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A wheeled transport device, such as a piece of luggage configured to be manually wheeled by a pedestrian user, in provided with an electrical generator operably coupled to a rolling wheel of the device and configured to produce electrical energy as the user wheels the device along a supporting surfa

A wheeled transport device, such as a piece of luggage configured to be manually wheeled by a pedestrian user, in provided with an electrical generator operably coupled to a rolling wheel of the device and configured to produce electrical energy as the user wheels the device along a supporting surface. The generator provides power to charge a battery contained within the device and/or one or more electrical appliances being transported within the device.

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What is claimed is: 1. A wheeled transport device configured to be manually wheeled by a pedestrian user, the transport device comprising: a main body defining a compartment therein for containing goods to be transported; a handle attached to the main body and manually graspable by the pedestrian u

What is claimed is: 1. A wheeled transport device configured to be manually wheeled by a pedestrian user, the transport device comprising: a main body defining a compartment therein for containing goods to be transported; a handle attached to the main body and manually graspable by the pedestrian user while walking; at least one wheel disposed at a lower end of the main body and secured to the body for rotation along a surface upon which the user is walking; an electrical generator operably coupled to the wheel and configured to produce electrical energy as the user wheels the device along the surface; and a battery secured to the main body and electrically connected to the generator for storage of electrical energy from the generator. 2. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, further comprising an electrical power outlet secured to the main body, electrically connected to the generator, and exposed for connection of an electrically powered device by the user. 3. The wheeled transport device of claim 2, wherein the power outlet is accessible from within the main body compartment. 4. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the generator is operably coupled to the wheel by a flexible cable. 5. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the generator contains an armature directly coupled to, and coaxial with, the wheel. 6. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the generator is operably coupled to the wheel through a pair of engaged gears. 7. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the generator is driven by a roller directly engaging a surface of the wheel. 8. The wheeled transport device of claim 7, further comprising a spring biasing the roller against the wheel surface. 9. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the wheeled transport device comprises wheeled luggage. 10. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a hinged lid for accessing contents contained within the compartment. 11. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, further comprising a switch manually operable to selectively short the windings of the generator to disable power generation and reduce drag on the rolling wheel when electrical power is not needed. 12. The wheeled transport device of claim 1, in combination with a personal electrical appliance contained within the compartment and electrically connected to the generator. 13. A method of powering personal electrical appliances, the method comprising: providing a wheeled transport device comprising: a main body defining a compartment therein for containing goods to be transported; a handle attached to the main body and manually graspable by the pedestrian user while walking; at least one wheel disposed at a lower end of the main body and secured to the body for rotation along a surface upon which the user is walking; and an electrical generator operably coupled to the wheel and configured to produce electrical energy as the user wheels the device along the surface; electrically connecting a personal electrical appliance to the generator of the device; and rolling the device along a surface to generate and deliver electrical power to the connected appliance. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the wheeled transport device comprises a luggage device. 15. The method of claim 13, wherein electrically connecting the personal electrical appliance to the generator comprises electrically connecting the personal electrical appliance to a power storage source, the power storage source being electrically connected to the generator. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the power storage source comprises a battery. 17. A wheeled transport device configured to be manually wheeled by a pedestrian user, the transport device comprising: a main body compartment therein for containing goods to be transported; a handle attached to the main body and manually grasp able by the pedestrian user while walking; at least one wheel disposed at a lower end of the main body and secured to the body for rotation along a surface upon which the user is walking; an electrical generator operably coupled to the wheel and configured to produce electrical energy as the user wheels the device along the surface; and an electrical power outlet secured to the main body, electrically connected to the generator, and exposed for connection of an electrically powered device by the user. 18. The wheeled transport device of claim 17, wherein the power outlet is accessible from within the main body compartment. 19. The wheeled transport device of claim 17, wherein the generator is operably coupled to the wheel by a flexible cable. 20. The wheeled transport device of claim 17, wherein the generator contains an armature directly coupled to, and coaxial with, the wheel. 21. The wheeled transport device of claim 17, wherein the generator is operably coupled to the wheel through a pair of engaged gears. 22. The wheeled transport device of claim 17, wherein the generator is driven by a roller directly engaging a surface of the wheel. 23. The wheeled transport device of claim 22, further compromising a spring biasing the roller against the wheel surface. 24. The wheeled transport device of claim 17, wherein the wheeled transport device comprises wheeled luggage. 25. The wheeled transport device of claim 17, wherein the main body includes a hinged lid for accessing contents contained within the compartment. 26. The wheeled transport device of claim 17, further comprising a switch manually operable to selectively short the windings of the generator to disable power generation and reduce drag on the rolling wheel when electrical power is not needed. 27. The wheeled transport device of claim 17, in combination with a personal electrical appliance contained within the compartment and electrically connected to the generator. 28. A wheeled transport device in combination with a personal electrical appliance, the transport device configured to be manually wheeled by a pedestrian user and comprising: a main body defining a compartment therein for goods to be transported; a handle attached to the main body and manually graspable by the pedestrian user while walking; at least one wheel disposed at a lower end of the main body and secured to the body for rotation along a surface upon which the user is walking; and an electrical generator operably coupled to the wheel and configured to produce electrical energy as the user wheels the device along the surface; wherein the personal electrical appliance is contained within the compartment and is electrically connected to the generator.