CA2170709A1 - Suitcase with retractable rollers - Google Patents
Suitcase with retractable rollersInfo
- Publication number
- CA2170709A1 CA2170709A1 CA 2170709 CA2170709A CA2170709A1 CA 2170709 A1 CA2170709 A1 CA 2170709A1 CA 2170709 CA2170709 CA 2170709 CA 2170709 A CA2170709 A CA 2170709A CA 2170709 A1 CA2170709 A1 CA 2170709A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- suitcase
- handle
- wall member
- rigid
- roller means
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Landscapes
- Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
Abstract
A suitcase having rollers mounted thereon to permit rolling movement of the suitcase across a surface. The suitcase includes front and back panels connected by a wall member to define a volume. First rollers are mounted in juxtaposition to the rear panel at the bottom of the suitcase to at least partially support the suitcase when in an upright position and to enable rolling movement of the suitcase across a surface.
Second roller means are mounted on the rear portion and/or wall member. The second roller means are alternately extendable and retractable. When second rollers are extended, they cooperate with the first roller means to fully support the weight of the suitcase when the suitcase is in a rearwardly inclined position. A push/pull handle is mounted in juxtaposition to the top of the suitcase to enable a user to grasp the suitcase and roll it across a surface.
Second roller means are mounted on the rear portion and/or wall member. The second roller means are alternately extendable and retractable. When second rollers are extended, they cooperate with the first roller means to fully support the weight of the suitcase when the suitcase is in a rearwardly inclined position. A push/pull handle is mounted in juxtaposition to the top of the suitcase to enable a user to grasp the suitcase and roll it across a surface.
Description
~170709 SUITCASE WITH RETRACTABLE ROI,~,~,R~
1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a suitcase equipped for rolling movement over a surface, and, more particularly, to a suitcase having retractable rollers.
5 2. Back~round Information It has become popular to mount suitcases on rollers to enable them to be rolled across a surface, such as the ground or a floor. Such suitcases are typically provided with a handle to enable the user to pull or push the case on the rollers.
One popular style of wheeled suitcase includes rollers mounted on the 10 rear portion of the bottom of the case. The handle is mounted on the top of the rear portion of the case. When at rest, the case rests on the wheels and one or more legs.
The user grips the handle and tilts the s~ case to an inclined position so that the weight of the case is supported by the wheels and by the user's force on the handle.
The case is then rolled across the surface. That type of configuration enables superior 15 control over maneuvering of the case.
One disadvantage of that type of rolling suitcase is that when it is being pulled, at least a portion of the weight of the suitcase must be supported by the user.
There remains a need for a wheel-mounted ~uilcase that has superior maneuvering and 22~ 7~9 the weight of which is entirely supported by the wheels of the case when in the inclined, or pulling, position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a rollable suitcase having alternately retractable 5 and extendable rollers that cooperate with fixed rollers to support sub~L~ ially the entire weight of the suitcase when it is in an inclined, or pulling, position. When the suitcase in an at-rest, or upright, position, preferably none of the weight of the suitcase is supported by the retractable rollers and the weight is at least partially supported by the fixed rollers.
The suitcase includes generally parallel, spaced apart front and back panels. The panels are connected about the peliphe.~ by a wall member. The wall member has a top portion and a bottom portion positioned opposite one another. The front and back panels and the wall member cooperate to define a volume. At least one portion of the back panel and/or the wall member is rigid to provide support therefor.
First roller means are mounted in juxtaposition to the bottom portion of the wall member to enable rolling movement of the suitcase across a surface. The first roller means are fixed and are positioned to support at least a portion of the weight of the suitcase when the suitcase is in an upright, or at-rest, position.
Second roller means are mounted on the rigid portion of the back panel 20 and/or the wall member. The second roller means include at least one roller or caster.
The second roller means is alternately retractable and extendable. When retracted, the roller is pcsitioned adjacent to the rear panel of the suitcase. When the case is in the at-rest position, or st~n-ling upright with the weight thereof at least partially supported by the first roller means, the roller of the second roller means is not in contact with ~17070~
the surface across which the suitcase is to be moved. When deployed, or extended, the second roller means is positioned so that the roller is located spaced outwardly from the rear panel. In the deployed position, the second roller means and the first roller means cooperate to support the suitcase when in the pulling position, or in a 5 slightly rearwardly inclined orientation for pulling.
Latching means opel~lively associated with the second roller means are provided. The latching means are operable to alternately retract and lock the second roller means in the retracted position and deploy and lock the second roller means in the deployed position. A push/pull handle is mounted in juxtaposition to the top 10 portion of the wall member. The push/pull handle may be gripped by the user to enable him to roll the suitcase across the surface on the first and second roller means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the suitcase of this invention showing the wheels in the deployed position.
Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the suitcase this invention showing the wheels in the deployed position.
Figure 3 is a rear pel~eclive view of one embodiment of the suitcase of this invention showing the wheels in the retracted position.
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the suitcase 20 of this invention being pulled by a user.
Figure 5 is a rear pel~peclive view of another embodiment of the suitcase of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figures 1 through 3 show a preferred embodiment of a suitcase of this invention. Suitcase 2 includes generally parallel spaced apart front and rear panels 4 and 6. Panels 4 and 6 are connected about the peripheries by a side wall 8. Panels 4 and 6 and wall member 8 cooperate to define a volume. Wall member 8 has a top portion 10 and a bottom portion 12 and side portions 14 and 16. Panels 4 and 6 and wall member 8 are preferably made of soft, flexible material, such as fabric. A glide closure, or zipper, may be provided on front panel 4 to permit access of the volume within suitcase 2. Alternately, another suitable closure may be provided.
10Rear panel 6 and side 14 of wall member 8 includes a first rigid portion 18. First rigid portion 18 is mounted on the lower portion of the corner between panel 6 and side 14 and extends over a portion of each thereof so that first rigid portion 18 is generally L-shaped in cross-section. Rear panel 6 and side 16 of wall member 8 also include a second rigid portion 20. Second rigid portion 20 is substantially a 15mirror image of first rigid portion 18. Rigid portions 18 and 20 are preferably made of a thermoplastic material.
First rollers 20 and 22 are mounted on rigid portions 18, 20. First rollers 20 and 22 are preferably mounted at the junction of rear panel 6 and bottom 12 of wall member 8. First rollers 20 and 22 are mounted to support at least a portion 20 of the weight of suitcase 2 when in the upright, or at-rest, position. In a preferred embodiment, legs 24 are provided on the front portion of bottom 12 of wall member 8 to support the rem~intler of the weight of suitcase 2 when in the upright position.
First rollers 20 and 22 are operable to enable rolling movement of suitcase 2 across a surface with the weight of suitcase 2 being divided between first rollers 20, 22 and a push/pull handle 26. Push/pull handle 26 is preferably a rigid handle having two ~170709 legs 28, 30 and a gripping member 32. Handle 26 is retractable and extendable into and out of the volume of suitcase 2. To enable retraction and extension, push/pull handle 26 preferably includes an extension portion and a carrier. The carrier may include a pair of tubes to telescopically receive legs 28, 30 therein for retraction. Such 5 a retraction and extension structure is known to those skilled in the art. When retracted, it is preferred that gripping member 32 of handle 26 be received into a recessed handle receptacle 34. Handle receptacle 34 is mounted on top portion 10 of wall member 8 and recessed into the volume of the suitcase 2. Handle receptacle 34 includes a curved guide portion 36 for guiding the user's fingers around gripping member 32 when received thereto. A closure 38 is provided to secure handle 26 into halldle receptacle 34 when it is retracted. Closure 38 preferably includes a fabric flap with a glide closure.
A carry handle 62 may be mounted on one or more of the top or sides 14 of wall member 8. Carry handle 62 may be used by the user to grasp the suitcase 15 and lift it, thereby supporting the entire weight thereof. Carry handle 62 may be of any type known to those skilled in the art.
Second roller means 40 are also mounted on rigid portions 18 and 20.
Second roller means 40 includes a pair of brackets 42, 44. Brackets 42, 44 are mirror images of each other, oper~tillg in unison and include the identical con.ponenls. For 20 simplicity of disclosure, only one bracket 42 will be referred to. It will be appreciated that the description of bracket 44 is substantially identical to that of bracket 42. One end 44 of bracket 46 is hingedly mounted on first rigid portion 18. The other end 48 of bracket 42 has second roller 50 mounted in juxtaposition thereto. Second roller 50 may be a wheel or caster of a type known to those skilled in the art. Second roller 50 25 may be mounted to permit swivel movement thereof with respect to bracket 42.
2170~03 Generally, rigid stay 52 is hingedly mounted to each of brackets 42,44 and is slidahly mounted to rigid portions 18 and 20. Stay 52 is also operatively connected to latch 54. Latch 54 is slidably mounted on a rigid portion 56 of rear panel 6. The portions of Stdy 52 e~lendillg from rigid portions 18 and 20 to latch 54 are 5 shown in phantom in Figures 2 and 3. When latch 54 is moved to the upward position, as shown in Figure 3, second roller means 40 are secured in the retracted position. That is, brackets 42, 44 rotate about hinged end 46 to a position adjacent to rear panel 6, so that second rollers 50 are not in contact with the surface when the suitcase is in an upright position. Moving latch 54 to the dowllw~,d position, as shown in Figure 2, moves brackets 42, 44 to the deployed position, by rotating brackets 42, 44 around the hinges on the first ends thereof. In the deployed position, second rollers 50 are positioned uul~ardly from rear panel 6. Latch 54 is operable to lock second roller means 40 in the deployed position so they do not collapse when the weight of the suitcase 2 is applied thereto. With second roller means 40 in the 15 deployed position, the suitcase may be moved to an inclined, or pulling, position, as shown in Figure 4, and the entire weight of the ~uilcase 2 will be ~uppolled by first rollers 20, 22 and second rollers 50. The suitcase may then be pulled across a surface without the user 60 having to support any of the weight thereof, as shown in Figure 4. First rollers 20, 22 and second rollers 50 also cooperate to support the suitcase 2 20 in the inclined position, without requiring balancing force to be applied by the user.
A plurality of stops may be provided with latch 54 to permit second roller means 40 to be locked into various positions. The stops may be detent means of a type known to those skilled in the art. With the second roller means fully deployed, as shown in Figure 2, the angle between the surface and the rear panel 6 25 when the suitcase is in inclined position :iU~pOI Led by the rollers will be approximately ~170709 25 to 85. The intermediate stops for latch 54 will cause the suitcase to be more steeply inclined (the angle between the surface and the rear panel being less), thereby positioning the top of the suitcase close to the surface.
The various positions, and the retractability and extendibility of the push/pull handle 26, permit the suitcase 2 to be positioned so that it may be pulled by a user of virtually any height. Because the weight of the suitcase 2 is supported by the rollers 20, 22 and 50, the user does not have to provide any support therefor, not even balancing force. In addition, the close proximity of rollers 20, 22 and 50 provides superior maneuverability over suitcases in which the rollers are positioned farther apart. Accordingly, even a child could pull the suitcase.
Figure S shows another embodiment of a suitcase of this invention. In Figure 5, like reference numbers refer to components already described herein. In this embodiment, second roller means 40 includes a single bracket 62 hingedly attached to the rigid portion of rear panel 6 at a position above the jun;lule of bottom 12 of wall member 8 and rear panel 6. Support stay 64 is mounted between bracket 62 and rear panel 6 to enable deployment and retraction of second roller means 40 as described hereinbefore. Support stay 64 may be hingedly secured to rear panel 6 or to bracket 62. A plurality of stops may be provided to enable the deployment of second roller means 40 to various positions, as described hereil~efore.
It will be appreciated that this invention provides a suitcase with retractable rollers that support the entire weight of the suitcase in the pulling position and the superior maneuverability of an upright wheeled suitcase that rolls in an inclined position. In addition, the s,~ ;ase may be rolled across a surface on the first roller means as with ~;ullenlly available suitcase designs.
2171~70g Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details may be made without departing from the invention as described in the appended claims.
1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a suitcase equipped for rolling movement over a surface, and, more particularly, to a suitcase having retractable rollers.
5 2. Back~round Information It has become popular to mount suitcases on rollers to enable them to be rolled across a surface, such as the ground or a floor. Such suitcases are typically provided with a handle to enable the user to pull or push the case on the rollers.
One popular style of wheeled suitcase includes rollers mounted on the 10 rear portion of the bottom of the case. The handle is mounted on the top of the rear portion of the case. When at rest, the case rests on the wheels and one or more legs.
The user grips the handle and tilts the s~ case to an inclined position so that the weight of the case is supported by the wheels and by the user's force on the handle.
The case is then rolled across the surface. That type of configuration enables superior 15 control over maneuvering of the case.
One disadvantage of that type of rolling suitcase is that when it is being pulled, at least a portion of the weight of the suitcase must be supported by the user.
There remains a need for a wheel-mounted ~uilcase that has superior maneuvering and 22~ 7~9 the weight of which is entirely supported by the wheels of the case when in the inclined, or pulling, position.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides a rollable suitcase having alternately retractable 5 and extendable rollers that cooperate with fixed rollers to support sub~L~ ially the entire weight of the suitcase when it is in an inclined, or pulling, position. When the suitcase in an at-rest, or upright, position, preferably none of the weight of the suitcase is supported by the retractable rollers and the weight is at least partially supported by the fixed rollers.
The suitcase includes generally parallel, spaced apart front and back panels. The panels are connected about the peliphe.~ by a wall member. The wall member has a top portion and a bottom portion positioned opposite one another. The front and back panels and the wall member cooperate to define a volume. At least one portion of the back panel and/or the wall member is rigid to provide support therefor.
First roller means are mounted in juxtaposition to the bottom portion of the wall member to enable rolling movement of the suitcase across a surface. The first roller means are fixed and are positioned to support at least a portion of the weight of the suitcase when the suitcase is in an upright, or at-rest, position.
Second roller means are mounted on the rigid portion of the back panel 20 and/or the wall member. The second roller means include at least one roller or caster.
The second roller means is alternately retractable and extendable. When retracted, the roller is pcsitioned adjacent to the rear panel of the suitcase. When the case is in the at-rest position, or st~n-ling upright with the weight thereof at least partially supported by the first roller means, the roller of the second roller means is not in contact with ~17070~
the surface across which the suitcase is to be moved. When deployed, or extended, the second roller means is positioned so that the roller is located spaced outwardly from the rear panel. In the deployed position, the second roller means and the first roller means cooperate to support the suitcase when in the pulling position, or in a 5 slightly rearwardly inclined orientation for pulling.
Latching means opel~lively associated with the second roller means are provided. The latching means are operable to alternately retract and lock the second roller means in the retracted position and deploy and lock the second roller means in the deployed position. A push/pull handle is mounted in juxtaposition to the top 10 portion of the wall member. The push/pull handle may be gripped by the user to enable him to roll the suitcase across the surface on the first and second roller means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the suitcase of this invention showing the wheels in the deployed position.
Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of the suitcase this invention showing the wheels in the deployed position.
Figure 3 is a rear pel~eclive view of one embodiment of the suitcase of this invention showing the wheels in the retracted position.
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the suitcase 20 of this invention being pulled by a user.
Figure 5 is a rear pel~peclive view of another embodiment of the suitcase of this invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figures 1 through 3 show a preferred embodiment of a suitcase of this invention. Suitcase 2 includes generally parallel spaced apart front and rear panels 4 and 6. Panels 4 and 6 are connected about the peripheries by a side wall 8. Panels 4 and 6 and wall member 8 cooperate to define a volume. Wall member 8 has a top portion 10 and a bottom portion 12 and side portions 14 and 16. Panels 4 and 6 and wall member 8 are preferably made of soft, flexible material, such as fabric. A glide closure, or zipper, may be provided on front panel 4 to permit access of the volume within suitcase 2. Alternately, another suitable closure may be provided.
