US20180220763A1

US20180220763A1 - Luggage piece with stopper device

Info

Publication number: US20180220763A1
Application number: US15/749,276
Authority: US
Inventors: Dieter Morszeck
Original assignee: Rimowa Gmbh
Current assignee: Rimowa GmbH
Priority date: 2015-07-31
Filing date: 2016-07-29
Publication date: 2018-08-09
Also published as: EP3328232A1; WO2017021312A1; TW201711594A; CN108024608A

Abstract

The invention relates to a piece of luggage 1 comprising a luggage body 3 which has a first and a second luggage part 4, 6. The first and the second luggage parts 4, 6 can be connected together via at least one zipper 2. The zipper 2 has at least two rows of tooth elements 28 which are secured to zipper strips 26 and which engage into one another in the closed state and form a zipper chain At least one stopper device 10 is provided which forms a stop for at least one carriage of the at least one zipper. The at least one stopper device 10 has at least one stopper element 11 and at least one fastening device 14 with which the stopper element 11 can be fixed at any location on the zipper chain 30 of the zipper 2.

Description

The invention relates to a luggage piece according to the generic term of claim 1 and a method of manufacturing a luggage piece according to the generic term of claim 15.
State-of-the-art luggage pieces are known having a baggage body with a first and a second luggage part, the first and second luggage parts being connected to each other via at least one zipper. The zipper can have at least two rows of tooth elements attached to zipper tapes, which interlock when closed and faint a zipper chain. A stopper device is preferably provided, which forms a stop for at least one carriage of the at least one zipper. Stopper elements are often sewn on elements, such as leather elements, which are placed over a part of the zipper and sewn to the case.
However, there is an increasing need to create a piece of luggage, having an easier stopper device and making it easier to manufacture the stopper and the piece of luggage. The invention is therefore based on the object of creating a piece of luggage whose manufacturing is simplified.
The characteristics parts of claim 1 and claim 15 serve to solve this task.
The invention provides in an advantageous way that the stopper device has at least one stopper element and at least one fastening device with which the stopper element can be fixed at any point on the zipper chain of the zipper.
The invention has the advantage that the stopper element can be fixed anywhere on the zipper chain. This means that the stopper device does not necessarily have to be arranged at the ends of the zipper. In addition, the stopper device or the stopper element can only be arranged in the area of the zipper chain. The stopper device does not need to be connected to the luggage parts of the luggage body. This eliminates the need for additional steps in the production process.
According to the present invention, a first and a second stopper device may be provided, each of which forms a stop for at least one carriage of the at least one zipper. The stopper devices can each have at least one stopper element and a fastening device, by means of which the respective stopper element can be fixed at any point on the zipper chain of the zipper.
This has the advantage that with the help of two stopper devices, especially on the long side of a case, an area of the zipper between the stopper devices is created which cannot be opened. This area then functions as a hinge element. The width of the hinge element can be adjusted flexibly because two stopper devices are provided.
The stopper element can be a rigid stopper element. The fastening device can be a detachable fastening device. This has the advantage that during production the stopper device can be released again even after initial fastening and can be fastened at any other point.
At least a first and a second end of the at least one zipper may be adjacent, the stopper element being fixable on the zipper chain such that the first and second ends of the zipper are covered so that the first and second ends of the zipper are located under the stopper element. The stopper device is so flexible that it can be arranged both in the area where the first and second zipper ends are adjacent to each other and in an area of the zipper chain that is continuous and therefore has no zipper ends.
The stopper device may have at least one counter element arranged on the side of the at least one zipper opposite the stopper element, the stopper element being connected to the counter element via the at least one fastening device.
