FR2951685A1 - Load i.e. luggage, transporting unit e.g. industrial hand truck, has transmitting unit transmitting rotation movement of drum to rolling unit such that traction movement of user on end of strap is converted into rotation of rolling unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The element has a drawing strap (203) with an end fixed to a winding drum, and wound around the winding drum. A returning unit returns rotational movement of the drum around its rotation axis. A transmitting unit cooperating with a complementary unit carried by the drum transmits the rotation movement of the drum to a rolling unit i.e. belt type puller (15), such that traction movement of a user on an end of another drawing strap is converted into rotation of the rolling unit.

Description

The present invention relates to a load-carrying member, in particular of the suitcase or hand-carried carriage type, comprising rolling means which can be used to transport the load. can be operated manually by the user, in order to increase the effort to be provided by the latter, especially in stairs, during the climb. Load transport elements, such as suitcases or hand trucks, are often difficult to move when loaded. It has long been known to add wheels to one of the surfaces of a load carrying member, which wheels can have just roll the load carrying member and no longer have to wear it. This wheel system facilitates the movement of a loaded load transport member on flat terrain, but still forces the user to carry the load carrying member in certain situations, and in particular in stairs. Having to carry a loaded load transport element in stairs can be difficult for weak people, for example for the elderly. For example, French patent application FR 2844496 discloses systems which make it possible to mount luggage more easily on the stairs.

These systems generally include rolling means connected to an electrically actuated motor, allowing, when the operator starts the engine, to mount a suitcase in stairs without having to wear it. These systems, however, have several disadvantages. First of all, they are bulky. Indeed, in addition to the rolling system, it is necessary to provide a place for the electric motor operating the rolling means, a place for batteries that power the electric motor and sufficient space for electrical connections.

Also, a significant volume of the load transport element is already occupied by the electrical system, in particular by the batteries. In addition, the electrical system consisting of the engine and its batteries often has a significant weight, which unnecessarily weighs the load transport element, in addition to occupy an interior volume of the load transport element. Moreover, the electrical system powering the engine in this type of system, ie batteries if the system is autonomous, must be recharged fairly regularly, which has disadvantages for the user. Indeed, it must carry a battery connecting cable to the mains, which further reduces the internal volume available to the user, it must be near an electrical outlet when it is needed, which will not It is not always obvious, and it must wait a long enough time, which corresponds to the charging time of the batteries, before being able to reuse the device.

The present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art, and proposes in one embodiment a load transport member with caterpillars actuated manually by the user, by multiplying the effort provided by the user. Thus, there is no longer any need for an electrical system inside the charge transport member, and therefore the interior volume of the user-usable charge-carrying member is superior to the devices. of the prior art, equal weight. In addition, the overall weight of the load transport element is reduced, since light mechanical components are used. Finally, the disadvantages of charging the battery are eliminated. In a particular embodiment, the invention also offers the additional advantages of easy disassembly to facilitate packaging, transportation, storage, and allowing other luggage to be carried on top. a bag-type load transport member without recourse to reported fastening means. Thus, for example, the user rolls the load-carrying member by pulling on at least one strap which mechanically actuates, for example by a retractor drum, the rolling means of the load-carrying member. No electrical system is required to operate the rolling means of the load transport element, even if batteries can be provided in the charge transport element, for example to charge a laptop, or even annex way means for electrically actuating the rolling means, in addition to the means actuated mechanically by the user.

Thus, the front opening can make it easier to climb stairs, by hooking the portion of the caterpillars to the front portion of the load-carrying element on the noses of the steps of the stairs.

The subject of the present invention is therefore a load transport element, in particular of the suitcase or arm-type carriage type, comprising rolling means, characterized in that it furthermore comprises means for rotating said rolling means. said rotational driving means being constituted by a winding drum, a strap-type element or cord attached to a first end of the winding drum and wrapping around said winding drum, a means for returning the winding drum rotation movement; around its axis of rotation, opposing a traction on the second end of the strap-type element or cord, and means for transmitting the rotational movement cooperating with complementary means carried by the drum drum to transmit a movement of rotation of the drum drum to the rolling means, so that a traction movement of the user on the second ex the end of the strap-type element or cord is converted into a rotation of the rolling means.

Thus, a natural rocking movement of the arm of the user during the rise of a step pulls on the strap-type element or cord, and causes the rotation of the rolling means, with less effort to provide for the 'user.

The return means may advantageously be a spring for example spiral, one end is connected to the axis of rotation of the drum drum, and the other is fixed in the rotating drive means.

In the simplest case, an axis is integral with the axis of rotation of the winding drum, this axis being directly connected to the rolling means, so that a rotation of the winding drum corresponds to a rotation of the rolling means. According to a particular characteristic of the invention, the means for transmitting the rotational movement of the reel drum to the rolling means may comprise a reduction gear of the rotational movement of the reel drum meshing with a gear carried by the axis of rotation. the drum drum and secured thereto, so that a rotational movement of the drum drum is converted into a rotational movement of the rolling means. According to another particular characteristic of the invention, the means for transmitting the rotational movement of the winding drum to the rolling means may comprise a set of gearing gears of the rotational movement of the winding drum each meshing with each other selectively with complementary gears carried by the axis of rotation of the winding drum and integral with it, allowing each to have a different gear ratio between the winding drum and the rolling means, and the rotating drive means may comprise means for selectively activating a set of gears among the sets of gears. The selective activation means may take the form of a pedal, a push button, or any other similar means. According to another particular characteristic of the invention, the retractor drum may carry a braking means that locks on a complementary braking means carried by the transmission means below a fixed and adjustable threshold of traction exerted on the element. strap or cord type, in order to block the rotational movement of the rolling means below this pull threshold, especially when descending a staircase. The braking means may be a tooth, carried at one end of a member carried on the axis of rotation of the drum drum, cooperating with a toothed wheel carried by a transmission axis of the rotational movement to the rolling means, or a rubber brake shoe, which presses to brake a drum carried by the transmission shaft. Thus, the member carried on the axis of rotation of the drum drum can then rotatably mounted on an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum drum, between the axis of rotation of the drum drum and the transmission axis. rotational movement to the rolling means, and sufficient traction on the strap-like element or cord rotates the member about its axis, releasing the tooth of the toothed wheel. A spring operating in compression between the end of the member attached to the winding drum and a fixed point on the rotating drive means makes it possible to adjust the tractive force threshold to exert to unlock the braking means. According to another particular characteristic of the invention, the rotational drive means may comprise a handle means carrying a cam adapted to engage with a complementary means carried by the drum drum to unlock the braking means of the drum drum of the braking means complementary to the transmission means, regardless of the tension exerted on the strap-type element or cord.

