GB2113081A

GB2113081A - Detachable auxiliary carrying handle

Info

Publication number: GB2113081A
Application number: GB08137874A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carl G Hermanson
Original assignee: HERMANSON CARL GUSTAF
Current assignee: HERMANSON CARL GUSTAF
Priority date: 1981-12-16
Filing date: 1981-12-16
Publication date: 1983-08-03

Abstract

A detachable auxiliary handle suitable for use in carrying a bag or the like having one or more handles comprises an elongate member 1 of U-shaped cross-section having walls 2 and 3 between which the handle(s) of the bag may be inserted in use. The auxiliary handle is provided with projections 6 and 7 against which the index finger and little finger, respectively, of the user rest in use, and with projections 8 and 9 which support the thumb of the user during use. The longitudinal edges of the auxiliary handle may be biassed into contact with each other. Alternatively, the inner walls 2,3 of the auxiliary handle may be provided with resilient members to prevent accidental detachment of the auxiliary handle from the one or more handles of the bag during use. The auxiliary handle may be ridged to facilitate carrying. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Detachable auxiliary carrying handle This invention relates to detachable auxiliary carrying handles and, in particular, to detachable auxiliary carrying handles suitable for use with conventional shopping bags such as disposable bags of plastics material, paper or the like.

Bags of this type often have relatively narrow handles for carrying. However, such bags are frequently used to carry relatively bulky and heavy loads such as groceries. Thus, it may be difficult to bring the handles together in order to grip them because the goods in the bag tend to separate the handles. Also, the handles tend to cut into the hand of the user after a relatively short period of use. Such handles are also subject to breakage when the bag is used for carrying a heavy load.

These problems have been known for a very long time and various solutions have been proposed. For example, bags having relatively broad handles are known. However, in the case where the handles are made of plastics material they tend to twist in use and thus cut into the hand of the user, whereas in the case where the handles are made of cardboard or paper the edges tend to cut into the hand of the user.

Disposable bags made of plastics material or paper may be provided with reinforced handles.

Bags intended for repeated use such as bags made of string or canvas also have relatively firm handles. However, difficulties may be experienced in bringing together the handles during use of such bags so that the hand of the user must remain in an uncomfortable position carrying.

It is an object of the present invention to enable the provision of a detachable auxiliary handle whereby the above disadvantages may be overcome or at least mitigated.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a detachable auxiliary handle suitable for use in carrying a bag or the like having one or more handles for carrying the same, which auxiliary handle is adapted to support, in use, the one or more handles over a substantial portion of the length(s) thereof and wherein at least a part of the auxiliary handle is adapted to be gripped by a hand.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be put into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 shows a side elevational view of a first embodiment of the present invention, FIGURE 2 shows a perspective view of the handle shown in Figure 1, FIGURE 3 shows a top plan view of the handle shown in Figure 1, FIGURE 4 shows an end view of the handle shown in Figure 1, FIGURES 5A and 5B show a perspective view and a side elevational view, respectively, of a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGURES 6A and 6B show an end view and a side sectional view, respectively, of the handle shown in Figure 5.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a detachable auxiliary handle 1 comprising injection moulded plastics material or rubber. As can be seen from Figures 4 and 6, the handle 1 is U-shaped in cross-section, with two sides 2, 3 and a connecting part 4. The channel thus formed is adapted to receive the handles of a shopping bag.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the inner walls of the sides 2,3 are provided with resilient members 5 which allow the handles of a shopping bag to be inserted into the channel but prevent, in use, accidental detachment of the handle 1 from the shopping bag.

The handle i is shaped so that it may be gripped comfortably by a hand. The connecting part 4 is provided with two projections 6, 7, which are disposed, in use, at the front and rear end of the handle 1. The projection 6 rests on the index finger of a user in use, whilst the projection 7 rests against the user's little finger. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, the handle 1 is smoothly rounded over the part intended to rest against the palm of the hand of the user.

The sides 2, 3 are provided with projections 8, 9, which are disposed at the front end of the handle 1 in use. The projections 8, 9 support the thumb of the hand gripping the handle. The projections 8 and 9 extend outwardly. Thus, the end of the handle 1 bearing the projections 8 and 9 is provided with an aperture of increased diameter relative to that of the remainder of the handle, thus facilitiating the introduction of the handles of a shopping bag into the handle 1.

Thus, the handle 1 enables a load which is being carried to be distributed evenly in the hand.

Therefore, the handle does not tend to cut into the hand and the strength of the hand is used in the best way possible for carrying the load.

In use, the thumb can be repeatedly pressed against one of the projections 8, 9. Thus, the circulation of the blood in the hand is increased, permitting the load to be carried over a relatively great distance.

The risk of breakage of the handles of a shopping bag carried using the handle 1 is reduced because of the smooth and rounded shape of the handle 1.

The handle shown in Figures 5A to 6B is provided with ridges 10 which fit, in use, between the fingers of the user. Thus the load carried can be distributed more evenly in the user's hand and the handle 1 does not tend to slip in the hand.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 5A to 6B the sides 2, 3 of the handle 1 are in direct resilient contact. Thus the handles of a shopping bag may be readily inserted into the handle 1 and accidental detachment of the handle 1 therefrom is prevented in use.

In the description, each feature which is common to both embodiments described is designated by the same numeral throughout.

Claims

1. A detachable auxiliary handle suitable for use in carrying a bag or the like having one or more handles for carrying the same, which auxiliary handle is adapted to support, in use, the one or more handles over a substantial portion of the length(s) thereof and wherein at least a part of the auxiliary handle is adapted to be gripped by a hand.

2. A handle according to Claim 1, which auxiliary handle comprises an elongate member of substantially U-shaped cross-section.

3. A handle according to Claim 2, wherein the longitudinal edges of the elongate member are biassed into contact with each other.

4. A handle according to Claim 2, wherein at least one of the inner walls of the elongate member is provided with at least one resilient member adjacent a longitudinal edge of the elongate member and biassed into contact with the other of the inner walls.

5. A handle according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the space bounded by the elongate member is of substantially greater cross-sectional area at one end thereof than at the other end thereof.

6. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein that part of the auxiliary handle which is adapted to be gripped by a hand is provided with one or two projections against each of which the index finger or the little finger of the user rests in use.

7. A handle according to Claims 2 and 6, wherein each of the projections is provided at an end of the elongate member, at or adjacent the base of the U-shape.

8. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein that part of the auxiliary handle which is adapted to be gripped by a hand is provided with one or more projections for supporting, in use, the thumb of the user.

9. A handle according to Claims 2 and 8, wherein the one or more projections is/are provided at an end of a wall of the elongate member.

10. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims wherein that part of the auxiliary handle which is adapted to be gripped by a hand is provided with a plurality of ridges which fit, in use, between the fingers of the hand.

11. A handle according to Claims 2 and 10, wherein the ridges are provided on the outer surface of the elongate member.

12. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims, which auxiliary handle comprises a resilient material.

1 3. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims, which auxiliary handle comprises a moulded plastics material.

14. A handle according to any one of the preceding claims, which auxiliary handle comprises rubber.

1 5. A detachable auxiliary handle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

1 6. A detachable auxiliary handle, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, Figures 5A to 6B of the accompanying drawings.

17. Any novel feature or combination of features described herein.