KR102650877B1 - Luggage article including an adjustable divider system - Google Patents

Abstract

A baggage item (100) is provided that includes an adjustable divider system (350). Baggage articles 100 include a housing 102 defining an internal storage volume 104, one or more dividers 354 dividing the internal storage volume of housing 102 into a plurality of storage compartments, and one or more dividers 354. It may include an adjustment assembly 352 that movably secures each of the housings. The housing 102 may be formed by first and second shell portions 180 and 182 hinged to each other at a dividing line 184. The adjustment assembly 352 may movably secure each of the one or more dividers 354 within at least one of the first and second shell portions 180 and 182. The adjustment assembly 352 may include a ratchet mechanism 353 that selectively positions one or more dividers 354 within at least one of the first and second shell portions 180, 182 to a desired level.

Description

Luggage article including adjustable divider system {LUGGAGE ARTICLE INCLUDING AN ADJUSTABLE DIVIDER SYSTEM}

The present disclosure relates generally to baggage items, and more particularly to baggage items comprising an adjustable divider system.

Some luggage cases include internal fibrous components, such as fixed dividers, to protect the contents or provide various functional properties such as dividing the storage volume into one or more compartments. However, some traditional luggage case configurations do not allow the dividers to be adjusted within the case, which results in undesirable movement of the user's contents within the case. Additionally, the construction of some traditional luggage cases does not allow the dividers to be selectively removed from the case.

It is therefore desirable to provide an improved luggage case, and more specifically an improved frame structure that addresses one or all of the problems described above and/or more generally provides an improvement or alternative to existing arrangements.

Documents that may be relevant to this disclosure include CN205658510U, CN206275299U, EP0339420B1, EP1833320A1, EP2904926B1, EP3073853B1, FR2711044B1, FR2921237A1, GB161117A, TW283890B, US Includes 4854432A, US5947286A, US6305513B1, US6435324B1, US20050098402A1 and US20090166138A1.

The present disclosure provides an adjustable divider system for baggage items as described below and defined in the appended claims. The divider system may include one or more dividers that separate the internal storage volume of the baggage item into a plurality of storage compartments and one or more adjustment assemblies that movably secure each divider within the baggage item. Each adjustment assembly may, in one example, include an anchor fixedly fixed, such as to an item of baggage, and a slide assembly slidably connected to the anchor. The anchor may include one or more engagement plates and a plurality of teeth. The slide assembly may include a connection structure that slideably connects the slide assembly to one or more engaging plates of the anchor. The slide assembly may also include a coupling structure that selectively engages the teeth of the anchor. Actuation of the engagement structure may disengage the slide assembly from the teeth to allow positioning of the slide assembly along the anchor.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may include baggage items. The baggage article may include a housing defining an internal storage volume, one or more dividers dividing the internal storage volume of the housing into a plurality of storage compartments, and an adjustment assembly movably securing each of the one or more dividers within the housing. . The housing may be formed by first and second shell portions hinged at a parting line. The adjustment assembly may movably secure each of the one or more dividers within at least one of the first and second shell portions. The adjustment assembly may include a ratchet mechanism to selectively position one or more dividers at a desired level within at least one of the first and second shell portions.

In some examples, each adjustment assembly may include an anchor and a slide assembly connected to the anchor. The anchor may include one or more engagement or slide plates and a plurality of teeth. The slide assembly may include a connection structure that slidably connects the slide assembly to one or more slide plates of the anchor. The slide assembly may include a coupling structure that selectively engages the teeth of the anchor. The connecting structure may include first and second members. The first member may be slidably coupled to the front surface of one or more slide plates. The second member may be slidably coupled to the rear surface of one or more slide plates.

The coupling structure may include one or more protrusions that selectively engage the teeth of the anchor. The coupling structure may include one or more actuators connected to one or more protrusions. User actuation of one or more actuators may move one or more protrusions away from the teeth of the anchor to allow sliding movement of the slide assembly relative to the anchor.

Additionally, the teeth may extend laterally outwardly from the sides of the anchor, and one or more protrusions may extend laterally inwardly from the sides of the slide assembly. In addition to these examples, one or more protrusions may be biased to engage teeth.

In another example, the teeth may extend rearwardly from the back of the anchor toward the panel and one or more protrusions may extend away from the slide assembly and away from the panel.

Additionally or separately, each tooth may include an upper surface, a lower surface and a leading edge at an intersection between the upper and lower surfaces. The upper surface of each tooth may be inclined to allow ratcheting movement along the plurality of teeth of the one or more protrusions as the slide assembly moves in a first direction along the anchor. The lower surface of each tooth may be inclined to limit movement of the slide assembly along the anchor in a second, opposite direction. User actuation of one or more actuators may move one or more protrusions away from the plurality of teeth sufficiently to pass a leading edge of the teeth.

