JPH08299044A - Frame which is applied to suitcase and similar articles - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a highly durable frame for suitcases for standardized manufacture of the suitcases having mutually different widths by a simple method. SOLUTION: A frame 1 for suitcases and the like is provided with two upper angular members 3 and two lower angular members 4 of which width is generally equal to the width of the suitcase. The upper angular members 3 and the lower angular members 4 are constructed to be coupled each other at their respective ends through tightly culpable members 8. Couplings section of the upper angular members 3 and the lower angular members 4 accord with the centerline of longitudinal and vertically transverse sides of the frame.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a suitcase and a frame used for the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, suitcases made of a flexible material have been known, and a frame for determining the shape of the suitcase is provided inside these suitcases. The frame is composed of a plurality of members made of plastic, and these members are connected to each other so as to form an annular shape that determines the outer shape of the suitcase.

In particular, a normal frame is composed of an upper panel and a lower panel, and the upper panel and the lower panel are secured to each other at their both ends by two side uprights fixed by joining members such as rivets. Are joined together by. Such upper and lower panels are actually as wide as the width of the suitcase, with the upper side being narrower.

However, depending on such a frame,
High strength could not be guaranteed in terms of load bearing and external stresses to which the suitcase is exposed. A particularly weak area is the side upright that joins the upper and lower panels.

Furthermore, it can be said that such a frame is unsuitable for producing similar suitcases of different sizes. In fact, there is a clear limit to changing product specifications, which requires resorting to special manufacturing molds to accommodate individual dimensions.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and standardizes and manufactures a tough suitcase having a different size from each other and a similar product by a simple method. The purpose is to provide a frame that can be.

Further, within the scope of the above-mentioned object, the present invention aims to provide a frame for a versatile suitcase which has a simple concept, is safe and reliable in use.

[0008]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a suitcase and a frame used for the same in which two upper parts having a width substantially the same as the width of the suitcase to be manufactured. An angular type member and two lower angular type members are provided, and the upper angular type member and the lower angular type member are connected to each other at their ends in the longitudinal plane of the frame and the center line of the vertical cross section by a fitting type connecting member. The feature is that they can be connected.

Further features and advantageous effects of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and the embodiments of the invention described below. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the attached drawings and the following description.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the figures, reference numeral 1 designates a frame for a suitcase 2 made of a flexible material, in particular of the towable type.

The frame 1 is substantially composed of two upper angular mold members 3 and two lower angular mold members 4, and these upper and lower angular mold members 3 and 4 are molded (molded). Made of plastic material for. The upper / lower angular type members 3 and 4 can be connected to each other at a center line of a longitudinal surface of the frame 1 and a center line of a vertical cross section by a fitting type (one-touch snap type snap-fitting type) connecting member. Is configured. The longitudinal plane and the vertical cross section form an annular contour which determines the contour of the suitcase 2.

Each lower angular member 4 has an L-shape, and its width is equal to the width of the suitcase 2 to be manufactured. The lower angular member 4 has a longitudinal portion 4a and a vertical transverse portion 4b,
The longitudinal portion 4a and the vertical transverse portion 4b properly intersect with each other along the arc shape (so that the intersecting portion has the arc shape). The longitudinal section 4a and the vertical transverse section 4b are each provided with longitudinally extending ribs 5a, 5b for strengthening the longitudinal section 4a and the vertical transverse section 4b. These ribs 5a, 5b are formed by corresponding grooves (meaning that the ribs are grooves when viewed from the back side), and the (concave region) of the groove faces the outside of the frame.

Seats (seats) 6 and 7 are formed on the edges of each lower angular member 4 in the transverse direction at both ends thereof, and the seats 6 and 7 are of a corresponding fitting type (one-touch that snaps into place). A coupling member 8 (of the snap type) can be inserted. The seats 6, 7 are actually constituted by shallow pockets extending over the entire width of the lower angular mold member 4.

Each connecting member 8 is composed of a band-shaped body having a shape suitable for being fitted into the sheets 6 and 7 exactly. The connecting member 8 is provided with a plurality of transverse reinforcing pins 9 projecting into the above-mentioned grooves forming the ribs 5a and 5b and corresponding holes 11 formed in the lower angular member 4 in the seats 6 and 7 with one touch. And a plurality of teeth 10 having a shape suitable for snap-fit engagement.

On the other hand, each upper angular member 3 is composed of an L-shaped member and has a narrow longitudinal portion 3.
a and a vertical transverse portion 3b. The longitudinal portions 3a and the vertical transverse portions 3b intersect at a right angle. The vertical cross section 3b has the same width as the lower angular member 4 and is slightly tapered towards the longitudinal section 3a. The vertical crossing portion 3b has a plurality of ribs 12 similar to the ribs 5a and 5b described above.

A corresponding seat (seat) 13 is also formed at the free end of the vertical transverse portion 3b of the upper angular member 3 along the transverse end.
The above-mentioned connecting member 8 can be inserted into 3. Also, a small connecting member 14 similar to the connecting member 8
The upper angular member 3 has a shape suitable for connecting the longitudinal portions 3a to each other by being snap-fitted into the longitudinal portions 3a, and has a shape formed at the end of each longitudinal portion 3a. The seat (seat) 15 is designed to be inserted.

Reinforcing strips 16 are also longitudinally connected to each of the longitudinal portions 3a in the above-mentioned joining region, strengthening the region for fastening the handle 17, which is appropriately divided and articulated. It acts as an element for doing. At both ends of the handle 17, joint portions 18 suitable for being fixed to the frame 1 using joint members (not shown) such as ordinary screws are provided. Joining members, such as screws, are adapted to pass through the longitudinal portions 3a of the upper angular mold member 3 and the holes 19, 20 formed in the reinforcing strip 16 (see FIG. 2 for details).

The longitudinal portion 3 of the upper angular mold member 3
A flat surface is provided on the upper side of a, and passages (channel portions) 21 are formed along the central axis of the lower region. The passage 21 is provided in the coupling region of the longitudinal portion 3a of the upper angular member 3 with the handle 1
There is an opening formed for mounting the 7, and this opening is adapted to be sealed by a kind of cover 22 in a use mode. The cover 22 has a plurality of shoulders 23 at both edges along the longitudinal direction thereof, and these shoulders 23 are adapted to be fitted on both sides of the passage 21 outside the passage 21 with one touch. . The cover 22 also has a plurality of teeth 24 arranged in corresponding grooves of the shoulders 23 (clearances between the shoulders) and suitable for engaging the passages 21 from the inside of the passages 21.

A seat surface is formed in the passage 21 for accommodating the stem portion 25 of the handle 26 for pulling the suitcase when the handle 26 is not used.
The handle 26 can be pulled out against the return spring 27. The return spring 27 is firmly joined to one end of the stem portion 25 via a connecting plate 28. Return spring 27
Are held by blocks 29 attached to the corresponding vertical transverse portions 3b of the upper angular mold member 3 by pressing against openings formed in one end of the passage 21.

The handle 26 is housed inside the dome 30 when not in use. The dome 30 seals a chamber 31 formed in the vertical portion 3b of the upper angular member 3 on the side opposite to the side where the stem portion 25 is elastically joined. The dome 30 has a stem portion 25
Has a hole through which it can pass.

Finally, two strips 32 are attached to the lower region of the frame 1. Each belt-shaped member 32 has two wheel members 33 and 34. The first wheel member 33 has a fixed shaft, while the second wheel member 34 is of a type that itself orients itself in an appropriate direction (has self-orientation).

The belt-shaped member 32, only one of which is shown in FIG. 1, has a concave shape, and a plurality of reinforcing ribs 35 are provided inside. Band-shaped member 32
Are attached to the frame 1 by a general threaded member which passes through a seat surface 36 formed in the longitudinal portion 4a of the lower angular member 4 and is screwed into a corresponding sleeve 37 formed in the strip 32. .

In this way, the upper and lower angular type members 3, 4 are quickly and easily joined to each other by the connecting members 8, 14. The connecting members 8 and 14 are actually inserted into the corresponding seats (seats) 6 and 7 and the seat 15 formed in the upper / lower angular type members 3 and 4, and the tooth portion 1
0 snaps into engagement with the upper / lower angular mold members 3,4.

In assembling the frame 1, a member such as a screw is used except that it is required to fix the reinforcing strip 16 and the strip 32 supporting the dome 30 and the wheels 33, 34. It is worth noting that it is not necessary.

The provided frame 1 is therefore very robust. This is because the frame 1 is composed of a continuous annular band having a width substantially the same as the width of the suitcase 2.

Further, since the annular band has flexibility, and especially the lower member has flexibility, the frame 1 elastically absorbs strain without undergoing considerable permanent deformation. can do.

Further, as another advantageous effect, the frame 1 according to the present invention can be manufactured by standardizing (modularizing) suitcases having different sizes.
This suffices to simply change the dimensions of the mold used to manufacture the angular member.

In practicing the present invention, the materials used, as well as shape and size, can be varied as desired.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to obtain a highly durable frame for a suitcase. Further, suitcases having different sizes can be standardized and manufactured by a simple method.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a suitcase frame according to the present invention in a bare state.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of an upper portion of a frame.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a suitcase manufactured using the frame according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Frame 3 Upper Angular Member 3a Longitudinal Section 3b Vertical Cross Section 4 Lower Angular Member 4a Longitudinal Section 4b Vertical Cross Section 5a, 5b, 12 Ribs 6, 7, 13 Seat (Seat) 8 Connecting Member 11 Hole 21 Passage 25 Stem part 26 Handle 27 Elastic return means (return spring) 30 Dome 31 Room 32 Belt-shaped member 33 First wheel member 34 Second wheel member 35 Reinforcing rib 37 Sleeve

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A suitcase and the like used in a frame, wherein two upper angular mold members (3) and two lower angular mold members (4) having a width substantially the same as the width of the suitcase to be manufactured. ), Each upper angular mold member (3) and each lower angular mold member (4) is provided at the longitudinal plane of the frame (2) and at the center line of the vertical cross section by the fitting type coupling member (8). A frame characterized in that the ends of each other can be connected to each other. 2. The upper angular member (3) and the lower angular member (4) are pocket-shaped seats (6, 6) provided at both ends thereof along a transverse edge.
7, 13), wherein the pocket-shaped seats (6, 7, 13) include the upper angular member (3) and the lower angular member (4).
Extending over the entire width of the connecting member (8)
The frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame is configured to be inserted. 3. Each of the connecting members (8) is formed as a strip, and the corresponding connecting members (8) are formed at ends of the upper angular member (3) and the lower angular member (4) adjacent to each other. The connecting members (8) are configured so that they can be inserted exactly into the seats (6, 7, 13), and the connecting members (8) include the seats (6, 7) of the upper angular member (3) and the lower angular member (4). 2. A frame according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a plurality of teeth (10) which can be fitted and engaged in corresponding holes (11) formed in the holes (13, 13). 4. Each upper angular member (3) comprises a narrow longitudinal portion (3a) and a vertical transverse portion (3b).
Configured as an L-shaped member having a longitudinal section (3a) and a vertical transverse section (3).
2. Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that b) are connected in a right-angled relationship. 5. Each upper angular mold member (3) is provided with a longitudinal portion (3a) having a flat surface on the upper side and a passage (21) formed along the central axis in the lower region. A seating surface is formed in the passage (21) for accommodating the stem portion (25) of the handle (26) for pulling the suitcase when the handle (26) is not used. ) Rigidly joined to one end of said), and capable of being pulled out against an elastic return means (27) held on a corresponding upper angular mold member (3). The frame described in 1. 6. The towing handle (26), when not in use, is the vertical transverse portion (3b) of the corresponding upper angular member (3) opposite the side to which the stem portion (25) is resiliently joined. The frame according to claim 5, which is housed inside a dome (30) mounted so as to seal a room (31) formed in the frame. 7. Two strips (32) are attachable to the lower region of said lower angular member (4), each strip (32) being provided with two wheel members (33, 3).
4), of which the first wheel member (33) is provided
Has a fixed shaft and the second wheel member (34) is of a self-orienting type, each strip (32) having a plurality of reinforcing ribs (35) on the inside.
The reinforcing rib (35) is provided with a sleeve (37) for screwing a screw member to join each strip member (32) to the lower angular member (4). The frame according to claim 1, wherein the frame is provided. 8. Each lower angular member (4) has an L-shape with a longitudinal portion (4a) and a vertical transverse portion (4b), the longitudinal portion (4a) and the vertical transverse portion (4a) being perpendicular to each other. The portion (4b) intersects along a circular arc shape.
The frame described. 9. Each upper angular mold member (3) and each lower angular mold member (4) has a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs (5a, 5a, 5b) having recesses formed by corresponding grooves facing the outside of the frame. 5. Frame according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided with 5b, 12).