TRAY FOR INTERFERENCE MOUNTING BETWEEN THE HANDLE POLES OF A CARRY-ON LUGGAGE BAG

Abstract

A luggage bag handle assembly includes a pair of parallel poles with interior facing surfaces having a first size and shape and spaced-apart by a first distance. An accessory is removably attachable to the handle assembly. The accessory is formed by a single unitary body plate having opposed first and second side edges. A second distance between the opposed first and second side edges is greater than the first distance. The single unitary body plate includes first and second edge slots in the opposed first and second side edges, respectively. The first and second edge slots having a second size and shape conforming to the first size and shape, with a third distance between the first and second edge slots corresponding to the first distance to provide an interference fit between the first and second edge slots and the interior facing surfaces of the pair of parallel poles.

Claims

1. An accessory configured to be removably attached to a handle assembly of a luggage bag, wherein the handle assembly comprises a pair of parallel poles including interior facing surfaces having a first size and shape and spaced-apart from each other by a first distance, the accessory formed by a single unitary body plate having a thickness between a first surface and opposed second surface and having opposed first and second side edges, wherein there is a second distance greater than the first distance between the opposed first and second side edges, and wherein the single unitary body plate includes first and second edge slots in the opposed first and second side edges, respectively, said first and second edge slots having a second size and shape conforming to the first size and shape, and wherein a third distance between the first and second edge slots corresponds to the first distance for providing an interference fit between the first and second edge slots and the interior facing surfaces of the pair of parallel poles.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the single unitary body plate further includes a through hole passing between the first surface and opposed second surface that is sized and shaped to receive a beverage container.

3. The accessory of claim 2, wherein the through hole is configured as a cylindrical opening having a flat bottom.

4. The accessory of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first surface and opposed second surface includes a ledge structure configured to engage with an edge of a personal electronic device and support positioning of the personal electronic device in a leaning arrangement against the pair of parallel poles.

5. The accessory of claim 4, wherein the ledge structure protrudes from one of the first surface and opposed second surface.

6. The accessory of claim 5, wherein the ledge structure includes a saddle surface.

7. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the single unitary body plate further includes a flat rear edge extending perpendicular to the opposed first and second side edges and a curved front edge extending between the opposed first and second side edges.

8. The accessory of claim 7, wherein the curved front edge is defined by an arcuate surface with angled flat extension surfaces connecting the ends of the arcuate surface to the opposed first and second side edges.

9. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the single unitary body plate is made of a plastic material.

10. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the thickness is less than on-half inch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] For a better understanding of the embodiments, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying figures in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a luggage bag with an attached accessory;

[0009] FIG. 2 shows a top view of FIG. 1;

[0010] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the accessory; and

[0011] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are top, bottom, and side views, respectively, of the accessory.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Carry-on luggage bags typically include a handle assembly which collapses into and extends from the body of the bag. The handle assembly includes a pair of spaced-apart parallel (possibly telescoping) poles supported at a proximal end by structures within the body of the bag and joined at a distal end by a handle. The pair of spaced-apart parallel poles of the handle assembly, when in the extended position, present an opportunity for the installation of an accessory with designed features to conform to the shape of the poles and lock in place between the pair of spaced-apart parallel poles based on mating geometry and a planned interference or friction fit that will ensure that the accessory is securely held in place. To install the accessory, the accessory may be inserted at an angle relative to horizontal between the pair of spaced-apart parallel poles and twisted to a horizontal position with the geometry of exterior facing surfaces of the accessory engaging with at least the interior facing surfaces of the pair of spaced-apart parallel poles in an interference or friction fit relationship. The accessory may provide a flat top surface providing a shelf on which personal items can be placed. The accessory may include a through opening of sufficient diameter to permit the insertion and retention of a beverage cup or bottle. The accessory may include a ledge structure which can support positioning of a personal electronic device (such as a cell phone, tablet, or e-reader) in a leaning position against the poles. Advantageously, the accessory is formed as a single unitary body and thus does not require the use of clamping or other mechanical adjustment mechanisms, relying solely on the interference or friction fit relationship between mating surfaces to securely hold the accessory to the handle assembly of the bag.

[0013] Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2. A portion 100 of a handle assembly for a luggage bag includes a handle support structure 102 associated with the body of the bag 104 (having an outline surface shape generally indicated for example only by dash-dot lines). The handle support structure 102 includes a pair of openings 106a, 106b through which a corresponding pair of spaced-apart parallel poles 108a, 108b extend. The proximal ends of the poles 108a, 108b are supported within the body of the bag 104 and by the openings 106a, 106b. The distal ends of the poles 108a, 108b (not shown) are joined by a handle as is conventional in the art. The pair of spaced-apart parallel poles 108a, 108b may include telescoping structures as known in the art which support a longer extension away from the bag 104. In such a case, the poles 108a, 108b shown in FIG. 1 would comprise the outermost poles of the telescoping assembly.

