Patent Publication Number: US-2010108451-A1

Title: Suitcase

Description:
This invention relates to a suitcase that includes a frame, the frame movable from a first position contained within said suitcase when said suitcase is closed, to a second position extending from said suitcase when said suitcase is open. This frame can be used to support for example, a lounger, a sunshade and/or a tent. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a suitcase comprising a body, an extendable handle, a clasp and a frame, said body including a lid, said frame movable from a first position contained within said suitcase when said suitcase is closed, to a second position extending is from said suitcase when said suitcase is open, said frame comprising a first frame portion connected to said lid via a universal joint, and said clasp arranged to lock said extendable handle to said frame. 
     Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide a suitcase that can easily be converted into a tent. The suitcase provides a rigid based, self supporting tent and a tent tensioning system. The suitcase enables the tent to be stored in a folded state and then erected without guy ropes or tent pegs. The suitcase/tent also has the ability to be used in standing water, because the base of the suitcase is water tight and supports the occupant approximately 15 cm above ground level. 
     The suitcase&#39;s lower and upper halves are opened out and fixed together to form a rigid base for the Tent. This is achieved by inserting fasteners or interlocking hooks through holes in the hinged side of the lower case into receptacles in the upper case. These fasteners are securely enclosed inside a hinged, thermally insulated compartment that can be locked to prevent anyone undoing them, closing the case and removing it while unattended. Another use for this feature is for storing valuables that the owner might take on holiday for example cash, telephone, etc. or cold drinks. 
     The canopy of the tent is supported by oval tubular frames that are stored inside the upper case and consist of two inverted U-frames. One frame is attached to the upper case via two universal joints, the other is loose. Each end of the loose frame is stored in a cup adjacent to a respective universal joint, which locates the loose frame during transit. The frames are oval to allow the frames to bend in the lateral direction but remain stiff longitudinally. The frames are angled so that they are further apart at the top than the bottom. This helps to tension the tent fabric. If the canopy is not needed it can be removed by unfastening the universal joints from the lid. 
     To support the weight of the tent material that makes up the canopy and to stiffen the framework an over centre linkage is incorporated into the design. To lift the roof to the correct height a user springs the uprights apart and causes the tube to deflect temporarily. Once past the horizontal position, the frames spring upwards into position and are held securely by the torsional load exerted by the uprights and this supports the canopy of tent fabric. 
     Another feature of the design is the tensioning of the foot support framework to pull the frames apart until the tent fabric is held in tension. This is done by extending the suitcase&#39;s retractable handle and attaching it to the lower cross member of the foot support frame with the hook on the tensioning device. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a suitcase comprising a body and a frame, said frame movable from a first position contained within said suitcase when said suitcase is closed, to a second position extending from said suitcase when said suitcase is open, said frame including a shield portion supporting a canopy, said canopy movably mounted on said shield portion 
     Owing to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to provide a suitcase that can be easily used, for example, as a sun lounger when the frame is folded out, but is lightweight and can still be used to carry clothes and the like when the frame is folded back into the suitcase. The canopy acts as a sunshade and protects the user from the sun, and is movably mounted on the frame, allowing the user to position the canopy as they wish and to move the canopy when the suitcase is in use. This allows easy access to the lounger and the sunshade (acting either as a parasol or windbreak) can be moved on the frame when the position of the sun changes. It is also possible to convert the parasol/windbreaker to a one-man tent. 
     A rigid base may be used in the suitcase that supports the frame and protects the design of the suitcase from damage. The entire body of the suitcase may be rigid. 
     The lounger/suitcase is designed to allow the user to have a comfortable place to sit or lie down when on holiday. The basis is a very light suitcase made from plastic composite material or lightweight metal. The lounger is a lightweight structure that folds up and is stowed inside the suitcase lid, which allows access to the luggage compartment for clothes. The lounger can be removed if the user wanted to use it just as a conventional suitcase. 
     There is a means of locking the lounger in the open position to help prevent casual theft by folding the suitcase up and walking off with the suitcase when it is unattended. Inside the suitcase there is a lockable, insulated compartment to safeguard valuables whilst the owner is away and to store cold drinks. 
     Owing to the lightweight construction the suitcase will have the provision to fit straps to the underside of the suitcase to allow the user to carry the suitcase on their back if desired. To allow the case to be used by bicycle riders a towing handle can be provided. 
    
    
     
       Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:— 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a closed suitcase, 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the suitcase, with a frame folded in and the suitcase closed, 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the suitcase in an open position, with the frame not yet folded out, 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of the suitcase, with the frame folded out and a windbreak provided, 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the suitcase of  FIG. 4 , 
         FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the suitcase, with the frame folded out and a sunshade provided, 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the suitcase, with the frame removed, 
         FIG. 8  is an underneath perspective view of the suitcase, with carrying straps, 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective view of a pair of suitcases fitted to a vehicle roof rack, 
         FIG. 10  is an underneath perspective view of the suitcases and roof rack of  FIG. 9 , 
         FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  show top perspective views of a second embodiment of the suitcase/lounger, 
         FIGS. 12   a ,  12   b  and  12   c  show side sections of a locking device for locking the suitcase in an open position, 
         FIGS. 13 to 19  show views of the second embodiment of the suitcase, 
         FIGS. 20   a  and  20   b  show, respectively, a perspective and side section view of a clasp in an unlocked position, 
         FIGS. 21   a  and  21   b  show, respectively, a perspective and side section view of the clasp of  FIG. 20  in a locked position, 
         FIGS. 22 and 23  show perspective views of a portion of the lid of the suitcase and a portion of a frame for supporting a tent canopy, and 
         FIG. 24  shows a top perspective view of the second embodiment of the suitcase/tent. 
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows a suitcase  10 , which comprises a body  12  and an internal frame. The body  12  includes a rigid base. The frame (shown in  FIG. 4  for example) is movable from a first position contained within the suitcase  10  when the suitcase  10  is closed, to a second position extending from the suitcase  10  when the suitcase  10  is open. The body  12  includes a lid  18  and a wheel  22 , one on either side of the base. The suitcase  10  is designed to function as a conventional suitcase, and can be used to carry clothes and the like, in the conventional manner. The suitcase  10  has four uses however, and can be used as a suitcase, a lounger, a sun shade or as a tent. In  FIG. 1 , the suitcase  10  is shown closed with the lid  18  closed and with the frame folded internally. The frame can support a fabric sheet that is used to support the weight of a user when they are lying on the lounger.  FIG. 2  further shows the suitcase  10  in its closed configuration, with the frame  14  folded up inside the suitcase  10 . The suitcase  10  has a rigid base  16   
       FIG. 3  shows the suitcase  10  after it has been opened, but before the frame  14  has been moved from its stowed position in the suitcase  10 . As can be seen, the body  12  of the suitcase  10  provides storage space for the user&#39;s possessions. The body  12  is provided with a pair of wheels  22 , one on each corner of the rigid base  16 , for use when the suitcase  10  is closed, and the user wishes to pull the suitcase  10 , rather than carry it. The frame  14  supports a sheet  20  that can be used to support a person when the frame  14  has been folded out into its unfolded position. 
       FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6  show the suitcase  10 , which in addition to the extendable frame  14 , is provided with a shield portion  24  which supports a canopy  26 . The canopy  26  extends over and above the body  12  of the suitcase  10 . The canopy  26  is provided to protect the user from the sun, and is movable on the shield portion  24  of the frame  14 . This allows easy access to the lounger and the parasol/windbreaker  26  can be moved when the position of the sun changes. The shield portion  24  and the canopy  26  can be stowed in the suitcase  10  when not in use and carried in the suitcase  10 . The canopy  26  is slidably mounted on the shield portion  24  and can be moved by the user of the suitcase  10  as desired to protect the user from the wind or sun. One simple method of mounting the shade  26  on the portion  24  of the frame  14  is to have a loop of material at the ends of the shade  26  through which the portions  24  are threaded. This allows the user to move the canopy  26  into their desired position easily and simply. 
       FIG. 7  shows the suitcase  10 , with the frame  14  removed. The frame  14  is provided with short extensions  32  at each corner of the folded frame. These extensions  32  locate in locating elements  34  in the body  12  of the suitcase  10 . The frame  14  can easily be removed by a user, and this allows the suitcase  10  to be used as a normal suitcase, without the frame being present. When the user wishes to user the suitcase  10  as the combined suitcase/lounger/sunshade/tent, then the frame  14  can be located in the elements  34  in the corners of the body  12 . 
       FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of the suitcase  10  in which carrying straps  36  have been provided on the underside of the suitcase  10 , which allows the suitcase  10  to be easily carried by a user. The user will carry the suitcase  10  upon their back, in a rucksack fashion.  FIGS. 9 and 10  show how a pair of suitcases  10  can be carried by a vehicle roof rack  38 . Cross beams  40  on the roof rack  38  can locate in grooves  42  provided on the undersides of the suitcases  10 . This allows one or more suitcases to be easily transported on the exterior of a vehicle. 
     The suitcase  10  provides the following unique features. The suitcase  10  operates as a multi functional travel and leisure companion that can be of use when a user arrives at a holiday resort, unlike an ordinary case. It can be used to relax at the airport if a user&#39;s flight is delayed. The case  10  has the capability to use its parasol either as a sunshade or as a tent. The case is a structural part which helps reduce the weight. The lounger part can be removed leaving a standard case. Because of its lightweight design, the suitcase  10  can be carried on the user&#39;s back, which is useful when walking over rough ground or up stairs. It is lockable when open to help deter theft. The case  10  can be used as a lounger even when the case is full of clothes, because the user&#39;s belongings would not have to be removed for the lounger to be used. A complete home from home is provided not just a case or lounger. It provides a dry and shaded environment, somewhere to sleep, somewhere to store ones clothes and a secure insulated space to store valuables and the case  10  can be taken with a user wherever they go. 
     A second embodiment of the suitcase  10  is shown in  FIGS. 11 to 23 . This embodiment has a number of additional features that allow the suitcase to be transformed into a fully functioning tent. When the lid  18  of the suitcase  10  is opened, it can be locked in position, which prevents an unauthorised person from collapsing and folding the tent/lounger back into the suitcase  10 , without the owner&#39;s permission, thereby reducing the likelihood of there being a theft of the suitcase  10 . 
     Inside the body  12  of the suitcase  10 , is a lockable compartment  50 , which can be closed with a hinged door  52 . This door  52  is provided with a lock that receives a key in a conventional fashion. Inside the compartment  50  is the locking device that is used to lock the lid  18  of the suitcase  10  such that it can no longer be closed. When the user wishes to erect the tent, their first action is to lock the lid  18  in position and then close and secure the door  52  of the compartment  50 .  FIG. 11   a  shows the door  52  open, and  FIG. 11   b  shows the door  52  after it has been closed and locked. 
       FIGS. 12   a  and  12   b  show, in more detail, the locking device  54  used to lock the lid  18 . In  FIG. 12   a , the hinged door  52  to the compartment  50  is open and the locking device  54  is in a first position, in which position it does not engage with the lid  18  of the suitcase  10 . The user of the suitcase  10  can push the locking device  54  to a second position, shown in  FIG. 12   b . When the locking device  54  is in the second position, it engages the lid  18  of the suitcase  10 , and the lid  18  can no longer be hinged to close the suitcase  10 , as the locking device  54  prevents any turning movement of the lid  18 .  FIG. 12   c  shows the suitcase  10  with the lounger  20  still in position, after the locking device  54  has been moved into its second and locking position, with the door  52  of the compartment  50  closed and locked. 
       FIG. 13  shows the suitcase  10 , as the user begins to erect the tent. The fabric that makes up the tent has been removed from the Figure for reasons of clarity. The user first folds back the top of the lounger  20 . A frame  56  is stored in the lid  18  of the suitcase  10 , and the fabric of the tent is mounted on the frame  56  when it is stored in the lid  18 . The user folds the frame  56  out of the lid  18 , in preparation for erecting the tent part of the suitcase  10 . The fixing of the frame  56  to the lid  18 , and how it is arranged is shown in more detail below, with reference to  FIGS. 22 and 23 . 
     The suitcase  10  is also provided with an extendable handle  58 , which can be used to pull the suitcase  10  around, when it is in its closed state. This is known and used in the conventional way. The handle  58  also includes a clasp  60 , which is used for assisting in the assembly of the suitcase into the tent. This clasp is discussed below, in more detail, with reference to  FIGS. 20 and 21 . The clasp has the function of locking the handle  58  onto the frame  14  of the lounger  20 , to provide rigidity for the tent construction. 
       FIG. 14  shows the next stage in the erection of the tent, in which a second frame portion  56   b  is inserted into hold provided on the frame  14 . The second frame portion  56   b  is identical to the first frame portion  56   a . The frame  14  is not yet attached to the clasp  60 , so that the bottom portion of the lounger  20  can hinge upwards in order to receive the frame  56   b . Frames  56   a  and  56   b  will be connected together by the fabric of the tent (removed for clarity). Each part of the frame  56   a  and  56   b  is telescopic and flexible, allowing the frames parts  56   a  and  56   b  to be easily manipulated into position. As the frames  56   a  and  56   b  are extended fully and opened outwards, they take up a position, as shown in  FIG. 15 . As the user pushes the upper supports (of the frame portions  56   a  and  56   b ) vertically against the resistance from bending of the uprights they eventually spring into place, while moving through the position shown in  FIG. 16 , to the final position shown in  FIG. 17 . 
     In summary, a user performs the following sequence of operations to erect the tent. Firstly, they unpack the unattached frame  56   b  and lay it on the lounger  20 . The user then swivels the attached frame  56   a  through 90 degrees on its universal joint. The user extends the retractable handle  58  and hooks the tension device, the clasp  60 , over the lower cross member of the foot support, but does not tighten the clasp at this stage. 
     The user then pushes both legs of the attached frame  56   a  outwards until they are located in the two channels in the corner of the lid  18 . They then fully extend both uprights until they click into position. The user then fit the legs of the unattached frame  56   b  into tubes 62 in the foot support framework and fully extends both uprights. As for the frame section  56   a , the user pushes both upper supports vertically against the resistance from bending of the uprights until they spring into place. The user then pushes the handle of the tensioning device  60  to pull the vertical supports apart, thereby tensioning the tent fabric. The user can adjust the backrest of the lounger  20  to the required position. 
       FIG. 18  shows a side view of the suitcase  10  once the frame portions  56   a  and  56   b  have been moved into position. The clasp  60  has been locked into position and is therefore tensioning the two frame portions  56   a  and  56   b  apart, through the rigidity of the solid suitcase  10  and the extendable handle  58 . The two frame portions  56   a  and  56   b  each form a substantial U-shape, and include an over-centre linkage. Each frame portion  56   a  and  56   b  has a telescopic portion, which is fully extended, when the tent is erected.  FIG. 19  shows the canopy  26  (with sides omitted for clarity) which is stretched between the two frame portions  56   a  and  56   b , and held in tension by the retractable handle  58 . The clasp  60  is in the locked position. 
       FIGS. 20 and 21  show the clasp  60  in more detail. In  FIGS. 20   a  and  20   b , the clasp  60  is in its unlocked position, and is not yet tensioning the suitcase/tent. The clasp  60  comprises a handle  64  and a plate  66 , which are linked together so that the plate  66  can turn about a rod  68  that is part of the handle  64 . The handle  64  rotates about an axis  70 . 
       FIGS. 21   a  and  21   b  show the tensioning system following the user moving the clasp  60  to its locking position. In its locked position, the extendable handle  58  of the suitcase  10  is locked against frame  14 . In  FIG. 21   b , it can be seen that the frame portion  56   b  is now located in the hold. The user activates the clasp by pushing the handle  64  up and over, thereby causing the plate  66  to push the extendable handle  58 , of the suitcase  10 , against the frame  14 . This is how the tensioning of the tent is produced, which keeps the canopy of the tent taut. 
     The first frame portion  56   a  is connected to the lid  18  of the suitcase by a universal joint  72 , shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 . In  FIG. 22   a , the frame portion  56   a  is folded in the lid  18  of the suitcase  10 , in its stowed position. The second frame portion  56   b  is also stored in the lid  18 , and is located in a cup  76 . Before any erection of the tent takes place, the user must remove the second frame portion  56   b  from the locating cup  76 . 
       FIG. 22   b  shows the frame  56   a , as it is folded out of the lid  18  by the user. The cup  76  is now empty, after the user has removed the second frame portion  56   b , and moved it to lie on the lounger  20 , for example. In  FIG. 23   a , the frame  56   a  has been folded upright, and it is then moved into a channel  74 , which keeps the frame  56   a  in position while the tent is being erected. The channel  74  is firmly connected to the lid  18 , and locates the frame  56   a  during operation of the tent. The lid  18  is provided with a corresponding frame on its opposite side, to engage the other end of the frame  56   a.    
     The canopy  26  of the tent is shown in  FIG. 24 , with a portion cut away to show the interior of the tent.