Offset Support Members for Luggage Hinge Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wheeled luggage articles with opening hinges on the same plane as support wheels cannot open fully due to wheel interference, and reducing wheel size compromises maneuverability on obstacles and rough terrain.
Innovation Solution
The luggage article features offset support members parallel to the hinge member, allowing the case to open flat without interference, with support members positioned laterally relative to each other along the split line, enabling full opening and unrestricted access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the hinge member is located on the same plane as the support members, then the luggage article structure is compact and stable, but the support members interfere with each other when the case is opened, preventing full opening
Solution Approach 1:
The support members are positioned asymmetrically relative to the hinge member, with offset distances of at least 0.5 inches from the hinge member plane. This asymmetric positioning allows one support member to clear the path of the other during opening, enabling full 180-degree opening while maintaining structural stability through the hinge connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The offset positioning of support members introduces a lateral dimension to the otherwise planar hinge configuration. By positioning support members at different lateral positions relative to the hinge member, the patent creates a three-dimensional arrangement that resolves the interference problem while preserving the compact two-dimensional footprint when closed.
2Ease of operation
If the size of wheel supports is reduced to avoid interference, then the case can open fully, but the wheels become too small to maneuver over obstacles and rough terrain
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than uniformly reducing wheel size, the patent uses asymmetric positioning where wheels maintain their full size but are laterally offset from the hinge member by at least 0.5 inches. This allows large wheels for obstacle clearance while preventing interference through strategic positioning in the lateral dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the size conflict by moving the problem from the vertical dimension (wheel size) to the lateral dimension (offset position). Wheels maintain large diameter for maneuverability over rough terrain, while their lateral offset positioning prevents interference during opening, achieving both goals simultaneously.
3Stability of the object's composition
If support members are positioned symmetrically relative to the hinge member, then the luggage article is balanced and stable, but the support members contact each other during opening, restricting full opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately breaks symmetry in support member positioning relative to the hinge member. Instead of equal spacing on both sides, support members are offset by at least 0.5 inches from the hinge member plane, creating an asymmetric configuration that prevents contact during opening while maintaining overall balance through the hinge connection and weight distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
A luggage article having offset support members is provided. The luggage article may include a luggage case including first and second shells pivotably connected together at a split line by a hinge member. The luggage article may include a plurality of support members connected to the luggage case, each of the first and second shells including at least one of the plurality of support members. Each of the support members may be offset relative to a corresponding support member positioned on an opposite shell portion. The support members may be offset laterally in a direction parallel to the split line and/or the hinge member.