JP2005137902A - Retractable leaning towing handle system for wheeled baggage - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wheeled baggage product having a towing handle for carrying the baggage with casters along the ground, especially a leaning towing handle for wheeled baggages. <P>SOLUTION: This towing handle system for wheeled baggages includes: first and second posts; and the towing handle which can be positioned between an erect position parallel to the posts and the towing position at a fixed angle to the posts. The towing handle includes a locking latch mechanism including an angular position element extended between the first and second posts. The angular position element has a ribbed outer surface. The locking element includes an inner surface received on the outer surface of the angular position element, and the inner surface is engaged in the form of locking in the angular position element in a first direction arrangement corresponding to the erect position and engaged in the form of locking in the angular position element in a second direction arrangement specifying the towing position. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates generally to wheeled travel tackle products having a tow handle for carrying a travel tackle along the ground, and more particularly to a retractable tow handle for a wheeled travel tackle. .

  Today, various types of bags, from travel bags to briefcases and backpacks, allow these bags to be pulled and moved along the surface rather than being lifted and carried above the ground. And a traction handle. This tow handle is typically located at the end of the bag located opposite the wheel, and the bag is pulled and moved along the ground in a tilted state. These handles can be very convenient and are now popular.

  Typically, the tow handle is attached to a telescoping support that extends parallel along the back panel of the bag, and the handle is extendable for towing and the outer contour of the bag It can be retracted into the bag in a generally flush position. In the past, the handle was fixedly attached to the support and was in a fixed position relative to the support when the support was extended. However, it has been discovered that gripping such a handle for a long time can be uncomfortable. This is because, at least in part, most of the weight of the bag is supported by the user holding the handle.

  Various types of handle systems have been developed to reduce user fatigue in towing a travel bag. For example, pivoting or rotatable handles have been used to provide a more comfortable traction position. Although known handle systems have achieved varying degrees of success in addressing these issues, many of these handle systems are extremely complex, expensive to implement, and required. In many cases, sufficient reliability is not realized.

  In addition, many known towing handle systems are in line with the telescoping support in use and are therefore located above the center of the bag when the handle is being towed. In this position, it is likely that the bag will strike the person's heel that pulls the bag in an undesirable manner and interferes with the person's gait.

  It would be desirable to provide a towing handle for wheeled travel tacks that overcomes these and other drawbacks.

  In an exemplary embodiment, a traction handle system for a wheeled travel bag is provided. The handle system includes first and second struts and a traction handle positionable between an upright position parallel to the struts and a traction position at an angle relative to the struts. . The traction handle includes a locking latch mechanism that includes an angular position element that extends between the first and second columns, and the angular position element has a ribbed outer surface. The locking element comprises an inner surface received on the outer surface of the angular position element, and the inner surface engages in a locking manner to the angular position element in a first orientation corresponding to the upright position; and Engage in a locking manner to the angular position element in a second directional arrangement that defines the traction position.

  Optionally, the traction position is oriented at an angle of about 45 ° from the upright position, and the biasing element pushes the locking element to either the locked position or the unlocked position. A shell and a push button coupled to the shell are provided, the push button unlocking the locking element from the angular position element.

  In another exemplary embodiment, a travel bag is provided. The travel bag includes a main body including at least one main body panel and a pair of wheels. First and second telescoping struts are connected to the body and the retractable traction handle is positioned between a position parallel to the strut and a traction position at a fixed angle with respect to the strut. Is possible. The handle extends away from the body panel in the traction position, and the traction handle includes a handle shell and a locking latch mechanism attached to the shell. The locking latch mechanism includes an angular position element fixedly attached to either the handle shell or the support, and the angular position element is between the first column and the second column. Extending and having a first engagement surface. At least one locking element is fixedly attached to the other of the shell and the support, and the locking element is received on the first engaging surface of the angular position element. Is provided. The second engagement surface engages the locking element in a first directional arrangement corresponding to the upright position and locks to the locking element in a second directional arrangement defining a traction position. Engage with.

  In another exemplary embodiment, a travel bag is provided. The travel bag includes a body defining a compartment for stuffing goods for transport, wheels attached to the body, first and second telescoping struts attached to the body, traction A handle system. The traction handle system includes a U-shaped handle shell that is pivotally attached to first and second struts, a push button coupled to the shell, and a pivot that is pivotally attached to the shell and pushes. First and second rocker arms responsive to button movement, and first and second release cables connected to the first and second rocker arms, respectively. A locking latch mechanism is coupled to the release cable and extends laterally between first and second struts located at the ends of the U-shaped handle, the locking latch mechanism having a ribbed engagement surface And a locking element comprising a grooved engagement surface received on the ribbed engagement surface of the angular position element. The grooved engagement surface engages the locking element in an upright position and locks to the locking element in a traction position where the handle shell is at an angle to the column. .

  In another embodiment, a handle assembly for a retractable bag is provided. The handle assembly includes a U-shaped shell and a locking latch mechanism attached to the U-shaped shell. The locking latch mechanism includes a shaft fixedly attached to the shell and at least one rib extending from the outer surface of the shaft. A pair of locking elements are slidably attached to the shaft and are movable along the axis of the shaft between a locked position and an unlocked position. These locking elements move in opposite directions and their ribs are located between the locking elements in each of the locked and unlocked positions.

  In yet another embodiment, a handle assembly for a retractable bag is provided. The handle assembly includes a U-shaped shell and a locking latch mechanism attached to the U-shaped shell. The locking latch mechanism includes a position selector and a locking plate, and the position selector and the locking plate include engaging surfaces that engage to position the shell relative to the locking plate. The position selector moves below the locking plate in the unlocked position.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wheeled bag 100 including a retractable traction handle system 102 formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The bag 100 is made of a known material and includes a body having a back panel 104, side panels 106, 108, a top panel 110, a bottom panel 112, and a front panel 114. The body panels 104, 106, 108, 110, 114 collectively serve as storage cavities within the body for containing and transporting desired items, such as clothing and personal items, for travel. Is defined.

  Wheels 116 are attached to the lower end of bag 100 in a known manner. In the illustrated embodiment, the bag 100 is a general purpose travel bag, but alternative embodiments include, but are not limited to, a wheeled briefcase, a wheeled duffel bag, etc., as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art. Other types of wheeled bags may be used, including In FIG. 1, the traction handle system 102 is disposed in a respective recess 118 in the top panel 110 and the back panel 104.

  FIG. 2 shows a portion of the bag 100 with the traction handle system 102 in the extended state. The tow handle system 102 includes a pair of telescoping struts or support bars 120 and a handle assembly 122 attached to a distal end on the strut 120. The post 120 extends generally parallel to the back panel 104 and is fixedly attached to the bag 100 within the recess 118. In known telescoping supports, the strut 120 includes a sliding support member that is coaxially disposed, and the slide member extends the support (FIG. 2) and retracts (FIG. 2). 1) and a spring retainer pin (not shown) that engages a hole (not shown) to lock. The handle assembly 122 specifically includes a push button 124 that releases its pin from a hole in the post 120 to allow the post 120 to expand and contract freely into an extended or retracted state. The strut 120 may be made from aluminum in a known manner, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 3, push button 124 also releases the locking latch mechanism (not shown in FIG. 3), which is in an upright position (in FIG. Allows the handle assembly 122 to move between a traction position (shown in phantom) and a traction position that is at a predetermined angle α with respect to the axis of the column 120. Thus, in the towed position, the handle assembly 122 is inclined at an angle α with respect to the bag, and further, the handle assembly 122 is inclined away from the axis 130 of the bag 100 and the back panel 104 of the bag 100. It extends in a way that goes away beyond.

  FIG. 4 shows the bag 100 in a towed state where the bag 100 is inclined on a support surface 140 such as a floor and the wheels 116 are in rolling contact with the support surface 140. In this state, the user may grasp the handle assembly 122 to pull the bag 100 in the direction of arrow A as the wheels 116 roll on the support surface 140. Since the handle assembly 122 is inclined at a predetermined angle α in this towed state, the inclination angle β of the bag 100 relative to the support surface 140 is such that the handle assembly is in the upright position (FIGS. 2 and 3). In this case, the inclination angle β is larger. This increase in tilt angle β makes the bag more upright when the bag is pulled in the direction of arrow A, so that a larger portion of the weight of the bag 100 is supported by the wheels 116 on the support surface 140, And a smaller portion of its weight is supported on the handle assembly 122 by the user. Thus, the tilted handle assembly 122 in the towed position reduces the effective weight of the bag 100 experienced by the user and thus reduces fatigue when towing the bag 100.

  Further, the tilted handle assembly 122 moves the support position of the handle assembly 122 further away from the bag 130 axis 130. Therefore, the bag 100 is less likely to infringe and prevent the user's walking pattern when the bag 100 is pulled.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the traction handle system 102 showing the handle assembly 122 coupled to the distal end of the strut 120. The handle system 102 includes a handle retainer housing 150 that is fixedly attached to the post 120 by a known clamping fixture 152 such as a rivet. The handle retainer housing 150 extends between the struts 120 to connect the struts 120 to each other, thereby maintaining the struts 120 in spaced relation to each other. In the exemplary embodiment, the handle retainer housing 150 is made by two halves (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) and is made of plastic, for example, in a known manner. Yes. Half of the retainer 150 houses a locking latch mechanism (not shown in FIG. 5, but described below) that allows the handle assembly 122 to move between an upright position and a towed position.

  The handle assembly 122 includes a U-shaped frame or shell that is pivotally attached to the handle retainer housing 150. The shell 154 can move relative to the handle retainer housing 150 and can be positioned between an upright position and a traction position in the manner described below. A thumb rest 156 is provided in the shell 154 and a push button 124 extends through the outer surface 158 of the shell 154. The shell 154 may be made of plastic, for example, by a known molding operation.

  FIG. 6 shows the handle assembly 122 removed from the handle retainer housing 150 (shown in FIG. 5). Shell 154 includes an inner portion 160 and an outer portion 162 that fits into inner portion 160. Each of the inner portion 160 and the outer portion 162 of the shell 154 includes leg members 164 and 166 located opposite to each other, and a transverse member 168 extending between the leg members 164 and 166 to connect the leg members to each other. 170 in each case.

  The inner portion 164 of the shell 154 includes a contoured gripping surface 172. In the exemplary embodiment, this gripping surface 172 is made of an elastic material such as rubber and provides a firm but comfortable gripping surface on the inner surface of the shell 154. Is attached to the inner surface 164 of the. In another embodiment, the gripping surface 172 may be formed in the form of an inner portion 160 and an outer portion 162 of the shell 154, or in addition, the gripping surface 172 may be omitted in the handle assembly structure.

  The leg 166 of the outer shell portion 162 includes a mounting leg 174 located on the opposite side of the cross member 170, and the mounting leg 174 is inward from the legs 166 of the U-shaped outer shell 162 toward each other. Extend. The inner shell portion 160 fits inside the outer shell portion 162 and the legs 164 of the inner shell portion 160 rest on the mounting legs 174 of the outer shell portion 162. In the exemplary embodiment, each of the mounting legs 174 includes a pivot base 175, an alignment surface 176 extending from the pivot base 175, a neck 177 extending axially from the alignment surface 176, and a receiving circle extending axially from the neck 177. Plate 178. The pivot base 175, the neck 177, and the receiving disk 178 are concentric with each other along the horizontal axis 180. The neck 177 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the pivot base 175 and the receiving disc 178 has a larger cross-sectional area than the neck 177. In the exemplary embodiment, neck 177 and receiving disc 178 are substantially cylindrical in shape, while pivot base 175 is relatively square to match the contour of handle shell 154. The pivot base 175 is further on its bottom surface 180 to create a gap above the handle retainer housing 150 (FIG. 5) when the handle assembly 122 is moved relative to the handle retainer housing 150. It is rounded.

  The pivot base 175 of the mounting leg 174 extends outwardly to the handle retainer housing 150 when attached to the handle retainer housing 150 (FIG. 5), and the alignment surface 176 is the outer edge of the handle retainer housing 150. Adjacent to. The receiving disk 178 is received in a receiving slot (not shown) formed in the handle retainer housing 150 and, therefore, the receiving disk 128 rotates within the receiving slot about the transverse axis 180. However, the receiving disc 178 is prevented from moving relative to the handle retainer housing in a direction parallel to the transverse axis 180.

  The locking latch mechanism 182 extends between the mounting legs 174 and is generally aligned along the transverse axis 180 between the receiving discs 178. In the exemplary embodiment, locking latch mechanism 182 extends between positioning shaft 184, stop 186 attached to shaft 184, a pair of locking elements 188, and stop 186 and locking element 188. A biasing element 190. The positioning shaft 184 is fixedly attached to the mounting leg 174 of the shell 154, and the locking element 188 is received in a cavity (not shown) formed in the handle retainer housing 150. . The locking element 188 cooperates with the positioning ribs 192, 194 on the shaft 184 to lock the handle assembly 122 in the upright position and the traction position as will be described below. The positioning ribs 192, 194 extend between the locking elements 188, and the locking elements 188 are slidably attached to the shaft 184 and are positioned near or far from the ribs 192, 194 as will be described below. It is possible.

  In the exemplary embodiment, the biasing element 190 is a helical coil spring, although other resilient and spring elements may be provided to apply a biasing force against the locking element 188 as described below. Is understood. Further, in one embodiment, the stop 186 is a metal washer that is maintained in a predetermined position by the handle retainer housing 150 when the handle assembly 122 is attached. However, the stop 186 can be formed on the shaft 184 itself, or otherwise, for example, including providing a stop surface for the biasing element in the handle retainer housing 150 It is envisaged that it can also be provided in a known manner.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary positioning shaft 184 that includes a generally cylindrical outer surface 200 and positioning ribs 194, 192 that project radially outward from the outer surface 200. The ribs 194, 192 extend parallel to the longitudinal axis 206 of the shaft 184, and the ribs 192, 194 are at angular intervals substantially equal to the angle α (FIG. 3) between the upright position and the traction position of the handle assembly 122. Extend. In the exemplary embodiment, this angle α is about 45 °, although it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, larger or smaller angles may be used. The locking element 188 extends over the outer surface 200 of the shaft, and the handle retainer housing 150 (FIG. 5) as required when the locking element 188 is aligned with the positioning ribs 194, 192 as described below. The handle assembly 122 is latched in each of an upright position and a traction position.

  FIG. 8 shows an end view of the positioning shaft 184 and its interaction with the exemplary locking element 188. The locking element 188 includes a polygonal body 210 having an outer surface 212, an inner surface 214, and a release arm 216. The inner surface 214 is substantially cylindrical and is slidably mounted on the outer periphery of the shaft 184 and thus completely surrounds the surface 200 of the positioning shaft 184. Location slots 218, 220, 222 extend radially outward from inner surface 214, and location slots 218, 220, 222 are sized to receive positioning ribs 192, 194 of shaft 184.

  When the locking element 188 is released to the unlocked position as described below, the shaft 184 can rotate relative to the inner surface 214 inside the inner surface 214 of the locking element 188, while , The locking element 188 remains in a predetermined alignment within the handle retainer housing 150 (FIG. 5). By rotating the shaft 184 relative to the locking element 188, the relative position of the positioning ribs 192, 194 of the shaft 184 relative to the positioning slots 218, 220, 222 may be changed.

  In the exemplary embodiment, the release arm 216 of each locking element 188 guides a release wire or release cable (not shown in FIG. 8) for moving the telescoping strut 120 (FIGS. 2-5). Or include retaining engagement slots 224, 226. An engagement slot 228 is also provided in the outer surface 212 of the lock element body 120, and the slot 228 holds a release wire or cable for actuating the lock element 188 as described below. The outer surface 212 of the locking element 188 further cooperates with complementary features in the handle retainer housing 150 and / or the shaft 184 to limit the relative movement of the locking element 188 relative to the shaft 184 as required. A stop-shaped configuration in the form of a tab and slot.

  9-11 schematically illustrate the operation of the tow handle system 102. FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the handle assembly 122 is coupled to the handle retainer housing 150, while the handle retainer housing 150 is fixedly attached to the strut 120. The shell 154 of the handle assembly 122 is pivotally attached to the handle retainer housing 150 via a receiving disk 178, and the locking latch mechanism 182 is between the attachment legs 174 of the handle retainer housing 150. It extends from end to end. A stop 186 attached to the shaft 184 is maintained in a predetermined position relative to the shaft 184 and the handle retainer housing 150, and the biasing element 190 is attached to abut against the stop 186. An inward biasing force F is applied to the locking element 188 to maintain the locking element 188 in the engaged position with the positioning ribs 192, 194 of the cage 184. This spring element 190 is equally sized for each locking element 188 but to each other to ensure that the locking element 188 maintains engagement with the ribs 192, 194 of the shaft 184. Exerts forces in the opposite direction.

  An actuation assembly 240 is provided in the shell 154 of the housing assembly 122 to release the locking element 188 from the shaft 184, and the actuation assembly includes a push button 124, a rocker arm 242 and a release wire 244. including.

  FIG. 10 schematically illustrates the inner portion 160 of the shell 154 and its configuration for receiving the actuation assembly 240 (FIG. 9). The inner portion 160 of the shell includes a push button seat 250, a positioning rail 252 for the rocker arm 242 (shown in phantom in FIG. 10), and a release wire 244 (FIG. 9) that passes through the shell 154. A guide groove 254 is formed inside the guide groove 254. The positioning rail 252 includes a recessed round receiver 256 that receives the pivot arm 258 of the rocker arm 242. Thus, when the push button 124 is pushed down into the shell 154 (ie, in the direction of arrow B), the rocker arm 242 is received 256 between the locked position (FIG. 9) and the unlocked position (FIG. 11). Can swivel and vibrate, i.e. swing.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, when the push button 124 is pushed down in the direction of arrow B, the lower rib 260 of the push button 124 causes the first end 262 of the rocker arm 242 to move in the direction of arrow B. Move it down. This movement of the first end 262 causes the rocker arm 242 to swing on the pivot arm 258 within the shell 154, and the second end 264 of the rocker arm 242 moves upward in the direction of arrow C. (FIG. 11). The release wire 244 is attached to the second end 264 of the rocker arm 242 and the upward movement of the second end 264 causes the release wire 244 coupled to the respective locking element 188 to move. pull. Pulling the release wire 244 moves the locking element 188 in opposite directions D, E (FIG. 11) toward the respective mounting leg 174 of the handle assembly 122. The release wire 244 passes the arrow D and E against the biasing force F (FIG. 9) until the lock element 188 passes without touching the positioning ribs 192, 194 and reaches the unlock position shown in FIG. The locking element 188 is pulled in the direction of and is moved in the axial direction. In this unlocked position, the handle shell 154 and the positioning shaft 184 change the relative position of the handle assembly 122 relative to the locking element 188 and correspondingly between an upright position and a traction position. To move the handle assembly 122, it can also be freely rotated about the horizontal axis 180.

  As the handle assembly 122 and the shaft 184 are rotated within the locking element 188 in the unlocked position, the shaft 184 is realigned with the locking element, and the positioning ribs 192, 194 are receivable by the locking element 188, The biasing force F generated by the biasing element 190 pushes the locking elements 188 towards each other and moves them to the locking position shown in FIG. 9 where the locking elements engage the ribs 192, 194. Thus, when the upright and traction positions are obtained, the force from the biasing element 190 automatically returns the locking element 188 to its locked position and the user does nothing to find the proper handle position. There is no need. Rather, the handle assembly 122 automatically locks in place when the traction position and the upright position are obtained.

  Further, when the locking element is moved to the locked position, the release wire 244 is pulled back to the locked position shown in FIG. 9, and this returns the rocker arm 242 to its initial position. The lower rim 260 of the push button 124 is moved upward by the first end 262 of the rocker arm 242 when the rocker arm 242 returns to position. Accordingly, the push button 124 automatically returns to the locked position shown in FIG. 9 when the selected position of the handle assembly 122 (ie, the upright position or the towed position) is obtained.

