Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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IMPROVEMENTS IN WHEELED LUGGAGE
AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES
BACKGROUND OF TIC INVENTION
The inventions disclosed herein concern
improvements in wheeled luggage and associated devices.
Conventionally, wheeled luggage includes one or more
wheels integral with the frame of the luggage. A
retractable or foldable handle is provided to allow the
luggage to be pushed or pulled along the ground. This
alleviates the need for the user to carry and thus support
the entire weight of the luggage.
In order to provide further stability and
support to the luggage, a retractable panel has been
provided which includes an extra wheel or two. The
retractable panel is automatically deployed by pulling up
on the handle. The extra wheels can be casters in order
to increase the maneuverability of the luggage. Examples
of such items are disclosed in United States Patent
Nos. 5,519,919 and 5,568,848.
One major disadvantage of the devices disclosed
in the above two mentioned patents is that the. retractable
panel including the extra wheel or wheels is automaticall_v_
deployed upon pulling up of the handle. Thus, even when
the extra stability and support of the extra wheels) is
not needed, the retractable panel is deployed. There is
no way to use the luggage with the handle in an extended
state while at the same time not deploying the retractable
panel.
What is needed, therefore, are improvements in
wheeled luggage which overcome the above noted disad-
vantages of the prior art as well as other improvements
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in the detent systems for the handle, the caster disposed
on the retractable panel and pushbutton mechanisms.
S~1J MARY OF THE INVENTION
The luggage article of the invention satisfies
the above-mentioned needs as well as others. The luggage
article includes a storage compartment and first rolling
means projecting from the storage compartment. A wheeled
panel mechanism is provided which includes a pivotably
mounted panel, the panel having second rolling means.
Operatively associated with the wheeled panel mechanism
is a handle which is movable between a retracted position
and an extended position. The luggage article ffinally
includes means for selective deployment or nondeployment
of the second rolling means when the handle is moved from
the retracted position to the extended position. In this
way, the user has a choice to use or not use the
second rolling means even when the handle is in an
extended position.
An improved detent means and improved caster
system for the second rolling means are also disclosed.
A wheeled panel mechanism itself for use not only with
luggage but also other articles, such as carts, dollies
and baby carriages is also provided. An improved
pushbutton device is also disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRZPT~ON OF THE DRAWING
A full understanding of the invention can be
gained from the following detailed description of the
invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a luggage
article, partially cutaway, showing the wheeled panel
mechanism of the invention with the handle in a retracted
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position and the wheeled panel mechanism in a nondeployed
position.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a luggage
article, partially cutaway, showing the handle in an
extended position and the wheeled panel mechanism in a
nondeployed position.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a luggage
article, partially cutaway, showing the handle in an
extended position and the wheeled panel mechanism in a
deployed position.
Figure 4 is a partially exploded perspective
view showing the wheeled panel mechanism.
Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the
handle means.
Figure 6 is a perspective view, partially
cutaway, of the handle means in the extended position.
Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 6 only
showing when the pushbutton is pushed and the detent is
moved.
Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 7 only
showing the handle being pushed down towards the retracted
position.
Figure 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views of
another embodiment of the pushbutton.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the wheeled
panel mechanism by itself in its deployed state.
Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 only
showing the wheeled panel mechanism being partially
closed.
Figure li is a view similar to Figures 9 and 10
only showing the wheeled panel mechanism being fully
closed.
Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 12-12 of Figure 1.
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Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 13-13 of Figure 2.
Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view similar to
Figures 12 and 13.
Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 15-15 of Figure 3.
Figure 16 is a side elevational view, partially
in section, showing the caster of the invention in a
storage position.
Figure 17 is a side elevational view, partially
in section, of a caster of the invention bearing on a
surface .
Figure 18 is a side elevational view, partially
in section, of the caster with its wheel lifted off of the
ground.
DETAILED DESCI~~O~I!~
Referring more particular to Figures 1-3, the
basic concept of one of the inventions disclosed herein
will be discussed. A luggage article 20 is shown. The
luggage article 20 includes, in this embodiment, a unitary
frame or gusset 22 made of plastic. A fabric covering
(not shown) can be used to create the storage compart-
ment 24 for the luggage article 20. It will be
appreciated that the invention herein can also be used
with so-called "hard-sided" luggage, in addition to the
soft-sided (or gussetted) luggage shown. Broadly, the
luggage article 20 includes handle means 26 which includes
a pair of spaced apart male tubing members 28 and 30 which
are joined together at the top by a gripping portion 32.
