Luggage compression panel, suitcase and carrying system comprising a luggage compression panel

Abstract

A luggage compression panel for compressing items accommodated in an interior space of luggage. The luggage compression panel includes, but is not limited to, a supporting structure defining a supporting area, and at least one locking mechanism for releasably fixing an engaging member of the luggage on the supporting structure.

Claims

1. A luggage compression panel for compressing items in an interior space of a suitcase, the luggage compression panel comprising: a single supporting structure defining a supporting area; a first locking mechanism integral with a first end of the single supporting structure for releasably fixing a first engaging member of the suitcase; and a second locking mechanism integral with a second end of the single supporting structure, opposite the first end, for releasably fixing a second engaging member of the suitcase, wherein the first locking mechanism is adapted to provide a first frictional connection with the first engaging member, wherein the second locking mechanism is adapted to provide a second frictional connection with the second engaging member, wherein the first engaging member is insertable through a first receiving portion of the first locking mechanism, wherein the second engaging member is insertable through a second receiving portion of the second locking mechanism, wherein the single supporting structure is releasably coupled to the first and second engaging members, wherein the single supporting structure comprises: a rigid frame integral with the first and second receiving portions of the first and second locking mechanisms and defining an outer boundary of the single supporting structure; and a flexible fabric coupled to the rigid frame and extending within the outer boundary, wherein the first and second engaging members extend through the luggage compression panel within an outer perimeter of the luggage compression panel, wherein the first and second receiving portions each comprise a loop coupled to the rigid frame, and wherein the first and second locking mechanisms each comprise a locking plate that restricts movement of the single supporting structure in a first direction away from the items and allows movement of the single supporting structure in a second direction towards the items when the first and second engaging members are inserted through the first and second receiving portions of the first and second locking mechanisms.

2. The luggage compression panel of claim 1, wherein the first and second frictional connections are form-fit engagements.

3. The luggage compression panel of claim 1, wherein the first and second locking mechanisms each comprise a supporting surface on an inside of the loop that faces the rigid frame, the locking plate adapted to move towards and away from the supporting surface.

4. The luggage compression panel of claim 3, wherein the locking plate is at least partially translatory movably arranged in the receiving portion.

5. The luggage compression panel of claim 4, wherein the locking plate is guided in two guiding grooves formed in the receiving portion on opposite sides of the locking plate.

6. The luggage compression panel of claim 5, wherein the guiding grooves are straight.

7. The luggage compression panel of claim 4, wherein the locking plate comprises an opening for mounting a gripping element to the locking plate such that the locking plate is movable into a released position by pulling the gripping element.

8. The luggage compression panel of claim 7, wherein the gripping element is a strap.

9. The luggage compression panel of claim 3, wherein the first and second engaging members comprise grooves and are mountable to a supporting device of the suitcase at one end and insertable through the first and second receiving portions at an opposite end, wherein the locking plate is adapted to engage with the grooves of the engaging member.

10. The luggage compression panel of claim 9, wherein the supporting device of the suitcase is a suitcase chassis.

11. A suitcase, comprising: a base portion forming a first outer shell portion and defining an interior space; a single luggage compression panel having a bottom side and a top side opposite the bottom side disposed in the base portion of the suitcase for compressing items in the interior space, the single luggage compression panel comprising: a flexible fabric; a first locking mechanism disposed at a first end of the single luggage compression panel; and a second locking mechanism disposed at a second end of the single luggage compression panel opposite the first end; a first engaging member mounted in the base portion and adapted to be coupled to the first locking mechanism of the single luggage compression panel; and a second engaging member mounted in the base portion and adapted to be coupled to the second locking mechanism of the single luggage compression panel, wherein the first engaging member is insertable through a first receiving portion of the first locking mechanism and through the single luggage compression panel, wherein the second engaging member is insertable through a second receiving portion of the second locking mechanism and through the single luggage compression panel, wherein the first and second receiving portions each comprise an aperture through which the first and second engaging members extend, the aperture disposed between the bottom side and the top side of the single luggage compression panel, wherein the first and second locking mechanisms allow movement in a locked configuration of the single luggage compression panel only in one direction in order to compress and retain the items, and wherein the first and second engaging members comprise a toothed portion.

12. The suitcase of claim 11, wherein the first and second engaging members comprise engaging recesses.

13. The suitcase of claim 11, further comprising a supporting device mounted on the base portion, wherein the first and second engaging members are mounted on the supporting device.

14. The suitcase of claim 13, wherein the supporting device comprises a rigid pan portion for stiffening the base portion, wherein the first engaging member is mounted on the rigid pan portion.

15. The suitcase of claim 14, wherein the rigid pan portion is in a mounting area of wheels.

16. The suitcase of claim 13, wherein the supporting device further comprises a handle reinforcement portion for accommodating a telescopable handle of the suitcase, wherein the first engaging member is mounted on the handle reinforcement portion.

17. A carrying system, comprising: a suitcase comprising: a base portion defining an interior space for accommodating items to be transported, the base portion forming a first outer shell portion of the suitcase; a first engaging member mounted in the base portion and adapted to be coupled to a luggage compression panel; a second engaging member mounted in the base portion and adapted to be coupled to the luggage compression panel; a supporting device disposed on the base portion, wherein the first and second engaging members are disposed on the supporting device; and a single luggage compression panel for compressing items accommodated in the interior space of the suitcase, the single luggage compression panel comprising: a supporting structure defining a supporting area, a first locking mechanism integral with a first end of the supporting structure for releasably fixing the first engaging member of the suitcase, and a second locking mechanism integral with a second end of the supporting structure, opposite the first end, for releasably fixing the second engaging member of the suitcase, wherein the first engaging member is insertable through a first receiving portion of the first locking mechanism, wherein the second engaging member is insertable through a second receiving portion of the second locking mechanism, wherein the supporting structure comprises: a rigid frame integral with the first and second receiving portions of the first and second locking mechanisms and defining an outer boundary of the supporting structure; and a flexible fabric coupled to the rigid frame and extending within the outer boundary, and wherein the first and second receiving portions each comprise a loop coupled to the rigid frame, wherein the first and second engaging members extend through the loops within an outer perimeter of the single luggage compression panel, wherein the first and second locking mechanisms allow movement in a locked configuration of the single luggage compression panel only in one direction in order to compress and retain the items, and wherein the first and second engaging members comprise a toothed portion.

18. A single luggage compression panel for compressing items in an interior space of a suitcase, the single luggage compression panel comprising: a supporting structure defining a supporting area and comprising a flexible fabric; a first locking mechanism integrated with a first end of the supporting structure for releasably securing a first strap of the suitcase; and a second locking mechanism integrated with a second end of the supporting structure, opposite the first end, for releasably securing a second strap of the suitcase, wherein the first strap is insertable into a first receiving portion of the first locking mechanism and through the single luggage compression panel, wherein the second strap is insertable into a second receiving portion of the second locking mechanism and through the single luggage compression panel, wherein the single luggage compression panel is disposed in a base portion of the suitcase, wherein the first and second straps extend through the first and second receiving portions within an outer perimeter of the single luggage compression panel, and wherein the first and second locking mechanisms adjustably grip the first and second straps along the first and second straps to position the single luggage compression panel at different heights relative to the items.

19. The single luggage compression panel claim 18, wherein the supporting structure comprises a frame defining an outer boundary of the supporting structure.

20. The single luggage compression panel claim 19, wherein the supporting structure comprises a zipper disposed within the outer boundary of the frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a luggage compression panel according to an exemplary embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a luggage compression panel according to a further exemplary embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a locking mechanism of a luggage compression panel according to an exemplary embodiment; and

(5) FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a carrying system according to an exemplary embodiment.

(6) All figures are only schematic depictions of exemplary embodiments in which, in particular, distances and dimensional correlations are not presented to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit application and uses. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or summary or the following detailed description.

(8) FIG. 1 shows a schematic plan view of a luggage compression panel for compressing items accommodated in an interior space of luggage according to an exemplary embodiment. The luggage compression panel 2 comprises a supporting structure 4 including, but not limited to, a frame 70 and a fabric 72 mounted or spanned on the frame 70. The fabric is partially wound about sections of the frame 70 and fixed to the same by sewing a reverted portion of the fabric 72 with another portion of the fabric 72 along the frame 70. In other words, portions of the fabric 72 are reverted and sewn such that channels are formed in which portions of the frame 70 are accommodated. In this way, the fabric is fixed on the frame under tension such that the fabric extends substantially in a two-dimensional manner within the frame.

(9) In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the fabric 72 is structured in a double-layer manner meaning that two fabric layers are arranged on each other thereby forming an interior space between the same which can be used as compartment for stowing items. For that, a zipper 74 is provided by means of which access to the compartment is selectively possible.

(10) The frame 70 can be formed integrally or may be formed from multiple frame sections. In the embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the frame is built from two frame sections which are coupled to each other by means of locking mechanisms 6, 8. One frame section is shown in the upper half of FIG. 1 and one frame section is shown in the lower half of FIG. 1 wherein each frame section comprises a U-shape with their free ends coupled to each other by means of the locking mechanisms 6, 8. In the embodiment, aluminum is used for the frame elements but other materials, preferably light-weight materials, may be used instead.

(11) On opposite sides of the support structure 4, locking mechanisms 6, 8 are provided for an engagement with an engagement member of luggage. The locking mechanisms comprise similar components and are inversely arranged on the support structure. The detailed construction of the locking mechanisms 6, 8 is explained in the following with reference to FIG. 3.

(12) FIG. 3 shows a perspective schematic view of one locking mechanism 6, 8. The locking mechanism 6, 8 are adapted to receive an engaging member 12, 14 of luggage, e.g. a suitcase as shown in FIG. 4, and to releasably lock a movement of the engaging member with respect to the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism 6, 8 comprises a base portion 28 being formed so as to comprise a hollow interior section 29 for accommodating end portions of frame elements of the support structure 4. In FIG. 3, the hollow interior section 29 is adapted to the shape of the frame element to be coupled thereto and in the exemplary case has a square shape. In this way, a non-rotating connection between the frame element and the locking mechanism can be achieved providing an enhance force transmission.

(13) In the middle section of the base portion 28, a receiving portion 16 is formed for receiving an engaging member 12, 14. FIG. 3 shows a state in which an end 12a, 14a of the engaging member 12, 14 is passed through the receiving portion 16. The receiving portion 16 is formed loop like and comprises a U-shape the free ends of both legs of which being coupled to the base portion 28. On the inside of the receiving portion 16, a supporting surface 18 is provided which faces the base portion 28. This supporting surface 18 is provided for forming an abutment portion against which the engaging member 12, 14 inserted in the receiving portion 16 can be supported. The surface of the engaging member 12, 14 facing the supporting surface 18 as well as the supporting surface are substantially smooth so that there is no considerable friction between these surfaces. This allows an easy insertion of the engaging member 12, 14 into the receiving portion 16.

(14) The locking mechanism 6, 8 further comprises a latching member in the form of a locking plate 20 which is translatory movably arranged with respect to the supporting surface 18. For that, guiding portions 24 arranged on opposite sides of the locking plate 20 are slidably guided in substantially straight guiding grooves 17 formed in the legs of the receiving portion 16. In the guiding grooves 17, a biasing means in the form of a spring (not shown) is arranged for biasing the latching plate 20 towards the supporting surface 18. Consequently, if no counter force is applied on the latching plate 20, the latching plate 20 is moved towards the supporting surface 18 until it abuts the same. Consequently, in case the engaging member 12, 14 is inserted in the receiving portion 16, the latching plate 20 abuts against a side of the engaging member 12, 14 which is opposite to the side facing the supporting surface 18. By this, the engaging member is pressed against the supporting surface 18 by means of the latching plate 20.

(15) As is shown in FIG. 4, the engaging members 12, 14 comprise engaging grooves 15 and are formed as ratchet straps. The latching plate 20 is formed such that its front end or edge facing the supporting surface 18 is able to engage with the engaging grooves 15. Depending on the shape of the grooves provided in the engaging members, a movement of the engaging members 12, 14 with respect to the latching plate 20 is prevented. In this embodiment, the engaging grooves 15 are formed in the shape of ratchet teeth each of which comprising tooth flanks with an inclined surface and a vertical surface wherein the teeth are formed such that the vertical surfaces are arranged on the lower sides of the teeth in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the inclined surfaces are arranged on the upper sides. By this, pushing the engaging members into the receiving portions from below or pushing the compression panel 2 on the engaging members 12, 14 from above is possible because the inclined surface of the teeth will push the locking plate 20 in a direction against the biasing force. In other words, with this configuration, the locking mechanism acts in only one direction in that a movement of the compression panel in the upward direction in FIGS. 3 and 4 is not possible and a movement in the opposite direction is allowed. In this way, a user can push the compression panel onto the items to be accommodated in the piece of luggage and the locking mechanisms 6, 8 or rather the locking plates 20 of the same will ride over the teeth of the engaging members 12, 14.

