EP1045654A4 - Bagage tractable extra-plat - Google Patents

Bagage tractable extra-plat

Info

Publication number
EP1045654A4
EP1045654A4 EP99902155A EP99902155A EP1045654A4 EP 1045654 A4 EP1045654 A4 EP 1045654A4 EP 99902155 A EP99902155 A EP 99902155A EP 99902155 A EP99902155 A EP 99902155A EP 1045654 A4 EP1045654 A4 EP 1045654A4
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
article
luggage
handle
towable
towable luggage
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99902155A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1045654A1 (fr
Inventor
Bernard D Sadow
Jeffrey A Schwab
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Outrigger Inc
Original Assignee
Outrigger Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/015,571 external-priority patent/US6302250B1/en
Priority claimed from US09/056,104 external-priority patent/US6193033B1/en
Application filed by Outrigger Inc filed Critical Outrigger Inc
Publication of EP1045654A1 publication Critical patent/EP1045654A1/fr
Publication of EP1045654A4 publication Critical patent/EP1045654A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
    • A45C13/26—Special adaptations of handles
    • A45C13/262—Special adaptations of handles for wheeled luggage
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage
    • A45C5/14—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage with built-in rolling means
    • A45C5/146—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage with built-in rolling means retractable
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B1/00—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor
    • B62B1/10—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is intended to be transferred totally to the wheels
    • B62B1/12—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is intended to be transferred totally to the wheels involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable, or convertible
    • B62B1/125—Hand carts having only one axis carrying one or more transport wheels; Equipment therefor in which the load is intended to be transferred totally to the wheels involving parts being adjustable, collapsible, attachable, detachable, or convertible by means of telescoping elements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage
    • A45C5/14—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage with built-in rolling means
    • A45C2005/147—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage with built-in rolling means for climbing stairs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
    • A45C13/26—Special adaptations of handles
    • A45C13/262—Special adaptations of handles for wheeled luggage
    • A45C2013/265—Special adaptations of handles for wheeled luggage the handle being adjustable in rotation to a towing element
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B2205/00—Hand-propelled vehicles or sledges being foldable or dismountable when not in use
    • B62B2205/14—Retractable wheels
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62B—HAND-PROPELLED VEHICLES, e.g. HAND CARTS OR PERAMBULATORS; SLEDGES
    • B62B5/00—Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts
    • B62B5/02—Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts providing for travelling up or down a flight of stairs
    • B62B5/025—Accessories or details specially adapted for hand carts providing for travelling up or down a flight of stairs with gliding elements, e.g. skids

Definitions

  • This invention relates to articles of luggage in the form of suitcases or carrying cases, as commonly used by airlines' passengers or other travelers for the transportation of clothing and personal effects.
  • wheeled carrying cases include a substantially rigid frame providing side walls of the case, and front and rear major walls that are supported by the frame, at least one of the major walls including a zippered attachment to adjacent ones of the side walls.
  • Wheeled carrying cases are also well known in the art that include a handle that can be telescopically extended, or retracted into, the body of the case at one of the side walls thereof, and, wheels provided at the opposite side wall of the case that can roll over a ground surface, such as the floor of an airport terminal, or, a passenger aisle of an aircraft.
  • the wheels on which the article of luggage is towed act as a fulcrum about which the article of luggage angles relative to the vertical when moved from the vertical position to the inclined towing position. Further, the greater the angle of inclination relative to the vertical, the greater becomes the spacing of the center of gravity relative to the towing wheels providing the fulcrum, the center of gravity then being displaced laterally of the vertical and laterally of the axis of the ground engaging wheels.
  • the present invention proceeds from the known wheeled article of luggage of the type including a handle extendable, or some other towing implement, from a wall of the article of luggage and towing wheels provided at another wall of the article of luggage, and overcomes the problems of the prior art by providing wheels on one of the major front or back walls of the article of luggage that will permit the article of
  • the article of luggage can readily service as a platform upon which additional articles of luggage or other items can be stacked and conveniently and easily towed.
  • the article of luggage is provided with ground engaging wheels on a major wall of the article of luggage, and an extendable handle of the article of luggage, which instead of being arranged in fixed telescoping relation with the article of luggage and extendable or retractable parallel to the plane of the major walls of the article of luggage, comprises a towing member that is attached to the article of luggage, and which can be extended therefrom into a position convenient for use in towing of the article of luggage.
  • the towing member can be a flexible strap that can be readily stored within a pocket located on the outer surface of the article of luggage, and which can be withdrawn from that pocket and employed in the manner of a leash for towing the article of luggage at the time the article of luggage has been laid on its wheeled major wall.
  • a telescoping handle with a gripping handlebar can be hinged to the article of luggage at the end remote from the handlebar, and which is preferably releasably secured to the article of luggage in the vicinity of the handlebar of the telescoping handle.
  • the handle prior to placing the article of luggage on its wheeled major wall, the handle is first released from its attachment to the article of luggage in the vicinity of the handlebar, the telescopic handle is then swung angularly about its pivot at the end of the handle remote from the handlebar, such that it extends beyond the end of the article of luggage.
  • the article of luggage can then be laid on its wheeled major wall.
  • a side mounted carrying handle can be included which permits customary carrying and as well conveniently can be employed for luggage to its operative towing orientation.
  • telescoping handle which can be extended from the article of luggage a distance sufficient to expose hinges in the telescoping handle, those hinges, when exposed, permitting the handle to be raised and lowered relative to the article of luggage, and thus permit towing of the article of luggage with comfort by a person of any height.
  • a protective shield can be mounted on the luggage to protect the hinges when exposed and the handle in the immediate vicinity of the hinges. Given the position of the hinges during transport along the ground, an obstruction such as a curb could damage the hinge when the luggage is urged up and over the curb.
