Abstract:
A suitcase capable of being maintained laterally to a user during manual transport. The suitcase includes wheels attached to a luggage compartment, the wheels rotating about a common wheel axis. A handle assembly attached to the luggage compartment includes a grip portion and a passageway for receiving the grip portion. The passageway allows the grip portion to selectively extend parallel to the wheel axis, moving between a storage position and opposing first and second extended positions. The extended positions provide a method for manually transporting the wheeled suitcase while maintaining the suitcase to the side of the user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200410016396.5, filed February 18, Chinese Patent Application No. 200420020325.8, filed Feb. 23, 2004, Chinese Patent Application No. 200420020327.7, filed Feb. 23, 2004, 2004, and Chinese Patent Application No. 200420020326.2, filed Feb. 23, 2004, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The subject disclosure relates to handles for suitcases and luggage, and more particularly to an improved handle for the manual transport of a wheeled suitcase.  
         [0004]     2. Background of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Many suitcases today are constructed so as to incorporate wheels, allowing the luggage to be transported easily by rolling on the wheels rather than carrying. Such a “wheeled suitcase” facilitates luggage transport, and as such, wheeled suitcases are in widespread use and are well understood in the art. Typically, such suitcases also incorporate a telescoping handle that can be extended to allow pushing or pulling of the luggage, or, can be compressed such that it is concealed within the luggage.  
         [0006]     The most common type of wheeled suitcase has a plurality of wheels at one end of the luggage, all sharing a common axis of rotation. A telescoping handle extends from an opposite end of the luggage, in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the wheels. The handle requires that the suitcase is pulled directly behind (or pushed directly in front of) a user during manual transport. This arrangement has the drawback that a normal stride length is often larger than the distance between the user and the bag, such that the user kicks and/or trips over the bag when walking with it. An obvious method for overcoming this drawback is to increase the number of telescoping sections of the handle. In such case, the extended handle is sufficiently long to maintain the luggage outside the stride area, while still collapsible to a size that allows concealing the handle inside the luggage when not in use. This method is undesirable, however, because of the increased cost associated with increasing the number of telescoping sections of the handle. As such, alternative suitcase handles have been pursued.  
         [0007]     One alternative handle for rolling luggage is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0085089 A1 to Lin et al. (the &#39;089 application). The &#39;089 application discloses a wheeled luggage 50 with a retractable handle assembly 10. The handle assembly 10 is extended upward from a center at a joining edge of a top 57 and a rear 52 of the luggage 50. The handle assembly 10 comprises a single handle rod 70 and a handle grip 20 extended from the top of the handle rod 70. The handle grip 20 has a length just smaller than a half-width of the top 57, and is pivotable and rotatable about the handle rod 70, such that the handle grip 20 can assume a range of angles and positions with respect to the handle rod 70. Specifically, in one embodiment, the handle grip 20 is disposed at a 90 degree angle to the handle rod 70 and pointed toward a side 54 of the luggage 50 (i.e. in a direction parallel to the straight line between the wheels 55,56).  
         [0008]     The handle assembly 10 of the &#39;089 application has several advantageous features as compared to a typical U-shaped handle. Because the handle grip 20 has a length similar to a half-width of the top 57 and can be positioned pointing toward the side 54 of the luggage 50, a user holding the handle grip 20 while transporting the luggage 50 walks to the side of the luggage 50. This keeps the bag out of the user&#39;s stride.  
         [0009]     However, the handle assembly 10 of the &#39;089 application does have several disadvantages. In order to allow a user to walk to the side of the bag, the length of the handle grip 20 is required to be similar to or longer than a half-width of the luggage 50. For some bags, this can force the handle grip 20 to be quite long. Because the handle assembly 10 of the &#39;089 application utilizes a single handle rod 70 (explicitly avoiding the use of multiple handle rods), there is no further physical support for the handle grip, reducing the stability of the assembly. Forces applied by the user to the handle grip 20 (i.e. during pushing or pulling of the bag) result in a large moment at the point where the handle grip 20 attaches to the handle rod 70. This large moment will cause the handle assembly 10 to flex, so that the ultimate direction of a user-exerted force will vary from the intended direction.  
         [0010]     Another alternative handle is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 2004/0079603 A1 to Miller et al. (the &#39;603 application). The &#39;603 application teaches a handle system for a rolling luggage case. The handle system includes telescoping post members 155,160, a cross member 105 extending between adjacent end portions of the telescoping post members 155,160, and a handle 110 pivotally mounted to the cross member 105. The handle 110 includes a grasping bar 115 that extends from the handle 110 in a direction perpendicular to the cross member 105. The handle 110 can rotate about the cross member 105 so that the grasping bar 115 can be oriented in a variety of directions perpendicular to the cross member 105. The &#39;603 application fails to teach a handle that moves the luggage away from the user by any significant amount. Rather, the &#39;603 application refers to its subject invention as a labor saving device, and does not address the problem of an impeded stride.  
         [0011]     There is a need, therefore, for an improved wheeled suitcase which permits a user to push or pull a suitcase without having his or her stride impeded. Specifically, there is a need for an improved handle that allows a rolling luggage to remain outside the user&#39;s stride as it is transported. Such a handle should be structurally stable and mechanically reliable, and should be simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Further, because a large number of wheeled suitcases already exists, there is a need for adapting the handles of existing suitcases to provide all of the above advantages.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     The present invention is directed to a modified handle assembly for a wheeled suitcase that allows the suitcase to be maintained laterally to a user as the suitcase is being manually transported. The modified handle assembly prevents a wheeled suitcase from obstructing a user&#39;s stride during transport, and is therefore a significant improvement over the prior art. The modified handle is structurally stable and mechanically reliable, and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Further, the disclosed modified handle can be provided by adapting a conventional suitcase handle assembly.  
         [0013]     A preferred embodiment of the modified handle is a handle extension for a conventional suitcase. The suitcase has wheels that rotate about a common wheel axis and a handle assembly including one or more handle rods. The handle extension includes a grip portion and means for coupling the grip portion to the handle assembly. The means are such that the grip portion achieves an extended position in which the grip portion extends parallel to the wheel axis and allows the suitcase to be maintained laterally to a user as the suitcase is being manually transported.  
         [0014]     In another preferred embodiment, a wheeled suitcase has a luggage compartment from which extends a connector in the form of first and second handle rods and a cross piece coupled between the handle rods. The suitcase also has wheels attached to the luggage compartment for rotation about a common wheel axis. A grip portion is slidingly coupled to the connector such that the grip portion slides between a retracted position, in which the grip portion is at least partially contained between the handle rods and/or within the cross piece, and two extended positions, in which the grip portion extends laterally from between the handle rods in either of opposing directions.  
         [0015]     In still another preferred embodiment, a wheeled suitcase has a luggage compartment from which extends a connector in the form of first and second handle rods and a cross piece coupled between the handle rods. The suitcase also has wheels attached to the luggage compartment for rotation about a common wheel axis. A grip portion is pivotally coupled to the connector such that the grip portion pivots between a retracted position, in which the grip portion is at least partially contained between the handle rods, and an extended position, in which the grip portion extends laterally from between the handle rods.  
         [0016]     In yet another preferred embodiment, a suitcase capable of being maintained laterally to a user during manual transport includes a luggage compartment, wheels attached to the luggage compartment for rotation about a common wheel axis, and a handle assembly attached to the luggage compartment. The handle assembly includes a grip portion and a passageway for receiving the grip portion. The passageway receives the grip portion such that the grip portion selectively extends parallel to the wheel axis between a storage position and first and second extended positions, the first extended position having the grip portion extend from a first end of the passageway and the second extended position having the grip portion extend from a second end of the passageway.  
         [0017]     It should be appreciated that the present invention can be implemented and utilized in numerous ways, including without limitation as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device, a method for applications now known and later developed. These and other unique features of the system disclosed herein will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the disclosed system appertains will more readily understand how to make and use the same, reference may be had to the drawings wherein.  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is an overview of an environment in which an embodiment of the present invention may be used;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2   a  illustrates a perspective view of a wheeled suitcase incorporating a handle assembly in accordance with subject disclosure, and in particular showing the grip portion in an extended position;  
         [0021]      FIG. 2   b  illustrates a perspective view of the wheeled suitcase of  FIG. 2   a , with the grip portion extended in the direction opposite that in  2   a;    
         [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a handle assembly for a wheeled suitcase, the handle assembly including a cross piece which defines a passageway through which a grip portion can slide;  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a prior art wheeled suitcase, including a conventional handle assembly;  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a wheeled suitcase and a handle extension, the handle extension being attached to the conventional handle assembly of the suitcase and including a grip portion that can slide to the side of the handle assembly;  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the handle extension of  FIG. 5 , showing the housing, bracket, and grip portion;  
         [0026]      FIG. 7   a  illustrates a perspective view of a wheeled suitcase incorporating a handle extension, the grip portion being positioned in one of the two extended positions;  
         [0027]      FIG. 7   b  illustrates a perspective view of a wheeled suitcase of  FIG. 7   a , the grip portion being positioned in the retracted position;  
         [0028]      FIG. 7   c  illustrates a perspective view of a wheeled suitcase of  FIG. 7   a , the grip portion being positioned in one the alternate extended position;  
         [0029]      FIG. 8   a  illustrates a perspective view of a handle extension for attachment to a wheeled suitcase, the handle extension including a grip portion with laterally offset spring-biased buttons for selectively fixing the position of the grip portion with respect to the housing;  
         [0030]      FIG. 8   b  is an exploded view of the handle extension of  FIG. 8   b;    
         [0031]      FIG. 9   a  is a side view of a handle assembly for a wheeled suitcase, the handle assembly including a jointed grip portion slidingly contained in the lumen of a cross piece;  
         [0032]      FIG. 9   b  is a side view of the handle assembly of  FIG. 9   a  wherein the grip portion is positioned such that the joint sits outside the lumen of the cross piece, allowing rotation of one end of the grip portion with respect to the other;  
         [0033]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a wheeled suitcase and a handle extension attached to the conventional handle assembly of the suitcase, the handle extension including a grip portion for rotating to the side of the handle assembly;  
         [0034]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the handle extension of  FIG. 10 , showing the housing, bracket, and grip portion.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0035]     The present invention overcomes many of the prior art problems associated with handles for rolling luggage. The advantages, and other features of the system disclosed herein, will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings which set forth representative embodiments of the present invention and wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural elements.  
         [0036]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in a preferred embodiment, a wheeled suitcase  100  includes a luggage compartment  110 , wheels  130 , and a handle assembly  140 . The luggage compartment  110  defines an interior for storing articles. Wheels  130  are rotationally secured to the luggage compartment  110  and share an axis of rotation  112 . Handle assembly  140  is coupled to the luggage compartment  110  and includes a grip portion  146  that selectively extends parallel to axis  112 . Wheels  130  and handle assembly  140  are thereby configured to allow suitcase  100  to be transported by applying force to the grip portion  146  and allowing suitcase  100  to roll.  
         [0037]     As can be seen, the suitcase  100  allows transport without obstructing the normal stride. Specifically, the suitcase  100  is laterally offset with respect to the user during transport, allowing a user to walk comfortably to one side of suitcase  100 . This presents a significant advantage over the prior art.  
         [0038]     Referring to  FIG. 2   a , handle assembly  140  includes handle rods  142  that selectively telescope out from the luggage compartment  110  in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis  112 . A cross piece  144  connects handle rods  142 , and provides another location for a user to grasp handle assembly  140  (in addittion to grip portion  146 ).  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the cross piece  144  defines a passageway  148 , and grip portion  146  is slidingly contained in passageway  148 . The grip portion  146  can move between an extended position in which the grip portion  146  projects out from between the handle rods  142  in a direction generally parallel to axis  112  and a retracted position in which the grip portion  146  is substantially contained within passageway  148 . In the extended position, grip portion  146  is presented for grasping by a user, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The grip portion  146  can project to opposing sides of the handle assembly  140 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , and can slide back and forth between these two positions, moving through the retracted position. The ability to position the grip portion  146  to either side of the handle assembly  140  allows the user to use either hand to transport the suitcase  100  as may be convenient.  
         [0040]     The grip portion  146  defines holes  150 , and spring-biased buttons  152  protrude through holes  150 . Cross piece  144  also defines holes  154 ; when grip portion  146  is moved such that a hole  154  is aligned with a button  152 , the button  152  will engage the hole  154  and fix the position of the grip portion  146  with respect to the cross piece  144 . In order to allow further movement of the grip portion  146 , the button  152  is depressed to allow the grip portion  146  to slide through passageway  148 .  
         [0041]     The grip portion  146  and cross piece  144  could be adapted and configured such that the grip portion  146  can slide through the passageway  148  defined by the cross piece  144 , but cannot rotate with respect thereto. This could be done, for example, by making the grip portion  146  oval or quadrilateral in cross section, or by forming an axial groove on the inside of the cross piece  144  and an extended axial protrusion on the outside of the grip portion  146 .  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , it is preferred that luggage compartment  110  includes a handle  124  and a plurality of supports  126  on opposing sides. Handle  124  and supports  126  allow the suitcase  100  to be positioned on the supports  126  without causing wear of the luggage compartment  110  against a supporting surface, and to be lifted and carried in that position when it is desired to avoid using wheels  130 .  
         [0043]     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a conventional wheeled suitcase handle can be modified to exhibit the above described characteristics by attaching a suitable handle extension. A conventional suitcase handle assembly  240  emanates from the luggage compartment  210  of a rolling suitcase  200 . Conventional handle assembly  240  includes two handle rods  242  and a cross piece  244  connecting handle rods  242 . A handle extension  250  is secured to handle assembly  240 . Handle extension  250  includes a grip portion  256  which can assume an extended position in which the grip portion  256  extends out and is presented for grasping by a user. As with the integrally formed handle assembly  140  described earlier, the handle extension  250  thus allows a user to maintain the suitcase  200  to the side of the normal stride area as the suitcase  200  is manually transported.  
         [0044]     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , to attach the handle extension  250 , a housing  252  and a bracket  254  are placed on opposing sides of the handle rods  242 . Fasteners  258  are then used to force the housing  252  and bracket  254  together, thereby securing housing  252  with respect to rods  242 . The movable grip portion  256  is slidingly contained in a passageway  260  defined by the housing  252 . This allows the grip portion  256  to move between an extended position (shown in  FIG. 7   a ) in which the grip portion  256  extends out from the housing  252  and is presented for grasping and a retracted position (shown in  FIG. 7   b ) in which the grip portion  256  remains substantially concealed in the housing  252 . The grip portion  256  includes a spring-biased button  262 . Button  262  engages holes  264  defined in housing  252  to fix the position of grip portion  256  with respect to housing  252 . Button  262  can be depressed to allow grip portion  256  to pass through passageway  260 . The placement of holes  264  on housing  252  allows grip portion  256  to be fixed in either the extended or retracted position. It also allows the grip portion  256  to extend to opposing sides of the handle assembly  240 , as illustrated by  FIGS. 7   a  and  7   c . It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that multiple spring-biased buttons can be provided with the grip portion  256 , thereby allowing the grip portion  256  to project to either side of the housing  252  and by selectively varied amounts.  
         [0045]     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the holes  154  in the cross piece and the buttons  152  all align along the sliding direction of the grip portion  146 . As such, it is necessary, at least in some cases (depending on the relative spacing of the holes  154  and buttons  152 ), to depress both buttons  152  when moving the grip portion  146  from the retracted to the extended position. This same feature is seen in the handle extension  250  illustrated in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0046]     In another preferred embodiment, illustrated by  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  and similar to that illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a handle extension  350  includes a grip portion  356  slidingly contained in the lumen  360  defined by a housing  352 . The housing  352  is secured to a handle assembly using a bracket  354  and fasteners  358 . Spring-biased buttons  362   a - b  are included in grip portion  356  and are used to engage holes  364   a - b  in the housing  352 . Buttons  362   a - b  are offset with respect to one another in a direction perpendicular to the direction of sliding of the grip portion  356 . The holes  364   a - b  are similarly offset, but in the opposite direction to the offset direction of the buttons  362   a - b . As such, each button  362   a - b  engages only one of the holes  364   a - b . For example, in  FIG. 8   a , button  362   a  is capable of engaging hole  364   a , but not  364   b . The handle extension  350  allows the grip portion  356  to move from an extended position to one side of the housing  352  to a retracted position by depressing the button  362   a . Button  362   b  is then depressed to take the grip portion  356  from retracted to extended in the opposite direction. While  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  show buttons being offset in the context of a handle extension, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the same concept can be used for a suitcase handle assembly.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , in another preferred embodiment, an elongated grip portion  446  sits in a lumen  448  defined by a cross piece  444 . Grip portion  446  includes a joint  447  located between axially opposed first and second ends  450 ,  452 . The joint  447  allows rotation of the first end  450  with respect to the second end  452  around an axis perpendicular to the axis a of rotation of the suitcase wheels (not shown). However, such rotation is prevented by the cross piece  444  when the joint  447  is located inside lumen  448 , and only by positioning grip portion  446  such that the joint  447  is outside lumen  448  can ends  450 ,  452  rotate with respect to one another. In this way, grip portion  446  can be selectively directed perpendicularly to the axis a. Prefereably, the orientation of the first end  450  with respect to the second  452  can be selectively fixed at a plurality of orientations, and the grip portion  446  can be selectively rotated within the cross piece  444 , thereby allowing the configuration of the grip portion  446  to be adjusted for the comfort of the user. This can be beneficial when carrying heavy loads, as it is more ergonomic. It should also be noted that the grip portion  446  can achieve the same result without being hinged, but rather by utilizing a curved grip portion  446 , such that when in the extended position, the grip portion  446  simultaneously extends parallel to and perpendicular to axis a.  
         [0048]     The above described handle assemblies and handle extensions include a grip portion the moves slidingly between a retracted and an extended position. However, the transition between retracted and extended can be accomplished through other types of movement. For example, another preferred embodiment of a handle extension is shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . A handle assembly  540  has multiple handle rods  542  and a cross piece  544  connecting the handle rods  542 . A handle extension  550  is coupled to the handle assembly  540  using a bracket  554  and fasteners  558 , and includes a grip portion  546  is pivotally connected to housing  552 . Thereby, the grip portion  546  can rotate to sit alternatively between the handle rods  542  and adjacent to the cross piece  544  or extend laterally out from between the handle rods  542  in a direction generally perpendicular to the wheel axis  512 . As with the previously described embodiments, the handle extension  550  allows a user to walk to one side of a wheeled suitcase  500 . Although  FIG. 10  refers to an add-on handle extension, it will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that a handle assembly formed integrally with a suitcase and embodying similar concepts to those embodied in  FIG. 10  is also possible.  
         [0049]     In another preferred embodiment, a handle assembly comprises a single handle rod. In such case, the grip portion slidingly or pivotally couples to that single handle rod. The retracted position would consist of the grip portion being partially contained within the rod, for example, in a hollow created in the rod to receive the grip portion.  
         [0050]     Aside from those already presented, other methods for retaining a handle extension on a conventional suitcase handle are also possible. For example, the housing could incorporate a series of C-clips or hook-and-loop fasteners that can be used to couple the housing to the handle. Alternatively, the housing could sit between the handle rods of the suitcase handle, with the rods providing pressure to the housing that creates an appropriate frictional force.  
         [0051]     The grip portion has been described as a simple shaft that moves between an extended and a retracted position. However, in a preferred embodiment, the grip portion would include an interior and an exterior shaft. The interior shaft would be contained within the exterior shaft, and would selectively telescope out from the exterior shaft. The exterior shaft could be fixed with respect to the suitcase handle assembly, and the interior shaft could be fixed with respect to the exterior shaft. In this way, the amount of lateral offset between a user and a suitcase being manually transported could be increased when desired by the user.  
         [0052]     While the invention has been described with respect to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.