suitcase

Abstract

To provide a suitcase with at least one cover pivotable relatively to a main body about a hinge assembly.SOLUTION: A suitcase 10 includes: a main body member 12 with a plurality of wall members 14 defining an internal space, a first opening, and a second opening opposite to the first opening; and a first cover member 32 and a second cover member 24 each pivotable relatively to the main body member between an opened position and a closed position. Both the first and second cover members are lockable by a TSA lock to prohibit movement from their respective closed positions to their respective opened positions. The TSA lock is operable to simultaneously unlock both of the first and second cover members to allow the first and second cover members to move from their respective closed positions to their respective opened positions.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to suitcases, and in particular to suitcases having at least one cover that is pivotable relative to a body about a hinge assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] There are many suitcases in the market that meet the various needs of travelers. However, it has been pointed out that the existing suitcases still have many drawbacks. For example, in the existing suitcases, the cover is usually connected to the body via one or more zippers. This makes it difficult to replace the cover, for example, if the cover is damaged or if the user wants to change to a cover with other features, such as a different graphic design. In addition, the conventional suitcases usually have only one cover that can be opened to allow access to the main storage space in the suitcase. This is inconvenient, especially when the user is looking for something that is located deep inside the main storage space in the suitcase. Furthermore, the current suitcase design requires the entire body shell to be manufactured, or parts with many different sizes and configurations to be manufactured to form the body shell. This makes the manufacturing costly and / or complicated. Summary of the Invention

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a suitcase in which at least one of the above mentioned disadvantages is mitigated, or at least to provide a useful alternative for trade and the public.

[0004] According to the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a portable electronic device comprising: a body member having a plurality of wall members joined together to define an interior space, a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening; a first cover member pivotable relative to the body member between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position, access to the interior space of the body member is permitted through the first opening, and in the closed position, access to the interior space of the body member is prevented through the first opening; and a second cover member pivotable relative to the body member between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position, access to the interior space of the body member is permitted through the second opening. and a second cover member, in the closed position, allowing access through the second opening to the interior space of the body member and preventing access through the second opening to the interior space of the body member, wherein both the first cover member and the second cover member are lockable by a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lock to prohibit movement from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions, the TSA lock being operable to simultaneously unlock both the first cover member and the second cover member to allow movement of the first cover member and the second cover member from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions.

[0005] A suitcase according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a suitcase according to a first embodiment of the present invention with its front cover closed. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 with the front cover open. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 with the rear cover closed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 with the rear cover open. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 with the front and rear covers removed for clarity. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a hinge connection between a front cover and a front caster housing according to a first design of the suitcase of FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a hinge connection between a front cover and a front caster housing according to a further design of the suitcase of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of a hinge connection between the front cover and the front caster housing according to another further design of the suitcase of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of a hinge connection between the front cover and the front caster housing according to an additional design of the suitcase of FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the suitcase according to the second embodiment of the present invention with the rear cover closed. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the suitcase of FIG. 10 with the rear cover open. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the hinge connection between the front cover and the body of the suitcase of FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a perspective view of an alternative hinge connection between the front cover and the body of the suitcase of FIG. 10. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the hinge assembly of the suitcase of FIG. 10 in a hinged closed position. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the hinge assembly of the suitcase of FIG. 10 in an open hinge position. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 shows a schematic diagram of a hinge connection between the front cover and the body of one design of the suitcase of FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 shows a schematic diagram of a hinge connection between the front cover and the body of the suitcase of FIG. 10 according to another design. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the main body of the suitcase of FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of half of the main body of the suitcase of FIG. [Figure 20] 20 is a different perspective view of half of the body of the suitcase of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 21] 21 is a different perspective view of half of the body of the suitcase of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 22] 22 is a different perspective view of half of the body of the suitcase of FIG. 1. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] A suitcase according to a first embodiment of the present invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 in FIGS.

