U.S. patent application number 12/361119 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-30 for wheeled luggage and base-and-frame assembly therefor.
Invention is credited to Etsuo MIYOSHI.
Application Number | 20090188764 12/361119 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40821558 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090188764 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MIYOSHI; Etsuo |
July 30, 2009 |
WHEELED LUGGAGE AND BASE-AND-FRAME ASSEMBLY THEREFOR
Abstract
The base-and-frame assembly for the wheeled luggage includes: a
platform having a carriage surface for detachably carrying a
separable bag thereon; and an extendable rod connected to the
support tube in a self-standing manner and having a grip connected
at an upper end, and being stopped by a stopper at an extended
position. The platform is provided with a latitudinal reinforcement
rib integrally formed below a planar carriage plate with its top
face serving as the carriage surface. In a horizontal plane
including such surface, the latitudinal reinforcement rib extends
in a lateral direction orthogonal to the grip, protruding on a
bottom face of the carriage plate. A reinforcement protrusion is
integrally formed with the latitudinal reinforcement rib,
protruding downwardly at an area below the support tube.
Inventors: |
MIYOSHI; Etsuo; (Kagawa,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WENDEROTH, LIND & PONACK, L.L.P.
1030 15th Street, N.W.,, Suite 400 East
Washington
DC
20005-1503
US
|
Family ID: |
40821558 |
Appl. No.: |
12/361119 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/18A |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/385 20130101;
A45C 13/262 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/18.A |
International
Class: |
A45C 5/14 20060101
A45C005/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 28, 2008 |
JP |
2008-016419 |
Oct 9, 2008 |
JP |
2008-262968 |
Claims
1. Wheeled luggage comprising: a separable bag; a base-and-frame
assembly for carrying the separable bag thereon, wherein the
base-and-frame assembly includes: a platform having, on a top face
thereof, a carriage surface for detachably carrying the separable
bag thereon; swivel casters fixed to a bottom face opposite to the
carriage surface of the platform and allowing the base-and-frame
assembly to travel in free directions; a hollow support tube
connected to one side of the carriage surface of the platform in a
self-standing manner and protruding substantially vertically in an
upward direction; an extendable rod connected to the support tube
in a self-standing manner, the rod being freely extendable and
having a grip provided on one end of the support tube; and a
stopper for stopping the extendable rod at an extended position,
wherein the base-and-frame assembly has two support tubes on one
side of the carriage surface, two extendable rods respectively
connected to the two support tubes, and the grip connected on top
ends of the two extendable rods; the platform has a planar carriage
plate with a top face thereof serving as the carriage surface; and
the platform has the support tube connected in a manner of
extending substantially upwardly from one side of the carriage
plate, wherein the platform is provided, in a horizontal plane
including the carriage surface, with a latitudinal reinforcement
rib extending laterally in a direction orthogonal to the grip and
protruding on a bottom face of the carriage plate, the latitudinal
reinforcement rib being integrally formed with the carriage plate,
and the latitudinal reinforcement rib has a reinforcement
protrusion positioned below the support tube and protruding
downwardly, the reinforcement protrusion being integrally formed
with the latitudinal reinforcement rib.
2. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 1, wherein the
extendable rod, in a posture with the grip being lifted, is curved
in a direction of being made eccentric toward a center portion from
the one side of the carriage surface.
3. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 1, wherein the
extendable rod, in a posture with the grip being lifted, is slanted
toward the center portion from the one side of the carriage
surface.
4. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 1, wherein the support
tube is connected to the carriage plate so as to extend
substantially upwardly from opposite ends of the one side of the
carriage plate.
5. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 4, wherein the carriage
plate has two rows of latitudinal reinforcement ribs in a
circumference and on an inside thereof, the latitudinal
reinforcement ribs being disposed below a connecting area of the
support tube and the carriage plate, each of the latitudinal
reinforcement ribs forming a reinforcement protrusion, the
reinforcement protrusions being aligned substantially in
parallel.
6. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 5, wherein the platform
has one or more rows of bottom reinforcement ribs integrally formed
between the two rows of latitudinal reinforcement ribs in a manner
of protruding downwardly on the bottom face of the carriage
plate.
7. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 5, wherein, the two rows
of latitudinal reinforcement ribs comprises: an inner latitudinal
reinforcement rib provided inside of the carriage plate; and an
outer latitudinal reinforcement rib provide in the circumference of
the carriage plate.
8. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 5, wherein the
latitudinal reinforcement rib is provided with the reinforcement
protrusion formed in a shape of enlarging a protruding extent
downwardly of the latitudinal reinforcement rib in an area adjacent
to a portion where the support tube uprights from the carriage
surface.
9. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 5, wherein the
reinforcement protrusion is provided below the portion of
connecting the carriage surface and the support tube, and a
protruding extent is the largest below the junction point in the
circumference of the junction face of the support tube and the
carriage surface and where the carriage surface and the uprighted
portion of the support tube join together substantially at a right
angle as flat-viewed from the side face.
10. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 5, wherein a lower end
of the reinforcement protrusion is located above an upper end of a
wheel in a swiveling area of the swivel caster.
11. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 1, wherein a
reinforcement wall connecting the support tube and the carriage
surface is provided at the uprighted portion of the support tube
protruding from the carriage surface, and the reinforcement wall is
in a plane parallel to the grip and is disposed at a side edge of
the carriage surface.
12. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 11, wherein the
reinforcement wall is disposed between the two pieces of support
tubes.
13. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 11, wherein the support
tube has a reinforcement base protruding in a thickness direction
of the reinforcement wall.
14. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 1, wherein the caster
is located substantially in a perpendicular direction from the
support tube.
15. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 1, wherein the support
tube is provided at a corner of the carriage surface.
16. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 1, wherein the
separable bag has an insertion belt opening in an extendable
direction of the extendable rod and allowing the extendable rod to
be inserted through, and the separable bag is so structured as to
be detachably mounted to the base-and-frame assembly by inserting
the extendable rod through the insertion belt.
17. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 1, wherein a height
from a bottom face of the caster to the grip is 60-100 cm in a
state that the extendable rod is extended and the stopper allows
the extendable rod to stop.
18. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 1, wherein the
extendable rod comprises a guide tube fixed to the carriage surface
in a vertically facing posture and an extraction rod inserted in
the guide tube in an extendable and retractable manner, and the
grip is fixed to a top end of the extraction rod.
19. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 18, wherein two pieces
of the guide tube are connected, at a top end thereof, to a
connection rod.
20. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 19, wherein the
connection rod has a connection piece protruding upwardly at a face
opposite to the separable bag, the separable bag is provided with
an insertion portion allowing the connection piece to be inserted
for connection to the connection rod, the connection piece is
inserted into the insertion portion, and the separable bag is
connected to the connection rod.
21. The wheeled luggage as recited in claim 1, wherein the
extendable rod has the connection piece protruding upwardly at a
face opposite to the separable bag, the separable bag is provided
with an insertion portion allowing the connection piece to be
inserted for connection to the extendable rod, the connection piece
is inserted into the insertion portion, and the separable bag is
connected to the extendable rod.
22. A base-and-frame assembly which can carry a separable bag, the
assembly comprising: a platform having, on a top face thereof, a
carriage surface allowing the separable bag to be detachably
carried on; a swivel caster fixed to a bottom face opposite to the
carriage surface of the platform and allowing the base-and-frame
assembly to travel in free directions; a hollow support tube
connected to one side of the carriage surface of the platform in a
self-standing manner and protruding substantially perpendicularly
in an upward direction; an extendable rod connected to the support
tube in a self-standing manner, being freely extendable, and being
provided with a grip at one end; and a stopper allowing the
extendable rod at an extended position, wherein the base-and-frame
assembly is provided with two pieces of support tubes at one side
of the carriage surface, two pieces of extendable rods are
connected to the two pieces of support tubes, and the grip is
connected to top ends of the two pieces of extendable rod; the
platform has a planar carriage plate with a top face thereof
serving as the carriage surface; the support tube is connected so
as to extend substantially upwardly from one side of the carriage
plate; the platform is provided, in a horizontal plane including
the carriage surface, with a latitudinal reinforcement rib
integrally formed with the carriage plate, the latitudinal
reinforcement rib extending in a lateral direction orthogonal to
the grip and protruding on a bottom face of the carriage plate; and
the latitudinal reinforcement rib is provided with a reinforcement
protrusion protruding downwardly at an area situated below the
support tube, the reinforcement protrusion being integrally formed
with the latitudinal reinforcement rib.
23. The base-and-frame assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein the
extendable rod is curved, in a posture of lifting the grip, in a
direction eccentric toward a center portion from the one side of
the carriage surface.
24. The base-and-frame assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein the
extendable rod is slanted, in a posture of lifting the grip, toward
a center portion from the one side of the carriage surface.
25. The base-and-frame assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein the
support tube is connected so as to extend substantially upwardly
from opposite ends of the one side of the carriage plate, the
carriage plate has two rows of latitudinal reinforcement ribs in a
circumference and on an inside thereof, the latitudinal
reinforcement ribs being disposed below a connecting area of the
support tube and the carriage plate, each of the latitudinal
reinforcement ribs forming a reinforcement protrusion, the
reinforcement protrusions being aligned substantially in
parallel
26. The base-and-frame assembly as recited in claim 25, wherein the
platform has one or more rows of bottom reinforcement ribs between
the two rows of latitudinal reinforcement ribs, the one or more
rows of bottom reinforcement ribs integrally formed so as to
protrude downwardly of the bottom face of the carriage plate.
27. The base-and-frame assembly as recited in claim 25, wherein the
two rows of latitudinal reinforcement ribs comprises: an inner
latitudinal reinforcement rib provided inside of the carriage
plate; and an outer latitudinal reinforcement rib provide in the
circumference of the carriage plate.
28. The base-and-frame assembly as recited in claim 25, wherein the
latitudinal reinforcement rib is provided with the reinforcement
protrusion formed in a shape of enlarging a protruding extent
downwardly of the latitudinal reinforcement rib in an area adjacent
to the portion where the support tube uprights from the carriage
surface.
29. The base-and-frame assembly as recited in claim 25, wherein the
reinforcement protrusion is provided below the portion of
connecting the carriage surface and the support tube, and a
protruding extent is the largest below the junction point in the
circumference of the junction face of the support tube and the
carriage surface and where the carriage surface and the uprighted
portion of the support tube join together substantially at a right
angle as flat-viewed from the side face.
30. The base-and-frame assembly as recited in claim 25 through,
wherein a lower end of the reinforcement protrusion is located
above an upper end of a wheel in a swiveling area of the swivel
caster.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to wheeled luggage and a
base-and-frame assembly constituting the luggage, and in particular
relates to the luggage having a vertically extendable and
retractable handle.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Wheeled luggage provided with an extractable handle has thus
far been developed and used on many occasions. Many types of
luggage of this structure are available with a size allowed to
carry on into an aircraft or with a somewhat larger size. The
luggage of such structure is described, for example, in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,995,487, Japanese Application Laid-Open Publication No.
H04-076686 (1992), Japanese Utility Model Publication No.
S57-179824 (1982) and Japanese Utility Model Publication No.
S63-131634 (1988). The luggage described in these publications is
provided with two pieces of casters 41 on one side of the bottom
face as shown in FIG. 1. Stubs or bosses 42 are fixed to the side
opposite to the casters 41. When the luggage stands upright, the
casters 41 and the stubs or bosses 42 contact the floor. In this
state, since the unrotatable stubs or bosses 42 contact the floor,
the luggage is kept self-standing without movement. Further, in
order to pull the luggage for movement, an extractable handle 43 is
provided on the top face. Since the luggage is moved by pulling the
luggage in its tilted state, the handle 43 is provided on the same
side as the casters 41.
[0005] As show In FIG. 1, the luggage of this structure can be
moved by tilting the luggage and pulling on the handle 43. When the
luggage is tilted, the casters 41 remains in contact with the floor
and the stubs or bosses are moved away from the floor. When the
handle 43 is pulled in this state, the casters 41 rotate for an
easy movement. However, in the case of the luggage movable in this
manner, the casters 41 may not sometimes be used in a narrow place
like in an aircraft or in a crowded place. This is because, when
the luggage is traveled on the casters 41, the lateral width of the
luggage becomes large, disabling the luggage to be freely moved
along the narrow aisle between seats in the aircraft or in a
crowded place. When the casters 41 cannot be used, a user has to
lift up the luggage by hands for movement. In movement by
hand-lifting the luggage, the luggage can be moved in the direction
as indicated by arrow "A" in FIG. 1 so that the lateral width may
not become large.
[0006] The wheeled luggage is conveniently so structured as to move
a heavy load of the luggage in a light and easy manner. This is
because, even when the luggage is heavy, the casters facilitate an
easy movement of the luggage. In order to overcome the
above-described disadvantage, the present inventor has developed
luggage of the structure as illustrated in FIG. 2 (Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-117829 (1998)). The
illustrated luggage has casters 341 mounted to the bottom face of
the casing main body 344. The casters 341 are provided on four
corners of the bottom face so that the casing main body 344 can be
kept self-standing in its vertical posture. A grip 343A in a handle
343 is located on the upper part of the casing main body 344 and in
the center of the right-and-left direction. Unlike in the luggage
shown in FIG. 1, the luggage of this structure is not meant for
being tilted for movement. The luggage in its upright posture is
moved in the direction as indicated by an arrow in FIG. 2. When
moved in the direction as indicated by the arrow, the luggage can
be moved with its lateral width being made narrower. For this
reason, this luggage carries the advantage that the luggage can be
conveniently moved in an aircraft or in a crowded place. Further,
when the four pieces of casters 341 are swivel casters to allow for
movement in free directions, the luggage in its upright posture can
be moved in free directions. In the case of the luggage in its
upright posture, the weight of the luggage does not act on the
handle 343. For such reason, even when the luggage is very heavy,
movement can be made with ease simply by pushing the luggage.
[0007] The luggage of this structure can be moved in a light and
easy manner by means of the four casters when the grip of the
handle is pushed. In the luggage of this structure, however, since
the handle is mounted in the center portion, extendable rods 345 of
the handle 343 have to be fixed inside the casing main body 344 as
shown in the cross-sectional view in FIG. 3. In order for the
extendable rods 345 to have the grip 343A disposed in the center
portion in the right-and-left direction of the casing main body
344, the extendable rods 345 are fixed in the right-and-left
direction, namely in a state of extending through the center
portion in the thickness direction of the casing main body 344. In
the luggage of this structure, the extendable rods 345 are
hampering, which makes it difficult to effectively utilize the
interior space of the casing main body 344.
[0008] In aiming to solve these drawbacks, the present inventor
developed luggage as shown in FIG. 4 (Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open Publication No. H10-137022 (1998)).
[0009] This particular luggage is provided with casters 441
respectively in four corners of the bottom face of the casing main
body 444, and further the extendable rods 445 are fixed to the side
of the casing main body 444. The extendable rods 445 are so
structured as to extract the handle 443 upwardly, and are provided
with the grip 443A at its top end. The extendable rods 445 are
curved such that the grip 443A is positioned in the center portion
of the right-and-left direction of the top face of the casing main
body 444 when the rods are extracted from the casing main body
444.
[0010] The luggage of this structure carries the advantage that,
because the extendable rods are fixed on the side, the interior
space of the casing main body can be made deeper. However, since
the extendable rods are fixedly attached to the casing main body in
the luggage of this structure, the casing main body has to be
sturdily structured. This is because the extendable rods are made
self-standing by means of the casing main body. Unlike in the case
of FIG. 1 where the luggage is moved by pulling on the extendable
rods, the luggage of this particular structure is required to have
a sturdy structure that the luggage does not fall down even when
pushed laterally, because the casing main body is moved by being
pushed forward while being used like as a walking stick for
supporting a user in ambulation. For this reason, in order to make
up a structure that the extendable rods can be kept self-standing
firmly on the casing main body, the casing main body and the
fixture portion for the extendable rods have to be reinforced
securely. Thus, the luggage of this structure suffers the
disadvantage that the casing main body is intricately structured,
resulting in a very high cost of manufacture. The luggage of this
structure also suffers the disadvantage that it is difficult to
achieve reinforcement for a sturdy structure without reducing the
interior space for storage.
[0011] In order to further overcome such drawback, the present
inventor developed luggage as shown in FIG. 5. This particular
luggage has the casing main body 53 detachably mounted to the
base-and-frame assembly 51 provided, in its four corners of the
bottom face, with the casters 56 which can travel in free
directions. The base-and-frame assembly 51 includes a platform 52
on which a casing main body 53 is mounted, an extendable rod 55
being extractable upwardly and having a grip 54 at the top end, and
a stopper (not shown) for holding the extendable rod 55 at its
extended position and retracted position. The platform 52 is
provided, at its four corners, a caster 56 respectively. The
extendable rod 55 is fixed to one side of the platform 52 so as to
be extended upwardly into a self-standing state. The casing main
body 53 is mounted on the platform 52 and to the side of the
extendable rod 55 and connected to the base-and-frame assembly
51.
[0012] Like a conventional type, the luggage of this particular
structure is unable to allow the casing main body 53 to prevent the
extendable rod 55 from tilting off. For such reason, the
base-and-frame assembly 51 has to be firmly connected to the
platform 52 in a sturdy structure that the extendable rod 55 does
not tilt off. To realize such design, the base-and-frame assembly
51 has the extendable rod 55 fixed to the corner of the platform
52, and the extendable rod 55 is reinforced with a reinforcement
wall 58. The reinforcement wall 58 is a wall provided along the
opposite edges of the platform 52 to connect the extendable rod 55
to the platform 52, for their connection in a manner that the
extendable rod 55 may not tilt off. The base-and-frame assembly 51
allows the casing main body 53 to be mounted in a portion
surrounded by the extendable rod 55 and the reinforcement wall 58.
The platform 52 and the reinforcement wall 58 are produced in an
integral formation by using plastic or light metal such as
aluminum.
[0013] In the luggage of this structure, the extendable rod is
supported by the reinforcement wall and connected to the platform
so as not to tilt off. However, since the reinforcement wall is
respectively provided along the opposite edges of the platform, the
casing main body has to be placed between the reinforcement walls
at the opposite ends. This limits the width of the casing main body
due to the distance between the pair of the reinforcement walls,
and thus limiting the size and design, etc. of the casing main body
to be carried on the platform.
[0014] In order to further solve such problem, the present inventor
developed luggage as shown in FIG. 6. Like the luggage shown in
FIG. 5, this particular luggage includes a base-and-frame assembly
61 having a caster 66, and a casing main body 63. This design
differs from the luggage shown in FIG. 5 in terms of the position
of forming a reinforcement wall 68, and the reinforcement wall 68
in the luggage shown in FIG. 6 is provided below the platform 62.
With reference to FIG. 7 which is a bottom perspective view of the
base-and-frame assembly 61, an explanation shall be made of the
reinforcement wall 68. The reinforcement wall 68 is disposed
between the casters 66 provided at four corners of the bottom face
of the platform 62, and is further constituted by a latitudinal
reinforcement wall 68A and a longitudinal reinforcement wall 68B
which are interconnected. Further, the reinforcement wall 68
protrudes from the bottom face of the platform 62, with its
protruding height "d" being smaller than the height "h" of the
caster 66.
[0015] Thus, provision of the reinforcement wall 68 protruding
below the platform 62 ensures a sturdy structure of the
base-and-frame assembly 61. Resultantly, since a reinforcement wall
can be omitted on the top face of the platform 62, there does not
exist any spatial limitation on the top face of the platform 62,
and thus a wider option is available for the casing main body 63 to
be carried on the platform 62.
[0016] In the case of the luggage shown in FIG. 6, however, since
the casters 66 are provided on the four corners of the bottom face
of the platform 62, the reinforcement wall 68 being provided
likewise on the bottom face of the platform 62 has to be installed
to avoid the positions of mounting the casters 66. Therefore, the
reinforcement wall 68 is to be disposed between the casters 66, but
such disposition is also to limit the positions of mounting the
support tubes 67 extending upwardly of the platform 62 in
connection with the reinforcement walls 68. Even further, such
structure also limits the position of the extendable rod 65 being
inserted into and connected to the support tube 67 as well as the
position of the grip 64 provided on the top end of the extendable
rod 65. Thus, when the distance between the casters 66 is
relatively small, a spaced-apart distance "L" of the extendable
rods 65 becomes even smaller in accordance with the reinforcement
wall 68 provided between the casters 66, and thus the length of the
grip 64 also becomes smaller.
[0017] The grip 64 with its shorter gripping area is hard to hold.
In addition, when force is to be applied to a small area of the
side face of the luggage, it becomes difficult to control the
luggage. As the result, less ease of pushing the luggage leads to
limited controllability of the traveling direction of the luggage.
There is also a risk that the imbalanced luggage is liable to fall
down.
[0018] The present invention has been made with an aim to further
remedy the above-mentioned disadvantages, and a primary object of
the invention is to provide a wheeled luggage and its constituent
base-and-frame assembly which are designed to reinforce an
extendable rod and ensure ease of control when the luggage is
moved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The wheeled luggage has a separable bag 3 and a
base-and-frame assembly 1 that allows the separable bag 3 to be
carried on. The base-and-frame assembly 1 includes: a platform 102
having, on its top face, a carriage surface 2 to allow the
separable bag 3 to be detachably carried on; a swivel caster 6
being fixed to a bottom face opposite to the carriage surface 2 of
the platform 102 and allowing the base-and-frame assembly 1 to
travel in free directions; a hollow support tube 7 being connected
to one side of the carriage surface 2 of the platform 102 in a
self-standing manner and protruding substantially vertically in an
upward direction; an extendable rod 5 connected to the support tube
7 in a self-standing manner, the rod 5 being freely extendable and
having a grip 4 provided on one end of the support tube 7; and a
stopper 15 allowing the extendable rod 5 to stop at an extended
position.
[0020] The base-and-frame assembly 1 is provided with two pieces of
the support tubes 7 on one side of the carriage surface 2, has two
pieces of extendable rods 5 respectively connected to the two
pieces of support tubes 7, and has the grip 4 connected on top ends
of the two extendable rods 5. Further, the platform 102 has a
planar carriage plate 9 with its top face serving as the carriage
surface and has the support tube 7 connected in a manner of
extending substantially upwardly from one side of the carriage
plate 9. The platform 102 is provided, in a horizontal plane
including the carriage surface, with a latitudinal reinforcement
rib 112A extending laterally in a direction orthogonal to the grip
and protruding on a bottom face of the carriage plate 9, the
latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A being integrally formed with the
carriage plate 9. Further, the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A
is featured in that an area located below the support tube 7 is
protruded downwardly to serve as a reinforcement protrusion 108,
with the reinforcement protrusion 108 being integrally formed with
the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A.
[0021] The extendable rod 5 of the base-and-frame assembly, in a
posture with the grip 4 being lifted, can be so structured as to be
curved or slanted toward a center portion from the one side of the
carriage surface 2.
[0022] The above and further objects of the present invention as
well as the features thereof will become more apparent from the
following detailed description to be made in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a conventional type of
wheeled luggage;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the wheeled luggage
previously developed by the present inventor;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the wheeled
luggage shown in FIG.2;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another wheeled luggage
previously developed by the present inventor;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of even another wheeled luggage
previously developed by the present inventor;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of yet another wheeled luggage
previously developed by the present inventor;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view showing the
base-and-frame assembly of the wheeled luggage shown in FIG. 6;
[0030] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the wheeled
luggage in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a side view of the wheeled luggage in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the base-and-frame assembly
shown in FIG. 8;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a side view of the base-and-frame assembly shown
in FIG. 8;
[0034] FIG. 12 is a side view of the base-and-frame assembly in
another form;
[0035] FIG. 13 is a side view of the base-and-frame assembly in yet
another form;
[0036] FIG. 14A is a top plan view of the base-and-frame
assembly;
[0037] FIG. 14B is a bottom view of the base-and-frame
assembly;
[0038] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the base-and-frame
assembly;
[0039] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the wheeled
luggage in accordance with the second embodiment (of the present
invention);
[0040] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the wheeled luggage in
accordance with the second embodiment (of the present
invention);
[0041] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the wheeled luggage, shown
in another state, in accordance with the second embodiment (of the
present invention);
[0042] FIG. 19 is a side view of the wheeled luggage in accordance
with the third embodiment (of the present invention);
[0043] FIG. 20 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an exemplary
stopper of the extendable rod;
[0044] FIG. 21 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state
that the second stopper of the extendable rod shown in FIG. 18 is
released;
[0045] FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a state
that the first stopper of the extendable rod shown in FIG. 18 is
released;
[0046] FIG. 23 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the
wheeled luggage in accordance with the fourth embodiment (of the
present invention);
[0047] FIG. 24 is a bottom perspective view (showing the bottom
face) of the wheeled luggage;
[0048] FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view (showing the bottom
face) of the wheeled luggage;
[0049] FIG. 26 is a partial back view (showing the base-and-frame
assembly) of the wheeled luggage;
[0050] FIG. 27 is a partial side view (showing the base-and-frame
assembly) of the wheeled luggage;
[0051] FIG. 28 is a bottom view (showing a form) of the
platform;
[0052] FIG. 29 is a bottom view (showing another form) of the
platform;
[0053] FIG. 30 is a bottom view (showing yet another form) of the
platform;
[0054] FIG. 31 is a bottom view (showing a further form) of the
platform; and
[0055] FIG. 32 is a bottom view (showing even another form) of the
platform.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0056] The wheeled luggage and its associated base-and-frame
assembly of the present invention shall be described hereinafter in
detail. The first to third embodiments respectively show only a
referential example of the present invention, and the example of
the present invention is shown in the fourth embodiment.
