Luggage box for a bicycle

Abstract

The invention relates to a collapsible luggage box 100 for a bicycle, comprising interconnected packages, a horizontal package 105 and two vertical packages 106 extending laterally therefrom. The packages comprise three interconnected rectangular bottom elements, a middle bottom element MBE and two side bottom elements SBE, furthermore two rectangular side wall elements SWE, two rectangular middle wall elements MWE and four rectangular diagonal wall elements DWE. The following wall and bottom elements are pivotably connected to one another in a rotational manner 101 as follows: the side bottom elements SBE are connected to the middle bottom element MBE, the side wall elements SWE are connected to the side bottom elements SBE, and the middle wall elements MWE are connected to the middle bottom element MBE. Furthermore, in order to form the box wall, the four diagonal wall elements DWE are each connected in a rotational manner 101 or in a rotational-translational manner 102 or by means of releasable connecting means to a middle wall element MWE and a side wall element SWE. The diagonal wall elements DWE are furthermore connected to a side bottom element SWE in one of the following ways: in a rotational manner 101 or rotational-translational manner 102 or by means of releasable connecting means 170 or are not connected.

Description

[0001] Luggage box for a bicycle

[0002] The invention generally relates to a luggage box for a bicycle, which can be mounted on a suitable mounting device arranged above the rear or front wheel of the bicycle and is foldable when not in use. It particularly relates to a generic luggage box according to the preamble of the main claim.

[0003] Such luggage boxes for carrying luggage on bicycles are often known as baskets made of wire or plastic mesh, which can be mounted on a front or rear luggage rack spanning the respective wheel, or similar frames that do not have their own luggage holders, but merely mounts for separate panniers. These luggage holders will also be referred to as "luggage racks" below.

[0004] The baskets can sometimes be partially collapsed, so that their base is wider than the luggage rack, but can be reduced to the width of the luggage rack (DE3114823A1). In this case, struts of the regularly loose weaves or connections of the wires or plastic meshes, which form the basket and are intended to provide stability, are used to change the position of the surrounding walls, for example, to partially fold them. However, such weaves often require a second inner packaging to accommodate small items of luggage. Or additional supporting brackets are necessary to ensure the stability of the baskets even on level ground (CN 90215824). In addition, such baskets cause constant, annoying noises during travel and are sometimes not compatible with luggage holders consisting of one or two brackets or rods.

[0005] DE 102021002551 A1 discloses a wide luggage box whose width can essentially be reduced to that of the luggage rack. Its base plate is in three parts and can be folded together with the wall elements, so that the side parts of the base plate and all wall elements hang to the right and left of the bike. Its wall elements are also secured using a variety of locking devices. A disadvantage of this luggage box is that folding the individual components and connecting or disconnecting them is complex and difficult, especially without daylight and takes too much time. A common disadvantage of known luggage boxes is that they rattle, which is generally considered unacceptable when cycling, especially since this can lead to damage or wear to bicycle components over time.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a luggage box which is significantly, if possible several times wider than the luggage rack and whose width can be reduced essentially to the width of a conventional luggage rack in just a few simple steps and without tools.

[0007] Furthermore, it is desirable that the luggage box be more stable and load-bearing than conventional luggage boxes, and that its walls be largely closed, at least on the bottom side, and preferably also in the wall area, in order to transport small items of luggage and accessories. The total weight of the bike should be increased only slightly by the luggage box itself.

[0008] Furthermore, it is desirable that the luggage box does not rattle during the journey, whether folded or unfolded, or only rattles on very uneven road surfaces.

[0009] The object underlying the invention is achieved by a luggage box according to claim 1. The dependent claims related thereto describe preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0010] Due to the use of the luggage box on a bicycle as a balancing vehicle, a luggage box is preferably constructed symmetrically at least to the longitudinal axis of the bicycle, at least as far as its basic design is concerned, so that it does not cause any significant imbalance on its own. This should also apply to the luggage box according to the invention, although deviations from the symmetry of all components are possible, for example in the connections between the wall elements and / or floor elements of the luggage box, the wall height or additional accessories. Furthermore, the luggage box according to the invention can also be designed symmetrically to an axis of symmetry lying perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Due to balance, it is also obvious that there are limits to the width of the luggage box. For example, a width two to three or four times that of conventional luggage racks is desirable.Depending on the weight and stability of the luggage box, slightly larger widths are also possible. The following description describes the components and their interconnections that form the base and the surrounding wall extending upwards from the base. The description is based on one of the multiple and symmetrical arrangements of housing components, their interconnections, and other components, and also applies to other arrangements of this type, unless otherwise stated.

[0011] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a luggage box whose wall and floor elements can be folded into three interconnected packages: one horizontal package and two packages extending vertically to the sides. The luggage box, with its horizontal package, can be mounted on a luggage rack or other luggage support, such as those provided for bicycles. The two vertical packages extend on either side of the rear or front wheel. The luggage box comprises the following components:

[0012] - a box base comprising a rectangular central base element (MBE) and two rectangular side base elements (SBE) arranged on either side of the central base element, the base elements each having two long sides and two transverse sides,

[0013] - wherein the central floor element is designed for horizontal attachment to a bicycle luggage rack,

[0014] - wherein a first longitudinal side of each of the side floor elements (SBE) is connected to a longitudinal side of the middle floor element,

[0015] - two rectangular side wall elements (SWE) with two long sides and two transverse sides, each long side of the side wall elements being connected to the second long side of a side floor element (SBE) opposite the first,

[0016] - whereby the long sides of the floor elements have corresponding lengths,

[0017] - wherein the longitudinal sides of the side floor elements (SBE) are rotationally connected to the longitudinal sides of the middle floor element such that the side floor elements are pivotable relative to the middle floor element, and

[0018] - wherein the longitudinal sides of the side wall elements are rotationally connected to the longitudinal sides of the side floor elements in such a way that the side wall elements can be pivoted relative to the side floor element. To form a wall that completely encloses the box floor, the luggage box further comprises:

[0019] - two rectangular central wall elements (MWE) with two long sides and two transverse sides, each central wall element (MWE) being connected by one of its transverse sides to a transverse side of the central floor element in such a way that the central wall elements can be pivoted relative to the central floor element,

[0020] - four rectangular diagonal wall elements, each with two long sides and two transverse sides, of which, to form the box wall encompassing the box floor, one long side is connected to a long side of a central wall element and the second long side, opposite the first, is connected to a transverse side of the side wall element in one of the following ways: rotationally or rotationally-translatively or by means of detachable connecting means,

[0021] - wherein one of the transverse sides of the diagonal wall elements is not connected to a transverse side of a side floor element or is connected in one of the following ways: rotationally or rotationally-translatively or by means of detachable connecting means.

[0022] If “elements” are described below without further specification of their type, this shall refer to both the wall and floor elements.

[0023] The basic structure of the luggage box is divided into the box base and the wall that surrounds and rises from the base. The luggage box has a rectangular floor plan, and all wall and floor elements preferably have a rectangular basic shape. This means that structurally necessary or desired deviations are present in certain sections along the edges. The wall has a height, calculated from its bottom edge, that allows for secure luggage storage without the luggage box obstructing the cyclist. Lower or higher heights are also possible, provided the position and design of the luggage rack allow this. Both the box base and the front and rear walls of the luggage box are designed in at least three parts, as described below.The wall and floor elements are firmly connected to one another, provided there is a connection between them, but are movable relative to one another. The luggage box is mounted with its floor on a bracket suitable as a luggage rack, whereby the luggage rack can be arranged above either the rear or the front wheel of a bicycle. For the following description of the luggage box in relation to its use on a bicycle, a three-dimensional right-handed Cartesian coordinate system is used, with the direction opposite to the horizontal direction of travel and thus the longitudinal axis of the bicycle as the X direction, the horizontal direction of travel in the negative X direction, the Y axis also horizontal and at right angles to the X axis, and the Z axis running vertically to the X and Y axes.For the following description of the invention, the coordinate origin is located on the top side of the central floor element, so that the horizontal XY plane of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system with its coordinate origin in the geometric center of the central floor element and the X axis defines the center line of the luggage box, in which the long sides of the previously and subsequently named floor and wall elements and other elements are to run in the X direction and their transverse sides in the Y direction. For this description of the wall and floor elements, the Z direction is not required. To clarify the designations and the relationships of the wall and floor elements relative to one another, reference is made to two-dimensional, schematic representations of folding nets (Figs. 6 to 14), in which the luggage box is unfolded and the outlines of the wall and floor elements are shown, placed in the XY plane.

