Stackable luggage assembly

Abstract

A luggage component includes a case extending between a lower end and an upper end and includes a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween. At least one wheel extends from the rear wall proximate the upper end. At least one fixed position wheel extends from the side wall along the lower end proximate the front wall. At least one multi-function wheel extends relative to the side wall and the rear wall such that the multi-function wheel is positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the side wall and positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the rear wall. The luggage component also includes an adjustable handle assembly which includes a housing extending along the rear wall with an end portion thereof extending beyond the case upper end. The end portion defines a stop surface and at least one slot extending parallel to the side wall. At least one handle shaft is configured to extend from the housing in a direction parallel with the rear wall. The handle shaft is configured to pivot within the slot when the at least one handle shaft is fully extended from the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A luggage component comprising:
 a case extending between a lower end and an upper end and including a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween, the case defining an internal storage area within the walls;   at least one wheel extending from the rear wall proximate the upper end;   at least one fixed position wheel extending from the side wall along the lower end proximate the front wall;   at least one multi-function wheel extending relative to the side wall and the rear wall such that the multi-function wheel is positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the side wall and positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the rear wall; and   an adjustable handle assembly including:
 a housing extending along the rear wall with an end portion thereof extending beyond the case upper end, the end portion defining a stop surface and at least one slot extending parallel to the side wall; and 
 at least one handle shaft configured to extend from the housing in a direction parallel with the rear wall, the handle shaft configured to pivot within the slot when the at least one handle shaft is fully extended from the housing. 
   
     
     
         2 . The luggage component of  claim 1  wherein the at least one handle shaft is configured to pivot at any angle between 0° and 90°. 
     
     
         3 . The luggage component of  claim 1  wherein the adjustable handle assembly further includes a second handle shaft spaced from the at least one handle shaft with a handle member extending between free ends of the at least one handle shaft and the second handle shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The luggage component of  claim 3  wherein a rotation shaft is positioned within the housing and interconnect opposite ends of the at least one handle shaft and the second handle shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The luggage component of  claim 4  wherein the at least one handle shaft and the second handle shaft are configured to rotate when the rotation shaft is proximate the end portion of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The luggage component of  claim 3  wherein at least one hook member extends from the handle member. 
     
     
         7 . The luggage component of  claim 6  wherein the at least one hook member is configured to pivot between a use position and a retracted position within the handle member. 
     
     
         8 . The luggage component of  claim 1  wherein the at least one wheel extending from the rear wall proximate the upper end is pivotal between a retracted position and an extended position. 
     
     
         9 . The luggage component of  claim 1  wherein the at least one multi-function wheel is moveable from a first position wherein it extends from the side wall to a second position wherein it extends from the rear wall. 
     
     
         10 . The luggage component of  claim 1  wherein the case defines a first set of connecting members along the front wall. 
     
     
         11 . The luggage component of  claim 1  wherein the first set of connecting members are positioned along a first perimeter and the case defines a second set of connecting members along the front wall that are positioned along a second perimeter within the first perimeter. 
     
     
         12 . A luggage assembly comprising:
 a first luggage component comprising:
 a first case extending between a lower end and an upper end and including a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween, the first case defining an internal storage area within the walls, the first case further defining first set of connecting members along the front wall thereof; 
 at least one wheel extending from the rear wall proximate the upper end; 
 at least one fixed position wheel extending from the side wall along the lower end proximate the front wall; 
 at least one multi-function wheel extending relative to the side wall and the rear wall such that the multi-function wheel is positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the side wall and positionable to provide a rolling surface relative to the rear wall; and 
 an adjustable handle assembly including:
 a housing extending along the rear wall with an end portion thereof extending beyond the case upper end, the end portion defining a stop surface and at least one slot extending parallel to the side wall; and 
 at least one handle shaft configured to extend from the housing in a direction parallel with the rear wall, the handle shaft configured to pivot within the slot when the at least one handle shaft is fully extended from the housing; and 
 
   a second luggage component comprising:
 a second case including a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween, the second case defining an internal storage area within the walls, the second case further defining a second set of connecting members along the rear wall thereof which are configured to engage the first set of connecting members. 
   
     
     
         13 . The luggage assembly according to  claim 12  wherein the first set of connecting members are positioned along a first perimeter and the first case includes a third set of connecting members defined along the front wall thereof and positioned along a second perimeter within the first perimeter; and the assembly further comprises a third luggage component including a third case including a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween, the third case defining an internal storage area within the walls, the third case further defining a fourth set of connecting members along the rear wall thereof which are configured to engage the third set of connecting members. 
     
     
         14 . The luggage assembly according to  claim 13  wherein the first case includes a fifth set of connecting members defined along the front face thereof and positioned along a third perimeter within the second perimeter; and the assembly further comprises a fourth luggage component including a fourth case including a front wall, a rear wall and a side wall extending therebetween, the fourth case defining an internal storage area within the walls, the fourth case further defining a sixth set of connecting members along the rear wall thereof which are configured to engage the fifth set of connecting members. 
     
     
         15 . The luggage assembly according to  claim 14  wherein the third case includes a seventh set of connecting members defined on the front wall thereof and positioned along the second perimeter and an eight set of connecting members defined on the front wall thereof and positioned along the third perimeter. 
     
     
         16 . The luggage assembly according to  claim 15  wherein the fourth case includes a ninth set of connecting members defined on the front wall thereof and positioned along the third perimeter. 
     
     
         17 . The luggage component of  claim 12  wherein the at least one handle shaft is configured to pivot at any angle between 0° and 90°. 
     
     
         18 . The luggage component of  claim 12  wherein the handle assembly further includes a second handle shaft spaced from the at least one handle shaft with a handle member extending between free ends of the at least one handle shaft and the second handle shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The luggage component of  claim 18  wherein a rotation shaft is positioned within the housing and interconnect opposite ends of the at least one handle shaft and the second handle shaft and the at least one handle shaft and the second handle shaft are configured to rotate when the rotation shaft is proximate the end portion of the housing. 
     
     
         20 . The luggage component of  claim 18  wherein at least one hook member extends from the handle member.