Systems and methods for collapsible luggage

摘要

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for providing collapsible luggage are presented. Such exemplary collapsible luggage can have two states: (i) a fully extended state in which said luggage is used by a user to hold, for example, clothing and objects, and (ii) a compressed or folded state in which the luggage has a minimum volume and can be easily and conveniently stored, especially where space is a premium. Various novel technologies are used to obtain maximal compression in the compressed state, provide rigidity and structural support in the fully extended state, and to allow for convenient transformation between the two states. One of such technologies is a self-locking hinge mechanism requiring no direct contact from a user, which also provides audible feedback to the user.

主权项

1. A collapsible article of luggage, comprising:
a bottom surface, comprising:
a rigid front portion,a rigid rear portion, said front and rear portions being connected by at least one hinge so that they can move from an essentially coplanar configuration to an essentially perpendicular configuration the result of said rigid front portion being rotated about said hinge to be substantially perpendicular to said rigid rear portion, said rigid rear portion remaining fixed; anda locking mechanism arranged to lock said front and rear portions in said essentially coplanar configuration; a top surface, comprising:
a front portion and a rear portion, said front portion and said rear portion arranged so as be able to move from an essentially coplanar configuration to an essentially perpendicular configuration; a rear surface, essentially perpendicular to the rear portion of the bottom surface; a left side surface; a right side surface; and a front surface, said front surface releasably connected to at least two of said bottom, top, left and right surfaces, wherein, in operation, the article of luggage can be in an expanded configuration and in a collapsed configuration, and wherein, in said expanded configuration:
said front and rear portions of the bottom surface are locked in said essentially coplanar configuration, said bottom surface extends the depth of the luggage, and said front and rear portions of the top surface are positioned in said essentially coplanar configuration, and in said collapsed configuration:
said front and rear portions of the bottom surface are positioned in said essentially perpendicular configuration, and said front and rear portions of the top surface are positioned in said essentially perpendicular configuration.