LUGGAGE AND CARRIER

BAGAGE ET CHARIOT

English Abstract

A bag and a carrier therefore, the carrier comprising a base member having
first and
second pivotable wheels mounted proximate a first end of the base member, a
third wheel
mounted proximate a second end of the base member, the bag being mounted to
the base
member at the first end, the base member being pivotable with respect to the
bag such that
the base member can pivot between a first position wherein the base member
lies adjacent
the bag and a second position wherein the bag is supported on the base member,
a handle
arrangement extending upwardly from the base member and being operative to
steer the first
and second wheels, and a locking device to lock the pivotable wheels in a non-
pivotable
position when the base member lies adjacent the bag. The base member can
function as a
scooter type of device.

Claims

The embodiments of an invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is
claimed is defined as follows:
1. A bag and a carrier therefore, the carrier comprising:
a base member;
first and second pivotable wheels mounted proximate a proximal end of said
base
member;
a third wheel mounted proximate a distal end of said base member;
said bag being mounted to said base member at said proximal end, said base
member
being pivotable with respect to said bag such that said base member can pivot
between a
first position wherein said base member lies adjacent said bag and a second
position wherein
said bag is supported on said base member;
a handle arrangement extending upwardly from said base member, said handle
assembly being operative to steer said first and second wheels; and
a locking device to lock said pivotable wheels in a non pivotable position
when said
base member lies adjacent said bag.
2. The bag and carrier of Claim 1 wherein said base member has an elongated
configuration.
3. The bag and carrier of Claim 1 wherein said handle assembly comprises a
shaft
extending upwardly from said base member and a handle mounted at a distal end
thereof.
4. The bag and carrier of Claim 3 further including first and second steering
arms
operatively associated with said first and second wheels respectively, said
shaft being
connected to said first and second steering arms to permit steering of said
first and second
wheels.

5. The bag and carrier of Claim 1 further including a hinge member, said hinge
member
being connected to both said base member and said bag to permit pivotable
movement of
said base member and bag.
6. The bag and carrier of Claim 1 wherein said handle arrangement comprises a
telescopic handle arrangement.
7. The bag and carrier of Claim 1 wherein said bag is a suitcase.
8. The bag and carrier of Claim 1 wherein said bag is a backpack.
9. The bag and carrier of Claim 1 wherein said locking device comprises a
member
connected to said steering mechanism, said locking device being such that when
said carrier
is in a position next to the bag, the steering mechanism is prevented from
rotating.

Description

CA 02696126 2010-03-05
LUGGAGE AND CARRIER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to luggage and more particularly, relates to
luggage
having a carrier associated therewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many forms of luggage are known in the art. These can range from conventional
suitcases to backpacks and the like. One of the problems associated with
traditional luggage
is their usually substantial weight making it difficult for them to be carried
by many people.
In order to overcome this, the use of wheels and a retractable handle have
become very
popular and are included on most pieces of luggage.
While the use of wheels substantially alleviates the problem of carrying the
luggage,
they still must be towed for what is frequently a substantial distance in
modern airports.
Furthermore, it is generally not possible to move very quickly when pulling
the wheeled
luggage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel system for moving
luggage
from one location to another wherein greater speed may be achieved.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bag and
a carrier
therefore, the carrier comprising a base member, first and second pivotable
wheels mounted
proximate a proximal end of the base member, a third wheel mounted proximate a
distal end
of the base member, the bag being mounted to the base member at the proximal
end, the
base member being pivotable with respect to the bag such that the base member
can pivot
between a first position wherein the base member lies adjacent the bag and a
second position
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CA 02696126 2010-03-05
wherein the bag is supported on the base member, a handle arrangement
extending upwardly
from the base member, the handle assembly being operative to steer the first
and second
wheels, and a locking device to lock the pivotable wheels in a non pivotable
position when
the base member lies adjacent the bag.
The term luggage or bag, as used herein, is intended to include all different
types of
luggage including conventional suitcases, backpacks, travel bags, duffle bags,
school
backpacks, etc. Although the invention will be described with respect to
conventional
suitcases, any other type of bag may be employed.
The carrier for the luggage comprises a member having one end thereof hingedly
or
pivotably connected to the suitcase, preferably along a bottom edge thereof.
The carrier or
base member may be made of any suitable material such as a wood, plastic or
metallic
material. It suffices to say that many different materials having the required
strength are
known while the weight of the base member is preferably minimized.
At one end of the base member, there are provided first and second wheels and
which
wheels are normally mounted so that they may be pivoted and the base member
(with
attached luggage) steered. Such arrangements are known in the art and usually
will involve
a pair of arms, one arm being secured to each of the wheel assemblies and
being centrally
connected.
The invention will also include a steering assembly which will include
steering arms
operatively connected to the first and second wheels. The steering assembly
preferably
comprises an elongated post having a handle structure located at one end
thereof. The post
is connected to the steering arms and thus the entire structure can be steered
by manoeuvring
the handle.
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CA 02696126 2010-03-05
The handle is preferably arranged such that it is retractable and may be
utilized when
it is desired to pull the luggage in a conventional manner.
The invention also preferably includes a locking device to lock the pivotable
wheels
to a non pivotable position when the base member is folded to be adjacent the
bag or
luggage. This permits the same to be pulled in a conventional manner as
previously stated.
However, when the base member and the bag are separated, the wheels may be
steered using
the handle and the whole assembly may function in a manner similar to a
scooter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the
accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the combined carrier and bag of the present
invention when the carrier is in an operational position;
Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the arrangement of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a rear perspective view similar to Figure 2 illustrating the
carrier and bag
in a conventional towing position;
Figure 4 is an exploded view illustrating the relationship of the carrier and
bag;
Figure 5 is a detailed perspective view of the steering and locking mechanism
of the
carrier; and
Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view through the carrier.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters
thereto, there
is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 a combined carrier and bag and which
combination is
generally designated by reference numeral 10. The combination carrier and bag
10 includes
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CA 02696126 2010-03-05
a suitcase generally designated by reference numeral 12 and a carrier
generally designated
by reference numeral 34.
Suitcase 12 has,a front wall 14, a rear wall 16, a pair of side walls 18, a
top end
wall 20 and a bottom end wall 22. Formed at the juncture of rear wall 16 and
bottom end
wall 22 there is a recess 24. Rear wall 16 also includes a first back wall
recess 26 and a
second back wall recess 28 which extends further into the suitcase.
Carrier 34 includes an elongated member 36 having a hinge 38 mounted at a
proximal
end 46. At distal end 40, there is provided a wheel 42 and a shield 44
therefore. Shield 44
can also serve as a braking mechanism.
At proximal end 46 of carrier 34, there is provided a housing 48. A first
wheel 50 is
mounted on one side thereof and a second wheel 52 mounted on the other side.
First
wheel 50 has a steering arm 54 associated therewith while second wheel 52 has
a steering
arm 56 associated therewith. Steering arms 54 and 56 meet centrally. There is
provided an
upwardly extending stub shaft 58 which has a locking member 60 mounted
thereover. A
back wall 62 of locking member 60 will be discussed in greater detail
hereinbelow. At distal
end 40, a third wheel 42 is provided along with shield 44.
Locking member 60 is also joined to steering arms 54, 56. The arrangement
includes
a handle 64 which is connected to the steering assembly comprising a lower
handle shaft 66
and an upper handle shaft 68 which are in a telescopic arrangement.
A locking spring pin member 70 locks carrier 34 in place.
When designed to be used for transporting luggage as quickly as possible, the
carrier
is folded downwardly so that all wheels are on the ground. This permits one to
use the
carrier as a type of scooter for rapid transit. The steering mechanism at this
point is fully
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CA 02696126 2010-03-05
functional and the first and second wheels 50 and 52 may be steered by means
of handle 64.
When carrier 34 is mounted in a storage position, it is pivoted upwardly as
seen in
Figure 3 and in this position, back wall 62 of locking member 60 abuts
elongated
member 36 and thus wheels 50 and 52 may not be pivoted. This permits the
luggage to be
towed in a conventional manner in the position shown in Figure 3.
It will be understood that the above described embodiments are for purposes of
illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto
without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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Representative Drawing