Abstract:
A rolling bag adaptable for ascending and descending a staircase safely as well as for level and incline rolling. A handle selectively tilts to an angle that provides maximum leverage for ascent and descent of the bag on a staircase. The handle has a locking device that sets the desired tilt angle. The rolling bag has a recessed conveyor at the rear that has a track that selectively loosens when adapting to a staircase by increasing distance the conveyor rolls, the track conforming to a tread and a riser of a staircase. The conveyor has an offset device that selectively adjusts the track tension, the offset device coupled to handle so that when the handle tilts the track tension is loosened.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to luggage. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a rolling bag for ascending and descending a staircase. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Luggage with extendable handles and wheels are very popular for travelers. The luggage rolls smoothly over the flat floor, onto elevators, people movers, across parking lots and any surface that is flat. Rolling bags even manage low curbs, albeit with the user having to exert some strength pulling the bag up over the curb. Rolling bags do well on inclines such as jetway ramps, handicap ramps and curb cutouts. 
     However, rolling bags are not well adapted to stairs. Generally, the user collapses the extended handle and picks up the bag by the handle grip and carries it up and down the stairs, bearing the full weight of the bag and its contents. 
     If the user tries to roll the bag up or down the stairs, the results are disastrous and potentially dangerous. Going down stairs, dragging the luggage behind is risky because the bag can fall forward in a free fall, knocking the user down, pulling the user forward or causing the user to lose balance. Going up stairs, the extended handle is not the correct length for proper load distribution and the angle of the handle is awkward. Other than finding an elevator, the solution is to carry the bag by the grip handle up and down the stairs. 
     While this may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, this would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present disclosure as disclosed hereafter. 
     In the present disclosure, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which the present disclosure is concerned. 
     While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate the present disclosure, no technical aspects are disclaimed and it is contemplated that the claims may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a rolling bag that adapts to most transportation situations. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a rolling bag adaptable for level and incline rolling and for ascending and descending a staircase safely. 
     Another aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a rolling bag having a handle for adapting when ascending and descending a staircase. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a rolling bag handle that is selectively tilts to an angle that provides maximum leverage for ascent and control for descent of the bag on a staircase. 
     A further aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a rolling bag that rolls over a staircase. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a rolling bag with a recessed conveyor that has a track that selectively loosens when adapting to a staircase by increasing distance the conveyor rolls when traversing a staircase. 
     Yet a further aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a rolling bag that adapts to a tread and a riser of a staircase. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a rolling bag with a track that selectively loosens when adapting to a staircase so that the track conforms to a tread and a riser of a staircase. 
     Accordingly, the present disclosure describes rolling bag adaptable for ascending and descending a staircase safely as well as for level and incline rolling. A handle selectively tilts to an angle that provides maximum leverage for ascent and descent of the bag on a staircase. The handle has a locking device that sets the desired tilt angle. The rolling bag has a recessed conveyor at the rear that has a track that selectively loosens when adapting to a staircase by increasing distance the conveyor rolls, the track conforming to a tread and a riser of a staircase. The conveyor has an offset device that selectively adjusts the track tension, the offset device coupled to handle so that when the handle tilts the track tension is loosened. 
     The present disclosure addresses at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. However, it is contemplated that the present disclosure may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claims should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed hereinabove. To the accomplishment of the above, this disclosure may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view an example embodiment of a rolling bag for ascending and descending a staircase. 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of an example embodiment of the rolling bag in a position for rolling on a level surface. 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of an example embodiment of the rolling bag in a position for ascending a staircase. 
         FIG. 4  is a side elevational view of an example embodiment of the rolling bag in a position for descending a staircase. 
         FIG. 5A  is a side elevational view of an example embodiment of a conveyor of the rolling bag having a cam and a track in a slack position. 
         FIG. 5B , similar to  FIG. 5A , is a side elevational view of an example embodiment of the conveyor of the rolling bag having the cam in a tension position for ascending and descending a staircase. 
         FIG. 5C , similar to  FIG. 5A , is a side elevational view of an example embodiment of the conveyor of the rolling bag having an offset roller and a track in a slack position. 
         FIG. 5D , similar to  FIG. 5B , is a side elevational view of an example embodiment of the conveyor of the rolling bag having the offset roller in a tension position for ascending and descending a staircase. 
     
    
    
     The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various example embodiments. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure is thorough, complete and fully conveys the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a rolling bag  10  configured for ascending and descending a staircase as well as rolling on a level or incline surface. The rolling bag  10  provides control on the staircase descent and leverage on the staircase ascent. 
     The rolling bag  10  has a telescoping, tilting handle  20  that tilts into a plurality of angles. The tilting handle  20  has a pair of telescoping supports  22 , and a hand grip  24 , a pair of vertical supports  22 , a support  22  on each side of the hand grip  24 . The supports  22  each having a plurality of vertical sections  26  that slide telescopically when the handle  20  is extended and retracted. Each support has a bottom vertical section  22 B that has a pivot  26 . On at least one support  22  is a pin  28  that selectively locks the supports into a tilted position and selectively releases the supports from the tilted position to a substantially vertical position. 
