Baggage cart suitcase

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates generally to travel accessories and, more specifically, to a suitcase that can be easily converted into a carrying cart to transport multiple pieces of luggage.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Presently, most suitcases include at least one pair of wheels attached to the bottom of the suitcase and a handle or pull-bar attached to the top or to one of the sides of the suitcase. The wheels and handle allow the suitcase to be pulled and easily transport along a supporting surface. While this is convenient and works well, a problem occurs in the case where an individual traveler has more than one large piece of luggage. In this situation, the individual traveler has to carry around multiple pieces of luggage around the airport, station, hotel, or the like. At most such places baggage carts or similar devices are available for rent or service of airport or hotel personnel can be used. However, these methods of carrying the luggage can be inconvenient, time consuming, and expensive. Furthermore, these devices and methods might not be readily available at all locations. Even if they are available, the traveler might need to carry his/her baggage to the baggage carts or to where personnel service is available. This can be extremely burdensome. Furthermore, pushing a prior art baggage cart, such as those available at airports, by an individual traveler can be difficult if heavily loaded.

[0005] Therefore a need existed to provide a baggage cart that is always available to a traveler. The baggage cart must be able to carrying and transport several pieces of luggage when traveling.

[0006] A need further exists to provide a suitcase that can be easily transformed into and readily used as a baggage cart. The suitcase/baggage cart combination must be relatively inexpensive, reliable, and easy to handle by an individual traveler.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a baggage cart that is always available to a traveler.

[0008] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a baggage cart that is able to carrying and transport several pieces of luggage when traveling.

[0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suitcase that can be easily transformed into and readily used as a baggage cart.

[0010] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a suitcase/baggage cart that is able to transport several pieces of luggage securely and easily.

[0011] It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a suitcase/baggage cart combination that is relatively inexpensive, reliable, and easy to handle by an individual traveler.

[0012] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a combination suitcase and baggage cart is disclosed. The combination suitcase and baggage cart has a first case for storing items. A second case is retractably coupled to the first case and is also used for storing items. A set of wheels is coupled to the first case and the second case for moving the combination suitcase and baggage cart. Retaining fences are retractably coupled to the first case and the second case for holding items on the combination suitcase and baggage cart. A handle is coupled to the combination suitcase and baggage cart for pulling combination suitcase and baggage cart.

[0013] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a elevated perspective view of a baggage cart suitcase according to the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a side view of the baggage cart suitcase according to the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a view of the baggage cart suitcase according to the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a top view of the baggage cart suitcase according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

[0020] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the baggage cart suitcase according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a baggage cart suitcase 10 according to the present invention is shown. The baggage cart suitcase 10 generally comprises, in combination: a first case 20, a second case 30, a first pair of wheels 11, a second pair of wheels 12, two baggage-retaining fences 13, and a pull arrangement 14.

[0023] Both cases 20 and 30 have a generally oblong configuration and are manufactured in two parts, a top part 21 and a bottom part 22. The top part 21 comprises a top wall 23, a front wall 24, a rear wall 25, a first sidewall 26 and a second sidewall 27. The top wall 23 includes an area 31 hollowed out as recess for the baggage-retaining fence 13 as well as a brace 15. The bottom part 22 comprises a bottom wall 28, a front wall 24, a rear wall 25, a first sidewall 26, and a second sidewall 27. The bottom wall 28 of the first case 20 includes an area 31 hollowed out as recess for the first pair of wheels 11. The bottom wall 28 of the second case 30 includes an area 32 hollowed out as recess for the second pair of wheels 12. The top part 21 and the bottom part 22 are connected at the rear wall 25 with hinges 33 and at the front wall 24 with at least one lock 34. The top part 21 and the bottom part 22 enclose a space for packing.

[0024] The first case 20 further comprises a handle 16 attached to the first sidewall 26 of the bottom part 22. The handle 16 can be used for lifting the baggage cart suitcase 10 as well as for attaching a pull arrangement 14, such as an extendable rod 17 with a grip 18 at one end and a hook 19 for coupling the rod 17 with the first case 20 at the opposite end, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the top wall 23 includes the baggage-retaining fence 13 that is recessed in the hollowed out area 31. The baggage-retaining fence 13 is movably mounted with hinges to the top wall 23 next to the edge with the first sidewall 26. The baggage-retaining fence 13 can be lifted to an upright position and can be secured in this position with the brace 15. When lifted to an upright position, the baggage-retaining fence 13 of the first case 20 and of the second case 30 will each and in combination support and restrain luggage to be transported. When recessed in the hollowed out area 31, the baggage-retaining fence 13 is not noticeable and the baggage cart suitcase 10 can be stored, e.g. in an overhead compartment of an airplane, without taking up more space than a prior art suitcase.

[0026] Still referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the first case 20 includes the first pair of wheels 11 mounted with hinges 38 to the bottom wall 28. The first pair of wheels 11 is able to rotate by 360 degrees. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the first pair of wheels 11 is smaller in size than the second pair of wheels 12. The second pair of wheels 12 is also mounted with hinges 38 to the bottom wall 28, as shown in FIG. 4. The second pair of wheels 12 is straight moving. Both pairs of wheels 11 and 12 can be recessed in the hollowed out area 32 of the bottom wall 28 if not used, as shown in FIG. 7. In this case, the baggage cart suitcase 10 can be stored, e.g. in an overhead compartment of an airplane, without taking up more space than a prior art suitcase. The first pair of wheels 11 and the second pair of wheels 12 can be unfolded towards the front wall 24 and the rear wall 25, respectively, as shown in FIG. 3. The unfolded wheels 11 and 12 then will be strengthened in this position with braces 29, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0027] When both pairs of wheels 11 and 12 are unfolded and strengthened by the braces 29, the baggage cart suitcase 10 can be pulled over a supporting surface using the pull arrangement 14, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0028] Now referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a top view and a cross-sectional side view of the baggage cart suitcase 10 according to the present invention is shown. The first case 20 and the second case 30 are connected with each other by at least two support bars 36. The at least two support bars 36 are located next to the bottom wall 28 of the first case 20 and of the second case 30 and are supported by a frame 36, as shown in FIG. 8. If more space is needed to transport additional luggage, the first case 20 and the second case 30 can slide apart from each other along the support bars 36, providing the needed space. If no extra transport space is needed, the first case 20 and the second case 30 can be pushed together and secured in this position with a locking mechanism 37 that connects both top walls 23, as shown in FIG. 1. In this case, the support bars 35 will be safely stored inside the frame 36.

[0029] The baggage cart suitcase 10 is made out of a plurality of different materials. For example, the covering of the first case 20 and the second case 30 may be made out of plastic, nylon, ballistic nylon, and the like. The other components are generally made out of a heavy plastic or metal to provide a suitcase that is sturdy enough to function as a baggage cart. By using smaller front wheels 11 that can rotate by 360 degree, the baggage cart suitcase 10 can be easily maneuvered around corners or the like.

[0030] By mounting the two pairs of wheels 11 and 12 to the area with the largest dimension the baggage cart suitcase 10 becomes sturdy enough to be used for securely and reliably transporting several pieces of luggage.

[0031] The baggage cart suitcase 10 can be easily converted from a suitcase into a baggage cart by lifting the baggage-retaining fences 13 into an upright position, unfolding the two pairs of wheels 11 and 12, securing the fence 13 and the wheels 11 and 12 with braces 15 and 29, respectively, and attaching the pull arrangement 14. Therefore, a baggage cart is always available and can be used almost instantly when traveling with the baggage cart suitcase 10.

[0032] By providing the baggage cart suitcase 10 problems associated with the prior art baggage carts are solved.

[0033] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.