Expandable luggage with locking expansion mechanism

Abstract

An item of expandable luggage having a main body and an expandable member. A locking expansion means connects the main body to the expandable member, and includes at least one fixed plate and corresponding slidable plate slidably coupled together. Each fixed plate is fixedly mounted to the main body and includes a plurality of locking apertures. Each slidable plate is fixedly mounted to the expandable member and includes an expansion control mechanism for controlling displacement of the slidable plate with respect to its corresponding fixed plate. Each expansion control mechanism includes an actuator for engaging a first end of a rotatable crank. A locking element includes opposing first and second ends. The second end of the locking element engages the second end of the crank. The first end of the locking element slidably engages with one of the apertures of the first fixed plate in response to the actuator engaging the corresponding crank.

1 . An item of luggage ( 10 ) having an adjustable interior volume comprising: 
 a main body ( 14 ) having a bottom floor ( 12 ), a plurality of opposing sidewalls ( 18   a, b,c,d, ), a first frame ( 26 ) and a second frame ( 28 );    an expandable member ( 50 ) having an adjustable height comprising a plurality of opposing sidewalls, an expandable member support frame ( 52 ) and a zipperless expandable gusset ( 54 ), wherein the gusset is located between and expandably connected to the main body ( 14 ) and the expandable support frame ( 52 );    an access panel ( 24 ) joined to the expandable member ( 50 ); and    locking expansion means ( 100 ) connecting the main body ( 14 ) to the expandable member ( 50 ) comprising at least one first fixed plate ( 40 ) and at least one second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ) slidably coupled together, wherein each first fixed plate ( 40 ) is fixedly mounted to the main body ( 14 ), and each second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ) is fixedly mounted to the expandable member support frame ( 52 ) and includes an expansion control mechanism ( 120 ) for controlling displacement of said second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ) with respect to its corresponding first fixed plate ( 40 ), each said expansion control mechanism ( 120 ) comprising: 
 a rotatable cam member ( 62 ) mounted to said second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ) proximate the expandable member support frame ( 52 );  
 an elongated link member ( 66 ) having first and second opposing ends, said first end being rotatably coupled to said cam member ( 62 );  
 an elongated bar member ( 70 ) having opposing first and second ends and at least one sidewall therebetween, said first end of the bar member being slidably coupled to said first fixed plate ( 40 ) in a first bar position, and the second end of the bar member being pivotly coupled to said second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ) and the second end of the link member;  
 wherein rotation of said cam member ( 62 ) slidably moves said second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ) from a first position to a second position relative to said first fixed plate ( 40 ).  
   
   
   
       2 . The item of luggage according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one first fixed plate ( 40 ) comprises a pair of first fixed plates ( 40 ) mounted on opposing sidewalls of the main body ( 14 ), and said at least one second slidable expansion plates ( 60 ) comprises a pair of second slidable expansion plates ( 60 ) mounted on opposing sidewalls of the expanding member ( 50 ), wherein each second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ) is slidably affixed to a corresponding one of said first fixed plates ( 40 ).  
   
   
       3 . The item of luggage according to  claim 1 , wherein said bar member ( 70 ) moves to a second bar position to lock said second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ) into said second position relative to said first fixed plate ( 40 ).  
   
   
       4 . The item of luggage according to  claim 3 , wherein the first bar position is substantially orthogonal with respect to the second bar position.  
   
   
       5 . The item of luggage according to  claim 1 , further comprising gripping means ( 72 ) located on the second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ) to facilitate the movement of said at least one second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ) between said first and second positions.  
   
   
       6 . The item of luggage according to  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the link member ( 66 ) is coupled to the cam member ( 62 ) by a link pin ( 65 ).  
   
   
       7 . The item of luggage according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the link member ( 66 ) is coupled to the second end of the bar member ( 70 ) by a link pivot pin ( 86 ).  
   
   
       8 . The item of luggage according to  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the bar member ( 70 ) includes a flattened bottom portion ( 74 ).  
   
   
       9 . The item of luggage according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end of each bar member ( 70 ) comprises an outward projecting bar member pin ( 35 ) formed along the sidewall.  
   