In some examples, the one or more dividers may include a first divider and a second divider. The first divider may be connected to the first shell portion by a plurality of first adjustment assemblies. The second divider may be connected to the second shell portion by a plurality of second adjustment assemblies.

In some examples, at least one of the one or more dividers may be removable from the baggage item. The slide assembly may be removable from the anchor to remove at least one of the one or more dividers from the baggage item. At least one of the one or more dividers may be a self-supporting panel. The self-supporting panel may be removable from the slide assembly to remove at least one of the one or more dividers from the baggage item. The self-supporting panel may include a peripheral frame. The peripheral frame may be removable from the slide assembly. At least one of the one or more dividers removable from the baggage item may function as a clothing bag, travel organizer, or cosmetics bag.

Additional embodiments and features are set forth in part in the description that follows, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the specification or by practice of the disclosed subject matter. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by reference to the remainder of the specification and drawings, which form a part of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that each of the various aspects and features of the present disclosure may be used advantageously in some instances individually or in other instances in combination with other aspects and features of the disclosure.

The description will be more fully understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the elements are not drawn to scale and are presented as various examples of the disclosure and should not be construed as a complete delineation of the scope of the disclosure:
1 is a front perspective view of an item of baggage according to some examples of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a baggage item in an open configuration, showing the adjustable divider system;
Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of the adjustable divider system showing the slide assembly in a first position;
Figure 4 is an enlarged detail of the adjustable divider system showing the slide assembly in a second position;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable divider system along line 5-5 in Figure 3; three;
Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the adjustable divider system along line 6-6 in Figure 3;
7A-7C are perspective views of an adjustable divider system and an alternative removable divider according to some examples of the present disclosure;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a baggage item in an open configuration, showing an additional adjustable divider system;
Figure 9 is a perspective view of a baggage item in an open configuration, showing an additional adjustable divider system;
Figure 10 is an enlarged detail view of the adjustable divider system of Figure 9;
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable divider system of Figure 9 along line 11-11 in Figure 10, showing the slide assembly coupled with an anchor; and
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable divider system of Figure 9 along line 11-11 in Figure 10, showing the slide assembly disengaged from the anchor.

According to the present disclosure, an adjustable divider system is provided for adjustably engaging one or more internal dividers within a luggage case. The divider system includes an anchor secured to the luggage case and a slide assembly slidably connected to the anchor. The divider is secured to the slide assembly such that relative movement between the slide assembly and the anchor allows for positioning of the divider within the case.

1 and 2 illustrate example baggage items 100 according to some examples of the present disclosure. The baggage item 100 includes a housing 102 formed of a plurality of walls or panels (hereinafter referred to as “panels” for convenience and without limitation) defining an internal storage volume 104 for carrying the user's belongings. do. In one example, housing 102 may be formed of opposing front and rear panels 110 and 112 and a plurality of side panels extending between front and rear panels 110 and 112. For example, article of baggage 100 includes opposing left and right side panels 130, 132 extending between opposing upper and lower panels 120, 122 and front and rear panels 110, 112. Corner area 140 may be formed by the intersection of any two or three adjacent panels. For example, a corner formed by the intersection of any three adjacent panels may be considered a “corner area.” The edge formed by the intersection of any two adjacent panels may also be considered a “corner area”.

Various panels may be constructed or arranged to provide the desired size and shape of housing 102. As shown in FIG. 1 , various panels can be of sizes and shapes that provide the height (H), width (W), and depth (D) of housing 102. The height (H) of the housing 102 may be defined as the distance between the top and bottom panels 120 and 122. The width (W) of the housing 102 may be defined as the distance between the left and right side panels 130 and 132. Likewise, the depth D of the housing 102 may be defined as the distance between the front panel 110 and the rear panel 112. As at least shown in FIG. 1 , the panels can be sized and shaped to be larger than the width and deeper than the baggage 100 . Other sizes and shapes of housing 102 are contemplated, and the examples shown and described are for illustrative purposes only.

Luggage 100 shown in FIGS. 1-4 is an upright spinner hard side case, but may be many types of luggage including soft side spinner cases, containers, backpacks, duffel bags, wallets, etc. As shown, baggage item 100 includes a first shell portion 180 and a second shell portion 182 defined by a dividing line 184. The first and second shell portions 180, 182 may be right and left shell portions or front and rear shell portions, respectively, and may be the same size as each other, or one of the shell portions may have a larger or smaller internal volume. It can be of any size including: Each shell portion may include a perimeter rim (190) at the dividing line (184). The peripheral rims 190 may abut each other when the baggage item 100 is closed. In some examples, each shell portion may include an edge piece 196 along its peripheral rim 190. Edge piece 196 may provide desirable aesthetic and/or functional characteristics of baggage item 100. For example, edge piece 196 may facilitate closure of baggage item 100, as described below. Edge piece 196 is provided to hide sewing lines and/or any defects and to provide a clean appearance to the first and second shell portions 180, 182 and/or between the first and second shell portions 180, 182. The peripheral rim 190 may be trimmed to provide a clean interface.

Baggage article 100 is shown as a hard side baggage case, but may be formed from many combinations of hard and soft side materials. For example, housing 102 may be molded from a hard side material, or may be formed from a combination of hard and soft side materials (known as a “hybrid” construction). In some examples, housing 102 may be formed entirely of soft side material supported by a frame structure suitably configured to allow for a divider system as described herein. The hard side material can be a thermoplastic material (self-reinforced or fiber reinforced), ABS, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene, PVC, polyamide, PTFE or biaxially oriented polypropylene. The soft side material may be nylon, canvas, polyester, leather, PVC, polypropylene, polyethylene, and/or PTFE, etc.

Baggage items 100 can be moved between a closed configuration (see Figure 1) and an open configuration (see Figure 2). In a closed configuration, the first and second shell portions 180, 182 may be disposed adjacent to each other to enclose the user's belongings within the internal storage volume 104 of the baggage item 100, another example , can be positioned with each peripheral rim 190 coupled. In one example, each peripheral rim 190 is provided with corresponding tongue and groove structures, respectively, along at least a portion of the perimeter to improve the structural performance of the joined rim 190 when closed. They form an overlapping or interlocking structure and can have shapes that fit together. Alternatively or additionally, each peripheral rim 190 may each have a trim attached to the peripheral rim, along at least a portion of the perimeter, configured to fit together and form a corresponding overlapping or engaging structure when the baggage case is closed. It can have a structure. The corresponding shape or trim structure may extend along the entire length of the peripheral rim 190, along a single portion of each rim 190, or along one or more portions of each rim 190.

In an open configuration, the first and second shell portions 180, 182 are aligned with each other, such as toward and away from each other, as in one example, to allow the user access to the interior of the baggage item 100. It can be re-oriented with respect to. In one example, reorientation of the first and second shell portions 180, 182 positions each opening defined by each peripheral rim 190 to face upward (in FIG. 2), which allows the user to Provides easy access to the storage volume 104 of each shell portion 180, 182. The first and second shell portions 180, 182 are pivotable on a hinge 210 or similar mechanism to allow selective movement of the first and second shell portions 180, 182 between open and closed configurations. can be attached to each other.

Hinge 210 can be selectively moved from fully closed to fully open with first shell portion 180 relative to second shell portion 182, such as by rotation about the axis of hinge 210 in one example. It may include many configurations arranged to allow for positioning. For example, the hinge 210 may be a fabric strip, a rubber strip, a piano hinge, a living hinge, a spaced individual hinge, a zipper structure, an articulating joint made of an elastomeric material, or first and second shell portions ( 180, 182) and any number or combination of other suitable structures that allow relative movement between them.

Continuing to refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 , baggage item 100 may include one or more support members 220 for supporting baggage item 100 against a support surface (e.g., relative to the ground). Support members 220 may be feet, fixed wheel assemblies, spinner wheel assemblies, or any combination thereof, and may be any suitable panel of housing 102, such as, in at least one example, connected to at least bottom panel 122. It may be related to As shown, baggage item 100 may include four support members 220 . In this example, baggage article 100 may include two support members 220 connected to each of a first shell portion 180 and a second shell portion 182. Support member 220 may be connected to any suitable portion of housing 102, such as at or near corner area 140 along bottom panel 122.

Baggage article 100 may include a closure mechanism 280 that selectively couples first shell portion 180 and second shell portion 182 together. The closure mechanism 280 is configured to engage each of the first shell portion 180 and the second shell portion 182 and to allow selective actuation for opening and closing the baggage article 100. It may be positioned along or adjacent the dividing line 184 between portion 180 and second shell portion 182. Closure mechanism 280 may be a separate mechanism, such as a latch, or a continuous closure located along at least a portion of the length of parting line 184, such as a zipper closure 282. You can.

Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of an adjustable divider system that allows a user to adjust the storage volume of one or more shell portions. Figure 3 is an enlarged detail view of the divider system, showing the divider in a first position. Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view of the divider system, showing the divider in a second position. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the divider system along line 5-5 in Figure 3; Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the divider system along line 6-6 in Figure 3; 2-6, baggage article 100 includes an adjustable divider system 350 including an adjustment assembly 352 and one or more dividers 354. Divider 354 may divide internal storage volume 104 into a plurality of storage compartments. At least one of the first shell portion 180 and the second shell portion 182 may include a divider 354 therein. In some examples, divider 354 may be a self-supporting panel. For example, divider 354 may be formed of a rigid or partially rigid material, may include an internal frame structure, etc. In some examples, divider 354 may include a central section 360 and/or a peripheral frame 362. Peripheral frame 362 may provide support and/or structure to central section 360 of divider 354. A peripheral frame 362, which may be, for example, a wire loop frame, may apply tension to the central section 360.

