GB2304095A

GB2304095A - Wheel assembly for a suitcase

Info

Publication number: GB2304095A
Application number: GB9516470A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dick Ming Hsieh
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-08-11
Filing date: 1995-08-11
Publication date: 1997-03-12
Also published as: GB9516470D0

Abstract

A wheel assembly includes a mounting member (3) having inner and outer side plates (31, 32) that define a wheel receiving space (33) therebetween. The inner side plate (31) is formed with a through-hole (311), while the outer side plate (32) has an inner wall surface formed with a recess (321) that is aligned with the through-hole (311). A wheel (7) on a bushing (8) is borne by a shaft (6) which extends through the shell (2) of the suitcase into cushioning members (4), (5). A mounting plate (9) is mounted on the shell (2) of the suitcase, and abuts against an enlarged head portion (61) of the shaft (6).

Description

WHEEL ASSEMBLY FOR A SUITCASE The invention relates to wheel assemblies for suitcases.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a conventional wheel assembly (1) is mounted on the shell (11) of a suitcase in a recessed portion (111) that is located at a corner of the shell (it). The recessed portion (111) has a wall formed with a through-hole (112). The conventional wheel assembly (1) includes a mounting member (12) which is received in the recessed portion (111) and which has a pair of side plates (121) that confine a wheel receiving space (122) for receiving a wheel (13) therebetween. The side plates (121) are formed with through-holes (123) that are aligned with the throughhole (112) formed in the recessed portion (111) of the shell (11). A rubber cushioning ring (14) is fitted in each of the through-holes (123).A metal bushing (15) extends through a central hub (131) of the wheel (13) and has two end portions that extend respectively into the central holes (141) confined by the cushioning rings (14), thereby supporting rotatably the wheel (13) between the side plates (121). To secure the mounting member (12) in the recessed portion (111) of the shell (11), a mounting plate (16) is positioned in the shell (11) beside the wall of the recessed portion (111) that is formed with the through-hole (112). The mounting plate (16) is formed with a through-hole (161) to permit passage of a shaft (17) through the through-hole (112) in the recessed portion (111) of the shell (11) and the bushing (15). The shaft (17) has a tip which extends out of the bushing (15) and the through-hole (123) in one of the side plates (121), and which is formed with an annular locking groove (171).A C-shaped locking ring (18) engages the locking groove (171) to prevent untimely removal of the shaft (17). A decorative cover plate (19) is installed to conceal the locking ring (18) so as to prevent the latter from affecting the aesthetic appeal of the suitcase. The cover plate (19) is formed with hook members (191) which engage locking holes (124) formed in one of the side plates (121).

As shown in Figure 2, when installing the conventional wheel assembly (1), the cushioning rings (14) are fitted in the through-holes (123) of the side plates (121), the wheel (13) is inserted in the wheel receiving space (122) of the mounting member (12), and the bushing (15) is extended through the cushioning rings (14) and the central hub (131) of the wheel (13).

The mounting member (12) is received in the recessed portion (111) of the shell (11), and the shaft (17) is extended through the through-hole (161) in the mounting plate (16), the through-hole (112) in the recessed portion (111) of the shell (11), and the bushing (15).

The locking ring (18) engages the locking groove (171) of the shaft (17), and screws (10) mount the mounting plate (16) and one of the side plates (12L) of the mounting member (12) on the shell (11). Finally, the cover plate (19) is mounted on the other one of the side plates (121) to conceal the locking ring (18).

It is noted that the conventional wheel assembly (1) requires the use of a locking ring (18) to prevent untimely removal of the shaft (17), and a cover plate (19) to conceal the locking ring (18) so as to prevent the latter from affecting the aesthetic appeal of the suitcase. Thus, the use of the locking ring (18) and the cover plate (19) results in a larger number of components for the wheel assembly (1) , thereby resulting in a longer assembly time and in increased manufacturing costs.

This invention provides a wheel assembly adapted to be mounted in a recessed portion of a shell of a suitcase, and comprises: a mounting member adapted to be received in the recessed portion of the shell of the suitcase, the mounting member having inner and outer side plates that confine a wheel receiving space therebetween, the inner side plate being formed with a through-hole, the outer side plate having an inner wall surface formed with a recess that is aligned with the through-hole of the inner side plate; a first cushioning member having a tubular portion which extends fittingly into the through-hole in the inner side plate, the first cushioning member having a through-hole formed therethrough; a second cushioning member having a cap portion which extends fittingly into the recess in the outer side plate, the second cushioning member having a hole that is aligned with the through-hole of the first cushioning member; a wheel received in the wheel receiving space of the mounting member, the wheel having a central hub; a bushing extending into the central hub of the wheel; a shaft extending through the shell of the suitcase, the through-hole of the inner side plate and the bushing in the central hub of the wheel, the shaft having a tip portion that extends fittingly into the hole in the second cushioning member, the shaft further having an enlarged head portion; a mounting plate to be positioned in the shell of the suitcase, the mounting plate abutting against the head portion of the shaft to prevent axial movement of the shaft into the shell; and means for mounting the mounting plate and the inner side plate of the mounting member on the shell of the suitcase.

Preferably, the through-hole in the inner side plate and the recess in the outer side plate are noncircular. The first cushioning member further has a radial flange that is formed on one end of the tubular portion and that abuts against an inner wall surface of the inner side plate. The second cushioning member further has a radial flange that is formed on one end of the cap portion, and that abuts against the inner wall surface of the outer side plate. The tip portion of the shaft is formed with knurls which engage the second cushioninq member.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which like parts are referred to by like references, and in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a conventional wheel assembly for a suitcase; Figure 2 is a sectional view illustrating the conventional wheel assembly when installed on a suitcase; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of a wheel assembly for a suitcase in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 4 is a sectional view illustrating the preferred embodiment when installed on a suitcase.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the preferred embodiment of a wheel assembly - is is shown to include a mounting member (3) which is received in a recessed portion that is located in a corner of the shell (2) of a suitcase. The shell (2) is formed with a through-hole (21). The mounting member (3) has inner and outer side plates (31, 32) that confine a wheel receiving space (33) for receiving a wheel (7) therebetween. First and second cushioning members (4, 5) are secured respectively on the inner and outer side plates (31, 32). A shaft (6) extends between the inner and outer side plates (31, 32) and has a bushing (8) sleeved thereon for supporting the wheel (7) on the shaft (6). A mounting plate (9) is positioned in the shell (2), and screws (90) mount the mounting plate (9) and the inner side plate (31) of the mounting member (3) on the shell (2).

The inner side plate (31) is formed with a noncircular through-hole (311). The first cushioning member (4) is formed with a through-hole (41) which permits extension of the shaft (6) therethrough and has a tubular portion (43) which extends fittingly into the through-hole (311). A radial flange (42) is formed on one end of the tubular portion (43) and abuts against an inner wall surface of the inner side plate (31). The outer side plate (32) has an inner wall surface formed with a non-circular recess (321) that is aligned with the through-hole (311). The second cushioning member (5) is formed with a blind hole (51) which is aligned with the through-hole (41) of the first cushioning member (4) and has a cap portion (53) which extends fittingly into the recess (321).A radial flange (52) is formed on one end of the cap portion (53) and abuts against the inner wall surface of the outer side plate (32).

The bushing (8) has a length equal to that of the central hub (71) of the wheel (7), and is formed from a wear resistant material. The shaft (6) has an enlarged head portion (61) and a diameter-reduced tip portion (62) which is formed with knurls (621). The tip portion (62) has a diameter which is slightly larger than that of the blind hole (51) in the second cushioning member (5). The mounting plate (9) has a guard portion (91) which abuts the head portion (61) of the shaft (6) to prevent axial movement of the latter into the shell (2).

As shown in Figure 4, when installing the wheel assembly of this embodiment, the tubular portion (43) of the first cushioning ring (4) is fitted in the throughhole (311) of the inner side plate (31), while the cap portion (53) of the second cushioning ring (5) is fitted in the recess (321) in the outer side plate (32). Since the tubular portion (43) of the first cushioning ring (4) and the through-hole (311) of the inner side plate (31) are non-circular in cross section, rotation of the first cushioning ring (4) relative to the mounting member (3) can be prevented.