   
       10 . The item of luggage according to  claim 9 , wherein each first fixed plate ( 40 ) comprises an elongated groove ( 32 ) formed along an interior surface of said first fixed plate proximate said first bar position, said groove being sized to receive said bar member pin ( 35 ), wherein said groove ( 32 ) guides said bar member pin ( 35 ) as said bar member moves between said first and second bar positions.  
   
   
       11 . The item of luggage according to  claim 10 , wherein the groove ( 32 ) includes opposing curved ends ( 34 ).  
   
   
       12 . The item of luggage according to  claim 1 , wherein said expansion control mechanism ( 120 ) further comprises a cam control knob ( 64 ) coupled to the rotatable cam member ( 62 ) and adapted to rotate said cam member ( 62 ).  
   
   
       13 . The item of luggage according to  claim 12 , wherein the cam control knob ( 64 ) comprises a hinged handle ( 61 ) to manually turn said cam control knob ( 64 ).  
   
   
       14 . The item of luggage according to  claim 12 , wherein the cam control knob ( 64 ) is elongated having opposing first and second ends, wherein said first end of said cam control knob is coupled along a central axis of the cam member ( 62 ), and the second end of the cam control knob comprises a handle  61  for manually turning said cam control knob ( 64 ).  
   
   
       15 . The item of luggage according to  claim 14 , wherein the cam control knob handle ( 61 ) is hinged to the second end of said cam control knob ( 64 ).  
   
   
       16 . The item of luggage according to  claim 14 , wherein the cam control knob handle ( 61 ) projects outwardly from the second end in a direction normal is hinged to the plane of the cam control knob ( 64 ).  
   
   
       17 . The item of luggage according to  claim 1 , wherein the cam member ( 62 ) is rotatable approximately 180 degrees.  
   
   
       18 . The item of luggage according to  claim 1 , wherein the expansion control mechanism ( 120 ) further comprises a pair of opposing cam blocks ( 71 ) spaced apart about the circumference of said cam member ( 62 ), said cam member ( 62 ) including a tab ( 77 ) projecting outward and extending a distance sufficient to contact said cam blocks ( 71 ) and prohibit further rotation of said cam member ( 62 ).  
   
   
       19 . The item of luggage according to  claim 1 , wherein said opposing cam blocks ( 71 ) are spaced approximately 180 degrees apart.  
   
   
       20 . The item of luggage according to  claim 1 , wherein said expansion control mechanism ( 120 ) further comprises an actuator ( 88 ) coupled to the cam member ( 62 ).  
   
   
       21 . The item of luggage according to  claim 20 , wherein said actuator includes a cam control knob ( 64 ) adapted for manually rotating said cam member ( 62 ).  
   
   
       22 . The item of luggage according to  claim 20 , wherein said cam control knob ( 64 ) includes a hinged handle ( 61 ).  
   
   
       23 . The item of luggage according to  claim 20 , wherein said cam control knob ( 64 ) includes a first end and a second opposing end, said first end being coupled to said cam member ( 62 ) and said second end including an outwardly extending handle adapted for manually rotating said cam member ( 62 ).  
   
   
       24 . An item of luggage ( 10 ) having an adjustable interior volume comprising: 
 a main body ( 14 ) having a bottom floor ( 12 ), a plurality of opposing sidewalls ( 18   a,b,c,d ,), a first frame ( 26 ) and a second frame ( 28 );    an expandable member ( 50 ) having an adjustable height comprising a plurality of opposing sidewalls, an expandable member support frame ( 52 ) and a zipperless expandable gusset ( 54 ), wherein the gusset is located between and expandably connected to the main body ( 14 ) and the expandable support frame ( 52 );    an access panel ( 24 ) joined to the expandable member ( 50 ); and    locking expansion means ( 100 ) connecting the main body ( 14 ) to the expandable member ( 50 ) comprising at least one first fixed plate ( 40 ) and at least one second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ) slidably coupled together, wherein each first fixed plate ( 40 ) is fixedly mounted to the main body ( 14 ) and includes a plurality of locking apertures ( 45 ), each second plate ( 60 ) being fixedly mounted to the expandable member support frame ( 52 ) and including an expansion control mechanism ( 120 ) for controlling displacement of said second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ) with respect to its corresponding first fixed plate ( 40 ), each expansion control mechanism ( 120 ) comprising: 
 an actuator ( 88 ) mounted to said second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ) proximate the expandable member support frame ( 52 ) and for controlling expansion and retraction of said second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ) and gusset ( 54 );  
 at least one crank ( 130 ) having a first end ( 136 ) and an opposing second end ( 134 ), said crank positioned in a first direction along said second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ), wherein said first end ( 136 ) is positioned proximate said actuator ( 88 ), and said at least one crank is rotatable upon engagement with said actuator ( 88 ); and  
 at least one locking element ( 110 ) respectively associated with the at least one crank ( 130 ), each locking element ( 110 ) having a first end ( 114 ) and an opposing second end ( 116 ) and positioned in a second direction along said second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ), wherein each said second end ( 116 ) of the locking element engages the second end ( 134 ) of a corresponding crank ( 130 ), and wherein engagement between said first end ( 114 ) of said at least one locking element ( 110 ) with one of said apertures ( 45 ) of said first fixed plate ( 40 ) is controlled by said actuator ( 88 ) with the corresponding crank ( 130 ).  
   
   
   
       25 . The item of luggage according to  claim 24 , wherein said at least one locking element ( 110 ) further comprises: 
 a boss ( 119 ) extending longitudinally outwards from the first end ( 114 ) of the locking element ( 110 ); and    an aperture ( 117 ) formed through the second end ( 116 ) of the locking element ( 110 ) and sized to receive the second end ( 134 ) of the rotatable crank ( 130 ).    
   
   
       26 . The item of luggage according to  claim 25 , wherein said engagement between said first end ( 114 ) of said at least one locking element ( 110 ) with one of said apertures ( 45 ) of said first fixed plate ( 40 ) comprises insertion of the boss ( 119 ) through said aperture ( 45 ) to retain said second slidable expansion plate ( 60 ) in a locked position with respect to said first fixed plate ( 40 ).  
   
   
       27 . The item of luggage according to  claim 26 , wherein said actuator ( 88 ) is manually engaged with the first end ( 136 ) of the at least one crank ( 130 ).  
   
   
       28 . The item of luggage according to  claim 25 , wherein disengagement between said first end ( 114 ) of said at least one locking element ( 110 ) with one of said apertures ( 45 ) of said first fixed plate ( 40 ) comprises removal of the boss ( 119 ) from said aperture ( 45 ) of said first fixed plate ( 40 ).  
   
   
       29 . The item of luggage according to  claim 28 , wherein said actuator ( 88 ) disengages the first end ( 136 ) of the at least one crank ( 130 ), and in response, the second end ( 134 ) of the crank ( 130 ) rotates in a direction to slidably disengage said boss ( 119 ) from said aperture ( 45 ).  
   
   
       30 . The item of luggage according to  claim 25 , wherein said at least one locking element ( 110 ) further comprises a channel ( 118 ) extending longitudinally between said first and second ends, said channel ( 118 ) being sized to receive a biasing spring ( 112 ).  
   
   
       31 . The item of luggage according to  claim 30 , wherein said biasing spring ( 112 ) is compressed upon rotation of said crank ( 130 ) and expanded upon release of said actuator ( 88 ).  
   
   
       32 . The item of luggage according to  claim 25 , wherein the second direction of said locking element ( 110 ) is substantially orthogonal with respect to the first direction of said at least one crank ( 130 ).  
   
   
       33 . The item of luggage according to  claim 25 , wherein said at least one crank includes a pair of cranks, and said at least one locking element includes a pair of locking elements.  
   
   
       34 . The item of luggage according to  claim 24 , wherein said actuator ( 88 ) comprises a push-button for engaging said at least on crank ( 130 ).  
   
   
       35 . The item of luggage according to  claim 24 , wherein said actuator ( 88 ) pivots around a pivot point ( 89 ), such that a lower interior portion ( 90 ) of the actuator engages said first end ( 136 ) of the at least one crank ( 130 ) to cause said at least one crank to rotate and engage a corresponding locking element ( 110 ).  
   
   
       36 . The item of luggage according to  claim 24 , wherein said actuator comprises a latch handle ( 87 ) for engaging said at least on crank ( 130 ).