[0008] 1 and 2, suitcase 10 has a body 12 having a top wall 14a, two side walls 14b, and a bottom wall 14c joined together to define an interior space 16. Body 12 has a front opening 18 and a rear opening 20 opposite front opening 18. A handle 22 is provided on one (or both) of top wall 14a and side walls 14b.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 2, the front cover 24 is pivotable relative to the body 12 around the front hinge 26 of the front caster housing 52. A pair of front casters 30 are connected to the front caster housing 52. It can be seen that the front cover 24 is pivotable relative to the body 12 around an axis P1-P1 that is in a plane parallel to the lower wall 14c. When the front cover 24 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 1, access to the interior space 16 through the front opening 18 is prevented. On the other hand, when the front cover 24 is in the open position as shown in FIG. 2, access to the interior space 16 through the front opening 18 is permitted. Along the inner edge 31 of the front cover 24 that abuts against the body 12 of the suitcase 10 when the front cover 24 is in its closed position, an endless rubber edge or multiple rubber edges are provided to better seal the contact surface between the body 12 and the front cover 24.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, when the suitcase 10 is in an upright orientation (in the sense that the top wall 14a faces upward, the two side walls 14b face laterally, and the front casters 30 and rear casters 38 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) support the suitcase 10 on an undersurface such as a floor) and the front cover 24 is in its closed position, the front casters 30 and the front caster housings 52 are below the front cover 24.

[0011] 3 and 4, the suitcase 10 also has a rear cover 32 that is pivotable relative to the body 12 around a rear hinge 34 of a rear caster housing 48. A pair of rear casters 38 are connected to the rear caster housing 48. The rear cover 32 is pivotable relative to the body 12 about an axis P2-P2 that is in a plane parallel to the axis P1-P1 along which the lower wall 14c and the front cover 24 are pivotable relative to the body 12. When the rear cover 32 is in the closed position as shown in FIG. 3, access to the interior space 16 through the rear opening 20 is prevented. On the other hand, when the rear cover 32 is in the open position as shown in FIG. 4, access to the interior space 16 through the rear opening 20 is permitted. Along an inner edge 39 of the rear cover 32 that abuts against the body 12 of the suitcase 10 when the rear cover 32 is in its closed position, an annular rubber edge or multiple rubber edges are provided to better seal the contact surface between the body 12 and the rear cover 32. It is envisioned that by unscrewing a few screws, the front cover 24 can be removed from the main body 12 along with the front hinge 26 (and the rear cover 32 can be removed from the main body 12 along with the rear hinge 34) and replaced with a new front cover and / or rear cover which can then be screwed to the main body 12. This allows for easy customer service and customization of the suitcase 10.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 3, when the suitcase 10 is in its upright orientation and the rear cover 32 is in its closed position, the rear caster 38 and the rear caster housing 48 are below the rear cover 32. As mentioned above, in the present invention, when the suitcase 10 is in its upright orientation and the front cover 24 and the rear cover 32 are in their closed positions, the front caster 30 and the front caster housing 52 are below the front cover 24, and the rear caster 38 and the rear caster housing 48 are below the rear cover 32. This creates a larger storage space inside the suitcase 10, because the front caster housing 52 and the rear caster housing 48 occupy the space traditionally reserved for opening the zipper.

[0013] The rear cover 32 also includes a telescoping handle 40 that can move simultaneously with the rear cover 32. When the telescoping handle 40 is extended, it can be grasped by a user for moving the suitcase 10. First, the telescoping handle 40 can be fixed to the rear cover 32 by a number of screws, which allows for easy replacement of the telescoping handle 40. Second, this configuration provides a more aesthetically pleasing appearance, improves space utilization, allows for larger openings 18, 20, and makes it easier to attach trim, which improves manufacturing productivity.

