luggage

This invention relates to improvements in and relating to an improved article of luggage and in particular to wheel assemblies for articles of luggage intended to be towed in use.

Reference to the rear of a suitcase (or other article of luggage), unless the context indicates otherwise is to the major surface about the lower edge of which the suitcase (or article of luggage) is tipped for towing. Reference to the lower minor surface is to the surface joining the lower edge of rear surface. Reference to other surfaces should be interpreted on this basis, for example the front surface is that opposite the rear surface.

Articles of luggage such as modern suitcases are frequently provided with sets of wheel assemblies that enable the suitcase to be pulled along on flat, hard surfaces by a handle (either fixed or extendable) or by a leash (typically retractable or stowable). Typically two such wheel assemblies will be provided at or adjacent to a rear edge of the suitcase such that the suitcase may be tipped about a pivot axis and then towed. The pivot axis of such tipping is located above these two wheel assemblies.

Alternatively all four corners of a lower surface of a suitcase may be provided with wheel assemblies. Where four wheel assemblies are provided it is common for the suitcase to be pushed or pulled using the towing handle, without tipping of the suitcase - known as wheeling of the suitcase. An intended advantage of such wheeled luggage is to enable a traveller easily to manoeuvre the luggage from one destination to another without having to lift the luggage from the ground. Advantageously, such arrangements allow for the towing of such luggage using only a single hand, keeping the other free for use.

However, the wheel assemblies used in much current luggage comprise a wheel fixed about an axle, the axle being held beneath the base of the luggage and able to vertically pivot about the connection to the luggage. When aligned, both with each other and the direction of travel, such wheel assemblies facilitate movement of the luggage. However, if they are not aligned, for example if turning a corner sharply or a wheel assembly hits an item of debris such as a stone which causes a skid of the wheel assembly, the wheel assemblies can become unaligned potentially causing the luggage to overbalance and fall. This is clearly undesirable as a user experience and is more likely to happen when the user is in a hurry and moving at speed, and so most likely to cause the maximum inconvenience when the user has to stop and return the overbalanced luggage to an upright condition.

Further instability problems are likely to occur when the suitcase is fully loaded. Where the suitcase includes an expander section on the front major surface, filling of this section can also move the centre of gravity of the suitcase adversely affecting stability. Similar issues arise where pockets on the front major surface are over filled. Accordingly there is a need for an improved wheel assembly and for an improved article of luggage incorporating such an improved wheel assembly.

According to a first aspect of the invention, in a wheel assembly for an article of luggage, the wheel assembly comprises a fastening plate having a footprint, a frame element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the frame element being connected for rotation with respect to the fastening plate to provide an axis of rotation for the wheel assembly, the second end of the frame element being connected to a rotatable wheel, the frame element extending away from the axis of rotation of the wheel assembly to permit the wheel to be located outside the footprint of the fastening plate.

Preferably, the rotatable wheel has an axis of rotation, the frame element extending to permit the axis of rotation of the wheel to extend beyond the footprint of the fastening plate.

Preferably, the wheel assembly is connected for rotation with respect to the fastening plate to provide at least a vertical axis of rotation. More preferably, the first end of the frame element extends upwards into the plate element.

Preferably, the second end of the frame element is provided with first and second depending portions to connect the wheel to the frame element. More preferably, one of the depending portions is spaced a different radial distance with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel assembly from the other of the depending portions.

Preferably, the fastening plate comprises a hemispherical recess in an upper surface, the hemispherical recess having an opening in a lower region, through which the first end of the frame element is secured to a hemispherical member adapted for sliding movement within the hemispherical recess.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an article of luggage comprises a storage volume having a lower rear edge between a rear surface and a lower surface and at least two wheel assemblies provided on the lower surface adjacent the lower rear edge, the lower surface of the suitcase defining a footprint of the article of luggage, in which each of the at least two wheel assemblies comprise a frame element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the frame element being connected for rotation with respect to the article of luggage to provide an axis of rotation for the wheel assembly, the second end of the frame element being connected to a rotatable wheel, the frame element extending away from the axis of rotation of the wheel assembly to permit the wheel to be located outside the footprint of the article of luggage.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an article of luggage comprises a storage volume having a lower rear edge between a rear surface and a lower surface and at least two wheel assemblies provided on the lower surface adjacent the lower rear edge, a lower front edge between a front surface and a lower surface and at least two wheel assemblies provided on the lower surface adjacent the lower front edge, the lower surface of the suitcase defining a footprint of the article of luggage, in which each of the at least two wheel assemblies provided on the lower surface adjacent the lower front edge comprise a frame element having a first end and a second end, the first end of the frame element being connected for rotation with respect to the article of luggage to provide an axis of rotation for the wheel assembly, the second end of the frame element being connected to a rotatable wheel, the frame element extending away from the axis of rotation of the wheel assembly to permit the wheel to be located outside the footprint of the article of luggage.

Preferably, in either the second or third aspect of the invention, the rotatable wheel has an axis of rotation, the frame element extending to permit the axis of rotation of the wheel to extend beyond the footprint of the article of luggage.

Preferably, the wheel assembly is connected for rotation with respect to the article of luggage to provide at least a vertical axis of rotation.

More preferably the wheel assembly further comprises a plate element secured to the article of luggage, the first end of the frame element extending upwards into the plate element.

Preferably, the second end of the frame element is provided with first and second depending portions to connect the wheel to the frame element. More preferably one of the depending portions is spaced a different radial distance with respect to the axis of rotation of the wheel assembly from the other of the depending portions.

Preferably, each wheel assembly further comprises a fastening plate by which the wheel assembly may be secured to the lower surface of the article of luggage and by which the frame element is connected for rotation with respect to the article of luggage. More preferably, the fastening plate comprises a hemispherical recess in an upper surface, the hemispherical recess having an opening in a lower region, through which the first end of the frame element is secured to a hemispherical member adapted for sliding movement within the hemispherical recess.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, in relation to the attached Figures, in which

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a first suitcase in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic top view of a wheel assembly for use in the present invention;

Figure 3 shows a schematic front view of a wheel assembly for use in the present invention;

Figure 4 shows a schematic view from below of a wheel assembly for use in the present invention;

Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of a wheel assembly for use in the present invention;

Figure 6 shows a schematic side view of the suitcase of Figure 1 ; Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of the suitcase of Figure 1 ; Figure 8 shows a schematic view from below of the suitcase of Figure 1 ; Figure 9 shows a schematic side view of a second suitcase in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 10 shows a schematic perspective view of the suitcase of Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows a first detail of the suitcase of Figure 9;

Figure 12 shows a second detail of the suitcase of Figure 9;

Figure 13 shows a schematic view of a third suitcase in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 14 shows a schematic side view of the suitcase of Figure 13; and Figure 15 shows a schematic view from below of the suitcase of Figure 13.

Referring first to Figure 1 (and where appropriate Figures 6 to 8), there can be seen a soft suitcase 2 in accordance with the present invention having four wheel assemblies 4. The suitcase is provided with a retractable towing handle assembly 6 comprising a towing handle 8 slidably engaged with a housing. In Figure 1 the towing handle 8 is in an extended position locked into such a position as a result of known towing handle assembly arrangements. In the retracted position the towing handle 8 is stored within a suitable recess 10 provided in the suitcase 2 as part of the towing handle assembly 6. A user 12 is shown pushing the suitcase.

The suitcase of Figure 1 comprises a main section 14 formed of a major surface 16, upper and lower surfaces 18,20 and left and right side surfaces 22,24. These surfaces are connected together, for example by the use of stitching and piping 26, to define a storage volume. The storage volume is closed by the presence of a front surface 30 permanently secured at least in part along one edge to the main section and releasably secured to the main section along the remainder by a fastening means, conveniently a zip fastener (not shown). A further pocket 32 (shown in Figure 1 , omitted in Figures 6, 7 and 8) may be secured to the front surface 30.

The towing handle assembly 6 extends behind a rear surface of the suitcase (the major surface 16 of the storage volume).

A first carry handle 34 may be provided on an upper surface of the main section (shown in Figures 1, 6 and 7). A second carry handle 36 may be provided on a side surface of the main section (Figure 8). As can be seen from Figures 1, 6, 7 and 8, a wheel assembly 4 in accordance with the present invention is provided at each of the corners of the lower side surface 20.

An example wheel assembly for use in the present invention is shown in Figures 2 to 5.

Each wheel assembly 4 comprises an upper fastening plate 50 by which the wheel assembly may be secured to a lower surface of an article of luggage. The upper fastening plate 50 includes a recess 52 in one corner (corresponding to the corner of the suitcase when installed on the suitcase) and three fixing points 54,56,58 (shown in Figure 2), each located toward one of the other three corners. The fixing points are preferably blind bores adapted to receive a suitable fastener. Other suitable fixing points may be used.

Conveniently, the recess 52 has a generally hemispherical surface and an opening through the upper fastening plate. An upwardly directed flange 60 extends along two sides of the upper fastening plate 50 around the corner incorporating the recess 52.

A frame element 70 is provided to provide a connection between a wheel 80 and the upper fastening plate 50. The frame element 70 comprises an intermediate portion 72 having a first end and a second end. A first end portion 74 extends upwardly from the first end of the intermediate portion. The second end of the frame element 70 is provided with first and second depending portions 76. In this way the upper ends of the depending portions 76 are laterally displaced from the recess 52 in the upper fastening plate 50.

The first end portion 74 of the frame element 70 is received and secured for rotational movement about at least a first vertical axis within the recess 52 of the upper fastening plate 50. Conveniently, this is achieved by the use of a ball joint arrangement in which the first end portion 74 of the intermediate member 72 extends through the opening in the upper fastening plate and is received within and secured to a generally hemispherical member 78 adapted for sliding movement within the recess 52. The use of such a ball joint arrangement will be understood to allow a degree of freedom of movement about the first end portion 74 of the frame element 70 other than solely around the vertical axis.

The first and second depending portions 76 depend to either side of the wheel 80. Conveniently, an axle 82 extends between the free ends of the depending members 76 and thorough the wheel 80 (or a wheel bearing) to facilitate rotation of the wheel 80. Other means of locating the wheel 80 for rotation between the depending members 76 may be contemplated.

Figure 5 in particular shows that the upper ends of the first and second depending members 76 are offset from the axis of rotation of the wheel assembly, such that these elements rotate together about the axis of rotation of the wheel assembly (each are spaced at different radial distances from the axis of rotation) - that is one of the first and second depending elements is always nearer to the axis of rotation of the first end portion 74 - rather than around the axis (where both these elements are equally radially spaced from the axis of rotation).

It can seen that the frame element 70 allows for the wheel 80, and in particular that part of the wheel 80 that is grounded as the suitcase is moved, to be located outside of the footprint of the suitcase (indicated by the dashed line in Figure 6 and 8).

In known arrangements, where the horizontal axis about which the wheel rotates is offset from the vertical axis about which the wheel assembly rotates, the circle transcribed by the wheel axis (or that portion of the wheel grounded in use) about the vertical axis remains within the footprint of the suitcase.

In particular, in comparison to arrangements in which the wheel assemblies at the rear of the suitcase sit below the pivot axis of the suitcase greater stability is achieved. The present invention also allows for easier wheeling of a suitcase provided with such a wheel assembly 4.

It will be appreciated that such a wheel assembly provides two axes of rotation: the horizontal axis around which the wheel 8 rotates and the vertical axis about which the frame element 70 rotates. The wheel is fixed vertically between the depending portions 76 with respect to the second end of the frame element 70. The frame element 70 extends horizontally way from the vertical axis of rotation.

As can be seen from Figures 1, 6, 7 and 8 a wheel assembly in accordance with the present invention is provided at each of the corners of the lower side surface of the suitcase. In particular, the depending portion of the wheel assembly can be seen to extend outside of the footprint of the lower surface of the suitcase.

It will be understood that such wheel assemblies 4 are 'handed' and that two opposite handed wheel assemblies (4, 4' in Figure 8) are required at each end of the suitcase. A hard suitcase 102 is shown in Figures 9 to 12 in which the storage volume comprises first and second plastics shells 116, 130 each having a peripheral edge, the two shells being hingedly secured at least in part along a part of a respective peripheral edge to one another and releasably secured to one another along the remainder by a fastening means, conveniently a zip fastener assembly 100. The zip fastener preferably incorporates an expander zip fastener system.

A towing handle assembly 106 is located in the first shell 116 and extends behind a rear surface of the suitcase.

A first carry handle 132 may be provided on an upper surface 118 of the storage volume, preferably on the first shell 116 (shown in Figures 9 and 10). A second carry handle may be provided on a first side surface of the main section (not shown). On the opposite side surface a number of resilient members 190 are provided (Figures 9 and 10) upon which the suitcase may be rested when the side carry handle is being utilised.

As can be seen from Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 a wheel assembly in accordance with the present invention is provided at each of the corners of the lower side surface of the suitcase 102. In particular, the depending portion of the wheel assembly 4 can be seen to extend outside of the footprint of the lower surface of the suitcase (as indicated by the dashed lines in Figure 9). Details of the wheel assemblies attached to the lower end of the suitcase are shown in Figures 11 and 12. Figures 11 and 12, in particular Figure 12, clearly show the wheel 80 being located outside of the footprint of the suitcase 102 and a footprint of an associated upper fastening plate 50.

A further suitcase 202 in accordance with the present invention having four wheel assemblies 204,205 is shown in Figures 13 to 15. The suitcase is provided with a retractable towing handle assembly 206 comprising a towing handle 208 slidably engaged with a housing. In Figures 13 and 14 the towing handle 208 is in an extended position locked into such a position as a result of known towing handle assembly arrangements. I n the retracted position the towing handle 208 may be stored within a suitable recess provided in the suitcase 202 as part of the towing handle assembly 206.

The storage volume comprises a main section 214 formed of a major surface 216, upper and lower surfaces 218,220 and left and right side surfaces 222,224. These surfaces are connected together, for example by the use of stitching and piping (not shown), to define a storage volume. The storage volume is closed by the presence of a front surface 230 permanently secured at least in part along one edge to the main section and releasably secured to the main section along the remainder by a fastening means, conveniently a zip fastener (not shown). A further pocket 232 may be secured to the front surface 230.

The towing handle assembly 206 extends behind a rear surface of the suitcase (the major surface 216 of the storage volume). A first carry handle 234 may be provided on an upper surface of the main section (shown in Figures 13 and 14). A second carry handle may be provided on a side surface of the main section 236 (not shown in Figure 13).

In this embodiment, the two wheel assemblies 205 located on the lower surface 220 adjacent the lower rear edge comprise known wheel assemblies or castors in which a wheel is fixed for rotation about an axle, the axle being held beneath the base of the luggage and the wheel assembly adapted to rotate vertically about a connection to the suitcase 202. Two wheel assemblies 204 in accordance with the invention are secured to the lower surface 220 of the suitcase 202 adjacent the lower front edge by way of fastening plates 250.

Figures 13 and 15, in particular Figure 15, show the depending portion 276 of the wheel assembly 204 and the associated wheel 280 being offset from the vertical axis of rotation of the first end portion 274 of the frame element 270 connected to the upper fastening plate 250, thereby allowing the depending portion of the wheel assembly to extend when required outside a footprint of the lower surface 220 of the suitcase 202 and a footprint of the fastening plate 250.

While such a suitcase does not have the stability of the other embodiments, it has greater stability than known suitcases in which each of the wheels is fixed for rotation about an axle, the axle being held beneath the base of the luggage and the wheel assembly adapted to rotate vertically about a connection to the suitcase. While reference is made in these examples to different kinds of suitcase, it will be understood that such wheel assemblies may be provided for other articles of luggage that may be towed or wheeled.