GB2615508A

GB2615508A - Luggage apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2615508A
Application number: GB2115812.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edwards Robert
Original assignee: Redwards Consultants Ltd
Current assignee: Redwards Consultants Ltd
Priority date: 2021-11-03
Filing date: 2021-11-03
Publication date: 2023-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 2041-11-03
Also published as: GB2615508B; GB202115812D0

Abstract

Luggage apparatus comprises a luggage receiving section 16 and a cover 18 moveable between first and second positions in which it respectively precludes and enables access to the luggage receiving section. The apparatus includes a sheet of flexible foldable material 20, acting as a gusset, connected to and extending between each side edge of the cover and the luggage receiving section. Each sheet is supported by or threaded onto a drawstring 24 which extends between the cover and to the luggage receiving section of the luggage apparatus. The drawstring is tensioned by a tensioning apparatus. The dimensions of each said sheet are sufficient to enable the cover to move between a first position in which the luggage receiving section is closed by the cover and the sheets of flexible material are retained within the luggage apparatus, and a second open position in which the luggage receiving section is open and the sheets of flexible material extend along the full height of the luggage receiving section to assist in retention of items with the luggage.

Description

LUGGAGE APPARATUS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to luggage apparatus. The term "luggage apparatus" as used herein includes suitcases, rucksacks, backpacks and other travel related items for retaining personal 10 and other items when travelling.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When opening presently available packed luggage apparatus such as a suitcase or rucksack to insert further items or when searching for an already packed item, there is a strong possibility that other items already present in the apparatus will be inadvertently discharged or become dishevelled, creased or crushed as other items are added or as the search progresses. In the latter case, the alternative is to unpack the luggage to locate the required item or items and then repack the luggage. To do so is not, of course, always possible particularly when no suitable resting surface is available.

For rucksacks and like items it has been proposed to provide a large zipped opening for loading and removing items into and from the item; however, this proposal has achieved only limited success and fails effectively to address the problems referred to above.

The present invention sets out to provide luggage apparatus which overcomes or at least alleviates these and other problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention provides luggage apparatus which comprises a luggage receiving section closable by a cover moveable between first and second positions in which it respectively precludes and enables access to the luggage receiving section, and sheets of flexible material connected to and extending between opposed side edges of the cover and the luggage receiving section, the dimensions of each said sheet being sufficient to enable the cover to move between a first position in which the luggage receiving section is closed by the cover and the sheets of flexible material are retained within the luggage apparatus, and a second open position in which the luggage receiving section is open and the sheets of flexible material extend along the full height of the luggage receiving section and define side walls to assist retention of items of luggage within the luggage receiving section.

In a second aspect the invention provides luggage apparatus having an open-topped section for receiving and retaining luggage items and a cover which is secured to one side of the open-topped section and is pivotable or movable relative thereto selectively to provide access to and closure of said open-topped section, and two sheets of flexible material each having a first side which extends along and is attached to one side of the luggage receiving section, and a second side which extends along and is attached to one side of the cover, the dimensions of each sheet being sufficient to enable the cover to move between a first closed position in which it prevents access to the open topped section and a second open position in which it enables such access, the arrangement being such that when the cover is in its open position the foldable sheets define side walls which retain already packed items of luggage within the apparatus.

Each sheet of foldable material is preferably generally triangular in shape with its side edge (that is to say its edge which is neither attached to a side of the open topped section nor to the cover) free to fold as the cover is moved between its open and closed positions, and vice versa.

Preferably, each such side edge of the foldable material is supported by or threaded onto a drawstring which extends between tensioning apparatus secured to the cover and to the open topped section of the luggage apparatus thereby to cause each draw string apparatus to remain taut as the cover is moved relative to the body.

Preferably, locking means is provided to retain each drawstring in any given position.

The tensioning means may comprise a spring pivot or a ratchet device located on a selected surface of the luggage apparatus, the tensioning means operating automatically or on demand to maintain each draw string taut. The selected surface is preferably an external surface and may comprise one or both side surfaces of the open-topped section, or the rear or underside of this section.

In a preferred arrangement, the end of the drawstring remote from the foldable sheets is wound onto a rotatable pulley which is preferably tensioned to maintain each drawstring taut. The rotatable pulley may be operated manually or automatically.

Each sheet may comprise an elasticated and/or stretchable material and/or may, for example, be produced from a fabric, netting, sailcloth or indeed any similar flexible material able to fold and/or flex during use. The selected sheet material may be waterproofed.

In one arrangement, the luggage apparatus comprises a suitcase.

In another arrangement, the luggage apparatus comprises a rucksack.

When travelling it is often required or useful to be aware of 10 the weight of individual luggage items. In a second aspect, the invention provides luggage apparatus which includes means for recording and displaying the weight of luggage items.

In this aspect the invention provides luggage apparatus mounted on casters or wheels for ease of manoeuvrability, the apparatus including means for recording and displaying the weight of the apparatus positioned between at least one caster or wheel and the surface of the luggage apparatus immediately above said caster or wheel.

The weight recording and displaying apparatus preferably forms part of the luggage apparatus described above.

In a further aspect the invention provides luggage apparatus having an open-topped section for receiving and retaining luggage items and a cover which is secured to one side of the open-topped section and is pivotable or movable relative thereto selectively to provide access to said open-topped section and closure of said section, and two sheets of flexible material each having a first edge which extends along and is attached to one side of the luggage receiving section, and a second edge which extends along and is attached to one side of the cover, the width of each sheet being sufficient to enable the cover to move between a first position in which it prevents access to the

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open topped section and a second position in which it enables such access, the arrangement being such that when the apparatus is open the foldable sheets define side walls which retain already packed items of luggage within the apparatus, and wherein the luggage apparatus is mounted on casters or wheels for ease of manoeuvrability, the apparatus including means for recording the weight of the apparatus positioned between at least one caster or wheel and the surface of the luggage apparatus immediately above said caster or wheel.

The recorded weight may be displayed visually at any suitable location on the luggage apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a side view of a luggage item in accordance with the invention in the form of a suitcase; Figures 2 and 3 are respectively a plan view from below and an end view of the suitcase illustrated in Figure 1; Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate alternative locking mechanisms for use with luggage items in accordance with the invention; Figure 7 is a side view of the underside of a luggage item which 30 includes a weighing device; and Figures 8 and 9 are respectively isometric and side views of a luggage item in accordance with the invention in the form of a rucksack or back pack (referred to below as a "rucksack").

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The luggage item illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 comprises a 5 suitcase having a base 10, front and rear walls 12, 14 respectively, side walls 16 and a lid 18 connected through hinges or the like to the upper rim of the rear wall 14. As shown in Figure 1, when open, each side of the suitcase above the respective side wall 16 is defined by a generally triangular 10 sheet 20 of foldable material whose edge remote from the lid 18 is supported by a drawstring 24. Thus, the sheets 20 define extended side walls of the suitcase.

As illustrated the sheets 20 are produced from a fabric such as cotton or like material. Alternatively, they may comprise a sheet of netting, or indeed a sheet of any foldable material able to resist sideways movements of the contents of the suitcase when open.

As shown, the uppermost edge of each sheet 20 is defined by an elongate loop 26 which extends between the lid 18 and the front wall 12 of the suitcase and through which the drawstring 24 passes. Thus, when the case is open or partially open, the sheets 20 define extended side walls of the suitcase.

Each drawstring 24 comprises a continuous loop of suitable cord which extends between real and slide mechanisms 32, 34 located the base 10 to fixing points 30 located on the lid 18. The drawstrings pass through a fixing 28 located on the front wall 12 and pass along the front wall 14 to the side walls 16 and then through the loops 26 before being retained in the fixing points 30.

Thus, the drawstrings 24 extend one along each side of the case to support the sheets 20.

Each cord may be elasticated to ensure that it remains taut when 5 the suitcase is open or partially open.

As shown, elongate supports 35 extend between each drawstring 24 and the respective side wall 16. These supports define fold points for the sheets 20 and may comprise ribs of reinforced material which lie alongside the respective wall 16 when the lid is closed.

In a further embodiment, no such fold points or supports are provided.

In this embodiment, the drawstrings comprise a single length of cord.

Alternatively, separate lengths of cord may be provided, one of which extends along one side of the suitcase between the reel mechanism and the slide mechanism, and the other extending along the other side of the suitcase again between the reel and slide mechanisms.

As shown, the slide mechanism 32 and sleeve are located on the upper face of the base. Alternatively, they may be located on the lower exposed face of the base.

Spring pivots 36 are provided between the lid 18 and the body 30 of the suitcase to bias and retain the lid in its open position thereby to apply tension to the drawstrings and the sheets 20.

Alternative slide mechanisms are illustrated in Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings.

The locking mechanism illustrated in Figure 4 comprises a spring clip 40 which includes a central push button 42 operable selectively to close the clip to lock the drawstring in a required position, and to open the lock to enable the drawstring to move relative to the clip 40.

The locking mechanism illustrated in Figure 5 comprises a cam cleat 44 including a toggle switch 46 movable between positions 10 in which the drawstring is selectively locked or released.

The locking mechanism illustrated in Figure 6 comprises a ratchet pulley locking mechanism 48 which operates in much the same way as the mechanisms illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.

A weighing mechanism 50 for recording the weight of the illustrated luggage apparatus is illustrated in Figure 7. As shown, the weighing mechanism 50 is positioned between one or each wheel 52 of a suitcase or other item and the body of the suitcase supported by the wheels. A display of the recorded weight (not shown) is provided to alert the user to the recorded weight.

The mechanism is protected by a cover 54, although such a cover may not be required.

A backpack in accordance with the invention is illustrated in Figures 7 and 8.

The illustrated rucksack conventionally includes a rear wall 60 including shoulder straps 62 for ease of carrying and a cover 64 secured at its base to the rear wall. Some form of fastening device is provided to enable the cover 64 to be secured to the rear wall 60 when the rucksack is to be closed. This may comprise a zip fastener, a series of ties or indeed any device or mechanism able to close off the rucksack interior.

The sides of the cover 64 are connected to the rear wall 60 by triangular sheets of foldable material 66 similar to the triangular sheets 20 described previously. As shown, the sheets 66 include ribs 68 similar to the ribs 35 illustrated in Figure 1.

The uppermost edge of each sheet 66 is defined by an elongate loop 68 which extends between the rear wall 60 and the front wall 64. A cover 70 may be provided.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing is merely exemplary 15 of luggage items in accordance with the invention and that modifications can readily be made without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Luggage apparatus which comprises a luggage receiving section and a cover moveable between first and second positions in which it respectively precludes and enables access to the luggage receiving section, said apparatus including a sheet of flexible foldable material connected to and extending between each side edge of the cover and the luggage receiving section, each said sheet being supported by or threaded onto a drawstring which extends between tensioning apparatus secured to the cover and to the luggage receiving section of the luggage apparatus, the dimensions of each said sheet being sufficient to enable the cover to move between a first position in which the luggage receiving section is closed by the cover and the sheets of flexible material are retained within the luggage apparatus, and a second open position in which the luggage receiving section is open and the sheets of flexible material extend along the full height of the luggage receiving section and define side walls to assist retention of items of luggage within the luggage receiving section.
2. Luggage apparatus having an open-topped section for receiving and retaining luggage items and a lid or cover which is secured to one side to the open-topped section and is pi votable or movable relative thereto selectively to provide access to and closure of said open-topped section, and two sheets of flexible material each having a first side which extends along and is attached to one side of the luggage receiving section, and a second side which extends along and is attached to one side of the lid or cover, each sheet being supported by a drawstring which extends between tensioning apparatus secured to the lid or cover and the open topped section of the apparatus, the dimensions of each sheet being sufficient to enable the lid or cover to move between a first closed position in which it prevents access to the open topped section and a second open position in which it enables such access, the arrangement being such that when the lid or cover is in its open position the foldable sheets define side walls which retain already packed items of luggage within the apparatus.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein each sheet of foldable material is generally triangular in shape with its side edge that is to say its edge which is neither attached to a side of the open topped section nor to the lid or cover free to fold as the lid or cover is moved between its open and closed positions, and vice versa.
4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein locking means is provided to retain each drawstring in any given position.
5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the locking means comprises a ratchet device located on a selected surface of the luggage apparatus, the locking means operating automatically or on demand to maintain each draw string taut.
6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein the selected surface comprises one or both side surfaces of the open-topped section, or the rear or underside of this section.
7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the end of the drawstring remote from the foldable sheets is wound onto a rotatable pulley which is tensioned to maintain each drawstring taut.
8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each foldable sheet comprises an elasticated and/or stretchable material.
9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein each foldable sheet is produced from a fabric, netting, sail cloth or other material able to fold and/or flex during use.
10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the selected sheet material is waterproofed.
11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the luggage apparatus comprises a suitcase.
12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein the lid of the suitcase is spring loaded to ensure that the drawstrings are consistently under tension when the lid is open or partially open.
13. Luggage apparatus having an open-topped section for receiving and retaining luggage items and a lid or cover which is secured to one side of the open-topped section and is pivotable or movable relative thereto selectively to provide access to said open-topped section and closure of said section, two sheets of flexible material each having a first edge which extends along and is attached to one side of the luggage receiving section and a second edge which is supported by or threaded on a drawstring which extends between tensioning means secured to the lid or cover and to the open topped section of the apparatus, the width of each sheet being sufficient to enable the lid or cover to move between a first position in which it prevents access to the open topped section and a second position in which it enables such access, the arrangement being such that when the apparatus is open the foldable sheets define side walls which retain already packed items of luggage within the apparatus, and which, when the apparatus is closed, are stored within the apparatus, and wherein the luggage apparatus is mounted on casters or wheels for ease of manoeuvrability, the apparatus including means for recording and displaying the weight of the apparatus positioned between at least one caster or wheel and the surface of the luggage apparatus immediately above said caster or wheel.
14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13 including means for recording and displaying the weight of luggage apparatus.
15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 including means for recording and displaying the weight of the apparatus positioned between at least one caster or wheel of the apparatus and the surface of the luggage apparatus immediately above said caster or wheel.