Multi-mode luggage apparatus and method
A luggage apparatus and method is described herein that introduce a separate wheeled sub-frame that mounts on the base of a luggage apparatus and which allows for dual mode use between an upright mode and a tilt mode. The geometry of the relationship between the bag frame and sub-frame of the luggage apparatus urges the beg to tilt and return upright. The luggage apparatus is securely supported about the sub-frame in both modes with a changing centre of gravity and can be pushed or pulled in either mode.
1 . A luggage apparatus comprising:
a bag frame; and
a sub-frame, the sub-frame located below the bag frame;
wherein the luggage apparatus is configured to move between an upright mode with the bag frame in a substantially upright orientation and a tilt mode with the bag frame on an angle relative to a vertical plane, wherein:
in upright mode, the luggage apparatus center of gravity is generally inside a volume defined by the bag frame and wherein, in tilt mode, the luggage apparatus center of gravity is generally outside a volume defined by the bag frame, and,
when the luggage apparatus is moved from an upright mode to a tilt mode, the luggage apparatus center of gravity moves backwards and when the luggage apparatus moves from a tilt mode to an upright mode, the center of gravity moves forwards;
wherein the sub-frame attaches to the rear of the bag frame via at least one rear member that bridges the sub-frame to the rear of the bag frame; and
wherein the rear member(s) are located flush with the bag frame when the luggage apparatus is in upright mode and the rear member(s) pivoting out from the bag frame when in tilt mode.
2 . The luggage apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sub-frame and bag frame geometry are defined by only three pivot axes, rotation about the three pivot axes moving the bag frame between the upright mode and tilt modes.
3 . The luggage apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the three pivot axes define a generally triangular shape formed by the pivot axes, which are in a right angle shape.
4 . The luggage apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein, when the luggage apparatus is in an upright mode and, the triangular shape formed by the pivot axes has an acute angle shape when the luggage apparatus is in a tilt mode.
5 . The luggage apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sub-frame shape elongates and retracts about a generally horizontal plane to move the bag frame between the upright mode and tilt mode.
6 . The luggage apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the luggage apparatus comprises wheels and wherein all wheels are mounted on the sub-frame and not directly connected or associated with the bag frame.
7 . The luggage apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sub-frame is configured to have a generally planar shape and lies in an approximately horizontal plane and, wherein the sub-frame further comprises a rear strut and at least one side strut to form the sub-frame structure with front wheels forward of rear wheels mounted on the sub-frame on which the luggage apparatus is moved.
8 . The luggage apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein, in the upright mode, the rear wheels of the sub-frame are retracted towards the front wheels of the sub-frame and, in a tilt mode, the sub-frame is extended in a generally horizontal plane with the rear wheels of the sub-frame extended away from the front wheels to define a relatively larger separation or elongation distance between the front and rear wheels.
9 . A method of configuring a luggage apparatus between an upright mode and tilt mode, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a luggage apparatus as claimed in claim 1 ; and
extending the sub-frame from a retracted position to an elongated position and in doing so, urging the bag frame to tilt to a tilt mode.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising the step of: retracting the sub-frame from an elongated position to a retracted position and in doing so, urging the bag frame from a tilt mode to an upright mode position.