piece of luggage

The wedge surface connection mechanism provides a stable, tool-free, and cost-effective solution for luggage attachments, addressing the issues of play and manufacturing tolerance in existing systems, ensuring secure fit and reduced production costs.

DE202025107937U1Active Publication Date: 2026-03-12TRAVELITE GMBH CO
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Utility models
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-12-22
Publication Date
2026-03-12

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing luggage attachment systems, such as those using screws or complex snap-lock mechanisms, are costly and prone to play, rattling, and manufacturing tolerance issues, especially in high-wage countries, leading to increased production costs for high-end luggage.

Method used

A wedge surface connection mechanism that clamps support and locking elements against the luggage wall, utilizing a locking guide profile to prevent loosening, allowing tool-free assembly and a play-free fit, with optional self-locking features.

Benefits of technology

Achieves a stable, secure, and cost-effective attachment of luggage components without tools, accommodating manufacturing tolerances and varying wall thicknesses, reducing production costs.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

Luggage with a luggage wall (2) and an attachment (4) such as a wheel (5) or carrying handle, which can be attached to the luggage wall (2), wherein a fastening device (6) for the attachment (4) comprises a support element (7) to which the attachment (4) is fastened, and a locking element (8), wherein the support and locking elements (7, 8) are located on opposite sides of the luggage wall (2) and are connected to each other by at least one fastening anchor (9) which passes through a recess (10) in the luggage wall (2) and is mounted on one of the support and locking elements (7, 8) and can be locked on the other of the support and locking elements (7, 8) by a positive-locking anchor locking mechanism (11), characterized in that the positive-locking anchor locking mechanism (11) comprises a wedge-shaped surface connection (12) which is engaged by moving the support and locking elements (7, 8).8) is clampable relative to each other along a movement path (13) tangentially to the luggage wall (2) and clamps the luggage wall (2) between the support and locking elements (7, 8), wherein a locking device (27) with a locking guide profile (14) is provided which allows a clamping movement of the support and locking elements (7, 8) along the movement path (13) and blocks an opposite unclamping movement.
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Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a piece of luggage with a luggage wall and an attachment such as a wheel or carrying handle that can be fastened to the luggage wall, wherein a fastening device for the attachment comprises a support element to which the attachment is fastened and a locking element, wherein the support and locking elements are located on opposite sides of the luggage wall and are connected to each other by at least one fastening anchor which passes through a recess in the luggage wall and is mounted on one of the support and locking elements and can be locked to the other of the support and locking elements by a positive locking mechanism.

[0002] Luggage typically has various attachments such as wheels, carrying handles, or telescopic poles with guide handles. These attachments, when fully assembled, are fixed to the luggage wall and intended to maintain a rigid position. Such attachments can also include protective corners, such as elbow guards, or a frame that is attached to the luggage wall. While the attachment itself, like a carrying handle, extendable telescopic poles, or wheels, can be movable, the supporting element to which the attachment is mounted is designed to maintain a stable, rigid position on the luggage wall, for example, to securely hold the wheel.

[0003] To achieve such a stable attachment, it is advisable to attach the component to the luggage wall on both sides or through the luggage wall, whereby the support element, to which, for example, the wheel or the carrying handle is attached, can be placed on the outside of the luggage wall and the locking element on the inside of the luggage wall, so that the luggage wall sits sandwich-like between the two support and locking elements.

[0004] The two support and locking elements are often screwed together with several screws that pass through the luggage wall. While this creates a stable connection and is quite common in manufacturing countries with low labor costs, it leads to higher, uneconomical production costs if the screws have to be tightened in countries with higher labor costs. The latter is particularly problematic for higher-end luggage, which is often still produced in high-wage countries to meet the highest quality standards.

[0005] To remedy this, it has already been considered to replace the screw connections with positive locking mechanisms, so that the support and locking elements, which are located on opposite sides of the luggage wall, can be connected to each other preferably without tools by means of a positive locking mechanism.

[0006] For example, the document EP 3 653 078 B1 shows a piece of luggage in which attachments of the aforementioned type are fastened to the luggage wall by means of a snap connection. A snap-connection arm slides over a ramp under elastic deformation and snaps into a locking recess after passing over the ramp, thus preventing any backward movement that would cause the attachment to detach. To ensure that the snap-lock arm actually remains in its engaged position, an additional locking mechanism is provided in the form of an elastic safety bar. This bar is pushed away from or held open by the actual locking arm as it moves over the ramp and can snap back into a locking position beneath the locking arm when the locking arm engages. In this locking position, the locking arm can no longer be moved out of the engaged position.

[0007] While such an additional locking mechanism reliably prevents the attachment from detaching from the luggage wall, the mechanism itself is relatively complex. Furthermore, a truly play-free attachment of the attachment to the luggage wall cannot be achieved, as the locking arm requires a certain amount of play relative to the locking contour for reliable engagement. This can lead to rattling and, for example, impair the smooth running and steering of suitcase wheels. Additionally, the snap-lock connection, along with the additional locking mechanism, is sensitive to manufacturing tolerances. Therefore, tight tolerances are necessary for reliable operation, which increases production costs despite the elimination of screws.

[0008] Based on this, the present invention aims to create an improved piece of luggage of the aforementioned type, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art and advantageously further develops the latter. In particular, despite simple and tool-free assembly, a stable and virtually play-free attachment of the component to the luggage wall should be achieved.

[0009] According to the invention, the aforementioned problem is solved by a piece of luggage according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] It is therefore proposed to clamp the support and locking elements, which are attached to opposite sides of the luggage wall, against each other via wedge surfaces, thereby clamping them against the luggage wall to achieve a play-free fit of the attachment to the luggage wall. According to the invention, the anchor locking mechanism for the at least one fastening anchor, which passes through the luggage wall and connects the support and locking elements, comprises a wedge surface connection that can be clamped by moving the support and locking elements relative to each other along a path of movement tangential to the luggage wall, and clamps the luggage wall between the aforementioned support and locking elements.To prevent unintentional loosening of the wedge surface connection, a locking guide contour is provided which allows clamping movements of the support and locking elements relative to each other along the aforementioned path of movement and blocks opposing unclamping movements.

[0011] The aforementioned locking guide profile does not need to withstand the actual clamping forces with which the support and locking elements are clamped together or against the luggage wall, but merely prevents movements of the support and locking elements relative to each other that would lead to a loosening of the wedge-shaped connection along the path of movement. If the wedge surfaces of the wedge-shaped connection are designed with small wedge angles of, for example, < 20 degrees, < 10 degrees, or even < 5 degrees, the wedge-shaped connection itself is already, depending on the material pairing of the wedge surfaces, close to self-locking. Therefore, the release forces that the locking guide profile has to withstand are very small, and consequently, the locking surface profile and the locking element interacting with it can be designed to be small and lightweight.

[0012] The wedge-shaped surface connection allows the support and locking elements to be pulled firmly against the luggage wall, ensuring a secure and stable fit even with tool-free assembly. The wedge-shaped surface connection is oriented and designed such that the resulting wedging forces act perpendicular or transversely to the seating surfaces, pulling the support and locking elements onto the luggage wall or any intermediate plate that may be present.

[0013] In an advantageous further development of the invention, the locking surface connection and the locking guide profile can be designed to operate linearly. More precisely, the wedge surfaces of the wedge surface connection can be configured to move relative to each other along a linear, essentially straight path of movement and to converge upon each other, whereby said path of movement can extend tangentially to the luggage wall. The path of movement need not actually have a straight course in the mathematical sense, but can also form a displacement path that conforms to the contour of the luggage wall. If, for example, the attachment is mounted on a convex section of the luggage wall, the path of movement can follow the convex contour and, in particular, extend in a virtual plane perpendicular to the convex luggage wall.Due to the extension in such a virtual plane, even with bulbous contours of the luggage wall, the path of movement can be described as linear.

[0014] In such a linear design of the wedge surface connection, the locking guide profile can be designed in the form of a locking rail or a locking groove, which extends parallel to the path of movement of the wedge surfaces and interacts with a locking element that is freely movable along the locking rail or in the locking groove in the clamping direction and locks in the opposite end-clamping direction. The locking element thus has a kind of free play in the clamping direction on the locking rail or in the locking groove, while conversely, a preferably automatic, self-locking action occurs when an attempt is made to move the locking element in the opposite unclamping direction. For example, the locking rail or groove and the locking element interacting with it can be designed like a cable tie or similar device.a cable tie connection in which the cable is threaded into a sleeve, allowing it to be tightened but preventing it from being opened.

[0015] Such a freewheel with, on the other hand, automatic locking during movement attempts against the freewheel direction can be achieved, for example, by a sawtooth-like micro-toothing of the locking rail and / or the locking element interacting with it, preferably in conjunction with a slight interference fit between the locking rail and the locking element, whereby, if necessary, a slightly funnel-shaped contour of the locking element in which the locking rail is received may also suffice, so that the locking element wedges itself against the locking rail with its rear, narrower funnel end when an attempt is made to move the locking element in the opposite end clamping direction to the locking rail.

[0016] Preferably, the locking device is designed to operate continuously or to lock in micro-steps such that the wedge-shaped surface connection can be locked in a multitude of wedge positions. This allows a secure fit to be achieved even with manufacturing tolerances or deviations in shape, since the wedge-shaped surface connection can always be adjusted and held or locked in the appropriate position. In particular, this allows wall thickness variations to be compensated for, meaning that the attachment can be clamped securely despite the varying wall thickness, and the locking mechanism functions equally well on luggage walls with different thicknesses.

[0017] For example, the locking guide profile and / or the locking element working in conjunction with it can be designed in the manner of a self-locking cable tie connection.

[0018] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the wedge-shaped surface connection can also be designed to be rotatably movable, similar to a bayonet fitting. In particular, the wedge surfaces of the wedge-shaped surface connection can extend concentrically to one another, so that they engage with each other or slide against each other when the support and locking elements are rotated relative to each other about the center of concentricity. In particular, the wedge surfaces can be designed to extend in an arc shape around the axis of rotation of the support and locking elements relative to each other.

[0019] In such a rotatably movable, bayonet-like design of the wedge surface connection, the aforementioned locking guide profile can form an arc-shaped locking ring that can extend in a curved shape concentric to the locking surface connection; in particular, the locking ring can have a circular contour or circular segment contour around a circular center point that lies on the axis of rotation of the bayonet-like wedge surface connection.

[0020] Preferably, the wedge-shaped surface connection can be elastically flexible, particularly in a direction transverse to the luggage wall and / or perpendicular to the seating surfaces of the support and locking elements, with which the support and locking elements can be clamped from the wedge-shaped surface connection onto the luggage wall. This allows manufacturing tolerances to be compensated for and a secure fit of the attachment to be achieved even with unequal wall thicknesses or shape tolerances of the luggage wall.

[0021] For example, the wedge surfaces on the locking element can be designed to be elastically flexible and can be set back from the seat surface of the locking element or curve away from it, so that the wedge surfaces have a spring travel towards the seat surface.

[0022] For example, the wedge surfaces on the locking element can be inclined in a virtual plane perpendicular to the path of movement such that, at least in the unloaded initial state, the wedge surfaces are inclined at an acute angle or curved away from the seat surface of the locking element.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, the opposing surfaces that are intended to run up against the aforementioned wedge surfaces can also be designed to be elastically compliant or tensionable in the direction transverse to the luggage wall. In particular, wedge or anchor surfaces on the at least one fastening anchor can be designed to be elastically compliant and are set back from the seating surface of the locking or support element, so that the wedge or anchor surfaces have a spring travel in the longitudinal direction of the anchor and deform and tension elastically when running up against the wedge surface.

[0024] For example, the anchor heads of the fastening anchors can be designed to be elastically compliant. Advantageously, the wedge or anchor surfaces on at least one fastening anchor can be inclined in a virtual plane perpendicular to the path of movement such that, at least in the unloaded initial state, the wedge or anchor surfaces are inclined at an acute angle or slope towards the seating surface of the locking or support element. This allows them to run onto the wedge surfaces with an outer circumferential edge section and thereby bend elastically.

[0025] In order to effectively utilize the wedge forces of the wedge surface connection, the fastening anchors and the recesses in the luggage wall through which the fastening anchors can be inserted can each have circumferential contours adapted to one another in terms of size and shape, in particular at least approximately identical, so that the support element is movable relative to the luggage wall only in the longitudinal direction of the fastening anchor and is fixed transversely to it, so that the wedge surface connection essentially only has to withstand forces perpendicular to the seating surface with which the support element sits on the luggage wall.

[0026] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and accompanying drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1: A partial, perspective exploded view of a piece of luggage, showing an attachment in the form of a suitcase wheel and the fastening device for attaching the attachment to a piece of luggage wall, Fig. 2: A perspective view of the mounting device for the attachment made of Fig. 1 in the assembled state, Fig. 3: A perspective view of the attachment together with the support element on which the attachment is mounted, showing on the top of the support element the fastening anchors that can be inserted through the luggage wall and the locking rail for the locking element, Fig. 4: A frontal view of the support element made of Fig. 3, which shows the mushroom-head shape of the fastening anchors and the wedge surfaces provided thereon for the wedge surface connection, Fig. 5: A perspective view of the locking element of the fastening device from an oblique front view, showing the openings of the insertion channels for the fastening anchors of the support element and the wedge surfaces for wedging the fastening anchors, Fig. 6: A perspective view of the locking element from below, showing the insertion channels for the fastening anchors and the locking element for engagement with the locking rail, Fig. 7: A front view of the locking element from the preceding figures, showing the inclined wedge surfaces of the wedge surface connection for wedging the fastening anchors, Fig. 8: Sectional views through the assembled fastening device according to various design variants, each in a section plane through two fastening anchors, showing the engagement of the wedge surface connection on the mushroom heads of the fastening anchors, wherein the Fig. 8(a) shows an obliquely angled, resilient design of the wedge surfaces, while the Fig. 8(b) shows an inclined or suspended and resilient design of the anchor surfaces of the fastening anchors, and the Fig. 8(c) a variant similar Fig. 8(a) shows, however, with an intermediate plate which is placed between the luggage wall and the locking element and has a locking rail against which the locking element can engage, Fig. 9: A top view of the locking element of the fastening device, showing the locking element for engagement with the fastening rail on the support element, Fig. 10: A sectional view through the support element along line AA in Fig. 9, which shows the design of the pawls of the locking element and their support and actuation sections, Fig. 11: A longitudinal sectional view of the mounted fastening device in a section plane parallel to the path of movement for wedging the wedge surface connection, wherein the wedge surface connection is shown in the locked state at one of the fastening anchors, Fig. 12: A perspective view of a support element for mounting an attachment according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, in which the fastening anchors, which can be inserted through the luggage wall, can be clamped by means of a rotatably operating locking element in the manner of a bayonet fitting by means of a wedge surface connection, wherein the view shows the fastening anchors and their circumferentially provided wedge surface incisions, Fig. 13: A front view of the support element made of Fig. 12, which illustrates the wedge-shaped cutouts on the fastening anchors, Fig. 14: A perspective view of an intermediate plate that can be placed on the luggage wall to stiffen the luggage wall and has recesses for inserting the fastening anchors of the support element, Fig. 15: A perspective view of the rotary locking element of the fastening device from a viewing axis obliquely from below, showing the insertion openings of the locking channels for the wedge surface connection, Fig. 16: A sectional view of the locking element made of Fig. 15, which shows the wedge surfaces for wedging the fastening anchors, Fig. 17: A perspective view of the locking element from the preceding figures, taken obliquely from above, showing the wedge surfaces for wedging the fastening anchors, and Fig. 18: A perspective view of the fastening device in the assembled state, showing the rotary locking element 8 on the inside of the intermediate plate in the locked state with the fastening anchors of the support element.

[0027] The piece of luggage 1, shown only partially in the figures, cf. Fig. 1. Luggage can be designed as a hard-shell suitcase, the luggage wall 2 of which can comprise a suitcase shell, for example made of hard plastic. Generally, however, luggage 1 can also be designed as a soft-sided bag or a hybrid of hard-shell and soft-shell construction, for example with panel surfaces made of fabric and edge and / or corner reinforcements made of hard plastic, whereby various designs of luggage 1 are fundamentally possible.

[0028] Fig. Figure 1 shows an intermediate plate 18 that can form a corner reinforcement of the luggage item 1, wherein the intermediate plate 18 can be an integral part of the luggage item wall 2 or can form a separate component that can be placed on the luggage item wall 2 in the area of ​​a luggage item corner, preferably on the inside, but optionally also on the outside, depending on how the luggage item wall 2 is structurally designed. The aforementioned intermediate plate is also shown in Fig. 8 (c) shown and arranged there on the inside, i.e. between the luggage wall 2 and the locking element 8.

[0029] In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the attachment 4 is a luggage wheel 5 in the form of a double wheel, which is rotatably mounted on a steering or control axle 19, wherein said steering or control axle 19 has an upright orientation when the luggage item 1 is standing on its wheels, and is rotatably mounted on a support element 7 so that the transport wheels can steer.

[0030] The aforementioned support element 7 can – broadly speaking – be designed in a plate-like form or constitute a support plate. Regardless of this, the support element 7 can advantageously be adapted with its side facing the luggage wall 2 to the contour of the luggage wall 2 in order to sit flush and stably supported on the luggage wall 2.

[0031] For example, the support element 7 can comprise a hard plastic body that is stiffened with reinforcing ribs, cf. Fig. 1.

[0032] For attachment to the luggage wall 2, the support element 7 can have several fastening anchors 9 that project from the wall-side seating surface 20 of the support element 7, allowing them to pass through recesses 10 in the intermediate plate 18 or the luggage wall 2. While the support element 7, with its plate-shaped body, sits on the outside of the luggage wall 2, the aforementioned fastening anchors 9 project towards the inside of the luggage wall 2, so that they extend a short distance from the inside of the luggage wall to be locked there by means of a locking element 8.

[0033] The aforementioned recesses 10 can be shaped to match the outer contour of the fastening anchors 9 with respect to their circumferential contour, so that the support element 7 is positioned precisely on the luggage wall 2. The recesses 10 can be fitted with a slight clearance fit or, if necessary, with a slight interference fit when the fastening anchors 9 are inserted through the recesses 10.

[0034] In order to securely fix the support element 7 to the luggage wall 2 and to prevent the fastening anchors 9 from slipping out of the recesses 10, the fastening anchors 9 are positively locked on the inside of the luggage wall 2 by engaging the locking element 8 with the fastening anchors 9.

[0035] The locking element 8 mentioned above can advantageously also be plate-shaped or form a locking plate. Regardless of this, the locking element 8, with its seating surface 21 facing the luggage wall 2, is form-fitted to the inner contour of the luggage wall 2 and / or the inner wall of the intermediate plate 18 mentioned above, so that the locking element 8 sits snugly on the luggage wall 2 or the intermediate plate 18 when the elements are mounted.

[0036] Similar to the support element 7, the locking element 8 can have a hard plastic body and may be reinforced with stiffening ribs.

[0037] As the Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the locking element 8 has insertion slots or openings 22 for the fastening anchors 9, which extend parallel to each other and are spaced apart from each other according to the arrangement of the fastening anchors 9, so that the fastening anchors 9 can be inserted into the insertion openings 22 when the locking element 8 is pushed onto the fastening anchors 9 along a substantially linear path of movement 13 tangentially to the inside of the luggage wall.

[0038] The aforementioned movement path 13 extends parallel to the longitudinal axes of the insertion openings 22 and essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the fastening anchors 9. Depending on the contour of the luggage wall 2 or the intermediate plate 18, the movement path 13 can be exactly linear in the sense of a straight line, but alternatively it can also be slightly curved, for example if the locking plate is placed on a slightly concave luggage wall.

[0039] As the Fig. 5 and Fig. As shown in Figure 6, wedge surfaces 23 are provided in the aforementioned insertion openings 22 of the locking element 8, which are contoured rising in the insertion direction, i.e. along the movement path 13, so that they form a flat, but inclined ramp onto which the mushroom heads of the fastening anchors 9 run.

[0040] As the Fig. 3 and Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the fastening anchors 9 have constrictions 24 or circumferential, groove-shaped incisions that are limited towards the projecting end of the fastening anchors 9 by the head 25 of the fastening anchors 9. The underside of the heads 25 or the limits of the aforementioned constriction 24 towards the heads 25 form wedge surfaces 26 for wedging with the wedge surfaces 23 at the insertion openings 22. The aforementioned wedge surfaces 26 can rise in the insertion direction or along the path of movement 13 corresponding to the wedge surfaces 23, so that the fastening anchors 9 with their heads 25 are pulled away from the luggage wall 2, that is, deeper into the interior of the luggage 1, when the locking element 8 is pushed onto the fastening anchors 9 along the path of movement 13. The wedge surfaces 23 and 26 wedge together and form a wedge surface connection 12, which clamps the support and locking elements 7, 8 against each other.The luggage wall 2, which lies sandwich-like between the support and locking elements 7, 8, is clamped or wedged between the support and locking elements 7, 8, whereby the support element 7 with its seating surface 20 is pulled firmly against the outside of the luggage wall 2.

[0041] For assembly, the preferably plate-shaped support and locking elements 8 are displaced or moved relative to each other along a movement path 13 parallel to the separating plane between the support and locking elements 7, 8 and perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the fastening anchors 9. The fastening anchors 9 are thereby clamped perpendicular to the aforementioned separating plane via the wedge surface connection 12.

[0042] Unlike what is shown in the figures, the fastening anchors 9 can also be attached to the inner locking element 8, and the aforementioned insertion slots or openings 22 and wedge surfaces 23 can be provided on the support element 7. In this case, the fastening anchors 9 are pushed from the inside out through the recesses 10 in the luggage wall.

[0043] However, hybrid forms are also possible in which the fastening anchors 9 are divided between the two locking and support elements 7, 8, with an insertion opening 22 with a wedge surface 23 being provided on the respective opposite element 8, 7 for the protruding anchor head 25.

[0044] Preferably, even with several fastening anchors 9 and correspondingly several insertion openings 22, all fastening anchors 9 and all insertion openings and wedge surfaces 23 are provided or attached only to the two locking and support elements 7, 8, so that for locking only two parts have to be moved relative to each other, namely the aforementioned two locking and support elements 7, 8, or only the one locking element 7 has to be moved to clamp all fastening anchors 9 with only one movement.

[0045] Depending on the material pairing of the surfaces and components coming into contact with each other or interacting with each other, in particular at the wedge surface connection 10 and the seat surfaces 20, 21 with the intermediate plate 18 or the luggage wall 2, the wedging via the wedge surface connection 12 has in itself a more or less pronounced self-locking effect, so that the fastening device 6 can maintain its mounted state even without further securing means.

[0046] Nevertheless, to reliably prevent unintentional loosening movements, an additional locking device 27 may be provided, which prevents or locks relative movements of the support and locking elements 7, 8 relative to each other and / or relative movements of the locking element 7 relative to the fastening anchors 9 or to the intermediate plate 18.

[0047] The aforementioned locking device 27 is advantageously designed to operate differently in opposite directions. In particular, the locking device 27 can be free-running in the clamping direction and locking in the opposite end-tensioning direction, especially being self-locking. Thus, if the locking element 8 is threaded onto the fastening anchors 9 to clamp the wedge surface connection 12, the locking device 27 allows this, or rather, the locking device 27 is free-running in this clamping direction.

[0048] However, if an attempt is made to move the locking element 8 in the opposite direction and to release the wedge surface connection 12, the locking device 27 prevents such an opposite release movement and locks automatically.

[0049] The locking device 27 can be designed to operate in a friction-locking and / or form-locking manner, advantageously providing a combination of friction-locking clamping and form-locking wedge locking function.

[0050] In particular, the locking device 27 can operate in the manner of a cable tie, in which the cable tie strand is guided through a cable tie eyelet that allows tightening movements but, on the other hand, prevents the resulting loop from being opened.

[0051] As the figures show, the locking device 27 can have a preferably elongated locking guide profile 14, in particular in the form of a locking rail, which can extend parallel to the path of movement 13 for locking the wedge surface connection 10, wherein said locking rail can have a toothing 28 with preferably sawtooth-like tooth contours, cf. Fig. 1 and Fig. 3. For example, such a locking rail 14 can have such toothing 28 on opposite sides, cf. Fig. 3.

[0052] Advantageously, such a locking rail or a corresponding locking guide profile 14 can be rigidly attached to the support element 7, in particular projecting from its seating surface 20 towards the luggage wall 2, wherein a locking guide recess 16 is provided in the luggage wall 2, so that the locking guide profile 14 can pass through the luggage wall 2 and project onto its inner side. If an intermediate plate 18 is interposed, this can have a corresponding locking guide recess 16, cf. Fig. 8 (c).

[0053] By providing the locking guide profile 14 directly on the support element 7, a direct force flow between locking element 8 and support element 7 can be achieved.

[0054] On the other hand, for example to avoid the passage opening through the luggage wall 2, the locking guide profile 14 can also be attached to the intermediate plate 18 projecting on the inside or to the luggage wall 2 projecting towards the inside.

[0055] For interaction with the locking guide profile 14, a locking element 15 is provided on the locking element 8, which engages with the locking guide profile 14 when the locking element 8 is threaded onto the fastening anchors 9. Fig. 6 and also Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the locking element 8 has a receiving channel for the locking rail 14 or the locking guide profile of the support element 7, within which the locking guide profile 14 can be moved relative to the locking element 7.

[0056] The locking element 15 engages with the locking guide profile 14, preferably in a detent engagement that is free-running in the clamping direction and locking in the opposite unclamping direction. For example, the locking element 15 can have one or more pawls 29, which may have teeth 30 with a preferably sawtooth-like tooth profile, cf. Fig. 9.

[0057] Preferably, the one or more pawls 29 can be designed in the form of spring arms which can be integrally molded in one piece onto the body of the locking element 8, so that the pawls 29 can spring away under elastic deformation of the support arms in order to be able to slide over the toothing of the locking guide profile 14 when the movement takes place in the clamping direction.

[0058] As an alternative to spring arms, a hinged mounting of the pawls 29 could also be provided, possibly combined with a pre-tensioning spring device.

[0059] How Fig. 9 and Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the pawls 29 of the locking element 15 can have pawl heads with the aforementioned tooth profile 30, which face the locking rail 14 and define a channel between them that is slightly smaller than the thickness of the locking rail 14. Independently of this, the aforementioned pawl heads can be connected to a body part of the locking element 8 via tapered support arms 31, wherein the aforementioned support arms 31 can bend away under elastic deformation to allow an increase in the distance between the two pawls 29.

[0060] While the Fig. Figures 1-11 show a linearly operating fastening device 6, illustrating the Fig. 12 - 17, that the fastening device 6 can also operate rotationally. The support element 7 can also have several fastening anchors 9, which can be arranged spaced apart from one another on the seat surface 20 of the support element 7 projecting towards the luggage wall, the luggage wall 2 in turn having corresponding recesses for inserting the fastening anchors 9.

[0061] The fastening anchors 9 are provided with constrictions 24, similar to the embodiment described above, which are bounded by anchor heads 25, so that wedge surfaces 26 are formed on the undersides of the heads. In contrast to the embodiment described above, the aforementioned constrictions 24 are provided on a circumferential side of the fastening anchors 9, facing a cylindrical surface along which the fastening anchors 9 are arranged. To enable rotational operation, the fastening anchors 9 are arranged distributed on a partial circle around a common center point, with the aforementioned constrictions 27 being provided, for example, on the outer circumferential side, i.e., the side of the fastening anchors 9 facing away from the center point (see figure). Fig. 12.

[0062] The locking element 8 can be designed in the manner of a contact plate and has insertion openings on an underside for the fastening anchors 9, so that the locking element 8 can be placed onto the fastening anchors 9 essentially parallel to the longitudinal axes of the fastening anchors 9 and thereby come into contact with the inside of the luggage wall 2 or the intermediate plate 18.

[0063] From the insertion openings on the locking element 8, arcuate channels extend away, on which radially projecting wedge surfaces 23 are provided. These wedge surfaces extend in an arc around the center point of the locking element and form the bayonet fitting for clamping or jamming the fastening anchors 9. When the locking element 8 is rotated, the wedge surfaces 26 on the fastening anchors 9 engage with the wedge surfaces 23 on the locking element 8, resulting in a screw engagement. This engagement pulls the fastening anchors 9 away from the luggage wall 2 and inwards, allowing the support element 7 to fit snugly against the outside of the luggage wall 2. Here, too, the luggage wall 2 is clamped or sandwiched between the support and locking elements 7 and 8.

[0064] To prevent the wedge surface connection 10 from unintentionally loosening, a rotary locking device 22 is assigned to the locking element 8, which may, for example, have a locking guide profile 14 provided circumferentially on the locking element 8, for example in the form of a toothed ring, which may advantageously have sawtooth profiled teeth, but may also only have detent pawls or detent teeth.

[0065] A locking element 15 can be attached to the intermediate plate 18, analogous to the previously described design, with which the locking guide profile 14 latches onto the locking element 8. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 653 078 B1

[0006]

Claims

[1] Luggage with a luggage wall (2) and an attachment (4) such as a wheel (5) or carrying handle, which can be attached to the luggage wall (2), wherein a fastening device (6) for the attachment (4) comprises a support element (7) to which the attachment (4) is attached, and a locking element (8), wherein the support and locking elements (7, 8) are located on opposite sides of the luggage wall (2) and are connected to each other by at least one fastening anchor (9) which passes through a recess (10) in the luggage wall (2) and is mounted on one of the support and locking elements (7, 8) and can be locked to the other of the support and locking elements (7, 8) by a positive-locking anchor locking mechanism (11), characterized by, that the positive-locking anchor connection (11) comprises a wedge surface connection (12) which can be clamped by moving the support and locking elements (7, 8) relative to each other along a movement path (13) tangentially to the luggage wall (2) and clamps the luggage wall (2) between the support and locking elements (7, 8), wherein a locking device (27) with a locking guide profile (14) is provided which allows a clamping movement of the support and locking elements (7, 8) along the movement path (13) and blocks an opposite unclamping movement. [2] Luggage according to the preceding claim, wherein the wedge surface connection (12) is designed to be linearly displaceable along a linear movement path (13) and the locking guide profile (14) is designed in the form of a locking rail which extends parallel to the said linear movement path (13). [3] Luggage according to claim 1, wherein the wedge surface connection (12) is designed to be rotatably movable along a circularly curved movement path (13) in the manner of a bayonet lock and the locking guide profile (14) forms a locking ring or locking ring section curved concentrically to the said movement path (13). [4] Luggage according to one of the preceding claims, wherein several fastening anchors (9) are provided spaced apart from one another and pass through several recesses (10) through the luggage wall (2), wherein said several fastening anchors (9) can each be clamped by a wedge surface connection (12), wherein the wedge surface connections (12) of the fastening anchors (9) are movable linearly along parallel movement paths (13) or rotationally along concentric movement paths (13). [5] Luggage according to the preceding claim, wherein the multiple wedge surface connections (12) and the multiple fastening anchors (9) are distributed on and attached to the two said support and locking elements (7, 8), so that by moving the two support and locking elements (7, 8) relative to each other all fastening anchors (9) can be clamped, wherein preferably all wedge surface connections (12) are provided on the same one of the support and locking elements (7, 8) and all fastening anchors (9) are provided on the same other of the two support and locking elements (7, 8). [6] Luggage according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein a common locking guide profile (14) is provided for the multiple fastening anchors (9), which allows clamping movements of the wedge surface connections (12) of the fastening anchors (9) and blocks unclamping movements of said wedge surface connections (12). [7] Luggage according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking guide profile (14) is attached to one of the support and locking elements (7, 8) and passes through a locking guide recess (16) in the luggage wall (2), wherein a locking element (15) is attached to the other of the said support and locking elements (7, 8) and / or to the housing wall (2) and / or to an intermediate plate (18), which engages with said locking guide profile (14) when the support and locking elements (7, 8) are locked to one another by the at least one fastening anchor (9), wherein said locking element (17) is freely movable along the locking guide profile (14) in the direction of clamping movement and is blocked in the direction of unclamping movement. [8] Luggage according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the said or a further locking guide profile (14) is attached to the luggage wall (2) and a locking element (15) is provided on one of the support and locking elements (7, 8) which, when the support and locking elements (7, 8) are locked by the at least one fastening anchor (9), engages with the said locking guide profile (14) attached to the luggage wall (2). [9] Luggage according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the said or a further locking guide profile (14) is attached to an intermediate plate (18) arranged between the luggage wall (2) and one of the locking and support elements (7, 8), and a locking element (15) is provided on one of the support and locking elements (7, 8) such that, when the support and locking elements (7, 8) are locked by the at least one fastening anchor (9), the locking guide profile (14) attached to the intermediate plate (18) engages with the said locking guide profile (14). [10] Luggage according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (27) is designed to lock automatically and / or switches automatically between free movement in the tensioning direction and blocking in the relaxation direction. [11] Luggage according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (27) is designed to operate continuously or to lock in micro-steps such that the wedge surface connection (10) can be locked in a plurality of wedge positions to compensate for different wall thicknesses of the luggage wall (2). [12] Luggage according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support and locking elements (7, 8) sit directly on the luggage wall (2). [13] Luggage according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an intermediate plate (18) is provided on at least one side of the luggage wall (2) which is arranged between the luggage wall (2) and the support or locking element (7, 8) provided on the said side of the luggage wall (2). [14] Luggage according to the preceding claim, wherein the or a further locking guide profile (14) is attached to the intermediate plate (18) and a locking element (17) is provided on the support or locking element (7, 8) which is arranged on the side of the intermediate plate (18), which can be brought into engagement with the locking guide profile (14) when the support and locking elements (7, 8) are locked together by the at least one fastening anchor (9), wherein the locking element (17) is freely movable along the locking guide profile (14) in the direction of clamping movement and is blocked in the opposite end clamping movement direction. [15] Luggage according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking guide profile (14) and / or the locking element (17) cooperating therewith are designed in the manner of a self-locking cable tie connection. [16] Luggage according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the wedge surface connection (10) is elastically flexible, in particular in a direction transverse to the luggage wall (2) and / or perpendicular to the seating surfaces of the support and locking elements (7, 8) with which the support and locking elements (7, 8) can be clamped from the wedge surface connection (10) onto the luggage wall (2). [17] Luggage according to the preceding claim, wherein wedge surfaces (23) on the locking or support element (7, 8) are elastically flexible and are arranged recessed relative to the seat surface (21) of the locking or support element (7, 8), so that the wedge surfaces (23) have a spring travel towards the seat surface (21). [18] Luggage according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the wedge surfaces (23) on the locking or support element (7, 8) are inclined in a virtual plane perpendicular to the path of movement (13) such that, at least in the unloaded initial state, the wedge surfaces (23) are inclined at an acute angle or curved away from the seat surface (21) of the locking or support element (7, 8). [19] Luggage according to one of claims 15 to 17, wherein wedge or anchor surfaces (26) on the at least one fastening anchor (9) are elastically flexible and are arranged recessed relative to the seat surface (21) of the locking or support element (7, 8), so that the wedge or anchor surfaces (26) have a spring travel towards the seat surface (21). [20] Luggage according to the preceding claim, wherein the wedge or anchor surfaces (26) are inclined on the at least one fastening anchor (9) in a virtual plane perpendicular to the path of movement (13) such that, at least in the unloaded initial state, the wedge or anchor surfaces (26) are inclined at an acute angle or slope towards the seat surface (21) of the locking or support element (7, 8). [21] Luggage according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening anchors (9) are integrally molded in one piece, in particular injection-molded, on the support element, and / or the locking guide profile (14) or the locking element (15) of the locking device (27) is integrally molded in one piece, in particular injection-molded, on the locking element (8). [22] Luggage according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one fastening anchor (9) and the recess (10) in the luggage wall (2) through which the fastening anchor can be inserted have circumferential contours adapted to each other with respect to size and shape, in particular at least approximately identical, so that the support element (7) is movable relative to the luggage wall (2) only in the longitudinal direction of the fastening anchor (9) and is fixed transversely thereto, so that the wedge surface connection (10) essentially only has to withstand forces perpendicular to the seat surface (2) with which the support element (7) sits on the luggage wall.

Citation Information

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