초록

The present invention relates generally to a support mechanism for luggage, and more specifically to a support mechanism for luggage having U-shaped recesses within which telescoping handle tubes are positioned.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A reinforcement mechanism adapted for positioning within a piece of luggage with a retractable handle, comprising: a generally rectangularly shaped support member having an upper end, a lower end, opposing lateral edges extending therebetween, and a front surface and a back surface;a pair of subs

1. A reinforcement mechanism adapted for positioning within a piece of luggage with a retractable handle, comprising: a generally rectangularly shaped support member having an upper end, a lower end, opposing lateral edges extending therebetween, and a front surface and a back surface;a pair of substantially parallel grooved passages positioned on said front surface and adapted to receive at least a portion of a retractable handle assembly;a plurality of reinforcing ribs positioned between said pair of grooved passages, said plurality of reinforcing ribs aligned substantially parallel to said pair of grooved passages and extending substantially between said upper end and said lower end of said support member, said plurality of reinforcing ribs having a serpentine shaped cross-section; andan upper and a lower attachment plate interconnected to said support member for interconnecting said support member to a handle assembly. 2. The reinforcement mechanism of claim 1, wherein said pair of grooved passages generally have one of a “U” or “C” cross-sectional shape. 3. The reinforcement mechanism of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement mechanism is comprised of at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, a polymer, a composite, a polymeric blend, a polymeric laminate, a fiberglass material, a carbon fiber material, and a combination thereof. 4. The reinforcement mechanism of claim 1, wherein said lower attachment plate is interconnected to a lower bracket assembly. 5. The reinforcement mechanism of claim 1, wherein said upper and said lower attachment plate further comprise an aperture adapted to receive at least one of a screw, a bolt, a pin and a rivet. 6. The reinforcement mechanism of claim 1, further comprising an upper bracket assembly which slidingly engages an upper portion of the retractable handle assembly to provide additional structural rigidity to the retractable handle assembly. 7. The reinforcement mechanism of claim 6, wherein said upper attachment plate is interconnected to said upper bracket assembly. 8. A wheeled luggage system with a retractable handle, comprising: a storage compartment having a back wall, a front wall, a pair of side walls, a top wall and a bottom wall;a luggage support member interconnected to said back wall of said storage compartment, the luggage support member comprising: a substantially rigid plate comprising an upper end, a lower end and two lateral edges extending therebetween;a pair of substantially parallel grooved passages adapted to receive a portion of the retractable handle, wherein said grooved passages extend longitudinally between said upper end and said lower end of said substantially rigid plate;at least two reinforcing ribs positioned between said grooved passages and aligned substantially parallel to said grooved passages, said at least two reinforcing ribs extending substantially from said upper end to said lower end of said substantially rigid plate, said at least two reinforcing ribs each having an arcuate cross-sectional shape,wherein the retractable handle comprises a handle grip and a pair of handle tubes, and wherein said handle tubes are positioned within said grooved passages and can be selectively extended;a lower bracket assembly which is positioned over a lower portion of said handle tubes to provide structural support;an upper housing assembly which includes a pair of passageways aligned with said grooved passages and which receives said handle tubes; anda wheel assembly operably interconnected to said bottom wall of said storage compartment. 9. The wheeled luggage system of claim 8, wherein said grooved passages generally have one of a “U” or “C” cross-sectional shape. 10. The wheeled luggage system of claim 8, wherein said luggage support member is comprised of at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, a polymer, a composite, a fiberglass material, a carbon fiber material, a polymeric blend, a polymeric laminate, and a combination thereof. 11. The wheeled luggage system of claim 8, wherein said luggage support member is positioned between said handle tubes and said back wall to provide impact protection to said handle tubes. 12. The wheeled luggage system of claim 8, further comprising at least one attachment mechanism positioned in said support member which is adapted to attach said support member to said back wall of said storage compartment. 13. The wheeled luggage system of claim 8, wherein said upper housing assembly is interconnected to said upper end of said substantially rigid plate, and said lower bracket assembly is interconnected to said lower end of said substantially rigid plate. 14. The wheeled luggage system of claim 13, wherein said upper end of said substantially rigid plate is substantially planar and fits within an interior portion of said upper housing assembly. 15. The wheeled luggage system of claim 13, wherein said lower end of said substantially rigid plate is substantially planar and fits within an interior portion of said lower bracket assembly. 16. The wheeled luggage system of claim 8, wherein said substantially rigid plate has a serpentine shaped cross-sectional shape. 17. A retractable handle assembly adapted for use within an interior space of a piece of wheeled luggage, comprising: a handle interconnected to a pair of handle tubes;a substantially rigid plate having an upper end, a lower end and lateral edges extending therebetween;a pair of grooved passages in said substantially rigid plate, said grooved passages aligned substantially parallel with said lateral edges and adapted to receive said handle tubes;a plurality of reinforcing ribs positioned between said grooved passages, said plurality of reinforcing ribs aligned substantially parallel to said grooved passages and extending longitudinally between said upper end and said lower end of said substantially rigid plate, said plurality of reinforcing ribs each having an arcuate cross-sectional shape;an upper housing assembly which retains an upper portion of said handle tubes in a secure position, and which is interconnected to said upper end of said substantially rigid plate; anda lower bracket assembly which overlaps a lower portion of said handle tubes and is interconnected to said lower end of said substantially rigid plate. 18. The retractable handle assembly of claim 17, wherein said upper end of said substantially rigid plate is substantially planar and fits within an interior portion of said upper housing assembly. 19. The retractable handle assembly of claim 17, wherein said lower end of at least one handle tube includes a biased stop pin which restrains said handle from being extended beyond a predetermined position. 20. The retractable handle assembly of claim 17, wherein said upper housing assembly is slidingly engaged to said handle tubes to allow minor adjustments during assembly of the retractable handle assembly to the piece of luggage. 21. The retractable handle assembly of claim 17, wherein said lower end of said substantially rigid plate is substantially planar and fits within an interior portion of said lower bracket assembly.