As shown in Figure 10, central section 360 can include many configurations, such as forming a laundry bag, clothing bag, travel bag, toiletry bag or sack. The divider 354 may also be a panel of a relatively rigid material that does not require a separate frame, or may be an additional panel coupled to the divider 354 to form a laundry bag, clothing bag, travel bag, toiletry bag, etc. It may also include a soft bag area. The example shown is non-limiting, and the central section 360 may be a mesh and/or strap or series of straps, etc. connected to the peripheral frame 362. Depending on the particular application, central section 360 may or may not cover the entire area of the shell opening.

In some examples, each of first shell portion 180 and second shell portion 182 may include a respective divider 354. For example, as shown in FIG. 8 , baggage article 100 may include a first divider 370 within first shell portion 180 and a second divider 372 within second shell portion 182. . Depending on the particular application, first divider 370 may be similar, but not identical, to second divider 372. In an alternative example, first divider 370 may be configured differently than second divider 372 as desired.

Continuing to refer to Figures 2-6, each divider 354 may be connected to one or more steering assemblies 352. As described herein, each adjustment assembly 352 may allow selective movement of an associated divider 354 within housing 102. In particular, each adjustment assembly 352 may include a ratchet mechanism 353 that allows the user to move the associated divider 354 within the housing 102 to place the divider 354 in a desired location. . In some examples, each adjustment assembly 352 can be adjusted by a user when the baggage item 100 is open, such as downward to reduce the storage volume below the divider or upward to increase the storage volume below the divider. may allow the connected divider 354 to be moved toward or away from a panel of the housing 102. In various embodiments, each adjustment assembly 352 may be connected to or directly attached to a panel of the luggage case, such as end panels 120, 122 or side panels 130, 132. In one example, adjustment assembly 352 is located on each of opposing end panels 120 and 122. In another example, adjustment assembly 352 is located on each of side panels 130 and 132.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the first shell portion 180 may include a plurality of first adjustment assemblies 380 to which first dividers 370 are connected. The first plurality of steering assemblies 380 are positioned either toward a panel of the housing 102 positioned below them (reducing the storage volume) or away from a panel of the housing 102 (increasing the storage volume). User location selection of (370) may be permitted. This configuration may allow the user to vary the storage volume within the first shell portion 180 as desired. For example, the user may move toward the peripheral rim 190 of the first shell portion 180 to increase the storage volume within the first shell portion 180, such as to accommodate packaging of a relatively large amount of the user's belongings. The first divider 370 can be moved. In a similar manner, the user may adjust the peripheral rim 190 of the first shell portion 180 to reduce the storage volume within the first shell portion 180, such as to accommodate packaging of relatively small amounts of the user's belongings. The first divider 370 can be moved away from. Additionally or alternatively, the user may align the first divider 370 with the first shell portion 180 to apply tension to the first divider 370 with respect to the user's belongings located below the first divider 370. may be moved away from the surrounding rim 190, which may be advantageous, for example, to limit movement of the user's belongings during transport.

The second shell portion 182 may be configured similarly to the first shell portion 180. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2 , the second shell portion 182 may include a plurality of second adjustment assemblies 384 to which second dividers 372 are connected. The plurality of second adjustment assemblies 384 may allow for user positioning of the second divider 372 toward or away from a panel of the housing 102 located below the second divider 372 . This configuration may allow the user to vary the storage volume within the second shell portion 182 as desired. For example, the user may move toward the peripheral rim 190 of the second shell portion 182 to increase the storage volume within the second shell portion 182, such as to accommodate packaging of a relatively large amount of the user's belongings. The second divider 372 can be moved. In a similar manner, the user may adjust the peripheral rim 190 of the second shell portion 182 to reduce the storage volume within the second shell portion 182, such as to accommodate packaging of relatively small amounts of the user's belongings. The second divider 372 can be moved away from. Additionally or alternatively, the user may use the second divider 372 to apply tension to the second divider 372 with respect to the user's belongings located between the second divider 372 and the left side panel 130. The second shell portion 182 can be moved away from the peripheral rim 190.

Coordination assembly 352 may include many configurations. As one example, each adjustment assembly 352 may include an anchor 390 and a slide assembly 392 connected to the anchor 390. As shown, the anchor 390 is connected directly or indirectly to the housing 102 of the baggage item 100, such as the upper panel 120 and/or the lower panel 122 of the housing 102. . Anchors 390 may be elongate members extending between the peripheral rim 190 of each shell and opposing panels of housing 102. Anchor 390 may include any number of configurations that allow movement of slide assembly 392 relative to anchor 390. For example, anchor 390 may be a plate, toothed member, recessed member, etc., as described in more detail below. Depending on the particular application, one or more adjustment assemblies 352 may be positioned to support divider 354, such as one or more adjustment assemblies 352 on opposite sides or ends of the storage volume to support divider 354 therein. Adjustment assembly 352 can be positioned.