[0014] A Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lock 41 and a set of combination lock dials 42 are provided on the top wall 14a of the body 12 of the suitcase 10. When both the front cover 24 and the back cover 32 are in their respective closed positions, the combination lock dial 42 is operable to lock the front cover 24 and the back cover 32 to prevent them from pivoting relative to the body 12 of the suitcase 10. In particular, after setting, for example, an unlocking code "111" on the combination lock dial 42, when the front cover 24 and the back cover 32 are in their respective closed positions, if the combination lock dial 42 presents a number other than the unlocking code, both the front latch lock 44 and the back latch lock 46 are locked. That is, the front latch lock 44 cannot be unlocked to pivot the front cover 24 to its open position relative to the body 12, and the back latch lock 46 cannot be unlocked to pivot the back cover 32 to its open position relative to the body 12. Although the front and rear latch locks 46 are referred to and illustrated herein as latch-type fasteners, other types of suitable fasteners (eg, clip-type fasteners) may be used.

[0015] When the combination lock dial 42 is operated to present an unlocking code, the front latch lock 44 and the rear latch lock 46 are unlocked simultaneously. Thus, the front latch lock 44 can be unlocked, which allows the front cover 24 to be pivoted to its open position relative to the body 12. Also, the rear latch lock 46 can be unlocked, which allows the rear cover 32 to be pivoted to its open position relative to the body 12. The TSA lock 41 is operable to simultaneously lock and unlock both the front latch lock 44 and the rear latch lock 46.

[0016] With reference to FIG. 5, the pair of rear casters 38 are attached to the rear caster housing 48. The rear caster housing 48, the rear connector 36, the body 12, and the rear connection plate 50 (located in the interior space 16 of the body 12) are secured to one another, for example by a number of screws or rivets (not shown). With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, it can be seen that the rear connector 36, the rear caster housing 48, and the rear casters 38 are below the rear cover 32 when the rear cover 32 is in its closed position. The rear caster housing 48 includes the rear hinge 34. About the rear hinge 34, the rear cover 32 is pivotable relative to the body 12 about the axis P2-P2.

[0017] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5, the pair of front casters 30 are attached to the front caster housing 52. The front caster housing 52, the front connector 28, the body 12, and the front connection plate 54 (located in the interior space 16 of the body 12) are secured to one another, for example, by a number of screws or rivets (not shown). With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the front connector 28, the front caster housing 52, and the front casters 30 are below the front cover 24 when the front cover 24 is in its closed position. The front caster housing 52 includes a front hinge 26 about which the front cover 24 is pivotable relative to the body 12 about an axis P1-P1. Because the front connector 28 and the rear connector 36 are both angled sections, their weight can be kept small while they are effective in absorbing vertical, lateral and rotational loads arising from the front caster 30 and rear caster 38, or shock loads directly experienced by the front caster housing 52 and rear caster housing 48.

[0018] 6 shows the configuration of the hinge connection between the front cover 24 and a first design of a front caster housing, designated 52a. The front caster housing 52a has a multi-part construction and includes a central connection unit 56 and two front caster connectors 58 mounted on either side of the front caster housing 52a. Each of the front caster connectors 58 has an opening 60 to which one of the front casters 30 can be attached for simultaneous movement.

[0019] The front cover 24 has a tongue 62 that is received between the two front caster connectors 58. In one possible configuration, the tongue 62 has two pins (not shown) that extend laterally away from each other and are received in channels (not shown) of each of the two front caster connectors 58, thereby forming a hinge assembly. Around the hinge assembly, the front cover 24 can pivot relative to the front caster housing 52a and thus relative to the body 12 to which the front caster housing 52a is fixedly engaged. In an alternative configuration, the tongue 62 of the front cover 24 has two channels (not shown) (or alternatively one channel extending across its width), and each of the two front caster connectors 58 has a pin (not shown) that extends towards each other and is received in a channel of the tongue 62. This also forms a hinge assembly. About the hinge assembly, the front cover 24 is pivotable relative to the front caster housing 52a and, in turn, relative to the body 12 to which the front caster housing 52a is fixedly engaged. In another further alternative configuration, the tongue 62 of the front cover 24 has a channel (not shown) extending across its width, and each of the two front caster connectors 58 likewise has a channel (not shown). When properly assembled, the channel of the front cover 24 aligns with the channel of the front caster connector 58. One or more pins may be inserted into the channel formed by the channel of the front cover 24 and the channels of the two front caster connectors 58 to form a hinge assembly.

[0020] 7 shows the configuration of the hinge connection between the front cover 24 and a second design of the front caster housing having a one-piece construction, designated 52b. The front caster housing 52b also has an opening 60 into which the front caster 30 can be mounted for simultaneous movement. Possible designs of the hinge connection between the tongue 62 of the front cover 24 and the front caster housing 52b are described above.

[0021] FIG. 8 shows a further hinge structure between the front cover 24 and the front caster housing 52 (covering both the two designs of the front caster housings 52a, 52b). This further hinge structure allows the front cover 24 to pivot relative to the front caster housing 52 between its open position (shown in solid lines) and its closed position (shown in dotted lines). FIG. 9 shows another further hinge structure between the front cover 24 and the front caster housing 52 (covering both the two designs of the front caster housings 52a, 52b). This further hinge structure allows the front cover 24 to pivot relative to the front caster housing 52 between its open position (shown in solid lines) and its closed position (shown in dotted lines). The main difference between the two hinge structures shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 is the position of the pin 64 that forms the pivot axis between the front cover 24 and the front caster housing 52 (and thus the pivot axis between the front cover 24 and the body 12).

[0022] It should be understood that the hinged connection structure between the front cover 24 and the front caster housings 52, 52a, 52b described above may also be utilized to connect the rear cover 32 and the rear caster housing 48.

[0023] 10 and 11 are two rear perspective views of a suitcase according to a second embodiment of the present invention, generally designated by the reference numeral 110. The suitcase 110 has a structure similar to that of the suitcase 10. For example, the suitcase 110 has a body 112 including a top wall 114a, two side walls 114b, and a bottom wall 114c (the top wall 114a, the side walls 114b, and the bottom wall 114c define an interior space 116), a front cover 124, a rear cover 132, a front caster 130, a rear caster 138, a telescopic handle 140 movable together with the rear cover 132, a TSA lock 141, a combination lock dial 142, a front latch lock 144 and a rear latch lock 146, a rear caster housing 148, and a front caster housing 152 (see FIGS. 12 and 13).

[0024] The rear cover 132 is pivotable relative to the body 112 about an axis P3-P3 about a pair of rear side hinges 166 in one of the side walls 114b of the body 112. It can be seen that the axis P3-P3 is perpendicular to the axis P2-P2.

[0025] Although not explicitly shown in the drawings, the front cover 124 of the suitcase 110 is pivotable relative to the main body 112 about a pair of hinges in one of the side walls 114b of the main body 112, about an axis parallel to the axis P3-P3.

[0026] A rear side latch lock 168 and a front side latch lock 170 are provided on one of the side walls 114b. When the rear cover 132 is in its closed position, the rear side latch lock 168 locks the rear cover 132 from pivoting to its open position relative to the body 112. A user can unlock the rear side latch 168 to allow the rear cover 132 to pivot to its open position relative to the body 112. Similarly, when the front cover 124 is in its closed position, the front side latch 170 locks the front cover 124 from pivoting to its open position relative to the body 112. A user can unlock the front side latch 170 to allow the front cover 124 to pivot to its open position relative to the body 112. Although the front side latch lock 168 and the rear side latch lock 170 are referred to and illustrated herein as latch-type fasteners, other types of suitable fasteners (eg, clip-type fasteners) may be used.

[0027] FIG. 12 shows a front side hinge 172 connecting the front cover 124 and the body 112 of the suitcase 110. The front wheel caster housing 152 is fixedly engaged to the body 112. The front side hinge 172 includes a male member 174 and a female member 176 that mate to allow the front cover 124 to pivot about the front side hinge 172 relative to the body 112. As shown in FIG. 13, the front side hinge 172 may be provided along another side of the body 112 and the front cover 124. FIG. 14 shows the front side hinge 172 in a closed state, and FIG. 15 shows the front side hinge 172 in an open state.

[0028] Figure 16 shows a further construction of a front hinge assembly 172 between the front cover 124 and the body 112 that allows the front cover 124 to pivot relative to the body 112 between its open position (shown in solid lines) and its closed position (shown in dotted lines). Figure 17 shows another further construction of a front hinge assembly 172 between the front cover 124 and the body 112 that allows the front cover 124 to pivot relative to the body 112 between its open position (shown in solid lines) and its closed position (shown in dotted lines). The main difference between the two constructions shown in Figures 16 and 17 is the location of a pin 178 that connects the male body 174 and the female body 176 of the hinge assembly 172, forming the pivot axis between the front cover 24 and the body 112.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 18, the body 12 of the suitcase 10 is formed from two identical halves 72 joined together via a metal or plastic frame 74 (e.g., an endless frame). Figs. 19-22 show various perspective views of the two halves 72. One major advantage of this configuration is that both mold costs and development time can be reduced, since only one mold needs to be made.

[0030] Suitcase 110 is likewise envisioned to have the same construction, in that its body 112 is formed from two identical halves joined via a metal or plastic frame (e.g., an endless frame) between the two halves.

[0031] For suitcase 10, both front cover 24 and rear cover 32 are each pivotable about a respective substantially horizontal axis relative to body 12 when suitcase 10 is in its upright orientation. For suitcase 110, both front cover 124 and rear cover 132 are each pivotable about a respective substantially vertical axis relative to body 112 when suitcase 110 is in its upright orientation. It is envisaged that a suitcase according to the invention has one of the front and rear covers pivotable about a substantially horizontal axis relative to the body about a hinge assembly and the other of the front and rear covers pivotable about a substantially vertical axis relative to the body about a hinge assembly when the suitcase is in its upright orientation.

[0032] It will be understood that the above is merely illustrative of examples in which the invention may be practiced, and that various changes and / or modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0033] It is also to be understood that certain features of the invention which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for clarity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Claims

1. A suitcase, a body member having a plurality of wall members joined together to define an interior space, a first opening and a second opening opposite the first opening; a first cover member pivotable relative to the body member between an open position and a closed position, the first cover member allowing access to the interior space of the body member through the first opening in the open position and preventing access to the interior space of the body member through the first opening in the closed position; a second cover member pivotable relative to the body member between an open position and a closed position, the second cover member allowing access to the interior space of the body member through the second opening in the open position and preventing access to the interior space of the body member through the second opening in the closed position; both the first cover member and the second cover member are lockable to prevent movement from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions by a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lock; the TSA lock is operable to simultaneously unlock both the first and second cover members to allow the first and second cover members to move from their respective closed positions to their respective open positions.

2. a second locking member operable to simultaneously control operation of the first fastening member and the second fastening member; the first fastener member is operable to permit or prevent relative pivotal movement between the first cover member and the body member; 2. The suitcase of claim 1, wherein the second fastener member is operable to permit or prevent relative pivotal movement between the second cover member and the body member.

3. 3. A suitcase as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the first cover member includes a handle member for simultaneous movement.

4. 4. The suitcase according to claim 3, wherein the handle member is a telescoping handle member.

5. A suitcase according to any preceding claim, wherein the body member comprises two substantially identical halves.

6. 6. The suitcase according to claim 5, wherein the half-parts are joined together via a frame between the half-parts.

7. The suitcase according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising at least a first wheel connected to the body member via a first connecting member.

8. the first connecting member includes a first hinge assembly; 8. The suitcase of claim 7, wherein the first cover member is pivotable relative to the body member about the first hinge assembly.

9. 9. The suitcase according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a second wheel connected to the body member via a second connecting member.

10. the second connecting member includes a second hinge assembly; 10. The suitcase of claim 9, wherein the second cover member is pivotable relative to the body member about the second hinge assembly.

11. A suitcase as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the first wheel is below the first cover member when the suitcase is in an upright orientation and the first cover member is in its closed position.

12. 12. The suitcase of claim 11, wherein the second wheel is below the second cover member when the suitcase is in the upright orientation and the second cover member is in its closed position.

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