GB2153212A

GB2153212A - Detachable underslung- bearing load-spreading handle

Info

Publication number: GB2153212A
Application number: GB08419542A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Joseph Garvey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-02-01
Filing date: 1984-07-31
Publication date: 1985-08-21
Also published as: GB8419542D0; GB8402666D0

Abstract

A detachable underslung- bearing load-spreading handle comprises a manually grippable elongate body 10, having attached externally thereto one or more holding means 11, wherein the or each holding means, which includes an opening, is capable of supporting at least one elongate element, there being provision 12 to reduce the likihood of accidental removal of an elongate element from within the holding means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Detachable underslung-bearing load-spreading handle This invention relates to a detachable underslung-bearing load-spreading handle.

The handle is that part of any thing, which serves to be grasped that the thing may be used, moved, and stabilised. There are certain types of handles which for reasons of economy or poor design, or necessary inadequacy, or extemporaneous derivation, whereby the physical conveneince and even safety of the user may not be accorded a priority. Such handles may be of a thin, awkward, or dangerous cross section, eg wire, string, cord, band, strap, or sheet. Two examples of these types of handles may be readily seen;- in the string which both retains a package and is grasped, and, in the handles of a carrier bag.

Handles of the above mentioned types may be quite efficient in bearing their loads, however, they can be very uncomfortable and even dangerous, as any load which is borne is spread only over a narrow strip across the fingers, which can lead to inordinate compression of that tissue and local restriction of blood circulation, and, if a handle breaks or if control of such is lost, then the fingers of the user may even be subject to incision. Furthermore, when more than one set of handles are to be grasped in one hand, they can be awkward to gather and may cause pinching of the fingers as they settle into position across these.Moreover, when the load borne is laid to rest and such handles are released, they tend to settle indiscriminately, and if these are components to flexible receptacles or are drived from slings, then control over the contents may be lost if these settle unfortunately, thereby spilling, without even the handles being mutually attached to retard this spillage.

According to the present invention there is provided a detachable underslung-bearing load-spreading handle which comprises a manually grippable elongate body having attached externally thereto one or more holding means, wherein the or each holding means, which includes an opening, is capable of supporting an elongate element, there being provision to reduce the likelihoood of accidental removal of the elongate element from the holding means.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 shows in perspective, the invention when detached; Figure 2 shows in perspective, the invention being attached to a sling about its load; and Figure 3 shows in perspective, the invention fully attached to a sling about its load.

Referring to the drawings, the invention comprises a manually grippable elongate body 10 having attached externally thereto holding means 11, and these being adapted to incorporate a neck 12, through which elements may pass to be borne within the holding means 11.

In order to attach the invention to the handles of a sling about its load, the handles are brought together and inserted into the neck 1 2 of each holding means 11, as is shown in Fig. 2. The handles are then eased right through the neck 1 2 to be borne within each holding means 11, whereafter the invention is fully attached to the handles, as is shown in Fig. 3.

To detach the invention from the handles, the aforesaid attachment procedure is effected in reverse sequence.

In order to provide for enhanced loadspreading around the fingers, the lower half of the elongate body 10 may be contoured (not shown).

In order to provide for location of the neck 12, the holding means 11 may be adapted to provide a funnel-like guide 1 3 (not shown).

In order to provide for various gauge cross sections which may need to be passed through the neck 12, any holding means may be provided with at least one hinge (not shown), such that the neck 1 2 may be widened and or closed; and with provision for impelling, retarding, arresting and or inverting any widening tendency of the neck 12, which functions may be achieved by at least one spring and or lever and or catch and or button and or similar means (not shown).

In order to provide for attaching the invention to sheet materials when these may not be wholly contained within the holding means 11, provision may be made for at least one rubber-like high-friction stud and or edge (not shown) about the neck 12, such that this together with an impelled closing moment to the neck 1 2 may enable the invention to grip the sheet material even when the invention is not held in place by hand.

In order to provide for making the neck 1 2 impassable, thereby locking-in any elements borne within the holding means 11, provision is made for at least one transverse bolt and or clasp and or similar means (not shown).

In order to provide for location of the neck 1 2 and or that any holding means 11 may be releasably secured to any elements borne, provision may be made that the structural configuration about the neck 1 2 may be variable and or including a helical arrangement (not shown); and or that any holding means 11 may be means of alignment and or misalignment (not shown) be made to reduce the likelihood of accidental removal of an elongate element from within any holding means 11 via the neck 12.

To provide for the mutiplicity of configura tions in which any holding means 11 may be presented, provision is made that any holding means 11 may be flexible and or rigid, an appendage and or integral to the elongate body 10 from which it is suspended.

Claims

1. A detachable underslung-bearing loadspreading handle which comprises a manually grippable elongate body having attached externally thereto one or more holding means, wherein the or each holding means, which includes an opening, is capable of supporting at least one elongate element, there being provision to reduce the likelihood of accidental removal of an elongate element from the within the holding means.

2. A detachable underslung-bearing loadspreading handle as claimed in Claim 1, wherein guide means may be provided to facilitate location of the holding means.

3. A detachable underslung-bearing loadspreading handle as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherin the lower half of the elongate body is provided with contours to facilitate even load-distribution across the fingers.

4. A detachable underslung-bearing loadspreading handle as claimed in any preceeding claim, wherein at least one hinged section is provided to at least one holding means, which 'hinged section' effect may also or alternatively be derived from inherent resilience of the holding means, so that when such hinged section is opened the neck may be widened to receive thicker gauge cross sections to within the holding means.

5. A detachable underslung-bearing loadspreading handle as claimed in Claim 4, wherein locking means, which may include at least one catch and or similar means, is provided to arrest and or counteract any opening tendency of a hinged section.

6. A detachable underslung-bearing loadspreading handle as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein at least one spring, which 'spring' effect may also be achieved by inherent resilience of the elongate body, is provided for imparting an opening and or closing moment to any hinged section.

7. A detachable underslung-bearing loadspreading handle as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein at least one rubber-like high-friction stud and or edge may be affixed to at least one side about the neck to facilitate attachment to that which may not entirely pass through the neck to within the holding means.

8. A detachable underslung-bearing loadspreading handle as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 or Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein at least one lever and or button and or switch and or similar means is provided to facilitate release and or opening and or closing and or locking of any hinged section.

9. A detachable underslung-bearing loadspreading handle as claimed in any preceeding claim, wherein at least one transverse bolt and or clasp and or similar means is provided to facilitate rendering the neck impassable.

10. A detachable underslung-bearing loadspreading handle substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.