Luggage system made of metal, in particular aluminium

Abstract

The present invention relates to a piece of luggage (100) comprising two metal half-shells, in particular made of aluminium or aluminium alloy, obtained by drawing, each half-shell being in one piece, having a bottom and a peripheral wall, defining an inner volume, and an upper edge corresponding to the peripheral edge of the peripheral wall, the upper edge receiving a curved frame (10, 10') having a planar portion bonded to an inner portion of the peripheral wall, close to the upper edge, the curved frame (10, 10') projecting beyond the upper edge, upwards, i.e. in a direction opposite the bottom.

Description

Metal luggage system, particularly aluminum

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of metal luggage, in particular aluminum or aluminum alloy luggage. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] There are many types of luggage, made of plastic (molded, thermoformed, or injection-molded), leather overlaid on a backing (usually plastic), or aluminum. Plastic or leather-over-a-back luggage typically closes with a zipper. These suitcases come in various sizes and generally have wheels for easy maneuverability. Aluminum luggage, in particular, consists of two halves formed from folded and riveted sheet metal. These halves are joined by hinges. Such luggage opens and closes by pivoting one half, often called the top half, around the hinges. This type of luggage is also usually secured with latches, some of which may be lockable. Appropriate means are used to ensure the luggage is watertight when closed.

[0003] The manufacturing and assembly techniques for sheet metal used in known aluminum luggage involve overlapping layers of material and clearly visible rivets. To achieve an aesthetically pleasing result that breaks with this prior art, and in particular to obtain luggage with a clean, streamlined appearance, free of visible rivets, and with an improved perceived quality, the inventors developed aluminum luggage primarily composed of two aluminum half-shells produced by stamping. Another objective of the invention is to save on labor costs, as stamping techniques are less time-consuming than riveting.

[0004] The present invention thus relates to luggage formed from half-shells of aluminium (or of another equivalent metal or alloy) in which said half-shells are obtained by stamping, with successive blows, the luggage according to the invention further comprising a curved frame fixed on the periphery of each half-shell and configured to allow the secure and watertight closure of said luggage, as well as the attachment of an inner lining. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] More specifically, the invention relates to a piece of luggage comprising two metal half-shells, in particular made of aluminum or aluminum alloy, obtained by stamping, each half-shell being a single piece, having a base and a peripheral wall defining an internal volume, and an upper edge corresponding to the peripheral edge of the peripheral wall, the upper edge receiving a curved frame having a flat portion glued to an internal portion of the peripheral wall, near the upper edge, the curved frame projecting beyond the upper edge, upwards, that is to say in a direction opposite to the base.

[0006] Advantageously, the curved frame protrudes from the peripheral wall, laterally outwards, that is to say in a direction substantially orthogonal to the peripheral wall.

[0007] Advantageously, the curved frame is attached to the peripheral wall exclusively by means of its flat portion glued to an inner portion of said peripheral wall, to the exclusion of any other means of attachment. This simplifies the assembly of the luggage.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the curved frame glued to each half-shell has its two longitudinal edges curved around the entire perimeter of said curved frame, inwards, forming longitudinal grooves, and the luggage further comprising, for each curved frame, a profile, in particular made of plastic, inserted and clipped into said longitudinal grooves of each curved frame, inside each half-shell, around the entire perimeter of said curved frame, and a lining covering an internal surface of each half-shell, respectively sewn onto said profile clipped into the longitudinal grooves of the curved frame of each half-shell.

[0009] Advantageously, one of the grooves of each curved frame, on the bottom side of the corresponding half-shell, has a substantially L-shaped cross-section, and the other groove has a substantially U-shaped cross-section.

[0010] Advantageously, each curved frame includes a sealing groove in which an O-ring is housed, the O-ring being clipped and / or glued into said sealing groove.

[0011] According to one embodiment, at least one of the half-shells includes at least two wheel devices intended to be in contact with the ground and corner openings made, by cutting, in particular by laser cutting, at the level of at least two of the corners formed between the bottom and the peripheral wall, in particular to allow the insertion and fixing of the wheel devices.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the luggage includes angular interface elements, in particular made of plastic, arranged inside each half-shell at each corner opening, arranged so as to box in each half-shell, i.e. to close the corner openings, the angular interface elements including retention means, in particular hollow threaded rods receiving screws, to allow the attachment of the wheel devices to said corresponding angular interface elements, the angular interface elements including flat portions forming tabs, and said angular interface elements being glued to a corresponding portion of the internal surface of the corresponding half-shell, in particular by means of double-sided adhesive strips.

[0013] Advantageously, the lining includes cutouts corresponding to the openings made in each half-shell.

[0014] According to one embodiment, toothed spacers are fixed, in particular clipped into the curved frame of each half-shell, and fixed, in particular screwed, to the peripheral wall of each half-shell, said spacers being configured to pinch the lining at the cutouts corresponding to the openings.

[0015] In particular, adhesive vibration absorption blocks, corresponding in particular to adhesive aluminum plates, can be glued onto the internal surface of the bottoms of each half-hull.

[0016] According to one embodiment, each curved frame includes a groove adapted to form a volume adapted to receive excess glue when gluing said curved frame onto the peripheral wall of the corresponding half-shell.

[0017] According to one embodiment, each curved frame includes at least one window, in particular formed by a material saving, for example made by cutting.

[0018] Specifically, at least one window is located on or near a fillet of the curved frame. This prevents any deformation of the half-shell during the assembly of the curved frame onto said half-shell. PRESENTATION OF THE FIGURES

[0019] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and referring to the accompanying drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects and on which:

[0020] This is a schematic representation of luggage according to the invention;

[0021] Lamontre a stamped half-shell;

[0022] Laest is a cross-sectional view of luggage according to the invention, showing the curved frames in section;

[0023] Laest is a cross-sectional view of a piece of luggage according to the invention, showing the hinges in section;

[0024] This is a zoomed-in, sectional view of the curved frames;

[0025] This is a representation of a wheel mounting bracket, in section;

[0026] Lamontre a three-dimensional view of a wheel mounting bracket;

[0027] Lare represents a portion of luggage showing adhesive strips for attaching an interface component to a half-hull;

[0028] Lareprésente une doublure;

[0029] Lamontre a toothed spacer;

[0030] Lamontre a positioning spacer for a closing and locking device;

[0031] Lare represents an interior cross-sectional view of a piece of luggage according to the invention, showing windows made in the curved frames;

[0032] Lare represents the same interior cross-section view as la, showing the profiles clipped to the curved frames each containing a window.

[0033] It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to enable implementation of the invention; although not limiting, said figures serve in particular to better define the invention where appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The invention relates to a piece of luggage made of metal, in particular aluminum or aluminum alloy. The aluminum or aluminum alloy components used in the luggage according to the invention may preferably be anodized.

[0035] With reference to the [reference to the relevant section], the 100-unit luggage set comprises, in particular, two pivotally assembled half-shells 1, each consisting of a curved frame that comes together when the luggage is closed. Conventional closing and, where applicable, locking mechanisms are provided. The 100-unit luggage set may also include wheels 6 to facilitate its movement.

[0036] According to the invention, each half-shell 1 is obtained by deep stamping of an aluminum sheet.

[0037] Deep drawing

[0038] The deep drawing process implemented includes in particular a plurality of successive strokes, associated with laser contouring, laser cutting to create the required openings, and bending to soften edges corresponding to the cutouts of the openings.

[0039] The deep drawing process is typically defined as a method for shaping sheet metal. Deep drawing relies on tensile and compressive deformation of the sheet metal. During the process, a flat sheet of metal is drawn into a hollow part open on one side, or a deeper hollow part with a smaller cross-section.

[0040] In summary, to create each half-shell 1, a desired final shape is defined, and the steps to be carried out successively are determined, in particular the successive striking operations. Lamontre produced such a half-shell 1 in aluminum obtained by deep drawing.

[0041] A sheet of metal, particularly aluminum, is first roughly cut into an oval. An initial stamping creates a base. Subsequent stampings allow for the creation of the desired half-shell shape by bringing material to the required areas, until a half-shell of the desired height is achieved.

[0042] The resulting half-shells 1 have a bottom 2 and a peripheral wall 3, as well as openings at all or part of the angles formed between the bottom and the peripheral wall.

