U.S. patent application number 11/003563 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-22 for suitcase handle.
Invention is credited to Goldwitz, Brian L..
Application Number | 20050279600 11/003563 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35500568 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050279600 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goldwitz, Brian L. |
December 22, 2005 |
Suitcase handle
Abstract
A suitcase capable of being maintained laterally to a user
during manual transport. The suitcase includes wheels attached to a
luggage compartment, the wheels rotating about a common wheel axis.
A handle assembly attached to the luggage compartment includes a
grip portion and a passageway for receiving the grip portion. The
passageway allows the grip portion to selectively extend parallel
to the wheel axis, moving between a storage position and opposing
first and second extended positions. The extended positions provide
a method for manually transporting the wheeled suitcase while
maintaining the suitcase to the side of the user.
Inventors: |
Goldwitz, Brian L.; (Orange,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWARDS & ANGELL, LLP
P.O. BOX 55874
BOSTON
MA
02205
US
|
Family ID: |
35500568 |
Appl. No.: |
11/003563 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
190/115 ;
16/113.1; 16/405 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 16/451 20150115;
A45C 13/262 20130101; Y10T 16/4554 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/115 ;
016/405; 016/113.1 |
International
Class: |
A45C 013/30; A45C
013/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 18, 2004 |
CN |
200410016396.5 |
Feb 23, 2004 |
CN |
200420020327.7 |
Feb 23, 2004 |
CN |
200420020325.8 |
Feb 23, 2004 |
CN |
200420020326.2 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A handle extension for a conventional wheeled suitcase, the
suitcase having wheels for rotation about a common wheel axis and a
handle assembly including one or more handle rods, and the handle
extension comprising: a grip portion; and means for coupling the
grip portion to the handle assembly such that the grip portion
achieves an extended position in which the grip portion extends
parallel to the wheel axis and allows the suitcase to be maintained
laterally to a user as the suitcase is being manually
transported.
2. The handle extension as recited in claim 1, wherein the grip
portion comprises an interior shaft and an exterior shaft, the
interior shaft being contained within and selectively telescoping
out from the exterior shaft to increase the lateral offset of a
suitcase with respect to a user during manual transport.
3. The handle extension as recited in claim 1, wherein the means
includes a housing coupled to the one or more handle rods, the
housing forming a passageway to slidingly contain the grip portion
such that the grip portion can slide between the extended position
and a retracted position in which the grip portion is at least
partially concealed within the passageway.
4. The handle extension as recited in claim 3, wherein the grip
portion can extend out from the passageway in opposing
directions.
5. The handle extension as recited in claim 3, wherein the
passageway is adapted and configured to allow the grip portion to
slide within the passageway while preventing rotation of the grip
portion with respect to the housing.
6. The handle extension as recited in claim 3, wherein the grip
portion includes: first and second ends; and a joint between the
first and second ends, and wherein the joint allows rotation of the
first end with respect to the second end around an axis
perpendicular to the wheel axis when the grip portion is positioned
such that the joint is outside the passageway of the housing, while
the housing substantially prevents such rotation when the grip
portion is positioned to locate the joint inside the passageway of
the housing.
7. The handle extension as recited in claim 3, wherein the grip
portion can be releasably fixed in the extended position, in the
retracted position, and in a plurality of intermediate positions as
desired by a user.
8. The handle extension as recited in claim 3, wherein: the housing
includes two holes offset from one another in a direction
perpendicular to the wheel axis; the grip portion includes two
spring-biased buttons, the buttons being offset from one another in
a direction perpendicular to the wheel axis such that each button
engages only one of the holes, and the grip portion passes through
the passageway when the buttons are depressed.
9. The handle extension as recited in claim 1, wherein the means is
a housing coupled to the one or more handle rods, the grip portion
being pivotally attached to the housing such that the grip portion
pivots into the extended position.
10. The handle extension as recited in claim 9, wherein the grip
portion can be releasably fixed in the extended position, in the
retracted position, and in a plurality of intermediate positions as
desired by a user.
11. The handle extension as recited in claim 1, wherein the handle
extension is formed integrally with the suitcase.
12. A handle assembly for a wheeled suitcase, the suitcase having a
luggage compartment and wheels attached to the luggage compartment
for rotation about a common wheel axis, and the handle assembly
comprising: a connector including first and second handle rods
extending from from the luggage compartment, and a cross piece
coupled between the handle rods; and a grip portion slidingly
coupled to the connector such that the grip portion slides between
a retracted position, in which the grip portion is at least
partially contained between the handle rods and/or within the cross
piece, and two extended positions, in which the grip portion
extends laterally from between the handle rods in either of
opposing directions to allow the suitcase to be maintained
laterally to a user as the suitcase is being manually
transported.
13. The handle assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the grip
portion can be releasably fixed in the extended position, in the
retracted position, and in a plurality of intermediate positions in
which the grip portion is partially extended from between the
handle rods by varying amounts as desired by a user.
14. The handle assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the cross
piece is hollow and defines a lumen through which the grip portion
slides as the grip portion moves between the extended and retracted
positions.
15. The handle assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein: the cross
piece includes two holes; and the grip portion includes two
spring-biased buttons, and whereby the buttons can be depressed to
allow the grip portion to slide through the lumen of the cross
piece, each button being capable of separately engaging each hole
in the cross piece to selectively fix the grip portion in the
extended and retracted positions.
16. The handle assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the holes
in the cross piece are offset from one another in a direction
perpendicular to the wheel axis, and the spring-biased buttons are
offset from one another in a direction perpendicular to the wheel
axis, thereby allowing each button to engage only one of the
holes.
17. The handle assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein the grip
portion includes: first and second ends; and a joint, between the
first and second ends, for allowing rotation of the first end with
respect to the second end around an axis perpendicular to the wheel
axis when the grip portion is positioned such that the joint is
outside the lumen of the cross piece, while the cross piece
substantially prevents such rotation when the grip portion is
positioned to locate the joint inside the lumen of the cross
piece.
18. The handle assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein the handle
assembly includes means for selectively fixing the orientation of
the first end with respect to the second end.
19. The handle assembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the grip
portion comprises an interior shaft and an exterior shaft, the
interior shaft selectively telescoping out from the exterior shaft
to increase the lateral offset of a suitcase with respect to a user
during manual transport.
20. A handle assembly for a wheeled suitcase, the suitcase having a
luggage compartment and wheels attached to the luggage compartment
for rotation about a common wheel axis, and the handle assembly
comprising: a connector including first and second handle rods
extending from from the luggage compartment, and a cross piece
coupled between the handle rods; and a grip portion pivotally
coupled to the connector such that the grip portion pivots between
a retracted position, in which the grip portion is at least
partially contained between the handle rods, and an extended
position, in which the grip portion extends laterally from between
the handle rods to allow the suitcase to be maintained laterally to
a user as the suitcase is being manually transported.
21. The handle assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the grip
portion can be releasably fixed in the extended position, in the
retracted position, and in a plurality of intermediate positions as
desired by a user.
22. The handle assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein the grip
portion comprises an interior shaft and an exterior shaft, the
interior shaft selectively telescoping out from the exterior shaft
to increase the lateral offset of a suitcase with respect to a user
during manual transport.
23. A suitcase capable of being maintained laterally to a user
during manual transport, the suitcase comprising: a) a luggage
compartment; b) wheels attached to the luggage compartment for
rotation about a common wheel axis; and c) a handle assembly
attached to the luggage compartment and including: i) a grip
portion; and ii) a passageway for receiving the grip portion such
that the grip portion selectively extends parallel to the wheel
axis between a storage position and first and second extended
positions, the first extended position having the grip portion
extend from a first end of the passageway and the second extended
position having the grip portion extend from a second end of the
passageway.
24. The suitcase as recited in claim 23, wherein the handle
assembly further includes: a first handle rod secured to the
suitcase such that the handle rod is directed substantially
perpendicularly to the wheel axis, and a second handle rod secured
to the suitcase and directed substantially parallel to the first
handle rod; and a cross piece coupled between the first and second
handle rods and defining the passageway, and wherein the grip
portion slides between a retracted position in which the grip
portion is at least partially contained between the handle rods and
the first and second extended positions in which the grip portion
extends laterally from between the handle rods.
25. The suitcase as recited in claim 23, wherein the grip portion
can be releasably fixed in the extended position, in the retracted
position, and in a plurality of intermediate positions in which the
grip portion is partially extended from between the handle rods by
varying amounts as desired by a user.
26. The suitcase as recited in claim 24, wherein: the cross piece
is elongated and includes two holes, the holes being axially spaced
from one another; the grip portion is elongated and includes two
spring-biased buttons, the buttons being axially spaced from one
another, and whereby the buttons can be depressed to allow the grip
portion to slide through the passageway of the cross piece, each
button being capable of separately engaging each hole in the cross
piece.
27. The suitcase as recited in claim 26, wherein the holes in the
cross piece are offset from one another in a direction
perpendicular to the wheel axis, and the spring-biased buttons are
offset from one another in a direction perpendicular to the wheel
axis, thereby allowing each button to engage only one of the
holes.
28. The suitcase as recited in claim 24, wherein the grip portion
is elongated and has: axially opposed a first and second ends; a
joint between the first and second ends, and wherein the joint
allows rotation of the first end with respect to the second end
around an axis perpendicular to the wheel axis when the grip
portion is positioned such that the joint is outside the passageway
of the cross piece, while the cross piece substantially prevents
such rotation when the grip portion is positioned to locate the
joint inside the passageway of the cross piece.
29. The suitcase as recited in claim 23, wherein the means
includes: a first handle rod secured to the suitcase such that the
handle rod is directed substantially perpendicularly to the wheel
axis; a second handle rod secured to the suitcase substantially
parallel to the first handle rod; an elongated cross piece coupled
between the first and second handle rods; and a grip portion
pivotally coupled to the first handle rod such that the grip
portion can rotate out from a retracted position between the first
and second handle rods to assume an extended position in which the
grip portion is directed substantially parallel to the wheel axis.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent
Application No. 200410016396.5, filed February 18, Chinese Patent
Application No. 200420020325.8, filed Feb. 23, 2004, Chinese Patent
Application No. 200420020327.7, filed Feb. 23, 2004, 2004, and
Chinese Patent Application No. 200420020326.2, filed Feb. 23, 2004,
all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The subject disclosure relates to handles for suitcases and
luggage, and more particularly to an improved handle for the manual
transport of a wheeled suitcase.
[0004] 2. Background of the Related Art
[0005] Many suitcases today are constructed so as to incorporate
wheels, allowing the luggage to be transported easily by rolling on
the wheels rather than carrying. Such a "wheeled suitcase"
facilitates luggage transport, and as such, wheeled suitcases are
in widespread use and are well understood in the art. Typically,
such suitcases also incorporate a telescoping handle that can be
extended to allow pushing or pulling of the luggage, or, can be
compressed such that it is concealed within the luggage.
[0006] The most common type of wheeled suitcase has a plurality of
wheels at one end of the luggage, all sharing a common axis of
rotation. A telescoping handle extends from an opposite end of the
luggage, in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis of the
wheels. The handle requires that the suitcase is pulled directly
behind (or pushed directly in front of) a user during manual
transport. This arrangement has the drawback that a normal stride
length is often larger than the distance between the user and the
bag, such that the user kicks and/or trips over the bag when
walking with it. An obvious method for overcoming this drawback is
to increase the number of telescoping sections of the handle. In
such case, the extended handle is sufficiently long to maintain the
luggage outside the stride area, while still collapsible to a size
that allows concealing the handle inside the luggage when not in
use. This method is undesirable, however, because of the increased
cost associated with increasing the number of telescoping sections
of the handle. As such, alternative suitcase handles have been
pursued.
[0007] One alternative handle for rolling luggage is disclosed in
U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0085089 A1 to Lin et al. (the '089
application). The '089 application discloses a wheeled luggage 50
with a retractable handle assembly 10. The handle assembly 10 is
extended upward from a center at a joining edge of a top 57 and a
rear 52 of the luggage 50. The handle assembly 10 comprises a
single handle rod 70 and a handle grip 20 extended from the top of
the handle rod 70. The handle grip 20 has a length just smaller
than a half-width of the top 57, and is pivotable and rotatable
about the handle rod 70, such that the handle grip 20 can assume a
range of angles and positions with respect to the handle rod 70.
Specifically, in one embodiment, the handle grip 20 is disposed at
a 90 degree angle to the handle rod 70 and pointed toward a side 54
of the luggage 50 (i.e. in a direction parallel to the straight
line between the wheels 55,56).
[0008] The handle assembly 10 of the '089 application has several
advantageous features as compared to a typical U-shaped handle.
Because the handle grip 20 has a length similar to a half-width of
the top 57 and can be positioned pointing toward the side 54 of the
luggage 50, a user holding the handle grip 20 while transporting
the luggage 50 walks to the side of the luggage 50. This keeps the
bag out of the user's stride.
