KR20190141095A - Luggage article including an adjustable divider system - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a luggage article (100) including an adjustable divider system (350). The luggage article (100) may comprise: a housing (102) for defining an internal storage volume (104); one or more dividers (354) for dividing the internal storage volume of the housing (102) into a plurality of storage compartments; and an adjustment assembly (352) for fixing each of the one or more dividers (354) to the inside of the housing to be able to move. The housing (102) may be formed by first and second shell portions (180, 182) hinge-connected with each other at a split line (184). The adjustment assembly (352) may fix each of the one or more dividers (354) within at least one of the first and second shell portions (180, 182) to be able to move. Also, the adjustment assembly (352) may include a ratchet mechanism (353) for selectively positioning the one or more dividers (354) at a desired level within at least one of the first and second shell portions (180, 182).

Description

Baggage item with adjustable divider system {LUGGAGE ARTICLE INCLUDING AN ADJUSTABLE DIVIDER SYSTEM}

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

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

It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved baggage case, more specifically an improved frame structure that addresses one or all of the problems described above and / or more generally provides improvements or alternatives to existing arrangements.

Literatures that may be associated with the present disclosure include CN205658510U, CN206275299U, EP0339420B1, EP1833320A1, EP2904926B1, EP3073853B1, FR2711044B1, FR2921237A1, GB161117A, TW283890B, US4854432A, US5947286A, US6305513B901, US6435324981, US643532498, US643532498, US643532498, US643532498, US64353241, US1,500,200, US1,500,200, US1,500,200, US1,500,200, US1,200,200, US, US.

The present disclosure provides an adjustable divider system for baggage items described below and defined in the appended claims. The divider system can include one or more dividers that separate the internal storage volume of the luggage article into a plurality of storage compartments, and one or more adjustment assemblies that movably secure each divider within the luggage article. Each adjustment assembly may, in one example, include an anchor fixedly as in a baggage item and a slide assembly slidably connected to the anchor. The anchor may comprise one or more joining plates and a plurality of teeth. The slide assembly may include a connecting structure for slidably connecting the slide assembly to one or more joining plates of the anchor. The slide assembly may also include a coupling structure that selectively engages the teeth of the anchor. Operation 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 luggage article may include a housing defining an internal storage volume, one or more dividers that divide the internal storage volume of the housing into a plurality of storage compartments, and an adjustment assembly to movably secure each of the one or more dividers within the housing. . The housing may be formed by first and second shell portions hinged at the dividing line. The adjustment assembly may moveably 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 for selectively positioning one or more dividers to 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 coupled to the anchor. The anchor may comprise one or more engagement or slide plates and a plurality of teeth. The slide assembly may comprise a connecting structure for slidably connecting 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 connection structure can include first and second members. The first member may slidably couple the front surface of the one or more slide plates. The second member can slidably engage the back of one or more slide plates.

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

The teeth may also extend laterally outwardly from the side of the anchor, and the one or more protrusions may extend laterally inwardly from the side of the slide assembly. In addition to this example, one or more protrusions may be biased to engage the tooth.

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

Additionally or separately, each tooth may include a top edge, a bottom face and a leading edge at the intersection between the top and bottom faces. 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 the first direction along the anchor. The bottom surface of each tooth may be inclined to limit the movement of the slide assembly along the anchor in the second, opposite direction. User operation of the one or more actuators may move the one or more protrusions away from the plurality of teeth sufficient to pass through the leading edge of the tooth.

In some examples, 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 comprise 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 garment bag, travel organizer, or cosmetic bag.

