The object of the present invention is a bag, in particular a suitcase, with a frame defining a space, fitted with at least two wheels arranged in recesses formed in the frame opening toward a surface, which wheels are fitted with means for moving the wheels for moving the at least two wheels in relation to the frame.

Typically, bags of the above-mentioned type are pulled from a pull handle at the top of the bag supported by wheels mounted to the bottom of the frame. Typically, there are two wheels. In this case, the user of the bag usually walks in front of the bag, pulling the bag behind themselves so that it is tilted in the direction of travel (towards the user) typically by approximately 10 to 50°. Bags with moving means are typically bags wherein the wheels are pulled into the space defined by the frame of the bag to a "stowed mode" or "carrying mode", in which the bag can be stored or only carried, or to an "operating mode", in which the wheels are entirely or par tially outside the space defined by the frame for the above-mentioned use. Bags of this type are known e.g. from the publications US 6289554 Bl, US 4979598A, US 4852705A and US 4254850A.

The problem related to bags of the type presented in the above-mentioned publica tions is that the clearance between the bottom of the frame and the surface is rela tively small. These types of bags are intended to be moved only on even surfaces, for example on floors of traffic stations, such as airports and train stations, or hotel floors. These are not intended to be moved on wheels on uneven surfaces, which the low clearance would not allow, at least not without hindering movement.

Further, the publication PCT/KR2010/001607 (WO 2010/107219) discloses a bag or the like fitted with two sets of wheels, wherein a set of wheels with a smaller diam eter has been arranged under the bag for moving on even surfaces. A set of wheels has been arranged at the side of the bag, the wheels of which have a significantly larger diameter than the wheels with a smaller diameter. A separate moving mecha nism has been arranged in connection with these wheels, wherein the wheels in question are slid with a linear movement to a lowered operating position and an up per "stowed position". This separate moving mechanism is relatively cumbersome and structurally heavy, for which purpose so-called hidden walls have been required to be formed at the sides of the bag, which in turn limit the volume and external di mensions of the bag. Further, the structure of the mechanism appears to be such that it primarily receives forces in the direction of linear movement. This is disad vantageous for this separate moving mechanism which is also subjected to consid erable lateral forces in relation to the linear movement while the bag is being moved. This structure does not adequately account for these lateral forces and their effect on the durability of the structure. In addition, the mechanism always requires manual operation and positioning the bag in the upright position in order to move the wheels between the different positions.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a wheel support that is structur ally simple and that reduces the interior space of the bag as little as possible and in creases the external dimensions as little as possible, wherein the wheels are mova ble. Further, the purpose is to improve the usability (movability) of the bag on dif ferent surfaces by providing an adjustable clearance between the bottom of the bag and the surface. The purpose is also to provide a structure in which moving the wheels is carried out with a simpler operation than before.

This above-mentioned purpose is achieved with the properties according to the characterizing part of claim 1, wherein: the wheel moving means include: an elon gated connecting member between the two wheels, adapted to turn around its lon gitudinal pivot axis to meet the bottom of the frame; pivot members arranged at the ends of the connecting member turning along with the connecting member, com prising mounting shafts arranged coaxially to one another at a distance radial to the pivot axis, into which the wheels have been rotatably mounted, wherein the mutual pivot axis formed by the mounting shafts has been arranged to turn around the par allel pivot axis, and wherein the bag includes locking means between the first pivot member of the moving means and the frame in order to lock the first pivot member to at least two different operating positions of the at least two wheels movable in relation to the frame, in which in the at least two different operating positions, the distances between the surface and the bottom edge of the bag differ from one an other, wherein the distance between the surface and the bottom edge of the bag in the first operating position is 1 to 5 cm and the distance between the surface and the bottom edge of the bag in the second operating position is 5.5 to 12 cm. The arrangement according to the invention provides a bag with simple wheel mov ing means, the two wheels of which can easily and simultaneously be moved be tween at least two operating positions. Of these, the first operating position is a so- called regular operating position that can be used on even surfaces (floors, roads in good condition). The second operating position is a so-called lowered operating po sition, wherein the wheels have been lowered in relation to the frame so that the bag can be moved on the same wheels on surfaces that are significantly more une ven (rough terrain) surfaces (dirt roads, grass, cobble stone). The structure of the moving means also allows the locking means to be arranged in an inventive manner compared to prior art at only one of the wheels, as the operation of the locking means is transferred to the opposing wheel via the connecting member. This further simplifies the structure in such a way that the disadvantages of the prior art pre sented above are eliminated or significantly reduced.

