PORTABLE CONTAINER

Abstract

 A portable container which comprises a first half shell (2a) substantially shaped like a parallelepiped and a second half shell (2b), which are mutually movable between a configuration for closing an internal compartment (3) and at least one open configuration, for free access to the compartment (3). The container comprises an assembly (100) for the coupling and/or support of accessories of various kinds, which comprises a plurality of inserts (101) inserted in respective cavities (6) having a corresponding shape, provided along at least three side walls (7) of the first half shell (2a) and open toward the compartment (3), at least three beams (102) supported by the inserts (101) and arranged parallel to respective side walls (7), so as to jointly form a sort of at least partial frame which protrudes toward the compartment (3), and at least one slider (103a, 103b), configured for the coupling and/or support of at least one accessory of various kinds and supported by a beam (102) in a chosen position along the face that is directed toward the compartment (3) of one of the beams (102).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable container.

[0002] Currently, the offer of portable containers is widely diversified and comprises trunks, crates, suitcases, trolleys, backpacks and other products, which are differentiated in terms of shape, size, materials and/or functionality as well as in terms of intended use, of the type of goods that can be accommodated and/or of the reference customers.

[0003] Within this commodity category, a significantly important segment is constituted by products intended for technicians, maintenance engineers and professionals of various sectors, who use them to carry safely equipment and instruments of various kinds in order to use them in the most disparate places of intervention, even in difficult environmental conditions.

[0004] In greater detail, these containers usually comprise a pair of mutually articulated half shells, which are made of high-strength rigid material, so as to ensure the capability to withstand even intense impacts without being deformed and especially without compromising the integrity of the contents of their internal compartment.

[0005] In this context, indeed, the container first of all ensures practical methods for tidy accommodation, by virtue of pockets and receptacles conveniently provided in the compartment, and also by resorting to various retention elements (laces, hooks, etc.), which in turn are fixed to the walls of the half shells or of the internal partitions.

[0006] Furthermore, sometimes the container offers additional functionalities: for example, by means of brackets, ledges and other accessories it can offer stable support or reference during the use of tablets, laptops, keyboards and other apparatuses, which are for example coupled to the lower half shell while the other one is temporarily disassembled or rotated into the open configuration.

[0007] However, these structures are not free from drawbacks.

[0008] The possibility for support, the tidy accommodation and the other functionalities that the container can offer in fact usually depend on the configuration in which the latter is supplied and in particular on the specific distribution of pockets, dividing walls and other accessories.

[0009] However, this configuration is provided by the manufacturing company (and sometimes some elements are integrated in the walls of the half shells) and cannot be modified afterwards. In practice, therefore, once the container has reached the end user, said end user cannot redistribute the internal spaces or freely modify the position and orientation of the retention or supporting elements, much less use it in a way that is different from what was intended originally.

[0010] It should instead be noted that although the configuration is often chosen by the designated customer, the requirements of said customer may vary subsequently, even at each intervention or use, and therefore the limited or nonexistent versatility of known containers is an unwelcome limitation.

[0011] Moreover, each configuration typically requires ad hoc components even in a large number for the same container, and therefore manufacturing companies that wish to have a sufficiently varied catalog encounter significant logistical problems linked to the need to manage many codes for the bills of materials associated indeed with the various configurations and the various steps of production or assembly.

[0012] Moreover, it should be noted that in containers of the type described above it is often fundamental to be able to isolate hermetically the internal compartment in order to prevent the entry of water, dust or other impurities, which might damage the instruments. To ensure this functionality, and as also prescribed by some standards in the sector, it is not possible to provide holes along the half shells, for example to insert screws, nails or the like therein.

[0013] In this case, therefore, it is even more difficult for the end user to fix brackets, platforms or other retention and supporting elements in order to give new and different functionalities to the container.

[0014] The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, providing a portable container that is versatile and offers practical ways of reconfiguring the internal spaces and/or of converting to new and different uses.

[0015] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide an assembly that can be installed on a portable container in order to give it greater versatility and practical ways of reconfiguring the internal spaces and/or of converting to new and different uses.

[0016] Another object of the invention is to provide a portable container that ensures great versatility in use and in the distribution of the internal spaces without compromising the sealing and insulation capabilities of the internal compartment of the container.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to provide a portable container that offers practical methods for stable support and/or resting for various apparatuses and equipment, according to various configurations.

