GB2542213A - A reconfigurable article of luggage - Google Patents

A reconfigurable article of luggage Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2542213A
GB2542213A GB1519618.1A GB201519618A GB2542213A GB 2542213 A GB2542213 A GB 2542213A GB 201519618 A GB201519618 A GB 201519618A GB 2542213 A GB2542213 A GB 2542213A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
frame
article
luggage according
reconfigurable
cover
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1519618.1A
Other versions
GB201519618D0 (en
Inventor
Karabar Goran
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Karabar Ltd
Original Assignee
Karabar Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Karabar Ltd filed Critical Karabar Ltd
Publication of GB201519618D0 publication Critical patent/GB201519618D0/en
Publication of GB2542213A publication Critical patent/GB2542213A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C7/00—Collapsible or extensible purses, luggage, bags or the like
    • A45C7/0018—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage
    • A45C7/0036—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage collapsible to a minimal configuration, e.g. for storage purposes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
    • A45C13/04—Frames
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage
    • A45C5/03—Suitcases
    • A45C2005/032—Suitcases semi-rigid, i.e. resistant against deformation and resilient, e.g. with a resilient frame
    • A45C2005/035—Suitcases semi-rigid, i.e. resistant against deformation and resilient, e.g. with a resilient frame soft-sided, i.e. with flexible side walls covering a rigid frame

Landscapes

  • Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)

Abstract

A reconfigurable article of luggage comprises a support frame 30 and a cover (20, figure 1) which is arranged to extend over the frame. The support frame comprises a plurality of elongate frame members 31a,b and a plurality of connectors 40a-c for detachably coupling the frame members together, such that the frame can be reconfigured between an assembled configuration in which the frame and cover form an enclosable volume for receiving items and a disassembled configuration in which the frame and cover form a collapsed configuration for storage. The horizontal frame members may be formed integrally with the connectors (see figure 4).

Description

A RECONFIGURABLE ARTICLE OF LUGGAGE
The present invention relates to a reconfigurable article of luggage.
When travelling, the costs of transporting luggage can be significant. This cost is typically dependent on the weight of the luggage and as such it is desirable to minimise the weight of any articles of luggage, such as a suitcase, to minimise the cost. In addition, articles of luggage often occupy a significant volume and as such, a suitable space is required for their storage when the articles are not required.
We have now devised an improved article of luggage.
According to the present invention there is provided a reconfigurable article of luggage comprising a support frame and a cover which is arranged to extend over the frame, the support frame comprising a plurality of elongate frame members and a plurality of connectors for detachably coupling the frame members together, such that the frame can be reconfigured between an assembled configuration in which the frame and cover form an enclosable volume for receiving items and a disassembled configuration in which the frame and cover form a collapsed configuration for storage.
In an embodiment, the support frame comprises a plurality of first frame members, such as tubular members, which in use are arranged to extend substantially vertically between an upper and lower region of the article, and a plurality of second frame members, which may similarly comprise tubular members, which are arranged to extend between the first frame members to define a substantially cuboid frame.
The second frame members are arranged to extend in a substantially horizontal plane and may be formed integrally with the connectors between which the second frame members extend. In an embodiment, the frame comprises a frame head section, a frame base section and an intermediate frame section disposed between the frame head and base section.
In a further embodiment, the connectors separately comprise at least two elongate receiving portions rigidly coupled together. The receiving portions are arranged to receive at least a portion of a frame member, and may be formed of a rigid, plastics materials, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The at least two receiving portions associated with each connector may orientated substantially collinearly, substantially perpendicular to each other or a combination of both collinearly and perpendicular to each other.
In a further embodiment, the reconfigurable article further comprises a plurality of wheel assemblies which are arranged to detachably couple with the support frame, to facilitate manoeuvring of the article. The wheel assemblies preferably comprise a wheel and a wheel frame. In an alternative embodiment, the wheel assemblies may be formed integrally with a connector.
In a further embodiment, the cover comprises at least one fastening device, such as a zip fastener or hook-and-look type fastening arrangement, to permit the enclosable volume to be opened and closed.
In a further embodiment, the cover further comprises at least one handle formed on a peripheral portion thereof, for enabling a user to grip and manipulate the article.
In a further embodiment, the cover further comprises at least one pocket formed thereon, for receiving items.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a reconfigurable article according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the article illustrated in figure 1 with the cover removed;
Figure 3a is a magnified view of a corner connector for the frame members illustrated in figure 2;
Figure 3b is a magnified view of a linear connector for the frame members illustrated in figure 2;
Figure 3c is a magnified view of a corner connector for the frame members illustrated in figure 2 comprises an integral wheel assembly; and,
Figure 4 is perspective view of a reconfigurable article according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated a reconfigurable article of luggage 10, such as a suitcase, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The article 10 is arranged to receive and hold items of clothing (not shown) and the like, although the skilled reader will recognise the article of luggage 10 may be used to hold other items. The reconfigurable article comprises a cover 20 which is supported upon a support frame 30 to define an enclosable volume, as illustrated in figure 2 of the drawings.
The support frame 30 comprises a plurality of elongate, linear frame members 31, which may comprise tubular sections of a plastics material, such as poly methylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which are lightweight materials. The frame 30 further comprises a plurality of connectors 40 for coupling the frame members 31 together. The connectors 40 may be formed of the same material as the frame members 31 to provide a lightweight construction, and separately comprise at least two elongate receiving portions 41. The receiving portions comprise a cross-sectional shape and size which is arranged to form an interference fit with a distal region of a frame member 31. In an embodiment, the receiving portions 41 may comprise tubular portions and the frame 30 is constructed by locating end portions of the frame members 31 in a receiving portion 41 of a connector 40.
In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 30 comprises a plurality of first frame members 31a which in use are arranged to extend substantially vertically between an upper and lower region of the article 10, and a plurality of second frame members 31b which are arranged to extend substantially horizontally between the first frame members 31a, to define a substantially cuboid shaped frame 30. Referring to figure 3 of the drawings, the connectors 40 comprise three different sets of connectors 40a-c as illustrated in figures 3a-c of the drawings, for coupling the frame members 31 together.
Referring to figure 3a of the drawings, the connectors 40a of the first set comprise a first and second receiving portion 41a, 41b orientated in the same plane, but substantially perpendicular to each other, and a third receiving portion 41c which extends perpendicular to the first and second portions 41a, 41b, and perpendicular to the plane in which the first and second portions 41a, 41b extend. In this respect, the receiving portions 41 of the connectors 40a of the first set are orientated along orthogonal axes and comprise corner connectors for connecting the frame members 31 at the corners disposed at the upper region of the article 10. The connectors 40a of the first set preferably further comprise bracing portions 42 which extend between adjacent receiving portions 41a-c for bracing the relative orientation of the receiving portions 41 and thus the frame members 31 of the frame 30.
Referring to figure 3b of the drawings, the connectors 40b of the second set comprise a first and second receiving portion 41a, 41b which extend substantially collinearly and which are arranged to couple frame members 31 together in a linear relationship to provide an effective increased length frame member. In this respect, the connectors 40b of the second set are arranged to couple together first frame members 31a and in use are disposed intermediate the upper and lower regions of the article 10.
