Adjustable rotary expansion mechanism for frames of an article

Abstract

An expansion mechanism for separating first and second frames of an expandable article. The mechanism includes a rotary element that drives movement of an expansion element along a linear axis.

1 . An expansion mechanism for first and second frames of an article, comprising:
 a base attachable to the first frame;   an expansion element slidably received in the base along a linear axis, the expansion element attachable to the second frame, and   a positioning assembly comprising a rotary element movable relative to the base in a plurality of discrete positions, wherein an angular displacement of the rotary element in a first direction extends the expansion element from the base, and an angular displacement of the rotary element in a second direction adjustably moves the expansion element toward the base.   
   
   
       2 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary element comprises a wheel, the wheel defining a ratchet surface defining a plurality of stops. 
   
   
       3 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a pawl coupled to the base and selectively positionable relative to the rotary element to limit angular displacement of the rotary element in a first direction. 
   
   
       4 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 3 , wherein the pawl is configured to permit angular displacement of the rotary element in a second direction. 
   
   
       5 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 3 , further comprising a release button, and a pivoting rocker arm releasing the pawl from a locked position. 
   
   
       6 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the expansion element comprises a plate, the plate defining a slot that is engaged by a portion of the rotary element. 
   
   
       7 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary element comprises an outer periphery, the periphery comprising a plurality of stop surfaces to maintain the expansion element in one of a plurality of different positions relative to the base. 
   
   
       8 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one bias element, the bias element automatically extending the expansion element to a fully extended position. 
   
   
       9 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanism comprises a release button, the release button movable along the linear axis. 
   
   
       10 . An expansion mechanism for first and second frames of an article, comprising:
 a base attachable to the first frame;   an expansion plate slidably received in the base, the expansion plate attachable to the second frame, and   a positioning assembly comprising a rotating wheel configured to turn relative to the base; the wheel comprising a ratchet surface defining a plurality of stop positions;   wherein an angular position of the wheel determines an amount of extension of the expansion plate from the base.   
   
   
       11 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein the wheel is asymmetrical. 
   
   
       12 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 10 , further comprising a pawl coupled to the base and selectively engageable with the wheel to limit rotation of the wheel in a first direction. 
   
   
       13 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 12 , further comprising a release button, and a pivoting rocker arm releasing the pawl from a locked position. 
   
   
       14 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein the plate defining a slot, and a portion of the wheel is engaged to the slot. 
   
   
       15 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 10 , further comprising at least one bias element, the bias element automatically extending the wheel to a fully opened position. 
   
   
       16 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein the mechanism comprises a release button, the release button movable along the linear axis. 
   
   
       17 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 10 , wherein the wheel includes an outer periphery configured to restrain the wheel from turning in a first direction, but permitting turning of the wheel in a second direction. 
   
   
       18 . An expansion mechanism for an expandable piece of baggage, comprising:
 a base fixedly mounted to a first portion of the baggage;   an expansion plate fixed mounted to a second portion of the baggage, the expansion plate extendable from the base along a linear axis; and   a positioning assembly comprising:
 a rotary wheel selectively positionable relative to the base; the wheel comprising a ratchet surface defining a plurality of stop positions; 
 a pawl configured to selectively engage the ratchet surface; and 
 a rocker arm to selectively position the pawl. 
   
   
   
       19 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 18 , wherein the wheel is asymmetrical. 
   
   
       20 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 18 , wherein the plate defines an actuation slot, and a portion of the wheel received in the slot to position the plate relative to the base. 
   
   
       21 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 18 , further comprising at least one bias element, the bias element automatically rotating the wheel when the wheel is released. 
   
   
       22 . The expansion mechanism of  claim 18 , wherein the mechanism comprises a release button, the release button movable along the linear axis. 
   
   
       23 . An expandable baggage item comprising:
 a body defining a storage compartment, the body including a first frame defining a first portion of the storage compartment, a second frame defining a second portion of the storage compartment, and an expansion gusset coupled to the first and second frames, the expansion gusset defining a third portion of the storage compartment when the body is expanded; and   an expansion mechanism comprising
 a base attachable mounted to the first frame; 
 a slidable expansion element received in the base, the expansion element mounted to the second frame, the expansion element linearly movable relative to the base; and 
 a positioning assembly coupled to the base and to the expansion element, wherein the positioning assembly is configured to automatically position the expansion element from a fully closed position to a fully opened position; 
 wherein the positioning assembly is configured to be manually adjustable to at least one fixed position intermediate the fully closed position and the fully opened position; and 
 wherein the positioning assembly comprises a rotary element selectively positionable relative to the base in a plurality of discrete positions, wherein an angular displacement of the rotary element in a first direction moves the expansion element from the closed position to the fully opened position, and an angular displacement of the rotary element in a second direction moves the expansion mechanism to the at least one fixed position intermediate the fully closed position and the fully opened position. 
   
   
   
       24 . The expandable baggage item of  claim 23 , wherein the rotary element comprises a wheel, the wheel defining a ratchet surface defining a plurality of stops. 
   
   
       25 . The expandable baggage item of  claim 23 , further comprising a pawl coupled to the base and selectively positionable relative to the rotary element to limit angular displacement of the rotary element in a first direction. 
   
   
       26 . The expandable baggage item of  claim 23 , further comprising a release button, and a pivoting rocker arm releasing the rotary element from a locked position. 
   
   
       27 . The expandable baggage item of  claim 23 , wherein the expansion element comprises a plate, the plate defining a slot that is engaged by a portion of the rotary element. 
   
   
       28 . The expandable baggage item of  claim 23 , wherein the rotary element comprises an outer periphery, the outer periphery comprising a plurality of stop surfaces to maintain the expansion element in a plurality of different positions relative to the base. 
   
   
       29 . The expandable baggage item of  claim 23 , further comprising at least one bias element, the bias element automatically extending the expansion element to a fully opened position. 
   
   
       30 . The expandable baggage item of  claim 23 , wherein the mechanism comprises a release button, the release button movable along the linear axis. 
   
   
       31 . An expandable baggage item comprising:
 a body defining a storage compartment, the body including a first frame defining a first portion of the storage compartment, a second frame defining a second portion of the storage compartment, and an expansion gusset coupled to the first and second frames, the expansion gusset defining a third portion of the storage compartment when the first and second frame are separated; and   an expansion mechanism comprising
 a base attachable mounted to the first frame; 
 a slidable expansion element received in the base, the expansion element mounted to the second frame, the expansion element linearly movable relative to the base; and 
 a positioning assembly coupled to the base and to the expansion element, wherein the positioning assembly is configured to automatically position the expansion element from a fully closed position to a fully opened position and separate the first and second frames by a maximum amount; 
 wherein the positioning assembly is configured to be manually adjustable to at least one fixed position intermediate the fully closed position and the fully opened position; and 
 wherein the positioning assembly comprises:
 a rotary element configured to turn relative to the base in a first direction and a second direction opposing the first direction, wherein the rotary element is positionable in a plurality of discrete positions; and 
 a pawl configured to retain the rotary element in one of the plurality of discrete positions; 
 
 wherein an angular displacement of the rotary element turning in the first direction moves the expansion element from the closed position toward the fully opened position, and wherein an angular displacement of the rotary element turning in the second direction moves the expansion mechanism to at least one fixed position intermediate the fully closed position and the fully opened position; and 
 wherein the pawl prevents turning of the rotary element in the first position, and permits turning of the rotary element in the second direction.