10Rear panel 6 and side 14 of wall member 8 includes a first rigid portion 18. First rigid portion 18 is mounted on the lower portion of the corner between panel 6 and side 14 and extends over a portion of each thereof so that first rigid portion 18 is generally L-shaped in cross-section. Rear panel 6 and side 16 of wall member 8 also include a second rigid portion 20. Second rigid portion 20 is substantially a 15mirror image of first rigid portion 18. Rigid portions 18 and 20 are preferably made of a thermoplastic material.
First rollers 20 and 22 are mounted on rigid portions 18, 20. First rollers 20 and 22 are preferably mounted at the junction of rear panel 6 and bottom 12 of wall member 8. First rollers 20 and 22 are mounted to support at least a portion 20 of the weight of suitcase 2 when in the upright, or at-rest, position. In a preferred embodiment, legs 24 are provided on the front portion of bottom 12 of wall member 8 to support the rem~intler of the weight of suitcase 2 when in the upright position.
First rollers 20 and 22 are operable to enable rolling movement of suitcase 2 across a surface with the weight of suitcase 2 being divided between first rollers 20, 22 and a push/pull handle 26. Push/pull handle 26 is preferably a rigid handle having two ~170709 legs 28, 30 and a gripping member 32. Handle 26 is retractable and extendable into and out of the volume of suitcase 2. To enable retraction and extension, push/pull handle 26 preferably includes an extension portion and a carrier. The carrier may include a pair of tubes to telescopically receive legs 28, 30 therein for retraction. Such 5 a retraction and extension structure is known to those skilled in the art. When retracted, it is preferred that gripping member 32 of handle 26 be received into a recessed handle receptacle 34. Handle receptacle 34 is mounted on top portion 10 of wall member 8 and recessed into the volume of the suitcase 2. Handle receptacle 34 includes a curved guide portion 36 for guiding the user's fingers around gripping member 32 when received thereto. A closure 38 is provided to secure handle 26 into halldle receptacle 34 when it is retracted. Closure 38 preferably includes a fabric flap with a glide closure.
A carry handle 62 may be mounted on one or more of the top or sides 14 of wall member 8. Carry handle 62 may be used by the user to grasp the suitcase 15 and lift it, thereby supporting the entire weight thereof. Carry handle 62 may be of any type known to those skilled in the art.
Second roller means 40 are also mounted on rigid portions 18 and 20.
Second roller means 40 includes a pair of brackets 42, 44. Brackets 42, 44 are mirror images of each other, oper~tillg in unison and include the identical con.ponenls. For 20 simplicity of disclosure, only one bracket 42 will be referred to. It will be appreciated that the description of bracket 44 is substantially identical to that of bracket 42. One end 44 of bracket 46 is hingedly mounted on first rigid portion 18. The other end 48 of bracket 42 has second roller 50 mounted in juxtaposition thereto. Second roller 50 may be a wheel or caster of a type known to those skilled in the art. Second roller 50 25 may be mounted to permit swivel movement thereof with respect to bracket 42.
2170~03 Generally, rigid stay 52 is hingedly mounted to each of brackets 42,44 and is slidahly mounted to rigid portions 18 and 20. Stay 52 is also operatively connected to latch 54. Latch 54 is slidably mounted on a rigid portion 56 of rear panel 6. The portions of Stdy 52 e~lendillg from rigid portions 18 and 20 to latch 54 are 5 shown in phantom in Figures 2 and 3. When latch 54 is moved to the upward position, as shown in Figure 3, second roller means 40 are secured in the retracted position. That is, brackets 42, 44 rotate about hinged end 46 to a position adjacent to rear panel 6, so that second rollers 50 are not in contact with the surface when the suitcase is in an upright position. Moving latch 54 to the dowllw~,d position, as shown in Figure 2, moves brackets 42, 44 to the deployed position, by rotating brackets 42, 44 around the hinges on the first ends thereof. In the deployed position, second rollers 50 are positioned uul~ardly from rear panel 6. Latch 54 is operable to lock second roller means 40 in the deployed position so they do not collapse when the weight of the suitcase 2 is applied thereto. With second roller means 40 in the 15 deployed position, the suitcase may be moved to an inclined, or pulling, position, as shown in Figure 4, and the entire weight of the ~uilcase 2 will be ~uppolled by first rollers 20, 22 and second rollers 50. The suitcase may then be pulled across a surface without the user 60 having to support any of the weight thereof, as shown in Figure 4. First rollers 20, 22 and second rollers 50 also cooperate to support the suitcase 2 20 in the inclined position, without requiring balancing force to be applied by the user.
A plurality of stops may be provided with latch 54 to permit second roller means 40 to be locked into various positions. The stops may be detent means of a type known to those skilled in the art. With the second roller means fully deployed, as shown in Figure 2, the angle between the surface and the rear panel 6 25 when the suitcase is in inclined position :iU~pOI Led by the rollers will be approximately ~170709 25 to 85. The intermediate stops for latch 54 will cause the suitcase to be more steeply inclined (the angle between the surface and the rear panel being less), thereby positioning the top of the suitcase close to the surface.
The various positions, and the retractability and extendibility of the push/pull handle 26, permit the suitcase 2 to be positioned so that it may be pulled by a user of virtually any height. Because the weight of the suitcase 2 is supported by the rollers 20, 22 and 50, the user does not have to provide any support therefor, not even balancing force. In addition, the close proximity of rollers 20, 22 and 50 provides superior maneuverability over suitcases in which the rollers are positioned farther apart. Accordingly, even a child could pull the suitcase.
Figure S shows another embodiment of a suitcase of this invention. In Figure 5, like reference numbers refer to components already described herein. In this embodiment, second roller means 40 includes a single bracket 62 hingedly attached to the rigid portion of rear panel 6 at a position above the jun;lule of bottom 12 of wall member 8 and rear panel 6. Support stay 64 is mounted between bracket 62 and rear panel 6 to enable deployment and retraction of second roller means 40 as described hereinbefore. Support stay 64 may be hingedly secured to rear panel 6 or to bracket 62. A plurality of stops may be provided to enable the deployment of second roller means 40 to various positions, as described hereil~efore.
It will be appreciated that this invention provides a suitcase with retractable rollers that support the entire weight of the suitcase in the pulling position and the superior maneuverability of an upright wheeled suitcase that rolls in an inclined position. In addition, the s,~ ;ase may be rolled across a surface on the first roller means as with ~;ullenlly available suitcase designs.
2171~70g Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details may be made without departing from the invention as described in the appended claims.
Claims (14)
1. A suitcase comprising:
generally parallel spaced apart front and back panels connected about their peripheries to a wall member, said wall member extending between said front and back panels, thereby defining a volume, said wall member having a top portion and a bottom portion positioned opposite one another.
at least one rigid body portion on at least one of said back panel and said wall member to provide support therefor;
first roller means mounted in juxtaposition to said bottom portion of wall member to at least partially support said suitcase when in an upright position and for enabling rolling movement of the suitcase across a surface when in a pulling position;
second roller means for enabling rolling movement of the suitcase across said surface mounted on the rigid portion, said second roller means including bracket means having a first end and a second end, the first end of said bracket means being hingedly mounted to said rigid portion and said second roller means being mounted in juxtaposition to said second end of said bracket means, said second roller means being alternately retractable to a position adjacent to at least one of said back panel and said wall member so that said roller is not in contact with the surface when the suitcase is in upright position and deployable to a position spaced outwardly from said rear panel so that said first roller means and said roller means cooperate to fully support the suitcase when said second roller means is deployed and the suitcase is in the pulling position;
latching means operative with said second roller means to alternately deploy and lock said second roller means in the deployed position and retract and lock second roller means in the retracted position; and push/pull handle means mounted on the suitcase in juxtaposition to said top portion of said wall member to enable rolling movement of the suitcase across said surface.
generally parallel spaced apart front and back panels connected about their peripheries to a wall member, said wall member extending between said front and back panels, thereby defining a volume, said wall member having a top portion and a bottom portion positioned opposite one another.
at least one rigid body portion on at least one of said back panel and said wall member to provide support therefor;
first roller means mounted in juxtaposition to said bottom portion of wall member to at least partially support said suitcase when in an upright position and for enabling rolling movement of the suitcase across a surface when in a pulling position;
second roller means for enabling rolling movement of the suitcase across said surface mounted on the rigid portion, said second roller means including bracket means having a first end and a second end, the first end of said bracket means being hingedly mounted to said rigid portion and said second roller means being mounted in juxtaposition to said second end of said bracket means, said second roller means being alternately retractable to a position adjacent to at least one of said back panel and said wall member so that said roller is not in contact with the surface when the suitcase is in upright position and deployable to a position spaced outwardly from said rear panel so that said first roller means and said roller means cooperate to fully support the suitcase when said second roller means is deployed and the suitcase is in the pulling position;
latching means operative with said second roller means to alternately deploy and lock said second roller means in the deployed position and retract and lock second roller means in the retracted position; and push/pull handle means mounted on the suitcase in juxtaposition to said top portion of said wall member to enable rolling movement of the suitcase across said surface.
2. The suitcase of Claim 1, wherein said second roller means includes bracket means having a first end and a second end, said first end of said bracket means being hingedly mounted to said rigid portion and said roller being mounted in juxtaposition to said second end of said bracket means.
3. The suitcase of Claim 2, wherein said second roller means includes a pair of brackets.
4. The suitcase of Claim 2, wherein said latching means includes a support stay hingedly mounted to said bracket means and slidably mounted to said rigid portion and extending between the rigid portion and the bracket means, said support stay being operable to permit retraction and deployment of said bracket means and to alternately lock said bracket means in the deployed and retracted position.
5. The suitcase of Claim 4, wherein said push/pull handle means includes a generally rigid alternately retractable and extendable push/pull handle.
6. The suitcase of Claim 5, wherein said push/pull handle means includes a handle receptacle mounted on said top portion of said wall member and recessed into said volume, said handle receptacle being positioned to receive said rigid handle when said rigid handle is retracted.
7. The suitcase of Claim 5, wherein said handle receptacle includes a curved guide portion for guiding a user's fingers and the handle for gripping; and a closure over said handle receptacle to secure said handle therein when said handle is retracted.
8. The suitcase of Claim 4, wherein at least one carry handle is mounted on said rigid portion of said wall member to permit carrying of the suitcase with its weight fully supported by said carry handle.
9. The suitcase of Claim 4, wherein said front and back panels are soft and the periphery of said front panel includes a glide fastener for opening and closing said suitcase to permit access to said volume.
10. The suitcase of Claim 8, wherein said top portion of said wall member includes a second rigid portion; and said first roller means are secured to the first said rigid portion and a handle receptacle and at least one carry handle are secured to the second rigid body portion.
11. The suitcase of Claim 5, wherein said rigid handle includes an extendable portion and a carrier, said carrier being mounted to at least one location on said second rigid body portion of said wall member inside said volume, said extendable handle portion being movably mounted on said carrier for extension and retraction.
12. The suitcase of Claim 5, wherein said first roller means includes a pair of rollers mounted on the first said rigid body portion and positioned at the junction of said back panel and said wall member.
13. The suitcase of Claim 11, wherein said extendable portion of said handle includes two generally parallel legs connected at one end by a gripping member; and said carrier includes two generally parallel tube members connected to said top and bottom rigid portions of said wall member and being generally parallel to said panels, each of said tube members being structured to slidably receive one of said legs of said extendable portion of said handle.
14. The suitcase of Claim 7, wherein said closure includes a glide closure for providing access to said handle receptacle.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US39768795A | 1995-03-02 | 1995-03-02 | |
| US08/397,687 | 1995-03-02 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2170709A1 true CA2170709A1 (en) | 1996-09-03 |
Family
ID=23572231
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2170709 Abandoned CA2170709A1 (en) | 1995-03-02 | 1996-02-29 | Suitcase with retractable rollers |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2170709A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103300566A (en) * | 2013-07-10 | 2013-09-18 | 平湖市南桥箱包有限公司 | Four-wheel draw-bar box |
-
1996
- 1996-02-29 CA CA 2170709 patent/CA2170709A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103300566A (en) * | 2013-07-10 | 2013-09-18 | 平湖市南桥箱包有限公司 | Four-wheel draw-bar box |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |