SUITCASE FRAME

Abstract

There is provided a frame corner component (110) for a frame assembly of a suitcase panel. The frame corner component comprises a first connection portion (112) and a second connection portion (113), each of the first and second connection portion comprising an opening (116, 117) configured to receive an end of a support rod. At least one of the first and second connection portions further comprises an aperture (118A, 118B, 118C, 118D, 119A, 119B, 119C, 119D) configured to allow access to at least a part of a respective support rod when the respective support rod is received in the opening of a respective connection portion.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a suitcase frame. The present disclosure also relates to a suitcase, a suitcase panel, a frame assembly for a suitcase panel, methods of manufacture therefor, and kits and components therefor.

BACKGROUND

In an increasingly connected and globalised world, travel is on the increase and the need to transport belongings for both business and leisure increases with it. On a personal level, this transport relies on suitcases, which are typically in the form of cuboidal bags with handles.

Suitcases often also comprise wheels to allow them to be rolled along the ground. Rather than doing work lifting a suitcase every time it needs to be moved, the weight of the suitcase can remain on the ground, and the user simply needs to overcome rolling friction to move the suitcase, which is typically a small fraction of the weight of the suitcase. Such suitcases usually comprise a telescopic handle assembly which allows a handlebar of the suitcase to be raised to a convenient for grasping by the hand of a user, while the suitcase can remain on the ground and utilise its wheels for rolling.

Despite the advantage provided by wheels, during travel heavy baggage will still need, on occasion, to be lifted off the ground, and this remains tiring and inconvenient for the traveller. Additionally, air travel is becoming more and more popular. Most airlines impose weight limits on suitcases, and many charge premiums to transport suitcases that are above a certain weight. It is therefore desirable to make suitcases as light as possible, while still being strong and robust enough to survive the often rough handling to which they are subjected.

On top of all of this, greater connectivity and globalisation opens up new manufacturing possibilities and increases competition. The ability to make use of new manufacturing possibilities would provide benefits in overcoming the cost pressures on the manufacturing of suitcases as well as other goods that such connectivity and globalisation imposes. Any advances in suitcase design must be considered in tandem with the need to minimise cost increases and enable simple manufacturing.

One way of reducing the weight of suitcases has been to use so called “soft-sided” suitcases assembled from fabric panels which have wire members stitched inside sections of fabric to support the shape of the panel. The manufacturing process of these fabric panels typically require the incorporation of boards or other supporting structures to provide shape to the suitcase. These boards and supporting structures add significant weight and significantly reduce the advantages of using soft-sided suitcases in the first place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a frame corner component for a frame assembly of a suitcase panel. The frame corner component comprises: a first connection portion comprising an opening to receive an end of a support rod, and a second connection portion comprising an opening to receive an end of a support rod. At least one of the first and second connection portions further comprises an aperture configured to allow access to at least a part of a respective support rod when the respective support rod is received in the opening of a respective connection portion.

The present disclosure also provides a frame assembly for a suitcase panel, such as a front panel of a soft-sided suitcase, which is lightweight and does not require additional boards and/or further supporting structures to provide shape to the panel, while being simple and easy to manufacture. The frame assembly comprises four support rods, each support rod comprising fiberglass, and four frame corner components. Each frame corner component comprises a first connection portion and a second connection portion, each connection portion comprising an opening configured to receive an end of a respective support rod, and each frame corner component is configured to connect two respective support rods so as to form a quadrilateral frame. At least one of the first and second connection portions of at least one frame corner component further comprises an aperture configured to allow access to at least a part of a respective support rod when the respective support rod is received in the opening of a respective connection portion.

The present disclosure also provides a suitcase panel comprising the frame assembly as described herein, and a covering.

The present disclosure also provides a suitcase comprising the suitcase panel as described herein.

The present disclosure also provides a kit comprising parts for constructing the frame assembly as described herein.

The present disclosure also provides a method of manufacturing a frame assembly for a suitcase panel. The method comprises providing four support rods and four frame corner components and connecting each of the four frame corner components with two respective support rods. Each support rod comprises fiberglass, and each frame corner component comprises a first connection portion and a second connection portion. Each connection portion comprises an opening configured to receive an end of a respective support rod, and each frame corner component is configured connect two respective support rods so as to form a quadrilateral frame. At least one of the first and second connection portions of at least one frame corner component further comprises an aperture configured to allow access to at least a part of a respective support rod when the respective support rod is received in the opening of a respective connection portion. The step of connecting each frame corner component with two respective support rods comprises: inserting an end of one of the two respective support rods into the opening of the first connection portion, and inserting an end of another one of the two respective support rods into the opening of the second connection portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in further detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic front perspective view of a suitcase according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a frame assembly for a suitcase panel of a suitcase shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a frame corner component of a frame assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of a frame corner component as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic side view of a frame corner component as shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a frame corner component shown in FIG. 3 taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic detail side view of a connection portion of a frame corner component as shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a connection portion of a frame corner component as shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILS DESCRIPTION

In this specification and the claims which follow, spatial terms such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “up”, “down”, “above”, and “below” may be used with respect to the normal orientation of the suitcase. For example, if the suitcase has wheels, then the normal orientation is with its wheels on the ground. In any event, these terms are not intended to be limiting or absolute.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to mean that the following integer, step, group of integers or group of steps is included but that other integers, steps, groups of integers or groups of steps are not excluded.

A frame assembly for a suitcase panel may be a structure made up of rigid, or substantially rigid, components which supports a panel of a suitcase. The frame assembly may give shape to the suitcase panel. The frame assembly may comprise all of the components that are required to give a suitcase panel its structural integrity. A suitcase panel comprising the frame assembly, together with other suitcase panels, may define a volume for storing belongings inside the suitcase.

The frame assembly may be constructed from components that are secured together so that no components will fall off the frame assembly, and the frame assembly will not fall apart, regardless of the orientation in which the frame assembly is held. This may be true even if the frame assembly is not stitched into a covering. Alternatively, some frame assemblies may require that they are stitched into at least a section of the covering to prevent them from falling apart, and to prevent one or more components from falling off the frame assembly.

A frame assembly may not require a covering to be held together. That is, the frame assembly may have structural integrity without a covering. Stated another way, the frame assembly can be securely assembled independently of a covering. As will be explained in more detail below, in some embodiments component(s) of a frame assembly may comprise features such as internal protrusions(s) or adhesive or other fastening means to allow the components of the frame assembly to be held together in place.

A suitcase panel covering can be made of flexible material. A suitcase panel covering may be made entirely from flexible material other than some of the fastening means that may be attached to a suitcase panel covering. A suitcase panel covering may enclose a whole frame assembly when fixed together.

Suitcase and Suitcase Panel

FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a suitcase 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The suitcase 1 is cuboidal in shape. The suitcase 1 comprises a front panel 10, a first side panel 20, a top panel 30, a second side panel (not shown) which is opposite to first side panel 20, a back panel (not shown) which is opposite to front panel 10, a bottom panel (not shown) which is opposite to top panel 30, a handle 40, and wheels 50. The front panel 10 may correspond to a lid of the suitcase 1, and the lid may include one or more fastening members 11, 12 which can be provided in the form of zips to allow the lid to be at least partially removably connected to the remaining panels of suitcase 1.

Each of the front panel 10, first side panel 20, top panel 30, second side panel, back panel, and bottom panel of the suitcase 1, in particular the front panel 10, may comprise a frame assembly (not shown) and a covering 15 extending over the frame assembly. In this embodiment, the covering 15 is secured to the frame assembly. The covering 15 may comprise a single piece of material or a plurality of pieces of flexible material (e.g. an outer layer and an inner lining) fixed together, for example by being stitched together. In some embodiments, covering 15 can be described as “single-piece”. That is, while it is made up from a plurality of pieces of flexible material which have been fixed together, it is one combined piece to which the frame assembly may be secured. The covering 15 may be dimensioned so that it is held taut by the frame assembly when the frame assembly is attached to the covering 15. When the frame assembly is secured to the covering 15, the covering 15 can extend over the entirety of the frame assembly and enclose the frame assembly. Also, in some embodiments, the covering 15 may be made entirely of flexible material. Usually, a fabric material is used, and in particular polyester, nylon, cotton, leather, vinyl and other fabrics that are lightweight, durable and flexible.

