GB2031853A

GB2031853A - Hand luggage

Info

Publication number: GB2031853A
Application number: GB7933921A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Superior SA
Current assignee: Superior SA
Priority date: 1978-10-02
Filing date: 1979-10-01
Publication date: 1980-04-30
Also published as: DE2939826A1; IT7926170A0; IT1123404B; GB2031853B

Abstract

One component of a suitcase or other item of hand luggage is reinforced along the edge of its peripheral wall 1 by a frame element 3 to which is applied a buffer strip of elastomer or resilient plastics 5 which stands proud of the wall 1 to provide protection from damage. In other embodiments, the frame element is secured to the inner face of the component 1, and the strip 5 is held in place on the component by gluing, stapling or interfitting with parts of the component and frame element. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in hand luggage This invention relates to an item of hand luggage, for example a suitcase.

The increasing frequency of journeys undertaken by air in particular and the increased use of mechanical equipment for handling travellers' baggage makes necessary the provision of suitcases and other forms of luggage which are light in weight but resistant to shocks which may damage the casings or frames of the luggage.

In order to overcome this problem, the invention provides an item of hand luggage and components therefor, features of which are defined in general terms in the claims which follow and embodiments of which will shortly be described by way of example. In the preferred embodiments, in accordance with the invention, a peripheral wall of an item of hand luggage is reinforced by a frame element extending parallel to and adjacent the edge of the wall. Damage is resisted by a shock absorbing member applied to the wall and likewise extending parallel to and adjacent the edge, the member standing proud of the outer surface of the peripheral wall.

The shock absorbing member may take the form of a buffer strip, preferably of resilient plastics or elastomeric material, preferably made by extrusion.

The buffer strip may be secured to the wall in many different ways. Thus, for example, the frame element and strip may be profiled such as to interengage.

Alternatively, the wall may be shaped or provided with fittings arranged to retain the strip in place, possibly in cooperation with a rib on the frame element. This arrangement allows the frame element to be disposed on the inner surface of the wall.

In yet another embodiment, the wall is formed with a groove or channel adjacent the edge of the wall and the strip is located within the groove, being held in place by adhesive or staples, for example.

It is readily possible for an item of luggage which incorporates the invention to have the buffer strip so arranged that a symmetrical appearance results, this being of importance from the aesthetic point of view.

The buffer strip in accordance with the invention has the advantages of being light in weight, of being efficient and of not being cumbersome. It is cheap to manufacture, easy to fix in place and may be arranged so as to be interchangeable. It may further more be manufactured from a coloured or particoloured material so as to blend with or match the colour or colours of the remainder of the item of luggage. The cross-sectional dimensions of the buffer strip and its length (in the event that it does not extend throughout the circumference of the item) may be chosen in accordance with the use to which the item of luggage is to be put.

The invention will now be described in greater detail but by way of example only with reference to the drawings, in which each of the Figures 1 to 4 shows a section through a respective different embodiment of an item of luggage so as to show the buffer strip in cross-section.

Referring now to Figure 1, a suitcase consists of two hingedly-conected components, one of which forms the base part and the other the lid of the suitcase. The two parts include shells conveniently made by moulding (particularly injection moulding) of synthetic material. The shell of the base part has a peripheral wall 1 and that of the lid part a peripheral wall 2, the two walls having longitudinal edges 10 and 20, respectively, which meet when the case is closed. The wall 1 has an integral reinforcement 12 in the form of a beading which extends along the outer surface of the wall, parallel to the edge 10 and spaced therefrom. The reinforcement 12 defines a channel or groove 11 facing towards the other case part. The wall 2 has a similar reinforcement 22 which in this case, however, overlaps the edge 20, defining therewith a channel or groove 21.

The wall 1 is reinforced by a rigid metal or plastics frame element 3 secured in place parallel to the edge 10 by rivets 4. The frame element is in the form of an extruded section having a planar portion 30 which lies flat against the outer surface of the wall 1 and projects beyond the edge 10 at 36. Formed on the outer facing surface 31 of the frame element 3 are longitudinally extending ribs. The central rib 32 is of T-shaped cross-section with the cross-piece of the T spaced from and extending parallel to the surface 31.

