Patents Examined by Frank Vanamah
  • Patent number: 6446987
    Abstract: A suitcase has first rollers mounted thereon to at least partially support the suitcase when in an upright position and to enable rolling movement of the suitcase across a surface. The first end of an arm is pivotally mounted to a rigid body portion of the suitcase. Second rollers are mounted about adjacent to the second end of the arm to enable rolling movement of the suitcase across the surface. A first link is pivotally mounted to the rigid body portion, and a second link is pivotally mounted to the first link and the arm. The arm is alternately retractable to a retracted position about adjacent to a rear panel of the suitcase, and deployable to a deployed position spaced outwardly from the rear panel. The first and second rollers cooperate to fully support the suitcase when the second rollers are deployed and the suitcase is in a rolling position. A push/pull handle is mounted on the suitcase to enable a user to roll the suitcase across the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: 500 Group, Inc.
    Inventors: J Richard Abraham, Paolo M. B. Tiramani, John A. Bozak