  In addition, the strut 120 includes additional release wires 270, 272. Release wires 270, 272 are attached to locking element 188 at attachment points 274, 276, respectively. On each locking element 188, one of the slots 224, 226 (FIG. 8) of the release arm 216 (FIG. 8) serves as a guide for one of the wires 270, 272, and the other of the slots 224, 226 The other of the wires 270 and 272 is held. Thus, for each of the locking elements 188, one of the slots 224, 226 is a through slot for one of the release wires 270, 272 and the other of the slots 224, 226 is secured to the respective wire 270, 272. Connecting points 274 and 276 for the engagement.

  When the actuating assembly 240 is actuated to move the locking element 188 to the unlocked position (FIG. 11), the movement of the locking element 188 in the direction of arrow D and arrow E causes the inner side of the telescoping support 120 to move. Pulling the release wires 270, 272 as a result, unlocking the mechanism (not shown), unlocking the struts for extension of the struts 120 from the bag 100, or pulling the struts 120 into the bag 100 Retract. Similarly, when the locking element 188 returns to the locked position (FIG. 9), the locking element 188 engages the support 120 in the locked position, whether the wires 270, 272 are extended or shortened. The wires 270 and 272 are returned to their initial positions while remaining.

  Thus, the actuating assembly 240 serves to simultaneously activate rotation of the handle assembly 122 about the transverse axis 180 and movement of the telescoping support 120 via the locking element 188. Thus, the user can use one hand to extend and retract the support 120 in a simple and direct manner by actuating the push button 124 and guiding the handle assembly 122 to the desired position, and The handle can be rotated between the upright position and the traction position. When the handle assembly 122 and / or the telescoping support 120 are properly aligned, the push button 124 automatically returns to its initial position and the actuation assembly 240 is effectively returned to its locked position. .

  The handle assembly 122 and tow handle system 102 described above are convenient for humans who pull the bag 100, are more comfortable than many known handle systems for towing the bag, and are more reliable in operation. A reliable handle system for towing the bag 100 is provided. When stretched and tilted at an angle α (FIG. 3), the bag 100 is less likely to interfere with the human walking pattern that pulls the bag 100.

  Although the handle assembly 122 is shown and described as being capable of moving from an upright position to a single traction position at an angle α, the locking element 188 and the positioning shaft 184 can be moved from an angle α as needed. It will be appreciated that appropriate changes may be made to facilitate positioning the handle at other angular positions that are larger or smaller. Additional traction positions may be achieved by adding more locating ribs to the shaft 184 and adding more slots to the locking element 188.

  FIG. 12 shows an angle α relative to a telescoping support (not shown in FIG. 12) for a more comfortable traction of a bag such as the bag 100 (shown in FIGS. 1 to 4). FIG. 6 is a schematic assembly view of another exemplary embodiment of a travel tow traction handle assembly 300 that can be positioned in various traction positions. The handle assembly 300 includes an inner shell 302 on which an actuation assembly 304 is mounted and an outer shell 306 that is mated to the inner shell 302 to form a U-shaped handle assembly. The inner shell 302 includes a mounting leg 308 and a receiving disc 310 extending from the mounting leg. The drive assembly 304 includes a push button 312, a rocker arm 314 attached in the vicinity of the push button 312, and a release wire 316 coupled to the rocker arm 314. Each of the release wires is connected to a known spring-loaded lock mechanism 318 and a pair of lock pins 320 operated by the lock mechanism 318. The lock pins 320 face each other inwardly and each of the lock pins 320 includes a groove 322 formed therein.

  FIG. 13 shows a handle 300 having an inner shell 302 and an outer shell 306 combined with each other. The lock pin 320 extends through an elastic biasing element 330 that biases the lock pin 320 in a predetermined direction, and a release lever 332 is attached to each of the lock pins 320.

