LUGGAGE ARTICLE WITH FOLDABLE BASE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

 A luggage article (100) having a foldable base assembly (134) is provided. The luggage article may include a rear wheel bracket (136A) including a fixed portion (137) and a foldable portion (135) pivotally attached to the fixed portion and defining a first pivot axis (P), a rear wheel assembly (138A) connected to the fixed portion, a base (146) including a proximal end and a distal end, and a front wheel bracket (136B) connected to the distal end of the base. The rear wheel bracket may be positioned adjacent a rear portion of a bottom end wall (112) of the luggage article. The rear wheel assembly may include two orthogonal axes including a wheel axis and a vertical rotational axis. The proximal end of the base may be connected to the foldable portion. The first pivot axis may extend adjacent a rear wall (104) of the luggage article. The foldable portion may pivot relative to the fixed portion between open and folded positions.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a wheeled luggage article and particularly to a luggage article with a foldable base assembly.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Luggage articles and in particular luggage cases conventionally include base assemblies having mounted wheel brackets and wheels to allow the case to be pulled or pushed along with the user. Additionally, luggage cases may be foldable in order to reduce the volume of the case for storage when not in use. For this purpose, the luggage may be foldable between an orientation for storage and an orientation for use. It is effectively known to use fixed wheel assemblies (non-caster or spinning wheel assemblies) in foldable luggage. However, caster or spinning-type wheel assemblies are popular for the additional directional control they allow when guiding luggage across a support surface.

[0003] The design of such luggage presents a particular unique challenge. Specifically, the luggage must be sufficiently robust to withstand use under heavy loading of the case and transport over rough surface. The luggage must also provide sufficient rigidity to reduce or mitigate deflection of the case in the various dimensions. On the other hand, the internal structure of the luggage must also be compact so as to emphasize the weight and volume that the case can carry for a given overall size and weight while simultaneously allowing a small storage volume of the case when folded. Further, a caster or spinning-type wheel assembly is more complicated and structurally challenging to integrate into a luggage case than a simple upright "fixed" wheel assembly. The luggage must also be simple and easy to handle.

[0004] It is therefore desirable to provide an improved luggage article, and more specifically an improved foldable base assembly that addresses the above described problems and/or which more generally offers improvements or an alternative to existing arrangements.

[0005] Documents that may be related to the present disclosure in that they include various foldable wheel brackets include CN201718657, EP0584135, EP1718183, EP2536613, EP2779860, US2008135365, US2010282556, US2011083933, US2011162931, US6478315, US6604617, US7246805, US7849984, and US8413775.

SUMMARY

[0006] According to the present disclosure there is therefore provided a luggage article as described in the accompanying claims. The present disclosure advantageously provides a foldable yet stable base assembly for a luggage article. The base assembly may have sufficient strength to maintain the luggage article upright when in use. The base assembly may include a foldable portion and a fixed portion, the foldable portion pivotally connected to the fixed portion so the luggage article may be sufficiently collapsed through resilient folding of the luggage article. For example, the base assembly may include a base structure (e.g., an arm or panel) that pivots from a rear wheel bracket which is mounted adjacent a rear portion of the bottom end wall of the luggage article. A front wheel bracket may be fixedly or pivotally mounted to the base structure and positioned opposite the rear wheel bracket. In one example, each of the front and rear wheel brackets includes a spinner wheel assembly.

[0007] In one example, a luggage article having a base assembly is provided. In some embodiments, the luggage article may include a rear wheel bracket including a fixed portion and a foldable portion pivotally attached to the fixed portion and defining a first pivot axis, a rear wheel assembly connected to the fixed portion, a base including a proximal end or edge and a distal end or edge, and a front wheel bracket connected to the distal end or edge of the base. The rear wheel bracket may be positioned adjacent a rear portion of a bottom end wall of the luggage article. The rear wheel assembly may include two orthogonal axes including a wheel axis and a vertical rotational axis. The proximal end or edge of the base may be connected to the foldable portion. The first pivot axis may extend adjacent a rear wall of the luggage article. The foldable portion may pivot relative to the fixed portion between open and folded positions.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first pivot axis may be offset from the wheel axis of the rear wheel assembly.

