US20170006983A1

US20170006983A1 - Elevating Suitcase

Info

Publication number: US20170006983A1
Application number: US14/852,055
Authority: US
Inventors: Craig Alan Fugitt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-05-18
Filing date: 2015-09-11
Publication date: 2017-01-12
Also published as: WO2012158942A2; US9827238B2; US20170020861A1; US9492441B2; WO2012158942A9; US20160375003A1; US20140200238A1; US9943512B2

Abstract

An elevating suitcase and method of elevating a suitcase. The elevating suitcase includes a carrying case having a rectangular base, four upstanding side walls, a top cover, whereby the four upstanding side walls each extend upwardly from each side of the rectangular base. An elevating structure is attached to the carrying case, the elevating structure having a base frame and a top frame. Collapsible legs are attached at one end to rollers that run in the base frame and at the other end to the top frame.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application with Ser. No. 61/487,329 filed May 18, 2011 which is incorporated in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Every day, countless individuals climb into automobiles, buses and airplanes and embark on business trips and family vacations. Whether traveling across state lines to visit a relative, trekking across country for a stay at a resort, or climbing aboard an airplane for an important business meeting, spending time away from home is a fact of life for millions of people. Regardless if one travels for business or pleasure, most consumers do not leave home without first packing personal belongings necessary for the trip. Changes of clothing, shoes, toiletries, hair dryers and personal mementos are but a few of the many items most people pack into a suitcase and take with them on the road.
Travelers have traditionally been required to carry luggage pieces such as carry-on suitcases through airports and other locations while en route to a destination. Travelers often use more than one luggage piece to carry their clothing, personal items, and other articles for use in their travels. More recently, such luggage pieces have been provided with wheels to allow travelers to pull such luggage pieces, thereby reducing the physical demands of transporting luggage while traveling.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed an elevating suitcase. The elevating suitcase includes a carrying case having a rectangular base, four upstanding side walls, a top cover, whereby the four upstanding side walls each extend upwardly from each side of the rectangular base. An elevating structure is attached to the carrying case, the elevating structure having a base frame and a top frame. Collapsible legs are attached at one end to rollers that run in the base frame and at the other end to the top frame.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed method of elevating a suitcase. The method includes providing a carrying case having a rectangular base, four upstanding side walls, a top cover, whereby the four upstanding side walls each extend upwardly from each side of the rectangular base attaching an elevating structure to the carrying case. Providing the elevating structure with a base frame and a top frame. Attaching collapsible legs at one end to rollers that run in the base frame and at the other end to the top frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front three-dimensional view of a first embodiment of the elevating suitcase, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There have been various suitcases proposed to make luggage handling easier for the traveler. Many of these suitcases have included rollers and a pull handle so that the traveler can pull the bag alongside of him. However, these traditional improvements to luggage only assist the user in transporting the luggage. Once the luggage is at its final resting place, it is not uncommon for people to have trouble lifting the luggage, which can be very heavy. Elderly individuals and those with handicaps have special difficulty with this issue. The elevating suitcase 10 is designed to alleviate this issue. The elevating suitcase 10 makes it easier to access the suitcase, whether packing or unpacking it, while reducing physical strain and eliminating the chance of injury. The elevating suitcase 10 is designed to be both easy to use and affordable.
FIG. 1 is a front three dimensional view of a first embodiment of the elevating suitcase 10. Elevating suitcase 10 consists of a carrying case or item of luggage 12, including a base 11, four upstanding side walls or lateral sides 16 a, 16 b, 16 c, and 16 d (sides 16 c and 16 d not shown), and a top cover 17. Sides' 16 a-16 d extend& upwardly from each side of the rectangular base 11. Although elevating suitcase 10 is shown a rectangular, any desired shape or dimensions may be utilized. However, it is preferable that total dimensions of the elevating suitcase 10 do not exceed 62 linear inches.
A handle, such as a telescopic handle 18, is generally incorporated in the luggage 12, although not necessarily so. Other alternative handle (not shown) means may be provided attached to any side or edge of the luggage, such as side 16 a. The handle 18 may be included to allow the elevating suitcase to be used in the manner of both a traditional carry suitcase and an upright wheeled suitcase.
The carrying case 12 of the elevating suitcase 10 may be suitably attached to an elevating structure 22, for example, by attaching the luggage 12 with latch 14 on the base frame 28 and secured by a hook 15 on top frame 27. The top frame 27 attaches the luggage 12 to the lifting structure of the elevating structure 22. The legs 24 a and 24 b are attached at one end to rollers 13 a and 13 b that run in the base frame 28. When the elevating suitcase 10 is in its first transportable position, the top frame 27 of the elevating structure 22 is secured flush against the base 28. Legs 24 a and 24 b are collapsed and lie beneath luggage 12, against the walls 28 a, 28 b, 28 c and 28 d of the base 28. When the elevating suitcase 10 is in its second resting position, as shown in FIG. 1, legs 24 a and 24 b are raised from the base 28 and the luggage 12 is elevated.
There is a battery 30 with a USB connection for the operator's convenience, which powers an actuator 31 which is housed within a wall 28 a and 28 c of the base 28. Further, there is a plurality of wheels 32 which are further attached to the base 28 to assist in the transport of the elevating suitcase 10.
In use, the operator activates the electric actuator 31, such as with a power button (not shown), or by remote control (not shown). The actuator within wall 28 a and 28 c of the base 28 turns, causing legs 24 a and 24 b to raise from its first transportable position, to a predetermined height, such as 32 inches. To return the suitcase to its first position, the operator simply uses a button (not shown) to lower the elevating structure 22.
Alternatively, a pneumatic actuator 31 or hydraulic actuator 31 can be used by using a retractable foot pedal 40 to pump up to the desired height. To lower the elevating structure 22, the operator will release the pressure with a control (not shown) or pedal 40.
Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, certain equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices, etc.) the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more features of the other embodiments as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.
The following are proposed merely as an indication of what the inventor(s) may be interested in pursuing by way of patent protection, without prejudice to any future patent right. An elevating suitcase comprising a piece of luggage and base that elevates to a predetermined height to allow easy access to the contents of the luggage.

Claims

1. An elevating suitcase comprising:

a carrying case having a rectangular base, four upstanding side walls, a top cover, whereby the four upstanding side walls each extend upwardly from each side of the rectangular base;

an elevating structure attached to the carrying case;

the elevating structure having a base frame and a top frame; and

collapsible legs that are attached at one end to rollers that run in the base frame and at the other end to the top frame.

2. The elevating suitcase of claim 1 including a handle mounted through an upstanding sidewall.

3. The elevating suitcase of claim 1 including a latch on the base frame to attach the elevating structure to the carrying case.

4. The elevating suitcase of claim 1 including a hook on the top frame to attach the elevating structure to the carrying case.

5. The elevating suitcase of claim 1 including an actuator connected at one end to the base frame and at an opposite end to the top frame to cause the legs to raise from a first transportable position to a second elevated position where the top frame is spaced from the base frame at a predetermined height.

6. The elevating suitcase of claim 5 wherein the actuator is powered by the battery.

7. The elevating suitcase of claim 6 wherein the battery includes a USB connection and is housed within a wall of the base frame.

8. The elevating suitcase of claim 1 including a plurality of wheels attached to the base frame to assist in the transport of the elevating suitcase.

9. The elevating suitcase of claim 1 wherein the elevating suitcase has a first transportable position wherein the top frame of the elevating structure is secured flush against the base frame.

10. The elevating suitcase of claim 9 wherein the legs of the elevating structure are collapsed and lie beneath carrying case against the walls of the base frame.

11. The elevating suitcase of claim 1 wherein the elevating suitcase has a second elevated position wherein the top frame of the elevating structure is spaced from the base frame.

12. The elevating suitcase of claim 11 wherein the legs are raised from the base frame and the carrying case is elevated.

13. The elevating suitcase of claim 1 wherein a pneumatic actuator can be powered with a retractable foot pedal to raise the legs from the base frame and elevating the carrying case.

14. The elevating suitcase of claim 13 wherein the elevating structure is lowered by releasing the pressure on the pedal.

15. The method of elevating a suitcase, comprising:

providing a carrying case having a rectangular base, four upstanding side walls, a top cover, whereby the four upstanding side walls each extend upwardly from each side of the rectangular base;

attaching an elevating structure to the carrying case;

providing the elevating structure with a base frame and a top frame; and

attaching collapsible legs at one end to rollers that run in the base frame and at the other end to the top frame.

16. The method of claim 15 including securing the top frame of the elevating structure flush against the base frame.

17. The method of claim 16 further including collapsing the legs beneath the carrying case against the walls of the base frame.

18. The method of claim 15 including spacing the top frame of the elevating structure from the base frame.

19. The method of claim 18 further including raising the legs from the base frame and the carrying case is elevated.