Retractable suspension
A wheeled transport device that includes a body, a handle coupled to the body, a suspension system coupled to the body, and at least one wheel rotatably secured to the suspension system. The suspension system is retracted toward the body when the handle is moved from an extended position to a retracted position.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/085,633, filed on Aug. 1, 2008, which is incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis invention relates to retractable suspensions.
BACKGROUNDWheeled transport devices are commonly used to transport goods from one location to another. One example of a wheeled transport device is a luggage device. Luggage devices can include wheels for making transport of the luggage easier for the user. Luggage devices commonly include wheels along a base of the device and a handle extending from the upper portion of the device to allow the user to tote the luggage by grasping the handle and wheeling the luggage along a surface.
SUMMARYIn one aspect of the invention, a wheeled transport device includes a body, a handle coupled to the body, a suspension system coupled to the body, at least one wheel rotatably secured to the suspension system, and a cam arranged to retract the suspension system toward the body when the handle is moved from an extended position to a retracted position.
In another aspect of the invention, a wheeled transport device configured to be manually wheeled in an inclined position by a pedestrian user includes a body, a handle coupled to the body, at least one wheel disposed at a lower end portion of the body when the transport device is in an operative, inclined position, a suspension device coupling at least one wheel to the body, and a cam coupled to the suspension device. The handle is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and, when in the extended position, the handle is manually graspable by the pedestrian user while walking. The cam is arranged to retract the suspension system and the wheel toward the body when the handle is moved from an extended position to a retracted position.
Embodiments can include one or more of the following features.
In some embodiments, the wheeled transport device is a wheeled luggage device.
In certain embodiments, the handle and the cam are arranged so that the handle rotates the cam when the handle is moved to the retracted position.
In some embodiments, the handle defines a recess configured to receive the cam when the handle is in the retracted position.
In certain embodiments, the recess is configured to substantially prevent the cam from rotating when the handle is in the retracted position.
In some embodiments, the cam is configured to substantially prevent the suspension system from rotating when the handle is in the retracted position.
In certain embodiments, the handle includes a projection configured to contact the cam when the handle is moved to the retracted position.
In some embodiments, the cam is arranged so that the cam contacts a member of the suspension system when the handle is moved to the retracted position.
In certain embodiments, the cam is spring loaded.
In some embodiments, the suspension system is spring loaded so that the suspension system is deployed away from the body when the handle is in the extended position.
In certain embodiments, a rolling surface of the wheel is extended beyond the body when the handle is in the extended position.
In some embodiments, the cam includes a projection disposed in a slot defined by the suspension system.
In certain embodiments, the slot includes a first segment that extends at an obtuse angle relative to a second segment.
In some embodiments, the projection is disposed in the first segment of the slot when the handle is in the retracted position and the projection is disposed in the second segment of the slot when the handle is in the extended position.
In certain embodiments, the suspension system includes a first member and a second member that is rotatable relative to the first member, the wheel being coupled to the second member.
In some embodiments, the first member is fixed to the body.
In certain embodiments, the suspension system further includes a spring-damper disposed between the first and second members, the spring-damper configured to resist rotation of the second member relative to the first member.
In some embodiments, an entire area of the wheel overlays an area defined by the body when the handle is in the retracted position.
Embodiments can include one or more of the following advantages.
In certain embodiments, the suspension system and the wheel attached to the suspension system can be retracted such that the outer surface of the wheel is substantially flush with a surface (e.g., a bottom surface) of the body of the wheeled transport device. In this retracted position, the wheeled transport device occupies less space and the wheel and suspension system are less likely to be damaged.
In certain embodiments, the entire suspension system is retracted upon pushing the handle in to its retracted position. With this arrangement, the wheel, which is secured to the suspension system, can be retracted without having to overcome the spring force provided by the suspension system (e.g., a spring-damper of the suspension system). As a result, this arrangement can help to reduce the amount of force required to retract the wheel.
Other aspects, features, and advantages are in the description, drawings, and claims.
As shown in
Retractable suspension systems 110, 112 provide benefits both during transport of luggage device 100 and when storing luggage device 100.
With handle 104, wheels 106, 108, and suspension systems 110, 112 in the retracted position, luggage device 100 occupies less space. In this configuration, luggage device 100 is also generally less likely to suffer damage. For example, when wheels 106, 108 and suspension systems 110, 112 of luggage device 100 are in the retracted position, they are less likely to catch on an object and become damaged. Further, by retracting wheels 106, 108 and suspension systems 110, 112 such that they entirely overlap body 102 (e.g., such that they do not extend beyond the lower edge or rear edge of body 102), impacts caused by dropping luggage device 100 or otherwise handling luggage device 100 roughly will typically be absorbed by the durable luggage body 102 as opposed to wheels 106, 108 and suspension systems 110, 112.
Wheel 106, which supports and allows rolling transport of luggage device 100, is rotatably coupled to an axle 136 extending from suspension plate 122. Wheel 106 moves against spring-damper 116 when wheel 106 encounters impact loads as the luggage is being pulled. The compression of spring-damper 116 softens the impact transmitted to the luggage body and dissipates the energy. A substantial amount of wheel impact motion is confined within the suspension sub-frame 120, as will be described below.
A locking cam 138 is rotatably coupled to the right end portion of suspension sub-frame 120. In particular, locking cam 138 defines an aperture 140 that receives an axle 142 extending from suspension sub-frame 120. A torsion spring 144 is fixed to both suspension sub-frame 120 and locking cam 138 and is arranged to bias the left end portion of locking cam 138 away from suspension sub-frame 120 (i.e., downward in the view of
Referring to
When an impact occurs to wheel 106, suspension system 110 reacts to reduce (e.g., minimize) the impact experienced by body 102 and handle 104 of luggage device 100 and thus reduce (e.g., minimize) the impact experienced by the user holding handle 104. As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
As discussed above, when handle 104 is pushed into body 102 of luggage device 100, the entire assembly of suspension sub-frame 120, spring-damper 116, suspension plate 122, and wheel 106 is caused to rotate in order to retract wheel 106. Thus, it is not necessary to overcome the spring force of spring-damper 116 while retracting wheel 106. Instead, the user only needs to apply sufficient force to overcome the light resistance of torsion springs 134 and 144. As a result, wheel 106 can be retracted with relatively little force.
While luggage device 100 has been described as including the retractable suspension system described above, other types of retractable suspension systems can be used with wheeled luggage devices.
A locking cam 238 is rotatably secured to mounting plate 232. In particular, an axle 240 extending from the surface of locking cam 238 extends into an aperture 242 defined by mounting plate 232. Due to the position of axle 240 on locking cam 238, locking cam 238 has an eccentric rotational axis. A cam actuating pin 244 extends from the opposing end of locking cam 238. Cam actuating pin 244 rides in an arc-shaped track or slot 245 defined by upper suspension sub-frame 220. The lower profile of locking cam 23 8 is substantially u-shaped such that the lower portion of locking cam 23 8 forms first and second arms 239, 241.
The bottom portion of a handle 204 of the luggage device includes an actuating pin 246 that extends laterally therefrom. When handle 204 is pushed into the body of the luggage device and pulled away from the body of the luggage device, actuating pin engages first and second arms 239, 241, respectively, of locking cam 238. Contact between actuating pin 246 and arms 239, 241 of locking cam 238 cause locking cam 238 to rotate about axle 240. This rotational motion of locking cam 23 8 effects a rotational motion in upper suspension sub-frame 220 as actuating pin 244 of locking cam 238 provides a torque as a result of the resolution of forces within track 245 of upper suspension sub-frame 220. As discussed below, the rotation of upper suspension sub-frame 220 can cause the entire assembly of upper suspension sub-frame 220, lower suspension frame 222, wheel 206, and spring-damper 216 to rotate, and thus deploy or retract wheel 206.
Referring to
Referring to
As shown in
While certain embodiments have been described above, other embodiments are possible.
While certain components have been described as being attached to or integrally formed with a mounting plate, which is affixed to the sidewall of the body of the luggage device, those components can alternatively be attached to or formed integrally with the sidewall of the body of the luggage device.
While the suspension systems above are described as including a spring-damper, any of various other force absorption devices can alternatively or additionally be used.
While the retractable suspension systems described above have been described as being installed in wheeled luggage devices, the suspension systems can alternatively or additionally be used with any of various other types of wheeled transport devices.
Other embodiments are in the claims.
Claims
1. A wheeled transport device, comprising:
- a body;
- a handle coupled to the body, the handle being movable between an extended position and a retracted position;
- a suspension system coupled to the body;
- at least one wheel rotatably secured to the suspension system; and
- a cam arranged to retract the suspension system toward the body when the handle is moved from the extended position to the retracted position.
2. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the wheeled transport device is a wheeled luggage device.
3. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the handle and the cam are arranged so that the handle rotates the cam when the handle is moved to the retracted position.
4. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the handle defines a recess configured to receive the cam when the handle is in the retracted position.
5. The wheeled transport device of claim 4, wherein the recess is configured to substantially prevent the cam from rotating when the handle is in the retracted position.
6. The wheeled transport device of claim 5, wherein the cam is configured to substantially prevent the suspension system from rotating when the handle is in the retracted position.
7. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a projection configured to contact the cam when the handle is moved to the retracted position.
8. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the cam is arranged so that the cam contacts a member of the suspension system when the handle is moved to the retracted position.
9. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the cam is spring loaded.
10. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the suspension system is spring loaded so that the suspension system is deployed away from the body when the handle is in the extended position.
11. The wheeled transport device of claim 10, wherein a rolling surface of the wheel is extended beyond the body when the handle is in the extended position.
12. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the cam comprises a projection disposed in a slot defined by the suspension system.
13. The wheeled transport device of claim 12, wherein the slot comprises a first segment and a second segment that extends at an obtuse angle relative to the first segment.
14. The wheeled transport device of claim 13, wherein the projection is disposed in the first segment of the slot when the handle is in the retracted position and the projection is disposed in the second segment of the slot when the handle is in the extended position.
15. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the suspension system comprises a first member and a second member that is rotatable relative to the first member, the wheel being coupled to the second member.
16. The wheeled transport device of claim 15, wherein the first member is fixed to the body.
17. The wheeled transport device of claim 15, wherein the suspension system further comprises a spring-damper disposed between the first and second members, the spring-damper configured to resist rotation of the second member relative to the first member.
18. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein an entire area of the wheel overlays an area defined by the body when the handle is in the retracted position.
19. A wheeled transport device configured to be manually wheeled in an inclined position by a pedestrian user, the transport device comprising:
- a body;
- a handle coupled to the body, the handle being movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and, when in the extended position, the handle being manually graspable by the pedestrian user while walking;
- at least one wheel disposed at a lower end portion of the body when the transport device is in an operative, inclined position; and
- a suspension device coupling at least one wheel to the body; and
- a cam coupled to the suspension device, the cam being arranged to retract the suspension system and the wheel toward the body when the handle is moved from an extended position to a retracted position.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 16, 2009
Publication Date: Feb 4, 2010
Inventor: DOUGLAS C. DAYTON (Harvard, MA)
Application Number: 12/504,328
International Classification: A45C 5/14 (20060101); A45C 13/28 (20060101);