Connectable Suitcases with Configurable Wheels

Abstract

A system for improved travelability of a plurality of suitcases includes mechanisms to link a first upright suitcase to a second, prone-configuration suitcase. In some embodiments, the second, prone configured suitcase, has configurable wheels such that, in the prone configuration, at least two wheels interface with a surface on which the linked first upright suitcase and prone configured second suitcase rests.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most modern suitcases are configured with a set of four wheels on a surface at one end and a handle telescoping from an opposing surface. These suitcases function well for the purpose of carrying belongings through an airport or city with relative ease due to the handle and wheels.

Unfortunately, many people require more than one suitcase to carry all of their belongings. It is very difficult for one person to maneuver two of the above suitcases through a city or airport. To overcome this issue, some users strap their suitcases together, creating an 8-wheeled suitcase that is pulled by a single handle. This also works well for certain situations, but often, the traveler has other objects to carry such as backpacks, baby seats (with or without a baby therein), shopping bags, etc. These items cannot be easily affixed to a suitcase and cannot rest easily atop two suitcases that are strapped together as there is often a height difference between two suitcases.

Furthermore, the wheels of the suitcase often create several problems. First, the wheels add to the overall height of the suitcase and sometimes make it so the suitcase cannot fit as carry-on luggage in the overhead compartments of an airplane. Second, the wheels protrude from the bottom of the suitcase and are easily damaged during the checking and loading process of the airline.

What is needed is a system for suitcases that interlocks in a way to allow for transporting items atop one suitcase and allow for configuration of the wheels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system for improved travelability of a plurality of suitcases includes mechanisms to link a first upright suitcase to a second, prone-configuration suitcase. In some embodiments, the second, prone configured suitcase, has configurable wheels such that, in the prone configuration, at least two wheels interface with a surface on which the linked first upright suitcase and prone configured second suitcase rests.

In one embodiment, a suitcase system is disclosed including a first suitcase that has a top surface, a bottom surface, side surfaces, a handle extendably mounted to the top surface, a plurality of wheels interfaced to the bottom surface, and two connecting members. A first connecting member of the two connecting members is affixed to a first side surface of the first suitcase and a second connecting member of the two connecting members is affixed to a second side surface of the first suitcase. The first side surface faces in a first direction and the second side surface faces in a direction opposite to the first direction. The suitcase system includes a second suitcase having a second top surface, a second bottom surface, second side surfaces, a second handle extendably mounted to the second top surface, a set of wheels interfaced to a side surface and two mating connecting members. A first mating connecting member of the two mating connecting members is affixed to a first surface of the second suitcase and a second mating connecting member of the two mating connecting members is affixed to a second surface of the second suitcase, the first surface being on an opposing side to the second surface. When the first suitcase is positioned in an upright configuration having the plurality of wheels on a surface and the second suitcase is positioned in a prone configuration having the set of wheels on the surface, the two connecting members align with the two mating connecting members for connecting the first suitcase to the second suitcase and when the two connecting members are locked with the two mating connecting members, the second suitcase moves in tandem with the first suitcase.

In another embodiment, a method of moving two or more suitcases is disclosed including standing a first suitcase in an upright configuration in which a set of wheels of the first suitcase is resting on a surface and a handle of the first suitcase is distal from the surface. Providing a second suitcase that has at least one pair of wheels positioned on a side surface of the second suitcase and laying a second suitcase in a prone configuration in which the at least one pair of wheels of the second suitcase are resting on the surface. Now, connecting the second suitcase to the first suitcase such that, when moving the first suitcase, the second suitcase moving in tandem with the first suitcase.

In another embodiment, a suitcase system is disclosed including a first suitcase that has a top surface, a bottom surface, side surfaces, a handle extendably mounted to the top surface, a plurality of wheels interfaced to the bottom surface, and two connecting members. A first connecting member of the two connecting members is affixed to a first side surface and a second connecting member of the two connecting members affixed to a second side surface. The first side surface facing in a first direction and the second side surface facing in a direction opposite to the first direction. A second suitcase has a second top surface, a second bottom surface, second side surfaces, a second handle extendably mounted to the second top surface, a set of wheels rotatably interface to the second suitcase such that in a first position, the set of wheels extend from the second bottom surface and in a second position, the set of wheels extend from one side surface of the second suitcase. There is a first mating connecting member affixed to a first surface of the second suitcase and a second mating connecting member affixed to a second surface of the second suitcase. The first surface being on an opposing side to the second surface and the first surface being at approximately 90-degrees with respect to the one side surface. When the first suitcase is positioned in an upright configuration having the plurality of wheels on a surface and the second suitcase is positioned in a prone configuration having the set of wheels on the surface, the two connecting members align with the two mating connecting members for connecting the first suitcase to the second suitcase and when the two connecting members are locked with the two mating connecting members, the second suitcase moves in tandem with the first suitcase.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an elevational view of the prior art showing multiple suitcases linked together.

