Wheeled luggage and reclining chair

Abstract

Luggage selectively provides a reclining chair for the traveler. The luggage has a wheeling configuration and has a backward-tilted, stationary configuration including a sitting configuration. The luggage includes a case including a top wall, a bottom wall and a back wall defining a backplane, and an extendable and retractable top handle. A front support and a pair of wheels support the case in the stationary position wherein the backplane is tilted backward from the vertical. A brace assembly is movable between a storage position wherein the brace assembly is in the backplane and a sitting position extending backward from the backplane and downward to contact the ground for preventing the luggage in the stationary position from toppling backward when a person or object is sitting on the top wall and leaning against the handle in the extended position.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]This invention relates in general to luggage, such as a suitcase, and more specifically involves luggage selectively serving as a reclining chair for the traveler.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Wheeled luggage, such as suitcases, having retractable and extendable handles are well known in the art, and the desire to have the luggage also serve as a seat is also expressed in the many patents on the subject.[0003]However, the prior art devices suffer shortcomings. Several prior art luggage devices offer a seat to the user such that the user must balance in a very upright posture or the luggage and user will topple over. Sitting in such an upright position is not nearly as relaxing or useful as sitting in a reclining position.[0004]Therefore, there has been a continuing need for luggage capable of supporting a user in a reclined seated position. It is further desirable that the seating characteristics not detract significantly from the ordinary performance ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The luggage includes a case including a top wall, a bottom wall and side walls, including a back wall. The back wall defines a backplane. A front support including a ground contact portion supports the case in the stationary position wherein the backplane is tilted backward from the vertical. Wheels including a ground contact portion support the back of the case in the stationary position and wheelingly support the case in a wheeling position wherein the backplane is tilted backward from the stationary position such that the front support does not contact the ground. A handle attached to the back wall is upwardly extendable and retractable to facilitate wheeled manipulation of the case.

[0007]A brace assembly includes an elongate portion including a front portion pivotably attached to the case and a back portion including a ground contact portion. The brace assembly is movable between a storage position, wherein the brace is in the backplane, and a sitting position, wherein the elongate portion extends backward from the backplane and downward and the ground contact portion of the brace contacts the ground for preventing the luggage in the stationary position from toppling backward when a person or object is sitting on the top wall and leaning against the handle in the extended position.

Problems solved by technology

However, the prior art devices suffer shortcomings.

Sitting in such an upright position is not nearly as relaxing or useful as sitting in a reclining position.

Images