GB2506633A

GB2506633A - Luggage framework

Info

Publication number: GB2506633A
Application number: GB201217780A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eli Bitran
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-10-04
Filing date: 2012-10-04
Publication date: 2014-04-09
Also published as: GB201217780D0; CN203467874U; CN103405018A

Abstract

A framework suitable for an article of luggage comprises two outer elongate longitudinal members 2, 3, and at least one inner elongate longitudinal member 4, 5, disposed between the two outer longitudinal members 2, 3. The inner longitudinal members 4, 5 are connected at a proximal end directly or indirectly to one or both of the outer longitudinal members 2, 3. An elongate transverse member 6, is engaged at the distal end of the inner 4, 5 and outer 2, 3 longitudinal members. At least one elongate sliding member 7, 8 is slidably disposed with respect to the inner longitudinal member 4, 5, and a handle member 9 is connected to the proximal end of the sliding member 7, 8. The framework provides adequate strengthening for the back of an article of luggage whilst still being light in weight, as the inner elongate longitudinal member acts as a reinforcement and also mounts the sliding handle.

Description

Luggage The present invention relates to luggage, in particular an article of luggage and a framework for an article of luggage.

S

Articles of luggage having wheels to allow the article to be rolled along the ground and oxtendable handles allowing the article to be easily dragged are well known. Such articles often have a pair of inner longitudinal members disposed between a pair of outer longitudinal members, and an extendable handle that folds telescopically into the top end of the inner longitudinal members. A wheel is usually provided at the bottom end of each outer longitudinal member so that the article can be rolled along the ground. The area bet#een the bottom ends of the outer longitudinal members, and between the wheels, is often covered by a sheet of material, such as moulded plastic, to connect the bottom ends of the outer longitudinal members.

UK patent number 2440206 discloses an article of luggage having an extendable handle arrangement in which the extendable handle folds telescopically into rear longitudinal members of the article of luggage that also define part of the shape. The allows the article of luggage to be lighter than an article of luggage in which the extendable handle folds telescopically into separate inner longitudinal members between the outer longitudinal members. This is because the inner longitudinal members add extra weight to the article.

However, the article of luggage disclosed in UK patent number 2440206 has a drawback: the areas between the structural framework are covered by a soft outer covering. This means that if a heavy object is placed in the article of luggage, the object may rip through the soft outer covering in the area between the rear longitudinal members and emerge from the article of luggage.

The present invention seeks to mitigate at least one disadvantage of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a framework for an article of luggage, comprising two outer elongate longitudinal members, at least one inner elongate longitudinal member, disposed between the two outer longitudinal members! connected at its proximal end directly or indirectly to one or both of the outer longitudinal members, an elongate transverse member, which is supportingly engaged at the distal end of the inner and each outer longitudinal member, at least one sliding member, disposed slidably with respect to the inner longitudinal member, and a handle member connected to the proximal end of the sliding member.

As the transverse member is supportingly engaged at the distal end of the inner and each outer longitudinal member, when a force is applied to the transverse member, the force will be transmitted to the inner and each outer longitudinal member, and vice versa.

The present invention provides support between the two outer longitudinal members for the contents of the article of luggage, so preventing heavy objects emerging through, for example, a soft covering of the article that spans the gap.

By providing an elongate transverse member supportingly engaged at the distal end of the inner longitudinal member, the inner longitudinal member is retained in position allowing it to function as a supporting element, while reducing the weight of the article in comparison to an article in which a reinforced sheet or structure is arranged between the outer longitudinal members.

The present invention also allows a handle portion of narrower width than the handle disclosed in UK patent number 2440206 thus allowing a lighter article of luggage.

The transverse member may have any suitable cross-sectional shape, for example solid rectangular, solid circular, solid square or solid triangular, tubular rectangular, tubular circular, tubular square or tubular triangular. Alternatively, the transverse member may have an open cross-section, for example a channel shape, an angle shape, a cruciform shape or an I-shape.

The transverse member is preferably made of metal, such as steel or aluminium or a composite material such as fibre reinforced plastic or nylon or carbonfibre.

There are preferably two inner longitudinal members, each being connected at its proximal end directly or indirectly to an or a respective outer longitudinal member1 the elongate transverse member being supportingly engaged at the distal end of each inner and outer longitudinal member, and two elongate sliding members, each disposed slidably with respect to one of the inner longitudinal members, and a handle member connecting the proximal ends of the two sliding members.

