 comprises a first 1 and a second bag 100 assembled by fixing between an upper face 14 of the first bag and a lower face 1 10 of the second bag 100.

Such an assembly 1000 is for example illustrated in FIG. 8.

In a first embodiment of the suitcase set 1000, the first case 1 is a case according to the embodiment of FIG. 6 and the second case 100 is a case according to the embodiment of FIG. 7a or FIG. 7b.

In another embodiment, the first suitcase 1 and the second suitcase 100 of the suitcase assembly may both be suitcases according to the embodiment of Fig. 7a or Fig. 7b.

To allow easy and solid attachment of the faces of the two suitcases 1, 100 against each other, said faces may comprise inverse profiles of one another and in particular profiles adapted for the faces to fit together one in the other. For example complementary profiles.

Thus, the upper face 14 of the first bag 1 may comprise an outer rim 14b and the lower face 1 10 of the second bag 100 may comprise a hollow outer portion 1 10b adapted to receive the rim 14b of the first bag.

The lower face 1 10 of the second bag 100 may then comprise a central plate 1 10c overflowing with respect to said outer portion 1b 10b.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, the outer rim 14b has a rounded portion. This rounded portion may be complementary to a rounded counter-portion of the outer hollow portion 1 10b of the lower face 1 10 of the second bag 100.

In a variant, the outer rim 14b may comprise a portion at right angles to the upper face 14.

In yet another variant of the invention, the outer edge 14b may comprise a portion inclined at an angle with respect to the upper face 14, for example an angle less than 90 °.

This portion at right angles, this portion inclined at an angle, can again be complementary to a right-angle counter-portion, or respectively of a counter-portion inclined at an angle, of the outer portion 1b 10b of the lower face 1 10 of the second bag 100.

A variant of the invention may include a structure inversion in which the outer hollow part is disposed on the upper face 14 of the first bag 1 while the outer edge is disposed on the lower face 1 10 of the second bag 100.

To allow solid attachment of the first 1 and second 100 suitcases together, at least one of the first 1 and second 100 suitcases may include a rigid structural portion 19a.

This rigid structural part 19a may for example be located at the upper face 14 of the first bag 1, on which can be fixed the second bag 100.

This rigid structural part 19a may for example be constituted by rigid bars forming a structure underlying a flexible envelope of the bag.

The rigid structural part 19a may, alternatively, be constituted by rigid faces.

The upper face 14 of the first bag 1 and the lower face 1 10 of the second bag 100, may each comprise an opening 14a, 1 10a.

The two openings 14a, 1 10a may be adapted to be placed opposite one another when the second bag 100 is placed on the first bag 1 as shown in FIG.

By "placed facing" is meant that said openings 14a, 10a overlap at least partially when said upper faces 14 and lower 1 10 are fixed against each other.

When the second bag 100 is fixed on the first bag 1 and when the upper openings 14a and lower 1 10a respectively of the first and second suitcases are open, the inner volume 1a of the first bag and the inner volume 100a of the second bag can communicate to form a continuous interior volume 1000a.

The set of suitcases 1000 thus has a continuous interior volume constituted by the interior volumes of the first and second suitcases.

This volume 1000a can be fractionated by removable or fixed partitions as is known in the field of the invention.

The openings 14a, 1 10a of the first 1 and second 100 suitcases are provided with closure means 14d, 1 10d allowing a user to close them.

The openings 14a, 1 10a can therefore be placed in an open or closed state.

In this way, it is possible to use each of the suitcases 1, 100 as a piece of luggage separated from the set of suitcases 1000. Such a separate piece of luggage being of smaller capacity than the assembly of the first and second suitcases, it can for example be detached from the assembly to form a cabin baggage during a trip by plane.

The closure means 14d, 10d of the openings may for example comprise zippers or rack, closures by self-gripping tape, snap or other closure known to those skilled in the art.

The openings 14a, 1 10a may consist of foldable accordion panels, retractable panels, for example rolling panels.

The openings 14a, 10a may be dimensioned so as to open a major part of the face 14, 1 10 on which said openings are mounted.

The first and second cases 1, 100 may further comprise one or more lateral openings 17a, 130a on their side faces 17,130. These side openings may allow the user direct access to the contents of the bag during movement.

The lateral openings will advantageously be provided with closure means 17d, 130d as detailed above.

As indicated in FIG. 8, a set of suitcases 1000 of the type in question may furthermore comprise a third bag 200 adapted to be placed above the second bag 100.

The third bag 200 may for example be a suitcase 200 according to the embodiment of FIG. 7a or FIG. 7b and thus comprising an internal volume 200a delimited by an envelope 200b having lower faces 210, upper 220 and lateral faces 230.

The third bag 200 may be adapted to be fixed on a rigid structural part 1 19a of the second bag 100.

The lower face 210 can thus for example be adapted to be placed opposite the upper face 120 of the second bag 100 when the third bag 200 is fixed on the rigid structural part 1 19a of the second bag 100.

The upper face 120 of the second bag 100 may comprise an upper opening 120a while the lower face 210 of the third bag 200 may be provided with a lower opening 210a.

The upper opening 120a of the second bag 100 and the lower opening 210a of the third bag 200 can be adapted to be placed opposite one another when the third bag 200 is fixed on the second bag 100.

In this way, when the third suitcase 200 is attached to the second suitcase 100 and when the upper 120a and lower 210a openings of said second and third suitcases are open, the inner volume 100a of the second suitcase 100 and the interior volume 200a of the third suitcase suitcase 200 can communicate to form a single volume. Thus, when the upper openings 14a and lower 1 10a of the first and second suitcases, and the upper openings 120a and lower 210a of the second and third suitcases, are open, the inner volume of the first suitcase 1, the second suitcase 100 and the third suitcase 200 can communicate to form a single interior volume 1000a for the set of suitcases 1000.

