Suitcase

The disclosure relates to the field of suitcases.

It is known to provide hard shell suitcases for children which are configured to allow the child to sit on the suitcase while the suitcase rests on four wheels. The child may propel the suitcase by pushing against the ground with their feet.

Typically, such suitcases are provided with a fabric strap for towing the suitcase. The strap is usually detachable from the suitcase when not in use. The suitcases are generally also provided with fabric carry handles. Each wheel rotates about one axis, allowing the suitcase to be towed or propelled in one direction. The suitcases typically comprise two concave shells connected by a hinge, that are clipped together (for example with latches, clips or clasps) to close the suitcase. The interface between the two concave shells is conventionally in a plane perpendicular to the wheel plane and parallel to the direction of travel, such that the hinge is between two pairs of wheels.

It is also known to provide suitcases for adults that comprise two or four wheels and are configured to be towed using a retractable handle. These suitcases typically comprise two concave shells (a base portion and a lid portion) connected by a hinge, wherein the interface between the two concave shells is conventionally in a plane perpendicular to the wheel plane. When not in use, the retractable handle is stored in a base portion of the suitcase. The storage of the retractable handle in the base portion of the suitcase generally results in an uneven packing surface. Two-wheeled suitcases generally comprise two wheels on a base portion of the suitcase and two feet on a lid portion of the suitcase for stability when not being towed, wherein the two wheels and two feet are in the same plane. Four-wheeled suitcases generally comprise two wheels on the base portion of the suitcase and two wheels on the lid portion of the suitcase, with no feet.

Against this background, in a first aspect of the disclosure there is provided a hard-shell suitcase comprising a base portion comprising a first concave shell, wherein an edge of the first concave shell defines a first plane. The hard-shell suitcase further comprises a lid portion connected to the base portion by a hinge such that the lid portion is configured to be movable with respect to the base portion between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position an edge of the lid portion is adjacent to the edge of the first concave shell in the first plane. The hard-shell suitcase further comprises first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies attached to the exterior of the base portion. The first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies are in a second plane parallel to the first plane. The first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies are configured to support the base portion. Each wheel assembly is configured to rotate about a first axis parallel to the second plane and about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The hard-shell suitcase further comprises a first retractable handle parallel to the first plane configured to be movable in a first direction parallel to the first plane from a retracted position to an extended position and from the extended position to the retracted position, wherein in the retracted position a portion of the first retractable handle is housed inside the lid portion.

In this way a person may sit on the lid portion of the hard-shell suitcase with the hard-shell suitcase supported by the first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies. The first retractable handle is housed in the lid portion, increasing the space available in the base portion and allowing a flat surface for packing inside the base portion as there is no handle housed in the base portion. The lid portion provides a stable surface to sit on.

The hard-shell suitcase may further comprise first, second, third and fourth feet, wherein the first and second feet are attached to the exterior of the base portion and wherein the third and fourth feet are attached to the exterior of the lid portion.

In this way the hard-shell suitcase may be supported by the first, second, third and fourth feet when the first plane of the hard-shell suitcase is perpendicular to the ground.

The hard-shell suitcase may further comprise a second retractable handle configured to be movable in a plurality of directions between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions, wherein in the retracted position a portion of the second retractable handle is housed inside the lid portion.

In this way a person may tow the hard-shell suitcase using the second retractable handle at an angle to the first plane. A person may be too tall to tow the hard-shell suitcase using the first retractable handle (configured to be parallel to the first plane). A first person (for example a child) may sit on the hard-shell suitcase and a second person (for example an adult) may tow the hard-shell suitcase using the second retractable handle at an angle to the first plane. If the first person is not sitting on the hard-shell suitcase, the first person may tow the hard-shell suitcase using the first retractable handle.

The second retractable handle may be flexible.

Advantageously, this may allow the second retractable handle to be used at extended positions that are at any angle between 0° and 90° to the first plane. A flexible retractable handle may be stored in a compact way in the lid portion of the hard-shell suitcase, for example by housing it in a rolled configuration.

The plurality of extended positions of the second retractable handle may be in a third plane, wherein the third plane is perpendicular to the first plane and parallel to the first direction.

In this way the second retractable handle may not be movable relative to the hard-shell suitcase in directions parallel to the first plane and so may be used to steer the hard-shell suitcase in different directions.

The base portion may comprise a first foot rest and a second foot rest.

In this way a first person sitting on the suitcase may rest their feet on the first and second foot rests, such that if the hard-shell suitcase is towed while the first person is sitting on it their feet may be raised so as not to impede motion.

The hard-shell suitcase may further comprise a carry handle attached to the exterior of the lid portion.

In this way the hard-shell suitcase may be carried.

In the closed position the lid portion may be attached to the base portion by a zip.

The base portion and the lid portion may be manufactured by blow moulding.

The base portion and the lid portion may be made from a thermoplastic polymer.

The base portion and the lid portion may be made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

Each wheel assembly may comprise a pair of parallel wheels.

Each wheel in the pair of parallel wheels may be arranged on either side of a central portion, wherein the central portion is configured to rotate about the second axis.

In a second aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a hard-shell suitcase comprising a base portion comprising a first concave shell, wherein an edge of the first concave shell defines a first plane. The hard-shell suitcase further comprises a lid portion connected to the base portion by a hinge such that the lid portion is configured to be movable with respect to the base portion between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position an edge of the lid portion is adjacent to the edge of the first concave shell in the first plane. The hard-shell suitcase further comprises first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies wherein the first and second wheel assemblies are attached to the exterior of the base portion and wherein the third and fourth wheel assemblies are attached to the exterior of the lid portion. The first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies are in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. Each wheel assembly is configured to rotate about a first axis parallel to the second plane and about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The first, second, third and fourth feet attached to the exterior of the base portion, wherein the first, second, third and fourth feet are in a third plane parallel to the first plane. The hard-shell suitcase further comprises a first retractable handle parallel to the first plane configured to be movable in a direction parallel to the first plane between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein in the retracted position a portion of the first retractable handle is housed inside the lid portion.

In this way a person may sit on the lid portion of the hard-shell suitcase with the hard-shell suitcase supported by the first, second, third and fourth feet. The first, second, third and fourth feet provide a stable support for the hard-shell suitcase for a person to sit on it. The first retractable handle is housed in the lid portion, increasing the space available in the base portion and allowing a flat surface for packing inside the base portion as there is no handle housed in the base portion. The lid portion provides a stable surface to sit on.

The hard-shell suitcase may further comprise a carry handle attached to the exterior of the lid portion.

In this way the hard-shell suitcase may be carried.

In the closed position the lid portion may be attached to the base portion by a zip.

The base portion and the lid portion may be manufactured by blow moulding.

The base portion and the lid portion may be made from a thermoplastic polymer.

The base portion and the lid portion may be made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

Each wheel assembly may comprise a pair of parallel wheels.

Each wheel in the pair of parallel wheels may be arranged on either side of a central portion, wherein the central portion is configured to rotate about the second axis.

With reference to, a hard-shell suitcaseaccording to a first embodiment of this disclosure is shown. With reference to, the hard-shell suitcase ofis shown with the first plane indicated by short-dashed lines, the second plane indicated by long-dashed lines, the first axis indicated by dotted line, the second axis indicated by dot-dashed lineand the first direction shown by arrow.shows the hard-shell suitcaseofrotated such that the first and second planes are parallel to the vertical.shows a different perspective view the hard-shell suitcaseof.shows the hard-shell suitcaseoffrom the other side.

The hard-shell suitcasecomprises a base portioncomprising a first concave shell, wherein an edge of the first concave shell defines a first plane. The hard-shell suitcasefurther comprises a lid portionconnected to the base portion by a hinge such that the lid portionis configured to be movable with respect to the base portionbetween an open position and a closed position. In the closed position an edgeof the lid portionis adjacent to the edgeof the first concave shell in the first plane. The hard-shell suitcasefurther comprises first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies attached to the exterior of the base portion. Only first, second and third wheel assemblies,andare visible in. The fourth wheel assemblyis visible in. The first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies,,andare in a second planeparallel to the first plane. The first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies,,andare configured to support the base portion. Each wheel assembly is configured to rotate about a first axisparallel to the second planeand about a second axisperpendicular to the first axis. The hard-shell suitcasefurther comprises a first retractable handleparallel to the first planeconfigured to be movable in a first directionparallel to the first planefrom a retracted position to an extended position and from the extended position to the retracted position. In the retracted position a portion of the first retractable handleis housed inside the lid portion.

When the hard-shell suitcaseis supported by the first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies,,and, the first planeand second planeare parallel to the ground.

The first retractable handlemay be configured to move in either direction (extending or retracting) along the first direction. The first retractable handlemay be movable between the retracted position and one extended position. The first retractable handlemay be movable between the retracted position and more than one extended positions, and first retractable handlemay be movable between the extended positions. The first retractable handlemay be rigid. The first retractable handlemay comprise a button configured to release the first retractable handlefrom the retracted position or the one or more extended positions, and to allow the first retractable handleto be moved between the retracted position and the one or more extended positions, or between the one or more extended positions.

Referring again to, the hard-shell suitcasemay further comprise a second retractable handleconfigured to be movable in a plurality of directions between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions. In the retracted position, a first portion of the second retractable handlemay be housed inside the lid portion. In an extended position, a second portion of the second retractable handlemay extend from the lid portion. In an extended position, the second retractable handlemay be at a first angle to the first plane. In an example, the plurality of extended positions of the second retractable handlemay be in a third plane, wherein the third plane is perpendicular to the first planeand parallel to the first direction. In another example, the plurality of extended positions of the second retractable handlemay be between 0° and 90° from the first planeand between 0° and 90° degrees either side of the first direction. When extended, the second retractable handlemay be fixable at one of the plurality of extended positions, or may be movable between more than one extended position. The plurality of extended positions may comprise positions at a plurality of angles to the first plane, positions at a plurality of angles to the first direction, a plurality of lengths of the second portion of the second retractable handle, or a combination of these.

