APPARATUS WITH RETRACTABLE SECURING PARTS

Abstract

In some examples, an apparatus can include a body, a handle attached to a top part of the body and at least two wheels attached to a bottom part configured to roll against a surface, while the body is upright and the handle is being pulled. The apparatus can also include a vertical securing part configured to extend from and retract to the top part or the bottom part and connect to a part of an object to limit the object from moving downward, while the body is upright. The apparatus can also include a horizontal securing part configured to extend from and retract to the left part or the right part of the body, wrap about the object, and connect to the right part or the left part, respectively, to limit the object from swaying from left to right and right to left, while the handle is being pulled.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to apparatuses with at least two retractable securing parts.

BACKGROUND

Multiple straps can be used to fasten objects to a moveable apparatus, such as a piece of luggage. See U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,737. Straps to fasten such objects may come in various shapes and sizes, and may be made of various materials. Also, straps may include fasteners, and may be retractable into housings, such as seat belts found in automobiles. Straps are usually, but not necessarily, flat and flexible, and typically used for securing, holding together, and wrapping objects. Straps may also be narrow and long or short and wide, for example. Common implementations of modern straps may include rope, cord, and webbing designs. Webbing is usually a strong fabric woven as a flat strip or tube that can be used in place of a rope.

SUMMARY

Described herein are apparatuses making use of multiple retractable securing parts, for example.

In some examples, an apparatus may include a body and at least two securing parts, such as at least two straps. Such an apparatus may include a vertical securing part configured to extend from and retract to or into a top part or a bottom part of the body. The vertical securing part may also be configured to hold a separate object and/or prevent the object from detachment from the body immediately downward. The apparatus may also include a horizontal securing part configured to extend and retract from a left part or a right part of the body. The horizontal securing part may also be configured to hold the object and/or prevent the object from detachment from the body immediately to the left or the right. The apparatus may also include one or more handles attached to the top part, the left part, and/or the right pert of the body. The apparatus may also include one or more wheels and/or rollers attached to the bottom part, the left part, and/or the right part of the body.

Other example apparatuses are disclosed herein, and such examples can be used alone or together in combination. Additional features and advantages of the disclosed embodiments are described herein and will be apparent from the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A illustrates a piece of luggage 100 without the strap extended from a left part 102 of the piece of luggage.

FIG. 1B illustrates the piece of luggage 100 with the horizontal strap extended from the left part 102, around a front part 106 of the piece of luggage, in a direction towards a right part 108 of the piece of luggage.

FIG. 1C illustrates the piece of luggage 100 with the strap tightly wrapped around the front part 106 and another piece of luggage 101.

FIG. 2A illustrates a piece of luggage 200 without a strap extended from a left part 202 or a top part 203 of the piece of luggage.

FIG. 2B illustrates the piece of luggage 200 with a vertical strap 210 extended from the top part 203, over and around vertically, a front part 206 of the piece of luggage, in a direction towards the front part and/or downward.

FIG. 2C illustrates the piece of luggage 200 with the front end of the vertical strap 210 hooked and/or fastened onto a handle of another piece of luggage 201.

FIG. 2D illustrates the piece of luggage 200 with a horizontal strap 211 extended from the left part 202, around the front part 206, and in a direction towards a right part 208 of the piece of luggage.

FIG. 2E illustrates the piece of luggage 200 with the horizontal strap 211 tightly wrapped around the front part 206 and the other piece of luggage 201.

FIG. 3A illustrates a piece of luggage 300 without a strap 302 extended from a bottom part or a top part of the piece of luggage 300.

FIG. 3B illustrates the piece of luggage 300 with the strap 302 extended from the bottom part, around a front part of the piece of luggage, in a direction towards a top part of the piece of luggage.

FIG. 3C illustrates the piece of luggage 300 with the strap 302 tightly wrapped around the front part and another piece of luggage 301, vertically.

FIG. 4 illustrates a vertical strap 402 that can wrap around an ancillary piece of luggage, as opposed to merely attaching at a part of that piece of luggage.

