Coupling Structure of Retractable Handle-Equipped Luggage

Abstract

A coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage includes a luggage housing comprising an upper housing member and a lower housing member equipped with a retractable handle, a double open end zipper including a second zipper tape stitched to the rim of the upper housing member, a first zipper tape stitched to the rim of the lower housing member, a box affixed to each of two opposite ends of the first zipper tape, a pin affixed to each of two opposite end of the second zipper tape and two zipper sliders mounted to the first zipper tape and respectively provided with a pull tap that is fastenable to a customs lock at the lower housing member, two detachable flexible buckles stitched to the upper and lower housing members, and a detachable hinge mounted to the upper housing member and the lower housing member between the two detachable flexible buckles.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to luggage technology and more particularly, to a coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage.

2. Description of the Related Art

U.S. patent Ser. No. 15/059,403 (Publication Number US2017/0261771 A1) discloses a double open end zipper-based luggage, which is invented by and issued to the present inventor. The double open end zipper used in the double open end zipper-based luggage includes first and second zipper tapes respectively stitched to the N-shaped plastic strips at the first and second housing members of the luggage housing in reversed directions with the box and pin of the first zipper tape respectively disposed adjacent to the pin and box of the second zipper tape subject to the guidance of a mark line at each N-shaped plastic strip, a seam allowance constraint block located at an outer rear side of the box of each of the first and second zipper tapes, and two zipper sliders respectively coupled to first and second zipper tape. However, in the zipper slider mounting process (insertion of zipper tapes into the zipper sliders) during luggage fabrication, it is necessary to perform the process twice. Further, for enabling the pull taps of the zipper sliders to be lockable to the customs lock, the orientation of the pull tap of each zipper slider must be accurately checked. Customer feedback indicates that workers often mount the zipper sliders in the wrong direction, or it is difficult to distinguish the directionality of the pull taps. Actually, the two zipper sliders on one same zipper tape must be disposed opposite to each other. For enabling the pull taps of the zipper sliders to be lockable to the customs lock, the pull taps of the two zipper sliders must be disposed in reversed directions. Therefore, the two zipper sliders must not be set in the same direction. During installation, a mistake may occur. If the two zipper sliders are installed in the wrong direction, the installation must be revised. When mounting the zipper sliders, the worker must simultaneously hold the first and second housing members in position, which is very laborious and inefficient. Further, because the cloth strips between the first and second housing members are flexible, when the user opens the luggage housing, the first or second housing member being opened will vibrate relative to the second or first housing member. Further, the T-shaped protector that is detachably mountable in between the first and second housing members to shield the boxes of the first and second zipper tapes does not work like a hinge, thus, the first and lower housing members cannot be turned relative to each other through 180 degree angle to a fully open status. Thus, this design is simply applicable to soft shell luggages but not suitable for hard shell luggage. The use of this prior art design is subject to certain restrictions and needs to be improved again.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,259B1 disclosed a retractable but not detachable wheeled luggage. U.S. Pat. No. 7,641,040B1 also disclosed a retractable textile apparatus, but can not be separated completely.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage, which is applicable to soft and hard shell luggage and bags, facilitating quick zipper slider installation and avoiding installation mistakes.

