GB2462099A

GB2462099A - Luggage with a collapsible frame

Info

Publication number: GB2462099A
Application number: GB0813508A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sedat Selvi
Original assignee: Landor and Hawa International Ltd
Current assignee: Landor and Hawa International Ltd
Priority date: 2008-07-23
Filing date: 2008-07-23
Publication date: 2010-01-27
Also published as: GB0813508D0

Abstract

An article of soft-sided luggage comprising a first side having an attached longitudinal member to form a base framework 102 and a second side comprising a folding mechanism 107 of at least one longitudinal member 104coupled to the base framework such that the folding mechanism is movable between a fully extended configuration and a fully collapsed configuration. Preferably, the article of luggage has attached at one end a carrying handle and at an opposite end one or more wheels 109, and one or more portions of folding mechanism are coupled at the wheeled end to the base panel. The folding mechanism may be a hoop of tubular metal connected at each end to a pivot mount attached to the base framework, the base framework being rigid and the carrying handle being extendible.

Description

An Article of Luggage The present invention relates to an article of luggage of soft construction, specifically but not exclusively to suitcases, trolley cases and wheeled bags.

Contemporary luggage articles are manufactured from a variety of materials and all luggage manufacturers are facing environmental pressure to make their luggage stronger and lighter. In the present climate of cheap flights and rising fuel prices, the lighter and stronger that an article of luggage is, the more suitable it is for use. As a result, the wooden trunks and leather suitcases of yesteryear are no longer suited to a culture of travel where a few days' short break is possible in locations many thousands of miles away. Additionally, the size and construction of fabric luggage has changed to accommodate these changes in travel habit. Older large suitcases are less favourable where a smaller bag capable of use as cabin luggage (for example, when taken on aeroplane flights) offers enormous improvements in terms of convenience and speed through the terminal services before boarding and after disembarking the flight. Additionaily, articies of Juggage of soft construction -that is to say which are made from flexible materials -guarantee that articles of luggage are less heavy. Such soft articles of luggage are ideally suited to avoid expensive luggage surcharges which come with "so-called" cheap flights.

It is of great benefit to have a wheeled article of luggage while travelling, especially while there may be long walks between arriving at the terminal and stowing luggage on the boat, bus, train, or plane. Conventional trolley cases as known in the present state of the art typically have an extendable handle at the opposite end of the bag from a set of wheels. Additionally, trolley cases typically have a sturdy base comprising rigid material usually made of Polyethylene (PE), and a framework running from the wheels to the handle.

Also, it is advantageous to be able to stand the luggage upright while travel documents are checked by officials (for example) so as to avoid having to reach to the floor to pick up handles. However, luggage which subsequently falls over after having been stood upright may add to the creases of delicate clothing and will certainly damage fragile items within the luggage. Further, where an article of luggage is constructed without rigid sides, the resulting product is difficult to display in a shop due to the need for cumbersome padding materials used to make display attractive to customers. Such example articles of luggage also fail to stand stably and as a result present difficulties to retail employees when presenting such articles attractively to the buying public.

Including a full framework which provides structural support within the bag adds further weight to the article of luggage. Such a framework is conventionally placed around the whole periphery of the associated article of luggage.

Lightweight peripheral frames are known in the art. Such lightweight frames make use of low-density yet strong materials to achieve the goals of structural support without greatly increased weight in the article of luggage. There remains a problem even with a lightweight peripheral frame: the frame retains the shape and space of the article of luggage even when empty. The resulting difficulty in storing an article of luggage with a full framework -for instance in the case of a student who has only sufficient room to keep her case Under her bed or for transporting a large number of empty suitcases from manufacturer to retailer -is a significant drawback to the use of a full framework.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide a method and system for improving the structural stiffness and upright stability of an article of luggage without compromise to the ability to store the article of luggage, which overcomes, or at least reduces some of the above-mentioned problems of the

prior art.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention provides an article of luggage of soft construction comprising a first side comprising a longitudinal member wherein the longitudinal member is attached to the first side to form a base framework a second side comprising a folding mechanism of one or more longitudinal members wherein the folding mechanism is coupled to the base framework; and wherein the folding mechanism is movable between the states of fully folded out and fully folded in. Each folding mechanism, when in its fully folded out position, holds the second side away from the first side, provides rigidity and resilience to the second side and serves to maximise the carrying volume of the article of luggage. Each folding mechanism, when in its fully folded in position, holds the second side against the first side and substantially reduces the carrying volume of the article of luggage, allowing for easy and convenient storage.

