US3780838A

US3780838A - Luggage case

Info

Publication number: US3780838A
Application number: US00085164A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Slan
Original assignee: Dominion Luggage Co Ltd
Current assignee: Dominion Luggage Co Ltd
Priority date: 1968-11-19
Filing date: 1970-10-29
Publication date: 1973-12-25
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-25

Abstract

A luggage case comprises two opposed sections hinged together and having confronting edges adapted to interfit when the case is closed. The confronting edges of the sections are formed by matched bent edge strips extending around the sections; and each has a channel where a tongue strip extending around the confronting edges of the sections has one edge thereof permanently inter-locked in one of the channels, the inter-lock being the product of simultaneous bending of the tongue and edge strip, and the other edge of the tongue strip releasably interfitting in the other of the channels when the case is closed. Means is provided for releasably retaining the sections in closed relation.

Description

D United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,780,838 Slan Dec. 25, 1973 LUGGAGE CASE 3,286,800 11/1966 Slan 190/49 75 I t Sl 1 men or 'gfi Toronto Omano Przmary Exammer-Donald F. Norton Attorney'Douglas S. Johnson [73] Assignee: Dominion Luggage Co. Limited,

Toronto, Canada 57 ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Oct. 29, 1970 A luggage case comprises two opposed sections hinged together and having confronting edges adapted [21] Appl 85l64 to interfit when the case is closed. The confronting Related US. Application Data edges of the sections are formed by matched bent [62] Division ofSer. N0. 784,510, Nov. 19, 1968, Pat. No. edge tips extending amund the sectimsi and each 3,579,804. has a channel where a tongue strip extending around the confronting edges of the sections has one edge 52 U.S. c1. 190/49 thereof permanently inter-locked in one of the chem- [51] Int. Cl. A45c 13/04 nels, the inter-l0ek being the p ct of multaneous [58] Field of Search 190/28, 49, 50 bending of the g e and ge p, and the t er edge of the tongue strip releasably interfitting in the [56] R fer Cit d other of the channels when the case is closed. Means UNITED STATES PATENTS is provided for releasably retaining the sections in 3,448,838 6/1969 Maile 190 49 closed Manon 3,198,299 8/1965 Axtell 190/49 X 4 Claims, 13 Drawing figures PATENIEI] DEC 2 5 I975 MEI-1N4 LUGGAGE CASE This application is a division of application Ser. No. 784,510, filed Nov. 19, 1968, (now US. Pat. No. 3,579,804).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to improvements in luggage cases and in their method of manufacture.

2. Description of the Prior Art Luggage cases normally comprise a first or bottom section and a second or top section hinged together with the sections meeting along the edge when the case is closed, and suitable locks are provided to lock the sections together in the closed position.

Preferably, in an effort to obtain a dustproof case, the sections are arranged to interlock throughout the extent of their opposing or confronting .edges and in order to provide an accurate interlock and a proper closure the sections must precisely match one with the other.

With a view to achieving the desired interlock, it has been the practice to form the confronting edges of the case sections of strips of extruded material such as aluminum or magnesium alloy which are bent around the case, the one strip normally having a groove running around its exposed confronting edge and the other strip having or carrying a projection or tongue member running around its exposed confronting edge adapted to seat in the groove of the opposite strip when the case is closed.

It will be readily understood that one of the problems encountered in such cases is to maintain the mating accuracy of the groove and tongue members or portions particularly around the corners of the case where the strips are bent, such bending tending to stretch, crease or otherwise distort the'material of the strip so that the accuracy of the groove is impaired or the tongue member or element is distorted out of alignment with the groove.

Additionally, it has been found that bending of complicated strip sections particularly those carrying the intended mating tongue member is difficult particularly when a high degree of accuracy is required to provide a proper case closure. This latter problem has led to the use in many instances of a separate tongue member so that the one strip which is intended to carry the tongue member for resting in the groove of the opposing strip is formed as a relatively simple section capable of more readily being bent around the case and the separate tongue member is then attached thereto.

This latter solution of the bending problem however necessitates the bending of a third member to conform to the peripheral configuration of the case and does not solve the problem of obtaining a precisely mating groove and tongue interlock since the tongue member will invariably have different distortion characteristics.

Moreover, resorting to a separate tongue member requires a further manufacturing operation in attaching the tongue to the relevant strip and attaching it in such a way as to provide strength as well as accuracy.

SUMMARY OFTHE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to successfully solve the above problems, and to provide a very efficient and simple method of forming the interlocking edges of the case section to provide a precisely accurate edge mating or interlocking between the opposing sections when the case is closed.

In this same vein it is also the object of the invention to provide a luggage case with precisely interlocking opposing sections to simplify closing and to provide a fully dustproof case.

Another object of theinvention is to enable the use of strips of simple readily bendable cross section to make up the confronting edges of the case section to greatly facilitate manufacture.

In this connection still another object is to enable a separate readily bendable tongue member to be utilized and to effect the permanent locking of the tongue member with one of the strips and the accurate interfit of the same tongue member with the groove of the other strip by means of the bending operation thereby eliminating a difficult step in manufacturing presently required and at the same time providing a much more accurate tongue and groove interlock than has heretofore been achieved.

The invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view broken away illustrating the edge and tongue strips and the manner in which they are assembled preparatory to being clamped.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view on a smaller scale illustrating the edge and tongue strips in clamped relation.

Figures 3, 4, 5, and 6 are diagrammatic views illustrating the sequence of bending operations in the bending of the clamped strips into the frame shape of the finished case.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross section of the strips after bending illustrating the permanent interlock between the one edge strip and the tongue strip and the releasable interfit between the tongue strip and the other edge strip.

FIG. 8 is a broken away perspective view illustrating the elongation of the edge strip in which the tongue strip is permanently interlocked as compared to the opposing edge strip.

FIG. 9 is a view of the strips following trimming off of the permanently interlocked edge strip with the strips joined in continuous frame form.

FIG. 10 is a vertical cross sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the assembly of the shell, lock and handle members to the frame members formed by the strips.

FIG. 12 is a part perspective part vertical sectional view showing the manner in which the shells are attached to the edge strips and in which the wrap around strips masks the attached means.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a case manufactured in accordance with and embodying the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the drawings, FIG 13 illustrates a luggage case constructed in accordance with and embodying the invention. In general the case comprises a pair of opposing sections'l, la, hinged together as at 2 and presenting confronting edges generally designated at 3 and 3a adapted to interfit when the case is closed.

The method of manufacture and the construction of the confronting

edges

3 and 3a, is one important aspect of the invention, which is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8 inclusive.

With reference to FIG. 1 the confronting

edges

3 and 3a of the sections 1 and la are formed from two longitudinal edge strips 4 and 40 preferably formed as extrusions of a light metal such as aluminum or magnesium and a tongue strip 5 preferably of a stiff vinyl or other plastic material having some measure of resiliency.

The edge strip 4 has an attaching leg 6 and a right angularly extending facing leg 7 which is provided at its end remote from its attaching leg 6 with a channel 8 having a restricted mouth or throat 9 opening outwardly of the facing leg 7. The attaching leg 6 preferably is extruded to present a wide channel 10 extending along its upper surface and bordered by undercut edges 1 l and 12. The edge strip 4a is very similar to the edge strip 4 having an attaching leg 6a, a facing leg 7a and an upper channel 10a, having undercut

edges

11a and 12a. The channel 13 presented by the facing leg 7a, however is formed with awide divergent mouth defined by

walls

14 and 15 which diverge towards the mouth of the channel.

In association with the

edge strips

4 and 4a, the tongue strip 5 has along one longitudinal edge a locking enlargement or bead 16 having somewhat the shape of an arrow head and defining shoulders 17.'The bead I6 is of a cross sectional shape to correspond with the cross sectional shape of the channel 8.

