WHEELED SUITCASE WITH AUXILIARY WHEELS ON LEGS AND UNDERCARRIAGE THEREFOR
A suitcase movable in a standing position and a suitcase undercarriage system including a first pair of wheels disposed on or adjacent to a bottom surface of the suitcase, a pair of auxiliary wheels arranged at ends of a pair of legs, a first wheel arranged at an end of a first leg and a second arranged at an end of a second leg. The legs are adjustable so as to secure into place at a deployed position and to secure into place at a stowed position. The suitcase is moveable in the standing position on the wheels and the auxiliary wheels in the deployed position. The stowed position may be adjacent to the main wheels or to a back surface of the suitcase.
The present disclosure relates to the field of wheeled suitcases and, more particularly, to more easily rollable suitcases, to suitcase stands for convenient access to contents of suitcases, and to wheeling frames for suitcases.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSUREWheeled upright luggage, including smaller carry-on bags or larger suitcases are well known.
In such a conventional system, some of the weight of the suitcase, centered at point 18, is borne by the person pulling it. A considerable portion of the weight of the suitcase is located between the set of wheels 16 and the handle 12, therefore the set of wheels 16 do not necessarily bear all the weight during movement. The more tilted the luggage 10, the more weight is shifted to the side of handle 12. This fatigues the user, particularly when the suitcase is pulled on a rougher or less even surface, or over long distances.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,971 discloses luggage with front wheels provided on the bottom surface, two auxiliary wheels forward of two main wheels, with the main wheels are provided near the center of the bottom surface of the luggage. However, as shown in FIG. 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,971, when the person pulling the luggage walks normally, dragging the suitcase behind, the auxiliary wheels would typically be of no use, since they do not touch the ground between the main wheels and the handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,011,195 shows a single auxiliary wheel, similar to that of U.S. Pat. No. 6,148,971, with a different handle, and an even greater loss of payload space inside the suitcase because of the V-shaped design of the bottom surface of the suitcase. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 6,129,365 discloses in FIG. 10 two pairs of wheels on the bottom surface of a suitcase. However, this arrangement requires the person pulling the suitcase to maintain the suitcase in a perfectly upright position substantially 90° to the ground. Also, moving the luggage in such an arrangement makes it difficult to walk in a normal fashion because there is insufficient clearance for the movement of the legs in a normal gait. The complete disclosures of the aforementioned U.S. patents are incorporated herein for all purposes by their reference.
Moreover, when the suitcase is in such a standing position suitable for pulling the suitcase, it is difficult, particularly in the case of a larger suitcase or of an elderly or frail person operating the suitcase, to open the suitcase and view its contents without squatting on the floor alongside the suitcase. Also, packing or unpacking the contents of the suitcase requires the use of a table, bed, stool or other such structure, on top of which the suitcase must be lifted and placed. A suitcase, and suitcase undercarriage system that overcomes these problems would be advantageous.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn order to overcome these and other deficiencies of the prior art, provided according to the present disclosure is a suitcase having a body with opposing front and back sides, connected to one another by opposing top and bottom sides. A pair of main wheels is disposed on or adjacent to the bottom side of the suitcase. One or more support legs are adjustable from a first position against the back side of the suitcase, to a second position extending away from the suitcase, with one or more secondary wheels rotatably secured to the support leg. The suitcase stands inclined on the pair of main wheels and the secondary wheels.
In an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, a suitcase includes a frame securable to a suitcase, having a ledge extending from a bottom portion of the frame. An optional pair of main wheels is permanently or removably attached to a bottom portion of frame, and one or more support legs are adjustable from a first position in the plane of the frame, to a second position extending away from the suitcase. One or more secondary wheels are rotatably secured to the support legs. The suitcase stands on the pair of main wheels and the one or more secondary wheels, in an inclined position. The suitcase can further include releasable straps, latches, clips, buckles and the like for securing the suitcase to the frame. The frame may include adjustable length members to accommodate various sizes of suitcases.
Either embodiment may include a handle secured on or adjacent to a top side of the suitcase or the frame, optionally telescopically extendable through a plane comprising to the top side of the suitcase or otherwise adjustable in length. Additionally, the handle may pivot about a lateral axis of the suitcase or suitcase frame or cart. The support legs may be urged towards the respective first position by a variable bias force, to accommodate variable weight of the suitcase.
The suitcase of the present disclosure may form a cart having a pair of secondary legs, optionally adjustable in length, pivotable between a first position against the back side of the suitcase, i.e., in the plane of the suitcase or frame, and a second position extending away from the suitcase, preferably substantially perpendicular to the back side of the suitcase. In a further embodiment, the secondary legs include tertiary wheels secured adjacent a distal end of the secondary legs.
These and other features, advantages, and benefits of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the disclosure, which refers to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like structures across the several views, and wherein:
Referring to
A retractable handle 43 is mounted in the body 41 or on the back surface 60 at or near the top surface 70. Handle 43 extends up from suitcase 30 through a plane including the top surface 70 of the suitcase. Suitcase 30 may also have an additional handle 45 at the top surface 70 thereof and another lifting handle 45a. The handle 43 may be collapsible or telescoped and may be retractable into the main body 41 when not used. As is known, the handle 43 may be pulled out from the main body and extended when the user wishes to move the suitcase 30 in the standing/leaning position, by either pulling or pushing the suitcase.
A support leg 61 extends from the back surface 60 with an auxiliary wheel 63 at the distal end thereof. Auxiliary wheel 63 may comprise a plurality of wheels, and may be rotably mounted to the support leg 61 on a fixed axis, or in a further embodiment, may be mounted by a pivotable castor in order to improve the rolling maneuverability of the suitcase 30.
Leg 61 is shown in
Optionally, the pivot 62 can be a ratcheting type of connection that allows selection of the precise angular position of a leg(s) 61 relative to the bottom surface of the suitcase. Further, the length of the leg 61 may be adjustable by constructing it as several telescoping members as indicated symbolically by reference numeral 64. As another option, for increased strength and adjustability, a lateral bar 65 extends between the leg 61 and the bottom surface of the suitcase. A hinge 66 allows the lateral bar 65 to fold and to collapse when the leg 61 is folded toward the bottom of the surface. Reference numeral 67 indicates that the lateral bar has a length which is telescopically adjustable to adjust and hold the angle of inclination of the leg 61 relative to the suitcase. The lateral bar may be fixed to the bottom surface by a variable length spring which provides a shock absorbing and inherent adjustment of the angle. Alternatively, the spring can be provided separately between the leg and the suitcase. If the spring has sufficient “give”, the separation distance between the main wheels and the support legs would be adjusted by applying a force to the suitcase handle, to cause the two to separate further. This feature enables a user to “walk” the suitcase up a staircase without having to “lift” the suitcase, as one or the other of the main wheels or the wheels on the support legs rests on the steps. This similarly allows the suitcase to be “walked” down a staircase.
As the suitcase 30 rests in a leaning/rolling position supported by each of main wheels 51 and auxiliary wheel(s) 63 inclined to the back surface 60, its center of mass is stably located above a perimeter circumscribing and defined by main wheels 51 and auxiliary wheels 63. Therefore, a user may roll the suitcase 30 by acting upon handle 43 (pulling or pushing) without bearing any of the weight of the suitcase 30, thereby increasing mobility and ease of use, and reducing user fatigue. At the same time, the user pulling the handle 43 may be able to maintain a normal gait because sufficient clearance for his/her legs may be provided.
Turning now to
In the embodiment shown in
Alternately, or in addition to guides 71a, 71b, a further transverse guide 65, or several of them, may be provided. Rather than collapse longitudinally into guides 71a, 71b, support legs 61a, 61b may fold laterally into a stowed position within transverse guide 65.
In a further embodiment, auxiliary wheels 63a, 63b may be rotated upon folding support legs 61a, 61b into the stowed position, so as to be folded into or be flush with the bottom surface. That is, auxiliary wheels 63a, 63b are generally disposed to point in the same direction as the main wheels 51a, 51b when in the deployed position, but may be rotated about the axis of support legs 61a, 61b so that they align with the back surface 160 and are thus less obtrusive in the stowed position.
In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, alternately or additionally to above, the bases of the support legs 61a, 61b may be slidably moved in their respective guides 71a 71b, to a desired position, in order to control the angle of inclination of the suitcase. In yet a further embodiment, alternately or additionally to above, the support legs 61a, 61b are adjustable in length, thereby further controlling the angle of inclination of the suitcase 130 in a standing/rolling position. The angle between the support legs 61a, 61b and the back surface 160 may be selectively fixed by a latching mechanism at the point of pivotal attachment 97a, 97b, at the extremes of the range of pivotal motion of the support legs 61a, 61b, which is typically, though not exclusively, the stowed and deployed positions, but more preferably at any position therebetween. The deployed position may also coincide with an approximately perpendicular position between the support legs 61a, 61b, and the back surface 160, which is also useful for a table configuration to be explained, infra.
In yet a further embodiment, the support legs 61a, 61b, or even a third or more of the support legs can be slidably disposed in a single guide 71a, preferably centrally disposed on a back side 160. The deployed position of each support leg 61a, 61b can be extending away from the back surface 160 of the suitcase 130, and also away from each other, particularly with respect to auxiliary wheels 63a, 63b. More preferably in the embodiment having a single guide 71a, when support legs 61a, 61b are in the deployed position, the points of pivotal attachment 97a, 97b are as close with one another on the single guide 71a as is practicable.
Also illustrated in
When all four legs 61a, 61b and 95a, 95b have auxiliary wheels 63a, 63b and 77a, 77b, it is easier to move the suitcase 130 in the table mode. For example in a hotel room, after the suitcase 30 is in the table mode, it is easier to roll the suitcase 32 to other positions or places in the room when all the legs have wheels. In the table mode the contents of the main body 141 are easier to access, remove or replace because in their elevated table mode. It is comparatively easier to tilt the suitcase 130 into a table mode, with all support legs extended, than to lift it onto a separate supporting structure. Alternatively, when legs 95a, 95b are not provided with auxiliary wheels 77a, 77b, the legs 95a, 95b and the undercarriage system as a whole may be less cumbersome and less costly. Even with only auxiliary wheels 63a, 63b, it is comparatively easier to lift only one end of the suitcase 130 while in table a mode, and reposition it on a single pair of auxiliary wheels 63a, 63b, than to lift the entire suitcase 130. Any or all of support legs 61a, 61b and secondary legs 95a, 95b may be adjustable in length, to choose a desired table height, e.g. 30 to 36 inches. While it is preferred that the legs be substantially perpendicular to the back surface 160, this is not necessary, and the height of the suitcase 130 in table mode may be adjusted by adjusting the position of support legs 61a, 61b or secondary legs 95a, 95b, illustrated for example in
Referring now back to
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, secondary support legs 95a, 95b may be moved to a deployed position and along guides 71a, 71b to position auxiliary wheels 77a, 77b in place of auxiliary wheels 63a, 63b, for the leaning/rolling mode of the suitcase 130. That is, secondary support legs 95a, 95b may be used, in addition to or instead of support legs 61a, 61b, as the legs on whose wheels suitcase 130 is rolled in the standing/rolling mode shown in
According to yet a further embodiment of the present disclosure, the support legs 61a, 61b are elastically biased against the weight of the suitcase 130. The bias acts to increase the size of the perimeter circumscribing and defined by main wheels 51 and auxiliary wheel 63, and thus improve stability, when the weight of the suitcase 130 is particularly heavy. In one particular embodiment, the design criteria call for a strong frame capable of supporting at least a suitcase weight of 150 pounds. One means of bias is a torsion or tension spring acting on the support legs 61a, 61b, and tending to bias them in a clockwise direction, as viewed in
Referring now to
Secondary support legs 295a, 295b are pivotably attached to longitudinal frame members 202a, 202b, respectively, and as exemplary only, are pivoted laterally into a stowed position. Secondary support legs 295a, 295b may also be longitudinally slidable or repositionable along longitudinal frame members 202a, 202b, as well as adjustable in length. Support legs 261a, 261b are pivotably attached to longitudinal frame members 202a, 202b, respectively, and attached to one another by stabilizer bar 281. The points of attachment 297a, 297b between support legs 261a, 261b and longitudinal frame members 202a, 202b may also be longitudinally slidable or repositionable. Stabilizer bar 281 is connected by a brace member 283, which may be adjustable in length, to medial lateral frame member 207. Medial lateral frame member 207 may be longitudinally slidable or repositionable along longitudinal frame members 202a, 202b. Additionally, the stowed position of the support legs 261a, 261b may orient the auxiliary wheels 253a, 253b upwards towards the top lateral frame member 204, for example as shown in
From a stowed position, support legs 261a, 261b are deployable to an extended position for a leaning/rolling mode in a number of ways. Brace member 283 may be lengthened to extend the support legs 261a, 261b by pivoting at 297a, 297b. Alternately or additionally, medial lateral frame member 207 may be positioned downward to accomplish a similar effect. Alternately or additionally, the points of attachment 297a, 297b may be relocated upward to extend support legs 261a, 261b.
Turning to
Also visible in
Also illustrated in
Also shown in
Turning now to
Referring now to
Referring now to
When secured to a suitcase, the suitcase and wheeling frame 300 stand in a stable manner supported on the main wheels 351a, 351b and auxiliary wheels 353a, 353b. In this standing/rolling mode, the suitcase and wheeling frame 300 may be pulled, for example by a handle already provided on the top of the suitcase. For transit of the suitcase by other means, for example when handled by baggage handling personnel of a common carrier airline, the wheeled frame can remain attached to the suitcase. Support legs 361a, 361b fold to a stowed position adjacent the back side 301. Preferably, one or both of fold-out panels 303a, 303b extend over bottom side 303 in a stowed position to cover and/or protect the main wheels 351a, 351b. In one embodiment, each of two panels may cover only one wheel. As compared to the previous embodiments, the reduced size of wheeling frame 300 makes it lighter and easier to transport, particularly in connection with an eventual lifting of the suitcase. Towards that end, any of back side 301, bottom side 303, or fold-out panels 303a, 303b may have material removed therefrom to reduce weight without sacrificing function.
It will further be appreciated that the wheeled frame 300 may be integrated with the suitcase itself, and further that the deployment of support legs 361a, 361b can be triggered by a remote action, for example by extending a telescoping handle 43.
As described above, the present disclosure provides suitcases and/or wheeling frames for suitcases that facilitate one's ability, particularly the elderly or frail person's ability, to carry larger size suitcases over long walkways in airports and the like. Prior art suitcases which have front and rear rolling wheels spaced along the width of the suitcase are notoriously unstable with the suitcase oftentimes falling to the right or to the left. The embodiments illustrated in
The suitcase design of the aforementioned
The various embodiments of the wheeling frames which are illustrated in
The embodiments where the main wheels 251a and 251b are included provide the benefit to luggage makers of selling suitcases which do not have wheels at their bottom, relying on only the wheeling frame. This enables providing to the traveling public less expensive and lighter suitcases which do not have to be reinforced at their bottom to support wheels. The wheeling frames described herein can be made of extremely strong material yet light as described above, and be virtually unbreakable. This would avoid the consumers having to constantly buy new luggage because of the tendency of the wheels of the standard luggage breaking or being damaged. As noted, at least two suitcases can be strapped to a single wheeling frame.
Relative to the embodiment of
Referring now to
The cover 410 would be extended from its storage location 420, which may be a pouch or more preferably a chamber having the cover 410 wound about a spring-loaded retracting cylinder 430. The storage location may be at a back surface 460 of suitcase 400, or top surface 470, in which case the cover 410 would encompass a retractable handle 443 when deployed. In the cart embodiments previously discussed, the cover may be stored on or in, for example, one of the lateral or top frame members, adjacent to the suitcase, and perform the same function.
Once extended, the cover 410 is of a size and shape to cover the back surface 460 (and optionally at least part of top surface 470) of the suitcase 400. Cover 410 is secured in its deployed position to the suitcase 400 along at least one distal edge 412 of the cover 410, but preferably also along lateral edges 414, 416 of the cover 410. The cover 410 may be secured, for example, by VELCRO (generically, hook and loop) fastener, or by a zipper, or other such equivalents known in the art. Secured to the suitcase 400, the cover 410 protects the undercarriage of the suitcase 400 during transit.
Although the present disclosure has been described with respect to particular or preferred embodiments thereof, many other variations, modifications, other and different combinations of the recited features, and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of Applicant's instant disclosure. The disclosed embodiments are meant solely as illustrative of, and not limiting upon, the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined solely with reference to the appended claims.
Claims
1. A suitcase comprising:
- a suitcase body having opposing front and back sides connected with one another by opposing top and bottom sides;
- main wheels disposed on or adjacent to the bottom side of the suitcase;
- one or more support legs affixed to the suitcase body and being adjustable from a first position against the back side of the suitcase, to a second position extending away from the suitcase; and
- a respective secondary wheel rotatably secured to each of the support legs,
- wherein the suitcase is able to stand and to be moved on the main wheels and the support legs.
2. The suitcase according to claim 1, further comprising a handle secured on or adjacent to the top side.
3. The suitcase according to claim 2, wherein the handle is pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to the line of intersection between the top side and back side.
4. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the support legs consist of legs, each of which is at a respective lateral end of the suitcase.
5. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the support legs are pivotably mounted on the back side of the suitcase.
6. The suitcase according to claim 5, wherein the support legs are urged towards a stowed position by a first force that increases in magnitude with increased angular displacement of the support legs away from the back side of the suitcase.
7. The suitcase according to claim 1, wherein the support legs are slidably mounted to a guide extending at least partially between the top and bottom sides, on or adjacent to the back side.
8. The suitcase according to claim 6, wherein the first force is provided by one or more of a spring and a gas cylinder spring extending between a proximal end of the support leg and a point along the guide between the proximal end and the top side.
9. The suitcase according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of secondary legs pivotable between a first position against the back side of the suitcase and a second position extending away from the suitcase.
10. The suitcase according to claim 9, wherein the secondary legs are adjustable in length.
11. The suitcase according to claim 10, wherein the secondary legs comprise respective wheels.
12. The suitcase according to claim 1, further comprising a cover structured and sized to selectively cover at least part of the back side of the suitcase, including the support legs.
13. A suitcase carrier, comprising:
- a frame defining a frame plane, the frame being removably securable to a suitcase;
- support legs adjustable from a first position in the frame plane, against the back side of the suitcase, to a second position extending away from the suitcase; and
- respective support leaning wheels secured to the support legs,
- wherein the carrier enables rolling the suitcase in an inclined position on the leaning wheels.
14. The suitcase carrier of claim 13, including main wheels, located so that the suitcase is rollable on the main wheels and on the leaning wheels.
15. The suitcase carrier according to claim 14, including a carrier ledge for the suitcase.
16. The suitcase carrier according to claim 13, further comprising releasable straps, enabling securing the carrier to the suitcase.
17. A suitcase carrier according to claim 13, wherein the frame comprises at least four members rigidly connected with one another and defining a perimeter of the frame.
18. A suitcase carrier according to claim 17, wherein at least two of the members are adjustable in length.
19. The suitcase carrier according to claim 13, further comprising a carrier handle.
20. The suitcase carrier according to claim 19, wherein the handle is pivotable about a lateral axis of the suitcase carrier.
21. The suitcase carrier according to claim 13, further comprising secondary legs pivotable between a first position in the plane of the carrier and a second position extending away from the suitcase, the support legs and secondary legs enabling the suitcase to be supported horizontally at an elevated position.
22. The suitcase carrier according to claim 21, wherein the secondary legs are adjustable in length.
23. The suitcase carrier of claim 14, including releasable straps for securely holding the suitcase to the carrier and a cover which covers the main wheels of the support legs in a stowed position of the support legs.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 7, 2006
Publication Date: Jun 12, 2008
Inventors: Dov KATZ (Brooklyn, NY), Bezalel KATZ (Brooklyn, NY), Max MOSKOWITZ (Kew Gardens, NY)
Application Number: 11/567,999
International Classification: A45C 5/14 (20060101);