953 results about "Trunk compartment" patented technology

The present invention relates to a device for actuating a moving part (10) of a vehicle (1), particularly a trunk lid (10.1), a side door (10.2), or the like, without contact, comprising a first detection means (11) for detecting an object in a first detection area (11a) and a second detection means (12) for detecting an object in a second detection area (12a) so that the actuation of the moving part (10) can be activated through the detection means (11, 12). According to the invention, the first detection means (11) is designed as a first capacitance sensor (11), and the second detection means (12) is designed as a second capacitance sensor (12), wherein means (13, 14) are provided, with which the detection areas (11a, 12a) can be specified in areas separated from each other.

An active noise control system is capable of canceling out noise in the passenger compartment of a vehicle based on low-frequency road noise. The active noise control system has a feed-forward control unit for being supplied with reference signals highly correlated to noise from a noise source and generating a noise cancellation signal which is out of phase to noise in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a canceling sound generating unit disposed in the passenger compartment for generating a noise canceling sound in response to the noise cancellation signal from said feed-forward control unit. The active noise control system also has microphones for generating reference signals which are positioned respectively near the base of the front seat, near the center of a roof, and within a trunk compartment, i.e., respectively at vibrational antinodes of a primary or secondary acoustic normal mode of the passenger compartment in the longitudinal direction thereof. Output signals from the microphones are supplied as the reference signals.

An improved four-bar hinge assembly for attaching a trunk deck lid to a vehicle body in which the control link of the four-bar linkage has its usual vehicle-mounted pivot pin replaced by the rotatably driven output drive shaft of a power drive mechanism that is rigidly and directly coupled to the control link to swing to the same and thereby power actuate the four-bar linkage in order to pivot the deck lid between open and closed positions. The hinge elements are located on the weather side of the vehicle body components and the drive shaft extends through the vehicle sheet metal into the weather sealed trunk compartment so that the electro-mechanical drive components are mounted within the weather sealed trunk.

A portable storage device comprising an openable outer enclosure, an inner storage compartment which is compressible by evacuation of air from the compartment and a pump integrated into the outer enclosure for evacuating the inner storage compartment.

A liquid processing system to process liquid biological material includes: a trunk provided turnable on an axis, set within a predetermined work space; a first arm provided to the trunk and having at least three degrees of freedom or higher degrees of freedom; a second arm provided to the trunk and having at least three degrees of freedom or higher degrees of freedom; a driving mechanism configured to drive each of the trunk, the first arm, and the second arm; and physiochemical equipment situated within the work space and within the range of movement of at least one of the first and the second arm. The driving mechanism is operated by teaching playback based on the positions and shapes of the physiochemical equipment, and the biological material is processed using the physiochemical equipment.

A work surface for roll-along suitcases that enables the suitcase to convert into a seat or table. The work surface can be permanently attached or removably attachable to the suitcase. The permanently attached work surface is stored in a compartment or recess with the retractable handle of the roll-along suitcase and is pivotally connected to the retractable handle. When the retractable handle is extended, the work surface pivots down away from the top of the handle to rest on the top of the suitcase. The removably attachable work surface is temporarily secured to the handle of the roll-along suitcase preferably with a tongue section that accommodates a variety of sizes of retractable handles. The removably attachable work surface rests on the top of the suitcase. Side sections of the work surface unfold to form a bigger seat or work surface.

A luggage bin assembly (10) adapted to be disposed within a vehicle is provided. The luggage bin assembly includes a bin (14) reciprocally mounted for movement between an opened position and a closed position. The luggage bin assembly also includes a linkage assembly (16) adapted to be hingedly mounted to the bin for swinging movement with the bin as the bin is reciprocated between the open and closed positions. A reciprocating assist mechanism (20) is coupled to the linkage mechanism to selectively apply an assist load to the linkage assembly when the bin is reciprocated between the opened and closed position.

