Transport case for a folding bicycle

Abstract

A transport case for a folding bicycle has a base with a first wall element connected along an edge. A connection device can be used to fix the first wall element to an element of the transport case to produce an interior of a first volume. Another connection device can be used to fix the first wall element to an element of the transport case to produce an interior of a second volume. The first volume is bigger than the second volume.

Claims

1. A transport case for a folding bicycle, comprising: a base; and at least a first wall element connected to the base along an edge of said base, wherein the first wall element is fixable to a first element of the transport case by a first connection device so that an interior of the transport case has a first volume, wherein the first wall element is fixable to the first or a second element of the transport case by a second connection device so that the interior of the transport case has a second volume, and wherein the first volume is larger than the second volume.

2. The transport case according to claim 1, wherein the transport case is configurable for use as a rucksack when the first wall element is fixed by the second connection device, wherein the base of the transport case is arranged in such a way that it will face a back of a wearer of the rucksack.

3. The transport case according to claim 1 wherein the first connection device and/or the second connection device is a positive-locking connection device.

4. The transport case according to claim 3, wherein the positive-locking connection device functions as a a positive-locking element for both the first connection device and the second connection device.

5. The transport case according to claim 2 further comprising at least two tabs arranged on the base, wherein said at least two tabs can be brought into a first position, in which they cover the base on an outer side, and into a second position wherein shoulder straps are accessible.

6. The transport case according to claim 5, further comprising at least one positive-locking element located on the at least two tabs.

7. The transport case according to claim 1, further comprising a second wall element, wherein the first wall element is fixable to the second wall element by the first connection device, and wherein a loading opening is situated between the first wall element and the second wall element through which the first volume can be accessed when the first wall element is fixed to another element of the transport case neither by the first connection device nor the second connection device.

8. The transport case according to claim 1 further comprising a plastic board within or on the transport case.

9. The transport case according to claim 3 wherein the positive connection device comprises at least one zip and/or at least one hook and loop fastener.

10. The transport case of claim 4 wherein the positive locking element is arranged on the first wall element.

11. The transport case of claim 6 wherein the at least one positive locking element is or is part of the second connection device.

12. The transport case of claim 8 wherein the plastic board features a plurality of openings and/or hollow chambers.

13. The transport case of claim 12 wherein the plurality of openings and/or hollow chambers are circular or hexagonal.

14. The transport case of claim 12 wherein the plurality of openings and/or hollow chambers are configured as a honeycomb structure.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the following, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail by way of the attached figures: They show

[0028] FIG. 1a side view of a transport case,

[0029] FIG. 2a view of the transport case from below,

[0030] FIG. 3a view from below with unfolded tabs and

[0031] FIG. 4the representation of the transport case in the second state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] FIG. 1 depicts a transport case according to a first example of an embodiment of the present invention. It has a base 2, which features a frame 4 that affords the base 2 sufficient stability. The frame 4 has two wheels 6, by means of which the transport case can be moved. Above the base 2 is a first wall element 8 and a second wall element 10 which, together with the base 2, completely enclose the interior of the transport case. A drawbar eye 12 is situated on the second wall element 10. The transport case can be lifted up by said drawbar eye until the only contact between the transport case and the ground is via the wheels 6. In this state, the transport case can be easily moved.

[0033] The first wall element 8 is fixed to the second wall element 10 by means of a first connection device 14, only depicted schematically, that is designed as a zip in the example of an embodiment shown. In this state, the interior of the transport case has the first volume, which is large enough to accommodate a folding bicycle. To this end, in the example of an embodiment shown, the first connection device 14 is released, such that the first wall element 8, which is connected to the base 2 along an edge 16, can be swiveled about the edge 16 relative to the base 2. This creates an opening through which a folding bicycle can be pushed into the second wall element 10. Use is subsequently restored via the first connection element 14 and the transport case closed.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a view of the transport case from FIG. 1 from below. The frame 4 of the base 2 and the two wheels 6 are visible. Two tabs 18 are situated on the base 2, said tabs being fixed to a plastic board 22 via, for example, velcro elements 20. The plastic board 22 with the frame 4 forms part of the base and ensures sufficient stability. The two tabs 18 feature protective strips 24, which, in the position of the transport case shown in FIG. 1, come into contact with the ground and serve to protect the lower side of the base 2 of the transport case.

[0035] FIG. 3 depicts the representation from FIG. 2, rotated by 90, with open tabs 18. The velcro elements 20 have been released and the tabs 18 unfolded. The wheels 6, the frame 4 and the plastic board 22 still form the base 2. By unfolding the tabs 18, two shoulder straps 26 become accessible from outside. In the representation in FIG. 2, they are arranged between the tabs 18 and the plastic board 22 and as such are not visible. Thanks to these shoulder straps 26, the transport case can be used as a rucksack.

[0036] Parts of the second connection device 28 can be seen on the unfolded tabs 18. This refers to a zip part, which can engage with a part of the zip that forms the first connection device 14.

[0037] FIG. 4 depicts how the transport case can be used as a rucksack from a side view. The frame 4 of the base 2 faces the back of a user, not depicted. The shoulder straps 26 are released so far from the base 2 that they are only connected to it at the upper and lower ends and can therefore be used as shoulder straps 26. The wheels 6 are situated at the lower end of the base 2. A part of the first wall element 8 is folded inwards, such that the first wall element 8 is fixed to the tabs 18 via the second connection device 28. As a result, the interior of the transport case has become smaller and now only contains the second volume.

[0038] In FIG. 4, a clothing bag 30 is now situated in this interior. This may be designed to be waterproof and made of durable material, thereby forming an inner bag or inner case in which the transported item is safely stored. This is especially advantageous with small transported items, as there may be small spaces and gaps between individual parts of the transport case, such as the base 2, the first wall element 8 and the tabs 18, through which small items could disappear. The cloths bag 30 avoids this situation.

REFERENCE LIST

[0039] 2 base [0040] 4 frame [0041] 6 wheel [0042] 8 first wall element [0043] 10 second wall element [0044] 12 drawbar eye [0045] 14 first connection device [0046] 16 edge [0047] 18 tab [0048] 20 velcro element [0049] 22 plastic board [0050] 24 protective strips [0051] 26 shoulder strap [0052] 28 second connection device [0053] 30 clothing bag