Carry-On Handle Tray With Interference Fit for Compact Cup Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for supporting beverage cups or personal items on carry-on luggage are cumbersome, require mechanical fasteners, and occupy valuable space when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A single unitary body plate accessory that fits between the handle poles of a luggage bag, secured by an interference or friction fit, providing a stable surface for items and easily stowable when not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a device is mounted to the luggage handle using mechanical fasteners or clamping mechanisms, then the device is securely attached, but the installation becomes complex and requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical fastening systems (screws, clips, clamps) with a friction-fit mechanical interference system. The tray's side edges are designed with dimensions that create frictional engagement with the handle poles, eliminating the need for additional fasteners or complex assembly mechanisms while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray is designed to self-secure to the handle poles through its own structural features. The side edges of the tray body directly engage with the poles through friction and interference fit, allowing the tray to attach itself without requiring external fastening components or complex assembly steps.
2Ease of operation
If a tray device is designed to be mounted on luggage handles, then beverage cup support is provided, but the device becomes bulky and occupies valuable space in the luggage bag
Solution Approach 1:
The tray is designed as a thin plate structure with through-openings for cup insertion, creating a segmented, space-efficient form factor. The plate geometry provides the necessary support surface while minimizing volume, allowing it to be easily stored within the luggage bag when not in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The tray employs a thin plate construction that provides sufficient structural support for beverage cups while occupying minimal space. The plate-like geometry with through-openings creates a lightweight, compact structure that can be easily stored in the luggage bag, eliminating the bulkiness of traditional tray designs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a tray accessory is designed with through-openings for cup retention, then beverage support function is achieved, but the structural integrity must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The plate structure incorporates through-openings that segment the plate into regions, allowing cup insertion while maintaining overall structural integrity. The openings are positioned and sized to provide cup retention functionality without compromising the strength of the plate body.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate may incorporate curved or contoured features around the through-openings to distribute stresses and maintain structural integrity. The geometry of the plate and openings is designed to prevent stress concentration that could compromise strength while enabling cup retention.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The accessory securely holds items without mechanical fasteners and efficiently stores when not needed, addressing the bulkiness and installation complexity of prior art solutions.
Implementation Method 1
retained by friction or interference fit between mating surfaces
Implementation Method 2
providing an interference fit between the first and second edge slots and the interior facing surfaces of the pair of parallel poles
Data Source
AI summary
A luggage bag handle assembly includes a pair of parallel poles with interior facing surfaces having a first size and shape and spaced-apart by a first distance. An accessory is removably attachable to the handle assembly. The accessory is formed by a single unitary body plate having opposed first and second side edges. A second distance between the opposed first and second side edges is greater than the first distance. The single unitary body plate includes first and second edge slots in the opposed first and second side edges, respectively. The first and second edge slots having a second size and shape conforming to the first size and shape, with a third distance between the first and second edge slots corresponding to the first distance to provide an interference fit between the first and second edge slots and the interior facing surfaces of the pair of parallel poles.