1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to hand carts for transporting luggage and more particularly to hand carts which are attached to the luggage during transportation and which remain attached to the luggage during stowage.
2. Description of Prior Art
Hand operated devices which improve the ease with which an individual transports luggage while walking from one location to another, for example, in an airport terminal and in the aisles of an airplane, fall broadly into two categories, devices built-in to the luggage itself and carts on which luggage is positioned and then secured by flexible straps.
Various types of suitcases have integral wheels and a retractable handle forming a permanent part of the suitcase. In this suitcase, the wheels and handle are designed to remain substantially within the overall contour of the case to enable the case to be easily carried by hand or pulled along on the wheels by grasping the handle and pulling the case along. Since the wheels and handle are within the general contour of the case, they do not present an obstacle or encumberance when the case is stowed, particularly in a confined storage compartment or under a seat such as those of today's passenger airliners. Not all pieces of luggage, however, include such built-in transportation equipment. Those pieces that do not, must be transported by using a detachable cart.
A number of detachable carts suitable for improving the ease of transportation of a piece of luggage are commercially available. These carts have many different constructions but typically include a base support on which the luggage is rested, a handle portion, and fibre or elastic straps to retain the luggage in contact with the cart. Carts utilizing elastic straps to hold the luggage in position tend to be difficult to maneuver and are not suitable for stowing with the luggage due to the relative insecurity of the attachment to the luggage. The attachment, disconnection and reattachment of the luggage to the cart which is required each time a detachable cart is used to transport luggage to and from a port of stowage can be a considerable nuisance. In addition, once removed from the luggage a cart itself becomes an item of luggage. These factors make the use of detachable carts cumbersome and the cart, as extra hand luggage, may cause special problems for air travellers whose hand luggage allowance is restricted.
One prior art cart adapted for stowage with the luggage includes a rectangular wheeled frame that is strapped to provide wheels on one face of the luggage to ease transportation. As the straps pass around the entire piece of luggage, the cart does not allow the luggage to be opened during transit without untying the straps. This type of cart may, therefore, be inconvenient to use for air travel because of the number of security and customs checks that may be required.
There is a need, therefore, for an improved luggage cart that is attachable to a piece of luggage for transportation and can remain with the luggage throughout a journey and that does not interfere with opening of a piece of luggage for inspection.