FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to an article of luggage, more specifically an article of wheeled luggage. In particular, the present invention relates to a suitcase.

BACKGROUND

Sidebound suitcases are a type of“soft” (i.e., fabric) suitcase whereby the construction of the suitcase uses panels and piping such that the piping binds the panels together. For example, in the so-called“sidebound” construction, the panels are bound together about the sides of the suitcase. In this regard, a front panel of the suitcase typically extends so that it defines the top, front, and bottom of the suitcase. As a consequence of a single panel being used to define the top, front and bottom of the suitcase, the edges where the front surface meets the top and bottom surfaces are curved.

For the purposes of stability and balance, it is ideal to place the ground-engaging elements of the suitcase (i.e., the wheels and/or feet) at the extremities of the bottom surface.

Flowever, for the sidebound suitcase, the curved edge means that a conventional ground- engaging element must be attached to the bottom surface at a point that is stepped-in from the curved edge. This is so that it can be fixed in a stable manner to the bottom surface (i.e., via rivets that clamp the wheel or foot to the fabric and a reinforcement panel such as a PE board) and so that the ground engaging element is level with other ground engaging elements, thereby providing a stable and balanced support.

One challenge with the above fixing of the ground engaging element is that the suitcase can be prone to tipping forward under little or no external force, because the centre of mass is shifted towards the front of the suitcase, forward of the ground engaging element, leading to a lever effect. This problem may be further exacerbated if the suitcase has a front pocket or expander section, which, when loaded and expanded, may shift the centre of mass further forward.

This may be further exacerbated where, for example, the suitcase is filled so that the upper part of the suitcase contains heavier items than the lower part of the suitcase. In WO2017/134467A1 a wheel assembly is disclosed that is configured to permit the wheel to be located outside the footprint of the fastening plate. The axis of rotation is provided proximal to the connection point of the wheel housing to the suitcase.

WO2014/155132A1 describes a suitcase having a larger section at the“wheeled end” that provides for a large wheel base relative to the upper section of the suitcase.

The present invention seeks to provide an article of luggage that has improved stability, to reduce the risk of tipping. The present invention relates to a suitcase foot positioned on a front curved edge of a 2-wheel sidebound surface. The positioning of the foot on the curved edge of the suitcase enables greater stability, particularly when the front pocket is fully loaded and extends outwards, or when the suitcase comprises an expander section that is expanded. Furthermore, the capacity of the suitcase, in particular the interior packing volume, is increased due to enabling the base of the suitcase to sit closer to the ground.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides an article of luggage comprising: a body portion and a lid portion wherein the lid portion is movable relative to the body portion between an open position in which an interior of the body portion is accessible and a closed position in which the lid encloses the interior of the body portion;

wherein the body portion includes a base;

the article of luggage further comprising:

(a) a wheel assembly proximate a first edge of the base; and

(b) a foot assembly at a second edge of the base opposite the first edge, wherein the second edge is curved and comprises an interior curved surface within the interior of the body portion and an exterior curved surface on an exterior of the body portion;

wherein the foot assembly comprises a reinforcement member within the base and a foot located adjacent the exterior curved surface of the second edge, wherein the foot is connected through the body portion to the reinforcement member by one or more fastening elements;

the foot comprising a proximal surface that is curved and complementary to the exterior curved surface of the second edge, and a distal surface; wherein the distal surface of the foot extends away from the exterior surface of the second edge.

Advantageously, extending the distal surface of the foot away from the exterior surface of the second edge provides greater stability and balance to the article of luggage.

In a further aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of forming an article of luggage comprising the steps of:

providing a body portion and a lid portion wherein the lid portion is movable relative to the body portion between an open position in which an interior of the body portion is accessible and a closed position in which the lid encloses the interior of the body portion, wherein the body portion includes a base;

providing at least one wheel assembly;

providing a foot assembly;

wherein the article of luggage further comprises:

(a) the wheel assembly proximate a first edge of the base; and

(b) the foot assembly at a second edge of the base opposite the first edge, wherein the second edge is curved and comprises an interior curved surface within the interior of the body portion and an exterior curved surface on an exterior of the body portion;

wherein the foot assembly comprises a reinforcement member within the base and a foot located adjacent the exterior curved surface of the second edge;

connecting the foot through the body portion to the reinforcement member by one or more fastening elements;

the foot comprising a proximal surface that is curved and complementary to the exterior surface of the second edge, and a distal surface;

wherein the distal surface of the foot extends away from the exterior surface of the second edge.

Again, extending the distal surface of the foot away from the exterior surface of the second edge provides greater stability and balance to the article of luggage. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an article of luggage according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic partial side view of the article of luggage of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the foot of luggage of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4A is a schematic bottom view of the foot of the article of luggage of Figure 1 ; Figure 4B is a schematic front view of the foot of the article of luggage of Figure 1 ; Figure 4C is a schematic back view of the foot of the article of luggage of Figure 1 ; Figure 4D is a schematic top view of the foot of the article of luggage of Figure 1 ; Figure 4E is a schematic side view of the foot of the article of luggage of Figure 1 ; Figure 5A is a schematic partial front view of the article of luggage of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5B is a schematic perspective partial bottom view of the article of luggage of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5C is a schematic partial back view of the article of luggage of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5D is a schematic bottom view of the article of luggage of Figure 1 ;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1 to 5 show an article of luggage according to an embodiment of the present invention in the form of a sidebound suitcase 1.

The suitcase 1 comprises a body portion 101 and a lid portion 102. The body portion comprises a wraparound portion 105. The wraparound portion 105 comprises a top portion 1 10 that forms an uppermost face of the body portion 101 , a base 160 that forms a lowermost face of the body portion 101 and a back portion 150 that connects the top portion 1 10 and the base 160. The wraparound portion 105 also comprises a front portion 170. The wraparound portion 105, i.e., the top 1 10, base 160, back 150, and front 170 may be formed of a single piece of appropriately shaped material.

The body portion 101 further comprises first and second sides 120, 130. Each side 120, 130 is connected to respective edges of the top 1 10, base 160, and back 150 by piping that comprises a wire construction encased in fabric. The wire within the piping provides a structural framework for the body portion 101. The wire takes the form of a continuous loop, without sharp corners. Since a periphery of each side 120, 130 is defined by the continuous loop of piping, a curved transition is provided at the transitions between different portions of the suitcase, including between the back portion 150 and the generally horizontal base 160, forming a rear lateral edge 164. A curved transition is also provided between the front 170 of the body portion 101 and the generally horizontal base 160, forming a front lateral edge 162. The front lateral edge 162 has a curved cross section. The curved shape of the cross section of the front lateral edge 162 is defined by the curve of the continuous loop of the piping. The curve may be a convex curve. The front lateral edge 162 is curved in a direction from the base 160 towards the front 170 and substantially straight in a direction from the first side 120 towards the second side 130.

The body portion 101 may be formed at least in part from a soft or pliable material, for example, a fabric. Any part of the body portion 101 may be reinforced by a hard material, for example, polypropylene or any other suitable material.

The lid portion 102 may be hingedly attached to the body portion 101. The lid portion 102 may comprise a front of the suitcase as shown in Figure 1. The lid portion 102 may be formed at least in part from a soft or pliable material, for example a fabric. The lid portion 102 may comprise a front pocket 142. It may further comprise a plurality of front pockets.

The suitcase 1 comprises two wheel assemblies 200. As shown in Figures 2 and 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D, each of the two wheel assemblies 200 is arranged at or near a rear lateral edge 164 of the base 160 opposite the lid portion 102, and connected to the body portion 101 by a connection element 220.

A foot assembly 300 is immovably attached to the front lateral edge 162 of the body portion 101. The foot assembly 300 comprises a foot 301 , shown in Figure 3, and a reinforcement member.

As shown in Figure 3, the foot 301 comprises two side portions 310, fixed to an elongate connecting portion 320. As shown in Figure 4D, a fastener receiving portion 312, such as a screw boss, is located in the interior part of each side portion 310. The foot 301 also comprises an upper surface 330 (Figure 4E) and a lower surface 340 (Figure 4A). The upper surface 330 is curved and its cross section is complementary to the curved shape of the exterior surface of the front lateral edge 162. If the front lateral edge 162 has a convex cross section in the direction from the base 160 towards the front 170 of the suitcase, the upper surface 330 has, therefore, a concave cross section in the same direction. The foot 301 further comprises a recessed area 322 located on an edge of the connecting portion 320 proximal to the body portion 101 (Figure 4C).

The foot 301 is positioned at the exterior surface of the front lateral edge 162, its upper surface 330 proximal to the front lateral edge 162. The reinforcement member is

substantially flat and positioned along the base along the front lateral edge 162, on an interior surface of the body portion 101. The foot 301 is attached to the reinforcement member through the front lateral edge 162 by fastening elements. The fastening elements are driven diagonally into the foot 301 and the reinforcement member. The fastening elements may be screws.

Optionally the reinforcement member may abut the curved interior surface of the front lateral edge 162.

Optionally, the reinforcement member may comprise a curved surface that is complementary to the interior surface of the front lateral edge 162. The curved surface may be a convex surface.

The reinforcement member may be formed from a hard material, e.g., a polyethylene board.

When the foot 301 is attached to the front lateral edge 162, the lower surface 340 of the foot 301 extends away from the exterior surface of the front lateral edge 162. The foot 301 protrudes away from the body portion 101 at an angle (Figure 2).

When viewed from a top view, i.e., when suitcase 1 is upright on a horizontal plane, with the foot 301 and wheels 210 engaged with the horizontal plane, the base 160 has a perimeter. The foot 301 may extend outside this perimeter (Figures 2 and 5D).

The recessed area 322 allows the foot 301 to also be used as a grab handle to easily manipulate the luggage. The positioning of the foot 301 at the exterior surface of the front lateral edge 162 also makes the grab handle more accessible to a user for different orientations of the suitcase 1 and therefore, the suitcase 1 can be manipulated more easily.

It is common in the prior art for an upper surface of a foot to be flat and connected to a base of a suitcase using rivets. In the present embodiment the front lateral edge of the suitcase is curved. The combination of a curved front lateral edge and rivets may mean that in the process of riveting the material and curvature of the body portion 101 may be distorted. Distortion may result in a reduction in internal packing volume of the body portion 101 , and/or may cause a reduction in stability of the item of luggage. One solution to the problem of distortion may be the use of screws.

In the present embodiment the upper surface 330 of the foot 301 is curved, which means that in the process of attaching the foot 301 by riveting the risk of distortion to the curved front lateral edge 162 of the suitcase 1 is reduced. Further risk reduction may be achieved by using screws.

The positioning of the foot 301 on the convex front lateral edge 162 enables greater stability, particularly when the front pocket 142 is fully loaded and extends outwards, or when the suitcase 1 comprises an expander section that is expanded. Furthermore, it increases the capacity of the suitcase 1 , specifically interior packing volume due to enabling the base 160 sit closer to the ground compared with a conventional suitcase foot that would sit directly underneath the suitcase and protrude vertically downwards.

Figure 5A is a partial front view of a portion of the suitcase 1 , showing the lid portion 102 and the foot 301. Figure 5A shows that the foot extends across a majority of the front lateral edge 162 of suitcase 1 and is centrally located.

Figure 5B is a partial perspective bottom view of the suitcase 1 , showing the base 160, the front lateral edge 162, and the foot 301. Figure 5D is a bottom view of the suitcase 1 , showing the base 160, the front and rear lateral edges 162 and 164, respectively, and the foot 301 . Figures 5B and 5D show all the ground-engaging elements (i.e., wheels 210 and foot 301 ) provided on the base at extremities of the base. The wheels 210 are positioned at the lower rear corners of the body portion 101 and the foot 301 is positioned across the front lateral edge 162, thus providing maximum stability. Figure 5C is a partial back view of the suitcase 1 , showing the wheel assembly 200 with the connecting element 220. Figure 5C shows the bottom of the ground-engaging elements level along a horizontal plane which is substantially parallel to the plane of the major surface area of the base 160.

The present invention also provides a method of forming an article of luggage comprising the steps of providing a body portion and a lid portion wherein the lid portion is movable relative to the body portion between an open position in which an interior of the body portion is accessible and a closed position in which the lid encloses the interior of the body portion, wherein the body portion includes a base; providing at least one wheel assembly 200; providing a foot assembly 300; wherein the article of luggage further comprises: (a) the wheel assembly 200 proximate a first edge of the base; and (b) the foot assembly at a second edge of the base opposite the first edge, wherein the second edge is curved and comprises an interior curved surface within the interior of the body portion and an exterior curved surface on an exterior of the body portion; wherein the foot assembly comprises a reinforcement member within the base and a foot located adjacent the exterior curved surface of the second edge; connecting the foot through the body portion to the reinforcement member by one or more fastening elements; the foot comprising a proximal surface that is curved and complementary to the exterior surface of the second edge, and a distal surface; wherein the distal surface of the foot extends away from the exterior surface of the second edge.

The method may comprise forming an article of luggage according to any embodiment of the present invention.

Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above and illustrated in the drawings, these are by way of example only. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many alternatives are possible within the scope of the claims. For example, in any embodiment, the article of luggage may be a suitcase or may alternatively be a holdall, backpack, handbag or other type of luggage.

In an exemplary embodiment described herein, a foot assembly was provided as a unitary structure. In other embodiments, the foot assembly may comprise one or more feet, each having a curved upper surface that conforms with the curved edge of the suitcase. For example, instead or in addition to the foot described herein, two separate feet may be provided along the curved edge of the suitcase at opposing ends of the curved edge.

In an exemplary embodiment described herein, the lower surface 340 of the foot 301 is described as extending away from the exterior surface of the front lateral edge 162. The lower surface 340 of the foot 301 may extend to or within the perimeter of the base 160, or outside the perimeter of the base 160.

In any embodiment, the wheel units may comprise one or more wheels. A“lateral edge” of the base portion may comprise an edge where the base portion abuts or otherwise meets the connecting portion. A lateral edge may comprise an edge where the base portion meets the back or another lateral face of the article of luggage.

The word“base” is used in this application to describe a lowermost face (or portion of a face) of the body portion of an article of wheeled luggage when the article of wheeled luggage is provided upright such that all wheels are engaged with the ground. The base may preferably be arranged generally parallel to the supporting surface on which the luggage stands in use. Alternatively, the base may be arranged at a non-perpendicular angle to the supporting surface. The wheels of a wheeled article of luggage may be attached to the base to thereby support the weight of the article of luggage when it stands on a supporting surface in use.

In any embodiment, the base may have a shape other than generally rectangular. The base may be formed integrally with or as a separate piece to the sides of the body portion. The sides and the base may be joined at an angled joint, for example a right angle, or at a curved transition.

In any embodiment, the article of luggage may comprise a handle assembly 1 12. The handle assembly 1 12 may be extendable in use. The handle assembly 1 12 may be arranged at or adjacent to an opposite face of the article of luggage to the lid portion 102. Preferably, the handle assembly 1 12 may be arranged at or adjacent to an opposite face of the article of luggage to the foot 301.

In any embodiment, the lid portion may be expandable, preferably by means of an expansion section and zip, and/or may comprise one or more front pockets 142. The front pocket(s) may be expandable. The words“immovably attached” are used in this application to refer to an attachment in which relative rotation and relative translation between the attached parts is not possible or substantially prevented or restricted in normal use.

In the present application, relative geometrical and/or positional terms, for example“front” and“back” are used with reference to the orientation of the suitcase 1 as shown in Figure 1. The skilled person will understand that such terms are purely used for ease of reference and do not limit the actual orientation of the suitcase 1 in use. The lid portion 102 may comprise a front of the article of luggage (for example as shown in Figure 1 ). Alternatively, the lid portion may form a side face or back face of a suitcase.

The word“lateral” refers to the orientation of the article of luggage in use, i.e. with the wheels and the foot on the floor and supporting the weight of the suitcase (for example as shown in Figure 1 ), and may, for example, refer to any of the generally vertical sides of the article of luggage.

In the illustrated embodiments the body portion 101 extends laterally across a majority of the width of the article of luggage such that it defines a majority of the volume of the interior of the article of luggage. In any embodiment, the body portion may define more or less of the width of the article of luggage than is shown in the illustrations. For example, the lid portion and body portion may be of equal width in the lateral (first) direction, with a generally central zip section.

While the invention may be particularly beneficial in the context of a side bound soft article of luggage, the body portion and/or the base may be formed from a hard material, for example a moulded plastics material or metal. The hard material may be Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polypropylene, polycarbonate or any mixture or combination of these materials. The lid portion may be formed from a soft material, for example a fabric. In any embodiment, the body portion and/or base may comprise a fabric or other soft material, or may be predominantly formed from a fabric or soft material. The lid portion may comprise a hard material or a soft material such as a fabric. The body portion, the base and/or the lid portion may comprise additional structural elements, for example plastic or metal frame elements. The invention presented herein provides a solution to the problem of stabilising articles of luggage that have curved bottom edges by means of attaching a ground-engaging element with a curved top surface to at least one curved edges, such that the curve of the top surface complements the curve of the edge to which it is attached.