U.S. patent application number 13/994319 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-19 for articles of luggage.
This patent application is currently assigned to IT Luggage Limited. The applicant listed for this patent is Sedat Selvi. Invention is credited to Sedat Selvi.
Application Number | 20130333996 13/994319 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43567153 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130333996 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Selvi; Sedat |
December 19, 2013 |
ARTICLES OF LUGGAGE
Abstract
The present invention addresses the problem of towing multiple
articles of luggage which are unstable and awkward when being towed
and, in particular, relates to an article of luggage, wherein the
article of luggage comprises a base portion; a lid portion hingedly
attached to the base portion and wherein the base and lid portions
are arranged to open and close; a trolley handle arrangement
located at a first end of the article of luggage; a set of wheels
located at or about an opposed end of the article of luggage to the
trolley handle arrangement; a first complementary portion of a
first two-part connector means; and in an opposed orientation, a
first complementary portion of a second two-part connector means;
and wherein in use the first complementary portion of the first
two-part connector means is operable to connect to a second
complementary portion of the first two-part connector means located
on a second article of luggage, and wherein the first complementary
portion of the second two-part connector means is operable to
connect to a second complementary portion of the second two-part
connector means located on a third article of luggage, wherein at
least one of the second or third articles of luggage comprises
wheels and can be secured to the first article of luggage whilst
both art ides of luggage are standing on their wheels on the
ground.
Inventors: |
Selvi; Sedat; (London,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Selvi; Sedat |
London |
|
GB |
|
|
Assignee: |
IT Luggage Limited
Essex
GB
|
Family ID: |
43567153 |
Appl. No.: |
13/994319 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
December 14, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2011/052471 |
371 Date: |
September 4, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/18A |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 7/0045 20130101;
A45C 13/30 20130101; A45C 13/1092 20130101; A45C 5/14 20130101;
A45C 2005/037 20130101; A45C 13/385 20130101; A45C 2013/306
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/18.A |
International
Class: |
A45C 5/14 20060101
A45C005/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 14, 2010 |
GB |
1021172.0 |
Claims
1.-25. (canceled)
26. An article of luggage, wherein the article of luggage
comprises: a base portion; a lid portion hingedly attached to the
base portion and wherein the base and lid portions are arranged to
open and close; a trolley handle arrangement located at a first end
of the article of luggage; a set of wheels located at or about an
opposed end of the article of luggage to the trolley handle
arrangement; a first complimentary portion of a first two-part
connector means; and in an opposed orientation, a first
complimentary portion of a second two-part connector means; and
wherein in use the first complimentary portion of the first
two-part connector means is operable to connect to a second
complimentary portion of the first two-part connector means located
on a second article of luggage, and wherein the first complimentary
portion of the second two-part connector means is operable to
connect to a second complimentary portion of the second two-part
connector means located on a third article of luggage, wherein at
least one of the second or third articles of luggage comprises
wheels and can be secured to the first article of luggage whilst
both articles of luggage are standing on the ground.
27. A set of two articles of luggage, wherein both the articles of
luggage comprise: a base portion; a lid portion hingedly attached
to the base portion and wherein the base and lid portions are
arranged to open and close; a trolley handle arrangement located at
a first end of each of the articles of luggage; a set of wheels
located at or about an opposed end of each of the articles of
luggage to the trolley handle arrangement; and wherein the first
article of luggage further comprises a first complimentary portion
of a first two-part connector means, and the second article of
luggage comprises a second complimentary portion of the first
two-part connector means, wherein the first and second
complimentary portions of the first two-part connector means are
located on each article of luggage such that the first
complimentary portion of the first two-part connector can be
secured to the second complimentary portion of the first two-part
connector whilst both articles of luggage are standing on their
wheels on the ground, and wherein the first or second articles of
luggage further comprise a first complimentary portion of a second
two-part connector, such that in use, the first or second article
of luggage can be secured to a second complimentary portion of a
second two-part connector of a third article of wheeled luggage,
whilst the third article of luggage is standing on its wheels on
the ground.
28. Articles of luggage according to claim 27, wherein the first
complimentary portions of the first and second two-part connector
means are located in opposed orientations.
29. Articles of luggage according to claim 27, wherein all articles
of luggage are orientated in the same direction.
30. Articles of luggage according to claim 27, wherein the first
article of luggage further comprises a first complimentary portion
of a third two-part connector means and a first complimentary
portion of a fourth two-part connector means.
31. Articles of luggage according to claim 30, wherein the second
article of luggage comprises a second complimentary portion of the
third two-part connector means.
32. Articles of luggage according to claim 30, wherein the third
article of luggage comprises a second complimentary portion of the
fourth two-part connector means.
33. Articles of luggage according to claim 31, wherein the third
article of luggage comprises a second complimentary portion of the
fourth two-part connector means.
34. Articles of luggage according to claim 27 wherein the two-part
connector means are located at or about the sides of the respective
articles of luggage.
35. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 27, wherein the
first complimentary portion of each two-part connector means
comprises a fabric strap coupled to a male connector portion and
the second complementary portion of each two-part connector means
is a fabric strap coupled to a female connector.
36. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 35, wherein the
male and female connector portions are plastic.
37. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 27, wherein the
length of the complimentary portions are adjustable.
38. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 27, wherein the
base portion is formed as a tray-like portion and comprises, a
major panel portion and four minor side panel portions.
39. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 27, wherein the
lid portion is formed as a tray-like portion and comprises, a major
panel portion and four minor side panel portions.
40. Articles of luggage according to claim 27, wherein both the lid
and tray portion are formed each as single shell-like portions.
41. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 27, wherein both
the articles of luggage comprise a second set of wheels, located at
or about an opposed end of the article of luggage to the trolley
handle arrangement.
42. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 27, wherein the
articles of luggage comprise connector pockets, wherein at least
one part of the two-part connectors is retained within the
connector pocket when fully closed.
43. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 42, wherein the
connector pockets comprise a closure mechanism located around their
periphery.
44. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 42, wherein the
closure mechanism is a zip-mechanism.
45. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 43, wherein the
closure mechanism is a zip-mechanism.
46. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 27, wherein the
first and second complimentary portions of the first two-part
connector means are co-located at the same height when the first
and second articles of luggage are adjacent each other.
47. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 27, wherein the
first and second complimentary portions of the second two-part
connector means are co-located at the same height when the first
and third articles of luggage are adjacent each other.
48. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 27, wherein the
first and second complimentary portions of the third two-part
connector means are co-located at the same height when the first
and second articles of luggage are adjacent each other.
49. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 27, wherein the
first and second complimentary portions of the fourth two-part
connector means are co-located at the same height when the first
and third articles of luggage are adjacent each other.
50. Articles of luggage according to claim 26, wherein the first
complimentary portions of the first and second two-part connector
means are located in opposed orientations.
51. Articles of luggage according to claim 26, wherein all articles
of luggage are orientated in the same direction.
52. Articles of luggage according to claim 26, wherein the first
article of luggage further comprises a first complimentary portion
of a third two-part connector means and a first complimentary
portion of a fourth two-part connector means.
53. Articles of luggage according to claim 52, wherein the second
article of luggage comprises a second complimentary portion of the
third two-part connector means.
54. Articles of luggage according to claim 42, wherein the third
article of luggage comprises a second complimentary portion of the
fourth two-part connector means.
55. Articles of luggage according to claim 53, wherein the third
article of luggage comprises a second complimentary portion of the
fourth two-part connector means.
56. Articles of luggage according to claim 26, wherein the two-part
connector means are located at or about the sides of the respective
articles of luggage.
57. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 26, wherein the
first complimentary portion of each two-part connector means
comprises a fabric strap coupled to a male connector portion and
the second complementary portion of each two-part connector means
is a fabric strap coupled to a female connector.
58. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 32, wherein the
male and female connector portions are plastic.
59. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 26, wherein the
length of the complimentary portions are adjustable.
60. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 26, wherein the
base portion is formed as a tray-like portion and comprises, a
major panel portion and four minor side panel portions.
61. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 26, wherein the
lid portion is formed as a tray-like portion and comprises, a major
panel portion and four minor side panel portions.
62. Articles of luggage according to claim 26, wherein both the lid
and tray portion are formed each as single shell-like portions.
63. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 26, wherein both
the articles of luggage comprise a second set of wheels, located at
or about an opposed end of the article of luggage to the trolley
handle arrangement.
64. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 26, wherein the
articles of luggage comprise connector pockets, wherein at least
one part of the two-part connectors is retained within the
connector pocket when fully closed.
65. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 64, wherein the
connector pockets comprise a closure mechanism located around their
periphery.
66. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 64, wherein the
closure mechanism is a zip-mechanism.
67. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 65, wherein the
closure mechanism is a zip-mechanism.
68. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 26, wherein the
first and second complimentary portions of the first two-part
connector means are co-located at the same height when the first
and second articles of luggage are adjacent each other.
69. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 26, wherein the
first and second complimentary portions of the second two-part
connector means are co-located at the same height when the first
and third articles of luggage are adjacent each other.
70. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 26, wherein the
first and second complimentary portions of the third two-part
connector means are co-located at the same height when the first
and second articles of luggage are adjacent each other.
71. Articles of luggage in accordance with claim 26, wherein the
first and second complimentary portions of the fourth two-part
connector means are co-located at the same height when the first
and third articles of luggage are adjacent each other.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to articles of luggage, more
specifically, but not exclusively to a plurality of articles of
luggage which can be towed, whilst securely connected one to
another.
[0002] Luggage is any number of bags, cases and/or containers which
hold a traveller's articles during transit. Luggage has changed
over time. Historically the most common types of luggage were
chests or trunks made of wood or other heavy materials. These would
have hinges and locks and would be shipped by professional movers.
In more recent times, smaller and more lightweight suitcases and
bags that can be carried by an individual have become the main form
of luggage.
[0003] A suitcase is a general item that might be a wheeled or
non-wheeled luggage, as well as soft or hard sided luggage.
Suitcases are often somewhat flat, generally rectangular-shaped
with rounded/square corners, and are made from materials that more
or less keep their intended shape. In modern times, the main body
of a suitcase is usually formed from a number of panels, or at a
minimum, two moulded clam-like shells with a zip fastener along the
peripheral edge of one panel, or across a number of panels to form
an opening. Many modern suitcases have built-in set or sets of
wheels enabling them to be pulled along on hard flat surfaces by a
fixed or extendable handle or by a retractable or stowable leash,
wherein the towing handle structure is moveable between an extended
user case towing position and a retracted stowage position.
Furthermore, suitcases come in a variety of sizes, the smallest
being known as a "trolley bag".
[0004] Such wheeled luggage enables a traveller to easily manoeuvre
luggage from one destination to another without having to lift the
luggage. However, occasionally some travellers need to travel with
more than one article of luggage at a time and when they do so,
they need to use both hands, as it is difficult to manoeuvre
multiple articles of luggage with one hand. This is a particular
problem if the traveller is infirm, has a stick, or needs to hold a
small child's hand, for example.
[0005] Some prior art articles of luggage have connecting means on
their upper panel, located near to the trolley handle to attach
additional articles of luggage. However in practice, the result of
using such an arrangement is that the arrangement quickly becomes
inherently unstable, and, therefore, relatively hard to manoeuvre
compared to a single piece of luggage (please see FIG. 1 and
description for a further explanation of the particular problems).
This causes problems for a traveller in that he/she will still be
required to use two hands to steady the luggage whilst manoeuvring
the luggage when opening doors, moving through gaps, turning
corners and ascending/descending escalators etc. This problem
almost entirely obviates the apparent usefulness of the connecting
means.
[0006] Some larger items of luggage are capable of hanging smaller
articles on top of the luggage casing, but such an arrangement
involves a traveller having to lift the smaller second article of
luggage quite a height off the ground, in order to hang it from the
first article. Another commonly used way of travelling with more
than two cases is to lift at least one of the articles of luggage,
and placing it on top of another. Such lifting may cause injury to
certain travellers, such as the elderly or infirm. Furthermore,
parents holding a small child cannot risk placing the child down in
a public place in order to lift an article of luggage onto
another.
[0007] Another prior art suit case as disclosed in US2010/0059323
A1, comprises a back-to-back connector system; however the natural
pivot of the arrangement will mean when one tows the larger case,
the smaller case will fall flat and therefore will get in the way
when towed and will not add convenience. Furthermore, this
arrangement of the connected articles of luggage does not allow a
user to walk directly in front or behind the articles of luggage
when towing the arrangement, which is highly awkward and
inefficient for a user, especially if the user is in a hurry e.g.
to catch a train or a plane, or trying to manoeuvre around a
barrier or object. Also, due the inherent back to back nature of
this system, only two articles of wheeled luggage can be connected
in this way.
[0008] Some of these and other problems with prior art luggage
systems are discussed further with reference to FIG. 1
following.
[0009] The present invention therefore seeks to provide an article
of luggage which overcomes, or at least reduces some of the
above-mentioned problems of the prior art.
[0010] Thus, there is provided a wheeled suitcase comprising two
separate securing means located in opposed orientations for
connecting more than one further item of luggage; one item to each
of the two opposed sides of the wheeled suitcase, wherein the
further items do not need to be lifted up to be secured one to
another.
[0011] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention,
there is provided an article of luggage, wherein the article of
luggage comprises: a base portion; a lid portion hingedly attached
to the base portion and wherein the base and lid portions are
arranged to open and close; a trolley handle arrangement located at
a first end of the article of luggage; a set of wheels located at
or about an opposed end of the article of luggage to the trolley
handle arrangement; a first complementary portion of a first
two-part connector means; and in an opposed orientation, a first
complementary portion of a second two-part connector means; and
wherein in use the first complementary portion of the first
two-part connector means is operable to connect to a second
complementary portion of the first two-part connector means located
on a second article of luggage, and wherein the first complementary
portion of the second two-part connector means is operable to
connect to a second complementary portion of the second two-part
connector means located on a third article of luggage, wherein at
least one of the second or third articles of luggage can be secured
to the first article of luggage whilst both articles of luggage are
standing on their wheels on the ground.
[0012] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a set of two articles of luggage, wherein both
the articles of luggage comprise: a base portion; a lid portion
hingedly attached to the base portion and wherein the base and lid
portions are arranged to open and close; a trolley handle
arrangement located at a first end of each of the articles of
luggage; a set of wheels located at or about an opposed end of each
of the articles of luggage to the trolley handle arrangement; and
wherein the first article of luggage further comprises a first
complementary portion of a first two-part connector means, and the
second article of luggage comprises a second complementary portion
of the first two-part connector means, wherein the first and second
complementary portions of the first two-part connector means are
located on each article of luggage such that the first
complementary portion of the first two-part connector can be
secured to the second complementary portion of the first two-part
connector whilst both articles of luggage are standing on their
wheels on the ground, and wherein the first or second articles of
luggage further comprise a first complementary portion of a second
two-part connector, such that in use, the first or second article
of luggage can be secured to a second complementary portion of a
second two-part connector of a third article of wheeled luggage,
whilst the third article of luggage is standing on its wheels on
the ground.
