FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a wheel set for supporting luggage.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide various types of luggage with one or more wheels so that the luggage can be rolled along a ground surface while being supported by the wheels. In addition, it is known to have luggage with wheels that move between a retracted position in which the wheels are concealed by the body of the luggage and an extended position in which the wheels are spaced away from the body of the luggage.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents or such sources of information is not to be construed as an admission that such documents or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

It is an object of at least preferred embodiments of the present invention to provide a wheel set for supporting luggage, and/or to at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect, there is provided a wheel set for supporting luggage above a ground surface, the wheel set comprising :

a housing having a pair of cavities,

each cavity having a first inwardly extending slot with a first abutment surface and a second inwardly extending slot with a second abutment surface,

a pair of wheel support assemblies, each of the wheel support assemblies having a support component with an abutment surface, the support component being engageable with the cavity and operatively connectable to a wheel,

wherein the wheel set has a deployed configuration in which the abutment surface of the support component engages the abutment surface of the first slot and the wheel is spaced in a deployed position relative to the luggage and a stowed configuration in which the abutment surface of the support component engages the abutment surface of the second slot and the wheel is spaced in a stowed position relative to the luggage, the stowed position being closer to the luggage than the deployed position.

In some embodiments, the second abutment surface is spaced further away from an opening of the cavity than the first abutment surface.

In some embodiments, the first slot has an elongate direction and is substantially straight in that elongate direction. In some embodiments, the second slot has an elongate direction and is

substantially straight in that elongate direction.

In some embodiments, the elongate direction of the first slot extends at an acute angle relative to the direction of the second slot.

In some embodiments, the end of the support component has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the first abutment surface and/or the shape of the second abutment surface. In some embodiments, the support component is biased towards the first abutment surface.

In some embodiments, the support component is biased towards the second abutment surface.

In some embodiments, the wheel set further comprises one or more shrouds for visually concealing the wheels when In the stowed position.

In some embodiments, the wheel set is manually repositioned between the deployed configuration and the stowed configuration.

In some embodiments, the housing comprises a clearance cavity.

In some embodiments, the wheel set further comprises an axle operatively connecting the wheels together.

In some embodiments, the wheel set further comprises a pair of wheel mounts, each wheel mount having a support surface spaced beyond the periphery of the wheel, the support surface supporting the luggage such that the wheels do not engage the ground surface.

In accordance with a second aspect, there is provided luggage comprising the wheel set according to the first aspect.

The term 'comprising' as used in this specification and claims means 'consisting at least in part of. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the term 'comprising', other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as 'comprise' and 'comprised' are to be interpreted in a similar manner.

It is intended that reference to a range of numbers disclosed herein (for example, 1 to 10) also incorporates reference to all rational numbers within that range (for example, 1, 1.1, 2, 3, 3.9, 4, 5, 6, 6.5, 7, 8, 9 and 10) and also any range of rational numbers within that range (for example, 2 to 8, 1.5 to 5.5 and 3.1 to 4.7) and, therefore, all sub-ranges of all ranges expressly disclosed herein are hereby expressly disclosed. These are only examples of what is specifically intended and all possible combinations of numerical values between the lowest value and the highest value enumerated are to be considered to be expressly stated in this application in a similar manner.

This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. As used herein the term '(s)' following a noun means the plural and/or singular form of that noun.

As used herein the term 'and/or' means 'and' or 'or', or where the context allows both.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples only. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which :

Figure 1 is a perspective view from below showing the wheel set in a stowed configuration.

Figure 2 is a perspective view from below showing the wheel set in a partially withdrawn configuration.

Figure 3 is a perspective view from below showing the wheel set in a fully withdrawn configuration.

Figure 4 is a perspective view from below showing the wheel set moving towards the deployed configuration.

Figure 5 is a perspective view from below showing the wheel set in a deployed configuration.

Figures 6A and 6B show the wheel set in a deployed position and a user's foot on the axle to prevent the bag tipping.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the housing, showing the wheel set in a stowed configuration.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the housing, showing the wheel set in after It has been withdrawn from the stowed configuration.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the housing, moving from the stowed configuration towards the deployed configuration.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the housing, showing the wheel set moving towards the deployed configuration.

Figure 11 is cross-sectional view of the housing, showing the wheel set in a deployed configuration.

Figures 12A to 12C are cross-sectional views through the support member showing the wheel set in a stowed configuration, an intermediate configuration, and a deployed configuration.

Figures 13A to 13C are side views showing the various positions of the wheel mount relative to a ground surface.

Figure 14 is a perspective view from behind the wheel set in a deployed

configuration.

Figure 15 is a perspective and partial cross-sectional view from behind the wheel set moving towards the stowed configuration.

Figure 16 is a perspective and partial cross-sectional view from behind the wheel set in a deployed configuration.

Figure 17 is a perspective view from behind the wheel set moving from the deployed configuration towards the stowed configuration. Figure 18 is a perspective view from behind the wheel set in a stowed

configuration.

Figure 19 is a perspective view from behind the wheel set moving away from the stowed configuration .

Figure 20 is a partial perspective view showing the front and bottom of a backpack incorporating the wheel set with the wheel set in a stowed configuration.

Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the back and bottom of the backpack and wheel set of Figure 20 with the wheel set in a stowed configuration .

Figure 22 shows a user with the backpack of Figure 20 with the wheel set in a deployed configuration. Figure 23 shows a user with the backpack of Figure 20 with the wheel set in a stowed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figures 1 to 23, a preferred embodiment of the wheel set 1 for supporting luggage above a ground surface is shown. In the embodiment shown, the luggage is a backpack 100. The embodiment shown and described in relation to the drawings is a wheel set for use with a backpack. The wheel set may be used with other types of luggage, such as a suitcase or a bag, for example. As shown in figure 15, the wheel set 1 comprises a housing 3 having a pair of cavities 5 and a pair of wheel support assemblies 7. One of the wheel support assemblies is engageable with one of the cavities and the other of the wheel support assemblies is engageable with the other of the cavities. The cavity 5 and wheel support assembly 7 on one side of the backpack 100 are the same as those components on the other side of the backpack. It will be appreciated that the features and operation of the components on the other side of the bag are the same. Accordingly, only one side of the wheel set 1 will be described.

The embodiment of the wheel set 1 shown In the accompanying figures is a separate component to the backpack 100. In an alternative embodiment, the wheel set 1 may be integrally formed with a part of the backpack 100, such as the frame of the backpack. The wheelset may be mounted internally or externally to the backpack. As shown in figures 7 to 12, the cavity 5 includes a first slot 9 extending inwardly from an opening 11 and a second slot 13 extending inwardly from the opening 11. The first slot 9 has a first abutment surface 15 and the second slot 13 has a second abutment surface 17. The second abutment surface 17 is spaced further away from the opening 11 than the first abutment surface 15. The abutment surface 15 of the first slot 9 is provided by the end of the first slot 9. In an alternative embodiment, the abutment surface 15 may be provided by a protrusion extending into the first slot 9. Similarly, the abutment surface 17 of the second slot 13 is provided by the end of the second slot 13. In an alternative embodiment, the abutment surface 17 may be provided by a protrusion extending Into the second slot 13.

The first slot 9 is an elongate and substantially straight slot. The second slot 13 is also an elongate and substantially straight slot. The second slot 13 extends at an acute angle relative to the first slot 9. In the preferred embodiment shown, the second slot 13 extends at an angle of about 30 degrees relative to the first slot 9. In alternative embodiments, the second slot 13 may extend at other angles, such as 90 degrees, 45 degrees, or 60 degrees relative to the first slot, for example. In a further alternative embodiment, the slots 9, 13 may extend in substantially parallel directions.

In alternative embodiment, either or both of the slots 9, 13 may have another elongate profile. For example, the slots 9, 13 may have a curved, spiral, or angular shape when viewed from the direction shown in figure 7.

As shown in figure 15, the wheel support assembly 7 has a support component 20 with an abutment surface 19. The support component 20 is engageable with the cavity 5 and operatlvely connectable to a wheel 21.

The abutment surface 19 of the support component 20 is formed by the end of the support component 20 and has a shape that is complementary to the shape of the first abutment surface 15 and/or the shape of the second abutment surface 17. In the embodiment shown, the abutment surface 19 Is substantially triangular when viewed from the direction show in figure 7. In alternative embodiments, the abutment surfaces may have other profiles and may be flat, or curved, for example.

The support component 20 may be biased towards the first abutment surface 15 and/or the second abutment surface 17. In the embodiment shown, the support component is biased towards both the first abutment surface 15 and the second abutment surface 17 by an elastic cord 23. As shown in figures 12A to 12C the elastic cord 23 is secured by a collar 25 at one end and a collar 26 at the other end. The collar 26 sits within a cavity 26a. The path through which the elastic cord extends is maintained by curved shoulders 27, 28 and a screw boss 29. The elastic cord 23 preferably extends within a passage 31 of the support component 20. The elastic cord 23 delivers a natural glide-type of motion as the wheel set 1 is repositioned, which is highly intuitive to a user. In alternative embodiments, the support component 20 may be biased towards the abutment surface(s) 15, 17 by other suitable biasing components such as a compression spring or a tension spring.

In other alternative embodiments, the support component 20 may not be biased. In these embodiments, the wheel set 1 may be manually repositioned between the deployed and stowed configuration without the support provided by a biasing component. In some embodiments, repositioning may be gravity assisted by the weight of the luggage urging the support member towards the first and/or second abutment surface(s) 15, 17. The wheel set 1 also comprises one or more shrouds 33 for visually concealing the wheels 21 when in the stowed position. The shrouds 33 may fully visually conceal the wheels 21 or partially conceal the wheels 21. In the embodiment shown, the shrouds 33 partially conceal the wheels 21 from the side. The housing 3 partially conceals the wheels 21 when viewing from the front. The wheels 21 are visible from the back and from below.

The shape and size of the shrouds 33 also protect the wheels 21 while in the stowed position. The shrouds 33 also prevent, or at least substantially inhibit, a user wheeling the backpack 100 when the wheels 21 are stowed.

The wheel set 1 also comprises an axle 35 operatively connecting the wheels 21 together. The axle is surrounded by an axle housing 37. The axle 35 may be mounted directly to the wheels 21 or indirectly mounted to the wheels. For example, the wheel set 1 may comprise a bearing 39 between the axle 35 and the support component 20, as shown in figure 3. In an alternative embodiment, the fabric or material of the backpack may cover part or all of the shroud and the shroud structure will be positioned inside the fabric or backpack material covering.

With reference to figures 13A to 13B and 14, the wheel set 1 also comprises a pair of wheel mounts 41, each wheel mount having a support surface 43 spaced beyond the periphery of the wheel, the support surface 43 supporting the luggage such that the wheels 21 do not engage the ground surface. The support surface 43 may also act as a brake. This position of the wheel set 1 relative to the ground surface allows the backpack 100 to be rested against a wall or object and prevent the backpack from moving or rolling on the wheels when tipped towards the wheels 21. When the wheel set 1 is in the deployed configuration and stationary, the axle housing 37 may be used to keep the backpack upright by providing a platform for the user's foot F to be placed to prevent the backpack tipping.

The housing 3 comprises a clearance cavity 45. The clearance cavity 45 provides a space for a user's hand when the wheel set is being deployed and/or stowed. The deepest section of the clearance cavity 45 is the central portion 46 of the clearance cavity 45.

The abutment surfaces, housing, wheel mounts, shrouds, and wheels are each moulded or formed from a suitable polymeric material, preferably Nylon. The wheels have a thermoplastic polyurethane tyre. The support component and axle housing are or comprise a metallic material, preferably an aluminium alloy extrusion.

The wheel set 1 has a deployed configuration in which the abutment surface 19 of the support component 20 engages the abutment surface 15 of the first slot 9 and the wheel 21 is spaced in a deployed position relative to the backpack 100. The wheel set 1 also has a stowed configuration in which the abutment surface 19 of the support component 20 engages the abutment surface 17 of the second slot 13 and the wheel 21 is spaced in a stowed position relative to the backpack 100, the stowed position being closer to the backpack 100 than the deployed position. The wheel set 1 is manually repositioned between the deployed configuration and the stowed configuration. The relative lengths of the support component 20 and the second slot 13 provide optimal ground clearance for situations when a harness of the backpack is not packed away. In addition, those components provide an optimal wheeling and handling experience. With reference to figures 7 to 11 and 14 to 19, a method of moving the wheel set between configurations will now be described. Figures 7 and 18 show the wheel set in a stowed configuration. Figures 20, 21 and 23 also show the wheel set in a stowed configuration. That is, the support component 20 is located within the second slot 13. The elastic cord 23 is urging or biasing the support component 20 towards the abutment surface 17 of the second slot 13 so that the abutment surfaces engage. A user will grasp the axle housing 37, pulling the axle housing away from the bottom of the backpack 100. The support component 20 and the wheel 21 will also be pulled away from the backpack 100. The user will continue to pull the axle housing 37 until the abutment surface 19 of the support component 20 reaches the position shown in figure 8. The user will then tilt the support component 20 towards the first slot 9, as shown in figure 9 and 14. The elastic cord 23 is urging or biasing the support component 20 towards the abutment surface 15, as shown in figure 10. The user may then release the axle housing 37 and the support component 20 will be pulled by the elastic cord 23 into the deployed configuration, as shown in figures 11 and 16. Figure 22 shows a user with the backpack 100 with the wheel set in a deployed configuration. It will be understood that the reverse process Is followed to return the wheel set to the stowed configuration from the deployed configuration.

With reference to Figures 12A to 12C, as the wheel set 1 moves between configurations, the elastic cord will be extended and will follow the movement of the support component 20. Throughout the movement, the elastic cord 23 will bias the support component 20 towards either the deployed configuration or the stowed configuration. A clearance cavity 47 is provided in the housing to allow the elastic cord to move freely without being constrained by the housing or other components of the wheel set or backpack.

Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example only and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the Invention.

For example, the wheels may be other rotatable support components such as castors or rollers.