Trunks and hand-carried luggage – Supporting devices – Wheeled
Patent
1998-07-20
1999-11-30
Weaver, Sue A.
Trunks and hand-carried luggage
Supporting devices
Wheeled
190 39, 190115, 280 37, A45C 514
Patent
active
059925884
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Such a suitcase is known, for example, from DE 33 07 838, EP 0 175 022 A and EP 0 247 321 A.
Furthermore, suitcases are known which are provided, at the frontal face thereof, with guide roller inserts comprising a small guide roller having a diameter of approximately 30 mm. These guide rollers are arranged in a recessed manner in a casing embedded in the frontal face of the suitcase. The disadvantage of the known guide roller consists in their being arranged at a greater distance from the main surfaces of the suitcase, whereby the base width between the two guide rollers is small. In connection with the small diameter of the guide rollers, the suitcase has a strong tendency to tilt, even in the case of a minor unevenness of a floor, which tendency requires an increased attention when rolling the suitcase.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is based on the object to improve a suitcase of the kind mentioned above so that it can be guided in a stable manner without tilting, even when rolling in an upright position.
Advantageously, the invention provides that a guide roller is arranged with at least one caster on each of the upper corners of the first vertical narrow side of the suitcase, the rotational axis of the guide roller having a distance from the main surface of the corresponding case half and from the upper surface of the case half which amounts to a maximum of 2.5 cm, preferably a maximum of 2 cm.
The arrangement of the rotational axis of the guide roller with a small distance from the upper surface of the suitcase and from the main surface of the suitcase causes a base width as wide as possible to be formed between the two guide rollers on the corners of the suitcase, which base width increases the stability of the suitcase. Apart from that, the tendency to tilt is reduced by the position of the rotational axis of the guide rollers relative to the center of gravity of the suitcase.
The rotational axis of the casters extends parallel to the vertical narrow side of the suitcase at a distance to the rotational axis of the guide roller. This offsetting of the axes causes the guide roller to be easily steerable due to the lever forces acting thereupon.
In a preferred exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the at least one caster of the guide roller has a diameter of approximately 35 to 70 mm, preferably 40 to 60 mm. The use of a larger caster also reduces the tendency to tilt in the case of smaller ground beams and obstacles.
The projecting length of the at least one caster relative to the plane of the first vertical narrow side amounts to approximately 15 mm. In the case of such a distance, on the one hand, smaller obstacles can still be crossed without the suitcase touching down, on the other hand, the guide roller does not project beyond the vertical narrow side as far as to be disturbing in the normal position of the suitcase.
Preferably, the guide roller comprises two parallel coaxially arranged casters, the running planes thereof extending at the same distance from the rotational axis of the guide roller. Such a guide roller provides the suitcase with a higher stability and reduces the danger of the suitcase tilting to the side.
In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the guide roller is provided in a casing comprising a flange for attachment to the main surface of the upper side and the first vertical narrow side. Within the casing, a recess is provided in which the guide roller is mounted to be arranged in a recessed manner and can be pivoted freely.
There now follows a more detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a suitcase according to the invention with a set of casters and a set of guide rollers,
FIG. 2 shows a top plan view onto the vertical narrow side of the suitcase provided with rollers,
FIG. 3 shows a suitcase positioned upright and being movable on the casters,
FIG. 4 shows a view of a suitcase corner provided with guide rollers, in
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patent: 2439660 (1948-04-01), Keil
patent: 2596578 (1952-05-01), Mc Intyre et al.
patent: 4321727 (1982-03-01), Sheiman et al.
patent: 4385415 (1983-05-01), Volz
patent: 4463840 (1984-08-01), Seynhaeve
patent: 4679670 (1987-07-01), Wickman
patent: 4854602 (1989-08-01), Takeuchi
patent: 5044476 (1991-09-01), Seynhaeve
patent: 5197578 (1993-03-01), Van Hooreweder
Rimowa Kofferfabrik GmbH
Weaver Sue A.
LandOfFree
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