Patent Application
20070130731
1. Field
The present disclosure relates to a case handle, and more particularly to a case handle assembly for protective cases.
2. General Background
Cases are often used for storing or shipping of materials. Many of these cases are set on wheels to facilitate moving of the case. Additionally, cases are often fitted with handles to help a user move the case.
Different case handle configurations are known. It is desirable to have a case handle that assists movement of a case. It is also desirable to have a case handle that fits into the case so that additional space is not occupied by the case handle.
The present disclosure provides for an improved case handle assembly. The case handle assembly allows for other cases to be stacked on top of the case. A locking mechanism secures the handle to the case.
In another aspect, the case handle may be connected to the top of a lid of the case and may be utilized for the purpose of pulling or pushing the case. In particular embodiments, the case handle is the length of the lid to provide the most leverage for a user.
In another aspect, the case handle may be locked into place in the lid using a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism corresponds with a catch on top of the lid to lock the case handle to the lid.
In one aspect, the case handle is movable between a first position when the handle is located essentially wholly within the highpoint defined by a mounting area on top of the lid of the case and an extended second position. In exemplary embodiments, the top of the lid of the case becomes flush with the case handle is folded down. In other embodiments, such that in the first position the case handle doesn't essentially impair the stacking of a second case on the lid. This allows for stacking of additional mobile cases on top of the case.
In another aspect, the case handle is attached to the lid by a hinge. The hinge may be connected at the edge of the lid or close to the lid. A pivot pin enables the case handle may rotate about the hinge to enable a user to move the case.
The foregoing aspects and advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent and understood with reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a case handle assembly is provided. The case handle is set into the depth of a wall of the case, causing the wall to be approximately flat. The wall of the case could include the top or the side walls of the case. The case handle is locked into place on the case by setting into a depth created by a mounting base and utilizing a locking mechanism.
With reference to
With continued reference to
In other embodiments, the mounting base 205 is located on a wall of the case 105. The wall can be any wall of the case including the side walls, the top walls or the bottom wall. In particular embodiments, the wall utilized for the mounting base 205 is the top wall. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the top wall is the lid 115. In other embodiments, the side wall my be utilized as the storage for the handle.
The handle 125 may be constructed from the same materials as the case 100. However, the case handle 125 may also be made from a different material from the case 100. For example, in alternative embodiments, the case handle 125 may be constructed from metals or a different rigid material while the case 100 is constructed from a rigid polymer.
The case handle 125 is attached to the lid 115 by a pivot pin 130. The pivot pin 130 enables the handle 125 to be rotated about the lid 115. In a particular embodiment, the pivot pin 130 connecting the lid 115 to the case handle 125 is located at the edge of the lid 115. Locating the pin 130 at the edge of the lid enables the case handle 125 to be the length of the lid 115. Utilizing the whole length of the lid 115 allows the person moving the case to have more leverage to facilitate movement of the case 100 when the case is sitting on casters 105. However, the pin 130 does not have to be placed exactly at the edge of the lid 115. The pin may also located at various points of the lid 115.
At the intersection between the lid 115 and the case handle 125 is a heavy-duty hinge 135. The heavy-duty hinge 135 has interlocking members that allow for more heavy loads and pressure exerted by the user. The interlocking members of the heavy duty hinge 135 also allow for more comfortable pivoting of the case handle 125 about the surface. In particular embodiments, the hinge 135 may be located at the edge of the lid 115.
In other embodiments, the hinge 135 may be located on the side of the lid 115. In these embodiments, the case handle 115 will include an additional side piece to correspond with the side of the lid 115. In other embodiments, the hinge 135 may be located away from the edge of the lid 115. In this embodiment, the case handle 125 is not the full length of the lid 115. The case handle 125 can rotate about the lid 115 about 180 degrees.
Now with reference to
In a particular embodiment, an L-shaped catch 200 is located on the mounting base 205 on top of the lid 115. The locking mechanism 210 cooperates with the L-shaped catch 200 to lock the handle to the lid 115. In exemplary embodiments, the catch 200 is connected to the mounting base 205 utilizing screws or similar attachment mechanisms. In other embodiments, the catch 200 can be molded onto the mounting base 205.
The mounting base further comprises an indention 220. The indention 220 is located at the same point that the hand grip 230 is located to enable a user of the assembly to be able to grip the handle when it is flush with the lid 115.
The front view of the case handle is depicted in
In exemplary embodiments, the case handle 125 also includes a large planar section 240 extending a substantial section of the length of the case handle 125. The planar section 125 provides more stability and strength to the case handle 125 to allow for more pressure exerted by the user.
Additionally, the case handle 125 may also include reinforcing grooves 245. The reinforcing grooves 245 provide more strength to the case handle 125 and allow for more pressure to be exerted by the user and heavier loads to be moved.
With reference now to
With reference now to
In an exemplary embodiment, the locking mechanism 210 is spring-loaded. By spring-loading the locking mechanism 210, the locking mechanism 210 automatically returns to its original locked position as depicted in
With reference now to
In other embodiments, the case handle 125 does not sit flush with the top of the lid 115. For example, the handle 125 maybe be in the first position such that the case handle 125 doesn't essentially impair the stacking of a second case on the lid 115 or the handle 125 is located essentially wholly within the highpoint and the mounting base 205.
While the above description contains many particulars, these should not be considered limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather a demonstration of embodiments thereof. The alloy composition, method for making and uses disclosed herein include any combination of the different species or embodiments disclosed. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the invention in any way be limited by the above description. The various elements of the claims and claims themselves may be combined any combination, in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, which includes the claims.
