PORTABLE LUGGAGE CARRIER

Abstract: A Portable Luggage Carrier (10) having a resilient mounting surface (24) to accept hand luggage, with castors (48) and (50) providing mobility and weight receiving characteristics. A structural frame (20) provides a rigid mounting surface and attachment for the castors (48) and (50) that are retractable into the frame member (26). A flexible towing strap (52) with a slideable buckle (54) is interposed with the frame (26) and encompasses luggage that is juxtaposed on the mounting surface. The strap (52) is tightened with the buckle (54) and the remaining end becomes hand held towing strap. A securing latch (36) is spring loaded into the frame member (26) to lock the castors in either the extended or retracted position. In another embodiment a hinged back cover (62) encloses the carrier (10). The cover may be locked in place and incorporates a flashing light (66) and a clock (68).

Description: PORTABLE LUGGAGE CARRIER TECHNICAL FIELD This invention pertains in general to dollies and wheeled carts and, more particularly, to luggage car- riers that are portable and diminishable in size. -BACKGROUND ART Previously, carrying devices for personal luggage have been limited to wheeled trucks, usually con¬ structed of tubular material with a toeplate extending near the bottom for stacking the luggage. Many • varieties and styles of trucks have been used, such as a continuous handle type, bicycle handle, pistol grip handle, single and double loop style, and also "S", pin or tee-type handles. All of these varieties use ' the same principle of stacking with gravity holding the containers against the frame when angled backward to¬ ward the operator. The two wheels provide the mobility and steerage is accomplished manually. For larger quantities of luggage, four-wheeled plat- form trucks are used with two steerable wheels and a raised superstructure. Other trucks, such as a wagon type using steerable wheels attached to a towing arm or tongue have also been ir use. Dollies using four DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Luggage is commonly moved by the aforementioned two- wheeled carts, some are even collapsible and are carried with the passenger. More recently, castors have been provided integral with the luggage for this purpose. In many cases, more than one piece of luggage is necessary for travel, therefore, there has existed a requirement for an alternate method. Further, the means to provide this utility also includes carrying the device along with the luggage for loading and unloading. The Portable Luggage Carrier fills this need, there¬ fore, the primary object is to provide a lightweight, portable device that collapse flat into a relatively small package, with a carrying handle that may be easily trnasported along with the luggage and be available for use at any time during a trip. An important object provides the ease of handling a number of pieces of luggage stacked one on top of the other at a low level to the floor, minimizing lifting and maximizing the load carrying capabilities of one person. Another object allows the luggage to be stacked safely, as a strap easily encircles the superposed pieces and the invention includes a non-slip resilient pad to eliminate slipping of the first article. Further, as the bags are stacked flat, no balance is required such as necessary in a two-wheeled truck where a certain amount of strength is required to maintain this delicate balance while manipulating a load through a crowd of passengers. Still another object provides ease of maneuverability, as the end of the strap is used for towing the luggage which- is easily- moved along- with ' the operator through crowds, as the carrier follows closely the path already made. It is also possible to push the carrier forward in circumstances requiring close quarters, such as queues or congested areas, as sometimes encountered in travel terminals. Yet another object provide-* = •* -■ accessory th- * + * en- 5 hances the asthetic value by covering the back with a removable snap in place cover of material enclosing the exposed back when the castors are retracted for transportation. A further object incorporates another embodiment that 10 utilizes a back cover with a flashing light and clock on the top surface to completely close the back. When opened 270 degrees it becomes a vertical structural member to stabilize the luggage stacked on the carrier and allows a mounting surface for the flashing safety 15 light. The clock adds convenience for the traveler and the cover is locked in place with a combination lock. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the 20 appended, claims taken in conjunction with the accompany¬ ing drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is a partial isometric view of the preferred embodiment with the flexible towing strap partially 25 cut-away. FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIGURE 3. FIGURE 3 is a partial isometric view of the bottom of the preferred embodiment. 30 FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines .4-4 of FIGURE l-_ .. ■• - .••* - •• -v ' FIGURE '" 5 " ~is ''" a partial ' crόss-sect:io ' naϊ ' view " taken ''"" " along lines 5-5 of FIGURE 1. . _C:. I_ FIGURE 6 is a partial isometric view of the preferred embodiment with the castors retracted in the carrying position. FIGURE 7 is a partial isometric view of another 5 embodiment with the castors retracted and the back cover folded closed. FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view of the securing latch taken along lines 8-8 of FIGURE 3. FIGURE 9 is a cross-sectional view of another embodi- 10 ent of the securing latch taken along lines 9-9 of FIGURE 3. FIGURE 10 is a partial isometric view of another embodiment with the back cover locked in the open position. 15 FIGURE 11 is a partial cut-away view of the bottom of the preferred embodiment with the protective cover in place. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring now in detail to the drawings and describ- 20 ing the preferred embodiment FIGURES 1 and 3 depict the carrier (10) in an extended working position with a frame 20 consisting of a structural member of rectangular shape, preferably made in angular shape, mitered on each end, and attached together by welding or the like. In 25 another embodiment, best illustrated in FIGURE 10, the body is an integral member with flanges broken at ninety degrees to the flat surface forming a rectangle. The material of the frame 20 can be any substance having characteristics of structural integrity sufficient to 30 support weight, with aluminum being preferred. The frame has a flat surface on the top or outside and also -- ' : "■ '- ■■ " -- ' the * bottom-or? " -inside. At right angles to- the flat O ?I surface is an outer flange surrounding the periphery of the structure. A pair of slotted openings 22 are centrally located in the flat surface near the outer edge. 5 On the outside top surface are mounted one or more resilient pads 24 extending to the outer edge of the frame 20. These pads 24 are shaped in concave fashion to conform to the irregular size and shape of the lug¬ gage. The pads 24 create a non-slip surface and are 10 securely bonded to the frame with adhesive or the like. They are made of a closed cellular sponge of polyvinyl, urethane, or the like, with neoprene being preferred. Nested inside the frame 20 adjacent to the flanges are a pair of retractable members 26 that provide a 15 structural mounting surface and pivotally rotate within the frame for retraction purposes. These members 26 are square and tubular in shape with a boss at one of the internal corners having a bore 28 running the full length, best illustrated in FIGUES 4 and 5. Within 20 this bore 28 is a hinge pin 30 that runs the full length of the member 26 parallel to the longitudinal axis, or is in two separate pieces, in either case it protrudes slightly beyond the end creating an axial pivot arm that interfaces with a hole 32 in the frame 20 becoming 25 the pivot point for the rotatable member 26. This relationship is best depicted in FIGURE 2. The member 26 has another boss parallel to the first on an adjacent corner, except it is external to the square shape. A bore 34 is centrally located within the boss, shown in 30 FIGURES 5 and 8, and contains a pair of securing latches 36 that are in an "L" shape and protrude from either end of the member 26. The external boss is cut-away in the center to accept, the leg of. the latch 36 allowing • --.--.* • -: ■ - it ' - ' o -freely rotate ' - ' arid move linearly within the bore 35 34 : . Rotation may be limited, if desired, to preclude the possibility of the latch hanging below the envelope of the frame 20. In the preferred embodiment a second opening 38 on each end, centrally located, allows a securing latch spring 39 to surround the latch 36 and provide compression to maintain the extension beyond the end of the member 26. This latch 36 urgingly embraces the frame and penetrates a hole 40 near the top, or another hole 42 near the bottom of the frame to maintain the member 26 in either the extended or retracted position. In another embodiment, shown in FIGURE 9, a pair of securing latches 44 are in a "tee'' shape and utilize only one compression spring 46 mounted on the latches 44 extending therebetween. The operation is the same as in the preferred embodiment. Attached to each member 26 is a rigid base castor 48 and swivel base castor 50. These castors provide the mobility for the apparatus, and as two are swivel- ing and the other two are fixed, the assembly tracks straight when moved in either longitudinal direction. The castor wheels may be hard rubber, urethane, or a type of thermoplastic, each working equally well, or any other substance suitable for the application. The members 26 are stored in the retracted position with the castors 48 and 50 contiguous with the inside surface of the base 20. When prepared for use the latches 36 or 44 are slid together releasing them from the frame and the member is rotated ninety degrees exposing the castors and the latches lock into place in the holes 40 in the frame 20. A flexible towing strap 52 is threaded through the slotted openings 22 in the frame and encompasses the luggage that is paced on the device. On one. end a slideable buckle 54 is attached providing tension to secure the luggage and when desired, the end of the -5U E buckle 54 is pulled toward the strap, loosening the tension allowing the luggage to be removed. The other end of the strap 52 is free to.be grasped by ones hand and used as a towing strap. A retractable handle 56, shown in FIGURE 6, is attached to the frame 20 on each end at the longitudinal leg. This handle 56 is used for carrying and is re¬ tracted into itself at the fitting ends when not in use. A protective cover 58, best depicted in FIGURE 11, optionally may be attached to the frame on the- sides with snaps 60 or the like and is used to cover the castors and inside surface and also provide a storage space for the strap 52. The cover 58 may be any type of fabric or plastic, with vinyl being preferred. In another embodiment, illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 10, a back cover 62 is attached to the frame 20 with a hinge (not shown) and hasps 64 to secure the cover 62 to the frame 20. The cover 62 rotates open and is locked in place with the hinge at a right angle position to the frame providing a vertical structural member to the carrier and a stop to prevent luggage from slipping to the side not enclosed with the strap 52.. A flashing light 66, integral with the back cover• is located on the uppermost surface when opened in the locked posi- tion. This light 66 provides a safety signal when in use and helps clear the way if the carrier is pushed in front of the operator. A clock 68 is also located in the cover 62 opposite the light 66. This device may be any type, with an electronic digital display being preferred. A power source (not shown) in the form of D.C. batteries are located within the cover for supply¬ ing the electrical energy to operate the light 66 and clock 68 and a switch may be provided for convenience. While the invention has been described in complete detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying draw¬ ings, it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the appended claims. OMPI

Claims: CLAIMS 1, A portable luggage carrier comprising: a) a frame having a plurality of voids and an outside and inside flat surface to support weight for luggage mounted thereon, 5 b) a pair of retractable members positioned within said frame with rotatable attaching means being contiguous with said frame on said inside flat surface with a pair of castors attached near each end, one end having a swivel base and the other a rigid base 10 for mobility of said luggage when extended, and for portability when retractably rotated against said inside surface, c) a flexible towing strap encircling said frame to compressingly engage said luggage and provide towing 15 means, and d) carrying means located on the outside surface of said frame for manually holding said device. 2. The carrier as recited in claim 1 wherein said rotatable attaching means further comprises; a) a hinge pin located inside and parallel to the longitudinal axis of said retractable member with 5 the ends protruding therefrom, forming an axial pivot surface, interfacing with said frame. b) a pair of securing latches integral with said retractable members on each end slideably engaging said frame, either when extended or retracted for providing 10 rigid locking means, and . c).. a pair of. securing latch springs surrounding ' "' " ' '""' said " securing ' latches providing " compression " for urg ' ingly • embracing said latch to said frame. - ' ■ ■ • " ' ■ - ■ 10 3. The carrier as recited in claim 1 wherein said flexible towing strap further comprises a slideable buckle affixed on one end providing tensioning to compressingly engage said luggage with the other end free to be grasped by ones hand as a towing handle. 4. The carrier as recited in claim 1 wherein said carrying means further comprises a retractable handle attached to said frame on each end for carrying and retracting into itself when not in use. 5. The carrier as recited in claim 1 further compris¬ ing one or more resilient pads fixably attached to said frame outside flat surface for providing a non-slip surface. 6. The carrier as recited in claim 1 further compris¬ ing a protective cover of flexible material attached to said frame with fastening means for covering said inside flat surface. 7. A portable luggage carrier comprising: a) a frame having a plurality of voids and an outside and inside flat surface to support weight for luggage mounted thereon, b) a pair of retractable members positioned within said frame with rotatable attaching means being contiguous with said frame on said inside flat surface with a pair of castors attached near each end, one end having a swivel base and the other a rigid base for mobility of said luggage when extended, and for portability when retractably rotated against said inside. surface , 11 σ) a flexible towing strap encircling said frame to compressingly engage said luggage and provide towing means, d) carrying means located on the outside surface of said frame for manually holding said device, e) a back cover rotatably attached to said frame having one or more hinges and hasps to secure said cover to the frame and rotate open to a locked position at right angles to the frame providing a vertical structural member, f) a flashing light integral with said back cover located on the uppermost surface when opened in the locked position for indication and safety while the apparatus is in use as a carrier, and g) a clock integral with said back cover located on the uppermost surface when opened in the locked position for convenience of the operator, 8. The carrier as recited in claim 7 further compris¬ ing a power source contained within said back cover for supplying electrical energy to operate said light and clock.

Inventors: BAKER FRANKLIN W, BAKER, FRANKLIN, W.
Applicants: BAKER FRANKLIN W, BAKER, FRANKLIN, W.
Application year: 1982
Main classification: B62B3
IPC codes: A45C13, B62B5