Roller ball luggage system

Abstract

A roller travel luggage system includes a standard carry-on case or travel bag fitted with a large roller ball at the bottom end. The roller ball is captured in a socket ring on the bottom end that allows the roller ball to turn in any direction. The roller ball and socket ring are positioned at the center of the leading edge and two legs for upright standing are placed on the outside corners of the trailing edge of the bottom end. These legs are sized such that the roller travel luggage can stand up upright on its own without assistance. Alternatively, these legs can be fitted with small roller bearings on their ends such that the roller travel luggage can be easily scooted around short distances while standing upright.

1 . A roller travel luggage system, comprising:
 a carry-on case or travel bag fitted with a large roller ball at its bottom end, wherein the roller ball is captured in a socket ring on the bottom end that allows the roller ball to turn in any direction;   wherein, the roller ball and socket ring are positioned at the center of the leading edge of the carry-on case or travel bag, and two legs for upright standing are placed on the outside corners of the trailing edge of the bottom end; and   wherein, the legs are sized and located such that the roller travel luggage system can stand up upright on its own without assistance.   
     
     
         2 . The roller travel luggage system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 roller bearings fitted on the ends of the legs such that the roller travel luggage can be scooted around short distances while standing upright.   
     
     
         3 . A roller travel bag, comprising:
 a carry-on case with a top, sides, front, back, and bottom;   a ball transfer caster mounted on a pivot and embedded in the bottom of the carry-on case, wherein the ball transfer caster is able to rotate on the pivot and extend out the bottom to carry the weight of the carry-on case;   a handle attached to the top of the carry-on case; and   a pair of standing legs fixed to the bottom of the carry-on case.   
     
     
         4 . The roller travel bag of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a tilting extension mechanism mounted on the pivot such that ball transfer caster will roll normal to a ground surface when the carry-on case is tilted forward and walked by a user.   
     
     
         5 . The roller travel bag of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a linkage connecting the handle to the tilting extension mechanism, wherein extending the handle causes the ball transfer caster to be extended out, and wherein collapsing the handle causes the ball transfer caster to be retracted in.   
     
     
         6 . The roller travel bag of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a 180-degree bell crank to give the linkage a mechanical advantage between the handle and the tilting extension mechanism.   
     
     
         7 . A roller travel bag, comprising:
 a carry-on case with a top, sides, front, back, and bottom;   a football-shaped roller mounted through its opposite pointed ends to a horizontal axle and a yoke, and embedded in the bottom of the carry-on case, wherein the roller is able to turn on the axle and extend out the bottom to carry the weight of the carry-on case;   a handle attached to the top of the carry-on case; and   a pair of standing legs fixed to the bottom of the carry-on case.   
     
     
         8 . The roller travel bag of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a linkage connecting the handle to the horizontal axle, wherein extending the handle causes the roller to be extended out, and wherein collapsing the handle causes the roller to be retracted in.   
     
     
         9 . The roller travel bag of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a 180-degree bell crank to give the linkage a mechanical advantage between the handle and the horizontal axle and the roller.