[0013] Preferably, the first complementary portions of the first
and second two-part connector means are located in an opposed
orientation.
[0014] The following preferable features are with reference to both
the first and second aspects.
[0015] Preferably, wherein all articles of luggage are orientated
in the same direction.
[0016] Preferably, the first article of luggage further comprises a
first complementary portion of a third two-part connector means and
a first complementary portion of a fourth two-part connector
means.
[0017] Further preferably, the second article of luggage comprises
a second complementary portion of the third two-part connector
means.
[0018] Preferably, the third article of luggage comprises a second
complementary portion of the fourth two-part connector means.
[0019] Preferably, the two-part connector means are located at or
about the sides of the respective articles of luggage.
[0020] Preferably, the first complementary portion of each two-part
connector means comprises a fabric strap coupled to a male
connector portion and the second complementary portion of each
two-part connector means is a fabric strap coupled to a female
connector, and wherein the male and female connector portions are
plastic.
[0021] Preferably, the length of the complementary portions are
adjustable.
[0022] Preferably, the base portion is formed as a tray-like
portion and comprises, a major panel portion and four minor side
panel portions.
[0023] Preferably, the lid portion is formed as a tray-like portion
and comprises, a major panel portion and four minor side panel
portions.
[0024] Preferably, the lid and tray portion are formed each as
single shell-like portions.
[0025] Preferably, both the articles of luggage comprise a second
set of wheels, located at or about an opposed end of the article of
luggage to the trolley handle arrangement.
[0026] Preferably, the articles of luggage comprise connector
pockets, wherein at least one part of the two-part connectors is
retained within the connector pocket when fully closed.
[0027] Preferably, the connector pockets comprise a closure
mechanism located around their periphery, wherein the closure
mechanism is a zip-mechanism.
[0028] Preferably, the first and second complementary portions of
the first two-part connector means are co-located at the same
height when the first and second articles of luggage are adjacent
each other.
[0029] Preferably, the first and second complementary portions of
the second two-part connector means are co-located at the same
height when the first and third articles of luggage are adjacent
each other.
[0030] Preferably, the first and second complementary portions of
the third two-part connector means are co-located at the same
height when the first and second articles of luggage are adjacent
each other.
[0031] Preferably, the first and second complementary portions of
the fourth two-part connector means are co-located at the same
height when the first and third articles of luggage are adjacent
each other.
[0032] Three embodiments of the invention will now be more fully
described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, of
which:
[0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a side view of two articles of
luggage connected together as known in the art;
[0034] FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a perspective view of an
individual article of luggage according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0035] FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a rear view of the article of
luggage of FIG. 2A;
[0036] FIG. 2C is a diagram showing a front view of the article of
luggage of FIG. 2A.
[0037] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a side view of a number of
individual articles of luggage of FIG. 2A, which vary in size;
[0038] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a side view of the individual
articles of luggage of FIG. 3 when coupled together;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a side view of the coupled
articles of luggage of FIG. 4, when being towed;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a side view of an article of
luggage according to a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a perspective view of an article
of luggage according to a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0042] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a side view of the connector
pockets; and
[0043] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a side view of the individual
articles of luggage when being towed.
[0044] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a side view of first article of
luggage 1 as known in the art, which is arranged to tow a second
article of luggage 10. The first article of luggage 1 comprises a
handle 2, wheels 4, a case body 6, and female connector 8; and the
second article of luggage comprises wheels 12, case body 14 and
male connector 16. Upon connecting the male connector 8 to the
female connector 16, the cases are joined in a towable arrangement,
whereby the second article of luggage is manoeuvred using the
handle 2 of the first article of luggage 1 when the articles of
luggage 1, 10 are in an inclined position.
[0045] However, one problem with this arrangement is that, the
centre of gravity of the cases is such that a user must expend a
great deal of energy to place the second article of luggage 10 into
an inclined position, in order to firstly attach the two articles
together. This is because the weight of the second article 10
naturally pulls the first article 1 towards it as they are being
coupled together. Therefore in order to couple these articles 1,
10, a user literally needs more than one pair of hands, the first
to lift the second article 10 and then a second pair of hands to
couple them together. As the two articles of luggage 1, 10 are
coupled together, again the weight of the second article of luggage
10 tries to pull both articles of luggage 1, 10 over and they have
to be immediately stabilised by pulling back on the handle 2 of the
first article 1 (as shown by the arrows marked on FIG. 1).
