U.S. patent application number 16/282917 was filed with the patent office on 2019-08-29 for modular luggage article.
The applicant listed for this patent is Thule Sweden AB. Invention is credited to Andreas ARVIDSSON.
Application Number | 20190261751 16/282917 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61274169 |
Filed Date | 2019-08-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190261751 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ARVIDSSON; Andreas |
August 29, 2019 |
MODULAR LUGGAGE ARTICLE
Abstract
A luggage article includes a first luggage part and a second
luggage part defining two opposing closable parts of the luggage
article, where the first and second luggage parts define an inner
volume of the luggage article when closed, and an attachment part
having a first connecting part and a second connecting part that
are pivotally connected via a hinge, where the first connecting
part is attached to a first edge of the first luggage part and the
second connecting part is attached to a second edge of the second
luggage part, a closure part adapted to secure the first luggage
part to the second luggage part preventing access to the inner
volume of the luggage article, and a barrier that overlaps the
closure part in an area that is between the inner volume of the
luggage article and the closure part in a radial direction.
Inventors: |
ARVIDSSON; Andreas; (Forsa,
SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Thule Sweden AB |
Hillerstorp |
|
SE |
|
|
Family ID: |
61274169 |
Appl. No.: |
16/282917 |
Filed: |
February 22, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 2005/037 20130101;
A45C 13/18 20130101; A45C 2013/1007 20130101; A45C 5/03 20130101;
A45C 13/36 20130101; A45C 13/005 20130101; A45C 13/103 20130101;
A45C 13/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 5/03 20060101
A45C005/03; A45C 13/18 20060101 A45C013/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 23, 2018 |
EP |
18158371.7 |
Claims
1. A luggage article, comprising: a first luggage part and a second
luggage part defining two opposing closable parts of the luggage
article, wherein the first and second luggage parts define an inner
volume of the luggage article when in a closed position; and an
attachment part comprising: a first connecting part and a second
connecting part that are pivotally connected via a hinge, wherein
the first connecting part is attached to a first edge of the first
luggage part and the second connecting part is attached to a second
edge of the second luggage part; and a closure part adapted to
secure the first connecting part to the second connecting part
thereby preventing access to the inner volume of the luggage
article, wherein a barrier that overlaps the closure part is
disposed between the inner volume of the luggage article and the
closure part in a radial direction.
2. The luggage article of claim 1, wherein the barrier is a
projection having a first end that is attached to the first
connecting part and an opposite free end.
3. The luggage article of claim 2, wherein the projection extends
from the first connecting part in a direction towards the second
connecting part when the luggage article is in the closed
position.
4. The luggage article of claim 2, wherein the free end of the
projection is configured to be inserted into a depression in the
second connecting part when the luggage article is in the closed
position, wherein the depression is configured to receive the free
end of the projection.
5. The luggage article of claim 1, wherein the barrier comprises at
least one reinforcement element, and wherein the reinforcement
element is configured to improve the structural integrity of the
barrier in a radial direction.
6. The luggage article of claim 1, wherein the first connecting
part comprises a first barrier part that extends across a radial
axis extending from a central point in the luggage article, and
wherein the second connecting part comprises a second barrier part
that receives the first barrier part and is configured to secure
the first barrier part when the luggage article is in the closed
position.
7. The luggage article of claim 1, wherein the barrier is
positioned adjacent to the closure part.
8. The luggage article of claim 1, wherein the closure part is a
zipper.
9. The luggage article of claim 1, wherein the closure part is
attached to the first luggage part and the second luggage part.
10. The luggage article of claim 1, wherein an outer periphery of
the first connecting part extends beyond at least part of the
closure part in a radial direction away from a central point of the
luggage article.
11. The luggage article of claim 1, wherein the barrier extends
along more than 75% of the first edge of the first luggage part and
of the second edge of the second luggage part.
12. The luggage article of claim 1, wherein the first luggage part
and the second luggage part each define at least 30 percent of the
inner volume of the luggage article.
13. The luggage article of claim 1, wherein the first connecting
part and the second connecting part comprise a lining projection
configured to extend in a direction towards an inner volume of the
first luggage part and the second luggage part, thereby creating a
space between the lining projection and the luggage parts.
14. A luggage article, comprising: a first connecting part
comprising: a first groove configured to receive a first edge of a
first luggage part, and a barrier extending around an edge of the
first luggage part; a second connecting part comprising: a second
groove configured to receive a second edge of a second luggage
part, wherein the first and second luggage parts are pivotally
connected about a hinge, and wherein the first and second luggage
parts define an inner volume of the luggage article when in a
closed position, and a depression configured to receive a free end
of the barrier of the first connecting part when the luggage
article is in the closed position; and a closure part configured to
secure the first connecting part to the second connecting part when
the luggage article is in the closed position.
15. The luggage article of claim 14, wherein the first connecting
part further comprises a fabric flange configured to secure a
fabric material between the first connecting part and the first
luggage part.
16. The luggage article of claim 14, wherein the second connecting
part further comprises a radial flange, wherein a compartment
separator extends from the radial flange, thereby dividing the
inner volume of the luggage article.
17. The luggage article of claim 14, wherein the first connecting
part and the second connecting part each comprise a material that
is more rigid than the material of the first and the second luggage
parts.
18. The luggage article of claim 14, wherein the closure part
comprises a zipper.
19. The luggage article of claim 18, wherein a first portion of the
closure part extends into a first channel of the first connecting
part and wherein a second portion of the closure part extends into
a second channel of the second connecting part.
20. The luggage article of claim 14, wherein the closure part
comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the closure part
extends between the first and second ends, and wherein the first
and second ends each abut a respective side of the hinge.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to EP Application No.
18158371.7, filed Feb. 23, 2018, which is incorporated herein in
its entirety by reference thereto.
FIELD
[0002] Luggage article comprising a first luggage part and a second
luggage part defining two opposing closable parts of the luggage
article, where the first and second luggage parts define an inner
volume of the luggage article when closed.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Suitcases or hard shell luggage articles are commonly used
as accessories in order to carry baggage from one place to the
other, where the use of luggage is very common to hold travelers'
articles while the traveler is in transit. The user of the luggage
article can be expected to introduce a variety of items into the
luggage article, such as clothing, toiletries, possessions,
necessities, valuables or other types of items that fit into the
luggage article.
[0004] In the modern travelling the articles of luggage which a
user may take with them on a trip is not in the possession of the
user throughout the travel, as luggage may be dropped at an airport
to be put into the hold of an airplane, the article may be left in
storage, or the user may lose the luggage article during travel.
Thus, there is an increased need to provide the article of luggage
with security features that minimize the risk that the content of
the luggage article is lost or there that an unauthorized person
can access the inner volume of the luggage article to inspect or
steal the content of the luggage article.
[0005] A number of different types of luggage articles are
presently in use, where one of the most common type of luggage
article may be a suitcase, where the suitcase is made of two
closable parts, where the two parts form an inner volume, and the
parts are closed by the use of a slide fastener (a zipper) to
secure the two parts together and to prevent the content of the
inner volume to exit the suitcase, and also in order to prevent
unwanted access to into the inner volume of the luggage.
[0006] Slide fasteners are very common both in hard and soft shell
luggage, where the slide fastener provides a simple and easy
closure mechanism for the luggage, where a slider is used to open
and close interlocking teeth that provide the closure. But there
are a few drawbacks to the use of a slide fastener on a
luggage.
[0007] One of the problematic parts of the use of slide fasteners
is that even if they are strong and provide a good closure to the
luggage article, they are relatively easy to pry open even if the
slider has been locked into position so that the slide fastener
cannot be opened using the slider. One of the most simple ways of
opening a slide fastener is to take a pointy object, and jam it
through the teeth of the slide fastener where this jabbing motion
allows the pointy object to separate the teeth, and thereby make it
easy to open the adjacent interlocking teeth using relatively low
force.
[0008] Thus, there is a need to improve the security of luggage by
reducing the risk that a simple insertion of a pointy object may be
utilized to pry open a sliding fastener in a luggage article.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0009] In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided
a luggage article including a first luggage part and a second
luggage part defining two opposing closable parts of the luggage
article, where the first and second luggage parts define an inner
volume of the luggage article when closed, and an attachment part
having a first connecting part and a second connecting part that
are pivotally connected via a hinge, where the first connecting
part is attached to a first edge of the first luggage part and the
second connecting part is attached to a second edge of the second
luggage part, a closure part adapted to secure the first luggage
part to the second luggage part preventing access to the inner
volume of the luggage article, and a barrier that overlaps the
closure part in an area that is between the inner volume of the
luggage article and the closure part in a radial direction.
[0010] Within the meaning of the present disclosure, the term
"radial direction" means a direction that is in a direction away or
towards a central point inside the article of luggage. The central
point may be a point that is configured to be on a two dimensional
plane and where the two dimensional plane is substantially parallel
to the closure part of the luggage article. The plane may be
considered as being in the same plane as a plane where the first
and second luggage parts abut when the luggage article is in its
closed position. The meaning of the term is intended to allow an
imaginary central point inside the luggage, where a radial
direction intersects at least one point of the closure part and/or
the barrier part of the luggage article.
[0011] By providing a barrier that overlaps the closure part in an
area that is between the inner volume of the luggage article and
the closure part in a radial direction, it is possible to prevent a
foreign object to be introduced via the closure part and into the
inner volume of the luggage article. By preventing a foreign object
to penetrate into the inner volume it is possible to reduce the
risk that a foreign object may be used to open the luggage article
when it is closed, or when the closure part is secured using a
locking device. The barrier may be positioned close to the closure
device in a radial direction, so that any penetration of a foreign
object into the closure part might damage the closure part, or
allow a shallow penetration, but would prevent the foreign object
to enter into the inner volume, and thereby reduce the risk or
prevent the foreign object to be utilized to open up the remaining
parts of the closure part.
[0012] The closure part may be arranged on parts of the first
and/or the second luggage part, or alternatively on the majority of
the area where the first and/or the second luggage part are joined,
so that a small breach of the closure part, i.e. by introduction of
a foreign object will not compromise the integrity of the entire
closure part. Thus, even if the closure part is exposed to the
environment the barrier prevents the foreign object to penetrate
the inner volume of the luggage article, and thereby may reduce the
risk that the foreign object may be utilized to enhance the size of
the breach of the closure part.
[0013] The attachment part may be provided in a relatively rigid
material, where the attachment part may be provided in a material
that is more rigid than the first and/or the second luggage parts.
By attaching the luggage parts to each of the connecting parts, the
attachment part functions as a frame for the luggage article,
giving reinforcement to the luggage parts and minimizing the risk
that the luggage article may collapse or deform during use.
[0014] The hinge may be directly attached to the first and/or the
second connecting part, where the hinge may be positioned on one
side of the attachment part in order to ensure that the pivoting
movement allows for the opening of the luggage article of about 180
degrees via pivoting movement of the hinge. The attachment part may
further be provided with more than one hinge, to increase the
stability of the pivoting movement.
[0015] The connecting parts may be provided with one or more radial
flange, where the radial flange projects in an inwards direction
towards the central point of the luggage article. The flange may be
utilized to mount accessories to the luggage article, such as a
divider textile, elastic straps, electronics or other types of
luggage accessories known in the art that can improve the
convenience of the luggage article.
[0016] The luggage article may be provided in a modular manner,
where the first and second luggage parts may be constructed of a
first material, while the connecting parts of the attachment part
may be constructed in a completely different material. The luggage
parts may, for example, be molded shells that are structurally weak
on their own due to thin side walls to save weight, or due to a
flexibility of the material, but when they are attached to the
first and/or the second connecting parts, the connecting part
increases the structural integrity of the first and second luggage
parts, as the first and second connecting parts may be provided in
a less flexible material, be provided with reinforcement parts that
are adapted to reduce any bending or flexing of the connecting
part, or that the connecting parts may be annular and abut the edge
of the luggage part around the entire edge, to provide
reinforcement to the luggage part.
[0017] The attachment part and/or the connecting parts may be
adapted with one or more surfaces where a textile material may be
attached to the parts.
[0018] By providing the luggage article in a modular manner, it is,
for example, possible to utilize the attachment part for a
plurality of different types of luggage articles. The attachment
part may be manufactured separately, where the first and second
luggage parts may be produced in a plurality of different manners,
where the luggage parts may be produced from thermoplastic molded
material, composite materials, textiles, or other suitable
materials, and where the size of the first and second luggage parts
may define the volume of the luggage article. Thus, by using an
attachment part that is compatible with a plurality of
interchanging luggage parts, it may be possible to utilize a single
attachment part to assemble a plurality of different types of
luggage articles.
[0019] Furthermore, by providing the first or the second connecting
parts with one or more attachment surfaces that allow for the
mounting of accessories, it may also be possible to utilize the
same attachment part to provide a variety of luggage articles,
where the luggage articles have different accessories, and thereby
defining different price levels of the luggage article.
[0020] The advantage of providing an attachment part that may be
provided in a more rigid material than, for example, the first
luggage part or the second luggage part, may allow the
manufacturers to provide a plurality of different types of luggage,
while still all having a common factor, i.e. the attachment
part.
[0021] The attachment part may be provided in any manner to luggage
articles. The attachment part may, for example, be provided on a
central area of the luggage article, i.e. where the first and
second luggage parts are relatively similar in size, and define a
similar inner volume on their own. However, the attachment part may
also be attached to a first luggage part that is relatively large
in volume, while the second luggage part defines a relatively small
inner volume. This may, for example, be the case where one of the
connecting parts of the attachment parts are used as a lid into the
luggage article, and where one of the luggage parts is a
substantially planar element. Thus the attachment part and hence
the closure part may be provided in any position on a peripheral
wall of the luggage article. Furthermore the attachment part may
optionally have a non-planar shape, where the first connecting part
may have a curved shape, i.e. curve away from a longitudinal and
transversal plane, and the opposing connecting part having a
matching curvature.
[0022] Thus, the luggage article provides a luggage article that is
of a high strength, as the connecting parts introduce a
reinforcement element to the luggage parts.
[0023] In one embodiment the barrier may be a projection having a
first end that is attached to the first connecting part or the
second connecting part, and an opposite free end. The barrier may
be arranged in the area of the luggage article where the closure
part is present, where the barrier may be a projection, for
example, in the form of a panel or a strip that projects from the
first or the second connecting part, the projection extends beyond
the closure part, where the projection terminates in an area that
is past the closure part in a direction that may be tangential to a
radial axis extending from a center point of the luggage article,
so that the projection intersects the radial axis, so that there is
not free access into the inner volume via the radial axis. This
effectively means that the barrier or projection ensures that there
is always a part of the barrier on the inside of the closure part,
so that a radial axis from the center point cannot intersect the
closure part directly, but would have to intersect the barrier
first, before intersecting the closure part.
[0024] In one embodiment the projection may extend from one
connecting part in a direction towards the opposing connecting part
when the luggage article is closed. This means that the projection
may extend beyond the closure part and onwards into the opposing
connecting part, so as to ensure that the barrier or projection
covers the closure part on both of the connecting parts and/or on
both the first and the second luggage parts. Thus, it is ensured
that the barrier or projection extends a distance that would
prevent a foreign object to the tilted in order to gain access into
the inner volume of the luggage article.
[0025] In one embodiment the free end of the projection may be
adapted to be inserted into a depression in the opposing connecting
part when the luggage article is closed. Thus, the depression,
which may be formed in any suitable manner so that the depression
holds the free end of the projection, and grips the free end in a
direction that is proximal to the center point and/or distal to the
center point, in order to prevent the free end of the projection to
be forced in a direction towards or away from the center point
using a foreign object. Thus the projection creates a stable
barrier that may be permanently fixed to one of the connecting
parts and temporarily fixed to the opposing connecting parts, when
the luggage article is closed. When the luggage article is opened,
the projection will release the depression and be moved away from
the opposing connecting element, thereby providing access to the
inner volume of the luggage article.
[0026] In one embodiment the barrier and/or the projection may be
provided with at least one enforcement elements, in order to
improve the structural integrity of the projection in a radial
direction. This allows the barrier to be strengthened using
enforcement elements, so that the barrier is capable of
withstanding higher forces in a radial direction, so that an
introduction of a foreign object, that intersects the barrier, will
require an increased force in order to deflect the barrier and/or
penetrate the barrier.
[0027] In one embodiment the first/or the second connecting part
may be provided with a first barrier part that extends across a
radial axis extending from a central point in the luggage article,
and where the opposing connecting part is provided with a second
barrier part that receives the first barrier part and is configured
to secure the first barrier part when the luggage article is
closed.
[0028] In one embodiment the barrier may be positioned in proximity
of the closure part. The barrier may be positioned so that it abuts
at least part of the closure part, or that it may be positioned
within 1-15 mm distance from the closure part, in a direction
towards the central axis. This means that if a foreign object has
been utilized to penetrate the closure part, the barrier stops the
foreign object as soon as it has penetrated the closure part. This
is especially advantageous if the closure part is more flexible
than the connecting parts and/or the first or the second luggage
parts, as the closure part will be prevented to flex inwards
towards the inner volume of the luggage article.
[0029] In one embodiment the closure part may be a clasp locker,
such as a zipper. The provision of a clasp locker on a luggage
article is advantageous in that it is an easy way of securing the
luggage article in a closed state, and advantageously to allow the
luggage article to be easily opened. One of the drawbacks of clasp
lockers is that if a foreign object is used to penetrate the clasp
locker in an area that is distant from the sliding locking/opening
device, the clasps may release, especially if the diameter of the
foreign object is relatively large, compared to the size of the
clasps, and also if the foreign object has a pointy end, and an
increasing diameter along the length of the foreign object. Then
the pointy end may be used to release one or two clasps, and if the
foreign object is introduced further into the clasp lock the
increase in diameter will release more clasps. Such an object may,
for example, be a pen, screwdriver or other types of pointy
objects. Following this, it may be easy to pull on the foreign
object, along the axis of the clasp locker to release the clasps
along its axis, and thereby allowing access into the inner volume
of the luggage article.
[0030] The barrier will prevent the foreign or pointy object from
being introduced into the inner volume of the bag, and thereby
reduce the risk that the foreign object may be utilized to pry open
the clasp locker to provide unwanted access to the inner volume of
the luggage article. By preventing the foreign object to enter the
inner volume it may be difficult for an unauthorized person to
utilize the foreign object as a hook or a lever to pull onto the
clasp locker, thereby reducing the risk that the foreign object may
be used to provide unauthorized access to the luggage.
[0031] In one embodiment the closure part is attached to the first
luggage part and/or the second luggage part. The closure part may
be provided as a separate element, which is adhered, welded or
otherwise permanently fixed to the first luggage part and/or the
second luggage part, where the closure part may, for example, be
made of a different material than the first and/or second luggage
parts. The closure part may be made of a more rigid material than
the first and/or the second luggage parts, so that the connecting
part may improve the rigidity of the luggage article, especially
when the first and/or the second luggage parts may be provided in a
flexible material.
[0032] The closure part may be in the form of an annular frame that
is attached to an edge of the first and/or the second luggage part,
so when the annular frame is attached to the first and/or the
second edge, the structural integrity of the frame and the first
and/or the second luggage part is increased.
[0033] In one embodiment an outer periphery of the first and/or the
second connecting part may extend beyond at least part of the
closure part in a radial direction away from a central point of the
luggage article. This ensures that the closure part in at least
some areas of the luggage article is not the initial point of
contact if the luggage article is dropped on a flat surface. Thus
the outer periphery will make the initial contact, and thereby
ensuring that the flat surface does not impose a direct impact to
the closure part, and thereby reduces the risk that the structural
integrity of the closure part is compromised during a drop.
[0034] In one embodiment the barrier may extend more than 50% of
the first edge of the first luggage part and/or of the second edge
of the second luggage part, optionally where the barrier extends
more than 75% of the first edge of the first luggage part and/or of
the second edge of the second luggage part, optionally where the
barrier extends along the entirety of the first edge of the first
luggage part and/or of the second edge of the second luggage part.
The barrier may advantageously be provided in certain areas of the
opening of the first and/or the second luggage parts, where the
barrier may, for example, prevent any movement of a foreign object
in an axial movement along the axial direction of the connecting
parts, i.e. in a direction along the edges, or in a radial
direction inwards towards the center point.
[0035] In one embodiment the first luggage part and the second
luggage part may each define at least 10 percent of the inner
volume of the luggage article, or more preferably each luggage part
defines at least 20 percent of the inner volume of the luggage
article, or more preferably each luggage part defines at least 30
percent of the inner volume of the luggage article, or more
preferably each luggage part defines at least 40 percent of the
inner volume of the luggage article, or more preferably each
luggage part defines approximately 50 percent of the inner volume
of the luggage article. This allows each luggage part to be
utilized as a separate component, where the user is capable of
dividing the items packed between different areas of the luggage
article (for example, shirts may be positioned in the first luggage
part, and shoes may be positioned in the second luggage part).
[0036] In one embodiment the first connecting part and/or the
second connecting part may be provided with a lining projection
configured to extend in a direction towards an inner volume of the
first luggage part and/or the second luggage part, creating a space
between the lining projection and the luggage parts.
[0037] The luggage article having a connecting part, in the form of
a reinforcement frame, provides a luggage article that has high
build strength, having a solid feeling and higher quality.
[0038] The luggage article provides an increased safety with a
zipper that is protected by the flange.
[0039] The luggage article allows for modular construction where
the manufacturing of components and parts for the luggage article
may be done in independent steps in independent manufacturing
locations.
[0040] The luggage article allows for the connecting part or the
frame to include an integrated hinge, thereby increasing the
flexibility of production, as the material choice for the luggage
parts creating the inner volume of the luggage article is not of
essential importance, as the connecting part provides strength and
functionality to the luggage article.
[0041] The luggage article allows the connecting parts and/or the
parts of the frame to create a pocket or a space for inner fabric
in the form of a lining, thus removing the necessity of gluing,
stitching or other types of attachment of the inner fabric. The
inner fabric may have a predefined shape that matches the inner
surface of the first and/or the second luggage part, and have
stiffness where it may be wedged into place to be fixed in
position.
[0042] According to an embodiment, the luggage article includes a
first connecting part having a first groove configured to receive a
first edge of a first luggage part and a barrier extending around
an edge of the first luggage part. The luggage article also
includes a second connecting part having a second groove configured
to receive a second edge of a second luggage part and a depression
configured to receive a free end of the barrier of the first
connecting part when the luggage article is in the closed position.
The first and second luggage parts are pivotally connected about a
hinge and the first and second luggage parts define an inner volume
of the luggage article when in a closed position. The luggage
article also includes a closure part configured to secure the first
connecting part to the second connecting part when the luggage
article is in the closed position.
[0043] In some embodiments, the first connecting part also includes
a fabric flange configured to secure a fabric material between the
first connecting part and the first luggage part. In some
embodiments, the second connecting part also includes a radial
flange, where a compartment separator extends from the radial
flange, thereby dividing the inner volume of the luggage article.
In some embodiments, the first connecting part and the second
connecting part are each made of a material that is more rigid than
the material of the first and the second luggage parts.
[0044] In some embodiments, the closure part includes a zipper. In
some embodiments, a first portion of the closure part extends into
a first channel of the first connecting part and a second portion
of the closure part extends into a second channel of the second
connecting part. In some embodiments, the closure part includes a
first end and a second end, where the closure part extends between
the first and second ends, and where the first and second ends each
abut a respective side of the hinge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a luggage article in
accordance with an embodiment in a closed state.
[0046] FIG. 2 shows a luggage article in accordance with an
embodiment in an open state.
[0047] FIGS. 3a and 3b each show a sectional view of a side wall of
the luggage article in accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] FIG. 1 shows a luggage article 1 according to an embodiment,
where the luggage article 1 comprises a first luggage part 2 and a
second luggage part 3 that are pivotally connected to each other
via a hinge 4. The luggage article may be provided with a handle 5,
as well as a wheel handle 6 which may be extended in order to roll
the luggage article 1 on its wheels 7. The first 2 and the second
luggage parts 3 may be shells made of a thermoplastic material,
which may have a fixed shape and be rigid compared to a luggage
article made of a textile material.
[0049] The first 2 and the second 3 shells may pivot relative to
each other, into an open state (FIG. 2) and into a closed state,
where a closure device 8, such as a zipper allows the securing of
the first shell 2 to the second shell 3.
[0050] The first 2 and the second 3 shell may be connected to an
attachment part 9, having a first connecting part 10 and a second
connecting part 11, to which the first 2 and the second 3 shells
are connected to, respectively. The attachment part 9, may provide
the luggage article 1 with both the closure part 8 as well as the
hinge 4, allowing the shells 2, 3 to be made of a relatively simple
and lightweight material, having the main purpose of providing a
peripheral boundary to the inner volume of the luggage article 1,
in the form of the first 12 and second side wall 13 of the first 2
and the second shell 3, respectively. The attachment part 9 may be
permanently fixed to the side walls 12, 13 of the shells 2, 3, so
that the attachment part 9 may provide both the hinging function,
the closure function as well as a structural reinforcement to the
shells 2, 3, by reinforcing the edges 14, 15 of the side walls 12,
13, and thereby improving the structural integrity of the luggage
article 1.
[0051] The closure device 8 may be utilized to selectively secure
the first connecting part 10 and the second connecting part 11 to
each other, and thereby secure the luggage article 1 in its closed
position. The closure device 8 may extend from a first end 16 and
towards a second end 17, where each of these ends 16, 17 may abut
the hinge part 4 on either side. When the closure part 8 has been
opened, the shells 2, 3 may be pivoted relative to each other into
the position shown in FIG. 2, where the luggage article 1 is in its
open state.
[0052] It is to be understood that the attachment part 9 may be an
integral part of the shells 2, 3, and that the shells 2, 3 may be
designed in such a manner that the attachment part 9, the closure
device 8, and the hinges 4 may be part of or integrated with the
shells.
[0053] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the luggage article 1 in
an open state, where the second shell 3 has been pivotally moved
relative to the first shell 2 into an open position, allowing
access to the first inner volume 18 of the first shell 2 and the
second inner volume 19 of the second shell. The first inner volume
18 and the second inner volume 19 provide the total volume of the
luggage article 1, i.e. the inner volume of the luggage article 1
is the sum of the first inner volume 18 and the second inner volume
19. The boundary of the first 18 and the second 19 inner volumes
may be seen as the side walls 12, 13 of the shell, and the first 10
and the second 11 connecting part. The closure device 8 may be seen
extending around the periphery of the first 10 and the second 11
connecting parts, where the closure part 8 is in its open state,
having a first 20 and a second 21 sliding parts, that allow for the
selective opening and closing of the closing part 8. In its open
state the sliding parts 20, 21 abut the hinges 4 of the luggage
article, allowing the pivoting of the shells 2, 3.
[0054] The edges 14, 15 of the shells are provided with the first
10 and the second connecting part 11, which are connected via the
hinge 4. In this view, it is possible to see that the first
connecting part 10 is provided with a flange 22, which is a
projection extending from the first connecting part 10, and in a
vertical direction. The flange 22 is positioned between the closure
part 8 and the inner volume 18 of the first luggage part 2, and
extends in such a manner that when the luggage article 1 is closed,
the flange 22 extends beyond the opposing closure part 8 on the
second connecting part 11, so that it is positioned between the
closure part 8 and the inner volume 19 of the second luggage part
3. Thus, the flange 22 operates as a barrier between the closure
part 8 and the inner volume 18, 19 of the luggage article 1.
[0055] The flange 22, may extend around the entire first edge 14 of
the first luggage part 2, or may be provided in certain parts of
the periphery of the inner volume 18 on the first edge 14. The
flange 22 is positioned in such a manner that the flange 22 ensures
that an axis extending from a center point C (an intersection of a
longitudinal axis A and a transversal axis B) and outwards in a
longitudinal or transversal direction along axis A or B intersects
the flange 22 before the axis intersects the closure part 8. The
flange is arranged in an area between the closure part 8 and the
inner volume 18, 19, especially when the luggage article 1 is in
its closed position (seen in FIG. 1).
[0056] The second connecting part 11, may be provided with a
depression 23, which may be in the form of a groove, or some kind
of track, which is adapted to receive the free end 24 of the flange
22 when the luggage article 1 is in its closed position, where the
depression 23 is capable of stabilizing the free end 24 of the
flange 22 in order to prevent it from deflecting in a radial
direction (direction away from the center point C and outwards)
[0057] FIG. 3a shows a sectional view taken along axis in FIG. 1,
where FIG. 3a shows the luggage article 1 in its closed position.
