EP3413743B1 - Securing device designed to be mounted on a wheeled suitcase, and corresponding auxiliary hooking element - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to the field of suitcases, and more particularly that of suitcases provided with a plurality of rollers.

We know today many kinds of suitcases that can be used for traveling. Generally, a suitcase comprises several walls defining a space for placing the personal effects of the traveler there.

To make it easier to transport such a suitcase, it is known to incorporate rollers into the suitcase, for example on a side or front wall of the suitcase. Advantageously, such a suitcase can comprise a plurality of rollers, that is to say at least three, and preferably four, so that it can be moved without requiring an effort on the part of the user to tilt the suitcase or keep the inclination of the suitcase constant.

Although such an arrangement is advantageous for the traveler, it is however not entirely satisfactory for a traveler having to move a plurality of suitcases. In this case, the user, who needs one hand for each suitcase, can only move two suitcases at a time. This arrangement is even less satisfactory when the user must use one of his hands to grasp another object, such as a telephone.

In view of the above, there is a need to provide a means to allow a user to move a plurality of rolling suitcases as simply as possible. Such a means is known from the document DE 10 2013 103 043 A1 , which discloses a structure allowing two suitcases to be attached together.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is proposed a lashing device intended to be mounted on a wall of a wheeled suitcase, comprising a main hooking element capable of being fixed on an incorporated auxiliary hooking element to another suitcase, and an actuator lashing capable of detaching the main hooking element from the auxiliary hooking element, the lashing device comprising a hollow cylinder, means for fixing the hollow cylinder to a frame of the suitcase, the fixing means comprising a pivot connecting element ensuring the mechanical connection between a first end of the hollow cylinder and the fixing means, the main hooking element comprising a cylindrical projecting part integral with the hollow cylinder and extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction axial of the hollow cylinder, as well as a hooking element disposed inside the projecting cylindrical part, the hollow cylinder comprising, at a second end opposite the first end, a device for manual actuation of the pivoting of the hollow cylinder.

Thanks to such a securing device, it is possible for the user to move at least two suitcases provided with a plurality of rollers, as if he were only moving one. In addition, thanks to the detachment actuator, the suitcases can be assembled or disassembled without this requiring the user to do several actions or be forced to bend down, or even to go around the suitcase. This results in a more practical and ergonomic use for the user.

In one embodiment, the main hooking element comprises a projecting cylindrical part extending in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the bag.

Such a configuration comprising in particular a projecting cylindrical part allows the simple, intuitive and reliable assembly of at least two suitcases provided with a plurality of rollers.

It is also possible to provide means for retracting the cylindrical projecting part, said retracting means being capable of driving the cylindrical projecting part in rotation around the longitudinal direction of the bag.

Such an embodiment provided in particular with a retracting means is advantageous in that it makes it possible to prevent an increase in the dimensions of the bag, and therefore to cause additional bulk, when the securing device n is not used.

Advantageously, the hollow cylinder comprises at its second end a passage orifice provided to contain a guide pin for a telescopic handle of the bag.

Preferably, the detachment actuator comprises a stop capable of moving in translation in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylinder and inside the hollow cylinder, the projecting cylindrical part comprising a through hole intended to receive a hooking rod. of the auxiliary hooking element, the hooking element comprising a tongue with elastic bending behavior, fixed at one of its ends to the projecting cylindrical part and in contact at the other of its ends with the stop, said tongue comprising a portion forming a hook intended to cooperate with a recess made in the attachment rod.

According to another aspect, an auxiliary hooking element is designed to be incorporated into a suitcase on wheels, comprising means for fixing the auxiliary hooking element to a wall of the bag, and hooking means provided for be fixed to a main fastening element of a lashing device incorporated in another suitcase, the latching means comprising a cylindrical housing intended to receive a projecting cylindrical part of the lashing device, the fixing means making it possible to fix the auxiliary fastening element so that the axial direction of the cylindrical housing is perpendicular to the plane of the wall of the case, the fastening means further comprising a fastening rod extending to the inside the cylindrical housing and parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical housing, the hooking rod further comprising a recess capable of cooperating with a hooking element provided inside a part e cylindrical projecting from the securing device.

According to yet another aspect, a suitcase on wheels is proposed, comprising a front wall and a rear wall both extending opposite one another, and a securing device as defined above and / or an auxiliary hooking element as defined above.

Advantageously, such a suitcase comprises on its rear wall a securing device as described above and on its front wall an auxiliary hooking element as described above. This arrangement is particularly advantageous in that it makes it possible to place the de-stowage device near a handle of the suitcase, the handle of the suitcase generally being located on an upper wall near the rear wall. This results in even more practical handling of the bag and of the securing device for the user.

