Abstract:
A luggage article including first rollers and selectively deployable or nondeployable second rollers. The luggage article includes a handle that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The user can selectively deploy or not deploy the second rollers even when the handle is in the extended position. An improved detent device and also an improved caster system are also disclosed. Also, a wheeled panel mechanism by itself for use not only with luggage but also other articles such as carts, dollies and baby carriages, is disclosed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The inventions disclosed herein concern improvements in wheeled luggage and associated devices. Conventionally, wheeled luggage includes one or more wheels integral with the frame of the luggage. A retractable or foldable handle is provided to allow the luggage to be pushed or pulled along the ground. This alleviates the need for the user to carry and thus support the entire weight of the luggage.  
           [0002]    In order to provide further stability and support to the luggage, a retractable panel has been provided which includes an extra wheel or two. The retractable panel is automatically deployed by pulling up on the handle. The extra wheels can be casters in order to increase the maneuverability of the luggage. Examples of such items are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,519,919 and 5,568,848.  
           [0003]    One major disadvantage of the devices disclosed in the above two mentioned patents is that the retractable panel including the extra wheel or wheels is automatically deployed upon pulling up of the handle. Thus, even when the extra stability and support of the extra wheel(s) is not needed, the retractable panel is deployed. There is no way to use the luggage with the handle in an extended state while at the same time not deploying the retractable panel.  
           [0004]    What is needed, therefore, are improvements in wheeled luggage which overcome the above noted disadvantages of the prior art as well as other improvements in the detent systems for the handle, the caster disposed on the retractable panel and pushbutton mechanisms.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The luggage article of the invention satisfies the above-mentioned needs as well as others. The luggage article includes a storage compartment and first rolling means projecting from the storage compartment. A wheeled panel mechanism is provided which includes a pivotably mounted panel, the panel having second rolling means. Operatively associated with the wheeled panel mechanism is a handle which is movable between a retracted position and an extended position. The luggage article finally includes means for selective deployment or nondeployment of the second rolling means when the handle is moved from the retracted position to the extended position. In this way, the user has a choice to use or not use the second rolling means even when the handle is in an extended position.  
           [0006]    An improved detent means and improved caster system for the second rolling means are also disclosed. A wheeled panel mechanism itself for use not only with luggage but also other articles, such as carts, dollies and baby carriages is also provided. An improved pushbutton device is also disclosed. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0007]    A full understanding of the invention can be gained from the following detailed description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a luggage article, partially cutaway, showing the wheeled panel mechanism of the invention with the handle in a retracted position and the wheeled panel mechanism in a nondeployed position.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a luggage article, partially cutaway, showing the handle in an extended position and the wheeled panel mechanism in a nondeployed position.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a luggage article, partially cutaway, showing the handle in an extended position and the wheeled panel mechanism in a deployed position.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the wheeled panel mechanism.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the handle means.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 is a perspective view, partially cutaway, of the handle means in the extended position.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 only showing when the pushbutton is pushed and the detent is moved.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 only showing the handle being pushed down towards the retracted position.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views of another embodiment of the pushbutton.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the wheeled panel mechanism by itself in its deployed state.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 only showing the wheeled panel mechanism being partially closed.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIGS. 9 and 10 only showing the wheeled panel mechanism being fully closed.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of FIG. 1.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  13 - 13  of FIG. 2.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 12 and 13.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  15 - 15  of FIG. 3.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 16 is a side elevational view, partially in section, showing the caster of the invention in a storage position.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 17 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of a caster of the invention bearing on a surface.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 18 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of the caster with its wheel lifted off of the ground. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0027]    Referring more particular to FIGS.  1 - 3 , the basic concept of one of the inventions disclosed herein will be discussed. A luggage article  20  is shown. The luggage article  20  includes, in this embodiment, a unitary frame or gusset  22  made of plastic. A fabric covering (not shown) can be used to create the storage compartment  24  for the luggage article  20 . It will be appreciated that the invention herein can also be used with so-called “hard-sided” luggage, in addition to the soft-sided (or gussetted) luggage shown. Broadly, the luggage article  20  includes handle means  26  which includes a pair of spaced apart male tubing members  28  and  30  which are joined together at the top by a gripping portion  32 . The male tubing members  28  and  30  engage into female tubes  40  and  42 . It will be appreciated that the male tubing members  28  and  30  and the gripping portion  32  can be moved from a retracted position, as shown in FIG. 1 to an extended portion as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 2 shows the luggage article  20  with the handle means  26  in an extended position. In this position, the luggage article  20  can be rolled along a surface by means of first rolling means shown here as a pair of spaced apart wheels  44  and  46 . The design and positioning of these wheels are well known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0029]    Referring to FIG. 3, the luggage article  20  is also shown with the handle means  26  extended. A wheeled panel mechanism  50 , which will be discussed in much greater detail below, is provided which includes second rolling means, in this case unique and novel casters  52  and  54 , mounted by means of a caster support bar  55  to a pivotably mounted panel  56  of the wheeled panel mechanism  50  (see FIG. 3). The wheeled panel mechanism  50  provides greater support for the luggage article  20  and allows the luggage article  20  to be more easily pushed by the user.  
         [0030]    In accordance with the invention, the luggage article  20  includes means for selective deployment or nondeployment of the second rolling means  52 ,  54  of the luggage article when the handle means  26  is moved from the retracted position (FIG. 1) to the extended position (FIGS. 2 and 3). The advantage of the luggage article  20  of the invention is that, in contrast to prior art luggage articles, the user has a choice of whether or not to deploy the wheeled panel mechanism  50  when the handle means  26  is extended. Thus, for example, when the user only needs to use the first rolling means  44 ,  46 , such as when the load is light or when it is desired to move the luggage article  20  in close quarters, the wheeled panel mechanism  50  does not have to be deployed when the handle means  26  is extended. Conversely, when the wheeled panel mechanism  50  is really needed, such as when the load is heavy or when it is desired to stack other items on the luggage article  20 , the wheeled panel mechanism  50  can be deployed to create a luggage cart.  
         [0031]    Referring now more particularly to FIGS.  4 - 15 , one embodiment of the invention for accomplishing the broad concept of the invention will be discussed. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention can encompass other means, not shown, for allowing the selective deployment or nondeployment of the second rolling means (casters  52  and  54 ) which are mounted to the pivotably mounted panel  56 .  
         [0032]    Referring now specifically to FIG. 4, with reference generally to FIGS.  1 - 3 , the wheeled panel mechanism  50  is preferably a modular component which can be attached separately to an existing luggage article. A framing member  60  is attached to the female tubing members  40  and  42 . The wheeled panel mechanism  50  is then attached to the framing member  60  and secured thereto by fastening means, such as rivets  63 ,  64 ,  65  and  66 . The construction and operation of the wheeled panel mechanism  50  will be discussed in detail below.  
         [0033]    Referring now to FIGS.  5 - 7 , the handle means  26  will be explained in greater detail. The handle means  26  includes the male tubing members  28 ,  30  which are slidingly engaged in the female tubing members  40 ,  42 . The female tubing members  40 ,  42  include openings  40   a,    42   a  and longitudinal slots  40   b,    42   b.  The purpose of the longitudinal slots  40   b,    42   b  will be explained below. The free end of each of the male tubing members  28  and  30  encloses the detent housing  70 ,  71  which contains the detent  72 ,  73  of the invention. The detent  72 ,  73  includes a channel  74 ,  75  and a rounded opening  76 ,  77 . Cable  78 ,  79  has one end  78   a,    79   a  connected to the detent  72 ,  73  as shown in FIG. 5. The other end  78   b,    79   b  of the cable  78 ,  79  is connected to a tab  80 ,  81  movably mounted to a lower portion  84  of the gripping portion  32 . The tab  80 ,  81  has an engagement opening  80   a,    81   a  including a sloped pilot surface  80   b,    81   b.  A push button  90  is provided that is movably mounted into an opening  92  in upper portion  93  of the gripping portion  32 . The push button  90  has a first projection  94  with a sloped pilot surface  94   a  and a second projection  95  with a sloped pilot surface  95   a.  The push button  90  is biased upwardly by means of spring  96 . Each of the tabs  80 ,  81  includes a toothed projection portion  98 ,  99  that is meshingly engaged with a round gear  100  rotatably mounted to the lower portion  84  of the gripping portion  32 .  
         [0034]    The detent  72 ,  73  has the general shape shown in FIG. 5 and includes a top flat section  102 ,  103 ; a sloped section  104 ,  105 ; a vertical section  106 ,  107 ; a bottom flat section  108 ,  109 ; a lockdown device engagement section  110 ,  111 ; an intermediate horizontal section  112 ,  113  and an outside vertical section  114 ,  115 . A portion  120 ,  121  of the detent  72 ,  73  extends beyond the outer surface  122 ,  123  of the male tubing members  28 ,  30 .  
         [0035]    Also provided in the female tubing members  40 ,  42  are lockdown devices  130 ,  131 . These lockdown devices  130 ,  131  include projections  132 ,  133  having a detent mechanism engagement portion  134 ,  135  including a sloped pilot surface  136 ,  137  which act as detent engaging portions. The lockdown device  130 ,  131  includes a spring  138 ,  139 . The projection  132 ,  133  also includes a slider mechanism engagement portion  132   a,    133   a.  The operation of the lockdown device  130 ,  131  will be discussed below in further detail with respect to FIGS.  12 - 15 .  
         [0036]    Referring now particularly to FIGS.  6 - 8 , the operation of the detent  72 ,  73  vis-a-vis the handle  26  will be explained. In FIG. 6, the handle  26  is shown in its extended position (see FIGS. 2 and 3). In this position, the extension portion  120 ,  121  of the detent  72 ,  73  extends into the openings  40   a,    42   a  in the female tubing  40 ,  42 . In this position, it will be appreciated that the male tubing  28 ,  30  is locked into the female tubing  40 ,  42 . If it is desired to move the handle  26  to a retracted position (FIG. 1), the pushbutton  90  is depressed, thus rotating the detent  72 ,  73  out of the openings  40   a,    42  as can be seen in FIG. 7.  
         [0037]    It will be appreciated that when the pushbutton  90  is depressed, the pilot surface  94   a,    95   a  of the first and second projections  94  and  95  engage against the sloped pilot surfaces  80   b,    81   b  of the tabs  80 ,  81  thus causing the tabs  80 ,  81  to move towards each other by means of toothed projection portions  98 ,  99  meshingly engaging with the round gear  100  (see FIG. 5). This will pull the cables  78 ,  79  (moving the cables in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 7) and thus pivot the detent  72 ,  73  out of the opening  40   a,    42   a  as shown in FIG. 7. This will allow the male tubing  28 ,  30  to be pushed downwardly into the female tubing  40 ,  42 . Once the detent  72 ,  73  clears the opening  40   a,    42   a,  the pushbutton  90  can be released, and the detent  72 ,  73  will contact the inner surface  40   c,    42   c  of the female tubing  40 ,  42  as shown in FIG. 8. Due to the design and configuration of the detent  72 ,  73 , the male tubing  28 ,  30  can slide downwardly in the female tubing  40 ,  42 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIGS. 8A and 8B show an alternate embodiment of the pushbutton mechanism. In this embodiment, a pair of camming means  140 ,  141  are provided to which the cables  78 ′ and  79 ′ are attached. The pushbutton  142  includes two projections  144 ,  145  which engage against the camming means  140 ,  141  when pushed down, causing the camming means  140 ,  141  to rotate about pivot point  146 ,  147 . This in turn will draw the cable  78 ′,  79 ′ inward and thus rotate the detent, as in the embodiment shown in FIGS.  5 - 8 . The pushbutton  142  is biased in the non-engaged position by spring  148 .  
         [0039]    The above detent design is a unique invention in and of itself and can be used with any retractable handle for a luggage article, whether having a wheeled panel mechanism or not. In fact, the detent design can be used for any item having an extendable handle, such as a dolly or a baby carriage. However, the detent design is especially advantageous when used in connection with the unique wheeled panel mechanism  50  of the invention, as will be explained in further detail below.  
         [0040]    The wheeled panel mechanism  50  of the invention is shown apart from the luggage article in FIG. 9. As was explained above, the mechanism  50  is a modular component which can be attached separately to an existing luggage article or to any other carrying article such as a dolly, cart or baby carriage. The mechanism  50  is connected to a framing member  60  that is itself attached to the female tubing members  40 ,  42  as was seen in FIG. 4.  
         [0041]    Referring now to FIG. 9, the wheeled panel mechanism  50  includes a body portion  150 , a pivotably mounted panel  56  (shown in phantom for the sake of clarity) including casters  52 ,  54  mounted to caster bar  55  and linkage means  152  connecting the body portion  150  to the pivotably mounted panel  56 . The linkage means  152  consists of a first link  156  and a second link  158 . The first link  156  is pivotably mounted to the panel  56  and the second link  158  whereas the second link  158  is pivotably mounted to the body portion  150  and the first link  156 . A first spring  160  is disposed at the joining point of the panel  56  and the first link  156  and a second spring  162  is disposed at the joining point of the body portion  150  and the second link  158 . The springs will aid in the deployment of the panel  56  as will be explained below. In addition, a roller  166  is provided at the joining point of first link  156  and second link  158 .  
         [0042]    The wheeled panel mechanism  50  further includes a slider mechanism  170 . The slider mechanism  170  includes a pair of arms  172 ,  174  that extend away from a central roller  176 . The ends of the arms  172 ,  174  include extension portions  177  and  178 , respectively which extended through the slots  40   b  and  42   b  in female tubing members  40  and  42  (not shown in FIG. 9).  
         [0043]    The body portion  150  includes a pair of spaced apart rollers  180  and  182 , with central roller  166  being disposed intermediate thereof. A belt  184  has one end  184   a  attached to the pivotably mounted panel  56  and a second end  184   b  attached to the body portion  150 . Taking it from end  184   a,  the belt  184  is threaded through an opening  156   a  in first link  156 , over roller  166  and threaded back through an opening  158   a  in second link  158 . From there, the belt  184  is threaded under roller  182 , under central roller  176 , over roller  180  and then over central roller  176  of the slider mechanism  170 . The belt end  184   b  is then attached to the body portion.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIGS. 10 and 11 show how the movement of the slider mechanism pivots the panel  56  so that the wheeled mechanism  50  can be placed in a nondeployed state. As can be seen in FIG. 10, once the slider mechanism  170  is moved downwardly by the detent housing  70 ,  71  pushing down on the extensions  177 ,  178  which extend into the female tubing  40 ,  42  (as will be explained in detail with respect to FIGS.  12 - 15 ), the belt  184  is pulled by central roller thus pulling the belt  184  and drawing the first link  156  inward, causing the first link  156  and second link  158  to fold up on each other. Continuing to move the slider mechanism  170  downward will fold up flat the first and second links  156  and  158  so that they will be disposed in the body portion  150  with panel  56  overlying them, as shown in FIG. 11.  
         [0045]    Now that the handle  26  and the wheeled panel mechanism  50  have been explained, the cooperation therebetween in order to achieve one of the objects of the invention will now be explained with reference to the cross-sectional views shown in FIGS.  12 - 15  below. In these cross-sectional views the belt  184  and other parts are not shown in order to increase the clarity of the drawings.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  12 - 12  of FIG. 1, which shows the handle  26  in its retracted position and the wheeled panel mechanism  50  in its nondeployed position. As can be seen in FIG. 12, the extension  177 ,  178  of the arm  172 ,  174  of the slider mechanism  170  extends into the hollow female tubing member  40 ,  42  through slots  40   b  and  42   b  and also engages against, and is locked down to the lockdown device  130 ,  131  by means of the extension  177 ,  178  engaging against the slider mechanism engagement portion  132   a,    133   a  of the projection  132 ,  133 . The slider mechanism  170  is biased against springs  138 ,  139  of the lockdown device  130 ,  131 .  
         [0047]    If it is desired to extend the handle means  26  without deploying the wheeled panel mechanism  50  (FIG. 2) the male tubing  28 ,  30  is merely slid upwardly in the female tubing  40 ,  42  as is shown in FIG. 13. It will be appreciated that the slider mechanism  170  remains locked down to the lockdown device  130 ,  131  thus preventing the deployment of the wheeled panel mechanism  50 .  
         [0048]    If it is desired to extend the handle means  26  and deploy the wheeled panel mechanism  50  (FIG. 3), the pushbutton  90  is pushed, and the detent  72 ,  73  is rotated as is shown in FIG. 14. This action will cause the detent  72 ,  73  to engage against the sloped pilot surface or detent engaging portions  136 ,  137  of the projection  132 ,  133  and rotate the projections  132 ,  133  away from the extension  177 ,  178 , thus unlocking the slider mechanism  170  from the lockdown device  130 ,  131  and causing it to move upwardly as shown by arrows on FIG. 14. The combination of the springs  138 ,  139 ′ along with the springs  160 ,  162  on the linkage means  152  will cause the wheeled panel mechanism to automatically deploy when the slider mechanism  170  is unlocked from the lockdown devices  130 ,  131  and thus moves upwardly as is shown in FIG. 15.  
