Rotatable handle for towable luggage

Abstract

A towing member and towable luggage where the handle can be stored in the luggage in a retracted position where the principal dimension of the grip portion of the handle is arranged to be generally perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis and parallel to the top face of the piece of luggage. The handle preferably still allows two degrees of rotation in the extended position. The towing arm may be constructed by having at least three axes of rotation about which it can rotate, two of the axes generally being parallel.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 452,994, filed Mar. 7, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention pertains to a rotating handle for use with hand towable luggage, in particular to a rotating handle which includes at least three axes of rotation or is otherwise constructed so as to be placed perpendicular to the wheel axis when in the retracted position.

[0004] 2. Background of the Invention

[0005] It is common for many varieties of luggage to be equipped with one or more wheels that enable the luggage to be towed by persons when traveling. Typically, a towable piece of luggage is also provided with a towing member having an towing arm that connects a towing handle to the piece of luggage. The length of the towing arm connecting the towing handle to the piece of luggage helps preven...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0042] It is best to begin the discussion by describing the interaction of a human being with wheeled luggage while towing it. In order to put as little strain on the wrist as possible when towing the luggage, the user will generally want to be able to grasp a towing handle and hold the handle in a natural position where their wrist, and also preferably shoulder, are not rotated. The preferred position is at their side with the fingers curled toward their leg. As should be apparent, to grasp a towing handle (105) in this position, the principal dimension (171) (basically the “length” of the grip) of the grip portion (134) of the handle (105) (the portion which is rolled into the fingers) is generally arranged so as to be basically parallel to the surface on which the luggage (101) is rolling (and the direction of motion), and perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis (191) which is the axis about which the wheels (119) rotate. That is the principal dimension (171) of the grip portion...

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 452,994, filed Mar. 7, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention pertains to a rotating handle for use with hand towable luggage, in particular to a rotating handle which includes at least three axes of rotation or is otherwise constructed so as to be placed perpendicular to the wheel axis when in the retracted position.

[0004] 2. Background of the Invention

[0005] It is common for many varieties of luggage to be equipped with one or more wheels that enable the luggage to be towed by persons when traveling. Typically, a towable piece of luggage is also provided with a towing member having an towing arm that connects a towing handle to the piece of luggage. The length of the towing arm connecting the towing handle to the piece of luggage helps preven...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0042] It is best to begin the discussion by describing the interaction of a human being with wheeled luggage while towing it. In order to put as little strain on the wrist as possible when towing the luggage, the user will generally want to be able to grasp a towing handle and hold the handle in a natural position where their wrist, and also preferably shoulder, are not rotated. The preferred position is at their side with the fingers curled toward their leg. As should be apparent, to grasp a towing handle (105) in this position, the principal dimension (171) (basically the “length” of the grip) of the grip portion (134) of the handle (105) (the portion which is rolled into the fingers) is generally arranged so as to be basically parallel to the surface on which the luggage (101) is rolling (and the direction of motion), and perpendicular to the wheel rotation axis (191) which is the axis about which the wheels (119) rotate. That is the principal dimension (171) of the grip portion...

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