Referring to figure 3c of the drawings, the connectors 40c of the third set comprise substantially the same arrangement of receiving portions 41 as the connectors 40a of the first set, but further include a wheel frame 43 for supporting a wheel 44 therefrom. The wheel frame 43 extends from the plane in which the first and second receiving portions 41a, 41b extend, substantially perpendicularly thereto, and away from the plane in a direction which is opposite the third receiving portion 41c. The wheel frame 43 comprises a first and second frame section 43a, 43b between which extends an axle 45 about which the wheel 44 can rotate. In an embodiment, the wheel frame 43 may be detachably coupled to the first and second receiving portions 41a, 41b of the connector 40c, or may be formed integrally therewith. In a further alternative, the wheel frame 43 may be rotatably coupled to the connector 40c so that the orientation of the wheel 44 can be varied when steering the article 10 for example.
In use, the frame members 31 are assembled and disassembled within the cover 20 to provide the collapsible form of the article 10. The frame members 31 may be further arranged to extend within sleeve portions (not shown) secured along an inner side of the cover 20, for securing the cover 20 to the frame 30, for example. Alternatively, the cover 20 may be provided with ties (not shown) located along an inner peripheral edge of the cover 20 for securing the cover 20 to the support frame 30. Accordingly, when it is desired to erect the article 10, the second frame members 31b are placed within a base region of the cover 20, possibly extending through a respective sleeve (not shown) secured along an inner edge portion within the cover 20, and coupled together using the connectors 40c of the third set to form a frame base. The connectors 40c are orientated so that the wheels 44 extend to one side, namely an underside of the base of the cover 20, and the base region of the cover comprises a slot (not shown) formed at each corner thereof through which the wheels 44 can pass to extend out from the cover 20. A proximal end of a first frame member 31 is then inserted within the third receiving portion 41c of each of the connectors 40c disposed at the frame base, so that the first frame members 31a extend vertically within the cover 20 and possibly through a respective sleeve (not shown) secured along an inner edge thereof. A connector 40b of the second set is subsequently secured at a distal end of each of the first frame members 31a using the first receiving portion 41a, so that a further first frame member 31a can couple with the second receiving portion 41b of the connectors 40b of the second set.
The third receiving portion 41c of the connectors 40a of the first set are then secured upon the distal end of the uppermost first frame members 31a, and second frame members 31b are arranged to extend therebetween, possibly through a respective sleeve (not shown) secured along an inner edge portion of the cover 20 to form the support frame 30. The second frame members 31b are arranged to couple with the first and second receiving portions 41a, 41b of the connectors 40a of the first set to form a frame head.
With the frame 30 erected within the cover 20, the cover 20 forms an enclosable volume within which items (not shown) can be placed. The cover 20 comprises front 21a, rear 21b and opposing side walls 22a, 22b and a base portion 23 and a head portion 24. The front wall 21a comprises an opening (not shown) formed therein and a door or cover panel 25 which is hingedly coupled to the front wall 21a along one side of the opening (not shown), via a fabric seam 26. The cover 20 further comprises a fastening arrangement 27, such as a zip or hook-and-loop fastening arrangement which extends around a periphery of the cover panel 25 and at least a portion of the opening (not shown) formed in the front wall 21a, so that the cover panel 25 can be detachably coupled along a periphery thereof to the front wall 21a, and so that the enclosable volume can be opened and closed. The cover 20 further comprises a handle 28 disposed upon the head portion 24 and a side wall 22b thereof so that the article 10 can be suitably held and manoeuvred. In addition, the cover 20 may comprise one or more pocket regions 29 formed therein, such as upon the cover panel 25, for holding items (not shown) to be kept separate from items placed within the enclosable volume. The pockets 29 may be opened and closed via a respective fastening arrangement 27, such as a zip fastener.
When it is desired to collapse the article 10, such as when storing the article, the frame members 31 can be uncoupled from the respective connectors 40a-40c and the cover 20 can be folded to reduce the occupied volume.
Referring to figure 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated a reconfigurable article of luggage 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The reconfigurable article of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the reconfigurable article of luggage 10 the first embodiment and so like features have been referenced using the same numerals but increased by 100. In this embodiment, the frame members 131b and the connectors 140c of the frame base are formed as a single integral frame base section 132. Similarly, the frame members 131b and connectors 140a of the frame head are formed as a single integral frame head section 133, and separately extend in a substantially horizontal plane.
The frame 130 of the reconfigurable article of luggage the second embodiment further comprises an intermediate frame section 134 located between the frame head 133 and base section 132. The intermediate frame section 134 comprises further frame members 131b which extend in a substantially horizontal plane between the connectors 140b. The frame members 131b of the intermediate frame section 134 are formed integrally with the connectors 140b and extend between connectors 140b disposed at a rear of the frame 130 and between the front and rear of the frame 130, between the connectors 140b disposed at the sides of the frame 130. The frame members 131b of the intermediate frame section 134 thus extend around three sides of the frame 130 with the front side of the intermediate frame section 134 being open to allow items to be passed into and out from the enclosable volume through the door (not shown in figure 4).
The integral form of the frame base, intermediate and head sections 132, 133, 134 increase the rigidity of the resulting frame 130 and owing to the reduced number of separate frame members 131, provide for a more rapid assembly and disassembly of the frame 130.
From the foregoing therefore, it is evident that the collapsible, lightweight form of the article provides for a versatile article for luggage.

Claims (9)

1. A reconfigurable article of luggage comprising a support frame and a cover which is arranged to extend over the frame, the support frame comprising a plurality of elongate frame members and a plurality of connectors for detachably coupling the frame members together, such that the frame can be reconfigured between an assembled configuration in which the frame and cover form an enclosable volume for receiving items and a disassembled configuration in which the frame and cover form a collapsed configuration for storage.
2. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises a plurality of first frame members which in use are arranged to extend substantially vertically between an upper and lower region of the article.
3. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support frame comprises a plurality of second frame members which are arranged to extend between the first frame members.
4. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to claim 3, wherein the second frame members are arranged to extend in a substantially horizontal plane.
5. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to claim 4, wherein the second frame members are formed integrally with the connectors between which the second frame members extend.
6. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to claim 5, wherein the frame comprises a frame head section, a frame base section and an intermediate frame section disposed between the frame head and base section.
7. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to any preceding claim wherein the support frame comprises a substantially cuboid shape frame.
8. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to any preceding claim, wherein the connectors separately comprise at least two elongate receiving portions rigidly coupled together.
9. A reconfigurable article of luggage according: to any preceding claim, wherein the cover comprises at least one handle formed on a peripheral portion thereof. IQ. A reconfigurable articie of luggage according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover comprises at least one pocket formed thereon, for receiving items.
9. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to claim 8, wherein the at least two receiving portions associated with each connector are orientated substantially collinearly, substantially perpendicular to each other or a combination of both collinearly and perpendicular to each other.
10. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of wheel assemblies which are arranged to detachably couple with the support frame
11. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to claim 10, wherein the wheel assemblies comprise awheel and awheel frame.
12. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to any preceding claim, further comprising a cover comprises at least one fastening device to permit the enclosable volume to be opened and closed.
13. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover comprises at least one handle formed on a peripheral portion thereof.
14. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover comprises at least one pocket formed thereon, for receiving items. Amendments to the claims have been made as follows; CLAIMS
1.,. A reeonfigurabie article of luggage comprising a support frame and a cover which is arranged to extend over the frame, the support frame comprising a plurality of first frame members which In use are arranged to extend substantially- vertically" between an upper and lower region of the article, a plurality of second frame: members which are: arranged: to extend between the first frame members in a substantially horizontal plane, and a plurality of connectors for detachably coupling the first and second frame members together, such that the frame can be reconfigured between an assembled configuration in which the frame and cover form an enclosable volume for receiving items and a disassembled configuration in which the frame and cover form a collapsed configuration for storage, wherein the second frame members are formed integrally with the connectors·, between which the second frame members extend,
2. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a: frame head section, a frame: base section and an intermediate frame section disposed between the frame head and base section.
3. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to any preceding claim wherein the support frame comprises a substantially cuboid shape frame,
4. A reconfigurable article of luggage according to any preceding claim, wherein the connectors separately comprise at least two elongate receiving portions rigidly coupled together.
5. A reeonfigurabie article of luggage according to claim 4, wherein the at least two receiving portions associated with each connector are. orientated substantially colli nearly, -substantially perpendicular to each other or a combination of both coilinearly and perpendicular to each other.
6. A reeonfigurabie article of luggage according to any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of wheel assemblies which are arranged to: detachably couple with the support frame:
7. A reeonfigurabie article of luggage according to claim 6., wherein the wheel assemblies comprise a wheel and a wheel frame.
8, A reconfigurable article of luggage according to any preceding: claim, further comprising a cover comprises at least one fastening device to permit the eoeiosabie volume to be opened and closed.
GB1519618.1A 2015-09-14 2015-11-06 A reconfigurable article of luggage Withdrawn GB2542213A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB1516233.2A GB201516233D0 (en) 2015-09-14 2015-09-14 A reconfigureable article of luggage

Publications (2)

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GB201519618D0 GB201519618D0 (en) 2015-12-23
GB2542213A true GB2542213A (en) 2017-03-15

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GBGB1516233.2A Ceased GB201516233D0 (en) 2015-09-14 2015-09-14 A reconfigureable article of luggage
GB1519618.1A Withdrawn GB2542213A (en) 2015-09-14 2015-11-06 A reconfigurable article of luggage

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB1516233.2A Ceased GB201516233D0 (en) 2015-09-14 2015-09-14 A reconfigureable article of luggage

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Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2806563A (en) * 1954-11-15 1957-09-17 Wilco Metal Products Inc Supporting frame for collapsible luggage
US20120024649A1 (en) * 2010-07-27 2012-02-02 Lai Chu Shan Fiberglass frame

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2806563A (en) * 1954-11-15 1957-09-17 Wilco Metal Products Inc Supporting frame for collapsible luggage
US20120024649A1 (en) * 2010-07-27 2012-02-02 Lai Chu Shan Fiberglass frame

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB201516233D0 (en) 2015-10-28
GB201519618D0 (en) 2015-12-23

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