US2891639A - Combined luggage and furniture - Google Patents

Description

June 23, 1959 R. P. BETTS COMBINED LUGGAGE AND FURNITURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov: 26, 1957 INVENT OR.

A TTORNEY June 23, 1959 R -rs 2,891,639

COMBINED LUGGAGE AND FURNITURE I Filed NOV. 26, 1.957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A? INVENTOR.

Y RALPH I. 557719 ATTORNEY June 23, 1959 R. P. BETTS 2,891,639

COMBINED LUGGAGE AND FURNITURE I 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 25, 1957 -%H.ll W

I I l| I 79' 29 INVENTOR.

RALPH P. BETTS ATTORNEY J ne 23, 1959 R P, BETTS 2,891,639

COMBINED LUGGAGE AND FURNI TURE I ATTORNEY:

United States Patent COMBINED LUGGAGE AND FURNITURE Ralph P. Betts, Key West, Fla., assignor to Matralin Co., Inc., Miami, Fla., a corporation of Delaware Application November 26, 1957, Serial No. 699,026

8 Claims. (Cl. 190 -21) The present invention relates to combined luggage and furniture.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a set of suitcases to be used in the usual manner when traveling, and embodying means whereby the several suitcases may be stacked in assembled relation when a destination is reached to form an article of furniture in the nature of a chest of drawers.

A further important object of the invention is to provide a combined luggage and furniture forming device which is highly attractive in appearance, lightweight, rugged and durable, substantially weather-tight and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

A further object is to provide a device of the abovementioned character having built-in means or units which serve the dual purpose of securing the individual suitcases in assembled relation and locking the suitcase drawers in their closed positions, when desired.

An additional object is to provide means associated with the locking means and operable for quickly and automatically releasing the individual suitcases from their assembled or stacked relation when desired.

Still another obpect is to provide individual suitcases to be used in the above-described manner which are entirely free of external projections and separable parts, all of the locking and release means being bodily carried within the suitcases and permanently secured thereto so that they cannot be lost, and arranged so that they will not interfere in any way with the normal use of the suitcases as luggage.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a suitcase in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a further perspective view showing a plurality of the suitcases assembled to form a chest of drawers or the like.

Figure 3 is a further perspective view on an enlarged scale of one suitcase with its sliding drawer partially opened.

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of a suitcase drawer, removed, parts broken away, taken on line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view in section taken on line 77 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, similar to Figure 7 and showing the latch mechanism for a plunger and associated elements.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary vertical section through one plunger and associated elements with the plunger latch means positioned as in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a further sectional view similar to Figure 9 and showing the drawer lock bar in the active but lowered position.

Figure 11 is a further sectional view similar to Figures 9 and 10 but with the drawer lock bar in the inactive position.

Figure 12 is a horizontal section taken on line 12-12 of Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a similar section taken on line 13-13 of Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a fragmentary vertical section through a latch element release button and associated parts.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the release button.

Figure 16 is a fragmentary perspective view on a reduced scale showing a mirror attachment.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, reference is made first to Figures 1 to 7 which illustrate one individual suitcase 10 in its entirety. Each suitcase 10 comprises a pair of identical generally rectangular side panels 11 and 12, preferably formed of aluminum, or the like, although other suitable lightweight and sufliciently strong materials may be employed, if preferred. The outer face of each side panel is smooth and unobstructed over its entire area, whereas the inner face of each panel 11 and 12 may be provided, if preferred, with a plurality of spaced stiffening ribs 13, as indicated.

Each side panel 11 and 12 is provided around three sides of the same and upon its inner face with a continuous upstanding tongue 14, Figure 7, integral therewith, and arranged near and inwardly of and parallel to the three sides or margins of the panel. Formed upon each panel 11' and 12, just outwardly of the tongue 14, is a marginal flange 15 integral therewith and disposed at right angles to the tongue 14, and being in the plane of the body portion of the panel, although preferably somewhat thicker than the body portion, as shown.

