Luggage bag with handle-activated wheel deployment system

Abstract

A luggage bag (10) having a handle-activated wheel deployment system (11), which includes an extendable handle assembly (26) having a number of extendable members (25), and a cross piece (30) joining the extendable members (25). Also included is a number of extendable wheel assemblies (12) having extendable wheels (14) which are movable from a retracted position (78) to an extended position (76), and axel brackets (16) which are rotatable about a pivot (20). The axel bracket (16) also has at least one extension tab (74). An activation assembly (50) includes a linkage (49) which connects the extendable handle assembly (26) and at least one extendable wheel assembly (12), so that extension of the handle assembly (26) causes extension of the extendable wheels (14). The activation assembly (50) acts to move the extension tab (74) to pivot the wheels (14) to extend or retract.

Description

[0001] The following non-provisional application claims priority from provisional patent application No. 60/301,690, filed Jun. 27, 2001, which has the same inventor as the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to carriers for luggage, and carts for transporting baggage.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] Luggage is the traditional way that travelers have used to carry clothing and personal items while on vacations and business trips. The standard suitcase typically has one or more handles which are used to lift and carry the suitcase from place to place. In the past few years, an up-right style suitcase can been developed which has a built-in cart for wheeling the suitcase around. This style typically has permanently mounted exterior wheels and an extendable handle which telescopes outward to allow the user to grasp and pull the handle without bending over. The suitcase generally stands on one end so that it is taller in a vertical direction than in a horizontal one, thus this style will be referred to in this application as an “up-right suitcase”.

[0004] The up-right suitcase has proven to be very popular due to its ease of use and convenience. However, it has some disadvantages. The wheels are typically permanently mounted to the lower rear corners of the suitcase. In order to allow the suitcase to stand upright when parked, there are optionally two additional feet included on the bottom surface, so that the suitcase rests on four contact points two wheels and two feet. This adds additional height to the overall dimension of the suitcase. Of course it is a generally accepted principle that luggage should be as compact as possible to make its transport as easy as possible, and its storage volume should be as small as possible. Thus the additional height produced by the permanently extended wheels is an undesirable feature. Even for those up-right suitcases which do not additional feet on the bottom, the permanently extended wheels still add to the overall height.

[0005] As any traveler knows, the handling of baggage can be rough at times, and extended wheels are a prime target for damage, being both one of the most protruding features of the luggage and one of the most vulnerable. Wheels which are permanently extended present an opportunity for them to snag on other external items, such as the handles of other suitcases in a baggage compartment. In addition, wheels are generally somewhat fragile, since the axial alignment of the wheels is important to good operation, and axial alignment can be disrupted by blows to the wheels or their components.

[0006] It is therefore desirable that wheels on luggage are not permanently extended to present a hazard to other items and themselves. However, it is not desirable that the wheels require a complex operation to disengage them or retract them from use. Certainly, a user would probably find detachable wheels to be impractical both because the wheels could then become lost or stolen and because they would most likely be less stable, perhaps become loose with extended usage. Thus extendable wheels would be highly desirable, as long as the retraction and extension mechanism would preferably not require great effort by the user. Travelers generally have a great number of details to deal with, and manipulating luggage wheels should not be an operation which requires much concentration.

[0007] There have been several prior luggage items which include extendable wheels. U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,230 to Mayer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,675 to Haft, U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,402 to Brinker and U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,805 to Huang all have extendable wheels which must be manually deployed as in Mayer and Haft, or extend and retract by pressing various buttons as in Brinker or depressing levers as in Huang. These have various disadvantages, as they require the user to manipulate the wheels, buttons or levers which are located at the bottom of the case, and may require stooping to reach them, or lift the luggage to a position where the bottom is reachable.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,752 to King discloses a suitcase with wheels that extend or retract automatically by spring action, apparently not directed by the motion of the handle.

[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,109 to Cowdery, U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,850 to Knowles and U.S. Pat. No. 6,360,400 to Chang disclose luggage cases which use handle-activated mechanisms to pivot wheels into extended or retracted position. These involve generally complicated mechanisms involving cams in order to move the wheels in response to movement by the handle. Considering the rough handling that luggage cases often receive, these complicated mechanisms may be vulnerable to damage or else they must be heavily fortified, which of course increases the weight of the case.

[0010] Thus there is a need for luggage which has extendable wheels, so that the wheels are protected from damage, and will not catch on other items in the environment. There is also a need for luggage in which the retraction mechanism operates smoothly and without the necessity for the user to perform complex manipulations to extract the wheels from housings.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0011] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a luggage bag with a built-in cart which has extendable wheels.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a luggage bag in which wheels extend and retract smoothly and with minimal manipulation by the user.

[0013] And another object of the invention is to provide a luggage bag in which wheels extend or retract in response to action by the handle.

[0014] Briefly, one preferred embodiment of the present invention is a luggage bag including an enclosure for containing articles to be transported, the luggage bag having a handle-activated wheel deployment system. This system includes an extendable handle assembly having a number of extendable members, and a cross piece joining the extendable members. Also included in the system is an extendable wheel assembly which has extendable wheels which are movable from a retracted position to an extended position. These extendable wheel assemblies each include an axel bracket which is rotatable about a pivot. The axel bracket also has at least one extension tab. An activation assembly includes a linkage which connects the extendable handle assembly and one or more of the extendable wheel assemblies, so that extension of the extendable handle assembly causes extension of the extendable wheels. The activation assembly acts to move the extension tab to pivot the wheels to extend or retract.

[0015] Also disclosed is an extendable wheel assembly.

[0016] An advantage of the present invention is that the wheels retract to wells which are recessed so that little or none of the wheels protrude to catch on external objects.

[0017] Another advantage of the present invention is that the wheels retract so that they are protected from damage.

[0018] And another advantage of the present invention is that the wheels operate easily by manipulation of the handle.

[0019] A further advantage of the present invention is that the luggage bag presents a streamlined and attractive profile when the wheels are retracted.

[0020] A yet further advantage is that the wheels move quickly and smoothly from a retracted position to an extended position.

[0021] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become clear to those skilled in the art in view of the description of the best presently known mode of carrying out the invention and the industrial applicability of the preferred embodiment as described herein and as illustrated in the several figures of the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The purposes and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a front isometric view of the luggage bag of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an interior plan view of the luggage bag of the present invention, with the wheels in retracted position;

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a rear plan view of a theoretical split-handle luggage bag, which has one wheel in retracted position and one wheel in extended position;

[0026] FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of the extendable handle assembly of the present invention in a retracted position;

[0027] FIG. 5 illustrates a simplified top plan view of the wheel pivot assembly in extended position;

[0028] FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified top plan view of the wheel pivot assembly in movement between an extended position and a retracted position;

[0029] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view as seen from line 7-7 in FIG. 3;

[0030] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view as seen from line 8-8 in FIG. 3;

[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of the extendable wheel assembly of the present invention in retracted position;

[0032] FIG. 10 shows a front plan view of the extendable wheel assembly of the present invention in retracted position;

[0033] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the extendable wheel assembly of the present invention in retracted position, as seen from line 11-11 in FIG. 10;

[0034] FIG. 12 illustrates a bottom plan view of the extendable handle assembly of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 13 illustrates a top plan view of the extendable handle assembly of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 14 shows a front plan view of the extendable handle assembly of the present invention in retracted position;

[0037] FIG. 15 illustrates a side plan view of the extendable handle assembly of the present invention in retracted position;

[0038] FIG. 16 shows a partial plan cut-away view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] FIG. 17 shows a detail view of a wheel pivot assembly and cable connection of the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 18 illustrates a detail cut-away view of a portion of the telescoping handle assembly of the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 19 shows a detail view of the lower portion of the telescoping handle assembly and cable connection of the present invention; and

[0042] FIGS. 20A and B show top views of a wheel pivot assembly in the process of being extended and retracted respectively.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0043] FIGS. 1-15 illustrates a first embodiment of a luggage bag which will be denoted by luggage bag 10 with a handle-activated wheel deployment system 11. The luggage bag 10 includes an enclosure 37 for retaining and packing items to accompany the user during travels in the typical manner of suitcases. The enclosure 37 of the luggage bag 10 generally includes a front side 32, back side 34, first side 36, second side 38, top 40 and bottom 42. The front side 32 includes the lid 44, which attaches to the body 46 of the luggage bag 10 by a zipper 48 in a conventional manner. The luggage bag also preferably includes a conventional carrying handle 24.

[0044] The handle-activated wheel deployment system 11 has generally an a number of extendable wheel assembly 12, an extendable handle assembly 26, a linkage 49 and activation assembly 50 which is used to link the motion of the handle 30 as it extends and retracts to the extension and retraction of the wheels 14.

[0045] The extendable wheel assemblies 12 includes a pair of wheels 14, which are rotatably attached to a pair of axel brackets 16, which are in turn pivotally attached to a molding 18, by pivots 20. There are two wheel wells 22 into which the wheels 14 retract when not extended.

[0046] The extendable handle assembly 26 includes a number of extendable members 28 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1) which slide within one another to extend the length of the assembly 26. The extendable handle assembly 26 also includes a cross piece 30 which serves as an additional carrying handle and grip for extending the handle assembly 26.

[0047] The activation assembly 50 is discussed in more detail below, but serves to move the wheels 14 from retracted position to extended position in response to movement of the extendable handle assembly 26 through a linkage 49 which couples the movement of the extendable handle assembly 26 to the extendable wheel assemblies 12.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows the interior 45 of the luggage bag 10 as seen with the lid removed, although the mechanisms here are preferably covered by a cloth layer, which has also been removed here. The extendable handle assembly 26 can be seen to include the handle portion 30, the handle frame 28 and an activation assembly 50, which is shown in more detail in FIGS. 4 and 14. Referring to FIGS. 2-4, and 14-15, the activation assembly 50 is connected to two extendable wheel assemblies 12 by tubes 54 which serve as part of the linkage 49. The handle frame 28 is configured in two or more pieces, in this case, an inner member 56 and an outer member 58. The inner member 56 is connected at its upper ends to the cross-piece 30. The lower portions of the inner members 56 are free to slide within the outer member 58. The activation assembly 50 includes a housing 60 and a central linkage member 62 having a cross piece 64, two side pieces 66 and two prongs 68. Two springs 70 surround the prongs 68 and are compressed between the cross piece 64 and the housing 60 thus serving to bias the cross piece 64 away from the housing 60. The prongs 68 may be connected to cables 72, or a portion of the cables 72 may serve as the prongs 68 themselves. The cables 72 then extend through the tubes 54 to the extendable wheel assemblies 12.

[0049] The wheels 14 of the extendable wheel assemblies 12 each pivot about an axis of rotation 2 which is preferably vertical when the case is standing upright, or in other words, is parallel to the extendable members 25 of the extendable handle assembly 26.

[0050] FIGS. 5 and 6 show two stages in the retraction of the wheels 14 into the wheel wells 22. Both views are top plan views which have been simplified for ease of viewing. The extendable wheel assemblies 12 each includes wheels 14 which are shown mounted in axel brackets 16. These wheel brackets 16 have extension tabs 74, and rotate about pivots 20. Referring now also to FIGS. 1 and 4, Cables 72 are attached to the extension tabs 74 of the axel brackets 16, and extend through the tubes 54. These tubes 54 are fastened on one end to the activation assembly housing 60 and on the other to the housing 75 of the extendable wheel assembly 12. Although cables are preferred as the linkage mechanism, it is also possible to use any kind of flexible connector that can be both pushed and pulled, such as flexible wire, or even a rigid member that has jointed portions that allow rotational or pivotal motion at their connections. All such variations are contemplated by the present invention as will be obvious variations to one skilled in the art.

[0051] When the extendable handle 26 approaches its upper travel limit, as when extended, the springs 70 push the cross piece 64 away from the housing 60, drawing the cables 72 back into the tubes 54, pulling the extension portions 74. This makes the axel bracket 16 rotate about the pivot 20, thus pushing the wheels 14 into extended position 76. This is the position assumed at the beginning of operation in FIG. 5. When the extendable handle 26 is pushed down, the central linkage member 62 is also pushed downward against the biasing springs 70. This also causes the cables 72 to be pushed inside the tubes 54, in the direction of the direction arrow, pushing on the extension tabs 74, causing them to rotate about pivots 20, and the wheels 14 to retract. This motion is continued in FIG. 6, until the wheels 14 come to rest in the wheel wells 22 contained in the moldings 18. These have been removed in FIGS. 5 and 6 for easier viewing, but it is to be understood that they would appear to be greater in depth than the thickness of the wheels 14, so that the wheels 14 are preferably completely contained in the wheel wells 22 and are thus protected from catching on exterior items.

[0052] The frame 28 of the extendable handle assembly 26 preferably includes a number of detents 80, some of which are not visible in the figures. These may be in the form of a steel ball, which is spring biased into a hole in the frame, or other such mechanism. These detents 80 serve to maintain the extendable handle assembly 26 in an extended position 76, when pulled out, and to maintain it in a retracted position 78, when pushed in. These detents also serves to insure that the wheels 14 remain in retracted position 78 or extended position 76, as required, thus making sure that the wheels 14 are secure for rolling on, or that they are maintained out of the way.

[0053] Although the handle 26 is designed to activate both wheels on both sides at once, FIG. 3 shows a rear plan view of a theoretically split handle in which one wheel is in the retracted position 78 and one is in the extended position 76.

[0054] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view as seen from line 7-7 in FIG. 3, and FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view as seen from line 8-8 in FIG. 3. Once again, there is one wheel 14 in retracted position 78 and one wheel in the extended position 76.

[0055] FIG. 9 illustrates an isometric view of the extendable wheel assembly 12 in retracted position 78, including the wheel 14, axel bracket 16, molding 18 and wheel well 22.

[0056] FIG. 10 shows a front plan view of the extendable wheel assembly 12 in retracted position 78, including the wheel 14, axel bracket 16, molding 18 and wheel well 22.

[0057] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the extendable wheel assembly 12 in retracted position 78, including the wheel 14, axel bracket 16, molding 18 and wheel well 22, as seen from line 11-11 in FIG. 10.

[0058] FIGS. 12-15 illustrate bottom, top, front and side plan views of the extendable handle assembly 26, including the housing 60, side members 66, inner members 56, outer housing members 58, cross piece 30, tubes 54, and activation assembly 50.

[0059] FIGS. 16-20 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a luggage bag 100 with handle-activated wheel deployment system 11 which uses a modified activation assembly 50 to move the wheels 14. Where the elements are similar in function to those previously discussed, the same element numbering will be used.

[0060] As before, the luggage bag 100 has an extendable wheel assembly 12, which includes a pair of wheels 14, which are rotatably attached to a pair of axel brackets 16, which are in turn pivotally attached to a molding 18, by pivots 20. There are two wheel wells 22 into which the wheels 14 retract when not extended. The luggage bag 100 also includes an extendable handle assembly 26, which includes a handle housing 28 and a cross piece 30. The extendable handle assembly 26 has extendable members 25, which preferably include a first stage tube 102, a second stage tube 104 and a third stage tube 106, which telescope within each other to make a telescoping handle assembly 110. The lower portion of the third stage tube 106 is enclosed in an outer housing 108 which is attached to the luggage bag body by a housing fixture 118.

[0061] The activation assembly 50 includes a linkage 49 having a cable 72 which slides within a tube 54, and also within a first cable neck 114, which is fixed within a first cable neck housing 116, which is in turn fixed within the outer housing 108. A second cable neck 122 and second cable neck housing 124 are also fixed to the luggage bag body and remain stationary while the cable 72 slides within them. The cable 72 has a first cable head 112, which is enlarged and a second head 120, which is also enlarged. The first cable head 112 is attached at or near the bottom of the third stage tube 106, and moves with this third stage 106. The second cable head 120 is fixed within a movable block 126. Since the tube 54 is anchored by the first and second cable neck housings 116, 122 the motion of the first cable head 112 as it follows the movement of the third stage tube 106 is transmitted to the cable second head 120 and thus to the block 126.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 19, and FIGS. 20A-B, this motion causes the block 126 to be pulled toward the second cable neck housing 124, when the third stage tube 106 moves upwards (the handle is extended). This motion is from left to right in FIG. 20A, and causes block 126 to push on a first extension tab 128 on the axle bracket 16, thus urging the axel bracket 16 and wheel 14 to pivot clockwise, as shown by the direction arrow and thus extend. When the third stage tube 106 moves back down, (the handle is retracted) the block 126 is pushed as in FIG. 20B, so that it pushes the second extension tab 130 and the wheel 14 moves counter-clockwise, as shown, to retract.

[0063] Although only a first extendable wheel assembly 12 is shown, it is to be understood that the second extendable wheel assembly preferably works in unison with the first in response to movement of the handle, although, as before, it is possible that if a split cross-piece is used, that they may act independently of each other. Also, although cables are preferred as the linkage mechanism, it is also possible to use any kind of flexible connector that can be both pushed and pulled, such as flexible wire, or even a rigid member that has jointed portions that allow rotational or pivotal motion at their connections. All such variations are contemplated by the present invention as will be obvious variations to one skilled in the art.

[0064] FIG. 18 shows an optional locking mechanism 150 which is included in the handle 24, (only half of which is shown). This locking mechanism includes a release button 152 attached to an extension 154 having a slanted end member 156, which contacts a second slanted end member 158 of a connector 160. This pushes a third slanted end member 162, which then pushes a rod 164 which connects to a series of connecting members 166 and which then retract one or more retention members 168, which are spring loaded to press into detents 170. The telescoping handle assembly 110 handle is then allowed to extend to a point where the retention members 168 engage a second set of detents 170, locking the handle into its extended position. When the release button 152 is again pushes, the retention members are again released, and the telescoping handle assembly 110 is allowed to collapse.

[0065] While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of a preferred embodiment should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Industrial Applicability

[0066] The present luggage bags 10, 100 are well suited for application in transporting personal items by providing extendable wheels 14 which aid in rolling the luggage bag 10 from place to place, and allowing the wheels 14 to retract when not in use by use of a handy and convenient mechanism. The movement of the wheels 14 is coupled to the movement of the handle assembly 26, as it extends or retracts, making it very convenient for the user, who does not need to bend over to manipulate the positioning of the wheels.

[0067] In operation, the user of the luggage bag 100 pushes the optional release button 152 attached to an extension 154 having a slanted end member 156, which contacts a second slanted end member 158 of a connector 160. This pushes a third slanted end member 162, which then pushes a rod 164 which connects to a series of connecting members 166 and which then retract one or more retention members 168, which are spring loaded to press into detents 170. The telescoping handle assembly 110 handle is then allowed to extend to a point where the retention members 168 engage a second set of detents 170, locking the handle into its extended position. When the release button 152 is again pushes, the retention members are again released, and the telescoping handle assembly 110 is allowed to collapse.

[0068] As the extendable handle assembly 26 extends, the activation assembly 50 causes a linkage 49 including a cable 72 to slide within a tube 54, and also within a first cable neck 114, which is fixed within a first cable neck housing 116, which is in turn fixed within the outer housing 108. A second cable neck 122 and second cable neck housing 124 are also fixed to the luggage bag body and remain stationary while the cable 74 slides within them. The cable 72 has a first cable head, which is enlarged and a second head 120, which is also enlarged. The first cable head 112 is attached at or near the bottom of the third stage tube 106, and moves with this third stage 106. The second cable head 120 is fixed within a block 126. Since the tube 54 is anchored by the first and second cable neck housings 116, 122 the motion of the first cable head as it follows the movement of the third stage tube 106 is transmitted to the cable second head 120 and thus to the block 126.

[0069] This motion causes the block 126 to be pulled toward the second cable neck housing 124, when the third stage tube 106 moves upwards (the handle is extended). This motion causes block 126 to push on a first extension tab 128 on the axle bracket 16, thus urges the wheel 14 to pivot clockwise, and thus extend. When the third stage tube 106 moves back down, (the handle is retracted) the block 126 is pushed, so that it pushes the second extension tab 130 and the wheel 14 moves counter-clockwise, to retract.

[0070] This provides a very easy and convenient mechanism by which the user may either extend or retract the wheels without having to bend over and manually adjust the wheels. Travelers, who may have their hands full with other items will appreciate its ease of operation, which may be performed with on hand, and the compact configuration that the bag assumes when the wheels and handle are retracted.

[0071] For the above, and other, reasons, it is expected that the luggage bags 10, 100 of the present invention will have widespread industrial applicability. Therefore, it is expected that the commercial utility of the present invention will be extensive and long lasting. 1 LUGGAGE BAG WITH HANDLE-ACTIVATED WHEEL DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM SANFORD-SCHWENTKE, Anthony Atty. ref.: 60349-304701 (NRTHPO47A) THIS CORRESPONDENCE CHART IS FOR EASE OF UNDERSTANDTNG AND INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND DOES NOT FORM A PART OF THE FORMAL PATENT APPLICATION. 2 axis of rotation 10 luggage bag 11 handle-activated wheel deployment system 12 extendable wheel assembly 14 wheels 16 axel brackets 18 molding 20 pivots 22 wheel wells 24 carrying handle 25 extendable members 26 extendable handle assembly 28 handle frame 30 cross piece 32 front side 34 back side 36 first side 37 enclosure 38 second side 40 top 42 bottom 44 lid 46 body 48 zipper 49 linkage 50 activation assembly 54 tubes 56 inner member 58 outer member 60 activation assembly housing 62 central linkage member 64 linkage cross piece 66 side members 68 prongs 70 springs 72 cables 74 extension tabs 75 wheel pivot assembly housing 76 extended position 78 retracted position 80 detents 100 alternate embodiment 102 first stage tube 104 second stage tube 106 third stage tube 108 outer housing 110 telescoping handle assembly 112 first cable head 114 first cable neck 116 first cable neck housing 118 housing fixture 120 second cable head 122 second cable neck 124 second cable neck housing 126 block 128 first extension tab 130 second extension tab 150 locking mechanism 152 release button 154 extension 156 first slanted end member 158 second slanted end member 160 connector 162 third slanted end member 164 rod 166 connecting member 168 retention member 170 detent holes

Claims

1. A luggage bag with an enclosure for containing articles to be transported, and including a handle activated wheel deployment system, comprising:

an extendable handle assembly having a plurality of extendable members, and a cross piece joining said extendable members;

a plurality of extendable wheel assemblies having extendable wheels which are movable from a retracted position to an extended position, said extendable wheel assemblies each including an axel bracket which is rotatable about a pivot, said axel bracket also having at least one extension tab;

an activation assembly including a linkage which connects said extendable handle assembly and at least one of said extendable wheel assemblies, such that extension of said extendable handle assembly causes extension of at least one of said extendable wheels, said activation assembly acting to move said at least one extension tab to pivot said wheels to extend said wheels and also to move said at least one extension tab to pivot said wheels to retract said wheels.

2. The luggage bag of claim 1, wherein:

said at least one extension tab includes a first extension tab and a second extension tab.

3. The luggage bag of claim 2, wherein:

said activation assembly includes a block which acts to push said first extension tab to extend said wheels and acts to push said second tab to retract said wheels.

4. The luggage bag of claim 1, wherein:

said at least one extension tab is a single extension tab which is pulled by said linkage to pivot said wheels to said extended position, and which is pushed by said linkage to pivot said wheels to said retracted position.

5. The luggage bag of claim 1, wherein:

said activation acts to extend both wheels in unison and also acts to retract both wheels in unison.

6. The luggage bag of claim 1, wherein:

said linkage includes at least one cable.

7. The luggage bag of claim 6, wherein:

each of said at least one cable travels inside a tube that is fixed in position.

8. The luggage bag of claim 3, wherein:

said cable is connected to said block.

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

a locking mechanism which acts to maintain said handle and said wheels in said extended position and also in said retracted position.

10. The luggage bag of claim 9, wherein:

said locking mechanism is activated by a release button.

11. The luggage bag of claim 10, wherein:

said release button is included in said cross piece of said handle.

12. The luggage bag of claim 9, wherein:

said locking mechanism includes retention members which are urged by springs into detent holes.

13. The luggage bag of claim 1, wherein:

said pivots rotate about axes which are substantially parallel to said extendable members.

14. A handle-activated wheel deployment system for luggage, comprising:

an extendable handle assembly having a plurality of extendable members, and a cross piece joining said extendable members;

a plurality of extendable wheel assemblies having extendable wheels which are movable from a retracted position to an extended position, said extendable wheel assemblies each including an axel bracket which is rotatable about a pivot, said axel bracket also having at least one extension tab;

an activation assembly including a linkage which connects said extendable handle assembly and at least one of said extendable wheel assemblies, such that extension of said handle assembly causes extension of at least one of said extendable wheels, said activation assembly acting to move said at least one extension tab to pivot said wheels to extend said wheels and also to move said at least one extension tab to pivot said wheels to retract said wheels.

15. The handle-activated wheel deployment system of claim 14, wherein:

said at least one extension tab includes a first extension tab and a second extension tab.

16. The handle-activated wheel deployment system of claim 15, wherein:

said activation assembly includes a block which acts to push said first extension tab to extend said wheels and acts to push said second tab to retract said wheels.

17. The handle-activated wheel deployment system of claim 14, wherein:

said at least one extension tab is a single extension tab which is pulled by said linkage to pivot said wheels to said extended position, and which is pushed by said linkage to pivot said wheels to said retracted position.

18. The handle-activated wheel deployment system of claim 14, wherein:

said linkage includes at least one cable.

19. The handle-activated wheel deployment system of claim 18, wherein:

each of said at least one cable travels inside a tube that is fixed in position.

20. The handle-activated wheel deployment system of claim 19, wherein:

said cable is connected to said block.

21. The handle-activated wheel deployment system of claim 14, further comprising:

a locking mechanism which acts to maintain said handle and said wheels in said extended position and also in said retracted position.

22. The handle-activated wheel deployment system of claim 14, wherein:

said pivots rotate about axes which are substantially parallel to said extendable members.