US3314494A

US3314494A - Collapsible luggage scooter

Info

Publication number: US3314494A
Application number: US471355A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dorothea M Weitzner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-07-12
Filing date: 1965-07-12
Publication date: 1967-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 1984-04-18

Description

April 18, 1967 D. M. WEITZNER 3,314,494

COLLAPSIBLE LUGGAGE SCOOTER Filed July 12, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 22 INVENTOR 7 BY W4 A77Z7RNEX5'.

April 18, 1967 D. M. WEITZNER COLLAPSIBLE LUGGAGE SCOOTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 12, 1965 INVENTOR Darof/zea /7. Weilzner Ap 18, 1967 D. M. WEITZNER 3,314,494

COLLAPSIBLE LUGGAGE SCOOTER Filed July 12, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 BY gab? ZU'URN: :5.

United States Patent O 3,314,494 COLLAPSIBLE LUGGAGE SCOOTER Dorothea M. Weitzner, 8 E. 62nd St., New York, N.Y. 10021 Filed July 12, 1965, Ser. No. 471,355 9 Claims. (Cl. 180-27) This invention relates to collapsible motor scooters. Specifically, it relates to a collapsible luggage scooter that can be converted into a suitcase.

It is well known that luggage, such as suitcases and sea trunks can become burdensome when it is necessary to carry them over relatively long distances.

This is especially burdensome to the salesmen who have to make numerous sales calls and therefore have to carry the samples over relatively long distances in congested streets, or between the railroad trains and the like.

Therefore, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a case which selectively can be carried by hand, mounted on wheels and towed alongside, provided with a platform which in a perpendicular relationship extends from the suitcase, or converted into a motorized luggage scooter having an attached platform for a person to stand on.

Another object of the invention is to provide a case of conventional appearance which contains space for carrying articles and which further contains all the mechanical apparatus for quickly converting the case into a motorized luggage scooter.

Another object is to provide a case which is unfoldable to form a motorized scooter and which is instantly collapsible to form a conventional appearing suitcase.

Still another object is to provide a case, wherein the compartments are easily accessible without interference of any scooter component and wherein scooter mechanism is readily accessible for servicing without interfering with the article receiving compartments of the case.

Other objects are to provide a traveling scooter that is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the present invention set up as a motorized scooter.

FIG. 2 is a partially fragmentary side view of the present invention shown partly in cross section, assembled for a scooter operation.

FIGv 3 is a partially fragmentary side view of the present invention as the motor scooter is being collapsed into a suitcase.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the present invention set up as a motor scooter.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the present invention appearing as a suitcase.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the handle bar means and the associated components, connected thereto.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a modified form of invention set up in its expanded form.

FIG. 8 is a modified form of invention shown in its collapsed form.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified form of invention in its expanded form.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention as in FIG. 9, wherein the platform means is retracted.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the modified view of the invention as shown in FIG. 9, wherein a platform means is turned away from the base of the suitcase.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a modified form of invention wherein the suitcase is provided with receptacles for the platform means.

FIG. 13 is a side view of a modified form of invention showing a recess on the side of the suitcase.

FIG. 14 is a side view of a modified form of the invention showing a recess on the bottom of the suitcase.

Referring now to the drawings 1 to 6 in detail, the numeral 10 represents a traveling luggage scooter wherein there is a case or suitcase 11. The case is generally of rectangular configuration and is bonded by a top wall 12, a front wall 13, rear wall 14, side walls 15 and a bottom end 19.

The case 11 has a front opening 16 (see FIG. 2) which is used for storing articles to be transported by the luggage scooter. Cover 18 is used to enclose the front opening 16. Cover 18 consists of front panel 26, side panels 27 and top panel 28. Front panel 26 of the cover 18 is connected to the front wall 13 of the case 11 by means of hinges 29. The top panel 28 and top wall 12 can be secured together by means of any suitable locking device 30. On the top wall 12 there is handle bar means 25 including a horizontally disposed handle bar 38, two L- shaped arms 39 spaced from each other and being positioned in parallel. The top portions of arms 39 are connected to bar 38 near the end portions of bar 38. Two clamp units 40 spaced from each other and fixedly mounted on the top wall 12 of the case 11 are provided. Each of the arms 39 is pivotally connected and secured to each of the clamps 40 in the usual manner. Each one of the end portions of the bars 38 is surrounded by a turnable sleeve 42 which sleeve is capable to control the traveling of this scooter. This will be explained later in the following paragraphs.

The rear Wall 14 of case 11 shows a rear opening 17, and on the top of rear opening there is a vertically disposed panel 48 which features clutch and choke buttons, a turnable knob depicting variations of speed and stop means, and a gas inlet to the gas tank 34 one side of which is located behind the control panel 48 and suitably mounted thereto. The bottom of gas tank 34 is placed on a vertically disposed frame 33 which is integrally connected with the previous mentioned control panel 48. On the other side of the frame 33 there is front wall 13 of case 11 with which frame 33 is integrally connected. The other side 35 of gas tank 34 is shielded from the opening 16 by a metallic shield 35, one end of which is connected with the top portion of the control panel 48, the bottom portion of shield 35 being connected with the upper surface of frame 33. This frame has a hole (not shown) I adapted to accommodate a pipe 37 which connects gas tank 34 with carburetor 44 which, in turn, is connected to engine 43 by means of another pipe 36. A gasoline driven engine 43 provides the power means for driving the scooter and is connected through its power shaft 45 to a pulley 46 of the wheels 21 by means of a pulley belt 47. Engine 43 is mounted on the inside of the front Wall 13 by any suitable means (not shown) and carburetor 44 is mounted to the bottom part of the frame 33 by any acceptable means.

A lamp 49 is mounted centrally on the outer portion of the front wall 13 of the case and is powered by a battery (not shown). One of the sides 15 features a handle 31 which is pivotably mounted thereto. The bottom end 19 of case 11 accommodates two wheels 21 which are positioned in parallel to each other and connected to each other in any suitable manner. These wheels are capable of delivering various speeds for the luggage scooter in accordance with turning of a control sleeve 42 havingmarkings FAST-SLOW inscribed therein. Sleeve 42 is directly connected to the throttle of the engine 43 by means of supply line 52 thus causing wheels 21 to rotate in accordance with turning of FAST-SLOW sleeve 42.

At one side 24 of the bottom end 19 of the case 11 there is a hinge 29 which connects the bottom end 19 with a platform which is adapted to be positioned with the bottom end 19, i.e., closing the bottom end and thus forming a new bottom or when positioned in a perpendicular relationship with the rear wall 14 causing formation of a motorized luggage scooter. Platform 20 includes a top side 20a, front flange 20]), side flanges 20c, rear flanges 20d and bottom side 20c. A caster Wheel 22 having a clamp 56 suitably connected thereto is suitably positioned and connected to the bottom side 20e of the platform 20 by means of stub 56a. One side of clamp 56 features a gear rack 55 which is adapted to meshingly engage a pinion 54 mounted on a flexible shaft 53. Thus when it is desired to turn the luggage scooter to right or left a control sleeve 42 of the handle bar marked LEFT- RIGHT is turned. This causes turning of the flexible shaft 53 which in turn rotates pinion 54 causing turning of the pinion rack 56 and simultaneously caster wheel 22. Two parallel spaced rear or parking lights are mounted in the rear flange 20d of the platform.

In a modified form of this invention as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a case 57 includes upper portion 58 and lower portion 59 connected together by means of hinges 66. Like in the previous arrangement, platform 61 can be positioned perpendicular by means of the hinge 65 to upper portion 53. Two linkages 62 are slidingly connected to each side of platform 61 by means of pins 63. Wheels 64 are connected to the bottom portions of linkages 62. The upper portions of the linkages are suitably positioned within the upper portion 58 of the case. The upper portion 58 features a handle 60. The lower portion has a suitably mounted caster wheel 67, which, in conjunction with the wheels 62, provides riding means for the case and the platform.

When the case 57 is folded up, all wheels, the linkage and the platform are located within the case. Holding clip 63a is provided to hold the platform 61 and linkage 62 in a vertical position and means 68a, 68b provide a locking device.

Another modification of this invention shows a case 70 bounded by a top wall 71, a front wall 72, side walls 73 and bottom panel 74. A cover 75 including top 76, front 78 and side 77 panels is shown. The cover 75 is connected to the case 70 by hinges 76 and adapted to secure the cover 75 and case 70 by means of suitable lock 7111. A flanged holding clip 80 is pivotably positioned on the bottom panel 74. A platform arrangement 81, which includes the wheels is adapted to slidingly move within the clip 81.

A further modification shows a case 83 having a top wall 84, a front wall 85, a rear wall 85a, side walls 86 and a bottom wall 86a. There is also a cover 87 hingedly connected with the top wall 84. It should be noted that this arrangement provides for recess 91 located either in the side wall 86 or in the bottom wall 86a. Recess 91 can be adapted to accommodate platform arrangement 88, which includes wheels, as shown in FIG. 12. There are also openings 89 to accommodate the wheels of platform arrangement 88 and secure the platform arrangement to the wall 86 by means of screws 90.

While various changes may be made in detail construction, it is understood that such changes will be in the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A luggage scooter comprising a case bounded by a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, side walls and a bottom end having an opening therein, a handle bar means pivotally secured to the top wall of said case, said case having a front opening and a rear opening, wheel means secured to said bottom end, a platform means connected to one side of said bottom end, steerable caster wheel means secured to said platform means, a cover hingedly mounted on an edge of said front wall and adapted to enclose said front opening, a panel tiltably secured at lower portion of said rear wall, said platform means adapted to be positioned in a perpendicular relationship with said case, said panel capable of being horizontally disposed upon said platform means when said platform means is in perpendicular relationship with said case and both said wheel means of said case and said platform means are providing riding means.

2. A luggage scooter comprising a case bounded by a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, side walls and a bottom end having an opening therein, a handle bar means pivotally secured to said top wall of said case, said case having a front opening and a rear opening, wheel means secured to said bottom end, a platform means connected to one side of said bottom end, steerable caster wheel means secured to said platform means, a cover including front, side and top panels, hinge means connecting said cover with said front wall and enclosing said front opening, thus providing storage means for various articles, lock means capable of securing said cover and said case together, carrying handle attached to one of said side walls of said case, a power means, a gas tank, a frame means, one side of which shields said power means from said storage means and the other side of said frame means being perpendicular to said one side and provides mounting means for said gas tank, shield means adapted to cover said gas tank and space said tank from said storage means, a panel tiltably secured at lower portion of said rear wall, said platform means adapted to be positioned in a perpendicular relationship with said case, said panel capable of being horizontally disposed upon said platform means when said platform means is in a perpendicular relationship with said case and said both wheel means of said case and of said platform means are adapted to provide riding means.

3. A luggage scooter comprising a case bounded by a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, side walls and a bottom end having an opening therein, a handle bar means pivotally secured to said top wall, said case having a front opening and a rear opening, wheel means secured to said bottom end, a platform means connected to one side of said bottom end, steerable caster wheel means secured to said platform means, a cover including front, side and top panels, hinge means connecting said cover with said front wall and enclosing said front opening thus providing storage means for various articles, lock means mounted on said top panel of said cover and said top wall of said cover, said lock means capable of securing said cover and said case together, carrying handle attached to one of said walls of said case, a power means, including a battery, secured within said opening of said bottom end, a gas tank disposed at lower end of said rear wall of said case, a frame means, central portion of which is horizontally disposed, for shielding said storage means from said power means, the other portion of said frame means being perpendicularly disposed from said central portion of said frame means and providing mounting means for said gas tank, shield means for said gas tank and spacing it from said storage means, a panel tiltably secured to the lower portion of said rear wall, said platform means adapted to be positioned in a perpendicular relationship with said case, said panel capable of being horizontally dispose-d upon said platform means when said platform means is in a perpendicular relationship with said case, and said both wheel means of said case and of said platform means adapted to provide riding means.

4. A luggage scooter comprising a case bounded by a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, side walls and a bottom end having an opening therein, a pivotable handle bar means including a horizontally disposed handle bar, two L-shaped arms spaced from each other in parallel and having their top portions fixedly connected with said bar near the end portions of said bar, two clamp units spaced from each other in parallel and fixedly mounted on said top Wall of said case, each of said arms pivotally connected with each of said clamps, two turntable control sleeves rotatably mounted on each of said end portions of said bar for controlling the traveling capabilities of said container with a platform, said case having a front opening and a rear opening, wheel means secured to said bottom end, a platform means connected to one side of said bottom end, steerable caster wheel means secured to said platform means, a cover including front, side and top panels, hinge means connecting said cover with said front wall and enclosing said front opening thus providing storage means for various articles, lock means mounted on said top panel of said cover and said top wall of said case, said lock means capable of securing said cover and said case together, carrying handle attached to one of said walls of said case, a power means, including a battery, secured within said opening of said bottom end, a gas tank disposed at lower end of said rear wall of said case, a frame means, central portion of which is horizontally disposed, for shielding said storage means from said power means, the other portion of said frame means being perpendicularly disposed from said central portion of said frame means and providing mounting means for said gas tank, shield means for said gas tank and spacing it from said storage means, a panel tiltably secured to the lower portion of said rear 'wall, said platform means adapted to be positioned in a perpendicular relationship with said case, said panel capable of being horizontally disposed upon said platform means when said platform means is in a perpendicular relationship with said case, and said both wheel means of said case and of said platform means adapted to provide riding means.

5. A scooter as set forth in claim 4, wherein said power means includes an engine, a carburetor operatively connected with said engine, a motor .power shaft of said engine, a pulley belt, a pulley connected with said shaft by means of pulley belt for turning said caster wheel of said case.

6. A scooter as set forth in claim '4, wherein the side opposite from the gas tank means of the perpendicular portion of said frame means includes control panel means having provisions for clutch and choke buttons, a turntable control knob designating various speeds and a gas inlet pipe for said gas tank.

7. A scooter as set forth in claim 4, wherein said front wall of said case includes a head lamp powered by said battery and said platform means includes two parking lights powered by said battery.

8. A scooter as set forth in claim 4, wherein said handle bar includes two turntable control sleeves rotatably mounted on said end portions of said bar, one of said turnable sleeves adapted to transmit the directional turns to caster wheel means of said platform means, whereas the other of said turnable sleeves is adapted to increase or decrease power within said power means thus increasing or decreasing acceleration of said caster wheel means of said platform means.

9. A luggage scooter comprising a case bounded by a top wall, a front wall, a rear wall, side walls and a bottom end having an opening therein, a handle bar means pivotally secured to said top wall, said case having a front opening and a rear opening, wheel means secured to said bottom end, a platform means connected to one side of said bottom end, steerable caster wheel means secured to said platform means, a cover including front, side and top panels, hinge means connecting said cover with said front wall and enclosing said front opening thus providing storage means for various articles, lock means mounted on said top panel of said cover and said top wall of said case, said lock means capable of securing said cover and said case matingly together, carrying handle attached to one of said walls of said case, a power means including a battery secured within said opening of said bottom end, a gas tank means disposed at lower end of said rear wall of said case, a frame means, central portion of which is horizontally disposed for shielding said storage means from said power means, the other portion of said frame means being perpendicularly disposed from said central portion of said frame means and providing mounting means for said gas tank, shield means for said gas tank and spacing it from said storage means, a panel tiltably secured to the lower portion of said rear wall, said platform means adapted to be positioned in a parallel relationship with said top wall of said case thus closing said bottom end of said casing, and said panel capable of being pivoted to a parallel position with said front wall of said case and said front panel of said cover, when said cover is in a closed position, thus closing said rear end opening of said case and covering said perpendicularly disposed frame means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,079,172 2/1963 Burwell 280278 3,100,020 8/ 1963 Sonntag 280-8104 X FOREIGN PATENTS 627,314 5/1963 Belgium. 1,077,551 3/ 1960 Germany.

KENNETH H. BETTS, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A LUGGAGE SCOOTER COMPRISING A CASE BOUNDED BY A TOP WALL, A FRONT WALL, A REAR WALL, SIDE WALLS AND A BOTTOM END HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN, A HANDLE BAR MEANS PIVOTALLY SECURED TO THE TOP WALL OF SAID CASE, SAID CASE HAVING A FRONT OPENING AND A REAR OPENING, WHEEL MEANS SECURED TO SAID BOTTOM END, A PLATFORM MEANS CONNECTED TO ONE SIDE OF SAID BOTTOM END, STEERABLE CASTER WHEEL MEANS SECURED TO SAID PLATFORM MEANS, A COVER HINGEDLY MOUNTED ON AN EDGE OF SAID FRONT WALL AND ADAPTED TO ENCLOSE SAID FRONT OPENING, A PANEL TILTABLY SECURED AT LOWER PORTION OF SAID REAR WALL, SAID PLATFORM MEANS ADAPTED TO BE POSITIONED IN A PREPENDICULAR RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID CASE, SAID PANEL CAPABLE OF BEING HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED UPON SAID PLATFORM MEANS WHEN SAID PLATFORM MEANS IS IN PERPENDICULAR RELATIONSHIP WITH SAID CASE AND BOTH SAID WHEEL MEANS OF SAID CASE AND SAID PLATFORM MEANS ARE PROVIDING RIDING MEANS.