  • the protective shield not only acts to shield the hinges from damage, preferably it is so configured as to facilitate the traverse.
  • the telescoping handle in this alternative may be lockable at various degrees of extension from the case to accommodate different persons of varying heights. At less than full extension of the telescoping handle, however, the case is only towable in an inclined attitude relative to the ground surface as was previously described with respect to the towing of the case on the towing wheels 16.
  • the hinge may be of a first socket type restricting rotation of the handle substantially within two planes, one plane being substantially perpendicular to the wheeled major wall of the article of luggage when the article of luggage is laid on its major wall and the other plane having an inclination to the horizontal substantially the same as the inclination of the handle to the horizontal.
  • the hinge may be of a second socket type restricting rotation substantially within the single plane substantially perpendicular to the wheeled major wall of the article of luggage.
  • the hinge may have a mechanism allowing it to lock at various degrees of rotation within the single substantially perpendicular plane to which reference was just made.
  • Another optional variation of the second socket type of hinge permits the handle to "snap back" to a vertical position when not held in another position, thus reorienting the handle to a preferred initial operating position when towing of the luggage is to be commenced again.
  • the second socket type of hinge includes a mechanism allowing the type of rotation of the handle within the two planes previously specified in connection with the first socket type of hinge and, in addition, permits the handgrip to be rotatably connected to the handle, allowing the handgrip to remain in an unrotated position as the handle rotates in a plane having an inclination to the horizontal substantially the same as the inclination of the handle to the horizontal.
  • the design of the socket hinge decreases the torsional forces at the hinge and in the handle, and convenience of use is further enhanced as less torsional forces are applied to the wrist and arm of a user during use.
  • the wheeled major wall of the article of luggage is provided with one pair of towing wheels that are rotatable about a common fixed axis, and at least one caster wheel, i.e. a wheel that can rotate randomly about a first axis extending perpendicular to the backwall of the article of luggage, and a second axis extending parallel to the backwall of the article of luggage.
  • caster wheels i.e. a wheel that can rotate randomly about a first axis extending perpendicular to the backwall of the article of luggage, and a second axis extending parallel to the backwall of the article of luggage.
  • two such caster wheels are provided, one at each comer of the substantially rectangular major wall of the article of luggage.
  • only one caster wheel centrally located between two of the comers of the substantially rectangular major wall of the article of luggage is sufficient.
  • a towing wheel or wheels rotatable only about an axis or axes extending parallel to the backwall of the article of luggage may be substituted for some or all of the caster wheel or wheels, while still allowing the towing wheel or wheels to rotate about an axis or axes extending perpendicular to the backwall of the article of luggage. This can be done if the towing wheel or wheels are made part of a larger subassembly or subassemblies which can rotate about an axis or axes extending perpendicular to the backwall of the article of luggage.
  • the provision of four wheels to support the article of luggage on its major wall is adequate in the event that the major wall of the article of luggage is substantially rigid. If, however, and as is often the case, the major wall of the article of luggage includes a sheet of a flexible material, such as leather, synthetic leather, or a coated woven fabric, there could then be a tendency of the major wall of the article of luggage to bulge outwardly, particularly when the major wall of the article of luggage is moved into proximity with the supporting ground surface. This can result in abrasion or other damage at the center of the major wall.
  • a roller ball type caster is preferably located at the center of the major wall of the article of luggage that is operative to support the center of the major wall spaced from the engaged ground surface.
  • the ground-engaging roller ball can be supported within the article of luggage by a suitable frame member that extends parallel to the major wall of the article of luggage, and which, preferably, for lightness in weight, is in the form of an X-frame that provides a support for the roller ball at the intersection of the arms of the X-frame, and which also provides supports at the ends of the arms of the X-frame for the roller wheels or casters.
  • a suitable frame member that extends parallel to the major wall of the article of luggage, and which, preferably, for lightness in weight, is in the form of an X-frame that provides a support for the roller ball at the intersection of the arms of the X-frame, and which also provides supports at the ends of the arms of the X-frame for the roller wheels or casters.
  • Access to the interior of the article of luggage can be provided at that wall of the article of luggage that is opposite to the wheeled major wall, or, the wheeled major wall can be detachably attached to the side walls of the case.
  • At least some of the wheels on the major wall of the article of luggage may be designed such that they retract beneath the surface of the major wall for ease of transport or storage of the luggage when not being towed, and for protection of the wheels during such transport or storage.
  • the retraction can be accomplished either through manual retraction or, as later described, the retractable handle can serve as an initiating mechanism in combination with the wheel mechanisms to cause retraction (or extension) of the wheels.
  • a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes means, for example, in the form of retaining strips, preferably spaced apart in parallel relationship along the wheel bearing surface of the luggage.
  • the retaining strips provide spaced apart notches to grip the edges of the steps, and to releasably restrain the luggage. This is particularly helpful as well on an escalator.
  • the article of luggage can be placed on a ground surface with the wheeled major wall of the article of luggage presented to the ground surface in preparation for towing of the article of luggage across the ground engaging surface, but also, the article of luggage, which is already loaded with its contents, can be employed as a wheeled pallet usable in the transportation of further articles of luggage, such as carry-on cases, hand baggage, carrier bags, or any other items needing transport by the user.
  • Figure 1 is a frontal perspective view of the wheeled carrying case of the present invention, when in a vertical position in which it is supported on a ground surface;
  • Figure 1A is a view of Figure 1 taken along section lines 1A-1A.
  • Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the wheeled carrying case of figure 1, in which a handle structure of the carrying case has been hinged relative to a major wall of the carrying case, and, the carrying case has been laid on the ground engageable surface ready for towing of the carrying case;
  • Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of an alternative form of the wheeled carrying case of Figure 1;
  • Figure 4 is a frontal perspective view corresponding with Figure 2, and showing the wheeled carrying case of Figure 3 in a position ready for towing of the case over a supporting ground surface; and,
  • Figure 5 is a frontal perspective view corresponding with Figure 4, and showing the carrying case of Figure 4 when employed for transporting auxiliary articles of luggage, the carrying case then acting as a pallet to which the articles of auxiliary luggage can be detachably attached.
  • Figure 5 A is a plan view showing a plurality of pieces of luggage stacked on top of a towed piece of luggage, the stack being attached together by a series of buckle and strap arrangements.
  • Figure 5B is a partial cross-sectional view of Figure 5A taken along section lines 5B-5B.
  • Figure 5C is a partial perspective view of a stack of luggage connected by an elastic cord, and showing a combination conventional handle and attachment handle for the cord on each piece of luggage.
  • Figure 5D is a sectional view of Figure 5C taken along section lines 5D-5D.
  • Figure 5E is a sectional view of Figure 5C taken along section lines 5E-5E.
  • Figure 6 is a bottom view of luggage showing three wheels for towing purposes and retaining strips on the bottom.
  • Figure 6A is an enlarged partial detail of one of the retaining strips.
  • Figure 6B is a side view of the towable luggage on an escalator showing the retaining strips in use.
  • Figure 6C is a sectional view of Figure 6B taken along section lines 6C-6C.
  • Figure 7 is a frontal perspective view of a wheeled carrying case with a hinged extendible handle similar to that shown in Figure 4, the handle being in a fully retracted position, except that the hinged handle is a linear member and is lockably adjustable in its desired extension.
  • Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 7 taken along section lines 8-8.
  • Figure 8A is a partial cross-sectional view of Figure 7 taken along section lines 8A-8A.
  • Figure 8B is an enlarged detail of the area indicated in Figure 8A.
  • Figure 8C is an enlarged detail of the area indicated in Figure 8A.
  • Figure 9 is a view of Figure 8 taken along section lines 9-9 in Figure 8.
  • Figure 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 8 showing the condition when a first button is pressed.
  • Figure 11 corresponds to Figure 7, except that a first telescoping section of the handle has been fiilly extended.
  • Figure 12 is a partial cross-section of Figure 11 taken along section lines 12-12 in Figure 11.
  • Figure 12A shows an enlarged detail of the portion of Figure 12 indicated therein.
  • Figure 12B is an alternative detail of the area shown in Figure
  • Figure 13 corresponds to Figure 7 except that the handle has been f illy extended and the case is lying on its back wheeled wall.
  • Figure 14 is an enlarged partial cross-section of Figure 13 taken along section lines 14-14 in Figure 13.
  • Figure 15 corresponds to Figure 13 except that the hinge of the handle is different from that shown in Figure 13.
  • Figure 16 is an enlarged partial cross-section of Figure 15 taken along section lines 16-16 in Figure 15.
  • Figure 17 is an exploded enlarged view of a hinge of a handle with detents and a spring-loaded ball bearing.
  • Figure 17A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the hinge of Figure 17 when assembled.
  • Figure 18 is a perspective view of a piece of luggage in accordance with the invention showing telescoping legs fiilly extended and a protective shield covering the region of the telescoping legs in the vicinity of the hinges.
  • Figure 18A is an enlarged detail showing the protective shield when the telescoping legs are fully retracted.
  • Figure 18B is a view of Figure 18A taken along section lines 18B- 18B.
  • Figure 19 is a plan view of luggage according to the invention showing hinges similar to the hinge shown in Figure 13.
  • Figure 19A is an enlarged cross-sectional detail of one of the hinges shown in Figure 19.
  • Figure 20 is a rear perspective view of the wheeled carrying case of the present invention, being similar to Figure 3 except that some of the wheels of the carrying case are retractable below the surface of the major wall of the carrying case.
  • Figure 21 is an enlarged partial cross-section of Figure 20 taken along section lines 21-21 in Figure 20.
  • Figure 22 corresponds to Figure 20, except that Figure 22 shows the retractable wheels in an extended operating position, while Figure 20 shows the retractable wheels in a retracted position.
  • Figure 23 is an enlarged partial cross-section of Figure 22 taken along section lines 23-23 in Figure 22.
  • Figure 24 is an enlarged plan cross-sectional view of an alternate arrangement for the retractable wheels which were shown in cross-section in Figures 21 and 23.
  • Figure 25 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view of the arrangement shown in Figure 24.
  • Figure 26 is a perspective view of a molding on the bottom of luggage in accordance with the invention on which molding retractable and fixed wheels are mounted.
  • Figure 27 is a perspective view of a molded top of the luggage for which a bottom molding was shown in Figure 26.
  • Figure 28 is a partial enlarged detail view partially broken away of a molded bottom of luggage in accordance with the invention showing a mechanism for automatic extension and retraction of wheels mounted on the molded bottom.
  • Figure 29 is a sectional view of Figure 28 taken along section lines 29-29.
  • Figure 30 is a sectional view of Figure 29 taken along section lines 30-30.
  • the carrying case will be supported on a ground surface 10, such as a side walk, lobby floor, or main hall of an aircraft terminal building or the like.
  • the carrying case of the present invention is shown in a vertical position in which ground-engaging feet 12 of the carrying case 14 are resting on the ground surface 10.
  • additional support for the carrying case 14 can be provided by towing wheels 16, as shown in Figure 3, that are rotatable about a fixed axis, that axis lying in or closely parallel to a plane that includes a major wall of the carrying case, and also the direction of sliding of a handle bar 18 of a telescopic handle having telescopically retractable and extendable legs 20.
  • the carrying case includes those elements that are commonly known in conventional wheeled carrying cases.
  • the user firstly extends the handle bar 18 from the body of the carrying case, and then employs the handle to angle the carrying case from its initial vertical orientation into an inclined position in which it is supported for towing over the ground surface on ground engaging towing wheels 16 as illustrated in Figure 3.
  • the center of gravity of the carrying case will have passed over a vertical plane including the axis of rotation of the ground engaging towing wheels 16, and, dependent on the amount of inclination of the carrying case relative to the vertical will be spaced from the vertical plane including the axis of rotation of the respective towing wheels 16.
  • a taller person will have the tendency to move the carrying case to a relatively small inclination relative to the said vertical plane, while a person of lesser height will have angled the carrying case at a greater angle to the said vertical plane, in which event the center of gravity will have moved further away from the said vertical plane, and, the downwards force exerted on the handlebar 18 will have been considerably increased.
  • the carrying case will crash onto the ground engagable surface, with possible damage to the stored contents of the carrying case.
  • the present invention teaches the addition or substitution of additional ground-engagable wheels 22 and 24 mounted on one of the walls of the carrying case.
  • the wheels 22 and 24 are mounted on a front wall 26 of the case.
  • the handlebar 18 and its supporting telescopic legs 20 are mounted externally of the carrying case on the opposed back wall 28 of the case, with the legs 20 hinged in any convenient manner such as shown at 30, such that the entire handlebar and telescopic leg assembly is swingable, as illustrated in Figure 2, relative to the body of the carrying case 14 from a position in which it overlies the back wall 28, to a position in which it extends at an angle to the back wall 28.
  • the hinged attachment 30 of the handlebar and telescopic leg assembly 20 can be located adjacent an end wall 32 of the carrying case and the back wall 28 can be provided with a removable zippered closure 34, to enable loading of the articles to be carried within the carrying case.
  • the carrying case can be provided with a side handle 36, that in addition to being employed for hand carrying or manipulation of the case, also can be employed for reorienting the carrying case into a position in which the wheels 22 and 24 are engaged with the supporting ground surface.
  • one or multiple of handle 36 can then be employed to tilt the carrying case on to the ground engaging feet 12 to lower the front wall 26 into engagement with the supporting ground surface 10.
  • a release button 38 associated with the handlebar 18 and its supporting telescopic legs 20 is actuated to release the handlebar 18 from its releasable engagement with the end wall 40 of the carrying case.
  • the handle 18 is then swung upwardly and over the then upwardly presented back wall 28 of the carrying case, in order to position the handlebar in an orientation ready for towing of the carrying case over the ground surface 10, as is accommodated by the ground engaging wheels 22 and 24.
  • the front wall 26 of the carrying case 40 can be made of a flexible material, such as is common in the art, or alternatively, the entire back wall can be made of a structurally rigid material such as molded plastic, metal or a plywood substrate can be used to support the flexible outer covering material. If a flexible material is used for the formation of the back wall 26, then a probability exists that the back wall will bulge outwardly at the time the case is positioned horizontally for towing.
  • a center caster 40 may be employed, preferably, in the form of an omni-directionally rotatable ball which is mounted on the front wall 26 at the center of the front wall 26.
  • the center caster 40 is of lesser height than the height of the ground engaging wheels 22 and 24 as shown by vertical line 43.
  • a center caster 41 (shown in dotted lines) can be of equal height to the height of the ground engaging wheels 22 and 24.
  • the front wall 26 is formed of a flexible material, it is also preferably that a frame be incorporated into the luggage, with the frame providing a support for the ground engaging wheels 22 and 24, and also for the center caster 40.
  • the frame supporting the wheels 22 and 24 and also the center caster 40 can be in the form of an X-frame, as indicated in dotted lines 42 in Figure 1 of the drawings.
  • the other wheels 24 can be in the form of casters, that can angle relative to the wheels 22.
  • the combination of wheels rotatable about a fixed axis and caster wheels will allow for omni-directional movement of the carrying case over the ground surface 10 under the control of the handlebar and its supporting telescopic legs 20.
  • Figure 6 shows an embodiment where only one caster wheel 51 is employed centrally located between two comers of a major wall of the case along with two wheels 53 rotatable about fixed axes.
  • This wheel arrangement will also allow for omni-directional movement of the carrying case over the ground surface, similar to the movement allowed by the combination of ground engaging wheels 22 and 24 where the wheels 22 are rotatable about fixed axes and the other wheels 24 are caster wheels.
  • Figures 6, 6A, 6B, and 6C also show various views of a set of retaining strips 55 which allow a user to maintain the luggage in a stationary position while the luggage is being held in a particularly challenging position such as, for example, on an escalator 57, (seg Fig. 6B), or if ascending or descending stairs.
  • the legs 20 can be tubes of fixed length that are hinged at their ends opposite the handlebar 18 to the end wall 32 of the case by the hinges 30.
  • the handlebar 18 and its associated telescopic legs instead of being positioned adjacent the front wall 26 of the carrying case are positioned internally of the carrying case and adjacent the back wall 28.
  • the rigid handlebar and leg arrangement can be supplemented, or indeed eliminated and replaced by a towing strap 44 which can be stored when not needed in a pocket 46 secured to a side wall of the carrying case.
  • the positioning of the telescopically extendable legs 20 for them to be guided within the case and adjacent the back wall 28 of the case carries with it the requirement that the legs 20, when retracted, can only extend parallel to the back wall 28 of the case in the manner of the conventional carrying case.
  • the respective legs 20 can be hingedly connected at 48 to the leg portions 50 that are slidable within the body of the case, and, which are held captive within the body of the case at the time the main handlebar 18 and its supporting legs 20 are extended from the case.
  • the respective telescoping legs 20 may be protected in the vicinity of the hinges 48 from damage due to collision with a curb or other obstruction during travel by a protective shield 119, s ⁇ g Figure 18.
  • the protective shield 119 comprises two L-shaped vertical sections 121 and a horizontal channel-shaped section 123, both of which rest against corresponding surfaces of the luggage when the legs 20 are fully retracted.
  • the vertical sections 121 and the horizontal section 123 are connected by a spring-loaded hinge 125, allowing the vertical sections 121 to angularly rotate with respect to the horizontal section 123, thus effectively protecting the region of the telescoping legs 20 around the hinges in the fully extended operating position, while not materially impeding the ease of rotating those legs 20 about their hinges as needed.
  • the shield 119 can serve as a rest stop during the lifting or tilting or both of the luggage in traversing a curb.
  • Figure 5 shows the case of Figures 3 and 4 with internally mounted telescopic legs 20 and handgrip 18, and as well illustrates the possibility of stacking at least one case 39 atop the case 41. Such stacking is accomplished in Figure 5 through the use of an elastic cord 43 tightly binding both cases 39, 41 and tied on both ends to a conventional handle 36 on the case 41.
  • Figures 5A through 5E depict two alternative methods for attaching more than one case to the towed case.
  • Figures 5A and 5B show a system employing a strap 59 and buckle 61 to connect each case to the one above it.
  • Figures 5C, 5D, and 5E show a system employing an elastic cord 63 wrapped about either of two parts of the lowest case 65, a conventional handle 67 for carrying the case 65 or an extensible and retractable handle 69 extending from and being substantially perpendicular to the conventional handle 67.
  • Each case 71 in the stack of cases will have a like combination of conventional and extensible and retractable handles to allow it to serve as the bottom case in a stack of cases.
  • the handlebar 18 and its supporting legs 20 are replaced by a linear member 52 comprised of a plurality of telescoping sections 54, 56 and a handgrip 58.
  • the handle 60 shown in Figures 6 to 12 is shown in its fiilly retracted position within the carrying case 14 in Figure 6, and the linear member 52 and its associated end section 50 are contained within a tubular member 62 located within the carrying case 14 and attached to the back wall 28. In this fiilly retracted position, the handle 60 is locked in place by a latch 64 pinned to the handgrip 58 at one end and seated in a groove 66 in a boss 68 which is integral with the tubular member 62 and is fixedly attached to the carrying case 14.
  • the latch 64 is held firmly in groove 66 by the spring 74 which biases a first button 72 and by a spring 67 loaded second button 69 pinned to a lever arm 73 fitting between and contacting the boss 68 and the underside 75 of the handgrip 58.
  • the linear member 52 passes through an aperture 70 in the boss 68. Pressing down 71 on the first button 72, which is located on the top of the handgrip 58 over the linear member 52, releases 77 the latch 64 from the groove 66, allowing a first telescoping section 56 to be extended to its full length.
  • FIG. 12A shows an exemplary detail of an arrangement whereby the lever arm 73 can be lifted 78 when the second button 69 is depressed 76.
  • the lever arm 73 is lifted 78 by the comer 65 of the boss 68.
  • a torsion spring 67 surrounding the pin 79 connecting the second button 69 and the lever arm 73 acts to restore the lever arm 73 to a horizontal position.
  • Figure 12B shows another exemplary detail of an arrangement whereby the lever arm 73 can be lifted 78 when the second button 69 is depressed 76.
  • Figure 1 IB shows the pin 79, which attaches the lever arm
  • the cams 83, 85 on the pin 79 and the hole 81 convert the downward motion of the second button 69 when depressed into rotational motion of the pin 79 counterclockwise, raising the lever arm 73 mounted on the pin
  • a rod 78 is connected to the spring 74 beneath the first button 72.
  • the rod 78 travels vertically down and up within the first telescoping section 56 as the first button 72 is depressed and released.
  • the rod 78 is adapted to contact a tube 82 mounted in first telescoping section 56 near the free end of the rod 78.
  • the tube 82 is loaded with a spring biased ball bearing 84.
  • the ball bearing 84 is seated in an aperture 86 in the second telescoping section 54 by the contact of the rod 78 with the tube 82, thus locking the first telescoping section 56 against vertical movement.
  • the ball bearing 84 can be moved out of the aperture 86 since the rod 78 no longer contacts the tube 82, allowing vertical extension of the first telescoping section 56.
  • a multiplicity of apertures 86 may be located in the second telescoping section 54 to allow multiple "locking points" for the first telescoping section 56 as it extends since the ball bearing 84, by virtue of its spring biasing, will become seated in each of the apertures 86 as the rod 78 contacting the tube 82 moves vertically upward along with the first telescoping section 56 in which the rod 78 is mounted.
  • the structure of the second button 69 is the same as shown in Figure 8 and as described with reference thereto except for the elbow and rod arrangement 88 attached to the bottom flange 90 of the second button
  • the elbow and rod arrangement 88 carry a tube 92 loaded with a spring biased ball bearing 94.
  • the rod 96 travels vertically down or up between the tubular member 62 and the second telescoping section 54 when the second button 69 is depressed or released, respectively.
  • the ball bearing 94 is seated in one of the apertures 86 in the second telescoping section 54, adding its locking effect to that of the lever arm 73 previously described. Pressing the second button 69 after the first telescoping section 56 is fiilly extended will raise the lever arm 73 as previously descibed and will also unseat the ball bearing 94 from the aperture 86 in which it was located, thus allowing extension of the second telescoping section 54.
  • multiple "locking points" can be introduced at different lengths of extension of the second telescoping section 54 by a multiplicity of apertures 86 in and along the length of the second telescoping section 54. If such a multiplicity of apertures 86 is introduced in the second telescoping section 54, the ball bearing 94 will become seated in each of the apertures 86 as the second telescoping section 54 is extended, locking the section repeatedly. By depressing the second button 69 on each such occasion of locking, the ball bearing 94 will become unseated from the aperture 86 in which it is seated, allowing further extension of the second telescoping section 54.
  • the same apertures 86 in the second telescoping section 54 can be used to seat both ball bearings 84, 94 and thus to serve as multiple "locking points" for both the first telescoping section 56 and the second telescoping section 54.
  • the arrangement shown in Figures 8 A to 8C allows as many degrees of lockable extension of the handle 60 as the number of apertures 86 which are provided in contradistinction to the arrangement shown in Figure 8 which only allows one degree of lockable extension, namely, the condition existing when the first telescoping section 56 is fiilly extended, and the second telescoping section 54 is still unextended.
  • Figure 14 shows the end section 50 connected to the second telescoping section 54 by a socket type hinge 98 restricting rotation 100, 102 of the handle to a plane substantially perpendicular to the back wall 28 of the carrying case 14 when the case 14 is laid on its back wall 28 on a supporting surface, and to a plane of substantially the same inclination to the horizontal as the inclination of the handle 60 also when the case 14 is laid on its back wall 28.
  • the hinge 98 thus, allows extensive maneuverability of the handle 60 when the case 14 is laid on its back wall 28, without allowing rotation of the handle 60 about its longitudinal axis 104.
  • This extensive maneuverablity of the handle 60 allows a person to guide the case 14 in substantially any direction including around curved paths of varying radii of curvature.
  • Figure 16 shows the end section 50 connected to the second telescoping section 54 by socket type hinge 104 restricting rotation 100 of the handle 60 to a plane substantially perpendicular to the back wall 28 of the carrying case 14 when the case 14 is laid on its back wall 28 on a supporting surface.
  • the socket type hinge shown in Figure 16 may optionally be provided with a locking mechanism allowing the telescoping handle 101, see Figure 17, to be releasably “fixed” at various positions of rotation.
  • the locking mechanism comprises a series of detents 103 on the end section 105 remaining within the case upon full extension of the telescoping handle 101.
  • a spring-loaded ball bearing 107 (s ⁇ e Figure 17A), fits into one of the detents 103 to lock the handle 101 in a particular angular position.
  • the handle 101 upon a reasonable force exerted by the user generally perpendicular to the handle 101, the handle 101 is removed from such a locked position since the spring-loaded ball bearing 107 is forced out of its detent 103 by compressing its spring.
  • the socket type hinge shown in Figure 16 may also optionally be provided with a torsion spring 109, (s ⁇ Figure 19A), or other equivalent device to insure that the handle 111 retums to the vertical or upright position if released.
  • a second hinge 113 may optionally be added to the socket type hinge shown in Figure 16, allowing rotation of the handle in the same planes specified with respect to the socket type hinge 98 shown in Figure 14.
  • a handle 111 may also be provided with a pinned connection 115 to the handgrip 117, (see Figure 19), allowing the handgrip 117 to remain in an unrotated position even as the remainder of the handle 111 rotates in the plane of its inclination to the horizontal.
  • At least one of the wheels 106 on the major wall 108 of the article of luggage 110 may be designed so that it retracts below the surface 112 of the major wall 108 of the luggage 110 from which it otherwise protrudes upon the desire of a user, (see Figures 20 and 21).
  • the at least one wheel 106 is held in a retracted position so that a bottom surface 114 of a housing 116 in which each wheel 106 is mounted is level with the surface 112 of the major wall 108 of the luggage 110 when an extendible handle 118 of the luggage 110 is in a fiilly retracted position.
  • Each wheel 106 is held in a retracted position by a bar 120 with a tongue 122, the tongue 122 fitting into an aperture 124 in the housing 116.
  • the tongue 122 and the aperture 124 restrain the housing 116 and the wheel 106 from being rotated outwardly from the luggage 110 by a spring-loaded hinge 126 which tends to rotate the attached housing 116 and mounted wheel 106 out of a well 128 in the luggage 110 into which the housing 116 and wheel 106 fit when retracted.
  • Each bar 120 is biased toward the aperture 124 by a spring 130 surrounding and extending along a portion of the length of the bar 120, the spring 130 being held in place by protrusions 132,133 from the major wall 108 of the luggage 112 and from the well 128, respectively, and by a flange 135 on the bar 120.
  • a cable 134 is attached at a first end to each bar 130, the cable 134 extending through a guide tube 137 to an attachment at a second end to a U-shaped member 136.
  • the U-shaped member 136 is in turn attached through a cable 139 to a pull ring 141 located within the luggage 110 in a position such that the grip 143 of the extendible handle 118 covers the pull ring 141 when the extendible handle 118 is fiilly retracted and, thus, makes the pull ring 141 inaccessible to a user.
  • the user can manually exert a tensile force 138 on the pull ring 141.
  • the tensile force 138 acts through the system of the cable 139, the U-shaped member 136, and the cables 134, to retract each bar 120 against each biasing spring 130 such that the tongue 122 no longer lies within the aperture 124.
  • This retraction of the bar 120 and the tongue 122 sets the housing 116 and the attached wheel 106 free to rotate 140 under the impetus of the spring-biased hinge 126 until the housing 116 impacts and is held against the surface 112 of the major wall 108 of the luggage 110.
  • the wheel 106 is available to contact a supporting surface to allow the luggage 110 to be propelled by the handle 118 such that its major wall 108 is parallel to the supporting surface.