[0018] Another object of the invention is to provide a portable container that allows manufacturing companies to provide a varied catalog of solutions without heavily affecting the logistical management of the components.

[0019] Another object of the invention is to provide a portable container that ensures high reliability in operation.

[0020] Another object of the invention is to provide a portable container that adopts a technical and structural architecture that is alternative to those of containers of the known type.

[0021] Another object of the invention is to provide a portable container that can be obtained easily starting from commonly commercially available elements and materials.

[0022] Another object of the invention is to provide a portable container that has low costs and is safe in application.

[0023] This aim and these and other objects which will become better apparent hereinafter are achieved by a container according to claim 1 and by an assembly according to claim 14.

[0024] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the portable container and of the assembly according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of the container and of the assembly according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a highly enlarged-scale view of a detail of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the assembly and of a half shell of the container of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the assembly of the Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1, without the sliders;

Figures 6 and 7 are views of a beam, a slider and an insert in different relative positions;

Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view of some components of the assembly of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the container and of the assembly according to the invention;

Figures 10 and 11 are respective highly enlarged-scale views of details of Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figure 9;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of a first slider comprised in the assembly of Figure 9;

Figure 14 is a lateral elevation view of the slider of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a rear view of the slider of Figure 13;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of a second slider comprised in the assembly of Figure 9;

Figure 17 is a front view of the slider of Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a lateral elevation view of the slider of Figure 16;

Figure 19 is a rear view of the slider of Figure 16;

Figure 20 is a perspective view of a further component of the assembly of Figure 9;

Figure 21 is a top view of the component of Figure 20;

Figures 22 and 23 are views of the component of Figure 20, assembled respectively with the slider of Figure 13 and with the slider of Figure 16;

Figure 24 is a perspective view of some elements of the assembly according to the invention;

Figure 25 is a highly enlarged-scale view of a detail of Figure 24;

Figure 26 is a perspective view of a component of the assembly of Figure 24;

Figure 27 is a lateral elevation view of the component of Figure 26.

[0025] With particular reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a portable container of the type of a suitcase, trunk, crate, trolley, and the like.

[0026] More generically, it is to be noted that any reference that will be made in the present description to containers 1 is to be understood as extended to any type of product (suitcases, trunks, crates, trolley, or others) capable of accommodating objects and tools of various kinds, both for private use and for professional use.

[0027] In this regard, first of all the possibility that a technician or another subject, as part of his professional activity, might use the container 1 to transport tools, equipment, electronic devices or others, necessary for his work, is provided. Likewise, it is possible to store in the container 1 clothes, personal items and/or objects of various kinds, in a more typically private use.

[0028] In the preferred application, in any case, the container 1 is intended for typically professional users and is constituted by a sort of rigid trunk, which is made of polymeric material with high impact resistance and provided with appropriate solutions that ensure its complete tightness and therefore the ability to prevent the entry of water, humidity, dust and contaminants in general. It is stated once again that the protective scope claimed herein in any case refers also to other types of container 1, rigid or not and made of any material.

[0029] The container 1 comprises a first half shell 2a which is substantially shaped like a parallelepiped (in other words, shaped like a sort of open box) and a second half shell 2b, which can mutually move between a configuration for closing an internal compartment 3 and at least one open configuration for free access to said compartment 3. In the accompanying Figures 1 and 9, the container 1 is shown in a possible open configuration, but is not shown in the closed configuration, since it is in any case absolutely known and easy to deduce for any person (expert in the field or not).

[0030] Usually (but not exclusively), the movement between the two configurations described above consists of a rotation of one of the two half shells 2a, 2b with respect to the other, made possible by one or more hinges 4 mounted on contiguous edges of the half shells 2a, 2b (in this case also, according to methods that are well established in the art).

[0031] The second half shell 2b also can have the shape of a parallelepiped; furthermore, the half shells 2a, 2b may have substantially the same size, so as to constitute the two halves of the external shell that delimits the compartment 3, or can have different shapes and dimensions (height in particular), for example with the first half shell 2a that is higher (deeper) than the second half shell 2b (as shown, besides, in the accompanying figures).

[0032] It is specified furthermore that in the present description and in the accompanying figures the identification of the "first" half shell 2a (and obviously of the "second" half shell 2b) is entirely arbitrary, and it is possible to define in this manner each of the two half shells 2a, 2b, without thereby abandoning the protective scope claimed herein.

[0033] In the accompanying Figures 1-3 and 9-11, the lower half shell, intended for resting on the ground, has been identified as the first half shell 2a, but the other one also might be identified defined in this manner.

[0034] According to the invention, the container 1 comprises an assembly 100 for the coupling and/or support of accessories A, B of various kinds, which is the subject matter of the present description and of the protection claimed herein, like the container 1.

[0035] It is specified that the accessories A, B may be comprised or not in the container 1 according to the invention and are of any kind: merely by way of non-limiting example, mention is made of the possibility that the assembly 100 might allow to couple to the container 1 accessories A constituted by partitions (perpendicular to the bottom 5 of the first half shell 2a in order to divide the compartment 3 into two or more receptacles, as can be seen for example in Figure 9) or platforms (parallel to the bottom 5 and useful to define a resting surface for tablets, laptops, consoles and keyboards). Furthermore, the assembly 100 can offer a valid support for accessories A, B constituted by crossmembers designed to cross the compartment 3, hooks, pins or others, adapted to constitute a reference for additional components, which in each instance are different as a function of the specific application. Further examples of accessories A, B that can be coupled to the container 1 will be provided hereinafter.

[0036] The assembly 100 comprises a plurality of inserts 101, which are inserted in respective cavities 6 having a corresponding shape, provided along at least three side walls 7 (and preferably along all of the side walls 7) of the first half shell 2a and open toward the compartment 3.

[0037] One of the cavities 6 is clearly visible, in a possible embodiment, in the detail of Figure 2.

[0038] Furthermore, the assembly 100 comprises at least three beams 102 which are supported by the inserts 101 and are arranged parallel to respective side walls 7, so as to form together a sort of at least partial frame (typically but not exclusively rectangular) which protrudes toward the compartment 3.

[0039] It is appropriate to note that in the preferred solution, illustrated by way of non-limiting example of the application of the invention, the assembly 100 comprises four beams 102 (and not just three) supported by inserts 101 inserted in respective cavities 6 provided along each of the four side walls 7. In the preferred embodiment, therefore, the four beams 102 are arranged parallel to respective side walls 7 so as to form indeed, together, a sort of frame (even an incomplete one, as will be clarified hereinafter) which protrudes toward the compartment 3. It is stressed in any case that the protective scope extends to containers 1 in which the assembly 100 provides for three beams 102 (or more than four, with at least two arranged along the same side wall 7).

[0040] In even greater detail, and regardless of the number of beams 102, each beam 102 can be (preferably) rested against a respective wall 7, or can also be kept at a predefined (minimum) distance; furthermore, typically the beams 102 are arranged substantially on a same plane along respective sides of an imaginary rectangle that is parallel to the bottom 5 (as in the accompanying figures), although different configurations and/or the possibility to arrange them so that the frame that they form is inclined with respect to the bottom 5 are not excluded.

[0041] According to the invention, the assembly 100 comprises furthermore at least one slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, which is configured for the coupling and/or support of at least one accessory A, B of various kinds. Furthermore, the slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d is supported by one of the beams 102 in a position (any one) chosen along the face directed toward the compartment 3 of (any) one of the beams 102.

[0042] The specific shape adopted for the slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d and in particular of the portion intended to engage the accessory A, B of course depends on the type and shape of the latter. In each instance, it is possible to choose and adopt the most suitable slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, as a function of the specific requirement, without thereby abandoning the protective scope claimed herein, provided of course that it can be supported by one of the beams 102, in any way.

[0043] In particular, the container 1 comprises a plurality of sliders 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d configured to support one or more accessories A, B of various kinds, even mutually different, and supported by one or more beams 102.

[0044] In practice, therefore, according to the invention the beams 102 are mounted on the first half shell 2a, coupling them to its side walls at the cavities 6 (and by virtue of the inserts 101).

[0045] One thus obtains a sort of (complete or partial) frame, which positively gives first of all greater rigidity to said first half shell 2a and to the container 1. Furthermore, in this manner one obtains a reference to which it is possible to couple at will one or more sliders 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, which in turn are designed to support or in any case offer a coupling for the accessories A, B that in each instance the user wishes to use, in cooperation with the container 1.

[0046] It should be noted that the various beams 102 offer infinite retention points and therefore infinite possibilities of coupling accessories A, B of various kinds to the container 1, giving great versatility to the invention and thus achieving right now the intended aim. By mounting dividing walls, partitions, crossmembers, bars, hooks, or others, it is in fact possible to divide the compartment 3 into two or more receptacles in ever different ways, and it is possible to convert the container 1 for other purposes in a practical and effective manner.

[0047] In particular, in order to allow to place (and relocate) the slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d in the position that is most appropriate in each instance, each beam 102 forms, with the respective face directed toward the compartment 3, a sliding guiding groove 104 for the slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d (for each of them).

[0048] In one possible way of using the invention, the slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d is kept free to slide in the respective groove 104, even after the accessory A, B has been installed and therefore during normal use of the latter and of the container 1 according to the invention. This can allow, for example, to move rapidly a dividing wall with respect to the walls 7 of the first half shell 2a and therefore to vary in each instant the dimensions of the receptacles obtained inside the compartment 3 simply by making the respective slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d slide in the corresponding groove 104.

[0049] In one embodiment of considerable practical interest, the assembly 100 comprises means 105 for the mutual fixing of a slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d and of a beam 102. The means 105 can be activated at any relative position of the slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d with respect to the corresponding beam 102 and are chosen preferably (but not exclusively) of the type of nails, screws, rivets, and/or similar rigid connecting units.

[0050] Thus, during assembly and/or when expecting a new use, first of all the slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d is moved along the groove 104, so as to vary at will the position that the accessory A, B will assume in the container 1.

[0051] Once the position deemed adequate has been reached, the means 105 allow to lock the slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d, so as to have a rigid coupling between the accessory A, B and the assembly 100 (and therefore the container 1).

[0052] It is stressed that even more preferably, the means 105 provide removable fixing (for example by using screws), so as to allow easy disengagement of the slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d when one wishes to move or replace the accessory A, B.

[0053] In one possible embodiment, the various beams 102 do not extend along the entire corresponding dimension of the respective wall 7 and therefore in practice form an incomplete frame, which is open at the corners. In another embodiment, which is still within the protective scope claimed herein, the assembly 100 comprises three or preferably four beams 102 which extend until they mutually touch, defining a perfectly rectangular frame.

[0054] Moreover, the assembly 100 is provided starting from separate beams 102, which are mounted separately on the respective walls 7, and the protective scope claimed herein likewise includes the possibility that all or some of the beams 102 are constituted by respective portions of a single profiled bar, which is bent beforehand into the desired shape and then mounted in a single step in the half shell 2a (indeed by virtue of the various inserts 101).

[0055] In the preferred embodiment, shown in the accompanying figures by way of non-limiting example of the application of the invention, the assembly 100 comprises a corner connecting element 106, which is interposed between each pair of adjacent beams 102. In this embodiment, therefore, the frame ideally composed by the beams 102 is "closed" at the corners by the elements 106.

[0056] In the cited preferred embodiment (and as can be seen clearly from the accompanying figures), each element 106 comprises a profiled element that is composed of three segments 107a, 107b arranged in series (for the sake of simplicity, the reference numerals of the segments 107a, 107b are shown only in Figures 4, 5, 8 and 12).

[0057] The two end segments 107a are aligned with the respective adjacent beams 102 and are configured to form an inlet toward the corresponding guiding grooves 104. The intermediate segment 107b is provided with a window 108 in which it is possible to insert the slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d. This solution turns out to be of extreme practical interest, since it allows to inserts the sliders 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d along the grooves 104 (and subsequently remove them) even while keeping the beams 102 and the elements 106 assembled on the container 1, ensuring maximum versatility.

[0058] In any case, other embodiments of the element 106 are not excluded; for example, it may assume a curvilinear or even rectilinear profile (with or without the window 108).

[0059] The connecting element 106 can be made of any material or combination of materials; in one possible practical solution, which is mentioned since it is of considerable interest but does not limit the application of the invention, the element 106 is, in at least one portion thereof, elastically deformable (for example because it is made of rubber or other elastic polymer) in order to discharge effectively any impacts or stresses received from the container 1 and transmitted to the beams 102.

[0060] Advantageously, in a solution of considerable practical interest which does not limit the application of the invention, each insert 101 comprises a main body 109 which is shaped like a parallelepiped and two ridges 110 which protrude laterally from respective sides of the body 109 (which can be hollow, as in the accompanying figures, or not). For the sake of simplicity, the reference numerals of the body 109 and of the ridges 110 are shown only in Figures 4-7 and 12. In this solution, each cavity 6, having a shape and width that substantially correspond to those of the body 109, has a pair of undercuts 8 (Figure 2) for the insertion (by interlocking) of the ridges 110.

[0061] In the cavity 6, which assumes the shape of a pocket that is open toward the compartment 3, each insert 101 is preferably inserted with (more or less great) interference, so as to contrast accidental extraction and ensure stable (but optionally detachable if needed) coupling between the assembly 100 and the walls 7 of the first half shell 2a. The stability of the coupling is also ensured in another manner (for example with adhesives or glues) but in any case, preferably, without resorting to holes which would compromise the integrity of the walls 7 and therefore the tightness and the sealing properties of the container 1 according to the invention.

[0062] With further reference to the solution provided in the accompanying figures by way of non-limiting example of the application of the invention, each insert 101 has a flattened tab 111 (Figures 6-7), which extends from the body 109 and is configured for sliding a coupling with a guiding channel 112 formed by each beam 102, on the opposite side with respect to the respective groove 104 (and chosen preferably with the same shape and dimensions as the latter). In practice, as can also be deduced from the accompanying figures, the tab 111 has a T-shaped transverse cross-section.

[0063] Furthermore, each insert 101 can be anchored rigidly to the respective beam 102 by virtue of corresponding coupling elements 113, which can be activated at any relative position of the tab 111 with respect to the channel 112 and are chosen preferably (but not exclusively) of the type of nails, screws, rivets, and/or similar rigid connection units (and optionally of the type of the means 105). One example of elements 113 is shown for the sake of simplicity in Figure 4, but the person skilled in the art may easily identify others which are in any case suitable for the purpose.

[0064] By virtue of this particular embodiment, during assembly the inserts 101 are made to slide along the channel 112 until they reach the appropriate position, which is chosen as a function of the placement that one wishes to give the beam 102 with respect to the reference wall 7 and to the arrangement along it of the cavities 6. Once this position has been identified, the coupling elements 113 allow to lock the inserts 101 to then proceed with their insertion in the cavities 6 and complete the assembly of each beam 102.

[0065] As already noted, the slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d may assume any shape, as a function of the specific requirements and of the accessory A, B that in each instance one wishes to mount on the container 1. Some practical examples are provided hereinafter and also shown in the accompanying figures without any limiting purpose but merely by way of example.

[0066] In greater detail, therefore, the slider (designated in Figures 1, 3 and 4 by the numeral 103a) can be constituted by a further insert 101, configured for the sliding coupling with the groove 104 (like the inserts 101 can slide in the channel 112) in an orientation that is perpendicular to the one assumed by the inserts 101 inserted in the respective cavities 6.

[0067] In this practical solution, which evidently allows to reduce the number of components in the bill of materials and therefore to optimize the logistical commitment associated with the container 1 and/or with the assembly 100, the slider 103a again comprises a body 109 and two ridges 110, as well as a flattened tab 111 (Figures 4, 6 and 7).

[0068] In another embodiment, the slider (103b in Figures 1, 3 and 4 and 103c in Figures 9, 10, 12-15, 22) comprises a small plate 114 that is configured for the sliding coupling with the groove 104 and can be optionally fixed to the beam 102 by virtue of the means 105. A protrusion 115 extends from the plate 114 toward the compartment 3 and is configured for the coupling and support of at least one accessory A, B of various kinds.

[0069] As can be deduced in particular from Figures 9 and 12, the slider 103c (which can be provided differently, although with the same purpose) might be used to support accessories (designated by B in Figure 9) constituted by additional beams 102 (for example arranged at right angles to the ones supported by the inserts 101), so as to provide inside the compartment 3 a set that is suitable to define multiple articulated partitions and/or offer additional coupling points, even on multiple levels (by arranging accessories B at right angles to the bottom 5).

[0070] In a further embodiment (Figures 9, 11, 12, 16-19), the slider (designated in this case by 103d) comprises a base plate 116, which also is configured for the sliding coupling with the groove 104 (for example by virtue of respective slotted edges, as can be deduced clearly from the figures) and can be optionally fixed to the beam 102 by virtue of the means 105 (for example by means of an orifice 117 provided in the center of the plate 116).

[0071] Therefore, one or more curved teeth 118 extend from the plate 116 of the slider 103d toward the compartment 2 (on the opposite side with respect to the bottom 5) and are configured for the coupling and support of at least one accessory A, B of various kinds. Obviously, the teeth 118 may be used to retain accessories A, B of various kinds, both with fixed coupling and with rotary coupling.

[0072] The accompanying figures show, merely by way of example, the possibility to use them as support for a pivot that protrudes from an accessory (designated by A) that is constituted by a dividing wall designed to be mounted at right angles to the bottom 5 (as in Figures 9 and 24).

[0073] Usefully, the assembly 100 comprises a unit 119 (Figures 20-21) for contrasting the sliding of the slider 103b, 103c, 103d in the groove 104 (in the various accompanying figures, the unit 119 is used for the sliders 103c, 103d, but it might be used in a similar manner for the slider 103b or others). In greater detail, the unit 119 comprises a lamina 120 which is elastically deformable (for example because it is made of harmonic steel), which can be applied to the small plate 114 or to the base plate 116 and is designed for contact with the groove 104 in order to contrast by friction the sliding of the slider 103b, 103c, 103d. In other words, the lamina 120 is interposed between the slider 103b, 103c, 103d and the groove 104, preferably providing an appropriate hollow along the small plate 114 or the base plate 116. In order to prevent the accidental sliding of the lamina 120, the latter is provided with a perimetric wing 121, which can be inserted temporarily in a slit 122 provided along the small plate 114 or the base plate 116 (Figures 15 and 19).

[0074] In practice, therefore, the unit 119 can be used instead of the means 105 to prevent the free sliding of the slider 103b, 103c, 103d but without providing a coupling that is as rigid as the one that can be obtained indeed with the means 105.

[0075] Furthermore, the unit 119 is provided with a lug 123 which protrudes from the lamina 120 (on the opposite side with respect to the wing 121) and which, like a sort of button, can be activated to cause the elastic deformation of said lamina 120. The elastic deformation causes the disengagement of the unit 119 (because it lifts it even minimally from the groove 104, or in any case it reduces the pressure applied to the latter, and facilitates the disengagement of the wing 121) and therefore ensures the consequent clearance to the sliding of the slider 103b, 103c, 103d.

[0076] It is stressed that the same assembly 100 can adopt only sliders 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d of the same type (in any number) or can be provided with two or more different types of slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d (each in any number). Moreover, in some cases all or some of them are kept free to slide in the grooves 104 and/or retained (all or some of them) rigidly to the beam 102. A slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d coupled rigidly to the beam 102 can also act simply as a stroke limiter (to contrast accidental extraction) for other sliders 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d left free to slide. The stroke limiter can also be constituted by a plug 124 (Figures 26-27), a clip, or another solution that can be coupled (for example by interlocking, by elastic forcing) to the connecting element 106, at the inlet of one of the guiding grooves 104, or directly to the free end of the beam 102 (especially if the assembly 100 does not have a complete frame), as in the solution shown in Figure 24.

[0077] In the preferred but not exclusive embodiment, each beam 102 has a double T-shaped transverse cross-section and is composed of a central plate 125, which in practice constitutes the floor of the groove 104 and of the channel 112, and by transverse side walls 126, which delimit laterally the groove 104 and the channel 112.

[0078] As usual, for the sake of simplicity the reference numeral of the plate 125 and of the side walls 126 has been indicated only in some figures.

[0079] As already anticipated, an assembly 100, which can be installed on a first half shell 2a of a portable container 1 according to what has been observed so far and intended for the coupling and/or support of accessories A, B of various kinds, constitutes subject matter of the present description (and of the protection claimed herein), like the container 1.

