U.S. patent application number 11/186035 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-23 for accessory for wheeled transport devices.
Invention is credited to Douglas C. Dayton, David E. Duncanson, Sung K. Park.
Application Number | 20060037825 11/186035 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35908619 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060037825 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dayton; Douglas C. ; et
al. |
February 23, 2006 |
Accessory for wheeled transport devices
Abstract
A deployable gimbal-suspended beverage cup holder that is a
fixed or removable accessory to a piece of wheeled luggage or other
wheeled human-pulled transport device that permits hands-free
maintenance of a beverage, keeping the cup normal to the ground
plane while moving the luggage or transport device.
Inventors: |
Dayton; Douglas C.;
(Lexington, MA) ; Duncanson; David E.; (West
Newbury, MA) ; Park; Sung K.; (Newton Center,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FISH & RICHARDSON PC
P.O. BOX 1022
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55440-1022
US
|
Family ID: |
35908619 |
Appl. No.: |
11/186035 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60599423 |
Aug 6, 2004 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
190/110 ;
190/102; 190/111 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 23/0225 20130101;
A45F 2200/0583 20130101; A47G 2400/086 20130101; A45C 2013/306
20130101; A45C 13/28 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
190/110 ;
190/111; 190/102 |
International
Class: |
A45C 13/40 20060101
A45C013/40; A45C 3/00 20060101 A45C003/00 |
Claims
1. A wheeled transport device configured to be manually wheeled in
an inclined position by a pedestrian user, the transport device
comprising a main body defining a compartment therein for
containing goods to be transported and having a bottom surface upon
which the device is at least partially supported in a non-rolling,
upright position; a handle disposed at an upper end of the body
when the transport device is in an operative, inclined position,
the handle manually graspable by the pedestrian user while walking;
at least one wheel disposed at a lower end of the body when the
transport device is in an operative, inclined position, and
arranged to support the device while rolling along a surface upon
which the user is walking; and a holder attached to the device and
mounted to freely pivot about a substantially horizontal pivot axis
as the device is wheeled in its inclined position and as the device
is raised to its upright position, the holder defining therein an
aperture arranged to receive a personal item to be held by the
holder during use.
2. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the wheeled
transport device comprises a suitcase.
3. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the holder is
configured to hold a disposable beverage container.
4. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the aperture is
sized to hold a disposable coffee cup.
5. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the holder is
selectively movable between a first, deployed position exposed for
use, and a second, stowed position.
6. The wheeled transport device of claim 5, wherein, in its second,
stowed position, the holder is fully contained within an overall
outer boundary of the main body of the device.
7. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the holder is
mounted directly to the handle of the device.
8. The wheeled transport device of claim 7, wherein the handle is
selectively movable between a first, extended position and a
second, stowed position.
9. The wheeled transport device of claim 8, wherein the holder is
mounted to the handle so as to be automatically moved to a stowed
position as the handle is moved to its stowed position.
10. The wheeled transport device of claim 9, wherein the holder is
sized to lie completely within a volume bounded between the two
rails of the handle when in its stowed position.
11. The wheeled transport device of claim 7, wherein the holder is
mounted to the handle at two opposing pivots, one on each of two
parallel rails of the handle, that together define the pivot
axis.
12. The wheeled transport device of claim 7, wherein the holder is
selectively movable to any of a multiple number of positions along
the handle for use.
13. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the holder is
extendable from a lateral side of the main body for use.
14. The wheeled transport device of claim 13, wherein the holder is
pivotably mounted to a frame extendable from the main body of the
device to expose the holder for use.
15. The wheeled transport device of claim 14, wherein the frame is
pivotably mounted to the main body.
16. The wheeled transport device of claim 15, wherein the frame is
supported by a bi-stable spring that biases the frame toward its
extended position when extended, and biases the frame toward its
stowed position when stowed.
17. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the handle is
retractable and comprises at least two telescoping portions.
18. A method of transporting a beverage container, the method
comprising placing the beverage container in the holder of any of
the above claims; grasping the handle of the device; tipping the
device to its inclined position, the holder maintaining the
beverage container in a substantially upright condition; and
rolling the inclined device on its wheel along a surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/599,423, filed Aug. 6, 2004 and entitled
"Accessory for Wheeled Transport Devices," which is incorporated by
reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to wheeled transport devices, such as
luggage, carts or containers, configured to be manually pulled or
pushed in an inclined position by a pedestrian user.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Business travelers can frequently be seen wheeling carry-on
luggage through airports, bus terminals and such, often while
carrying other luggage or personal effects, or a beverage, in their
other hand. Thus, it appears to us that something is needed to help
reduce the number of items a pedestrian must juggle while
maneuvering from place to place while wheeling a suitcase. Such a
solution may also be employed to advantage for persons pushing or
pulling other wheeled carts or containers, such as trash cans,
garden carts or wheelbarrows.
SUMMARY
[0004] In various aspects, this invention features a holder, such
as a beverage cup holder, pivotably mounted to a hand-pulled/pushed
transport device, such as a suitcase, trash can, garden cart, hand
cart or other device that is supported by wheels and moved about in
an inclined position, that maintains a substantially stable
orientation with respect to the ground plane as the transport
device is tilted between resting and operating positions.
[0005] One aspect of the invention features a wheeled transport
device, such as a suitcase, configured to be manually wheeled in an
inclined position by a pedestrian user. The transport device
includes a main body defining a compartment for containing goods to
be transported, and having a bottom surface upon which the device
is at least partially supported in a non-rolling, upright position.
The device has a handle disposed at an upper end of the body when
the transport device is in an operative, inclined position, the
handle manually graspable by the pedestrian user while walking. At
least one wheel is disposed at a lower end of the body when the
transport device is in an operative, inclined position, and
arranged to support the device while rolling along a surface upon
which the user is walking. Notably, a holder is attached to the
device and mounted to freely pivot about a substantially horizontal
pivot axis as the device is wheeled in its inclined position and as
the device is raised to its upright position, the holder defining
an aperture arranged to receive a personal item, such as a beverage
container or other loose items, to be held by the holder during
use.
[0006] In some cases, the aperture is sized to hold a disposable
coffee cup.
[0007] In some embodiments, the holder is selectively movable
between a first, deployed position exposed for use, and a second,
stowed position. Preferably, in its second, stowed position, the
holder is fully contained within an overall outer boundary of the
main body of the device.
[0008] In some examples, the holder is mounted directly to the
handle of the device. The handle, in some configurations, is
selectively movable between a first, extended position and a
second, stowed position. The holder may be mounted to the handle so
as to be automatically moved to a stowed position as the handle is
moved to its stowed position. In some cases, the holder is mounted
to the handle at two opposing pivots, one on each of two parallel
rails of the handle, that together define the pivot axis.
Preferably, such a holder is sized to lie completely within a
volume bounded between the two rails of the handle when in its
stowed position.
[0009] In some embodiments, the holder is selectively movable to
any of a multiple number of positions along the handle for use.
[0010] In some other examples, the holder is extendable from a
lateral side of the main body for use. For example, the holder may
be pivotably mounted to a frame extendable from the main body of
the device to expose the holder for use. In one case, the frame is
pivotably mounted to the main body and supported by a bi-stable
spring that biases the frame toward its extended position when
extended, and biases the frame toward its stowed position when
stowed.
[0011] The handle, in some constructions, is retractable and
includes at least two telescoping portions.
[0012] Another aspect of the invention provides a method of
transporting a beverage container. The method includes placing the
beverage container in the holder of the above-described transport
device, grasping the handle of the device, tipping the device to
its inclined position, the holder maintaining the beverage
container in a substantially upright condition, and then rolling
the inclined device on its wheel along a surface.
[0013] The deployable beverage cup holder described herein can
allow the user free use of both hands for certain operations of the
transport process, while enjoying a beverage. The cup holder can be
configured to be automatically or manually storable upon the
transport device in a compact way that does not exceed the primary
boundary geometry of the body of the luggage or other transport
device. The cup holder is gimbal-mounted, such that normal
variations in inclination of the luggage caused by the transport
process are unlikely to tip the cup and spill the contents.
[0014] For transport devices such as luggage that are subject to
various governmental and airline regulations and rules, it is
preferable that the cup holder be either removable from the luggage
in its storage position, or completely stowable within the extent
of the main body of the luggage.
[0015] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are
set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below.
Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1A illustrates two travelers with wheeled suitcases
equipped with gimbaled cup holders, one in the background with the
suitcase upright, and one in the foreground with the suitcase
inclined for rolling.
[0017] FIGS. 1B-1D sequentially illustrate collapsing a suitcase
handle equipped with a gimbaled accessory holder, showing automatic
stowage of the holder as the handle is collapsed.
[0018] FIG. 1E is an exploded perspective view of the attachment of
the holder to handle of FIG. 1B.
[0019] FIG. 2A illustrates a gimbal-mounted cup holder attached to
the body of a piece of luggage being pulled by a person.
[0020] FIG. 3A illustrates a gimbal-mounted, removable cup holder
being attached to the handle of a piece of luggage.
[0021] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] Referring first to FIG. 1A, wheeled suitcases 8 are each
equipped with gimbaled beverage holders 12 attached to their
handles 16 between pivot mounts 11. The coaxial mounts 11 define a
gimbal axis positioned above the center of gravity of a beverage
container 10 placed in the cup holder, such that the cup holder is
self-righting as the suitcase is placed upright (as in the suitcase
in the background) or inclined for rolling on its wheels 14 (as in
the suitcase in the foreground). In this example, cup holder 12 is
in the form of a ring defining an aperture sized to fit about the
tapered sides of a standard beverage container, such as a
disposable coffee cup. In another example (not illustrated) the cup
holder is a cup-shaped device, for holding a wide range of beverage
containers or other loose items.
[0023] Cup holder 12 is mounted to handle 16 so as to automatically
stow when the handle is collapsed, as shown sequentially in FIGS.
1B-1D. As the telescoping sections of the handle 16 are collapsed
together (FIG. 1B), the cup holder 12 is automatically pivoted
about its gimbal axis to align with the handle and lie completely
between the twin longitudinal side rails 18 of the handle, as shown
in FIG. 1C. As the collapsed handle 16 is retracted into the frame
of the suitcase (FIG. 1D), cup holder 12 slides into a pocket 22
defined within the suitcase frame between the collapsed handle
rails, such that when the handle is retracted, the cup holder is
automatically and completely stowed within the outer dimensions of
the suitcase, so as to not impact bag geometry and outer structure
requirements as may be regulated by the United States Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) or other governmental agency. As
stowed, the cup holder 12 is protected from exposure to potential
damage during transit. As handle 16 is later extended for portage,
cup holder 12 is again exposed for receiving a beverage
container.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1E, one of many possible mechanisms to
automatically align the cup holder 12 with the side rails of the
handle during handle collapse includes a pivot block 26 permanently
located in one of the telescoping sections of the handle rail (as
illustrated in this case, in the lower handle section 28). Block 26
has a cylindrical protrusion 24 extending through and rotatable
within a hole 27 in the inner side of handle section 28, such that
block 26 may freely rotate within handle section 28 with the handle
fully deployed. Protrusion 24 defines a square recess 25 sized to
receive a square end 29 of one of the mounting bosses of cup holder
12, such that the cup holder rotates with block 26. The upper
section 30 of the handle defines an inner slit 31 along which
protrusion 24 can slide as the two handle sections are telescoped,
with the inner portion of block 26 sliding along the interior of
section 30. During handle collapse, a cam block 32 within the upper
handle section 30 engages and rotates the pivot block 26 as
necessary to align the flat sides 33 of the pivot block along the
longitudinal axis of the handle, thereby aligning the cup holder in
its stowage position.
[0025] The holder 12 shown in FIG. 1E is also equipped with an
optional netting 35 for holding loose items.
[0026] Referring next to FIG. 2A, a gimbaled cup holder 12a is
pivotably mounted on opposite ends to a frame 34 selectively
extendable from a side of suitcase 8a. Once extended as shown, cup
holder 12 is free to pivot about axis 38 defined by the pivots,
with the pivot axis disposed so as to be substantially above a
center of gravity of a cup of liquid held within the holder,
passing through a center of the aperture of the holder into which
the beverage container is placed, such that the cup holder will
tend to assume and retain a horizontal disposition over a wide
range of suitcase inclinations, similarly to the cup holder
arrangement described above. To that end, it is preferable that the
aperture through the cup holder be sized to fall near, but not at,
the upper rim of a standard disposable coffee cup placed within the
holder. Frame 34 may slidably retract into the outer structure of
the suitcase, or be hingedly attached to the suitcase frame and
biased toward both its fully extended and fully retracted positions
by a bi-stable spring (not shown). Frame 34 is preferably
dimensioned to allow the user to remove a standard coffee cup 10
from the cup holder with the bag in a fully upright position,
without tipping the cup.
[0027] Referring next to FIG. 3A, cup holder 12b is a semi-rigid
piece of molded plastic that is sufficiently flexible to be
resiliently bent for insertion into opposing pairs of a series of
holes 42 on inner surfaces of the rails of handle 16a. Before
handle collapse, holder 12b is manually removed and placed in a
pocket 44 on the side of the main body of the suitcase.
[0028] A number of embodiments of the invention have been
described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within
the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *