suitcase

Abstract

[Problem to be Solved] To realize a suitcase capable of having a storage section on top of the suitcase when the suitcase is in an upright position. [Solution to the Problem] To solve the above problem, the suitcase 1 is configured to include: an opening 21 defined by a notched line extending across the front surface, both side surfaces, and the top surface of a shell; and a lid 23 that opens and closes with respect to the opening 21 via a hinge 25 provided on the top surface of the shell, wherein the lid 23 is configured to open by flipping upward via the hinge 25, so that the inner side of the lid 23, placed on top of the top surface of the shell when opened, can be used to store items.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to suitcases.Background Technology

[0002] Traditionally, suitcases consist of two shells arranged symmetrically on either side of a central divider, connected by a hinge, allowing the shells to open and close via the hinge and to store items inside.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a suitcase having a half-shell body and a half-shell lid that can be opened and closed against said shell body, with the open edges of the shell's body and the shell's lid connected by a first slide fastener. In this suitcase, the shell body includes a back lid that is attached to the first opening so that it can be opened and closed, which is formed by notching three sides, excluding the lower edge of the back side, with gusset widths provided on the side surfaces. The shell lid includes a second opening, which is formed above and smaller than the first opening, and an upper lid that can be opened and closed against the second opening. The back and upper lids are each hinged at the bottom edge, and are connected to the shell body and shell lid, and open at the top.Prior ArtDocumentPatentDocument

[0004] Patent Document 1: Utility Model Application Publication No. 2023-3156Summary of InventionProblem to be solved by the invention

[0005] However, while the suitcase of Patent Document 1 has a back lid and an upper lid that open to allow loading and unloading of luggage in the upright position, it does not include the concept of a storage compartment on top of the suitcase in an upright position.

[0006] This invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its objective is to provide a suitcase that allows for a storage compartment to be provided on the top side of the suitcase when it is in an upright positionMeans to solve the problem

[0007] To solve the above problem, the suitcase of this invention includes an opening formed in the front shell by a cutout line that extends across the front surface, both side surfaces, and the top surface, and a lid that opens and closes via a hinge attached to the top surface of the front shell corresponding to the opening. With such a suitcase, the lid can be flipped upward via the hinge, allowing the inner side of the lid, positioned above the top surface of the suitcase, to be used to store items.

[0008] In addition, providing a holding mechanism on the lid to keep it in the position on the top surface prevents the lid from unintentionally closing.

[0009] Furthermore, if there is a shelf that can be positioned on the lid when it is flipped up, items can be placed on this shelf.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure is a perspective view illustrating the suitcase, in its first embodiment, in the closed state. [Figure 2] This figure is a perspective view illustrating the suitcase of Fig. 1 with the lid in an open state. [Figure 3] This figure is a perspective view illustrating the suitcase of FIG. 2 with the shelf unit installed. [Figure 4] This figure is a perspective view illustrating the suitcase, in its second embodiment, in the closed state. [Figure 5] This figure is a perspective view illustrating the suitcase of Fig. 4 with the lid in an open state. [Figure 6] This figure is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the state in which a modified upper storage shelf is installed in the state illustrated in Fig. 2. [Figure 7] This figure is a side view showing a method for installing a variantof a lower storage shelf in the state illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0011] The following is a description of the embodiment of the suitcase of this invention. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the suitcase of the first embodiment of this invention in a closed state Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the suitcase with the lid in an open state.

[0012] Suitcase 1, in its first embodiment, has a front shell 2 and a back shell 3 symmetrically provided across a central dividing line C, which are connected by an expansion fastener 4. When the runner 4r of the expansion fastener 4 is opened all the way around, an expansion fabric appears between the front shell 2 and the back shell 3, not shown in the figure, and the suitcase 1 is expanded by the width of the expansion fabric. Traditionally, suitcases are hinged to open and close part of the central dividing line C. In the suitcase 1, the dividing line C is not for opening and closing, but for expansion.

[0013] The suitcase 1 includes: an opening 21 formed in a front shell 2 by a cutout line extending across the front surface, both side surfaces, and the top surface, and a first lid 23 that opens and closes via a hinge 22 disposed on the top surface of the front shell 2 corresponding to the opening 21. The cutout line is provided with a fastener 21f, except at the hinge 22, and a pair of runners 21r of the fastener 21f are retained by a TSA lock portion T when the fastener 21f is closed. When the runner 21r is opened to bring the fastener 21f in the open position, the first lid 23 can be opened to flip upward through the hinge 22, opening the opening 21 in the front and upward direction. Then, as shown in Figure 2, the first lid 23 is on the top surface of the back shell 3 with the inside facing upward. With such a suitcase 1, the inner surface 23b of the first lid 23, which is positioned on the top surface of the suitcase 1, can be used to store items.

[0014] The first lid 23 includes: a second opening 24 formed by a second cutout line extending across the front surface, both side surfaces, and the top surface of the first lid 23, and a second lid 26 that opens and closes via a second hinge 25 on the front surface of the first lid 23 corresponding to the second opening 24. The second cutout line is provided with a fastener 24f, except at the hinge 25, and a pair of sliders 24r of the fastener 24f are retained by a TSA lock T when the fastener 24f is closed. Although not illustrated, when the runner 24r is opened to bring the fastener 24f into an open state, the second lid 23 can be opened in the forward direction via the hinge 25, thereby allowing the second opening 24 to open upward. By opening the second opening 24 when the opening 21 is closed, the contents can be easily inserted and removed while the suitcase 1 is placed upright.

[0015] The suitcase 1 has four wheels 27 on the bottom, a handle 28 near the center of the top surface, and a retracting handle 29 on the back side of the top surface that can be extended and retracted upward. It also has a pair of convex lines L on the front and back of the suitcase to prevent friction scratches on the surface. To move the suitcase 1, extend the retracting handle 29 and the wheels 27 are used to move the suitcase, just as with a conventional suitcase. When the first lid 23 of the suitcase 1 is opened as shown in Figure 2 for loading, unloading, or displaying the contents, it is desirable that the first lid 23 will not come down in the front and close. In Figure 2, a pair of hook and loop fasteners 30 inside the front side of the first lid 23 wrap around a pair of retracting rods 29a of the retracting handle 29 to secure the first lid 23. Band 31, provided so as to extend across the inner left and right side surfaces of the first lid 23, fixes the first lid 23 by disengaging a buckle (not illustrated), wrapping the band around the outside of a pair of retracting rods 29a of the retracting handle 29, and then re-engaging the buckle. Furthermore, though not illustrated, the first lid 23 is secured on top of the back shell 3 by an engagement mechanism utilizing hook and loop fasteners, snap buttons, engagement bumps and dips, magnets, etc., between the top surface of the first lid 23 and the top surface of the back shell 3 or between the front surface of the first lid 23 and the retracting rod 29a. In addition, though not illustrated, a hook and loop fastener, etc. may be provided inside the front side of the first lid 23 to secure it by wrapping and securing around the grip of the retracting handle 29.

[0016] There may be one or multiple of such fixing mechanisms. In order to prevent the convex line L and the retracting rod 29a from interfering with each other and to prevent the first lid 23 from swinging sideways, the convex lines L are set at a distance from each other along the outside of the retracting rod 29a when the first lid 23 is open. Additionally, another pair of convex lines may be provided so as to follow the inner sides of the retracting rod rods 29a, allowing the retracting rods 29a to be sandwiched between the inner and outer raised lines, thereby holding the first lid 23 in an open state.

[0017] As illustrated in Figure 3, the upper and lower storage shelves 32 and 33 are stored in the interior 23b of the first lid 23, which is opened so that it springs upward, constituting the upper storage section, and the front shell 2 and back shell 3, constituting the lower storage section. These consist of a rigid shelf board arranged horizontally, and all other areas of fabric, and when placed on the lower side, they are compressed vertically by their own weight.

[0018] A hook and loop fastener 32a is provided on the upper surface of the upper storage shelf 32. By being wrapped around and secured with the grip portion of the retracting handle 29, the shelf is suspended and extended, thereby enabling placement of items on the shelf board. A hook and loop fastener 32a is provided on the upper surface of the upper storage shelf 33. By being wrapped around and secured with the grip of the retracting handle 3, the shelf is suspended and extended, thereby enabling placement of items on the shelf board. The same effect can also be achieved by engaging an upward-facing hook and loop fastener (not illustrated) provided on the upper portion of the lower storage shelf 33 with a downward-facing hook and loop fastener (not illustrated) provided on the inner surface of the top surface of the back shell 3. In this state, the suitcase 1 can be used as a room shelf when not in use for travel. Also, while traveling, the suitcase 1 can be used as a shelving unit at your accommodations, taking up less floor space in smaller hotel rooms such as in business hotels. Furthermore, the wheels 27 can be removed, preventing the suitcase 1 from unexpected rolling, staining the floor, and enhancing its utility as a shelving unit. Of course, the wheels 27 may be equipped with a locking mechanism.

[0019] Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views illustrating the suitcase 101 in its second embodiment. Suitcase 101 consists of a front shell 102 and a back shell 103, and is bisected into front shell 102 and back shell 103 by a dividing line running from the top surface closer to the back of the suitcase 101 diagonally across both sides to the bottom surface closer to the front, which is connected by a hinge 122 provided at the top surface of the dividing line C and fastener 121 on the other part of the dividing line C. There is no equivalent of an extension fastener or a second lid. The wheels 127 are omni-wheels, which can move in all directions without a vertical axis of rotation, reducing the need to cut down on suitcase capacity.

[0020] As shown in Figure 5, the front shell 102 can be flipped up to open and functions similarly to the first lid 23 in suitcase 1. In this case, it is kept level / horizontal by the legs 103a on the bottom front of the back shell 103. For Suitcase 101, the storage shelves are not made of compressible fabric; rather, the lower shelf boards 133 are fixed at appropriate positions on the back shell 103, and the upper shelf board 132 is variably provided on the front shell 102.

[0021] Specifically, the upper shelf board 132 functions as a shelf board in the state illustrated in Figure 5, but in the state illustrated in Figure 4, it pivots upward in Figure 5 and downward in Figure 4, along the front shell 102 via the hinge 132a, and is stored without interfering with the lower shelf boards 133. The lower shelf boards 133 may also be designed to be variable, such as having hook and loop fasteners that can be engaged at any position against the hook and loop fasteners on the inner side surfaces of the back shell 103. To prevent the luggage on the lower shelf boards 133 from falling forward even during transport, the back shell 103 has a cover 134 that can be extended from the top end to the bottom end, and the front shell 102 has hooks 135 at the top end in Figure 5 for hanging small items.

[0022] As shown in Figure 6, the upper storage shelf 321 in the variant is installed as a shelf on the interior 23b of the first lid 23 by hanging the downward facing pocket 321a on its back on the retracting handle 29. The upper storage shelf 321 is open at the top and the shelves 321c are held in place by the side fabric 321b. In this case, the first lid 23 is held between the retracting handle 29 and the upper storage shelf 321, so no separate holding mechanism is needed. In other words, the upper storage shelf 321 serves as a holding mechanism.

[0023] As shown in Figure 7, the lower storage shelf 331 in the variant is secured by engaging buckles 331b attached to each other's ends behind the retracting handle 29 with a belt 331a provided to extend upward near the center in the front-back direction on both sides of the shelf, which allows the lower storage shelf 331 to be placed inside the front shell 2 and back shell 3, which constitute the lower storage section.

[0024] With such suitcases 1 and 2, it is possible to realize a suitcase in which the front shell is opened by flipping upward, and the inside of the flipped shell on the top surface of the suitcase can be used as a storage compartment.

[0025] The suitcase may be opened and closed with a frame-type buckle structure instead of a fastener structure. For suitcase 1, it is not necessary to provide the dividing line C or a second lid; that is, the suitcase may be configured to comprise a lid and a shell excluding the lid.Explanation of Signs

[0026] 1 101 Suitcase 2 102 Front Shell 3 103 Front Shell 21 Opening 23 First lid 25 Hinge

Claims

1. A suitcase comprising of an opening formed by a notched line that passes through the front surface, both side surfaces, and the top surface of the shell; and a lid that opens and closes relative to the opening via a hinge provided on the top surface of said shell, wherein the lid is configured to open by flipping upward via said hinge, so that the inner side of the lid, placed on the top surface of the shell, can be used to place items.

2. A suitcase as stated in Claim 1, having a retention mechanism for holding the lid in position on the top surface of said shell.

3. A suitcase as stated in Claim 1 or 2, further comprising a shelf configured to be positionable on the lid in a state in which the lid is opened by flipping upward.

4. A suitcase comprising of a front shell and a back shell that are divided by a dividing line extending diagonally from a top surface near the back side, through both side surfaces, to a bottom surface near the front side; wherein the front shell and the back shell are connected via a hinge provided on the top surface, and the suitcase is configured such that, by opening said front shell upward via said hinge , an inner side of the front shell, placed on top of the top surface of said back shell, can be used to store items.

5. A suitcase stated in Claim 2, wherein said shelf has a downward-facing pocket on its back side, and said downward-facing pocket is configured to be hooked onto an upper end of a retracting handle provided on the back side of said shell, whereby said lid is held between said retracting handle and said shelf , and said shelf is placed on said lid to function as a shelf.

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