Abstract:
An apparatus which is convertible from a portable cargo container to a wheeled vehicle. In particular, the present invention is a backpack or article of luggage that includes a deployable wheeled platform so that the backpack or luggage is convertible to a scooter type vehicle. The present invention is particularly useful for transporting relatively heavy loads along with a human operator, quickly and with minimal effort.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/769,187 filed 28 Apr. 2010 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,282,109). 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an apparatus which is convertible from a portable cargo container to a wheeled vehicle. In particular, the present invention is a backpack or article of luggage that includes a deployable wheeled platform so that the backpack or luggage is convertible to a scooter type vehicle. The present invention is particularly useful for transporting relatively heavy loads along with a human operator, quickly and with minimal effort. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Backpacks and articles of luggage combining wheels and retractable pull handles are well known in the art. Although these devices aid in transporting cargo, they do not aid in transporting a human operator. 
     Likewise, foldable scooters and bicycles as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,879 are also well known in the art. These devices provide a convenient means of transporting a bike or scooter, but do not provide an operator the ability to carry any cargo. 
     Other portable wheeled devices known in the art are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,579 which discloses a foldable child stroller and U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,670 which discloses an article carrying device. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,609,278, 5,984154, 5,483,495, 6,179,176, 4,036,336, 5,749,503, 5,881,932, and 5,743,447 all disclose wheeled carrying devices with alternative carrying devices. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Overcoming these problems by providing a convertible cargo container with a deployable wheeled platform is a primary objective of the present invention. Other objects of the invention will become apparent in light of the following disclosure and related claims. 
     The invention is generally comprised of three main components, a cargo container  1 , a handle  4 , and a retractable platform  7  having wheels  10 , which can be converted to three basic modes, a backpack, wheeled luggage, and a scooter type vehicle. The first backpack mode is suitable for carrying light loads or loads over rough terrain. The second wheeled luggage mode is most suited to carrying cargo in medium traffic areas with generally flat terrain, such as an airport. The third scooter type vehicle mode is well suited to transporting a load as well as the operator great distances over low traffic areas with generally flat terrain. The third scooter type mode is also particularly advantageous when time is of the essence. The invention thus overcomes several problems associated with manually hauling cargo efficiently, while also providing a means to transport an operator along with the payload. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The forgoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description contained herein below, taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of a first embodiment of the present invention in a fully extended riding position. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the handles of the first embodiment in a deployed position. 
         FIG. 3  is a rear isometric view of the first embodiment of the present invention in a fully extended riding position. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear isometric view of the first embodiment in an intermediate stage with the handles in a closed position. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear isometric view of the first embodiment in an intermediate stage with the handles retracted and in a closed position. 
         FIG. 6  is a front isometric view of the first embodiment with the platform in a retracted position and the handles closed and in an extended position. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear isometric view of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 8  is a front isometric view of the first embodiment with the present invention in a fully retracted position. 
         FIG. 9  is a rear isometric view of the first embodiment with the present invention in a fully retracted position. 
         FIG. 10  is a front isometric view of the first embodiment with the present invention in a fully retracted position with the cargo container closure in an open position. 
         FIG. 11  is an isometric view of the first embodiment showing the telescoping steering tube and associated wheel. 
         FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the telescoping steering tube and associated wheel. 
         FIG. 13  is a front isometric view of the first embodiment showing the retractable platform. 
         FIG. 14  is a front isometric view of the retractable platform. 
         FIG. 15  is a rear isometric view of the first embodiment showing the retractable platform. 
         FIG. 16  is a rear isometric view of the retractable platform. 
         FIG. 17  is a rear isometric view of a second embodiment of the invention with its platform extended. 
         FIG. 18  is the same view as  FIG. 17  with the platform retracted. 
         FIG. 19  is a front isometric view of the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a bottom view of the second embodiment of the invention with the platform retracted. 
         FIG. 22  is a bottom view of the second embodiment of the invention with the platform extended. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a cargo container which can be converted into a scooter type vehicle for transporting a person and his cargo. The invention is generally comprised of three main components, a cargo container  1 , a handle  4 , and a retractable platform  7  having wheels  10 . The invention has three use positions including riding, as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , pulling/pushing, as shown in  FIGS. 6-7  and carrying as shown in  FIGS. 8-9 . 
     Referring specifically to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the convertible cargo container is seen in its ride mode having standing platform  7  deployed to a position substantially perpendicular to cargo container  1 . The cargo container  1  can be manufactured of hard shell plastic such as ABS, or lightweight metal. Wheels  10  are mounted at the outer edges of the lower end of platform  7 . Platform  7  can be made of any suitably light, strong material such as plastic or thin metal to achieve rigidity and low weight. Wheels  10  can be fabricated of any suitable polymer, plastic, rubber, or synthetic rubber. Additionally, it is noted that the platform could also have a single rear wheel centrally mounted. Telescoping arm  13  is shown in its extended position and handles  4  are pivoted to their horizontal position about pivots  19  forming a handle bar  16 . The telescoping arm  13  uses spring biases balls and detents so that it can maintain its extended and retracted positions. Handles  4  can be pivoted to a closed position as shown in  FIGS. 4-10  when it is desired to push/pull or carry the cargo container. In push/pull or carry mode the platform  7  is retracted to a position that is substantially parallel to the rear side of the cargo container. Shoulder straps  34  are mounted on the cargo container in a conventional manner so that the invention can be carried as a backpack. Shoulder straps  34  may be detachable or retractable. Door  22  can be pivotally mounted or friction fit to provide access to main storage compartment  25 . Platform  7  deploys along a slot  37  in the cargo container  1  and is slidably connected to telescoping tube  13  at its upper end through a sliding bearing  43 . 
     Telescoping tube  13  is rotatably mounted in the cargo container  1  as is distal end, and is connected to steering assembly  28  as shown in  FIGS. 11-12 . The frame of the steering assembly  28  can be rotated in the cargo container through arcuate slots  29 . Front wheel  31  is rotatably mounted in steering assembly  28 . The telescoping tube and steering assembly can be fabricated from any suitable lightweight metal or plastic. 
     As can best be seen in  FIGS. 13-16 , a linkage arm  40  pivotally connects platform  7  to the distal end of telescoping tube  13 . In this manner, platform  7  can be retracted to its push/pull or carry position. 
     Operation of the device will now be described. When an operator wants to transport himself and cargo in scooter mode, the handles  4  are fully deployed as bar  16 , and the platform  7  is fully deployed at a substantially perpendicular angle to the cargo carrier  1 . The operator stands on platform  7  and steers the device with telescoping tube  13  and the attached steering assembly  28 . When a high traffic area is encountered, the operator would step off the platform and pivot the handles to their closed position as shown in  FIG. 4 . Platform  7  would then be retracted along slot  37  until it is substantially parallel to the rear side of the cargo container  1  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The apparatus is now in its wheeled luggage mode and can be transport on wheels  10  by pushing or pulling the closed handles. When carrying the apparatus is desirable, telescoping tube  13  is in its fully retracted position as shown in  FIGS. 8-10 , and the apparatus can be worn as a backpack utilizing shoulder straps  34 . The bottom of platform  7  may be contoured to provide the operator lumber support when using the apparatus in backpack mode. The transition steps are reversed when switching from backpack mode to scooter mode. It is noted that the order the transitional steps are performed is not crucial, and may be altered. 
     The second embodiment of the invention is similar to the first, having a cargo container  46 , a telescoping tube  58 , a platform  52  and wheels  55  as shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . Telescoping tube  58  is connected to front wheel  64  through the same steering mechanism described in the first embodiment. As shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22  platform  52  is slidably mounted on rods  73 . Platform springs  70  bias the platform to its extended position as shown in  FIG. 22 . A spring biased platform release hatch  67  retains the platform  52  in its retracted position. Rigid handle  49  has two handle bars  61  which form a central opening. Operation of the second embodiment is the same as the first except that the platform is deployed to its extended position by depressing platform release hatch  67 , and is retracted pushing it against the bias of springs  70  until caught by platform release hatch  67 . 
     Optionally, the cargo container of either embodiment can be made of a suitably durable synthetic or natural fabric shell or it can be formed of a synthetic or natural fabric shell mounted over a rigid frame. Additionally, either embodiment can have a power source such as an electric or gas motor mounted in the platform or cargo container. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, it should be apparent that the invention is not so limited and it is intended to include all embodiments which would be apparent to one skilled in the art and which come within the spirit and scope of the invention.