The opposite longitudinal edge of the tongue strip 5, also preferably has an edge bead 18 of corresponding shape, the beads in addition to providing the functions hereinafter described also serving to increase the stiffness of the tongue strip.

In the manufacture of the case it will be understood that the

edge strips

4 and 4a will be cut to a length such that on bending they will provide the requisite peripheral configuration and dimensions of the case. After cutting the

edge strips

4 and 4a to length, a tongue strip 5 also cut to the appropriate length is assembled with the edge strip 4 by sliding its bead 16 into the channel 8 with the mouth of the channel engaging behind the shoulders 17 to provide a snug interlock between the

strips

4 and 5. The other edge strip 4a is then assembled with the

interlocking strips

4 and 5 so that the edge bead 18 of strip 5 is received in the divergent mouthed channel 13. The

strips

4, 4a, and 5 thus assembled are clamped together by means of suitable clamps 19. If it is desired that one edge of the case might be in the form of a shallow arc, the

clamp strips

4, 4a and 5 are first bowed as illustrated in FIG. 3. Subsequently these strips while still clamped are bent as at 20, FIG. 4, to form one corner of the case, as at 21, FIG. 5, to form 'a second corner of the case and as at 22 and 23, FIG. 6, to form the remaining corners of the case.

In the bending operation it willbe understood that the bending will proceed successively from bend to 23 while the strips are clamped with the bending of each successive bend being away from the previous bend as illustrated so that any tendency of the tongue strip 5 to elongate during the bending operation will be accomodated by the flow of the tongue strip in the

channels

8 and 13 relative to the

edge strips

4 and 4a,

outwardly of the bend. With this sequence there will be no crowding of the tongue strip between bends, that is no longitudinal compression of the tongue strip between bends. The above described bending sequence eliminates this longitudinal compression but it will be appreciated that so long as bending proceeds away from the previous bending, other bending sequences may be used.

By bending the

strips

4, 4a and 5 while in clamped relationship, the simultaneous bending of the strips provides precisely matched bends in the strips for the ultimate guarantee of accurate matching of the confronting edges of the case and the proper interfit of the case sections.

It has been discovered that by making a snug fit or interlock between the one strip 4 and the tongue strip 5, the bending operation itself through the distortion of the walls of the channel 8 relative to the tongue 5 particularly around the corners, causes an effective clamping of the tongue by the walls of the channel 8 and particularly by the lips 24 which become anchored in behind the bead shoulders 17 as particularly seen in FIG. 7.

In contrast the relatively free fit of the bead 18 in the channel 13 and the divergence of the channel 13 and the taper of the head 18 enables any distortions in the metal of the strip 4a under bending to be accomodated without an actual interlock being effected so that a snug accurate interfit between the bead l8 and the channel 13 is achieved on bending but the strip 4a is readily separable from the tongue 5.

Following the bending operation, the strips are then unclamped and the removal of the edge strip 4a from the now permanently interlocked

strips

4 and 5 releases the tongue strip 5 from any restraint and it has been found that the tongue strip elongates slightly on re lease.

After the strip 4a has been unclamped and removed, to free the

interlocked strips

4 and 5 to assume an unrestrained position, the strip 4a is again assembled with the

strips

4 and 5 and clamped in position.

Under the bending operation strip 4 elongates more than the edge strip 4a. This elongation appears to be caused by the fact that the metal of the strip 4 in the area of the channel 8 once it reaches the limit of compression of the tongue bead 16 is restrained from further deformation in a direction perpendicular to the tongue and as a result the metal in the strip flows along the tongue. On the other hand, because during the bending operation the divergent walls of the channel 13 can act on the tapered head 18 to expel the tongue from the channel there is not the same restriction to the deformation of the metal of the strip 4a in a direction perpendicular to the tongue and its elongation is therefore substantially less.

FIG. 8 illustrates the relative difference in the lengths of the

strips

4 and 4a so that a further step following the reclamping of the strip is to trim of? the strip 4 so that it matches the strip 4a and the strips can be closed as illustrated in FlG. 9. The ends of the strips 4 are then secured together by means of a joiner clip 25 secured by the rivets 26. The ends of the strip 4a are secured together by being riveted to one element 27 of one of the hinges generally designated at 2. Next the locking tongues 28 illustrated in FIG. 13 may be riveted in position and holes 29 drilled in the tongue strip 5 preparatory to securing the other element or arm 30 of the hinge 2 to the interlocked

strips

4 and 5. Also the necessary openings for the fasteners for the locks 31 illustrated in FIG. 11 may be formed in the tongue strip 5 while the strips are still clamped in assembled relation.

Next the strips are separated. The strips '4 and 5 now in effect constitute in the form of a generally rectilinear frame, the confronting edge 3 of one of the sections, and the strip 4a constitutes, again in the form of a generally rectilinear frame, the confronting edge 3a of the other section.

In order to give support for the hinges 2 a backing strip 32 is applied to the inside of the tongue strip 5 as illustrated in FIG. 11 and the hinge elements are fastened to the tongue strip 5 as reinforced by the backing strip 32 by means of suitable fasteners 33 passing through the tongue holes 29 and through the backin strip 32.

The walls of the sections 1 and la of the case are preferably formed of moulded plastic shells 34. These shells preferably having their insides surfaces coated with glue are assembled with each of the confronting edge frames 3 and 3a by stitching as illustrated in FIG. 12. In this Figure it will be seen that the shell 34 seats under the attaching leg 6 of the strip 4 and abuts behind the channel 8. Wire stapling or stitching indicated at 35 anchors the shell to the attaching legs 6. Similarly, the other shell is attached to the leg 6a of the strip 4a. The shells are then lined with the lining adhering to the glue-carrying inner surfaces of the shell and the requisite pockets 36, retaining straps 37, dividing curtain 38 with swivel locks 39, or other interior decor are added.

To cover the staples 35 and other fasteners such as 26 and 33, a wrap around strip 40 is mounted in each of the

channels

10, 10a formed in the outer face of the attaching

legs

6 and 6a respectively with the edges of the strip 40 being interlocked beneath the undercut edges 11 and 12 and 1 la and 12a as exemplified in FIG. 12.

The locks 31 may be conveniently mounted on the tongue strip portion 5 opposite to the hinges 2 and an appropriate lock cover plate 41 forming a handle mount applied and the handle 42 may then be attached in position.

It will be understood that the precise sequence of steps is not material to the invention and will depend upon the interior decor of the case and the manner of mounting the various hardware components within the case.

It will be understood that the manufacture of the case in accordance with the method disclosed will provide precisely matched bends at the

corners

20, 21, 22, and

23 which can only be achieved with high precision when the bending is carried out with the

strips

4, 4a and 5 in interlocked relation. It will also be understood that the actual operation of bending provides the interlock between the strip 4 and the strip 5 without requiring any, additional operation for attaching a tongue to one of the edge strips.

It is important that the tongue strip be a member separate from the edge strips 4 and 4a since it is extremely It will be understood that the method of manufacture leads to a case which has a more accurate closing action than previous cases which heretofore have not had precisely matched comers, or precisely interfitting members capable of providing an accurate fit completely matched around the case at all times.

It will be understood that the actual configuration of the case may be other than the simple rectilinear form illustrated and various modifications and alterations may be made in the section shapes of the strips and other details without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A luggage case comprising two opposed sections hinged together and having confronting edges adapted to interfit when the case is closed, the confronting edges of said sections having matched bends and a precisely registering interlock constituted by the product of simultaneously bending of an assembled pair of edge strips and a tongue strip, each of the edge strips having an attaching leg and a right angularly extending facing leg formed with a channel remote from said attaching leg, said strips being so assembled prior to bending so that said tongue strip has one edge snugly interfitted in one of said channels constituting a locking channel and the other edge is loosely interfitted in the other of said channels, whereupon the product of simultaneous bending produces an assembly whereby said tongue strip has one edge locked in said locking channel including around said matched bends and is substantially free of lengthwise compression between said bends, and the other edge of said tongue strip is fitted accurately into said other channel around said bends when the case is closed.

2. A luggage case as claimed in claim 1 in which said edge strips are formed of metal extrusions and said tongue strip is fonned of a stiff plastic having a measure strip permanently inter-locked in one of said channels and the other edge of said tongue strip releasably interfitting in the other of said channels when the case is closed; the edge of said tongue strip permanently interlocked in said one channel having a shouldered enlargement and the mouth of said latter channel being closed on said tongue strip behind the shoulder of said enlargement to lock said shouldered enlargement in said latter channel, the gripping of said tongue strip edge by said latter channel being the product of simultaneous bending of said tongue and edge strip and constituting the sole means of interlock; and means for 'releasably retaining said sections in closed relation. 4. A luggage case comprising two opposed sections hinged together and having confronting edges adapted to interfit when the case is closed;

by matched bent edge strips extending around said sections, each of said edge strips having a channel with said channels being disposed in spaced facing registration when the case is closed;

a tongue strip extending around the confronting edges of said sections with one edge of said tongue strip permanently inter-locked in one of said channels and the other edge of said tongue strip releasably interfitting in the other of said channels when the case is closed;

each of said edge strips comprising a peripherally extending attaching leg portion extending latterly away from the confronting edge of its respective section and a facing leg portion extending right angularly inwardly of said attaching leg portion to define a substantial depth to the confronting edge of its respective section;

and each said strip channel is formed in its respective facing leg portion adjacent to the inner edge thereof, said edge strips being formed as a metal extrusion and said tongue strip being formed of a relatively stiff plastic having a measure of resiliency.

and means for releasably retaining said sections in closed relation.

# 1- It s

Claims

2. A luggage case as claimed in claim 1 in which said edge strips are formed of metal extrusions and said tongue strip is formed of a stiff plastic having a measure of resiliency.

3. A luggage case comprising two opposed sections hinged togeTher and having confronting edges adapted to interfit when the case is closed; the confronting edges of said sections being formed by matched bent edge strips extending around said sections, each of said edge strips having a channel with said channels being disposed in spaced facing registration when the case is closed; a tongue strip extending around the confronting edges of said sections with one edge of said tongue strip permanently inter-locked in one of said channels and the other edge of said tongue strip releasably interfitting in the other of said channels when the case is closed; the edge of said tongue strip permanently interlocked in said one channel having a shouldered enlargement and the mouth of said latter channel being closed on said tongue strip behind the shoulder of said enlargement to lock said shouldered enlargement in said latter channel, the gripping of said tongue strip edge by said latter channel being the product of simultaneous bending of said tongue and edge strip and constituting the sole means of interlock; and means for releasably retaining said sections in closed relation.

4. A luggage case comprising two opposed sections hinged together and having confronting edges adapted to interfit when the case is closed; the confronting edges of said sections being formed by matched bent edge strips extending around said sections, each of said edge strips having a channel with said channels being disposed in spaced facing registration when the case is closed; a tongue strip extending around the confronting edges of said sections with one edge of said tongue strip permanently inter-locked in one of said channels and the other edge of said tongue strip releasably interfitting in the other of said channels when the case is closed; each of said edge strips comprising a peripherally extending attaching leg portion extending latterly away from the confronting edge of its respective section and a facing leg portion extending right angularly inwardly of said attaching leg portion to define a substantial depth to the confronting edge of its respective section; and each said strip channel is formed in its respective facing leg portion adjacent to the inner edge thereof, said edge strips being formed as a metal extrusion and said tongue strip being formed of a relatively stiff plastic having a measure of resiliency. and means for releasably retaining said sections in closed relation.