Abstract:
An article of luggage having an integral handle assembly generally has a front elongated segment, a back elongated segment, a first side segment, a second side segment, a top segment, and a bottom segment. Narrower side segments are disposed along side portions of the container relative to the top and bottom segments. A first support and a second support are affixed longitudinally to first side and second side segments, respectively. The handle assembly having a handle is disposed above the top segment and operatively engages the first and the second supports. For moving the luggage, a set of casters affixed on the bottom segment whereby the container may be rolled with a leading segment set at an incline relative to a substrate supporting the container. The leading segment may be one of the elongated segments or one of the side segments.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Technical Field  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to luggage employing a handle and wheels. More particularly, the invention relates to luggage employing a rotatable handle, wheels allowing movement on two distinct axes, and support shafts located on the sides of the luggage.  
           [0003]    2. Description of Related Art  
           [0004]    In traveling, articles of luggage that are often large and/or heavy are often difficult to move. To make it easier to maneuver such articles of luggage, prior art designs have incorporated casters such as rollers or wheels located on a relatively planar surface. With casters, the luggage may then be rolled as opposed to being carried or rolled with a separate mechanism such as a cart.  
           [0005]    A first common design of luggage incorporates casters on one of the longer, narrower sides of essentially parallelepiped articles. With this design, the luggage may be towed while in a customary standing position. To maneuver this type of luggage, a handle or cord is typically provided so that a user may tow the article.  
           [0006]    One improvement for rolling luggage, particularly for frequent travelers, locates casters on one of the shorter, narrower sides with a handle disposed on the side opposite to the casters. Thereby, a user may tow the luggage with the article being supported by a handle and by casters being rolled upon a substrate. These types of prior art luggage generally have a handle that may be extended out from the top of the article for rolling. The supports for this handle structure are known to longitudinally extend internally along a central portion of the article of luggage. The disadvantage of the centrally disposed support is that it consumes space within the article of luggage. This often causes items packed within the luggage to become wrinkled when packed adjacent to the support structure. Also, these types of prior art luggage can be difficult to maneuver through narrow passage ways such as an airplane aisle.  
           [0007]    Therefore, it is desired to construct an article of luggage that allows a user to alternate rolling positions for easy maneuverability. One position would be optimal for moving over larger distances at a relatively fast pace. Another position would be optimal for moving through narrow passages. It would be further desirable to allow a user to easily switch between rolling positions. Another desired aspect for an article of luggage would be to avoid having a centrally disposed support structure for the handle.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    The luggage of the present invention comprises a generally parallelepiped container having a front elongated segment, a back elongated segment, a first side segment, a second side segment, a top segment, and a bottom segment. The first and the second side segments are disposed along side portions of the container between the front and the back elongated segments and between the top and the bottom segments. A first support is affixed longitudinally to the first side segment. Also, a second support affixed longitudinally to the second side segment. A handle assembly containing a handle is disposed above the top segment. Therein, the handle assembly operatively engages the first and the second supports. For moving the luggage, a set of casters affixed on the bottom segment whereby the container may be rolled with a leading segment set at an incline relative to a substrate supporting the container wherein the leading segment may be one of the elongated segments or one of the side segments.  
           [0009]    In use, the luggage as described above is set upon the casters that are supported upon the substrate. When the user is ready to move the luggage, the user extends the handle away from the top segment. Thereafter, the luggage may be rolled to a desired destination. Generally, the luggage would be rolled with an elongated segment as the leading edge until a narrower pathway is encountered such as an airplane aisle. When the narrower pathway is encountered, the luggage&#39;s leading edge may be switched to one of the side segments allowing easier passage.  
           [0010]    With the movable luggage of the present invention, several advantages are obtained. First, the luggage with the same general dimensions as compared to prior art luggage having embedded centrally located support shafts has additional space available in its interior. Also, the side of the invention produces a more robust design compared to luggage with centrally located supports. Another advantage realized with the use of side supports is that a large flat central side against which items that are desirably not to be wrinkled may be packed. Further, luggage in accordance with the present invention employ a wheel and handle system that allows a user to easily maneuver the luggage over a variety of distances and terrain and through narrow passages such as an airplane aisle.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is an elevated perspective view of an article of luggage constructed in accordance with the present invention shown in a first orientation;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is an elevated perspective view of the article of luggage of FIG. 1 shown in a second orientation;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an example of one of the supports used on the article of luggage of FIG. 1; and  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a partial exploded view of the handle assembly used on the article of luggage of FIG. 1.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a piece of luggage  10  has sidewalls  12  and  13 , central sides  14  and  15 , top side  16 , and bottom side  18 . While luggage  10  is shown generally as a suitcase in the shape of a parallelepiped, it is understood that luggage in accordance with the present invention may comprise other shapes such as, for example, a tube or cube. Also, luggage of the present invention may comprise other types of baggage such as, for example, duffle bags, back packs, trunks, and cases. As to the composition of luggage  10 , it may comprise either a hard-sided or soft-sided construction being made of materials such as fabric, plastic, metal, or combinations thereof. For entry to the storage compartment of luggage  10 , a zipper or one or more fasteners may be provided in as in other conventional luggage.  
         [0017]    Disposed on bottom side  18  are wheels  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26 . Wheels  20  and  22  are provided on bottom side  18  proximately to the corners of luggage  10  at the intersection of sidewalls  12  and  13  with central side  15 . Similarly, wheels  24  and  26  are provided on bottom side  18  proximately to the corners of luggage  10  at the intersection of sidewalls  12  and  13  with central side  14 . In addition to wheels as shown, wheels  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  may also comprise rollers, casters, and the like.  
         [0018]    Optionally, wheels  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  may be of a swivel type allowing freedom or at least partial freedom for each wheel to rotate upon its axis. This is advantageous for maneuvering luggage  10  considering that luggage  10  when being towed is generally supported by only two wheels. While shown luggage  10  is shown having four wheels, other embodiments are possible such as only a three wheel arrangement with the fourth wheel being replaced by a support peg for luggage  10  in an upright, non-towing position.  
         [0019]    Another optional embodiment is to employ one or wheels  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26  with one directional brakes. Employing one or more wheels with these brakes allows a user towing luggage  10  to retain the luggage in a tilted position resting on two wheels without the need to prevent luggage  10  from rolling backward away from the user. Thereby, a user will not tire as easily while waiting in lines, which are common in travel.  
         [0020]    Affixed to sidewalls  12  and  13  are supports  30  and  32 , respectively. Supports  30  and  32  are disposed longitudinally along the periphery of sidewalls  12  and  13 . FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a support having a bracket shape to provide structural robustness while utilizing a minimal amount of material. Therein, a cross section of support  30  is square bracket-shaped wherein side  33  faces outward from sidewall  12  and attachment portion  37  is affixed to sidewall  12 . While not shown, support  32  is identical in construction to support  30  and is affixed to sidewall  13 . While a bracket shape support is shown, other conventional shapes may be used for the supports such as a channel with a round or rectangular shape.  
         [0021]    Handle assembly  38  has a telescoping portion  34  in a preferred embodiment. Therein, supports  30  and  32  have an opening  35  for receiving telescoping portion  34 . Telescoping portion  34  may be of similar design and shape to that of supports  30  and  32  except for being smaller. Essentially, telescoping portion  34  can fit within supports  30  and  32  when in a retracted position. When in an elongated position, telescoping  34  is extended out and away from supports  30  and  32  until terminal ends of telescoping  34  are nearly planar with top side  16 . Handle assembly  38  may be provided with one or more locking mechanisms (not shown) to retain telescoping portion  34  in the fully extended position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) or in its retracted position (not shown). The lock mechanism may be of any suitable type such as a spring loaded button or latch.  
         [0022]    With supports  30  and  32  being disposed longitudinally along the periphery of sidewalls  12  and  13 , supports  30  and  32  may be significantly wider than typical supports which are disposed centrally within prior art luggage. With a wider support, sidewalls  12  and  13  approximate a planar surface allowing for easier storage and handling. Hence, a more robust handle support system is realized by the present invention.  
         [0023]    A further advantage realized by locating the supports along the sidewalls is the availability of a large flat central side  14  or  15  where supports of the prior art luggage are generally located. A large flat central side is often very desirable in travel because it keeps items such as drawings, documents, clothing, and the like from getting wrinkled. Also by locating supports on the sidewalls, more storage space is available inside the luggage as compared with centrally disposed supports used in prior art luggage.  
         [0024]    For luggage such as a wheeled backpack, having the supports along the sides has the additional advantage of being more comfortable to wear. Prior art backpacks employing centrally located supports cause wearers discomfort because the weight of the backpack is transferred to the wearer through relatively narrow support bars. With the support on the sides, the backpack in accordance with the present invention has an essentially planar back that allows the weight of the pack to be disbursed over a wider area.  
         [0025]    Between opposing telescoping portions  34  is a top support  36  of handle assembly  38  having a handle  40  centrally disposed thereon. Handle  40  in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is parallel and in alignment with top support  36 . This is useful when the luggage  10  is being towed with its wider side, shown here as central side  15 , being transverse to the direction of travel. As shown in FIG. 2, handle  40  may be positioned perpendicular to top support  36 . This handle alignment is useful when luggage  10  is being towed with its narrower side  13  being transverse to the direction of travel. Optionally, handle  40  may be constructed with a ridged or other suitable design so that a hand may comfortably engage it. While FIGS. 1 and 2 show central side  15  and sidewall  13 , respectively, as being the leading sides in the direction of travel, central side  14  and sidewall  12  may also be capable as being leading sides in other embodiments.  
         [0026]    Advantageously, handle  40  may be rotatable to allow easier conveyance. FIG. 4 shows one construction of a mechanism to allow handle rotation. On a top portion of handle  40 , several bumps  46  are disposed about a central spring  48 . Within recess  42  of top support  36  are corresponding notches (not shown) for receiving bumps  46 . Thereby, handle  40  may be securely retained in a desired position when bumps  46  and their opposing notches are engaged. When a user desires to rotate handle  40 , release button  44  is pushed causing spring  48  to release tension. Thereby, the user may rotate handle  40  to a desired position. While this construction shows an example of one type of locking arrangement, other types are possible such as a latch.  
         [0027]    In operation, luggage  10  would be set upright with bottom side  18  facing a foundation such as a floor or ground. A user may then determine the most effective mode of moving luggage  10 . A first mode may include leaving handle assembly  38  in its retracted position allowing the user to lift luggage  10  up from the foundation using handle  40 . This may be beneficial when moving luggage  10  a short distance or when placing luggage  10  into a vehicle or onto a baggage counter or cart.  
         [0028]    A second mode of movement may include rolling, towing, or pushing luggage  10  while it is resting upon wheels  20 ,  22 ,  24 , and  26 . This may be done while handle assembly  38  is in either its retracted or extended position. A typical reason for moving luggage  10  using all four wheels would be while waiting in a ticket line where either lifting or tilting luggage  10  is inconvenient for moving the luggage only a short distance.  
         [0029]    For the remaining modes, the user must extend handle assembly  38  away from top side  16 . If luggage  10  is provided with a locking mechanism to retain handle assembly  38  in a desired position, a user would temporarily disengage the locking mechanism to allow extension. In another embodiment, the locking mechanism would only lock while handle assembly  38  is in its extended position allowing a user immediate capability to extend handle assembly  38  without the need to disengage a locking mechanism. Many types of handle extension mechanisms are known in the art and may be employed with luggage made and used in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0030]    Once handle assembly  38  is in its extended position, a user may opt to tow or roll the luggage in a third or fourth mode of movement. With the third and fourth modes of movement, a user would apply force to handle assembly  38  causing luggage  10  to tilt to a desired side supported by two wheels. With the third mode, wheels  20  and  22  support luggage  10  as shown in FIG. 1. Optionally, the third mode may employ wheels  24  and  26  instead of wheels  20  and  22 . In this third mode, luggage  10  is being conveyed with either central sides  14  or  15  being tilted toward the user. The fourth mode of movement would employ wheels  20  and  26  as shown in FIG. 2. Optionally, the fourth mode may employ wheels  22  and  24  as the support wheels instead of wheels  20  and  26 .  
         [0031]    As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, central sides  14  and  15  are wider than sidewalls  12  and  13  in the embodiment shown. Conveyance of luggage  10  in the third mode allows for greater stability because of the increased distance between the moving wheels as compared to the fourth mode. The third mode would likely be employed to convey luggage  10  over greater distances or over less stable surfaces. The fourth mode would likely be employed to convey luggage  10  when travel space is limited such as within a narrow aisle on an airplane.  
         [0032]    To allow easy conveyance of luggage  10  while in either the third mode or the fourth mode of travel, a user would position handle  40  into a desired orientation. To rotate handle  40 , the user would depress release button  44  while rotating handle  40 . Once handle  40  is rotated about 90 degrees, bumps  46  engage their corresponding notches within handle assembly  38  thereby locking handle  40  into its desired orientation. Desired orientations of handle  40  are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.  
         [0033]    With articles of luggage designed in accordance with the present invention, several advantages are realized. The support shafts of the present invention are located on the narrower sides as opposed to one of the wider sides. This allows the luggage to regain space lost to prior art luggage with centrally located supports. The side supports of the invention allow for much wider supports producing a more robust design compared to luggage with centrally located supports. Also, the use of side supports renders a large flat central side against which items that are desirably not to be wrinkled may be packed. Further, articles of luggage in accordance with the present invention employ a wheel and handle system that allows a user to easily maneuver the luggage over a variety of distances and terrain and through narrow areas such as an airplane aisle.  
         [0034]    While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.