To achieve this and other objects of the present invention, the coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage includes a luggage housing comprising an upper housing member and a lower housing member equipped with a retractable handle, a double open end zipper including a second zipper tape stitched to the rim of the upper housing member, a first zipper tape stitched to the rim of the lower housing member, a box affixed to each of two opposite ends of the first zipper tape, a pin affixed to each of two opposite end of the second zipper tape and two zipper sliders mounted to the second zipper tape and respectively provided with a pull tap that is fastenable to a customs lock at the lower housing member, two detachable flexible buckles stitched to the upper and lower housing members, and a detachable hinge mounted to the upper housing member and the lower housing member between the two detachable flexible buckles. The upper housing member and the lower housing member can be separated easily by dismounting the first buckle member and the second buckle member and disengaging the pins at the second zipper tape from the boxes at the first zipper tape and then removing the hinge axle of the detachable hinge from the axle housings of the other hinge plates. If the detachable flexible buckle is used, the user can manually unfasten the wing nut and then remove the screw bolt, enabling the upper and lower housing members to be fully separated. The upper housing member and the lower housing member can be received together for packaging to reduce the volume of the luggage. When the upper and lower housing members of a plurality of luggage housings are packaged and transported together to the destination, the complete luggage housings can be quickly and manually assembled without any tools. This design reduces luggage housing packaging and shipping costs. When the upper and lower housing members are received and packed together, the luggage housing can bear high pressure during transportation, avoiding deformation and damage. The arrangement of the extension shell 6 between the upper and lower housing members greatly increases the storage volume of the luggage housing. When the extension shell is not used, it can be attached to the inside wall of the luggage housing, facilitating application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged view of a part of the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an opened status of the double open end zipper.

FIG. 3 illustrates the detachable flexible buckle mounted to the upper and lower housing members and disposed outside the luggage housing.

FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged front view of the detachable flexible buckle.

FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged top view of the detachable flexible buckle.

FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 4, illustrating a detached status of the detachable flexible buckle.

FIG. 7 corresponds to FIG. 5, illustrating a detached status of the detachable flexible buckle.

FIG. 8 illustrates the detachable flexible buckle mounted to the upper and lower housing members and disposed inside the luggage housing.

FIG. 9 illustrates the internal structure of the luggage housing after the detachable hinge stitched to the upper and lower housing members.

FIG. 10 is a rear side view of the luggage housing after the detachable hinge stitched to the upper and lower housing members.

FIG. 11 is a front side view of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is an elevational view, in an enlarged scale, of the detachable hinge.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view, in an enlarged scale, of the detachable hinge.

FIG. 14 is an elevational view, in an enlarged scale, of one hinge plate of the detachable hinge.

FIG. 15 is a schematic drawing illustrating the internal structure of the luggage housing of the second embodiment of the present invention after the detachable hinge stitched to the upper and lower housing members.

FIG. 16 is a schematic drawing illustrating the external structure of the luggage housing of the second embodiment of the present invention after the detachable hinge stitched to the upper and lower housing members.

FIG. 17 is an exploded enlarged view of the detachable hinge of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an elevational enlarged view of the detachable hinge of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an exploded enlarged view of the third embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the housing member connected by zipper.

FIG. 20 is an exploded enlarged view of the third embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the thickened housing member connected by aluminum alloy strip.

FIG. 21 is a schematic front view of the third embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the annular extension shell connected between the upper housing member and the lower housing member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiment I

A coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a luggage housing 1 of either hard shell or soft shell design that comprises an upper housing member 11 and a lower housing member 13 that is equipped with a retractable handle 12, a double open end zipper 2 that comprises a second zipper tape 22 stitched to the rim of the upper housing member 11, a first zipper tape 21 stitched to the rim of the lower housing member 13 (see FIG. 1), a box 23 affixed to each of two opposite ends of the first zipper tape 21, a pin 24 affixed to each of two opposite end of the second zipper tape22 for mating with one respective box 23 and two zipper sliders 25 mounted to the first zipper tape 21 and respectively provided with a pull tap 26 that is fastenable to a customs lock 27 at the lower housing member 13 (see FIG. 2), two detachable flexible buckles 3 stitched to the upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13 (see FIG. 3), and a detachable hinge 4 mounted to the upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13 between the two detachable flexible buckles 3 (see FIG. 4). The detachable flexible buckle 3 is made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer rubber), but it can of course be made of other similar semi-soft thermoplastic materials. The detachable flexible buckle 3 (see FIGS. 4-7) consists of a first buckle member 31 and a second buckle member 32. The first buckle member 31 and the second buckle member 32 are two opposite zigzags. The first buckle member 31 has three locating grooves 33 located on a head thereof, and a hook hole 36 in each locating groove 33. The second buckle member 32 has three necked locating strips 34 extended from a head thereof corresponding to the locating grooves 33 of the first buckle member 31, and a hook pin 35 perpendicularly downwardly extended from each necked locating strip 34 for hooking in the hook hole 36 in one respective locating groove 33. Further, the three necked locating strips 34 of the detachable flexible buckle 3 can be disposed outside the luggage housing 1 (see FIG. 3), or inside the luggage housing 1 (see FIG. 8). In other words, the detachable flexible buckle 3 necked locating strips 34 of the detachable flexible buckle 3 can be disposed inside or outside the luggage housing 1 according to actual needs.

