JPH09308515A - Suitcase - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce weight of the body using a lighten main frame by putting several stiffening ribs in longways all round the inside of the main frame composed of several parts. SOLUTION: One side of a main frame 3 and a lid shell 1 are jointed together with hinges 5 along a side wall 12a in longways so that it opens and shuts with locks 6 while its another side is connected tight to a body shell 2. The main frame 3 composed of the first and second frame member 3a, 3b is easily drawn out after molding and capable of forming several stiffening ribs 31 in longways all round the inside. Onto its wider bottom wall 30d are put carrying wheels. It's possible now to make the lid shell 1 as well as the body shell 2 thinner to reduce the body weight as whole the weight is loaded on the main frame 3 when carrying it.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a suitcase, and more particularly to a hard or semi-rigid suitcase made of synthetic resin.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Heretofore, as a suitcase of this type, US Pat. No. 5.044.476 is known. The above US Patent No. The 5.044.476 model is composed of a relatively wide central frame made of synthetic resin, a body side shell and a lid side shell which are each integrally molded of synthetic resin, and the center frame and body side shell are The central frame and the lid-side shell are joined to each other by welding at the peripheral edge, and the central frame and the lid-side shell are joined to each other by a hinge on one side, and latching means for fastening / releasing the side edges when the case is closed is provided on the opposing one side. The central frame and both shells are injection-molded products of synthetic resin, which are molded of mutually-weldable synthetic resin, that is, the same kind of synthetic resin.

[0003] Polypropylene resin (hereinafter abbreviated as PP), which is a general-purpose resin at a low price, is often used as a raw material resin for the trunk of an injection molded product. In order to obtain, it must be made quite thick, and the weight increases. Therefore, in the above-mentioned U.S. Patent, a concave portion is provided on the upper surface of the frame, and a separately formed reinforcing member is fitted into the concave portion to form a hollow beam, thereby compensating for insufficient strength of the central frame and suppressing an increase in weight.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,085,067 mainly reinforces the upper surface of the frame on which the handle and the latch are mounted, and the strength of the central frame is reinforced along the entire circumference. But not
If a large strength is to be obtained over the entire circumference, the thickness of the center frame must be increased to some extent, and it is difficult to achieve a sufficient weight reduction.

It is also known to provide ribs for reinforcing the strength. However, it is desirable that the ribs be provided at a position invisible from the outside so as not to impair the appearance. In such a central frame, the rib is provided on the inner periphery of the frame. There is a need. However, in the U.S. patent, since the central frame is an integrally molded product, it is difficult to form a plurality of ribs extending in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface on the inner peripheral surface during the molding process.

In the above-mentioned US patent, a moving wheel is mounted on a shell side, and a large load is applied to the shell when moving by wheels. Therefore, the thickness of the shell is reduced. It is also difficult to reduce the weight of a suitcase.

In view of this, it is an object of the present invention to reduce the weight of the entire suitcase by first reducing the weight of the central frame. In addition, in the present invention, the shell is made thin so that a large load is not applied to the shell even when moving by wheels, thereby making it possible to reduce the thickness of the shell. The aim is to further reduce the weight of the suitcase as a whole.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, in the suitcase of the present invention, a substantially wide or substantially rigid central frame and a synthetic resin are used respectively. It is composed of an integrally molded substantially rigid or semi-rigid body side shell and lid side shell, the central frame and the body side shell are connected to each other at the peripheral edge portion, and the central frame and the lid side shell are In a suitcase, which is hingedly connected to one side and has a latching means capable of tightening / releasing the side edge when the case is closed, on the opposite sides thereof, the central frame is divided into a body side shell and a lid side shell. Is made of different kinds of materials with high elastic modulus and is divided into multiple parts to be molded and assembled. It is intended to provide plural rows substantially the entire circumference of the frame a building reinforcing ribs.

If the center frame is made of a different kind of resin having a high elastic modulus from the body side shell and the lid side shell, the center frame is made of the same resin as the shell to obtain the required strength. Can be reduced in thickness. For example, if the shell is a PP injection molded product,
The center frame is desirably made of glass fiber reinforced nylon resin. The flexural modulus of PP is about 9,000 kg / cm ^2, whereas that of glass fiber reinforced nylon resin is 7
Since the weight is about 0,000 to 80,000 Kg / cm ² , the central frame is made of glass fiber reinforced nylon resin,
The central frame can be significantly reduced in weight as compared with the case where the necessary strength is obtained as a product made of P, and thus the overall weight of the suitcase can be reduced. In addition, since the strength is improved by reinforcing PP with glass fiber, it is possible to reduce the wall thickness by that amount. However, when the glass fiber reinforced material of PP is injection-molded, the glass fiber emerges on the surface. Unless the coating is applied, a beautiful appearance cannot be obtained, and even if the coating is applied, if the coating is damaged, the inner surface is undesirably exposed. In this regard, if a glass fiber reinforced nylon resin is used, a beautiful appearance can be obtained without painting.