FIG. 5 illustrates a combination of two vertical straps 502 and 504 and one horizontal strap 506. As depicted in FIGS. 1A-7E, the example apparatuses may be pieces of luggage and objects that can be secured by the strap(s) may pieces of luggage too.

FIG. 6A illustrates two strap mechanisms concealed within a piece of luggage 600.

FIG. 6B illustrates a vertical strap extended out from an opening on a top part of the piece of luggage 600.

FIG. 6C illustrates a front end of the vertical strap attached to a top handle of another piece of luggage 601.

FIG. 6D illustrates a horizontal strap extended out from an opening of a left part of the piece of luggage 600.

FIG. 6E illustrates the horizontal strap wrapped around the other piece of luggage 601 tightly to prevent swaying of that piece of luggage.

FIG. 7A illustrates a piece of luggage 700 with a button shown pushed by an arrow, which can represent a person's finger pushing the button.

FIG. 7B illustrates the piece of luggage 700 with a horizontal strap not concealed within the piece of luggage.

FIG. 7C illustrates the piece of luggage 700 with the horizontal strap concealed, and the other piece of luggage 601 has been detached from a vertical strap.

FIG. 7D illustrates the piece of luggage 700 with the vertical strap not concealed within the piece of luggage 600.

FIG. 7E illustrates the piece of luggage 700 with both the vertical and the horizontal straps fully retracted and at least partially concealed.

As depicted in FIGS. 1A-7E, the example apparatuses may be pieces of luggage and objects that can be secured by the strap(s) may pieces of luggage too.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an example strap and an example retraction mechanism that can be included with the example apparatuses of FIGS. 1A-7E.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are example apparatuses making use of multiple retractable securing parts. Specifically, the FIGS. 1A-7E show pieces of luggage with one or more retractable straps. It should be understood that examples of the apparatuses can be any apparatus that can utilize one or more retractable securing parts to hold one or more separate objects. Other examples include pushcarts, dollies, grocery carts, strollers, or any other type of moveable apparatuses configurable to include retractable securing part(s). Exemplary retractable securing parts may include one or more of sheets, flaps, straps, wires, cords, cables, ropes, and chains. Exemplary fasteners that attach to front ends of the securing part(s) may include one or more hooks, clips, clasps, buttons, buckles, VELCRO, and/or zippers.

The retractable securing part(s) may include self-adjusters (such as a strap adjuster of a strap) in addition to or as an alternative to retraction mechanisms at back ends of the retractable securing part(s). Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the retractable securing part(s) may be replaced with one or more fasteners attached to an example apparatus and matching with a fastener of a separate object designed to be attached to that apparatus. For example, an example apparatus, on a front part, may include a magnetic part that matches a magnetic part of an ancillary object that is configured to be attached to that apparatus. Such magnetic coupling may be replaced by one or more buttons, hooks, clips, clasps, buckles, VELCRO, and zippers, or any combination thereof. In some configurations, securing parts for connecting an ancillary object to an example apparatus may be fixed to the apparatus seamlessly, such as when the securing parts are not in use. Also, the securing parts may have no awkward transitions, interruptions, or indications of disparity on an outer surface of an example apparatus. Also, the example apparatuses may be modular in that some example apparatuses are constructed to be attached with other versions and/or instances of example apparatuses. In the case of luggage, there may be one large piece of luggage, a moderate size piece of luggage, and a small piece of luggage, wherein the pieces are connectable to each other with ease.

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate an example piece of luggage 100 with a retractable horizontal strap 103. FIG. 1A illustrates the piece of luggage 100 without the strap extended from a left part 102 of the piece of luggage. The left part 102 includes a housing that at least partially contains a front-end fastener 104 of the retractable horizontal strap. In some examples, the retractable strap may not extend from an outside surface of the luggage when fully refracted. For example, a fastener (e.g., the fastener 104) of the retractable strap may not extend out from a plane of a surface of a left or a right part of the piece of luggage 100. However, in some examples, the fastener may be situated in the housing, so that a person can pull the retractable strap at the fastener with at least one finger. In this sense, the retracted strap is seamless and at least partially concealed. FIG. 1B illustrates the piece of luggage 100 with the horizontal strap extended from the left part 102, around a front part 106 of the piece of luggage, in a direction towards a right part 108 of the piece of luggage. In FIG. 1B, the strap is also extending around another piece of luggage 101. In FIG. 1C, the strap is tightly wrapped around the front part 106 and the other piece of luggage 101. In this example, the fastener 104 may be fastened to another fastener on or in the right part 108 or a back part of the piece of luggage 100. In some examples, because the strap is configured to retract by default, once the fastener 104 is fastened, a retraction mechanism tightens the wrap of the strap around the other piece of luggage 101. With the arrangement depicted in FIGS. 1A-1C, the strap can limit at least horizontal movement of the other piece of luggage 101. In other words, the strap limits the left-right movement of the other piece of luggage 101.

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate an example piece of luggage 200 with at least two retractable straps. FIG. 2A illustrates the piece of luggage 200 without one of the straps extended from a left part 202 or a top part 203 of the piece of luggage. The left part includes a housing that at least partially contains a front-end fastener 204 of one of the retractable straps. The top part includes a housing that at least partially contains a front-end fastener, such as a hook, of another retractable strap. In some examples, the fasteners of the retractable straps may not extend out from respective planes of respective surfaces of a piece of luggage. In some examples, the fasteners may be situated in their respective housings so that a person can pull the retractable straps at a strap's respective front end with at least one finger. In this sense, the retracted straps are seamless and/or at least partially concealed when retracted fully. FIG. 2B illustrates the piece of luggage 200 with a vertical strap 210 extended from the top part 203, over and around vertically, a front part 206 of the piece of luggage, in a direction towards the front part of the luggage and/or downwards. In FIG. 2C, the front end of the vertical strap 210 is hooked and/or fastened onto a handle 205 of the other piece of luggage 201. In some examples, because the vertical strap 210 is configured to retract by default, once the fastener front end is hooked and/or is fastened to the handle of the other piece of luggage 201, the retraction mechanism limits downward movement of the attached other piece of luggage. Additionally or alternatively, the retraction mechanism may lock to hold the other piece of luggage 201 at a certain height. FIG. 2D illustrates the piece of luggage 200 with a horizontal strap 211 extended from the left part 202, around the front part 206, and in a direction towards a right part 208 of the piece of luggage. In FIG. 2D, the strap also extends around the other piece of luggage 201, horizontally. In FIG. 2E, the horizontal strap 211 is tightly wrapped around the front part 206 and the other piece of luggage 201. In this example, the fastener 204 may be fastened to another fastener on or in the right part 208 or a back part of the piece of luggage 200.

In some examples, because the strap is configured to retract by default, once the fastener 204 is fastened, a retraction mechanism tightens the wrap of a strap around an ancillary piece of luggage, horizontally (such as shown by the horizontal strap 211 in FIG. 2E). Additionally or alternatively, a retraction mechanism for a horizontal strap may lock to prevent momentum of the other piece of luggage from loosening the strap's wrap on that piece of luggage. With the arrangement depicted in FIGS. 2A-2E, the straps 210 and 211 can limit both the horizontal movement and the vertical movement (e.g., at least the downward movement) of the other piece of luggage 201. In other words, the straps limit the left-right movement and at least the downward movement of the other piece of luggage 201. This is especially useful when a person moves the piece of luggage 200 by a top handle 212 or an extendable top handle 214.

FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate an example piece of luggage 300 with a retractable vertical strap 302. FIG. 3A illustrates the piece of luggage without the strap 302 extended from a bottom part or a top part of the piece of luggage 300. The top part 301 or the bottom part 303 of the luggage may include a housing that at least partially contains a front-end fastener 304 of the retractable strap 302. In some examples, a fastener (e.g., fastener 304) of a retractable strap may not extend out from a plane of a surface of the bottom part or the top part of a piece of luggage. However, in such examples, the fastener may be situated in the housing so that a person can pull the retractable strap at the fastener with at least one finger. In this sense, the retracted strap is seamless and/or at least partially concealed. FIG. 3B illustrates the piece of luggage 300 with the strap 302 extended from the bottom part, around a front part of the piece of luggage, in a direction towards a top part of the piece of luggage. In FIG. 3B, the strap 302 also extends around another piece of luggage 301, vertically. In FIG. 3C, the strap 302 is tightly wrapped around the front part and the other piece of luggage 301, vertically. In this example, the fastener 304 may be fastened to another fastener on or in the top part or the back part of the piece of luggage. In some examples, because the strap is configured to retract by default, once a fastener is fastened, such as fastener 304, a retraction mechanism tightens the wrap of the strap around the other piece of luggage 301. With this arrangement depicted hi FIGS. 3A-3C, the strap 302 can limit at least the vertical movement of the other piece of luggage 301. In other words, the strap 302 limits not only the downward movement, but both the upward and downward movement of the other piece of luggage 301.

FIG. 4 depicts a vertical strap 402 that can wrap around an ancillary piece of luggage, as opposed to merely attaching at a part of that piece of luggage, such as at a handle. FIG. 4 depicts a combination of a horizontal strap 404, similar to the horizontal strap illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, and the vertical strap 402, similar to the vertical strap illustrated in FIG. 3A-3C. By having at least two such straps, the ancillary piece of luggage can be secured even further to a main piece of luggage.

FIG. 5 depicts a combination of two vertical straps 502 and 504 and one horizontal strap 506. By having at least three such straps, an ancillary piece of luggage can be secured even further to a main piece of luggage.

The number of straps utilized in these figures is merely an exemplary amount of straps that can be incorporated with a piece of luggage. Additional straps can be embedded. However, an increase in straps may equate to an increase in costs to produce a piece of luggage. Also, seamlessness and/or usability of the luggage or any such apparatus can be negatively affected by adding more securing parts, such as more straps. In some examples, the number of securing parts attached to an apparatus can relate to the overall size of the apparatus and the overall dimensions and strength of the securing parts. For example, use of webbed straps, which can be very strong, may reduce the need for wider straps and more than two straps. The width of a strap relates to a strength of the strap and an amount of grip that strap has on an object.

In an example apparatus including three securing parts, such as the piece of luggage including one horizontal strap 506 and two vertical straps 502 and 504 in FIG. 5, the securing parts may have features in common. For example, the horizontal securing parts may be operable to extend out from a first part 508 of an apparatus, wrap about an ancillary object 510, and connect to a second part of the apparatus 512. The first part 508 and the second part 512 of the apparatus may be at opposing sides of the apparatus. The horizontal securing parts' extension out from the first part may be through an opening in the first part. In some examples, a middle part of a horizontal securing part may include an attachment part operable to attach to a complementary attachment part of the ancillary object, such as an ancillary piece of luggage. For example, the horizontal securing part and the ancillary object may include corresponding VELCRO parts. Fastening between a front end of the horizontal securing part and the second part of the apparatus may be by two matching fastening parts, as well.

A first vertical securing part 502 may be operable to extend out from a third part 514 of the apparatus, wrap about the ancillary object 510, and connect to a fourth part of the apparatus 516. Additionally or alternatively, the first vertical securing part 504 may extend out from the third part 514 of the apparatus, wrap about the ancillary object 510 and the apparatus at least partially, and connect to a receiving part of the ancillary object (such as a receiving part at a top part of the ancillary object 518). The receiving part of the ancillary object may match a connecting part of a front end of the first vertical securing part.

A second vertical securing part 504 may be operable to extend out from a fifth part of the apparatus and connect to a top part of the ancillary object 518 using respective counterpart fastening parts. The second vertical securing part may overlap the first vertical securing part, and vice versa. Also, the horizontal securing part may crossover the first and/or the second vertical securing part.

As depicted in FIGS. 1A-7E, the apparatus may be a primary piece of luggage that can secure an ancillary piece of luggage abutting the primary piece of luggage. The securing may occur by adjacently extending straps. As depicted, one vertical strap may fasten the auxiliary piece of luggage to the primary piece of luggage, and one horizontal strap may prevent the auxiliary piece of luggage from swaying while the primary piece of luggage is being rolled. In some examples, at least one vertical strap crosses one horizontal strap when the straps are wrapped around, at least partially, the auxiliary piece of luggage. The straps may cross perpendicularly.

In some examples, the apparatus (such as a piece of luggage) may have a top handle positioned near the back of the top of the apparatus to provide leverage for a person rolling the apparatus, in some examples, the apparatus may include an extendable top handle that extends from a top and back part of the apparatus. Such an example apparatus may also include wheels and/or rollers at least at a back and lower part of the apparatus, such as commonly found with pieces of luggage with wheels and/or rollers.

In some examples, an opening underneath a top non-extending handle can be the source of a vertical securing part. This opening can be positioned towards the back or the middle of a top part of the apparatus. The further the opening is towards the back, the more the weight of the ancillary object pulling on the vertical securing part is distributed across the top and possibly front part of the apparatus.

In some examples, a source opening of a horizontal securing part, such as an opening 105, may be in the center of a side part of the apparatus. This allows the horizontal securing part to accommodate the largest range of sizes for ancillary objects to be secured by the securing part. Additionally or alternatively, the vertical positioning of the source of the horizontal securing part can be closer to the top of the apparatus than the bottom, to accommodate for separate objects that are at most half the height of the apparatus. In some examples, the retraction mechanism and/or the source opening for the horizontal securing part can be moved vertically, without any deconstruction of the apparatus, to accommodate different sizes and shapes of ancillary objects. In such examples, the corresponding connector piece that connects to the front end of the horizontal securing part can be moved as well to accommodate the move of the retraction mechanism and/or the source opening.

Also, the maximum length of extension of one of the vertical or the horizontal securing parts can be adjusted to accommodate various sizes of ancillary objects. The adjustment mechanism for the length of a securing part may be a lever on an outside surface of the apparatus coupled to a source of that securing part, such as coupled with the retraction mechanism, or may be on the securing part itself. For example, for a strap, a strap length adjuster may be on the strap or may be a mechanism coupled directly to the retraction mechanism. In some examples, a vertical securing part that connects to a top part of a separate object may be shorter, so that the object sways less when the apparatus is moved.

The securing parts of the apparatus may be configured to be at least partially concealed in the apparatus when not extended. The securing parts of the apparatus may be configured to retract into the apparatus automatically. An opening on an outer surface of the apparatus may facilitate smooth retraction of a securing part. The opening may have slightly greater dimensions than those of a respective securing part. In some examples, the dimensions are close enough so that the retraction speed of a securing part is reduced enough by friction to prevent flaying of the securing part.

FIGS. 6A-7E illustrate a piece of luggage 600 that can hold another piece of luggage 601 in such a way so that when the piece of luggage 600 is rolled and turned, the other piece of luggage 601, when attached, does not sway. Also depicted is how the luggage straps may be concealed. Depicted are two strap mechanisms 602 and 604 on the inside of the luggage 600. The strap mechanism 602 includes a vertical strap and a vertical retraction mechanism attached to a back end of the vertical strap. The front end of the vertical strap has a fastening mechanism, such as a hook, for fastening to a part of the other piece of luggage 601, such as a top handle of the other piece of luggage. The strap mechanism 604 includes a horizontal strap and a horizontal retraction mechanism attached to a back end of the horizontal strap. The front end of the horizontal strap has a fastening part, such as a loop, that can fasten to a lock 606 attached to the piece of luggage 600 (such as via a loop and hook connection). In FIG. 6A, the two strap mechanisms are concealed within the piece of luggage 600. In FIG. 6B, the vertical strap extends out from an opening on a top part of the piece of luggage 600. In FIG. 6C, the front end of the vertical strap is attached to a top handle of another piece of luggage 601. In FIG. 6D, the horizontal strap extends out from an opening of a left part of the piece of luggage 600. In FIG. 6E, the horizontal strap is wrapped around the other piece of luggage 601 tightly to prevent swaying of that piece of luggage. The tightness of the wrap around the piece of luggage 601 is due to the front end of the horizontal strap being engaged with the lock 606 and the retraction mechanism of the strap mechanism 604 pulling on the back end of the horizontal strap.

In FIG. 7A, a button is shown pushed by an arrow 620, which can represent a person's finger pushing the button. Pushing the button disengages the horizontal strap from the lock 606. In FIGS. 7A-7E, the horizontal strap returns to its source after being disengaged from the lock 606, by a pulling force. The source of the pulling force can be the horizontal retraction mechanism of the strap mechanism 604. In FIG. 7B, the horizontal strap is not concealed within the piece of luggage 600, and is not fully retracted. In FIG. 7C, the horizontal strap is concealed, and the other piece of luggage 601 has been detached from the vertical strap. In this Figure, the vertical strap is configured to retract due to a pulling force from the source of the vertical strap. The pulling force may result from operation of the vertical retraction mechanism of the strap mechanism 602. In FIG. 7D, the vertical strap is not concealed within the piece of luggage 600, and is not fully retracted. In FIG. 7E, both the vertical and the horizontal straps are fully retracted and at least partially concealed. Depending on a design of a piece of luggage the straps may be fully or partially concealed when fully retracted.

A retraction mechanism, such as the retraction mechanism 800 illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, may facilitate automatic retraction of a securing part, such as the retractions of the straps illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7E. A retraction mechanism may be attached to a back end of a securing part. FIG. 8A shows an exploded view of the retraction mechanism 800 and FIG. 8B shows the retraction mechanism 800 put together with a front end of a strap extended out from a slit in the retraction mechanism. The exploded view of FIG. 8A depicts at least some parts of the retraction mechanism 800, including a spring 802, end caps 804a and 804b, a spring cover 806, a spindle 808, a strap 810, and a shroud 812.

With respect to retraction mechanisms, automatic retraction may be facilitated by stored mechanical energy in an elastic body, such as the spring 802 of the retraction mechanism 800. One or more springs used in a retraction mechanism may include one or more of a tension or an extension spring, such as a helical tension spring, or a spiral tension spring. A spring in a retraction mechanism may also be a helical or spiral compression spring, a torsion spring, a constant spring, a variable spring, a coil spring, a flat spring, such a flat spring made up of a flat or conical piece of metal, a machined spring, or any combination thereof.

In some examples, such as depicted in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the retraction mechanism may include two opposing end caps (such as the end caps 804a and 804b) that hold together part of the retraction mechanism, such as a spring cover and a respective spring. The spring, such as the spring 802, may include an end abutting a part of the spring cover, such as the spring cover 806 and/or one of the end caps, such as the end cap 804a. The abutting of the spring cover and/or the end cap to the opposing ends of the spring may provide a source of mechanical energy stored in the spring. Additionally or alternatively, the source of the energy may at least be partially derived from the weight of an ancillary object pulling down on a front end of a vertical securing part.

The retraction mechanism may also include a spindle, such as the spindle 808, to facilitate winding up and retracting out of a strap. The spindle may be mechanically coupled to the end cap, the spring, and/or the spring cover. This coupling allows the energy released by the spring to transmit to the spindle, hence causing the spindle to rotate. The spindle will rotate in respective directions according to whether the spring is releasing or storing energy. A securing part, such as the strap 810, may be connected and/or wound around the spindle, and extend and retract as the spindle rotates in respective directions. The retraction mechanism may also include a shroud, such as the shroud 812, to contain and facilitate the winding up and retracting of a securing part in an organized manner. The shroud may provide direction for the winding of the securing part, so that the part winds up without it being tangled in at least the retraction mechanism. The opening of a source of the securing part may also be or include a guide to lessen tangling and twisting of the securing part. The shroud may include an opening, such as a slit parallel to the spindle (e.g., a slit 814). This allows a securing part to extend out of the shroud or wind into the shroud, neatly. The shroud may include one or more wall lengths parallel to the spindle.

In some examples, the apparatus, such as a piece of rolling luggage, may include a body including a top part, a bottom part, a front part, a left part, and a right part. The apparatus may also include a handle attached to the top part configured to be pulled. The apparatus may also include at least two wheels attached to the bottom part configured to roll against a surface, while the body is upright and the handle is being pulled. The apparatus may also include a first vertical securing part configured to extend from and retract to the top part or the bottom part. The first vertical securing part may also be configured to, at a front part of the vertical securing part, connect to a part of an object, such as another piece of luggage, to limit the object from moving downward, while the body is upright and the handle is being pulled. The apparatus may also include a second vertical securing part configured to extend from and retract to the top part or the bottom part, wrap about the object abutting the front part, and connect to the bottom part or top part, respectively, to limit the object from moving downward and swaying from left to right and right to left, while the body is upright and the handle is being pulled. The apparatus may also include a horizontal securing part configured to extend from and retract to the left part or the right part of the body, wrap about the object, and connect to the right part or the left part, respectively, to limit the object from swaying from left to right and right to left, while the body is upright and the handle is being pulled. The horizontal securing part may be a strap, for example.

In this last example, the horizontal securing part, the first vertical securing part, and the second securing part may be configured to retract fully into the body, so that neither the horizontal securing part, the first vertical securing part, nor the second vertical securing part are extended out from the body. These parts may also be configured to extend freely, from being fully retracted, by at least one finger.

Also, in this last example, a first vertical retraction mechanism may be attached to a back end of the first vertical securing part. The first vertical retraction mechanism may include a first opening having a height and a width slightly greater than a height and a width of the first vertical securing part, so that when the first vertical securing part retracts into the first opening, the first vertical securing part does not flay. Furthermore, a second vertical retraction mechanism may be attached to a back end of the second vertical securing part. The second vertical retraction mechanism may include a second opening having a height and a width slightly greater than a height and a width of the second vertical securing part, so that when the second vertical securing part retracts into the second opening, the second vertical securing part does not flay. Also, a horizontal retraction mechanism may be attached to a back end of the horizontal securing part. The horizontal retraction mechanism may include a third opening having a height and a width slightly greater than a height and a width of the horizontal securing part, so that when the horizontal securing part retracts into the third opening, the horizontal securing part does not flay. Also, the securing parts can lock into place while they are extended.

Also, the horizontal securing part may include a front-end part that connects to a locking part of the body. In such an example, the locking part may include a button configured to release the front-end part when manipulated.

In this last example, also, the first vertical securing part and the second vertical securing part may overlap when extended fully. Also, the second vertical securing part and the horizontal securing part may cross each other perpendicularly when extended fully.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the example apparatuses and mechanisms described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the teachings of the present invention and without diminishing its intended scopes. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a body including a top part, a bottom part, a front part, a left part, and a right part;

a handle attached to the top part;

at least two wheels attached to the bottom part configured to roll against a surface, while the body is upright and the handle is being pulled;

a vertical securing part configured to: extend from and retract to the top part or the bottom part of the body; and at a front part of the vertical securing part, connect to a part of an object to limit the object from moving downward, while the body is upright; and

a horizontal securing part configured to: extend from and retract to the left part or the right part of the body; wrap about the object; and connect to the right part or the left part, respectively, to limit the object from swaying from left to right and right to left, while the body is upright and the handle is being pulled.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a first piece of luggage and the object is a second piece of luggage.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the horizontal securing part and the vertical securing part are configured to retract and not extend out from a plane of a surface of a left or a right part of the apparatus.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a vertical retraction mechanism attached to a back end of the vertical securing part, the vertical retraction mechanism including a first opening having a height and a width greater than a height and a width of the vertical securing part, so that when the vertical securing part retracts into the first opening, the vertical securing part does not flay; and

a horizontal retraction mechanism attached to the back end of the horizontal securing part, the horizontal retraction mechanism including a second opening having a height and a width greater than a height and a width of the horizontal securing part, so that when the horizontal securing part retracts into the second opening, the horizontal securing part does not flay.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the horizontal securing part and the vertical securing part are configured to lock into place, while the securing parts are extended.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the horizontal securing part comprises a front-end part configured to connect to a locking part of the body, and wherein the locking part includes a mechanism configured to release the front-end part when manipulated.