In the present invention, if there are two inner longitudinal members the proximal ends of the inner longitudinal members may be rigidly connected only by the two sliding members and handle member. This allows the two sliding members and handle member to couple the one inner longitudinal member and outer longitudinal member to the other inner longitudinal member and outer longitudinal member. Due to this coupling action, no further transverse member is required thus allowing a lighter article of luggage.

The transverse member may have a widthwise dimension of not more than 40mm, not more than 20mm or not more than 10mm. Preferably, the transverse member has a widthwise dimension of 5mm. The widthwise dimension is the largest dimension in a direction which is orthogonal to the lengthwise direction.

The ratio of widthwise dimension to lengthwise dimension of the transverse member may be not more than 0.001:1, not more than 0.0004:1 or not more than 0.0002:1.

Preferably1 the ratio of widthwise dimension to lengthwise dimension of the transverse member is about 0.0001.

Considering that small to large sizes of articles of luggage often range from 35cm to 52cm in width, having a transverse member that has a small widthwise dimension, ratio of widthwise dimension to lengthwise dimension, or cross-sectional area to lengthwise dimension allows a lighter transverse member and therefore lighter article of luggage in comparison to articles of luggage with larger values of these parameters.

The framework may comprise two wheels mounted on the transverse member, the transverse member acting as an axle, the wheels allowing the framework to roll along the ground. The dual purpose of the transverse member as locating the ends of the longitudinal members and acting as an axle means that a separate axle for the wheels is not required, thus saving further weight.

Each wheel may be disposed at the distal end of a respective outer longitudinal member.

The framework may comprise two wheel location portions, the transverse member being separate from but supportingly engaged by the wheel location portions. This arrangement allows the transverse member to be separately formed from the wheel location portions. This facilitates formation of the transverse member to have different dimensions, particularly in the widthwise direction, from the wheel location portions.

Further, the transverse member can be easily replaced and, due to the supporting engagement, can rotate as an axle. In another embodiment, the transverse member is fixed to the wheel location portions.

The transverse member may be integrally formed with the outer longitudinal members.

The transverse member may also be integrally formed with the inner longitudinal members. This allows simpler manufacturing of the framework.

The transverse member may be supportingly engaged in bearings at the end of the or each inner longitudinal member. The bearings may be of any suitable type, for example plain bearings. In that case, a hole may be provided through the proximal end of the or each inner longitudinal member, the transverse member passing through the or each hole. Alternatively, the transverse member may be fixed at the proximal end of the or each inner longitudinal member, for example in a hole through the end of the or each inner longitudinal member.

The transverse member may be supportingly engaged in bearings at the wheel location portions. The bearings may be of any suitable type, for example plain bearings. In that case, a hole may be provided through each wheel location portion, the transverse member passing through each hole.

The outer longitudinal members may be substantially parallel to one another.

Each inner longitudinal member may be connected to an outer longitudinal member by an elongate transverse connecting member, for example at the proximal end. The connecting members may be L-shaped. The connecting members need not be perfectly L-shaped, and might have a raised step or grommet around the opening through which sliding members pass to be received within the inner longitudinal members.

The framework of the present invention may be a complete framework for an article of luggage or a component of a framework for an article of luggage. Such an article of luggage may be a travel bag or a bag with wheels.

The framework may comprise a reinforcing elongate transverse member connected to the two outer longitudinal members between their two ends. This helps to prevent heavy objects emerging through, for example, a soft covering of the article that spans the gap between the outer longitudinal members, and also helps to locate the two outer longitudinal members with respect to each other.

The framework may comprise two additional elongate longitudinaL members, two additional elongate transverse members and four elongate normal members, the additional elongate longitudinal members being connected at their respective proximal and distal ends by the additional elongate transverse members directly or indirectly, and the normal members connecting each outer longitudinal member to a corresponding additional elongate longitudinal member at their respective proximal and distal ends directly or indirectly, to form a storage space. Such a framework may form the basic structure of the article of luggage.

Optionally, the additional elongate longitudinal members are connected at their respective proximal and distal ends by the additional elongate transverse members by connecting eLements, and the connecting elements connect the normal members to each additional elongate longitudinal member at their respective proximal and distal ends. The provision of such connecting elements allows simple connection of parts.

Alternatively, the connection may be by any suitable means, for example integral connection, welded, soldered, screwed or brazed connection, or by separate joining members. The connection may also be by plastic moulding, and the connecting elements may be plastic moulded.

The handle member may be integrally formed with the two sliding members, allowing simpler manufacture of the framework.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an article of luggage comprising the framework of the first aspect of the invention.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the drawing in which: Figure 1 is an isometric schematic view of a framework for an article according to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, a framework 1 for an article of luggage comprises two outer elongate longitudinal members 2, 3, two inner elongate longitudinal members 4, 5, disposed between the two outer longitudinal members 2, 3, each being connected at its proximal end to an outer longitudinal member 2, 3 an elongate transverse member 6 being supportingly engaged at the distal end of each inner 4, 5 and outer 2, 3 longitudinal member, two elongate sliding members 7, 8, each disposed slidably with respect to one of the inner longitudinal members 4, 5, and a handle member 9 connecting the proximal ends of the two sliding members 7, 8. The outer longitudinal members 2, 3 are substantially parallel to one another.

in this embodiment, the transverse member is circular in cross-section and has a diameter of 5mm and a length of 35cm. Thus the width to length ratio is about 0.0001.

Alternatively, the transverse member may have a square or rectangular or other cross- sectional shape. In another embodiment, the transverse member is circular in cross-section and has a diameter of 6mm and a length of 52mm. Thus the width to length ratio is about 0.0001.

The transverse member is preferably made of metal, nylon or carbonfibre, most preferably steel or aluminium, and is preferably solid, but may be a hollow tube.

The handle member 9 and the two sliding members 7, 8 are slidable between a retracted position (shown in Figure 1) wherein the sliding members 7, 8 are substantially received within the inner longEtudinal members 4, 5, and an expanded position wherein the sliding members 7, 8 are substantially exposed from the inner longitudinal members 4, 5. However, the invention is not limited to this and the sliding members 7,8 need not be received within the inner longitudinal members 4, 5, provided that the sliding members 7, 8 are slidable with respect to the inner longitudinal members. Preferably, the inner longitudinal members 4, 5 are substantially parallel to each other.

L-shaped connecting members lot 11 respectively connect the proximal end of each inner longitudinal member 4, 5 to the proximal end of each outer longitudinal member 2, 3. The L-shaped members 10. 11 need not be perfectly L-shaped, and might have a raised step or grommet around the opening through which sliding members 7, 8 pass to be received within the inner longitudinal members 4, 5. The raised step or grommet provides a seal at the interface between the material around the opening through which the sliding members 7, 8 pass and the sliding members 7, 8. The material around the opening through which the sliding members 7, 8 pass may be a soft or hard covering and may substantially cover the framework. The raised step or grommet may be 2- 3mm in height.

WheeLs 12, 13 are provided at the distal ends of the outer longitudinal members 2, 3 and are mounted at the ends of the transverse member 6, the transverse member 6 acting as an axle.

Wheel location portions 14, 15 are connected to the distal end of each outer longitudinal member 2, 3 and supportingly engage the transverse member 6 so that the transverse member 6 can rotate. In this embodiment, the supporting engagement is by means of two plain bearings. The wheel location portions 14, 15 both locate and :1 protect the wheels. The wheel location portions are preferably moulded plastic shells having a shape corresponding to the shape of the wheels 12, 13.

Each wheel location portion 14, 15 has a rim on its outer side. The rims help to locate the edge of the material covering the framework that is adjacent to wheel location portions 14, 15 and the wheels 12. :1 30

Connecting members 16, 17 are connected to the distal end of each inner longitudinal member 4, 5 and supportingly engage the transverse member 6 so that the transverse member 6 can rotate. In this embodiment, the supporting engagement is by means of two plain bearings.

The L-shaped connecting members 101 11 and wheel location portions 14, 15 are connected to the proximal and distal ends, respectively, of the respective outer longitudinal members 2, 3 by receiving the respective outer longitudinal member 2, 3 within a bore and retaining the respective outer longitudinal member 2, 3 in position by a screw 18 passing through a hole in the wall of the L-shaped connecting members 10, 11 or wheel location portions 14, 15 and through a corresponding hole in the respective outer longitudinal member 2, 3. Connecting members 16, 17 are similarly connected to the distal end of each inner longitudinal member 4, 5 by screws 18.

The framework comprises two additional elongate longitudinal members 19, 2D, two additional elongate transverse members 21, 22 and four elongate normal members 23, 24, 25 and 26, the additional elongate longitudinal members 19 20 being connected at their respective proximal and distal ends by the additional elongate transverse members by connecting elements 27, and the normal members 23. 24, 25 and 26 connecting each outer longitudinal member 2, 3 to a corresponding additional elongate longitudinal member 19, 20 at their respective proximal and distal ends. The enclosed H space forms a storage space. The resulting framework according to the preferred embodiment is generally cuboid or parallelepiped in shape.

The connecting elements 27 connect the normal members 23, 24, 25 and 26 to each 1:. additional elongate longitudinal member 19, 20 at the respective proximal and distal ends of each additional elongate longitudinal member 19, 20.

The framework of the preferred embodiment provides the basic structure for an article of luggage and provides the foregoing advantages over prior art frameworks.

The handle member 9 is integrally formed with the two sliding members 7, 8. the combined part forming an inverted U-shape.

The present invention has been described purely by way of example, and various modifications, additions and/or omissions will present themselves to one skilled in the art, all of which form part of the invention, together with their equivalents.

In the claims, numbers qualifying the features of the claims define the minimum number of features required by the invention. Thus, for example, the invention may have three or more outer elongate longitudinal members, and this is within the scope of protection provided by the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A framework for an article of luggage, comprising: two outer elongate longitudinal members; at least one inner elongate longitudinal member! disposed between the two outer longitudinal members, connected at its proximal end directly or indirectly to one or both of the outer longitudinal members; an elongate transverse member, which is supportingly engaged at the distal end of the inner and each outer longitudinal member; at least one elongate sliding member, disposed slidably with respect to the inner longitudinal member, and -a handle member connected to the proximal end of the sliding member.
2. A framework according to claim 1, wherein the transverse member has a widthwise dimension of not more than 40mm.
3. A framework according to claim 1. wherein the transverse member has a widthwise dimension of not more than 20mm.
4. A framework according to claim 1, wherein the transverse member has a widthwise dimension of not more than 10mm.
5. A framework according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of widthwise dimension to lengthwise dimension of the transverse member is not more than 0.001:1.
6. A framework according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of widthwise dimension to lengthwise dimension of the transverse member is not more than 0.0004:1.
7. A framework according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of widthwise dimension to lengthwise dimension of the transverse member is not more than 0.0002:1.
8. A framework according to any preceding claim, compri&ng two wheels mounted on the transverse member, the transverse member acting as an axle, the wheels allowing the framework to roll along the ground.
9. A framework according to claim 8, wherein each wheel is disposed at the distal end of a respective outer longitudinal member.
10. A framework according to claim 8 or 9, comprising two wheel location portions, the transverse member being separate from but supportingly engaged by the wheel Location portions.
11. A framework according to any preceding claim! wherein the transverse member is integrally formed with the outer longitudinal members.
12. A framework according to any preceding claim; wherein the transverse member is integrally formed with the or each inner longitudinal member.
13. A framework according to any preceding claim, wherein the outer longitudinal members are substantially parallel to one another.
14. A framework according to any preceding claim, wherein the proximal end of the or each inner longitudinal member is connected to the proximal end of an or a respective outer longitudinal member by an elongate transverse connecting member.
15. A framework according to any preceding claim, comprising a reinforcing elongate transverse member connected to the two outer longitudinal members between their two ends.
16. A framework according to any preceding claim, comprising two additional elongate longitudinal members, two additional elongate transverse members and tour elongate normal members! the additional elongate longitudinal members being connected at their respective proximal and distal ends by the additional elongate transverse members directly or indirectly, and the normal members connecting each outer longitudinal member to a corresponding additional elongate longitudinal member at their respective proximal and distal ends directly or indirectly, to form a storage space.
17. A framework according to claim 16, wherein the additional elongate longitudinal members are connected at their respective proximal and distal ends by the additional elongate transverse members by connecting elements, and the connecting elements connect the normal members to each additional elongate longitudinal member at the respective proximal and distal ends of each additional elongate longitudinal member.
18. A framework according to any preceding claim, wherein the handle member is integrally formed with the or each sliding member.
19. An article of luggage comprising the framework of any preceding claim.
20. A framework, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.
21. An article of luggage, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.