Luggage sliders

Abstract

The luggage sliders include various embodiments for permanent or removable installation upon the underside of a roll-around suitcase, wheeled cart, or similar article to facilitate movement of the article up a flight of stairs or other stepped inclined surface. Some of the sliders are pivotally extendible and retractable. Others are telescopically extendible and retractable. Still others are pivotally attached to one edge of the article, and pivotally fold against a surface of the article for storage. Still others may be adjustably clamped about the base of the article. Still others are pivotally attached about a wheel axle to rotate and lie beneath the wheel for operation. Still others may be removably attached directly to the wheels of the luggage, cart, or other wheeled article. Still others are pivotally attached to a point on the luggage and telescopically extend to project below the wheel for use.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A luggage slider for an article of wheeled luggage, the luggage having a bottom surface and a pair of wheels, each of the wheels having a periphery extending below the bottom surface of the luggage, the luggage slider comprising a rigid, elongate skid adapted for installation beneath the article of wheeled luggage, the skid having a lower surface having a low coefficient of friction, the lower surface being disposed between the underside of the wheeled luggage and the peripheries of the wheels therebelow. 
     
     
         2 . The luggage slider according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pivot adapted for permanent installation to the article of wheeled luggage, the skid being pivotally disposed about the pivot. 
     
     
         3 . The luggage slider according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one skid receptacle adapted for permanent installation to the article of wheeled luggage, the skid being selectively extendible and retractable from the receptacle. 
     
     
         4 . The luggage slider according to  claim 1 , wherein the skid is a flat plate. 
     
     
         5 . The luggage slider according to  claim 1 , wherein the skid is a rigid bar. 
     
     
         6 . The luggage slider according to  claim 1 , wherein the skid is adapted for removable installation to the article of wheeled luggage. 
     
     
         7 . The luggage slider according to  claim 1 , further comprising an article of wheeled luggage in combination therewith. 
     
     
         8 . A luggage slider for an article of wheeled luggage, the luggage having a bottom surface and a pair of wheels, each of the wheels having a periphery extending below the underside of the luggage, the luggage slider comprising:
 a pivot adapted for permanent installation to the article of wheeled luggage; and   a rigid, elongate skid pivotally disposed about the pivot, the skid having a lower surface having a low coefficient of friction.   
     
     
         9 . The luggage slider according to  claim 8 , wherein the lower surface of the skid is disposed between the underside of the article of wheeled luggage and the peripheries of the wheels therebelow. 
     
     
         10 . The luggage slider according to  claim 8 , further comprising at least one skid receptacle adapted for permanent installation to the article of wheeled luggage, the skid being selectively extendible and retractable from the receptacle. 
     
     
         11 . The luggage slider according to  claim 8 , wherein the skid is a flat plate. 
     
     
         12 . The luggage slider according to  claim 8 , wherein the skid is a rigid bar. 
     
     
         13 . The luggage slider according to  claim 8 , wherein the skid is adapted for removable installation to the article of wheeled luggage. 
     
     
         14 . The luggage slider according to  claim 8 , further comprising an article of wheeled luggage in combination therewith. 
     
     
         15 . A luggage slider for an article of wheeled luggage, the luggage having a bottom surface and a pair of wheels, each of the wheels having a periphery extending below the underside of the luggage, the luggage slider comprising:
 at least one skid receptacle adapted for permanent installation to the article of wheeled luggage; and   a rigid, elongate skid disposed within the receptacle, the skid being selectively extendible and retractable from the receptacle, the skid having a lower surface having a low coefficient of friction.   
     
     
         16 . The luggage slider according to  claim 15 , wherein the lower surface of the skid is disposed between the underside of the article of wheeled luggage and the peripheries of the wheels therebelow. 
     
     
         17 . The luggage slider according to  claim 15 , further comprising a pivot adapted for permanent installation to the article of wheeled luggage, the skid being pivotally disposed about the pivot. 
     
     
         18 . The luggage slider according to  claim 15 , wherein the skid is selected from the group consisting of flat plates and rigid bars. 
     
     
         19 . The luggage slider according to  claim 15 , wherein the skid is adapted for removable installation to the article of wheeled luggage. 
     
     
         20 . The luggage slider according to  claim 15 , further comprising an article of wheeled luggage in combination therewith.