ES2402137B1 - SUITCASE. - Google Patents

Abstract

This suitcase comprises a hollow body provided with a closing lid, two opposite major faces arranged in the upper part and in the lower part of the suitcase, the upper major face (11) forming a surface for depositing objects or packages to be transported in the outside the suitcase, wheels (2a and 2b) arranged on the lower main face (12), and a handle (3) fixed to at least one telescopic element (31) that has a movable articulated coupling (32) between a first position in which it prevents the telescopic element from collapsing and a second position in which it protrudes from the body of the suitcase and enables the arrangement of the telescopic element (31) with a variable inclination. The suitcase comprises an anti-theft system consisting of an alarm device (4) and a user terminal (5).

Description

Suitcase.

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a suitcase that allows improved use, in terms of controlling the suitcase and reducing the risk of losing it, both due to theft and carelessness of the user.

Field of application of the invention.

The field of application is the sector of manufacture of suitcases and accessories for the personal transport of objects.

Background of the invention.

Currently, different types of suitcases are known which generally comprise a hollow body and a closing lid, which delimits an inner receptacle for the arrangement and transport of clothing and various objects.

Usually the suitcases have a flattened configuration, with the larger faces facing the sides, the wheels in number two or four wheels facing the lower area and the grip handle in its upper area. These suitcases have stability problems when they have a high height in relation to the comforting sides of the larger surfaces, and the lower surface faces being arranged at the upper and lower ends. This determines that it has a tendency to tip over when they are dragged by sloping surfaces or on uneven floors.

Also known are trolley-type suitcases, which have wheels at their lower end for transport in a vertical or slightly inclined position. These suitcases are more stable, but their size is smaller.

A problem with the mentioned cases is that they do not allow the placement of objects on them, as their shape is flattened vertically, with its upper face narrow. The definition of an upper face of small surface does not allow the user to place any additional object stably on said upper face and take advantage of the ease of transport, as a car.

It is common that when the user buys an object, for example in an establishment of the airport or of a transport station, he loads it manually in a bag or similar, in order not to open the suitcase and reposition the clothes or objects previously placed in its interior, or by not having enough space inside.

A solution to this discomfort would be to position the objects on the suitcase to transport them comfortably; However, the cases mentioned above do not allow objects to be placed in a stable manner on their upper end, since it is precisely the upper and lower ends that have a smaller surface area.

Another of the disadvantages of the suitcases in general is the risk of theft or loss of it during user oversight. Therefore, the technical problem that arises is the development of a suitcase that allows to solve the exposed problem, providing a suitable configuration to facilitate a comfortable and stable transport of the suitcase to allow the transport of diverse objects on the suitcase and to guarantee a control cash of the suitcase on the part of the user reducing the risk of loss of the same one by theft or neglect of the user.

Description of the invention

The suitcase, object of this invention, has some technical peculiarities intended to provide greater stability and comfort of use during transport and allow the user to place other suitcases, objects and / or packages on the suitcase, in a stable and safe way , increasing the transport capacity, especially when objects are purchased after having closed in the suitcase or when the objects to be transported exceed the capacity of the interior housing of the suitcase, as well as optimizing the tensile strength.

Another object of the invention is to provide it with an anti-theft system that prevents or minimizes the risk of loss thereof, either by subtraction or neglect of the user.

The suitcase of the invention is of the type comprising a hollow body provided with a closing lid, two large faces that are substantially flat and opposite, and wheels that allow the suitcase to move by rolling.

According to the invention, the suitcase comprises the larger faces arranged in the upper part

ES 2 402 137 A1

and lower of the hollow body respectively, defining a first major, upper face, a substantially horizontal surface for depositing objects, suitcases or packages to be transported on the outside of the suitcase, and being on the second major, lower face, the wheels that enable the Rolling the suitcase stably.

The arrangement of the larger faces in the upper and lower areas, provide a first advantage of use, by increasing the stability of the suitcase during transport, avoiding the risk of tipping over a conventional suitcase with wheels. In the same way the drag capacity increases considerably so that the user must make a smaller effort.

