US20080308369A1

US20080308369A1 - Luggage transport system

Info

Publication number: US20080308369A1
Application number: US11/818,870
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert D. Louis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-06-15
Filing date: 2007-06-15
Publication date: 2008-12-18

Abstract

A luggage transport system consists of a plurality of luggage or suitcase components, each with wheels and retractable handles, connected in a train or series. The connection between each luggage component is accomplished by unique luggage face to luggage face attachment. A support element is secured to and extends from the front faces of all but the last luggage component in the luggage train. The support element has insertion holes at its lower region and an interior groove at its upper region. The rear faces of all but the first luggage component in the luggage train have outwardly extended portions with downwardly extending peg members at their lower regions and transversely extended pocket sections at their upper regions. Connection is first made by inserting the peg members of the second luggage component in the train into the holes of the support element of the first luggage component in the train. The pocket section of the second luggage component is then inserted into the groove of the support element of the first luggage component to lock the two components together in face to face relationship. A third luggage component is secured to the second one in an identical manner. Additional luggage components can be similarly connected. A brace is positioned within each of the support elements to maintain the shape of the luggage component.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Transporting more than one suitcase or piece of luggage through airports, train and bus terminals, hotels and the like is often difficult for the traveler. This is especially true when the pieces of luggage are large, heavy, and bulky and a single individual is struggling to carry all the pieces at the same time.
Many configurations of carts and carriers are available for transporting several pieces of luggage at one time. For example, applicant's co-pending application, Ser. No. 11/715545, discloses a self-contained luggage carrier system which is readily adaptable to successfully and efficiently transport multiple luggage pieces. However, when larger and heavier suitcases are involved and there is a need to ensure that multiple pieces of luggage do not tip over or fall from side to side, and in the case of stacked luggage, to keep pieces from falling off each other, some organized manner of attachment is required.
Straps, belts, bungee cords or similar attachment devices are commonly wrapped around and through pieces of luggage to keep them together. However, these attachment devices must be carried separately when they are not being used, and they must be readily available when they are needed. Also, they are not reliable in maintaining luggage in place during transport. They most often result in make-shift arrangements which tend to come loose, causing the various aligned or stacked pieces of luggage to come apart from each other. Other luggage attachment means are cumbersome to operate and add significant extra weight to individual luggage pieces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus an object of the present invention to address and overcome the problems and difficulties associated with transporting multiple, unsecured pieces of luggage.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a luggage transport system which results in an effective and simple way of securing a plurality of pieces of luggage for transport.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a luggage transport system which employs a unique luggage connection designed to secure a plurality of pieces of luggage with minimal effort.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a luggage transport system which easily and safely secures a plurality of pieces of luggage for transport.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a luggage transport system which has the versatility to add one or more than one pieces of luggage to a primary luggage component, depending on need.
These and other objects result from the present invention, a luggage transport system which comprises a plurality of luggage or suitcase components, each with wheels and retractable handles, connected in a train or series. The connection between each luggage component is accomplished by unique luggage face to luggage face attachment. A support element is secured to and extends from the front faces of all but the last luggage component in the luggage train. The support element has insertion holes at its lower region and an interior groove at its upper region. The rear faces of all but the first luggage component in the luggage train have outwardly extended portions with downwardly extending peg member at their lower regions and transversely extending pocket sections at their upper regions. Connection is first made by inserting the peg members of the second luggage component in the train into the holes of the support element of the first luggage component in the train. The pocket section of the second luggage component is then inserted into the groove of the support element of the first luggage component to lock the two components together in face to face relationship. A third luggage component is secured to the second one in an identical manner. Additional luggage components can be similarly connected. A brace is positioned within each of the support elements to maintain the shape of the luggage component. Another brace is provided within the pockets for added strength.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevation view of three luggage components connected in series, in accordance with the luggage transport system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front isometric view of the first or primary piece of luggage of the luggage transport system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front isometric view of the second piece of luggage of the luggage transport system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear isometric view of the second piece of luggage of the luggage transport system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear isometric view of the third piece of luggage of the luggage transport system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The luggage transport system of the present invention comprises multiple pieces of luggage secured in a series or train 1 by unique connection means. The first or primary and usually largest luggage component 2, forwardmost in luggage train 1, comprises wheels 4, stationary handle 5, and pull-up/retractable handle 6. Handle 6 is not only retractable, but is forwardly rotatable, as seen in FIG. 1. Wheels 4 and the other luggage component wheels described herein all swivel 360° to allow free and easy turning around corners. It is further contemplated that luggage component 2 and all the pieces of luggage described herein will be constructed of rigid cloth or similar durable material, commonly used today in the luggage industry.
