Towable wheeled backpack

Abstract

A towable, wheeled-backpack includes a towing handle attached to a curved, single-pole, telescoping towing member which retracts into the backpack when not in use. The curvature of the towing member provides support for a backing sheet that is attached to the towing member, and the backing sheet is contoured so that the backpack can be comfortably supported on a wearer's back. A rigid base with wheels is pivotally attached to a bottom end of the towing member. The pivot attachment allows the base and wheels to move independently of the towing member as the bag is worn or as the bag is rolled along the ground.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
   
   
       21 . A piece of baggage comprising:
 a baggage body having a base; and   a towing system comprising:
 a telescoping towing member comprising:
 a non-extendable portion mounted to the base at a location interior to the baggage body; and 
 at least one extendable portion slideably received within the non-extendable portion and movable relative to the non-extendable portion along a telescoping path between a retracted position and an extended position; 
 wherein the at least one extendable portion has opposing proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal length extending therebetween, and the longitudinal length follows a curved trajectory providing a curved telescoping path between the extended position and the retracted position; 
 
   wherein the distal end is movable along the curved telescoping path upwardly and outwardly away from the baggage body as the at least one extendable portion is extended and retracted; and   wherein the distal end is not positioned over the base when the baggage is in upright position and the at least one extendable arm is in the extended position.   
   
   
       22 . The piece of baggage of  claim 21 , wherein the towing system further comprises a tow handle attached to the distal end. 
   
   
       23 . The piece of baggage of  claim 21 , wherein the base comprises a rigid towing base attached to the baggage body. 
   
   
       24 . The piece of baggage of  claim 23 , further comprising at least one wheel rotatably mounted to the towing base. 
   
   
       25 . The piece of baggage of  claim 21 , further comprising at least one wheel coupled to the baggage body. 
   
   
       26 . The piece of baggage of  claim 21 , wherein the longitudinal length of the at least one extendable portion is uniformly curved between the opposing proximal and distal ends of the at least one extendable portion. 
   
   
       27 . The piece of baggage of  claim 21 , wherein said longitudinal length of said extendable portion is arched between the proximal and distal ends. 
   
   
       28 . The piece of baggage of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one extendable portion has a non-circular cross-section. 
   
   
       29 . The piece of baggage of  claim 21 , wherein the non-extendable portion is located substantially entirely inside the baggage body. 
   
   
       30 . The piece of baggage of  claim 21 , wherein the baggage body defines at least one of a backpack and suitcase. 
   
   
       31 . The piece of baggage of  claim 21 , wherein towing member consists of a single-pole defined by the non-extendable portion and the at least one extendable portion. 
   
   
       32 . The piece of baggage of  claim 21 , wherein the baggage body is flexible. 
   
   
       33 . A towing system kit for piece of baggage having a baggage body, the kit comprising:
 a towing member attachable to the base at an interior location of the baggage body, the towing member comprising:
 a base; 
 a telescoping towing member comprising:
 a non-extendable portion mountable to the base at a location interior to the baggage body; and 
 at least one extendable portion slideably receivable within the non-extendable portion and movable relative to the non-extendable portion along a telescoping path between a retracted position and an extended position; 
 wherein the at least one extendable portion has opposing proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal length extending therebetween, and the longitudinal length follows a curved trajectory providing a curved telescoping path between the extended position and the retracted position; and 
 
   a tow handle attachable to the distal end;   wherein, when the towing member is attached to the base and the towing handle is attached to the distal end, the towing handle is movable along the curved telescoping path as the at least one extendable portion is extended and retracted, and wherein the distal end is not positioned over the base when the baggage is in upright position and the at least one extendable arm is in the extended position.   
   
   
       34 . The kit of  claim 33 , wherein the base is separately provided from the baggage body. 
   
   
       35 . The kit of  claim 33 , wherein the base comprises a wheel well. 
   
   
       35 . The kit of  claim 33 , further comprising at least one wheel attachable to one of the base and the body. 
   
   
       36 . The kit of  claim 33 , wherein the longitudinal length of the at least one extendable portion is uniformly curved between the opposing ends of the at least one extendable portion. 
   
   
       37 . The kit of  claim 33 , wherein said longitudinal length of said extendable portion is arched between the proximal and distal ends. 
   
   
       38 . The kit of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one extendable portion has a non-circular cross-section. 
   
   
       39 . The kit of  claim 33 , wherein the non-extendable portion is located substantially entirely inside the baggage body. 
   
   
       40 . The kit of  claim 33 , wherein the baggage body defines at least one of a backpack and suitcase. 
   
   
       41 . The kit of  claim 33 , wherein the towing member consists of a single-pole defined by the non-extendable portion and the at least one extendable portion. 
   
   
       42 . The kit of  claim 33 , wherein the baggage body is flexible. 
   
   
       43 . The kit of  claim 33 , wherein the curved telescoping path extends away from a vertical centerline of said base when the base is an upright position. 
   
   
       44 . The piece of baggage of  claim 21 , wherein the curved telescoping path extends away from a vertical centerline of said baggage body when said baggage body is an upright position. 
   
   
       45 . A piece of baggage comprising:
 a baggage body having a base; and   a towing system comprising:
 a telescoping towing member comprising:
 a non-extendable portion mounted to the base at a location interior to the baggage body; and 
 at least one extendable portion slideably received within the non-extendable portion and movable relative to the non-extendable portion along a telescoping path between a retracted position and an extended position; 
 wherein the at least one extendable portion has opposing proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal length extending therebetween, and the longitudinal length follows a curved trajectory providing a curved telescoping path between the extended position and the retracted position; 
 
   wherein the distal end is movable along the curved telescoping path upwardly and outwardly away from the baggage body as the at least one extendable portion is extended; and   wherein the curved telescoping path extends away from a vertical centerline of said baggage body when said baggage body is an upright position.   
   
   
       46 . The piece of baggage of  claim 45 , wherein the distal end is not positioned over the base when the baggage is in upright position and the at least one extendable arm is in the extended position. 
   
   
       47 . The piece of baggage of  claim 45 , wherein the baggage body defines at least one of a backpack and suitcase. 
   
   
       48 . The piece of baggage of  claim 45 , wherein the at least one extendable portion is non-circular. 
   
   
       49 . The piece of baggage of  claim 45 , wherein the towing member consists of a single-pole defined by the non-extendable portion and the at least one extendable portion.