Retractable Luggage Wheel System

Abstract

A retractable wheel system for luggage. The retractable wheel system includes a luggage body with a base portion, a top portion and a plurality of sides, which define a packing compartment. At least two wheels are pivotably mounted to the base portion of the luggage body. An actuator is coupled to the housing, the actuator retracts or extends a cable wire. The cable wire extends from the actuator to the retractable wheels. The cable wire is guided to a rotary wheel by a pair of cable track wheels. The cable track wheels guide the cable wire along the rotary wheel from the actuator to the wheels. A recoil spring is connected to the actuator, the recoil spring contracts the cable wire and retracts the wheels. Further, a plurality of pockets are disposed at the base portion to house the wheels when the wheels are retracted.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A retractable wheel system for luggage, comprising;
 a luggage body, the luggage body comprising a base portion, a top portion a plurality of sides, and a packing compartment;   at least two wheels spaced apart at the base portion of the luggage body, wherein the wheels are pivotably mounted to the base portion of the luggage body;   an actuator coupled to the luggage body, wherein actuation causes the wheels to transition between an extended and a retracted position;   a cable wire extending from the actuator to the wheels at the base portion of the luggage body, wherein the cable wire is manipulated by a movement of the actuator;   a rotary wheel operatively connected to the wheels via the cable wire, wherein a pair of cable track wheels guide the cable wire along the rotary wheel from the actuator to the wheels;   a recoil spring operatively connected to the actuator and the wheels by the cable wire, wherein the recoil spring contracts the cable wire and retracts the wheels when the actuator is disengaged; and   a plurality of pockets at the base portion of the luggage body, the pockets housing the wheels when the recoil spring retracts the wheels.   
     
     
         2 . The retractable wheel system of  claim 1 , wherein a pair of cable track wheels are provided for each wheel removably attached to the luggage body. 
     
     
         3 . The retractable wheel system of  claim 2 , wherein the pair of cable track wheels guide the cable wire from a bottom of the actuator to the rotary wheel at a perimeter of the luggage body. 
     
     
         4 . The retractable wheel system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a handle at the top portion of the luggage body. 
     
     
         5 . The retractable wheel system of  claim 4 , wherein movement of the handle retracts or extends the wheels into an operational position. 
     
     
         6 . The retractable wheel system of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary wheel comprises:
 a rotating wheel; and   fixed bearings.   
     
     
         7 . The retractable wheel system of  claim 1 , wherein the luggage body further comprises a molded plastic base plate at the base portion of the luggage body. 
     
     
         8 . The retractable wheel system of  claim 1 , wherein the recoil springs rewind the cable wire as the actuator is retracted. 
     
     
         9 . The retractable wheel system of  claim 8 , wherein the wheels move into an inoperative position when the recoil springs rewind the cable wire. 
     
     
         10 . The retractable wheel system of  claim 1 , further comprising a fixing lug in the pockets at the base portion of the luggage body, the fixing lug configured to lock the retracted wheels in the pockets. 
     
     
         11 . The retractable wheel system of  claim 1 , wherein the wheels comprise:
 a fixed upper portion, wherein the fixed upper portion comprises a tongue along a length of the fixed upper portion;   a wheel attachment point on a upper portion of the fixed upper portion; and   a shaft below the fixed upper portion, wherein the wheel is removably mounted on a distal end of the shaft.   
     
     
         12 . The retractable wheel system of  claim 11 , wherein the tongue engages an inner axial groove on the wheel attachment point. 
     
     
         13 . The retractable wheel system of  claim 11 , wherein the shaft has a lead screw configuration to engage the cable wire such that rotational motion of the cable wire is converted into linear motion through the screw.