Compression deployment locking device for luggage and luggage containing same

Abstract

A compression deployment locking device for a luggage piece and an expandable luggage piece including one or more such devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a housing member having an internal passage with protruding housing teeth, and one or more cam elements. A rack member slidably disposed in the internal passage has rack teeth releasably engageable with the housing teeth. A release member movably disposed in the internal passage includes a release cam, and the release member is displaceable from a first position locking movement of the rack member in a deployment direction to a second position in which the release cam impacts the housing cam element, effectively pushing the housing teeth apart from the rack teeth sufficient to permit movement between the housing member and the rack member in the deployment direction.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 119,712, filed December 1, 2020, pursuant to 35 U.S.SC §119, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a compression-deployment locking device for use in a suitcase, enabling the safe and selective increase or decrease of suitcase capacity as needed, and the ability to compactly pack suitcase items. This disclosure also relates to a suitcase including the compression-deployment locking device. Background Technology

[0004] Expandable suitcases known in the art include various designs that allow the suitcase to be compressed and expanded, including devices for locking in place the increased or decreased internal capacity of the suitcase. Such devices typically consist of multiple parts and components that need to be manufactured and assembled together, and the resulting device itself, when installed in the suitcase, usually requires the person packing the suitcase to use both hands to manipulate the device.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a simpler compression-deployment locking device that allows for one-handed operation. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one practice, this disclosure relates to a compression-deployment locking device for a suitcase component, the compression-deployment device comprising: a housing member including an internal channel, two rows of parallel housing teeth projecting into the internal channel, and a pair of housing cam elements, each housing cam element being configured to be axially adjacent to a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth of the two rows of parallel housing teeth; and a rack member including a pair of rack arms slidably received in the internal channel, each parallel rack arm including a row of parallel rack teeth adapted to releasably engage a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth of the two rows of parallel housing teeth and allow for contact between the housing member and the rack member in the compression direction. The movement of the housing member and the rack member along the unfolding direction is controlled by the release member, which is movably disposed in the internal channel between the housing member and the rack member on the sides opposite to the rack teeth. The release member includes a release cam projecting between the pair of parallel rack arms. The release member is displaceable from a first position to a second position, in which the movement of the rack member along the unfolding direction is locked, and in the second position, the release cam strikes at least a portion of each housing cam element, effectively pushing the housing teeth away from the rack teeth, sufficient to allow movement between the housing member and the rack member along the unfolding direction.

[0007] In another embodiment, this disclosure relates to a deployable suitcase assembly, comprising: a main suitcase body having a bottom surface and a cavity formed to accommodate packed items; a deployable body having a periphery defining the cavity; a foldable support plate connecting the suitcase body to the deployable body; and a compression and locking device disposed within an opposite end of the suitcase assembly, the compression and locking device comprising: a housing member fixed to one of the suitcase body or the deployable body, the housing member including an internal channel, two rows of parallel housing teeth projecting into the internal channel, and a pair of housing cam elements, each housing cam element being axially adjacent to a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth; and a rack member fixed to the other of the suitcase body or the deployable body, the rack member including a slidably received portion of the internal channel. A pair of rack arms in a channel, each parallel rack arm including a row of parallel rack teeth adapted to releasably engage a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth in two rows of parallel housing teeth and allow movement between the housing member and the rack member in a compression direction, and to lock movement between the housing member and the rack member in an unfolding direction; and a release member movably disposed in the internal channel between the housing member and the rack member on the sides opposite to the rack teeth, the release member including a release cam projecting between the pair of parallel rack arms, the release member being displaceable from a first position to a second position, in which movement of the rack member in the unfolding direction is locked, and in the second position, the release cam striking at least a portion of each housing cam element, effectively pushing the housing teeth away from the rack teeth, sufficient to allow movement between the housing member and the rack member in the unfolding direction. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1A This is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the compression-unfolding locking device of this disclosure in the unfolded position. Figure 1B yes Figure 1A The embodiment is a perspective front view in a compressed position.

[0009] Figure 2A yes Figure 1A A plan view of the back side of an embodiment. Figure 2B yes Figure 2B A plan view of the back side of an embodiment.

[0010] Figure 3 yes Figure 1A A perspective view of the rack component of an embodiment.

[0011] Figure 4Ayes Figure 1A A perspective view of a portion of the housing component in an embodiment. Figure 4B yes Figure 4A A top view of the shell components. Figure 4C yes Figure 4A A general plan view of the inner surface of the rear wall portion, wherein the front wall is removed to show the rear wall portion with housing teeth and housing cam.

[0012] Figure 5A yes Figure 1A A front perspective view of the release member in the embodiment. Figure 5B yes Figure 5B A perspective view of the back of the release component.

[0013] Figure 6 yes Figure 1A A diagram illustrating the components of an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 7A yes Figure 1A A midline cross-sectional view of an embodiment. Figure 7B yes Figure 7A Enlarged view of the cross-section of the center line circled in the middle. Figure 7C yes Figure 7B Perspective view of the midline section.

[0015] Figure 8A yes Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of an embodiment in a fully compressed state, wherein the release member is in a first position and the housing teeth and rack teeth are engaged in a locked position. Figure 8B It shows Figure 8A In one embodiment, the release member is in a second position, and the housing teeth and rack teeth are pushed away from each other to allow movement in the unfolding direction.

[0016] Figure 9A yes Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of an embodiment in a locked, unfolded state, wherein the release member is in a first position and the housing teeth and rack teeth are engaged in a locked position. Figure 9B It shows Figure 9A In one embodiment, the release member is in a second position, and the housing teeth and rack teeth are pushed away to allow movement in the deployed position.

[0017] Figure 10 Is adopted Figure 1A A perspective view of the interior area of ​​an embodiment of a luggage component of this disclosure, showing the compression unfolding locking device. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The following detailed description is made with reference to the figures. This is for convenience only and does not limit the scope of this disclosure. The entire contents of U.S. Patent Nos. 9,560,902; 9,801,440; and 10,349,712 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0019] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, an embodiment of the compression unfolding locking device 100 of this disclosure includes a housing member 110, the housing member 110 including an internal channel 400 and two rows of parallel housing teeth 410, 420 protruding into the internal channel, and a pair of housing cam elements 430, 440, each housing cam element being arranged to be axially adjacent to a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth in the two rows of parallel housing teeth. The illustrated embodiment includes a rack member 120 comprising a pair of rack arms 130, 140 slidably received in an internal channel 400. Each parallel rack arm includes a corresponding row of parallel rack teeth 150, 160, the corresponding row of parallel rack teeth being adapted to releasably engage a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth in two rows of parallel housing teeth 410, 420, and to allow movement between the housing member 110 and the rack member 120 in a compression direction (as shown by arrow C), and to lock movement between the housing member 110 and the rack member 120 in an unfolding direction (as shown by arrow E). A release member 170 is movably disposed in the internal channel 400 between the interior of the housing member 110 and the side of the rack member opposite the rack teeth 150, 160, the release member 170 including a release cam 180 projecting between the pair of parallel rack arms 130, 140. The release member 170 can be moved from a first position to a second position, in which the movement between the housing member 110 and the rack member along the unfolding direction is locked (e.g., Figure 8A , Figure 9A As shown in the diagram, in the second position, the release cam strikes at least a portion of each housing cam element to effectively push the housing teeth 410, 420 away from the rack teeth 160, 150, thereby allowing sufficient movement between the housing member 110 and the rack member 120 in the unfolding direction (e.g., as shown in the diagram). Figure 8B , Figure 9B (As shown in the image).

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, housing member 110 includes a front wall portion 190, a rear wall portion 200, opposing sidewalls 290, 291, a top end 210, and a bottom end 220, the bottom end 220 including an edge opening 230, wherein at least the front wall portion 190 and the rear wall portion 200 cooperatively define the internal channel 400. In the illustrated practice, two rows of parallel housing teeth 410, 420 protrude from the rear wall portion 200 into the internal channel, and a pair of housing cam elements 430, 440 protrude from the rear wall portion 200 and extend into the internal channel 400 by a distance exceeding the distance by which the housing teeth protrude into the internal channel 400 (as shown in Figures 7 and 8). As illustrated, each housing cam element 430, 440 is disposed between the edge opening 230 at the bottom end 220 and a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth 410, 420, wherein the housing cam elements are laterally aligned and separated by a gap. The rack member 120 includes a top edge 300, a base portion 310, and each of the pair of parallel rack arms 130, 140 includes a front side 320 facing the front wall portion of the housing member and a rear side 330 facing the inner surface 201 of the rear wall portion 220 of the housing member 110, with rack teeth 150, 160 projecting from the rear side 330. In one practice, the front wall portion 190 of the housing member 110 includes an opening 191, and the release member 170 can be accessed to displace from the first position to the second position through the opening 191. As shown in Figure 5, in one embodiment, the release member 170 has an elongated shape and includes a top portion 172 and a bottom portion 171, a top surface 174, and a bottom surface 175. In the illustrated embodiment, the release member 170 includes a flange 173 extending outward from the top surface 174 and configured to fit within a front wall opening 191 to act as a guide as the release member moves from the first position to the second position, and to stop movement once the second position is reached. Optionally, the release member 170 may include a boss 176 that may fit into an optional complementary shaped slot in the housing member (not shown) to secure and stabilize the release member when disposed in the housing, and to further guide and restrict movement. In one practice, the front wall portion and the rear wall portion are typically straight and planar. In one embodiment (not shown), the rear wall portion may have substantially the same dimensions and shape as the front wall portion. The through hole 311 facilitates fixing to luggage parts, for example, by screws, rivets, bolts, etc.

[0021] In another embodiment, particularly as Figure 4CAs seen in the image, the rear wall portion can be in the shape of a straight frame, which includes two substantially parallel upright members 500, 501, and an upper transverse segment 503 connected to or integral with the two upright members 500, 501 near the top 210, and a lower transverse segment 201 connected to or integral with the upright members 500, 501 near the bottom 220 away from the top 210. The lower transverse segment can be a single piece; or the lower transverse segment can be divided in two, for example, along line 431 into two adjacent halves that together form the lower transverse segment 201. This embodiment and other embodiments described herein may optionally include two slots 450, 460, which may be parallel, wherein each slot 450, 460 is located on a corresponding upright member 500, 501 forming the rear wall portion, and each slot is equally laterally spaced from the outer edge of a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth near the corresponding upright member, each slot 450, 460 extending vertically from the bottom edge 220 of the rear wall portion (e.g., the upright member 500, 501) toward the top edge; in one practice, each slot 450, 460 extends into the rear wall portion (e.g., the upright member) to approximately the same length as the two rows of parallel housing teeth, for example, each slot terminating at a lateral point approximately the same as the end of a row of parallel housing teeth 410, 420 away from the bottom edge 220. In this embodiment, the combination of slots 450, 460 and the bisection 431 produces the lower transverse section 201, which includes a cover, one cover including housing teeth 410 and housing cam 430 and capable of movement away from a plane defined by a corresponding upright member 500, for example at hinge point 411; and another cover including housing teeth 420 and housing cam 440 and capable of movement away from a plane defined by a corresponding upright member 501, for example at hinge point 412.

[0022] In one aspect, such as Figure 4C As seen in the image, the rear wall portion 200 includes a first length LR measured from the bottom end 220 to the top end 210, and the lower transverse segment 201 has a length LS measured from the bottom end 220, wherein the length LS is less than the length LR, for example, LS is about three-quarters of the length LR (LS = 0.75LR), or about half of the length LR (LS = 0.50LR), or about one-quarter of the length LR (LS = 0.025LR).

[0023] Referring to Figures 7, 8, and 9, the pair of housing cam elements 430, 440 can each individually have any shape or size; in one practice, each cam element 430, 440 has substantially the same size and substantially the same shape, and each cam element has a generally first triangular cross section, as illustrated in Figure 7. The release cam 180 can also have any shape or size, as long as it is able to hold the rack member 120 and rack teeth 160 in the locked position in the first position (see Figure 7). Figure 8A , Figure 9A And sufficiently impact at least a portion of one of the housing flanges in the housing cam to push the housing teeth away from the rack teeth, so as to allow movement between the housing member and the rack member when the release member is moved to the second position (see...). Figure 8B , Figure 9B (The arrow indicates the direction in which the release member 170 is displaced). In one practice, a release cam 180 is present on the release member 170 and has a generally second triangular cross-section complementary to the first triangular cross-section of the housing cam element. For example, the ramps 430, 440 of the housing cam element (see FIG. 8 showing the ramp 431 of the housing cam 430) are complementary to the ramp 181 of the release cam 180, such that when the release member 170 is displaced to the second position, the ramps slide against each other to move the housing teeth and / or the rack teeth away from each other. In one aspect, the second triangular cross-section is larger than the first triangular cross-section.

[0024] The compression-deployment locking device may include any suitable structural material or combination of such materials, including but not limited to rigid but flexible materials that are sufficient to allow the housing teeth to be pushed away from the rack teeth, such as all or part of the device, such as the rear wall portion and / or the rear transverse section, which may include plastics, including but not limited to plastics with a high rigidity grade of polyoxymethylene copolymer (POM-C).

