Device for Stabilizing Stacked Luggage

A device for stabilizing an article such as, for example, a piece of carry-on luggage, when stacked atop luggage during the transport thereof The luggage is a rectangular container having a upper surface and a lower surface wherein the lower surface has wheels thereon as well known in the prior art. The upper surface of the luggage has a telescopically extendable handle member attached thereto. In a preferred embodiment, the device is a substantially “L-shaped” member comprised of first and second substantially rigid planar members rotatably connected to each other at abutting edges thereof by hinge means. At least the first member has an aperture in the surface thereof that is dimensioned to snugly accommodate the passage of the handle member therethrough. In use, the first member of the device is placed over the luggage with the handle passed through the aperture and extended upwardly. The second member is rotated away from the first member to form a container between the handle, the first member and the second member. The “U-shaped” container thus formed accommodates and securely holds the article when placed therewithin during stacked transport thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a compact foldable portable device operable for securely supporting an article when the article is placed upon wheeled luggage during the transport thereof.

2. Prior Art

It is well known in the art that it is often convenient to support an article such as a piece of carry-on luggage atop a wheeled luggage piece during the tandem transport thereof. Elastic cords such as bungee cords are widely used for such purposes.

Thomas, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,522,938, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto, discloses a securement system for attaching an article of luggage to another article of luggage. The article securement system includes a cord, such as an elastic cord, that is inserted through a handle. A cord locking mechanism is mounted on the cord. A second handle may be mounted on the cord as well with the cord locking mechanism between the two handles. In use, the cord is secured to a first attachment point on the first article, such as on a luggage handle. The cord and handle are pulled over the second article and engages over a second attachment point on the first article, such as an extendable handle. The cord is then through the handle until the tension is sufficient on the cord to secure the second article. The cord locking mechanism is then used to lock the cord from movement relative to the handle thereby securely holding the second article atop the first. Such cords, locks and handles must be stored following separation of the articles. Notwithstanding the ease of use of cords and straps, there remains a need for storable, light-weight devices operable for providing stabilization of the article during transport thereof.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a stacked luggage stabilizing device and method for using the device that substantially obviates one or more of the limitations of the related art. To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a device for stabilizing an article such as a first piece of luggage when the article is stacked atop a second piece of wheeled luggage during the transport thereof. The second piece of luggage is a rectangular container having a upper surface and a lower surface wherein the lower surface has wheels thereon of the type known in the prior art. The upper surface of the prior art second piece of luggage has a handle member attached thereto and telescopically extendable upwardly therefrom. The device of the present invention is adapted to securely support an article placed atop the wheeled luggage. The device is a substantially “L-shaped” member comprised of a first and a second substantially rigid member rotatably connected to each other by hinge means. At least the first member has an aperture in the surface thereof that is dimensioned to snugly accommodate the handle member therewithin.

In use, the first member of the device is placed upon the upper surface of the prior art luggage with the aperture overlying the handle. The extendable handle on the luggage is extended upwardly through the aperture. The second member is rotated away from the first member to form an angle of around90degrees between members to form a container between the extended handle, the first member and the second member. The “U-shaped” container thus formed accommodates and securely holds an article such as carry-on luggage when placed therewithin during stacked transport thereof.

The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. However the invention itself, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a wheeled piece of luggage11(shown in phantom) in accordance with the prior art illustrating a device10in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention positioned on the luggage11to illustrate the snug, mating relationship between an aperture12in a handle engaging surface15of the device10and an extendable handle13on the prior art luggage11. It is common in the art to place an article such as, for example, second piece of luggage (not shown inFIG. 1) atop the luggage11while transporting the luggage11. The device10of the present invention provides a planar support surface14disposed in opposition to the handle13to form a substantially rectangular compartment therebetween wherein an article such as, for example, a second piece of luggage or similar article can be placed and securely held during the tandem transport thereof The handle engaging surface15of the device10preferably rotatably attached to support plate14by hinge means16to enable the device10to be folded for storage when not in use.

Turning next toFIG. 2, a perspective view of the luggage11and device10as shown inFIG. 1further showing a second piece of luggage20(all luggage shown in phantom) cradled atop the first piece of luggage11in the rectangular container between the extended handle13on the luggage11and the opposing surface14of the stabilizing device10of the present invention.

FIG. 3Ais an elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the stabilizing device10of the present invention in a folded, undeployed configuration for storage. The preferred embodiment10includes hinge means16attaching abutting edges of the support plate14and the handle engaging plate15. The hinge means16further includes a stop means30operable for preventing the angle θ (FIG. 3b) between plates14and15from exceeding 90 degrees.

FIG. 3Bis an elevational view of the stabilizing device10of the present invention in an unfolded deployed configuration. The rectangular space between the support plate14and the handle13of the luggage11(FIGS. 1 and 2) provide stabilization of a second piece of luggage placed therewithin as shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4is an exploded perspective view of a stabilizing device10in accordance with the present invention. The hinge means16includes a hinge pin41and a stopping means40.FIG. 5is an elevational view of the stabilizing device of the present invention in a folded configuration illustrating an embodiment of the present invention wherein a hinge pin rotatably attaches a planar handle-engaging14plate having at least one aperture therein to a planar member15and wherein the device includes mechanical stopping means operable for preventing an angle between the plates from exceeding 90 degrees.

In summary, the preferred embodiment of the stabilizing device is adapted for use with a prior art luggage. The prior art luggage has a top surface with an extendable handle attached thereto and a lower surface in opposition to the top surface. The lower surface has a plurality of wheels mounted thereon. The stabilizing device is operable for stabilizing an article placed upon the top surface of the prior art luggage. The stabilizing device comprises: (a) a planar handle-engaging member having at least one straight edge and an aperture therein dimensioned to snugly allow the passage of the extendable handle therethrough; (b) a planar support plate having at least one straight edge; and (c) plate attachment means such as a hinge operable for rotatably attaching a straight edge of said planar handle-engaging member to a straight edge of said planar support member. The rotatable attachment means such as a hinge further includes a stopping means operable for preventing an angle formed between the support plate and the planar handle-engaging plate when rotated apart during deployment from exceeding 90 degrees.

While a particular embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example while the shape of the support plate presented herein is substantially planar, it is clear in view of the teaching that the shape of the support plate could be “U-shaped”, forked or have a plurality of apertures therein to reduce the weight of the device. While a low density plastic is the preferred material for fabricating the device, high density materials may also be used. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.