[0010] The central frame is divided into a first frame part substantially constituting three sides and a second frame part substantially constituting the other side, and the first frame part is an extruded aluminum product. The second frame part may be formed of a resin having a different elasticity from the body side shell and the lid side shell and having a high elastic modulus, for example, a glass fiber reinforced nylon resin.

Further, by providing a plurality of reinforcing ribs running in the circumferential direction on the inner peripheral surface of the central frame, it is possible to further reduce the thickness of the frame, that is, reduce the weight thereof.
In addition, it is possible to form a plurality of reinforcing ribs in parallel on the inner surface of the center frame as described above by integrally forming the center frame by dividing the center frame into a plurality of parts.

Each of the parts assembled adjacent to each other on the central frame has an extension in which a reinforcing rib provided on one of the parts protrudes from a joining edge of the part and extends along the inner surface of the other part. Preferably, the reinforcing rib provided on the other part is formed so as to be substantially continuous with the extension extending toward the part when the parts are assembled. With such a structure, despite the fact that the central frame is constructed by assembling a plurality of parts, the reinforcing ribs provided on the inner peripheral surface thereof are continuous over substantially adjacent parts. As a result, the central frame can be prevented from having a reduced strength at the part joints.

It is preferable that one side of the central frame is formed wider than the other three sides, and wheels for traveling are mounted on the wide formed surface. By attaching the traveling wheels to the center frame, almost all loads of the suitcase and luggage stored in the suitcase during wheel running are applied to the center frame, and the load applied to the shell side is extremely small, so the bottom side In addition, the strength required for the shell on the lid side is reduced, and accordingly, the thickness of both shells can be reduced to reduce the weight. Also, the load on the hinge and the latch is reduced.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, a suitcase indicated generally by a reference character A includes two shells 1 and 2 on a lid side and a body side.
And the central frame 3 and are formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The two shells 1 and 2 are each integrally formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin such as PP. The shell 1 on the lid side is made of a rectangular top wall 11 and a side wall 12 formed on the periphery thereof. The side shell 2 is made up of a rectangular bottom wall 21 and a side wall 22 formed on the periphery thereof.

On the other hand, the central frame 3 is an injection-molded product using a different kind of resin having a high elastic modulus, for example, glass-reinforced nylon, from the two shells 1 and 2, and is formed in a rectangular closed annular wall. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 31 are provided in parallel on the inner surface substantially over the entire circumference.

The cover-side shell 1 and the body-side shell 2 are connected to both sides of the center frame 3. The bottom wall 21 of the body-side shell 2 is the bottom wall a of the case A, and the top wall 11 of the cover-side shell 1 is Top wall b of case A
And the sidewalls 12 and 22 of the shells 1 and 2 respectively.
And the central frame 3 constitute the side wall c of the case A.

The width of the center frame 3 is so large that it occupies approximately half or more of the width of the side wall c of the case A. The depth of the shells 1 and 2 on the lid side and the body side is formed. Is shallow. By increasing the width of the central frame 3 and reducing the depth of the shells 1 and 2 in this way, the cost of the mold for the injection molding die for shell molding can be reduced and the molding cycle can be shortened. can do.

While the central frame 3 and the body side shell 2 are fixedly connected around the entire circumference, the central frame 3 and the lid side shell 1 are connected to one of the longitudinal side walls 12.
a (the right side wall in FIG. 2) is hinged to each other so as to be rotatable with each other, so that the case A can be opened and closed. The other side wall 12b of the long side wall (the left side wall in FIG. 2) is provided with a latch 6 that can be tightened and released to securely hold the closed state of the case A when closed.

The center frame 3 is formed by assembling first and second two frame parts 3a and 3b, thereby facilitating the die-cutting at the time of molding. Multiple reinforcing ribs 31 around the entire circumference
Etc., so that complicated reinforcing ribs can be formed. The first frame part 3a of the central frame 3 is composed of the entire short side wall 30a (hereinafter referred to as the upper side wall) of the frame 3 and the left and right side walls connected to both ends thereof.
The second frame part 3b is composed of the whole of the remaining short side wall 30d (hereinafter referred to as the lower side wall) of the frame 3 and the left and right side walls 30b, It forms part of 30c.

