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 Inflatable air frame for soft-sided luggage and article of luggage incorporating sameInflatable air frame for soft-sided luggage and article of luggage incorporating same description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060207849, Inflatable air frame for soft-sided luggage and article of luggage incorporating same. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 60/662,409, filed Mar. 16, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to carrying cases for transporting one or a plurality of solid objects, such as an article of luggage for carrying clothes and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to carrying cases and articles of luggage, which are alternatively inflatable and deflatable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Carrying cases for solid objects, particularly articles of luggage for carrying clothing and the like, have evolved over the years from the large, bulky, and heavy steamer trunks in widespread use over a century, first to rigid, hard-side luggage and then to soft-side luggage with a rigid frame. Over the years conveniences have been added to luggage to facilitate its carrying and movement including the addition of fixed rolling wheels for transporting the luggage over the ground and telescoping pulling/pushing handles for guiding the luggage when it is being wheeled about. The goal of luggage designers has always been to minimize the weight of the article of luggage itself while maximizing its carrying capacity. Another important object of luggage designers is to minimize the exterior volume of the article of luggage. In order to minimize the space it occupies during use and, more importantly, when being kept in storage between uses. [0004] Ideally, an article of luggage should have a large carrying capacity during use, and should be capable of being collapsed or folded when not in use so as to minimize its storage volume. [0005] One proposed solution to the problem has been to develop inflatable luggage which can be inflated to form a semi-rigid carrying case during use and which is also capable of being deflated and collapsed and folded up for convenient storage when in a deflated state. [0006] One such article of inflatable luggage has previously been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,867 to Fisher for inflatable luggage, issued Aug. 30, 1977. The '867 patent discloses an article of inflatable luggage that can be fabricated and produced in any geometric shape or form, utilizing heat-sealable flexible material with the article of luggage having a side, top, bottom and endwalls, at least some of which have communicating air chambers and passages therein for providing an inflatable semi-rigid enclosures. When deflated the luggage may be flattened and rolled-up for storage. [0007] One disadvantage of the article of luggage of the '867 patent is that other than providing a regular carrying handle on one of the sidewalls for carrying the case when in an inflated state, it does not provide means for conveniently rolling the article of luggage when in an inflated state and containing objects therein and it does not provide for a telescoping handle for pulling or pushing the inflated and filled article of luggage, as such wheels and a handle are typically affixed to other rigid and semi-rigid articles of luggage in common used today. [0008] Another disadvantage of the article of luggage of the '867 patent is that inflated article of such luggage have a "air mattress" exterior appearance due to the presence of the plurality of ribbed, inflated air chambers which are evident on the exterior of the article of luggage. This produces a generally non-aesthetic effect. [0009] Accordingly, there is a need in the field of luggage for an article of luggage that is both inflatable and deflatable, and which also provides for conveniently attachable rolling wheels and a pulling/pushing handle for ease in transporting the article of luggage over the ground when in an inflated state and containing objects therein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The disadvantages heretofore associated with the prior art are overcome by the present invention of an article of luggage which is both inflatable and deflatable, and which is provided with attached rolling wheels and a telescoping pulling/pushing handle that are attachable to the article of luggage when in an inflated state. [0011] It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide carrying cases and other articles of luggage that are inflatable and deflatable, and which are sturdy, light in weight, capable of supporting a substantial weight of contents when in an inflated state, without deforming or losing shape, which are provided with both rolling wheels and a pulling/pushing telescoping handle that can be conveniently attached to the article of luggage when in an inflated state, and which are conveniently foldable for storage when not in use, as well are simple and inexpensive to manufacture. [0012] Another object of the invention is to provide an inflatable and deflatable article of luggage, which when inflated, has a smooth exterior surface and aesthetic appearance that does not indicate that the article of luggage is inflated when it is, in fact, in an inflated state. [0013] Yet another object of the invention is to provide an inflatable and deflatable article of luggage which when inflated, and particularly when empty of any contents, can also be used as an emergency flotation device. [0014] Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. The novel features of this invention are pointed out in the set of claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] The present invention is more fully described and may be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying set of drawing figures in which: [0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article of luggage according to the present invention, shown in its inflated state in dashed lines and in its deflated state in solid lines, together with the assembled rolling wheels and telescoping handle for attachment thereto and with an inflation air pump used to inflate the article of luggage for placement and storage on the inflated article of luggage; [0017] FIG. 2 is an inflated article of luggage according to the present invention with an inlet port for insertion of an inflation tool and an inflation air pump shown proximal thereto; [0018] FIG. 3 is a detailed exploded view of the inflation air port and valve along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 of the article of inflatable luggage with the nozzle of an inflation air pump being shown inserted therein; [0019] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 of the inflated air chamber forming a side wall of an article of luggage, with details of a plurality of pneumatically communicating air chambers being shown therein; Continue reading about Inflatable air frame for soft-sided luggage and article of luggage incorporating same... 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