Self-propelled suitcase

• US 20040129469A1
• Filed: 03/11/2004
• Published: 07/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sarteep Kader
• Original Assignee: Sarteep Kader
• Inventors: Kader, Sarteep
• Application Number:
  US10/473,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20040129469A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/167
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 5/14 with built-in rolling means
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 2202/24 Suit-cases, other luggage
• CPC Class Codes: B62B 5/0026 Propulsion aids

Abstract

A self-propelled suitcase comprising a storage compartment (2), a plurality of wheels (7), means (8, 11, 12) for driving at least one wheel, a sensor (20) for sensing a transmitted signal, means (10) for guiding the suitcase toward the source of the transmitted signal, and a separate signal transmitter (21) to be carried by the user for transmitting a signal to be detected by the sensor, whereby the suitcase will follow the user.

Claims

1. A self-propelled suitcase comprising:

i) a storage compartment (2)

ii) a plurality of wheels (7)

iii) means (8, 11, 12) for driving at least one wheel

iv) a sensor (20) for sensing a transmitted signal

v) means (10) for guiding the suitcase toward the source of the transmitted signal.

vi) a separate signal transmitter (21) for transmitting a signal to be detected by the sensor.

2. A suitcase as claimed in claim 1 wherein the signal transmitter is an infrared signal transmitter.

3. A suitcase as claimed in claim 1 wherein the signal transmitter is a radio frequency signal transmitter.

4. A suitcase as claimed in claim 1 wherein the signal transmitter is an ultrasound signal transmitter.

5. A suitcase is claimed in any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the signal transmitter transmits a coded signal and the sensor includes a decoder.

6. A suitcase as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the signal transmitter transmits a timed signal.

7. A suitcase as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said means (8, 11, 12) for driving at least one wheel comprise means for differentially driving wheels on opposite sides of the suitcase whereby the suitcase may be steered.