Wheeled luggage case with extendable handle

US5943936A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Samsonite Corporation · US

Inventors

• Lawrence J. Deliman · Aurora, US
• Daniel G. Elles · Conifer, US
• David W. Fiddes · Brighton, US
• James S. Gregg · Aurora, US
• Rik Hillaert · Oudenaarde, BE
• William L. King · Denver, US
• Jon C. Nordmark · Highlands Ranch, US
• Roger Pedlar · Lakewood, US
• Robert M. Tesman · Littleton, US
• Carlo ZEZZA · Annapolis, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 7, 1997
• Grant date: Aug 31, 1999
• Expiry date: Mar 7, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A45C13/262
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

Wheeled luggage cases include at least two wheels and a handle with which to roll the luggage on these wheels. Most prior art wheel handles require the user to use considerable force to balance the case on these two wheels, either when the case is carrying auxiliary cases or when otherwise fully loaded. The disclosed luggage case has a wheel handle which extends out of and along one side of the case on an arm, and a handle grip mounted on this arm in a way that tips the luggage case forward to better balance over the wheels when carrying varying loads. The wheel handle arm also includes a mechanism that supports the handle grip at different heights to further optimize this load balancing function.