[0043] The resulting half-shell 1 is laser-cut. Openings 43 can be made in all or part of the corners, notably to allow the installation of wheels mounted on brackets themselves attached to the half-shells at the openings. At the edges of the openings 43, a beveling operation is performed, folding the edges of the openings inwards, primarily to improve mechanical strength. Thanks to these folds, the protruding edges are oriented towards the interior of the luggage and will be covered and concealed by interfacing elements (described below), also referred to as "supports" or "brackets," configured to seal the openings made in the half-shells, which, in addition to improving mechanical strength, is aesthetically pleasing.

[0044] Depending on the specific openings (43), the interfacing elements perform different functions. In the corners, angular interfacing elements are used, forming wheel mounting brackets or corner supports, respectively securing the luggage wheels or aesthetically sealing openings made in corners. On the peripheral wall, the roughly rectangular openings are equipped with mounting brackets for closure and locking devices or hinge mounting brackets, respectively securing luggage closure and locking devices or hinges that allow the two halves of the shell to pivot relative to each other.

[0045] A well-known phenomenon known as the "tulip effect" can occur due to the use of a stamping technique. As a result, the outer wall is neither perfectly flat nor perfectly perpendicular to the base. Instead, the outer wall has a curved, slightly parabolic cross-section, curving inwards towards the interior of the luggage and then bending to follow an outward trajectory.

[0046] A curved frame is positioned on the upper edge of the perimeter wall, that is, on the peripheral edge of the perimeter wall, partially compensating for this "tulip effect." The curved frame will be described in detail below.

[0047] According to an embodiment not shown, a zip-type closure means can be adapted, in particular fixed by gluing, around the perimeter of the curved frame, so as to allow the bag to be closed and opened.

[0048] Stiffening components

[0049] Optionally, one or more stiffening elements (not shown) may be provided, in the form of reinforcement bars which can be made of rigid plastic or aluminium, glued to the inside of the peripheral wall in order to stiffen it and make it flatter and more orthogonal to the bottom.

[0050] The interface components

[0051] Figures 6, 7 and 8, in particular, show interface elements. As briefly described above, the interface elements, also referred to as "brackets" by those skilled in the art, allow each half-shell to be "boxed in", that is to say, to fill the openings made in the half-shells 1. The angular interface elements 41, 42 allow in particular to close the openings made in the corners.

[0052] The angular interface members 41, 42 include flanges, i.e., flat portions forming tabs onto which double-sided adhesive strips 400 are applied to bond the angular interface members to the inside of the peripheral wall 3, i.e., to the sheet metal constituting each stamped half-shell 1. This is shown in the case of an angular interface member forming a wheel mounting support 6. The angular interface member 41 then includes hollow cylinders 410 for screwing the wheels 6.

[0053] Openings are indeed necessary to fix wheel devices to luggage 100. However, the choice to implement a stamping technique to make the half-shells 1 implies making large openings, at least larger than in the case of half-shells in injected molded plastic, because, in the latter case, the volume occupied by the wheel devices is not obtained by making an opening in the molded half-shell, but corresponds to a volume with a bottom obtained by the shape of the mold used for the plastic injection.

[0054] The other interface elements, supports for fixing closure and locking devices or hinges, are in particular formed by columns, in other words threaded hollow tubes, in particular in stainless steel, attached and secured to the curved frame 10, 10', in which screws are screwed to fix said closure and locking devices 8 or said hinges 7, respectively.

[0055] curved frame

[0056] The curved frame 10, 10' is shown in figures 1, 3, 4, 5 and 8, its section being particularly visible on the. As previously mentioned, the curved frame 10, 10' is fitted over each half-shell 1. The curved frame 10, 10' is attached to the half-shell 1. To this end, the curved frame 10, 10' includes a flat portion which is bonded to a peripheral portion inside the half-shell 1, near the upper edge 4, i.e. the edge of the peripheral wall 3 opposite the bottom of the half-shell 1. Preferably, the bonded portion is located at a distance from the upper edge 4, for example approximately 5 mm, and, in this case, the curved frame 10, 10' includes a groove 14 preserving a volume between the curved frame 10, 10' and the peripheral wall 3, between the bonded portion and the upper edge 4 of the half-shell 1.This groove 14 is adapted to receive the excess glue which is forced towards said groove 14 when the curved frame 10, 10' is glued to the half-shell 1. To carry out this gluing, the peripheral wall 3 is pressed onto the curved frame 10, 10', applying pressure progressing from bottom to top, that is to say from the part of the glued portion located on the side of the bottom 2 and moving towards the upper edge 4, opposite the bottom.