Extending from and secured to front face 8 of luggage component 2 is support element 10 with central body section 11. Upper region 12 of support element 10 has a pressure locking system comprising groove 13 and biased upstanding section 9. Lower region 14 of support element 10 comprises sideward extensions 15 and 17, comprising peg insertion holes 16 and 18, configured to accept connecting peg members. Brace member 20 is provided within support member 10 to inhibit bulging, due to over-packing luggage component 2, so as to ensure that the support element remains substantially perpendicular to the ground surface.
Second luggage component 22, smaller than luggage component 2, comprises wheels 24, stationary handle 25, and pull-up/retractable handle 26. Extending from and secured to front face 28 of luggage component 22 is support element 30, identical in configuration to, but proportionately smaller than support element 10. Support element 30 also has central body section 31, and upper region 32 having upstanding section 39, groove 33, and lower region 34 with sideward extensions 35 and 37 and peg insertion holes 36 and 38, configured to accept connection peg members. Brace member 40 is provided within support member 30, again to restrict bulging of an overpacked luggage component 22.
Extending outward from rear face 42 of luggage component 22 are elongated projection sections 44 and 46. Peg members 48 and 50 are provided at the bottoms of and extend down from projection sections 44 and 46. Pocket sections 45 and 47 are located at the upper region of luggage compartment 22. Brace 49 adds strength at this location. When luggage component 22 is in face to face alignment with luggage component 2, as seen in FIG. 1, pocket sections 45 and 47 are configured to be inserted behind upstanding section 9 and into groove 13 and peg members 48 and 50 are inserted into holes 16 and 18 of luggage component 2. Slot 51 is provided to accommodate brace 49.
Third luggage component 52, smaller than luggage component 22, comprises wheels 54, stationary handle 55, and pull-up retractable handle 56. Extending outward from and secured to rear face 58 of luggage component 52 are projection sections 64 and 66, identical in configuration to, but proportionately smaller than projection sections 44 and 46. Peg members 68 and 70 are provided at the bottom of and extend down from projection sections 64 and 66. Peg members 68 and 70, as well as peg members 48 and 50, are shown rectangular in configuration. However, these peg members and their corresponding peg insertion holes 36 and 38 and 16 and 18, can be circular, oval, or any convenient configuration.
Pocket sections 65 and 67 are located at the upper region of luggage component 52. Brace 69 adds strength at this location. When luggage component 52 is in face to face alignment with luggage component 22, as seen in FIG. 1, pocket sections 65 and 67 are configured to be inserted behind upstanding section 39 and into groove 33 and peg members 68 and 70 are inserted into holes 36 and 38 of luggage component 22. Slot 71 is provided to accommodate brace 69.
To form luggage train 1, luggage components 2 and 22 are first aligned front face 8 to rear face 42. Using handle 25, luggage component 22 is lifted and placed over support element 10, such that projection sections 44 and 46 are positioned adjacent to the sides of central body section 11. Luggage component 22 is then slid downward along central body section 11 until peg members 48 and 50 are fully inserted into peg holes 16 and 18 and pocket sections 45 and 47 are inserted past upstanding section 9 into groove 13. Luggage components 2 and 22 are, effectively, locked together.
Luggage components 22 and 52 are then aligned, in like manner, front face 28 to rear face 58. Using handle 55, luggage component 52 is lifted and placed over support element 30, such that projection sections 64 and 66 are positioned adjacent to the sides of central body section 31. Luggage component 52 is then slid downward along central body section 31 until peg members 68 and 70 are fully inserted into peg holes 36 and 38 and pocket sections 65 and 67 are inserted past upstanding section 39 into groove 33. Luggage components 22 and 52 are, effectively, locked together. Luggage train 1 is formed.
FIG. 1 shows luggage train 1, with luggage components 2 and 22 secured and locked together, and luggage component 52 about to be secured for transport. By this unique system, three heavy pieces of luggage can easily be pushed or even pulled and transported, without fear that luggage components will come loose from each other or tip or fall over during movement.
Luggage components 2, 22, and 52 are also easily and quickly disconnected from luggage train 1. Using handles 25 and 55, luggage components 22 and 52 are simply lifted out of holes 16 and 18 and 36 pocket sections 45 and 47 and holes 36 and 38 and pocket sections 65 and 67.
While luggage train 1 has been described comprising three luggage components, the scope of this invention should not be considered restricted to the number of pieces of luggage which may be secured together for transport. More than three luggage components can be connected, in accordance with the present invention. However, it has been found that, given the weight of multiple, fully loaded luggage components, connection of three pieces of luggage, large, medium, and small, represents the optimum, practical configuration.
Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. A luggage transport system for contemporaneously conveying multiple luggage components, said system comprising:

a first luggage component with wheels and a handle, said luggage component comprising first luggage attachment means extending outwardly from the luggage component for receiving and connecting a second luggage component; and

a second luggage component with wheels and a handle, said second luggage component comprising first luggage connection means extending from the second luggage component for insertion into the first luggage attachment means to join the second luggage component to the first luggage component and second luggage connection means located on the second luggage component for insertion into the first luggage attachment means to join the second luggage component to the first luggage component, whereby when the first luggage connection means and the second luggage connection means are inserted into the luggage attachment means, the first and second luggage components are secured together.

2. The luggage transport system as in claim 1 further comprising brace means located within the first luggage attachment means to maintain the shape of the first luggage component.

3. The luggage transport system as in claim 1 wherein the first luggage connection means comprises peg members and the first luggage attachment means comprises a support element with opening means for the removeable insertion of the peg members.

4. The luggage transport system as in claim 1 wherein the second luggage connection means comprises at least one pocket section and the first luggage attachment means comprises a support element with a groove for the removable insertion of the pocket section.

5. The luggage transport system as in claim 3 wherein the second luggage connection means comprises at least one pocket section and the support element comprises a groove for the removable insertion of the pocket section.

6. The luggage transport system as in claim 1 wherein the second luggage component further comprises second luggage attachment means extending outwardly from the second luggage component for receiving and connecting a third luggage component; and

a third luggage component with wheels and a handle, said third luggage component comprising second luggage connection means extending from the third luggage component for insertion into the second luggage attachment means to join the third luggage component to the second luggage component and third luggage connection means located on the third luggage component for insertion into the second luggage attachment means to join the third luggage component to the first luggage component, whereby when the second luggage connection means and the third luggage connection means are inserted in the second means, the second and third luggage components are secured together.

7. The luggage transport system as in claim 6 further comprising brace means located within the second luggage attachment means to maintain the shape of the second luggage component.

8. The luggage transport system as in claim 6 wherein the second luggage connection means comprises peg members and the second luggage attachment means comprises a support element with opening means for the removeable insertion of said peg members.

9. The luggage transport system as in claim 6 wherein the third luggage connection means comprises at least one pocket section and the second luggage attachment means comprises a support element with a groove for the removable insertion of the pocket section.

10. The luggage transport system as in claim 8 wherein the third luggage connection means comprises at least one pocket section and the support element comprises a groove for the removable insertion of the pocket section.

11. A luggage transport system for contemporaneously conveying multiple luggage components, said system comprising:

a primary luggage component with wheels, a handle, and a support element extending outwardly from the luggage component, said support element comprising insertion holes and a pressure locking system; and

a second luggage component with wheels, a handle, and luggage connection means extending from the second luggage component for removeable insertion into the holes and into the pressure locking system, whereby when the luggage connection means is inserted into the holes and pressure locking system, the first and second luggage components are secured together.

12. The luggage transport system as in claim 11 further comprising brace means located within the support element to maintain the shape of the primary luggage component.

13. The transport system as in claim 11 wherein the luggage connection means comprises peg members.

14. The luggage transport system as in claim 11 wherein the pressure locking system comprises a groove.

15. The luggage transport system as in claim 14 wherein the luggage connection means comprises at least one pocket section to be inserted into the groove.

16. The luggage transport system as in claim 11 wherein the luggage connection means comprises at least one pocket section.

17. The luggage transport system as in claim 11 wherein the second luggage component further comprises a second support element extending outwardly from the second luggage component, said second support element comprising insertion holes and a second pressure locking system; and

a third luggage component with wheels, a handle, and second luggage connection means extending from the third luggage component for removeable insertion into the holes of the second support element and into the second pressure locking system, whereby when the second luggage connection means is inserted into the holes of the second support element and the second pressure locking system, the first and second luggage components are secured together.

18. The luggage transport system as in claim 17 further comprising brace means located within the second support element to maintain the shape of the second luggage component.

19. The luggage transport system as in claim 17 wherein the second luggage connection means of the third luggage component comprises peg members.

20. The luggage transport system as in claim 17 wherein the second pressure locking system comprises a groove.

21. The luggage transport system as in claim 20 wherein the second luggage connection means comprises at least one pocket section to be inserted into the groove.

22. The luggage transport system as in claim 17 wherein the second luggage connection means comprises at least one pocket section.

23. A luggage transport system for contemporaneously conveying multiple luggage components, said system comprising:

a plurality of separate luggage components, each with front and rear faces, wheels, and handles moveable from an extended position to a retracted position; and

means for securing each of the luggage components together in face to face relation, said securing means comprising support elements extending outwardly from selected luggage components, said support elements comprising insertion holes and pressure locking systems, the securing means further comprising connection means extending from certain of the luggage components for removeable insertion into the holes and the pressure locking systems, whereby when the connection means is inserted into the support elements, the luggage components are secured together.

24. The luggage transport system as in claim 23 wherein the connection means comprise peg members insertable into the holes of the support elements.

25. The luggage transport system as in claim 23 wherein the connection means comprises pocket sections insertable into the grooves in the support elements.

26. The luggage transport system as in claim 24 wherein the connection means further comprises pocket sections insertable into grooves in the support elements.

27. The luggage transport system as in claim 23 wherein the means to secure the plurality of luggage components in face to face relation creates a train of said plurality of luggage components comprising a front luggage component, a rear luggage component, and one or more intermediate luggage components.