Luggage Construction

Abstract

A luggage construction having a coil spring of predetermined length loosely mounted on at least one flexible wall thereof so that longitudinal displacement of at least one end of said coil spring is permitted in response to certain deformations of said luggage wall. Said coil spring may extend longitudinally around portions of the peripheral wall defining the top, bottom and ends of the piece of luggage. Said flexible wall may include at least two layers secured together by stitching without the use of adhesives. One of said layers may be a non-woven fabric impregnated with an elastomeric polymer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a luggage construction, and in particular, to luggage which is both light in weight and durable. In the art, luggage has been constructed of many materials principally selected for their weight and strength. Most of the known luggage constructions are substantially rigid, incorporating frames or rigid plates formed of metal, wood or plastic. While some of such prior art frames or plates were flexible, any substantial deformation resulted in the exceeding of the yield point of the material, and the permanent deformation of the suitcase. Since luggage is subjected to substantial stresses in normal use, such permanent deformation is a frequent occurrence.

Further, in the art, luggage has generally been formed with walls having laminated layers of material secured together by the use of adhesives. Frequently the outer layer of material is a decorative fabric, while inner layers may include stiffening materials and linings. The adhesives utilized for this purpose tend to degrade when subjected to extremes of temperature and humidity, and with the passage of time. This degradation of the adhesives results in offensive odors and the separating of the layers of laminate.

By the arrangement according to the invention, both of the foregoing deficiencies are avoided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a luggage construction is provided including at least one flexible wall having a coil spring of predetermined length loosely mounted thereon, the means for mounting said length of coil spring permitting the longitudinal displacement of at least one end of said length of coil spring in response to certain deformations of said luggage wall. The coil spring tends to assist in the restoration of said wall to its original shape after deformation. The luggage construction may include a pair of spaced side walls joined at their periphery by a peripheral wall defining the top, bottom and ends of said luggage construction, at least portions of said peripheral wall being flexible. The length of spring may be loosely mounted on said peripheral wall so as to longitudinally extend along at least some of said flexible portions. Specifically, said length of spring may extend longitudinally along the portions of said peripheral wall defining the ends and top of said luggage construction, the ends of said length of spring terminating in the portion of said peripheral wall defining the bottom of said luggage construction.

The peripheral wall may be formed of a flexible material except in regions of the portions of said peripheral wall defining the top and bottom of said luggage construction. The side walls of said luggage construction may also be formed of a flexible material. Said flexible material may include at least one layer of a non-woven fabric impregnated with an elastomeric polymer.

At least two of said lengths of coil spring may be provided each loosely mounted on said peripheral wall of said luggage construction in laterally spaced relation. The means for loosely mounting the coil spring may include a length of flexible material secured along spaced longitudinally extending lines to said luggage wall for defining, between said longitudinally extending lines, a channel for receipt of said coil spring. Said length of flexible material may be secured to said wall by stitching, while a sheath may be provided for retaining each of the ends of said coil spring. At least a portion of the walls of said luggage construction may be formed of two layers of flexible material, said layers being secured together by stitching without the use of adhesives. Further, said luggage construction may be defined by various panels defining the various walls thereof, said panels being joined at their periphery by stitching without the use of adhesives.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a luggage construction which will spring back to its original shape after deformation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a luggage construction which is light in weight, while affording protection to the contents thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a luggage construction which is secured together without the use of adhesives.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a luggage construction which will not be permanently deformed when subjected to normal abuse.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification and drawings.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a luggage construction according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the luggage construction of FIG. 1 subjected to typical deformation;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the luggage construction of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4--4 of FIG. 3, with portions exploded; and

FIG. 5 is a exploded partial sectional view taken along lines 5--5 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1 - 5, the luggage construction 10 depicted is in the form of a conventionally shaped suitcase having a pair of opposed spaced side panels 12 and 14 and a peripheral wall 16 extending therebetween defining the top 18, the bottom 20 and the ends 22 of the suitcase. The side panel 14 is secured on the two sides and top of the suitcase to peripheral wall 16 by means of a zipper 24 to provide a means of access to the luggage construction. The fixed connection between side panel 14 and the bottom 20 of the peripheral wall 16 defines a hinge for the pivotable displacement of side panel 14 for the opening and closing of the luggage construction. A lock construction 26 is provided for securing zipper 24 in the closed position.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5, it is seen that the top and side portions of the peripheral wall 16 are formed from three layers, namely an outer decorative layer 28, a middle stiffening layer 30 and an inner lining layer 32. The outer decorative layer may be formed of a woven or vinyl fabric and extends substantially along the entire outer surface of peripheral wall 16. Similarly, the lining layer 32 may be formed of a fabric and extend substantially along the entire inner surface of said peripheral wall.

The middle stiffening layer 30 is formed of a resilient material capable of providing structural support for the luggage construction, of providing some protection to the contents of the luggage construction, and tending, due to its resiliency, to return to its original shape when subjected to deformation. It has been found that a non-woven fabric impregnated with an elastomeric polymer, such as Pellon, is particularly adapted for use as the middle stiffening layer 30. Three spaced lengths of coil spring 34 are mounted on the inner surface 36 in laterally spaced relation by means of three separate lengths of material 38. Each of said lengths of material are secured to said middle stiffening layer by spaced substantially parallel lines of stitching 40 so that said lengths of material define channels for loosely retaining coil spring 34. Lengths of material 34 may be formed from woven web tape which are particularly resistant to abrasion. The coil springs 34 extend substantially along the top and side portions of peripheral wall 16 and into the bottom portion where said lengths of coil spring terminate at ends 42. Each of said ends 42 is capped with a sheath of material 44 which serves to prevent the end of the coil spring from catching on either the length of material 38 or the middle stiffening layer 30. Coil springs 34 assist in the returning of peripheral wall 16 to its original position after deformation. Since the coil spring is loosely held within the channel defined by the length of material 38, and the ends 42 thereof are free, said length of coil spring may be longitudinally displaced within said channel in response to severe deformations of the peripheral wall. This ability to displace in response to such severe deformations prevents local distortions of the coil springs which would otherwise occur. Thus, if the ends of the coil springs were fixed, the coil spring might be distorted beyond the yield point of the material of which it is formed so that said spring might either snap or be permanently deformed in an open position. The loosely held coil springs of the arrangement according to the invention are not locally deformed due to their ability to be displaced, and upon release of the cause of the deformation, tend to return the peripheral wall to its original shape.

In addition to the above-described layers, additional reinforcing members are provided in the peripheral wall in the top and bottom portions thereof. Thus, referring to FIG. 5, top portion 18 includes a top reinforcing plate 46 positioned intermediate middle stiffening layer 30 and lining layer 32. Said top reinforcing plate serves to prevent the top of the luggage construction from peaking when the case is lifted. The supports 48 of handle 50 may be secured to said top reinforcing plate by rivets or the like.

A bottom reinforcing plate 52 is provided intermediate portions of middle stiffening layer 30 and outer layer 28. Said bottom reinforcing plate prevents the bottom 20 of the luggage construction 10 from sagging when the case is lifted. Legs 54 may be secured to said bottom reinforcing plate by means of rivets or the like. Middle stiffening layer 30 need not extend along the entire length of bottom stiffening plate 52.

Side walls 12 and 14 are also formed of a three layered construction consisting of an outer decorative layer 56, and middle stiffening layer 58 and an inner lining layer 60 corresponding substantially to the outer layer 28, the middle stiffening layer 30 and the inner lining layer 32 of peripheral wall 16. The panels of material defining the walls of the luggage construction are joined at their periphery by stitching as more particularly shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the periphery of side panel 12 is defined by a welting 62. The core of said welting is formed by a coil spring 64 which is snugly received within the material of said welting. Unlike coil springs 34, the ends of coil springs 64 are joined and retained. The periphery of the panels of fabric defining outer decorative layers 28 and 56 and inner lining layers 32 and 60 are joined with welting 62 by stitching 66. Said stitching also secures a length of material 68 which serves to enclose the edges of the respective panels to prevent shreading thereof. If desired, the periphery of middle resilient layers 30 and 58 may also be joined to the layers of material defining the respective walls of the luggage construction by stitching. However, it is unnecessary to use adhesives or the like for securing various layers of material defining the luggage construction together.

A further welting 70 defines the periphery of side panel 14, which welting also incorporates a firmly held coil spring similar to coil spring 64.

While the embodiment of the luggage construction shown in the drawings incorporates three lengths of coil spring 34, this is shown merely by way of example and not by way of limitation and fewer or more of such lengths of coil spring may be utilized, and a similar length of coil spring may also be loosely mounted in the side walls of the luggage construction for aiding in the return of said side walls to their original shape after deformation.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A luggage construction comprising at least one flexible wall having a pair of spaced edges, a coil spring of predetermined length having at least one free end, and means for loosely mounting said length of coil spring on said luggage wall in the region thereof intermediate said pair of spaced edges, said mounting means permitting the longitudinal displacement of at least said free end of said length of coil spring in response to certain deformations of said luggage wall, said coil spring tending to assist in the restoration of said wall to its original shape after deformation.

2. A luggage construction comprising a pair of spaced side walls, a peripheral wall joining said pair of spaced side walls at their periphery and defining the top, bottom and ends of said luggage construction, and means for providing access to the interior of said luggage construction, said peripheral and side walls being formed from a plurality of panels joined at their respective peripheries to define said luggage construction, at least a portion of said panels being formed from at least two layers of material, said panels being secured together at their respective peripheries and the layers of material defining each multi-layered panel being secured together by mechanical means, without the use of adhesives, at least portions of said peripheral wall being flexible, said flexible portions being formed from multi-layered panels each including a layer of a resilient material which tends to return to its original shape when flexed.

3. A luggage construction as recited in claim 2, wherein said mechanical means includes stitching.

4. A luggage construction as recited in claim 2, wherein said side walls include flexible portions, the flexible portions of said peripheral and side walls being formed from multi-layered panels each including a layer of a resilient material formed from a non-woven fabric impregnated with an elastomeric polymer.

5. A luggage construction as recited in claim 4, including a handle means, the portions of said peripheral wall defining the top and bottom of said luggage construction each being defined by a multi-layered panel each including at least one layer of a stiffening material for retaining the shape of said luggage construction when said luggage construction is lifted by said handle means, said handle means being secured to the stiffening layer in the portion of the peripheral wall defining the top of said luggage construction.

6. A luggage construction comprising a pair of spaced sidewalls; a peripheral wall joining said pair of spaced sidewalls at their respective peripheries and defining the top, bottom and ends of said luggage construction, at least portions of said peripheral walls being flexible; means of providing access to the interior of said luggage construction; a coil spring of predetermined length; and means for loosely mounting said length of coil spring so that it extends longitudinally along the portions of said peripheral wall defining the ends and top of said luggage construction including said flexible portions, the ends of said length of spring terminating in the portion of peripheral wall defining the bottom of said luggage construction, said mounting means permitting the longitudinal displacement of at least one end of said length of coil spring in response to certain deformations of said flexible portions of said peripheral wall, said coil spring tending to assist in the restoration of said peripheral wall to its original shape after deformation.

7. A luggage construction as recited in claim 6, wherein said peripheral wall is formed of a flexible material except in regions of the portions of said peripheral wall defining the top and bottom of said luggage construction.

8. A luggage construction as recited in claim 7, wherein said side walls of said luggage construction are formed of a flexible material.

9. A luggage construction as recited in claim 1, wherein the portions of said peripheral wall which are flexible include at least one layer of a resilient material of the type which tends to return to its original shape when flexed.

10. A luggage construction as recited in claim 9, wherein said resilient material is a non-woven fabric impregnated with an elastomeric polymer.

11. A luggage construction as recited in claim 6, including at least two of said lengths of coil spring and means for loosely mounting each of said lengths of coils spring in laterally spaced relation on portions of said peripheral wall.

12. A luggage construction as recited in claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the walls of said luggage construction are formed of two layers of flexible material, said layers being secured together by stitching without the use of adhesives.

13. A luggage construction as recited in claim 6, wherein said means for loosely mounting said coil spring includes a length of flexible material, and means for securing said length of flexible material to said luggage wall so that it defines a channel for loosely receiving said length of coil spring.

14. A luggage construction as recited in claim 6, including a sheath extending about at least the displaceable end of said coil spring.