Extendable handle device for the improvement of the packability of hand-guided transport containers by arrangement of telescopic handle bars or by 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 toolboxes. 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 unfurled. 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 stability, an internal support rod is proposed for use with a non-telescopic handle.

Description

[0001] 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 strict 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 x 40.0 x 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.

[0002] 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 casters with swivel wheels. Extendable handle device characterized 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 a portion of the top of the transport container, often over a third. The retractable handle can be positioned inside or outside the case. With internal retractable handles, the exit point of the support rods is located on the top of the case. The retractable handle can be positioned centrally on one long side. Extension occurs in the area of ​​the top of the trolley. The direction of extension is opposite to the transport container and largely parallel to the vertical axis of the trolley (Drawing 1).

[0003] Due to the short length of the handle, the extendable handle is positioned centrally on one long side of the trolley. This has the advantage when pulling the trolley that its 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 Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrates this advantage of bringing the centers of gravity closer together, shown here in the comparison of the short handle (14) to the long handle (15). The telescopic extendable handle of conventional trolleys is shown in Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 shows the suitcase in a frontal view, Figure 4 the side view, and Figure 5 the top view.

[0004] The central placement of the extendable handle on one long side of the transport container restricts packing options inside the case, as 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 outer, adjacent areas can only be packed with small items. Alternatively, larger "air gaps" are created, which correspondingly reduce the usable volume.

[0005] To improve the packing efficiency of suitcases in the area of ​​the support bar arrangement, various support bar configurations are known from the prior art: A45C 13 / 38 (2006.01) discloses support bars arranged outside the suitcase, in the area of ​​the vertical edges. This arrangement results in more stable trolley handling when pulled, especially on uneven surfaces. However, suitcases constructed in this way are less comfortable to handle for the person pulling the suitcase 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 generally unwieldy, especially for people with back and shoulder problems. Furthermore, the support bar located outside the suitcase necessitates an inwardly curved recess in the area of ​​the vertical edge of the shell, which negatively impacts the suitcase's structural integrity.This leads to a higher material usage and therefore a greater dead weight for a given total weight.

[0006] In contrast to the above, internal support bars are known from design AT00049743-0001. However, in this design, the support bars are inconveniently located in the middle of the narrow side, and it is not a hard-shell case. 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 case but are very short. Furthermore, this design is also not a hard-shell case.

[0007] 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-operated 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 retractable handle. Good maneuverability of the transport container is achieved by reducing the distance between the center of gravity of the person pulling the case and the case itself. The case's stability is optimized 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.

[0008] The problem is solved by the features described in claims 1 to 8. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the preferred embodiments described below.

[0009] According to the invention, claim 1 therefore provides that the extension handle device is designed as follows: The telescopic support rods are arranged in the area of ​​the vertical edges of the rising sides or along the rising sides themselves. The support rods extend over parts or the entire height of the transport container. An extendable, external handle is located on the top of the transport container when the support rods are not telescopic. 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.

[0010] With a non-telescoping extendable handle, the handle is extended, and the support rods are not telescopic. With a telescoping extendable handle, the handle is retracted, and the support rods are telescoped, bent, and / or angled. The retracted handle of a telescoping extendable handle allows the traveler to move the suitcase's center of gravity closer to their own center of gravity. This arrangement is perceived as more comfortable when carrying the suitcase. Telescoping the extendable handle is achieved by telescoping and angled and / or bent the support rods; retracting the handle occurs during or after this process. Retracting the extendable handle is performed in reverse order. Claim 1.

[0011] 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 retracting the support rod. Claim 2.

[0012] To stabilize the extension handle device, particularly with telescopic support rods, it is inventively provided to profile the transport container at the exit point of the support rods on the upper side of the transport container. In a preferred embodiment, the profiling is designed such that it defines a maximum angle of inclination for the support rods. Claim 3.

[0013] According to claim 1, the support rods are bent and / or angled during the telescoping of the extension 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. Drawing 10 shows a preferred embodiment. Claim 4.

[0014] Drawings 6 to 12 show a preferred embodiment using a trolley as an example. Drawings 6 to 9 depict the non-telescopic extendable handle. The handle is positioned near the top of the suitcase to minimize its external volume and thus meet the requirements of transport companies. Preferably, a recess is provided on the top of the suitcase 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. Drawings 6 and 7 show front views, drawing 8 a side view, and drawing 9 a top view. Drawings 10 to 12 depict the telescopic extendable handle. The support rods are telescopic and angled approximately in one plane relative to each other, and the handle is collapsed to a comfortable grip width.Preferably, the usual 18 cm can again be used as a guideline. In detail, drawing 10 shows a frontal view, drawing 11 a side view, and drawing 12 a top view.

[0015] To stabilize the extendable handle device, it is inventively provided to include a locking device for the extendable handle device. The methods are known from the prior art. Claim 5. Furthermore, to stabilize the extendable handle device, it is provided to design the joints and hinges located in the area of ​​the support rods and handles with a movement limitation, locking mechanism, and / or movement impediment. The corresponding methods are also known from the prior art. Claim 6.

[0016] 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, generally formed by two case shells, particularly hard or soft shells, which are joined together for transport. The two joined shells form the case container and are characterized as follows: * The shells extend largely over the entire height of the case * Top side parallel or largely parallel to the bottom side * Bottom side parallel or largely parallel to the rolling surface * Two parallel or largely parallel long sides * Two parallel or largely parallel short sides * Two to four swivel casters * Extendable handle

[0017] 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, with the exit opening of the support rods 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.

[0018] When the telescoping handle device is extended, the handle bar is moved almost parallel to the rest of the case, in the direction of extension opposite to the case. The extension length is maintained until a distance to the case is perceived as comfortable by the person pulling it. Claim 7.

[0019] Drawings 13 to 19 show a preferred embodiment of claim 7 using the example of a trolley. In drawings 17 to 19, the non-telescopic extendable handle is shown. The handle is positioned near the top of the suitcase 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 suitcase, and the support rod is arranged inside the suitcase along a vertical edge. Drawings 13 to 15 show the telescopic extendable handle. The support rods are telescoped, and the handle is displaced in the opposite direction to the suitcase. Drawing 16 shows a top view of the telescoped and non-telescopic extendable handles.

[0020] In summary, these extendable handle devices lead to better packing of rolling suitcases with better stability, lower material consumption, lower weight and better rolling of wheeled, hand-held transport containers. Patent literature cited:

[0021] A45C 13 / 38 (2006.01) AT00049743-0001 US 2017 / 0086555 A1 Reference symbol list:

[0022] 1 Case shell 2 Connecting device case shells 3 Top of case container 4 Bottom of case container 5 Long side of case container 6 Narrow side of case container 7 Vertical edge of case container 8 Wheel device 9 Telescopic support bars 10 Upper end of support bar 11 Lower end of support bar 12 Support bar exit opening 13 Telescopic handle bar 14 Reduced distance between person pulling and case 15 Increased distance between person pulling and case 16 Joint / hinge 17 Recess for handle 18 Recess in case shell for handle bar 19 Retracted handle bar 20 Telescopic support bars angled relative to each other 21 Axis of person pulling 22 Axis of case 23 Non-telescoping handle bar 24 Extendable handle device 25 Sheathing tube, shown as a jagged line

Claims

1. 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 telescopic handle arranged largely horizontally. The telescopic handle connects the telescopic support rods to each other. The support rods are arranged on the vertical edges of the rising sides of the transport container or in the area of ​​the rising sides of the transport container. In the non-telescoped state, the support rods extend 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 is inside and / or outside the transport container. When the extendable handle device is not telescopic, the support rods are not extended, the handle is partially or fully extended, and is arranged outside the transport container in the area of ​​the top of the transport container.In a telescopic extendable handle device, the support rods are partially or fully extended, angled, and / or bent, and the handle is fully or partially retracted. When the extendable handle device is extended, the support rods are extended, angled, and / or bent, and the handle is collapsed. Collapsing the extendable handle device is done in the reverse 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. The support rods are arranged on the vertical edges of the rising sides of the transport container or in the area of ​​the rising sides of the transport container. In the non-telescoped state of the extendable handle device, the support rod extends over part or the entire length of the vertical edge or over part or the entire height of the rising side of the transport container. The arrangement is inside and / or outside the transport container. In the non-telescoped state, the handle is arranged in the area of ​​the top of the transport container and connected to a support rod.In a telescopic extendable handle device, the support rods are partially or fully telescoping, angled, and / or bent, and the handle is connected to both support rods. When telescoping the extendable handle device, the support rods are telescoping, angled, and / or bent, and the handle is connected to the free end of the next support rod. The extendable handle device is collapsed by pushing the support rods together and detaching the handle from the previously attached support rod.

3. Extension handle device according to one of the preceding claims, however, formation of an angled profile on the top of the transport container in the exit area of ​​the support rods.

4. Extendable handle device according to one of the preceding claims, however, arrangement of joints and / or hinges in the area of ​​the handle bars and / or in the area of ​​the support bars.

5. Extendable handle device according to one of the preceding claims, however, in the arrangement of a locking device for locking the telescopic and / or the non-telescoped extendable handle device.

6. Extendable handle device according to one of the preceding claims, however, 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 for hand-held transport containers, characterized as follows: Extendable handle device with or without a locking mechanism, with at least two telescopic support rods and at least one handle. The handle connects the upper sections of the telescopic support rods and, in the case of non-telescoping support rods, is located outside the container in the area of ​​the top of the container. The support rods are arranged in the area of ​​two vertical edges of the rising sides of the container, guided on the western side inside the container. The exit opening of the support rods is located on the top of the container. In the case of a non-telescoping extendable handle device, the support rods are not telescopic. In the case of a telescoping extendable handle device, the support rods are fully or partially telescoped, and the handle connected to the support rods is displaced in the opposite direction to the container.When the extendable handle is extended, the support rods are extended while the handle itself is moved. Retracting the handle is done in the opposite direction.

8. Extendable handle device according to one of the preceding claims, however, transport container designed as a rolling case, sample case or tool case.

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