The second retractable handlemay be flexible. The second retractable handlemay be moved between the retracted position and one of the plurality of extended positions by moving the retractable handle at a first angle to the first plane. The second retractable handlemay be housed by rolling the second retractable handlearound an axis.

The second retractable handlemay, alternatively, be rigid. The second retractable handlemay be moved between the retracted position and one of the plurality of extended positions by moving the retractable handle parallel to the first planeand then lifting the second retractable handleto one of the plurality of extended positions at an angle, wherein the extended position is at a first angle to the first plane.

The hard-shell suitcasemay further comprise a carry handleattached to the exterior of the lid portion. The carry handlemay be a fixed handle. The carry handlemay be partially extendable, wherein the carry handleis configured to be flush with the exterior of the lid portionwhen not in use, and to extend to allow a user to insert their hand between the carry handleand the exterior of the lid portion. The carry handlemay be housed in a recess of the lid portion.

The hard-shell suitcasemay further comprise a first foot-restand a second foot-rest(not visible in, but visible in) attached to the exterior of the base portion. The first foot-restand the second foot-restmay be positioned on opposite sides of the base portion, such that the first foot-restand the second foot-restare positioned either side of the first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies,,and.

The hard-shell suitcasemay further comprise a first gripping handleand a second gripping handle(not visible in, but visible in) attached to the exterior of the lid portionsuch that a person seated on the hard-shell suitcaseis able to grip the first gripping handleand the second gripping handle.

The hard-shell suitcasemay further comprise first, second, third and fourth feet,,and. The exemplary feet shown inare cylindrical in shape. The feet may comprise any shape. With reference to, the first, second and fourth feet,,andare configured to support the hard-shell suitcasewhen the suitcase is rotated such that the first planeis perpendicular to the ground.

In use, with reference to, a first personmay sit on the hard-shell suitcasewhen the first planeis parallel to the ground and the hard-shell suitcase is supported by the first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies,,and. The first person may sit on the lid portion. The first personmay grip the first and second gripping handlesandand rest their feet on the first and second foot-restsand. A second personmay extend the second retractable handleand may tow the hard-shell suitcaseusing the second retractable handle. The first personmay be a child, and the second personmay be an adult such that the second retractable handle is extended to an extended position at an angle to the first plane. When the first personis not sitting on the hard-shell suitcase, the first personmay tow the hard-shell suitcaseusing the first retractable handlein an extended position parallel to the first plane.

With reference to, a hard-shell suitcaseaccording to a second embodiment of this disclosure is shown.shows the hard-shell suitcaseofwith the first plane indicated by short-dashed lines, the second plane indicated by long-dashed lines, the first axis indicated by dotted line, the second axis indicated by dot-dashed lineand the first direction shown by arrow.show perspective views of the hard-shell suitcaserotated by 90° such that the second plane is parallel to the horizontal.

With reference to, the hard-shell suitcasecomprises a base portioncomprising a first concave shell, wherein an edgeof the first concave shell defines a first plane. The hard-shell suitcasefurther comprises a lid portionconnected to the base portionby a hinge such that the lid portionis configured to be movable with respect to the base portion between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position an edgeof the lid portionis adjacent to the edge of the first concave shell in the first plane. The hard-shell suitcasefurther comprises first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies,,andwherein the first and second wheel assembliesandare attached to the exterior of the base portionand wherein the third and fourth wheel assembliesandare attached to the exterior of the lid portion. The first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies,,andare in a second planeperpendicular to the first plane. Each wheel assembly is configured to rotate about a first axisparallel to the second planeand about a second axisperpendicular to the first axis. The hard-shell suitcasefurther comprises first, second, third and fourth feet,,and(onlyis visible in, but all of,,andare visible in) attached to the exterior of the base portion, wherein the first, second, third and fourth feet,,andare in a third plane parallel to the first plane. The hard-shell suitcasefurther comprises a first retractable handleparallel to the first planeconfigured to be movable in a directionparallel to the first planebetween a retracted position and an extended position, wherein in the retracted position a portion of the first retractable handleis housed inside the lid portion.

When the first planeis parallel to the ground, the hard-shell suitcasemay be supported by the first, second, third and fourth feet,,and. When the second planeis parallel to the ground, the hard-shell suitcasemay be supported by the first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies,,and.

The first retractable handlemay be configured to move in either direction (extending or retracting) along the first direction. The first retractable handlemay be movable between the retracted position and one extended position. The first retractable handlemay be movable between the retracted position and more than one extended positions, and first retractable handlemay be movable between the extended positions. The first retractable handlemay be rigid. The first retractable handlemay comprise a button configured to release the first retractable handlefrom the retracted position or the one or more extended positions, and to allow the first retractable handleto be moved between the retracted position and the one or more extended positions, or between the one or more extended positions.