CARRY-ON BAG WITH PULL-OUT COAT HANGERS IN HANDLE TOP

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a piece of luggage is provided. The luggage includes a case body having a front portion, a rear portion, and four walls coupled with the front portion and the rear portion to form an interior region within which items may be placed. The luggage also includes a handle coupled with the case body and extendible therefrom. The handle includes rods that are slidably coupled with the case body to allow the handle to be extended from the case body. The handle also includes a grip member that is coupled at a distal end of the rods and that extends laterally therebetween. A pair of arms are pivotably coupled with the handle on opposing sides thereof. Each arm is movable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration to form an extended handle having a relatively flat middle portion and arcuate opposing end portions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/677,413 filed Jul. 30, 2012, entitled “Carry-On Bag With Pull-Out Coat Hangers in Handle Top.” The entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Luggage, such as suitcases, are commonly used in the world. The allow travelers to easily carry and transport clothing and other items. A particular type of luggage is the rolled suitcase, which has revolutionized travel. This suitcase is easy to move, but lacks convenience in holding and storing certain items. For example, at airports it is common to see passengers pile other bags and packages on the top of their suitcase. Similarly, passengers often drop their coats or jackets on the floor, or on the suitcase, hoping not to have the coat or jacket ruined or wrinkled.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention described pieces of luggage that include an extended handle that may serve as a hanger for a coat, jacket, suite, and the like. According to one embodiment, a piece of luggage is provided. The piece of luggage include a case body having a front portion, a rear portion, and four walls coupled with the front portion and the rear portion so as to form an interior region within which clothing and other items may be placed. The four walls include a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls. The rear portion is fixedly coupled with the four walls and the front portion is hingedly coupled with one of the side walls so that the front portion is foldable relative to the rear portion to provide access to the interior region.

The piece of luggage also include a plurality of wheels coupled with the bottom wall to allow the luggage to be transported. The piece of luggage further includes a handle that is coupled with the case body and that is extendible therefrom between a first position where the handle is adjacent the top wall of the case body to at least a second position where the handle extends beyond the top wall. The handle includes a pair of longitudinally extending members or rods that are retractable relative to the case body to allow the handle to be extended between the first position and the second position. The handle also includes a laterally extending member that is coupled at a distal end of each of the longitudinally extending members and that extends therebetween. The handle further includes a pair of arm members that are coupled with the longitudinally extending members on opposing sides thereof and deployable form a stowed configuration in which the arm members are substantially parallel to the longitudinally extending members to a deployed configuration in which the arm members are substantially parallel to the laterally extending member. Deployment of the arm members may be achieved by actuating a release mechanism. When deployed, the arm members and the laterally extending member form an extended handle having a relatively flat middle portion and arcuate opposing end portions.

In some embodiments, each longitudinally extending member includes a recess positioned near the distal end. Each recess may extend longitudinally along a portion of the longitudinally extending members and each recess may be shaped and sized to receive one of the pair of arms to releasably lock the respective arm in the stowed configuration. In the stowed configuration, the outer surface of each arm may form an outer surface of the respective longitudinally extending member.

In some embodiments, each longitudinally extending member (hereinafter rod) may include a spring mechanism that engages with a respective arm member to deploy the arm member from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration by actuating the release mechanism. In some embodiments, the spring mechanism of each rod does not engage with the respective arm member until the longitudinally extending members are positioned in the second (i.e., extended) position. The spring mechanism may be housed within the recess of the rod.

In some embodiments, each of the rods includes a plurality of telescoping rods. In some embodiments, the release mechanism is a button that is positioned on a central portion of a bottom surface of the laterally extending member. The button may be configured to actuate a spring mechanism that deploys the pair of arm members from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration. In some embodiments, the button may not be capable of actuating the spring mechanism until the rods are positioned in the second (i.e., extended) position.

According to another embodiment, a piece of luggage is provided. The piece of luggage includes a case body having a front portion, a rear portion, and four walls coupled with the front portion and the rear portion to form an interior region within which clothing and other items may be placed. The four walls include a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls. The rear portion is fixedly coupled with the four walls and the front portion is coupled with at least one of the walls such that the front portion may be moved or pivoted relative to the rear portion to provide access to the interior region.

A handle is coupled with the case body and extendible therefrom between a first position where the handle is near the top wall of the case body to at least a second position where the handle is positioned distally of the top wall. The handle includes a pair of rods that are slidably coupled with the case body to allow the handle to be moved between the first position and the second position and a grip member coupled at a distal end of each of the rods and extending laterally therebetween. The handle also includes a pair of arms pivotably coupled with the handle on opposing sides thereof. Each arm is movable between a stowed configuration in which the arm is substantially parallel with the rods and a deployed configuration in which the arm is substantially parallel with the grip member so as to form an extended handle having a relatively flat middle portion and arcuate opposing end portions.

In some embodiments, each arm is coupled with one of the rods and each arm extends relatively laterally from the respective rod when in the deployed configuration. In another embodiment, each arm is coupled with the grip member. The arms may be deployed from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration by actuating a release mechanism. In some embodiments, each rod may include a recess shaped and sized to receive one of the arms.

In some embodiments, each rod may include a spring mechanism that engages a respective arm to deploy the arm from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration. The spring mechanism may engage the respective arm upon actuation of a release mechanism. In other embodiments, the spring mechanism may engage the respective arm as the handle is moved from the first position to the second position. In some embodiments, each arm may include telescoping rods so as to allow a length of the arms to be extended.

According to another embodiment, a method for extending the length of a handle of a piece of luggage is provided. According to the method, a piece of luggage is provided. The piece of luggage includes a front portion, a rear portion, and four walls coupled with the front portion and the rear portion to form an interior region within which clothing and other items may be placed. As described herein, the four walls include a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls. The rear portion is fixedly coupled with the four walls and the front portion is coupled with at least one of the walls such that the front portion may be moved or pivoted relative to the rear portion to provide access to the interior region. The piece of luggage further includes a handle that is coupled with the case body. As described herein, the handle includes a pair of rods that are slidably coupled with the case body to allow the handle to be moved relative to the case body. The handle also includes a grip member that is coupled at a distal end of each of the rods and that extends laterally therebetween. The handle additionally includes a pair of arms with each arm pivotably coupled with one of the rods.

According to the method, the handle is extended from a first position where the handle is near the top wall of the case body to a second position where the handle is positioned distally of the top wall. According to the method, a release mechanism of the handle is actuated to pivot each arm from a stowed configuration where the arm is substantially parallel with the respective rod to a deployed configuration where the arm extends laterally from the respective rod. As described herein, in the deployed configuration, the pair of arms and grip portion form an extended handle having a relatively flat middle portion and arcuate opposing end portions. In some embodiments, actuating the release mechanism comprises pressing a button. In other embodiments, actuating the release mechanism comprises extending the handle from the first position to the second position, whereupon that release mechanism is automatically triggered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is described in conjunction with the appended figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a piece of luggage.

FIGS. 2A-D illustrate various views of a handle of a piece of luggage.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of another embodiment of a handle of a piece of luggage.

FIGS. 4A-F illustrate various views of a handle of a piece of luggage and further illustrate various means of releasing a pair of arms of the handle from a stowed configuration.

FIG. 5 illustrates a method for extending the length of a handle of a piece of luggage.

In the appended figures, similar components and/or features may have the same numerical reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a letter that distinguishes among the similar components and/or features. If only the first numerical reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components and/or features having the same first numerical reference label irrespective of the letter suffix.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing one or more exemplary embodiments. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

The embodiments described herein provide luggage having a handle that allows an individual to hang a coat, suit, and/or jacket atop a handle. In some embodiments the handle may be an inverted U or lowercase “n” shape. Stated differently, the handle may have a relatively flat middle portion and arcuate ends. This design allows an individual to easily hang a coat, shirt, jacket, and the like without worrying about the article of clothing wrinkling or touching the ground. The handle includes a pair of arms that extend laterally from a pair of rods that are slidably coupled with the piece of luggage. In some embodiments, a spring-arm mechanism may be positioned on both sides of the handle to facilitate in deployment of the pair of arms from a stowed configuration. The spring-arm mechanism may be designed to pop up only if and when the handle is extended from the piece of luggage. In some embodiments a release mechanism may be used to trigger deployment of the pair of arms from the stowed configuration. The release mechanism may be a button, lever, cam mechanism, and the like. With the pair of arms extended, the handle may be in the shape and configuration of a hanger. The handle and piece of luggage described herein allow a traveler to sit or stand in an airport, lounge, or other location while providing a place for the traveler to keep their jacket wrinkle free, clean, and secure. Additional aspects of the luggage and handle will be more apparent with reference to the figures described hereinbelow.

