US20040074725A1

US20040074725A1 - Flight suitcase

Info

Publication number: US20040074725A1
Application number: US10/270,627
Authority: US
Inventors: Zung-Hwei Shih
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-16
Filing date: 2002-10-16
Publication date: 2004-04-22

Abstract

An improved flight suitcase characterized by that (1) multiple fixation rods being provided on the back of the suitcase for it to be vertically or laterally assembled on the frame to facilitate carrying the suitcase; (2) catch on the frame being close to where the pull rod being pulled out for easy assembly and removal of the frame over the suitcase without interruption; (3) waterproof and water guiding devices being provided at where the suitcase being opening; (4) flap over front panel of the suitcase for easier inspection by customs; (5) both outer side panels being provided with thicker shock absorbing cotton for additional protection, or fully made of aluminum for weight reduction; and (6) multiple functional details.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to an improved structure of a flight suitcase, and more particularly, to one that is lighter and allows easy assembly and removal of the suitcase.

(b) Description of the Prior Art:

Referring to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings of the present invention, a flight suitcase of the prior art is found at least with the following flaws: (1) the fixed rod used by the back of the suitcase to attach to the pull rod frame is usually provided laterally so to carry the laterally disposed suitcase by the pull rod frame; however, such lateral disposition makes it difficult to be carried along the narrow path in the cabin; (2) the catch is provided below the pull rod frame to join or separate it to or from the suitcase; however, assembly, removal, pulling out or retracting the pull rod must be done in straight manner since the catch is located below the pull rod frame; (3) the suitcase is vulnerable to ingression by water in rainy days due to the absence of any waterproof and/or water guiding device being provided to where the suitcase is opened; (4) the front panel and both outer panes are connected to one another as an ordinary suitcase do, and are prevented from being opened up for inspection, it is not unusual to find all the contents in the suitcase in a mess after inspection by the customs at the airport; (5) the suitcase is not protected as it is usually only lined with a wooden panel without any reinforced vibration absorbing cotton while the wooden panel makes the suitcase heavier; (6) the sealing effect is poor and the appearance of the suitcase is not attractive since the size of a covering panel ( 15) is smaller than that of a top panel (11); and (7) A gap (151) on the covering panel (15) provided for the insertion by a handle (111) is too small causing the handle (111) to become an obstacle upon opening and closing the covering panel (15).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved flight suitcase structure allowing easy carrying the suitcase vertically or laterally. To achieve the purpose, multiple fixed rods are provided on the back of the suitcase for vertical or lateral attachment of the suitcase on the pull rod frame.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved flight suitcase structure allowing easy assembly or removal for the pull rod frame on the suitcase. To achieve the purpose, a catch on the pull rod frame is provided over the pull rod frame close to where the pull rod being pulled out to facilitate assembly and separation of the pull rod frame as well as the pulling out and retracting in of the pull rod to be done without interruption.

Another purpose yet of the present invention is to provide an improved flight suitcase structure adapted with waterproof and water guiding functions. To achieve the purpose, a resilient stick is protruded from the edge of the opening of the suitcase; and a resilient channel is provided on the inner side of a lower covering panel on the opening of the suitcase in corresponding to the resilient stick; once the lower covering panel is closed at the opening of the suitcase, both of the resilient stick and the resilient channel are tightly engaged to each other for waterproof; when the lower covering panel is opened up, the resilient stick is capable of preventing ingression of water containment into the suitcase while the resilient channel stops the seepage of water containment and guide any water containment out of the suitcase.

Another purpose yet of the present invention is to provide an improved flight suitcase structure adapted with a flip-over front panel. To achieve the purpose, at where between the front panel and both outer side panels, it is made allowing flip over to forthwith open up the front panel for inspection at the customs.

Another purpose yet of the present invention is to provide an improved flight suitcase structure that is lighter and has the inner sides of the suitcase protected. To achieve the purpose, thicker vibration absorbing cotton is adapted to both outer side panels for protection of the suitcase, or having both outer side panels made of aluminum for weight reduction.

Another purpose yet of the present invention is to provide an improved flight suitcase structure that is sealed and attractive in appearance. To achieve the purpose, the overlapped covering panels are made in the same size and shape for better sealing effects of the suitcase and for it to look better.

Another purpose yet of the present invention is to provide an improved flight suitcase structure allowing easy opening and closing of the covering panel adapted to the opening of the suitcase. To achieve the purpose, a larger gap on the covering panel to permit insertion of a handle is designed so that upon closing or opening the covering plate, the handle will not present as an obstacle.

The foregoing object and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0014]
FIG. 1A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1. [0015]
FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing that a suitcase is laterally attached to a pull rod frame of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0016]
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing that the suitcase is vertically attached to the pull rod frame of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0017]
FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views of a catch on the pull rod frame of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0018]
FIG. 4C is another perspective view of a portion of FIG. 4A. [0019]
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the preferred embodiment of the present invention as assembled with the suitcase laterally attached to the pull rod frame. [0020]
FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the preferred embodiment of the present invention as assembled with the suitcase vertically attached to the pull rod frame. [0021]
FIG. 7A is a schematic view of a structure of the suitcase of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7B is a sectional view of a portion of FIG. 7A. FIG. 7C is a sectional view of another portion of FIG. 7A. FIG. 8A is a schematic view showing a front panel of the suitcase of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is opened up. FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 8A. FIG. 8C is an enlarged view of another portion of FIG. 8A. [0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following descriptions are of exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. [0023]
Referring to FIGS. 1, 1A, [0024] 2 and 3, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a suitcase 10. Wherein, multiple fixed rods 11 detachable to a pull rod frame 20 are provided on the back of the suitcase 10. Those fixed rods 11 can be respectively arranged in pairs laterally and vertically disposed and corresponding to each other in each pair while a retractable pull rod 21 is provided on the pull rod frame 20. A catch 22, as illustrated in FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C, is provided over the pull rod frame 20 close to where the pull rod 21 is pulled out, and is fixed with a catch holder 23 provided at where below the pull rod frame 20 to the fixed rod 11. Whereas the means for attaching the pull rod frame 20 to the fixed rod 11 is a prior art, it will not be described herein. In the present invention, the location of the catch 22, originally provided at where below the pull rod frame 20, is changed to close to where the pull rod 21 is pulled out.
Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, if the [0025] pull rod frame 20 is attached to the pair of fixed rods 11 laterally corresponding to each other on the back of the suitcase 10, the suitcase 10 is vertically attached to the pull rod frame 20; and alternatively if the pull rod frame 20 is attached to another pair of fixed rods 11 vertically corresponding to each other on the back of the suitcase 10, the suitcase 10 is laterally attached to the pull rod frame 20 as preferred by the user. Whereas the catch 22 is provided close to where the pull rod 20 is pulled out, the user after having attached the catch 22 to the fixed rod 11 at where the pull rod 21 is pulled out, is able to pull out the pull rod 21 without interruption, or after retracing the pull rod 21, to operate the catch 22 to detach the pull rod frame 20 from the suitcase 10.
As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 7A, [0026] 7B and 7C, the suitcase 10 is generally comprised of a front panel 12, a back panel 13, and two outer side panels 14. A lower covering panel 16 and an upper covering panel 15 are respectively extending from the front panel 12 and the back panel 13 to cover up the opening of the suitcase 10. A porch 121 adapted with a lock 122 is provided on the front panel 12 of the suitcase 10. A thicker vibration absorbing cotton 141 is provided in each of both outer side panels 14 to protect the suitcase 10, or both outer side panels 14 may be made of aluminum to reduce the weight of the suitcase 10. The overlapped upper covering panel 15 and the lower covering panel 16 provided at the opening of the suitcase 10 are made of same size and shape to give better sealing effects and more attractive appearance of the suitcase 10. A handle 161 is provided on the surface of the lower covering panel 16 and a gap 151 in size larger than that of the handle 161 is provided on the surface of the upper covering panel so that the handle 161 will not become an obstacle in opening or closing the upper covering panel 15. A pair of locks 152 with comer rounded to prevent cutting the user is provided at the front edge of the upper covering panel I5. A resilient stick 101 (e.g. rubber) 101 is protruded from the peripheral of the opening of the suitcase 10 and a resilient channel 162 corresponding to the resilient stick 101 is provided on the inner side of the lower covering panel 16 so that when the lower covering panel 16 closes up the opening of the suitcase 10, both of the resilient stick 101 and the resilient channel 162 are tightly engaged to each other to provide waterproof effects. Once the lower covering panel 16 is opened up, the resilient stick 101 prevents seepage of water containment into the suitcase 10 while the resilient channel 162 stops seepage of water containment from the outer surface of the lower covering panel 16 while guiding the water containment to leave the suitcase 10. A mesh porch 164 adapted with a zipper 163 is provided on the inner side of the lower covering panel 16.
Now referring to FIGS. 8A, 8B and [0027] 8C, the front panel 12 of the suitcase 10 is flapped so that the front panel 12 can be forthwith opened up to facilitate inspection by the customs at the airport. Wherein, a channel 162 extending from the lower covering panel 16 is provided at where the front panel 12 is attached to the outer side panel 14, and a stick 101 extending from the opening of the suitcase 1—is provided at where the outer side panel 14 is attached to the front panel 12 of the suitcase 10. Consequently, the front panel 12, the stick 101 from the outer side panel 14 and the channel 162 can be easily joined to one another to give waterproof effects, and can be easily separated from one another. To improve the support strength of the front panel 12, multiple snap locks 123 may be provided at where the front panel 12 joins the lower covering panel 16 and multiple snap rings 142 may be provided at where the front panel 12 joins the outer side panel 14; so that when the front panel 12, the outer side panel 14 are joined, those snap locks 123 can be directly locked into those snap rings 142 to prevent the front panel 12 from being separated due to improper external force. To open up the front panel 12, simply depress those snap locks 123 to disengage them from those snap rings 142.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. [0028]
While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. [0029]

