Abstract:
A wheeled luggage device includes a main body defining a compartment therein for containing goods to be transported. At least one wheel is disposed at a lower end of the body when the transport device is in an operative, inclined position. A fluid displacement system is configured to extend the wheel away from the body and/or to provide the wheel with a level of suspension.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/697,179, filed Jul. 7, 2005, and entitled “Suspension Systems”, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     This invention relates to suspension systems.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Luggage devices can include wheels for making transport of the luggage easier for the user. Luggage devices commonly include wheels along a base of the device and a handle extending from the upper portion of the device to allow the user to tote the luggage by grasping the handle and wheeling the luggage along a surface.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     In one aspect of the invention, a wheeled transport device is configured to be manually wheeled in an inclined position by a pedestrian user. The transport device includes a body and a handle extending from the body. The handle is manually graspable by the pedestrian user while walking. The wheeled transport device further includes at least one wheel disposed at a lower end of the body when the transport device is in an operative, inclined position. The wheel is secured to the body for rotation along a surface upon which the user is walking. The wheeled transport device also includes a fluid displacement system that is operatively associated with the wheel such that the wheel is moved away from the body when fluid within the fluid displacement system is displaced in a first direction.  
         [0005]     In an additional aspect of the invention, a wheeled transport device configured to be manually wheeled in an inclined position by a pedestrian user includes a body and a handle extending from the body. The handle is manually graspable by the pedestrian user while walking. At least one wheel is disposed at a lower end of the body when the transport device is in an operative, inclined position. The wheel is secured to the body for rotation along a surface upon which the user is walking. A fluid suspension device is operatively associated with the wheel to provide the wheel with a level of suspension.  
         [0006]     In another aspect of the invention, a wheeled luggage device configured to be manually wheeled in an inclined position by a pedestrian user includes a main body defining a compartment therein for containing goods to be transported. A handle is disposed at an upper end of the body when the transport device is in an operative, inclined position. The handle is manually graspable by the pedestrian user while walking. At least one wheel is disposed at a lower end of the body when the transport device is in an operative, inclined position. A suspension system secures the wheel to the body. The suspension system includes a suspension device having a member operatively associated with the wheel, and a fluid delivery device in fluid communication with the suspension device. The fluid delivery device is configured to deliver fluid to the suspension device to actuate the member of the suspension device, providing the wheel with a level of suspension.  
         [0007]     In a further aspect of the invention, a wheeled luggage device configured to be manually wheeled in an inclined position by a pedestrian user includes a main body defining a compartment therein for containing goods to be transported. A handle is disposed at an upper end of the body when the transport device is in an operative, inclined position. The handle is manually graspable by the pedestrian user while walking. The handle is adapted to retract within the body, and is configured to be fixed in one or more positions between a first, fully retracted position and a second, fully extended position. At least one wheel is disposed at a lower end of the body when the transport device is in an operative, inclined position. A suspension device secures the wheel to the body. The suspension device is operatively associated with the wheel to provide the wheel with a level of suspension, which is a function of the position of the handle.  
         [0008]     In yet another aspect of the invention, a suspension system for a wheel of a wheeled transport device includes a suspension device. The suspension device includes a fluid-tight cylinder, a piston movably disposed within the fluid-tight cylinder, a member attached to the piston and operatively associated with the wheel, and a fluid delivery device in fluid communication with the fluid-tight cylinder. The fluid delivery device is configured to deliver fluid within a first region of the fluid-tight cylinder on a first axial side of the piston, and within a second region of the fluid-tight cylinder on a second axial side of the piston.  
         [0009]     Embodiments can include one or more of the following features.  
         [0010]     In some embodiments, the fluid displacement system is operatively associated with the wheel such that the wheel is moved toward the body when the fluid within the fluid displacement system is displaced in a second direction.  
         [0011]     In certain embodiments, the wheeled transport device further includes a member extending from the wheel. The member is configured to move the wheel relative to the body when the fluid within the fluid displacement system is displaced.  
         [0012]     In some embodiments, the fluid displacement system includes a fluid cylinder, and the member includes a first end movably positioned within the fluid cylinder and a second end attached to the wheel.  
         [0013]     In certain embodiments, the first end of the member is arranged within the fluid cylinder in a substantially fluid-tight configuration.  
         [0014]     In some embodiments, the member includes a piston.  
         [0015]     In certain embodiments, the handle is moveable between at least a first position and a second position.  
         [0016]     In some embodiments, the first position is a fully retracted position of the handle, and the second position is a fully extended position of the handle.  
         [0017]     In certain embodiments, the fluid displacement system includes a fluid cylinder operatively associated with the moveable handle such that moving the handle displaces fluid within the fluid displacement system, thereby moving the wheel.  
         [0018]     In some embodiments, the wheel is prevented from substantially moving toward the body after the wheel is extended away from the body to a predetermined distance.  
         [0019]     In some embodiments, the fluid suspension device includes a pneumatic suspension device.  
         [0020]     In certain embodiments, the fluid suspension device includes a hydraulic suspension device.  
         [0021]     In some embodiments, the wheeled transport device includes a luggage device.  
         [0022]     In certain embodiments, the wheeled transport device includes a plurality of wheels, each of the wheels being operatively associated with an independent fluid suspension device.  
         [0023]     In some embodiments, the handle is collapsible for storage.  
         [0024]     In certain embodiments, the handle is telescoping.  
         [0025]     In some embodiments, the wheel is interconnected to the collapsible handle, such that the wheel is retracted when the handle is collapsed.  
         [0026]     In certain embodiments, the wheeled transport device further includes a member associated with the suspension device to change the level of suspension.  
         [0027]     In some embodiments, the member includes the handle, and the handle is movable between a plurality of positions.  
         [0028]     In certain embodiments, the level of suspension is a function of the position of the handle.  
         [0029]     In some embodiments, the handle is configured to extend and retract, and the level of suspension increases as the handle is extended and decreases as the handle is retracted.  
         [0030]     In certain embodiments, the handle is configured to be fixed in each of the plurality of positions.  
         [0031]     In some embodiments, the handle is configured to be fixed in at least three different positions.  
         [0032]     In certain embodiments, the fluid suspension device includes a member connected to the wheel.  
         [0033]     In some embodiments, the wheeled transport device further includes a fluid delivery device in fluid communication with the suspension device, and the fluid delivery device is configured to actuate the member of the suspension device.  
         [0034]     In certain embodiments, the member is configured to be positioned in a plurality of axial positions, each of the axial positions resulting in a different level of suspension.  
         [0035]     In some embodiments, the wheeled transport device further includes a valve positioned between the fluid delivery device and the suspension device, the valve being configured to adjust a flow area between the fluid delivery device and the suspension device.  
         [0036]     In certain embodiments, the suspension device includes a first piston movably disposed within a first cylinder, and the member is attached to the first piston.  
         [0037]     In some embodiments, the fluid delivery device is configured to deliver the fluid to a first side of the first piston to move the member in a first axial direction, and to a second side of the first piston to move the member in a second axial direction.  
         [0038]     In certain embodiments, the level of suspension is a function of the axial position of the member.  
         [0039]     In some embodiments, the fluid delivery device includes a second piston movably disposed with a second cylinder, and a first end region of the first cylinder is in fluid communication with a first end region of the second cylinder, and a second end region of the first cylinder is in fluid communication with a second end region of the second cylinder.  
         [0040]     In certain embodiments, the first and second cylinders are fluidly connected to one another with first and second hoses.  
         [0041]     In some embodiments, the wheel is configured to retract into the body.  
         [0042]     In certain embodiments, the wheel is configured to retract by actuating the member.  
         [0043]     In some embodiments, the handle is movable between at least a first position and a second position, and movement of the handle causes the fluid to be transferred from the fluid delivery device to the suspension device.  
         [0044]     In certain embodiments, the fluid delivery device comprises a piston movably disposed within a cylinder, and the handle is attached to the piston.  
         [0045]     In some embodiments, the wheel is extended when the handle is in the first position and the wheel is retracted when the handle is in the second position.  
         [0046]     In certain embodiments, the handle includes a locking feature that is constructed to cooperate with a locking mechanism of the body to retain the handle in one or more positions intermediate to the first and second positions.  
         [0047]     In some embodiments, the wheeled transport device further includes a wheel-driven electric generator that generates electrical power while the device is wheeled along the surface.  
         [0048]     In certain embodiments, the wheel has a resilient outer member that directly contacts the surface upon which the device is wheeled.  
         [0049]     In some embodiments, the wheeled transport device is in combination with multiple, interchangeable wheels of differing properties.  
         [0050]     In certain embodiments, the handle is configured to be fixed in a plurality of different positions.  
         [0051]     In some embodiments, the wheeled luggage device further includes a fluid delivery device in fluid communication with the suspension device, and the fluid delivery device is configured to deliver fluid to the suspension device.  
         [0052]     In certain embodiments, the fluid delivery device is operatively attached to the handle.  
         [0053]     In some embodiments, the suspension device includes a pneumatic suspension device.  
         [0054]     Embodiments may include one or more of the following advantages.  
         [0055]     In some embodiments, the wheeled transport device (e.g., the luggage device) includes a suspension system (e.g., a pneumatic suspension system). This can help to stabilize the luggage device during transport. The suspension system can, for example, help to prevent the luggage from being overturned by impacts to one or more of the wheels caused by rough surfaces, obstructions, and/or sudden changes in elevation, such as stairs and curbs. This can alternatively or additionally improve the comfort of the user. The suspension system can, for example, help to reduce vibrations transferred from the handle to the user&#39;s hand during transport.  
         [0056]     In certain embodiments, the luggage device includes a handle and/or wheels that are retractable. This can help to improve the ease with which the luggage device can be stored in confined spaces, such as airliner overhead storage compartments, airport rental storage lockers, and home closets. The size of the luggage device can, for example, be reduced and/or the number of potential impediments protruding from the luggage can be reduced.  
         [0057]     Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0058]      FIG. 1 . is a side, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a wheeled luggage device with a handle and wheel in a retracted position.  
         [0059]      FIG. 2  is a side, cross-sectional view of the wheeled luggage device of  FIG. 1  with the handle and wheel in an extended position.  
         [0060]      FIG. 3  is a side, cross-sectional view of the wheeled luggage device of  FIG. 1  with the handle and wheel in an extended position, and arranged at an attitude for transport.  
         [0061]      FIG. 4  is a rear, cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a wheeled luggage device with a suspension system including an adjustable valve.  
         [0062]      FIG. 5  is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a wheeled luggage device with a retractable handle and a suspension system including a retractable member. 
     
    
       [0063]     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0064]      FIG. 1  shows a luggage device  100  in a stored configuration. Luggage device  100  includes a body portion  110  that includes a cavity in which goods (e.g., clothing) can be contained. Luggage device  100  further includes a suspension system  130  having a fluid delivery device  118  and a suspension device  120  that are fluidly connected to one another by hoses  122  and  123 . Fluid delivery device  118  is operatively connected to handle  112 , and suspension device  120  is operatively attached to a wheel assembly  128 . As described below, the retraction and expansion of handle  112  can function to retract and extend, respectively, wheel assembly  114 . The retraction and extension of handle  112  can also increase and decrease, respectively, the level of suspension (e.g., the effective spring coefficient) provided by suspension system  130 .  
         [0065]     Handle  112 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is collapsed into body portion  110  of luggage device  100  on a telescoping rail as is customary in the wheeled luggage industry with the grasping member of the handle flush to the top surface of the bag. A member  113  extends from the bottom end of handle  112  and attaches to a piston  119  within fluid delivery device  118 . Thus, piston  119  can be moved along the longitudinal axis of fluid delivery device  118  in response to movement (e.g., extension or retraction) of handle  112 , as discussed below. Referring briefly to  FIG. 3 , handle  112  includes multiple teeth  126  along its length. Teeth  126  can cooperate with a locking mechanism  124  of body  110  in order to retain handle  112  in a fixed extended position. Teeth  126  can, for example, contact a mating surface of locking mechanism  124  to prevent handle  112  from being extended beyond a predetermined point. Teeth  126  can alternatively or additionally cooperate with surfaces of locking mechanism  124  to prevent handle  112  from being retracted beyond a predetermined point. While locking mechanism  124  has been described as a tooth-engaging mechanism, the locking mechanism can be any device capable of retaining handle  112  in a fixed axial position. Examples of locking mechanisms include friction devices (e.g., cams, rollers and clutches, clamps and collets, magnets, magnetic assemblies), interference devices (e.g., pins, pawls, latches, hook and loop fasteners), fluid couplings, and thermal clutches, among other mechanisms. Alternatively or additionally, any of various materials, such as magnetorheological fluid, can be used to help provide locking action.  
         [0066]     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , wheel assembly  114  includes a wheel  127  that is retractably attached to a wheel housing  128 . Wheel  127  can, for example, be disposed about a shaft or axel extending from wheel housing  128 . Wheel  127  can be formed of any of various types of materials, such as plastics and/or metals. In certain embodiments, the wheel is formed of an elastomeric material and includes molded internal ribs that resiliently deform when loaded, both providing effective springing of the load and providing damping of the system. In some embodiments, the luggage device includes multiple interchangeable wheels. In certain embodiments, wheel  127  can be one of a number of interchangeable wheels, each of which has different mechanical properties that effect the suspension of luggage device  100 . In such embodiments, for example, the user can select a wheel based on various factors that might effect the suspension of luggage device  100 , such as size of luggage device  100 , weight of luggage device  100 , and load distribution within luggage device  100 .  
         [0067]     A member  129  extends from wheel housing  128  and attaches to a piston  121  disposed within suspension device  120 . Thus, piston  121  can move along the longitudinal axis of suspension device  120  in response to inward or outward movement of wheel assembly  114  (e.g., wheel housing  128  of wheel assembly  114 ), as discussed below. Wheel housing  128  is attached to body portion  110  with a hinge  116 . Wheel housing  128  is configured to pivot or rotate about hinge  116  such that wheel assembly  114  can be retracted into body portion  110 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , or extended away from body portion  110 , as shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0068]     Handle  112  and wheel  114  are operatively connected to one another by suspension system  130 . As discussed above, suspension system  130  includes fluid delivery device  118 , suspension device  120 , and hoses  122  and  123  that fluidly connect fluid delivery device  118  to suspension device  120 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , fluid delivery device  118  includes a cylinder  115  in which piston  119  is movably disposed. A fluid-tight (e.g., air-tight) seal is formed between the outer surface of piston  119  and the inner surface of cylinder  115 . Cylinder  115  includes a first fluid passage  140  in the upper region of cylinder  115  (e.g., in the region of cylinder  115  nearer a top wall  175  of luggage device  100 ), and includes a second fluid passage  142  in the bottom region of cylinder  115  (e.g., in the region of cylinder  115  nearer a bottom wall  180  of luggage device  100 ). Hoses  122  and  123  are attached to first and second fluid passages  140  and  142  with a fluid-tight seal. Hoses  122  and  123  can be formed of any of various materials, such as plastic, rubber, and/or metal. Any of various techniques can be used to attach hoses  122  to fluid passages  140  and  142 . For example, hoses  122  can be attached to fluid passages  140  and  142  using screw couplings, detent balls and/or rings, barbed couplings, swaged fittings, brazed and/or welded connections, thermal shrink, adhesives, and/or sealed pin couplings.  
         [0069]     As discussed above, member  113  attaches piston  119  to handle  112 . Thus, as handle  112  is axially displaced (e.g., extended or retracted), piston  119  can also be axially displaced. Displacement of piston  119  within cylinder  115  causes the suspension fluid (e.g., air) within the cylinder to be forced out of the cylinder and into hose  122  or hose  123  (depending on direction of the displacement of piston  119 ) via one of fluid passages  140  and  142 . The fluid that exits cylinder  115  is transferred to suspension device  120  via the hose into which it is forced.  
         [0070]     Suspension device  120  includes a cylinder  125  in which piston  121  is movably disposed. Piston  121  forms a fluid-tight (e.g., air-tight) seal with cylinder  125  in a manner similar to that described above with respect to piston  119  and cylinder  115  of fluid delivery mechanism  118 . Member  129  extends from piston  121  and attaches to wheel housing  128 . Member  129  can, for example, be pivotably attached to wheel housing  128 . Due to the attachment of member  129  to wheel housing  128 , piston  121  can move axially in response to movement of wheel assembly  114  (e.g., wheel housing  128  of wheel assembly  114 ), and vice versa.  
         [0071]     Cylinder  125  includes first and second fluid passages  150  and  152  at its end regions, on opposite axial sides of piston  121 . First fluid passage  150 , for example, is disposed at the end region of cylinder  125  nearer a front wall  185  of luggage device  100 , and second fluid passage  152  is disposed at the end region of cylinder  125  nearer a rear wall  190  of luggage device  100 . Hoses  122  and  123  attach to fluid passages  150  and  152 , respectively. As a result, a closed fluid loop is formed between fuel delivery device  118  and suspension device  120 . Thus, the fluid can be transferred between the various components of suspension system  130  (e.g., between fuel delivery device  118  and suspension device  120 ), but the fluid is generally prevented from escaping from the system.  
         [0072]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , when handle  112  is retracted within body  110 , piston  119  is positioned at the end region of cylinder  115  proximal to fluid passage  142 , and piston  121  is positioned at the end region of cylinder  125  proximal to fluid passage  150 . When handle  112  is extended to the transport position, as shown in  FIG. 2 , piston  119  follows handle  112  upward, expelling some of the fluid through fluid passage  140 . The expelled fluid is forced through hose  122  causing some of the fluid contained within the system to enter suspension device  120  via fluid passage  150 . As the fluid enters cylinder  125  of suspension device  120 , piston  121  is forced toward the opposite end of cylinder  125  (e.g., toward wheel assembly  114 ). As a result, wheel assembly  114  is caused to extend (e.g., pivot) outwardly, away from body  110 . With wheel assembly  114  in the extended position, it can provide support for transport of luggage device  100 . Wheel  127  can, for example, contact the ground and have room to move up and down about its pivot as loads are applied by interaction with the ground surface.  
         [0073]      FIG. 3  shows luggage device  100  in a transport orientation, as when being pulled by the user. Handle  112  and wheel assembly  114  are in the extended position, and body  110  is arranged at an inclined angle relative to the ground surface. Body  110  can, for example, be arranged at an acute angle (e.g., about 15 degrees to about 75 degrees) relative to the ground surface. Forces that are applied to wheel  127  (e.g., by the ground surface) can be absorbed by suspension device  120  in this configuration. When handle  112  is extended, it can be fixed in a desired position (e.g., using locking mechanism  124 ). With handle  112  in the locked position, piston  119  of fuel delivery device  118  is similarly held in a fixed axial position within cylinder  115  so that the volume occupied by the suspension fluid between fuel delivery device  118  and suspension device  120  (e.g., between piston  119  of fuel delivery device  118  and piston  121  of suspension device  120 ) is substantially constant. In this configuration, an impact on wheel  114  (e.g., by the ground surface) acts on piston  121  and compresses the suspension fluid between pistons  121  and  119  via hose  122 . Consequently, much of the energy resulting from the impact is dissipated before being transferred to body  110  of luggage device  100 . Thus, the amount of vibrational energy transferred to the user by body  110  (e.g., via handle  112 ) can be reduced. Similarly, due to the dissipation of energy by suspension system  130 , less energy is available to create an overturning torque, and thus the likelihood of luggage device  100  tipping over can be reduced.  
         [0074]     In some embodiments, the level of suspension provided by suspension system  130  can be altered by altering the position of handle  112 . The level of suspension can, for example, be increased by increasing the amount that handle  112  is extended, and/or can be decreased by decreasing the amount that handle  112  is extended. In certain embodiments, an initial extension of handle  112  deploys wheel assembly  114 , as described above. After wheel assembly  114  has been fully deployed, any additional extension of handle  112  can compress the fluid in hose  122 , which can increase the level of suspension (e.g., the effective spring rate) provided to wheel assembly  114  to accommodate a wider range of weights or loads within the luggage. Using locking mechanism  124 , handle  112  can be fixed in a position corresponding to a desired suspension level. By locking handle  112 , the desired suspension level or effective spring rate can be substantially maintained during use. The effective spring rate of suspension system  130  can, for example, range from about two pounds to about 200 pounds (e.g., about two pounds to about 100 pounds, about two pounds to about 50 pounds, about two pounds to about 25 pounds).  
         [0075]     To convert luggage device  100  from its transport configuration (shown in  FIG. 3 ) into its storage configuration (shown in  FIG. 1 ), handle  112  is pushed into body  110 . This drives piston  119  of fuel delivery device  118  toward fluid passage  142 . As a result, the fluid is forced through hose  123  and into suspension device  120  via fluid passage  152 , which causes piston  119  to move axially toward the opposite end of cylinder  125  (e.g., away from wheel assembly  114 ). Consequently, wheel assembly  114  is retracted into body  110 .  
         [0076]     While several embodiments have been described, other embodiments are possible.  
         [0077]     As an example, while the wheeled transport device has been described as a wheeled luggage device, the wheeled transport device can alternatively or additionally be any of various other wheeled devices that are capable of being transported (e.g., pulled or pushed) by the user. Examples of such devices include pull carts, pushcarts, dollies, trash cans, golf carts, barbeque charcoal or gas grilles, portable concrete mixers, landscaping carts and carryalls, wheeled mosquito capture machines, lounge chairs, portable tables, and other outdoor equipment.  
         [0078]     As another example, while the suspension fluid of the embodiments above has been described as being air, any of various other types of fluids can alternatively or additionally be used. Examples of other types of fluid include water, oil, gases (e.g., nitrogen), alcohol, and various derivatives of petroleum.  
         [0079]     As a further example, in some embodiments, the suspension system includes a valve positioned between the suspension device and the fluid delivery device. The valve can be used to tune the load carrying capability of the suspension device. As shown in  FIG. 4 , for example, a valve  195  connects hose  122  to cylinder  125  of suspension device  120 . Valve  195  can be adjusted to vary the area through which air is allowed to pass between cylinder  125  and tube  122 . By controlling the flow area, the rate of flow can be modified. The rate at which the initial pressure acting on piston  121  changes in response to external forces acting on the wheels can, for example, increase as the flow area decreases. Likewise, the rate at which the initial pressure acting on piston  121  changes in response to external forces acting on the wheels can decrease as the flow area increases. Therefore, valve  195  can be adjusted to provide the level of suspension response desired by the user. The user may, for example, adjust the valve based on the type of terrain on which the luggage device is to be used and/or the weight of the luggage device and its contents. Valve  195  can be any of various types of valve devices. Examples of such devices include rotary valves (e.g., multiple-orifice rotary valves), screw valves, gate valves, and plug valves. Alternatively or additionally, an insert having an orifice can positioned within tube  122  in order to alter the flow area. The orifice of the insert can be of any of various shapes and sizes.  
         [0080]     As an additional example, while luggage device  100  has been described as having one wheel assembly  114 , the luggage device can include two or more wheel assemblies. In some embodiments, each of the wheel assemblies is operatively associated with an independent suspension system. The suspension systems can be similar (e.g., identical) to suspension system  130  described above. In certain embodiments, the suspension systems have distinct suspension devices and hoses, but share a common fluid delivery device. The common fluid delivery device can, for example, include two different pairs of air passage. Similarly, two different sets of hoses, one of which leads to one of the wheel assemblies and the other of which leads to the other of the wheel assembles. Alternatively or additionally, the common fluid delivery device can include a single inlet and/or outlet. The single inlet and/or outlet can be fluidly attached to a T-valve, which can direct the fluid to multiple suspension devices.  
         [0081]     As a further example, while the embodiments above describe the handle of the luggage device as being part of the suspension system, other mechanisms independent of the handle can be used to control the suspension system. As shown in  FIG. 5 , for example, a luggage device  200  includes a retractable handle  213  in addition to a suspension system  230  including a retractable member  212 . Suspension system  230  is similar to suspension system  130  described above. The level of suspension can, for example, be modified by extending or retracting retractable member  212  much like the level of suspension provided by suspension system  130  can be modified by extending or retracting handle  112 . However, due to the configuration of suspension system  230 , the suspension of luggage device  200  can advantageously be controlled independent of retractable handle  213 . Handle  213  can, for example, be adjusted to any of various different positions without substantially affecting the level of suspension provided to luggage device  200 . Consequently, the user can select a desired toting position of the handle without modifying the level of suspension of the luggage device.  
         [0082]     As another example, while the embodiments above involve human-powered luggage devices, the luggage devices can alternatively or additionally be machine-powered. In some embodiments, for example, the luggage device includes an electric motor, a power source, and a generator. Power can be transferred from the generator to the power source and then from the power source to the motor where it can be used to rotate the wheels. Alternatively or additionally, the generator can be used to provide power to any of various electronic devices of the luggage device. Examples of luggage devices including generators are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 60/599,360, filed Aug. 6, 2004, and entitled “Electrical Power Generation”, which is incorporated by reference herein.  
         [0083]     Other embodiments are in the claims.