Rolling luggage with multiple modes of conveyance

Abstract

An article of rolling luggage is provided. The article has a retractable or collapsible handle that is convertible between a stored position and a first extended position of use. The handle is also rotatable about an axis such that the handle can be converted between a second extended position of use. The second extended position of use is characterized in that the luggage item may be provided such that a base portion of the item is substantially adjacent to and parallel with a ground surface. Various locking means to enable conversion between the stored position, first extended position of use and second extended position of use are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of rolling luggage comprising:
 a base portion comprising a first end and second end and a predetermined length provided between the first end and the second end;   a first pair of wheels connected to the base portion and proximal to the first end;   a second pair of wheels connected to the base portion and proximal to the second end;   the substantially rigid base portion extending between the first pair of wheels and the second pair of wheels, and comprising at least one substantially planar portion;   a retractable handle assembly connected to the base portion for towing the article of rolling luggage;   a substantially flexible cover portion secured to the base portion;   the retractable handle being translatable along a length of the base portion and in a first direction substantially parallel to the at least one substantially planar portion;   the retractable handle being rotatable about an axis, the axis being substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and   wherein the retractable handle is convertible between a retracted position, a first position of use, and a second position of use, the first position of use characterized in that the retractable handle extends substantially parallel to the substantially planar portion, and the second position of use characterized in that the retractable handle is provided at an angle with respect to the substantially planar portion.   
     
     
         2 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 1 , wherein the second position of use is characterized in that the first pair of wheels and the second pair of wheels are provided on a ground surface. 
     
     
         3 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is between 10 and 90 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion comprises a molded plastic portion. 
     
     
         5 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the base portion comprises at least one of an angled portion and a recessed portion to enable rotation of the retractable handle. 
     
     
         6 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion comprises the at least one substantially planar portion and a plurality of sidewalls, the sidewalls extending substantially perpendicular to the substantially planar portion and at least partially defining an interior storage volume. 
     
     
         7 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 1 , wherein the first pair of wheels comprise caster wheels rotatable about an axis provided substantially perpendicular to a ground surface. 
     
     
         8 . An article of rolling luggage, comprising:
 a substantially rigid base portion comprising a plurality of wheels;   a retractable handle assembly provided in communication with the base portion for towing the article of rolling luggage;   a substantially flexible cover portion secured to the base portion, the base portion and the cover portion defining a storage volume of the article;   the retractable handle being translatable between a first position and a second position, the first position comprising a retracted position and the second position comprising an extended position adapted for towing the article;   the retractable handle being rotatable about an axis to convert the retractable handle from the second position to a third position; and   at least one control member provided on the retractable handle, the control member provided in force transmitting communication with a stop pin and wherein a position of the stop pin is altered by activation of the control member to enable rotation of the retractable handle about the axis.   
     
     
         9 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 8 , wherein the retractable handle comprises a first control member and a second control member. 
     
     
         10 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 8 , wherein the third position of use is characterized in that the retractable handle is provided at an angle of between approximately 30 and 60 degrees with respect to the base portion. 
     
     
         11 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 9 , wherein the control member comprises a push-button which is operably engaged to a release mechanism to allow rotation of the handle. 
     
     
         12 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 8 , wherein the base portion comprises a molded plastic portion. 
     
     
         13 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 8 , wherein a first end of the base portion comprises at least one of an angled portion and a recessed portion to enable rotation of the retractable handle. 
     
     
         14 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 8 , wherein the base portion comprises at least one substantially planar portion and a plurality of sidewalls, the sidewalls extending substantially perpendicular to the substantially planar portion and at least partially defining the storage volume. 
     
     
         15 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the wheels comprises a caster wheel rotatable about an axis provided substantially perpendicular to a ground surface when the wheel is provided in contact with the ground surface. 
     
     
         16 . An article of rolling luggage comprising:
 a substantially rigid base portion comprising a plurality of wheels;   a retractable handle assembly provided in communication with the base portion for towing the article of rolling luggage;   a substantially flexible cover portion secured to the base portion, the base portion and the cover portion defining a storage volume of the article;   the retractable handle being translatable between a first position and a second position, the first position comprising a retracted position and the second position comprising an extended position adapted for towing the article;   the retractable handle being rotatable about an axis when provided in the second position, the axis being substantially perpendicular to at least one collapsible member of the handle and substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of at least one of the plurality of wheels; and   the base portion comprising at least one of a cut-out and a recess for receiving at least a portion of the retractable handle when the retractable handle is rotated about the axis.   
     
     
         17 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 16 , wherein at least two of the wheels comprise caster wheels rotatable about an axis provided substantially perpendicular to a ground surface. 
     
     
         18 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 16 , wherein the base portion comprises a molded plastic portion. 
     
     
         19 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 16 , wherein the retractable handle is rotatable from the second position to a third position. 
     
     
         20 . The article of rolling luggage of  claim 19 , wherein the third position of use is characterized in that each of the wheels are provided on a ground surface.