According to the invention, the suitcase comprises a handle fixed to at least one telescopic element that extends parallel to the larger face that occupies the lower position, and which is related to the suitcase, at the end opposite the handle, by means of a coupling articulated, movable between a first position in which it is kept inside the body of the suitcase and a second position in which it protrudes from the body of the suitcase and allows the telescopic element to be arranged with a variable inclination for comfortable dragging of the suitcase by the user.

If the user does not fully extract the telescopic elements and the articulated coupling, said articulated coupling remains locked and does not act, whereby the telescopic elements are projected out of the suitcase in a straight and rigid way, such as a “ trolley. " The articulated coupling is also provided with locking means that ensure said rigid arrangement and that can be released at will. Therefore, the suitcase can also be used in this “trolley” configuration without problems, for example when it is empty

or light items are transported.

The suitcase comprises an anti-theft system composed of: - an alarm device incorporated in the body of the suitcase and which has at least: a microcontroller with a power supply, wireless communication means with a user terminal and acoustic and / or light signaling means and; a user terminal provided, at least, with: a microcontroller with a power supply and software for programming a maximum authorized distance between the alarm device and the suitcase; wireless communication means with the alarm device of the suitcase; and acoustic and / or light signaling means, which are activated simultaneously with those of the suitcase alarm device when the maximum authorized distance between the alarm device and the user terminal is exceeded.

According to the invention, the user terminal may be constituted by a mobile telephone terminal or by a remote control.

In the case of a mobile telephone terminal, it is foreseen that the software necessary for its use as a user terminal may be an application downloadable by the user in online stores, either free or paid.

The user terminal forms the basis of the anti-theft system, so that if the suitcase exceeds the preset safety distance, the activation of the light and / or acoustic means of the alarm device incorporated in the suitcase and the user terminal occurs, alerting the user of said incident.

It is envisaged that the intercom between the user terminal and the alarm device incorporated in the suitcase will be operational over a limited distance, and preferably performed via Wi-Fi or bluetooth, so that once the acoustic signaling means are activated and / or bright, due to the overcoming of the programmed safety distance, these alarms would continue to work.

Said signaling means may only be disconnected from the user terminal itself, provided that the alarm device of the suitcase is within the scope of said user terminal.

Description of the figures.

To complement the description that is being made and in order to facilitate the understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is attached to the present specification in which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, the following has been represented:

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Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the suitcase according to the invention, in a lying position with the handle fully deployed and tilted, for dragging the suitcase on four wheels and with the alarm system.

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Figure 2 shows a bottom plan view of the suitcase allowing the observation of the four wheels, two of them in a retracted or folded position.

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Figure 3 shows a profile view of the suitcase in an inclined position, supported on two rear wheels, as a "trolley".

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Figure 4 shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the alarm system.

ES 2 402 137 A1

Preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the example shown in the attached figures the suitcase comprises a hollow body (1) provided with a closing lid; the suitcase defining two flat faces (11, 12) that make up the upper and lower surfaces of the suitcase.

The lower main face (12) has at its rear end fixed wheels (2a) that allow the luggage to be moved by rolling as a "trolley", as shown in Figure 3; and at its front end additional wheels (2b) that allow, together with the fixed wheels (2a), to move the suitcase in a horizontal or lying position, as shown in Figure 1.

The additional wheels (2b) are housed in a recessed holes (21), close to the front end of the hollow body (1), as shown in Figure 2.

The suitcase comprises a handle (3) of grip and drag, connected with telescopic elements

(31) parallel to the major face (12) of the bottom of the suitcase, making it possible for the user to take it out.

Said telescopic elements (31) have at the opposite end of the handle (3) an articulated coupling (32) respectively, which only emerges from the hollow body (1) of the suitcase when said telescopic elements (31) are completely removed. In this position the articulated coupling (32) allows the arrangement of the telescopic elements (32) with a variable inclination, for comfortable dragging of the suitcase by the user when the suitcase is lying down and resting on all the wheels ( 2a and 2b), as shown in the aforementioned figure 1.

These telescopic elements (31) have blocking means (not shown) in various lengths between their retracted and extended positions.

Figure 1 shows how the suitcase has at its front end anchors (33) that allow the telescopic elements (31) to be fixed in an upright position when completely removed, for comfortable grip and to facilitate the handling of the suitcase lying in a horizontal position.

The major face (11) occupying the upper position has holes (13) or eyelets on its periphery for fixing fastening means that allow comfortable and safe transport of objects on the suitcase.

In the example shown, said fastening means are represented by straps (C) or ropes, although they could be elastic nets or any other suitable fastening means.

In both major faces (11, 12) there are reinforcements (15), formed in this case by longitudinal projections to avoid sinking or deformation of said major faces (11, 12) when placing heavy objects.

This first major face (11), which occupies the upper position, comprises at its front and rear ends stops (14) to prevent uncontrolled movement and falling of objects deposited thereon.

The suitcase comprises an anti-theft system composed of an alarm device (4) incorporated in the body of the suitcase and a user terminal (5) portable by the user of the suitcase.

The alarm device (4) incorporated in the body of the suitcase has at least: a microcontroller (41) with a power supply (42), means (43) for wireless communication, via bluetooth, with the terminal user, and means (44, 45) of acoustic and light signaling consisting of LEDs and a micro-speaker respectively.

The user terminal (5) can be constituted by a remote control or a mobile telephone terminal, provided, at least, with: a microcontroller (51) with a power supply (52) and a software for programming a maximum authorized distance between the user terminal (5) and the alarm device (4) located in a suitcase, means (53) for wireless communication with the alarm device (4) of the suitcase ;, and means ( 54, 55) acoustic and light signaling consisting of a loudspeaker and a display screen respectively.

When the maximum authorized distance between the alarm device (4) and the user terminal (5) is exceeded, the signaling means (44, 45) and (54, 55) of the alarm device (4) are activated simultaneously and of the user terminal (5), notifying the user of this incident.

Once the nature of the invention has been sufficiently described, as well as a preferred embodiment, it is stated for the appropriate purposes that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the described elements may be modified, provided that this does not imply an alteration. of the essential features of the invention that are claimed below.

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Claims (4)

1.-Suitcase, of the type comprising a hollow body (1) provided with a closing lid, two opposite main faces, wheels (2a and 2b) and a handle (3) for rolling the suitcase by rolling , characterized in that:

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 the larger (11 and 12) flat faces are arranged in the upper part and in the lower part of the suitcase, the upper major face (11) forming a surface for depositing objects or packages to be transported outside the suitcase;

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the wheels (2a and 2b) are arranged on the lower main face (12);

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 the handle (3) is fixed to at least one telescopic element (31) parallel to the lower main face (12) and disposed at the opposite end of an articulated coupling (32), movable between a first position in which it is kept inside the body of the suitcase and prevents the folding of the telescopic element and a second position in which it protrudes from the body of the suitcase and enables the arrangement of the telescopic element (31) with a variable inclination and;

because it comprises an anti-theft system composed of:

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 an alarm device (4) incorporated in the body of the suitcase and which has at least one microcontroller

(41) with a power supply (42), means (43) for wireless communication with a user terminal (5) and means (44, 45) acoustic and / or light signaling and,

-

 a user terminal (5) provided, at least, with: a microcontroller (51) with a power supply (52) and a software for programming a maximum authorized distance between said user terminal (5) and the device alarm (4) of the suitcase; means (53) for wireless communication with the alarm device (4) of the suitcase; and acoustic and / or light signaling means (54, 55), which are activated simultaneously with those of the alarm device (4) when the maximum authorized distance between the alarm device (4) and the user terminal ( 5).

2. Suitcase according to claim 1, characterized in that the user terminal is constituted by a mobile telephone terminal. 3. Suitcase according to claim 1, characterized in that the user terminal is constituted by a remote control. ES 2 402 137 A1 ES 2 402 137 A1 SPANISH OFFICE OF THE PATENTS AND BRAND Application no .: 201131560 SPAIN Date of submission of the application: 28.09.2011 Priority Date: REPORT ON THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE 51 Int. Cl.: See Additional Sheet RELEVANT DOCUMENTS

Category

56 Documents cited Claims Affected

Y

DE 202005001601 U1 (HEIDECK BETTINA) 04.05.2005, summary; Figure 1. 1-3

Y

WO 9856274 A1 (OUTRIGGER INC et al.) 17.12.1998, page 4, line 13 - page 6, line 11; figure 5. 1-3

Y

EP 2153743 A1 (MINAKER VICTOR YEFIMOVICH et al.) 02.17.2010, summary; figure 2. 1-3

Y

WO 03007257 A1 (CORDOBA JUAN CARLOS) 23.01.2003, summary. 1-3

Y

CN 201838125 U (ZONGLIN WANG) 18.05.2011, (summary) Summary of the EPODOC database. Recovered from EPOQUE [online] [retrieved on 11/15/2012]. 1-3

Category of the documents cited X: of particular relevance Y: of particular relevance combined with other / s of the same category A: reflects the state of the art O: refers to unwritten disclosure P: published between the priority date and the date of priority submission of the application E: previous document, but published after the date of submission of the application

This report has been prepared • for all claims • for claims no:

Date of realization of the report 19.11.2012

Examiner B. Aragón Urueña Page 1/4

REPORT OF THE STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE Application number: 201131560 CLASSIFICATION OBJECT OF THE APPLICATION A45C5 / 00 (2006.01) A45C13 / 18 (2006.01) A45C13 / 24 (2006.01) Minimum documentation sought (classification system followed by classification symbols) A45C Electronic databases consulted during the search (name of the database and, if possible, terms of search used) INVENTIONS, EPODOC, WPI State of the Art Report Page 2/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201131560 Date of Written Opinion: 19.11.2012 Statement

Novelty (Art. 6.1 LP 11/1986)

Claims Claims 1-3 IF NOT

Inventive activity (Art. 8.1 LP11 / 1986)

Claims Claims 1-3 IF NOT

The application is considered to comply with the industrial application requirement. This requirement was evaluated during the formal and technical examination phase of the application (Article 31.2 Law 11/1986).  Opinion Base.- This opinion has been made on the basis of the patent application as published. State of the Art Report Page 3/4  WRITTEN OPINION Application number: 201131560  1. Documents considered.- The documents belonging to the state of the art taken into consideration for the realization of this opinion are listed below.

Document

Publication or Identification Number publication date

D01

DE 202005001601 U1 (HEIDECK BETTINA) 04.05.2005

D02

WO 9856274 A1 (OUTRIGGER INC et al.) 17.12.1998

D03

WO 03007257 A1 (CORDOBA JUAN CARLOS) 01/23/2003

D04

CN 201838125 U (ZONGLIN WANG) 05/18/2011

 2. Statement motivated according to articles 29.6 and 29.7 of the Regulations for the execution of Law 11/1986, of March 20, on Patents on novelty and inventive activity; quotes and explanations in support of this statement The object of the present invention is a suitcase that has wheels arranged on the main face thereof, a folding telescopic handle and an anti-theft system. Document D01 discloses a suitcase that has a wheel rail on the lower main face of the suitcase and a telescopic handle that has an articulated coupling that allows the suitcase to be moved in an inclined position. (See summary, figure 1). Document D02 discloses a suitcase that has wheels mounted on the lower or upper major face that allows the suitcase to be dragged horizontally and an articulated telescopic handle that allows the suitcase to be folded down. (See summary, figure 5). Document D03 discloses an alarm system for portable objects to prevent loss of the object. The system comprises two devices with wireless communication means between them so that an alarm is generated when the distance between both devices is exceeded. (See summary). Document D04 discloses an alarm system via Bluetooth comprising an alarm device that can be incorporated in a suitcase and a user terminal being a mobile phone, so that the alarm works when both elements are separated at a certain distance. (See summary). The object of the invention set forth in claims 1-3 relating to a suitcase having wheels on its main face, articulated telescopic handle and an anti-theft system consisting of an alarm device incorporated in the suitcase and a user terminal that is activated exceeding the maximum distance between the alarm device and the user terminal results from the mere juxtaposition of known elements in relation to what is disclosed in documents D01 or D02 and D03 or D04. Therefore said claims lack inventive activity in view of the state of the known art. (Art. 8.1 Patent Law). State of the Art Report Page 4/4