WO2018134349A1

WO2018134349A1 - A portable handle device

Info

Publication number: WO2018134349A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/051298
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronan GILLESPIE
Original assignee: Gillespie Ronan
Priority date: 2017-01-23
Filing date: 2018-01-19
Publication date: 2018-07-26
Also published as: IES86894B2; IES20170024A2

Abstract

A portable hand held device with a retractable loop for attaching a handle to a load, enabling the user to apply a force to the load, or more specifically to a device for bundling skis and poles for transportation to and from skiing areas.

Description

A Portable Handle Device

Field of invention This invention relates to a portable handle device which is suitable for attachment to one or more objects and which is used to apply a force to said objects, in particular, a portable handle device which is sufficiently compactable to fit in a conventional pocket when not in use.

Background of the invention

Snow skiing requires the use of equipment, which is designed only to be used in suitable skiing areas. While skiers wear skis and poles during skiing they must be transported to and from the skiing area. Skis and poles are cumbersome to carry as they are long and if unconstrained tend to get skewed. While many solutions are currently available for the purpose of transporting ski equipment to and from the skiing areas, they tend not to be used by the majority of skiers as this additional equipment tends to be either too bulky to carry while skiing or over complicated in means of attaching and adjusting during deployment.

The use of hook and loop fasteners or any other adjustable attachment mechanism is relatively difficult when wearing thick winter gloves, as is normal when skiing or when travelling to and from the skiing area.

Therefore an object of the invention is to provide a device, which allows a plurality of articles such as skis and poles to be compactly constrained in a single bundle with a comfortable handle for transportation by the user. Also, there is a need for this device to be lightweight, compact and easily storable within one's pocket, such that it can be carried while skiing.

The retractable loop of cord in this device is deployed by holding the handle with one hand and extending the loop, by pulling a tab with the other hand, while encircling the load, or part thereof, before passing the handle through the loop, under the tab and collecting the handle with the same hand.

Then the tab is released and the handle is pulled until the loop settles around the load in the form of a Lark head hitch knot and the user is ready to apply a force to the load.

There is a loop size adjuster, adjacent to the pull-tab, in the form of a cord lock device with a plunger, which when pressed allows cord to run through the cord lock, adjusting the effective length of the loop for deployment, this loop size adjustment can be employed to regulate the distance between handle and load, for smaller loads or more comfortable use by children.

The device of the present invention comprises a loop of chord which, when fully deployed, becomes independent of a retraction mechanism within a handle of the device. This allows the user to adjust the handle angle and position on the loop for efficient and comfortable use, while isolating the retraction mechanism from bearing the weight of the load.

When resting or waiting, the device handle can be released and will settle at the loop crossover next to the load, maintaining the bundle and ready for future application of force. When finished applying force to the load the device handle is removed by reversing the process. The handle is brought towards the load, creating slack in the loop, with the other hand the tab is pulled away from the load, the handle is then passed through the loop under the tab, the tab is released and the loop retracts into the handle.

The handle of the device is compact, with a smooth and uncluttered exterior surface, which tapers at each end to produce a low profile, so that, with the loop fully retracted, the user can easily slip the device into a pocket for comfortable storage when not in use. Another application of this device could involve the handle with retractile ability being permanently attached to an object in a recessed slot, to provide an extendable means of manoeuvring the object. Examples could include a means of dragging luggage without the need for an aluminium frame subtracting from available luggage space, a means of manoeuvring small watercraft and a means of manoeuvring larger white goods when installing or removing.

The device can be used for lifting, bundling, pulling, dragging, tensioning, positioning and aligning. The device can be used across a range of leisure and work activities such as skiing, camping, climbing, boating, shopping, travelling, construction, auto mechanics, engineering, plumbing and furniture handling.

Summary of invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable handle device comprising; a handle with at least one opening and a length of cord retractably extending from the handle, which together define a closed loop of adjustable magnitude, such that the loop may be attached to at least one object in order to provide a means of applying a force to said object.

