U.S. patent application number 14/929819 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-08 for luggage having electrical generator.
The applicant listed for this patent is Paul Attebery, Darrick Floyd. Invention is credited to Paul Attebery, Darrick Floyd.
Application Number | 20160255934 14/929819 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56850185 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160255934 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Attebery; Paul ; et
al. |
September 8, 2016 |
Luggage Having Electrical Generator
Abstract
Luggage having an electrical generator for powering or
recharging electronic devices is provided. The luggage includes a
body resembling any of various types of luggage having one or more
rotating wheels, such as a suitcase or carry-on bag, among others.
An electrical generator is operably connected to a wheel of the
luggage in order to produce electricity as the wheels of the
luggage are rolled along a surface. A port is electrically
connected to the electrical generator, wherein electricity produced
by the electrical generator is supplied to the port in order to
power an electronic device removably engaged therewith. A control
is provided for engaging and disengaging the electrical generator
with a wheel of the luggage. In some embodiments, a battery is
provided for storing electricity produced by the electrical
generator.
Inventors: |
Attebery; Paul;
(Bakersfield, CA) ; Floyd; Darrick; (Bakersfield,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Attebery; Paul
Floyd; Darrick |
Bakersfield
Bakersfield |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56850185 |
Appl. No.: |
14/929819 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62126760 |
Mar 2, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 15/00 20130101;
A45C 5/14 20130101; A45C 15/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45C 15/00 20060101
A45C015/00; A45C 5/14 20060101 A45C005/14 |
Claims
1) A luggage device having an electrical generator, comprising: a
body having an upper end and a lower end, said lower end having at
least one rotatable wheel thereon; an electrical generator
removably engageable with said at least one rotatable wheel;
wherein rotation of said at least one rotatable wheels powers said
electrical generator when said electrical generator is engaged
therewith; a port disposed on said body and electrically connected
to said electrical generator, wherein said port is adapted to
removably receive an electronic device so as to provide electricity
thereto.
2) The luggage device of claim 1, wherein said body resembles a
suitcase.
3) The luggage device of claim 1, wherein said body comprises a
main compartment adapted for use in storing various items, and
comprises an enclosed compartment in which said electrical
generator is positioned.
4) The luggage device of claim 1, further comprising a control
disposed on said body and electrically connected to said electrical
generator, wherein said control engages and disengages said
electrical generator with said at least one rotatable wheel on said
lower end of said body.
5) The luggage device of claim 1, further comprising a battery
electrically connected to said electrical generator, wherein said
battery is adapted to store electrical energy produced by said
electrical generator.
6) The luggage device of claim 1, further comprising a vent on said
body adapted to allow heat produced by said electrical generator to
escape said body.
7) The luggage device of claim 1, wherein said at least one
rotatable wheel comprises a pair of rotatable wheels connected by
an axle.
8) The luggage device of claim 1, wherein said electrical generator
comprises an external wheel adapted to engage with said at least
one rotatable wheel such that rotation of said at least one
rotatable wheel causes said external wheel to rotate, wherein
rotation of said external wheel drives said generator.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/126,760 filed on Mar. 2, 2015. The above
identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference
in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to luggage. More specifically,
the present invention provides luggage having means for powering or
charging an electronic device, such as a smartphone or tablet,
among any of various other electronic devices.
[0003] People often use one or more mobile electronic devices while
traveling, such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, among others.
People may use these devices in order to communicate with friends,
family, or coworkers, to arrange transportation, to perform work,
or to engage in leisure activities. However, frequent use of mobile
electronic devices may cause the battery to drain rapidly,
requiring the user to charge the device.
[0004] While traveling, it can be difficult to find somewhere to
plug in a mobile electronic device for charging. Train stations,
bus terminals, and airports generally lack publicly accessible
power outlets. Lounges or other areas where power outlets are
available may only have a limited number of power outlets. As a
result, a person may be unable to charge his or her mobile device,
causing the battery to deplete or causing the person to cease using
the mobile device in order to retain any remaining battery life for
an emergency situation. For these reasons, it is difficult to
maintain battery life of an electronic device while traveling.
[0005] Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to
portable charging devices. These include devices that have been
patented and published in patent application publications. These
devices generally relate to luggage or bags having means for
charging or powering an electronic device, such as U.S. Published
Patent Application Number 2013/0221898, U.S. Published Patent
Application Number 2012/0152677, U.S. Published Patent Application
Number 2010/0231161, U.S. Published Patent Application Number
2014/0116413, and U.S. Published Patent Application Number
2005/0162121.
