WO2007141815A1

WO2007141815A1 - Support element for an item of luggage

Info

Publication number: WO2007141815A1
Application number: PCT/IT2006/000434
Authority: WO
Inventors: Franco Zanellato
Original assignee: Gruppo Zanellato S.R.L.
Priority date: 2006-06-09
Filing date: 2006-06-09
Publication date: 2007-12-13

Abstract

A grip for a document-holder bag (2) comprising a covering (3) inside which there is contained polymer material padding (4). Advantageously, the polymer material padding (4) is a microcellular polyurethane resin.

Description

Title "Support element for an item of luggage"

The present invention relates to a support element for an item of luggage according to the preamble of claim 1.

Within the context of the present description, the term "item of luggage" is used to indicate an item such as a bag, briefcase, suitcase, travel bag, large bag, rucksack, trunk or the like, and the term "support element" is used to indicate in its most general form an element such as a grip, handle, strap, shoulder strap, small strap or the like, by means of which it is possible to support the item of luggage .

For the sake of simplicity of explanation, the present description is provided in a non-limiting manner with particular reference to a document-holder bag which is provided with a grip to which a strap can optionally be fitted.

It is well known that items of luggage are provided with support elements which allow a user to grasp them for transportation. In the case of a bag, the support element takes the form of a grip which can be seized by the hand of the user, and optionally of a strap which allows the user to support the bag on a shoulder. Optionally, an item of luggage can comprise two or more support elements to be used simultaneously or selectively. This can be the case for a rectangular suitcase which has a first grip on a long side and a second grip on a shorter side.

The requirement which the support elements for items of luggage must meet is to be comfortable to grasp, as well as strong enough to withstand the weight of the item of luggage and any contents it may have. With reference to the comfort which a grip or strap must make it possible to obtain, it should be pointed out that the requirement is to succeed in providing a satisfactory compromise between the capacity for deformation, such as to adapt in an optimum manner to the shape of the hand or shoulder of the user, and the capacity to succeed in transmitting the force in a uniformly distributed manner over the entire anatomical part of the user who is holding the support element, i.e. the fingers of the hand or the portion of shoulder in the case respectively of a grip or a strap.

Various solutions have been proposed in order to meet this requirement, the first of which is to insert in the grasping element a layer of padding, for example cotton wool or foam rubber. In this respect it should be pointed out that the solutions used hitherto are not altogether satisfactory, since they have a series of problems, i.e. mainly the deterioration over a period of time of the physical and/or mechanical properties of the padding, as well as permanent residual compression deformation to which such materials are subject after a period of initial use.

It is apparent that the deterioration over a period of time of the physical characteristics of the padding materials used hitherto constitutes a significant problem, particularly for items of luggage which are designed to be positioned in a high range of the sales market. Furthermore, it is altogether unacceptable, after only a few years, for the padding of the support elements to start to break up even if the item of luggage has been little used. In order to avoid this problem, very often the manufacturers of items of luggage prefer to use rigid grips which, although they are uncomfortable, are not subject to deterioration.

The problem on which the present invention is based is that of conceiving a support element for an item of luggage which has structural and functional characteristics such as to meet said requirement, at the same time eliminating the disadvantages previously described with reference to the known art.

This problem is solved by a support element for an item of luggage according to the features of claim 1.

Further features and advantages of the support element for an item of luggage according to the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, provided purely by way of non- limiting example, with reference to the attached figures, in which: figure 1 represents a perspective view of a support element according to the invention; figure 2 represents a lateral view of the support element in figure 1; figure 3 represents a perspective view in partial cross-section of the support element in figure 1;

figure 4 represents a perspective view in partial cross-section of a support element according to the invention, in accordance with a variant embodiment; figure 5 represents a perspective view of a component of the support element in figure 1, before being inserted in the support element; figure 6 represents an exploded perspective view of the support element according to the invention before being assembled; and - figure 7 represents a perspective view of the support element in figure 1 in a stage of use. With reference to the attached figures, 1 indicates as a whole a support element according to the invention, comprising a body which can be attached to the item of luggage 2 in order to allow a user to support and transport the item of luggage itself .

In the example in question, the item of luggage is in the form of a document-holder bag 2, whereas the support element is in the form of a grip 1 which is secured to the upper part of the bag 2. In a known manner, the grip 1 can be gripped by the hand H (cf. figure 7) of a user who wishes to lift the bag 2 and carry it with him.

The grip 1 has a body with an elongate form which extends according to a prevalent longitudinal direction X-X, and comprises an outer covering 3 inside which padding 4 is contained. In the example, instead of being flat, the body of the grip is slightly curved, with the concavity facing towards the upper part, in other words the side of the grip 1 which is opposite the side which faces the briefcase 2.

At each of the opposite longitudinal ends, the body of the grip 1 is shaped such as to form an eyelet 5 which extends transversely to said longitudinal direction X-X. Each transverse eyelet 5 is engaged by a respective ring 6 which assures securing and articulation of the end of the grip 1 on the upper part of the bag 2

The covering 3 of the grip can be made of any suitable material. In the example, the covering 3 of the grip 1 is made of leather, as is the bag 2, and is formed by an upper covering layer 3a and a lower covering layer 3b which are joined to one another by means of stitching 7.

In the example (cf . figure 6) , the flat layout of the upper covering layer 3a forms a substantially rectangular strip, whereas the flat layout of the lower covering layer 3b forms an oval, the longer diameter of which extends along said longitudinal direction X-X.

The padding 4 which is contained inside the grip 1 is made of a polymer material, which, according to an advantageous aspect, is a microcellular polyurethane resin.

According to a preferred aspect, the microcellular polyurethane resin has: resilience of between 10 and 30, and preferably between 20 and 25, measured according to standard ASTM D

2632-96; - deformation when subjected to compression force of between 25 and 180 kPa, and preferably between 25 and

100 kPa, measured at 25% of the deformation; and tensile strength of between 250 and 850 kPa, and preferably between 250 and 550 kPa, measured according to standard ASTM D 3574 Test E.

Use of said microcellular polyurethane resin is particularly advantageous, in that its open-cell microcellular structure allows air which is contained in its interior to escape (as indicated by the arrows in figure 7) when the padding 4 is subjected to compression, the behaviour of the padding being similar to that of a damped air cushion. This makes it possible to create a damping effect which reduces trauma and the like sustained by the user who is holding the bag 2 by means of the grip 1 (cf. figure 7), even in the presence of impacts, jolts and vibrations. Substantially, the microcells act as small springs, and simultaneously make it possible to distribute uniformly over the entire support area, in this case the fingers of the hand, the ^■load derived from the weight of the bag 2 and any contents it may have.

In addition, it should be pointed out that the microcellular polyurethane resin has structural characteristics such as to maintain its own physical and mechanical characteristics unaltered over a period of time, thus preventing problems of structural deterioration, breaking up, and/or loss of volume and resilience .

Advantageously, the padding 4 comprises at least one layer of said polymer material .

Preferably, this layer comprises a first sheet 4a with a predetermined thickness S of polymer material, which is folded back on itself along said longitudinal direction, such as to have its opposite longitudinal edges 9 substantially adjacent to one another, and to assume a curved shape with concavity facing towards the exterior at its central portion. Substantially, the first sheet 4a of the padding 4 is folded such as to assume a profile in the shape of a U in transverse cross-section.

Advantageously, the sheet 4a of padding 4 is positioned in the body of the grip 1 such as to have the concavity of the curved portion of the U facing said lower side of the body itself, in other words towards the outer covering layer 3b.

As shown by figure 3, the lower covering layer 3b of the grip 1 is wound around the U-shaped structure formed by the sheet 4a folded in the above-described manner.

Preferably, the flat layout of the sheet 4a of padding 4 forms an oval, the longer diameter of which extends along said longitudinal direction. The flat layout of the sheet 4a is like that of the lower covering layer 3b, but with smaller dimensions, such that it can be wrapped around by the latter completely when the grip is completed.

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of the flat layout of the different components which constitute the structure of the grip 1, before they are folded and stitched to form the grip 1.

In this respect it should be pointed out that the grip 1 also comprises strengthening means 8 which are positioned between the upper covering layer 3a and the padding 4. In the example in question, the strengthening elements 8 take the form of a fabric reinforcement, although it is also possible to use any type of reinforcement, such as a polymer, metal or fibre reinforcement.

According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in figure 4, the padding 4 comprises a second sheet of padding 4b, with a predetermined thickness, of said polymer material consisting of a microcellular polyurethane resin. In this case, the thickness of the sheets of padding 4a and 4b is less than that of the sheet of padding 4a illustrated in figure 3. This second sheet of padding 4b is also folded back on itself along the longitudinal direction, such as to have its opposite longitudinal edges 10 substantially adjacent to one another, and thus to assume a curved shape with concavity facing towards the exterior at its central portion.