FIG. 2 illustrates an elevational view of two suitcases linked together, one upright and one in a prone configuration.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second elevational view of two suitcases linked together, one upright and one in a prone configuration.

FIG. 4 illustrates an elevational view of two suitcases linked together, one upright and one in a prone configuration, carrying a third suitcase.

FIG. 5 illustrates an elevational view of three suitcases linked together, one upright and one in a prone configuration, carrying a child seat and child.

FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate an exemplary wheel retraction mechanism.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 illustrate an exemplary wheel rotation mechanism.

FIG. 10 illustrates a zipper arrangement for handle removal and replacement.

FIGS. 11, 12, and 13 illustrate use of the zipper arrangement for replacing a bent handle with a new or different handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Throughout this description, the term suitcase refers to any conveyance of contents, typically clothing and travel-related contents, often used for travel by any conveyance available such as train, airplane, walking through city streets, bus, etc. Although the disclosed invention is usable in many forms of suitcases, some with wheels and some without, the disclosed invention is shown using suitcases of generally cuboid shape. Often, the suitcase of cuboid shape has a height that is greater than its width and length, though not restricted to such, with wheels at one end and a handle at an opposing end. Often, though not required, the handle is telescoping. Throughout this description, the ends of the suitcase will refer to the top and bottom of the suitcase, typically having the smallest surface area while the sides of the suitcase will refer to the sides that typically have a greater surface area than the ends. In general, the sides are at approximately 90-degree angles with respect to each other and opposing sides are substantially parallel. It should be noted that the surfaces of some suitcases are not perfectly flat, hence the term approximately 90-degrees and substantially parallel.

For clarity and brevity reasons, the suitcases are shown without any access systems as it is well known in the art to provide zippered covers or hinged sides with latches to open/close suitcases.

Referring to FIG. 1, an elevational view of the prior art showing multiple suitcases 100/102/104 linked together is shown. In such, three suitcases 100/102/104 are linked by clips 120/122. Each of the three suitcases 100/102/104 has wheels 110 at one end and at least one of the three suitcases 100/102/104, for example suitcase 100, has a handle 106 for pulling the three suitcases 100/102/104 as one unit. This configuration functions for moving the three suitcases 100/102/104 in tandem, for example, through an airport or city street, but each of the three suitcases 100/102/104 has their own set of wheels 110 (4 wheels per each suitcase of the three suitcases 100/102/104) which greatly increases friction which resists moving of the three suitcases 100/102/104 and greatly increases the possibility of any of the 12 wheels from binding or getting stuck. Further, as shown, variations in the size of each suitcase of the three suitcases 100/102/104 leads to un uneven upper surface that is not suited to carrying other objects such as a backpack, child seat, shopping bag, carry-on bag, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 2, and 3, elevational views of two suitcases 200/202 linked together are shown. A first suitcase 200 is in an upright configuration and a second suitcase 202 is in a prone configuration. The first suitcase 200 is linked to the second suitcase 202 by a locking mechanism, in this embodiment, a connecting member (in this example, a clip 222) and mating connecting member (second half of the clip 222 which is not visible). Note that although one side surface of each of the first suitcase 200 and second suitcase 202 are shown, the same or similar locking mechanism is provided on the opposing side of each of the first suitcase 200 and second suitcase 202.

For completeness, a handle 206 is shown for pulling both the first suitcase 200 and the second suitcase 202 in tandem. As the second suitcase 202 is in the prone position, there is now a relatively flat surface on which other objects can be placed and transported such as a backpack, a child seat, a shopping bag, a carry-on bag, etc.

The first suitcase has wheels 210 interfaced to a bottom surface and a handle 206 extendably interfaced at a distal, opposing top surface. The handle 206 typically telescopes from the top surface, though there is no requirement for such. In the view shown, the handle 206 bends or flexes to improve pulling ability of the tandem suitcases 200/202.

It should be noted that the second suitcase 202 has wheels 212 on one side for transporting the second suitcase 202 in the prone configuration. Typically, such suitcases have wheels 210 interfaced to a bottom surface, but there are no wheels shown at the bottom surface of the second suitcase 202, though it is fully anticipated that the second suitcase 202 has wheels at the bottom surface (e.g., the left end as shown in FIG. 2). As will be discussed, in some embodiments, the wheels of either or both of the first suitcase 200 and the second suitcase 202 are either retractable or rotatable as discussed with FIGS. 6-9. In such, in some embodiments, the second suitcase 202 has wheels 210 interfaced to the bottom surface, but the wheels 210 are not visible in FIG. 2, as the wheels 210 are retracted or have been rotated to be positioned towards the surface on which the second suitcase 202 rests. Also, to reduce the number of wheels 210 that interface with the ground, in some embodiments, the right set of wheels 212 are not present (either stationary, hinged and rotated, or popped-out) and only the left set of wheels 212 are provided to keep the left end of the second suitcase 202 from dragging on the surface.

In FIG. 2, the first suitcase 200 and the second suitcase 202 are linked to each other with clips 222 while in FIG. 3, the first suitcase 200 and the second suitcase 202 are linked to each other by a sheet of cloth 222A, sewn (stitches 224) to one of the first suitcase 200 and the second suitcase 202 at one end of the sheet of cloth 222A and snapping to snaps 223 that are affixed to a side of another of the first suitcase 200 and the second suitcase 202. The clips 222 and sheets of cloth 222A are examples of ways that two suitcase 200/202 are linked, as many other types of linkages are fully anticipated an included herein, including, but not limited to straps, buckle mechanisms, bungee cords, etc.

Note that it is also fully anticipated that the locking mechanism be interfaced to the top (or bottom) surface of the second suitcase 202 and to a side surface of the first suitcase 200 (the side surface of the first suitcase 200 that abuts the second suitcase 202), for example, a strong magnet or a locking pin.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, an elevational view of two suitcases 200/202 linked together, one upright and one in a prone configuration, carrying a third suitcase 240 or a baby seat 250 is shown. In this view, the first suitcase 200 and the second suitcase 202 are linked by clips 222, though any linkage is anticipated as described above. The relatively flat side surface of the second suitcase 202 that is in the prone configuration provides a good surface on which to lay a third suitcase or a box 240 for transporting the third suitcase or box 240 in tandem with the first suitcase 200 and the second suitcase 202.

In FIG. 5, the first suitcase 200 is linked to the second suitcase 202, and the second suitcase 202 is linked to a third suitcase 204 and a baby seat 250 (e.g., with baby) is shown resting on the relatively planar side surface (or front surface) of the second suitcase 202. Note that for safety reasons, it is anticipated that the first suitcase 200 and/or the second suitcase 202 include attachment points for straps that secure the baby seat 250 to either the first suitcase 200 or the second suitcase 202, or both.

It should be noted that in the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the complete set of wheels 210/212 are shown, though as discussed previously, to improve mobility, it is fully anticipated that some of the wheels 210/212 not be present, either not provided, retracted, or rotated as will be discussed.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, an exemplary wheel assembly 285 that is retractable is shown. In FIG. 6, the wheels 210 are extended and in FIG. 7, the wheels 210 are retracted. In FIG. 6, a plate or post 282 locks the wheel 210, preventing the shaft 281 of the wheel 210 from pushing up, into a cavity within the suitcase 200. In FIG. 7, the shaft 281 is rotated 90 degrees and the plate or post 282 passes through a cavity formed in the frame 205 of the suitcase 200, allowing the wheels 210 to retract against the frame 205 of the suitcase 200. Note that the wheels 210 are rotatably mounted to a second axle 211 of the wheel assembly 285. Also shown are stops 280/284. The upper stop 284 prevents wheel assembly 285 from exiting the hole in the frame 205 of the suitcase 200 and the lower stop 280, which is optional, prevents the wheel assembly 285 from pushing too far into the frame 205 of the suitcase 200. Note that once wheel assembly 285 is moved into the retracted position, the shaft 281 is again rotated to turn the plate or post 282 to lock the wheel assembly 285 in the retracted position, if desired.

Referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, an exemplary wheel rotation mechanism is shown. In FIG. 8, the wheel 212 is positioned at the bottom of the second suitcase 202 (or any suitcase) while in FIG. 9, the wheel 212 is positioned at the side of the second suitcase 202. In such, the shaft 281 of the wheel 212 is mounted to a pivot 252, allowing the wheel 212 to rotate to/from a position at the bottom of the second suitcase 202 to a position at the side of the suitcase 202. Detent mechanisms 254 holds the shaft 281 in the set position until a user forces the shaft 281 (and wheel 212) into the alternate configuration. The wheel 212 rotates around a wheel axle 213.

Referring to FIG. 10, a zipper arrangement for removal and replacement of a handle 310 is shown. As the handle of a suitcase 300 sometimes breaks or a user prefers a different style handle such as a bendable handle, the suitcase 300 has a removable handle that is facilitated by a zipper mechanism 302. In FIG. 10, the top surface of a suitcase 300 is shown with a zipper mechanism 302 for removably holding the handle 310 to a top surface of the suitcase 300. The handle 310 is extendably mounted to a central frame 304 that is affixed to the zipper mechanism 302. Operation of the zipper arrangement for removal and replacement of a handle 310 is discussed below.

Referring to FIGS. 11, 12, and 13, the use of the zipper arrangement for replacing a handle 310 with a new or different handle 310A is shown. In this example, the handle 310 has a bend 312 and needs to be replaced. In FIG. 11, the handle 310 is shown affixed to the suitcase 300 by the zipper mechanism 302. In FIG. 12, the zipper mechanism 302 is unzipped and the handle 310 and central frame 304 separates from the suitcase 300 for replacement. In FIG. 13, a new handle 310A with a straight shaft 312A and a new central frame 304 is shown being inserted into the suitcase 300 and, once fully inserted, the zipper mechanism 302 is operated to engage and hold the new handle 310A to the suitcase 300. Note that it is fully anticipated that the handle 310/new handle 310A retract into and extend out of the suitcase 300 as known in the art.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.

Claims

1. A suitcase system comprising: a first suitcase having a top surface, a bottom surface, side surfaces, a handle extendably mounted to the top surface, a plurality of wheels interfaced to the bottom surface and two connecting members, a first connecting member of the two connecting members affixed to a first side surface of the side surfaces and a second connecting member of the two connecting members affixed to a second side surface of the side surfaces, the first side surface facing in a first direction and the second side surface facing in a direction opposite to the first direction;a second suitcase having a second top surface, a second bottom surface, second side surfaces, a second handle extendably mounted to the second top surface, a set of wheels interfaced to a side surface and two mating connecting members, a first mating connecting member of the two mating connecting members affixed to a first surface of the second side surfaces and a second mating connecting member of the two mating connecting members affixed to a second surface of the second side surfaces, the first surface being on an opposing side to the second surface; andwhereas, when the first suitcase is positioned in an upright configuration having the plurality of wheels on a surface and the second suitcase is positioned in a prone configuration having the set of wheels on the surface, the two connecting members align with the two mating connecting members for connecting the first suitcase to the second suitcase and when the two connecting members are locked with the two mating connecting members, the second suitcase moves in tandem with the first suitcase.

2. The suitcase system of claim 1, wherein the two connecting members are clips affixed to the first suitcase and the two mating connecting members are mating clips affixed to the second suitcase.

3. The suitcase system of claim 1, wherein the two mating connecting members are clips affixed to the second suitcase and the two connecting members are mating clips affixed to the first suitcase.

4. The suitcase system of claim 1, wherein the two connecting members are sheets of cloth that are sewn to the first suitcase and the two mating connecting members are snaps that are interfaced to the second suitcase.

5. The suitcase system of claim 1, wherein the two mating connecting members are sheets of cloth that are sewn to the second suitcase and the two connecting members are snaps that are interfaced to the first suitcase.

6. The suitcase system of claim 1, wherein the set of wheels of the second suitcase are interfaced to a third surface of the second side surfaces, the third surface being at a 90-degree angle with respect to the first surface.

7. The suitcase system of claim 6, wherein the set of wheels of the second suitcase are four wheels.

8. The suitcase system of claim 6, wherein the set of wheels of the second suitcase is two wheels.

9. The suitcase system of claim 8, wherein the two wheels are rotatably interfaced to the second suitcase and positioned on the second bottom surface of the second suitcase when the second suitcase is used in the upright configuration and positioned on the third surface of the second suitcase when the second suitcase is used in the prone configuration.

10. The suitcase system of claim 9, further comprising two additional wheels interfaced to the second suitcase and positioned on the second bottom surface of the second suitcase.

11. The suitcase system of claim 10, wherein the two additional wheels are retractable between a first position in which the two additional wheels extend from the second bottom surface of the second suitcase and a second position in which the two additional wheels rest beneath the second bottom surface of the second suitcase.

12. The suitcase system of claim 1, wherein the handle is removably affixed to the top surface of the first suitcase for exchangeability of the handle.

13. The suitcase system of claim 12, wherein the handle is removably affixed to the top surface of the first suitcase by a zipper mechanism.

14. The suitcase system of claim 1, further comprising a third suitcase having a third top surface, a third bottom surface, third side surfaces, a third handle extendably mounted to the third top surface, a third set of wheels interfaced to the third bottom surface and a third set of mating connecting members affixed to an opposing pair of the third side surfaces for mating with another set of connecting members affixed to the second side surfaces of the second suitcase.

15. A method of moving two or more suitcases, the method comprising: standing a first suitcase in an upright configuration in which a set of wheels of the first suitcase are resting on a surface and a handle of the first suitcase is distal from the surface;providing a second suitcase having at least one pair of wheels positioned on a side surface of the second suitcase and laying the second suitcase in a prone configuration in which the at least one pair of wheels of the second suitcase is resting on the surface; andconnecting the second suitcase to the first suitcase such that, when moving the first suitcase, the second suitcase moving in tandem with the first suitcase.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein when connecting the second suitcase to the first suitcase, a pair of connecting member that is affixed to opposing side surface of the first suitcase are engaged with a pair of mating connecting members that is affixed to other opposing side surfaces of the second suitcase.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the one pair of wheels are positioned on the side surface of the second suitcase by rotating the one pair of wheels from a configuration in which the one pair of wheels are positioned on a bottom surface of the second suitcase into a configuration in which the one pair of wheels are positioned on the side surface of the second suitcase.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the one pair of wheels are positioned on the side surface of the second suitcase using a mechanism in which the one pair of wheels retracts when the second suitcase is in a configuration other than the prone configuration and the one pair of wheels are extended when the second suitcase is in the prone configuration.

19. A suitcase system comprising: a first suitcase having a top surface, a bottom surface, side surfaces, a handle extendably mounted to the top surface and a plurality of wheels interfaced to the bottom surface and two connecting members, a first connecting member of the two connecting members affixed to a first side surface of the side surfaces and a second connecting member of the two connecting members affixed to a second side surface of the side surfaces, the first side surface facing in a first direction and the second side surface facing in a direction opposite to the first direction;a second suitcase having a second top surface, a second bottom surface, second side surfaces, a second handle extendably mounted to the second top surface, a set of wheels rotatably interface to the second suitcase such that in a first position, the set of wheels extend from the second bottom surface and in a second position, the set of wheels extend from one side surface of the second side surfaces; two mating connecting members, a first mating connecting member of the two mating connecting members affixed to a first surface of the second side surfaces and a second mating connecting member of the two mating connecting members affixed to a second surface of the second side surfaces, the first surface being on an opposing side to the second surface and the first surface being at approximately 90-degrees with respect to the one side surface; andwhereas, when the first suitcase is positioned in an upright configuration having the plurality of wheels on a surface and the second suitcase is positioned in a prone configuration having the set of wheels on the surface, the two connecting members align with the two mating connecting members for connecting the first suitcase to the second suitcase and when the two connecting members are locked with the two mating connecting members, the second suitcase moves in tandem with the first suitcase.

20. The suitcase system of claim 19, wherein the two connecting members are clips affixed to the first suitcase and the two mating connecting members are mating clips affixed to the second suitcase or the two connecting members are mating clips affixed to the first suitcase and the two mating connecting members are clips affixed to the second suitcase.