Wheeled suitcase with auxiliary wheels on legs and undercarriage therefor

Abstract

A suitcase movable in a standing position and a suitcase undercarriage system including a first pair of wheels disposed on or adjacent to a bottom surface of the suitcase, a pair of auxiliary wheels arranged at ends of a pair of legs, a first wheel arranged at an end of a first leg and a second arranged at an end of a second leg. The legs are adjustable so as to secure into place at a deployed position and to secure into place at a stowed position. The suitcase is moveable in the standing position on the wheels and the auxiliary wheels in the deployed position. The stowed position may be adjacent to the main wheels or to a back surface of the suitcase.

1 . A suitcase comprising:
 a suitcase body having opposing front and back sides connected with one another by opposing top and bottom sides;   main wheels disposed on or adjacent to the bottom side of the suitcase;   one or more support legs affixed to the suitcase body and being adjustable from a first position against the back side of the suitcase, to a second position extending away from the suitcase; and   a respective secondary wheel rotatably secured to each of the support legs,   wherein the suitcase is able to stand and to be moved on the main wheels and the support legs.   
     
     
         2 . The suitcase according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle secured on or adjacent to the top side. 
     
     
         3 . The suitcase according to  claim 2 , wherein the handle is pivotable about an axis substantially parallel to the line of intersection between the top side and back side. 
     
     
         4 . The suitcase according to  claim 1 , wherein the support legs consist of legs, each of which is at a respective lateral end of the suitcase. 
     
     
         5 . The suitcase according to  claim 1 , wherein the support legs are pivotably mounted on the back side of the suitcase. 
     
     
         6 . The suitcase according to  claim 5 , wherein the support legs are urged towards a stowed position by a first force that increases in magnitude with increased angular displacement of the support legs away from the back side of the suitcase. 
     
     
         7 . The suitcase according to  claim 1 , wherein the support legs are slidably mounted to a guide extending at least partially between the top and bottom sides, on or adjacent to the back side. 
     
     
         8 . The suitcase according to  claim 6 , wherein the first force is provided by one or more of a spring and a gas cylinder spring extending between a proximal end of the support leg and a point along the guide between the proximal end and the top side. 
     
     
         9 . The suitcase according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of secondary legs pivotable between a first position against the back side of the suitcase and a second position extending away from the suitcase. 
     
     
         10 . The suitcase according to  claim 9 , wherein the secondary legs are adjustable in length. 
     
     
         11 . The suitcase according to  claim 10 , wherein the secondary legs comprise respective wheels. 
     
     
         12 . The suitcase according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cover structured and sized to selectively cover at least part of the back side of the suitcase, including the support legs. 
     
     
         13 . A suitcase carrier, comprising:
 a frame defining a frame plane, the frame being removably securable to a suitcase;   support legs adjustable from a first position in the frame plane, against the back side of the suitcase, to a second position extending away from the suitcase; and   respective support leaning wheels secured to the support legs,   wherein the carrier enables rolling the suitcase in an inclined position on the leaning wheels.   
     
     
         14 . The suitcase carrier of  claim 13 , including main wheels, located so that the suitcase is rollable on the main wheels and on the leaning wheels. 
     
     
         15 . The suitcase carrier according to  claim 14 , including a carrier ledge for the suitcase. 
     
     
         16 . The suitcase carrier according to  claim 13 , further comprising releasable straps, enabling securing the carrier to the suitcase. 
     
     
         17 . A suitcase carrier according to  claim 13 , wherein the frame comprises at least four members rigidly connected with one another and defining a perimeter of the frame. 
     
     
         18 . A suitcase carrier according to  claim 17 , wherein at least two of the members are adjustable in length. 
     
     
         19 . The suitcase carrier according to  claim 13 , further comprising a carrier handle. 
     
     
         20 . The suitcase carrier according to  claim 19 , wherein the handle is pivotable about a lateral axis of the suitcase carrier. 
     
     
         21 . The suitcase carrier according to  claim 13 , further comprising secondary legs pivotable between a first position in the plane of the carrier and a second position extending away from the suitcase, the support legs and secondary legs enabling the suitcase to be supported horizontally at an elevated position. 
     
     
         22 . The suitcase carrier according to  claim 21 , wherein the secondary legs are adjustable in length. 
     
     
         23 . The suitcase carrier of  claim 14 , including releasable straps for securely holding the suitcase to the carrier and a cover which covers the main wheels of the support legs in a stowed position of the support legs.