[0009] In some embodiments, the wheel axis may be positioned forwardly of the first pivot axis.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first pivot axis may extend laterally across the rear wall of the luggage article above the rear wheel assembly.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first pivot axis may be in a vertical plane positioned forwardly of the vertical rotational axis of the rear wheel assembly. In some embodiments, the vertical plane may be parallel to the rear wall.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first pivot axis may be in a vertical plane positioned forwardly of the fixed portion.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first pivot axis may be in a horizontal plane spaced above the foldable portion.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first pivot axis may be positioned approximately equidistant from the fixed portion and foldable portion.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first pivot axis may be spaced behind the wheel axis when the rear wheel assembly is oriented to move the luggage article rearwardly.

[0016] In some embodiments, the foldable portion and the fixed portion may include portions exterior to the luggage article.

[0017] In some embodiments, a rear end of the foldable portion may abut a forward end of the fixed portion when the foldable portion is in the open position.

[0018] In some embodiments, in an open position the foldable portion may extend substantially perpendicular to the fixed portion. In some embodiments, in a folded position the foldable portion may extend at an acute angle, and preferably substantially parallel, to the fixed portion.

[0019] In some embodiments, in an open position the foldable portion may extend substantially linearly relative to a lower arm of the fixed portion. In a folded position, the foldable portion may be positioned adjacent an upper arm of the fixed portion.

[0020] In some embodiments, the rear wheel bracket may be L-shaped.

[0021] In some embodiments, the luggage article may include a lock system integrated in the rear wheel bracket. The lock system may be operable to selectively maintain the open position of the luggage article.

[0022] In some embodiments, the distal end or edge of the base may be positioned adjacent a lower front edge of the luggage article.

[0023] In some embodiments, the front wheel bracket may include a front wheel assembly including two orthogonal rotational axes including a wheel axis and a vertical rotational axis. In some embodiments, the front wheel bracket may be pivotally attached to the distal end or edge of the base at a second pivot axis to pivot between open and folded positions. The second pivot axis may be positioned adjacent a lower front edge of the luggage article. The second pivot axis may be parallel to the first pivot axis. In some embodiments, a connection member, preferably including a pultrusion rod or a planar panel, may extend from the foldable portion and along the base. The connection member may terminate adjacent a lower front edge of the luggage article. The front wheel bracket may be attached near the terminal end of the connection member. In some embodiments, the front wheel bracket may be lockable in the open position.

[0024] In some embodiments, the luggage article may include a pultrusion extending vertically from the fixed portion. The pultrusion may extend adjacent the rear wall.

[0025] In some embodiments, the luggage article may include an extendable handle positioned at an angle relative to the rear wall.

[0026] In some embodiments, the luggage article may include four wheel assemblies, each of the four wheel assemblies including two orthogonal axes including a wheel axis and a vertical rotational axis.

[0027] Additional embodiments and features are set forth in part in the description that follows, and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the specification or may be learned by the practice of the disclosed subject matter. A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, which forms a part of this disclosure. One of skill in the art will understand that each of the various aspects and features of the disclosure may advantageously be used separately in some instances, or in combination with other aspects and features of the disclosure in other instances.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The description will be more fully understood with reference to the following figures in which components are not drawn to scale, which are presented as various embodiments of the disclosure and should not be construed as a complete recitation of the scope of the disclosure, characterized in that:

Fig. 1 is a top front isometric view of a luggage article in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2A is a top front isometric view of a luggage article including a folding support assembly in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2B is a bottom rear isometric view of the luggage article of Fig. 2A in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3A is a top front isometric view of a folding support assembly in an open position in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3B is a detailed view of an additional embodiment of a front wheel bracket in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a top front isometric view of a luggage article in a folded position in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation view of a folding support assembly in an open position in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of a folding support assembly in a folded position in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a folding support assembly in an extended or open position and taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 3A in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a folding support assembly in an extended or open position and taken along line 8-8 in Fig. 3A in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a folding support assembly in a collapsed or closed position and taken along line 9-9 in Fig. 4 in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a folding support assembly in an open position in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of a folding support assembly in a closed position in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Referring to Fig. 1, a wheeled luggage article 100 according to an embodiment includes a generally cuboid structure formed from a plurality of walls defining an enclosed volume of the luggage article 100 in which to carry a user's belongings. The luggage article is transformable between an open, fully operable position as shown in Fig. 1, and a collapsed position as shown in Fig. 4. As described below, a base assembly is foldable to allow the luggage article 100 to move between the two positions. The luggage article 100 includes opposing front and rear walls 102, 104, opposing left and right side walls 106, 108, and opposing top and bottom end walls 110, 112 that collectively define a housing or outer structure of the luggage article 100. The outer structure of the luggage article 100 defines a height, a width, and a depth. Each of the walls 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112 may be referred to as a panel, a face, or a side. For example, the front and rear walls 102, 104 may define major faces of the luggage article 100, with the left and right side walls 106, 108 and opposing top and bottom end walls 110, 112 forming minor faces. The intersections of the front and rear walls 102, 104, the left and right side walls 106, 108, and the top and bottom end walls 110, 112 of the luggage article 100 define respective edges of the luggage article 100. For example, the intersection between the rear wall 104 and the top end wall 110 defines an upper rear edge 114, the intersection between the rear wall 104 and the bottom end wall 112 defines a lower rear edge 116, and the intersection between the front wall 102 and the bottom end wall 112 defines a lower front edge 118. The luggage article 100 may be a bag, a case, a backpack, or any other luggage article, and the luggage article 100 may be soft sided or a hybrid combination of hard and soft sides. As explained below, the luggage article 100 may be formed from a variety of materials and means to allow the luggage article 100 to be resiliently deformable between open and folded positions.

[0030] The luggage article 100 may be split along an opening line 120 into a lid section 122, which includes the front wall 102, and a base section 124, which includes the rear wall 104. The lid section 122 may be pivotally connected to the base section 124 along a portion of the luggage article 100 via a hinge 126, such as a fabric strip, a piano hinge, discrete hinges spaced apart, or an articulating joint. A closure mechanism, such as a zipper 128, may extend along the opening line 120 to releasably secure the lid section 122 to the base section 124. In such embodiments, the zipper 128 may be unzipped to allow the lid and base sections 122, 124 to pivot about the hinge 126 to allow access to the interior. While described hereafter as a zipper 128 and a hinge 126, respectively, various types of closure mechanisms and hinge structures are acceptable.

[0031] The luggage article 100 includes at least one handle. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the luggage article 100 may include fixed carry handles 130 attached to the top end wall 110 and to the left and/or right side walls 106, 108. In some embodiments, the luggage article 100 may include an extendable handle 132, which may be aligned along the outside of the rear wall 104 of the luggage article 100. The extendable handle 132 may be aligned along the rear wall 104 but positioned inside the luggage article 100 and extending through the top end wall 110. In some embodiments, the extendable handle 132 may be substantially parallel to the rear wall 104 of the luggage article 100, or it may extend at an angle relative to the rear wall 104 of the luggage article 100. For example, the extendable handle 132 may lean backwards by around five degrees relative to the rear wall 104 to help absorb any flexibility between the rear wall 104 and the bottom end wall 112 of the luggage article 100. Although described in association with the rear wall 104, the top end wall 110, and the left and/or right side wall 106, 108, the extendable handle 132 and the fixed carry handles 130 may be associated with any wall or side of the luggage article 100.

[0032] With continued reference to Fig. 1, the luggage article 100 may include a base assembly 134 positioned generally adjacent a lower portion of the rear wall 104 and the bottom end wall 112, along the lower rear edge 116. The base assembly 134 is foldable as noted above, and includes a foldable portion 135 and a fixed portion 137. The fixed portion 137 is mounted to the luggage article 100 adjacent the rear wall 104 and along the bottom end wall 112. The foldable portion 135 is pivotally attached to the fixed portion 137 and extends along the bottom end wall 112. In an exemplary embodiment, the foldable portion 135 is attached to the bottom end wall 112. The base assembly 134, when in the open position, creates a rigid or stiff bottom wall structure that is in a fixed position relative to the rear wall 104 and forms the structure of the luggage to help support the contents of the luggage article 100 and the luggage article 100 itself when the luggage article 100 is in use. In the folded or collapsed position, the base assembly 134 may also allow the luggage article 100 to be at least partially folded when not in use. Although the base assembly 134 is described as being attached to the bottom end wall 112 and to the rear wall 104 of the luggage article 100, the base assembly 134 may be located on other parts of the luggage article 100, with or without wheels, and facilitate the transition between the folded and open positions, if desired.

[0033] The base assembly 134 includes at least one wheel bracket 136 having a wheel assembly 138 attached thereto to allow a user to pull or tow the luggage article 100 at an angle relative to a floor, or to guide the luggage article 100 in an upright position. In some embodiments, the base assembly 134 includes four wheel brackets 136, such as two rear wheel brackets 136A and two front wheel brackets 136B, mounted to the bottom end wall 112 of the luggage article 100. As shown in Fig. 2B, each rear wheel bracket 136A is mounted to the respective fixed portion 137 of the base assembly 134 proximate a bottom side corner of the luggage article 100 defined by an intersection of the rear wall 104, the bottom end wall 112, and one of the left and right side walls 106, 108. The front wheel brackets 136B may be positioned adjacent a front portion of the bottom end wall 112 of the luggage article 100. Each of the two rear wheel brackets 136A may be spaced from the other of the two rear wheel brackets 136A by the width of the luggage article 100, and may be spaced from an adjacent front wheel bracket 136B by the depth of the luggage article 100. For maintenance and/or replacement, the wheel brackets 136 may be removable. In other embodiments, the wheel brackets 136 may be permanently mounted so as to be not easily removed.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 2B, each wheel bracket 136 may include a wheel assembly 138, such as a caster or spinning-type wheel assembly, attached thereto. For example, a rear wheel assembly 138A may be connected to each rear wheel bracket 136A, and a front wheel assembly 138B may be connected to each front wheel bracket 136B. Each wheel assembly 138 may include at least one wheel having a wheel axis around which the at least one wheel rotates. To allow the luggage article 100 to be maneuvered on a variety of terrain, each of the rear and front wheel assemblies 138A, 138B may be caster or spinning-type wheel assemblies having two orthogonal axes, such as the wheel axis and a vertical rotational axis about which the wheel assemblies 138 rotate. Although caster or spinning-type wheel assemblies are shown attached to the front wheel brackets 136B, it is contemplated that the front wheel brackets 136B may include any type or combination of wheel assemblies. For instance, the front wheel assemblies 138B may be upright wheel assemblies (not shown). In some embodiments, the front wheel brackets 136B may not include a front wheel assembly 138B, but rather support feet 139 (see Fig. 3B).

[0035] Referring to Figs. 3A and 5, each rear wheel bracket 136A is positioned about the rear bottom corner and may include an upper arm 140 and a lower arm 142. In some embodiments, the upper arm 140, which may be referred to as a strengthening portion, may extend vertically along a portion of the rear wall 104 of the luggage article 100, and the lower arm 142 may extend at least partially along the bottom end wall 112 towards the front wall 102 of the luggage article 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the upper and lower arms 140, 142 define an L-shape cross section. As will be described hereafter, the upper and lower arms 140, 142 of each rear wheel bracket 136A may remain stationary as the luggage article 100 is moved between open and folded positions. As illustrated in Fig. 3A, a rear panel member 156 extending adjacent the rear wall 104 of the luggage article 100 may be attached to the upper arms 140 of the two rear wheel brackets 136A. The rear panel member 156 may help maintain the positional relationship of the two rear wheel brackets 136A and may be operable to increase the torsional rigidity of the base assembly 134. The rear panel member 156 may have a transverse honeycomb shape to reduce overall weight of the luggage article 100 and increase the strength of the rear panel member 156. As shown in Fig. 3A, a bottom portion 158 of the extendable handle 132 is connected to the rear panel member 156.

[0036] As illustrated in Figs. 3A and 5, the foldable portion 135 is pivotally attached to the rear wheel bracket 136A at a first pivot axis P. In some embodiments, the first pivot axis P, which may be equidistant from the upper arm 140 and the lower arm 142, may be positioned adjacent the rear wall 104 of the luggage article 100 and may be offset from the wheel axis of the rear wheel assemblies 138A. For example, the first pivot axis P may extend laterally across the rear wall 104 of the luggage article 100 and adjacent the lower rear edge 116 of the rear wall 104 (e.g., substantially above the rear wheel assemblies 138A). In some embodiments, the wheel axis of each rear wheel assembly 138A may be positioned forwardly of the first pivot axis P. In embodiments where the rear wheel assembly 138A includes an upright wheel assembly, the first pivot axis P may be parallel to the wheel axis. As best seen in Fig. 7, the fixed portion 137 includes a boss 159 having an arcuate bearing surface 161 radially spaced from the first pivot axis P. The foldable portion 135 includes a bearing member 163 having an inner surface 165 that rotatably bears against the arcuate bearing surface 161 of the boss 159. In some embodiments, the inner surface 165 of the foldable portion 135 extends around a majority of the boss 159.

[0037] As best illustrated in Figs. 2B, 4, and 7, the base assembly 134 may include a lock system 152 integrated in the rear wheel bracket 136A of the base assembly 134. One example of a lock system 152 may take the form of a spring-loaded detent 174, which selectively locks and unlocks the foldable portion 135 of the base assembly 134 in an open and/or a closed position. The detent 174 may include a sliding member 176 defining a recess 177 and having an actuator portion 178 that is accessible to a user through, for example, an opening through a bottom surface 181 of the rear wheel bracket 136A. The recess 177 is defined by a lower tab 175A and an upper tab 175B. The detent 174 also includes a blocking member 180 defined on and protruding from a portion of the lower arm 142 of the rear wheel bracket 136A. A spring 185 may bias the sliding member 176 of the detent 174 in a spring biasing direction into or against the blocking member (or tongue) 180. The blocking member 180 is received in the recess 177 and is held in that position by the biasing force of the spring 185. The blocking member 180 may be a ridge or any other suitable structure disposed on the fixed portion 137 and receivable in the corresponding recess 177. By positioning the blocking member 180 within the recess 177, and retaining it in that position by the biasing force of the spring 185, the engagement of the blocking member 180 with the lower and upper tabs 175A, 175B of the recess 177 interferes with and prohibits the relative folding of the foldable portion 135 relative to the fixed portion 137. The recess 177 and the blocking member 180 may be reversed to move the blocking member 180 into and out of engagement with the recess 177.

[0038] The force of the spring may be overcome when a user biases the actuator portion 178 to withdraw the blocking member 180 from the recess 177 and disengage the detent 174. This allows the foldable portion 135 to rotate relative to the fixed portion 137 of the base assembly 134. When the foldable portion 135 is subsequently rotated back towards its locked position (e.g., rotating the foldable portion 135 towards the lower arm 142 of the rear wheel bracket 136A), the blocking member 180 engages the sliding member 176 of the detent 174 to lock the foldable portion 135 in an open position. As shown in Fig. 7, the blocking member 180 includes a first angled surface 187 that corresponds with and slidably bears against a second angled surface 189 of the lower tab 175A to move the sliding member 176 in a direction opposite the spring biasing direction when the foldable portion 135 is rotated towards the lower arm 142. For example, the angled surfaces 187, 189 create a cam force on the sliding member 176 to auto-align the blocking member 180 and the recess 177 to "click" into engagement. Other locking mechanisms may also be used on or in connection with the base assembly 134 in some examples.

[0039] With reference to Fig. 7, in an open position, the foldable portion 135 may extend substantially perpendicular to the fixed portion 137 (e.g., the upper arm 140). As shown, the bottom surface 181 of the foldable portion 135 sits substantially flush with a bottom surface 183 of the fixed portion 137. In some embodiments, a rear end 184 of the foldable portion 135 may abut a forward end 186 of the fixed portion 137 when the foldable portion 135 is in an open position. Furthermore, the foldable portion 135 may be positioned to extend substantially linearly relative to the lower arm 142 of the rear wheel bracket 136A. To further define an open position, the foldable portion 135 and the fixed portion 137 may include corresponding limit surfaces or structures 188 that engage each other to limit the rotation of the foldable portion 135 relative to the fixed portion 137 in at least one direction.

[0040] In a collapsed or folded position, the foldable portion 135 may engage a portion of the luggage article 100 (e.g., the upper arm 140 of each rear wheel bracket 136A). For example, the foldable portion 135 may be pivoted about the first pivot axis P (e.g., counter-clockwise in Fig. 7) until at least a portion of the foldable portion 135 engages a portion of the upper arm 140 of the rear wheel bracket 136A. In the collapsed or folded position, the foldable portion 135 may extend substantially parallel to the fixed portion 137 (e.g., the upper arm 140). Other mechanisms may also be used in connection with the foldable portion 135 in some examples to define a folded position of the base assembly 134. For example, it is contemplated that a portion of the foldable portion 135 (e.g., a terminal end of the bearing member 163) may engage a corresponding portion of the fixed portion 137 to limit the rotation of the foldable portion 135 towards the upper arm 140.

[0041] With reference to Figs. 3A and 5, the foldable portion 135 of the base assembly 134 may include a base 146 extending at least partially across the bottom end wall 112 towards the front wall 102 of the luggage article 100. In some embodiments, the base 146, which may be a panel or an arm, may be one of many components of the bottom end wall 112. For example, where the bottom end wall 112 is made of a plurality of layers, an outer surface (e.g., an exterior surface or an interior surface) of the base 146 may be attached to the hard side and/or the soft side outer material of the luggage article 100. The base 146, which may be constructed of polypropylene board, honeycomb panel, or other material or structure suitable to reduce the overall weight of the luggage article 100 and increase the structural rigidity of the base 146, may include a proximal end or edge 148 and a distal end or edge 150. In some embodiments, the proximal end or edge 148 may be connected to the foldable portion 135, and the distal end or edge 150 may be connected to the housing or luggage structure to form the lower front edge 118 of the luggage article 100. As such, the base 146 and bottom end wall 112 may move with the foldable portion 135 as the foldable portion 135 pivots at the first pivot axis P. As shown in Figs. 5, the base 146 extends substantially parallel to the foldable portion 135. In some embodiments, each front wheel bracket 136B may be connected to the distal end or edge 150 of the base 146. A gap G may be defined adjacent the lower rear edge 116 of the luggage article 100 and between the base 146 and the rear panel member 156 to allow the base assembly 134 to move between open and folded positions. As explained below, when moving from an open position to a closed position, the gap G may decrease in size to permit the base 146 to be positioned nearer the rear panel member 156 when the base assembly 134 is in a folded position.

[0042] As mentioned above, the base assembly 134 may be moved between open and folded positions to open and collapse the luggage article 100. As illustrated in Fig. 3A, in an open position, the base 146 may extend substantially perpendicular to the rear wall 104 of the luggage article 100. In an open position, the foldable portion 135 may be positioned adjacent the lower arm 142 of each rear wheel bracket 136A (e.g., substantially parallel to the lower arm 142). With reference to Figs. 4 and 6, in a folded position, the base 146 may be positioned adjacent the rear wall 104 (e.g., substantially on top of the rear wall 104 and/or the rear panel member 156). In some embodiments, the foldable portion 135 may be positioned adjacent the upper arm 140 of each rear wheel bracket 136A when in the collapsed or folded position. In a folded position, the foldable portion 135 may extend at an acute angle to, and preferably substantially parallel to, the fixed portion 137. Additionally or alternatively, because the lower arm 142 is stationary relative to the upper arm 140 of the rear wheel bracket 136A, the foldable portion 135 may extend substantially perpendicular to the lower arm 142 when the base assembly 134 is in a folded position.

[0043] To fold the base assembly 134 and substantially collapse the luggage article 100, a user may first actuate the lock system 152 of the rear wheel brackets 136A to selectively unlock the foldable portion 135 of the base assembly 134 relative to the fixed portion 137 as described above. A user may then fold the base assembly 134 by rotating the foldable portion 135 relative to the fixed portion 137. For example, the foldable portion 135 may be rotated towards the fixed portion 137 to substantially collapse the luggage article 100 (see Fig. 4). As the foldable portion 135 rotates towards the fixed portion 137, the foldable portion 135 may rotate away from the lower arm 142 of the rear wheel bracket 136A (see Figs. 4 and 6). Rotation of the foldable portion 135 towards the fixed portion 137 transversely collapses and/or reduces the size of the gap G between the base 146 and the rear panel member 156 (see Figs. 8 and 9). A user may continue to rotate the foldable portion 135 towards the fixed portion 137 until, for example, the foldable portion 135 contacts a portion of the luggage article 100 (e.g., the upper arm 140 of each rear wheel bracket 136A), thereby defining the folded position of the base assembly 134. In some embodiments, the foldable portion 135 may not contact a portion of the luggage article 100 to define the folded position of the base assembly 134. For example, the folded position of the base assembly 134 may be defined as when the base 146 contacts the rear panel member 156 or when the terminal end of the bearing member 163 contacts a portion of the fixed portion 137.

[0044] Opening the base assembly 134 may be accomplished in reverse order as that described above. For example, a user may first pivot the foldable portion 135 away from the fixed portion 137 of the base assembly 134 until the lock system 152 of the rear wheel bracket(s) 136A secures the foldable portion 135 relative to the fixed portion 137, as described above. In some embodiments, the lock system 152 may be operable to auto-engage (e.g., the sliding member 176 of the detent 174 auto-engages the blocking member 180 of the lower arm 142) upon rotation of the foldable portion 135 to the open position. Additionally or alternatively, the lock system 152 may require manual manipulation to seat the sliding member 176 against the blocking member 180. For instance, once the foldable portion 135 is in a desired position relative to the fixed portion 137, the actuator portion 178 may be manually slid towards the blocking member 180 to seat the sliding member 176 into or against the blocking member 180.

[0045] Although Figs. 1-9 illustrate a base assembly 134 having one base 146 interconnecting four wheel assemblies 138, it is contemplated that the base assembly 134 may include any number of bases, for example two bases 146. With reference to Figs. 10 and 11, each of the two bases 146 may connect one rear wheel bracket 136A to one front wheel bracket 136B. In such embodiments, the two bases 146 form independent and parallel arm elements 182. Each arm element 182 may pivot independently from the other arm element 182 to provide a greater number of open and/or folded configurations of the base assembly 134 and/or luggage article 100. As shown in Figs. 10 and 11, each arm element 182, which may generally have a substantially rectangular cross section, may be as wide as the rear and/or front wheel brackets 136A, 136B. Each arm element 182 may attach to opposing sides 190 of the rear wheel bracket 136A. In this manner, the arm elements 182 may be stronger and encompass the lock system 152 and/or the first pivot axis P.

[0046] The front wheel brackets 136B may be pivotally connected to the arm elements 182 such that the front wheel brackets 136B may be rotated between open and folded positions. For example, the front wheel brackets 136B may be pivotally attached to the distal end or edge 150 of the base 146 at a second pivot axis. The second pivot axis may be positioned parallel to the first pivot axis P and adjacent the lower front edge 118 of the luggage article 100.

[0047] In the embodiments shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the front wheel brackets 136B may be lockable in the open and/or closed positions. For example, each front wheel bracket 136B may include a lock system 252 similar to the lock system 152 described above with reference to the rear wheel brackets 136A. For example, each front wheel bracket 136B may be configured to include a similar spring-loaded detent 278 that selectively locks and unlocks the front wheel brackets 136B relative to the arm elements 182 (e.g., into or against a similar blocking member 280 in the lower arm 142 of the rear wheel bracket 136A). Other locking mechanisms may also be used on or in connection with the front wheel brackets 136B in some examples. In all other aspects, the embodiment shown in Figs. 10 and 11 may be substantially equivalent to those described in Figs. 1-9.

[0048] With reference to Fig. 3A, the base assembly 134 and/or luggage article 100 may include strengthening features operable to increase torsional rigidity of the base assembly 134 and/or the luggage article 100. As an example of a strengthening feature, two connection members 154 may join the front wheel brackets 136B to the foldable portion 135 of the rear wheel brackets 136A. For example, terminal ends 155 of each connection member 154 may attach to one front wheel bracket 136B and an adjacent rear wheel bracket 136A (see Fig. 3A, for example). In some embodiments, the connection members 154 may extend adjacent the base 146 (e.g., substantially parallel to an edge of the base 146). In such embodiments, the connection members 154 may increase the torsional rigidity and strength of the foldable portion 135 and/or the bottom end wall 112, especially for luggage articles of increased depth. The connection members 154 may generally be a pultrusion rod having a substantially rectangular or circular cross section. Although Figs. 2A-7 illustrate a connection member 154 attached to the rear and front wheel brackets 136A, 136B, it is contemplated that the rear and front wheel brackets 136A, 136B can be attached only to the base 146 (i.e., without the connection members 154).

[0049] With reference to Fig. 3A, pultrusions 160A, 160B may extend vertically from the fixed portion 137 (e.g., from the upper arm 140) to form a frame defining longitudinal corners of the luggage article 100. In some embodiments, at least one reinforcement cross member 162 may be attached between the pultrusions 160A, 160B at a location spaced away from the fixed portions 137. Each reinforcement cross member 162 may extend laterally across the rear wall 104 of the luggage article 100 substantially parallel to the first pivot axis P. The frame defined by the pultrusions 160A, 160B and the at least one cross member 162 may be integrated with the front, rear, and side walls 102, 104, 106, 108 of the luggage article 100 as conventionally known.

[0050] Referring to Fig. 3A, at least one backboard 164 may be connected to the base 146, the rear panel member 156, the pultrusions 160A, 160B, and/or each reinforcement cross member 162. The backboard 164, which may be constructed of a flexible material adapted for resilient deformation, is a component of the rear wall 104 and/or the bottom end wall 112. For instance, the backboard 164 may have a first portion 166 extending adjacent the rear wall 104, and a second portion 168 extending adjacent the base 146. In such embodiments, the first portion 166 extends generally between the upper rear edge 114 and the lower rear edge 116, and the second portion 168 extends generally between the lower rear edge 116 and the lower front edge 118 of the luggage article 100. The second portion 168 may be sandwiched with the base 146 and the hard and/or soft outer material to define the bottom end wall 112 (e.g., between the base 146 and the outer material of the luggage article 100).

[0051] In some embodiments, the backboard 164 is one continuous member having an arcuate third portion 170 between the first portion 166 and the second portion 168 that extends arcuately around the lower rear edge 116 to permit the base assembly 134 to move between open and folded positions. For example, the arcuate third portion 170 may define with the base 146 and the rear panel member 156 a cavity 172 extending transversely between the two rear wheel brackets 136A (see Fig. 8). When moving from an open position to a folded position, the cavity 172 may collapse transversely (see Fig. 9). As shown in Fig. 3A, a top portion 174 of the extendable handle 132 may be connected to the backboard 164. In such embodiments, each reinforcement cross member 162 may increase the torsional rigidity of the backboard 164 to avoid twisting of the extendable handle 132 during spinning of the luggage article 100 by a user. The extendable handle 132 also strengthens the structure of the backboard 164.

[0052] All relative and directional references (including: upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, side, above, below, front, middle, back, vertical, horizontal, and so forth) are given by way of example to aid the reader's understanding of the particular embodiments described herein. They should not be read to be requirements or limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use unless specifically set forth in the claims. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other, unless specifically set forth in the claims.

[0053] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the presently disclosed embodiments teach by way of example and not by limitation. Therefore, the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.

Claims

1. A luggage article (100) comprising:

a rear wheel bracket (136A) including a fixed portion (137) and a foldable portion (135) pivotally attached to the fixed portion and defining a first pivot axis (P), the rear wheel bracket positioned adjacent a rear portion of a bottom end wall (112) of the luggage article;

a rear wheel assembly (138A) connected to the fixed portion, the rear wheel assembly including two orthogonal axes comprising a wheel axis and a vertical rotational axis;

a base (146) including a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end connected to the foldable portion; and

a front wheel bracket (136B) connected to the distal end of the base, wherein:

the first pivot axis extends adjacent a rear wall (104) of the luggage article; and

the foldable portion pivots relative to the fixed portion between open and folded positions.

2. The luggage article of claim 1, wherein the first pivot axis is offset from the wheel axis of the rear wheel assembly.

3. The luggage article of any of claims 1 and 2, wherein the first pivot axis extends laterally across the rear wall of the luggage article above the rear wheel assembly.

4. The luggage article of any of the preceding claims, wherein the first pivot axis is in a vertical plane positioned forwardly of the vertical rotational axis of the rear wheel assembly, wherein the vertical plane is parallel to the rear wall.

5. The luggage article of any of the preceding claims, wherein a rear end (184) of the foldable portion abuts a forward end (186) of the fixed portion when the foldable portion is in the open position.

6. The luggage article of any of the preceding claims, wherein in an open position the foldable portion extends substantially perpendicular to the fixed portion, and wherein in a folded position the foldable portion extends at an acute angle, and preferably substantially parallel, to the fixed portion.

7. The luggage article of any of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a lock system (152) integrated in the rear wheel bracket and operable to selectively maintain the open position of the luggage article.

8. The luggage article of any of the preceding claims, wherein the distal end of the base is positioned adjacent a lower front edge (118) of the luggage article.

9. The luggage article of any of the preceding claims, wherein the front wheel bracket includes a front wheel assembly (138B) including two orthogonal axes comprising a wheel axis and a vertical rotational axis.

10. The luggage article of claim 9, wherein the front wheel bracket is pivotally attached to the distal end of the base at a second pivot axis to pivot between open and folded positions.

11. The luggage article of any of claims 9 and 10, wherein a connection member (154), preferably comprising a pultrusion rod or a planar panel, extends from the foldable portion and along the base, and terminates adjacent a lower front edge (118) of the luggage article, and the front wheel bracket is attached near the terminal end (155) of the connection member.

12. The luggage article of any of claims 10 and 11, wherein the second pivot axis is positioned adjacent a lower front edge (118) of the luggage article.

13. The luggage article of any of claims 10-12, wherein the second pivot axis is parallel to the first pivot axis.

14. The luggage article of any of claims 10-13, wherein the front wheel bracket is lockable in the open position.

15. The luggage article of any of the preceding claims, wherein the luggage article includes four wheel assemblies, each of the four wheel assemblies including two orthogonal axes comprising a wheel axis and a vertical rotational axis.

Drawing