Business case with removable handle and wheel assembly

• US 20040011617A1
• Filed: 06/30/2003
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: McKlein Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Chetthia Saetia
• Inventors: Saetia, Chetthia
• Granted Patent: US 6,994,193 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 190/115
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/262 for wheeled luggage
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/385 with rolling means trunks with built-in rolling means A45C5/14
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 3/02 Briefcases or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/143 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/02 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of one strap passing over the shoulder
• CPC Class Codes: A45F 3/04 Sacks or packs carried on the body by means of two straps passing over the two shoulders
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 190/903 Zipper

Abstract

A luggage case is provided with straps or handles for carrying the case and a wheel and an extendable handle assembly for dragging or pulling the case. The wheel and extendable handle assembly is removably attachable to the case, such that it need not be carried when the case is carried by the straps or handles. The wheel and handle assembly are formed as a shell to snugly surround the luggage case. In the preferred embodiment, the case and the shell are joined by mating zippers at the bottom front and top rear edges of the assembly.

Claims

1. A luggage case system comprising:

a case having a top, bottom, front, back and sides,

a wheel and handle assembly, comprising a partial housing including a bottom, a back, and sides, an extendable handle secured to said back, said partial housing conforming in shape to that of said case, such that said bottom of said case may be placed on the bottom of the partial housing, and said back and sides of said case will engage the back and sides of said partial housing,

complementary readily releasable securing devices being provided on said case and said partial housing such that said case may be secured to said wheel and handle assembly, whereby with said handle extended said case may be pulled by said handle.

2. The luggage case system of claim 1, wherein said complementary releasable securing device is at least one zipper formable by mating zipper halves attached to said case and said housing, respectively.

3. The luggage case system of claim 1, wherein said complementary releasable securing device is a hook and loop fastener.

4. The luggage case system of claim 1, wherein said complementary releasable securing device is formed by mating snaps.

5. The luggage case system of claim 1, wherein said partial housing of said wheel and handle assembly is formed of a rigid material.

6. The luggage case system of claim 5, wherein said back of said partial housing is of the same height as said case, and said bottom is of approximately the same size as the bottom of said case.

7. The luggage case system of claim 6, wherein said sides of said housing are substantially as wide as said sides of said case and shorter than the height of said back of said housing.

8. The luggage case system of claim 5, wherein said partial housing is formed of plastic.

9. The luggage case system of claim 1, wherein said case is formed of a wear-resistant fabric.

10. The luggage case system of claim 1, wherein said case is a business case.

11. The luggage case system of claim 1, wherein said case is a back pack.

12. The luggage case system of claim 1, wherein said case is designed to accommodate a portable computer.