US20150374089A1

US20150374089A1 - Luggage carrying device

Info

Publication number: US20150374089A1
Application number: US14/317,368
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert Lian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-06-27
Filing date: 2014-06-27
Publication date: 2015-12-31

Abstract

A body removably attachable to belts for carrying a wheeled luggage includes an attachable element for attaching the body to a belt. The attachable element has an orifice and can include an elongated U-shaped member having a bottom, first and second side sections. The attachable element further includes a top section having first and second ends. The first end of the top section is hingedly connected to the first end of the first side section of the U-shaped member. A flap is hingedly connected to the second end of the top section. The flap and second side section of the U-shaped member are provided with a tongue and groove locking arrangement. The body further includes a reversed j-shaped utility element for holding a handle of a wheeled luggage.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed embodiments relate to the field of belt attachments. More specifically, it relates to devices for holding and pulling luggage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Thousands of people travel daily. When such people travel, they carry luggage with them. Often, people travel with wheeled luggage. Sometimes travelers have multiple suitcases or luggage that they use to store their items. Many times, people have more luggage than they can carry. When this is the case, a person may have to hire a porter or independent contractor to carry at least one of their bags, luggage or suitcases. Or, a person may have to ask another individual to help them with their bags. In other cases, the traveler may fumble with their bags causing damage to the bags or a strain or sprain of their body. These problems inconvenience the traveler and the individuals that are required to assist such a traveler, and may also be cost prohibitive.
Therefore, a need exists to overcome these problems that allows a person to carry and travel with multiple bags without having to hire a porter or independent contractor or ask another individual for help.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, according to the disclosed embodiments, a body removably attachable to belts for carrying a wheeled luggage that includes an attachable element for attaching the body to a belt is disclosed. The attachable element has an orifice and includes an elongated U-shaped member having a bottom, first and second side sections. The attachable element further includes a top section having first and second ends. The first end of the top section is hingedly connected to the terminal end of the first side section of the U-shaped member. A flap is hingedly connected to the second end of the top section. The flap and second side section of the U-shaped member are provided with a tongue and groove locking arrangement. The body further includes a reversed j-shaped utility element for holding a handle of a wheeled luggage.
Additional aspects of the disclosed embodiments will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosed embodiments. The aspects of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularly pointed out distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features and also the advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Additionally, the left most digit of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number appears first appears. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the luggage carrying device in a closed position, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the luggage carrying device in a closed position, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the luggage carrying device in an open position, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the luggage carrying device in an open position, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the luggage carrying device in an open position detached from a belt, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the luggage carrying device in a closed position attached to a belt, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the luggage carrying device in a closed position attached to a belt with wheeled luggage hooked onto it, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the luggage carrying device in a closed position attached to a belt, in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed embodiments improve upon the problems with the prior art by providing an easy and user-friendly means for carrying wheeled luggage. The disclosed embodiments improve over the prior art because they provide an individual with a device that allows such individual to carry luggage without using their hands. The disclosed embodiments further improve over the prior art because they provide an individual with a device that allows such individual to increase the amount of luggage that such individual is able to carry. Lastly, the disclosed embodiments improve over the prior art because they reduce the costs associated with traveling due to the hiring of independent contractors or porters.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the body 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment illustrates the body 100 in a closed or locked position (further explained below). In this embodiment, the body 100 includes an attachable element 110. The attaching element 110 defines an orifice 115 for receiving a belt. The hollow attachable element 110 comprises an elongated U-shaped member 116. U-shaped member 116 has a bottom section 111, a first side section 119 and a second side section 117. The sections 111, 119, 117 are generally rectangular and planar in shape. The sections 111, 119, 117 of the U-shaped member 116 can be integral with one another, or they can be separate sections joined together by any suitable technique, such as soldering, welding, gluing, sowing, molding or the like. The body 100 can be formed from plastic, wood, metal, alloy, composite or any other suitable material. The 111, 119, 117 sections can be manufactured from injection molding, extrusion, by using a lathe or any other suitable manufacturing process.
In the present embodiment, the side sections 119, 117 are substantially parallel to and opposing one another. In the present embodiment, a hinge 145 hingedly connects the terminal end of the first side section 119 of the U-shaped member 116 to a top section 113. The top section 113 has a first end 215 and a second end 213. Hinge 145 hingedly connects the terminal end of the first side section 119 to the first end 215 of the top section 113 and a second hinge 147 connects the second end 213 of the top section 113 to a flap 105. The top section 113 and flap 105 are substantially rectangular in shape and are substantially planar and can be formed from a plastic, wood, metal or any other suitable material. In one embodiment, any of the components of the invention may be fabricated using a 3-D printer.
In the present embodiment, the attachable element 110 has a flip top 113 that utilizes hinges 145, 147 to flip open. In an alternative embodiment, there is no hinged top 113. In this embodiment, the attachable element 110 does not open up, but is rather a static elongated hollow element.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the body 100 according to one embodiment. The hinge 145 can be integral with the first side section 119. In another embodiment, it can be integral with top section 113. In yet another embodiment, the hinge 145 can be affixed to the side section 119 and top section 113 with screws, fasteners, bolts or the like (not shown). The hinge 145 connects the edge of the terminal end of the first side section 119 to the first end 215 of the top section 113 such that the second end 213 of top section 113 can be hingedly rotated away from the terminal end of the second side section 117 of the U-shaped member 116 (as shown in FIG. 3).
Similarly, the hinge 147 can be integral with the second end 213 of top section 113. Or alternatively, the hinge 147 can be integral with the first end 217 of the flap 205. In yet another embodiment, the hinge 147 can be affixed to the second end 213 of the top section 113 and the first end 217 of the flap 205 with screws, fasteners, bolts, or the like (not shown). The hinges 145, 147 can be made of metal, plastic, or any other material that is well known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, straps (not shown) can connect the first side section 119 of the U-shaped member 116 to the top section 113 such that the first side section 119 of the U-shaped member 116 is hingedly connected to the top section 113. In one embodiment, there are no hinges 145, 147 but rather flexible plastic corners that allows the areas 113, 105 to open up by utilizing the flexibility of the plastic composition of the device. Thus, the area from hinges 145 to 147 may be one flexible hinge in and of itself.
The top section 113 is adapted such that when the attaching member 110 in the closed or in a locked position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the top section 113 is parallel to and opposing the bottom section 111 the flap 105 abuts and is flush with the outer surface of the second side section 117. Referring to FIG. 2, in the closed position, the flap 105 abuts the outside surface of the second side section 117 of the U-shaped member 116. Orifice 115 defines an elongated rectangle which can receive a belt. The orifice is on the inside of the attachable element 110. However, other shapes defined by the attachable element 110 may also be used.
FIG. 2 also illustrates the curved portion of the reversed J shape of utility element 120 that acts as a catching feature or channel 125 for the handle of wheeled luggage (shown in FIG. 7 as 710).
In other embodiments (not shown), the attachable element 110 can have various shapes and sizes that allow the attachable element 110 to be removably attached to a belt or pants such that when generally downward forces act upon the member 110, the body 100 remains secured to a belt of an individual.
For example, in another embodiment (not shown), the attachable element can comprise a clip. The clip may comprise a U-shaped element having opposing arms defining a mouth at the terminal ends of such arms and an orifice along the arms. The orifice may receive a pants belt and be sized such that a pants belt can fit inside of the orifice. The mouth may be sized such that its cross-sectional diameter is slightly smaller than the dimension of the width of a belt. The clip may be manufactured from resilient material such that the size of the mouth may be increased when forces pushing outward on the arms and mouth cause the arms to move outward and return to its original position when such forces are removed. In this embodiment, the clip can be positioned such that the mouth of the clip receives the belt causing forces acting outward to increase the size of the mouth thereby allowing the belt to enter into the orifice of the clip after which the resilient material returns the mouth to its original shape thereby securing the body 100 to the belt. Alternatively, the mouth may be sized such that the cross-sectional diameter is slightly smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the width of a pair of pants and belt. In this embodiment, the mouth and orifice are designed to clip onto both a belt and along the waistline of a pair of pants or alternatively the dimensions of the attachable element can be sized to receive only a pair of pants.
In another embodiment (not shown), the attachable element may define a U-shape member having two opposing arms defining a mouth at the terminal ends of the arms and an orifice along the arms. The cross-sectional diameter of the mouth may be smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the orifice. The attaching element may include a screw lock. The cross-sectional diameter of the orifice and mouth may be increased or decreased by using the components of the screw lock such that the belt may be retained by the mouth inside the orifice. In other embodiment (not shown), the attachable element may comprise a clamp. In this embodiment, the body 100 can be attached to a belt in a clamping manner. Alternatively, in this embodiment the attachable element may clamp onto the belt and back of the waistline of a pair of pants or only along the waistline of a pair of pants or other article of clothing. In another embodiment, the attachable element may comprise a set of straps or strings that can be tied to a pants belt. It is to be understood that the attachable element may be attached to the back of an article of clothing or belt and that the terms pant or pants is not meant to be a limitation.
FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the utility element 120 coupled or connected below the attaching member. The utility element 120 can be integral with the attachable element 110 or it can be affixed to it by glue, welding, sewing, fasteners or the like. In this embodiment, the utility element 120 is an elongated reversed J shape. The reversed J shape utility element 120 has an elongated leg 122 and a relatively short leg 124. The reversed J shape of the utility element 120 defines a catching feature or channel 125 that is sized to receive and hold the handle of a wheeled luggage. Similar to the U-shaped member 116, top section 113 and flap 105, the utility element can be comprised of wood, plastic, metal or any other suitable material and can be manufactured from injection molding, extrusion, by using a lathe or any other suitable manufacturing process. In alternative embodiment, the utility element 120 has a telescopic feature that allows the element 120 to telescope out in length and extend a predefined distance.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the body 100 in the open or unlocked position. FIG. 3 illustrates the locking arrangement according to one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the locking arrangement is a tongue and groove arrangement. The tongue and groove arrangement includes a tongue or protrusion 320 extending from the surface of the flap 105 such that when in the closed or locked position, the protrusion 320 extends towards the second side member 117 of the U-shaped member 116. The end of the protrusion 320 distal to the flap 105 defines a feature 250 having a cross-sectional diameter that is slightly larger than the cross-sectional diameter of the remainder of the protrusion 320. The feature 250 can be integral with the protrusion 320 or it can be affixed to it by glue, welding, sewing, fasteners or the like. In one embodiment, the flap 105 has a length substantially equal to section 117.
In this embodiment, the feature 250 is generally rectangular shaped having a cross sectional diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the protrusion 320. The protrusion 320 corresponds with a matching aperture, groove or opening 330 on the second side section 117 of the U-shaped member 116.
The aperture 330 is adapted such that the cross-sectional diameter of the aperture 330 is slightly smaller than the cross sectional diameter of the feature 250 and fits snugly with the remainder of the protrusion 320. The material forming the second side member 117 may be resilient such that the cross-sectional diameter of the aperture 330 slightly increases when forces push against the walls of the aperture 330 toward the edges of the second side member 117 and bounce back to its original shape after such forces are removed. Similarly, the material forming the protrusion 330 and feature 250 may be resilient such that the feature 250 decreases in cross-sectional diameter when forces push inward toward the center of the feature 250 and bounce back to its original shape after such forces are removed.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the unlocked or open position, the top section 113 is positioned such that the second end 213 of the top section 113 is rotated away from the terminal end of the second side section 117 of the U-shaped member 116. Also shown is that the flap 105 is also hingedly rotated away from the second side section 117 in the open or unlocked position.
In the present embodiment, to close or lock the attachable element 110, the top section 113 is hingedly rotated such that the top section 113 is parallel to and opposing the bottom section 111 (as shown in FIG. 2). The flap 105 is rotated such that the protrusion 320 and feature 250 align with the aperture 330 of the section side section 117. As an inward force perpendicular to the outside surface of the second side section 117 is applied to the second side section 117, the feature 250 is pushed into the aperture 330. As a result of such inward force, the walls of the aperture 330 push against the feature 250 towards the center of the feature 250 compressing the feature 250 somewhat. As a result, the resilient characteristics of the feature 250 cause the feature 250 to slightly change shape such that the cross sectional diameter of the feature 250 can pass into the aperture 330. Once the feature 250 is past the aperture 330, the resilient nature of the feature 250 cause the feature 250 return to its original shape. As a result, the feature 250 is retained by the second side member 117 which prevents the removal of the protrusion 320 and feature 250. Alternatively, or in addition to, second side section 117 can also be formed from material having resilient properties that allow the cross-sectional diameter of the aperture 330 to increase allowing the feature 250 to pass into the aperture 330.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the body 100 in an open or unlocked position according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the side members 119, 117 of the U-shaped body 116, have a length d. In one embodiment, the length d (shown in FIG. 4) can be approximately 2.25 inches. Dimension e, the dimension of the orifice 115 between opposing side members 119, 117 can be approximately ½ inches. The body 100 can have a width having a dimension a (shown in FIG. 6). In the present embodiment, width a can be approximately 3.5 inches. The length of the side members 119, 117 can have a length d of approximately 2.25 inches. These lengths are by way of example and are not meant to be a limitation.
FIG. 4 also illustrates the shape of the reversed J shape. In one embodiment, the groove, space or channel 125 has a cross sectional diameter c. Cross sectional diameter c can be 2 inches wide. The length of the long leg 122 of the utility element 120 can have a length b. Length b can be approximately 6 inches long and the width a (shown in FIG. 6) of the utility element 120 can be 3.5 inches wide.
FIG. 5, is a perspective view of the body 100 in open or unlocked position according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 also illustrates a belt 510. This figure illustrates how the belt 510 is positioned before being received by the U-shaped member 116. In this embodiment, the belt 510 is rectangular and substantially flat in nature. However, as mentioned above, the attachable element 110 can be adapted such that it is shaped and has dimensions to receive belts having different shapes than the belt 510 depicts.
FIG. 6 illustrates the belt received by the U-shaped member 116 with the attachable element 110 in the locked or closed position. In this position, the tongue and groove locking arrangement locks or prevents the top section 113 from hingedly rotating when forces act downwardly on the body 100. In other embodiments (not shown), other means or of securing the flap 105 to the second side member 117 of the U-shaped member 116 can be used, including a fastener, buckle, snap, screw, screw lock, zipper, tie string or the like. In one embodiment, the means of securing the flap 105 to the second side member 117 of the U-shaped member 116 may be hook and loop fabric.
To unlock the attachable element 110, forces acting outward perpendicular to the outside surface of second side member 117 (toward the direction of the flap 105) adequate enough to cause the feature 250 to change shape allowing the feature 250 and protrusion 320 to be removed from the second side section 117 must be applied. As a result of such outward force, the flap 105 and top section 113 can be hingedly rotated away from the terminal end of the second side section 116. In one embodiment (not shown), a string (not shown) can be attached to a portion of the surface of the flap 105 such that pulling on the string causes outwardly forces perpendicular to the surface of the flap 105 to be applied to the flap 105. If the string is pulled with adequate force, the forces applied to the flap 105 cause the protrusion 320 and element 320 to be removed from the aperture 330. However, other means of applying such forces to remove the flap 105 can be used.
FIG. 7 illustrates an individual 740 wearing a belt 730 and having the body 100 attached to the part of the belt 730 located on the rear of the individual 740. A wheeled luggage 710 having an elongated member 750 connected to a handle 751 is received and held by the utility element 120. The handle 751 is received by and rests in the channel 125. As the individual 740 moves or walks forward, the short leg 124 of the utility member 120 causes the handle 751 to remain in the channel 125 of the utility element 120. Further, the top member 113 and the locking arrangement keeps the attachable element 110 attached to the belt 730. FIG. 7, illustrates how the individual 740 can carry luggage using the body 100 without using any hands or having to hire an individual, independent contractor or porter to carry bags. In one embodiment, the device 100 may be used to carry or pull golf related goods, such as golf bags, rolling bags, stand bags, carry bags, staff bags and cart bags.
FIG. 8 illustrates an individual 740 wearing a belt 730 and having a body 100 attached to the belt 730 at the rear of such an individual's body 740. In FIG. 8, the attachable hollow element 110 of the removably attachable body 100 is secured to the pants belt 730.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A body removably attachable to a belt for carrying a wheeled luggage comprising:

an attachable element for securing the body to a belt, the attachable element comprising an orifice for receiving a belt;

an elongated U-shaped member having a bottom, first and second side sections;

a top section having first and second ends, the first end of the top section being hingedly connected to a terminal end of the first side section of the U-shaped member;

a flap hingedly connected to the second end of the top section, wherein the flap and second side section of the U-shaped member are provided with a locking arrangement; and,

a utility element for holding a handle of a wheeled luggage.

2. The body of claim 1, wherein the utility element has a reversed j-shape.

3. The body of claim 2, wherein the locking arrangement is a tongue and groove arrangement.

4. The body of claim 3, wherein the locking arrangement comprises a protrusion extending from the surface of the flap corresponding with an aperture on the second side section of the U-shaped member.

5. The body of claim 1, wherein the body is in a locked position when a feature of the protrusion inserts into and is captured by the corresponding aperture of the second side section such that the top section remains substantially perpendicular to the bottom section.

6. The body of claim 5, wherein the body is in a unlocked position when the feature of the protrusion is not captured by the corresponding aperture of the second side section such that the top section is not substantially perpendicular to the bottom section.

7. The body of claim 6, wherein in the locked position the body remains attached to a belt when forces substantially downward act upon the body, and wherein in the unlocked position the body is detachable from the belt when forces substantially downward act upon the body.

8. The body of claim 6, wherein the locking arrangement comprises an aperture on the flap corresponding and matching with a protrusion on the second side section of the U-shaped member.

9. The body of claim 2, wherein the locking arrangement is a snap.

10. The body of claim 1, wherein the body is made of metal.

11. The body of claim 1, wherein the body is made of wood.

12. The body of claim 1, wherein the body is made of plastic.

13. A body removably attachable to a belt for carrying a wheeled luggage, comprising an attachable element for attaching the body to a belt, and a utility element for holding a handle of a wheeled luggage, wherein the attachable element comprises:

an orifice for receiving a belt,

an elongated U-shaped member having a bottom, first and second side sections,

a top section having first and second ends, the first end of the top section being hingedly connected to the terminal end of the first side section of the U-shaped member, and

a flap hingedly connected to the second end of the top section, wherein the flap and second side section of the U-shaped member are provided with a locking arrangement.

14. The body of claim 13, wherein the locking arrangement is a tongue and groove arrangement.

15. A body removably attachable to a belt for carrying a wheeled luggage comprising:

an attachable element for attaching the body to a belt comprising an orifice for receiving a belt;

an elongated U-shaped member having a bottom, first and second side sections and, a top section having first and second ends, the first end of the top section being hingedly connected to a terminal end of the first side section of the U-shaped member;

a flap hingedly connected to the second end of the top section, wherein the flap and second side section of the U-shaped member are provided with a tongue and groove locking arrangement; and,

a reversed j-shaped utility element for holding a handle of a wheeled luggage.

16. The body of claim 15, wherein the locking arrangement comprises a protrusion extending from the surface of the flap corresponding with an aperture on the second side section of the U-shaped member.

17. The body of claim 16, wherein the locking arrangement has a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein in the locked position the body remains attached to a belt when forces substantially downward act upon the body, and wherein in the unlocked position the body is detachable from the belt when forces substantially downward act upon the body.

18. The body of claim 17, wherein the body is in a locked position when a feature of the protrusion inserts into and is captured by the corresponding aperture of the second side section of the U-shaped member such that the top section remains substantially perpendicular to the bottom section of the U-shape member.

19. The body of claim 18, wherein the body is in a unlocked position when the feature of the protrusion is not captured by the corresponding aperture of the second side section of the U-shaped member.