In one example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the adjustment assembly 352 includes one of opposing end panels 120, 122 or one of opposing side panels 130, 132, such as: It is connected and placed on the panel of the baggage item. Anchor 390 includes one or more coupling or slide plates 400 and a plurality of teeth 402. Depending on the particular application, teeth 402 may be arranged in two sets on opposite sides of anchor 390 or along a face of anchor 390. In some examples, teeth 402 may include a biased or otherwise asymmetric profile shape. For example, as shown in Figure 6, each tooth 402 has an upper surface 410, a lower surface 412, and a leading edge 414 at the intersection of the upper surface 410 and the lower surface 412. may include. The upper surface 410 may be inclined away from the peripheral rim 190 of the connected shell. The lower surface 412 may be inclined differently than the upper surface 410. For example, the lower surface 412 may extend substantially parallel to the peripheral rim 190 of the connected shell. As described below, this configuration allows the slide assembly 392 to easily move downward along the anchor 390 while limiting upward movement of the slide assembly 392 without additional user intervention. do. In one example, teeth 402 may extend laterally outwardly from a side of anchor 390 and one or more protrusions 450 may extend laterally inwardly from a side of slide assembly 392. there is.

Slide assembly 392 may include any number of configurations that allow sliding movement of slide assembly 392 relative to anchor 390. In one example, each slide assembly 392 includes a connection structure 422 that slidably connects the slide assembly 392 to the slide plate 400 of the anchor 390, and a tooth portion of the anchor 390. It includes a binding structure (424) combining (402). For example, connection structure 422 may include first and second members 430, 432 located on opposite sides of slide plate 400 of anchor 390. For example, the first member 430 of the connection structure 422 may be slidably coupled to the front surface 438 of the slide plate 400 of the anchor. The second member 432 of the connection structure 422 may be slidably coupled to the rear 440 of the slide plate 400 of the anchor. Depending on the particular application, the connection structure 422 may wrap, sandwich, or otherwise couple the slide plate 400 of the anchor 390 to couple the slide assembly 392 to the anchor 390.

The coupling structure 424 of the slide assembly 392 may engage the teeth 402 of the anchor 390 to secure the slide assembly 392 in place along the anchor 390. For example, the engagement structure 424 may include one or more projections 450 arranged to selectively engage the teeth 402 of the anchor 390. In one example, protrusion 450 may be biased toward teeth 402 of anchor 390. This biasing can maintain the protrusion in engagement with the teeth and thus allows the user to use an actuator to dislodge the teeth 402 from the anchor 390, as described elsewhere herein. The slide assembly 392 remains engaged with the anchor 390 to prevent the slide assembly 392 from moving upward (with respect to FIG. 6) without movement.

For example, as shown in Figure 6, each protrusion 450 engages the lower surface 412 of one tooth 402 and the upper surface 410 of the tooth 402 below. Movement of the slide assembly 392 along the anchor 390 in an upward direction relative to 6 may be restricted. As in this example, to allow selective movement of the slide assembly 392 along the anchor 390 upward in FIG. 6, the slide assembly 392 is equipped with one or more actuators 460, which may be referred to as buttons. ) may include. In this example, the user's actuation of one or more actuators 460 causes the protrusions to be removed from the teeth 402 and facilitates movement of the slide assembly 392 relative to the anchor 390, as described below. Move the protrusion 450 away from the teeth 402 of the anchor 390 by a sufficient amount to dislodge the protrusion 450 from the teeth 402 (as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 6). You can do it. Actuator 460 may be operably coupled, connected, or directly attached to each protrusion or protrusions such that movement of the actuator moves the respective protrusion or protrusions. Deflection of the protrusion may be achieved by a spring or springs 461 such as a coil spring, a leaf spring (eg made of metal or plastic) or an integral spring formed as part of the slide assembly 392. As shown, spring 461 may be positioned between one or more protrusions 450 and a portion of slide assembly 392, or between an actuator and a portion of slide assembly 392.

As shown in Figure 6, the slide assembly 392 can be moved downward along the anchor 390 without the user engaging the actuator. When the slide assembly 392 is pressed downward by the user, the upper surface 410 of each tooth slopes upward and the portion of the corresponding protrusion 450 that engages the tooth slopes downward. , the protrusion is moved inward against the outward bias of the spring 461 (or springs 461 ), thereby holding the protrusion 450 a sufficient distance relative to the corresponding tooth 402 (e.g., each protrusion ( 450) and allow slide assembly 392 to move downward (relative to FIG. 6) on anchor 390.

Slide assembly 392 may include other features. For example, slide assembly 392 may include contact surface 468. As described below, a user may engage contact surfaces 468 to move slide assembly 392 downwardly along anchor 390. In some examples, slide assembly 392 may be arranged to couple divider 354. For example, slide assembly 392 may include a clip structure 474 operable to engage the peripheral frame 362 of divider 354. In this example, clip structure 474 may be clipped onto peripheral frame 362 of divider 354. In some examples, peripheral frame 362 may be clipped onto clip structure 474 of slide assembly 392.

The operation of divider system 350 will now be discussed in more detail. For ease of reference and clarity, the operation will be described relative to the divider system 350 of the first shell portion 180. The operation of the divider system 350 of the second shell portion 182 may be similar, if not identical. To move the first divider 370 toward the right panel 132 (as downward with respect to FIG. 6), the user can engage the contact surfaces 468 of each slide assembly 392 and slide assemblies ( 392) can be biased toward the right panel 132. Biasing the slide assembly 392 toward the right panel 132 causes the protrusion 450 of the connecting structure 422 to engage the upper surface 410 of the lower tooth 402 and the upper surface 410 You can make it slide along. Continued movement of the slide assembly 392 toward the right panel 132 causes the protrusion 450 to move against the top of the lower tooth 402 until the protrusion 450 moves away from the leading edge 414 of the tooth 402. It rises above the face 410 and toward the leading edge 414 of the tooth. Once protrusion 450 leaves the leading edge 414 of tooth 402, protrusion 450 may be deflected toward the next lower tooth 402. This process can be repeated until the slide assembly 392 is ratcheted or clicked along the anchor 390 the desired amount to reach the predetermined position on the anchor 390.

To move first divider 370 away from right panel 132 (upward with respect to FIG. 6 ), a user may engage one or more actuators 460 of slide assembly 392 . Engagement of one or more actuators 422 by a user may cause one or more protrusions 450 of connection structure 422 to disengage from teeth 402 . Depending on the particular application, one or more actuators 460 may be pressed, squeezed, lifted, or pressed (e.g., as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 6) to dislodge protrusion 450 from teeth 402. , may be compressed or otherwise moved. For example, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the actuator 460 is coupled to a pair of protrusions 450 in order to disengage the protrusions 450 from the teeth 402 arranged in two sets on opposite sides of the anchor 390. The protrusions 450 can be moved toward each other. Continued actuation of one or more actuators 460 by the user will move protrusion 450 away from tooth 402 until protrusion 450 moves away from leading edge 414 of tooth 402. You can. Once protrusion 450 leaves the leading edge 414 of tooth 402, slide assembly 392 can move up and down along anchor 390. For example, once protrusion 450 is released from tooth 402, sliding assembly 392 can be biased to move away from right panel 132 and along anchor 390 to a desired position. Once the slide assembly 392 is in the desired position, one or more actuators 460 are released to cause the protrusion 450 to engage the teeth 402 of the anchor 390 and move the slide assembly 392 into position. Fix it.

Figures 7A-7C show various views of alternative dividers 354. In some examples, divider 354 may be removable from adjustment assembly 352. For example, divider 354 may be removed from baggage item 100 to hang on a hook or in a closet for use or storage. As one example, divider 354 may form a clothing bag for hanging in a closet. As another example, dividers 354 may form a cosmetic bag for convenient hanging in a bathroom. Other configurations of dividers 354 are contemplated, including laundry bags, travel bags, business bags, etc. For example, divider 354 may include one or more compartments defined by flap covers 480 or zipper closures 482. In some examples, divider 354 includes a hanging member 484 for hanging from a shower bar, clothing bar, or structure such as a hook. The hanging member 484 may be a hook, loop, hoop or loop fastener, etc.

Depending on the particular application, the self-supporting panel of divider 354 may be removable from slide assembly 392. In an example where the divider 354 includes a peripheral frame 362, the peripheral frame 362 of the divider 354 may support the slide assembly of the adjustment assembly 352 to remove the divider 354 from the baggage item 100. 392), it may be possible to remove it. Additionally or alternatively, the slide assembly 392 may be removable from the anchor 390 secured to the housing 102 of the baggage item 100. The example shown in FIG. 10 is for illustrative purposes only, and divider 354 may include other configurations. In some examples, a panel may not be used, and instead a flexible strap or plurality of flexible straps may be attached to the slide assembly or slide assemblies 392, which may be moveable with the slide assembly of the anchor. .

