WO2011007376A1

WO2011007376A1 - Wheeled luggage with asymmetric oval handle rods

Info

Publication number: WO2011007376A1
Application number: PCT/IT2009/000316
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher Bizzio
Original assignee: Mandarina Duck S.P.A.
Priority date: 2009-07-17
Filing date: 2009-07-17
Publication date: 2011-01-20

Abstract

Luggage (1) with trolley system, comprising a case (3), a plurality of wheels (2) and one or more telescopic rods (10), which are integrated with said case (3) by a special reinforcement structure; a plurality of rods (10) divided into segments and coaxially sliding within their housing (20) to extend and allow the luggage (1) to be carried by a special handle (4). The profile (10) and its housing (20) are formed with an oval shape with a longer axis (Al), said axis (Al) being inclined to the fixation surface (25) of the reinforcement structure; said housing (20) having a widened portion (21, 22, 23) proximate said surface (25). The profile with the oval shape exhibits an asymmetry with respect to the longer axis (Al) so that the structure may be stiffened while minimizing the section and hence material consumption; and also allows the creation of a more stable sliding guide, which remains unchanged with time.

Description

WHEELED LUGGAGE WITH ASYMMETRIC OVAL HANDLE RODS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to luggage having a trolley system, i.e. easily transportable due to the provision of wheels and one or more telescopic rods with a special handle at their ends : such handle may be extended to the desired height by the traditional telescopic system.

Particularly, it relates to a particular shape of the load-bearing rods of the trolley systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior art trolley systems use one or more rodd i having a quadrangular section.

DISCLOSURE AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide an item of luggage with a trolley system having one or more improved rods, for objects to be carried or lifted, whose profiles afford:

- minimized section without affecting resistance;

increased torsional strength;

increased flexural strength in the direction of length.

These objects and advantages are achieved by the luggage with trolley system of this invention, which is characterized by the content of the annexed claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

This and other features will be more apparent from the following description of a few embodiments, which are shown by way of example and without limitation in the accompanying drawings. Figure 1: still the cross section of the telescopic rod and the housing that receives it,

Figure 2: the cross section of a rod of a trolley system of the invention,

- Figure 3: still the cross section of the telescopic rod and the housing that receives it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Particularly referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, numeral 1 generally designates an item of luggage with a trolley system, i.e. a case 3 comprising a plurality of wheels 2 and one or more telescopic rods 10 which are integral, for instance, with the back of said case 3 to extend upwards therefrom and allow the luggage 1 to be conveniently carried by means of a handle 4.

The telescopic system is composed of a plurality of rods 10 divided into segments and coaxially sliding within a housing 20 which is integral, as mentioned above, with the case 3.

The telescopic system is known to be mounted either to a special reinforcement structure external to the luggage 1, or inside the luggage, hidden by its lining.

Particularly referring to Figures 2 and 3, there are shown the shapes of the rods and housing 20 of the invention. '

Figure 2 shows the particular conformation of the profile defined by the rod 10, which is described with reference to the outer perimeter of said profile: the latter is shown to comprise a number or radiuses R2, R3, R4 and R5, which are joined together by two straight lines Ll and L2 and another closing radius Rl to define a closed area, thereby forming an annular profile shape. Thus, the profile 10 and its housing 20 are formed with an oval shape, with a longer axis designated by Al: this axis Al is inclined to the fixation surface 25 of the reinforcement structure with which the housing 20 is integrated, such housing having a widened portion 21, 22, 23 at said surface 25.

The profile and the housing, which have an oval shape, are also asymmetric with respect to the longer axis Al so that the structure may be stiffened while minimizing the section and hence material consumption; this also allows the creation of a more stable sliding guide, which remains unchanged with time.

The widened portion 23 is a straight section which mates with the fixed structure 25 and comprises, between its inner side and the profile 10, a sliding guide 24, which is shaped like the respective bottom of one of the profiles 10 and mates therewith.

The widened portions 21 and 22 are used as a lateral support for connection between the housing 20 and the straight section 23.

The oval shape of the housing 20 with which the flat base 23 is associated actually allows the profile and housing to have a minimized section without, affecting their strength, and further afford a higher torsional and flexural strength in the direction of length.

The axis Al defines an angle from 45° to 90° with said surface 25.

Said axis Al has a top curvature, designated by Rl and a bottom curvature, in turn composed of a plurality of contiguous radiuses R2, R3, R4, R5, associated therewith: these radiuses R2, R3, R4, R5 and Rl are joined by at least two straight sections Ll, L2. These top and bottom radiuses Rl and R3 may have equal or different sizes.

The housing and the section have a uniform thickness (s) .

Claims

1. Luggage (1) with a trolley system, comprising a case (3), a plurality of wheels (2) and one or more telescopic rods (10), which are integrated with said case (3) by a special reinforcement structure/ a plurality of rods (10) divided into segments and coaxially sliding within their housing (20) to extend and allow the luggage (1) to be carried by means of a special handle (4), characterized in that said profile (10) and said housing (20) are formed with an oval shape with a longer axis (Al) and are asymmetric with respect to said axis (Al) ; the axis (Al) being inclined to the fixation surface (25) of the reinforcement structure and said housing (20) having a widened portion (21, 22, 23) proximate said surface (25) .

2. Luggage (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said axis (Al) defines an angle from 45° to 90° with said surface (25) .

3. Luggage (1) as claimed in claim 1,. characterized in that said axis (Al) has a top curvature (Rl) and a bottom curvature, in turn composed of a plurality of contiguous radiuses (R2, R3, R4, R5) , associated therewith; said radiuses (R2, R3, R4 , R5) and (Rl) being joined by at least two straight lines (Ll, L2) .

4. Luggage (1) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that said housing (20) comprises a straight widened portion (23) which mates with the fixed structure (25)_.; said widened portion (25) comprising, between its inner side and the profile (10), . a sliding guide (24), which is shaped like the respective bottom of the profile (10) and mates therewith.

5. Luggage (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said profile has a uniform thickness (s) .