EP4104705B1 - Luggage comprising two folding sections between a deployed configuration for use and a folded configuration for storage - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to luggage comprising a shell in which at least one storage compartment is formed.

Baggage is known comprising an upper shell and a lower shell connected by a hinge zone capable of allowing the arrangement of said shells reversibly between an deployed configuration and a folded configuration of said luggage by folding of said hinge zone, see for example the document US 2002/139627 A1 .

The document CN-207 253 007 describes a piece of luggage in which a hinge zone is intended to form a base for said luggage in the folded configuration, one of the shells having a wall opposite said bottom on which a gripping handle is attached for handling said luggage.

In this document, each shell is equipped with two bars, two rods which can be placed between said bars covering the hinge zone to prevent its folding.

This solution does not give complete satisfaction in that the manipulation of the rods turns out to be relatively complex and not very intuitive to carry out for maintaining the luggage in the deployed configuration.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular a baggage in which the maintenance in the deployed configuration is carried out in a simple and intuitive manner, and in a sufficiently reliable manner to secure the use of said baggage in said deployed configuration.

To this end, the invention proposes luggage comprising a shell in which at least one storage compartment is formed, said shell having a upper section and a lower section which are connected by a hinge zone capable of allowing the arrangement of said sections reversibly between an deployed configuration for use of said compartment and a folded down configuration for storing said luggage by folding said hinge zone, said upper section being equipped of a device for handling said luggage which comprises an upper frame extending between a projecting upper handle of said upper section and a lower support fixed in said upper section, the lower section being equipped with a lower frame which extends between a lower wall of said lower section and an upper support fixed in said lower section, said luggage being equipped with an intermediate frame which comprises a connector, said intermediate frame being reversibly deployable from one of the supports between a position at a distance from the hinge zone and an engagement position of the connector in the other of the lower supports when the sections are in use configuration, said intermediate frame in the engagement position being arranged to prevent folding of the hinge zone, said connector and said other of the supports comprising a reversible locking device for their engagement in the luggage use configuration.

• [Fig.1a] et
• [Fig.1b] représentent schématiquement et en perspective un bagage selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention, en configuration respectivement déployée (figure 1a) et rabattue (figure 1b) ;
• [Fig.2] est un agrandissement de la figure 1a centré sur la zone charnière du bagage ;
• [Fig.3] est une représentation en coupe longitudinale partielle de l'association du connecteur de l'armature intermédiaire au support de l'armature supérieure des figures 1a et 2 ;
• [Fig.4] est une représentation en perspective du bagage des figures 1a, 2 et 3 lors de sa disposition en configuration rabattue de rangement ;
• [Fig.5] est une vue analogue à la figure 2 dans laquelle le connecteur est dissocié du support pour permettre la disposition du bagage en configuration rabattue. En relation avec ces figures, on décrit ci-dessous un bagage comprenant une coque 1 dans laquelle au moins un compartiment de rangement est formé.

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will appear in the description which follows, made with reference to the attached figures, in which:

• [ Fig.1a ] And
• [ Fig.1b ] represent schematically and in perspective a baggage according to one embodiment of the invention, in respectively deployed configuration ( figure 1a ) and folded down ( figure 1b ) ;
• [ Fig.2 ] is an enlargement of the figure 1a centered on the hinge area of the luggage;
• [ Fig.3 ] is a representation in partial longitudinal section of the association of the connector of the intermediate frame with the support of the upper frame of the figures 1a And 2 ;
• [ Fig.4 ] is a perspective representation of the baggage of figures 1a , 2 and 3 when arranged in a folded storage configuration;
• [ Fig.5 ] is a view analogous to the figure 2 in which the connector is separated from the support to allow the luggage to be placed in a folded configuration. In relation to these figures, luggage is described below comprising a shell 1 in which at least one storage compartment is formed.

The shell 1 has an upper section 1a and a lower section 1b which are connected by a hinge zone 3 capable of allowing the arrangement of said sections reversibly between a deployed configuration for use of the storage compartment ( figure 1a ) and a folded down configuration for storing said luggage ( figure 1b ), by folding said hinge zone ( figure 4 ).

In the description, the terms “front”, “rear”, “upper”, “top”, “lower” and “bottom” are taken with reference to the arrangement of the baggage as shown on the figures 1a , 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 . Furthermore, the terms “longitudinal” and “transverse” are taken in reference to the maximum dimension of the baggage in deployed configuration (vertical on the figure 1a ), and relate to a direction respectively parallel and perpendicular to this dimension.