Preferably, the opposed ends of the length of cord are fixed together such that the length of cord forms a continuous closed loop which passes through the handle. Preferably, the handle is moveable along the length of the cord when the cord is fully extended from the handle.

Preferably, the device comprises a retraction mechanism operable to effect retraction of at least a portion of the length of the cord into the handle.

Preferably, the retraction mechanism comprises a winding mechanism.

Preferably, the winding mechanism is manual.

Preferably, the winding mechanism is spring loaded.

Preferably, the retraction mechanism is located within the handle. Preferably, the length of cord is biased for automatic retraction into the handle, such that in the absence of a load, the loop is substantially stored within the handle.

Preferably, the cord, when fully extended from the handle, is substantially isolated from the retraction mechanism.

Preferably, the adjuster is operable to isolate portions of the extended cord, in order to reduce the effective size of the loop.

Preferably, the handle is hollow.

Preferably, the majority of the cord is temporarily stored within the handle. Preferably, the cord passes through the handle. Preferably, the cord comprises a substantially inelastic material. Preferably, a stopper fixes the ends of the cord together. Preferably, the handle is provided as an integral part of an object.

Preferably, the loop comprises two fixing points on the object.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container comprising a device according to any of the preceding claims comprising a recess in the exterior of the container into which the handle is releasably locatable, the length of cord being connected to the container such as to allow the handle to be separated from the container while remaining tethered thereto. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of applying a force to an object, the method comprising the steps of: providing a portable handle device according to the first aspect of the invention; drawing a portion of the length of cord outwardly from within the handle; securing the loop of cord to the object; and applying a force to the object by pulling on the handle in order to fully extend the cord from the handle.

Preferably, the method comprises passing the loop of cord around the object; passing the handle back through the loop of cord; and drawing the handle away from the object to fully extend the cord from the handle and tighten the loop of cord around the object.

Preferably, the method comprises forming a lark head knot around the object with the loop of cord.

Brief description of drawings

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view from above of a portable handle device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view from below of the handle and its component parts; Figure 3a illustrates a perspective view of a spring cage which forms part of a retraction mechanism located within the handle of Figure 2;

Figure 3b illustrates a perspective view of a spiral torsion spring which forms part of the retraction mechanism located within the handle of Figure 2;

Figure 3c illustrates a perspective view of a spool which forms part of the retraction mechanism located within the handle of Figure 2;

Figure 4a illustrates an exploded view of an adjuster forming part of the portable handle device;

Figure 4b illustrates an exploded view of a stopper forming part of the portable handle device;

Figure 5a illustrates the device in use, wherein a cord is extending from both sides of the handle, the free ends of said cord being joined together to form a loop; Figure 5b illustrates the device in use, wherein the handle is being passed through the distal end of the loop;

Figure 5c illustrates the device in use, wherein the loop is fixed around an object through means of a lark head hitch knot and the handle is being used to apply a force to the object;

Figure 6a illustrates a perspective view of the device in the retracted position;

Figure 6b illustrates a perspective view of the device in the at least partially extended position;

Figure 6c illustrates a perspective view of the device wherein the adjuster has been used to shorten the length of the loop; and

Figure 6d illustrates a perspective view of the device in the at least partially extended position in combination with the shortened loop of Figure 6c.

Detailed description of the drawings Figures 1 through 6 depict a preferred embodiment of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein. The preferred embodiment is a portable handle device, generally denoted by the numeral 10 with a retractable loop 80 of cord 82 for attaching a handle 1 to a load (for example by placing a portion of the loop 80 around at least one object or load ), allowing the user to apply a force to the load. This embodiment employs a spring mechanism to form a retraction mechanism 2. The spring mechanism functions to exert a recoil force continuously on a loop 80 of cord 82 even when the loop 80 is in the deployed position.

The portable handle device 10 of this invention comprises an elongated handle 1 composed of two handle members; a base member 20 and a top member 60 that have contiguous peripheral faces, the base member 20 having an extended lip 24 and the top member 60 having a recessed groove 63, both of the members 20, 60 lying in a plane perpendicular to the rotational axis of a spool 50 and extending symmetrically away from the centre of rotation while tapering to a smaller diameter. It will be appreciated that other means of attaching the handle members 20, 60 and other shapes of handle members 20, 60 may also be considered without departing from the essence of the invention 10. At the distal ends of the handle 1 (formed by the two joined handle members 20, 60), the base member 20 comprises semi-circular recesses 25 and the top member 60 comprises semi-circular recesses 65 which, when joined together form two circular openings, which conform to the cylindrical recessed groove 73 of the low friction grommets 70. The low friction grommets 70, illustrated in Figures 1 & 2, at each end of the handle 1 allow for the ingress and egress of a cord 82 during retraction and deployment. The low friction grommets 70 are cylindrical in shape with internal continuous concave rounded channels 71 , which continue at each side to form annular lips 72 producing cylindrical recessed grooves 73. The handle 1 forms a housing, which defines an internal cavity 21.

A spindle 22 extends axially up from the base member 20 into the cavity 21 , this spindle forms a pivot point for the retraction mechanism 2. A spring cage 40, illustrated in Figures 1 and 3a forms a cylindrical cavity 41 with a flat disc 42 and a circular sidewall 44. The flat disc 42 has a circular opening 43 at its centre, which conforms to the extended end of the spindle 22. An annular lip 48 extends from the sidewall 44 at the open end and houses three slots 49 which are set at 120 degrees from each other and conform to three wedge shaped tabs 58 of the spool 50.

A spiral torsion spring 30, illustrated in Figures 1 & 3b, of flat spring steel has two notches 33 at an exterior end 34 forming an attachment point, which conforms to a rectangular structure 46 in the sidewall 44 of the spring cage 40. It will be appreciated that this invention 10 is not limited to the use of a spiral torsion spring 30 and use of other spring types or folding methods could also be envisaged. Similarly, the invention 10 is not limited to the use of flat spring steel and other materials such as but not limited to plastic could also be envisaged for use in this application. An interior end 32 of the spiral torsion spring 30 has a crimped portion, which conforms to a recessed slot 23 in the extended end of the spindle 22.

The spool 50, illustrated in Figures 1 & 3c, is formed around a shaft 52 with a flange 56 at its lower end and a flange 54 at its upper end. A hole 51 is provided through shaft 52 for the cord 82 to run through. At each end of the hole 51 the transition with the shaft 52 forms a concave rounded edge 53, which creates a low friction interaction between the cord 82 and the spool 50 when the loop 80 is fully deployed. This allows the user to adjust the angle of portable handle device 10 in order to achieve optimum comfort when applying force to a load. Also when fully deployed, the cord 82 is no longer directly attached to the spool 50 as it simply runs through the hole 51 in the spool thereby substantially eliminating any destructive forces acting on the internal structure of the retraction mechanism 2 during use.

On the outer side of the upper flange 54 a central cylindrical recess 55 conforms to the extended end of an upper spindle 62 which protrudes from the top member 60 providing a pivot point for the retraction mechanism 2. On the outer side of the lower flange 56 a central cylindrical recess 57 conforms to the extended end of the spindle 22 protruding from the base member 20 providing a pivot point for the retraction mechanism 2. The three wedge shaped tabs 58 extend down from the lower flange 56 and are set at 120 degrees intervals from each other and conform to the three slots 49 of the spring cage 40. To assemble the device 10, the spiral torsion spring 30 is attached to the spring cage 40 by inserting the external spring end 34 into the rectangular structure 46 in the circular sidewall 44 and the first external coil is guided through a notch 45, the spring coil is subsequently fed into the cavity 41. The assembled spiral torsion spring 30 and the spring cage 40 are placed onto the spindle 22 which protrudes from the base member 20 through the circular opening 43 of the spring cage 40. The interior end 32 of the torsion spring 30 comprises a crimped portion, which engages with the recessed slot 23 in the spindle 22.

The cord 82 is fed through the hole 51 of the spool 50 and with an equal length of cord 82 extending either side, the spool 50 is rotated until an appropriate amount of cord 82 is wound onto the spool 50. The assembled spool 50 and the cord 82 are now added to the assembly by inserting the wedge shaped tabs 58 of the spool 50 into the slots 49 of the spring cage 40. The low friction grommets 70 are threaded onto each end of the cord 82 and placed into the semi circular openings 25 of the base member 20.

The top member 60 is now joined to the assembly by inserting the upper spindle 62 into the cylindrical recess 55 of the spool 50 and guiding the semi circular openings 65 on to the low friction grommets 70. The top member 60 is joined to the base member 20 with screws 68 which are engaged with screw holes 67 of screw bosses 66 of the top member 60. As the screws 68 are driven through the handle 1 they engage with screw holes 27 of screw bosses 26 of base member 20. The two ends of the cord 82 which protrude from the handle 1 are extended in order to rotate the spring mechanism and engage the recoil force. A loop adjuster 81 , illustrated in Figures 1 , 4a, 5a, 5b, 5c, 6a, 6b, 6c & 6d, comprises a cord lock body 84 which forms an internal cavity 85 which houses a cord lock spring 86 and a plunger 88. Holes 83 of the cord lock body 84 and holes 87 of the plunger 88 align when the user compresses the cord lock spring 86 by applying a force to the plunger 88.

The holes 83, 87 are in alignment such that the two ends of cord 82 may be fed through the cord lock body 84 and the plunger 88. When the plunger 88 is released the holes 83, 87 go out of alignment and lock the cord 82 to the loop adjuster 81 in the desired position. It will be appreciated that in a preferred embodiment, the invention 10 comprises the loop adjuster 81 , however, an alternative embodiment is also envisaged whereby the adjuster 81 does not form part of invention 10.

A pull-tab 90, illustrated in Figures 1 , 4b, 5c, 6a, 6b, 6c & 6d, is then joined to the ends of the cord 82 by threading the outer shell 94 over the ends of the cord 82. The ends of the cord 82 are aligned with the sides 92 of pull-tab body 92 so that they interact with ridges 93. The outer shell 94 slides over the cord 82 until it snap fits onto the pull-tab body 92. The two ends of the cord 82 are now locked to the pull-tab 90 to form the loop 80. It will be appreciated that in a preferred embodiment, the invention 10 comprises the pull-tab 90, however, an alternative embodiment is also envisaged whereby the pull-tab 90 does not form part of invention 10.

The portable handle device 10 is deployed by holding the handle 1 with one hand, while the other hand extends the loop 80, using the pull-tab 90 and encircling a load, or part thereof, as illustrated in Figure 5a. As illustrated in Figure 5b, the handle 1 is subsequently passed through the loop 80 under the loop adjuster 81 and the handle 1 is collected with the same hand. The pull-tab 90 is then released and the handle 1 is pulled until the loop 80 settles around the load in the form of a lark head hitch knot as illustrated in Figure 5c. The user is then ready to apply a force to the load.

The loop adjuster 81 allows the user to temporarily remove a portion of cord 82 from the loop 80. This changes the distance between handle 1 and load in order to accommodate less bulky loads and attachment points or to accommodate small people. It will be appreciated that in a preferred embodiment the invention 10 comprises both the loop adjuster 81 and the pull tab 90, however, an alternative embodiment is envisaged whereby either the pull-tab 90 or the loop adjuster 81 is not present and function of closing the loop 80 of the missing pull-tab 90 or loop adjuster 81 is undertaken by the remaining pull-tab 90 or loop adjuster 81.

When fully deployed, the loop 80 of cord 82 becomes substantially independent of the retraction mechanism 2 within the handle 1. This allows the user to adjust the handle 1 angle and position on the loop 80 for efficient and comfortable use, while isolating the retraction mechanism 2 from bearing the weight of the load.

When resting or waiting, the handle 1 can be released and will settle at the loop 80 crossover next to the load, maintaining the bundle and ready for future application of force.

When finished applying force to the load, the handle 1 is removed by reversing the process. The handle 1 is brought towards the load, creating slack in the loop 80, with the other hand the pull tab 90 is pulled away from the load, the handle 1 is then passed through the loop 80 under the loop adjuster 81 , the pull tab 90 is released and the loop 80 retracts into the handle 1.

The handle 1 of the portable handle device 10 is compact, with a smooth and uncluttered exterior surface, which tapers at each end to produce a low profile, so that, with the loop 80 fully retracted, the user can easily slip the portable handle device 10 into a pocket for comfortable storage when not in use.

The device 10 can be used for lifting, bundling, pulling, dragging, tensioning, positioning and aligning. The device 10 can be used across a range of leisure and work activities such as skiing, camping, climbing, boating, shopping, travelling, construction, auto mechanics, engineering, plumbing and furniture handling.

Claims

1 . A portable handle device 10 comprising; a handle 1 with at least one opening 65 and a length of cord 82 retractably extending from the handle 1 , which together define a closed loop 80 of adjustable magnitude, such that a portion of the loop 80 may be attached to at least one object in order to provide a means of applying a force to said object.

The device 10 of claim 1 wherein opposed ends of the length of cord 82 are fixed together such that the length of cord 82 forms a continuous closed loop 80 which passes through the handle 1.

3. The device 10 of claim 2 in which the handle 1 is moveable along the length of the cord 82 when the length of cord 82 is fully extended from the handle 1 .

The device 10 of any preceding claim comprising a retraction mechanism 2 operable to effect retraction of at least a portion of the length of the cord 82 into the handle 1.

The device 10 of claim 4 wherein the retraction mechanism 2 comprises a winding mechanism.

The device 10 of claim 4 wherein the winding mechanism is manual.

7. The device 10 of claim 4 wherein the winding mechanism is spring loaded.

The device 10 of any of claims 4 to 7 wherein the retraction mechanism 2 is located within the handle 1.

9. The device 10 of any preceding claim where the length of cord 82 is biased for automatic retraction into the handle 1 , such that in the absence of a load, the loop 80 is substantially stored within the handle.

10. The device 10 of any preceding claim wherein the length of cord 82, when fully extended from the handle 1 , is substantially isolated from the retraction mechanism 2.

1 1 . The device 10 of any preceding claim comprising an adjuster 81 operable to isolate portions of the extended cord 82 in order to reduce the effective size of the loop 80.

12. The device 10 of any preceding claim wherein the handle 1 is hollow.

13. The device 10 of any preceding claim wherein the majority of the cord 82 is temporarily stored within the handle 1.

14. The device 10 of any preceding claim wherein the cord 82 passes through the handle 1.

15. The device 10 of any preceding claim wherein the cord 82 comprises a substantially inelastic material.

16. The device 10 of any preceding claim comprising a stopper 90 fixing the ends of the cord 82 together.

17. The device 10 of any preceding claim where the handle 1 is provided as an integral part of an object.

18. The device 10 of claim 17 wherein the loop 80 comprises two fixing points on the object.

19. A container comprising a device 10 according to any of the preceding claims comprising a recess in the exterior of the container into which the handle 1 is releasably locatable, the length of cord 82 being connected to the container such as to allow the handle 1 to be separated from the container while remaining tethered thereto.

20. A method of applying a force to an object, the method comprising the steps of: providing a portable handle device 10 according to any of claims 1 to 16; drawing a portion of the length of cord 82 outwardly from within the handle 1 ; securing the loop 80 of cord 82 to the object; and applying a force to the object by pulling on the handle 1 in order to fully extend the cord 82 from the handle 1.

21 . The method of claim 20 comprising passing the loop 80 of cord 82 around the object; passing the handle 1 back through the loop 80 of cord 82; and drawing the handle 1 away from the object to fully extend the cord 82 from the handle 1 and tighten the loop 80 of cord 82 around the object.

22. The method of any of claims 20 or 21 , wherein a lark head hitch knot is formed around the object with the loop 80 of cord 82.