The cam may for example engage with one end of the member carried on the axis of rotation of the drum drum, to unlock the tooth carried by this member of the toothed wheel carried by the transmission shaft.

The member is then rotatably mounted on an axis of rotation parallel to the axis of rotation of the reel drum, between the axis of rotation of the reel drum and the axis of transmission of the rotational movement to the rolling means. The handle means can also be used to pull the bag manually, in a conventional manner. According to another particular characteristic of the invention, the rolling means can be constituted by two crawler systems, each crawler system comprising at least one crawler of flexible material, a driving wheel of the crawler and a tensioning roller for the crawler, two opposite sides of the load carrying member each incorporating a crawler system, such that the tread of each crawler extends on each side of a lower face of the crawler element; load transport. According to another particular characteristic of the invention, the opposite lateral faces carrying the crawler system may furthermore have a front opening through which a part of the crawler passes, so that the tread of each crawler extends at least in part on the underside of a face of the load carrying member perpendicular to both side faces carrying a track system and to the underside of the load carrying member. The rotational drive means can rotate the two track systems by pulling on the webbing or rope-like member, the transmission means including an axis on which is transmitted the rotational movement of the take-up drum, the axis carrying at each of its ends a toothed pinion which meshes with teeth formed on the inner periphery of the respective driving wheel of each track system, for transmitting the rotational movement of the axle to the drive wheels. Each crawler system may comprise an incorporated rotating drive means, each actuated by a strap-type element or independent cord, the transmission means being constituted by one or more teeth carried by the outer surface of the drum drum and engaging with a toothed internal periphery of the respective drive wheel. The one or more rotational drive means may comprise means for selectively transmitting the rotational movement of the take-up drum, in order to transmit a rotational movement of the take-up drum to the rolling means only during a traction action on the element. strap or cord type. This means may advantageously be a member carrying a pawl, said member being integral with the axis on which is transmitted the rotational movement of the drum drum, and the pawl engaging selectively depending on the direction of rotation of the drum drum, with inclined teeth carried by an inner annular surface of the drum drum. When the load-carrying member is a case, an upper face of the case may carry at least one object holder, each rack being mounted on arms mounted in the side faces at one end rotatable about an axis of rotation carried by the upper face of the bag and orthogonal to the side faces, each gate being therefore movable between a folded position on the upper face of the load-carrying member, and a standing position perpendicular to the face upper part of the charge transport element. The bag can be dismountable, the faces of the bag being connected together by fastening means carried by the faces and / or by reported fastening means. The present invention also relates to a removable case, whose six faces can be assembled by fastening means carried by the faces and reported fastening means, advantageously carrying the means for driving in rotation and the rolling means of the present invention. invention. The present invention also relates to a suitcase, advantageously removable, an upper face carries a folding element, so that when the folding element is open, the upper face of the bag constitutes a seat and the folding element open a backrest for this seat, the suitcase so arranged that can serve as a seat. This bag can advantageously carry the rotation drive means and the rolling means of the present invention, and at least one object holding grid, each grid being mounted on arms mounted at one end rotatable around an axis of rotation carried by the upper face of the bag and orthogonal to the side faces, each grid being therefore movable between a folded position on the upper face of the bag, and a standing position perpendicular to the upper face of the bag .

The upright arms and / or the grid supported by the upright arms can serve as support for the backrest when the folding element is open. A shelf member or a case may be attached between the upright arms opposite to the back support arm, the shelf member or case being adapted to be horizontally attached, and supported in this position by reinforcing elements, to serve as a work surface for a user sitting on the bag, for example to support a laptop or documents. The rotational drive means of the present invention may also be integrated with a non-removable load transport member.

To better illustrate the object of the present invention, particular embodiments will be described in more detail below, with reference to the appended drawing. In this drawing: - Figure 1 is an exploded view of the various elements constituting a suitcase according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first step of mounting the components of the bag of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing a second step of mounting the components of the suitcase of Figure 1; Figure 3A is a detail view D of Figure 3; Figure 4 is a detail view of the mounting step of Figure 3;

Figure 5A and 5B are detail views of the last step of mounting the case of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the means for rotating the rolling means of the bag according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the rotating drive means of the rolling means of the bag according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the bag of Figure 1, with a 16 showing the crawler system which constitutes the rolling means of the bag according to the present invention;

Figures 9 to 12 are perspective views in different positions of a variant of the rotary drive means of the first embodiment, with braking / clutch means;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of another variant of the first embodiment of the rotation drive means, having an additional reduction stage;

Figure 14 is a view of the suitcase mounted in perspective; Figure 15 shows a variant of the suitcase according to the invention, arranged to allow the user to sit and work on it. Figure 16 illustrates the operation of the case according to the present invention uphill in a staircase; and

Figure 17 schematically illustrates the forces exerted on a suitcase in a staircase.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5B, it can be seen that a suitcase according to the present invention is shown. The general structure of the bag according to the invention, as well as its mounting, are set out below. Suitcase 1 according to the present invention comprises a lower face or bottom 2, an upper face consisting of a front flap 3a and a rear flap 3b, two side faces or cheeks, respectively 4 and 5, a front face 6, a rear face 7, and front holding grids 8a and 8b. Each of the faces is advantageously made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as a plastic material (polyester, ABS), a stamped metal ... The bottom 2 consists of a rectangular plate comprising two longitudinal edges 9a, 9b, on two opposite sides of the bottom 2 and longitudinal beads 10a, 10b on the other two opposite sides of the bottom 2.

