GB2298129A - Handle holder - Google Patents

Abstract

The handle holder consists of a tube with a slot running its length. The ends may be bevelled to provide a guide for inserting the handles of one or more bags. The tube is preferably circular in cross-section and may include padding.

Description

HANDLE HOLDER This invention relates to the carrying of bags, or other like articles, that have thin and/or narrow handles.

For example, plastic carrier bags, such as are provided by supermarkets for carrying shopping, tend to be painful to carry when heavily laden or numerous. The handles stretch and become like a sharp edge across the palm or fingers of the carrying hand.

Moreover, when carrying a number of such plastic carrier bags in each hand, it is awkward to release all the handles and gather them up again if, for any reason, you have to put the bags down and, after, resume carrying.

According to the present invention there is provided a means by which to carry such narrow handled articles that : a) prevents the handles of such articles biting into the skin and b) enables the handles of such articles to be retained collectively and, size and weight of the carried articles permitting, thereby facilitate gathering, lifting and carrying.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 of Drawing Sheet 1 of 1 shows the handle holder in Isometric view.

Figure 2 of Drawing Sheet 1 of 1 shows the handle holder in end view, which is also it's cross section.

Figure 3 of Drawing Sheet 1 of 1 shows the handle holder in side view.

Referring to the drawings the handle holder comprises a tube of any suitable material, approximately 30 millimetres (mm) in diameter, approximately 75 mm long and having a wall thickness of approximately 3 mm. The whole to suit the grip of the hand.

A straight slot approximately 4 mm wide is cut along and through the length of the wall of the tube. From each end of the slot the tube is bevelled and shaped to provide guides for inserting the handles of bags, or other such articles, and to provide a tactile means of ensuring the handle holder is being held in the correct orientation.

All edges are smoothed and rounded to remove any sharp edges.

A handle is inserted, into the handle holder, by way of running an edge of the handle along the slot guide and pushing it through the slot. This can be repeated for as many handles as are able to be either held in the void of the tube, or for as many articles as are able to be carried in terms of size and weight.

When carrying the handle holder, in use, the slot should remain uppermost to prevent the handles falling out of the handle holder.

This position can be checked by using the thumb of the carrying hand to check the alignment of the guides, and of course visually.

Removal of the handles is achieved by tuming the slot of the handle holder to face down and allowing the self weight of the bags, or such other article, to slide the handles through the slot. Tilting the handle holder slightly may assist in this operation.

Claims (7)

1. A handle holder comprising a straight tube, circular in cross section, with a slot along and through the length of the wall of the tube.

2. A handle holder as claimed in Claim 1 where the tube is adapted, by way of overall length and outside diameter, to fit inside the grip of the human hand.

3. A handle holder as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where the ends of the tube have been chamfered or bevelled from each end of the slot.

4. A handle holder as claimed in Claim 3 where the tube has been bent to a curved profile, the slot being on the outermost circumference of the profile.

5. A handle holder as claimed in any preceding claim where the cross section of the tube is of any profile and not circular.

6. A handle holder as claimed in Claim 5 where the tube is provided with additional padding or shaping.

7. A handle holder substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawing.