Luggage case
By designing pivotable front and rear covers and TSA lockers in the suitcase, the existing suitcase cover is difficult to replace and inconvenient storage at the rear, achieving convenient replacement and improved space utilization.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202311082946.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-06-09
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-25
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-10
AI Technical Summary
The existing suitcase lid is difficult to replace, and is single in design and inconvenient to use the rear storage space, resulting in high production costs and complexity.
A suitcase with front and rear cover is designed, both pivoted and movable by hinge assembly and equipped with a TSA locker, allowing simultaneous unlocking for replacing the cover plate and increasing storage space utilization.
It realizes convenient replacement of suitcase lids and effective utilization of rear space, reducing production costs and complexity, while improving space utilization and aesthetics.
Smart Images
Figure CN119097145A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a luggage case, and more particularly to a luggage case having at least one lid that is pivotally movable relative to a body about a hinge assembly. Background Art
[0002] There are a large number of suitcases on the market to meet the various needs of travelers. However, it should be noted that existing suitcases still have many disadvantages. For example, in existing suitcases, the cover is usually connected to the main body by one or more zippers. This makes it difficult to replace the cover when, for example, the cover is damaged or when the user wants to replace the cover with other features such as different graphic designs. In addition, conventional suitcases usually have only one cover that can be opened to allow access to the main storage space of the suitcase. This is inconvenient, especially when the user needs to position the items placed at the rear of the main storage space in the suitcase. In addition, due to the current suitcase design, it is necessary to produce the entire main body shell or produce a plurality of parts of different sizes and configurations to form the main body shell, which makes the production cost high and / or complicated. Summary of the invention
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a luggage case in which at least one of the above disadvantages is alleviated, or at least to provide a useful alternative for commerce and the public.
[0004] According to the present invention, there is provided a luggage case, comprising a main body member, a first cover member, and a second cover member, the main body member having a plurality of wall members, a first opening, and a second opening opposite to the first opening, the plurality of wall members being connected to each other and defining an interior space, the first cover member being pivotally movable relative to the main body member between an open position and a closed position, wherein the open position allows access to the interior space of the main body member via the first opening, and the closed position prevents access to the interior space of the main body member via the first opening, the second cover member being pivotally movable relative to the main body member between an open position and a closed position, wherein the open position allows access to the interior space of the main body member via the second opening, and the closed position prevents access to the interior space of the main body member via the second opening, wherein both the first cover member and the second cover member are lockable by a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) locker from moving from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions, and wherein the TSA locker is operable to simultaneously unlock the first cover member and the second cover member to allow the first cover member and the second cover member to move from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] A luggage case according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0006] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a luggage case according to a first embodiment of the present invention in a front lid closed configuration;
[0007] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A front perspective view of the trunk in a front lid open configuration;
[0008] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 a rear perspective view of the trunk in the rear lid closed configuration;
[0009] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 a rear perspective view of the trunk in the rear lid open configuration;
[0010] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a suitcase with the front and rear covers removed for clarity;
[0011] Figure 6 is based on Figure 1 A perspective view of the hinged connection between the front cover and the front wheel castor housing of the first design of the luggage case;
[0012] Figure 7 is based on Figure 1 A perspective view of an articulated connection between a front cover and a front wheel caster housing of another design of a luggage case;
[0013] Figure 8 Show according to Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an articulated connection between a front cover and a front wheel caster housing of yet another design of a luggage case;
[0014] Fig. 9 Show according to Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an articulated connection between an alternatively designed front cover and a front wheel castor housing of a luggage case;
[0015] Fig.10 is a rear perspective view of a luggage case according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the luggage case being in a rear lid closed configuration;
[0016] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 a rear perspective view of the trunk in the rear lid open configuration;
[0017] Fig.12 yes Fig.10 A perspective view of a hinge connection between a front cover and a main body of a luggage case;
[0018] Fig.13 yes Fig.10 A perspective view of another hinge connection between the front cover and the main body of the luggage case;
[0019] Fig.14 yes Fig.10 A perspective view of a hinge assembly of a luggage case in a hinged closed configuration;
[0020] Fig.15 yes Fig.14 A perspective view of the hinge assembly in a hinged open configuration;
[0021] Fig.16 Show according to Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a hinged connection between a front cover and a main body of a luggage case;
[0022] Fig.17 Show according to Fig.10 A schematic diagram of a hinged connection between a front cover and a main body of another design of a luggage case;
[0023] Fig.18 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the main body of the suitcase; and
[0024] Figures 19 to 22 yes Figure 1 Various perspective views of the half body portion of the main body of the suitcase. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] According to the first embodiment of the present invention, the luggage case Figures 1 to 4 It is shown in and generally indicated by 10.