Each longitudinal flange 9a, 9b comprises holes 11, for mounting the flanges 4, 5, as indicated below. The front flap 3a consists of a plate having a surface substantially equal to half the surface of the bottom 2. The flap 3a comprises two longitudinal flanges (only the longitudinal flange 12a is shown in the drawings) on two opposite longitudinal sides, and a central rectangular cutout 13, intended to cooperate with the front face 6 as shown below, on a third side thereof, this third side of the flap 3a having a rounded edge 3a1. The flap 3a further comprises, on its sides carrying the longitudinal flanges 12a, in the vicinity of the third side of the flap 3a carrying the rectangular cutout 13, studs 14, spring-mounted, projecting from both sides of the flap 3a in the direction of the third side of the flap 3a, intended to cooperate with the cheeks 4, 5, as indicated below, during assembly of the bag 1.

The rear flap 3b is identical to the front flap 3a, with the exception that the flap 3b does not have a central rectangular cut on any of its sides. As for the flap 3a, studs 14, also spring-loaded, are mounted at one end of the sides of the flap 3b bearing longitudinal flanges, in the vicinity of a third side of the flap 3b, this third side of the flap 3b having similar to the flap 3a, a rounded edge. The cheeks 4, 5 are rectangular elements with substantially rounded, hollow edges, inside which is mounted a crawler system 15, described in more detail below.

The cheeks 4, 5 carry a cover 16, external when the bag 1 is assembled, a contour 17 on a lower part of which is mounted the crawler system 15, and a face 18, internal when the bag is mounted.

The contour 17 has on its upper part a recess 17a, intended to receive arms 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d in the folded position thereof, each end of the upper portion of the contour 17 of each of the cheeks 4, 5 carrying respectively an articulated mounted end of each arm, respectively 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d, as will be indicated below. The grids, respectively 8a, 8b, are mounted for example by clipping, bolting or other between two arms, respectively 80a, 80c and 80b, 80d respectively mounted on the side of the front face 6 and the rear face 7 of the mounted case. In the middle of the upper part of the contour 17 of each cheek 4, 5, is carried a lock, respectively 81a, 81b, for locking the arms 80a, 80b, 80c, 80d in their folded position and flaps 3a, 3b, in their folded position, to ensure the closure of the bag. These locks 81a, 81b are locks with three points, a first point for locking a first arm, a second point for locking a second arm, and the last point for locking the flaps 3a, 3b. The internal faces 18 of the cheeks 4, 5 have, in the embodiment shown, a central recess 19, around which is mounted the caterpillar system 15, and a peripheral rim 20, continuous, centered, in the vicinity of the periphery of the faces 18 of the cheeks 4, 5, the peripheral edge 20 having a channel profile in U or T, said border 20 being intended to cooperate with elements on the front 6 and rear 7 of the bag 1, with the bottom 2 and with the flanges 12a carried by the flaps respectively before 3a and rear 3b, as indicated in more detail below with reference to the mounting of the bag 1. It is possible to do without the central recess 19 whose role is to lighten structure and give more volume inside the suitcase. Holes 21 (FIGS. 3 and 4) are formed on the outer surface of the peripheral edge 20, for attachment of the front 6 and rear 7 and bottom 2 of the bag 1, as indicated in more detail below with reference at the mounting of the bag 1. Holes 22 are also made on the inner surface 18 of the cheeks 4, 5, at each upper end of the cheeks 4, 5, the holes 22 being intended to cooperate with the nubs 14 of the flaps 3a 3b for attachment thereof to the cheeks 4, 5. Within the recess 17a (Figure 4) of the contour 17, in the vicinity of each upper end of the cheeks 4, 5, is formed an axis 23, bringing together the internal 18 and outer faces 16 of the cheeks 4, 5, around which the arms 80a, 80b, 80c, and 80d are articulated. The front face 6 is a substantially rectangular piece, the longitudinal edges having a rounded return 27, so that the front face 6 is substantially U-shaped in cross-sectional view. The two transverse edges respectively have flanges 24a, 24b, with holes 25 aligned with the holes 21 of the flanges 4, 5 during assembly of the bag 1.

The longitudinal edge of the front face 6 cooperating with the bottom 2 during assembly of the bag 1 further carries at its end a longitudinal groove 26, intended to cooperate with the longitudinal bead 10b of the bottom 2.

The upper longitudinal edge of the front face 6 cooperating with the front flap 3a during assembly of the bag 1, has at its end a rounded gutter shape 27, concavity facing the inside of the front face 6, said longitudinal edge cooperating with the rounded edge 3a1 of the flap 3a, as shown in profile in Figure 5B. The front face 6 also carries, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, rotary drive means 28, detailed below, said rotary drive means 28 projecting centrally on the upper side of the inner face of the front face 6 when the bag 1 is assembled, the projection corresponding to the circular cut 13 of the front flap 3a. The rear face 7 has a shape not quite identical to the front face 6, the rear face 7 not carrying rotational drive means, and the lower part of the rear face 7, in the vicinity of the contact zone. with the bottom 2, has a rounding smaller than the rounding of the front face 6 in the vicinity of the contact zone with the bottom 2, because of the caterpillar system 15. The same elements as the front face 7 will be referenced with the same reference numbers.

The mounting of the bag 1 is carried out as described below. As indicated in FIG. 2, the bottom 2 is firstly assembled to the front 6 and rear 7 faces by engaging the longitudinal beads 10a, 10b with the respective longitudinal grooves 26 of the front 6 and rear 7 faces, until they are aligned. longitudinal flanges 9a, 9b of the bottom 2 with the flanges 24a, 24b of the front 6 and rear faces 7, as shown in Figure 3.

The cheeks 4, 5 are then assembled to the assembly already assembled, by embedding the flanges 24a, 24b of the front 6 and rear faces 7 into the peripheral edge 20 of the cheeks 4, 5.

