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EP-4539698-B1 - SUITCASE

EP4539698B1EP 4539698 B1EP4539698 B1EP 4539698B1EP-4539698-B1

Inventors

  • SELVI, SEDAT

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20230616

Claims (14)

  1. A hard-shell suitcase (100) comprising: a base portion (110) comprising a first concave shell, wherein an edge of the first concave shell defines a first plane (210); a lid portion (120) connected to the base portion (110) by a hinge such that the lid portion (120) is configured to be movable with respect to the base portion (110) between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position an edge (121) of the lid portion (120) is adjacent to the edge (111) of the first concave shell in the first plane (210); first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies (131, 132, 133, 134) attached to the exterior of the base portion (110), wherein: the first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies (131, 132, 133, 134) are in a second plane (220) parallel to the first plane (210); the first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies (131, 132, 133, 134) are configured to support the base portion (110); and each wheel assembly is configured to rotate about a first axis parallel to the second plane (220); and a first retractable handle (140) parallel to the first plane (210) configured to be movable in a first direction (250) parallel to the first plane (210) from a retracted position to an extended position and from the extended position to the retracted position, wherein in the retracted position a portion of the first retractable handle (140) is housed inside the lid portion (120); characterised in that each wheel assembly is further configured to rotate about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.
  2. The hard-shell suitcase (100) of claim 1 further comprising first, second, third and fourth feet (191, 192, 193, 194), wherein the first and second feet (193, 194) are attached to the exterior of the base portion (110) and wherein the third and fourth feet (191, 192) are attached to the exterior of the lid portion (120).
  3. The hard-shell suitcase (100) of claim 1 or 2 further comprising a second retractable handle (150) configured to be movable in a plurality of directions between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions, wherein in the retracted position a portion of the second retractable handle (150) is housed inside the lid portion (110).
  4. The hard-shell suitcase (100) of claim 3 wherein the second retractable handle (150) is flexible.
  5. The hard-shell suitcase (100) of claim 3 or 4 wherein the plurality of extended positions of the second retractable handle (150) are in a third plane, wherein the third plane is perpendicular to the first plane (210) and parallel to the first direction.
  6. The hard-shell suitcase (100) of any preceding claim wherein the base portion (110) comprises a first foot rest (171) and a second foot rest (172).
  7. A hard-shell suitcase (700) comprising: a base portion (710) comprising a first concave shell, wherein an edge of the first concave shell defines a first plane (810); a lid portion (720) connected to the base portion (710) by a hinge such that the lid portion is configured to be movable with respect to the base potion between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position an edge (721) of the lid portion (720) is adjacent to the edge of the first concave shell in the first plane (810); first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies (731, 732, 733, 734) wherein the first and second wheel assemblies (731, 732) are attached to the exterior of the base portion (710) and wherein the third and fourth wheel assemblies (733, 734) are attached to the exterior of the lid portion (120), wherein: the first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies (731, 732, 733, 734) are in a second plane (820) perpendicular to the first plane (810); and each wheel assembly is configured to rotate about a first axis parallel to the second plane (820) and about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and a first retractable handle (740) parallel to the first plane (810) configured to be movable in a direction parallel to the first plane (810) between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein in the retracted position a portion of the first retractable handle (740) is housed inside the lid portion (720); characterised in that the hard-shell suitcase (700) further comprises first, second, third and fourth feet (751, 752, 753, 754) attached to the exterior of the base portion (710), wherein the first, second, third and fourth feet (751, 752, 753, 754) are in a third plane parallel to the first plane (810).
  8. The hard-shell suitcase of any preceding claim further comprising a carry handle attached to the exterior of the lid portion.
  9. The hard-shell suitcase of any preceding claim wherein in the closed position the lid portion is attached to the base portion by a zip.
  10. The hard-shell suitcase of any preceding claim wherein the base portion and the lid portion are manufactured by blow moulding.
  11. The hard-shell suitcase of any preceding claim wherein the base portion and the lid portion are made from a thermoplastic polymer.
  12. The hard-shell suitcase of claim 10 wherein the base portion and the lid portion are made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
  13. The hard-shell suitcase of any preceding claim wherein each wheel assembly comprises a pair of parallel wheels.
  14. The hard-shell suitcase of claim 13 wherein each wheel in the pair of parallel wheels is arranged on either side of a central portion, wherein the central portion is configured to rotate about the second axis.

Description

Field of the disclosure The disclosure relates to the field of suitcases. Background It is known to provide hard shell suitcases for children which are configured to allow the child to sit on the suitcase while the suitcase rests on four wheels. The child may propel the suitcase by pushing against the ground with their feet. Typically, such suitcases are provided with a fabric strap for towing the suitcase. The strap is usually detachable from the suitcase when not in use. The suitcases are generally also provided with fabric carry handles. Each wheel rotates about one axis, allowing the suitcase to be towed or propelled in one direction. The suitcases typically comprise two concave shells connected by a hinge, that are clipped together (for example with latches, clips or clasps) to close the suitcase. The interface between the two concave shells is conventionally in a plane perpendicular to the wheel plane and parallel to the direction of travel, such that the hinge is between two pairs of wheels. It is also known to provide suitcases for adults that comprise two or four wheels and are configured to be towed using a retractable handle. These suitcases typically comprise two concave shells (a base portion and a lid portion) connected by a hinge, wherein the interface between the two concave shells is conventionally in a plane perpendicular to the wheel plane. When not in use, the retractable handle is stored in a base portion of the suitcase. The storage of the retractable handle in the base portion of the suitcase generally results in an uneven packing surface. Two-wheeled suitcases generally comprise two wheels on a base portion of the suitcase and two feet on a lid portion of the suitcase for stability when not being towed, wherein the two wheels and two feet are in the same plane. Four-wheeled suitcases generally comprise two wheels on the base portion of the suitcase and two wheels on the lid portion of the suitcase, with no feet. EP 2929797 B1 describes a trolley type container, convertible into a scooter. The trolley comprises a body provided with a handle, connected to at least one extendable rod, and wheels adapted to facilitate the movement thereof without requiring a lifting, said at least one extendable rod being slidably coupled to said body for being extracted and inserted into the body. The trolley comprises further wheels installed in a side of the body and said extendable rod, once extracted from the body, is configured to rotate with respect to said body about an axis perpendicular to the direction of the rod, so that said handle and a further side of said body, which is opposite to said side, are a handlebar and a footboard of a vehicle movable on said wheels, respectively. WO 2021/148747 A1 describes a luggage-type leather article. The luggage comprises an extendable and retractable handle mechanism having a handle shaft to which a handle grip portion is secured. Summary Against this background, in a first aspect of the disclosure there is provided a hard-shell suitcase comprising a base portion comprising a first concave shell, wherein an edge of the first concave shell defines a first plane. The hard-shell suitcase further comprises a lid portion connected to the base portion by a hinge such that the lid portion is configured to be movable with respect to the base potion between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position an edge of the lid portion is adjacent to the edge of the first concave shell in the first plane. The hard-shell suitcase further comprises first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies attached to the exterior of the base portion. The first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies are in a second plane parallel to the first plane. The first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies are configured to support the base portion. Each wheel assembly is configured to rotate about a first axis parallel to the second plane and about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The hard-shell suitcase further comprises a first retractable handle parallel to the first plane configured to be movable in a first direction parallel to the first plane from a retracted position to an extended position and from the extended position to the retracted position, wherein in the retracted position a portion of the first retractable handle is housed inside the lid portion. In this way a person may sit on the lid portion of the hard-shell suitcase with the hard-shell suitcase supported by the first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies. The first retractable handle is housed in the lid portion, increasing the space available in the base portion and allowing a flat surface for packing inside the base portion as there is no handle housed in the base portion. The lid portion provides a stable surface to sit on. The hard-shell suitcase may further comprise first, second, third and fourth feet, wherein the first and second feet are attached to the exterior