LUGGAGE CASE WITH BI-DIRECTIONAL HANDLE FOR PULLING CASE AND FOR RAISING HEIGHT OF CASE

Abstract

A luggage case includes a frame member disposed on a rail system on the back of the luggage case. The frame member is movable between three positions, including a raised position, a storage position, and a lowered position. The frame member includes a latch system that engages latch features on the luggage case or rail system to releaseably retain the frame member in any of those three positions. In the storage position the frame member is not extended. In the raised position the frame member is extended above the top of the luggage case and acts as a handle to pull/push the luggage case on wheels on the bottom of the luggage case. In the lowered position the frame member is extended down below the bottom of the luggage case to hold the luggage case in an elevated position where it can be leaned against a support.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to personal luggage and luggage cases, and, more particularly, relates to a luggage case having a bi-directional handle that lowers below the luggage case to support the luggage case in an elevated position, and which can also be raised to allow a user to pull the luggage case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many varieties and configurations of luggage and other luggage case systems on the market. These include items such as suitcases, as well as other luggage or containers for carrying materials and items that need to be transported. One of the more popular features to be incorporated into luggage is the inclusion of wheels or rollers on the bottom of luggage cases, along with a retracting or telescoping handle to allow a user to pull the luggage case, especially for carry-on luggage cases used for air travel trips. Typically the wheels used on luggage cases are casters, which can rotate around an axis to allow the wheel portion of the caster to roll in any direction. Often there are four such casters provided at the four bottom corners of the luggage case. While this makes it easy to roll the luggage case, on any non-level surface the user must hold the luggage case to keep it from rolling away.

Another problem with conventional luggage and luggage cases is that to place items into the luggage case, it is typically laid on the floor, or on an elevated surface such as a bed or other piece of furniture to allow easier access to the interior of the luggage case. Placing the luggage case on an elevated surface allows the person to more easily place items into the luggage case as they do not have to bend over. However in some situations an elevated surface may not be available or convenient. To address this a number of manufacturers have added folding legs to the back of the luggage case. One example of this kind of arrangement is found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,333,271, which shows a handle assembly that includes a scissoring pair of legs that can be rotated to form a stand with the handle to support the luggage case off the ground or other surface with the luggage case positioned as it would normally be otherwise to allow a user access to the interior of the suitcase. While the extra legs address the problem, it adds an extra set of components that are not used at any other time.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a luggage case with a bi-directional handle for pulling case and for raising height of the luggage case that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices and methods of this general type and that are either not configured to allow the luggage case to be self-elevated, and do not provide a rolling system that prevent the luggage case from rolling away on non-level surfaces while still allowing rolling in multiple directions.

With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a luggage case having a body; and a bi-directional handle mounted on a back of the body and moveable between a raised position, a storage position, and a lowered position, wherein in the raised position a portion of the bi-directional handle extends up over a top of the body, and in the lowered position a portion of the bi-directional handle extends down below a bottom of the body and is configured to be releaseably retained when in the lowered position.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the present invention includes a luggage case having a body having a back, a top, and a bottom, the back having an upper latch engagement and a lower latch engagement. The luggage case further having a rail system disposed on the back of the body, with a bi-directional handle slidably retained by the rail system so as to allow the bi-directional handle to move up and down along the back of the body while retained by the rail system. The luggage case can further include a latch system disposed on the bi-directional handle that is configured to selectively engage at least one of the upper latch engagement or the lower latch engagement when the bi-directional handle is positioned in a raised position, a storage position, or an elevation position by moving the bi-directional handle along the rail system into the raised position, storage position, or lowered position.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the luggage case can further include a main body portion on which the bi-direction handle and rail system are disposed, along with at least two articulating front portions where each front portion is hingeably joined to the main body portion at a respective joint about which each of the at least two articulating front portions pivot to open and close with respect to the main body portion.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the at least two articulating front portions can include a left front portion and a right front portion, the left front portion being hingeably joined to the main body portion at left side of the main body portion, and the right front portion being hingeably joined to the main body portion at a right side of the main body portion . . .

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the at least two articulating front portions can include at least one bottom front portion that is hingeably joined at a bottom of the main body portion.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, there can be a shelf disposed in an interior of the at least one of the main body portion or at least one of the at least two articulating front body portions.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, there can be an extended shelf mounted in the main body portion that is moveable between a raised and a lowered position, and which is sized such that when in the lowered position the extended shelf extends outward from an interior of the main body portion beyond the interior of the main body portion.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, there can be an upper stop and a lower stop disposed on the back of the body, the upper stop having at least one upper projection that projects from the upper stop, the lower stop having at least one lower projection that projects from the lower stop. The at least one upper projection and at least one lower projection are offset, vertically, from each other. The at least one lower projection engages a top cross member of the bi-directional handle to prevent the bi-directional handle from moving past the elevation position when the bi-directional handle is moved downwards relative to the back of the body. The top cross member has at least one recess corresponding to the at least one upper projection configured to allow the top cross member to move past the upper stop upon the bi-directional handle being moved downwards from the storage position. The at least one upper projection engages a lower cross member of the bi-directional handle to prevent the bi-directional handle from moving past the raised position when the bi-directional handle is moved upwards relative to the back of the body, and wherein the lower cross member has at least one recess corresponding to the at least one lower projection that is configured to allow the lower cross member to move past the lower stop upon the bi-directional handle being moved upwards from the storage position.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, there can be a pair of rear wheels disposed on a bottom of the body proximate to the back of the body, with one of the pair of rear wheels at each of two rear corners of the bottom of the body, with each wheel of the pair of rear wheels being aligned in a direction from front to back of the body. Further, there can be a pair of front wheels disposed in the bottom of the body, one each at each of two front corners of the bottom of the body, wherein each of the pair of front wheel are aligned perpendicular to the rear wheels.

In accordance with some embodiments of the invention, there is provided an elevating travel luggage case that includes a body; and a bi-directional handle mounted on a back of the body that is moveable between a raised position, a storage position, and a lowered position. In the raised position a portion of the bi-directional handle extends up over a top of the body, and in the lowered position a portion of the bi-directional handle extends down below a bottom of the body and is configured to be releaseably retained when in the lowered position.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the bi-directional handle is further configured to be releaseably retained in the storage position when in the storage position, and further configured to be releaseably retained in the raised position when moved to the raised position.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, the body further comprises a main body portion on which the bi-direction handle and rail system are disposed, and having at least two articulating front portions, with each front portion hingeably joined to the main body portion at a respective joint about which each of the at least two articulating front portions pivot to open and close with respect to the main body portion.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a luggage case with a bi-directional handle for pulling case and for raising height of the luggage case, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments of the invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so as not to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically. The term “providing” is defined herein in its broadest sense, e.g., bringing/coming into physical existence, making available, and/or supplying to someone or something, in whole or in multiple parts at once or over a period of time.

“In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise specified, azimuth or positional relationships indicated by terms such as “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “inside”, “outside”, “front”, “back”, “head”, “tail” and so on, are azimuth or positional relationships based on the drawings, which are only to facilitate description of the embodiments of the present invention and simplify the description, but not to indicate or imply that the devices or components must have a specific azimuth, or be constructed or operated in the specific azimuth, which thus cannot be understood as a limitation to the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, terms such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, terms such as “installed”, “coupled”, “connected” should be broadly interpreted, for example, it may be fixedly connected, or may be detachably connected, or integrally connected; it may be mechanically connected, or may be electrically connected; it may be directly connected, or may be indirectly connected via an intermediate medium. As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to all numeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These terms generally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the same function or result). In many instances these terms may include numbers that are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document, the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a direction corresponding to an elongated direction. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above-mentioned terms in the embodiments of the present invention according to the specific circumstances

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a luggage case having articulating portions, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of a luggage case having articulating portions showing the handle/support member is a storage position, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective view of a luggage case having articulating portions with the handle/support member in a raised position, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view of a luggage case having articulating portions with the handle/support member in a lowered position to raise the luggage case, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows a side elevational view of a luggage case having articulating portions with the handle/support member in a lowered position to raise the luggage case and support the luggage case by leaning the raised luggage case against a wall, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view of a luggage case having articulating portions opened, and with the handle/support member in an elevation position, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 7 shows a front elevational view of a luggage case with articulating portions, showing a detail of storage components disposed therein, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 8 shows a side cutaway view of a luggage case having a tray component in a raised position, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 9 shows a side cutaway view of a luggage case having a tray component in a lowered position, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 10 shows a bottom plan view of a luggage case having articulating portions having two pairs of wheels having perpendicular axes, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 11 shows a side elevational view of a luggage case being leaned in a first direction to roll in the first direction on a first pair of wheels, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 12 shows a side perspective view of a luggage case being leaned in a second direction to roll perpendicular to the second direction on a second pair of wheels, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 13 shows a side elevational view of a luggage case having articulating portions with the articulating portions in a closed position, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 14 shows a side elevational view of a luggage case having articulating portions, leaned against a wall, with the articulating portions in open positions, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 15 shows a front elevational view of a luggage case having articulating portions with the articulating portions in a closed position, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 16 shows a front elevational view of a luggage case having articulating portions with the articulating portions in open positions, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 17 shows a side elevation view of a luggage case having a lowered bi-directional handle that includes a hinged lower section, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 18 shows a side elevational view of a luggage case having a bi-directional handle having a foot, in accordance with some embodiments;

FIG. 19 shows a bottom plan view of a luggage case having a bi-directional handle having a foot, in accordance with some embodiments; and

FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of a bi-directional handle, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Furthermore, while different reference numerals may be used among the drawings, where the same term is used, it can be understood to be referring to an element that is equivalent to, if not interchangeable with, elements described by the same term in other drawings that use different reference numerals as no drawing should be understood to represent every possible embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a luggage case 100 having articulating portions, in accordance with some embodiments. The luggage case is an elevating luggage case since it can be raised up vertically on its own components, and can be provided in the form of a suitcase, or similar sized container in some embodiments. This is in contrast to prior art luggage cases that align the case on its back when raising it up onto structure contained in the luggage case. The luggage case 100 includes a main body portion 102, and two articulating front portions, specifically left and right front portions 104, 106, respectively. The right front portion 106 is hinged and joined to the main body portion 102 at a hinge joint along the right side 108 of the luggage case, and likewise for the left front portion 104 at a hinge joint along the left side of the luggage case 100. The left and right front portions therefore open up, pivoting or hinging around their respective joints to the main body portion 102 at their respective sides, as indicated by arrows 110, 112, respectively. The left and right front portions 104, 106 can therefore be moved between the closed position as shown, and an open position (e.g. as in FIG. 6). The left and right front portions 104, 106 can be latched closed with a latch 114 or equivalent structure. A carry handle 116 can be provided on the top 118 of the main body portion 102. On the bottom 120 there are two pairs of wheels. A pair of front wheels 122 are disposed on the bottom of the left and right front portions 104, 106, and are oriented to roll parallel to the plane of the front of the container. That is, the wheels 122 are not casters that spin about a vertical axis so as to be able to roll in any direction; wheels 122 are fixed and, as shown in FIG. 1, only roll to the left and right of the page. Conversely, wheel 124, located on the back of the bottom of the main body portion 102, is one of the pair of wheels (the other being obscured from view in FIG. 1) that are fixed and roll in a direction perpendicular to that of the front wheels 122. At the back of the back of the luggage case 100 is a bi-directional handle 128 that is slidably coupled between two rails 126. The bi-directional handle can be raised up to operate as a pull handle where the luggage case 100 rolls on the rear wheels (e.g. 124). As shown the bi-directional handle 128 is in a storage position at the back of the luggage case 100, but it can also be lowered below the bottom 120 of the luggage case 100 to raise the luggage case 100 up from the floor, as will be shown.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view 200 of a luggage case having articulating portions showing the handle/support member is a storage position, in accordance with some embodiments. The luggage case of FIG. 2 can be identical to that of FIG. 1, having opposing left and right front portions that open and close, but which cannot be seen in this view 200. The luggage case includes a bi-directional handle 202 disposed on the back side 204 of the luggage case that is captured by a rail system or slider system which can be, for example, comprised of left and right rails 206, 208, respectively. The bi-directional handle 202 slidably engages the rails (e.g sliding, on rollers, etc.) to move vertically up or down. As will be shown, the bi-directional handle can be latched in one of at least three positions, and is shown in a storage position where it is not raised or lowered relative to the luggage case. A latch release 210 actuates latch features that engage latch engagements on the back 204 of the luggage case, as will be shown, to latch the bi-directional handle in various positions. The latching mechanism can be released by actuating the latch release to allow the bi-directional handle 202 to move along the rails 206, 208 to different positions.

The bi-directional handle, in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, can include a top cross member 230 that substantially spans a width of the back side 204 of the luggage case Likewise, the bi-directional handle can include a bottom cross member 228 that is joined to the top cross member 230 by a central vertical member 226 and two vertical side members which are obscured in this view behind rails 206, 208. The latch release 210 can actuate latch components that are disposed in the central vertical member 226, as will be explained. Thus, as shown, in some embodiments the bi-directional handle 204 can be a substantially rectangular member having a top 230, bottom 228, two sides, and a central vertical member 226.

As mentioned, the bi-directional handle 202 is moveable up and down on rails 206, 208. To prevent the bi-directional handle 204 from coming out of engagement from the rails, as pair of stopping features are used, including an upper stop 212 and a lower stop 218 which are mounted on the back side 204 of the luggage case, between the bi-directional handle 202 and the back side 204 of the luggage case. The upper stop 212 includes one or more projections 214 that extend outward to engage a top of the bottom cross member 228 when the frame ember 202 is raised. The bottom stop 218 likewise includes at least one projection 220 that extends outward, and which engage a bottom of the top cross member 230 when the bi-directional handle is lowered. The upper projections 214 and lower projections 220 are vertically offset from each other (i.e. not in the same vertical line). The top cross member 230 can move past the projections 214 of the upper stop 212 due to recesses or cutouts 216 on the back of the top cross member 230. The bottom cross member 228 can move past the projections 220 of the lower stop 218 by similar cutouts 224 on the back of the bottom cross member.

Also shown in FIG. 2 are the wheels or rollers. The back wheels 234 are fixed in an orientation such that they would roll in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the page, while the front wheels 232 are oriented to roll in a direction parallel to the plane of the page. Thus, to roll the luggage case in a direction perpendicular to the page, the top of the luggage case would need to be tipped back (i.e. out of the page) in a direction to lift the front wheels 232 off the ground. Similarly, the roll the luggage case in a direction parallel to the page, the top of the luggage case would have to be tipped forward (i.e. into the page) to life the rear wheels 234 off the ground.

FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective view 300 of a luggage case having articulating portions 316, 318 with the bi-directional handle 202 in a raised position, in accordance with some embodiments. The luggage case shown here, and in FIG. 4, can be substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 2; accordingly, the reference numerals used in FIG. 2 will be used in FIGS. 3 & 4 to illustrate the exemplary embodiment without necessarily limiting the scope of the invention to the embodiments of FIGS. 2-4.

In FIG. 3, the bi-directional handle 202 is shown latched in a raised position. Most of the bi-directional handle 202 is above the top of the luggage case, and in this position the left and right vertical members 306, 308, respectively, of the bi-directional handle 202 can be seen. The top lower cross member 228 bears against protrusions 214 of the upper stop 212, and a lower latch feature disposed in the central vertical member 226, and obscured from view here, is engaged with an upper latch engagement 402 (see FIG. 4). The bi-directional handle 202 can be raised in the direction of arrow 308 form the storage position of FIG. 2 by actuating the latch release 210, and then lifting the bi-directional handle 202 up until the bottom cross member 228 is stopped by protrusion(s) 214 where the latch feature can automatically engage with the upper latch engagement 402. With the bi-directional handle 202 raised, the lower latch engagement 302 can be seen, the bi-directional handle 202 can be used as a pull or handle to pull or roll the luggage case on one of the pairs of wheels 232, 234. If the bi-directional handle is pushed in the direction of arrow 310, then the rear wheels 234 will be lifted off the ground/floor, and the luggage case can be rolled on the front wheels 232. If the bi-directional handle 202 is pulled in the direction of arrow 312 then the front wheels 232 will be lifted off the ground/floor and the luggage case can be rolled on the rear wheels 234. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the bi-directional handle can be telescoping, such as at points 314 on the left, central, and right vertical members 306, 226, 308.

Similarly, FIG. 4 shows a rear perspective view 400 of a luggage case having articulating portions with the bi-directional handle 202 moved downwards in a lowered position such that the luggage case is elevated as a result, in accordance with some embodiments. In the position shown in FIG. 4, the bi-directional handle 202 extends below the bottom of the luggage case such that the top cross member 230 engages or bears against protrusions 220 of the bottom stop 218. A latch feature (obscured from view here) contained in the central vertical member 226 at a top of the central vertical member 226 engages the lower latch engagement 302, which is hidden from view by the bi-directional handle 202 in FIG. 4. To lower the bi-directional handle 202, the user can, for example, lift the luggage case with one hand at the carry handle 406 while actuating the latch release 210 to slide the bi-directional handle down in rails 206, 208 until the latch feature in the top of the bi-directional handle (i.e. in the central vertical member 226) engages the lower latch engagement 302, and the top cross member engages the protrusions 220 of the bottom stop 218. With the bi-directional handle 202 in this lowered position, the luggage case can be leaned against a wall, and the articulating portions 316, 318 can be opened.

FIG. 5 shows a side elevational view 500 of a luggage case having articulating portions 316, 318 with the bi-directional handle 202 in a lowered position to elevate the luggage case, and to support the luggage case as it is leaning against a wall 502, in accordance with some embodiments. The bottom of the bi-directional handle 202 rests on the floor 504, and the luggage case and bi-directional handle 202, as a unit, are leaned at an angle 506 such that the rear top of the luggage case rests against the wall without the luggage case falling forward. To accomplish this, the angle 506 must be such that the center of gravity 508 of the luggage case must be behind the bottom of the bi-directional handle 202, as indicated by vertical dashed line 510. In this arrangement, the articulating portions can be opened, as indicated by line 512, which moves the center of gravity 508 farther to towards the wall 502, and allows the user to access the interior of the luggage case, as shown in in FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 shows a front perspective view 600 of a luggage case having articulating portions 316, 318 opened, and with the bi-directional handle 202 in a lowered or elevated position, in accordance with some embodiments. Furthermore, it can be assume that the luggage case is leaning against a wall or other object, similar to the manner of FIG. 5. The articulating portions include a left front portion 318 and a right front portion 316. The left and right front portions 318, 316 are joined to the main body portion 612 at the left and right sides of the main body portion, respectively, so as to pivot about the side to swing from a closed to an open position, as shown here. That is, right front portion 316 swing open as indicated by arrow 604, and left front portion swings open as indicated by arrow 606. The right and left front portions 316, 318, and the main body portion 612 are essentially boxes with one open side for accessing the respective interiors 602, 608, 610 of the right, left, and main body portions. As shown in in FIG. 6, a user can place items inside the respective interiors 602, 608, 610 to enclose them in the luggage case.

FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 show a front elevational view 700, and side cutaway views, 800, 900, respectively, of a luggage case with articulating portions, showing a detail of storage components disposed therein, in accordance with some embodiments. FIGS. 8 and 9 show the view along line AA, looking to the right in FIG. 7. In the right front portion 316 a shelf 702 can be provided between a pair of shelf supports 704, 706 that can have features for adjusting the position (up or down) in the right front portion. The shelf 702 can act as a divider that divides the interior of front portion 316 into upper and lower volumes. To retain items inside the front right portion, several elastic bands 708 can be provided that span the open area of the front portion to retain items behind the elastic bands in the interior of the front portion 316. The elastic bands can be mounted on transverse rods 703, 705 at the top and bottom of the interior of the right front portion 316 such that they can be moved to the left or right, allowing the elastic bands to be arranged by the user for optimal retention of whatever items the user places into the interior of the right front portion 316.

In the main body portion 612 an extended shelf 710 is shown in a lowered position in FIGS. 7 and 9, and in a raised position in FIG. 8. A pair of cords or elastic bands 712, 714 run from the top of the interior of the main body portion 612, through a respective channel or hole at or near the outer end of the extended shelf 710, through a respective adjustable stop 718, 716, to the bottom of the interior of the main body portion 612. The extended shelf can be supported at an inner end or edge by a pair of opposing supports 720, 722 that allow the extended shelf to pivot about its mounting points. The adjustable stops 718, 716 can be positioned along the bands 712, 714 to adjust the resting angle of the extended shelf 710, and can be, for example, clamping devices that clamp onto the bands 712, 714 to resist movement by static friction engagement with the bands 712, 714. In FIG. 8, the extended shelf is positioned in a raised position, which can allow capture of items behind the extended shelf 710 in volume 804. The outer end of the extended shelf can be lowered, as indicated by arrows 802, 902 to the position shown in FIG. 9, where the resting positon is controlled by the position of adjustable stops 718, 716 on bands 712, 714. The shelf 702 and extended shelf 710 can be substantially rigid members.

FIG. 10 shows a bottom plan view 1000 of a luggage case having articulating portions 316, 318 having two pairs of wheels having perpendicular axes, in accordance with some embodiments. Specifically a rear pair of wheels 234 are fixed in the main body portion 612 proximate to the back of the luggage case at the rear corners of the body of the luggage case, and are oriented to roll in the direction of arrows 1002, while a second pair of wheels 232 are positioned in the front portions 316, 318 at the two front corners of the luggage case, and are fixed in an orientation to roll in the direction of arrows 1004. FIG. 11 shows a side elevational view 1100 of the luggage case of FIG. 10 being leaned in a first direction to roll in the first direction on a first pair of wheels, being the rear pair of wheels 234, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 12 shows a side perspective view 1200 of the luggage case of FIG. 10 being leaned in a second direction to roll perpendicular to the second direction on a second pair of wheels, being the front pair of wheels 232, in accordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 11, the bi-directional handle 202 is in a raised position, and can be used to tilt the luggage case to roll, for example, in the direction of arrow 1102, and the bi-directional handle 202 can be used as a pull handle by the user to pull the luggage case as it rolls on wheels 234. Thus, the orientation shown in FIG. 11 can be used, for example, to pull the luggage case while walking (e.g. in airports, hotels, etc.). The front wheels 232 can be used for short movements, such as when the user is standing in line, and doesn't need to pull the luggage case. As shown in FIG. 12, the bi-directional handle 202 can be pushed forward in the direction of arrow 1202, to lift the rear wheels 234 off the ground, as indicated by arrow 1204, allowing the front wheels 232 to roll in the direction of arrow 1206. The arrangement of the wheels 232, 234 prevent the luggage case from rolling away when the luggage case it not being moved by a user; wheels 232 won't roll in the direction that wheels 234 will roll, and vice versa. This provides an advantage over potable containers and suitcases that use casters since the casters allow the container to roll in any direction, so any inclined surface will tend to cause a container on casters to roll away, therefore requiring the user to hang onto the container to prevent it from rolling away.

FIG. 13 shows a side elevational view 1300 of a luggage case having articulating portions with the articulating portions in a closed position, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 13 shows an alternative arrangement of the articulating portions where a main body portion 1302 is coupled to a top front portion 1304 at a top joint 1305, and a bottom front portion 1306 is joined at a bottom joint 1307. The top joint 1305 allows the top front portion 1304 to be raised up, pivoting around the top joint 1305, as indicated by arrow 1308, and the bottom joint 1307 allows the bottom front portion 1306 to be lowered by pivoting around the bottom joint 1307 as indicated by arrow 1310. FIG. 14 shows a side elevational view 1400 of the luggage case of FIG. 13 leaned against a wall 1402, with the articulating portions 1304, 1306 in open positions. A bi-directional handle 1312 can be lowered to rest on the floor 1404 to elevate the luggage case up from the floor 1404. The back and front wheels 1314, 1316 can be accommodated by corresponding recesses formed into the bottom of main body portion 1302 and bottom front portion 1306 to allow bottom front portion to pivot a full one hundred eighty degrees. Various retaining arrangements, such as those shown in FIGS. 7-9 can be used to retain items in the various portions 1302, 1304, 1306.

FIG. 15 shows a front elevational view 1500 of a luggage case having articulating portions with the articulating portions in a closed position, and FIG. 16 shows a front elevational view 1600 of the luggage case of FIG. 15 having the articulating portions in open positions, in accordance with some embodiments. In the arraignment of FIGS. 15-16, like that of FIGS. 13-14, a bottom front portion 1502 is connected at a bottom joint (not shown). However, the top is divided into left and right top portions 1504, 1506, respectively. The left and right top portions are joined to the main body portion 1602 at the left and right sides of the main body portion 1602. Thus, as shown in FIG. 16, the left top portion swings open to the left, as indicated by arrow 1604, and the top right portion 1506 swings to the right, as indicated by arrow 1606. The bottom portion 1502 and the main body portion 1602 can have corresponding recesses formed in their respective bottom surfaces to accommodate the front and rear wheels when the bottom portion 1602 is opened (e.g. as indicated by arrows 1608).

It is contemplated that the lower portion of the bi-directional handle can include a feature for added stability of the luggage case when in the elevated position, with the bi-directional handle lowered. Examples of such features are described in FIGS. 17-19. FIG. 17 shows a side elevation view 1700 of a luggage case 1702 having a lowered bi-directional handle 1704 that includes a hinged lower section 1706, in accordance with some embodiments. The lower section 1706 can be joined to the bi-directional handle 1704 at a joint 1708 that can include a spring arrangement to bias the lower section to angle as shown. When the bi-directional handle 1704 is raised back into the storage position, or to a raised position for pulling the luggage case, the lower section 1706 can be biased into linear alignment with the bi-directional handle by the back surface 1714 of the luggage case 1702. The benefit of the lower section 1706 is that it moves the contact point with the floor forward, ensuring that the center of gravity of the luggage case will be well behind the contact point when leaned against a wall. Similar to other embodiments shown herein, the luggage case 1702 can include a rear pair of wheels 1710 and a front pair of wheels 1712 which are perpendicularly oriented to the rear wheels 1710.

FIG. 18 shows a side elevational view 1800 of a luggage case, and FIG. 19 shows a bottom plan view 1900 of a luggage case having a bi-directional handle 1804 having a foot 1806, in accordance with some embodiments. The foot 1806 can be biased into a position perpendicular to the bi-directional handle 1804 when the bi-directional handle is lowered, and shaped to avoid interference with the wheels 1902, 1904 on the bottom of the luggage case 1802. When the bi-directional handle 1804 is raised to allow a user to pull the luggage case 1802, the foot 1806 can pivot about a joint 1808 to be aligned with the bi-directional handle along the back of the luggage case.

FIG. 20 shows a perspective view 2000 of a bi-directional handle 202, in accordance with some embodiments. Specifically, and with reference to previously described drawings, the view 2000 is of the side of the bi-directional handle that faces the back of the body of the luggage case. The latch release 210 operates a mechanism that extends through the interior of the center vertical member 226 to move the upper latch member 2002 and the lower latch member 2004 between extended and retracted positions. The upper and lower latch members 2002, 2004 can be biased to normally be in an extended position to engage, for example, the upper and lower latch engagements (e.g. 302, 402 in FIGS. 3 & 4). In some embodiments the luggage case can include a latch system that allows the bi-directional handle to be releaseably latched in a lowered position, a support position, and/or a raised position, depending on which position the bi-directional handle is moved.

The latch system can include a latch release 210, upper and lower latch members 2002, 2004, and lower and upper latch engagements 302, 402, along with the mechanical linkage and biasing members linking the latch release 210 to the upper and lower latch members 2002, 2004. When the latch release 210 is actuated, the upper and lower latch members 2002, 2004 retract, thereby disengaging from either the upper latch engagement, lower latch engagement, or both, depending on the positon of the bi-directional handle. The bi-directional 202 handle further includes cutouts 216 on the top cross member 230, and similar cutouts 224 in the bottom cross member 228. The cutouts 216, 224 can be recesses in the top and bottom cross members, and are deep enough to allow the projections 214, 220 to pass through them. However, the cutouts or recesses 216, 224 are vertically offset from each other, as indicated by dashed lines 2008, 2010. The cutouts 216 in the top cross member 230 correspond with the projection 214 of the upper stop 212 to allow the top cross member to move past the upper stop 212. Likewise cutouts 224 in the bottom cross member 228 correspond with the projections 220 of the lower stop 218 to allow the bottom cross member 228 to move past the lower stop 218. However, the top cross member 230 will not be able to move past the projections 220 of the lower stop, and the bottom cross member 228 will not be able to move past the projections 214 of the upper stop 212. The latch system allows the frame member to be fixed at any of three positions, which are the elevated, lowered, and storage positions. This avoids the more common telescoping handle arrangement on many existing luggage cases, and is a substantially simpler design the requires fewer parts, is easier to assemble, and eliminates the looseness that is typically evident between portions of a telescoping luggage case handle due to the shorter overlap or length of the telescoping sections needed in view of the entire frame member being moveable upwards.

A luggage case has been disclosed that that is suitable for travel and includes a bi-directional handle that can be moved into a raised position to allow a user to pull or otherwise move the luggage case. The bi-directional handle can also be lowered such that a portion of the bi-directional handle extends below the body of the luggage case, to support the luggage case in an elevated position. In the elevated position the body is raised up from the floor or other surface with which the bi-directional handle makes contact below the body. Furthermore, a pair of rear wheels and front wheels on the bottom of the body can have perpendicular orientations to prevent the luggage case from rolling away on non-level surfaces, with the rear wheels being oriented from front to back to facilitate rolling of the case by pulling the bi-directional handle in a direction parallel with the alignment or orientation of the rear wheels.

Claims

1. A luggage case, comprising:

a body having a back, a top, and a bottom, the back having an upper latch engagement and a lower latch engagement;

a rail system disposed on the back of the body;

a bi-directional handle slidably retained by the rail system so as to allow the bi-directional handle to move up and down along the back of the body while retained by the rail system; and

a latch system disposed on the bi-directional handle configured to selectively engage at least one of the upper latch engagement or the lower latch engagement when the bi-directional handle is positioned in a raised position, a storage position, or an elevation position by moving the bi-directional handle along the rail system into the raised position, storage position, or lowered position.

2. The luggage case of claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a main body portion on which the bi-direction handle and rail system are disposed, and having at least two articulating front portions, each front portion hingeably joined to the main body portion at a respective joint about which each of the at least two articulating front portions pivot to open and close with respect to the main body portion.

3. The luggage case of claim 2, wherein the at least two articulating front portions comprise a left front portion and a right front portion, the left front portion being hingeably joined to the main body portion at left side of the main body portion, and the right front portion being hingeably joined to the main body portion at a right side of the main body portion.

4. The luggage case of claim 2, wherein the at least two articulating front portions includes at least one bottom front portion that is hingeably joined at a bottom of the main body portion.

5. The luggage case of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of elastic bands disposed across a front of at least one of the main body portion or the at least two articulating front body portions.

6. The luggage case of claim 5, further comprising a shelf disposed in an interior of the at least one of the main body portion or at least one of the at least two articulating front body portions.

7. The luggage case of claim 2, further comprising an extended shelf mounted in the main body portion that is moveable between a raised and a lowered position, and which is sized such that when in the lowered position the extended shelf extends outward from an interior of the main body portion beyond the interior of the main body portion.

8. The luggage case of claim 1, further comprising an upper stop and a lower stop disposed on the back of the body, the upper stop having at least one upper projection that projects from the upper stop, the lower stop having at least one lower projection that projects from the lower stop, wherein the at least one upper projection and at least one lower projection are offset, vertically, from each other;

wherein the at least one lower projection engages a top cross member of the bi-directional handle to prevent the bi-directional handle from moving past the elevation position when the bi-directional handle is moved downwards relative to the back of the body, and wherein the top cross member has at least one recess corresponding to the at least one upper projection configured to allow the top cross member to move past the upper stop upon the bi-directional handle being moved downwards from the storage position; and

wherein the at least one upper projection engages a lower cross member of the bi-directional handle to prevent the bi-directional handle from moving past the raised position when the bi-directional handle is moved upwards relative to the back of the body, and wherein the lower cross member has at least one recess corresponding to the at least one lower projection that is configured to allow the lower cross member to move past the lower stop upon the bi-directional handle being moved upwards from the storage position.

9. The luggage case of claim 1, further comprising:

a pair of rear wheels disposed on a bottom of the body proximate to the back of the body, with one of the pair of rear wheels at each of two rear corners of the bottom of the body, with each wheel of the pair of rear wheels being aligned in a direction from front to back of the body; and

a pair of front wheels disposed in the bottom of the body, one each at each of two front corners of the bottom of the body, wherein each of the pair of front wheel are aligned perpendicular to the rear wheels.

10. An elevating travel luggage case, comprising:

a body; and

a bi-directional handle mounted on a back of the body and moveable between a raised position, a storage position, and a lowered position, wherein in the raised position a portion of the bi-directional handle extends up over a top of the body, and in the lowered position a portion of the bi-directional handle extends down below a bottom of the body and is configured to be releaseably retained when in the lowered position.

11. The elevating travel luggage case of claim 10, wherein the bi-directional handle is further configured to be releaseably retained in the storage position when in the storage position, and further configured to be releaseably retained in the raised position when moved to the raised position.

12. The elevating travel luggage case of claim 10, wherein the body further comprises a main body portion on which the bi-direction handle and rail system are disposed, and having at least two articulating front portions, each front portion hingeably joined to the main body portion at a respective joint about which each of the at least two articulating front portions pivot to open and close with respect to the main body portion.

13. The elevating travel luggage case of claim 12, wherein the at least two articulating front portions comprise a left front portion and a right front portion, the left front portion being hingeably joined to the main body portion at left side of the main body portion, and the right front portion being hingeably joined to the main body portion at a right side of the main body portion.

14. The elevating travel luggage case of claim 12, wherein the at least two articulating front portions includes at least one bottom front portion that is hingeably joined at a bottom of the main body portion.

15. The elevating travel luggage case of claim 12, further comprising a plurality of elastic bands disposed across a front of at least one of the main body portion or the at least two articulating front body portions.

16. The elevating travel luggage case of claim 15, further comprising a shelf disposed in an interior of the at least one of the main body portion or at least one of the at least two articulating front body portions.

17. The elevating travel luggage case of claim 12, further comprising an extended shelf mounted in the main body portion that is moveable between a raised and a lowered position, and which is sized such that when in the lowered position the extended shelf extends outward from an interior of the main body portion beyond the interior of the main body portion.

18. The elevating travel luggage case of claim 10, further comprising an upper stop and a lower stop disposed on the back of the body, the upper stop having at least one upper projection that projects from the upper stop, the lower stop having at least one lower projection that projects from the lower stop, wherein the at least one upper projection and at least one lower projection are offset, vertically, from each other;

wherein the at least one lower projection engages a top cross member of the bi-directional handle to prevent the bi-directional handle from moving past the elevated position when the bi-directional handle is moved downwards relative to the back of the body, and wherein the top cross member has at least one recess corresponding to the at least one upper projection configured to allow the top cross member to move past the upper stop upon the bi-directional handle being moved downwards from a storage position; and

wherein the at least one upper projection engages a lower cross member of the bi-directional handle to prevent the bi-directional handle from moving past the raised position when the bi-directional handle is moved upwards relative to the back of the body, and wherein the lower cross member has at least one recess corresponding to the at least one lower projection that is configured to allow the lower cross member to move past the lower stop upon the bi-directional handle being moved upwards from the storage position.

19. The elevating travel luggage case of claim 10, further comprising:

a pair of rear wheels disposed on a bottom of the body proximate to the back of the body, with one of the pair of rear wheels at each of two rear corners of the bottom of the body, with each wheel of the pair of rear wheels being aligned in a direction from front to back of the body; and

a pair of front wheels disposed in the bottom of the body, one each at each of two front corners of the bottom of the body, wherein each of the pair of front wheel are aligned perpendicular to the rear wheels.