Back to results
US 10,702,032 B2Granted
Double-sided wheel assembly and methods thereof
AssigneeTumi, Inc.
InventorPaul V. Scicluna
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to double-sided wheel assemblies and methods thereof. In one embodiment, double-sided wheel assembly is provided that may comprise a wheel member comprising a first wheel; a second wheel; and a center member disposed between the first wheel and the second wheel, the first wheel and second wheel adapted to distribute the load of the luggage; a wheel carriage for supporting the wheel member; and a wheel support base adapted to couple with the wheel carriage.
Claims20
A suitcase for use on a ground surface, the suitcase comprising:
- a storage cavity for storing items;
- a closure member for closing the storage cavity;
- a double-sided wheel assembly for rolling the suitcase, the double-sided wheel assembly including a wheel member comprising:
- a first wheel oriented on a first plane;
- a second wheel oriented on a second plane parallel to the first plane;
- a center member disposed entirely between and coupled with the first wheel and the second wheel and oriented on a third plane parallel to the first plane and the second plane, wherein the center member has a substantially annular shape and is configured to function as at least one bearing, the first wheel, the second wheel and the center member adapted to distribute a load of the suitcase to the first and the second wheel, wherein the center member rotates freely in a tangential direction relative to each of the first and second wheels when the wheel member is in use on a ground surface;
- a wheel carriage for supporting the wheel member;
- and
- a wheel support base adapted to couple with the wheel carriage;
- and
- a luggage base adapted to couple with the wheel support base and secure the wheel support base to the suitcase,
- wherein the luggage base comprises a connection member adapted to receive a fastener for securing the assembly to the suitcase.
9 more elements
A double-sided wheel assembly for luggage for use on a ground surface, the double-sided wheel assembly for luggage comprising:
- a wheel member comprising:
- a first wheel oriented on a first plane;
- a second wheel oriented on a second plane parallel to the first plane;
- and
- a center member disposed entirely between and coupled with the first wheel and the second wheel and oriented on a third plane parallel to the first plane and the second plane, wherein the center member has a substantially annular shape and is configured to function as at least one bearing, the first wheel, the second wheel, and the center member adapted to distribute a load of the luggage to the first and the second wheel, wherein the center member rotates freely in a tangential direction relative to each of the first and second wheels when the wheel member is in use on a ground surface;
- a wheel carriage for supporting the wheel member;
- a wheel support base adapted to couple with the wheel carriage;
- and
- a luggage base adapted to couple with the wheel support base and secure the wheel support base to the luggage,
- wherein the luggage base comprises a connection member adapted to receive a fastener for securing the assembly to the luggage.
7 more elements
A double-sided wheel assembly for luggage for use on a ground surface, the double-sided wheel assembly comprising:
- a wheel member comprising:
- a first wheel oriented in a first plane;
- a second wheel oriented in a second plane parallel to the first plane;
- and
- a center member disposed entirely between the first wheel and the second wheel and oriented in a third plane parallel to the first plane and the second plane, wherein the center member has a substantially annular shape, the center member comprising at least one bearing that comprises at least one of a roller bearing, a ball bearing, a ball thrust bearing, a roller thrust bearing, a tapered roller thrust bearing, or a needle bearing, wherein the first wheel, the second wheel, and the center member are adapted to distribute a load of the luggage to the first and the second wheel, and wherein the center member rotates freely in a tangential direction relative to each of the first and second wheels when the wheel member is in use on a ground surface;
- a wheel carriage for supporting the wheel member, wherein the wheel carriage comprises a wheel fork, the wheel fork comprising a first lateral prong and a second lateral prong, the wheel member disposed between and supported by the first lateral prong and the second lateral prong;
- a wheel support base adapted to couple with the wheel carriage;
- and
- a luggage base adapted to couple with the wheel support base and secure the wheel support base to the luggage,
- wherein the luggage base comprises a connection member adapted to receive a fastener for securing the assembly to the luggage.
7 more elements
A method of using a double-sided wheel assembly for use with luggage on a ground surface, the method of using a double-sided wheel assembly comprising:
- providing a double-sided wheel assembly comprising:
- a wheel member comprising:
- a first wheel oriented on a first plane;
- a second wheel oriented on a second plane parallel to the first plane;
- and
- a center member disposed entirely between and coupled with the first wheel and the second wheel and oriented on a third plane parallel to the first plane and the second plane, wherein the center member has a substantially annular shape and is configured to function as at least one bearing, the first wheel, the second wheel and the center member adapted to distribute a load of the luggage to the first and the second wheel, wherein the center member rotates freely in a tangential direction relative to each of the first and second wheels when the wheel member is in use on a ground surface;
- providing a wheel carriage for supporting the wheel member;
- providing a wheel support base adapted to couple with the wheel carriage;
- providing a luggage base adapted to couple with the wheel support base and secure the wheel support base to the luggage, the luggage base comprising a connection member adapted to receive a fastener for securing the double-sided wheel assembly to the luggage;
- and
- securing the double-sided wheel assembly to the luggage.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.