Maneuverable luggage with side handle supports

Abstract

An article of luggage having an integral handle assembly generally has a front elongated segment, a back elongated segment, a first side segment, a second side segment, a top segment, and a bottom segment. Narrower side segments are disposed along side portions of the container relative to the top and bottom segments. A first support and a second support are affixed longitudinally to first side and second side segments, respectively. The handle assembly having a handle is disposed above the top segment and operatively engages the first and the second supports. For moving the luggage, a set of casters affixed on the bottom segment whereby the container may be rolled with a leading segment set at an incline relative to a substrate supporting the container. The leading segment may be one of the elongated segments or one of the side segments.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A mobile article of luggage comprising: 
 a generally parallelepiped container having a front elongated segment, a back elongated segment, a first side segment, a second side segment, a top segment, and a bottom segment wherein the first and the second side segments are disposed along side portions of the container between the front and the back elongated segments and between the top and the bottom segments;    a first support affixed longitudinally to the first side segment;    a second support affixed longitudinally to the second side segment;    a handle assembly containing a handle disposed above the top segment wherein the handle assembly operatively engages the first and the second supports;    a set of casters affixed on the bottom segment whereby the container can be rolled with a leading segment set at an incline relative to a substrate supporting the container wherein the leading segment may be one of the elongated segments or one of the side segments.    
     
     
         2 . The mobile article of luggage of  claim 1  wherein the first and the second supports are hollow for receiving telescoping portions of the handle assembly.  
     
     
         3 . The mobile article of luggage of  claim 1  wherein the supports are bracket-shaped.  
     
     
         4 . The mobile article of luggage of  claim 1  wherein the supports are disposed on exterior portions of the container.  
     
     
         5 . The mobile article of luggage of  claim 2  wherein the handle assembly may be selectively moved from a closed position to an extended position.  
     
     
         6 . The mobile article of luggage of  claim 1  wherein the orientation of the handle to the handle assembly is selectable.  
     
     
         7 . The mobile article of luggage of  claim 1  wherein the casters can swivel.  
     
     
         8 . The mobile article of luggage of  claim 1  wherein the casters are proximately positioned to the intersections of the elongated segments with the side segments.  
     
     
         9 . The mobile article of luggage of  claim 1  wherein at least two of the casters contain a one-directional brake to prevent undesired movement away from a user.  
     
     
         10 . The mobile article of luggage of  claim 1  wherein the article of luggage comprises a suitcase, duffle bag, back pack, trunk, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The mobile article of luggage of  claim 1  wherein the leading segment can be altered by a user by rotating the handle assembly.  
     
     
         12 . A method of using a mobile article of luggage comprising: 
 providing a generally parallelepiped container having a front elongated segment, a back elongated segment, a first side segment, a second side segment, a top segment, and a bottom segment wherein the first and the second side segments are disposed along side portions of the container between the front and the back elongated segments and between the top and the bottom segments, a first support affixed longitudinally to the first side segment, a second support affixed longitudinally to the second side segment, a handle assembly containing a handle disposed above the top segment wherein the handle assembly operatively engages the first and the second supports, a set of casters affixed on the bottom segment whereby the container can be rolled with a leading segment set at an incline relative to a substrate supporting the container wherein the leading segment may be one of the elongated segments or one of the side segments;    setting the casters upon the substrate;    extending the handle away from the top segment; and    rolling the container to a desired destination.    
     
     
         13 . The method of using a mobile article of luggage of  claim 12  further comprising: 
 selecting one of the elongated segments or one of the side segments to be the leading segment prior to the rolling.  
 
     
     
         14 . The method of using a mobile article of luggage of  claim 13  wherein the handle is rotated to a desired position if the leading segment is one of the side segments prior to the rolling.  
     
     
         15 . The method of using a mobile article of luggage of  claim 12  wherein the leading edge may be alternated between one of the elongated segments or one of the side segments during the rolling.  
     
     
         16 . A mobile article of luggage comprising: 
 a generally parallelepiped container having a front elongated segment, a back elongated segment, a first side segment, a second side segment, a top segment, and a bottom segment wherein the first and the second side segments are disposed along side portions of the container between the front and the back elongated segments and between the top and the bottom segments;    a first support affixed longitudinally to the first side segment;    a second support affixed longitudinally to the second side segment;    a telescoping handle assembly containing a handle disposed above the top segment wherein the handle assembly operatively engages the first and the second supports;    a set swivelable casters affixed on the bottom segment whereby the container can be rolled with a leading segment set at an incline relative to a substrate supporting the container wherein the leading segment may be one of the elongated segments or one of the side segments.    
     
     
         17 . The mobile article of luggage of  claim 16  wherein the supports are bracket-shaped.  
     
     
         18 . The mobile article of luggage of  claim 16  wherein the orientation of the handle to the handle assembly is selectable.  
     
     
         19 . The mobile article of luggage of  claim 16  wherein the article of luggage comprises a suitcase, duffle bag, back pack, trunk, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         20 . The method of using the mobile article of luggage of  claim 16  comprising: 
 setting the casters upon the substrate;  
 extending the handle away from the top segment; and  
 rolling the container to a desired destination.