TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates generally to the field of articles for personal assistance in carrying loads and more particularly to articles for assisting persons in carrying one or more bags with handles or handle openings and/or clothing hangers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
While in the past the use of paper bags or sacks was common, increasingly, plastic bags are replacing paper bags in retail establishments. The plastic bags often include an integral handle formed by two opposing openings near the top of the bag. While plastic bags are stronger, lighter, and more impervious to weakening due to moisture, plastic bags can be less convenient for a number of reasons. For example, when the plastic bag is heavily loaded, the handle of the bag is pulled taut and takes on characteristics of a wire or string that is uncomfortable to carry. Since the plastic bag is so lightweight and flexible, it provides little or no support to the goods placed in the bag when the loaded bag is stored away for transport. Articles, such as cans or produce, are free to roll out of the bag, requiring the user to gather up the articles and reload the bags once the final destination is reached.
Bag handle carrying aids have been developed to address some of the above listed problems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,891 to Lunsford concerns a bag handle carrying aid made up of a semi-rigid flexible material. The carrying aid includes a tab that is used to lock the carrying aid in place around the bag handles. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,940 to Rimland is directed to a disposable hand grip for plastic bags. The Rimland grip is also flexible and includes a locking mechanism to hold the grip in place.
SUMMARY
A rigid carrying grip facilitates installation and removal of plastic bags in the grip and remains installed on the bags when the bags are not being carried. The carrying grip is made up of a tubular section terminating at first and second ends. The tubular section includes a slit along its axial length between the first and second ends.
The first and/or second ends can be tapered to form an angled end surface on the tubular section. The angled end surface can form either an acute or obtuse angle with respect to the slit.
The tubular member can be made of any rigid material such as plastic, for example PVC pipe, and can have a circular or other shaped cross section. The carrying grip can include text or designs imprinted on the tubular section.
The tubular member may also include one or more hanger openings adapted to accept an open end of one or more clothing hangers.
The tubular member may have a thickness that is thinner than the slit so that one tubular member may be inserted into the slit of another tubular member to place them in a nesting relationship to one another.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the exemplary embodiment of the invention are described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of carrying grip constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention with a plastic bag shown in phantom;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of carrying grip constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of carrying grip constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of carrying grip constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 5-13 are side plan views of carrying grips that include hanger supporting openings according to various embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a carrying grip with a hanger installed in a hanger supporting opening; and
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of two carrying grips nested together.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a bag carrying grip 10 is shown in a perspective view with a bag illustrated in phantom. The grip 10 is made up of a tubular section 11 having a length of about four inches and an outer diameter of about one inch and an inner diameter of about ⅞ inch. The tubular section 11 terminates in end surfaces 15, 16 at either end. The tubular section 11 can be molded or machined from tube stock such as PVC plastic. While a tubular member having a circular cross section is shown herein, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that a tubular section having a different cross sectional shape such as oval, square or triangular may also be employed. The tubular member has a wall thickness designated “y” in FIG. 1 which is less than ½ inch, preferably less than or equal to ⅛ inch. A slit 18 runs the length of the tubular section to provide an access opening for bags that are to be installed in the grip 10. The slit has a width “x” that is less than ½ inch, preferably less than or equal to ¼ inch. Other larger or smaller slit widths may be appropriate depending on the type of bags that are to be carried. A lead-in angled portion 13 can be present at one or more ends of the slit to assist the user in installing the bags. The end surfaces 15, 16 are tapered so that the end surfaces form an acute angle with respect to the slit 18. The edges of the tapered end surfaces 15, 16 and the slit 18 are smoothed to reduce the likelihood of damage to the plastic bag and provide additional comfort to the user. To install the grip 10 on plastic bags, the user need only insert both handles of the bag or bags to be carried into the slit 18. All of the installed bags can then be carried using the grip. In addition, the grip will remain installed on the bags even when the user sets the bags down, keeping the contents of the bag in the bag during transport. There is no grip locking mechanism that needs to be connected by the user. The grip may be washable when made of appropriate material, such as plastic.
FIGS. 2-4 illustrate various bag carrying grips. FIG. 2 shows a grip 20 that is made of a tubular section 21 of approximately the same length as the grip 10 in FIG. 1. End surfaces 25, 26 are tapered in the opposite direction from the end surfaces 15, 16 of the grip 10 of FIG. 1 so that the end surfaces 25, 26 form an obtuse angle with respect to the slit 28. FIG. 3 shows a grip 30 made of a tubular section 31 of the same length as the grips in FIGS. 1 and 2, but having end surfaces 35, 36 that are not tapered. FIG. 4 shows yet another carrying grip similar in geometry to that of FIG. 2 but having a slit 48 that is approximately ¼ inch across (this dimension is designated “z”).
In addition to their utility in aiding customers in carrying bags from the store, the grips described herein can also be used as promotional items. As shown in FIG. 1, stickers or imprints bearing brands or logos can be placed on the grips and the grips can be sold or given away to provide brand visibility and garner goodwill amongst target consumers. The brands or logos can be placed on the grips using stickers or molded into the tubular sections during manufacturing
FIGS. 5 through 13 illustrate bag carrying grips 50-58 that include the addition feature of a hanger supporting opening 61-69. The opening 61-69 is made of two symmetrical openings in opposing sides of the grip that line up to provide easy passage of an open end of one or a few hangers as shown in FIG. 14 in which a hanger 75 is inserted in a grip 50. As can be seen from the figures, the opening can have many shapes, such as circular, square, rectangular, elliptical, triangular, oval, or half moon. FIG. 6 in particular illustrates a grip 50 having a hanger supporting opening 61 that is offset from the center of the grip while FIGS. 5 and 7-13 show openings that are centered. The grip with the hanger supporting opening has the added benefit of being installable in most vehicle hanger hooks.
FIG. 15 shows two grips 50 nested together for convenient storage. As can be seen from the figure if the grips are constructed of a material having a thickness less than the diameter of the slit, one grip can be inserted and slid through the slit of the other. It will be apparent to those of skill in the art that other shapes may also be advantageous.
It can be seen from the foregoing description that a rigid carrying grip facilitates installation and removal of plastic bags and hangers in the grip and remains installed on the bags and hangers when the bags and hangers are not being carried. Although the invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it should be understood that various changes can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Patent Application
20070085360
