GB2531315A

GB2531315A - Suitcase

Info

Publication number: GB2531315A
Application number: GB1418354.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adam Medhurst; Symon Hindmarch-Bye
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-10-16
Filing date: 2014-10-16
Publication date: 2016-04-20
Also published as: WO2016059397A1; GB201418354D0

Abstract

A wheeled "roller" type suitcase comprises wheels at either side of the suitcase body which run at an angle to the ground. Each wheel is provided on a wheel mount (20, figure 2), and each wheel mount (20) is mounted to the suitcase body at a first mounting point (32) and is pivotable with respect to the suitcase about a first axis (A-A). Each wheel is then mounted to a respective wheel mount at a second mounting point (33) and is rotatable about a second axis (B-B), the second mounting point (33) being spaced from the first mounting point (32) and the second axis being at an angle to the first axis. In use, the weight of the suitcase forces the second mounting point (33) to always be vertically above the first mounting point (32), maintaining the angle of the wheels with respect to the ground even when the suitcase is tilted.

Description

SUITCASE

The present invention relates to a wheeled suitcase, and particularly to a two-wheeled roller' suitcase.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Wheeled suitcases are well-known and generally fall into one of two categories -two-wheeled roller' suitcases and four-wheeled spinner' cases. Two-wheeled roller' suitcases are designed to be pulled behind a user at an angle. The two wheels are generally positioned near the back of the base of the suitcase, at either side of the suitcase body, and protrude at least from the base and the rear of the suitcase, so that the suitcase can be tilted to a range of angles so as to be pulled by people of differing heights.

Roller suitcases have the advantage that they can be pulled quickly through airports.

However, because they are pulled behind the traveller, they may sometimes unexpectedly hit uneven ground or obstructions. Because the wheels are generally small and the cases are often loaded unevenly, this can cause the case to topple sideways.

It is an object of the invention to provide a suitcase which is resistant to toppling.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a wheeled suitcase including a suitcase body, at least two wheels, and at least two wheel mounts for mounting the wheels to the suitcase body, each wheel mount being mounted to the suitcase body at a first mounting point and being pivotable with respect to the suitcase about a first axis, and each wheel being mounted to a respective wheel mount at a second mounting point and being rotatable about a second axis, the second mounting point on the wheel mount being spaced from the first mounting point on the wheel mount and the second axis being at an angle to the first axis.

The invention provides a two-wheel roller suitcase, in which the wheels are tilted outwardly of the sides of the suitcase body to provide extra stability. If the suitcase hits an obstacle while being pufled Mong and is caused to tilt sideways slightly, the outward spread' of the wheels reduces the likelihood of toppling, because the centre S of gravity of the suitcase is more likely to act between the wheels when the suitcase is tilted. With the centre of gravity of the suitcase between the two wheels, the suitcase will naturally tend to recover from sideways tilts caused by hitting obstacles, rather than tilt further to the side and possibly topple over.

The movable wheel mounts with spaced first and second mounting points ensure that, as the suitcase is tilted backwards so that it can be pulled behind a person, the second axis (on which the wheel rotates) is always at the same angle with respect to the ground. In other words, the wheel remains in the same position relative to the ground, regardless of the backwards tilt on the suitcase. Generally the wheel mount will pivot as the suitcase is tilted so as to always keep the second mounting point vertically above the first mounting point.

Preferably, each whe& is mounted to a side of the suitcase body. This gives the case with the angled wheels the widest possible lateral footprint. In particular, each wheel may be mounted within a wheel arch positioned on a side of the suitcase body and extending between the rear and base of the suitcase body. Preferably, the wheel arch provides enough space for the wheel mount to pivot around the first axis by around 90 degrees, which allows the suitcase to be stood upright, and tilted towards the user by any angle, up to the extreme of the 90 degree tilt in which the back of the suitcase is against the (flat) ground. It is noted that 90 degrees of tilt may in fact sometimes be useful, for example when the user is pulling the suitcase down a steep hill, Stops maybe provided on the suitcase body for limiting the pivotal movement of each wheel mount about the first mounting point. Preferably, the stops prevent the wheel mounts from moving outside of the wheel arch, where they become vulnerable to damage. In particular, the stops prevent the wheel md wheel mount from "falling out" of the wheel arch if' the suitcase is lifted off the ground.

A bearing may be provided at each first mounting point, between the wheel mount and the suitcase body. In particular, the bearing may be a ball race bearing, which ensures a low friction smooth pivot between the wheel mount and the suitcase body.

A bearing, preferably a ball race bearing, may provided at each second mounting point, between the wheel and the wheel mount. Again, this ensures that the wheel can rotate smoothly on the mount.

The first axis of one wheel mount is preferably coaxial with the first axis of the other wheel mount. In other words, the wheel mounts are positioned on and rotate about a common axis. Preferably the wheel mounts are positioned on either side of the suitcase body, and so the common axis will run through the suitcase body, from one side to the other.

The angle between each first axis and its respective second axis is preferably between 9 degrees and 15 degrees, most preferably 12 degrees. It is found that wheels which rotate at around 12 degrees to the vertical provide for a suitcase with particularly good stability.

Each wheel mount may be integrally formed as one piece, and in particular each may be moulded from plastics.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a view from behind of a suitcase according to the invention; Figure 2 shows an exploded view of part of the suitcase of Figure 1; and Figures 3a, 3b and 3c show a side view of the suitcase of Figure 1, tilted at a variety of angles.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a suitcase is indicated generally at 10. The suitcase is a two-wheeled "roller" type suitcase, with wheels 12, 14 at the bottom rear corner of either side of the case, and a handle 16 which allows the suitcase to be pulled behind a traveller.

The wheels 12, 14 are each mounted at an angle a to the side of the suitcase. In this embodiment, the angle a is 12 degrees.

The wheels are mounted within wheel arch components 8, 19 which in turn are attached to either side of the body of the suitcase. The wheel arch components are made of a rigid material, whereas in some embodiments the body of the suitcase itself may be soft and/or flexible to a degree.

Figure 2 shows one of the wheel arch components 18 in more detail, together with its associated wheel 14 and various intermediate components. In particular, a wheel mount 20 is provided. The wheel mount 20 is made from a rigid material, for example moulded plastic, and in this embodiment is integrally formed as one piece.

The wheel mount has opposing side faces, one of which is indicated at 22 (the face opposing 22 is not visible in the Figure), and first and second mounting faces 24, 26.

The first and second mounting faces 24, 26 are in planes which are both perpendicular to the plane of the side face 22, but which are at an angle a to each other, The first mounting face 24 is also spaced from the second mounting face, by a width w of the wheel mount 20. In the Figure, the first mounting face is hidden from view.

The wheel arch component 18 includes a wheel-facing surface 28. When assembled, the wheel mount 20 is mounted to the wheel arch component 18 (and in turn to the body of the suitcase), with the first mounting surface 24 substantially against the wheel-facing surface 28. The wheel mount 20 is secured to the wheel arch component 18 with a bolt 30a and associated washer and nut 3Db, 20c, through a first mounting point 32. A ball race bearing 30d is provided between the wheel-facing surface 28 and the wheel mount 20, to ensure that the wheel mount can pivot freely about the first mounting point 32, that is, about axis A-A as indicated in the Figure.

The wheel 14 is likewise rotatably mounted substantially against the second mounting surface 26 of the wheel mount 20 at a second mounting point 33 by means of a bolt 34a and associated washer, nut, and ball race beating 34b, 34c, 34d. The wheel may rotate freely about axis B-B, and axis B-B can rotate about axis A-A.

The wheel arch component 18 also includes an arch wall 36 which extends from part of the periphery of the wheel-facing surface 28, and a pair of stops 38, 40. The stops 38, 40 confine the rotation of the wheel mount 20 about axis A-A to substantially 90 degrees.

As seen in the Figure, wheel-facing surface 28 is substantially planar and in the shape of a quarter-circle. The arch wall 36 extends from the curved part of the periphery of the quarter-circle, and the stops 38, 40 extend from each of the straight sides. The arch wall 36 and stops 38, 40 all extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the wheel-facing surface 28.

In use, the weight of the suitcase and the resulting reaction force from the ground will keep the second mounting point 33 vertically above the first mounting point 32. This is illustrated in Figures 3a, 3b and 3c, which show the suitcase tilted at a variety of angles. In Figure 3a the suitcase is substantially upright and as a result the line between the first and second mounting points 32, 33 is substantially parallel with one of the straight sides of the wheel-facing surface 28 and with the back of the suitcase.

As a result, the wheel mount 20 abuts stop 38. Figure 3b shows the suitcase tilted slightly, as might be the case when it is being pulled on flat ground by a reasonably tall person. Figure 3c shows a greater tilt, which might be caused by a shorter person pulling the suitcase.

Regardless of the angle of tilt, the wheel always rotates in a plane which is substantially 12 degrees from the vertical, i.e. 78 degrees from the ground. A roller suitcase with wheels at this angle is substantially less likely to tip over than prior art suitcases with vertical wheels, even if the contents are loaded unevenly.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications wiH be apparent to persons skiHed in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSI. A wheeled suitcase including a suitcase body, at least two wheels, and at least two wheel mounts for mounting the wheels to the suitcase body, each wheel mount being mounted to the suitcase body at a first mounting point and being pivotable th respect to the suitcase about a first axis, and each wheel being mounted to a respective wheel mount at a second mounting point and being rotatable about a second axis, the second mounting point being spaced from the first mounting point and the second axis being at an angle to the first axis.
2. A wheeled suitcase as claimed in claim I, in which each wheel is mounted to a side of the suitcase body.
3. A wheeled suitcase as claimed in claim 2, in which each wheel is mounted within a wheel arch positioned on a side of the suitcase body and extending from between the rear and base of the suitcase body.
4. A wheeled suitcase as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which stops are provided on the suitcase body for limiting the pivotal movement of each wheel mount about the first mounting point.
5. A wheeled suitcase as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which a ball race bearing is provided at each first mounting point, between the wheel mount and the suitcase body.
6. A wheeled suitcase as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which a ball race bearing is provided at each second mounting point, between the wheel and the wheel mount.
7. A wheeled suitcase as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the first axis of one wheel mount is coaxial with the first axis of the other wheel mount.
8. A wheeled suitcase as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the angle between each first axis and its respective second axis is between 9 degrees and 15 degrees.
9. A wheeled suitcase as claimed in claim 8, in which the angle between each first axis and its respective second axis is 12 degrees.
10. A wheeled suitcase as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which each wheel mount is integrally formed as one piece.ti. A wheeled suitcase as claimed in claim 10, in which each wheel mount is moulded from plastics.12. A wheeled suitcase substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures Ito 3 of the accompanying drawings.