US20100078279A1 - Wheeled luggage and reclining chair - Google Patents
Wheeled luggage and reclining chair Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20100078279A1 US20100078279A1 US12/286,334 US28633408A US2010078279A1 US 20100078279 A1 US20100078279 A1 US 20100078279A1 US 28633408 A US28633408 A US 28633408A US 2010078279 A1 US2010078279 A1 US 2010078279A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- case
- luggage
- wall
- backplane
- brace
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage
- A45C5/14—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage with built-in rolling means
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C5/00—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage
- A45C5/14—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage with built-in rolling means
- A45C5/146—Rigid or semi-rigid luggage with built-in rolling means retractable
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
- A45C9/00—Purses, Luggage or bags convertible into objects for other use
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45F—TRAVELLING OR CAMP EQUIPMENT: SACKS OR PACKS CARRIED ON THE BODY
- A45F4/00—Travelling or camp articles which may be converted into other articles or into objects for other use; Sacks or packs carried on the body and convertible into other articles or into objects for other use
- A45F4/02—Sacks or packs convertible into other articles or into objects for other use
Definitions
- 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.
- 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.
- prior art luggage 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.
- the invention is luggage that selectively provides a reclining chair for a 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 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.
- 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.
- the brace assembly includes a deployment handle for operating the brace.
- the elongate portion of the brace assembly telescopes upon deployment.
- the brace assembly deploys similar to a folding table leg.
- FIG. 1 is a top, right, back perspective view of a first embodiment of the wheeled luggage with reclining chair of the invention in the sitting position.
- FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the luggage of FIG. 1 showing, in phantom, the brace assembly in the storage position.
- FIG. 3 is a back elevation view of the luggage of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a top, right, back perspective view of a second embodiment of the wheeled luggage with reclining chair of the invention in the sitting position.
- FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view of the luggage of FIG. 4 showing in phantom the brace assembly in the storage position.
- FIG. 6 is a partially cut away, top, right, back perspective view of a third embodiment of the wheeled luggage with reclining chair of the invention in the sitting position.
- FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of the luggage of FIG. 6 showing a user sitting thereupon and showing in phantom the brace assembly in the storage position.
- FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of an embodiment of the wheeled luggage 10 in the sitting position and showing a user 99 in reclined sitting position thereupon.
- FIG. 1 is a top, right, back perspective view of luggage 10 A in the sitting position with a brace assembly 60 , such as handle-deployable brace assembly 60 A, deployed.
- FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the luggage 10 A of FIG. 1 showing, in phantom, brace assembly 60 A in the storage position.
- FIG. 3 is a back elevation view of FIG. 1 .
- Luggage 10 generally includes a case 20 for holding articles, a front support 40 , wheel means, such as a pair of wheels 45 , a handle 50 , and a brace assembly 60 , such as handle-deployable brace assembly 60 A.
- Case 20 is of a type well-known in the art and typically called a suitcase, trolley case, traveler's case, cabin case, or carry-on case.
- case 20 is a right parallelepiped with slightly rounded corners.
- Case 20 includes a front 22 , a back 24 , a top 25 including a top wall 26 , a bottom 27 including a bottom wall 28 and side walls 30 connecting top wall 26 and the bottom wall 28 .
- Side walls 30 are adapted for suitably supporting top wall 26 spaced above bottom wall 28 such that a user 99 may sit on top wall 26 .
- Side walls 30 include a right side wall 38 , a left side wall 31 , a front wall 32 on front 22 of case 20 , and a back wall 33 on back 24 of case 20 .
- Back wall 33 in general, defines plane 34 and the term backplane 35 is meant to include the space of a couple of inches on either side of the plane 34 defined by back wall 33 .
- Case 20 includes suitable means, such as zippers, doors, or lids, not shown, for gaining access to its interior as are well known in the art.
- Case 20 may include a frame covered with flexible material, such as leather or fabric, or may be substantially constructed of a single material, such as of plastic or aluminum.
- Front support 40 is attached to case 20 , such as to front 22 , such as to the front of bottom wall 28 , and includes a contact portion 42 for contacting the ground 90 for supporting case 20 in a stationary position wherein backplane 35 is tilted backward from the vertical through an angle theta, ⁇ . In the stationary position, backplane 35 is tilted back at least three degrees and, preferably, is tilted back about ten degrees or greater.
- front support 40 is shown distinctly as a foot or leg protruding from case 20 , it need not be so distinct and may be integral with case 20 .
- Wheel means are attached to case 20 for wheeling case 20 .
- Wheel means includes a pair of spaced wheels 45 attached to back 24 of case 20 such as at or near the juncture of bottom wall 28 and back wall 33 .
- Wheels 45 rotate about a transverse axle 46 and include a contact portion 47 for contacting ground 90 .
- Wheels 45 support back 24 of case 20 in the stationary position and wheelingly support case 20 in a wheeling position wherein backplane 35 is tilted backward from the stationary position such that front support 40 does not contact ground 90 .
- case 20 In the wheeling position, case 20 is typically manipulated by a top handle 50 T, as further described below.
- Case 20 may include one or more handles 50 , such as carrying handle 50 C and top handle 50 T, for carrying and manipulating case 20 .
- Carrying handle 50 C of a type well known in the art, is shown stowed in a recess 39 in right side wall 38 . Carrying handle 50 C moves outward to a more easily gripped position for carrying luggage 10 .
- Top handle 50 T is of a type well-known in the art. Top handle 50 T is attached to back wall 33 and generally includes an elongate portion 52 having a lower end 54 and an upper end 56 and a grip 58 attached to upper end 56 . Top handle 50 T is movable between a lower, retracted position, (shown in phantom as 50 T′ in FIG. 3 ) wherein the grip 58 ′ is proximal case 20 , such as by being in recess 59 in top wall 26 , and an extended position, as shown in solid lines, wherein grip 58 is distal top wall 26 and elongate portion 52 is in backplane 35 . In the extended position, grip 58 is used by a user to easily manipulate luggage 10 in the wheeling position.
- Elongate portion 52 of top handle 50 T retracts into sleeves in back wall 33 .
- elongate portion 52 may also be telescopic, or top handle 50 T may be hinged near top wall 26 and fold to a lower position.
- Handle-deployable brace assembly 60 A generally includes an elongate portion 61 and restraining means 80 , such as strut 81 , for restraining elongate portion 61 at the sitting position.
- Elongate portion 61 generally includes a front portion 62 and a back portion 70 .
- Front portion 62 includes a deployment handle 63 having a front end 64 pivotably attached to back wall 33 , a midsection 65 including a pivot point 66 , and a back end 67 for gripping by a user 99 .
- Back portion 70 includes a front end 72 pivotably attached to pivot point 66 of midsection 65 of deployment handle 63 , a midsection 74 , and a back end 76 including a ground contact portion 78 for contacting ground 90 in the sitting position.
- Strut 81 includes a front end 82 pivotably attached to back wall 33 and a back end 83 pivotably attached to back portion 70 of elongate portion 61 .
- Brace assembly 60 A is movable between a storage position, best seen in phantom in FIG. 2 , and the sitting position, shown in FIGS. 1-3 .
- brace assembly 60 A In the storage position, brace assembly 60 A is preferably in backplane 35 , or is substantially in backplane 35 such as by being substantially parallel to and proximal backplane 35 , and pivot point 66 of deployment handle 63 is above front end 64 of deployment handle 63 .
- back wall 33 includes a recess or recesses 36 for containing brace assembly 60 A in the storage position.
- deployment handle 63 is disposed proximal top wall 26 and is a U-shaped member such that back end 67 of deployment handle 63 is easily gripped by user 99 to move brace assembly 60 A from the storage position to the sitting position.
- Back portion 70 comprises a pair of spaced elongate members, such as rods 71 , each pivotably attached to a pivot point 66 on midsection 65 of handle 60 A. It can be seen that a handle 60 A of other shapes can be used.
- handle 60 A may be a narrow U-shaped handle attached to a single rod 71 or could be a simple bar attached to one or more rods 71 .
- Handle-deployable brace assembly 60 A is moved from the storage position to the sitting position by the user gripping back end 67 of handle 63 and rotating it outward and backward about the pivot of front end 64 until pivot point 66 is below front end 64 .
- strut 81 pushes back portion 70 backward such that back portion 70 is moved backward and downward to encounter ground 90 .
- ground contact portion 78 of back end 76 contacts ground 90 for preventing luggage 10 in the stationary position from toppling backward when user 99 is sitting on top wall 26 and leaning against handle 50 in the extended position.
- a stop such as the cross piece 68 on back end 67 of deployment handle 63 , prevents back portion 70 from further rotation about pivot point 66 .
- Strut 81 functions as a restraining means for restraining elongate portion 61 at the sitting position.
- ground contact portion 42 of front support 40 , ground contact portion 47 of wheels 45 , and ground contact portion 78 of brace assembly 60 define a plane. The fact that all of the contact portions 42 , 47 , 78 contact ground 90 in the sitting position is important as this prevents rocking movements of luggage 10 and, therefore, greatly enhances the stability of luggage 10 in the sitting position.
- Handle-deployable brace assembly 60 A is moved to the storage position by simply gripping back end 67 , such as cross piece 68 , of deployment handle 63 and rotating it upward and forward.
- the proximity of deployment handle 63 to top 25 of case 20 facilitates manipulation of brace assembly 60 A in that user 99 need not lean over or stoop excessively to deploy brace assembly 60 A.
- FIG. 4 is a top, right, back perspective view of a second embodiment 10 B of the tilted chair wheeled luggage 10 of the invention, in the sitting position, including a telescoping brace assembly 60 B.
- FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view of the luggage 10 B of FIG. 4 , showing in phantom telescoping brace assembly 60 B′ in the storage position.
- Brace assembly 60 B is movable between the storage position in a recess 36 in back wall 33 and the sitting position bracing luggage 10 B for sitting upon by a user 99 .
- Detent means well known in the art, such as detent clip 37 in recess 36 , retains brace assembly 60 B in recess 36 .
- Brace assembly 60 includes elongate portion 61 including a front portion 62 and a back portion 70 .
- Front portion 62 includes a front end 64 pivotably attached to back wall 33 and a back end 67 .
- Back portion 70 includes a front end 72 telescopingly engaged with front portion 62 and a back end 76 including a ground contact portion 78 .
- Back portion 70 is movable from a storage position telescoped within front portion 62 to the sitting position extended further from front portion 62 .
- Detent means such as spring biased button 69 , as is well known in the art, selectively holds back portion 70 in the sitting position.
- Restraining means 80 such as a flexible tension member, such as cord 84 having a front end connected to case 20 and a back end connected to front portion 62 , such as to back end 67 , restrains brace 60 B at the sitting position.
- Telescoping brace assembly 60 B is moved from the storage position to the sitting position by first pulling on elongate portion 61 so as to overcome detent clip 37 and rotate elongate portion 61 about the pivot of front end 64 and, second, by extending back portion 70 until back portion 70 is engaged by detent button 69 .
- FIG. 6 is a partially cut away, top, right, back perspective view of a third embodiment 10 C of the tilted chair wheeled luggage 10 of the invention in the sitting position.
- FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of the luggage 10 C of FIG. 6 showing in phantom stored brace assembly 60 C′ in the storage position in a recess 36 in back wall 33 .
- User 99 is shown sitting on top wall 26 and reclining against handle 50 T.
- Brace assembly 60 C generally comprises an elongate portion 62 and restraining means 80 , such as folding support 85 , for restraining brace assembly 60 C in the sitting position.
- Brace assembly 60 C functions in a manner well known in other arts, that is, in a manner similar to folding table legs.
- Elongate portion 61 is shown as a U-shaped member, it can be understood that it may be a single rod or post.
- Elongate portion 61 includes a front portion 62 including a front end 64 pivotably attached to back wall 33 , and a back portion 70 having a back end 76 including a ground contact portion 78 and a cross piece 79 .
- Folding support 85 includes a first member 86 and a second member 87 .
- First member 86 includes a front end pivotably connected to back wall 33 and a back end.
- Second member 87 includes a front end pivotably connected to the back end of first member 86 and a back end pivotably connected to elongate portion 61 .
- Brace assembly 60 C is moved from the storage position within recess 36 to the sitting position by user 99 gripping back end 76 , such as cross piece 79 , and moving it backward and downward.
- Folding support 85 moves to a slightly over center position where a stop 88 on one of the members 86 , 87 prevents folding in the opposite direction and retains brace assembly 60 C in the sitting position.
- the center pivot of folding support 85 is pushed downward to under center. Then elongate portion 61 is grasped and swung into recess 36 .
- a detent means, such as a clip or spring 37 in recess 36 releaseably retains brace assembly 60 C in the storage position.
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 of the luggage. It is particularly desirable that the carry-on luggage adaptable for sitting upon still meet the requirements of carry-on luggage.
- The invention is luggage that selectively provides a reclining chair for a 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 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.
- 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.
- In a first illustrative embodiment, the brace assembly includes a deployment handle for operating the brace. In a second illustrative embodiment, the elongate portion of the brace assembly telescopes upon deployment. In a third illustrative embodiment, the brace assembly deploys similar to a folding table leg.
- Other features and many attendant advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description together with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout.
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FIG. 1 is a top, right, back perspective view of a first embodiment of the wheeled luggage with reclining chair of the invention in the sitting position. -
FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of the luggage ofFIG. 1 showing, in phantom, the brace assembly in the storage position. -
FIG. 3 is a back elevation view of the luggage ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a top, right, back perspective view of a second embodiment of the wheeled luggage with reclining chair of the invention in the sitting position. -
FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view of the luggage ofFIG. 4 showing in phantom the brace assembly in the storage position. -
FIG. 6 is a partially cut away, top, right, back perspective view of a third embodiment of the wheeled luggage with reclining chair of the invention in the sitting position. -
FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of the luggage ofFIG. 6 showing a user sitting thereupon and showing in phantom the brace assembly in the storage position. - First, with quick reference to
FIG. 7 , there is shown an example of thewheeled luggage 10 of the invention as used for sitting.FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of an embodiment of thewheeled luggage 10 in the sitting position and showing auser 99 in reclined sitting position thereupon. - Returning to the other drawings, and more particularly to
FIGS. 1-3 thereof, there is shown afirst embodiment 10A of the wheeled luggage with recliningchair 10 of the invention.FIG. 1 is a top, right, back perspective view ofluggage 10A in the sitting position with abrace assembly 60, such as handle-deployable brace assembly 60A, deployed.FIG. 2 is a right side elevation view of theluggage 10A ofFIG. 1 showing, in phantom,brace assembly 60A in the storage position.FIG. 3 is a back elevation view ofFIG. 1 . -
Luggage 10 generally includes acase 20 for holding articles, afront support 40, wheel means, such as a pair ofwheels 45, ahandle 50, and abrace assembly 60, such as handle-deployable brace assembly 60A. -
Case 20 is of a type well-known in the art and typically called a suitcase, trolley case, traveler's case, cabin case, or carry-on case. Typically,case 20 is a right parallelepiped with slightly rounded corners.Case 20 includes afront 22, aback 24, a top 25 including atop wall 26, abottom 27 including abottom wall 28 andside walls 30 connectingtop wall 26 and thebottom wall 28.Side walls 30 are adapted for suitably supportingtop wall 26 spaced abovebottom wall 28 such that auser 99 may sit ontop wall 26.Side walls 30 include aright side wall 38, aleft side wall 31, afront wall 32 onfront 22 ofcase 20, and aback wall 33 onback 24 ofcase 20.Back wall 33, in general, definesplane 34 and theterm backplane 35 is meant to include the space of a couple of inches on either side of theplane 34 defined byback wall 33. -
Case 20 includes suitable means, such as zippers, doors, or lids, not shown, for gaining access to its interior as are well known in the art.Case 20 may include a frame covered with flexible material, such as leather or fabric, or may be substantially constructed of a single material, such as of plastic or aluminum. -
Front support 40 is attached tocase 20, such as tofront 22, such as to the front ofbottom wall 28, and includes acontact portion 42 for contacting theground 90 for supportingcase 20 in a stationary position whereinbackplane 35 is tilted backward from the vertical through an angle theta, θ. In the stationary position,backplane 35 is tilted back at least three degrees and, preferably, is tilted back about ten degrees or greater. Although in the exemplary embodiment,front support 40 is shown distinctly as a foot or leg protruding fromcase 20, it need not be so distinct and may be integral withcase 20. - Wheel means, as are well known in the art, are attached to
case 20 forwheeling case 20. Wheel means includes a pair of spacedwheels 45 attached toback 24 ofcase 20 such as at or near the juncture ofbottom wall 28 andback wall 33.Wheels 45 rotate about atransverse axle 46 and include acontact portion 47 for contactingground 90.Wheels 45 support back 24 ofcase 20 in the stationary position and wheelinglysupport case 20 in a wheeling position whereinbackplane 35 is tilted backward from the stationary position such thatfront support 40 does not contactground 90. In the wheeling position,case 20 is typically manipulated by atop handle 50T, as further described below. -
Case 20 may include one ormore handles 50, such as carryinghandle 50C andtop handle 50T, for carrying and manipulatingcase 20.Carrying handle 50C, of a type well known in the art, is shown stowed in arecess 39 inright side wall 38.Carrying handle 50C moves outward to a more easily gripped position for carryingluggage 10. -
Top handle 50T is of a type well-known in the art.Top handle 50T is attached toback wall 33 and generally includes anelongate portion 52 having alower end 54 and anupper end 56 and agrip 58 attached toupper end 56.Top handle 50T is movable between a lower, retracted position, (shown in phantom as 50T′ inFIG. 3 ) wherein thegrip 58′ isproximal case 20, such as by being inrecess 59 intop wall 26, and an extended position, as shown in solid lines, whereingrip 58 is distaltop wall 26 andelongate portion 52 is inbackplane 35. In the extended position,grip 58 is used by a user to easily manipulateluggage 10 in the wheeling position. Elongateportion 52 oftop handle 50T, as shown, retracts into sleeves inback wall 33. However, other configurations, as are known in the art, are compatible with the inventive concept. For example,elongate portion 52 may also be telescopic, ortop handle 50T may be hinged neartop wall 26 and fold to a lower position. - Handle-
deployable brace assembly 60A generally includes anelongate portion 61 and restraining means 80, such asstrut 81, for restrainingelongate portion 61 at the sitting position.Elongate portion 61 generally includes afront portion 62 and aback portion 70.Front portion 62 includes adeployment handle 63 having afront end 64 pivotably attached to backwall 33, amidsection 65 including apivot point 66, and aback end 67 for gripping by auser 99.Back portion 70 includes afront end 72 pivotably attached to pivotpoint 66 ofmidsection 65 of deployment handle 63, amidsection 74, and aback end 76 including aground contact portion 78 for contactingground 90 in the sitting position.Strut 81 includes afront end 82 pivotably attached to backwall 33 and aback end 83 pivotably attached to backportion 70 ofelongate portion 61. -
Brace assembly 60A is movable between a storage position, best seen in phantom inFIG. 2 , and the sitting position, shown inFIGS. 1-3 . In the storage position,brace assembly 60A is preferably inbackplane 35, or is substantially inbackplane 35 such as by being substantially parallel to andproximal backplane 35, andpivot point 66 of deployment handle 63 is abovefront end 64 of deployment handle 63. Preferably,back wall 33 includes a recess or recesses 36 for containingbrace assembly 60A in the storage position. - In the illustrative embodiment, deployment handle 63 is disposed proximal
top wall 26 and is a U-shaped member such thatback end 67 of deployment handle 63 is easily gripped byuser 99 to movebrace assembly 60A from the storage position to the sitting position.Back portion 70 comprises a pair of spaced elongate members, such asrods 71, each pivotably attached to apivot point 66 onmidsection 65 ofhandle 60A. It can be seen that ahandle 60A of other shapes can be used. For example, handle 60A may be a narrow U-shaped handle attached to asingle rod 71 or could be a simple bar attached to one ormore rods 71. - Handle-
deployable brace assembly 60A is moved from the storage position to the sitting position by the user grippingback end 67 ofhandle 63 and rotating it outward and backward about the pivot offront end 64 untilpivot point 66 is belowfront end 64. During this movement, strut 81 pushes backportion 70 backward such thatback portion 70 is moved backward and downward to encounterground 90. In the sitting position shown inFIG. 1 ,ground contact portion 78 ofback end 76 contacts ground 90 for preventingluggage 10 in the stationary position from toppling backward whenuser 99 is sitting ontop wall 26 and leaning againsthandle 50 in the extended position. A stop, such as thecross piece 68 onback end 67 of deployment handle 63, prevents backportion 70 from further rotation aboutpivot point 66.Strut 81 functions as a restraining means for restrainingelongate portion 61 at the sitting position. In the sitting position,ground contact portion 42 offront support 40,ground contact portion 47 ofwheels 45, andground contact portion 78 ofbrace assembly 60 define a plane. The fact that all of thecontact portions contact ground 90 in the sitting position is important as this prevents rocking movements ofluggage 10 and, therefore, greatly enhances the stability ofluggage 10 in the sitting position. - Handle-
deployable brace assembly 60A is moved to the storage position by simply grippingback end 67, such ascross piece 68, of deployment handle 63 and rotating it upward and forward. The proximity of deployment handle 63 to top 25 ofcase 20 facilitates manipulation ofbrace assembly 60A in thatuser 99 need not lean over or stoop excessively to deploybrace assembly 60A. -
FIG. 4 is a top, right, back perspective view of asecond embodiment 10B of the tilted chair wheeledluggage 10 of the invention, in the sitting position, including atelescoping brace assembly 60B.FIG. 5 is a right side elevation view of theluggage 10B ofFIG. 4 , showing in phantomtelescoping brace assembly 60B′ in the storage position.Brace assembly 60B is movable between the storage position in arecess 36 inback wall 33 and the sittingposition bracing luggage 10B for sitting upon by auser 99. Detent means well known in the art, such asdetent clip 37 inrecess 36, retainsbrace assembly 60B inrecess 36. -
Brace assembly 60 includeselongate portion 61 including afront portion 62 and aback portion 70.Front portion 62 includes afront end 64 pivotably attached to backwall 33 and aback end 67.Back portion 70 includes afront end 72 telescopingly engaged withfront portion 62 and aback end 76 including aground contact portion 78.Back portion 70 is movable from a storage position telescoped withinfront portion 62 to the sitting position extended further fromfront portion 62. Detent means, such as spring biasedbutton 69, as is well known in the art, selectively holds backportion 70 in the sitting position. Restraining means 80, such as a flexible tension member, such ascord 84 having a front end connected tocase 20 and a back end connected tofront portion 62, such as toback end 67, restrainsbrace 60B at the sitting position. - Telescoping
brace assembly 60B is moved from the storage position to the sitting position by first pulling onelongate portion 61 so as to overcomedetent clip 37 and rotateelongate portion 61 about the pivot offront end 64 and, second, by extending backportion 70 untilback portion 70 is engaged bydetent button 69. -
FIG. 6 is a partially cut away, top, right, back perspective view of athird embodiment 10C of the tilted chair wheeledluggage 10 of the invention in the sitting position.FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of theluggage 10C ofFIG. 6 showing in phantom storedbrace assembly 60C′ in the storage position in arecess 36 inback wall 33.User 99 is shown sitting ontop wall 26 and reclining againsthandle 50T.Brace assembly 60C generally comprises anelongate portion 62 and restraining means 80, such asfolding support 85, for restrainingbrace assembly 60C in the sitting position.Brace assembly 60C functions in a manner well known in other arts, that is, in a manner similar to folding table legs. Althoughelongate portion 61 is shown as a U-shaped member, it can be understood that it may be a single rod or post.Elongate portion 61 includes afront portion 62 including afront end 64 pivotably attached to backwall 33, and aback portion 70 having aback end 76 including aground contact portion 78 and across piece 79. Foldingsupport 85 includes afirst member 86 and asecond member 87.First member 86 includes a front end pivotably connected to backwall 33 and a back end.Second member 87 includes a front end pivotably connected to the back end offirst member 86 and a back end pivotably connected to elongateportion 61.Brace assembly 60C is moved from the storage position withinrecess 36 to the sitting position byuser 99 grippingback end 76, such ascross piece 79, and moving it backward and downward. Foldingsupport 85 moves to a slightly over center position where astop 88 on one of themembers brace assembly 60C in the sitting position. To retractbrace 60C to the storage position, the center pivot of foldingsupport 85 is pushed downward to under center. Thenelongate portion 61 is grasped and swung intorecess 36. A detent means, such as a clip orspring 37 inrecess 36 releaseably retainsbrace assembly 60C in the storage position. - Having described the invention, it can be seen that it provides a very convenient device for providing sitting relaxation while traveling.
