US20140048370A1 - Case - Google Patents

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Publication number
US20140048370A1
US20140048370A1 US13/866,258 US201313866258A US2014048370A1 US 20140048370 A1 US20140048370 A1 US 20140048370A1 US 201313866258 A US201313866258 A US 201313866258A US 2014048370 A1 US2014048370 A1 US 2014048370A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
case
expandable
tensioner
tensioning
case according
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.)
Abandoned
Application number
US13/866,258
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English (en)
Inventor
Barnaby Bevan EDWARDS
Jean-Philippe Henri Denat
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.)
DG International Holdings Ltd
Original Assignee
DG International Holdings Ltd
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
Priority claimed from GB1210935.1A external-priority patent/GB2501331A/en
Application filed by DG International Holdings Ltd filed Critical DG International Holdings Ltd
Assigned to DG INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED reassignment DG INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DENAT, JEAN-PHILIPPE HENRI, EDWARDS, BARNABY BEVAN
Publication of US20140048370A1 publication Critical patent/US20140048370A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • A45C7/0022—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage comprising an integrated expansion device
    • 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

  • the present invention relates to a case.
  • the present invention relates to a travelling case, bag or suitcase that is expandable, i.e. it can be expanded to carry larger contents or additional contents, or to convert from a storage condition to an in-use condition.
  • Expandable travelling cases or bags are known in the prior art. They allow a user to expand the case in one or more dimension of the case for carrying his/her belongings, i.e. larger or additional belongings compared to those that can be carried in the case in an unexpanded configuration.
  • Typical travelling items range from clothes to laptops, and include other accessories of various types.
  • Some expandable travelling cases simply use an additional zipped pocket, section or compartment that can be unzipped and unfolded when necessary. However, it is difficult to maintain the maximum space that can be so gained, since the folded out pocket or compartment can collapse on itself.
  • an expandable travelling case comprising: a back panel; a flexible skirt or jacket, at least one tensioner connected to, or in contact with, said flexible skirt or jacket; one or more retention means for the tensioner or tensioners, the retention means comprising one or more of the following means: a buckle and clip, lip and catch, webbed strap and cam buckle, or a tie, wherein the case can be expanded by moving the tensioner to an expansion configuration, the tensioner is a tensioning panel and when the case is in its expanded configuration the tensioner exerts a force on the flexible skirt or jacket in cooperation with the back panel of the case to provide a tension fit for the flexible skirt or jacket.
  • the case By providing tensioning panels, and tension fitting the flexible skirt or jacket over the outside of the tensioning panel, the case can be given the appearance and handling characteristics of a fully rigid case—preferably the skirt or jacket is tension fitted in close conformance with the outside of the tensioning panel.
  • the tensioner may be made out of a wide range of materials but preferably one that is rigid and light weight, for example polyethylene or a similar polymer.
  • a honeycombed or corrugated material is particularly suited since it is both rigid and lightweight.
  • connection or contact with the flexible skirt facilitates deployment and folding (retraction) of the tensioner.
  • it is a pivotal connection. More preferably it is a webbed hinge.
  • the hinge has a sufficient length for even load bearing, but not so large as to be restrictive when attempting to fold the tensioner and flexible skirt or jacket in an unexpanded state. It could thus have a length of between 60 and 90% of the length or width of the case, depending respectively upon whether it is extending along a length or width of the case.
  • the collapsed case is much less space dependant during storage.
  • the collapsed case can have an overall depth e.g. down to 75 mm whereas for such a case the expanded case can have a depth in excess of 200 mm, i.e. a greater than 2 ⁇ depth change.
  • the expanded case can be collapsed to a store-away configuration by moving the tensioner to a folded configuration.
  • the folded configuration can be characterised by the tensioner laying generally parallel with respect to the back panel, in order to reduce the height or depth, or other dimension, of the case.
  • the tensioner(s) is (are) located around the inside of the perimeter of the case, thus occupying little of the available space inside the case when in the expanded configuration.
  • embodiments may equally include tensioners not located around the perimeter.
  • the tensioners preferably are designed to fold such that they will be within the central space of the case when in an unexpanded state. It is more desirable to achieve a minimised overall external volume or depth when collapsed.
  • the tensioner in the expanded configuration is in generally out-of-plane relation with respect to the back panel, and preferably it is perpendicular thereto.
  • This provides the expansion of the case by increasing the depth. It is however foreseen that other dimensions or indeed multiple dimensions of a case could be subject to expansion according to this invention, i.e the height or the width thereof.
  • the case comprises two tensioners located on opposite sides of the case.
  • Such a design is desirable from a structural view, allowing loads to be split between the tensioners. Designs are not limited to two tensioners, and while even numbers—allowing convenient load sharing within rectangular cases—are preferable, any number of tensioners could be used according to this invention.
  • the two tensioners are symmetrically positioned with respect to a median plane of the travelling case.
  • the median plane is preferably located through the centreline of the case and is preferably aligned with either the length or width dimension of the case.
  • the flexible skirt or jacket is made of a flexible fabric, such as a flexible synthetic fabric or cloth.
  • the flexible skirt or jacket is made of an elastic or stretchable fabric or cloth that can recover its original shape after it has been stretched out in the expanded configuration. This is beneficial as it allows the case to maintain a clean or uniform appearance even after it has been expanded and collapsed a large number of times. It also makes storage of the flexible skirt or jacket when in a collapsed state easier.
  • the back panel is generally rectangular, in order to give the expandable travelling case a generally rectangular profile or projection, which is particularly practical, common and popular among consumers.
  • the back panel comprises a plastics sheet.
  • the plastics sheet can be a polyethylene sheet, which is light and yet durable and resistant.
  • Polyethylene is also a standard material used for this part in the industry, thus it is easy to source and manufacture in the required shape. It might alternatively be aluminium or a polycarbonate. Other known materials used in the art might likewise be used.
  • the expandable case comprises a flexible jacket rather than a skirt, wherein the back panel comprises a rigid portion and the flexible jacket surrounds substantially all of the case, and is arranged for a tight fit on at least the rigid portion of the back panel.
  • the flexible skirt or jacket is connected to an edge of the back panel. It is desirable the connection and seal is absolute, preventing the ingress of dirt or water.
  • the travelling case comprises a length, a width and a depth
  • the tensioner(s) is (are) configured for expanding the depth of the case.
  • the back panel has an internally concave shape, in which any tensioner can fold.
  • the flexible skirt or jacket could also be stored in the concave back panel in the collapsed, unexpanded configuration of the case.
  • the back panel can be equipped with one or more inner retention means to hold the back end(s) of the tensioner(s) on the back panel while tension is applied by the tensioner(s) to the flexible jacket.
  • the retention means comprise locking means, so that the tensioner(s) can be locked, if required, in the required position on the back panel.
  • each retention means comprises one or more respective locking means. It is desired such locking means prevent undesired release of the retention means and hence movement resulting in collapse or retraction of the tensioner(s) during transit.
  • a multitude of different locking means could perform such a function including, but not limited to, a webbed strap and cam buckle, a standard buckle and clip, a lip and catch or simply a tie. It is desirable that the locking means take up as little luggage space as possible, are robust and do not damage the luggage with, for example, sharp edges.
  • the flexible jacket surrounds or encapsulates a rigid back panel, and is located substantially all around the case.
  • the flexible jacket might be connected to a rigid back panel in a different manner, along the perimeter or edge of the rigid back panel.
  • the above two jacket (or skirt) arrangements provide for a case comprising a rigid base portion (given by the rigid back panel), and for a flexible or semi-rigid expandable portion (flexible in the collapsed configuration, and semi-rigid in the expanded configuration, where the jacket—or skirt—is under tension).
  • the flexible skirt or jacket can surround substantially all of the case, and can also be arranged as a tight fit on at least a side of the back panel. This arrangement is especially advantageous with a rigid back panel. As a skirt, however, it might not extend around the sides of the case. It might instead be joined at an edge to front and back panels. The joint may be with a zip to facilitate opening of the case.
  • the skirt or jacket might have a zip provided elsewhere on it—e.g. around the sides—usually 3 sides—of the case, also to facilitate the opening of the case.
  • the travelling case can comprise a length, a width and a depth, and the expansion mechanism may be configured for expanding the depth of the case.
  • each tensioner is configured for folding inwardly with respect to the back panel.
  • the or each tensioner are located internally of an internal volume defined by the case.
  • the flexible skirt or jacket is configured to fold on or over the back panel.
  • the flexible skirt or jacket comprises fold lines, to help with the folding of the skirt or jacket when the case is re-configured in the store-away configuration.
  • the tensioning panel once deployed into its tensioning condition, supports the flexible skirt or jacket at the sidewall of the case and defines the shape of that sidewall, save for any region thereof accommodating a wheel housing.
  • the or each tensioner is a tensioning panel.
  • the panels can be made of any suitable rigid or semi rigid material capable of withstanding the required tensioning forces.
  • a honeycomb structure is used for such panels.
  • the or each tensioning panel extends along a side of the case.
  • each tensioning panel extends substantially over the length of the case in the expanded or unexpanded configurations of the case, and extends substantially over the depth of the case in the expanded configuration of the case. This is a preferred configuration because the encumbrance of the expansion system is minimised, while the tensioning forces are conveniently applied.
  • two corresponding parts of a retention means are mounted respectively one on the back panel and the other on one of the tensioning panels.
  • suitable retention and locking means include, but are not limited to, a buckle and clip and, a lip and catch or a tie.
  • the retention and locking means should avoid unintentional release. Depending on the type of means chosen, such a release could be triggered by pressure from the contents or due to an external impact to the case. If possible, the means should thus be robust to minimise this possibility.
  • the retention means comprises a webbed strap and a cam buckle.
  • a webbed strap and a cam buckle Such a system prevents unintentional release and is compact, cheap and will not damage the case's contents with sharp edges.
  • the cam buckle can be operated to allow relative movement between itself and the webbed strap to facilitate the expansion or collapse of the case. Then when the case is in use it can be engaged with the strap to prevent relative sliding in the direction that would correspond to the tensioning panel rotating into a folded position.
  • the cam buckle can be manufactured out of a large number of materials, the two most suitable types being metals such as steel or aluminium and rigid plastics such as high density polyethylene or fibre-reinforced plastics. Other suitable materials would be apparent to one skilled in the art.
  • the cam buckle is firmly, and preferably rigidly, attached to said tensioning panel.
  • the cam buckle could be pivotally or slidably attached to the tensioning panel.
  • the webbed strap can be attached to the back panel in a position so as to engage with the cam buckle with minimal transverse bending.
  • Suitable fixing types include, but are not limited to, screws, glue and rivets.
  • the buckle is riveted to the tensioning panel, as rivets provide a cheap yet robust solution.
  • one or multiple retention means are disposed symmetrically on opposing sides of the case.
  • Each retention means then has a corresponding retention means opposite it across a median plane of the case.
  • the webbed strap from one retention means cooperates with the webbed strap of a second, preferably opposite, retention means and thus the cooperating straps act to restrain clothes stored in the case, much like traditional straps found within prior art suitcases.
  • the straps are thus not just luggage straps, but also retention straps for the tensioning panels—thus having a new dual function.
  • Cooperation could be facilitated by a number of means including, but not limited to, Velcro, buttons, fasteners, buckles or a tie.
  • each of the two webbed straps comprises one of two complementary parts of a buckle.
  • the straps With a dual purpose: firstly as a means to retain the tensioning panels in an extended state, and secondly to provide a strap to restrain the contents of the case, little additional weight is added to the suitcase by implementing the present invention thereon.
  • two opposed reinforcement panels or strips extend across the width of the case on opposing sides, said reinforcement panels being deployable for reinforcement when the case is expanded. This improves the strength of the case in its expanded configuration.
  • the reinforcement panels can be retracted or folded away when the case is collapsed to a store-away configuration.
  • At least one of the reinforcement panels or strips is locked into its deployed configuration by at least one of the tensioning panels when the case is expanded. This avoids the need of retention or locking means for the reinforcement plates.
  • a top cover is provided which can be operated by a user to open and access the case, or to close the case and prevent access thereto.
  • the top cover is hingedly attached to the flexible skirt or jacket.
  • the cam buckle comprises: a housing portion comprising first and second ends suitable for receiving a webbed strap; and a retention member pivotally attached to the housing portion above the first end, comprising: a cam face disposed from the pivot point, the cam face controlling the height of an access slot formed at the first end; and a lever arm extending substantially perpendicularly from the cam face, the lever arm being operable to rotate the retention member, characterised in that the housing portion comprises a cross member above the second end, the cross member aiding in controlling the exit angle of the webbed strap.
  • the cross member is preferably of a rectangular cross section so as to provide an elongated, flat surface with which to control the exit projection of the strap from the cam buckle.
  • a rectangular cross section is preferable, other suitable cross sections may include among others: square, circular and elliptical sections.
  • the cross member is preferably integral to the cam buckle housing portion although is optionally separate and separable.
  • the cross member is made of the same material as the cam buckle housing portion. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, aluminium and polyethylene.
  • the housing portion comprises a hole to allow attachment of the cam buckle to a surface.
  • the diameter of the hole depends on the attachment method used, preferably the hole is sized to accommodate a rivet. It may be rebated or countersunk to allow the rivet to be recessed below the line of the strap as it passes from the cam and under the cross member.
  • the present invention preferably comprises an expandable case with displaceable, wall-tensioning, sidewalls, and having at least one cam buckle and webbing strap for securing the sidewalls in a case expanding configuration.
  • the case and/or cam buckles are as described above.
  • the webbed strap is used in an expandable case as both a tensioning panel retention means, and clothes restraining means.
  • FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an expandable case according to the present invention in an expanded state.
  • FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the inside of an expandable case in an expanded state.
  • FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the inside of the expandable case of FIG. 2 with the tensioning panels half way lifted out of their expansion configuration.
  • FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the inside of the expandable case of FIG. 2 with the tensioning panels in their lifted configuration.
  • FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of an expandable case in an expanded state.
  • FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of an expandable case in a fully collapsed state.
  • FIG. 7 is a partial front perspective view of a reinforcement panel in the case when the case is in its expanded state.
  • FIG. 8 is a close up view of the reinforcement panel of FIG. 7 .
  • FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention, showing a cam buckle and webbed strap retention means, in its locked state.
  • FIG. 10 is a further partial perspective view of the cam buckle and webbed strap retention means of FIG. 9 , in its locked state.
  • FIG. 11 shows the inside of an expandable case according to one potential embodiment of the present invention, illustrating possible retention means numbers and positioning.
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view of two cam buckles which are preferably used with the present invention, one in an opened state and the other in a locked state.
  • FIG. 1 shows an expandable case 100 in a closed but expanded state.
  • a substantially rectangular case with top and side handles 110 and 130 , and a telescopic handle 120 , to allow the user to easily carry or trundle the case 100 respectively.
  • the illustrated telescopic handle 120 is a standard handle used on such cases, with two telescopic arms attached to a cross member handle portion.
  • the cover lid 140 is rigid and can be zipped around the case 100 .
  • the cover lid 140 preferably comprises a polyethylene side-board structure 140 a to help the panel hold its shape.
  • the cover lid 140 zips together with the flexible skirt or jacket 150 .
  • the cover lid 140 is attached via a pivoting hinge or material joint to the flexible skirt or jacket 150 on one side, while being attachable via a zip on the other three, allowing it to rotate or lift between open and closed positions, just like many currently popular cases.
  • the back panel 160 has raised side walls 160 a which, when the case is in an unexpanded or retracted state, house the tensioning panels 170 (see FIG. 2 ).
  • These raised side walls 160 a preferably comprise polyethylene boards.
  • the flexible skirt or jacket 150 extends around the perimeter of the case 100 and is at one end attached to the side walls of the back panel 160 a , while the other is attached to, or engages with the cover lid 140 and tensioning panels 170 .
  • the flexible skirt or jacket 150 is made of a flexible fabric, such as a flexible synthetic fabric or cloth, and comprises fold lines 150 a .
  • the fold lines 150 a allow the top, bottom and sides to fold in an easy and space efficient manner when the case 100 is in its unexpanded state.
  • FIG. 2 depicts a rear perspective view of the case 100 in its expanded state with the cover lid 140 removed for clarity. This view shows that, again like most current cases, this invention houses two wheels 180 in the base of the back panel 160 .
  • the arms of the telescopic handle 120 retract in to channels in the back panel 160 of the case, again like most equivalent cases on the market today.
  • a tensioning panel 170 is located on either side of the case 100 .
  • the tensioning panels 170 are in their extended state, locked in position by two retention means 190 .
  • the tensioning panels 170 exert an upwards force on the flexible skirt and jacket 150 , and when locked in place by the two retention means 190 , together form two rigid side walls of the case 100 .
  • tensioning panels 170 are made of a rigid polyethylene honeycomb structure.
  • the tensioning panels can be coated in a fabric on the inside to give a more pleasing appearance, in line with most case designs popular today.
  • the size of the tensioning panels 170 and corresponding flexible skirt or jacket 150 determine the depth of the case 100 when expanded.
  • the height of the tensioning panels 170 and hence depth of the expanded case 100 is of the order of 200 mm.
  • the largest dimension of the tensioning panels 170 is, in this embodiment, substantially equal to the length of the case, but slightly less than that length to allow them to be stowed within the case.
  • retention means 190 are present in this specific embodiment, two for each tensioning panel 170 .
  • the retention means 190 are presented in FIGS. 2-4 and 7 as being a lip and catch mechanism although, as described above and subsequently, this is not the preferred embodiment of the present invention due to their bulk.
  • the retention means 190 depicted in FIGS. 2-4 and 7 comprise two components, one 190 b fixed to the back panel 160 , and one 190 a attached to the tensioning panel 170 .
  • the retention means component 190 a located on the tensioning panel 170 adjoins and locks with the component 190 b located on the back panel 160 , maintaining the tensioning panels 170 in an extended state.
  • the retention means 190 To retract the tensioning panels 170 the retention means 190 must first be disengaged. In this embodiment this is achieved by compressing a small catch at the base of the retention means 190 b which then disengages with a corresponding lip of the retention means 190 a . This allows the component located on the tensioning panel 190 a and the tensioning panel itself 170 , to rotate inwards about its connection to the flexible skirt or jacket 150 .
  • a pulling tab 195 is present on the top of the retention means 190 as a handle to ease actuation during retraction.
  • connection 200 between the tensioning panels 170 and flexible skirt or jacket 150 enables the rotation of the tensioning panels 170 and the collapse of the flexible skirt or jacket 150 for allowing the adoption of the stowage condition for the case—for this the tensioning panels and a part of the flexible skirt is folded down towards the base 160 of the case.
  • FIG. 3 depicts the same embodiment as FIG. 2 , but here the tensioning panels 170 are in a half lifted state, half-way between extended and fully folded for stowage.
  • the two separate components 190 a and 190 b that form the retention means 190 are visible in an uncoupled state.
  • the retention means 190 are disconnected allowing the two tensioning panels 170 to rotate inwards with respect to the flexible skirt or jacket 150 about the pivotal connection 200 .
  • FIG. 4 shows the same embodiment as FIGS. 2 and 3 with the tensioning panels 170 fully rotated upwardly from the base, but prior to dropping them down into the case to collapse the case.
  • the tensioning panels 170 lie substantially horizontally within the space defined by the back panel 160 and side walls 160 a.
  • FIG. 5 depicts an expandable case 100 according to the present invention in an expanded state
  • FIG. 6 depicts the same expandable case 100 in an unexpanded/collapsed state.
  • These figures illustrate the extent of the change in volume of the case, from an expanded to unexpanded state, although not all elements are drawn to scale. See, for example, the wheel size compared to the length and width of the case. Nevertheless, from the wall details, especially the lines 260 , it can be seen that in FIG. 6 the depth of the contracted case 100 is mostly dependent on the height of the back panel side walls 160 a , rather than the height of that plus the height of the extended sidewall provided by the additional width of the tensioning panels, i.e. the extension part 270 shown in FIG. 5 . As shown in FIG. 5 , when those tensioning panels are in place, the sidewalls extend the full size of those panels, rather than just the lower half thereof.
  • the position of the panels in the expanded configuration are represented on one of the sides by the trace-line 280 in FIG. 5 .
  • the lower half is just the flexible fabric, and as such is not hard-walled. Structural rigidity to the case is thus then provided only by the lid 140 and the base 160 , with its curving v-ends 300 .
  • the depth of the collapsed case is of the order of 75 mm.
  • the flexible skirt or jacket 150 and two end (top and bottom) reinforcement panels 210 present to increase the rigidity of the expanded case 100 —have been collapsed and are no longer outwardly visible when the case 100 is in its unexpanded or retracted state. Additionally, part of the cover lid 140 , and in particular the side-board structure 140 a are located within the area defined by the back panel side walls 160 a , further decreasing the case's volume when collapsed.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates the location of the reinforcement panel 210 and its abutment with the tensioning panel 170 when in an extended position.
  • FIG. 8 is a close up view of FIG. 7 , further detailing the abutment. In this position the reinforcement panels 210 act to strengthen and increase the rigidity of the case 100 .
  • Such reinforcement panels 210 can be made of numerous materials including both plastics and metals.
  • a polyethylene honeycomb board is used to provide strength while minimising cost and weight.
  • Both reinforcement panels 210 are pivotally connected to the back panel 160 along a lower edge 220 , e.g. with a fabric hinge. They may also be individually be two-part of otherwise collapsible to allow them to be folded into the volume of the case. See, for example, hinge line 280 in FIG. 5 .
  • the reinforcement panels 210 are preferred to have a restricted rotation so as to allow inwards rotation towards the centre of the case 100 , but when in an expanded state, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , the tensioning panels 170 , should resist further outward rotation. For that purpose, they can abut the inner side of the reinforcement panels 210 , thus preventing them from rotating further and keeping them upright.
  • the fabric coating can also help to restrain them from outward displacement.
  • the reinforcement panels 210 are no longer blocked from rotating and are therefore permitted to collapse inside the case towards the back panel 160 .
  • the reinforcement panels 210 are not constrained to be a specific size, and therefore their dimensions generally depend upon other factors such as the height and width of the case 100 as a whole. In the preferred embodiment the reinforcement panels 210 effectively define the depth of the case 100 , and have a length approximating the distance between the top of the back panel side walls 160 a and the zipped connection to the cover lid 140 .
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 depict the preferred embodiment.
  • the retention means comprises a housing portion 230 a and locking member 230 b which together comprise a cam buckle 230 , and a webbed strap 240 .
  • the cam buckle 230 is rigidly fixed to the lower end (that which is in the vicinity of the back panel 160 when in an extended position) of the tensioning panel 170 .
  • One end of a webbed strap 240 is attached to the back panel 160 , the other end is passed through the cam buckle 230 and is free.
  • the cam buckle 230 is oriented so that when engaged, it is biased against the webbed strap 240 if the strap is moving in the direction towards the back panel 160 , through the cam buckle 230 . It thus resists release with its camming action.
  • the buckle also enables the user to disengage the cam buckle 230 , as explained below.
  • the user can rotate and extend the tensioning panel 170 from a horizontal, folded position, into an extended position so the base of the tensioning panel 170 and cam buckle 230 are against the back panel 160 , and the flexible skirt or jacket 150 is in tension. This can be done by sliding the buckle along the strap towards the base—i.e. against the camming direction of the cam. Then, the cam buckle 230 can be firmly engaged with the webbed strap 240 by depressing on the locking member 230 b . This then prevents the base of the tensioning panel 170 from moving away from the back panel 160 and moving to or towards, a horizontal, or non-tensioning, position.
  • the cam buckles 230 are undone, using the locking members 230 b —disengaging them by pushing them outwardly away from the straps, thus allowing the webbed straps 240 to slide relative to the cam buckles 230 and thus allowing the tensioning panels 170 to rotate inwardly to their folded or non-tensioning positions.
  • the free end of the webbed strap 240 comprises one half of a two piece buckle 250 .
  • the other half of the two piece buckle 250 can be attached to the end of a webbed strap 240 of a retention means 230 located symmetrically opposite, across the back panel 160 , or all four straps can work together to provide a crossed clothes strap arrangement.
  • the straps may have elasticated ends, or adjustable two-piece buckles, to provide corresponding functionality to conventional clothes straps as found in prior art suitcases, although non elasticated parts, at least where the cam buckle engages, is certainly preferred to ensure a secure retention of the tensioning panels in their tensioning orientation relative to the base.
  • FIG. 12 shows an alternative, novel, cam buckle 240 according to the present invention.
  • the majority of the features of the housing portion 230 a and locking member 230 b are similar to the standard forms used within cam-buckle industry, and thus will not be described in detail here.
  • a hole 270 suitable for a screw, rivet or other fixing is used to locate and attach the cam buckle 230 to the inside of the tensioning panel 170 .
  • a cross member 260 that comprises a rectangular-section member connecting the two side walls of the housing portion 230 a .
  • the cross member 260 is located above the end opposite the locking member 230 b pivot point, and defines a slot suitable for a webbed strap 240 to slide through without significant resistance.
  • the cross member 260 acts to guide the projection of the webbed strap 240 extending from the cam buckle 230 , up the sides of the tensioning panels 170 . This therefore aids the webbed strap 240 in being passed around the sides of the contents of the case in order to be fastened above with the buckle 250 . It also prevents inadvertant release of the strap by holding it away from the release flange 230 b.
  • An expandable travelling case comprising:
  • travelling case comprising a length, a width and a depth, and wherein the at least one tensioner is configured for expanding the depth of the case.
  • each tensioner is configured for folding inwardly with respect to the back panel.
  • each tensioning panel extending substantially over the length of the case in the expanded or unexpanded configurations of the case, and extending substantially over the depth of the case in the expanded configuration of the case.
  • An expandable case according to any one of the preceding statements comprising a retention means for the tensioning panel, the retention means comprising a webbed strap and a cam buckle.
  • An expandable case comprising two opposed reinforcement panels each extending across the width of the case on opposing sides thereof, other than the side or sides having the tensioning panel or panels, said reinforcement panels being deployable for expanding those additional sides and for providing side reinforcement for the case on those additional sides when the case is expanded.
  • An expandable case according to any one of the preceding statements further comprising a top cover which can be operated by a user to open and access the inside of the case, or to close the case to prevent access thereto.
  • a cam buckle comprising:

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  • Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
  • Sealing Devices (AREA)
US13/866,258 2011-04-20 2013-04-19 Case Abandoned US20140048370A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1106760.0A GB2490164A (en) 2011-04-20 2011-04-20 An expandable suitcase
PCT/GB2012/050886 WO2012143735A2 (fr) 2011-04-20 2012-04-20 Valise
GB1210935.1A GB2501331A (en) 2012-04-20 2012-06-20 A suitcase with expansion panels
GB1210935.1 2012-08-20

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US20140048370A1 true US20140048370A1 (en) 2014-02-20

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USD873052S1 (en) * 2018-07-30 2020-01-21 Dg International Holdings Limited Pillow
CN113412996A (zh) * 2021-06-18 2021-09-21 安徽亦宣金属科技有限公司 一种冲压式眼镜盒的制备工艺

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD817031S1 (en) * 2015-08-07 2018-05-08 Dg International Holdings Limited Pillow
USD873052S1 (en) * 2018-07-30 2020-01-21 Dg International Holdings Limited Pillow
CN113412996A (zh) * 2021-06-18 2021-09-21 安徽亦宣金属科技有限公司 一种冲压式眼镜盒的制备工艺

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WO2012143735A3 (fr) 2013-08-01
GB2490164A (en) 2012-10-24
WO2012143735A2 (fr) 2012-10-26
CA2815294A1 (fr) 2012-10-26
GB201106760D0 (en) 2011-06-01

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