Patent Publication Number: US-11388964-B2

Title: Luggage and related travel equipment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention disclosed broadly relates to the field of luggage and more specifically relates to luggage with a built-in cart. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Travelers with more than one item of luggage have choices in how they transport multiple articles of luggage. One choice is to rent a baggage cart such as the SmarteCarte® baggage cart provided for rent in many airports throughout the United States. Another choice is to hand the luggage over to a skycap or porter at the airport to physically transport multiple articles of luggage and/or other travel equipment/articles/accessories using proprietary airport luggage cart equipment. Still other travelers opt to strap their luggage together using luggage straps or bungees. The drawback to the first two options is the cost involved. The drawback to the third option is the inability to properly contain and secure the multiple articles of luggage while moving through the airport. Without a proper method of securing the articles of luggage, they can topple over. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Briefly, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, an integrated luggage conveyor set includes: a luggage housing; a handle mechanism; and a conveyor cart assembly mechanically attached to the luggage housing. The conveyor cart assembly includes at least: a frame coupled to the luggage housing, a wheel assembly coupled to the frame, and a hinge mechanism pivotally attaching the frame to the luggage housing. 
     According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a luggage apparatus includes: a rear shell; a front shell hingedly attached to the rear shell by a hinged attachment; a cart base fixedly attached to a bottom of the rear shell; a cart frame pivotally attached to the cart base; at least one wheel assembly; and a handle assembly. When the front shell is rotated about a hinged attachment and comes into contact with the rear shell, both the front shell and rear shell define a space for a person to pack personal items, such as clothing. 
     Throughout the instant disclosure, certain terms and phrases are used to convey the invention or parts of the invention. In some cases, multiple words may be used to convey the same structure. For example, “luggage” may also be referred to as “baggage” or “suitcase” yet these words refer to the same structure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To describe the foregoing and other exemplary purposes, aspects, and advantages, we use the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a front perspective view of an integrated luggage cart system (ILCS) with an integrated luggage cart in the deployed state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows a back perspective view of the ILCS of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows a front perspective view of the ILCS with the luggage cart in the stowed state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  shows a back perspective view of the ILCS of  FIG. 3 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows a partially deployed ILCS, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  shows an opened article of luggage, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  shows a rear perspective view of the luggage of  FIG. 6 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  shows a front perspective view of the ILCS internal cart structure, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  shows an expanded view of the ILCS internal cart structure of  FIG. 8 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 10  shows a telescoping handle assembly and plenum structure, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  shows an expanded view of the telescoping handle assembly of  FIG. 10 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  shows a front wheel bracket assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 13  shows a rear wheel bracket assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 14  shows an expanded view of the front wheel bracket assembly, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  shows an expanded view of the telescoping handle assembly, without plenum, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 16  shows a lock pin mechanism, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 16 a    shows a front view of the lock pin mechanism of  FIG. 16 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 17  shows an exploded view of the lock pin mechanism of  FIG. 16 , according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 18  shows a cross-sectional view of the lock pin mechanism of  FIG. 16 , according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 19  shows the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 18 , in an engaged positional state, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     While the invention as claimed can be modified into alternative forms and still remain within the scope and spirit of the invention, a preferred embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, by way of example. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     We describe a luggage-conveyor set that overcomes the above-stated shortcomings of the known art. According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, a suitcase coupled with an integral luggage conveyor cart forms the principle components of an integrated luggage cart system (ILCS). With the ILCS, one person can easily and securely transport multiple articles of different sizes, with minimal effort, without the need for a separate cart or trolley. In addition, other travel articles/accessories, such as pet carriers and crates, child seats, strollers, and the like, can be secured to the luggage conveyor cart and easily transported along with the suitcase. Table 1, below, lists the ILCS components and their respective element numbers. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Index of ILCS Features 
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 INDEX 
                 PART/FEATURE DESCRIPTION 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 100 
                 LUGGAGE 
               
               
                 102 
                 CART STRUCTURE/ASSEMBLY 
               
               
                 104 
                 HANDLE ASSEMBLY 
               
               
                 106 
                 MAIN LUGGAGE STRUCTURE 
               
               
                 108 
                 LUGGAGE LID 
               
               
                 110 
                 ILCS COVER 
               
               
                 112 
                 ZIPPER, LUGGAGE LID 
               
               
                 114 
                 ZIPPER, ILCS COVER 
               
               
                 116 
                 MAIN LUGGAGE WHEELS (CASTERS) 
               
               
                 118 
                 CART REAR WHEELS (CASTERS) 
               
               
                 120 
                 CART FRONT WHEEL (CASTERS) 
               
               
                 122 
                 CART FRAME 
               
               
                 124 
                 FRONT LIP 
               
               
                 126 
                 FRONT WHEEL BRACKET ASSEMBLY 
               
               
                 128 
                 REAR WHEEL BRACKET ASSEMBLY 
               
               
                 130 
                 FRONT WHEEL BRACKET ASSEMBLY LOCK SHAFT 
               
               
                 132 
                 REAR WHEEL BRACKET ASSEMBLY LOCK SHAFT 
               
               
                 134 
                 BOTTOM PLATE 
               
               
                 136 
                 BOTTOM BRACKET 
               
               
                 138 
                 OUTBOARD HINGE KNUCKLE 
               
               
                 140 
                 INBOARD HINGE KNUCKLE 
               
               
                 142 
                 WHEEL BRACKET ASSEMBLY RELEASE PIN ACCESS 
               
               
                   
                 HOLE 
               
               
                 144 
                 CART FRAME CLEARANCE CUT 
               
               
                 146 
                 CART STRAP 
               
               
                 148 
                 STOWED LOCK PIN HOLE 
               
               
                 150 
                 DEPLOYED LOCK PIN HOLE 
               
               
                 152 
                 WHEEL ASSEMBLY PIVOT MECHANISM 
               
               
                 154 
                 WHEEL PIVOT BEARING BRACKET 
               
               
                 156 
                 FRONT WHEEL BRACKET 
               
               
                 158 
                 REAR WHEEL BRACKET 
               
               
                 160 
                 PIVOT PIN 
               
               
                 162 
                 PIVOT PIN RETURN SPRING 
               
               
                 164 
                 PIVOT PIN HOUSING 
               
               
                 166 
                 PIVOT PIN RETAINING PIN OR COTTER PIN 
               
               
                 168 
                 SPACER 
               
               
                 170 
                 ATTACHMENT SCREW 
               
               
                 172 
                 RETAINING NUT 
               
               
                 176 
                 PULL RING 
               
               
                 178 
                 SNAP RING 
               
               
                 180 
                 WHEEL ASSEMBLY LOCK SHAFT RETURN SPRING 
               
               
                 182 
                 WHEEL ASSEMBLY LOCK SHAFT HOUSING 
               
               
                 200 
                 PLENUM 
               
               
                 202 
                 UPPER HANDLE ENCLOSURE 
               
               
                 204 
                 LOWER HANDLE ENCLOSURE 
               
               
                 206 
                 TELESCOPING RELEASE BUTTON 
               
               
                 208 
                 TELESCOPING LOCK PIN 
               
               
                 210 
                 TELESCOPING LOCK HOLE 
               
               
                 212 
                 TELESCOPING TUBE UPPER 
               
               
                 214 
                 TELESCOPING TUBER LOWER 
               
               
                 216 
                 PIVOT TUBE 
               
               
                 218 
                 RETURN SPRING (TORSION SPRING) 
               
               
                 220 
                 COLLAR 
               
               
                 222 
                 COUPLER 
               
               
                 224 
                 BUMPER 
               
               
                 226 
                 TELESCOPING RELEASE BUTTON SPRING 
               
               
                 228 
                 PUSH ROD 
               
               
                 230 
                 PUSH ROD TIP 
               
               
                 232 
                 LOCK PIN MECHANISM 
               
               
                 234 
                 PIVOT BEARING 
               
               
                 236 
                 PIVOT TUBE PIVOT MECHANISM 
               
               
                 238 
                 STIFFENER ROD 
               
               
                 240 
                 RIVET ATTACHMENT HOLES 
               
               
                 242 
                 RIVET 
               
               
                 244 
                 HANDLE ATTACHMENT SCREW 
               
               
                 246 
                 TORSION SPRING ENGAGEMENT HOLE, PIVOT TUBE 
               
               
                 248 
                 TORSION SPRING ENGAGEMENT HOLE, PLENUM 
               
               
                 250 
                 PIVOT TUBE LOCK SHAFT 
               
               
                 252 
                 PULL RING 
               
               
                 254 
                 SNAP RING 
               
               
                 256 
                 PIVOT TUBE LOCK SHAFT RETURN SPRING 
               
               
                 258 
                 PIVOT TUBE LOCK SHAFT HOUSING 
               
               
                 260 
                 PIVOT TUBE RETENTION LOCK PIN 
               
               
                 262 
                 PIVOT TUBE RETENTION LOCK PIN RETURN SPRING 
               
               
                 264 
                 PIVOT TUBE RETENTION LOCK PIN HOUSING 
               
               
                 266 
                 PIVOT TUBE RETENION LOCK PIN RETAINER PIN 
               
               
                 268 
                 HANDLE ASSEMBLY INDEXING BOSS 
               
               
                 270 
                 HANDLE ASSEMBLY VERTICAL LOCK HOLE 
               
               
                 272 
                 PIVOT BEARING HOLE 
               
               
                 280 
                 LOCK BODY 
               
               
                 282 
                 WEDGE PUSHER 
               
               
                 284 
                 LOCK BUTTON 
               
               
                 286 
                 COMPRESSION SPRING 
               
               
                 288 
                 WEDGE BEARING SURFACE, PUSHER 
               
               
                 290 
                 WEDGE BEARING SURFACE, LOCK BUTTON 
               
               
                 292 
                 WEDGE PUSHER RETAINING SNAP FEATURES 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Referring now to the drawings in general and to  FIG. 1  in particular, there is shown a preferred embodiment illustrating an ILCS in the deployed state. The ILCS includes an article of luggage  100 , such as the suitcase shown in  FIG. 1 , coupled with an integral luggage cart assembly  102 . We use the term “suitcase” for simplicity and ease of understanding. One with knowledge in the art will appreciate that the article of luggage  100  is not limited to a suitcase, but can be embodied as a backpack, a carry-on bag, a garment bag, a stroller, a kennel, and the like. The article of luggage  100  of  FIG. 1  can be a hard-sided or soft-sided item and can be of different sizes and shapes. 
     In an embodiment, the main luggage structure  106  of the article of luggage  100  includes a rear shell and a front shell. The front shell is hingedly attached via a hinged attachment to the rear shell. When the front shell, or luggage lid  108 , is pivoted about the hinged attachment, it comes into contact with the rear shell, defining a space where a person&#39;s belongings, such as clothes, can be packed. The rear shell bottom includes a cart base with a cart base pivot location extending past the hinged attachment, away from the back of the rear shell. The rear shell includes at least one wheel assembly  116  attached at the bottom of the rear shell. 
     A luggage cart assembly  102  is mechanically coupled with the luggage  100  and is configurable between a stowed state and a deployed state. In  FIG. 1  the luggage cart assembly  102  is shown in the deployed state. The luggage cart assembly  102  includes a cart frame  122  with at least one frame member and a cart frame pivot location pivotally attached to a cart base pivot location. 
     The ILCS is configured to accommodate multiple articles of luggage when they are placed on the luggage cart assembly  102 . The additional articles are not shown so as not obscure the component parts of the luggage cart assembly  102 . When the luggage cart assembly  102  is deployed, it forms a sturdy platform for transporting multiple articles of luggage. The luggage articles can be placed side-by-side and/or stacked. The luggage articles can be tethered to provide additional stability and theft deterrence. In this manner, a simple item of luggage  100  becomes an expandable luggage conveyor, able to accommodate multiple articles of luggage, as well as, strollers, kennels, or other items. 
     The luggage  100  includes a luggage lid  108  as part of the main luggage structure or body  106 . The luggage  100  can be opened and closed by manipulating the luggage lid  108  via an attachment means such as the zipper  112  shown in  FIG. 1 . The attachment means is not limited to a zipper  112 . In one embodiment, the luggage lid  108  contains a cover  110  that conceals the stowed luggage cart assembly  102 . The cover  110  also has an attachment means such as a zipper  114  to attach it to the lid  108 . The luggage  100  also includes a conveyance mechanism such as wheels  116  and a handle mechanism  104 . The wheels shown in  FIG. 1  are swivel wheels (casters); however, one with knowledge in the art will appreciate that other types of wheels can be advantageously employed to provide ease of mobility to the luggage  100 . 
     The handle mechanism  104  is shown in the deployed state in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and in the stowed state in  FIGS. 3-7 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the handle mechanism  104  is disposed within a plenum  200  when stowed. By way of example and not limitation, the handle mechanism  104  includes a telescoping tube with an upper portion  212  and a lower portion  214 . A telescoping release button  206  is shown in the handle assembly  104 . It is within the scope of the present invention that the handle does not necessarily have to be a telescoping mechanism as shown in  FIG. 1 . The handle can also be formed from a rigid, one-piece construction, or a strap. 
     The wheeled luggage cart assembly  102  provides an easy and lightweight transport mechanism for the suitcase  100  and any other articles of luggage that are placed on the cart  102 . By way of example, and not limitation, the luggage cart assembly  102  includes a front wheel  120  attached to the frame  122  via a front wheel bracket assembly  126  and two rear wheels  118  attached via a rear wheel bracket assembly  128 . 
     In  FIG. 1 , the luggage cart assembly  102  is shown in the deployed state, with the proximal end of the luggage cart assembly  102  extending out from the luggage  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the proximal portion of the frame  122  of the luggage cart  102  is mechanically coupled to the bottom of the luggage  100 , while the distal portion remains unattached. In one embodiment, a hinge mechanism is provided to articulate the luggage cart  102  from the stowed to deployed positions (and back). 
     By way of example and not limitation, the luggage cart assembly  102  shown in  FIG. 1  tapers toward the distal, or terminating, end. A front lip  124  is included to stabilize luggage items that are placed on the luggage cart  102 . A front wheel bracket assembly lock shaft  130  is used to position the front wheel  120  in the stowed or deployed positions.  FIG. 2  shows a rear perspective view of the ILCS of  FIG. 1 , with the luggage cart assembly  102  in the deployed position. 
     The cart frame  122  is preferably manufactured from lightweight materials, yet sturdy enough to support the weight of multiple items of luggage. By way of example, and not limitation, the cart frame  122  may be manufactured from strong and lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum, graphite/carbon-fiber, or molded using high-strength plastics. Although not shown in this illustration, the cart frame  122  can be configured to expand, as needed, by way of nested and telescoping members, or other equivalent mechanical structures. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the telescoping handle assembly  104  is shown, also in the deployed state. Once deployed, the ILCS, including multiple articles of luggage disposed on the luggage cart  102 , can be transported by simply pulling, or pushing the handle  104 . When stowed, the handle assembly  104  fits in the plenum  200 . The handle assembly  104  includes an upper handle enclosure  202  and a lower handle enclosure  204 . The upper and lower telescoping tube is joined with a collar  220  secured by a lock pin  208 . A telescoping lock hole  210  is also shown, as well as a coupler  222 . The lower telescoping tube  214  is coupled with a pivot tube  216 . A return spring  218  and a handle assembly indexing boss  268  are also shown. The return spring causes the telescoping handle  104  to automatically return to its “home” position in the plenum  200  when released. Bumper  224  protects the luggage  100  and the handle assembly  104 . Multiple rivets  242  secure the handle assembly  104  to the luggage body  106 . 
     The various components of the telescoping handle assembly  104 , may be manufactured out of different materials. The manufacturing materials should be chosen to correspond to the load carrying capacity of the ILCS configuration to which it is assembled. For example, in a small luggage configuration, where the amount of weight to be conveyed by the cart portion is relatively lightweight, the components of the telescoping handle assembly may be manufactured out of injection molded or thermoformed plastics. In configurations where the ILCS is designed to carry heavier loads, then the components may be made out of sturdier material, such as aluminum. In a similar fashion, the rivets  242  may be interchanged with equivalent mechanical fastening structures such as screws, mated screws/bolts, or even adhesives as appropriate. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show the ILCS in a closed state. These figures show the luggage cart  102  in the stowed state and hidden from view by the cover  110 . The cover  110  can be a hard or soft cover, selectively removable, yet integral to the luggage  100 .  FIG. 4  shows the telescoping handle in the stowed position, nested within the plenum  200 . One with knowledge in the art will appreciate that the plenum  200  shown in  FIG. 4  is just one configuration for stowing the handle assembly  104  when not in use. 
       FIG. 5  shows the luggage cart  102  partially deployed. In this illustration, the cover  110  is open, revealing the luggage cart assembly  102 . In this embodiment, the luggage cart wheels are in a stowed position. The wheels can be rotated to the deployed position so that when the luggage cart assembly  102  is fully extended, the luggage cart assembly  102  is supported by the wheel assembly. 
       FIG. 5  additionally illustrates that the luggage lid  108  is hinged along the bottom edge, closest to the cart pivot point. The luggage lid  108  can remain closed when the luggage cart assembly  102  is deployed, but also open to allow for easy access to the interior of the luggage  100  even when the cart  102  is deployed. 
       FIG. 6  shows an open suitcase, providing one view of how the frame of the luggage cart assembly  102  nests within the inside of the suitcase and occupies only minimal space within the luggage interior compartment. 
     The view shown in  FIG. 7  provides one example of how the suitcase is indistinguishable from a standard suitcase when the cover  110  is closed over the stowed luggage cart  102 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a front perspective view of the structure of the luggage cart assembly  102 .  FIG. 8  shows one example of how the luggage cart  102  is mechanically coupled with the luggage  100 . The frame  122  of the luggage cart  102  is attached to a bottom plate  134  which forms the bottom part of the luggage  100 .  FIG. 9  shows an exploded view of the luggage cart assembly  102  of  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  shows the telescoping handle assembly  104  and the plenum structure  200 . The telescoping handle assembly  104  is shown in the deployed position.  FIG. 11  shows an expanded view of the telescoping handle assembly  104  and also shows the plenum structure  200  of  FIG. 10 . 
     Ease of mobility is one of the advantages of the ILCS  1 . The luggage cart assembly  102  includes rotatable wheels (casters) that can pivot between a stowed and deployed position.  FIG. 12  shows an example of a front wheel bracket assembly  126 ; while  FIG. 13  shows an example of a rear wheel bracket assembly  128 . The wheels shown in the drawings are shown for clarity of illustration and are not meant to limit the disclosure to the type of wheel shown.  FIG. 14  shows an exploded view of the front wheel bracket assembly  126 . 
       FIG. 15  shows an exploded view of the handle assembly  104  and the various components that make up the assembly  104 .  FIGS. 16, 16   a  and  17  show views of a lock pin mechanism  232  and its various components.  FIGS. 18 and 19  show cross-sectional views of the lock pin mechanism  232 . A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a mechanical structure that maintains the handle securely in the upright (stowed) position and, optionally, in the rotated (deployed) position. While the preferred embodiment described herein discusses a lock pin mechanism  232 , it is to be understood that any acceptable locking or detent mechanism, mechanically equivalent to the lock pin mechanism  232  and as may be known in the art, lies within the scope of the present invention. 
     Therefore, while there has been described what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiment, it will understood by those skilled in the art that other modifications can be made within the spirit of the invention. The above description(s) of embodiment(s) is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting in scope. The embodiment(s), as described, were chosen in order to explain the principles of the invention, show its practical application, and enable those with ordinary skill in the art to understand how to make and use the invention. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described above. Features from one embodiment can be used with another embodiment.