US20110114430A1

US20110114430A1 - Suitcase with pull rod unit

Info

Publication number: US20110114430A1
Application number: US12/591,380
Authority: US
Inventors: Yen-Lung Tsai
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-11-18
Filing date: 2009-11-18
Publication date: 2011-05-19

Abstract

A suitcase includes a case body, a support frame and a pull rod unit, wherein two rollers are connected to an underside of a rear side of the case body and the support frame reinforces the structural strength of the case body. The pull rod unit is connected to the rear side of the case body and extends through a rear plate of the case body and enters an interior of the case body. A lower end of the pull rod unit is connected to the support frame, thereby increasing the storage space.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a suitcase, and more particularly, to a suitcase with pull rod unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional luggage case, garment bag or suitcase generally includes a case body, a pull rod unit and multiple rollers, wherein the pull rod unit is connected to outside of the case body and the rollers are connected to a roller stand which is fixed to the underside of the case body. By pulling the collapsible tubes of the pull rod unit, the case body tilts and movable by the rollers. However, the pull rod unit on the outside of the case body makes the whole suitcase bulky and occupies significant space which is disadvantage for carry and transportation. Besides, the roller stand is exposed on the outside of the suitcase and can easily be damaged by impact during transportation.
Another suitcase with pull rod unit has a manor difference from the above-mentioned example and collapsible tubes and the roller stand are enclosed by the fabric of the suitcase. A separation board is used to separate the collapsible tube and the storage space, in other words, the collapsible tubes occupy a portion of the storage space.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,768 discloses a luggage case with a space defined in the rear side thereof so as to accommodate the pull rod unit and the roller stand.
The present invention intends to provide a suitcase with a pull rod unit wherein the collapsible tubes have a portion located within the suitcase and a portion extends out from the suitcase so as to improve the shortcomings of the conventional suitcases mentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a suitcase which comprises a case body having two rollers connected to an underside of a rear side thereof and a support frame is connected to the case body and supports the case body. A pull rod unit is connected to the rear side of the case body and extends through a rear plate of the case body and enters an interior of the case body. A lower end of the pull rod unit is connected to the support frame.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a suitcase which pull rod unit extends through the rear side of the case body and is connected to the support frame in the suitcase. By this specific structure, the storage of the suitcase is maximized.
The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a back perspective view to show the suitcase of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view to show the suitcase of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of the connection of the pull rod unit and the case body of the suitcase of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a back perspective view to show a second embodiment of the suitcase of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view to show the suitcase of the present invention in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the support frame of the suitcase of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a back perspective view to show a fourth embodiment of the suitcase of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view to show a fifth embodiment of the suitcase of the present invention, and