  • the retracted position of the wheels 106 previously discussed allows more convenient storage of the luggage 110 because the flat surface 112 of the major wall 108 is not interrupted by the projection of the housings 116 and wheels 106 in the operating position.
  • This protrusion of the tongue 122 into the interior 141 of the well 128 occurs due to the spring 130 biasing the bar 120 toward the well 128 when no tensile force 138 is acting on the cable 134.
  • the flange 135 serves to limit the biasing of the bar 120 toward the well 128 by contacting the well 128, as well as serving to hold the spring 130 as previously mentioned.
  • the outer surface 145 of the housing 116 contacts the tongue 122 forcing it temporarily inward toward the well 128 against the biasing force of the spring 130.
  • the tongue 122 When the tongue 122, however, reaches the aperture 124 in the housing 116 due to the rotation of the housing 116 into the well 128, the tongue 122 will be snapped into the aperture 124 by the biasing force of the spring 130, thus locking the housing 116 and attached wheel 106 into place.
  • Figures 24 and 25 detail an alternative arrangement for the retractable wheel assemblies 144.
  • the major difference from the previously described arrangement is the alteration of the member restraining the wheel 147 and the housing 149 in a retracted position from the bar 120 previously described to a pivotable member 146.
  • the pivotable member 146 restrains the wheel 147 and the housing 149 by a tongue 148 fittinng through an aperture 150 in the well 152 and an aperture 154 in the housing 149, similarly to the previous description.
  • the pivotable member 146 is of a generally cross shape in plan and is pivotably attached 156 to the luggage 158.
  • the pivotable attachment is located on one arm 160 of the pivotable member 146 transverse to the tongue 148 of the pivotable member 146, while a second arm 162 of the pivotable member 146 is attached through a spring 164 to the luggage 158.
  • the pivotable member 146 pivots about the pivotable attachment 156 such that the tongue 148 no longer passes through the aperture 154, (see dotted line shape 170 in Figure 20 representing the pivoted position of the pivotable member 146).
  • the spring 164 acts to cause the pivotable member 146 to pivot in the opposite direction from the direction of pivoting of the pivotable member 146 when the cable 166 was pulled, such pivoting producing the result that the tongue 148 is again in a position to pass through the aperture 154.
  • the interior 172 of the well 152 must be empty to allow the tongue 148 to be pivoted back by the spring 164 to a position to pass through the aperture 154.
  • This position of the tongue 148 protruding from the well 152 into the empty interior 172 of the well 152 will insure a "snap lock" of the housing 149 and the wheel 147 into the retracted position when the housing 149 and the wheel 147 are subsequently manually retracted, the "snap lock" occurring by a process similar to that described for the previous wheel arrangement.
  • Figure 26 shows an altemative arrangement for retaining retractable wheels in a retracted position comprising a molded or otherwise rigid major wall 174 of a case upon which retractable caster wheels 176, as well as fixed wheels 177 are mounted.
  • the caster wheels 176 are held in the retracted position by a rigid frame 178 releasably connected to all three retractable caster wheels 176 when they are in the retracted position.
  • the rigid frame 178 which is connected to the handle, moves in the same direction, being also connected to slides 182 moving in internal tracks 184 in the molding 174.
  • the rigid frame 178 releases the retractable caster wheels 176 which pop out through holes (not shown) in the molding 174, propelled by spring-loaded hinges 186 connecting the plates 188 on which the retractable caster wheels 176 are mounted to the molding 174.
  • the user will manually retract the wheels once they are extended.
  • Figure 27 shows a molding or otherwise rigid major wall 190 other than the major wall shown in Figure 26 on which the retractable wheels are mounted.
  • major wall 190 other than the major wall shown in Figure 26 on which the retractable wheels are mounted.
  • a case can have such molded upper and lower major walls, with the side walls being either flexible or also rigid at the option of the manufacturer.
  • FIGS 28 through 30 show yet another altemative embodiment for retractable wheels.
  • This embodiment allows automatic retraction as well as extension of the wheels 192. As illustrated, this is accomplished by a rack 194 and pinion 196 mechanism.
  • the rack 194 is cut on a bar 195 connected to the end section 198 of the handle, the end section 198 being held inside the case even at full extension of the handle.
  • the end section 198 is held inside the case by a detent 200 in the end section 198 contacted by a spring-loaded ball bearing 202 at full extension of the handle.
  • the automatic extension and retraction of the caster wheels 192 occurs as follows. As the leg 204 of the handle approaches full extension, the rack 194 engages the pinion 196 causing it to rotate.
  • the pinion 196 is attached to a spring-loaded hinge 206 which is in turn attached to the plate 208 on which the caster wheel 192 is mounted.
  • the spring of the spring-loaded hinge 206 is so biased as to retain the caster wheel 192 in a retracted position within the case in the absence of rotation of the pinion 196.
  • the rotation of the pinion 196 causes the hinge 206 and the plate 208 to rotate, extending the caster wheel 192 outside of the case.
  • the process is reversed as the leg 204 of the handle begins to be inserted inside the case from its fiilly extended position.
  • the rack 194 again causes the pinion 196, the hinge 206, and the plate 208 to rotate, but in the opposite direction from that occurring when the leg 204 of the handle is extending, thus retracting the caster wheel
  • Figures 28 through 30 show the arrangement for only one retractable caster wheel 192, the arrangement for the retractable caster wheel at the other comer of the case is a mirror image of the arrangement shown. Furthermore, if there is a caster wheel in the center of the major wall of the case, it may also easily be made automatically extendable and retractable through the use of another spring-loaded hinge and rack and pinion arrangement similar to that shown in Figures 28 through 30 with the addition of another bar with rack cut into it attached to the other side of the end section 198 horizontally across from the bar 195.
  • the front wall 26 can also be detachably attached to the body of the carrying case 14 by a zippered connection therewith as indicated at 34 in Figure 1.
  • a zippered connection therewith as indicated at 34 in Figure 1.
  • This will permit the front wall 26 with its attached ground engagable wheels 22 and 24 and the center caster 40 to be entirely removed from the carrying case in the event that it is not deemed needed for a particular use or if replacement, repair, or cleaning of the surface is desired.
  • access to the interior of the carrying case can be provided by a zippered closure located underneath the front wall 26.
  • the zippered closure can be provided on the back face 28 of the carrying case, in which event the handle 18 and its legs 20 can also be made removable from the body of the carrying case.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un bagage tractable comportant des roues (24) venant en contact avec le sol et montées sur la plus grande partie antérieure ou postérieure, afin de permettre la traction dudit bagage sur une surface de sol, la paroi choisie se trouvant à proximité de la surface de sol (42) et tournée vers celle-ci. Ce bagage peut être tiré au moyen d'une sangle de traction (44) fixée sur celui-ci, ou bien au moyen d'une poignée (18) dont les branches télescopiques (20) sont fixées de manière pivotante au bagage, lesdites branches étant en variante logées de manière télescopique à l'intérieur du corps du bagage, les branches respectives comportant des charnières permettant de soulever et d'abaisser la poignée par rapport au bagage.
EP99902155A 1998-01-09 1999-01-08 Bagage tractable extra-plat Withdrawn EP1045654A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US531398A 1998-01-09 1998-01-09
US09/015,571 US6302250B1 (en) 1997-06-09 1998-01-30 Towable carrying case
US56104 1998-04-06
US09/056,104 US6193033B1 (en) 1997-06-09 1998-04-06 Towable carrying case
WOPCT/US98/12162 1998-06-08
PCT/US1998/012162 WO1998056274A1 (fr) 1997-06-09 1998-06-08 Mallette de transport remorquable
PCT/US1999/000557 WO1999034703A1 (fr) 1998-01-09 1999-01-08 Bagage tractable extra-plat
US5313 2001-12-07
US15571 2001-12-17

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1045654A1 EP1045654A1 (fr) 2000-10-25
EP1045654A4 true EP1045654A4 (fr) 2002-04-24

Family

ID=27485471

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99902155A Withdrawn EP1045654A4 (fr) 1998-01-09 1999-01-08 Bagage tractable extra-plat

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1045654A4 (fr)
JP (1) JP2003521262A (fr)
CN (1) CN1292657A (fr)
WO (1) WO1999034703A1 (fr)

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GB0517720D0 (en) * 2005-08-31 2005-10-05 Lee Paul T H Improved luggage
US7841453B2 (en) * 2006-11-16 2010-11-30 Tough Traveler Ltd. Luggage constraining apparatus and system
RU2337597C1 (ru) * 2007-03-16 2008-11-10 Виктор Ефимович Минакер Устройство для перемещения ручной клади
ITTV20090137A1 (it) * 2009-06-26 2010-12-27 Gianbattista Causin Valigia tipo trolley
JP5285551B2 (ja) 2009-09-04 2013-09-11 本田技研工業株式会社 作業機のハンドルロック構造体
ES2398567B1 (es) * 2011-01-14 2013-11-22 Emel Barcelona, S.L. Maleta.
ITVI20120130A1 (it) * 2012-06-01 2013-12-02 Nilvia S N C Valigia trainabile
GB201401380D0 (en) * 2014-01-27 2014-03-12 Froogle Adds Ltd All terrain travel
US11109657B2 (en) 2014-11-06 2021-09-07 Eddie Bauer LLC Rolling luggage with multiple modes of conveyance
US20160128442A1 (en) * 2014-11-06 2016-05-12 Eddie Bauer LLC Rolling luggage with multiple modes of conveyance
HK1199164A2 (en) * 2015-01-08 2015-06-19 移代有限公司 Multifunctional carrying device
CN109414098A (zh) * 2016-06-21 2019-03-01 肯尼斯·奥斯丁 一种用于带轮行李箱的拉杆机构
TWI618502B (zh) * 2017-01-12 2018-03-21 Zhang rui yang Trolley device installed in the trunk lid
CN206852220U (zh) * 2017-05-26 2018-01-09 深圳市大疆创新科技有限公司 手提箱
CN108634515B (zh) * 2018-06-30 2024-04-09 浙江德清完美箱包有限公司 可作为运输工具的箱包
JP2021061492A (ja) * 2019-10-04 2021-04-15 株式会社Ｉｈｉインフラ建設 遠隔監視システム
CN110919613A (zh) * 2019-12-24 2020-03-27 淅川县电业局 一种电力检修工具用安全防护装置
JP2021112384A (ja) * 2020-01-20 2021-08-05 久範 山原 スーツケース
FR3106476B1 (fr) * 2020-01-24 2022-02-18 Hermes Sellier Article de maroquinerie du type bagage
FR3106475B1 (fr) * 2020-01-24 2022-02-18 Hermes Sellier Article de maroquinerie du type bagage
JP2021129826A (ja) * 2020-02-20 2021-09-09 久範 山原 スーツケース
JP7566697B2 (ja) 2021-07-30 2024-10-15 株式会社Ｉｈｉインフラ建設 無線中継システムの運搬装置
GB2619771B (en) * 2022-06-17 2024-08-14 It Luggage Ltd Suitcase

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See also references of WO9934703A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1045654A1 (fr) 2000-10-25
JP2003521262A (ja) 2003-07-15
CN1292657A (zh) 2001-04-25
WO1999034703A1 (fr) 1999-07-15

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