Suitcase

Abstract

A suitcase has a casing, the casing having first and second casing portions, and a seat portion. The first and second casing portions are movable between a closed position in which the first and second casing portions are joined together to enclose an inner cavity and an open position in which the first and second casing portions are separated. The seat portion is movable between a stowed position in which the seat portion is housed within the casing and a use position in which a user may access the seat portion. The seat portion is operably linked to the casing such that movement of the first and second casing portions between the open and closed positions causes movement of the seat portion between the use position and the stowed position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to United Kingdom Patent Application Serial No. 2506369.4, filed Apr. 28, 2025, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a suitcase, and more particularly to a suitcase having a seat portion.

BACKGROUND

In a world in which travel and long-distance transportation are becoming ever-more popular, convenience and efficiency have become paramount for the modern traveler.

At the same time, increasing security concerns at airports, railway stations, and other transportation facilities, has meant that the wait time for travelers as they board vehicles, or wait to pass through security, has substantially increased. This means that travelers have to wait, often standing, for relatively long periods of time, as they queue.

As a result, there is a growing demand for innovative solutions that enhance the comfort of travelers on the go.

Trolley-style suitcases are a well-known item of commerce, and typically comprise a retractable handle which, when the suitcase is in the vertical position, extends from the suitcase and allows the suitcase to be inclined at an angle so that wheels make contact with the ground, thereby facilitating movement of the suitcase by pulling or pushing it.

More recently, trolley-style suitcases have been developed that include seating arrangements, to allow travelers to use their luggage as a seat whilst waiting. One example of such a suitcase is described in GB2455388, in which the suitcase comprises a rear compartment that stows a reversibly deployable seat unit.

There has now been devised an alternative suitcase, which overcomes or substantially mitigates disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a suitcase comprising a casing and a seat portion, the casing having first and second casing portions, wherein the first and second casing portions are movable between a closed position in which the first and second casing portions are joined together to enclose an inner cavity and an open position in which the first and second casing portions are separated, wherein the seat portion is movable between a stowed position in which the seat portion is housed within the casing and a use position in which the seat portion is exposed, wherein the seat portion is operably linked to the casing such that movement of the first and second casing portions between the open and closed positions causes movement of the seat portion between the use position and the stowed position.

The suitcase according to the first aspect of the invention may be advantageous in that because the seat portion is operably linked to the casing such that movement of the first and second casing portions between the open and closed positions causes movement of the seat portion between the use position and the stowed position, a larger seating area is provided for the user.

In particular, movement of the first and second casing portions from the open position to the closed position may cause movement of the seat portion from the use position to the stowed position, and movement of the first and second casing portions from the closed position to the open position may cause movement of the seat portion from the stowed position to the use position.

The casing may have a frame. The frame may be positioned internally of the first and second casing portions. The first and second casing portions may be movable relative to the frame. In particular, the first and second casing portions may be slidably movable relative to the frame.

The seat portion may be fixed to a portion of at least one of the first and second casing portions, i.e. such that movement of the first and second casing portions from the closed position to the open position causes movement of the seat portion from the stowed position to the use position.

The seat portion may comprise a base portion and at least one side portion. The at least one side portion may be movable relative to the base portion. The at least one side portion may be movable relative to the base portion between an open position and a folded position. The at least one side portion may be rotatable, pivotable or foldable relative to the base portion. The at least one side portion may be movable between the open position and the folded position by pivoting, rotating, or folding, the at least one side portion relative to the base portion.

The seat portion may therefore have multiple configurations in the use position, i.e. such that movement of the first and second casing portions from the closed position to the open position may cause movement of the seat portion from the stowed position to a first configuration of the use position, and the seat portion may then be arranged in an alternative configuration, e.g. by moving the at least one side portion relative to the base portion.

The at least one side portion may be fixed to a portion of at least one of the first and second casing portions, i.e. such that movement of the first and second casing portions from the closed position to the open position causes movement of the seat portion from the stowed position to the use position. In particular, movement of the first and second casing portions from the closed position to the open position may cause movement of the at least one side portion relative to the base portion.

The position of the at least one side portion may be lockable or fixable relative to the base portion in the open position and/or in the folded position. The position of the at least one side portion may be lockable or fixable relative to the base portion in the open position by locking or fixing the at least one side portion to at least one of the first and second casing portions, and/or to the frame of the casing. Additionally or alternatively, the position of the at least one side portion may be lockable relative to the base portion in the open position by locking the at least one side portion to the base portion.

The suitcase may further comprise a liner that extends between the first and second casing portions. A first end of the liner may be fixed to the first casing portion and a second end of the liner may be fixed to the second casing portion.

The liner may be extendable. For example, the liner may be concertinaed. The liner may be extendable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. Movement of the first and second casing portions between the open position and the closed position may cause movement of the liner between the retracted configuration to the extended configuration.

In particular, movement of the first and second casing portions from the open position to the closed position may cause retraction of the liner from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration, and movement of the first and second casing portions from the closed position to the open position may cause extension of the liner from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration.

The suitcase may further comprise an inner enclosure. The enclosure may be positioned internally of the first and second casing portions. The enclosure may be arranged to house or store the contents of the suitcase in use. The liner may be positioned between the casing portions and the inner enclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Practicable embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a suitcase according to an embodiment of the invention in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is an inner enclosure of the suitcase of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in an open position; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the suitcase of FIG. 1 in the open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an external perspective view of a suitcase 1. The suitcase 1 is typically known in the field as a trolley suitcase. The suitcase accordingly has two wheels 5 and two legs 10. When the suitcase 1 is inclined at an angle, the wheels 5 enable the suitcase 1 to be wheeled for ease of transportation. It is anticipated that in alternative embodiments, the suitcase 1 may have four wheels, with two further wheels replacing the two legs 10. This enables the suitcase 1 to be wheeled without inclination. However, where the two legs 10 are present, this provides the suitcase 1 with greater stability for holding the weight of a person in use. In both embodiments, the wheels 5 may be fitted with brakes to prevent the suitcase 1 from moving whilst the user is sitting on the suitcase 1.

The suitcase 1 further comprises a casing with first and second casing portions, or a first receptacle 15 and a second receptacle 20. A zipper mechanism 25 is provided for opening and joining the receptacles 15, 20 in use. In the closed or zipped position, the first receptacle 15 and the second receptacle 20 are fastened together to form or enclose a cavity or storage compartment, enabling a seat unit 35 (illustrated in later figures) to be safely stowed or housed during transit. In the open or unzipped position, the first receptacle 15 and the second receptacle 20 are separable such that the seat unit 35 may be accessed. It is anticipated that in alternative embodiments, other fastening mechanisms may be used instead of, or in combination with, the zipper mechanism 25.

A second zipper mechanism 27 is provided on a front surface of the first receptacle 15 for accessing an inner enclosure 32 (illustrated in FIG. 2), which stores the contents of the suitcase 1 in use. The inner enclosure 32 itself has a zipper mechanism 33 for access thereto. Again, alternative fastening mechanisms may be used instead of, or in combination with, the zipper mechanisms 27, 33.

The suitcase 1 also comprises a handle 30 provided on the top surface, for lifting and moving the suitcase 1. Additional handles are anticipated, for example on a side surface of the suitcase 1, for further ease in lifting and moving.

The enclosure 32 illustrated in FIG. 2 further comprises a frame structure 34, to which the outer receptacles 15, 20 of the suitcase 1 are movably connected. In particular, the outer receptacles 15, 20 of the suitcase 1 are slidably connected to the enclosure 32 such that the outer shell of the suitcase 1 is openable about the enclosure 32 by sliding the outer receptacles 15, 20 relative to the frame structure 34.

The enablement of this relative movement is illustrated with respect to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates the suitcase of FIG. 1 in the fully opened position, i.e. where the receptacles 15, 20 have been fully opened outwardly, away from each other.

Each of the outer receptacles 15, 20 is connected to the internal frame structure 34 via a plurality of angle hinges 36. In particular, upper and lower angle hinges 36a are fixed to each of the receptacles 15, 20, and are connected to respective upper and lower angle hinges 36b that are fixed to opposing sides of the frame structure 34 via linkage components 37.

The linkage components 37 themselves comprise an angle hinge 36c part way along their length, such that each linkage component 37 can fold at the angle hinge 36c, enabling the distance between the receptacles 15, 20 and the frame structure 34 to be varied. In this example, the angle hinges 36c are restricted to hinging in a single direction. This ensures all of the folding of the linkage components 37 is contained within the suitcase 1.

In use, when the when the receptacles 15, 20 are opened outwardly, the movement of the receptacles 15, 20 causes extension of the linkage components 37 by movement of the upper angle hinges 36c vertically upwardly, and movement of the lower angle hinges 36c vertically downwardly. In contrast, when the receptacles 15, 20 are closed inwardly, the movement of the receptacles 15, 20 causes retraction of the linkage components 37 by movement of the upper angle hinges 36c vertically downwardly, and movement of the lower angle hinges 36c vertically upwardly. The receptacles 15, 20, may be lockable, e.g. to maintain the suitcase 1 in the open/extended position. In practice, this may be enabled by locking one or more of the angle hinges 36c, so that the linkage components 37 cannot fold.

In the open/extended position illustrated in FIG. 3, a seat unit 35 is exposed, and comprises a central portion 45 with at least one wing portion 50 positioned either side of the central portion 45. The central portion 45 is connected to an inner frame of the suitcase 1.

This arrangement is better illustrated in relation to FIG. 4. In this example, each of the wing portions 50 comprises two flaps 50a, 50b. For each wing portion 50, the first flap 50a and second flap 50b are separated by a fold line about which first flap 50a is foldable relative to the two flaps 50a, 50b.

Similarly, the central portion 45 and each of the second flaps 50b are separated by a fold line about which the second flaps 50b are pivotable or rotatable relative to the central portion 45, or base. It is anticipated that other seat formations are possible, for example, the wing portions 50 may be a single component rather than two flaps divided by a fold line. It would be apparent to the skilled person that the seat unit 35 may be made of any suitable material.

When the seat unit 35 is in the storage position, i.e. when the suitcase 1 is closed or in the process of being opened, the wing portions 50 are folded inwardly towards a centerline of the central portion 45. Once the suitcase 1 is open and the seat unit 35 is in the seating position, the wing portions 50 are folded outwardly away from a centerline of the central portion 45, thereby increasing the surface area of the seat unit.

In use, when the suitcase 1 is in the closed position, the upper walls of the receptacles 15, 20 may exert a force on the wing portions 50 of the seat unit 35, preventing the wing portions 50 from opening outwardly, and maintaining them folded inwardly towards the centerline of the central portion. Then, upon opening of the receptacles 15, 20 outwardly from one another, the upper walls of the receptacles 15, 20 are moved away from the seat unit 35 such that the downward force on the wing portions 50 of the seat unit 35 is removed, and the wing portions 50 naturally begin to fold outwardly. Furthermore, because the seat unit 35 is operably linked to the receptacles 15, 20, preferably via the wing portions 50, the outward opening of the receptacles 15, 20 actively unfolds the wing portions 50 from the central portion 45.

The wing portions 50 are therefore unfolded into the fully open position, and can be fixed in the open position in any number of ways. The wing portions 50 may be fixed in the open position by fixing the pivot between the wing portions 50 and the central portion 45. Additionally or alternatively, the wing portions 50 may be fixed in the open position by fixing a portion of the wing portions 50 relative to a portion of the receptacles 15, 20. Known fixing means may be used for this purpose, and the fixing may be automatic once the seat is placed into a certain position, or the fixing may be activated by a user. For example, the fixing arrangement may be a snap-fit arrangement, a male-female mating arrangement, or a hook-and-loop arrangement, and may be employed between the wing portions 50 and the central portion 45, and/or between the wing portions 50 and the receptacles 15, 20.

Alternatively, in use, when the suitcase 1 is in the closed position, the wing portions 50 of the seat unit 35 may be fixed to the central portion 45 in the closed position, i.e. folded inwardly, thereby preventing the wing portions 50 from opening outwardly, and maintaining them folded inwardly towards the centerline of the central portion. Then, upon opening of the receptacles 15, 20 outwardly from one another, the user can unfix the wing portions 50 from the central portion 45, allowing them to fold outwardly. The wing portions 50 can then be fixed in the open position in any number of ways, including those described above.

Although not illustrated, it is anticipated that an outer liner may have ends and extend between the receptacles 15, 20. The outer liner may be positioned between the inner enclosure 32 and the receptacles 15, 20. This may be advantageous in hiding and/or protecting the frame structure 34 of the suitcase 1. The outer liner would preferably be concertinaed so as to compress when the receptacles 15, 20 are brought together by the zipper mechanism 25, and to extend when the receptacles 15, 20 are released by zipper mechanism 25 and pulled apart. The concertinaed configuration of the outer liner may help to aid opening of the receptacles 15, 20 of the suitcase 1 to reveal the seat unit 35 in use.

Claims

1. A suitcase comprising:

a casing, the casing having first and second casing portions; and

a seat portion,

wherein the first and second casing portions are movable between a closed position in which the first and second casing portions are joined together to enclose an inner cavity and an open position in which the first and second casing portions are separated,

wherein the seat portion is movable between a stowed position in which the seat portion is housed within the casing and a use position in which a user may access the seat portion, and

wherein the seat portion is operably linked to the casing such that movement of the first and second casing portions between the open and closed positions causes movement of the seat portion between the use position and the stowed position.

2. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein movement of the first and second casing portions from the open position to the closed position causes movement of the seat portion from the use position to the stowed position.

3. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein movement of the first and second casing portions from the closed position to the open position causes movement of the seat portion from the stowed position to the use position.

4. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the casing has a frame, and the first and second casing portions are movable relative to the frame.

5. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the seat portion is fixed to a portion of at least one of the first and second casing portions.

6. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the seat portion comprises a base portion and at least one side portion.

7. The suitcase according to claim 6, wherein the at least one side portion is movable relative to the base portion.

8. The suitcase according to claim 7, wherein the at least one side portion is rotatable or pivotable relative to the base portion.

9. The suitcase according to claim 7, wherein the at least one side portion is movable relative to the base portion between an open position and a folded position.

10. The suitcase according to claim 9, wherein the position of the at least one side portion is lockable relative to the base portion in the open position and/or in the folded position.

11. The suitcase according to claim 10, wherein the position of the at least one side portion is lockable relative to the base portion in the open position by locking the at least one side portion to at least one of the first and second casing portions.

12. The suitcase according to claim 10, wherein the position of the at least one side portion is lockable relative to the base portion in the open position by locking the at least one side portion to a frame of the casing.

13. The suitcase according to claim 1, further comprising an enclosure arranged to house or store contents of the suitcase in use.

14. The suitcase according to claim 13, wherein the enclosure is positioned internally of the first and second casing portions.

15. The suitcase according to claim 1, further comprising a liner that extends between the first and second casing portions.

16. The suitcase according to claim 15, wherein a first end of the liner is fixed to the first casing portion and a second end of the liner is fixed to the second casing portion.

17. The suitcase according to claim 15, wherein the liner is extendable.

18. The suitcase according to claim 17, wherein the liner is extendable between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration.

19. The suitcase according to claim 18, wherein movement of the first and second casing portions between the open position and the closed position causes movement of the liner between the retracted configuration and the extended configuration.

20. The suitcase according to claim 19, wherein movement of the first and second casing portions from the open position to the closed position causes retraction of the liner from the extended configuration to the retracted configuration, and movement of the first and second casing portions from the closed position to the open position causes extension of the liner from the retracted configuration to the extended configuration.

21. The suitcase according to claim 17, wherein the liner is concertinaed.

22. The suitcase according to claim 17, further comprising an enclosure arranged to house or store contents of the suitcase in use, wherein the liner is positioned between the casing portions and the enclosure.