Abstract:
A locking device for handle assembly with multiple stages wherein lock member of first locking means is provided at the bottom of housing of the first locking means capable of directly moving into the lock hole of the second locking means for causing lock pin of the second locking means to disengage; and lock member of second locking means may move into the lock hole of the third locking means for causing lock pin of the third locking means to disengage. As such, lock member of higher locking means may move into the lock hole of the next lower locking means for causing lock pin of the next lower locking means to disengage. Further, there is no horizontal component force created on the slope because the lock member of the higher locking means inserts into the lock hole of next lower locking means as well as higher locking means and next lower locking means are engaged in a planar surface. This ensures no gap between the higher and next lower locking means such that the fully retracted handle grip may rest on the bezel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a locking device for a retractable handle of wheeled luggage and more particularly to such a locking device for handle assembly with multiple stages.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    Typically, a single locking device is provided in the retractable handle for controlling the handle in a retracted position and an extended position. That is, the retractable handle may be extended to a maximum length when towing on the ground by traveler as well as retracted into a minimum length (i.e., rested on the top of luggage) appropriate for stowage or transport. It is known that luggage equipped with a retractable handle is very popular among travelers. Thus many types of luggage with retractable handle are commercially available in which most of the retractable handles are two stages, i.e., the handle either in a retracted position with minimum length or in an extended position with maximum length. This may be found in the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,846. A few of the retractable handles have a multiple retaining slots design. This may be found in the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,088. The multiple retaining slots design aims at providing a variable handle length when towing along the ground in order to accommodate different heights of people. However, it is also found that luggage have a variety of sizes and heights. The multiple retaining slots design can not completely solve the problems associated with two stages handle. This is because an optimum retractable handle should comply with a plurality of factors such as sex, age, and height of user in no connection with whether retractable handle is two stages or has multiple retaining slots as detailed below.  
           [0005]    Various designs of locking devices for handle assembly with multiple retaining slots have been found in a search as follows: Taiwanese Patent Published No. 362,404 entitled “Activation Mechanism for Retractable Handle with Multiple Retaining Slots of Luggage” and No. 368,815 entitled “Improved Activation Mechanism for Retractable Handle with Multiple Retaining Slots of Luggage”. But these are unsatisfactory for the purpose for which the invention is concerned for the following reasons:  
           [0006]    1. Complex in components, for example, an additional central member  19 , a lower positioning member  63  of sub-assembly  60 , and other associated members are provided.  
           [0007]    2. Time consuming in assembly.  
           [0008]    3. A horizontal component force is applied on the slope when lock blocks (or pins) are activated by slanted guide groove. This causes additional drawbacks in addition to those described above. In detail, the ratio of extendible maximum length to retractable minimum length is significantly lowered due to the implementation of multiple-segment longitudinal slanted guide groove. This limits the effective length of extended handle. Thus improvement is desirable.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a locking device for handle assembly with multiple stages for significantly increasing the ratio of extendible maximum length to retractable minimum length of handle such that a predetermined extendible length is achievable.  
           [0010]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a locking device for handle assembly with multiple stages wherein lock member of first locking means is provided at the bottom of first housing of the first locking means capable of directly moving into the lock hole of the second locking means so as to cause lock pin of the second locking means to become disengaged; and lock member of second locking means is capable of directly moving into the lock hole of the third locking means so as to cause lock pin of the third locking means to become disengaged. As such, lock member of higher locking means is capable of directly moving into the lock hole of the next lower locking means so as to cause lock pin of the next lower locking means to become disengaged. Further, there is no horizontal component force created on the slope as occurred in the prior art because the lock member of the higher locking means directly inserts into the lock hole of next lower locking means as well as higher locking means and next lower locking means are engaged in a planar surface. This ensures that there is no gap between the higher and next lower locking means such that the handle grip of the fully retracted handle may rest on the bezel.  
           [0011]    To achieve the above and other objects, the present invention provides a locking device for handle assembly with multiple stages comprising:  
           [0012]    a first sliding tube; a first locking means detachably attached to the bottom of the first sliding tube; a second sliding tube for allowing the first sliding tube to slidingly move therein having an upper hole and a lower hole; a second locking means detachably attached to the bottom of the second sliding tube; a third sliding tube for allowing the second sliding tube to slidingly move therein having an upper hole and a lower hole; a third locking means detachably attached to the bottom of the third sliding tube; a support tube for allowing the third sliding tube to slidingly move therein having an upper hole and a lower hole; and a first connecting means connected between a push button and the first locking means.  
