US3430742A - Handle assembly for luggage or the like - Google Patents

Handle assembly for luggage or the like Download PDF

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Publication number
US3430742A
US3430742A US659986A US3430742DA US3430742A US 3430742 A US3430742 A US 3430742A US 659986 A US659986 A US 659986A US 3430742D A US3430742D A US 3430742DA US 3430742 A US3430742 A US 3430742A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
handle member
handle
wall
axis
anchor devices
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US659986A
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English (en)
Inventor
Anthony N D Elia
Edward M Stolarz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Presto Lock Co Inc
Original Assignee
Presto Lock Co Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Presto Lock Co Inc filed Critical Presto Lock Co Inc
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3430742A publication Critical patent/US3430742A/en
Assigned to PRESTO LOCK, INC., A CORP. OF NJ reassignment PRESTO LOCK, INC., A CORP. OF NJ ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: PRESTO LOCK COMPANY, DIVISION OF WALTER KIDDE & COMPANY, INC., A DE CORP.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
    • A45C—PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS
    • A45C13/00—Details; Accessories
    • A45C13/26—Special adaptations of handles

Definitions

  • Another object of the invention is to provide a handle assembly in which the handle returns automatically from a projected carrying position to a recessed rest position when the handle is released.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide handle assemblies which meet the foregoing requirements and are nevertheless simple, economical to manufacture, sturdy, and attractive.
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a handle assembly made in accordance with the invention when connected to the wall of a luggage case or to a valance member secured to the peripheral edge of the luggage case, the luggage case wall being only partially shown;
  • FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken in the plane of line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing all of the components of the handle assembly, in one embodiment, this view showing the handle member in its rest position relative to its associated anchor devices;
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the handle assembly of FIGS. 1 and 2, with the luggage case wall being shown in section, this view showing the rest position of the handle member in full lines and the carrying position of the handle member in phantom lines;
  • FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of an anchor device of the invention, with the wall of the luggage case shown in section;
  • FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken in the plane of line 55 of FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 6 is a side elevation View, partly in section, of a further embodiment of the invention.
  • a handle assembly in accordance with the invention comprises a pair of longitudinally spaced anchor devices and a handle member pivotally supported .by and between the anchor devices.
  • the anchor devices are adapted for connection to the wall of a luggage case or the like.
  • the longitudinal pivotal axis of the handle mem ber is located in a plane extending near the top ends of the anchor devices, or remote from the bases of the anchor devices, and the handle member normally (in its rest position) has most of its height positioned below the pivotal axis.
  • the handle member is asymmetrically related to the pivotal axis so that in the rest position the handle member is substantially entirely between the anchor devices and adjacent the wall of a luggage case.
  • the handle member When the handle member is grasped and rotated about its pivotal axis to a projected carrying position, the handle member for a major portion of its height extends above the top ends of the anchor devices. In the carrying position, the area occupied by the handle member in its rest position is occupied by the hand which grasps the handle member. Since the major portion of the asymmetrically mounted handle members mass normally is below the pivotal axis, the handle member is pendulous; it returns automatically to rest position when a persons grasp thereon is released. As a result, the projection of the handle member is minimized until it is grasped for carrying.
  • a handle member A is connected to a wall B of a luggage case or the like by a pair of longitudinally spaced anchor devices C.
  • the handle member has a central portion 10 adapted to be grasped by the hand of a user of the luggage case and opposite end portions 12.
  • the handle member comprises a frame 14 which embraces an insert 16.
  • the frame 14 may be a die casting of a relatively heavy material such as a zinc alloy provided with an attractive corrosion resistant finish.
  • the insert may be of a suitable molded plastic material, for example, polystyrene, methyl methacrylate, a vinyl resin such as a polymer of vinyl chloride or a copolymer of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate, polyurethane, a natural or synthetic rubber, etc., materials which are suited for gripping.
  • the insert 16 may have longitudinal shoulders 18 into which corresponding marginal portions 20 of the frame may fit.
  • the frame and insert may be secured to one another in any conventional manner.
  • the marginal portions 20 of the frame may be clinched to the insert or the insert may be press-fitted into the frame and further retained therein by virtue of the pivotal handle mounting to be hereinafter described.
  • a two-piece handle is illustrated, it is within the scope of the invention to make the handle as a one-piece member, either as a die casting or a molded plastic .part.
  • the anchor devices C may be identical and preferably are die cast of a suitable material such as a zinc alloy and suitably finished.
  • Each anchor device has a mounting or base portion 22 and an upstanding portion 24.
  • the anchor devices resemble angle brackets with the upstanding portion of each anchor device in the form of a stud portion.
  • the anchor devices may be triangular or rectangular in side elevation, though this entails more material for the parts.
  • the base portions 22 may be secured to the wall B such as integrally formed connecting studs or rivets which are extended through corresponding holes in the wall B and then have their ends or heads expanded over washers 28 as well known in the art.
  • Each stud portion 24 has an integral stub shaft or trunnion 30 which projects toward the other I anchor device and is spaced from the wall B.
  • the stub shafts are received within corresponding bearing recesses 32 provided in the end portions 12 of the handle member A to provide for pivotal or rotating movement of the handle member about an axis a (FIGS. 2 and 6) spaced from the portion of wall B between the anchor devices.
  • the recesses 32 preferably penetrate the insert 16, thereby to permit the stub shafts 30 to engage both the frame and insert of the handle member.
  • the handle member A is asymmetrically mounted rel ative to its longitudinal pivotal axis a, so that in the at rest position the distance between the axis a and the lower extremity of the handle member is substantially greater than the distance between such axis and the handle members upper extremity.
