Abstract:
The luggage sliders include various embodiments for permanent or removable installation upon the underside of a roll-around suitcase, wheeled cart, or similar article to facilitate movement of the article up a flight of stairs or other stepped inclined surface. Some of the sliders are pivotally extendible and retractable. Others are telescopically extendible and retractable. Still others are pivotally attached to one edge of the article, and pivotally fold against a surface of the article for storage. Still others may be adjustably clamped about the base of the article. Still others are pivotally attached about a wheel axle to rotate and lie beneath the wheel for operation. Still others may be removably attached directly to the wheels of the luggage, cart, or other wheeled article. Still others are pivotally attached to a point on the luggage and telescopically extend to project below the wheel for use.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to devices for moving objects, and particularly to luggage sliders that may be removably or permanently installed upon luggage or the like to facilitate movement of the luggage up a flight of stairs or other stepped incline. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Suitcases, trunks, and similar luggage and baggage have been known for quite some time. Most such luggage is sized for reasonably convenient carriage by hand, but in many instances the task of carrying such luggage by hand can be tiring over an extended period of time. Accordingly, wheels were attached to such articles of luggage to facilitate their transport. The user of the luggage need only pull the luggage behind them as it rolls on its wheels. 
         [0005]    By their nature, the wheels of such wheeled luggage protrude below the luggage, at least to some degree, in order to preclude dragging some fixed part of the luggage across the underlying surface. This generally works acceptably well on reasonably level surfaces, but the protruding wheels are an impedance when such luggage is dragged up or over a stepped inclined surface, as in transporting the luggage up a flight of stairs. Attempting to drag such wheeled luggage up a stepped incline, such as a flight of stairs, generally results in the protruding wheels catching upon the nose of each stair tread and greatly interferes with the transport of the luggage. Unless some other means is provided to facilitate the transport of the luggage up the stairs, the person transporting the luggage must resort to lifting the luggage and carrying it up the stairs. 
         [0006]    Thus, luggage sliders solving the aforementioned problems are desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The luggage sliders include a number of different embodiments, each adapted to facilitate the movement of an article of luggage, particularly wheeled luggage, up a stepped incline, such as a flight of stairs or the like. Some of the sliders are pivotally extendible and retractable. Others are telescopically extendible and retractable. Still others are pivotally attached to one edge of the article, and pivotally fold against a surface of the article for storage. Still others may be adjustably clamped about the base of the article. Still others are pivotally attached about a wheel axle to rotate and lie beneath the wheel for operation. Still others may be removably attached directly to the wheels of the luggage, cart, or other wheeled article. Still others are pivotally attached to a point on the luggage, and telescopically extend to project below the wheel for use. Some embodiments are formed of one or more flat, rigid sheets or planks of material, while other embodiments are formed of rigid rods of metal or other suitable material. All embodiments are preferably formed with a lower surface (i.e., the surface that comes into contact with the underlying surface over which the luggage is moved) having a relatively low coefficient of friction. Those embodiments that articulate or otherwise movably deploy may be actuated by a pedal or the like disposed upon the luggage. 
         [0008]    These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic environmental right side elevation view of a first embodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention adapted for a two-wheeled roll-around suitcase or the like, illustrating its configuration and function. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic environmental right side elevation view of a second embodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention, adapted for a four-wheeled cart or the like, illustrating its configuration and function. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic right side elevation view of a third embodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention, wherein the slider pivotally folds against the forward or lower surface of the luggage for storage. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic right side elevation view of a fourth embodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention, wherein the slider pivotally folds against the bottom or rear surface of the luggage for storage. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic right side elevation view in section of a fifth embodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention, wherein the slider is extensibly retractable in a receptacle of the forward or lower surface of the luggage. 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic front elevation view of a sixth embodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention, wherein the luggage includes two relatively narrow and parallel extensibly retractable sliders. 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a diagrammatic front elevation view of a seventh embodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention, wherein the slider is pivotally disposed upon the lower forward edge of the luggage. 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic bottom plan view of an eighth embodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention, wherein the slider is disposed beneath a four wheeled cart or the like and has mutually opposed, extensibly retractable forward and rearward extensions. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention, wherein the slider is removably installable upon the bottom of a trunk or similar object. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a bottom plan view of a tenth embodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention, wherein two sliders are pivotally and telescopically disposed upon the bottom of the luggage. 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is bottom plan view of an eleventh embodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention, wherein two mutually opposed sliders comprising rigid U-shaped bars are retractably extendible from the bottom of a cart or the like. 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a diagrammatic environmental right side elevation view of a twelfth embodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention, wherein a luggage slider is pivotally disposed about the axle of a wheeled suitcase or the like for deployment over each wheel. 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention, wherein a slider is removably securable to each wheel of a wheeled suitcase or the like. 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a diagrammatic right side elevation view of a fourteenth embodiment of a luggage slider according to the present invention, wherein a slider is pivotally attached to the bottom or forward surface of the wheeled luggage for selective extension below the plane of the wheels. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    The luggage sliders include a number of different embodiments, all facilitating the movement of an article of wheeled luggage or the like up a flight of stairs or other stepped incline. Each embodiment includes at least one slider surface disposed beneath the wheels, with the lower peripheries of the wheels protruding only slightly below the underside of the slider. In this manner, the luggage is supported by the slider as it is pulled up the incline, with the interference of the wheels as they contact the noses or edges of the treads being minimized by their very slight protrusion below the lower surface of the slider. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  of the drawings provides a right side elevation view of a first embodiment  100  of the luggage slider, wherein the slider comprises a flat skid or plate  102  affixed to the underside U 1  of an article of wheeled luggage L 1  adjacent to the two wheels W. While only a single wheel W is illustrated in the right side view of  FIG. 1 , it will be understood that an identical left wheel is provided directly behind the illustrated right wheel in  FIG. 1 . The peripheries P of the two wheels W extend below the underside U 1  of the luggage L 1 , with the lower surface  104  of the slider or skid  102  disposed between the underside U 1  of the luggage L 1  and the lowermost peripheries P of the two wheels W. The peripheries P of the wheels W extend only slightly beyond or below the lower surface  104  of the slider or skid  102 , such that the discontinuity presented by the protrusion of the wheel peripheries P below the lower surface  104  of the slider  102  is minimized. The lower surface  104  of the slider or skid  102  preferably has a low coefficient of friction, e.g., a smooth polished metal or plastic surface etc. The forward end  106  of the skid  102  is faired to avoid catching upon the noses of the stair treads, while the opposite rearward end  108  of the slider or skid  102  is curved upwardly to smooth the transition over each step. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  provides a right side elevation view of a second embodiment  200  of the luggage sliders in combination with an article of luggage L 2 . In the embodiment  200  of  FIG. 2 , luggage L 2  comprises a wheeled cart having forward and rearward pairs of wheels W, with the peripheries P of the wheels W extending slightly below the underside U 2  of the cart. The luggage or cart L 2  is provided with a luggage slider or skid  202  comprising a flat plate having a smooth lower surface  204  with a low coefficient of friction, as in the case of the luggage slider embodiment  100  of  FIG. 1 . The luggage skid  202  has a forward end  206  that extends beyond the forward end of the luggage or cart L 2 , with an opposite rearward end  208  that extends beyond the rearward end of the luggage or cart L 2 . Each of the ends  206  and  208  is curved upwardly to smooth the transition over each step. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a right side elevation view of a third embodiment  300  of the luggage slider in combination with an article of wheeled luggage L 3 , with the slider or skid  302  comprising a flat plate that is hinged or pivoted to the article of luggage L 3  adjacent the wheel axle A thereof. The lower surface  304  comprises a smooth, low coefficient of friction surface that faces outward or downward to contact an underlying surface when deployed as shown in solid lines in  FIG. 3 . The forward end articulates from the underside U 3  of the luggage L 3 , generally as indicated by the arcuate arrow in  FIG. 3 . The opposite rearward end is pivotally or hingedly attached to the luggage L 3  adjacent the axle A of the wheels W using a conventional hinge, pivot rod, etc. A latch mechanism may be employed to hold the pivoting slider or skid  302  in its deployed position as shown in solid lines, or in its retracted position as shown in broken lines. The mechanism may be actuated by an actuator pedal  310  disposed near the lower end or bottom B 3  of the luggage L 3 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  illustrates a right side elevation view of a luggage slider embodiment  400  similar to the embodiment  300  of  FIG. 3 , in combination with an article of wheeled luggage L 4 . The slider or skid  402  of  FIG. 4  is configured similarly to the slider or skid  302  of  FIG. 3 , having a low coefficient of friction lower surface  404  with a forward end  406  and an opposite rearward end  408  that is pivoted or hinged to the luggage L 4  adjacent the axle A thereof. However, rather than folding against the underside U 4  of the luggage L 4 , the hinge or pivot is disposed to the edge of the lower surface  404  of the slider or skid  402  such that the slider or skid  402  pivots in the opposite direction to fold against the bottom B 4  of the wheeled luggage L 4 . A mechanism may be provided to deploy and fold the slider or skid  402 , with the mechanism actuated by an actuator pedal  410  disposed near the lower end or bottom B 4  of the luggage  14 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 5  provides a right side elevation view of a fifth embodiment  500  of the luggage slider in combination with an article of wheeled luggage L 5 , wherein the slider or skid  502  is selectively extendible and retractable from the luggage L 5 . The luggage L 5  is shown in section, to illustrate the operation of the slider or skid  502 . The skid or slider  502  has a similar configuration to those skid or slider embodiments described further above, i.e., a low friction lower surface  504 , forward end  506 , and opposite rearward end  508 , with the wheels W of the luggage L 5  protruding slightly below the lower surface  504  of the skid  502  even when the skid is deployed. The rearward end  508  may be smoothly rounded to facilitate passage over the underlying surface. Rather than being immovably affixed to the luggage L 5 , the skid  502  is selectively deployable from and retractable into a receptacle  512  permanently built into the underside U 5  of the luggage L 5 . A mechanism may be provided to extend and retract the skid or slider  502 , the mechanism being operated by an actuator pedal  510 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  illustrates a front elevation view of another luggage slider and luggage combination embodiment, designated as slider or skid  602  and luggage L 6 . There are actually two laterally spaced skids  602  installed upon the underside U 6  (shown as the facing side of the upright luggage L 6 , in  FIG. 6 ) of the luggage L 6 . Each of the skids  602  includes a lower (forward facing, in  FIG. 6 ) surface  604 , a forward (or upper) end  606 , and an opposite rearward (or lower) end  608 . The two skids  602  selectively extend from and retract into a pair of corresponding receptacles  612  permanently built into the underside U 6  of the luggage L 6 , much in the manner of the single flat plate skid  502  of  FIG. 5 . The two skids  602  are shown in their retracted state in solid lines in  FIG. 6 , with their lowermost extensions being slightly above the lowermost peripheries of the two wheels W. When the two skids  602  are extended, as shown in broken lines in  FIG. 6 , they extend slightly below or beyond the peripheries of the two wheels W to provide sliding surfaces for pulling the luggage L 6  over an uneven surface or flight of stairs. Rather than being configured as flat plates, the two skids  602  may comprise rigid bars of metal or other suitable material. Extension and retraction is controlled by an actuator pedal  610  disposed near the bottom of the luggage L 6 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  illustrates a front elevation view of an article of wheeled luggage L 7  having another embodiment  700  of the luggage slider in combination therewith, designated as luggage slider or skid  702 . The luggage skid  702  is attached externally near the lowermost edge of the underside U 7  of the luggage L 7  by a pivot  712 . The luggage skid  702  includes a smooth lower surface  704  having a low coefficient of friction, with the skid  702  having a forward end  706  (to the right in the orientation of  FIG. 7 , when the skid is pivoted to its storage position as shown in broken lines) and an opposite rearward end  708  (to the left in  FIG. 7 , in broken lines). An actuator pedal  710  extends from some convenient location on the luggage L 7 , for the selective pivotal deployment of the skid  702  to its operational position, as shown in solid lines, or to its storage position between the wheels W, as shown in broken lines in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the underside U 8  of an article of luggage L 8  with an eighth luggage slider embodiment  800  in combination therewith, wherein the luggage comprises cart having four wheels W. In this embodiment, a generally central receptacle  812  is provided along the underside U 8  of the luggage L 8  or cart, with the receptacle having mutually opposed first and second ends  804   a  and  804   b . The ends  804   a  and  804   b  may be oriented to the front or to the rear of the direction of travel of the luggage or cart L 8 , depending upon its direction of travel. First and second skids  802   a  and  802   b  telescopically extend from the respective ends  804   a  and  804   b  of the receptacle  812 , with their extensions shown in solid lines in  FIG. 8 . The skids  802   a  and  802   b  may comprise flat plates, but extend on arms  808  formed of rigid bars. Extension and retraction may be by means of a mechanism operated by an actuation pedal (not shown in  FIG. 8 ), similar to other embodiments illustrated in previously described Figs. 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  provides a perspective view of a ninth embodiment  900  having a skid  902  removably attached to the underside U 9  of an article of luggage L 9 , e.g., a box, chest, carton, etc. The skid  902  is oriented much like the skid  802  of the embodiment  800  of  FIG. 8 , in that it has mutually opposed first and second ends  904   a  and  904   b . The ends  904   a  and  904   b  may be oriented to the front or to the rear of the direction of travel of the luggage or cart L 9 , depending upon its direction of travel. While the skid  902  generally comprises a flat plate, the two ends  904   a  and  904   b  may be curved upward to reduce the chances of the ends catching upon some obstruction. First and second clamps, respectively  906   a  and  906   b , secure the skid  902  to corresponding brackets  908   a  and  908   b  that attach removably to the corners of the underside U 9  of the luggage L 9 . The brackets  908   a  and  908   b  are secured to the luggage L 9  by means of first and second elastic cords  910   a  and  910   b.    
         [0034]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of a tenth luggage slider embodiment  1000  in combination with an article of wheeled luggage L 10 .  FIG. 10  provides a bottom plan view of the bottom B 10  of an article of wheeled luggage L 10  having wheels W, with first and second sliders or skids  1002   a  and  1002   b  mounted to the bottom B 10  of the luggage L 10 . Each of the skids telescopically extends and retracts from respective sleeves  1004   a  and  1004   b , with the two sleeves being pivotally attached to pivots  1006   a  and  1006   b  attached to the bottom B 10  of the luggage L 10 . The deployed or extended positions of the skids  1002   a  and  1002   b  and their sleeves  1004   a  and  1004   b  are shown in solid lines in  FIG. 10 , with their stowed positions being shown in broken lines. 
         [0035]      FIG. 11  is a bottom plan view of an eleventh embodiment  1100  of the luggage sliders, with the embodiment  1100  being in combination with a four wheeled article of luggage or cart L 11 . The luggage sliders or skids  1102   a  and  1102   b  extend from opposite ends of the bottom B 11  of the luggage cart L 11 , respectively comprising squared-off, generally U-shaped rigid bars. The captured ends  1104   a  and  1104   b  of the skid bars  1102   a  and  1102   b  telescope in and out of respective sleeves or receptacles  1112   a  and  1112   b  that are permanently affixed to the bottom B 11  of the luggage cart L 11 . The skid bars  1102   a ,  1102   b  are shown in their extended, operable positions in solid lines and in their stowed or retracted positions in broken lines in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of a twelfth embodiment  1200  of the luggage sliders, with an article of wheeled luggage L 12  having a pair rotary mounted sliders or skids  1202  in combination therewith. While only a single skid  1202  is shown in the right side elevation view of  FIG. 12 , it will be seen that another identical skid  1202  will be installed on the opposite left side of the luggage L 12 , out of view in  FIG. 12 . The skid  1202  has an arcuate shape with turned-up ends, with its midpoint  1204  attached to a strut  1212  that is in turn pivotally attached to the axle A that supports the wheels W of the wheeled luggage L 12 . The wheel W is free to rotate independently of the skid  1202  and its strut  1212 . Thus, the strut  1212  and its attached skid  1202  are free to pivot to a deployed position below the wheels W, as shown in solid lines in  FIG. 12  to negotiate a flight of stairs or the like, or to a stowed position above the wheels W for conveyance of the luggage L 12  on its wheels W on a relatively flat surface. 
         [0037]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment  1300  of the luggage sliders, illustrating a pair of skids  1302   a  and  1302   b  that removably attach to the wheels W of the luggage L 13 . Each of the skids  1302   a ,  1302   b  is curved, with an upturned forward end (the forward end  1306   a  of the first skid  1302   a  is visible in  FIG. 13 ) and an opposite upturned rearward end  1308   a ,  1308   b . A wheel attachment band, respectively  1310   a  and  1310   b , extends upwardly from the center of each of the skids. The wheel attachment bands fit snugly about the respective wheels W and remain attached thereto for pulling the luggage L 13  up a stepped inclined surface or other uneven surface. The wheel attachment bands may comprise elastic bands or may have some mechanical adjustment to allow them to selectively grip their respective wheels as desired and to provide for their removal when not needed. 
         [0038]      FIG. 14  is a right side elevation view illustrating a fourteenth embodiment  1400  of the luggage sliders, comprising an article of wheeled luggage L 14  having a pair rotary mounted sliders or skids  1402  in combination therewith. While only a single skid  1402  is shown in the right side elevation view of  FIG. 14 , it will be seen that another identical skid  1402  will be installed on the opposite left side of the luggage L 14 , out of view in  FIG. 14 . The skid  1402  has an arcuate shape with a first or forward end  1404  attached to the luggage L 14  by a pivot  1410  and an opposite rearward end  1406 . A telescoping extension and retraction strut  1412  is disposed between the rearward end  1406  (or rearward end portion) of the skid  1402 , and the axle A that supports the wheels W of the wheeled luggage L 14 . When the strut  1412  is extended, it lowers the rearward portion  1408  of the skid  1402  below the lower periphery of the wheel W (shown in broken lines), thus lifting the wheel W clear of the underlying surface to allow the skid  1402  to bear against the underlying surface. When the strut  1412  is retracted, the rearward portion  1408  of the skid  1402  is raised above the lower periphery of the wheel W, allowing the luggage L 14  to be rolled upon its wheels for conveyance. 
         [0039]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.