The stopper device may have at least one row of juxtaposed projections which prevent the stopper device from slipping relative to the zipper, the projections preferably engaging the zipper, in particular the zipper tapes, when the stopper device is attached. This has the advantage that the stopper device cannot slip in relation to the zipper.
At least one row of juxtaposed projections may be arranged on the stopper element and/or the counter element. If both the stopper element and the counter element have protrusions, the protrusions may be arranged so that they interlock when the stopper is attached.
The at least one fastening device can be inserted through the zipper, preferably through at least one zipper tape of the zipper.
This has the advantage that the fastening device does not damage the zipper chain during fastening.
The stopper element can have a length of at least 1 cm and at most 15 cm, whereby the stopper element can preferably have a length between 2 cm and 7 cm.
The fastening device can also be located between the first and second zipper ends.
The fastening device can press the stopper element against the zipper chain of the zipper.
The fastening device can have at least one pin element and at least one plate-shaped element, the at least one pin element being insertable through the zipper from a first side of the zipper when the stopper element is connected to the counter element and at least part of the plate-shaped element bending on the second side of the zipper opposite the first side.
The at least one pin element, which can be inserted through the zipper from a first side of the zipper, can bend at least part of the plate-shaped element on the second side of the zipper opposite the first side in such a way that an edge of the plate-shaped element presses into the pin element and the stopper element and the counter element are connected to one another.
The at least one pin element can have a projection, wherein when the stopper element is connected to the counter element, the projection of the at least one pin element, which can be inserted through the zipper from a first side of the zipper, bends at least part of the plate-shaped element on the second side of the zipper facing the first side, engages behind the plate-shaped element and the stopper element and the counter element are connected to one another.
The projection can preferably be arranged at the side of at least one pin element. Behind the plate-shaped element, according to the present invention, the projection touches the side facing away from the stopper element and hooks into it. The projection thus takes on the function of a barbed hook.
The at least one pin element can be plugged into at least one of the zipper tapes.
The pin element can have a diameter of 0.5 to 3 mm, so that the zipper tape cannot be damaged by inserting the at least one pin element.
The fastening element can alternatively be connected to the counterpart via a click connection or a screw connection.
The stopper element can be made of metal or plastic.
According to the present invention, a method may also be provided for manufacturing a piece of luggage having a luggage body, the body of the luggage having at least a first and a second luggage part connected to each other by at least one zipper, using a stopper device forming a stop for at least one carriage of the at least one zipper. It is advantageously provided that a stopper element of the stopper device is fixed to any part of a zipper chain of the zipper by means of a fastening device.
It may also be provided that two stopper devices are provided, one stopper element of each stopper device being fixed with 2016/068186 to any position of a zipper chain of the zipper.
The stopper element can be a rigid stopper element.
The stopper element can be connected by means of the fastening device to a counter element of the stopper device, which is arranged on the side of the zipper opposite the stopper element. At least one pin element and one plate-shaped element of the fastening device can be used, wherein when the stopper element is connected to the counter element, the at least one pin element is inserted through the zip fastener and at least part of the plate-shaped element bends on the side opposite the stopper element.
The at least one pin element can bend the at least part of the plate-shaped element so that at least one edge of the plate-shaped element is pressed into the pin element and the stopper element and the counter element are connected together.

The at least one pin element can have a projection and the projection of the at least one pin element can engage behind the plate-shaped element when connecting the stopper element to the counter element, so that the stopper element and the counter element are connected to each other. In the following, embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the drawing.

It shows schematically:

FIG. 1 shows a piece of luggage according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a view of the stopper device,

FIG. 3 shows the stopper device in exploded view,

FIG. 4 shows the stopper device from FIG. 3 in the rear view,

FIG. 5 shows the stopper device according to FIGS. 3 and 4 in assembled condition,

FIG. 6 shows an alternative design example with cover strip,

FIG. 7 shows the stopper device according to FIG. 6 in assembled condition,

FIG. 8 shows the counter element with a plate-shaped element,

FIG. 9 shows how the fastening device can be released,

FIG. 10 shows a stopper device which is connected with a zipper,

FIG. 11 shows an alternative stopper device.

FIG. 1 shows a piece of luggage according to this invention. The piece of luggage has a first and a second luggage part 4, 6. The first and the second luggage part 4, 6 are connected by at least one zipper 2. Zipper 2 has at least two zipper straps 26 and two rows of tooth elements 28 attached to the zipper straps 26, which interlock when closed and form a zipper chain 30.
Furthermore, the zipper 2 has a slider element 43 with which the zipper can be opened and closed. The luggage body 3 can be rolled over the floor on rollers 8.
According to the present invention, at least one stopper device 10 is also provided, which forms a stop for the at least one carriage of the at least one zipper 2. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment in which two stopper devices 10 are provided. Both stopper devices 10 each form a stop for the at least one carriage of the at least one zipper 2, and both stopper devices 10 are attached to any position on the zipper 2. By means of the two stopper devices 10 an area 42 of the zipper 2 is created, which cannot be opened or closed. The slider element cannot be led further than to the stopper devices 10, which form the stops. In this way, area 42 of zipper 2 is a hinge element of the piece of luggage 1. The stopper devices 10 can be placed as far apart as desired so that the width of the hinge element can be flexibly adjusted. The piece of luggage 1 is preferably a suitcase.
FIG. 2 shows a section of the piece of luggage 1 from FIG. 1. The cut-out shows the zipper 2 and the stopper device 10 The stopper device 10 has at least one stopper element 11 and at least one fastening device 14 with which the stopper element 11 can be fixed at any position on the zipper chain 30 of the zipper 2. FIG. 2 shows how the stopper element 11 is fixed on the zipper chain 30. The stopper element 11 can be arranged in such a way that the first and second zipper ends 32, 34 of the zipper are covered when attached.
However, the stopper device 10 can also be fixed at any other position of the zipper chain 30 of the zipper 2.
In the FIGS. 3 to 5, the stopper device is shown in more detail. The stopper device 10 shown in FIG. 3 has a stopper element 11 and a counter element 12. The counter element 12 can be placed on the side of the at least one zipper 2 opposite the stopper element 11. The counter element 12 is not shown in FIG. 2, as it is arranged on the side of the zipper 2 opposite the stopper element 11.
As can be seen in FIG. 3, the counter element 12 can have projections 22, which are preferably arranged next to each other in a row. The protrusions 22 can engage in the zipper when attached, in particular in the zipper straps 26 and thus prevent the stopper device 10 from slipping in relation to the zipper 2.
The stopper element 11 can be fixed at any point of the zipper chain 30 of the zipper 2 with the aid of a fastening device 14. The fastening device 14 has pin elements 16 and a plate-shaped element 19 in the shown embodiment. When attaching the stopper element 11 to the zipper 2, the pin elements 16 are preferably inserted through the zipper straps 26. The pin elements 16 preferably have such a small diameter that the zipper straps are not damaged. This means that after removing the pin elements from the zipper tape 26 there is no damage to the zipper tape 16. The pin elements 16 guided through the zipper bands 26 bend at least part of the plate-shaped element 19 on the side opposite the stopper element 11, whereby edges 38 of the plate-shaped element 19 are pressed into the pin elements and thus the stopper element 11 and the counter element 12 are connected to each other. The panel-shaped element 19 is connected to the counter element 12.
FIG. 4 shows that the counter element 12 has a recess 17 on the side facing away from the stopper element 11, in which the plate-shaped element 19 can be arranged. Indentations 18 are provided in the corners of recess 17, into which the pin elements 16 inserted through the zipper straps 26 can be inserted. Because the plate-shaped element 19 is connected to the counter element 12 in the recess 17, the plate-shaped element 19 is bent at least in the area in which the pin-shaped elements 16 are inserted. The plate-shaped element 19 is preferably made of metal and due to bending the plate-shaped element is tensioned. This means that the bent part of the plate-shaped element 19 pushes back into its original position. The plate-shaped element 19 has a certain elasticity, which means that the plate-shaped element returns to its original shape after the action of a force. This presses the edges 38 of the panel-shaped element 19 into the pin elements 16.
This connects the stopper element 19 and the counter element 12.
It can also be seen from FIG. 4 that the stopper element 11 can also have protrusions 24. These protrusions 24 are preferably also arranged in a row next to each other. The projections 22 of the counter element and the projections 24 of the stopper element 13 can be arranged in such a way that they interlock when fastened. The projections 24 of the stopper element 11 can also engage in the zipper 2, preferably in the zipper straps 26 when fastened.
The panel-shaped element 19 can be connected to the counter element 12 by a welded joint, a screw joint or any other connection. An additional pin element may also be located on the counter element 12, which can be passed through a hole in the plate-shaped element, which can be shaped so that part of the plate-shaped element is also bent and this part engages in this additional pin element. Thus the connection between counter element 12 and plate-shaped element 19 could be similar to that between the stopper element 11 and the counter element 12.
In FIG. 5 the stopper device 10 is shown in the attached state, whereby in the figure shown the stopper device 10 is shown without zipper 2 arranged in between.
The FIGS. 6 and 7 show an embodiment in which a cover strip 44 is arranged between the stopper element 11 and the counter element 12. These cover strips can be placed on the side of the zipper 2, on which the stopper element 11 is also placed. The cover strips 44 can be used to cover the connection points of the zipper and also the piping with which the zipper 2 is fastened, for example, to the luggage parts 2, 4.
FIG. 8 shows how the plate-shaped element 19 is connected to the counter element 12. FIG. 9 shows how the fastening device 14 can be released again. For this purpose, a recess for a standard screwdriver is provided in the counter element 12. The plate shaped element 19 can be lifted with the screwdriver. By lifting, the edges 38, which have pressed into the pin elements 16, are released. The stopper element 11 can then easily be pulled out on the opposite side. In this way, the stopper device 10 can be attached to any position of baggage item 1. If the stopper device 11 has been fixed in the wrong place during manufacture, this can be easily corrected by loosening the stopper element 11 again using the fixing device 14.
FIG. 10 shows a section of a piece of luggage 1. A first and a second luggage part 4, 6 are shown, which are connected by means of a zipper 2. The stopper element 11 is connected to the zipper 2 at any point of the zipper chain 30. In the embodiment shown, cover strips 44 are provided to cover the joints of the zipper 2 and the piping elements 46. The cover strips 44 can be sewn with the piping element 46 to the luggage part 4 or 6.
FIG. 11 shows a stopper element 11′ which, due to the shape of the pin elements 16′, differs from the one in the FIGS. 1 to 10 shown stopper element 11. As FIG. 11 shows, each of the pin elements 16′ shown has a projection of 50. When connecting the stopper element 11′ to the counter element 12, the projection of the at least one pin element 16′ engages behind the plate-shaped element 19 and the stopper element 11 and the counter element 12 are thus connected together.
According to the present invention, behind the plate-shaped element 19 means that the projection touches the side facing away from the stopper element and hooks into it. The projection thus takes on the function of a barbed hook. The respective projection is preferably arranged laterally on the respective pin element 16. Furthermore, the projections are preferably arranged on the side of the respective pin element 16′, which in the connected state points in the direction of the plate-shaped element 19.
The remaining elements, such as the plate-shaped element 19, the counter element 12, the zipper 2 and so forth, are the same as in the FIGS. 1 to 10 described. Just like explained with respect to FIGS. 1 to 10, the pin elements 16′ can be inserted from a first side of the zipper 2 through the zipper 2 and on the second side of the zipper 2 opposite the first side, the pin elements can bend at least a part of the plate-shaped element 19. The pin elements 16′ are at least partially guided past the plate-shaped element 19, so that the respective projection can reach behind the plate-shaped element 19. This connects the stopper element 19 and the counter element 12. In addition, the edges 38 of the plate-shaped element 19 can also be pressed into the pin elements 16.
However, this is not absolutely necessary for this embodiment.

Claims

1. A piece of luggage (1), comprising

a luggage body (3) comprising a first and a second luggage part (4, 6), the first and the second luggage parts (4, 6) being connectable to one another via at least one zipper (2),

the zipper (2) having at least two rows of tooth elements (28) fastened to zipper tapes (26), which interlock when closed and form a zipper chain,

wherein at least one stopper device (10) is provided which forms a stop for at least one carriage of the at least one zipper, characterized in that the at least one stopper device (10) has at least one stopper element (11) and at least one fastening device (14), with which the stopper element (11) is secured at any point on the zipper chain (30).

2. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that two stopper devices (10) are provided which each form a stop for at least one carriage of the at least one zipper (2).

3. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening device (14) is a detachable fastening device (14).

4. Piece of luggage item (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a first and a second zipper end (32, 34) of the at least one zipper (2) adjoin one another, wherein the stopper element (11) is fixable on the zipper chain (30) such that the first and second zipper ends (32, 34) are covered so that the first and second zipper ends (32, 34) are located under the stopper element (11).

5. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stopper device (10) has at least one counter element (12) which is arranged on the side of the at least one zipper (2) opposite the stopper element (11) and wherein the stopper element (11) is connected to the counter element (12) via the at least one fastening device (14).

6. Piece of luggage item (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the stopper device (10) has at least one row of juxtaposed projections (22, 24), which prevent the stopper device (10) from slipping relative to the zipper (2), the projections (22, 24) preferably engaging in the zipper (2), in particular in the zipper straps (36), when the stopper device (10) is fastened.

7. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one row of projections (22, 24) arranged side by side are arranged on the stopper element (11) and/or the counter element (12).

8. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one fastening device (14) is inserted through the zipper (2), preferably through at least one zipper tape (26) of the zipper (2).

9. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening device (14) comprises at least one pin element (16) and at least one plate-shaped element (19), wherein when connecting the stopper element (11) to the counter element (12), the at least one pin element (16) can be inserted through the zipper (2) from a first side of the zipper (2) and on the second side of the zipper (2) opposite the first side at least part of the plate-shaped element (19) bends.

10. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one pin element (16) which can be inserted through the zipper (2) from a first side of the zipper (2) is on the second side, at least a part of the plate-shaped element (19) bends on the side of the zipper (2) opposite the first side such that an edge (38) of the plate-shaped element (19) presses into the pin element (16) and the stopper element (11) and the counter element (12) are connected to each other.

11. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one pin element has a projection, the projection of the at least one pin element (16) when the stopper element (11) is connected to the counter element (12), which can be inserted through the zipper (2) from a first side of the zipper (2) and on the second side of the zipper (2) opposite the first side at least part of the plate-shaped element (19) bends, engages behind the plate-shaped element (19) and the stopper element (11) and the counter element (12) are connected to one another.

12. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the at least one pin element (11) can be inserted through at least one of the zipper straps (26) of the zipper (2).

13. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the pin element (16) has a diameter of 0.5-3 mm so that the zipper tape (26) cannot be damaged by the insertion of the at least one pin element (16).

14. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening device (14) is connected to the counter element (12) via a click connection or a screw connection.

15. Method for manufacturing a piece of luggage (1) with a luggage body (3) which has at least a first and a second luggage part (4, 6) which are connected via at least one zipper (2), a stopper device (10) being used, which foul's a stop for at least one carriage of the at least one zipper (2), in that a stopper element (11) of the stopper device (10) is fixed with a fastening device (14) on any position of a zipper chain (30) of the zipper (2).

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the stopper element (11) is connected by means of the fastening device (14) to a counter element (12) of the stopper device (10) arranged on the side of the zipper (2) opposite the stopper element (11).

17. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that at least one pin element (16) and a plate-shaped element (19) of the fastening device (14) are used, wherein when the stopper element (11) is connected to the counter element (12), the at least one pin element (16) is inserted through the zipper (2) and on the side opposite the stopper element (11) at least part of the plate-shaped element (19) bends.

18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the at least one pin element (16) bends the at least part of the plate-shaped element (19) such that at least one edge (34) of the plate-shaped element (19) is pressed into the pin element (16) and the stopper element (11) and the counter element (12) are connected together.

19. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the at least one pin element (16) has a projection and the projection of the at least one pin element (16) engages behind the plate-shaped element (19) when connecting the stopper element (11) to the counter element (12), so that the stopper element (11) and the counter element (12) are connected to one another.