Advantageously, the shell 1 is formed in one piece with the hinge zone 3, in particular by thermoforming a complex of polymer and/or textile material. This arrangement makes it possible to facilitate the manufacture of the luggage, and therefore to reduce its costs, but also to produce a light and strong shell 1, in order to limit the weight of said luggage.

The hinge zone 3 comprises at least one transverse groove 2 allowing the shell 1 to be folded on either side of it. In particular, the groove 2 can be formed by means of complementary ribs provided for this purpose in the thermoforming dies used to produce the shell 1.

In the embodiment shown, the hinge zone 3 comprises a central section 1c which is connected on either side to respectively the upper section 1a and the lower section 1b via a folding groove 2.

Each section 1a, 1b, 1c has a rear bottom 4a, 4b, 4c and two side walls 5a, 5b, 5c which together respectively form a bottom 4 and side edges 5 for the storage compartment when the luggage is in deployed configuration, the folding grooves 2 each extending transversely on said bottom and said side edges.

In particular, each groove 2 has a central branch extending transversely on the bottom 4 of the shell 1, as well as two pairs of side branches which extend on each side edge 5 on either side of said central branch, in order to form on said lateral edge a bellows 7 to facilitate folding (see figures 4 And 1b ).

The shell 1 is also equipped with a flexible flap (not shown) to allow the reversible closing of the storage compartment. The flexible flap can be associated with the front peripheral edge 6 of the shell 1 and can be equipped with a reversible closing means, for example in the form of a zipper which can extend along at least one part from the peripheral edge 6.

On the figures 1a, 1b And 4 , the lower section 1b has a lower reinforcement structure 8, in order to form a base for the luggage. The lower structure 8 is attached to the lower portion of the lower section 1b, in particular by molding a layer of polymer material.

The reinforcing structure 8 comprises a lower wall 9 of rigid material, in order to ensure the stability of the luggage when said lower wall is placed in support against a support, in particular on the ground.

The lower wall 9 is equipped with wheels 10 for rolling the luggage, in order to allow said luggage to be moved in use configuration by rolling on the ground.

In the embodiment shown, the lower wall 9 has two side wheels 10 oriented towards the rear of the luggage, in order to limit the risk of said luggage tipping over, particularly when its storage compartment is heavily loaded.

In particular, the wheels 10 are each arranged at least partially in a housing 11 provided for this purpose on respectively one side of the reinforcing structure 8. Thus, when the luggage is erected vertically, the lower wall 9 comes to bear on the ground in front of the wheels 10, which limits the risk of unintentional rolling of the luggage.

The upper section 1a is equipped with a luggage handling device which comprises an upper frame 12 extending between an upper handle 13 projecting from said upper section and a lower support 14 fixed in said upper section.

The upper frame 12 comprises at least one bar 12a which extends between the lower support 14 and a base 15 of the upper handle 13, said base being associated through an upper wall 16 of the upper section 1a.

In the embodiment shown, the upper frame 12 comprises two bars 12a which are spaced transversely on the bottom 4a of the upper section 1a. In particular, each bar 12a has a lower end 34 which is fixed, in particular by fitting, in a tubular housing 17 provided for this purpose in the lower support 14 (see Figure 3 ), as well as an upper end fixed in a similar manner to the base 15 of the handle 13.

Furthermore, as shown in the figure 1a , the handle 13 has two rods 13a which are each mounted telescopically in respectively a bar 12a.

The base 15 comprises a device for locking the handle 13 in the retracted position in the upper frame 12 and/or in at least one in position deployed for use, in order to avoid any unintended movement of said handle. In particular, the locking device can be deactivated by means of a button 18 provided for this purpose on the handle 13, as shown in the figure 4 , the user manually pressing said button to be able to move said handle to the desired position.

Thus, to be able to move the luggage into the storage position, the user extends the handle 13 out of the upper frame 12, then tilts said luggage resting on the wheels 10 by means of said handle, in order to roll said luggage on the ground by pulling on said handle.

Advantageously, the lower support 14 is fixed, in particular by riveting, to the bottom of the upper section 1a near the upper edge of the hinge zone 3, so as not to interfere with said edge when folding the luggage into storage configuration. .

The lower section 1b is equipped with a lower frame 19 which extends between the lower wall 9 of said lower section and an upper support 21 fixed in said lower section.