Claims

I claim:

1. An improved structure of a flight suitcase is comprised of a suitcase wherein, the suitcase including a front panel, a back panel, two outer side panels, a pull rod frame, and an upper covering panel and a lower covering panel overlapped to each other; a handle being provided to the lower covering panel, a gap and a lock being disposed on the upper covering panel; a retractable pull rod being provided on the pull rod frame; and a catch adapted with a catch holder being provided on the pull rod; characterized by that: Multiple fixed rods in pairs being provided on the back of the suitcase; the suitcase being attached to the pull rod frame vertically or laterally as applicable to facilitate assembly and remove of the pull rod frame over the suitcase followed with pulling out or retracting in the pull rod without interruption; waterproof and water guide being provided to where the suitcase opening; a resilient stick being provided on the edge of the opening of the suitcase and a corresponding resilient channel being provided on the inner surface of the lower covering panel to the opening of the suitcase; both of the stick and the channel being tightly engaged to each other when the lower covering panel closing on the opening of the suitcase; the stick preventing water seepage into the suitcase when the lower covering panel being opening up while the channel stops seepage of water containment and guide the water containment to be drained out of the suitcase.

2. An improved structure of a flight suitcase as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the front panel is flapped; a channel extending from the lower covering panel at where the front panel joins the outer side panel of the suitcase; a stick extending from the opening of the suitcase being provided at where the outer side panel joins the front panel of the suitcase; multiple snap locks being provided at where the front panel joins the lower covering panel; multiple snap rings being provided on the edge of the outer side panel at where it joins the front panel; and those snap locks being directly locked into those snap rings when the front panel joins the outer side panel.

3. An improved structure of a flight suitcase as claimed in claim 1, wherein, an additional thicker vibration absorbing cotton is provided to both of the outer side panels; or both of outer side panels are made of aluminum.

4. An improved structure of a flight suitcase as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the upper and the lower covering panels overlapped to each other provided to the opening of the suitcase are of same size and shape.

5. An improved structure of a flight suitcase as claimed in claim 1, wherein, a gap in size larger than that of a handle is provided on the surface of the upper covering panel.

6. An improved structure of a flight suitcase as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the lock provided on the upper covering panel is rounded at its angles.

7. An improved structure of a flight suitcase as claimed in claim 1, wherein, a mesh porch adapted with a zipper is provided on the inner side of the lower covering panel.