EP3412171B1 - Expandable luggage - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a piece of luggage of the type comprising two wheels and a retractable handle, the storage volume of which is of the expandable type, and the cover of which is formed in such a way that it allows its user to benefit from progressive access and checked to the items that the baggage contains.

It is in fact known that, most of the time, in luggage of the aforementioned type, access to the contents of the luggage involves opening the cover in its entirety, which forces the user to lay out his luggage flat in order to avoid falling objects contained in it. However, when traveling it is usually difficult to proceed in this way.

Various types of baggage are also known which allow their users to adjust their storage capacity according to the volume they wish to transport. The document US 2015/374086 A1 discloses such baggage.

Luggage is thus known which consists of two hulls articulated between them and which unfold by a rotation thereof around a common hinge.

We also know, by demand US 2006/0000681 , an expandable type of luggage in which a first shell is slidably mounted in a second shell, so that during a movement its user can accommodate the second shell in the first so as to have a reduced external volume and that once arrived at its destination, it can deploy the second hull so as to benefit from a larger storage volume. It should be noted that such baggage does not allow the user to vary the storage volume of his baggage according to his needs, since the expansion of the second shell which extends the first can only be carried out at destination and not during transport.

We also know by demand WO 2011/054908 , a piece of luggage provided with two shells each provided with a cover, one of these shells being eclipsable with its cover in the other shell. This baggage is thus able to occupy two states, namely a retracted state of the two shells in which it offers a given storage volume and a deployed state in which this storage volume is increased. However, such baggage does not allow the user to have easy and progressive access to its content.

The object of the present invention is to provide a piece of luggage which, on the one hand, allows its user to increase or reduce its storage volume depending on that of the elements that he wishes to transport and which, on the other hand, allows him, during transport, gradually and easily access the objects it contains without having to lay out your luggage flat. Finally, this baggage must allow its user to place it on a receiving surface without taking the risk of damaging the latter.

The subject of the present invention is thus a piece of luggage as defined in claim 1.

It can also consist of a firm and dense foam and in particular of ethylene vinyl acetate, usually referred to by the acronym EVA, and will preferably have transverse zones of lower resistance.

• d'une demi-coque de base sur laquelle sont montées les roues, et sur laquelle sont fixées deux glissières latérales et longitudinales,
• d'une demi-coque principale qui est montée à coulissement sur les deux glissières, de façon qu'elle puisse occuper deux positions, à savoir une position rétractée dans laquelle elle est en contact avec la demi-coque de base et une position déployée dans laquelle elle est éloignée de celle-ci de façon à former entre elles un volume de stockage supplémentaire,
• un soufflet disposé entre les deux demi-coques qui ferme ledit volume supplémentaire.

In a preferred embodiment, the shell is formed:

• a basic half-shell on which the wheels are mounted, and on which are fixed two lateral and longitudinal slides,
• a main half-shell which is slidably mounted on the two slides, so that it can occupy two positions, namely a retracted position in which it is in contact with the base half-shell and a deployed position in which it is remote from the latter so as to form an additional storage volume between them,
• a bellows disposed between the two half-shells which closes said additional volume.

In a variant implementation, a jack may be placed between the two half-shells in order to make them pass from the retracted position to the deployed position.

In another embodiment of the invention, the shell may be formed of a bottom wall forming a receiving plane of longitudinal axis, of two side walls and of two end walls, the shell being produced in at least two parts, namely an overall half-shell and a secondary half-shell which are mounted to slide one inside the other along the longitudinal axis of the receiving plane, so as to occupy two positions, namely a retracted position in which the two half-shells are embedded in one another and a deployed position in which the secondary half-shell extends the overall half-shell.

According to the invention at least one of the two half-shells may be rigid and have an overall parallelepipedal shape.

Finally, preferably, the foldable ply will have dimensions and flexibility such that it will be able to at least partially cover the wheels.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un bagage suivant l'invention représenté en position de transport et dans une configuration rétractée,
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective du bagage représenté sur la figure 1 en cours d'ouverture partielle de son couvercle,
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective du bagage représenté sur la figure 1 dans une configuration déployée,
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective du bagage représenté sur la figure 2 dans une configuration déployée,
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective du bagage représenté sur la figure 4 l'ouverture partielle de son couvercle ayant été augmentée,
• la figure 5a est une vue schématique en perspective d'un mode de fixation d'un soufflet reliant deux parties de la coque du bagage suivant l'invention,
• la figure 6 est une vue arrière du bagage représenté sur la figure 5,
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique montrant les moyens de coulissement permettant le passage du bagage de la position rétractée à la position déployée,
• les figures 8 et 9 sont des vues en perspective montrant le masquage des roues du bagage par le couvercle,
• la figure 10 est une vue d'un second mode de mise en œuvre du bagage suivant l'invention en position horizontale,
• la figure 11 est une vue en perspective du bagage représenté sur la figure 10 dont le couvercle est complètement ouvert,
• la figure 12 et 14a sont des vues en perspective du bagage représenté sur les figures 10 et 11 dont la demi-coque secondaire est totalement déployée,
• la figure 13 est une vue en coupe partielle longitudinale d'un mode de réalisation du couvercle du bagage,
• la figure 14b est une vue en coupe transversale partielle du bagage représenté sur la figure 14a,
• la figure 15 est une vue de côté du bagage représenté sur la figure 11, le couvercle de celui-ci étant légèrement soulevé,
• la figure 16 est une vue en perspective d'une variante de mise en œuvre du bagage suivant l'invention en position transport,
• la figure 17 est une vue en perspective partielle d'une variante de réalisation du bagage représenté sur la figure 16.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawing in which:

• the figure 1 is a perspective view of a piece of luggage according to the invention shown in the transport position and in a retracted configuration,
• the figure 2 is a perspective view of the baggage shown in figure 1 during partial opening of its cover,
• the figure 3 is a perspective view of the baggage shown in figure 1 in a deployed configuration,
• the figure 4 is a perspective view of the baggage shown in figure 2 in a deployed configuration,
• the figure 5 is a perspective view of the baggage shown in figure 4 the partial opening of its cover having been increased,
• the figure 5a is a schematic perspective view of a method of fixing a bellows connecting two parts of the shell of the baggage according to the invention,
• the figure 6 is a rear view of the baggage shown on the figure 5 ,
• the figure 7 is a schematic view showing the sliding means allowing the passage of the baggage from the retracted position to the deployed position,
• the figures 8 and 9 are perspective views showing the luggage wheels being hidden by the cover,
• the figure 10 is a view of a second embodiment of the baggage according to the invention in a horizontal position,
• the figure 11 is a perspective view of the baggage shown in figure 10 the cover of which is completely open,
• the figure 12 and 14a are perspective views of the baggage shown on the figures 10 and 11 whose secondary half-shell is fully deployed,
• the figure 13 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the luggage cover,
• the figure 14b is a partial cross-sectional view of the baggage shown in figure 14a ,
• the figure 15 is a side view of the baggage shown on the figure 11 , the cover thereof being slightly raised,
• the figure 16 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the baggage according to the invention in the transport position,
• the figure 17 is a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the baggage shown in FIG. figure 16 .

We have represented on the figures 1 to 9 a first mode of implementation of a piece of luggage according to the invention which is mainly designed in the position of use, that is to say in the vertical position resting on its two wheels 4.

This baggage consists of a shell 2 formed of two half-shells, namely a basic half-shell 2a, of which are integral the wheels 4, which is of small volume and an upper main half-shell 2b in the drawing which is of greater volume. These two shells are made of a rigid material such as, for example, polyvinyl chloride.

Two slides 6, called lateral, formed of a tubular element are fixed by one of their ends 6a on the base half-shell 2a and extend over a part h ' of the height h of the main half-shell 2b when the baggage is in the deployed position, as shown in the figure 7 . A slider 8 is fixed on the back of the main half-shell 2b of the baggage and the base 8a thereof is slidably mounted on the slide 6. The upper periphery of the base half-shell 2a is connected to the lower periphery of the main half-shell 2b by a bellows 10.

In order to facilitate the assembly of this bellows and in particular to allow fixing of the periphery 10a of each of its ends on the respective half-shells 2a and 2b, access to the interior thereof is authorized. To do this, at least one of the two half-shells 2a, 2b is connected to one of the ends of the bellows by removable connection means, which may in particular consist of a mechanical closure of the zipper type 10b thus as shown on the figure 5a , a fastening tape type closure known as "Velcro", press studs, or even buttons and buttonholes.

The slide 6 also serves as a guide for the telescopic uprights 12 of a handle 12a which are for this purpose mounted to slide inside the slide 6.

The passage from the retracted position, as shown in the figures 1 and 2 , in the deployed position, as shown in the figures 3 to 6 , can be done by exerting manual traction upwards on the main half-shell 2b. This creates an additional storage volume V.

In an interesting variant of the invention, the passage from the retracted position to the deployed position can be done automatically under the control of a push button not shown in the drawing. For this purpose, two pneumatic jacks 14 will be placed between the base half-shell 2a and the main half-shell 2b. These jacks 14 will release the energy previously accumulated during the bringing together of the two half-shells to move them apart and thus create the additional volume V.

The main half-shell 2b is closed by a cover 16 which consists of a foldable sheet formed of four rigid or semi-rigid slats 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d which are articulated to each other around a hinge zone 18a respectively, 18b, 18c, 18d. The cover 16 is closed by two closures, notably zippers, which extend on either side of the luggage from from the top of it that is to say on the side opposite to the wheels 4.

The cover 16 can also be made of a firm and dense foam in particular made of ethylene vinyl acetate usually referred to by the acronym EVA.

This arrangement is particularly advantageous in that it allows the user, while traveling, to control and have easy, rapid and progressive access to a specific content of his baggage without risking unintentionally releasing objects to which he does not wish to have access.

In fact, when the user wishes to have access to an object, he begins by releasing the first slat 16a, as shown in the figures. figures 2 and 4 , by playing on the zippers located on each side of the cover 16, which allows it to grip the immediately accessible objects which are in the upper part of the luggage when the latter is in the displacement position, the part of the wall corresponding to the released slat ensuring, because of its rigidity or semi-rigidity, the retention of the objects contained in the baggage while allowing access to them.

If the user notices that the object he wishes to reach is not immediately accessible, he then releases the second slat 16b which is able to pivot around its hinge 18b, which gives it more extensive access. to the items contained in the baggage, as shown on the figure 5 .

The user will thus proceed step by step by playing on the other slats 16c and 16d.

The present embodiment is also particularly advantageous in that it allows, by folding the cover 16 around the hinge zone transverse 16d closest to the base half-shell 2a, as shown in figure 8 , fold it completely around the base of the luggage and place it under the wheels 4, as shown in figure 9 , so as to cover them at least in part.

The user thus has a solution allowing him to protect from the dirt which is usually deposited on the wheels of the baggage a receiving surface on which he deposits it when he wishes, for example, to empty it of its contents once arrived at its destination. . The user of the baggage can thus place the latter in particular on a seat without having to worry about providing protections for the wheels thereof.

Another embodiment shown in the drawings will be described below. figures 10 to 15 in which the shell 2 'of the luggage is also made up of two rigid half-shells, namely an overall half-shell 2'a, and a secondary half-shell 2'b, the latter being slidably mounted inside the overall half-shell 2'a.

The overall half-shell 2'a comprises a bottom 7, two side walls 9 and an end wall 11 at the base of which are arranged wheels 4 'along an axis xx' transverse to the half-shells.

The secondary half-shell 2'b, which is shorter than the overall half-shell 2'a, also comprises a bottom 13, two side walls 15 and an end wall 17 opposite to the end wall 11.

The secondary half-shell 2'b is thus able to occupy in particular two main positions, namely a position retracted inside the overall half-shell 2'a, as shown in FIG. figure 10 , which corresponds to a so-called luggage transport position, and a position completely out of this, as shown on the figure 12 , which corresponds to a so-called use position.

When the secondary half-shell 2'b is in the retracted position in the overall half-shell 2'a, the internal volume of the baggage can be closed by a cover 16 '.

The latter, in the present embodiment, consists of a series of four transverse slats 16'a, 16'b, 16'c and 16'd which can be rigid or semi-rigid and which are linked between they by a series of respective transverse flexible hinge zones 18'a, 18'b, 18'c, 18'd which may in particular consist of seams. These slats can advantageously be sheathed with a covering, for example a textile covering 19, as shown in figure 13 .

The cover 16 'is of such dimensions that it is able to cover the upper main face of the baggage as well as the side thereof opposite to the wheels 4' and which is formed by the end wall 17 of the secondary half-shell 2'b. This cover 16 ′ is linked to the overall half-shell 2 ′ a of the baggage by articulation means 21. Thus, the cover 16 ′ while having good rigidity is able to fold up in the direction of the end wall 11 of the overall half-shell 2'a, as shown in figure 11 , so as to clear the internal storage volume of the luggage.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the width of the slats and the articulation means 21 are such that they allow the cover 16 'to be completely turned over under the bottom 7 of the overall half-shell 2'a of so that it covers the wheels 4 ', as shown on the figures 12 and 14a . The slats can be of different widths and the first slat, namely the slat 16'a which is arranged on the side opposite to the wheels 4 ', may preferably have a width D which will be equal to that of the height of the end wall 17 of the secondary half-shell 2'b, as shown in figure 15 .

As in the previous embodiment, such an embodiment allows the luggage to be placed flat on a receiving surface without the wheels 4 'running the risk of dirtying and / or damaging the latter.

In this present embodiment and in a known manner, the luggage is provided with a transverse retractable handle 12'a which is secured to two slides 12 'which are slidably mounted in suitable longitudinal receiving slides of the half-shell overall 2'a.

According to the invention, the handle 12'a and its two sliders 12 'can be used to ensure the retention of the secondary half-shell 2'b when the latter is in the extended position of the overall half-shell 2'a. For this purpose, the slider 12 ′ will be given the necessary length so that, when the luggage is in the deployed position, that is to say when the secondary half-shell 2 ′ b is completely out of the overall half-shell 2 ′ a, the secondary half-shell 2'b rests on the handle 12'a and / or on the slides 12 ', as shown in figure 12 .

One represented on the figure 14b a partial cross section of the baggage. In the present embodiment, the overall half-shell 2'a comprises a double bottom 7a which is offset from the bottom 7 inwards by a distance e so as to constitute a volume 29 which can be used by the user for y deposit, for example, documents or any other useful object when moving.

The secondary half-shell 2'b is slidably mounted on the double bottom 7a between the latter and a guide element 23 whose cross section is U-shaped and whose upper part 23a of the branches is fixed on the upper part of the side walls 9 of the overall half-shell 2'a, as shown in figure 14a . The entire bottom is then covered with a protective coating 25.

Such a piece of baggage according to the invention is interesting for a user who, during a trip, is confronted with the need to have a larger storage volume than his baggage was initially. Under such conditions, the user will be able to easily switch from a piece of baggage with a small storage volume, which is usually the case with “cabin baggage”, to a much larger volume.

In addition, he will benefit from rapid and controlled access to the objects contained in this baggage, even when it is in an upright position or position of use.

He can also place his luggage on a delicate protective surface without damaging the latter by tilting the foldable sheet constituting its cover under the wheels thereof.

We have represented on the figures 16 and 17 a variant of the implementation of the luggage according to the invention in which the bottom 7 of the overall half-shell 2'a is hollowed out with a housing 31 in which a bag or a document holder 33 has been removably disposed. to receive elements 34 which are thus easily accessible to the user.

Claims (9)

1. A luggage comprising a shell (2, 2') closed by a lid (16), provided with a retractable handle (12a, 12'a) and with two wheels (4, 4'), the shell (2, 2') comprising at least one slidably unfoldable part (2b, 2'b) so as to increase its storage volume, the lid (16) forming a foldable sheet able to fold back about transverse hinge zones (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d), the foldable sheet (16) comprising several rigid or semi-rigid slats (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) which are articulated to each other around the hinge zones (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d).
2. The luggage according to claim 1, characterised in that the foldable sheet (16) consists of a dense firm foam and especially of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
3. The luggage according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the shell (2) comprises:

   - a base half-shell (2a) to which the wheels (4) are mounted, and to which two side longitudinal slides (6) are fastened,

   - a main half-shell (2b), which is slidably mounted on both slides (6), so as to be able to occupy two positions, namely a retracted position in which it is in contact with the base half-shell (2a) and an extended position in which it is away therefrom,, so as to form an additional storage volume (V) therebetween,

   - a bellows (10), disposed between both half-shells (2a, 2b) which closes said additional volume (V).
4. The luggage according to claim 3, characterised in that at least one of both half-shells (2a, 2b) is secured to the bellows (10) by removable interconnecting means, so as to give access to the bellows (10) outwardly therefrom.
5. The luggage according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that a jack (14) is disposed between both half-shells (2a, 2b), in order to switch them from the retracted position to the extended position.
6. The luggage according to claim 1, characterised in that the shell (2') is formed by a bottom wall (7) forming a receiving plane with a longitudinal axis (yy'), by two side walls (9, 15) and by two terminal walls (11, 17), the shell (2') being made of at least two parts, namely an overall half-shelf (2'a) and a secondary half-shelf (2'b) which are slidably mounted into each other along the longitudinal axis (yy') of the receiving plane, so as to occupy two positions, namely a retracted position in which both half-shells (2'a, 2'b) are embedded into each other and an extended position in which the secondary half-shelf (2'b) extends from the overall half-shelf (2'a);
7. The luggage according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that at least one of both half-shells (2a, 2b, 2'a, 2'b) is rigid.
8. The luggage according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterised in that each of both half-shells (2a, 2b, 2'a, 2'b) is of a generally parallelepipedal shape.
9. The luggage according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the foldable sheet (16) has dimensions and flexibility such that it is able to at least partially cover the wheels (4', 4').

Images