         [0049]    When it is desired to retract the handle  26 , the male tubing  28 ,  30  is pushed downwardly which causes the detent housing  70 ,  71  to engage against the extension  177 ,  178  of the slider mechanism, thus moving the entire sliding mechanism downwardly until the extension is again locked down onto lockdown device (FIG. 12).  
         [0050]    Referring to FIGS.  16 - 18 , the novel and unique caster of the invention will be discussed. Referring particularly to FIG. 16, a caster  200  is shown associated with a retractable portion  202 , such as a retractable panel similar to pivotably mounted panel  56  of the wheeled panel mechanism  50  shown in FIG. 3, for example. The retractable portion  202  is shown partially in section in FIGS.  16 - 18  in order to illustrate the invention. The caster  200  is shown retracted into a cavity  204  of an item  205 , such as wheeled panel mechanism  50 , for storage purposes. One of the advantages of the design of the caster  200 , which will be explained in detail below, is that the caster  200 , when retracted and stored, fits better into the cavity  204 .  
         [0051]    The caster  200  consists of a wheel  210 , a wheel frame  212  and a swivel  214 . The swivel  214  includes a rod  216  including a cross pin  217  extending therefrom into guiding means  218  formed in the retractable portion  202 . The wheel frame  212  connects the swivel  214  to the wheel  210  and is pivotably mounted to the swivel  214  by a pair of connectors  220 ,  222 . Wheel  210  includes an axle  223  having each of its ends axially rotatably mounted to the wheel frame  212 , as can be seen in FIG. 17. Retractable portion  202  also includes biasing means, in this embodiment a spring  224 , having one end secured to the wall  226  of the retractable portion  202  and having another end bearing against the top surface of rod  216 . The spring  224  biases the caster into a storage position wherein the cross pin  217  engages into the V-shaped guiding means  218 , and so that a gap  228  is formed between the swivel  214  and the bottom surface  202   a  of the retractable portion  202 .  
         [0052]    Referring now to FIG. 17, when the retractable portion  202  is moved from the storage position shown in FIG. 16 and the wheel  210  bears against a surface  230 , the entire caster  200  is pushed upwardly against the bias of the spring  224 , shown by arrow A. This, in turn, allows the cross pin  217  to move out of the V-shaped guiding means  218 . Now, the swivel  214  is able to freely rotate about its vertical axis  240  a full 360°. This is advantageous when the caster  200  bears on surface  230  in that the caster  200  can aid movement of the item on which it is disposed (such as a luggage article) in any desired direction. It will also be appreciated that the cross pin  217  prevents the caster  200  from becoming disengaged from the retractable portion  202 .  
         [0053]    It will be appreciated that it is desired, once the retractable portion  202  is retracted for storage as shown in FIG. 16, that the caster  200  assume a predetermined position for efficient, space-saving storage. Referring to FIG. 18, once the caster  200  is lifted off of the surface  230 , the spring  224  will bias the caster  200  downwardly, as shown by arrow B, thus forcing the rod  216  and cross pin  217  downwardly. This will cause the cross pin  217  to engage against the V-shaped guiding means  218 , which will force the cross pin  217  and thus the entire caster  200  to rotate on its vertical axis  240  to the predetermined position as dictated by the construction and arrangement of the guiding means  218  and which is desired based on the design of the item and/or retractable portion to which the caster is mounted. Of course, if the caster is already in its predetermined position when the wheel  210  is lifted off of the ground, there will be no rotation of the caster  200 . In this way, whenever the wheel  210  is lifted off of the ground, the caster  200  will assume a predetermined position having a particular desired orientation for efficient storage of the caster  200 .  
         [0054]    It will be appreciated that although the caster  200  is shown on a retractable portion  202 , the invention is not so limited and the caster design disclosed can be used on any item, having a retractable portion or not, where it is desired to use a caster having free range of motion while its wheel is on a surface, but which is desired to assume a predetermined position having a particular desired orientation when its wheel is lifted off of the surface.  
         [0055]    Referring back to FIG. 16, it will be seen that the wheel frame  212  of the caster  200  is designed to pivot about a pivot point P in order to further efficiently store the caster  200  into the cavity  204 , as shown by arrow C.  
         [0056]    While specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.