The outer ribs 33 are each of L-shaped cross-section with the base of the L spaced from and parallel to the surface 31. The edge portion 35 of the frame element is received in the groove 11 of the reinforcement 12, the edge of which bears against the rib 33 further from the edge 10. When the suitcase is closed, the reinforcement 22 abuts the other rib 33, and the edge 36 of the frame element enters the groove 21. Each of the grooves 11 and 21 accommodates a resilient sealing strip 6 against which the edges 35 and 36 of the frame member are pressed with the case closed to ensure that the joint between the two case parts is tightly sealed.

The outer surface of the frame element covered and protected by an extruded strip 5 of resilient plastics or elastromeric material constituting a shock absorber member protecting the frame element and wall from damage. The strip 5 has a convex surface 50 terminating in edge 51 which abuts the reinforcement 12 and an edge 52 which, when the suitcase is closed, abuts the reinforcement 22, thereby enhancing the sealing effect already mentioned above. The edges 51 and 52 are undercut and the rear surface of the strip has a longitudinal central slot so as to form a pair of longitudinally extending ridges with lateral lips 55, generally complementary to the outer face of the frame element.Owing to its resilience, the strip 5 may be press-fitted onto the frame element 3, the rib 32 entering the central slot and the ridges on the member 5 entering channels 34 defined between the ribs 32 and 33. Following fitting, the lips 55 spring into position beneath the cross-pieces of ribs 33, 33 so as to retain the strip 5 in place. The ridges of the strip 5 are formed with recesses for the heads of the rivets 4, which are concealed beneath the strip, thereby making it unnecessary for the holes for these rivets in the frame element to be countersunk in order to provide a smooth appearance as would be the case if the frame element were visible.

Cavities 54 extending the length of the strip 5 serve to reduce the weight of the strip and make it more flexible and resilient. Instead of continuous cavities, there may be a series of longitudinally spaced isolated cavities.

Modifications may be made to the construction shown in Figure 1. Thus for example, more than one T-sectioned rib 32 may be provided, and there may be either an odd number or an even number of such ribs. Instead of being press fitted into place, the strip may be fitted by sliding it along the profiled frame element during construction of the latter, or possible by moulding it onto the frame element.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the frame element 3 is located internally of the wall 1 and has a single L-sectioned rib 33 protruding beyond the edge of the wall 1. In a modification of this arrangement, a plurality (either an odd or an even number) of ribs so protude. The buffer strip 5 fits within a channel defined between the rib 33 and a reinforcement on the wall 1 spaced from the edge of the wall. The reinforcement is undercut so that a dove-tail joint is formed. Lips 56 on the edges of the strip 5 are received in the undercut in the reinforcement and the groove defined by the rib 33. The reinforcement may be schamfered as at 57.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the construction is similar to that shown in Figure 2, but the buffer strip is obtained from the same piece of material as the wall 1 and overlies the frame element.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the frame element is, as in Figures 2 and 3, located against the inner side of the wall. The region of the wall adjecent its edge is of reduced thickness. A rib 58 on the frame element projects beyond the reduced thickness portion so that a channel is formed in which the buffer strip is located and secured in place by any convenient means, for example, adhesive, rivets or, as illustrated, staples concealed within slots in the strip.

An advantage of the arrangement shown in Figure 1 is that the join between the two case parts is sealed and entry of water in particular is resisted. This feature is not, however, essential to the invention, and is not to be found in, for example, the embodiment shown in Figure 2 where these is no contact between the buffer strip and the wall 2 and the joint between the two case parts is relatively loose.