Advantageously, the second sheet 4b of padding 4 is positioned such as to be in the interior of the space determined by the first sheet of padding 4a folded back on itself, such that the curved portion of the second sheet of padding 4b is positioned at the curved portion of the first sheet of padding 4a.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing description, the support element for an item of luggage according to the present invention makes it possible to meet said requirement and at the same time to overcome the disadvantages referred to in the introductory part of the present description with reference to the prior art. In fact, the type of material used in order to produce the padding has physical and mechanical characteristics which do not deteriorate over a period of time, and at the same time it makes it possible to: have behaviour which can be similar to that of a damped air cushion, thus providing the user with a high level of comfort; - provide a damping effect such as to reduce trauma and the like for the user who is carrying the item of luggage, even when there are impacts, jolts and vibrations; and distribute uniformly over the entire support area the weight applied to the support element; guarantee long-term maintenance of the physical and mechanical performance levels; and permit a high level of transpiration inside the support element, such as to absorb and convey to the exterior any vapour which is created inside the support element .

Another advantage of the support element for an item of luggage according to the present invention consists in its structural simplicity, which makes it possible to use and adapt the support element for any type of usage. For example, in the case of a strap, a shoulder strap or a small strap, if it is wished to maintain the smallest possible thickness of the support element, it is apparent that the padding may include the presence of one or more thin layers of said microcellular polyurethane resin, the need to add any reinforcement means being assessed case by case.

A further advantage of the support element for an item of luggage according to the present invention consists in the unusual structural simplicity of the body of the support element . It will be appreciated that, in order to meet contingent and specific requirements, a person skilled in the art will be able to make many modifications and variations to the above-described support element for an item of luggage, all of which however come within the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims .

Claims

1. Support element for an item of luggage (2) , comprising a body suitable to be attached to said item of luggage (2) in order to support it, said body comprising an outer covering (3), inside which there is contained polymer material padding (4) , characterised in that said polymer material is a microcellular polyurethane resin.

2. Support element according to claim 1, wherein said padding (4) comprises at least one layer (4a, 4b) of said polymer material .

3. Support element according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said padding (4) comprises a first sheet of padding (4a) of a predetermined thickness (S) of said polymer material .

4. Support element according to claim 3, wherein said support element extends according to a prevalent longitudinal direction (X-X) , and wherein said sheet of padding (4a) is folded back on itself along said longitudinal direction (X-X) such that its opposite longitudinal edges (9) are substantially adjacent, and at the central portion it assumes a curved shape with concavity which faces towards the exterior.

5. Support element according to claim 4 , wherein said padding (4) is folded such as to be substantially in the shape of a "U" in transverse cross-section.

6. Support element according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein said body has a lower side and an opposite upper side, said padding (4) being positioned in said body such as to have the concavity of said curved portion facing towards said lower side of the body.

7. Support element according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the flat development of said sheet of padding (4a) is an oval, the longer diameter of which extends along said longitudinal direction (X-X) .

8. Support element according to claim 4 and any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said padding (4) comprises a second sheet of padding (4b) of said polymer material which is folded back on itself along said longitudinal direction (X-X) , such that its opposite longitudinal edges (10) are substantially adjacent, and at its central portion it assumes a curved shape with concavity which faces towards the exterior.

9. Support element according to claim 8, wherein said second sheet of padding (4b) is positioned such as to be inside the space determined by said first sheet of padding (4a) when it is folded back on itself, the curved portion of said second sheet of padding (4b) being positioned at the curved portion of said first sheet (4a) .

10. Support element according to any one of claims 1 to

9, comprising strengthening means (8) which are positioned above said padding (4) when the support element is in use.

11. Support element according to any one of claims 1 to

10, wherein said microcellular polyurethane resin has resilience of between 10 and 30 measured according to standard ASTM D 2632-96, deformation when subjected to compression force of between 25 and 180 kPa measured at 25% of the deformation, and tensile strength of between 250 and 850 kPa measured according to standard ASTM D 3574 Test E.

12. Support element according to any one of claims 1 to

11, wherein said microcellular polyurethane resin has resilience of between 20 and 25 measured according to standard ASTM D 2632-96.

13. Support element according to any one of claims 1 to

12, wherein said microcellular polyurethane resin has deformation when subjected to compression force of between 25 and 100 kPa measured at 25% of the deformation.

14. Support element according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said microcellular polyurethane resin has tensile strength of between 250 and 550 kPa measured according to standard ASTM D 3574 Test E.