Suitcase with Retractable Wheels

Abstract

A suitcase with retractable wheels is described. A linkage provides a means to raise and lower wheels either by a vertical motion or a folding motion such that the wheels may be extended for rolling the suitcase when the use is walking and the wheels may be retracted for easy stowage of the suitcase such as in a luggage compartment. The linkage may be attached to the back of the suitcase, located in the interior of the suitcase or enclosed in a shell that is attached to the back of the suitcase.

We claim: 
     
         1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A suitcase with retractable wheels, the suitcase having a front surface, a back surface a top surface, a bottom surface and two side surfaces and further comprising:
 a. a first and second set of concentric vertical shafts, each of the first and second set of vertical shafts comprising a first, second, and third vertical shaft arranged concentrically, each having a top end and a bottom end, and arranged such that the second vertical shaft fits within the first vertical shaft, and may be slid up and down within the first vertical shaft, and, the third vertical shaft fits concentrically within the second vertical shaft and may be moved vertically up and down within the first and second vertical shaft, and,   b. the first vertical shaft fixedly attached to the back of the suitcase, and,   c. a handle attached to the top of each of the second vertical shafts, the handle having a button, the button attached to rods within each of the first and second sets of vertical shafts, the rod attached to spring loaded latches within each of the first and second sets of vertical shafts, the latches locking the second and third verticals shafts in each of the first and second sets of verticals shafts in place and releasing the second and third vertical within each of the first and second sets of vertical shafts when the button is pushed, and,   d. a horizontal bar attached to a bottom end of the third vertical shafts within each of the first and second sets of vertical shafts, and,   e. two lower diagonal shafts each having a first end and a second end and the first ends attached to the horizontal bar, and,   f. the second ends each attached to lever arms, the lever arms having a first end and a second end, and, the second ends of the diagonal shafts attached to the first end of the lever arms and the second end of the lever arms each attached to a horizontal shaft that is rotatably mounted to the bottom surface of the suitcase, and,   g. two wheels attached to each of the horizontal shafts, and,   h. the concentric sets of vertical shafts, the horizontal bar, the diagonal arms and the lever arms linked together, such that when the button is pushed and handle is moved upward, the lever arms are rotated in a first direction, thereby rotating the horizontal shafts, and, thereby extending the wheels, and,   i. when the button is pushed and the handle is moved downward, the lever arms are rotated in a second direction, thereby rotating the horizontal shafts, and, thereby retracting the wheels.   
     
     
         6 . The suitcase of  claim 5  further including a cover attached to the back surface of the suitcase and enclosing the sets of concentric vertical shafts, the horizontal bar, the diagonal shafts and the lever arms. 
     
     
         7 . The suitcase of  claim 5  wherein when the handle is moved to a fully upward position, and the button is released, the wheels are locked in an extended position and when the handle is moved to a fully downward position, and the button is released, the wheels are locked in a retracted position. 
     
     
         8 . A suitcase with retractable wheels, the suitcase having a front surface, a back surface a top surface, a bottom surface and two side surfaces and further comprising:
 a. a first and second set of concentric vertical shafts, each of the first and second set of vertical shafts comprising a first, second, and third vertical shaft arranged concentrically, each having a top end and a bottom end, and arranged such that the second vertical shaft fits within the first vertical shaft, and may be slid up and down within the first vertical shaft, and, the third vertical shaft fits concentrically within the second vertical shaft and may be moved vertically up and down within the first and second vertical shaft, and,   b. the first vertical shaft fixedly attached to the back of the suitcase, and,   c. a handle attached to the top of each of the second vertical shafts, the handle having a button, the button attached to rods within each of the first and second sets of vertical shafts, the rod attached to spring loaded latches within each of the first and second sets of vertical shafts, the latches locking the second and third verticals shafts in each of the first and second sets of verticals shafts in place and releasing the second and third vertical within each of the first and second sets of vertical shafts when the button is pushed, and,   d. a horizontal bar attached to a bottom end of the third vertical shafts within each of the first and second sets of vertical shafts, the vertical bar including a pin that fits within and slidably engages a slot vertical T-shaped connector wherein the pin is moved to the the top of the slot by raising the handle to a fully upward position and thereby engaging lever arms, the lever arms having a first end and a second end, and, the second ends of the second end of the lever arms each attached to a horizontal shaft that is rotatably mounted to the bottom surface of the suitcase, and,   e. two wheels attached to each of the horizontal shafts, and,   f. the concentric sets of vertical shafts, the horizontal bar, the vertical t-shaped connector and the lever arms linked together, such that when the button is pushed and handle is moved upward, the lever arms are rotated in a first direction, thereby rotating the horizontal shafts, and, thereby extending the wheels, and,   g. when the button is pushed and the handle is moved downward, the lever arms are rotated in a second direction, thereby rotating the horizontal shafts, and, thereby retracting the wheels.   
     
     
         9 . The suitcase of  claim 8  further including a cover attached to the back surface of the suitcase and enclosing the sets of concentric vertical shafts, the horizontal bar, the diagonal shafts and the lever arms. 
     
     
         10 . The suitcase of  claim 8  wherein when the handle is moved to a fully upward position, and the button is released, the wheels are locked in an extended position and when the handle is moved to a fully downward position, and the button is released, the wheels are locked in a retracted position. 
     
     
         11 . A suitcase with retractable wheels, the suitcase having a front surface, a back surface a top surface, a bottom surface and two side surfaces and further comprising:
 a. a horizontal shaft that is rotatably mounted to the bottom surface of the suitcase, and,   b. two wheels attached to each of the horizontal shafts, and,   c. a first bevel gear mounted to the horizontal shaft, and,   d. an electric motor having a shaft, and,   e. a second bevel gear attached to the shaft of the electric motor, and,   f. the first and second bevel gear engaged such that rotation of the shaft of the electric motor in a first direction causes the horizontal shaft to rotate and thereby extend the wheels from the base of the suitcase, and,   g. rotation of the shaft of the electric motor in a second direction causes the horizontal shaft to rotate and thereby retract the wheels towards the base of the suitcase.   
     
     
         12 . The suitcase of  claim 11  having a second horizontal shaft, a second electric motor, a third and fourth bevel gear and two additional wheels attached to the second horizontal shaft,
 a. all arranged such that rotation of the shaft of the second electric motor in a first direction causes the second horizontal shaft to rotate and thereby extend the wheels attached to the second horizontal shaft from the base of the suitcase, and, 
 b. rotation of the shaft of the electric motor in a second direction causes the second horizontal shaft to rotate and thereby retract the wheels attached to the second horizontal shaft towards the base of the suitcase. 
 
     
     
         13 . The suitcase of  claim 12  wherein the two electric motors operate synchronously such that the first horizontal shaft and the second horizontal shaft rotate simultaneously to extend and retract all four wheels attached thereto. 
     
     
         14 . The suitcase of  claim 11  The suitcase of  claim 11  having a second horizontal shaft, and, two additional wheels attached to the second horizontal shaft, and gearing and a drive belt extending from the first horizontal shaft to the second horizontal shaft such that rotation of the electric motor in a first direction causes both the first horizontal shaft and the second horizontal shaft to simultaneously rotate and extend the wheels attached to each to extend away from the base of the suitcase, and, rotation of the shaft of the electric motor in a second direction causes the first horizontal shaft and the second horizontal shaft to simultaneously rotate and thereby retract the wheels attached to the first horizontal shaft and the second horizontal shaft towards the base of the suitcase.