           [0013]    Whereby the handle is retracted when the push button is not pressed, the first sliding tube is received in the second sliding tube, the second sliding tube is received in the third sliding, the third sliding tube is received in the support tube, the lock projection of the first locking means is engaged with the lower hole of the second sliding tube, the bottom of the first locking means is biased against the top of the sliding block of the second locking means so as to move the lock member of the first locking means into the lock hole of the second locking means to cause the first end of the lock pin of the second locking means to retract into the third sliding tube, the second end of the lock pin of the second locking means to extend into the lower hole of the third sliding tube, the bottom of the second locking means is biased against the top of the sliding block of the third locking means so as to move the lock member of the second locking means into the lock hole of the third locking means to cause the first end of the lock-pin of the third locking means to retract into the support tube, and the second end of the lock pin of the third locking means to extend into the lower hole of the support tube, whereby the handle is locked in a retracted position.  
           [0014]    The push button is pressed. Then handle is pulled upward to cause the first locking means to move up so as to move the lock pin of the first locking means into lower hole of the second sliding tube. Grasp handle grip to pull first sliding tube upward so as to move the lock pin of the second locking means into the upper hole of the third locking means for disengaging the lock member on the bottom of first locking means from lock hole of the second locking means. Then the second end of the lock pin of the second locking means retracts to become disengaged to cause the second locking means to move up as the second sliding tube and the first sliding tube move up together until the second lock pin comes into contact with upper hole of the third sliding tube and locks therein. At the same time, the lock member on the bottom of second locking means disengages from the lock hole of the third locking means. Then the second end of the lock pin of the second locking means retracts to become disengaged to cause the third locking means to move up as the third sliding tube and the second sliding tube move up together until the third lock pin comes into contact with upper hole of the support tube and locks therein. Now handle is in a fully extended position for allowing luggage to be towed along the ground.  
           [0015]    In one aspect of the invention the locking device for handle assembly with multiple stages is provided wherein the locking device comprises a longitudinal lock hole, a lateral lock hole, and a lock pin at the bottom. Further, longitudinal lock hole and lateral lock hole are in communication each other. Longitudinal lock hole has a lock block being movable to either right or left to lock thereto. As such, lock block is locked in upper hole of the corresponding tube when handle is pulled up to its maximum length, while lock block is locked in lower hole of the corresponding tube when handle is pushed down to its minimum length.  
           [0016]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a locking device for handle assembly with multiple stages of wheeled luggage of the invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view showing the first, second, and third locking means of FIG. 1;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is another greatly enlarged fragmentary view showing the first, second, and third locking means of FIG. 1;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 4A and 4B are first and second sectional views of first to third locking means where handle is fully retracted;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 where second locking means disengages from first locking means while handle is pulling up;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIGS. 6A and 6B are first and second sectional views of first to third locking means where handle is extended to its maximum length;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a locking device for handle assembly with multiple stages of wheeled luggage of the invention;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of a locking device for handle assembly with multiple stages of wheeled luggage of the invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the assembled locking device shown in FIG. 8;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a sectional view of first locking means of FIG. 7; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is a sectional view of second locking means of FIG. 8. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 6 , there is shown a locking device for handle assembly of wheeled luggage constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention wherein handle assembly is provided on the back of luggage with a handle grip (not shown) received in a bezel on top of luggage.  
         [0029]    Note that because the handle system is bilaterally symmetrical so that description of one side serves to describe the entirety. Thus the handle system of the invention comprises: a first sliding tube  10  having a lower hole  13  and an upper hole  12  attached to one end of handle grip (not shown) by a known fastener; a first locking means  20  detachably attached to the bottom of first sliding tube  10  by a pin  14 ; a second sliding tube  40  for allowing first sliding tube  10  to slidingly move therein having a top and lower holes  41  and  42  on a first side, left and right apertures  43 , and pin holes  44  on either top or bottom side; a first sleeve member  30  provided on the top of second sliding tube  40  having two detents  32  provided on two opposing sides matingly engaged with left and right apertures  43  of second sliding tube  40 ; a second locking means  50  detachably attached to lower pin hole  44  of the second sliding tube  40  by a pin  514 ; a third sliding tube  60  for allowing second sliding tube  40  to slidingly move therein having a top and lower holes  61  and  62  on a first side, two apertures  63  on either second or third side, and pin holes  64  on either top or bottom side; and a second sleeve member  30 A provided on the top of third sliding tube  60  having two detents  32 A provided on two opposing sides matingly engaged with apertures  63  of third sliding tube  60 ; a third locking means  70  detachably attached to lower pin hole  64  of the third sliding tube  60  by a pin  714 ; a support tube  80  for allowing the third sliding tube  60  to slidingly move therein having an upper hole  81  and a lower hole  82  on a first side, two apertures  83  on either second or third side at the top portion, and pin holes  84  on bottom side; a third sleeve member  30 B provided on the top of support tube  80  having two detents  32 B provided on two opposing sides matingly engaged with apertures  83  of support tube  80 ; and a support  90  provided at the bottom of support tube  80  being secured to pin holes  84  of support tube  80 .  
         [0030]    As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first locking means  20  comprises a first housing  21  having an upper portion  210  with a guide groove  212  and a pin hole  213  such that pin  14  may insert through lower hole  13  of first sliding tube  10  and pin hole  213  to secure first locking means  20  and first sliding tube  10  together; and a lower portion  214  with a cavity  215 ; a spring  23  provided in the cavity  215  of first housing  21 ; a lock block  24  provided in the cavity  215  of first housing  21  having a lock projection  240  on a first side, a split aperture  241  on a second side, an aperture  241 A in communication with the aperture  241 , an elongate protrusion  243  on the top of lock block  24  being matingly engaged with internal elongate groove  215 A on top of cavity  215  of first housing  21 ; a lock member  217  provided on the bottom of first housing  21 ; and a steel cable  22  having an enlargement on one end (not shown) being secured to handle grip and an enlargement  221  on the other end being secured in the aperture  241 A through the guide groove  212 , cavity  215  (FIG. 3), and aperture  241  such that a pressing of the push button may be transmitted to first locking means  20  through the movement of steel cable  22 .  
         [0031]    The second locking means  50  comprises a second housing  51 , springs  52  and  54 , sliding lock block  53  having a sliding block  532  and a second lower lock pin  531 , and second lock block  55  having a second upper lock pin  551 , a second lower lock hole  552 , a lock member  517  provided on the bottom of second housing  51 , and a groove  553  wherein the upper portion of the second housing  51  having a plurality of longitudinal lock holes  5110 , upper lock hole  5111  (FIG. 4), recess  513 , and pin hole  5114  wherein longitudinal lock holes  5110  are in communication with upper lock hole  5111 , pin  514  is received in hole  5114  for securing second housing  51  to lower pin hole  44  of second sliding tube  40  (FIG. 1), lower portion  512  of second housing  51  receives lateral lock hole  5120  of second lock block  55 , lateral lock hole  5120  is in communication with longitudinal lock hole  5110  and upper lock hole  5111 , groove  553  receives spring  54  and sliding lock block  53 , a projection  533  is protruded on sliding block  532  of sliding lock block  53 , the projection  533  conforms with groove  553  while larger than the mouth of groove  553  as such projection  533  can be inserted in groove  553  from the open bottom, a circular recess  534  (FIG. 2) is provided on the other side of projection  533  for receiving spring  54  therein such that lock pin  531  is always protruded by the expansion of spring  54 , second upper lock pin  551  is protruded when spring  52  is put on second lower lock pin  531 , while second upper lock pin  551  is retracted when lock member  217  is inserted in second lower lock hole  552  as detailed below.  
         [0032]    Handle is retracted when push button (not shown) is not pressed (FIGS. 4A and 4B). First sliding tube  10  is received in second sliding tube  40 , second sliding tube  40  is received in third sliding tube  60 , and third sliding tube  60  is received in support tube  80 . Projection  240  of lock block  24  of first locking means  20  at the bottom of first sliding tube  10  is biased by spring  23  to engage with lower hole  47  of second sliding tube  40 . The lock member  217  at the bottom of the first locking means  20  is engaged with the longitudinal lock hole  5110  and upper lock hole  5111  of second locking means  50  so as to retract second upper lock pin  551  of the lock block  55  of the second locking means  50  into the third sliding tube  60 . Similarly, second lower lock pin  531  of the second locking means  50  is engaged with the lower hole  62  of third sliding tube  60  so as to retract third upper lock pin  751  of the third locking means  70  to cause third lower lock pin  731  to engage with lower hole  82  of support tube  80 . Whereby the handle is locked in a retracted position (FIGS. 4A and 4B).  
         [0033]    First press the push button. Then handle is pulled upward. That is, steel cable  22  of the first locking means  20  is moved up so as to bias spring  23  of the first locking means  20 . Further, the lock projection  240  of lock block  24  clears lower hole  42  of second sliding tube  40  (FIG. 5). As such, grasp handle grip to pull first sliding tube  10  upward for separating the lock member  217  at the bottom of first locking means  20  from lower lock hole  552  of the second locking means  50 . Then second upper lock pin  551  of the second locking means  50  extends outwardly to come into contact with the inner wall of third sliding tube  60 . Once first sliding tube  10  is not able to pull up along the second sliding tube  40  any more, second sliding tube  40  begins to move up so as to move second locking means  50  up to the position of second upper lock pin  551 . At the same time, first sliding tube  10  begins to pull up again until projection  240  of lock block  24  of first locking means  20  comes into upper hole  41  of the second sliding tube  40  to lock therein. Similarly, second sliding tube  40  and third sliding tube  60  move up sequentially until second upper lock pin  551  of second locking means  50  comes into upper hole  61  of the third sliding tube  60 , and second upper lock pin  751  of third locking means  70  comes into upper hole  81  of the support tube  80  to lock therein both. Now handle is in a fully extended position for allowing luggage to be towed along the ground (FIGS. 6A and 6B). To the contrary, press push button to retract handle which in turn causes pin  240  of lock block  24  attached to cable  22  to escape engagement with upper hole  41  of second sliding tube  40 . Whereby first sliding tube  10  may receive within second sliding tube  40  until lock member  217  at the bottom of first locking means  20  comes into contact with the lock hole  552  of the second locking means  50 . This causes second upper lock pin  551  of second locking means  50  to clear upper hole  61  of third sliding tube  60 . Also, lock pin  751  of third upper lock block  75  of third locking means  70  clears upper hole  81  of support tube  80  when push button is pressed again. As such, first sliding tube  10  may receive in second sliding tube  40 , second sliding tube  40  may receive in third sliding tube  60 , and third sliding tube  60  may receive in support tube  80 . Now the handle is fully retracted (FIGS. 4A and 4B).  
         [0034]    Note that the first locking means  20  is a master means, while second and third locking means  50  and  70  are slave means (i.e., there are two slave means in this embodiment). As such, the number of slave means may increase or decrease in other embodiments based on needs. Further, the number of sliding tubes may increase or decrease too. As a result, a handle assembly with multiple locking means and a plurality of constituent tubes are carried out, thereby enabling handle to extend and lock in one of a plurality of selective positions thereof.  
         [0035]    A second embodiment of locking device of the invention is illustrated in FIGS.  7 - 10 . As shown, housing  21 A first locking means  20  and lock pin  217 A are separately formed. For assembling these components, a groove  216  is provided in the bottom of housing  21 A, a tab  2161  (FIG. 10) is provided within groove  216 , a rectangular planar member  2170  is provided on top of lock pin  217 A, and a flexible tab  2171  is provided in the front side facing housing  21 A. In assembly, directly insert rectangular planar member  2170  into groove  216  of housing  21 A to cause flexible tab  2171  to matingly secure to tab  2161  to finish the assembly (FIG. 10). To further secure the lock block  24  to the cavity  215 , a lock projection  2151  with finger  2152  is provided on one inner side of cavity  215  so as to lock the recess (not shown) on side portion of the lock block  24  to cause the flexible projection  2151  to matingly secure to the recess to easily finish assembly.  
         [0036]    Two lateral outer groove  5115  are provided on either side of upper portion  511  of second housing  51  and two corresponding inner lateral grooves  502  are provided on two sides of lower portion of the protective member  500  and a longitudinal groove  501  is also provided on the protective member  500  so as to protect upper portions  210  and  511  of housings  21 A and  51 A from being deformed caused by force exerted by engaged handle thereon which may neutralize the locking capability of the locking device. As such, the protective member  500  may secure first and second locking means  20  and  50  together for protecting second housing  51  from being deformed due to exerted force as well as causing longitudinal groove  501  to provide a protection thereto when lock pin  217 A is prolonged, thereby providing a normal unlocking capability. Note that the description of other components is the same as that of first embodiment and thus a detailed description is omitted herein for the sake of brevity.  
         [0037]    A third embodiment of locking device of the invention is illustrated in FIGS.  8 - 10 . As shown, housing  51 A of second locking means  50  is made the same as first housing  21 A of second embodiment. For example, a groove  516  is provided at the bottom of second housing  51 A, a rectangular planar member  5170  and a flexible tab  5171  are provided in lock pin  517 A, and a protective member  500 . These components have the same functionalities as that shown in second embodiment. Thus a detailed description thereof is omitted herein for the sake of brevity. Note that protective member  500  is provided on second housing  51 A in the second embodiment, while protective member  500  is provided on third housing  71  in the third embodiment. The protective member  500  serves as a protection to the housing from being deformed caused by exerted force when handle is pulled or pushed.  
         [0038]    While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.