Abstract:
A luggage case is provided with straps or handles for carrying the case and a wheel and an extendable handle assembly for dragging or pulling the case. The wheel and extendable handle assembly is removably attachable to the case, such that it need not be carried when the case is carried by the straps or handles. The wheel and handle assembly are formed as a shell to snugly surround the luggage case. In the preferred embodiment, the case and the shell are joined by mating zippers at the bottom front and top rear edges of the assembly.

Description:
This is a continuation of Application No. 10/044,456, filed Jan. 10, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,334. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to luggage, and more particularly to small luggage cases, such as business cases, computer cases, backpacks and the like which may be provided with shoulder straps or hand grips for carrying, or with wheels for rolling on a surface and an extendable handle for pulling by a user. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the past, most items of luggage, such as those used for overnight travel, were formed of stiff or rigid material as rigid enclosures. Similarly, items of luggage used to carry papers, personal items and other materials to be kept close at hand, particularly when using public transportation, such as airplane or trains, typically referred to as briefcases, where also either made of stiff or rigid material as rigid enclosures, or of rather stiff material such as leather with some flexible portions to permit expansion and contraction. More recently, both types of luggage mentioned above have been formed as relatively unstructured enclosures made of non-rigid natural or man-made materials such as leather, canvas or nylon. The non-rigid material forming the enclosure is assembled to provide luggage of a particular shape. In some cases, a rigid framework is provided to maintain the desired shape of the luggage. 
     A further development in luggage industry has been the use of wheeled luggage for checked baggage, carry-on baggage and some business cases. For the purposes of this discussion, the term “business case” may include cases designed to hold and transport portable computers. Luggage of this type typically includes wheels and an extendable handle, so that the user can pull the case along on its wheels, without having to bear its full weight. Additional items may be supported by the handle assembly or attached to the case itself, to ease the burden of the user when moving through airport concourses or along city sidewalks. Examples of such additional items are garment bags and other business cases. 
     The most commonly available luggage of this type has wheels and extendable handle permanently attached to the luggage. When luggage of this type is not being transported on its wheels, the extendable is retracted. When this arrangement is included as part of the design of a business case, the bulk and weight of the case, with its integrated wheel and handle assembly, is are often cumbersome and uncomfortable to carry. 
     For instance, the same case may be used during business trips and while commuting between home and office. On a business trip the integrated handle and wheel assembly is a blessing; on a commuter train, the bulk and weight of the assembly may be a curse. When such a business case or backpack is carried by shoulder straps or handles, the typically unpadded structure of the retracted handle and wheel assembly can irritate the user&#39;s rib cage. 
     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a luggage system consisting of a case and a wheel and handle assembly which may be readily secured to the case when needed and removed when not needed. Further, it would be desirable to provide the readily removable wheel and handle assembly and the case with complementary devices for securing them to each other. It would be further desirable that the removable wheel and handle assembly and the case be of complementary design, so as to be of pleasing appearance when secured to each other. Finally, it would be desirable that the wheel and handle assembly provide extra strength to the case, particularly when it is fully packed and heavy. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a luggage system which includes a case provided with straps or handles for carrying the case and a wheel and extendable handle assembly for dragging the case. It is a further object of this invention to provide a wheel and extendable handle assembly which may be removably attached to the case. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a case with a removable wheel and extendable handle assembly which are attached to each other by complementary fasteners provided on the case and the removable wheel and extendable handle assembly. 
     It is a still further object of this invention to provide a removable wheel and extendable handle assembly which provides additional protection and rigidity to the case when attached to the case for dragging of the case. 
     A case with removable wheel and extendable handle assembly in accordance with this invention includes a soft sided case having one or more main storage volumes made accessible by openings which may be held closed by fastening devices. The case may also have additional storage areas for as pockets on the sides of the walls of the main storage areas. Handles are secured to the walls of the main storage area for a person to grasp while carrying the case. In of the preferred embodiments of this invention, straps are secured to the walls of the main storage area which may be used to carry to case as a back pack. A removable wheel and extendable handle assembly in accordance with this invention includes a partial housing having a base, sides and a back. A pair of wheels are mounted on the partial housing adjacent the corners formed by the base, sides and back. The back is provided with an arrangement for telescopically receiving an extendable handle assembly. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the back of the partial housing is of essentially the same height as the case, the base is of essentially the same width and depth as the case, and the sides are of reduced height as compared to the back. Complimentary fastening devices are provided on the removable wheel and extendable handle assembly and on the case, the removable secure the assembly to the case. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the complimentary fastening devices are in the form of zippers, similar to those used to provide access to the main storage volume and the auxiliary storage volumes. More particularly, one portion of a zipper is secured around the edge of the back of the partial housing, while the other portion of the zipper is provided on the case, such that when the case is place in the partial housing, the zipper portions may be secured to each other in the usual manner. Similarly, one portion of a zipper may be provided on the edge of the bottom opposite the back, and the other portion on the case, such that when the case is placed in the partial housing, the zipper portions may be secured to each other in the usual manner. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a general perspective view of a business case in accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention transported as a brief case; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a removable wheel and extendable handle assembly in accordance with this invention for use with the case shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the manner of placement of the case of  FIG. 1  in the removable wheel and extendable handle assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the case of  FIG. 1  placed in the removable wheel and extendable handle assembly of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view showing the case of  FIG. 1  placed in the removable wheel and extendable handle assembly of  FIG. 2 , and a series of detail figures illustrating the attachment process at the bottom of the combined assembly; 
         FIG. 6  is a rear perspective view showing the case of  FIG. 1  placed in the removable wheel and extendable handle assembly of  FIG. 2 , and a series of detail figures illustrating the attachment process at the top and sides of the combined assembly; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the case of  FIG. 1  being finally secured in the removable wheel and extendable handle assembly of  FIG. 2 , with the extendable handle partially extended; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the case of  FIG. 1  secured in the removable wheel and extendable handle assembly of  FIG. 2 , with the extendable handle extended and being used to pull the case. 
         FIG. 9 ; is a general perspective view of a back pack in accordance with an alternative embodiment this invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a removable wheel and extendable handle assembly in accordance with this invention for use with the case shown in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the manner of placement of the case of  FIG. 9  in the removable wheel and extendable handle assembly of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing the case of  FIG. 9  placed in the removable wheel and extendable handle assembly of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing the case of  FIG. 9  placed in the removable wheel and extendable handle assembly of  FIG. 10 , and a series of detail figures illustrating the attachment process at the bottom of the combined assembly; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view showing the case of  FIG. 9  placed in the removable wheel and extendable handle assembly of  FIG. 10 , and a series of detail figures illustrating the attachment process at the top and sides of the combined assembly; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view showing the case of  FIG. 9  being finally secured in the removable wheel and extendable handle assembly of  FIG. 10 , with the extendable handle partially extended; 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing the case of  FIG. 9  secured in the removable wheel and extendable handle assembly of  FIG. 10 , with the extendable handle extended and being used to pull the case. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a case  10  in one example comprises a business case  10  and/or a luggage case  10 . The business case  10  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention is provided with a shoulder strap  12  so as to be carried by the user. Business case  10  is generally of a rectangular shape, with access being provided to three main storage compartments by zippers  14  and  16 . Auxiliary storage compartments  18  and  20  are provided on one side of the case  10 . 
     The luggage case  10  in one example comprises a small luggage case  10 . The small luggage case  10  in one example comprises top  102 , bottom  104 , face  106 , face  108 , side  110 , and side  112 . From one user perspective the face  106  comprises a front of the small luggage case  10  and from another user perspective the face  108  comprises the front of the small luggage case  10 . 
     The small luggage case  10  comprises a first dimension, for example, a height, between the top  102  and the bottom  104 . The small luggage case  10  comprises a second dimension, for example, a width, between the side  110  and the side  112 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , wheel and handle assembly  22  in accordance with this invention is shown to include a partial housing shell  24 . Shell  24  includes back  26 , base  28  and side members  30  and  32 . Wheel housings  34  are formed in the rear base of shell  24 . Wheels  51  are rotatably mounted within wheel housings  34  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Telescoping extendable handle  36  is slidably mounted to the interior of shell back  26  by upper bracket  38  and lower bracket  40 . Shell back  26  includes surround gusset  42  which extends around the upper perimeter of shell back  26  to form a flexible top and upper sides of shell  24 . Access zipper  44  is provided in surround gusset  42  to provide access, when open, for handle  36 , and through which handle  36  is extended. 