The forward edge of each panel 11 and 12 is rounded at its opposite ends, as indicated at 16, and the entire forward edge including the rounded portions 16 is provided with a continuous narrow longitudinal groove 17, for a purpose to be described. The forward edge portion 18 of each panel 11 and 12 having the groove 17 is thicker than the body portion of the panel, and preferably equal in thickness to the thickness of the body portion plus the height or thickness of the ribs 13. The tops of the ribs 13 are therefore preferably flush with the inner face of the edge portion 16. As shown in Figure 5, the rounded portions 16 are cut back so as to be tangent to the inner sides of the upstanding tongues 14 at the opposite ends of the panel. The forward ends of the tongues 14 are also notched at 19 adjacent to the rounded portions 16, for a purpose to be described. At these points, the marginal flanges 15 project slightly forwardly of the notches 19, as shown at 20.. Corner bosses 21 are formed upon the inner face of each panel 11 and 12, as shown, and preferably being of the same thickness as the edge portion 18 and flush therewith, and the bosses 21 adjacent panel 12 have openings 22 formed therethrough and entirely through the panel at the forward rounded corners thereof for a purpose to be described.

At the rear corners of each panel 11 and 12 there is provided upon the inner face of the same a raised diagonal rib 23, and within the triangular area defined by each rib 23 with the adjacent edges of the panel, a circular opening 24 is formed through the panel for a purpose to be described.

Each suitcase 10 further embodies a pair of end panels 25 and 26 of rectangular shape, and having smooth and unobstructed outer faces, and provided upon their inner faces, if desired, with raised stiffening ribs 27. Near and inwardly of the marginal edge of each panel 25 and 26, the same is provided upon its inner face with a continuous tongue 28 extending about all four sides of the panel, as shown. Each panel carries a continuous relatively narrow marginal flange 29, outwardly of the tongue 28 and flush with the outer face of the end panel 25 or 26. Near the rear lower corner of each panel 25 and 26, there is provided upon the inner face thereof a raised boss 30 having an opening 31 formed therethrough and entirely through the end panel.

Each suitcase it) further comprises a rear panel or side 32 which becomes the bottom of the suitcase when the same is in the upstanding position shown in Figure l. The panel 32 is elongated and rectangular in shape, and entirely smooth or unobstructed upon its outer face. The panel 32 may be provided upon its inner face with spaced transverse stifiening ribs 33 similar to the ribs 27 and 13, and panel 32 also has upon its inner face and near and inwardly of its margin a continuous raised tongue 34, extending entirely about the four sides of the panel 32. The panel 32 carries a continuous marginal flange 35, outwardly of the tongue 34, and similar to the flange 29 of each end panel 25 and 26.

In assembly, Figure 3, the side panels ill and 12, end panels 25 and 26 and the rear panel 32 constitute the boxlike body portion of the suitcase 10, the forward side of which is entirely open for the reception of the suitcase drawer, to be described.

In assembly, Figure 8, the marginal flanges 29 and 35 of the end and rear panels engage outwardly of the tongues 14 of the side panels 11 and 12, and the several panels are rigidly secured together by screws 36, rivets or the like, engageable through spaced openings 37 formed in the flanges 25 and 35 and in the tongue 14, and adapted to register in assembly as shown.

With reference to Figure 7, it will be observed that the assembled body portion of the suitcase It) made up of the several panels has a pair of continuous grooves 38 formed about both ends and the rear side of the same by the spaced relation of the flanges 15, 29 and 35. These grooves are substantially continuations of the grooves 17 in the frontal edge portions 18 of the side panels 11 and 12. The grooves 38 are adapted to receive in clamping relation a suitable ornamental or finishing bead 39, formed of plastic material, hard rubber, leather or some similar abrasion resisting material, or metal. The beads 39 extend about three sides of the suitcase body portion near the side panels 11 and 12, as shown. The beads serve the dual purpose of covering and concealing the several screws 36 and also forming bumper means upon the suitcase to protect it.

With continued reference to Figure 3, each suitcase 18 comprises a sliding drawer 46, including a bottom 41 and sides 42. The drawer also embodies rear and forward sides or walls 43 and 44, rigid with the sides 42 and bottom 41 in assembly. The forward side 44 of the drawer has its ends curved at 45 to conform to the curvature of the side panels 11 and 12 at 16. The drawer 46 may be formed of aluminum or other suitable materials, and all panels of the suitcase body portion, previously described, may be formed of aluminum, or any other material possessing the desired strength and weight characteristics. Adjacent the top and bottom edges of the forward side 44- of the drawer, such side carries thickened portions or flanges 46, extending continuously for the length of the side 44 and about its curved end portions 45. The thickened portions 46 have forwardly opening continuous grooves 47 formed therein for the reception of scuff-proof ornamental beads 43, similar to the beads 39, previously described, and forming in effect continuations of the beads 39 when the suitcase lid is closed as in Figure 1. As shown in the drawings, the ends of the thickened portions 46 are notched at 49 for interfitting weather-tight engagement with the projections 20 and notches 19 of the side panels llll and 12., The drawer 40 may be substantially unitary in construction or may be fabricated in any desired manner. The rib 47 on the inside of drawer portion 46 fits within the groove 17 of each side panel 11 and 12 at the top and bottom of the drawer, Figure 4.

As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the drawer 40 has its rear corners diagonally formed so that when the drawer is closed a triangular space is afforded between each rear corner of the drawer and the corresponding square corners of the suitcase body portion. This space is utilized for the mounting of the lock and release mechanism, to be described. Each rear corner of the drawer 4i) embodies a diagonal wall 50, extending for the full height of the drawer 40, and integrally joined with the sides 42 and the rear side 43. The diagonal walls 56 include central portions 51 and narrow vertical portions 52, as shown. The central portion 51 of the diagonal wall is located above the vertical center of the drawer. Upon the inner side of the diagonal walls 50, arcuate guards 53 extend upwardly for almost the full height of the drawer and project inwardly of the walls 56, for the purpose of preventing clothing and the like in each drawer from coming into contact with the lock and release means to be described. The guards 53 may be integrally formed with the diagonal walls 56. The space between each guard 53 and the central portion 51 of the diagonal wall is adapted to receive a lock element presently to be described.

The lock and release means for each individual suitcase and the means for securing the several suitcases together in stacked relation comprises a pair of units 54, one such unit being illustrated in Figure 8. Each unit 54 comprises an elongated sleeve or housing 55, open at its ends, and having a long U-shaped slot formed therethrough, including circumferentially spaced vertical portions 56 and a lower circumferential portion 57, communicating with the vertical portions 56. The slot portions 56 have their upper ends 58 terminating near and somewhat below the longitudinal center of the sleeve 55. Upper and lower triangular mounting plates 59 and 60 are rigidly secured in any suitable means to the opposite ends of the sleeve 55, and positioned to engage within the triangular areas afforded by the ribs 23 at the rear corners of the side panels 11 and 12. In assembly, the two sleeves 55 extend vertically between the panels 11 and 12, at right angles thereto, and the bores of the sleeves 55 will register with the circular openings 24 of the panels Ill and 12. The mounting plates 59 and 60 are rigidly anchored to the panels l1 and 12 by screws 61, or the like.

Slidably mounted within each sleeve 55 for reciprocation is a cylindrical plunger bar 62, the opposite ends of which extend somewhat beyond the ends of the sleeve 55 and project slidably through openings 63 and 6 5 in the respective mounting plates 59 and 60. The plunger bar 62 is also adapted to engage within the openings 24 of the side panels 11 and 12, as will become apparent. The plunger bar 62 is provided somewhat below its longitudinal center with a side notch 65 having angularly arranged faces 66 and 67, as shown. Rigidly secured to the plunger bar 62 slightly above the notch 65 is an L-shaped lock arm including a vertical portion 68, parallel with the sleeve 55 and spaced therefrom, and a horizontal portion 69, engaging through one section 56 of the U-shaped slot in the sleeve 55 and being engageable within either slot section 56, as will become apparent. The lock arm 69 engages the upper end 58 of either slot section 56 to limit the upward travel of the plunger bar 62 and the plunger bar is normally biased in this upward position by a retractile coil spring '76, having its upper end secured at 71 to the upper mounting plate 59 and its lower end secured at 72 to the horizontal lock arm portion 69.

In assembly, the vertical portion 68 of the L .-s haped lock arm is engageable either forwardly or rearwardly of the central diagonal wall portion 51 when the plunger bar 62 is in the upper position. When the vertical portion 68 is disposed forwardly of the wall portion 51 of the drawer and between it and the guard 53, the suitcase drawer 40 will be locked in the closed position. When the arm portion 68 is rearwardly of the wall portion 51, the drawer 40 is unlocked and may be readily drawn forwardly for opening. In order to lock or unlock each drawer 40 of the individual suitcases, it is merely necessary to shift the plunger bars 62 of each drawer downwardly for the fullest possible extent, until the horizontal part 69 of the lock arm engages the top of the lower mounting plate 60, and then to grasp the lower projected end of the plunger bar and turn it upon its longitudinal axis in one direction through the circumferential slot portion 57. This will cause the lock armpart 69 to be brought into engagement with one or the other of the vertical slot portions 56, and when the plunger bar 62 is released, the spring 76 will return it automatically toits uppermost position so that the vertical part 68 of the lock bar will be positioned to lock or unlock the particular drawer 40 by engagement forwardly or rearwardly of the diagonal wall portion 51.

Each unit 54 embodies means to releasably lock the plunger bar 62 and associated elements in the lowermost position, wherein the plunger bar projects a substantial distance below the lower end of the sleeve 55 and below the corresponding side panel 12 of the suitcase. This means comprises a horizontal latch element 73 arranged within a recess 74 formed in the lower side of the lower mounting plate 60, and having one end pivoted to the lowermounting plate through the medium of one of the mounting platescrews 61. The other end of the latch element 73 is freely disposed for horizontal swinging movement Within the recess 74, toward and from the plunger bar 62. The pivoted latch element 73 has an integral upstanding extension 75, operable through a slot 76 in the mounting plate 60. A retractile coil spring 77 .is provided for each unit 54, and has one end secured at 78 to the upstanding extension 75 of the latch element 73. The other end of the spring 77 is attached at-79 to the upstanding tongue 14 of the adjacent side panel 12. The arrangement is such that the spring '77 constantly urges the latch element 73 inwardly toward the plungerbar 62. Accordingly, whenever the plunger bar 62 is forced downwardly with the finger or the like, and reaches the lower extent of its movement, the lockingnotch 65 will then be positioned to receive the latch element 73, which latch element under the influence of the spring 77 will snap into the notch 65 and engage one or the other of the angular faces 66 or 67,- dependingupon which one of the two slot portions 56 contains the lock bar part69. In any event, when the latch element73engages within the notch 65, the plunger bar 62 -Will be locked in the depressed position, and the lower portion of the plunger bar will now project for a substantial distance below the lower side panel 12 of the suitcase 10.

When both plunger bars 62 of the several suitcases have been thus shifted to their lowered positions and locked therein by the latch elements 73, the suitcases may be stacked upon each other in the manner illustrated by Figure 2. It may now be observed that when the several plunger bars 62 are locked in the lowered positions, the same will project below the lower side panel 12 of each suitcase, and a pair of corresponding recesses 79' forming sockets will be formed within the upper sides of the suitcases at the rear corners thereof, due, to the fact that the plunger bars 62 have been depressed within the sleeves 55. Accordingly, when the suitcases are stacked, the downwardly projecting plunger bars 62 of each suitcase may engage within the openings or sockets now present in the top of the next lowermost suitcase, for positively locking the several suitcases together as a unit, simulating a chest of drawers. This interlocking relationship of the several plunger bars within the sockets of the suitcases renders it impossible to shift or displace any suitcasehorizontally in any direction, relative to the other suitcases, and when the suitcase drawers 40 are drawn open for use, and closed, the suitcases will remain in their properly stacked or assembled relation and cannot shift relative to one another. The several suitcases may always be separated at any time by lifting the same vertically, either before or after the plunger bars 62 have been retracted, should this be desirable.

In order to automatically release each plunger bar 62 and retract or elevate the same, as when separating the suitcases for use as luggage, there is provided near the rear lower corners of the end panels 25 and 26 and adjacent the openings 31 push buttons 80, operable within the openings 31 and being normally flush with the outer faces of the panels 25 and 26. The inner ends of the push buttons 80 carry plate sections 81, having guided engagement with elements 82 and 83, secured respectively to the sleeves 55 and lower mounting plates 60. The inner faces of the button plate sections 81 are adapted to engage the rounded sides 84 of extensions when the push buttons are shifted inwardly for releasing latch elements 73 from the notches 65. The springs 77 constantly hold the latch elements 73 in engagement with the sides of plungers 62, and these springs also serve to maintain the push buttons 80 flush with the outer faces of the panels 25 and 26. The plate sections 81 are notched at 85 to provide clearance for the springs 77 which extend outwardly toward the tongues 14, as stated. The push buttons may also have recesses 86 in their lower sides, outwardly of their plate sections 81 to facilitate manipulating the outer ends of the springs.

