A suitcase looks like a finished object: a box, a handle, and wheels. In patent drawings, inventors keep asking what else that box could become. It can follow its owner, carry the owner, handle stairs, and then change jobs again after arriving.

Some patents automate movement. Others turn luggage into furniture. One inflates its structural walls, another becomes a stroller, and another turns the handle into a scale.

All ten entries remain unconfirmed here because we did not verify a direct one-to-one product implementation for these patent records.

FIG. 01

The suitcase follows its owner by itself

SOURCE FIGURESFIG. 1A, FIG. 1B
PUBLICATIONUS20180360177A1
US20180360177A1 / FIGS. 1A–1B. Motors, sensors, and wireless communication turn the suitcase into a small following robot.
FIG. 01US20180360177A1
Patent drawing of the Travelmate Robotics autonomous robotic suitcase.

US20180360177A1 / FIGS. 1A–1B. Motors, sensors, and wireless communication turn the suitcase into a small following robot.

Drag to pan when zoomed. Use + / − to zoom, 0 to fit, arrow keys to pan, and Alt + arrow keys for the previous or next FIG.

What is it?

Travelmate Robotics treats the suitcase as a mobile robot. It can connect wirelessly to a phone or other user device and autonomously follow the person carrying that device.

The disclosure even describes upright and horizontal travel modes. The relationship changes from a person pulling luggage to luggage actively keeping up with the person.

Travelmate Robotics IncFIG. 01
ASSIGNEE
Travelmate Robotics Inc
PRIORITY
2017-06-15
PUBLISHED
2018-12-20
PUBLICATION
US20180360177A1
INVENTORS
Leonid Kovtun / Taras Yermakov / Leonid Ryzhenko
ORIGINAL
FIG. 02

Stop pulling it and ride the suitcase instead

SOURCE FIGURESFIG. 1A
PUBLICATIONUS8282113B2
US8282113B2 / FIG. 1A. A folding platform turns the back of the suitcase into a small rideable vehicle.
FIG. 02US8282113B2
Patent drawing of rideable luggage with a deployed standing platform and steering wheel.

US8282113B2 / FIG. 1A. A folding platform turns the back of the suitcase into a small rideable vehicle.

Drag to pan when zoomed. Use + / − to zoom, 0 to fit, arrow keys to pan, and Alt + arrow keys for the previous or next FIG.

What is it?

The design adds a deployable platform behind the suitcase, plus steering through a separate wheel and handle. An embodiment can also use an electric motor for propulsion.

The same rolling object that carries belongings becomes a vehicle for the traveler.

IndividualFIG. 02
ASSIGNEE
Individual
PRIORITY
2009-06-01
PUBLISHED
2012-10-09
PUBLICATION
US8282113B2
INVENTORS
James W. Veal / Madelyn T. Veal
ORIGINAL
FIG. 03

A crawler swings out when the suitcase reaches stairs

SOURCE FIGURESFIG. 1
PUBLICATIONUS20210114646A1
US20210114646A1 / FIG. 1. A rear support frame carries a caterpillar mechanism for moving over stairs.
FIG. 03US20210114646A1
Patent drawing of a suitcase with a movable stair-support frame and crawler mechanism.

US20210114646A1 / FIG. 1. A rear support frame carries a caterpillar mechanism for moving over stairs.

Drag to pan when zoomed. Use + / − to zoom, 0 to fit, arrow keys to pan, and Alt + arrow keys for the previous or next FIG.

What is it?

Ordinary luggage wheels work well on flat floors and poorly on stairs. This patent adds a support frame that swings out from the rear and carries a crawler.

On the way up it helps the case slide over step edges; on the way down it can reach the next step first and soften the transition.

IndividualFIG. 03
ASSIGNEE
Individual
PRIORITY
2019-10-17
PUBLISHED
2021-04-22
PUBLICATION
US20210114646A1
INVENTORS
Tadao Hashimoto
ORIGINAL
FIG. 04

Open the case and a wardrobe rises out of it

SOURCE FIGURESFIG. 2A
PUBLICATIONUS20200163427A1
US20200163427A1 / FIG. 2A. Folded shelves rise from the case and attach to the extended suitcase handle.
FIG. 04US20200163427A1
Patent drawing of a suitcase with a multi-level shelving system extended upward from inside.

US20200163427A1 / FIG. 2A. Folded shelves rise from the case and attach to the extended suitcase handle.

Drag to pan when zoomed. Use + / − to zoom, 0 to fit, arrow keys to pan, and Alt + arrow keys for the previous or next FIG.

What is it?

Clothing is stored directly in a collapsible shelving structure. At the destination, the shelves extend upward and can be supported by the suitcase's own telescoping handle.

Rather than unpacking clothing into hotel drawers, the luggage becomes the organizer.

IndividualFIG. 04
ASSIGNEE
Individual
PRIORITY
2018-11-26
PUBLISHED
2020-05-28
PUBLICATION
US20200163427A1
INVENTORS
Adrian Nicholas Solgaard Janzen
ORIGINAL
FIG. 05

Weekend bag, carry-on, checked bag: the whole shell changes height

SOURCE FIGURESFIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C
PUBLICATIONUS20230116662A1
US20230116662A1 / FIGS. 1A–1C. Sliding shell panels let one case telescope into several luggage sizes.
FIG. 05US20230116662A1
Patent drawing showing one hard-shell suitcase in three different extended heights.

US20230116662A1 / FIGS. 1A–1C. Sliding shell panels let one case telescope into several luggage sizes.

Drag to pan when zoomed. Use + / − to zoom, 0 to fit, arrow keys to pan, and Alt + arrow keys for the previous or next FIG.

What is it?

Multiple shell panels slide over one another so the body can change height. The disclosure describes configurations intended for an overnight bag, a carry-on, and a larger suitcase. One carry-on example is about 22 by 14 by 9 inches; actual cabin acceptance depends on the finished bag’s dimensions and weight and the chosen airline’s rules.

This is more than a zipper expansion panel: the rigid external structure itself telescopes.

IndividualFIG. 05
ASSIGNEE
Individual
PRIORITY
2020-01-28
PUBLISHED
2023-04-13
PUBLICATION
US20230116662A1
INVENTORS
Jeffrey VAYNSHTEYN
ORIGINAL
FIG. 06

Lay it down, open four legs, and the travel case becomes a work table

SOURCE FIGURESFIG. 1
PUBLICATIONUS20200245734A1
US20200245734A1 / FIG. 1. Folding support mechanisms deploy so the suitcase body can be held horizontally as a table.
FIG. 06US20200245734A1
Patent drawing of a travel case with fold-out legs for use as a horizontal work surface.

US20200245734A1 / FIG. 1. Folding support mechanisms deploy so the suitcase body can be held horizontally as a table.

Drag to pan when zoomed. Use + / − to zoom, 0 to fit, arrow keys to pan, and Alt + arrow keys for the previous or next FIG.

What is it?

MDG Holdings' patent integrates folding support mechanisms into the suitcase. When deployed, they support the case body horizontally so it can function as a table while retaining storage.

Instead of finding a table for the luggage, the luggage becomes the table.

MDG Holdings LLCFIG. 06
ASSIGNEE
MDG Holdings LLC
PRIORITY
2019-02-02
PUBLISHED
2020-08-06
PUBLICATION
US20200245734A1
INVENTORS
Haolei Wang / Shuang Wu / Qunzhu Wang / Xiaoqi Lin / Dan Wu / Robert J. Gerth / Margaret D. Gerth
ORIGINAL
FIG. 07

Inflate the walls when you need a suitcase

SOURCE FIGURESFIG. 1
PUBLICATIONUS4044867A
US4044867A / FIG. 1. Inflated wall chambers create a semi-rigid case that can collapse flat when deflated.
FIG. 07US4044867A
Patent drawing of inflatable luggage with air chambers forming the structural walls.

US4044867A / FIG. 1. Inflated wall chambers create a semi-rigid case that can collapse flat when deflated.

Drag to pan when zoomed. Use + / − to zoom, 0 to fit, arrow keys to pan, and Alt + arrow keys for the previous or next FIG.

What is it?

This 1970s patent builds the structural walls from communicating air chambers. Inflate them and the luggage becomes self-supporting; deflate them and the case can be flattened, folded, or rolled.

Some embodiments even integrate the inflation pump with the handle.

IndividualFIG. 07
ASSIGNEE
Individual
PRIORITY
1976-06-03
PUBLISHED
1977-08-30
PUBLICATION
US4044867A
INVENTORS
Robert J. Fisher
ORIGINAL
FIG. 08

A child seat unfolds from the outside and the suitcase becomes a stroller

SOURCE FIGURESFIG. 1
PUBLICATIONUS20200253347A1
US20200253347A1 / FIG. 1. A seat deploys from the outer shell while the wheel geometry changes for stroller use.
FIG. 08US20200253347A1
Patent drawing of luggage with a stowed infant seat and movable wheel arrangement.

US20200253347A1 / FIG. 1. A seat deploys from the outer shell while the wheel geometry changes for stroller use.

Drag to pan when zoomed. Use + / − to zoom, 0 to fit, arrow keys to pan, and Alt + arrow keys for the previous or next FIG.

What is it?

The patent stores an infant seat on the outer surface of the suitcase. When needed, the seat deploys and the wheel position changes so the case can be pushed in a stroller-like configuration.

The goal is to combine a child's mobility equipment and travel luggage into one wheeled object.

IndividualFIG. 08
ASSIGNEE
Individual
PRIORITY
2017-11-12
PUBLISHED
2020-08-13
PUBLICATION
US20200253347A1
INVENTORS
Sophie Morris / Becky Murch
ORIGINAL
FIG. 09

Open the suitcase all the way and the two padded halves become a bed

SOURCE FIGURESFIG. 11
PUBLICATIONUS20130256072A1
US20130256072A1 / FIG. 11. The case opens 180 degrees into aligned mattress sections, with a person shown lying on the resulting bed.
FIG. 09US20130256072A1
Patent drawing of an opened suitcase whose two interior mattress sections form a bed.

US20130256072A1 / FIG. 11. The case opens 180 degrees into aligned mattress sections, with a person shown lying on the resulting bed.

Drag to pan when zoomed. Use + / − to zoom, 0 to fit, arrow keys to pan, and Alt + arrow keys for the previous or next FIG.

What is it?

Both halves of the suitcase contain padded surfaces. Fully opening the case brings them into one sleeping surface, and other figures describe an optional canopy above the bed.

The patent is aimed at situations such as long waits where ordinary furniture may not be available.

IndividualFIG. 09
ASSIGNEE
Individual
PRIORITY
2012-04-02
PUBLISHED
2013-10-03
PUBLICATION
US20130256072A1
INVENTORS
Modrek Farhat
ORIGINAL
FIG. 10

Lift the handle and the suitcase tells you its own weight

SOURCE FIGURESFIG. 1
PUBLICATIONUS20060207850A1
US20060207850A1 / FIG. 1. A scale built into the handle measures the bag while it is lifted.
FIG. 10US20060207850A1
Patent drawing of luggage with a weighing mechanism integrated inside the carrying handle.

US20060207850A1 / FIG. 1. A scale built into the handle measures the bag while it is lifted.

Drag to pan when zoomed. Use + / − to zoom, 0 to fit, arrow keys to pan, and Alt + arrow keys for the previous or next FIG.

What is it?

The patent places a weight-measuring mechanism directly inside the carrying handle. Lifting the suitcase loads the spring or sensor and produces a weight reading.

Instead of discovering an overweight bag at the airline counter, the part already used for lifting also becomes the measuring instrument.

IndividualFIG. 10
ASSIGNEE
Individual
PRIORITY
2005-03-18
PUBLISHED
2006-09-21
PUBLICATION
US20060207850A1
INVENTORS
John Lewis
ORIGINAL

AFTER THE FIGURES

The suitcase stops being a box used only while moving

The first group changes movement itself. The luggage follows instead of being pulled, carries a rider instead of only cargo, and deploys a separate mechanism when stairs defeat ordinary wheels.

The next group changes what happens after arrival. Shelves rise out of the case, legs turn it into a table, and the open shell becomes a bed. Instead of unpacking and putting the suitcase away, the traveler keeps using it as part of the room.

Finally, even the assumptions behind the shell change. The body telescopes, the walls inflate, a child seat appears from the exterior, and the handle measures the bag's own weight. The future suitcase starts to look less like a container and more like a small machine or piece of portable furniture.

SOURCES

Primary sources

  1. US20180360177A1 — Robotic suitcase
  2. US8282113B2 — Rideable luggage
  3. US20210114646A1 — Suitcase and hand truck for ascending and descending stairs
  4. US20200163427A1 — Suitcase with integrated shelving system
  5. US20230116662A1 — Expandable and collapsible suitcase
  6. US20200245734A1 — Suitcase
  7. US4044867A — Inflatable luggage
  8. US20200253347A1 — Luggage arrangement with an infant seat
  9. US20130256072A1 — Luggage Having A Folded Bed
  10. US20060207850A1 — Luggage handle with integral weight scale
Travelmate RoboticsMDG HoldingsTravelLuggageRoboticsMobilityFurnitureTransformable Design

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