Figure 8 is a partial perspective view of an additional divider system 850. Except as otherwise noted below, divider system 850 shown in FIG. 8 may be similar to divider system 350 described above. For example, divider system 850 may include a slide assembly 392 slidably connected to anchor 390 for relative movement therebetween. Like divider system 350, slide assembly 392 of divider system 850 includes a plurality of teeth 402 of anchor 390 to hold slide assembly 392 in place along anchor 390. can be selectively combined. Divider system 850 may also include a release mechanism to separate slide assembly 392 from teeth 402 of anchor 390. However, unlike the divider system 350, the slide assembly 392 may be released from the teeth 402 by a mechanism other than a push button, as described below.

Referring back to FIG. 8 , actuation of the coupling structure 424 to remove or change the position of the slide assembly 392 relative to the anchor 390 of the divider system 850 involves loop 500 connected to the slide assembly 392. ) can be achieved by. More specifically, loop 500 may be connected to one or more actuators 460 of slide assembly 392 or otherwise function. For example, loop 500 may be connected to protrusion 450 directly or indirectly through one or more intermediate elements.

In this example, the user may grab and pull the loop 500 to cause the protrusion 450 of the slide assembly 392 to disengage the teeth 402 of the anchor 390. Once protrusion 450 disengages teeth 402 of anchor 390, the continuous pulling action of loop 500 causes slide assembly 392 (and divider 354) to adhere to the peripheral rim of each shell portion. It can be moved upward toward (190). Slide assembly 392 of FIG. 8 may be ratcheted downward to another location on anchor 390 in substantially the same manner as described above. For example, the slide assembly 392 can be pressed downward by a user, causing the protrusion 450 to slide along the upper surface 410 of the teeth 402 in a ratchet fashion.

9 is a partial perspective view of an additional divider system 1350 including an adjustment assembly 352. Figure 10 is an enlarged detailed view of the divider system 1350 of Figure 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the divider system 1350 of FIG. 9 and shows the protrusions of the slide assembly engaged with the teeth of the anchor. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the divider system 1350 of FIG. 9 and shows the protrusions of the slide assembly disengaged from the teeth of the anchor. Except as otherwise described below, the divider system 1350 shown in FIGS. 9-12 may be similar to the divider systems 350 and 850 described above. The adjustment assembly 352 is connected to and disposed on a panel of the baggage item, such as comprising one of the opposing end panels 120, 122 or one of the opposing side panels 130, 132. For example, a divider system may include an adjustment assembly 352 and then a slide assembly 392 slidably coupled to an anchor 390 for relative movement therebetween. Like divider systems 350 and 850, slide assembly 392 of divider system 1350 includes a plurality of teeth on anchor 390 to hold slide assembly 392 in place along anchor 390. 402) can be selectively combined. Divider system 1350 may also include a release mechanism for disengaging slide assembly 392 from teeth 402 of anchor 390. However, unlike divider system 850, slide assembly 392 may be released from teeth 402 by a mechanism other than a pull loop or push button as described in the examples above.

9-12, the teeth 402 may be connected to an anchor 390, such as between a slide plate 400 and a panel of the shell of the baggage item 100 on which the teeth 402 are connected and positioned. ) can be arranged on the rear 440. Slide assembly 392 can slide along the front surface 438 of anchor 390. Slide assembly 392 may include a single lever-type actuator 460 on the bottom of slide assembly 392. Slide assembly 392 may include a single protrusion 450 that engages teeth 402 on the back of anchor 390 (see FIG. 11). Actuator 460, which may be referred to as a lever, may be connected to protrusion 450 directly or through one or more intermediate elements. The actuator 460 may be rotatably connected to the slide assembly 392 and may be actuated by a pin 510 to move the protrusion 450 to release it from engagement with the teeth 402. It can be rotated around the formed rotation axis (see Figure 12). In one example, a portion of the engagement structure 424 may be pinched or compressed to dislodge the protrusion 450 from the teeth 402 . For example, a user may place one or more fingers under actuator 460 and a thumb on contact surface 468 to compress or squeeze the elements toward each other. The actuator 460 may be rotatably connected to the first member 430 or the second member 432 of the slide assembly 392.

In this example, the user may move the projection 450 of the slide assembly 392 away from the teeth 402 of the anchor 390, such as moving the projection 450 away from the teeth 402. The lever type actuator 460 can be lifted. Once protrusion 450 disengages from teeth 402 of anchor 390, the continued lifting action of actuator 460 causes slide assembly 392 (and divider 354) to move around the perimeter of each shell portion. It can be moved upward toward the rim (190).

Slide assembly 392 of FIGS. 9-12 may be ratcheted downward in substantially the same manner as described above. For example, slide assembly 392 may be pressed downward by a user, such as in one example pressing downward on contact surface 468, such that protrusion 450 contacts the upper surface of tooth 402. It slides in a ratchet manner along (410). In some examples, ratcheting movement of the slide assembly 392 downward along the anchor 390 causes the actuator 460 to oscillate up and down as the protrusions 450 move over their respective lower teeth 402. You can.

