The present invention relates to a travel suitcase comprising a luggage compartment bounded on opposite longitudinal sides by flanks and having a rolling frame and on a side remote from the frame a handle by which the luggage compartment can be moved along.

Such a travel suitcase, also referred to as wheeled suitcase or trolley, is widely used by travellers for carrying luggage therewith. This is usually a suitcase with wheels and a telescopic handle. The rolling frame provides relief here when the travel suitcase is moved along over a flat floor and thus need not be carried. Particularly popular here are so-called wheeled suitcases whose measurements fall within maximum dimensions for hand luggage stipulated by airlines. These suitcases need not be checked into the luggage hold of the aircraft, but instead may be brought along in the cabin.

A known wheeled suitcase comprises two or four swivel wheels on an underside of the luggage compartment of the suitcase. The swivel wheels are mounted in freely pivotable manner on a shaft and protrude therewith into the suitcase. A drawback of such a construction is that the wheels under the luggage compartment increase the length dimension of the whole without creating additional storage space thereby. The bigger the diameter of the wheels, the more wasted space. Such swivel wheels are therefore generally given a relatively small form, which has an adverse effect the rolling ability and comfort, particularly on an uneven floor surface.

The present invention has for its object, among others, to provide a travel suitcase which obviates these drawbacks to at least significant extent, while an unparalleled efficiency ratio is particularly provided between outer dimensions and volume usable as luggage capacity.

In order to achieve the stated object a travel suitcase of the type described in the preamble has the feature according to the invention that the frame comprises on each of the flanks a rolling wheel with a wheel axis which, at least during use, lies substantially transversely of the relevant flank and with a running surface which, at least during use, reaches beyond a bottom of the luggage compartment, that the wheels are each connected with interposing of a wheel cap to the relevant flank, and that the wheel cap extends over a part of a periphery around the wheel and provides laterally a fender which shields the wheel laterally over at least that part of the periphery. The wheels of the frame of the suitcase are thus arranged on the flanks of the suitcase instead of under the bottom thereof. With the fender the wheel cap here protects the wheels against a lateral impact when the suitcase is handled roughly. The invention is here based on the insight that the wheels need protrude only with the running surface below the bottom in order to provide an undiminished rolling ability, while the remaining part of the wheels can be located above the bottom. Wasted space under the bottom can thus be limited to a minimum, irrespective of a diameter of the wheels. Laterally, a limitation of the usable volume of the suitcase as a result of the placement of the wheels can however be limited to a minimum by giving the wheels a slender form laterally, which has little to no effect on the rolling capacity and comfort of the suitcase. It has been found that a ratio of usable volume to maximum outer dimensions can thereby be greater than is the case in existing wheeled suitcases.

From a viewpoint of a reduction in cost price and moreover mechanical strength and robustness, a preferred embodiment of the travel suitcase has the feature according to the invention that the wheel cap is formed by a unitary body in which the wheel is received, particularly a plastic body and more particularly by an injection-moulded part. If use is moreover made here of an injection- moulded body of an impact-resistant plastic, the wheel cap can in particular be provided in a particularly practical and economic manner. Because the wheels are protected both all the way around and laterally by the wheel cap, wheel housings, which would otherwise limit the usable luggage volume of the suitcase, need not be provided in the suitcase therefor. A further preferred embodiment of the travel suitcase therefore has the feature according to the invention that each of the longitudinal sides of the luggage compartment is at least substantially wholly flat.

The suitcase here particularly creates an unparalleled luggage volume in a travel suitcase with a rolling frame which may be carried onto the cabin of an aircraft. In a particular embodiment the travel suitcase therefore has the feature according to the invention that the external dimensions thereof fall within a length, width and height of respectively 56, 45 and 25 centimetres, at least within maximum dimensions for hand luggage permitted by airlines.

It has been found in practice that the rolling comfort of a wheeled suitcase increases as the diameter of the wheels mounted thereon increases. In contrast to the known wheeled suitcase, the wheels of which are placed wholly under the bottom, a larger wheel size causes no further limitation of the usable volume of the suitcase in the travel suitcase according to the invention. In a further preferred embodiment the travel suitcase according to the invention therefore has the feature that the wheels have a diameter which is greater than half a height of the luggage compartment and is particularly at least substantially equal to a height of the luggage compartment.

The suitcase is thus embodied with relatively large wheels which do not limit the usable volume, particularly in that they need protrude only with the running surface outside the luggage compartment In this respect a height of the luggage compartment is understood to mean the orthogonal dimension thereof relative to a greatest back side of the luggage compartment, which is also referred to as the depth of the luggage compartment.

In order to improve the rolling comfort a further preferred embodiment of the travel suitcase has the feature according to the invention that the wheel comprises between the running surface and the wheel axis a wheel bearing. Not only do the wheel bearings reduce a rolling resistance of the wheels so that the suitcase can be pulled or pushed along with less effort; a more silent suitcase is also provided thereby. In a particular embodiment the travel suitcase has the feature here that the wheel cap comprises a collar on which the wheel bearing is arranged. In addition to the fender, the wheel cap thus also provides a practical mounting base for the wheel bearing. In order to provide a wheeled suitcase which rolls almost silently a further preferred embodiment of the travel suitcase has the feature according to the invention that the compressible tyre provides the running surface, and more particularly that the tyre comprises an elastomer profile with a solid or hollow core, which is particularly formed wholly from an optionally natural rubber. Such a compressible running surface produces a considerably more quiet and comfortable suitcase, particularly on an uneven ground surface such as a street or pavement, than the conventional wheeled suitcase with wheels embodied wholly from a hard plastic.

In a further aspect of the invention a travel suitcase of the type described in the preamble is characterized according to the invention in that the frame comprises on each of the flanks a rolling wheel with a wheel axis which, at least during use, lies substantially transversely of the relevant flank and with a running surface which, at least during use, reaches beyond a bottom of the luggage compartment, that the wheels are each connected to the relevant flank with interposing of a wheel cap in which the wheel is at least substantially wholly received with the running surface in a first mode, that the wheel is received in rolling manner in a wheel holder which is connected to the wheel cap for pivoting about a pivot axis, and that the wheel can be brought by pivoting of the wheel holder about the pivot axis into an operational mode in which the wheel protrudes at least with the running surface thereof beyond the bottom of the luggage compartment.

In this embodiment the wheel cap provides a protective housing into which the wheel disappears at least substantially wholly with the running surface in the first mode. Not only is the wheel adequately protected against an outside impact in this mode; the area surrounding the wheel, such as particularly furniture, the clothing and the body of the user, is also protected against contamination as a result of contact with the running surface of the wheel. The wheel can however be folded out from the wheel cap by means of the wheel holder so as to be brought into an operational mode in which the suitcase can be rolled over a ground surface.

A particular embodiment of the travel suitcase has the feature here that the pivot axis is oriented at an acute angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the relevant flank of the luggage compartment. This is achieved particularly in that the wheel cap is placed obliquely relative to this flank, so that the wheel protrudes beyond the bottom close to an external corner of the travel suitcase. The running surface of the wheel now lies both beyond the bottom and a back of the luggage compartment, whereby the suitcase can be pulled along more comfortably. In a further preferred embodiment the travel suitcase has the feature according to the invention that a set of shoulder straps whereby the whole is wearable on a user's back is provided externally of the luggage compartment. The travel suitcase can thus be worn on the user's back as if it were a backpack or rucksack, and thereby provides an additional option for use.

The invention will be further elucidated hereinbelow with reference to an exemplary embodiment and an accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a first exemplary embodiment of the travel suitcase according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the travel case of figure 1;

Figure 3 is an isometric view of the wheel cap with wheel bearing as applied in the travel suitcase of figure 1;

Figure 4 is an isometric view of a second exemplary embodiment of the travel suitcase according to the invention in a first mode; and

Figure 5 shows the travel case of figure 4 in an operational mode.

It is otherwise noted here that the figures are purely schematic and not always drawn to (the same) scale. Some dimensions in particular may be exaggerated to greater or lesser extent for the sake of clarity. Corresponding parts are designated in the figures with the same reference numeral. A travel suitcase according to the invention is shown in figure 1. The suitcase comprises a luggage compartment 10 which can be closed and opened by means of for instance a zip fastening, buckle closure or latches, which are not shown. An outer casing of the luggage compartment 10 can be formed both by a hard shell and by a flexible textile layer. Internally, luggage compartment 10 provides a usable volume in which travel luggage can be carried. In this embodiment use is made of a wheeled suitcase whose measurements fall within the permitted maximum dimensions for hand luggage as stipulated by many airlines worldwide, i.e. a maximum length of 56 centimetres by a height and width of a maximum of respectively 25 and 45 centimetres. The suitcase may thus be carried onto the cabin of the aircraft as hand luggage.

The travel suitcase comprises a rolling frame provided by a set of wheels 20 which are provided close to a bottom 13 of luggage compartment 10 on opposite flanks 11 , 12 of the suitcase. A wheel axis 21 of wheels 20 is here oriented almost substantially transversely of the flank 11, 12 in question. For practical handling of the suitcase a telescopic handle 15 extends therefrom, which handle is shown in a fully extended state in the figure but disappears almost wholly inside the suitcase when it is pushed in. Wheels 20 protrude only with a running surface 25 below the bottom 13 of the suitcase, and thus limit a usable length of the suitcase to minimal extent. In order to protect wheels 20 against mechanical damage a wheel cap 30 is provided therearound, see also figure 2. Wheel cap 30 is formed integrally from a thermoplastic plastic by injection moulding. Use can be made therefor of for instance polyethylene, polypropylene or an impact-resistant plastic such as Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). Wheel cap 30 extends on one side with an edge 33 round the running surface 25 of wheel 20 and so provides a mudguard, while providing on the other side a fender or bumper 35 which protects the wheel against a lateral impact Because wheels 20 are situated largely above the bottom 13, they can be made large while maintaining the same outer dimensions of the suitcase and without the usable volume of luggage compartment 10 being adversely affected thereby. The wheels are preferably particularly embodied with a diameter greater than half a height of the suitcase or, as in this embodiment, with a diameter which is substantially equal to that of height h.

The construction of the wheel is elucidated further in an exploded view in figure 2, while figure 3 shows the wheel cap in further detail. Wheel cap 30 comprises a large number of mounting openings 31 in the central part thereof and is connected firmly to the relevant flat flank 11, 12 of the suitcase with common fastening members such as screws or nails. The fender 35 extends over a width thereof below the bottom 13 of the suitcase and preferably has a narrowing progression, and thereby provides a gradual transition from the one contour to the other. A height of the fender is substantially equal to the distance over which the wheel protrudes with running surface 25 below bottom 13 in order to thus protect the wheel over this whole height. On the opposite side the wheel cap provides a projecting mudguard 33 and the wheel cap thereby extends round running surface 25 over a part of the periphery of the wheel.

The wheel cap also provides a mounting collar 37 onto which a wheel bearing 40 is mounted. Collar 37 comprises a large number of resilient fingers which snap into an inner ring of wheel bearing 40 so that wheel bearing 40 can be snapped fixedly thereon in simple manner. An outer ring of wheel bearing 40 is connected to a rim 22 of the wheel. The rim carries a compressible tyre which comprises the running surface 25. Use is preferably made therefor of an elastomer unitary body with a hollow or solid core or of an air tyre in order to enhance silent rolling of the suitcase. Finally, the wheel is covered with a shield 27 on which advertising or decoration can be arranged as desired. It can also be given an attractive distinctive colour scheme in order to make the suitcase instantly recognizable to the user. As it was for rim 22, use is for the shield preferably also made of a suitable thermoplastic plastic and the parts are composed integrally therefrom by means of thermoforming. Figures 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of the travel suitcase according to the invention. The travel suitcase is largely the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore likewise comprises a luggage compartment 10 with a handle 15 which can be pulled out therefrom. As in the first exemplary embodiment, the suitcase comprises a set of relatively large runner wheels 20 which are rotatable about a central axis thereof and, at least in the mode shown in the figure, are protected laterally by a fender 35 of a wheel cap 30. In this case wheel caps 30 also comprise a unitary body which was for instance formed integrally from a suitable plastic by injection moulding.

The suitcase further comprises externally on a back side of luggage compartment 10 a set of shoulder straps 60 by which the suitcase can be worn on the back of a user in the manner of a backpack, as shown in figure 4. Wheel caps 30 provide a protective housing 39 into which the relevant wheel disappears entirely in the mode shown in figure 4. A user need thereby not worry about any possible contamination of his/her clothing or otherwise as a result of contact with running surface 25 of the wheel, which thus disappears completely inside the fender 35 and in the protective housing 39 formed by wheel cap 30. The wheel is here suspended for rolling in a wheel holder 50, which is connected to the wheel cap for pivoting about a pivot axis Z. Wheel 20 can thereby be folded out of wheel cap 30, 39 together with wheel holder 50 so as to be brought into the operational mode shown in figure 5. In this mode the wheel protrudes with its running surface 25 outside the bottom of luggage compartment 10 so that the suitcase can now be pulled along while rolling, as shown in the figure.

In the shown embodiment the pivot axis Z extends at an acute angle a relative to a longitudinal axis of the relevant flank. In the operational mode wheel 20 is hereby ultimately placed obliquely relative to this flank, this enhancing the convenience of use and rolling comfort of the suitcase. In this mode a central axis H of wheel cap 30, 39 through the axle 21 of wheel 20 particularly lies close to an external corner of the suitcase, as shown in figure 5.

Although the invention has been further elucidated above on the basis of only several exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many variations and embodiments are still possible within the scope of the invention for a person with ordinary skill in the art.