When it is desired to release the previously depressed and latched plunger bars 62, it is merely necessary to press the push buttons 80 inwardly with the finger for causing'them to swing the latch elements 73 out of engagement with the locking detents 65, whereupon the springs 76 will immediately and automatically return the plunger bars to their uppermost positions, wherein the top ends of the plunger bars are flush with the outer face of the upper side panel 11 and their lower ends are flush with the outer face of the lower side panel 12. When the plunger bars 62 are thus retracted or elevated by using the push buttons 80, the individual suitcases are in condition to be used in the normal manner as luggage, and they are entirely free of external projections which would be unsightly and inconvenient. Also, it should be observed that the lock-and release units 54 are neatly and compactly arranged at the rear corners of the suitcase and outwardly of the diagonal walls 50 of the suitcase drawers, so that there are no parts to interfere with the operation of the drawers, and virtually the entire volume of each suitcase drawer is usable space.

When the several suitcases 10 are stacked and locked together by the plunger bars 62 to make up a chest of drawers, the downwardly projecting plunger bars of the lowermost suitcase 10 form a pair of rear legs for the simulated chest of drawers, as shown in Figure 2. There is provided a detachable pair of front legs 87 for the lowermost suitcase, which legs have their upper reduced ends inserted within the front pair of openings 22 formed through the bosses 21 of the lower side panel 12. The front legs 87 may merely have a slight pressed fit within these openings so that they may be readily removed, or if preferred, the legs and openings may be threaded for screw-threaded engagement. When the legs 87 are removed from the lowermost suitcase, the openings 22 are closed with suitable plugs provided with each suitcase and normally serving to cover or close the openings 22. With this arrangement on each suitcase, no care need be taken to make any particular suitcase the lowermost one in the simulated chest, as the suitcases are completely interchangeable. Only one pair of detachable front legs is required, and these are the only elements which are bodily detachable from the device.

One further optional feature of the invention is the use of a detachable mirror 88 in connection with the simulated chest of drawers in Figure 16. This mirror has a pair of depending legs 89, rigid therewith, and detachably engagable within the uppermost pair of openings or sockets 79' in the uppermost suitcase, formed by the depressing of the plunger bars 62 to their lowered latched positions. When the mirror 88 is employed, the chest of drawers becomes a complete dresser.

Each suitcase has upon the forward wall 44 of its drawer 40, centrally thereof, a handle 90 of any desired or conventional type, and each drawer 40 may be equipped with a conventional key operated lock 91 which is entirely independent of the L-shaped locking bars 68 on the plunger bars 62. When using the suitcases as luggage, it may be desirable to lock the drawers 40 with the locks 91 in a conventional manner so that no one can have unauthorized entry into the suitcases.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Combination luggage and furniture means, comprising a plurality of suitcases, each suitcase including a box-like body portion having an open end and a sliding drawer engageable within said body portion, a pair of lock and release units mounted within the rear corners of each suitcase body portion and including plungers having ends which are normally substantially flush with opposite sides of the suitcase body portion and shiftable so that corresponding ends of the plungers may project beyond one side of the suitcase body portion, there then being socket openings formed in the other side of the suitcase body portion, latch means for releasably locking said plungers in their shifted positions, means on each suitcase body portion for effecting the release of the latch means, resilient means connected with each box-like body portion and each plunger for returning the plunger automatically to its normal position upon release of the latch means, and means carried by each plunger and engageable with the sliding drawer of each suitcase to lock the same in closed position when the plungers are in their normal positions with their ends flush with the opposite sides of the suitcase, the suitcases being stackable when said plungers are in their shifted positions to form a chest of drawers, the socket openings of each suitcase in the stack of suitcases then receiving the portions of the plungers of the next uppermost suitcase which project beyond one side of the next uppermost suitcase.

2. A luggage unit adapted to be stacked with companion units for forming a chest of drawers, comprising a box-like body portion having an open end, a sliding drawer engageable through the open end of said box-like body portion, a pair of lock and release units mounted within the corners of said body portion remote from the open end thereof, each unit comprising a guide sleeve extending for substantially the full width of said body portion at right angles to the direction of movement of said drawer and having a substantially U-shaped slot, 21 plunger slidably mounted within each guide sleeve and having ends adapted to remain substantially flush with the outer faces of said opposite sides of said body portion, said opposite sides having openings to receive the plunger, a lock arm carried by each plunger and having a part engaging within the U-shaped slot of the guide sleeve, a spring connected with each lock arm and each box-like body portion and serving to normally hold said part of the lock arm in engagement with one end of the slot so that the ends of the plunger are then substantially flush with the outer faces of said sides of the body portion, each plunger having a notch intermediate its ends, a pivoted latch element associated with each lock and release unit, a spring connected with each latch and each box-like body portion for urging the latch into locking engagement with the notch of the plunger when such plunger is shifted longitudinally against the force of the first-named spring, each plunger then projecting beyond one side of said body portion and socket openings then being formed adjacent to the plungers at the other side of said body portion, a pair of push buttons slidably mounted upon the opposite ends of said body portion and engageable with the latch elements to disengage the same from the notches of the plungers when the push buttons are forced inwardly, the plungers then returning automatically to their normal positions where their ends are substantially flush with the outer faces of the opposite sides of said body portion, and elements carried by the inner corners of said sliding drawer and engageable with the lock arms of the plungers when the plungers are in said normal positions for locking the drawer in closed position within the body portion while said part of the lock arm is engaged within one leg of the U-shaped slot, the lock arms adapted to be rendered inactive for locking the drawer by turning the plungers upon their longitudinal axes and engaging said parts of the lock arms in the other legs of the U-shaped slots while the plungers are extending beyond said one side of the body portion.

3. A luggage unit adapted to be stacked in interlocking relation with companion luggage units for forming a chest of drawers, comprising a box-like body portion having an opening, a drawer engageable through said opening and slidable within the body portion, a pair of plungers arranged near the corners of the body portion remote from the opening and being shiftable longitudinally in one direction so that corresponding ends of the plungers will project beyond one side of the body portion and socket openings are formed at the opposite side of the body portion, means to releasably lock said plungers in their projected positions, resilient means for automatically retracting the plungers to their initial positions when they are released by said lock means, and interengaging means on the plungers and inner corners of said drawer for locking the drawer in the closed position within the body portion when the plungers are in their initial positions.

4. A luggage unit according to claim 3, and wherein said plungers are turnable upon their longitudinal axes while in the projected positions for rendering said interengaging means inactive when the plungers are returned to their initial positions and the drawer is closed.

5. Combined luggage and furniture, comprising a plurality of substantially identical luggage units, each luggage unit including a hollow body portion and a sliding drawer for said body portion, a pair of plunger devices carried by each luggage unit near one pair of corners thereof and having ends normally substantially flush with opposite sides of the unit, each plunger device being shiftable longitudinally to an extended position wherein the plunger device projects beyond one side of the luggage unit and a socket is formed in the opposite side of the unit adjacent to the plunger, means for releasably locking each plunger device in the extended position and for effecting the release of the plunger device, resilient means connected with each luggage unit and each plunger device for returning the plunger device automatically to its normal position upon actuation of the release means, and means carried by each plunger device and engageable with the drawer of each luggage unit when the plunger device is in the normal position for locking the drawer closed, the luggage units adapted to be stacked when the plunger devices are extended, the extended plunger devices of each unit except the lowermost unit then engaging within said sockets of the next lowermost luggage unit for holding the luggage units in interlocked relation, the

extended plunger devices of the lowermost luggage unit forming a pair of legs for the article of furniture constituted by the several luggage units.

6. A suitcase-chest of drawers combination device, comprising a plurality of companion suitcases adapted to be stacked for forming a chest of drawers, each individual suitcase embodying a generally rectangular body portion having an open end, a sliding drawer engageable within the body portion and serving to cover the open end when closed, a pair of reciprocatory devices mounted within the rear corners of each suitcase body portion and having ends arranged normally flush with opposite side walls of the body portion, said side walls having openings to receive the reciprocatory devices, resilient means to hold the reciprocatory devices in their normal positions upon the body portion, said devices being shiftable to extended positions beyond one side wall of the body portion, means for automatically locking the reciprocatory devices in their extended positions, separate means for unlocking the last-named automatic locking means so that the re ciprocatory devices will return automatically to their normal positions under the influence of said resilient means, and locking elements bodily carried by the reciprocatory devices of each suitcase for locking engagement with the suitcase drawer when the latter is closed and the reciprocatory devices are in their normal positions, the extended reciprocatory devices of the companion suitcases engaging within socket openings of the next adjacent suitcase to interlock the same when the companion suitcases are stacked to form the chest of drawers.

7. A luggage unit adapted to be stacked in interlocking relation with companion luggage units for forming a chest of drawers, each luggage unit comprising a body portion having an opening, a drawer engageable through said opening and slidable within the body portion, a pair of guide sleeves fixedly mounted within said body portion near the end of the same remote from said opening and having bores and substantially U-shaped slots, said sleeves extending between opposite side walls of the body portion at right angles to the direction of movement of the drawer, said opposite side walls having openings formed therethrough in registration with the bores of said sleeves, plungers slidably mounted within the sleeves and having ends which are normally substantially flush with the outer faces of said opposite side walls, substantially L-shaped lock arms carried by the plungers and engageable within the U-shaped slots of the sleeves, springs connected with the body portions and the lock arms for normally holding the lock arms at the ends of the U-shaped slots wherein the ends of the plungers are flush with said opposite side walls, each plunger having a notch intermediate its ends, a latch element pivotally mounted within the body portion near one end of each sleeve and plunger and engageable with the plunger, a spring connected with each body portion and each latch element to bias the latch element toward contact with a side of the plunger so that the latch element will automatically enter the notch of the plunger when the plunger is shifted longitudinally in one direction, the plunger then being locked by the latch element and projecting outwardly of one side wall of the body portion, the body portion then having a socket opening formed adjacent to each plunger at the opposite side wall thereof, the opposite end walls of the body portion having openings near said pivoted latch elements, push buttons slidably mounted within the last-named openings and engageable with the pivoted latch elements to disengage the same from the notches of the plungers, and keeper elements carried by the inner end of the drawer to be engaged by the L-shaped lock arms for locking the drawer closed when the plungers and lock arms are in their normal positions and the lock arms are engaging the ends of the U-shaped slots, the lock arms being free of the keeper elements when the plungers are in their projected positions beyond one side of the body portion, the lock arms then being turnable with the plungers on the longitudinal axes of the plungers to engage the lock arms within selected sides of the U-shaped slots, the lock arms being rendered wholly inactive with respect to the keeper elements of the drawer while engaging within corresponding longitudinal portions of the U-shaped slots.

8. A luggage unit adapted to be stacked in interlocking relation with companion luggage units for forming a chest of drawers, each luggage unit comprising a box-like body portion having an opening, a sliding drawer for said body portion engageable through said opening, keeper elements carried by the inner corners of said drawer, guide sleeves fixedly mounted within the rear corners of the body portion and extending between opposite side walls of the body portion at right angles to the direction of movemeht of said drawer, each sleeve having a U-shaped slot with the sides of the slots extending longitudinally of the sleeves and the bight portions of the slots extending circumferentially of the sleeves, plungers slidably mounted within the sleeves, lock arms secured to the plungers and engaging within the slots, springs connected with each box-like body portion and with the lock arms for urging them toward engagement with the ends of the U-shaped slots, the plungers being shiftable longitudinally of the sleeves and turnable therein, means for releasably locking the plungers in extended positions within the sleeves, portions of the lock arms then being in engagement with the circumferential parts of the slots so that the plungers may be turned on their longitudinal axes for shifting the lock arms between the longitudinal portions of said slots, the lock arms being rendered inactive with respect to the keeper elements while engaging in corresponding longitudinal portions of the slots and active with respect to the keeper elements while in the other corresponding longitudinal portions of the slots.

Nock June 11, 1935 Simon June 20, 1950

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