Preferably, at least one folding mechanism provides a floor stand. When in the fully folded out position, the floor stand may increase the stability of the article of luggage when stood upright. Also, the floor stand may be able to keep the material of the article of luggage away from any dirt which may be present on the floor. Preferably also, at least one folding mechanism may provide a carrying handle. The carrying handle may provide a firm point of contact with the frame of the article of luggage and, when a detachable handle is affixed the detachable handle may stop the dirt of floor getting on the user's hands. More particularly, a detachable carrying handle may be padded to relieve the pressure on the user's hands while in use.

Preferably also, the folding mechanism may be coupled to the base panel by a pivot or hinge. Preferably also, the article of luggage may comprise a pivot mount coupling the base framework to the folding mechanism. More preferably, the pivot mount may comprise a restraint which secures the folding mechanism when in the fully folded out position. The pivot mounts may provide a mechanism to hold the folding mechanism in its folded out state, making loading and unloading the article of luggage easy and ensuring that clothes are less creased and fragile items less likely to be damaged within the article of luggage.

Preferably also, the folding mechanism may penetrate through an aperture in the material of the second side. More preferably, the aperture in the second side further may comprise rubber gaskets substantially preventing external material entering the article of luggage. The apertures may provide for the material of the bag to move past the folding mechanism when moving between the fully folded out and fully folded in positions, avoiding snagging, tensions or excess materials used to manufacture the article of luggage. The rubber gaskets may further prevent dirt and water ingress.

One embodiment of the invention will now be more fully described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a diagram showing detail of an interior view (Figure Ia) and an exterior view (Figure ib) of a portion of soft bag with a folding mechanism in a folded fully out position, according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagram showing detail of the folding mechanism of Figures Ia and 1 b; Figure 3a is a diagram showing detail of a pivot mount according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3b is a second diagram showing further detail of the pivot mount of Figure 3a; and Figure 4 is a diagram showing detail of the suggested height of the folding mechanism when folded out, in relation to the height of the bag, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In a brief overview of one embodiment of the present invention, there is shown in Figure Ia a diagram showing detail of an interior view of a portion of soft bag with a folding mechanism in a folded fully out position. There is shown in Figure lb a diagram showing detail of an exterior view of a portion of soft bag 10 with a folding mechanism in a folded out position. The same reference numerals are used in both diagrams where applicable.

With reference to Figure Ia, there is soft bag 10. The base of the soft bag 10 comprises three layers: a body material 111, a rigid board 101 and the bars 102.

A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the body material 111 can be made from any flexible material such as cotton, polyester or leather, preferably sturdy, and more preferably waterproof. The rigid board 101 could be made of PE, but may alternatively be made from a metal, such as aluminium, or from a stiff frame around the edges. The stiff frame may be loose or may be connected to the bars 102. The rigid board 101 gives strength to the base of the soft bag 10.

As is known in the art, the bars 102 extend to the far end of the soft bag 10 (not shown) and are attached to a telescoping handle (not shown) which sits within the bars 102 when not extended. The bars 102 are constructed from steel alloy and it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the bars 102 may be made from any suitable material, such as a metal, and be of any dimensions and there be provided as many as necessary for the structural rigidity of the base panel 101 as well as to provide the telescopic trolley handle.

Also shown is wheel-strengthening stiffener 110 on the outside of the bag, which is known in the art and comprises a portion of moulded plastic which encloses the wheels 109 and provides additional rigidity to the soft bag 10.

Pivot mounts 103 are attached at one end of the bars 102. A folding mechanism 104 is attached by pivots 107 to the pivot mounts 103. The folding mechanism 104 penetrates through apertures 106 in a folding side 105. The pivot mounts 103 are made from plastic and are seated at the corner between the base panel 101 and the folding side 105. The bars 102 are attached to the pivot mounts 103. The folding mechanism 104 is attached to the pivot mounts 103 by the pivots 107. The pivot mounts are made from plastic and follow a smoothing curve at the corner between the base panel 101 and the folding side 105, which permits a reduction in the radius and also the size and weight of the wheels 109. Alternatively, the pivot mounts 103 may be constructed so that the pivots 107 are co-axial with the wheels 109 and, further, that the same metal rod serves as the axle of the wheels 109 as serves as the pivot 107.

The folding side 105 further comprises apertures 106 through which the folding mechanism 104 penetrates. The folding mechanism 104 may alternatively be placed entirely internal or external to the soft bag 10 or attached to the folding side 105 by loops of fabric, or be entirely enclosed by more than one pieces of material forming the folding side 105. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, in order to ensure a difference in position between the pivot 107 and the join of the folding side 105 to the base panel 101, freedom of movement is required between the material of folding side 105 and the folding mechanism 104 when moving between an open and closed position. If the material of the folding side 105 were to be fully fixed to the pivot 107 then neither the folding side 105 nor the folding mechanism 104 could be folded inwards at all.

The apertures 106 may be rubber gaskets which prevent dirt and water entering the body of the article of luggage, while also allowing the material of folding side to move freely when the folding mechanism and folding side are moved between open and closed positions. Alternatively, for example an inner liner of water-and dirt-proof material may be inserted inside the soft bag 10, and the aperture 106 may be a stitched, plastic or metal eyelet.

The folding mechanism 104 is a loop of tubular metal. Obvious alternatives to this arrangement, in the mind of a person skilled in the art, would include (but not be limited to) a single strut, members with rectangular cross-section, a folding mechanism 104 whose elements are more than one member held together by bolts or screws.

With reference to Figure lb, there is shown a diagram showing detail of an an exterior view of a portion of soft bag 15 with folding mechanism in the folded out position, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals are used as in Figure Ia, where applicable. The portion of soft bag 15 has a carrying handle/footstand 108, shown attached to the folding mechanism 104. The diagram also indicates an area strengthened by the internal PE board 112. The footstand 108 is moulded plastic and may be fixed to the folding mechanism 104 by a rivet, bolt or screws or may be moulded from the same material which forms the folding mechanism 104. The carrying handle 108 may be formed from the same material as the footstand 108 or may be detachable to avoid marking with dirt a hand-held portion of the soft bag 15.

Where the carrying handle is detachable it may also be made of spongy or soft material and may have attaching means made of Velcro� or button and clasp poppers.

There is shown in Figure 2 detail of the folding mechanism of Figures la and lb in a luggage framework 20. Where applicable, the same reference numerals are shown as for Figure la and lb. The luggage framework 20 comprises bars 102, pivot mounts 103, pivots 107 and folding mechanism 104. The bars 102 are two square cross-sectioned members. Alternative embodiments may feature the luggage framework 20 comprising a circular-, rectangular-or hexagonally-patterned grid, a different number of bars 102 and/or different cross-sectional shape of the bars 102 (such as circular, rectangular or hexagonal cross-sections) serving to provide the same rigidity to the base panel (not shown) to which the bars 102 are attached. The pivot mounts 103 serve to connect the bars 102 to the pivot 107 and it will be seen by a person skilled in the art that there exists a broad scope of designs embodied in a broad scope of materials which achieve this goal. An alternative embodiment may connect the bars 102 to the folding mechanism 104 directly through the pivot 107.

The pivots 107 are made of tubular metal mounted without bearings through apertures in both the pivot mounts 103 and the folding mechanism 104.

Additionally, the pivots 107 may alternatively be formed from solid or hollow tubular metal and mounted via or incorporating internal bearings.

With reference to Figure 3a and 3b, a sample embodiment of a pivot mount 103 is shown. Where appropriate, the same reference numerals are used. Figure 3a shows a pivot mount 103 which comprises pivot apertures 301, a frame member aperture 302, a restraint 303 and plastic tabs 304. The pivot mount 103 is made from plastic, but can be made from any strong, yet light, material.

The pivot apertures 301 provide two co-axial cylindrical apertures through which the pivot (not shown) is positioned. Between each pivot aperture 301 the folding mechanism (not shown) is secured to the pivot mount 103. When in the folded out position the folding mechanism (not shown) is restrained by a pair Of plastic tabs forming the restraint 303.

Figure 3b shows the detail of a sample embodiment of a pivot mount 103. The restraint 303 is shown to have two plastic tabs 304 which restrict the aperture of the pivot mount 103 in which the folding mechanism (not shown) stands when in an open position. The plastic tabs 304 are positioned apart at a distance equal to or smaller than the width of the folding mechanism (not shown) so as to induce frictional and physical resistance to the motion of the folding mechanism (not shown) against and through the gap between the plastic tabs 304. It will be obvious to the person skilled in the art that alternative means of securing the folding mechanism (not shown) exist which differ from the restraint 303 shown here.

With reference to Figure 4, a sample embodiment of the present invention is shown. A soft bag 401 is shown in a folded out position, having, a zipper 403, a folding mechanism 404, a pivoting side 405, apertures 406, handles 407, a footstand/carrying handle 408, wheels 409, a base panel 410 and wheel stiffeners 411. Also indicated is an area 402 strengthened by an internal PE board (not shown).

Internal to the soft bag 401 is a fixed framework (not shown) running from the wheels 409 to the furthest end of the soft bag 401. Additionally, the soft bag 401 has a telescoping handle (not shown) which extends from the end of the soft bag 401 opposite to the wheels 409. In use, the soft bag 401 may be wheeled, with telescoping handle held in the hand of the user and with the wheels 409 rolling on the floor. The soft bag 401 may also be carried by its handles 407. The zipper 403, when closed, provides means to enclose material within the volume of the bag and, when open, to provide access also to the volume of the soft bag 401. The internal structure of the soft bag 401 has previously been described with reference to Figures Ia and lb. The base panel 410 meets the pivoting side 405 at the wheels 409 and there is shown wheel stiffeners 411 which incorporate mountings (not shown) for the wheels 409. The pivoting side 405 is made of a soft material (as are the other sides of the bag) and moves in conjunction with the folding mechanism 404.

The folding mechanism 404 can move between a stable open state and a stable closed state. When moving between the states, the folding mechanism 404 and pivoting side 405 benefit from not being attached to one another because the pivot point (not shown) of the folding mechanism 404 is distant from the join of the base panel 410 to the pivoting side 405. The folding mechanism 404 penetrates through apertures 406 in the pivoting side 405 which enables the folding mechanism 404 and pivoting side 405 to move in tandem. The apertures 406 are made from rubber and resist dirt or water ingress.

Alternatives forms to the apertures 406 which additionally keep dirt and water from ingress to the soft bag 401 will be obvious to the person skilled in the art.

An alternate embodiment may include any form of aperture 406 coupled with a waterproof inner material layer or total enclosure of the folding mechanism 404 with an external footstand/carrying handle 408. A further alternative would have the folding mechanism 404 external or internal to the soft bag 401.

When the soft bag 401 is stood upright, the pivoting side 405 serves as the bottom to the soft bag 401. When the soft bag 401 is stood upright, the wheels 409 and footstand/carrying handle 408 are in contact with the ground and keep the material of the pivoting side 405 away from dirty or wet material of the floor.

For stability reasons, the height of the position of the footstand/carrying handle 408 is at least half the height of the whole soft bag 401. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the height of the position of the footstand/carrying handle 408 may be less than half the height of the soft bag 401 and yet provide some measure of assistance to the stability of the soft bag 401.

When fully folded in, the folding mechanism 404 holds the side of the soft bag 401 close to the base panel 410 so that the soft bag 404 can be stored and/or packaged for transport in a flat position. When fully folded out, the folding mechanism holds the folding side of the soft bag 401 in such a position as maximises the carrying volume of the folding side of the soft bag 404.

Additional alternate embodiments of the present invention may include the folding mechanism being placed entirely on the outside of the article of luggage, and/or the folding mechanism being fixed to the wheels or the wheel-strengthening stiffener. Alternatively again, the article of luggage may comprise many separate folding mechanisms each, when extended, providing relative stiffness to a portion of one side of the luggage.

It will be appreciated that although only one particular embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, various modifications and improvements can be made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. -11 -

Claims

Claims What is claimed is: 1. An article of luggage of soft construction comprising: a first side comprising a longitudinal member wherein the longitudinal member is attached to the first side to form a base framework; a second side comprising a folding mechanism of one or more longitudinal members wherein the folding mechanism is coupled to the base framework; and wherein the folding mechanism is movable between the states of fully folded out and fully folded in.
2. An article of luggage as in Claim I wherein each folding mechanism, when in its fully folded out position, holds the second side away from the first side.
3. An article of luggage as in any preceding Claim wherein each folding mechanism, when in its fully folded out position, provides rigidity and resilience to the second side.
4. An article of luggage as in any preceding Claim wherein the folding mechanism, when in its fully folded in position, holds the second side substantially parallel to the first side.
5. An article of luggage as in any preceding Claim wherein the folding mechanism, when in its fully folded in position, substantially reduces the carrying volume of the article of luggage.
6. An article of luggage as in any preceding Claim wherein the folding mechanism provides a floor stand.
7. An article of luggage as in any preceding Claim wherein the folding mechanism provides a carrying handle.

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8. An article of luggage as in any one of Claims I to 7 wherein the folding mechanism is coupled to the base panel by a pivot.
9. An article of luggage as in any one of Claims I to 7 wherein the folding mechanism is coupled to the base panel by a hinge.
10.An article of luggage as in Claim 8 or Claim 9 wherein the axis about which the folding mechanism moves is substantially parallel to the axis of the one or more wheels.
11.An article of luggage as in Claim 8 or Claim 9 wherein the axis about which the folding mechanism moves is co-axial with the axis of at least one wheel.
12.An article of luggage as in any preceding Claim wherein the article of luggage further comprises a pivot mount coupling the base framework to the folding mechanism.
13.An article of luggage as in Claim 12 wherein the pivot mount comprises a restraint which secures the folding mechanism when in the fully folded out position.
14.An article of luggage as in any preceding Claim wherein the base framework has attached at one aspect a towing handle and at an opposite aspect one or more wheels, and one or more portions of folding mechanism are coupled at the wheeled aspect to the base panel.
15.An article of luggage as in Claim 14 wherein the base framework further comprises a rigid material, such as polyethylene.
16.An article of luggage as in Claims 14 0115 wherein the towing handle is extendible.
17.An article of luggage as in any preceding Claim wherein the folding mechanism comprises a hoop of tubular metal.
18.An article of luggage as in Claim 17 where in the folding mechanism is coupled at each end of the hoop to the base framework of the first side.
19.An article of luggage as in any preceding Claim wherein the folding mechanism penetrates through an aperture in the material of the second side.
20.An article of luggage as in Claim 19 wherein the aperture in the second side further comprises rubber gaskets substantially preventing external material entering the article of luggage.
21.An article of luggage as in any preceding Claim, wherein there is provided a zipper to enclose the carrying volume of the article of luggage.
22.A method of manufacturing an article of luggage of soft construction comprising: providing a first side which comprises a longitudinal member; attaching the longitudinal member to the first side to form a base framework; providing a second side which comprises a folding mechanism of one or more longitudinal members; attaching the folding mechanism to the base framework; and wherein the folding mechanism is movable between the states of fully folded out and fully folded in.
23.A method of manufacturing an article of luggage as in Claim 22 comprising: providing a pivot; and coupling the folding mechanism to the base panel by the pivot.
24.A method of manufacturing an article of luggage as in Claim 22 comprising: providing a hinge; and coupling the folding mechanism to the base panel by the hinge.
25.A method of manufacturing an article of luggage as in Claims 22 to 24 further comprising: providing a pivot mount; coupling the pivot mount to the base framework; and coupling the pivot mount to the folding mechanism.
26.A method of manufacturing an article of luggage as in Claim 25 comprising providing within the pivot mount a restraint which secures the folding mechanism when in the fully folded out position.
27.A method of manufacturing an article of luggage as in Claims 22 to 26 comprising providing the base framework and one or more portions of folding mechanism wherein attaching to the base framework at one aspect a towing handle; attaching to the base framework at an opposite aspect one or more wheels; and coupling to the base panel at the wheeled aspect one or more portions of folding mechanism.
28.A method of manufacturing an article of luggage as in Claim 27 comprising further providing the base framework from a rigid material, such as polyethylene.
29.A method of manufacturing an article of luggage as in Claims 22 to 28 comprising providing the folding mechanism penetrating through an aperture in the material of the second side.
30.A method of manufacturing an article of luggage as in Claim 29 further comprising providing rubber gaskets at the aperture in the second side.
31.An article of luggage as hereinbefore described with reference to thedescription and Figures 1 to 4.
32.A method of manufacturing an article of luggage as hereinbefore described with reference to the description and Figures 1 to 4.