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EP0662289B1 - Foldable frame for a case - Google Patents

Foldable frame for a case Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0662289B1
EP0662289B1 EP94117503A EP94117503A EP0662289B1 EP 0662289 B1 EP0662289 B1 EP 0662289B1 EP 94117503 A EP94117503 A EP 94117503A EP 94117503 A EP94117503 A EP 94117503A EP 0662289 B1 EP0662289 B1 EP 0662289B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
link
buckle
lateral edge
recess
edge
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP94117503A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0662289A2 (en
EP0662289A3 (en
Inventor
Chi-Lu Chen
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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 Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0662289A2 publication Critical patent/EP0662289A2/en
Publication of EP0662289A3 publication Critical patent/EP0662289A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0662289B1 publication Critical patent/EP0662289B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a collapsible frame for a case, such as a suitcase.
  • Cases, and suitcases in particular, are very useful for transporting clothes etc. on vacation and the like.
  • Currently available cases include those that are rigid and those that are flexible.
  • the rigid cases may have better protection of their content against foreign impacts, however, they occupy larger space when they are not in use.
  • the flexible cases may have less protection of their contents, however, they occupy less space when they are not in use.
  • a foldable frame type luggage is known from US-A-4 598 802.
  • the primary object of this invention is achieved by providing a case including a collapsible frame including four walls being joined together by means of four connectors each including a buckle assembly and a link assembly.
  • the link assembly consists of several links each including a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, an upper edge, a lower edge, an ear which is formed on the upper edge thereof and which defines a first recess and a second recess, a lower ear which is formed on the lower edge thereof and which defines a first recess and a second recess, a slot defined in the first edge of the link, a ridge formed on the second edge of the link, a boss formed on the upper edge of the link near the ridge and another boss formed on the lower edge of the link near the ridge.
  • a link is pivotable in respect to another link when the bosses of the former are received in the first recesses defined in the upper and lower ears of the latter.
  • the bosses of a link are received in the second recesses defined in the upper and lower ears of another link, the ridge of the former is received in the slot of the latter, retaining the former in position relative to the latter.
  • the buckle assembly includes a female buckle and a male buckle including a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, an upper ear projecting from the first lateral edge thereof and defining a first recess and a second recess so that the first and second recesses defined therein partially overlap each other, a lower ear projecting from the second lateral edge thereof and defining a first recess and a second recess so that the first and second recesses defined therein partially overlap each other, a slot defined in the first lateral edge thereof.
  • One of the links is pivotably linked to the male buckle when the bosses of the former are received in the first recesses defined in the upper and lower ears of the latter. When the bosses of the link are moved into the second recesses defined in the upper and lower ears of the male buckle, the ridge of the former is received in the slot defined in the latter, retaining the former in position relative to latter.
  • a case 10 uses a collapsible frame which has two long straight walls 11, two short straight walls 12 and four connectors 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the long straight walls 11 are opposed to each other.
  • the short walls 12 are opposed to each other.
  • the straight walls 11 and 12 form a substantially rectangular frame when they are joined together by means of the connectors 20.
  • Each long straight wall 11 is connected to an adjacent short wall 12 by means of a corresponding connector 20.
  • the walls 11 and 12 are rigid for providing protection of the content of the case.
  • Each connector 20 has a link assembly 30 and a buckle assembly 40 which consists of a female buckle 41 and a male buckle 51.
  • the link assembly 30 of a connector 20 at the top left corner of the case 10 is linked to a long wall 11 at the top.
  • the buckle assembly 40 of the connector 20 at the top left corner is linked to a short wall 12 at the left.
  • the link assembly 30 of a connector 20 at the bottom left corner is linked to the short wall 12 at the left.
  • the buckle assembly 40 of the connector 20 at the bottom left corner is linked to a long wall 11 at the bottom.
  • the link assembly 30 of a connector 20 at the bottom right corner is linked to the long wall 11 at the bottom.
  • the buckle assembly 40 of a connector 20 at the bottom right corner is linked to a short wall 12 at the right.
  • the link assembly 30 of a connector 20 at the top right corner is linked to the long wall 11 at the top.
  • Each link assembly 30 is foldable.
  • the left short straight wall 12 is foldable toward the upper long straight wall 11 when the female buckle 41 of the left lower connector 20 is disengaged from the male buckle 51 of the same.
  • the link assembly 30 consists of several links 31 (only one is shown). Each link 31 is shaped as an arc when it is shown in a top view. Each link 31 has a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge which is opposite to the first lateral edge, an upper edge and a lower edge. A slot 32 (see Figure 4) is longitudinally defined in the first lateral edge of each link 31. An ear 33 is formed on the upper edge of the link 31 and another ear 33 is formed on the lower edge of the link 31. The distance between the ears 33 is marginally larger than the length of the second lateral edge of the link 31 so that the second lateral edge of a link 31 can be disposed between the ears 33 of another link 31.
  • Two recesses 34 and 35 are defined in each ear 33 such that they partially overlap each other so as to form a rim between them. Instead of a ridge, several teeth are formed on the second lateral edge of one of the links 31 which is furthest from the buckle assembly 20. The teeth formed on the link 31 are insertable into a corresponding number of recesses (not numbered) defined in one of the walls 11 and 12 for engaging one of the link assemblies with one of the walls 11 and 12.
  • a ridge 37 is longitudinally formed on the second lateral edge of each link 31.
  • a boss 38 is formed on the top of each link 31 while another boss 38 is formed on the bottom of each link 31.
  • the second lateral edge of a link 31 is disposed between the ears 33 of another link 31 so that the bosses 38 of a link 31 are received in the recesses 34 or 35 of another link 31.
  • the bosses 38 of a link 31 are received in the recesses 34 of another link 31 so that the ridge 37 of the first link 31 is disengaged from the slot 32 of the second link 31 so that a link 31 is allowed to pivot with respect to another link 31. That is, the link assembly 30 is foldable.
  • the bosses 38 of a link 31 are engaged in the recesses 35 of another link 31 so that the ridge 37 of a link 31 is received in the slot 32 of another link 31.
  • the first link 31 is kept from pivoting relative to the second link 31. That is, the link assembly 30 is thus retained in position.
  • the female buckle 41 has a plate with a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge which is opposite to the first lateral edge.
  • a tab 43 through which a hole is defined, perpendicularly projects from a side of the plate near the first lateral edge.
  • Several teeth 44 project from the second lateral edge of the plate. The teeth 44 are engaged in several recesses (not shown) which are defined in a short wall 12 so that the female buckle 41 is linked to the short wall 12.
  • the male buckle 51 has a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge which is opposite to the first lateral edge.
  • a slot 52 is longitudinally defined in the first lateral edge of the male buckle 51.
  • An ear 53 is formed on an upper end of the first lateral edge of the male buckle 51 while another ear 53 is formed on a lower end of the first lateral edge of the male buckle 51.
  • Two recesses 54 and 55 are defined in each ear 53.
  • the slot 52 is similar to the slot 32 in structure and function.
  • the ears 53 are similar to the ears 33 in structure and function.
  • the recesses 54 and 55 are similar to the recesses 34 and 35 in structure and function.
  • a link 31 can be linked to the male buckle 51.
  • the link 31 is pivotable with respect to the male buckle 51 as the bosses 38 of the former are received in the recesses 54 of the latter.
  • the link 31 is kept from pivoting relative to the male buckle 51 as the bosses 38 of the former are received in the recesses 55 of the latter.
  • a C-shaped portion 56 is formed on the second lateral edge of the male buckle 51.
  • a spring-biased latch 57 with a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge is received in a space 58 which is defined in the male buckle 51.
  • a tongue 59 projects from the second lateral edge of the spring-biased latch 57.
  • a dovetail slot 60 is defined in the male buckle 51.
  • the space 58 is above the dovetail slot 60, the former is in communication with the latter.
  • Two recesses 61 and 62 are defined in the dovetail slot 60, the former is below the latter.
  • a dovetail 63 on which a boss 64 is formed is engageable with the dovetail slot 60.
  • the spring-biased latch 57 is moved in a direction as indicated with an arrow A so that the tongue 59 is moved out of the C-shaped portion 56.
  • the female buckle 41 is moved toward the male buckle 51 in a direction as indicated with an arrow B so that the tab 43 is inserted in the C-shaped portion 56.
  • the spring-biased latch 57 is then released so that the tongue 59 is inserted in the hole which is defined through the tab 43.
  • the spring-biased latch 57 is not trapped by means of the dovetail 63.
  • the spring-biased latch 57 is thus allowed to slide in the space 58 along a direction as indicated with arrow A (see Figure 2), i.e., the tongue 59 is disengageable from the hole which is defined through the tab 43.
  • the female buckle 41 is disengageable from the male buckle 51.
  • each connector 31 consists of a link assembly 30, two buckle assemblies 40 and 40'.
  • the buckle assembly 40 consists of a female buckle 41 and a male buckle 51.
  • the buckle assembly 40' consists of a female buckle 41 and a male buckle 51'.
  • the male buckle 51' is similar to the male buckle 51, therefore, details of the former will not be given.
  • lower female buckles 41 are disengaged from the lower male buckles 51, the two short straight walls 12 are folded inward to a position substantially parallel to the upper long straight wall 11, thereby allowing the lower long straight wall 11 connected with a male buckle 51 at each end thereof to be pushed toward the upper straight wall 11, resulting in a reduction of the volume of the case.

Landscapes

  • Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
  • Buckles (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)
  • Assembled Shelves (AREA)
EP94117503A 1993-12-14 1994-11-07 Foldable frame for a case Expired - Lifetime EP0662289B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN93247759U CN2178063Y (zh) 1993-12-14 1993-12-14 改良结构的置物箱骨架接头
CN93247759 1993-12-14

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0662289A2 EP0662289A2 (en) 1995-07-12
EP0662289A3 EP0662289A3 (en) 1998-12-30
EP0662289B1 true EP0662289B1 (en) 2001-04-11

Family

ID=5029015

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP94117503A Expired - Lifetime EP0662289B1 (en) 1993-12-14 1994-11-07 Foldable frame for a case

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0662289B1 (zh)
CN (1) CN2178063Y (zh)
AT (1) ATE200398T1 (zh)
CA (1) CA2135454C (zh)
DE (1) DE69427076T2 (zh)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9375063B2 (en) 2011-08-24 2016-06-28 Stephen Chi Yueh Chen et al. Systems and methods for collapsible luggage
US10004307B2 (en) 2012-06-21 2018-06-26 Biaggi USA, LLC a Delaware Limited-Liability Company Folding duffle

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19833395C2 (de) * 1998-07-24 2002-06-27 Daimler Chrysler Ag Selbsttragende Kraftfahrzeugkarosserie
TWM317787U (en) * 2006-10-27 2007-09-01 Chi-Lu Chen Skeleton structure of storage box

Family Cites Families (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE813513A (fr) * 1973-02-09 1974-07-31 Valise de camping a elements pliants
US4210230A (en) * 1979-04-26 1980-07-01 Airway Industries, Inc. Flat-pack luggage case
US4598802A (en) * 1984-09-28 1986-07-08 Jacques Abenaim Foldable frame type luggage
WO1988009135A1 (en) * 1987-05-29 1988-12-01 Kabushiki Kaisha Kawabe Kinzoku Syokai Reinforcing material for bags
US4770312A (en) * 1987-06-10 1988-09-13 Judy O Detachable case
US5433303A (en) * 1994-02-03 1995-07-18 Chen; Chi-Lu Foldable frame for a case

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9375063B2 (en) 2011-08-24 2016-06-28 Stephen Chi Yueh Chen et al. Systems and methods for collapsible luggage
US10004307B2 (en) 2012-06-21 2018-06-26 Biaggi USA, LLC a Delaware Limited-Liability Company Folding duffle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69427076T2 (de) 2001-08-02
EP0662289A2 (en) 1995-07-12
CN2178063Y (zh) 1994-09-28
DE69427076D1 (de) 2001-05-17
CA2135454C (en) 1997-07-22
CA2135454A1 (en) 1995-06-15
ATE200398T1 (de) 2001-04-15
EP0662289A3 (en) 1998-12-30

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