     Upper zipper half  46  is stitched to the leading edge of surround gusset  42 . Lower zipper half  48  is stitched to the leading edge of shell base  28 . Support feet  50  are provided on the bottom of base  28 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the wheel and handle assembly  22  in one example comprises the shell  24 , the wheel housings  34 , top  202 , bottom  204 , face  206 , face  208 , side  210 , side  212 , and skid plates  610 . From one user perspective the face  206  comprises a front of the wheel and handle assembly  22  and from another user perspective the face  208  comprises the front of the wheel and handle assembly  22 . 
     The wheel and handle assembly  22  comprises a first dimension, for example, a height, between the top  202  and the bottom  204 . The wheel and handle assembly  22  comprises a second dimension, for example, a width, between the side  210  and the side  212 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  8 , the wheel housings  34  in one example cover various portions of the wheels  51 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the wheel housings  34  cover potion  502  of the wheels  51  at position  504  of the wheel and handle assembly  22 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the wheel housings  34  cover portion  606  of the wheels  51  at position  608  of the wheel and handle assembly  22 . Reneging to  FIG. 6 , the wheel housings  34  cover portion  802  of the wheels  51  at position  804  of the wheel and handle assembly  22 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , business case  10  is shown being lowered and inserted in housing shell  24  of wheel and handle assembly  22 . Shell  24  is sized to provide a snug fit around case  10 . 
     The small luggage case  10  is readily releasably securable to the wheel and handle assembly  22 . Upon readily releasable securement in one example, the face  106  of the small luggage case  10  abuts the face  206  of the wheel and handle assembly  22 . The top  102  of the small luggage case  10  is adjacent to the top  202  of the wheel and handle assembly  22 . The bottom  104  of the small luggage case  10  is adjacent to the bottom  204  of the wheel and handle assembly  22 . The side  110  of the small luggage case  10  is adjacent to the side  210  of the wheel and handle assembly  22 . The side  112  of the small luggage case  10  is adjacent to the side  212  of the wheel and handle assembly  22 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , business case  10  is attached to the leading edge of shell base  28 . The means of attachment in the illustrated embodiment zippers at the front bottom edge of the assembly and at the back top and sides of the assembly. It is anticipated, however, that other suitable attaching means could be used, including snaps and hook and loop fastening means. In addition, it is anticipated that the fastening means used in the various embodiments of the present invention could be lockable to secure business case  10  to shell base  28 . In this embodiment, the lower frontal attachment is made by mating zipper half  52 , stitched to the front bottom edge of case  10 , and lower zipper half  48 , stitched to the leading edge of shell base  28 . 
     Similarly, as shown in  FIG. 6 , zipper half  54 , stitched adjacent to and around the upper rear sides and the top rear edge of case  10 , and upper zipper half  46  on shell  24  are sized and located to mate, forming a complete zipper around the rear top edge and upper rear sides of the assembly. 
     The small luggage case  10  comprises perimeter  602  about the face  106 . The zipper half  54  in one example is stitched along a number of portions of the perimeter  602 . For example, the zipper half  54  is stitched along the side  110 , the top  102 , and the side  112 . 
     The wheel and handle assembly  22  comprises perimeter  604  about the face  206 . The upper zipper half  46  in one example is stitched along a number of portions of the perimeter  604 . For example, the upper zipper half  46  is stitched along the side  210 , the top  202 , and the side  212 . 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate the completely assembled unit. In  FIG. 7 , telescoping extendable handle  36  is extracted from access zipper  44  so that the case may be pulled behind the user. 
     An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 9–16 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , back pack  56  is provided with a pair of shoulder straps  58 , one of which is shown, so as to be carried by the user. The back pack  56  is generally of a rectangular shape, with access being provided to three main storage compartments by zippers  60 ,  62 , and  64 . Auxiliary storage compartments  66 ,  68 ,  70  are provided on one side of back pack  56 . This embodiment of the present invention differs from the previously described embodiment only in that back pack  56  is vertical in aspect rather than horizontal like business case  10  of the first described embodiment. 
     While only two embodiments of the invention have been shown, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that what has been described is considered at present to be a preferred embodiment of the roller wheel assembly for a tracked vehicle of this invention. In accordance with the Patent Statute, changes may be made in the roller wheel assembly for a tracked vehicle without actually departing from the true spirit and scope of this invention. The appended claims are intended to cover all such changes and modification which fall in the true spirit and scope of this invention.