Abstract
Wheeled luggage characterized by its vertical orientation with the thin side of the bag aligned with the direction of travel and by its cart-like wheel configuration that has two fixed axis wheels near the retractable handle of the luggage and two spinning wheels at the other end. The retractable handle is offset allowing room for the legs when pushing the luggage as well as providing a location for a cupholder, tray for small items, etc. The top of the case's body contains a personal item catcher that deploys when the handle is extended and provides a place where medium-sized personal items such as a backpack, briefcase, large purse, etc. (which many travelers also take with them on trips), can be held in allowing for the bag to be stable at rest and while pushing the bag in a cart-like fashion during travels.
Claims
1. A roller carry-on luggage cart comprising: a primary luggage compartment enclosed by a fabric, metallic, or plastic covering; one or more rear wheels fixed to a single axis of rotation mounted at a lower rear of the primary luggage compartment; one or more swiveling casters able to rotate around a vertical axis mounted at a lower front of the primary luggage compartment; and a retractable handle coupled to the primary luggage compartment and configured to facilitate pushing the primary luggage compartment from the rear.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a collapsible personal item carrier mounted at an upper portion of the primary luggage compartment and configured for restraining loose items placed on top thereof.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a tray extending from an upper portion of the primary luggage compartment towards the handle.
4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a hook beneath the handle.
5. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a cup holder formed in the tray.
6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the collapsible personal item carrier comprises a collapsible fence around at least a portion of a perimeter of an uppermost surface of the primary luggage compartment.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the collapsible fence comprises foldable supports supporting a resilient ring around an upper portion of the supports.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the foldable supports comprise rigid members coupled by bands of resilient material.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more swiveling casters comprises a wheel coupled to an axle, wherein the axle is supported by a ring bearing encompassing the wheel around its diameter and permitting rotation of the axle around the vertical axis.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the ring bearing is coplanar with the axle.
11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary luggage compartment is configured as a generally rectangular prism.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the primary luggage compartment extends between a lowermost wall adjacent to the rear wheels and swiveling casters and an uppermost wall.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the primary luggage compartment is characterized by a generally rectangular cross-section between its lowermost wall and uppermost wall, having a greater dimension and a lesser dimension.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the retractable handle is configured for pushing the apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the lesser dimension of the primary luggage compartment.
15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handle coupled to an uppermost wall of the primary luggage compartment for lifting the apparatus when the retractable handle is retracted.
16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handle coupled to a longest and narrowest wall of the primary luggage compartment for lifting the apparatus when the retractable handle is retracted.
17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a liquids compartment coupled to an interior of a side wall of the primary luggage compartment accessible from an exterior of the primary luggage compartment via a small zippered flap.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a valet stand zippered flap in which the small zippered flap is formed, the valet stand zippered flap configured for accessing an interior of the primary luggage compartment.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a plurality of compartments including the liquids compartment coupled to an interior surface of the valet stand zippered flap.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising a support member interposed between the valet stand zippered flap and sidewalls of the primary luggage compartment, the support member configured for holding the valet stand zippered flap in an open position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0060] The features, nature, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify like elements correspondingly throughout the specification and drawings.
[0061] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a prior art Two-Wheel roller bag 100 in use.
[0062] FIG. 2 is an overhead view of the prior art Two-Wheel roller bag 100 in use to establish the use configuration of the design.
[0063] FIG. 3 consists of a side view as well as an overhead view that further illustrates the use configuration of the prior art Two-Wheel luggage 100 for contrast to invention.
[0064] FIG. 4 is perspective view illustrating a prior art Spinner luggage 200 in use.
[0065] FIG. 5 is an overhead view of the prior art Spinner roller bag 200 in use to establish the use configuration of the design.
[0066] FIG. 6 consists of a side view as well as an overhead view that further illustrates the use configuration of the prior art Spinner luggage 200 for contrast to invention.
[0067] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the undesirable twisting motion of the prior art Spinner luggage 200 that causes hand fatigue during use.
[0068] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a prior art Two-Wheel roller bag 100 in use with another piece of baggage (a backpack) to define the Carry & Drag System for combined use.
[0069] FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating the downward pressure on hand/arm drawback of using prior art Two Wheel luggage 100 in a Top Load System when used with another smaller piece of luggage typically used by travelers (i.e., a Personal Item).
[0070] FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the tipping drawback of prior art Two Wheel luggage 100 when used with a PI bag while using the Top Load System.