[0046] The result of using such an arrangement being that it is
naturally unstable, and, therefore, hard to manoeuvre compared to a
single piece of luggage. This causes problems for a traveller in
that he/she will still be required to use two hands to stabilise
the two pieces when manoeuvring the luggage when opening doors,
moving through gaps, turning corners and ascending/descending
escalators etc. Therefore, articles of luggage having such
connection means are unsuitable for parents with very young
children, the elderly and/or the infirm.
[0047] FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a perspective view of an
article of luggage 17 according to one embodiment of the present
invention, FIG. 2B is a diagram showing the rear view of the
article of luggage 17, and FIG. 2C is a diagram showing the front
view of the article of luggage 17. The same numbering is used for
like features throughout these figures.
[0048] In the illustrated embodiment, the article of luggage 17
comprises a base portion and a lid portion in which the base and
lid portions are formed from two moulded clam-like shell portions,
a front shell portion 24 and a back shell portion 26. Other
constructions of the base portion and lid portion are envisaged and
are disclosed by way of example in relation to FIGS. 6 to 9 below.
The shell portions 24, 26 may be formed in any way as known in the
art and may be made from any material traditionally used to make
hard or soft style cases; that is they may be made from moulded
plastic, or a foamed plastics material such as EVA, or from
composite fabric and board layers, for example. The front and back
shell portions 24, 26 are hingedly attached and are openable with
respect to each other, by means of an opening zip fastener
arrangement 27 located around their peripheral edge. The article of
luggage 17 may incorporate further features not described in the
figures, such as suitcase expander capabilities and/or other
features applicable to luggage which are well known in the art.
[0049] A trolley handle arrangement 20 is located on the back shell
portion 26, and comprises two extendable, rigid vertically upright
members 42. The trolley handle arrangement 20 is generally centred
longitudinally on the back shell portion 26, of the article of
luggage 17. The trolley handle arrangement 20 also comprises a
cross-piece 44, which spans the top of the upright members 42. A
recess 441 is fabricated into the back shell portion (FIG. 2B only)
such that the trolley handle arrangement 20 is stored in the recess
441 when not required by a user. Inserted into the cross piece 44
is a button 29 which is used to unlock and lock the cross piece 44
into place. Such a locking mechanism is known in the art. A user
defined grip (not shown) may also be incorporated into the cross
piece 44. The article of luggage 17 also comprises two sets of
wheels 28, which are located on the front and back shell portion
24, 26 at the opposite end of the shell portions 24, 26 to the
trolley handle arrangement 20.
[0050] Two connector straps 30, each having a female connector 36,
are attached to either side of the back shell portion 26 (both
shown in FIG. 2B only), whilst two connector straps 31 having male
connectors 34, are attached to either side of the front shell
portion 24 (shown in FIGS. 2A and 2C only). The connection straps
30, 31 are positioned at or above the mid-point of the vertical
height of the article of luggage 17, conveniently on the same
horizontal axis as each other.
[0051] The connection straps 30, 31 are fabricated from durable and
flexible material, such as nylon, cotton, plastic and/or other such
material. The connection straps 30, 31 are attached to the shell
portions 24 and 26 by means of glue, stitching, staples or by any
other known method for attaching a piece of flexible material to an
article of luggage.
[0052] The connection straps 30, 31 are attached to the female and
male connectors 36, 34 using a length adjustment buckle 35 such
that when the straps 30 and/or 31 are pulled relative to their
respective connectors 36, 34, the length of the strap 30 and/or 31
will lengthen or shorten, depending on the direction of the applied
force. Such length adjustment mechanisms 35 are known in the
art.
[0053] The male and female connectors 34, 36 can be engaged and
disengaged from each other by a user as known in the art.
[0054] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a side view of a number of
individual articles of luggage 17, 18, 19, which vary in size. In
the illustrated embodiment, each of the articles of luggage 17, 18,
19 comprise two moulded clam-like shell portions, a front shell
portion 24 and a back shell portion 26, as described in FIGS. 2A,
2B & 2C above.
[0055] Each of the individual articles of luggage 17, 18 and 19 has
connection straps 30, 31 also as described in FIGS. 2A, 2B & 2C
above. The connection straps 30, 31 are located on the articles of
luggage 17, 18 and 19 such that when the articles of luggage are
located adjacent each other, the connection straps 30, 31 on
article of luggage 17, 18 and 19 are located at the same vertical
height as connection straps 30, 31 on the adjacent articles of
luggage 17, 18 or 19. This is so that the male connector 34 on one
article of luggage 17, 18 or 19 can readily connect to the female
connector 36 on a second article of luggage 17, 18 or 19 (see FIG.
4).
[0056] The connector straps 30, 31 and connectors 34, 36 may be
covered by material (not shown) such that they are hidden from view
when not connected to the connector means of an adjacent article of
luggage 17, 18 or 19, or they may be neatly stowed by being
connected to each other, as shown in FIG. 3, or in a zip pocket, as
shown in FIG. 7.
