Frame fixation to a suitcase

Abstract

A frame construction ( 10 ) for a piece of luggage comprises a shell ( 100 ) with an end portion ( 101 ) and a frame ( 1 ) with a profile ( 4 ) having a profile base ( 43 ) and a first profile wall ( 44 ) and a second profile wall ( 45 ), a seat ( 41 ) for receiving the end portion ( 101 ) of the shell ( 100 ) being delimited by opposing first and second inner surfaces ( 46; 47 ) of said first and second profile walls ( 44; 45 ). The frame construction ( 10 ) further comprises at least one fastening element ( 42; 62; 106 ) being configured to be removably inserted in the seat ( 41 ) of the profile ( 4 ) so as to removably fasten the end portion ( 101 ) of the shell ( 100 ) being received in the seat ( 41 ) to the frame ( 1 ).

1 . A frame construction for a piece of luggage comprising:
 a shell with an end portion; and   a frame, wherein the frame comprises a profile extending in an extension direction and having a profile base and a first profile wall and a second profile wall, a seat for receiving the end portion of the shell being delimited by opposing first and second inner surfaces of said first and second profile walls;   wherein the frame construction further comprises at least one fastening element, and
 wherein said fastening element is configured to be removably inserted in the seat of the profile so as to removably fasten the end portion of the shell being received in the seat to the frame. 
   
     
     
         2 . The frame construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening element is fastened to the frame by means of at least one of a friction fit and a positive-locking fit. 
     
     
         3 . The frame construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening element is formed separately from at least one of the frame and the shell. 
     
     
         4 . The frame construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening element is configured such, that when the end portion of the shell is received in the seat, the fastening element may be slid into the profile along said extension direction into a space formed between the end portion of the shell and the first profile wall or the second profile wall, respectively, whilst the end portion of the shell is pressed against the second profile wall or against the first profile wall, respectively. 
     
     
         5 . The frame construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening element is configured such, that when the end portion of the shell is received in the seat, the fastening element may be pushed into a space formed between the end portion of the shell and the first profile wall or the second profile wall, respectively, along a direction transverse to said extension direction whilst the end portion of the shell is pressed against the second profile wall or against the first profile wall, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The frame construction according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the profile walls and the fastening element in each case comprises at least one retaining structure, said retaining structures being configured to mutually interact with one another such that an additional mechanical fastening of the fastening element in the frame is effected. 
     
     
         7 . The frame construction according to  claim 6 , wherein the retaining structure on the fastening element is a first protrusion and the retaining structure on the at least one of the profile walls is at least one of a toothing provided on the inner surface of the said profile wall and a lug extending inwards in the direction of the seat, the first protrusion and the toothing being configured to engage one another and the lug providing a stop for the first protrusion 
     
     
         8 . The frame construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastening element comprises a second retaining structure, which, when the end portion of the shell is received in the seat, presses against a first surface of the shell such that an additional fastening of the end portion being received in the seat is effected. 
     
     
         9 . The frame construction according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the free end region of at least one of the profile walls has a retaining structure, and   wherein said retaining structure, when the end portion of the shell is received in the seat, presses against a second surface of the shell such that an additional fastening of the end portion being received in the seat is effected.   
     
     
         10 . The frame construction according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 i) in the region of the seat, the first and second profile walls extend essentially parallel to one another, and   ii) the second profile wall has a length which is greater than the length of the first profile wall along a direction transverse to said extension direction.   
     
     
         11 . The frame construction according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of:
 i) the fastening element is dimensioned such, that a gap is formed between the profile base and a lower side ( of the fastening element when the fastening element is inserted in the seat of the frame, and   ii) the fastening element is dimensioned such, that an upper side of the fastening element is essentially flush with the free end of the second profile wall or that its upper side projects beyond the free end of the second profile wall when the fastening element is inserted in the seat of the frame.   
     
     
         12 . The frame construction according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the shell has a curvature dividing the shell into the said end portion and a main portion, whereby the main portion is arranged off-set with respect to the end portion, and   wherein the length of the second profile wall essentially equals the overall length of the end portion and the curvature in a direction transverse to the extension direction.   
     
     
         13 . The frame construction according to  claim 1 , comprising a further frame, wherein the frame comprises a connection profile and the further frame comprises a further connection profile being designed complementary to the connection profile of the frame, the connection profile and the further connection profile being configured to enter into a connection with one another. 
     
     
         14 . A piece of luggage with a frame construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the end portion of the shell is received in the seat of the frame and removably fastened by means of the fastening element being removably inserted in the seat of the frame. 
     
     
         15 . A method of fastening a shell to a frame construction of a piece of luggage comprising the steps of:
 providing a piece of luggage with a frame construction ( 4 Qfaccording to  claim 1 ;   inserting the end portion of the shell into the seat of the profile; and   inserting the fastening element in the seat of the profile.   
     
     
         16 . The frame construction according to  claim 8 , wherein the second retaining structure is in the form of a second protrusion. 
     
     
         17 . The frame construction according to  claim 9 , wherein the retaining structure is in the form of a lug. 
     
     
         18 . The frame construction according to  claim 12 , wherein the second retaining structure of the fastening element, when the fastening element is inserted in the seat of the frame, presses against the first surface of the shell in the region of the curvature. 
     
     
         19 . The frame construction according to  claim 13 , wherein the connection profile and the further connection profile are configured to enter into a positive connection with one another.