EP0120769B1 - Frame for a soft case, and soft cases using such a frame - Google Patents

Abstract

A frame for a flexible suitcase comprises a single closed moulding of substantially rectangular longitudinal section, having an upper edge, a lower edge and two side edges interconnecting said upper and lower edges. The moulding is manufactured in a single pressure moulding operation from a synthetic material and is provided with a groove open towards the outside. Accessory supports are moulded in one piece with the aforementioned moulding.

Description

The present invention relates to a frame for a flexible suitcase and flexible suitcases using such a frame.

Known flexible suitcases use a support frame on which is stretched a flexible envelope of canvas, fabric, leather, etc. The frames of these known cases are made of metal, such as steel or aluminum or magnesium alloy, plywood, cardboard, synthetic material, etc. They are interrupted or continuous and may contain different materials connected to each other in various ways.

The frames for known flexible cases are of high rigidity to ensure the mechanical strength of the luggage which cannot be provided by the flexible covering.

An example of such a flexible suitcase is given by document FR-A-2 115 635 which describes a suitcase made up of a rigid frame carrying a flexible covering. The frame can be in one piece molded or made by assembling suitable elements and has at least one recessed edge intended to allow access to the interior of the suitcase without fully opening it.

Document DE-A-2 008 992 describes a suitcase with rigid or flexible walls comprising a chassis made of rigid material supporting the walls, the chassis being made of light metal or of hard synthetic material and comprising peripheral stiffening ribs.

The present invention aims to obtain by a known method of injecting a synthetic material ensuring economical manufacture, a one-piece frame for a flexible suitcase which is both mechanically resistant and flexible, which is light while being suitable for receiving a coating flexible and accessories. This object is achieved, in accordance with the invention, thanks to a flexible frame for flexible suitcase constituted by a closed monobloc piece injected in synthetic material with a substantially rectangular longitudinal section, with an upper edge and a lower edge connected by two lateral edges, characterized by the fact that said part is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal mean plane of a groove open towards the outside, that at least one of its lateral edges comprises transverse narrowing recesses providing a narrowed central strip, and that it includes accessories supports coming from molding with said part.

There is thus obtained, by a single operation, a continuous monobloc frame whose mechanical resistance can be determined by the characteristics of the molded material, its thickness, the formation of stiffening members, and which comprises the accessories supports without reduction of resistance. In addition, the frame according to the invention can be considerably reduced, compared to known frames, thanks to the characteristics of the materials used, to the shapes which are given to them. The resulting suitcase is further lightened thanks to the fact that the inner face of the frame can have an excellent appearance and the desired color so that it is not necessary to garnish this inner face as in known suitcases. All of these advantages also translate into significant savings in materials and labor.

• La figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'un cadre selon un exemple de réalisation de l'invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue en élévation de face du cadre de la figure 1.
• La figure 3 est une vue de dessus du cadre des figures 1 et 2.
• La figure 4 est une vue de dessous du cadre des figures 1 à 3.
• La figure 5 est une vue én élévation latérale du cadre des figures 1 à 4.
• La figure 6 est une autre vue en élévation latérale du cadre des figures 1 à 5.
• La figure 7 est une vue en coupe partielle selon la ligne VII-VII de la figure 5.
• Les figures 8, 9 et 10 sont des vues en coupe partielle respectivement selon les lignes VIII-VIII, IX-IX et X-X de la figure 3.
• La figure 11 est une vue en coupe partielle selon la ligne XI-XI de la figure 6.
• Les figures 12 et 13 sont des vues en coupe partielle respectivement selon les lignes XII-XII et XIII-XIII la figure 4.
• La figure 14 est une vue en coupe partielle selon la ligne XIV-XIV de la figure 6.

The invention will be clearly understood on reading the following description made with reference to the appended drawing in which:

• Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a frame according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the frame of FIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a top view of the frame of FIGS. 1 and 2.
• FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the frame of FIGS. 1 to 3.
• FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the frame of FIGS. 1 to 4.
• FIG. 6 is another side elevation view of the frame of FIGS. 1 to 5.
• FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view along the line VII-VII of FIG. 5.
• Figures 8, 9 and 10 are partial section views respectively along lines VIII-VIII, IX-IX and XX of Figure 3.
• FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view along the line XI-XI of FIG. 6.
• Figures 12 and 13 are views in partial section respectively along lines XII-XII and XIII-XIII in Figure 4.
• FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view along the line XIV-XIV of FIG. 6.

The frame shown in the drawing by way of nonlimiting example consists of a single piece by pressure molding of a synthetic material having good mechanical qualities associated with optimal weight, good molding capacity and an advantageous price. Such a material can for example be a polyamide, polypropylene, a polyester, loaded or not.

The frame 1 has a substantially rectangular longitudinal section forming an upper edge A and a lower edge B connected by lateral edges C and D, these edges being of generally rectilinear cross section with a continuous groove 2 ensuring general stiffening of the frame. The groove 2, in the example described, is symmetrical with respect to a mean plane which is also a plane of symmetry of the frame 1.

The lateral edge D has upper 3 and lower recesses 4 providing a narrowed central strip 5 around the groove 2. Likewise the lateral edge C has upper 6 and lower recesses 7 providing a narrowed central strip 8 around the groove 2. The upper recesses 6 of the edge C are however formed lower than the upper recesses 3 of the edge D and leave remain on this edge C an upper zone 9 of greater width. In this zone 9 is formed a recess 10 of generally rectangular shape and the bottom of which is pierced with holes 10 ′ for fixing a handle, for example a tilting handle (not shown) housed at rest in the recess 10. The various recesses have rounded shapes avoiding the beginnings of rupture of the frame 1.

The lateral edge D comprises, at its lower part, two shells 11 intended to receive rollers and connected by a stiffening rib 12. The rollers can be mounted directly or by means of supports fixed in the shells. The formation of the shells 11 and of the rib 12 ensures excellent stiffening of the connection angle 13 between the edges D and B of the frame 1, this angle 13 supporting the weight of the bag and its contents when the bag is rolling using the tilting handle. Sockets 14 are used for fixing the rollers.

The lower edge B of the frame has pairs of holes 15 and 16 symmetrical respectively with respect to the plane of symmetry and which are used for fixing the feet. Additional holes 17 can be provided, for example, in the bottom of the groove 2, for additional fixing of the envelope which will already be connected to the frame 1 by fixing the various accessories.

The upper edge A comprises pairs of sockets 18 and 19 intended to receive screws or rivets for fixing a handle. The sockets 18 and 19, which are formed in the groove 2, are surrounded on both sides, transversely, by stiffening ribs 20 and 21 respectively, and are connected by a central rib 22, the assembly ensuring excellent resistance mechanical when the suitcase is held by its handle.

Claims (16)

1.) Flexible frame for a flexible valise, constituted by a closed monobloc piece (1) injected from synthetic material, of substantially rectangular longitudinal section having an upper side (A) and a lower side (B) which are connected by two lateral sides (C, D), characterised in that the said piece (1) is symmetrical in relation to the longitudinal central plane of an outwardly open groove (2), in that at least one of its lateral sides (C, D) comprises narrowing transverse shifts in alignment (3,4; 6, 7) forming a central narrowed strip (3; 8), and in that it comprises accessory supports (10, 10'; 11, 12; 15, 16; 17; 18, 19) moulded integrally with the said piece (1).

2.) Frame according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said moulded piece (1) is based upon polyamide.

3.) Frame according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said moulded piece (1) is based upon polyester.

4.) Frame according to Claim 1, characterised in that the said moulded piece (1) is based upon polypropylene.

5.) Frame according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that sockets (18, 19) are cast integrally in the upper side of the said groove (2).

6.) Frame according to Claim 3, characterised in that stiffening ribs (20, 21) are formed in the said groove (2).

7.) Frame according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterised in that one lateral side (C) comprises in its upper part an outwardly open recess (10) of substantially rectangular form. equipped with holes (10').

8.) Frame according to Claim 7, characterised in that the angle (13) opposite to the said recess (10) comprises shells (11) on both sides of the said groove (2).

9.) Frame according to Claim 8, characterised in that the said shells (11) are connected by a transverse rib (12).

10.) Frame according to one of Claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the lower side (B) comprises holes (13, 16) which are symmetrical in relation to the said groove (2).

11) Flexible valise, characterised in that it comprises a frame (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 10 and a flexible envelope fixed on the said frame (1).

12.) Valise according to Claim 11, having a frame according to one of Claims 5 and 6, characterised in that it comprises a handle fixed to the said sockets (18, 19).

13.) Valise according to one of Claims 11 and 12, having a frame according to one of Claims 7 to 9, characterised in that it comprises a handle which at rest is lodged in the substantially rectangular recess (10) of the frame (1).

14.) Valise according to Claim 13, having a frame according to one of Claims 8 and 9, characterised in that it comprises small wheels mounted in the said shells (11).

15.) Valise according to one of Claims 11 to 14, having a frame according to Claim 10, characterised in that it comprises feet fixed to the said holes (15, 16).

16.) Valise according to one of Claims 13 to 15, characterised in that the the envelope is fast with the said frame (1) through the intermediary of accessories.

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