The handle 40 may be directly connected to a structure of the back panel of suitcase 1. For example, in some embodiments, the handle 40 may be part of an integrated handle assembly (not shown) which is connected to a frame assembly of the back panel. Each wheel 50 is positioned at a respective corner of the bottom panel of the suitcase 1, and is capable of freely rotating about an axis perpendicular to the bottom panel to enable suitcase 1 to be easily steered during use.

While suitcase 1 of FIG. 1 is understood as having four wheels (three of which are explicitly shown), it is not necessary for suitcases of the present disclosure to have any wheels, and different numbers of wheels are possible. In particular, suitcases of the present disclosure may have two wheels and optionally at least one support member. Also, while the suitcase 1 is illustrated as having a handle, it is not necessary for suitcases of the present disclosure to have a handle at all.

Frame Assembly

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a frame assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Frame assembly 100 is a quadrilateral frame comprising a first frame corner component 110A, a second frame corner component 110B, a third frame corner component 110C, a fourth frame corner component 110D, a first support rod 120A, a second support rod 120B, a third support rod 120C, and a fourth support rod 120D. Each frame corner component 110A-D is configured to connect two respective support rods so as to form the quadrilateral frame. Description of the frame corner components 110A-D and the contact between each frame corner components and two respective support rods will be provided in more detail under the section “Frame Corner Component”. In some parts of this disclosure, each of the first to fourth frame corner components may be generally referred to as a “frame corner component 110”, and each of the first to fourth support rods 120A-D may be generally referred to as a “support rod 120”.

Each of the first, second, third, and fourth support rods 120A-D may comprise fiberglass. In some embodiments, each of the first to fourth support rods 120A-D may be a fiberglass pultrusion rod. Other materials may be used instead or in combination with fiberglass if this is desirable. Each support rod 120A-D has a first and second end. By connecting the first and second ends to respective frame corner components, frame assembly 100 is formed.

In more detail, when the frame assembly 100 is fully formed, the first support rod 120A connects the first and second frame corner components 110A, 110B, the second support rod 120B connects the second and third frame corner components 110B, 110C, the third support rod 120C connects the third and fourth frame corner components 110C, 110D, and the fourth support rod 120D connects the fourth and first frame corner components 110D, 110A. Specifically, each end of each support rod 120A-D connects to a respective frame corner component through respective connection portions at the frame corner components. Furthermore, each end of each support rod 120A-D is received within a respective connection portion when frame assembly 100 is fully formed. Fastening means such as adhesive can be used to keep the ends in place within respective connection portions, as will be explained in further detail below.

The frame assembly 100 is a fully formed frame assembly, in that it contains all the rigid, or substantially rigid, components necessary to support a covering (e.g. the covering 15 of FIG. 1) and give shape to a suitcase panel (e.g. the front panel 10 of FIG. 1).

When the frame assembly 100 is assembled as shown in FIG. 2, the frame assembly 100 has structural integrity. That is, components of frame assembly 100 are sufficiently secured together that no components will fall off the frame assembly 100, regardless of the orientation in which the frame assembly 100 is held. That can be true even if the frame assembly 100 is not fixed to a covering (e.g. the covering 15 as shown in FIG. 1). The frame assembly 100 may comprise all of the components that are required to give a corresponding suitcase panel its structural integrity and maintain its shape. In some embodiments, features such as an internal protrusion on an internal surface of a connection portion of a frame corner component can be used to maintain the ends of the support rods in place within respective connection portions, such that structural integrity of frame assembly 100 can be maintained or improved.

As mentioned above, a covering (e.g. the covering 15) can extend over the frame assembly 100 to form a suitcase panel, such as the front panel 10. In more detail, the frame assembly 100 can be fixed to one or more sections on an interior side of the covering 15. For coverings that include at least an outer layer (such as a strong durable fabric made of nylon) and an inner lining, the interior side may correspond to the inner lining, meaning that the frame assembly 100 can be fixed to the inner lining by being stitched inside or underneath one or more sections of the inner lining. For example, the frame assembly 100 may be stitched between the inner lining fabric and the outer layer fabric. By fixing the frame assembly 100 to an interior side of the covering 15, rather than the exterior side, the frame assembly 100 is better protected from high impact forces or heavy loads.

Frame Corner Component

As described above and illustrated in FIG. 2, the frame assembly 100 comprises four frame corner components 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D. These frame corner components 110A-D are lightweight while still being strong and robust enough to survive rough handling. In some embodiments, each frame corner component 110 may comprise fiberglass. Each frame corner component 110 may be moulded, for example by injection moulding, or 3D printed, or formed by an alternative manufacturing technique if this is desirable.

As best illustrated FIGS. 3 to 6, each frame corner component 110 in the present embodiment comprises a body 111 joining a first connection portion 112 and a second connection portion 113. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, each frame corner component 110 comprises a first end 114 and a second end 115, where first connection portion 112 corresponds to the first end 114 and the second connection portion 113 corresponds to the second end 115.

As mentioned above, each support rod 120 in frame assembly 100 comprises a first end and a second end, and when the frame assembly 100 is fully formed, the first and second ends of each support rod 120 are received in the openings of respective connection portions of the frame corner components 110 the frame assembly 100 is constructed. Each opening may be in the form of a blind hole, specifically a hole that is blind along an axis of the connection portion. This is illustrated in FIG. 3 which shows that the first connection portion 112 comprises an opening 116 configured to receive an end of a respective support rod, and the second connection portion 113 comprises an opening 117 configured to receive an end of a respective support rod (not shown). Taking the first frame corner component 110A as illustrated in FIG. 2 as an example, the opening 116 of first connection portion 112 of the first frame corner component 110A may be configured to receive an end of first support rod 120A, and the opening 117 of the second connection portion 113 of this frame corner component 110A may be configured to receive an end of fourth support rod 120D. The opposite arrangement is also possible, where the opening 116 of the first connection portion 112 may be configured to receive an end of fourth support rod 120D, while the opening 117 of the second connection portion 113 may be configured to receive an end of first support rod 120A.

In the present embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, each of first connection portion 112 and second connection portion 113 comprises four apertures. More specifically, first connection portion 112 comprises a first pair of apertures 118A, 118B and a second pair of apertures 118C, 118D, and the second connection portion 113 comprises a third pair of apertures 119A, 119B, and a fourth pair of apertures 119C, 119D. The relative positions of the first pair 118A, 118B and second pair 118C, 118D of apertures of the first connection portion 112 are best illustrated in FIG. 5, while the relative positions of the third pair and fourth pair of apertures at second connection portion 113 are best illustrated in FIG. 8.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first pair of apertures 118A, 118B are arranged on a first side of the first connection portion 112, while the second pair of apertures 118C, 118D are arranged on a second side of the first connection portion 112, the second side being opposite to the first side. The first pair of apertures include a first distal aperture 118A and a first proximal aperture 118B. The second pair of apertures include e a second distal aperture 118C and a second proximal aperture 118D. The positions of the first and second distal apertures 118A, 118C are symmetrical with respect to a central lateral axis of first connection portion 112, and the positions of the first and second proximal apertures 118B, 118D are symmetrical with respect to the central lateral axis of the first connection portion 112. This symmetry in positions makes the frame corner component easy to manufacture, and thereby reduces the associated manufacturing costs. However, alternative arrangements are possible.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 8, the second connection portion 113 comprises a third pair of apertures 119A, 119B, and a fourth pair of apertures 119C, 119D. The third pair of apertures include a third distal aperture 119A and a third proximal aperture 119B, and the fourth pair of apertures include a fourth distal aperture 119C and a fourth proximal aperture 119D. The third pair of apertures 119A, 119B are arranged on a first side of the second connection portion 113, and the fourth pair of apertures 119C, 119D are arranged on a second side of the second connection portion 113, the second side being opposite to the first side. The positions of the third and fourth distal apertures 119A, 119C are symmetrical with respect to a central lateral axis of second connection portion 113, and the positions of the third and fourth proximal apertures 119B, 119D are symmetrical with respect to the central lateral axis of the first connection portion 113.

Each of the apertures 118A-D, 119A-D is configured to allow access to at least a part of a support rod when the respective support rod is received in the opening of the respective connection portion. For example, referring to FIG. 6, it is shown that a support rod 120 is resting within the opening 116 of the first connection portion 112. In this example, the second pair of apertures 118C, 118D of first connection portion 112 can allow access to at least at part of the support rod 120, such that adhesive 140 can be applied through the apertures 118C, 118D to a contact area or contact areas between the first connection portion 112 and the support rod 120, in particular contact areas adjacent to the apertures 118C, 118D. The adhesive 140 may be liquid adhesive, for example. The same applies to the first pair of apertures 118A, 118D and also to apertures positioned at the second connection portion 113.

The apertures may be specifically dimensioned to allow the adhesive 140 to be applied to a contact area between the support rod that is received within a respective opening and an internal surface of the respective opening. For example, each aperture may be dimensioned to have a diameter that is proportionate with respect to the size of a nozzle of a typical bottle of liquid adhesive. In some embodiments, each aperture may have a diameter within any one of the following ranges: 1 mm to 10 mm, optionally 2 mm to 5 mm, further optionally 3 mm to 4 mm. Hence, in some embodiments, at least one of the first and second portions 112, 113 of the frame corner component 110 may comprise applied adhesive 140 at one or more contact areas adjacent to the aperture, the one or more contact areas being between the internal surface of the respective opening and the support rod 120 that is received within the respective opening. The use of adhesive instead of other fastening means such as screws, rivets, and bolts can help further reduce the weight of the frame assembly and therefore the suitcase panel comprising the frame assembly, and can also improve the ease of manufacture of the frame.

By providing two apertures on each side and arranging the two pairs of apertures on opposite side of a connection portion, multiple different points of access are provided which increases the convenience of applying or injecting adhesive into the apertures, thereby speeding up the process of manufacturing or constructing the frame assembly, which in turn facilitates the process of manufacturing a corresponding suitcase panel. Furthermore, the provision of more than one aperture along the connection portion on each side allows adhesive to be injected or applied at different areas of contact between a respective support rod and the internal surface of the opening of the respective connection portion, thus improving the bonding strength between the connection portion and the support rod.

In some embodiments, the opening of a connection portion may comprise an internal protrusion that is configured to engage an external surface of a respective support rod when the respective support rod is received in the opening, so as to maintain the end of the respective support rod in place. For example, as best illustrated in FIG. 6, the opening 116 of the first connection portion 112 comprises a first internal protrusion 130, which is formed on an internal surface of the opening 116. FIG. 6 in particular show an end of a support rod 120 being received in the opening 116 of the first connection portion 112 of the frame corner component 110. In this case, the first internal protrusion 130, which may be formed at a position between the first/second distal apertures 118A,118C and the first/second proximal apertures 118B, 118D, can engage an external surface of the support rod 120 to maintain the end of the support rod 120 in place. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the opening 117 of the second connection portion 113 also comprises a second internal protrusion 131, which may be formed at a position between the third/fourth distal apertures 119A, 119C and the third/fourth proximal apertures 119B, 119D. When an end of a support rod 120 is received in the opening 117. The second internal protrusion 131 can engage an external surface of the support rod 120 to maintain the end of the support rod 120 in place.

In the present embodiment, each of the first and second internal protrusions 130, 131 is provided in the shape of a ridge. This is best illustrated in FIG. 7 which shows the second internal protrusion 131 as a ridge that is formed along a section of an inner circumference of the opening 117 of the second connection portion 113. More specifically, in the present embodiment the internal protrusion is formed along at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% or 100% of the inner circumference of the opening of the connection portion-this arrangement provides increased surface area contact between the internal protrusion 131 and an external surface of the respective support rod received in the opening, thus improving the grip of the internal protrusion (and the opening) on the support rod. Nevertheless, it will be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, one or more internal protrusions may be provided in other shapes, forms and dimensions, and they may be arranged at different positions along the internal surface of the respective opening if desired.

Furthermore, the first and second internal protrusions 130, 131 may be integrally formed on the internal surface of respective openings, for example by a moulding process, for example an injection moulding process. The first and second internal protrusions 130, 131 may be formed using a process that does not involve hammering, or denting, or applying a force to an external surface of any part or component of the frame corner component 110.

By providing one or more internal protrusions at the connection portion(s), respective ends of support rods can be at least temporarily held in place while fastening means such as adhesive is applied. For example, the first and second internal protrusions 130, 131 can hold respective ends of the support rods in place while adhesive 140 is applied or injected (via the apertures) to contact areas between the support rod and an internal surface of the opening of the respective connection portion. This arrangement helps prevent situations in which the adhesive loses its effectiveness or adhesive properties due to unwanted or unexpected movement of the support rod with respect to the connection portion before it dries and bonds the areas of contact between the external surface of the support rod and the internal surface of the opening.

Although not shown in the drawings, in some embodiments at least one end of each support rod 120 may comprise a groove on the external surface, the groove having a corresponding position to an internal protrusion of a connection portion 110 that is configured to receive the respective support rod 120. Furthermore, the groove may have a complementary shape to the internal protrusion of a connection portion 110. In these embodiments, when the support rod 120 is received in the opening of the respective connection portion, the internal protrusion 130, 131 engages the groove at the end of the support rod 120 to maintain the support rod 120 in place.

Although the embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 8 show that each connection portion of frame corner component 110 comprises four apertures to allow access to a support rod 120 received in the opening of the respective connection portion, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments a single aperture or other numbers of apertures at a connection portion are possible. For example, in an alternative embodiment, each connection portion may only comprise a single aperture. It will also be appreciated that in other embodiments, apertures may be omitted entirely for some or all of the connection portions.

Although the embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8 show that the opening of each connection portion comprises an internal protrusion, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments internal protrusions can be entirely omitted. It will also be appreciated that in alternative embodiment internal protrusions may be positioned at different locations of the opening of a connection portion, if desired. Furthermore, in some embodiments, more than one internal protrusion may be provided in the opening of one or more connection portions, in order to strengthen the connection between a connection portion 110 and a respective support rod 120. In a further embodiment, protrusions may instead be provided on one or more support rods, and in this embodiment grooves may optionally be provided on the internal surface of one or more respective connection portions.

Although frame corner component 110 is shown in the present embodiment to include a body 111 (e.g. as shown in FIG. 3), in alternative embodiments, a frame corner component 110 may not comprise a body. In these embodiments, the first connection portion 112 may be directly connected to the second connection portion 113 at the frame corner component 110. As shown, body 111 may take the form of a smooth continuous curve between the first connection portion 112 and the second connection portion 113, but other configurations are possible.

Methods of Manufacture

The present disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing a frame assembly for a suitcase panel, such as frame assembly 100.

The method of manufacturing the frame assembly 100 as described above with reference to FIG. 2 comprises providing four support rods (such as the support rods 120A-D as described above with reference to FIG. 2) and four frame corner components (such as the frame corner component 110 as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 to 8), and connecting each of the four frame corner components with two respective support rods, by inserting an end of one of the two respective support rods into the opening of the first connection portion and inserting an end of another one of the two respective support rods into the opening of the second connection portion.

As explained above, in some embodiments, the opening 116, 117 of at least one of the first and second connection portions may comprise an internal protrusion (such as first and second internal protrusions 130, 131) configured to engage an external surface of a respective support rod when the respective support rod is received in the opening. In these embodiments, inserting an end of a respective support rod into the opening of a connection portion that includes an internal protrusion may comprise inserting the end of the respective support rod such that the internal protrusion engages the external surface of the respective support rod. This ensures that the end of the respective support rod is maintained in place, which is particularly useful for subsequent application of fastening means (e.g. application of adhesive). Moreover, in these embodiments, the internal protrusion may be integrally formed on an internal surface of a respective opening, for example by a moulding process.

In some embodiments, subsequent to connecting a frame corner component with two respective support rods, the method may further comprise applying adhesive through the respective aperture or apertures of the at least one of the first and second connection portions of the respective frame corner component. In embodiments where at least one internal protrusion is provided at a respective connection portion, the step of applying adhesive through the aperture may be performed subsequent to the step of inserting the end of a respective support rod such that the internal protrusion engages the external surface of the respective support rod while the adhesive is applied.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing a suitcase panel, such as front panel 10 of FIG. 1. The method comprises providing a frame assembly according to the method as described above for manufacturing a frame assembly, providing a covering (e.g. covering 15), and stitching at least a part of the frame assembly inside one or more sections of an interior side of the covering.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of manufacturing a suitcase, such as suitcase 1 of FIG. 1. The method comprises providing a plurality of suitcase panels, the plurality of suitcase panels comprising at least one of: a front panel, a back panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a top panel, and a bottom panel, and assembling the plurality of suitcase panels. In this method, providing at least one of the plurality of suitcase panels is according to the method as described above for manufacturing a suitcase panel.

Kit of Parts

The present disclosure also relates to a kit of parts for constructing a frame assembly, such as frame assembly 100. A kit of parts for constructing a frame assembly may comprise all of the components necessary to construct a structurally integral frame assembly for a suitcase panel, or a frame assembly where no components will fall off the frame assembly, and the frame assembly will not fall apart, regardless of the orientation in which the frame assembly is held. The kit of parts can optionally comprise fastening means (e.g. adhesive) for securing the connections between frame corner components and respective support rods in the frame assembly.

A kit of parts for constructing frame assembly 100 can comprise four support rods 120A-D, each support rod 120 comprising fiberglass, and four frame corner components 110A-D. Each frame corner component 110 comprises a first connection portion 112 and a second connection portion 113. Each connection portion 112, 113 comprises an opening 116, 117 configured to receive an end of a respective support rod 120. Each frame corner component 110 is configured to connect two respective support rods 110 so as to form a quadrilateral frame, and at least one of the first 112 and second 113 connection portions of at least one frame corner component 110 further comprises an aperture 118, 119 configured to allow access to at least a part of a respective support rod 120 when the respective support rod 120 is received in the opening of a respective connection portion 112, 113.

Furthermore, the present disclosure also relates to a kit of parts for constructing a suitcase panel, such as front panel 10. A kit of parts for constructing a suitcase panel may comprise all of the components necessary to a structurally integral suitcase panel, or a suitcase panel where no components will fall off the suitcase panel, and the suitcase panel will not fall apart, regardless of the orientation in which the suitcase panel is held.

A kit of parts for constructing a suitcase panel 10 can comprise all of the components required for constructing a frame assembly as explained above, and a covering 15.

Suitcase

The present disclosure also relates to a suitcase, the suitcase comprising one or more suitcase panels, and at least one of the one or more suitcase panels comprises the frame assembly 100 as described above. For example, the suitcase may comprise a front panel that comprises the frame assembly 100. The at least one of the one or more suitcase panels may further comprise a covering (e.g. covering 15), and at least a part of the frame assembly 100 is stitched inside one or more sections of an interior side of the covering. In one embodiment, each suitcase panel of the suitcase may comprise a frame assembly 100.

General Remarks

While the preceding description contains many specifics, these specifics should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but merely as examples of embodiments of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will envision other possible variations that are within the scope of the invention as defined by the appendant claims.

GLOSSARY OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN FIGURES

• • 1: Suitcase
  • 10: Front panel
  • 20: First side panel
  • 30: Top panel
  • 40: Handle
  • 50: Wheels
  • 100: Frame assembly
  • 110: Frame corner component
  • 110A: First frame corner component
  • 110B: Second frame corner component
  • 110C: Third frame corner component
  • 110D: Fourth frame corner component
  • 111: Body of frame corner component
  • 112: First connection portion
  • 113: Second connection portion
  • 114: First end of frame corner component
  • 115: Second end of frame corner component
  • 116: Opening of first connection portion
  • 117: Opening of second connection portion
  • 118: Aperture of first connection portion
  • 118A: First distal aperture
  • 118B: First proximal aperture
  • 118C: Second distal aperture
  • 118D: Second proximal aperture
  • 119: Aperture of second connection portion
  • 119A: Third distal aperture
  • 119B: Third proximal aperture
  • 119C: Fourth distal aperture
  • 119D: Fourth proximal aperture
  • 120: Support rod
  • 120A: First support rod
  • 120B: Second support rod
  • 120C: Third support rod
  • 120D: Fourth support rod
  • 130: First internal protrusion
  • 131: Second internal protrusion
  • 140: Adhesive

Claims

1. A frame corner component for a frame assembly of a suitcase panel, the frame corner component comprising:

a first connection portion comprising an opening to receive an end of a support rod; and

a second connection portion comprising an opening to receive an end of a support rod,

wherein at least one of the first and second connection portions further comprises an aperture configured to allow access to at least a part of a respective support rod when the respective support rod is received in the opening of a respective connection portion.

2. The frame corner component according to claim 1, wherein the opening of at least one of the first and second connection portions comprises an internal protrusion configured to engage an external surface of a respective support rod when the respective support rod is received in the opening so as to maintain the end of the respective support rod in place.

3. The frame corner component according to claim 2, wherein the internal protrusion is integrally formed on an internal surface of the respective opening, optionally wherein the internal protrusion is formed by a moulding process.

4. The frame corner component according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the internal protrusion is in the shape of a ridge.

5. The frame corner component according to claim 4, wherein the ridge is formed along at least a section of an inner circumference of the opening of the connection portion, optionally wherein the ridge is formed along at least 80% of the inner circumference of the opening of the connection portion.

6. A frame assembly for a suitcase panel, comprising:

four support rods, wherein each support rod comprises fiberglass; and

four frame corner components, wherein at least one of the four frame components is a frame corner component according to any one of the preceding claims,

wherein each frame corner component is configured to connect two respective support rods so as to form a quadrilateral frame.

7. The frame assembly according to claim 6, wherein, for at least one of the four frame corner components, the at least one of the first and second connection portions further comprises applied adhesive at one or more contact areas adjacent to the aperture, the one or more contact areas being between an internal surface of the respective opening and the support rod that is received within the respective opening.

8. The frame assembly according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein at least one end of each support rod comprises a groove on the external surface, the groove having a complementary shape and a corresponding position to the internal protrusion, and wherein when a respective support rod is received in the opening of a connection portion provided with an internal protrusion, the internal protrusion engages the groove at the end of the support rod to maintain the support rod in place.

9. A kit comprising parts for constructing the frame assembly of any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. A suitcase panel comprising:

the frame assembly according to any one of claims 6 to 8; and

a covering,

wherein at least a part of the frame assembly is stitched inside one or more sections of an interior side of the covering.

11. The suitcase panel according to claim 10, wherein the covering comprises an inner lining and at least a part of the frame assembly is stitched inside or underneath one or more sections of the inner lining of the covering.

12. The suitcase panel according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the covering is a fabric covering.

13. A kit comprising parts for constructing the suitcase panel according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

14. A suitcase comprising the suitcase panel according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

15. A method of manufacturing a frame assembly for a suitcase panel, the method comprising:

providing four support rods and four frame corner components, wherein each support rod comprises fiberglass, and wherein each frame corner component comprises a first connection portion and a second connection portion, each connection portion comprising an opening configured to receive an end of a respective support rod, and wherein each frame corner component is configured connect two respective support rods so as to form a quadrilateral frame, and further wherein at least one of the first and second connection portions of at least one frame corner component further comprises an aperture configured to allow access to at least a part of a respective support rod when the respective support rod is received in the opening of a respective connection portion; and

connecting each of the four frame corner components with two respective support rods,

wherein connecting each frame corner component with two respective support rods comprises: inserting an end of one of the two respective support rods into the opening of the first connection portion; and inserting an end of another one of the two respective support rods into the opening of the second connection portion.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein at least one of the first and second connection portions of each frame corner component comprises an aperture configured to allow access to at least a part of a respective support rod when the respective support rod is received in the opening of a respective connection portion.

17. The method according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein for at least one frame corner component, the opening of at least one of the first and second connection portions comprises an internal protrusion configured to engage an external surface of a respective support rod when the respective support rod is received in the opening, wherein inserting an end of a respective support rod into the opening of a connection portion that includes an internal protrusion comprises:

inserting the end of the respective support rod such that the internal protrusion engages the external surface of the respective support rod.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein for each frame corner component, the opening of at least one of the first and second connection portions comprises an internal protrusion configured to engage an external surface of a respective support rod when the respective support rod is received in the opening.

19. The method according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the internal protrusion is integrally formed on an internal surface of the opening, optionally wherein the internal protrusion is formed by a moulding process.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, further comprising, subsequent to connecting a frame corner component with two respective support rods, applying adhesive through the aperture of the at least one of the first and second connection portions.

21. A method of manufacturing a suitcase panel, comprising:

either: providing a frame assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8; or manufacturing a frame assembly for a suitcase panel according to the method of any one of claims 15 to 20;

providing a covering; and

stitching at least a part of the frame assembly inside one or more sections of an interior side of the covering.

22. A method of manufacturing a suitcase, the method comprising manufacturing a suitcase panel according to the method of claim 21.