Referring now to FIG. 1, illustrated is a perspective view of a piece of luggage 100 (hereinafter suitcase). Suitcase 100 includes a case body 102 and a handle 104. Case body 102 includes a back portion 106 and a front portion 108 with four side walls 110 positioned there between to define an interior space within which clothing or various other items may be placed. Case body 102 and the above described portions and walls, are commonly made of fabric, leather, plastic, or various other materials. Case body 102 typically includes pockets, pouches, sleeves, and the like that allow a traveler to place various items in or around case body 102. The back portion 106 of case body 100 is typically fixedly coupled with the four side walls 110 while the front portion 108 is hingedly coupled with only one or possibly two or more of the walls 110 to allow the front portion 108 to be pivoted open to expose the interior space or region where clothes and other items are placed. The front portion 108 typically includes a zipper or other fastening mechanism that is used to releasably couple the front portion 108 with the other side walls 110 to close front portion 108 over any items placed in the interior space or region. Case body 102 also typically includes wheels 112 positioned on a bottom wall of case body 102 to allow the piece of luggage 100 be rolled by the traveler between destinations.

Handle 104 is coupled with case body 102 so as to be extendable from a top portion of case body 102. Handle 104 is movable between a first position in which the handle 104 is adjacent the top portion of case body 102 and a second position in which the handle 104 is positioned distally of the top portion of case body 102 as shown in FIG. 1. Handle 104 includes a pair of longitudinally extending members 114 (hereinafter rods 114 or tubes 114). Another member 116 (hereinafter handle portion or grip 116) extends laterally between the rods 114 and is coupled therewith. The handle portion 116 is configured to be gripped by the traveler to allow the piece of luggage 100 to be rolled via wheels 112. In some embodiments, rods 114 may be telescopically coupled with another pair of rods 115. Stated differently, rods 114 may be configured to slide within or atop rods 115 to allow handle 104 to be extended to a desired position distally from the top portion of case body 102. In some embodiments, detents or other devices may be used to hold and maintain rods 114 and 115 in an extended position. For example a traveler may extend handle 1042 a desired height and a pair of detents a press against the surface of an inner rod, or within a recess, to hold the rods, 114 and 115, in position. By pulling on handle 104 further, the traveler may further extend handle 104. Similarly, by pushing on handle 104, the traveler may retract handle 104 to shorten the distance between handle portion 116 and the top portion of case body 102.

As shown, handle 104 further includes a pair of arms 118 that extend laterally from rods 114. In the extended position, the pair of arms 118 are substantially parallel with handle portion 116. In this configuration, handle portion 116 and the pair of arms 118 form an extended handle that is shaped like a hanger. The extended handle allows a traveler to hang an object therefrom, such as a jacket, coat, shirt, and the like.

FIGS. 2A-2D illustrate various views of a handle 200. Handle 200 is similar to handle 104 previously described in that handle 200 includes a pair of longitudinally extending members 202 (hereinafter rods 202) and a handle portion or grip 204 that extends laterally between rods 202 and is coupled therewith. Handle 200 further includes a pair of arms 206 that are extendable from rods 202 as previously described. The pair of arms 206 are movable from a stowed configuration in which the pair of arms 206 are positioned within a recess 210 of rods 202 as shown in FIG. 2A to a deployed configuration in which the pair of arms 206 extend laterally from rods 202 as shown in FIG. 2B. The recess 210 extends longitudinally along a portion of the rods 202 and is shaped and sized to receive one of the pair of arms 206. The arms 206 may be releasably locked within a respective recess 210 in the stowed configuration. In the stowed configuration, the outer surface of each arm 206 may form an outer surface of the respective rod 202.

Handle portion 204 includes a release mechanism 208 that facilitates in deployment of the pair of arms 206 from the stowed configuration to a deployed configuration. In some embodiments the release mechanism 208 may be a button positioned on an undersurface of the handle portion 204 between rods 202 that is easily pressable by a traveler. Such a configuration, allows the traveler to easily extend handle 200 and subsequently press release mechanism 208 to deploy the pair of arms 206 from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration. In some embodiments, a pair of arms 206 may be operatively coupled with a spring mechanism (not shown) that biases the pair of arms 206 toward the deployed configuration such that when the release mechanism 208 is actuated, the pair of arms 206 automatically deploy from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration. FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of handle 204 with an arm 206 stowed within the recess of rod 202. In this configuration, arm 206 is substantially parallel with rod 202. FIG. 2D illustrates a side view of the arm 206 deployed from the recess 210 of rod 202. In this configuration, arm 206 is substantially parallel with handle portion 204.

As shown in FIG. 2C, with the pair of arms 206 extended, the pair of arms 206 and handle portion 204 form an extended handle having a relatively flat middle portion and arcuate and portions that mimic the shape and configuration of a hanger.

Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated is a front view of another embodiment of a handle 300. Handle 300 includes a pair of rods 302 and handle portion 304 laterally extending there between as previously described. Handle 300 further includes a release mechanism 308 that may be used to deploy a pair of arms 306 from a stowed configuration to a deployed configuration as previously described. The pair of arms 306 of handle 300 are telescopically coupled with rod 305 to allow the pair of arms 306 to be laterally lengthened to accommodate travelers of various size. In one embodiment, the pair of arms 306 includes an outer tube that slides over an inner tube 305. A plurality of detents 314 may be used to lock the rods 306 and 305 in place when the pair of arms 306 have been laterally extended to a desired length. The telescopically coupled rods allow the pair of arms 306 to accommodate various shaped and sized users.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-4F, illustrated are various means in which the arms may be coupled with the rods to hold or maintain the pair of arms in the stowed configuration. Specifically, FIG. 4A illustrates a handle 400 that includes a pair of arms 402 and a handle portion 404 extending there between as previously described. Handle 400 further includes a pair of arms 406 that are pivotable between the stowed configuration and the deployed configuration. Each arm 406 includes a pair of flanges 408 that curl inward to allow the arm 406 to be pressed against a respective rod 402 and held relative thereto. The pair of flanges 408 are configured to deflect outward as the arm 406 is pressed against the rod 402. The pair of flanges 408 snap over the rod 402 to maintain the arm 406 in place relative to rod 402. To deploy the pair of arms 406, the traveler grasps the arms 406 and pulls upward to uncouple the pair of flanges 408 from about the respective rods 402.

FIG. 4B illustrates another embodiment of releasing an arm 406 from a rod 402 of a handle 410. Specifically, a housing or recess portion 421 of rod 402 includes a release component 422 that couples with an aperture 424 of arm 406 to hold the arm 406 in the stowed configuration. The release component 422 may be actuated to allow the arm to be deployed from the stowed configuration and pivoted to the deployed configuration. In some embodiments, the arm 406 may be pivoted via a spring mechanism (not shown) that biases the arm 406 toward the deployed configuration as previously described. In some embodiments, the previously described release mechanism (i.e., the button on the undersurface of the grip) may be actuated or pressed to release the release component 422 and allow the arm 406 to pivot so that the arm extends laterally from rod 402. The release component 422 may be a pin, post, rod, and the like that is retractable within an aperture of recess portion 421. The pin 422 may fit within an aperture 424 of arm 406 to hold the arm in place relative to rod 402. Refraction of the pin 422 within the aperture of recess 421 decouples the arm 406 from rod 402 and allows the arm to be deployed from the stowed configuration.

FIG. 4C illustrates another embodiment of a means for deploying the arm 406 from rod 402. Specifically, the rod 402 of handle 430 may be telescopically coupled with rod 432 such that rod 402 may be extended to a plurality of different positions. In one embodiment, the pair of arms 406 may be deployable from the stowed configuration only when handled 430 is extended by a maximum amount, or in other words when the handle 430 is extended a maximum distance distally of the piece of luggage. For example, as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 4C, handle 430 may be extended to a first position in which the pair of arms 406 are maintained in the stowed configuration. To deploy the pair of arms 406, the user or traveler may be required to further extend handle 432 a second position as shown by the dashed lines.

A pair of detents, 433 and 434, may be used to hold the handle 430 in the first position and in a second position. For example, handle 430 may be extended to the first position until a pressable detent encounters aperture 434. The pressable detent may hold handle 430 in this first position until the traveler presses detent 434 to release handle 430 from this position. If the traveler desires to deploy the pair of arms 406, the traveler may pull on handle portion 404 to further extend handle 430 to the second position. The pressable detent may then encounter aperture 433 to hold the handle 430 in the second position with the pair of arms deployed. Such a configuration prevents the traveler from unknowingly or unwantingly deploying the pair of arms 406. For example, the traveler may extend handle 432 to the first position when the traveler merely desires to transport the suitcase or luggage between destinations. When the traveler subsequently desires to hang a coat, jacket, shirt, and the like, the traveler may extend handle 430 to the second position to deploy the pair of arms. In some embodiments, a release mechanism 407 may be coupled with handle portion 404 as previously described to facilitate in deployment of the arms from rods 402. In other embodiments, the pair of arms 406 may be configured to deploy automatically as the handle 430 is extended from the first position to the second position.

In some embodiments, extending handle 430 from the first position to the second position causes the release mechanism 407 to engage with a mechanism (not shown) that allows the pair of arms 406 to be deployed. Stated differently, in the first position the release mechanism 407 may not be engaged with a mechanism (i.e., a pin, post, rod, and the like that are retractable within an aperture) that allows the arms 406 to be released from the stowed configuration. As such, actuation of the release mechanism 407 while the handle 430 is in the first position may have no effect on deployment of the arms 406. Movement of the handle 430 to the second position causes the release mechanism 407 to engage with a mechanism that allows the arms 406 to be released from the stowed configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 4D, illustrated is another embodiment of a means for deploying a pair of arms 406 from rods 402. This embodiment illustrates a means in which the pair of arms 406 may be automatically deployed from the rods 402. Specifically, rod 402 is telescopically coupled with another rod 442. Rod 402 is slidingly inserted within rod 442. Rod 402 includes a pressable mechanism 446 that is pressed against an inner ledge 448 of rod 442 as handle 440 is fully extended. When pressed, the pressable mechanism 446 causes a release component 444 to be released to allow the arm 406 to be released from rod 402. The release component 444 may be a pin, post, rod, and the like that is retracted within an aperture within a recess or housing of rod 402 as previously described. The pressable mechanism 446 may be coupled with release component 444 via a lever, cam, spring, and the like such that pressing of the pressable mechanism 446 causes the release component 444 to release the arm 406 from rod 402. The inner ledge 448 be may be positioned anywhere within the interior of rod 442 as desired to automatically deploy the arm 406 upon contact of the pressable mechanism 446 and the inner ledge 448. In some embodiments, rod 402 may be fit over rod 442 and the configuration of pressable mechanism 446 and inner ledge 448 may be reversed.

FIG. 4E illustrates another embodiment of a means for releasing the pair of arms 406 from rods 402. Specifically handle 450 includes a rotatable handle portion 452 that extends laterally between the rods 402 and is coupled therewith as previously described. Handle portion 452 may be rotated to release the pair of arms from rods 402 to allow the pair of arms 406 to be deployed as previously described. In some embodiments, handle portion 452 may include a cam that is configured to bias or push the pair of arms 406 such that the arms pivot from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration upon rotation of handle portion 452. Rotation of handle portion 452 in the opposite direction may cause the pair of arms 406 to pivot from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration. In another embodiment, rotation of handle portion 452 may cause a spring (not shown) to pull the pair of arms to the deployed configuration. In yet another embodiment, rotation of handle portion or 52 may release a release mechanism (not shown) similar to those described herein to allow the pair of arms 406 to be deployed.

FIG. 4F illustrates another embodiment of a means for deploying the pair of arms 406 from rods 402. Specifically, rod 402 may be telescopically coupled with an inner rod 462. Inner rod 462 may be coupled with a spring 464 that is further coupled with a proximal end 466 of arm 406. As rod 402 is extended relative to inner rod 462, spring 464 may be stretched to pull against the proximal portion 466 of arm 406 to cause arm 406 to be biased towards the deployed configuration. Actuation of a release mechanism, such as those described herein, may allow arm 406 to pivot from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration. As rod 402 is retracted relative to inner rod 462, spring 464 may compress to allow arm 406 to be pivoted from the deployed configuration to the stowed configuration, or to bias arm 406 toward the stowed configuration such that arm 406 automatically returns to the stowed configuration as rod 402 is retracted relative to inner rod 462. In some embodiments, as handle 460 is extended, the inner rod 462 may extend an initial amount and then stop so that subsequent extension of handle 460 causes rod 402 to extend relative to inner rod 462 and thereby deploy arm 406 as previously described. In some embodiments, arm 406 may be biased via a second spring (not shown) toward the stowed configuration such that relaxation of the spring force of spring 464 causes arm 406 to pivot from the deployed configuration toward the stowed figuration.

In some embodiments, tensioning spring 464 may cause a mechanism (not shown) to engage with a release mechanism (not shown) as previously described to allow the release mechanism to be actuated and arms 406 to be deployed. Without tensioning spring 464, the release mechanism may not engage with a mechanism that allows for the deployment of arms 406. As such, actuation of the release mechanism without tensioning spring 464 may have no effect on deployment of arms 406. Similarly, in some embodiments, tensioning spring 464 may cause a spring mechanism (not shown) that is coupled with arms 406 to engage with the arms to allow deployment thereof.

In any of the embodiments described above, the pair of arms may be biased via a spring mechanism toward the deployed configuration such that actuation of a release mechanism as described causes the arms to deploy to the deployed configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 5, illustrated is a method for extending the length of a handle of a piece of luggage. At block 510, a piece of luggage is provided. The piece of luggage includes a front portion, a rear portion, and four walls coupled with the front portion and the rear portion to form an interior region within which clothing and other items may be placed. As described herein, the four walls include a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls. The rear portion is fixedly coupled with the four walls and the front portion is coupled with at least one of the walls such that the front portion may be moved or pivoted relative to the rear portion to provide access to the interior region. The piece of luggage further includes a handle that is coupled with the case body. As described herein, the handle includes a pair of rods that are slidably coupled with the case body to allow the handle to be moved relative to the case body. The handle also includes a grip member that is coupled at a distal end of each of the rods and that extends laterally therebetween. The handle additionally includes a pair of arms with each arm pivotably coupled with one of the rods.

At block 520, the handle is extended from a first position where the handle is near the top wall of the case body to a second position where the handle is positioned distally of the top wall. At block 530, a release mechanism of the handle is actuated to pivot each arm from a stowed configuration where the arm is substantially parallel with the respective rod to a deployed configuration where the arm extends laterally from the respective rod. As described herein, in the deployed configuration, the pair of arms and grip portion form an extended handle having a relatively flat middle portion and arcuate opposing end portions. In some embodiments, actuating the release mechanism comprises pressing a button. In other embodiments, actuating the release mechanism comprises extending the handle from the first position to the second position, whereupon that release mechanism is automatically triggered.

Having described several embodiments, it will be recognized by those of skill in the art that various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. Additionally, a number of well-known processes and elements have not been described in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Accordingly, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limits of that range is also specifically disclosed. Each smaller range between any stated value or intervening value in a stated range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included or excluded in the range, and each range where either, neither or both limits are included in the smaller ranges is also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included.

As used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a process” includes a plurality of such processes and reference to “the device” includes reference to one or more devices and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth.

Also, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” “including,” and “includes” when used in this specification and in the following claims are intended to specify the presence of stated features, integers, components, or steps, but they do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, components, steps, acts, or groups.

Claims

1. A piece of luggage comprising:

a case body comprising: a front portion; a rear portion, and four walls coupled with the front portion and the rear portion so as to form an interior region within which clothing and other items may be placed, the four walls including a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls, the rear portion being fixedly coupled with the four walls and the front portion being hingedly coupled with one of the side walls such that the front portion is foldable relative to the rear portion to provide access to the interior region;

a plurality of wheels coupled with the bottom wall to allow the luggage to be transported; and

a handle coupled with the case body and extendible therefrom between a first position wherein the handle is adjacent the top wall of the case body to at least a second position wherein the handle extends beyond the top wall, wherein the handle comprises: a pair of longitudinally extending members that are retractable relative to the case body to allow the handle to be extended between the first position and the second position; a laterally extending member coupled at a distal end of each of the longitudinally extending members and extending therebetween; and a pair of arm members coupled with the longitudinally extending members on opposing sides and deployable form a stowed configuration in which the arm members are substantially parallel to the longitudinally extending members to a deployed configuration in which the arm members are substantially parallel to the laterally extending member by actuating a release mechanism, wherein when deployed, the arm members and the laterally extending member form an extended handle having a relatively flat middle portion and arcuate opposing end portions.

Wherein each longitudinally extending member includes a recess positioned near the distal end, each recess extending longitudinally along a portion of the longitudinally extending members and each recess being shaped and sized to receive one of the pair of arms and releasably lock the respective arm in the stowed configuration such that the outer surface of each arm forms an outer surface of the respective longitudinally extending member.

2. The piece of luggage of claim 1, wherein each longitudinally extending member includes a spring mechanism that engages a respective arm member to deploy the arm member from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration by actuating the release mechanism.

3. The piece of luggage of claim 2, wherein the spring mechanism of each longitudinally extending member does not engage with the respective arm member until the longitudinally extending members are positioned in the second position.

4. The piece of luggage of claim 2, wherein the spring mechanism is housed within the recess of the longitudinally extending member.

5. The piece of luggage of claim 1, wherein each of the longitudinally extending members comprises a plurality of telescoping rods.

6. The piece of luggage of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism comprises a button that is positioned on a central portion of a bottom surface of the laterally extending member.

7. The piece of luggage of claim 6, wherein the button is configured to actuate a spring mechanism that deploys the pair of arm members from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration.

8. The piece of luggage of claim 7, wherein the button is not capable of actuating the spring mechanism until the longitudinally extending members are positioned in the second position.

9. A piece of luggage comprising:

a case body comprising: a front portion; a rear portion, and four walls coupled with the front portion and the rear portion so as to form an interior region within which clothing and other items may be placed, the four walls including a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls, the rear portion being fixedly coupled with the four walls and the front portion being coupled with at least one of the walls such that the front portion may be moved relative to the rear portion to provide access to the interior region;

a handle coupled with the case body and extendible therefrom between a first position wherein the handle is near the top wall of the case body to at least a second position wherein the handle is positioned distally of the top wall, wherein the handle comprises: a pair of rods that are slidably coupled with the case body to allow the handle to be moved between the first position and the second position; and a grip member coupled at a distal end of each of the rods and extending laterally therebetween; and

a pair of arms pivotably coupled with the handle on opposing sides thereof, wherein each arm is movable between a stowed configuration in which the arm is substantially parallel with the rods and a deployed configuration in which the arm is substantially parallel with the grip member so as to form an extended handle having a relatively flat middle portion and arcuate opposing end portions.

10. The piece of luggage of claim 9, wherein each arm is coupled with one of the rods, and wherein each arm extends relatively laterally from the respective rod when in the deployed configuration.

11. The piece of luggage of claim 9, wherein each arm is coupled with the grip member.

12. The piece of luggage of claim 9, wherein the arms are deployable from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration by actuating a release mechanism.

13. The piece of luggage of claim 9, wherein each rod includes a recess shaped and sized to receive one of the arms.

14. The piece of luggage of claim 10, wherein each rod includes a spring mechanism that engages a respective arm to deploy the arm from the stowed configuration to the deployed configuration.

15. The piece of luggage of claim 10, wherein the spring mechanism engages the respective arm upon actuation of a release mechanism.

16. The piece of luggage of claim 10, wherein the spring mechanism engages the respective arm as the handle is moved from the first position to the second position.

17. The piece of luggage of claim 9, wherein each arm comprises telescoping rods so as to allow a length of the arms to be extended.

18. A method for extending the length of a handle of a piece of luggage, the method comprising:

providing a piece of luggage comprising: a front portion; a rear portion, and four walls coupled with the front portion and the rear portion so as to form an interior region within which clothing and other items may be placed, the four walls including a top wall, a bottom wall, and two side walls, the rear portion being fixedly coupled with the four walls and the front portion being coupled with at least one of the walls such that the front portion may be moved relative to the rear portion to provide access to the interior region; a handle coupled with the case body, wherein the handle comprises: a pair of rods that are slidably coupled with the case body to allow the handle to be moved relative to the case body; a grip member coupled at a distal end of each of the rods and extending laterally therebetween; and a pair of arms, wherein each arm is pivotably coupled with one of the rods;

extending the handle from a first position wherein the handle is near the top wall of the case body to a second position wherein the handle is positioned distally of the top wall; and

actuating a release mechanism of the handle to pivot each arm from a stowed configuration wherein the arm is substantially parallel with the respective rod to a deployed configuration wherein the arm extends laterally from the respective rod so as to form an extended handle having a relatively flat middle portion and arcuate opposing end portions.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein actuating the release mechanism comprises pressing a button.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein actuating the release mechanism comprises extending the handle from the first position to the second position, whereupon that release mechanism is automatically triggered.