GB2394927A - Self-propelled spherical suitcase - Google Patents

Self-propelled spherical suitcase Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2394927A
GB2394927A GB0225630A GB0225630A GB2394927A GB 2394927 A GB2394927 A GB 2394927A GB 0225630 A GB0225630 A GB 0225630A GB 0225630 A GB0225630 A GB 0225630A GB 2394927 A GB2394927 A GB 2394927A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
suitcase
motor
outer shell
spherical
roller
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB0225630A
Other versions
GB0225630D0 (en
GB2394927B (en
Inventor
Michael Weir
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
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
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0225630A priority Critical patent/GB2394927B/en
Publication of GB0225630D0 publication Critical patent/GB0225630D0/en
Publication of GB2394927A publication Critical patent/GB2394927A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2394927B publication Critical patent/GB2394927B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D57/00—Vehicles characterised by having other propulsion or other ground- engaging means than wheels or endless track, alone or in addition to wheels or endless track
    • 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

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

Abstract

A spherical suitcase comprises an inner storage compartment and an outer shell separated by motor-roller assemblies. Four such assemblies may be attached to the inner compartment equally spaced at 109.47 degrees angles in a tetrahedral formation, propelling the suitcase by rolling contact with the inner surface of the outer shell. In each assembly, the motor 2 can rotate about an axis perpendicular to the respective roller 1, which is preferably powered independently from the motor 2. Each motor 2 can operate independently or in tandem with its respective roller 1 to enable the suitcase to travel in any direction. The user can be provided with a transponder, which the suitcase can sense, thus enabling the suitcase to follow the user. The inner compartment and outer shell are provided with removable lids, each of which forms part of a respective sphere. The suitcase is suitable for a disabled user.

Description

Self-propelled Spherical Suitcase This invention relates to a spherical
suitcase with built in motor assemblies enabling it to be self-propel in any given direction.
Current suitcases are typically rectangular in form and have small built in wheels to aid their movement. To move the suitcase requires either the user to pick up the suitcase via the use of carrying handles or to pull the suitcase along by use of its built in wheels. Both methods require the user to physically move the suitcase. It may however, be the case that the suitcase owner is unwilling or unable to physically move the suitcase in a desired direction.
Accordingly, this invention provides a self-propelled suitcase with the ability to move around in any given direction without any physical input from the owner.
The suitcase comprises of an inner spherical storage unit that sits inside an outer spherical shell. Between the two components there are a number of motor / roller assemblies fixed to the inner compartment. The motor / roller assemblies exert a force on the inside of the outer shell which then propels the whole suitcase in any given direction. The process is similar to a hamster running inside of an exercise ball.
The motor / roller assemblies are mounted such that the inner compartment is fixed centrally within the outer shell. To allow articles of clothing etc. to be placed inside the suitcase, both the inner and outer components feature a removable lid. Once the suitcase is loaded the lid is replaced to complete the spherical body.
This invention was initially conceived as a means for disabled persons to possess the freedom to move about easily and independently, even when transporting bulky loads.
The user would wear a transponder so that the suitcase could sense its owner's location. The suitcase would then use its in built motors to automatically follow behind the user at a set distance.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings: À Figure 1: This shows the key features of the motor / roller assemblies.
À Figure 2: This shows the mounting positions of the motor / roller assemblies.
À Figure 3: This shows the inner compartment with its lid removed.
À Figure 4: This shows the complete inner compartment.
À Figure 5: This shows the inner compartment and outer shell with both lids removed. À Figure 6: This shows the complete self-propelled spherical suitcase.
Figure I shows the key features of the motor / roller assembly. They are, the roller (1) mounted on a horizontal axis and the motor (2) mounted on a vertical axis. The shape of the roller is such that it sits flush against the inside wall of the outer shell. Both the roller (1) and the motor (2) are independently powered so may work in tandem or separately. The motor / roller assembly is fixed to the outside of the inner compartment. Figure 2 shows the mounting positions of the motor / roller assemblies within the complete suitcase. With four mounting points the central component can be held in place when the positions of the mounting points are such that they form the four corners of a tetrahedron. The motor / roller assemblies are thus positioned with an internal angle of109.5 degrees.
Figure 3 shows the inner compartment with its lid removed.
Figure 4 shows the complete inner compartment. With the lid secured, articles of clothing etc. cannot escape the central storage unit and interfere with the motor / roller mechanisms. Figure 5 shows the inner compartment and outer shell with both lids removed. When articles of clothing etc. are to be placed in or taken out of the suitcase the inner compartment and outer shell with automatically be made to line up so that both lids are accessible.
Figure 6 shows the complete self-propelled spherical suitcase. In its spherical form the suitcase can be made to move in any given direction.

Claims (3)

1. A spherical suitcase comprising of an inner compartment and an outer shell separated by a set of motor / roller assemblies.
2. A spherical suitcase propelled by internal motors mounted between the inner compartment and outer shell.
3. A self-propelled suitcase as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
3. A self-propelled suitcase as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: 1. A spherical suitcase comprising of an inner compartment and an outer shell separated by a set of assemblies of a motor and a roller.
2. A spherical suitcase propelled by internal assemblies of a motor and a roller, mounted between the inner compartment and outer shell.
GB0225630A 2002-11-04 2002-11-04 Self-propelled spherical suitcase Expired - Lifetime GB2394927B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0225630A GB2394927B (en) 2002-11-04 2002-11-04 Self-propelled spherical suitcase

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0225630A GB2394927B (en) 2002-11-04 2002-11-04 Self-propelled spherical suitcase

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0225630D0 GB0225630D0 (en) 2002-12-11
GB2394927A true GB2394927A (en) 2004-05-12
GB2394927B GB2394927B (en) 2004-10-13

Family

ID=9947128

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0225630A Expired - Lifetime GB2394927B (en) 2002-11-04 2002-11-04 Self-propelled spherical suitcase

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2394927B (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1265496A (en) * 1917-05-01 1918-05-07 Arsene J Pare Engine of warfare.
US3746117A (en) * 1971-10-06 1973-07-17 R Alred Spherical vehicle
US6378634B1 (en) * 2000-11-28 2002-04-30 Xerox Corporation Tracking device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1265496A (en) * 1917-05-01 1918-05-07 Arsene J Pare Engine of warfare.
US3746117A (en) * 1971-10-06 1973-07-17 R Alred Spherical vehicle
US6378634B1 (en) * 2000-11-28 2002-04-30 Xerox Corporation Tracking device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0225630D0 (en) 2002-12-11
GB2394927B (en) 2004-10-13

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20061104

S28 Restoration of ceased patents (sect. 28/pat. act 1977)