Suitcase with variable capacity

Details Suitcase with variable capacity Suitcase with variable capacity

1997-01-17

2000-04-18

Garbe, Stephen P.

Trunks and hand-carried luggage

Hand luggage

Variable volume

190109, 190117, 190901, A45C 700

Patent

active

060503734

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a case with a variable capacity, comprising a central part which has two stable frame halves hinged to one another which serve as supports for a single shell pair forming the interior of the case.


RELATED ART

In conventional cases, for example suitcases or travel cases, the volume of the case interior is mostly constant. Therefore, for different volumes of clothes to be packed, different cases are required. For a business trip, for example, lasting only a few days, a smaller case is necessary than for a holiday lasting several weeks. The costs of purchasing several cases of different sizes is high and the storage requirements considerable.
Various prior art cases are known, of which the inside volume is variable, so that a case is provided which is able to accommodate different quantities. A case is, for example, known from the German registered design GM 77 26 305 which may be enlarged gradually up to double the volume, as required. For this purpose, in particular deep folds are provided in the cover and in the bottom part of the case. The German registered design GM 75 41 679 relates to a case with two firm shells and a flexible intermediate part.
Both solutions, however, have the disadvantage that the folds and the flexible intermediate part affect the stability of the case unfavourably. The fold and the flexible intermediate part reduce the overall stability of the case. Stresses from outside may cause the case to become deformed. This could lead to damage to the case, itself, or to its contents.
DE 33 43 068 discloses a small suitcase of a modular construction. Here, cover parts are provided on either side of a central part. The cover parts may be detachably connected to the central part. This makes it possible to replace a cover part of a certain depth by a cover part of a different depth. The cover parts are connected to the central part via hinges. Opening and closing the case places a great stress on the hinges. When hinges are constructed as detachable connections, they normally produce a weak spot which reduces the service life of the case.
The German registered design G 83 08 483 is a case which has two shells hinged to one another and enclosing the interior, which form a lockable stable frame as support. Here, the shells are expandable so that the capacity of the interior may be adapted to the relevant requirements. The shells consist of a resilient material which reduces the stability of the case.
This invention has the object of providing a case with a volume which may be adapted to the relevant requirements but which is also stable and easily operated.


BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This object is achieved by a case of a variable capacity comprising a central part which consists of two stable frame halves hinged to one another. The frame halves serve as supports for a single pair of various size shell pairs which, together with the frame halves, define the interior of the case. Normally, the frame has a rectangular general shape, each frame half providing a grip side, a hinge side positioned opposite the grip side and two opposing side sections. The frame elements may be integrally formed. According to the invention, the shell pairs are detachably connected to the frame halves of the central part.
In this way, it is possible for shells of varying depth to be used in combination with the same central part. Thus the case volume may be adapted to the volume of the contents. The shells, normally consisting of a rigid plastic material, form, together with the central part consisting of a light metal or a rigid plastic material, a stable case. When the case is not in use, the shells of different depths may nest inside one another. Thus, a case, according to the invention, clearly requires less storage space than several conventional cases with different internal volumes.
Advantageously, each frame half provides means for at least one three-point connection for each half of a shell pair. A detachable three-point fixing of each shell in t

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