Extendable handle device for improving the packing of hand-held transport containers by means of telescopic handles or internal support bars arranged at the edges of the transport container.

Abstract

The invention optimizes the packing of hand-held transport containers, particularly rolling suitcases, sample cases, and tool cases. For this purpose, an extendable handle device is proposed, the support rods of which are arranged along the vertical edges of the transport container and connected to an extendable handle. This creates smooth inner surfaces for optimal packing. When the handle is extended, it is retracted while the support rods are simultaneously unwound. This brings the center of gravity of the person carrying the container and the transport container closer together, which is perceived as more comfortable. Furthermore, to improve the statics, an internal support rod is proposed for non-telescopic handles.

Description

Designation:

[0001] Extendable handle device for improving the packing of hand-held transport containers by means of telescopic handles or internal support bars arranged at the edges of the transport container. Description:

[0002] Hand-operated transport containers with extendable handles, especially rolling suitcases, sample cases, and tool cases, are an integral part of everyday life, for example at airports or train stations, and thus represent the state of the art. Trolleys are the most common type in the public perception. Therefore, this specific form of rolling suitcase will be discussed in detail below, as trolleys are often subject to a high degree of standardization. This standardization stems from airline regulations for cabin baggage, which specify, among other things, the permissible total weight and maximum external dimensions. Generally, these external dimensions are approximately 55.0 × 40.0 × 23.0 cm with a total weight of approximately 8.00 kg. Therefore, lightweight trolley designs are required that comply with these specifications and offer efficient packing to optimally utilize the permitted volume.

[0003] State-of-the-art trolleys essentially consist of the following elements: - Transport container. The transport container typically consists of two hard or soft shells that are joined together for transport; the hard shells extend over the entire height of the transport container. The top of the transport container runs parallel to the bottom, and the bottom, in turn, runs parallel to the rolling surface. Furthermore, the transport container is characterized by two parallel long sides and two parallel short sides. - Four rolling devices with steering wheels - Extension handle device marked as follows: • The extendable handle device essentially consists of two telescopic support rods and a short, non-telescoping handle that connects the upper ends of the support rods. The support rods consist of at least two telescoping rods, often arranged within a sheathing tube. • The handle extends only over part of the top of the transport container, often over a third. • Placement of the extendable handle device inside or outside the case. • With internal extendable handle devices, the exit opening of the support rods is located at the top of the case. • Central arrangement of the pull-out handle device on one long side • The trolley can be pulled out from the top. • Extension direction away from the transport container and largely parallel to the vertical axis of the trolley ( Fig. 1)

[0004] Due to the short length of the handle, the extendable handle device is positioned centrally on one long side of the trolley, according to the prior art. This has the advantage when pulling the trolley that the trolley's center of gravity is located close to the center of gravity of the person pulling it, which is perceived as more comfortable. The comparison between Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 illustrates this advantage of bringing the center of gravity closer together, shown here in a comparison of the short handle 14 to the long handle 15. The telescopic extendable handle device of conventional trolleys is in Fig. 3 to 5 are shown. Fig. Figure 3 shows the suitcase in a frontal view, Fig. 4 the side view, Fig. 5. The view from above.

[0005] The conventional design of the pull-out handle, positioned centrally on one long side of the transport container, restricts packing capacity inside the case because the support bars obstruct the flat, smooth interior of the case shell. Consequently, delicate items such as freshly ironed blouses, shirts, or larger items cannot be transported on this side. Furthermore, the spaces between the support bars and the adjacent outer areas can only be packed with small items. Alternatively, larger "air spaces" are created, further reducing the usable volume.

[0006] To improve the packing efficiency of suitcases in the area of ​​the support rod arrangement, arrangements of the support rods outside the suitcase in the area of ​​the vertical edges are known from the prior art. This arrangement results in more stable running behavior of the trolleys when pulled, especially on uneven surfaces. However, suitcases constructed in this way are less comfortable to handle for the person pulling them due to the increased distance between the vertical axes. This loss of comfort increases with the width of the suitcase, so that this design is perceived as unwieldy overall, especially for people with back and shoulder problems. Furthermore, the support rod located outside the suitcase necessitates an inwardly curved recess in the area of ​​the vertical edge of the shell, which adversely affects the stability of the suitcase.This leads to a higher material usage and therefore a greater dead weight for a given total weight.

[0007] In contrast to the above, internal support bars are known from AT Design 49743. However, in this design, the support bars are inconveniently located in the middle of the narrow side, and it is not a hard-shell suitcase. Internal support bars are also known from US 2017 / 0086555 A1. However, in this design, the support bars do not extend over the entire length of the suitcase but are very short. Furthermore, this design is also not a hard-shell suitcase.

[0008] Several methods are known in the prior art for connecting and positioning the handle and regarding the degrees of freedom of the extendable handle mechanism: The most common is a rigid connection between the handle and the support rod, resulting in only one degree of freedom for the extendable handle mechanism. This degree of freedom is achieved by the telescoping of the support rods. Furthermore, US Patent 2016 / 0270496A1 describes a method with an additional degree of freedom. This degree of freedom is achieved by the sliding attachment of the support rods to the handle. However, this method does not solve the problem that the trolley's center of gravity is located further away from the person pulling it compared to shorter handles, which is perceived as uncomfortable, as described above and in [reference to relevant document]. Fig. 1, Fig. 2 described.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the objective of developing an extendable handle device that has the following properties: - Optimization of the usable volume of hand-held transport containers, especially rolling cases, including their specific forms as trolleys, sample cases, and tool cases. The usable volume of the transport containers is to be increased, in particular, by creating "smooth inner surfaces" that are not disrupted by a pull-out handle. - Good maneuverability of the transport container due to reduction of the distance between the center of gravity of the pulling person and the case - Optimization of the suitcase's stability by eliminating statically unfavorable support bars located outside the trolley in the area of ​​the vertical edges. This reduces the overall weight of the trolley.

[0010] The problem is solved by the features described in claims 1, 2, and 7. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the preferred embodiments described below.

[0011] According to the invention, claim 1 therefore provides that the extension handle device is designed as follows: - Arrangement of the telescopic support rods in the area of ​​the vertical edges of the rising sides or in the area of ​​the rising sides. - The support bars extend over parts or the entire height of the transport container. - Extendable, external handle, located on the top of the transport container when using non-telescoping support poles - The telescopic handle connects the support rods to each other. In a preferred embodiment, the telescopic handle connects the free, upper sections of the support rods to each other.

[0012] With a non-telescoping handle, the handle is extended, and the support rods are not extended. With a telescoping handle, the handle is retracted, and the support rods are telescoping, bent, and / or angled. The retracted handle of a telescoping handle allows the traveler to position the suitcase's center of gravity closer to their own. This arrangement is perceived as more comfortable when carrying the suitcase. Extending the handle is achieved by extending and angled and / or bent the support rods; retracting the handle occurs during or after this process. Retracting the handle is the reverse of this process.

[0013] According to dependent claim 2, it is inventively provided that the telescopic or non-telescoping handle, in the case of a non-telescoping extension handle device, is connected to only one support rod, thus permanently attaching it to only one support rod. If the handle is non-telescoping, its length is selected to provide a comfortable grip width, preferably 18 cm. During or after telescoping and unfolding and / or bending of the support rods, the free end of the handle is connected to the other support rod. In a preferred embodiment, this connection can be made in the area of ​​the free ends of the support rods. The extension handle device is retracted by detaching the handle from the previously connected support rod and then collapsing the support rod.

[0014] To stabilize the extension handle device, particularly with telescopic support rods, the transport container is profiled on its upper surface at the point where the support rods extend. In a preferred embodiment, the profile is designed to define a maximum angle of inclination for the support rods.

[0015] According to claim 1, the support rods are bent and / or angled during the telescoping of the extendable handle device. To support this process, joints and / or hinges are provided in the area of ​​the support rods and handles. In a preferred embodiment, the hinges and / or joints of the support rods are arranged near the transport container (relative to the telescoped support rods) and at the transition from the support rods to the handle. Fig. Figure 10 shows a preferred embodiment.

[0016] Fig. Figures 6 to 12 show a preferred design using the example of a trolley in the Fig. Figures 6 to 9 show the non-telescopic extendable handle. The handle is positioned near the top of the case to minimize the external volume and thus meet the requirements of the transport companies. Preferably, a recess is provided on the top of the case to accommodate the handle. The handle extends via joints located at the transition between the support rod and the handle, and also in the lower section of the support rod. Fig. 6 and Fig. Figure 7 shows frontal views. Fig. 8 a side view, Fig. 9 a supervisor. In the Fig. Figures 10-12 show the telescopic extendable handle device. The support rods are telescopic and angled approximately in one plane relative to each other; the handle is collapsed to a comfortable grip width. Preferably, the usual 18 cm width can again be used. Details are shown below. Fig. 10 a frontal view, Fig. 11 a side view, Fig. 12. A supervisor. To stabilize the extension handle device, a locking device is provided for the extension handle device. The methods are known from the prior art. Claim 5. Furthermore, to stabilize the extension handle device, the joints and hinges located in the area of ​​the support rods and handles are designed with a movement limitation, locking mechanism and / or movement impediment. The corresponding methods are also known from the prior art.

[0017] According to subsidiary claim 7, an extendable handle device is inventively provided for rolling suitcases, the rolling suitcases are characterized as follows: - A case container, usually formed by two case shells, in particular hard or soft shells, which are joined together for transport. Both joined shells form the case container and are marked as follows: * The trays extend largely over the entire height of the suitcase. * Top side parallel or largely parallel to bottom side * Underside parallel or largely parallel to the rollable surface * two parallel or largely parallel long sides * two parallel or largely narrow sides - Two to four swivel casters - Extendable handle device

[0018] The extendable handle device, which is equipped with or without a locking mechanism, is characterized as follows: The handle connects the upper sections of the support rods. The length of the non-telescoping handle corresponds essentially to the width of the suitcase container; it is located in the area of ​​the outer top of the suitcase container. The telescopic support rods are arranged completely or almost completely inside the rolling suitcase container in the area of ​​the rising vertical edges; the exit opening of the support rods is located in the area of ​​the top of the suitcase container. The support rods are guided inside the suitcase container with or without a protective sleeve.The arrangement of the support rods inside the suitcase is primarily intended to improve the stability of the rolling suitcase and thus save weight, since external support rods arranged in the area of ​​the vertical edges require statically unfavorable concave vertical edges.

[0019] When the telescopic handle is extended, the handle bar is moved almost parallel to the suitcase, in the opposite direction to the suitcase. The extension length is maintained until the person pulling the suitcase reaches a comfortable distance.

[0020] The Fig. Figures 13 to 19 show a preferred embodiment of claim 7 using the example of a trolley in the Fig. Figures 17 to 19 show the non-telescopic extendable handle device. The handle is positioned near the top of the case to minimize the external volume and thus meet the requirements of the transport companies. Preferably, a recess for receiving the handle is provided on the top of the case, and the support rod is located inside the case along a vertical edge. Fig. Figures 13-15 show the telescopic extension handle device. The support rods are telescopic, and the handle is moved away from the case container. Fig. Figure 16 shows the top view with the telescopic and non-telescoped extension handle device.

[0021] In summary, these extendable handle devices lead to improved packing of rolling suitcases, better stability, reduced material consumption, lower weight, and improved rolling performance of hand-operated, wheeled transport containers. Reference symbol list: 1 suitcase shell 2 connecting elements for suitcase shells 3 Top of suitcase container 4 Underside of suitcase container 5 Long side suitcase container 6 Narrow side suitcase containers 7 Vertical Edge Suitcase Containers 8 Rolling device 9 telescopic support poles 10 Upper end support rod 11 Lower end support rod 12 Exit opening support rod 13 Telescopic handle 14 Reduced distance between person / suitcase 15 Increased distance between person / suitcase 16 Joint / Hinge 17 Recess for handle 18 Recess in case shell for receiving the handle 19 Handlebar pushed together 20 support poles, telescoped and angled towards each other 21 Person pulling the heavy axle 22 Heavy axle suitcase 23 Handlebar not telescopic 24 Extension handle device 25 Sheathing tube, shown as a jagged line

Claims

[1] Extendable handle device (24) for hand-held transport containers characterized as follows: Extendable handle device with at least two telescopic support rods (9) and at least one largely horizontally arranged telescopic handle rod (13, 19), where the telescopic handle connects the telescopic support rods to each other, with the arrangement of the support rods on the vertical edges of the rising sides of the transport containers or in the area of ​​the rising sides of the transport containers, wherein, in the non-telescoped state, the support rods extend over parts or the entire length of the vertical edge (10, 11) or over parts or the entire height of the rising side of the transport container, the arrangement takes place inside and / or outside the transport container, where, in the case of a non-telescopic extendable handle device, the support rods are not telescopic, the handle is partially or fully extended and is located outside the transport container in the area of ​​the top of the transport container, wherein in telescopic extension handle device the support rods are partially or fully telescopic, angled (20) and / or bent and the handle rod is fully or partially retracted, where, during telescoping of the extendable handle device, the support rods are telescoped, angled and / or bent, and the handle rod is pushed together, the retractable handle mechanism is pushed together in the opposite direction. [2] Extendable handle device for hand-held transport containers characterized as follows: Extendable handle device with at least two telescopic support rods and at least one largely horizontally arranged, telescopic or non-telescoping handle rod, with the arrangement of the support rods on the vertical edges of the rising sides of the transport containers or in the area of ​​the rising sides of the transport containers, wherein, in the non-telescoped state of the extension handle device, the support rod extends over parts or the entire length of the vertical edge or over parts or the entire height of the rising side of the transport container, the arrangement takes place inside and / or outside the transport container, wherein, in the case of a non-telescopic extendable handle device, the handle is arranged in the area of ​​the top of the transport container and connected to a support rod, wherein, in the case of a telescopic extendable handle device, the support rods are partially or are fully telescoping, angled and / or bent, and the handle is connected to both support rods, where, during the telescoping of the extension handle device, the support rods are also telescoped, be angled and / or bent and the handle is connected to the free end area of ​​the other support rod, the retractable handle device is retracted by pushing the support rods together and releasing the handle from the previously attached support rod. [3] Extension handle device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the formation of an angled profile on the top of the transport container in the exit area of ​​the support rods. [4] Extension handle device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the arrangement of joints and / or hinges (16) in the area of ​​the handles and / or in the area of ​​the support bars. [5] Extension handle device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the arrangement of a locking device for locking the telescopic and / or the non-telescoping extension handle device. [6] Extension handle device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by The design of the locking device by limiting movement and / or making movement more difficult and / or locking the joints and / or hinges. [7] Extendable handle device (24) for hand-held transport containers characterized as follows: Extendable handle device with or without locking device with at least two telescopic support rods (9) and at least one handle rod (23), wherein the handle connects the upper areas of the telescopic support rods and, in the case of non-telescoped support rods, is located outside the case container in the area of ​​the top of the case container, with the arrangement of the support rods in the area of ​​two vertical edges of the rising sides of the case container and guidance essentially within the case, wherein the exit opening of the support rods is located on the top of the case (3), where, in the case of a non-telescopic extension handle device, the support rods are not telescopic, where, in the case of a telescopic extendable handle device, the support rods are fully or partially telescopic and the handle connected to the support rods is moved away from the case container, where, during the telescoping of the extendable handle device, the support rods are telescoped while the handle rod is simultaneously moved, the retractable handle mechanism is pushed together in the opposite direction. [8] Extension handle device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the transport container is designed as a rolling case, sample case or tool case.

Images