Luggage transport structure

Abstract

A luggage transport structure for use with a suitcase having wheels mounted thereon for supporting said suitcase. A channel is formed on the outer periphery of the suitcase and a housing positioned on the interior of the suitcase adjacent a portion of the channel. A handle is positioned in the housing which is retractable and extendable out of the housing. When the handle is extended from the suitcase it can be used to roll the suitcase along a floor. In its retracted position the handle is positioned within the channel and is flush with the outer dimensions of the suitcase.

I claim: 
     
       1. In combination with a container such as a suitcase having wheels mounted thereon for supporting said suitcase and being rotatable with respect to said suitcase; a U-shaped channel formed on the outer periphery of said suitcase, said U-shaped channel being formed of a pair of spaced apart metal members extending outwardly in parallel planes and in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the outer periphery of said suitcase;   a housing member on the interior of said suitcase adjacent said channel; and   a handle structure including a gripping portion positioned in said housing member, said handle structure being retractable into and extendable out of said housing member, said handle when extended being used to transport said suitcase, said gripping portion when retracted being positioned entirely within said U-shaped channel.   
     
     
       2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein a support member is positioned adjacent a portion of said U-shaped channel, said support member containing an outer surface extending in a plane perpendicular to the plane of said metal members and wherein said housing member is secured to said suitcase adjacent a portion of said metal support member. 
     
     
       3. A combination in accordance with claim 2 wherein said U-shaped channel is recessed into said suitcase structure. 
     
     
       4. The combination in accordance with claim 3 wherein said suitcase is formed of a pair of hinged halves, one of said metal members being secured to one of said suitcase hinged halves. 
     
     
       5. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said handle structure is tapered at a free edge thereof, facilitating gripping of said handle structure when said handle is in said retracted position. 
     
     
       6. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said handle structure is curved to conform to the shape of said U-shaped channel at a corner of said suitcase. .Iadd. 7. In combination with a container, such as a suitcase, having wheels mounted thereon for supporting said suitcase and being rotatable with respect to said suitcase: a U-shaped channel secured to at least a portion of the periphery of said suitcase, said U-shaped channel comprising a pair of spaced-apart members extending outwardly in parallel planes and in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane of the outer periphery of said suitcase;   a housing member connected to said channel; and,   a handle structure including a gripping portion, said handle structure being retractable to said housing member to temporarily secure said handle to said housing member and extendable from said housing member to transport said suitcase, said gripping portion when retracted being positioned substantially within said U-shaped channel to present a smooth exterior contour in combination with said spaced-apart channel members. .Iaddend..Iadd. 8. In combination with a suitcase having a rigid center frame and having wheels mounted thereon for supporting said suitcase and being rotatable with respect to said suitcase:   an elongated, U-shaped rigid channel secured to at least a portion of the periphery of said suitcase substantially along a medial plane of said suitcase, said U-shaped channel comprising a pair of spaced-apart members extending outwardly in substantially parallel planes and in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane of the outer periphery of said suitcase;   retaining means substantially within said channel; and,   a handle structure including a gripping portion, said handle structure being retractable to and extendable from said channel, said handle when extended being used to transport said suitcase by the transmission of forces through said rigid member to said suitcase, said gripping portion when retracted being positioned substantially within said channel to present a smooth exterior contour in combination with said spaced-apart channel members. .Iaddend.