US5228706A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Handle-propelled container having extending and retracting wheels
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-07-21
•
Granted: 1993-07-20
•
Expires: 2012-07-21
Abstract
Abstract In a container, e.g., a beach cooler, of the type having a pull handle and a pair of retractable wheels the improvement includes a pair of struts (one on either container side) and a pair of strut-positioned wheel assemblies, each mounted for pivoting movement. The U-shaped handle is linearly extensible and retractable and has two arms, each of which includes a cam-like surface. Each such surface bears against a strut for pivoting the wheels between extended and retracted positions, respectively, when the handle is extended or retracted.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel R. Boville
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:55
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45C; A45C5/00; A45C5/14; A45C5/146; B; B62; B62B; B62B2202/00; B62B2202/52; B62B2204/00; B62B2204/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
In a container having a pull handle and a pair of retractable wheels, the improvement comprising: a strut mounted on the container for sliding motion along an axis of movement; a strut-positioned wheel assembly attached to the container for pivoting movement, the assembly including a lever actuated by the strut and mounted to the container at a pivot point; and wherein: the handle is slidably connected to the container and extensible and retractable with respect to the container and includes a cam-like surface contacting the strut for pivoting the assembly between wheel-extended and wheel-retracted positions; the handle moves along an axis which is less than 180° angular with respect to the axis of movement of the strut; and, the strut applies to the wheel assembly at a point which, during wheel extension and retraction, is maintained at a substantially constant distance from the pivot point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
In a container having a pull handle and a pair of retractable wheels, the improvement comprising: a strut mounted on the container for sliding motion along an axis of movement; a strut-positioned wheel assembly attached to the container for pivoting movement, the assembly including a lever actuated by the strut and mounted to the container at a pivot point; and wherein: the handle is slidably connected to the container and extensible and retractable with respect to the container and includes a cam-like surface contacting the strut for pivoting the assembly between wheel-extended and wheel-retracted positions; the handle moves along an axis which is less than 180° angular with respect to the axis of movement of the strut; and, the strut applies to the wheel assembly at a point which, during wheel extension and retraction, is maintained at a substantially constant distance from the pivot point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The container of claim 1 wherein the strut and the lever are attached to one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The container of claim 2 wherein the strut includes a portion contacting the cam-like surface during handle extension and retraction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The container of claim 1 including a spring applying force to the strut and wherein the strut and lever are spring-biased in a wheel-extending direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The container of claim 4 wherein the strut and the handle define an included angle therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The container of claim 5 wherein the angle is about 90°.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The container of claim 1 wherein the handle includes a gripping portion and a pair of arms extending from such gripping portion and each arm is received in a separate guide slot formed in the container.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The container of claim 7 including a pair of cam-like surfaces, one on each arm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The container of claim 1 wherein the lever is a first class lever.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The container of claim 3 wherein the lever is a first class lever.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a container having a pull handle and a pair of retractable wheels, the improvement wherein: a strut-positioned wheel assembly is attached to the container for pivoting movement; the handle is linearly extensible and retractable with respect to the container and includes a cam-like surface for contacting a strut and pivoting the assembly between wheel-extended and wheel-retracted positions; and the container further includes: a strut mounted on the container for linear movement and having a portion contacted by the cam-like surface during handle extension and retraction, the strut and the handle defining an included angle therebetween of about 90°.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a container having a pull handle and a pair of retractable wheels, the improvement wherein: a strut-positioned wheel assembly is attached to the container for pivoting movement; the handle is linearly extensible and retractable with respect to the container and includes a cam-like surface for contacting a strut and pivoting the assembly between wheel-extended and wheel-retracted positions; and the container further includes: a strut mounted on the container for linear movement and having a portion contacted by the cam-like surface during handle extension and retraction, the strut and the handle defining an included angle therebetween of about 90°.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The container of claim 11 including a spring applying force to the strut and wherein the strut and the lever are spring biased in a wheel-extending direction.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-19 | 1997-01-18 | 1997-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-19 | 2001-01-18 | 2001-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-19 | 2005-01-18 | 2005-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |