GB2548927A

GB2548927A - Wheeled luggage case

Info

Publication number: GB2548927A
Application number: GB1605739.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Eke Brian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-04-02
Filing date: 2016-04-02
Publication date: 2017-10-04

Abstract

A wheeled luggage case has three wheels W1, W2, W3 spaced along a lower edge of the storage portion. Central wheel W2 protrudes below outer wheels W1, W3, and during use the case can be towed via a handle 16, 24 on an upper part of the case with the case being balanced on the central wheel W2, or tilted so that an outer wheel W1, W3 is also in contact with the floor (see figure 14). The handle 16A may be on telescopic frame 16 extending lengthways along the upper side 12D of the case. Alternatively the handle may comprise telescopic frame 24 extending from the same side as the wheels. Alternatively the handle (23, figure 15) may be on an upper edge of the case diagonally opposite the wheels, or may comprise a telescopic frame (21, figure 12) extending from that edge. The wheels may share an axle with the central wheel having a larger diameter (see figure 6), or may be on separate axles, preferably with the outer wheel axles being angled with respect to the central wheel axle (see figure 9). The central wheel W2 may be retrofitted to an existing two wheeled case.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention seeks to provide a balanceable and steerable wheeled luggage case for use over both uneven ground and level floors, various embodiments of the invention are described below.

Figure 1 shows a wheeled luggage case in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The luggage case 10 is at an ‘in-use’ position with the telescopic frame 16, and handle 16a extended, shown on uneven ground 18, in this embodiment the cuboid storage portion 12 comprises four sides 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d coupled to the wheel assembly 20 and is balanced on the central wheel W2, as shown on the enlarged side view of Figure 2

The outer wheels W1 and W3 on axles AXl and AX3 respectively are shown on Figure 3 which is a cross section of the wheel assembly shown at an ‘in-use’ position on the line B-B of Figure 2. A second embodiment of the present invention will be described whereby the central larger diameter wheel W2 and the two outer wheels W1 and W3 are located on the same axle, AX through the wheel assembly 20 and retained by the collets 22, the case 10 is in the ‘at-rest’ position supported by the stops 17 as shown on Figure 6 which is the cross section of the wheel assembly t^cen at the line C-C of Figure 5. Figure 4 shows the case in an ‘in-use’ position.

Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the wheel assembly (of claim 2) in an ‘at rest’ position supported by stops 17 with the central wheel W2 clear of a level floor 18.

Figure 6 is a cross section of the wheel assembly 20 of claim 2 taken at the line C-C of Figure 5 with a single axle AX retained by collars 22.

The third embodiment of the present invention whereby the outer wheels W1 and W3 are laterally inclined at an angle to the bottom (12b) of the storage portion, this (angle) improves the handling when used as a two wheeled case on a level floor as shown on Figure 11 and Figure 14. Figure 10 is an enlarged view of Figure 7 and a side view of the cross section of the wheel assembly taken along the line F-F of Figure 9 in an ‘at-rest’ position.

Figure 7 is a side view of the case of claim 3 in an ‘at rest’ position, an end view of Figure 7 with the telescopic frame retracted ready to carry is shown at Figure 8.

The inclined wheel assembly of the third embodiment is shown ‘at rest’ in Figure 9 and 'in use' on a level floor at Figure 11, with reference to Figure 14.

The present wheeled luggage case is provided with an alternative 'known type' telescopic handle as claimed in claim 4, a side view is shown 'at rest' in Figure 12.

The storage portion is underslung; i.e. the typical telescopic handle (21) is positioned opposite the wheel assembly, and an additional handle (22) is provided for carrying.

Figure 13 shows a handle end view of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a view of Figure 13 'in use', tilted forwards and sideways, wheeled on two wheels with the extended handle uppermost, an enlarged detail of the wheel assembly is shown in Figure 11.

The wheeled luggage case as claimed in claim 5 combining a larger storage portion with a operational handle (23) positioned diagonally opposite the wheel assembly, and a 'carrying' handle (22) centrally positioned is shown 'at rest' in Figure 15.

Figure 16 shows a back view of a known type of wheeled case in an 'at rest' position on which a protruding central wheel is added to permit a similar handling effect to the present invention, with a typical telescopic handle (24)

Figure 17 is a side view of Figure 16 at an 'in use' angle.

Figure 18 shows a wheel assembly as claimed in claim 7 comprising three separate units 20A, 20,20B attached to the case 10 'in use' with two wheels in rolling contact on a level floor.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a side-on view of a wheeled luggage case in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, at an ‘in use’ angle with the handle/fi*amework extended.

Figure 2 is an enlarged side-on view of the wheel assembly taken at the line A-A of Figure 1 in the ‘in-use’ position.

Figure 3 is the end view of the wheel assembly in the ‘in-use’ position taken at the line B-B of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows a side view of the case of claim 2 in an ‘in-use’ position.

Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the wheel assembly of Figure 4 in an ‘at rest’ position taken at the line D-D Figure 6.

Figure 6 shows the cross section of the wheel assembly of the case of claim 2 taken at the line C-C of Figure 5.

Figure 7 shows a side view of the case of claim 3 in the ‘at rest* position with the telescopic handle/fi*amework extended.

Figure 8 is an end view of the case of Figure 7 with the handle in the ‘cany’ position.

Figure 9 shows the cross section of the wheel assembly of the case of claim 3 taken at the line G-G of Figure 10.

Figure 10 shows the side view of the wheel ass^bly of the case of claim 3 taken at the line F-F of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a cross section view of the wheel assembly of Figure 9 shown ‘in use’ on a level floor.

Figure 12 shows a side view of the case of claim 4 wherein, a typical telescopic handle is positioned diagonally opposite the wheel assembly.

Figure 13 is a handle-end view of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a handle-end view of Figure 12 and 13 tilted in use on a level floor.

Figure 15 shows a side view of a larger case of claim 5.

Figure 16 shows a rear view of a known type of case as claimed in claim 6.

Figure 17 is a side view of Figure 16 at an 'in use' angle.

Figure 18 shows an end view of a 3 piece wheel assembly as claimed in claim 7.

Claims

Claims 1 A wheeled luggage case comprising: A storage portion and a triple wheel assembly coupled to a lower comer of the storage portion and comprising three wheels spaced apart, with the central wheel positioned to protrude beyond the two outer wheels, wherein when in the operative position with the opposite comer raised, by means of a comer handle on an extended telescopic frame, the case can be wheeled either balanced on the central wheel, or on two wheels when tilted laterally for an outer wheel to also have rolling contact with the floor. 2 The wheeled luggage case of claim 1, wherein, the three wheels are on the same axle, with the central wheel being of a larger diameter than the two outer wheels. 3 The wheeled luggage case of claim 1, wherein, the two outer wheels are on separate axles., each laterally positioned, at an outwardly inclined plane. 4 The wheeled luggage case of claims 1-3 , wherein, a typical telescopic handle is provided on the opposite side of the wheel assembly. 5 The wheeled luggage case of claim 1-3, wherein, a larger storage portion is provided with an operational handle positioned diagonally opposite the wheel assembly and with a separate carrying handle. 6 The wheeled luggage case of any proceeding claim, wherein, a common or known wheeled case is provided with a protruding central wheel. 7 The wheeled luggage case of any preceding claim, wherein, the wheeled assembly comprises 3 separate units. 8 A wheeled luggage case of any preceding claim, wherein, hinged or zipped covers are provided (not shown). 9 A wheeled luggage case as substantially described herein with reference to any Figures 1-18.