US1792798A - Combination trunk and luggage carrier - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 17, 1931. E, A, ARNDT 1,792,798

COMBINATION TRUNK -AND LUGGAGE CARRIER f/lAl/l/I/l/l/IlI//I lll/11111111115521017111 .l 7 2522 f6 Z6 Z7 l u attentat/4 Patented Feb. 17, 1931 UNITI-:D SfrAres PA'IAENTY OFFICE ERNEST ARNDT, 0F SIOUX CITY, IOWA COMBINATION TnUNK AND LUGGAGE CARRIER Application filed February 6, 1 9'29. Serial No. 337,873.

'The pril4 iary object of this invention is to provide a trunk of thistype having a cover adapted to disclose the contentsof the trunk y while the swinging trunk member is in closed position. The need for this feature arises `from the fact that the downward yswinging of the movable trunk member will ordinarily disarrange'the contents of the trunk where a Ylarge number of small articles are packed within Vthe trunk. The use of this feature makes it vpossible to packthe contents of the trunk in Iorderly arrangement and to retain this orderlyarrangement during the opening ofthe trunk to allow access to the upper layer of articles'.

A further object of my invention is to yprovide a trunk of this class including the cover feature, in which the subordinate functions attendant upon the main feature of the l 4be provided Vfor latching" or lockingv the swinging trunk member to the fixed trunk member; Inv my present invention, this is ac- `cfomplished by providingone vof the latching elements on the cover itself, the other latching element being secured to the fixed trunk ,'inember.` 'Fnrthermora where the movable `trunk member is formed'iii ltwo parts, ,as it ,must necessarily be formed whereV a portion of it is ahinged cover, va problem arises, that vof bracing between the sides of the movable trunk member. A

` In my invention it ismy obj ect to Vsimplify the construction as much as possible and in meeting this problem of bracing, Iobtain simplicity ofconstruction without sacrificing strength by employing .the cover itself as a 4bracing member to connect the sides of the movable trunk member. This eliminates the necessity of a brace between the sides of the movable trunk ymember. l

Another Objectis to provide a trunk which is as nearly moisture proof as could be possible in a trunk. This problem, in view of the number lof movable parts-involved, is a bigger problem than in the ordinary trunk and in the present invention I have solved this problem byarranging the cover to overlap the sides ofthe movable trunk member. ItA is impossible to overlap both the fixed trunk member and the movable trunk member, as such ,a construction would interfere with the opening of the cover.

The cover and fixed trunk member are provided, however, with coacting members,

adapted to be urged into engagement with each other, as the cover is moved toward closed position, thus forming a tight connection between the cover and the fixed trunk member.

In furtherance of my `object to provide a moisture tight trunk, it is my purpose to include in the trunk `construction a hinge construction which is particularly adapted to exclude the weather.

Viith these and other objects in view, my

invention consists inthe construction, ar-

rangement and combination of the various parts ofmy device, wherebythe objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of my combined trunk and luggage carrier in fully closed position.

Fig. 2 shows the parts in partially opened f-" Fig. 9 is a detail, sectional View taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7.

The three main parts of the trunk are referred to generally' in the drawings by the reference characters A, B, C and l), respectively. A is the fixed trunk member, B the movable trunk member, C the cover which forms a part of the movable member, and D is the hinge connecting the fixed and movable trunk members.

T he fixed trunk member is formed with the rear wall 10, the bottom wall 11, the side walls 12 and the top wall 13, as in previous constructions. The movable trunk member B has the rear wall` 14, the side walls 15 and the cover C, including the top wall 16 the side flanges 17 and the rear flange 13. (It may be noted that the words top and rear, when used to refer to the parts of a movable trunk member, correspond to the positions of the respective parts when the trunk is closed. rl`his is done to identifv the various parts with the use ot as few words as possible.)

The rear wall 14 is provided with a shouldered flange 19, which is received within the flanges 17 and 18 of the cover C. rlhe cover rests against the shoulder of the flange 19, as indicated in Fig. 4.

The cover is hinged to the corner of the side walls 15, remote Jfrom the hinge D, connecting the fixed and movable trunk members. rFhe hinge is formed by a pair of rivets or the like 20, inserted through the flanges 17 and 19 and constructed so to hold these flanges together. To this end, the rivets should be formed with large heads or some equivalent of such a construction should be employed so that the constant hinging of the flanges relative to each other may not work the rivets loose.

It may be noted at this point that the sides 15 are unconnected save by the rear wall 14 and the cover 16. The latter serves to ronnect and brace apart the corners to which it is hinged.

The hinge D is formed by mping and bending the edge of the bottom .z il 11. Slots 21 are cut into the material of the walls adjacent the edges and the material behind the ends of these slots and between the slots, rcspectively. is formed to provide aprons 22 and sleeves 23, respectively. The materird` forming the sleeves 23 is bent back against the rear face of the wall 11, as at 24. A hinge rod 25 extends through the sleeves 23 and through hooks 26, formed on the ends of the hinge straps 27, secured to the rear wall 14.

The hin straps 27 are of less width than the hinge sleeve 23 and are correspondingly much thicker than the metal of the sleeve 23. Thus substantially equal strength is obtained in both of the hinge elements.

The aprons 22 are formed on the surface of a cylinder coaxial with the sleeves 23 but of larger diameter so a to accommodate the extra thickness of the hooks 2G. T he aprons 22 close the space between the hooks 2G and the rear wall 14. The rear wall 14 is extended beyond the hinge as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 sufficiently to cover from below the spaces formed within the aprons 22.

The cover is secured in a closed position by means of latch devices 2S and 29, respectively, secured to the cover and to the rear wall 14, respectively.

The movable trunk menxber is secured to the fixed trunk member by means of the latch devices shown in detail in Figs. 5 and (S. The cover is provided with an uinvardly curved flange 30, which is preferably formed of a separate sheet of material welded or other wise permanently secured to the forward wall 1.0. The upper extremity of tht` flange Z3 is formed with a channel 34, the rear part of which is substantially flat and extends downwardly and rearwardly upon an incline about shown in Figs. 5 and G, as at When it is desired to release the latching connection between the fixed and movable trunk members, the latch devices 29 and 28 are first released, the cover raised to substantially the angle shown in Fig. G and theu movable Atrunk member pulled outwardly as by means of the handle 36 or the tire if there is one in connection with the trunk.

The raising of the cover allows the flange 3() to move downwardly to a position where it will clear the lower edge of the inclined wall 35 of' the channel 34 and when the flange 30 has been unhooked, the cover may then be dropped to its former position and the elements 28 and 29 relatched. rFhe entire member B may then be swung downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 4, as in previous trunks corresponding to my reissue patent above mentioned. The flange 32 engages the forward edge of the wall 13 very tightly under pressure created between the flange 30 and the wall 35. It will be seen that as the cover is moved downwardly toward closed position, the flanges 32 and 30. respectively, will be drawn toward their rcspective engaging elements 13 and 35. The parts are so arranged that when the cover is fully closed, there will be some pressure built up between these respective engaging elements so as to produce a very snug engagement between the cover and fixed trunk member. The object of this is to prevent rattling. A further object is to seal as closely as possible against the entrance of. moisture. Both joints cooperate toward this end, the channel 34 serving also to shed rain and prevent as largely as possible its entrance into the space between the rear extremity of the cover and the flange 33.

The inclined wall 35 further serves the purpose of automatically pulling the parts into snug engagement with each other as fil lob

Jihe cover ,is lowered. inspection of'Fig ,jvillshow that v when the .edge of the flange 3 0 is `first inserted behind the wall 35 -at its .lower ,extremity that there is considerable lroom for further movement of the movable vtrunk An uemloer toward the fixed trunk member. As thecover is lowered, the action of the flange 30 againstthe inclined `wall 35 draws Vthe cover vsnugly into the position shown in Fig.5. Theqcover in turn moves the sides ofY themovable :trunk member into theirl proper positions, the rivets 20 traveling forwardly and V downwardly as the cover is lowered.

' carrier, a fixed trunk member, a movable ytrunk member, hinged to the fixed trunk member, to form, when closed, rear and upper walls of the trunk and when open, to form bottom Vand rear walls of va luggage carrier, a cover, hinged to the movablev trunk member on an axis that is adjacent the Vupper forward portion of' the fixed trunk member when thejfmovable trunk member is in closed position, the Cover serving, when the movable trunk member is in said last mentioned position, to allow access ,to thecontents of the trunk 'from .the top, Yand serving,

when the movable trunk member is in open position, to form a fixed part thereof, means to secure thel cover in closed relation to the movable trunk member, and coacting latch devices secured tothe cover and fixed trunk member, respectively, tosecure the movable trunk member Ein closed relation tothe fixed trunk member. Y

2. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, a moya-bletrunk member,hinged to ithe fixed trunk member, to form, whenclosed', rear and upper walls of the trunk, and, when open, to form bottom and rear walls of a luggage carrier, a cover, hinged `tothe movable trunk member adjac'ent the upper forward 'portion of the fixed trunk member `v vh'en 'fthe movable trunk member isin closed position, the cover 'serving,

when the movabletrunk member is in said .trunk member, respectively, to secure the movable trank ,member in cleeedreletien ,t0

,serving as ,arear wallifor thefixed trunk member to an open extended .positionserving in conjunction withfthe,fixed'trunkmember as a luggage carrier, a cover, hmgedto V the Lmovable trunk memberadjacent the upper forward Portion f'tihe fixed brun f mmber when themovable trunl; member yis ,m vclosed position, the lcover serving, when the Arilevable trunk maribel' Iis in Sad .lest me ,tioned position, to allow access to the contents of thetrunkfrom thetop, and serving, when vthe movabletrunk member is open position, to form a tfixed ,part thereof, means torsecure the cover in closed rela-tionto .the movable trunk member, an invertedchannel shaped latch member on the fixed trunk. member, and a wecinefene@ projecting upward ly from the forward extremityof Vthe cover, vadapted ,to be received in the channel when the cover is closed, to secure the movable Atrunk member in v closed relation .to the ,fixed trunkmember. v`4,. In a combination trunk andluggage carrier, a fixed trunk membera vmovable trunk member, carried by the fixed trunk member andadaptedto move from a closed position serving as a rear wall `for -thelixedftrunk member toan open extended positionserving in conjunction with the'fixed ltrfun'klinember as va. luggagefcarrier, a cover, hinged to the .movable trunk member adjacent the upper forward portion of .the .fixed .trunlrlmember when the movable .trunk member is in closed position, vtlncover serving, when thel movable trunk member is in said vlast mentioned position, to allow access to the contents of the .trunk from thev top, and serving, 'when the movablevtrunk member is in open position, Vto

form a fixed part thereof, means to Jsecure the cover inV closedrelatifon tothemovable trunk member, `the ,fixed trnnlr member' including lan upper wal-l, an inverted' channel Vshaped latch member on'the vfixed trunk member,tlie

rear edge of the4 latch member'being spaced .above sai'd'fuppl Wall, and a coacting flange Preithg upwardly from the forward tremity of 4the cover, adapted to be received in the channel when the cover closed,"to

secure the movable trunk member in closed relation to fthe fixed trunk member, andto pass through `said spacefbetween the jlatch member and ,upper wall, when fthe cover has been raised a predetermined distance from the movable trunk member.

5. In a ,combination trunk and luggage carrier, a trunk member, a movabletrunk were? @wird -Py 1th@ .fixed eeekeibe CIT and adapted to move 'from a closed position serving as a rear wall for the fixed trunk member to an open extended position serving in conjunction with the fixed trunk member as a luggage carrier, a cover, hinged to the movable trunk member on an axis that is adjacent the upper forward portion of the fixed trunk member when the movable trunk member is in closed position, the cover serving, when the movable trunk member is in said last mentioned position, to allow access to the contents of the trunk from the top, and serving, when the movable trunk member is in open position, to form a xed part thereof, means to secure the cover in closed relation to the movable trunk member, and coacting latch devices secured to the cover and fixed trunk member, respectively, to secure the movable trunk member in closed relation to the fixed trunk member, said latch members being constructed so as to be disengaged by raising of the cover.

G. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, a movable trunk member, carried by the fixed trunk member and adapted to move from a closed position serving as a rear wall for the fixed trunk member to an open extended position serving in conjunction with the fixed trunk member as a luggage carrier, a cover, hinged to the movable trunk member, the cover serving, when the movable trunk member is in said last mentioned position, to allow access to the contents of the trunk from the top, and serving, when the movable trunk member is in open position, to form a fixed part thereof, means to secure the cover in closed relation to the movable trunk member, the fixed trunk member including an upper wall extending rearwardly from the forward wall of the fixed trunk member and coacting latch members, to secure the movable trunk member in closed relation to the fixed trunk member, the cover being adapted to snugly engage said upper wall when the parts are all in closed position.

7. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, a movable trunk member, carried by the fixed trunk member and adapted to move from a closed position serving as a rear wall for the fixed trunk member to an open extended position servingin conjunction with the fixed trunk member as a luggage carrier, a cover, hinged to the movable trunk member, adjacent the upper 'forward portion of the fixed trunk member when the movable trunk member is in closed position, the cover serving, when the movable trunk member is in said last mentioned position, to allow access to the contents of the truuk from the top, and serving, when the movable trunk member is in open position, to form a fixed part thereof, means to secure the cover in closed relation to the movable trunk member, the fixed trunk member including an upper wall extending rearwardly from the forward wall of the fixed trunk member and coacting latch members, to secure the movable trunk member in closed relation to the fixed trunk member, the cover being adapted to snugly engage said upper wall when the parts are all in closed position, and the coacting latch members being adapted, upon closing movement of the cover, to urge the cover into said enga gement.

8. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, a movable trunlr member, hinged to the fixed trunk member, to swing from a vertical, closed position, to a horizontal, open position, serving, in conjunction with the fixed trunl; member, as a luggage carrier, the movable trunk member including` side walls and a rear wall connecting said side walls, and a cover, hinged to the side walls at the corners of the latter remote from the hinge between the fixed and movable trunk members, said cover being adapted to close the space between the fixed trunk member and the rear and side walls of the movable trunk member when all parts are in closed position, and serving as the sole direct connection between the side wall corners to which it is hinged, thereby support-ing the side walls in spaced relation.

9. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, a movable trunk member, carried by the fixed trunk member, and adapted to move from a closed position to an extended open position, serving, in conjunction with the fixed trunk member, as a luggage carrier, the movable trunk member including side walls and a rear wall connecting said side walls, and a cover, comprising a top wall and a rear and side flanges forming, when the cover is closed. continuations of the rear and side walls, rospectively, the side flanges being hinged to the side walls at their corners remote from the hinge between the fixed and movable trunk members, said cover being adapted to close the space between the fixed trunk memA ber and the rear and side walls of the movable trunk member when all parts are in closed position, and serving as the sole direct: connection between the side wall corners to which it is hinged, thereby supporting` the side walls in spaced relation. i

10. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, a movable trunk member, hinged to the fixed trunk member, to swing from a vertical, closed position, to a horizontal, open position, serving, in conjunction with the fixed trunk member, as a luggage carrier, a cover, hinged to the movable trunk member. the cover serving` when the movable trunk member is in said last mentioned position, to allow access to the contents of the trunk from the top,

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and serving, when the movable trunk member is in open position, to form a xed part thereof, means to secure the cover in closed relation to the movable trunk member, andV coacting latch members secured to the cover and fixed trunk member, respectively, to secure the movable trunk member in closed relation to the fixed trunk member.

11. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, a movable trunk member carried by the fixed trunk member and adapted to move from a closed position in which it serves as a rear Wall for the fixed trunk member to an open, extended position in which it serves in conjunction with the fixed trunk member as a luggage carrier, the movable trunk member including side walls and a rear wall connecting said side walls and a cover hinged to the side walls at the upper, forward corners of the latter, said cover being adapted to close the space between the fixed trunk member and the rear and side walls of the movable trunk member when all parts are in closed position and serving as the sole direct connection between the side walls' corners to- Which it is hinged, thereby supporting the side Walls in spaced relation.

l2. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, a movable trunk member carried by the fixed trunk member and adapted to move from a closed position in which it serves as a rear wall for the fixed trunk member to an open, extended position in which it serves in conjunction with the fixed trunk member as a luggage carrier, a cover, hinged to the movable trunk member, the cover serving, when the movable trunk member is in said last mentioned position, to allow access to the contents of the trunk from the top, and serving, when the. movable trunk member is in open position, to form a fixed part thereof, means to secure the cover in closed relation to the movable trunk member, and coacting latch members secured to the cover and fixed trunk member,

member is in open position, to forma fixed part thereof, means to secure the cover in closed relation to the movable trunkmember, and coacting latch devices secured to the cover and fixed trunk member, respectively, to secure the movable trunk member in closed relation to the fixed trunk member, said latch devices being constructed to remain in engagement while allowing the cover to be raised a substantial portion of its path of movement.

Signed this 25th day of January, 1929, in the county of Voodbury and State of Iowa.

ERNEST A. ARNDT.

respectively, to secure the movable trunk member in closed relation to the fixed trunk member.

13. In a combination trunk and luggage carrier, a fixed trunk member, a `movable trunk member carried by the fixed trunk member and adapted to move from a closed position in which it serves as a rear wall for the fixed trunk member to an open, extended position in which it serves in conjunction with the fixed trunk member as a luggage carrier, a cover, hinged to the movable trunk member adjacent the upper forward portion of the fixed trunk member when the movable trunk member is in closed position, the cover serving, when the movable trunk member is insaid last mentioned position, to allow access to the contents of the trunk from the top, and serving, when the movable trunk

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