Abstract: An ergonomic wheeled baggage case includes top and bottom sides, and front, rear, and left and right panels. A first distance between the front and rear panels is shorter than a second distance between the left and right panels. A set of front wheels and a set of rear wheels are attached respectively to front and rear ends of the bottom side, and have bottommost ends which are substantially coplanar on a plane. The bottom side is oblique to the plane so that the front end of the bottom side is higher than the rear end thereof, thereby shifting the center of gravity of the case body rearwardly. The front, rear, left and right panels are substantially perpendicular to the plane.

Abstract: A luggage includes a case body provided with a guiding rail, a slider mounted slidably on the guiding rail, a coupling unit pivoted to the slider, a handle rod connected to the coupling unit, an abutting member having a protrusion and pivoted to the slider for movement between a first angular position, in which the protrusion is free of contact with the guiding rail, and a second angular position, in which the protrusion abuts against the guiding rail when the slider is disposed at a predetermined position and when the handle rod is disposed at an inclined position.

Abstract: A case includes a first shell having a first peripheral portion, and a second shell having a second peripheral portion connected movably to the first peripheral portion of the first shell. A slide fastener includes a pair of tape parts secured to the first and second peripheral portions of the first and second shells, respectively, interlocking elements provided on the tape parts, a pair of slider elements movably provided on the tape parts and operable for engaging and disengaging the interlocking elements, and a pair of pull tabs pivoted to the slider elements, respectively. A tab protector is mounted on the first shell, and cooperates with the first shell to form a tab-insertion space for insertion of the pull tabs of the slide fastener therein.

Abstract: An article of luggage exhibits improved mobility characteristics by mounting two sets of wheels to its bottom surface and a slidable and pivotable handle to its top surface. A first set of wheels projects from the bottom surface to a height greater than the projection of a second set of wheels so that the article is highly maneuverable when the article is in its upright orientation supported by the first set of wheels. The second wheels project from the bottom surface at a location more closely proximate a transverse edge of the bottom surface than the first wheels so that when the article is tilted about the second wheels, it may be stably maneuvered by a user during fast-paced movement or cornering.

Abstract: An article of wheeled luggage having improved mobility characteristics employs a wheeled pivotable leg operatively coupled to a retractable and extendable handle. The article becomes self-supported in a forwardly-tilted configuration when the user tilts the article and causes the wheeled pivotable leg to swing outwardly from the forward surface of the article. Stable support in the tilted position is provided by at least one rolling member on the bottom surface of the article proximate a forward surface thereof and by at least one rolling member on the base of the pivotable leg. In the tilted configuration, the article has a lower center of gravity and a larger wheelbase or footprint than when the article is standing upright, and is better able to counteract overturning forces.

Abstract: A retractable handle apparatus for user-defined selective movement of an article of luggage along an underlying ground or supporting surface includes an elongate rigid graspable portion secured to a front wall surface of the article by a flexible portion that is coupled to the rigid portion. The flexible portion permit multi-directional pivotal and axially rotative movement of the graspable portion relative to the fixed front wall surface. A spring assembly extending along the flexible portion provides automatic return of the graspable portion to an initial position of nonuse when the handle is released by the user.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for steering an article of luggage, such as a suitcase, as it is pulled on and along an underlying support surface in a desired direction. An elongated member is connected to the suitcase via a ball and socket arrangement and a handle is rotatably mounted to the distal end of the member. The handle is manipulatable in and into a plurality of positions to omnidirectionally rotate the ball relative to the socket and thereby steer the article in a particular direction. In the preferred embodiment, the member is formed of an elongated arm and a relatively shorter connecting member that extends from the ball and is pivotally connected to the arm upon which the handle is mounted. The arm may, in turn, be formed of a pair of telescoping rods.

Abstract: A luggage steering device is formed of a hollow sleeve carried on a front wall or side of a typically wheeled article of luggage. Within the sleeve is coaxially positioned a hollow tube capable of axial rotation within and relative to the sleeve. A rigid steering rod is mounted for longitudinally-slidable coaxial insertion into and extraction from the tube. Hingedly connected to the rigid rod is an anchor which remains captively within and in predetermined axial registration with the tube while the rigid rod and hinge portion are extracted from the tube. The pivotal connection allows the rigid steering rod to be pivotally displaced upwardly and downwardly in a substantially vertical plane. The axial registration of the steering rod anchor to the swiveling inner tube assures that, in addition to vertically pivotal movement, the steering rod may be radially swiveled or rotated about a substantially horizontal plane by virtue of a mechanical connection between the anchor and the inner tube.

Abstract: An article of wheeled luggage having a pair of rear wheels for rolling engagement with an underlying support surface further includes a control rod located in close proximity to the front wall of the luggage and carrying a freely-rotatable front wheel at its bottom end and a pivotally-attached pull-handle at its top end. The control rod extends substantially vertically along at least a portion of the front wall and is axially rotatable so as correspondingly vary the orientation of the front wheel which is maintained in rolling engagement with the support surface. The control rod has a generally L-shaped construction including an upper leg extending along the front wall and a lower leg disposed proximate the bottom wall of the article of luggage, the front wheel being mounted in a predeterminately-fixed orientation on the lower leg.

Abstract: A moveable article of luggage includes a closeable article-receiving interior compartment, a bottom wall, at least one free-spinning rear wheel attached to the bottom wall, the front wheels at a fixed distance apart, and a pull-type handle device. The retaining and pivoting assembly provides for unitary and concurrent pivoting of the front wheels about a forward pivoting axis and is pivotally secured to the bottom wall of the luggage article at the forward pivoting axis. The handle device is attached to the retaining and pivoting assembly for distributing and translating the forces required for moving the luggage along an underlying support surface and for changing the direction of rolling travel of the luggage by arcuately pivoting the retaining and pivoting assembly in a direct and unitary manner. In one embodiment, the retaining and pivoting assembly includes a tubular sleeve through which a common axle, on which the two front wheels are carried, is journalled.