The present invention is a portable collapsible car cover assembly which includes: (a) a collapsible hollow housing with exit sheet exit apertures, which housing has a compact collapsed configuration and an extended deployed configuration; (b) a base which includes a suction cup for fastening the assembly to the roof of a car; (c) which housing contains sheets of protective material wound around rollers when the car cover assembly is collapsed and stored, and wherein the sheets are unwound to cover the trunk, passenger compartment, and hood when the assembly is fully deployed; (d) several elements for attaching the distal end of the sheets of protective material to a car; and (e) at least two security lines for attaching the housing to the car as a theft deterrent.

Rideable luggage that can be used as either a rolling suitcase or as a baggage scooter for carrying a rider, or additional baggage. The rideable luggage has a suitcase and a platform that can be selectively deployed for holding additional baggage or a person. The deployable platform has at least one scooter wheel at an outboard end and a pair of suitcase wheels at its inboard end. A center steer wheel is connected to an extendable handle to provide steering control. When the platform is deployed, the suitcase wheels retract so that only the steer wheel and scooter wheel are in contact with the floor. When the platform is retracted, the suitcase wheels extend and are in contact with the floor along with the steer wheel.

An expandable single use liquid containment vessel that can fit into restricted spaces such as the trunk or glove compartment of a passenger transport vehicle. The vessel contains a top and bottom wall integrally connected via an outer wall embodying accordion type pleats to allow for vessel compression and expansion. A single piece pouring nozzle is permanently attached to the containment vessel subsequent to introduction of a fluid the containment vessel's interior portion. One end of the filling nozzle secures the nozzle to the containment vessel. At the second end of the nozzle is an exiting orifice which has been dimensioned to preclude insertion therein of publicly accessible fueling nozzles commonly associated with motor vehicle refueling stations.

The invention relates to an intelligent luggage case, and belongs to the technical field of luggage cases. The intelligent luggage case comprises a luggage compartment, wheels, motors, a power source, an intelligent control system, a client and the like. The luggage compartment is arranged above the wheels, and the intelligent control system is electrically connected with the power source and the motors and comprises a system for interacting data information with the client, a luggage case tracking positioning system, a luggage case intelligent warning system and a luggage case intelligent following system.

An active noise control system is capable of canceling out noise in the passenger compartment of a vehicle based on low-frequency road noise. The active noise control system has a feed-forward control unit for being supplied with reference signals highly correlated to noise from a noise source and generating a noise cancellation signal which is out of phase to noise in the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a canceling sound generating unit disposed in the passenger compartment for generating a noise canceling sound in response to the noise cancellation signal from said feed-forward control unit. The active noise control system also has microphones for generating reference signals which are positioned respectively near the base of the front seat, near the center of a roof, and within a trunk compartment, i.e., respectively at vibrational antinodes of a primary or secondary acoustic normal mode of the passenger compartment in the longitudinal direction thereof. Output signals from the microphones are supplied as the reference signals.

A shopping cart has a basket having left and right sides, a floor, a rear wall and a front wall and has a handlebar. Squeezing the handlebar and moving it down causes a front wheel assembly to rotate from a down position in which the front wheels contact the ground toward a storage position in which the front wheels are positioned adjacent or above the floor. A rear wheel assembly is rotatable from a down position in which the rear wheels contact the ground to a storage position in which the rear wheels are positioned at or behind the rear wall. After positioning the loaded shopping cart adjacent a trunk vehicle, slide the cart and rotate the front and rear wheel assemblies, which may be lockable, to get the cart into the trunk for storage during transportation home. Reverse the process once home. The cart basket collapses into two dimensions for closet storage.

A hydroponic system has multiple interconnecting components, including a reservoir, a manifold that fills and drains the hydroponic system, a trunk that extends from the manifold, one or more branches that extend from the trunk, end caps that close the ends of the trunk and the branches, and optionally, extension sections for both the trunk and the branches. The trunk and the branches are constructed from a plurality of tubular sections that interconnect with one another using a levered locking system. An air line is integrated into an interior wall of the manifold and the trunk, and extends from the manifold through the trunk. The system is constructed of pre-assembled components, making it easy for a user to accommodate any size space. The modularity and interconnectivity of the system allows a user to easily and quickly perform maintenance and repairs without the use of tools.

Disclosed is a method and system for compressing and automatically expanding an expandable luggage case 2 comprising a ratchet mechanism 8 and a bungee cord 32, that is used to bias a locking mechanism, in the form of detents 54 that mate with teeth 44, in a locked position, and to bias a jack mechanism 14 for automatic expansion. The bungee cord 32 biases the ratchet compressor system 8 in an expanded state. Thus, automatic expansion is achieved, in a very easy to use manner. In addition to being operated while the luggage case 2 is open, the ratchet compressor 8 is also operable from the outside of the luggage case 2 once the luggage case 2 has been packed and closed. A user may then compress the luggage case 2 simply by applying pressure to the lid 24. The ratchet compressor system 8 therefore provides a zipper-less, automated method of expanding a luggage case 2 as well as compressing the luggage case 2 once the luggage case 2 has been closed.

A retractable table system integrated into luggage is disclosed herein. The table can be retracted and deployed along with the telescopic retractable handle system employed in luggage. The table retracts inside the luggage compartment for storage.

Methods and systems for promoting commerce by using the trunks of vehicles for hire are described. The trunks can be used to transport, sell, and / or rent merchandise. When a user needs a vehicle for transportation or delivery, a service provider receives the request and locates a vehicle for hire that meets the request. More specifically, the service provider ensures that the trunk of the vehicle has the space to transport any items to be delivered and includes items that are useful for the passenger at his or her destination.

The present invention is a portable collapsible car cover assembly which includes: (a) a collapsible hollow housing with exit sheet exit apertures, which housing has a compact collapsed configuration and an extended deployed configuration; (b) a base which includes a suction cup for fastening the assembly to the roof of a car; (c) which housing contains sheets of protective material wound around rollers when the car cover assembly is collapsed and stored, and wherein the sheets are unwound to cover the trunk, passenger compartment, and hood when the assembly is fully deployed; (d) several elements for attaching the distal end of the sheets of protective material to a car; and (e) at least two security lines for attaching the housing to the car as a theft deterrent.

A luggage article comprising a body including a top face, a bottom face, an a plurality of side faces. A first pair of wheels is disposed at the bottom face of the body. A handle has a first operative orientation wherein the handle is disposed within the body and a second operative orientation wherein the handle extracted from the body. A central wheel is functionally associated with the handle, such that in the first operative orientation of the handle, the central wheel is retracted and disposed in or adjacent a face of the body, and in the second operative orientation the central wheel is extracted and extends outwardly from the body.

A luggage handle structure is coupled to a retractable pull rod of a luggage to control extension and retraction of the retractable pull rod. The luggage handle structure includes a handle, a button, a transmission member, and a pull rope. The handle has an accommodation space therein and a button hole at one side thereof to communicate with the accommodation space. The button is disposed in the button hole of the handle. The button has a rear end inserted into the accommodation space. The rear end has a first transmission portion. The transmission member is disposed in the accommodation space. The transmission member has a second transmission portion to mesh with the first transmission portion. The transmission member is driven by the button. One end of the pull rope is coupled to the transmission member, and another end is to bring the engaging mechanism to lock or unlock.

A handle system for a rolling luggage case can include a luggage case in which one or more articles can be stored and having a top, bottom, front, and back panels, and a pair of sidewalls. The luggage case can include a wheel assembly provided at a location on the bottom panel and adjacent to the back panel; at least one telescoping member that is extensible from a retracted position within the luggage case to an extended position protruding from the luggage case; and a gear assembly that is attached to an end of the telescoping member(s) that is distal from the luggage case. The handle system can include a handle attached to the telescoping member(s) through the gear assembly. The gear assembly can provide pivotal and rotational movement of the handle about the end of the telescoping member(s).

A vehicle covering device having a housing integral with an axle having a folding crank handle to utilize a reeling action useful in the withdrawing and retracting of a folding cover comprised of a sheet like material that when withdrawn can be expanded to cover a vehicles body by manipulation of an end rod attached to said folding covers end portion that is pulled through the jam of a trunk and over a vehicles forward body to effectively protect said vehicle. Additionally the device has base elements integral to its housing for providing support and if desired a secondary rear folding cover that may withdrawn in the same manner that may be utilized to cover the rear or trunk portion of a vehicle as well.