In a preferred embodiment, the ground clearance, that is to say the distance between the plane containing the points of contact with the ground of the rollers, and the main attachment element and / or the element d 'auxiliary attachment is substantially the same, and preferably between 15 cm and 35 cm, and preferably between 20 cm and 27 cm.

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématique en perspective de deux valises équipées chacune d'un dispositif d'arrimage et d'un élément d'accrochage auxiliaire selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une représentation éclatée en perspective de l'un des dispositifs d'arrimage et de l'un des éléments d'accrochage auxiliaire représentés sur la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue en coupe du dispositif d'arrimage et de l'élément d'accrochage auxiliaire de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue de derrière de l'une des valises représentées sur la figure 1, et
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique de profil d'une valise selon un second mode de réalisation de l'invention.

Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will become apparent on examining the detailed description of nonlimiting embodiments of the invention, and the appended drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 represents a schematic perspective view of two suitcases each equipped with a securing device and an auxiliary hooking element according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of one of the securing devices and one of the auxiliary fastening elements shown on the figure 1 ,
• the figure 3 is a sectional view of the securing device and of the auxiliary hooking element of the figure 2 ,
• the figure 4 is a back view of one of the suitcases depicted on the figure 1 , and
• the figure 5 is a schematic profile view of a suitcase according to a second embodiment of the invention.

On the figure 1 , two cases 2 and 4 have been shown, each comprising an upper wall 6, a rear wall 8, two side walls 10, a front wall (not visible) and a lower wall 11.

Each of the cases 2 and 4 comprises four rollers 12, distributed and fixed to the four corners of the lower wall 11. More particularly, each of the rollers 12 is capable of pivoting, relative to the lower wall 11, around its own axis of cylindricity . Advantageously, the rollers 12 are further able to pivot, relative to the lower wall 11, about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the wall 11. This results in the possibility of moving the suitcase in translation along n any horizontal direction, and rotating around the longitudinal axis of the suitcase.

The rollers 12 are intended to rest on the ground according to a point contact, at the end point located farthest from the bottom wall 11. When the rollers rest on a flat and horizontal ground, the longitudinal axis of the suitcases 2 and 4 coincides with the vertical axis. Of course, it is conceivable, without departing from the scope of the invention, that the rollers 12 are fixed on a lower part of the front wall, of the rear wall 8 or of one of the side walls 10, or even at any element located inside these walls, it being understood that said lower part is located near the lower wall 11.

Each of the suitcases 2 and 4 comprises a frame, a frame element 14 of which is shown in the figure 1 . The frame member 14 corresponds to a beam portion of a metal frame of the suitcase, said beam portion being located at the edge between the rear wall 8 and the bottom wall 11. In addition, each of the suitcases 2 and 4 includes a removable handle 16 (cf. figure 4 ), integral with two handle pins 18. The handle 16 can be inserted into a handle base 20, provided at the edge between the upper wall 6 and the rear wall 8.

As can be seen on the figure 1 , the case 2 is here of dimensions larger than those of the case 4. In particular, the case 4 is reduced in its longitudinal direction relative to the case 2. In other words, the front wall, the rear wall 8 and the side walls 10 have been reduced along their length.

The suitcase 2 comprises a securing device 22 mounted on its rear wall 8. Likewise, the suitcase 4 comprises a securing device 24 mounted on its rear wall 8. The cases 2 and 4 each include an auxiliary hooking element 26 mounted on their front wall.

With reference to figures 2 and 3 , it is shown respectively in exploded view and in section of the securing device 22.

The securing device 22 consists in particular of a hollow cylinder 28, of oblong shape, of circular section and comprising a first end 30 and a second end 32. The hollow cylinder 28 has a radial protuberance 34, hollow and of circular section . The radial protrusion 34 extends in the radial direction of the cylinder 28. The hollow cylinder 28 is preferably made in one piece, is made of a light material, such as aluminum, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) ) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS).

The securing device comprises a main hooking element comprising a projecting cylindrical part 36 disposed inside the radial projection 34. In the present application, the main hooking element is defined as being the internal volume of the radial protrusion 34 and the components of the securing device which are located inside this volume. The projecting cylindrical part 36 is preferably made of a material containing plastic. The cylindrical part 36 comprises an orifice 38, of rectangular section, opening into a recess 40 (cf. figure 3 ).

At the first end 30 of the hollow cylinder 28, the securing device 22 comprises a fixing end piece 42, provided in order to fix said first end 30 to the reinforcing element 14. for this purpose, the fixing end piece 42 includes a lower end in which a through hole 44 is made, provided for the passage of the reinforcing element 14. The fixing means 42 comprises an upper outer ring 46, delimiting a cylindrical orifice .

The securing device 22 comprises a pivot connection element 48, comprising an upper part 50. The upper part 50 allows the attachment of the hollow cylinder 28 with the element 48. In contrast, the element 48 comprises a portion lower forming an inner ring 52 which can be inserted inside the cylindrical orifice delimited by the outer ring 46. The element 48 and the outer ring 46 are preferably formed from a material having a low coefficient of friction, such as copper. In this way, the hollow cylinder 28 is capable of pivoting about its own axis of cylindricity, relative to the fixing end piece 42. The hollow cylinder 28 and its radial protuberance 34 are thus able to pivot around the axis of the cylinder 28, compared to suitcase 2.

The pivot connection element 48 further comprises a stop element 54 (cf. figure 2 ), by means of which the rotation of the cylinder 28 about its axis is limited to 90 °. More particularly, the abutment element 54 is arranged so as to allow the hollow cylinder 28 and the radial protrusion 34 to pivot, only, between an extended position, in which the radial protrusion 34 is perpendicular to the plane of the wall 8, and a retracted position, in which the radial projection 34 is oriented in a direction parallel to the plane of the rear wall 8.

At the second end 32, the securing device 22 comprises a device for manually actuating the pivoting of the cylinder 28. The device for actuating the pivoting comprises a thumb wheel 56, integral with the cylinder 28. A user can thus, by manually manipulating the said wheel 56, driving the pivoting of the cylinder 28, relative to the fixing means 42.

Still at the end 32, the lashing device 22 comprises a lashing actuator in particular consisting of a push button 58, inserted in an orifice cylindrical 60 formed inside the wheel 56. The push button 58 is connected, by means of a compression spring 62, to a spring stop 64 secured to the cylinder 28. The push button 58 comprises a axial projecting end 66, surrounded by the spring 62, and defining an internal bore provided for receiving a cylindrical detachment rod 68. The axial projecting end 66 is long enough to be able to come into contact against a front surface of the spring stopper 64. In this way, a user who presses the push button 58 firstly feels a first sensation of return progressively increasing due to the compression of the spring and, in a second step, a second sensation of much more intense return, resulting from the surface contact between the axial projecting element 66 and the front surface of the stop 64.

The rod 68 extends, from the push button 58, inside the hollow cylinder 28 and parallel to the axial direction of said cylinder 28. The rod 68 is integral, at its end opposite to that in contact with the button 58 , a lashing stop 70. The lashing stop 70 is located inside the hollow cylinder 28, able to move in translation relative to the axial direction of said cylinder 28 and located substantially at the level of the radial protrusion 34 (cf. figure 3 ).

The securing device 22 comprises a hooking element, in particular consisting of a tongue 72 (cf. figure 3 ). The tongue 72 is made of a metallic material with elastic behavior in bending, such as steel. The tongue 72 is oriented, so that its longitudinal direction is parallel to the radial direction of the hollow cylinder 28. Preferably, the tongue 72 has a width of between 1 cm and 2 cm.

As visible on the figure 3 , the tongue 72 comprises (from right to left on the figure 3 ) a first portion 74 thermoformed in the plastic material constituting the projecting cylindrical part 36; a second portion 76 forming a spring in flexion; a third portion 78 forming a hook; and a fourth portion 80 fixed to the detachment stop 70.

The second portion 76 and the third portion 78 of the tongue 72 are contained inside the recess 40. The tongue 72 is shown in its position of equilibrium on the figure 3 .

He is also represented on the figures 2 and 3 an auxiliary hooking element 26 according to one aspect of the invention.

The auxiliary hooking element 26 comprises fixing means, in particular consisting of a plate 82. The plate 82 makes it possible to fix said hooking element 26 on the front wall or the rear wall 8 of the rolling suitcase 2 or 4.

The auxiliary fastening element 26 is also provided with fastening means intended to cooperate with the main fastening element of the securing device 22, that is to say with the axial projection 34 and this it contains. The attachment means comprise a cylindrical tube 84 extending in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the plate 82. The cylindrical tube 84 defines a cylindrical housing 86 capable of receiving the radial projection 34 and the projecting cylindrical part 36. L 'stop between the cylindrical housing 86 and the plate 82 may include a chamfer and / or a rounded 88 (cf. figure 3 ), so as to more easily accommodate the radial projection 34 and the cylindrical part 36.

The attachment means further comprises an attachment rod 90 (cf. figure 3 ), of circular section and of length substantially equal to the length of the cylindrical tube 84. However, it is not going beyond the scope of the invention to use a hooking rod of different section, such as for example a square, oval or still rectangular. The attachment rod 90 comprises a first end 91 embedded or thermoformed in the material constituting the cylindrical tube 84. Except for the part adjacent to the end 91, the attachment rod 90 is shaped so that it can be inserted inside the orifice 38 opening from the projecting cylindrical part 36. The hooking rod 90 comprises a beveled end 92, opposite to the end 91. The hooking rod 90 comprises a recess 93, adjacent to the bevelled end and designed to cooperate with the hook portion 78 of the tongue 72. To do this, the recess 93 is of complementary shape to that of the hook part 78, that is to say with a surface oriented perpendicular to the axial direction of the rod 90 and an oblique surface.

The securing device 24 shown in the figure 1 is similar to the securing device 22, and will not be explained in as much detail as the securing device 22. The securing device 24, however, differs from the securing device 22, in that, for the securing device 24, the length of the hollow cylinder 28 is shorter than for the securing device 22. It is the same for the length of the rod 68. More particularly, it is the length of the portion of the cylinder 28, between the radial projection 34 and the second end 32 which is weaker in the securing device 24, the portion between the first end 30 and the projection 34 being of the same length for the two devices.

In this way, for each of the securing devices 22 and 24, the main fastening elements, constituted in particular by the radial projection 34 and the projecting cylindrical part 36, are located substantially at the same ground clearance Δ ( cf. figure 4 ). In other words, when the suitcases 2 and 4 are arranged so that the rollers 12 all rest on the ground, as shown in figure 4 , the main fastening elements are located at the same distance Δ from the plane formed by the ground. Likewise, the auxiliary hooking elements 26 are respectively fixed on the suitcases 2 and 4, so as to have the same ground clearance Δ as the main hooking elements of the devices 22 and 24. Preferably, the ground clearance Δ is between 15 cm and 35 cm. Even more advantageously, the ground clearance Δ is between 20 cm and 27 cm, and preferably between 21 cm and 23 cm.

With reference to the figure 4 , it is shown in view from behind the suitcase 2. In this schematic view, the part of the device stowage 22 hidden by the rear wall 8 has been shown in dotted lines.

The rear wall 8 comprises a housing 94, of substantially rectangular shape and formed at the same height as the radial projection 34. More particularly, the housing 94 is shaped so as to be able to accommodate the radial projection 34, when the hollow cylinder 28 is swiveled a quarter turn to its retracted position. The housing 94 is shaped so that, when the cylinder 28 is oriented in its extended position, the radial protrusion 34 extends projecting outwardly relative to the surface of the rear wall 8, and that , when the cylinder 28 is oriented in its retracted position, the radial projection 34 is entirely contained in the housing 94.

In this way, the securing devices 22 and 24, in cooperation with the auxiliary hooking element 26, make it possible to make the suitcases 2 and 4, as well as any other suitcase on wheels comprising a securing device and / or an auxiliary hooking element as described above. A user can then move the assembly consisting of several rolling suitcases by means of one hand.

In addition, the fixing is carried out in a simple manner, by snap-fastening of the bending spring formed by the tongue 72 in the recess 92. Such a fixing also has the advantage of being solid.

By means of the detaching actuator, the user can easily, by simply pressing the push-button 58, disengage the hook portion 78 of the recess 93, so as to separate the two suitcases.

As a result, the user can fasten or separate several suitcases in a simple manner, and in particular without having to bend down or go around one of the suitcases.

Thanks to the fact that, in each case, and independently of the dimensions of the bag, the main or auxiliary fastening element is arranged at the same ground clearance, it is possible to assemble between they suitcases of different sizes and / or models, while guaranteeing reliable fixing and good stability of the assembly. A ground clearance value between 20 cm and 27 cm makes it possible to be able to assemble suitcases of very different dimensions, while ensuring good stability.

Thanks to the element forming the pivot link 48 and the wheel 56, there is provided a means for retracting the radial projection 34 and the projecting cylindrical part 36. The invention then generates a limited size, a suitcase according to the invention having no more bulk, when the radial projection 34 is in its retracted position, than a conventional suitcase. It also avoids possible damage to elements of the bag, such as during transport in the hold of the bag.

Furthermore, without departing from the scope of the invention, it is conceivable that the suitcase has a different number of rollers. For example, such a suitcase may have three rollers, advantageously arranged in a triangular arrangement, or five rollers, or more. In the present application, the term “a plurality of casters” means that the number of casters must be at least three.

He is represented on the figure 5 a suitcase 102 according to a second embodiment of the invention. Identical elements have the same references.

As shown in the figure 5 , the suitcase 102 differs from the suitcase 2, in that it comprises a telescopic handle 104 secured to a single guide pin 106.

The securing device 22 comprises a push button 108 and a thumb wheel 110 disposed respectively in place of the push button 58 and the thumb wheel 56. An orifice (not shown) is provided in the parts 108 and 110 for the passage of the spindle 106. For this purpose, the width of the push button 108 is greater than the width of the push button 58.

In this way, the pin 106 of the handle 104 can be slidably mounted inside the push button 108 and the dial 110, which further saves space and saves money.

Claims (8)

1. Securing device (22, 24) designed to be mounted on a wall (8) of a suitcase (2, 4, 102) with wheels (12), comprising a main attachment element capable of being fixed onto an auxiliary attachment element (26) incorporated in another suitcase (2, 4), and a releasing actuator capable of releasing the main attachment element from the auxiliary attachment element (26), the securing device (22,24) comprising a hollow cylinder (28), means (42) for fixing the hollow cylinder (28) onto a frame (14) of the suitcase (2, 4), the means (42) for fixing comprising a pivot link element (48) ensuring the mechanical link between a first end (30) of the hollow cylinder (28) and the means for fixing (42), the main attachment element comprising a protruding cylindrical part (36) secured to the hollow cylinder (28) and extending in a direction at right angles to the axial direction of the hollow cylinder (28), and a hooking element arranged inside the protruding cylindrical part (36), the hollow cylinder (28) comprising, at a second end (32) opposite the first end (30), a device for manually actuating the pivoting of the hollow cylinder (28) .
2. Securing device (22, 24) according to the preceding claim, in which the main attachment element comprises a protruding cylindrical part (36) extending in a direction at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the suitcase (2, 4, 102).
3. Securing device (22, 24) according to the preceding claim, comprising a means for retracting the protruding cylindrical part (36), said means for retracting being capable of driving the protruding cylindrical part (36) in rotation about the longitudinal direction of the suitcase.
4. Securing device (22) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the hollow cylinder (28) comprises, at its second end (32), a through orifice provided to contain a guiding pin (106) of a telescopic handle (104) of the suitcase (102).
5. Securing device (22, 24) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the releasing actuator comprises an abutment (70) capable of being moved in translation in the longitudinal direction of the hollow cylinder (28) and inside the hollow cylinder (28), the protruding cylindrical part (36) comprising an open orifice (38) intended to receive an attachment rod (90) of the auxiliary attachment element (26), the hooking element comprising a tongue (72) with flexural elastic behaviour, fixed at one of its ends (74) to the protruding cylindrical part (36) and in contact, at the other of its ends (80) with the abutment (70), said tongue (72) comprising a hook-forming portion (78) intended to cooperate with a recess (93) formed in the attachment rod (90).
6. Auxiliary attachment element (26) designed to be incorporated in a suitcase (2, 4) with wheels (12), comprising means (82) for fixing the auxiliary attachment element onto a wall (8) of the suitcase (2, 4), and attachment means designed to be fixed to a main attachment element of a securing device (22, 24) incorporated in another suitcase (2, 4), the attachment means comprising a cylindrical housing (86) intended to receive a protruding cylindrical part (36) of the securing device (22, 24), the means (82) for fixing making it possible to fix the auxiliary attachment element (26) such that the axial direction of the cylindrical housing (86) is at right angles to the plane of the wall (8) of the suitcase (2, 4), the attachment means further comprising an attachment rod (90) extending inside the cylindrical housing (86) and parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical housing (86), the attachment rod (90) further comprising a recess (93) capable of cooperating with a hooking element provided inside a protruding cylindrical part (36) of the securing device (22, 24).
7. Suitcase (2, 4, 102) with wheels comprising a front wall and a rear wall (8) both extending facing one another, said suitcase comprising a securing device (22, 24) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 and/or an auxiliary attachment element (26) according to Claim 6.
8. Suitcase (2, 4, 102) according to Claim 7, in which the distance (Δ) between the plane containing the points of contact with the ground of the wheels (12), and the main attachment element and/or the auxiliary attachment element (26) is substantially the same, and preferably between 15 cm and 35 cm, and preferably between 20 cm and 27 cm.

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