GB2130974A - Wheeled carriers - Google Patents

Abstract

A wheeled carrier particularly useful in enabling an object such as a suitcase to be wheeled from place-to- place comprises a wheeled base (6) and a support (8) which is adapted for releasable connection to the base. The support (8) comprises two side members (34) so spaced as to enable a suitcase to be placed on the support between the side members (34). A strap (50) extends rearwardly of the support, to embrace the rear of the suitcase, and a further strap (52) extends forwardly of the support, to embrace the front of the suitcase, the further strap being provided with length adjusting means, and a quick- release fastening (56). The wheeled base (6) may readily be secured to or disconnected from the support, to enable the suitcase to be carried conveniently without the need for removal of the support from the suitcase. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to wheeled carriers, for example for luggage This invention is concerned with wheeled carriers, and in particular with a wheeled attachment of the kind, hereinafter referred to as being of the kind specified, for fitting to an object to enable the object to be wheeled from place to place. The wheeled attachment of the invention has been devised primarily 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.

Difficulty is encountered in wheeled attachments of the kind specified in enabling them to be fitted to suitcases in a manner which permits the suitcase to be wheeled in a horizontal direction extending at right angles to the face of smallest cross-sectional area, which is most convenient when moving the suitcase through a confined space.

According to this invention, there is provided a wheeled carrier of the kind specified, comprising a support, spaced side members extending from the support between which a suitcase may be placed on said support in a position intermediate the ends of a bottom face of the suitcase, and at least one flexible elongate element extending between the side members and which are adapted to embrace the suitcase rearwardly of said side members and to embrace the suitcase forwardly of said side members, and a handle connected to the flexible elongate element, or one of said flexible elongate elements.

Preferably the or each elongate element is provided by a strap, and preferably there is provided tightening means whereby the strap or one of the straps may be tightened around the suitcase.

In this manner, the strap or straps extend effectively wholly around the suitcase, engaging the four side and end faces thereof. In this manner, the suitcase may be wheeled with its end faces generally vertical, in a direction generally at right angles to the plane of said end faces, with commensurate convenience. By the capability of the carrier being positioned intermediate the ends of the bottom face of the suitcase, the suitcase may to some extent be balanced on the wheels, reducing the force needed to hold the suitcase.

Preferably however the construction and arrangement is such that the extent to which the strap or straps embrace the suitcase rearwardly of the side members is less than the extent to which the strap or straps embrace the suitcase forwardly thereof. In this manner, there is provided at least a small tendency for the forward end of the suitcase to drop, allowing the suitcase to be supported by support of the handle.

Preferably two straps are provided, and are arranged so as to be capable of extending from the side arms at an angle to one another. In this manner, the tension in the forward strap may be increased by being caused to adopt a somewhat diagonal relationship with the suitcase, as occurs when the handle is lifted and tends to pull the strap up the front end face of the suitcase. Thus, the ends of each strap may be connected to the side members by a stud which permits arcuate movement between such end and the side member, when the strap is under tension.

Preferably the side members are mounted for at least limited pivotal movement. In this manner, where a suitcase is mounted which is somewhat narrower than the spacing between the side members, on tightening of the strap or straps the side members may be caused to pivot inwardly into engagement with the side faces of the suitcase.

Preferably the carrier comprises, in addition to the support and the strap or straps, a wheeled base adapted to be releasably secured to the support. In this manner, with the support secured to a suitcase with the strap or straps, the wheeled base may be secured to the support when it is desired to wheel the suitcase, or removed therefrom when it is desired to carry the suitcase, without the necessity for removal of the support and the strap or straps.

According to this invention, there is also 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.

Preferably, the or each flexible elongate element is adapted to secure the support to an object such as a suitcase beneath the bottom face thereof, and extending transversely thereof, the wheeled base when secured to the support defining an axis, about which the wheels rotate, which also extends transversely of the bottom face. Preferably the flexible elongate elements are adapted to extend around the suitcase in contact with the side faces and end faces thereof, said flexible elongate element or elements extending, at least over part of the length thereof, at a position closer to the bottom face of the suitcase.

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 showing the preferred embodiment in use in attachment to a suitcase; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the attachment, showing the rearmost flexible elongate element; and FIGURE 3 is a perspective view showing part of the foremost flexible elongate element and the handle of the attachment.

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 preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a wheeled base 6 and a support 8 which is adapted for releasable connection to the base. The base comprises a generally hollow rectangular base frame 10 from which depend two brackets 12, each of which provides 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 tho central region 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 generally rectangular frame 26 constructed of wire or the like formed into shape and welded, having shorter sides 28 and longer sides 29. Extending downwardly from one of the shorter sides 28 is a flattened loop 30, and extending downwardly from the other of the sides 28 is a somewhat larger loop 32, which is inclined so as to lie close to the plane of the frame 26.

Pivotally mounted on the ends of the frame 26 are two side members 34, each formed from a length of wire or the like and formed to the shape illustrated in Figure 2, comprising a central, generally V-shape section 35, carrying at its upper end a mounting 36, and comprising arms 38 which extend from the section 35 terminating in looped portions 39 which extend around one of the sides 29 of the frame 26. The side members are each capable of limited inward movement relative to the frame 26, outward movement thereof being limited by engagement with the base 6.

Extending from the mountings 36 is a rearward flexible strap 50, and extending forwardly thereof is a further flexible strap 52, within the length of which there is provided length adjusting means (not shown) and a quick-release fastening 56. The strap 52 is longer than the strap 50, and when a suitcase is mounted on the attachment, its bottom face being placed on the support about one third the distance from the rear edge, the strap 50 closely embraces part of the side faces and end face of the suitcase, occupying the position shown in Figure 2. The strap 52 may then be tightened around the forward end of the suitcase, pushing the suitcase backwardly into engagement with the rear strap 50, the strap 52 initially occupying a position around the lower part of the suitcase, as is shown in Figure 1 in relation to the strap 50.

Connected to the strap 52 by means of loops 58 slidable thereon is a handle 60, also provided with length-adjusting means. When so mounted on the suitcase, the front end of the suitcase may be lifted from the ground by lifting of the handle.

Such movement tends to move the strap 52 somewhat upwardly into the position shown in Figure 1, i.e. generally diagonally of the suitcase, causing further tightening of the straps 50 and 52 around the suitcase. Such further tightening tends to cause the side members 34 to move somewhat inwardly to firmly grip the side faces of the suitcase.

When the straps 50 and 52 have been secured around the suitcase, and the support 8 firmly connected 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 in then moved in an axial direction so that the element 1 6 passes into the loop 30 and the bar 1 8 passes beneath the loop 32. One of the shorter sides 29 of the frame 26 engages the spring clip 20, momentarily depressing the clip as said side 28 passes to the opposite side of the clip. 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 in the normal upright orientation, end first, as is shown in Figure 1, with advantages when wheeling the suitcase in a confined space.

When wheeling of the suitcase is no longer appropriate, the base may be removed from the support by pulling the spring clip 20 downwardly, in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 2, allowing the said side 29 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 attached to the suitcase by means of one of the straps. In this manner the base may readily be reconnected to the support when it is desired to wheel the suitcase again.

By use of the quick-reiease fastening 56, the straps 50 and 52, together with the support 8 and side members 34, may quickly be removed from the suitcase: this may be accomplished whether or not the base 6 is secured to the support.

Claims (14)

1. A wheeled carrier of the kind specified, comprising a support, spaced side members extending from the support between which an object may be placed on the support in a position intermediate the ends of a bottom face of the object, and at least one flexible elongate element extending between the side members adapted to embrace the object rearwardly of said side members and to embrace the object forwardly of said side members, and a handle connected to the flexible elongate element, or one of said flexible elongate elements.

2. A wheeled carrier according to Claim 1 wherein the or each elongate element is provided by a strap.

3. A wheeled carrier according to one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein there is provided tightening means whereby the flexible elongate element or one of the flexible elongate elements may be tightened around the object.

4. A wheeled carrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the construction and arrangement is such that the extent to which the flexible elongate element or elements embrace the object rearwardly of the side members is less than the extent to which the element or elements embrace the object forwardly thereof.

5. A wheeled carrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein two flexible elongate elements are provided, a first being secured at opposite ends thereof to the support and being adapted to embrace the object rearwardly of the side faces, and the second being secured at opposite ends thereof to the support and being adapted to embrace the object forwardly of the side members.

6. A wheeled carrier according to Claim 5 wherein the handle is connected to the second element intermediate the ends thereof.

7. A wheeled carrier according to one of Claims 5 and 6, as appendant to Claim 3 wherein the tightening means is provided on the second element.

8. A wheeled carrier according to any one of Claims 5, 6 and 7 wherein the two flexible elongate elements are arranged so as to be capable of extending from the side members at an angle to one another.

9. A wheeled carrier according to Claim 8 wherein the ends of each flexible elongate element are connected to the side members by a stud which permits arcuate movement between such end and the side member, when the element is under tension.

10. A wheeled carrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the side members are mounted for at least limited pivotal movement.

11. A wheeled carrier according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the carrier comprises a wheeled base adapted to be releasably secured to the support.

12. 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 which is 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.

13. A wheeled attachment according to Claim 12 wherein the or each flexible elongate element is adapted to secure the support to an object such as a suitcase beneath the bottom face thereof, and extending transversely thereof, the wheeled base when secured to the support defining an axis, about which the wheels rotate, which also extends transversely of the bottom face.

14. A wheeled attachment according to Claim 1 3 wherein there are two flexible elongate elements which are adapted to extend around the suitcase in contact with the side faces and end faces thereof, one of said flexible elongate elements extending, at least over part of the length thereof, at a position closer to the bottom face of the suitcase than the other flexible elongate element.

1 5. A wheeled attachment according to any one of Claims 12 to 14 also comprising the features of any one of Claims 1 to 11.

1 6. A wheeled carrier of the kind specified, 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.