Alternatively, the third bag 200 can be fixed to the rigid structural part 19a of the first bag 1 in the case where said structural part 19a can extend in the vertical direction Z.

In an alternative embodiment, the third bag 200 may be attached to the first bag 1, for example by being fixed on the upper face 14 of the first bag, next to the second bag 100.

In this embodiment, the first bag 1 may include one or more additional openings 14a on its upper face 14, at least one of said openings being adapted to be placed opposite the lower opening 210a of the third bag 200 when the third suitcase 200 is attached to the first suitcase 1.

The first and the third suitcase 1, 200 can thus form an assembly identical to that already described above between the first and second suitcases 1, 100.

Finally, other suitcases can be stacked on the third suitcase 200 or on any one of the first and second suitcases 1, 100 similarly to the stack described above, to form a set of suitcases 1000 assemblies size variable.

To fix the cases 1, 100, 200 between them, they may be provided with a fixing device 70 as shown in Figure 9 which may for example be a fastening device by clipping or nesting.

Thus, to fix for example the first case and the second case together, the fastening device 70 may include a bolt 71 adapted to enter a striker 73 of the first bag 1 and received in a housing 72 of the second bag 100.

The striker 73 may for example be included in the outer rim 14b of the first bag 1 while the housing 72 of the bolt 71 may be integrated with the central plate 1 10c of the lower face 1 10 of the second bag 100.

Alternatively, the striker may be included in the central plate 1 10c of the lower face 1 10 of the second bag 100 and the housing 72 of the bolt 71 may be integrated with the outer rim 14b of the first bag 1.

Advantageously, a spring 74 may come to apply a force on the bolt 71 to remove it from the housing 72.

The bolt 71 may have an end 71a inclined or rounded which, when it bears against the outer edge 14b of the first case forces the bolt to enter the housing 72. When the bolt 71 is opposite the striker 73, the spring 74 causes the bolt 71 to extend out of the housing 72 so as to establish the attachment of the bags together.

Thus, the user can clip the two suitcases together simply by pressing their faces against each other.

To unlock the fastening mechanism of the suitcases, the bag accommodating the bolt 71 may include an unlocking mechanism 80 controlling the retraction of the bolt 71 in its housing 72.

The unlocking mechanism may for example comprise a button 81 driving a pinion 82 connected via cables 83 to the bolts 71.

For example, when the user pushes the button 81, the latter can rotate the pinion 82 on which are attached at one of their ends, one or more cables 83. The other end of said cables 83 is connected to bolts 71 of the bag. The rotation of the pinion 82 pulls on the cables 83 and thus retracts the bolts 71 into their housings 72.

Alternatively, the fastener 70 may be mounted on side faces of said luggage. This fastening device 70 can comprise zippers or rack, closures by self-gripping tape, snap, magnet or any other fastening means known to those skilled in the art.

The unlocking mechanism 80 is also not restricted to the mechanism described above but may include any mechanism known to those skilled in the art and allowing easy unlocking of the fastener.

Claims

1. Suitcase comprising a main body (10) and a base (20) carrying at least three wheels (30), the main body being mounted on the base so as to be pivotable relative to the base between a static position and a dynamic position , each of said at least three wheels being adapted to be in contact with a ground (S), at a contact zone (30a), both in the static position and in the dynamic position, the contact zones of said wheels with the ground forming a lift polygon in the static position and in the dynamic position.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein the lift polygon formed by the contact zones (30a) of the wheels with the ground has a width and a length, said width being at least greater than one fifth of said length.

3. Case according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the main body (10) comprises at least a first lateral face (1 1) extending along an extension plane (X, Z), the body main being mounted on the base (20) by means of at least one pivot (11a) located on said lateral face, so as to be pivotable relative to the base around a direction (13) perpendicular to said plane of extension.

The luggage case according to claim 3, wherein the main body (10) further comprises a second lateral face (12) opposite to the first lateral face (1 1), the base (20) comprising at least two supports (21, 22) each carrying at least one wheel (30), each of said supports being attached to a respective lateral face of the main body by means of a pivot (11a, 12a) located on said lateral face.

5. The case of claim 4, wherein the supports (21, 22) are pivotally mounted relative to the main body (10) so as to be pivotable independently of each other.

6. The case of claim 4, wherein the supports (21, 22) are interconnected.

7. The case according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a locking mechanism (60) adapted to block the pivoting of the main body (10) relative to the base (20) in at least one position selected from the static position and dynamic position.

The case of claim 7, wherein the locking mechanism (60) is adapted to be in at least three operating states comprising:

- a blocking state (60a) in which the locking mechanism (60) blocks the pivoting of the main body (10) relative to the base (20);

- an unlocked state (60b) in which the locking mechanism (60) allows the pivoting of the main body (10) relative to the base (20); and - An armed state (60c) in which the locking mechanism (60) blocks the pivoting of the main body (10) relative to the base (20) following a pivoting of the main body (10) relative to the base (20).

9. Case according to any one of claims 7 to 8, further comprising a wheel locking device (31) adapted to lock at least one wheel (30) of the bag, the wheel lock device being operatively connected to the locking mechanism (60) to permit locking of said at least one wheel when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked operating state (60b) and when the locking mechanism is in the operating state armed (60c).

10. Suitcase according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a telescopic handle (40).