The preferred embodiments of the invention have been presented in the dependent claims. They present the preferred embodiments for facilitating the use of the mov able wheels and the structural properties related to locking them into each operat ing position, further improving the usability and the durability of the structure.

Next, the invention is described in more detail with reference to the drawings de picting a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which:

Figure 1 shows a general axonometric view of the bag according to a preferred embodiment of the invention with the wheels in the first operating po sition,

Figure 2 shows the bag according to figure 1 with the wheels in the second op erating position,

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the wheel moving means of the bag ac cording to figure 1,

Figure 4 shows a side view of the structure of the moving means and locking means according to the invention in the first operating position, Figure 5 shows the structure of the moving means and locking means accord ing to the invention in the second operating position, and Figure 6 shows the structure of the moving means shown in figure 3 in more detail.

Figures 1 and 2 show a general view of the bag 1 according to a preferred embodi ment of the invention. The bag 1 comprises a frame la, the cavity defined by which forms a space for items, such as personal belongings for travelling. The frame can be opened and closed in a known manner in such a way that the items can be placed in the space. The top of the frame la is fitted with a pull handle H, the height of which in relation to the frame la can preferably be adjusted, for example with a known telescopic pull handle structure.

The bag 1 comprises at least two wheels 2a and 2b, arranged in connection with the frame la in a manner shown hereinafter. In figure 1, the wheels 2a and 2b are in their first operating position, wherein a normal distance D1 remains between an essentially even surface B and the bottom edge lb of the frame la. Preferably, the normal distance D1 is approximately 1 to 5 cm. In figure 2, the wheels 2a and 2b are in their second operating position, wherein an increased distance D2 remains between the uneven surface B' and the bottom edge lb of the frame la. Preferably, the increased distance D2 is approximately 5.5 to 12 cm, more preferably 8 to 11 cm. This is an increased distance (clearance) which enables the wheel moving means presented hereinafter in such a way that they do not substantially hinder the other properties (such as the external dimensions and/or the interior dimensions) of the frame la and the bag 1 in general.

Next, the moving means 5 and locking means 8, 10, 11 of the wheels 2a and 2b ac- cording to the invention are described in more detail by referring first to figure 3. It shows an exploded view of the elements comprised therein. They comprise, firstly, a connecting member 6 comprised in the moving means 5 in between the two wheels 2a and 2b. The connecting member 6 is herein an elongated pipe or rod fit ted (arrow PI) in a groove lc arranged in the bottom lb of the frame la. The con- necting member 6 is prevented from falling out of the groove lc by means of a groove member lc'. Thereby, the connecting member 6 has been adapted by means of an appropriate clearance between the outer surface of the connecting member 6 and the groove lc and the groove member lc' to turn in the groove lc around its longitudinal center axis to meet the bottom lb of the frame la. This can be implemented by other means as well, for example by means of a fixed pipe ar ranged in connection with the base, inside which the connecting member has been arranged pivotally.

Both ends of the connecting member 6 are fitted with pivot members 6a and 6b adapted to turn along with the connecting member 6 in the corresponding recesses 3a and 3b on opposite sides of the frame la of the bag 1. The pivot members 6a and 6b have further been fitted with mounting shafts 7a and 7b which are thus lo cated on opposite sides of the frame la in the bottom section of the frame la. The wheels 2a and 2b can be rotatably mounted to these mounting shafts 7a and 7b from the hubs thereof (see also figure 6). The mounting shafts 7a and 7b have been arranged at a distance radial to the pivot axis A1 and coaxially to one another.

Thus, the mutual pivot axis A2 formed by the mounting shafts 7a and 7b has been arranged to turn around the parallel pivot axis Al, whereby the wheels 2a and 2b are also able to turn along with the mounting shafts 7a and 7b between the operat ing positions mentioned in connection with figures 1 and 2. A protective plate Id co vers and protects the wheels and the pivot members 6a and 6b in the recesses 3a and 3b.

According to the invention, the bag 1 comprises locking means 8, 10 and 11 for locking the at least two movable wheels 2a and 2b in relation to the frame la be tween at least two different operating positions of the pivot axis Al, wherein the distances D1 and D2 between the surface and the bottom edge of the bag differ from one another in each operating position. The locking means have been ar ranged between the first pivot member 6a of the moving means 5 and the frame la (or in connection with them) and are thus located in connection with only one pivot member 6a and thus, only one wheel 2a on one side of the bottom section of the bag 1.

Next, the locking means according to a preferred embodiment of the invention are described in more detail with reference to figures 4, 5 and 6. Figure 4 shows a side view of the first operating position of the wheels 2a and 2b when locked. Therein, a connecting member 6 and its pivot axis A1 are rotated to a rotation angle al° in relation to the vertical direction of the frame corresponding to a rotation angle of the first operating position of the mounting shafts 7a and 7b lo cated in the pivot members 6a and 6b around the pivot axis A1 in relation to the vertical direction of the frame. The rotation angle al° herein is approximately 30° to 50°. Therein, a pivot member 6a with a sector-like plate shape is supported in its first position via a supporting surface 8c (see also figure 6) formed at the rear edge of the sector-like plate shape against a first counter-surface 11a of the counter shape 11 formed in the recess 3a. The first counter-surface 11a thus prevents the pivot member 6a from rotating around the pivot axis A1 counter-clockwise from its position shown in figure 4. The counter-shape 11 is herein a curved guide groove 11 formed in the wall of the recess 3a corresponding to the curvature of the path of the mutual pivot axis A2 around the pivot axis Al, wherein the ends of the guide groove are fitted with counter-surfaces 11a and lib corresponding to the different operating positions. Of these, 11a is the above-mentioned first counter-surface and lib is the second counter-surface, against which the supporting surface 8c of the pivot member 6a is supported in the second operating position in a manner de- scribed hereinafter.

Figure 4 also shows a locking member 10 comprised in the locking means 8, 10, 11. The locking member 10 herein comprises the actual locking means for locking the pivot member 6a and consequently, the wheels 2a and 2b in their operating position as well as release means for releasing the pivot member 6a from the locking of the operating positions. In this embodiment, the locking member 10 comprises a pivot lever 10a arranged to turn around the axis lOh arranged in the recess 3a for releas ing. The locking means constituting the locking comprise locking surfaces 10b and 10c formed in the housing lOg at the first end of the locking lever 10a. In figures 4 and 5, a preferred shape of the housing lOg and the locking surfaces 10b and 10c is in ^¬ dicated by the dashed lines in the first end of the pivot lever. Of these, the first locking surface 10b in figures 4 and 5 is a surface opening upward within the hous- ing lOg, against which the counter-locking surface 8a comprised in the locking means is supported. The counter-locking surface 8a has in turn been arranged in the shape 8 arranged in connection with the first pivot member 6a, which shape ex tends into the housing lOg. The main element 8 of the shape is a curved element formed as an extension of the outer contour of the sector-like pivot member 6a. At the other edge of the element, in the proximity of the mounting shaft 7a, the said counter-locking surface 8a has been formed, extending to the first locking surface 10b inside the housing lOg.

The entire above-mentioned structure is thus dimensioned so that the pivot member 6a and further, the wheels 2a and 2b located on the mutual axis A2 are locked in their first operating position owing to the cooperation of, on the one hand, the sup port formed by the supporting surface 8c and the first counter-surface, and on the other hand, the locking formed by the first locking surface 10b of the pivot lever 10a and the counter-locking surface 8a. These above-mentioned surfaces also re ceive the forces this structure is subjected to in use.

Figure 5 shows a side view of the second operating position of the wheels 2a and 2b when locked. Therein, the connecting member 6 and its pivot axis A1 are rotated in relation to the vertical direction of the frame la to a rotation angle a2° corre sponding to the rotation angle of the second operating position of the mounting shafts 7a and 7b located in the pivot members 6a and 6b around the pivot axis A1 in relation to the vertical direction of the frame. The rotation angle a2° is herein ap proximately 100° to 150°. The rotation angle can be determined in many ways and has been herein presented in relation to the assumed vertical direction of the frame as shown in the figures. Therein the pivot member 6a with a sector-like plate shape is supported in its second position via the supporting surface 8c (see also figure 6) formed at the rear edge of the sector-like plate shape against the second counter surface lib of the counter-shape 11 formed in the recess 3a. The second counter surface lib thus prevents the pivot member 6a from rotating around the pivot axis A1 clockwise from its position shown in figure 5.

The second locking surface 10c of the locking lever 10a in figures 4 and 5 is a sur face opening downward within the housing lOg, against which the second counter locking surface 8b (see also figures 4 and 6) comprised in the locking means is sup ported. The second counter-locking surface 8b has also been arranged in the shape 8 arranged in connection with the first pivot member 6a. The second counter- locking surface 8b is located on the opposite edge of the shape 8 in relation to the counter-locking surface 8a, i.e. on the same edge where the supporting surface 8c positioned in the pivot member 6a is located. The entire above-mentioned structure is thus dimensioned so that the pivot member 6a and further, the wheels 2a and 2b located on the mutual axis A2 are locked in their second operating positions owing to the cooperation of, on the one hand, the support formed by the supporting surface 8c and the second counter-surface lib, and on the other hand, the locking formed by the second locking surface 10c of the pivot lever 10a and the second counter-locking surface 8b. These above-mentioned surfaces also receive the forces this structure is subjected to in use.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking member 10 com prises release means for releasing the pivot member 6a from the locking of the op- erating positions. The release means thus comprises a locking lever 10a, one end of which comprises a push release member lOe. A force F can be directed to the push release member lOe, for example with the tip of a shoe (or by hand, if desired).

This force F moves the pivot lever 10a around the above-mentioned axis lOh, turn ing the locking surfaces 10b and 10c away from the locking between the corre- sponding counter-locking surfaces 8a and 8b (depending on the operating position) and releasing the pivot member 6a from the locking created by the locking surfaces 10b and 10c.

Thus, when moving from the first operating position according to figure 4 to the second operating position according to figure 5, the above-mentioned curved ele ment forming the main element 8 slides in the housing lOg until the second coun ter-locking surface 8b reaches the position of the second locking surface 10c. Then, the locking lever 10a turns, preferably as a result of a force Fv essentially reverse in relation to the force F applied to the push release member lOe by a force element lOf, such as a spring, arranged in connection with the push release member lOe, whereby the second locking surface 10c and the second counter-locking surface 8b move to face each other. Meanwhile, the supporting surface 8c is supported against the second counter-surface lib, owing to the dimensions of the structure. It is also notable that the housing lOg supports the curved element as the curved element slides in the housing lOg, receiving any potential lateral forces potentially created during handling of the bag 1.

In the presented embodiment of the invention, the pivot axis A1 and the mutual pivot axis A2 are located at different levels to one another in relation to the direc tion of travel R of the bag 1 in the first operating position and in the second operat ing position of the wheels 2a, 2b. Thereby, the mutual center of gravity of the wheels 2a and 2b and the connecting member 6 and the pivot members 6a and 6b lies at a different point in relation to the direction of movement of the bag 1, prefer- ably in the front, to the pivot axis Al. This feature can be seen particularly in figures 4 and 5. The structure in question enables the mutual pivot axis A2 to turn along with its wheels 2a and 2b around the pivot axis Al toward the second operating po sition (figure 5) when lifting the bag 1 in the direction of its height (vertical direction in figure 4) when the wheels 2a and 2b are released from the locking according to figure 4 by pushing the push release member lOe. As the wheels 2a and 2b are re leased from the locking according to figure 5 by pushing the push release member lOe, the mutual pivot axis turns Al turns along with its wheels 2a and 2b around the pivot axis Al towards the first operating position (figure 4) while the downward weight of the bag 1 itself affects the structure. Herein, the tilt angle of the bag 1 it- self can differ from the one shown in figure 5.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment presented in the figures, but it can be applied in multiple ways, for example by different variations of the dimen sions, functional structures and shapes within the scope of protection defined by the claims.