• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    An article of luggage, a method of assembling the luggage, and a bottom tray are provided. The article of luggage includes a bottom tray, wall and spinner wheels. The method involves forming the bottom tray and connecting the wall to the bottom tray. The bottom tray is made from a unitary construction having wheel wells shaped to receive a spinner wheel.Fig. 2
    公开号:SE1750528A1
    申请号:SE1750528
    申请日:2015-05-13
    公开日:2017-05-02
    发明作者:Cunningham Rankin Robin
    申请人:Travelpro Products Inc；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    [1] [0001]October 2, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
    [2] [0002]to softside luggage having spinner wheels.
    [3] [0003]Development of new luggage as well as new methods of assembling luggage is quite active as Travel is a common human activity and luggage is an important feature of travel. there is a growing demand for more durable lighter luggage as well as a desire to manufacturethe luggage with a high degree of consistency for a low cost. Presently, softside articles ofluggage have become very popular for their durability and light weight. ln addition, morefeatures such as extendible handles and spinner wheels are becoming more popular. This hasnaturally resulted in an increase in the number of parts that need to be assembled to form an article of luggage.
    [4] [0004]internal frame piece 100 or other internal structure has screw holes 102 for attachment of a Figures 16a - 16c show a known luggage structure and assembly process. An wheel assembly. The internal frame piece 100 is inserted into a fabric body 104, which may bepre-sewn to a degree of completeness. Typically, several separate internal frame pieces 100 areused. Wheel assemblies, including wheel housings 108 and separately attached wheels 110,are positioned at the outside of the fabric body 104 in proximity to the internal frame pieces 100.Each wheel housing 108 is then carefully aligned with the respective internal frame piece 100and attached to the internal frame piece 100 using screws 112 that pass through the fabric body104. Problems with this approach can include a large number of separate pieces, such as oneinternal frame piece 100 per wheel assembly and the separate wheel housings 108. As well,there can often be difficulty in properly aligning a wheel housing 108 that is outside the fabricbody 104 with an internal frame piece 100 that is inside the fabric body 104, which can increase the assembler skill needed and the assembly time required. ln addition, the wheel housing 108and internal frame piece 100 are not in direct hard-surface mating contact and instead havefabric sandwiched there-betvveen. This can reduce the accuracy of the placement andorientation of the wheels 110, which may result in poor rolling performance of the finished articleofluggage.
    [5] [0005]luggage. The article of luggage includes a bottom tray having wheel wells formed therein. The ln accordance with an aspect of the specification, there is provided an article of bottom tray is made from a bottom-tray material. The article of luggage also includes a wallconnected to the bottom tray. The wall is made from a wall material that is softer than thebottom-tray material. ln addition, the article of luggage includes spinner wheels connected directly to the bottom tray at the wheel wells.
    [6] [0006] The bottom-tray material may be a hard plastic.
    [7] [0007] The wall material may be a fabric.
    [8] [0008] The bottom tray may be a unitary construction.
    [9] [0009] The bottom tray may be manufactured using an injection molding process.
    [10] [0010] The bottom tray may include a lip positioned at least along a portion of a perimeter of at least one of the wheel wells. The lip may be offset from an outer wall of the bottom traydefining a gap. The gap may be configured to fit an edge of the wall material.
    [11] [0011] The lip may be integral with the bottom tray.
    [12] [0012] The lip may be removable from the bottom tray.
    [13] [0013] The lip may be configured to protect a corner of the article of luggage.
    [14] [0014] The wall material may be shaped to have at least one fastening flap extending from a wall portion of the wall material. The fastening flap may be narrower than the wall portion andwrapped at least partially under the bottom tray. The fastening flap may be secured to anunderside of the bottom tray.
    [15] [0015]manufacturing an article of luggage. The method involves forming a bottom-tray material into aThe method ln accordance with an aspect of the specification, there is provided a method of bottom tray having wheel wells configured to receive spinner wheels therein. further involves connecting wall material to the bottom tray to form a wall of the article ofluggage.
    [16] [0016]molding process.
    [17] [0017]under the bottom tray. The fastening flap may extend from a wall portion of the wall and be The method may further involve wrapping a fastening flap of the wall at least partially narrower than the wall portion.
    [18] [0018]an outer wall of the bottom tray and a lip extending from at least a portion of a perimeter of at The method may also involve fitting an edge of the wall into a gap formed between least one of the wheel wells.
    [19] [0019] The method may further involve securing the fastening flap to an underside of thebottom tray.[0020] ln accordance with an aspect of the specification, there is provided a bottom tray for an article of softside luggage. The bottom tray is made of unitary construction from bottom-traymaterial and includes wheel wells formed therein. Each of the wheel wells is shaped to receive a spinner wheel.
    [21] [0021] The bottom tray material may be a hard plastic.[0022] The bottom tray may be manufactured using an injection molding process.[0023] The bottom tray may further include a lip positioned at least along a portion of a perimeter of at least one of the wheel wells. The lip may be offset from an outer wall of thebottom tray defining a gap fitting an edge of a wall. The lip may be integral with the bottom tray.The lip may be removable from the bottom tray.
    [24] [0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [25] [0025] Reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawingsin which:[0026] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article of luggage according to an embodiment;
    [27] [0027]
    [23] [0023]
    [29] [0029]
    [30] [0030]
    [31] [0031]
    [32] [0032]
    [33] [0033]
    [34] [0034]
    [35] [0035]
    [36] [0036]
    [37] [0037]
    [33] [0033]
    [39] [0039]
    [40] [0040]
    [41] [0041] Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8 Figures 9a-d Figures 10a-d Figure 11 Figure 12 Figure 13 Figure 14 Figure 15 is a perspective view of a bottom tray according to an embodiment; is another perspective view of the bottom tray according to the embodiment shown in Figure 2; is a cross section view of a portion of the article of luggage shown inFigure 1;is a perspective view of a wall according to an embodiment; is a perspective view of a portion of the article of luggage shown inFigure 1 partially assembled; is a cross section view of the portion of the article of luggage shown inFigure 6;is a flow chart of a method of assembling an article of luggage in accordance with an embodiment; are perspective views of a portion of the article of luggage shown inFigure 1 at different stages of assembly; are other perspective views of a portion of the article of luggageshown in Figure 1 at different stages of assembly; is a perspective view of a portion of the article of luggage in accordance with another embodiment; is a perspective view of a portion of the article of luggage in accordance with another embodiment; is a perspective view of a bottom tray according to another embodiment; is a perspective view of the bottom tray and frame according to theembodiment shown in Figure 13; is a cross section view showing a removable lip; and Figures16a-16c are perspective views of a portion of a conventional article of luggage at different stages of a known assembly process.
    [42] [0042]“bottom”, “front", “back", etc.) are for illustrative convenience and refer to the orientation shown As used herein, any usage of terms that suggest an absolute orientation (e.g. “top”, in a particular figure. However, such terms are not to be construed in a limiting sense as it iscontemplated that various components will, in practice, be utilized in orientations that are thesame as, or different than those described or shown.
    [43] [0043]understood that the article of luggage 10 shown is purely exemplary and it will be apparent to Referring to figure 1, an article of luggage is indicated generally at 10. lt is to be those skilled in the art that a variety of different structures are contemplated.
    [44] [0044]having a plurality of wheel wells 14-1, 14-2, 14-3, and 14-4 formed therein (generically, these ln the present embodiment, the article of luggage 10 includes a bottom tray 12 wheel wells are referred to herein as “wheel well 14” and collectively they are referred to as“wheel wells 14”). The article of luggage 10 further includes a wall 16 connected to the bottomtray 12. The term “wall” applies to the front, back, top, and left and right sides of the article ofluggage 10, individually or as a whole. ln the present embodiment, the wall 16 is connectedusing a plurality of interlock pieces 42-1, 42-2, 42-3, and 42-4 (generically, these interlockpieces are referred to herein as “interlock piece 42” and collectively they are referred to as“interlock piece 42”) at each of the wheel wells 14-1, 14-2, 14-3, and 14-4, respectively, and atthe fastening points 40-1 and 40-2 such as screw holes in the bottom tray 12 (generically, thesefastening points are referred to herein as “fastening point 40" and collectively they are referredto as “fastening points 40”) as described in greater detail below and shown in figure 3. Thearticle of luggage 10 further includes spinner wheels 18-1, 18-2, 18-3, and 18-4 (generically,these spinner wheels are referred to herein as “spinner wheel 18” and collectively they arereferred to as “spinner wheels 18") directly connected to the bottom tray 12 at the wheel wells14-1, 14-2, 14-3, and 14-4, respectively. lt is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art that“spinner wheel” is a term of the art and refers to specialized wheels for luggage capable ofmoving in any direction. The direct connection of the spinner wheels 18 to the bottom tray 12can provide increased rigidity and better wheel placement/orientation accuracy over what isknown in conventional designs in which fabric is sandwiched between wheel structures and internal structure of the article of luggage.
    [45] [0045]The bottom tray 12 is made from a bottom-tray material.
    [46] [0046]24-3, and 24-4 (generically, these lips are referred to herein as “lip 24” and collectively they are ln the present embodiment, the bottom tray 12 includes a plurality of lips 24-1, 24-2, referred to as “lips 24") positioned along a portion of a perimeter of the wheel wells 14-1, 14-2,14-3, and 14-4, respectively. Each of the lips 24-1, 24-2, 24-3, and 24-4 is offset from an outerwall 26 of the bottom tray 12 to define a gap 28-1, 28-2, 28-3, and 28-4 (generically, these gapsare referred to herein as “gap 28” and collectively they are referred to as “gaps 28”),respectively, configured to receive an edge of the wall material that forms the wall 16 asdiscussed in greater detail below. lt is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art having thebenefit of this description that the outer wall 26 of the bottom tray 12 is generally covered by thewall 16, while each of the lips 24 is exposed. Accordingly, the lips 24 can be configured to coverand/or secure the edges of the wall 16 as well as configured to provide protection for a corner ofthe article of luggage 10 from bumps and scratches that the corners of the article of luggage 10may be subjected to during use. ln the present embodiment, the lips 24 are an integral part ofthe unitary construction of the bottom tray 12. However, variations can include using a differentmaterial for the lips 24 such as rubber, different plastics, and other scratch resistant materials toprovide even greater protection. Additionally, it is to be appreciated than the lips 24 can also beremovable (see figure 15) or covered with another material such that the lip 24 or additionalmaterial that can be replaced upon being damaged.
    [47] [0047] The bottom tray 12 further includes a mount point 20-1, 20-2, 20-3, and 20-4(generically, these mount points are referred to herein as “mount point 20” and collectively theyare referred to as “mount points 20”) in each wheel well 14-1, 14-2, 14-3, and 14-4, respectively.The mount points are each configured to receive the spinner wheels 18 for mounting. lt is to beappreciated with the benefit of this description that the mount points 20 along with the mannerby which the spinner wheels 18 are mounted are not particularly limited and can be varied. lnthe present embodiment, the mount points 20 include a hollow cylindrical neck. However, other embodiment can include other mounting mechanisms such as a clips, magnetic connectors or quick connectors.
    [48] [0048]accommodate the respective spinner wheel 18. ln the present embodiment, each of the wheel ln the present embodiment, each of the wheel wells 14 is shaped to at least partially wells 14 defines a concave cavity configured to directly receive the respective spinner wheel 18.lt is to be appreciated with the benefit of this description that the depth of the wheel well 14 isnot particularly limited and that the wheel well 14 is not necessarily concave in otherembodiments. ln fact, some embodiments can include a convex wheel well such that thewheels extend further from the wall 16. For example, when the wheel well 14 includes a deepcavity, the wheels 18 are generally further recessed resulting in the external dimensions of thearticle of luggage 10 being smaller which can be advantageous in some circumstances, such asfor satisfying airline luggage size requirements. However, the deeper recess would reduce theinterior space of the article of luggage 10 and create irregular features, such as a bump, on theinterior walls of the article of luggage 10 making it more difficult to utilize the interior space whenloading non-deformable objects. Conversely, having a shallow cavity for the wheel well 14would allow for the article of luggage 10 to be positioned further above a surface such that thewall 16 would be less likely to touch the surface to reduce the chance that the wall 16 would bedamaged or soiled from contact with the surface. ln addition, the shallower wheel well 14 wouldprovide interior walls which are flatter and which may facilitate loading of the article of luggage 10.
    [49] [0049]with the bottom tray 12. ln particular, the wheel wells 14 of the present embodiment are not The wheel wells 14 are formed in the bottom tray 12 and are monolithically formed separate components fastened to the bottom tray 12. lt is to be understood by a person of skillin the art that the monolithically formed wheel wells reduce tolerances on the assembly of thearticle of luggage 10 as well as simplifies the manufacturing process by having fewer pieces toput together at the final assembly step. Referring to figure 4, the connection of the spinnerEach wheel well 14 in the bottom tray 12 includes a mount point 20 for affixing a spinner wheel 18. ln wheel 18 to the bottom tray 12 in accordance with the present embodiment is shown. the present embodiment, the mount point 20 includes a cylindrical neck through which a bolt 22extends. The bolt 22 is configured to thread into the upper end of the spinner wheel 18. lt is tobe appreciated by a person of skill in the art with the benefit of this description that variationsare contemplated. For example, the mount point 20 can be modified to be a simple hole insteada cylindrical neck. By using a hole as the mount point 20 instead of cylindrical neck, it is to be understood that the interior space within the article of luggage 10 can be increased at the costof reduced structural rigidity of the spinner wheels 18. As another example of a variation, thespinner wheel 18 can be fastened to the mount point 20 using other means such as with africtiona| fit, a c-clip, or rivet.
    [50] [0050]fastening points 40-1 and 40-2 for receiving fasteners for securing one or more of the fasteningf|aps 30-1, 30-2, 30-3, 30-4 (shown in figure 5) of the wall 16 to the bottom tray 12. ln thepresent embodiment, each of the fastening points 40 can include a hole for receiving a screw.
    [51] [0051]embodiment, the wall 16 is made from a wall material that is a reinforced fabric. However, it is to Referring to figure 5, a wall 16 of the article of luggage 10 is shown. ln the present be understood that the wall 16 is not particularly limited to any material and that severalvariations are contemplated. Some examples of materials which are ideal for the wall 16 areother types of fabric such as leather, plastic polymers, and other materials commonly used inthe manufacture of softside luggage. The wall material is shaped to have fastening flaps 30-1,30-2, 30-3, 30-4 (generically, these fastening f|aps are referred to herein as “fastening flap 30”and collectively they are referred to as “fastening f|aps 30") extending from wall portions of thewall 16. ln the present embodiment, at least a portion of each of the fastening f|aps 30 isnarrower than the corresponding wall portion such that the fastening flap 30 can be wrapped atleast partially under the bottom tray 12 and fitting between the space between a pair of adjacentwheel wells 14. The fastening flap 30 can then be secured to the underside 34 of the bottomtray 12, such as at a fastening point 40. ln the present embodiment, the wall 16 is a singlepiece of fabric without any seams. However, it is to be appreciated with the benefit of thisdescription that the wall 16 is not particularly limited and can be modified to include a single piece of fabric with a seam. ln other embodiments, the wall 16 can include two or more pieces of fabric sewn together. A fastening flap 30 may be a region of the same piece of fabric as thewall 16, or the fastening flap 30 may a separate piece of fabric that is sewn (or otherwiseattached) to fabric forming the wall 16.
    [52] [0052]well 14. ln the present embodiment, an interlock piece 42 extends around the corner of the Figures 6 and 7 show the connection of the bottom tray 12 to the wall 16 at a wheel article of luggage at a wheel well 14. The interlock piece 42 is wedged into the gap 28 adjacentand in contact with the wall 16 in the gap 28. The interlock piece 42 is fastened to the outer wall26 by using the fasteners 44-1 and 44-2 to penetrate through ho|es in the interlock piece 42 andthe bottom tray 12. ln the present embodiment, the wall 16 includes ho|es therein for thefasteners 44-1 and 44-2 to pass through; however, other embodiments can include a wall 16without ho|es that the fastener can pierce through. lt is to be appreciated that the fasteners 44-1 and 44-2 and the interlock piece 42 are not particularly limited and can be modified, such ashaving more or less than two fasteners to hold the interlock piece 42 in place. For example, insome embodiments, the fasteners 44-1 and 44-2 can be omitted and the interlock piece 42 canbe held in place using a friction fit in the gap 28. The type of fastener 44-1 and 44-2 is also notparticularly limited and can be modified to include various fasteners such as rivets, screws, nailsand bolts.
    [53] [0053]embodiment are contemplated. ln particular, the interlock piece 42 can be modified or omitted The interlock piece 42 is not particularly limited and variations of the present in some embodiments. For example, in the present embodiment, the interlock piece 42 is aright-angled bracket. However, other embodiments can vary the interlock piece 42 to be one ormore elastomer clips configured to retain the wall 16. ln further embodiments, the interlockpiece 42 can be omitted completely. ln such embodiments without the interlock piece, the wall16 can be held in the gap 28 using a friction fit, adhesives, hook-and-pile fasteners (e.g., Velcro)or other retention mechanisms capable of securing the wall 16 to the bottom tray. ln addition oralternatively, the wall 16 can be held in the gap 28 by one or more fastening flaps 30 beingpulled and secured tightly, and in such embodiments the interlock pieces 42 or other additional retention mechanism can be omitted.
    [54] [0054]limiting representation only. For example, although the present embodiment shown in figure 1 lt is to be re-emphasized that the article of luggage 10 described above is a non- includes a bottom tray having four wheel wells 14, other embodiments can include more or lesswheel wells. ln addition, the article of luggage 10 can be modified to remove the lips 24 suchthat the wall 16 is configured to be flush against the bottom tray 12 and held in place using alternative means such as with adhesives.
    [55] [0055]generally defines a conventional suitcase, it is to be appreciated that that bottom tray 12 can be As another example of a variation, it is to be appreciated that although the wall 16 used in other types of luggage such as a backpack, or a dufflebag having a hard bottom.
    [56] [0056]indicated generally at 500. Block 510 comprises forming the bottom tray 12 with wheel wells 14 Referring now to figure 8, a method of manufacturing the article of luggage 10 is formed therein. The manner by which the bottom tray 12 is formed is not particularly limited andis dependent on the bottom tray material used. For example, in the embodiment discussedabove, the bottom tray 12 is made from a hard plastic that is formed using an injection moldingprocess. ln other embodiments, various manufacturing techniques, such as pressure formingand 3D printing can be used for plastics. ln further embodiments, such as ones where the bottom tray material is a metal, a stamping process can be used.
    [57] [0057]wall 16 of the article of luggage 10. lt is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art with the Block 520 comprises connecting the wall material to the bottom tray 12 to form the benefit of this description that the wall 16 can be cut and finished according to a design patternprior to being connected to the bottom tray. For example, the wall 16 can include several piecessewn together or bound using other means such as adhesives, hook-and-pile fasteners, orsimilar. ln addition, the preparation of the wall material can also include finishing seams and adding fabric binding and piping.
    [58] [0058]that in some embodiments, the method 500 can be completed by separate parties. For lt is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art with the benefit of this description example, a plastics manufacturer can be used to form the bottom tray 12 and a separateassembler can be used to connect the wall material to the bottom tray 12.
    [59] [0059]16 to the bottom tray 12 of the article of luggage 10 from the top view and the bottom view, Figures 9a-d and 10a-d show the steps of carrying out block 520 to connect the wall respectively, in accordance with an embodiment. Figures 9a and 10a show at least a portion ofan edge 50 of the wall material is inserted into the gap 28 defined by the lips 24 of the wheelwell. Figures 9b and 10b show the fastening flaps 30-1 and 30-2 of the wall 16 being wrappedaround the bottom tray 12. Figures 9c and 10c show the interlock piece 42 being wedged intothe gap 28 to secure the wall material in the gap 28. Figures 9d and 10d show the interlockpiece 42 being and fastened to the bottom tray 12 using the fasteners 44-1 and 44-2. lnaddition, the fastening flaps 30 of the wall material are wrapped at least partially under the _10- bottom tray 12 and secured to the bottom tray 12 at the fastening point 40 using a fastener 41.The manner by which the fastening flaps 30 are secured is not particularly limited. For example,in the present embodiment, it is shown that one fastening flap 30 is secured over the otherfastening flap 30; however, in other embodiments, the fastening flaps can be reversed such thatthe one on the bottom becomes the one on the top. ln addition, although the fastener 41 isused to secure the fastening flaps 30 to the bottom tray, other manners for securing thefastening flaps 30 can either be alternatively used or used in combination with the fastener 41.For example, the fastening flaps 30-1 and 30-2 can be secured using adhesives, clips and/or sewn into the bottom tray.
    [60] [0060]covered by the wall 16. Accordingly, the wheel wells 14 expose the bottom tray 12 as an lt is to be appreciated that in the present embodiment, the wheel wells are not external surface within the wheel wells 14. lt is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the artthat this provides advantages in to the manufacturing of the article of luggage. ln particular,since the wall 16 does not overlap the wheel well 14, the attachment of the wall and the spinnerwheels 18 are completely independent. Therefore, the spinner wheels 18 can be directlyattached to the bottom tray 12 equally easily at any time either before or after attaching the wall16 providing greater flexibility in the manufacturing process of the article of luggage. lncreasedaccuracy in spinner wheel 18 positioning and orientation is also an advantage of the unitarybottom tray 12. More accurately positioned spinner wheels 18 can help the user better control the article of luggage 10 when in motion.
    [61] [0061]luggage 10a is shown.
    [62] [0062]is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art with the benefit of this description that that the ln the present embodiment, the plate 54a further includes an optiona| handle 56a. lt handle 56a is not particularly limited and can be varied. The handle 56a is generally configuredto provide a user of the article of luggage 10a with a convenient way to lift the article of luggage10a. Accordingly, the handle 56a can be modified to any design that increases user comfort,such as including ergonomic hand grips or reduces the costs of manufacturing using a simpledesign. ln the present embodiment, the handle 56a can be a separate component attached tothe plate 54a. However, in other embodiments, the handle 56a can be formed with the plate 54a as a single unitary component.
    [63] [0063]luggage 10b is shown.
    [64] [0064]handle 56b. description that that the handle 56b is not particularly limited and can be varied. ln the present ln the present embodiment, the article of luggage 10b further includes an optiona|lt is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art with the benefit of this embodiment, the handle 56b is generally configured to provide a user of the article of luggage10b with a convenient way to lift the article of luggage 10b and is connected directly to thebottom tray 12b through the fastening flaps 30b. Accordingly, the handle 56b can be modified toany design that increases user comfort, such as including ergonomic hand grips or reduces thecosts of manufacturing using a simple design. ln the present embodiment, the handle 56b is a _12- separate component attached to the bottom tray 12b. However, in other embodiments, thehandle 56b can be connected to and/or formed with the brackets 54b or the bottom tray 12b. lnother embodiments, the handle 56b is formed by the top-most fastening flap, which can have anopening cut therein or which can be shaped to provide an opening. ln still other embodiments,the handle is omitted.
    [65] [0065]Like components of the bottom tray 12c bear like reference to their counterparts in the bottom Referring to figures 13 and 14, another embodiment of the bottom tray 12c is shown. tray 12, except followed by the suffix The bottom tray 12c includes additional slots 60c-1and 60c-2 (generically, these slots are referred to herein as “slot 60c" and collectively they arereferred to as “slots 60c”). The slot 60c is generally configured to receive a frame 65c toprovide structural support and reinforcing shape for the article of luggage. ln the presentembodiment, the frame 65c is a honeycomb frame made from a hard plastic. However, it is tobe understood that the frame 65c is not particularly limited and can include any rigid element capable of reinforcing the article of luggage.
    [66] [0066]24 discussed above, are removable from the outer wall 26 of the bottom tray 12 by way of Figure 15 shows an embodiment in which lips 24a, which are otherwise similar to lips fasteners, such as screws 70, a snapping interference fit structure, or similar. This allows lips 24to serve the same purpose as the lips 24, while being removable and replaceable in case ofdamage or wear. Further to this point, the lips 24a in this embodiment have a rounded externalsurface that can be the first point of contact when the article of luggage bumps into objects.
    [67] [0067]spinner wheels 18 at any stage in the process.
    [68] [0068]should be considered illustrative only and should not serve to limit the accompanying claims.
    While specific embodiments have been described and illustrated, such embodiments _13-
    权利要求:
    Claims (21)
    [1] 1. What is claimed is: 1.
    [2] 2. An article of luggage comprising: a bottom tray having wheel wells formed therein, the bottom tray being made from a bottom-tray material; a wall connected to the bottom tray, the wall made from a wall material that is softer than the bottom-tray material; and spinner wheels connected directly to the bottom tray at the wheel wells.
    [3] 3. The article of luggage of claim 1, wherein the bottom-tray material comprises hard plastic.
    [4] 4. The article of luggage of claim 1 or 2, wherein the wall material comprises fabric.
    [5] 5. The article of luggage of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the bottom tray is a unitary construction.
    [6] 6. The article of luggage of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bottom tray is manufactured using an injection molding process.
    [7] 7. The article of luggage of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bottom tray furthercomprises a lip positioned at least along a portion of a perimeter of at least one of thewheel wells, the lip offset from an outer wall of the bottom tray defining a gap, the gap fitting an edge of the wall material.
    [8] 8. The article of luggage of claim 6, wherein the lip is integral with the bottom tray.
    [9] 9. The article of luggage of claim 6, wherein the lip is removable from the bottom tray.
    [10] 10. The article of luggage of claim 6, wherein the lip is configured to protect a corner of the article of luggage. _14- 10.
    [11] 11.
    [12] 12.
    [13] 13.
    [14] 14.
    [15] 15.
    [16] 16.
    [17] 17.
    [18] 18. The article of luggage of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the wall material is shaped tohave at least one fastening flap extending from a wall portion of the wall material, thefastening flap being narrower than the wall portion and wrapped at least partially underthe bottom tray, the fastening flap being secured to an underside of the bottom tray. A method of manufacturing an article of luggage, the method comprising: forming a bottom-tray material into a bottom tray having wheel wells configured to receive spinner wheels therein; and connecting wall material to the bottom tray to form a wall of the article of luggage. The method of claim 11, wherein forming the bottom-tray material into the bottom tray comprises using an injection molding process. The method of claim 11 or 12, further comprising wrapping a fastening flap of the wall atleast partially under the bottom tray, the fastening flap extending from a wall portion ofthe wall, the fastening flap being narrower than the wall portion. The method of claim 13, further comprising fitting an edge of the wall into a gap formedbetween an outer wall of the bottom tray and a lip extending from at least a portion of aperimeter of at least one of the wheel wells. The method of claim 14, further comprising securing the fastening flap to an underside ofthe bottom tray. A bottom tray for an article of softside luggage, the bottom tray being made of unitaryconstruction from bottom-tray material and having wheel wells formed therein, each ofthe wheel wells shaped to receive a spinner wheel. The bottom tray of claim 16, wherein the bottom-tray material comprises hard plastic. The bottom tray of claim 16 or 17, wherein the bottom tray is manufactured using aninjection molding process. _15-
    [19] 19. The bottom tray of any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising a lip positioned at leastalong a portion of a perimeter of at least one of the wheel wells, the lip offset from anouter wall of the bottom tray defining a gap, the gap fitting an edge of the wall.
    [20] 20. The bottom tray of claim 19, wherein the lip is integral with the bottom tray.
    [21] 21. The bottom tray of claim 19, wherein the lip is removable from the bottom tray. _16-
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    WO2015127779A1|2015-09-03|Detachable combined draw-bar box
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    US20180235334A1|2018-08-23|
    CA2963391A1|2016-04-07|
    GB201706879D0|2017-06-14|
    WO2016053387A1|2016-04-07|
    AU2015324614A1|2017-05-18|
    US10799001B2|2020-10-13|
    GB2546451A|2017-07-19|
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    法律状态:
    2021-03-16| NAV| Patent application has lapsed|
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US201462059002P| true| 2014-10-02|2014-10-02|
    PCT/US2015/030484|WO2016053387A1|2014-10-02|2015-05-13|Article of luggage and method of assembling|
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