[0057] Preferably, each curved frame 10, 10' can be exclusively bonded to the peripheral wall 3, specifically excluding any other means of attachment. This simplifies the assembly of the curved frame 10, 10' with the peripheral wall 3, as there is no need to consider other means of attachment.

[0058] The curved frame 10, 10' emerges beyond the upper edge 4, in a "vertical" direction, that is, orthogonal to the background.

[0059] In one embodiment, the curved frame 10, 10' also includes a lateral protrusion portion 15, forming a "bulge" directly above and projecting outwards from the upper edge 4. Thus, the upper edge 4 abuts against the lateral protrusion portion 15 of the curved frame 10. This partially replicates the "tulip effect." The curved frame 10 is thus "thickened" to form this peripheral bulge. The presence of this peripheral bulge is particularly useful at corners because, in these areas, the bulge covers a generally imperfect interface zone between the half-shell 1 and the curved frame 10. In other words, this allows the manufacturing tolerances of the stamped half-shell 1 and the curved frame 10 to be met, especially at corners.

[0060] Thus, the peripheral bead then makes it possible to cover a possible imprecise adjustment between the curved frame 10, 10' and the half-shell 1.

[0061] Alternatively, in an embodiment not shown, the curved frame has no lateral protrusions. In this case, relative to the peripheral wall of each half-hull, the curved frame does not project outwards, but rather is as perfectly flush as possible. In this embodiment, the absence of a lateral protrusion improves the aesthetic appearance and facilitates the storage and handling of luggage, which is less bulky. The portion of the curved frame that extends beyond the upper edge has an external face that, in this case, is substantially coplanar with respect to the peripheral wall for each half-hull.

[0062] The curved frame 10 also has edges that are folded towards each other, generally parallel, inwards towards the half-shell, so as to form longitudinal grooves 11, 12 along each longitudinal edge of the curved frame. In particular, one longitudinal groove, 11 on the bottom side of the half-shell, has a roughly L-shaped cross-section, that is to say, having two main faces that are almost orthogonal, forming a slightly acute angle in the embodiment shown, and the other longitudinal groove 12 has a roughly U-shaped cross-section, that is to say, formed by a broken line with at least three faces forming almost right angles between successive faces, to create a kind of hollow rail.

[0063] According to an embodiment shown in the figure, each curved frame 10, 10' comprises at least one window 18. By "window" is meant a space, a gap, or a void, in particular cut into the surface of the longitudinal groove 11, and more particularly in the flat portion of the longitudinal groove 11 that is bonded to the peripheral wall 3. Preferably, at least one window 18 may be located on or near a fillet of the curved frame 10, 10'. By "filler" is meant the portion of the half-shell 1 located between two almost orthogonal portions of the peripheral wall 3, near the upper edge 4. Preferably again, each curved frame 10, 10' may comprise a window 18 on several or on each of its fillets.Preferably, the window(s) 18 may be elongated and cut along the length of the curved frame 10, 10' so as to substantially or completely cover the portion associated with the fillet of said frame 10, 10'. The presence of one or more windows 18 also allows the curved frame 10, 10' to withstand deformation under the pressure applied during bonding between said curved frame 10, 10' and the peripheral wall 3. In this way, the aesthetics of the half-shell 1 can be preserved by preventing its deformation by the curved frame 10, 10' during their assembly. This deformation of the half-shell 1 could in fact, in particular, cause cracking of any surface treatments on it, such as a layer of paint or anodizing carried out prior to the assembly of the curved frame 10, 10' with the half-shell 1.

[0064] Profile and lining

[0065] The luggage according to the invention further comprises a profile 20, in particular made of plastic, which clips into the grooves 11, 12 of the curved frame 10. A profile 20 is visible on the figure, clipped into one of the curved frames 10, 10', but a similar or identical profile is also arranged between the grooves 11, 12 of the other curved frame 10, 10'. A lining 30 intended to cover the inner surface of each half-shell is attached to said plastic profile, and the lining 30 is stitched into said profile 20, that is to say, sewn, and / or glued.