As shown in FIGS. 11 to 13, these two frame parts 3a and 3b have a stepped part 3a at the free end of the first frame part 3a. -2
And the joint 3a-1 is externally fitted to the free end of the second frame part 3b, and the free end is connected to the step portion.
It is joined by riveting 8 while it is in contact with 3a-2. At this time, the use of an adhesive is of course optional.

On the other hand, the reinforcing ribs 31 provided on the inner periphery of the center frame 3 are, of course, provided with the first and second frame parts 3a, 3b.
The reinforcing ribs 31 formed on the first frame part 3a are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the first frame part 3a.
3a-1 has an extension 31a extending further from the edge. This extension 31a is the step 3a-2 of the first frame part 3a.
For a while, after extending integrally with the inner peripheral surface of the joint 3a-1, the tip of the step 31a-
1, a gap 31a-2 corresponding to the thickness of the frame 3 is provided, and the free end portion of the second frame part 3b is fixed to the gap 31a by joining and fixing the first and second frame parts 3a, 3b. -2, so that the extension 31a is in contact with the inner surface of the second frame part 3b.

The second frame part 3b has the above-mentioned reinforcing rib at the joining edge with the first frame part 3a, that is, at each free edge.
A notch 3b-1 with which the step 31a-1 of the extension 31a of the 31 engages;
A bag-shaped rib engaging portion 3b-2 for receiving the extension portion 31a extending into the second frame part 3b is provided. The reinforcing rib 31 formed on the second frame part 3b is
Are formed along the length direction, but both ends thereof are stopped short of the rib engaging portion 3b-2.

The width of the bottom wall 30d of the second frame part 3b is adjusted to the width of each of the walls 30a, 30a of the first frame part 3a.
The first frame part 3a is formed to be wider than the width of the first and second walls 30b and 30c and to form a part of the left and right walls 30b and 30c at both ends thereof. It is formed in a shape that expands from the connection part with the bottom side, so the lid side,
In each of the shells 1 and 2 on the body side, the depth corresponding to the second frame part 3b is reduced toward the bottom side. The center frame 3 has wheels 9 for movement mounted on the outer surface of the wide bottom wall 30d, and the upper wall opposing the bottom wall 30d.
A traveling handle 10 is attached to 30a. A center handle 20 is provided on the wall 30b of the center frame 3 on the side where the latch 6 is provided facing the hinge 5. With such a structure, when the case A is carried, the entire load of the case A is applied to the central frame 3 and almost no load is applied to the lid-side shell 1 and the body-side shell 2. It is easy to reduce the weight by reducing the thickness.

FIG. 3 shows the structures of the central frame 3 and the edges of the lid-side and body-side shells 1 and 2. The center frame 3 is formed of a glass-reinforced nylon resin or the like as described above in order to reduce the weight while securing the necessary strength, while the shells 1 and 2 are formed of a low-priced general-purpose resin such as PP. The center frame 3 and the body shell 2 are used because the resins used are different.
Cannot be bonded by heat fusion. Thus, the center frame 3 and the body side shell 2 are mechanically connected.

Inner lips 32, 32 'and outer lips 33, 33' are provided on both sides of the center frame 3, and open grooves 34, 34 'are formed therebetween. This inner and outer lip 3
2, 33 and 32 ', 33' are connected at the bottom of the open grooves 34, 34 '. A sealing material 35 made of rubber or the like is fitted to the bottom of an open groove 34 provided on the side edge of the central frame 3 on the side corresponding to the lid-side shell 1. Mounting holes are provided at predetermined intervals at the bottom of the open groove 34 '
36 is opened, and the mounting hole 36 faces the inside of the case A from the bottom of the groove 34 '.

The ends of the side walls 12 and 22 of the shells 1 and 2 on the lid side and the body side are open grooves 34 and 34 ′ of the central frame 3.
When the case A is closed, the end of the side wall 12 of the shell 1 on the lid side is
Into the open groove 34 and hits the sealing material 35. Seal material
35 has a size larger than the gap between the end of the sidewall 12 of the lid-side shell 1 and the bottom surface of the open groove 34 when the case A is closed. One sidewall 12 tip and open groove 34
Not only prevents the dirt and water from entering the case A by being compressed by the bottom surface of the case A, but also reduces the variation in the gap between the tip of the sidewall 12 of the lid-side shell 1 and the bottom surface of the open groove 34 due to a manufacturing error. Can be absorbed.

