GB2302797A

GB2302797A - Handgrip

Info

Publication number: GB2302797A
Application number: GB9614320A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Boyd; William Mcarthur
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-07-06
Filing date: 1996-07-08
Publication date: 1997-02-05
Anticipated expiration: 2016-07-08
Also published as: GB9614320D0; GB2302797B

Abstract

A handgrip 30 (Figure 4) for carrying one or more carrier bags has an elongate portion 31 for supporting handles of the carrier bag and retaining means in the form of flaps 32, 33 for retaining the handles of the carrier bag within the handgrip 30. Grooves 36, 37 may be provided at the end of the handgrip 30 to prevent the carrier bag from swinging relative to the handgrip 30. Incline surfaces 34, 35 may be provided at the ends of the handgrip 30 to encourage the carrier bag handles to fall down into the retaining slots 36, 37. The retaining means may be in the form of a plurality of thin flaps 3 a , 3 b (Figure 2).

Description

HANDGRIP This invention relates to a device used for assisting a person to carry bags and particularly, although not exclusively, plastic carrier bags such as may be obtained in supermarkets and similar shopping outlets.

Such bags are often of very thin plastics material which, when the bag is full or burdened with a heavy load, tend to crease in the vicinity of the handle.

This means that the weight of the load in the bag is supported in one's hand only over a very small area which, over time, can become painful and pinch or even cut into the carrier's fingers.

In the past it has been sought to overcome this problem by providing various means for protecting one's fingers. Often, such devices or means have been in the form of mitt or glove.

It is an object of a present invention to provide an improved means of protecting one's fingers, while facilitating the carrying of bags in the user's hand.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a handgrip as defined in Claim 1.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a device for assisting in the carrying of bags, as defined in Claim 18.

Features which may be included in particular embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent sub-claims.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, which reference the accompanying figures, in which; Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional elevation of an alternative embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a side view of a third embodiment of Uhe invention; Figure 4 is a plan view of the third embodiment; Figure 5 is an end view of the third embodiment.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a device 1 for assisting in the carrying of bags or the like comprises a plastics tube of approximately 90 mm in length. The tube is made of a part cylindrical portion 2 and further comprises two inwardly biased clamps 3a, 3b which provide a longitudinal opening or mouth (not clearly shown in the drawing) adapted to received the handles of carrier bags or the like.

The flaps, 3a, 3b are formed in the device 1 by the incising of a groove 4 or cut longitudinally in two places along the device 1.

The tube is made of polypropylene at a thickness of approximately 1.5 mm, while the incision 4 is cut to a depth of 0.5 mm.

The grooves 4 provided by the incision each provide a hingeable join such that the flaps 3 can move between an open and closed position, pivoting about the grooves 4.

In the embodiment of Figure 2 the device is made from an alternative manufacturing process, in that the device is formed by a single extrusion operation. The mould used for the extrusion process provides for a larger thickness of material to be extruded in respect of the part cylindrical portion 2 when compared with the flaps 3a, 3b.

In use, the more flimsy construction of the flaps 3a, 3b enables them to be flexible throughout their structure (as opposed to at the junction of the flaps 3 and the part cylindrical portion 2 as in the case of the embodiment shown in Figure 1). This provides for the same function to be achieved, that being that the flaps are adapted to open and close as required when an appropriate pressure is imparted to them.

The flaps are adapted to secure the handles of carrier bags within the device. On some occasions there will be several carrier bags sought to be carried with the assistance of the device and on such occasions the handles may tend to tride-up" the vertical sides of the part cylindrical portion 2 of the device 1. The presence of the flaps 3 ensure that the handles do not slip over the top edge of the part cylindrical portion 2, in use.

The handgrip 30 illustrated in figures 3, 4 and 5 is in the form of a part cylindrical channel. The interior of the channel 31 provides an elongate supporting portion which supports the handles of a carrier bag when carried using the handgrip. A pair of projections 32, 33 which extend towards each other from respective sides of the handgrip 30 provide retaining means for assisting in retention of handles of a carrier bag at the supporting portion 31. The projections 32, 33 are angled inwardly towards the supporting portion 31. This facilitates insertion of carrier bag handles through the projections and into the interior of the handgrip and reduces the likelihood of the carrier bag handles unintentionally coming out of the handgrip.

In the illustrated embodiment, both projections 32W 33 are resilient and have a permanent gap between them.

Alternatively, the projections may be resiliently biased together such that they must be deformed by being pushed apart to allow a carrier bag handle to be inserted into the handgrip.

Each end of the handgrip is provided with an inclined face 34, 35. The inclined face directs a carrier bag handle which is carried by the handgrip 30 towards respective grooves 36, 37 provided at each end of the handgrip 34. The grooves 36, 37 are adapted to prevent the carrier bag handle from swinging excessively relative to the handgrip 30.

The underside of the handgrip 30 is provided with a contoured portion 38 which fits snugly into the user's hand when the handgrip is carried.

The handgrip may be used to carry a single carrier bag or a plurality, for example, two three four or more carrier bags.

The invention provides a device of relatively low cost construction, which may be deemed disposable if required. The device is light weight and adapted to fit in a hand bag or other such normal accessory which may regularly accompany a user.

Further modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention herein intended. For example, the part cylindrical portion could be of square or rectangular cross section. Also alternative materials could be used to that mentioned herein.

Claims

CLAINS

1A handgrip having an elongate supporting portion adapted to support handles of a carrier bag and retaining means for assisting in retention of the handles of the carrier bag at the supporting portion.
2 A handgrip in accordance with Claim 1, in which the supporting portion is provided by a supporting channel adapted to receive the handles of the carrier bag.
3 A handgrip in accordance with Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the supporting channel is part cylindrical.
4 A handgrip in accordance with any preceding Claim, in which the retaining means is provided by at least one pair of projections, each projection extending towards the other projection from a respective side of the handgrip to provide an opening through which the carrier bag handles may be received at the handgrip, said retaining means and said opening being arranged to discourage unintentional release of the carrier bag handles from the handgrip.
5 A handgrip in accordance with Claim 4, in which the opening is provided by a permanent gap between co-operating end portions of the projections.
6 A handgrip in accordance with Claim 4 or Claim 5, in which at least one of the projections is resilient.
7 A handgrip in accordance with Claim 4, in which the projections are resiliently biased together and in which the opening is enlargeable by deformation of at least one of the projections.
8 A handgrip in accordance with any preceding Claim, in which the retaining means is provided along the elongate supporting portion.
9 A handgrip in accordance with any one of Claims 4 to 8, in which the projections are angled inwardly towards the supporting portion.
10 A handgrip in accordance with any preceding Claim, in which a second retaining means is adapted to restrain rotation of the carrier bag handles, relative to the handgrip when the carrier bag handles are carried using the handgrip.
11 A handgrip in accordance with Claim 10, in which the second retaining means is in the form of a groove provided at at least one end of the elongate supporting portion, the sides of the groove being adapted to restrain rotation of carrier bag handles.
12 A handgrip in accordance with Claim 11, in which the handgrip has an inclined surface adjacent to the groove, said inclined surface being adapted to encourage carrier bag handles to enter the groove.
13 A handgrip in accordance with any preceding Claim, in which at least one surface of the handgrip is contoured to fit snugly into a user's hand.
14 A handgrip in accordance with Claim 13, in which the contour takes the form of four concave portions on an underside of the handgrip at which the user's fingers are adapted to be positioned to hold the handgrip.
15 A handgrip in accordance with any preceding Claim, in which the handgrip is substantially flexible.
16 A handgrip in accordance with any preceding Claim, in which the handgrip is made of polypropylene.
17 A handgrip substantially as described herein with reference to any one of the accompanying drawings.
18 A device for assisting in the carrying of bags, wherein the device comprises a part cylindrical longitudinal member, the member having an opening along its longitudinal access for receiving bag handles.
19 A device in accordance with Claim 18, wherein the opening is provided with one or more flap members.
20 A device in accordance with Claim 19, wherein the flap member or members are resiliently biased together and are adapted to open inwardly upon application of pressure so as to allow reception of handles of one or more bags into the interior of the part cylindrical member and thereafter secure the handles therein.
21 A device in accordance with any one of Claims 18 to 21, wherein the device is made from a single plastic tube, there being two flap members formed by providing two parallel and longitudinal incisions on the tube through a part thickness thereof, the incision thereby providing a hinge about which the flap members may pivot.
22 A device in accordance with any one of Claims 18 to 20, wherein the device is made by a single extrusion process such that the flap member or members are formed simultaneously with the part cylindrical portion of the device.
23 A device in accordance with any one of Claims 19 to 22, in which the flap member or members are made of thinner material than the part cylindrical portion of the device.