Additional embodiments and features are set forth in part in the description that follows, and will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the specification or may be learned by practice of the disclosed subject matter. Further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by referring to the remainder of the specification and drawings, which form a part of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that each of the various aspects and features of the present disclosure may advantageously be used in some cases, either individually or 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 components are not drawn to scale, are presented as various examples of the present disclosure, and should not be construed as complete description of the scope of the present disclosure:
1 is a front perspective view of a baggage item according to some examples of the disclosure;
2 shows an adjustable divider system as a perspective view of a baggage item in an open configuration;
3 shows a slide assembly in a first position in an enlarged detail view of an adjustable divider system;
4 shows a slide assembly in a second position as an enlarged detail of the adjustable divider system;
5 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable divider system along line 5-5 in FIG. 3; three;
6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the adjustable divider system along line 6-6 of FIG. 3;
7A-7C are perspective views of an adjustable divider system and an alternative divider detachable in accordance with some examples of the disclosure;
8 is a perspective view of a baggage item in an open configuration showing an additional adjustable divider system;
9 is a perspective view of a baggage item in an open configuration showing an additional adjustable divider system;
10 is an enlarged detail view of the adjustable divider system of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the adjustable divider system of FIG. 9 along line 11-11 in FIG. 10 showing the slide assembly associated with the anchor; And
FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of the adjustable divider system of FIG. 9 along lines 11-11 in FIG. 10 showing the slide assembly disengaged from the anchor.

In accordance with the present disclosure, an adjustable divider system is provided for adjustablely coupling one or more internal dividers in a luggage case. The divider system includes an anchor fixed to the baggage 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 the positioning of the divider within the case.

1 and 2 show example baggage articles 100 in accordance with some examples of the disclosure. Baggage item 100 includes a housing 102 formed of a plurality of walls or panels (hereinafter referred to as " panels " for convenience without limitation) that define an interior storage volume 104 for carrying a user's belongings. do. In one example, the housing 102 may be formed of a plurality of side panels extending between opposing front and rear panels 110, 112 and front and rear panels 110, 112. For example, the luggage article 100 includes opposing left and right side panels 130 and 132 extending between opposing top and bottom panels 120 and 122 and front and back panels 110 and 112. Corner region 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 can be considered a "corner area". An edge formed by the intersection of any two adjacent panels can also be considered a "corner area".

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

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

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

The baggage article 100 can be moved between a closed configuration (see FIG. 1) and an open configuration (see FIG. 2). In the closed configuration, the first and second shell portions 180, 182 may be disposed adjacent to each other to enclose the user's belongings in the internal storage volume 104 of the luggage article 100, and another example. In, it can be located with each peripheral rim 190 combined. In one example, each peripheral rim 190 has a corresponding, such as tongue and groove structure, respectively, to enhance the structural performance of the combined rim 190 when closed, along at least a portion of the perimeter. It may have a shape that forms an overlapping or interlocking structure and fits together. Alternatively or additionally, each peripheral rim 190 is a trim attached to the peripheral rim, each of which is formed along at least a portion of the circumference to be aligned with each other when the baggage case is closed and to form a corresponding overlap or engagement structure It may have a structure. The corresponding shape or trim structure may extend along the entire length of the peripheral rim 190, or 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 mutually opposite, such as facing one another and away from each other, as in one example, to allow the user access to the interior of the baggage item 100. Can be re-oriented with respect to In one example, reorientation of the first and second shell portions 180, 182 positions each opening formed by each peripheral rim 190 to face upward (in FIG. 2), which allows the user to Easily access the storage volume 104 of each shell portion 180, 182. In order to allow selective movement of the first and second shell portions 180, 182 between the open and closed configurations, the first and second shell portions 180, 182 are pivotable to the hinge 210 or similar mechanism. Can be attached to each other.

