Abstract:
A combined portable case and luggage trolley which, in its preferred form, includes a rigid frame which, when folded, engages a face of the case to become an integral part thereof and which is extendable therefrom to form a luggage support in cooperation with a spaced pair of frame support arms pivotally connected to the case. When extended, the rigid frame is alignable with the support arms in a common plane to define a luggage receiving framework in cooperation with the case. Wheels are mounted within recesses in the case for selective extension in association with extension of the framework.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a luggage trolley including a foldable framework associated with a portable case which, when the framework is extended from the case, will retain luggage placed between the extended framework and the portable case. 
     U.S. Pat. No. Re. 28,757, reissued Apr. 6, 1976 and corresponding to original U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,709,513 issued Jan. 9, 1973, and 3,960,252, issued June 1, 1976, both issuing to K.A.I. Cassimally, provide examples of portable luggage cases with an extendable framework which cooperates with the luggage case to form a trolley to receive and retain luggage. The trolley of U.S. Pat. No. Re. 28,757 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,513 includes a framework comprising a handle and a pair of wheels which can be folded into a closed position adjacent the exterior of the sides and one face of a portable case. When unfolded into an open position, the wheels project below the case and the framework projects outwardly therefrom and is locked to form a wheeled trolley. 
     The trolley of U.S. Pat. No. 3,960,252 discloses a framework which may be stored in a flat condition solely within one face of the portable case and which is easily separable therefrom to allow the case to be carried without the framework, if desired. This structure is effected by providing a telescoping handle which may be folded upon one face of the case to which is attached a pair of pivotal wheel assemblies which may also be folded into wheel recesses in the case storage face. The entire framework is received by sockets in the case which receives bar-like extensions of the framework. 
     Although the above-described luggage trolleys have many advantages, it has been considered desirable to produce a combined portable luggage case and wheeled luggage trolley wherein the framework forms an integral part of the case structure and which, if use of the trolley is not desired, does not require removal and separate storage thereof. Further, for economy of manufacture, reduction in weight and strength, it has been considered desirable to eliminate the telescoping framework elements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, a wheeled portable case is provided with a rigid frame selectively engageable with a face of the case such as, in the preferred embodiment, the lid of the case. Upon selective disengagement of the frame from the case face, the rigid frame may be aligned in coplanar relationship with a pair of rigid, coplanar frame support arms pivotally connected to and adjacent one end of the case. The support arms may be disposed substantially perpendicularly to the face of the luggage case and the rigid frame aligned therewith. Locking means retain the rigid frame and the support arms in coplanar alignment. 
     To provide mobility, a pair of wheels are mounted within recesses located at the end of the case at which the support arms are connected. The wheels are mounted to be selectively retractable and extendable with respect to the recesses and are associated with the support arms to be urged outwardly when the arms are pivoted to their open position. Means on the wheel support engage the support arms to retain the wheels in their extended position during use. Alternatively, the wheels may be independent of the support arms and moved to the extended or retracted positions manually. 
     The improved trolley structure of the present invention results in an esthetically pleasing case which provides for enhanced ease of manufacture, increased portability, and improved security during transport. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combined portable case and luggage trolley with trolley framework shown in a folded position; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective of the case and trolley of FIG. 1 with the framework shown in partially extended condition; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective of the case and trolley of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the trolley framework and wheels shown in their fully extended positions; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective of the case and trolley of FIGS. 1-3 with luggage retained between a case and extended framework; 
     FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of one side of the case of FIG. 1, with some parts shown in phantom lines; 
     FIG. 6 is a top section taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a vertical section taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 6, with the framework shown in its retracted position; 
     FIG. 8 is a vertical section similar to that of FIG. 7 with the framework in its partially extended position and the wheel structure shown partially extended; 
     FIG. 9 is a vertical section similar to those of FIGS. 7 and 8 with the support arms and the wheel structure shown in fully extended positions; 
     FIG. 10 is a vertical section of the luggage case framework of FIG. 9 taken along line 10--10 thereof; 
     FIG. 11 is a vertical section of a portion of the framework of FIG. 9 with the frame shown in the fully extended position; 
     FIG. 12 is a vertical elevation of the extended framework of FIG. 11 taken along line 12--12; 
     FIG. 13 is a fragmentary elevation of a portion of a further embodiment of the portable case; 
     FIG. 14 is a vertical section of the embodiment of FIG. 13 taken along line 14--14 thereof; 
     FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional view of the wheel structure of FIG. 14 taken along line 15--15 thereof; 
     FIG. 16 is a vertical section of yet another embodiment of the wheel structure of the invention; 
     FIG. 17 is a vertical section of the wheel structure of FIG. 16 shown in an extended position; 
     FIG. 18 is a vertical section of the extended wheel structure of FIG. 17 taken along line 18--18; 
     FIG. 19 is a vertical section of the luggage case depicting a modified embodiment of the wheel structure of FIG. 16; and 
     FIG. 20 is a vertical section of the wheel structure shown in FIG. 19 taken along line 20--20. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the combined portable case and luggage trolley of the invention. The combined portable case and trolley, generally designated 10, comprises a portable case 11 and a foldable framework 12 connected thereto as described below. The case 11 is formed of joined side walls 14, end walls 16, a bottom wall (not shown) and a lid 18 hinged to a side wall 14. A pair of luggage locks 22 secure the lid 18 in a closed position. 
     The foldable framework, generally designated 12, comprises a rigid continuous frame 26 selectively engageable with a face, such as the lid 18, of the case 11. The frame 26 illustratively and preferably comprises a rectangular frame formed by joined pairs of side and end bars 28 and 30, respectively. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the rigid frame 26 conforms with and is receivable by a peripheral groove or ledge 34 about the lid 18. This results in the frame appearing to be part of the case. 
     Pivotally connected to opposite sides of the lid 18 adjacent one end 16 of the case 11 are rigid frame support arms 36 (details of the connection between the support arms 36 and the case 11 are described in detail below, with reference to FIGS. 5-9). The opposite ends of the support arms 36 are pivotally connected to the sides 28 of the rigid frame 26. 
     The points of connection between the support arms 36 and the frame side elements 28 are spaced from the frame end elements 30 such that the frame 26 will engage the ledge 34 when the support arms 36 are folded parallel to the case 11. 
     In the preferred embodiment, each frame side and end element 28 and 30 comprises a U-shaped channel having its open side facing downwardly against the lid 18. A pair of C-shaped locking slides 38 are received along each side channel 28. Each support arm 36 includes a segment of reduced thickness 40 below its point of connection with the frame 26. 
     With the frame 26 placed in engagement with the peripheral ledge 34, the support arms 36 extend along the ledge 34 and are received within the U-shaped channels 28. The locking slides 38 have inwardly directed lips 38a (see FIGS. 10-12) which are received by the reduced segments 40. Indentations 42 are provided in the lid ledge 34 to receive the increased thickness of the slides 38. Further frame locking means (not shown) are provided to secure the rigid frame 26 to the case 11. 
     When conversion from a portable case to a luggage trolley is desired, the frame is released from the case 11 and the support arms 36 are swung upwardly in the direction of the arrow of FIG. 2, and the rectangular frame 26 is rotated, as shown in FIG. 2, into coplanar alignment with the arms 36. The coplanar extended relationship of the support arms 36 and the frame 26 is shown in FIG. 3. The lower end channel 30a  of the frame 26 is relieved (not shown in FIGS. 1-4) adjacent its connection to the side members 28 to permit the support arms 36 to pass channel 30a and extend in the same direction as the side channels 28. 
     When the frame 26 is disposed in coplanar alignment with the arms 36, the locking slides 38 are moved downwardly, as shown in FIG. 3, to retain the channels 28 and the support arms 36 in alignment. Means (not shown in FIGS. 1-4) are provided to maintain the arms 36 in substantially perpendicular alignment to the lid 18. Further, wheels 46 are provided, illustratively on the bottom of the case 11, to facilitate rolling movement of the trolley case 10. 
     As seen in FIG. 4, several pieces of luggage 48 may be disposed between the lid surface 18 and the extended trolley frame 12 for transport. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, with the frame 12 retained in perpendicular relation to the case 11, the case 11 may be tilted upwardly from the underlying terrain supported by wheels 46. 
     FIGS. 5-9 illustrate one embodiment of a wheel assembly utilizable with the combination case and trolley of the invention. Although conventional wheels or other motive support means may be secured to the bottom of the case 11, it is desirable that the wheels 46 be retractable within the case 11 when not being used. 
     To accomplish this objective, one end 16 of the case 11 is provided with a spaced pair of recesses 50, preferably at the end 16 to which the support arms 36 are connected. The recesses 50 communicate with the end 16 at the bottom 20 of the case 11. The sides 14 and a plate 52 spaced from the wall 14 and secured to the walls 14 and 15 define the recess 50. It will be apparent that it is most desirable to provide a barrier between the recess 50 and the interior 54 of the luggage case 11 both to enhance the security of the case and to prevent the contents of the case from interfering with operation of the wheel 46. 
     As seen in FIG. 5, the pivot point 56 of each support arm 36 is spaced from the end 58 thereof. The wheel assembly 46 comprises a wheel 60 rotatably mounted to a wheel support member, generally designated 62, which includes a pair of spaced plates 64 receiving, at their lower ends, an axle 66 of the wheel 60. The wheel support 62 is pivotally mounted within the recess 50 by a pin 68 extending through the side wall 14 and the interior wall 52. A top support wall 70 extends between spaced walls 64 and includes a raised projection 72. The projection 72 includes an abutment face 72a facing away from the end 16 of the case. A spring 74 is secured to and extends between the wall 52 and an intermediate point of the inner wheel support plate 64. 
     FIGS. 5-7 show the wheel assembly 62 in its retracted position within the recess 50. Retraction of the wheel assembly 62 is possible only when the frame support arms 36 are aligned with the lid 18, allowing the coil spring 74 to rotate the plates 64 about the pin 68. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, as the frame support arm 36 is rotated upwardly from the lid 18, the arm end portion 58 travels downwardly through an opening 80 in the lid 18 and contacts the wheel support wall 70, thereby urging the wheel assembly 46 downwardly and out of the recess 50, as shown in FIG. 8. As the frame support arms 36 gain a substantially perpendicular position with respect to the lid 18, further motion is prevented by contact with an interior wall 82 and the support arm ends 58 become captured between the abutment wall 72a of the wheel support and the interior wall 82. 
     As seen in FIG. 9, with the support arm 36 perpendicular to the lid 18, the wheel support 62 is aligned with and abuts the end wall 16 of the case 11 with the wheels 60 extending outwardly and downwardly through the recess 50. Thus extended, the wheels 60 provide solid support for the case and trolley framework, since withdrawal of the supported wheel 60 into the recess 50 is prevented by the support end 58 which bears against the wheel support wall 70. 
     During use, the weight of the case 11 and of supported luggage provides a downwardly directed force in the direction of the arrow 84, thus maintaining the end 58 of the arm 36 in abutment with the wall 82. Retraction of the wheel 60 is effected by movement of the support arm 36 in the direction of the arrow 86 which will not occur during use since operating forces are directed oppositely. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 9-12, locking engagement of the rigid frame 26 with the support arms 36 is illustrated. From the position of FIG. 9, also seen in FIG. 10, the rigid frame 26 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 90, to place the frame 26 in the coplanar relationship with the parallel arms 36. As seen in FIG. 12, the side channel 28 extends the entire width of end channel 30a resulting in a relieved, open end 92 which accommodates support 36 and permits the support to be contained completely within the side channel 28. 
     The locking slide 38 will then fall, by gravity, from its position adjacent reduced section 40 into abutment with channel 30a whereupon inwardly directed lips 38a engage support arms 36 and prevent relative motion between the frame 26 and the arms 36. Disengagement is accomplished by moving the locking slide 38 into alignment with the reduced sections 40 of the arm 36. 
     It is apparent that the combined portable case and trolley structure of FIGS. 1-12 may be quickly and simply converted from the otherwise conventional portable case of FIG. 1 into a luggage trolley simply by disengaging the rigid frame 12 from the periphery of the case lid 18 and rotating the support arms 36 into perpendicular alignment with the lid 18 which simultaneously extends the spaced wheel assemblies 46. The support arms are quickly snapped into the position of FIG. 9, followed by alignment of the rectangular frame 26 with the arms 36 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Luggage, such as luggage 48 of FIG. 4, may then be placed on the lid 18 and retained against the framework 12 for rolling movement, supported by the wheel 46. Upon arrival at a destination and removal of the luggage 48, the extended trolley framework 26 and 36 may easily be disengaged and replaced upon the case lid 18 which simultaneously retracts the wheel assemblies 46. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 13-15, an alternative form of wheel assembly usable with the trolley case of the invention is shown. (Except as noted, elements of the case and trolley of FIGS. 13-15 are identical to those of FIGS. 1-12 and retain identical reference numerals.) In FIGS. 13-15, the wheel assembly 46 is not associated with the rotatable support arm 36 and must be manually extended and retracted. The wheel 60 is fixed to a rotatable spindle 100 having an enlarged head 102 disposed externally of the side wall 14. The spindle 100 extends through the interior wall 52 and is retained in place thereon by a washer 104. 
     Formed in the walls 14 and 52 are aligned cam slots, generally designated 110, including a diagonal portion 112 extending upwardly and rearwardly from the case end wall 16 and a vertical portion 114 extending generally parallel to the end wall 16 from an elbow 118 at the lowest terminal point of the portion 112. 
     The spring 74 extends from the point 120 on the interior wall 52 to the spindle 100 to provide a force directed upwardly in the direction of the cam slot diagonal portion 112. 
     When not in use, the wheel assembly 46 is in the position of FIGS. 13 and 14 with the spring 74 retaining the spindle 100 against the uppermost extension of the slot 112. When it is desired to use the trolley framework 12, each wheel assembly 46 is easily extended from the recess 50 by sliding movement of the enlarged head 102 towards the elbow 118 and into the vertical cam portion 114, where it is retained by the force of the spring 74. Retraction of the wheel assembly 46 is easily accomplished by pushing the enlarged head 102 to align the spindle 100 with the cam slot diagonal 112 whereupon the force of the spring 74 returns the wheel assembly 46 to the position of FIGS. 13 and 14. 
     Another modified embodiment of the wheel assembly of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 16-18. As in FIGS. 5-10, the wheel assembly of FIGS. 16-18 is so associated with the frame support arms as to be extendable from the case recess in response to pivoting of the support arms into perpendicular relationship with the case 11. 
     Unlike FIGS. 5-10, however, the framework 12 cannot be located on the case lid 18. Because the support arms 36 are non-releasably attached to the wheel support 64 by means of a pinned connecting link 122, the framework 12 and wheel support 64 must be attached to portions of the case 11 which do not move relative to each other. 
     The case of FIGS. 5-10 has therefore been slightly modified by mounting the framework 12 on the bottom 20 rather than the lid 18 of the case and by increasing the depth of the case 11 so that the wheel 60 extends only through the case end wall 16 rather than a corner as shown in FIG. 8. 
     The wheel assembly of FIGS. 16-18 is very similar to that of the embodiment of FIGS. 5-10 but does not rely on engagement of the support arm end 58 with a cam-like projection on the wheel support means 46. Rather, the frame support arm end 58 is pivotally connected to one end of a link 122. The opposite end of the link 122 is similarly pivotally connected to the wheel support means 64 so as to provide an over-toggle action on the wheel support 64 as the frame support arms 36 are rotated from the closed position of FIG. 16 to the open position of FIG. 17. 
     This is generally accomplished by directing the link inwardly and downwardly from the rear wall 16 toward the interior of the recess 50 such that rotation of the arms 36 upwardly from the case bottom 20 drives the end portion 58 downwardly into the recess 50 through the opening 80, providing a downwardly directed force against the wheel support 64. As the support arm end 58 continues its downward travel, it crosses over a centerline between the support arm pivot point 56 and the pivot 124 on the wheel support 64, thereby driving the support 64 outwardly toward the end wall 16 as well as downwardly. It is apparent that during use, the frame support arm end portion 58 will be securely retained against the abutment wall 82 by a force much greater in magnitude than that exerted against the wheels 60. Upon removal of luggage from the case bottom 20, the wheels may be retracted by rotation of the support arms 36 to their closed position which will supply a pulling force to the link 122 by the upwardly rotating support arm end 58 which in turn will supply an upward force to the wheel support 64. 
     FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a version of the linkage system of FIGS. 16-18 modified to accomplish a greater extension of the wheel 60 from the case 11 than is possible with the mechanism of FIGS. 16-18. 
     In FIG. 19, the location of the wheel support pivot 68 has been changed to permit the wheel 50 to extend through a recess 50 in only the end wall 16 without greatly increasing the depth of the case 11. Also, the pivot connection 124 between the link 122 and the wheel frame 64 has been moved closer to the wheel support pivot 68. The result of this modification is that the same motion of support leg 36 as was present in FIGS. 16-18 will cause a greatly increased arcuate travel of the wheel support 64 (and wheel 60) around its pivot 68. 
     As shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 19, wheel 60 extension is much greater than that obtained through use of the mechanism of FIG. 17. 
     As with the arrangement explained above, an over-toggle relationship is present between the wheel support 64 and the support arm end 58 which cause forces acting on the wheels 60 to be directed in a manner which will tend to force the support end 58 toward the stop 82, thus locking the arms 36 in the open position. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the foregoing description and from the drawings. While illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and have been described in detail herein, the invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, and it should be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.