- Although particular embodiments of the invention has been illustrated and described, various changes may be made in the form, composition, construction, and arrangement of the parts herein without sacrificing any of its advantages. Therefore, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in any limiting sense, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims such modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (20)
1. Luggage having a stationary configuration and a wheeling configuration; the stationary configuration including a tilted sitting configuration; said luggage comprising:
a case including:
a front;
a back;
a top including
a top wall;
a bottom including:
a bottom wall; and
side walls connecting said top wall and said bottom wall and suitably supporting said top wall spaced above said bottom wall for sitting upon by a user, including:
a front wall on said front of said case; and
a back wall on said back of said case defining a backplane;
a front support on said case including:
a contact portion for contacting the ground for supporting said case in the stationary position wherein said backplane is tilted backward from the vertical;
wheel means including:
a contact portion for contacting the ground; said wheel means attached to said case and supporting said back of said case in the stationary position and wheelingly supporting said case in a wheeling position wherein said backplane is tilted backward from the stationary position such that said front support does not contact the ground,
a handle attached to said back wall to facilitate manipulation of said case by a user, including:
an elongate portion having:
a lower end; and
an upper end; and
a grip attached to said upper end; said handle movable between a lower, retracted position wherein said grip is proximal said case and a higher, extended position wherein said grip is above said top wall and said elongate portion is in the plane of said back wall; and
a brace assembly including:
a brace including:
an elongate portion including:
a front portion pivotably attached to said case; and
a back portion including:
a ground contact portion; said brace movable between a storage position wherein said brace is in said backplane and a sitting position wherein said elongate portion extends backward from said backplane and downward and said ground contact portion of said back portion contacts the ground for preventing said luggage in the stationary position from toppling backward when a person or object is sitting on said top wall and leaning against said handle in the extended position.
2. The luggage of claim 1 wherein:
said back wall includes a recess wherein said brace assembly is disposed in the storage position.
3. The luggage of claim 1 wherein:
said backplane is tilted back at least three degrees.
4. The luggage of claim 1 wherein:
said backplane is tilted back at least ten degrees.
5. The luggage of claim 1 wherein:
said brace assembly includes:
restraining means for restraining said brace at the sitting position.
6. The luggage of claim 1 wherein:
said front portion of said elongate portion of said brace includes:
an upper portion having:
a front end pivotably attached to said case; and
a back end; and
said back portion of said elongate portion of said brace includes:
an upper end pivotably attached to said back end of said upper portion.
7. The luggage of claim 5 wherein:
said back end of said upper portion of said front end of said elongate portion of said brace includes:
a grip for moving said brace between the storage position and the sitting position.
8. The luggage of claim 1 wherein:
said elongate portion comprises:
a plurality of telescoping sections.
9. The luggage of claim 8 wherein:
said brace assembly includes:
restraining means for restraining said brace at the sitting position.
10. The luggage of claim 9 wherein:
said restraining means comprises:
a folding support comprising:
a first member including:
a front end pivotably connected to said case; and
a back end; and
a second member including:
a front end pivotably connected to said back end of said first member: and
a back end pivotably connected to said elongate portion of said brace.
11. The luggage of claim 9 wherein:
said restraining means comprises:
a flexible tension member.
12. Luggage having a stationary configuration and a wheeling configuration; the stationary configuration including a tilted sitting configuration; said luggage comprising:
a case including:
a front;
a back;
a top, including:
a top wall;
a bottom including:
a bottom wall; and
side walls connecting said top wall and said bottom wall and suitably supporting said top wall spaced above said bottom wall for sitting upon by a user including:
a front wall on said front of said case; and
a back wall on said back of said case defining a backplane;
a front support attached to said case including:
a contact portion for contacting the ground for supporting said case in the stationary position wherein said backplane is tilted backward from the vertical;
wheel means including:
a contact portion for contacting the ground; said wheel means attached to said case and supporting said back of said case in the stationary position and wheelingly supporting said case in a wheeling position wherein said backplane is tilted backward from the stationary position such that said front support does not contact the ground,
a handle attached to said back wall to facilitate manipulation of said case by a user including:
an elongate portion having:
a lower end; and
an upper end; and
a grip attached to said upper end; said handle movable between a lower, retracted position wherein said grip is proximal said case and a higher, extended position wherein said grip is above said top wall and said elongate portion is in said backplane; and
a brace assembly including:
an elongate portion including:
a front portion including:
a deployment handle including;
a front end pivotably attached to said case a midsection including:
a pivot point; and
a back end for gripping by a user;
a back portion including:
a front end pivotably attached to said pivot point of said midsection of said deployment handle;
a midsection; and
a back end including:
a ground contact portion; and
a strut including:
a front end pivotably attached to said case; and
a back end pivotably attached to said midsection of said elongate portion; said brace assembly movable between a storage position, wherein said brace assembly is in said backplane; and said pivot point of said deployment handle is above said front end of said deployment handle, and a sitting position, wherein said pivot point of said deployment handle is below said front end, said elongate portion extends backward from said backplane and downward, and said ground contact portion of said back end contacts the ground for preventing said luggage in the stationary position from toppling backward when a person or object is sitting on said top wall and leaning against said handle in the extended position.
13. The luggage of claim 12 wherein:
said back wall includes a recess wherein said brace assembly is disposed in the storage position.
14. The luggage of claim 12 wherein:
said plane of said back wall is tilted back at least three degrees.
15. The luggage of claim 12 wherein:
said plane of said back wall is tilted back at least ten degrees.
16. The luggage of claim 12 wherein:
said brace assembly includes:
restraining means for restraining said brace at the sitting position.
17. The luggage of claim 16 wherein:
said restraining means includes a stop on said back end of said deployment handle.
18. Luggage having a stationary configuration and a wheeling configuration; the stationary configuration including a titled sitting configuration; said luggage comprising:
a case including:
a front;
a back;
a top including
a top wall
a bottom including:
a bottom wall and
side walls connecting said top wall and said bottom wall and suitably supporting said top wall spaced above said bottom wall for sitting upon by a user including:
a front wall on said front of said case; and
a back wall on said back of said case defining a plane;
a front support attached to said case including:
a contact portion for contacting the ground for supporting said case in the stationary position wherein said backplane is tilted backward from the vertical
wheel means including:
a contact portion for contacting the ground; said wheel means attached to said case and supporting said back of said case in the stationary position and rolling supporting said case in a wheeling position wherein said backplane is tilted backward from the vertical and said front support does not contact the ground,
a handle attached to said back wall to facilitate manipulation of said case by a user including:
an elongate portion having:
a lower end; and
an upper end; and
a grip attached to said upper end; said handle movable between a lower, retracted position wherein said grip is proximal said case and a higher, extended position wherein said grip is above said top wall and said elongate portion is in the plane of said back wall; and
a brace assembly including:
a brace including:
an elongate portion including:
a front end attached to said case; and
a back end including:
a ground contact portion; said brace movable between a storage position wherein said brace is in said backplane and a sitting position wherein said elongate portion extends backward from said backplane and downward and said ground contact portion of said back end contacts the ground for preventing said luggage in the stationary position from toppling backward when a person or object is sitting on said top wall and leaning against said handle in the extended position.
19. The luggage of claim 18 wherein:
said plane of said back wall is tilted back at least three degrees.
20. The luggage of claim 18 wherein:
said plane of said back wall is tilted back at least ten degrees.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/286,334 US20100078279A1 (en) | 2008-09-29 | 2008-09-29 | Wheeled luggage and reclining chair |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/286,334 US20100078279A1 (en) | 2008-09-29 | 2008-09-29 | Wheeled luggage and reclining chair |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20100078279A1 true US20100078279A1 (en) | 2010-04-01 |
Family
ID=42056209
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/286,334 Abandoned US20100078279A1 (en) | 2008-09-29 | 2008-09-29 | Wheeled luggage and reclining chair |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20100078279A1 (en) |
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US20090255772A1 (en) * | 2008-04-15 | 2009-10-15 | Gary Sherrell | Fully recessed translation biased cantilever leg luggage device |
US20090315284A1 (en) * | 2008-06-22 | 2009-12-24 | Ignacio Tapia Osorno | Convertible luggage case and cart |
US20120161408A1 (en) * | 2010-12-22 | 2012-06-28 | Guravtar Sidhu | Baby Carry On |
US20170119117A1 (en) * | 2014-03-22 | 2017-05-04 | Tamar Clarke | Improved Luggage Apparatus |
WO2018024970A1 (en) * | 2016-08-03 | 2018-02-08 | École Nationale Supérieure De Création Industrielle | Backpack having a vertical holding frame and a support cover |
US20200000191A1 (en) * | 2018-07-02 | 2020-01-02 | Donald Dohmann | Luggage system |
US20210114646A1 (en) * | 2019-10-17 | 2021-04-22 | Tadao Hashimoto | Suitcase and hand truck for ascending and descending stairs |
CN114698909A (en) * | 2022-02-11 | 2022-07-05 | 裕弘实业(河源)有限公司 | Suitcase of front cover padlock function |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |