For decades the development of a retractable wheel system for luggage was on the drawing board of many inventors and engineers alike. Though there were some successes in the development of such a system, none were able to be implemented into any product and never made it to the manufacturers.
The complex designs were not cost effective to warrant replacing existing fixed wheels on today’s luggage design. Additionally from research, it shows that the designs would have downgraded the overall beauty of any existing product today, not to mention the durability and the high risk of breakage due to the large number of parts known to be in most of the designs on record.
The founder of Retrac Enterprises Inc. is the inventor of the first retractable wheel system primarily for, but not limited to luggage. The simplicity of the design and the very few moving parts surpasses every design known to date. Though still in the Research and Development stage, success is assured after the review of the first working prototype of the retractable mechanism that was made a few months ago with our design engineer.
Key areas for correction were identified and incorporated into the pre-production prototype, of the retractable mechanism design. Though it took almost three years to finally find the best and most cost effective way, our design concept is simple but, unique. Not only did we find a way to make it work, we also designed it so that it has unlimited applications. It enhances the look and beauty of everything that is on the market today, from the most expensive to the least expensive.
The system operation is very simple. The wheels are deployed when you pull the handle of the luggage upwards, and retract when you push the handle down. There are two designs, each unique to the size of the luggage/product for it’s intended use, e.g. for carry on pieces, because of the multi-section telescopic handle, the deployment and retracting movements are accomplished using an airplane wing type design to which the deployment lever is attached. For sizes other than carryon, an innovated yoke design is employed that allows for instant deployment/retracting with movement of handle, without additional parts.(The carryon mechanism because of the multiple telescopic handle sections, will move only when the last section is pulled upwards) There are no springs, retractable mechanism wires, pulleys or gears associated with our design. Counting the handle as one, there are a total of six parts, four of which are moving parts the remaining two are wheels, attached to each deployment arm.
The use of our retractable wheel mechanism allows for the removal of all exposed parts as seen on luggage manufactured today. It will change the airline industry attitude towards compensation for damage to checked luggage. To date your checked luggage is not covered under the agreement for damage to exposed parts such as wheels and standing supports. Using our design it must now be 100% covered. In addition to the development of our retractable wheels, we have also designed and patented our own classic streamlined product line, using a combination of a hard and soft shell that really welcomes the designing of luggage to the 21st century. Its appearance alone will stimulate consumers’ urge to buy rather than the need to buy. We are looking forward to forming multiple strategic partnerships and the eventual manufacturing of our innovated product line.