Luggage case

Abstract

A luggage case including a narrow base extending between large sides of the luggage case with wheel mounts adapted to support a corresponding pair of omni-wheels. The first wheel mount is located at or near a first large side of the luggage case and a second wheel mount is located at or near a second large side of the luggage case. The sides are opposed in the luggage case's closed position with the lid or clam halves zipped to close an interior compartment of the luggage case. The wheel mounts are located within a footprint of the luggage case when the luggage case is in an upright position with the omni-wheels in contact with a running surface. The omni-wheels are adapted to be in coaxial alignment with each other in the luggage case's closed position and to be axially non-aligned in the luggage case's open position.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A luggage case including:
 a storage space;   a narrow base extending between large sides of the luggage case;   first and second wheel mounts adapted to support a corresponding pair of omni-wheels, the first and second wheel mounts located at an end of the base;   the first wheel mount located at or near a first large side of the luggage case and a second wheel mount located at or near a second large side of the luggage case, the first and second sides opposed in the luggage case's closed position; and   a wheel set including at least a first omni-wheel mounted in or at the first wheel mount and a second omni-wheel mounted in or at the second wheel mount,   
       the first and second wheel mounts located within a footprint of the luggage case when the luggage case in an upright position with the first and second omni-wheels in contact with a floor, ground or other running surface; 
       the first and second mounts adapted to be spaced or separated from each other when the luggage case is in an open position; and 
       the first and second omni-wheels adapted to be in coaxial alignment with each other in the luggage case's closed position and to be axially non-aligned in the luggage case's open position. 
     
     
         2 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the luggage case is a clam style case with a pair of halves hinged along and intermediate one long narrow side. 
     
     
         3 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second wheel mountings includes at least one mounting structure rigidly connected to the base and having a mounting structure from which extends an axle perpendicular to the first or second omni-wheel. 
     
     
         4 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting structure comprises a pair of complementary plates adapted to slidably engage to facilitate the coaxial alignment of individually mounted axles for each of the first and second omni-wheels. 
     
     
         5 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the complementary plates slidably engage by interaction of a protruding lateral beam and an elongate receiving slot. 
     
     
         6 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first and second omni-wheels are each housed in a cut-out recess for in one corner of each of the plates, the plates each rectangularly shaped in plan. 
     
     
         7 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the respective first and second mounting structures are not be structurally connected to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second mounting structures are each in the form of one or more mounting brackets. 
     
     
         9 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the or each axle extends in cantilevered fashion from the respective mounting structure. 
     
     
         10 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the mounting structure includes a pair of spaced mounting brackets located in parallel planes with respect to one another, an individual axle for each omni-wheel extending between, and forming a bridge between, the spaced mounting brackets of one or both mounting structures. 
     
     
         11 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the luggage base includes a recess in which the mounting structures are located, the recess extending the length of the narrow end of the luggage base (“the luggage base end”). 
     
     
         12 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the recess may be interrupted by the brackets extending transverse to a longitudinal axis of the recess in the close position. 
     
     
         13 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein when the luggage case is in the open position, it is split intermediate the length of the luggage base end. 
     
     
         14 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the luggage base includes an alignment structure in between the first and second wheel mounts. 
     
     
         15 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the alignment structure facilitates alignment of the respective axes of the first and second omni-wheels. 
     
     
         16 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the alignment structure includes a pair of inner brackets. 
     
     
         17 . The luggage case as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the inner brackets each have an aperture or recess adapted to receive a connection link adapted to rigidly connect the respective parts of the luggage base together for a sturdy connection at the base in the closed position.