  FIG. 14 is an exploded view of an exemplary biasing element 330, which in an exemplary embodiment includes an outer rigid layer 340 and an elastic layer 342 sandwiched between the rigid layers 340. including. The rigid layer 340 includes an arcuate slot 344 and the elastic layer 342 includes a round hole 346 sized to receive the lock pin 320 (FIG. 13). During assembly, the elastic layer 342 is secured between the rigid layers 340 and the lock pins 320 extend through the slots 344 in the rigid layer 340 and the holes 346 in the elastic layer 342. The elastic layer 342 is deformable and allows the pin 320 to move within the boundaries of the slot 344 to select a handle position, and further, once the handle position is selected, the elastic layer 342 is locked pin There is sufficient elasticity to move 320 back to its initial position and lock the handle assembly 300 in place. The rigid layer 340 may be made of stamped steel, for example, and the elastic layer 342 may be made of an elastomeric rubber material, for example.

  FIG. 15 shows an exemplary release lever 332 that includes a lower section 350, an upper section 352, and a pivot arm 354 that extends outwardly between the lower section 350 and the upper section 352. The lower section 350 includes a closed slot 356 that holds a release wire (not shown) for a telescoping support (not shown in FIG. 1) used with the handle assembly 300. The upper section defines an open slot 358 that receives a groove 322 (FIG. 12) in the lock pin 320. The upper section 352 is telescopically supported by the release lever 332 pivoting about the pivot arm when the lock pin 320 moves in the direction of arrow G (FIG. 13) and pulling the release wire attached to the lower section 350. It is held in the lock pin groove 320 to actuate the body.

  FIGS. 16 and 17 further illustrate a handle assembly 300 and a locking latch mechanism 368 that is nested within a support receiver 362 formed in the actuator housing 360 (not shown). An actuator housing 360 that can be fixedly attached to its strut when it is received. The housing 360 defines a cavity (not shown) that receives a dial position selector 370 having a base 372, the dial position selector 370 having a hole 374 for receiving the lock pin 320 and a positioning extending upward from the base 372. A portion 376 and a button portion 378 extending between the positioning portions 376 are included. The positioning portion 376 includes a ribbed outer surface 378 having protrusions or teeth extending over the surface that are aligned at a predetermined spacing relative to each other. In the exemplary embodiment, the ribs or teeth are in increments of 8 °, although larger or smaller angular spacings may be used in still other and / or alternative embodiments. Will be understood. The dial position selector 370 further includes a lower extension 380 having a receptacle therein that provides a seat for a biasing element 384 (FIG. 17), such as a helical coil spring element.

  When the dial position selector 370 is fitted into the actuator housing 360 as shown in FIG. 17, the locking plate 386 extends over the dial position selector 370 and the positioning portion 376 of the position selector 370 is , Biased to abut against the locking plate 386. As shown in FIG. 16, the inner surface 388 of the locking plate 386 is ribbed in a complementary manner to the positioning portion 376 of the dial position selector 370, and the positioning portion 376 The inner surfaces 388 can engage each other in a tongue / groove configuration to direct the dial position selector 370 relative to the locking plate 386 and provide a stable orientation of the handle assembly 300 relative to the actuator housing 360. Can be determined. This stable orientation is achieved at each angular spacing according to the spacing of the ribs in the respective surfaces of the locking plate 386 and dial position selector 370. Thus, the handle assembly is positioned at several different angles (eg, 37 °, 45 °, 53 °) relative to the actuator housing 360 to provide several different traction positions in addition to the upright position. Is possible.

  FIG. 17 shows the handle assembly 300 in a combined state where the cover plate 400 holds the locking latch mechanism 368 together. The biasing element 384 applies a force directed upward in the direction of arrow H on the position selector 370, and this biasing force maintains contact between the dial position selector 370 and the locking plate 386. The push button 312 is pushed down in the direction of arrow I to release the handle assembly 300 for rotation from an upright position to a traction position or for rotation from one traction position to another traction position. This causes the rocker arm 314 to pivot and pull the release wire 316, which results in driving the locking mechanism 318 and moving the locking pins 320 away from the dial position selector 370 in opposite directions. Causes pulling in J and direction K. When the lock pin 320 is released from the position selector 370, the button 378 of the dial position selector 370 is pushed down in the direction of arrow I, and the selector 370 is moved downward against the bias of the biasing element 384. .

