Opening system with light and briefcase incorporating said system

Abstract

The invention relates to an opening system which is interposed between a first space and a second space, comprising: - a frame which has an opening plane between the first space and the second space; - an opening member (31) which is movable relative to the frame; - at least one member for emitting (6) a luminous flux, characterised in that the opening member (31) incorporates a sub-system (7) for guiding the luminous flux, this sub-system (7) comprising: - a light guide (71); - at least one diffusion element (72) which receives the whole of the luminous flux from the emission member (6); - a reflection element (73) which receives at least a portion of the luminous flux from the diffusion element (72).

Description

[0001] The field of the invention is that of opening systems and more particularly opening systems implementing an opening mounted movably on a frame between a closed position and an open position.

[0002] The invention applies to any type of opening between a first volume and a second volume and can therefore be integrated into any type of container, such as boxes or cases, and in particular to briefcases of the “attache-case” type.

[0003] Attaché-case briefcases allow you to transport documents or other items easily and securely.

[0004] Opening systems of varying complexity are known from the prior art. All of these opening systems are interposed between a first volume and a second volume, and comprise: a frame having an opening plane between the first volume and the second volume, and an opening movable relative to the frame and allowing communication between the two volumes, in an open position, or, on the contrary, separation between the two volumes, in a closed position.

[0005] Generally speaking, the first volume is a closed internal volume and the second volume is an external volume which can, for example, be a medium surrounding the internal volume. In the particular case of briefcases, the first volume is the internal volume of the briefcase, and the second volume is the surrounding medium in which the briefcase is located.

[0006] The various opening systems are generally distinguished from each other by the accessories or functions they incorporate. KR 2012 0029740 describes an opening system including illumination means.

[0007] For example, some opening systems may include locking means such as key or code locks, or toggle latches.

[0008] Similarly, some opening systems may include lighting means which emit a luminous flux to illuminate the first volume and / or the second volume.

[0009] These lighting means comprise at least one light flux emission member coupled to a device for detecting the opening in its open position to supply electrical energy to the emission member.

[0010] In the field of briefcases, these accessories or functions are now common to many manufacturers.

[0011] More generally, lighting means are widespread in all types of container which combine the opening of the opening with lighting of the internal volume in particular.

[0012] To differentiate themselves from others, it is therefore necessary for manufacturers to offer new functions or new accessories that provoke particular emotions in the user.

[0013] For example, it is possible to cause the user to experience a sense of wonder and / or surprise when using the briefcase, particularly when opening the door.

[0014] The invention aims in particular to propose an opening system adaptable to a briefcase, which offers an effect of wonder or surprise to its user.

[0015] The invention also aims to create the effect of wonder and / or surprise in a particular condition of use of the opening system, for example when the opening adopts an interstitial position in which the opening is contiguous to an opening plane of the frame and provides an interstitial passage with the frame.

[0016] The invention further aims to enable the creation of this effect of wonder and / or surprise without reducing the space of the first volume and without increasing the size of the briefcase.

[0017] These objectives, as well as others which will appear subsequently, are achieved thanks to the invention which has as its subject an opening system inserted between a first volume and a second volume, comprising: a frame having an opening plane between the first volume and the second volume; an opening movable relative to the frame and capable of adopting an interstitial position in which the opening is contiguous to the opening plane; at least one member for emitting a luminous flux, intended to emit a luminous flux in the interstitial position of the opening, characterized in that: the opening has an edge provided with a peripheral groove having an opening opening onto the edge, the peripheral groove being extended by a housing receiving the emission member, the housing forming an elbow with the peripheral groove; and in that the opening incorporates, in the peripheral groove, a subsystem for guiding the light flow, this subsystem comprising: a light guide positioned in the opening; at least one diffusion element, positioned in the housing between the emission member and the peripheral groove, and receiving the entirety of the light flux coming from the emission member; a reflection element receiving at least part of the light flux coming from the or each diffusion element, to direct it towards the opening.

[0018] Thus, when the opening is in its interstitial position, the luminous flux makes it possible to create a luminous halo around the opening, simulating for example the presence of a precious object in the first volume.

[0019] Furthermore, the presence of at least one diffusion element makes it possible to diffuse the light flux leaving the emission member in several distinct directions.

[0020] The light flux guidance subsystem therefore has a dual effect. First, it enables the generation of a dispersed and diffuse light flux from a light organ and, second, it enables the scattered and diffuse light flux to be guided and directed towards the opening of the peripheral groove.

[0021] In fact, thanks to the or each diffusion element, the luminous flux, which is multidirectional at the exit of the emission organ, is guided to become unidirectional or almost.

