US20130061432A1

US20130061432A1 - Luggage coupler

Info

Publication number: US20130061432A1
Application number: US12/932,271
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard Eldon Potter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-09-09
Filing date: 2011-09-09
Publication date: 2013-03-14

Abstract

The present invention is a luggage coupler comprised of a trapezoid-shaped main body piece with two adjustable connecting straps attached to a narrow end of the body where the body is intended to be inserted through and engage the handle of a secondary piece of luggage and the connecting straps are intended to attach to a primary piece of luggage which is pulled by the user. Multiple pieces of wheeled luggage can thus be coupled together in a train arrangement using multiple couplers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a new type of luggage coupler for use with various types of luggage and personal items. The coupler utilizes a unique shape to quickly attach to the handle of a primary piece of luggage while using additional means to attach a secondary piece of luggage.
2. Description of the Related Art
During travel and other related activities, people are often required to carry luggage for themselves and family members. Luggage couplers, among other functions not related to this invention, connect these luggage items in such a manner as to make them easier for a user to convey.
Some larger luggage items come with attachments for smaller items. These attachments are often designed for brand specific use with items produced by the same luggage company. Even those designed for universal adaptation are primarily intended for items smaller than the primary piece of luggage. Arrangements created by such couplers often rely on the wheels of the primary piece of luggage to carry the weight of all attached luggage. This can result in wheel failure due to excessive load on the wheels. Even a recommended weight limit of 50 lbs. per bag can result in over 100 lbs. being supported by only two luggage wheels. Attempts to avoid over stressing the wheels by pulling a piece of wheeled luggage with each hand, can be uncomfortable for the user and makes negotiating obstacles like doors difficult due to the wide berth of the user and items.
Attachments securing luggage couplers to the primary luggage item also have some limitations. Many have permanent or semi-permanent attachments to the primary luggage item which can snag against foreign objects when not in use, and some require both hands to attach and detach, respectively. For example, some of the couplers currently in use attach to the primary luggage with the use of a latching mechanism requiring the use of both hands to align the male and female portions of the latch during attachment. Such latches also tend to wear over time as they involve moving parts attaching and reattaching under substantial amounts of stress due to the weight of the attached luggage. Some couplers work by attaching to one piece of luggage and providing solid hook-shaped piece for hanging a second piece of luggage. These hooks, as mentioned above may snag on foreign objects, particularly when nothing is attached to them. Most couplers are also not designed to work with a similar coupler to attach a third piece of luggage to the pair of luggage items that are already coupled.
At the more distant end of related art, airports often provide coin operated cart dispensers which permit a user to load multiple bags. Access to these carts is limited to air travelers while at an airport due to their size and the need to stow them prior to travel.
The present invention seeks to address fundamental problems with current couplers and related art. First, unlike some other couplers, the invention is designed to permit the wheels of a secondary piece of luggage to make contact with the ground, easing the load on the wheels of the primary piece of luggage.
Second, the invention is not brand-specific and is designed to work with any combination of luggage items that possess two handles and is, therefore, not limited by any proprietary connection configuration.
Third, the invention attaches to and detaches from the luggage in a manner so as to permit a user to use only one hand, which in addition to easing use, reduces the likelihood that the coupler remains attached when there is no connected luggage posing an entanglement risk.
Fourth, the preferred embodiment of this invention is a product that permits “piggy backing” of several pieces of luggage into a “train” of luggage items by using several luggage couplers. Most, if not all, luggage couplers are not designed to attach a third piece of luggage to a two coupled pieces using a similar device.
Finally, the invention is a compact consumer product and, unlike a cart rental, easily storable in luggage or at home.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a luggage coupler comprised of a main body that is a trapezoid-shaped solid piece with two adjustable connecting straps attached to the narrow end of the main body.
The trapezoid-shaped solid piece is symmetrically contoured along the sides with detents or shoulders designed to make contact in two places with the opposite sides of the primary luggage handle. At the portion of the sides nearest the base of the trapezoid there are provided symmetrically contoured hook-shaped appendages to attach luggage handles that may be wider in diameter than the base of the solid shape. The solid piece contains two slits at the narrowest end or top for attaching the connecting straps. Other various holes may be included to give the solid piece flexibility, reduce weight and material costs, and for ease in gripping the device.
The adjustable connecting straps are inserted into the slits in the solid piece and attached to themselves by first connecting means, such as buckles. The opposite ends of the connecting straps are connected by second connecting means to the handle of the luggage item intended to be attached to the primary luggage item. The second connecting means are preferably easily connected and disconnected, such as for example the bayonet fasteners illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective partially cutaway view of the luggage coupler.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the luggage coupler of FIG. 1 shown in use connecting a primary luggage item which is shown on the right side of the drawing to a secondary luggage item which is shown on the left side of the drawing.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the handle of the secondary luggage item with the invention inserted.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the insertion of the solid piece or main body of the invention into the handle of the secondary luggage item of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the two connecting straps attached to the handle of the primary luggage item.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a coupler 10 that is constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Also referring to 2, 3, 4 and 5, the luggage coupler 10 is shown attached to a handle 50 of a secondary piece 20 of luggage and to a handle 30 of a primary piece of luggage 40. The coupler 10 is comprised of a trapezoid-shaped solid piece or main body 60, and two connecting straps 70. The solid piece 60 is connectible to the handle 30 of the secondary piece of luggage 20, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The connecting straps 70 are connectible to the handle 50 of the primary piece of luggage 40, as illustrated in FIG. 5. After the secondary piece of luggage 20 and the primary piece of luggage 40 are connected, as illustrated in FIG. 2, both pieces of luggage 20 and 40 can be manipulated as one by grasping the handle 50 of the primary luggage 40.
The main features of the present invention are outlined herein. Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the trapezoid-shaped main body solid piece 60 is comprised of a solid material capable of bearing the necessary load while maintaining its shape, including but not limited to plastic, metal or wood. At its narrow end, or top 80, the main body solid piece 60 has two holes or slits 90 for inserting the connecting straps 70. The solid piece 60 may contain other holes 100 for the purpose of reduction in weight, reduction in production cost, or ease of manual manipulation.
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the connecting straps 70 are constructed of a strip of flexible material with the strength to bear the necessary load. In the middle of the straps are attached the male portion of a bayonet latch connector 110. At the end of the straps, on the side intended for connecting to the primary piece of luggage 40, is a female latch connector 120 attached by adjustable buckles 130.
The coupler 10 is designed to permit “piggy-backing” which permits multiple pieces of luggage 20, 40, etc. to be connected by using more than one coupler 10. Although not illustrated, a third piece of luggage (not illustrated) has the solid piece (not illustrated) inserted into its handle (not illustrated) and the secondary piece of luggage 20 is attached by means of connecting straps 70 of a second coupler 10. The latch configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 permits access tor the straps 70 of a second coupler 10. Use of multiple couplers 10 on multiple pieces of luggage 20, 40, etc. which are supported on luggage wheels 140 allows a user to couple in “train” fashion the luggage pieces 20, 40, etc.
While the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein for the purposes of exemplification, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claim or claims, including the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.

Claims

1. The present invention seeks to address fundamental problems with current couplers and related art. Unlike some other couplers, the invention is designed to permit the wheels of a secondary piece of luggage to make contact with the ground, easing the load on the wheels of the primary piece of luggage.

This invention is not brand-specific and is designed to work with any combination of luggage items that posses two handles and is, therefore, not limited by any proprietary connection configuration.

Invention attaches to and detaches from the luggage in a manner so as to permit a user to use only one hand, which in addition to easing use, reduces the likelihood that a coupler remains attached when there is no connected luggage posing an entanglement risk.

The preferred embodiment of this invention is a product that permits “piggy backing” of several pieces of luggage into a “train” of luggage items by using several luggage couplers. Most, if not all, luggage couplers are not designed to attach a third piece of luggage to a two coupled pieces using a similar device.

Finally, the invention is a compact consumer product and, unlike a cart rental, easily storable in luggage or at home.