[0024] The terms "front" and "rear" refer to the normal direction of travel of the bicycle, or to the front and rear wheels. With this in mind, the terms "longitudinal" and "length" are used as parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bicycle and thus to the X-axis, and the terms "transverse" and "width" are used as perpendicular to this, i.e., parallel to the Y-axis. The terms "inner," "outer," and "center" are defined in relation to the distance from the longitudinal axis of the bicycle and thus to the X-axis of the luggage box's coordinate system. These usages of the terms ignore the Z-direction and refer to the XY plane of the aforementioned folding nets. The terms "top" and "bottom," on the other hand, refer to gravity, in keeping with their original meaning.

[0025] The luggage box according to the invention comprises, in addition to the three-part box base, two three-part side walls of the luggage box, namely the front side and the rear side of the luggage box opposite it. Both sides, in their division into a central wall element and diagonal wall elements arranged on either side thereof, correspond to the division of the box base into a central floor element and side floor elements arranged on either side thereof. Due to this division of the front and rear walls and the connection of the transverse sides of their central elements to the transverse sides of the central floor element, and the purpose of the wall elements to form a wall enclosing the box base, it is obvious that the lengths and widths of the wall and floor elements essentially correspond to the lengths and widths of those wall and floor elements with which a connection exists or is established during unfolding.This is exactly what it means when, according to the following description, the long sides or short sides of wall and floor elements are “connected to each other”.

[0026] The upper edge or lower edge of an element is referred to below as the lower or upper straight edge of the wall element when the luggage box is unfolded. The "straight" edge is determined by the basic rectangular shape and disregards functional projections, recesses, and bevels.

[0027] "Corresponding" lengths and widths are defined here as those dimensions that can still be considered consistent, taking into account the tolerances customary for the relevant field. In the field considered here, tolerances of up to a maximum of 5 mm can be acceptable, with smaller tolerances of up to 3 mm being preferred, more preferably up to 1 mm, more preferably up to 0.5 mm, more preferably up to 0.1 mm, more preferably up to 0.05 mm, in order to improve the fit, reduce rattling, and in particular to facilitate the folding of all elements into the three connected packages mentioned. These deviations also include deviations from a rectangular or square geometry, unless expressly stated otherwise.Furthermore, deviations in the lengths and widths, as well as the geometry of the individual elements, are also included, which are caused by the design of the respective connections between the elements, the wall thickness of the connected elements, the folding of the vertical packages described below, or other functions of the luggage box. Depending on the size of the luggage box, such functionally-related dimensional and geometric deviations can range up to 15 mm, preferably up to 13 mm, or within the tolerances specified above.

[0028] The division of the luggage box into a three-part floor and three-part wall elements at the front and rear, the corresponding lengths and widths, and the respective rotational, rotational-translational, and detachable connections that support the folding of the wall and floor elements allow the adjacent wall and floor elements to be folded together into the three aforementioned packages, thus enabling the luggage box to be folded and unfolded. The horizontal package, which can be mounted on the luggage rack, is formed from the center wall elements as components of the front and rear walls and the center floor element. The center wall elements are folded and placed on the center floor element.The side wall elements and side floor elements, arranged on both sides of the center floor element and connected to each other and to the center floor element in a rotationally fixed manner, are each folded together into a vertical package, extending vertically downwards to the right and left of the luggage rack. Both the right and left vertical packages also contain the right and left diagonal wall elements, respectively. These are folded inward, i.e., onto the side floor element, so that both are positioned between the side floor element and the side wall element, and when folded into the vertical position, they are contained in the vertical packages.

[0029] The distribution of the wall and floor elements across all three packages allows for compact stacking of the elements contained in each package. Depending on the type and design of the element connections, the thickness of all three packages can be reduced to the sum of the wall thicknesses of the elements contained in the respective package. Depending on the design, the luggage box can be folded and unfolded individually or in one go.

[0030] The wall and floor elements can be connected to each other using rotary, rotary-translator, and / or detachable connections. Since the three floor elements, together with the two side wall elements, provide the mechanical cohesion of the three packages when unfolded and folded, the connections between these elements are preferably designed to be rotary. This also includes the use of rotary-translator connections, although these are not mandatory here.

[0031] The aforementioned rotary connections between the wall elements and the wall elements and the floor elements are designed in such a way that during folding, all wall elements can be pivoted into the interior of the luggage box to form the packages.

[0032] Various rotary joints, i.e. joints with one degree of freedom, for implementing the rotational connections of the wall and / or floor elements are known to those skilled in the art. The arrangement of the rotary joints between the wall and / or floor elements can, for example, be such that their axes of rotation along the sides of the elements to be connected lie in the surface, i.e. in the plane spanned by the surface of the element in question, or on the surface, optionally at a small distance from at least one of the interconnected elements, or in the element. In all three cases, the skilled person can resort to numerous known embodiments of rotary joints which permit the elements in question to be folded together, so that, starting from a right-angled or planar arrangement of the elements relative to one another, they can form the packages lying flat against one another as a result of the folding.When selecting the swivel joints to be used and their arrangement, the wall thickness of the elements is also taken into account, for example by using a miter, a toothing and / or a fold between the elements to be connected or suitable holders for the swivel joint on both elements, so that the axis of rotation is positioned in such a way that both elements can be folded together from an angle of 90° or 180° to an angle of 0° or 90°.

[0033] According to embodiments of the invention described in more detail below, a rod axis is used, for example, which is arranged in the wall and / or floor elements in their edge region and extends at least partially along the respective connection. In this case, a bevel of the relevant edge region of one of the elements to be connected can be used there with at least partial toothing, so that the rod axis runs through both elements and connects them rotationally. Such a bevel extends at an angle of 90° along the side of the element to be connected and has a depth in the mostly tens of millimeters range. It is obviously applicable when the elements enclose an angle of 90° when the luggage box is unfolded. Toothing of the elements without a bevel can be used when the elements lie in one plane when unfolded, i.e.have an angle of 180° to each other and if they are to fold from this 180° position by 90° in one direction or the other. Toothing is generally understood to be a sequence of projections and recesses along the edges of two elements which correspond to one another in such a way that the projections and recesses of both elements can connect the elements by interlocking. The rod axis runs through the projections of both elements. It is also possible for the projections of one of the elements alone to form the fold. The person skilled in the art is also aware of various embodiments of rotary-shear joints which can be used to implement the rotational-translational connections for the purpose described here. Rotary-shear joints have two degrees of freedom: rotation about an axis of rotation and translation along the axis of rotation.Translation is an evasive movement with which the wall and floor elements can be moved relative to each other if necessary to fold them together. Preferably, only the wall elements of such a connection are moved translationally.

[0034] Such connections can also be realized using a rod axis in conjunction with a bevel and toothing as described above, so that they are compatible with the purpose of the movement, the folding of the connected wall or floor elements and the folding and unfolding of the luggage box. Obviously, a toothing suitable for this purpose has projections and recesses that allow displacement of the connected elements along the rotation axis, for example, by having the recesses wider than the projections, viewed along the edge of the element in question, or by having the toothing only in sections.

[0035] Rotation and translation can be performed sequentially or simultaneously by means of suitable designs of the luggage box elements. It has proven advantageous if the translational movement is performed during rotation. This can be achieved, for example, by the rotation axis or its support and the wall of the wall or floor element to be moved translationally having corresponding sliding surfaces, which are designed and arranged relative to one another in such a way that, as a result of the rotation, the desired translational movement of one of the connected elements is performed along the rotation axis.

[0036] In addition to the at least rotational connections, detachable connections can be used for those connections with which the diagonal wall elements are integrated. For example, translational movements of the elements relative to one another, which occur as a result of folding and unfolding the luggage box, can be avoided or compensated for by a suitable selection of detachable connections. The detachable connecting means can be designed in various ways, for example as locking elements, hooks and / or similar connecting means, which can be inserted and removed again with little effort, quickly and without tools and secure the connection at least in the unfolded state during use of the luggage box. Optionally, expandable connecting means can also be used, which can maintain a connection between the wall and / or floor elements even during folding and unfolding.Removable connections are particularly useful for connecting the so-called diagonal wall elements to the adjacent elements. The term "adjacent elements" here refers to the wall and floor elements of the luggage box, which are directly adjacent to one another when unfolded.

[0037] The diagonal wall elements are those wall elements which, when unfolded, connect the middle wall elements with the respective side wall element and in this way, forming the four corners of the luggage box, complete the surrounding wall.

[0038] The diagonal wall elements each border a transverse side of a side floor element with one of their transverse sides, or in the unfolded state with their lower transverse side (hereinafter also referred to as the lower edge). To form the box wall encompassing the box floor, the longitudinal sides of the diagonal wall elements each border a longitudinal side of a center wall element with a first longitudinal side, and a transverse side of the side wall element with the second longitudinal side, opposite the first.

[0039] Due to the fact that all wall elements are adjacent to other wall or floor elements on three sides, i.e. with the exception of the upper edges of the wall elements that limit the wall upwards and are opposite the lower edges, and the floor elements are adjacent to other wall or floor elements on all four sides, it is optionally possible that the lower edge of the diagonal wall elements is not connected to the adjacent side floor element.

[0040] Folding and unfolding the luggage box using the described diagonal wall elements is guaranteed if at least the rotational, rotational-translational, and detachable connections are implemented in combination as shown below. It is advisable, but not required, that these are implemented in the same way at all four corners of the luggage box. In the following table, an "RT" stands for a rotational-translational connection, an "R" for a rotational connection, and an "L" for a detachable connection. Middle wall element / Side floor element / Side wall element /

[0041] Diagonal wall element Diagonal wall element Diagonal wall element

[0042] R RT L

[0043] RLL

[0044] LRL

[0045] LLR

[0046] Deviations from this are possible as long as all of the previously described elements of the luggage box remain connected to one another in some way, i.e. none of these elements has to be added and connected separately, and as long as the changed type of connection does not hinder folding and unfolding. Conversely, individual detachable connections can be omitted as long as the resulting missing connection does not endanger the cohesion and stability of the luggage box during use or when folding and unfolding. For example, the detachable connections between the diagonal wall elements and the side floor elements can be omitted. Rotatory connections can also be replaced by rotational-translational connections. This can easily be determined through testing. For the use and combination of the alternative connecting elements described above, reference is also made to the description of the folding nets (Figs. 6 - 14).

[0047] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the rectangular diagonal wall elements is divided, specifically in at least two parts, such that at least one of the two sub-elements has the shape of a right-angled, isosceles triangle. The two sub-elements of a diagonal wall element are hereinafter referred to as the inner and outer diagonal parts, respectively, depending on their position relative to the center of the luggage box and thus to the center wall element adjacent to the respective diagonal wall element. The inner diagonal part thus borders on a center wall element and is connected to it, as described above for the diagonal wall element. The outer diagonal part borders on a side wall element and is connected to it, likewise as described above.

[0048] At least the outer diagonal part is formed as a right-angled, isosceles triangle. The two angles adjacent to the base of this triangle are known to be 45° each. If such a diagonal wall element is square, this shape applies to both diagonal parts.

[0049] A wider luggage box, however, can be constructed by using, for example, a wider side floor element. This also results in the adjacent diagonal wall element becoming wider. Since the outer diagonal part is preferably an isosceles triangle, in such a case the inner diagonal part is a right-angled trapezoid. Such a trapezoid obviously has two inner right angles, which are adjacent to the long side of the inner diagonal part and border the long side of the middle wall element. The second interior angle of the right-angled trapezoid, adjacent to the division of the diagonal wall element, is also 45° due to the previously described geometry of the adjacent outer diagonal part. This variant is also illustrated in the folding nets using an example (Fig. 10B).Alternatively or additionally, a wider luggage box can also be achieved by means of a wider central floor element that extends laterally beyond the luggage rack.

[0050] The diagonal division of each diagonal wall element runs on all four diagonal wall elements when using square diagonal wall elements from its outer lower corner to the inner upper corner or otherwise to the upper edge of the non-square diagonal wall element, as can be seen from the folding nets Fig. 10A, Fig. 10B and Fig. 11 - 14.

[0051] In both variants, the division of the diagonal wall elements forms the basis of at least the triangular outer diagonal section. Along this division, both diagonal sections are connected to each other rotationally or rotationally-translationally, allowing the diagonal sections to be folded together and, if necessary, to perform an evasive movement to achieve the minimum possible packing density. Due to these connections and the foldability of the two-part diagonal wall element, it is possible to unfold and fold the two elements of the luggage box wall adjacent to the respective diagonal wall element together with the two-part diagonal section.

[0052] By having more than one diagonal wall element constructed in two parts, variations of the unfolded luggage box are possible, for example, in that the wall of the luggage box can optionally remain open on two or one side, for example to accommodate luggage that is larger than the luggage box. A circumferential wall can also be created in this variant using detachable connecting means. To compensate for the finite wall thickness, a translational movement of at least one of the sub-elements of the diagonal part relative to an adjacent element can occur on all split diagonal wall elements with the rotational movement. This means that as a result of the pivoting of the two rotationally connected diagonal parts about their common axis of rotation, one element of the diagonal part is moved along the axis of rotation.

[0053] In a further embodiment, all wall elements are connected to one another by means of such two-part diagonal wall elements and by means of rotational or rotational-translational connections. This means that the wall of the luggage box formed by the wall elements is closed by means of rotational or rotational-translational connections. By means of the split diagonal wall elements and their connections capable of rotation and / or translation, it is thus possible to fold and unfold the luggage box despite the closed wall, so that the three connected packages described above are formed. In this variant, the luggage box is folded and unfolded by pivoting two, preferably two opposite, wall elements, whereby all other wall elements follow as a result of the connections.

[0054] Due to the thickness of the wall elements, unfolding and folding the luggage box with the wall closed requires at least one translational movement on each of the four diagonal wall elements. This is achieved by at least one rotational-translational connection on each of the diagonal wall elements. A rotational-translational connection between the side wall element and the outer diagonal part proves to be advantageous from a design perspective. The translational movement occurs downward along the rotation axes when folding the luggage box, i.e., into the luggage box, and in the opposite direction when unfolding.

[0055] The luggage box can be folded and unfolded when the wall is closed in half if at least the rotational and rotational-translational connections are combined as shown below, with the translational movement being carried out by the inner or outer diagonal section, as the adjacent wall elements have no degree of freedom in the direction of the box floor due to their connection to the floor elements. The table shows that even with a closed wall, only one rotational-translational connection may be necessary, namely if it is arranged between the side wall element and the outer diagonal section. For the variants listed below, it is advisable but not required that the connections at all four corners of the luggage box are designed in the same way.In the following table, an “RT” stands for the execution of a rotational-translational connection, an “R” stands for a rotational connection.

[0056] Side wall element / inner / outer middle wall element / outer diagonal part Diagonal part inner diagonal part

[0057] RT RT R

[0058] RT R RT

[0059] R RT RT

[0060] RT RR

[0061] RT RT RT

[0062] Which of the two transverse and two longitudinal sides of the individual elements listed in the table above are to be connected to one another becomes logical when the three floor elements form a continuous box floor and the wall elements are arranged around the box floor in such a way that their vertical position forms the wall enclosing the box floor. This becomes apparent when all floor and wall elements required to form the luggage box with an open top are viewed side by side in one plane. In this embodiment, no detachable connecting means are necessary, but are optionally possible, for example between adjacent wall and / or floor elements that do not require rotational or rotational-translational connections. For the connections of this variant, reference is made to the illustration of the folding nets (Fig. 10A, Fig. 10B, Figs. 11 - 14).

[0063] Also in this embodiment, it is possible that no connection is formed between a side floor element and the adjacent inner diagonal part and that rotational-translational connections are used instead of the rotational connections, provided that the system remains sufficiently stable despite the possible additional translations.

[0064] Furthermore, the transverse sides of the side floor elements are preferably at least as long as the wall elements are to be high, i.e., the length of the long sides of the wall elements of the front and rear of the luggage box. The wall elements preferably have a uniform height. However, the luggage box can also be designed with different wall heights.