For this, one slightly spreads the front 6 and rear 7 as shown in Figure 3, to insert the cheeks 4, 5 between the front faces 6 and rear 7. The longitudinal edges 9a, 9b of the bottom 2 and the flanges 24a , 24b of the front 6 and rear faces 7 are housed in the peripheral edge 20 of the respective cheek, the holes 11 of the longitudinal flanges 9a, 9b of the bottom 2 and the holes 25 of the flanges 24a, 24b are aligned with the holes 21 transverse edge 20 is then assembled by screwing with bolts 29 the bottom 2, the cheeks 4, 5, and the front faces 6 and rear 7. The front flaps 3a and 3b rear are mounted by interlocking nipples 14 in the holes 22 formed on the cheeks 4, 5, which allows to complete the mounting of the bag 1, the rounded edges 3a1 flaps 3a, 3b cooperating with the rounded gutter 27 carried by each upper edge of the front faces 6 and rear 7 as shown in Figure 5B, the lat 12a of the flaps 3a, 3b resting, when folded once mounted, on the upper part of the peripheral edge 20. Optionally, grids 8a, 8b can be attached to the arms 80a, 80c and 80b, 80d, as indicated above, for the attachment of luggage on the bag 1. Each gate 8a, 8b has lateral edges 29, and transverse rods 30, the lateral edges 29 cooperating with the arms 80a, 80c and 80b, 80d for fixing the grids 8a, 8b on the arms 80a, 80c and 80b, 80d.

Thus, the grids 8a, 8b are movable in rotation between a folded position, in which the arms 80a, 80c and 80b, 80d fit into the upper part of the contour 17, and an erect position, in which the arms 80a, 80c and 80b, 80d and thus the grids 8a, 8b fixed thereto are arranged parallel to each other and to the mean planes of the front 6 and rear 7 faces, perpendicular to the upper face formed by the flaps 3a, 3b folded, for fixing of objects on the grids 8a, 8b and / or to place heavy objects, such as other suitcases, between the grids 8a, 8b for a transport of these on the suitcase 1. Referring now in Figure 6, it can be seen that there is shown rotating drive means 28 according to a first embodiment of the invention. In this first simplified embodiment, the rotational drive means 28 are constituted by a belt-driven retractor system.

The rotational drive means consist of two independent drive systems, one for each track system mounted in each of the flanges 4, 5, each drive system comprising mainly a half-casing, respectively 32a, 32b, a half-drum winder, respectively 33a, 33b, in which is mounted a round flange, respectively 34a, 34b, and a return spring, respectively 35a, 35b, the systems being joined to be driven by a single strap 47.

Each half-casing, respectively 32a, 32b, has an outer face 36 smooth, and an inner face 37 having a round recess 38, of diameter substantially equal to the mean outer diameter of the respective drum 33a, 33b. The casing, respectively 32a, 32b, has a rectangular shape, with two rounded edges at the end which carries the round recess 38, so that the edge of the casing, respectively 32a, 32b, substantially follows the edge of the recess round 38 on one half of the periphery thereof. A through hole 39 is formed in the center of the round recess 38, for receiving a bearing 40, as will be described in more detail below.

Each winder drum, respectively 33a, 33b, is cylindrical in shape, with a round cross-section wall 41, intersecting each winding drum 33a, 33b in two halves in the direction of the axis of revolution of the winding drum 33a, 33b, the diameter of the wall 41 being substantially greater than the mean outside diameter of the winding drum 33a, 33b, so that the transverse wall 41 forms a central peripheral projection on the wall of the drums 33a, 33b. A central through hole 42 is formed at the center 20 of the transverse wall 41. The winding drum, 33a, 33b, respectively, on the side of the transverse wall 41 intended to cooperate with the casing 32a, 32b respectively, has a cylinder 43 extending from the edge of the through hole 42, for receipt of a bearing 44, as will be described in more detail below. On the other side of the transverse wall 41 intended to cooperate with a strap 47, the winding drum 32a, 32b has on its outer surface a receiving cavity 45 intended to receive by interlocking or fixing a fastening element 46 carried by a end of the strap 47, so as to rotate the drum drum 33a, 33b, once the fastening element 46 fixed in the receiving cavity 45, by pulling on the other end of the strap 47. The drum winder 33a, 33b, still on the same side of the transverse wall 41, carries on its inner surface inclined teeth 48, intended to cooperate with a pawl 49a, 49b formed on the outer surface of the flange, respectively 34a, 34b, the teeth 48 being oriented so that the catch 49a, 49b is driven by the take-up drum 33a, 33b only when the take-up drum 33a, 33b is pulled on the strap 47. Trees 50a, 50b, mounted integral with the respective flanges 34a, 34b, bearing the bearings 40, 44 for a rotation of the shaft 50a, 50b inside the holes 39, 42, makes it possible to transmit the rotational movement of the flange 34a, 34b, to the outside the casing 32a, 32b towards the rolling means 15, as will be described hereinafter in more detail. A return spring 35a, 35b, mounted around the shaft 50a, 50b, has an end fixed by a locking pin 35a1 to the inner wall of the housing 32a, 32b, and an end fixed to the outer periphery of the cylinder 43. When the system is completely assembled, the flanges 34a, 34b are completely contained in the side of the corresponding winding drum 33a, 33b, so that the two winding drums 33a, 33b can be assembled to be driven by the same strap 47 by joining on both sides of the reel drums 33a, 33b and alignment of the cavities 45 on each drum 33a, 33b, cooperating with the strap 47, the strap 47 then wrapping around the two assembled reel drums 33a, 33b, on the outer surface of those between the two transverse walls 41.

Thus, when the strap 47 is pulled on, the fastening means 46 carried by the strap and received in the cavities 45 of the reel drums 33a, 33b rotate the reel drums 33a, 33b, which transmit the rotational movement by via the teeth 48 to the flanges 34a, 34b, and through the flanges 34a, 34b, the rotational movement is transmitted to the shafts 50a, 50b. When the strap 47 is released, the return springs 35a, 35b cause rewinding of the strap 47 around the reel drums 33a, 33b, the orientation of the teeth 48 in the reel drums 33a, 33b resulting in the fact that the flanges 34a, 34b are not rotated, and therefore no rotation is transmitted to the shafts 50a, 50b. As shown in Figure 6, the housings 32a, 32b are assembled with spacers 51 between them, the width of the spacers 51 corresponding to the width between the two transverse surfaces 41 of the reel drums 33a, 33b, and the spacers 51 serving also to guide the strap 47 on the reel drums 33a, 33b. This assembly with two independent systems for rotating the shafts 50a, 50b by the same strap 47 allows a differential rotation of the tracks, useful, for example, during turns. The track system 15 employed in this embodiment is shown in Figure 8.