     The rolling bag  10  has a main compartment  14  with a back  14 B having a recess  16 . In the recess  16  is a conveyor belt  30  with a continuous track  32  driven by a plurality of rollers  34 . The continuous track  32  has an outer tread  36  configured for traction. 
     The rolling bag  10  has a plurality of wheels  14  at the compartment bottom configured for rolling along on the level or on the incline. Wheels on rolling bags are well-known to those of ordinary skill and the number and the configuration of the wheels are not within the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 2  shows the rolling bag  10  configured for rolling along on the level or on the incline. The conveyor belt  30  and the tilting handle  20  are aligned in a substantially straight line when the tilting handle  20  is fully extended and vertical. The continuous track  32  is taut over the rollers  34 , preventing the track  34  from sagging and interfering with the rolling wheels. When the tilting handle  20  retracts for stowing, the continuous track  32  is taut, preventing the track from tangling with other objects in a stowage area. 
       FIGS. 5A-5D  illustrate the conveyor belt  30 . Within the continuous belt  32  is an offset device  40  coupled to the support bottom  22 B of the tilting handle  20 . The offset device  40  selectively engages the rollers  34  of the conveyor belt  30  thereby increasing the tension of the track  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 5B and 5D , said track is taut for stowage when the tilting handle  20  is retracted and for rolling when the tilting handle is substantially upright. When the offset device  40  selectively decreases the tension of the track  32  by disengaging the rollers  34  when the tilting handle  20  tilts, slack is created in the track  32  operative for ascending and descending the staircase. The slack track  32  conforms to a riser and a tread of a staircase, increasing the distance the track travels, allowing the rollers  34  to roll up the riser and transverse the stair tread. 
     In  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B , in one example embodiment, the offset device  40  is a cam  40 C; in  FIG. 5C  and  FIG. 5D , in a further example embodiment, the offset device  40  is an eccentric roller  40 E. 
     In one example embodiment, the pivot  26  has a ratchet configured for locking the vertical supports  22  of the handle  20  in place when a desired tilt is achieved. The ratchet is at the bottom  22 B of the vertical supports engages the offset device  40 . 
       FIG. 3  demonstrates the rolling bag  10  ascending the staircase  50 . The staircase has risers  52  and treads  54  at an incline known as a pitch  56  which is the line of inclination from horizontal. The slack track  32  conforms to the risers  52  and treads  54  allowing the rollers  34  to traverse the staircase  50 . 
     The tilting handle tilts into a plurality of angles, a first angle, θ′ about ten (10) to thirty (30) degrees, preferably ten (10) degrees, upwards as measured from the pitch  56  or from an imaginary line extending from the continuous track when ascending the staircase. 
       FIG. 4  demonstrates the rolling bag  10  descending the staircase  50 . The slack track  32  conforms to the risers  52  and treads  54  as explained hereinabove. The tilting handle  20  tilts into a second angle, 8″ about forty (40) to sixty (60) degrees, preferably fifty (50) degrees upwards as measured from the pitch  56  or from the imaginary line extending from the continuous track  32  when descending the staircase. The tilting handle  20  retracts and extends to a plurality of lengths. As illustrated, the tilting handle  20  is at a short length for descent, allowing more control over the bag  20 . 
     The angle for descent is determined by subtracting the angle of the staircase, which varies from thirty (30) degrees to forty (42) from the vertical line formed by a user at ninety (90) degrees. 
       FIG. 2  shows a third angle θ for rolling the rolling bag, the tilting handle  20  forming a straight line or 180 degrees with the imaginary line extending from the continuous track. 
     As explained hereinabove, the tilting handle selectively extends and retracts to an optimal length for the situation, the handle supports substantially retracting into the rolling bag for stowage. In one example embodiment, each section  28  of the supports  22  tilt independently of an adjacent vertical section, the tilting handle adaptable to many situations. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a method for manufacturing the rolling bag  10  is illustrated. The tilting handle  20  couples to the main compartment  14  of the rolling bag  10 , the handle configured for tilting into a plurality of angles. The conveyor belt  30  couples to the recess  16  in the back  14 B of the main compartment  14 B, the conveyor belt  30  having the continuous track  32  and the plurality of rollers  34  driving the track  32 . 
     It is understood by those of ordinary skill that the step of coupling the conveyor belt to the recess in the back of the main compartment can be performed before the tilting handle is coupled to the main compartment. 
     The offset device  40  of the conveyor belt  30  shown in  FIGS. 5A-5D  couples to the tilting handle  20  at the bottom  22 B of the handle support  22 , the offset device  40  selectively engaging the rollers  34  of the conveyor belt  30  thereby increasing the tension of the track  32 , the track being taut and selectively decreasing the tension of the track  32  when the tilting handle  20  is tilted for ascending and descending the staircase. 
     It is understood that the term bag refers to refers to luggage and baggage in general and can be, for example, but not limited to, a suitcase, a backpack, a duffel, a gym bag, a trunk, a garment bag, a valise and a kit bag. 
     It is understood that when an element is referred hereinabove as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
     Moreover, any components or materials can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece or separately fabricated and connected. 
     It is further understood that, although ordinal terms, such as, “first,” “second,” “third,” are used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or “section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, are used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present claims. 
     In conclusion, herein is presented a rolling bag for ascending and descending a staircase. The disclosure is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present disclosure.