Similarly, since the cap portion (53) of the second cushioning ring (5) and the recess (321) in the outer side plate (32) are non-circular in cross section, rotation of the second cushioning ring (5) relative to the mounting member (3) can also be prevented. The bushing (8) is inserted into the central hub (71) of the wheel (7), and the shaft (6) is extended through the through-hole (21) in the shell (2), the throughhole (41) of the first cushioning member (4) and the bushing (8). Since the tip portion (62) of the shaft (6) has a diameter which is slightly larger than that of the blind hole (51) in the second cushioning member (5), insertion of the tip portion (62) into the blind hole (51) in the second cushioning member (5) results in tight engagement between the shaft (6) and second cushioning member (5). The wheel (7) is mounted rotatably on the mounting member (3) at this time.The mounting plate (9) is then positioned in the shell (2), and the screws (90) mount the mounting plate (9) and the inner side plate (31) of the mounting member (3) on the shell (2). The guard portion (91) of the mounting plate (9) abuts against the head portion (61) of the shaft (6) to prevent axial movement of the shaft (6) into the shell (2).

Since the first and second cushioning members (4, 5) are prevented from rotating relative to the mounting member (3), the shaft (6) can be prevented by the first and second cushioning members (4, 5) from rotating with the wheel (7) when the suitcase is in use. In addition, since te wheel (7) is supported rotatably on the shaft (6) by means of the bushing (8), which is formed from a wear resistant material, smooth rotation of the wheel (7) can be ensured.

Note that no locking ring is employed to secure the shaft (6) on the mounting member (3). Furthermore, since the tip portion (62) does not extend through the outer side plate (32) of the mounting member (3), there is no need to install a decorative cover plate as required in the aforementioned conventional wheel assembly (1).

The embodiment also provides a suitcase having one or more (e.g. two or four) such wheel assemblies.

Embodiments of the present invention can provide a wheel assembly which has a fewer number of components and which can be easily mounted on a suitcase.

Claims

1. A wheel assembly adapted to be mounted in a recessed portion of a shell of a suitcase, the wheel assembly comprising: a mounting member adapted to be received in the recessed portion of the shell of the suitcase, the mounting member having inner and outer side plates that confine a wheel receiving space therebetween, the inner side plate being formed with a through-hole, the outer side plate having an inner wall surface formed with a recess that is aligned with the through-hole of the inner side plate; a first cushioning member having a tubular portion which extends fittingly into the through-hole in the inner side plate, the first cushioning member having a through-hole formed therethrough;; a second cushioning member having a cap portion which extends fittingly into the recess in the outer side plate, the second cushioning member having a hole that is aligned with the through-hole of the first cushioning member; a wheel received in the wheel receiving space of the mounting member, the wheel having a central hub; a bushing extending into the central hub of the wheel; a shaft extending through the shell of the suitcase, the through-hole of the inner side plate and the bushing in the central hub of the wheel, the shaft having a tip portion that extends fittingly into the hole in the second cushioning member, the shaft- further having an enlarged head portion; a mounting plate to be positioned in the shell of the suitcase, the mounting plate abutting against the head portion of the shaft to prevent axial movement of the shaft into the shell; and means for mounting the mounting plate and the inner side plate of the mounting member on the shell of the suitcase.

2. The wheel assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the through-hole in the inner side plate is noncircular.

3. The wheel assembly as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the first cushioning member further has a radial flange formed on one end of the tubular portion, the radial flange abutting against an inner wall surface of the inner side plate.

4. The wheel assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the recess in the outer side plate is non-circular.

5. The wheel assembly as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the second cushioning member further has a radial flange formed on one end of the cap portion, the radial flange abutting against the inner wall surface of the outer side plate.

6. The wheel assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the tip portion of the shaft is formed with knurls which engage the second cushioning member.

7. The wheel assembly for a suitcase substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A suitcase comprising a wheel assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.