3o The male tubing members 28 and 30 engage into
female tubes 40 and 42. It will be appreciated that the
male tubing members 28 and 30 and the gripping portion 32
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can be moved from a retracted position, as shown in
Figure 1 to an extended portion as shown in Figures 2
and 3.
Figure 2 shows the luggage article 20 with the
handle means 26 in an extended position. In this
position, the luggage article 20 can be rolled along a
surface by means of first rolling means shown here.as a
pair of spaced apart wheels 44 and 46. The design and
positioning of these wheels are well known to those
skilled in the art.
Referring to Figure 3, the luggage article 20
is also shown with the handle means 26 extended. A
wheeled panel mechanism 50, which will be discussed in
much greater detail below, is provided which includes
second rolling means, in this case unique and novel
casters 52 and 54, mounted by means of a caster support
bar 55 to a pivotably mounted panel 56 of the wheeled
panel mechanism 50 (see Figure 3). The wheeled panel
mechanism 5p provides greater support for the luggage
article 20 and allows the luggage article 20 to be more
easily pushed by the user.
In accordance with the invention, the luggage
article 20 includes means for selective deployment or
nondeployment of the second rolling means 52, 54 of the
luggage article when the handle means 26 is moved from the
retracted position (Figi,tre 1) to the extended position
(Figures 2 and 3). The advantage of the luggage
article 20 of the invention is that, in contrast to prior
art luggage articles, the user has a choice of whether or
not to deploy the wheeled panel mechanism 50 when the
handle means 26 is extended. Thus, for example, when the
user only needs to use the first rolling means 44, 46,
such as when the load is light or when it is desired to
move the luggage article 20 in close quarters, the wheeled
panel mechanism 50 does not have to be deployed when the
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handle means 26 is extended. Conversely, when the wheeled
panel mechanism 50 is really needed, such as when the load
is heavy or when it is desired to stack other items on the
luggage article 20, the wheeled panel mechanism 50 can be
deployed to create a luggage cart.
Referring now more particularly to Figures 4-15,
one embodiment of the invention for accomplishing the
broad concept of the invention will be discussed. It will
be appreciated, however, that the invention can encompass
other means, not shown, for allowing the selective
deployment or nondeployment of the second rolling means
(casters 52 and 54) which are mounted to the pivotably
mounted panel 56.
Referring now specifically to Figure 4, with
.reference generally to Figures 1-3, the wheeled panel
mechanism 50 is preferably a modular component which can
be attached separately to an existing luggage article.
A framing member 60 is attached to the female tubing
members 40 and 42. The wheeled panel mechanism 50 is then
attached to the framing member 60 and secured thereto by
fastening means, such as rivets 63, 64, 65 and 66. The
construction and operation of the wheeled panel
mechanism 50 will be discussed in detail below.
Referring now to Figures 5-7, the handle
means 26 will be explained in greater detail. The handle
means 26 includes the male tubing members 28, 30 which are
slidingly engaged in the female tubing members 40, 42.
The female tubing members 40, 42 include openings 40a, 42a
and longitudinal slots 4ob, 42b. The purpose of the
longitudinal slots 40b, 42b will be explained below. The
free end of each of the male tubing members 28 and 30
encloses the detest housing 70, 71 which contains the
detest 72, 73 of the invention. The detest 72, 73
includes a channel 74, 75 and a rounded opening 76, 77.
Cable 78, 79 has one end 78a, 79a connected to the
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detent 72, 73 as shown in Figure 5. The other
end 78b, 79b of the cable 78, 79 is connected to a
tab 80, 81 movably mounted to a lower portion 84 of the
gripping portion 32. The tab 80, 81 has an engagement
opening 80a, 81a including a sloped pilot
surface 80b, 81b. A pushbutton 90 is provided that is
movably mounted into an opening 92 in upper portion 93 of
the gripping portion 32. The pushbutton 9o has a
first projection 94 with a sloped pilot surface 94a and
a second projection 95 with a sloped pilot surface 95a.
The pushbutton 90 is biased upwardly by means of
spring 96. Each of the tabs 80, 81 includes a toothed
projection portion 98, 99 that is meshingly engaged with
a round gear 100 rotatably mounted to the lower portion 84
of the gripping portion 32.
The detent 72, 73 has the general shape shown
in Figure 5 and includes a top flat section 102, 103; a
sloped section 104, 105; a vertical section 106, 10?; a
bottom flat section 108, 109; a lockdown device engagement
section 110, 111; an intermediate horizontal
section 112, 113 and an outside vertical section 114, 115.
A portion 120, 121 of the detent 72, 73 extends beyond the
outer surf ace 12 2 , 12 3 of the ma le tubing members 2 8 , 3 0 .
Also provided in the female tubing
members 40, 42 are lockdown devices 130, 131. These
lockdown devices 130, 131 include projections 132, 133
having a detent mechanism engagement portion 134, 135
including a sloped pilot surface 136, 137 which act as
detent engaging portions. The lockdown device 130, 131
includes a spring 138, 139. The projection 132, 133 also
includes a slider mechanism engagement portion 132a, 133a.
The operation of the lockdown device 130, 131 will be
discussed below in further detail with respect to
Figures 12-15.
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Referring now particularly to Figures 6-8, the
operation of the detent 72, 73 vis-a-vis the handle 26
will be explained. In Figure 6, the handle 26 is shown
in its extended position (see Figures 2 and 3). In this
position, the extension portion,120, 121 of the
detent 72, 73 extends into the openings 40a, 42a in the
female tubing 40, 42. In this position, it will be
appreciated that the male tubing 28, 30 is locked into the
female tubing 40, 42. If it is desired to move the
handle 26 to a retracted position (Figure 1), the
pushbutton 90 is depressed, thus rotating the
detent 72, 73 out of the openings 40a, 42 as can be seen
in Figure 7.
It will be appreciated that when the
pushbutton 90 is depressed, the pilot surface 94a, 95a of
the first and second projections 94 and 95 engage against
the sloped pilot surfaces 80b, 81b of the tabs 80, 81 thus
causing the tabs 80, 81 to move towards each other by
means of toothed projection portions 98, 99 meshingly
engaging with the round gear 100 (see Figure 5). This
will pull the cables 78, 79 (moving the cables in the
direction of the arrow shown in Figure 7) and thus pivot
the detent 72, 73 out of the opening 40a, 42a as shown in
Figure 7. This will allow the male tubing 28, 30 to be
pushed downwardly into the female tubing 40, 42. Once the
detent 72, 73 clears the opening 40a, 42a, the
pushbutton 90 can be released, and the detent 72, 73 will
contact the inner surface 40c, 42c of the
female tubing 40, 42 as shown in Figure 8. Due to the
design and configuration of the detent 72, 73, the
male tubing 28, 30 can slide downwardly in the
female tubing 40, 42.
Figures 8A and 8B show an alternate embodiment
of the pushbutton mechanism. In this embodiment, a pair
of caroming means 140, 141 are provided to which the
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cables 78~ and 79~ are attached. The pushbutton 142
includes two projections 144, 145 which engage against the
caroming means 140, 141 when pushed down, causing the
caroming means 140, 141 to rotate about pivot
point 146, 147. This in turn will draw the cable 78~, 7g~
inward and thus rotate the decent, as in the embodiment
shown in Figures 5-8. The pushbutton 142 is biased in the
non-engaged position by spring 148.
The above detent design is a unique invention
in and of itself and can be used with any retractable
handle for a luggage article, whether having a wheeled
panel mechanism or not. In fact, the detent design can
be used for any item having an extendable handle, such as
a dolly or a baby carriage. However, the detent design
is especially advantageous when used in connection with
the unique wheeled panel mechanism 50 of the invention,
as will be explained in further detail below.
The wheeled panel mechanism 50 of the invention
is shown apart from the luggage article in Figure 9. As
was explained above, the mechanism 50 is a modular
component which can be attached separately to an existing
luggage article or to any other carrying article such as
a dolly, cart or baby carriage. The mechanism 50 is
connected to a framing member 60 that is itself attached
to the female tubing members 40, 42 as was seen in
Figure 4.
Referring now to Figure 9, the wheeled panel
mechanism 50 includes a body portion 150, a pivotably
mounted panel 56 (shown in phantom for the sake of
clarity) including casters 52, 54 mounted to caster bar 55
and linkage means 152 connecting the body portion 150 to
the pivotably mounted panel 56. The linkage means 152
consists of a first link 156 and a second link 158. The
first link 156 is pivotably mounted to the panel 56 and
the second link 158 whereas the second link 158 is
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pivotably mounted to the body portion 150 and the
first link 156. A first spring i60 is disposed at the
joining point of the panel 56 and the first link 156 and
a second spring 162 is disposed at the joining point of
the body portion 150 and the second link 158. The springs
will aid in the deployment of the panel 56 as will be
explained below. In addition, a roller 166 is provided
at the joining point of first link 156 and
second link 158.
l0 The wheeled panel mechanism 50 further includes
a slider mechanism 170. The slider mechanism 170 includes
a pair of arms 172, 174 that extend away from a central
roller 176. The ends of the arms 172, 174 include
extension portions 177 and 178, respectively which
extended through the slots 40b and 42b in female tubing
members 40 and 42 (not shown in Figure 9).
The body portion 150 includes a pair of spaced
apart rollers 180 and 182, with central roller 166 being
disposed intermediate thereof. A belt 184 has one
end 184a attached to the pivotably mounted panel 56 and
a second end 184b attached to the body portion 150.
Taking it from end 184a, the belt 184 is threaded through
an opening 156a in first link 156, over roller 166 and
threaded back through an opening 158a in second link 158.
From there, the belt 184 is threaded under roller 182,
under central roller 176, over roller 180 and then over
central roller 176 of the slider mechanism 170. The
belt end 184b is then attached to the body portion.
Figures 20 and 11 show how the movement of the
slider mechanism pivots the panel 56 so that the wheeled
mechanism 50 can be placed in a nondeployed state. As can
be seen in Figure 10, once the slider mechanism 170 is
moved downwardly by the detent housing 70, 71 pushing down
on the extensions 177, 178 which extend into the
female tubing 40, 42 (as will be explained in detail with
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respect to Figures 12-15), the belt 184 is pulled by
central roller thus pulling the belt 184 and drawing the
first link 156 inward, causing the first link 156 and
second link 158 to fold up on each other. Continuing to
move the slider mechanism 170 downward will fold up flat
the first and second links 156 and 158 so that they will
be disposed in the body portion 150 with panel 56
overlying them, as shown in Figure 11.
Now that the handle 26 and the wheeled panel
mechanism 50 have been explained, the cooperation
therebetween in order to achieve one of the objects of the
invention will now be explained with reference to the
cross-sectional views shown in Figures 12-15 below. In
these cross-sectional views the belt 184 and other parts
are not shown in order to increase the clarity of the
drawings.
Figure I2 is a cross-sectional view taken along
line 12-12 of Figure 1, which shows the handle 26 in its
retracted position and the wheeled panel mechanism 50 in
its nondeployed position. As can be seen in Figure 12,
the extension 177, 178 of the arm 172, 174 of the slider
mechanism 170 extends into the hollow female tubing
member 40, 42 through slots 40b and 42b and also engages
against, and is locked down to the lockdown
device 130, 131 by means of the extension 177, 178
engaging against the slider mechanism engagement
portion 132a, 133a of the projection 132, 133. The slider
mechanism 170 is biased against springs 138, 139 of the
lockdown device 130, 131.
If it is desired to extend the handle means 26
Without deploying the wheeled panel mechanism 50
(Figure 2) the male tubing 28, 30 is merely slid upwardly
in the female tubing 40, 42 as is shown in Figure 13. It
will be appreciated that the slider mechanism 170 remains
locked down to the lockdown device 130, 131 thus
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preventing the deployment of the wheeled panel
mechanism 50.
If it is desired to extend the handle means 26
and deploy the wheeled panel mechanism 50 (Fign,rre 3), the
pushbutton 90 is pushed, and the detent 72, 73 is rotated
as is shown in Figure 14. This action will cause the
detent 72, 73 to engage against the sloped pilot surface
or detent engaging portions 136, 137 of the
projection 132, 133 and rotate the projections 132, 133
away from the extension 177, 178, thus unlocking the
slider mechanism 170 from the lockdown device 130, 131 and
causing it to move upwardly as shown by arrows on
Figure 14. The combination of the springs 138, 139~along
with the springs 160, 162 on the linkage means 152 will
cause the wheeled panel mechanism to automatically deploy
when the slider mechanism 170 is unlocked from the
lockdown devices 130, 131 and thus moves upwardly as is
shown in Figure 15.
When it is desired to retract the handle 26, the
male tubing 28, 30 is pushed downwardly which causes the
detent housing 70, 71 to engage against the
extension 177, 178 of the slider mechanism, thus moving
the entire sliding mechanism downwardly until the
extension is again locked down onto lockdown device
(Figure 22).
Referring to Figures 16-18, the novel and unique
caster of the invention will be discussed. Referring
particularly to Figure 16, a caster 20o is shown associ-
ated with a retractable portion 202, such as a retractable
panel similar to pivotably mounted panel 56 of the wheeled
panel mechanism 50 shown in Figure 3, for example. The
retractable portion 202 is shown partially in section in
Figures 16-18 in order to illustrate the invention. The
caster 200 is shown retracted into a cavity 204 of an
item 205, such as wheeled panel mechanism 50, for storage
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purposes. One of the advantages of the design of the
caster 200, which will be explained in detail below, is
that the caster 200, when retracted and stored, fits
better into the cavity 204.
The caster 200 consists of a wheel 210, a wheel
frame 212 and a swivel 214. The swivel 214 includes a
rod 216 including a cross pin 217 extending therefrom into
guiding means 218 formed in the retractable portion 202.
The wheel frame 212 connects the swivel 214 to the
wheel 210 and is pivotably mounted to the swivel 214 by
a pair of connectors 220, 222. Wheel 210 includes an
axle 223 having each of its ends axially rotatably mounted
to the wheel frame 212, as can be seen in Figure 17.
Retractable portion 202 also includes biasing means, in
this embodiment a spring 224, having one end secured to
the wall 226 of the retractable portion 202 and having
another end bearing against the top surface of rod 216.
The spring 224 biases the caster into a storage position
wherein the cross pin 217 engages into the V-shaped guid-
ing means 218, and so that a gap 228 is formed between the
swivel 214 and the bottom surface 202a of the retractable
portion 202.
Referring now to Figure 17, when the retractable
portion 202 is moved from the storage position shown in
Figure 16 and the wheel 210 bears against a surface 230,
the entire caster 200 is pushed upwardly against the bias
of the spring 224, shown by arrow A. This, in turn,
allows the cross pin 217 to move out of the V-shaped
guiding means 218. Now, the swivel 214 is able to freely
rotate about its vertical axis 240 a full 360°. This is
advantageous when the caster 200 bears on surface 230 in
that the caster 200 can aid movement of the item on which
it is disposed (such as a luggage article) in any desired
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direction. It will also be appreciated that the
cross pin 217 prevents the caster 200 from becoming
disengaged from the retractable portion 202.
It will be appreciated that it is desired, once
the retractable portion 202 is retracted for storage as
shown in Figure 16, that the caster 200 assume a prede
termined position for efficient, space-saving storage.
Referring to Figure 18, once the caster 200 is lifted off
of the surface 230, the spring 224 will bias the
caster 200 downwardly, as shown by arrow B, thus forcing
the rod 216 and cross pin 217 downwardly. This will cause
the cross pin 217 to engage against the V-shaped guiding
means 218, which will force the cross pin 217 and thus the
entire caster 200 to rotate on its vertical axis 240 to
the predetermined position as dictated by the construction
and arrangement of the guiding means 218 and which is
desired based on the design of the item and/or retractable
portion to which the caster is mounted. Of course, if the
caster is already in its predetermined position when the
wheel 210 is lifted off of the ground, there will be no
rotation of the caster 200. In this way, whenever the
wheel 210 is lifted off of the ground, the caster 200 will
assume a predetermined position having a particular
desired orientation for efficient storage of the
caster 200.
It will be appreciated that although the
caster 200 is shown on a retractable portion 202, the
invention is not so limited and the caster design
disclosed can be used on any item, having a retractable
portion or not, where it is desired to use a caster having
free range of motion while its wheel is on a surface, but
which is desired to assume a predetermined position having
a particular desired orientation when its wheel is lifted
off of the surface.
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Referring back to Figure 16, it will be seen
that the wheel frame 212 of the caster 200 is designed to
pivot about a pivot point P in order to further
efficiently store the caster 200 into the cavity 204, as
shown by arrow C.
While specif is embodiments of the invention have
been disclosed, it will be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that various modifications and alterations to
those details could be developed in light of the overall
teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular
arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only
and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which
is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and
any and all equivalents thereof.
