Patent ID: 7097181

Claim:
A pivoting handle assembly ( 20 ) for use with a towed wheeled luggage case ( 10 ), the assembly comprising: a mounting plate ( 22 ) for receiving and retaining a handle ( 30 ), the mounting plate ( 22 ) adapted for attachment to a wall of the case ( 10 ) above the wheels; the handle ( 20 ) including an exterior housing member ( 32 ) and an extendable leg member ( 34 ) slidingly supported by and extending through the exterior housing member ( 32 ) in a stowed position, the leg member ( 34 ) having an upper end terminating in a handgrip ( 36 ); pivotal mounting means connected to a lower end of the exterior housing member ( 32 ), the pivotal mounting means being secured to the mounting plate ( 22 ), wherein the exterior housing member ( 32 ) and the leg member ( 34 ) are coaxially aligned and rotatable about the mounting means between the stowed position and an angularly displaced towing position, at least one range-limiting device ( 140 ) operatively joined to and extending between the mounting plate ( 22 ) and the exterior housing member ( 32 ), wherein the angle between the handle ( 30 ) and case ( 10 ) wall when the handle ( 30 ) is in the towing position is determined by the range-limiting means, wherein said leg member ( 34 ) is coaxially aligned with the exterior housing member ( 32 ) when extended therefrom in the towing position, and wherein a lower end of the leg member ( 34 ) is located inside the case ( 10 ) in the stowed position.