[0006] These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The
devices in the prior art fail to provide luggage having an
electrical generator that can be removably engaged with the wheels
of the luggage. Further, the devices in the prior art fail to
provide a battery for storing electricity produced by the
electrical generator.
[0007] In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is
submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in
design elements from the prior art and consequently it is clear
that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing
portable charging devices. In this regard the instant invention
substantially fulfills these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known
types of luggage now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides new luggage having an electrical generator
wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the
user when charging or powering an electronic device while
traveling.
[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a new and improved luggage comprising one or more wheels
and an electrical generator, wherein the electrical generator is
powered by rotation of the wheels of the luggage.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide
luggage having an electrical generator that produces electricity
and supplies the electricity to a port adapted to removably receive
an electronic device so as to power or recharge the same.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide
luggage having an electrical generator having a control for
activating and deactivating the electrical generator.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
luggage having an electrical generator housed separately from a
main compartment of the luggage.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
luggage having an electrical generator that may be readily
fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are
commensurate with durability.
[0014] Other objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] Although the characteristic features of this invention will
be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and
manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood
after a review of the following description, taken in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are
provided throughout.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a transparent view of the luggage having an
electrical generator.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a plan view of an embodiment of the electrical
generator.
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a rear cross sectional view of the luggage
having an electrical generator.
[0019] FIG. 4 shows a side cross sectional view of the luggage
having an electrical generator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like
reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like
or similar elements of the luggage having an electrical generator.
For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the
present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as
used for generating electricity to power an electronic device. The
figures are intended for representative purposes only and should
not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a transparent view
of the luggage having an electrical generator. The luggage 11
comprises a body 12, wherein the body 12 can be that of any luggage
having at least one wheel 15 thereon. Thus, the luggage 11 can
resemble a suitcase, a rollable carry-on bag, a rollable trunk, or
any of various other rollable devices. The luggage 11 further
comprises a handle 20 that extends upward from the body 12 of the
luggage. The handle 20 may be telescopic so as to retract into the
body 12 and extend therefrom as desired. It is not desired to limit
the specific type of luggage utilized and a person having ordinary
skill in the art can readily envision various types of wheeled
luggage, bags, and the like.
[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the luggage 11 comprises a
body 12 having an upper end 13 and a lower end 14. The lower end 14
includes at least one rotatable wheel 15 thereon. Preferably, the
luggage 11 comprises a pair of rotatable wheels 15 rotatable about
a common axle 17, wherein each of said rotatable wheels 15 is
disposed on said axle 17. An electrical generator 16 is removably
engageable with the wheels 15 or with the axle 17, wherein the
electrical generator 16 is driven by rotation of the wheels 15 or
axle 17 as the luggage 11 is rolled along a surface, such that
rotation of the wheels 15 or axle 17 allows the generator 16 to
produce electricity. The electricity produced by the electrical
generator 16 is then supplied to a port 19 disposed on the body 12
of the luggage so that a user may power or recharge an electronic
device.
[0023] A control 26 is provided for engaging and disengaging the
electrical generator 16 with the wheel 15 or axle 17. The control
26 is operably connected to the electrical generator 16 via an
electrical cable 18. When it is not desired for the generator 16 to
produce electricity, the electrical generator 16 can be disengaged
via the control 26. In this way, the wheels 15 can rotate freely
and without resistance from the electrical generator 16. When it is
desired to produce electricity to charge an electronic device, the
control 26 can be operated so that the electrical generator 16
engages the wheel 15 or axle 17 so as to utilize the rotational
energy to produce electrical energy.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a plan view of an
embodiment of the electrical generator. The electrical generator 16
can be engaged with the wheel 15 or axle 17 through various
arrangements. In some embodiments, the axle 17 comprises a fixed
gear 31 thereon that rotates as the wheels 15 of the luggage 11
rotate. The generator 16 comprises a rotatable shaft 32 having a
freely rotating gear 33 thereon, wherein the freely rotating gear
33 engages with the fixed gear 31 on the axle 17. The rotatable
shaft 32 further includes a clutch 34 that can be removably engaged
with the freely rotating gear 33, wherein engagement of the clutch
34 with the freely rotating gear 33 causes the freely rotating gear
33 to become a fixed to the rotatable shaft 32, such that rotation
of the freely rotating gear 33 also causes the shaft to rotate 32.
Rotary motion of the rotatable shaft 32 causes the electrical
generator 16 to produce electricity. However, when the clutch 34 is
not engaged with the freely rotating gear 33, the freely rotating
gear 33 rotates about the shaft and the shaft 32 does not rotate.
Various alternate arrangements for driving the electrical generator
are contemplated, so long as the rotation of the wheels or axle
provides the driving force for production of electrical energy.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a rear cross sectional
view of an embodiment of the luggage having an electrical
generator. In the illustrated embodiment, the generator 16
comprises an external wheel 21 that is removably engageable with a
rotatable wheel 15 of the luggage 11. The external wheel 21 is
movable from an inactive position in which the external wheel 21
does not contact the rotatable wheel 15, to an active position
where the external wheel 21 contacts the rotatable wheel 15. In the
active position, the external wheel 21 rotates as the rotatable
wheel 15 rotates, wherein the rotation of the external wheel 21
drives the electrical generator 16. A control 26 is provided,
wherein operation of the control 26 causes the external wheel 21 to
move between the inactive and active positions. The external wheel
21 may be operably connected to an actuator that causes the
external wheel 21 to shift laterally so as to disengage the wheel
15 of the luggage 11.
[0026] In some embodiments, a battery 22 is electrically connected
to the electrical generator 16 via an electrical cable 18 for
storing electricity produced by the electrical generator 16. In
this way, electricity is generated while the user rolls the luggage
11 from one location to another, and the electricity is stored for
later use. Without the battery 22, an electronic device could only
be charged or powered while the luggage 11 is actively being
rolled.
[0027] The luggage 11 further comprises a port 19 on an upper end
13 thereof adapted to receive an electronic device therein. The
port 19 is electrically connected to the electrical generator 16,
wherein electricity produced by the electrical generator 16 is
distributed to the port 19. Alternatively, in embodiments having a
battery 22, the electricity produced by the generator is stored in
the battery 22, and the battery 22 is in electrical connection with
the port 19. The port 19 is preferably a USB port, however, various
other types of ports are contemplated. In this way, the user can
removably engage a charging cable of an electronic device, or the
electronic device itself, with the port 19 of the luggage 11 in
order to charge or power the same.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a side cross
sectional view of the luggage having an electrical generator. In
the illustrated embodiment, the luggage 11 comprises a body 12
resembling a traditional suitcase. The body 12 comprises an
interior volume 23 in which clothes and various other items can be
stored for travel. The interior volume 23 is accessible via a lid
24 that is removably securable over the interior volume 23, via a
fastener such as a zipper, so as to enclose the same. The interior
volume 23 can be divided into one or more compartments depending
upon the embodiment. It is not desired to limit the configuration
of the compartments or storage areas within the luggage 11.
[0029] The electrical generator 16 is housed within an enclosed
compartment 25 of the body 12 of the luggage 11 so that the
electrical generator 16 is not accessible from the interior volume
23 of the luggage 11. The electrical generator 16 and other
electrical components are not visible by the user and are
positioned separately from the interior volume 23 of the luggage
11. Preferably, the enclosed compartment 25 is composed of a rigid
material so as to protect the generator 16 and other electrical
components from damage. The generator 16 may be positioned within a
waterproof enclosure to prevent exposure of the generator 16 to
liquid in the event that the luggage 11 becomes wet due to
precipitation, or in the event a liquid spills within the interior
volume 23 of the luggage 11.
[0030] In some embodiments, the body 12 further comprises a vent 26
adapted to allow heat produced from the generator 16 to escape from
the body 12 of the luggage 11. The vent 26 helps to prevent the
generator 16 from overheating and helps to prevent the generator 16
from heating the interior volume 23 of the luggage 11. The vent 26
is positioned adjacent to the location of the generator 16. The
vent 26 can be located on a rear portion of the body 12 or can be
positioned on the lower end or underside of the luggage 11,
depending upon the embodiment.
[0031] It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has
been shown and described in what is considered to be the most
practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however,
that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and
that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the
art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be
realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts
of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape,
form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are
deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and
all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings
and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed
by the present invention.
[0032] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only
of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly,
all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to,
falling within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *