GB2130973A

GB2130973A - Wheeled carriers

Info

Publication number: GB2130973A
Application number: GB08233998A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Dennis Clegg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-11-29
Filing date: 1982-11-29
Publication date: 1984-06-13

Abstract

A wheeled attachment comprises a wheeled base (6) comprising two wheels (14), and a collapsible support (8) which is adapted for releasable connection to the base. The support (8) comprises two support elements (24, 28) each of which provides a support surface which extends generally in a plane, whereby in an erected condition for use, the support surfaces extend generally mutually perpendicular, enabling an object such as a suitcase to be mounted thereon. Opposite end portions of a flexible elongate element (42) are connected to the support, comprising length- adjusting means, whereby the flexible elongate element may be tightened around a suitcase and the support drawn firmly against the suitcase at a lower edge thereof. A handle (44) is provided on the flexible elongate element intermediate the ends thereof, to enable the suitcase to be wheeled from place-to-place. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to wheeled carriers, for example for luggage This invention is concerned with wheeled carriers, specifically a wheeled attachment for fitting to an object to enable it to be wheeled from place to place.

The wheeled attachment of the invention has been devised primariiy for use with a piece of luggage such as a suitcase or trunk, but may be used to advantage with other, particularly cuboid objects, for example fishing baskets.

It is one of the various objects of this invention to provide a wheeled attachment that is relatively simple in its construction and convenient in its use.

According to this invention, there is provided a wheeled attachment for fitting to an object to enable the object to be wheeled from place to place, the attachment comprising a support, at least one flexible elongate element connected to the support and adapted to enable the support to be secured to an object, a handle connected to the flexible elongate element at a position remote from its connection with the support, and a wheeled base to which the support may releasably be connected.

In this manner, the support may be secured to an object such as a suitcase, typically with the support engaging one (e.g. a lower) portion of the suitcase and the handle being located adjacent an opposite (e.g. upper) portion thereof. When it is desired to wheel the suitcase from place to place, the wheeled base may be connected to the support, and when necessary or convenient the base may be disconnected from the support.

Preferably the support is adapted to provide mutually perpendicular support surfaces against which, in use, the sides of a suitcase adjacent a lower edge thereof may be placed.

Preferably the support comprises two supporting elements, each adapted to provide one support surface which extends generally in a plane, and preferably said supporting elements are mounted for relative movement between an erected condition for use, and in which said support surfaces extend generally mutually perpendicular, and a collapsed condition in which said support surfaces extend generally in a plane.

Preferably opposite end portions of the flexible elongate element are each connected to the support, and preferably the flexible elongate element comprises length-adjusting means whereby on tightening of the flexible elongate element around the suitcase, the support is drawn firmly against the suitcase at said lower edge thereof.

Conveniently the base is adapted not to engage the suitcase, and preferably comprises a rigid base frame which provides a mounting for two spaced wheels.

Preferably the means by which the support and base may be connected together is constructed and arranged in a manner such that the base may be moved relative to the support into an engagement position and snap-fitted into engagement with the support, preferably in a manner which requires little, and preferably no, manipulation of securing elements.

Preferably the support is adapted to be connected to the base in a manner such that one support element is rigid with the base, whereby the said support element may provide a groundengaging member to enable an object to which the attachment is connected to be stood upright on the ground, supported by said two wheels and the ground-engaging member.

There may be provided two flexible elongate elements with the handle extending between the ends thereof remote from the connection of the flexible elongate elements with the support.

Preferably however there is one flexible elongate element and the handle is conveniently connected thereto at a position along the length thereof, which position may either be adjustable or fixed in relation to the connection of the flexible elongate element at one end thereof to the support.

Preferably the handle comprises a flexible elongate element, and preferably the length of the handle is adjustable.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a wheeled attachment which is a preferred embodiment of this invention and which has been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: FIGURE 1 is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment; FIGURE 2a is a perspective view of the lower part of the preferred embodiment showing a support thereof in an erected condition; FIGURE 2b is a perspective view of an upper part of the preferred embodiment, specifically part of a flexible elongate element and handle thereof; FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing the support in a collapsed condition; and FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmented view showing the manner of connection of the support with a wheeled base of the preferred embodiment.

The preferred embodiment of this invention is a wheeled attachment for fitting to an object to enable the object to be wheeled from place to place, and will be described hereinafter in its use with a suitcase. However, it is to be appreciated that other objects, particularly generally cuboid objects including trunks, may be used with the preferred embodiment.

The wheeled attachment which is the preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a wheeled base 6 and a collapsible support 8 which is adapted for releasable connection to the base.

The base 6 comprises a generally hollow rectangular base frame 10 from which depends two brackets 12, each of which provide an axis for a ground-engaging wheel 14.

The base also comprises a first securing element 1 6 of generally U-shape extending a short distance into the central region of the frame from one side edge, and a second securing element in the form of a bar 1 8 extending across the central region adjacent the opposite side edge. Also extending into the central region from said opposite side edge is a spring clip 20.

The support 8 comprises a first support element 22 and a second support element 24 pivotally mounted on the element 22. The element 22 is constructed from lengths of wire or the like formed to a desired shape and welded together, and comprises a generally rectangular frame 26 from which a generally V-shaped extension 28 projects, providing a generally planar supporting surface. Extending downwardly from one side edge of the frame 26 is a flattened loop 30, and extending downwardly from the opposite side edge is a somewhat larger loop 32, which is inclined so as to lie closer to the plane of the supporting surface.

From the rear side of the frame 26 extend two loops 34, affording spaced stops.

The second support element 24 is generally V-shaped, being provided at its ends with loops 36 which are formed around the rear side of the frame 26 adjacent to the loops 34. The element 24 is thus capable of pivotal movement relative to the element 22 between the position shown in Figure 2a, hereinafter referred to as the erected condition, and a collapsed condition illustrated in Figure 4, the erected position being limited by engagement of the element 24 with the loops 34.

The wheeled attachment comprises two flexible elongate elements afforded by straps 40 and 42, each of which being connected at one end to one of the apices of the extension 28 and the element 24, the opposite ends of the straps being connected to a handle 44, and each of the straps comprising, intermediate its ends, a length adjusting device 43 of conventional design.

Thus with the support in its erected condition, a suitcase may be placed with one edge in contact with the two supporting surfaces, and by tightening of the device 43, the support may be firmly drawn into tight abutting engagement with the suitcase, whilst the handle may be positioned to extend adjacent the diagonally opposite edge.

When the support has been firmly secured to the suitcase in this manner, the base may be connected to the support in the following manner.

The securing element 1 6 is aligned with the loop 30 and the loop 32 is aligned between the securing bar 18 and the frame 10. The base is pressed against the support element 22, and is moved in an axial direction (B, Figure 4) so that the element 1 6 passes into the loop 30 and the bar 1 8 passes beneath the loop 32. The outer edge 27 of the frame 26 engages the spring clip 20, momentarily depressing the spring clip as the outer edge 27 passes to the opposite side thereof.

The angle of inclination of the faces of the clip are such as to make such movement relatively easy, but to prevent movement in the opposite direction.

In this manner, the suitcase may be wheeled around by the use of the handle, or stood in an upright position as illustrated in Figure 1, in which it is stably supported between the wheels 1 4 and the apex of the extension 28, which provides a ground-engaging element rigid with the base.

To remove the base from the support, the spring clip may be pulled downwardly in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 2a, allowing the outer edge 27 to pass over the clip as the base is moved axially relative to the support. In this manner, the base may readily be removed from the support whilst the support remains secured to the suitcase. The base, being relatively flat, may readily be carried in a bag, or could if desired be temporarily attached to the suitcase by means of one of the straps. In such manner the base may readily be re-connected to the support when it is desired to wheel the suitcase again.

A quick-release clip 50 is interposed between one of the straps and the handle, whereby when the straps have been adjusted to length, the support may quickly be disconnected from, and reconnected to, the suitcase.

When disconnected from the suitcase, the support may be moved to its generally fiat, collapsed condition in which it may conveniently be stored.

Claims

1. A wheeled attachment for fitting to an object to enable the object to be wheeled from place-toplace, the attachment comprising a support, at least one flexible elongate element connected to the support and adapted to enable the support to be secured to the object, a handle connected to the flexible elongate element at a position remote from its connection with the support, and a wheeled base to which the support may releasably be connected.

2. A wheeled attachment according to Claim 1 wherein the support is adapted to provide mutually perpendicular support surfaces against which, in use, sides of an object adjacent a lower edge thereof may be placed.

3. A wheeled attachment according to Claim 2 wherein the support comprises two supporting elements, each adapted to provide one support surface which extends generally in a plane.

4. A wheeled attachment according to Claim 3 wherein said supporting elements are mounted for relative movement between an erected condition for use, and in which said support surfaces extend generally mutually perpendicular, and a collapsed condition in which said support surfaces extend generally in a plane.

5. A wheeled attachment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein one flexible elongate element is provided, opposite end portions of which are each connected to the support.

6. A wheeled attachment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the flexible elongate element or one of the flexible elongate elements comprises length-adjusting means.

7. A wheeled attachment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base is adapted not to engage the object.

8. A wheeled attachment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the base comprises a rigid base frame which provides a mounting for two spaced wheels.

9. A wheeled attachment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the means by which the support and base may be connected together is constructed and arranged in a manner such that the base may be moved relative to the support into an engagement position and snapfitted into engagement with the support.

10. A wheeled attachment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the support is adapted to be connected to the base in a manner such that one support element is rigid with the base, whereby the said support element provides a ground-engaging member to enable an object to which the attachment is connected to be stood upright on the ground, supported by two wheels and the ground-engaging member.

11. A wheeled attachment according to Claim 1 wherein there is provided two flexible elongate elements with the handle extending between the ends thereof remote from the connection of the elements with the support.

12. A wheeled attachment according to Claim 1 wherein there is one flexible elongate element and the handle is connected thereto at a position along the length thereof, intermediate the ends of those flexible elongate element which are connected to the support.

13. A wheeled attachment according to Claim 12 wherein the position at which the handle is provided is adjustable in relation to the connection of the flexible elongate element at one end thereof to the support.

1 4. A wheeled attachment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the handle comprise a flexible elongate element.

1 5. A wheeled attachment according to Claim 14 wherein the length of the handle is adjustable.

1 6. A wheeled attachment for fitting to an object to enable the object to be wheeled from place-to-place, constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 7. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein and/or shown in the accompanying drawings.