Wheel supported luggage

A valise or suitcase utilizes a self supporting, height adjustable, wheeled undercarriage, which when not in use is concealed in an open-bottomed compartment at the base of the suitcase.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. The Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to wheeled, supported, portable containers, and more 
particularly to that class having concealable undercarriages. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The prior art abounds with suitcases equipped with wheels. U.S. Pat. No. 
2,472,491 issued on June 7, 1949 to B. Quinton, and U.S. Pat. No. 
2,577,951 issued on Dec. 11, 1951 to E. J. Cortsen, and U.S. Pat. No. 
2,925,283 issued on Feb. 16, 1960 to A. J. Stilger and U.S. Pat. No. 
3,057,636 issued on Oct. 9, 1962 to A. J. D'Ettorree et al each suffer the 
common deficiency of providing only two wheels as a means for support, 
rather than a self supporting undercarriage. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,197 issued on Apr. 13, 1965 to C. Botner describes a 
rollalong luggage device which provides casters on a self supporting 
retractable carriage, and having height adjustable grip means. This patent 
however, fails to teach locking and release means for the undercarriage. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a self supporting 
wheeled portable container enabling the user thereof to adjust the height 
of the enclosure with respect to a supporting surface. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide suitable locking 
means in order to enable the user thereof to fix the height of the 
container with respect to the supporting surface in order to prevent 
stooping over when wheeling as is so often the case with other wheeled 
arrangements. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a handle with a 
manually operated actuating means in order to enable the user to release 
or retain the self supporting undercarriage in any downwardly extended 
position while holding the handle. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a means for 
concealing the self supporting undercarriage when not in use. 
When stopping on an incline, simple retraction of the self supporting 
undercarriage will allow the user to rest the enclosure on the ground 
eliminating the enclosure's tendency to "run away.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The structure and method of fabrication of the present invention is 
applicable to a suitcase having a generally rectangular casing composed of 
two body side portions. The side portions may be hinged at one marginal 
edge and secured at the other edge thereof as by means of suitable clasps 
or locks. When the two portions are closed two separated compartments are 
defined. One is an interior storage compartment, the other being an open 
bottomed compartment for concealing a wheeled undercarriage. Handles may 
be provided at the top or on one side of the body portions. 
Each body side portion houses a U-shaped bar, to which the ends of wheels 
or casters are affixed, and two legs which ride up and down in snug 
fitting channels concealed in the side walls of each side body portion. 
The U-shaped bar contains a series of holes drilled horizontally in the 
side surfaces of the legs which allow lock pins, mounted to a release bar, 
to be inserted therein. Each U-shaped bar and associated wheels form half 
of a self supporting undercarriage, such that both of the U-shaped bar and 
wheel assemblies may ride up and down, in concert, having the same 
vertical displacement from both body side portions, permitting the 
suitcase, when closed, to be raised or lowered relative to the supporting 
surface, when supported thereby. 
A locking means may be provided preferably consisting of a spring loaded 
actuating button, flush mounted in the handle mounted to each side 
portion. A release bracket assembly may be mounted to each actuating 
button such that depression of the actuating button causes inward movement 
of the release bracket assembly relative to the walls of the side body 
portion. The release bar is fitted with two of the lock pins, mounted such 
that when the actuating button is depressed inwardly in the handle, the 
lock pins are removed from the holes in the legs. Removing pressure from 
the actuating buttons re-engages the release bracket lock pins into the 
holes in the legs. Thus, the self supporting undercarriage is locked in a 
fixed position with respect to the body portions of the suitcase, and 
hence the suitcase is positioned at a fixed height relative to the 
supporting, surface, upon which the wheels rest. 
Now referring to the Figures and more particularly to the embodiment 
illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the body side portions 10 and 12 
respectively, having hinges 18 and 20 joining the side portions, handles 
14 and 16, U-shaped bars 22 and 24, on which are mounted wheels 26, 28, 30 
and 32. The wheels may, if desired, be free turning casters. Five sided 
compartments 86 and 88 are located in body side portions 10 and 12 
respectively. When side 10 is pivoted in the direction of arrow 90, a 
storage space or sealed compartment is evolved. 
FIG. 2 illustrates body side portions 10 and 12 folded such that the 
handles 14 and 16 are in contact thus allowing the invention to be hand 
carried. U-shaped bars 22 and 24, with wheels 26 and 32 are shown such 
that the vertically disposed leg portions 62 and 64 thereof are concealed 
in snug fitting channels 34 and 36. Release bars 38 and 40, containing 
lock pins 42, 44, 46, 48, 50 and 52 are shown engaging holes 66, 68, 70, 
72, 74 and 76. Push buttons 54, and 56 are mounted in handles 14 and 16. 
Open bottom compartments 92 and 94 conceal wheels 26 and 32, as shown. 
Springs 58 and 60 are mounted in handles 14 and 16 biasing push buttons 54 
and 56 towards the outer vertical surfaces of side portions 10 and 12. 
Push buttons 54 and 56 are secured to release bars 38 and 40. 
FIG. 3 illustrates the present invention having U-shaped bar 22, shown in 
the concealed position and in an extended position by dotted lines 22a. 
Release bar 38 is shown engaged in vertical legs 62 and 86 of U-shaped bar 
22. Holes 78, 80, 82, and 84 are shown drilled in legs 62 and 87. 
FIG. 4 illustrates push button 54, being contacted by spring 58, both being 
enclosed in handle 14. Push button 54 is connected to release bar 38 
having pins 42 and 46 secured thereto and engaged in holes 74 and 76 
located in vertical shaft 62. 
One advantage of the present invention is a self supporting wheeled 
portable container enabling the user thereof to adjust the height of the 
enclosure with respect to a supporting surface. 
Another advantage of the present invention is a suitable locking means in 
order to enable the user thereof to fix the height of the container with 
respect to the supporting surface in order to prevent stooping over when 
wheeling as is so often the case with other wheeled arrangements. 
Still another advantage of the present invention is a handle with a 
manually operated actuating means in order to enable the user to release 
or retain the self supporting undercarriage in any downwardly extended 
position while holding the handle. 
Yet another advantage of the present invention is a means for concealing 
the self supporting undercarriage when not in use. 
Thus, there is disclosed in the above description and in the drawings, an 
embodiment of the invention which fully and effectively accomplishes the 
objects thereof. However, it will become apparent to those skilled in the 
art, how to make variations and modifications to the instant invention. 
Therefore, this invention is to be limited, not by the specific disclosure 
herein, but only by the appending claims.