Baggage article 100 may be formed from a variety of materials and means. For example, housing 102 includes thermoplastic materials (self-reinforced or fiber-reinforced), ABS, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene, PVC, polyamide and/or PTFE, among others. In some examples, portions of baggage article 100 may be extruded from aluminum or other similar metals. Additionally, housing 102 may be formed from fiber-reinforced epoxy, resin, or other similar materials. Baggage items may be formed or molded in any suitable manner, such as plug molding, blow molding, injection molding, extrusion, casting, etc. As previously discussed, the baggage article may be formed from soft side materials and/or hard side materials. Exemplary materials are mentioned above.

All relative and directional references (top, bottom, up, down, left, right, to the left, to the right, top, bottom, side, above, below, front, middle, back, vertical, horizontal) (including, etc.) are given as examples to aid the reader's understanding of the specific examples described herein. They should not be read as requirements or limitations, especially as to location, orientation or use, unless specifically indicated in the claims. Connection references (eg, attached, coupled, connected, combined, etc.) are to be interpreted broadly and may include intermediate members between connections of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, linking references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and have a fixed relationship with each other, unless specifically provided in the claims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the presently disclosed embodiments are taught by way of example and not by way of limitation. Therefore, the matters included in the above description or shown in the attached drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all general and specific features described herein, as well as all statements about the scope of the methods and systems that may be said to fall therein as a matter of language.

Claims (15)

a housing defined by a first shell portion and a second shell portion hinged to each other at a dividing line and defining an internal storage volume;
one or more dividers dividing the internal storage volume of the housing into a plurality of storage compartments; and
an adjustment assembly that movably secures each of the one or more dividers within at least one of the first shell portion and the second shell portion,
The steering assembly is centrally located on the panel of at least one of the first shell portion and the second shell portion, and the steering assembly is positioned within the at least one of the first shell portion and the second shell portion. An item of baggage comprising a ratchet mechanism to selectively position the at a desired level. The method of claim 1, wherein each adjustment assembly:
an anchor fixed to the housing and including at least one slide plate and a plurality of teeth; and
a slide assembly connected to the anchor; Including,
The slide assembly is,
a connection structure that slidably connects the slide assembly to one or more slide plates of the anchor; and
An article of baggage comprising a coupling structure for selectively coupling teeth of the anchor. The method of claim 2, wherein the connection structure of the slide assembly is:
a first member slidingly coupled to the front surface of the one or more slide plates; and
An article of baggage comprising a second member slidably coupled to a rear surface of the at least one slide plate. The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein the binding structure is,
one or more protrusions selectively engaging teeth of the anchor; and
one or more actuators connected to the one or more protrusions; Including,
User operation of the one or more actuators moves the one or more protrusions away from the teeth of the anchor to allow sliding movement of the slide assembly relative to the anchor. According to clause 4,
Each of the plurality of teeth includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and a leading edge at an intersection between the upper surface and the lower surface;
the upper surface is inclined to allow ratcheting of the one or more protrusions along the plurality of teeth as the slide assembly moves in a first direction along the anchor;
wherein the lower surface is inclined to limit movement of the slide assembly along the anchor in an opposite second direction. According to clause 5,
User operation of the one or more actuators causes the one or more protrusions to move the one or more protrusions away from the plurality of teeth sufficiently to move beyond a leading edge of the plurality of teeth. According to paragraph 2,
the one or more dividers include a first divider and a second divider;
the first divider is connected to the first shell portion by a plurality of first adjustment assemblies;
The second divider is connected to the second shell portion by a plurality of second adjustment assemblies. According to paragraph 2,
An item of baggage wherein at least one of the one or more dividers is removable from the baggage item. According to clause 8,
The slide assembly is removable from the anchor to remove at least one of the one or more dividers from the baggage article. According to clause 8 or 9,
at least one of the one or more dividers is a self-supporting panel;
wherein the self-supporting panel is removable from the slide assembly to remove at least one of the one or more dividers from the baggage article. According to clause 10,
The self-supporting panel includes a peripheral frame;
An item of baggage wherein the peripheral frame is removable from the slide assembly. According to clause 8 or 9,
An article of baggage wherein at least one of the one or more dividers removable from the baggage article functions as a clothing bag, travel organizer, or cosmetics bag. According to clause 4,
The teeth extend laterally outward from a side of the anchor,
The one or more protrusions extend laterally inwardly from a side of the slide assembly. According to clause 13,
An article of baggage wherein the one or more protrusions are biased to engage the teeth. According to paragraph 4,
the teeth extend rearwardly from the back of the anchor toward the panel,
The one or more protrusions extend from the slide assembly away from the panel.