WO2000069305A1

WO2000069305A1 - A luggage

Info

Publication number: WO2000069305A1
Application number: PCT/KR2000/000153
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eun Sun Song
Original assignee: Eun Sun Song
Priority date: 1999-05-18
Filing date: 2000-02-25
Publication date: 2000-11-23
Also published as: AU2945100A

Abstract

Disclosed is a foldable suitcase for carrying loads. The foldable suitcase comprises a framework having at an upper end thereof a handle and at a lower end thereof two wheels and a supporting leg part and structured by a plurality of pairs of pipe members which are telescopically coupled one to another so that a length of the framework can be adjusted; a suitcase body seated on the supporting leg part, being opened at an upper end thereof to be able to be closed by a closure member, and being formed to have a box-shaped configuration so that a volume of the suitcase body can be adjusted depending upon a variation in quantity of the loads, the suitcase body having a plurality of core elements each of which possesses a quadrangle contour and which are secured to the suitcase body to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance one from another so that the suitcase body can be folded downward or unfolded upward; and a string length adjustor arranged adjacent to the upper end of the framework for adjusting a length of a supporting string which is fastened at both ends thereof to the upper end of the suitcase body, with the length measured from the string length adjustor to the upper end of the suitcase body.

Description

A LUGGAGE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a luggage for carrying loads. More particularly, the present invention relates to a luggage for carrying loads, comprising: a framework having at an upper end thereof a handle and at a lower end thereof at least two wheels and a supporting leg part, the framework being structured by a plurality of pairs of pipe members which are telescopically coupled one to another in a manner such that a length of the framework can be adjusted; a suitcase body seated on the supporting leg part of the framework, the suitcase body being opened at an upper end thereof to be able to be closed by a closure member and being formed to have a box-shaped configuration in a manner such that a volume of the suitcase body can be adjusted depending upon a variation in quantity of the loads , the suitcase body having a plurality of core elements each of which possesses a quadrangle contour and which are secured to the suitcase body to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance one from another in a manner such that the suitcase body can be folded downward or unfolded upward; and a string length adjustor arranged adjacent to the upper end of the framework for adjusting a length of a supporting string which is fastened at both ends thereof to the upper end of the suitcase body, with the length measured from the string length adjustor to the upper end of the suitcase body, in a manner such that a volume of the suitcase body can be adjusted. Background Art

Generally, wheeled suitcases are widely used all over the world, for traveling, shopping, etc., in view of the fact that they can be used to carry loads even though the loads weigh much to some extent.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a rear bottom perspective view of the conventional suitcase for carrying loads, which can be used for shopping. In the conventional suitcase, a base plate 2 is attached to a lower surface of a suitcase body 1. A pair of wheels 4 and a pair of supporting leg members 5 are mounted to the base plate 2. A pair of holding pieces 7 each of which is formed with a hole 3, are fastened to the base plate 2 adjacent to two corners, respectively, at each widthwise end of the base plate 2. Front and rear bent portions 6a of a supporting shaft 6 which is integrally connected at one end thereof to the supporting leg member 5 and supports at the other end thereof the wheel 4, are retained by the pair of holding pieces 7, respectively, at each widthwise end of the base plate 2, due to the. fact that each of the front and rear bent portions 6a passes through the hole 3. A pair of Velcro brand hook and loop fastener strips 8a and 8b are affixed to a lower portion of a front wall and an upper portion of a rear wall, respectively, of the suitcase body 1. An auxiliary handle 9 is provided adjacent to an upper end of the front wall of the suitcase body 1.

However, nevertheless the conventional suitcase for carrying loads, constructed as mentioned above, provides advantages in that its volume can be reduced to a minimum when any load is not accommodated therein, it cannot win a customer's favor to a sufficient level due to reasons given below. First, because the conventional suitcase cannot be adequately adjusted in its volume depending upon a variation in quantity of loads accommodated therein, in the case that quantity of loads is flimsy, the entire suitcase body 1 must be unnecessarily unfolded, whereby carriage of loads is deteriorated. Second, since a handle 10 is attached to the upper end of the suitcase body 1 which is made of woven fabrics, while the suitcase can be pulled, it cannot be pushed in a proper manner, whereby inconvenience is caused in moving the suitcase when loads are accommodated in the suitcase body 1. Third, as the suitcase body 1 cannot provide aesthetic appeal due to the fact that the suitcase body 1 has a color and a material which induce monotonousness to a user, an outer appearance of the suitcase cannot fully conform to functionality of the suitcase.

Disclosure of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems occurring in the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a foldable suitcase for carrying loads, which can be minimized in its volume when any load is not accommodated therein, thereby improving portability thereof, can be easily pushed or • pulled in a state wherein loads are accommodated therein, thereby enabling carriage of the loads to be conveniently implemented under any circumstances including a narrow passageway such as in a market and can be adjusted in its volume in a simple manner depending upon a variation in quantity of loads, and which provides aesthetic appeal in conformity with its functionality, thereby to be preferred by a wide range of age groups.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a foldable suitcase for carrying loads, comprising: a framework having at an upper end thereof a handle and at a lower end thereof at least two wheels and a supporting leg part, the framework being structured in a manner such that it can be telescoped upward or downward in a multi-stepwise manner; a suitcase body seated on the supporting leg part of the framework, the suitcase body being opened at an upper end thereof to be able to be closed by a closure member and being formed to have a box-shaped configuration in a manner such that a volume of the suitcase body can be adjusted depending upon a variation in quantity of the loads, the suitcase body having a plurality of core elements each of which possesses a quadrangle contour and which are secured to the suitcase body to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance one from another in a manner such that the suitcase body can be folded downward or unfolded upward; and a string length adjustor arranged adjacent to the upper end of the framework for adjusting a length of a supporting string which is fastened at both ends thereof to the upper end of the suitcase body, with the length measured from the string length adjustor to the upper end of the suitcase body, in a manner such that a volume of the suitcase body can be optionally adjusted. Brief Description of the Drawings

The above objects, and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after a reading of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear bottom perspective view of a foldable suitcase for carrying loads, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the foldable suitcase for carrying loads, shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view for the 'A' part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partially broken-away enlarged perspective view for the 'B' part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partially broken-away enlarged perspective view for the 'C' part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view illustrating another foldable suitcase for carrying loads, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view illustrating still another foldable suitcase for carrying loads, in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a rear bottom perspective view of the conventional suitcase for carrying loads.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a rear bottom perspective view of a foldable suitcase for carrying loads, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the foldable suitcase for carrying loads, shown in FIG. 1. The foldable suitcase for carrying loads according to the present invention includes a framework 20, a suitcase body 30, and a string length adjustor 60. The framework 20 has at an upper end thereof a handle 21 and at a lower end thereof a pair of wheels 22 and a supporting leg part 23. The framework 20 is structured in a manner such that it can be telescoped upward or downward in a multi-stepwise manner. The suitcase body 30 is seated on the supporting leg part 23 of the framework 20. The suitcase body 30 is opened at an upper end thereof to be able to be closed by a closure member 32 and is formed to have a box- shaped con iguration in a manner such that a volume of the suitcase body 30 can be adjusted depending upon a variation in quantity of the loads. The suitcase body 30 has a plurality of core elements 40 each of which possesses a quadrangle contour and which are secured to the suitcase body 30 to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance one from another in a manner such that the suitcase body 30 can be folded downward or unfolded upward. The string length adjustor 60 is arranged adjacent to the upper end of the framework 20 for adjusting a length of a supporting string 50 which is fastened at both ends thereof to the upper end of the suitcase body 30, with the length measured from the string length adjustor 60 to the upper end of the suitcase body 30, in a manner such that a volume of the suitcase body 30 can be adjusted as occasion demands.

As shown in FIG. 1, the framework 20 is structured by a plurality of pairs of pipe members 24, 25 and 26 which are telescopically coupled one to another in a manner such that a length of the framework 20 can be adjusted. The plurality of pairs of pipe members 24, 25 and 26 are formed to have diameters which are gradually increased in a direction toward the lower end of the framework 20. By this structure of the framework 20, in the case that the foldable suitcase is not used, by depressing the pair of upper pipe members 26 to insert them along with the pair of intermediate pipe members 25 into the pair of lower pipe members 24, respectively, a volume of the foldable suitcase can be reduced to a minimum upon holding or storing the foldable suitcase.

The handle 21 is integrally connected to the pair of upper pipe members 26. Adjacent to a lower end of the handle 21, a horizontal pipe member 27 is integrally connected to the handle 21. The string length adjustor 60 is arranged on the framework 20 in a manner such that it is suspended from the horizontal pipe member 27 which is integrally connected to the pair of upper pipe members 26 of the framework 20. The string length adjustor 60 enables a volume of the suitcase body 30 to be easily adjusted by freely adjusting the length of the supporting string 50 which is fastened at both ends thereof to the upper end of the suitcase body 30, assuming that the length is measured from the string length adjustor 60 to the upper end of the suitcase body 30. As the string length adjustor 60, the conventional element which is used for allowing a mouth portion to be opened or closed as in a traveling knapsack or the like, can be employed. As can be readily seen from FIG. 3, the string length adjustor 60 includes an adjustor body 62. The adjustor body 62 possesses a figure which is wide in its upper end and narrow in its lower end. Both ends of the supporting string 50 pass downward through the adjustor body 62. A clamping member 64 is disposed in the adjustor body 62 in a manner such that it can be reciprocated in a vertical direction along a slot which is defined in the adjustor body 62. If the clamping member 64 is located at an uppermost position in the slot, the length of the supporting string 50 can be adjusted by moving the adjustor body 62 on the supporting string 50. In a state wherein the length of the supporting string 50 is adjusted, if the clamping member 64 is moved downward, as two opposed portions of the supporting string 50 are squeezed against inner surfaces, respectively, of the adjustor body 62 by the clamping member 64, the supporting string 50 is clamped to the adjustor body 62 and the length of the supporting string 50 is fixedly maintained. By this, as the suitcase body 30 can be folded downward, it is possible to optionally adjust a volume of the suitcase body 30. A plurality of pairs of loop elements 42 and 44 are affixed to a rear wall of the suitcase body 30 at locations where the plurality of core elements 40 are secured to the suitcase body 30 to be spaced apart by the predetermined distance one from another, respectively, in a manner such that the suitcase body 30 is folded downward or unfolded upward in a state in which the plurality of pairs of pipe members 24, 25 and 26 are passed through the plurality of pairs of loop elements 42 and 44, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a partially broken-away enlarged perspective view for the 'B' part of FIG. 1. As best shown in FIG. 4, each core element 40 which is made of steel wire, is horizontally secured, by stitching, to an inner surface of the suitcase body 30 which is made of woven fabrics, thereby to render a skeleton which maintains a shape of the suitcase body 30.

FIG. 5 is a partially broken-away enlarged perspective view for the 'C part of FIG. 1. A bottom plate 70 which is made of a lightweight material such as a synthetic resin plate, is fitted to a lower end of the suitcase body 30 inside the suitcase body 30. The bottom plate 70 functions to prevent the suitcase body 30 from bulging downward in a state wherein loads are accommodated in the suitcase body 30. A reinforcing piece 34 which is made of natural or artificial leather or the like, is stitched to the lower end of the suitcase body 30, thereby to increase endurability of the suitcase body 30 and to protect the lower end of the suitcase body 30 which is close to the ground.

As shown in FIG. 2, a pocket-defining piece 36 is stitched to a lower portion of a front wall of the suitcase body 30. Small objects can be received in a pocket which is defined by the pocket-defining piece 36 while shopping. A pair of tightening strips 37 are affixed to the closure member 32 and the pocket-defining piece 36, respectively, in a manner such that the closure member 32 can be opened or closed through a fastener 38.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view illustrating another foldable suitcase for carrying loads, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In the foldable suitcase according to this embodiment of the present invention, the suitcase body 30 is formed in a manner such that a lengthwise size thereof is larger than a widthwise size thereof when the suitcase body 30 is viewed in a direction in which the framework 20 is moved, that is, the pair of wheels 22 roll. By this construction, it is possible to easily pull and push the foldable suitcase even in a complex and narrow passageway such as in a market while not disturbing passage of others. FIG. 7 is a front perspective view illustrating still another foldable suitcase for carrying loads, in accordance, with still another embodiment of the present invention. In the foldable suitcase according to this embodiment of the present invention, the suitcase body 30 is formed to have substantially a trigonal prism- shaped configuration, and the pair of wheels 22 and the supporting leg part 23 are provided to the lower end of the framework 20 in the widthwise direction of the suitcase body 30. The suitcase body 30 is not limited to any specific shape, and instead, is able to have a diversity of shapes. Industrial Applicability

As described above, the foldable suitcase for carrying loads according to the present invention, constructed as mentioned above, provides advantages as stated below. Since a framework is structured in such a way as to be telescoped upward or downward in a multi- stepwise manner, a suitcase body is formed to have a box-shaped configuration in such a way as to be adjusted in its volume depending upon a variation in quantity of the loads, and a plurality of core elements each of which possesses a quadrangle contour, are secured to the suitcase body to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance one from another in a manner such that the suitcase body can be folded downward or unfolded upward, in a state wherein any load is not accommodated in the suitcase body, if a length of a string, which length extends from a string length adjustor to an upper end of the suitcase body, is increased by manipulating the string length adjustor, the suitcase body can be folded to have a minimum volume while the framework is telescopically collapsed in the multi-stepwise manner, whereby portability of the suitcase or storability of the suitcase in a proper place such as in a trunk room of a vehicle is improved. Moreover, because a handle is provided to an upper end of the framework which is constituted by a plurality of pipe members in such a way as to be telescoped in the multi-stepwise manner, in a state wherein loads are accommodated in the suitcase body, the suitcase can not only be pulled but also be pushed in a proper manner, whereby carriage of the loads can be easily conducted. Furthermore, due to the fact that the suitcase body is formed to have a narrow width, the suitcase can be pulled and pushed in a convenient manner under any circumstances including a narrow passageway such as in a market. In addition, the suitcase can be adjusted in its volume in a simple manner depending upon a variation in quantity of loads, and provides aesthetic appeal in conformity with its functionality, thereby to be preferred by a wide range of age groups.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A foldable suitcase for carrying loads, comprising: a framework having at an upper end thereof a handle and at a lower end thereof at least two wheels and a supporting leg part, the framework being structured by a plurality of pairs of pipe members which are telescopically coupled one to another in a manner such that a length of the framework can be adjusted; a suitcase body seated on the supporting leg part of the framework, the suitcase body being opened at an upper end thereof to be able to be closed by a closure member and being formed to have a box-shaped configuration in a manner such that a volume of the suitcase body can be adjusted depending upon a variation in quantity of the loads, the suitcase body having a plurality of core elements each of which possesses a quadrangle contour and which are secured to the suitcase body to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance one from another in a manner such that the suitcase body can be folded downward or unfolded upward; and a string length adjustor arranged adjacent to the upper end of the framework for adjusting a length of a supporting string which is fastened at both ends thereof to the upper end of the suitcase body, with the length measured from the string length adjustor to the upper end of the suitcase body, in a manner such that a volume of the suitcase body can be adjusted.'

2. The foldable suitcase as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of pairs of loop elements are affixed to a rear wall of the suitcase body at locations where the plurality of core elements are secured to the suitcase body to be spaced apart by the predetermined distance one from another, respectively, in a manner such that the suitcase body is folded downward or unfolded upward in a state in which the plurality of pairs of pipe members are inserted through the plurality of pairs of loop elements, respectively.

3. The foldable suitcase as claimed in claim 1, wherein a bottom plate which is made of a lightweight material, is fitted to a lower end of the suitcase body inside the suitcase body.

4. The foldable suitcase as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pocket-defining piece is disposed on a lower portion of a front wall of the suitcase body, and a pair of tightening strips are affixed to the closure member and the pocket-defining piece, respectively, in a manner such that the closure member can be opened or closed through a fastener.

5. The foldable suitcase as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 4 , wherein the suitcase body is formed in a manner such that a lengthwise size thereof is larger than a widthwise size thereof when the suitcase body is viewed in a direction in which the framework is moved.