[0057] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a side view of the individual
articles of luggage 17, 18, 19 of FIG. 3 coupled together. In order
to connect a first article of luggage 18 to a second article of
luggage 17, the back shell portion 26 of the first article of
luggage 18 is placed adjacent the front shell portion 24 of the
second article of luggage 17, by using its trolley handle
arrangement 20 and wheels 28, thereby removing the necessity to
lift an article of luggage 17, 18 or 19 at any time.
[0058] Quite easily, and without having to lift the articles of
luggage, the male connectors 34 of the second article of luggage 17
can then be inserted into the female connectors on the first
article of luggage 18, and are retained in position as described in
FIG. 2A above. A further article of luggage 19 may as easily be
attached to the second article of luggage 18, using the above
process, thereby forming an arrangement of three articles of
luggage 17, 18 and 19. The length of the connection straps 30, 31
may also be adjusted, as described in FIG. 2 above, such that the
adjacent articles of luggage 17, 18, 19 when connected, can be
tensioned to ensure the articles of luggage 17, 18, 19 are
maintained adjacent each other in use.
[0059] Importantly, at no point in time during this connecting
process do any of the articles of luggage need to be lifted up.
They are simply manoeuvred by use of their wheels and trolley
handle.
[0060] Using the method described above in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C, The
articles of luggage 17, 18 and/or 19 can be coupled to or uncoupled
from, any other article of luggage 17, 18 and/or 19 in an
arrangement. It should also be evident that one advantage of the
invention is that any number of articles of luggage of differing
sizes can be added to the arrangement. All articles of luggage in
the arrangement do not necessarily need wheels 28 and/or a trolley
handle arrangement 20, so long as the article of luggage, which is
used to tow the other article(s) of luggage in the arrangement has
such features.
[0061] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a side view of the articles of
luggage 17, 18, 19 of FIG. 3 when being towed. The arrangement of
Figure can be placed in an inclined position by a user pulling the
trolley handle arrangement 20 in the direction of the arrow. This
particular arrangement of coupled articles of luggage 17, 18, 19 is
such that it is easily manoeuvrable using one hand when the
articles of luggage 17, 18, 19 are in an inclined position. Indeed,
in the illustrated embodiment as all articles of luggage 17, 18, 19
have been provided with a set of wheels it is possible to tow the
coupled the articles of luggage 17, 18, 19 without inclining the
articles of luggage 17, 18, 19--though they are less manoeuvrable
than when inclined.
[0062] Due to the positioning of the connector means and the fact
there are two sets of per suitcase, the arrangement is now much
more stable, such that a user can turn corners, open doors, and use
escalators/elevators using only one hand to manoeuvre the
arrangement of multiple articles.
[0063] Depending on the size of the articles of luggage in an
arrangement, the tightness of the connection straps 34, 36 when
coupled together, and the angle of incline .quadrature., the wheels
28 on each article of luggage 17, 18 and/or 19 may be in constant
contact with the floor when being towed. The fact that the wheels
28 of some articles of luggage are not in contact with the floor
will not impact on the manoeuvrability of the arrangement due to
the fact that there are two points of coupling with two connectors.
Furthermore, there is a low centre of gravity because the
connection straps 34, 36 are located on the side of the shell
panels 24, 26, and not, as with the prior art, located at the top
of the shell panels 24, 26.
[0064] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a perspective view of an article
of luggage 117 according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0065] The article of luggage 117 comprises a tray-like base
portion 125 and a lid portion 124. The tray-like base portion
comprises a major panel 126, a first side panel 127 (and opposite
second side panel not shown), bottom panel 122 and top panel 123.
The lid portion 124 is hingedly attached to the tray-like base
portion 125 by a zip fastener arrangement 121 located on the
periphery of the first side 127, second side, top and bottom panels
123 and 122 of the tray-like base portion 125. The tray-like base
portion 125 and lid portion 124 may be formed in any way as known
in the art and may be made from any material traditionally used to
make hard or soft style suitcases; that is they may be made from
moulded plastic, or a foamed plastics material such as EVA, or from
composite fabric and board layers, for example. The lid and
tray-like base portions 124, 125 are hinged together and are
openable with respect to each other, by means of the opening zip
fastener arrangement 121. The article of luggage 117 may
incorporate further features not described in the figures, such as
storage pockets, suitcase expander capabilities and/or other
features applicable to luggage which are well known in the art.
[0066] A trolley handle arrangement 120 is located on the major
panel 126, and comprises two extendable, rigid vertically upright
members 142. The trolley handle arrangement 120 is generally
centred longitudinally on the major panel 126, of the article of
luggage 117. The trolley handle arrangement 120 also comprises a
cross-piece 144, which spans the top of the upright members 142.
Inserted into the cross piece 144 is a button 129 which is used to
unlock and lock the cross piece 144 into place. Such a locking
mechanism is known in the art. A user defined grip (not shown) may
also be incorporated into the cross piece 144. The article of
luggage 117 also comprises two sets of wheels 128, which are
located on each corner of the bottom panel 122.
[0067] The article of luggage 117 also comprises two connector
straps 130 and 131, each coupled to male and female connectors 134
and 136 respectively. FIG. 6 shows only one of each male and female
connector 134, 136. The connection straps 130, 131 are positioned
at or above the mid-point of the vertical height of the article of
luggage 117 on the same horizontal axis as each other. Only one set
of connector straps are shown in FIG. 6.
[0068] The connection straps 130, 131 are fabricated from durable
and flexible material, such as nylon, cotton, plastic and/or other
such material. The connection straps 130, 131 are attached to the
side panels 127 by means of glue, stitching, staples or by any
other known method for attaching a piece of flexible material to an
article of luggage.
[0069] The connection straps 130, 131 are attached to the male and
female connectors 134, 136 using a length adjustment buckle 135
such that when the connection straps 130, 131 are pulled relative
to the connectors 136, 134, the length of the strap 130 or 131 will
lengthen or shorten depending on the direction of the applied
force. Such length adjustment mechanisms 135 are well known to
those skilled in the art of luggage.
[0070] The male and female connectors 134, 136 can be engaged and
disengaged from each other by a user as known in the art.
[0071] The article of luggage of the second embodiment would be
connected one to another as previously described with reference to
FIG. 5. The difference between the first and second embodiments of
the present invention is the precise location of the connector
straps in relation to the physical parts of the articles of
luggage. In the first embodiment (FIGS. 2a to 5), the connector
straps are located one on the first shell-like portion, the other
on the second shell-like portion. In the second embodiments (FIG.
6) the connector straps are both located on the tray-like base
portion.
[0072] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a perspective view of an article
of luggage 217 according to a third embodiment of the present
invention, whereby the article of luggage 217 comprises closable
connector pockets 250. The connector pockets 250 are described in
greater detail below in FIG. 8.
[0073] The article of luggage 217 comprises a tray-like base
portion 225 and a lid portion 224. The tray-like base portion
comprises a major panel 226, a first side panel 227 (and opposite
second side panel not shown), bottom panel 222 and top panel 223.
The lid portion 224 is hingedly attached to the tray-like base
portion 225 by a zip fastener arrangement 221 located on the
periphery of the first side 227, second side, top and bottom panels
223 and 222 of the tray-like base portion 225. The tray-like base
portion 225 and lid portion 224 may be formed in any way as known
in the art and may be made from any material traditionally used to
make hard or soft style suitcases; that is they may be made from
moulded plastic, or a foamed plastics material such as EVA, or from
composite fabric and board layers, for example. The lid and
tray-like base portions 224, 225 are hinged together and are
openable with respect to each other, by means of the opening zip
fastener arrangement 221. The article of luggage 217 may
incorporate further features not described in the figures, such as
storage pockets, suitcase expander capabilities and/or other
features applicable to luggage which are well known in the art.
[0074] A trolley handle arrangement 220 is located on the major
panel 226, and comprises two extendable, rigid vertically upright
members 242. The trolley handle arrangement 220 is generally
centred longitudinally on the major panel 226, of the article of
luggage 217. Inserted into the cross piece 244 is a button 229
which is used to unlock and lock the cross piece 244 into place.
Such a locking mechanism is known in the art. A user defined grip
(not shown) may also be incorporated into the cross piece 244. The
article of luggage 217 also comprises two sets of wheels 228, which
are located on each corner of the bottom panel 222.
[0075] The article of luggage 217 also comprises two connector
straps 230 and 231, each coupled to male and female connectors 234
and 236 respectively.
[0076] The connector straps 230, 231 are attached to the first and
second side panels 227 and are located inside the connector pockets
250 such that when the zip-mechanism 254 on a connector pocket 250
is fully closed, the connector straps 230, 231 are fully
containable within the respective connector pockets 250. FIGS. 7 to
9 illustrates that the connector straps 230, 231 need not be
attached to the first and second side panels 227 of adjacent
articles of luggage 227 on the same horizontal axis as one
another.
[0077] The connection straps 230, 231 are fabricated from durable
and flexible material, such as nylon, cotton, plastic and/or other
such material. The connection straps 230, 231 are attached to the
side panels 227 by means of glue, stitching, staples or by any
other known method for attaching a piece of flexible material to an
article of luggage.
[0078] The connection straps 230, 231 are attached to the male and
female connectors 234, 236 (FIG. 8) using a length adjustment
buckle 235 such that when the connection straps 230, 231 are pulled
relative to the connectors 236, 234, the length of the strap 230 or
231 will lengthen or shorten depending on the direction of the
applied force. Such length adjustment mechanisms 235 are well known
to those skilled in the art of luggage.
[0079] The male and female connectors 234, 236 can be engaged and
disengaged from each other by a user as known in the art.
[0080] FIG. 8 shows the closable connector pockets in greater
detail. The connector pockets 250 are located towards the top of
each of the side panels 227 of the articles of luggage 217, 218 and
are fabricated from the same material as the articles of luggage
217, 218. However, it should be obvious to a person skilled in the
art that such connector pockets 250 are not required to be
fabricated from the same material as the article of luggage, and
can, in fact, be fabricated from other suitable materials attached
to the article of luggage known in the art of suitcase manufacture.
