GB2424176A - Wheeled suitcase having a handle - Google Patents

Abstract

A wheeled suitcase of the type having a pair of wheels 4 that in use extend forward of a face of the suitcase comprises a handle in the form of a hand-grip portion 11 and a spacer member 12 serving to space the hand-grip portion away from the plane of the face of the suitcase in a direction away from the suitcase. The hand-grip portion and spacer member may be retractable into the suitcase when not in use. The suitcase may be motorised with each wheel being independently driven. Sensors may be provided to detect whether the suitcase is being pushed or pulled and to increase or decrease the rotation of the wheels accordingly.

Description

Title: Suitcase With Handle The present invention relates to improvements

to a wheeled suitcase with a handle. It also relates to a motorised wheeled suitcase and to a wheeled suitcase with at least one slider on a face thereof.

Rectangular wheeled suitcases are well known and usually comprise of a pair of wheels spaced apart and rotate in a plane normal to a short side of a suitcase. They are usually located adjacent one edge of the short side with the wheels extending forward of a front face of the suitcase. A handle is provided on the opposing short side. The handle is often based on a shaft or pair of shafts which slide in and out of the suitcase. In use the shaftls slide out of the suitcase in order that the person pulling the suitcase is spaced from the suitcase.

A difficulty with such suitcases is that when being pulled, the suitcase is tilted over at an angle of about 45 . This means that the weight of the suitcase is often supported equally between the person pulling the suitcase and the wheels. This can means the person might be carrying 1015Kg, which is a heavy load.

The invention seeks to provide a handle which maintains the majority of the weight of the suitcase on the wheels.

It is also known to provide a motorised suitcase. The invention seeks to provide a motorised suitcase which can be controlled through the handle of the invention and by two motors.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a suitcase of the type having a pair of wheels on a side of the suitcase which extend forward of a face of said suitcase, said suitcase having a handle comprising a grip member to engage the hand of a person moving the suitcase, and a spacer member adapted to space the grip member from the suitcase away from the plane of said face in a direction away from the body the suitcase.

Preferably the grip member and spacer member can retract into the suitcase when not in use.

Preferably the grip member and spacer member retract into a recess adjacent a suitcase face.

In one embodiment the handle is located adjacent one face of a suitcase, with one first end of a shaft extending from the grip member and the other second end of the shaft pivoted to the suitcase by a bracket, said shaft further being connected to the suitcase by a link member pivoted at one end to the suitcase and pivoted at its other end to the shaft between said shaft first and second ends, said handle being lockable in a first in use position with the shaft angled away from the suitcase face and lockable in a second position with the shaft adjacent the suitcase face.

Preferably the link member is a v-shaped bracket with the apex pivoted to the shaft and the free ends pivoted to the suitcase.

Preferably the second end of the shaft slides in a slot in the bracket.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a motorised suitcase having a handle as above defined, said suitcase incorporating switches sensitive to movement of said handle to control motorised movement of the suitcase in a forward, back, left andlor right direction.

The invention also relates to a motorised suitcase having a pair of wheels each driven by a separate electric motor, and control means to control movement of the suitcase in a forward, back, left and/or right direction by independent operation of said motors. Preferably the suitcase incorporates the above defined handle and switches sensitive to movement of said handle to control motorised movement of the suitcase. Alternatively the motors may include sensors which sense whether the suitcase is being pulled or pushed and, if so, to increase or decrease rotation of the wheels respectively.

The invention also relates to a suitcase with wheels, said suitcase having at least one skid on a face thereof to assist the suitcase passing over the corner of steps.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figures IA and lB show a suitcase with a handle in an in use and retracted position.

Referring to the Figures IA and lB there is shown a suitcase 1. Suitcase I is generally rectangular having two short side 2A,2B and two long sides 2C,2D, and a front and rear face 3A,3B. Suitcase 1 has a pair of wheels 4A,4B on the edge of the short side 2A which extend forward of face 3A. A pair of castor feet 5A,5B (5B not shown) support the suitcase with the wheels when the suitcase is not being wheeled.

A handle 10 is provided adjacent face 3A retractable into a recess 6. Handle 10 comprises a grip member in the form of bar 11 connected to one first end I 2A of a shaft 12. The second end I 2B of shaft 12 is pivoted to the suitcase by a pin 13 which slides in a pair of opposing slots 14A, 14B in a lower narrow recessed channel 15 of recess 6. Shaft 12 is further connected to the suitcase by a link member in the form of a v- shaped bracket 16 pivoted by its free ends 16A to the suitcase face 3A by pivot lugs I 7A, I 7B, and pivoted at its other apex end I 6B to the shaft between bar 11 and second end I 2B. Shaft 12 and link member bracket 16 form a spacer member to space the grip member from the suitcase.

Handle 10 can be locked into the recess as show in Figure lB (e.g. with catches not shown releasable by pressing button 18) when the suitcase is not being wheeled, with pivot pin 15 at the bottom of slots 14A.14B.

When it is desired to wheel the suitcase, the handle is pivoted out of recess and locked into the position shown in Figure IA (e.g. catches not shown releasable by pressing button 18) with pivot pin 15 at the top of slots 14A,14B. In this position, the grip member bar 11 is spaced from the suitcase away from the plane of the face 3A in a direction away from the body the suitcase.

When being wheeled the suitcase is obviously tilted to lean at an angle relative to the ground so that it is only supported on its wheels, so clearing the castor feet 5A,5B off the ground. Because the grip member bar 11 is spaced from the suitcase away from the plane of the face 3A in a direction away from the body the suitcase, the suitcase does do lean as much as it would if the grip member were to be located extended on or above the suitcase top face 2B. More weight is thus carried by the wheels.

Suitcase I may be powered by a pair of motors and gearboxes 19A,19B housed in wheels 4A,4B.

Power may be derived from optionally rechargeable batteries. Handle 10 may be linked to switches (not shown) sensitive to movement of the handle to control motorised movement of the suitcase in a forward, back, left andlor right direction. Alternatively the motors may include sensors which sense whether the suitcase is being pulled or pushed and, if so, to increase or decrease rotation of the wheels respectively.

Above wheels 4A,4B are four skids 20A,20B,20C,20D on the front face 3A. When taking suitcase I upstairs, the skids help the suitcase pass over the corner of each stair until wheels 4A,4B engage each corner and horizontal section of the stairs. Instead of skids, rotating wheels or tracks could be provided.

A removable door 21 may be provided to reveal a recess for storing an umbrella.

The invention thus also extends to a suitcase with wheels, said suitcase having at least one set of skids or rotating tracks or sets of wheels on a face thereof to help the suitcase pass over the corner of a stair.

The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above.

It is envisaged that the handle described and defined above may be produced separately and sold to a suitcase manufacturer. The invention thus also extends to the handle prior to fitment to a suitcase as defined above.

The invention also relates to a motorised suitcase having a pair of wheels each driven by a separate electric motor, and control means to control movement of the suitcase in a forward, hack, left and/or right direction by independent operation of said motors.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (11)

1. A suitcase of the type having a pair of wheels on a side of the suitcase which extend forward of a face of said suitcase, said suitcase having a handle comprising a grip member to engage the hand of a person moving the suitcase, and a spacer member adapted to space the grip member from the suitcase away from the plane of said face in a direction away from the body the suitcase.

2. A suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the grip member and spacer member can retract into the suitcase when not in use.

3. A suitcase according to claim 2, wherein the grip member and spacer member retract into a recess adjacent a suitcase face.

4. A suitcase according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein the handle is located adjacent one face of a suitcase, with one first end of a shaft extending from the grip member and the other second end of the shaft pivoted to the suitcase by a bracket, said shaft further being connected to the suitcase by a link member pivoted at one end to the suitcase and pivoted at its other end to the shaft between said shaft first and second ends, said handle being lockable in a first in use position with the shaft angled away from the suitcase face and lockable in a second position with the shaft adjacent the suitcase face.

5. A suitcase according to claim 4, wherein the link member is a v-shaped bracket with the apex pivoted to the shaft and the free ends pivoted to the suitcase.

6. A suitcase according to claim 4 and 5, wherein the second end of the shaft slides in a slot in the bracket.

7. A suitcase according to any preceding claim wherein the suitcase is motorised suitcase, said suitcase incorporating switches sensitive to movement of said handle to control motorised movement of the suitcase in a forward, back, left and/or right direction.

8. A suitcase according to any of claims I to 7, wherein the suitcase is motorised and has a pair of wheels each driven by a separate electric motor, and control means to control movement of the suitcase in a forward, back, left and/or right direction by independent operation of said motors.

9. A suitcase according to claim 8, wherein the motors include sensors which sense whether the suitcase is being pulled or pushed and, if so, to increase or decrease rotation of the wheels respectively.

10. A suitcase according to any preceding claim having at least one skid on a face thereof to assist the suitcase passing over the corner of steps.

11. A suitcase substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.