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Title:
SUITCASE CONVERTIBLE INTO A COT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/155084
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A suitcase (10) comprises a rear wall (12), side walls (14) and a lid (26); the lid (26) having a padded area (34) on an inside surface thereof, and a fabric curtain (28) disposed around at least a portion of the padded area (34). The lid (26) is removable and adapted to fit inside the suitcase (10) over the rear wall (12) with the padded area (34) facing away from the rear wall (12) with the fabric curtain (28) being extendable between the inside surface of the lid (26) and the side walls (14).

Inventors:
TEODORESCU CAMELIA MARIA (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/GB2014/050930
Publication Date:
October 02, 2014
Filing Date:
March 25, 2014
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
JET SET BEBE LTD (GB)
International Classes:
A45C9/00; A45C5/03; A45F4/06; A47C17/82
Domestic Patent References:
WO2006123171A12006-11-23
Foreign References:
US5212841A1993-05-25
US20050210594A12005-09-29
US20060172652A12006-08-03
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
GAMES, Robert (Eagle TowerMontpellier Driv, Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL50 1TA, GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A suitcase comprising a rear wall, side walls and a lid; the lid having a padded area on an inside surface thereof, and a fabric curtain disposed around at least a portion of the padded area; the lid being removable and adapted to fit inside the suitcase over the rear wall with the padded area facing away from the rear wall, and the fabric curtain being extendable between the inside surface of the lid and the side walls.

2. A suitcase as claimed in claim 1, in which the padded area and fabric curtain are retained within a pocket on the inside of the lid, when not in use.

3. A suitcase as claimed in claim 2, in which the pocket is made from a mesh material.

4. A suitcase as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, in which the pocket is zip fastened on at least three sides.

5. A suitcase as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the padded area is removable.

6. A suitcase as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fabric curtain is fastened to the inside surface of the lid.

7. A suitcase as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fabric curtain is fastenable to an inside surface of the side walls.

8. A suitcase as claimed in claim 7, in which the fabric curtain is fastenable to an inside surface of the side walls by zip fastener.

9. A suitcase as claimed in claim 8, in which one mating part of the zip fastener is stitched to a fabric lining of the suitcase.

10. A suitcase as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the fabric curtain is made from a mesh fabric.

11. A suitcase as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the lid incorporates a stiff planar member on which the padded area lies.

12. A suitcase as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a carry handle is disposed inside the suitcase.

13. A suitcase as claimed in claim 12, in which the carry handle is substantially bow shaped.

14. A suitcase as claimed in claim 12 or 13, in which the carry handle is movable between a stowed position substantially parallel with the base to an operative position substantially perpendicular to the base.

15. A suitcase as claimed in claim 14, in which a hood is attached to the carry handle and extends between the carry handle and the upper end of the side walls of the suitcase, at one end of the suitcase.

16. A suitcase as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a removable fabric bag is disposed within the suitcase for packing items for carriage.

17. A suitcase substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

Description:
SUITCASE CONVERTIBLE INTO A COT

The present invention relates to an improved suitcase. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

When travelling with a small child, it is often necessary to take a travel cot for the child to sleep in. A conventional travel cot is typically a heavy bulky item, comprised of a metal frame with plastics connectors supporting a fabric inner. A covered board or the like may form the base of the cot, which is placed over the fabric inner and rests on a central metal support leg. Cots of this nature are effective, but even when collapsed, they take up a large amount of travel space, for example, in a vehicle or aircraft. Also, they are heavy to carry, typically around 10kg. When travelling with a child, pushchair, clothing, change bag, food and drink, the additional burden of carrying a travel cot can be a considerable inconvenience and may also be costly, for example, if flying.

This problem has been addressed to some extent in, for example, US 5,212,841, in which a combination carry-cot and case is disclosed. In this device, a metal framework of telescopic legs and connecting spars extend from within the open suitcase. Fabric walls extend from the framework to the case to form sidewalls. The lid is hinged to the suitcase. This device includes a metal framework, similar to a conventional travel cot. Advantageously, the framework is stored and transported within the suitcase, but the device is heavy and space inside the suitcase is limited by the framework. Also, the footprint of the device, when in use as a cot, is very large, because the lid is laid open to the side of the sleeping area.

WO 2006/123171 discloses a similar device utilising a metal framework, which is adapted to be carried within a suitcase. It suffers similar problems to the device of US 5,212,841.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved suitcase which can be converted into a cot for a child to sleep in, whilst travelling. STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a suitcase comprising a rear wall, side walls and a lid; the lid having a padded area on an inside surface thereof, and a fabric curtain disposed around at least a portion of the padded area; the lid being removable and adapted to fit inside the suitcase over the rear wall with the padded area facing away from the rear wall, and the fabric curtain being extendable between the inside surface of the lid and the side walls.

With the lid removed, inverted, and placed inside the suitcase against the rear wall, the suitcase converts into a cot for a child. The child may sleep in the suitcase, resting on the padded area of the lid. Since the lid is entirely within the suitcase in this configuration, the suitcase takes up only the same amount of floorspace as it does when the lid is closed.

The fabric curtain, when extended between the inside surface of the lid and the side walls, provides a wall sloping upwardly around the edges of the padded area. The child is thus provided with a comfortable sleeping area.

The padded area and fabric curtain may be retained within a pocket on the inside of the lid, when not in use. The padded area and fabric curtain are thus kept clean whilst the suitcase is being used to transport clothing or other articles. If the fabric curtain is a suitable length and the child remains lying down, then the parts of the suitcase which are in contact with the child are completely isolated from the parts which are in contact with items being transported. Retaining the padded area and fabric curtain in the pocket also limits the possibility that the padded area or fabric curtain are damaged when the suitcase is in use for transporting articles. The pocket may be made from a water resistant material, which may be plastics. This protects the sleeping area from any spillage of liquid articles in transit, and also enables the sleeping area to be sealed off from the suitcase and its contents if it becomes soiled in use. The pocket may alternatively be made from a mesh material. A mesh material allows the padded area and fabric curtain to be aired when not in use, preventing them from becoming smelly. The pocket may be zip fastened on at least three sides.

The padded area may be removable. A removable padded area may be washed and replaced. Several interchangeable padded cushions may be provided, so that one may be used whilst others are being cleaned or dried.

The fabric curtain may be fastened to the inside surface of the lid, and may be removable. A removable fabric curtain may be cleaned, as with a removable padded area. The fabric curtain may be fastenable to an inside surface of the side walls. With the lid inverted and in place covering the rear wall, the fabric curtain may be extended and fixed to the inside of the side walls. In this way, the fabric curtain can extend upwardly and outwardly from the lid, creating a sloping wall around the padded area for a child to rest against whilst sleeping.

The fabric curtain may be fastenable to an inside surface of the side walls by zip fastener. A zip fastener provides a substantially continuous connection between the side walls and the fabric curtain, which is easy to make but will not come undone unintentionally. One mating part of the zip fastener may be stitched to a fabric lining of the suitcase.

The fabric curtain may be made from a mesh fabric. A child may sleep on the padded area, and may move onto its side, with its face resting against the fabric curtain. Use of a mesh fabric ensures that the child in this position is able to breathe through the fabric curtain. With the mesh fabric curtain stretched taut between the inside surface of the lid and the inside surface of the side walls, an 'air bumper' is created. This prevents the child from ending up with his or her face against the solid wall of the suitcase, and ensures that the child can always breathe. The lid may incorporate a stiff planar member on which the padded area lies. The stiff planar member serves to provide a flat surface for sleeping. The suitcase may be a rolling suitcase, including a conventional extendable handle. In this case, the extendable handle may be disposed between the rear wall and a lining of the suitcase, and would be very uncomfortable for a child to sleep on. Providing a stiff planar member in the lid obviates this problem by providing a barrier between the sleeping child and the uneven surface at the rear of the suitcase.

A carry handle may be disposed inside the suitcase. The carry handle may be folded out and used for carrying the case when a child is sleeping inside. The carry handle may be substantially bow shaped.

The carry handle may be movable between a stowed position substantially parallel with the base to an operative position substantially perpendicular to the base. In the stowed position, the handle may be completely within the side walls of the case, allowing the lid to be fitted to the case. In the operative position, the carry handle may extend from the inside of the side walls, out of and over an open side of the case.

A hood may be attachable to the carry handle and may extend between the carry handle and the upper end of the side walls of the suitcase, at one end of the suitcase. The hood may comprise of a resiliently deformable rib, and two portions of stretchable fabric, one portion extending from either side of the rib. An outer edge of one portion of fabric may be adapted to releasably attach to the upper end of the side walls of the suitcase, and an outer edge of the other portion of fabric may be adapted to releasably attach to the carry handle. The portion of fabric which is attachable to the carry handle may include fixing means which allow an end of the fabric portion to be folded back on itself and fixed to form a loop at the end of the fabric portion. In use, the end of the fabric portion may be looped over the carry handle and then fixed to form a loop.

Pockets may be provided on the inside of the side walls of the case for receiving the resiliently deformable rib of the hood. In use, the rib can be bent into a curve, with the ends substantially parallel to each other. The ends of the rib may then be introduced into the pockets in the side walls of the case. When the hood is not required, the ends of the rib may be removed. The rib will naturally spring out into a straight line for convenient storage.

A removable fabric bag may be disposed within the suitcase for packing items for carriage. This bag allows items for carriage to be isolated from the child's sleeping area, protecting both the items for carriage and the child's sleeping area from soiling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a suitcase according to the invention, with the lid removed;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a lid of the suitcase of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a perspective cut-away view of the suitcase of Figure 1, fitted with the lid of Figure 2 in a condition suitable for carrying luggage;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the suitcase of Figure 1, with the lid of Figure 2 removed, inverted and placed within the suitcase, in a condition suitable for use as a cot for a child; and

Figure 5 shows a perspective cut-away view of the suitcase as in Figure 4, with a hood extended.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a suitcase is indicated generally at 10. The suitcase includes a rear wall 12, four side walls 14, and is substantially cuboidal having one open face opposing the rear wall 12. One mating part of a first zip fastener 16 is disposed around an upper edge of the four side walls 14. The first zip fastener 16 extends substantially all the way around all four side walls 14. One mating part of a second zip fastener 18 is disposed all the way around the interior of the four side walls 14. The second zip fastener 18 is fixed to a lining of the side walls 14, and is spaced from the upper edge of the side walls 14.

Brackets 20 are provided, one on the interior of each of two opposing side walls. The brackets 20 are disposed substantially centrally between the ends of the case, and at a point on each side wall which is between the first zip fastener 16 and the second zip fastener 18. The brackets 20 hold a carry handle 22, which is rotatably mounted on the brackets 20. The carry handle 22 is shown in a stowed position in Figure 1, in which the handle is substantially horizontal and is disposed within the suitcase, between the side walls 14. A stretchable fabric hood 24 extends between the carry handle and the side wall 14 at one end of the case, and is shown in a folded condition in Figure 1.

Referring now to Figure 2, a lid suitable for closing the suitcase 10 is indicated generally at 26. In the Figure, the lid is shown with its underside facing upwards, that is, when the lid is used for closing the suitcase it is the side facing upwards in the Figure which would form an interior wall of the closed suitcase.

The other mating part of the first zip fastener 16 extends all the way around the outer edge of the lid 26. In this way, the lid may be fastened to the suitcase 10 with a seal being formed by the first zip fastener 16 around the perimeter of the lid 26. When access to the suitcase 10 is required, the first zip fastener 16 may be undone around three sides of the lid, and the lid folded away from the suitcase 10. The first zip fastener 16 may also be undone around all four sides of the lid, and the lid 26 completely removed from the suitcase 10.

The lid 26 includes a stiff planar member, which may be integral with the lid itself or may be fixed to the underside of the lid. The stiff planar member provides for a flat sleeping surface when the lid is placed over an uneven surface. A fabric curtain 28 is fixed to the underside of the lid 26, or as the case may be to the stiff planar member. The fabric curtain 28 is formed as an endless band of fabric, having two edges. One edge of the fabric curtain 28 is removably attached to the underside of the lid 26, or to the stiff planar member. The fabric curtain 28 is attached to the lid 26 inward of the edges of the lid, so that there is a space between the edge of the lid and the fabric curtain. The other mating part of the second zip fastener 18 is disposed around the unattached edge of the fabric curtain. In use, the second zip fastener 18 may be fastened, so that the fabric curtain extends between the underside of the lid 26 and the side walls 14 of the suitcase 10.

The fabric curtain 28 is attached to the lid 10 via poppers. The fabric curtain is therefore removable for cleaning, and is replaceable if it becomes irreparably damaged.

A substantially rectangular cover member 30 is attached to the lid 26 at one side, and a third zip fastener 32 extends around the other three sides of the cover member 30. In this way, the cover member 30 and the lid 26 define a closable pocket, within which the fabric curtain 28 is disposed. When it is required to deploy the fabric curtain as described above, the pocket may be opened. When the lid 26 is to be placed on the suitcase 10, the pocket may be closed to protect the fabric curtain from the contents of the suitcase, which might be dirty, pointed, or otherwise likely to damage or soil the fabric curtain 28. Figure 3 shows the suitcase 10 with the lid 26 fitted. That is, the suitcase is closed and in a condition suitable for the transportation of luggage. The fabric curtain 28 is disposed within the pocket defined by the cover member 30 and the lid 26. A padded member 34 can also be seen in this Figure, disposed inside the pocket with the fabric curtain. The padded member 34 provides a comfortable sleeping surface for a child.

In Figure 3, the carry handle 22 is in a stowed position, and the hood 24 is folded down. Figure 4 shows the suitcase 10 in a condition suitable for accommodating a sleeping child. The lid 26 is placed within the suitcase 10, between the side walls 14, with the underside facing upwards, towards the open side of the suitcase 10. The cover member (30) is opened and the fabric curtain 28 is extended from the lid 26 to meet the inside of the side walls 14 of the suitcase. The second zip fastener 18 is engaged to hold the fabric curtain 28 in place.

Figure 5 shows a cut-away view of the suitcase in substantially the same condition as in Figure 4. The lid 26 can be seen beneath the padded member 34 and the fabric curtain 28. In Figure 5, the carry handle 22 has been rotated upwardly in brackets 20. The stretchable fabric hood 24 is thus stretched between the carry handle 22 and the side wall 14 at one end of the case 10.

The suitcase provides an ideal solution for those travelling with a small child. The suitcase may be used conventionally for transporting clothing and other luggage, and no separate cot needs to be carried. Following arrival at the destination, the suitcase may be unpacked and quickly converted for use as a comfortable and safe cot for the child to sleep in. Similarly, the cot can be converted back into a suitcase with ease. A separate fabric bag may be provided inside the suitcase for enabling simple emptying of articles transported in the case by removal of the bag.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.




 
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