Compression and deployment locking device for luggage and luggage comprising same

Abstract

A compression and deployment locking device for a luggage item and a deployable luggage item comprising one or more such devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device includes a housing member having two or more rows of parallel housing teeth protruding from an inner surface, and a ratchet member movably disposed on the inner surface and including complementary protruding teeth to releasably engage the housing teeth, and a release protrusion disposed on the housing member to release the housing teeth from the ratchet member. The release protrusion is provided in a groove extending in an axial direction of the ratchet member. A release member slidably disposed within the slot includes an internal cam surface that urges the ratchet teeth away from the housing teeth when pulled over the release protrusion by a user to allow movement between the housing and the ratchet member. A release button, which may be engaged, for example, by a user's thumb, may be connected to the release member to allow for more convenient one-handed operation.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 343,259, filed on May 18, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for any and all purposes. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a compression-expansion locking device used in luggage to safely and selectively increase or decrease luggage capacity as required and to enable compact packaging of luggage items. The present disclosure also relates to luggage including the compression-expansion locking device. Background Art

[0003] Expandable luggage known in the art includes various designs that allow the luggage to be compressed and expanded, including devices for locking the increased or decreased internal volume of the luggage in place. Such devices are typically comprised of multiple parts and components that need to be manufactured and assembled together, and the resulting device itself typically requires the person packing the luggage to manipulate the device with both hands when installed in the luggage. Therefore, there is a need for a compression-expand locking device that is simpler in construction and allows for one-handed use. Summary of the invention

[0004] In one practice, the present invention relates to a compression-expand locking device for a luggage item, the compression-expand locking device comprising: (a) a shell member, the shell member comprising: (i) an inner surface, the inner surface comprising two parallel rows of shell teeth protruding from the inner surface; and (ii) a receiving pocket, the receiving pocket spanning at least a portion of the inner surface; (b) a ratchet member, the ratchet member being movably disposed within the receiving pocket, the ratchet member comprising: (i) a top end, a bottom end, and opposing side edges; (ii) a first inner surface, the first inner surface being positioned relative to the inner surface of the shell member and having at least two outwardly protruding parallel ratchet teeth, the ratchet teeth being adapted to releasably engage the shell teeth and allow movement between the shell member and the ratchet member in a compression direction and lock movement between the shell member and the ratchet member in an expansion direction, and (iii) a groove, the groove being disposed between the ratchet teeth and extending along the compression direction. The ratchet member is arranged in an axial direction of the first surface, the groove includes a bottom surface and a release protrusion extending upward from the bottom surface; and (c) a slender release member, the slender release member is slidably arranged in the groove and includes: (i) a first end and a second end, the first end is positioned close to the top end of the ratchet member, and the second end is positioned away from the top end of the ratchet member, and (ii) a head portion, the head portion is arranged along at least a portion of the length of the slender release member, and at least a portion of the release protrusion protrudes into the head portion, the head portion includes a first internal cam surface, the head portion is capable of shifting from a first position to a second position, in which the movement of the ratchet member in the deployment direction is locked, and in the second position, the first internal cam surface effectively hits the release protrusion to push the ratchet teeth sufficiently away from the housing teeth to allow movement between the housing member and the ratchet member in the deployment direction.

[0005] In another practice, the present disclosure is directed to an expandable luggage article comprising: a luggage body having a bottom surface and a cavity formed to receive an article for packaging;

[0006] an unfolded body having a perimeter defining a cavity; a foldable gusset connecting the luggage body to the unfolded body; and a compression-deployment locking device disposed within respective opposing inner walls of the luggage item, the compression-deployment locking device comprising: (a) a shell member secured to one of the luggage body or the unfolded body, the shell member comprising: (i) an inner surface including two parallel rows of shell teeth projecting from the inner surface; and (ii) a receiving pocket extending across the interior of the luggage body. (a) a first inner surface, the first inner surface being positioned relative to the inner surface of the shell member and having at least two outwardly projecting parallel ratchet teeth, the ratchet teeth being adapted to releasably engage the shell teeth and to allow movement between the shell member and the ratchet member in a compression direction. and (iii) a groove disposed between the ratchet teeth and along the axial direction of the first surface of the ratchet member, the groove comprising a bottom surface and a release protrusion extending upward from the bottom surface; and (c) an elongated release member slidably disposed in the groove and comprising: (i) a first end and a second end, the first end being positioned close to the top end of the ratchet member and the second end being positioned away from the top end of the ratchet member, and (ii) a head The slender release member comprises a head portion, the head portion is arranged along at least a portion of the length of the slender release member, and at least a portion of the release protrusion protrudes into the head portion, the head portion includes a first internal cam surface, and the head portion is capable of shifting from a first position to a second position. At the first position, the movement of the ratchet member in the deployment direction is locked, and at the second position, the first internal cam surface effectively impacts the release protrusion to push the ratchet teeth away from the housing teeth sufficiently to allow movement between the housing member and the ratchet member in the deployment direction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the front of an embodiment of a compression deployment device of the present disclosure in a deployed position.

[0008] Figure 2 is in a compressed position Figure 1 A perspective view of the front side of an embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the front side of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the back side of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 5 is in a compressed position as viewed from the midline A Figure 1 A cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 6 is in the extended position as viewed from the center line A Figure 1 A cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Fig. 7A yes Figure 5 A schematic diagram of aspects of the operation of this embodiment in a compressed position showing the circled portion in FIG. Figure 7B yes Figure 6 The circled portion in FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of aspects of the operation of this embodiment showing the deployed position.

[0014] Fig. 8A , Figure 8B , Figure 8C and Fig.8D is a perspective view of an embodiment of a luggage item of the present disclosure, wherein the luggage item is located inside the luggage ( Fig. 8A , Figure 8B ) and outside of luggage ( Figure 8C , Fig.8D ) adopted Figure 1 A pair of compression locking devices are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] The following will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This is only for convenience and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0016] refer to Figure 17, an embodiment of the compression-expand locking device 100 of the present disclosure includes a housing member 110 and a receiving pocket 120, the housing member 110 including an inner surface 260, the inner surface 260 including two parallel rows of housing teeth 240 and 250 protruding upward from the inner surface 260, the receiving pocket 120 including an edge opening 121 leading to the inner surface 260 in a non-limiting embodiment, and the ratchet member 150 is arranged to be movable through the edge opening. The receiving pocket 120 can be formed by an arch 270 near the bottom end 290 of the housing member 110, the arch 270 is open on both sides and spans the entire width of the inner surface 260, or can be formed by an outer housing surface 300 covering all or a portion of the inner surface 260. In one practice, the inner surface 260 may also include side walls 310, 320 extending upward from the inner surface 260 and configured to engage the side edges 150, 160 of the ratchet member 130 to at least partially guide the ratchet member 130 into and out of the housing member 110. For example, the side walls 310, 320 may include corresponding grooves and / or inwardly directed peripheral lips adapted to guide the side edges 150, 160.

[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, the ratchet member 130 includes a top end 140, a bottom end 190, and opposing side edges 150 and 160. As depicted, the ratchet member 130 includes a first inner surface 330 that is positioned in the device 100 opposite the inner surface 260 of the housing member 110 and includes at least two parallel ratchet teeth 200, 210 projecting upwardly from the inner surface 330, the ratchet teeth 200, 210 being adapted to releasably engage the housing teeth 240, 250 and allow movement between the housing member and the ratchet member in a compression direction (indicated by arrow C) and lock movement between the housing member and the ratchet member in an expansion direction (indicated by arrow E). The ratchet member 130 includes a groove 340 disposed between the ratchet teeth 200 , 210 and running in the axial direction (a direction from the top end 140 to the bottom end 190 ), and includes a bottom surface 341 and a release protrusion 220 extending upward from the bottom surface 341 .

[0018] In the illustrated practice, the elongated release member 170 is slidably disposed within the slot 340. In the device 100, the elongated release member 170 includes a first end 171 positioned proximate to the top end 140 of the ratchet member 130 and a second end 172 positioned distal to the top end 140 of the ratchet member 30. The elongated release member 170 includes a head portion 230 disposed along at least a portion of the length of the elongated release member 70. The head portion 230 may include an expanded portion of the release member 170, for example, a cantilevered portion extending outward from the release member 170 and traveling along at least a portion of the length of the release member 170 (as depicted), or may include a hollow portion that travels within at least a portion of the release member 170 and may optionally extend outward from the top surface 175 of the elongated release member, or it may have other suitable designs that allow it to move above or relative to the release protrusion 220, at least a portion of which protrudes into the head portion 230.

[0019] The head portion has a first internal cam surface 360, as shown in the embodiment ( Figure 6 and Figure 7B ), the first internal cam surface 360 ​​is an inclined surface, such as an inclined line that forms an obtuse angle with the top surface 175 of the elongated release member 170; other shapes of the cam surface can be envisioned, such as the first inner wall can include a curved surface shape, such as a convex shape or a concave shape. In the practice shown, the first internal cam surface 160 is an inclined line, and the release protrusion 220 has an inclined surface 225 that is complementary to the inclined surface of the first cam surface 160. In the practice shown, the cross-section of the release member 220 is triangular. Alternatively, the first internal cam surface can be a protrusion, such as a cylindrical or other shaped protrusion that strikes the release protrusion 220. As depicted, the first internal cam surface can form part or all of the end wall of the head portion 230, and as depicted, the first internal cam surface is away from the top end 140 of the ratchet member 130, but the opposite configuration can also be used. For example, the second internal cam surface 361 can exist and form part or all of the end wall of the head portion 230, and the end wall is close to the top end 140 of the ratchet member 130. In addition to the first internal cam surface 360 ​​, the second internal cam surface 361 may also be present.

[0020] The head portion 230 includes a portion of the elongated release member 170 so that it can be released from, for example Figure 5 and Fig. 7A The first position shown is shifted, in which the movement of the ratchet member 130 is locked, that is, the ratchet teeth 200 and 210 and the housing teeth 250 are engaged with each other in a locking manner to prevent movement in the deployment direction (in Fig. 7A , Figure 7B , only the ratchet teeth 210 and the housing teeth 250 are depicted in the midline view, it being understood that, although not shown, the ratchet teeth 200 and the housing teeth 240 are similarly arranged relative to each other as shown for 210 and 250). In one operational embodiment, the head portion 230 (which in the practice shown is an integral part of the elongated release member 170) is displaceable from a first position to a second position, the first position being as shown in FIG. Figure 5 and Fig. 7A As shown, in the first position, the movement of the ratchet member in the deployment direction E is locked due to the mutual engagement of the ratchet teeth 200, 210 with their corresponding rows of housing teeth 240, 250, and the second position is as shown in FIG. Figure 6 and Figure 7B As shown (in the direction of arrow AA), in the second position, the displacement of the head portion 230 toward the top end 140 of the ratchet member 130 causes the first internal cam surface 260 to effectively impact the release protrusion 210, so that the release protrusion 210 and the bottom edge 190 of the inner surface 330 of the ratchet member 130 are moved in an outward direction ( Figure 7B , arrow BB) moves, thereby pushing the ratchet teeth 200, 210 far enough away from the housing teeth 240, 250 to allow movement between the housing member and the ratchet member in the deployment direction E.

[0021] In one practice, the release button 180 is connected to the first end 171 of the elongated release member 170 and is configured to move to the top end 140 of the ratchet member, whereby the head portion is displaced to the second position, as described above. For example, the release button can be configured to be moved by a user from position X ( Figure 5 ) to position Y, where the device is in the first position and locked, and where the device is in the second position and can be deployed. For example, the release button 180, when disposed inside an article of luggage, may optionally include a slightly concave surface or a notched surface or other tactile surface, and the user may place a thumb on the button (e.g., in the depression) and conveniently slide the button from position X to position Y with the same hand. When two compression and deployment devices according to the present disclosure are disposed on opposite inner walls of the luggage article, the user may simultaneously use the thumb of each hand to unlock each device by moving its respective button from its respective X position to the Y position. Thus, the design of the compression and deployment device of the present disclosure allows for faster and more efficient operation. In another practice, the ratchet member 130 includes a bracket 350 disposed above the slot 340, the bracket 350 being configured to hold the elongated member 170 within the slot 340, particularly during use.

