GB2353025A

GB2353025A - Suitcase having an attached luggage item

Info

Publication number: GB2353025A
Application number: GB9918897A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Simon Davis; Sara Jane Davis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-08-12
Filing date: 1999-08-12
Publication date: 2001-02-14
Also published as: GB9918897D0

Abstract

A wheeled suitcase may have an additional item of luggage attached by means of interlocking strips borne by the suitcase and luggage item. Metal or plastic strips having a T-slot cross section may be secured to the suitcase for interlocking with strips of complementary cross section on the luggage item, or attachment may be by hook and eye plastic fasteners.

Description

1 2353025 IMPROYEhffiN S --SLTITCA-SES AIM -HAND L-TO L-U GO A. G--E This

invention makes it easier for travellers to handle their luggage, particularly where more than one piece of baggage is being transported.

Background--

Ile inventors, having worked for a number of years at a major airport, have been able to study in some depth the habits of travellers in handling their luggage. Most travellers carry a suitcase plus one or more other iterns of baggage. Frequently, the suitcase is of the "wheeled" Idnd, as shown in Figure 1. Other frequently carried items of luggage includeCarry-on suitcases meeting airline size requirements Soft holdalls or "drum" bags Personal computer or video carriers Sample cases Specialised baggage such as makeup cases, tool kits etc.

Because of the relatively long distances passengers have to walk at airline terminals, docks, and rOway and bus temlinals, and the long periods of waiting involved, passengers usually try to make the task of moving their luggage easier by laying their additional items of luggage on top of the main "wheeled" suitcase (in the position shown by a dotted fine in Figure 1), and pulling the combination along behind them. Since the main suitcase is not designed to accommodate this, the arrangement is unstable and precarious, with the added item of luggage usually falling off backwards or sideway6. The situation is made worse by cornering, using stairs, escalators or travelators.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide simple addition to "wheeled" suitcases and to other baggage so that extra items of baggage can easily be attached in a secure manner on top of sucb a "wheeled" suitcase, and transported without risk of falling off, or becoming in any way separated. The traveller can easily attach or detach their additional item of luggage from their "wheeled" suitcase (Example: detach a carryon bagor on arrival at airline check-in, after transporting boffi items secured toggether from the airport car park.

Depjon of tLye invenfion:

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, two strips of material are added to the top surface of the "wheeled" suitcase. These are preferably added during manufacture, but could be added later as a modification to an existing "wheeled" suitcase. These strips could be made from any of a number of metals, but a cheaper material would be a plastic casting. Both sbips are identical, and have the cross section shown in Figure 3. This is conurionly known as a T-slot cross section. Figure 3 also shows one nxthod of securing the strips to the "wheeled" suitcase. The spigots can themselves be peened over to fonn rivets or used in conjunction with any of a number of proprietary fasteners to secure the strip. Any other method common in luggage manufacturing of fastening the strips to the suitcase is acceptable, and will be considered within the scope of the present invention- It will be seen from Figure 2 that the preferred shape of the strip includes a flared opening at one end. It is intended that the additional item of baggage to be attached shall be slid in from'this end: the purpose of the flare is to ease the initial mating of the two items. The other end of the strips is shown as blocked off to act as an end stop for the position of the added itcrn of luggage. This may not be essential if the handle of the "wheeled" suitcase itself prevents the added item from travelling too far along the strips. The two strips are located as far apart as practical (lirnited, for instance, by any curvature at the comers of the "wheeled" suitcase.) Figure 4 shows the underside view of a typical item of added luggage. It shows two strips added to the item of baggage ( as before, these can added be during rnanufdcture or later) at the same Centre-to Centre pitch as th sfrips shown in Figure 3. The strips are nominally the same length as those in Figure 3. Both ends of each strip are rounded or tapered to facilitate engagement with the strips on the "wheeled" suitcase. Both strips in Figure 4 are identical. A fixing means similar to that in Figure 3 is shown in Figure 4. In both cases, this could be any fixing suitable in the lugga,ge industry. The strips on the underside of the additional items of 2 luggage also have the benefit of acting as feet, and preventing wear and soi4ng of the underside of the item of luggage.

4.1., Depending on the rigidity of the upper surface of the "wheeled" suitcase, bracing bars or a bracing plate may be required. Such strengthening of the side of a suitcase is well understood in the luggage trade, and any method of achieving this strengthening is considered suitable for the present invention.

0 Anolheir preferred embodiment of the present invention has the two sets of rna"g strips described above replaced by hook and eye plastic strip fastehers attached to the "wheeled" suitcase and to the additional item of luggage. This fixing means is often termed "Velcro $I (ATM) It should be noted that the present invention is aimed at "wheeled" suitcases as shown in Figure 1, where the suitcase at rest is ewritially vertical. The centre of gravity is nominally at the centre of the base. When an item of luggage is placed on the top, this simation does not change. However, there are some existing "wheeled" suitcase designs where the suitdase at rest is not vertical but sloping. When an additional item is added, the centre of gravity rmy move outside the base, when the suitcase will topple. Such suitcases are not the basis of the preferred embodimnt of this invention.

Use of the invention:

Th6 traveller slides the additional item of luggage across the top surface of the "wheele&' suitcase so that the strips on each item interlock When the additional item of luggage has been thus slid on as far as it will go, it is securely held, and can be transported with confidence that it will not fall off or get lost. The luggage items are readily separated by sliding the additional item off the top of the "wheeled" suitcase.

Note that the physical characteristics of the strips - their shape, size and spacing can be regarded as an interface which could become an ad hoc standard, with a plurality of manufacturers providing ranges of different items of luggage which can be attached to a range of "wheeleT suitcases.

Fuld=5r'curity:

Rings or other fasteners can be attached to the additional items of luggage at positions R, R shown on Figure 4. A corresponding, mating fastener can 3 be provided at position F1 or F2 on the "wheeled" suitcase, as shown in Figure 2. For a low cost embodiment, these could be simple plastic snap fasahers. For a more secure arrangement, a locking fastener could be provided.

CUJMS I/. The addition to, or inclusion of, in the design of a "wheeled" suitcase, means whereby a second item of luggage can be securely fastened to the "wheeled" suitcase.

2/. The addition to, or inclusion of, in the design of other items of luggage, means whereby it can be securely fastened to the "wheeled" suitcase.

3/. That the means of fastening mentioned in claims I and 2 consist of strips designed to interlock, thus holding the additional item of luggage secqply onto the "wheeled" suitcase.

Q. The use of strips for this purpose substantially as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, and as described in the accompanying text.

51. The use, instead of strips mentioned in claims 3 Ird 4 above, of - 1.W hook and eye plastic fastener ( often known as "Velcro7 to attach the additional item of luggage to the "wheeled" suitcase.

6/. Ile attachment of strips as described in claims 3, 4, or 5 to a plurality of luggage products, with standardisation of the shape, size and spacing of the strips to facilitate this.

4