Collapsible carrying device

A collapsible and expandable carrying device for pulling, carrying, or otherwise transporting luggage, cargo, or any other items. The carrying device comprises a frame comprised of and combined with additional telescopic rods for adjustment of parameters for ease of use. The frame is pivotally attached to a handle, support straps, shoulder straps, and/or a belt to be attached to a user's waist. The device is meant for both short and long travel, and it allows for a user to vary angles and lengths of the constituent parts in order to minimize gravitational load on the user and optimize the force of the center of gravity from the load being carried.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Ukranian patent application u201414137 filed Dec. 29, 2014, currently issued as Ukranian patent No. 98114.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of devices for carrying, pulling, or otherwise transporting bags and other gear or luggage. In particular, the present invention relates to the field of universal convertible travel devices. The invention may be classified as a travel accessory and can be used by backpackers, fishers, pickers, and hunters, as well as military personnel. The invention may be used for transporting cargo, either via carrying or pulling/pushing, over a cross-country terrain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One known carrying device comprises a frame with a removable arched extender and a wheel pair (Patent No. RV 2040196, “Backpack,” A45F4/02, filed 25 Jul. 1995). The disadvantage of this backpack is that its wheels have a fixed line of support which cause adverse effects when transporting loads with a different center of gravity. In addition, the wheels become dirty and may stain clothing.

Another known device, which has a tubular frame consisting of props and crossbars, a holder, a pair of wheels also exists (Patent RU2301756“Convertible travel device” B62B1/12, A45F4/00, 27 Jun. 2017). The disadvantages of this design are as follows: unnecessary rigidity and strength of the structure, wheel design, inconvenient adjustment of the position of a center of gravity, lack of shock absorption and fixings make it inadaptable to urban terrain as well as long hikes over rougher terrain.

The present invention increases adaptability, convenience, and efficiency of use by altering the design of the frame and the wheels for greater utility, as described hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a collapsible carrying device for transporting luggage and/or cargo, in a manner that is easier for a user of the device than presently available. The device comprises a rectangular frame, the frame being pivotally attached to a base. Two wheels allow for rolling the device, the wheels being at least 100 millimeters in diameter. Additionally, one or more telescopic rods extend from the frame, the telescopic rods being pivotally attached to the frame, thus allowing for adjustment of an angle between the telescopic rods and the frame. The angle is based on the weight of the luggage or cargo being carried and the physical parameters of a user. Furthermore, a first pair of shock absorbers are located along the rods of the frame; they absorb shock from uneven terrain. And one or more second shock absorbers positioned in alignment with a portion of each telescopic rod to minimize shock from the inertia of the luggage or cargo being carried. The frame, wheels, and rods all collapse to form a substantially flat shape when not in use. Variations on this general concept are also disclosed hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Definitions

A base, as used herein, is defined as an additional rectangular frame, or bottom frame, (cf., back frame), acting as a bottom support for the luggage/cargo being carried; the base is hingedly attached, or hingedly coupled (i.e. pivotally attached), to the rectangular back frame.

A support bar, as used herein, is defined as at least one rod, or leg, hingedly coupled to the base, or bottom frame, acting as a stabilizer such that the device does not tip in a direction away from the user when not in motion.

“Pivotally attached,” as used herein, is defined as employing any hinged coupling means allowing the elements to swing in a pivotal relationship allowing for collapsibility as well as adjustment for varying luggage or cargo. Any number and potentially all connections of the present invention may be pivotally attached to one another.

“Amortizator,” as used herein, is defined as a type of shock absorber, located within the connection between the frame and the handles used for carrying. The amortizator may comprise, e.g., a spring or a pneumatic connection, depending on the particular model and use of the device. Furthermore, an amortizator may be spring-loaded with the potential for changing and fixing (i.e. locking) angles of connection (e.g., between the frame and handle) for ease and comfort of use. An amortizator is not the same as a two-way shock absorber, as is described hereinafter. An amortizator may comprise one or more shock absorbers, but amortizators also comprise other parts which make it adjustable in function.

“Back/shoulder/waist rest bar(s),” as used herein, are defined as semi-flexible supports which are coupled parallel to horizontal crossbars of the back frame. When the device is collapsed to a substantially flat shape and carried by a user, these rest bars act as comfortable yet firm supports for resting on the user's shoulder or back (or however the user chooses to carry the folded device), such that the harder portions of the folded device do no directly touch the user's body. Instead a softer contact is made with the user's body due to the back/shoulder/waist rest bar(s).

The present invention provides a novel convertible and more convenient travel carrying device, which has a frame made up of a frame, a base, one or more crossbars, a handle or handles, at least one form of shock absorbers within the frame and/or handle, and a pair of potentially detachable and re-attachable wheels. Utility of invention is provided via the installation of large diameter wheels on a frame, the use of props made in a telescopic manner, and connections between bars and handles through hinges and telescopic pull rods; a harness may be further attached to the handles.

The frame of the device is made as a rectangular frame, said frame being pivotally attached to the platform for cargo (or backpack) with a support, as well as belts/harnesses (and potentially rest bars) for transporting on a user's back

In addition, the detachable wheels have an outer diameter not less than 100 mm, and they are equipped with whole-rubber or pneumatic tires. In some embodiments, the wheels have a diameter not less than 150 mm.

Furthermore, two-way shock absorbers (i.e. bilateral traction shock absorbers) are mounted on the telescopic rods, which are further connected with handles and props with the potential for motion/adjustment or disconnection, hinged joint (i.e. connections) between handles and frame/rods may be spring-actuated.

In addition, the shock absorbers are installed on the frame and/or rods, which together with the crossbars are made of telescopic tubes, and two-way (i.e., bilateral traction) shock absorbers are installed in the rods, handles, and/or frame. The shock absorbers may be comprised of any elastic or flexible material, pneumatics, as well as one or more springs.

The handles, rods, and crossbars may be telescopic, i.e. sliding into portions of one another in order to collapse and expand as desired.

A harness may also be included and comprises a belt and a strap with adjustable length, which may be used for carrying the device rather than pulling it along the ground.

Furthermore, the connection between said frame or base and said handle (used for carrying) may comprise one or more amortizators (although an connection not limited to that described here may also comprise one or more amortizators installed in a similar manner). Essentially, said amortizators comprise a spring-loaded unit which allows for the possibility of changing the angle between said handle and said frame. The connection may further be locked in place once a desired angle is achieved, thus keeping the angle at the user's desired level. Even further, the amortizator may comprise an additional shock absorber which will collapse and expand with applied pressure, thus causing a greater shock-absorbing ability when the device is in use.

The above mentioned novel features further help improve the design of a carrying device in the following manners:

The design of the upper part of the device allows for adjusting the height depending on the user's height, adjusting of the angle depending on the weight of the equipment in order to reduce pressure on the user's body at the point of attachment, adjusting the distance from the back of the legs to the projection of the point of attachment on the ground to the harness depending on the height of a user and to avoid preventing motion when walking or running (bumps on feet, heels, etc.);

The design of the device attaches to a user with three degrees of freedom, making the carried item(s) seemingly much lighter, and it does not prevent the user from changing directions or velocities. As a result of three degrees of freedom, the weight of the carried items is transferred to the frame and wheels, and a person applies only a lesser required pulling force. This allows for minimizing the gravity of the equipment at the attachment point of the device to a human body, requiring applying only pulling force and releasing the user's spine from the gravitational load of the items being carried;

The use of a harness (i.e. a belt and/or shoulder straps of adjustable length) and the design of rods with bilateral traction shock absorbers (as inertial bumps occur when walking in both directions) allows eliminating inertia pushes of the device on the body when walking, creating smooth and comfortable motion regardless of terrain. The use of a back/shoulder/waist rest bar(s) further makes transport of the folded device easier and sturdier.

The device can be easily collapsed/folded and secured on the gear in a backpack mode when a user needs to get over more difficult obstacles (rivers, ravines, steps, hills, etc.).

The present invention generally comprises a collapsible carrying device for transporting luggage and cargo. In particular, the device comprises a rectangular back frame, the back frame comprises vertical rods2and horizontal rods3,4(the rods2,3,4may or may not be telescopic); said rectangular back frame being pivotally attached to a base12, said base being further pivotally attached to a support bar13, said back frame, base, and support bar forming a carrying platform onto which various items to be carried may be placed (e.g., backpack, boxes, cargo, luggage, etc.). The device further comprises two wheels5, said wheels being disposed on opposing ends of said base, said wheels being at least 100 millimeters in diameter; one or more primary telescopic rods7extending from said carrying platform (these rods form a handle with which the user may grip the device for easy handling), said telescopic rods being pivotally attached6to said carrying platform, thus allowing for adjustment of an angle between said primary telescopic rods7and said rectangular back frame2,3,4of said carrying platform, said angle being based on the weight of the luggage or cargo being carried and the physical parameters of a user. Furthermore, the device comprises a first pair of shock absorbers20, said first pair of shock absorbers20being positioned along a vertical portion (i.e. the vertical rods2) of said rectangular back frame to absorb shock from uneven terrain, and one or more second shock absorbers, said second shock absorbers being positioned in alignment with a portion of each primary telescopic rod forming the handles7to minimize shock from an inertia of said carrying platform with said luggage or cargo, wherein said carrying platform, wheels, and rods collapse to form a substantially flat shape when not in use.

In some embodiments, the device further comprises a detachable handle coupled to said primary telescopic rod for maneuvering said device by a user's hand.

In some embodiments, said handle coupled to said primary telescopic rod connects to the open end of the rod via a ball-and-socket connection, thus allowing for a multi-directional pivoting.

In some embodiments, the device further comprises a detachable clip coupled to at least one of said telescopic rods, said clip being further attachable to a belt of a user for maneuvering said device hands free.

In some embodiments, the device further comprises a shoulder strap14extending from said clip, said shoulder strap being wearable over a shoulder of a user for further support.

In some embodiments, the device further comprises a harness belt9pivotally attached to each telescopic rod7, said harness belt being further wearable by a user for maneuvering said device hands free.

In some embodiments, said harness belt9is adjustable based on a user's waist size.

In some embodiments, the device further comprises two shoulder straps14, said shoulder straps being attached to said rectangular frame2,3,4for carrying said device as a backpack.

In some embodiments, said wheels5are detachable.

In some embodiments, said wheels5are re-attachable in a second position to a middle portion of said rectangular back frame when the device is collapsed (seeFIG. 2).

In some embodiments, said angle between said rod7and said rectangular back frame2,3,4is adjustable for the same user based on a size and weight of said luggage or cargo, such that a center of gravity (“CG,” seeFIGS. 7-9) of said carrying platform with luggage or cargo remains over said wheels5, and such that minimal force is placed on a user maneuvering said device.

In some embodiments, the device further comprises one or more intermediate telescopic rods10, said intermediate telescopic rods10being positioned as angular support between said primary telescopic rods7and said carrying platform, wherein said intermediate telescopic rods10each have a third shock absorber11(seeFIGS. 23, 33, 34for a more detailed view of said shock absorbers) installed in a manner similar to the other shock absorbers20,21located within the other rods of the device, and wherein a position of each intermediate telescopic rod10is adjustable via preset connections, thus stabilizing the angle between said primary telescopic rods7and said rectangular back frame2,3,4of said carrying platform. In some embodiments, said intermediate telescopic rods10are amortizators or at least comprise amortizators.

In some embodiments, each shock absorber is a two-way (bilateral) shock absorber20.

In some embodiments, said carrying platform further comprises crossbars1. In other embodiments, the device comprises even more crossbars8located, for example, as a horizontal connection between the primary telescopic rods. Any crossbar may further contain a shock absorber of any kind to further make use of the device more efficient and smooth for a user. Furthermore, back/shoulder/waist rest bars19may also be installed on the device, such that when the device is being carried in a relatively flat shape, the harder portions of the device do not rest on the user's back or shoulders (or other body part). These rest bars19may be comprised of varying elastic yet firm material, such that the rest bars may bend slightly in order to be more comfortable, yet strong enough to withhold the weight of the entire device and carried items.

In some embodiments, said rectangular back frame2,3,4is expandable.

In some embodiments, said base12is expandable.

In some embodiments, said wheels5further comprise bearings, i.e., a bearing run for a smooth passage of the surface irregularities.

In some embodiments, said primary telescopic rods7are pivotally attached to a vehicle (e.g., a car, a bike, a scooter, etc.).

The adjustment of the angle of any hinged connection is facilitated using additional amortizators, which may be located at each such hinged connection (seeFIGS. 24-32), e.g., in place of the intermediate rod(s)10. The amortizators serve at least two functions—the first being a spring-actuated swinging ability to allow for angle adjustment to be easy and require very little force, the second function being a locking mechanism in order to fix the desired angle of the hinged connection. Any hinged connection may further comprise an amortizator within the hinged connection between the primary rod (i.e. handle) and the back frame (i.e. frame) of the device. The handle or frame portions comprise teeth26such that the angle can be locked and unlocked (as shown inFIGS. 27 and 28). The amortizator comprises a center coil (made from, e.g., spring material)24, a bolt (also serving as the lock/unlock button)25, and an inner part comprising the same teeth26but now complementing the teeth located on either the handle or frame portion of the hinged connection. A user may press the button25, which unlocks the hinge and makes it adjustable to change the angle, and the user releases the button25in order to re-lock the hinged connection at the desires angle (via the teeth prohibiting the hinge from moving). The coil24allows for spring-actuated swinging ability for ease of use and adjustment. It should be noted that depending on the load15, various combinations of particular angles of hinged connections coupled with varying lengths of the telescopic rods allow for any user to set the desired parameters based on particular preference as well as comfort and lightening of the gravitational load of the carried items.

The device is used as follows:

The device is assembled by means of attaching the primary rods7to the carrying platform, quick-lock wheels5to the corresponding units at the bottom of the back frame. Then, a final adjustment of the device is carried out: length of any and all the rods may be adjusted, so long as they are telescopic and not static (it should be noted that the crossbars or any horizontal rod, if telescopic, may also be adjusted according to user preference, which will increase or decrease the width of the device (i.e., the width between the handles/points of attachment of the horizontal crossbar (see, e.g.,FIGS. 10-12)). The angle of any and all hinged connections (seeFIGS. 7-9 and 30-32) may also be adjusted according to user preference.

The device is placed (rested) on the ground, resting on the wheels5on one side and on the ends of the primary rods7(forming handles) on the other side. The support bar13reclines, the load (e.g., a backpack)15is placed on the base12and the support bar13is then un-reclined and secured, for example, by means of straps with adjustable length.

At first, the distance between the primary rods7may be adjusted by means of changing the length of a transversal adjustable telescopic crossbar8. It should be slightly longer than the width of the user's hips so that the rods7do not squeeze the user's hips when moving (seeFIGS. 10-12). Final adjustment is carried out depending on the dimensions and weight of the load as well as physical parameters of a person: height of user and width of the hips.

The position of the base12(distance between the axis of each wheel5) may also be adjusted. If the width of the load is greater than the wheel tread, the base12is shifted upward so that the load does not touch the wheels and thus does not prohibit rotation of said wheels5.

Then, the harness is placed on the belt9, a user picks up the device by the primary rods7or further attached handles, and the user attaches the harness9to the handles or rods7while in a position facing the device, i.e. opposite to motion. It is easier to adjust for balance in this position.

Subsequently, the adjustment of the load15balance is carried out, the purpose of which is to find the position where the projection of the center of gravity (CG) of the load to the ground22is located slightly in front of the projection of the axis of the wheels5to the ground23. In this position, the rods7will push slightly down on the harness9, preventing backward tipping of the device (seeFIGS. 7-9). After achieving this result, a user unzips the belt, turns around in the opposite direction, and fastens the belt for use.

Adjustment is carried out by changing the geometry of the device, i.e. the angle between the rods and frame, as well as the length of telescopic rods. This can be accomplished in the following exemplary ways:

a) by changing the length of a telescopic rod of the device with a fixed position of the attachment points of the shock absorber rods to the rods and handles;

b) by changing the length of the primary rods at a fixed length of the secondary rods, and vice versa;

c) by changing the place of the attachment points of the primary rods to the secondary rods, and vice versa.

The handle length may be set so that when the device is in motion it does not hit the heels or the back of the user's footwear. When running, the length of the handles may increase for ease of use and comfort.

The user may perform various adjustments of the straps of the harness9that are necessary to eliminate the rigidity of the device fastening to the body, i.e. their length is carried out in motion, depending on the weight of the load and physical parameters of the person: the heavier the load and the stronger the inertial thrusts, the greater margin oscillation amplitude is needed for the handles and, therefore, a longer strap is needed.

The device may be attached to a bicycle, for example, to the seat post (seeFIGS. 19-20). For this purpose, the primary rods7are brought together forming a rigid triangle with the frame (there may be other uses other than vehicles wherein the rigid triangle form is used). The ends of the rods7are connected together using a clamp or another known connection; they are attached to a bicycle by means of a special mount.

The device with a load15can be transported on the user's back like a backpack using the shoulder straps14attached to the back frame. This is required, for example, to get over more difficult obstacles (rivers, ravines, steps, etc.) or when moving on rough terrain. If this transition is short, the handles, pull rods, and wheels can be left in their places without collapsing the device entirely. Other quick necessary carries may also be performed using the back/shoulder/waist rest bars19, if installed on the device in use.

In case of a longer motion in the “backpack” mode, the handles and pull rods can be removed or pulled hack, so that they do not interfere. The wheels may also be displaced to the end of support (seeFIG. 17), which provides space for their mounting.

A user may use the shoulder straps-braces16attached to the belt of the harness9in the attachment point of the suspenders (seeFIG. 15). These straps provide maximum comfort on long hikes. For example, the tightening belt (i.e. harness)9can cause discomfort. If loosened, it can slide down under the pressure of handles/rods, because balance is adjusted so that there is a slight downward pressure on the handle for the device not to tip over backwards.

A device for light loads may be used in a lightweight version (seeFIG. 3) with removed intermediate rods10, two-way shock absorbers11that may be too stiff using less rigid, optionally spring-loaded hinges6. The angle between the frame and the primary rods may be adjusted by loosening the central nut followed by tightening it.

The device can simply be pulled by handles/primary rods, similar to a suitcase on wheels. The upper transverse tube (crossbar) of the frame may also be used as a handle (seeFIG. 21). Such a method may be used in short-term circumstances or when moving in confined or high traffic areas, such as airports or other mass transit hubs.

The device can be easily disassembled and placed, for example, in a case, taking a further compact form for transporting of the device (seeFIG. 2).