Patent Application
20200352299
The present invention relates generally to luggage and related systems and methods for providing storage and carrying capacity for personal effects and the like during transit, and specifically to systems and methods for the structural integrity and/or manipulation of luggage during transport and/or storage.
There is a constant need in the art to improve the structural integrity of articles of luggage. Articles of luggage known in the art can suffer from a lack of structural integrity that can lead to deformation or failure of the luggage during transit or storage. Moreover, luggage that is inadequately reinforced can be not only more difficult to transport but can also deform and sometimes break by virtue of not being adequately reinforced. Deformation or failure of luggage housing portions can be increased near edges of the housing portions, for example on an edge of the housing portion adjacent to an opening of the housing portion. There is also a need in the art to improve the structural integrity of articles of luggage without substantially increasing, for example, their weight, bulk, or profile, any or all of which can undesirably make the luggage more difficult for a user to manipulate or transport, including due to, for example, airline size or weight limitations.
Luggage known in the art can also suffer from increased undesirable deformation when it is moved about during the transit or storage processes. Handles or other provided devices by which a user can pick up or otherwise manipulate an article of luggage can impart forces on the body of an article of luggage when the luggage is moved with that handle or other device. In some embodiments, forces exerted on the luggage body by a user pulling on the handle can propagate through the body of the luggage such that the luggage becomes damaged or unintentionally opens, exposing articles placed inside.
Moreover, the art is in search of improved apparatuses and methods for transporting and storing luggage that overcome the limitations of currently-known luggage. Handles or other pulling or pushing devices for luggage frequently add undesirable weight, unsightly external features, and can introduce additional failure points to the luggage.
In some aspects, there is an article of luggage. The article of luggage can include a housing portion, a reinforcement element disposed adjacent an interior surface of the housing portion, and a handle partially disposed adjacent an exterior surface of the housing portion. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the handle can extend through at least a handle opening provided in the housing portion and into the reinforcement element.
In some embodiments, the article of luggage can include one or more wheel wells formed in the housing portion. The wheel wells can be configured to accommodate one or more wheel assemblies. In some embodiments, the reinforcement element can extend over at least a portion of an interior surface of the one or more wheel wells. In some embodiments, edges of the reinforcement element can abut at least a portion of an interior surface of the one or more wheel wells.
In some embodiments, the reinforcement element can include a plurality of interconnecting ribs. In some embodiments, the reinforcement element can include a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the handle. The cavity can be formed among the plurality of interconnecting ribs. In some embodiments, the reinforcement element can include one or more ribs that are parallel or substantially parallel to one another. In some embodiments, the interconnecting ribs of the reinforcement element can be configured in a honeycomb pattern. In some embodiments, the interconnecting ribs of the reinforcement element can intersect or bisect.
The reinforcement element can include a first reinforcement region and a second reinforcement region. In some embodiments, the first reinforcement region can be configured to exhibit increased rigidity compared to the second reinforcement region, or vice versa. In some embodiments, the first reinforcement region can be at least partially located adjacent an open edge of the housing portion. In some embodiments, a reinforcement region with increased rigidity can be located adjacent an open edge of the housing portion. In some embodiments, there can be more than two reinforcement regions, where each reinforcement region can be configured to impart a different degree of rigidity and/or reinforcement to a given region of the article of luggage which is adjacent or near that reinforcement region. In some embodiments, the reinforcement element can be a base reinforcement. In some embodiments, the reinforcement element can be disposed in the top, sides, front, or back of the article of luggage or housing portion.
In some embodiments, the handle can include an opening defining a grab region that is configured to permit a user's fingers to grab and exert a force on the article of luggage. In some embodiments, the handle can include an angled surface. In some embodiments, the reinforcement element can define an interior surface of the grab region.
In some aspects, there is an article of luggage. The article of luggage can include a housing portion and a reinforcement element disposed on an interior bottom surface of the housing portion. The reinforcement element can include a plurality of interconnecting ribs. In some embodiments, all or substantially all or at least a portion of the plurality of interconnecting ribs can be arranged in a honeycomb pattern. In some embodiments, the reinforcement element can include a first reinforcement region and a second reinforcement region, wherein the first reinforcement region is configured to exhibit increased rigidity compared to the second reinforcement region. In some embodiments, the first reinforcement region can be at least partially located adjacent an open edge of the housing portion.
In some embodiments the article of luggage can include one or more wheel wells formed in the housing portion. The wheel wells can be configured to accommodate one or more wheel assemblies. In some embodiments, the reinforcement element can extend over at least a portion of an interior surface of the one or more wheel wells. In some embodiments, the reinforcement element can abut at least a portion of an interior surface of the one or more wheel wells.
The article of luggage can include a handle disposed at least partially on or adjacent to an exterior surface of the housing portion. A portion of the handle can extend through at least a handle opening provided in the housing portion and into the reinforcement element. In some embodiments, a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the handle can be formed among the plurality of interconnecting ribs. In some embodiments, an opening can be formed among the plurality of interconnecting ribs which can be configured to receive at least a portion of the handle. In some embodiments, the handle can include an opening. A perimeter of the opening can define a grab region configured to permit a user's fingers to grab and pull the article of luggage using the handle. In some embodiments, the handle can include an angled surface. In some embodiments, the reinforcement element can define an interior surface of the grab region. In some embodiments, the grab region can be defined by an opening in the reinforcement element, rather than the handle. In some embodiments, a handle can be secured to the housing portion by one or more fasteners passing through at least the housing portion. In some embodiments, a handle can be secured to the housing portion by one or more fasteners passing through the reinforcement element and/or the housing portion.
The article of luggage can include one or more wheel wells formed in the housing portion. The wheel wells can be capable of accommodating one or more spinner wheel assemblies. In some embodiments, the reinforcement element can extend over the interior surface of the one or more wheel wells. In some embodiments, one or more wheel assemblies can be secured to the housing portion by one or more fasteners passing through at least the reinforcement element. In some embodiments, the handle can be secured to the housing which extends across the interior surface of the one or more wheel wells by one or more fasteners passing through the reinforcement element.
In some embodiments, the article of luggage can include a telescopic-handle partially disposed along an exterior top side of the housing portion. The handle can be disposed along an exterior side of the housing portion that is 90 degrees from the exterior top side of the housing portion, e.g., the telescopic-handle can be on a top side of the article of luggage while the handle can be on a left, right, front, or back side of the article of luggage. In some embodiments, the handle can be disposed along an exterior side of the housing portion that is opposite the exterior top side of the housing portion, e.g., the telescopic-handle can be on a top side of the article of luggage while the handle can be on a bottom side of the article of luggage. References to direction refer to the direction in the orientation the various components described herein throughout, are intended for ease in understanding the description only, and should not be understood as limiting in any manner.
In some aspects there is an article of luggage with a housing portion and a reinforcement element. The reinforcement element can be disposed on an interior bottom surface of the housing portion. The reinforcement element can include a first rib and a second rib that interconnect. In some embodiments, the interconnecting first rib and the second rib can intersect. In some embodiments, the interconnecting first rib can bisect the second rib, or vice versa. In some embodiments, the interconnecting first rib and the second rib can form a portion of a honeycomb rib pattern. The point where the interconnecting first rib and the second rib intersect can be the point of intersection of the sides of a honeycomb rib pattern. In some embodiments, there can be a plurality of ribs. In some embodiments, the first rib and the second rib can cross over one another. In some embodiments, the first rib and the second rib can be curved. In some embodiments, the reinforcement element can include at least a first rib and a second rib wherein the first rib and the second rib interconnect. In some embodiments, the first rib and the second rib can interconnect at at least one point or location. In some embodiments, the first rib and the second rib can interconnect at multiple points or locations.
In some embodiments, the article of luggage can include a handle disposed at least partially on an exterior surface of the housing portion. A portion of the handle can extend through the housing. In some embodiments, a portion of the handle can extend through an opening in the housing and into the reinforcement element. In some embodiments, the reinforcement element can include a cavity configured to receive at least a portion of the handle. In some embodiments, the first rib and the second rib can extend over the cavity. In some embodiments, the first rib and the second rib can define edges of the cavity.
In some aspects there is a piece of luggage with a left luggage shell and a right luggage shell. The piece of luggage can include a base reinforcement disposed on an interior bottom surface of the left luggage shell. In some embodiments, the piece of luggage can include a base reinforcement disposed on an interior bottom surface of the right luggage shell. In some embodiments, the piece of luggage can include a base reinforcement disposed on an interior bottom surface of both luggage shells. The piece of luggage can include a base reinforcement that is configured to receive one or more handles accessible from the exterior of the left luggage shell and/or the right luggage shell.
In some aspects there is a luggage system including a front luggage portion and a rear luggage portion. The luggage system can include a base reinforcement disposed on an interior bottom surface of the rear luggage portion and a handle partially disposed on the exterior of the rear luggage portion. In some embodiments, a portion of the handle can extend through at least a handle opening provided in the housing portion. In some embodiments, a portion of the handle can extend into the base reinforcement.
In some embodiments, the reinforcement element can be configured to increase the structural integrity or rigidity of a housing portion of an article of luggage. In some embodiments, the reinforcement characteristics can be increased near an open edge of the housing portion, as compared with other surfaces of the housing portion. In some embodiments, reinforcement is only provided adjacent one or more edges of the housing portions.
In some aspects, an article of luggage can be provided with a base reinforcement feature that can prevent the article of luggage from deforming undesirably. The base reinforcement can be installed on a bottom wall of an article of luggage to prevent the luggage from deforming, e.g., when it is being wheeled to a destination by a user, which prevents the suitcase base from scraping on the ground during transport. The base reinforcement can include a plurality of ribs, or another reinforcement pattern such as honeycomb, for strengthening reinforcement and minimizing deformation. In some embodiments, the base reinforcement can be integrally formed with the body of an article of luggage, e.g., by forming a plurality of ribs during the forming of a plastic or metal luggage shell. In some embodiments, the base reinforcement can be installed within soft-side or hard-shell luggage.
In some aspects, an article of luggage can be provided with a handle on the external bottom of the article of luggage. The handle can facilitate a user accessing the article of luggage when top or side handles are otherwise blocked from access, e.g., where the luggage is stored “top-in” in, e.g., an airplane carry-on luggage compartment, the trunk of a car or the like. The profile of the handle beyond the outside of the article of luggage itself can be such that the possibility of the handle dragging against the ground or being caught or snagged by or against uneven surfaces is minimized. In some embodiments, a portion of the handle can be recessed within the body of the article of luggage itself. In some embodiments, the entirety of the handle can be recessed within the body of the article of luggage itself. A portion of the handle can be recessed within the body of the luggage in various ways. In some embodiments, a hole or opening can be formed in the luggage shell, through which a portion of a handle assembly can pass, such that it is disposed both inside and outside the body of the luggage. In some embodiments, the shell can be molded to have a concave depression, such that there is no opening or hole in the shell, but at least a portion of the handle assembly is still recessed beneath the external surface of the luggage shell.
In some aspects, a handle and base reinforcement can be implemented together on an article of luggage. In some embodiments, the handle can engage with the base reinforcement in fastening to the article of luggage. In some embodiments, an article of luggage can include both a handle and a base reinforcement that are separate from one another and do not engage. A handle can also be employed on its own, without the use of a base reinforcement, and vice versa.
The base reinforcement and/or handle systems as described herein can be implemented in a variety of configurations of luggage systems. Exemplary luggage systems with which the base reinforcement and/or handle systems described below can be implemented are described in detail in at least Applicant's prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/935,335, filed on Nov. 6, 2015 and titled “Hard-Shell Luggage Systems” and application Ser. No. 15/684,077, filed on Aug. 23, 2017 and titled “Luggage System Employing a Telescopically-Extendable Handle and Battery Power Supply Assembly Equipped with a Semi-Automatic Battery Power Module Ejection Mechanism.” In some embodiments, the base reinforcement and handle systems can be implemented with articles of luggage other than those of Applicant's prior applications listed above. Unless otherwise stated herein, aspects or features of the various example embodiments described below can be combined with one another.
Back side shell 110 and front side shell 120 can be connected by a hinge or other like mechanism along one side, e.g., along the left side shown in
Article of luggage 100 can also include one or more external handles that can be attached to the article of luggage, e.g., handle 130 which is attached at handle attachment points 130A and 130B along the top of the article of luggage and/or external handle 140 which is attached at handle attachment points 140A, and 140B along the right side of the article of luggage. Typically, handles attached to the various handle attachment points extend beyond the external surface of the article of luggage, raised above the external surface such that they can be grabbed and held by a user to carry or move the luggage. In some embodiments, back side shell 110 and front side shell 120 can be formed from a polycarbonate material, and can include a metal frame made from, e.g., aluminum or magnesium, that supports the external handle assembly. In some embodiments, the frame that supports the external assembly can be formed from a plastic material, e.g. a polycarbonate or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material. In some embodiments, back side shell 110 and front side shell 120 can be formed from metal or a fabric material, each incorporating either a metal or plastic frame.
Article of luggage 100 can also include one or more wheel assemblies 150A-150D, each including one or more wheels. Article of luggage can include a telescopic-handle assembly 160. In some embodiments, a telescopic-handle assembly can include a removable battery. In some embodiments, a telescopic-handle assembly disposed within the handle assembly can include hardware for permitting semi-automatic ejection of a removable battery, including as described in Applicant's prior U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/684,077, filed on Aug. 23, 2017 and titled “Luggage System Employing a Telescopically-Extendable Handle and Battery Power Supply Assembly Equipped with a Semi-Automatic Battery Power Module Ejection Mechanism.” While telescopic-handle assembly 160 is depicted in back side shell 110, telescopic-handle assembly 160 can be disposed in front side shell 120. In some embodiments telescopic-handle assembly 160 and a removable battery assembly can each be disposed in different shells, e.g., telescopic-handle assembly 160 in back side shell 110 and a removable battery assembly in front side shell 120, or vice-versa.
Reinforcement element 180 can be disposed within back side shell 110, as depicted in
In some embodiments, not shown, handle 170 can be implemented without handle opening 115. A depression or indent can be provided in back side shell 110, into which handle 170 can be inserted, such that all or a portion of handle 170 can be disposed beneath the outer surface of the luggage shell. In that manner, the handle assembly can be provided without creating an opening in the luggage shell. In some embodiments, the handle can be integrally formed with the luggage shell, without the need for a separate component.
In some embodiments, reinforcement element 180 can extend across the bottom of back side shell 110 but not over wheel assembly wells 112D and 112B, or over any other wheel assembly that may be implemented with the article of luggage.
Ribs can be disposed in a variety of configurations along the top surface of reinforcement element 180.
Reinforcement element 180 includes one or more fastener holes 1491B, 1492B, 1493B, and 1494B, which are capable of receiving and/or engaging with fasteners from a wheel assembly, e.g., wheel assembly 150B, to secure the wheel assembly to an article of luggage. and Likewise, fastener holes 1491D, 1492D, 1493D, and 1494D can be used to secure a second wheel assembly, e.g., wheel assembly 150D, to article of luggage 100 by receiving and/or engaging with fasteners. In some embodiments, there can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more fastener holes associated with each wheel assembly.
Reinforcement element 180 can include cavity 1420, which is capable of receiving a handle, e.g., handle 170. In some embodiments, a bottom interior surface of cavity 1420 can be recessed from a bottom surface of reinforcement element 180 to permit sufficient depth for handle 170 to be installed, e.g., for at least a portion of handle 170 to extend through back side shell 110 and into reinforcement element 180. In some embodiments, the bottom interior surface of cavity 1420 can be recessed from the bottom surface of reinforcement element 180 the same height as wall 2120 of handle 170. One of ordinary skill would understand that any features described or depicted herein with respect to a base reinforcement for one side of an article of luggage, e.g., reinforcement element 180, are equally applicable to a base reinforcement for the opposite side of an article of luggage, e.g., base reinforcement 185 or reinforcement element 180A, or vice versa, and that two base reinforcements can be used in the same article of luggage.
In some embodiments, reinforcements elements can be installed in the bottom of each of the two shells that make up an article of luggage, e.g., in the bottom of back side shell 110 and in the bottom of front side shell 120. The base reinforcements that are used in either or both shells can be substantially the same dimensions and design as one another. In other words, reinforcement element 180 would be a suitable reinforcement element for either or both of back side shell 110 and front side shell 120, even though a handle, e.g., handle 170, might only be installed on one side. In some embodiments, reinforcement elements can be deployed on both sides of a shell without being deployed in conjunction with a handle. In some embodiments, a reinforcement element need not be capable of receiving a handle. In those embodiments, the reinforcement element can exclude cavity 1420. In some embodiments, a rib region, e.g., an x-lattice pattern rib region, quadrilinear lattice pattern rib region, or the like, can extend across the portion of the base reinforcement where cavity 1420 is depicted in the illustrated embodiment. Ribs within the rib pattern can also be curved, e.g., to follow a curved profile of the luggage housing or to provide additional support along a given area of the base reinforcement or reinforcement element. In some embodiments, both curved ribs and straight ribs can be combined into a pattern.
In some embodiments, a reinforcement element deployed in back side shell 110 can have a different pattern of ribs than a reinforcement element deployed in front side shell 120, or elsewhere within article of luggage 100. For example, a reinforcement element deployed in conjunction with a handle may require closer ribs and/or smaller voids because of the force that can be exerted when a user grabs and pulls on the handle. In contrast, in regions where a reinforcement element is deployed without a handle element, ribs can be further apart and/or voids can be larger because pulling forces will not likely be imparted on that area of the luggage shell due to the lack of handle.
In some embodiments, a reinforcement element can be deployed on an interior surface of the luggage other than the bottom surface of a luggage shell, e.g., on any of the walls or of the back interior surface of a luggage shell. In this manner, reinforcement properties of a reinforcement element can be applied to other sides of a luggage shell. Optionally, handles in the manner of handle 170 can be deployed on other surfaces of a luggage shell other than the bottom surface, in conjunction with or without a reinforcement element-like structure.
In some embodiments, handle 170 can be implemented along with a reinforcement element, such as any of the reinforcement elements or base reinforcement depicted and/or described herein. In some embodiments, handle 170 can be implemented on its own, i.e. without the use of reinforcement element 180. Handle 170 can engage directly with the luggage shell via adhesive, snap-fit, snaps, screws, or other suitable fasteners. In some embodiments, reinforcement element 180 can be used without any handle.
Handle 170 includes inside surface 2110 that can be flush against the exterior surface of an article of luggage, e.g., article of luggage 100, when handle 170 is installed in an article of luggage. Handle 170 includes handle wall 2120, which can be configured to mate with a hole or receptacle in an article of luggage, e.g., handle opening 115. In some embodiments, the width of handle 170 can be between 2 to 7 inches, between 3 to 6 inches, between 3.5 to 5.5 inches, or between 4 to 5 inches. In some embodiments, when handle 170 is installed within an article of luggage, all or substantially all of wall 2120 is disposed on the interior of the article of luggage, with surface 2110 flush against the exterior surface of the article of luggage. In this manner, the profile of handle 170 that extends beyond the exterior surface of an article of luggage, e.g., article of luggage 100, can be limited to height 2130, which is the thickness of the handle from inside surface 2110 to outside surface 2115. In some embodiments, height 2130 can be between 0.5 to 4 inches, between 1 to 3 inches, or between 1.5 to 2.5 inches.
Handle 170 can also include grip 2150. Grip 2150 extends from wall 2120 toward the interior opening of handle 170. A user's fingers can enter into handle 170 and grasp grip 2150, which provides a surface on which the user can apply force to pull a bag when it is stored in, e.g., an overhead luggage compartment of an airplane, the trunk of a car, or the like. In some embodiments, portions of wall 2120 can be angled, to promote a user's hand and/or fingers sliding into handle 170 to grasp grip 2150 and pull an article of luggage from where it is being stored by using handle 170. In some embodiments, grip 2150 can be excluded. In some embodiments, the functionality of grip 2150 can be provided by shaping the luggage shell and/or cavity 1420 to provide portions onto which a user's fingers can grasp to facilitate manipulation of the article of luggage.
One skilled in the art will realize the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of the invention described herein. It will be appreciated that the illustrated embodiments and those otherwise discussed herein are merely examples of the invention and that other embodiments, incorporating changes thereto, including combinations of the illustrated embodiments, fall within the scope of the invention.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/595,340 filed on Oct. 7, 2019, entitled “Luggage with Pocket,” and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/845,199 filed on May 8, 2019, entitled “Base Reinforcement and Handle for Luggage,” each of which are owned by the assignee of the instant application and the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62845199 | May 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 16595340 | Oct 2019 | US |
| Child | 16870348 | US |