On the other hand, at the tip of the side wall 22 of the body side shell 2, mounting projections are provided at the same interval as the interval between the mounting holes 36.
23 are provided, and the mounting projection 23 is a side wall.
With the tip 22 inserted into the open groove 34 ′, it projects through the mounting hole 36 into the case A. Mounting piece 23 for mounting
Each has a locking hole 24 penetrating the same in the thickness direction, and a locking tool 25 is locked in the locking hole 24 so that the side wall 22 of the body side shell 2 and the central frame are locked. 3
And are fixed. The locking device 25 is formed by bending a metal strip into two at the center in the width direction to form a V-shaped or U-shaped cross section, and protrudes from one side edge in the longitudinal direction toward another opposite side edge. 251
23 is sandwiched from the thickness direction and provided in a necessary portion of the side wall 22 of the body side shell 2, and with the locking piece 251 inserted and locked in the locking hole 24, the mounting projection 23 is caulked. It is fixed. The locking member 25 also serves to reinforce the sidewall 22 of the body side shell 2. The coupling structure between the body side shell 2 and the center frame described above is shown in detail in FIGS.

The connecting structure between the body side shell 2 and the center frame 3 is not limited to the structure using the locking member 25 as described above, but also includes a mounting projection 33 as shown in FIGS. Make it elastic, insert it into the mounting hole and set the claw 33
A structure in which 1 is snap-fitted to each edge of the mounting hole 36 by using elasticity. As shown in FIG. 9, the tip of the mounting projection 23 inserted through the mounting hole 36 is heated and compressed to mount the center frame 3. Various well-known fixing structures such as a structure in which the hole 36 is deformed so as not to fall out of the hole 36 can be adopted.

In the above-described embodiment, both the first and second frame parts constituting the central frame are made of synthetic resin. The frame parts can be formed by bending an extruded aluminum product. In this way, the strength of the central frame is greater at the same weight, and the connection with the body side shell can be further strengthened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a state in which a suitcase of the present invention is set up with wheels down.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the suitcase in a central frame and two shells.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged sectional view taken along line (3)-(3) in FIG. 1;
FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing a part thereof in a further enlarged manner.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view partially showing a disassembled state of a central frame and an edge portion of a body side shell before connection.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view partially showing a state immediately before the connection between the central frame and the edge of the body side shell.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view partially showing a connection state between a central frame and a peripheral portion of a body side shell;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another form of the connection structure between the central frame and the edge of the body side shell.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line (8)-(8) in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing still another form of the connection structure between the central frame and the periphery of the body side shell.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a disassembled state of the center frame.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view partially showing a state immediately before assembling frame parts to form a central frame.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view partially showing a state where a center frame is configured by assembling frame parts.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line (13)-(13) of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of a suitcase.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: Suitcase 1: Lid side shell 2: Body side shell 3: Central frame 3a: First frame part 3b: Second frame part 5: Hinge 6: Latch means 9: Running wheel 31: Reinforcement rib 31a: Reinforcement rib Extension of

Claims (5)

[Claims] A substantially rigid or semi-rigid central frame having a relatively wide width, and a substantially rigid or semi-rigid body-side shell and a lid-side shell integrally formed of synthetic resin, respectively; The center frame and the body shell are connected to each other at the peripheral edge, the center frame and the lid shell are connected to each other with a hinge at one side, and the sides of the opposite side are tightened when the case is closed. In a suitcase provided with a latching means which can be released / released, the central frame is constituted by assembling a plurality of parts which are formed of a material having a different elasticity from the body-side shell and the lid-side shell and which have a high elasticity. A suitcase, wherein a plurality of reinforcing ribs extending in the circumferential direction are provided on substantially the entire periphery of the frame on the inner peripheral surface. 2. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the bottom and lid side shells are made of a general-purpose resin such as a polypropylene resin, and the center frame is made of an engineering resin such as a glass fiber reinforced nylon resin. 3. A first frame part, wherein the central frame is formed in a closed rectangular frame shape, and substantially forms three sides thereof, and a second frame part, which substantially forms another side surface. The first frame part is formed by bending an extruded aluminum product, and the second frame part is formed of a high elastic modulus resin different from the body side shell and the lid side shell. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein 4. Each of the parts assembled adjacent to each other on the central frame has a reinforcement rib provided on one of the parts having an extension protruding from the joint edge of the part and extending along the inner surface of the other part. The reinforcing rib provided on the other part is formed so as to be substantially continuous with the extension extending toward the part when the parts are assembled with each other. Claim 3
Suitcase according to any of the above. 5. The center frame is formed so that one side surface is wider than the other three side surfaces, and running wheels are mounted on the wide side surface. The suitcase according to claim 4.