Abstract
A luggage item, a luggage item system and a luggage item adaptor are provided. The luggage item is for use in luggage system comprising a luggage trolley and another luggage item. The luggage item comprises a first side, a second side, a first coupling element and a second coupling element. The second side is opposite the first side and is separated by flanks from the first side. The first side and the second side have an area larger than the areas of the flanks. The first coupling element is arranged at the first side. The second coupling element is arranged at the second side for engaging with a first coupling element of the other luggage item to releasably attach the other luggage item to the luggage item and for engaging with a trolley coupling element of the luggage trolley to releasably attach the luggage item to the luggage trolley.
Claims
1. A suitcase system, comprising: a first and a second suitcase, each of the first and second suitcase including: a first side, a second side opposite the first side and separated by flanks from the first side, the first side and the second side having an area larger than the areas of the flanks, two first coupling profiles arranged at the first side, each of the first coupling profiles forming a first groove, two second coupling profiles arranged at the second side, each of the second coupling profiles forming a second groove, the two first coupling profiles being arranged for slidably receiving part of the second coupling profiles of another suitcase, openings of the first grooves facing away from each other in a direction of one of the flanks, and openings of the second grooves facing towards each other, and a protrusion arranged at an edge of the second side, a trolley for carrying the first and second suitcase, wherein the trolley includes: wheels for wheeling the trolley, a trolley frame including a locking mechanism for engaging with the second coupling profiles of the first or second suitcase, a recess for receiving the protrusion when the first or second suitcase is placed on the trolley frame of the suitcase trolley, wherein the second coupling profiles of the first suitcase are arranged for: a) engaging with first coupling elements of the second suitcase to releasably attach the second suitcase to the first suitcase, and b) engaging with the locking mechanism of the trolley frame to releasably attach the first suitcase to the trolley frame.
2. The suitcase system according to claim 1, wherein both the first and second coupling profiles are two second L-profiles which extend from the first and second side respectively.
3. The suitcase system according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism (600) comprises: a locking bar that is movable between a first position and a second position, a resilient member for applying a force to the locking bar for moving the locking bar into the first position, and wherein the locking mechanism is configured to allow a movement of the locking bar to the second position when one of the second coupling profiles is pushed to the locking bar and is configured to move the locking bar back to the first position when the one of the surfaces of second coupling profiles is moved behind the locking bar, wherein the moving back results in a reception of an end of the locking bar by the second groove of the one of the second coupling profiles.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) In the drawings:
(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a three dimensional view of a luggage item according to the first aspect of the invention,
(3) FIGS. 2a and 2b schematically show an embodiment of a suitcase including a first and a second coupling element,
(4) FIG. 3a schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a luggage item similar to the luggage item of FIG. 1 along a plane A-A,
(5) FIG. 3b schematically shows a cross-sectional view of two luggage items which are releasably attached to each other,
(6) FIG. 3c schematically shows an alternative embodiment of the coupling elements,
(7) FIGS. 4a and 4b schematically show in the three-dimensional view a top of the L-profiles of the first coupling element and of the second coupling element,
(8) FIG. 5a schematically shows a luggage item releasably attached to a luggage trolley,
(9) FIG. 5b schematically shows two luggage items releasably attached to a luggage trolley,
(10) FIG. 5c schematically shows a luggage trolley,
(11) FIG. 6a schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism of a trolley coupling element,
(12) FIG. 6b schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the locking of a luggage item to trolley coupling element,
(13) FIGS. 7a and 7b schematically show a coupling mechanism integrated in the second coupling structure for releasably fastening a luggage item to other luggage item,
(14) FIG. 8 schematically shows a view of a luggage item adaptor according to the last aspect of the invention.
(15) It should be noted that items denoted by the same reference numerals in different Figures have the same structural features and the same functions. Where the function and/or structure of such an item have been explained, there is no necessity for repeated explanation thereof in the detailed description.
(16) The Figures are purely diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. Particularly for clarity, some dimensions are exaggerated strongly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(17) A first embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 schematically shows a three dimensional view of a luggage item 100 according to the first aspect of the invention. A suitcase 100 is shown which includes a flat-box shaped housing 102. A front side 103 of the flat-box shaped housing 102 is shown at the top end of FIG. 1. At the bottom end of FIG. 1, a rear side 113 of the flat-box shaped housing 102 is shown. The front side 103 is separated from the rear side 113 by flanks 115, 116, 117. A top flank 116 includes a first handle 106 for carrying the luggage item 100 in an upright position and includes, for example, a number lock 104 for locking the luggage item 100. A side flank 116 includes a second handle 110 for carrying the luggage item 100. A bottom flank 117 is a flank which has an area being smaller than the front side 103, the rear side 113 and the side flank(s) 116. In normal use, when the luggage item 100 is put in an upright position, the luggage item 100 stays on the bottom flank 117.
(18) The luggage item 100 may be a suitcase or any flat-boxed shape item which is suitable for carrying luggage. The flat-box shaped housing 102 is not by definition of a solid material only, but may also be flexible up to some degree or may includes areas where a flexible material is used. A sort of shopping bag may also be the luggage item in which the top flank 115 is permanently open, or which includes a lid or a cover.
(19) The front side 103 of luggage item 100 includes a first coupling element 108 and the rear side 113 includes a second coupling element 112. The first coupling element 108 and the second coupling element 112 are configured such that, and are arranged at a position such that the luggage item 100 and the other luggage item can be releasably attached to each other by engaging the first coupling element 108 of the luggage item 100 with a second coupling element 112 of the other luggage item, or by engaging the second coupling element 112 of the luggage item 100 with the first coupling element 108 of the other luggage item (assuming that the other luggage item also includes coupling elements being equal to the first coupling element 108 and the second coupling element 112). Furthermore, the second coupling element 112 of the luggage item 100 is arranged to engage with a trolley coupling element of a luggage trolley for releasably attaching the luggage item 100 to the luggage trolley. The luggage item 100 and the other luggage items can be released by disengaging the coupling elements.
(20) The first coupling element 108 and the second coupling element 112 are drawn schematically in FIG. 1 by means of man-woman symbol. This is a schematic representation of the fact that the coupling elements 108, 112 are configured such that one of the coupling elements may be engaged with the other one of the coupling elements. All types of coupling elements may be used. The invention is not limited to a specific coupling element. In the invention a luggage item 100 is obtained which can be used very flexible in combination with other luggage items and a luggage trolley. Luggage items of other size can be used, as long as they have the relevant coupling elements, and luggage items can be used with or without the luggage trolley. This increases user friendliness and ease of use.
(21) Luggage item 100 has an optional further feature at an edge of its rear side 113. A tooth 114 is arranged at an edge of the rear side 113 which is close to the bottom flank 117. The tooth 114 is for engaging with a gap of the luggage trolley to which the luggage item 100 may be releasably attached. The engaging of the tooth and the gap provide a supplementary way of engaging the luggage item 100 with the luggage trolley such that the luggage item 100 is better attached to the luggage trolley.
(22) It should be noted that, in other embodiment, the first coupling element 108 may be arranged at the rear side 113 and that the second coupling element 112 may be arranged at the front side 103. In the following description of the Figures the terms front and rear side are used. However, one may read instead of front and rear side also, respectively, first and second side, or, respectively, second and first side.
(23) FIGS. 2a and 2b schematically show an embodiment of a suitcase 200 including a first coupling element 202, 204 and a second coupling element 212, 214. The suitcase 200 is an example of a luggage item according to the first aspect of the invention.
(24) In FIG. 2a the front side of the suitcase 200 is shown. The suitcase 200 is shown in an upright position and stands on two protrusions 210 protruding from a bottom flank of the suitcase. On the front side the first coupling element is formed by a first and a second L-profile 202, 204 which enclose a groove formed in between one leg of the L-profiles 202, 204 and the suitcase. The grooves face the side flanks of the suitcase. As is indicated at the first L-profile, the top end 206 of the first L-profile 206 is an opening through which other L-profile may be slid into the groove. At the top end 206, the leg of the first L-profile 202, which runs parallel with the front side of the suitcase 200, has a rounded shape for allowing a smoother engaging with other coupling elements. The bottom end 208 of the first L-profile 202 is closed. If the first L-profile 202 engages with other L-profile, the other L-profile cannot further be slid into the groove of first L-profile 202. The other L-profile may rest on the closed bottom end 208 of the first L-profile 202. Although not extensively discussed, the second L-profile 204 has a similar open top end and a closed bottom end. The L-profiles 202, 204 enclose a groove. In an optional embodiment, the depth of the groove, measured in a direction substantially parallel to the front side of the suitcase 200, may decrease in a direction towards the bottom flank of the suitcase. This provides initially, when profiles of other coupling element are slid into the grooves, an easy insertion of the profiles and with the decreasing depth the other coupling element is guided towards the desired position when the profiles are slid further into the grooves.
(25) In FIG. 2b the back side of the suitcase 200 is shown. At the back side a second coupling element is provided which includes a third L-profile 212 and a fourth L-profile 214. Between a leg of the third and fourth L-profile 212, 214 and the suitcase are formed grooves which face each other. The grooves are configured to receive L-profiles of other coupling element. As shown in FIG. 2b, the top end 216 of the third L-profile 212 is closed. The top end 216 prevents that other L-profile is slid into the groove behind the closed top end 216. The bottom end 218 of the third is open through which other L-profile can be slid into the groove formed by the third L-profile 212. The fourth L-profile 214 has a similar open bottom end and a closed top end. It is further shown in FIG. 2b that the suitcase 200 has at a bottom edge of the back side a tooth 220 which is configured to engage with a gap in a luggage trolley. The L-profiles 212, 214 enclose a groove. In an optional embodiment, the depth of the groove, measured in a direction perpendicular to the rear side of the suitcase 200, may increase in a direction towards the bottom flank of the suitcase. As discussed above this provides initially, when the L-profiles 212, 214 are slid into grooves of other coupling element, an easy insertion and the increasing depth guides the L-profiles 212, 214 towards the desired position when the L-profiles 212, 214 are slid further into the grooves.
(26) The first and second L-profiles 202, 204 of the suitcase 200 are configured to engage with L-profiles of other suitcase being equal to the third and fourth L-profiles 212, 214 of the suitcase 200. In a similar way, the third and fourth L-profiles 212, 214 of the suitcase 200 are configured to engage with L-profiles of other suitcase being equal to the first and second L-profiles 202, 204 of the suitcase 200. Thus, other suitcase which also includes the first and the second coupling element can be releasably attached to the suitcase 200, either to its front side or to its back side.
(27) Furthermore, the second coupling element of the back side, including the third and fourth L-profile 212, 214, is configured to engage with a luggage trolley coupling element for releasably attaching the suitcase 200 to the luggage trolley.
(28) FIG. 3a schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a luggage item 300 similar to the luggage item 100 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 1 a plane is indicated with A-A and the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 3a to 3c are along the plane A-A. The front side 103 of the luggage item 300 includes a first coupling element which includes two L-profiles 306, 308. One of the legs of the L-profiles 306, 308 runs parallel with the front side 103 of the luggage item 300. A groove 305 is present in between this parallel oriented leg and the front side 103. At the rear side 113 of the luggage item 300 a second coupling element is present which includes two L-profiles 302, 304. The L-profiles 302, 304 have a leg which runs parallel to the rear wide 113. A groove 303 is present between this parallel oriented leg and the rear side 113.
(29) Important characteristics of L-profile 304 are explained together with the enlargement of L-profile 304 at the right end of FIG. 3a. Groove 310 is formed in between the L-profile 304 and the rear side 113 of the luggage item 300. A first and second surface 312, 314 of the L-profiles 304 face the groove 310. The first surface 312 is oriented substantially parallel to the rear side 113. When the L-profile 304 engages with other L-profile of other luggage item (see, for example, FIG. 3b), the first surface 312 prevents that the other luggage item can move away from the rear side 113 of the luggage item 300. The second surface 314 is oriented perpendicular to the rear side 113 of the luggage item 330. When the L-profile 304 engages with other L-profile of other luggage item (see, for example, FIG. 3b), the second surface prevents that the other luggage item is able to move in a sidewards direction (which is in FIG. 3a a direction to the right). Each one of the L-profiles 302, 306, 308 have a first surface and a second surface which face the groove of the respective L-profiles 302, 306, 308 and each one of these surfaces prevents a movement of other luggage item which is being coupled to the luggage item 300 in a specific direction.
(30) FIG. 3b schematically shows a cross-sectional view of two luggage items 300, 350 which are releasably attached to each other. The luggage item 300 includes the coupling element as discussed in the context of FIG. 3a. The other luggage item 350 includes the same coupling element as the luggage item 300. The other luggage item 350 may have a different size and/or have a different outer material. As shown at positions 352, 354, the first coupling element of the luggage item 300 engages with the second coupling element of the other luggage item 350. The parallel running legs of the L-profiles are slid into the grooves formed by these parallel running legs of the L-profiles. In this way a stable connection is made between the luggage item 300 and the other luggage item 350. The other luggage item 350 and the luggage item 300 can be disengaged by sliding the L-profiles of one item out of the grooves of the other item.
(31) FIG. 3c schematically shows two alternative embodiments of the coupling elements of two luggage items which are releasably attached to each other. The coupling shown at the left end, and which is indicated by location 390 includes a T-profile 392 as being part of a first coupling element and a sort of U-profile 394 in which a saw kerf has been made. The T-profile 392 can be slid into the U-profile 394 and results in the coupling as shown in FIG. 3c. Both the T-profile 392 and the U-profile 394 includes at least two surfaces which face one of the grooves formed between the profile and the luggage item and these at least two surface limited the movement of the coupled luggage items with respect to each other. At the right end of FIG. 3c, a profile 396 is presented which is formed into a solid, massive, shell of a luggage item which has a slight curvature near the edges of the rear and/or front surfaces of the luggage item. The shell is, for example, made by injection molding and the mold including a profile which forms the groove 397 of the profile 396. In other embodiment, the groove 397 is formed with a grinder into the shell of the luggage item. The profile 396 has at least a first and second surface 398, 399 which face the groove 397. Each one of the first and the second surface 398, 399 limit the movement of other luggage item, which is coupled to the profile 396, into a first and a second direction.
(32) FIGS. 4a and 4b schematically show in the three-dimensional view a top 402, 404 of the L-profiles of the first coupling element and of the second coupling element. The L-profiles 308 of the first coupling element at the front side of the luggage item 300 have at one end a top opening 402. Other L-profile can be slid via the top opening 402 into the groove between the L-profile 308 and the first side. The end of the L-profile, which is open, is the end that faces away from the bottom flank of the luggage item 300thus, in normal use, when the luggage item 300 is arranged in an upright position, the top opening 402 can be seen when looking from above to the L-profile 308. The L-profile 302 of the second coupling element has at one end a closed top 404. When the L-profile 302 of the second coupling element is slid into the groove of the L-profile 308 of the first coupling element, the closed top 404 prevents that the L-profile 302 of the second coupling element can be slid to a further position. Thus, if the first and the second coupling element of different luggage items are engaged, one of the luggage items may rest with the closed top 404 of the second coupling element on an end of the L-profile of the first coupling element.
(33) FIG. 5a schematically shows a luggage system 500 in which a luggage item 100 releasably attached to a luggage trolley 502. The luggage trolley 502 includes rear wheels 504 and front wheels 506. The luggage trolley 502 is for wheeling the luggage item 100 while travelling. The luggage trolley 502 may be pushed or pulled. The rear wheels 504 are larger in diameter than the front wheels 506. Alternatively, the rear wheels 504 and the front wheels 506 have an equal diameter. A luggage item 100 is releasably fastened to the luggage trolley 502. At the front side of the luggage item 100, a first coupling element 108 is shown. The luggage item 100 has at its rear side a second coupling element (not shown). The second coupling element engages with a trolley coupling element (not shown).
(34) FIG. 5b schematically shows a luggage system 530 in which two luggage items 100, 532 are releasably attached to a luggage trolley 502. The luggage item 100 is similar to previously discussed luggage item 100. The other luggage item 532 is a relatively small suitcase which includes at its front side also a first coupling element 108 and at is rear side also a second coupling element (not shown). The first coupling element of the luggage item engages with the second coupling element of the other luggage item 532 and in this way the other luggage item 532 is releasably attached to the luggage item 100. The luggage item 100 is releasably attached to the luggage trolley 502 and, thus, the luggage trolley 502 carries both luggage items 100, 532.
(35) FIG. 5c schematically shows the luggage trolley 502 of the luggage systems 500, 530. The luggage trolley 502 includes a trolley coupling element 510 which is configured to engage with a second coupling element of previously discussed embodiments of the luggage items. Further, the luggage trolley 502 may include a gap 512 in which a tooth of a luggage item may be slid for releasably attaching such a luggage item to the luggage trolley 502. For example, the gap 512 is for receiving the tooth 114 of the luggage item 100 of FIG. 1. Further, the trolley coupling element 510 may include a locking means for locking a position of the luggage item which is releasably attached to the luggage trolley 502 to prevent that the luggage item is unexpectedly released from the luggage trolley 502. The luggage trolley 502 may include an unlocking lever 508 which is coupled to the locking means for unlocking the locking means. It is to be noted that the unlocking level 508 may also be provided as an unlocking button.
(36) FIG. 6a schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a locking mechanism 600 of a trolley coupling element along line B-B indicated in FIG. 5c. In the cross-sectional view a cross-section of the bars of the frame 608 of the luggage trolley can be seen. Between the bars 608 is arranged a back panel 610 or a means to couple the trolley coupling element to the bars 608 of the trolley frame. The trolley coupling element includes sidewards movable locking bars 602, 614 which are kept by a resilient member 604 in a first position. The locking bars 602, 614 move inwards to a second position when one pushes to the locking bars 602, 614. In FIG. 6a the locking bars 602, 614 are drawn in their first position. Ends of the locking bars 602, 614 are tapering such that when a second coupling element of a luggage item is pressed against the tapering end, the locking bars 602, 614 move to the second position and allow a passage of parts of the second coupling elements. The resilient means 604 are, for example, a spring, or a piece of rubber-like material. The locking bars 602, 614 are coupled with a cable 606 or chain to an unlocking lever 612. By pulling the unlocking lever 612, the locking bars 602, 614 are pulled towards the second position such that a luggage item can be disengaged from the trolley coupling element.
(37) In FIG. 6b the locking of a luggage item 300 is schematically shown in a cross-sectional view. The L-profiles 302, 304 are locked behind the locking bars 602, 614 which are in their first position. Only when the locking bars are pulled towards the second position, the L-profiles 302, 304 are able to pass the locking bars and can the luggage item 300 be released from the luggage trolley. As shown at position 616, the L-profiles 302, 304 may have an opening and the locking bars 602, 614 fall into the openings such that the luggage item 300 is well fastened to the luggage trolley.
(38) FIGS. 7a and 7b schematically show a coupling mechanism integrated in the second coupling structure for releasably fastening a luggage item 700 to other luggage item 750. The luggage item 700 is shown more in detail in FIG. 7a. At the left end of FIG. 7a, it is shown that the L-profile 702 of the first coupling mechanism has an opening 704 in the leg which runs parallel to the front side of the luggage item 700. The opening 704 is for receiving a locking protrusion which is integrated in the second coupling mechanism of a luggage item to which the luggage item 700 is going to be coupled. At the rear side, which is shown at the right end of the FIG. 7a, it is seen that a locking protrusions 706 protrudes into the groove in between the L-profile 708 of the second coupling mechanism and the rear side.
(39) In FIG. 7b a cross-sectional view of two luggage items 700, 750 is shown which are coupled to each other with their respective coupling elements. The luggage items 700, 750 include a locking mechanism for releasably fastening the luggage item 700 to the other luggage item 750. As shown in FIG. 7b, the locking mechanisms include a locking protrusion 706, 756 which protrudes into the groove in between the L-profiles 758, 708 and the respective back sides of the luggage items 700, 750. In the left luggage item 750 it is shown that the locking protrusion 756 is rotatably mounted with an axis 764 to the luggage item 750. The locking protrusion 756 is coupled with, for example, a cable 760 to the handle bar 766 which the user can use to unlock the locking mechanism. As shown in FIG. 7b, the locking protrusions 706, 756 return to their position after pulling the handle bar. The locking mechanism may include a resilient member which applies a force to the locking protrusion to move it towards the position shown in FIG. 7b.
(40) The left luggage item 750 has an L-profile 758 at its back side and has the above discussed locking protrusion 756. At its front side it has, as part of its first coupling element, an L-profile 752 which has an opening 754 in one of its legs.
(41) The right luggage item 700 has at is front side an L-profile 702 as part of its first coupling element and the L-profile includes an opening 704 for receiving a locking protrusions of other luggage item. The right luggage item 700 has also at its back side an L-profile 708 as part of its second coupling element and has a locking protrusion 706 which protrudes into the groove formed by the L-profile 708. In FIG. 7b, the second coupling element of luggage item 700 engages with the first coupling element of luggage item 750. When the L-profile 708 was slid into the groove formed by L-profile 752, the locking protrusion 706 was pushed into the rear side of luggage item 700 until the locking protrusion 706 arrived at opening 754. Because the tendency of the locking protrusions 706 to return to the position shown in FIG. 7b, the top of the locking protrusion 706 moved into the opening 754 thereby locking the relative position of the right luggage item 700 with respect to the left luggage item 750.
(42) FIG. 8 schematically shows a three dimensional view of a luggage item adaptor 800 according to the last aspect of the invention. The luggage item adaptor 800 includes a recess 806 for receiving a luggage item, such as, for example, a suitcase or a sports bag. The luggage item adaptor 800 includes a frame 802 which outer dimensions form a flat-shaped box. When the luggage item adaptor 800 is in an upright position, the top of the luggage item adaptor 800 provides access to the recess 806. The flanks of the luggage item adaptor 800 may also be open and may also be provided with additional bars 804 for increasing the strength of the frame 802 of the luggage item adaptor 800. Two opposite sides of the luggage item adaptor 800, which are the largest surfaces, may be closed with a panel and are defined as being a front side and a rear side. A first coupling element 108 is arranged at the front side and a second coupling element 112 is arranged at the back side. The first coupling element 108 and the second coupling element 112 are configured such that a first luggage item adaptor 800 can be releasably attached to a second luggage item adaptor when they both include the same types of coupling element 108, 112. A first coupling element 108 of the first luggage item adaptor 800 may engage with a second coupling element of the second luggage item adaptor, or a second coupling element 112 of the first luggage item adaptor 800 may engage with a first coupling element of the second luggage item adaptor. Furthermore, the first coupling element 108 and the second coupling element 112 may be configured such that they may engage with, respectively a second coupling element and a first coupling element of, for example, the luggage item 100 of FIG. 1. And, the second coupling element is configured to be engageable with a trolley coupling element of, for example, the luggage trolley 502 of FIG. 5. The luggage item adaptor 800 may further include at its rear side a tooth 114 for engaging with a gap of the luggage trolley 502.
(43) It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
(44) In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verbs include and comprise and their conjugations do not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article a or an preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware including several distinct elements. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