According to one embodiment, the lower frame 19 comprises at least one bar 19a which extends longitudinally between the lower wall 9 of the lower section 1b and the upper support 21,

In the embodiment shown, the lower frame 19 comprises two bars 19a which are spaced transversely on the bottom 4b of the lower section 1b, each bar 19a having a lower end 23 which is fixed, in particular by fitting, in a housing 24 provided for this purpose in the lower wall 9 of the reinforcing structure 8, as well as an upper end fixed in a tubular sleeve 25 of the upper support 21.

The luggage is equipped with an intermediate frame 22 which includes a connector 20, said intermediate frame being reversibly deployable from the lower support 21 between a position at a distance from the hinge zone 3 ( figures 4, 5 ) and an engagement position of the connector 20 in the lower support 14 when the sections 1a, 1b are in use configuration ( figures 1a , 2, 3 ), the intermediate frame 22 in the engagement position being arranged to prevent folding of the hinge zone 3, said connector and said lower support comprising a reversible locking device for their engagement in the luggage usage configuration. Advantageously, the intermediate frame 22 is mounted telescopically in the lower frame 19.

Alternatively, the intermediate frame 22 can be reversibly deployable from the lower support 14 between a position at a distance from the hinge zone 3 and a position of engagement of the connector 20 in the upper support 21.

In particular, the intermediate frame 22 can be deployed in longitudinal translation to engage on the support 14 of the frame 12 for deploying the handle, which constitutes a particularly intuitive arrangement and gestures for the user.

Advantageously, the intermediate frame 22 has at least one rod 22a which is mounted telescopically in a bar 19a between a retracted position, in which said connector bears against the upper support 21 ( figures 4, 5 ), and an deployed position, in which the connector 20 is engaged in the lower support 14 and said rod covers the hinge zone 3 to prevent its folding ( figures 1a , 2 ).

In particular, the intermediate frame 22 has two rods 22a which are each mounted telescopically in a bar 19a respectively, said rods being spaced transversely on the bottom 4c of the hinge zone 3 in the engagement position, in particular by making it possible to secure the use of the baggage in deployed configuration.

The upper support 21 is fixed, in particular by riveting, to the top of the lower section 1b in the vicinity of the lower edge of the hinge zone 3, so as not to interfere with said edge when folding the luggage into storage configuration.

The bars 12a, 19a and the rods 13a, 22a of each of the frames 12, 19, 22 are rigid, in particular by being made of metallic material, which ensures the stability of the luggage in use configuration when it is erected vertically, as shown in the figure 1a .

The connector 20 comprises a plate 26 whose shape is arranged to engage in the lower support 14, said plate carrying the means for locking the engagement of said connector in said upper support.

As shown in particular on the Figure 3 , the plate 26 has two lower lugs 27 which are each fixed by fitting into the upper end of respectively a telescopic rod 22a of the intermediate frame 22, as well as an upper surface 28 of complementary geometry to that of a lower surface 29 of the support 14, the locking means being formed on said upper surface.

The locking device comprises at least one member 30 / housing 31 pair associated respectively with the connector 20 and the lower support 14, said member being able to be reversibly engaged in said housing and said pair having means 30a, 31a for reversibly immobilizing said engagement.

In particular, the member 30 extends longitudinally in the center of the upper surface 28 of the plate 26 and has two elastic lateral tabs 30a intended to engage reversibly in respectively a housing 31a formed for this purpose in the housing 31, in order to to ensure the reversible immobilization of said member in said housing. Thus, to be able to disengage the member 30 from the housing 31, the user must pinch the tabs 30a between two of his fingers to release them from their respective housing 31a.

The locking device also comprises at least one member 32 / housing 33 pair associated respectively with the connector 20 and the lower support 14, said member being able to be reversibly engaged in the housing 33 while ensuring stabilization of said connector relative to said support.

In the embodiment shown, the locking device comprises two lateral stabilizing member 32/housing 33 pairs arranged on either side of a central member 30/housing 31 pair.

Each stabilizing pair has in particular a frustoconical member 32 extending longitudinally from respectively a transverse end of the upper surface 28 of the plate 26, being arranged to fit reversibly into a housing 33 of complementary geometry formed in respectively a transverse end of the lower bearing 29 of the support 14.

To arrange the luggage in storage configuration, the user dissociates the connector 20 from the lower support 14, in particular by pinching the side tabs 30a of the member 30 to extract it from the housing 31, then slides the rods 22a in their bars respective 19a until bringing said connector into position against the upper support 21. Thus, the hinge zone 3 is released from the rods 22a, which allows the user to fold down the upper section 1a facing the lower section 1b.

In particular, the upper sections 1a and lower 1b can be equipped with respective association means in folded storage configuration (not shown), in order to avoid their relative rotation around the hinge zone 3 in said storage configuration.

The luggage can also include a flap arranged to reversibly cover the frames 12, 19, 22 in order to isolate said frames from the storage compartment, and more particularly from the articles that the user has in said compartment when using said luggage.

Thus, when he wishes to arrange the luggage in storage configuration, the user can access the frames 12, 19, 22 and in particular the connector 20 / support 14 assembly, by spreading the flap of said frames after emptying the storage compartment. storage of said luggage.

Claims (15)

1. A luggage comprising a shell (1) in which at least one storage compartment is formed, said shell having an upper section (1a) and a lower section (1b) which are connected by a hinge area (3) adapted to enable the arrangement of said sections reversibly between a deployed configuration of use of said compartment and a folded configuration of storage of said luggage by folding said hinge area, said upper section being equipped with a device for handling said luggage which comprises an upper framework (12) extending between an upper handle (13) projecting from said upper section and a lower support (14) fastened in said upper section, the lower section (1b) being equipped with a lower framework (19) which extends between a lower wall (9) of said lower section and an upper support (21) fastened in said lower section, said luggage being equipped with an intermediate framework (22) which comprises a connector (20), said intermediate framework being reversibly deployable from one of the supports (21, 14) between a position remote from the hinge area (3) and a position of engagement of the connector (20) into the other one of the supports (14, 21) when the sections (1a, 1b) are in the use configuration, said intermediate framework in the engagement position being arranged so as to prevent folding of the hinge area (3), said connector and said other one of the supports comprising a device (30, 31, 32, 33) for reversibly locking their engagement in the use configuration of the luggage.
2. The luggage according to claim 1, the shell (1) being made in one-piece with the hinge area (3).
3. The luggage according to one of claims 1 or 2, the hinge area (3) comprising at least one transverse groove (2) enabling folding on either side thereof.
4. The luggage according to claim 3, the hinge area (3) comprising a central section (1c) which is connected on either side to the upper section (1a) and the lower section (1b) respectively through a fold groove (2).
5. The luggage according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the upper framework (12) comprising at least one bar (12a) which extends between the lower support (14) and a base (15) of the upper handle (13), said base being associated throughout an upper wall (16) of the upper section (1a).
6. The luggage according to claim 5, the upper framework (12) comprising two bars (12a) which are spaced apart transversely on the bottom (4a) of the upper section (1a).
7. The luggage according to one of claims 1 or 6, the lower support (14) being fastened on the low of the upper section (1a) in the vicinity of the upper edge of the hinge area (3).
8. The luggage according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the lower framework (19) comprising at least one bar (19a) which extends between a lower wall (9) of the lower section (1b) and an upper support (21).
9. The luggage according to claim 8, the upper support (21) being fastened on the top of the lower section (1b) in the vicinity of the lower edge of the hinge area (3).
10. The luggage according to one of claims 1 to 9, the intermediate framework (22) being telescopically mounted in the lower framework (19).
11. The luggage according to claim 10, the intermediate framework (22) having at least one rod (22a) which is telescopically mounted between a position of the connector (20) against the upper support (21) and a position of engagement of said connector into the lower support (14) in which said rod covers the hinge area (3) to prevent folding thereof.
12. The luggage according to claim 11, the intermediate framework (22) comprising two rods (22a) which are spaced apart transversely on the hinge area (3) in the engagement position.
13. The luggage according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the connector (20) comprising a subplate (26) whose shape is arranged so as to fit into the support (14, 21), said subplate carrying the locking means (30, 32).
14. The luggage according to any one of claims 1 to 13, the locking device comprising at least one member (30) / case (31) pair associated to the connector (20) and to the support (14, 21) respectively, said member being able to be reversibly engaged into said case and said pair having means (30a, 31a) for reversibly immobilising said engagement.
15. The luggage according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the locking device comprising at least one member (32) / housing (33) pair associated to the connector (20) and to the support (14, 21) respectively, said member being able to be reversibly engaged into the housing (33) while ensuring a stabilisation of said connector with respect to said support.

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