The detachable hinge 4 pivotally connects the upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member together (see FIGS. 9 and 10). As illustrated in FIGS. 12-14, the detachable hinge 4 comprises two identical hinge plates 41, and a hinge axle 44 mounted in between the two hinge plates 41. The hinge plate 41 comprises an axle housing 411, an open side 412, an arched hook portion 413 suspending in the open side 412, at least one plug rod 4131 located on an inner side of the arched hook portion 413, at least one engagement hole 4132 cut through opposing left and right sides of the arched hook portion 413, an axle hole 4111 defined in the axle housing 411 (see FIG. 13), at least one plug hole 4112 located on a top side of the axle housing 411, and at least one engagement block 4113 located on one lateral side of the axle housing 411. The hinge axle 44 has two opposite ends thereof respectively inserted into the axle holes 4111 of the axle housings 411 of the two hinge plates 41 to pivotally connect the two hinge plates 41 together, enabling the at least one plug rod 4131 of one hinge plate 41 to be plugged into the at least one plug hole 4112 of the other hinge plate 41 and the at least one engagement block 4113 of one hinge plate 41 to be engaged into the at least one engagement hole 4132 of the other hinge plate 41 to achieve a double blocking effect, prohibiting relative displacement between the two hinge plates 41 in the axial direction as well as the transverse direction. When biasing the arched hook portion 413 (in the arrowhead direction shown in FIG. 12) to disengage the at least one plug rod 4131 from the corresponding at least one plug hole 4112, the at least one engagement block 4113 is also disengaged from the corresponding at least one engagement hole 4132, allowing separation of the two hinge plates 41.

In the stitching installation of the detachable flexible buckles 3, the arched hook portions 413 of the two hinge plates 41 are all in the same orientation, both facing the inner cavity of the luggage housing 1. This arrangement prevents the arched hook portions 413 of the two hinge plates 41 to be biased by an evil person from the outside of the luggage housing 1 to disengage the at least one plug rod 4131 from the at least one plug hole 4112 and the at least one engagement block 4112 from the at least one engagement hole 4132. The detachable hinge 4 blocks the gap between the ends of the double open end zipper 2. The hinge plates 41 are made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer rubber), but they can of course be made of other similar semi-soft thermoplastic materials. The hinge axle 44 is made of metal. The detachable flexible buckles 3 are made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer rubber) so that they can be directly stitched to the upper and lower housing members 11;13. Instead of rivet operations with traditional metal fittings, the luggage processing is easier.

Embodiment II

A coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. This second embodiment is substantially similar to the aforesaid first embodiment with the exception of the detachable hinge. The detachable hinge 5 in this second embodiment is disposed between the two detachable flexible buckles 3 to vertically or horizontally couple the upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13 together (see FIGS. 15 and 16). As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the detachable hinge 5 comprises two L-shaped flexible connection plates 51, a cover plate 52 covering the two L-shaped flexible connection plates 51 at a top side, a cushion plate 53 attached to the two L-shaped flexible connection plates 51 at an opposing bottom side, a screw bolt 54 vertically downwardly inserted through the cover plate 52 and the cushion plate 53, and a wing nut 55 threaded onto the screw bolt 54 and abutted against a bottom side of the cushion plate 53 opposite to the cover plate 52 to secure the cover plate 52, the L-shaped flexible connection plates 51 and the cushion plate 53 firmly together. The two L-shaped flexible connection plates 51 are made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer rubber), but they can of course be made of other similar semi-soft thermoplastic materials. Further, the two L-shaped flexible connection plates 51 are respectively stitched to the upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13. The pins 24 and boxes 23 of the double open end zipper 2 are secured to the inside of a -shaped open chamber 521 that is longitudinally defined in the cover plate 52 so that the cover plate 52 blocks the gap between the opposite side of boxes 23 of the two ends of the double open end zipper 2. Two tracks 511, 511′ of inner side of two connection plates 51, 51′ are corresponding to the track 522 of the cover plate 52. The cover plate 52 of the detachable hinge 5 further has a transverse open chamber 523 perpendicularly communicated with the longitudinally extended -shaped open chamber 521 is suitable for use in a luggage housing that is mounted with an extension shell 6. The connection plate 51 is comprising two plates 510′. An open chamber 5101′ is formed after the two plates 510′ assembled in order to let double open end zipper 2 passed.

Embodiment III

Since the upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13 are structurally detachable, an annular extension shell (see FIG. 19) can be provided between the upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13 by connection of zipper 10 or by an aluminum alloy strip 20 (see. 20) to increase the volume of the luggage housing 1. The annular extension shell 6 (see FIG. 21) comprises an annular shell body 61 fitting the configuration of the rim of the upper housing member 11 or the lower housing member 13, a second zipper tape 22 and a first zipper tape 21 respectively stitched along two opposite sides of the annular shell body 61 and detachably fastenable to the first zipper tape 21 at the lower housing member 13 and the second zipper tape 22 at the upper housing member 11 by the zipper sliders 25. Further, the thickness (or so-called width) S of the annular extension shell 6 can be variously configured to meet different requirements. One luggage housing 1 can be equipped with multiple annular extension shells 6 of different thickness S for option. The extension shell 6 can be made of a foldable flexible or hard material.

In the installation of the luggage housing, insert the pins 24 at the two ends of the second zipper tape 22 through the two zipper sliders 25 into the respective boxes 23 at the two ends of the first zipper tape 21 and simultaneously assemble the detachable hinge 4 or 5 at the upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13, then pull the two zipper sliders 25 upwardly or downwardly to the opposing top and bottom sides of the luggage housing 1, then fasten up the two detachable flexible buckles 3 to secure the upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13 closely together. Thus, the luggage housing is assembled and closed. Dismounting the luggage housing is achieved by performing the aforesaid steps reversely. After separation of the upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13, the upper housing member 11 can be attached to the inside of the lower housing member 13 for packaging, minimizing the volume and saving the packing materials and costs. Further, because the upper housing member 11 is received inside the lower housing member 13, the package can bear high pressure, avoiding delivery damage.

Furthermore, the aforementioned extension shell can be linked by the straight detachable hinge or by the T-shaped detachable hinge.

Further, a N-shaped plastic strip 70 (see FIG. 9) can be connected to the stitches between the upper and lower housing members 11,13 and the second and first zipper tapes 22,21 to prevent the zipper sliders from getting stuck.

In conclusion, the present invention can be summarized as having the following enhancement effects:

1. The boxes 23 at the two side of two zipper sliders 25 of double opened end zipper 2 and the pins 24 at the other side of the double opened end zipper 2 enable the teeth of the zipper easily positioned. Additional the detachable hinges 4,5 at the upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13 enables easily sealed, separated and assembled.
2. The upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13 can be separated easily by dismounting the first buckle member 31 and the second buckle member 32 and disengaging the pins 24 at the second zipper tape 22 from the boxes 23 at the first zipper tape 21 and then removing the hinge axle 44 of the detachable hinge 4 from the axle housings 411 of the other hinge plates 41. If the detachable flexible buckle 3 is used, the user can manually unfasten the wing nut 55 and then remove the screw bolt 54, enabling the upper and lower housing members 11,13 to be fully separated.
3. The upper housing member 11 and the lower housing member 13 can be received together for packaging to reduce the volume of the luggage. When the upper and lower housing members of a plurality of luggage housings 1 are packaged and transported together to the destination, the complete luggage housings 1 can be quickly and manually assembled without any tools. This design reduces luggage housing packaging and shipping costs.
4. When the upper and lower housing members 11,13 are received and packed together, the luggage housing 1 can bear high pressure during transportation, avoiding deformation and damage. The arrangement of the extension shell 6 between the upper and lower housing members 11,13 greatly increases the storage volume of the luggage housing 1. When the extension shell 6 is not used, it can be attached to the inside wall of the luggage housing 1, facilitating application.

Claims

1. A coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage, comprising:

a luggage housing comprising an upper housing member and a lower housing member equipped with a retractable handle;

a double open end zipper comprising a second zipper tape stitched to a rim of said upper housing member, a first zipper tape stitched to a rim of said lower housing member, a box affixed to each of two opposite ends of said first zipper tape, a pin affixed to each of two opposite end of said second zipper tape for mating with one respective said box and two zipper sliders mounted to said first zipper tape and respectively provided with a pull tap that is fastenable to a customs lock at said lower housing member;

two detachable flexible buckles stitched to said upper housing member and said lower housing member; and

a detachable hinge mounted to said upper housing member and said lower housing member between said two detachable flexible buckles enables easily fully separated and reassembled.

2. The coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detachable flexible buckle prefer made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer rubber), comprising a first buckle member and a second buckle member, said first buckle member and said second buckle member being two opposite zigzags, said first buckle member comprising a plurality of locating grooves located on a head thereof, said second buckle member comprising a plurality of necked locating strips extended from a head thereof and detachably fastenable to said locating grooves of said first buckle member.

3. The coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detachable hinge comprises two identical hinge plates made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer rubber) and a hinge axle made of metal and mounted in between said two hinge plates, each said hinge plate comprising an axle housing, an open side, an arched hook portion suspending in said open side, at least one plug rod located on an inner side of said arched hook portion, at least one engagement hole cut through opposing left and right sides of said arched hook portion, an axle hole defined in said axle housing, at least one plug hole located on a top side of said axle housing and at least one engagement block located on one lateral side of said axle housing, said hinge axle having two opposite ends thereof respectively inserted into said axle holes of said axle housings of said two hinge plates to pivotally connect said two hinge plates together for enabling said at least one plug rod of one said hinge plate to be plugged into said at least one plug hole of the other said hinge plate and also for enabling said at least one engagement block of one said hinge plate to be engaged into said at least one engagement hole of the other said hinge plate.

4. The coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper housing member and the lower housing member connected an annular shell body by a zipper or an aluminum alloy strip, the said annular extension shell comprising an annular shell body fitting the configuration of the rim of the upper housing member or the lower housing member, a second zipper tape and a first zipper tape.

5. The coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detachable hinge is a straight hinge comprising two L-shaped flexible connection plates respectively affixed to said upper housing member and said lower housing member, a cover plate covering said two L-shaped flexible connection plates at a top side, a cushion plate attached to said two L-shaped flexible connection plates at an opposing bottom side, two tracks of the said inner side of said two connection plates corresponding to a track of the said cover plate, a screw bolt vertically downwardly inserted through said cover plate and said cushion plate, and a wing nut threaded onto said screw bolt and abutted against a bottom side of said cushion plate opposite to said cover plate to secure said cover plate, said L-shaped flexible connection plates and said cushion plate together, said cover plate defining therein a -shaped open chamber that accommodates said pins and said boxes of said double open end zipper so that said cover plate blocks the gap between the opposite side of boxes of the two ends of the double open end zipper.

6. The coupling structure of retractable handle-equipped luggage as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said cover plate of the detachable hinge further having a transverse open chamber perpendicularly communicated with the longitudinally extended -shaped open chamber suitable for use in a luggage housing that is mounted with an extension shell, the said connection plate comprising two plates, an open chamber formed after the two plates assembled in order letting the said double open end zipper passed, the said annular extension shell detachably connected between said upper housing member and said lower housing member, said extension shell comprising a subsidiary second zipper tape and a subsidiary first zipper tape respectively detachably fastenable to said first zipper tape and said second zipper tape by said zipper sliders.