[0065] The rotation axes of the rotary and rotary-translator connections are mounted at the end of the respective element to be pivoted, as is generally known from hinges, for example, so that the element itself does not impede rotation. If both interconnected elements are pivotable, this obviously applies to both elements. In both cases, this can result in a gap of undesirable width between the elements. To reduce this potentially disruptive gap, the rotation axis can be integrated into one or both elements. For this purpose, the interconnected elements can, for example, be interlocked in the area of ​​the rotation axis, as described above. Other types of rotary and rotary-translator connections with the rotation axis located within the elements are also possible.Such a design of the rotation axes within the elements allows the connected elements to form a flat surface, making them advantageous for connecting the side floor elements to the middle floor element, as well as the side wall elements to the side floor elements. In the embodiment of the side wall elements with bevels described below, the bevel can support the formation of a flat surface and can itself be part of a surface, depending on the design and width of the bevel.

[0066] According to further embodiments, the axes of rotation can lie in or on at least one of the surfaces of the interconnected elements. A combination of the aforementioned positions of the axis of rotation in or on one of the surfaces of the interconnected elements is also possible. Such embodiments are particularly suitable for elements which lie in one plane when the luggage box is unfolded, such as the floor elements or the wall elements of the front or rear of the luggage box or the diagonal wall elements divided into diagonal parts. The rotation of the respectively connected elements takes place in such a way that the axis of rotation lies inwards, relative to the pivoting of the elements towards one another, so that both elements lie close to one another or directly adjacent to one another when folded together. The axis of rotation can lie in an at least partially interlocking arrangement of holders for a rod axis.

[0067] Additionally, the connection can be designed to prevent rotation beyond the folding or unfolding of the elements. For example, both elements can be interlocked on the side opposite the rotation axis in such a way that the interlocking forms a stop, so that the elements lie in one plane when unfolded. When connecting the two diagonal parts, which are folded into the luggage box, such a stop can be formed on the inside along the division.

[0068] The same applies to the rotational-translational connections, where, as previously described, free distances between the brackets or hinges can allow translation.

[0069] If, according to a further embodiment, the rotation axis is realized by a rod axis, rotational connections can be produced that extend uniformly over the entire length of the respective connection. Furthermore, rod axes are advantageous for the implementation of rotational-translational connections, as described above. Rod axes can be integrated into folds in the wall. This leads to improved stability, as loads on the rotation axis can be distributed over the entire length of the connection. Folds in the wall or floor elements are arranged wherever two elements meet at an angle when unfolded. As described above, the folds allow the rotation axes to be positioned in such a way that the connected elements can be folded together to form a package.This applies to the following connections: diagonal wall element with side wall element, middle floor element with middle wall element and side wall element with side floor element.

[0070] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the wall and floor elements of the luggage box are plate-shaped, with a wall thickness, in this embodiment also referred to as plate thickness, in the range of 2 mm to 30 mm, preferably in the range of 5 mm to 27 mm, more preferably in the range of 8 mm to 24 mm, even more preferably in the range of 10 mm to 20 mm. The thickness of the plates depends, among other things, on the size of the luggage box, its load-bearing capacity and the material of the luggage box. It is advantageous if the wall and / or floor elements of the luggage box are made of a plastic, as this material has a certain inherent elasticity. This supports the folding and unfolding of the luggage box, whereby the material used must obviously be rigid enough to be able to bear the respective loads.The panel-shaped wall and floor elements can be structured in a suitable manner to reduce weight while maintaining the desired load-bearing capacity, for example, by having surface textures. Furthermore, the previously described rotational and rotational-translational connections are particularly supported by panel-shaped elements.

[0071] Features of a luggage box which are generally regarded by users as quality features are the small space required for the folded luggage box and the stability of the luggage box both in the unfolded and folded state and with and without a load. The luggage box according to the invention, which can be folded into three packages, also meets these requirements according to a further embodiment in which the two vertical packages are tilted a few degrees from their vertical position in the folded state. Since this position is created as a result of the folding of the luggage box, it is referred to below as the overfolding, regardless of whether the vertical package in question is tilted beyond the exactly vertical position or not into the vertical position. I.e.the vertical packages are tilted inwards or outwards on one side or alternatively on both sides, so that they have an angle a in the range of 65° or 115°, preferably 70° or 110°, more preferably 75° or 105°, more preferably 80° or 100°, to the underside of the central floor element. The angle is measured from the underside of the central floor element, which is parallel to the XY plane of the coordinate system used here, in the direction of the wheel, so that for values ​​greater than 90° the respective package is tilted towards the wheel, and for angles less than 90° it protrudes outwards from the wheel. The direction in which a package should be tilted depends not only on the width of the central floor element but also on the width of the support surface of the luggage rack on which the luggage box is mounted. With luggage racks, especially wide luggage racks, it is usually preferable for the vertical package to fold over towards the wheel with a>90°.In principle, however, it is also possible to fold the vertical packages into a non-vertical position, for example, with luggage racks that have diagonally outwardly extending struts for mounting the rack to the bike. The term "folding over" is intended to encompass both variants. Folding over is primarily used to attach the vertical packages to the aforementioned struts of the luggage rack.

[0072] This design proves advantageous in various situations. For example, a luggage box can be used for bicycle racks of various widths, provided the horizontal package can be placed on the rack. Otherwise, in the case of minor deviations, spacers can be used between the luggage box and the horizontal package, so that the vertical packages rest against the rack struts at an angle of less than 90° to the horizontal plane of the center floor element. The angle a preferably does not assume a value less than 90°, at which the vertical packages protrude significantly beyond the width of the bicycle. The angle a of the achievable overlap can sometimes be greater than 90°.

[0073] Attaching the vertical packages to the rack's struts has proven advantageous. This eliminates the need for additional components to secure the vertical packages in this position. By resting them against the rack, possibly with an elastic intermediate layer between the two, rattling of the packages can be prevented. In addition, when using the luggage box with bicycle bags as described below, advantageous force transfer from the often heavy bicycle bags via the respective vertical package to the bicycle rack can occur.

[0074] An angle of a > 90° will also be the norm due to the design of the luggage box. This is because the rotation axes between the central floor element and the side floor elements lie outside the width of the luggage rack's support surface to ensure folding into vertical packages. This is intended to save space for the luggage box when folded. Furthermore, the folding sequence facilitates overlapping with a > 90°, particularly with self-contained walls. As described below for the figures, the connections described for this embodiment result in the following sequence.

[0075] Tipping from the vertical position, which follows the force of gravity, can also be assisted in various ways, for example by fixing the packages in the desired position by connecting the two packages to each other or to the bicycle. The vertical packages can be fixed, for example, by separate holding elements on those wall or floor elements that are contained in the vertical packages or are connected to them. Alternatively, the rotational and, if appropriate, rotational-translational connections between these elements can be designed such that they can be releasably fixed in the desired position. According to a further embodiment, the folding of the packages at angles of more than 90° is assisted by the rotational and / or rotational-translational connections.For example, the rotation axes of the luggage box can be arranged relative to one another in such a way that simply folding the luggage box causes the vertical packages to fold over. Thus, those axes of the rotational and / or rotational-translational connections that run parallel to the X-axis along the two long sides of the middle floor element and the two long sides of the middle wall elements have an axial distance dL for the rotational axes to the left of the X-axis and an axial distance dR for the rotational axes to the right of the X-axis, each measured in the plane of the surface of the middle floor element. The value of both axial distances is greater than half the sum of the wall thicknesses of the wall and floor elements connected by the rotational connection.The additional axle spacing beyond the amount determined by the wall thickness does not exceed 50 mm and can be any value within these limits. To illustrate this, reference is made to the folding nets in Fig. 6, 7, and Fig. 10A, Fig. 10B, and Fig. 11-14, which illustrate the described axle spacings. The offset of the described axes has the effect that the vertical packages can be folded over beyond their vertical position in the direction of the X-axis, i.e., in the direction of the wheel, and can rest against the luggage carrier bracket.

[0076] To secure this position, according to a further embodiment of the invention, composite parts are designed and arranged between the floor and / or wall elements in such a way that they support the folding and / or unfolding of the luggage box and / or can fix the folded and / or unfolded state of the luggage box.

[0077] Such suitable composite parts can, for example, be arranged between different wall and / or floor elements, which exert such a force on at least one of the two elements connected to each other rotationally or rotationally-translatively that the folding or unfolding of the respective elements is at least assisted. By appropriately selecting the composite parts and the force-loaded elements, both alternatives can be implemented in the luggage box: composite parts for unfolding as well as for folding.Such connecting parts can be arranged, for example, between the floor elements of the luggage box and / or between the side floor elements and the side wall elements and / or between the side wall elements and diagonal wall elements, or, in the case of a two-part design, between their outer diagonal parts, and / or between the center wall elements and the center floor elements and / or between the center wall elements and the diagonal wall elements, or, in the case of a two-part design, between their inner diagonal parts, and / or between the diagonal parts of the diagonal wall elements. A force promoting folding can apparently also be generated in such a way that it fixes the position of the folded vertical packages.

[0078] If, according to a further embodiment, the said composite parts are spring elements arranged between the long sides of the middle floor element and the adjacent side floor elements, their restoring force can be used to support the folding and unfolding as well as to fix at least the vertical elements. Such spring elements are suitable for fixing both the folded packages and their vertical position. The direction in which the restoring force should act to achieve the desired effects depends on the type of springs and their position. The mode of operation will be explained using torsion springs as an example and can be applied analogously to other types of springs, whereby the mode of operation and their spring constant or spring characteristic curve can be determined through simulation or testing.

[0079] If, for example, a torsion spring or tension or compression spring is integrated into a rotational connection between a transverse side of the middle floor element and the adjacent transverse side of an inward-folding middle wall element in such a way that the unfolding of both elements is supported, the restoring force in the unfolded state of the luggage box is smaller than in the folded state. If, on the other hand, a torsion spring or tension or compression spring is integrated between a long side of the middle floor element and an adjacent long side of a downward-folding side floor element in order to assist folding, its restoring force in the folded state of the luggage box is smaller than in the unfolded state. The latter design is suitable for fixing the position of the vertical packages containing the side floor elements in the folded state, and consequently also in their folded-over state.The interaction of the spring elements and the position of the three packages lead to a strong fixation of the conditions of the luggage box.

[0080] In a further embodiment of the luggage box, an intermediate space is formed between a side floor element and the adjacent side wall element when the luggage box is folded. This intermediate space is configured such that it is suitable for accommodating the one- or two-part diagonal wall element adjacent to the side wall element. The side wall element is folded together with the side floor element, as explained above, so that such an intermediate space between the two wall elements accommodates one wall thickness of the one-part diagonal wall element or twice the wall thickness of the two-part, folded diagonal wall element. To create the intermediate space as a result of folding, the side wall element can comprise a fold in the direction of the center line on its long side, which is connected to a long side of the side floor element. The rotational connection between the side wall element and the side floor element, ieits axis of rotation, is in this case formed on the free longitudinal side of the bend.

[0081] A completely enclosed package is achieved if the fold extends to the front and rear of the luggage box, covering the gap that might exist up to the center wall element when folded. Such a lateral fold extending partially along the transverse side would also be suitable for covering the rotational or rotational-translational connection between the side wall element and the diagonal wall element.

[0082] According to another embodiment of the luggage box, the length of the long sides of the center wall elements and the length of the long sides of the diagonal wall elements are less than or equal to half the length of the long sides of the center floor element. These proportions also serve to produce thin packages, in this case all three packages, since the folded center wall elements and diagonal wall elements do not overlap in the middle of the luggage box.

[0083] In a further embodiment, the luggage box has holding devices for attaching a bag on at least one of its two sides. Such bicycle bags are generally known and are attached to the side bars of a luggage rack using optionally lockable hooks. This option is also feasible with the luggage box according to the invention by the central floor element or the central wall elements or all three elements having such holding devices, specifically in such a way that they extend laterally beyond the rotational connection between the central floor elements and the side floor elements. In accordance with the aim of the invention to minimize the size of the folded luggage box, the holding devices preferably do not extend beyond the lateral extent of the vertical packages, more preferably they are flush with the vertical packages on the outside.Furthermore, recesses of the required size are arranged in the elements of the respective vertical package in the area surrounding the holding devices, which allow the attachment of the bicycle bags.

[0084] This arrangement of the holding devices is supported by the folding of the luggage box, as said elements lie in a horizontal package on the luggage rack and can thus transfer the load to the luggage rack. In addition, said elements lie on top of one another, so that the holding devices can be designed as an extension of the elements and thus have sufficient strength. By all elements having such holding devices, which also correspond in terms of their position in the folded state, so that one holding device of a floor element and one wall element lie one above the other, the load-bearing capacity of a holder formed from two holding devices can be significantly increased. Preferably, the holding devices have a shape and a distance from one another that supports the use of standard bicycle bags.

[0085] The invention will be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments. The accompanying drawings are intended to clarify the above-described features, but not to limit them, by way of example. A person skilled in the art would combine the features previously implemented in the various embodiments of the invention and subsequently in the exemplary embodiment in further embodiments, as far as this appears expedient and reasonable. The drawings show in

[0086] Fig. 1 shows a design of the luggage box in the unfolded state in a perspective top view;

[0087] Fig. 2 is a side view of the luggage box according to Fig. 1;

[0088] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the luggage box according to Fig. 1 in the folded state and mounted on a bicycle;

[0089] Fig. 4 is a rear view of the luggage box according to Fig. 3;

[0090] Fig. 5A is a perspective top view of the luggage box according to Fig. 1 in a first unfolded or folded state, Fig. 5B is a perspective top view of the luggage box according to Fig. 1 in a second unfolded or folded state,

[0091] Fig. 6 to Fig. 9 two-dimensional folding nets of the wall and floor elements with one-piece diagonal wall elements and

[0092] Fig. 10 to Fig. 14 two-dimensional folding nets of the wall and floor elements with two-part diagonal wall elements.

[0093] The drawings show the device to the extent necessary to explain the invention. They make no claim to completeness or scale. This also applies to the folding nets. These folding nets are intended to schematically illustrate the geometry and relative positions of the individual elements, as well as the type and position of their connections.

[0094] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a luggage box 100 according to the invention in a perspective view, looking toward the rear and into the luggage box 100. The remaining Figures 1 to 5 refer to this embodiment. For the spatial relationship of the features explained below and previously in the general description of the invention relative to one another and to a bicycle on whose luggage rack 320 the luggage box 100 can be mounted, the underlying Cartesian coordinate system is shown in Fig. 1 and all other figures.

[0095] The luggage box 100 is shown in the unfolded state and comprises a horizontal box base which is surrounded all the way around by a vertical wall. The wall comprises a front side, which is located at the front in the direction of travel F of the bicycle (not shown), and a rear side opposite the front side. The luggage box 100 is constructed symmetrically to the center line ML, at least in its essential components and unless otherwise described. For better clarity, not all reference symbols are shown in all figures if they are more clearly visible in other figures. The X, Y and Z axes of a Cartesian coordinate system are added for the spatial assignment of the components of the luggage box 100 relative to one another and to the direction of travel F of the bicycle (not shown).

[0096] The rectangular box base is constructed in three parts and has a central center floor element MBE, which is connected on both sides to the side floor element SBE by means of a rotary connection 101. Each side floor element SBE is adjoined by a side wall element SWE, which represents the lateral components of the wall of the luggage box 100, lying parallel to the center line ML. The side wall elements SWE are also connected to the side floor elements SBE by means of rotary connections 101. The front and rear of the luggage box 100 are each formed by three wall elements, each a central, rectangular center wall element MWE, which is connected on both sides to a diagonal wall element DWE by means of rotary connections 101.Each diagonal wall element DWE is connected, with its side opposite the rotational connection 101, to one side of the side wall elements SWE by means of a rotational-translational connection 102, so that the wall of the luggage box 100 is self-contained. In the illustrated embodiment, the wall has a substantially uniform height. The wall and floor elements are plate-shaped, with a plate thickness of 10 mm to 15 mm, depending on the respective element.

[0097] In the illustrated embodiment, all diagonal wall elements DWE are formed in two parts and are essentially square. The division of all diagonal wall elements DWE runs diagonally from the respective outer, lower corner of the luggage box 100 in the direction of the center line ML, essentially creating two right-angled, isosceles triangles. The outer part of each diagonal wall element DWE is referred to as the outer diagonal part ADT, and the corresponding inner part is referred to as the inner diagonal part IDT. In the illustrated embodiment, both diagonal parts ADT and IDT are connected by means of rotational connections 101. The lower edge 151 of the diagonal wall elements DWE has no rotational or rotational-translational connection to the adjacent side floor element SBE. Only a detachable connecting means 170, which is designed in the form of a nupsis 170, temporarily connects both elements.Nupsi 170 refers to small protruding components and bulges. The connection using Nupsi 170 releases and closes automatically during the folding and unfolding of the luggage box 100.

[0098] The rotary connections 101 are formed in the wall and floor elements by interlocking them, with the rotation axes (not shown) extending through the toothing 160. The rotary connections 101, which connect the two diagonal parts IDT, ADT of each diagonal wall element DWE, are formed such that their rotation axes (not shown) extend on the outer surface of the diagonal parts IDT, ADT and are held by a toothing 160 protruding from the wall of the diagonal wall elements DWE. Other designs of the rotary and rotary-translational, as well as the detachable, connections are possible, as generally described above with regard to the invention.

[0099] Both diagonal parts ADT, IDT of each diagonal wall element DWE abut one another and are also connected within the luggage box 100 by means of a toothing 160, which, however, has no rotation axis and consequently opens when the luggage box 100 is folded. For this purpose, reference is made to the description of Fig. 5A.

[0100] The side wall elements SWE have a bevel 150 at their lower end, which extends at an angle of essentially 90° from the outer surface of the side wall element SWE in the direction of the center line ML. The bottom-side bevel 150 of the side wall element SWE continues in the area of ​​the wall of the luggage box 100. This section also runs at an angle of 90° to the side wall element SWE, so that it covers a short section of the diagonal wall elements DWE, including their rotational-translational connection 102 with the side wall element SWE. The bevel 150 therefore encompasses a side wall element SWE at the front, bottom, and rear. The bottom-side, horizontal section of the bevel 150, in conjunction with the surface of the bottom elements, forms the box bottom. The side wall element SWE is rotationally connected to the adjacent side floor element SBE by means of its bevel 150.The rotary connection 101 is formed at the free end of the bevel 150 pointing towards the centre line ML, analogous to the rotary connection 101 of the side floor elements SBE with the centre floor element MBE by means of toothing 160.

[0101] All wall elements are flat on the outside, unless components of the luggage box 100 are integrated, and are reinforced and stiffened on the inside by means of a rhombus structure, so that the luggage box 100 is lighter without any loss in the load-bearing capacity of the wall. The floor elements are designed in the same way (not shown). Other forms of structuring the wall and floor elements to reduce weight are possible. The structuring of the insides of both side wall elements SWE also includes a space as part of the handles. The space is open at the bottom so that the handles are easy to grasp and operate.

[0102] In the floor elements MBE, SBE, the rotational connections between the center floor element MBE and the side floor elements SBE, as well as between the center floor element MBE and the center wall elements MWE, each contain composite parts 110, here designed as spring elements, specifically as torsion springs. The spring elements between the floor elements MBE, SBE are designed and arranged such that their restoring force supports the folding of the luggage box 100, while the restoring force of the spring elements between the center floor element MBE and the center wall elements MWE supports the unfolding. Other composite parts with a comparable effect are possible. Such composite parts can also be used at other connections.

[0103] Passages 120 are arranged in the central floor element MBE, through which the luggage box 100 can be mounted on the luggage rack (not shown) of a bicycle by means of suitable mounting elements (not shown).

[0104] Furthermore, both the central floor element MBE and the central wall elements MWE comprise, on those sides adjacent to the side floor elements SBE or the diagonal wall elements DWE, rectangular projections with rectangular passages which protrude into corresponding recesses in the side floor elements SBE or the side wall elements SWE and the diagonal wall elements DWE. These projections represent holding devices 130 which, when the luggage box 100 is folded, protrude laterally beyond the horizontal package (Fig. 3), but not beyond the side wall elements SWE. The holding devices serve to accommodate bicycle bags (not shown) in the folded state. In this state, the holding devices lie on top of one another. By designing the holding devices as an extension of the wall or floor elements, they can have sufficient strength. Other designs of the holding devices are possible.

[0105] In a further embodiment of the luggage box 100, the side wall elements each have a handle 140, which is formed, for example, on the lower edge 151 of the side wall element SWE in order to grasp and move the side wall element, in the present exemplary embodiment to rotate the respective side wall element. In this embodiment, the handle is formed integrally with the side wall element SWE in the form of an outward bulge. The handle 140 can thus be gripped behind in order to rotate the side wall element SWE about its horizontal axis of rotation (not shown) and thus to unfold the luggage box 100. The aforementioned axis of rotation is the one which is a component of the rotatory connection 101 formed in the folded portion with the adjacent side base element SBE. Other embodiments of handles for grasping and moving the side wall element SWE are possible.

[0106] Fig. 2 shows the rear view of the luggage box 100 according to Fig. 1, viewed along the X-axis according to the illustrated coordinate system. Clearly visible are, in particular, the toothings 160 of the rotary connections 101 between the center wall element MWE and the diagonal wall elements DWE, as well as between the center wall element MWE and the center floor element MBE. In the illustrated embodiment, the latter rotary connection is formed by means of a toothing 160, in which the teeth of the center floor element MBE are not formed in its rear plane, but in the plane of the center wall element MWE, as a significantly shortened fold of the center floor element MBE compared to the side wall element SWE. This assists in folding the center wall elements SWE onto the center floor element MBE. Other designs of these rotary connections 101 are possible.

[0107] In the embodiment, the rotation axes (not shown) are realized by rod axes.

[0108] Furthermore, the design of the folded edges 150 in the area of ​​the wall of the luggage box 100, the rotary connections 101 running on the surface of the diagonal wall elements DWE, their diagonal parts ADT, IDT, spring elements 110 as composite parts between the middle floor element MBE and the adjacent middle wall elements MWE, as well as the nubs 170 on the lower edges 151 of the diagonal wall elements DWE are shown. It is visible that the nubs 170 each engage, for example, can snap into, a corresponding recess in the edge area of ​​the adjacent side floor element SBE. Furthermore, when folded, the nubs 170 also engage in corresponding recesses (not shown) in the side wall elements SWE. Other designs of these connecting means are possible.

[0109] Fig. 3 shows a rear perspective view of the luggage box 100 mounted on the rear bicycle carrier 320 of a bicycle 500. The latter is only partially shown. The support surface (not shown) of the bicycle carrier 320 is largely concealed by the luggage box 100, so that only its struts 322 are visible, which extend to the hub of the bicycle 500 for the purpose of mounting the bicycle carrier 320. The typical structure of a bicycle carrier 320 and its dimensions are generally known. Since there are numerous designs of these and the luggage box 100 can be adapted accordingly, a description of the bicycle carrier 320 can be omitted here.

[0110] The luggage box 100 is shown in the folded state, with the horizontal package 105 lying horizontally on the support surface (not shown) of the bicycle luggage carrier 320 and the two vertical packages 106 extending to the right and left of it.

[0111] The horizontal package 105 comprises the central floor element MBE, which is stably and detachably mounted on the bicycle rack 320 using suitable mounting means, such as screws, clamps, or the like, and the two central wall elements MWE, which lie horizontally on the central floor element MBE. Of the latter, only the rear edge area with its vertically upright teeth is visible. These are part of the toothing 160 of the rotary connection 101 with the adjacent central wall element MWE. The spring element 110 is integrated into the rotary connection 101, as described in Fig. 2.

[0112] The center wall elements MWE and the center floor element MBE have the holding devices 130 described in Fig. 1, which are configured to accommodate bicycle bags (not shown). A total of eight such holding devices are formed, two of which are arranged one above the other, one of the center floor element MBE and one of a center wall element MWE above it. Each of the pairs of holding devices 130 can accommodate a hook of a bicycle bag or similar luggage, so that a bicycle bag can be attached to either side. This additional luggage transport is supported by the horizontal package, which provides the holding devices, and by the vertical packages, which each create a distance between the bicycle bag and the rear wheel.

[0113] On both sides of the middle wall elements MWE, the interlocking 160 of the respective rotary connection 101 with the adjacent diagonal wall element DWE is visible. The diagonal wall elements DWE are folded together and placed in the intermediate space (not shown) formed by the bevel 150 described in FIG. 1 with its rotary connection 101 to the adjacent side base element. This intermediate space also serves to engage behind the side wall element SWE in the area of ​​the handle 140. For this purpose, the bevel has a suitable recess (not shown) in the area of ​​the handle 140. The space required for this in the intermediate space is available in this embodiment due to the diagonal wall elements DWE (not shown) folded together to form a triangle. The underside structuring of the side base elements SBE can be seen in part from the vertical package 106 on the right as viewed in the direction of view, which, as in FIG.1 with respect to the wall elements, is used to reduce weight and stabilize the elements. Also partially shown at the lower end of this package is the rotational connection 101, which is formed between the side wall element SWE and the adjacent side floor element SBE at the bevel 150 of the side wall element SWE.

[0114] Fig. 4 shows the luggage box 100 according to Fig. 3, but viewed along the X-axis according to the illustrated coordinate system. In this viewing direction, the overlap 410 of the two vertical packages can be seen. Also visible is the support surface 321 of the bicycle rack 320. The horizontal package 105 of the luggage box 100 rests on this. The vertical packages 106 extend on both sides. Both vertical packages 106 are tilted from the exactly vertical position (corresponding to the Z-direction of the illustrated coordinate system) toward the wheel. This means that the angle α, measured between the horizontal plane of the underside of the center floor element MBE and the underside of the respective side floor element SBE, is greater than 90°, according to the definition set forth in the above description of the invention.

[0115] The overlap of the right-hand vertical package in the direction of view towards the wheel is achieved by means of an axial offset between the two right-hand axes of the rotary connections, which run along the long side of the middle floor element MBE and along the long side of the middle wall element MWE. Analogously, the overlap is also achieved using such an axial offset on the left side of the luggage box 100 for the left package. The axial offsets are referred to here as axis distances dR for the right side and dL for the left side of the luggage box 100. In the exemplary embodiment, the axial offsets are dimensioned such that, taking into account the stated wall thicknesses of the wall and floor elements, an angle a of 100° is achieved. Both the wall thickness of the wall and / or floor elements as well as the axial offsets and consequently the angle a of the overlap can assume values ​​that differ from those specified.

[0116] Figs. 5A and 5B show two different states of the luggage box 100 during unfolding and folding, respectively. The luggage box 100 corresponds to that described for Figs. 1 to 4, so that with regard to its components and features, reference is made to the descriptions therein. In the folded state illustrated in Fig. 5A, all wall elements are tilted from their vertical position toward the box base. However, no package has yet been formed (folding) or unfolded (unfolding). It can be seen that all rotational and rotational-translational connections 101, 102 execute a rotational movement, and the two-part diagonal wall elements DWE are folded together along their diagonal division, so that their outer surfaces are moved toward each other. The remaining wall elements SWE, MWE are moved toward the adjacent base elements SBE, MBE.Folding occurs against the force of the spring elements 110, which are arranged between the center wall elements MWE and the center floor element MBE. Due to the closed wall of the luggage box, a force supporting the folding action by means of the spring elements 110 between the center floor element MBE and the two adjacent side floor elements SBE (see Fig. 1) occurs when the center wall elements MWE have reached their horizontal position on the center floor element MBE.

[0117] The diagonal wall elements DWE and their connections are designed in the present embodiment such that only one rotational-translational connection 102 is required on each diagonal wall element DWE. According to the table above, this is the one between the outer diagonal part ADT and the adjacent side wall element SWE. The two connections of the diagonal wall elements, the one between the inner diagonal part IDT and the middle wall element MWE and the one between the two diagonal parts IDT, ADT are rotational connections 101. The detachable connection described above by means of Nupsi 170 exists between the lower edge 151 of the outer diagonal part ADT and the side floor element SBE. In the embodiment shown, the outer diagonal part ADT moves downwards into the luggage box 100 during folding. The extent of its translational displacement inevitably results from the wall thickness and the distance between the two diagonal parts shown in Fig.4 shown axle offset on the respective side of the luggage box 100.

[0118] Fig. 5B illustrates the unfolding and folding state in which the three packages 105, 106 are formed. The central, horizontal package 105 comprises the central floor element MBE and the central wall elements MWE lying flat thereon. On both sides of this, the side floor elements SBE and side wall elements SWE are folded together to form the vertical packages 106. Within the packages, between the side floor elements SBE and side wall elements SWE, lie the diagonal wall elements DWE, each folded together to form an isosceles triangle. The bevel 150 completely encloses the diagonal wall elements DWE, so that the vertical packages are essentially closed in the folded state.

[0119] Starting from this position, the spring elements 110 arranged between the floor elements MBE, SBE as described in Fig. 1 are designed and suitable for automatically lowering the vertical packages into their folded-over position (Fig. 3, Fig. 4).

[0120] The following figures show so-called folding nets of various variants of the possible connections of all floor and wall elements of the luggage box 100, whereby the wall and floor elements are shown lying in one plane, here the XY plane, so that their connections to each other can be clearly represented, even if not all connections can be realistically depicted. In the folding nets explained below, the various connection types are marked by different lines, whereby

[0121] - a dash-dot line a rotational-translational connection,

[0122] - a dashed line a rotational connection,

[0123] - a dotted line represents a detachable connection and

[0124] - a solid line does not represent a connection.

[0125] The folding nets show a variety of embodiments with regard to the connections between the elements and their size. An axial offset in the connection of the center wall elements MWE to the diagonal wall elements DWE is also shown as an example. Further such or similar axial offsets are possible at other connections if it is appropriate or necessary for compact folding of the luggage box 100. The connections of the elements of the luggage box described in Figs. 1 to 5B are shown in Fig. 10A.

[0126] As explained at the beginning of the description of the invention, the designations of the wall and floor elements were chosen based on their position in the luggage box 100. The designations of the enclosure of the individual elements as transverse and longitudinal sides, however, were chosen based on their representation in the plane. Accordingly, all sides of the elements running from top to bottom in the plane are so-called longitudinal sides, and all sides running from left to right are so-called transverse sides. These designations ignore the fact that, in particular, the transverse sides of the side wall elements and the longitudinal sides of the diagonal wall elements can no longer run in the specified direction when these wall elements are erected out of the plane, but rather adjoin one another according to the description of Figs. 1 to 5B and, in this exemplary embodiment, are connected in a rotational-translational manner.

[0127] Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show schematically and two-dimensionally the elements of the luggage boxes 100 with one-piece diagonal wall elements DWE, wherein the above-mentioned types of connection can be used in different positions and the luggage box can be unfolded and folded together into the three interconnected packages as described above.

[0128] All elements of the embodiments are rectangular. Furthermore, the floor elements and side wall elements of a luggage box 100 always have a uniform length S1. The middle floor elements MBE of all four variants also have a uniform width M1, although this can be modified, as this is not a requirement for the described properties. Furthermore, the wall elements always have the same height A1, which is possible but not required, neither within a luggage box 100 nor between different boxes.

[0129] A common feature of all four variants is that there is always a rotational connection between the three floor elements MBE and SBE and the adjacent side wall elements SWE. The floor element connections in each variant connect the three packages to each other. Furthermore, it should be noted that no rotational-translational connections are required for these variants of the luggage box 100.

[0130] The different variants of these figures differ from each other in the following characteristics:

[0131] - different combinations of connections between the wall elements,

[0132] - rotary connection between the middle floor element MBE and the middle wall elements MWE,

[0133] - different connections of the diagonal wall elements DWE to the adjacent wall and floor elements, including the side wall elements SWE shown at a distance from each other,

[0134] - Formation of axial offsets on both sides between the middle floor element MBE and the middle wall elements MWE as described in Fig. 4.

[0135] In contrast to the previously described figures, the embodiments illustrated in Fig. 10A, Fig. 10B, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14 always have split diagonal wall elements DWE, which are connected to the adjacent wall elements in various ways. The outer diagonal parts ADT are always formed as right-angled isosceles triangles, so that the angle of the inner diagonal part IDT adjacent to the floor element is always 45°.

[0136] Furthermore, all wall elements are connected to the adjacent wall element, so that the wall running around the box floor is self-contained. Thus, these figures only represent variants where folding and unfolding is possible with the wall closed.

[0137] In none of the figures mentioned above does the inner diagonal part IDT, which always borders the transverse side of the side floor element SBE, have a connection to the latter, as this is not absolutely necessary and is therefore omitted. However, a detachable connection is optionally possible, which is released during the translational displacement of an element of the diagonal wall element DWE. A rotational connection is possible in such a case if it allows the required translational displacement of the diagonal wall element DWE.

[0138] In all variants shown, the MWE center wall elements are rotationally connected to the MBE center floor element. Furthermore, the bilateral axial offsets between the MBE center floor element and the MWE center wall elements used for folding are designed in all variants as described in Fig. 4.

[0139] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10B differ in the different widths of the side floor elements SBE. In Fig. 10B, these are wider than in Fig. 10A, resulting in the adjacent inner diagonal part IDT being trapezoidal.

[0140] In addition, the different variants of these figures differ from each other in the following characteristics:

[0141] - different combinations of connections between the wall elements,

[0142] - different connections of the diagonal parts IDT, ADT of the diagonal wall elements DWE to each other and to the adjacent middle wall elements MWE and the side wall elements SWE shown at a distance from each other.

[0143] 100 luggage boxes

[0144] 101 rotary connection

[0145] 102 translational connection

[0146] 105 horizontal package

[0147] 106 vertical package

[0148] 110 composite parts, spring elements

[0149] 120 passage

[0150] 130 Holding device

[0151] 140 handle

[0152] 150 bending

[0153] 151 bottom edge

[0154] 152 top edge

[0155] 160 gearing

[0156] 170 lanyards, Nupsi

[0157] 320 bicycle racks

[0158] 321 contact surface

[0159] 322 struts

[0160] 410 Overlap

[0161] 500 bicycles

[0162] F Direction of travel of the bicycle

[0163] MBE middle floor element

[0164] SBE side floor element

[0165] MWE center wall element

[0166] SWE side wall element

[0167] DWE diagonal wall element

[0168] IDT inner diagonal part

[0169] ADT outer diagonal part

[0170] ML Center line a Angle of overlap dR, dL Center distances left or right dP Wall thickness, plate thickness

[0171] A1 Height of the center wall element

[0172] S1 Length of the side wall element

[0173] M1 Width of the middle floor element

Claims

Patent claims 1. Luggage box for a bicycle, designed to be folded into interconnected packages, containing a horizontal package (105) and two vertical packages (106) extending laterally therefrom in the vertical direction, comprising the following components: - a box base comprising a rectangular central base element (MBE) and two rectangular side base elements (SBE) arranged on either side of the central base element (MBE), the base elements each having two long sides and two transverse sides, - wherein the central floor element (MBE) is designed for horizontal attachment to a bicycle luggage rack (320), - wherein a first longitudinal side of each of the side floor elements (SBE) is connected to a longitudinal side of the middle floor element (MBE), - two rectangular side wall elements (SWE) with two long sides and two transverse sides, each long side of the side wall elements (SWE) being connected to the second long side of a side floor element (SBE) opposite the first, - the long sides of the floor elements have corresponding lengths, and - wherein the longitudinal sides of the side floor elements (SBE) are rotationally connected (101) to the longitudinal sides of the middle floor element (MBE) in such a way that the side floor elements (SBE) are pivotable relative to the middle floor element (MBE), - wherein the longitudinal sides of the side wall elements (SWE) are connected to the longitudinal sides of the side floor elements (SBE) in a rotational manner (101) such that the side wall elements (SWE) are pivotable relative to the side floor element (SBE), characterized in that the luggage box (100) further comprises, in order to form a wall enclosing the box floor: - two rectangular central wall elements (MWE) with two long sides and two transverse sides, each central wall element (MWE) being connected in a rotational manner (101) with one of its transverse sides to a transverse side of the central floor element (MBE) in such a way that the central wall elements (MWE) are pivotable relative to the central floor element (MBE), - four rectangular diagonal wall elements (DWE), each with two long sides and two transverse sides, of which, to form the box wall encompassing the box floor, one long side is connected to a long side of a central wall element (MWE) and the second long side opposite the first is connected to a transverse side of the side wall element (SWE) in one of the following ways: rotationally (101) or rotationally-translatively (102) or by means of detachable connecting means, - wherein one of the transverse sides of the diagonal wall elements (DWE) is not connected to a transverse side of a side floor element (SWE) or is connected in one of the following ways: rotationally (101) or rotationally-translatively (102) or by means of detachable connecting means (170).

2. Luggage box according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the diagonal wall elements is formed in two parts, wherein - at least one of the two sub-elements of a diagonal wall element (DWE) has the shape of a right-angled, isosceles triangle, the first leg of which forms the longitudinal side of the diagonal wall element (DWE) which is connected to the transverse side of the side wall element (SWE), the second leg of which is part of the upper edge (152) of the wall of the luggage box (100) and the base of which forms the division of the diagonal wall element (DWE); this sub-element is hereinafter referred to as the outer diagonal part (ADT) and the associated second sub-element as the inner diagonal part (IDT) - for each diagonal wall element (DWE) of the luggage box (100), at least one of the connections from the following list is designed to be rotational-translational (102): transverse side of a side wall element (SWE) / long side of the adjacent outer diagonal part (ADT), inner diagonal part (IDT) / outer diagonal part (ADT) of a diagonal wall element (DWE) along its division, long side of the middle wall element (MWE) / long side of the adjacent inner diagonal part (IDT), - the remaining second and third connection from this list is rotational (101) or rotational-translational (102).

3. Luggage box according to claim 2, characterized in that all diagonal wall elements (DWE) are formed in two parts and all wall elements are connected to one another in a rotational (101) or rotational-translational (102) manner, so that they form a self-contained wall.

4. Luggage box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the axes of rotation of rotational connections (101) and / or rotational-translational connections (102) of the floor elements, the side wall elements (SWE), the middle wall elements (MWE) and the diagonal wall elements (DWE) are formed in the respective interconnected elements and / or in the surface of at least one of the interconnected elements and / or on the surface of at least one of the interconnected elements.

5. Luggage box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the rotational connections (101) and rotational-translational connections (102) is realized by means of a rod axis.

6. Luggage box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said elements of the luggage box are plate-shaped, with a plate thickness dP in the range of 2 to 30 mm.

7. Luggage box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the underside of at least one side floor element (SBE) in the folded state has an angle a, with 65° < a < 115°, measured to the horizontally located underside of the middle floor element (MWE).

8. Luggage box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two axes of the rotary connections (101) and / or rotary-translatory connections (102) along the left longitudinal sides of the central floor element (MBE) and an adjacent central wall element (MWE) have an axial distance dL and the two axes of the rotary connections (101) and / or rotary-translatory connections (102) along the right longitudinal sides of the central floor element (MBE) and an adjacent central wall element (MWE), which are opposite the left longitudinal sides, have an axial distance dR, wherein dL and dR are each greater than half the sum of the wall thicknesses dP of the two elements connected to the respective rotation axis and less than or equal to said sum, plus an additional amount of 50mm, in each case measured in the plane of the surface of the central floor element (MBE).

9. Luggage box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the floor and / or wall elements, composite parts (110) are designed and arranged in such a way that they facilitate the folding and / or Support the unfolding of the luggage box (100) and / or the folded and / or unfolded state of the luggage box (100) can be fixed by means of the composite parts (110).

10. Luggage box according to claim 9, characterized in that the composite parts (110) are spring elements which are arranged between the longitudinal sides of the central floor element (MBE) and the respective adjacent side floor elements (SBE) in such a way that their restoring force fixes the position of the vertical packages (106) and / or which are arranged between the central floor element (MBE) and the adjacent central wall elements (MWE) in such a way that their restoring force assists the unfolding of the luggage box (100).

11. Luggage box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between a side floor element (SBE) and the adjacent side wall element (SWE) in the folded state of the luggage box (100) an intermediate space is formed for receiving the diagonal wall element (DWE) adjacent to the side wall element (SWE), in that the wall of the side wall element (SWE) comprises a fold (150) in the direction of the center line (ML) and on the long side of the fold (150) the axis of rotation of the rotary connection (101) of said two elements is formed.

12. Luggage box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the longitudinal sides of the central wall elements (MWE) and the length of the longitudinal sides of the diagonal wall elements (DWE) are less than or equal to half the length of the longitudinal sides of the central floor element (MBE).

13. Luggage box according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the luggage box (100) has holding devices (130) for attaching a bicycle bag on at least one of its sides, wherein the holding devices (130) are arranged on the longitudinal sides of the central floor element and / or the central wall elements (MWE).

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