GB1600156A

GB1600156A - Apparatus for pulling or pushing suitcases provided with one or more wheels

Info

Publication number: GB1600156A
Application number: GB7467/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: SUDHAUS SOEHNE HEINRICH
Current assignee: SUDHAUS SOEHNE HEINRICH
Priority date: 1977-02-24
Filing date: 1978-02-24
Publication date: 1981-10-14
Also published as: DE7705585U1; IT1092751B; IT7820336A0

Description

(54) APPARATUS FOR PULLING OR PUSHING SUITCASES PROVIDED WITH ONE OR MORE WHEELS (71) We, FIRMA HEINRICH SUDHAUS SOHNE, a Kommanditgesellschaft, organised under the laws of the German Federal Republic, of Teichstrasse 5, 5860 Iserlohn Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to apparatus for pulling or pushing a suitcase provided with one or more wheels, the apparatus consisting of a bottom part for attachment to the suitcase and a top part serving as a handle which is pivotally mounted at one end on the bottom part.

Various constructions of handles for socalled wheeled suitcases are known, but common to all of them is the disadvantage that after use they do not automatically return to their position of rest. Consequently, the handles are extremely bulky and susceptible to impact, so that they not only adversely affect the handling of the case but also entail the risk of damage.

The invention is concerned with the problem of providing apparatus of the kind referred to which, while avoiding the aforementioned disadvantages, is not only easily manufactured, assembled and used but which, furthermore, when not in use, automatically returns to its closed position.

According to the invention, this is achieved by a spring disposed in at least the top part for automatically returning the latter to its closed position.

Advantageously, the bottom part comprises a bearing member provided at one end with freely projecting side plates formed with bearing lugs. The bearing lugs are preferably traversed by a pin which also passes through apertures at one end of the top part, so that the top and bottom parts are fixed to each other.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bottom part is formed on its underside with a depression which accomodates one end of a bracket the other end of which is pivotally mounted on the top part by means of a bearing pin. The connection between the top part and the bottom part and the pivotal mounting of the bracket on the top part are spaced apart from each other so that when the top part is pivoted through 90 into its open position the bracket assumes an oblique position in which it extends at about 45 to the bearing member. In this embodiment, the bracket is U-shaped and has bearing lugs at the free ends of its arms, which bearing lugs are traversed by a pin which carries the return spring between the arms of the bracket.One end of the return spring presses against the top part while its other end presses against the closed end of the bracket, so that the bracket is firmly held and will not rattle.

The depression on the underside of the bottom part is, in this embodiment, so dimensioned in the longitudinal direction that in one extreme position of the closed end of the bracket located therein, the top part is in its closed position while in the other extreme position of said closed end the top part is in its open position, so that the depression forms means for limiting the travel of the top part.

In another embodiment, the depression which accommodates one end of the bracket and is provided on the underside of the bottom part is of substantially semi-circular form and serves as a bearing for this end of the bracket. With this embodiment, the bracket is of rectangular shape and its other end is so displaceably disposed in the top part that in one extreme position of said other end, the top part is in its closed position while in the other extreme position of said other end, the top part is in its open position.

In both embodiments the open position of the top part is at an angle of approximately 90 from its closed position.

In the second embodiment, the end of the bracket which is mounted in the top part is engaged by one end of the return spring, the other end of which is fixed in the top part, thus ensuring freedom from rattle, since it pulls the top part firmly against the bearing member.

The top part preferably comprises a cap and an insert made of a material which is gentle to handle e.g. a synthetic plastics material, in the underside of the cap. One end of the insert is secured in the cap by means of a pin which passes through both pans. The fixing pin can at the same time, pass through the bearing lugs of the Ushaped bracket of the first embodiment. The other end of the insert is connected to the cap by an inclined portion formed on the insert which engages behind a flange provided at the free end of the top part. The other side of the inclined portion is formed with a channel so that the top part may the more easily be gripped.

In order to prevent tilting during pulling or pushing, it is preferred to provide retaining webs projecting from both sides, at the free end of the top part.

One end of the rectangular bracket is disposed in a recess in the insert which limits the amount of travel of the top part.

The bearing member carries the cap on its outer side and the insert on its inner side to provide a compact assembly.

For particularly heavy cases, it is advantageous to have a guard plate positioned between the bearing member and the inner wall of the case.

The insert preferably has a longitudinally extending channel which serves to accommodate the return spring, so that this latter is out of sight.

Embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic exploded view of the component parts of a first embodiment; Fig. 2 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, in the assembled condition; Fig. 3 is a sectional side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic exploded view of the component parts of a second embodiment; Fig. 5 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4 in the assembled state, and Fig. 6 is a sectional side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a bottom part which is to be fixed to a suit case (not shown), while reference numeral 2 denotes a top part which is pivotally mounted on the bottom part 1.

The bottom part 1 includes a bearing member 3 having at one end obliquely extending freely protruding side plates 4.

Provided in the side plates 4 are bearing lugs 5. The bearing member 3 has on its under side, a depression 6 which is of elongated shape and bounded at its ends by steps 7. The depression 6 serves to accommodate a crossmember 8 at one end of a U-shaped bracket 9 which is formed at its free end 10 with apertures 11.

The top part 2 includes a substantially Usection cap 12 and an insert 13 which is made of synthetic plastics material and is inserted in the cap 12. A part of the insert 13 is formed to be gripped by the hand and is provided on its under side with ribbing 14 to prevent the hand from slipping.

At one end of the cap 12 and spaced from each other there are fixing apertures 15, 15'.

The apparatus shown in Figs. 1 to 3 is assembled by passing a bearing pin 16 through the apertures 15 in one end of the cap 12 and at the same time through the bearing lugs 5 of the bearing member 3. The pin 16 is held in place by riveting and constitutes a pivotal axis for the top part 2. A return spring 18 is secured by means of a pin 17, between the arms of the U-shaped bracket 9, so that the pin 17 passes not only through the apertures 11 in this bracket 9 but also the apertures 15' in the cap 12 and is likewise held in place in the cap by riveting.

Provided in the insert is a semi-circular recess 19 in which the pin 17 is located when the apparatus is assembled. One end 20 of the return spring 18 rests against the inside of the cap 12, while the other end presses against the cross-member 8 of the bracket 9, so that these parts are held against each other in such a way that they will not rattle.

At the free end of the insert 13 is an inclined portion 23 which, on attachment to the cap 12, engages behind a flange 25 on the cap and also provides a recess 24 to facilitate gripping of the top part 2.

Upon lifting the top part 2 into the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 2, the cross-member 8 of the bracket 9, accompanied by rotation of the return spring 18, is displaced in the recess 6 in the bearing member 3 from one extreme position in engagement with one step 7 on the member 3 to the other extreme position in engagement with the other step 7 on the member 3. The length of the depression 6 is so dimensioned that in one extreme position of the crossmember 8, the top part 2 is in the closed position while in the other extreme position of the cross-member 8 the top part 2 is in its open position.

In the case of the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 to 6, the same reference numerals are used for parts identical with those in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3.

In this embodiment, the bracket 9 is of rectangular construction with its cross-mem ber 8 being located in a substantially semicircular depression 6 in the bearing member 3. A cross-member 28 at the other end of the bracket is displaceably located in a recess 26 in the insert 13, which recess is bounded at opposite ends by steps 7. The length of the recess 26 represents the amount of displacement of the cross-member 28 of the bracket 9.

In the central portion of the insert 13 there is a channel 27 which serves to house the return spring 18 which, in this embodiment, is constructed as a coil spring. One end 20 of the spring engages around the cross-member 28 of the bracket 9 while the other end 21 is anchored on a pin 29 on the insert 13.

Provided on both sides of the free end of the insert 13 are laterally projecting retaining webs 30.

For particularly large and heavy cases, a guard plate 31 is used which is placed inside the case to serve as a backing plate for the bearing member 3.

In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the cross-piece 8 is fixed relative to the bottom part 1, displacement occurring at the cross-member 28 relative to the top part 2.

Furthermore, in this embodiment the recess 19 is replaced by a bore so that the pin 17 which serves for attachment of the insert 13 traverses this bore, in contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 in which the semi-circular recess only rests on the pin 17 which traverses the bearing lugs 11 of the bracket 9.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. Apparatus for pulling or pushing a suitcase provided with at least one wheel, the apparatus comprising a bottom part for attachment to the suitcase and a top part serving as a handle which is pivotally mounted at one end on the bottom part for movement between an open or operative position and a closed or inoperative position, characterised by a spring disposed in at least the top part for automatically returning the latter to its closed position.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1, characterised in that the bottom part comprises a bearing member provided at one end with freely projecting side plates formed with bearing lugs.

3. Apparatus according to Claim 2, characterised in that the bearing lugs are traversed by a pin which also passes through bores in one end of the top part so that top part and bottom part are secured one to the other.

4. Apparatus according to Claim 3, characterised in that the bottom part is formed on its underside with a depression which accommodates one end of a bracket the other end of which is mounted on the top part.

5. Apparatus according to Claim 4, characterised in that the connection between the top part and the bottom part and the mounting of the bracket on the top part are spaced from each other.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the bracket is of Ushaped construction and has bearing lugs at the free ends of its arms for the passage of a bearing pin by means of which the bracket is pivotally mounted on the top part.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 6, characterised in that the depression in the underside of the bottom part is so dimensioned in the longitudinal direction that in one extreme position of the closed end of the bracket located therein, the top part is in its closed position while in the other extreme position of said closed end the top part is in its open position.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 6 or 7, characterised in that the return spring is mounted on the pin which passes through the bearing lugs on the arms of the bracket, one end of which spring presses against the top part while the other end presses against the closed end of the bracket.

9. Apparatus according to Claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the depression in the underside of the bottom part for accommodating one end of the bracket is of substantially semicircular shape.

10. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 4, 5 or 9, characterised in that the bracket is of rectangular shape and its other end is so displaceably disposed that in one extreme position of said other end the top part is in its closed position and in the other extreme position of said other end the top part is in its open position.

11. Apparatus according to Claim 10, characterised in that one end of the return spring engages said other end of the bracket, while the other end of the return spring is fixed in the top part.

12. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the open position of the top part is 90 from its closed position.

13. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the top part comprises a cap and an insert of a material which is gentle to handle in the underside of the cap.

14. Apparatus according to Claim 13, characterised in that one end of the insert is secured in the cap by means of a fixing pin extending through both parts.

15. Apparatus according to Claim 14, when appendent to any one of Claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the fixing pin also passes through the bearing lugs of the bracket.

16. Apparatus according to Claim 14 or 15, characterised in that the other end of the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. ber 8 being located in a substantially semicircular depression 6 in the bearing member 3. A cross-member 28 at the other end of the bracket is displaceably located in a recess 26 in the insert 13, which recess is bounded at opposite ends by steps 7. The length of the recess 26 represents the amount of displacement of the cross-member 28 of the bracket 9. In the central portion of the insert 13 there is a channel 27 which serves to house the return spring 18 which, in this embodiment, is constructed as a coil spring. One end 20 of the spring engages around the cross-member 28 of the bracket 9 while the other end 21 is anchored on a pin 29 on the insert 13. Provided on both sides of the free end of the insert 13 are laterally projecting retaining webs 30. For particularly large and heavy cases, a guard plate 31 is used which is placed inside the case to serve as a backing plate for the bearing member 3. In contrast to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the cross-piece 8 is fixed relative to the bottom part 1, displacement occurring at the cross-member 28 relative to the top part 2. Furthermore, in this embodiment the recess 19 is replaced by a bore so that the pin 17 which serves for attachment of the insert 13 traverses this bore, in contrast to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 in which the semi-circular recess only rests on the pin 17 which traverses the bearing lugs 11 of the bracket 9. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Apparatus for pulling or pushing a suitcase provided with at least one wheel, the apparatus comprising a bottom part for attachment to the suitcase and a top part serving as a handle which is pivotally mounted at one end on the bottom part for movement between an open or operative position and a closed or inoperative position, characterised by a spring disposed in at least the top part for automatically returning the latter to its closed position.

insert is formed with an inclined portion which engages the cap.

17. Apparatus according to Claim 16, characterised in that the inclined portion is formed with a recess.

18. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 13 to 17, characterised in that a flange is provided at the free end of the top part.

19. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 13 to 18, characterised in that laterally projecting retaining webs are provided at the free end of the top part.

20. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 13 to 19, when appendent to Claim 10, characterised in that said other end of the bracket is disposed in a recess in the insert.

21. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 13 to 20, characterised in that the bearing member carries the cap on its outer side and the insert on its inner side.

22. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 13 to 21, characterised in that a guard plate is positioned behind the bearing member.

23. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 13 to 22, characterised in that the insert has transverse grooves or ribs on its underside.

24. Apparatus according to any one of Claims 13 to 23, characterised in that the insert has a longitudinally extending channel which serves to accommodate the return spring.

25. Apparatus for pulling or pushing a suitcase provided with at least one wheel, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figs. 1 to 3 or Figs. 4 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.