[0014] FIGS. 1 and 2 further show an accessory 120 which has been installed at a horizontal position between pair of spaced-apart parallel poles 108a, 108b and retained by an interference or friction fit relationship. The accessory 120 is a single unitary body plate having a thickness T with a (substantially flat) first surface 122 and opposed (substantially flat) second surface 124. The accessory has opposed side edges 126a, 126b, a back edge 128 and a front edge 130. The back edge 128 is a flat edge extending between the opposed side edges 126a, 126b. The front edge 130 is a curved edge (for example arcuate with angled flat extensions) extending between the opposed side edges 126a, 126b. An opening 140 extends completely through the single unitary body plate between the first surface 122 and the second surface 124. The opening is sized and shaped to permit the insertion and retention of a beverage cup, container or bottle. The second surface 124 includes a ledge structure 142 (protruding from the second surface as shown and including a saddle surface 142a, or formed as a slot 142b extending into the second surface in an alternative configuration) which can support positioning of a personal electronic device in a leaning arrangement against the poles 108a, 108b (when the accessory 120 is installed with the second surface facing upwardly and an edge of the personal electronic device engages with the ledge structure 142). The opposed side edges 126a, 126b are spaced apart from each other (for example, in a direction parallel to the back edge 128) by a distance D1 which is wider than a corresponding parallel distance D2 between the innermost edges of the interior facing surfaces of the pair of spaced-apart parallel poles 108a, 108b. The opposed side edges 126a, 126b further include edge slots 150a, 150b extending (vertically) between the first surface 122 and the second surface 124 and having a size and shape which corresponds (for example, in a mating relationship) to the size and shape of the interior facing surfaces of the pair of spaced-apart parallel poles 108a, 108b. A corresponding parallel distance D3 between the edge slots 150a, 150b is less than the distance D1 between the opposed side edges 126a, 126b of the single unitary body plate and corresponds to (i.e., is equal to or more preferably slightly larger than) the distance D2 to support an interference fit relationship.

[0015] In the illustrated example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the size and shape of the interior facing surfaces of the pair of spaced-apart parallel poles 108a, 108b is defined by a convex semicircle or arc in top view while the size and shape of the edge slots 150a, 150b is defined by a corresponding mating concave semicircle or arc in top view. The use of mating concave/convex surfaces defined by a semicircle or arc is by example only, it be understood that surfaces defined by other geometric figures such as polygons, ellipses, parabolas, etc., could instead be used.

[0016] To install the accessory 120, the user can insert the accessory 120 at an angle relative to horizontal between the pair of spaced-apart parallel poles 108a, 108b. The edge slots 150a, 150b of the accessory 120 are then aligned with the interior facing surfaces of the pair of spaced-apart parallel poles 108a, 108b, and single unitary body plate of the accessory 120 is twisted by the user to a horizontal position. This causes the edge slots 150a, 150b to engage with the pair of spaced-apart parallel poles 108a, 108b, respectively. The complementary mating geometries (i.e., sizes and shapes) in combination with the relationship between the distances D1, D2 and D3 produces an interference or friction fit relationship which secures the accessory 120 to the handle assembly of the bag.

[0017] It will be noted that choice of the thickness T is critical in that it must be thick enough to ensure little to no bend or warp in the single unitary body plate and provide a sufficient surface area at the slots 150 for the interference fit relationship, but thin enough to permit the twisting action necessary without binding for the user to install the single unitary body plate a horizontal position.

[0018] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the accessory 120.

[0019] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are top, bottom, and side views, respectively, of the accessory 120.

[0020] While the top and bottom views of FIGS. 4A and 4B show a design for the accessory front edge 130 having a curved edge (for example arcuate with angled flat extensions) extending between the opposed side edges 126a, 126b, this is just one example for the plan view shape of the single unitary body plate. Alternatively, the single unitary body plate may have a rectangular shape in plan view with the cup holder opening 140 either being centrally located or offset from the center to provide a flat area for placement of other items (such as a snack or a writing pad).

[0021] While the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2 provides a through opening 140, in another embodiment the opening 140 may be defined by a cylindrical opening having a flat bottom. Such an opening would support the holding of beverage containers (such as bottles or cans) which do not include a taper. This configuration with the cylindrical opening 140c is illustrated by the dashed line in FIG. 4C showing the walls and bottom.

[0022] In an embodiment, the thickness T may be less than 1 inch, and more preferably less than one-half inch (such as, for example, about three-eighths inch). Having such a thinness for the single unitary body plate of the accessory 120 permits the accessory to be easily stowed within the bag when not in use (for example, by sliding into an outside pocket of the luggage bag).

[0023] With respect to the ledge structure 142 at the second surface, a first implementation is provided by a protrusion extending from the second surface as shown in solid line with the saddle surface 142a, while a second implementation is provided by a slot 142b extending into the second surface as shown with the dashed line.

[0024] It is recognized that the size and shape of the poles 108a, 108b as well as the distance D3 between poles 108a, 108b may vary by manufacturer and size of the luggage bag. For bags having similar size/shape poles 108 with same distance spacing, one design configuration for the accessory 120 will satisfy most users. For other variations or unique configurations, however, the accessory 120 will need to be specifically designed on a per bag design basis. The design of the accessory would need to reflect the geometry of the telescoping pole set for any given luggage bag, which is easily accomplished with simple measurements, altering the design slightly and the performing the manufacturing to confirm fit. Thus, it is noted that differences between manufacturers and bags is not a concern because with the use of computer aided design and the 3D printing of engineering and structural plastics becoming commonplace, an accessory 120 can be easily designed and manufactured to meet the specifications of any luggage bag.

[0025] Other methods of manufacturing the accessory 120 include, but are not limited to, compression molding, injection molding, and machining from solid, utilizing the wide variety of materials suitable for those manufacturing methods.

[0026] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive; the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.