First Embodiment
[0057] FIG. 8 shows an exploded perspective view of a wheeled
luggage 100 (which may sometimes be referred hereinafter to simply
as "luggage") in accordance with the first embodiment. Further,
FIG. 9 shows a side view showing a state that a separable bag 3 is
carried on a carriage surface 2. The wheeled luggage 100 is
composed essentially of a separable bag 3 and a base-and-frame
assembly 1 which can carry the separable bag 3. The base-and-frame
assembly 1 has a carriage surface 2 on which the separable bag 3 is
detachably carried. Four corners at the bottom face of the carriage
surface 2 are respectively provided with a swivel caster 6 that can
travel in free directions. Further, in at least a part of area at
one side of the rectangular carriage surface 2, the base-and-frame
assembly 1 has a hollow support tube 7 which is substantially
vertically uprighted from the carriage surface 2 in an upward
direction. An extendable rod 5 that can be vertically extended and
retracted is inserted into the hollow core of the support tube 7,
and the extendable rod 5 is connected to the support tube 7 so as
to self-stand in an upwardly extending posture. The base-and-frame
assembly 1 also has a stopper 15 (refer to FIG. 20) for stopping
the extendable rod 5 at its extended position. Further, a grip 4 is
provided on the top end of the extendable rod 5, so that a user can
hold the grip 4 to move the luggage 100 in his/her desired
direction. Further, as will be described hereinafter in detail, the
luggage 100 carries the advantage that the separable bag 3 can be
readily replaced with another bag. In carrying various types of
separable bags 3 on the base-and-frame assembly 1, the separable
bag 3 is placed on the carriage surface 2, and the separable bag 3
is fixed in a posture of being placed alongside the extendable rods
5.
[0058] Further, with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the planar
carriage surface 3 is rectangular. The carriage surface 2 has one
piece of support tube 7 respectively fixed at the opposite ends of
the one side which is a long side of the rectangle. The support
tube 7 extends in a posture of facing upwardly from the top face of
the carriage surface 2, namely, substantially in a direction of the
normal of the carriage surface 2, and is provided in an integral
formation with the carriage surface 2. That is, the support tube 7
protrudes upwardly from the top face of the carriage surface 2 but
does not protrude downwardly to the bottom face. This allows the
lower end of the support tube 7 to be prevented from colliding with
a traveling ground to interfere with the travel of the luggage 100,
and thus a smooth movement becomes possible even on a traveling
ground having some extent of irregularity.
[0059] Further, since a caster 6 and the support tube 7
respectively are provided separately on the top and bottom faces of
the carriage surface 2, a position of such separate formation does
not depend on each other and can be freely determined on the
respective surfaces. That is, the caster 6 and the support tube 7
are not mounted on the same face of the carriage surface 2, so that
the support tube 7 does not have to be provided so as to avoid the
fixture position of the caster 6. In the case of FIG. 8 and FIG. 9,
both the support tube 7 and the caster 6 are positioned at the
corner of the carriage surface 2, and in other words, the caster 6
is mounted substantially in the perpendicular direction from the
support tube 7. Thus, force added to the grip 4 is linearly
conducted from the support tube 7 to the caster 6, so that the
direction of moving the caster is easily controllable to increase
stability of the luggage. It is also preferable because the force
required for moving the luggage can be decreased.
[0060] Further, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the base-and-frame
assembly 1 as seen in a direction from the carriage surface 2. As
shown in FIG. 10, at the uprighted portion of the support tube 7
protruding upwardly from the top face of the carriage surface 2
substantially in a vertical direction, the base-and-frame assembly
1 is provided with a reinforcement wall 8 connecting the support
tube 7 and the carriage surface 2. The reinforcement walls 8 are
connected only at the same single side of the carriage surface 2 as
the support tubes 7 are connected, and the support tube 7 and the
reinforcement wall 8 are positioned substantially in the same
plane. That is, both the support tube 7 and the reinforcement wall
8 are positioned in a plane orthogonal upwardly from the single
side of the carriage surface, and the respective thickness of the
support tube 7 and the reinforcement wall 8 are in a posture of
being connected in their respective thickness. To describe further
in detail, the reinforcement wall 8 is formed in a position of
filling the corner at the area of junction which is composed of the
carriage surface 2 and the support tube 7 being substantially
orthogonal. Also in the case of FIG. 10, the two support tubes 7
are spaced apart in a mutually parallel relationship, and the
reinforcement walls 8 are formed in this space. That is, the
reinforcement walls 8 are provided between the two support tubes 7
uprighted upwardly from the opposite ends at the single side of the
carriage surface 2, and within a rectangular rod frame 29
surrounded by the carriage surface 2 and by the support tubes 7 and
the extendable rods 5. Further, in terms of strength, it is
preferred that the reinforcement wall 8 be integrally formed with
the carriage surface 2 and the support tube 7.
[0061] Further, the reinforcement wall 8 can be provided in a
single point or a plurality of points at the corners of the rod
frame 29 as shown in FIG. 10. The reinforcement wall 8 in such a
case should be so shaped as to be able to at least supplement the
corner of the rod frame 29 and to have such an area as can
substantially connect the sides which are substantially orthogonal
and adjacent to each other. Specifically, the reinforcement wall 8
can be triangular to correspond with the shape of the corner of the
rod frame 29 as illustrated and also be polygonal, or it can even
be in a variety of shapes such as a curve like a wave or an arch
joining the adjacent sides at the right angle of the corner, or a
staircase-like shape having a step. In addition, also available is
a shape of bridging to connect the opposite support tubes 7 that
are inside the rod frame 29. The reinforcement wall 8 can also
reduce its weight like by defining interior openings in a dotted
pattern, with the overall shape being maintained.
[0062] When the reinforcement wall 8 is thus provided, the strength
increases in the support tube 7 and the extendable rod 5. In
particular, by reinforcing the corner of the rod frame 29 which is
an uprighted portion of the support tube 7, the rod frame 29 can be
made even more stable to prevent the structure from being
distorted. That is, the strength of the extendable rod 5 to the
press force can be increased in the horizontal direction, namely in
the right-and-left direction as shown in FIG. 10.
[0063] Further, the support tube 7 is provided with a reinforcement
base 34 protruding in the thickness direction of the reinforcement
wall 8. FIG. 11 is a side view when the base-and-frame assembly 1
is seen from the front left side as shown in FIG. 8. As shown in
FIG. 11, the reinforcement base 34 is, at the uprighted portion of
the support tube 7, formed to protrude outwardly from the rod frame
29 in a perpendicular direction, namely in the rearward direction
of the base-and-frame assembly 1 (in the right direction as viewed
in FIG. 11). By thus increasing the contour of the uprighted
portion of the support tube 7 to strengthen the construction of
support tube 7 to a further extent, the extendable rod 5 connected
into the support tube 7 can be stably supported. In terms of
strength, it is preferable that, like in the above-mentioned
reinforcement wall 8, the reinforcement base 34 be formed
integrally with the support tube 7.
[0064] With reference to FIG. 11, the support tube 7 has the
reinforcement base 34, and the reinforcement base 34 is provided in
a full area in the direction perpendicular to the support tube 7.
Further, the contour of the support tube 7 becomes larger when
coming closer to the carriage surface 2, that is, the reinforcement
base 34 is so structured that the protruding extent from the
support tube 7 becomes larger downwardly to obtain a larger contour
of the support tube 7. In the case of the reinforcement base 34 as
shown in FIG. 11, the protruding shape is formed in a lightly
slanted or curved state, but the protruding shape and forming area
are not limited to such state.
[0065] For example, the support tube 7 shown in FIG. 12 is of a
cylindrical shape having the same contour in the upper portion. The
reinforcement base 34 is formed in a stepped state protruding
rearwardly of the base-and-frame assembly 1 toward the carriage
surface 2 from the intermediate portion along the longitudinal
direction of the support tube 7. Further, the shape of the
reinforcement base 34 shown in FIG. 12 is so constructed that the
contour of the reinforcement base 34 gradually increases when
coming closer to the carriage surface 2.
[0066] In the case of the support tube 7 shown in FIG. 13, on the
other hand, the protruding shape of the reinforcement base 34 has
its contour being substantially constant, that is, the rearward
side of the support tube 7 is protruded in a shoulder-like step in
joint with the reinforcement base 34. In FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the
shoulder-like step is single to make the area as the reinforcement
base 34, but the number of such shoulder-like step may be multiple
as well, and the contour of the reinforcement base 34 may be so
structured as to be either substantially constant or larger
downwardly. Thus, by protruding the reinforcement base 34 toward
the rearward direction, the support tube 7 and the extendable rod 5
can be made sturdy without a protruding portion being provided
toward the carriage surface 2. That is, the strength of the
extendable rod 5 is increased in the fore-and-aft direction at the
extendable rod 5 (in the right-and-left direction when viewed in
FIG. 11 through FIG. 13).
[0067] As described above, when the reinforcement wall 8 and the
reinforcement base 34 are added to the support tube 7, the rod
frame 29 can be reinforced in its horizontal and vertical
directions, namely in its fore-and-aft and right-and-left
directions. The rod frame 29 being sterically reinforced has its
increased resistance to load, and resultantly the rod frame 29 can
support the loads of the separable bag 3 and/or the user as well as
being able to effectively serve to facilitate the user's
ambulation. Further, since the luggage 100 can be kept stably
self-standing, a risk of falling down will remarkably be decreased
when the luggage is traveled and standing still.
[0068] In manufacturing the base-and-frame assembly 1 provided with
the carriage surface 2, the support tube 7, the reinforcement wall
8 and the reinforcement base 34, the entirety is integrally formed
with plastic or light metal such as aluminum. Therefore, the
respective members are interconnected in the process of forming
them with the plastic or the light metal. The base-and-frame
assembly 1 can increase connection strength respectively in the
reinforcement wall 8, the reinforcement base 34, the carriage
surface 2 and the support tube 7. It should be noted, however, that
in the base-and-frame assembly 1 of the present invention, the
respective members may be separately formed and then made up into
an adhesively fixed or screwed structure. Further, the respective
members to constitute the base-and-frame assembly 1 may be either
of the same material or of a plurality of materials, which are
optionally selected with a light weight property, strength, etc.
being taken into consideration.
[0069] Further, the shapes of the extendable rod 5 and the support
tube 7 are not specifically limited if only so structured as to
allow the extendable rod 5 to be inserted into the hollow core of
the support tube 7. For example, in the case of the luggage 100
shown in FIG. 8 through FIG. 11, the support tube 7 is of a
prismatic tube to correspond with the extendable rod 5 of a
prismatic cylinder. Also available is a combination of a columnar
cylinder and a columnar tube. That is, an exterior shape of the
extendable rod 5 is preferably similar to an interior shape of the
hollow support tube 7. The extendable rod 5 inserted into the
support tube 7 is fixed to the support tube 7 by means of a set
screw. It should be noted, however, that the extendable rod 5 may
be either inserted into the support tube 7 to be adhesively fixed
or connected in a fit-in structure that can not be drawn out. Such
structure of connecting the extendable rod 5 to the carriage
surface 2 allows the extendable rod 5 to be fixed to the carriage
surface 2 in a very sturdy structure.
[0070] As described above, in the case of the luggage 100 according
to the first embodiment, the reinforcement of the support tube 7
and/or the extendable rod 5 is accomplished by providing the
reinforcement wall 8 and the reinforcement base 34 on the upper
face of the carriage surface 2. Therefore, since a reinforcement
member such as the reinforcement wall 8 and the reinforcement base
34 is not provided on the lower face of the carriage surface 2, a
position of fixedly mounting the caster 6 to the bottom face of the
carriage surface 2 is not specifically limited. That is, the caster
6 can be fixed at a desired position. In particular, by setting the
area of forming the reinforcement member to be between the support
tubes 7, any obstacle such as a wall can be cleared off the
right-and-left direction of the carriage surface 2 as shown in FIG.
10. That is, since a spatial limitation can be extremely reduced in
regard to the area of mounting the separable bag 3, an optional
choice of the separable bag 3 to be carried on is enlarged.
Further, since a position of connecting the support tube 7 to the
top face of the carriage surface 2 can be set to be free, a
distance of spacing apart the support tubes 7 can be adjusted in
accordance with an easy-to-hold length of the grip 7, thus
realizing an ideal positioning of the support tubes 7.
[0071] Further, FIG. 14A is a top plan view of the base-and-frame
assembly 1, while FIG. 14B is a bottom view of the base-and-frame
assembly 1. As shown in FIG. 14, provided on the bottom face of the
carriage surface 2 are reinforcement ribs 10 which extend in every
direction and are integrally formed with plastic or light metal. In
this carriage surface 2, its entirety can be made thinner and yet
structured sturdily with the aid of the reinforcement ribs 10.
Further, the carriage can be made even lighter in weight by
providing through-holes between the reinforcement ribs provided in
every direction, the through-holes extending vertically through the
carriage surface.
[0072] Method of Mounting the Separable Bag
[0073] An explanation shall now be made for a method of mounting
the separable bag 3 to the base-and-frame assembly 1. In the case
of the luggage 100 shown in FIG.9, the separable bag 3 is carried
on the top face of the carriage surface 2 and adjacent to the
extendable rod 5. The luggage 100 is so structured as to detachably
mount the separable bag 3. It should be noted, however, that the
separable bag 3 can be undetachably fixed as well. Further, the
size and the material of the separable bag 3 are not specifically
limited. In the case of the separable bag 3 shown in FIG. 9, a
flexible sheet is sewn for fabrication.
[0074] First, the base-and-frame assembly 1 shall be explained.
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the base-and-frame assembly 1. As
shown in FIG. 15, the extendable rod 5 is provided with a guide
tube 5B and an extraction rod 5A which is inserted into the guide
tube 5B in an extendable and retractable manner. Further, although
a description shall be made below in detail, the illustrated
extraction rod 5A has a two-step extraction function and is
composed of an upper extraction rod 5Aa and a lower extraction rod
5Ab.
[0075] Further, the base-and-frame assembly 1 shown in FIG. 15 has
a connection rod 11 bridged in a direction of being substantially
orthogonal to the elongating direction of the extendable rod 5 (in
a right-and-left direction as viewed in FIG. 15). The connection
rod 11 has a connection piece 13 protruding in the direction of the
carriage surface 2, namely, in the front left direction as viewed
in FIG. 15. The connection rod 11 is provided at the top end of the
guide tube 5B and has the connection piece 13 integrally formed by
using plastic or light metal. Further, the connection piece 13 is
formed in a shape of protruding upwardly on a face opposite to the
separable bag 3, and is inserted into an insertion portion 3B
(refer to FIG. 8) provided to the separable bag 3 for connecting
the separable bag 3 in a manner that the connection does not come
off. The insertion portion 3B of the separable bag 3 is provided
with a connection gap with its lower portion being open, where the
connection piece 13 is inserted for a mutual connection.
[0076] Further, the position of forming the connection piece 13 is
not limited to the connection rod 11. For example, the position may
also be on the extendable rod 5. For example, another connection
piece 13b shown in FIG. 15 is provided on the guide tube 5B
constituting the extendable rod 5. When provided on the guide tube
5B, the connection piece 13b can be shorter in distance from the
carriage surface 2, so that, even when the height of the separable
bag 3 to be carried on is relatively low, the bottom face of the
separable bag 3 can securely touch the top face of the carriage
surface 2 to allow the separable bag 3 to be stably mounted to the
base-and-frame assembly 1. Further, the number of positioning the
connection pieces 13, 13b is not specifically limited. For example,
in the case of a single piece of connection piece, the separable
bag 3 and the base-and-frame assembly 1 can be readily or quickly
connected to and released from each other. Alternatively, in a
configuration that a plurality of connection pieces are provided at
prescribed intervals in the vertical direction, the separable bags
3 of various sizes are applicable, while the connection position of
a single piece of separable bag 3 is adjustable with respect to the
base-and-frame assembly 1.
Second Embodiment
[0077] Further, connection means to be used between the separable
bag 3 and the base-and-frame assembly 1 is not limited to the one
that is described above. Another example of connection means shall
be described below as the second embodiment. FIG. 16 is an exploded
perspective view of a wheeled luggage 300 in accordance with the
second embodiment. When compared with the luggage in accordance
with the first embodiment, the luggage 300 shown in FIG. 16 differs
only in a method of connecting the separable bag 3 to the
base-and-frame assembly 1, with the remaining structure being the
same. Therefore, a like structure shall bear a like reference
numeral, and no additional explanation shall be made.
[0078] The separable bag 3 in accordance with the second embodiment
has an insertion belt 40 opening in a vertical direction as shown
in FIG. 16. The grip 4 of the base-and-frame assembly 1 is inserted
through the lower portion of the opening, and then the grip 4 is
extended upwardly, that is, the extendable rod 5 is inserted
through the insertion belt 40. Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the
separable bag 3 is carried on the carriage surface 2 of the
base-and-frame assembly 1, so that the separable bag 3 can be fixed
to the base-and-frame assembly 1. Further, in releasing the
separable bag 3 from the base-and-frame assembly 1, the separable
bag 3 is lifted to pass through the insertion belt 40, and thus the
extendable rod 5 having been inserted through the insertion belt 40
is released. In this manner of connection by inserting a part of
the base-and-frame assembly through the insertion portion provided
to the separable bag 3, the separable bag 3 and the base-and-frame
assembly 1 can be readily connected to and released from each
other.
[0079] The insertion belt 40 is provided to the outermost surface
of the separable bag 3. Although the opening width of the insertion
belt 40 can be variably altered, the insertion belt 40 should have
a width that at least allows the rod frame 29 to be inserted
through, and preferably to the extent that a larger width is given
than the width of the rod frame 29. This enables the separable bag
3 and the base-and-frame assembly 1 to be connected readily and
stably. In the case of FIG. 16, a rectangular insertion belt 40 is
formed on a surface orthogonal to the width direction of the
separable bag 3, namely, at least on one of the front and back
sides of the separable bag 3. An integral fabrication by sewing the
insertion belt 40 and the separable bag 3 is preferred in terms of
an easy fabrication, but a fabrication is not specifically limited,
and a configuration is also applicable that separate members are
preformed and detachably mounted to the separable bag 3.
Alternatively, in the vertical openings of the insertion belt 40,
the upper side may always be kept open, while the lower side may
optionally be made openable and closeable by means of a fastener,
etc. Thus, when the separable bag 3 is to be used alone, the lower
side of the insertion belt 40 is closed to thus form a pocket used
for the separable bag 3. Further, the material of the insertion
belt 40 is not specifically limited, and when a material being the
same as or different from the material of the separable bag 3 is
used, its designability can be improved. An elastic material or a
material added with a function such as resistance to friction may
also be employed.
[0080] Further, a structure may also be applicable that a part of
the separable bag 3 surrounds the base-and-frame assembly 1. For
example, a pair of strips is provided to the separable bag 3, and
when the separable bag 3 is carried on the carriage surface 2, the
strips are wrapped around the extendable rod 5 or the carriage
surface 2. The both ends of the strip are then interconnected to
fix the separable bag 3 to the base-and-frame assembly 1. A
connection mechanism between the strips is not specifically
limited, but the mechanism includes a button, a hook, a snapper,
Velcro.RTM. fastener, a belt, a strap, a ring and a zipper. The
connection means may be either single or in combination of various
kinds.
[0081] Further, although described below in detail, the extendable
rod 5 can be stopped in a prescribed position in a state of being
extended and retracted in a vertical direction. As indicated by an
arrow in FIG. 15, the base-and-frame assembly 1 is provided with a
plurality of stop positions while the extraction rod 5A is moves
through the guide tube 5B. For example, when the extraction rod 5A
is pushed down, the extraction rod 5A is received in the lower
guide tube 5B and stops at its lowest position. FIG. 18 shows the
luggage 300 in which the separable bag 3 and the base-and-frame
assembly 1 are interconnected by the connection means in accordance
with the second embodiment and also illustrates a state that the
extendable rod 5 is lowered. As shown in FIG. 18, in a posture that
the extendable rod 5 is stopped at its lowest position, the
base-and-frame assembly 1 is miniaturized and stored along the
separable bag 3. That is, the overall size of the luggage 100 can
be substantially the same as that of the separable bag 3, resulting
in the entire luggage 300 being lifted up for carriage like by
hanging a strap 46 of the separable bag 3 to a user's shoulder or
arm. That is, the base-and-frame assembly 1 can be integrally
stored for carriage with the separable bag 3, and thus even when
the caster 6 is not in use, the luggage 300 can be moved. The
luggage 300 is convenient for lifting from the ground and carrying
around in the circumstances where the caster 6 is hard to be used
on a street with irregularities. In particular, as shown in FIG.
18, in the pair of straps 46 of the separable bag 3, when the strap
46 adjacent to the extendable rod 5 is inserted from the inside to
the outside between the grip 4 and the connection rod 11, the strap
46 can support the grip 4 in a manner of wrapping from the lower
side to the upper side to facilitate a stable carriage.
[0082] Further, as shown in FIG. 8 through FIG. 9 or FIG. 11, etc.,
when the extendable rod 5 is extended to lift the grip 4, the
extendable rod 5 is curved to make the grip 4 eccentric toward the
center portion from the one side where the extendable rod 5 is
fixed to the carriage surface 2. When the extendable rod 5 is fixed
to the right side of the carriage surface 2, the center portion of
the carriage surface 2 means the center of the right-and-left
direction as illustrated in the drawing. In the case of the luggage
100 shown in FIG. 9, the extendable rod 5 is fixed to the right
side of the carriage surface 2, so that when the extendable rod 5
is lifted, the extendable rod 5 is curved to make the grip 4
eccentric from the right side to the left side of the carriage
surface 2. In other words, the extendable rod 5 is so designed that
its center portion is curved in a direction of protruding outwardly
to make the lifted grip 4 eccentric from the side portion of the
carriage surface 2 to the direction of being closer to its center
portion. In a state that the extendable rod 5 is lifted, the grip 4
does not necessarily have to be positioned at the center portion of
the carriage surface 2. This is because, even if the grip 4 is not
positioned perfectly at the center portion, the luggage 400 can be
moved forward without meandering by pushing the grip 4. In the
illustration, when one end face of the carriage surface 2 to which
the extendable rod 5 is fixed is set to be zero as a reference and
the opposite end face is set to be 100, the lifted grip 4 is
positioned for example at 15 to 80%, preferably at 20 to 60%, and
more preferably at 20 to 50%.
Third Embodiment
[0083] Further, FIG. 19 is a side view of the wheeled luggage 400
in accordance with the third embodiment, in which the extendable
rod 5 is slantingly fixed to the carriage surface 2; when the
extendable rod 5 is extended to lift up the grip 4, the grip 4 is
made eccentric toward the center portion from one side of the
carriage surface 2 to which the extendable rod 5 is fixed. In the
case of the luggage 400 shown in FIG. 19, since the extendable rod
5 is fixed to the right side of the carriage surface 2, the
extendable rod 5 is originally slanted so that when the extendable
rod 5 is lifted up, the grip 4 is made eccentric from the right
side to the left side of the carriage surface 2. Like the curved
extendable rod 4, he slanted extendable rod 5 as well does not
necessarily have to be positioned at the center portion of the
carriage surface 2 in a state that the grip 4 is lifted up. This is
because, even if the grip 4 is not positioned perfectly at the
center portion, the luggage 400 can be moved forward without
meandering by pushing the grip 4.
[0084] Further, although not illustrated, the luggage can also be
so designed that the curving extendable rod is slantingly fixed to
one side of the carriage surface and the grip is lifted up to be
made eccentric toward the center portion from the one side of the
carriage surface. In this luggage, when the curving radius of
curvature is made large and the angle of inclination is made closer
to a right angle, the grip can be lifted to become closer to the
center portion of the carriage surface. This is because the lifted
grip can be made eccentric toward the center portion from the side
portion of the carriage surface both by being inclined and by being
curved.
[0085] In the case of the luggage in accordance with the
above-described embodiment, two pieces of extendable rods 5 are
fixed respectively at the opposite ends of the one side of the
carriage surface 2. Thus, the structure of disposing the extendable
rods 5 at one side of the carriage surface 2 carries the advantage
that the bottom area of the separable bag 3 to be placed on the
carriage surface 2 can be made larger because the separable bag 3
can be disposed substantially all over the top face of the carriage
surface 2. It should be noted, however, that the luggage of the
present invention is not limited to the structure that the
extendable rods are disposed at the opposite ends of one side of
the carriage surface. For example, the extendable rod 5 can also be
disposed on one side of the carriage surface but at a position made
eccentric to the center portion.
[0086] When the extendable rod 5 is in its retracted state, namely
when the grip 4 is pushed down to its lowest position, the grip 4
is located at the top of or above the separable bag 3 and stopped
by means of the stopper. In the extendable rod 5 with the retracted
grip 4 being at its lowest position, the distance is set to be
about 50 cm between the bottom face of the caster 6 and the top
face of the grip 4. However, the extendable rod 5 can also be so
designed that, with the retracted grip 4 being at its lowest
position, the distance between the bottom face of the caster 6 and
the top face of the grip 4 is set to be preferably 30 to 80 cm, and
more preferably 35 to 70 cm. In the state of retracting the
extendable rod 5 to bring the grip 4 to its lowest position, the
separable bag 3 is made lower than the grip 4 so that the grip 4 is
easy to hold. When the extendable rod 5 is in its extended state,
namely when the grip 4 is lifted up to its highest position, the
height between the bottom face of the caster 6 and the center of
the grip 4 is 60 to 100 cm, and preferably 65 to 85 cm, where the
grip 4 is stopped by means of the stopper.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 15, the extendable rod 5 is provided with
the guide tube 5B fixed on the carriage surface 2 for a vertically
extension and the two-step extraction rod 5A inserted into the
guide tube 5B for extension and retraction, with the grip 4 being
fixed at the top end of the upper extraction rod 5Aa. Further, in
the two-step extraction rod 5A, the upper extraction rod 5Aa is
made narrower than the lower extraction rod 5Ab, with the upper
extraction rod 5Aa being inserted into the lower extraction rod 5Ab
for extension and retraction. Further, in the extendable rod 5, the
lower extraction rod 5Ab is made narrower than the guide tube 5B,
with the lower extraction rod 5Ab being inserted into the guide
tube 5B for extension and retraction. The guide tube 5B and the
extraction rod 5A can be made of metal tubes with different sizes.
The guide tube and the extraction rod may also be made by forming
plastic or light metal into a prismatic tube. The illustrated
extendable rod is so structured as to be extendable in two steps,
but the extendable rod can also be structured for a single-step
extension or for three-or-more-step extension.
[0088] In the case of the luggage shown in the above-mentioned
drawings, two pieces of extendable rods 5 are fixed in at least a
partial area on one side of the carriage surface 2, with the grip 4
being connected to the top ends of the two pieces of extendable
rods 5. Specifically, the two pieces of extendable rods 5 are
fixedly located at the opposite corners on one side of the carriage
surface 2 or toward the center portion away from the opposite
ends.
[0089] Further, in the two pieces of extendable rods 5, the top
ends of the guide tubes 5B are connected by means of the connection
rod 11. The guide rods 5B have their respective lower end fixedly
inserted into the support tubes 7 on the carriage surface 2, with
their respective top ends being connected by means of the
connection rod 11. Thus, the structure that the top ends of the
guide tubes 5B are connected by means of the connection rod 11
serves to reinforce the two extendable rods 5 for self-standing in
a more stable state. Defined between the connection rod 11 and the
grip 4 at its lowest position as shown in FIG. 18 is the insertion
gap 14 to allow a user's hand or the strap 46 of the separable bag
3 to be inserted through. This is for the purpose of making the
lowered grip 4 easy to hold. The illustrated grip 4 in its entirety
is formed with inverted U-shaped plastic or light metal, and the
foldable ends are respectively connected to the extraction rods 5A,
defining the insertion gap 14.
[0090] The stopper can use every kind of mechanism that can stop
the extraction and retraction of the extendable rod 5. An exemplary
stopper is illustrated in FIG. 20 through FIG. 22. The extendable
rod 5 shown in these drawings is so structured as to extract and
retract the two-step extraction rod 5A, so that two pieces of
stoppers 15 are provided at the upper and lower positions. The
first stopper 15A stops the extraction and retraction of the upper
extraction rod 5Aa and the lower extraction rod 5Ab. The second
stopper 15B stops the extraction of the lower extraction rod 5Ab
and the guide tube 5B. Further, the retraction of the lower
extraction rod 5Ab and the guide tube 5B is stopped by means of the
first stopper 15A.
[0091] The first stopper 15A includes a protrusion pin 16 disposed
at the lower end of the upper extraction rod 5Aa to elastically
protrude toward the lower extraction rod 5Ab, an engagement portion
17, provided at the lower extraction rod 5Ab, into which the
protrusion pin 16 is inserted, and a first release mechanism 18 for
forcibly extracting the protrusion pin 16 out of the engagement
portion 17. The second stopper 15B includes a protrusion pin 36
disposed at the lower end of the lower extraction rod 5Ab to
elastically protrude toward the guide tube 5B, an engagement
portion 37, provided at the guide tube 5B, into which the
protrusion pin 36 is inserted, and a second release mechanism 38
for forcibly extracting the protrusion pin 36 out of the engagement
portion 36.
[0092] The protrusion pin 16 is disposed via an elastic member 19
inside the lower end of the upper extraction rod 5Aa so as to
elastically protrude toward the peripheral direction of the
extraction rod 5A. The protrusion pin 36 is disposed via an elastic
member 39 inside the lower end of the lower extraction rod 5Ab so
as to elastically protrude toward the peripheral direction of the
extraction rod 5A. These protrusion pins 16, 36 are respectively
pushed by the elastic members 19, 39 and protrude elastically out
of the extraction rod 5A. The protrusion pins 16, 36 are disposed
in the extraction rod 5A so as to protrude in mutually opposite
directions. The illustrated extendable rod 5 is so structured that
the protrusion pin 16 is protruded inwardly, namely in the
direction of the opposing extendable rod 5, and that the protrusion
pin 36 is protruded outwardly, namely in the direction opposite to
the opposing extendable rod 5.
[0093] The engagement portions 17, 37 are through-holes or concaved
portions into which the protrusion pins 16, 36 are respectively
inserted. The illustrated lower extraction rod 5Ab and guide tube
5B open the through-holes for allowing the protrusion pins 16, 36
through and serve as the engagement portions 17, 37. Thus, the
structure of preparing the engagement portions 17, 37 in the form
of the through-holes carries the advantage that the protrusion pins
16, 36 inserted in the engagement portions are extended through the
through-holes to be protruded and the extendable rod 5 can be
securely stopped. This means, in particular, that the extendable
rod 5 can be safely used in lieu of a walking stick, namely when
the grip 4 bears a load of user's body weight. This is because the
protrusion pins 16, 36 can be effectively prevented from coming off
the engagement portions 17, 37 unexpectedly, without the extendable
rod 5 being pushed back. Further, when the grip 4 is held by a hand
to lift the whole luggage, the extendable rod 5 can be
advantageously prevented from being extracted unexpectedly. Thus,
the stopper 15 which can securely fix the position of the
extraction rod 5A carries the advantage that the stopper 15 can be
used very safely when the grip 4 is in its lifted position as well
as in its lowered position. It is to be noted that the engagement
portion can be a concavity to allow the tip of the protrusion pin
to be inserted in the engagement portion.
[0094] Although not illustrated, the engagement portion 17 provided
at the lower extraction rod 5Ab is provided at the positions of
inserting the protrusion pin 16 where the upper extraction rod 5Aa
is lifted to the highest level, where the rod is lifted to a middle
level, and where the rod is lowered to the lowest level. Thus, when
the upper extraction rod 5Aa is lifted to the uppermost level, the
protrusion pin 16 is inserted into the uppermost engagement portion
17; when the upper extraction rod 5Aa is lowered to the lowest
level, the protrusion pin 16 is inserted in the lowermost
engagement portion 17; and further when the upper extraction rod
5Aa is lifted to the middle level, the protrusion pin 16 is
inserted in the middle engagement portion 17, so that the extension
and retraction of the extendable rod 5 is stopped at each level. In
this way, the extendable rod 5 provided with the engagement portion
17 in the middle of the lower extraction rod 5Ab carries the
advantage that the upper extraction rod 5Aa can be extended and
retracted in accordance with a plurality of levels. It should be
noted, however, the upper extraction rod does not necessarily have
to be so structured as to stop in the middle level; the extraction
rod may be designed to stop in the uppermost and lowermost
positions only. Further, the upper extraction rod can also be so
arranged that a plurality of engagement portions are provided in
the middle portion of the lower extraction rod, so that the upper
extraction rod lifted to a middle level can be stopped at a
plurality of positions. In such extendable rod, an optimal position
of the grip can be selected by incrementally shifting the position
of the grip in its vertical direction.
[0095] The engagement portion 37 provided to the guide tube 5B is
provided at a position of inserting the protrusion pin 36 in a
state where the lower extraction rod 5Ab is lifted to its upper
most level. In a state that the lower extraction rod 5Ab is lifted
to its uppermost level, the protrusion pin 36 is inserted into the
engagement portion 37, and the extension of the lower extraction
rod 5Ab is stopped. Further, as shown in FIG. 21, the guide tube 5B
is provided with an engagement portion 30 into which the protrusion
pin 16 is inserted when the upper extraction rod 5Aa and the lower
extraction rod 5Ab are positioned at their lowermost levels. The
engagement portion 30 is provided at a position where the
protrusion pin 16 is inserted which extends through the lowermost
engagement portion 17 of the lower extraction rod 5Ab which is at
its lowered level. That is, in a state that the upper extraction
rod 5Aa and the lower extraction rod 5Ab are at their lowermost
level, the extendable rod 5 is stopped in a state of its shortest
retraction when the protrusion pin 16 is inserted into the
engagement portion 17 of the lower extraction rod 5Ab and the
engagement portion 30 inside the guide tube 5B. In this way, the
protrusion pin 36 is inserted into the engagement portion 37
outside the guide tube 5B, the extension of the lower extraction
rod 5Ab is stopped, the protrusion pin 16 is inserted into the
engagement portion 30 provided inside the guide tube 5B, and the
retraction of the lower extraction rod 5Ab is stopped.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 22, the first release mechanism 18 includes
a push button 20 provided at the grip 4, a driving rod 21 connected
to the push button 20 to be vertically moved by the push button 20,
and a pivotable piece 22 pushed by the lower end of the driving rod
21 for pivoting/rotating in a direction of forcibly drawing back
the protrusion pin 16.
[0097] The push button 20 is disposed at the center portion on the
top face of the grip 4 so as to be vertically moved. The push
button 20 is connected via an elastic substance 23 to the inner
bottom face of the grip 4, and is pushed out elastically via the
elastic substance 23. The push button 20 has, at its lower face,
the driving rod 21 connected; and when the push button 20 is
vertically moved by a user's thumb or finger, the driving rod 21 is
designed to be vertically driven.
[0098] The driving rod 21 is disposed inside the grip 4 and the
upper extraction rod 5Aa and is driven vertically by the push
button 20 to pivot the pivotable piece 22. The driving rod 21 shown
in FIG. 22 includes a horizontal rod 21A connected to the lower
face of the grip 4, and a vertical rod 21B inserted into the upper
extraction rod 5Aa. The opposite ends of the horizontal rod 21A are
respectively positioned above the upper ends of the vertical rod
21B, and when the horizontal rod 21A is pushed down, the vertical
rod 21B is designed to be pushed downwardly. The vertical rod 21B
has its upper end inserted into an insertion cap 24 which
vertically moves in the upper extraction rod 5Aa, so that the
vertical rod 21B can accurately move vertically in the upper
extraction rod 5Aa. It should be noted, however, that the opposite
ends of the horizontal rod can also be connected respectively to
the upper ends of the vertical rods. For example, the driving rod
can also be fabricated to be a single-piece rod folded in a "U"
shape. The lower end of the driving rod 21 is extended to the lower
end of the upper extraction rod 5Aa.
[0099] The pivotable piece 22 is disposed at the lower end of the
upper extraction rod 5Aa and pivots in a direction of forcibly
drawing back the protrusion pin 16 when pushed by the lower end of
the driving rod 21. The illustrated upper extraction rod 5Aa has,
at its lower end, a guide cap 25 connected, inside which the
pivotable piece 22 is mounted to be pivotable in a vertical plane.
In order to ensure an accurate vertical movement of the lower end
of the driving rod 21, the guide cap 25 has an insertion hole 26A
defined at a connection tube 26 inserted into the upper extraction
rod 5Aa, the insertion hole 26A allowing insertion of the driving
rod 21. The pivotable piece 22 is bent into an "L" shape in its
entirety, with its one end being connected via a pivotable shaft 27
to the guide cap 25 and with its other end at its opposite sides
being provided with a pin 22A protruding toward the protrusion pin
16. When pivoting by being pushed by the driving rod 21, the
pivotable piece 22 allows the tip of the pin 22A to engage the
protrusion portion 16A provided at the opposite ends of the
protrusion pin 16, and pushes and forcibly retracts the protrusion
pin 16 by means of the pivoting pin 22A. When the pushing action by
the driving rod 21 is released, the protrusion pin 16 is not pushed
by the pin 22A of the pivotable piece 22, and thus the pivotable
piece 22 is pivoted to return to its original posture by being
elastically pushed out by the elastic member 19 shown in FIG.
20.
[0100] In the first release mechanism 18 described above, when the
push button 20 is pushed, the driving rod 21 is pushed downwardly
and the pivotable piece 22 disposed at the lower end of the driving
rod 21 is pivoted. The pivotable piece 22 thus pivoting moves, by
the tip of the pin 22A, the protrusion pin 16 in a direction of
being drawn back and draws the protrusion pin 16 out of the
engagement portion 17. In this state, the first stopper 15A is
released and the upper extraction rod 5Aa comes to a state of being
vertically movable in the lower extraction rod 5Ab. When the push
button 20 is released, the protrusion pin 16 is pushed by the
elastic member 19 and comes to a state that the protrusion pin 16
can protrude toward the lower extraction rod 5Ab.
[0101] When the push button 20 for the first release mechanism 18
provided to the grip 4 is pushed, the first stopper 15A forcibly
draws back the protrusion pin 16 to release the state of
engagement. In this state, the upper extraction rod 5Aa is lifted
or lowered. The upper extraction rod 5Aa where the protrusion pin
16 is drawn back moves vertically in the lower extraction rod 5Ab.
When the grip 4 is adjusted to reach a prescribed height after the
push button 20 is released, the protrusion pin 16 is guided into
the engagement portion 17, the extension and retraction of the
upper extraction rod 5Aa is stopped, and the grip 4 stops rising
and lowering.
[0102] The second release mechanism 38 includes an insertion rod 31
provided at the lower end of the upper extracting rod 5A, and a
pivotable piece 32 pushed by the lower end of the insertion rod 31
to pivot in a direction of forcibly drawing back the protrusion pin
36.
[0103] The insertion rod 31 is provided in a manner of protruding
downwardly at the lower face of the guide cap 25 fixed to the lower
end of the upper extraction rod 5A. The insertion rod 31 is
inserted into the insertion hole 35A of the guide cap 35 fixed at
the lower end of the lower extraction rod 5Ab and pivots the
pivotable piece 32 by pushing the upper face of the pivotable piece
32 at the lower end.
[0104] The pivotable piece 32, being disposed at the lower end of
the lower extraction rod 5Ab, is pushed by the lower end of the
insertion rod 31 and pivots in a direction of forcibly drawing back
the protrusion pin 36. The illustrated lower extraction rod 5Ab
has, at its lower end, the guide cap 35 connected, and the
pivotable piece 32 is mounted in the guide cap 35 so as to be able
to pivot in a vertical plane. The guide cap 35 has the insertion
hole 35A defined at the top face to allow the insertion rod 31 to
be inserted. The pivotable piece 32 is folded in an "L" shape in
its entirety, with its one end being connected via the pivotable
shaft 33 to the guide cap 35 and with the opposite sides of its
other end being provided with the pin 32A protruding toward the
protrusion pin 36. When pivoting by being pushed by the insertion
rod 31, the pivotable piece 32 allows the tip of the pin 32A to
engage the protrusion portion 36A provided on opposite sides of the
protrusion pin 36, and the protrusion pin 36 is pushed by the pin
32A thus pivoting for forcible retraction. When the press force of
the insertion rod 31 is released, the protrusion pin 36 is not
pushed by the pin 32A of the pivotable piece 32, and thus the
pivotable piece 32 is pivoted to its original posture by being
elastically pushed by the elastic member 39.
[0105] In the second release mechanism 38 described above, when the
upper retraction rod 5Aa is pushed downwardly to the deepest
portion of the lower retraction rod 5Ab, the insertion rod 31 is
inserted into the insertion hole 35A of the guide cap 35, and the
pivotable piece 32 disposed at the lower end of the lower
retraction rod 5Ab is pivoted. The pivotable piece 32 thus pivoting
moves the protrusion pin 36 by the tip of the pin 32A in the
direction of being drawn out, and draws the protrusion pin 36 out
of the engagement portion 37. In this state, the second stopper 15B
is released, and the lower extraction rod 5Ab comes to a state of
being vertically movable in the guide tube 5B. At this time, the
protrusion pin 16 of the first stopper 15A is inserted in the
engagement portion 17 provided at the lowermost position of the
lower retraction rod 5Ab, and the insertion rod 31 is maintained in
a state that the insertion rod 31 is inserted into the insertion
hole 35A of the guide cap 35. Thus, the protrusion pin 36 is
maintained in a state of being moved in the direction of being
drawn back by the pivotable piece 32. In this state, the upper
retraction rod 5Aa and the lower retraction rod 5Ab are
interconnected in a retracted state, with the upper retraction rod
5Aa and the lower retraction rod 5Ab moving vertically in the guide
tube 5B in an integrally connected state.
[0106] Further, when the upper retraction rod 5Aa and the lower
retraction rod 5Ab which are integrally connected is inserted in
the deepest portion of the guide tube 5B, the protrusion pin 16 of
the first stopper 15A is inserted into the engagement portion 30
provided inside the guide tube 5B. In this state, the retraction of
the extendable rod 5 is stopped and the grip 4 stops in its
lowermost state. In releasing the engagement state of the
protrusion pin 16 and the engagement portion 30, the push button 20
of the first release mechanism 18 is pushed to draw back the
protrusion pin 16 away from the engagement portion 30. In this
state, the lower retraction rod 5Ab comes to the state of being
vertically movable in the guide tube 5B.
[0107] Further, in stopping the retraction of the lower retraction
rod 5Ab, the push button 20 of the first release mechanism 18 is
pushed to forcibly draw back the protrusion pin 16 and release the
first stopper 15A, and thus the upper retraction rod 5Aa is drawn
out of the lower retraction rod 5Ab. At this time, the insertion
rod 31 is drawn out of the insertion hole 35A of the guide cap 35,
with the protrusion pin 36 being protruded by the elastic member
39. In this state, the lower retraction rod 5Ab is drawn out, the
protrusion pin 36 is inserted into the engagement portion 37
provided at the upper end of the guide tube 5B, and the retraction
of the lower retraction rod 5Ab is stopped.
[0108] In the stopper 15 with the above described structure, the
retraction rod 5A can stop, at a prescribed position, the
extendable rod 5 which is extended and retracted in two steps. It
should be noted, however, that in the luggage of the present
invention the stopper is not limited to the above-described
structure. The stopper can be of any mechanism that can stop the
extendable rod at a prescribed position.
Fourth Embodiment
[0109] Further, the platform 102 of the wheeled luggage is provided
with a reinforcement rib protruding on the bottom face of the
carriage plate 9. The reinforcement rib is provided in an integral
formation with a latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A extending
laterally on the lower face of the carriage plate 9 and protruding
downwardly. Further, the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A allows
the area positioned below the support tube 7 to protrude downwardly
to serve as a reinforcement protrusion 108. The reinforcement
protrusion 108 reinforces the structure of the base-and-frame
assembly 1 to be more sturdy. With the wheeled luggage 500 provided
with the reinforcement protrusion 108 as the fourth embodiment, a
detailed description shall be made below. It should be noted,
however, that the member having the same function as in the first
embodiment through the third embodiment shall bear the same
reference numeral, and a detailed description shall be omitted.
Further, in order to prominently indicate the characteristics of a
particular member in accordance with the fourth embodiment, an
illustration of other members may sometimes be omitted.
[0110] FIG. 23 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the
wheeled luggage 500 in accordance with the fourth embodiment,
showing a perspective view of the base-and-frame assembly 1 as seen
from the back side of the luggage 500. Further, FIG. 24 and FIG. 25
respectively are a perspective view when the wheeled luggage 500 is
seen from the bottom side, namely a partially enlarged view showing
the back side of the carriage surface shown in FIG. 23. In
particular, FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of the bottom face 2A
as seen from the rear side, while FIG. 25 shows a perspective view
of the bottom face 2A as seen from the front side. Further, the
caster is indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 25, and the
illustration of the caster is omitted in FIG. 24. Further, in the
present disclosure, the naming of the direction shall be defined as
follows. That is, the corner of the carriage plate 9 to which the
support tube 7 is connected shall be a point of reference, with a
shorter side of the rectangular carriage plate 9 being in the
direction of an X axis, with a longer side being in a Y axis, and
with the axial direction of the support tube 7 and at the same time
the direction substantially corresponding with the direction of
normal of the carriage plate 9 being in the direction of Z axis (in
the upward direction as viewed in FIG. 23). Further, the longer
side of the carriage plate 9 shall be named as being longitudinal,
and the shorter side shall be named as being latitudinal.
[0111] Like in the first embodiment, the wheeled luggage 500 in
accordance with the fourth embodiment includes a separable bag 3
and a base-and-frame assembly 1 on which the separable bag can be
carried. As shown in FIG. 23, the base-and-frame assembly 1 has a
platform 102 on which the separable bag 3 is detachably carried.
The platform 102 has a planar carriage plate 9 being connected with
a support tube 7 in a posture of substantially upwardly extending
from the opposite sides on one side of the carriage plate 9.
Further, the top face of the carriage plate 9 serves as a carriage
surface 2, on which the separable bag 3 can be carried in mutual
contact. The carriage plate 9 further includes a bottom face 2A
opposite to the carriage surface 2, and a side face 2B located
along the circumference of the carriage plate 9.
[0112] The platform 102 shown in FIG. 23 is provided with a
reinforcement rib in the circumference and on the bottom face side
of the carriage plate 9. The reinforcement rib provided to the
carriage plate 9 is provided so as to protrude downwardly to be
substantially perpendicular to the carriage surface 2 and does not
protrude superjacent to the carriage surface 2. This enables a
carriage area to be widely secured for the separable bag 3, without
the reinforcement rib of the carriage plate 9 protruding on the
carriage surface. Further, the reinforcement rib circumscribing the
carriage plate 9 which is rectangular in its entire shape has a
latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A disposed in a parallel
relationship with the shorter side of the carriage plate 9 and a
longitudinal reinforcement rib 122 disposed in a parallel
relationship with the longer side of the carriage plate 9.
[0113] The latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A has a reinforcement
protrusion 108 (a cross-hatched portion in FIG. 23) which further
protrudes the lower edge downwardly. The reinforcement protrusion
108 is provided in an integral formation with the latitudinal
reinforcement rib 112A. Further, the reinforcement protrusion 108
is provided so as to be positioned below the portion connecting the
carriage plate 9 with the support tube 7. The reinforcement
protrusion 108 shown in FIG. 23 is integrally formed with the
latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A, protruding downwardly so as to
be positioned at the portion connecting the carriage plate 9 with
the support tube 7. More specifically, the reinforcement protrusion
108 is provided along the edge of the junction face 103 (indicated
by a chain line in FIG. 23) where the support tube 7 is jointed
with the carriage surface 2. Further, the reinforcement protrusion
108 is disposed in a posture of being substantially orthogonal to
the junction face 103. The reinforcement protrusion 108 improves
the bending strength of the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A in a
vertical plane, and also improves the bending strength of the
carriage plate 9, so that the support tube 7 fixed on the top face
may be securely and sturdily fixed so as not to tilt in the
vertical plane. In the case of FIG. 23, the reinforcement
protrusion 108 is configured to be provided at a partial portion of
the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A, and specifically, is
disposed with a limitation to only the portion of connecting the
support tube 7 and the carriage surface 2. In this configuration,
the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A provided with the
reinforcement protrusion 108 is so structured as to be protruding
even more downwardly than other area in the vicinity of the portion
where the carriage plate 9 and the support tube 7 are
interconnected, so that the portion of connecting the carriage
plate 9 with the support tube 7 can be intensively reinforced.
Further, when the reinforcement protrusion 108 has a larger overall
length in its latitudinal direction, the strength of the platform
102 can be increased that much, while when the reinforcement
protrusion 108 has a smaller overall length in its latitudinal
direction, the platform 102 can be made lighter in its entire
weight. The reinforcement protrusion 108 can be 3 cm to 10 cm and
preferably 5 cm to 8 cm in the overall length in a lengthwise
direction of the latitudinal reinforcement rib. When the overall
length of the reinforcement protrusion 108 in the latitudinal
direction (X-axis direction) falls within the above-mentioned
range, it is preferable because the strength and the light weight
of the platform 102 can be compatible. Further, the reinforcement
protrusion can be provided not only to the latitudinal rib but also
to the longitudinal rib. The reinforcement protrusion provided to
the longitudinal rib is also provided below the support tube and
reinforces the carriage plate to which the support tube is
connected.
[0114] The outer face of the reinforcement protrusion 108 is not
provided with any stepped portion with respect to the side face 2B
of the carriage plate 9 and the outer face of the latitudinal
reinforcement rib 112A and is made substantially flush with each
other. By being designed to be flush from the side face 2B to the
latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A and further to the reinforcement
protrusion 108, the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A having the
reinforcement protrusion 108 can reinforce the base-and-frame
assembly 1, without being extended in the longitudinal direction of
the carriage plate 9. Designability is also excellent. A
configuration is also possible in which the reinforcement
protrusion 108 is optionally added to the carriage plate 9 of the
base-and-frame assembly in accordance with the first to third
embodiments or a variant embodiment, so that the base-and-frame
assembly 1 can be optionally reinforced.
[0115] It is preferable that the carriage plate 9, the latitudinal
reinforcement rib 112A and the reinforcement protrusion 108
entirely in the platform 102 be integrally formed using the same
material such as plastic. This is because, when the same material
is used for each member constituting the platform 102 to integrally
form the platform 102, the strength of the base-and-frame assembly
1 can be increased and the manufacture can be simplified with the
reduced number of components in the whole. The reinforcement
protrusion 108 is provided at the portion of connecting the
carriage surface 2 and the support tube 7 by being formed in a
shape in which the protruding extent is enlarged downwardly of the
latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A in the area adjacent to the
potion where the support tube 7 uprights from the carriage surface
2. Further, the reinforcement protrusion 108 shown in FIG. 23 has
the largest protruding extent below the junction point "D" in the
circumference of the junction face 103 of the support tube 7 and
the carriage surface 2 and where the carriage surface 2 and the
uprighted portion of the support tube 7 join together substantially
at a right angle as flat-viewed from the side face 2B. This
structure can most effectively reinforce the portion of connecting
the carriage plate 9 and the support tube 7 by means of the
latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A having the reinforcement
protrusion 108.
[0116] Further, the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A having the
reinforcement protrusion 108 may be so shaped as to increase the
protruding extent "H" of the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A,
centering at the uprighted portion of the support tube 7 where a
stress is liable to be applied on the carriage surface 2, and to
decrease the protruding extent "H" of the latitudinal reinforcement
rib 112A at other area. That is, as shown in FIG. 24, it is
preferable that the protruding extent "m" of the reinforcement
protrusion 108 be the largest in the junction area 120 of the
carriage surface 2 and the support tube 7. For example, in the case
of FIG. 23, with the junction point "D" as a reference point where
the carriage surface 2 and the uprighted portion of the support
tube 7 join together as flat-viewed from the side face 2B, a
perpendicular line "S" coming down from the junction point "D" to
the bottom face 2A substantially coincides with the apex "T" in the
curve of the reinforcement protrusion 108 to thus form a bulged
shape. That is, the vertical height of the latitudinal
reinforcement rib 112A is made the largest in the circumference of
the junction face 103 and where the support tube 7 and the carriage
surface 2 join together and at the uprighted portion of the support
tube 7 constituting a substantially right angle with respect to the
carriage surface 2. Further, it is preferable that the protruding
extent of the reinforcement protrusion 108 be larger at the
junction point "D" than at the corner of the platform 102. Thus,
the thickness of the platform 102 in the area where the stress is
liable to be concentrated can be made large for effective
reinforcement. It should be noted, however, that the apex "T" of
the bulge does not necessarily have to coincide with the
perpendicular line "S" but a sufficient effect of reinforcement can
be obtained even if there exists some displacement.
[0117] Thus, when the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A is
provided with the reinforcement protrusion 108, the structure of
the base-and-frame assembly 1 can be made stronger. This is because
of the following factor. When the force of pressing the support
tube 7 in a downward direction or the power of tilting the support
tube 7 is applied, a bending stress acts on the carriage plate 9.
In the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A having the reinforcement
protrusion 108, the base-and-frame assembly 1 is reinforced from
the bottom face to increase the bending strength, and thus the
deformation or damage of the base-and-frame assembly 1 is
prevented. In particular, by providing the reinforcement protrusion
108 in the vicinity of the uprighted portion of the support tube 7,
the connection portion where a stress is liable to be concentrated
is effectively reinforced. Therefore, such structure can also
increase resistance to a very large shock acting instantaneously on
the support tube 7.
[0118] Further, in addition to the reinforcement from the bottom
face 2A by the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A having the
reinforcement protrusion 108, it can be practical to also provide
the reinforcement wall 8 or reinforcement base 34 (refer to FIG. 8)
as described in the first to third embodiments. Thus, the junction
area 120 of the carriage surface 2 and the support tube 7 can be so
structured as to be reinforced sterically in three directions,
i.e., from the downward, lateral and rearward directions, and thus
the structural strength of the base-and-frame assembly 1 can be
increased more effectively.
[0119] Further, the reinforcement protrusion 108 is preferably so
shaped that the center portion is made higher and other portions
toward the opposite ends are gradually made lower. This is because
such reinforcement protrusion 108 can improve the bending strength
and increase the resistance to shock. Further, in the reinforcement
protrusion 108, as the protruding extent "H" from the carriage
surface 2 to the bottom end of the reinforcement protrusion 108 is
increased, the strength of the base-and-frame assembly 1 can be
effectively increased. However, when the protruding extent "H"
downwardly of the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A having the
reinforcement protrusion 108 is made too large, there arises a risk
that, when the wheeled luggage 500 is used, contact of the
reinforcement protrusion 108 with the caster 6 will hamper the
caster 6 from its smooth movement. In order to avoid such
disadvantage, the height of the reinforcement protrusion 108 is
limited for avoiding the contact with the caster 6.
[0120] Specifically, FIG. 26 is a partial back view of the wheeled
luggage 500 in accordance with the fourth embodiment, while FIG. 27
is a partial side view of the same. As shown in FIG. 26 and FIG.
27, a lower end of the reinforcement protrusion 108 is located
above an upper end of the wheel 114 in a swiveling area of the
swivel caster 6. More preferably, in the swiveling area of the
caster 6, the protruding extent "m" of the reinforcement protrusion
108 is limited such that a gap "d" is defined between the bottom
face 109 of the reinforcement protrusion 108 and the uppermost face
of the wheel 114. Thus, even when the platform 102 sinks downwardly
and accordingly the distance becomes narrower between the upper end
of the wheel 114 and the lower end of the reinforcement protrusion
108 like when a load is applied in the gravity direction of the
luggage, the contact can be avoided between the reinforcement
protrusion 108 and the caster 6. That is, a smooth swiveling motion
of the caster 6 can be constantly maintained. It suffices that the
gap "d" is optimally determined in accordance with the fixture
portion of the caster 6, the swivel axis, the material of the yoke
and its play, and such gap is set to be about 2 mm in a state where
the luggage is kept self-standing without the separable bag being
carried on. However, the gap "d" can be set to be 1 mm to 4 mm, and
preferably 1 mm to 3 mm.
[0121] Further, the reinforcement protrusion, being not
specifically limited if it is so shaped as not to contact the
caster 6, can be of various kinds such as an arc, a rectangle such
as an oblong, a trapezoid and a parallelogram, a semicircle and a
convexity. Further, as indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 27, the
reinforcement protrusion 108 can have a sufficiently large main
area, protruding downwardly so as not to contact the ground, and
can also be of a shape of cut-away area which may otherwise be
contacted in the swiveling motion of the swivel caster 6. According
to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27, in the latitudinal
direction (X-axis direction) of the reinforcement protrusion 108,
the protruding extent "m" of the reinforcement protrusion 108 is
made large in the area below the junction area 120, while the
overall protruding extent "H" downwardly of the latitudinal
reinforcement rib 112A having the reinforcement protrusion 108 is
made large. Further, the protruding extent "m" is made smaller
toward the opposite ends of the reinforcement protrusion 108 to
thus make the reinforcement protrusion 108 arcuate. And, in the
corner of the platform 102 provided with the support tube 7, the
protruding extent "m" downwardly of the reinforcement protrusion
108 is made smaller, with the corner being so structured that the
wheel 114 of the caster 6 may swivel, straddling the bottom face
109 of the reinforcement protrusion 108. That is, in the point of
mounting the caster 6, the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A
having the reinforcement protrusion 108 does not contact the caster
6, which does not hamper the motion of the caster 6. That is, when
the reinforcement protrusion 108 is designed to be of a peculiar
shape where the protruding extent "H" of the latitudinal
reinforcement rib 112A at the junction area 120 is larger than the
protruding extent "H" of the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A in
the corner of the platform 102 to which the caster 6 is connected,
the free motion of the caster 6 can be maintained, with a
sufficient area being gained for reinforcement.
[0122] Further, the number of the latitudinal reinforcement rib
112A to be disposed may be single, but a plurality of ribs is
preferred in terms of strength. As shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, in
addition to the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A provided around
the carriage plate 9, other latitudinal reinforcement rib 112B may
be provided inside the carriage plate 9. Such inner latitudinal
reinforcement rib 112B is disposed closer to the center portion of
the bottom face 2A so as to be parallel to the outer latitudinal
reinforcement rib 112A provided in the circumference. Further, like
the outer rib 112A, the inner rib 112B is preferably located below
the portion of connecting the carriage plate 9 and the support tube
7. In the illustrated example, the outer rib 112A and the inner rib
112B are disposed at the bottom face so as to run along the edge of
the portion of connecting the carriage plate 9 and the support tube
7. And, the outer rib 112A and the inner rib 112B are disposed
substantially in a parallel relationship with respect to each other
so as to put the caster 6 between them, the caster 6 being mounted
to the corner of the carriage surface 2. When the outer rib 112A
and the inner rib 112B are disposed on the bottom face 2A located
below the support tube 7, the portion of connecting the carriage
plate 9 and the support tube 7 can be sturdily reinforced from the
bottom face side. In particular, the bending strength of the
carriage plate 9 with respect to the tilting motion of the support
tube 7 in the horizontal direction can be effectively improved.
Further, the outer rib 112A and the inner rib 112B may be either of
the same shape or of different shapes. In the illustrated example,
the outer rib 112A and the inner rib 12B are of the same shape.
When these latitudinal reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B are of the
same shape, their formation can be done easily and the
manufacturing process can be simplified. Alternatively, with a
plurality of the latitudinal reinforcement ribs 12A, 112B being of
the different shapes, for example in the case of the latitudinal
reinforcement rib disposed in an area not hampering the swiveling
motion of the caster 6, its contour can be made as large as
possible, changing the size and the shape in accordance with the
point of placement. Alternatively, the contour of the latitudinal
reinforcement rib may be made smaller to reduce a total weight of
the luggage.
[0123] Further, the illustrated inner rib 112B is composed of a
single member. Like the outer rib 112A, the inner rib 112B can also
be so shaped as to have the reinforcement protrusion 108 having a
downwardly protruding shape with respect to the member constituting
the platform 102. For example, a configuration may be employed in
which the reinforcement protrusion 108 is integrally formed with
the reinforcement rib 10 which is already disposed. In the
illustrated inner rib 112B, for convenience' sake, the area (the
cross-hatched portion) protruding more downwardly than the wall of
the reinforcement rib 10 (in the direction of coming closer to the
ground) is referred to as the reinforcement protrusion 108
[0124] Further, provided on the bottom face 2A of the carriage
plate 9 are the reinforcement ribs 10 in a mutually intersecting
manner. As shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25, the platform 102 has, in
its four corners of the bottom face 2A, the reinforcement ribs 110
at the corners surrounded circumferentially by the orthogonal
reinforcement ribs 10 and the longitudinal reinforcement rib 122.
And, as shown in FIG. 24, the support tube 7 is provided on the
carriage surface 2 of the carriage plate 9, being opposite to the
bottom face 2A surrounded by the reinforcement ribs 110 at the
corner. Further as shown in FIG. 25, the caster 6 is fixed to the
segment which is segmented by the reinforcement ribs 110 at the
corner. That is, the caster 6 and the support tube 7, being in the
segment which is segmented by the reinforcement ribs 110 at the
corner, is disposed via the carriage plate 9 upwardly and
downwardly. Further, two rows of latitudinal reinforcement ribs
112A, 112B having the reinforcement protrusion 108 are disposed in
contact with the side face of the reinforcement rib 110 at the
corner, and thus the connection can be made sturdy between the
reinforcement rib 110 and the bottom face 2A at the corner. As the
result, the support tube 7 and the carriage plate 9 can be
effectively reinforced from the bottom face side.
[0125] Further, the platform 102 is provided with two rows of
mutually parallel latitudinal reinforcement ribs at the connection
portion of the support tube 7, that is, the outer rib 112A and the
inner rib 112B. Provided between the two rows of latitudinal
reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B and on the bottom face of the
carriage plate 9 are two rows of bottom reinforcement ribs 208
which are respectively integrally formed so as to protrude
downwardly. The platform shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 is provided
with two rows of bottom reinforcement ribs 208, but the bottom
reinforcement rib 208 can be either in a single row or in three or
more rows. Further, the platform of the base-and-frame assembly
shown in FIG. 25 is provided with a connection rib 110A between the
two rows and the latitudinal reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B and
below the support tube 7, and the bottom ribs 208 are connected to
the connection rib 110A. The platform is provided with two rows of
latitudinal reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B, the connection rib 110A
and the bottom ribs 208 which are all integrally formed by using
plastic.
[0126] Specifically, the connection rib 110A is a part of
reinforcement rib 110 at the corner, and is integrally formed with
the bottom face 2A along the edge of the portion of connecting the
support tube 7 and the carriage plate 9. The opposite ends of the
connection rib 110A are substantially orthogonally connected with
the two rows of the latitudinal reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B, that
is, the connection rib 110A is disposed in a parallel relationship
with the longitudinal direction of the carriage plate 9. The bottom
rib 208 has its one end connected to the connection rib 110A, and
is integrally formed with the carriage plate 9 and the connection
rib 110A. Further, the illustrated platform 102 is provided with
two rows of the bottom ribs 208 at equal intervals. Further, the
bottom rib 208 is disposed in a parallel posture with respect to
the latitudinal reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B. The length of the
bottom rib 208 is not specifically limited, but is about 4 cm.
However, the length of the bottom rib 208 is preferably 3 cm to 5
cm, so that the ease of manufacture, the strength and the light
weight are well balanced. The bottom rib 208 shown in FIG. 24 and
FIG. 25 is provided such that its one end is connected to the
connection rib 110A, but can also be so structured as to have a
connection rib (not shown) provided at and connected to the
opposite ends of the bottom rib 208. The number of the bottom rib
208 to be mounted may be either one or more, but a plurality of the
ribs are preferred because the support tube 7 and the platform 102
can be made sturdily stable. By mounting the bottom rib 208, the
resistance to shock and the bending strength can be improved in the
latitudinal direction of the carriage surface 2. It is preferable
because particularly by being disposed below the support tube 7,
the stress which is liable to occur to the continued area between
the support tube 7 and the carriage plate 9 can be mitigated so as
to be able to bear a larger load. The illustrated bottom rib 208 is
made lower than the latitudinal reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B and
the width is made larger than that of the latitudinal
reinforcements rib to improve the strength. However, the height of
the bottom rib 208 can also be made substantially equal to the
height of the latitudinal reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B. Further,
the bottom rib 208 can be made high to improve the reinforcement
effect, but the height can be set not to contact the caster to
avoid the contact with the caster 6. Alternatively, like in the
latitudinal reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B, the portion except for
the area where the wheel of the caster 66 rotates can also be made
high to obtain a shape of protruding outwardly and the vertical
width can be made large to improve the reinforcement effect.
[0127] Thus, when the latitudinal reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B and
the bottom rib 208 are provided, the junction area 120 can be
reinforced from many directions, so that the strength of the
base-and-frame assembly can be effectively increased. Specifically,
in the structure that latitudinal reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B and
the bottom rib 208 are disposed in a plurality of substantially
parallel rows, the corner of the platform 102 which is the junction
area 120 of the support tube 7 and the carriage surface 2 can be
made sturdy by intensifying the structure. In addition, in the
structure that the plurality of rows of the latitudinal
reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B and the bottom rib 208 are disposed
in a spaced-apart manner, the base-and-frame assembly can be
reinforced as well as the entire base-and-frame assembly can be
made lighter in weight. The thickness of the latitudinal
reinforcement rib 112A, 112B is 3 mm. However, the thickness can be
set to be 2 mm to 4 mm. Further, the thickness of the bottom rib
208 is about 5 mm, but the thickness can be set to be 3 mm to 10
mm. When the latitudinal reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B and the
bottom rib 208 are too thin, the strength is liable to be
decreased, and when they are too thick, the cost of the members and
the total weight of the base-and-frame assembly are liable to be
increased.
[0128] Incidentally, in the luggage 500, the rectangular carriage
plate 9 can be of various sizes. For example, FIG. 28, FIG. 29 and
FIG. 30 are bottom views of the platforms 102 respectively showing
various sizes of carriage plates 200a, 200b and 200c. Further, in
the bottom views, the reinforcement protrusions 108 of the outer
rib 112A and the inner rib 112B and the bottom ribs 208 are clearly
indicated by being cross-hatched. Also in the case of FIG. 28
through FIG. 30, three sizes of carriage surfaces are indicated,
and these three kinds are equal in the side length of the
longitudinal direction (direction of Y-axis) and differ only in the
side length of the latitudinal direction (direction of X-axis).
That is, in FIG. 28, the side in the latitudinal direction is
short, while the sides in FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 become gradually
longer. Specifically, side lengths to be shown in terms of
longitudinal direction by latitudinal direction are 261
mm.times.150 mm in FIG. 28, 261 mm.times.180 mm in FIG. 29, and 261
mm.times.210 mm in FIG. 30. However, the shape of the carriage
surface is not limited to the above dimensions, and of course, a
width larger or smaller than the above-mentioned dimensions is
available to allow various kinds of separable bags to be detachably
carried on.
[0129] Further, as shown in FIG. 28 through FIG. 30, the platform
102 has the reinforcement rib 110 at the corner, with the
reinforcement rib being formed into the shape of a square, located
at the opposite ends of the short side of the bottom face 2A and in
the corner of the carriage plate 9. The reinforcement rib 110 at
the corner has the reinforcement rib 111A at the rearward corner
provided with the square-shaped reinforcement rib 10 at one end of
the short side of the carriage plate 9 and along the edge of the
area of connecting the carrier plate 9 and the support tube 7, and
the reinforcement rib 111B at the forward corner provided at the
other end of the short side. The reinforcement rib 111B at the
forward corner is provided as the shape of a square composed of the
latitudinal reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B in the latitudinal
direction and the longitudinal reinforcement rib 122 and the
reinforcement rib 10 in the longitudinal direction. The
reinforcement rib 111A at the rearward corner can reinforce the
connection of the carriage plate 9 and the support tube 7 from the
bottom face side. Further, the outer rib 112A and the inner rib
112B are disposed substantially in a parallel relationship putting
the outer face of the reinforcement rib 111A at the rearward
corner. When the reinforcement rib 111A at the rearward corner is
disposed between the two parallel rows of latitudinal reinforcement
ribs 112A, 112B, the reinforcement rib 111A at the rearward corner
is further reinforced, so that the connection area of the support
tube 7 and the carriage plate 9 can further be reinforced on the
bottom face side.
[0130] Further, FIG. 31 is a bottom view of the platform 102,
showing a partially enlarged view of the bottom face 2A. It is
preferable that the fixture position of the forward caster 6 be at
the opposite ends of the long side of the bottom face 2A and that
the casters be spaced apart from each other to the utmost extent.
Thus, the luggage 500 can be kept stably self-standing without
being tilted.
[0131] The outer reinforcement rib 112A, in its one end, covers the
side face of the reinforcement rib 111A at the rearward corner, and
the other side constitutes the reinforcement rib 111B at the
forward corner. Therefore, the reinforcement rib 111A at the
rearward corner is situated inside (right side as viewed in FIG.
31) by the thickness "w" of the latitudinal reinforcement rib 112A.
The reinforcement rib 111A at the rearward corner situated at the
corner of the platform 102 and the reinforcement rib 111B at the
forward corner is misaligned in their disposed position in the
longitudinal direction (Y-axis direction). The inner rib 112B is
disposed in a tilted manner to correspond with the misalignment in
the disposition of the reinforcement rib 111A at the rearward
corner and the reinforcement rib 111B at the forward corner. As
shown in FIG. 31, the inner rib 112B covers and contacts, in its
one end, the side face of the reinforcement rib 111A at the
rearward corner, and is tilted to the left side along the downward
direction as shown in FIG. 31, while the other end constitutes one
side of the reinforcement rib 111B at the forward corner and
further is connected to the longitudinal reinforcement rib 122.
Further, in the case of FIG. 31, the reinforcement rib 10 in the
longitudinal direction is not provided between the reinforcement
rib 111A at the rearward corner and the reinforcement rib 111B at
the forward corner, with the total weight of the platform 102 being
reduced.
[0132] On the other hand, in addition to the structure of the
platform 102 shown in FIG. 31, the platform 102 shown in FIG. 32
has a bridging rib 118 situated in a parallel relationship with the
connection rib 110A. The bridging rib 118 is provided between the
reinforcement rib 111A at the rearward corner and the reinforcement
rib 111B at the forward corner, and is integrally formed with the
bottom face 2A. Further, the bridging rib 118 is substantially
orthogonal to the outer rib 112A and the inner rib 112B and bridges
these latitudinal reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B. When the opposite
ends of the bridging rib 118 are respectively connected to the
outer rib 112A and the inner rib 112B, the connection strength can
be increased between the latitudinal reinforcement ribs 112A, 112B
and the bottom face 2A. The inner rib 112B may intersect the
bridging rib 118. The inner rib 112B as shown in FIG. 32 allows its
one end to contact the side face of the reinforcement rib 111A at
the rearward corner, and is orthogonally connected to the bridging
rib 118 in a straight line from the one end to the bridging rib
118. Further, the inner rib 112B is curved to the left side along
from the connection area with the bridging rib 118 to the other
end, constitutes one side of the reinforcement rib 111B at the
forward corner, and then is connected further to the latitudinal
rib 122,
[0133] Further, as each member constituting the platform 102, the
members such as the carriage plate 9, the reinforcement rib 10, the
reinforcement protrusion 108, the latitudinal reinforcement ribs
112A, 112B, the bottom rib 208 and the bridging rib 118
respectively may be mutually connected as separate members.
Alternatively, at least two or more members are integrally formed
by using plastic to increase the strength. It should be noted,
however, that an integral formation using light metal such as
aluminum in lieu of plastic can also increase the strength.
[0134] Further, a method of connecting the caster to be fixed to
the reinforcement rib 110 at the corner is not specifically
limited. In the case of FIG. 25, the reinforcement rib 110 at the
corner is defined with a concavity opening at one side, with the
bottom face 2A being the lowest face. And, connection of the caster
is established so as to close the concavity by means of a planar
caster base 115 (refer to FIG. 26). Specifically, as shown in FIG.
25, the reinforcement rib 110 at the corner has, respectively at
its four corners, a boss 113. And, the caster base 115 is a plate
of substantially the same shape as the rectangle of the
reinforcement rib 110 at the corner, and is defined with a
through-hole at a position substantially overlapping the disposed
position of the boss 113 when covering the concavity of the
reinforcement rib 110 at the corner. In a state that the caster
base 115 covers the top face of the reinforcement rib 110 at the
corner, a fastening member such as a screw is fitted via the
through-hole to the boss 113 to fix the caster base 115 to the
platform 102. Further, by connecting the caster 6 to the caster
base 115 or by having connected the caster 6 to the caster base 115
beforehand, the caster 6 can be connected via the caster base 115
to the bottom face 2A of the platform 102.
[0135] Thus, in the structure of providing the reinforcement
protrusion, the latitudinal reinforcement rib provided with the
reinforcement protrusion, or the reinforcement members such as the
bottom rib and the bridging rib, on the bottom side of the carriage
plate 9 and along the side face 2B, or so as to fill the gap of the
originally provided reinforcement rib structure, the strength of
the platform 102 can be increased without limiting the position of
disposing the member situated above the carriage surface 2, such as
the carriage space of the separable bag and the support tube.
Further, on the platform 9, the reinforcement wall or the
reinforcement base is provided on the long side to which the
support tube 7 is fixed. Further, the platform 102 can be
reinforced by gathering, to one side of the carriage plate 9, the
members which are fixed on the top of the platform 9, such as the
support tube 7, the reinforcement wall and the reinforcement base,
without providing an obstacle to other sides of the carriage
surface 2 to widely secure the carriage area for the separable bag
3. Thus, in the structure of providing intensive reinforcement on
or under the carriage plate 9 and further around the support tube
7, the wheeled luggage can be kept stably self-standing. Further,
since the extendable rod can be disposed on the opposite ends of
the carriage surface 2, the spaced-apart distance of the extendable
rods can be sufficiently obtained to elongate the gripping area.
Thus, the grip can be made easy to hold, allowing a direction of
moving the luggage to be controlled with ease.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0136] The wheeled luggage and the base-and-frame assembly
constituting the wheeled luggage of the present invention can be
advantageously used for a bag, a transportation vehicle such as a
cart, a walker, etc.
[0137] It should be apparent to those with an ordinary skill in the
art that while various preferred embodiments of the invention have
been shown and described, it is contemplated that the invention is
not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, which are
deemed to be merely illustrative of the inventive concepts and
should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention,
and which are suitable for all modifications and changes falling
within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended
claims. The present application is based on Applications No.
2008-016,419 filed in Japan on Jan. 28, 2008, and No. 2008-262,968,
filed in Japan on Oct. 9, 2008, the contents of which are
incorporated herein by references.
* * * * *