Patent Publication Number: US-2022232936-A1

Title: Suitcase bottom shell and suitcase having bottom shell

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO THE RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202120202980.9 filed on Jan. 25, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention belongs to the technical field of travel accessories, and in particular, relates to a suitcase bottom shell and a suitcase having the bottom shell. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Bags and suitcases collectively refer to a variety bags for holding things, and include common shopping bags, tote bags, handbags, wallets, knapsacks, shoulder bags and the like. As the living and consumption level of people constantly increases, various bags and suitcases have become necessary products around people, who hope bag and suitcase products to have both good ornamental value and practicability. 
     When traveling outside, people often need a case to hold required articles. At present, suitcases on the market can meet basic needs. However, when the suitcases are laid aside, their universal wheels at the bottom protrude outside, which easily results in accidental sliding and inconvenience in storage. 
     SUMMARY 
     In view of the above problem existing in the prior art, an objective of the present invention is to provide a suitcase bottom shell capable of storing universal wheels and a suitcase having the bottom shell. 
     The objective of the present invention can be achieved by the following technical solution: a suitcase bottom shell includes a shell body, wherein the shell body is provided with universal wheels and is further provided with storage grooves; the universal wheels can be stored in the storage grooves; the shell body is internally provided with connecting columns extending out of the shell body; the universal wheels are articulated on the connecting columns; and the universal wheels are rotatable to an unfolded state or a stored state on the connecting columns. 
     Since the universal wheels protrude outside and are likely to slide, the storage grooves are disposed on the shell body, such that the universal wheels can be stored in the storage grooves when the suitcase needs to be laid aside, and can be taken out from the storage grooves when the suitcase needs to be used, thereby achieving good stability as well as convenience and efficiency. 
     In the suitcase bottom shell defined above, limiting mechanisms capable of limiting rotation directions of the universal wheels when the universal wheels are in the folded state or the stored state are disposed between the connecting columns and the universal wheels. 
     By arranging the limiting mechanisms, the universal wheels can keep unfolded for sliding without being stored by mistake when the suitcase is in normal use, or can keep stored without extending and sliding by accident when the suitcase is laid aside. 
     In the suitcase bottom shell defined above, each of the limiting mechanisms includes a first limiting surface and a second limiting surface which are disposed at ends of each of the universal wheels; the connecting columns have a tendency of retracting into the shell body all the time; and the first limiting surfaces are supported against an upper end of the shell body when the universal wheels are unfolded, and the second limiting surfaces are supported against the upper end of the shell body when the universal wheels are stored. By arranging the first limiting surfaces and the second limiting surfaces, the universal wheels can be limited respectively in the unfolded state and the stored state. 
     In the suitcase bottom shell defined above, elastic mechanisms allowing the connecting columns to have the tendency of retracting into the shell body all the time are disposed between the connecting columns and the shell body; each of the elastic mechanisms includes a first spring disposed on each of the connecting columns; each of the first springs has one end butted against a pressing block disposed below each of the connecting columns, and the other end butted against a first lug boss disposed on the shell body; and the connecting columns are connected to the pressing blocks. 
     When the universal wheels need to be stored, the universal wheels may be pulled outwards at first to drive the connecting columns to overcome the elastic force of the first springs to be lifted to certain height; then, the universal wheels are bent by 90° towards the directions of the respective storage grooves and accommodated in the storage grooves; and under the actions of the first springs, the connecting columns apply a force to the universal wheels for moving the universal wheels to a direction close to the shell body, and the second limiting surfaces on the universal wheels support against the upper end of the shell body, thereby stabilizing the stored state. When the universal wheels need to be restored, the connecting columns can be pressed lightly to extrude the first springs; the universal wheels can be then pulled out from the storage grooves; the first springs restore to apply a force to the universal wheels for moving the universal wheels to a direction close the shell body; the universal wheels are rotated back by 90 degrees to become upright; the first limiting surfaces on the universal wheels support against the upper end of the shell body; and the universal wheels can keep extended and slide normally, wherein the first lug bosses limit the first springs to prevent the first springs from popping out of the shell body, and the pressing blocks press the springs when the connecting columns are lifted. 
     In the suitcase bottom shell defined above, each of the pressing blocks is provided with a second lug boss, and ends of the first springs are sleeved on the second lug bosses. By sleeving the first springs on the first lug bosses, the action of an elastic force is balanced, and the first springs are not twisted. 
     In the suitcase bottom shell defined above, the top of each of the pressing blocks is provided with a recess, and the bottoms of the connecting columns extend into the recesses to connect therewith. 
     In the suitcase bottom shell defined above, as another solution, the pressing blocks and the connecting columns are integrated. The pressing blocks and the connecting columns may be configured as an integrated structure. 
     In the suitcase bottom shell defined above, the bottom of each of the first lug bosses is provided with a third lug boss, and the first springs are sleeved on the third lug bosses. By arranging the third lug bosses, the first springs can be prevented from twisting. 
     In the suitcase bottom shell defined above, elastic mechanisms allowing the connecting columns to have the tendency of retracting into the shell body all the time are disposed between the connecting columns and the shell body; and each of the elastic mechanisms includes a limiting ring disposed on each of the connecting columns and located within the shell body, and a second spring disposed between the shell body and the limiting ring. 
     In the case of arranging the limiting rings to restrict the connecting columns against disengagement from the shell body, when the universal wheels need to be stored, the universal wheels are likewise pulled up at first to drive the connecting columns to overcome the elastic force of the second springs to be extended by a length towards an end away from the shell body; then, the universal wheels are overturned by 90 degrees into the storage grooves, and then released to restore the second springs; under the actions of the second springs, the universal wheels move towards an end close to the shell body, until the second limiting surfaces of the universal wheels support against the upper end of the shell body, thereby stabilizing the stored state. When the universal wheels are needed for sliding, the connecting columns can be pressed lightly to extrude the second springs; the universal wheels can be then pulled out from the storage grooves; under the actions of the second springs, the universal wheels move towards an end close to the shell body, and are rotated back by 90 degrees to become upright; and the first limiting surfaces on the universal wheels support against the upper end of the shell body, thereby stabilizing the unfolded state. 
     In the suitcase bottom shell defined above, each of the second springs has one end connected to the shell body and the other end butted against each of the limiting rings. 
     In the suitcase bottom shell defined above, as another solution, each of the second springs has one end butted against the shell body and the other end connected to each of the limiting rings. 
     In the suitcase bottom shell defined above, as another solution, both ends of the second springs are connected to the shell body and the limiting rings. 
     In the suitcase bottom shell defined above, as another solution, both ends of the second springs are butted against the shell body and the limiting rings. 
     In the suitcase bottom shell defined above, surfaces of the storage grooves close to the universal wheels are cambered surfaces. By setting the surfaces of the storage grooves close to the universal wheels as cambered surfaces, collision can be prevented during storage to avoid damaging the universal wheels. 
     A suitcase applicable to the suitcase bottom shell is provided. 
     Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following benefits: by arranging the storage grooves on the shell body, the universal wheels can be stored in the storage grooves when the suitcase needs to be laid aside, and can be taken out from the storage grooves when the suitcase needs to be used, thereby achieving good stability as well as convenience and efficiency; by arranging limiting mechanisms, the universal wheels can keep unfolded for sliding without being stored by mistake when the suitcase is in normal use, or can keep stored without extending and sliding by accident when the suitcase is laid aside; by arranging pressing covers on the shell body or limiting rings on connecting columns, the connecting columns can be prevented from being disengaged from the shell body; and by setting the surfaces of the storage grooves close to the universal wheels as cambered surfaces, collision can be prevented during storage to avoid damaging the universal wheels. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded structural stereogram of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 in a normal use state according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic structural diagram of Embodiment 1 in a stored state according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of an elastic mechanism of Embodiment 2 according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     In the figures, reference signs are as follows:  1 , shell body;  2 , universal wheel;  21 , first limiting surface;  22 , second limiting surface;  3 , storage groove;  4 , elastic mechanism;  41 , pressing block;  411 , second lug boss;  412 , recess;  42 , first spring;  43 , connecting column;  431 , limiting ring;  44 , first lug boss; and  45 , second spring. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The following are the specific embodiments of the present invention, and the technical solutions of the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. 
     Embodiment 1 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a suitcase bottom shell in this embodiment includes a shell body  1 , wherein the shell body  1  is provided with universal wheels  2  and is further provided with storage grooves  3 ; the universal wheels  2  can be stored in the storage grooves  3 ; the shell body  1  is internally provided with connecting columns  43  extending out of the shell body  1 ; the universal wheels  2  are articulated on the connecting columns  43 ; and the universal wheels  2  are rotatable to an unfolded state or a stored state on the connecting columns  43 . 
     Since the universal wheels  2  protrude outside and are likely to slide, the storage grooves  3  are disposed on the shell body  1 , such that the universal wheels  2  can be stored in the storage grooves  3  when the suitcase needs to be laid aside, and can be taken out from the storage grooves  3  when the suitcase needs to be used, thereby achieving good stability as well as convenience and efficiency. 
     Limiting mechanisms capable of limiting rotation directions of the universal wheels  2  when the universal wheels  2  are in the folded state or the stored state are disposed between the connecting columns  43  and the universal wheels  2 . 
     By arranging the limiting mechanisms, the universal wheels  2  can keep unfolded for sliding without being stored by mistake when the suitcase is in normal use, or can keep stored without extending and sliding by accident when the suitcase is laid aside. 
     Each of the limiting mechanisms includes a first limiting surface  21  and a second limiting surface  22  which are disposed at ends of each of the universal wheels  2 ; the connecting columns  43  have a tendency of retracting into the shell body  1  all the time; and the first limiting surfaces  21  are supported against an upper end of the shell body  1  when the universal wheels  2  are unfolded, and the second limiting surfaces  22  are supported against the upper end of the shell body  1  when the universal wheels  2  are stored. By arranging the first limiting surfaces  21  and the second limiting surfaces  22 , the universal wheels  2  can be limited respectively in the unfolded state and the stored state. 
     Elastic mechanisms  4  allowing the connecting columns  43  to have the tendency of retracting into the shell body  1  all the time are disposed between the connecting columns  43  and the shell body  1 ; each of the elastic mechanisms  4  includes a first spring  42  disposed on each of the connecting columns  43 ; each of the first springs  42  has one end butted against a pressing block  41  disposed below each of the connecting columns  43 , and the other end butted against a first lug boss  44  disposed on the shell body  1 ; and the connecting columns  43  are connected to the pressing blocks  41 . 
     Each of the pressing blocks  41  is provided with a second lug boss  411 , and ends of the first springs  42  are sleeved on the second lug bosses  411 . By sleeving the first springs  42  on the first lug bosses  44 , the action of an elastic force is balanced, and the first springs are not twisted. The top of each of the pressing blocks  41  is provided with a recess  412 , and the bottoms of the connecting columns  43  extend into the recesses  412  to connect therewith. The bottom of each of the first lug bosses  44  is provided with a third lug boss (not shown in the figures), and the first springs  42  are sleeved on the third lug bosses. By arranging the third lug bosses, the first springs  42  can be prevented from twisting. 
     The working principle of this embodiment is as follows. When the universal wheels  2  need to be stored, the universal wheels  2  may be pulled outwards at first to drive the connecting columns  43  to overcome the elastic force of the first springs  42  to be lifted to certain height; then, the universal wheels are bent by 90° towards the directions of the respective storage grooves  3  and stored in the storage grooves  3 ; and under the actions of the first springs  42 , the connecting columns  43  apply a force to the universal wheels  2  for moving the universal wheels  2  to a direction close to the shell body  1 , and the second limiting surfaces  22  on the universal wheels  2  support against the upper end of the shell body  1 , thereby stabilizing the stored state. When the universal wheels  2  need to be restored, the connecting columns  43  can be pressed lightly to extrude the first springs  42 ; the universal wheels  2  can be then pulled out from the storage grooves  3 ; the first springs  42  restore to apply a force to the universal wheels  2  for moving the universal wheels  2  to a direction close the shell body  1 ; the universal wheels  2  are rotated back by  90  degrees to become upright; the first limiting surfaces  21  on the universal wheels  2  support against the upper end of the shell body  1 ; and the universal wheels  2  can keep extended and slide normally, wherein the first lug bosses  44  limit the first springs  42  to prevent the first springs  42  from popping out of the shell body  1 , and the pressing blocks  41  press the springs when the connecting columns  43  are lifted. 
     Embodiment 2 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the structure in this embodiment is basically the same as that in Embodiment 1, with a difference lying in that each of the elastic mechanisms  4  includes a limiting ring  431  disposed on each of the connecting columns  43  and located within the shell body  1 , and a second spring  45  disposed between the shell body  1  and the limiting ring  431 . 
     In the case of arranging the limiting rings  431  to restrict the connecting columns  43  against disengagement from the shell body  1 , when the universal wheels  2  need to be stored, the universal wheels  2  are likewise pulled up at first to drive the connecting columns  43  to overcome the elastic force of the second springs  45  to be extended by a length towards an end away from the shell body  1 ; then, the universal wheels  2  are overturned by  90  degrees into the storage grooves  3 , and then released to restore the second springs  45 ; under the actions of the second springs  45 , the universal wheels  2  move towards an end close to the shell body  1 , until the second limiting surfaces  22  of the universal wheels  2  support against the upper end of the shell body  1 , thereby stabilizing the stored state. When the universal wheels  2  are needed for sliding, the connecting columns  43  can be pressed lightly to extrude the second springs  45 ; the universal wheels  2  can be then pulled out from the storage grooves  3 ; under the actions of the second springs  45 , the universal wheels  2  move towards an end close to the shell body  1 , and are rotated back by  90  degrees to become upright; and the first limiting surfaces  21  on the universal wheels  2  support against the upper end of the shell body  1 , thereby stabilizing the unfolded state. Each of the second springs  45  has one end connected to the shell body  1  and the other end butted against each of the limiting rings  431 . 
     According to the present invention, by arranging the storage grooves  3  on the shell body  1 , the universal wheels  2  can be stored in the storage grooves  3  when the suitcase needs to be laid aside, and can be taken out from the storage grooves  3  when the suitcase needs to be used, thereby achieving good stability as well as convenience and efficiency; by arranging the limiting mechanisms, the universal wheels  2  can keep unfolded for sliding without being stored by mistake when the suitcase is in normal use, or can keep stored without extending and sliding by accident when the suitcase is laid aside; by arranging pressing covers on the shell body  1  or the limiting rings  431  on the connecting columns  43 , the connecting columns  43  can be prevented from being disengaged from the shell body  1 ; and by setting the surfaces of the storage grooves  3  close to the universal wheels  2  as cambered surfaces, collision can be prevented during storage to avoid damaging the universal wheels  2 . 
     The specific embodiments described herein are only intended to exemplify the spirit of the present invention. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs may make a variety of modifications or supplements or substitutions in a similar way to the specific embodiments as described, which is deemed as not departing from the spirit of the present invention or not going beyond the scope defined by the accompanying claims.