Patent Application
20220304435
The present invention relates generally to luggage systems, and more particularly to a collapsible suitcase device with a retractable wheelbase.
The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
Suitcases have been used for decades to protect and transport the personal belongings of travelers. In this regard, manufacturers produce suitcases in a wide variety of different shapes, sizes, styles and storage volume to suit the needs of the traveling public.
Although useful for this purpose, users have long complained that storing such suitcases between trips is problematic due to the large amount of space they must necessarily occupy.
In addition to the above, most modern suitcases include a plurality of wheels that are affixed to the bottom of the case. These wheels allow a traveler to roll the case from one location to another which is an invaluable improvement over prior designs which had to be manually carried. Unfortunately, due to the exposed nature of these wheels, it is not uncommon for a user to arrive at their destination and discover that one or more of the wheels has been damaged or dislodged due to the (often rough) handling of the bag by an airline or other transport company. When this occurs, the user is often left with no choice but to discard the suitcase and purchase another one at great expense.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a collapsible suitcase device having a retractable wheelbase that can be used by a traveler and easily stored upon arrival without suffering from the drawbacks described above.
The present invention is directed to a collapsible suitcase device. One embodiment of the present invention can include a main body having a rigid back panel, a top panel, a bottom panel, a front panel, a rear panel and an interior space. The suitcase can also include a frame that is connected to the panels opposite to the back panel, and a cover that can be opened or closed to allow access to the interior space.
In one embodiment, the main body can transition between an expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration. In the expanded configuration, the top, bottom front and rear panels are positioned orthogonally between the back panel and the cover to provide separation between the cover and the back panel. In the collapsed configuration the top, bottom, front and rear panels are folded inward so as to be positioned within the interior space of the main body, and the cover is positioned adjacent to the back panel.
In one embodiment, a folding wheelbase can be connected along one edge of the rigid back panel by a hinge. The folding wheelbase can include a rigid wheelbase platform having a plurality of casters extending outward from a first surface. In the open position, the second surface of the wheelbase platform can be positioned against the bottom panel of the main body and the casters can extend outward from the main body. In the closed position, the first surface can be positioned against an outside facing surface of the rigid rear panel, and the casters can be positioned within caster housings formed in the rigid rear panel.
In one embodiment, a liner bag can be positioned within the main body. The liner bag can include a main body and a cover and can be independently closed relative to the suitcase main body. The liner can include a handle and can be removed from the main body for use as a standalone component.
This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.
Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.
Definitions
As described herein, a “unit” means a series of identified physical components which are linked together and/or function together to perform a specified function.
As described throughout this document, the term “about” “approximately” “substantially” and “generally” shall be used interchangeably to describe a feature, shape or measurement of a component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.
As described herein, the term “removably secured,” and derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and separated.
As described throughout this document, the term “complementary shape,” and “complementary dimension,” shall be used to describe a shape and size of a component that is identical to, or substantially identical to the shape and size of another identified component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.
As described herein, the term “hingedly connected” “rotatably secured” and derivatives thereof shall be used interchangeably to describe a situation wherein two or more identified objects are joined together in a manner that allows one or both of the objects to pivot, rotate, and/or move about or in relation to the other object in one or more of a horizontal, diagonal or vertical manner. Several nonlimiting examples of connectors for hingedly connecting objects together include single or double hinge mechanisms, ball joint couplers, single axis hinge pins, swivel flanges, and/or living hinges e.g., a hinge that is made from the same material as the two rigid pieces it connects, wherein the hinge is thinned or cut to allow the rigid pieces to bend along the line of the hinge.
As described herein, the term “connector” and “fastener” can be used interchangeably to describe any number of different elements that work alone or together to repeatedly join two items together in a nonpermanent manner. Several nonlimiting examples include opposing strips of hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro®), attractively-oriented magnetic elements, flexible strips of interlocking projections with a slider (i.e., zipper), a thin, flexible strap with a notched surface and one end threaded through a locking mechanism at the other (e.g., zip tie), tethers, buckles such as side release buckles, and compression fittings such as T-handle rubber draw latches, hooks, snaps and buttons, for example. Each illustrated connector and complementary connector can be permanently secured to the illustrated portion of the device via a permanent sealer such as glue, adhesive tape, or stitching, for example, depending on the construction material of the respective components.
As described throughout this document, a “rigid panel” can be constructed from any number of different materials that are for example, relatively strong and stiff for their weight. Several nonlimiting examples include but are not limited to various metals or metal alloys, various plastics/polymers, and/or various composite materials, for example. Additionally, a non-rigid panel may be constructed from any number of malleable materials such as nylon, fabric or leather, for example, having excellent tensile and weather resistant qualities. In various embodiments, the rigid panels may be provided bare, or may be covered with a malleable material so as to provide a seamless appearance between the rigid and non-rigid suitcase panels. Of course, any number of other materials may be used for both the rigid and non-rigid bag sections.
As shown best at
In one embodiment, a plurality of caster domes 12 can extend upward from the inside facing surface 11a. Each of the domes can include a height that is less than or equal to the height of the back panel walls 11c-11f. As will be described below, each of the domes 12 can comprise a hollow receptacle into which an individual caster 82 can be positioned when the folding wheelbase is in the closed position.
In one embodiment, a telescoping handle assembly 13 can be positioned along the inside surface 11a and can include a handle section 13a that extends outward from the top end 11c. The handle assembly including a pair of telescoping arms that permit the handle to extend and retract from the top surface as is known in the art. One example of a handle assembly is described in U.S. Patent Application 20120241269, to Sheikh, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In addition to the telescoping handle assembly, the suitcase 10 can also include any number of fixed handles such as 14 and 15, for example, that can be provided along the top and front sides of the suitcase.
In one embodiment, the suitcase 10 can include a rigid folding top panel 21 that is connected to the top wall 11c of the back panel via a hinge 21a, and a rigid folding bottom panel 22 that is connected to the bottom wall 11d of the back panel via a hinge 22a. The top and bottom panels can preferably include complementary shapes and sizes, and can each fold inward (e.g., toward the inside surface 11a) via the respective hinges when the suitcase transitions between the collapsed and expanded configurations described below.
In one embodiment, the suitcase 10 can include a collapsible rear panel having a rigid lower section 23a and a rigid upper section 23b. Hinge 24a can connect the lower section 23a to the rear wall 11f of the main body, hinge 24b can connect the lower section 23a to the upper section 23b, and hinge 24c can connect the upper section 23b to the rear side of the lid frame 33.
In one embodiment, the suitcase 10 can also include a collapsible front panel having a rigid lower section 25a and a rigid upper section 25b. Hinge 26a can connect the lower section 25a to the front wall 11e of the main body, hinge 26b can connect the lower section 25a to the upper section 25b, and hinge 26c can connect the upper section 25b to the front side of the lid frame 35.
In the preferred embodiment, the front and rear panels will include complementary shapes and sizes, and can each collapse accordion style such that hinges 24b and 26b move toward the inside of the suitcase when the suitcase transitions from the expanded configuration to the collapsed configuration. Moreover, it is preferred that hinges 24b and 26b each include a maximum opening radius of 180 degrees in order to prevent the front and rear panels from folding or bulging outward, thereby maintaining the panels in a 90-degree orientation relative to the rigid back panel and the cover frame, when the suitcase is in the expanded configuration.
In one embodiment, the suitcase 10 can include a frame having a shape and size that is complementary to the shape and size of the rigid back panel. As shown, the frame can include a top rail 31, a bottom rail 32, a rear rail 33 and a front rail 35. In the preferred embodiment, the rear rail 33 can be permanently secured to the upper section 23b of the rear panel by hinge 24c, and the front rail 35 can be permanently secured to the upper section 25b of the front panel by hinge 26c.
In one embodiment, fasteners 36 such as strips of hook and loop material, for example, can be disposed along the top rail 31 and bottom rail 32 to removably secure the top and bottom panels 21 and 22 onto the top and bottom rails, respectively, when the suitcase is in the expanded configuration. Of course, any number of other type of fasteners can be utilized. Although not specifically illustrated, additional fasteners can be provided to removably secure the sides of the top and bottom panels to the sides of the front and rear panels when the suitcase is in the expanded configuration.
In one embodiment, a cover 37 can be permanently secured along one of the frame rails-preferably the rear rail 33-via stitching, hardware or seam tape, for example. As shown, the cover 37 can include a shape and a size that is complementary to the shape of the assembled frame rails, and can include a fastener 38 such as a zipper, for example, to removably secure the sides of the cover to each of the frame rails.
In various embodiments, the cover can be constructed as a rigid panel cover or a non-rigid panel cover, and can function to provide a user with selective access to the interior of the suitcase in both the expanded and collapsed configurations. Although not specifically illustrated, the cover may also include any number of individual pockets each having an independent fastener for securing the same in an open or closed position.
Although described wherein the fastener 38 is positioned rectangularly along the frame rails, this is for illustrative purposes only. To this end, other embodiments are contemplated wherein the cover is permanently secured onto two or more of the frame rails, and the fastener can be positioned at other locations such as extending longitudinally up the middle of the cover body between the top and bottom rails, for example. Of course, other embodiments and arrangements of components are also contemplated.
Next, arrows c and d show the collapsing movement of the front and rear panels with the respective hinges 26b and 24b folding inward toward each other. This movement causes front panels 25a/25b and 23a/23b to collapse downward as shown by arrow e until they are resting on top of the folded top and bottom panels 21 and 22. Finally, the cover 37 can be closed to rest atop the frame which is positioned above the folded panels 21, 22, 23b and 25b.
In this regard, when the suitcase is in the collapsed configuration, the cover is positioned adjacent to the rigid back panel and is separated from the same by only the thickness of the front, rear, top and bottom panels and respective frame rails.
Although dimensions may vary depending on whether the suitcase is designed to function as checked or carry-on luggage, the design of the suitcase is such that the volume or depth (i.e., defined as the direction between the cover 37 and the rigid back plate 11a) can be substantially reduced to permit increased options for allowing a user to store the collapsed suitcase in non-traditional locations such as beneath a bed, in a closet, behind a couch or other such area without requiring a large space bigger than the bag itself in the expanded configuration.
Therefore, in one embodiment, each of the back plate walls 11c, 11d, 11e and 11f can include a depth of approximately 2 inches, each of the front and rear panels include a depth of approximately 4.5 inches, and each of the top and bottom panels include a depth of approximately 9 inches. These dimensions resulting in a suitcase having a total depth of approximately 11 inches in the expanded configuration, and a total depth of approximately 2.25 inches in the collapsed configuration. Such a feature providing an overall reduction in depth of at least 70% in the collapsed configuration. Of course, other embodiments are contemplated wherein one or more of the above noted components include different dimensions.
Although described above with regard to the top and bottom panels folding and the side panels collapsing, the suitcase can be constructed inversely with the top and bottom panels collapsing and the side panels folding. As will be obvious to those of skill in the art, the above described components and method steps are not limiting, as any number of variations can be performed to create a collapsible suitcase device without requiring undue experimentation, and in the spirit of the inventive concepts disclosed herein.
In the preferred embodiment, the wheelbase panel can be secured to the bottom end of the bottom wall 11d by a hinge 83 so as to transition (see arrow f) between the open and closed positions shown at
Conversely, in the closed position, the first surface 81a and casters are positioned within a recessed area 84 located along the outside surface 11b and the front and rear walls of the suitcase back panel. When in the closed position, each of the casters 82 is positioned within the hollow interior space 12a of the above-described caster domes, and the second surface 81b of the wheelbase panel is flush with the bottom surface 11b.
In one embodiment, connectors 85 such as magnets, for example, can be positioned along or embedded within the wheelbase panel, the recessed area 82 and the upper side rail 32 to removably secure the wheelbase in the open and closed positions. Of course, any number of other types of connectors may be utilized. Moreover, such connectors may be positioned at other locations along the wheelbase panel surfaces, the recessed area, the rigid back panel, the bottom panel, and/or front and back side panels, for example, to removably secure the wheelbase in either the open or closed positions.
Although described above with regard to a specific movement of the wheelbase, those of skill in the art will recognize that this is but one possible implementation of a system for selectively deploying the wheelbase between a retracted and extended position, while maintaining the ability for the volume of the suitcase to increase and decrease in the manner described above. Accordingly, other mechanisms for performing this functionality are also contemplated.
Finally,
In one embodiment, a plurality of connectors 93 such as magnets, for example, can be positioned along the liner body and the inside surfaces of the suitcase. These fasteners permit the liner to be securely and removably positioned within the suitcase, and thus allow a user to insert their personal items inside the hollow interior of the liner body to prevent the same from making contact with the inside walls of suitcase itself.
In one embodiment, a fastener 94 such as the illustrated zipper, for example is positioned along the liner in order to allow a user to selectively open and close the liner bag independent of the suitcase itself. Moreover, the liner can include any number of handles 95 to permit a user to lift and use the liner bag separate from the suitcase. Such a feature allowing the liner to function as a soft sided bag independent of the suitcase when the liner is removed from the same.
In the preferred embodiment, the liner will be constructed from a malleable and waterproof material such as nylon fabric, for example, so as to provide protection to user's items when the liner is used with the suitcase or separate therefrom. Of course, any number of other shapes and materials are also contemplated. Moreover, due to the purely malleable nature of the liner, the liner can remain secured within the suitcase body when the suitcase is in both the open and closed orientations.
Accordingly, the above-described collapsible suitcase device provides a comprehensive and novel solution with new benefits over traditional suitcase and luggage systems that is not rendered obvious by any of the known art.
As described herein, one or more elements of the suitcase device 10 can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individually identified elements may be formed together as one or more continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof.
As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the terms “consisting” shall be used to describe only those components identified. In each instance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherently consist of each of those identified elements as well.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 63/166,729 filed on Mar. 26, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63166729 | Mar 2021 | US |