  When the positioning surface 376 of the selector 370 passes without touching the inner surface 388 of the locking plate 386 when the button 378 is depressed, the locking plate 386 and the handle shell move in a different relative direction on the dial position selector 370. It can be rotated. When the button 378 of the dial position selector 370 is released, the biasing element 384 moves upward in the direction of arrow H until the positioning surface 376 of the dial position selector 370 engages with the locking plate 386 in the locked position. The dial position selector 370 is returned. The spring retainer lock mechanism 318 engages the locking pin 320 in its new position and is ready for handle pulling.

  In addition to this, when the push button 312 is actuated to move the locking pin 320 to the unlocked position, the movement of the locking pin 320 in the direction of arrows J and K causes the release lever 322 to pivot and telescoping. Pulling the release wire 316 inside the support results in the release of the mechanism (not shown) and unlocking the support legs for extension or retraction from the associated bag.

  Thus, unlike the handle assembly 122 described above, the handle assembly 300 uses a two-stage operation to release and rotate the handle assembly 300. Nevertheless, and like the handle assembly 122, the handle assembly 300 is convenient for a person towing a bag, is more comfortable and operates than many known handle systems for towing a bag. Provide a reliable handle system for towing the bag with high reliability. When the handle assembly 300 is extended and tilted to an angle α (as shown in FIG. 3), it is much less likely to interfere with the human walking pattern that pulls the bag.

  While the invention has been described in terms of various embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims. .

1 is a perspective view of a wheeled bag including a tow handle system formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the bag shown in FIG. 1 with the handle in an extended position. 2 shows the bag shown in FIG. 1 with the handle in the towed position. 2 shows the bag shown in FIG. 1 in the towed position. It is a perspective view of a traction handle. FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of the tow handle removed from the bag. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a positioning shaft for the traction handle shown in FIG. 6. It is an end view of the positioning shaft to which the locking element is attached. FIG. 5 is a schematic front elevation view of the traction handle system shown in FIGS. 1-4 in a locked position. It is a top view of a part of a handle system. FIG. 5 is a schematic front elevational view of the traction handle system shown in FIGS. 1-4 in the unlocked position. FIG. 6 is a schematic assembly view of another embodiment of a tow handle system. FIG. 13 is another assembly view of the traction handle system shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is an exploded view of an elastic biasing member for the handle system shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a latch lever of the handle system shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is another assembly view of the traction handle system shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. 17 is an assembly view of the traction handle system shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 16.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Wheeled bag 102 Retractable tow handle system 104 Back panel 106, 108 Side panel 110 Top panel 112 Bottom panel 114 Front panel 116 Wheel 118 Recess 120 Prop 122 Handle assembly 124 Push button 140 Support surface 150 Handle holder housing 152 Tightening fixture 154 Shell 156 Thumb rest

Claims (10)

A towing handle system for wheeled travel bags,
First and second struts;
In a towing handle system comprising: an upright position parallel to the strut and a towing position that is positionable between a towing position at an angle to the strut:
The tow handle is
An angular position element extending between the first and second struts and having a ribbed outer surface;
A locking element comprising an inner surface received on the outer surface of the angular position element, wherein the inner surface engages the angular position element in a first orientation corresponding to the upright position. And a locking element that engages the angular position element in a second orientation that defines the traction position.
Tow handle system.   The traction handle system according to claim 1, further comprising a biasing element that pushes the locking element in one of a locked position and an unlocked position.   The traction handle system of claim 2, wherein the biasing element comprises a helical coil spring element.   The traction handle system of claim 2, wherein the biasing element comprises an elastomeric element.   The traction handle system of claim 1, further comprising a shell and a push button coupled to the shell, wherein the push button unlocks the locking element from the angular position element.   The traction handle system of claim 1, wherein the angular position element comprises a cylindrical shaft.   The traction handle system of claim 1, wherein the locking element comprises a locking plate having ribs disposed thereon at predetermined intervals.   The traction of claim 1, wherein the locking element comprises a body defining an opening, the angular position element is received within the opening, and the body completely surrounds an outer periphery of the angular position element. Handle system.   The traction handle system of claim 1, further comprising a U-shaped handle shell extending above the first and second struts.   The traction handle system of claim 9, further comprising first and second rocker arms pivotally attached to the shell at a position opposite the locking latch mechanism.

Images