[0025] refer to Figure 6 The illustrated embodiment can be assembled into the bottom edge opening 230 of the housing 110 via the first sliding rack member 120 through its top edge 300, and aligned such that rack teeth 150 (not shown) and 160 face housing teeth 410, 420. Then, a release member 170 is inserted between the side of the rack member 120 opposite to the rack teeth and the housing member 110, such that a release cam 180 faces housing cam elements 430, 440.

[0026] Figure 10An embodiment of a luggage component contemplated by this disclosure is illustrated, embodying the compression locking device described herein, as shown, for example, in Figures 1 through 9. The luggage component 600 includes a main luggage body 640 having a bottom surface 641 forming a cavity to accommodate packed items. The luggage component also includes an unfolding body 620 having a periphery defining the cavity. A foldable support plate 630 connects the luggage body 640 to the unfolding body. The support plate 630 allows the unfolding body to move toward the luggage body to change the size of the volume formed by the cavity of the luggage body and the cavity of the unfolding body. The support plate 630 may be foldable or compressible and may comprise fabric or other suitable materials. A cover 610 is attached to the unfolding body 620 and can be sealed and opened, for example, by a zipper. The luggage component 600 may have soft edges, hard edges, or a combination of both, and may have construction materials including fabric, metal, and plastic. The luggage unit 600 may include swivel wheels 690 or rolling wheels or feet or any combination thereof, and may include one or more handles, including telescopic handles attached to the main luggage body. In one embodiment, at least one compression-deployment locking device described herein is secured to the inner wall of the luggage unit, for example by screws, rivets, guide panels, etc. Multiple such devices may be installed, for example, on opposing inner walls.

[0027] As in Figure 10As demonstrated in practice, two compression-deployment locking devices 650, 650a are disposed within corresponding opposing inner walls of the luggage compartment component 600. For example, as described herein, the compression-deployment locking device may include: a housing member fixed to one of the luggage compartment body or the deployment body, the housing member including an internal channel, two rows of parallel housing teeth projecting into the internal channel, and a pair of housing cam elements, each housing cam element being axially adjacent to a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth in the two rows of parallel housing teeth; and a rack member fixed to the luggage compartment body or the other of the deployment bodies to which the housing member is fixed, the rack member including a pair of rack arms slidably received in the internal channel, each parallel rack arm including a row of parallel rack teeth adapted to releasably engage a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth in the two rows of parallel housing teeth. The device includes a housing tooth that allows movement between the housing member and the rack member in the compression direction and locks movement between the housing member and the rack member in the unfolding direction; and a release member movably disposed in the internal channel between the housing member and the rack member on the sides opposite to the rack teeth, the release member including a release cam projecting between the pair of parallel rack arms, the release member being displaceable from a first position to a second position, in which movement of the rack member in the unfolding direction is locked, and in the second position the release cam striking at least a portion of each housing cam element, effectively pushing the housing tooth away from the rack tooth, sufficient to allow movement between the housing member and the rack member in the unfolding direction.

Claims

1. A compression-deployment locking device for luggage components, the compression-deployment locking device comprising: A housing component including an internal channel, two rows of parallel housing teeth projecting into the internal channel, and a pair of housing cam elements, each housing cam element being configured to be axially adjacent to a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth, wherein the housing component includes a front wall portion, a rear wall portion, a top end, and a bottom end, the front wall portion and the rear wall portion cooperatively defining the internal channel, and the bottom end including an edge opening adjacent to the internal channel; A rack member comprising a pair of rack arms slidably received in the internal channel, each parallel rack arm including a row of parallel rack teeth projecting from the rear side of the rear wall portion and adapted to releasably engage a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth of two rows of parallel housing teeth, allowing movement between the housing member and the rack member in the compression direction, and locking movement between the housing member and the rack member in the unfolding direction; and A release member, movably disposed in the internal channel and between the housing member and the rack member on the sides opposite to the rack teeth, the release member including a release cam projecting between the pair of parallel rack arms, the release member being displaceable from a first position to a second position, in which movement of the rack member along the deployment direction is locked, and in the second position, the release cam striking at least a portion of each housing cam element, effectively pushing the housing teeth away from the rack teeth, sufficient to allow movement between the housing member and the rack member along the deployment direction.

2. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein, The pair of housing cam elements protrude from the rear wall portion and extend into the internal channel by a distance exceeding the distance by which the housing teeth protrude into the internal channel, and wherein each housing cam element is disposed between the edge opening and a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth in two rows of parallel housing teeth, the housing cam elements being laterally aligned and separated by a gap.

3. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein, The rear wall portion includes a transverse section away from the top, wherein the two rows of parallel housing teeth and the housing cam element protrude from the transverse section.

4. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein, The rack member includes a top edge and a base portion, and each of the pair of parallel rack arms includes a front side facing the front wall portion of the housing member and a rear side facing the rear wall portion of the housing member, with rack teeth protruding from the rear side.

5. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein, The front wall portion includes an opening, and the release member can be manually approached through the opening to move from the first position to the second position.

6. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein, The front wall portion includes a first length from the top end to the bottom end, and the rear wall portion extends from the bottom end and terminates at a second length less than the first length before reaching the top end.

7. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein, The rear wall portion includes two parallel slots, each slot being laterally spaced from the outer edge of a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth in two rows of parallel housing teeth, and extending vertically from the bottom end of the housing member into the rear wall portion.

8. The locking device according to claim 1, wherein, The pair of housing cam elements have the same size and shape, and each housing cam element has a first triangular cross section; and the release cam has a second triangular cross section that is complementary to the first triangular cross section of the housing cam element.

9. The locking device according to claim 8, wherein, The second triangular cross section is larger than the first triangular cross section.

10. A suitcase component, comprising: The main luggage compartment body has a bottom surface and a cavity formed to accommodate items for packing; An unfolding body having a periphery defining a cavity; A foldable support panel connects the main body of the suitcase to the unfolded body; as well as A compression and unfolding locking device, wherein the compression and unfolding locking device is disposed within the corresponding opposing inner wall of the luggage compartment component, the compression and unfolding locking device comprising: A housing component is fixed to one of the luggage body or the unfolding body. The housing component includes an internal channel, two rows of parallel housing teeth projecting into the internal channel, and a pair of housing cam elements, each housing cam element being arranged axially adjacent to a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth. The housing component includes a front wall portion, a rear wall portion, a top end, and a bottom end. The front wall portion and the rear wall portion cooperate to define the internal channel. The bottom end includes an edge opening adjacent to the internal channel. A rack member, fixed to another component in the luggage body or unfolding body, the rack member including a pair of rack arms slidably received in the internal channel, each parallel rack arm including a row of parallel rack teeth, the row of parallel rack teeth projecting from the rear side of the rear wall portion and adapted to releasably engage a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth of two rows of parallel housing teeth, allowing movement between the housing member and the rack member in the compression direction, and locking movement between the housing member and the rack member in the unfolding direction; and A release member, movably disposed in the internal channel and between the housing member and the rack member on the sides opposite to the rack teeth, the release member including a release cam projecting between the pair of parallel rack arms, the release member being displaceable from a first position to a second position, in which movement of the rack member along the deployment direction is locked, and in the second position, the release cam striking at least a portion of each housing cam element, effectively pushing the housing teeth away from the rack teeth, sufficient to allow movement between the housing member and the rack member along the deployment direction.

11. The luggage box component according to claim 10, wherein, The pair of housing cam elements protrude from the rear wall portion and extend into the internal channel by a distance exceeding the distance by which the housing teeth protrude into the internal channel, and wherein each housing cam element is disposed between the edge opening and a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth in the two rows of parallel housing teeth, the housing cam elements being laterally aligned and separated by a gap.

12. The luggage box component according to claim 10, wherein, The rear wall portion includes a transverse section away from the top, wherein the two rows of parallel housing teeth and the housing cam element protrude from the transverse section.

13. The luggage box component according to claim 10, wherein, The rack member includes a top edge and a base portion, and each of the pair of parallel rack arms includes a front side facing the front wall portion of the housing member and a rear side facing the rear wall portion of the housing member, with rack teeth protruding from the rear side.

14. The luggage box component according to claim 10, wherein, The front wall portion includes an opening, and the release member can be accessed through the opening to move from the first position to the second position.

15. The luggage box component according to claim 10, wherein, The front wall portion includes a first length from the top end to the bottom end, and the rear wall portion extends from the bottom end and terminates at a second length less than the first length before reaching the top end.

16. The luggage box component according to claim 10, wherein, The rear wall portion includes two parallel slots, each slot being laterally spaced from the outer edge of a corresponding row of parallel housing teeth in two rows of parallel housing teeth, and extending vertically from the bottom end of the housing member into the rear wall portion.

17. The luggage box component according to claim 10, wherein, The pair of housing cam elements have the same size and shape, and each housing cam element has a first triangular cross section; and the release cam has a second triangular cross section that is complementary to the first triangular cross section of the housing cam element.

18. The luggage box component according to claim 17, wherein, The second triangular cross section is larger than the first triangular cross section.

Images