U.S. patent application number 15/749276 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-09 for luggage piece with stopper device.
The applicant listed for this patent is RIMOWA GMBH. Invention is credited to Dieter Morszeck.
Application Number | 20180220763 15/749276 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53773309 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180220763 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morszeck; Dieter |
August 9, 2018 |
LUGGAGE PIECE WITH STOPPER DEVICE
Abstract
The invention relates to a piece of luggage 1 comprising a
luggage body 3 which has a first and a second luggage part 4, 6.
The first and the second luggage parts 4, 6 can be connected
together via at least one zipper 2. The zipper 2 has at least two
rows of tooth elements 28 which are secured to zipper strips 26 and
which engage into one another in the closed state and form a zipper
chain At least one stopper device 10 is provided which forms a stop
for at least one carriage of the at least one zipper. The at least
one stopper device 10 has at least one stopper element 11 and at
least one fastening device 14 with which the stopper element 11 can
be fixed at any location on the zipper chain 30 of the zipper
2.
Inventors: |
Morszeck; Dieter; (Koln,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
RIMOWA GMBH |
Koln |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
53773309 |
Appl. No.: |
15/749276 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
July 29, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2016/068186 |
371 Date: |
January 31, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 13/10 20130101;
A45C 13/103 20130101; A44B 19/36 20130101; A45C 2005/037 20130101;
A45C 5/03 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 13/10 20060101
A45C013/10; A45C 5/03 20060101 A45C005/03; A44B 19/36 20060101
A44B019/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 31, 2015 |
EP |
15179328.8 |
Claims
1. A piece of luggage (1), comprising a luggage body (3) comprising
a first and a second luggage part (4, 6), the first and the second
luggage parts (4, 6) being connectable to one another via at least
one zipper (2), the zipper (2) having at least two rows of tooth
elements (28) fastened to zipper tapes (26), which interlock when
closed and form a zipper chain, wherein at least one stopper device
(10) is provided which forms a stop for at least one carriage of
the at least one zipper, characterized in that the at least one
stopper device (10) has at least one stopper element (11) and at
least one fastening device (14), with which the stopper element
(11) is secured at any point on the zipper chain (30).
2. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
two stopper devices (10) are provided which each form a stop for at
least one carriage of the at least one zipper (2).
3. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the fastening device (14) is a detachable fastening device
(14).
4. Piece of luggage item (1) according to claim 1, characterized in
that at least a first and a second zipper end (32, 34) of the at
least one zipper (2) adjoin one another, wherein the stopper
element (11) is fixable on the zipper chain (30) such that the
first and second zipper ends (32, 34) are covered so that the first
and second zipper ends (32, 34) are located under the stopper
element (11).
5. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the stopper device (10) has at least one counter element (12) which
is arranged on the side of the at least one zipper (2) opposite the
stopper element (11) and wherein the stopper element (11) is
connected to the counter element (12) via the at least one
fastening device (14).
6. Piece of luggage item (1) according to claim 1, characterized in
that the stopper device (10) has at least one row of juxtaposed
projections (22, 24), which prevent the stopper device (10) from
slipping relative to the zipper (2), the projections (22, 24)
preferably engaging in the zipper (2), in particular in the zipper
straps (36), when the stopper device (10) is fastened.
7. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the at least one row of projections (22, 24) arranged side by side
are arranged on the stopper element (11) and/or the counter element
(12).
8. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the at least one fastening device (14) is inserted through the
zipper (2), preferably through at least one zipper tape (26) of the
zipper (2).
9. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that
the fastening device (14) comprises at least one pin element (16)
and at least one plate-shaped element (19), wherein when connecting
the stopper element (11) to the counter element (12), the at least
one pin element (16) can be inserted through the zipper (2) from a
first side of the zipper (2) and on the second side of the zipper
(2) opposite the first side at least part of the plate-shaped
element (19) bends.
10. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 9, characterized in
that the at least one pin element (16) which can be inserted
through the zipper (2) from a first side of the zipper (2) is on
the second side, at least a part of the plate-shaped element (19)
bends on the side of the zipper (2) opposite the first side such
that an edge (38) of the plate-shaped element (19) presses into the
pin element (16) and the stopper element (11) and the counter
element (12) are connected to each other.
11. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 9, characterized in
that the at least one pin element has a projection, the projection
of the at least one pin element (16) when the stopper element (11)
is connected to the counter element (12), which can be inserted
through the zipper (2) from a first side of the zipper (2) and on
the second side of the zipper (2) opposite the first side at least
part of the plate-shaped element (19) bends, engages behind the
plate-shaped element (19) and the stopper element (11) and the
counter element (12) are connected to one another.
12. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 8, characterized in
that the at least one pin element (11) can be inserted through at
least one of the zipper straps (26) of the zipper (2).
13. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 8, characterized in
that the pin element (16) has a diameter of 0.5-3 mm so that the
zipper tape (26) cannot be damaged by the insertion of the at least
one pin element (16).
14. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 1, characterized in
that the fastening device (14) is connected to the counter element
(12) via a click connection or a screw connection.
15. Method for manufacturing a piece of luggage (1) with a luggage
body (3) which has at least a first and a second luggage part (4,
6) which are connected via at least one zipper (2), a stopper
device (10) being used, which foul's a stop for at least one
carriage of the at least one zipper (2), in that a stopper element
(11) of the stopper device (10) is fixed with a fastening device
(14) on any position of a zipper chain (30) of the zipper (2).
16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the stopper
element (11) is connected by means of the fastening device (14) to
a counter element (12) of the stopper device (10) arranged on the
side of the zipper (2) opposite the stopper element (11).
17. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that at least
one pin element (16) and a plate-shaped element (19) of the
fastening device (14) are used, wherein when the stopper element
(11) is connected to the counter element (12), the at least one pin
element (16) is inserted through the zipper (2) and on the side
opposite the stopper element (11) at least part of the plate-shaped
element (19) bends.
18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the at
least one pin element (16) bends the at least part of the
plate-shaped element (19) such that at least one edge (34) of the
plate-shaped element (19) is pressed into the pin element (16) and
the stopper element (11) and the counter element (12) are connected
together.
19. Piece of luggage (1) according to claim 17, characterized in
that the at least one pin element (16) has a projection and the
projection of the at least one pin element (16) engages behind the
plate-shaped element (19) when connecting the stopper element (11)
to the counter element (12), so that the stopper element (11) and
the counter element (12) are connected to one another.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a luggage piece according to the
generic term of claim 1 and a method of manufacturing a luggage
piece according to the generic term of claim 15.
[0002] State-of-the-art luggage pieces are known having a baggage
body with a first and a second luggage part, the first and second
luggage parts being connected to each other via at least one
zipper. The zipper can have at least two rows of tooth elements
attached to zipper tapes, which interlock when closed and faint a
zipper chain. A stopper device is preferably provided, which forms
a stop for at least one carriage of the at least one zipper.
Stopper elements are often sewn on elements, such as leather
elements, which are placed over a part of the zipper and sewn to
the case.
[0003] However, there is an increasing need to create a piece of
luggage, having an easier stopper device and making it easier to
manufacture the stopper and the piece of luggage. The invention is
therefore based on the object of creating a piece of luggage whose
manufacturing is simplified.
[0004] The characteristics parts of claim 1 and claim 15 serve to
solve this task.
[0005] The invention provides in an advantageous way that the
stopper device has at least one stopper element and at least one
fastening device with which the stopper element can be fixed at any
point on the zipper chain of the zipper.
[0006] The invention has the advantage that the stopper element can
be fixed anywhere on the zipper chain. This means that the stopper
device does not necessarily have to be arranged at the ends of the
zipper. In addition, the stopper device or the stopper element can
only be arranged in the area of the zipper chain. The stopper
device does not need to be connected to the luggage parts of the
luggage body. This eliminates the need for additional steps in the
production process.
[0007] According to the present invention, a first and a second
stopper device may be provided, each of which forms a stop for at
least one carriage of the at least one zipper. The stopper devices
can each have at least one stopper element and a fastening device,
by means of which the respective stopper element can be fixed at
any point on the zipper chain of the zipper.
[0008] This has the advantage that with the help of two stopper
devices, especially on the long side of a case, an area of the
zipper between the stopper devices is created which cannot be
opened. This area then functions as a hinge element. The width of
the hinge element can be adjusted flexibly because two stopper
devices are provided.
[0009] The stopper element can be a rigid stopper element. The
fastening device can be a detachable fastening device. This has the
advantage that during production the stopper device can be released
again even after initial fastening and can be fastened at any other
point.
[0010] At least a first and a second end of the at least one zipper
may be adjacent, the stopper element being fixable on the zipper
chain such that the first and second ends of the zipper are covered
so that the first and second ends of the zipper are located under
the stopper element. The stopper device is so flexible that it can
be arranged both in the area where the first and second zipper ends
are adjacent to each other and in an area of the zipper chain that
is continuous and therefore has no zipper ends.
[0011] The stopper device may have at least one counter element
arranged on the side of the at least one zipper opposite the
stopper element, the stopper element being connected to the counter
element via the at least one fastening device.
[0012] The stopper device may have at least one row of juxtaposed
projections which prevent the stopper device from slipping relative
to the zipper, the projections preferably engaging the zipper, in
particular the zipper tapes, when the stopper device is attached.
This has the advantage that the stopper device cannot slip in
relation to the zipper.
[0013] At least one row of juxtaposed projections may be arranged
on the stopper element and/or the counter element. If both the
stopper element and the counter element have protrusions, the
protrusions may be arranged so that they interlock when the stopper
is attached.
[0014] The at least one fastening device can be inserted through
the zipper, preferably through at least one zipper tape of the
zipper.
[0015] This has the advantage that the fastening device does not
damage the zipper chain during fastening.
[0016] The stopper element can have a length of at least 1 cm and
at most 15 cm, whereby the stopper element can preferably have a
length between 2 cm and 7 cm.
[0017] The fastening device can also be located between the first
and second zipper ends.
[0018] The fastening device can press the stopper element against
the zipper chain of the zipper.
[0019] The fastening device can have at least one pin element and
at least one plate-shaped element, the at least one pin element
being insertable through the zipper from a first side of the zipper
when the stopper element is connected to the counter element and at
least part of the plate-shaped element bending on the second side
of the zipper opposite the first side.
[0020] The at least one pin element, which can be inserted through
the zipper from a first side of the zipper, can bend at least part
of the plate-shaped element on the second side of the zipper
opposite the first side in such a way that an edge of the
plate-shaped element presses into the pin element and the stopper
element and the counter element are connected to one another.
[0021] The at least one pin element can have a projection, wherein
when the stopper element is connected to the counter element, the
projection of the at least one pin element, which can be inserted
through the zipper from a first side of the zipper, bends at least
part of the plate-shaped element on the second side of the zipper
facing the first side, engages behind the plate-shaped element and
the stopper element and the counter element are connected to one
another.
[0022] The projection can preferably be arranged at the side of at
least one pin element. Behind the plate-shaped element, according
to the present invention, the projection touches the side facing
away from the stopper element and hooks into it. The projection
thus takes on the function of a barbed hook.
[0023] The at least one pin element can be plugged into at least
one of the zipper tapes.
[0024] The pin element can have a diameter of 0.5 to 3 mm, so that
the zipper tape cannot be damaged by inserting the at least one pin
element.
[0025] The fastening element can alternatively be connected to the
counterpart via a click connection or a screw connection.
[0026] The stopper element can be made of metal or plastic.
[0027] According to the present invention, a method may also be
provided for manufacturing a piece of luggage having a luggage
body, the body of the luggage having at least a first and a second
luggage part connected to each other by at least one zipper, using
a stopper device forming a stop for at least one carriage of the at
least one zipper. It is advantageously provided that a stopper
element of the stopper device is fixed to any part of a zipper
chain of the zipper by means of a fastening device.
[0028] It may also be provided that two stopper devices are
provided, one stopper element of each stopper device being fixed
with 2016/068186 to any position of a zipper chain of the
zipper.
[0029] The stopper element can be a rigid stopper element.
[0030] The stopper element can be connected by means of the
fastening device to a counter element of the stopper device, which
is arranged on the side of the zipper opposite the stopper element.
At least one pin element and one plate-shaped element of the
fastening device can be used, wherein when the stopper element is
connected to the counter element, the at least one pin element is
inserted through the zip fastener and at least part of the
plate-shaped element bends on the side opposite the stopper
element.
[0031] The at least one pin element can bend the at least part of
the plate-shaped element so that at least one edge of the
plate-shaped element is pressed into the pin element and the
stopper element and the counter element are connected together.
[0032] The at least one pin element can have a projection and the
projection of the at least one pin element can engage behind the
plate-shaped element when connecting the stopper element to the
counter element, so that the stopper element and the counter
element are connected to each other. In the following, embodiments
of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the
drawing.
[0033] It shows schematically:
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a piece of luggage according to the
invention,
[0035] FIG. 2 shows a view of the stopper device,
[0036] FIG. 3 shows the stopper device in exploded view,
[0037] FIG. 4 shows the stopper device from FIG. 3 in the rear
view,
[0038] FIG. 5 shows the stopper device according to FIGS. 3 and 4
in assembled condition,
[0039] FIG. 6 shows an alternative design example with cover
strip,
[0040] FIG. 7 shows the stopper device according to FIG. 6 in
assembled condition,
[0041] FIG. 8 shows the counter element with a plate-shaped
element,
[0042] FIG. 9 shows how the fastening device can be released,
[0043] FIG. 10 shows a stopper device which is connected with a
zipper,
[0044] FIG. 11 shows an alternative stopper device.
[0045] FIG. 1 shows a piece of luggage according to this invention.
The piece of luggage has a first and a second luggage part 4, 6.
The first and the second luggage part 4, 6 are connected by at
least one zipper 2. Zipper 2 has at least two zipper straps 26 and
two rows of tooth elements 28 attached to the zipper straps 26,
which interlock when closed and form a zipper chain 30.
[0046] Furthermore, the zipper 2 has a slider element 43 with which
the zipper can be opened and closed. The luggage body 3 can be
rolled over the floor on rollers 8.
[0047] According to the present invention, at least one stopper
device 10 is also provided, which forms a stop for the at least one
carriage of the at least one zipper 2. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment
in which two stopper devices 10 are provided. Both stopper devices
10 each form a stop for the at least one carriage of the at least
one zipper 2, and both stopper devices 10 are attached to any
position on the zipper 2. By means of the two stopper devices 10 an
area 42 of the zipper 2 is created, which cannot be opened or
closed. The slider element cannot be led further than to the
stopper devices 10, which form the stops. In this way, area 42 of
zipper 2 is a hinge element of the piece of luggage 1. The stopper
devices 10 can be placed as far apart as desired so that the width
of the hinge element can be flexibly adjusted. The piece of luggage
1 is preferably a suitcase.
[0048] FIG. 2 shows a section of the piece of luggage 1 from FIG.
1. The cut-out shows the zipper 2 and the stopper device 10 The
stopper device 10 has at least one stopper element 11 and at least
one fastening device 14 with which the stopper element 11 can be
fixed at any position on the zipper chain 30 of the zipper 2. FIG.
2 shows how the stopper element 11 is fixed on the zipper chain 30.
The stopper element 11 can be arranged in such a way that the first
and second zipper ends 32, 34 of the zipper are covered when
attached.
[0049] However, the stopper device 10 can also be fixed at any
other position of the zipper chain 30 of the zipper 2.
[0050] In the FIGS. 3 to 5, the stopper device is shown in more
detail. The stopper device 10 shown in FIG. 3 has a stopper element
11 and a counter element 12. The counter element 12 can be placed
on the side of the at least one zipper 2 opposite the stopper
element 11. The counter element 12 is not shown in FIG. 2, as it is
arranged on the side of the zipper 2 opposite the stopper element
11.
[0051] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the counter element 12 can have
projections 22, which are preferably arranged next to each other in
a row. The protrusions 22 can engage in the zipper when attached,
in particular in the zipper straps 26 and thus prevent the stopper
device 10 from slipping in relation to the zipper 2.
[0052] The stopper element 11 can be fixed at any point of the
zipper chain 30 of the zipper 2 with the aid of a fastening device
14. The fastening device 14 has pin elements 16 and a plate-shaped
element 19 in the shown embodiment. When attaching the stopper
element 11 to the zipper 2, the pin elements 16 are preferably
inserted through the zipper straps 26. The pin elements 16
preferably have such a small diameter that the zipper straps are
not damaged. This means that after removing the pin elements from
the zipper tape 26 there is no damage to the zipper tape 16. The
pin elements 16 guided through the zipper bands 26 bend at least
part of the plate-shaped element 19 on the side opposite the
stopper element 11, whereby edges 38 of the plate-shaped element 19
are pressed into the pin elements and thus the stopper element 11
and the counter element 12 are connected to each other. The
panel-shaped element 19 is connected to the counter element 12.
[0053] FIG. 4 shows that the counter element 12 has a recess 17 on
the side facing away from the stopper element 11, in which the
plate-shaped element 19 can be arranged. Indentations 18 are
provided in the corners of recess 17, into which the pin elements
16 inserted through the zipper straps 26 can be inserted. Because
the plate-shaped element 19 is connected to the counter element 12
in the recess 17, the plate-shaped element 19 is bent at least in
the area in which the pin-shaped elements 16 are inserted. The
plate-shaped element 19 is preferably made of metal and due to
bending the plate-shaped element is tensioned. This means that the
bent part of the plate-shaped element 19 pushes back into its
original position. The plate-shaped element 19 has a certain
elasticity, which means that the plate-shaped element returns to
its original shape after the action of a force. This presses the
edges 38 of the panel-shaped element 19 into the pin elements
16.
[0054] This connects the stopper element 19 and the counter element
12.
[0055] It can also be seen from FIG. 4 that the stopper element 11
can also have protrusions 24. These protrusions 24 are preferably
also arranged in a row next to each other. The projections 22 of
the counter element and the projections 24 of the stopper element
13 can be arranged in such a way that they interlock when fastened.
The projections 24 of the stopper element 11 can also engage in the
zipper 2, preferably in the zipper straps 26 when fastened.
[0056] The panel-shaped element 19 can be connected to the counter
element 12 by a welded joint, a screw joint or any other
connection. An additional pin element may also be located on the
counter element 12, which can be passed through a hole in the
plate-shaped element, which can be shaped so that part of the
plate-shaped element is also bent and this part engages in this
additional pin element. Thus the connection between counter element
12 and plate-shaped element 19 could be similar to that between the
stopper element 11 and the counter element 12.
[0057] In FIG. 5 the stopper device 10 is shown in the attached
state, whereby in the figure shown the stopper device 10 is shown
without zipper 2 arranged in between.
[0058] The FIGS. 6 and 7 show an embodiment in which a cover strip
44 is arranged between the stopper element 11 and the counter
element 12. These cover strips can be placed on the side of the
zipper 2, on which the stopper element 11 is also placed. The cover
strips 44 can be used to cover the connection points of the zipper
and also the piping with which the zipper 2 is fastened, for
example, to the luggage parts 2, 4.
[0059] FIG. 8 shows how the plate-shaped element 19 is connected to
the counter element 12. FIG. 9 shows how the fastening device 14
can be released again. For this purpose, a recess for a standard
screwdriver is provided in the counter element 12. The plate shaped
element 19 can be lifted with the screwdriver. By lifting, the
edges 38, which have pressed into the pin elements 16, are
released. The stopper element 11 can then easily be pulled out on
the opposite side. In this way, the stopper device 10 can be
attached to any position of baggage item 1. If the stopper device
11 has been fixed in the wrong place during manufacture, this can
be easily corrected by loosening the stopper element 11 again using
the fixing device 14.
[0060] FIG. 10 shows a section of a piece of luggage 1. A first and
a second luggage part 4, 6 are shown, which are connected by means
of a zipper 2. The stopper element 11 is connected to the zipper 2
at any point of the zipper chain 30. In the embodiment shown, cover
strips 44 are provided to cover the joints of the zipper 2 and the
piping elements 46. The cover strips 44 can be sewn with the piping
element 46 to the luggage part 4 or 6.
[0061] FIG. 11 shows a stopper element 11' which, due to the shape
of the pin elements 16', differs from the one in the FIGS. 1 to 10
shown stopper element 11. As FIG. 11 shows, each of the pin
elements 16' shown has a projection of 50. When connecting the
stopper element 11' to the counter element 12, the projection of
the at least one pin element 16' engages behind the plate-shaped
element 19 and the stopper element 11 and the counter element 12
are thus connected together.
[0062] According to the present invention, behind the plate-shaped
element 19 means that the projection touches the side facing away
from the stopper element and hooks into it. The projection thus
takes on the function of a barbed hook. The respective projection
is preferably arranged laterally on the respective pin element 16.
Furthermore, the projections are preferably arranged on the side of
the respective pin element 16', which in the connected state points
in the direction of the plate-shaped element 19.
[0063] The remaining elements, such as the plate-shaped element 19,
the counter element 12, the zipper 2 and so forth, are the same as
in the FIGS. 1 to 10 described. Just like explained with respect to
FIGS. 1 to 10, the pin elements 16' can be inserted from a first
side of the zipper 2 through the zipper 2 and on the second side of
the zipper 2 opposite the first side, the pin elements can bend at
least a part of the plate-shaped element 19. The pin elements 16'
are at least partially guided past the plate-shaped element 19, so
that the respective projection can reach behind the plate-shaped
element 19. This connects the stopper element 19 and the counter
element 12. In addition, the edges 38 of the plate-shaped element
19 can also be pressed into the pin elements 16.
[0064] However, this is not absolutely necessary for this
embodiment.
* * * * *