FI3657974T3 - Retrofitting a body in order to produce compatibility with a system body - Google Patents

Description

RETROFITTING A BODY IN ORDER TO PRODUCE COMPATIBILITY WITH A

SYSTEM BODY

The invention relates to a method according to claim 1 and an arrangement.

WO 2016/091570 A1 discloses a suitcase that can be placed on another suitcase with corresponding coupling structures by means of coupling structures. This coupling may be either (i) vertically detachable and horizontally slide-secured, or (ii) vertically non-detachable and horizontally slidable.

DE 10 2014 118 452 discloses a suitcase with a corpus with four side walls and a floor and an associated lid. This suitcase is used for transporting goods and has a corpus, a lid that is or can be connected to the corpus and coupling structures on the corpus and/or on the lid, whereby in a closed state, a receiving space between the corpus and the lid for receiving goods to be transported is formed which is inaccessible from the outside. In an open state, the receiving space is accessible from the outside. The coupling structures are designed so that the suitcase and another suitcase having coupling structures can be stacked on top of one another by means of the coupling structures in a selectively vertically detachable manner and slide-secured, or can be coupled to one another in a vertically non-detachable manner.

The system of DE 10 2014 118 452 is in principle a closed system: Couplings are only possible between suitcases that are also system suitcases. This limits the variability of the system since it is incompatible with non-system bodies.

Suitcases can be made in any size, i.e. also with corpus heights of 1m and more.

Suitcases with large corpus heights and high loads can cause feet to break on the floor of the suitcase because they cannot carry the loads continuously. On the other hand, there is a risk that the floor will bend under high loads because the floor is not designed for continuously high loads. For this reason, feet are left out in suitcases of this type. The floor of the suitcase then lies flat on the floor so that feet cannot break and the floor does not sag. Tools for spraying the suitcases described are large due to the high corpus height, which is why the production of multiple tools should be avoided. However, a system connection is not possible for these suitcases.

It is an object of the present invention to enable use of a receiving body in combination with a suitcase in a simple manner.

This object is achieved by the objects having the features according to the independent claims. Further such are shown in the dependent claims.

According to the present invention a method according to claim 1 is disclosed.

According to the present invention, an arrangement according to claim 3 is disclosed.

In the context of the present application, the term "retrofitting device” means in particular a single component adapter body or a multi-component set of adapter bodies which is or are designed to be attached to a non-system body, subsequently or as required , in order to provide the non-system body equipped with the retrofitting device with the full functionality of a system body for joint systemic use, in particular in order to make it positively coupleable to a system body.

In the context of the present application, the term "coupling structures" can be understood in particular as structural features of bodies that interact mechanically with one another and are designed for positive interaction for coupling the bodies with one another. Such coupling structures can in particular be projections (e.g. lugs) and/or depressions (e.g. troughs), which can be designed inversely or correspondingly to one another in order to form a mechanical connection (e.g. by plugging, latching, locking, twisting or sliding ). Such a coupling can also be designed as a magnetic coupling, etc. as an alternative or in addition to a mechanical coupling.

Below, additional exemplified examples of the method, the arrangement, the retrofitting device and the use are described.

A retrofitting device can be made compact and lightweight as a ledge profile, since a support structure (on which the actual coupling structures are attached or formed) of the retrofitting device can be dimensioned very small and lightweight in this way. Clearly, by providing the retrofitting device as one or more ledge profiles, the spatial extent of the retrofitting device can remain limited, for example, to those regions of the non-system body in which coupling structures must of necessity be provided in order to establish system capability.

Examples are disclosed in the dependent claims.

Exemplary of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following figures.

Figure 1 shows a suitcase of an arrangement according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention in an open state.

Figures 2 and 3 show the suitcase according to Figure 1 in a closed state.

Figure 4 shows a suitcase, as shown in Figure 1 to Figure 3, in a state coupled with another suitcase of the same type.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of a top side component of a retrofitting device for retrofitting a receiving body for joint use with a sultcase according to Figures 1 to 4, according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 shows a bottom side view of the top side component according to Figure 5.

Figure 7 shows a receiving body with attached bottom side components of a retrofitting device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 shows a first view of the bottom side components according to Figure 7, without a receiving body.

Figure 9 shows a second view of the bottom side components according to Figure 7, without a receiving body.

Figure 10 shows a third view of the bottom side components according to Figure 7, without a receiving body.

Figure 11 shows an arrangement of a suitcase, a receiving body and a retrofitting device for retrofitting the receiving body for joint use with the suitcase according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Identical or similar components in different figures are provided with the same reference signs.

Before examples of the invention are described with reference to the figures, some general aspects of the invention shall be explained.

The retrofitting device can be provided in completely different exemplary manner. Coupling ledges or rails of a retrofitting device can include or consist of plastic, in particular produced by injection moulding. Latching slides on the front end of a coupling ledge can be retrofitted. An interior and/or an outside of a corpus of the retrofitting device or of a non-system body can, for example, be provided with reinforcement elements on the floor. Coupling ledges or rails can not only be fastened to the floor or the side walls, but can also, for example, engage with these reinforcement elements (e.g. screws can be placed through the coupling rails). It is possible to insert screws into the reinforcement elements through the floor of the suitcase. A suitcase made without coupling structures on the floor can also be provided with coupling structures later.

For example, wheels could also be attached to the coupling structures in order to form a system-compatible trolley.

Figure 1 shows a suitcase 10 for an arrangement 110 (for example together with a receiving body 102 according to Figure 7 or according to Figure 11 and a retrofitting device according to Figures 7 to 10 and/or according to Figures 5 and 6 and/or according to Figure 11) according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention in an open state.

Figure 2 and Figure 3 show the suitcase 10 according to Figure 1 in a closed state or closing state. Figure 4 shows a suitcase 10, as shown in Figure 1 to Figure 3, in a state coupled with another similar suitcase 10'. Figure 4 thus shows an arrangement 99 which shows the suitcase 10 and the additional similar suitcase 10' in a connection state.

The suitcase 10 serves for transporting transport goods. Such transport goods can be received loosely or attached or secured in the interior of the suitcase 10 and can be received in particular in receptacles (not shown), which in turn are housed securely in the interior of the suitcase 10 in the closed state. Examples of such transport goods are consumables (such as screws, nails, dowels, bulk material, or liguids) or tools (such as screwdrivers or bits), etc.

The suitcase 10 has a corpus 12 and a lid 14 connected or connectable to the corpus 12. Reinforcing ribs 28 for mechanically reinforcing the suitcase 10 are formed on the inner sides of the corpus 12. Various coupling structures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44 are attached exclusively on the corpus 12, but not on the lid 14, according to the exemplary embodiment shown. In the closed state between the corpus 12 and the lid 14, a receiving space for receiving transport goods is enclosed between the corpus 12 and the lid 14 inaccessibly from the outside. In the opened state, the receiving space is accessible from the outside, for example, to remove transport goods from the suitcase 10 or introduce them into the suitcase 10.

The coupling structures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44 are designed such that the suitcase 10 and the identical other suitcase 10' are stackable in an optionally vertically detachable manner and are horizontally slide-secured (state |) or in a vertically non- detachable and horizontally slidable coupleable manner (state II) by means of the coupling structures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44 (which are thus also provided in an identical manner on the other suitcase 10') . Furthermore, the suitcases 10, 10' can be coupled to each other vertically non-detachably and horizontally non-slidably (state III). The coupling structures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44, which accomplish both the stacking (state |) and the coupling (state II, state III) of the fore of suitcases 10, 10', are implemented exclusively by means of provisions on the respective corpus 12 (see latching cams 30 and receiving openings 36 of locking feet 34, coupling cams 38 on the locking feet 34, a guide rail 30, 32 between the latching cams 30 and steps 32 and interacting latching slides 40 and receiving openings 44) without, however, requiring provisions on the lid 14 for this purpose.

In order to activate state |, the other suitcase 10' is arranged vertically above the suitcase 10 and subseguently lowered onto the suitcase 10 such that the receiving openings 36 on the locking feet 34 of the other suitcase 10' come into engagement with the latching cams 30 of the suitcase 10. The receiving openings 36 on the locking feet 34 of the other suitcase 10' and the latching cams 30 of the suitcase 10 then ensure that the other suitcase 10' can be lifted vertically from the suitcase 10 at any time ( that is, by a movement inverse to the stacking movement), but is protected against sliding in a horizontal plane by the positive engagement between the receiving openings 36 on the locking feet 34 of the other suitcase 10' and the latching cams 30 of the suitcase 10

In order to activate state II, the other suitcase 10' is arranged in front of the suitcase in the horizontal plane and vertically slightly raised relative to the suitcase 10 so that the coupling lugs 38 of the other suitcase 10' are arranged at the level between the latching cams 30 and the steps 32, consequently at the height of the guiding rails 30, 32 of the receiving suitcase 10. Then, the activation of state Il is completed by pushing the suitcase 10 on top of the other suitcase 10' such that the coupling lugs 38 of the suitcase 10 enter between the latching cams 30 and the steps 32, and thus into the guiding rails 30, 32, of the other suitcase 10°. In state II, lifting of the suitcase 10 from the other suitcase 10' is made impossible due to the positive connection between the coupling lugs 38 on the one hand and the latching cams 30 and the steps 32, thus with the guiding rails 30, 32 , on the other. At the same time, separation of the suitcase 10 from the other suitcase 10' is possible by horizontally pushing off the other suitcase 10' from the suitcase 10, namely with a sliding movement inverse to that with which state II was completed.

In order to activate state Ill starting from state II, the latching slides 40 of the other suitcase 10' are inserted by a vertical sliding movement into the receiving openings 44 of the suitcase 10' in the pushed together state of the suitcases 10, 10' . In the thus completed state Ill, a sliding protection between the suitcases 10, 10' is now formed as well so that now neither vertical lifting nor horizontal sliding of the suitcases 10, 10' from each other is possible.

A part of the coupling structures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44 (namely the coupling structures with the reference symbols 30, 34 with 38) contribute both to vertically detachably stacking in a slide-secured manner and to vertically non - detachably coupling with each other.

As already described, the coupling structures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44 are designed such that the suitcase 10 and the other suitcase 10' in the stacked vertically non-detachably coupled state are selectively slidable against each other by means of the coupling structures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44 (state II in which coupling structures 40, 44 are not engaged with each other) or can be slide-securable against each other (state III, in which additional coupling structures 40, 44 are engaged with each other) by means of connecting the coupling structures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44. A portion of the coupling structures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44 (namely the coupling structures with the reference symbols 40 and 44), which in state III, in which they are vertically non-detachably coupled on top of each other such that they are slide-secured, contributes to securing against sliding, is configured and actuatable independently from another part (namely the coupling structures with the reference symbols 30, 32, 34, 36, 38) of the coupling structures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44, which contributes to vertically detachable stacking such that they are slide-secured and/or vertically non-detachable coupling with each other (state | or state II).

The portion of the coupling structures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44, by which the suitcase 10 and the other suitcase 10' are stackable in a vertically detachable manner on top of each other such that they are slide-secured , is configured in the form of latching cams 30 at outer edge regions of the corpus 12 on a top side and in the form of the locking feet 34 with receiving openings 36 on outer edge regions of the corpus 12 on a bottom side, which interact with the latching cams 30 in the stacked state.

The portion of the coupling structures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44 with which the suitcase 10 and the other suitcase 10' can be vertically non-detachably coupled to each other is designed in the form of the guiding rails 30 , 32 on outer top edge regions of the corpus 12 as well as in the form of bottom coupling lugs 38 on outer bottom edge regions of the corpus 12 which interact with the guiding rails 30, 32 in the coupled state. The latehing cams 30 form a part of the guiding rails 30, 32 and the coupling cams 38 form a part of the locking feet 34. The locking feet 34 extend vertically downwardly beyond a floor surface of the corpus 12 (see Figure 2), such that the suitcase 10 is placeable with the locking feet 34 on ground surface.

The portion of the coupling structures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44, by which the suitcase 10 and the other suitcase 10', in the state of being vertically non-detachably coupled on top of each other, are slide -secure against each other (state III), is configured in the form of receiving openings 44 and the latching slides 40 which interact with them. As indicated by an arrow 42 in Figure 1, the locking slides 40 on the corpus 12 of the other suitcase 10' are insertable into the receiving openings 44 on the corpus 12 of the suitcase 10 (if the other suitcase 10' is arranged above the suitcase 10, such as in

Figure 4), or vice versa (if the suitcase 10 is arranged above the other suitcase 10’).

All coupling structures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44 are provided on side surfaces of the corpus 12 (see, for example, Figure 1). In contrast, the lid 14 is free of the coupling structures 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 44.

Furthermore, the suitcase 10 comprises recessed grips 26 in the form of indentations on opposite side surfaces of the corpus 12.

In addition, an optional locking device 46, 48, 50, 52 may be provided for locking the lid 14 to the corpus 12 in the closed state. In the closed state of the suitcase 10, locking with a counterpart 48 of the lid 14 can be accomplished by means of a key 50 in a rotary lock 52 in a receiving element 46 of the corpus 12. When the lid 14 is swivelled around by means of a hinge 16 in order to lock the interior of the corpus 12, locking elements of the rotary lock 52 on the corpus 12 engage with the counterpart 48 on the lid 14. The rotatable lock 52 on the corpus 12, which is actuable by means of the removable key 50, contains a swivel bracket, which moves into the counterpart 48 on the lid 14.

A handle 54 is attached in a depression at a side surface of the corpus 12, which is on the top side in a carrying state, and is tiltable between a state tilted to the side surface of the corpus 12 (see Figure 1) and a state tilted away from the side surface. The user can accomplish a transition between these two states by manipulating the handle 54. The handle 54 is configured of a hard component 56 for stabilizing and storing the handle 54 and a soft component 58 for comfortable contact with the suitcase 10 by a user when carrying the suitcase 10. The handle 54 on the corpus 12 can be placed against said body and remains there in a compact position by the effect of a latching cam latching the handle 54 in the retracted state. In the region of the handle 54, a label field 75 is provided into which an identification holder indicating, for example, the contents of the suitcase 10 is insertable.

The suitcase 10 also has the hinge 16, which foldably connects the corpus 12 and the lid 14 and is designed to be able to fold the suitcase 10 between the closed state and the open state. The locking feet 34 and the hinge 16 are structurally adapted to each other and positioned such that the hinge 16 remains spaced with respect to the ground surface in a contact-free manner when the suitcase 10 is lying on the ground surface by the locking feet 34 .

As can be seen in Figure 1, a document holder 68 is mounted on an inner side of the lid 14, by means of which the documents, not shown in Figure 1, can be temporarily clamped and thus secured during transport.

From a technical production perspective, both the corpus 12 and the lid 14 are each configured simply as an injection molded part. Other components are subseguently attached to the respective injection molded part (for example the latching slides 40 on the corpus 12 or the document holder 68 on the lid 14).

The suitcases 10, 10' are also designed to receive assortment boxes (not shown) in which, for example, tool materials, such as screws, anchors, or other elements, can be received. In the closed state of the respective suitcase 10, 10', the assortment boxes are secured inaccessibly to a user in the interior of the respective suitcase 10, 10', whereas, in the opened state of the respective suitcase 10, 10, a user can access the assortment boxes.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, on an inner side of the corpus 12, crosswise intersecting longitudinal struts 18 and transverse struts 20 protrude above a planar base.

In sectional areas of the longitudinal struts 18 and the transverse struts 20, also raised projecting frames 22 are formed, which, together with the longitudinal struts 18 and the transverse struts 20, form four receiving recesses 24 for receiving feet of assortment boxes, shaped substantially inversely to the receiving recesses 24, in each section area.

An annular recess on an inner side of the lid 14 is covered with an annular passe-partout 64 which is circumferentially ultrasonically welded to the lid 14. On the passe-partout 64, the plastic document holder 68 is attached by means of plastic clips 66 for clamping documents, not shown.

It can thus be seen from Figure 1 to Figure 4 that the suitcase 10 can be efficiently connected to other suitcases 10”. In the following, with reference to Figure 5 to Figure 10, it is described how such a suitcase 10 also with a receiving body 102 shown in Figure 7 or another non-system body without any coupling structures, i.e. without the coupling structures required to form the system capability (see in particular reference numerals 30, 34, 38, 40, 44) of the suitcase 10, can be made compatible with the suitcases 10, 10' according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention .

Briefly summarized, a significant measure of an exemplary embodiment of the invention consists in identifying virtual sections 206, 208 of the suitcase 10, which are shown in Figure 1 and are as small as possible, which have the coupling structures required to establish compatibility with a suitcase 10, 10' (see in particular reference numerals 30, 44 in section 206 and reference numerals 34, 40 in section 208). The sections 206 and 208 identified in this way, which are as small and as interconnected as possible, can then be reproduced in order to be physically manufactured as components 106 (compare Figures 5 and 6) or 108 (compare Figures 7 to 10) of a retrofitting device 100.

One or more of the fabricated physical components 106, 108 may then be attached (particularly detachably) to the receiving body 102 for compatibility with the suitcases 10, 10".

In particular, a receiving body 102 with a suitcase 10, 10° retrofitted with the retrofitting device 100 designed in this way can be stacked one on top of the other and slide-secured so that it is vertically detachable (selectively with or without securing against sliding) and vertically non-detachably coupled with each other in the same way as two suitcases 10, 10°.

Figure 5 shows a plan view of a top side component 106 of a retrofitting device 100 for retrofitting a receiving body for joint use with a suitcase 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 shows a bottom side view of the top side component 106 according to Figure 5.

The physical top side component 106 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is modeled on the virtual section 206 shown in Figure 1. A non-system body not shown in the figures, which, in contrast to the suitcase 10 according to Figure 1 lacks the coupling structures 30, 44, can on an upper right-hand side according to the illustration shown in Figure 1 be eguipped with the top side component 106 formed as an L-shaped ledge, in order to provide the functionality of the coupling structures 30, 44 there.

Although this is not shown in the figure, a further L-shaped ledge can be arranged as an additional top side component, which according to Figure 1 is in an upper left-hand region of a non-system body which also lacks the coupling structures 30, 44, in order to simulate the functionality of the coupling structures 30, 44 there. This additional top side component can clearly be designed as a mirror image of the top side component 106 shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The retrofitting device 100 according to Figures 5 and 6 is therefore used for retrofitting a receiving body which, as such, cannot be coupled to the suitcase 10 since it lacks coupling structures 30, 44 of the suitcase 10.

The retrofitting device 100 for retrofitting the non-system body on the top side thus has the ledge-shaped retrofitting body 112 according to Figures 5 and 6, and a further retrofitting body, not shown in the figure, which is designed as a mirror image of Figures and 6. As can best be seen in Figure 6, the retrofitting body 112 shown there has a connecting structure 114 on its bottom side for mechanical connection to the non-system body. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the connection is made in such a way that a cavity of the retrofitting body 112 delimited by peripheral side walls can be placed or plugged onto the non-system body.

Furthermore, coupling structures 30', 44' are provided on the retrofitting body 112, which are designed to be coupled with coupling structures 34, 38, 40 of the suitcase 10 in such a way that the retrofitting device 100 (after being placed on the non-system body)

and the suitcase 10 on top of each other are selectively vertically detachable and stackable and slide-secured, or are vertically detachably coupled to one another (optionally with or without securing against sliding) — in a corresponding manner to that described for suitcases 10, 10 ' with reference to Figure 1 to Figure 4.

To put it clearly, the coupling structures 30', 44' on the retrofitting body 112 replace the coupling structures 30, 44 lacking on the non-system body. Thus, the retrofitting device 100 illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 is designed for retrofitting the non-system body to be compatible with the set of suitcases 10, 10°. To design the retrofitting device 100, coupling structures 30, 44 of the suitcase 10 are first identified, which are required to establish compatibility on the top side of the receiving body. For this purpose, see section 206 in Figure 1, a coherent area that is as compact as possible can be determined in the form of an L-shaped ledge in this suitcase, which has and carries the relevant coupling structures 30, 44. On the basis of these preliminary considerations, the retrofitting device 100 can then be produced as an L-shaped body with the identified coupling structures 30', 44' (for example made of plastic, in particular by means of injection moulding). In the same way, the second L-shaped retrofitting body 112 can then be manufactured as a mirror image of Figures 5 and 6 in order to simulate the identified coupling structures 30', 44' on the left-hand side of the system body. The receiving body can then be connected to the retrofitting device 100 produced in this way by placing the ledges such that the receiving body which is connected with the retrofitting device 100 is coupleable with the suitcase 10 by means of the coupling structures 30', 44' of the retrofitting device 100 and by means of the coupling structures 34, 38, 40 of the suitcase 10 in the manner described above.

As already described, in the exemplary embodiment described with reference to

Figures 5 and 6, the retrofitting device 100 can be configured as two L-shaped ledge profiles 104, in order to achieve a particularly material-efficient and lightweight design of the retrofitting device 100. Alternatively, the ledge profile 104 can also be designed as a

U-profile, which clearly connects the two L-shaped ledge profiles 104 to one another and thus enables particularly user-friendly handling of the retrofitting device 100 in the form of then only one component.

Since the receiving body, taken alone, can be free of complicated coupling structures (which can have undercuts), it can be injection molded in one piece using a simple injection molding tool. This significantly simplifies the manufacturing process of the receiving body.

As already mentioned, the coupling structures 30', 44' of the retrofitting device 100 according to Figures 5 and 6 are designed in such a way that a suitcase 10 according to

Figure 1 placed on a top side of the receiving body retrofitted with the retrofitting device 100 according to Figures 5 and 6 by means of the coupling structures 30°, 44' of the receiving body and by means of the coupling structures 34, 38, 40 of the suitcase 10, can be stacked one on top of the other in a selectively vertically detachable manner and slide-secured (compare coupling structures 30°, 34), or can be coupled to one another in a vertically non-detachable manner (compare coupling structures 30°, 34, 38) — the latter optionally with or without securing against sliding (compare coupling structures 44', 40).

For this purpose, the coupling structures 30', 44' of the retrofitting device 100 have latching cams 30' formed laterally on the ledge body 112 on the top side component 106 of the retrofitting device 100 (to be attached to a top side of the receiving body).

The latching cams 30' of the retrofitting device 100 can also form part of guiding rails for torming a vertically non-detachably slidable configuration, whereby these guiding rails can be formed, for example, between the latching cams 30' of the retrofitting device 100 and Steps (compare reference numeral 32 in Figure 1) of the receiving body. Some of the coupling structures 30', 44', with which the retrofitting device 100 according to

Figures 5 and 6 and the suitcase 10 can be coupled to one another in a vertically non- detachable manner, can therefore be realized in the form of guiding rails, which are partially formed on the top side component 106 of the retrofitting device 100 to be attached to a top side of the receiving body.

A portion of the coupling structures 30', 44', with which the retrofitting device 100 according to Figures 5 and 6 together with the receiving body on the one hand and the suitcase 10 on the other are slide-securable in the vertically non-detachably coupled state one above the other, can be used as a respective receiving 44' in the form of a through-hole opening on the short side of the L-shaped profile part or retrofitting body 112 according to Figures 5 and 6, and as an interacting respective latching slide 40 of the system body 10 according to Figure 1. In order to implement the anti-slide securing mechanism, latching slides 40 of the suitcase 10 can be pushed into corresponding receiving openings 44' of the retrofitting device 100 (sliding mechanism activated) or pushed out (sliding mechanism deactivated).

By means of the retrofitting device 100 according to Figures 5 and 6, a normal object (for example a suitcase), i.e. a receiving body, can be eguipped or retrofitted with system coupling elements in the form of the coupling structures 30°, 44'. The L-shaped rail used for this purpose as a top side component 106 according to Figures 5 and 6 receives the structures reguired for a system coupling with the suitcase 10 according to

Figures 1 to 4 (see latching cams 30°) for the locking feet 34 of the engaging system body as well as the recess (see receiving opening 44') for inserting the locking element (see latching slide 40).

If two mirror-symmetrical L-shaped rails, one of which is shown in Figures 5 and 6 as a retrofitting body 112, are attached at the appropriate distance relative to one another, the resulting arrangement causes the coupling structures 30°, 44' on the lid-side end of a suitcase 10 configured as a system suitcase to be simulated. A suitcase 10 can be placed on the rails according to Figures 5 and 6 in such a way that the locking feet 34 of the suitcase 10 engage with the latching cams 30' of the rails, so that the suitcase 10 is held.

The locking slide or latching slide 40 on the handle side of the suitcase 10 can be pushed into the associated recess or receiving opening 44' of the respective L-shaped rail in order to latch the suitcase 10 with the retrofitting device 100 made of the two L shaped profiles.

The suitcase 10 is thus latched with the L-shaped profiles and attached to them.

The L-shaped rails according to Figures 5 and 6 can be fastened to almost any object as a receiving body, as a result of which the suitcases 10 can be fastened to them via the system connection according to Figures 1 to 4. Suitcases that are not system suitcases, shelves, tool benches, workshop trolleys, etc. are possible as objects or non-system bodies on which the retrofitting device 100 is particularly preferably formed from the two L-shaped rails according to Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 7 shows a receiving body 102 with bottom side components 108 attached thereto of a retrofitting device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 8 shows a first view of the bottom side components 108 according to

Figure 7 without the receiving body 102. Figure 9 shows a second view of the bottom side components 108 according to Figure 7 without the receiving body 102. Figure 10 shows a third view of the bottom side components 108 according to Figure 7 without the receiving body 102. The retrofitting device 100 according to Figures 7 to 10 is used for retrofitting the receiving body 102, which as such cannot be coupled completely (namely not on its bottom side) to suitcases 10, 10.

It should be noted that the bottom side components 108 according to Figures 7 to 10 can be used as an alternative or in addition to the top side components 106 according to Figures 5 and 6 in order to form a retrofitting device 100 for retrofitting a receiving body 102. In other words, a receiving body 102 can be retrofitted either only on its top side or only on its bottom side (as according to Figure 7), or both on its top side and on its bottom side, in order to attach there mimicking coupling structures 30°, 44' or 34', 38', 40' that correspond to the suitcase 10.

The right-hand of the two physical bottom side components 106 shown in Figures 7 to 10 is mimicked on the virtual section 208 shown in Figure 1. The receiving body 102 shown in Figure 7, which in contrast to the suitcase 10 according to Figure 1 lacks the coupling structures 34, 40 on its bottom side, can be attached on a lower right-hand side according to Figure 7 with the bottom side component 108 shown on the right in Figures 7 to 10 and identified as an L-shaped ledge, in order to simulate the functionality of the coupling structures 34, 40 there. Furthermore, another L-shaped ledge can be arranged as an additional bottom side component 108 in a lower left-hand area, according to Figure 7, of the receiving body 102, which also lacks the coupling structures 34, 40, in order to mimic the functionality of the coupling structures 34, 40 there. This additional bottom side component 108 is shown in each case on the left-hand side in Figures 7 to 10 and can clearly be formed as a mirror image of the bottom side component 108 shown in each case on the right-hand side in Figures 7 to 10. According to Figures 7 to 10, two L-shaped ledge profiles 104 are again provided as bottom side components 108 that are essentially mirror-symmetrical to one another. Alternatively, these can be connected to form a single profile that is particularly easy to handle.

The top side components 106 according to Figures 5 and 6 and the lower side components 108 according to Figures 7 to 10 are provided with different coupling structures 30', 44' or 34', 38', 40' in order to connect the correspondingly different coupling structures 30, 44 or 34, 38, 40 on a top side or on a bottom side of the suitcase 10'.

The L-shaped ledges of the retrofitting device 100 according to Figures 7 to 10 are in each case eguipped on their top side with a connecting structure 114 for connecting an inversely formed bottom side of the receiving body 102. The connecting structures 114 are each formed as a pair of receiving openings spaced apart from one another along a long side of the respective ledge profile 104. Locking feet 34' are formed on a lower surface of the long sides. As can be seen in Figures 9 and 10, these are provided with coupling lugs 38' on the bottom side, into which latching cams 30 of a suitcase 10 can be inserted. In addition, in a lower area of a respective short side of the respective ledge profile 104 according to Figures 7 to 10, a vertically slidable latching slide 40' is mounted, which can be slid in a direction indicated in Figure 7 with a respective double arrow in order to fit into a corresponding receiving opening 44 to be included in a suitcase 10 or to be moved out of it.

Since the receiving body 102 can be retrofitted to be compatible with the suitcase by connecting it to the retrofitting device 100, it can — taken alone — be designed without locking feet and lie flat on a level surface. This makes it possible for the receiving body 102 to also be able to hold heavy loads (for example it can be designed as a storage container, garbage can or the like), which could lead to locking feet breaking off in continuous operation. If locking feet 34' are required as coupling structures in order to connect the receiving body 102 to a suitcase 10, the bottom side of the receiving body 102 can be equipped as required with the retrofitting device 100 according to Figures 7 to 10.

The coupling structures 34', 38', 40' of the retrofitting device 100 according to

Figures 7 to 10 are therefore designed such that a suitcase 10 according to Figure 1 which is set down on a bottom side of the receiving body 102 which is retrofitted on the bottom side with the retrofitting device 100 according to Figures 7 to 10 are stackable one on top of the other, selectively in a vertically detachable manner, by means of the coupling structures 34', 38', 40' of the receiving body 102 and by means of the coupling structures 30, 44 of the suitcase 10 (compare coupling structures 30, 34'), or can be coupled to one another in a vertically non-detachable manner (compare coupling structures 30, 34', 38') — the latter optionally with or without a device for securing against sliding (compare coupling structures 44 , 40'). For this purpose, the coupling structures 34', 38', 40' of the retrofitting device 100 have locking feet 34' formed on the bottom side of the ledge body 112 on the bottom side component 108 of the retrofitting device 100 (to be attached to a bottom side of the receiving body 102). In the stacked state, these interact with latching cams 30 of the suitcase 10. Further, coupling cams 38' can form a part of the locking feet 34'. Some of the coupling structures 34', 38', 40', with which the retrofitting device 100 according to Figures 7 to 10 and the suitcase 10 can be coupled to one another in a vertically non-detachable manner, can be designed in the form of coupling lugs 38' that interact with guiding rails of the suitcase 10 in the coupled state on the bottom side components 108 (to be attached to a bottom side of the receiving body 102) of the retrofitting device 100.

By means of the retrofitting device 100 according to Figures 7 to 10, a normal receiving body (for example a suitcase) can be eguipped or retrofitted with system coupling elements in the form of the coupling structures 34', 38', 40".

According to Figure 7, the receiving body 102 is designed in the form of a suitcase and can be systemically coupled to the suitcase 10 shown in Figures 1 to 4 by means of the retrofitting device 100 according to Figures 7 to 10. The receiving body 102 has a corpus 130 with four side walls 132, 134, 136, 138 and a floor 140 and a lid 142. The upper, lid-side end of the receiving body 102 has coupling elements or coupling structures 144 according to Figures 1 to 4 in order to arrange another suitcase 10 onto it and to connect the two suitcases to each other. However — contrary to Figures 1 to 4 — the opposite floor end (not shown) of the receiving body 102 has no coupling structures, i.e. in particular no locking feet 34 and no latching slides 40. The floor of the receiving body 102 designed as a suitcase can thus be arranged flat on the floor of a hall. This is advantageous per se, since it ensures that even when the receiving body 102 is heavily loaded, no feet can break off and the floor of the receiving body 102 does not sag.

Advantageously, an injection molding tool (in particular one of simple design) can be used to produce the corpus 130, and the corpus 130 can be injection molded in one piece.

In order to ensure the described fault-resistant operation of the receiving body 102, even when heavily loaded, and to avoid additional effort for an additional injection molding tool for forming coupling structures 34, 38, 40 on the bottom side directly on the receiving body 102 according to Figures 1 to 4, and to still enable the suitcase to be connected to the system, the procedure is as follows: On the opposite side walls of the receiving body 102, coupling rails in the form of the ledge profiles 104 according to

Figures 7 to 10 can be arranged and fastened, which mimic the coupling structures 34, 38, 40 on the bottom side according to Figures 1 to 4, namely the feet (compare the locking feet 34' with coupling lugs 38') and the locking elements (compare the latching slide 40'). With the help of these coupling rails, the smooth floor of the receiving body 102, which is produced without coupling elements, becomes a floor with the coupling structures 34', 38', 40°, which are functionally mimicked in Figures 1 to 4.

The coupling rails of the retrofitting device 100 according to Figures 7 to 10 can be connected to the corpus 130 with the aid of screws or rivets or clips, for example, or they can simply be slipped onto it (see connection structure 114).

If the coupling rails or ledge profiles 104 are attached to the corpus 130, the receiving body 102 can be placed on a suitcase 10 and coupled or connected to it, as is described in Figures 1 to 4.

Although no receiving openings are shown in Figures 7 to 10 on the bottom side components 108 on the locking feet 34', the bottom side components 108 on the locking feet 34' can also have such receiving openings (corresponding to reference numeral 36, as shown in Figure 3 for suitcase 10).

Figure 11 shows including an arrangement 110 of a suitcase 10, a receiving body 102 and a retrofitting device 100 for retrofitting the receiving body 102 for joint use with the suitcase 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The retrofitting device 100 is used for retrofitting the receiving body 102, which as such cannot be coupled to the system body 10 at all (namely neither on its bottom side nor on its top side).

The suitcase 10 has coupling structures 30, 34 and can be coupled to coupling structures 30, 34 of another suitcase (not shown) by means of the coupling structures 30, 34. The receiving body 102, on the other hand, cannot be coupled as such to the coupling structures 30, 34 of the suitcase 10 due to the lack of its own coupling structures. The retrofitting device 100, on the other hand, has coupling structures 30', 34° which are functionally mimicked on the coupling structures 30, 34 of the suitcase 10 and which would also be required on the receiving body 102 to establish coupling compatibility with the Suitcase 10. The receiving body 102 and the retrofitting device 100 are shaped and dimensioned to be connected to one another (see arrow 150) in such a way that in the connected state by means of the coupling structures 30', 34' of the retrofitting device 100 and by means of the coupling structures 30, 34 of the suitcase 10, the receiving body 102 connected to the retrofitting device 100 can be coupled to the suitcase 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the retrofitting device 100 has a receiving space 152 that is shaped and dimensioned to receive the non-system body 103 (see arrow 150).

According to Figure 11, a connecting structure 114 for firmly connecting the receiving body 102 to the retrofitting device 100 is shown purely by way of example as a vertically slidable bolt.

Furthermore, according to Figure 11, the retrofitting device 100 has rolling device 116 for the rolling movement of the receiving body 102 attached to the retrofitting device 100, which can then be used as a system-capable trolley.

The schematic representation according to Figure 11 shows that the basic concept of the example of the invention can be realized with completely different non-system bodies 102. A non-system body can be, for example, any receiving body (e.g. a suitcase), a shelf, a tool bench, a workshop trolley, etc.

In addition, it should be noted that "having" does not exclude any other elements or steps and "one" or "a/an" does not exclude a exclude. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps which have been described with reference to one of the above exemplary examples can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other above-described exemplary ones. Reference symbols in the claims are not to be understood as limiting.

Claims (5)

Patent Claims 1. A method for designing a retrofitting (100) for equipping a receiving body (102) for retrofitting compatibility with a suitcase (10) intended for the transport of transported goods, which suitcase (10) can be connected to another suitcase (10') by connecting structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44) by means of which the method comprises: identifying the connecting structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44) of the suitcase (10) required to achieve compatibility; manufacturing a retrofit (100) having connection structures (30', 34', 38', 40', 44) that mimic the identified connection structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44); the receiver frame (102) is connected to the aftermarket equipment (100) in such a way that the receiver frame (102) connected to the aftermarket equipment (100) can be connected to the suitcase (10) by means of the connection structures (30', 34', 38', 40', 44) of the aftermarket equipment (100) and the suitcase (10) by means of coupling structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44); wherein the retrofitting (100) is shaped into a protruding profile (104); wherein the suitcase coupling structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44) are configured such that the suitcase and another suitcase comprising the coupling structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44) as a second suitcase (10), when overlapping, the coupling structures (30 , 34, 38, 40, 44) are optionally: vertically removably stackable in a non-slip manner; or vertically inseparably connected to each other; where the connecting structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44) of the suitcase are shaped in such a way that the suitcase and the other suitcase in the state where they are vertically inextricably connected to each other are, by means of the connecting structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44), optionally: liu' permeable to each other; or by influencing the coupling structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44) to be secured against each other. 2. The method according to claim 1, which comprises at least one of the following features: where at least one upper side component (106) of the aftermarket equipment (100) is attached to the upper side of the receiving frame (102) and/or at least one bottom side component (108) of the aftermarket equipment (100) is attached to the receiving frame (102 ) bottom page; wherein in particular said at least one top side component (106) and said at least one bottom side component (108) are shaped in different ways, in particular with different connection structures (30', 34', 38', 40', 44"); where the connection is made with a screw connection, a bolt connection and /or, especially detachably, with a plug connection, where the after-equipment (100) is produced by injection molding. 3. An arrangement (110), which comprises: a suitcase (10) intended for transporting goods to be transported, which comprises connecting structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44) and which, with the help of the connecting structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44), is connectable to the connecting structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44) of the second suitcase (10); the reception body (102), which as such is not fully connectable to the connection structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44) of the suitcase (10); retrofitting (100), which comprises connecting structures (30', 34', 38', 40', 44) imitating the connecting structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44) of the suitcase (10) required to achieve compatibility with the suitcase (10); wherein the receiver body (102) and the aftermarket equipment (100) are configured and connectable or connected to each other such that, in the connected state, the aftermarket equipment (100) by means of the coupling structures (30', 34', 38', 40', 44) and the suitcase (10) with the help of coupling structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44), the receiving frame (102) connected to the after-equipment (100) can be connected to the suitcase (10); where the after-equipment (100) is shaped as a protruding profile (104); where the coupling structures (30, 34, 38) of the suitcase , 40, 44) is configured in such a way that the suitcase and the second suitcase, which comprises the coupling structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44), as the second suitcase (10'), when overlapping, are the coupling structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44) optionally with: vertically removable stackable in a non-slip manner; or vertically inseparably connected to each other; where the connecting structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44) of the suitcase are shaped so that the suitcase and the other suitcase, in the state where they are vertically inextricably connected to each other, with the help of the connecting structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44) are optionally : sliding relative to each other; or by affecting the coupling structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44) are slide-secured relative to each other. 4. The arrangement (110) according to claim 3, wherein the suitcase comprises: a box part (12); a lid (14) connected or connectable to the box part (12); the connection structures (30, 34, 38, 40, 44) in the box part (12) and/or in the lid (14); where when the box part (12) and the cover (14) are in a closed position, a space protected from the outside is formed for the reception of the goods to be transported; where, in the opened position, the reception area can be accessed from the outside. 5. An arrangement (110) according to one of claims 3 to 4, which comprises at least one of the following features: where the receiving body (102) is selected from the group consisting of a receiving body, in particular a suitcase, a shelf level, a tool bench and a workshop trolley; where the receiving body (102) does not have locking legs (34, 34'), it especially has a smooth or planar bottom side; where the receiver body (102) is injection molded in one piece.