[0080] The assembly 100 according to the invention therefore comprises one or more of the specifications described in the preceding pages.

[0081] The protection claimed herein therefore relates to a container 1 provided with an assembly 100 as well as an assembly 100 sold separately and intended for installation on a container 1 obtained separately and/or already commercially available (so long as it is provided with a first boxlike half shell 2a, which is provided with cavities 6 along the side walls 7).

[0082] In this last case, it should be noted that sometimes cavities 6 are provided because they are intended to accommodate various components, and therefore with the assembly 100 it is possible to convert simply and effectively the container 1 to new uses, providing it with a frame to which any accessory A, B can be referred.

[0083] The use of the portable container and of the assembly according to the invention has already been described in practice.

[0084] It is stressed in any case that the beams 102 can be coupled to the walls 7 of a first half shell 2a of the container 1, taking care to insert the inserts 101 (the body 109 and the crests 110) in the cavities 6 and, on the opposite side, using indeed the inserts 101 (with the tab 111) as support for the beams 102. Once the fitting of the beams 102 has occurred, said beams form a (partial or complete) frame which defines a plurality of possible coupling points for the sliders 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d. Thus, the container 1 is absolutely versatile and can be configured or reconfigured at will, both as regards the internal spaces and as regards uses (as a function of the type of slider 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d and therefore of accessory A, B), keeping unchanged the general structure, defined by the half shells 2a, 2b.

[0085] This is of evident interest first of all for manufacturing companies, which can offer on the market containers 1 for infinite and different uses and types of customer, simply by changing sliders 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d (and related accessories A, B) but keeping unchanged the remainder (most) of the components.

[0086] At the same time, it is easy to modify and convert the containers 1 also for users and other third parties downstream of the manufacturing company, simply by assembling and disassembling different sliders 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d (or moving them along the beams 102).

[0087] Furthermore, the beams 102 increase the rigidity of the set, with a further benefit for the container 1 according to the invention.

[0088] Simply by moving the sliders 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d it is therefore possible to obtain infinite configurations for stable support and/or resting for various apparatuses and equipment or other accessories A, B.

[0089] In this context, the possibility to resort to connecting elements 106 provided with windows 108 which allow a practical insertion of the sliders 103a, 103b, 103c, 103d without having to disassemble temporarily the beams 102 is of unquestionable interest.

[0090] As already noted, by mounting the assembly 100 on a portable container 1 that is already commercially available it is possible to give the latter the versatility that initially it did not have, allowing also for the latter practical ways of reconfiguring the internal spaces and/or of converting to new and different uses.

[0091] Usefully, the ways of coupling the assembly 100 to the walls 7 of the container 1 do not provide any perforation of the latter, nor evidently other activities that might compromise the sealing and insulation capacity of the internal compartment 3 of the container 1.

[0092] Moreover, the described solution is simple to implement, requires components that are easily commercially available or can be manufactured in-house with a low expense, and does not entail particular problems during assembly and therefore ensures a low overall cost, great reliability in operation and safe application.

[0093] The invention thus conceived is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims; all the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0094] In the exemplary embodiments shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.

[0095] In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

[0096] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102019000001811 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0097] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. A portable container, such as a suitcase, trunk, crate, trolley, and the like, comprising a first half shell (2a) substantially shaped like a parallelepiped and a second half shell (2b), which are mutually movable between a configuration for closing an internal compartment (3) and at least one open configuration, for free access to said compartment (3), characterized in that it comprises an assembly (100) for the coupling and/or support of accessories (A, B) of various kinds, said assembly (100) comprising:

- a plurality of inserts (101) inserted in respective cavities (6) having a corresponding shape, provided along at least three side walls (7) of said first half shell (2a) and open toward said compartment (3),

- at least three beams (102) supported by said inserts (101) and arranged parallel to respective said side walls (7), so as to jointly form a sort of at least partial frame which protrudes toward said compartment (3),

- at least one slider (103a, 103b, 103c, 103d), configured for the coupling and/or support of at least one accessory (A, B) of various kinds and supported by one of said beams (102) in a chosen position along the face that is directed toward said compartment (3) of one of said beams (102).

2. The portable container according to claim 1, characterized in that said assembly (100) comprises four of said beams (102), supported by said inserts (101) inserted in respective said cavities (6) provided along each of said four side walls (7), said four beams (102) being arranged parallel to respective said side walls (7) so as to form jointly a sort of frame that protrudes toward said compartment (3).

3. The portable container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of said sliders (103a, 103b, 103c, 103d), configured for the support of one or more accessories (A, B) of various kinds, even mutually different, and supported by one or more of said beams (102).

4. The portable container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said beams (102) forms, with the respective said face directed toward said compartment (3), a sliding guiding groove (104) for said at least one slider (103a, 103b, 103c, 103d).

5. The portable container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said assembly (100) comprises means (105) for the mutual fixing of said at least one slider (103a, 103b, 103c, 103d) and of one of said beams (102), which can be activated at any relative position of said slider (103a, 103b, 103c, 103d) with respect to the corresponding said beam (102) and are chosen preferably of the type of nails, screws, rivets, and/or similar rigid connection units.

6. The portable container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said assembly (100) comprises a corner connecting element (106), which is interposed between each pair of said adjacent beams (102), said element (106) comprising a profiled member composed of three segments (107a, 107b) arranged in series, two of said end segments (107a) being aligned with the respective said adjacent beams (102) and being configured to define an inlet toward the corresponding said guiding grooves (104), said intermediate segment (107b) having a window (108) for the introduction of said slider (103a, 103b, 103c, 103d).

7. The portable container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said inserts (101) comprises a main body (109) which is shaped like a parallelepiped and two ridges (110) which protrude laterally from respective sides of said body (109), each one of said cavities (6), whose shape and width substantially correspond to those of said body (109), having a pair of undercuts (8) for the insertion of said ridges (110).

8. The portable container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said inserts (101) is provided with a flattened tab (111) which extends from said body (109) and is configured for sliding coupling with a guiding channel (112) formed by each one of said beams (102), on the opposite side with respect to the respective said groove (104), each one of said inserts (101) being rigidly anchorable to the respective said beam (102) by virtue of corresponding coupling elements (113), which can be activated at any relative position of said tab (111) with respect to said channel (112) and are chosen preferably of the type of nails, screws, rivets and/or similar rigid connection units.

9. The portable container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one slider (103a) is constituted by an additional said insert (101), configured for sliding coupling with said groove (104) in an orientation that is perpendicular to the orientation assumed by said inserts (101) inserted in the respective said cavities (6).

10. The portable container according to one or more of claims 1-8, characterized in that said at least one slider (103b, 103c) comprises a small plate (114) which is configured for sliding coupling to said groove (104) and optionally can be fixed to said beam (102) by virtue of said means (105), a protrusion (115) extending toward said compartment (3) from said small plate (114) and being configured for the coupling and support of at least one accessory (A, B) of various kinds.

11. The portable container according to one or more of claims 1-8, characterized in that said at least one slider (103d) comprises a base plate (116) which is configured for sliding coupling with said groove (104) and can be optionally fixed to said beam (102) by said means (105), at least one curved tooth (118) extending from said plate (114) toward said compartment (3) and being configured for the coupling and support of at least one accessory (A, B) of various kinds.

12. The container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said assembly (100) comprises a unit (119) for contrasting the sliding of said slider (103b, 103c, 103d) in said groove (104), said unit (119) comprising an elastically deformable lamina (120), which can be applied to said small plate (114) or to said plate (116) and is designed for contact with said groove (104), in order to contrast by friction the sliding of said slider (103b, 103c, 103d), said unit (119) having a lug (123) which protrudes from said lamina (120) and can be activated for the elastic deformation of said lamina, the disengagement of said unit (119) and the consequent clearance for the sliding of said slider (103b, 103c, 103d).

13. The container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said beams (102) has a double T-shaped transverse cross-section and is composed of a central plate (125), which constitutes the floor of said groove (104) and of said channel (112), and transverse side walls (126), which delimit laterally said groove (104) and said channel (112).

14. The assembly according to one or more of the preceding claims, for the coupling and/or support of accessories (A, B) of various kinds, which can be installed on a first half shell (2a) of a portable container (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims.

Drawing