[0066] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the profiles 20 are, for example, clipped inside the grooves 11, 12 of the curved frames 10, 10', and each of the curved frames 10, 10' includes a window 18 located at its fillet. In Figure 1, the windows 18 are located behind the profiles 20 clipped to the curved frames 10, 10', and are identifiable by their numerical references. The windows 18 help to preserve the structural integrity of the longitudinal grooves 11, and in particular the portion of said longitudinal grooves 11 orthogonal to the peripheral wall 3. The profiles 20 may also include a plurality of cutouts distributed along their length, as shown in Figure 1. These cutouts can improve the flexibility of the profiles 20.

[0067] Hinges, closing and locking devices and spacers

[0068] Hinges 7 are provided for pivoting the two halves 1 together. Specifically, the hinges 7 are three-axis hinges comprising a base and two wings. Notably, the hinges 7 are internal, meaning they do not protrude from the interior volume of the luggage 100 and are not visible from the outside when the luggage 100 is closed, thus improving the aesthetics and making the luggage 100 less bulky. An elastomer spacer can be placed between the hinges 7, which are metallic, and the curved frame 10, which is also metallic, to prevent metal-on-metal impacts when the two halves 1 are pivoted.

[0069] Closure devices, and possibly locking devices, 8 of TSA type where appropriate, are also provided to allow the bag 100 to be kept in a closed position.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the plastic profile 20 and the lining 30 are cut in particular in the regions where the hinges 7 and the closing and locking devices 8 are located, precisely to allow the attachment of said hinges 7 and said closing and locking devices 8 to the half-shells 1.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the luggage 100 according to the invention therefore comprises toothed spacers 51, 52, in particular made of injected plastic, shown in Figures 10, 10' and 11. The teeth of said spacers 51, 52 are configured to help hold the lining 30 (shown in the figure) in position by pinching, particularly in areas where the profile 20 is cut out to accommodate the hinges 7 or the closure and locking devices 8 provided on the luggage 100. The teeth of the spacers 51, 52 thus prevent the lining 30 from slipping and consequently from concealing the unsightly elements such as the edges of the profile 20, the hinges 7, or the closure and locking devices 8.

[0072] In this case, the toothed spacers, visible in Figures 10 and 11, are engaged in a groove of the curved frame 10, 10', for example, secured by clipping. The lining, shown in isolation in Figure 1, is sewn onto the profile clipped into the curved frame 10, 10', which encircles each half-shell 1 on the inside, near the upper edge of each half-shell 1. It is pinched between said spacers 51, 52 and the inner surface of the peripheral wall 3. This pinching is achieved, in particular, by screwing the hinge 7, or the closing and locking device 8, into dedicated interface members. Specifically, the interface members, which form hinge fixing supports, may consist of small columns integrated into the curved frame.For example, the lining is typically 2 mm thick and the tightening, in particular by screwing screws into the columns, results in a center distance between the base of the hinge and the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the order of 0.5 mm.

[0073] At the level of TSA-type locking and closing devices 8, specially shaped spacers 52 are provided (see), with a slope to follow the lining which has a draft angle. These spacers 52 are screwed to bases of the locking and closing devices 8, for example, of the TSA type.

[0074] Implementation variations

[0075] The angular interface elements 41, 42 are made of plastic. Specifically, the precise choice of material for each angular interface element 41, 42, its dimensions, thickness, cross-section, and the dimensions of the bonding portion, are carefully selected to ensure a satisfactory assembly and provide adequate mechanical reinforcement. The flat shape of the flanges corresponding to the bonding portions of the angular interface elements 41, 42, in particular, is designed to improve force distribution in the event of an impact and to promote adhesion of the glue or double-sided adhesive strips 400.

[0076] Preferably, all the interfacing components are then covered by the lining 30.

[0077] The curved frames 10, 10' of each half-shell 1 differ from each other in that they have, all around their perimeter, parts of complementary section, intended to fit together in such a way as to ensure a precise positioning of the half-shells 1 relative to each other, so that the upper edges 4 of the respective peripheral walls 3 are well aligned, and so as to contribute to the sealing when the bag 100 is closed. These complementary section parts consist for example of a male part on a curved frame 10, 10' of one half-hull 1 and a female part on the curved frame 10, 10' of the other half-hull 1. On the embodiment shown in particular, a curved frame 10, 10' has, on a peripheral portion located opposite with respect to the bottom, a peripheral hollow groove 16 having a V-shaped section.The other curved frame 10, 10', opposite, has a correspondingly V-shaped peripheral protruding rib 17. The peripheral protruding rib 17 fits into the peripheral hollow groove 16 when the luggage is closed.

[0078] Furthermore, as can be seen on the diagram, the curved frames 10, 10', when placed opposite each other with the bag 100 closed, leave a peripheral passage at the interface between the two curved frames 10, 10', for a sealing gasket 9. One 10' of the curved frames has a peripheral sealing groove 13 to engage a male protrusion of the O-ring 9.

[0079] The curved frame 10, 10' is obtained in particular by means of a special process adapted so that, in the corners, it has an evolving radius adapted to maintain a constant width of the grooves, in particular of the groove forming a hollow rail, with a section substantially in U.

[0080] To this end, in particular, the bar intended to form the curved frame 10, 10', comprising a substantially L-shaped groove and a substantially U-shaped groove forming a rail, hollow along its entire length, is pressed so as to be curved, wedges being previously inserted into the hollow rail in order to guarantee the preservation of its width.

[0081] The 10, 10' curved frames can also undergo machining for dimensional and / or positioning adjustments.

[0082] Hollow and threaded columns, for example in stainless steel, can also be added and secured to the curved frame 10, 10' to allow the fixing by screws of the hinges 7 in particular, and / or the closing and locking devices 8, where appropriate of the TSA type.

[0083] In particular, the hinges 7, in a conventional manner, have two wings mounted on a base to allow one half-shell to pivot relative to the other. The hinges 7 are attached to the curved frame 10, 10' of each half-shell 1 by means of screws that secure their base to the curved frame 10, 10' by screwing into the posts. The screws can, for example, be tightened into nuts with square heads to reduce the risk of rotation loosening the screws during use of the luggage.

[0084] To reduce play and potentially noisy metal-to-metal contact, bushings and spacers, particularly those made of elastomer, can be used to adapt the hinges to curved frames. These bushings and spacers are then interposed between the hinges 7 and the curved frame 10, 10'.

[0085] Aluminium plates fitted with adhesive strips, commonly referred to as "silent blocks" by those skilled in the art, in other words vibration-absorbing plates, can be placed against the internal surfaces of the half-shells, in various predefined locations, in order to absorb vibrations and thus reduce the noise emitted by the luggage when it is moved and subjected to shocks.

[0086] The sheets forming the half-shells 1 are made of aluminum alloy, for example, aluminum alloys with good strength and ductility characteristics, such as aluminum-magnesium alloys, in particular 5086 aluminum. The half-shells 1 are also preferably anodized, configured to deposit a suitable anodic layer to improve resistance to corrosion, scratches, etc. The other metal components of the luggage are, for example, made of the same alloy, in particular the curved frames 10, 10'.

[0087] It should also be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Indeed, it will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, in light of the information just provided.

[0088] Reference signs:

[0089] 100: suitcase

[0090] 1: Stamped half-shell

[0091] 2: background

[0092] 3: Peripheral wall

[0093] 4: upper edge

[0094] 10, 10': curved frame

[0095] 11: L-shaped groove

[0096] 12: U-shaped groove

[0097] 13: Sealing groove

[0098] 14: groove (for excess glue)

[0099] 15: lateral protrusion (of the curved frame 10, 10')

[0100] 16: peripheral hollow rib (of the curved frame 10, 10')

[0101] 17: peripheral protruding rib (of the curved frame 10, 10')

[0102] 9: O-ring

[0103] 20: profile

[0104] 30: lining

[0105] 41: Wheel mounting bracket

[0106] 410: Hollow cylinder for screwing the wheels onto their mounting bracket

[0107] 6: wheel

[0108] 7: hinge

[0109] 8: Closing and locking device

[0110] 42: Corner support

[0111] 400: adhesive strip

[0112] 51: Hinge spacer

[0113] 52: Spacer for closing and locking device

[0114] 43: openings in each stamped half-shell

[0115] 18: window

Claims

Luggage (100) comprising two half-shells (1) of metal, in particular of aluminium or aluminium alloy, obtained by stamping, each half-shell (1) being monobloc, having a base (2) and a peripheral wall (3) defining an internal volume, and an upper edge (4) corresponding to the peripheral edge of the peripheral wall (3), the upper edge (4) receiving a curved frame (10, 10') having a flat portion glued to an internal portion of the peripheral wall (3), near the upper edge (4), the curved frame (10, 10') projecting beyond the upper edge, upwards, i.e. in a direction opposite to the base (2). Luggage (100) according to claim 1, in which the curved frame (10, 10') protrudes from the peripheral wall (3), in a lateral protrusion (15) outwards, that is to say in a direction substantially orthogonal to the peripheral wall (3). Luggage (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the curved frame (10, 10') is attached to the peripheral wall (3) exclusively by means of its flat portion glued to an inner portion of said peripheral wall (3), to the exclusion of any other means of attachment. Luggage (100) is one of the preceding claims, wherein the curved frame (10, 10') bonded to each half-shell (1) has its two longitudinal edges curved inwards around the entire circumference of said curved frame (10, 10'), forming longitudinal grooves (11, 12), and luggage (100) further comprising, for each curved frame (10, 10'), a profile (20), in particular made of plastic, inserted and clipped into said longitudinal grooves (11, 12) of each curved frame (10, 10'), inside each half-shell (1), around the entire circumference of said curved frame (10, 10'), and a lining (30) covering an internal surface of each half-shell (1), respectively sewn onto said profile (20) clipped into the longitudinal grooves (11, 12) of the frame curved (10, 10') of each half-hull (1). Luggage (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein one of the grooves (11) of each curved frame (10, 10'), on the bottom side of the corresponding half-shell (1), has a substantially L-shaped cross-section, and the other groove (12) has a substantially U-shaped cross-section. Luggage (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each curved frame (10, 10') includes a sealing groove (13) in which an O-ring (9) is housed, the O-ring (9) being clipped and / or glued into said sealing groove (13). Luggage (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the half-shells (1) comprises at least two wheel devices (6) intended to be in contact with the ground and with corner openings made, by cutting, in particular by laser cutting, at the level of at least two of the corners formed between the bottom (2) and the peripheral wall (3), in particular to allow the insertion and fixing of the wheel devices (6). Luggage (100) according to the preceding claim, comprising angular interfacing elements (41, 42), in particular made of plastic, disposed inside each half-shell (1) at each corner opening, arranged so as to box in each half-shell (1), i.e. to close the corner openings, the angular interfacing elements (41, 42) comprising retaining means, in particular hollow threaded rods receiving screws, to allow the attachment of the wheel devices (6) to said corresponding angular interfacing elements (41), the angular interfacing elements (41, 42) comprising flat portions forming tabs, and said angular interfacing elements (41, 42) being glued to a corresponding portion of the internal surface of the corresponding half-shell (1), in particular by means of double-sided adhesive strips (400). Luggage (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lining (30) comprises cutouts corresponding to the openings provided in each half-shell (1). Luggage (100) according to the preceding claim, further comprising toothed spacers (5) fixed, in particular clipped into the curved frame of each half-shell (1), and fixed, in particular screwed, to the peripheral wall (3) of each half-shell (1), said spacers (5) being configured to pinch the lining (30) at the cutouts corresponding to the openings. Luggage (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising adhesive vibration absorption blocks, corresponding in particular to aluminum adhesive plates, glued to the internal surface of the bottoms (2) of each half-hull (1). Luggage (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each curved frame (10, 10') includes a groove (14) adapted to form a volume suitable for receiving excess glue when gluing said curved frame (10, 10') onto the peripheral wall (3) of the corresponding half-shell (1). Luggage (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each curved frame (10, 10') includes at least one window (18). Luggage (100) according to the preceding claim, in which at least one window (18) is located on or near a fillet of the curved frame (10, 10').

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