(16) On the other hand, the locking mechanisms 6, 8 prevent a movement in the opposite direction so that a compressed state is maintained. In order to release the locking of the locking mechanisms 6, 8, the locking plate 20 comprises an opening 22 by means of which a gripping element or pull tabs in the form of a textile loop 26 is fixed. A user can use this textile loop 26 for pulling the locking plate 20 in a direction against the biasing force and away from the engaging members 12, 14 so that an engagement between the locking plate 20 and the engaging grooves 15 or teeth is released and the compression panel can be removed from the engaging members 12, 14.

(17) FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of a compression panel 2. In this embodiment, webbings 78, 80, 82 are spanned on the frame 70. These webbings 78, 80, 82 add additional structure to the compression panel in that they prevent a deformation of a fabric 72 to a great extent. The webbings 78, 80, 82 are provided on a side of the compression panel which faces the items to be compressed in luggage. The webbings 78, 80, 82 are stitched to the liner 76 in a way as depicted by the dashed lines in FIG. 2. As material for the webbings 78, 80, 82, a fabric being thicker than the liner material is used in order to provide additional stability. It is noted that the structure as shown in FIG. 2 may form the opposite side of the compression panel 2 as shown in FIG. 1. By this, a use of above described compartment in the compression panel 2 can still be used in a compressed state in which the compression panel presses against the items to be accommodated in the piece of luggage. It is noted that the compartment as described here is formed between the fabric 72 and the liner 76.

(18) FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of a carrying system according to an exemplary embodiment. The carrying system 10 comprises a suitcase 10 and a compression panel 2 as described before. The suitcase 10 comprises a base portion 50 defining an interior space for accommodating items to be transported therein. In this embodiment, the base portion 50 forms an outer shell of the suitcase 10. The base portion 50 comprises a mounting area of wheels 52, 54. Furthermore, the suitcase 10 comprises a supporting device 40 which renders the base portion more rigid and allows to use a comparatively soft material for the outer shell. The supporting device 40 comprises a rigid pan portion 44 for stiffening the base portion in the mounting area of wheels 52, 54. Furthermore, the supporting device 40 comprises a handle reinforcement portion 42 for accommodating a telescopable handle of the suitcase. The handle reinforcement portion is coupled to the rigid pan portion 44 by means of parallel tubes 46, 48 in each of which a telescopable bar coupled to the handle can be slidably accommodated. On the pan portion, engaging member 12 is fixed whereas on the handle reinforcement portion 42 engaging member 14 is fixed. In the present embodiment, one end of the engaging members 12, 14 is riveted to the respective portions of the supporting device 40. The free ends 12a, 14a of both engaging members are oriented away from the base portion 50. The supporting device 40 is fixed on the base portion 50 on a side forming the rear side wall of the suitcase and such that at least the handle accommodated in the handle receiving portion is accessible from the rear side of the suitcase. Accordingly, the supporting device 40 forms an interior chassis of the suitcase 10.

(19) Pivotably arranged and coupled to the base portion 50 is a lid 60 of the suitcase 10. The lid 60 comprises an interior pocket 62 which is accessible via a zipper 64. In the present embodiment, the lid is also closable on the base portion 50 by means of a zipper (not shown).

(20) An inner liner bag 30 forming an interior space 32 for accommodating items to be transported in the suitcase is provided in the base portion 50 such that the supporting device 40 is covered by the same. The inner liner bag 30 comprises two opening 34, 36 at positions which allow to pass the engaging members 12, 14 therethrough.

(21) The compression panel 2 is adapted to the shape of the inner liner bag 30. In order to compress items, particularly clothes, accommodated in the liner bag 30, the engaging members 12, 14 protruding from the openings 34, 36 are first inserted into the locking mechanisms 6, 8 of the compression panel 2. Subsequently, the compression panel is pushed towards the items accommodated in the liner bag 30 by the user in order to compress them. The interaction between the locking mechanisms 6, 8 and the engaging members 12, 14 leads to a condition in which the compression panel 2 remains pressed against the items even if the user stops exerting a pushing force on the compression panel 2. In this way, the items are compressed and securely stowed in the suitcase. In order to remove the compression panel and get access to the items, the user can pull the pull tabs 26 thereby releasing the engagement of the locking mechanisms 6, 8.

(22) In conclusion, it is pointed out that terms like “comprising” or the like are not intended to rule out the provision of additional elements or steps. Let it further be noted that “a” or “an” do not preclude a plurality. In addition, features described in conjunction with the different embodiments can be combined with each other however desired. It is also noted that the reference numbers in the claims are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. Moreover, while at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing summary and detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist.

(23) It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.