Flat packing suitcase system

Abstract

An improved design for a rolling suitcase having a retractable handle assembly is disclosed. The design includes a multi-piece molded shell having opposing side and end walls and a bottom wall, which together form a packing area. The telescoping tubes of the handle are located outside the packing area to maximize the packing area, and also to provide a flat bottom surface to minimize wrinkling of packed articles. The wheel skids are moved to the outer corners of the suitcase to minimize intrusion into the packing area. The tubes are made from fiber reinforced polymer for enhanced strength, and are concealed from view by a covering envelope. The handle assembly and wheel skids attach to the shell in a manner that enhances the structural strength and rigidity of the suitcase. Wear points on the handle assembly are provided with removable wear members made from abrasion-resistant material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to the field of wheeled suitcases, baggage items and the like, and in particular to an improved flat packing suitcase in which the handle tubes and wheel skids are moved out of the packing area to provide maximum packing volume for the case and also to reduce wrinkling of clothing articles contained therein.BACKGROUND[0002]A variety of designs exist for suitcases, including those with wheels for rolling transport across the ground, and those having handles that extend to cooperate with the wheels, allowing a user to pull or push the case along the ground. Such suitcases are generally rectilinear in shape, both as to their outer contour and their general internal container volume. Two spaced-apart coaxial wheels are typically mounted externally on or within a lower edge of the case. The handle can have one or more rods or tubes that slide or telescope from within in the case so as to be retractable for storage or extendable for use.[0...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The disadvantages heretofore associated with the prior art are overcome by the inventive design for a suitcase having a flat bottom surface for minimizing wrinkling of packed clothes.

[0008]Thus, a bag assembly is disclosed, comprising a shell member having first and second side walls, first and second end walls, and a bottom. The bag assembly may further comprise a handle assembly connected to the shell member, the handle assembly having a telescoping tubular assembly comprising a fiber-reinforced polymer material. A wheel skid assembly may further be provided, the wheel skid having a pair of wheels, the wheel skid assembly connected to the shell member. The shell member may define a packing space defined by the side walls, the end walls, and the bottom, and the telescoping tubular assembly may be disposed outside of said packing space. Thus arranged, the handle assembly, wheel skid assembly and telescoping tubular member impart substantial strength and rigidity to the suitcase assembly.

Problems solved by technology

One problem with current case designs is that the handle tubes are contained within the packing area of the case.

If the outer handle tubes were to be dented, the inner tubes would either bind or be difficult to slide.

The problem with such an arrangement, however, is that the presence of the handle tubes within the case decreases the total volume available for receiving clothes or other articles by up to 40%.

It also results in the case having an uneven interior bottom surface.

A similar problem exists with the wheel assemblies which also impinge upon the packing area.

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