[0009] However, the handle assembly 10 of the '089 application does
have several disadvantages. In order to allow a user to walk to the
side of the bag, the length of the handle grip 20 is required to be
similar to or longer than a half-width of the luggage 50. For some
bags, this can force the handle grip 20 to be quite long. Because
the handle assembly 10 of the '089 application utilizes a single
handle rod 70 (explicitly avoiding the use of multiple handle
rods), there is no further physical support for the handle grip,
reducing the stability of the assembly. Forces applied by the user
to the handle grip 20 (i.e. during pushing or pulling of the bag)
result in a large moment at the point where the handle grip 20
attaches to the handle rod 70. This large moment will cause the
handle assembly 10 to flex, so that the ultimate direction of a
user-exerted force will vary from the intended direction.
[0010] Another alternative handle is disclosed in U.S. Patent
Application No. 2004/0079603 A1 to Miller et al. (the '603
application). The '603 application teaches a handle system for a
rolling luggage case. The handle system includes telescoping post
members 155,160, a cross member 105 extending between adjacent end
portions of the telescoping post members 155,160, and a handle 110
pivotally mounted to the cross member 105. The handle 110 includes
a grasping bar 115 that extends from the handle 110 in a direction
perpendicular to the cross member 105. The handle 110 can rotate
about the cross member 105 so that the grasping bar 115 can be
oriented in a variety of directions perpendicular to the cross
member 105. The '603 application fails to teach a handle that moves
the luggage away from the user by any significant amount. Rather,
the '603 application refers to its subject invention as a labor
saving device, and does not address the problem of an impeded
stride.
[0011] There is a need, therefore, for an improved wheeled suitcase
which permits a user to push or pull a suitcase without having his
or her stride impeded. Specifically, there is a need for an
improved handle that allows a rolling luggage to remain outside the
user's stride as it is transported. Such a handle should be
structurally stable and mechanically reliable, and should be simple
and inexpensive to manufacture. Further, because a large number of
wheeled suitcases already exists, there is a need for adapting the
handles of existing suitcases to provide all of the above
advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is directed to a modified handle
assembly for a wheeled suitcase that allows the suitcase to be
maintained laterally to a user as the suitcase is being manually
transported. The modified handle assembly prevents a wheeled
suitcase from obstructing a user's stride during transport, and is
therefore a significant improvement over the prior art. The
modified handle is structurally stable and mechanically reliable,
and is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. Further, the
disclosed modified handle can be provided by adapting a
conventional suitcase handle assembly.
[0013] A preferred embodiment of the modified handle is a handle
extension for a conventional suitcase. The suitcase has wheels that
rotate about a common wheel axis and a handle assembly including
one or more handle rods. The handle extension includes a grip
portion and means for coupling the grip portion to the handle
assembly. The means are such that the grip portion achieves an
extended position in which the grip portion extends parallel to the
wheel axis and allows the suitcase to be maintained laterally to a
user as the suitcase is being manually transported.
[0014] In another preferred embodiment, a wheeled suitcase has a
luggage compartment from which extends a connector in the form of
first and second handle rods and a cross piece coupled between the
handle rods. The suitcase also has wheels attached to the luggage
compartment for rotation about a common wheel axis. A grip portion
is slidingly coupled to the connector such that the grip portion
slides between a retracted position, in which the grip portion is
at least partially contained between the handle rods and/or within
the cross piece, and two extended positions, in which the grip
portion extends laterally from between the handle rods in either of
opposing directions.
[0015] In still another preferred embodiment, a wheeled suitcase
has a luggage compartment from which extends a connector in the
form of first and second handle rods and a cross piece coupled
between the handle rods. The suitcase also has wheels attached to
the luggage compartment for rotation about a common wheel axis. A
grip portion is pivotally coupled to the connector such that the
grip portion pivots between a retracted position, in which the grip
portion is at least partially contained between the handle rods,
and an extended position, in which the grip portion extends
laterally from between the handle rods.
[0016] In yet another preferred embodiment, a suitcase capable of
being maintained laterally to a user during manual transport
includes a luggage compartment, wheels attached to the luggage
compartment for rotation about a common wheel axis, and a handle
assembly attached to the luggage compartment. The handle assembly
includes a grip portion and a passageway for receiving the grip
portion. The passageway receives the grip portion such that the
grip portion selectively extends parallel to the wheel axis between
a storage position and first and second extended positions, the
first extended position having the grip portion extend from a first
end of the passageway and the second extended position having the
grip portion extend from a second end of the passageway.
[0017] It should be appreciated that the present invention can be
implemented and utilized in numerous ways, including without
limitation as a process, an apparatus, a system, a device, a method
for applications now known and later developed. These and other
unique features of the system disclosed herein will become more
readily apparent from the following description and the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the
disclosed system appertains will more readily understand how to
make and use the same, reference may be had to the drawings
wherein.
[0019] FIG. 1 is an overview of an environment in which an
embodiment of the present invention may be used;
[0020] FIG. 2a illustrates a perspective view of a wheeled suitcase
incorporating a handle assembly in accordance with subject
disclosure, and in particular showing the grip portion in an
extended position;
[0021] FIG. 2b illustrates a perspective view of the wheeled
suitcase of FIG. 2a, with the grip portion extended in the
direction opposite that in 2a;
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a handle assembly
for a wheeled suitcase, the handle assembly including a cross piece
which defines a passageway through which a grip portion can
slide;
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a prior art wheeled
suitcase, including a conventional handle assembly;
[0024] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a wheeled suitcase
and a handle extension, the handle extension being attached to the
conventional handle assembly of the suitcase and including a grip
portion that can slide to the side of the handle assembly;
[0025] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the handle extension of FIG.
5, showing the housing, bracket, and grip portion;
[0026] FIG. 7a illustrates a perspective view of a wheeled suitcase
incorporating a handle extension, the grip portion being positioned
in one of the two extended positions;
[0027] FIG. 7b illustrates a perspective view of a wheeled suitcase
of FIG. 7a, the grip portion being positioned in the retracted
position;
[0028] FIG. 7c illustrates a perspective view of a wheeled suitcase
of FIG. 7a, the grip portion being positioned in one the alternate
extended position;
[0029] FIG. 8a illustrates a perspective view of a handle extension
for attachment to a wheeled suitcase, the handle extension
including a grip portion with laterally offset spring-biased
buttons for selectively fixing the position of the grip portion
with respect to the housing;
[0030] FIG. 8b is an exploded view of the handle extension of FIG.
8b;
[0031] FIG. 9a is a side view of a handle assembly for a wheeled
suitcase, the handle assembly including a jointed grip portion
slidingly contained in the lumen of a cross piece;
[0032] FIG. 9b is a side view of the handle assembly of FIG. 9a
wherein the grip portion is positioned such that the joint sits
outside the lumen of the cross piece, allowing rotation of one end
of the grip portion with respect to the other;
[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a wheeled suitcase and a
handle extension attached to the conventional handle assembly of
the suitcase, the handle extension including a grip portion for
rotating to the side of the handle assembly;
[0034] FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the handle extension of FIG.
10, showing the housing, bracket, and grip portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] The present invention overcomes many of the prior art
problems associated with handles for rolling luggage. The
advantages, and other features of the system disclosed herein, will
become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the
art from the following detailed description of certain preferred
embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings which set forth
representative embodiments of the present invention and wherein
like reference numerals identify similar structural elements.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, in a preferred embodiment, a wheeled
suitcase 100 includes a luggage compartment 110, wheels 130, and a
handle assembly 140. The luggage compartment 110 defines an
interior for storing articles. Wheels 130 are rotationally secured
to the luggage compartment 110 and share an axis of rotation 112.
Handle assembly 140 is coupled to the luggage compartment 110 and
includes a grip portion 146 that selectively extends parallel to
axis 112. Wheels 130 and handle assembly 140 are thereby configured
to allow suitcase 100 to be transported by applying force to the
grip portion 146 and allowing suitcase 100 to roll.
[0037] As can be seen, the suitcase 100 allows transport without
obstructing the normal stride. Specifically, the suitcase 100 is
laterally offset with respect to the user during transport,
allowing a user to walk comfortably to one side of suitcase 100.
This presents a significant advantage over the prior art.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 2a, handle assembly 140 includes handle
rods 142 that selectively telescope out from the luggage
compartment 110 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the
axis 112. A cross piece 144 connects handle rods 142, and provides
another location for a user to grasp handle assembly 140 (in
addittion to grip portion 146).
[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, the cross piece 144 defines a
passageway 148, and grip portion 146 is slidingly contained in
passageway 148. The grip portion 146 can move between an extended
position in which the grip portion 146 projects out from between
the handle rods 142 in a direction generally parallel to axis 112
and a retracted position in which the grip portion 146 is
substantially contained within passageway 148. In the extended
position, grip portion 146 is presented for grasping by a user, as
shown in FIG. 1. The grip portion 146 can project to opposing sides
of the handle assembly 140, as illustrated in FIGS. 2a and 2b, and
can slide back and forth between these two positions, moving
through the retracted position. The ability to position the grip
portion 146 to either side of the handle assembly 140 allows the
user to use either hand to transport the suitcase 100 as may be
convenient.
[0040] The grip portion 146 defines holes 150, and spring-biased
buttons 152 protrude through holes 150. Cross piece 144 also
defines holes 154; when grip portion 146 is moved such that a hole
154 is aligned with a button 152, the button 152 will engage the
hole 154 and fix the position of the grip portion 146 with respect
to the cross piece 144. In order to allow further movement of the
grip portion 146, the button 152 is depressed to allow the grip
portion 146 to slide through passageway 148.
[0041] The grip portion 146 and cross piece 144 could be adapted
and configured such that the grip portion 146 can slide through the
passageway 148 defined by the cross piece 144, but cannot rotate
with respect thereto. This could be done, for example, by making
the grip portion 146 oval or quadrilateral in cross section, or by
forming an axial groove on the inside of the cross piece 144 and an
extended axial protrusion on the outside of the grip portion
146.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, it is preferred that luggage
compartment 110 includes a handle 124 and a plurality of supports
126 on opposing sides. Handle 124 and supports 126 allow the
suitcase 100 to be positioned on the supports 126 without causing
wear of the luggage compartment 110 against a supporting surface,
and to be lifted and carried in that position when it is desired to
avoid using wheels 130.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a conventional wheeled suitcase
handle can be modified to exhibit the above described
characteristics by attaching a suitable handle extension. A
conventional suitcase handle assembly 240 emanates from the luggage
compartment 210 of a rolling suitcase 200. Conventional handle
assembly 240 includes two handle rods 242 and a cross piece 244
connecting handle rods 242. A handle extension 250 is secured to
handle assembly 240. Handle extension 250 includes a grip portion
256 which can assume an extended position in which the grip portion
256 extends out and is presented for grasping by a user. As with
the integrally formed handle assembly 140 described earlier, the
handle extension 250 thus allows a user to maintain the suitcase
200 to the side of the normal stride area as the suitcase 200 is
manually transported.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, to attach the handle extension
250, a housing 252 and a bracket 254 are placed on opposing sides
of the handle rods 242. Fasteners 258 are then used to force the
housing 252 and bracket 254 together, thereby securing housing 252
with respect to rods 242. The movable grip portion 256 is slidingly
contained in a passageway 260 defined by the housing 252. This
allows the grip portion 256 to move between an extended position
(shown in FIG. 7a) in which the grip portion 256 extends out from
the housing 252 and is presented for grasping and a retracted
position (shown in FIG. 7b) in which the grip portion 256 remains
substantially concealed in the housing 252. The grip portion 256
includes a spring-biased button 262. Button 262 engages holes 264
defined in housing 252 to fix the position of grip portion 256 with
respect to housing 252. Button 262 can be depressed to allow grip
portion 256 to pass through passageway 260. The placement of holes
264 on housing 252 allows grip portion 256 to be fixed in either
the extended or retracted position. It also allows the grip portion
256 to extend to opposing sides of the handle assembly 240, as
illustrated by FIGS. 7a and 7c. It will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art that multiple spring-biased buttons can be
provided with the grip portion 256, thereby allowing the grip
portion 256 to project to either side of the housing 252 and by
selectively varied amounts.
[0045] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the holes 154 in
the cross piece and the buttons 152 all align along the sliding
direction of the grip portion 146. As such, it is necessary, at
least in some cases (depending on the relative spacing of the holes
154 and buttons 152), to depress both buttons 152 when moving the
grip portion 146 from the retracted to the extended position. This
same feature is seen in the handle extension 250 illustrated in
FIG. 5.
[0046] In another preferred embodiment, illustrated by FIGS. 8a and
8b and similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, a handle
extension 350 includes a grip portion 356 slidingly contained in
the lumen 360 defined by a housing 352. The housing 352 is secured
to a handle assembly using a bracket 354 and fasteners 358.
Spring-biased buttons 362a-b are included in grip portion 356 and
are used to engage holes 364a-b in the housing 352. Buttons 362a-b
are offset with respect to one another in a direction perpendicular
to the direction of sliding of the grip portion 356. The holes
364a-b are similarly offset, but in the opposite direction to the
offset direction of the buttons 362a-b. As such, each button 362a-b
engages only one of the holes 364a-b. For example, in FIG. 8a,
button 362a is capable of engaging hole 364a, but not 364b. The
handle extension 350 allows the grip portion 356 to move from an
extended position to one side of the housing 352 to a retracted
position by depressing the button 362a. Button 362b is then
depressed to take the grip portion 356 from retracted to extended
in the opposite direction. While FIGS. 8a and 8b show buttons being
offset in the context of a handle extension, it will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art that the same concept can be
used for a suitcase handle assembly.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 9, in another preferred embodiment, an
elongated grip portion 446 sits in a lumen 448 defined by a cross
piece 444. Grip portion 446 includes a joint 447 located between
axially opposed first and second ends 450, 452. The joint 447
allows rotation of the first end 450 with respect to the second end
452 around an axis perpendicular to the axis a of rotation of the
suitcase wheels (not shown). However, such rotation is prevented by
the cross piece 444 when the joint 447 is located inside lumen 448,
and only by positioning grip portion 446 such that the joint 447 is
outside lumen 448 can ends 450, 452 rotate with respect to one
another. In this way, grip portion 446 can be selectively directed
perpendicularly to the axis a. Prefereably, the orientation of the
first end 450 with respect to the second 452 can be selectively
fixed at a plurality of orientations, and the grip portion 446 can
be selectively rotated within the cross piece 444, thereby allowing
the configuration of the grip portion 446 to be adjusted for the
comfort of the user. This can be beneficial when carrying heavy
loads, as it is more ergonomic. It should also be noted that the
grip portion 446 can achieve the same result without being hinged,
but rather by utilizing a curved grip portion 446, such that when
in the extended position, the grip portion 446 simultaneously
extends parallel to and perpendicular to axis a.
[0048] The above described handle assemblies and handle extensions
include a grip portion the moves slidingly between a retracted and
an extended position. However, the transition between retracted and
extended can be accomplished through other types of movement. For
example, another preferred embodiment of a handle extension is
shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. A handle assembly 540 has multiple handle
rods 542 and a cross piece 544 connecting the handle rods 542. A
handle extension 550 is coupled to the handle assembly 540 using a
bracket 554 and fasteners 558, and includes a grip portion 546 is
pivotally connected to housing 552. Thereby, the grip portion 546
can rotate to sit alternatively between the handle rods 542 and
adjacent to the cross piece 544 or extend laterally out from
between the handle rods 542 in a direction generally perpendicular
to the wheel axis 512. As with the previously described
embodiments, the handle extension 550 allows a user to walk to one
side of a wheeled suitcase 500. Although FIG. 10 refers to an
add-on handle extension, it will be readily apparent to one skilled
in the art that a handle assembly formed integrally with a suitcase
and embodying similar concepts to those embodied in FIG. 10 is also
possible.
[0049] In another preferred embodiment, a handle assembly comprises
a single handle rod. In such case, the grip portion slidingly or
pivotally couples to that single handle rod. The retracted position
would consist of the grip portion being partially contained within
the rod, for example, in a hollow created in the rod to receive the
grip portion.
[0050] Aside from those already presented, other methods for
retaining a handle extension on a conventional suitcase handle are
also possible. For example, the housing could incorporate a series
of C-clips or hook-and-loop fasteners that can be used to couple
the housing to the handle. Alternatively, the housing could sit
between the handle rods of the suitcase handle, with the rods
providing pressure to the housing that creates an appropriate
frictional force.
[0051] The grip portion has been described as a simple shaft that
moves between an extended and a retracted position. However, in a
preferred embodiment, the grip portion would include an interior
and an exterior shaft. The interior shaft would be contained within
the exterior shaft, and would selectively telescope out from the
exterior shaft. The exterior shaft could be fixed with respect to
the suitcase handle assembly, and the interior shaft could be fixed
with respect to the exterior shaft. In this way, the amount of
lateral offset between a user and a suitcase being manually
transported could be increased when desired by the user.
[0052] While the invention has been described with respect to
preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily
appreciate that various changes and/or modifications can be made to
the invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention as defined by the appended claims.
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