Luggage System

Abstract

A suitcase having a base and a lid where the lid may be rotatable about a hinge from a closed configuration to an open configuration and may be secured, via one or more latching assemblies is disclosed. The lid may comprise an upper shell, and the base may comprise a lower shell. The upper shell and the lower shell may be seamlessly formed to create a water resistant and/or waterproof suitcase. The suitcase may have an extendable trolley handle assembly that is externally attached to the base of the suitcase using a plurality of mounting clips. The trolley handle assembly may comprise a pair of extrusion assemblies that are connected to the base of the suitcase and connected to each other by a grip. The suitcase may also have a removably secured interior liner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A suitcase comprising:
 a base including:
 a shell structure that includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a third side adjacent the first side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, wherein the shell structure has a first end and a second end opposite the first end; 
 a bottom portion connected to the first end of the shell structure and configured to support the suitcase on a surface; 
 an interior void defined by the shell structure and the bottom portion; and 
 a first wheel assembly, wherein the first wheel assembly is attached into a first wheel recess formed in the base, and where the first wheel assembly includes a first wheel housing and a first wheel, wherein the first wheel housing has a rounded portion and a mounting flange. 
   
     
     
         2 . The suitcase of  claim 1 , wherein the first wheel housing includes a plurality of projections oriented on a surface of the first wheel housing that are slid into a first plurality of guide slots of the first wheel recess. 
     
     
         3 . The suitcase of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of projections comprise a first plurality of guide rails oriented on a top surface of the rounded portion of the first wheel housing. 
     
     
         4 . The suitcase of  claim 3 , wherein the first wheel housing includes a second plurality of guide rails oriented on an inboard side surface of the first wheel housing. 
     
     
         5 . The suitcase of  claim 4 , wherein the second plurality of guide rails are slid into a second plurality of guide slots of the first wheel recess. 
     
     
         6 . The suitcase of  claim 5 , wherein the first plurality of guide rails and the first plurality of guide slots along with the second plurality of guide rails and the second plurality of guide slots secure the first wheel assembly in both a lateral direction and a vertical direction. 
     
     
         7 . The suitcase of  claim 3 , further comprising a second wheel assembly spaced away from the first wheel assembly, wherein the second wheel assembly is attached into a second wheel recess formed in the base, and wherein the second wheel assembly includes a second wheel housing and a second wheel. 
     
     
         8 . The suitcase of  claim 7 , wherein the second wheel recess includes a second plurality of guide slots that receive a second plurality of guide rails located on a top surface of a rounded portion of the second wheel housing. 
     
     
         9 . The suitcase of  claim 7 , wherein the bottom portion of the base includes a tapered region located between the first wheel assembly and the second wheel assembly, and wherein the tapered region forms an angle within a range of 1 degree and 30 degrees when measured from a central portion of the bottom portion to a lower surface of the tapered region. 
     
     
         10 . A suitcase comprising:
 a base comprising:
 a shell structure that includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a third side adjacent the first side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, wherein the shell structure has a first end and a second end opposite the first end; 
 a bottom portion connected to the first end of the shell structure and configured to support the suitcase on a surface; 
 an interior void defined by the shell structure and the bottom portion; and 
   a first wheel assembly, wherein the first wheel assembly is attached into a first wheel recess formed in the base, and where the first wheel assembly includes a first wheel housing and a first wheel, wherein the first wheel housing has a rounded portion and a mounting flange; and   wherein the first wheel housing includes a first plurality of guide rails oriented on an inboard side surface of the first wheel housing that are slid into a first plurality of guide slots of the first wheel recess.   
     
     
         11 . The suitcase of  claim 10 , wherein the first wheel housing includes a second plurality of guide rails oriented on a top surface of the rounded portion of the first wheel housing that are slid into a second plurality of guide slots of the first wheel recess. 
     
     
         12 . The suitcase of  claim 11 , wherein the first plurality of guide rails and the first plurality of guide slots along with the second plurality of guide rails and the second plurality of guide slots secure the first wheel assembly in both a lateral direction and a vertical direction. 
     
     
         13 . The suitcase of  claim 10 , further comprising a second wheel assembly spaced away from the first wheel assembly, wherein the second wheel assembly is attached into a second wheel recess formed in the shell structure, and wherein the second wheel assembly includes a second wheel housing and a second wheel. 
     
     
         14 . The suitcase of  claim 13 , wherein the second wheel recess includes a second plurality of guide slots that receive a second plurality of guide rails located on a top surface of a rounded portion of the second wheel housing. 
     
     
         15 . The suitcase of  claim 10 , wherein the first wheel assembly is located at an outer edge of the shell structure such that the first wheel housing is exposed on the first side and the third side of the shell structure and the first wheel housing is also exposed on the bottom portion. 
     
     
         16 . The suitcase of  claim 10 , wherein the first wheel is mounted on an axle that is aligned with a center of the rounded portion of the first wheel housing. 
     
     
         17 . A suitcase comprising:
 a base including:
 a first shell structure that includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the first shell structure has a first end and a second end opposite the first end; 
 a bottom portion connected to the first end of the first shell structure and configured to support the suitcase on a surface; 
 a first interior void defined by the first shell structure and the bottom portion; and 
   a lid rotatably connected to the base, the lid including:   a second shell structure including a third side and a fourth side opposite the third side, wherein the second shell structure having a third end and a fourth end opposite the third end; a top portion connected to the third end of the second shell structure; and   a first wheel assembly, wherein the first wheel assembly is attached into a first wheel recess formed in the base, and where the first wheel assembly includes a first wheel housing and a first wheel, wherein the first wheel housing has a rounded portion and a mounting flange; and   wherein the first wheel assembly is secured to the base with a single mechanical fastener that extends through an opening in the mounting flange.   
     
     
         18 . The suitcase of  claim 17 , wherein the first wheel housing includes a first plurality of guide rails oriented on an inboard side surface of the first wheel housing that are slid into a first plurality of guide slots of the first wheel recess. 
     
     
         19 . The suitcase of  claim 18 , wherein the first wheel housing includes a second plurality of guide rails oriented on a top surface of the rounded portion of the first wheel housing that are slid into a second plurality of guide slots of the first wheel recess. 
     
     
         20 . The suitcase of  claim 19 , wherein the first plurality of guide rails and the first plurality of guide slots along with the second plurality of guide rails and the second plurality of guide slots secure the first wheel assembly in both a lateral direction and a vertical direction.