Suitcase

Abstract

A suitcase (10) comprising a pair of first wheels (24) provided adjacent the junction of a first side wall (16) and a first end wall (18) and a pair of second wheels (34) provided adjacent the junction of the first side wall (16) and a second end wall (19). A handle (14) is received for sliding within one or more channels (28, 29) adjacent the first side wall (16). The handle (14) includes one or more hinges (40) adjacent an inner end such that when the hinges (40) are contained within the channels (28,29), pivoting of the hinges (40) is prevented and when handle (14) is moved to a fully extended position, the hinges (40) are exposed to allow the handle (14) to pivot upwardly when the suitcase (10) is oriented with the first side wall (16) thereof lowermost.

Description

[0001] “SUITCASE”

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to a suitcase.

[0004] Background to the Invention

[0005]

[0002] Most suitcases generally include some form of wheels to allow the suitcase to be moved around when travelling. While the wheels on suitcases make moving the suitcase around easier than having to carry the suitcase, people often travel with multiple suitcases and dealing with multiple suitcases can be difficult.

[0006]

[0003] The present invention relates to a suitcase design to allow both convenient manoeuvring of the suitcase, as well as the ability to stack multiple suitcases together to make moving those suitcases easier.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008]

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a suitcase comprising: a body having a first side wall, a second side wall and first and second end walls; a first pair of wheels provided adjacent the junction of the first side wall and the first end wall; a second pair of wheels provided adjacent the junction of the first side wall and the second end wall; and a handle received for sliding within one or more channels adjacent the first side wall of the body between a retracted position and an extended position, such that in the extended positions the handle extends outwardly from the second end wall; wherein the handle includes one or more hinges adjacent an inner end such that when the hinges are contained within the channels, pivoting of the hinges is prevented and when handle is moved to one of the extended positions, the hinges are exposed to allow the handle to pivot upwardly when the suitcase is oriented with the first side wall thereof lowermost.

[0009]

[0005] Preferably the handle may be located in a plurality of extended positions such that in at least one of the extended positions, the hinges are not exposed.

[0010]

[0006] Preferably the handle comprises first and second side members connected at distal ends by an interconnecting member, each of the first and second side members including one of the hinges.

[0011]

[0007] Preferably the interconnecting member includes a button to control a latch mechanism such that the latch mechanism retains the handle in the retracted position and each of the extended positions.

[0012]

[0008] Preferably the first wheels extend outwardly beyond both the first end wall and the first side wall and the second wheels are moveable between a retracted position and an extended position.

[0013]

[0009] Preferably the second wheels in the extended position extend below the first side wall.

[0014]

[0010] Preferably there are provided a pair of second wheel assemblies each comprising a wheel housing and a pivotable wheel support including at least one of the second wheels.

[0015]

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the wheel support comprises a leg having a first end pivotally mounted within a recess in the wheel housing and a second end having a foot such that the foot extends beyond the wheel housing when the second wheels are in the retracted position.

[0012] Preferably the recess includes a first end portion in which the second wheels are located in the extended position and a second end portion in which the second wheels are located in the retracted position.

[0016]

[0013] Preferably the leg is pivotally mounted within the recess between the first and second end portions thereof.

[0017]

[0014] Preferably the leg includes a first end portion having a cylinder to receive a pin extending across the recess and a second end portion, being perpendicular to the first end portion such that the foot is provided on the second end portion.

[0018]

[0015] Preferably the second wheels are provided on an axle on a mount extending from a side of the foot.

[0019]

[0016] Preferably a latch is provided within the recess to engage with the foot when the second wheels are in the extended position.

[0020]

[0017] Preferably the wheel housing includes a button provided to disengage the latch.

[0021] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022]

[0018] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0023]

[0019] Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a suitcase in accordance with the present invention;

[0024]

[0020] Figure 2 is a lower perspective view of the suitcase of Figure 1 ;

[0025]

[0021] Figure 3 is a side view of the suitcase of Figure 1 ;

[0026]

[0022] Figure 4 is a close up view of the base of the handle of the suitcase of Figure 1 ;

[0027]

[0023] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the suitcase of Figure 1 ;

[0024] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the handle of the suitcase of Figure 1 ;

[0028]

[0025] Figure 7a is a side view of the suitcase of Figure 1 with the handle partially extended;

[0029]

[0026] Figure 7b is a close up view of Detail B of Figure 7a;

[0030]

[0027] Figure 8a is a side view of the suitcase of Figure 1 with the handle fully extended;

[0031]

[0028] Figure 8b is a close up view of Detail B of Figure 8a;

[0032]

[0029] Figure 9 is a lower perspective view of one of the wheel housings of the suitcase of Figure 1 ;

[0033]

[0030] Figure 10 is a lower perspective view of the wheel housing with the wheel partially retracted;

[0034]

[0031] Figure 11 is a lower perspective view of the wheel housing with the wheel fully retracted;

[0035]

[0032] Figure 12 is an exploded view of the wheel housing of the suitcase;

[0036]

[0033] Figure 13 is a bottom view of the wheel housing;

[0037]

[0034] Figure 14 is a first cross sectional view of the wheel housing; and

[0035] Figure 15 is a second cross sectional view of the wheel housing.

[0038] Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0039]

[0036] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a suitcase 10 comprising generally a body 12 and a handle 14. The handle 14 of the suitcase 10 is moveable relative to the body 12 between a plurality of extended positionsand a retracted position. In the extended positions, the handle 14 may be used to manoeuvre the suitcase around.

[0040]

[0037] The body 12 of the suitcase 10 includes a first side wall 16 and an opposite second side wall 17. The first and second side walls 16 and 17 comprise the largest walls of the suitcase 10 such that when the suitcase 10 is to be opened, it would generally be placed with the first side wall 16 downward. The body 12 includes also a first end wall 18 and a second end wall 19. When the body 12 of the suitcase 10 is raised to a vertical position, it is rested on the first end wall 18 of the body 12. The body 12 includes also first and second edge walls 20 and 21 where each of the first and second edge walls 20 and 21 extend between the first and second side walls 16 and 17 and the first and second end walls 18 and 19. In the embodiment shown, the body 12 includes a zip 22 extending around the first and second end walls 18 and 19, the first edge wall 20 and into part of the second edge wall 21 .

[0041]

[0038] The handle 14 of the suitcase 10 is located adjacent the first side wall 16 of the body 12 and is movable between a retracted position and one or more extended positions. In the extended positions, the outer end of the handle 14 extends outwardly beyond the second end wall 19. The handle 14 can be used to manoeuvre the suitcase 10 when in the extended position. The handle 14 is slidable within one or more channels provided adjacent the first side wall 16 of the body 12.

[0042]

[0039] In the embodiment shown, the handle 14 comprises first and second side members 26 and 27. The body 12 is provided with corresponding first and second channels 28 and 29 adjacent an inner surface of the first side wall 16. The first and second side members 26 and 27 are received for sliding movement within the first and second channels 28 and 29 respectively. The handle 14 is provided also with an interconnecting member 30 joining between outer ends of the first and second side members 26 and 27.

[0043]

[0040] The interconnecting member 30 includes a button 32 thereon provided to release a latch mechanism which retains the handle 14 in the retracted position. Pressing the button 32 on a handle 14 in the retracted position allows the handle 14 to move to a plurality of extended positions. The latch mechanism is provided to retain the handle 14 in each of the extended positions. The first and second side members 26 and 27 of the handle 14 in the embodiment shown each comprise a plurality of telescoping segments.

[0044]

[0041] The first and second side members 26 and 27 are each provided with a hinge 40 adjacent an inner end thereof. The hinges 40 are oriented such that an outer portion of the first and second side members 26 and 27 may each pivot through a plane perpendicular to both the first and second side walls 16 and 17 and the first and second end walls 18 and 19.

[0042] While the hinges 40 are contained within the channels 28 and 29, the hinges 40 are prevented from pivoting. The handle 14 is movable between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions. In the retracted position, the hinges 40 are contained within the channels 28 and 29 such that pivoting of the hinges is prevented by the channels 28 and 29. In one or more of the extended positions, the hinges 40 are also contained within the channels 28 and 29 and in at least one of the extended positions, the hinges 40 extend outwardly from the channels 28 and 29 to allow the handle 14 to pivot. When the suitcase 10 is positioned such that the first side wall 16 is lowermost (as can be seen in Figure 1 ), the handle 14 can be moved to an extended position such that the handle 14 may pivot upwardly away from the surface on which the suitcase 10 rests.

[0045]

[0043] The body 12 of the suitcase 10 includes at least a pair of first wheels 24. In the embodiment shown, there are provided a pair of first wheel assemblies 25, each including two first wheels 24. The first wheels 24 are provided adjacent the junction of the first side wall 16 and the first end wall 18. The suitcase 10 may therefore be wheeled about on just the first wheels 24 when the suitcase 10 is in a tilted upright position with the first end wall 18 lowermost by tilting the body 12 onto the first wheels 24. The first wheels 24 extend outwardly beyond the first end wall 18 and also outwardly beyond the first side wall 16. Therefore, when the suitcase 10 is rested on the first side wall 16, the end of the body 12 adjacent the first end wall 18 rests on the first wheels 24.

[0046]

[0044] The suitcase 10 includes also second wheels 34. There are provided a pair of second wheel assemblies 35, each including at least one second wheel

[0047] 34. The second wheels 34 are located adjacent the junction of the first side wall 16 and the second end wall 19. The second wheels 34 are each mounted on a wheel support 36 provided within a wheel housing 38 of the wheel assembly

[0048] 35. The wheel housings 38 are each mounted adjacent a corner of the first side wall 16 and the wheel supports 36 are mounted for pivotable movement relative to the wheel housings 38. The second wheels 34 may therefore be pivoted between a retracted position, in which the second wheels 34 are contained within the extents of the wheel housing 38, and an extended position, in which the second wheels 34 extend outwardly beyond the first side wall 16.

[0049]

[0045] When the suitcase 10 is positioned with the first side wall 16 lowermost and the second wheels 34 in the extended positions, the suitcase 10 will rest on both the first and second wheels 24 and 34 and may be moved around in the horizontal position. The handle 14 may be moved to the extended position to expose the hinges 40 and allow the handle 14 to pivot upwardly away from the ground. The handle 14 may therefore be conveniently used to manoeuvre the suitcase 10 around on both the first and second wheels 24 and 34.

[0050]

[0046] Each of the wheel supports 36 of the second wheels 34 comprises a leg 44 pivotally mounted within a recess 46 in the wheel housing 38. The recess 46 includes a first end portion 48, in which the second wheels 34 are located in the extended position, and a second end portion 49, in which the second wheels 34 are located in the retracted position. A first end of the leg 44 is pivotally mounted within the recess 46 between the first and second end portions 48 and 49.

[0051]

[0047] The first end of the leg 44 includes a cylinder 50 provided to receive a pin 52 such that the pin 52 extends across the recess 46 between the first and second end portions 48 and 49 to allow the leg 44 to pivot about the pin 52. The leg 44 includes a first end portion 54 extending from the cylinder 50 and a second end portion 55 extending generally perpendicular to the first end portion 54. The leg 44 includes a foot 56 at a second end thereof. The foot 56 includes a mount 58 extending outwardly from a side thereof in generally the same direction as the first end portion 54 of the leg 44. The mount 58 receives an axle 60 on which are provided the second wheels 34. In embodiment shown, each of the second wheel assemblies 35 includes a pair of second wheels 34 mounted either side of the mount 58.

[0052]

[0048] When the leg 44 is in the retracted position (as can be seen in Figure 11 ), the first end portion 54 extends outwardly away from the pin 52 and the second end portion 55 extends across above the second end portion 49 of the recess 46. In this position, the second wheels 34 are located within the second end portion 49 of the recess 46 and a side of the foot 56 extends beyond the wheel housing 38 such that the suitcase 10 may rest on the outer surface of the foot 56. When the leg 44 pivots to the extended position to extend the second wheels 35 (as can be seen in Figure 9) the first end portion 54 of the leg 44 extends inwardly into the recess 46 and the foot 56 engages with an inner surface of the first end portion 48 of the recess 46. Sides of the second wheels 34 then extend beyond the wheel housing 38 such that the suitcase 10 may rest on the second wheels 34.

[0053]

[0049] A latch 62 is provided within the first end portion 48 of the recess 46 to engage with the foot 56 when the second wheels 34 are in the extended position. The latch 62 engages with the foot 56 to secure the leg 44 within the first end portion 48 of the recess 46. A button 64 is provided on an end of the wheel housing 38 which may be depressed to release the latch 62 and allow the wheel support 36 to rotate back to the retracted position.

[0054]

[0050] The second side wall 17 of the body 12 includes a recessed portion 42 on an outer surface thereof. The recessed portion 42 is provided to receive an outer surface of the first side wall 16 of a further suitcase 10. The further suitcase 10 may therefore be stacked on top of the suitcase 10 with the recessed portion 42 preventing sliding of the upper suitcase 10. Both suitcases 10 may then be manoeuvred about via the handle 14 of the lower suitcase 10 on the first and second wheels 24 and 34.

[0055]

[0051] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims

Claims1 . A suitcase comprising: a body having a first side wall, a second side wall and first and second end walls; a first pair of wheels provided adjacent the junction of the first side wall and the first end wall; a second pair of wheels provided adjacent the junction of the first side wall and the second end wall; and a handle received for sliding within one or more channels adjacent the first side wall of the body between a retracted position and an extended position, such that in the extended positions the handle extends outwardly from the second end wall; wherein the handle includes one or more hinges adjacent an inner end such that when the hinges are contained within the channels, pivoting of the hinges is prevented and when handle is moved to one of the extended positions, the hinges are exposed to allow the handle to pivot upwardly when the suitcase is oriented with the first side wall thereof lowermost.

2. A suitcase in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the handle may be located in a plurality of extended positions such that in at least one of the extended positions, the hinges are not exposed.

3. A suitcase in accordance with claim 2, wherein the handle comprises first and second side members connected at distal ends by an interconnecting member, each of the first and second side members including one of the hinges.

4. A suitcase in accordance with claim 3, wherein the interconnecting member includes a button to control a latch mechanism such that the latch mechanism retains the handle in the retracted position and each of the extended positions.

5. A suitcase in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first wheels extend outwardly beyond both the first end wall and the first side wall and the second wheels are moveable between a retracted position and an extended position.

6. A suitcase in accordance with claim 5, wherein the second wheels in the extended position extend below the first side wall.

7. A suitcase in accordance with claim 5 or 6, wherein there are provided a pair of second wheel assemblies each comprising a wheel housing and a pivotable wheel support including at least one of the second wheels.

8. A suitcase in accordance with claim 7, wherein the wheel support comprises a leg having a first end pivotally mounted within a recess in the wheel housing and a second end having a foot such that the foot extends beyond the wheel housing when the second wheels are in the retracted position.

9. A suitcase in accordance with claim 8, wherein the recess includes a first end portion in which the second wheels are located in the extended position and a second end portion in which the second wheels are located in the retracted position.

10. A suitcase in accordance with claim 9, wherein the leg is pivotally mounted within the recess between the first and second end portions thereof.

11. A suitcase in accordance with claim 10, wherein the leg includes a first end portion having a cylinder to receive a pin extending across the recess and a second end portion, being perpendicular to the first end portion such that the foot is provided on the second end portion.

12. A suitcase in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the second wheels are provided on an axle on a mount extending from a side of the foot.

13. A suitcase in accordance with any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein a latch is provided within the recess to engage with the foot when the second wheels are in the extended position.

14. A suitcase in accordance with claim 13, wherein the wheel housing includes a button provided to disengage the latch.

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