Suitcase

Abstract

A hard-shell suitcase comprising a base portion and a lid portion connected to the base portion by a hinge. In the closed position an edge of the lid portion is adjacent to the edge of the first concave shell in the first plane. The hard-shell suitcase further comprises first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies attached to the exterior of the base portion in a second plane parallel to the first plane. Each wheel assembly is configured to rotate about a first axis parallel to the second plane and about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The hard-shell suitcase further comprises a retractable handle configured to be movable in a direction parallel to the first plane from a retracted position to an extended position and from the extended position to the retracted position. In the retracted position a portion of the retractable handle is housed inside the lid portion.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A hard-shell suitcase comprising:
 a base portion comprising a first concave shell, wherein an edge of the first concave shell defines a first plane;   a lid portion connected to the base portion by a hinge such that the lid portion is configured to be movable with respect to the base portion between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position an edge of the lid portion is adjacent to the edge of the first concave shell in the first plane;   first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies attached to the exterior of the base portion, wherein:   the first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies are in a second plane parallel to the first plane;   the first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies are configured to support the base portion; and   each wheel assembly is configured to rotate about a first axis parallel to the second plane and about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and   a first retractable handle parallel to the first plane configured to be movable in a first direction parallel to the first plane from a retracted position to an extended position and from the extended position to the retracted position, wherein in the retracted position a portion of the first retractable handle is housed inside the lid portion.   
     
     
         16 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 15  further comprising first, second, third and fourth feet, wherein the first and second feet are attached to the exterior of the base portion and wherein the third and fourth feet are attached to the exterior of the lid portion. 
     
     
         17 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 15  further comprising a second retractable handle configured to be movable in a plurality of directions between a retracted position and a plurality of extended positions, wherein in the retracted position a portion of the second retractable handle is housed inside the lid portion. 
     
     
         18 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 17  wherein the second retractable handle is flexible. 
     
     
         19 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 17  wherein the plurality of extended positions of the second retractable handle are in a third plane, wherein the third plane is perpendicular to the first plane and parallel to the first direction. 
     
     
         20 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 15  wherein the base portion comprises a first foot rest and a second foot rest. 
     
     
         21 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 15  further comprising a carry handle attached to the exterior of the lid portion. 
     
     
         22 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 15  wherein in the closed position the lid portion is attached to the base portion by a zip. 
     
     
         23 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 15  wherein the base portion and the lid portion are manufactured by blow moulding. 
     
     
         24 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 15  wherein the base portion and the lid portion are made from a thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         25 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 23  wherein the base portion and the lid portion are made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. 
     
     
         26 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 15  wherein each wheel assembly comprises a pair of parallel wheels. 
     
     
         27 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 26  wherein each wheel in the air of parallel wheels is arranged on either side of a central portion, wherein the central portion is configured to rotate about the second axis. 
     
     
         28 . A hard-shell suitcase comprising:
 a base portion comprising a first concave shell, wherein an edge of the first concave shell defines a first plane;   a lid portion connected to the base portion by a hinge such that the lid portion is configured to be movable with respect to the base portion between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position an edge of the lid portion is adjacent to the edge of the first concave shell in the first plane;   first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies wherein the first and second wheel assemblies are attached to the exterior of the base portion and wherein the third and fourth wheel assemblies are attached to the exterior of the lid portion, wherein:   the first, second, third and fourth wheel assemblies are in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane; and   each wheel assembly is configured to rotate about a first axis parallel to the second plane and about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis;   first, second, third and fourth feet attached to the exterior of the base portion, wherein the first, second, third and fourth feet are in a third plane parallel to the first plane; and   a first retractable handle parallel to the first plane configured to be movable in a direction parallel to the first plane between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein in the retracted position a portion of the first retractable handle is housed inside the lid portion.   
     
     
         29 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 28  further comprising a carry handle attached to the exterior of the lid portion. 
     
     
         30 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 28  wherein in the closed position the lid portion is attached to the base portion by a zip. 
     
     
         31 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 28  wherein the base portion and the lid portion are manufactured by blow moulding. 
     
     
         32 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 28  wherein the base portion and the lid portion are made from a thermoplastic polymer. 
     
     
         33 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 31  wherein the base portion and the lid portion are made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene. 
     
     
         34 . The hard-shell suitcase of  claim 33  wherein each wheel assembly comprises a pair of parallel wheels, wherein optionally each wheel in the pair of parallel wheels is arranged on either side of a central portion, wherein the central portion is configured to rotate about the second axis.