FIG. 3b shows the luggage article of FIG. 3a in an open position,
where the second part 3 has been pivoted away from the first part
2. The first side wall 12, of the first part 2, may be provided
with a first connecting part 10, where the first connecting part 10
is provided with a groove 25 which receives the first edge 14 of
the first side wall 12. The first connecting part 10 may be
permanently attached to the first side wall 12 through welding,
adhesion, or other types of permanent fixation.
[0058] The first connecting part 10 may further be provided with a
flange 22 that extends in a vertical direction upwards, in a
direction towards the second part 3, as seen in FIG. 3a. The flange
22 may be provided with a proximal part 26 and a distal part 27,
where the closure part 8 is attached to the proximal part 26, and
the distal part extends in a vertical direction past the teeth 28,
29 of the closure part and beyond towards the second part 3.
[0059] The second side wall 13, of the second part 3, may be
provided with a second connecting part 11, where the second
connecting part 11 is provided with a groove 30 which receives the
second edge 15 of the second side wall 13. The second connecting
part 11 may be permanently attached to the second side wall 13
through welding, adhesion, or other types of permanent
fixation.
[0060] The second connecting part 11 may further be provided with a
groove, depression or a track 23, which receives the free end 24 of
the flange 22 when the luggage article 1 is closed. The second
connecting part 11 may furthermore be provided with a flange 31,
allowing the closure part 8 to be attached to the second connecting
part 11, where the flange 31 may, for example, be a side wall of
the groove 23 adapted to receive the free end 24 of the flange
22.
[0061] In this embodiment the closure part 8 is in the form of a
zipper, having a first part 32 and a second part 33, where the
first part 32 is attached to the first connecting part 10 via
stitching 40 that penetrates both the zipper and the first
connecting part 10 and the second part 33 is connected to the
second connecting part 11 via stitching 41 that penetrates both the
zipper and the second connecting part 11, where the zipper
comprises teeth 28, 29 which are adapted to be selectively opened
and closed, using a sliding part (20, 21 in FIG. 2). The two parts
32, 33 of the zipper 8 may extend into channels 42, 43 on the first
10 and the second 11 connecting parts, respectively, so that it may
be difficult to peel open the zipper 8 when the luggage article 1
is secured in its closed position. When the zipper 8 is closed, an
object travelling in a radial direction D towards the inner volume
18, 19 of the luggage article may possibly penetrate the teeth 28,
29 or the parts 32, 33 of the closure device 8, but when the
penetration has been made, the object will intersect the flange 22
of the first connecting part 10, and thereby ensure that the object
cannot penetrate the inner volume of the luggage article 1.
[0062] The first connecting part 10 and/or the second connecting
part 11, may have a first 37 and/or a second 38 fabric flange,
where this flange extends into the inner volume (not shown) of the
first 2 and the second 3 luggage parts, where these flanges are
adapted to be utilized to secure a fabric material on the inside of
the first 2 and/or the second luggage parts 3, where the fabric may
be wedged into a space 44, 45 between the flanges 37, 38 and the
side walls 12, 13 of the luggage parts 2, 3, for example, for a
lining of the inner surface of the side walls 12, 13. The flanges
37, 38 may extend in an annular manner along the entire length or
circumference of the first 10 and/or the second 11 connecting
parts, or may be positioned in suitable positions to ensure that
the lining may be secured inside the inner volume 18, 19 of the
luggage parts 2, 3. However, as seen in FIG. 3b, when the closure
device 8 has been selectively opened in the direction shown by
arrow E, the second part 3 may be pivoted in a direction away from
the first part 2, allowing access to the inner volume of the
luggage article 1, where the free end 24 of the flange 22 is
released from the groove, when the first part 32 of the closure
device 8 has been released from the second part 33 of the closure
device.
[0063] The first 10 or the second connecting part 11 may be
provided with a radial flange 36, that may be utilized to attach a
compartment separator or divider 39 which can extend in a plane
that is somewhat parallel to the plane defined by the axes A and B
shown in FIG. 2, so that the inner volume 18, 19 of the first 2 or
the second part 3, may be separated from the remaining parts of the
luggage article 1. The divider 39 may be made from a textile or
fabric, or alternatively of a solid material, suitable to be
utilized as a divider.
* * * * *