Inflatable air frame for soft-sided luggage and article of luggage incorporating same

Abstract

An article of luggage having a semi-rigid frame made from an inflatable member is disclosed. The article of luggage is readily inflated from a deflated state in which it is conveniently stored when not in use. The article of luggage is provided with a set of wheels and a telescoping handle that are attachable to the article of luggage when in the inflated state, for easily rolling and pulling or pushing the inflated article of luggage about over the ground.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 60 / 662,409, filed Mar. 16, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to carrying cases for transporting one or a plurality of solid objects, such as an article of luggage for carrying clothes and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to carrying cases and articles of luggage, which are alternatively inflatable and deflatable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Carrying cases for solid objects, particularly articles of luggage for carrying clothing and the like, have evolved over the years from the large, bulky, and heavy steamer trunks in widespread use over a century, first to rigid, hard-side luggage and then to soft-side luggage with a rigid frame. Over the years conveniences have been added to luggage to facilitate its carrying and movement including th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide carrying cases and other articles of luggage that are inflatable and deflatable, and which are sturdy, light in weight, capable of supporting a substantial weight of contents when in an inflated state, without deforming or losing shape, which are provided with both rolling wheels and a pulling / pushing telescoping handle that can be conveniently attached to the article of luggage when in an inflated state, and which are conveniently foldable for storage when not in use, as well are simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Problems solved by technology

One disadvantage of the article of luggage of the '867 patent is that other than providing a regular carrying handle on one of the sidewalls for carrying the case when in an inflated state, it does not provide means for conveniently rolling the article of luggage when in an inflated state and containing objects therein and it does not provide for a telescoping handle for pulling or pushing the inflated and filled article of luggage, as such wheels and a handle are typically affixed to other rigid and semi-rigid articles of luggage in common used today.

Another disadvantage of the article of luggage of the '867 patent is that inflated article of such luggage have a “air mattress” exterior appearance due to the presence of the plurality of ribbed, inflated air chambers which are evident on the exterior of the article of luggage.

This produces a generally non-aesthetic effect.

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