FIG. 9 shows that the flip in FIG. 8 is opened and the pulled rod unit is pulled out.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 to 3 show the first embodiment of the suitcase of the present invention which comprises a case body 11, a support frame 12 and a pull rod unit 13, wherein the case body 11 includes two rollers 112 connected to an underside of a rear side thereof and a support frame 12 is connected to the rear side of the case body 11 so as to reinforce the structural strength of the case body 11 and prevent from deformation by impact. The pull rod unit 13 is connected to the rear side of the case body 11 and extends through a rear plate 114 of the case body 11 and enters an interior of the case body 11. A lower end of the pull rod unit 13 is connected to the support frame 12 so that the users can pull the suitcase by pulling the pull rod unit 13. The rear plate 114 includes two first through holes 1144 in a central portion thereof and two apertures 1142 are defined in a lower edge of the rear plate 114.
The support frame 12 includes a reinforcement plate 122 and a roller stand 124. The rollers 112 are connected to two ends of the roller stand 124. The reinforcement plate 122 is fixed to the rear plate 114 so as to reinforce a structural strength of the rear plate 114 which does not be deformed or rippled by impact. The reinforcement plate 122 includes two second through holes 1224 defined therethrough and two notches 1222 defined in a lower edge thereof. The roller stand 124 includes a horizontal wall 1242, an upright wall 1244 extending from the horizontal wall 1242 and two reception portions 1246 which are connected to the horizontal wall 1242 and rested on the upright wall 1244. A lower end of the rear plate 114 is connected to the upright wall 1244 and sandwiched between the reinforcement plate 122 and the upright wall 1244 so that the roller stand 124 is fixed to the underside of the rear side of the case body 11. The reception portions 1246 extend through the apertures 1142 of the rear plate 114 and the notches 1222 of the reinforcement plate 122 and are located in the interior of the case body 11.
The pull rod unit 13 includes two collapsible tubes 132, a handle 134 and a bridge member 136. The handle 134 is connected between the two collapsible tubes 132 and the bridge member 136 is connected between mediate portions of the two collapsible tubes 132. The bridge member 135 is connected to outside of the rear plate 114 and the reinforcement plate 122 by screws 1362. The collapsible tubes 132 extend through the first and second through holes 1144, 1224 in the rear plate 114 and the reinforcement plate 122, and two respective lower ends of the collapsible tubes 132 are inserted into and fixed to the reception portions 1245 in the case body 11 by screws 1322.
When the user pulls the handle 134 upward to extend the collapsible tubes 132 outward, the suitcase is tilted and moved by the rollers 112. When the suitcase is to be stored or transported, the user pushes the handle 134 downward and to collapse the collapsible tubes 132 such that the handle 134 of the pull rod unit 13 is retrieved at the recessed area as shown in FIG. 3 of the rear side of the case body 11 and effectively reduces the storage space is occupies. Because part of the pull rod unit 13 is located outside of the rear side of the case body 11, the storage space in the case body 11 can be maximized.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show the second embodiment of the present invention and which includes a case body 21, a support frame 22 and a pull rod unit 23, wherein two rollers 212 are connected to an underside of a rear side thereof and the support frame 22 is connected to the rear side of the case body 21 so as to reinforce the structural strength of the case body 21 and prevent from deformation by impact. The pull rod unit 23 is connected to the rear side of the case body 21 and extends through a rear plate 214 of the case body 21 and enters an interior of the case body 21. A lower end of the pull rod unit 23 is connected to the support frame 22. The rear plate 214 includes two first through holes 2144 in a central portion thereof.
The support frame 22 is a rectangular frame and located in the case body 21. The support frame 22 includes two sidewalls 224, a top end and a lower end connected between the two sidewalls 224, a first and second transverse bars 226, 228 are respectively connected between the two sidewalls 224. The first transverse bar 226 is located close to the top end of the support frame 22 and the second transverse bar 228 is connected to the lower end of the support frame 22. The support frame 22 reinforces structural strength of a top, a bottom and two sides of the case body 21. The second transverse bar 228 is further connected with the lower end of the support frame 22.
The pull rod unit 23 includes two collapsible tubes 232, a handle 234 and a bridge member 236. The handle 234 is connected between the two collapsible tubes 232 and the bridge member 236 is connected between mediate portions of the two collapsible tubes 232. The bridge member 236 is connected to outside of the rear plate 214 and the first transverse bar 226 by screws 2362. The collapsible tubes 232 extend through the first through holes 2144 and are inserted into the case body 21. Two respective lower ends of the collapsible tubes 232 are fixed to the second transverse bar 228 by screws 2322.
FIG. 6 shows the third embodiment of the present invention, wherein the only difference from the second embodiment is the support frame 32 which is a rectangular frame and the first transverse bar in the second embodiment is replaced by a plate 326 which extends from an underside of the top end of the support frame 32 and the second transverse bar 328 us the same as the transverse bar 228 in the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 shows the fourth embodiment which is similar to the first embodiment and includes a case body 41, a support frame 42 and a pull rod unit 43, wherein the an outer plate 44 is connected to the rear side of the case body 41 and a space is defined between the outer plate 44 and the rear side of the case body 41. The pull rod unit 43 is located in the space and hidden by the outer plate 44. An opening of the space defined between the outer plate 44 and the rear side of the case body 41 accommodate the handle of the pull rod unit 43. By the outer plate 44, the collapsible tubes 432 of the pull rod unit 43 can be protected.
FIGS. 8 and 9 show the fifth embodiment which is similar to the fourth embodiment wherein the suitcase includes a case body 51, a support frame 52, a pull rod unit 53 and a flip 55 which is connected to the rear side of the case body 51 and covers an opening of the space defined between the outer plate 54 and the rear side of the case body 51. The flip 55 has a zipper 56 which connects the flip 55 with the outer plate 44 to close the opening of the space. The flip 55 covers the pull rod unit 53 when not in use and prevents foreign objects from entering the space wherein the pull rod unit 53 is located.
While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A suitcase comprising:

a case body having two rollers connected to an underside of a rear side thereof and a support frame connected to the case body and supporting the case body, and

a pull rod unit connected to the rear side of the case body and extending through a rear plate of the case body and entering an interior of the case body, a lower end of the pull rod unit connected to the support frame.

2. The suitcase as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support frame includes a reinforcement plate and a roller stand, the reinforcement plate fixed to the rear plate so as to reinforce a structural strength of the rear plate, the roller stand includes a horizontal wall, an upright wall extending from the horizontal wall and two reception portions which are connected to the horizontal wall and the upright wall, a lower end of the rear plate is connected to the upright wall and sandwiched between the reinforcement plate and the upright wall so that the roller stand is fixed to the underside of the rear side of the case body, the reception portions extend through the rear plate and the reinforcement plate and located in the interior of the case body, the pull rod unit includes two collapsible tubes, a handle and a bridge member, the handle is connected between the two collapsible tubes and the bridge member connected between mediate portions of the two collapsible tubes, the bridge member is connected to outside of the rear plate and the reinforcement plate by screws, the collapsible tubes extend through the rear plate and the reinforcement plate, and are inserted into and fixed to the reception portions in the case body.

3. The suitcase as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rear plate includes two first through holes and the reinforcement plate includes two second through holes, the collapsible tubes extend through the first and second through holes.

4. The suitcase as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rear plate includes two apertures defined in a lower edge thereof and the reinforcement plate includes two notches defined in a lower edge thereof, the two reception portions extend through the apertures and the notches.

5. The suitcase as claimed in claim 2, wherein each collapsible tube is fixedly inserted into the reception portions by screws.

6. The suitcase as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rollers are connected to two ends of the roller stand.

7. The suitcase as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support frame is a rectangular frame and located in the case body, the support frame includes two sidewalls, a top end and a lower end connected between the two sidewalls, a first and second transverse bars are respectively connected between the two sidewalls, the support frame reinforces structural strength of a top, a bottom and two sides of the case body, the second transverse bar is further connected with the lower end of the support frame, the pull rod unit includes two collapsible tubes, a handle and a bridge member, the handle is connected between the two collapsible tubes and the bridge member connected between mediate portions of the two collapsible tubes, the bridge member is connected to outside of the rear plate and the first transverse bar by screws, the collapsible tubes extend through the rear plate and are fixed to the second transverse bar.

8. The suitcase as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first transverse bar is located close to the top end of the support frame.

9. The suitcase as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second transverse bar is connected to the lower end of the support frame.

10. The suitcase as claimed in claim 7, wherein the rear plate includes two first through holes and the collapsible tube extend through the first through holes and are inserted into the case body.

11. The suitcase as claimed in claim 7, wherein two respective lower ends of the collapsible tubes are fixed to the second transverse bar by screws.

12. The suitcase as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer plate is connected to the rear side of the case body and a space is defined between the outer plate and the rear side of the case body, the pull rod unit is located in the space and hidden by the outer plate.

13. The suitcase as claimed in claim 12, wherein a flip is connected to the rear side of the case body and covers an opening of the space defined between the outer plate and the rear side of the case body, the flip has a zipper which connects the flip with the outer plate to close the opening of the space.