I. Field of the Invention: This invention relates generally to an item of luggage, and more particularly a suitcase and cart assembly having a first pair of wheels mounted along a lower edge thereof and a handle for pushing the luggage item on those wheels, the cart further including a folding attachment including at least one wheel thereon and which when deployed, can be used to support additional luggage items while being pushed or pulled.

II. Discussion of the Prior Art: There is disclosed in the Tsai Patent 5,524,920 a base frame assembly for attachment to a suitcase that includes a single pair of wheels for rolling the suitcase along a floor surface. The base frame assembly further includes telescoping, extendable tubes gener ^* ally disposed beneath the suitcase which, when extended can be used to support additional luggage items. In use, the traveler must tip the base frame assembly by pulling back on a handle until the frame is supported solely by the pair of wheel rears and then balance the assembly in that position as the luggage is being pushed or pulled. With heavy luggage items, this becomes a difficult maneuver in that the balancing point requires that the handle be tilted at a large angle to the vertical.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is deemed to be an improvement over the prior art as represented by the Tsai ' 920 patent in that it provides a more stable platform for the additional luggage. The present invention comprises a suitcase in the form of a hollow, rectangular parallelepiped having a predetermined length, width and depth dimension defined by front and rear, generally rectangular, parallel, spaced-apart panels separated by four mutually perpendicular side panels. The suitcase has a pair of wheels journaled for rotation about a horizontal axis generally aligned with a lower edge that defines the

width dimension thereof. A handle is telescopingly affixed to the suitcase and is extendible and retractable relative to an upper edge defining the width dimension. Pivotally secured to a lower portion of the side panels of the suitcase and movable between a first position straddling the side panels and a second position extending generally perpendicular to the front and rear panels is a foldable attachment having one or more caster wheels affixed to it for supporting the foldable attachment when it is in its second or extended position. The foldable attachment may comprise a U-shaped frame hinged for rotation relative to the lower edge of the suitcase, the U-shaped frame adapted to support luggage pieces thereon. Alternatively, the frame may have articulated arms having vertical hinge pins allowing extension and retraction of the arms by unfolding and folding same. Because both the suitcase and the foldable attachment are supported by wheels, it is unnecessary to tilt the handle so as to balance the assembly when moving from place to place. The foldable assembly also conforms closely to the profile of the suitcase v/hen it is not being used as a cart or support for additional luggage items, allowing the suitcase with the attachment of the present invention thereon to be readily stored in an overhead compartment or under a seat of most commercial aircraft.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, especially when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals in the several views refer to corresponding parts.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention with the cart assembly in its stowed condition relative to a suitcase;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 1 with its handle extended as when moving only the suitcase to which the cart assembly is secured;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the present invention with the cart assembly extended relative to its suitcase;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the manner in which the cart of the present invention can be used to support additional luggage items; Figure 5 is a side elevation showing the cart in stowed condition;

Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the preferred embodiment with the cart deployed;

Figure 7 is an enlarged, partial side elevation showing the details of the locking mechanism;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a side view of still another alternative embodiment; Figure 10 is a side elevation of a still further embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 11 is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to Figure 1, there is indicated generally by numeral 10 a suitcase with a cart assembly constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. The suitcase itself includes a box-like structure in the form of a rectangular parallelepiped having a front panel 14, a rear panel 16, an upper side panel 18, left and right side panels 20 and 22 and a lower side panel 24.

Either permanently affixed or removably secured to the side walls 20 and 22 of the suitcase proximate the lower side panel 24, are support bracket assemblies 26 and ^' 28 that are substantially identical in construction. Each includes inner and outer cover plates 30 and 32 which serve

to conceal and shield a journal assembly 34 that is better illustrated in the enlarged view of Figure 7. In Figure 7, the cover plate 32 is removed to better illustrate the underlying structure. The journal assembly 34 may be made of cast aluminum or a suitable plastic and it includes a circular recess 36 for receiving a wheel 38 therein. The wheel 38 is journaled for rotation on an axle 40 by means of roller bearing assembly 42. The axle 40 is designed to span between the inner and outer cover plates 30 and 32 (Figure 1) and extends perpendicularly to the side walls 20 and 22 of the suitcase. The wheel 38 may also be molded from plastic and . preferably will have a serrated elastomeric tread surface on the periphery 44 thereof.

The journal assembly 34 also includes an upwardly projecting stem portion 46 that is tilted at a predetermined angle to the vertical and which includes a channel 48 into which is fitted an outer tubular handle member 50 of generally rectangular cross-section. Fitted into the lumen of the outer handle member 50 in telescoping relation is an inner handle member 52. As will be explained in greater detail below, the inner handle member 52 may be made to slide in or out relative to the outer handle members 50. With reference again to Figures 1 and 2, the inner handle member is generally U-shaped and includes parallel, spaced-apart legs 54 and 56 joined together by a transversely extending cross member portion 58. When the inner handle member 52 is in its retracted position shown in Figure 1, the cross member portion 58 thereof closely conforms to the periphery of the upper side surface 18 of the suitcase. When extended, however, it provides comfortable and convenient manipulation as a cart handle .

The inner and outer handle members include means for releasably locking one to the other and in a simple arrangement, this may include a spring-loaded ball detent mechanism 59 well-known in the art carried by the inner handle member where the ball may be made to fit through an

aperture 61 formed in the outer handle member. When it is desired to release the latch, thumb pressure displaces the spring-biased ball, allowing the inner handle member to telescope into the outer handle member. Referring again to Figure 7, it can be seen that the journal bracket 34 further includes a hinge pin 60 that passes through a sleeve bearing 62 that is fitted into a cylindrical bore 64 formed in the arm 66 of a foldable attachment, indicated generally by numeral 68. Thus, the arm 66 is free to pivot about the hings pin 60 and likewise the corresponding arm 70 adjacent the side panel 22 is also rotatable about a corresponding hinge pin that is supported in the journal member 34. With reference to Figure 3, which shows the cart-assembly in its deployed condition, extending between the parallel arms 66 and 70 is v. cross member 72. Integrally molded with the foldable assembly 68 proximate the corners where the cross member 72 joins to the parallel arms 66 and 70 are tubular sockets 74 and 76 into which the vertical axles of caster wheels 78 and 80 are mounted. Thus, when the cart assembly is deployed as in Figure 3, it is supported by rear wheels as at 38 and the front wheels 78 and 80. While the vise of two front wheels, as at 78 and 80, provide greater stability for cart, those skilled in the art can appreciate that it wovild also be possible to support a single caster wheel → n a socket (not shown) located midway along the length of the cross member 72.

In Figures 1 and 2, the foldable assembly 68 is illustrated in its stowed orientation with arms 66 and 70 closely adjacent the vertical side panels 20 and 22 of the suitcase and with the cross member 72 closely adjacent to the top panel 18 of the suitcase. The dimensions of the suitcase and associated cart assembly are designed so that the bag may readily be placed in an overhead compartment or beneath the seat of a commercial aircraft.

The perspective view of Figure 4 helps illustrate the utility of the cart assembly made in accordance with the

present invention. Here, it can be seen that, in addition to the suitcase 12 to which the foldable assembly 68 is permanently or removably attached, three additional suitcases identified by numerals 82, 84- and 86 can be loaded and transported. The additional suitcases 82 and 84 are shown as resting on the extended arms 66 and 70 of the U-shaped frame which, in turn, is supported on the caster wheels 78 and 80 at the front of the cart and on wheels, as at 38, at the rear thereof. The telescoping handle 52, when extended as illustrated in Figure 4 is at a convenient height for a person to push or pull the loaded cart.

With reference again to Figure 7, a spring-biased latching or locking member 88 cooperates with a pin 90 affixed to the arm 66 to releasibly secure the foldable attachment 68 in both its stowed disposition and in its deployed disposition. The latch 88 is designed to pivot about a hinge pin 92 that extends between the inner and outer cover plates 30 and 32 sandwiching the journal member 34. It includes a J-shaped cam slot 94 in which the pin 90 resides. A coil spring (not shown) is operatively disposed between the latch 88 and a stationary boss to normally urge the plate 88 to rotate in the counter-clockwise direction about its hinge pin 92. As can best be seen in the side views of Figures 5 and 6, when the foldable attachment 68 is in its stowed disposition, the latch 88 is in the orientation shown in Figure 7 and the engagement of the pin 90 with the walls of the slot 94 under influence of the coil spring (not shown) tend to maintain the arm 66 in its elevated disposition. However, when the user grasps the latch plate 88 and rotates it against the force of the coil spring so that the pin 90 resides in the elongated portion of the J-slot and then pulls cross member 72 to the right (when viewed in Figures 5 and 7) , the arms 66 and 70 rotate about their corresponding hinge pins, as at 60, the pin 90 begins to rotate the latch member 88 in a counterclockwise direction (when viewed as in Figures 5 and 7) until the latch 88 resides in the orientation shown in Figure 6 where

the foldable attachment is now latched in its deployed position. To unlatch the folding arm assembly and again cause it to be stowed about the suitcase, the latch place 88 is again manipulated in the same fashion before the frame 68 is raised. In that the latch plate 88 on either side of the suitcase are affixed to the same axle rod 92, rotation of one plate rotates the other.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS Referring next to Figure 8, there is shown a first alternative embodiment of the present invention. Again, there is permanently or releasibly secured to a suitcase 100 a foldable attachment, indicated generally by numeral 102. A first set of wheels, as at 104, are journaled for rotation about an axis that extends transversely to the direction of travel of the cart and, again, a telescoping handle assembly 106 is provided.

The foldable attachment 102 comprises a U-shaped frame having left and right side leg members only one of which (108) is seen in the view of Figure 8. The parallel, spaced-apart leg members are joined together by a transversely extending cross-member 110 and a pair of caster wheels, as at 112, are supported in sockets 114 at the corners of the U-shaped frame. Pivotally secured to each of the legs 108 of the U-shaped frame are rigid metal or plastic straps 116 and 118. More particularly, the strap 116 is hingedly coupled to the case 100 by a pivot pin 120 whose opposite end is hinged to the arm 108 by a pin 122. Similarly, the rigid strap 118 is hinged to the case by a hinge pin 124 and to the U-shaped frame by a hinge pin 126. The strap 118 includes a rounded projection 128 that is designed to cooperate with a similarly shaped recess formed in the rigid strap 116 to thereby function as a detent to releasibly maintain the foldable attachment rigidly coupled to the case 100 and the handle assembly 106 when the cart is deployed in its extended condition for supporting additional pieces of luggage thereon.

With continued reference to Figure 8, and especially the ghost lines illustrated thereon, the foldable attachment can be moved to its stowed disposition straddling the suitcase by lifting the ends of the legs 108 of the U-shaped frame. This action causes the straps 116 and 118 to pivot about their opposed ends while drawing the arms 108 of the U-shaped frame toward the handle 106 until, ultimately, the caster wheel 112 resides beneath the case 100 and with the arms 108 straddling the opposite side walls of the case 100 as shown.

A further alternative embodiment is illustrated in Figure 9. It is quite similar in construction to the embodiment of Figure 8 except that the rigid straps 130 and 132 have their hinged end points at differing locations. Again, the ghost lines clearly illustrate how the foldable attachment indicated generally by numeral 134 will straddle the suitcase 136 when the foldable attachment comprising the U-shaped frame and caster wheels straddle the side walls of the case 136. Yet another alternative embodiment is illustrated in the drawings of Figures 10 and 11 which respectively show a side elevation and a top view thereof. Here, the suitcase and cart assembly is seen to include a suitcase 140 have a telescoping handle assembly 142 and a pair of rear wheels 144 and 146 journaled for rotation about a horizontal axis aligned with the edge of the suitcase formed by the intersection of its rear panel 148 with its bottom side panel 150. Affixed to the opposed side panels of the suitcase 140 are support brackets 152 and 154. Hinged to the support brackets 152 and 154 are articulated arms indicated generally by numerals 156 and 158. Each of the arms comprises first and second rigid bars 160 and 162 that are hinged together at first ends thereof by hinge pins 164. The other end of arms 160 are respectively hinged to support brackets 152 and 154 by hinge pins 166. The frame assembly further includes a cross member 168 that is pivotally coupled to the remaining ends of the rigid

bars 162 by hinge pins 170. It can be seen that the arms 156 and 158 of the frame assembly, being hinged as they are, allow the arms to be extended and retracted in the direction indicated by the double-headed arrow 172 in Figure 11.

At least one and preferably two caster wheels, as ar. 173, are suspended from the cross member 168 to support the articulated arms 156 and 158 when the frame is extended. A suitable locking arrangement, such as a slide bolt 174 spanning the hinge joints defined by hinge pins 164 will lock ..the frame members 156 and 158 in their fully extended position where the rigid bars 160 and 162 of each arm are colinear. In this arrangement, additional luggage pieces may be placed across the arms 156 and 158. To collapse or retract the cart relative to the suitcase, the slide bolt 174 will be withdrawn so as to no longer span the hinge joint between the rigid bars 160 and 162 and the cross member 160 can be moved to a position closely adjacent the front panel of the suitcase 140. Because the wheels 173 are caster mounted, they can be rotated so as to lie flat against the front panel of the suitcase.

This invention has been described herein in considerable detail in order to comply with the Patent Statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use such specialized components as are required. However, it is ti be understood that the invention can be carried out by specifically different equipment and devices, and that various modifications, bι-jth as to the equipment details and operating procedures, can be accomplished without departing from the. scope of the invention itself.

What is claimed is: