Carry-on case having a detachable wheel and handle assembly

An improved carry-on case having a built-in travel cart capable of being towed by itself or with several pieces of luggage. The handle of the cart can be retracted for convenient storage. The handle forms a part of a wheel assembly which can be selectively secured to the case having two positions to enable the case to be towed or used as a lift.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a carry-on case and has specific but not limited 
application to a durable lightweight carry-on case having an improved 
built-in wheel and handle assembly for portable travel convenience. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The conventional carry-on case is typically a hand-carried travel case. 
Such cases are usually carried by a handle. It is generally necessary that 
this type of case be carried throughout an airport from places of 
departure to airplanes, from airplanes to airplanes, and from airplanes to 
places of arrival. For such cases there is provided a wheeled frame which 
is separately carried in addition to the carry-on case. The frame serves 
as a cart onto which the case can be strapped for transport. There are 
also cases that include incorporated handles and wheels so that the cases 
can be pulled by the handles, thereby permitting them to be towed about 
and transported throughout the airport. A problem with these prior art 
carry-on cases exists in that it is impractical, if not impossible, to use 
these cases as a support upon which to stack additional pieces of luggage 
without special devices or attachment hooks. 
The present invention overcomes the above stated deficiencies of the prior 
art. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The carry-on case of this invention serves to alleviate the problem and 
inconvenience of transporting cumbersome luggage cases. This case contains 
a storable built-in handle which can function as a luggage travel cart by 
which the case can be pulled. This case can also be used to carry 
additional pieces of luggage stacked on top of the case, thereby 
permitting such pieces of luggage to be transported at one time. 
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide for a novel carry-on 
case. 
Another object of this invention is to provide for a case with wheels and a 
built-in handle functioning as a travel cart. 
Another object of this invention is to provide for a case with wheels and a 
built-in collapsible handle that can be used to carry stacked luggage. 
Other objects of the invention will become apparent upon a reading of the 
following description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
The preferred embodiments illustrated are not intended to be exhaustive, or 
to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. They are intended 
to assist one skilled in the art to best utilize the invention. 
Case 10 is illustrated in FIGS. 1-6 and includes a housing formed by a base 
12 and a lid 14 both of which are connected and held together by rear 
hinges 25. Case 10 also includes two wheels 30 and a handle 40 that is 
releasably extendable, collapsible, lowerable and raisable. 
Base 12 of case 10 includes a bottom wall 17, two end walls 13, a rear wall 
11 and a front wall 19. Front wall 19 carries locks 16. Lid 14 is 
shiftable about hinges 25 from an open position as shown in FIG. 3 to a 
closed position as illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. When in its open position, 
lid 14 is supported and held open by a hinged lid holder 18. Lid 14 also 
includes a top wall 20, two end walls 15, a rear wall 27 and a front wall 
21. Front wall 21 includes latches 23 which interlock with locks 16 to 
secure lid 14 in a closed position over base 12. 
Wheels 30 are positioned on opposite sides of base 12 in indentations 31 
formed in each wall 11 and 19. Wheels 30 are journalled upon an axle 
member 32 which extends along the bottom wall 17 of base 12. Axle member 
32 extends through each wheel at its center with the wheels being retained 
upon the axle member by press-fitted retainer cups 34. Axle member 32 is 
secured to base 12 by extending through wheel plates 36. Wheel plates 36 
are secured to base walls 11 and 19 within indentations 31 by fasteners 
35. 
Handle 40 of case 10 is releasably extendable, collapsible, lowerable and 
raisable as shown in FIGS. 1-6. Handle 40 includes two parallel side 
rails. Each side rail includes an outer telescopic member 43 and an inner 
telescopic member 45. Outer telescopic members 43 are joined at 
corresponding ends by a cross brace 50 and at their opposite corresponding 
ends by a pivot rod 44. 
Pivot rod 44 as shown in FIGS. 3-4 is retained in a transverse channel 49 
formed in lid 14 by hold down plates 46 which are attached to lid 14 by 
rivets or other suitable fastening means. Pivot rod 44 is rotatable about 
its axis within channel 49 to permit handle 40 to be moved from the 
lowered position shown in FIG. 4 to a raised position when the lid 14 is 
closed as shown in FIGS. 1-2. When in its raised position, the handle 
preferably abuts outturned flange 37 of each plate 36 in an over-center 
orientation. A spring biased pin 38 extends into an opening 39 at the 
pivoted end of each outer telescopic member 43 to secure the handle in its 
raised position. To lower handle 40, the inner telescopic members 45 are 
first collapsed to cause bevelled end 41 of each inner telescopic member 
45 to engage the protruding pin 38 and cam the pin sufficiently out of 
opening 39 in the outer telescopic member 43 to allow pivotal movement of 
the handle. 
A hand grip 48 is connected to inner telescopic members 45 of handle 40 at 
their free ends. The inner telescopic members 45 are shiftable relative to 
the outer telescopic members 43 to allow handle 40 to assume the collapsed 
position seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 and the extended position seen in FIGS. 1 
and 2. The extension of the handle is accomplished by pulling out on hand 
grip 48. 
Handle 40 is selectively secured in its collapsed position or extended 
position by means of a locking system which is housed in and carried by 
cross brace 50. This locking system includes two lock rods 58 which are 
oppositely extending and are axially aligned. Lock rods 58 are retained 
within cross brace 50 and protrude through guide holes 57 formed in the 
inside of outer telescopic members 43 and aligned lock holes 59 in the 
inner telescopic members 45. Each of the lock rods 58 can be retracted out 
of the lock holes 59 to permit the inner telescopic members 45 to shift 
relative to the outer telescopic members 43. This feature permits either 
extension or retraction of handle 40. 
Lock rods 58 are normally urged outwardly to a protruding position relative 
to lock holes 59 by a helical spring 60. Each end of helical spring 60 
extends about an inner end of a lock rod 58, abutted compressively against 
a transverse grip pin 62. Each grip pin 62 is press-fitted through a lock 
rod 58. The grip pins 62 extend outwardly through the cross brace 50 to an 
exposed position that is adjacent to hand grip 48 when the handle 40 is in 
its collapsed position. Shifting or squeezing together the exposed ends of 
grip pins 62 compresses helical spring 60 and draws lock rods 58 together 
to cause the outer ends of lock rods 58 to be withdrawn from lock holes 59 
of the inner telescopic members 45, freeing handle 40 and permitting it to 
be extended. 
To secure handle 40 in its extended position, the inner telescopic members 
45 have formed at their opposite ends a second set of lock holes 61. As 
the inner telescopic members 45 are shifted and releasably extended, the 
lock rods 58 align with the lock holes 61 in inner telescopic members 45 
to permit each of the lock rods 58 to be again urged by helical spring 60 
into the inner lock holes to secure the handle 40 in its extended position 
as is shown in FIGS. 1-2. 
Again, to release and collapse handle 40, the case user need only squeeze 
together with one hand transverse grip pins 62. This causes the lock rods 
58 to be withdrawn from the lock holes 61 and allows the inner telescopic 
members 45 to be pushed into outer telescopic members 43 until rods 58 
enter lock holes 59. 
In its lowered and collapsed position as shown in FIGS. 3-4, it is 
necessary to secure handle 40 to case 10. This is accomplished by another 
locking system including two lock pins 52 which are retained by cross 
brace 50 and which include head parts 51 and shank parts 53. The head 
parts 51 extend outwardly from the cross brace 50 and rest against cross 
brace 50 next to hand grip 48. Each shank part 53 protrudes interiorally 
through openings in cross brace 50. A head part 51 located exteriorly of 
the cross brace is threaded onto one end of the shank part. The opposite 
end of the shank part protrudes outwardly from brace 50. A helical spring 
54 extends about each lock pin shank part 53 and is compressed between 
brace 50 and a shoulder 63 on the shank part so as to urge the lock pin 
shank part toward a strike plate 56 attached to lid end wall 15 with head 
part 51 abutting the brace. The protruding end of each shank 53 is forced 
by spring 54 into a lock hole 55 in strike plate 56 to secure the handle 
in its lowered position. 
To release handle 40 from its lowered position in order to allow the handle 
to pivot away from case 10 into its raised position, the user need only 
grasp the head parts 51 of lock pins 52 and pull. This causes the helical 
springs 54 to be compressed with the shanks 53 being withdrawn from the 
lock holes 55 in the strike plates 56. 
When handle 40 is moved into its extended and raised position shown in FIG. 
1, luggage composed of from 4 to 5 suitcases can be stacked upon the 
closed lid 14 and can rest against raised and extended handle 40. FIG. 2 
illustrates a second towable orientation in which handle 40 is extended in 
its lowered position. In this position the case 10 can be pivoted upwards 
to permit towing. FIGS. 3-5 illustrate case 10 with handle 40 in its 
lowered and collapsed positions with handle 40 being usable as a grip to 
carry the case. Sufficient spacing is provided between grip 48 and brace 
50 to allow the grip to be grasped by the hand of the user. 
Case 10' illustrated in FIGS. 9-12 includes a housing formed by a base 12' 
and a lid 14' which are connected together by hinges 25'. Base 12' of case 
10' includes a bottom wall 17', two end walls 13', a rear wall 11' and a 
front wall 19'. Bottom wall 17' includes two parallel recessed channels 
60. Each channel 60 has a slotted lock hole located in the base of the 
channel. A U-shaped spring clamp 54 is also secured within each channel 
60. Lid 14' includes a top wall 20' two end walls 15' a rear wall 27' and 
a front wall 21'. Case 10' also includes a wheel and handle assembly 70 
that is entirely detachable and reattachable in different positions on 
base 12'. 
Assembly 70 has two wheels 30'. Wheels 30' are journalled upon an axle 
member 32'. Wheels 30' are positioned on opposite sides of base 12' in 
indentations 31' formed in each wall 11' and 19'. Axle member 32' extends 
through each wheel 30' at its center with the wheels being retained upon 
the axle member by press-fitted retainer cups 34'. 
Assembly 70 includes a handle 40' that is extendable and collapsible. 
Handle 40' of assembly 70 includes two parallel side rails. Each side rail 
includes an outer telescopic member 43' and an inner telescopic member 
45'. Outer telescopic members 43' are Joined at corresponding ends by a 
cross brace 50' having grip pins 62'. Axle member 32' extends through the 
opposite corresponding ends of members 43'. A hand grip 48' is connected 
to inner telescopic members 45' of handle 40'. The movement of handle 40' 
between its extended position (as seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, and in broken 
lines in FIG. 12) and its collapsed position (as seen in FIGS. 9 and 12) 
is accomplished in the same manner as described above for case 10 of FIGS. 
1-8. 
Assembly 70 is selectively secured by means of locking hooks 72 in either 
the tow position of FIGS. 9-11 or the lift position of FIG. 12. 
Assembly 70 is selectively secured in the tow position shown in FIGS. 9-10 
by having lock hooks 72 snugly inserted into the lock holes within channel 
60 of base bottom wall 17' with the hooks engaging the bottom wall. This 
prevents the outer telescopic members 43' of handle 40' from sliding 
longitudinally relative to base 12' or from being separated from the base 
at axle member 32'. Assembly 70 is further secured to base 12' by 
telescopic members 43' being held within channels 60 by spring clamps 54. 
FIGS. 10 and 11 show handle 40' in its extended position to allow towing. 
FIG. 9 illustrates case 10' with handle 40' in its collapsed position to 
allow case 10' to be carried either by hand grip 48' or by handle 74. 
To achieve the truck or lift position as shown in FIG. 12, it is necessary 
to detach assembly 70 from its position shown in FIGS. 9-11. Assembly 70 
is reattached and locked in its lift position. Luggage composed of several 
suitcases can be stacked upon the closed lid 14' and can rest against 
extended handle 40'. For the lift position shown in FIG. 12, the locking 
hook system is used in a manner similar to that previously described. Two 
slotted lock holes are located in end wall 13' of base 12' of case 10'. 
Assembly 70 is secured in its lift position by having lock hooks 72 snugly 
inserted into the two lock holes in end wall 13'. Lock hooks 70 are 
pivoted downwardly into the lock holes over the end wall which prevents 
base 12' which rests against outer telescopic members 43' from pivoting 
forwardly. As seen in FIG. 12, the upper edges of the case about the lock 
holes rest upon the top ledges of hooks 72 with the hooks extending around 
the lower edges of the lock holes to retain the case in elevated position. 
In this lift position, the case base and closed lid can be tilted upon 
wheels 30' located at each side of the base. 
Case 10" illustrated in FIGS. 13-19 includes a housing formed by a base 12" 
and a lid 14" which are connected together by hinges 25". Base 12" of case 
10" includes a bottom wall 17", two end walls 13", a rear wall 11", and a 
front wall 19". Bottom wall 17" includes two cutaway parallel recessed 
channels 75. A U-shaped spring clamp 76 is secured within each channel 75 
Lid 14" includes a top wall 20", two end walls 15", a rear wall 27", and a 
front wall 21". Case 10" also includes a wheel and handle assembly 80 that 
are detachable and reattachable in two different positions on base 12". 
Assembly 80 has two wheels 30". Wheels 30" are journalled upon an axle 
member 32". Axle member 32" extends through each wheel 30" at its center 
with the wheel being retained upon the axle member by press-fitted 
retainer cups 34". Assembly 80 includes a handle 40" that is extendable 
and collapsable. Handle 40" of assembly 80 includes two parallel side 
rails. Each side rail includes an outer telescopic member 43" and an inner 
telescopic member 45". Outer telescopic members 43" are joined at 
corresponding ends by a cross-brace 50". Axle member 32" extends through 
the opposite corresponding ends of members 43". A hand grip 48" with pins 
62" is connected to inner telescopic members 45" of the handle. Movement 
of handle 40" between its extended position (as seen in FIGS. 14 and 15, 
and in broken lines in FIG. 16) and its collapsed position (as seen in 
FIG. 13) as well as its securement to the lid is accomplished in the same 
manner as described above for case 10 of FIGS. 1-8. 
Assembly 80 can be selectively secured in the tow position shown in FIGS. 
13-15 or the lift position of FIGS. 16 and 19. To secure assembly 80 in 
its tow position as shown in FIGS. 13-15, a latch plate 82 is secured to 
each base wall 11" and 19" within the wheel accomodating indentations 31" 
formed in the walls. Each plate 82 includes an upper rearwardly opening 
slot 84 and a lower rearwardly opening slot 86. Each slot 86 of latch 
plates 82 are located in the same general plane as bottom wall 17" of base 
12" during carrying or towing. Assembly 80 is secured in its tow position 
by having axle member 32" fitted into latch plate slots 86 with handle 40" 
being pivoted about the axle member towards base bottom wall 17" until 
outer telescopic members 43" of the handle enter channels 75 in the bottom 
wall and are engaged and retained by spring clamps 76. Clamps 76 provide 
sufficient clamping strength to secure the handle against lateral movement 
relative to base 12". With handle 40" so secured to base 12", case 10" can 
be carried either in the vertical orientation shown in FIG. 13 by hand 
grip 48" of the handle with the telescopic members thereof being secured 
in their retracted positions or the case may be carried by the handle 88 
secured to the front wall 19" of the base. Additionally, handle 40" may be 
extended such as shown in FIG. 15 to allow the case to be towed with 
wheels 30" serving to support the case upon the floor or ground. 
Each lock plate 82 carries a pivotally connected latch 90, having a hook 
part 92. A helical spring 94" connected between latch 90 and plate 82 so 
as to draw the latch against a stop 96 at which hook part 92 of the latch 
covers the opening into upper slot 84 in the lock plate. A clip 98 is 
located upon and carried by each outer telescopic member 43" of handle 
40". Each clip 98 includes a pair of depending lock tabs 100. Attached to 
lid 14" upon top wall 20" of the case are two securement plates 102. 
Plates 102 are located at the end of the case 10" where lock plates 82 are 
located and project slightly beyond the edge of lid 14". Each securement 
plate 102 has a slotted opening 104 formed in it. 
Having described the components of case 10" by which assembly 80 can be 
secured to base 12", the manner in which the connection is accomplished 
will now be explained. Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, assembly 80 is first 
connected to lid 14" by having tabs 100 of the handle carried clips 98 
fitted into openings 104 of plates 102. With the handle so connected to 
the case lid, assembly 80 is pivoted toward base 12" with axle member 32" 
of the assembly entering the upper slot 84 of each lock plate 82 causing 
latch 90 to be cammed upwardly against the tension of spring 94 until the 
axle is sufficiently seated within the slot to allow latch 90 to be drawn 
by the spring downward with its hook part 92 engaging the axle as 
illustrated in FIG. 19. In this manner, handle assembly 80 is secured to 
base 12". Wheels 30" overlie the exteriors of lock plates 82. With the 
handle assembly so connected, the case base 12" and closed lid 14" can be 
tilted upon wheels 30" to allow the case to be utilized with its handle 
extended as a lift device. Luggage which may consist of several suitcases 
can be stacked upon closed lid 14" and rest against the extended handle 
40". This lift position of the case is illustrated in FIG. 16 with the 
handle being shown in its retracted position in solid lines and in its 
extended position in broken lines. 
To detach assembly 80 from the remainder of the case, each latch 90 need 
only be raised to free its hook part 92 from the handle assembly axle 
member 32", allowing the assembly to be pivoted toward the base and lid 
which frees the axle member from slots 84 in lock plates 82. After the 
axle member 32" of assembly 80 has cleared slots 84 of the lock plates, 
the handle assembly may be lifted, freeing clip tabs 100 from plates 102. 
The handle assembly 80, with its handle collapsed, may then be reattached 
to base 12", as previously described, in its stored location as shown in 
FIG. 13. When in this position, clips 98 extend into channels 75 in base 
bottom wall 17". 
It is understood that the above description does not limit the invention to 
those details above given. Such a description may be modified within the 
scope of the following claims.