RU2641877C2 - Expanded bag and method for bags expansion - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: human life necessities satisfaction.

SUBSTANCE: device for contents storage and carrying can be expanded to provide additional storage space therein, comprising a pumped wall, restraining elements, an expansion mechanism, and carrying devices. The pumped wall allows device expansion, so that the device boundary occupies a smaller volume prior to its expansion than after its expansion. The restraining elements are located inside the said inflatable walls connected to both inner sides of the walls. In the carrying device, the restraning elements prevent uneven and excessive pumping of the walls.

EFFECT: simplified operation and modification of the storage device.

21 cl, 29 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to equipment for traveling and / or storage. More specifically, the invention relates to travel bags, in particular to methods and devices for expanding bags.

State of the art

There are many types and sizes of travel bags, ranging from small handbags to large suitcases, but sometimes there is a need for an adjustable bag in order to provide new space for extra items.

In the prior art, several methods are used to increase the size of a suitcase. Many expandable objects are able to expand due to telescopic parts, which are combined with each other and can be extended to form a new and longer structure. As described in US Pat. No. 7,874,409, a suitcase equipped with a telescopic frame can be adjusted, but such a mechanism suffers from abrasion of the telescopic parts when sliding relative to each other, and the frame is under constant pressure and bending stress, which may ultimately cause it to break.

Other mechanical problems arise when using a spring or lifting mechanism similar to those described in EP 2077080. When the mechanism is used repeatedly, the material suffers from fatigue, which over time affects the material as a result of cyclically arising stress, which ultimately leads to cracking in the material.

In addition to the aforementioned mechanical problems, WO 2006039725 describes another possible malfunction: when the system contains several components with mechanical movable interaction, and one of the components fails, breaks down or misplaces, the whole system becomes inoperative, and with an increase the number of components such problems occur more often.

US 5,819,891 provides an example of several of the disadvantages mentioned in one device: abrasion, pressure and bending stress, as described in US 7,874,409, fatigue, as described in EP 2077080, and a large number of components, as described in WO 2006039725 This complex design, which, in addition, has weak points that make the structure prone to breakage.

Thus, there is a need for a device and method that meets the following requirements: low coefficient of friction between components, a small number of components and the rejection of both cyclic motion, which causes material fatigue, and weak points. An object of the present invention is to provide a device and method that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. Other objectives and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the following description.

Disclosure of invention

The invention relates to a device for storing and carrying content, made with the possibility of expansion in order to provide additional storage space therein, comprising: at least one expanding wall, an expansion mechanism and carrying devices. The device may take the form of a briefcase, suitcase, or any other suitable form of storage device. The term "expanding wall" is used to indicate the boundary of the device, which occupies a smaller volume before its expansion than after its expansion. It may consist of one component or two or more components, as the case may be.

The expansion process may be performed by pumping, and the expansion mechanism may comprise a pump. In such cases, the pump can be made in one piece with a carrying handle, it can be manual, electric, hydraulic or any other type of pump. The device may further comprise a pressure regulator.

The expanding walls may surround the entire storage space or only part of it, and in some exemplary embodiment of the invention, not all walls can expand. The expanding walls can carry shelves between them, which, if necessary, can be built in or installed, and then removed.

Two examples of carrying devices are: wheels and handles; however, any other carrying devices may be added, as with any other carrying device suitable for carrying.

The invention also relates to a method for storing and carrying contents using an expandable device, which, after expansion, provides additional storage space, comprising: at least one expanding wall, an expansion mechanism, and carrying accessories.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the drawings, the directions of consideration are defined as follows.

In the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1-6:

The front of the device is the surface on which the pen system is located. The lower part of the device is a smaller surface containing wheels. (Thus, the right, left, top and back sides of the device are also known).

In the second, third, fourth and fifth embodiments of the invention shown respectively in FIG. 7-8, 9-10, 11-14 and 15:

The upper part of the device is the surface on which the pen system is located.

The front of the device is a wider surface, located in line with the top of the handle.

In the sixth embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 16-18:

The upper part of the device is a surface containing both a small carrying handle and a large handle.

The back of the device is a vertical surface containing both ends of a large handle.

In the seventh, eighth and ninth embodiments of the invention shown respectively in FIG. 19-24, 25 and 26:

The upper part of the device is the surface on which the pen system is located.

The front surface is a surface parallel to the direction of expansion, from which both the handle and the wheels are shown.

The drawings show:

in FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 2 - the same side view;

in FIG. 3 - the same, rear view;

in FIG. 4 - the device shown in FIG. 1, in which the handle is extended, a perspective view;

in FIG. 5 is the same side view;

in FIG. 6 - the same, rear view;

in FIG. 7 is a rear view of an apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 8 is the same side view

in FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 10 - the same, rear view;

in FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 12 - the same, rear view;

in FIG. 13 is the same side view;

in FIG. 14 - same, top view;

in FIG. 15 is a side view of an apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 16A is a side view of an apparatus in an unexpanded state according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

in FIG. 16B - the same, in an expanded state;

in FIG. 17A is the device shown in FIG. 16A, in an unexpanded state, a perspective view;

in FIG. 17B is the same in an expanded state;

in FIG. 18A is the device shown in FIG. 16A, in an unexpanded state, front view;

in FIG. 18B is the same in an expanded state;

in FIG. 19 is a front view of a device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention in an ajar and unexpanded state;

in FIG. 20 - the same, in a partially expanded state;

in FIG. 21 is the device shown in FIG. 20, with integrated pump, perspective view;

in FIG. 22 - the same, in an almost completely expanded state;

in FIG. 23 - the device shown in FIG. 19, in an expanded state, a perspective view in which part of the device is cut out to display the internal structure of the walls of the device;

in FIG. 24 is the same, a top view in cross section;

in FIG. 25 is an expanded view of an apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, in which a front cover is attached to the left side of the apparatus, a perspective view; and

in FIG. 26 is a device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention, in which the device comprises shelves, a perspective view.

The implementation of the invention

The invention relates to an expandable bag and a method for expanding bags by transforming the walls of the bag in a manner that allows it to expand.

In the context of the present description, the bag may be any device suitable for storing content. It can be, for example, a suitcase, a briefcase, a hand bag or a backpack. The bag can be equipped with the following accessories: any number of wheels, carrying handles, extendable handles, as well as any other components that are usually found in bags, such as zippers.

Although a few exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in the drawings and description, these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and in no way limit the invention. For example, the drawings show only some examples of the original reduced shape before expansion and enlarged shape after expansion, but intermediate sizes are also possible. For example, the walls can be divided into sections that expand separately to allow the user to select the actual final size.

In FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which the bag is in the form of a briefcase 101. FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device shown in FIG. 1, with wheels 201 at the bottom of the briefcase. Wheels 201 are better seen in FIG. 3, which shows a rear view of the device shown in FIG. one.

In FIG. 4-6 are various views of the device shown in FIG. 1, with the handle 401 in the elongated state, indicated at 402. In FIG. 4 is a front perspective view, FIG. 5 is a side view, and in FIG. 6 is a front view.

One way to expand the bag is to inflate its walls. When the walls are filled with enough gas (for example, air), enough pressure is created inside the walls to give them rigidity and stability, at least in a regular bag. Since the design is adjustable, the pressure inside the walls can be adjusted depending on the ambient pressure to withstand various conditions, such as the pressure in an airplane at different heights. Pressure adjustment can be performed in advance if the conditions are predictable, but it can also be done automatically using a pressure regulator.

The configuration of the device is determined by many factors, such as the thickness of the walls and the space inside and between them, the materials from which the device is made, the initial and final dimensions of the bag, the desired use of the bag and any other factors affecting the stability of the bag or the safety of its contents.

The walls can also be pumped with various types of gases instead of air or filled with fluids, foam or solid particles to obtain a satisfactory level of wall rigidity. When the walls are inflated, they can be used as shock absorbers to prevent damage to the contents upon impact. Inflation can be carried out using a hand-held device, electrical devices, or any other method that enables the introduction or injection of the required material into the space in the walls of the bag.

In FIG. 7 shows a bag similar to that of FIG. 1, after inflating the walls, as a result of which it turned into a large bag, such as a suitcase 701. In the new configuration shown in FIG. 7-15, the upper part of the device is a surface containing an expansion system 702 (similar to 402 in FIG. 4) connected to the handle 703, and the front of the device is a wider inflated surface 704, located in line with the upper part pens. In FIG. 7 is a front view of a device according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which all four walls of the bag are inflated. In FIG. 8 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 7 showing two other walls after bag expansion.

In FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of a device according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which only two walls are inflated. Also, the user can choose which walls to expand. The advantages of this configuration are apparent from the description of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 11-14. In FIG. 10 is a front view of the device shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 illustrates the use of a bag made in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which only two walls are expanded, allowing shelves 1101 to be placed between them; such a design can be useful when traveling, as it can be used as a small closet when not provided, or save time when moving things into the closet of the hotel. According to this embodiment, the sides where the walls are not inflated can be covered by sheet 1102 or some kind of protective surface. The protective surface prevents the entry of dust or other unwanted particles or insects. The device shown in FIG. 11 is shown in additional views: in FIG. 12 is a front view, in FIG. 13 is a side view, and in FIG. 14 is a plan view.

In FIG. 15 shows a side view of a device according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the invention, in which the expansion method is similar to that shown in FIG. 7, with the difference that the upper rigid portion 1501 of the suitcase is connected to the edge 1502 of one of the inflated walls by an axis, allowing the upper rigid portion 1501 to open, whereby the surface 1503 below it can be used as a table. Such an application is extremely useful, for example, when during a trip there is a desire to use a laptop.

The rigid portion 1501 of the suitcase can also be completely removed and then serve as a separate bag or extra portfolio. This allows the user to carry valuables with them without having to carry all the extra baggage with them.

In all the above examples, an expansion is shown in which the distance between the front and back surfaces of the bag increases as a result of expansion, but the same expansion can occur between any two parallel surfaces or even in an expandable wall of a different shape, for example in an elliptically expanding wall. In FIG. 16A is a side view of an apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention in an unexpanded state, and FIG. 16B is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 16A, in an expanded state in which the distance between the upper surface 1601 and the lower surface 1602 of the bag increases as a result of expansion. In FIG. 17A and 17B are perspective views from the rear of the device shown in FIG. 16A, before expansion and after expansion, and in FIG. 18A and 18B are front views of the device shown in FIG. 16A, before expansion and after expansion.

For more precise settings after the expansion of the wheel can be moved, since the weight and size have been changed. The movement can be carried out, for example, using a guide along which the wheels are moved.

In FIG. 19 is a front view of a device according to a seventh exemplary embodiment of the present invention in an ajar unexpanded state when the walls 1901 are not inflated and lie freely in the interior of the bag 1902. The walls 1901 can also be temporarily attached to the inner walls of the bag 1901 until they are inflated to leave storage space. In FIG. 20 is a front view of the device shown in FIG. 19, in a partially expanded state. A partially expanded state is achieved, for example, by supplying air to the walls 1901, but without completely filling the space inside the walls.

Wall expansion 1901 can also be accomplished using an integrated pump, as shown in FIG. 21. In this embodiment, the pump 2101 is located inside the upper part 2102 of the bag 1902. Air can pass from the pump 2101 through pipes 2103, which end in the walls 1901 and in the space inside the walls 1901. In FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 21, in an almost fully expanded state.

In FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 19, in an expanded state in which part of the device has been cut to demonstrate the internal structure 2301 of the walls 1901. The internal structure 2301 includes restrictive elements designed to prevent uneven pumping of the walls of the bag 1902.

In general, the limiting elements can be of any shape and made of any material, the main thing is that they limit a significant change in the volume of the expanding wall (s) of the bag. In FIG. 23, the limiting elements are made of polyester fibers 2302 connected to each inner side of the wall 1901, and since they have a predetermined length, they do not allow the walls to be wider than this length. In FIG. 24 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 23, in a horizontal cross section.

Another possible form of the limiting element may be a honeycomb mesh, geometrically strong and better able to withstand pressure. Another example of the material from which the limiting elements are made is nylon. The shape and material of the limiting element is selected based on the need to provide a strong internal structure that will maintain the shape of the walls in an inflated state, and light weight.

In FIG. 25 is a perspective view of an apparatus in an expanded state according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, in which a front cover 2501 is attached to the left side of the apparatus. A cover, such as a front cover 2501, can be used when not all the walls are inflated or when not all the walls are pumpable. The cover can be attached to the device, for example, using a zipper.

In FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention, in which the device comprises shelves 2601, similar to the device shown in FIG. 11, but with three inflated walls 2602, 2603 and 2604.

As one of ordinary skill in the art would understand, the device of the present invention should not be monolithic and, in fact, may be made of many independently expanding parts that can be assembled to form a closed structure.

All of the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative and in no way should be construed as limiting the present invention. The invention has significant advantages over the prior art. For example, it eliminates the need for a rigid wall expansion mechanism, which often suffers from friction, erosion, and breakdown of various parts. In addition, the invention provides a simple solution that can be easily implemented. Moreover, the expansion of the wall by pumping it gives additional rigidity to the resulting structure. Proposed in the invention, the device can also be used in unexpanded form, thereby providing greater flexibility of use. In addition, it is possible to expand the device in the filled state, thereby adapting the size of the device (for example, travel bag) to the volume of content.

Claims (26)

1. A device for storing and carrying content, which can be expanded to provide additional storage space, comprising: a) at least one inflated wall, providing expansion of the device, so that the boundary of the device occupies a smaller volume before expanding than after expanding; b) limiting elements located inside the aforementioned inflated walls, connected to both inner sides of the walls; c) expansion mechanism; and d) carrying devices, wherein said limiting elements prevent uneven and excessive pumping of said walls. 2. The device according to claim 1, which is made in the form of a portfolio. 3. The device according to claim 1, which is made in the form of a suitcase. 4. The device according to claim 1, in which the expansion process is carried out by pumping. 5. The device according to claim 1, in which the expansion mechanism comprises a pump. 6. The device according to p. 5, in which the pump is made in one piece with a handle for carrying. 7. The device according to claim 5, in which the pump is manually actuated. 8. The device according to claim 5, in which the pump is an electric or hydraulic pump. 9. The device according to claim 1, in which expanding walls surround the entire storage space. 10. The device according to claim 1, in which not all walls are expandable. 11. The device according to p. 10, in which between the expanding walls are shelves. 12. The device according to claim 11, in which the shelves are built-in shelves. 13. The device according to claim 1, in which the devices for moving are wheels. 14. The device according to claim 1, in which the devices for carrying are handles. 15. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure regulator. 16. The device according to claim 1, in which the limiting means are fibers. 17. The device according to claim 1, in which the limiting elements are made of polyester. 18. The device according to claim 1, in which the limiting elements are made of plastic. 19. The device according to claim 1, in which the limiting elements are made of nylon. 20. The device according to claim 1, in which the limiting elements contain a grid in the form of cells. 21. A method of storing and carrying content using an expandable device that additionally provides storage space after expansion, including: providing at least one inflatable wall to expand the device, an expansion mechanism, limiting elements located inside the inflatable walls and connected to both inner sides of the walls, and carrying devices.

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