Trolley-style suitcase having a reversibly deployable seat

Abstract

A trolley-style suitcase having a reversibly deployable seat unit is disclosed. The suitcase has a rear frame member, a rear compartment in which the seat unit may be stowed, two runner means, each having a fixed part attached to the rear frame member and a moveable part attached to the seat unit by means of a pivot arrangement, and a retractable handle to facilitate movement of the suitcase, the retractable handle being mechanically independent of the two runner means. When the seat unit is stowed the seat unit is pivoted to be in a vertical position and the moveable part of the runners is retracted inside the fixed part and when the seat unit is deployed the moveable part of the runners is extended from within the fixed part of the runners so that the seat unit may be lifted out of its compartment until such point where the pivot unit allows the seat to be rotated into a horizontal position for use. A trolley-style suitcase comprising a seat unit having two indentations shaped to fit the contours of a user's posterior affixed to the top of the case is also disclosed.

1 . A trolley-style suitcase having a reversibly deployable seat unit ( 202 ) comprising:
 (a) a rear frame member ( 506 );   (b) a rear compartment ( 108 ) in which the seat unit may be stowed;   (c) two runner means, each having a fixed part ( 502 ) attached to the rear frame member and a moveable part ( 504 ) attached to the seat unit by means of a pivot arrangement ( 510 );   (d) a retractable handle ( 104 ) to facilitate movement of the suitcase, the retractable handle being mechanically independent of the two runner means;   whereby when the seat unit is stowed the seat unit is pivoted to be in a vertical position and the moveable part of the runners is retracted inside the fixed part and when the seat unit is deployed the moveable part of the runners is extended from within the fixed part of the runners so that the seat unit may be lifted out of its compartment until such point where the pivot unit allows the seat to be rotated into a horizontal position for use.   
   
   
       2 . The trolley-style suitcase of  claim 1  in which the rear compartment is external to the retractable handle. 
   
   
       3 . The trolley-style suitcase of  claim 1  in which the retractable handle is external to the rear compartment. 
   
   
       4 . The trolley-style suitcase of  claim 1  additionally comprising seat support units ( 204 ) on a front edge ( 206 ) of the suitcase, the support units being supported by one or more front frame members, the support units being sufficiently high to prevent the seat unit when deployed from being fouled by a middle handle ( 208 ) of the suitcase. 
   
   
       5 . The trolley-style suitcase of  claim 1  additionally having wheels ( 106 ) at the rear lower corners ( 112 ) of the suitcase to facilitate movement of the suitcase, the wheels being fitted with brakes to prevent movement when the seat unit is deployed. 
   
   
       6 . The trolley-style suitcase of  claim 1  additionally comprising feet ( 302 ) at the two lower front corners ( 304 ) of the case to provide further stability for the suitcase when used as a seat. 
   
   
       7 . The trolley-style suitcase of  claim 1  additionally comprising a padded seat cover ( 402 ) slideable over the two sides of the retractable handle to provide additional comfort and support for the back when a user is sat upon the seat unit. 
   
   
       8 . A padded seat cover ( 402 ) slideable over the two sides of a retractable handle ( 104 ) of a trolley-style suitcase having a reversibly deployable seat unit ( 202 ), said retractable handle facilitating movement of the suitcase and being mechanically independent of the two runner means, said suitcase comprising:
 (a) a rear frame member ( 506 );   (b) a rear compartment ( 108 ) in which the seat unit may be stowed; and   (c) two runner means, each having a fixed part ( 502 ) attached to the rear frame member and a moveable part ( 504 ) attached to the seat unit by means of a pivot arrangement ( 510 );   whereby when the seat unit is stowed the seat unit is pivoted to be in a vertical position and the moveable part of the runners is retracted inside the fixed part and when the seat unit is deployed the moveable part of the runners is extended from within the fixed part of the runners so that the seat unit may be lifted out of its compartment until such point where the pivot unit allows the seat to be rotated into a horizontal position for use;   whereby said padded seat cover provides additional comfort and support for the back when a user is sat upon the seat unit.