As previously indicated, the track systems are mounted within the lugs 4, 5 of the case 1 between the inner 18 and outer 16 surfaces thereof, and are further illustrated for the cheek 4 in FIG. 8, the system being identical for the cheek 5. The track system 15 comprises a track 52 of flexible material, a driving wheel 53 driving the track 52, guide rollers 54, 56 and a tension roller of the track 55. The driving wheel 53 is rotatably mounted in the cheek 4 in the vicinity of the front end of the cheek 4 in contact with the front face 6, around an axis of rotation perpendicular to the median plane of the cheek 4, the rolling plane the driving wheel 53 protruding from the cheek 4 beyond the mean plane of the bottom 2 and the middle plane of the front face 6. The driving wheel 53 furthermore has, on the side of the wheel 53 placed in use against the inner surface 18 of the cheek 4, a toothed surface 53 'on a periphery internal wheel 53. The track 15 is guided on the side of the cheek 4 in contact with the bottom 2 by a plurality of guide rollers 54, 56, a plurality of guide rollers 54 being located in the lower part of the cheek 4 to guide the caterpillar 52 in the lower part of the cheek 4, and a guide roller 56 being located in the upper part of the cheek 4, opposite the drive wheel 53, to guide the caterpillar 52 in the upper part of the cheek 4. The caterpillar 52 is further tightened by a tensioning roller 55, the tensioning roller 55 being mounted at the lower rear end of the cheek 4 in contact with the rear face 7, the guide roller 56 being mounted vertically of the tensioner roller 55, the upper side of the cheek 4. The driving wheel 53 cooperates with the rollers 54, 55, 56 to tension the track 52 and drive it, the track 52 having, by the configuration of the track system, a parallel running surface at the bottom 2 and offset from the bottom 2 towards the outside of the bag. The slight protrusion of the drive wheel 53 at the front of the cheek 4 makes it possible to have a running part of the track 52 coming out of the case 1 on the front face of the cheek 4, in contact with the front face 6, which is useful for example in the case of crossing obstacles such as steps, as indicated below. As shown in FIG. 2, a transmission shaft 57, mounted integral at one end thereof with the shaft 50a (the principle being identical for the shaft 50b) projects from the rotation drive means 28, and carries at its other end a toothed pinion 58, which cooperates with the toothed surface 53 'of the driving wheel 53 to drive it in rotation. Thus, any rotational movement of the reel drum in the rotary drive means 28 is transmitted to the drive wheel 53 via the shaft 57.

The bag 1 may further comprise a roller 59 (or swivel castors), having a running surface parallel to a running surface of the tracks 52 on the bottom side 2, the roller 59 being mounted between the cheeks 4, 5, in contact with the bottom 2, the roller 59 for rolling the bag 1 in a substantially inclined position, wherein the caterpillar 52 no longer touch the ground. The cheeks 4, 5, are manufactured and assembled at the factory, the drive wheels 53, the tracks 52 and the rollers 54, 55, 56 being mounted in the cheeks during the manufacture of the cheeks 4, 5. Figure 7 describes another mode embodiment of the rotation drive means 28, similar in many respects to the embodiment described above. Unlike the previous embodiment where the tracks, although driven independently by the flanges, were operated by the same strap, the tracks in this embodiment are actuated by two independent cords. This embodiment is more compact and allows the economy of the central volume occupied by the housing on the front face 6 of the bag of the previous embodiment inside the bag. As for the previous embodiment, only one caterpillar system will be described in one cheek, the two caterpillar systems in each of the cheeks being identical. The crawler system, mounted between the outer and inner faces of each cheek, comprises a caterpillar of flexible material 152, a drive wheel 153, guide rollers 154, 156, and a tensioning roller 155. The arrangement of the tensioning rollers in the cheeks, similar to the arrangement of the idlers in the cheeks for the previous embodiment, will not be described in more detail. Inside the drive wheel 153 of this embodiment is mounted a reel drum system identical to that described in connection with the previous embodiment. This system comprises a housing 132, a winding drum 133, a return spring 135, all mounted around an axis of rotation 150 integral with the driving wheel 153. The wheel 153 further comprises an inner surface having teeth 148, which are identical to the teeth 48 of the drum drum 33a or 33b for the previous embodiment. The drum drum 133, intended to be placed inside the drive wheel 153, has the shape of a flat disc, a peripheral groove 145 being formed on its outer peripheral surface, to cooperate with a cord 147, as will be indicated below. The drum drum 133 further comprises a circular recess on the side of the drum drum 133 cooperating with the housing 132, and a central hole in which is mounted a bearing 144, to allow rotation of the drum drum 133 about the axis of rotation 150 of the drive wheel 153. The edges of the central hole are extended into a cylinder, whose upper surface cooperates with one end of the return spring 134 (flat or spiral) placed in the circular recess of the drum drum 133, the other end of the return spring 134 being fixed on the surface of the housing 132 in contact with the drum 133, similarly to the previous embodiment.

The outer surface of the drum 133 also carries a pawl 149, which, when the winding drum 133 is mounted in the wheel 153, cooperates with the teeth 148 in a manner identical to the engagement of the pawl 49a, 49b with the teeth 48 for the previous embodiment.

The casing 132 comprises, in a similar manner to the casing 32 of the previous embodiment, a central bore 139 carrying a bearing 140, mounted around the axis 150. A guide element 160 of the cord 147 in the peripheral groove 145 is also mounted on the front end of the cheek, in front of the peripheral groove 145.

After the drum drum system is mounted, in this embodiment, a pulling action on the cord 147, fixed at one end in the groove 145 of the drum 133 causes rotation of the drum drum 133 in the pulling direction of the cord. 147. The cooperation of the pawl 149 of the drum 133, mounted inside the wheel 153, with the teeth 148 of the wheel 153 causes a rotation of the wheel 153 and a drive of the track 152.

When pulling on the cord 147 is stopped, the return spring 134 causes the drum 133 to rotate in the direction of rotation opposite to the direction of rotation of the drum 133 when the cord 147 is pulled, and thus causes a rewinding of the cord 147 in the groove 145, and, because of the inclination of the teeth 148, a rotation of the drum 133 in this direction of rotation does not cause the drive wheel 153 to rotate. The two independent cord systems each side of the cheeks make it possible, particularly in this embodiment, by modifying the pulling angle of each cord, to obtain a more or less important rotation of one of the caterpillars relative to the other, for example in the case of a turn, to obtain a differential movement of the tracks.

Several improvements can be made to the drum drum system of the first embodiment, these improvements being described in more detail in connection with Figures 9 to 12. Figure 12 shows the integrated housing 200, mounted on the front face 6 of the bag. 1, having improvements with respect to the drum drum of the first embodiment.

The housing 200 has a casing 201 inside which is mounted the winding drum system 202, a pull strap 203 provided with a handle 203a, the strap 203 cooperating with the winding drum system 202, and an axis 204 of transmission of the rotational movement of the drum drum system 202 to the wheels, said shafts carrying at their ends pinions geared to cooperate with the drive wheels driving the tracks, as for the first embodiment. To facilitate the reading of the drawing, the toothed sprockets are not shown at the free ends of the axis 204. As can be seen in more detail in FIG. 9, the drum drum system comprises a winding drum 205 around which The winding drum 205 is rotated around an axis of rotation 206. On either side of the winding drum 205 are mounted in this order, integral with the winding drum 205, the gears 207a, 207b and parts. metallic 208a, 208b.

Each metal piece 208a, 208b has substantially an arc shape, is substantially flat, has a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation 206 of the drum 205, and has an integral end of the drum 205 and a free end having a notch respectively 209a, 209b, extending towards the axis of a handle 218 described in more detail below, the concavity of the metal parts 208a, 208b being turned towards the transmission axis 204. The two metal parts 208a, 208b are connected by a metal axis 210, parallel to the axis of rotation 206 of the drum 205 and therefore perpendicular to the mean planes of the metal parts 208a, 208b, the metal axis 210 connecting the metal parts 208a, 208b in a center plane in the longitudinal direction of the metal parts 208a, 208b. Each of the metal parts 208a, 208b bears on its side facing the axis of the handle 218, between the axis of rotation 210 and the free end, a tooth 211. The assembly formed by the drum 205, the gears 207a 207b and the metal parts 208a, 208b is rotatably mounted about the axis 210 in the housing 200.

A leaf spring 212 (only that for the part 208a is shown in the drawings, an identical leaf spring being provided for the part 208b) is mounted on the housing 200 between the end of the piece 208a integral with the axis of rotation 206 and a metal bar 213, of axis parallel to the axis of rotation 206, fixedly mounted at the front of the drum 205 in the housing 200, substantially in the same horizontal plane as the axis of rotation 206. The blade spring 212 cooperates with the bar 213 to cause rotation of the winder drum assembly 202 about the axis of rotation 210 in the opposite direction to the rotation printed to the winder assembly 202 about the axis 210 when a pulling action is exerted on the strap 203.

The leaf spring 212 acts only under a limit tensile force exerted on the strap 203, this limiting traction force being adjustable by a wheel 214 provided with a threaded rod (not shown), which cooperates with the bar 213 to approach the bar 213 of the winder drum 205, thereby further compressing the spring blades 212, which results in a greater pulling force being required to actuate the winder assembly 202.

The transmission axis 204 carries gears 215a, 215b located opposite the gears 207a, 207b carried by the drum 205, the gears 207a, 215a on the one hand and 207b, 215b on the other hand meshing only when a sufficient traction movement on the strap 203 imparts a rotational movement about the axis 210 to the reel drum assembly 202. The transmission axis 204 also carries gearwheels 216a, 216b, the average plane of each wheel toothed, respectively 216a, 216b, being aligned with the average plane of each part 208a, 208b, so that the tooth 211 carried by each of the parts 208a, 208b, can engage with the toothed wheel, respectively 216a, 216b, to block the rotation of the transmission axis 204.

In a position of the winder assembly 202 in which no traction is exerted on the strap 203, the leaf spring 212 imparts a rotational movement to the winder assembly 202 about the axis of rotation 210, in the opposite direction. clockwise as shown in Figure 9, engaging the tooth 211 of the parts 208a, 208b with the respective toothed wheel 216a, 216b. In this position, the transmission axis 204 is locked in rotation, and thus the rolling means of the bag 1 are blocked, which thus provides a brake means to the bag. The gears 207a, 215a on the one hand and 207b, 215b on the other hand are not in contact: no rotational movement is transmitted on the transmission axis 204. Sufficient traction on the strap 203 prints a movement of rotation of the drum 205 about the axis 206 and a rotational movement of the reel drum assembly 202 about the axis 210, which releases the tooth 211 of the respective gearwheel 216a, 216b, thus allowing a rotation of the transmission axis 204, and an engagement of the gears 207a, 215a on the one hand and 207b, 215b on the other hand, through other gears 217a, 217b supported by axes (not shown) carried by the housing 200, thereby transmitting the rotational movement of the drum 205 to the transmission axis 204 through the gears 207a, 215a on the one hand and 207b, 215b on the other hand. A handle 218 is mounted in the lower part of the housing 200, rotatable about an axis parallel to the axes of rotation 205 and 210, in the vicinity of the free end of the parts 208a, 208b, and carries at each of its ends a cam 219, which cooperates with the notches, respectively 209a, 209b parts 208a, 208b. A rotational movement of the handle 218 makes it possible, when no traction is exerted on the strap 203, to disengage the teeth 211 of the toothed wheels, respectively 216a, 216b, in order to allow rotation of the transmission axis 204, independently of any tensile action on the strap 203. The handle 218 thus disables the locking mechanism of the rotation of the transmission axis explained above, when no traction is exerted on the strap 203.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, an additional reduction stage can be provided in the housing 200, between the drum 205 and the transmission axis 204. Additional gears 220 are then provided on either side of the drum ( not shown in Figure 13), and on the transmission axis, respectively 221a, 221b, these additional gears being aligned with each other.

A pedal 222, mounted on the transmission axis 204, allows to engage additional gears 223a, 223b carried by pins 224a, 224b mounted on the transmission axis 204, between the gears 220 and 221a, 221b. The additional gears 223a, 223b thus make it possible to have a different gear ratio. A handle for gripping the bag can also be provided on the upper face of the casing 200. FIG. 15 illustrates a variant of the bag according to the invention. In this variant, the drive mode of the bag is identical to that of the embodiment of Figure 14. In this variant, the bag is arranged so that a user can sit on the bag is possibly work on it. Elements identical to the elements of Figure 14 will be referenced with the same reference numerals. As with the embodiment of the case shown in FIG. 14, the upper face of the case has two parts. However, unlike the embodiment of Figure 14, these two parts are not the same size. The upper face of the bag comprises two portions in the longitudinal direction thereof, a first portion 301, extending approximately 25% of the length of the upper face of the bag, and a second portion 302, adjacent on a transverse edge to the portion 301, and the transverse edge opposite the housing 28, extending approximately 75% of the length of the upper face of the bag. When the bag is mounted, the portion 301 is fixed.

The portion 302, shown open in FIG. 15, is a hollow box, of small thickness, comprising a flap 303 and a bottom 304 on which the flap 303 folds, the axis of rotation of the flap 303 being situated on the edge of the portion 302 adjacent to the portion 301. The flap 303 and the bottom 304 have a recess on the edge opposite the edge adjacent to the portion 302, this recess allowing adjustment around the housing 28 of the bottom 304 and the flap 303 when the one it is folded. The flap 303 and the bottom 304 have on their inner faces to the part 302, multiple beads 305 quilted fabric or the like, the beads 305 being parallel in the transverse direction of the portion 302, and spaced a distance equal to the width of a bead 305 on the shutter 303 as on the bottom 304. The beads 305 on the flap 303 and the bottom 304 are arranged such that, when the flap 303 is folded down on the bottom 304, the beads 305 of the shutter 303 are housed between spaces of the beads 305 of the bottom 304, and vice versa. Thus, the thickness of the portion 302 is made minimum, and must have the minimum thickness corresponding to the thickness of the beads 305. Thus, when the bag is disposed with its bottom 2 on the ground, the flap 303 can be opened , and a user can sit on the top of the bag, the bottom 304 of the portion 302 forming a seat and the flap 303 forming a folder. As can be seen, again in FIG. 15, a case 306 can be fixed between the two upright arms 80a and 80c of the case, the case 306 being able to be held horizontally by reinforcements 307.

The case 306 in horizontal position can thus serve, when the user is sitting on the upper part of the bag, to ask a document or a laptop, allowing the user to work without having his document or laptop on the knees. In Figure 15, it can also be seen that the arms 80b and 80d are erected, the grid 8a being mounted between the two arms 80b and 80b, and a bag 308 having been fixed on said grid 8a. The back flap 303 can be held in the closed position by two strips (not shown), located in the upper part of the flap, engaging in loops (not shown) on the front portion 6 of the bag. The bottom 304 of the portion 302 pivots on an axis (not shown) close to the axis of pivoting of the folder to allow the opening of the bag. The pivot axis of the bottom 304 fits into the cheeks, for example with nipples, as for the flaps of the first embodiment, while the backrest 303 can pivot relative to the bottom by means of pins (no shown) projecting inwardly of the portion 302, the file 303 having at its end which pivots holes (not shown) in which the nipples engage for a pivoting of the file 303 relative to the bottom 304. The nipples of pivoting of the bottom 304, directed outwardly of the portion 302, and the pivoting pins of the backrest 303, directed towards the interior of the portion 302, may be aligned. This embodiment shows that the bag, in addition to being easily towed, can be convenient when waiting in stations or airport, to allow its user to work conveniently. The relative dimensions of the parts 301 and 302 are obviously adjusted according to the dimensions of the bag, to ensure a comfortable seat for the user. Figure 16 illustrates a mode of use of the suitcase 1 according to the invention in a staircase. A user, by the natural balance movement of his arm when he is walking, pulls on the strap S. Each forward arm movement exerts a pulling action on the strap S, which pulls a rotational movement to the drum retractor, which is transmitted to the wheels of the suitcase 1.

Each arm movement towards the rear of the user winds the strap around the drum drum. According to the various embodiments envisaged, the rotation of the winding drum in the winding direction is not transmitted to the wheels (first and second embodiments), or the wheels are locked in rotation in this phase (variant of the first embodiment). embodiment with brake system). If we take a numerical example with a 10kg suitcase, without the device of the invention, for a conventional staircase as shown in Figure 16, with a walking height (A'B ') of 17cm and a lap (B'C ') 27cm, the force F driving the mobile down is represented by the vector GH, and the weight P by the vector GE.

Figure 17 shows the forces acting on a suitcase in a staircase. In this Figure 17, the following angles are equal GEH = ACB = A'C'B '.

Furthermore, since the triangles GEH, ACB and A'C'B 'are rectangular, we have GH / GE = AB / AC = A'B' / A'C ', hence GH = (A'B' x GE ) / A'C. We obtain (with A'C '- 32cm): GH = 5.31 kg.

If we do not take into account the friction forces involved, it will be necessary to exert a force of 5.31 kg to maintain the mobile in place, while the same mobile supported at arm's length would require a force of 10kg to 'user.