[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the luggage case 10 has a main body 12, which has an upper wall 14a, two side walls 14b and a lower wall 14c, which are connected to each other and define an internal space 16. The main body 12 has a front opening 18 and a rear opening 20, and the rear opening 20 is opposite to the front opening 18. A handle 22 is provided on the upper wall 14a and one (or both) side walls 14b.
[0027] like Figure 2 As shown, the front cover 24 is pivotally movable relative to the main body 12 about the front hinge 26 of the front wheel caster housing 52. A pair of front wheel casters 30 are connected to the front wheel caster housing 52. It can be seen that the front cover 24 is pivotally movable relative to the main body 12 about the axis P1-P1, and the axis P1-P1 is located in a plane parallel to the lower wall 14c. When the front cover 24 is in a position as shown in FIG. Figure 1 In the closed position shown, access to the interior space 16 through the front opening 18 is blocked, while the front cover 24 is in the closed position shown. Figure 2In the open position shown, access to the interior space 16 is permitted through the front opening 18. When the front cover 24 is in its closed position, an annular rubber trim or trims are provided along the inner edge 31 of the front cover 24 adjacent the main body 12 of the luggage case 10 for better sealing the interface between the main body 12 and the front cover 24.
[0028] like Figure 1 As shown, when the luggage case 10 is in its upright orientation (with the upper wall 14a facing upward and the two side walls 14b facing sideways, and the front wheel casters 30 and the rear wheel casters 38 (such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 When the luggage case 10 is supported on a lower surface, such as a floor, and the front cover 24 is in its closed position, the front wheel caster 30 and the front wheel caster housing 52 are below the front cover 24.
[0029] Go to Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the luggage case 10 also has a rear cover 32 that is pivotally movable relative to the body 12 about a rear hinge 34 of a rear wheel caster housing 48. A pair of rear wheel casters 38 are connected to the rear wheel caster housing 48. The rear cover 32 is pivotally movable relative to the body 12 about an axis P2-P2, the axis P2-P2 being located on a plane parallel to the lower wall 14c and the axis P1-P1, and the front cover 24 is pivotally movable relative to the body 12 about the axis P1-P1. When the rear cover 32 is in a position such as Figure 3 In the closed position shown, access to the interior space 16 through the rear opening 20 is blocked, and when the rear cover 32 is in the closed position shown, access to the interior space 16 through the rear opening 20 is blocked. Figure 4 In the open position shown, access to the interior space 16 is permitted through the rear opening 20. When the rear cover 32 is in its closed position, an annular rubber trim or trims are provided along the inner edge 39 of the rear cover 32 adjacent to the main body 12 of the luggage case 10 to better seal the interface between the main body 12 and the rear cover 32. It is contemplated that the front cover 24 and the front hinge 26 can be removed from the main body 12 (and the rear cover 32 and the rear hinge 34 can be removed) by unscrewing a few screws, and a new front and / or rear cover can be replaced and fixed to the main body 12 with screws, thereby facilitating customer maintenance and cutting of the luggage case 10.
[0030] like Figure 3As shown, when the luggage case 10 is in its upright orientation and the rear lid 32 is in its closed position, the rear wheel caster 38 and the rear wheel caster housing 48 are below the rear lid 32. As described above, in the present invention, when the luggage case 10 is in its upright orientation and the front lid 24 and the rear lid 32 are in their closed positions, the front wheel caster 30 and the front wheel caster housing 52 are located below the front lid 24, and the rear wheel caster 38 and the rear wheel caster housing 48 are located below the rear lid 32. This creates more storage space within the luggage case 10 because the front wheel caster housing 52 and the rear wheel caster housing 48 occupy space that would traditionally be reserved for opening a zipper.
[0031] The rear cover 32 also includes a telescopic handle 40 that can be moved simultaneously with the rear cover 32. When the telescopic handle 40 is extended, it can be held by the user to move the luggage case 10. First, the telescopic handle 40 can be fixed to the rear cover 32 by a plurality of screws, thereby allowing the telescopic handle 40 to be easily replaced. Second, the structure of the present invention produces a more beautiful appearance, improves space utilization, enables the openings 18, 20 to be made larger, and makes it easier to install decorative parts, thereby improving manufacturing productivity.
[0032] A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) locker 41 and a set of combination lock dials 42 are provided on the upper wall 14a of the main body 12 of the luggage case 10. When the front cover 24 and the rear cover 32 are both in their respective closed positions, the combination lock dial 42 is operable to lock the front cover 24 and the rear cover 32 to prevent them from pivoting relative to the main body 12 of the luggage case 10. In particular, after the combination lock dial 42 is set with an opening code such as "111", when the front cover 24 and the rear cover 32 are in their respective closed positions, if the combination lock dial 42 presents any number other than the opening code, the front latch 44 and the rear latch 46 are both locked, which means that the front latch 44 cannot be opened to allow the front cover 24 to pivot relative to the main body 12 to its open position, and the rear latch 46 cannot be opened to allow the rear cover 32 to pivot relative to the main body 12 to its open position. Although the front latch 44 and the rear latch 46 are referred to and illustrated herein as latch-type locks, other types of suitable locks (eg, clip-type locks) may be used.
[0033] When the combination lock dial 42 is operated to present the opening combination, both the front latch 44 and the rear latch 46 are simultaneously unlocked, so that the front latch 44 can be opened to allow the front cover 24 to be pivotally moved to its open position relative to the body 12, and the rear latch 46 can be opened to allow the rear cover 32 to be pivotally moved to its open position relative to the body 12. The TSA locker 41 is operable to lock and unlock the front latch 44 and the rear latch 46 simultaneously.
[0034] Go to Figure 5, a pair of rear wheel casters 38 are connected to the rear wheel caster housing 48. The rear wheel caster housing 48, the rear connector 36, the main body 12 and the rear connecting plate 50 (which is located in the interior space 16 of the main body 12) are fixed to each other by, for example, a plurality of screws or rivets (not shown). Figure 3 and Figure 4 It can be seen that when the rear cover 32 is in its closed position, the rear connector 36, the rear wheel caster housing 48 and the rear wheel caster 38 are located below the rear cover 32. The rear wheel caster housing 48 includes a rear hinge 34, and the rear cover 32 can be pivotally moved relative to the body 12 about the axis P2-P2.
[0035] Similarly, if Figure 5 As shown, a pair of front wheel casters 30 are connected to a front wheel caster housing 52. The front wheel caster housing 52, the front connector 28, the main body 12, and the front connecting plate 54 (which is located in the interior space 16 of the main body 12) are fixed to each other by, for example, a plurality of screws or rivets (not shown). Figure 1 and Figure 2 It can be seen that when the front cover 24 is in its closed position, the front connector 28, the front wheel caster housing 52 and the front wheel caster 30 are located below the front cover 24. The front wheel caster housing 52 includes a front hinge 26, and the front cover 24 can be pivotally moved about the axis P1-P1 relative to the main body 12. Both the front connector 28 and the rear connector 36 are angular sections, so that while their weight can be kept low, they are still effective in absorbing the vertical, lateral and rotational loads generated by the front wheel caster 30 and the rear wheel caster 38 or the impact loads directly applied to the front wheel caster housing 52 and the rear wheel caster housing 48.
[0036] Figure 6 The arrangement of the hinge connection between the front cover 24 and the first design of the front wheel caster housing (indicated as 52a) is shown. The front wheel caster housing 52a is a multi-piece structure, including a central connecting unit 56 and two front wheel caster connectors 58, which are connected to both sides of the front wheel caster housing 52a. Each front wheel caster connector 58 has an opening 60, and one of the front wheel casters 30 can be connected to the opening for simultaneous movement.
[0037] The front cover 24 has a tongue 62 that is received between the two front wheel caster axle connectors 58. In one possible construction, the tongue 62 has two pins (not shown) that extend laterally away from each other and are received in a channel (not shown) of each of the two front wheel caster connectors 58, thereby forming a hinge assembly about which the front cover 24 is pivotally movable relative to the front wheel caster housing 52a, and thereby pivotally movable relative to the body 12 fixedly engaged with the front wheel caster housing 52a. In an alternative construction, the tongue 62 of the front cover 24 has two channels (not shown) (or alternatively, one channel extending through its width), and each of the two front wheel caster connectors 58 has a pin (not shown) that extends toward each other and is received in the channel of the tongue 62, thus also forming a hinge assembly about which the front cover 24 is pivotally movable relative to the front wheel caster housing 52a, and thereby pivotally movable relative to the body 12 fixedly engaged with the front wheel caster housing 52a. In yet another alternative configuration, the tongue 62 of the front cover 24 has a channel (not shown) extending through its width, and each of the two front wheel caster connectors 58 also has a channel (not shown). When properly assembled, the channel of the front cover 24 aligns with the channel of the front wheel caster connectors 58. One or more pins can be inserted into the channel formed by the channel of the front cover 24 and the channels of the two front wheel caster connectors 58 to form a hinge assembly.
[0038] Figure 7 The arrangement of the hinge connection between the front cover 24 and the second design (denoted as 52b) of the front wheel caster housing is shown, and the front wheel caster housing 52b is a single-piece structure. The front wheel caster housing 52b also has two openings 60, and the front wheel caster 30 can be connected to the openings for simultaneous movement. Two possible designs of the hinge connection between the tongue 62 of the front cover 24 and the front wheel caster housing 52b are as described above.
[0039] Figure 8 Another hinge structure between the front cover 24 and the front wheel caster housing 52 is shown (covering two designs of front wheel caster housings 52a, 52b), which allows the front cover 24 to pivotally move relative to the front wheel caster housing 52 between its open position (shown in solid lines) and closed position (shown in dotted lines). Fig. 9 A further hinge structure between the front cover 24 and the front wheel caster housing 52 (covering two designs of the front wheel caster housings 52a, 52b) is shown, which allows the front cover 24 to pivotally move relative to the front wheel caster housing 52 between its open position (shown in solid lines) and closed position (shown in dotted lines). Figure 8 and Fig. 9The primary difference between the two hinge structures shown is the positioning of the pin 64 which forms the pivot axis between the front cover 24 and the front caster housing 52 (and thereby the pivot axis between the front cover 24 and the main body 12).
[0040] It should be understood that the arrangement of the hinge connection between the front cover 24 and the front caster housings 52 , 52 a , 52 b described above may also be used to connect the rear cover 32 to the rear caster housings 48 .
[0041] Fig.10 and Fig.11 Two rear perspective views of a suitcase according to a second embodiment of the present invention are shown, and the suitcase is generally indicated by 110. The suitcase 110 has a similar structure to the suitcase 10, for example, the suitcase 110 has a main body 112, a front cover 124, a rear cover 132, a front wheel caster 130, a rear wheel caster 138, a telescopic handle 140, a TSA locker 141, a combination lock dial 142, a front latch 144, a rear latch 146, a rear wheel caster housing 148 and a front wheel caster housing 152, the main body 112 includes an upper wall 114a, two side walls 114b and a lower wall 114c (the upper wall 114a, the side walls 114b and the lower wall 114c define an internal space 116), and the telescopic handle 140 can move simultaneously with the rear cover 132 (see Fig.12 and Fig.13 ).
[0042] The rear cover 132 is pivotally movable about an axis P3-P3 relative to the body 112 about a pair of rear hinges 166 located on one side wall 114b of the body 112. It can be seen that the axis P3-P3 is perpendicular to the axis P2-P2.
[0043] Although not explicitly shown in the drawings, the front cover 124 of the luggage case 110 is pivotally movable relative to the body 112 about an axis parallel to the axis P3 - P3 about a pair of hinges on one side wall 114 b of the body 112 .
[0044] The rear latch 168 and the front latch 170 are disposed on one side wall 114b. When the rear cover 132 is in its closed position, the rear latch 168 locks the rear cover 132, preventing it from pivoting relative to the body 112 to its open position. The user can unlock the rear latch 168 to allow the rear cover 132 to pivot relative to the body 112 to its open position. Similarly, when the front cover 124 is in its closed position, the front latch 170 locks the front cover 124, preventing it from pivoting relative to the body 112 to its open position. The user can unlock the front latch 170 to allow the front cover 124 to pivot relative to the body 112 to its open position. Although the rear latch 168 and the front latch 170 are referred to and shown as latch-type lock buckles herein, other types of suitable lock buckles (e.g., clip-type lock buckles) may also be used.
[0045] Fig.12 A front hinge 172 is shown connecting the front cover 124 and the main body 112 of the luggage case 110, to which the front wheel caster housing 152 is fixedly coupled. The front hinge 172 includes a male member 174 and a female member 176 that cooperate with each other to allow the front cover 124 to pivotally move relative to the main body 112 about the front hinge 172. Fig.13 As shown, the front hinge 172 may be disposed along the other side of the body 112 and the front cover 124 . Fig.14 The front hinge 172 is shown in a closed configuration, and Fig.15 The front hinge 172 is shown in an open configuration.
[0046] Fig.16 Another configuration of a front hinge assembly 172 between the front cover 124 and the main body 112 is shown that allows the front cover 124 to pivotally move relative to the main body 112 between its open position (shown in solid lines) and closed position (shown in phantom lines). Fig.17 1 shows another configuration of a front hinge assembly 172 between the front cover 124 and the main body 112 that allows the front cover 124 to pivotally move relative to the main body 112 between its open position (shown in solid lines) and closed position (shown in dashed lines). Fig.16 and Fig.17 The primary difference between the two structures shown is the positioning of the pin 178 connecting the male and female bodies 174 and 176 of the hinge assembly 172 , which forms the pivot axis between the front cover 124 and the body 112 .
[0047] like Fig.18 As shown, the body 12 of the luggage case 10 is formed from two identical half-body portions 72 connected to one another by a metal or plastic frame 74 (eg, a ring frame) between the two half-body portions 72 . Figures 19 to 22 Various perspective views of two half body parts 72 are shown. A major advantage of this arrangement is that only one mould needs to be made, which reduces mould costs and development time.
[0048] It is contemplated that the luggage case 110 is similarly constructed in that its body 112 is also formed from two identical half-body portions that are connected to one another via a metal or plastic frame (eg, a ring frame) between the two half-body portions.
[0049] In the case of luggage case 10, each of front cover 24 and rear cover 32 is pivotally movable relative to main body 12 about respective generally horizontal axes when luggage case 10 is in its upright orientation. For luggage case 110, each of front cover 124 and rear cover 132 is pivotally movable relative to main body 112 about respective generally vertical axes when luggage case 110 is in its upright orientation. It is contemplated that luggage cases according to the present invention may be luggage cases in which, when the luggage case is in its upright orientation, one of the front cover and rear cover is pivotally movable relative to the main body about a hinge assembly about a generally horizontal axis, and the other of the front cover and rear cover is pivotally movable relative to the main body about a hinge assembly about a generally vertical axis.
[0050] It should be understood that the above merely describes embodiments in which the present invention may be implemented and that various modifications and / or changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0051] It should also be understood that certain features of the present invention described in the context of separate embodiments for clarity may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, for brevity, the various features of the present invention described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided or provided individually or in any suitable sub-combination.
Claims
1. A suitcase, include: A main body component, the main body component comprising: a plurality of wall members connected to each other and defining an interior space, The first opening, and a second opening, the second opening being opposite to the first opening, a first cover member pivotally movable relative to the main body member between an open position allowing access to the interior space of the main body member via the first opening and a closed position preventing access to the interior space of the main body member via the first opening, and a second cover member pivotally movable relative to the main body member between an open position allowing access to the interior space of the main body member via the second opening and a closed position preventing access to the interior space of the main body member via the second opening, wherein both the first cover member and the second cover member are lockable by a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lock to prevent movement from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions, and Wherein the TSA lock is operable to simultaneously unlock both the first cover member and the second cover member to allow the first cover member and the second cover member to move from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions.
2. The luggage case of claim 1 , further comprising a second locking member operable to simultaneously control the operation of the first locking member and the second locking member, in, The first locking member is operable to allow or prevent relative pivotal movement between the first cover member and the body member, and Wherein, the second locking member is operable to allow or prevent relative pivotal movement between the second cover member and the main body member.
3. A luggage case according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The first cover members include handle members for simultaneous movement.
4. The luggage case according to claim 3, in, The handle member is a telescopic handle member.
5. A luggage case according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The body member includes two substantially identical body halves.
6. The luggage case according to claim 5, in, The half body parts are connected to each other via a frame between the half body parts.
7. A luggage case according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least a first wheel connected to the body member via a first connecting member.
8. The luggage case according to claim 7, in, The first connecting member includes a first hinge assembly about which the first cover member is pivotally movable relative to the main body member.
9. The luggage case according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a second wheel connected to the main body member via a second connecting member.
10. The luggage case according to claim 9, in, The second connecting member includes a second hinge assembly about which the second cover member is pivotally movable relative to the main body member.
11. The luggage case according to any one of claims 7 to 10, in, The first wheel is beneath the first cover member when the luggage case is in an upright orientation and the first cover member is in its closed position.
12. The luggage case according to claim 11, in, The second wheel is beneath the second cover member when the luggage case is in the upright orientation and the second cover member is in its closed position.