TECHNICAL FIELD The device and methods disclosed herein relate generally to luggage, and particularly to a luggage handle with a swivel lock.
BACKGROUND ART A casual glance around any airport terminal will show that many, if not most, passengers use luggage of the sort that may be towed behind the user on wheels. This kind of luggage typically has an extension handle that can be deployed to extend some distance from the luggage, so that the user may readily grasp the handle and tow the luggage without bending over. Owing to the bulky and ponderous nature of many luggage items, such handles can be difficult to manipulate, particularly where the angle at which the handle must be held puts stress on the user's hand or wrist. A swiveling handle can alleviate that stress, but only at the expense of leverage the user could otherwise exert in maneuvering the luggage using a fixed handle.
Therefore, there remains a need for a luggage handle that combines the convenience and ergonomic advantage of a rotatable grip with the leverage and control of a fixed grip.
SUMMARY In one aspect a luggage handle with a swivel lock includes a handle body having a proximal end and a distal end. The luggage handle includes a grip. The luggage handle includes a swivel joining the grip to the distal end of the handle body, the swivel having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion free to rotate with respect to the second portion, the swivel having an axis of rotation. The luggage handle includes a clutch having a first member rotationally fixed to the first portion and a second member rotationally fixed to the second portion, the second member movable between a first position rotationally fixed to the first member and a second position that is not rotationally fixed to the first member.
In a related embodiment, the distal end of the handle is attached to an item of luggage. In another embodiment, the first member of the clutch has teeth projecting axially with respect to the axis of the swivel. In an additional embodiment, the second member is formed to engage the teeth when in the first position. In a further embodiment, the second member also includes a bar that fits between the teeth of the first member when the second member is in the first position. Another embodiment also includes an actuator accessible from outside the grip, the actuator mechanically coupled to the second member so that displacement of the actuator in a first direction moves the second member into the second position.
In another embodiment, the swivel further includes a hollow passage, the hollow passage having a first passage that passes through the first portion of the swivel and a second passage that passes through the second portion of the swivel. In a related embodiment, the clutch also includes an extension passing through the hollow portion of the swivel. In yet another embodiment, the extension is rotationally fixed to the second member of the clutch. In further embodiment, the extension is rotationally fixed to the second portion of the swivel. In a further embodiment still, the second passage has a first cross-sectional shape and the extension has a second cross-sectional shape that does not permit the rotation of the extension with respect to the second passage. In an additional embodiment, the extension is offset from the axis of rotation of the swivel. In another embodiment, where the handle includes an actuator accessible from outside the grip, the actuator is mechanically coupled to the second member of the clutch using the extension so that displacement of the actuator in a first direction moves the second member into the second position. An additional embodiment includes a biasing means having a bias that urges the second member into the first position. In another embodiment, the grip has an interior space, and the clutch is located in the interior space of the grip. In still another embodiment, the body of the handle has an interior space, and the clutch is located in the interior space of the handle body.
These and other features of the present invention will be presented in more detail in the following detailed description of the invention and the associated figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The preceding summary, as well as the following detailed description of the disclosed system and method, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the attached drawings. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating an exterior view of an embodiment of luggage handle with a swivel lock as disclosed herein;
FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a partially cut-away view of an embodiment of the luggage handle with a swivel lock as disclosed herein;
FIG. 1C is a schematic diagram illustrating close-up of a partially cut-away view of an embodiment of the luggage handle with a swivel lock as disclosed herein;
FIG. 1D is a schematic diagram illustrating close-up of a partially cut-away view of an embodiment of the luggage handle with a swivel lock as disclosed herein;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the luggage handle attached to an item of luggage;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a close-up of an embodiment of a grip as disclosed herein, with its exterior surface partially cut away to reveal its interior space.
FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a swivel as disclosed herein;
FIG. 4B is a top view of an embodiment of a swivel as disclosed herein;
FIG. 4C is a bottom view of an embodiment of a swivel as disclosed herein;
FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a swivel as disclosed herein;
FIG. 4E is a side view of an embodiment of a swivel as disclosed herein;
FIG. 4F is a top view of an embodiment of a swivel as disclosed herein;
FIG. 4G is a bottom view of an embodiment of a swivel as disclosed herein;
FIG. 4H is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a portion of the disclosed handle including one embodiment of a swivel;
FIG. 4I is a schematic depiction of one embodiment of a connector as disclosed herein;
FIG. 4J is a schematic depiction of one embodiment of a connector as disclosed herein;
FIG. 5A is a cut-away view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 5B is a cut-away and partial cross-section view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 5C is a cut-away view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 5D is a cut-away and partial cross-section view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 5E is a cut-away view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 5F is a cut-away view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 6A is a cut-away view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 6B is a cut-away view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 7A is a cut-away and partial cross-section view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 7B is a cut-away and partial cross-section view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 8A is a cut-away view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 8B is a cut-away and partial cross-section view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 8C is a cut-away view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 8D is a cut-away and partial cross-section view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 8E is a cut-away view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a swivel as disclosed herein;
FIG. 9B is a top view of an embodiment of a swivel as disclosed herein;
FIG. 9C is a bottom view of an embodiment of a swivel as disclosed herein;
FIG. 9D is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a swivel as disclosed herein;
FIG. 9E is a top view of an embodiment of a swivel as disclosed herein;
FIG. 9F is a bottom view of an embodiment of a swivel as disclosed
FIG. 10A is a cut-away view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 10B is a cut-away and partial cross-section view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 10C is a cut-away view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 10D is a cut-away and partial cross-section view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 10E is a cut-away view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 10F is a cut-away and partial cross-section view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 10G is a top view of one embodiment of a clutch as described herein;
FIG. 10H is a cut-away view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 10I is a cut-away and partial cross-section view of a detail of an embodiment of the luggage handle as described herein;
FIG. 10J is a top view of one embodiment of a clutch as described herein;
FIG. 11A is a schematic diagram of an engagement latch as described herein;
FIG. 11B is a schematic diagram of an engagement latch as described herein; and
FIG. 11C is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the handle described herein that includes an additional actuator for disengaging an engagement latch.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the disclosed luggage handle include a grip that can be rotated with respect to the handle body, or rotationally fixed, depending on the needs of the user. In some embodiments, the user can disengage a swivel lock to rotate the grip to a desired angle, and then engage the swivel lock to fix the grip at that angle to provide the user with leverage.
FIGS. 1A-D depict some embodiments of a luggage handle 100 with a swivel lock. As an overview, the luggage handle 100 includes a handle body 101. The handle body 101 has a proximal end 102 and a distal end 103. The luggage handle 100 includes a grip 104. The luggage handle 100 includes a swivel 105 joining the grip 104 to the distal end 103 of the handle body 101. The swivel 105 has a first portion 106 and a second portion 107. The first portion 106 is free to rotate with respect to the second portion 107. The swivel 105 has an axis of rotation. The luggage handle 100 includes a clutch 108. The clutch 108 has a first member 109 rotationally fixed to the first portion 106. The clutch 108 includes a second member 110 rotationally fixed to the second portion 107. The second member 110 is movable between a first position, as shown in FIG. 1C, rotationally fixed to the first member 109 and a second position, as shown in FIG. 1D, that is not rotationally fixed to the first member 109.
Viewing FIGS. 1A-D in greater detail, the luggage handle 100 includes a handle body 101. The handle body 101 has a proximal end 102 and a distal end 103. The handle body 101 may be composed of any material or combination of materials that result in the handle body 101 being substantially rigid. In some embodiments, the handle body 101 is substantially rigid if the handle body 101 exhibits only small amounts of displacement relative to the size of the handle body 101 when forces typical for the operation of the handle to push or pull on an item of luggage act against the handle body 101. In some embodiments, a user may be incapable of detecting any displacement of the handle body 101 at all in response to the stresses applied to the handle body during ordinary use. The handle body 101 may be constructed of materials including wood. The handle body 101 may be constructed of materials including plywood. The handle body 101 may be constructed of materials including metal. The handle body 101 may be constructed of materials including hard plastic, such as thermosetting plastics, hard thermoplastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polytetraflouroethylene, or hard polypropylene. The handle body 101 may be constructed of materials including natural polymers. The handle body 101 may include one or more layers of flexible material around the rigid material. The flexible material may include cloth, rubber, or other flexible polymers; the flexible material may be any material suitable for the construction of the exterior cover 400 as described in further detail below. The handle body 101 may be composed wholly or in part of flexible material stretched over a rigid frame or mesh. The handle body 101 may be composed wholly or partially of fiberglass.
The handle body 101 may include various structural elements. For instance, the handle body 101 may include a first handle rod, having a proximal end and a distal end. In some embodiments, the handle body 101 includes a second handle rod having a proximal end and a distal end. The handle body 101 may include additional handle rods (not shown). The first handle rod, and, if present, additional handle rods, such as the second handle rod, may be constructed from any material or combination of materials that render each handle rod rigid and strong enough not to flex or break when used to haul a typical quantity of luggage or other item to which the handle 100 may be attached. The materials making up the first handle rod, and, if present, additional handle rods, may include metal, synthetic polymers (e.g., plastic), natural polymers, wood, or any combination of these or other materials. Each handle rod may be linear or curved, or may have one or more portions that are linear and one or more portions that are curved. Each handle rod may be solid or hollow; for instance, each handle rod may be a tube.
Each handle rod may be a single, monolithic piece, or it may be constructed of multiple components connected together. In some embodiments, each handle rod includes one or more mutually movable components (not shown). In some such embodiments, the one or more mutually movable components may be able to slide or pivot with respect to one another. For instance, each handle rod may be incorporated in a telescoping handle, in which each handle rod is slidably engaged in at least one chamber, where the at least one chamber is the interior of at least one additional handle rod (not shown). An additional handle rod may be a stage in a telescoping handle; for instance, the at least one additional handle rod may slide into another hollow rod, or into a chamber in the luggage item or the item to which the handle 100 is attached. Each handle rod may include a plurality of nested telescoping sections. Persons skilled in the art will be aware that any number of such telescoping sections may be added to a handle rod. The telescoping handle may include one or more latches (not shown) that can fix the one or more components relative to each other; for instance, where the handle is telescoping, the latches may fix each telescoping section with respect to the section in which it is inserted, so that when a given section is pulled out into an extended position, that section is fixed with respect to the section from which it is pulled out, making the telescoping handle substantially rigid until the latch is disengaged. Each handle rod may have any cross-sectional shape or combination of shapes, including polygons, circles, ellipses, and combined polygonal and curved shapes; the cross-sectional shape may vary over the length of the at least one handle rod. Where the handle body 101 includes a first handle rod and a second handle rod, the second handle rod may be constructed from any material or combination of materials suitable for making the first handle rod. The second handle rod may have any form suitable for the construction of the first handle rod. In some embodiments, the first handle rod is substantially identical to the second handle rod. In some embodiments, the second handle rod is substantially a mirror image of the first handle rod. The handle body 101 may include a cross bar connected to the distal ends of the handle rods at the distal end of the handle body 101; the swivel 105 may be connected to the cross bar, or may be connected to another structure such as a handle rod.
The handle body 101 may include one or more additional structural elements, such as braces or cross braces, horizontal bars, or rigid grids. The one or more additional structural elements may also include one or more structural elements 101a that attach the first member or second member of the clutch to the handle, as set forth in further detail below.
The handle body 101 may include one or more panels or sheets of material. For instance, where the handle body 101 includes two handle rods, the two handle rods may be at opposite sides of the handle body 101, and be connected by one or more panels or sheets of material; as a further elaboration on the example, there may be one or more panels or sheets of material making up a front of the handle body 101, while one or more additional panels or sheets of material may make up the back of the handle body 101. The handle body 101 may have an interior space 101b. The interior space 101b of the handle may be a space substantially all of which is enclosed by an exterior surface of the handle body 101; in other words, where the handle body 101 forms any kind of container, the interior space 101b may be the space in which the container contains objects. For instance, where the handle body 101 has an elongate substantially box-like form, the interior space 101b may be the interior of the box-like form; as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-D, for instance, the interior space 101b may a space enclosed between a front panel or sheet, a rear panel or sheet, and two handle rods. Likewise, where the handle body 101 forms a pocket or pouch, the internal space 101b may be the interior of the pocket or pouch. The interior space of the handle body 101 may contain structural elements of the handle body 101.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the proximal end 102 of the handle is attached to a luggage item 200. The luggage item 200 may be any product usable for storing and transporting personal items while traveling. The luggage item 200 may be a trunk. The luggage item 200 may be a suitcase. The luggage item 200 may be a piece of hard or hard-shell luggage. The luggage item 200 may be a roller with one or more wheels; the luggage may include an extension handle (not shown) for pulling the luggage item 200 while it is rolling. The luggage item 200 may have a size appropriate for checked luggage. The luggage item 200 may be an appropriate size for “carry-on” luggage that is transported in the cabin of an aircraft with the user. Although FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a handle with a piece of luggage, the disclosed embodiments may be used with any other item that would benefit from having a handle. Examples of such other items include, but are not limited to, items that have wheels and that are used for moving objects, such as carts (e.g., luggage carts), platforms, pallets, and hand trucks. The disclosed embodiments may also be used with items that do not have wheels, such as, for example, step-ladders.
The luggage handle 100 includes a grip 104. In some embodiments, the grip 104 is a portion of the handle 100 the user holds while using the handle according to its intended usage. The grip 104 may be constructed from any material or combination of materials suitable for the construction of the handle body 101. The grip 104 may have any shape conducive to being held easily in the hand of a user. In some embodiments, the grip 104 has a top, a bottom, a front, a back, and two sides. The grip 104 may take any shape conducive to use as a grip. In some embodiments, the grip 104 takes the form of a ring; in other words, the grip 104 may have a transverse opening, which is defined as an opening passing from the front of the grip to the back of the grip, so that a user's hand may be inserted through the transverse opening between the sides of the grip 104 to take hold of the grip 104. For instance, where the grip 104 is a toroid, the transverse opening may be the hole, as in a “donut hole,” through the toroid. Where the grip 104 is a ring, the grip 104 may take the form of any ring having a transverse opening as described above. The grip 104 may be, for example, a toroidal ring, a square ring, a triangular ring, or a D-ring. The exterior perimeter of a cross-section of the grip 104 taken halfway between the front and the back and parallel to the plane of the front may be a regular or irregular polygon. The exterior perimeter may contain one or more curved portions; for instance, the grip 104 may have the form of a polygon with rounded corners, or may have a semicircular portion combined with a linear or polygonal portion. Where the grip 104 has a transverse opening through the grip 104, the cross-section may have an internal perimeter bordering the opening. The internal perimeter may be any shape useable for the exterior perimeter; for instance, the cross-section may have a substantially square external perimeter, and a substantially square internal perimeter. The cross-section may have a substantially triangular external perimeter and a substantially triangular internal perimeter. The internal perimeter may be a different shape from the external perimeter. In some embodiments, the grip 104 is substantially toroidal. The substantially toroidal grip 104 may be circular or elliptical.
In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3, showing a portion of the grip with a part of its exterior surface cut away, the grip 104 has an internal space 300. The internal space 300 may be an interior hollow portion; for instance, where the grip 104 is a toroid, the grip 104 may be a tubular toroid similar in general shape to the inner tube of an automobile tire with an interior or lumen 300 that describes a toroid of air. In some embodiments, an object is inside the grip 104 when it is within the interior space 300 of the grip 104, rather than, for instance, in a transverse hole through the grip 104 as described above. In other words, the interior space 300 of the grip 104 may be analogous to the interior space 101b of the handle body 101 as described above: a space substantially all of which is enclosed by an exterior surface of the grip 104. An object inside the grip 104, or in the interior space 300 of the grip 104 is thus enclosed by the outer surface of the grip 104, in contrast, for instance, to objects in the transverse hole as described above, which are outside of the interior space 300 of the grip 104.
Returning to FIGS. 1A-C, the luggage handle 100 includes a swivel 105 joining the grip 104 to the distal end 103 of the handle body 101. The swivel 105 has a first portion 106 and a second portion 107. The first portion 106 is free to rotate with respect to the second portion 107. The swivel 105 may allow the grip 104 to rotate freely about a first axis; for instance, the swivel 105 may allow the grip 104 to rotate about an axis parallel to an axis that extends from the proximal end 102 to the distal end 103 of the handle body 101. In some embodiments, the first portion 106 is rotationally fixed to the handle body 101. One item may be rotationally fixed to another item if rotating the first item causes the second item to rotate with substantially the same instantaneous angular momentum. The first portion 106 may be rotationally fixed to the handle body 101 by affixing the first portion 106 to one or more structural elements 106a, such as horizontal bars affixed to rigid portions of the handle body 101; the horizontal bars 106a may, for instance, be affixed to handle rods. The one or more structural elements may include any other substantially rigid structural element, including without limitation panels, grids, braces, or rods that are set in the handle body 101. The one or more structural elements may be an external or internal feature of the handle body 101; for instance, the one or more structural elements may be one or more elements making up the external surface of the handle. In some embodiments, the second portion 107 is rotationally fixed to the grip 104. The second portion 107 may be rotationally fixed to the grip 104 by affixing the second portion 107 to one or more structural elements of the grip 104. The one or more structural elements may include any other substantially rigid structural element, including without limitation panels, grids, braces, or rods that are set in the grip 104. The one or more structural elements may be an external or internal feature of grip 104; for instance, the one or more structural elements may be one or more elements making up the external surface of the handle. As a non-limiting example, the second portion 107 of the swivel is shown in FIG. 1A fused to the external surface of a substantially toroidal grip. In other embodiments the first portion 106 is rotationally fixed to the grip in a similar fashion to that described above; the second portion 107 may likewise also be rotationally fixed to the handle body 101.
The swivel 105 may be constructed of any material or combination of materials suitable for the construction of the handle body 101 or grip 104. For instance, the swivel 105 may be constructed of metal. The swivel 105 may be constructed in any way suitable for connecting the first 106 and second 107 elements to each other while allowing them to rotate with respect to one another. FIG. 4A illustrates a transverse cross-sectional view of one non-limiting example for an embodiment of the swivel 105. The first element 106 and second element 107 may be connected by interlocking collars 400, 401; the interlocking collars may have projecting flanges that overlap, preventing the first element 106 and second element 107 from being pulled apart axially while permitting the first 106 and second 107 elements to rotate with respect to one another. There may be one or more bearing elements (not shown) at the connection of the first 106 and second 107 elements, such as between the interlocking collars 400, 401; the one or more bearing elements may act to reduce friction between the first 106 and second elements 107. As a non-limiting example, the one or more bearing elements may include ball bearings. In other embodiments, for instance as illustrated in the cross-sectional view in FIG. 4D, side view in 4E, top view in 4F, and bottom view in 4G, the first element 106 has a bearing passage 106a in which the second element 107 is journaled; the bearing passage 106a and second element 107 may be substantially cylindrical, with axes substantially aligned with the axis of rotation of the swivel 105. The second element 107 may fit snugly within the bearing passage 106a. The second element 107 may be fixed to the grip 104 or handle body 101 at one end 107a of the second element 107. A nut 107a may attach the other end of the second element 107 to keep the second element 107 in the bearing passage 106a; the nut 107a may not allow the second element 107 to slide within the bearing passage 106a, so that the movement of the second element 107 is restricted to rotation about the axis of the swivel 105. In some embodiments, it is the second element 107 that contains the bearing passage, and the second element 107 is attached to the grip 104 journaled in the bearing passage as described above. FIG. 4H illustrates a cross-sectional view an exemplary embodiment of a part of the handle body and grip 104 in which the swivel has a second part 107 contained in a bearing passage 106a of the first part 107.
In some embodiments, the swivel 105 includes a hollow passage 403. The hollow passage 403 may run axially with respect to the axis of rotation of the swivel 105. The hollow passage 403 may include a first passage 404 that passes through the first element 107. The hollow passage 403 may include a second passage 405 that passes through the second element. The first passage 404 may have a different shape from the second passage 405. The first passage 404 may have a different width from the second passage 405. As a non-limiting example, where an extension from the first or second member of the clutch 108 passes through the passage 403, the second passage 405 may be shaped to fit snugly about the extension, for instance as illustrated by the top view of an embodiment of the swivel in FIG. 4B; for example, where the extension is substantially square or rectangular in cross-sectional form, the second passage 405 may be substantially square or rectangular as well, rotationally fixing the extension within the second passage 404. Further continuing the example, the first passage 404 may be broader than the second passage 405, and formed to permit the extension to rotate freely within the first passage 404; for instance, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, which is a bottom view of one embodiment, where the extension is substantially square or rectangular in cross-sectional form, the first passage 404 may be sufficiently broad in all radial directions that the extension can rotate freely within the first passage 404, and may, for instance, be substantially circular. In other embodiments, the first passage 404 is formed to be rotationally fixed to the extension, and the second passage 405 is formed to allow the extension to rotate freely. In some embodiments, the extension is able to rotate freely within both the first passage 404 and the second passage 405.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 41 and 4J, the handle 100 has, in place of the swivel 105, a connector 105a that permits the grip 104 to be rotated a limited amount with respect to the handle body 101. For instance, the connector 105a may be a neck portion 105a. The neck portion 105a may have a first end affixed to the handle body 101 and a second end affixed to the grip 104. In some embodiments, the neck portion 105a deforms elastically about a rotational axis intersecting the handle portion 101 and the grip 104 when the grip 104 is rotated relative to the handle portion 101 by a user. The axis may bisect the grip 104; rotation about the axis may occur in substantially the direction of rotation shown in FIG. 4I, or in the opposite direction. The neck portion 105a may have a range of motion in two directions of rotation about the axis, such as the direction of rotation and the opposite direction of rotation. In some embodiments, the neck portion 105a includes an elastic component that elastically deforms upon rotation; the elastic component may exert a recoil force tending to move the grip back to an elastically neutral position. The elastically neutral position may be a position in which the grip 104 is in substantially the same plane as the handle portion 101. The elastic portion may be a spring, such as a coiled spring. The elastic portion may be a sleeve of elastic material, such as rubber. The elastic portion may be a strip of elastic material. The neck portion 105a may include a structural portion preventing the neck 105a from elongating or shearing. The structural portion may be a swivel joining the grip 104 to the handle portion 101; the swivel may be implemented as described above in reference to FIGS. 4A-H. The neck portion 105a may have a limited range of motion. The elastic portion may limit the range of motion; for instance, the recoil force of the elastic portion may be sufficiently strong at the limit of the range of motion to prevent further rotation impelled by a typical amount of force exerted by a user holding the grip. The elastic portion may reach the limits of its elastically deformable range and resist further deformation at the limit of the range of motion. In other embodiments, the neck portion 105a includes one or more structural elements (not shown) that limit the range of rotation of the neck portion 105a. For instance, at least one first structural element fixed to the grip 104 may engage at least one second structural element fixed to the handle portion 101 at each extreme of the range of motion. In some embodiments, the range of motion permits the grip 104 to rotate at most ninety degrees (π/2 radians) in either direction of rotation; in other words, the range of motion may permit the grip 104 to rotate a total of 180 degrees (π radians), between a first point 90 degrees (π/2 radians) in one direction of rotation from the elastically neutral point, and a second point 90 degrees (π/2 radians) in the other direction of rotation from the elastically neutral point.
Returning to FIGS. 1A-D, the luggage handle 100 includes a clutch 108. In some embodiments, the clutch 108 is a coupling of two working parts which may be engaged to rotationally fix the two working parts to each other or disengaged to free the two working parts to rotated relative to each other; for example, the clutch 108 may couple the first portion 106 of the swivel 105 to the second portion 107 of the swivel 105 so that the first portion 106 and second portion 107 are rotationally fixed to one another, when the clutch 108 is engaged. The clutch 108 may be constructed from any material or combination of materials suitable for the construction of the swivel 105, including metal. The clutch 108 has a first member 109 rotationally fixed to the first portion 106. The clutch 108 includes a second member 110 rotationally fixed to the second portion 107. The second member 110 is movable between a first position rotationally fixed to the first member and a second position rotationally disengaged from the first member.
In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1C, the first member 109 has teeth projecting axially with respect to the axis of the swivel. For instance, the first member 109 may have the form of a cylinder with axially oriented teeth at one end. The second member 110 may be formed to engage the teeth when in the first position. For instance, the second member 110 may include a bar that fits between the teeth of the first member when the second member is in the first position. FIGS. 5A-B are cutaway and vertical perspective views, respectively, showing an embodiment of the clutch 108 with a first member 109 that has axially projecting teeth, and a bar-shaped second member 110 in the first position, engaged between the teeth of the first member 109. FIGS. 5C-E show an embodiment of a similar clutch with the second member 110 in the second position; FIG. 5C shows a cutaway view of the embodiment of the clutch with the second member 110 in the second position, while FIG. 5D shows a vertical cross-section view of the same embodiment. As noted above, the second member 110 is free to rotate with respect to the first member 109 when the second member is in the second position; in this embodiment, the second member 110 is in the second position when the second member 110 is beyond the axially-oriented teeth of the first member 109. FIG. 5E shows the second member 110 rotated one quarter rotation away from its original orientation in FIGS. 5A-D in this embodiment; where the second member is rotationally fixed to the grip 104, as described in further detail below, the grip 104 may have rotated by one quarter rotation as well. The second portion 107 of the swivel may also have rotated, as it is rotationally fixed to the second member 110 of the clutch 108. FIG. 5F shows the second member 110 returned to the first position in this embodiment, rotationally fixing the second member 110 to the first member 109 in the position to which the second member 109 was rotated; where the first member 109 has axially projecting teeth the spaces between the teeth may determine at which rotational positions the second member 110 may be returned to the first position and rotationally fixed to the first member 109.
The above exemplary discussion should not be understood to limit the clutch 108 to the particular form described therein; the clutch 108 may take any other form that may be selectively engaged or disengaged by moving one member of the clutch 108 with respect to another member of the clutch 108. As a non-limiting example, the first member 109 of the clutch 108 may have axially-oriented teeth oriented in a first direction, and the second member of the clutch 110 may have teeth oriented in a second axial direction, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-B, showing embodiments with the second member 110 in the first position and second position, respectively; the second member 110 may be a second cylinder with axially facing teeth at the end closest to the first member 109.
In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 5A-F, the handle 100 includes an actuator 500 accessible from outside the grip, the actuator mechanically coupled to the second member so that displacement of the actuator in a first direction moves the second member into the second position. The actuator 500 may be located within the interior space of the grip 104. The actuator 500 may be mechanically coupled to the second member 110 of the clutch 108 so that displacement of the actuator 500 in a first direction moves the second member 110 into the second position, as described in further detail below.
The actuator 500 may be operated by a push-button 501, for instance as shown in FIGS. 5A-F; the push-button 501 may be located at the top of the grip 104 where the handle 100 is oriented with the distal end 102 directly over the proximal end 103. The push-button 501 may be able to move between a first position extended a first distance away from the exterior surface of the grip and a second position extended a second distance away from the exterior of the grip; the first distance may be greater than the second distance, and moving the button 501 from the first position to the second position may be referred to as pushing the button 501 inward. The button 501 may be housed in a recess within the grip, into which the push-button 501 at least partially enters when pushed inward. In some embodiments, pushing the push-button 501 inward moves the actuator 500 in the first direction. The push-button may be located anywhere on the exterior of the grip 104. In some embodiments, the push-button 501 has one or more biasing means 502, such as springs, whose bias urge the push-button outward; outward motion of the push-button 501 may correspond to motion of the actuator 500 in an opposite direction to the first direction; this may move the second member 110 into the first position. The push-button 501 may push the actuator 500 in the same direction as that the second member 110 moves in to move between the first and second positions. The push-button 501 may alternatively move the actuator at right-angles to the direction of motion of the second member 110, for instance using a mechanism as described below in reference to FIGS. 6A-6B.
As illustrated in FIGS. 7A-7B, the actuator 500 may be accessed from outside the grip 104 by way of a slide button 700. The slide button 700 may be located anywhere on the exterior of the grip 104. In some embodiments, the slide button 700 is located on a side of the grip 104, as shown in FIGS. 7A-B. The slide button 700 may be free to slide between a first position on the surface of the grip and a second position on the surface of the grip; in some embodiments, moving the slide button from the first position to the second position moves the actuator in the first direction. In some embodiments moving the slide button from the second position to the first position moves the actuator in the opposite direction from the first direction. The slide button may have one or more biasing means (not shown) that return the slide button 700 to the first position from the second position when released by the user; in other embodiments the slide button remains in whichever position the user places it. The slide button may move the actuator 500 in the same direction as the direction of motion of the second member 110, or the slide button may move the actuator 500 in a different direction, such as perpendicularly to the direction of motion of the second member 110.
The actuator 500 may be shaped to fit in the interior space of the grip. In some embodiments, the actuator 500 has a similar shape to the grip 104; for instance, as shown in FIGS. 5A-F, where the grip is ring-shaped as described above, the actuator may include a ring-shaped portion. In other embodiments, the actuator 500 has shape similar to a portion of the grip 104; for instance, as shown in FIGS. 7A-B, where the grip is ring-shaped as described above, the actuator may include portion shaped like a quarter-ring or half-ring. The actuator 500 may be coupled to the second member 110 by way of an extension as described below.
Viewing FIGS. 5A-8E generally, in some embodiments, the clutch 108 includes an extension 504 passing through the hollow portion 403 of the swivel 105. The extension 504 may be rotationally fixed to the first member 109 of the clutch 108. The extension 504 may be rotationally fixed to first portion 106 of the swivel, thus rotationally fixing the first member 109 of the clutch 108 to the first portion 106 of the swivel 105. In other embodiments, as shown for example in FIGS. 5A-B, the extension 504 is rotationally fixed to the second member 110 of the clutch; the extension 504 may also be rotationally fixed to the second portion 107 of the swivel 105, thus rotationally fixing the second portion 107 of the swivel 105 to the second member 110 of the clutch 108. The extension 504 may be rotationally fixed to either portion of the swivel 105 by having a complementary shape as described above; for instance, the second passage 405 may have a first cross-sectional shape and the extension 504 has a second cross-sectional shape that does not permit the rotation of the extension with respect to the second passage. As a non-limiting example, the second passage 405 may be substantially square or rectangular, and the extension 504 may have a substantially square or rectangular cross-sectional form, fitting snugly within the second passage 405; as a result, the extension 504 may be able to slide up and down within the passage 405, but be unable to rotate independently of the passage 405, and hence the second portion 107 of the swivel 105. The shapes of the passage 405 and extension 504 may be any shape that similarly prevents the rotation of the latter within the former. In other embodiments, the extension 504 is rotationally fixed to the first portion 106 of the swivel 105 in a similar manner.
In other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 8A-E, the extension 504 is offset from the axis of rotation of the swivel 105. In other words, the axis of the rotation the extension 504 describes when the grip 104 is rotated may be outside the extension 504 itself. In some embodiments, an offset extension 504 increases the torque resistance that the extension 504 can provide when the first element 110 of the clutch 108 is in the first position, locking the swivel. FIGS. 9A-9F illustrate embodiments of the swivel 105 that are formed to accept an offset extension 504; where the swivels are formed as in FIGS. 9A-9C, the passage 405 through the second portion 107 of the swivel 105 may be formed so that the extension 504 and the second portion 107 are rotationally fixed. In some embodiments, the location of the extension 504 away from the axis of the swivel 105 results in the extension 504 being rotationally locked to the second portion 107 as long as the second passage 405 is substantially the same width, as measured in a direction tangential to the rotational path of the extension 504, as the extension 504; the passage 405 may fit the extension 504 snugly. The passage 405 and extension 504 may also be shaped to prevent rotation of the extension 504 as described above. The first passage 404 through the first portion 106 of the swivel 105 may be shaped to allow the offset extension 504 to rotate about the axis of rotation of the swivel 105; for instance, the first passage 404 may be substantially cylindrical with a radius greater than the radius of the rotational path that the offset extension 504 travels.
Returning to FIGS. 5A-8E, in some embodiments, the actuator 500 is mechanically coupled to the second member 110 of the clutch using the extension 504. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5A-F, the actuator 500 is coupled to the extension 504 so as to translate movement of the actuator 500 in a linear direction into motion of the extension 504 in the same direction; in other words, the actuator 500 may be positioned to push against the end of the extension 504 when moved in the actuator's direction of motion by a user, for instance using the push button 501 or the slide button 600. The actuator 500 may rest against the extension 504, or may be attached to the extension 504. The actuator 500 may be rotationally fixed to the extension 504, or may be attached to the extension 504 by way of a swivel (not shown) or similar device. The actuator 500 may be affixed to the extension by rivets, bots, or other fasteners. The actuator 500 may be fused to the extension. The actuator 500 and extension 504 may form a single monolithic piece. In some embodiments, the extension 504 is similarly attached to the second member 110; for instance, the actuator 500, extension 504, and second member 110 may form a single monolithic piece, or be joined to each other by fasteners, or by any of the above approaches in various combinations.
In some embodiments, the actuator 500 is coupled to the extension 504 in such a way as to transform linear motion of the actuator 500 in a first direction into linear motion of the extension 504 in a second direction that differs from the first direction. As an example, the coupling of the actuator 500 to the extension 504 may take the form of a wedge-type cam and follower combination. For instance, as shown in FIGS. 7A-B, the actuator 500 may terminate in an inclined plane 701; the inclined plane 701 may be forced by the displacement of the actuator against a surface 702 of the extension 504, so that the surface 702 is forced by the inclined plane 701 to travel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of motion of the actuator 500. Persons skilled in the art will be aware that either the push-button 501 or the slide-button 700 may be used to cause the actuator 500 to move either in the same direction as the desired direction of motion of the extension 504 or in a different direction of motion, and that the mechanical coupling may be chosen, given the actuator's configured direction of motion, to move the extension 504 in the desired direction. In some embodiments, the movement of the actuator in the first direction causes the extension 504 to move second member 110 of the clutch 108 into the second position; a biasing means 503 such as a spring may push the extension 504 into the first position when a user moves the actuator 500, or allows the actuator 500 to be moved, in the opposite direction from the first direction.
The clutch 108 may be located in other locations besides the interior space of the handle body 101. For instance, as illustrated in FIGS. 10A-D, the clutch 108 may be located in the interior space of the grip 104. As a non-limiting example, the first portion 106 of the swivel 105 may be rotationally fixed to the grip, while the second portion 107 may be rotationally fixed to the handle body 101; the extension 504 may be rotationally fixed to the second portion 107 and to the second member 110, which may be selectively engaged as described above with the first member 109, which is rotationally fixed to the grip. Any actuator 500 as described above may move the second member 110 between the first and second positions, as set forth in reference to FIGS. 1A-9C.
As a further example, as shown in FIGS. 10E-J, the clutch 108 in the grip includes a first member 109 that is a nut rotationally fixed to the first element 106 of the swivel; the nut 109 may project upward into the grip, which rotates about the nut 109 when the clutch 108 is disengaged. As shown in FIGS. 10E-G, which depict a cutaway side view, cross-sectional view, and top view of the clutch 108 respectively, the second member 110 of the clutch 108 includes a slot rotationally fixed to the grip that fits the nut in the first position, preventing the rotation of the slot and the nut relative to each other. The slot 110 may be part of the actuator 500. In some embodiments, when the user causes the actuator 500 to move along an arcuate path in the direction indicated by the directional arrows, for instance by sliding a slide button 700, the slot 110 may be moved to the second position disengaged from the nut 109 as shown in FIGS. 10H-J, depicting a cutaway side view, cross-sectional view, and top view of the clutch 108, respectively; this may be accomplished, for instance, by moving the actuator 500 so that the nut 109 is surrounded by a wider aperture in the actuator that allows the nut 109 and actuator 500 to rotate relative to each other. A biasing means 502 such as a spring may exert a recoil force urging the actuator 500, and thus urge the second element 110 into the first position when the user is not exerting external pressure on the actuator 500, for instance by way of the slide button 700.
In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 11A-B, where the handle 100 (a cross-section of an embodiment of which is illustrated) slidably coupled to an item of luggage, the handle 100 includes at least one engagement latch 1100 that fixes the handle 100 relative to a surface 1101 of the luggage item when the handle 100 is in the extended position. The at least one engagement latch 1100 may include a pin or ball bearing 1102 in a chamber 1103 in the handle 100, or in a surface past which the handle 100 slides, which is urged out of its chamber 1103 by a spring 1104 or similar biasing means, so that when a corresponding chamber 1105 moves opposite the chamber, the pin or ball bearing 1102 will enter the corresponding chamber 1105. The pin or ball bearing 1102 may be rounded at the end that enters the corresponding chamber 1105, so that a user can push the pin or ball bearing 1102 back into its chamber 1103 against the bias of the biasing means 1104 using the corresponding chamber 1105, for instance by pushing the handle 100 back into the retracted position. There may be several corresponding chambers 1105, or alternatively, several pins or ball bearings 1102 at various positions along the handle 100 or along a surface 1101 past which the handle 100 slides, so that the handle 100 can be secured at various degrees of extension.
In some embodiments, the extension 504, second member 110, or actuator 500 is mechanically coupled to other features (not shown) such as a latch that fixes the handle body 101 to a luggage item 200; for instance, movement of the extension 504, second member 110, or actuator 500 may also disengage a latch, permitting the handle 100 to be slid into or out of a chamber in the luggage item 200. For instance, as shown in FIG. 11C, the second member 110 or extension 504 may push against a second actuator 1106 that disengages a latch (not shown) affixing the handle 100 the luggage item; persons skilled in the art will be aware of various possible mechanisms for disengaging an extension handle latch using a vertically moving actuator.
It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.
