초록 ▼

Automatically retractable and extendable wheel assembly is disclosed for use in conjunction with luggage cases, especially upright carry-on luggage cases and garment bags. Luggage wheels automatically extend to provide a luggage case which is tilted and with a long wheel base so that the case may co

Automatically retractable and extendable wheel assembly is disclosed for use in conjunction with luggage cases, especially upright carry-on luggage cases and garment bags. Luggage wheels automatically extend to provide a luggage case which is tilted and with a long wheel base so that the case may comfortably and with stability be pushed or pulled across the floor upon three or more wheels, thereby removing the weight of the case from the user's arm. When the case is removed from the floor, the luggage wheels automatically retract to a protected position, thereby reducing the overall dimensions of the case to permit it to be carried aboard aircraft and stored in overhead luggage bins. Apparatus is disclosed for preventing inadvertent retraction of a wheel when the wheel encounters a pebble or crack in the floor.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] In an article of luggage comprising a body having a bottom, a back intersecting the bottom, at least one first wheel attached upon the bottom, and a wheel handle for rollably pushing and pulling the article across a supporting surface, an improvement including an automatically retr

[ We claim:] [1.] In an article of luggage comprising a body having a bottom, a back intersecting the bottom, at least one first wheel attached upon the bottom, and a wheel handle for rollably pushing and pulling the article across a supporting surface, an improvement including an automatically retractable and extendible wheel assembly, said assembly comprising:at least one housing fixed on said body and having an aperture therein;an arm member movably disposed through said aperture;at least one other wheel rotatably mounted upon said arm member;axle means for pivotally mounting said arm member partially within said housing for pivoting said arm member with respect to said body, said arm member pivotal between a retracted position extending from said bottom of said body and an extended position extending from said back of said body;a stop member upon said housing contactable with said arm member when said arm member is in the extended position; andmeans for biasing said arm member toward the retracted position; wherein when said first wheel and said at least one other wheel are in contact with the supporting surface and said arm member is in the retracted position, said body is in a first position wherein said back is substantially vertical, and when said first wheel and said at least one other wheel are in contact with the supporting surface and said arm member is in the extended position, said body is in a second position wherein said back forms an angle from the vertical.