GB2153213A

GB2153213A - Detachable interior-bearing load-spreading handle

Info

Publication number: GB2153213A
Application number: GB08419543A
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: GB8419543D0; GB8402665D0

Abstract

A detachable load-spreading handle for eg a carrier bag comprises a manually grippable elongate body 10 of hollow cross- section having open remote end regions 11 connected by a gap 12 through which a part of an article to be carried can be passed into the hollow interior of the body 10. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Detachable interior-bearing load-spreading handle This invention relates to a detachable interiorbearing 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 convenience 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 derived 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 interior-bearing loadspreading handle which comprises a manually grippable elongate body of hollow cross section, wherein the remote end regions of the body are open and these remote end regions are connected by a gap, there being provision to reduce the likelihood of accidental removal of an elongate element from within the hollow body via the gap.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 illustrates in plan, the open ends, these being adapted to facilitate location of the connecting gap; Figure 2 illustrates in side elevation, a contoured lower half to facilitate enhanced loadspreading around the fingers; Figure 3 illustrates in end elevation, the hollow cross section with connecting gap; Figure 4 shows in perspective, the invention when detached; Figure 5 shows in perspective, the invention about to be attached to the handles of a carrier bag; Figure 6 shows in perspective, the invention being attached to the handles of a carrier bag; Figure 7 shows in perspective, the invention fully attached to the handles of a carrier bag; Figure 8 illustrates in plan, an alternative gap configuration; and Figure 9 shows in perspective, an alternative contour configuration.

Referring to the drawings, the handle comprises an elongate hollow body 10, with open ends 11 and these being connected by a gap 1 2 through which carrier bag handles may pass to be borne within the hollow body 10, there being provision to reduce the likelihood of accidental removal of such handles from within the hollow body 10, for example, the gap 1 2 configuration and or its narrowness relative to the unconstricted gauge and or shape of the carrier bag handles.

In order to attach the invention to the handles of a carrier bag, one end of these handles is constricted and offered into an open end 11 and located in the gap 12, as shown in Fig. 5. The constricted section is then drawn through the gap 1 2. as indicated by the arrow 1 3 in Fig. 6, whereupon the remainder of the handles being less constricted follows through the hollow body 10.

The constricted section is drawn right through to the other open end 11 and is thereupon released, whereafter the invention is fully attached to the handles of a carrier bag, as shown in Fig. 7.

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

In order to provide for location of the gap 12, the open ends 11 may be adapted suchlike as is illustrated in Fig. 1 in the funnellike entry guide 1 6 leading to the gap 1 2.

In order to provide enhanced load-spreading around the fingers, the lower half of the hollow body 10 may be roundly contoured 14, as illustrated in Fig. 2 and shown in Fig.

4.

In order to provide for enhanced comfortableness when in use by fingers which may be of diverse kinds regarding thickness and or fleshiness, a less rounded contour configuration 15, suchlike as is shown in Fig. 9, may be applied to at least one side and in any combination with the rounded contours 14.

thus imparting a distinctive tactile impression to each side- one of which may be found to be more preferable against the palm or tip end of the fingers.

In order to provide for various gauge cross sections which may need to be passed through the gap 12, the invention may be provided with at least one longitudinal hinge (not shown), such that the gap 1 2 may be widened and or closed; and with provision for impelling, retarding, arresting and or inverting any widening tendency of the gap 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 that which may not be wholly contained within the hollow body 10, provision may be made for at least one rubber-iike highfriction stud and or edge (not shown) about the gap 12, such that this together with an impelled closing moment about the gap 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 gap 1 2 impassable, thereby locking-in any handles borne within the hollow body 10, provision is made for at least one transverse bolt and or clasp and or similar means (not shown).

Claims

1. A detachable interior-bearing loadspreading handle comprising a manually grippable elongate body of hollow cross section, wherein the remote end regions are open and these remote end regions are connected by a gap through which at least one elongate element may be passed to be borne within the hollow cross section, there being provision to reduce the likelihood of accidental removal of an elongate element from within the hollow body via the gap.

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

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

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

5. A detachable interior-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 interior-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 about the gap.

7. A detachable interior-bearing load spreading handle as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 or Claim 6. wherein rubber studs and or edges may be affixed to at least one side about the gap to facilitate attachment to that which may not entirely pass through the gap to within the hollow body.

8. A detachable interior-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 interior-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 gap impassable.

1 0. A detachable interior-bearing loadspreading handle substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.