  • the handle member A is generally U-shaped with a rectangular outline.
  • the pivotal axis a is adjacent to the tops of the vertical legs of the U.
  • the handle member is constructed so that it is rotatable between a recessed rest position (solid line showing of FIG. 3), at which the central grasping portion 10 is between the anchor devices C predominantly at the lower side of axis a, and a carrying position (phantom line showing of FIG.
  • the rectangular outline of the handle member is preferred so that the handle member fits neatly within and complements the rectangular space defined by the upstanding stud portions 24 and the wall B when the handle member is in its rest position.
  • the height of the handle member is approximately the same as the height of the anchor devices, and the length of the handle is approximately the same as (though slightly less than) the distance between stud portions 24.
  • the anchor devices and the handle member may each have a height of one (1) inch, and the handle member may have a length of four and one-half (4.5) inches.
  • one side of the handle member is undercut, as shown at 34, to provide the U-shape, so that in the carrying position the space between the central grasping portion of the handle member and the wall B is enlarged.
  • the handle member may easily be rotated from its rest position by the users fingers and grasped in the hand H as shown in FIG. 3.
  • the handle member may be made to return automatically from its carrying (inverted) position to its rest position (at which the projection of the handle is minimized) when it is released. This is accomplished by making the handle member pendulous, that is, by constructing the handle member so that its center of gravity is below the axis a when the handle member is in its rest position. The handle member will then always tend to return to its rest position when released.
  • the handle frame 14 By making the handle frame 14 of a relatively heavy material, such as the Zinc die casting referred to above, the desired asymmetry of the handle mass relative to axis a is obtained.
  • the plastic material of the insert 16 has less density or mass than the handle frame.
  • the pendulous character of the handle member is enhanced by making the handle member thicker at the side farther from axis a.
  • the handle may be tapered so that its thickness increases in approaching wall B in the rest position.
  • the tapered shape of the stud portions 24 complements the shape of the end portions 12 of the handle member, and in its rest position the bandle member does not project appreciably from the space defined by stud portions 24 and wall B.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates a modification of the invention in which the handle member A, instead of being shaped or undercut, as 34 in FIG. 2, has uniform height across I positioned between its length. Nevertheless, the bottom of the handle member is farther from the pivotal axis a than the top and the handle member may have a rectangular outline and tapered vertical section as before.
  • the embodiment of FIG. 6 does not provide as much space for the users hand as the embodiment of FIGS. 15 for the same distance between wall B and the pivotal axis, the protrusion of the handle in its rest position is still considerably less than in its carrying position, and automatic return of the handle to its rest position is also provided.
  • FIG. 6 further illustrates an alternative method of pivotally supporting the handle member (which maybe employed with the handle shape of FIGS. 1-5 as well), wherein the stud portions 24 of the anchor devices C are provided with bearing recesses 32 for receiving stub shafts 30', which may be integral with the metal frame 14' embracing the plastic insert 16'.
  • the free ends of the stub shafts 30' may be enlarged as shown and seated within corresponding shoulders of the recesses 32' in order to center the handle member A between the stud portions 24'.
  • the preassembled handle member and anchor devices are attached to the wall B as a unit, while the bearing construction of FIG. 2 permits assembling the anchor devices with the handle member in situ as these parts are joined with the wall B. Centering of the handle member relative to the stud portions 24 of FIG. 2 may be accomplished by engagement of the free ends of the stub shafts 30 with the bottoms of the recesses 32.
  • the handle assemblies of the invention may be mounted upon one of a pair of mating luggage case sections, for example, which may be formed of any suitable wear-resistant material, such as molded plastic material, or drawn aluminum or the like, and which may provide sufficient rigidity to permit the anchor devices to be secured directly to the wall of the luggage case. It is preferred to provide the peripheral edge of one of the case sections with a valance member, whereupon the valance member furnishes the wall B to which the anchor devices C are secured. Where the luggage case sections are provided with valance members at their adjoining peripheral edges, the case sections may be made of a soft or flexible material, such as leather or leatherlike materials.
  • a handle assembly for a luggage case or the like comprising a pair of spaced anchor devices each having a base portion and an upstanding portion, and a handle member having a central grasping portion and opposite ends pivotally related to said upstanding portions for rotation of the handle member about a pivotal axis spaced from said base portions, the handle member being asymmetrical relative to said axis and rotatable about said axis between a rest position wherein the handle member is said upstanding portions predominantly at one side of said axis, and a carrying position wherein the handle member is projected predominantly at the opposite side of said axis.
  • each anchor device provides a stub shaft projecting therefrom in the direction of the other anchor device, and each end portion of the handle member has a bearing recess receiving a corresponding stub shaft.
  • each anchor device has a bearing recess
  • each end portion of the handle member has a stub shaft extending into a corresponding bearing recess.
  • each anchor device is in the form of an angle bracket comprising a base portion and a stud portion at a right angle to the base portion, and each stud portion has an outline complementing the corresponding outline of the end portions of the handle member.
  • a handle assembly comprising a handle member having a central grasping portion and opposite end portions, a pair of longitudinally spaced anchor devices mounted on the wall adjacent to said end portions respectively, said end portions being pivotally connected to said anchor devices about an axis spaced from a portion of the wall between the anchor devices, the height of the anchor devices and of the handle member at its end portions being substantially equal, the pivotal axis being located near the top of the anchor devices and extending through the handle member near the top of the end portions when the handle member is in rest position whereby the handle member is asymmetrical relative to the axis, the handle member being free to rotate about said axis between a rest position wherein the handle member is received between the anchor devices predominantly at one side of the axis adjacent the wall portion, and a carrying position wherein the handle member is predominantly at the opposite side of the axis and relatively remote from the wall portion.

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  • Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
US659986A 1967-08-11 1967-08-11 Handle assembly for luggage or the like Expired - Lifetime US3430742A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US65998667A 1967-08-11 1967-08-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3430742A true US3430742A (en) 1969-03-04

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ID=24647644

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US659986A Expired - Lifetime US3430742A (en) 1967-08-11 1967-08-11 Handle assembly for luggage or the like

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3430742A (de)
DE (1) DE1757906A1 (de)
FR (1) FR1571924A (de)
GB (1) GB1172208A (de)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0022378A1 (de) * 1979-07-10 1981-01-14 Samsonite Corporation Traggriff für Handgepäck
EP0032845A1 (de) * 1980-01-21 1981-07-29 Samsonite Corporation Traggriff
US6003202A (en) * 1996-02-12 1999-12-21 Dauterive; Leroy D. Inserted leg adjustable cabinet handle
US20060090299A1 (en) * 2004-11-02 2006-05-04 Benq Corporation Device with retractable handle structure

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3185271A (en) * 1964-01-28 1965-05-25 Henry L Kotkins Luggage case
US3384208A (en) * 1967-04-03 1968-05-21 Merchants Metal Trimming Compa Handle mounting

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3185271A (en) * 1964-01-28 1965-05-25 Henry L Kotkins Luggage case
US3384208A (en) * 1967-04-03 1968-05-21 Merchants Metal Trimming Compa Handle mounting

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0022378A1 (de) * 1979-07-10 1981-01-14 Samsonite Corporation Traggriff für Handgepäck
EP0032845A1 (de) * 1980-01-21 1981-07-29 Samsonite Corporation Traggriff
US6003202A (en) * 1996-02-12 1999-12-21 Dauterive; Leroy D. Inserted leg adjustable cabinet handle
US20060090299A1 (en) * 2004-11-02 2006-05-04 Benq Corporation Device with retractable handle structure

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB1172208A (en) 1969-11-26
DE1757906A1 (de) 1971-12-23
FR1571924A (de) 1969-06-20

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: PRESTO LOCK, INC., A CORP. OF NJ, NEW JERSEY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PRESTO LOCK COMPANY, DIVISION OF WALTER KIDDE & COMPANY, INC., A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004044/0374

Effective date: 19811201

Owner name: PRESTO LOCK, INC., 100 OUTWATER LANE, GARFIELD, NJ

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:PRESTO LOCK COMPANY, DIVISION OF WALTER KIDDE & COMPANY, INC., A DE CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004044/0374

Effective date: 19811201