Suitcase

Abstract

A suitcase comprises a luggage compartment (10) bounded by side walls (11, 12) and having a rolling frame (20). A pull rod (15) is arranged on the side far away from the frame, and the luggage compartment can be moved through the pull rod (15). The frame comprises a rolling wheel on each of said side walls (11, 12), the wheel having a wheel axis substantially perpendicular to the associated side wall and a running surface beyond the bottom of the luggage compartment. Each wheel is connected to an associated side wall and has a wheel cover (30) interposed between the wheel and the associated side wall. A wheel cover (30, 33, 35) extends around a portion of the periphery of the wheels and provides a guard plate (35) between the wheels, the guard plate (35) at least laterally protecting a majority of the periphery of the wheels.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a travel case comprising a luggage compartment which is delimited on opposite longitudinal sides by side walls and has a rolling frame and a drawbar on a side remote from the frame, by means of which the luggage compartment can be moved. Background Art

[0002] Such suitcases, also known as wheeled suitcases or push suitcases, are widely used by travelers to carry luggage. Such suitcases usually have wheels and a telescopic handle. The rolling frame provides relief when the suitcase is moved on flat ground, so that it does not need to be carried. Particularly popular are so-called wheeled suitcases, whose dimensions comply with the maximum size restrictions for hand luggage set by airlines. These suitcases do not need to be checked in to the baggage hold of the aircraft, but can be taken into the cabin.

[0003] Known wheeled suitcases include two or four swivel wheels located at the bottom of the luggage compartment of the suitcase. The swivel wheels are mounted on an axle in a freely pivotable manner and extend into the suitcase together with the axle. A disadvantage of this design is that the wheels under the luggage compartment increase the overall length dimension without adding additional storage space. The larger the diameter of the wheel, the more space is wasted. Therefore, such swivel wheels are usually given a relatively small shape, which has a negative impact on rolling ability and comfort, especially on uneven ground. Summary of the invention

[0004] One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a travel case which eliminates these drawbacks at least to a large extent while offering an unrivalled efficiency ratio in particular between external dimensions and the volume available as luggage capacity.

[0005] In order to achieve the above purpose, a suitcase according to the type of the invention described in the introduction has the following characteristics: the frame includes rolling wheels located on each of the side walls, the wheels have a wheel axis that is substantially perpendicular to the relevant side wall at least during use and a running surface that extends beyond the bottom of the luggage compartment at least during use, each of the wheels is connected to the relevant side wall and has a wheel cover inserted between the wheel and the relevant side wall, the wheel cover extends around a part of the periphery of the wheel and provides a guard plate laterally, and the guard plate laterally protects the wheel at least on a part of the periphery.

[0006] The wheels of the frame of the suitcase are therefore arranged on the side of the suitcase, rather than on the bottom of the suitcase. With the help of a guard plate, when the suitcase is pulled roughly, the wheel cover protects the wheel from lateral impact. The present invention is based on such a recognition that, in order to provide undiminished rolling ability, the wheel only needs to have its running surface protruding below the bottom, and the rest of the wheel can be located above the bottom. The wasted space below the bottom can therefore be limited to a minimum, regardless of the diameter of the wheel. From the side, the limitation of the available volume of the suitcase due to the placement of the wheel can be limited to a minimum by making the wheel have an elongated shape on the side, which has almost no effect on the rolling ability and comfort of use of the suitcase. It has been found that the ratio of available volume to maximum external dimensions can be greater than the situation in the existing wheeled suitcase.

[0007] From the point of view of reducing the cost price and maintaining mechanical strength and robustness, a preferred embodiment of the suitcase according to the invention has the following characteristics: the wheel cover consists of an integrally formed material body in which the wheels are mounted, the wheel cover is particularly composed of a plastic body, and the wheel cover is more particularly composed of an injection-molded component. In addition, if an injection-molded body of impact-resistant plastic is used here, the wheel cover can be provided in a particularly practical and economical manner.

[0008] Since the wheels are protected around and to the sides by the wheel covers, no wheel housings are needed in the suitcase, which would otherwise limit the available luggage volume of the suitcase. Therefore, another preferred embodiment of the suitcase according to the invention has the following feature: each longitudinal side of the luggage compartment is at least substantially completely flat.

[0009] The suitcase hereby provides an unparalleled luggage volume, particularly in a suitcase with a rolling frame, and at the same time the suitcase can be taken into an aircraft cabin. Therefore, a particular embodiment of the suitcase according to the invention has the following features: the outer dimensions of the suitcase do not exceed 56 cm in length, 45 cm in width and 25 cm in height, respectively, at least within the maximum permissible dimensions of hand luggage permitted by airlines.

[0010] In practice, it has been found that the rolling comfort of a wheeled suitcase increases with the diameter of the wheels mounted thereon. Compared to known wheeled suitcases in which the wheels are completely placed below the bottom, the larger wheel size of the suitcase according to the invention does not further restrict the usable volume of the suitcase. Therefore, another preferred embodiment of the suitcase according to the invention has the following characteristics: the diameter of the wheels is greater than half the height of the luggage compartment, in particular at least substantially equal to the height of the luggage compartment.

[0011] Suitcases are therefore designed with relatively large wheels without these wheels restricting the available volume, in particular these wheels only need their running surface to protrude outside the luggage compartment. In this context, the height of the luggage compartment is understood to be its dimension in the orthogonal direction relative to the largest rear side of the luggage compartment, also referred to as the depth of the luggage compartment.

[0012] In order to improve the rolling comfort, another preferred embodiment of the suitcase according to the invention has the following features: the wheels include wheel bearings located between the running surface and the wheel axis. The wheel bearings not only reduce the rolling resistance of the wheels, making the suitcase more labor-saving when pulling or pushing, but also make the suitcase quieter. In a specific embodiment, the suitcase has the following features: the wheel cover includes a shaft ring, and the wheel bearing is arranged on the shaft ring. Thus, in addition to the guard plate, the wheel cover also provides a practical mounting base for the wheel bearing.

[0013] In order to provide a wheeled suitcase that rolls almost silently, another preferred embodiment of the suitcase according to the invention has the following features: a compressible tire provides the running surface, more specifically, the tire comprises an elastomeric profile with a solid or hollow core, the elastomeric profile especially consisting entirely of an optional natural rubber. Compared to a conventional wheeled suitcase with wheels made entirely of hard plastic, this compressible running surface makes the suitcase quieter and more comfortable, especially on uneven surfaces such as streets or sidewalks.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, the suitcase according to the invention described in the preamble has the following characteristics: the frame includes rolling wheels located on each of the side walls, the wheels having a wheel axis that is substantially perpendicular to the relevant side wall at least during use and a running surface that extends beyond the bottom of the luggage compartment at least during use, each of the wheels being connected to the relevant side wall and having a wheel cover inserted between the wheel and the relevant side wall, the running surface of the wheel in a first mode being at least substantially completely located within the wheel cover, the wheel being received in a wheel bracket in a rollable manner, the wheel bracket being pivotally connected to the wheel cover so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, and the wheel being able to be brought into an operating mode by means of pivoting the wheel bracket about the pivot axis, wherein at least the running surface of the wheel in the operating mode protrudes beyond the bottom of the luggage compartment.

[0015] In this embodiment, the wheel cover provides a protective shell into which the running surface of the wheel in the first mode at least substantially completely disappears. In this mode, not only the wheel is fully protected from external impacts, but also the area around the wheel, such as in particular furniture, clothing and the user's body, is protected from contamination due to contact with the running surface of the wheel. However, the wheel can be folded out of the wheel cover by means of the wheel holder, so that an operating mode is entered in which the suitcase can be rolled on the ground.

[0016] A particular embodiment of the suitcase has the following feature: the pivot axis is oriented at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the relevant side wall of the luggage compartment. This is achieved in particular by the wheel covers being arranged obliquely relative to the side wall, so that the wheels protrude beyond the bottom near the outer corners of the suitcase. The running surface of the wheels now protrudes both beyond the bottom and beyond the back of the luggage compartment, so that the suitcase can be pulled more comfortably.

[0017] Another preferred embodiment of the suitcase according to the invention has the following features: a set of shoulder straps are provided on the outside of the luggage compartment, by means of which the entire suitcase can be worn on the back of the user. Thus, the suitcase can be worn on the back of the user like a backpack or rucksack, thus providing an additional use option. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 is an isometric view of a first exemplary embodiment of a travel case according to the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded view of a travel case;

[0021] Figure 3 Is applied to Figure 1 An isometric view of a wheel cover with a wheel bearing for a travel case;

[0022] Figure 4 is an isometric view of a second exemplary embodiment of a travel case according to the present invention in a first mode; and

[0023] Figure 5 Show Figure 4 The suitcase is in running mode.

[0024] It should also be noted that these figures are purely schematic and are not always drawn to (the same) scale. For the sake of clarity, some dimensions may be more or less exaggerated. Corresponding parts in the figures are indicated by the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Figure 1 A travel case according to the present invention is shown. The travel case includes a luggage compartment 10, which can be closed and opened by means of, for example, a zipper, a buckle or a latch, not shown in the figure. The outer shell of the luggage compartment 10 can be formed by a hard shell or a flexible fabric layer. Internally, the luggage compartment 10 provides an available volume for carrying travel luggage. In this embodiment, a wheeled travel case is used, the size of which meets the maximum size restrictions for hand luggage stipulated by many airlines around the world, i.e., no more than 56 cm in length, and no more than 25 cm in height and 45 cm in width, respectively. Therefore, the travel case can be brought into the aircraft cabin as hand luggage.

[0026] The suitcase comprises a rolling frame with a set of wheels 20, which are arranged near the bottom 13 of the luggage compartment 10 and on the opposite side walls 11 and 12 of the suitcase. The wheel axes 21 of the wheels 20 are oriented almost substantially perpendicular to the side walls 11 and 12 in question. For the practical operation of the suitcase, a telescopic pull rod 15 extends from the suitcase, which is shown in the figure in a fully extended state, but when the pull rod is pushed into the suitcase, it almost completely disappears inside the suitcase. The wheels 20 only protrude with a running surface 25 below the bottom 13 of the suitcase, thus limiting the usable length of the suitcase to a minimum.

[0027] In order to protect the wheel 20 from mechanical damage, a wheel cover 30 is provided around it, see Figure 2 . The wheel cover 30 is formed in one piece by injection molding of a thermoplastic. For this purpose, polyethylene, polypropylene or impact-resistant plastics such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) can be used, for example. The wheel cover 30 extends an edge 33 on one side of the running surface 25 of the wheel 20 to provide a mudguard, and a guard plate or bumper 35 is provided on the other side to protect the wheel from lateral impacts. Since most of the wheel 20 is located above the bottom 13, the wheel 20 can be made very large while keeping the outer dimensions of the suitcase unchanged without adversely affecting the available volume of the luggage compartment 10. The diameter of the wheel is preferably specifically implemented as being greater than half the height of the suitcase, or, as in the present embodiment, the diameter of the wheel is substantially equal to the height h of the suitcase.

[0028] Figure 2 The exploded view in Figure 1 further illustrates the structure of the wheel. Figure 3The wheel cover is further shown in detail. The central part of the wheel cover 30 includes a large number of mounting openings 31 and is firmly connected to the relevant side walls 11, 12 of the suitcase with conventional fasteners such as screws or nails. A guard 35 extends below the bottom 13 of the suitcase, preferably with a gradually narrowing width, so as to gradually transition from one profile to another. The height of the guard is substantially equal to the protruding distance of the running surface 25 of the wheel below the bottom 13, so that the wheel can be protected over its entire height. On the other side, the wheel cover provides a protruding mudguard 33, and the wheel cover thus extends around the running surface 25 over a portion of the periphery of the wheel.

[0029] The wheel cover also provides a collar 37 on which the wheel bearing 40 is mounted. The collar 37 comprises a large number of elastic fingers which snap onto the inner ring of the wheel bearing 40 so that the wheel bearing 40 can be snap-fastened onto the collar 37 in a simple manner. The outer ring of the wheel bearing 40 is connected to the rim 22 of the wheel. The rim carries a compressible tyre which comprises a running surface 25. It is therefore preferred to use an elastomeric one-piece moulding with a solid or hollow core in order to improve the silent rolling of the suitcase. Finally, the wheel is covered with a shield 27 on which advertising or decoration can be arranged as desired. Furthermore, the shield 27 can also be provided with an attractive and distinctive colour design so that the suitcase can be immediately recognised by the user. Like the rim 22, the shield is preferably also made of a suitable thermoplastic and the components are combined together by thermoforming.

[0030] Figure 4 and Figure 5 A second embodiment of a suitcase according to the invention is shown. This suitcase is substantially identical to the suitcase of the first embodiment and therefore also comprises a luggage compartment 10 with a pull rod 15 which can be pulled out of the luggage compartment 10. As in the first exemplary embodiment, the suitcase comprises a set of relatively large rollers 20 which can rotate about their central axis, at least in the mode shown in the figure, and which are laterally protected by a guard 35 of a wheel cover 30. In this case, the wheel cover 30 also comprises a body of material formed in one piece, for example formed in one piece by injection molding of a suitable plastic.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the suitcase also includes a set of shoulder straps 60 on the outside of the back of the luggage compartment 10, with the help of the shoulder straps 60, the suitcase can be worn on the back of the user in the manner of a backpack. The wheel cover 30 provides a protective shell 39, Figure 4 In the illustrated mode, the associated wheel can completely disappear into the protective shell 39. Thus, the user does not have to worry about possible contamination of his clothes or other items by contacting the running surface 25 of the wheel, because the wheel completely disappears into the protective shell 39 formed by the guard 35 and the wheel cover 30.

[0032] The wheel 20 is suspended here and rolls on a wheel support 50 which is connected to the wheel cover so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis Z. The wheel 20 can be folded out of the wheel cover 30, 39 together with the wheel support 50 so as to enter the Figure 5 In this mode, the running surfaces 25 of the wheels protrude beyond the bottom of the luggage compartment 10 so that the suitcase can be pulled while rolling as shown.

[0033] In the embodiment shown, the pivot axis Z extends at an acute angle α relative to the longitudinal axis of the associated side wall. In operating mode, the wheels 20 are ultimately placed obliquely relative to the side wall, thereby increasing the ease of use and rolling comfort of the suitcase. In this mode, Figure 5 As shown, the center axis H of the wheel covers 30, 39 passing through the shaft 21 of the wheel 20 is particularly close to the outer corner of the travel case.

[0034] Although the present invention has been further explained above on the basis of only several exemplary embodiments, it is obvious that the present invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, for those skilled in the art, there can still be many variations and other embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A travel case comprising a luggage compartment which is bounded on opposite longitudinal sides by side walls and has a rolling frame and a drawbar on a side remote from the frame, by means of which the luggage compartment can be moved, characterized in that The frame includes a rolling wheel located on each of the side walls, the wheel having a wheel axis that is substantially perpendicular to the relevant side wall at least during use and a running surface that extends beyond the bottom of the luggage compartment at least during use, each wheel being connected to the relevant side wall and having a wheel cover inserted between the wheel and the relevant side wall, the wheel cover extending around a portion of the periphery of the wheel and providing a guard plate laterally, which laterally protects the wheel at least on a portion of the periphery.

2. The suitcase according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wheel cover is formed by an integrally formed material body in which the wheel is mounted, the wheel cover is particularly formed by a plastic body, and the wheel cover is more particularly formed by an injection-molded component.

3. The suitcase according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Each longitudinal side of the luggage compartment is at least substantially completely flat.

4. The suitcase according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer dimensions of the suitcase shall not exceed 56 cm in length, 45 cm in width and 25 cm in height respectively, and shall be at least within the maximum permissible dimensions of carry-on luggage permitted by the airline.

5. Suitcase according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The diameter of the wheels is greater than half the height of the luggage compartment, in particular at least substantially equal to the height of the luggage compartment.

6. Suitcase according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that The wheel includes a wheel bearing between the running surface and the wheel axis.

7. The suitcase according to claim 6, characterized in that: The wheel cover comprises a shaft collar on which the wheel axle bearing is arranged.

8. Suitcase according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that A compressible tire provides the running surface.

9. The suitcase according to claim 8, characterized in that: The tire comprises an elastomeric profile with a solid or hollow core, which in particular consists completely of an optionally natural rubber.

10. A travel case comprising a luggage compartment which is bounded on opposite longitudinal sides by side walls and has a rolling frame and a drawbar on a side remote from the frame, by means of which the luggage compartment can be moved, characterized in that The frame comprises a rolling wheel on each of the side walls, the wheel having a wheel axis which is substantially perpendicular to the associated side wall at least during use and a running surface which projects beyond the bottom of the luggage compartment at least during use, each wheel being connected to the associated side wall and having a wheel cover inserted between the wheel and the associated side wall, the running surface of the wheel in a first mode being at least substantially completely located within the wheel cover, the wheel being received in a wheel bracket in a rollable manner, the wheel bracket being pivotally connected to the wheel cover so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, and the wheel being able to be brought into an operating mode by means of pivoting the wheel bracket about the pivot axis, the running surface of the wheel in the operating mode protruding beyond the bottom of the luggage compartment.

11. The suitcase according to claim 10, characterized in that: The pivot axis is oriented at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the associated side wall of the luggage compartment.

12. Suitcase according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that A set of shoulder straps are provided on the outside of the luggage compartment, with the aid of which the entire suitcase can be worn on the back of the user.

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