The connector pockets 250 are openable/closable by means of a
closure mechanism. The closure mechanism described in this
embodiment is a zip-mechanism 254, comprising a zip handle 255 and
a zip-track 257, which is located around the periphery of two sides
of the connector pocket 250. Alternatively, the closure-mechanism
may be a hook and eye fastener (VELCRO.TM.), button mechanism or
other such closing means known to those skilled in the art.
[0081] A stitch pattern 251, is applied to the material forming the
connector pocket 250 and to the side 227 of the article of luggage
217, 218, thereby defining the depth and shape of the connector
pockets 250.
[0082] The article of luggage of the third embodiment would be
connected one to another as previously described with reference to
FIG. 5. The difference between the first, second and third
embodiments of the present invention is the precise location of the
connector straps in relation to the physical parts of the articles
of luggage. In the first embodiment (FIGS. 2a to 5), the connector
straps are located one on one shell-like portion, the other on the
second shell-like portion. In the second embodiments (FIG. 6) they
are both located on the tray-like base portion, whilst in the third
embodiment (FIGS. 7, 8 & 9), they are contained within closable
connector pockets.
[0083] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a side view of the articles of
luggage 217, 218 when being towed. The arrangement can be placed in
an inclined position by a user pulling the trolley handle
arrangement 220 in the direction of the arrow. This particular
arrangement of coupled articles of luggage 217, 218 is such that it
is easily manoeuvrable using one hand when the articles of luggage
217, 218 are in an inclined position.
[0084] Due to the positioning of the connector means and the fact
there are two sets of per suitcase, the arrangement is now much
more stable, such that a user can turn corners, open doors, and use
escalators/elevators using only one hand to manoeuvre the
arrangement of multiple articles of luggage in a "train". For
example, it is, therefore, possible to have more than 2 wheeled
articles of luggage in the train, or 2 wheeled and 1 non wheeled
article of luggage, or other such configurations.
[0085] Depending on the size of the articles of luggage in an
arrangement, the tightness of the connection straps 230, 231 when
coupled together, and the angle of incline .quadrature., the wheels
228 on each article of luggage 217 and/or 218 may be in constant
contact with the floor when being towed. The fact that the wheels
228 of some articles of luggage are not in contact with the floor
will not impact on the manoeuvrability of the arrangement due to
the fact that there are two points of coupling with two
connectors.
[0086] The difference between the first, second and third
embodiments of the present invention is the precise location of the
connector straps in relation to the physical parts of the articles
of luggage. In the first embodiment (FIGS. 2a to 5), the connector
straps are located one on one shell-like portion, the other on the
second shell-like portion. In the second embodiments (FIG. 6) they
are both located on the tray-like base portion. In the third
embodiment (FIGS. 7, 8 & 9), the connectors are locatable
within connector pockets on the article of luggage but extend from
the closable pockets when the closable pockets are opened.
[0087] It should now be evident that any article of luggage of
either embodiment of the present invention, having two sets of male
and/or female connectors or may tow, or be towed by, any other
article of luggage having such an arrangement of male and/or female
connectors and/or and a handle and wheels. Furthermore, any number
of articles maybe easily coupled to, or decoupled from an
arrangement such that a user does not have to struggle to lift or
manoeuvre the multiple articles of luggage in a row.
[0088] The present invention allows a user to create an arrangement
of articles of luggage to be towed without having to struggle to
couple the articles of luggage. Unlike the prior art, there is no
need for the user to have to lift articles of luggage into place
before coupling them together because the positioning of the
connection straps ensures that the male and female connectors can
be easily engaged when the articles of luggage are placed adjacent
each other. The articles can be easily placed adjacent each other
using the trolley handle arrangement and wheels, thereby removing
the necessity to lift anything.
[0089] The positioning of the connection straps on the sides of the
articles of luggage, means that the centre of gravity of coupled
articles of luggage is lower than that which is available on
articles of luggage known in the prior art. The low centre of
gravity means that an arrangement, of coupled articles of luggage,
can be easily placed into an inclined position, by the old, weak,
frail, people carrying luggage and/or minding children. The low
centre of gravity also means that the articles of luggage can be
easily manoeuvred with one hand, thereby allowing a user to tow the
arrangement with one hand whilst opening doors, carrying a
child/holding a child's hand, using escalators/elevators and/or
carrying further suitcases.
[0090] The two connection straps on each article of luggage in an
arrangement ensure a secure coupling is achieved, meaning that a
user can tow the arrangement and turn corners at speed without the
arrangement wobbling or toppling over. This is particularly useful
if a user is late for a plane or a train and is required to run.
Having two sets of straps on each suitcase means that any
configuration of suitcases/trolley bags can be used, and
furthermore, multiple articles can be connected together as shown
in FIG. 5.
[0091] It will be appreciated that although only one particular
embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, various
modifications and improvements can be made by a person skilled in
the art without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *