Trunks and hand-carried luggage – Supporting devices – Wheeled
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-29
2001-07-03
Weaver, Sue A. (Department: 3727)
Trunks and hand-carried luggage
Supporting devices
Wheeled
C190S109000, C280S037000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253892
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
At the present time, carryon luggage for travel by aircraft is usually provided with wheels to aid in their transport and improve mobility. Such wheels are restricted in size to allow maximum size for the luggage itself which is limited in extent by the airlines. For example, United Airlines restricts carryon luggage to 22 by 14 by 9 inches. American Airlines restricts carryon luggage to 23 by 13 by 9 inches. British Airlines restricts carryon luggage to 22 by 16 by 8 inches.
Even larger luggage which must be checked is generally provided with relatively small wheels to allow maximum size for the luggage case. Such larger luggage, even with a front set of wheels and a back set of wheels can be unstable and can be easily overturned when being pulled or pushed in their transport.
Accordingly, there is a need for means providing such luggage with larger wheels for greater mobility and ease in transport but which can be removed when no longer needed so that carryon luggage will meet airline size requirements and larger luggage can be checked in the usual manner.
Applicant is unaware of any prior art providing for a removable large wheel assembly which can be added to conventional small wheeled carryon luggage or larger luggage which must be checked and then removed just before boarding aircraft or just before checking larger luggage.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a relatively large wheel assembly to be added to luggage having relatively small wheels so that such luggage can be more easily transported and rendered more mobile.
Another object of the invention is to provide a large wheel assembly which is removable after being added to luggage having relatively small wheels so that such luggage can be more easily transported and rendered more mobile.
A further object of the invention is to provide a large wheel assembly, which, after being removed from luggage having small wheels, can be stored either inside such luggage or in outside containers attached to the luggage.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a large wheel assembly which has relatively few component parts and can be easily assembled and disassembled.
A yet further object of the invention is to provide a large wheel assembly which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The large wheel assembly is made up of an axle, two large wheels, two sleeves for insertion in the axle, and fasteners to maintain the wheels in position when assembled with the axle.
The mounting blocks or feet of conventional carryon luggage or larger luggage are drilled with an appropriate size hole to receive the axle. If the particular luggage does not permit this hole drilling, then suitable mounting blocks with holes are added to the bottom of the luggage. The sleeves keep the wheels extended outside the sides of the luggage and prevent the wheels from touching the sides of the luggage. The fasteners are removable and when in position at the ends of the axle, keep the wheels in proper location
If the luggage case is provided with an attached pouch or pocket located on the outside sides of the case, the wheels, sleeves, and fasteners can be stored there if the pouch or pocket is large enough, and most are. If not so provided, then these component parts can be stored inside the luggage along with the axle.
If the luggage case has an outside sleeve member long enough to receive the axle, the axle can be stored there. Or the luggage case can be specially made to have an outside sleeve adapted to receive the axle.
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patent: 5984154 (1999-11-01), Scicluna
patent: 1539021 (1979-01-01), None
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