SUITCASE WITH BACKPACK FUNCTIONALITY

Abstract

A suitcase is provided and including: a first storage section, a second storage section paired with the first storage section, a shoulder belt having one end attached to a top surface of the first storage section and the other end attached to a bottom surface of the first storage section, a back pad attached to a back surface of the first storage section, and a belt storage pocket provided on the back pad and storing the shoulder belt.

Claims

1. A suitcase comprising: a first storage section; a second storage section, paired with the first storage section; a shoulder belt, having one end attached to a top surface of the first storage section and the other end attached to a bottom surface of the first storage section; a back pad, attached to a back surface of the first storage section; and a belt storage pocket, provided on the back pad and storing the shoulder belt.

2. The suitcase according to claim 1, further comprising: a connector, removably connecting the second storage section and the shoulder belt.

3. The suitcase according to claim 2, wherein the connector comprises: a first connector, fixed to an upper surface of the second storage section; a second connector, attached to the shoulder belt; and a third connector that connects the first connector and the second connector and is removable.

4. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the shoulder belt is attached to a side surface of the bottom surface side of the first storage section.

5. The suitcase according to claim 1, further comprising: a fastener attachment member, provided on the back surface of the first storage section; and a fastener, provided on the fastener attachment member and the back pad, and being removable from the fastener attachment member and the back pad.

6. The suitcase according to claim 5, further comprising: a fixing member, fixing the fastener attachment member to the back surface of the first storage section.

7. The suitcase according to claim 6, wherein the first storage section and the second storage section are made of metal, the fastener attachment member is made of cloth, and the fixing member is a metal bolt.

8. The suitcase according to claim 5, wherein the fastener is a zipper.

9. The suitcase according to claim 5, wherein the fasteners are provided on both sides of the back pad.

10. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the back pad is removable from the back surface of the first storage section.

11. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the back pad is made of mesh.

12. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the belt storage pocket is located in a center of the back pad.

13. The suitcase according to claim 1, further comprising: a waist belt, attached to the back pad and being removable; and a hold belt, provided on the back pad and storing the waist belt.

14. The suitcase according to claim 1, further comprising: a top handle, attached to the top surface of the first storage section; a front handle, attached to a top surface of the second storage section; and a side handle, attached to a side surface of the first storage section.

15. The suitcase according to claim 14, further comprising: a bottom handle, attached to a bottom surface of the second storage section.

16. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein a surface of the second storage section is flat.

17. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the first storage section and the second storage section are made of metal.

18. The suitcase according to claim 1, further comprising: a pedestal, provided at each of four corners of the back surface of the first storage section.

19. The suitcase according to claim 18, wherein the pedestal is folded down for storage.

20. The suitcase according to claim 1, further comprising: a caster, provided on the bottom surface of the first storage section and being foldable.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the suitcase according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of the suitcase according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIGS. 3A and 3B show diagrams for explaining a shoulder belt for the suitcase according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows a back view of the suitcase according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 5A shows a back view of the suitcase with the back pad removed according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 5B shows a schematic diagram of the back pad and a waist belt of the suitcase according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIGS. 6A and 6B show inner and outer views of the back pad and the waist belt according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 7A shows a schematic diagram of a storage type caster according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 7B shows a schematic diagram of a storage type pedestal according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 8 shows a back view of the suitcase according to the embodiment of the present invention with the waist belt stored in a hold belt.

[0039] FIG. 9 shows a back view of the suitcase according to the embodiment of the present invention with the shoulder belt stored in a belt storage pocket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Embodiments of the present invention will be explained below with reference to the accompanying drawing. In the following explanation, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawing.

[1] Suitcase

[0041] FIG. 1 shows the perspective view of the suitcase according to one embodiment of the present invention. The configuration of the suitcase according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 1, the suitcase 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a first storage section 10, a second storage section 20, casters 30, a carry handle 40, a top handle 50a, a front handle 50b, a side handle 50c, a bottom handle 50d, a pedestal 60, a shoulder belt 70, a back pad 80, and a waist belt 90. The parts of the suitcase 1 are not limited to those shown in the figure, and can be added or changed as appropriate.

[0043] The first storage section 10 and the second storage section 20 are paired and have a box-like shape. The first storage section 10 and the second storage section 20 are made of metal, plastic, cloth, etc. In the case where the first storage section 10 and the second storage section 20 are made of metal, for example, each is made of a single sheet of metal (e.g., aluminum, aluminum alloy, etc.) containing aluminum, and is formed into a desired shape by pressing. In the case where the first storage section 10 and the second storage section 20 are made of plastic, for example, ABS resin, polycarbonate, etc. However, the shape, material, etc. of the first storage section 10 and the second storage section 20 can be changed in various ways.

[0044] A surface of the second storage section 20 is flat. This allows the suitcase 1 to be laid on its side and the surface of the second storage section 20 to be used as a table.

[0045] The opening and closing parts of the first storage section 10 and the second storage section 20 may be of a frame type or a zipper type. The opening and closing parts of the first storage section 10 and the second storage section 20 may be provided with an expansion zipper so that the capacity of the suitcase 1 can be expanded.

[0046] Two casters 30 are attached to the bottom surface of each of the first storage section 10 and the second storage section 20. The suitcase 1 can be easily moved by rotating the casters 30. In this embodiment, one suitcase 1 is provided with four casters 30, making it a four-wheel caster type. However, the suitcase 1 of this embodiment may be a two-wheel caster type to make it more compact. In addition, the casters 30 can be folded and stored on the bottom surface of each of the first storage section 10 and the second storage section 20, as shown in FIG. 7A.

[0047] The carry handle 40 is attached to the first storage section 10 and has a pipe that can expand and contract up and down.

[0048] The top handle 50a is attached to the top surface of first storage section 10, the front handle 50b is attached to the top surface of second storage section 20, the side handle 50c is attached to the side surface of first storage section 10 (FIG. 2), and the bottom handle 50d is attached to the bottom surface of second storage section 20 (FIG. 7A). For example, when suitcase 1 is turned on its side to be used as a table, using the top handle 50a or the front handle 50b and the bottom handle 50d can improve the ease of holding suitcase 1.

[0049] The pedestals 60 are provided on the side surface and back surface of the first storage section 10 and on the side surface of the second storage section 20. The pedestals 60 provided at the four corners of the back surface of the first storage section 10 function effectively, for example, when the suitcase 1 is laid on its side to be used as a table. As shown in FIG. 7B, the pedestals 60 can also be folded down for storage.

[0050] The shoulder belt 70 is attached to the upper surface and the side surface of the bottom surface side of the first storage section 10 and to the upper surface of the second storage section 20. The shoulder belt 70 can be removed from the first storage section 10 and the second storage section 20. Details of the shoulder belt 70 will be described later.

[0051] The back pad 80 is attached to the back surface of the first storage section 10 and is removable from the first storage section 10. Details of the back pad 80 will be described later.

[0052] The waist belt 90 is attached to the back pad 80 and is removable from the back pad 80. Details of the waist belt 90 will be described later.

[2] Shoulder Belt

[0053] FIG. 2 shows the schematic side view of the suitcase according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 3A and 3B show diagrams for explaining the shoulder belt of the suitcase according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3A shows the top view of the suitcase according to this embodiment. FIG. 3B shows an enlarged view of the attachment portion of the shoulder belt according to this embodiment. The shoulder belt of the suitcase according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B, the shoulder belt 70 of the embodiment is attached to the first storage section 10 and the second storage section 20 at three attachment portions 71, 72 and 73.

[0055] At the first attachment portion 71, the shoulder belt 70 is attached to the top surface of the second storage section 20 with connectors 74 (74a, 74b, 74c). The connector 74a is, for example, a D-ring, and is fixed to the second storage section 20. The connector 74c is, for example, a D-ring, and is attached to the shoulder belt 70. The connector 74b is, for example, an oval-shaped (O-shaped) carabiner, and connects the connectors 74a and 74c together, making them removable.

[0056] At the second attachment portion 72, one end of the shoulder belt 70 is attached to the top surface of the first storage portion 10 by a belt fastener 75.

[0057] In the third attachment portion 73, the other end of the shoulder belt 70 is attached to the side surface on the bottom surface side of the first storage section 10 with the belt fastener 76. The belt fastener 76 can be attached to the back surface on the bottom surface side of the first storage section 10, but by providing it on the side surface on the bottom surface side of the first storage section 10, it is possible to improve the fit of the suitcase 1 to the body when the suitcase 1 is carried on the back using the shoulder belt 70.

[0058] The shoulder belt 70 can be removed from three attachment portions 71, 72, and 73. When the shoulder belt 70 is not in use, the connector 74b of the first attachment portion 71 can be removed from the connector 74a or 74c to store the shoulder belt 70 in a belt storage pocket 81 (described later), and the slack in the shoulder belt 70 can be eliminated by connecting the connector 74b to the connector 74a or 74c.

[0059] The belt fasteners 75 and 76 of the second attachment portion 72 and the third attachment portion 73 are provided near the back surface side of the first storage section 10. This improves the fit between the suitcase 10 and the user's back when the shoulder belt 70 is in use.

[0060] On the other hand, the connector 74 of the first attachment portion 71 is provided on the top surface on the side of the second storage section 20. This allows the shoulder belt 70 to be pulled and secured with the connector 74 when not in use, eliminating any slack in the shoulder belt 70.

[0061] The connector 74a is not limited to being fixed to the second storage section 20. For example, the connector 74a may be attached to the second storage section 20, but may be movable in the thickness direction of the second storage section 20. In this case, when the shoulder belt 70 is pulled and fastened with the connector 74, the length of the shoulder belt 70 can be finely adjusted not only by the shoulder belt 70 but also by moving the connector 74a.

[0062] The shoulder belt 70 has a chest belt 77. By using the chest belt 77, it is possible to prevent the shoulder belts 70 on both sides from slipping off the shoulder. The shoulder belt 70 has a plurality of loop-shaped hook portions 78. Various objects can be hung on the hook portions 78.

[3] Back Pad and Waist Belt

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a back view of the suitcase according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5A shows a back view of the suitcase with the back pad according to the embodiment of the present invention removed. FIG. 5B shows the schematic diagram of the back pad and waist belt of the suitcase according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 6A and 6B show the inside view and the outside view of the back pad and the waist belt according to the embodiment of the present invention. The back pad and the waist belt of the suitcase according to the present embodiment will be described below.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B, the back pad 80 of this embodiment is attached to the back of the first storage section 10 and is removable from the first storage section 10. The back pad 80 is made of a material (e.g., mesh) that is highly breathable and does not trap heat, and can maintain a comfortable fit.

[0065] The back pad 80 has the belt storage pocket 81 that can store the shoulder belt 70. The belt storage pocket 81 is located, for example, in the center of the back pad 80, but can be positioned in various ways, such as toward the upper part of the back pad 80.

[0066] The hold belt 82 capable of storing the waist belt 90 is provided on the front of the belt storage pocket 81. The hold belt 82 is made of, for example, two elastic rubber pieces arranged vertically, allowing the waist belt 90 to be easily stored.

[0067] The back pad 80 is attached to the first storage section 10 with the fastener (zipper) 83, and can be removed from the first storage section 10 by sliding the fastener 83. By being able to remove the back pad 80, it is possible to wash the back pad 80, and it is possible to maintain a clean feeling.

[0068] One of the fasteners 83 is provided on both side of the back pad 80, respectively. The other of the fasteners 83 is provided on a fastener attachment member (zipper attachment member) 84. This fastener attachment member 84 is made of fabric, for example, and is fixed to the first storage section 10 by the fixing member 85. This fixing member 85 may be a bolt similar to the metal bolt that fastens the carry handle 40.

[0069] The waist belt 90 is attached to both sides of the lower part of the back pad 80 with fasteners (zipper) 91, and can be removed from the back pad 80 by sliding the fasteners 91. By being able to remove the waist belt 90, it is possible to wash the waist belt 90, and it is possible to maintain a clean feeling.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 6B, the outer surface of the back pad 80 faces the first storage section 10. On both sides of the outer surface of the back pad 80, The fasteners 83 are provided that can be removed from the first storage section 10.

[0071] The outer surface of the waist belt 90 is provided with a pocket 92 that can be opened and closed, for example, by the zipper. Straps 93a and 93b are provided at the ends of the waist belt 90. The straps 93a and 93b can be opened and closed, and the waist belt 90 can be fixed to the waist of the user by closing the straps 93a and 93b.

[0072] The fasteners 83 and 91 may be other fasteners such as Velcro (registered trademark), buttons, etc., as long as they are removable.

[4] Method for Storing Shoulder Belt and Waist Belt

[0073] FIG. 8 shows the back view of the suitcase according to the embodiment of the present invention with the waist belt stored in the hold belt. FIG. 9 shows the back view of the suitcase according to the embodiment of the present invention with the shoulder belt stored in the belt storage pocket. Note that FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic diagrams that omit the chest belt 77, hook portion 78, pocket 92, straps 93a and 93b, etc. The method for storing the shoulder belt and the waist belt of the suitcase according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 8, in the suitcase 1 of this embodiment, when the waist belt 90 is not in use, the waist belt 90 is folded at the position of the fastener 91 and inserted into the hold belt 82. This allows the waist belt 90 to be stored.

[0075] When the suitcase 1 is used as a backpack, the connector 74b is detached from the connector 74a or 74c at the first attachment portion 71, and the shoulder belt 70 is removed from the first attachment portion 71. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the shoulder belt 70 is in a loose state. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, in the suitcase 1 of this embodiment, the shoulder belt 70 is inserted into the belt storage pocket 81. This allows the shoulder belt 70 to be stored.

[0076] The method of storing the waist belt 90 is not limited to using the hold belt 82. For example, the folding direction of the waist belt 90 may be reversed and the waist belt 90 may be stored between the back pad 80 and the first storage section 10.

[0077] In the suitcase 1 according to this embodiment, the back pad 80 is attached to the back of the first storage section 10, and the belt storage pocket 81 is provided on this back pad 80. When the shoulder belt 70 is not in use, the shoulder belt 70 can be placed in the belt storage pocket 81. This makes it possible to easily store the shoulder belt 70 without removing it in the suitcase 1 according to this embodiment.

[0078] In addition, in the suitcase 1 according to this embodiment, the connector 74 of the first attachment portion 71 is provided on the top surface on the side of the second storage section 20. This allows the shoulder belt 70 to be pulled and secured with the connector 74 to eliminate slack in the shoulder belt 70 when not in use. This prevents the shoulder belt 70 from sagging down and touching the ground and becoming dirty, or from being stepped on by the casters 30.

[0079] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.