[0071] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of prior art Pilot Bag 300 in the Pilot system.
[0072] FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating the tipping drawback of prior art Spinner luggage 200 when used with a Personal Item when using the Top Load System.
[0073] FIG. 13 is an overhead view illustrating the wide profile drawback of prior art Two Wheel luggage 100 when attempting to navigate a narrow aisle.
[0074] FIG. 14 is an overhead view illustrating the wide profile drawback of prior art Spinner luggage 200 when attempting to navigate a narrow aisle.
[0075] FIG. 15 is a perspective view illustrating aspects of the novel Roller Cart luggage 400, in an unfolded state.
[0076] FIG. 16 is a perspective view illustrating aspects of the novel Roller Cart luggage 400, in a collapsed state.
[0077] FIG. 17 is a side view illustrating aspects of the novel Roller Cart luggage 400, in a collapsed state
[0078] FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating aspects of the novel Roller Cart luggage 400, in a collapsed state
[0079] FIG. 19 is a side view illustrating aspects of the novel Roller Cart luggage 400, in an unfolded state.
[0080] FIG. 20 is a side view illustrating aspects of the novel Roller Cart luggage 400, in an unfolded state and in use as a system with a Personal Item (a backpack) captured by the Universal PI Catcher 450, a drink in the Grab-and-Go Table Tray 490 and a to-go food bag on the Grab-and-Go hook 495.
[0081] FIG. 21 is a prospective view of the Roller Cart in the deployed mode with labels of components. 1) The main body of the bag; 2) Table tray; 3) cup holder(s) and slot for top carrying handle; 4) supports for handle and tray; 5) rear in-line wheels (directional); 6) front swivel caster wheels; 7) Bendable support for universal catcher functionality; 8) Upper catcher ring (stretchable); 9) Lower catchier straps (not stretchable) that assist in tightening the supports onto the personal item while catcher is in use and folds down the bendable supports upon stowage; 10) Liquids quick check zippered access flap; 11) Zippered valet stand bag side and access to inner compartment; 12) Hanging hook for grab and go items; 13) Pushing handle during use; 14) Front carrying handle; 15) Top carrying handle; 16) Support for table and upper catcher ring.
[0082] FIG. 22 is a prospective view of the roller cart in the stowage mode with labels of components. 1) The main body of the bag; 2) Table tray; 3) cup holder(s) and slot for top carrying handle; 5) rear in-line wheels (directional); 6) front swivel caster wheels; 10) Liquids quick check zippered access flap; 11) Zippered valet stand bag side and access to inner compartment; 13) Pushing handle during use; 14) Front carrying handle; 15) Top carrying handle.
[0083] FIG. 23 is a progression of side views illustrating aspects of how the novel roller cart luggage unfolds and deploys for use.
[0084] FIG. 24 highlights the dramatic reduction in potential tipping of stacked baggage (Personal Item on top of roller bag) provided by the novel Roller Cart's Universal PI Catcher due to its ability to align the center of gravity of the Roller Cart and the Personal Item.
[0085] FIG. 25 is an overhead view of the prior art Spinner roller bag 200 in use to establish the use configuration of the design for contrast to prior art.
[0086] FIG. 26 consists of a side view as well as an overhead view that further illustrates the use configuration of the roller cart for contrast to prior art.
[0087] FIG. 27 is overhead usage configuration views of the prior art (Two-Wheel 100 and Spinner 200) and the Roller Cart 400 bag for easier direct comparison.
[0088] FIG. 28 consists of side views as well as overhead views of the prior art (Two-Wheel 100 and Spinner 200) and the Roller Cart 400 bag together in a single diagram that further illustrates the significant differences in configuration of the roller cart when contrasted to prior art.
[0089] FIGS. 29A-C show a diagram for a Rakeless caster that would provide for a smoother, more stable ride for the novel Roller Cart. 1) Hemispheric Caster Housing; 2) Axle; 3) Axle Plate; 4) Wheel; 5) Light spring return; 6) Ball bearings.
[0090] FIG. 30 contrasts the Rakeless caster 500 with prior art caster 499 where 90 is the available space for a wheel, 91 is the diameter of the prior art caster wheel that fits within the space represented by 90. And 92 is the much larger diameter of a wheel when leveraging the Rakeless design.
[0091] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the Liquid Quick Check flap.
[0092] FIG. 32 is a side view of the Liquid Quick Check flap.
[0093] FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the Valet Stand access flap with 17) distance restricting catch (also called a support member) made of durable material (cord, plastic, metal, etc.).
[0094] FIG. 34 is a side view of the Valet Stand access flap with 17) distance-restricting catch made of durable material (cord, plastic, metal, etc.).
[0095] FIG. 35 shows views of the bendable supports used for restraint components of the Universal Personal Item Catcher. Consisting of: 80) A shaft; (round, rectangular, triangular, etc.) made of firm material (wood, plastic, etc.) to maintain an upright support and have flexibility with either no directional preference (round) or with directional preference (multi-sided); It can be two or more pieces; 81) Stretchable material (rubber, elastic, etc.) that is attached to the assembled stack of shaft while the material is stretched; The material can be strong or light depending on the desired preference for upright tension and directional preference; 62) Attach points (staples, glue, etc.) that maintain tension and keep stretch material centered. Can be closer or farther from shaft piece joins depending on application.
[0096] FIG. 36 is a cut-away view highlighting one of the potentially many ways the novel Roller Cart can be configured to operate with the focus on the components that enable its transition from stowed/collapsed state to deployed state with Universal Personal Items Catcher extended and table tray with cup holder in position near the push handle. 2) Table tray; 4) supports for handle and tray; 7) Bendable support for universal catcher functionality; 8) Upper catcher ring (stretchable); 9) Lower catchier straps (not stretchable) that assist in tightening the supports onto the personal item while catcher is in use and folds down the bendable supports upon stowage; 16) Support for table and upper catcher ring; 18) attached ends of lower catcher straps' 19) fulcrum for rotation that allows the supports for handle and tray to rotate into the proper position behind the roller cart while the support for table and upper catcher ring remain vertical.
[0097] FIG. 37 is a progression of cutaway side views illustrating aspects of one manner the novel Roller Cart luggage 400 could be engineered to unfold and deploy for use.
[0098] FIG. 38 is an overhead view illustrating the thin profile advantage of the Roller Cart luggage 400 when attempting to navigate a narrow aisle.
[0099] FIG. 39 is an overhead view contrasting the profiles of the Roller Cart luggage 400, Two-Wheel bag 100 and Spinner bag 200 when attempting to navigate a narrow aisle.
[0100] FIG. 40 is a perspective view illustrating an alternative use of the carry tray.
[0101] FIGS. 41A-C are schematic diagrams illustrating various options for a mechanism to stow and unfold the main push handle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0102] Various aspects are now described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be evident, however, that the various aspects may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing these aspects.
[0103] The new luggage provides several features that when combined, provide for a completely new travel experience. Let's look at how it opens up and we'll start to see the difference immediately. Referring to FIG. 23, a progression of images illustrates how the unfolding/deploying of the Roller Cart carry-on luggage 400. Folding is the reverse of unfolding.
[0104] The retractable handle (long a staple feature of carry on luggage) is uniquely located on the thinner side of the bag as shown in FIG. 26. When extended, instead of sticking straight up and down like both the Two-Wheel 100 and Spinner 200 luggage, it folds/rotates downward behind the bag so that all four wheels stay on the ground while rolling and the handle is located behind the bag making it operate much like a grocery cart. FIG. 27 contrasts the handle orientation of the two prior art bags with that of the Roller Cart carry-on 400.
[0105] Unlike the typical Spinner carry-on 200, (that also has all four wheels on the ground while in use), the force vector being applied to the pushing handle of the Roller Cart (from the traveler's hand) is centered with the bag's center of gravity and thus there is no twisting motion (as depicted in FIG. 7 for the Spinner bag 200) no matter how rough the pavement or deep the carpet. FIG. 25 highlights this centered alignment in the Roller Cart 400. This unique configuration also places the handle of the Roller Cart 400 directly in front of the user's body, a very natural and comfortable position. Together, these two aspects dramatically reduce user fatigue and provide for a more maneuverable bag.
[0106] Further, the bag's unique orientation is that it presents a much thinner overall traveler profile. Instead of being held uncomfortably off to the side, the traveler can push the bag directly in front of them without danger of colliding with their feet due to the handle's forward offset. Compare the width of the profile of the novel Roller Cart 400 (FIG. 25) with the other two most common types using FIG. 2 (Two-Wheel 100) and FIG. 5 (Spinner 200). FIG. 39 contrasts the three styles while in use in a narrow airplane aisle. Note that in FIG. 39 the Spinner bag 200 is rotated so that the bulk of the bag is closer to the user than the typical usage configuration (that has the handle closer to the traveler's body as in FIG. 5). This alternate usage configuration of the Spinner 200 bag is adopted by travelers to partially address the issue of the wide profile. However, as you'll see, this brings the bag too close to the user's feet and the traveler has to bend forward in an attempt to reduce the profile further and keep from kicking the bag. This is uncomfortable and inefficient. And, because airplane aisles are typically carpeted, the spinning tendency (as highlighted in FIG. 7) is pronounced. If the traveler tries to have a Personal Item atop the Spinner bag at this juncture, it's almost impossible to push the Spinner bag well out in front of them under these circumstances.
[0107] The Roller Cart has two stationary, forward facing wheels in the rear and two rotating wheels (or casters) in the front; again, like a grocery cart. This makes it much more maneuverable than other luggage. This maneuverability is enhanced by the bag's thin profile as outlined above.
[0108] Further, as shown in FIGS. 15-26, the wheels of the novel Roller Cart 400 are much larger than on a typical Spinner bag 200 and the result is an easier piece of luggage to push and a smoother ride that further reduces effort and fatigue. This is especially true on surfaces that aren't perfectly smooth, flat and hard; which are a large percentage of those encountered by travelers. Small and moderately-sized bumps, (such as a transition between carpet and tile), are also significantly easier to traverse with the wheels and configuration of the Roller Cart. Though some Two-Wheel 100 bags have rear wheels that are relatively larger than others (especially than the casters found on typical Spinner 200 bags (see FIGS. 1, 4 and 8), the force on the arm caused by the Two-Wheel bag's leaning use configuration means that these potentially larger in-line wheels don't make for less effort.
[0109] Though the Roller Cart could use typical casters 499 for front wheels, it also can leverage unique rakeless casters 500 also shown in FIGS. 29A-C and 30. It allows the caster to have a much larger wheel size in the given area (between the bottom of the bag and the floor/ground) to make for a significantly smoother ride.
[0110] Perhaps the most immediately recognizable visual difference the novel Roller Cart 400 has is the Universal Personal Item Catcher that provides a system which takes into account the ubiquitous other items that everyone travels with. FIGS. 20 and 24 show the Roller Cart luggage 400 in use with the catcher 450. When combined with the table tray (labeled 2 in FIG. 21) and its associated cup holders 2, the intended system is clear and its advantages quite evident.
[0111] At first glance, it might be easy to assume that the front supports of the PI Catcher would be too fragile to withstand the rigors of travel. However, they are engineered to be extremely flexible and thus very durable. Not only does this bend instead of break design provide protection against failure, the bendable supports also facilitate the Roller Cart's ability to secure a wide variety of personal items. Finally, the elastic nature of the bendable supports provides for the spring-like action required for deployment. The upward pull of the supports is what provides the spring action as depicted by arrow 99 in FIG. 37.
[0112] FIG. 35 show views of bendable supports 480 used for restraint components of the personal item catcher. As indicated, the flexibility of the personal item catcher provides a different kind of durability in that it can absorb twists, blows, pulls, etc. that would fracture rigid supports. The catcher is designed to be easily deployed and folded back into the luggage via smooth operation of the handle as depicted in FIGS. 23 and 37.
[0113] The other feature that lends to the Roller Cart baggage 400 singular appearance is the Grab-and-Go Items tray 490 (in FIG. 20) that is suspended between the pushing handle and personal item catcher. It can consist of a cup holder (or several of varying sizes) and/or small trays. The example highlighted in this document is a cup holder. It also serves as a small table that can be used for purposes such as holding a computer or tablet during periods of travel that find you waiting around either standing or sitting. FIGS. 41A-C illustrate use of the tray 490 as a computer desk. The Grab-and-Go Hook 495 is less noticeable when unused due to its location but when leveraged it can free up a traveler's hand.
[0114] The mechanism for unfolding the handle and other parts of the personal item carrier 450 may vary. FIGS. 41A-C illustrate various options for a mechanism to stow and unfold the main push handle. FIG. 15A illustrates a mechanism 600 wherein the handle is pushed in a linear motion through sliding restraints. FIG. 15B illustrates a mechanism 610 wherein a bar formed into an arc is pulled along a line. FIG. 15C illustrates a mechanism 620 wherein a straight bar is rotated around a pivot axis.
[0115] The previous description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these aspects will be clear to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
