SECURING STRAP FOR A WHEELED SUITCASE

Abstract

A securing strap for a wheeled suitcase with a telescopic handle is formed as an elastic strap provided with a securing device at each narrow side.

Description

The invention relates to a securing strap for a wheeled suitcase having a telescopic handle.

Wheeled suitcases of this type are known and successful in a multiplicity of embodiments. Independent of the design embodiment of such a wheeled suitcase, for example having two or four wheels, the handle, which for transport is deployed, lies significantly above the upper side of the actual suitcase. To this extent, it is not surprising to see further items of baggage being placed onto the upper side of the suitcase and resting against the telescopic extensions. However, items of baggage which have been placed in this manner tend to fall off once the wheeled suitcase is moved.

In order to prevent this from happening, a securing strap for a wheeled suitcase having a telescopic handle is proposed according to the invention, in which securing strap an elastic band, on each narrow side, is provided with a fixing device.

Such an elastic strap, at a first end, is attached to the carrying handle of the wheeled suitcase by way of the fixing device, and is guided over an item of baggage which is placed onto the upper side of the suitcase and rests against the telescopic extensions, so as to, at the second end, then to be attached to the handle or the telescopic extensions by way of the fixing device.

In a simple exemplary embodiment it is provided that a fixing device is configured by a bar which, at the end of the strap, is fixed transversely to the longitudinal extent of the strap and projects from the lateral peripheries of the strap.

The strap can be wrapped about the bar and be adhesively bonded to the latter, for example, in a manner which is simple in terms of production. The length of the bar here is to be chosen in such a manner that said length is sized so as to be larger than the width of the handle opening of the carrying handle of the wheeled suitcase. The bar is then guided through the handle opening of the carrying handle and rotated such that those portions of the bar that project from the lateral peripheries of the strap lock in relation to the carrying handle.

Such a bar as a fixing device is also suitable for being fixed in relation to two telescopic extensions on the lower side of the handle.

In the different design embodiment of wheeled suitcases in terms of the spacing of such telescopic extensions, or in terms of the size of handle openings of the carrying handle, respectively, it is advantageous for the bar to be telescopic. On the one hand, such a bar can be readily adjusted to different projections in relation to the lateral peripheries of the strap and, when said bar is collapsed, preferably barely projects from said lateral peripheries anymore. This is advantageous when said strap is not in use, because such a securing strap can then be readily stored in a bag or the like.

Alternatively, the fixing device can be configured in the manner of a handle. In this instance, significantly more force can be applied for bracing an item of baggage on the upper side of the wheeled suitcase in relation to one or two telescopic extensions. When the handle projects from the lateral peripheries of the strap, such a strap can be fixed according to the preceding exemplary embodiment. When the handle of the wheeled suitcase is adjustable only on one telescopic extension, this handle has at least one free end onto which the handle can be pushed by way of the handle opening of the latter.

In a configuration of the fixing device in the manner of a handle having a handle opening, it is preferable for a slot for introducing the strap into the handle opening to be provided in the handle, said slot preferably running transversely to the longitudinal extent of the strap. Such a fixing device has the advantage that almost arbitrary fixing is possible when the strap is wrapped about the carrying handle or the handle, possibly about a telescopic extension, and thereafter is introduced into the lateral slot. A loop for fixing on almost arbitrary elements which are at least in portions configured in the manner of bars is thus configured by the strap.

It has furthermore proven expedient for the fixing device to have a groove in which the narrow side of the strap is fixed.

The securing strap according to the invention can be produced in a cost-effective manner when it is provided that the two fixing devices at the strap ends are of identical configuration.

Alternatively, it can be provided that a fixing device is configured in the manner of a box or a pouch, this providing simple storage of the rolled-up or folded-up strap when not in use. A further alternative is represented by a cutout in the strap at one strap end. When the other end of the strap is pulled through such a cutout in the strap, a loop for almost arbitrary fixing is configured.

When the securing strap according to the invention is rolled up when not in use, said strap will unroll by virtue of elasticity of the latter. In order for this to be prevented, a press stud closure which is situated on an encircling tape or on the elastic strap per se can furthermore be provided.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment of a fixing device, the latter is again configured in the manner of a handle in which two parallel slots are provided. As opposed to the exemplary embodiment discussed above, the slots are in each case fully bordered.

In a further design embodiment of this exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the first slot, which is closest to the handle opening, is wider than the second slot running parallel to said first slot.

In a refinement, the slots for the elastic strap have introduction regions that constrict in the manner of a funnel.

The elastic strap is introduced in a simple manner into the first slot, wraps a web that separates the two slots, and is guided through the second slot in the direction opposite to that of the first slot.

The width of the second slot is sized so as to be only slightly larger than the material thickness of the strap. Once the strap has been guided through the second slot, the strap, when tensioned, locks on the handle without further measures being required.

The essence of the invention will be explained in more detail by means of the drawing in which only exemplary embodiments are illustrated in a schematic manner and not-to-scale. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a front view of diagrammatic wheeled suitcase having a further item of baggage which is placed thereon and held by a securing strap;

FIG. 2 shows a variant of the securing strap as per FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a securing strap having a handle;

FIG. 4 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a handle;

FIG. 5 shows a lateral illustration according to the arrow V in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows an enlarged section according to the line VI, VI in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 7 shows an isometric illustration of the handle.

FIG. 1 in a front view shows a diagram of the wheeled suitcase 1 having a handle 2 on two telescopic extensions 3, 4. A further item of baggage 8 is placed on the upper side 5 of the actual suitcase 6 having the carrying handle 7. The item of baggage 8 is securely held on the upper side 5 and against the two telescopic extensions 3, 4 by a securing strap 9.

The securing strap 9 has an elastic strap 10, preferably from a plastics material, fastening devices in the form of bars 11, 12 being fixed to the narrow sides of said securing strap 9.

The bars 11, 12 extend transversely to the longitudinal extent of the strap 10 and project from the lateral peripheries 13, 14 of the latter. This projection is sized in such a manner that the bar 12, once guided through the handle opening 15 of the carrying handle 7 and placed transversely, is locked.

The projections of the bar 11 at the other end of the strap 10 correspondingly lock in relation to the telescopic extensions 3, 4. It will depend on the size of the item of baggage 8 and on the length of the strap 10 here as to whether locking takes place as illustrated, or whether the strap 10 is also guided across the handle 2 such that the bar 11 in this instance locks from the front in relation to the telescopic extensions 3, 4.

FIG. 2, to the left of a central line 18, shows a securing strap 19 having a strap 20, unwound from a bar 21 as a fixing device, and, to the right of the central line 18, shows the securing strap 19′ when not in use. In this exemplary embodiment of a securing strap 19, the bar 21 is configured in the manner of a telescope and can be adjusted to various spacings of telescopic extensions or to widths of handle openings. The bar 21, at the free end thereof, has an end disk 22 on which the telescopic bar 21 can be very easily extracted, said end disk 22 on the other hand preventing that the bar 21 is excessively collapsed.

Moreover, the end disk 22′, in the case of a retracted bar, serves as a guide for winding up the strap 20′.

Of course, a fixing device of identical type can be provided at the other end of the strap 20.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, a fixing device 23 in the manner of a box is however provided there, said fixing device 23 serving for receiving the wound-up strap 20′ when not in use—FIG. 2, right half of the image.

In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, a handle 27 as a fixing device is provided on a narrow side of an elastic strap 26. The handle 27 has a straight web 28 which, on the lower side, is provided with a groove for receiving the narrow side of the elastic strap 26. A handle arc 29, by way of which a handle opening 30 is defined, arches across the web 28. The strap, upon wrapping a handle or carrying handle, can be introduced into the handle opening 30 through a slot 31, as a result of which a loop for fixing the strap 26 is configured.

Such a handle 27 is less suitable for winding up the strap 26. Against this background, the other end of the strap 26 is provided with a pouch 32, comparable to a mobile phone pouch, which serves for receiving the folded strap 26 and the handle 27.

A further exemplary embodiment in the form of a handle 35 will be explained by means of FIGS. 4 to 7. A wide portion 37 adjoins the handle opening 36 below the latter. Two parallel slots 38, 39 are incorporated in the portion 37. As opposed to the exemplary embodiment explained above, both slots 38, 39 are fully bordered.

In order for an elastic strap to be fixed to the handle 35, this strap is first guided through the comparatively wide slot 38, wrapped about the web 40 and guided in the opposite direction through the second slot 39, the latter being sized so as to be only slightly wider that the material thickness of the strap.

When put under tension, said strap then locks on the handle 35. Destressing said strap again allows the latter to be guided through the two slots 38, 39, and thus for the strap length to be readily adapted to the given situation.

Beads 41 to 43 are configured on both sides of the slots 38, 39 in order for the strap to be readily introduced, introduction regions 44, 45 which constrict in the manner of a funnel being configured by said beads 41 to 43.

Claims

1-13. (canceled)

14. A securing strap for a wheeled suitcase having a telescopic handle, the securing strap comprising an elastic strap which, on each end side, is provided with a fixing device.

15. The securing strap according to claim 14, wherein said fixing device is a bar which, at an end of said strap, is fixed transversely to a longitudinal extent of said strap and projects from lateral peripheries of said strap.

16. The securing strap according to claim 15, wherein said bar is a telescopic bar.

17. The securing strap according to claim 14, wherein said fixing device is configured as a handle.

18. The securing strap according to claim 17, wherein said handle is formed with a handle opening and with a slot for introducing said strap into said handle opening.

19. The securing strap according to claim 14, wherein said fixing device is formed with a groove and a narrow side of said strap is fixed in said groove.

20. The securing strap according to claim 14, wherein two said fixing devices at ends of said strap have an identical configuration.

21. The securing strap according to claim 14, wherein said fixing device is formed as a box or a pouch.

22. The securing strap according to claim 14, wherein said fixing device is a cutout in said strap.

23. The securing strap according to claim 14, further comprising a press stud closure.

24. The securing strap according to claim 14, wherein said fixing device is configured as a handle and said handle is formed with two parallel slots.

25. The securing strap according to claim 24, wherein each of said slots is fully bordered.

26. The securing strap according to claim 24, wherein a first said slot, which is closest to a handle opening, is wider than a second said slot running parallel to the first said slot.

27. The securing strap according to claim 24, wherein said slots are formed with introduction regions that constrict in a shape of a funnel.