Patent Application
20130140118
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a suitcase, and more generally to luggage and/or travel bags. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to expandable suitcases, articles of luggage and/or travel bags, and more particularly to hard-sided expandable suitcases, articles of luggage or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
The needs of travelers for luggage space can vary considerably, depending on the duration of a trip, the nature of the trip in terms of the types of clothing and other gear required, and the climate of the destination. For example, regardless of the purpose and the climate, a traveler does not need as much luggage space for a trip of short duration as for a long one. Generally, a business traveler does not need as much luggage space as a recreational traveler, especially one who needs both casual and dress clothes. In most cases, men need less luggage space than women.
One way for travelers to provide for both smaller and larger luggage space requirements is to have a moderately sized suitcase for some trips and a large one for other trips. Another way is to have two moderate sized suitcases and use only one when possible and use both when a larger capacity is needed. There have also been various proposals for expandable luggage. An expandable article of luggage offers the traveler a possible savings in cost as compared to the costs of purchasing more than one piece of luggage. Moreover, the capability of expanding a piece of luggage permits a traveler to change the carrying capacity in the course of a trip. Not infrequently, a traveler will make purchases on a trip and will need more room for the return trip than for travel to a destination.
Most currently available luggage having a variable volume is of the “soft” type, such as a duffle bag with expandable sections that can be collapsed and secured to a main section. To the extent expandable “hard” luggage exists, most generally lack rigidity when expanded due to inadequate linking of separate rigid frame components that move away from each other when the luggage is expanded.
The few known articles of hard luggage that possess a rigid expansion portion generally comprise two rigid shells, where one is slidable or extendable from the other. Such type of assembly requires significant manufacturing of slidable tracks or frames to be built into the interior of the luggage often increasing the weight and cost of the luggage. In addition, due to the nature of luggage frequently being dropped, banged, or bumped by airline personnel or the like, such tracks and frames often become dislodged, rending the expandable portion of such luggage useless.
Moreover, all known suitcases and articles of luggage are generally limited to a single expansion stage. That is, the suitcase can either be in an expanded position or a non-expanded position, without a third position/ size.
Thus, there is a need for an improved expandable suitcase and methods thereof.
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a suitcase, and more generally to luggage and/or travel bags. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to expandable suitcases, articles of luggage and/or travel bags, and more particularly to hard-sided expandable suitcases, articles of luggage or the like.
In one embodiment of the present invention, an expandable suitcase comprises: a front portion; a back portion; a plurality of side panels, each side panel aligning with one of a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side of the suitcase, and each side panel having a primary board, at least a first side board rotatably connected to the primary board about a common edge therewith, and a first side flap rotatably connected to the first side board about a common edge opposing the common edge with the primary board; and a plurality of hinges disposed at an intersection of two side panels, each hinge comprising a first hinge panel attached to one of the side panels and a second hinge panel connected to the other side panel, wherein the hinge remains in a substantially planar position in a rested state.
In another embodiment of the present invention, an expandable suitcase comprises: a front portion; a back portion; a plurality of side panels, each side panel aligning with one of a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side of the suitcase, and each side panel comprising: a primary board; at least a first side board rotatably connected to the primary board about a common edge therewith, and a first side flap rotatably connected to the first side board about a common edge opposing the common edge with the primary board; and a second side board rotatably connected to the primary board about a common edge opposing the common edge between the primary board and the first side board, and a second side flap rotatably connected to the second side board about a common edge opposing the common edge with the primary board; a plurality of hinges disposed at an intersection of two side panels, each hinge comprising a first hinge panel attached to one of the side panels, a second hinge panel connected to the other side panel, a spine for providing an axis about which the first and second hinge panels may rotate, wherein each of the hinges is spring-loaded to hold the hinge in a substantially planar position in a rested state.
In yet another embodiment, a method of expanding a suitcase comprises: providing an expandable suitcase, the expandable suitcase comprising a front portion; a back portion; a plurality of side panels, each side panel aligning with one of a top, a bottom, a first side, and a second side of the suitcase, and each side panel having a primary board, at least a first side board rotatably connected to the primary board about a common edge therewith, and a first side flap rotatably connected to the first side board about a common edge opposing the common edge with the primary board; and a plurality of hinges disposed at an intersection of two side panels, each hinge comprising a first hinge panel attached to one of the side panels and a second hinge panel connected to the other side panel, wherein the hinge remains in a substantially planar position in a rested state; retracting each of the plurality of hinges towards a center of the suitcase; extending each of the first side flaps of each of the plurality of side panels; and releasing the plurality of hinges.
So the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of embodiments of the present invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of embodiments encompassed within the scope of the present invention, and, therefore, are not to be considered limiting, for the present invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments, wherein:
The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word may is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include”, “including”, and “includes” mean including but not limited to. To facilitate understanding, like reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate like elements common to the figures.
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a suitcase, and more generally to luggage and/or travel bags. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to expandable suitcases, articles of luggage and/or travel bags, and more particularly to hard-sided expandable suitcases, articles of luggage or the like.
Embodiments of the present invention may generally be described herein with respect to a hard-sided suitcase for carrying and/or storing different types of articles. As utilized herein, the phrase hard-sided and similar or related terms, are intended to distinguish between rigid or semi-rigid materials (e.g., metals, polymers, etc.) and pliable materials that are substantially incapable of retaining their shape with marginal force applied thereon (e.g., fabric, canvas, etc.). While many embodiments of the present invention are directed to hard-sided suitcases, articles of luggage and bags, any type of voluminous apparatus may be suitable for the structural and functional teachings disclosed herein. In addition, the term “suitcase” or variations thereof should be understood to be inclusive of any type of luggage, bag, briefcase, business case, travel bag or the like.
The front portion 120 and the back portion 110 may each generally comprise a shell, which form one or more storage compartments for the suitcase 100. In many embodiments, the shell comprises a hard-sided shell, although some embodiments may also utilize a pliable material formed about a rigid frame to create the shell. Each shell may comprise any material suitable for embodiments of the present invention.
In many embodiments, the shell comprises one of a thermoplastic material composition or similar composition. In some embodiment, the shell comprises a polycarbonate composition, which may enable the shells to be flexible, while maintaining a generally rigid form. When an external force is applied to the shells, the polycarbonate composition may allow the shells to absorb the impact from the force without cracking or breaking. Alternative embodiments may provide materials such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), combinations thereof, including combinations utilizing polycarbonate, or the like.
On the interior of the suitcase, surrounding the top, bottom and side walls thereof, are side panels made in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
As shown in the Figure, a side panel 400 generally comprises a primary board 402 centered between a first side board 404 and a second side board 406. Extending off of each of the side boards are a first side flap 408 and a second side flap 409, respectively.
In many embodiments, the structure of the side panel 400 may generally comprises a primary support structure 410, a body material 420 and a covering 430 for exposure to an inside surface of suitcase. The primary support structure 410 may generally comprise a durable, substantially rigid material suitable for embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the primary support structure 410 comprises a thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene or the like. In one embodiment, where a strength to weight ratio is concerned, the primary support structure 410 comprises a thermoplastic material formed into a honeycomb shape, or similar structure. Exemplary materials may include ABS, EVA, polycarbonate, combinations thereof, or the like.
The body material 420 may generally comprise any material suitable to surround the primary support structure 410 and form the basis for the functional aspects of the side panel 400 described herein. In many embodiments, the body material 420 comprises a fabric or similar material, suitable to allow the sections of the side panel 400 to bend and fold where appropriate. Alternative embodiments may provide similar materials, such as any woven or nonwoven cloth, canvas, pliable polymers or the like.
The covering 430 may generally comprise any suitable material that is commonly used as a suitcase liner. Such common examples of liners include nylon, polyester, cotton, combinations thereof, or the like.
Once the side panel 400 is assembled, each of the first side board 404 and the second side board 406 may be rotatable about respective common edges 442 and 444 with the primary board 402. In addition, the first side flap 408 is generally rotatable about a common edge 405 with the first side board 404, as will be explained in more detail herein. Similarly, the second side flap 409 is generally rotatable about a common edge 407 with the second side board 406.
As shown in the Figure, the first side flap 508 and the second side flap 510 may be rotated about the respective common edges with first side board 504 and the second side board 506, back towards the front surface of primary board. In many embodiments, the first side flap 508 and the second side flap 510 may be rotated until a front surface of each of the side flaps is substantially touching or is close to touching the front surface of each of the respective side boards.
In many embodiments, the first side flap 508 would be affixed to either the front portion or back potion of the suitcase, or similar structural component of the suitcase, and the second side flap 510 would be affixed to the opposing portion. As such, when in use, the back surface of the side panel appears between the front portion and back portion of the suitcase, and is visible as the expandable portion as shown in
While difficult to ascertain from the Figure alone, in order to modify the side panel 500 from the closed position as shown in the Figure to the open position shown in
In alternative embodiments of the present invention, it should be appreciated that a side panel may be provided with only a primary board, a first side board, and a first side flap. In such an embodiment, a suitcase may still be expandable to the extent the first side board and first side flap are capable of collapsing and opening in a manner similar to that described herein.
The corner hinge 610 generally comprises a first hinge panel 615, a second hinge panel 617, and a spine 616 which serves as an axis about which the first and second hinge panels may rotate. In many embodiments, the spine 616 is constructed similar to a a door hinge in that a pin may be placed through commonly aligned channels in both the first hinge panel 615 and the second hinge panel 617, forming a rotatable axis.
The hinge 610 also generally comprises a ring 614 or other protrusion, which extends from the spine 616. The ring 614 may comprise any structure suitable to allow a user to operate the hinge as described herein. In many embodiments, the hinge 610 comprises a means 612 for attaching to the side panels. In one embodiment, the means for attaching 612 may comprise any of a screw, bolt, rivet, nail, staple, chemical composition (e.g., glue or epoxy) or similar fastening mechanism. The nature of the means for attaching 612 generally provides an angled flange in addition to the actual fastening means, whereby the angled flange generally allows for each of the side panels to remain perpendicular to one another. As shown in the Figure, the hinge 610 generally attaches to the front surface of each of the side panels, and affixes to the primary board 602 of each side panel.
In many embodiments, in order for the side panels to operate properly, each of the rings 914 of each of the hinges 910 may be pulled at substantially the same time, thus relieving the forces on all the side panels. In many embodiments, a hinge retraction means (not shown) may be provided to accommodate such task. In one embodiment, the hinge retraction means comprises a plural of strings, each affixed to a different ring, which may be pulled simultaneously. In another embodiment, the hinge retraction means comprises a pair of cloth or fabric handles, each of each handle affixed to a pair of hinges. In some embodiments, handles may be part of integrated pockets or pouches within the suitcase. In yet another embodiment, the hinge retraction means comprises a fabric or cloth affixed to all of the rings, for example, if shaped in an x-type pattern.
At step 1030, a user retracts each of the corner hinges. Generally, a user may pull a ring on a spine of each hinge towards the center of the suitcase to retract each hinge. In some embodiments, the user may utilize a hinge retraction means for each hinge. While the hinges are retracted, at step 1040, the user may extend each of the side flaps of each of the side panels to create the expanded portion of the suitcase. In many embodiments, the user may be able to pull on a structural component of the suitcase, such as an end of the front portion of the suitcase to facilitate the expansion.
In an exemplary embodiment, while the user is retracting the hinges with one hand, for example, by pulling on two handles where each handle is connected to two hinges, the user may use the other hand two push downward on an interior surface of the back portion of the suitcase to extend each of the side flaps of the side panels. Where the suitcase is positioned on a bed, table or other rigid surface, the same opposing force may be achieved by putting a hand on the inner surface of the back portion of the suitcase, and pulling up with the other hand that is also holding the handles that retract each of the hinges.
In certain embodiments, where each side panel has a first and second side flap, the user may have to doubly expand the suitcase by extending each of the second side flaps. Similar to the steps described above, once the first side flaps are extended, the user may extend the second side flaps in a similar fashion. For example, by holding the same set of handles to retract the hinges, the user may grab the front portion of the suitcase and pull up to extend the second side flaps. In certain embodiments, a second set of handles may be provided to facilitate the second extension, where the second set of handles are connected to the front portion of the suitcase, and the user may grab them to achieve the extension of the second side flaps.
While the extension of the first and second side flaps may be achieved in two separate expansion phases, it is not uncommon in such embodiments for the user to accomplish the extension of both the first and second side flaps of each side panel with a single motion. However, in certain embodiments, only one of the two side flaps may be extended if full expansion is not desired.
Once the user has expanded all of the desired side flaps, as step 1050, the user may release the corner hinges. The resulting suitcase will be fully expanded in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The method 1000 ends at step 1060.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.
