GB2469134A

GB2469134A - Multifunction luggage item

Info

Publication number: GB2469134A
Application number: GB0905890A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jesus Vizcaino Estanol
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-04-04
Filing date: 2009-04-04
Publication date: 2010-10-06
Also published as: GB0905890D0

Abstract

A multifunction luggage item comprises a suitcase 100 having a surface 106 adapted to act as a seat, is adapted to be able to reproduce broadcast or recorded music 110 and may be capable of providing a signal identifying the suitcase. The support for the surface adapted to act as a seat may be provided by manufacturing the suitcase from a rigid material or by providing a frame 104 within the suitcase and an extendable handle 108 may be positioned so as to function as a backrest for a user of the surface adapted to act as a seat. The suitcase may have a holder 200 (not shown) to allow bottles to be transported. A locking mechanism 103 that is operable by remote control 111 may be provided. The signal identifying the suitcase may be generated by a transducer 112, such as an RFID device, and may be activated by remote control.

Description

SUITCASE

The present invention relates to the type of luggage known as a suitcase.

Travellers, and particularly those who are flying to their destinations, frequently are subject to delays of some length in circumstances where there is insufficient seating to accommodate all the people present and no entertainment to pass the time is provided.

Particular nuisances suffered by air travellers are searching for their baggage after landing and mislaid baggage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a suitcase which is adapted to alleviate some of the nuisances suffered by travellers as a result of delays.

According to the present invention there is provided a suitcase including a surface adapted to act as a seat, means for providing sufficient support to the said surface as to enable it to function as a seat, means for reproducing recorded or broadcast music and means for producing a signal identifying the suitcase the said identifying signal producing means being adapted to be activated by a remote control device.

The suitcase may also include a means for holding breakable elongated objects such as bottles separately so as reduce the risk of their breakage as a result of poor baggage-handling practices. Preferably, the means for holding elongated objects is adapted to be reduced in size when it is not in use.

The suitcase may be provided with a lock which is adapted to be operated by a remote control device, which may be the same as that adapted to activate the identifying signal generating device.

The means for providing support to the surface adapted to act as a seat may be the case itself if it is of rigid construction or it may be a metal frame incorporated in the construction of the case.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, Figure 1 is a schematic pictorial representation of a suitcase embodying the invention, Figure 2 shows a plan view of a portion of the suitcase of Figure 1 which incorporates a means for holding elongated objects separately in its operational state and Figure 3 shows the means for holding elongated objects separately in its out-of-use state.

Referring to Figure 1, a suitcase 100 embodying the invention has a lid 101 and a main portion 102 to which the lid 101 is hinged and secured by a lock, or locks, 103 in the conventional way. The outer surfaces of the suitcase 100 are made from a flexible material which is stretched over a metal frame 104, only the relevant part of which is shown in Figure 1 by dotted lines. The frame 104 preferably is made of a light but strong metal such as titanium or an aluminium or magnesium alloy. The portion of the frame 104 shown is arranged so as to provide support to a surface 105 of the main portion 102 of the suitcase 101, an area 106 of which is padded so as provide a relatively comfortable seat. Although, for clarity, it is not shown in Figure 1, a similar arrangement of bracing is provided in the top 107 of the suitcase 100. As is common practice, the suitcase 100 is provided with a pull-out handle 108 and rollers 109. The pull-out handle 108 in the case is positioned adjacent the seat area 106 so that when it is extended it can act as aback rest. The suitcase 100 is provided with a sound reproducing system indicated generally by the reference numeral 110. The sound reproducing system 110 may be a radio receiver, of the type known as an MP3 player, or a combination of the two. The lock 103 is adapted to be operated remotely by an individually signal from a separate control device 111. In order to assist in the identification of the suitcase on a baggage conveyor, each surface of the suitcase 100 is provided with a transducer 112, which is adapted to produce a visual is or/and an audible signal in response to an individually coded interrogation signal from the same remote control device 111, which is used to provide the operating signal for the lock 103. The suitcase 100 also may be provided with a transponder which is adapted to emit a tracking signal when interrogated by the remote control device 111.

A problem for travelers is the breakage of bottles in suitcases as a result of faulty baggage handling practices by airport staff. In order to reduce this risk, travelers normally wrap bottles items of clothing which are packed in the suitcase concerned. This is an unsatisfactory practice as it results in clothing being creased undesirably. The suitcase is provided with a bottle holder 200 consisting of a strip of material 201, which is provided with a series of loops 202, which may be made from an elasticated material.

The strip of material 201 can be moved along guides 203, only the upper one of which is visible in Figures 2 and 3, f5rom a first position 204 at which the loops 202 are stretched flat, to a second position 204 at which the loops 202 are extended, as shown in Figures 3 and 2, respectively. Alternatively, the strip of material 201 can be made to be folded against a side wall of the case 100 when not in use, and extended to and fastened in, an operating position when required.

In a second embodiment of the invention, which is not illustrated, the body of the suitcase is sufficiently rigid as to provide the necessary support to the area which is adapted to act as a seat, thus enabling the frame 104 to be dispensed with.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A suitcase including a surface adapted to act as a seat, means for providing sufficient support to the said surface as to enable it to function as a seat, means for reproducing recorded or broadcast music and means for producing a signal identifying the suitcase, the said identifying signal producing means being adapted to be activated by a remote control device.
2. A suitcase according to claim I wherein there is included means for holding bottles separately, so as to avoid damaging contact between them.
3. A suitcase according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein there is included a lock adapted to be operated by a remote control device.
4. A suitcase according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the support for the said surface is provided by a metal frame incorporated in the structure of the suitcase.
5. A suitcase according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the suitcase is manufactured from a material which is sufficiently rigid as to provide the support for the said surface.
6. A suitcase according to any preceding claim wherein there is provided an extendable handle so positioned as to be able to act as a back rest for a person sitting on the suitcase.
7. A suitcase according to any preceding claim wherein there is provided a transponder adapted to provide a tracking signal in response to an interrogating signal.
8. A suitcase substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.