US3744084A

US3744084A - Retractable handle for case

Info

Publication number: US3744084A
Application number: US00143449A
Authority: US
Inventors: C Fankhouser
Original assignee: Technicolor SA
Current assignee: Vantiva SA; Technicolor Inc
Priority date: 1971-05-14
Filing date: 1971-05-14
Publication date: 1973-07-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-07-10

Abstract

A carrying case and handle assembly are disclosed in which the handle assembly is mounted on the interior of the housing of the carrying case. The carrying handle extends through the housing and is movably retained therein and adapted to extend above the case when in the carrying position. The carrying handle includes spring means to retract the same when the case is at rest.

Description

Umted States Patent 1191 1111 3,744,084 Fankhouser July 10, 1973 RETRACTABLE HANDLE FOR CASE Inventor: Cyril E. Fankhouser, Costa Mesa, Primary 'l McCall Calif Assistant Examiner-Dons L. Troutman Attorney-Lyon & Lyon [73] Asslgnee: Technicolor, lnc., Hollywood, Calif.

[22] Flled: May 14, 1971 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 143,449

A carrying case and handle assembly are dlsclosed 1n which the handle assembly is mounted on the interior [52] US. Cl 16/114, l6/l l5, l/58 of the housing of the carrying case, The carrying handle [5l] lift Cl A47b /02 extends through the housing and is movably retained Fleld of Search therein and adapted to extend above the case when in /53 58 R the carrying position. The carrying handle includes spring means to retract the same when the case is at [56] References Cited rest,

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1962 Johnstone eta] 16/115 15 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 1 RETRACTABLE HANDLE FOR CASE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally as indicated to a carrying case and handle assembly therefor, and more particularly to such a case and handle of the retractable type.

With cases such as those used to carry apparatus for the projection or display of movies, slides or the like, it is necessary, of course, to have a handle to facilitate convenient movement. In many instances, as for example, when the case is to be transporated in the luggage compartment of an automobile or carried aboard an airplane or stored in a closet or other storage area, a handle of the fixed type which extends outwardly from the case constitues an obvious disadvantage in that a greater amount of space is required to accomodate the case. By the same token, a protruding handle is more susceptible to breakage or other form of damage resulting from improper handling or storage.

In addition to the foregoing considerations, it is desirable in many situations to keep the case positioned on a stand or table over a period of time when the projector or viewer is used more or less continually, such as in a classroom where daily use would occur. When the projector is not being used, of course, the case must be closed to avoid damage, and a fixed extending handle detracts from the attractive appearance of the case and is also somewhat of a temtation for younger children to play with or to attempt to lift the case. Accordingly, it is desirable to utilize a handle which is capable of being retracted when the case is not in use.

Since a case containing even a small movie projector or the like, however, may weigh a number of pounds, it is somewhat difficult to provide a retractable handle which is sufficiently strong to withstand repeated use over a significant period of time and which is also attractive in appearance. Moreover, with projector assemblies of the type which are becoming increasingly popular where the case contains the entire viewing unit, that is the projector, optical unit and screen, the weight is not evenly distributed within the carrying case as the heavier units are positioned in the bottom part of the case. As a consequence of this, it is difficult to provide a handle which will enable such cases to be carried conveniently by individuals of average stature.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention provides a carrying case and retractable handle assembly which is mounted on the interior of the case. The handle assembly thus includes a guide bracket mounted on the interior of the case and a carrying handle which is movably positioned within the guide bracket and extends through the housing of the carrying case. Spring means connect the carrying handle to the guide bracket so that the handle is normally retained in the retracted position but the carrying handle is permitted to be moved within the bracket from the retracted to the extended position.

The invention will be better understood by referring to the annexed drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view showing the carrying case with the handle in the retracted position;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating the handle in the extended position;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross section view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the handle assembly.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the case designated generally by the numeral 1 is of the type frequently used to transport projectors and the like, comprising a lid 2 and a bottom section 3 on which the handle assembly 4 is mounted. A carrying handle 5 extends through slot 6 in the case housing. When the handle is retracted, as shown in FIG. I, the carrying handle 5 is positioned adjacent and in contact with the exterior of the housing and does not protrude excessibely so as to be susceptible to breakage or other damage. When the case to be carried, as shown in FIG. 2, the carrying handle extends above the case and at an angle toward lid 2. When the handle is thus extended, the portion 7 which is gripped is positioned substantially over the center of gravity of the case to provide a more equitable distribution of weight and thus facilitate carrying.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3-5, the handle assembly includes a guide bracket 10 mounted on the interior of the bottom of the case by rivets l1 and 12 or other suitable mounting means. The carrying handle 5 is movably positioned within the guide bracket and includes a positioning finger 15 to which spring means 16 is attached.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 5, the guide bracket, in a preferred form, comprises a pair of channels 17 and 18 spaced apart slightly to provide a longitudinally extending slot therebetween in which the handle 5 is movably positioned. The spring means includes springs 19 and 20 which are connected to the

distal ends

21 and 22 of the channels and to the positioning finger 15 on opposite sides thereof, whereby the carrying handle is normally retained in its retracted position (FIGS. 1 and 4) but may be moved to the extended, carrying position (FIGS. 2 and 3) simply by gripping the handle and applying an outwardly directed force as by lifting the case. Stop means in the form of a load bearing plate 21 are mounted on the guide bracket 10 by rivets 22 and other fastening means which connect the plate to the C-

shaped portions

23 and 24 of channels 17 and 18.

The carrying handle includes an angularly configured arm 25 which, as shown in FIG. 2, extends above and over the center of gravity of the case when the handle is extended. When the handle is thus extended the positioning finger 15 is forced firmly into engagement with plate 21 due to the configuration of arm 25. On the other hand, when the case is not being carried, the carrying handle is simply released and caused to be retracted by springs 19 and 20 thereby bringing it into the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

The handle assembly is normally fabricated from metal, as for example, standard steel, although other metals may also be used. Particularly suitable are lighter metals and metal alloys.

I claim:

1. A retractable handle assembly for a carrying case comprising a guide bracket adapted to be mounted on the interior of a case, a carrying handle movably positioned within said guide bracket, spring means connected to the distal end of said buide bracket and to said carrying handle, and stop means connected to said guide bracket opposite the end thereof to which said spring means is connected, whereby said carrying handle is normally retained in said guide bracket in its retracted position but may be moved from a retracted to a carrying position.

2. The handle assembly of claim 1 in which said carrying handle includes a positioning finger to which said spring means is attached, said positioning finger being adapted to engage said stop means when said carrying handle is in the carrying position.

3. The handle assembly of claim 1 in which said stop means is a load carrying plate mounted on said guide bracket.

4. A retractable handle assembly for a carrying case comprising a guide bracket adapted to be mounted on the interior of a case, a carrying handle movably positioned within said guide bracket, said guide bracket comprising a pair of channels with a slot therebetween in which said carrying handle is movably positioned, and spring means connected to the distal end of said guide bracket and to said carrying handle, whereby said carrying handle is normally retained in said guide bracket in its retracted position but may be moved from a retracted to a carrying position.

5. The handle assembly of claim 4 in which said spring means comprises a pair of springs connected to said channels and extending from the distal end of said channels to said carrying handle.

6. A retractable handle assembly for carrying cases comprising a guide bracket adapted to be mounted on the interior of a case, a carrying handle movably positioned within said guide bracket, spring means connected to the distal end of said guide bracket and to said carrying handle, whereby said carrying handle is normally retained in said guide bracket in its retracted position but may be moved from a retracted to an extended carrying position, stop means connected to said guide bracket adjacent to the end thereof opposite the end to which said spring means is connected, said stop means being a load carrying plate mounted on said guide bracket, said carrying handle including a positioning finger to which said spring means is connected, and said positioning finger adapted to engage said stop means when said handle is in the extended position.

7. The handle assembly of claim 6 in which said carrying handle includes an angularly configured arm adapted to extend above and over the center of gravity of a carrying case when in the extended position to facilitate carrying.

8. The handle assembly of claim 6, in which said guide bracket comprises a pair of channels with a longitudinally extending slot therebetween in which said carrying handle is movably positioned.

9. A carrying case for projectors and the like comprising a case housing and a retractable handle assembly mounted on said housing, said handle assembly comprising a guide bracket mounted on the interior of said housing, a carrying handle movably positioned within said guide bracket and extending through a slot in said housing to the exterior of said housing, and spring means connected to the distal end of said guide bracket and to said carrying handle, said handle assembly including stop means for said carrying handle mounted on said guide bracket adjacent the end of said guide bracket opposite the end to which said spring means is connected, whereby said carrying handle is normally retained within said guide bracket in its retracted position and may be moved from the retracted to an extended position.

10. The case of claim 9 in which said handle assembly includes stop means for said carrying handle mounted on said guide bracket adjacent the end of said guide bracket opposite the end to which said spring means is connected.

11. The carrying case of claim 9 in which said carrying handle includes a positioning finger to which said spring means is connected, said positioning finger adapted to engage said stop means when said carrying handle is in the extended position.

12. The carrying case of claim 11 in which said guide bracket comprises a pair of channels with a longitudinally extending slot therebetween in which said carrying handle is movably positioned.

13. The carrying case of claim 12 in which said stop means is a load carrying plate mounted on said guide bracket.

14. The carrying case of claim 13 in which said spring means comprises a pair of springs connected to said channels and to said positioning finger.

15. The carrying case of claim 12 in which said carrying handle includes an angularly configured arm extending through said slot in said case housing above and over the center of gravity of said case when said handle is in the extended position to facilitate carrying.