Abstract: Wheeled luggage cases include at least two wheels and a handle with which to roll the luggage on these wheels. Most prior art wheel handles require the user to use considerable force to balance the case on these two wheels, either when the case is carrying auxiliary cases or when otherwise fully loaded. The disclosed luggage case has a wheel handle which extends out of and along one side of the case on an arm, and a handle grip mounted on this arm in a way that tips the luggage case forward to better balance over the wheels when carrying varying loads. The wheel handle arm also includes a mechanism that supports the handle grip at different heights to further optimize this load balancing function.

Abstract: A luggage case comprises a lid shell (11) and a base shell (12) connected together by a hinge (22). The edges of the shells can be fastened together by latches (23, 24, 25). Two latches (23, 24) are mounted on the lid shell at the end walls. When they are released, they project downwardly and outwardly to provide gripping elements for opening the case. The case has two wheels (70, 71) and a steering handle (74) for rolling the case in a two-wheeled mode. Two castors (72, 73) are located on the back wall, and a pulling handle (76) is provided on the front wall. The pulling handle can be used for pulling the case on the wheels and the castors in four-wheeled mode. The carrying handle (21) is fixed to the frame (22) so as not to pivot. It is made of thermoplastic rubber to allow twisting movement for the comfort of the traveller. The latch (25) operates easily under carrying handle (21).

Abstract: Luggage cases usually include wheels to aid in their transport. The wheels and their mounting systems must themselves be extremely sturdy, and should not cause weakness or mechanical failure of the luggage case to which they are mounted. The disclosed cantilever wheel mounting assembly 18 includes an axle 22 with a protruding end 26 that fits into an elastomeric mounting block 20 that in turn is received in a corresponding cavity in a molded luggage case shell. A screw fastener 38 passes through one of the walls 15 of the cavity, and through a corresponding hole 44 in the mounting block and through a hole 28 through the end of the axle 22 to hold the assembly in place while permitting the axle to pivot about the fastener when the elastomeric block flexes in response to vibrations and impacts in use.

Abstract: The invention relates to hard sided luggage shells and other containers manufactured using vacuum forming or pressure forming of thermoplastics. A process for making shells and containers with integrally molded frames is disclosed, and products made by the method. A method of manufacturing differential pressure formed containers with framed openings, but without the need to attach a separate frame element to the molded shell. A process also is disclosed for reducing the undesirable stretching of shell material that occurs during differential pressure forming, particularly the thinning of corner portions of the shell or container. The process of the invention more efficiently utilizes the thermoplastic material by moving material from otherwise offal portions into the molded product. An improved method for severing the offal material from the final product is disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a wheel handle whose functional length is easily extended or shortened with respect to a wheeled luggage case. The wheel handle includes a handle grip mounted atop a pair of longitudinal tubes or rods slidable axially through a bezel fixed upon the luggage case. A mechanism including a minimal number of moving parts permits the user to lock and unlock the position of the extendible/collapsible wheel handle with the press of a spring-biased button. The button movement actuates a helical cam, which rotates a cam follower. Rotation of the cam follower extends or retracts a pair of sliding pins engageable into holes in the longitudinal handle tubes. With the button depressed against the force of the spring, the pins are withdrawn to allow adjustment of the effective handle length.

Abstract: An auxiliary luggage attachment and security tether mechanism secure an auxiliary luggage case to a main luggage case for support on and by an exterior surface of a main luggage case, and secure at least the main luggage case to an object. The attachment mechanism comprises a clutch mechanism, an elongated flexible strap having an inner end fixably attached to the clutch mechanism and the outer end attached to a hook, the clutch mechanism being biased to pull the flexible strap onto the clutch mechanism and retract the hook to the clutch mechanism. A lid is pivotally mounted adjacent to the clutch mechanism and has a selectively open position where the hook and strap are accessible, and a selectively closed position where the lid covers the clutch mechanism and the strap or hook to the extent the strap is retracted onto the clutch mechanism. The lid engages the clutch mechanism in the open position to release the clutch mechanism whereby the strap can be extended from the clutch mechanism.

Abstract: Automatically retractable and extendable wheel assembly is disclosed for use in conjunction with luggage cases, especially upright carry-on luggage cases and garment bags. Luggage wheels automatically extend to provide a luggage case which is tilted and with a long wheel base so that the case may comfortably and with stability be pushed or pulled across the floor upon three or more wheels, thereby removing the weight of the case from the user's arm. When the case is removed from the floor, the luggage wheels automatically retract to a protected position, thereby reducing the overall dimensions of the case to permit it to be carried aboard aircraft and stored in overhead luggage bins. Apparatus is disclosed for preventing inadvertent retraction of a wheel when the wheel encounters a pebble or crack in the floor.

Abstract: The invention relates to hard sided luggage shells and other containers manufactured using vacuum forming or pressure forming of thermoplastics. Shells and containers with integrally molded frames are disclosed. The differential pressure formed shell containers have framed openings, but without the need to attach a separate frame element to the molded shell.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for attaching auxiliary items of luggage to a main luggage case, especially a wheeled main luggage case. The apparatus consists in part of a strap which ordinarily accompanies the auxiliary luggage item. The strap, which consists in part of two belts that may be moved past each other to adjust the length of the strap, is attached to the main luggage case at dual separate points in order to improve the stability of the attachment of the auxiliary item to the main luggage case. The strap may be disengaged from the main luggage case and used as a shoulder strap solely in conjunction with the auxiliary item to carry the auxiliary item over the user's shoulder.

Abstract: A piece of luggage has a first body portion joined to a second body portion along two spaced lines of stitching so as to form a passageway between the lines of stitching and between the facing sidewalls of the first and second body portions. This passageway has open ends such that the passageway may be registered with a handle of a wheeled suitcase and the piece of luggage slipped onto the handle in order to support the piece of luggage on the handle. The second body portion has a compartment and the piece of luggage may be oriented such that the compartment faces a user after the piece of luggage has been slipped onto a handle in order to provide a relatively secure and readily accessible pocket.