[0022] The light flux is then directed towards the opening of the peripheral groove to create the light halo.

[0023] This is achieved in particular through the presence of the reflection element, as explained below.

[0024] The housing forms an elbow with the peripheral groove. This elbow allows the source of the light radiation to be masked, in particular to reinforce a magical effect linked to lighting.

[0025] In addition, for certain applications, the presence of the elbow ensures good compactness of the opening system.

[0026] For this, the diffusion element advantageously presents: a first face through which the light flux enters the diffusion element; a second opposite face, through which the light flux leaves the diffusion element, the second face presenting a series of grooves allowing the light flux to be separated into several rays parallel to each other.

[0027] The grooves on the second side allow the light flux to diverge in several different predetermined directions.

[0028] Thus, the luminous flux emerging from the diffusion element is multidirectional so that it is not possible, or at least not obvious, to know in which direction the emitting member emits.

[0029] According to an advantageous embodiment, the opening system comprises two diffusion elements superimposed on each other.

[0030] The superposition of two diffusion elements makes it possible to create an even more diffuse light flux at the exit of the light guide, which further reinforces the light halo effect. Advantageously, the peripheral groove and the housing form an L, the housing being positioned above the peripheral groove relative to the opening plane.

[0031] Thanks to this configuration, the emitting organ does not emit directly towards the opening. Thus, the emitting organ is not directly visible to the user, which reinforces the creation of an effect of the presence of a precious object in the first volume.

[0032] Preferably, the peripheral groove forms a ring around the entire periphery of the opening. The light halo effect is then achieved around the entire perimeter of the opening. There is therefore no break in the halo, which reinforces the desired visual effect.

[0033] According to a preferred embodiment, the emitting member is a strip provided with a plurality of diodes.

[0034] Such an emission organ makes it possible to obtain several origins for the luminous flux.

[0035] The intensity of the light halo can then be constant at every point of the halo, or almost.

[0036] Advantageously, the opening system also comprises means for triggering the emission of a light flux by the emission member, in the interstitial position of the opening.

[0037] The emitting element thus only emits its luminous flux when the opening is in its interstitial position. This has the advantage of reducing the time of use of the emitting element and therefore extending its lifespan. Furthermore, this increases the creation of the visual effect of the luminous halo which is only created when the opening is in its interstitial position.

[0038] According to an advantageous embodiment, the light guide has an emission face flush with the edge of the opening.

[0039] The flushness of the light guide's emission face with the edge of the opening provides a good finish for the opening. The light guide is thus perfectly integrated into the opening and can, for example, blend into the opening to the point where it is invisible, or almost invisible.

[0040] For this purpose, the light guide preferably has a tint treatment.

[0041] With such a tint treatment, the light emitting organ is not perceptible to the user, which reinforces the aesthetics of the opening system.

[0042] With a tint contrasting with the color of the opening, it is possible to create an aesthetic and / or functional demarcation line for the user.

[0043] On the other hand, with a tint close to or identical to that of the opening, the light guide may be difficult to perceive for the user, which reinforces the “magical” effect when creating the light halo.

[0044] According to another preferred embodiment, the frame is a chassis of a briefcase and the opening is a cover of the briefcase.

[0045] The creation of the luminous halo thus makes it possible to simulate the presence of a precious object inside the frame of the briefcase.

[0046] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings among which: [ Fig. 1 ] is a top view of a briefcase comprising an opening system according to the invention; [ Fig. 2 ] is a detailed sectional view of the briefcase along axis II-II of the figure 1 ; [ Fig. 3 ] is a schematic representation of the light flow guidance subsystem of the opening system according to the invention.

[0047] There figure 1 illustrates a briefcase 1 comprising a frame 2 and a cover 3 movable relative to the frame 2.

[0048] The briefcase 1 incorporates an opening system comprising: a frame 21, formed by the chassis 2, and an opening 31 formed by the cover 3.

[0049] The opening system is thus inserted between a first volume 4 and a second volume 5 to authorize, or on the contrary prohibit, communication between the first volume 4 and the second volume 5.

[0050] More particularly, the first volume 4 is the internal volume of the briefcase 1 and the second volume 5 is a volume external to the briefcase 1.

[0051] In reference to the figure 2 in particular, the opening system includes: the frame 21 which has an opening plane 22 between the first volume 4 and the second volume 5; the opening 31 which is movable relative to the frame 21 and capable of adopting an interstitial position as illustrated in the figure 2 , in which the opening 31 is contiguous to the opening plane 22; at least one member 6 for emitting a light flux, intended to emit a light flux in the interstitial position of the opening 31.

