Patent Abstract:
An extendable sled device for transporting luggage or other bulky objects up sets of stairs with less effort. The extendable sled device is integrated with, or attached to, the object being transported. The extendable sled device has an extendable sled controlled by an extension mechanism. The extendable sled is lowered by the extension mechanism when in use, and retracted when not in use. The extendable sled can also have one or more stopper mechanisms, which are used to arrest the luggage on a set of stairs if a user accidently releases the luggage midway up the flight. The stopper mechanisms prevent the luggage from falling back down the steps and potentially injuring people.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit to provisional patent application No. 61/908,045 filed Nov. 23, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present device relates to facilitate the transporting of luggage up or down a staircase through the use of an extendable sled-like device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Traditionally, suitcases and other luggage carriers are designed with wheels at the bottom to permit the luggage to be easily rolled across flat surfaces. Without wheels, an individual would have to carry the luggage which could be tiresome and unwieldy, and could cause unwanted delay while traveling. Instead, wheels allow an individual to easily transport the luggage by smoothly pulling the luggage while walking However, while traditional wheeled luggage facilitates luggage transport over a flat or planar surface, the design poses a problem when an individual is traveling over vertical surfaces such as stairs or curbs. An individual, in transporting traditional luggage over stairs, must exert energy to pull the piece of luggage vertically up to clear each step or curb. This method can be tiresome when an individual must walk up a flight of stairs or a high curb. Alternatively, an individual can drag the luggage along with him or her while walking up stairs. However, this method allows the piece of luggage to slam into each step, which could result in damage to the stairs, the luggage, or articles carried within the luggage. Also, the impact of the luggage with the stairs is often absorbed through the handle creating odd forces against the hand, which could result in injury to the user. 
         [0004]    Some locations such as airports and train or bus stations have escalators, elevators, or ramps that allow travelers to roll their wheeled luggage to a higher location without the need to lift the luggage over stairs or curbs. However, not every staircase or curb has an escalator or ramp close by to facilitate luggage transport, and some public places and residential areas lack any means to facilitate the transport of wheeled luggage over stairs. Additionally, the use of elevator and other means to travel between floors of a building is often inconvenient and can be time consuming to find. What is needed is a device that is a part of, or can be added to, wheeled luggage to facilitate the transport of the wheeled luggage up or down vertical obstacles such as stairs or curbs. Specifically, the extendable sled device can be connected to wheeled luggage and can be easily deployed when a user encounters a vertical obstacle, such as stairs and can be stowed against, or within, the luggage when it is not needed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an aspect of the present invention to provide an extendable sled device that can be connected or integrated to wheeled luggage, can be easily deployed when a user encounters a vertical obstacle, and can be stowed within or against the luggage when not needed. 
         [0006]    The above aspects can also be obtained by a method using the extendable sled device above. These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Further features and advantages of the present device, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present device, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of luggage with an integrated extendable sled device, shown in a stored position, according to an embodiment. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of luggage with an integrated extendable sled device, shown in a deployed position, according to an embodiment. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side view of luggage with an integrated extendable sled device, shown in a stored position, according to an embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a side view of luggage with an integrated extendable sled device, shown in a deployed position, according to an embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a side view of luggage with an integrated extendable sled device, in a stored position, according to an alternate embodiment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a side view of luggage with an integrated extendable sled device, in a stored position, according to a second alternate embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a perspective, partially transparent view of an extendable sled device extension mechanism, according to an embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a side cut-away view of an extendable sled device extension mechanism, according to an embodiment. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a side cut-away view of luggage with an integrated extendable sled device, in a deployed position and in use on stairs, according to an embodiment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a top down cut-away view of an extendable sled device extension mechanism, according to an embodiment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a perspective, partially transparent view of a stopper mechanism in a locked position, according to an embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  is a perspective, partially transparent view of a stopper mechanism in an unlocked position, according to an embodiment. 
           [0020]      FIG. 13  is a side cut-away view of a stopper mechanism, according to an embodiment. 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is an exploded view of a stopper mechanism, according to an embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a cut-away view of a locked locking mechanism for an integrated extendable sled device, according to an embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 16  is a cut-away view of an unlocked locking mechanism for an integrated extendable sled device, according to an embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. 
         [0025]    The present extendable sled device can be designed to be integrated with a piece of luggage to facilitate the transport of the luggage up and down flights of stairs. The extendable sled device can also be attached to a standard piece of luggage. The sled can be S-curved, C-curved, straight, J-curved, or have any other shape suitable for this purpose. 
         [0026]    The sled device can be connected to the luggage or similar object using a hinged attachment. It is contemplated that any number of mechanisms can be used to rotate and lock the sled at various angles relative to the luggage or other object to which the sled device can be attached. While a specific mechanism is described below, which can be employed to control the movement of the sled device, this mechanism is provided as an example of a mechanism which may be used for this purpose. It is a part of the present disclosure that several other mechanisms can be used which can: (1) lock the sled device in a substantially upright “stored” position; (2) hold the sled device away, at a chosen angle, from the luggage or similar object in a “deployed” position, wherein the sled device remains locked in the deployed position while subjected to a horizontal force, such as that created by the downward force of luggage against one or more stairs; and (3) the ability to move the sled device back and forth between the stored and deployed positions. Furthermore, the ability to adjust the chosen angle should be part of this mechanism. Additionally, it is contemplated that the movement of the sled device can be controlled by the user&#39;s foot in some embodiments. 
         [0027]    According to an embodiment, the sled can be extended by the use of a foot pedal, which can be connected to a movable gear mechanism attached to the sled through a connecting rod, all of which can be contained in the mechanism housing integrated inside of the luggage. The foot pedal can move along a cut-out track in the mechanism housing that can constrain the movement of the pedal, connecting rod, and movable gear mechanism to facilitate use. 
         [0028]    According to an embodiment, the present extendable sled device can work as follows: the user can pivot the foot pedal away from the luggage such that it can stick straight out. Using a foot, the user can depress the foot pedal in the direction of the ground. The foot pedal, attached to the connecting rod constrained by a latch hook, rests atop a tine of a Y-component, whose base is connected to a locking spring connected to the mechanism housing. As the Y-component is depressed, the locking spring can contract and lock into position, effectively keeping the Y-component in a lower position. The other tine of the Y-component can be connected to a latch base, where the latch base can also be connected to a latching spring. With the Y-component in the lower position, the latching spring can exert a force against the latch base which is connected to the latch hook at a locking pivot point. The force exerted against the latch base can pivot and release the latch hook, thereby freeing the connecting rod (and foot pedal) to freely move along the cut-out track, which in turn allows the extendable sled its full range of motion. 
         [0029]    To return the device to its locked position, the user can once again press the foot pedal towards the ground. This can allow the connecting rod to press against the rod tine of the Y-component, pushing the Y-component against the locking mechanism housing. This can release the locking spring, which can exert a force against the Y-component, lifting it back into its original position. The force of the latch base tine against the latch base can push the latching spring back into retracted position, and the latch base, acting on the latch pivot, can lower the latch hook over the connecting rod such that it is once again locked into position, preventing movement of the device. 
         [0030]    The extendable sled, when released, can pivot on a sled pivot point until the sled encounters a set of stairs. As the sled hits the stairs, the force of the stairs pushing back against the sled can push the gear mechanism against the gear teeth located on the mechanism housing, which can lock the sled into a fixed angle. The pushing can occur because the sled pivot point can be oblong in shape, affording the gear mechanism a slight range of motion such that it can engage and disengage from the gear teeth on the mechanism housing. The sled&#39;s range of rotation can be constrained by a peg inserted into a hole located along the cut-out track in the mechanism housing, such that the foot pedal&#39;s motion can be arrested when it hits the peg. 
         [0031]    The extendable sled can also contain one or more stopper mechanisms, designed to arrest the luggage on a set of stairs if the user accidentally releases the luggage while climbing the stairs. The stopper mechanisms can have a swinging tab that can be attached to the stopper body by a tab pivot. When not in use, the swinging tabs can be locked inside the stopper body through the use of a stopper plate, which can attach atop the stopper body over the swinging tab. When in the locked position, the stopper plate can cover a portion of the swinging tab such that it cannot swing. When rotated to the open position, the stopper plate can contain an opening of sufficient length to allow the swinging tab to swing freely along the tab pivot. To prevent over-rotation of the stopper plate, the stopper plate can have a plate insert that can contact and be arrested by a body insert located on the stopper body. The stopper mechanisms can be inset to the extendable sled such that the stopper plate is flush with the face of the extendable sled. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of luggage  100  with an integrated extendable sled  101  device, shown in a stored position, according to an embodiment. The integrated extendable sled device can comprise an extendable sled  101 , having a front side and back side and first end and second end, connected to an extension mechanism  102 , which can comprise a foot pedal  104  that can move along a cut-out track  106  cut into a mechanism housing  105 . The extendable sled  101  can be connected to the extension mechanism  102  through a port  107  cut into the luggage  100 . The luggage  100  can be any general object. 
         [0033]    The extendable sled  101  and mechanism housing  105  can be made from high-impact plastics, metal, wood, or other materials with light weight and high strength. The extendable sled  101  can contain one or more stopper mechanisms  103  that can be used to arrest the luggage  100  on a flight of stairs (not shown) if a user (not shown) releases the luggage  100  during transport up the flight of stairs. In an embodiment, the extendable sled  101  can be a C-curve shape. 
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of luggage  100  with an integrated extendable sled device, shown in a deployed position, according to an embodiment. The user (not shown) can use a foot (not shown) to depress the foot pedal  104  and unlock the locking mechanism (not shown), allowing the foot pedal  104  its full range of motion within the cut-out track  106  in the mechanism housing  105 . The foot pedal  104  can be connected to the gear mechanism  109  by a connecting rod (not shown), such that as the foot pedal  104  travels up the cut-out track  106 , the gear mechanism  109 , connected to the extendable sled  101 , also moves along the same axis of rotation. The extendable sled  101 , which can be anchored to the luggage  100  through connection to the gear mechanism  109  and the anchor pivot  108 , can be extended or raised by the foot pedal  104 . As the extendable sled  101  is lowered, tabs  1101  on the stopper mechanisms  103  can begin to hang down if the stopper mechanisms  103  are unlocked. The extendable sled  101  can be lowered to an angle between 30 degrees and 75 degrees away from the luggage. 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a side view of luggage  100  with an integrated extendable sled device, shown in a stored position, according to an embodiment. The extendable sled  101 , along with the extension mechanism  102 , can be positioned high enough on the luggage  100  such that the extendable sled  101 , when extended, does not interfere with the wheels  301  of the luggage, giving the luggage enough clearance up a flight of stairs (not shown). This view shows holes  300 , located in the mechanism housing  105 , which can be drilled at discrete intervals along the cut-out track  106 . These holes  300  can be of sufficient diameter to admit a peg (not shown), such that the range of motion of the foot pedal  104  (and thus the entire extendable sled  101  assembly) can be constrained as the foot pedal  104  is arrested by the peg (not shown). 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is a side view of luggage  100  with an integrated extendable sled device, shown in a deployed position, according to an embodiment. The user (not shown) can use a foot (not shown) to depress the foot pedal  104  and unlock the locking mechanism (not shown), allowing the foot pedal  104  its full range of motion within the cut-out track  106  in the mechanism housing  105 . The foot pedal  104  can be connected to the gear mechanism (not shown) by a connecting rod (not shown), such that as the foot pedal  104  travels up the cut-out track  106 , the gear mechanism, connected to the extendable sled  101 , also moves along the same axis of rotation. The extendable sled  101 , which can be anchored to the luggage  100  through connection to the gear mechanism  109  and the anchor pivot  108 , can be extended or raised by the foot pedal  104 . As the extendable sled  101  is lowered, tabs  1101  on the stopper mechanisms  103  can begin to hang down if the stopper mechanisms  103  are unlocked. Thus, a rising foot pedal  104  can result in a lowered extendable sled  101 , and vice versa. The extendable sled  101  can be lowered to an angle between 30 degrees and 75 degrees away from the luggage. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a side view of luggage  100  with an integrated extendable sled device, in a stored position, according to an alternate embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, the extendable sled  500  can be shaped in an S-curve, such that the bottom of the extendable sled  500  contacts stairs (not shown) before the top of the extendable sled  500 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a side view of luggage  100  with an integrated extendable sled device, in a stored position, according to an alternate embodiment. In an alternate embodiment, the extendable sled  600  can be shaped in a J-curve, such that the extendable sled  600  touches stairs equally throughout its length. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is a perspective, partially transparent view of an extendable sled device extension mechanism  102 , according to an embodiment. The extension mechanism  102  can house the major components of the extendable sled device, which can include the connecting rod  701 , locking mechanism  702 , gear mechanism  109 , and gear teeth  703 . The foot pedal  104  can be connected to the gear mechanism  109  through the connecting rod  701 , such that a movement of the foot pedal  104  can correspond to a movement of the gear mechanism  109 . The gear mechanism can connect to the extendable sled  101  through a port  107  in the luggage. When not in use, the motion of the foot pedal  104  can be constrained by the locking mechanism  702 , which can attach to the connecting rod  701  when engaged. When in use, the motion of the foot pedal  104  can be constrained by the addition of a peg  700  inserted into one of the holes  300  located along the cut-away track  106  in the mechanism housing  105 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is a side cut-away view of an extendable sled device extension mechanism  102 , according to an embodiment. In this view, the gear mechanism  109  can be shown to be aligned with the gear teeth  703 , which are contained in the mechanism housing  105 . The foot pedal  104  can be connected to the gear mechanism  109  through the connecting rod  701 , which can be constrained by the locking mechanism  702 . The gear mechanism  109  can be anchored to the mechanism housing  105  through a sled pivot point  800 , which can be movable because the oblong hole  801  on the gear mechanism  109  can be a shape other than a perfect circle. 
         [0041]      FIG. 9  is a side cut away view of luggage  100  with an integrated extendable sled device extended and in use on stairs  900 , according to an embodiment. The extendable sled  101 , once free to move after the locking mechanism  702  has been disengaged, can pivot on the sled pivot point  800  until the sled  101  encounters a set of stairs  900 . As the sled  101  hits the stairs  900 , the force of the stairs  900  pushing back against the sled  101  can push the gear mechanism  109  against the gear teeth  703  located on the mechanism housing  105 , which can lock the sled  101  into a fixed position. The pushing can occur because the sled pivot point  800  can be mounted within the oblong hole  801 , affording the gear mechanism  109  a slight range of motion such that it can engage and disengage from the gear teeth  703  on the mechanism housing  105 . The sled&#39;s  101  range of rotation can be constrained by a peg (not shown) inserted into a hole  300  located along the cut-out track  106  in the mechanism housing  105 , such that the foot pedal&#39;s  104  motion can be arrested when it hits the peg (not shown). 
         [0042]    The extendable sled can also contain one or more stopper mechanisms  103 , designed to arrest the luggage  100  on a set of stairs  900  if the user (not shown) accidentally releases the luggage  100  while climbing the stairs  900 . The tabs  1101 , extending downwards from the stopper mechanisms  103 , can be designed to only hinge in a single direction, and can be limited to hinge only to a predetermined angle. Once at that angle, the tabs  1101  will cease to hinge. If the tabs  1101  are contacting the stairs  900 , and are completely hinged, the static friction created by the combined force of the tabs  1101  upon the stairs  900  can be sufficient to hold the luggage  100  in place, and prevent the luggage  100  from sliding back down the stairs  900  if a user loses control. However, as the user exerts an upwardly diagonal force on the luggage  100  as it is being slid up the stairs  900 , the tabs  1101  can hinge freely, allowing the user to continue their upward journey. 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  is a top down cut-away view of an extendable sled device extension mechanism  102 , according to an embodiment. The foot pedal  104  can be attached to the connecting rod  701  at a pedal pivot  1000 , which can be used to pivot the foot pedal  104  out of the user&#39;s (not shown) way when the device is not being used. The connecting rod  701  can be locked in position by a latch hook  1001  that can be contained in the locking mechanism  702 . The latch hook  1001  can be disengaged by depressing and releasing the foot pedal  104 . In this view, the peg  700 , which can be used to limit the foot pedal&#39;s  104  range of motion, can be seen inserted into the hole  300  located in the mechanism housing  105 . Likewise, the gear mechanism  109  can be shown mounted to the mechanism housing  105  through the use of the sled pivot point  800 . The gear mechanism  109  can connect to the extendable sled  101  through the port (not shown) in the luggage. 
         [0044]      FIG. 11  is a perspective, partially transparent view of a stopper mechanism  103  while locked, according to an embodiment. The extendable sled  101  can also contain one or more stopper mechanisms  103 , designed to arrest the luggage (not shown) on a set of stairs (not shown) if the user (not shown) accidentally releases the luggage while climbing the stairs. The stopper mechanisms  103  can have a swinging tab  1101  that can be attached to the stopper body  1404  by a tab pivot  1102 . When not in use, the swinging tabs  1101  can be locked inside the stopper body  1404  through the use of a stopper plate  1100 , which can attach atop the stopper body  1404  over the swinging tab  1101 . The stopper plate  1100  can have a plate opening  1103  of sufficient size to allow movement of the swinging tab  1101 , as well as finger holes  1104  to allow for manual rotation of the stopper plate  1100 . When in the locked position, the stopper plate  1100  can cover a portion of the swinging tab  1101  such that it cannot swing. 
         [0045]      FIG. 12  is a perspective, partially transparent view of a stopper mechanism  103  while unlocked, according to an embodiment. The user (not shown) can insert fingers (not shown) into the finger holes  1104  in the stopper plate  1100 , and can rotate the stopper plate  1100  to the open position. When rotated to the open position, the stopper plate  1100  can contain a plate opening  1103  of sufficient length to allow the swinging tab  1101  to swing freely along the tab pivot  1106 . To prevent over-rotation of the stopper plate  1100  by the user, the stopper plate  1100  can have a plate insert  1105  that can contact and be arrested by a body insert  1106  located on the stopper body  1404 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 13  is a side cut-away view of a stopper mechanism  103 , according to an embodiment. The stopper mechanisms  103  can be inset to the extendable sled  101  such that the stopper plate  1100  and swinging tab  1101  are flush with the face of the extendable sled  101  when locked. While flush to with the extendable sled  101 , the stopper mechanisms can not interfere with the interaction of the extendable sled  101  along the stairs (not shown), nor will they catch or snag on a user&#39;s (not shown) clothes or other bags. 
         [0047]      FIG. 14  is an exploded view of a stopper mechanism  103 , according to an embodiment. The stopper body  1404  can be mounted to the extendable sled  101  through the use of one or more screws  1402 , which can be inserted in one or more screw holes  1403 . The swinging tab  1101  can be mounted to the stopper body  1404  through the use of a hinging bracket  1400  and a hinge pin  1401 , allowing the swinging tab  1101  a limited amount of motion. The motion can be constrained by the stopper plate  1100 , which can have an irregular-shaped plate opening  1103  of such a shape such that the swinging tab  1101  can swing free in the open position, but restrained in the closed position. To prevent over-rotation of the stopper plate  1100  by the user, the stopper plate  1100  can have a plate insert  1105  that can contact and be arrested by a body insert  1106  located on the stopper body  1404 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 15  is a cut-away view of a locked locking mechanism  702  for an integrated extendable sled device, according to an embodiment. The connecting rod  701  can be constrained by a latch hook  1001  which can rest atop a rod tine  1506  of a Y-component  1500 , whose base  1508  can be connected to a locking spring  1503  connected to the locking mechanism housing  1504 . The latch base tine  1507  of the Y-component  1500  can be connected to a latch base  1502 , where the latch base  1502  can also be connected to a latching spring  1501 . The latch base  1502  can be connected to the latch hook  1001  at a latch pivot  1505 . In this view, the latch hook  1001  prevents the movement of the connecting rod  701 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 16  is a cut-away view of an unlocked locking mechanism  702  for an integrated extendable sled device, according to an embodiment. The present extendable sled device can work as follows: the user (not shown) can pivot the foot pedal (not shown) away from the luggage (not shown) such that it can extend perpendicular to the luggage. Using a foot (not shown), the user can depress the foot pedal towards the direction of the ground (not shown). As the Y-component  1500  is depressed, the locking spring  1503  can contract and lock into position, effectively keeping the Y-component  1500  in a lower position. With the Y-component  1500  in the lower position, the latching spring  1501  can exert a force against the latch base  1502  that can be connected to the latch hook  1001  at a latch pivot  1505 . The force exerted against the latch base  1502  can pivot and release the latch hook  1001 , thereby freeing the connecting rod  702  (and foot pedal (not shown)) to freely move along the cut-out track (not shown), which in turn allows the extendable sled (not shown) its full range of motion. 
         [0050]    To return the device to its locked position, the user can once again press the foot pedal towards the ground. This can allow the connecting rod  701  to press against the rod tine  1506  of the Y-component  1500 , pushing the base  1508  of the Y-component  1500  against the locking mechanism housing  1504 . This can release the locking spring  1503 , which can exert a force against the Y-component  1500 , lifting it back into its original position. The force of the lifted latch base tine  1507  against the latch base  1502  can push the latching spring  1501  back into retracted position, and the latch base  1502 , acting on the latch pivot  1505 , can lower the latch hook  1001  over the connecting rod  701  such that it is once again locked into position, preventing movement of the entire device. 
         [0051]    Although the present device has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the present device, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the present device.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0