An article of luggage is described and includes a container with wheels attached thereto. A handle is also provided. In contrast to conventional handles which extend from the center of the back surface of a piece of luggage, and parallel thereto, the described handle extends from the side of the luggage, and is oriented substantially perpendicular to the back surface. This allows, for example, the user to wheel the container behind him / her, while gripping the handle at the user's side, rather than requiring that the user either have the luggage not follow directly behind the user, or place his / her hand behind him to keep the luggage positioned behind the user. The handle may be stored along side or base of the luggage. The handle can include a grip that pivots to allow a user to selectively change the angle of the grip relative to the luggage.

Collapsible luggage uses self-locking hinges to allow horizontal support structures to collapse by folding said supporting panels onto, or nearly onto, each other. The hinges can include a first arm provided with a cylinder containing a spring and a ball, and a second arm, each arm rotatably connected to an axis; and a curved flange, coaxial with the axis and fixed with respect to the second arm, having notches at selected positions along its arcuate surface corresponding to preset stops. The flange can be placed so as to abut the ball at the end of the cylinder. Double versions of such self-locking hinges can be provided, which can be used in various collapsible surfaces in luggage and various other containers and bags.

A suitcase for carrying luggage during trips comprises a case having a top portion, a bottom portion, an interior portion, an exterior portion, a pair of horizontally extending opposing side walls, a pair of vertically extending opposing side walls positioned between the pair of horizontally extending opposing side walls, a plurality of pockets having a first edge and a second edge, a valve and an air tight closing means attached to the interior portion, an air deflating device with an elongated hose, a hand engaging means and a locking means attached to the bottom portion of the suitcase. The articles are placed inside the plurality of pockets and sealed air tight. The air deflating device is operated utilizing electric power to deflate the plurality of pockets. The deflated plurality of pockets may create even more room inside the suitcase without crumpling the articles.

A method of customizing a luggage item includes providing a plurality of size options of a luggage item to allow a customer to select a particular size for a luggage item to be built. A virtual model of the size option of the luggage item selected by the customer is displayed for inspection by the customer. A plurality of different color options for a plurality of functional components to be included on the luggage item are displayed for viewing and selection by the customer. The functional components in the color option selected by the customer are displayed on the virtual model. A plurality of different color and pattern options for a front panel, a back panel, and a pair of opposing side panels a displayed for viewing and selection by the customer. The front panel, the back panel, and the pair of opposing side panels in the color and pattern option selected by the customer are displayed on the virtual model. One all the sections are completed, the luggage item is built and delivered to the customer in accordance with said selected options.

A cable assembly secured inside the trunk compartment of a motor vehicle having dual actuator cables. The cable assembly includes a housing, a pulley member rotatably mounted to the housing and a slide lock member. A first actuator cable slidingly cooperates through the housing and pulley member with one end attached to a pull-strap inside the trunk compartment and the second end attached to a release latch. A second actuator cable has one end attached to a pull-strap located in the proximity of the driver's seat and the second end attached to the pulley member to rotate the pulley member upon pulling the pull-strap. Rotating the pulley member allows the pulley member to engage a ball slug on the first actuator cable to drive the second end and actuate the release latch. A slide lock member is capable of engaging the pulley member to prevent rotation, and therefore, prevent the pull strap in the passenger compartment from actuating the release latch.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a wheeled upright modular luggage system having at least a base adapted to simultaneously transport, consolidate or otherwise protect thicker or wider items, including notebooks, binders, wide files and the like. Additional modules may be mechanically coupled securely to the base by one or more stabilization systems, each module selectively adapted to receive and store such items as a portable computer, a laptop computer, a computer printer, office supplies, and / or corresponding notebooks / binders, sales catalogs, product samples, tools or clothing, all of which are typically required for a mobile professional. The base preferably includes an extendable and retractable pull handle mounted at an upper rear side portion of the base for transporting the luggage system on a transportation system along a supporting surface. The base is formed so as to allow the luggage system to stand unattended on the wheels and pushed, pulled or directed by the handle on at least some of the wheels.