Novel folding luggage and duffles and hinges therefor
Inactive Publication Date: 2013-03-28
CHI YUEH CHEN STEPHEN +2
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[0006]In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for providing collapsible luggage can be facilitated by using self-locking hinges to allow horizontal support structures or panels to collapse by folding one portion, or by folding both portions of said supporting panels, onto or nearly onto, each other. Such self-locking hinges can include a first arm and a second arm, the first arm provided with a cylinder containing a spring and a ball; the first arm and the second arm each rotatably connected to an axis; and a flange co-axial with the axis, the flange fixed with respect to the second arm, the flang
Problems solved by technology
Often, when storing luggage, a large amount of space or an entire closet is devoted to the task.
This is because luggage doesn't readily stack on each other and doesn't have a uniform size so there are loose piles of luggage which often are somewhat unstable and fall over.
Additionally, in order to save space when transporting luggage, such as from a manufacturer in the Orient to an American distributor, luggage cannot readily be compressed so sets of luggage are attempted to be nest
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[0038]In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, various hinges and methods of providing and using such hinges are presented, which can be used to facilitate various types of collapsible luggage. Such exemplary collapsible luggage can, for example, have two states, i.e., (i) a fully extended state in which said luggage is used by a user to hold, for example, clothing and objects, and (ii) a compressed, or folded, state in which the luggage has a minimum volume and can be easily and conveniently stored, especially where space is a premium. In the fully extended state, the exemplary luggage can, for example, have as much structural support as conventional luggage, and thus can support other items on top of its top panel, as is commonly done by travelers. Various novel technologies are used to obtain maximal compression in the compressed state, provide rigidity and structural support in the fully extended state, and to allow for convenient transformation between the two states....
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Abstract
Collapsible luggage uses self-locking hinges to allow horizontal support structures to collapse by folding said supporting panels onto, or nearly onto, each other. The hinges can include a first arm provided with a cylinder containing a spring and a ball, and a second arm, each arm rotatably connected to an axis; and a curved flange, coaxial with the axis and fixed with respect to the second arm, having notches at selected positions along its arcuate surface corresponding to preset stops. The flange can be placed so as to abut the ball at the end of the cylinder. Double versions of such self-locking hinges can be provided, which can be used in various collapsible surfaces in luggage and various other containers and bags.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61 / 575,657, filed on Aug. 24, 2011, 61 / 634,553, filed on Mar. 2, 2012, 61 / 690,234, filed on Jun. 21, 2012, 61 / 690,197, filed on Jun. 21, 2012, and 61 / 690,233, filed on Jun. 21, 2012, the disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates to container technologies, and in particular to systems and methods for providing collapsible luggage that can (i) achieve significant compression of volume, and concomitant ease of portability, in a compressed state, yet can also (ii) maintain rigidity and provide structural support in an expanded state.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]In the modern world, especially in areas which are substantially populated, people live in relatively small apartments or even houses and have a limit on storage space. Often, when storing luggage, a large amount of...
Claims
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Application Information
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