Other modifications may be made to the embodiments described. Thus, for example, the buffer strip may extend along part only of the length of the peripheral wall of the suitcase, or it may extend along the lengths of several separated parts. Thus, for example, the buffer strip may extend continuous throughout the periphery of the suitcase or it may be made in two or more parts so that there are gaps where the handle, or lock, or hinges for example are located. Furthermore, a number of separate, parallel strips may be employed in side-by-side arrangement. It falls within the scope of the invention for the two case parts to be provided with respective frame elements, each associated with a buffer strip. Depending on the manner of manufacture employed, the buffer strip may be of one colour or two or more colours. It also falls within the scope of the invention for the sides of the buffer strip to be fitted with stiffening members of the same nature as the buffer strip, the function of which is to protect and mask the parts of the frame element which would otherwise be visible. The invention is, furthermore, not limited to luggage incorporating relatively stiff shells but may be employed with all forms of hand luggage having a reinforcing frame element, including cases with fabric or other soft material wall, and bags with a mouth which is bounded on one or both sides by a frame element to reinforce the mouth.

Claims

1. An item of luggage having two edge portions which are brought together to close the item of luggage, at least one of which edge portions is reinforced by a frame element and protected by a shock absorbing mamber in the form of a pad standing proud of the material of the edge portion on which it is provided.

2. An item as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the shock absorbing member is in the form of a one-piece strip of plastics or elastomer.

3. An item as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the shock absorbing member cooperates with the other edge portion to seal the joint between the two edge portions upon closure.

4. An item as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the shock absorbing member is profiled so as to interengage with the frame element.

5. An item as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the shock absorbing member has internal cavities to reduce its weight and increase its flexibility.

6. An item as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the frame element has at least one rib of T-section for engagement with a complementary groove in the shock absorbing member.

7. An item as claimed in any Claims 1 to 5, wherein the frame element has an even number of ribs of T-section.

8. An item as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the frame element has an odd number of T-section ribs.

9. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the frame element has at least one rib of L-section for interengagement with a groove in an edge of the shock absorbing member.

10. An item as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the frame element has an even number of ribs of L-section.

11. An item as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the frame element has an odd number of ribs of L-section.

12. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each edge portion has a groove facing towards the other and within which is disposed a sealing strip against which is pressed a part of the frame element when the item of luggage is closed.

13. An item as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the frame element is disposed against the inner surface of the edge portion on which it is provided.

14. An item as claimed in Claim 13, wherein the shock absorbing member is held in place by a rib on the frame element and parts integral with or attached to the edge portion.

15. An item as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the shock absorbing member forms part of the material of the edge portion.

16. An item as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 or 13, wherein the shock absorbing member is secured in a groove formed in the edge portion, the groove being bounded along one edge by a portion of the frame element.

17. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shock absorbing member is in the form of two longitudinal parts.

18. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the shock absorbing member is particoloured.

19. An item as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sides of the shock absorbing member are provided with stiffening means to protect and mask the otherwise visible part of the frame.

20. A shell or component of an item of hand luggage, for example a suitcase having a peripheral wall reinforced adjacent at least part of its edge by a frame element secured to the external face of the wall, the frame element having upstanding ribs, and a protective strip secured to the frame element by interfitting of the ribs with substantiallycomplemen- tary grooves in the rear face of the strip, the strip standing proud of the material of the peripheral wall.

21. A shell or component of an item of hand luggage having a peripheral wall reinforced adjacent at least part of its edge by a frame element secured to an inner face of the wall, and a protective strip received within a shallow channel in the outer face of the wall and standing proud of tithe remaining surface of the wall.

22. A suitcase or other item of luggage comprising two relatively hinged parts with edges which come together when the suitcase is closed, one of said edges being reinforced by a metallic frame element extending parallel to the edge, each edge having a reinforcing bead extending parallel thereto, and a protective strip of resilient material secured to the reinforced parts so as to overlie the frame element and to occupy the space between the beadings when the suitcase is closed and stand proud thereof.

23. An item of hand luggage substantially in accordance with any embodiment (or modification thereof) of the invention claimed in Claim 1, and described and/or illustrated herein.

24. A component of an item of hand luggage substantially in accordance with any embodiment (or modification thereof) of the invention claimed in Claim 20 or Claim 21 and described and/or illustrated herein.