Suitcase handle
A suitcase capable of being maintained laterally to a user during manual transport. The suitcase includes wheels attached to a luggage compartment, the wheels rotating about a common wheel axis. A handle assembly attached to the luggage compartment includes a grip portion and a passageway for receiving the grip portion. The passageway allows the grip portion to selectively extend parallel to the wheel axis, moving between a storage position and opposing first and second extended positions. The extended positions provide a method for manually transporting the wheeled suitcase while maintaining the suitcase to the side of the user.
This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200410016396.5, filed February 18, Chinese Patent Application No. 200420020325.8, filed Feb. 23, 2004, Chinese Patent Application No. 200420020327.7, filed Feb. 23, 2004, 2004, and Chinese Patent Application No. 200420020326.2, filed Feb. 23, 2004, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The subject disclosure relates to handles for suitcases and luggage, and more particularly to an improved handle for the manual transport of a wheeled suitcase.
2. Background of the Related Art
Many suitcases today are constructed so as to incorporate wheels, allowing the luggage to be transported easily by rolling on the wheels rather than carrying. Such a “wheeled suitcase” facilitates luggage transport, and as such, wheeled suitcases are in widespread use and are well understood in the art. Typically, such suitcases also incorporate a telescoping handle that can be extended to allow pushing or pulling of the luggage, or, can be compressed such that it is concealed within the luggage.
The most common type of wheeled suitcase has a plurality of wheels at one end of the luggage, all sharing a common axis of rotation. A telescoping handle extends from an opposite end of the luggage, in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the wheels. The handle requires that the suitcase is pulled directly behind (or pushed directly in front of) a user during manual transport. This arrangement has the drawback that a normal stride length is often larger than the distance between the user and the bag, such that the user kicks and/or trips over the bag when walking with it. An obvious method for overcoming this drawback is to increase the number of telescoping sections of the handle. In such case, the extended handle is sufficiently long to maintain the luggage outside the stride area, while still collapsible to a size that allows concealing the handle inside the luggage when not in use. This method is undesirable, however, because of the increased cost associated with increasing the number of telescoping sections of the handle. As such, alternative suitcase handles have been pursued.
One alternative handle for rolling luggage is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0085089 A1 to Lin et al. (the '089 application). The '089 application discloses a wheeled luggage 50 with a retractable handle assembly 10. The handle assembly 10 is extended upward from a center at a joining edge of a top 57 and a rear 52 of the luggage 50. The handle assembly 10 comprises a single handle rod 70 and a handle grip 20 extended from the top of the handle rod 70. The handle grip 20 has a length just smaller than a half-width of the top 57, and is pivotable and rotatable about the handle rod 70, such that the handle grip 20 can assume a range of angles and positions with respect to the handle rod 70. Specifically, in one embodiment, the handle grip 20 is disposed at a 90 degree angle to the handle rod 70 and pointed toward a side 54 of the luggage 50 (i.e. in a direction parallel to the straight line between the wheels 55,56).
The handle assembly 10 of the '089 application has several advantageous features as compared to a typical U-shaped handle. Because the handle grip 20 has a length similar to a half-width of the top 57 and can be positioned pointing toward the side 54 of the luggage 50, a user holding the handle grip 20 while transporting the luggage 50 walks to the side of the luggage 50. This keeps the bag out of the user's stride.
However, the handle assembly 10 of the '089 application does have several disadvantages. In order to allow a user to walk to the side of the bag, the length of the handle grip 20 is required to be similar to or longer than a half-width of the luggage 50. For some bags, this can force the handle grip 20 to be quite long. Because the handle assembly 10 of the '089 application utilizes a single handle rod 70 (explicitly avoiding the use of multiple handle rods), there is no further physical support for the handle grip, reducing the stability of the assembly. Forces applied by the user to the handle grip 20 (i.e. during pushing or pulling of the bag) result in a large moment at the point where the handle grip 20 attaches to the handle rod 70. This large moment will cause the handle assembly 10 to flex, so that the ultimate direction of a user-exerted force will vary from the intended direction.
Another alternative handle is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0079603 A1 to Miller et al. (the '603 application). The '603 application teaches a handle system for a rolling luggage case. The handle system includes telescoping post members 155,160, a cross member 105 extending between adjacent end portions of the telescoping post members 155,160, and a handle 110 pivotally mounted to the cross member 105. The handle 110 includes a grasping bar 115 that extends from the handle 110 in a direction perpendicular to the cross member 105. The handle 110 can rotate about the cross member 105 so that the grasping bar 115 can be oriented in a variety of directions perpendicular to the cross member 105. The '603 application fails to teach a handle that moves the luggage away from the user by any significant amount. Rather, the '603 application refers to its subject invention as a labor saving device, and does not address the problem of an impeded stride.
There is a need, therefore, for an improved wheeled suitcase which permits a user to push or pull a suitcase without having his or her stride impeded. Specifically, there is a need for an improved handle that allows a rolling luggage to remain outside the user's stride as it is transported. Such a handle should be structurally stable and mechanically reliable, and should be simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Further, because a large number of wheeled suitcases already exists, there is a need for adapting the handles of existing suitcases to provide all of the above advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to a modified handle assembly for a wheeled suitcase that allows the suitcase to be maintained laterally to a user as the suitcase is being manually transported. The modified handle assembly prevents a wheeled suitcase from obstructing a user's stride during transport, and is therefore a significant improvement over the prior art. The modified handle is structurally stable and mechanically reliable, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Further, the disclosed modified handle can be provided by adapting a conventional suitcase handle assembly.
A preferred embodiment of the modified handle is a handle extension for a conventional suitcase. The suitcase has wheels that rotate about a common wheel axis and a handle assembly including one or more handle rods. The handle extension includes a grip portion and means for coupling the grip portion to the handle assembly. The means are such that the grip portion achieves an extended position in which the grip portion extends parallel to the wheel axis and allows the suitcase to be maintained laterally to a user as the suitcase is being manually transported.
In another preferred embodiment, a wheeled suitcase has a luggage compartment from which extends a connector in the form of first and second handle rods and a cross piece coupled between the handle rods. The suitcase also has wheels attached to the luggage compartment for rotation about a common wheel axis. A grip portion is slidingly coupled to the connector such that the grip portion slides between a retracted position, in which the grip portion is at least partially contained between the handle rods and/or within the cross piece, and two extended positions, in which the grip portion extends laterally from between the handle rods in either of opposing directions.
In still another preferred embodiment, a wheeled suitcase has a luggage compartment from which extends a connector in the form of first and second handle rods and a cross piece coupled between the handle rods. The suitcase also has wheels attached to the luggage compartment for rotation about a common wheel axis. A grip portion is pivotally coupled to the connector such that the grip portion pivots between a retracted position, in which the grip portion is at least partially contained between the handle rods, and an extended position, in which the grip portion extends laterally from between the handle rods.
In yet another preferred embodiment, a suitcase capable of being maintained laterally to a user during manual transport includes a luggage compartment, wheels attached to the luggage compartment for rotation about a common wheel axis, and a handle assembly attached to the luggage compartment. The handle assembly includes a grip portion and a passageway for receiving the grip portion. The passageway receives the grip portion such that the grip portion selectively extends parallel to the wheel axis between a storage position and first and second extended positions, the first extended position having the grip portion extend from a first end of the passageway and the second extended position having the grip portion extend from a second end of the passageway.
It should be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways, including without limitation as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device, a method for applications now known and later developed. These and other unique features of the system disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSSo that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed system appertains will more readily understand how to make and use the same, reference may be had to the drawings wherein.
The present invention overcomes many of the prior art problems associated with handles for rolling luggage. The advantages, and other features of the system disclosed herein, will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings which set forth representative embodiments of the present invention and wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural elements.
Referring to
As can be seen, the suitcase 100 allows transport without obstructing the normal stride. Specifically, the suitcase 100 is laterally offset with respect to the user during transport, allowing a user to walk comfortably to one side of suitcase 100. This presents a significant advantage over the prior art.
Referring to
Referring to
The grip portion 146 defines holes 150, and spring-biased buttons 152 protrude through holes 150. Cross piece 144 also defines holes 154; when grip portion 146 is moved such that a hole 154 is aligned with a button 152, the button 152 will engage the hole 154 and fix the position of the grip portion 146 with respect to the cross piece 144. In order to allow further movement of the grip portion 146, the button 152 is depressed to allow the grip portion 146 to slide through passageway 148.
The grip portion 146 and cross piece 144 could be adapted and configured such that the grip portion 146 can slide through the passageway 148 defined by the cross piece 144, but cannot rotate with respect thereto. This could be done, for example, by making the grip portion 146 oval or quadrilateral in cross section, or by forming an axial groove on the inside of the cross piece 144 and an extended axial protrusion on the outside of the grip portion 146.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In the embodiment illustrated in
In another preferred embodiment, illustrated by
Referring to
The above described handle assemblies and handle extensions include a grip portion the moves slidingly between a retracted and an extended position. However, the transition between retracted and extended can be accomplished through other types of movement. For example, another preferred embodiment of a handle extension is shown in
In another preferred embodiment, a handle assembly comprises a single handle rod. In such case, the grip portion slidingly or pivotally couples to that single handle rod. The retracted position would consist of the grip portion being partially contained within the rod, for example, in a hollow created in the rod to receive the grip portion.
Aside from those already presented, other methods for retaining a handle extension on a conventional suitcase handle are also possible. For example, the housing could incorporate a series of C-clips or hook-and-loop fasteners that can be used to couple the housing to the handle. Alternatively, the housing could sit between the handle rods of the suitcase handle, with the rods providing pressure to the housing that creates an appropriate frictional force.
The grip portion has been described as a simple shaft that moves between an extended and a retracted position. However, in a preferred embodiment, the grip portion would include an interior and an exterior shaft. The interior shaft would be contained within the exterior shaft, and would selectively telescope out from the exterior shaft. The exterior shaft could be fixed with respect to the suitcase handle assembly, and the interior shaft could be fixed with respect to the exterior shaft. In this way, the amount of lateral offset between a user and a suitcase being manually transported could be increased when desired by the user.
While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A handle extension for a conventional wheeled suitcase, the suitcase having wheels for rotation about a common wheel axis and a handle assembly including one or more handle rods, and the handle extension comprising:
- a grip portion; and
- means for coupling the grip portion to the handle assembly such that the grip portion achieves an extended position in which the grip portion extends parallel to the wheel axis and allows the suitcase to be maintained laterally to a user as the suitcase is being manually transported.
2. The handle extension as recited in claim 1, wherein the grip portion comprises an interior shaft and an exterior shaft, the interior shaft being contained within and selectively telescoping out from the exterior shaft to increase the lateral offset of a suitcase with respect to a user during manual transport.
3. The handle extension as recited in claim 1, wherein the means includes a housing coupled to the one or more handle rods, the housing forming a passageway to slidingly contain the grip portion such that the grip portion can slide between the extended position and a retracted position in which the grip portion is at least partially concealed within the passageway.
4. The handle extension as recited in claim 3, wherein the grip portion can extend out from the passageway in opposing directions.
5. The handle extension as recited in claim 3, wherein the passageway is adapted and configured to allow the grip portion to slide within the passageway while preventing rotation of the grip portion with respect to the housing.
6. The handle extension as recited in claim 3, wherein the grip portion includes:
- first and second ends; and
- a joint between the first and second ends, and
- wherein the joint allows rotation of the first end with respect to the second end around an axis perpendicular to the wheel axis when the grip portion is positioned such that the joint is outside the passageway of the housing, while the housing substantially prevents such rotation when the grip portion is positioned to locate the joint inside the passageway of the housing.
7. The handle extension as recited in claim 3, wherein the grip portion can be releasably fixed in the extended position, in the retracted position, and in a plurality of intermediate positions as desired by a user.
8. The handle extension as recited in claim 3, wherein:
- the housing includes two holes offset from one another in a direction perpendicular to the wheel axis;
- the grip portion includes two spring-biased buttons, the buttons being offset from one another in a direction perpendicular to the wheel axis such that each button engages only one of the holes, and the grip portion passes through the passageway when the buttons are depressed.
9. The handle extension as recited in claim 1, wherein the means is a housing coupled to the one or more handle rods, the grip portion being pivotally attached to the housing such that the grip portion pivots into the extended position.
10. The handle extension as recited in claim 9, wherein the grip portion can be releasably fixed in the extended position, in the retracted position, and in a plurality of intermediate positions as desired by a user.
11. The handle extension as recited in claim 1, wherein the handle extension is formed integrally with the suitcase.
12. A handle assembly for a wheeled suitcase, the suitcase having a luggage compartment and wheels attached to the luggage compartment for rotation about a common wheel axis, and the handle assembly comprising:
- a connector including first and second handle rods extending from from the luggage compartment, and a cross piece coupled between the handle rods; and
- a grip portion slidingly coupled to the connector such that the grip portion slides between a retracted position, in which the grip portion is at least partially contained between the handle rods and/or within the cross piece, and two extended positions, in which the grip portion extends laterally from between the handle rods in either of opposing directions to allow the suitcase to be maintained laterally to a user as the suitcase is being manually transported.
13. The handle assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the grip portion can be releasably fixed in the extended position, in the retracted position, and in a plurality of intermediate positions in which the grip portion is partially extended from between the handle rods by varying amounts as desired by a user.
14. The handle assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the cross piece is hollow and defines a lumen through which the grip portion slides as the grip portion moves between the extended and retracted positions.
15. The handle assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein:
- the cross piece includes two holes; and
- the grip portion includes two spring-biased buttons, and
- whereby the buttons can be depressed to allow the grip portion to slide through the lumen of the cross piece, each button being capable of separately engaging each hole in the cross piece to selectively fix the grip portion in the extended and retracted positions.
16. The handle assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the holes in the cross piece are offset from one another in a direction perpendicular to the wheel axis, and the spring-biased buttons are offset from one another in a direction perpendicular to the wheel axis, thereby allowing each button to engage only one of the holes.
17. The handle assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein the grip portion includes:
- first and second ends; and
- a joint, between the first and second ends, for allowing rotation of the first end with respect to the second end around an axis perpendicular to the wheel axis when the grip portion is positioned such that the joint is outside the lumen of the cross piece, while the cross piece substantially prevents such rotation when the grip portion is positioned to locate the joint inside the lumen of the cross piece.
18. The handle assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the handle assembly includes means for selectively fixing the orientation of the first end with respect to the second end.
19. The handle assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the grip portion comprises an interior shaft and an exterior shaft, the interior shaft selectively telescoping out from the exterior shaft to increase the lateral offset of a suitcase with respect to a user during manual transport.
20. A handle assembly for a wheeled suitcase, the suitcase having a luggage compartment and wheels attached to the luggage compartment for rotation about a common wheel axis, and the handle assembly comprising:
- a connector including first and second handle rods extending from from the luggage compartment, and a cross piece coupled between the handle rods; and
- a grip portion pivotally coupled to the connector such that the grip portion pivots between a retracted position, in which the grip portion is at least partially contained between the handle rods, and an extended position, in which the grip portion extends laterally from between the handle rods to allow the suitcase to be maintained laterally to a user as the suitcase is being manually transported.
21. The handle assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the grip portion can be releasably fixed in the extended position, in the retracted position, and in a plurality of intermediate positions as desired by a user.
22. The handle assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the grip portion comprises an interior shaft and an exterior shaft, the interior shaft selectively telescoping out from the exterior shaft to increase the lateral offset of a suitcase with respect to a user during manual transport.
23. A suitcase capable of being maintained laterally to a user during manual transport, the suitcase comprising:
- a) a luggage compartment;
- b) wheels attached to the luggage compartment for rotation about a common wheel axis; and
- c) a handle assembly attached to the luggage compartment and including: i) a grip portion; and ii) a passageway for receiving the grip portion such that the grip portion selectively extends parallel to the wheel axis between a storage position and first and second extended positions, the first extended position having the grip portion extend from a first end of the passageway and the second extended position having the grip portion extend from a second end of the passageway.
24. The suitcase as recited in claim 23, wherein the handle assembly further includes:
- a first handle rod secured to the suitcase such that the handle rod is directed substantially perpendicularly to the wheel axis, and
- a second handle rod secured to the suitcase and directed substantially parallel to the first handle rod; and
- a cross piece coupled between the first and second handle rods and defining the passageway, and
- wherein the grip portion slides between a retracted position in which the grip portion is at least partially contained between the handle rods and the first and second extended positions in which the grip portion extends laterally from between the handle rods.
25. The suitcase as recited in claim 23, wherein the grip portion can be releasably fixed in the extended position, in the retracted position, and in a plurality of intermediate positions in which the grip portion is partially extended from between the handle rods by varying amounts as desired by a user.
26. The suitcase as recited in claim 24, wherein:
- the cross piece is elongated and includes two holes, the holes being axially spaced from one another;
- the grip portion is elongated and includes two spring-biased buttons, the buttons being axially spaced from one another, and
- whereby the buttons can be depressed to allow the grip portion to slide through the passageway of the cross piece, each button being capable of separately engaging each hole in the cross piece.
27. The suitcase as recited in claim 26, wherein the holes in the cross piece are offset from one another in a direction perpendicular to the wheel axis, and the spring-biased buttons are offset from one another in a direction perpendicular to the wheel axis, thereby allowing each button to engage only one of the holes.
28. The suitcase as recited in claim 24, wherein the grip portion is elongated and has:
- axially opposed a first and second ends;
- a joint between the first and second ends, and
- wherein the joint allows rotation of the first end with respect to the second end around an axis perpendicular to the wheel axis when the grip portion is positioned such that the joint is outside the passageway of the cross piece, while the cross piece substantially prevents such rotation when the grip portion is positioned to locate the joint inside the passageway of the cross piece.
29. The suitcase as recited in claim 23, wherein the means includes:
- a first handle rod secured to the suitcase such that the handle rod is directed substantially perpendicularly to the wheel axis;
- a second handle rod secured to the suitcase substantially parallel to the first handle rod;
- an elongated cross piece coupled between the first and second handle rods; and
- a grip portion pivotally coupled to the first handle rod such that the grip portion can rotate out from a retracted position between the first and second handle rods to assume an extended position in which the grip portion is directed substantially parallel to the wheel axis.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 3, 2004
Publication Date: Dec 22, 2005
Inventor: Brian Goldwitz (Orange, CT)
Application Number: 11/003,563