7. An apparatus, comprising:

a body including a top part, a bottom part, a front part, a left part, and a right part;

a handle attached to the top part;

at least two wheels attached to the bottom part configured to roll against a surface, while the body is upright and the handle is being pulled;

a vertical securing part configured to: extend from and retract to the top part or the bottom part of the body; wrap about an object abutting the front part of the body; and connect to the bottom part or top part of the body, respectively, to limit the object from moving downward, while the body is upright; and

a horizontal securing part configured to: extend from and retract to the left part or the right part of the body; wrap about the object; and connect to the right part or the left part, respectively, to limit the object from swaying from left to right and right to left, while the body is upright and the handle is being pulled.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus is a first piece of luggage and the object is a second piece of luggage.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the horizontal securing part and the vertical securing part are configured to:

retract fully into the body so that neither the horizontal securing part nor the vertical securing part are extended out from the body; and

extend freely, from being fully retracted, by at least one finger.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

a vertical retraction mechanism attached to a back end of the vertical securing part, the vertical retraction mechanism including a first opening having a height and a width slightly greater than a height and a width of the vertical securing part, so that when the vertical securing part retracts into the first opening, the vertical securing part does not flay; and

a horizontal retraction mechanism attached to a back end of the horizontal securing part, the horizontal retraction mechanism including a second opening having a height and a width slightly greater than a height and a width of the horizontal securing part, so that when the horizontal securing part retracts into the second opening, the horizontal securing part does not flay.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the horizontal securing part and the vertical securing part are configured to lock into place, while the securing parts are extended.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the horizontal securing part comprises a front-end part configured to connect to a locking part of the body, and wherein the locking part includes a button configured to release the front-end part when manipulated.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

a body including a top part, a bottom part, a front part, a left part, and a right part;

a handle attached to the top part configured to be pulled;

at least two wheels attached to the bottom part configured to roll against a surface, while the body is upright and the handle is being pulled;

a first vertical securing part configured to: extend from and retract to the top part or the bottom part; and at a front part of the vertical securing part, connect to a part of an object to limit the object from moving downward, while the body is upright and the handle is being pulled;

a second vertical securing part configured to: extend from and retract to the top part or the bottom part; wrap about the object abutting the front part; and connect to the bottom part or top part, respectively, to limit the object from moving downward and swaying from left to right and right to left, while the body is upright and the handle is being pulled; and

a horizontal securing part configured to: extend from and retract to the left part or the right part of the body; wrap about the object; and connect to the right part or the left part, respectively, to limit the object from swaying from left to right and right to left, while the body is upright and the handle is being pulled.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is a first piece of rolling luggage and the object is a second piece of rolling luggage.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the horizontal securing part, the first vertical securing part, and the second securing part are configured to:

retract fully into the body so that neither the horizontal securing part, the first vertical securing part, nor the second vertical securing part are extended out from the body; and

extend freely, from being fully retracted, by at least one finger.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a first vertical retraction mechanism attached to a back end of the first vertical securing part, the first vertical retraction mechanism including a first opening having a height and a width slightly greater than a height and a width of the first vertical securing part, so that when the first vertical securing part retracts into the first opening, the first vertical securing part does not flay;

a second vertical retraction mechanism attached to a back end of the second vertical securing part, the second vertical retraction mechanism including a second opening having a height and a width slightly greater than a height and a width of the second vertical securing part, so that when the second vertical securing part retracts into the second opening, the second vertical securing part does not flay; and

a horizontal retraction mechanism attached to a back end of the horizontal securing part, the horizontal retraction mechanism including a third opening having a height and a width slightly greater than a height and a width of the horizontal securing part, so that when the horizontal securing part retracts into the third opening, the horizontal securing part does not flay.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the horizontal securing part and the first and the second vertical securing parts are configured to lock into place, while the securing parts are extended.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the horizontal securing part comprises a front-end part configured to connect to a locking part of the body, and wherein the locking part includes a button configured to release the front-end part when manipulated.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first vertical securing part and the second vertical securing part overlap when extended fully.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second vertical securing part and the horizontal securing part cross each other perpendicularly when extended fully.