[0052] According to the embodiment illustrated on the figure 3 , the emitting member 6 is a strip provided with a plurality of diodes each emitting light radiation. In other words, the emitting member 6 comprises several diodes spaced apart from each other, each forming a starting point for the light flux.

[0053] As illustrated on the figure 2 , the opening 31 has an edge 32 provided with a peripheral groove 33 having an opening 331 opening onto the edge 32.

[0054] More particularly, the peripheral groove 33 is extended by a housing 34 which forms, with the peripheral groove 33, an elbow inside the opening 31.

[0055] As illustrated on the figure 2 , the peripheral groove 33 and the housing 34 together form an L, the housing 34 being positioned above the peripheral groove 33 relative to the opening plane 22.

[0056] In other words, the housing 34 is positioned above the peripheral groove 33 relative to a bottom of the frame 21, that is to say of the chassis 2, of the briefcase 1.

[0057] The peripheral groove 33 is therefore located between the housing 34 and the frame 21 in the interstitial position of the frame 21.

[0058] Preferably, the peripheral groove 33 forms a ring around the entire periphery of the opening 31.

[0059] In reference to the figure 3 , the opening 31 integrates, in the peripheral groove 33 and in the housing 34, a light guide subsystem 7 comprising: a light guide 71; at least one diffusion element 72; a reflection element 73.

[0060] The light guide 71 is positioned in the peripheral groove 33 and has an emission face 711 which is flush with the edge 32 of the opening 31. The emission face 711 is therefore located in the opening 331 of the peripheral groove 33.

[0061] The light guide 71 advantageously has a tint treatment. This tint treatment may in particular correspond to a color of the opening 31.

[0062] Thus, by the presence of the tint treatment, the light guide 71 is merged with the opening 31, thus making it possible to act as a trompe l'oeil so that the user does not detect the presence of the light guide 71 at a simple glance.

[0063] Alternatively, the tint treatment may contrast with the color of the opening 31 to form an aesthetic and / or technical demarcation.

[0064] The tint treatment particularly makes it possible to eliminate the “spot” effect generated by the positioning of the different diodes.

[0065] In fact, by their arrangement in the form of a strip and their spacing from each other, the diodes form significant points of brightness which can be detected by the user.

[0066] In other words, the dyeing of the light guide 71 and the presence of at least one diffusion element 72 make it possible to eliminate the black areas between two diodes and to generate a continuous light band.

[0067] When the opening 31 is in its interstitial position, the light escaping through the opening 331 of the peripheral groove 33 makes it possible to create a light halo effect which fades and stops when the opening leaves its interstitial position, without the user noticing that the light necessarily comes from the opening 31, as explained below.

[0068] The diffusion element 72 presents: a first face 721 through which the light flux enters the diffusion element 72; a second face 722, opposite the first face 721, through which the light flux leaves the diffusion element 72.

[0069] Advantageously, the second face 721 has a series of grooves making it possible to separate the light flux into several divergent rays as explained below.

[0070] More precisely, each groove allows the light beam to be cut along a single axis, allowing only part of the light beam to pass through.

[0071] In other words, only a part of the light beam coming from the emitting member 6 passes through the diffusion element in directions predetermined by the grooves.

[0072] According to the embodiment illustrated on the figure 3 , the light guidance subsystem 7 comprises two diffusion elements 72 superimposed on each other.

[0073] More particularly, the second face 722 of the first diffusion element 72 rests on the first face of the second diffusion element 72, in a chosen direction of emission of the light flux.

[0074] The reflection element 73 is, for its part, located in the peripheral groove 33, between the bottom of the peripheral groove 33 and the light guide 71.

[0075] As explained below, the reflection element 73 is intended to direct the luminous flux that it receives towards the opening 331.

[0076] The opening system also comprises triggering means (not visible in the figures) for the emission of a light flux by the emission member 6, these triggering means being actuated when the opening 31 is in its interstitial position.

[0077] In operation, when a user positions the opening 31 in its interstitial position, the triggering means control the emission member 6 so that it emits a light flux in the direction of the peripheral groove 33.

[0078] The luminous flux is advantageously composed of a multitude of divergent light rays each emitted by one of the diodes of the emitting member 6.

[0079] In reference to the figure 3 , the complete path of a single light ray from a diode is illustrated.

[0080] The light ray thus leaves the emitting member and propagates through the two diffusion elements 72 to reach the light guide.

[0081] When the ray reaches the second face 722 of a diffusion element 72, it is then split into several rays (in this case and for illustration purposes three rays), independent of each other and each directed in a different direction. This is notably due to the presence of the grooves on the second face 722 of the diffusion element 72.

[0082] As explained previously, only a portion of the light rays pass through the diffusion elements, the remainder of the light rays then ricocheting against the various walls of the light element to, ultimately, reach the second face 722 of a diffusion element in an orientation allowing it to pass through the diffusion element 72.

[0083] When the light rays have passed through each of the diffusion elements 72, and have possibly split again, they are directed towards the opening 331 of the groove 33. More particularly, the light rays are either directly directed towards the opening 331, or directed in a direction other than that of the opening 331.

[0084] In this second case, the rays bounce against the reflection element 73 which has an inclined surface so as to redirect them and make them bounce towards the opening 331. More particularly, the light rays are oriented to impact the emission face 711 in an upward direction as illustrated in the figure 3 .

[0085] Thus, all the rays coming from the diffusion elements 72 are redirected towards the opening 331, either directly after a rebound on one or more walls of the peripheral groove, or by the reflection element 73.

[0086] At the opening 331 and more particularly on the emission face 711 of the light guide 71, the light rays are directed in a multitude of upward directions, which makes it possible to create a luminous halo at the opening 331 of the peripheral groove 33.

[0087] As illustrated in the figure 3 , the light rays impact the emission face 711 of the light guide 71. This is verified in the hypothesis where the light guide subsystem 7 comprises diffusion elements 72 and that upon contact with the second face 722 a light ray is divided into several light rays in a common direction.

[0088] Thus, when the opening 31 is in its interstitial position, a luminous effect, in the form of a halo, is created around the opening plane 22, giving the effect of the presence of a precious and radiant object inside the first volume 4, that is to say in the frame 2 of the briefcase 1.

[0089] When the opening 31 leaves its interstitial position, for example to close the opening plane 22 or, on the contrary, to authorize communication between the first volume 4 and the second volume 5, the triggering means act on the emission member 6 so as to stop the emission of a luminous flux.

[0090] Advantageously, the briefcase 1 comprises an energy source to which the transmission member 6 is connected, this energy source being able, if necessary, to be recharged using ad hoc means.

[0091] According to an advantageous embodiment, at least the opening 31 of the briefcase 1 is made of a metallic material, or any other material impermeable to light rays. These materials make it possible in particular to facilitate the rebound of the light rays, and in particular to confine the light flux in the housing 34 on the one hand and then in the peripheral groove 33 on the other hand, so as to guide the light flux towards the emission face 711 of the light guide 71 to ensure the desired light halo effect.

Claims

1. An opening system interposed between a first volume (4) and a second volume (5), comprising: - a frame (21) having an aperture plane (22) between the first volume (4) and the second volume (5); - an opening frame (31) movable relative to the frame (21) and able to adopt an interstitial position in which the opening frame (31) is contiguous to the aperture plane (22); - at least one member (6) for emitting a luminous flux, intended to emit a luminous flux in the interstitial position of the opening frame (31), characterized in that: - the opening frame (31) has an edge (32) provided with a peripheral groove (33) having an aperture (331) opening out onto the edge (32), the peripheral groove (33) being extended by a housing (34) receiving the emission member (6); and in that the opening frame (31) integrates, in the peripheral groove (33), a subsystem (7) for guiding the luminous flux, this subsystem (7) comprising: - a light guide (71) positioned in the aperture (331); - at least one diffusion element (72) positioned in the housing (34) between the emission member (6) and the peripheral groove (33), and receiving the entirety of the luminous flux coming from the emission member (6); - a reflection element (73) receiving at least part of the luminous flux coming from the or each diffusion element (72), to direct it towards the aperture (331), and in that the housing (34) forms an elbow with the peripheral groove (33).

2. The opening system according to claim 1, characterized in that the diffusion element (72) has: - a first face (721) through which the luminous flux enters the diffusion element (72); - a second opposite face (722) through which the luminous flux leaves the diffusion element (72), the second face (722) having a series of ridges for separating the luminous flux into several rays parallel to each other.

3. The opening system according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises two diffusion elements (72) superimposed on each other.

4. The opening system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the peripheral groove (33) and the housing (34) form an L, the housing (34) being positioned above the peripheral groove (33) relative to the aperture plane (22).

5. The opening system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the peripheral groove (33) forms a ring over the entire periphery of the opening frame (31).

6. The opening system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the emission member (6) is a strip provided with a plurality of diodes.

7. The opening system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also comprises means for triggering the emission of a luminous flux by the emission member (6), in the interstitial position of the opening frame (31).

8. The opening system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light guide (71) has an emission face (711) flush with the edge (32) of the opening frame (31).

9. The opening system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the light guide (71) has a tint treatment.

10. The opening system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the frame (21) is a chassis (2) of a document briefcase (1) and the opening frame (31) is a lid (3) of the document briefcase (1).

Images