Hinge 210 is optional from fully closed to fully open of 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, hinge 210 may be a fabric strip, rubber strip, piano hinge, living hinge, spaced individual hinges, zipper structure, joint joints made of elastomeric material, or first and second shell portions ( Any number or combination of other suitable structures that allow relative movement between 180 and 182.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the baggage item 100 may include one or more support members 220 for supporting the baggage item 100 (eg, relative to the ground). The support member 220 can be a foot, a fixed wheel assembly, a spinner wheel assembly, or any combination thereof, and in any at least one example, any suitable panel of the housing 102, such as connected to at least the bottom panel 122. May be associated with As shown, the baggage item 100 may include four support members 220. In this example, the luggage article 100 may include two support members 220 connected to each of the first shell portion 180 and the second shell portion 182. The support member 220 may be connected to any suitable portion of the housing 102, such as near or to the corner region 140 along the bottom panel 122.

The luggage article 100 may include a closure mechanism 280 that selectively couples the first shell portion 180 and the second shell portion 182 together. The closure mechanism 280 is configured to couple each of the first shell portion 180 and the second shell portion 182 and to permit selective operation for opening and closing the luggage article 100. It may be located along or adjacent to the dividing line 184 between the region 180 and the second shell region 182. The closure mechanism 280 may be a separate mechanism such as a latch or may be a continuous closure mechanism located along at least a portion of the length of the dividing line 184, such as a zipper closure 282. Can be.

2 is a perspective view partially showing an adjustable divider system that enables a user to adjust the storage volume of one or more shell portions. 3 shows the divider in the first position as an enlarged detail of the divider system. 4 shows an enlarged detail of the divider system showing the divider in a second position. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the divider system along line 5-5 in FIG. 3; 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the divider system along line 6-6 of FIG. 3. 2-6, the luggage article 100 includes an adjustable divider system 350 that includes an adjustment assembly 352 and one or more dividers 354. The divider 354 may divide the 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, the divider 354 may be formed of a rigid or partially rigid material, and may include an internal frame structure or the like. In some examples, divider 354 may include central section 360 and / or peripheral frame 362. Peripheral frame 362 may provide support and / or structure to central section 360 of divider 354. For example, the peripheral frame 362, which may be a wire loop frame, may exert a tension on the central section 360.

As shown in FIG. 10, the central section 360 can include many configurations, such as forming a laundry bag, a garment bag, a travel bag, a cosmetic bag or a bag. The divider 354 may also be a panel of relatively rigid material that does not require a separate frame, and is additionally coupled to the divider 354 while forming a laundry bag, a garment bag, a travel bag, a cosmetic bag, and the like. It may also include a soft bag portion. The example shown is non-limiting, and the central section 360 may be a mesh and / or strap or series of straps or the like connected to the peripheral frame 362. Depending on the particular application, the 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, the luggage article 100 may include a first divider 370 in the first shell portion 180 and a second divider 372 in the second shell portion 182. . Depending on the particular application, the first divider 370 may be similar but not identical to the second divider 372. In an alternative example, the first divider 370 can be configured differently from the second divider 372 as desired.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2-6, each divider 354 may be connected to one or more adjustment assemblies 352. As described herein, each adjustment assembly 352 can allow selective movement of the connected divider 354 within the housing 102. In particular, each adjustment assembly 352 may include a ratchet mechanism 353 that allows a user to move the connected divider 354 within the housing 102 to place the divider 354 in a desired position. . In some examples, each adjustment assembly 352 is configured to be used by a user, such as downwards to reduce the storage volume below the divider when the baggage item 100 is opened, or upwards to increase the storage volume below the divider. May allow the connected divider 354 to move toward or away from the panel of the housing 102. In various embodiments, each adjustment assembly 352 may be connected to or directly attached to a panel of a luggage case, such as end panels 120, 122 or side panels 130, 132. In one example, the adjustment assembly 352 is located in each of the opposing end panels 120, 122. In another example, the adjustment assembly 352 is located in each of the side panels 130, 132.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first shell portion 180 may include a plurality of first adjustment assemblies 380 to which the first divider 370 is connected. The plurality of first adjustment assemblies 380 may be directed toward a panel of the housing 102 positioned below (reducing the storage volume) or away from the panel of the housing 102 (increasing the storage volume). 370 may allow user location selection. Such a configuration may allow the user to change the storage volume in the first shell portion 180 as desired. For example, the user may be directed towards 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 a relatively large amount of packaging of the user's belongings. The first divider 370 may be moved. In a similar manner, the user may have a peripheral rim 190 of the first shell portion 180 to reduce the storage volume within the first shell portion 180, such as to accommodate a relatively small amount of packaging of the user's belongings. The first divider 370 can be moved away from the first divider 370. Additionally or alternatively, the user may place the first divider 370 on the first shell portion 180 to apply tension to the first divider 370 for the user belongings located below the first divider 370. It may be moved away from the peripheral rim 190 of the, which may be beneficial, for example, to limit the movement of the user's belongings during transportation.

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 the second divider 372 is connected. The plurality of second adjustment assemblies 384 may allow user positioning of the second divider 372 to be towards or away from a panel of the housing 102 located below the second divider 372. This configuration may allow the user to change the storage volume within the second shell portion 182 as desired. For example, the user may be directed towards 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 a relatively large amount of packaging of the user's belongings. The second divider 372 may be moved. In a similar manner, the user may have a peripheral rim 190 of the second shell portion 182 to reduce the storage volume within the second shell portion 182, such as to accommodate a relatively small amount of packaging of the user's belongings. The second divider 372 can be moved away from it. Additionally or alternatively, the user may apply a second divider 372 to tension the second divider 372 with respect to user belongings located between the second divider 372 and the left side panel 130. It may be moved away from the peripheral rim 190 of the second shell portion 182.

The adjusting assembly 352 can include many configurations. As one example, each adjustment assembly 352 may include an anchor 390 and a slide assembly 392 coupled to the anchor 390. As shown, the anchor 390 is directly or indirectly connected to the housing 102 of the luggage article 100, such as the top panel 120 and / or bottom panel 122 of the housing 102. . The anchor 390 may be an elongate member extending between the peripheral rim 190 of each shell and the opposing panel of the housing 102. Anchor 390 may include many configurations that allow movement of slide assembly 392 relative to this anchor 390. For example, anchor 390 may be a plate, toothed member, concave member, or the like as described in more detail below. Depending on the particular application, one or more adjustment assemblies 352 may be positioned to support the divider 354, eg, one or more on opposite sides or ends of the storage volume to support the divider 354 therein. The adjusting assembly 352 can be positioned.

In one example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, as the adjustment assembly 352 includes one of the opposing end panels 120, 122 or one of the opposing side panels 130, 132, Connected and placed on a panel of baggage item. Anchor 390 includes one or more engaging or slide plates 400 and a plurality of teeth 402. Depending on the particular application, the teeth 402 may be arranged in two sets on opposite sides of the anchor 390 or along the face of the anchor 390. In some examples, tooth 402 may include a deflected or otherwise asymmetric profile shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, each tooth 402 has a leading edge 414 at the top surface 410, the bottom surface 412, and the intersection of the top surface 410 and the bottom surface 412. It may include. Top surface 410 may be inclined away from peripheral rim 190 of the connected shell. The lower surface 412 may be inclined differently from the upper surface 410. For example, the bottom 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 the upward movement of the slide assembly 392 without additional user action. do. In one example, the teeth 402 may extend laterally outward from the side of the anchor 390, and another one or more protrusions 450 may extend laterally inward from the side of the slide assembly 392. have.

Slide assembly 392 can include many configurations that allow sliding movement of slide assembly 392 relative to anchor 390. In one example, each slide assembly 392 has a connection structure 422 that slidably connects the slide assembly 392 to the slide plate 400 of the anchor 390, and the teeth of the anchor 390. A coupling structure 424 that couples 402. For example, the connection structure 422 can include first and second members 430, 432 located on opposite sides of the slide plate 400 of the 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 surface 440 of the slide plate 400 of the anchor. Depending on the particular application, the connection structure 422 may wrap, sandwich, or otherwise engage the slide plate 400 of the anchor 390 to couple the slide assembly 392 to the anchor 390.

The engagement structure 424 of the slide assembly 392 may engage the teeth 402 of the anchor 390 to secure the slide inverted 392 in place along the anchor 390. For example, the engagement structure 424 may include one or more drawer 450s arranged to selectively engage the teeth 402 of the anchor 390. In one example, the protrusion 450 can be biased towards the tooth 402 of the anchor 390. This biasing may maintain engagement of the protrusion with the tooth and thus allow the user to actuate the actuator to disengage the tooth 402 from the anchor 390, as described elsewhere herein. The slide assembly 392 is held in engagement with the anchor 390 to prevent the slide assembly 392 from moving upward (with respect to FIG. 6) without moving.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6, each protrusion 450 engages the bottom surface 412 of one tooth 402 and the top surface 410 of the lower tooth 402. It is possible to limit the movement of the slide assembly 392 along the anchor 390 in the upward direction with respect to six. As in this example, in order to allow selective movement of the slide assembly 392 along the anchor 390 upward in FIG. 6, the slide assembly 392 may be referred to as a button, or one or more actuators 460. ) May be included. In this example, the operation of the user of the one or more actuators 460 allows the protrusions to be removed from the teeth 402 and to facilitate the movement of the slide assembly 392 relative to the anchor 390 as described below. In a sufficient amount, the protrusions 450 are moved away from the teeth 402 of the anchor 390 to deviate the protrusions 450 from the teeth 402 (as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 6). You can. Actuator 460 may be operatively coupled, connected, or directly attached to each protrusion or protrusions such that movement of the actuator moves each protrusion or protrusions. Deflection of the protrusion may be made 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, the spring 461 may be located between one or more protrusions 450 and a portion of the slide assembly 392, or between a portion of the actuator and the slide assembly 392.

As shown in FIG. 6, the slide assembly 392 may be moved downwardly along the anchor 390 without the user engaging the actuator. When the slide assembly 392 is pressed down by the user, the upper surface 410 of each tooth is inclined upwards, and because the portion of the corresponding protrusion 450 that engages the teeth is inclined downwards. The protrusions are moved inward against deflection outward of the spring 461 (or springs 461), thereby providing sufficient distance (eg, for each protrusion) to the protrusion 450 relative to the corresponding tooth 402. 6, which indicates the internal position of 450), and allows the slide assembly 392 to move downward (relative to FIG. 6) on the anchor 390.

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

The operation of divider system 350 will now be discussed in more detail. For ease and clarity of reference, the operation will be described with reference to the divider system 350 of the first shell portion 180. The operation of the divider system 350 of the second shell portion 182 is not the same, but may be similar. In order to move the first divider 370 towards the right panel 132 (as downwards with respect to FIG. 6), the user can engage the contact surface 468 of each slide assembly 392 and the slide assembly ( 392 may be deflected toward the right panel 132. Deflecting the slide assembly 392 toward the right panel 132 is such that the protrusion 450 of the connecting structure 422 engages the top surface 410 of the lower teeth 402 and the top surface 410. It can be made to slide along. Continued movement of the slide assembly 392 toward the right panel 132 causes the protrusion 450 to extend above the lower teeth 402 until the protrusion 450 deviates from the leading edge 414 of the teeth 402. It rises above face 410 and toward leading edge 414 of the tooth. Once the protrusion 450 is out of the leading edge 414 of the tooth 402, the protrusion 450 can be biased towards the next lower tooth 402. This process may be repeated until the slide assembly 392 is ratcheted or clicked along the anchor 390 by the desired amount to reach a predetermined position on the anchor 390.

To move the first divider 370 away from the right panel 132 (upwards with respect to FIG. 6), the user can engage one or more actuators 460 of the slide assembly 392. Coupling one or more actuators 422 by a user may cause one or more protrusions 450 of connection structure 422 to be displaced from teeth 402. Depending on the particular application, one or more actuators 460 may be pressed, squeezed, or lifted to release protrusions 450 from teeth 402 (eg, as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 6). May be compressed or otherwise moved. For example, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the engagement of the actuators 460 may be a pair to separate the protrusions 450 from the teeth 402 arranged in two sets on opposite sides of the anchor 390. The protrusions 450 may be moved toward each other. Continued operation of one or more actuators 460 by the user may cause the protrusions 450 to move away from the teeth 402 until the protrusions 450 are out of the leading edge 414 of the teeth 402. Can be. Once the protrusion 450 is out of the leading edge 414 of the tooth 402, the slide assembly 392 can move up and down along the anchor 390. For example, once the protrusion 450 is displaced from the teeth 402, the sliding assembly 392 can be biased away from the right panel 132 and moved along the anchor 390 to the desired position. Once the slide assembly 392 is positioned in the desired position, one or more actuators 460 are released such that the protrusions 450 engage the teeth 402 of the anchor 390 and further slide the slide assembly 392 in position. Fix it.

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 article 100 to hang on a closet or hook for use or storage. As one example, the divider 354 can form a garment bag for hanging in a closet. As another example, the divider 354 may form a cosmetic bag for convenient hanging in the bathroom. Other configurations of the divider 354 are contemplated, including laundry bags, travel bag, business bags, and the like. For example, divider 354 may include one or more compartments defined by flap cover 480 or zipper closure member 482. In some examples, divider 354 includes a hanging member 484 for hanging from a structure such as a shower bar, a clothing bar, or a hook. The hook member 484 may be a hook, a loop, a hoop, a loop fastener, or the like.

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

8 is a perspective view partially showing an additional divider system 850. Except as otherwise described below, the divider system 850 shown in FIG. 8 may be similar to the divider system 350 described above. For example, the divider system 850 may include a slide assembly 392 slidably connected to the anchor 390 for relative movement therebetween. As with the divider system 350, the slide assembly 392 of the divider system 850 may include a plurality of teeth 402 of the anchor 390 to hold the slide assembly 392 in place along the anchor 390. Can optionally be combined. The divider system 850 may also include a release mechanism to separate the slide assembly 392 from the teeth 402 of the anchor 390. However, unlike the divider system 350, the slide assembly 392 may be disengaged from the teeth 402 by a mechanism other than a push button, as described below.

 Referring again to FIG. 8, the operation 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 is coupled to the loop 500 connected to the slide assembly 392. Can be achieved by More specifically, the loop 500 can be connected to or otherwise function with one or more actuators 460 of the slide assembly 392. For example, the loop 500 may be connected to the protrusion 450 directly or indirectly through one or more intermediate elements.

In this example, the user may hold and pull the loop 500 to cause the protrusion 450 of the slide assembly 392 to leave the teeth 402 of the anchor 390. Once the protrusion 450 breaks away the teeth 402 of the anchor 390, the continuous pulling operation of the loop 500 causes the slide assembly 392 (and the divider 354) to have a peripheral rim of each shell portion. And move upwards toward 190. The slide assembly 392 of FIG. 8 may be ratcheted down to another position on the anchor 390 in substantially the same manner as described above. For example, slide assembly 392 may be pushed down by the user, such that protrusion 450 slides along top surface 410 of tooth 402 in a ratchet manner.

9 is a perspective view partially showing an additional divider system 1350 that includes an adjustment assembly 352. FIG. 10 is an enlarged detail view of the divider system 1350 of FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the divider system 1350 of FIG. 9 and shows the protrusion of the slide assembly associated with the teeth of the anchor. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the divider system 1350 of FIG. 9 and shows the projection of the slide assembly that is dislodged 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, 850 described above. The adjustment assembly 352 is connected to and disposed on a panel of the baggage item, such as including one of the opposing end panels 120, 122 or one of the opposing side panels 130, 132. For example, the divider system can include an adjustment assembly 352, and then includes a slide assembly 392 slidably connected to the anchor 390 for relative movement therebetween. As with the divider systems 350 and 850, the slide assembly 392 of the divider system 1350 may include a plurality of teeth of the anchor 390 to hold the slide assembly 392 in place along the anchor 390. 402 may optionally be combined. The divider system 1350 may also include a release mechanism for disengaging the slide assembly 392 from the teeth 402 of the anchor 390. However, unlike the divider system 850, the slide assembly 392 may be disengaged from the teeth 402 by a mechanism other than a pull loop or push button as described in the example above.

9-12, the teeth 402 are anchors 390, such as between the slide plate 400 and the panel of the shell of the baggage article 100 to which the teeth 402 are connected and located. May be arranged on the back 440. The slide assembly 392 can slide along the front surface 438 of the anchor 390. Slide assembly 392 may include a single lever type actuator 460 at the bottom of the slide assembly 392. The slide assembly 392 may include a single protrusion 450 that engages the teeth 402 on the back of the 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. Actuator 460 may be pivotally connected to slide assembly 392 and may be moved by pin 510 to move protrusion 450 to release protrusion 450 from engagement with tooth 402. It is possible to rotate around the rotating shaft as formed (see FIG. 12). In one example, a portion of the coupling structure 424 may be pinched or compressed to release the protrusion 450 from the tooth 402. For example, a user may place one or more fingers under actuator 460 and place a thumb on contact surface 468 to compress or squeeze the elements towards 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, in order to dislodge the protrusion 450 of the slide assembly 392 from the tooth 402 of the anchor 390, such as moving the protrusion 450 away from the tooth 402. The lever type actuator 460 can be lifted. Once the protrusion 450 is displaced from the teeth 402 of the anchor 390, the continued lifting operation of the actuator 460 causes the slide assembly 392 (and the divider 354) to close around each shell portion. Move upwards toward rim 190.

The slide assembly 392 of FIGS. 9-12 may be ratcheted down in substantially the same manner as described above. For example, the slide assembly 392 may be pushed down by the user, as in one example of pressing down on the contact surface 468, such that the protrusion 450 is the top surface of the tooth 402. Sliding ratchetly along 410. In some examples, the ratchet movement of the slide assembly 392 downward along the anchor 390 may cause the actuator 460 to vibrate up and down as the protrusion 450 moves over each lower tooth 402. Can be.

The luggage article 100 may be formed from various materials and means. For example, the housing 102 includes, among others, thermoplastic materials (self-reinforced or fiber-reinforced), ABS, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polystyrene, PVC, polyamide and / or PTFE, and the like. In some examples, some of the hydrate articles 100 may be extruded from aluminum or other similar metals. In addition, the housing 102 may be formed of fiber reinforced epoxy, resin, or other similar material. The baggage article may be formed or molded in any suitable manner, such as plug molding, blow molding, injection molding, extrusion, casting and the like. As noted above, the hydrate article may be formed from a soft side material and / or a hard side material. Exemplary materials have been mentioned above.

All relative and directional references (top, bottom, upward, downward, left, right, left, right, top, bottom, side, top, bottom, front, middle, back, vertical, horizontal And the like, etc.) are given by way of example to assist the reader in understanding the particular examples described herein. They should not be read as requirements or limitations, especially with regard to location, orientation or use, unless specifically indicated in the claims. Linking references (eg, attached, coupled, linked, combined, etc.) should be construed broadly and may include relative movement between elements and intermediate members between connections of elements. As such, linking references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and fixed to each other, unless specifically indicated in the claims.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the presently disclosed embodiments are taught by way of example and not by way of limitation. Therefore, the matter included in the above description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all general and specific features set forth herein, as well as all statements as to the scope of the present methods and systems, which may be said to fall between them as a matter of language.

Claims (15)

A housing 102 formed by the first shell portion 180 and the second shell portion 182 hinged to each other at the dividing line 184 to define an internal storage volume;
One or more dividers 354 that divide the internal storage volume of the housing 102 into a plurality of storage compartments; And
An adjustment assembly 352 that movably secures each of the one or more dividers 354 within at least one of the first and second shell portions 180, 182,
The adjustment assembly (352) includes a ratchet mechanism (353) for selectively positioning one or more dividers (354) at a desired level within at least one of the first and second shell portions (180, 182). The method of claim 1, wherein each of the adjustment assembly 352,
An anchor 390 fixed to the housing 102 and including at least one slide plate 400 and a plurality of teeth 402; And
A slide assembly 392 connected to the anchor 390; Including,
The slide assembly 392 is,
Assemble the Slide to One or More Slide Plates 400 of Anchor 390
A connection structure 422 that slidably connects the sieve 392; Wow
Baggage article comprising a coupling structure (424) to selectively engage the teeth (402) of the anchor (390). The method of claim 2, wherein the connection structure 422 of the slide assembly 392,
A first member 430 slidably coupling the front surface 438 of the one or more slide plates 400; Wow
Baggage item comprising a second member (432) slidably engages a back surface (440) of one or more slide plates (400). The method of claim 2 or 3, wherein the coupling structure 424,
One or more protrusions 450 that selectively engage the teeth 402 of the anchor 390; Wow
One or more actuators 460 connected to one or more protrusions 450; Including,
User operation of the one or more actuators 460 moves the one or more protrusions 450 away from the teeth 402 of the anchor 390 to allow sliding movement of the slide assembly 392 relative to the anchor 390. Baggage items to let. The method of claim 4, wherein
Each of the plurality of teeth 402 includes a top surface 410, a bottom surface 412, and a leading edge 414 at the intersection between the top surface 410 and the bottom surface 412;
The upper surface 410 is inclined to allow ratcheting of one or more protrusions 450 along the plurality of teeth when the slide assembly 392 moves in a first direction along the anchor 390;
The bottom surface 412 is inclined to limit movement of the slide assembly 392 along the anchor 390 in a second, opposite direction. The method of claim 5,
User operation of the one or more actuators 460 may cause the luggage item to move one or more protrusions 450 away from the plurality of teeth 402 sufficiently to escape the leading edge 414 of the plurality of teeth 402. . The method of claim 2,
One or more dividers 354 include a first divider 370 and a second divider 372;
The first divider 370 is connected to the first shell portion 180 by a plurality of first adjustment assemblies 352;
The second divider 372 is connected to the second shell portion 182 by a plurality of second adjustment assemblies 352. The method of claim 2,
At least one of the one or more dividers 354 is removable baggage items. The method of claim 8,
The slide assembly 392 is removable from the anchor 390 to remove at least one of the one or more dividers 354 from the luggage item. The method of claim 8 or 9,
At least one of the one or more dividers 354 is a self supporting panel;
The self-supporting panel is removable from the slide assembly 392 to remove at least one of the one or more dividers 354 from the luggage item. The method of claim 10,
The self supporting panel includes a peripheral frame 362;
Peripheral frame 362 is removable baggage item from slide assembly 392. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10,
At least one of the one or more dividers 354 that can be removed from the baggage item functions as a garment bag, a travel organizer, or a cosmetic bag. The method of claim 4, wherein
The tooth 402 extends laterally outwardly from the side of the anchor 390 and the at least one protrusion 450 extends laterally inwardly from the side of the slide assembly 392. The method of claim 13,
One or more protrusions 450 are biased to engage the teeth 402. The method of claim 4, wherein
Teeth 402 extend rearward from panels 439 of anchor 390 toward panels 120, 122, 130, and 132, and one or more protrusions 450 may include panels 120, 122, 130, and 132. Baggage item extending away from slide assembly 392.

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