[0022] The compression-expansion locking device may include any suitable construction material or combination of these materials, including but not limited to a rigid but sufficiently flexible material to allow the housing teeth to be pushed away from the ratchet teeth, for example, all or part of the device (such as, the first inner surface 330 of the ratchet member 130) may include plastic, including but not limited to a high rigidity grade of polyoxymethylene copolymer (POM-C) as an example. The thickness of the material may also be varied to achieve a push effect, for example, the thickness may be made thin enough to cause a push away.

[0023] Fig. 8A , Figure 8B , Figure 8C and Fig.8D Depicted is a compression locking device (e.g., as Figure 1 7 ). The luggage item 400 includes a main luggage body 440 having a bottom surface 441 forming a cavity to receive an item for packaging. The luggage item also includes an unfolding body 420 having a perimeter defining the cavity. A foldable gusset 430 connects the luggage body 640 to the unfolding body. The foldable gusset 430 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 gusset 430 may be foldable or compressible and may include cloth or other suitable materials. The cover 410 is attached to the unfolding body 420 and is sealable and openable by, for example, a zipper or the like. The luggage item 400 may be soft-sided or hard-sided or a combination of both and may include construction materials including cloth, metal, and plastic. The luggage item 400 may include rotating wheels 490 or rolling wheels or feet or any combination thereof, and may include one or more handles, including a telescopic handle attached to the luggage body. In one embodiment, at least one compression-expansion locking device as described herein is disposed on a wall (inner or outer wall) of the luggage item. Multiple such devices may be installed, for example, multiple such devices are installed on opposing inner walls. At least one compression-expansion locking device is disposed on a wall of the luggage item.

[0024] like Fig. 8A As shown in the non-limiting practice, two compression-expansion locking devices 462, 463 are disposed inside the corresponding opposite inner walls of the luggage item 400. In other practices, one or more than two compression-expansion locking devices may be used. Fig. 8AAs shown, as described herein, the compression-expansion locking device may include, for example, housing members 450, 451, ratchet members 460, 461, and release buttons 480, 481, each of which is fixed to one of the luggage body or the expansion body. Each housing member 450, 451 includes: (i) an inner surface including two parallel rows of housing teeth protruding from the inner surface, and (ii) a receiving pocket spanning at least a portion of the inner surface. Each ratchet member 460, 461 is movably disposed in a corresponding receiving bag and includes (b) a ratchet member movably disposed in the receiving bag, the ratchet member including: (i) a top end, a bottom end and relative side edges, (ii) a first inner surface, the first inner surface is positioned relative to the inner surface of the shell member and has at least two upwardly protruding parallel ratchet teeth, the ratchet teeth are suitable for releasably engaging the shell teeth and allowing movement between the shell member and the ratchet member in a compression direction and locking movement between the shell member and the ratchet member in an expansion direction, and (iii) a groove, the groove is disposed between the ratchet teeth and along the axial direction of the first surface of the ratchet member, the groove including a bottom surface and a release protrusion, the release protrusion extending upward from the bottom surface. Each compression-deployment locking device 462, 463 also includes an elongated release member slidably disposed in the slot, the elongated release member including: (i) a first end positioned proximate to the top end of the ratchet member and a second end positioned away from the top end of the ratchet member, and (ii) a head portion disposed along at least a portion of the length of the elongated release member and into which at least a portion of the releasable protrusion protrudes, the head portion including a first internal cam surface, the head portion being displaceable from a first position, in which movement of the ratchet member in the deployment direction is locked, to a second position, in which the cam surface is effective to strike the release protrusion to push the ratchet teeth sufficiently away from the housing teeth to allow movement between the housing member and the ratchet member in the deployment direction. In the practice depicted in FIG8, release buttons 480, 481 are connected to the first end of their respective elongated release members, and each button is configured to be moved to the top end of the ratchet member, thereby causing the head portion to be displaced to the second position.

[0025] like Fig. 8A As shown, a pair of devices 462, 463 are arranged inside at corresponding opposite inner walls, one such device being fixed to the inner side wall where the wheels 490 are located (the bottom wall of the luggage when the luggage item is in an upright position (i.e., the wheels are on the ground)); and a second such device being fixed to the inside of the opposite wall (the top wall when the luggage item is in an upright position with the wheels on the ground). Figure 8BAnother practice is depicted in which two compression deployment devices 462, 463 are employed, one of which is secured to the inside of a wall perpendicular to the wall where the wheels 490 are located (the vertical side of the luggage item when it is upright), and the second device is secured to the inside of the opposing vertical wall. Figure 8C Yet another practice is depicted in which two compression deployment devices 462, 463 are employed, one of which is secured to the outside of the wall where the wheels 490 are located (the bottom wall of the luggage item when in an upright position), and the second device is secured to the outside of the opposite wall (the top wall when the luggage item 400 is in an upright position). Fig.8D Still another practice is depicted where two compression deployment devices 462, 463 are employed, one of which is secured to the outside of a wall perpendicular to the wall where the wheels 490 are located (the vertical side of the luggage item when in an upright position), and the second device is secured to the outside of the opposite vertical wall. When the compression deployment device is located on the outside outer wall, a cover may be employed to protect the device. In other practices, one device may be located inside and the other device may be located outside.

Claims

1. A compression and expansion locking device for luggage, the compression and expansion locking device comprising: (a) a housing component, the housing component comprising: - (i) an inner surface comprising two parallel rows of housing teeth projecting from the inner surface; and - (ii) a containment pocket, the containment pocket spanning at least a portion of the inner surface; (b) a ratchet member, the ratchet member being movably disposed in the accommodation bag, the ratchet member comprising: - (i) a top end, a bottom end, and opposite side edges; (ii) a first inner surface positioned opposite the inner surface of the housing member and having at least two upwardly projecting parallel ratchet teeth adapted to releasably engage the housing teeth and allow movement between the housing member and the ratchet member in a compression direction and lock movement between the housing member and the ratchet member in an expansion direction, and - (iii) a groove provided between the ratchet teeth and arranged in an axial direction of the first surface of the ratchet member, the groove comprising a bottom surface and a release protrusion extending upward from the bottom surface; and (c) an elongated release member slidably disposed in the slot and comprising: - (i) a first end and a second end, the first end being located proximate to the top end of the ratchet member and the second end being located distal to the top end of the ratchet member, and (ii) a head portion disposed along at least a portion of the length of the elongated release member and into which at least a portion of the release projection projects, the head portion including a first inner wall cam surface, the head portion being displaceable from a first position in which movement of the ratchet member in the deployment direction is locked to a second position in which the first inner wall cam surface is effective to strike the release projection to push the ratchet teeth sufficiently away from the housing teeth to allow movement between the housing member and the ratchet member in the deployment direction.

2. The compression and expansion locking device according to claim 1, wherein: The receiving bag includes an edge opening that enters the inner surface, and the ratchet member is disposed movably through the edge opening.

3. The compression and expansion locking device according to claim 2, wherein: The inner surface of the housing member includes a side wall extending outwardly from the inner surface of the housing member, and wherein the side wall of the housing member and the side edge of the ratchet member engage to guide the ratchet member to move from the first position to the second position.

4. The compression-expand locking device of claim 1 , further comprising a release button connected to the first end of the elongated release member and configured to move to the top end of the ratchet member, whereby the head portion is displaced to the second position.

5. The compression-expansion locking device according to claim 1, wherein: The ratchet member also includes a bracket disposed above the slot, the bracket being configured to retain the elongated release member within the slot.

6. The compression-expansion locking device according to claim 1, wherein: The elongated release member includes a top surface, and the head portion includes a hollow portion located within the elongated release member, the hollow portion extending outwardly along a section of the top surface.

7. The compression and expansion locking device according to claim 6, wherein: A first interior cam surface is inclined to form an obtuse angle with the top surface of the elongated release member.

8. The compression and expansion locking device according to claim 7, wherein: The release projection includes an inclined surface complementary to the first interior cam surface.

9. The compression and expansion locking device according to claim 8, wherein: The cross section of the release protrusion is triangular.

10. The compression-expansion locking device according to claim 1, wherein: The head portion includes a second internal cam surface opposite the first internal cam surface.

11. A luggage item, comprising: a luggage body having a bottom surface and a cavity formed to receive an item for packaging; an expanded body having a perimeter defining a cavity; a foldable gusset connecting the luggage body to the unfolded body; and At least one compression-expansion locking device, the compression-expansion locking device being disposed on a wall of the luggage item, the compression-expansion locking device comprising: (a) a shell member fixed to one of the luggage body or the unfolded body, the shell member comprising: - (i) an inner surface comprising two parallel rows of housing teeth projecting from the inner surface; and - (ii) a containment pocket, the containment pocket spanning at least a portion of the inner surface; (b) a ratchet member fixed to the other of the main body or the unfolded body, the ratchet member being movably disposed in the accommodation bag, the ratchet member comprising: - (i) a top end, a bottom end, and opposite side edges; (ii) a first inner surface positioned opposite the inner surface of the housing member and having at least two outwardly projecting parallel ratchet teeth adapted to releasably engage the housing teeth and allow movement between the housing member and the ratchet member in a compression direction and lock movement between the housing member and the ratchet member in an expansion direction, and - (iii) a groove disposed between the ratchet teeth and arranged in an axial direction of the first surface of the ratchet member, the groove comprising a bottom surface and a release protrusion extending upward from the bottom surface; (c) an elongated release member slidably disposed in the slot and comprising: - (i) a first end and a second end, the first end being located proximate to the top end of the ratchet member and the second end being located distal to the top end of the ratchet member, and (ii) a head portion disposed along at least a portion of the length of the elongated release member and into which at least a portion of the release projection projects, the head portion including a first internal cam surface, the head portion being displaceable from a first position in which movement of the ratchet member in the deployment direction is locked to a second position in which the first internal cam surface is effective to strike the release projection to push the ratchet teeth sufficiently away from the housing teeth to allow movement between the housing member and the ratchet member in the deployment direction.

12. The luggage item of claim 11, the receiving pocket including an edge opening into the interior surface, and the ratchet member being disposed movably through the edge opening.

13. The luggage item of claim 12, wherein: The inner surface of the housing member includes a side wall extending outwardly from the inner surface of the housing member, and wherein the side wall of the housing member and the side edge of the ratchet member engage to guide the ratchet member to move from the first position to the second position.

14. The luggage article of claim 11, further comprising a release button connected to the first end of the elongated release member and configured to move to the top end of the ratchet member whereby the head portion is displaced to the second position.

15. The luggage item of claim 1, wherein: The ratchet member also includes a bracket disposed above the slot, the bracket being configured to retain the elongated release member within the slot.

16. The luggage item of claim 11, wherein: The elongated release member includes a top surface, and the head portion includes a hollow portion located within the elongated release member, the hollow portion extending outwardly along a section of the top surface.

17. The luggage item of claim 16, wherein: The first interior cam surface is inclined to form an obtuse angle with the top surface of the elongated release member.

18. The luggage item of claim 17, wherein: The release projection includes an inclined surface complementary to the first interior cam surface.

19. The luggage item of claim 18, wherein: The cross section of the release protrusion is triangular.

20. The luggage item of claim 11, wherein: The head portion includes a second internal cam surface opposite the first internal cam surface.

21. The luggage item of claim 11, wherein: The luggage item comprises two compression-expansion locking devices, each of which is disposed on an opposite inner wall of the luggage item or on an opposite outer wall of the luggage item.

22. The luggage item of claim 21, wherein: The two compression-deployment locking devices are located inside respective opposing inner walls of the luggage item.

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