In Figure 16, each time the user climbs a step about 32cm diagonally, the movement of his hand takes a much longer course. Depending on the size of the individuals, this course which corresponds to the elliptical movement CB on the drawing, will be about a hundred centimeters. We can therefore consider that the tensile force of the hand F 'multiplied by the distance traveled by this same hand (the difference between the vector CA and the vector BA) is identical to the force which tends to lower the moving wheel multiplied by the translation of the mobile. If it is desired that this mobile performs at the same time a translation of 32cm (ie 1 step also), we will have the following equilibrium: F 'x CA-BA = F x DA where F' = traction force exerted by the hand F = force driving the mobile in the descent. With CA = about 170 cm, BA = about 77 cm, DA = about 32 cm, and F = 5.31 kg (as seen in Figure 16), F = 1.82 kg. If we still exclude the friction forces involved, we will have to exert a tensile force of 1.8 kg on the webbing for a mobile of 10 kg with a ratio of reduction of (CA - BA) / DA, approximately 2.9. With the device of the invention, the force to exercise to pull a suitcase in a staircase is much less. When the person climbs a step, the natural elliptical movement of his arm, linked to walking, makes a longer journey, which, thanks to the system of the invention, allows the bag to also mount a step. It may be noted that although an embodiment with a removable case has been described, the system of the present invention may of course be incorporated into a non-removable case, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (12)

CLAIMS1 - Load-carrying element (1), in particular of the suitcase type or arm-type carriage, comprising rolling means (15), characterized in that it further comprises a drive means (28) for rotating said rolling means (15), said rotational driving means (28) being constituted by a winding drum (33a, 33b; 133; 205), a strap-type member (47; 147; 203) attached to a first end of the take-up drum (33a, 33b; 133; 205) and winding around said take-up drum (33a, 33b; 133; 205), a means for restoring the rotational movement of the take-up drum (35a, 35b; 135); around its axis of rotation, opposing traction on the second end of the strap-type element (47; 147; 203), and means for transmitting the rotational movement cooperating with complementary means carried by the winding drum (33a, 33b; 133; 205) for transmitting a movement rotation of the drum drum (33a, 33b; 133; 205) to the rolling means (15), such that a pulling movement of the user on the second end of the webbing or rope member (47; 147; 203) is converted into a rotation of the means. rolling (15). 2 - load transport element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for transmitting the rotational movement (28) of the drum drum (205) to the rolling means (15) comprise a reduction gear ( 217a, 217b) of the rotational movement of the winding drum (205) meshing with a gear (207a, 207b) carried by the axis of rotation (206) of the winding drum (205) and secured thereto, such a rotational movement of the winding drum (205) is converted into a downward rotational movement of the rolling means (15). 3 - load transport element (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for transmitting the rotational movement of the drum drum to the rolling means (15) comprise a set of gears (215a, 215b, 217a , 217b, 221a, 221b, 223a, 223b) of reduction of the rotational movement of the winding drum (205) each meshing each selectively with complementary gears (207a, 207b, 220) carried by the axis of rotation (206 ) of the take-up drum (205) and integral therewith, each of which has a different gear ratio between the take-up drum (205) and the rolling means (15), and in that the drive means in rotation (28) comprise means for selectively activating (222, 224a, 224b) a set of gears among the gear sets. 4 - load transport element (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the drum drum (205) carries a braking means (211) locking on a complementary braking means (216a, 216b) carried by the transmission means below a fixed and adjustable tension threshold exerted on the strap-type element (203), in order to block the rotational movement of the rolling means (15). below this threshold of traction. 5 - load transport element (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the rotation drive means (28) comprises a handle means (218) carrying a cam (219) adapted to engage with complementary means (209a, 209b) carried by the winding drum (205) for unlocking the braking means (211) of the winding drum (205) of the complementary braking means (216a, 216b) of the transmission means, independently of the traction exerted on the strap-type element or cord (203). 6 - load transport element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the rolling means (15) are constituted by two caterpillar systems, each caterpillar system comprising at least one caterpillar (52, 152 ) of flexible material, a driving wheel (53, 153) for driving the track (52, 152) and a tensioning roller (55, 56, 155, 156) for tensioning the track (52, 152), two side faces opposing (4, 5) of the load carrying member (1) each incorporating a track system, such that the tread of each track (52, 152) extends on each side of a face lower part (2) of the load transport element (1). 7 - load transport element according to claim 6, characterized in that the opposite side faces (4, 5) carrying the crawler system further have a front opening through which passes a portion of the crawler (52, 152 ), so that the tread of each track (52, 152) extends at least partly on the underside of one face of the load-carrying member (1) perpendicular to both of the two side faces (4, 5) carrying a track system and at the underside (2) of the load carrying member (1). 8 - load transport element according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the rotation drive means rotates the two crawler systems (15) by pulling on the element type strap or cordset (47, 203), the transmission means comprising an axis (50a, 50b; 204) to which the rotational movement of the take-up drum (33a, 33b, 205) is transmitted, the axis (50a, 50b; 204). carrying at each of its ends a pinion gear (58) which meshes with teeth formed on the inner periphery (53 ') of the respective drive wheel (53) of each track system (15), to transmit the movement of rotation of the axis (50a, 50b; 204) to the drive wheels (53). 9 - load transport element (1) according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized by each track system (15) comprises an incorporated rotational drive means (133, 134, 135), each actuated by a belt-type element or independent cord (147), the transmission means being constituted by a tooth or teeth carried by the outer surface of the drum drum (133) and engaging with a toothed inner periphery (148) of the driving wheel respective (153). 10 - load transport element (1) according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the one or more means for driving in rotation comprises a means of selective transmission (49a, 49b; 149) of the movement of rotating the take-up drum (33a, 33b; 133) to transmit a rotational movement of the take-up drum (33a, 33b; 133) to the rolling means only during a pulling action on the strap-type member (47; 147). 11 - Suitcase according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that an upper face (3a, 3b) of the bag carries at least one gate (8a, 8b) for holding objects, each gate ( 8a, 8b) being mounted on arms (80a, 80b, 80c, 80d) mounted in the lateral faces (4, 5) at one end rotatable about a rotational axis (23) carried by the face (3a, 3b) of the bag and orthogonal to the lateral faces (4, 5), each gate (8a, 8b) being therefore movable between a folded position on the upper face (3a, 3b) of the bag (1), and a position erected perpendicular to the upper face (3a, 3b) of the bag (1). 12 - Suitcase (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that it is removable, the faces (2, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7) of the bag (1) being interconnected by fastening means carried by the faces and / or by reported fastening means.